USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1941 > Part 7
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To the New Bedford Kiwanis Club and others who have so kindly donated clothing for those less fortunate than themselves, I would like to express my thanks for the privilege of distributing 397 articles of clothing to grateful recipients in 1941.
CHARLES E. P. THOMPSON, M. D.,
Town Physician.
Report of the Fairhaven Committee on Public Safety
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen
Gentlemen :
In submitting the following report an effort has been made to present briefly the activities of the Fairhaven Committee on Public Safety, Audell Monk, Jr., former chairman and George A. Steele, present chairman, up to December 31, 1941.
The Protective Division has established and equipped a Re- port Center which has had two practice sessions of four hours each, and has run through 70 incidents. Equipment includes eleven telephones-loop lines to the Fire Department, Police De- partment and District Warning Center-and dial phones to Res- cue and Demolition Squads, Water Company, Sewer Department, Gas and Electric Company, Street Department, and Medical Department. Some of these lines are shared. In addition to. these there is a Chief Warden's phone and two phones for incon- ing calls.
The Report Center is in operation 24 hours a day. The of- fice is open for the registration of volunteers from 9:00 A. M. to 9:00 P. M., and workers, trained by Mr. Leo Isabelle of the Police Department, are on duty for two hours each morning, afternoon and evening to do the fingerprinting required in connection with registration for Civilian Defense work.
The Air Raid Wardens are under the direction of Mr. Stuart M. Briggs, Chief Air Raid Warden, who is assisted in his duties by two Chief Deputy Wardens. The town is divided into pre- cincts, each of which has its' own Precinct Warden and Deputies. Three hundred twenty-nine wardens have received training and have been assigned definite posts in their respective precincts. Over one hundred additional wardens have registered at the Re- port Center and are awaiting training in classes to be conducted by a staff of nine instructors.
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The Auxiliary Fire Department, under Chief Spooner, has thirty-five trained men and sixty-eight men who are now receiv- ing training. Chief Shurtleff is now training seventy-four Auxili- ary Policemen to supplement the regular force.
The Rescue and Demolition Squad, Mr. Rufus W. Foster, Chairman, consists of approximately thirty experienced construc- tion men, who will receive special Civilian Defense instruction in the near future.
The Street Department has a crew of twenty experienced men who are ready to serve on Road Repair squads.
The report of the Health, Medical and Social Service Divi- sion, as submitted by Dr. C. E. P. Thompson, Director, follows:
This department of the Fairhaven Civilian Defense Com- mittee has been formed and designed to be sufficiently elastic to care for any emergency that may arise.
There are six dressing stations available, capable of expan- sion to as many more as conditions demand.
The First Aid Squads have a potential personnel of but sev- en individuals which can expand to meet all requirements.
The Nurses and Aides, eight in number, in reality consists of eight nurses and no aides, the latter may increase this staff to an indefinite figure as required.
Ambulances and converted Beach wagons force has a per- sonnel of fourteen men capable of being augmented to fifty or even one hundred converted ambulances if needed. in case of an emergency, all delivery trucks and beach wagons would be press- ed into service, and mattresses supplied from the nearest source; it might be from the homes nearest the disaster spot. No red tape would stop the efficiency of the Ambulance Corps if a real emergency existed and no questions would be asked if the wound- ed required instant action in order to get them rolling to the First Aid Stations or to the hospitals.
Emergency Hospitals and Supplies have been taken care of by the three physicians who head the various units, and ample hospitalization is assured.
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The Public Health and Social Service are manned by com- petent individuals.
If anyone falls, we'll pick them up.
Mrs Anna Eccleston is in charge of the Women's Division, which includes the Canteen and the Motor Transport Corps, as well as the women wardens. Mrs. Eccleston also arranged the schedule of women who are on duty at the Report Center from 8:00 A. M. to 6:00 P. M.
The Mobile Canteen, under the direction of Mrs. Abram Dur- fee, is doing a remarkable job. Committees of at least ten wo- men have been organized in each Church in town so that there are now approximately one hundred women in this work ready for action.
The Motor Convoy Corps, Mrs. Eric Bergquist, Chairman; consists of twelve members of the Massachusetts Women's Ci- vilian Defense Corps. These women have received intensive training in State conducted classes, as have a number of our wo- men Air Raid Wardens and Canteen workers.
Mr. James Whally is in charge of "Services and Supplies"' and, under his direction, divisions of Transportation, Communi- cations, Fuel Storage and Supplies, Foods and "evacuation" pro- blems have been established.
Both the Boy and Gril Scout Organizations have been set up in our Defense program and are fully qualified to function in an emergency.
A Public Information Committee, under the head of Mr. John DeGraw, is another of our defense organizations already in action.
Splendid cooperation is being maintained between all branches of the Committee and the hundreds of Fairhaven citi- zens who are giving their whole hearted support to this important work.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE A. STEELE,
Chairman Fairhaven Committee On Public Safety
SCHOOL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OF FAIRHAVEN MASSACHUSETTS
AIRHAV
O
E
N
TO
ASS
INCORPOR
TOWN HALL
22-1812.
RA
TED
FEB
FOR THE
Year 1941
THE FAIRHAVEN STAR --- PRINTERS
1942
In Memoriam
Eunice E. Strong
FAIRHAVEN HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER 1909 - 1941
Died July 28, 1941
William B. Gardner
FAIRHAVEN SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBER
1923 - 1941
CHAIRMAN 1928 - 1941
Died December 15, 1941
School Committee
Mrs. Elizabeth M. Knowles
John S. Rogers, Jr.
Orrin B. Carpenter
Frank M. Babbitt
Mrs. Edith E. Rogers
George F. Braley
Term expires 1942
Term expires 1942
Term expires 1943
Term expires 1943
Term expires 1944 Term expires 1944
CHAIRMAN George F. Braley, 41 Laurel Street
SECRETARY AND SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS Flavel M. Gifford, 51 Green Street
Office
3-1241
Residence 2-1355
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT CLERK Beatrice DeCoffe, 212 Main Street
SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE HOURS
Town Hall
8:30-9:00 A. M .- Every school day.
4:00-5:00 P. M .- Every school day. Other times by appointment.
The Superintendent's office is open daily from 9:00-12:00 and 1:30-5:00, except Saturdays when it is open only in the fore- noon.
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN Dr. Charles E. P. Thompson
SCHOOL NURSE Mrs. Lena Howland, R. N.
School Calendar
1942
Thursday, January 1
Friday, January 2
Friday, February 20
Monday, March 2
Schools open
Monday, April 20
Holiday
Friday, April 24
Schools close
Monday, May 4
Schools open
Friday, June 19
Wednesday, June 24
Thursday, June 25
Elementary schools close High School Graduation Eighth Grade Promotion Exercises
SUMMER VACATION
Monday, September 14
Schools open
Monday, October 12
Holiday
Wednesday, November 11
Holiday
Wednesday noon, November 25
Thanksgiving recess
Monday, November 30
Schools open
Wednesday, December 23
Schools close
CHRISTMAS VACATION
1943
Monday, January 4
Schools open
NO-SCHOOL SIGNAL
2-2
7:15 A. M. Indicates no school for all day 12:45 P. M. indicates no afternoon session for the first seven grades.
It is the policy of the School Department to order the no- school signal only in the most severe weather conditions or when the transportation system is disrupted. At other times parents are expected to use their own judgment in sending children to school.
Holiday No School
Schools close
Report of the School Committee
To the Citizens of Fairhaven :
Herewith is submitted the annual report of the School Com- mittee for the year ending December 31, 1941.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Elementary Schools
Including also General Control, Private School Transportation, and Adult Alien Education.
RECEIPTS
Town Appropriation
$90,250.00
H. H. Rogers Trust Fund
3,183.10
Edmund Anthony, Jr. Trust Fund
200.00
Pease Fund
157.56
County Dog Fund
1,399.35
Total
$95,190.01
EXPENDITURES
GENERAL CONTROL
$ 5,043.94
Superintendent's Salary
$ 3,450.08
Other Expense
1,593.86
INSTRUCTION
$ 68,488.34
Teachers' Salaries
$ 64,022.66
Text Books
1,860.57
Supplies
2,605.11
OPERATION, MAINTENANCE & OUTLAY Janitors' Salaries $ 7,711.39
$ 13,930.37
Fuel
2,662.77
Misc. Operating Expense
2,709.73
Repairs and Replacement
764.98
New Equipment
81.50
OTHER AGENCIES
$ 7,434.92
Transportation $ 3,747.29
6
Health 1,786.36
Tuition Insurance Sundries Adult Alien Education
96.26
565.04
422.39
817.58
Total Expenditures Unexpended Balance
$ 94,897.57 292.44
Total Receipts
$ 95,190.01
High School
Receipts
Town Appropriation H. H. Rogers Trust Fund
17,086.67
Total
$ 58,836.67
EXPENDITURES
INSTRUCTION
$ 44,736.83
Teachers' Salaries
$ 40,598.89
ยท Text Books
1,524.61
Supplies
2,613.33
OPERATION, MAINTENANCE & OUTLAY Janitors' Salaries $ 6,597.54
$ 11,790.81
Fuel
1,920.34
Misc. Operating Expense
1,854.19
Repairs and Replacement
692.31
New Equipment
726.43
OTHER AGENCIES
$ 2,003.02 .
Health Physician
318.35
Sundries
188.66
Transportation
1,362.47
Insurance
133.54
Total Expenditures Unexpended Balance
$ 58,530.66 306.01
$ 58,836.67
Total Receipts
$ 41,750.00
7
SPECIAL REPAIR APPROPRIATION RECEIPTS
Town Appropriation
$ 7,000.00
EXPENDITURES
Architect
$ 9.00
Repairs to schools as follows :
Rogers School and Portable
671.69
E. Fairhaven
122.02
Tripp School
879.06
Anthony School
1,966.95
Oxford School and Portable
1,584.96
High School and Addition
823.17
Total Expenditures Unexpended Balance
$ 6,056.85 943.15
Total
$ 7,000.00
REPAIRS
The Committee continued the repair program during 1941, expending $6,056.85 from the special appropriation for that pur- pose. The more important accomplishments are as follows: High school
Electric generating plant discontinued.
Installation of equipment necessary to run motors on alter- nating current.
Plate glass replacements.
New shades in study hall, gym, and biology room.
Painting of flagpole.
Repairs to plumbing. (Incomplete)
Rogers School and Portable
Refinishing all woodwork in assembly hall.
Completing sheet metal repairs. Painting roof of portable. Carpentry repairs to portable.
Miscellaneous painting and varnishing.
Tripp School
Painting all exterior woodwork. Carpentry repairs throughout building. Repairing cement wall. Replacement of part of flue. Repairs to wiring.
8
Anthony School
Painting all exterior woodwork and flagpole. Rebuilding all gutters. Other carpentry repairs througout building.
Repairing and replacing conductor pipes.
Repairing flue.
Extensive renovation of boys' toilet.
Oxford School and Portable
Painting all exterior woodwork of main building. Installation of supply room. Installation of electric clocks.
Repairing leaks in roof.
Painting toilets.
Repairs to walls in four classrooms.
Repairs to windows and doors throughout building. Repairs to boiler and plumbing. Pointing brick work in basement.
Painting exterior of portable.
Carpentry repairs to portable.
East Fairhaven School
Repairs to roof and unfinished side wall.
Repairs to plumbing. Repairs to electric wiring.
The Committee had planned to use the entire 1941 appro- priation of $7,000.00 for special repairs but shortage of materials and slow deliveries prevented the completion or several items. We feel that the building exteriors are in reasonably good condi- tion. There are some changes that must be made sooner or later in the High School, but it is hoped that the large items can be postponed to a more favorable time. New floors are needed in at least four elementary classrooms. There is painting and varnish- ing to be done in all bunldings and some should be done every year. The work of keeping up school property is a never-ending one, and in estimating our needs it is well to consider that the buildings were recently appraised at a total of $1,384,035.00.
Because of the present emergency the Committee has de- cided not to ask for the $7,000.00 special repair appropriation as planned for but requests that $2,000.00 be appropriated for the most necessary work. We have available at present $943.15 unexpended from the 1941 special appropriation and have includ- ed an additional $1,600.00 in our regular budgets which we believe will be sufficient for necessary repairs in 1942.
9
SCHOOL AGE
Children have been admitted to the first grade at the age of five with the result that our average beginner has been about five and one-half years old. Schools of education seem to agree that a child is not ready for reading until he has a mental age of about six. We have had, as might be expected, a great many cases of non-promotion in the first grade because of reading dif. ficulty.
There is going to be some difficulty in the first grade re- gardless of the age for entrance but we know there will be less failure, less disappointment, more reading readiness, and easier adjustment of the pupil as the age of entrance is advanced to- ward six.
Taking these matters into consideration the Committee has voted to advance the minimum age to five years and three months as of September 1, 1942 for entrance to school next fall with the possibility of changing to five years and six months in 1943.
SALARIES
The School Committee has tried to maintain salary sched- ules for teachers and janitors commensurate with the type of service rendered and with raises beginning in September each year until the maximum salaries are reached. These salaries have been considered sufficient to prevent too great an annual change and have been admittedly determined to a considerable degree by the law of supply and demand.
We are now confronted by rising prices, rising salaries else- where, and more competition for services. The price of board as well as the price of other items is higher than a year ago. It will be increasingly difficult to secure suitable teachers and jani- tors.
Consequently the School Committee has included in the 1942 budget provision for raising all salaries $100. as of January 1, with the amount pro-rated for part-time positions.
74 Teachers (including Principals and Supervisors) Equivalent to 72.4 full-time positions $ 7,240.00
11 Janitors and Engineers 1,100.00
$ 8,340.00
TOTAL REQUIRED
10
EXPENDIBLE RECEIPTS
The following is a report of the expendible receipts outside of appropriations :
Elementary
Received 1940
Received 1941
Estimated 1942
Rogers Trust Fund
$ 3,447.80
$ 3,183.10
$ 3,180.00
Anthony Fund
250.00
200.00
200.00
Pease Fund
188.96
157.56
150.00
County Dog Fund
1,374.94
1,399.35
1,370.00
$ 5,261.70
$ 4,940.01
$ 4,900.00
High
Rogers Trust Funds
$ 18,386.03
$ 17,086.67
$ 17,000.00
Total, High and Elementary
$ 23,647.73
$ 22,026.68
$ 21,900.00
BUDGET FOR 1942 Elementary Schools
Expended 1940
Expended 1941
Budget 1942
General Control
Instruction
$ 4,940.89 71,237.74
$ 5,043.94 68,488.34
$ 5,380.00
Operation
Maintenance and
New Equipment
15.074.51
13,930.37
14,350.00
Other Agencies, (inc. Health,
Transportation,
Insurance, etc. )
7,820.33
7,434.92
8,160.00
Total From Outside Sources
$ 99,073.47
$ 94,897.57
$101,760.00
5,261.70
4,940.01
4,900.00
From Appropria- tion
$ 93,811.77
$ 89,957.50
$ 96,860.00
73,870.00
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High School
Expended 1940 $ 42,871.83
Expended 1941 $ 44.736.83
Budget 1942 $ 48,400.00
Instruction Operation
Maintenance and
New Equipment
10,950.84
11,790.81
12,100.00
Other Agencies
2,198.88
2,003.02
2,200.00
Total
$ 56,021.55
$ 58,530.66
$ 62,700.00
From Outside
Sources
18,386.03
17,086.67
17,000.00
From Appropria- tion
$ 37,635.52
$ 44,443.99
$ 45,700.00
SUMMARY OF BUDGETS
Elementary Budget
$ 101,760.00
High School Budget
62,700.00
Total Expendible Income
$ 164,460.00
21,900.00
APPROPRIATION REQUESTED
$ 142,560.00
SPECIAL REPAIR APPROPRIATION REQUESTED
$
2,000.00
IN CLOSING
The School Committee has endeavored to operate the schools for the best interests of the children and the best interests of the Town. We appreciate the support we have received in the past and ask your continued cooperation and confidence.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE F. BRALEY, Chairman ELIZABETH M. KNOWLES ORRIN B. CARPENTER FRANK M. BABBITT JOHN S. ROGERS, JR. EDITH E. ROGERS
School Committee
Report of Superintendent of Schools
To the School Committee of Fairhaven:
I submit herewith my third annual report as Superintendent of Schools.
ATTENDANCE AND MEMBERSHIP
School Year
1938-39
1939-40
1940-41
Average Membership
2,066
1,976
1,894
Percent of Attendance
94.1
93.8
93.0
The membership figures for the past school year show a continuation of the trend toward a lower enrollment of pupils Further information in regard to the trend from 1930 to 1941 is given in an attached table entitled "Summary of Enrollment."
TEACHER CHANGES
After many years of service in Fairhaven Mrs. Louise C. Johnson and Miss Susan Gifford retired at the close of school in June. Miss Eunice E. Strong, for thirty-two years a teacher and director of the High School Lunch Room, passed away during the summer. Six teachers resigned to be married and five more re- signed for other reasons. Among the latter was Miss Elizabeth Graham who had served here as teacher and principal for twenty- one years and who was elected to a principalship in the town of Reading. As the year closed Mr. Kempf resigned after eleven years of service as director of the High School Orchestra.
The Superintendent has recommended to the Committee such replacements as he thought were best qualified for each po- sition. While we miss our former associates, I am pleased to report that the comparatively large group of new teachers has already become successfully assimilated.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
High School pupils are scheduled for two gymnasium per- iods. Boys are given work in calisthenics, use of apparatus, tumbling, and group games. Girls are given indoor and outdoor-
13
games, folk dancing and improvement of posture. Considerable interest is shown in extra-curricular athletics. Boy's teams com- peted in interscholastic schedules with better than average results in football, baseball, basketball, track, and golf. During the winter a full schedule of intramural basketball games was con- ducted. A large number of girls have participated in field hockey, basketball, badminton, ping pong, tennis, baseball, swimming {in the YWCA pool), and bowling.
Eighth grade pupils have gymnasium classes once a week, boys with Mr. Clement and Mr. Entin, and girls with Miss Cush- ing. In grades one to seven Miss Cushing has stressed group games, rhythmical activity and corrective work, and has been assisted by Mr. Fogg in work of special interest and benefit to boys of the sixth and seventh grades.
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
Instrumental music instruction is going on in all buildings. The summary for the close of the year is as follows:
School
Organization
Director
High School and Addition
Band
Clarence W. Arey
Orchestra
Junior Orchestra
Elizabeth Hastings
Combined Orchestra
Clarence W. Arey
Elementary Oxford
(Plans for Orchestra) Yvonne P. Richard
Eliecn J. Walsh
Rogers
2 Orchestras
Helen L. Newton
East Fairhaven
Rhythm Band Orchestra
Dorothy S. Turner
Anthony
Orchestra
Rhythm Band
Orchestra Marion L. Ryder
Rhythm Band
Eleanor M. Sisson
A feature of the elementary program this year has been the weekly rehearsal of massed orchestras from all schools under the direction of Mr. Arey.
VOCAL MUSIC
Miss Santry has formed a successful "a capella" choir in the High School and is continuing her good work with the junior and
Rhythm Band
Anna P. Malone
Tripp
Rhythm Band
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senior choruses. Eighth grade music has been improved by taking the grade in five sections rather than in one large chorus. Miss Santry also reports very favorably in regard to the Rogers School Glee Club of about 70 pupils organized by Mrs. Fletcher.
ART
Miss Elliott has continued to encourage progress in art ed- ucation by inspiring pupils in all grades to learn through more self-directed effort. Art has been correlated with other subjects to develop a keener interest. An interesting exhibition of art work in all grades was held in the High School in March and was attended by many parents and townspeople.
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Dr. Thompson reports that every pupil in the High School has been thoroughly examined and he has filed a report of the abnormal conditions found. Parents have been notified and it is hoped that appropriate action will be taken to have the defects corrected. Mental growth of pupils is handicapped more by phy- sical disability than by any other factor.
The School Physician's duties in the elementary schools are very limited. An arrangement should be made for the annual examination of every pupil, and I am recommending that an al- lowance be made for this purpose in the 1942 budget.
In addition to his duties as School Physician Dr. Thompson, with his black bag ready, has attended practically every local game which our High School football team has played during the thirty years since his appointment November 24, 1911. No phy- sician has been more faithful nor so poorly paid, for his salary for this purpose is nothing and his services have been frequent and valuable.
AIR RAID PRECAUTIONS
On the advice of public safety officials we have instituted air-raid drills in all schools. Principals have their schools well organized for this purpose. Mr. Fogg has been appointed to make certain investigations and to recommend suitable action in regard to air-raid refuges, fire-fighting equipment, and other pertinent subjects. Together with Chief Spooner of the Fire De- partment he has visited all schools and he will continue to study this problem with which we are all admittedly unfamiliar.
15
FAIRHAVEN JUNIOR IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATIONS
Our schools were visited in September by Mr. Stuart Chase who subsequently reported briefly but very favorably in the Jan- uary Readers' Digest on the work of our Fairhaven Junior Iin- provement Association. No account of the organization would be adequate, however, without reference to its originator, Mr. Charles F. Prior, former Superintendent of Schools, whose con- nection with the organization should be known by all Fairhaveni citizens.
Mr. Prior, a native of Plymouth, Vermount, and schoolmate of Calvin Coolidge both in Plymouth and in Black River Acad- emy, rightly put character and citizenship at the top of the list of school aims. For the last twenty years of his service here he was zealous in organizing and promoting the F. J. I. A's. Their purpose was not only the performance of various chores in them- selves but the resulting development of character and civic res- ponsibility.
The inception of the plan dates back to Mr. Prior's gradu- ation from Black River Academy where as Class Orator his subject was "The Noblest Motive is the Public Good." This subject subsequently became the motto of the F. J. I. A's. And is still the guiding principle of the plan.
MISCELLANEOUS TOPICS
The "Oxford Evening School" enrolled 82 adults this year and is now operating with four teachers. Many former pupils of this class have been successful in obtaining their American citizenship papers.
Since the vote of the School Committee to pay tuition for Fairhaven residents attending the New Bedford Evening High School the Superintendent has approved the attendance of five . pupils.
Transportation for five girls and six boys is now being fur- nished by the School Committee for Fairhaven pupils attending the Vocational School in New Bedford.
Mr. MaGuire has been given the responsibility of continuing the testing program begun last year in grades 3 to 7. The strong and weak points in pupil achievement are studied and suitable
16
measures taken to improve instruction. Tests will be given dur- ing the first winter term as was done last year.
The meaning of Defense Stamps and Bonds is being brought to the attention of pupils in all schools. A recent investigation showed that over one-third of our pupils and over one-half the teachers have become purchasers.
Surplus Commodities have been obtained in large quantities for use in the High School Lunch Room. This supply enables the Lunch Room to give out some free tickets and it benefits all pupils who eat there through more plentiful helping's at low cost. Daily sales averaged about $40.00 per day during the fall term.
CONCLUSION
The year 1941 has been a good year in the schools in spite of the world situation which surrounds us. The loss of teachers has been met by obtaining the best possible replacements. Text- books are generally in good condition and supply shelves reason- ably well filled. Our school buildings are in a good state of re- pair with a few exceptions which we had planned to correct next year. Looking forward to the year 1942 there is every assurance that the schools and the teachers, together with the Superinten- dent will cooperate with the School Committee in working for the best interest of Town and Nation.
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