USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Dighton > Town annual report of the offices of the town of Dighton 1937 > Part 3
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20,201.72
$59,456.01
$59,456.01
DEBT ACCOUNT $60,000.00 High School Bonds
$60,000.00
TRUST ACCOUNT
Cemetery Perpetual Care Funds Hon Charles S. Chace Fund
$6,215.38
1,025.15
Trust Funds, Cash and Securities $7,240.53
$7,240.53
53
ANNUAL REPORT
Old Age Assistance
3,796.09
7,501.77
1937 Deficits to be raised .:
9,454.84
Net Funded Debt
54
ANNUAL REPORT
TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT
Poll and Property Taxes
Dighton, Mass., December 31, 1937
Balance 1935 Warrant due
January 1, 1937
$2,375.22
Collected Interest 152.86
$2,528.08
Credits
Paid Town
Treasurer $2,492.45
Abatements
35.63
$2,528.08
Balance 1936 Warrant due
January 1, 1937
$11,634.71
Collected Interest 324.47
Collected Fees 1.75
$11,960.93
Credits
Paid Town
Treasurer $8,069.81
Abatements 24.20
Tax Title Account
277.20
$8,371.21
Balance due January 1, 1938 $3,589.72
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ANNUAL REPORT
1937 Warrants
$86,536.34
Collected Interest
10.91
Collected Fees
50.05
Ctf. of Taxes
1.00
$86,598.30
Credits
Paid Town
Treasurer
$72,539.03
Abatements 1,522.46
Tax Title Account
224.00
Ctf. of Taxes
1.00
Warrant Adjustment .01
$74,286.50
Balance due January 1, 1938
$12,311.80
Respectfully submitted,
DAVID A. BUFFINGTON,
Collector
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ANNUAL REPORT
TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes
Balance 1936 Warrants due
January 1, 1937 $129.71
Additional commitment 92.76
Collected interest 2.06
Collected interest
2.06
$224.53
Credits
Paid Town Treasurer
$198.23
Abatements 7.89 $206.12
Balance due January 1, 1938
$18.41
1937 Warrants
$7,356.17
Collected interest 19.38 $7,375.55
Credits
Paid Town Treasurer $6,822.01
Abatements 260.37 $7,082.38
Balance due January 1, 1938 $293.17
Respectfully submitted,
DAVID A. BUFFINGTON,
Collector.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE TOWN OF
DIGHTON
Year Ending December 31, 1937
In Memoriam
of
Faithful Service
of
TERESE F. DAVID
Dighton School System
Served 1928 - 1937
Died - September 12, 1937
3
ANNUAL REPORT
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Roy F. Walker, Chairman North Dighton
Term Expires 1939
Mrs. Clara L. Wyeth, Secretary Segreganset
1938
H. Judson Robinson
1940
Segreganset
Trenor F. Goodell, Financial Secretary Dighton
1938
Leland F. Bullard
1939
Segreganset
Frank P. Dutra Dighton
1940
SUPERINTENDENT Norman D. Bailey Residence: 76 Spring Street, North Dighton
Office: High School Building, Segreganset Telephone: Dighton 98
Office Hours : 7:45-8:45, and by appointment
Office Opens : 7:30-5:00 school days, 9-12 Saturdays
SECRETARY Jessie A. Perry
SCHOOL PHYSICIANS H. S. Miller, M. D. C. M. Souza, M. D. SCHOOL NURSE Leila P. Hoard, R. N.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION Mrs. Hope Hamilton, Chairman Mrs. Annie Mendoza Mrs. Sara Hamilton Mrs. Ella Potter Mrs. Marguerite Ingalls
The meetings of the School Committee are held regu- larly on the last Tuesday of the month at 7:30 P. M.
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE DIGHTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Dighton:
The School Department has closed its books for the year 1937 with all bills paid and a small balance on hand.
We are now in the third year of maintaining a Junior- Senior High School in Dighton. Your committee feels that the operation of this school has gone beyond the ex- perimental stage, and has proven to be a real asset, both educationally and financially to our school system. We believe our town's people have the same attitude towards the High School.
The following resolution was passed by the Committee following the death of Mrs. Terese F. David, a member of the staff :
Whereas, the hand of death has taken from our teaching staff Mrs. Terese F. David for ten years a teacher in the schools of Dighton, and whereas her kindly spirit, sincere interest, and sterling charac- ter will be long remembered by young people, and her teaching of English will remain an inspiration to pupils as they continue their study.
Be it resolved that the School Committee of the Town of Dighton hereby express its sympathy to the family of Mrs. David, its sincere regrets at her pass- ing, and its pleasure that her fine character has had such a strong influence over the young people in our schools.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be sent to the family of Mrs. David and a copy be spread upon the records of the committee.
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ANNUAL REPORT
This resolution was unanimously adopted by the Dighton School Committee at its meeting held Sep- tember 28, 1937.
During the year, progress has been made on the W. P. A. Project "Constructing a cinder track around the Athletic Field". This project also contains provisions for leveling the slopes of the field.
All of our buildings are in reasonably good repair with the following exceptions :
1. High School should have one coat of paint on out- side trimmings.
2. South School should be shingled and some painting done in class rooms. 1
Total income of the School Department from outside sources is as follows :
Reimbursement from state due to superin-
tendent's salary and travel $1,185.73
Smith Hughes Fund
96.33
General School Fund Statement Part 1
6,555.71
Tuition-Berkley
4,635.10
Tuition-Freetown
398.37
Tuition-Taunton
80.00
Tuition-Gosnold
160.00
Reimbursement from state due to Vocational
Education :
Day and Evening Classes
839.40
Berkley-Tuition Evening Class 1
5.80
State Ward 15.81
$13,972.25
The above sum of money goes into the General Treas- ury of the town and is not credited to the School De- partment.
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ANNUAL REPORT
The Financial Statement for the year 1937 is submit- ted below:
RECEIPTS
Appropriation
$63,978.21
Dog Tax
498.05
Transfer from Town Account for share of Expense 363.21
Smith Hughes Fund
96.33.
Nursery Schools
50.00
Miscellaneous Credits
11.35
$64,997.15
EXPENDITURES
General Control
$3,556.15
Transportation
6,026.98
Teachers' Salaries
35,084.26
Books & Supplies
3,505.41
Janitors' Salaries
4,768.50
Fuel
2,703.93
Contingent
2,687.66
Repairs
2,038.42
Health
1,572.12
New Equipment
1,848.07
Library
554.67
Staff Expenses
77.27
Vocational Education
453.96
Tuition
20.70
Nursery Schools
74.07
Balance
24.98
$64,997.15
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ANNUAL REPORT
ITEMIZED SCHOOL BUDGET RECOMMENDED FOR 1938
General Control
$3,425.00
Transportation
6,473.00
HIGH SCHOOL
Teachers' Salaries
$21,317.01
Text Books
450.00
Supplies
1,500.00
Manual Training
200.00
Janitors' Salaries
2,450.00
Fuel
784.00
Contingent
1,585.00
Repairs
400.00
New Equipment
300.00
Health
610.00
Library
375.00
Staff Expenses
50.00
Voc'l Ed., Eve.
365.00
Voc'l Ed., Day
300.00
Voc'l Ed., Tuition
20.00
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Teachers' Salaries
15,391.67
Books
390.00
Supplies
400.00
Janitors' Salaries
2,457.00
Fuel
1,250.00
Contingent
850.00
Repairs
500.00
Health
910.00
New Equipment
200.00
Total Budget
$63,052.68
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ANNUAL REPORT
Estimated income from tuition and state reimbursements 15,517.11
Net cost to town for support of schools $47,535.57
Respectfully submitted,
ROY F. WALKER, Chairman MRS. CLARA L. WYETH, Sec.
TRENOR F. GOODELL, Fin. Sec. LELAND F. BULLARD H. JUDSON ROBINSON FRANK DUTRA
School Committee of Dighton
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Mrs. Wyeth and Gentlemen :
In submitting this my eighth report as superintendent of schools, I am conscious of several real problems that confront the educational world. In the report that fol- lows I have tried not only to recall the highlights of a year of endeavor, but to discuss briefly some of these problems which stand in the forefront of educational thought today.
In each report I have expressed my appreciation for the sincere counsel of the members of the committee. At no time has that counsel been more valued than today. For the staff whose work and active cooperation makes our accomplishments possible, I have but these thoughts -that of appreciation for the work well done and en- couragement for even finer work in the New Year.
STAFF
The death of Mrs. Terese F. David of the English De- partment in the high school left a vacancy which has proved difficult to fill. After real investigation the posi- tion has been filled by the appointment of Margaret J. McBride of Lubec, Maine. Miss McBride is a graduate of Bates College with graduate work at Harvard and Bates and has taught English for several years in high schools in Maine. She comes to us strongly recommend- ed and has been selected after careful investigation.
The resignation of Francis E. Carr of the high school staff received at the end of the year was accepted with regret and the vacancy filled by the appointment of John D. Roderick of Revere, a graduate of Salem Teachers
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ANNUAL REPORT
College. Miss Flora Miller has taken the position as Home Economics Instructor formerly held by Miss Agnes Hornby. Marshall W. Nay of Abington, graduate of Bridgewater Teachers College and Charles H. Holmes of Berkley, a teacher of long experience were the other additions to our high school staff.
Only one change in the elementary staff occurred dur- ing the year. Miss Mildred Ashley of Berkley replaced Miss Alice Dobbyn at North Dighton.
OTHER REPORTS
The reports of the high school principal, dean of girls, music supervisor, health workers, and Physical Educa- tion Directors, are called to your attention. They record interesting accomplishments.
THE HIGH SCHOOL
In his report, the high school principal, Mr. Austin, has called attention to the achievements and needs of his school. Mr. Austin has proved himself unusually capable in the administration of his school. His success in securing the cooperation of his corps of teachers, in making his school an outstanding one in its attempts to meet the needs of individual pupils, has given to us a splendid institution which merits the "A" classification it has been given by the State Department of Education.
There is real need for some lifting of the clerical burden which has fallen to the high school office. WPA assist- ance has helped from time to time but this is not a per- manent solution. Attention is called to the fact that the WPA is providing library service at present but that eventually the town will have to shoulder this responsi- bility.
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ANNUAL REPORT
THE WPA NURSERY SCHOOL PROGRAM
We are continuing at this date to operate two nursery school centers under the auspices of the WPA program. In spite of much futile red tape and useless regulations and restrictions, the program has gone on and has been of real value to the children of the town. It is to be sin- cerely regretted that a much greater usefulness of the progam is made impossible because of restrictions placed upon it by authorities in Washington who know nothing of local situations.
GUIDANCE
Probably no more pressing problem exists in education today than that of providing reliable and adequate guid- ance for youth. In a world vastly more complex than that in which its parents lived, youth is forced to enter a society which, while not distinctly hostile, is at least concerned almost wholly with its own adult problem. The fact that industry is seriously concerned with pro- viding means for adults to earn a bare living has made it increasingly difficult for youth to find its way. The fact that large numbers of youths throughout the country leave school each year with no prospect of immediate em- ployment, creates new and difficult social problems. The increase of leisure time due to shortened working hours or unemployment has also provided us with the problem of the old adage that "Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do". This is far more apt to be true when we are concerned with youth than it would be if we were thinking in adult terms.
The above problems are not alone the responsibility of the school, they are the vital concern of the home and the church. The school has a task, however, in the fact that it is the one place where all the children of all the people
12
ANNUAL REPORT
meet on a common level. To that task of guidance-edu- cational, vocational, social, and moral, the public school as an institution must commit itself.
In our high school we have a reasonably well developed guidance program. To say that it functions with abso- lute efficiency would be greatly exaggerating the facts. It is, however, reaching the individual needs of many pupils and will serve these needs with increasing value as time goes on. One present point of concentration is on the Senior class where every attempt possible is made to bring the pupil into contact either with vocational op- portunity or with educational institutions of an advanced level.
In the elementary school this guidance program is in the initial stages at the present time. We hope that it will provide for increased understanding between the home and school, for a new understanding of the child on the part of the teacher and through these a decrease in failure in the elementary grades.
COURSE OF STUDY DEVELOPMENT
The superintendent has undertaken, in cooperation with the members of the staff, certain important changes in the present course of study in the schools.
(a) Teachers of English in grades 4-12 are studing carefully the English curriculum with a view to modifying it to meet the needs of the present day. The result of this study which is involving bi-weekly meetings should be a thoroughly mod- ernized course in English, meeting the needs of the local situation.
(b) Development of Guidance Program is mentioned elsewhere in my report.
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ANNUAL REPORT
(c) A study of the arithmetic program is being initi- ated with a committee of teachers undertaking the task of determining grade-placement of ma- terial and text-book needs.
: (d) The development of a unit-of-instruction plan for grades one and two is under way. First grade teachers have met with the superintendent throughout the fall to study this problem. Its thesis is that since pupils enter the first grade with difficult abilities and with different skills, there should be provision made to meet these in- dividual differences. We are attempting to re- move the old idea of mass production from our educational program.
(e) Grade teacher conferences have been held fre- quently for teachers. These have proven of real value in the round table type of discussion, from which there has come a helpful exchange of viewpoint.
REPAIRS TO BUILDING
Our buildings are in comparatively good repair. Dur- ing the summer of 1937 the outside of the North Schools was painted, the Segreganset School was painted inside and out, the floors of the South Dighton School were re- paired in addition to the usual routine work.
Under the WPA program the drainage system at the North Elementary School was changed over to provide adequate drainage at all times. This is a major improve- ment both in the building situation and in health pro- tection.
At the present time a WPA project is being prepared to cover necessary repairs for 1938.
14
ANNUAL REPORT
FINANCES
The 1938 budget calls for an expenditure of $63,052 .- 68. This represents a reduction of $925.53 in the budget over 1937. What is of more importance to the tax-payer of the town is that when earned income and reimburse- ments are taken into consideration, it represents a re- duction of from $50,948.76-the net cost for 1937 to $47,- 635.57 the estimated net cost for 1938, or $3,313.19 de- crease in the amount of money to be raised from taxation for schools. This represents a decrease in tax rate of $0.96.
Respectfully submitted,
NORMAN D. BAILEY
Superintendent of Schools
15
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE DIGHTON HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
To the Superintendent of Schools:
Dear Sir:
In submitting my third annual report concerning the high school it is my desire to present as varied an ac- count as possible in order to set forth the situation as it appears to be.
Our enrollment has increased this year by approxi- mately 8% over that of last year. The detailed figures follow :
Grade
Dighton
Berkley Freetown Gosnold Taunton Total
VII
60
60
VIII
47
47
IX
52
20
6
78
X
29
18
3
50
XI
30
13
43
XII
30
9
2
1
42
P. G.
3
3
Special
1
9
6
15
Totals
260
66
9
2
1
338
All pupils from towns other than Dighton represent tuition pupils. Our enrollment for the next year as yet is an undetermined figure but will probably be slightly larger than at the opening of school in September 1937. A continued increase in enrollment will lead, sooner or later, to the problems of adjusting limited space to in- creasing groups of pupils.
16
ANNUAL REPORT
Once more, I wish to commend the faculty of the school for its hearty and enthusiastic support of the school program. It is gratifying, when responsible for the administration of a unit in the system, to find the wholesome and cooperative attitude which we have here. In visiting other school systems I sometimes sense a rather indifferent attitude prevailing and the basic diffi- culty, I believe, exists with those who have direct contact to the pupils. We are fortunate to have a unified group of teachers.
We have had some changes. The passing of Mrs. Te- rese F. David of the English department carries with it our sincere sympathy to her family and hosts of friends who loved and respected her for her daily living and teaching. We shall long remember her sincere and. un- tiring efforts to teach to her pupils a working philosophy of life.
At our annual conferences for student leaders and class advisors held in September, 1937, we discussed as objectives for this year the better financing of athletics in the school and the raising of scholastic standards. Just what the outcome will be is, as yet, impossible to determine. It is encouraging to note the interest which students take in their own problems. When pupils be- come sufficiently disturbed over a problem to seek to set- tle it, I believe that education is being demonstrated 'in its best sense; for education is not wholly the art of re- producing material in books, but rather it is the devel- opment of the ability to use, to best advantage, the knowledge gained.
The second annual Washington trip was successful and further proved the value of such an undertaking. At the present time we are working hard toward the com- pletion of the necessary fund for the 1938 trip, and al-
17
ANNUAL REPORT
though there are more in the class to take the trip this year, we are better off financially than ever before.
We have in the past calendar year carried on the cus- tomary social activities and have in this way tried to pro- vide for a real need in our community life.
Our athletic situation, both financially and otherwise, appears to be encouraging. Through gifts from interest- ed parties and sale of season tickets the athletic program has been able to pay its costs for the fall of the year 1937 and in addition, help to pay previous obligations. There has been no necessity for curtailing activity for the time being.
From the viewpoint of scores we were able last winter to obtain the Narragansett League championship in bas- ketball. We begin this season as the defending school. Whether we shall be able to keep the lead, remains to be seen. Our football scores for this year have been more acceptable. On the whole, we have passed through a very forward-looking year.
The cafeteria outlook is not so bright. While we were able to close in June 1937 with a substantial balance on hand, it has been necessary during the past few months to dip heavily into the reserve. This is due to the in- creased costs for maintenance, and very much higher food costs, while at the same time we are trying to main- tain our customary high standards and low prices. Therefore, the Advisory Committee at the next meeting, will be asked to consider increased charges for the food served in an effort to make the income meet the costs.
The club work in the school is strenuous and gives a wide range of activity to many pupils. While some feel that we encourage too active a program, I feel that it is justified in that it allows each and every student to dis-
18
ANNUAL REPORT
cover, develop, and engage in those pursuits which lead to healthful and happy living for the individual, an op- portunity to do so. This is one of the goals of education.
It is even yet too early to look for the accomplishments of our first, graduates. Yet for our second class there is the following information available: Five have gone on to college for either general or specific training, two into training of an institutional nature, one to business school, and two have returned as post-graduates. The balance are either employed or at home.
I look forward to the next calendar year hoping that we shall be further able to provide adequate suitable training for our young people-training which will give them inspiration and encourage them to go out and make their way as responsible citizens.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE R. AUSTIN
Principal
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ANNUAL REPORT
Dighton High School Graduation CLASS OF 1937 Dighton High Auditorium, June 15, 1937
PROGRAM
Concert Number-"Theme" Beethoven From the Sonata Opus 26 Dighton High School Orchestra
Processional March-"March Militaire"
Schubert
Dighton High School Orchestra
Invocation Reverend Walter Allen Telfer Pastor First Congregational Church of Berkley, Mass.
Response-"Lead Me, Lord"
Samuel Wesley
Dighton High School Glee Clubs
Salutatory Eleanor Frances Ingalls
Selection-"To a Wild Rose"
Edward MacDowell
Girls' Choral Club
Essay-"Good Sportsmanship" Fred Chandler Ingalls
Selection-"Liebestraum" Liszt
Dighton High School Orchestra
Valedictory Mary Vincent
Address
Patrick J. Sullivan Deputy Commissioner of Education of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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ANNUAL REPORT
Selections-(a) Bell-Man Forsythe
(b) Gloria in Excelsis Deo 12th Century Traditional Boys' Glee Club
Presentation of Diplomas
Roy F. Walker Chairman Dighton School Committee
Presentation of "Charles Sidney Chace Award" Norman D. Bailey Superintendent of Schools
Selections-"Cherubic Song" 17th Century
A capella Dimitri-Bortniansky "Waltz of the Flowers" Tschaikowsky Combined Choral Clubs and Orchestra
Benediction
Reverend Walter Allen Telfer
Recessional March-"March of the Peers" Sullivan Dighton High School Orchestra
GRADUATES
Kenneth Benjamin Atwood Eleanor Frances Ingalls Robert Ai Ballou
Margaret Mary Chisholm Frances Anne Constantine Melinda Mary Costa Daniel Joseph Dunne Anna Elizabeth Dutra Robert Alden Howland Warren Monroe Ide
Fred Chandler Ingalls
Hal Francis LeRoy Latimer
Roger Kermit Macker Louis Mendoza, Jr. Florence Emma Pierce
Robert John Read
Henry Joseph Rioux
Mary Vincent
21
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE DEAN OF GIRLS
To the Superintendent of Schools :
We have come to recognize that guidance is an integ- ral part of the educational program. It is extremely im- portant that we help these young people of ours to be- come better adjusted to the school and social environment in which they are functioning and we can best do this by guidance.
Various kinds of guidance are considered with the girls, such as educational, vocational, social, ethical and health. While some aspect of guidance may be more prominent in a given case than the others, the tendency is to regard all aspects as closely related and directed to the same end, namely, the development of human per- sonality.
One of the most effective ways of helping the girl to work out a satisfactory educational and vocational plan is to discuss with her frankly the definite facts concern- ing any occupation in which she may be interested, con- sidering it in the light of its advantages and disadvan- tages and of her special interests and abilities. This helps in better pupil adjustment.
The school accomplishment of the girl is studied in re- lation to her capacity, and counsel is given regarding the choice of courses and subjects. Failing girls are inter- viewed and an attempt is made to diagnose the causes and to advise her regarding corrective and remedial measures. This procedure has produced gratifying results in some cases.
It has continued to be the policy in furthering the
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ANNUAL REPORT
guidance program to reach the individual girl. The rea- lization of this aim is brought about through conferences, individual guidance, and home visits. The visits made have been satisfactory. We appreciate any help given us by parents to further our aim to help each girl. There should be a strong link between the home and the school if we wish to do our best for our young people.
The teachers on the staff give much valuable help, es- pecially Miss Abrams, the physical director. Her aid in diagnosing pupil mal-adjustment from the health angle is extremely helpful.
Respectfully submitted, DORIS B. HUTCHINSON
Dean of Girls.
23
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE MUSIC SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of School :
Dear Sir :
I. HIGH SCHOOL
The goals which the music department set for itself last year are seeming to be realized. Music classes are no longer regarded as simply recreational or play pe- riods. The interest is good and growing. Questions re- garding songs, musical technique, etc., growing out of the stimulus given to their interest and curiosity, are being constantly injected into the lessons by the pupils. Music is becoming to them a "worth-while" subject to be stud- ied and intelligently understood rather than being simply an experience in unintelligent singing. The very evi- dent progress and successes of the abilities of some of the pupils in particular and all of them in general, have been a means of providing to the pupils that the goals which had been given them were necessary and obtain- able and that these goals were something for which to rejoice and be proud when achieved.
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