USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1952 > Part 10
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weeding and withdrawing old books, preparing school deposits and what is most important of all, giving each child individual help in selecting the right book for his reading level. This latter takes all of her time in the afternoon, leaving only the morning in which to accomp- lish all the other duties. Aside from these clerical tasks, there are the summer story hours, and in the winter occasional story hours at some of the schools. It takes time to prepare stories for telling, so that children will sit quietly with rapt looks on their faces, and this is what an average 56 children at each story hour did last sum- mer. Mrs. Blair will be more than glad to welcome any- one who loves to tell stories as a volunteer for even a few hours during this summer's story hour series.
THE FLOOR IS LAID
It is essential that staff members have time in which to attend Library Conferences in order to keep abreast of changing trends and new developments; also to visit other libraries and exchange practical ideas and methods of library procedures. It is often difficult with a small staff to plan schedules so that this is possible. In June, however, we did arrange so that both Mrs. Emerson and Mrs. Bates could attend the meeting of the Massachusetts Library Association at Harwichport, and others have attended the meetings of the Old Colony Library Club at Quincy and Norwood. In the fall Miss "all and Miss Handy were privileged to visit three new library build-
149
ings in Hamden, Connecticut; these observations con- tributed many workable ideas which can be adapted in the new building.
Improvements and Problems
As soon as it was realized that the Town Meeting had voted a 10% cut in the expense budgets of all de- partments, the Librarian and Trustees proceeded to re- arrange their planned budget, in order to cooperate to the fullest possible extent with the wishes of the citizens. One project which had been planned for the year 1952 was the redecorating of the East Braintree Branch; as this had been put off for several years, it was felt that this must be done no matter what, and at the expense of cutting out other items. This painting has just been com- pleted, and we invite all the citizens of East Braintree to visit the branch, if they have not already done so. Exclamations of approval mark the transformation from a dull, dirty buff to the light aqua walls and shelves which form a perfect background for the vari-colored bindings of the books.
It has been necessary with the reduction in the expense budget to omit several titles of periodicals, when ordering for the year 1953. With the increase in use of periodicals during the year 1952, we shall have to watch closely to see how much borrowers will be affected by these cancellations. Books and periodicals are the life- blood of the library. Citizens borrow them in order to save buying expensive items which they otherwise would not be privileged to read. In a comparative list of eleven towns of the same approximate population, Braintree is next to the bottom in the total amount of money spent for books and periodicals. We cannot reduce these items without very soon crippling the very essence of the library.
And what of the future now that the long sought goal of a new building has been reached. There are other things for which we must work, for no institution can long exist without some special project towards which to strive. With a more modern central library building, we must not forget that the library serves the whole town. Other sections of the town will indirectly be served more efficiently as a result of the central building, but we must work for more adequate quarters for the exist- ing branch libraries; some type of service to the newly developed districts of the town; the immediate planning
150
and development of an adequate music and record collec- tion; raising the standards of library personnel and the book budget.
Thayer Public Library and West Point
One gala event of the year will serve as a closing point for this report and to show the connections which your own public library has with the outside world. Early in the year the librarian received an invitation from the United States Military Academy at West Point, to attend the Sesquicentennial Convocation as an official delegate. It was with a deep sense of the honor of the occasion and gratitude to the founder of the Thayer Public Library, General Sylvanus Thaver, that the librarian attended the thrilling ceremonies in May, as one of several thousand official delegates, representing learned societies and in- stitutions from all over the world. The only disappoint- ment was that inclement weather forced the cancellation of the famous Cadet Dress Parade. The final event was a long to be remembered banquet of the thousands of delegates in the beautiful cadet mess hall. The Senior Cadets had the privilege of attending this banquet, four cadets being seated at each table of delegates. Whether planned or not is unknown, but the librarian found her assigned seat beneath a striking portrait of Sylvanus Thayer. As she talked with the cadets and officers and heard with what respect and honor he is considered one of the Academy's Great, she realized with pride and hu- mility the continuing link between your public library and this great Military Academy, created by the influence of this world renowned figure and native of the town of Braintree.
THAYER PUBLIC LIBRARY Statistics for the year 1952 CIRCULATION
Increase over
1951
Main Library
148,411
+19,878
East Braintree
28,942
+ 2,655
Braintre Highlands
20,528
+ 1,386
Braintree Branch
26,766
- 253
Total Circulation
224,647
+23,666
Increase of 12% over 1951.
Adult
109,964
Juvenile
114,683
Loaned from branches
76,236
Circulation per capita
9.7
151
REGISTERED BORROWERS
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Borrowers Jan. 1, 1952 ...
7,601
2,298
9,899
Borrowers registered 1952
1,092
723
1,815
Expired and moved 1952 ..
998
464
1,462
Registered borrowers Dec. 31, 1952
7,695
2,557
10,252
BOOK STOCK
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Volumes Jan. 1, 1952
33,498
11,465
44,963
Volumes added 1952
1,403
973
2,376
Volumes withdrawn 1952
978
415
1,393
Total volumes Dec. 31, 1952
33,923
12,023
45,946
Sewer Department
Commissioners BERNARD R. ANDREWS, Chairman
CHARLES C. TEMPLE
EARL D. GILLIATT
GEORGE F. BROUSSEAU, Superintendent New Construction :
Street
From
To
Pipe Size Inches
Sewer Length Feet
Blake Road
Walnut
Reservoir
8
293
Easement
River
Wilmarth
10
864
Easement
Sherbrooke
Wynot
8
325
Easement
Webster
Sherbrooke
10
514
Hunt Avenue
Exist. M. H.
Easterly
8
51
Reservoir Avenue
Blake
Reservoir
8
246
Reservoir Circle
Reservoir
End
8
106
Sherbrooke Avenue
End
Washington
8
968
Stonewood Lane
Exist. M. H.
Walnut
8
271
Walnut Avenue
Birchcroft
Weymouth Line
8
653
Walnut Street
Howie
Lakeside
12
253
Walnut Street
Lakeside
End
8
868
Webster Road
Wilmarth
End
10
155
Weston Court
Weston
End
8
133
Wilmarth Road
Easement
Webster
10
639
Worthington Circle
Easement
Easterly
8
145
Total
6,484
Total 1952 Construction
1.2 miles
Previous Construction
38.5
Total Constructed to Date
39.7 miles
152
The sewers in Weston Court and Worthington Circle were constructed by and at the expense of the developers. The extension on Hunt Avenue was done by the Sewer Department. The remainder of the construction work was done under a unit-price contract by DiMascio Brothers and Company, the lowest of five bidders. The work was started May 14 and completed October 2.
On Walnut Street, Blake Road, Reservoir Avenue and Circle, fine sand and gravel saturated with water was encountered. This required the use of wellpoint equipment to dry up the excavation before work could proceed. It was necessary to install the sewer in this locality in order to serve the new Lakeside School build- ing.
The total cost of the year's work amounted to $93,423.63, or an average of $14.41 per linear foot. This year's work made the sewer available to 107 additional buildings, including the Lakeside School and Hollings- worth Stadium. It is estimated there are about 6,756 buildings in the town to be sewered, and of this total, 204 were added during the past year. The present sewer system is available to serve about 3,440 buildings, of which 2,411 are connected with it.
Assessments :
117 sewer assessments, amounting to $30,453.03 were levied. Assessments against property on Weston Court and Worthington Circle, where the sewers were constructed at the expense of the developers, were levied at 60 per cent of the normal rate in accordance with the adopted policy of the Sewer Board. No assessments are ever levied against any School Department, Park Depart- ment, or other Town property.
Highlands' Survey :
A comprehensive survey of the sewerage require- ments for Braintree Highlands and the area in the vicinity of Farm River, started two years ago, has been sub- stantially completed bv Metcalf and Eddy, consulting sanitary engineers of Boston. They are now preparing detail plans and specifications for a portion of the older settled area of the Highlands that can be served by cxtending the present sewer in Washington Street.
153
In their report, they estimate the population of the whole town will reach 61,000 in the year 2000. The mains to serve the Highlands will be designed to provide for the estimated increase in population. The over-all cost of the entire project covered by their report is esti- mated at $2,976,000, based upon preliminary surveys and tentative designs only.
House Connections :
There were 193 sewer connections, totaling 9,662 feet, made by the department during the year at a total cost of $39,991.76. There were 22 applications for con- nection on file at the end of the year.
Maintenance:
During the winter months, all of the main and lateral sewers were cleaned. There were no stoppages in any of the lines. However, a number of streets had root growths that would have caused trouble if the regular cleaning had been omitted.
It was necessary to replace two manhole frames and covers on Washington Street and one on Railroad Street that were damaged and in a dangerous condition. A total of 27 manholes were raised to conform to new street grades on Hayward Street, Edwards Road, Nicker- son Road, Randall Avenue, and Washington Street. Leaks were repaired in a number of manholes.
There were six connections broken by contractors installing other utilities; these were repaired and billed to the contractors.
Twenty sewer connections became blocked with root growths, four of which had to be partly dug up and relaid. All connections where trouble with roots had been experienced in the past were inspected and rodded out.
The Braintree Housing Authority on November 1 turned over the maintenance and operations of the pump- ing station built to serve 18 of their houses located on Pantano and Erickson Streets. It is estimated that the yearly cost to the Town will be about $400.00.
The amount appropriated for maintenance was in- sufficient for proper care either of the sewer system or the department's equipment. Therefore, we were unable
154
to do preventive maintenance on pumping stations, trucks, portable pumps, and compressors that would save larger expenditures later. Also, work that is badly needed to correct excessive infiltration into the mains tributary to the Common Street pumping station had to be omitted altogether. To continue to operate the sewer system with inadequate maintenance from year to year is bound to result eventually in major expenditures for breakdowns or stoppages that will greatly exceed apparent savings.
155
1.
HIGHLANDS SCHOOL ANNEX-Completed April, 1952
156
School Committee
GORDON W. BRYANT Chairman
SOPHIE G. BLUNT
ROGER W. ARNOLD -
ARCHIE T. MORRISON Secretary
OVIDIO DELLA CHIESA
ALMEDA W. CAIN
Once again we pause to look back in appraisal of the year just past and as we review the record we can- not escape the conclusion that the number one problem is the acute population growth and the consequent hous- ing problem.
Progress has been made in building the schools for which money was appropriated last April. It had been hoped that the smaller of these buildings would be ready in the Fall of 1952 so that double sessions might be avoided in our elementary schools but, as with any build- ing project in these times, delays were inevitable. At this writing, the Penniman Annex has been put into serv- ice, the Monatiquot Annex should be ready this Spring and the new Foster School in the Highlands will be ready in September.
These new school buildings have been planned and constructed under the direction of the very efficient and thoroughly practical Low Cost School Housing Commit- tee. The School Committee feels that the goal of low cost has been kept in sight at all times and that the Penniman Annex, which is the "pilot" building, is in fact a school building that is sound of construction, economic- al to operate, flexible in potential use, devoid of un- needed ornament, yet easy to look at. We hope these buildings may be a guide to even more efficient and more economical buildings to come.
Population statistics make it very evident that our school building needs will continue to be heavy in the next few years. Recognizing this, the Town Meeting last April approved the appointment of a committee to study these needs for the next few years. This committee was organized shortly thereafter and has been working dili- gently ever since. Its report will be presented at the Annual Town Meeting this March and it seems inevitable
157
158
FOUNDATIONS OF NEW LAKESIDE SCHOOL As of October 1, 1952
1.
that it will seek immediate action to provide additional school buildings.
An important aspect of our housing problem is main- tenance of old buildings. We must not lose sight of the fact that our old buildings are getting older and that some day we shall need to replace them. This day is still a long way off, however, and we must now concentrate on keeping them in good repair. For a number of years we have been slighting our maintenance program due to the urgency of other needs. It will be unwise to postpone a well defined program of repair and replacement any longer. Our budget this year will call for a well considered plan for 1953 which we consider minimum requirements for adequate maintenance.
The School Committee has consistently striven for the utmost economy in its operational expenses. A study of costs in Braintree, compared with costs in other com- parable cities and towns, will indicate that we have been signally successful in accomplishing this aim. Our budget. for 1953 has been streamlined in accord with our inten- tion to operate the department on a stringently economic- al basis and it is hoped that further restrictions will not be imposed upon us which tend to create hardships or to interfere with the normal and reasonable requirements of the school staff.
Much of the space in this report has been devoted to the problems of housing. This is not to say that the School Committee slighted its most important function, that of overseeing the educational program in our schools. The report of the Superintendent which follows gives ample evidence of the progress that has been made in our schools in the field of learning. Again this year, the personal conference between teacher and parent was held for the purpose of discovering where a pupil needs extra help or attention and to try to coordinate the home training with that of the school. These individua! con- ferences have proved most helpful to parents as well as to teachers.
The School Department is continuing to emphasize a well balanced school program-a program that helps the children to develop normally and judiciously. We recognize the importance of a broad athletic program which will bring a large number of children into sports activities rather than just a few. We recognize, too, the
159
value of other extra-curricula activities in the fields of music, drama, speaking and the arts. We recognize the need for teaching young people to work with their hands as well as with their minds-to create and to make things. These activities go hand in hand with the training of the mind and lead to well balanced personalities.
In closing, we wish to express our thanks to the members of the school staff who have cooperated with us and with the administrators of the department at all times. We wish, also, to convey to Mr. James L. Jordan our appreciation for his many years of loyal and devoted service. Finally, we want to extend to our new High School Principal, Mr. Stanley Clement, a cordial welcome and our best wishes for a successful future in Braintree High School.
160
1952 COMPARATIVE SCHOOL COSTS (Cities and Towns 20,000 - 30,000 Population)
City or Town
1950 Pop.
1952 Tax Rate
1951-1952 Av. Staff Salary
1951-1952 Pupil-Teacher Ratio
1951-1952 Per Pupil Cost
Northampton
28,998
$46.00
$3,644.00
24
$213.00
Beverly
28,851
58.00
3,369.00
23.5
244.00
Framingham
27,845
46.00
3,825.00
23.3
245.00
Belmont
27,379
39.00
4,123.00
19.8
336.00
Melrose
26,919
53.80
3,940.00
23.4
227.00
Gloucester
25,048
56.80
3,217.00
24.8
187.00
Methuen
24,411
48.00
3,582.00
27.6
200.00
Leominster
24,084
50.00
3,459.00
21.5
263.00
Attleboro
23,465
45.30
3,421.00
25.8
190.00
Braintree
23,130
46.20
3,495.00
24.8
191.00
Peabody
22,647
57.50
3,449.00
23.1
247.00
Milton
22,395
48.40
*3,527.00
*23.8
*236.00
North Adams
21,475
51.00
3,621.00
23
236.00
Westfield
20,961
40.00
3,672.00
26.8
252.00
Wellesley
20,847
39.90
4,082.00
22.3
250.00
W. Springfield
20,398
37.60
3,599.00
22.5
260.00
Woburn
20,269
44.80
3,781.00
23
236.00
State Average
236.00
Braintree Rank of 17
10
9
12
5
15
OTHER SOUTH SHORE NEIGHBORS
Weymouth
32,695
$38.80
$3,689.00
26.7
$195.00
Dedham
18,499
49.00
3,624.00
22.8
228.00
Norwood
16,693
41.20
3,587.00
20.4
265.00
Hingham
10,694
49.80
3,193.00
25.2
289.00
Quincy
83,190
53.80
3,927.00
25.2
226.00
Brockton
62,856
57.80
3,681.00
26.9
177.00
-
161
To the Chairman of the School Committee :
Superintendent's Report
A. Results in the Basic Subjects
In the School Report for Year 1951 we summarized the progress of the schools and the improvements achieved in them for the five year period 1946-51. The majority of these improvements were brought about by cooperative work of the entire school staff, working through committees to revise the courses of study, teach- ing techniques, marking system, and placing emphasis on the areas where our survey showed weakness to exist. These efforts have involved countless hours of work by our school staff in institute meetings and outside of regular school hours. Obviously, by now, some objective results should be apparent from all this effort. We, there- fore, candidly report to you the results of our testing program of May 1952 in which all pupils in grades 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7 were tested by the Metropolitan tests in all major subject areas. The results speak for themselves;
Compared to the New England Norm (which is higher than the National) Braintree pupils in these grades-
In Reading, average 4 months above the norm
In Vocabulary or Word Meaning, average 4 months above the norm
In Spelling, average just at the norm
In English or Language Usage, average 1 month above the norm
In Arithmetic Fundamentals, average 1 month above the norm
In Arithmetic Problems, average 2 months above the norm
In History, average 6 months above the norm
In Geography, average 2 months above the norm In Literature, average 9 months above the norm
In Science, average 9 months above the norm
162
163
"SEEING IS BELIEVING"
Audio-Visual methods find increasing use.
Although the results are gratifying, we are not satisfied and will continuously strive to attain even higher achievement. Further analysis of the spelling results for example, shows relatively high achievement in grade 2, average ability in grades 4 and 5, and below average ability in grades 6 and 7. There is a general decrease in spelling achievement as we go up in the grades, probably due to less time being spent on spelling from grade to grade; this will be rectified as a result of these tests.
Obviously we have shown considerable improvement; we still have problems; we are doing something about them; this constitutes growth. B.
Having reported upon the achievements in the funda- mental subjects, I wish to call your attention to the development of services in the interest of the "whole child". Children not only bring their brain to school, but also their physical and health problems, their emotional needs, and their individual manual abilities and dis- abilities. A well-adjusted child not only achieves in funda- mental subject-matter, but also receives help in under- standing and satisfying his health, emotional, and manual needs.
The lay observer, visiting any of our classrooms, will be impressed, I am sure, with the sympathetic and under- standing relationship existing between teacher and pupils. Our objective is to teach to the best of our ability in such a way as to guide pupil growth in mental, physic- al, and emotional development at a rate suitable for each pupil.
Material and services available for each teacher to assist in her understanding and service to her children include :
1. A complete personal file showing ability, achieve- ment, and emotional experiences of each child throughout previous grades.
2. A conference with parent of each child during the fall of the year to discuss the needs of the child. Home environment cannot be separated from school behavior or school success. These factors are interrelated and all possible efforts
164
must be exerted to coordinate the efforts of teachers and parents.
3. Special teachers in physical education.
4. Consultants to assist in planning the art and music program.
5. Frequent discussions of common problems by grade level and subject-matter meetings under guidance of the Elementary Supervisor.
6. Assistance in remedial reading program by a special teacher.
7. Special classes to meet the needs of the retarded child.
8. A complete health and physical record of each child-with a "special attention" list of those having physical handicaps.
9. A dental clinic for children who need this treat- ment.
10. Services of a school nurse to follow up cases needing attention or correction.
11. A guidance service to study difficult cases of poor achievement or emotional disturbance with possible referral to various special clinics.
12. A home teacher for visiting physically handi- capped children.
13. A supervisor of attendance who functions as a social worker.
14. After-school courses for Braintree teachers offered by our own staff or professors from Schools of Education.
C.
Some unfavorable situations have been overcome during the year. The double sessions at the Highlands and Monatiquot schools and the economy drive necessi- tated by the 10% cuts at Town Meeting have been extremely unpopular. A great deal of credit should go to the parents and friends of the pupils in the schools for their restraint and ultimate decision to go along with these situations and help the year to be a successful one.
165
# 30%
BRAINTREE SCHOOLS ON THE AIR Thursday at 10:45 A. M. - Courtesy WJDA
TT
A SIXTH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES PROJECT
166
With the completion of schools now under construc- tion the double sessions in the elementary schools may be eliminated before September. Our attention must then turn to an effort to prevent a similar situation arising for our 7-8-9 grade pupils who will soon be crowded out of both elementary and high school and must have their own Junior High Schools provided in the immediate future.
My appreciation goes to the boys and girls who continually present a challenge for the best instruction, to the teachers, principals, supervisors and directors, to the Parent-Teacher Associations and Sports Council, special Study and Building Committees, and to the mem- bers of the School Committee for your cooperation, assistance and interest in the growth of our Public Schools.
RALPH W. PROCTOR. Superintendent of Schools.
Other School Reports separately printed and avail- able on request from this Public School office are:
Your Child and Kindergarten
Various Issues of the Braintree School News
The Braintree High School Program of Studies Building Survey-W. K. Wilson, 1948
Revision of Building Survey-W. K. Wilson, 1952 The School Budget in detail for 1953
Courses of Study for (a) Kindergarten
(b) Primary Grades
(c) Intermediate Grades
(d) 7th and 8th Grades
Report of the School Study Committee-A Program for 1953-1960
167
GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT Metropolitan Achievement lesting- May 1952 - Braintree, Mass.
Bar Graph showing months above or below grade norm (8th month) in Grades I, II, I, II, and I in ten sub-tests
00
0
000
Hist. Goog Lit. Sel.
3 Reading
Word Meaning Vocabulary
Spelling
Lang. Usage Arithmetic English
Arithmetic Problems
Fundamentals
·Legend Symbol
Grade
No of Pupils Medica IQ
Symbol
Grade
No of Pupils
Medion IQ
1.
493
116
106
2
REF.
3.
AHH
¥23
109
5.
279
346
106
1
maths
5
4
339
106
168
TRADES UNION
THE OBSERVER PRESS, Inc.
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