USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > Town annual report of Chelmsford 1947 > Part 13
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Educators in increasing numbers are advocating that music be given its righful place in the educational system. In fact, in some high schools music is considered a major subject. It is my desire to so instill in the grade pupils such a love for music that when they enter high school they will elect music because they wish to know more about the subject and love to sing both for their own pleasure and for the renown of the Chelmsford High School.
In the High School this year we have had four choral groups- a Girls' Glee Club, a Boys' Glee Club, a Mixed Choral Group, and a Mixed Chorus. In addition to the choral groups I wish it were possible to give the High School students courses in Theory, History and Appreciation of Music.
At Christmas, the High School presented "The Light of the World" and the grades gave "Christmas in Old England." Both were well received.
230
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
PHYSICAL EDUCATION Boys-Mr. Pappalardo
The main objective of physical education is in harmony with the aim of general education, that is, the optimum development, through total body activities primarily on a play level, of the physic- ally, mentally, and socially integrated and effective individual.
Our program contributes to the development of individual health, correction of defects, use of leisure time, and a knowledge of desirable activities.
In the grade schools our aim is primarily to develop an apprecia- tion of health. The program covers grades five to eight, two periods weekly.
Although our grade schools lack space and equipment, physical education covers the following phases:
1. Hygiene, where we endeavor to leave a health thought once a week.
2. Rhythmics, movements in patterns of tempo in relation to space and intensity.
3. Body mechanics, calesthenics or free exercises.
4. Self-testing activities, any activity requiring coordination, bal- ance ability, flexibility, strength, perseverance, determina- tion and self assurance.
5. Games and Contests, games of low organization, minor and major sports.
6. Testing, every child in grades five to eight has been tested for kyphosis (round shoulders), lordosis (hollow back), and scoliosis (lateral curvature of the spine). The arms, hands, legs, and feet have also been tested.
7. Correctives, informal corrective activities have been offered in groups and in specific cases on an individual basis.
8. Formal Corrective activities will be offered.
In the High School the aim encompasses physical and organic growth and development, social traits and qualities, psychological development, safety and recreational skills.
231
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Physical education is offered two days per week in the High School, covering the following.
1. Hygiene
2. Rhythmics
3. Body Mechanics
4. Self-testing Activities
5. Games and Contests (in season)
6. P.F.I. Testing (if equipment is available)
7. Testing
8. Formal Corrective Work will be offered.
At present we have twenty-four basketball teams participating in the High School. (Does not include varsity).
Every boy taking physical education has an opportunity to partic- ipate in the following sports in season:
1. Tag football
2. Volleyball
3. Basketball
4. Track (if field is available)
5. Gymnastics
6. Baseball (if diamond is available).
All the boys from grades five to twelve have been examined for physical defects (i.e. flatfeet, scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis).
A posture campaign is being started in all the schools. Parents will be notified if, in our opinion, their boy should need special atten- tion, and formal corrective work will be offered to attempt to remedy the condition.
The remedial program will be subject to our school nurse and school doctor's approval. Attendance will not be compulsory and the activities will be submitted to parents, upon request, if they desire.
Girls-Miss Keith
Physical Education, like education, aims to develop the whole child, physically, mentally, and socially. The addition of this subject to the curriculum of a school contributes to the enriched living of the pupils. One of the Physical Education's main objectives is health, but along with it we consider such qualities as: worthy home membership, worthy use of leisure time, vocational efficiency, citizenship, command of fundamental processes, and ethical character.
232
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
My program consists of a weekly visit to the schools. I meet with the lower grades for twenty minute periods and with the upper grades for rhythmics, games and mimetics. These include such' activities as: rhythms, story plays, imitation of animals, singing games, team games, individual events, and hunting games. The high school girls have two forty-five minute periods. Their activities are divided into units: rhythms, ball games, and exercises. These include social dancing, folk dancing, stunts and tumbling, basketball, softball and games leading up to these higher skilled games.
I have received satisfactory response from the schools. Teachers need to spend some part of each day reviewing the material of the Physical Education Class with their pupils. In this manner the pupils will progress faster and benefit by their work.
HEALTH
Miss Simpson
The following is a list of my activities as school nurse.
Number of visits to classrooms 500
Personal hygiene and other talks
170
Sanitary inspections in schools
97
Consultation with parents 642
Pupils sent home or taken to physicians 400
First Aid treatments 725
Transportation to hospitals 48
Absentees visited at home 376
Excluded from school for Impetigo 32
Excluded from school for Ringworm
7
Excluded from school for Pediculosis 25
Excluded from school for Scabies
5
Pupils taken home because of illness
102
Children taken to Waltham for X-ray of Chest
17
All pupils were given a physical examination by Drs. J. E. Boucher and Benjamin Blechman.
233
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Dental caries was the most common defect found among the chil- dren at the time of their physical examination. These children have been referred to their private physicians. In view of the large number of cases, it would seem advisable to have a school dental clinic, pro- viding the town would be willing to finance a so-called dental clinic room with appropriate plumbing fixtures, lighting, etc.
I have had several consultations with Dr. Burke, Health Officer; Miss Herlihey, State Public Health Nursing Supervisor; Miss Almeda King, State Nutritionist and Miss Mary Leonard, T. B. Health Edu- cator.
This year I began a series of studies relative to health education in the elementary grades. It is my opinion that a plan could be worked out so that in each grade certain phases of health projects would be carried out. I attended twelve lectures sponsored by the Middlesex Health Association in connection with the Harvard School of Public Health. The course was entitled "What's New in Public Health."
I have made more home visits this year with some excellent re- sults. Chelmsford comprises a great deal of territory, however, and it is not possible to do this every year or health education in the school suffers.
The teachers and principals have cooperated with me in health matters. They are constantly referring to me cases they think need more medical attention. They are alert and notice any deviation from normal health in a child. Without them it would be impossible to carry on our extensive health program.
FEDERAL-AIDED SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM Mrs. Emerson
The McFarlin School Cafeteria continues to serve pupils from the High School and McFarlin School each day with hot dishes, soups, sandwiches, desserts and milk. The Federal School Lunch Program has reduced their reimbursement on hot dishes to five cents instead of seven cents but as vet we have not found it necessary to increase the price of hot dishes to pupils inasmuch as we have received surplus commodities from time to time from the Government.
The major development over the past year was the extension of the Federally Aided School Lunch Program to include the Princeton St. and Quessey Schools. All the food is cooked at the McFarlin School kitchen and delivered to these schools daily for serving at lunch hour. Thus the program has been enlarged to serve approximately one hundred and fifty more pupils per day.
234
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
SCHOOL CALENDAR 1947-1948
Begin-September 3, 1947.
End-December 19, 1947.
Days out-October 13, 1947-Columbus Day. October 31, 1947-Teachers' Convention. November 11, 1947-Armistice Day. November 27-28-Thanksgiving.
Begin-December 29, 1947.
End-February 20, 1948.
Days out-January 1, 1948-New Year's Day.
Begin-March 1, 1948.
End-April 16, 1948.
Days out-March 25-26-Holy Thursday and Good Friday. Begin-April 26, 1948. End-June 23, 1948.
Days out-May 31st-Memorial Day.
INDEX (continued)
Town Clerk:
Annual Town Meeting, March 10, 1947
38
Appointed Town Officers
7
Births
12
Deaths
23
Elected Town Officers
5
Election March 3, 1947
35
Financial Report
63
Jury List
64
Marriages
16
Special Town Meeting, June 30, 1947
49
Special Town Meeting, September 29, 1947
55
Special Town Meeting, November 17, 1947
60
Special Town Meeting, December 15, 1947
62
Warrant, Annual Town Meeting, March 3, 1947
and March 10, 1947 28
Warrant, Special Town Meeting, June 30, 1947
47
Warrant, Special Town Meeting, September 29, 1947
50
Warrant, Special Town Meeting, November 17, 1947
58
Warrant, Special Town Meeting, December 15, 1947
61
Warrant, Annual Town Meeting, March 1 and March 8, 1948 198
Town Treasurer
70
Varney Playground Commission 116
Veterans' Benefits, Report of Director
94
Veterans' Emergency Fund, Reports of:
Secretary
117
Treasurer
118
Welfare Agent 92
ارع
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INDEX
Accountant's Report:
Appropriations and Transfers 144
Balance Sheet 152
Debt Account 153
Interest Payments
154
Payments 128
Principal Payments 155
Receipts
122
Trust Funds
156
Adams Library, Reports of:
Librarian 100
Treasurer
101
Trustees
102
Appeals, Board of 106
Assessors
85
Audit of Accounts, State
157
Board of Health, Reports of:
Agent 115
Board of Health
114
Inspector of Milk 107
Inspector of Plumbing
113
Inspector of Slaughtering
94
Building Inspector
106
Cemetery Commissioners 105
Cemetery Perpetual Care Funds
71
Constable 110
Fire Engineers 98
Forest Warden 111
Highland Avenue Improvement Association 120
INDEX (continued)
Highway Department (No Report)
Inspector of Animals 109
Middlesex County Extension Service
112
North Chelmsford Library Corporation: Reports of:
Treasurer
103
Librarian
103
Park Commissioners (No Report)
Planning Board
104
Police Department
95
School Department: Reports of:
Athletic Association 218
Budget for 1948
220
Federal Aided School Lunch Program 233
Financial Statement
224
Music Supervisor
229
S
Personnel
209
Physical Education, Boys 230
231
Physical Education, Girls
225
School Calendar 234
School Committee ,
206
School Nurse
232
School Superintendent
206
Statistics
207
Sealer of Weights and Measures
107
Sinking Fund Commissioners
108
Tax Collector
66
Tax Collector East Chelmsford Water District
68
Tax Collector South Chelmsford Water District
69
Principal of the High School
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