USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > Town annual report of Chelmsford 1942 > Part 10
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Marjorie B. Scoboria
Wellesley, A.B. Radcliffe, M.A.
Math., Sci. 1942
Mildred K. Hehir
Regis, A.B.
Hist. French 1942
Barbara E. Grant
Colby, A.B.
Social Sci.
1942
McFARLIN SCHOOL
Louis 0. Forrest
Fitchburg, B.S.E.
Prin., VIII 1926
(Mrs. )Eva L. Dobson
Plymouth Normal
VII
1919
M. Beryl Rafus e
Truro Normal VI 1920
Helena B. Lyon
No. Adams Normal
V 1911
Es ther M. Thayer *
Boston Univ., B.S.E. V-VI
1936
* On leave of absence for military service.
118
Emily Hehir
Low e 11 Nor mal IV
1928
Mayme G. Trefry
Truro Normal III
1921
Mabelle B. Birtwell
Lowell, B.S.E.
II
1940
Hope Fielding
Lowell, B.S.E.
IV-I
1941
Edna Hoyt
Lowell, B.S.E.
I
1937
Doris E. Hevey
Lowell, B.SZE.
Special cl. 1941
EAST CHELMSFORD SCHOOL
Harry Y. Hilyard Fitchburg, B.S.E.
Prin., VII- 1930
VIII
(Mrs.) Jessie F. Brown
Boston Univ.
V-VI
1930
Mildred G. Perry
Fitchburg, B.S.E.
III-IV
1931
Mary E. McGauvran
Lowell, B.S.E.
I-II
1940
HIGHLAND AVE. SCHOOL
Mary H. Ryan
Lowell Normal
Prin., VII-
1930
VIII
Nora E. Miskell
Lowell, B.S.E.
V-VI
1937
Lottie M. Agnew
Lowell Normal
III-IV
1923
(Mrs.) Veronica M. Berry M. Weldon Haire,
Lowell, B.S.E.
I-II
1936
On leave of absence for military Princeton St. School
vice.
Genevieve E. Jantzen
Lowell Normal
Prin., VIII
1911
(Mrs.) Elsa Reid,
Low ell Normal
VII
1922
Roberta M. Small
Lowell, B.S.E.
VI
1935
Gladys T. Harrington
Lowell Normal
V
1931
Sally T. Conlon
Lowell, B.S.E.
198% IV
1937
Margaret D. Sousa
Lowell, B.S.E.
III
1941
Helen C. Osgood
Lowell Normal
II
1921
Ann E. Hehir
Lowell, B.S.E.
I
1935
QUESSY SCHOOL
Ann M. Hickey
Lowell Normal
Princ, VII-
1942
VIII
(Mrs.) Lilla M. Dexter
Lowell Normal
V-VI
1942
M. Pauline Sullivan
Lowell, B.S.E.
III-IV
1941
Alice P. McEnaney
Lowell Normal
I-II
1936
119
ser-
SOUTH CHELMSFORD SCHOOL
Ber tha R. Barrett
Lowell Normal
IV-VI
1942
Ruth M. Rothwell
Lowell, B.S.E.
I-III
1939
WESTLANDS SCHOOL
V. John Rikkola
Boston Univ. Ed.M.
Prin., VIII 1930
Rita M. Foley
Lowell, B.S.E.
VII
1940
B. Muriel Bridges
Lowell, B.S.E.
VI
1937
Lena L. Genetti (Mrs.)
Boston Univ., A.B.
V
1942
Charlotte K. Duffy
Lowell Normal
IV
1932
josephine F. Br ennan
Lowell, B.S.E.
III
1941
(Mrs.) Marion E. Adams
Lowell Normal
II
1928
Florence M. Kelley
Lowell, B.S.E.
I
1942
MUSIC SUPERVISOR
M. Marion Adams
Lowell Normal
1938
JANITORS
High School Leslie J. Reid, William T. Davis,
Chelmsford Westlands
McFarlin School Otis Brown,
South Chelmsford
East Chelmsford School Joseph F. Morris,
East Chelmsford
Highland Ave. School Edward Brick
North Chelmsford
Princeton St. School Patrick Cassidy
North Chelmsford
Quessy School Elmer Trull
West Chelmsford
South Chelmsford School George Burton
South Chelmsford
Westlands School E. Berg
Westlands
.
120
·
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of the Town of Chelmsford:
We herewith submit the report of your School Committee for the year ending December 31, 1942.
The closing of this year finds conditions within the School Department somewhat more settled. The adjustment to new teachers, new schedules, and general unaccustomed war-time measures, finds our enrollment in the High School only slightly affected from that of last year, and pupils in both High School and Elementary Schools readily adapting themselves to these changes.
The necessarily deferred course in physical education is now in full swing and intra-mural sports are being enthusiastically received. Mr. Schulte, the instructor, is well equipped both by training and experience to direct all branches of sports and has plans for a complete program from the seventh grades through to, and including senior high school students.
This Board is sincerely grateful to those citizens of Chelms- ford who assisted in the athletic program last fall when it was impossible to find a coach to replace Mr. Boyce. Chelmsford has always considered High School sports in the light of recreation and physical development, and a part of its educational program. The conduct of the three major teams in varsity football, base- ball and basketball has always justified that attitude by clean, friendly sportsmanship. We hope that spirit will continue.
In compliance with the United States Government two new courses have been added to the High School curriculum, one in ap- proved Aeronautics and another in Mathematics for seniors who will soon be a part of our armed forces. Both courses are well attended by seniors and some junior boys.
For the past three years a great deal of thought has been devoted to the establishing of a complete English Department in the High School. Because of war-time emergencies the Board has had to put its plans to one side, but some strides have already been taken and textbooks which will be part of the department's foundation are already being used by teachers in the seventh and eighth grades. A complete syllabus is being planned by your superintendent and English teachers which will meet the require- ments of any and all colleges and universities. The completion of such a department will take much thought and hours of work by those involved.
At the present time every teacher in the High School is do- ing extra work in order to meet an intensfied war program and the school day has been lengthened about one half hour.
There are several recommendations which this Board would like to make this year, but two seem to merit special consideration. One is the matter of janitors' salaries, which are still inade- quate to meet the present cost of living. In almost every in- stance more work has been thrown onto the shoulders of these men,
121
and may we say here that to replace any one of them with others of equal character, intelligence and dependability would be im- possible at this time. We ask your sincere consideration in this matter of increased salaries for your school janitors.
The second matter is of equal concern to this Board and we feel that we are making no over-statement when we predict that, unless this condition is remedied before long, the Town will find itself with a serious health as well as financial problem on its hands. We refer to the sewage disposal at the McFarlin school. Inadequate, and a makeshift from its installation, it has become a yearly problem and expense. Any questions concerning this matter and interest on the part of you citizens will be welcome by this Board.
Other matters for consideration are the repairs and improve- ments on school buildings in all parts of the town. Several of the buildings need painting, and we feel that we would not be unwise to urge the same procedure that we did last year, the saving of money in initial cost for the work and a future saving in fuel and maintenance in years to come, by the use of brick veneer. We urge your consideration of this investment.
In offering this report for your information, may we express our sincere thanks to our Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Wright, for his advice and support, and to the entire faculty of teachers for their helpful cooperation during the past year.
Respectfully submitted, Marjorie M. Kiberd Harold E. Clayton John A. McAdams .
122
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
To the School Committee:
My fifteenth annual report is hereby submitted to you and to the citizens of Chelmsford.
TEACHERS.
In the High School there were five vacancies. Emile Gauthier resigned in January in order to accept a position in Worcester Academy, and I^sabelle M. Doyle in August to accept a position in Lowell High. George R. Knightly, George W. Boyce, and Gerald A. Ivers were given leaves of absence in the summer when they entered service in the Navy.
Walter L. Hannan, Jr., Principal at Quessy, resigned in January, and later entered the Army, and at Highland Ave. M. Weldon Haire, Principal, was given leave of absence when inducted into the Army at the close of the school year. In November Esther M. Thayer of the McFarlin School was given leave of absence when she was inducted in the WAVES. At the Westlands Eleanor Gray resigned at the close of school to be married.
In filling these positions three college graduates who were teaching in elementary schools were transferred to the High School: Eleanor Donahoe, who finished the year at Quessy as Principal; Mrs. Charlotte S. Carriel, who substituted at Princeton St. from October to January; and Mildred M. Hehir, who substituted in the same school from January to June. Mrs. Carriel is a graduate of Mount Holyoke who had had ten years of experience in the Concord, N.H., High School. Miss Hehir is a graduate of Chelmsford High School and Regis College. Marjorie B. Scoboria, a graduate of Wellesley, with an M.A. from Radcliffe, who had seven years experience in Tewksbury and five in other towns, was elected to a High School position, and the last vacancy was filled by the election of Barbara E. Grant, a graduate of Chelmsford High School and Colby College.
For the principalship at Quessy, Ann M. Hickey, a graduate of Lowell Normal, who had taught upper grades in Groveland for eleven years, was secured. Mrs. Lilla M. Dexter of Chelmsford, a graduate of Lowell Normal who had taught for several years, was given the 5th and 6th grade room at Quessy in January.
At Highland Ave. Mary H. Ryan was given the princi- palship and the 7th and 8th grade room. Nora E. Miskell was transferred to the 5th and 6th grade room from South Chelmsford. Bertha R. Barrett was secured for the upper room at South. She is a graduate of Lowell Normal who had taught thirteen years in Berlin, Conn.
At Princeton St. School, Genevieve E. Jantzen, Princi- pal, was transferred to the 8th grade from the 3d, and the latter room given to Margaret D. Sousa, teacher of reading to special groups last year.
123
In the Westlands there is now a teacher for each grade. Rita Foley, who had been taking summer school courses to prepare for upper grade work, was transferred from the 1st grade to the 7th. Lena L. Genetti, a graduate of Boston University, and Florence M. Kelley, a graduate of Lowell Teachers College, were chosen for the 5th and the first grades. Both are graduates of Chelmsford High School.
SALARIES.
My report of last year discussed the requests of groups of teachers for salary increases, and stated what had already been done in that line. Attention was called to what the Teachers Federation termed " the growing movement in Massachusetts toward improved salaries", and the fact was stated that thirty-seven places had already taken favorable action. Our teachers asked for a flat increase to all of $200, to date from January 1, 1942. We prepared a budget including that amount, and after discussion in town meeting it was a dopted. In view of the fact that the increase was retro-active to January Ist, and that it applied to all teachers including beginners, the usual step-rate increase in Septmebr was omitted.
The prediction of the Federation that teachers' sala- ries would increase has been upheld by the action taken very generally by the towns and cities. There is no official report as yet, but the Federation has listed town after town as granting increases of either a per cent of the former pay or a flat increase. One of about $200 is a
common one. There is frequently a provision that it shall be greater fro those teachers who had been receiving the
smaller salaries. Since so many places have granted increases, I would expect that when the next report on salaries is made by the Department of Education Chelmsford will be found in about the same relative position as in the past, in the lower half of the comparable towns as regards salaries, as it is near the bottom in per pupil costs. In view of the sharp rise in cost of living, the increase of a year ago certainly cannot be considered excessive.
REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS.
The 1941 report listed desirable repairs and improve- ments at several schools when conditions should warrant. None of these was undertaken. The same buildings now need painting and other work more than they did a year ago. Neither chimneys nor roofs needed attention last year, but a part of the roof covering at East Chelmsford must be replaced this season. Repairs to plumbing, heating systems, wiring, doors, windows and floors were made as necessary, and the janitors were furnished paint, varnish, floor seal, etc. for the usual inside work after the buildings were cleaned in the summer.
One expense item demands consideration by the Town. Sewage disposal at the schools in the Center has always been a problem. The lack of a sewer system is more of a detri-
124
ment here than at the other schools. £ Surface water in the spring disappears very slowly from the playground in the rear of the buildings, and as late as May or June the ground water level is only a foot or two below the surface. Until the addition was built at the High School we had trouble there nearly every spring. £ Now that building has
a real septic tank, placed as high on the slope north of the building as was possible, and the effluent from the tank, which is clear but not odorless, is discharged once or twice a day into a drainage area of about 10,000 square feet,a little above the level of the field below. That system should not ne ed attention for many years.
At the McFarlin School the situation is worse than it ever was at the old High School. Toilets are in the base- ment and the soil påpe leaves the building about five feet below the floor level. It leads into a system of small tanks, ten in number, which have never operated as a septic tank does. They are nothing but cesspools. An outlet pipe originally ran to dry wells, or leaching wells, located 75 or 100 yards west of the building, in almost the lowest part of the field. These wells are filled with ground water every spring and the effluent has several times broken through the surface. New wells have been provided nearer the building. But the effluent is not clear water, as it should be if it came from a real septic tank; it is logded with solid matter. £ As soon as this clogs the ground
about a dry well, the well is worthless. The last wells were placed at the end of the row of small tanks, so as to use the highest ground available, and are the largest ones in use. Cleaning the small tanks and providing these new wells in 1939 cost $232. The cesspool tanks have been cleaned each year since, and until a more adequate system of sewage disposal is provided this will be an annual charge of $50 to $75, plus the cost, sooner or later, of more dry wells.
It may well be added that cleaning these cesspools is a menace to community health. We have been fortunate thus far in not having sickness of pupils charged to opening these tanks, but this health hazard is another strong argu- ment for seeking a permanent solution of the problem as soon as industrial and labor conditions permit such an endeavor.
ENROLLMENT.
A table at the end of the report shows school mem- bership by buildings on October 1, 1942, and enrollment for the last ten years is shown. The elementary membership had been declining from the high point of 1265 in 1933 to 1067 in 1941. Last October there was a slight increase, to 1087. The High School had its highest membership in 1940, when 527 students were enrolled on October 1. The number dropped to 473 last year, and 434 this year. Such a falling off is not unusual in high schools, due to war conditions. Ours is probably about an average.
125
The smaller enrollment is reflected in the number of pupils transported, as shown below:
1937
1938
1939
1940
1941
1942
High School
297
329
330
369
329
280
McFarlin
157
168
170
150
168
173
Princeton St.
70
80
86
84
75
76
Quessy
60
52
54
51
48
58
South
35
40
31
34
43
41
Total
619
669
671
688
663
628
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Consult the report of the Town Accountant for an itemized statement of school expenditures. £ The appropria- tion for 1942 made at the last annual town meeting, less transfers of $250 made at the special meeting in October and increased by a grant of $30 by the Finance Committee, was $130,330. Expenditures were $129,837.84.
Appropriated.
Expended.
Administration,
$ 4,025.00
$ 3,758.72
Instruction,
91,900.00
91,879.73
Janitors,
11,500.00
11,331.82
Operation and Maintenance,
10,130.00
10,129.60
Auxiliary Agencies,
12,325.00
12,303.95
Playgrounds,
450.00
434.02
Total,
$130,330.00
$129,837.84
In 1942 the Town received cash or credits as follows:
Reimbursement for teachers' salaries, $13,625.00
Tuition of state wards,
1,618.08
Tuition charged towns,
693.70
Rent of High School hall,
45.50
Telephone tolls,
3.10
Breakage,
6.35
Total receipts and credits,
$15,991.73
Total Expenditures for 1942,
$129,837.84
Total Receipts and Credits,
15,991.73
Net cost of schools met by local taxes, $113, 846.11
Vocational school tuition paid in 1942,
$2,033.10
Reimbursement for year ending on August 31, 1941,
1,359.70
Net cost of Vocational Education,
$673.40
126
THE WESTLANDS SCHOOL.
The addition to the Westlands School, consisting of four new classrooms, new toilets, teachers' rooms, a new heating plant, and an assembly room, was completed and occupied in January. In several respects this is now the mes most modern and the most satisfactory of the elementary schools, and it may well serve as a standard to be met when other buildings are enlarged or replaced. The new part is of frame construction, like the old building, but the entire building is faced with brick. This will eliminate the cost of painting every few years. The ceilings in the new part afeof celotex, which provides insulation and will save fuel. Toilets are on the level of the classroom floors, accessible and easily supervised. An office with store room is furnished the principal, and a rest room for the teachers. All furniture is of the movable type. The assembly room in the basement has 200 folding chairs and a stage. The Parent-Teacher Association has fitted out a small basement room as a kitchen with electric range, cupboards, sink, etc. Since the playground with its tennis and volley ball courts and baseball diamond is used by the public, toilets for men and for women were provided. These, and also the janitor's tool room, are entered from the playground.
The total appropriation for the building was $5@)x $51,200, and the cost was $50,849.76.
THE SCHOOLS IN WAR TIME.
A report for this year would not be complete without mention of some of the effects of the War, for schools, like everything else, cannot run as usual. Older students have left school, some to enter industry, others to join the armed services. The men teacher-coaches are gone. School activities are greatly curtailed. War Time in these winter months has forced pupils to leave home before sunrise. Some supplies, such as typewriters, are not obtainable. Books cost more. It has been impossible to maintain the dental service under the arrangement formerly in effect. A greater number of pupils have paying jobs out of school hours, and in the fall boys were excused from attendance in order to aid in harvesting crops. These trying times have inspired some students to more earnest effort; others have seemed content to drift while awaiting their country's call.
To mention one good result, the War has placed a needed emphasis on health and physical education. We have started this at the top, and the students in the High School are 100% enthusiastic and cooperative under the leadership of the new director, Edward J. Schulte. Citizens would find these classes in the assembly hall interesting to visit. Another gool result is the increased interest in science and mathematics, hard subjects. They are needed in every branch of the armed services, and Federal authorities have deplored the tendency of students in both high school and college to bypass them in favor of subjects which require less mental effort.
127
School routine has been broken by registration and rationing programs. A tribute id due teachers in Chelms- ford and everywhere for the good spirit they have shown and the excellent results they have attained in these wholly new tasks. True, they have been paid for the time spent, but the conscientious teacher has always had in mind that these interruptions mean doing the same work with pupils in fewer hours. She measures her year's work as so much arithmetic taught, so many pages in Latin, so many events in history, not as so many days behind the desk. If she is given fewer days for her task, she endeavors in every possi- ble way to do the same amount of work with her class. All honor to the American teacher for her share in the present crisis.
The assistance given teachers in their work in ration- ing, both by aduets and by older students, is acknowledged with thanks. The existing parent-teacher associations have continued their valuable work, and it is a matter of regret that the schools in some sections do not have this organized home support. In behalf of teachers and pupils appreciation is expressed to all who have been of service, and especially to you, the members of the School Committee.
Respectfully submitted,
George S. Wright, Superintendent of Schools.
SCHOOL CENSUS. October 1, 1942.
5 years or over 7 years or over
and under 7. and under 16.
Registration of minors:
Boys,
222
103
597
Girls,
109
573
Total,
212
1170
Distribution of minors :
In public schools,
193
1149
In vocational schools,
1 5
In private schools,
3
15
In institutions,
1
Not in school,
16
Total,
212
1170
128
Mr. George S. Wright Superintendent of Schools Chelmsford, Massachusetts
My dear Mr. Wright:
I am pleased to submit, herewith, my thirteenth annual re- port as principal of Chelmsford High School.
The total enrollment up to January 1, 1943 is as follows:
Class
Number of Boys
Number of Girls
Total
Post Graduate
0
1
1
Senior
36
51
87
Junior
61
56
117
Sophomore
63
44
107
Freshman
56
72
128
Total
216
224
440
The regular routine of our school has been disturbed by the war in many ways. Our three men teacher-coaches, Mr. Knightly, Mr. Boyce, and Mr. Ivers enlisted in the Navy, and Mr. Fogg, an- other teacher who was a Reserve Officer, was called into the Army. The absence of these men is a real loss to both pupils and faculty.
The uncertainty in the minds of our boys as to whether they should complete their high school work or enlist in the service of our Country has not helped. The fact that many parents are away from their homes either in the Armed Services or working in defense factories is a great loss to our boys and girls. The omission of inter-scholastic athletics is felt by the entire school and very keenly so by the few superior athletes who have been looking forward to their senior year when they could help to maintain the excellent record that Chelmsford High School has made in the past.
There are many other hardships due to the war that could be mentioned. What is the duty of the school at the present time? Our first duty is to do our part to win this war. We do not like to think of training our boys and girls for war, but if they will have to go we should get them ready. We will win the war but the better our young people are trained the sooner the war will be over. Physical training is one of the first requirements we have been asked to meet. We have started on a full time Physical Edu- cational program for both boys and girls. We have two classes of pre-flight Aeronautics, one class of basic Mathematics for senior boys who have not studied mathematics since they were freshmen. Emphasis on war-needs is being made in other classes. The new Physical Education department under the direction of Mr. Schulte, assisted by Mrs. Poland and Mrs. Corcoran, is going ahead rap- idly. The pupils are getting excellent experience. We would welcome parents and other citizens who would like to visit these or any other classes in the school.
Boys and girls should be made to feel that it is their pa- triotic duty to get as much education as they can. Pupils
129
should spend four full years in high school before thinking of going to college. Colleges cannot do the work of the high schools as well as the high schools can do it. The War Depart- ment does not want boys to train for officers without their four full years of high school work completed.
The education of our youth is a twenty-four hour a day job. Everyone, parents, teachers, pupils, and other citizens should plan and work together so that our boys and girls even in war times can live the best lives possible.
Following is the report of the Chelmsford High School Stu- dents' Fund as made by our Vice-Principal, Miss C. Edith Mccarthy :
1. General Fund
Balance, Jan. 1, 1942 370.77
Receipts, Jan. 1 -- Dec. 31, 1942
494.49
Total Receipts 865.26
Less: Payments, Jan. 1 -- Dec. 31, 1942
682.32
Balance, Dec. 31, 1942 $ 182.94
2. Chemistry Club
Balance, Jan. 1, 1942
37.06
Receipts, Jan. 1 -- Dec. 31, 1942
5.27
Total Receipts
42.33
Less: Payments, Jan. 1 -- Dec. 31, 1942
10.95
Balance, Dec. 31, 1942
31.38
3. Slide Rule Club
Balance, Jan. 1, 1942
3.51
Receipts, Jan. 1 -- Dec. 31, 1942
7.25
Total Receipts 10.76
Less: Payments, Jan. 1 -- Dec. 31, 1942
7.00
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