USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1953 > Part 4
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King Street, 150 feet 2-inch copper tubing, from Wyoma Street westerly on King Street to dead end.
Rochelle Drive, 350 feet 6-inch cast iron cement lined pipe, from a point opposite No. 16 Salem Street, northerly to dead end.
WATER EXTENSIONS
North Emerson Street, 320 feet 2-inch copper tubing, from point at No. 25 Elm Square southerly to Burwen Bulk Plant.
Brook Street, 486 feet 6-inch cast iron cement lined pipe, from dead end on Brook Street northerly to dead end.
Chapman Road and Aldridge Road, 65 feet 8-inch cast iron cement lined pipe, from dead end on Chapman Road southerly 39 feet, then westerly on Aldridge Road 26 feet to dead end.
Ledgewood Road, 150 feet 6-inch cast iron cement lined pipe, from dead end on Ledgewood Road westerly to new dead end.
Eunice Circle (contractor), 174 feet 8-inch cast iron cement lined pipe, from dead end on Eunice Circle northerly 59 feet, then from dead end on Eunice Circle, south westerly, 115 feet.
WATER RECONSTRUCTION
Madison Avenue, 1,100 feet 8-inch cast iron cement lined pipe, from Warren Avenue northerly to Greenwood Avenue.
Oak Street, 870 feet 12-inch cast iron cement lined pipe, from Main Street easterly, then northerly to intersection of Green and Oak Streets.
Francis Avenue, 700 feet 8-inch cast iron cement lined pipe, from Oak Street easterly to Pine Street.
Salem Street, 1,740 feet 12-inch cast iron cement lined pipe, from No. 416 Salem Street westerly to intersection of Lowell and Salem Streets.
45
142ND ANNUAL REPORT
Pitman Avenue, 50 feet 6-inch cast iron cement lined pipe, from No. 42 Pitman Avenue westerly 50 feet to cast iron main.
Harrison Avenue (contractor), 810 feet 6-inch cast iron cement lined pipe, from dead end on Grafton Street easterly, then northerly on Harrison Avenue to Essex Street.
Lowell Street, 4.012 feet 12-inch cast iron cement lined pipe, from intersection of Lowell and Salem Streets, westerly to Vernon Street.
Salem Street, 670 feet 8-inch cast iron cement lined pipe, from in- tersection of Lowell and Salem Streets, westerly to 18 feet beyond gate opposite No. 290 Salem Street.
HYDRANTS BROKEN
Broadway, opposite Lead Lined Pipe Building.
North Avenue, opposite No. 345.
HYDRANTS REPLACED
Hydrant opposite No. 40 Cordis Street.
Hydrant opposite No. 4 Bennett Street.
Hydrant on North Avenue near Moth Division Barn.
Hydrant on Main Street near No. 598.
Hydrant on Oak Street corner Nahant Street.
NEW HYDRANTS
Rear of New High School on Main Street.
Western Avenue, opposite Walton School.
Oak Street, opposite No. 16.
Rochelle Drive, off Salem Street.
Harrison Avenue and Grafton Street.
Muriel Avenue, opposite No. 11.
SERVICES
New services
157
Services relaid during year
83
Number of feet of pipe laid on public land
3,292
Number of feet of pipe laid on private land
6,111
Number of feet of pipe relaid on public land
1,914
Number of feet of pipe relaid on private land
2,510
Distribution System:
Extended during the year - 1,195 feet - 6" and 8" C.I. cement lined pipe and 2" copper tubing.
Total miles pipe now in use - 68.29.
Number of hydrants added - 8.
Range of pressure on mains - 26 pounds to 115 pounds.
Number of service taps now in use - 5,546.
Percent of active services metered - 99%.
MAIN BREAKS 1953
Date
Occurred
Water On
Size
Location
Cause
January
12
3:00 P. M.
9:00 P. M.
6" C.I.
Near No. 90 Myrtle Ave.
January
12
4:00 P. M.
12:00 P. M.
6" Cement
Near No. 486 Lowell St.
January
29
10:00 A. M.
12:30 P. M.
2" Steel
Opposite No. 19 Stark Ave.
May
12
5:30 P. M.
6:30 P. M.
2" Steel
Opposite No. 23 Lakeview Ave.
June
29
11:00 A. M.
1:00 P. M.
6" C.I.
Pine Hill Circle
August
5
3:00 P. M.
Water On
6" C.I.
Bennett Street at R. R. crossing
August
18
11:00 A. M.
2:30 P. M.
2" Steel
August
31
3:30 P. M.
5:45 P. M.
8" C.I.
September
18
11:00 A. M.
2:00 P. M.
11/2" Galv.
December
21
4:30 P. M.
5:45 P. M.
6" C.I.
Harrison Ave. near Grafton St. Ext. Elm Street corner Elm Crest Rd. Ashcroft Place
Near No. 39 Gould St.
Ledge under pipe and vibration Old age Broken by digger Old age Broken by digger Vibration from train Broken by digger Broken by digger Old age Joint leak
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
46
47
ANNUAL REPORT
142ND
1953
PUMPING RECORDS AND RAINFALL
Month
Crystal Lake
Driven Wells
Bay State
Wells
Pumped Rainfall Stoneham
January
25,040,000
12,191,000
2,458,570
4.61
February
21,770,000
11,538,200
2,482,360
3.20
March
24,345,000
14,145,000
2,706,760
8.65
April
24,015,000
16,994,900
2,706,020
5.80
May
24,040,000
18,819,700
2,681,070
3.66
June
37,035,000
17,299,500
2,558,470
.90
July
39,855,000
16,484,900
2,594,640
2.56
August
36,765,000
10,711,900
2,430,580
1.78
September
32,800,000
12,291,100
2,272,140
1.97
October
28,120,000
8,938,300
2,286,980
5.42
2,075,250
November
27,380,000
8,381,800
2,404,770
5.96
December
27,410,000
9,741,300
2,602,780
4.52
348,575,000
157,537,600
30,185,140
49.03
2,075,250
Total pumped 1953
538,372,990
Average Daily Consumption, 1953
1,474,994
Average Daily Per Capita, 1953
75.1
1952
PUMPING RECORDS AND RAINFALL
Month
Crystal Lake
Driven Wells
Bay State
Wells
Rainfall
January
21,715,000
12,932,400
2,395,870
4.03
February
19,770,000
11,194,700
2,228,400
3.41
March
21,615,000
14,753,900
2,409,830
3.38
April
21,255,000
13,946,800
2,266,900
3.87
May
21,570,000
14,915,800
2,282,020
3.63
June
27,640,000
12,561,000
2,221,510
2.32
July
40,970,000
10,588,300
2,013,860
6.04
August
24,970,000
11,819,200
2,271,320
1.85
September
23,315,000
12,687,600
2,531,520
1.27
October
22,960,000
12,987,700
2,718,820
1.75
November
24,250,000
11,792,200
2,202,750
2.28
December
24,755,000
12,115,600
2,305,560
3.47
294,785,000
152,295,200
27,848,360
37.30
Total pumped 1952
474,928,560 Gallons
Average Daily Consumption, 1952
1,297,619 Gallons
Average Daily Per Capita, 1952
66.0 Gallons
48
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
1953 Receipts
1953 Expenditures
Water Rates
$151,327.62
Superintendent
$ 2,832.45
Hydrant Rental
2,270.00
Maintenance
107,167.72
Services
9,569.62
Clerks
7,099.20
Turn-ons
29.00
Bonds Retired
34,000.00
Summons
191.20
Interest
5,229.25
Maintenance
525.31
Refunds
102.60
Construction
737.33
Pensions
2,779.40
Credit Balance
5,439.46
$164,650.08
$164,650.08
SEWER DIVISION
CONSTRUCTION - 1953
By the Department:
Eight-inch sewers were installed in:
Pine Hill Circle from existing station 8 + 81 southerly 260 feet to Western Avenue.
Western Avenue from Pine Hill Circle easterly 210 feet to dead end.
By Developer Under Town Supervision:
Eight-inch sewers were installed in:
Thorndike Road from Lowell Street southerly 446.5 feet to dead end.
Rochelle Drive from Salem Street northerly 340 feet to dead end.
By Contract:
Twelve-inch sewers were installed in:
Reading Pumping Station from station 0 + 0 easterly 970 feet to Parker Road through easements.
Parker Road from station 9 + 70 southerly 75 feet, thence from station 12 + 55 southerly 73 feet to station 13 + 28.
Ten-inch sewers were installed in:
Parker Road through easements easterly 193 feet, thence southerly 210 feet, thence easterly 1301 feet, thence northeasterly 268 feet to Wol- cott Street.
Wolcott Street easterly 389 feet to North Avenue.
Eight-inch sewers were installed in:
North Avenue from station 0 + 0 at Wolcott Street southely 735 feet to dead end.
North Avenue from station 0 + 0 at Wolcott Street northerly 360 feet to dead end.
Linda Road from North Avenue easterly 550 feet to dead end.
Fielding Street from North Avenue easterly 555 feet to dead end. Willow Street from North Avenue westerly 375 feet to dead end. Cutter Street from North Avenue westerly 325 feet to dead end.
49
142ND ANNUAL REPORT
Grafton Street from station 9 + 66 easterly 318 feet to Harrison Avenue.
Harrison Avenue from Grafton Street northerly 566 feet to Pitman Avenue.
From Station 0 + 0 in an easement through private property south- erly to Elm Crest Road 142 feet.
Elm Crest Road from station 1 + 42 southwesterly 598 feet to Elm Street.
Elm Crest Road station 0 + 0 = station 1 + 42, southeasterly 871 feet to Elm Street.
Pilgrim Road from Elm Crest Road easterly 190 feet to a dead end. Elm Street from Elm Crest Road at station 8 + 71 westerly 217 feet to a dead end.
Elm Street from Elm Crest Road at station 7 + 40 westerly 560 feet to a dead end and easterly from station 7 + 40 162 feet to a dead end.
CONNECTIONS
Number of connections made during the year, 140.
Number of connections made to date. 3,141.
HIGHWAY DIVISION
The Highway Division continued its program for mamtenance and construction as far as time and funds would permit.
General Maintenance costs for the principal items are as follows:
Patching
$ 10,138.00
Street cleaning
3,079.73
Rubbish Collection and Dump
24,003.74
Repair Sidewalks and Guardrails
1,647.76
Street Signs
2,085.15
Traffic Lines
1,413.68
Cleaning Catchbasins
2,242.47
Miscellaneous
813.29
Pensions
6,968.36
Holidays and Vacations
4,994.20
Drainage
7,854.22
Surface Treatment
23,572.09
Snow and Ice
25,251.26
$114,063.95
Under Chapter 20 Maintenance $3,000.00 was available for the sur- face treatment of streets.
Under Chapter 90 Construction $40,000.00 was available for the con- tinuing of reconstruction of Main Street from the John Round Play- ground to North Avenue. The County and the State contributed $30,- 000.00 toward this construction.
50
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
New Sidewalks, Rebuilding Sidewalks and Replacing Concrete Curb was done under contract and various streets benefited from this con- struction. The amount of money expended was $18,054.32. There is still a small balance due the contractor.
Street Construction this year was let out on contract and consisted of eight 'streets accepted at the annual Town Meeting. These streets are about 90 per cent complete and the cost to date is $97,448.09. A suffi- cient balance is on hand to complete this work in the spring.
Several drainage jobs, approved under a special article, were com- pleted at a cost of $20,786.48. The Madison Avenue drainage, which was held over from 1948, was also completed this year.
1953
General Maintenance
Patching
$ 10,138.00
Street Cleaning
3,079.73
Rubbish Collection and Dump
24,003.74
Repairs to Sidewalks and Guardrails
1,647.76
Street Signs
2,085.15
Traffic Lines
1,413.68
Cleaning Catchbasins
2,242.47
Miscellaneous
813.29
Pensions
6,968.36
Holidays and Vacations
4,994.20
Drainage
7,854.22
Surface Treatment
23,572.09
Snow & Ice
25,551.26
$114,063.95
Patching
The Cost:
Labor
$ 5,583.54
Material
4,554.46
$ 10,138.00
Street Cleaning
The cost:
Labor
$ 1,625.58
Material
1,454.15
$ 3,079.73
Street cleaning includes the cleaning of streets in the Spring prior to surface treatment and the business section four times a week.
Rubbish Collection and Dump
The cost:
Labor
$ 22,120.94
Material
1,882.80
$ 24,003.74
Rubbish collections are made from homes every two weeks, also from all public buildings. One man is on duty at the dump six days a week and once a week a bulldozer is used to keep the dump clean and accessible.
51
142ND ANNUAL REPORT
Repairs to Sidewalks and Guardrails
The cost:
Labor
Material
$ 959.17 688.59 $ 1,647.76
This item is for the repair to damaged sidewalks, removing curb, installing corners and entrances to new homes, also erecting a guard- rail at Warren School, the culvert at Converse Street and repairing fence at Lakeside.
Snow and Ice
The cost:
Labor
Rental
$ 9,798.52 6,832.17
Material
8,620.57
$ 25,251.26
Street Signs
The cost:
Labor
$ 938.19
Material
1,146.96
$ 2,085.15
This item includes the erection of new signs for street direction and traffic control, the painting of existing signs (all types).
Traffic Lines
The cost:
Labor Material
$ 12.00
1,401.68 $ 1,413.68
This item includes all cross walks, center lines, bus stops, taxi stands, stop lines, all parking spaces and restricted curb markings. All traffic lines and markings are made to conform with State Highway specifications. This work was done under contract.
Cleaning Catchbasins
The cost:
Labor Material
$ 2,214.14 28.33
$ 2,242.47
Miscellaneous
The cost:
Labor and Material
$ 813.29 $ 813.29
Drainage-Maintenance
The cost: Labor Material
$ 5,885.94 1,968.28
$ 7,854.22
52
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Miscellaneous drainage was provided for in the following streets:
Stark Avenue Orchard Avenue Water Street Spring Street North Avenue Prospect Street Nahant Street
Surface Treatment
59 streets were given a treatment of asphalt and crushed stone. 8.7 miles were sealed and cost $12,693.17 or $0.11 per square yard. 0.7 mile was mixed in place and cost $1,990.90 or $0.22 per square yard.
Labor $ 3,104.84 Material 11,579.23
Portions of four streets - North Avenue, West Water Street, Church Street, Elm Street and Prospect Street were given a 2 course hot top treatment of 1250.65 tons, costing $9,502.44 or $7.60 per ton in place.
Additional surface treatment, done in conjunction with water, sewer and drainage construction and charged to these accounts, amounted to 2.9 miles costing $10,107.08 or $0.23 per square yard.
CHAPTER 90 MAINTENANCE
Appropriation by Town
Appropriation by County
$ 1,000.00 1,000.00
Appropriation by State
1,000.00 $ 3,000.00
The following streets were treated with a mixed in place applica- tion of asphalt and crushed stone :
New Salem Street Lowell Street
A total of .6 of a mile at a cost of $0.24 per square yard of surface treatment.
Salem Street was sealed with an oil treated crushed stone - . 4 of a mile at a cost of $0.11 per square yard.
CHAPTER 90 MAIN STREET
Appropriation by the Town
$ 10,000.00 10,000.00
Appropriation by the County
Appropriaiton by the State
20,000.00
$ 40,000.00
Expended :
The cost
Labor, etc.
$ 333.64
Paid to contractor
35,618.27
$ 35,951.91
Balance
$ 4,048.09
The work on Main Street started at the John J. Round Playground running approximately 1,900 feet to Nahant Street.
53
142ND ANNUAL REPORT
1953 NEW SIDEWALKS
Appropriation - $8,500.00 The cost
Labor, etc. Paid to Contractor
$ 87.85
8,332.37
$ 8,420.22
Balance
$ 79.78
Cement concrete sidewalks and bituminous concrete sidewalks, aprons, landings and grass plots and granite curbing were constructed by private contractor on the following streets:
40-42 Church Street 857 Main Street
30 Morrison Road
30 Eustis Avenue
41 Armory Street
38-40 Wave Avenue
31 West Water Street
1 Warren Avenue
2 and 12 Green Street 7 Crescent Hill
55 Emerson Street 325-329-332 Lowell Street
Warren, Hurd and Dolbeare Schools
REBUILDING SIDEWALKS
Appropriation - $5,000.00
Expended
Labor, etc.
$ 43.89
Paid to contractor
4,956.11
$ 5,000.00
Replacing Concrete Curbing
Appropriation - $6,500.00
Expended
Material
$ 9.00
Paid to contractor
4,625.10
Balance
$ 4,634.10 $ 1,865.90
STREET CONSTRUCTION
Appropriation 1953 - $115,300.00
Expended $ 97,448.09
$ 97,448.09
Balance
$ 17,851.91
Most of this work was done under contract, and is near comple- tion, on the following streets:
Friend Street
Harrison Avenue
Grafton Street
Pine Hill Circle Western Avenue Extension
Muriel Avenue Eunice Circle
Pleasant Street Extension
54
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
DRAINAGE
Appropriation 1953 - $22,000.00
Expended
Labor
$ 9,367.78
Material
10,285.20
Rental
1,133.50
Balance
$ 20,786.48 $ 1,213.52
Appropriation 1948 - Madison Ave. and Bennett St.
Balance 1953
$ 24,954.35
Expended
Labor
4,541.83
Material
5,005.26
Rental
563.50
$ 10,110.59
Balance
$ 14,843.76
Appropriation 1951
Balance 1953
$ 2,423.20
Expended
Labor
473.15
Material
312.00
Rental
91.00
Balance
$
1,547.05
In conclusion I wish to express my deep appreciation for the co- operation and assistance extended to me in the performance of my duties by the elected and appointed officials of the town. I particularly appreciate the co-operation and assistance of the employees and the divisions superintendents of the Public Works Department.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH H. DeFOE, Director
Public Works Department
$ 876.15
55
142ND ANNUAL REPORT
Report of School Committee
ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE 1953
Lane W. Fuller, Chairman
Term expires 1956
2 Morrison Avenue
March-September
Frederick W. Bliss, Secretary 5 Curve Street
Term expires 1955
Michael F. Collins 39 Fairmount Avenue
Resigned September
Herbert D. Hancock, Treasurer 3 Marion Road
Term expires 1954
Walter C. Hickey 25 Gould Street
January-March
Mrs. Mary Louise Tredinnick
Term expires 1954
129 Pleasant Street
Chairman, January-March
Richard J. McGrail
Term expires 1956
6 Avon Court
Richard J. Volpe
Term expires 1954
156 Nahant Street
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
John B. Hendershot 74 Chestnut Street
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
R. Edgar Fisher 24 Summit Avenue
SECRETARY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT
Pauline E. Meads
24 Richardson Avenue
SECRETARY
Lora E. Harris
53 Prospect St.
Eleanor M. Cardillo
97 Nahant Street
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The following changes in personnel took place on the School Com- mittee during the 1953 year.
Mr. Richard J. McGrail was elected for a three year term in March.
Mr. Michael F. Collins, the secretary of the Committee, resigned in September.
Mr. Richard J. Volpe was appointed to fill the position vacated by Mr. Collins. There were nine applications by citizens of the town for this position.
Mr. Herbert D. Hancock was elected treasurer of the Committee for the year.
Mr. Frederick W. Bliss was elected secretary of the Committee upon Mr. Collins' resignation.
CLERK
56
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Chairman Mrs. Mary Louise Tredinnick announced in September that she would not be a candidate for re-election in 1954 and therefore felt she should resign as chairman at that time. The Committee reluc- tantly accepted her resignation as chairman and Mr. Lane W. Fuller was elected to that position.
This has been another year of increased enrollment but the opening of the new Harris M. Dolbeare and Mary E. Walton elementary schools in September relieved the overcrowding of the elementary schools for the balance of the year. Double sessions in both the Warren and Hurd schools were continued in effect from January 1953 to June 1953. It was again necessary to use the branch library in Montrose as a class- room. Two basement rooms in the Montrose School were converted to classrooms.
After more than a year of careful study by Superintendent John B. Hendershot, and a Salary Committee of teachers, lay citizens, and school committeeman Frederick W. Bliss, a new salary schedule for all depart- ment personnel was drawn up and approved by the School Committee. This schedule has eliminated many inequities and simplified the entire system of pay increases for years of service, merit raises, and profes- sional improvement.
The Extracurricular Committee has continued a study of the extra- curricular salary question and assignments and a new schedule of sal- ary compensation has been approved by the School Committee.
All janitors were granted three weeks' vacation after ten years of service.
The salaries of substitute teachers were established at $13.00 per day after ten consecutive days. The rule prohibiting the employment of married women teachers was suspended for another year and a new maternity leave rule was adopted. It was voted not to allow seniors to leave school prior to May 1 to seek employment.
Mr. Hendershot drew up a pamphlet covering facts and informa- tion helpful to parents with children entering the first grade and it was voted to send this to all parents of children entering grade 1.
The School Committee again requested the Board of Public Works for sidewalks in front of the Warren, Franklin and Dolbeare schools.
Efforts were continued for improvement of traffic control in areas about the schools.
Mr. John B. Hendershot was re-elected to the office of Superin- tendent of Schools for the third term.
New district lines were established for the Walton, West Ward and Warren Schools.
Behind-the-Wheel Driving instruction was started, using a car fur- nished by the Main Street Chevrolet Company.
For the first time in a number of years it was necessary for the School Committee to underwrite the Athletic Program for the High School to the extent of $5,000. The principal reason for this was a drop in the attendance at High School athletic events with the resultant loss of revenue.
Mr. David Dix was appointed as principal of the Franklin and Woodville schools.
57
142ND ANNUAL REPORT
Patrick Walsh and Charles Root were appointed as janitors.
The resignation of Mr. Francis W. Dinan who was on military leave, was reluctantly approved. Mr. Robert Murray returned from military service.
The following retirements were accepted during the year: Ethel M. Wilson, Anne H. Meserve, Mrs. Stella Blaikie, Mrs. Elizabeth D. Burke, Ruth Spence, Louis P. Marche, Ruth Webber.
A joint meeting was held with the Lynnfield School Committee for discussion of what shall be done with the Lynnfield 10, 11, 12 grade pupils. It was decided that no change in the present arrangements will take place prior to 1957-1958 school year.
The following major improvements were accomplished:
1. New fluorescent lighting in the Greenwood School.
2. New hot top areas at the Warren, Lincoln, Greenwood and Montrose schools.
3. New wood floors in the old rooms at the Hurd School; a drain for the playground at the Hurd School.
4. New asphalt tile floors and new furniture for the rooms on the first floor at the Lincoln School.
A sub-committee was appointed to study the possibility of acquiring more land in the Montrose area for school building purposes.
Mr. Bliss addressed the graduates of the class of 1953 and presented the diplomas.
The new High School is rapidly nearing completion and it is an- ticipated that it will be in use by January 7, 1955.
The continued improvement of the school facilities and curriculum for the benefit of the youth of the town is the School Committee's ul- timate objective and we will continue to work with the Superintendent, John B. Hendershot, and all school department personnel to obtain that objective.
LANE W. FULLER, Chairman FREDERICK W. BLISS, Secretary HERBERT D. HANCOCK, Treasurer MARY LOUISE TREDINNICK RICHARD J. McGRAIL RICHARD J. VOLPE
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT
To the Wakefield School Committee:
I have the honor to present for your consideration the Annual Re- port of the Superintendent of Schools for the year ending December 31, 1953.
I have completed two and one half years as Superintendent of your schools. Even though the period of time has been short in the history of this community, I find that it has been a period character- ized by growth, expansion and, I trust, improvement. Through our day to day associations during this period, we have had an opportunity to become thoroughly familiar with the schools and their needs. Many of the problems we have faced have been brought to your attention and
58
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
you have acted favorably upon them. It might be well for us to review some of the things that we must continue to give our attention to in the future.
As we see it, our task is two fold: first, to provide school facilities, teachers, books, furniture, equipment and supplies for the increasing number of children that each year are entering the schools and second, to maintain and improve the schools that we now have.
With the completion of two elementary units, we still find our school facilities taxed to the limit. The Mary E. Walton School has relieved the situation in that section of the town. The Harris M. Dol- beare School made possible a building in a rapidly developing area. With the completion of the new Senior High School scheduled for occupancy in January 1955 further relief will be available in our elementary schools. Montrose District is feeling the impact of considerable build- ing development. We were able to prevent half-day sessions at Mont- rose this year by converting two basement playrooms into classrooms and continuing the use of the Branch Library. Greenwood District must be watched carefully for plans are materializing for the develop- ment of several new housing areas. It will be necessary to have some students on half-day sessions beginning in September until the Senior High School is completed. We cannot relax but must continue to study our school population trends and make the necessary plans to meet the future needs.
We should not be concerned solely with providing new school build- ings or keeping in repair present structures that each year are becom- ing older. Important as this is, a school cannot or should not be judged by its physical facilities. It is the work that goes on in the schools that is important. Education is our most important business. We must see to it that provision is made for the experiences and activi- ties for children that help to attain the objectives of a well rounded program. We are interested in helping all to become happy, well ad- justed individuals who as they mature, can effectively take their places in our community.
Students must have more than a knowledge of facts. They must be able to distinguish truth from propaganda and to be able to solve their problems, whether social or personal. Students must be trained to have a sense of values and right attitudes, and to be able to express themselves effectively and to respect other people's views. We must strive to make citizens who have a deep appreciation for our American way of life, people who are economically literate and vocationally effi- cient, who understand their environment, can appreciate the arts and enjoy wholesome recreation and good health. Our job is to help all children achieve their best in accordance with their abilities. A school's success is measured by the students' success.
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