USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Middleton > Town annual report of Middleton, MA. 1938 > Part 4
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Mr. and Mrs. George Francis Willis, June 28, son-Roger Francis Willis
Dr. and Mrs. James N. Shamey, August 18, daughter-Alfreda Tufee Shamey
Mr. and Mrs. Lendall M. Campbell, September 19, daughter-Mildred Sarah Campbell
Mr. and Mrs. Elmer G. Currier, October 24, son-Dennis Elmer Cur- rier
Mr. and Mrs. Ernest E. Lindsey, October 30, daughter-Carol Ann Lindsey
Mr. and Mrs. Chester E. Cook, December 9, daughter-Maureen Helen Cook
Mr. and Mrs. Ernest C. Townsend, December 14, son-Edward Herbert Townsend
75
FIREMEN'S REPORT
FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Middleton, Mass. February 25, 1939.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen :
We submit to you our report of the fire department for the year of 1938.
During the year the town has been very fortunate in the loss of property caused by fire.
The total loss on assessed property amounts to approximately $3450.00.
During the year the department responded to thirty-four alarms, dwellings 4, camps 3, barn 2, chimney 3, automobile 2, false alarms 2, brush and forest 18.
We are very much in need of large hose (21/2 inches), and expect to purchase 500 feet out of our 1939 appropriation, which will cost about $600.00. Our forest hose is in very good condition, and it will not be necessary to replace any this year. All other equip- ment is in excellent condition and we expect to add a few minor things that the department needs.
In conclusion we wish to thank the chief and all firemen for their earnest co-operation and assistance with the Board of Engi- neers.
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM H. SANBORN, Chairman. WALTER L. PAINE, Clerk. RICHARD B. FLOYD. MORRILL W. YOUNG. SEFTON EARL.
Board of Engineers.
76
TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT
Year
Amount to be Collected
Amount Collected $ 47 78
Abate- ments
Balance Due $197 40 895 07 22,999 29
Tax Sales Account $ 8 81
Int. & Costs Collected
Real Estate
1937
15,839 75
14,602 53
81 51
260 64
768 17
Personal
1938
68,020 27
41,808 42
1,566 40
1,646 16
48 11
1937
120 00
68 00
4 00
48 00
......
14 95
Poll
1938
1,072 00
854 00
22 00
196 00
......
36 41
Excise
1937
536 79
356 32
none
180 47
......
25 59
1938
3,579 02
2,886 24
92 70
600 08
......
11 63
Respectfully submitted,
GRANVILLE S. DEMERITT, Tax Collector.
December 31, 1938.
TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT
1936
$ 254 78
$ 79
$ 5 32
and
77
ELECTRIC LIGHT COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
ELECTRIC LIGHT COMMISSIONERS' REPORT
Citizens of Middleton :
Pursuing the established policy of this Department to make electricity available to every resident of the Town, lines have been completed on North Main St. to the Town line, and 1600 feet further on Liberty St., leaving only a short distance on River St. to be served.
The very short time before service was resumed after the Sep- tember hurricane, proves conclusives that our policy of using the best materials and workmanship in construction has been amply justified.
While surrounding towns were delayed in re-establishing service by reason of lack of supplies and equipment, and the inability of the supply houses to meet the unexpected demand, our stock-room and equipment was adequate for all immediate needs.
Service in and about the Square was resumed at twelve o'clock, and in two days all feeder lines were in operation. During that time our repair crew worked all day and night making temporary repairs, and permanent repairs are being made as opportunity permits.
Radio interference is very annoying, and we are doing every- thing possible to avoid faults in our lines, but it is a well established fact that a large per cent of radio troubles are caused by conditions over which we have no control. Electric ignition on oil burners not equipped with suppressors, imperfectly acting electric refrig- erators, loose connections in house wiring and many other conditions cause local disturbances. This department is ready at all times to co-operate with its subscribers on notification of trouble.
Owing to the failure of one engine at the Sanatorium, it was necessary to secure an additional source of power to meet their increasing load. At the request of the Sanatorium authorities we ran an additional wire from King St. to give them three phase service. The cost of building this line was paid by the County, and we are in a position to benefit by their increasing demands. Our crew also built a single phase line from Maple St. to the Industrial Farm property on Locust St., which was also paid for by the County.
As agreed, street lights have been installed on Boston St., and paid for by the earnings of the Department. To avoid duplication of effort, and the added expense, work was not started until poles that had to be re-located, due to the reconstruction on Boston St.,
78
ELECTRIC LIGHT COMMISSIONERS REPORT
were changed, and the work was further delayed by the need for using our construction crew in repairing the damage caused by the hurricane, so that the lights were not in operation until early in January, 1939. This being the case, the $300.00 appropriated for the maintenance of the additional lights in 1938, has been turned back to the Town.
The growth of the Department during the past ten years is graphically shown by the tabulation taken from the State reports.
Per cent
Poles
Jan. 1, 1929 365
Jan. 1, 1939 995
183%
Miles of streets served
16.6
27.5
65%
Transformers in use
35
109
225%
Meters in use
287
510
80%
Business done
$12,096.87
$37,870.76
210%
Plant valuation
$13,679.29
$33,390.34
141%
KWH sold
219,772
683,870
145%
Return to Town in added valuation, $19,611.20
Respectfully submitted,
RICHARD B. FLOYD,
WM. M. YOUNG,
ARCHIBALD L. JONES,
Electric Light Commissioners.
Increase
79
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
Recommendations of Finance Committee for the Year 1939
I, GENERAL GOVERNMENT:
Called for
Recommended
Salaries:
Moderator
$ 25 00
$ 25 00
Selectmen (3)
450 00
300 00
Accountant
400 00
400 00
Treasurer
350 00
300 00
Collector
400 00
400 00
Assessors (3)
600 00
600 00
Town Counsel
250 00
250 00
Town Clerk
200 00
200 00
Registrars of Voters
60 00
60 00
Electric Light Commissioners (3)
150 00
150 00
Town Hall Maintenance
600 00
600 00
Town Hall Custodian
500 00
500 00
Town Officers' Expenses
1,140 00
1,140 00
II. PROTECTION OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY:
Police
1,000 00
850 00
Constable's salary
35 00
35 00
Fire maintenance and salaries
2,065 00
(a) 2,000 00
Sealer of Weights and Measures
100 00
100 00
III. FORESTRY:
Moth
1,000 00
873 45
Tree Warden
900 00
100 00
IV. HEALTH AND SANITATION:
Essex County Sanatorium
906 47
906 47
Board of Health
800 00
700 00
Dental Clinic
325 00
300 00
Inspector of Slaughtering, salary
25 00
25 00
Inspector of Cattle, salary
175 00
175 00
V. HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT:
Thickly Settled Areas
1,500 00
1,000 00
Chapter 81 Maintenance
4,500 00
3,000 00
Chapter 90 Maintenance
1,000 00
1,000 00
Chapter 90 Construction
2,000 00
Sidewalks
400 00
100 00
Fencing
200 00
100 00
Bridges
500 00
500 00
Snow Removal
Street Lights
3,000 00
3,000 00
80
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
Called for
Recommended
VI. CHARITIES:
Public Welfare Salaries
$ 250 00
$ 250 00
Public Welfare Maintenance
11,000 00
10,000 00
Aid to Dependent Children
550 00
550 00
Old Age Assistance
10,000 00
10,000 00
Old Age Assistance, Administration
250 00
250 00
Distribution of Surplus Commodities
500 00
400 00
VII. SOLDIERS' BENEFITS:
State Aid
100 00
100 00
Soldiers' Relief
600 00
600 00
VIII. EDUCATION:
School Maintenance
32,990 55
30,000 00
Vocational Education
500 00
500 00
Library
600 00
600 00
IX. CEMETERY:
Superintendent of Burials, Salary
15 00
15 00
Commissioners' Salaries (3)
30 00
30 00
Maintenance
1,400 00
800 00
Graves
400 00
300 00
X. PARK:
Maintenance
200 00
200 00
XI. INTEREST AND INSURANCE:
Interest
1,300 00
1,300 00
Insurance
1,500 00
1,500 00
XII. MUNICIPAL INDEBTEDNESS:
School Addition
1,000 00
1,000 00
School Construction
3,000 00
3,000 00
Highway Tractor
750 00
750 00
XIII. UNCLASSIFIED:
Contingent Fund
700 00
700 00
Reserve Fund
600 00
600 00
Memorial Day
250 00
250 00
W. P. A. Projects
3,000 00
(b) 3,300 00
American Legion
150 00
81
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
Recommendations covering Articles in the Town Warrant for 1939:
Article 1. Recommend favorable action.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
.
12. 13.
No action.
that $100.00 be used for this purpose.
14. Recommend a salary of $1,350.00, the same to cover care of streets, snow removal and traveling expenses.
The Road Surveyor shall not use any of his own equipment.
Article 15. No action.
16. Recommend favorable action.
17. No action.
18. Recommend favorable action.
19.
20.
21. (a)
(b) Recommend that money be taken from W. P. A. al- lotment.
22. Recommend favorable action.
Respectfully submitted, HAZEN M. RICHARDSON, Chairman. OSCAR H. BELLE, WILLIAM W. RICHARDSON, WILLIAM S. COLTON, FREDERICK E. BURNHAM, Clerk.
Finance Committee.
(a) Six hundred dollars to be used solely for the purchase of six hundred feet of hose.
(b) Three hundred dollars to be used on sidewalk project.
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
School Committee
Superintendent of Schools AND
Yearly Statistics
OF THE
Grammar School
OF THE
Town of Middleton
FOR THE
Year Ending December 31, 1938
85
SCHOOL REPORT
SCHOOL REPORT
School Committee
DR. RAYMOND SILVERNAIL WAYNE GILES, Chairman
MRS. ALICE K. CASS, Secretary
Term Expires 1939
Term Expires 1940 Term Expires 1941
STEPHEN G. BEAN, Superintendent of Schools DR. ANDREW NICHOLS, School Physician MRS. PATRICIA KINGSLEY, R. N., School Nurse GEORGE WEBBER, Attendance Officer
MISS C. ALICE MANNING, Principal
Grade 8
MISS MARGARET M. BERRY
Grade 7
MISS MARY WILKISH
Grade 6
MISS FANNIE C. HINKLEY
Grade 5
MISS ANNABELLE SYLVESTER
Grade 4
MISS ELINOR LANE Grade 3
MISS ANN MERRITT
Grades 2 and 3
MISS MADELYN LAWRENCE
Grade 2
MISS CATHERINE DEVANE
Grade 1
MR. CHARLES I. GOULD, JR., Building Assistant
MRS. GENIE F. KIMBALL, Music Supervisor MRS. SHIRLEY GULLIVER, Drawing Supervisor GEORGE WEBBER, Janitor
86
SCHOOL REPORT
No School Signal
Two Rounds on Fire Whistle at 7.45 o'clock A. M.
Two Rounds on Whistle at the Blacking Company Factory at 7.45 o'clock A. M.
School Calendar for 1939
WINTER TERM
January 3 to February 24 Vacation One Week
WINTER-SPRING TERM
March 6 to April 28 Vacation One Week
SPRING TERM
May 8 to June 19 Summer Vacation
FALL TERM September 6 to December 21
HOLIDAYS February 22, April 19, May 30, October 12, November 11 November 25
87
SCHOOL REPORT
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the School Committee of Middleton.
Madam and Gentlemen:
I herewith present my fifteenth annual report as Superintendent of Schools for the Town of Middleton for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1938.
A year of experience with the many advantages of the new building has shown conclusively the wisdom of the town in pro- viding it. The advantages over the former conditions are so many that space does not permit an enumeration. If and when the grounds around the building are brought to the condition which is planned for them, the one bad feature will be removed. At present it is extremely difficult to keep the building clean because of the amount of soil brought in by many little feet. This condition has improved some during the year and as soon as the grass "takes" will probably be all right.
The auditorium has already shown its worth. The graduation exercises last June seemed much pleasanter in the surroundings now available. The whole atmosphere of that evening seemed different. It was more dignified, more cheerful. The program was more effective and much kinder to the participants because of the im- proved acoustical conditions and pleasing lighting. These conditions have prevailed throughout the year in all of the many pleasant occasions that the room has made possible. It has provided the Parent-Teacher Association a far greater opportunity to be of service. This community use of the building is another important justification of its cost.
The general condition of the school is excellent. The reports which we receive from our graduates who are in Danvers High School continue to be of the same high standard as in the past. Of course there are a few who have not the strength of character to stand the greater freedom from supervision which comes from being so far away from home during the day and in a school so much larger than that to which they have been accustomed. There are always those in any high school who cannot stand on their own feet; who miss the closer supervision of the elementary type of teaching. We try to get them ready for this change before they leave the eighth grade, but there are always some who are like many older people in the world; "they just can't stand liberty." This is one of the reasons why dictators secure control of some nations.
One of the reasons for our continued success is the generally
88
SCHOOL REPORT
high type of teaching corps employed, and the freedom from con- tinual change in the personnel of that corps. We are also fortunate in having what we call a coach teacher. In modern terminology this is a remedial teacher whose function is to try to remedy defects in the accomplishment of children who, for various reasons, are not doing standard work in their grade. Such a teacher can soon save the cost of his salary by preventing retardation. It costs the town more than eighty dollars extra for each pupil who repeats a grade.
The only change in the teaching personnel was in the super- visory staff. Miss Rosatto, who served as Supervisor of Art, was obliged by pressure of work in Lowell Textile Institute to give up her day in Middleton. Mrs. Shirley H. Gulliver, who was already serving in the same capacity in Wilmington, was secured to carry on this department. Mrs. Gulliver has had adequate experience, having formerly been employed in the Hamilton-Wenham district.
No. of Enrolled Teachers Elementary Elementary
Average Membership
High
Total
June 30, 1930
6
194
181
52
224
June 30, 1931
6
210
192
49
241
June 30, 1932
6
207
196
55
251
June 30, 1933
6
233
223
55
278
June 30, 1934
6
235
209
52
261
June 30, 1935
6
221
214
47
261
June 30, 1936
6
245
239
55
294
June 30, 1937
7
278
254
69
323
June 30, 1938
10
266
261
75
336
Jan.
1, 1939
10
272
80
352
This tabulation shows the growth of the school enrollment dur- ing the past ten years. The average memberships are shown be- cause this is the basis by which the state figures the size of a school system and upon which it pays certain reimbursements. These figures are significant when reduced to a percentage basis. For example: the elementary enrollment has increased 40.2% in this period; the elementary membership grew 44.2%; and the high school membership shows a 53.8% growth. This high school figure is of special significance because it represents an increase of $3500.00 a year in the school budget. Facts like these are not known to the general public, and for that reason they sometimes wonder at the increased cost of the schools. The very fact that the school popula- tion has grown just under fifty per cent in ten years explains why we had to build a new building and to increase the amount appro- priated for schools. Schools operate under somewhat the same conditions as a manufacturing establishment. An increase of large
1929
1930
1931
1932
1933
1934
1935
1936
1937
1938
Supt.
$846.66
880.59
636.89
527.54
523.80
468.76
475.36
455.14
473.64
454.93
State Refund.
386.66
386.66
386.67
261.54
216.29
232.05
232.05
223.41
223.21
247.67
Net Cost ..
460.00
493.93
250.22
266.00
307.51
236.71
243.31
238.85
242.43
207.26
Teachers
$8608.00
7960.75
7394.62
8861.88
8867.40
8770.49
9016.04
9654.38
9908.62
12099.35
State Refund .... 1040.00
1040.00
1070.00
1220.00
1220.00
1110.00
1180.00
1230.00
1330.00
1430.00
Net Cost .. ........
7568.00
6920.75
6324.62
7641.88
7645.40
7660.49
7836.04
8424.38
8678.62
10669.35
H. S. Cost ........ $5942.98
6187.23
4425.36
7866.24
8212.99
11123.88
4935.28
10626.18
4530.69
10544.12
State Refund .... 3469.85
3206.67
3819.18
5107.55
4169.96
3877.44
3605.83
3522.06
3927.82
4088.10
Net Cost ..
2006.22
2980.76
606.18
2758.69
4043.03
7426.44
1329.45
7104.12
602.87
6556.02
Cost per pupil .. $186.22
98.41
91.65
96.67
93.26
96.89
97.03
91.88
83.59
83.33
State average ....
98.15
100.50
100.82
100.38
93.03
86.55
88.64
95.79
97.56
100.41
Đ
No. Pupils
224
241
251
278
261
261
294
323
336
352
SCHOOL REPORT
89
90
SCHOOL REPORT
proportions in the output means an increase in plant, in personnel and in cost of operation. Small increases can be taken up each year within the organization, but after several years of such steady increase additions have to be made. Another analogy to the manu- facturing plant is that you judge its success by the quality of its product as compared to its cost. We feel that on the basis of this test for success we can pass with high credit.
This information, while readily available in state documents, is not easily found by those unaccustomed to delving into such masses of figures. The data is intended to show the net cost of several items in the school budget on which we get a substantial refund from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It shows that the town does not actually pay all of the money that is appropriated for schools.
The first group shows that the town has to raise a little more than half of the salary and expenses of the Superintendent of Schools. It pays only about 85% of the teachers' salaries. Only half of the cost of High school education comes from the pocket of the taxpayer.
It can also be seen that the average cost per pupil is less than the average for the state. In the years from 1933 thru 1936 the local average was higher than in the state in general because at no time during the lean years has the town cut the salaries of its teachers. As other towns have restored temporary cuts, the local average has fallen below that of the state. Last year (the school year ending June 30) Middleton schools were operated at about 83% of the cost throughout the state. These figures for pupil cost are for both high and elementary schools. We have been paying a relatively high cost per pupil for high school education and transportation which tends to make our average cost higher than if we were paying only cost of support to Danvers. Because of the reduction granted during the past year our average cost will be still lower for the current school year.
This data is offered for the purpose of comparison. The list contains the names of towns some of which are of nearly the same population as Middleton, or have a similar valuation or an enroll- ment or average school membership of somewhere near the same number. The first two towns listed are operating their own high schools. All of the others pay tuition and transportation to some other town or city. A careful study of these figures will give an idea of the comparative costs of education in Middleton and these other towns.
Population
Census 1930
April, 1937 Valuation
No. of Teachers
Local Schools Enrollment in
Net Average
Membership
of Support Total Cost
Net Average Per Pupil
Membership
State Reim-
bursement
Enrollment High School
Cost Per Pupil
High School
Groveland
2336
$1,538,560
15
408
395 $29,877.38
75.64
$9,973.74
122
$80.16
Topsfield
986
2,971,085
12
234
207
28,674.63
138.52
2,570.83
68
174.57
North Reading
1945
2,526,871
15
492
536
76,788.39
87.29
13,067.63
68
182.46
Westminster
1925
1,588,030
10
264
316
39,875.65
126.19
14,393.78
53
168.10
Dennis
1829
4,787,870
10
276
345
43,424.04
125.87
2,611.74
89
172.40
Sturbridge
1772
1,329,230
9
253
294
31,510.46
107.18
11,536.17
62
169.90
Burlington
1722
2,350,308
12
386
480
44,058.65
91.79
15,260.51
90
224.06
Middleton
1712
1,962,283
10
266
336
28,000.00
83.33
5,625.71
75
141.92
Lynnfield
1594
3,839,306
8
273
360
39,697.66
110.27
6,779.45
97
165.78
Boxford
652
1,168,004
4 103
135
16,025.21
118.70
5,326.77
33
183.10
SCHOOL REPORT
91
92
SCHOOL REPORT
One interesting contrast is shown in the per pupil cost for high school education in Groveland and Topsfield. It evidently costs less than half as much per pupil in Groveland as it does in Topsfield. There is food for thought there for somebody. It is also interesting to note that Middleton gets high school education at a rate per pupil $32.65 less than it costs Topsfield. This is because of the small number of pupils in the latter high school. It also shows that it is more economical for a small town not to operate its own high school. This is generally true in spite of the Groveland figure. It is of interest also to note the comparative costs of high school education in Middleton and Burlington.
In the column headed Total Cost of Support it is noteworthy that Topsfield spent last year (school year) $28,674.63 to educate 207 pupils while in Middleton the cost was $28,000 for 336 pupils. It is true that on the basis of valuation Topsfield can better afford that cost than Middleton can. This better financial condition is also true of Lynnfield, and it is reflected in the fact that, although that town had but 24 more pupils than Middleton last year, they spent $39,697.66 as compared to our $28,000-something of a contrast.
Groveland has a comparatively low per pupil cost for a small town. Usually small towns' schools cost more than in large towns. This is due to the extremely low cost of high school education in that town. Had they paid at the Middleton rate it would have cost them $7,534.62 more, and would have raised their per pupil average for all schools from $75.64 to about $94.70. The Middleton cost was $83.33.
These are a few of the interesting comparative figures and facts to be gathered from this tabulation, the greater part of which shows the economy of the local administration.
CONCLUSION
Attention is directed to the report of the principal of the Howe- Manning School, the school nurse and the members of the super- visory staff. To these, to the teachers and to the members of the School Committee I extend sincere thanks for unfailing co-operation during the past year.
Respectfully submitted, STEPHEN G. BEAN, Superintendent of Schools.
Feb. 16, 1939.
ENROLLMENT STATISTICS Table No. 1 Age-Grade Distribution-Registration October 1, 1938
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
T
I
12
25
5
1
43
II
6
19
5
2
2
34
III
15
21
9
0
4
49
IV
4
16
9
1
30
V
6
15
4
25
VI
2
14
11
3
30
VII
6
21
4
4
35
VIII
5
9
7
2
2
1
26
Total
12
31
39
31
33
28
29
37
16
11
2
2
1
272
Heavily leaded diagonals indicate age limits for the grades
SCHOOL REPORT
93
94
SCHOOL REPORT
Table No. 2 Teacher-Grade Distribution October 1, 1938
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
Tot.
C. Devane
43
43
M. E. Lawrence -
28
28
A. Merritt
6
21
27
E. Lane
28
28
A. Sylvester . -
30
30
F. C. Hinkley
- -
25
25
M. Wilkish
30
30
M. M. Berry
35
35
C. A. Manning
-
26
26
Total
43
34
49
30
25
30
35
26
272
-
95
SCHOOL REPORT
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
During 1938 the School Committee has endeavored to operate the Howe-Manning School as efficiently and economically as possible.
In a conference held with the School Committee of Danvers, we were fortunate enough to have our tuition rates reduced from one hundred twenty-five dollars to one hundred ten dollars per pupil. This agreement is to extend for a period of three years without change.
Mr. George Stahler was the lowest bidder on the bus contract at $3650. This figure includes all extra trips which in previous years were an additional cost to the town. Mr. Stahler purchased all new standard equipment to insure safety for our children.
The George Pickering Coal Company made an attractive offer for the fuel at the school at a figure considerably less than former years.
The number of children enrolled in the Grammar School has increased as well as the number attending Danvers High. Every pupil added naturally increases the expenditures of the School Department.
Our children are receiving the best educational advantages possible from our splendid corps of teachers and compare most favorably with those of other towns in their High School scholar- ship and deportment.
For Middleton boys desiring to further their education after completing their High School course there is a Flint Scholarship. This scholarship was established in 1889 by Mr. Flint, who be- queathed to Phillips Academy, Andover, the sum of five thousand dollars to constitute a scholarship, the income of which may be used to defray the tuition and other expenses of worthy students, prefer- ence given to students residing in Middleton. This exceptional opportunity has been applied for and used by several Middleton boys in the past and is available to any boy in the town who has completed his High School course satisfactorily and who can meet the requirements of the Phillips Academy faculty.
.With our beautiful new school, our earnest, capable staff of teachers, with parents more and more alive to their school responsi- bilities, it would seem that our children are being well prepared to make them the responsible, intelligent citizens which the country now demands.
Respectfully submitted, WAYNE A. GILES, Chairman. DR. RAYMOND SILVERNAIL. ALICE K. CASS, Secretary.
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SCHOOL REPORT
PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
To the Superintendent and School Committee, Middleton, Mass .:
In compliance with your request, I am reviewing some out- standing projects and problems, of the school year, our first com- plete one in the new building.
It did not seem advisable to continue our listing of B. U. weekly films for industrial geography as, until late in the year, we could not darken the Assembly Hall properly. Our teachers' fund, school fund and P.T.A. aid remedied this, in the purchase of curtains which are decorative as well as useful.
In its place, seemingly, appeared our Music Appreciation con- certs given by the Salem Unit of the Federal Music Project. These have proved most worth while as they were well planned and in- structive, not only in regard to musical selections, but also in ex- planation of various instruments.
The value of an Assembly Hall has been appreciated by both teachers and pupils and has served, we hope, as a means to teach our boys and girls the proper use of public meeting-places, as well as the social intercourse which various assemblies, particularly at holidays, has enabled us to enjoy. We hope to make this of more value as this year goes on.
A problem, which we have, so far, only solved temporarily, is the noon lunch hour. This should be seen, really, to be understood.
About one hundred seventy pupils bring lunches regularly while, on an average, twenty-five more are transients. This makes it nec- essary for practically all of the rooms to be open and in charge of a teacher until twelve-thirty, while by then town children are coming back. Two teachers are in the yard from twelve-thirty until one, and find plenty to do. On stormy days, the play-room is used by the boys while assigned rooms are used by girls.
We have continued serving cocoa, soup and milk,-each at three cents a mug-and here I wish to compliment most highly our citizens, the boys and girls who give so much of their time to this problem. Boys assume the responsibility of getting the big cans at Mrs. Johnson's; older girls fill tea-kettles-for hot water for dishes -younger ones plug in plates at correct time, and other groups fill the pitchers and serve. Still others constitute the dish-washing groups-two this year-and these girls work under difficulties as we have no sinks available in the new building, and our equipment is not very convenient. These groups also return the mugs to their respective closets.
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SCHOOL REPORT
Besides this work, clerks get the orders for soup and milk a day in advance, keep records of each room's needs, and put up the money for the weekly bill. We are serving from sixty to eighty a day.
We are justly proud of this project and I thank every one who helps.
Again this year, the Parent-Teachers Association has assumed cost of cocoa, sugar and soup in addition to cost of making while the three cents paid by children, in most cases, has taken care of the cost of milk. We surely appreciate this assistance.
In looking back over this year some facts seem evident. First, the immaturity of a percentage of children entering Grade I which might warrant consideration of a slight raise in age limit, or some form of entrance examination; second, the need of the courses for- merly given in sewing and manual work for Grades VI, VII and VIII; third, the value of the work accomplished by the building assistant or coach teacher; fourth, the need, during this year, of several sets of new books, especially Readers for lower grades, and a Geography for Grade VI; and fifth, the necessity for more care in avoiding window breakage either by stones or balls.
We have reason to be proud of our new school, and I feel the children have shown this in their care of the building.
Our plans for this spring include systematic work in the rock garden on which a beginning has already been made in grading the bank and placing the rocks by the workmen who were with us in the fall. We anticipate much pleasure in this community project.
May I here thank all my associates for their continued co- operation, and you, the Superintendent and the School Committee, for your unfailing support and assistance.
Respectfully submitted,
C. ALICE MANNING.
Feb. 15, 1939.
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SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF ART
Mr. Stephen G. Bean,
Superintendent of Schools,
Middleton, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I have the honor to submit my first report as supervisor of art for three and one-half months of last year, from September through December.
I believe that art is a practical means of encouraging and developing the most powerful of your child's instincts-his creative imagination. This force is sincerely the foundation of every true success and is instinctive in every child. Students in our public schools today must have some means of expression, not only with their minds, but with their hands. The public school art course is constructed with this thought in mind and offers boys and girls such a means of expression.
Every week I teach in each class-room, and then the regular teachers continue my work, or teach another lesson that I plan for the one in between my lessons. A great deal has been accomplished in paper-cutting, lettering, nature work, figure drawing, color, and design. A few of the most interesting things that have been done are the "Nursery Rhyme Pictures" in grade one, the "Three Bear Booklets" in grade two, the "Indian Project" in the two third grades, the "Farm Books" in grade four, and the designs that were drawn, transferred, and colored on cloth holders that the fifth grade made for Christmas. Grade six has done water color work, figure drawing, some especially good crayon drawings of winter sport figures, design work, and calendars for Christmas. In grade seven they have made "Hurricane Pictures," Hallowe'en all-over designs, Pilgrim's cut- paper posters, Indian border designs, candelabra designs, and desk memorandum pads and pencil holders for Christmas. The work in grade eight includes Hallowe'en designs, figure drawings drawn from a model posing, original Indian heads, stained glass window designs, and designs made for the pockets of the shoe-bags that they made for Christmas. The pupils have all shown a great interest in their drawing, which certainly shows in the excellent work they have accomplished.
What better reason could I give for teaching art than to say that a person who thinks with his pencil is better able to visualize, to invent, and to create, no matter what field he may enter. From a practical point of view, to be able to read architects' plans at a
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SCHOOL REPORT
glance, to imagine what a remodeled house will look like, to explain things when words are inadequate and drawings on diagrams are necessary to make meanings clear, to design one's own clothes, to furnish one's home in good taste, to sense values more accurately, to face life more clearly,-these are some of the advantages of learning to draw and acquire an appreciation of art.
In conclusion, I wish to express my sincere thanks to Mr. Bean, teachers, pupils, and school officials for their loyalty, co-operation, and activity in making my work successful.
Respectfully submitted,
SHIRLEY H. GULLIVER.
HOWE-MANNING SCHOOL HEALTH REPORT
February 24, 1939.
The Essex County Tuberculosis Clinic was offered to three children who had been examined in previous years. This year they were taken down to the Essex Agricultural College where they had their X-rays taken.
Children are weighed and measured in January, May, and Sep- tember. Cards are sent to the parents after each weighing showing the child's height, weight, and the correct normal weight. Lists are also sent to the teachers showing whether the children are over or under weight.
Number of children had their eyes examined 252
Number of notices to parents requesting further testing 6
Number of surgical dressings applied 189
Number of conferences with teachers in their rooms 76
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION REPORT
Number of children examined by Dr. Andrew Nichols
268
September 12, 1938
40
September 15, 1938
27
September 19, 1938
27
September 26, 1938
16
October 3, 1938
56
October 10, 1938
12
October 17, 1938
40
October 25, 1938
50
268
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SCHOOL REPORT
October 31, 1938, Doctor Nichols gave physical examinations to all the Teachers and the School Nurse. The art supervisor and the music supervisor are examined by appointment at the doctor's office. Number of notices to parents for defective tonsils 21
SCHICK TEST REPORT
Number of consent slips sent to parents 112
Number of consent slips returned by parents 85
Number of children who received the test 80
Number of children negative at reading 41
Number of children who received Toxoid-11-7-38 38
Number of children who received Toxoid-11-14-38 36
Number of children who received Toxoid-11-21-38
37
DENTAL CLINIC REPORT From May 16, 1938, to June 17, 1938
Number of children examined
262
Number of consent slips sent to parents 260
Number of consent slips returned by parents
144
Number of cleanings
118
Number of fillings
207
Number of extractions
207
Total number of treatments
532
Total number of hours
97 hours, 40 minutes
Total cost of clinic
$293.00
Respectfully submitted,
PATRICIA KINGSLEY, R. N.
School Nurse.
1
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