USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Rockland > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Rockland Massachusetts for the year ending 1934 > Part 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12
2 472 38
REPAIRS
American Fire Equipment Co.,
two extinguishers repaired $ 8 00
Avon Brick Corporation, materials 39 80
D. M. Baker Co., repairs in
high school boys' lavatory 14 65
William Bell, one load sand 5 00
Clarence Bell, painting ceilings at Lincoln and Jefferson 24 00
Bemis Drug Co., glycerin and litharge
75
Raphael Boccocini, labor on Lincoln school walk 60 00
Brockton Welding Co., repairing ash can gig 2 00
Brown-Wales Co., copper
139 92
Burroughs Adding Machine Co., service contract 5 00
Joseph Burton, plastering at Jefferson and Central 131 86
W. D. Cashin Co., repairing radiators, hydren bellows 103 13
P. & F. Corbin, door checks repaired 15 05
Chas. N. Cudworth, labor on high school roof 8 00
Albert Culver Co., cement
12 80
Lowell Curtis, labor on Lincoln school walk 24 00
Fred Cushman, painting at Mckinley 8 00
Damon Electric, electrical repairs 18 90
203
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
C. D. Elliott, painting flag pole 5 00
Luther Ewell, labor on Lincoln school walk 24 00
Alonzo Ford, labor on Lincoln school walk 59 00
Thomas Fox, gravel for resurfacing school yards 19 50
William H. Friary, labor on Lincoln school walk 42 00
E. J. Gutterson, replacing equipment
54 50
Hall & Torrey, misc. materials and
labor
901 66
Geo. W. S. Hyde, misc. repairs
8 65
Johnson Service Co., temperature control system at H. S. 12 35
Kewaunee Mfg. Co., bolts
87
Otis R. Mann, gravel 26 60
Richard Mann, painting
12 00
F. E. Marshall, clocks cleaned and repaired 3 00
Masury-Young Co., floor oiler repaired 2 02
Ralph Measures, labor on High school roof 8 00
William McCraith, labor on Lincoln walk 69 00
J. S. McCallum, plumbing at Jefferson 9 08
George C. Norton, labor on High school roof 40 18
J. H. Osgood Co., printing roller rerubbered 9 35
Forrest L. Partch, electrical repairs 15 68
George Peabody, labor on Lincoln walk 16 00
E. P. Reed Lumber Co., lumber 58 54
Remington Rand, Inc., repairing
typewriters 8 80
Roberts Numbering Machine Co., repairing machine 2 39
Rockland Coal & Grain Co.,
204
SIXTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
misc. materials 415 94
Rockland Transportation Co., express
on repair materials 2 10
Rome Bros., misc. materials 1 022 67
Harry L. Rome, repairing and replacing window shades 57 50
William P. Ross, loan of equipment for E. R. A. work 33 00
Royal Typewriter Co., repairing typewriters 5 50
J. F. Ryan Co., replacing seat posts 46 99
Ryan's Market, charcoal 3 75
Edwin Schutt, misc. carpentry work
96 01
Southeastern Construction Co.,
drainage project materials
36 40
Standard Electric Time Co., clock rerairs 15 29
John Sullivan, labor on Lincoln walk
24 00
Mrs. Eugene Sullivan, gravel for
resurfacing work 15 40
Albert Thorley Company, gravel
19 20
Robert Torrey, labor at Gleason school 6 75
Underwood Elliott Fisher Co., typewriters repaired 7 10
A. Wainshilbaum, use of truck 7 00
Walsh Sheet Metal Co., metal ceiling at Lincoln 120 00
Arthur Wills, painting
6 00.
Lester Wolfe, labor on Lincoln walk
24 00
John H. Wyatt Co., repairing typewriters 5 75
Total
$3 999 38
LIBRARIES
Dept. of Superintendence of
the N. E. A. 3 23
205
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
Milton Bradley Co
25 92
McGraw-Hill Book Co.
10 94
The Personal Book Shop
56 78
Charles Scribner's Sons
1 05
H. E. Wheeler
20 20
Total
118 12
HEALTH
Louise A. Considine, salary 1 395 00
Bemis Drug Co., thermometers 2 50
Louise A. Considine, mileage
102 62
Fred S. Delay, supplies
18 34
J. L. Hammett Co., thermometers
1 98
Lawrence Keane, cleansing two blankets 1 25
A. I. Randall, printing
59 15
Thomas W. Reed Company, tongue depressors
27 65
Rockland Pharmacy, supplies
19 15
Joseph H. Dunn, M. D., salary
157 50
Joseph Frame, M. D., salary
157 50
Total
1 942 64
TRANSPORTATION
John J. Dwyer, transporting children as per contract 933 33
John J. Dwyer, transporting Glee Club to music festival 19 50
Eastern Mass. St. Railway, bus tickets 200 00
Lovell Bus Lines, Inc., bus tickets 400 00
N. E. Transportation Co., bus tickets 6 00
Total
1 558 83
206
SIXTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
SUNDRIES
The Austin Print, printing report cards 24 00 Bar & Company, engrossing diplomas 10 88 F. J. Barnard & Co., rebinding books 159 95
Brockton Transportation Co.,
express charges 1 30
F. A. Clark, gas for power lawn mower 3 70
Phillip S. Collins, insurance premium 399 00 Commissioner of Public Safety,
boiler inspection 5 00
The Douglas Print, printing school reports 70 20
Dura Binding Co., rebinding books 240 19
John J. Dwyer, transporting ladders to schools 15 00
Howland's Insurance Office, insurance premiums 173. 35
Jenkins & Simmons Express, expressage 35 75 Mass. Music Comp. & Festival Assoc., entrance fee 3 50
Mayflower Musical Festival Assoc.,
entrance fee 2 00
Evelyn Morrissey, expense incurred by accident 40 00
James F. O'Connor, insurance premium 59 90
Amos A. Phelps, insurance premiums 467 66
A. I. Randall Inc., stock for graduation programs 3 85
J. A. Rice Co., ribbon for diplomas 10 18
Rockland Transportation Co., Inc.,
expressage 13 09
Torrey Bros., insurance premium 271 87
A. J. Vargus, gas and oil for power lawn mower 8 29
G. P. Williamson, tuning pianos 14 00
207
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
Warren B. Woodward, insurance
premiums 88 38
Total
$2 121 04
NEW EQUIPMENT
Brockway, Smith, Haigh Lovell Co.,
windows for Lincoln 165 00
Damon Electric, wiring in H. S. shop 33 00
Hall & Torrey, heating coils for third floor at Mckinley 132 37
Hall & Torrey, materials for finishing desks for pre-school pupils 2 03
Milton Bradley Co., pre-school furniture and Mckinley chairs 186 50
Forrest L. Partch, wall plug at Mckinley 3 50
Rockland Coal & Grain Co., pre-school materials 31 85
Rome Brothers, pipes for H. S. grounds 17 72
Harry Rome, curtains for pre-school 27 49
Edwin Schutt, making clothing boxes for pre-school 15 38
Robert Torrey, making clothing boxes for pre-school 18 38
Walberg & Auge, musical instruments 17 17
Total .
650 39
210
SIXTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
SCHOOL BUILDINGS
Junior-Senior High-
Two coats of white paint applied to the gymnasium ceil- ing to improve the lighting conditions for competitive sports. An E. R. A. project is underway to remove the cap stones on the parapet walls of the building in order to cover them with a copper flashing before replacing the cap stones. This change will prevent water from entering the building through the walls. Partitions have been put up in the shop to separate the printing equipment and the woodworking machinery. This was very much needed because of the immense amount of dirt, shavings, sawdust and grit which were deposited on the press and type. A small room equipped with shelves for athletic equipment " has been made in the boys' locker room. Boxes and a cape rail were installed in one of the supply closets to care for band paraphernalia. Many of the desks have been resurfaced and given two coats of bakelite material. In the wet seasons of the year we have had considerable water from Memorial Park draining into our school building and in order to prevent its continuation, the School Department has installed two catch basins and pipes to carry the water away from the building.
The walls and ceilings should be redecorated as well as some replastering done but until the school is water tight it seems inadvisable to make these repairs. Other desks are being refinished and additional book shelves must be installed. The exit doors on the north and south ends of the school must be replaced.
McKinley-
The building has been given two coats of paint inside and out. All seats in the assembly hall were repaired and two coats of varnish applied. Tables and desks were re- paired. Partitions in both boys' and girls' toilets have been
211
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
repaired. Toilet seats and covers were repaired with angle irons, putty, etc. Some locks have been installed. Rotten window sash and stools were repaired and replaced where necessary. Other minor repairs were made when needed.
The drive leading to the building from the street should be fixed with a permanent cement base or tarvia. The gravel and ashes are now washed down into the main street and bad ruts result unless constantly filled in with ashes. As the drive is used by all pupils going to and from school it should be fixed as soon as possible with cement. The cement work on the walks at the north and south ends of the building should be repaired and the cement foundation of the building should be repointed. Snow rails on the roof or copper gutters should be installed as soon as possible on the ends and front side of the build- ing. A new flag pole should be secured and placed either on the school building or in the front yard where the for- mer pole stood.
The small boiler rusted through this year and was re- placed by a new modern boiler providing for more radiation than tlie former boiler. The tubes in the other two heaters are constantly leaking and require replacement. This is an unending expense which must continue until the old equipment is replaced by up to date sectional heaters. The expense of disposing of the present heaters and the instal- lation of new heaters will approximate $3,500.00 The repairs on the present equipment have averaged $350.00 yearly. The E. R. A. sewing project has been carried on in one of the rooms on the third floor of the building for the past few months and on account of inadequate heat for the room this winter a coil of pipes was installed to provide the necessary heating equipment for the room.
Lincoln School-
The building has been given two coats of paint on the
208
SIXTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee of Rockland :
The sixth annual report of my work as Superintendent of Schools is submitted herewith :
Gradually, year by year, the standard of work in our schools is being elevated. Each year progress is evident both in education and morale. These conditions are not the result of the effort of any one person or method but rather that of consistently better organized and cooperative work from the entire teaching staff under the direction of its officials.
Sympathetic understanding by parent and teacher of the pupil's ability and need, is showing marked results in bet- ter work accomplished, greater enthusiasm for that work and a finer spirit of industry and cooperation. Loyalty to the school which provides through education a better means of living, is stressed more and more. Each suc- ceeding year the tangible evidence of advancement is given in the school work exhibited during American Education Week to all parents and others interested in the education of our children. Visitors to the school classes have com- mented on the increasingly good work accomplished.
We are of course, greatly hampered by the necessity of keeping all equipment at a dangerous minimum but the comprehension of the reason of this lack has greatly helped the situation so that parent, teacher and pupil are showing considerable patience until economic conditions will war- rant greater expenditure than is now possible ..
Every attempt that is consistent with efficient and ef- fective school administration is being made to economize and to reduce school expenditures to the lowest possible figure.
209
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
CIVIL WORKS ADMINISTRATION ACT AND FEDERAL EMERGENCY RELIEF ADMINIS-
TRATION AS IT AFFECTS THE SCHOOLS
In my 1933 School Report I recorded the reasons for carrying on the projects in our schools as provided for by the above legislation.
A concerted effort on the part of the School Department to cooperate with the town officials in providing suitable quarters for the E. R. A. sewing project in school build- ings has been made. When this project was started in January, 1934, the Domestic Science room in the High school was opened to them where they resided until this fall when it became necessary to use the room for High school activities. The E. R. A. sewing project was then housed in the Mckinley school in the old domestic science room on the third floor. As the winter progressed it became apparent that the heat in the room was inadequate so the School Committee installed an additional coil of pipes to provide the necessary heat for the comfort of the workers. It has been the wish of the School Department to cooperate in every possible way in order that this worth- while E. R. A. project may continue and thus give employ- ment to several unemployed women.
Through the federal relief acts, the School Department has an opportunity to secure many much needed repairs and improvements on our buildings and grounds. The projects have been submitted to the Selectmen and State authorities for their approval and the work accomplished to date is briefly outlined by buildings.
The School Department has furnished the materials from the school budget appropriation and the State has supplied the labor.
212
SIXTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
outside and the yard covered with coating of gravel. A new ten foot cement walk has been completed from Church street to the building. A metal ceiling has been installed in the first grade room where danger of falling plaster was imminent. Two new doors were constructed for the girls' toilets to provide privacy and the basement walls have been redecorated. Several rotten window sashes were replaced and given two coats of paint. Several repairs in the plas- tering were made and we expect to have the inside repaint- ed during the present year as an E. R. A. project. Some of the tops of desks were resurfaced and given two coats of varnish. The two rooms on the second floor were pre- pared for the Nursery School by constructing boxes for clothing and supplies. Tables and chairs were installed and also a congoleum mat so that the children could have rest periods. There should be a cement shoulder around the building to prevent water entering the school through the foundation. Other minor repairs were made in the toilets. It will be necessary to install one or two more metal ceilings this year.
Jefferson-
The basement rooms were redecorated with two coats of paint including the boys' and girls' toilets. The tables in Miss Flannery's room were made into desks for the children's books and supplies. Repairs were made in the plastering and the torn window shades and where neces- sary, new ones replaced the old. The walls and ceilings should be redecorated and some book shelves installed. Some of the desk tops should be resurfaced and refinished. The road from the school to Market street should be com- pleted and given a coat of tarvia to make it more nearly permanent and reduce the upkeep. Better still, it will be a fine move for the town to accept it and thereby maintain it. As soon as we are financially able, permanent repairs on the roof should be made. Since we installed the sewage pump in the building we have had no further trouble with
1
213
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
drainage in the school. This has been an excellent im- provement from the standpoint of sanitation.
Webster Street-
The building was given two coats of paint on the outside as well as the outhouse. The gutters were repaired and . improved. Toilet seats and urinals were repaired and desks resurfaced and refinished. The floors in the ante- rooms were repaired, including the stairways and landings. The walls and ceilings should be redecorated and as soon as possible new hard wood floors laid in the upper and lower rooms. Additional shelf room for books and sup- plies should be installed. The yard needs grading.
Market Street-
One side of the outhouse was reshingled with a new ridge board, also a new ridge board on the main building. Floors in the anterooms, stairways and landings were in- proved. Repairs were made on the outhouse seats, covers and urinals. Desks were resurfaced and refinished. Two new front doors to the school were replaced since the old ones were beyond further repairs. Two new locks were installed. The building has been given two coats of paint inside and out. A new fire escape was built on the rear of the school including a door which was cut through, in the lower room, to the fire escape. New floors should be in- stalled as soon as possible as the old ones are very uneven and rough. The yard was partially regraded but has been left in very bad condition. This should be improved when possible.
Gleason-
The window sashes in the building were repaired and the rotten sashes replaced. Partitions were reinforced and im- proved in both boys' and girls' toilets. Bulletin boards were constructed and installed. The front door and ver- anda were repaired and a new door check installed. The
214
SIXTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
desks were resurfaced and given two coats of bakelite preparation. The building has been given two coats of paint inside and out and the yard has been regraded. Some torn, dilapidated shades have been replaced but others should be changed when possible. The toilet seats and covers were repaired and improved.
Central Street-
Repairs were made on foundation and doors. The underpinning of the outhouse and the flag pole were re- paired. The desks were resurfaced and refinished. The stove has been repaired. The yard has been partially re- graded but should be completed later. Some plastering was repaired. The main and ante-rooms should be redeco- rated as soon as possible.
ADDITIONAL INSIDE TOILETS
It is highly desirable that inside toilets be installed as soon as possible in the Webster, Market and Central Street schools. These are the only school buildings in town which have no inside toilets. From the health and sanita- tion viewpoints, the flush toilets are very much needed to safeguard the children. This matter has been given con- sideration on several occasions but on account of insuf- ficient funds in our budget these improvements have not been made. I presume there has been a feeling for some time on the part of many, that sooner or later there would be centralization of schools and these small buildings would be abandoned and that therefore it would be unwise to make expenditures to modernize these schools. It is not likely that these buildings will be given up for the next few years so I believe these improvements should be undertaken without further delay.
4
215
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
SCHOOL BUILDINGS USED BY OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS
The past few years we have had increasing requests for the use of school buildings for educational, social or recre- ational purposes by organizations and individuals in town. In order that the best interests of the School Committee and other tax payers may be protected while these build- ings are being used, a Supervisor of Buildings has been appointed to be present when outside organizations are occupying the building; the expense of the supervisor to be assumed by those who rent the buildings.
TRANSPORTATION
I wish to call your attention to the transportation prob- lem which is increasing yearly since more families with children are settling on the outskirts of our town. Al- though the School Committee through its rulings, provides transportation to children in the first eight grades who live more than one and one quarter miles from the school designated for them, and to High school pupils who live more than two miles from school, there is no legitimate reason why these children should not be asked to walk short distances to central points where they may take the bus. The members of the School Committee have per- sonally traversed the transportation routes and will attest the advisability of such a plan. Many of our children walk from one half to one mile in attending school and why should those who are transported, not be willing to walk short distances to the bus? It has been necessary this year to establish certain central points for the children to meet the bus and this plan probably will be extended to meet our present transportation demands.
TEACHER REPLACEMENT
Miss Margaret Perkins who taught the upper room at
216
SIXTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
Webster Street school resigned in February, 1934, to be married and her place was filled by the appointment of a substitute teacher in the person of Miss Miriam Roberts of Rockland who graduated from the State Bridgewater Teachers' College in 1933. Miss Roberts had carried on her practice teaching in Rockland the previous year. She was appointed a regular teacher for the school year 1934-35.
Miss Gertrude Summers who had taught the second grade at the Lincoln school for three years resigned to be married and Miss Blanche Thacher, teacher of the lower room at Gleason was transferred to that position. Miss Madeline Lannin, a graduate of the Lesley Kindergarten school and for several years a teacher in a private kinder- garten, was appointed as a substitute teacher to fill the vacancy caused by the transfer of Miss Thacher to the Lincoln school.
Mr. James A. Lynn, who for the past four years had occupied the position as director of the Manual Training Department in our High school resigned to accept a simi- lar position in his home city, Nashua, New Hampshire. His position was filled by the appointment of Mr. John Haggerty of Adams, Massachusetts, a graduate of the Fitchburg State Teachers' College. Mr. Haggerty, who also has charge of the Junior High school athletic program, previously coached basketball and worked with Boy Scouts. There has been a great need for developing an athletic pro- gram for the boys in Grades 7, 8 and 9, and it is with con- siderable satisfaction that we announce the beginning of organized sports for the boys of these grades, under Mr. Haggerty's instruction. Further reference to this project appears in the High school principal's report.
NURSERY SCHOOL
The emergency nursery schools constitute a part of the
217
TOWN OF ROCKLAND
Emergency Education Program authorized by Mr. Harry Hopkins, Director of the Federal Emergency Relief Ad- ministration, sponsored by the United State Office of Ed- ucation and recommended by the United States Commis- sioner of Education to state and local school authorities. The Emergency Educational Programs have been organized to employ needy teachers and to give service for which the public school systems have not heretofore assumed re- sponsibility. The school has as its primary purpose the physical welfare and wholesome mental development of the young children entrusted to its care who are too young to enter the first grades in our town. The Federal and State authorities provide the salaries of the teachers. All candidates for these positions must be approved by the Fed- eral Emergency Administrators in Boston. The candidates for these positions fall within one of three classes as fol- lows: Class A, teachers who from their economic need are eligible for immediate employment; Class B, teachers who have some economic need but may not be employed until all the A teachers in the state are working; Class I, teachers who are ineligible for employment on account of no econ- omic need at present.
The method of selection of teachers was different in 1933-34. The local superintendent with the approval of the State Department of Education could appoint teachers who were qualfied educationally for such positions and who were out of employment and needed work. The proced- ure in 1934-35 has changed and the State Administrator's office assumes the responsibility of making the decision as to whether or not there is economic need on the part of the candidate. In January 1934 the Rockland School Com- mittee approved the Nursery School project and an educa- tional center was opened at the Lincoln School with three teachers in charge. This project continued until June 1934.
218
SIXTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
It was announced early last September that emergency nursery schools could be conducted in localities where econ- omic need was prevalent from the standpoint of unemploy- ed teachers. Candidates filed applications for teaching positions in this school. The State Administrator's Office classified the Rockland candidates and not until November were we successful in having any of our Rockland appli- cants classified as A teachers (eligible to go to work from the standpoint of economic need). At that time one ap- plicant received an A rating. It was the wish of the com- mittee that the nursery school be opened as soon as suffici- ent teachers were eligible for appointment. Unable to se- cure a second A teacher in Rockland, just before the Christ- mas holidays the School Committee authorized the Super- intendent to secure an A teacher from some other com- munity thereby providing employment for the Rockland teacher already qualified by the State. Just before the first of January there was a reclassification of teachers at the State Administrator's Office and a second Rockland can- didate was approved as an A teacher. This will account for the personnel of the nursery school as it is now carried on in Rockland.
It must be kept in mind that the nursery school is pro- vided by the National and State governments and is super- vised by State representatives. The local School Commit- tee provides the room and equipment and the State the sal- aries of the teachers. It should be understood that the nursery school does not in any way attempt to prepare chil- dren in first grade work. In the nursery school room there are no desks but rather boxes, toys, books, scissors, paste, clay paints small tables and chairs and similar mater- ials to which the child may give his attention. The school room itself is a combined work and play room of cheerful aspect. Most of the school day is spent preferably out-of- doors, in free play or guided activities conducive to the child's development. At various times the teacher may ga- ther the children together in natural groups to examine
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.