USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Middleton > Town annual report of Middleton, MA. 1940 > Part 4
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fined-4
Driving under the influence of liquor
fined-3
Driving without a license
fined-1
Drunkenness
released-5
Drunkenness
probated-4
MISCELLANEOUS WORK:
Automobile accidents
22
Buildings found broken into
15
Compaints received and investigated
411
Dogs reported hit by automobiles
11
Deaths investigated with medical examiner
2
Larceny from camps
cases-12
Personal property recovered
9
(Turned over to owners from 9 complaints.)
Persons wilfully destroying property
5
Property repaired by parents
5
Animals caught and owners notified
22
Officers with State police
hours-10
Hours in court
114
Warrants, capias and summons served
16
Property and buildings inspected
150
80
FOREST WARDEN'S REPORT
Reports for insurance companies
16
Traffic duty (approximately) hours-640
Automobile licenses registrations Automobiles transferred 446
revoked-22
In conclusion, I wish to thank your honorable board, the police officers under me and thank the citizens of Middleton for cooperation with me in the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER H. MILBERY, Chief of Police.
FOREST WARDEN'S REPORT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
The forest warden submits a brief report of his department for the year ending December 31, 1940.
As forest fires seem a needless expense it has been the aim of your forest warden to keep his costs at a minimum.
Permits from the forest warden are necessary for all outdoor fires, this law is to be strictly enforced by the State Department of Conser- vation during the coming year.
Since July we have been fortunate in having only one bad forest fire. Due to the extreme dryness constant patroling way necessary.
I would recommend the brushing out of old wood road sand cleaning our present waterholes during the coming year.
In conclusion, I wish to express my appreciation to the Massachu- setts Department of Conservation, State Deputy Warden Frost, the Board of Fire Engineers, Chief Young, and all firemen for their splen- did cooperation at all times during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
BENJAMIN OGDEN,
Forest Warden.
-
TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT
REAL ESTATE .
Year of Tax
Amount of Commitment 16 39 1,013 36 11,214 66 52 46
Amount Collected
Abate- ments
Refunds
Tax Titles Accounts
Balance Dec. 31, '40 16 39 109 69
Int. & Fees Collected
1937
1938
ADD:
1939
TAX TITLE ADJUST.
1940
61,619 65
9,616 25 40,681 12
130 92
1,109 28
410 67 17,670 34
22 29
EXCISE .
1938
61 49
23 40
38 09
3 94
1939
198 10
64 16
2 58
133 94
6 21
1940
3,825 81
3,467 68
49 42
146 28
308 71
7 94
1938
24 00
8 00
16 00
1 92
1939
106 00
24 00
82 00
5 31
1940
1,116 00
886 00
16 00
214 00
32 29
PERSONAL PROPERTY
1937
60 20
60 20
7 26
1938
186 58
121 31
65 27
9 44
1939
376 14
248 71
163 40
129 15
11 00
1940
2,505 22
1,987 39
517 83
16
-
* Refund for overpayment.
TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD E. TYLER, Tax Collector.
81
16 54 -
11,267 12
331 00
651 46
2,616 73
223 34
67 55
612 78
POLL
1 72*
82
ASSESSORS' REPORT
ASSESSORS' REPORT
The following is a recapulation of the money appropriated by the Town of Middleton and the estimated receipts deducted therefrom in the determination of the 1940 Tax Rate:
APPROPRIATIONS:
Town appropriation
$99,779 37
Overlay deficit-1936
104 06
66 1938
224 82
State tax-1940
5,440 00
State parks and reservations
82 89
Hospital and home care for Civil War Veterans 1939 underestimate
22 50
County tax
3,227 80
Tuberculosis hospital
934 44
1940 overlay
2,301 13
Total appropriation
$112,117 01
ESTIMATED RECEIPTS:
Income tax
$5,708 66
Corporation taxes
3,852 80
Reimbursement on account State owned land
668 16
Gasoline tax (Acts 1939 Chap. 232 & 504
4,388 25
Motor vehicle excise
3,500 00
Licenses
1,400 00
Fines
200 00
General government
400 00
Protection of persons and property
25 00
Health and sanitation
500 00
Charities (other than federal grants for aid to dependent children)
6,750 00
Old age assistance (other than federal grants)
6,500 00
Soldiers' benefits
150 00
Schools
6,000 00
Cemeteries (other than sale of lots)
400 00
Interest on taxes and assessments
800 00
Veterans' exemptions
32 43
Town of Danvers-reimbursement
625 00
All other
75 00
Overestimate-State parks and reservations
11 72
Total estimated receipts
$41,987 02
88
DOG OFFICER'S REPORT
AVAILABLE FUNDS: Brought forward
$41,987 02
Transfer voted by Town July 17, 1940
5,150 00
Total estimated receipts and available funds
$47,137 02
Net amount raised by taxation on personal property
$2,502 22
Net amount raised by taxation on real estate
61,392 77
Number of polls assessed, 541 at $2.00 each
1,082 00
$64,979 99
$112,117 01
TOTAL VALUATION:
$ 78,288 00
Personal property Real estate 1940 tax rate
1,918,524 00
$32 00
Respectfully submitted,
FRED L. CURRIER, WILLIAM T. MARTIN, SR. LYMAN S. WILKINS, WILLIAM T. MARTIN, JR.
Board of Assessors.
DOG OFFICER'S REPORT
Middleton, Mass., Decembsr 14, 1940
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
There has been this year the following 84 complaints:
People bitten by dogs
10
Fowl killed by dogs
141
Dogs picked up and returned to owners
12
Miles answeriug complaints
117
Hours working on complaints
40
Tramp dogs disposed of
20
Dogs hit by automobiles
7
Dogs killed for disease
2
Cats hit by automobile and disposed of
5
Dogs disposed of for non-license
9
Pups under three to six months picked up and disposed of
11
Turned over to town clerk for unlicensed dogs
$177.00
Respectfully submitted, WALTER H. MILBERY, Dog Officer, Town of Middleton.
84
TOWN HALL REPORT
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Adjusted
Sealed
Not Sealed
Platform under 5,000 pounds
6
19
3
Counter over 100
1
3
1
Counter under 100
4
18
0
Spring over 100
1
1
0
Spring under 100
2
6
0
Personal Weighing
0
2
0
WEIGHTS:
Avoirdupois
11
134
5
MEASURES:
Liquid
0
7
0
Gasoline Pumps
2
21
0
Kerosene Pumps
1
1
0
Grease Pumps
0
3
0
Sealing Fees Collected $21.03
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM H. YOUNG, Sealer of Weights and Measures
TOWN HALL REPORT Year Ending October 31, 1940
Received from entertainments
$19 50
I. O. R. M.
77 60
P. of H.
41 75
J. P. of H.
15 50
St. Agnes church
90 00
dancing class
27 50
music class
42 00
Pohpokset Council No. 73, D. P.
I. O. R. M.
16 20
66 improvement society
7 90
$337 95
Respectfully yours,
HENRY A. YOUNG, Custodian.
85
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
Recommendations of Finance Committee for the Year 1941
I-GENERAL GOVERNMENT:
SALARIES:
Called for
Recommended
Moderator
$ 25 00
$ 25 00
Selectmen (three)
525 00
400 00
Accountant
500 00
400 00
Treasurer
500 0a
400 00
Collector
400 00
400 00
Assessors (three)
800 00
700 00
Town Counsel
300 00
300 00
Registrars of Voters
70 00
70 00
Town Clerk
200 00
200 00
Electric Light Commissioners (three)
150 00
150 00
Town Hall Maintenance
750 00
600 00
Town Hall Custodian
500 00
500 00
Town Officers' Expenses
1,500 00
1,200 00
II-PROTECTION OF PERSONS
AND PROPERTY:
Police
$1,200 00
$1,000 00
Constable's Salary
35 00
35 00
Fire Maintenance and Salaries
2500 00
2,000 00
Sealer of Weights and Measures
100 00
100 00
III-FORESTRY:
Moth
$1,500 00
$873 45
Tree Warden
1,500 00
300 00
IV-HEALTH AND SANITATION:
Essex County Sanatorium
$ 941 48
$ 941 48
Board of Health
1,200 00
1,200 00
Dental Clinic
400 00
400 00
Inspector of Slaughtering, Salary
50 00
50 00
Inspector of Cattle, Salary
175 00
175 00
V .- HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT:
Highway
$1,500 00
$1,500 00
Chapter 81 Maintenance
4,500 00
4,500 00
Chapter 90 Maintenance
1,500 00
1,000 00
Chapter 90 Construction
2,000 00
2,000 00
Snow Removal
Street Lights
3,000 00
3,000 00
86
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
Called for
Recommended
VI .- CHARITIES:
Public Welfare, Salaries
$ 250 00
$ 250 00
Public Welfare, Maintenance
8,500 00
8,500 00
Aid to Dependent Children
1,600 00
1,600 00
Old age Assistance
11,800 00
11,800 00
Old Age Assistance, Administration
500 00
500 00
Surplus Commodities Distribution
550 00
550 00
VII. - SOLDIERS' BENEFITS:
State Aid
$ 100 00
$ 100 00
Soldiers' Relief
1,000 00
1,000 00
VIII. - EDUCATION:
School Maintenance
$30,666 00
$30,666 00
Vocational Education
775 00
775 00
Library
1,321 00
600 00 **
IX. - CEMETRIES:
Superintendent of Burials
$ 15 00
$ 15 00
Commissioners' Salaries (three)
30 00
30 00
Maintenance
1,400 00
850 00
Graves
400 00
350 00
Equipment
250 00
X .- PARK
Maintenance
$ 250 00
$ 250 00
XI .- INTEREST AND INSURANCE:
Interest
$ 900 00
$ 900 00
Insurance
1,200 00
1,200 00
XII. - MUNICIPAL INDEBTEDNESS:
School Construction
$3,000 00
$3,000 00
XIII .- UNCLASSIFIED:
Contingent Fund
$ 800 00
$ 800 00
Reserve Fund
600 00
600 00
Memorial Day
250 00
250 00
W. P. A. Projects
1,500 00
1,500 00
American Legion
150 00
** Plus dog taxes
87
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
Recommendations covering Articles in the Town Warrant for 1941.
Article 1 Recommend favorable action
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Recommend favorable action.
16
17
18
19
20
Recommend favorable action, if all five serve without pay.
21
Recommend that it be left in hands of Highway Sur- veyor.
..
22
Recommend favorable action.
23
Respectfully submitted,
HAZEN M. RICHARDSON, Chairman, WILLIAM W. RICHARDSON, OSCAR H. BELLE, FREDERICK E. BURNHAM, Cle:k.
Finance Committee.
No action.
No action.
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, 1940
91
SCHOOL REPORT
SCHOOL REPORT
School Committee
DR. RAYMOND SILVERNAIL, Chairman Term Expires 1942 MRS. ALICE K. CASS, Secretary
MR. SEAVER McDONALD
Term Expires 1941 Term Expires 1943
Supt. of Schools, STEPHEN G. BEAN, Wilmington, Mass. School Physician, DR. ANDREW NICHOLS, Danvers, Mass. School Nurse, MRS. PATRICIA KINGSLEY, R. N. Attendance Officer, MR. CHARLES PASQUALE
TEACHING CORPS
MISS C. ALICE MANNING, Principal
Grade VIII.
MISS MARGARET M. BERRY
Grade VII.
MISS MARY WILKISH
Grade VI.
MISS FANNIE C. HINKLEY
Grade V.
MISS ANNABELLE SYLVESTER
MISS ELINOR LANE
MISS ALICE FLYNN
MISS MADELYN LAWRENCE
Grade II.
MISS CATHERINE DEVANE
Grade I.
MR. CHARLES I. GOULD, JR., Building Assistant
MR. HORACE KILLAM, Supervisor of Music MISS MARY SHEA, Supervisor of Art
Grades IV. & V.
Grades III. & IV.
Grades II. & III.
MR. ERNEST TOWNSEND, JR., Janitor
92
SCHOOL REPORT
School Calendar for 1941
WINTER TERM
January 2 to February 21 Vacation One Week
WINTER-SPRING TERM
March 3 to April 25
Vacation One Week
SPRING TERM
May 5 to June 20
Vacation ten Weeks
FALL TERM September 8 to December 23
HOLIDAYS February 22, April 19, May 30, October 12, November 11, Thanksgiving
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.
93
SCHOOL REPORT
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the School Committee
Middleton, Massachusetts.
Madam and Gentlemen:
I hereby submit my seventeenth annual report as Superintendent of Schools of the Town of Middleton, which is prepared for your consideration and for the purpose of information to interested citi- zens of the town.
The main consideration of these reports is the condition and progress of the schools and the pupils served by them. Such a report must deal with the school plant, enrollment, the adminis- trative and teaching personnel, and the progress and attainments of the pupils. There are other very vital considerations which may very properly become part of the report. These have to do with certain statistical information concerning the financial cost of education in the town with regard to its economy and in comparison with costs in other towns nearby and those more remote but with similar conditions.
THE PLANT
The school building is practically new and should, of course, be in excellent condition. Schools are, like any other structures, subject to certain slight defects in construction which do not appear until after a period of use. These appear here at various times, but are, in general, of minor proportions. We have had slight leaks in walls and through the roof resulting from structural flaws. Some small mechanical difficulties in the heating and ventilating system have had to receive repairs. None of these are more than usually appear in any modern building.
The teachers, janitor and children cooperate to give the building the care which is needed to maintain good living conditions for healthful and cheerful school environment. Such care is the justi- fiable expectation of the taxpayers whose money has gone into its construction.
THE ENROLLMENT
The number of children in attendance in the school is somewhat larger than last year and therefore the largest in the history of the town. On October first there was an actual membership of 294 pupils but there have been as many as 299 on some dates. Member- ship is variable from week to week so that we never know just what to expect. A family may move from town one day with two school children and within a week another family with five may
94
SCHOOL REPORT
appear, so that figures for one period are no indication of what may be true at another except that the trend is towards an increase rather than a decrease.
The grouping of children in various grades is as variable as the membership and is the cause of numerous administrative prob- lems. This is also unpredictable and varies from month to month and from year to year. Such variations have an important bearing on the total cost of textbooks each year and also upon the number of the teaching corps.
Attention is directed to the two enrollment tables to be found later in this report. They will bear some intelligent consideration when considered in relation to school costs.
THE TEACHING CORPS
This element of the school setup is not greatly different from that of several years past. One change was made during the year when Miss Anne Merritt resigned to be replaced by Miss Alice Flynn. Miss Flynn was known to us from her service as a substitute prior to the creation of the vacancy. She is serving as teacher of parts of the second and third grades. This is one of those classes caused by the peculiar grouping of children in their grade placement.
Mrs. Shirley Gulliver resigned as supervisor of Art at the close of the last school year and is succeeded by Miss Mary Shea of Salem, a teacher of experience who is also serving in the same capacity for the town of Nahant.
Early in the fiscal year Mrs. Genie Kimball who had served as Music Supervisor for many years was forced to resign because of poor health. Mr. Horace Killam of Andover, a music teacher of experience who was already serving as supervisor of music in Georgetown with eminent success, was secured to fill this vacancy.
Mr. Killam, has already been with us a full year and has dem- onstrated excellent ability to inspire both children and teachers. A definite growth in knowledge and appreciation of music should result from such leadership.
Mrs. Patricia Kingsley, our school nurse, has been on leave of absence during the latter part of the fiscal year. Her work has been carried on very efficiently by Mrs. Leonard Willey of Salem.
The immediate administrative responsibility for the school has been in the hands of Miss C. Alice Manning who has carried on this work so well for years past. I recommend to your careful consideration her report on the activities of the school during the year from her viewpoint. Hers is no birdseye view, but is based on daily intimate contact with the school problems.
95
SCHOOL REPORT
GENERAL PROGRESS
As is usual in this school the general progress of the children is excellent. Not every child gets the report card that his fond parents expect, but each gets what he earns, and those who have the will to do so make as good or better progress than he might in many schools. This is evident from the records compiled by our children when they enter other schools in other communities and are in competition with the products of those systems. It is also evidenced by the work done by those who come to us from other towns.
Our ability to secure good work from the majority of the chil- dren has grown increasingly difficult during the past few years. The reason for this is probably very complex, but there are at least two factors which seem evident. One of these is the effect on the psychology of our children of the generally unsettled condition of our nation and of all of the world. This may seem fantastic to many parents and especially to adults who have no children, but I believe mature consideration will find agreement among many who really think. The second is a lack of self control and respect for authority which is shown by many children. This does not refer to the school authority alone, it applies equally to any form involving restraint of individual desires, especially parental authority. Numerous parents tell teachers that they are wholly unable to control their own chil- dren in the home. They frankly confess that their child or children have them baffled, and they do not know what to do. If however a teacher tries to enforce obedience and respect by any of the successful methods of former years some parents object loudly and try to make matters "hot" for that teacher. This is one of the most powerful elements in this dilemma; lack of support by those who should have made the dilemma impossible by teaching respect for authority in the home. No father or mother should ever be too busy to see every case of conflict of authority through to a decision best for the future of the child. Physical brutality however has no place in the process. It must be remembered that self control cannot be expected from a child when it is not exemplified by the parent or teacher.
No. of Average Membership Teachers Elementary High
Total
October 1, 1936
7
254
69
323
October 1, 1937
10
261
75
336
October 1, 1938
10
268
80
352
October 1, 1939
10
291
76
367
October 1, 1940
10
294
70
364
96
SCHOOL REPORT
The above tabulation covers the last five school years and shows the membership in school of all of our local children. It will be noted that there has been a steady increase in the elementary schools which averages about eight pupils a year. This would indi- cate that at the present rate we will have to provide another room and hire another teacher once every five years.
Whether this tendency to increase steadily will continue is be- yond certain prognostication. In these towns like Middleton it is anybody's guess as to the movement of population. It is true how- ever, that taken the country over, there is a very definite tendency to move from the urban centers into the nearby small towns. This is traceable to the growth in numbers of inexpensive automobiles, both new and used. Nowadays Middleton is as convenient to Boston as was Malden or Everett fifteen years ago.
97
SCHOOL REPORT
Population 1930 census
Valuation Jan. 1, 1939
Net average membership
Valuation per pupil
per $1000 of valuation
Expenditure per pupil
of support
Per pupil cost
to tax payers
Net cost per pupil
High School education
Per pupil cost of
pupil in High School
State reimbursement per
Net cost to town of High School education
Middleton
.1712
$2,012,513
367
$5,484
$10.89
$82.19
$59.71
$136.64
$56.00
$80.64
Topsfield
986
2,941,790
197
14,933
8.34
149.53
124.56
164.25
164.25
Lynnfield
. 1594
1,145,210
386
10,739
8.86
114.79
95.19
170.72
43.50
127.22
N. Reading
. 1945
2,561,847
568
4,510
12.79
85.32
58.49
159.85
159.85
Wenham
. 1119
3,909,335
193
20,256
6.25
142.97
126.52
142.81
25.71
117.10
Burlington
.1722
2,312,364
520
4,447
9.91
88.26
44.05
123.31
123.31
Millis
1738
2,731,800
457
5,978
11.39
89.98
68.06
144.95
144.95
Norwell
1519
2,136,345
362
5,902
12.93
103.65
76.32
161.93
161.93
State Averages
9,326
9.95
104.59
92.77
106.96
98
SCHOOL REPORT
This tabulation is offered to show the cost of schools in Middle- ton in comparison with similar costs in other towns which have various characteristics in common with it. These common factors may be population, school membership, valuation per pupil, per pupil cost and so on. It would take too much expensive space to call attention to all of the significant figures. I therefore recom- mend them to your thoughtful study. Several nearby towns were included for purposes of comparison.
Attention is directed particularly to the local figures as compared to the state averages given. These figures are compiled by the State Department of Education and are therefore authentic.
In concluding this report I desire to take this opportunity to express my very great and sincere appreciation of the courtesy and cooperation which I have received from the School Committee and all teachers and supervisors in the school-not forgetting the janitor.
STEPHEN G. BEAN, Superintendent.
February 20, 1941.
ENROLLMENT STATISTICS-Table No. 1 Age-Grade Distribution-Registration October 1, 1940
Grades
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
T
I. -
10
20
4
34
II.
11
27
7
1
46
III. -
8
22
7
4
1
1
43
IV. -
6
17
5
4
2
4
38
V. -
11
20
7
5
1
1
45
VI. -
1
4
16
7
5
1
34
VII. -
5
13
5
4
27
VIII.
2
9
10
4
2
27
Total
10
31
39
35
37
33
33
30
24
15
4
3
294
IX.
26
X. -
16
XI.
13
XII.
15
G. Total
364
-
Heavily leaded diagonal indicate age limits for the grades
SCHOOL REPORT
99
100
SCHOOL REPORT
Table No. 2 Teacher-Grade Distribution October 1, 1940
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
Tot.
Miss Devane
34
34
Miss Lawrence
35
35
Miss Flynn
11
23
34
Miss Lane -
20
15
35
Miss Sylvester - -
23
10
33
Miss Hinkley
35
35
Miss Wilkish
34
34
Miss Berry
27
27
Miss Manning
27
27
Total
34
46
43
38
45
34
27
27
294
101
SCHOOL REPORT
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
During 1940 the Middleton School Committee has earnestly endeavored to carry on its department as efficiently as possible. This year has proven to be a successful one in the operation of our school system financially. The teaching staff has had few changes in its personnel. Miss Anne Merritt resigned her position in May for private teaching. Miss Alice Flynn of Beverly, graduate of both Salem Teacher's College and Boston University, was elected to fill this vacancy in Grades Two and Three. Mrs. Shirley Gulliver, art supervisor, resigned her position in June and Miss Mary Shea, art supervisor of Nahant, took over her duties as drawing supervisor. Mr. Ernest Townsend, Jr., assumed the duties of Mr. George Webber as janitor of the Howe-Manning School, due to the untimely death of Mr. Webber, whose passing we are sorry to record. Mrs. Patricia Kingsley, our school nurse, was granted a leave of absence, while Mrs. Leonard Willey of Salem has been ably substituting in her place.
Due to the impaired hearing of one of our pupils, twenty-four lessons in lip reading was financed by the School Department.
The school roof has caused the committee a great deal of con- cern. Many leaks, due to faulty workmanship, have appeared and need attention when weather permits.
Due to the cooperation of both Superintendent and faculty in the economical operation of the school, money was available to purchase much needed equipment. A new sink was purchased and installed in the Play Room. A used piano was secured for the Fourth Grade Room. All fuel necessary for our winter needs was bought in advance. A new drinking fountain was installed on the first floor to accommodate the increased enrollment of boys and girls.
Some adjustment has been made on the teachers' salaries, located in the lower brackets, and it is hoped that more adjustments may be accomplished in the forthcoming year.
The Committee wishes to express its appreciation for the splen- did cooperation shown by both our splendid staff of teachers and residents of Middleton who have made it possible to maintain a school system of which we are justly proud. Upon education we depend for the continued preservation of our form of democracy upon which the foundations of America were built.
Respectfully submitted,
RAYMOND W. SILVERNAIL, Chairman SEAVER MacDONALD ALICE K. CASS, Secretary
102
SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC MIDDLETON, 1940
To the superintendent of schools and school committee:
The program of music in the Howe-Manning School, Middleton, is planned to give every child the opportunity to make the most of his or her talents, and the supervisor has found the children interested and eager for their music lessons.
The teachers are all very interested in the music program and the supervisor is grateful for their fine cooperation. An encouraging fact this year is that in our first grade room every child has found his or her singing voice after but three months of school under Miss Devane.
The supervisor has a twenty-five minute period with each room of the lower grades weekly and a longer period with the combined seventh and eighth grade chorus. The music period is varied in the lower grades with rhythm orchestra work and with physical responses to various songs and rhythms. Several rhythm instru- ments have been added to our collection this year.
The orchestra consisting of piano, three violins, two trumpets and drums played at the June graduation. Besides other numbers the seventh and eighth grade chorus sang Haydn's Toy Symphony accompanied by the three violinists of the orchestra and nine boys playing the following toy instruments: quail, nightingale, cuckoo, triangle, clappers, drum and trumpet.
The orchestra lost five members through graduation and re- movals in June, but has had a number of new members and the group is showing progress. It is now composed of piano, three violins, two trumpets, cornet, clarinet, saxophone, two small xylo- phones and drums, and has a weekly rehearsal of forty-five minutes and also some individual work after school.
The children of Middleton are fortunate in having a principal so interested in their welfare as Miss Manning and this interest has been of exceptional help to the music supervisor. Through her efforts an excellent grand piano has been purchased for the hall, paid for by entertainments held at the school, a gift from the class of 1940, and the school committee. Miss Manning has also made funds available for the purchase of two fine music stands, several of the toy instruments, some orchestra music, and an alto saxophone.
We are also grateful to the school board for a piano that has been purchased for Miss Sylvester's room. The piano formerly in
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SCHOOL REPORT
the hall has been placed in Miss Lawrence's room; thus we now have a piano on each floor which is used occasionally by each room.
Several of the children have bought their own tonettes, a pre- band instrument or talent finder, and attend classes at noon and after school. About twenty children have learned to play well. Groups have played at various entertainments. Two advanced play- ers went with the supervisor to Hamilton in October and demon- strated the tonettes to a group of Essex County supervisors at a meeting in charge of Miss Martina McDonald, state supervisor of music.
The Thursday before the Christmas vacation all the pupils met in the hall and each room sang several selections learned in their regular music periods and all joined in carols. Several of those studying instruments also played.
Respectfully submitted,
HORACE N. KILLAM.
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SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF ART
To the Superintendent of Schools:
In the foreword to his book, "Modern American Painting," Peyton Boswell, Jr., editor of "The Art Digest," tells us: "America today is developing a school of painting which promises to be the most important movement in the world of art since the days of the Italian Renaissance. Never in the nation's history has there been a time when art was so widely appreciated or so seriously practiced as it is today. America salutes the past, and is grateful to Europe for the aesthetic problems it has solved for all nations. But to this technical knowledge we have now added something that is entirely our own - our own way of life, our own way of thinking and feel- ing, or our own American spirit, if you want to give this something its most inclusive meaning. As a result, the world is witnessing the birth of a new school of painting - the American school."
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This is true of all kindred branches of art, architecture and in- dustrial design. It is the problem of the grammar school art direc- tor today to further the talents of boys and girls who are interested in creative art careers, and at the same time, plan new classes to develop good taste, and a knowledge and appreciation of art in the works of others, in those children who have no particular creative talents of their own.
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This year in Middleton, I have planned my classes as ground- work in the proper use of tools and media - theory of design, drawing and color. It has always been my belief that a working knowledge of sketching can be a most valuable asset to more ad- vanced education, with its specialized classes in such subjects as physics and chemistry for example.
At this time I would like to express my thanks to the teaching staff, all of whom have been most cooperative, and without whose untiring assistance and enthusiasm we could not expect such splen- did results as have been obtained.
Respectfully submitted,
February 23, 1941.
MARY SHEA.
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