USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Abington > Town annual report of the officers and committees, 1948 > Part 8
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SECTION V
Building Management
In the care of buildings the custodial force plays a major part. The job of a school custodian covers a school - building containing certain units, such as classrooms, hall- ways, stairwells, auditorium-gymnasium, clinic and office space, basement, toilet rooms, cafeteria, and shower rooms. The work of a school custodian covers sweeping, dusting, washing of windows and light shades, mopping and treat- ing linoleum and tile floors, cleaning toilets, filling soap and paper dispensers, and making minor repairs and adjustments as requested by teachers and principals. The custodian is responsible for opening and closing the build- ings, and he cares for the lawn and play areas adjacent to the school building. In this latter work shovelling snow, cutting grass, trimming shrubbery, and cleaning the play- ground are among his duties. Also he cares for and cleans the heating system. Our custodians lead a busy life, and I feel that Abington is fortunate in having, on the whole, a most conscientious group of custodians.
Table IV lists the major and minor repairs to build- ings during the year 1948.
Table IV
High School
Nature of Work Major
By Whom Done
Minor
Repair Motor Shop Repair Vacuum Heat- ing System Repair Roof
Damon Electric A. S. Peterson Co.
Repair Heater Door Spindles and Locks Tuning Pianos
E. A. Masefield Co. C. Y. Woodbury Clarence Damon
Plumbing Lawns Elec. Equipment
( Div. of Blind ) Shaw Piano Co. Grover Freeman Littlefield-Wyman K. E. Richardson Royal Typewriter Co. Rosenthal, Inc.
Typewriters Tiling
144
Table IV-Continued
Nature of Work
By Whom Done
Major
Minor
Norfolk Cons. Trust
Eastern Refractories
Chamberlin Co.
Mayflower Constr. Co.
Abington Hardware
H. A. Reed
C. Loud Richardson
Robertson Bros.
Mayflower Constr. Co.
Standard Elec. Time
Custodians Custodians
North School
Nature of Work Major
Minor
Lawns Elec. Equipment
Littlefield-Wyman
K. E. Richardson
Clarence Sylvester
Eastern Refractories
Abington Hardware
H. A. Reed
Edwards & Co. C. B. Hamblen C. Y. Woodbury
Center School
Nature of Work Major
Minor
Clocks Lawns Elec. Equipment
Steps Sanding Floors Clean Heaters
Paint, Hardware
Painting Rooms Paint Flagpole Clean Oil Tank
Cleaning Septic Tanks
By Whom Done
Electric Time Co. Littlefield-Wyman K. E. Richardson Gustafson C. Sylvester Eastern Refractories Abington Hardware H. A. Reed C. B. Hamblen
Sanitary Pumping Service Sanitary Pumping Service
145
Railings-floor boards Clean Heaters Weatherstripping Chimney
Paint, Hardware
Paint Rooms Resurface Yard Rewire Motors
Bicycle Racks Doors
Maintenance Elec. Clock
Sealing Floors Repainting and Refinishing Desks
By Whom Done
Sanding Floors Ciean Heaters
Painting Rooms
Flagpole Painted
Repair Heater
Paint, Hardware
Elec. Clocks
SECTION VI
Housing Expansion
The Town of Abington is rapidly approaching the need for an expansion of its school housing facilities. The following report contains a description of the history of the school housing problem, the significant facts revealed by the data collected, and a definition of the problem faced by this town.
At the annual town meeting held in March of 1948, a vote was recorded authorizing the moderator to appoint a committee of five to study the school housing problem and to outline some acceptable solution to it. Much of the data used in the study was compiled by Mr. Howard F. Mason, former superintendent of schools, although valuable information was supplied by the Abington Water Depart- ment, the Massachusetts State Planning Board, and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Co.
Your present superintendent is most grateful for this valuable assistance; he is hopeful that this report will be stated with clarity in order that each citizen may gather information that will encourage him to lend his full sup- port to the proper enlargement of the Abington school housing facilities.
Those to whom the education of youth is entrusted must make many decisions in matters of policy, both educational and financial. Especially in reference to the school plant must these decisions be weighed with care and made with vision and foresight. A transportation con- tract made, a basal textbook adopted, a method of teach- ing inaugurated, can be changed in a short period of time with comparative ease. A building, however, located and constructed, will remain for many years either to vex or vindicate those who were responsible for it. Expediency followed under the guise of economy today can become very expensive tomorrow. Through this reasoning we should be able to see that a well-developed long-range plan of school plant expansion is the safest insurance against future waste. Such a plan will permit the expansion of the school housing facilities to keep pace with the growth
146
147
Tit
Operetta: Tulip Time An Example of Broad Pupil Participation in a Cooperative Undertaking
of the community, with progressive changes in educa- tional practices, and without expenditure for duplication or replacement of buildings that might have been poorly planned or incorrectly located.
It is obvious that a plan of expansion must be cen- tered around the present housing facilities plus recom- mendations for new building or additions as needed. The need for school housing facilities will be determined by the number of children to be housed, their distribution through the town, and the type of educational organiza- tion approved by our school committee.
In order to estimate the school building needs for a reasonably distant future, therefore, it is necessary to attempt to make some fairly reliable estimate of the trend in enrollment for that future period of time. The trends so determined should, if possible, indicate the probable perma- nent changes in enrollments, so that recommendations for school development will not lead to over-building. The estimated enrollment must be studied as to distribution in order that any proposed building be located to provide the most efficient and economical accommodation of the entire enrollment.
Abington Is Growing
The Town of Abington is faced with a serious prob- lem of providing school housing for a rapidly increasing elementary school enrollment. The problem is arising here because of an unusual increase in the number of children born in every year since 1941. Another reason for the increase is the general exodus of young families from the overcrowded conditions of our cities to suburban com- munities like Abington, where there is some opportunity either to buy or to build a home.
Table V gives past data for the Town of Abington, and estimates on population and enrollment are given. From Table V it is seen that the population of the town has risen steadily from 5,778 in 1921 to 6,418 in 1947. A slight recession in population occurred between the years 1935 to 1940. The estimated trend in population used in this study anticipates a steady increase to 8,250* by 1970. (* Note: This is a compromise figure between esti- mates prepared by the Massachusetts State Planning Board and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Co.)
148
Table V Actual and Estimated Resident Births, Enrollments and Population-Abington, Mass .- October 27, 1948
Resident Grade
Year
Births
One
1-6
1-8
7-8
9-12
Town Population
1920
112
76
563
721
158
234
1921
111
139
651
840
189
253
5778
1922
101
109
623
841
218
303
1923
115
125
645
855
210
310
1924
107
130
765
944
179
310
1925
94
108
701
917
216
296
1926
69
124
696
911
215
324
6142
1927
86
117
716
914
198
316
1928
80
117
693
876
183
306
1929
73
113
690
907
217
302
1930
81
111
663 656
857
201
324
1932
78
112
681
896
215
346
1933
53
111
561
804
243
341
1934
85
101
590
817
227
360
1935
56
82
544
758
214
360
1936
67
76
529
725
196
363
1937
70
80
524
726
202
365
5697
1938
64
70
495
692
197
366
1939
79
55
452
649
197
363
1940
66
92
485
670
185
374
5803
1941
102
86
502
671
169
346
1942
116
85
524
687
163
331
1943
126
105
537
699
162
296
1944
114
98
537
720
183
271
1945
127
82
532
704
172
263
1946
139
106
548
701
153
299
2 PG
1947
167
103
554
709
155
273
6418
61 new homes 67 new homes
1948
130
585
757
172
278
Total -- 159 new homes
1949
144
635
796
161
291
1950
134
685
853
168
300
1951
136
743
905
162
318
1952
160
811
981
170
328
1953
172
876 1075
199
323
1954
152
898 1135
237
338
1955
361
7000 **
1956
407
1962
620
1970
8250
* Grade One Entrants below here are estimated. All data above this line are actual.
** Estimated population figures used here are the average between estimate of the Massachusetts State Planning Board and those of the New England Tel. & Tel. Co.
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5872
1931
81
110
881
218
306
6366
5 new homes 26 new homes
16 Vets
The data for resident births show a rather fluctuating tendency between 53 to 107 births in the period 1924 to 1940. From 1941 to 1947 there has been a steady climb to 167 births registered in 1947. By relating resident births to enrollment figures, it is estimated that the enroll- ment by 1954 will approximate 1,135 in grades 1-8, and 338 in grades 9-12. Projected figures for the high school grades 9-12, based on present birth and enrollment infor- mation, indicate a high school enrollment of about 620 by 1962. It must be remembered that these estimates are based on actual resident births and school census informa- tion already recorded within the town.
In the four-year period 1945 through 1948 inclusive, 159 new houses were constructed in Abington. Mr. Joseph C. Hohman of the Abington Water Department states: "It is the belief of water department officials that the town will have another big year in housing. At least 50 new homes are anticipated during 1949.
It must be emphasized in this report that if new home construction continues at the rate of 50 to 60 homes per year for the next four or five years, then the estimated enrollment figures quoted in this report are too conserva- tive. The large number of homes constructed in Abington since the termination of the war seems to be an indication of the permanency of the growth of the town, since these homes are private, and have been constructed during a period when materials were difficult to secure.
Shortage in School Housing
Looking ahead to September, 1949, it appears neces- sary, at the moment, to remove the total number of seventh and eighth grade pupils from the North and Center Elementary Schools to the High School Building. There will be approximately 160 youngsters in this sev- enth and eighth grade group, and the addition of this group to the high school grades nine, ten, eleven and twelve (about 290 pupils) will bring the estimated total enrollment, accommodated in the High School Building, to about 450 pupils.
After these seventh and eighth graders have been removed, there will remain in grades one to six about 300 nupils in Center School and some 340 pupils in the North School.
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Note in the School Building Committee Report that the shortage of pupil places gradually develops to about 413 in grades one to twelve by September, 1953. The great- est predictable shortage in accommodations is in the grades one through eight at both elementary schools with the North School district having the greater number of pupils to be cared for.
I again emphasize that the construction of additional homes beginning in January, 1949, may render these enrollment predictions to be much too conservative.
Recommendations
In accord with the statement of introduction at the beginning of this section, the purpose of the school build- ing planning studies has been to set up a long-range plan of school plant development, in which the present and succeeding school committee and other town officers may evolve an elementary school layout that will meet the changing needs of the town for many years. This layout must be created by expansions and improvements of the existing buildings or by the addition of new buildings as needed.
Since this is the case, then it should be clear that the long-range plan of school plant development will con- tain recommendations covering two fundamental prob- lems ; namely: (1) What use can be made of the existing school buildings; and, (2) Will additions to the present buildings or a totally separate structure be the most economical way to serve the additional enrollment?
Your present superintendent is not prepared to deal exhaustively with these two problems. Undoubtedly the School Building Planning Committee, appointed at the last annual town meeting, will have data that will clearly segregate the answers to fundamental problems (1) and (2).
To prevent prejudiced points of view from indefinitely delaying needed construction, it is the practice in many forward-looking communities to have an impartial survey made by reliable experts from out-of-town. Such persons, oblivious to the opposing forces within a town, can usually be depended upon to offer solutions to problems, such as the one faced by Abington, that will be both educationally and financially sound.
151
1
It is my understanding that the services of some impartial persons are being retained by the School Build- ing Planning Committee. These persons should present the results of an unbiased survey of our enrollment and school housing facilities for the analysis of the annual town meeting. Objective consideration of these facts should lead the town meeting to that course of action which purports to provide the best education for the children of the Town of Abington.
Conclusion
I wish to thank the citizens of Abington for the kind and gracious welcome extended to my family. It is grati- fying to be reminded that the New England traditions of friendship and cordiality are being kept alive in many fine communities.
The School Committee of Abington and the entire staff of the schools have joined to make my initiation here a most pleasant one.
I look forward with keen anticipation to faithfully serving the children, the staff, and the School Committee of Abington.
Respectfully submitted,
GILBERT D. BRISTOL,
Superintendent of Schools.
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152
Expenditures by Abington Public Schools and Vocational Schools for Fiscal Years 1944-1948 Inclusive
Salaries
Acct.
No.
Item
1944
1945
1946
1947
1948
Estimated 1949
15
Supervisors, Principals, Teachers
$77,778.15
$78,765.82
$83,543.20
$99,848.43
$104,633.67
$116,700.00
1.6 Secretary to Principal
583.21
367.66
566.60
742.76
867.88
1,000.00
19 Janitor
6,491.26
7,094.40
7,570.12
8,690.30
9,290.64
9,500.00
24
Health
1,860.00
1,990.00
2,170.00
2,327.92
2,390.00
2,540.00
28
Recreation
1,245.55
1,735.00
2,190.00
2,090.00
2,360.00
2,600.00
30
Secretary to School Committee
143.44
404.51
459.53
589.64
650.04
650.00
31
Superintendent
3,836.24
4,466.64
4,275.00
4,824.96
4,770.70
4,800.00
31 Attend. Sup. Secy. Census
1,059.08
1,511.40
1,896.79
2,265.69
2.366.16
2,325.00
Adult Alien Education
112.00
105.00
66.50
125.00
Adult Vocational Education
360.00
567.50
600.00
560.00
Total Salaries
$93,108.93
$96,440.43
$103,097.74
$121,947.20
$127,929.09
$140,800.00
Expenses
16 Supervisors, Principals, Teachers
$176.06
$137.46
$162.15
$149.00
$161.91
$200.00
17 Textbooks
1,467.40
1,825.97
1,511.41
1,791.10
1,876.23
2,879.00
18 Supplies
911.41
1,383.02
1,536.79
1,684.12
2,333.48
4,416.00
20 Fuel
4,617.24
3,702.29
4,097.18
5,110.74
8,030.96
8,520.00
-
1
21 Janitors' Expense
2,177.79
3,082.16
3,077.75
4,008.59
4,738.37
4,850.00
22
Repairs
2,929.71
4,527.75
3,534.59
3,159.81
3,757.00
6,125.00
23
Libraries
76.32
164.34
194.70
51.22
245.98
250.00
24 Health
124.71
125.29
153.56
225.60
248.66
300.00
25
Transportation
2,427.00
2,492.00
2,520.00
2,623.00
3,105.00
5,698.00
27
Tuition
25.85
15.00
28
Miscellaneous Expense Instruction
160.20
284.16
214.28
285.65
405.00
960.00
Insurance
793.75
821.04
1,130.47
1,326.28
1,771.14
2,247.48
30
School Committee
8.80
14.62
19.62
29.45
17.21
25.00
31
Superintendent
228.79
331.11
272.89
320.18
462.21
450.00
35
New Grounds, Buildings
101.65
50.00
267.00
184.50
200.00
36 New Equipment
228.31
949.94
571.27
1,833.02
2,034.29
2,910.25
Vocational Education
352.16
791.03
738.13
925.47
1,742.36
1,700.00
Adult Alien Education
4.41
25.00
Valve 282.00
Total Expenses
$16,785.71
$20,682.18
$20,016.79
$23,790.23
$31,140.15
$41,770.73
Total
$109,894.64
$117,122.61
$123,114.53
$145,737.43
$159,069.24
$182,570.73
School Calendar for 1948-1949
School opens Wednesday, September 8.
One session, Monday, September 13, Brockton Fair Day.
Holiday, Tuesday, October 12, Columbus Day. Teachers' Convention, Friday, October 22.
Holiday, Thursday, November 11, Armistice Day.
Thanksgiving recess from Wednesday noon, November 24, until Monday morning, November 29.
Christmas vacation from Wednesday noon, December 22 to Monday morning, January 3.
Winter vacation from Friday afternoon, February 18 until Monday morning, February 28.
Spring vacation from Thursday afternoon, April 14 to Monday morning, April 25.
Holiday, Monday, May 30, Memorial Day.
Baccalaureate Sunday, June 19.
Class Day, Monday, June 20.
Graduation, Tuesday, June 21.
Schools close and Senior Reception, Wednesday, June 22.
Placement of Abington High School Class of 1948
David Anderson
Cincinnati Reds
Robert Ball
U. S. Army
Patricia Blanchard
Brockton Edison Co.
Rita Brown
Bay State Ice Cream Co.
U. S. Army
George Bussey John Bussey Edna Calderara
U. S. Army
Boston Home for Blind Babies
Philip Caplice Edith D'Amato
Brockton Business College Kathleen Dell
Marylou Devlin Robert Ellis
Emmanuel College
U. S. Army
Cornelia Flynn
N. E. Mutual Life Ins. Co.
Lois Galbraith Peter Garden
Peter Bent Brigham Hospital Tedeschi's Market, Rockland
155
Betty Ann Gowell Jeanne Graham Bernice Hammarstrom William Harper Frederic Hatch William Kiely Jane Leventuck Donald Libby Edythe Lincoln
Office of Walton's Lunch N. E. Mutual Life Ins. Co. Brockton Telephone Co.
U. S. Army U. S. Army
Tufts College
Rockland Sportswear
Bay State Nursery
University of Louisiana
U. S. Army
Williams Business School
Bay State Ice Cream Co.
Massachusetts School of Art
Sheila Mckeown
University of New Hampshire
Donald Morey Willetta Mosher
Plymouth Rock Ice Cream Co.
John Murray
U. S. Army
Massachusetts School of Art
Jean Parsons
Paul Pattison
U. S. Army
Theodore Pearson
Fore River Ship Yard Housewife
Joanne Purcell
Second National Bank of Boston
Joan Ann Reardon Anne Shea
Katherine Gibbs
Joseph Skinner
U. S. Army
P. G. at Abington High School
Nancy Skinner John Spillane
Boston College
David Stockbridge
U. S. Army
Robert Spratt
Coburn Classical
James Sullivan
Worcester Polytechnic
Marion Slinger
Working in Office
Barbara Steele
Chamberlain School
Jacqueline Stevens
Mount Ida Junior College
Cynthia Sylvester
Patricia Thompson
James Tribble
Brown University
Joan Warner
P. G. at Abington High School
Rockland Formaid Co. U. S. Army
Marion Wilson
Bridgewater State Teachers College
Chester Mackiewicz Pauline Mackiewicz Bernice MacPhelemy Robert McCue Robert Meserve
U. S. Army
Bridgewater State Teachers College
Valeria Nabers Betty Parks
Brockton Telephone Co.
Fisher Secretarial School
Betty Pratt
Emmanuel College
Shirley Wheaton Richard Whiting
Mount Ida Junior College Residing in Florida
156
Commencement Exercises -- Class of 1948
Program
Processional : "Aida"
Verdi
Invocation : The Lord's Prayer Band
Chanted by Senior Girls (Please refrain from applause)
The Salute to the Flag Led by William Kiely Band
America (All sing first and last stanzas)
Salutatory James Tribble
Girls' Glee Club "By the Bend of the River" Edwards
Class History Marylou Devlin and David Stockbridge
Presentation of Class Gift William Kiely
Valedictory William Kiely
Girls' Glee Club "Green Cathedral"
Hahn
Presentation of Awards
J. Edward Brothers
Presentation of Diplomas
George F. Garrity
Class Song Words by
Marylou Devlin Verdi
Recessional: "Aida"
Accompanist
Girls' Glee Club and Band Director
Richard Hathaway Bernice Gove
Class Colors
Green and White
Class Flower White carnation tinted pale green
Class Motto "Freedom, the Foundation of Peace"
Graduates
Summa Cum Laude (With Highest Honor)
Magna Cum Laude (With High Honor)
William Kiely James Tribble
Sheila Mckeown Jean Parsons
Cum Laude (With Honor)
Marylou Devlin Lois Galbraith Jeanne Graham Robert McCue · Willeta Mosher
Valéria Nabers Joan Reardon Anne Shea David Stockbridge James Sullivan
Marion Wilson
157
David George Anderson Robert K. Ball Patricia Blanchard Rita Anne Brown George Anderson Bussey John Milton Bussey Edna Louise Calderara Philip Frederick Caplice Edith Mae D'Amato
Marylou Devlin Robert Ellis Cornelia Anne Flynn
*Lois Arnold Galbraith Peter John Garden Betty Ann Gowell Jeanne Olive Graham Eldredge Gurney Bernice Ann Hammarstrom William Harper Frederic Allen Hatch
William Nelson Kiely Jane Mary Leventuk Donald Edward Libby Edythe Louise Lincoln Chester John Mackiewicz Pauline Frances Mackiewicz Bernice May MacPhelemy Robert Francis McCue
*Sheila Marie Mckeown
Robert J. Meserve Donald Joseph Morey Willeta May Mosher John Rolland Murray Valéria C. Nabers Bettv Jane Parks
"Jean Marilyn Parsons Paul Pattison Theodore Albert Pearson Betty M. Pratt Joanne Purcell
*Joan Ann Reardon Anne Marie Shea Joseph T. Skinner Nancy Anne Skinner Marion Elizabeth Slinger John Everett Spillane Robert Allen Spratt Barbara Anne Steele Jacqueline Mae Stevens
*David Longfellow Stockbridge
"James Owen Sullivan Cynthia Sylvester Patricia Anne Thompson
*James Ernest Tribble Joan Marie Warner Shirley Edna Wheaton Richard Arlen Whiting Marion Cecelia Wilson
*National Honor Society
Class Officers
President Secretary Jean Parsons
William Kiely
Vice-President
John Spillane
Treasurer Joan Purcell
Awards
Abington Grange Scholarship ($100) Lois Galbraith Awarded to a senior who will attend a college of agriculture or a school of nursing.
Annie Nobbs Wyman Scholarship Fund of the Abington Woman's Club ($150) William Kiely
Given to a student of the senior class who is planning to attend some higher institution of learning.
Abington Rotary Club Scholarship ($100) Marylou Devlin Awarded to a worthy student who is intending to enter a college in preparation for teaching.
Bausch and Lomb Science Medal Award Joan Reardon Awarded to the student who has shown the greatest progress in science during his or her high school career.
158
Becker College Scholastic Award Jean Parsons Awarded to a business student who has attained the highest scholastic rating.
Charles Handel Bellows Memorial Trophy Theodore Pearson Presented to a senior boy who has demonstrated the highest type of citizenship for the qualities of dependability, leader- ship, and patriotism to an outstanding degree.
Dramatic Club Award ($10) Edna Calderara
Presented to the senior or junior student best in oral pre- sentation and classroom diction.
Earle Berkeley Barlow Art Trophy Robert McCue Presented to the student who has achieved the highest degree of excellence in the field of art.
Fred L. Bemis Scholarship ($100) James Tribble Given to one of the honor pupils who will attend a Liberal Arts College.
Good Citizenship Award Lois Galbraith Given to the girl who has demonstrated the highest type of citizenship for the qualities of dependability, leadership, and patriotism to an outstanding degree.
John Matheson Insurance Agency Award ($100) Jean Parsons Awarded to an honor student who will attend a Business College.
London Clothing Corporation Historical Essay Prizes : First ($50) Marylou Devlin Jean Parsons Edna Calderara Marion Wilson
Second ($25) Third ($15) Fourth ($10)
Awarded to seniors submitting the best essays.
Massachusetts Catholic Woman's Guild of Abington Scholarship ($100) James Sullivan
Awarded to a student in the senior class who is planning to attend a college or higher institution of learning.
New England Art Publishers' Scholarship ($100) Valéria Nabers Awarded to a student planning to attend an Art School.
Norman Whitney Scholarship ($100) Joan Reardon. Awarded to a worthy student in order to pursue study at a higher institution of learning.
Rensselaer Medal James Sullivan
Awarded to a senior boy who has done the best work in mathe- matics and science. Science Club Book Award Sheila Mckeown
Given to a senior student excelling in science.
The Arnold Trophy William Edson Presented to the junior boy who has achieved the highest efficiency in athletics, scholarship, and sportsmanship on the athletic field and in the class room.
159.
The C. Frank Ahearn Prize ($25) William Kiely Given to the student who has shown the greatest proficiency in science for the junior and senior years.
The Grace L. Arnold Trophy Sally Sanderson Presented to a junior girl who has been outstanding in athletics and scholarship.
The Danforth Foundation Award Jeanne Graham, John Spillane Presented to a senior boy and girl in recognition of outstand- ing leadership.
Washington and Franklin Medal Fay Burns Presented to the student who has attained the highest rating in the study of United States History.
Willard H. Thayer Scholarship ($100) Sheila Mckeown Given to one of the honor pupils who will attend a Liberal Arts College.
Salaries of School Staff Members Under Regular Appointment
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