USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Leominster > Town annual report of the town officers 1914 > Part 9
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Maintenance and operating expenses 11,014 59
Alterations, permanent improvements and repairs 2,951 54 leaving an unexpended balance of $472.69. Figures in detail will be found on following pages.
At a special town meeting held October 30, 1914, the sum of $1000 was appropriated to begin the work of replacing the so-called dry system of toilets with modern flush closets. Of this sum $533.76 was expended in changing the system in the Field Primary School,-leaving a balance of $466.24, a sum not sufficient to complete the work in another building. The Committee believe that this work should be continued and recommend an additional appropriation of $1000 for this purpose.
In August Mr. Thomas E. Thompson, who had been on leave of absence for a year, resigned the position of Superin- tendent of Schools. After a thorough investigation, Dr. Wil- liam H. Perry of Stonington, Conn., was selected from a list of about sixty candidates and unanimously elected by the Committee as Mr. Thompson's successor.
Dr. Perry's training, education and experience peculiarly fitted him in the opinion of the Board for the work in Leom- inster, and the results thus far attained seem to prove the wisdom of the Committee's choice. Dr. Perry assumed charge of the schools October 1st and since that period has devoted much of his time to supervision of the primary and grammar grades, standardizing and improving the courses of study in these grades.
Several of the schools are now overcrowded and some
151
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
permanent method for relief. of this condition must quickly be afforded.
The situation at North Leominster has been temporarily relieved by removing the third and fourth grades, consisting of 53 pupils, taught by Miss Prevear, to Kendall Hali. An appropriation of $500 was made at the special town meeting to cover cost of equipping an additional room at North Leom- inster. It was necessary to repair the furnace and install new plumbing in the building before it was made satisfactory for school purposes. This cost $289.49 and made a valuable per- manent improvement to the building.
A new four-room building or a four-room addition to the Pierce School should be provided before the beginning of the next school year, and the Committee recommends that suitable action tending to this end be taken at the March town meeting.
Owing to the growth of the High School it became neces- sary to remove from that building one class of ninth grade pupils,-this was accomplished by transferring this class to one of the vacant rooms at Lancaster Street School,-and it will doubtless be necessary to transfer another class of this grade next September, probably to the Field Grammar building.
Two new rooms in the lower grades, in addition to the one at North Leominster, were opened this year, one at Lincoln and one at Lancaster Street School. Thus, practically every school room in town is now in use and many of them over- crowded.
Mr. Edward R. Clarke, principal of the High School for the past three and one-half years, resigned in December to accept a more lucrative position in Winthrop, Mass., and the Committee selected as his successor Kenneth L. Morse of
I
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PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Abington, Mass., a man of many years' successful experience as a High School principal.
The school savings system continues to prove a valuable asset in teaching thrift to the children,-a total sum of $3,320.22 being deposited in approximately fourteen months, and over 612 individual accounts being opened direct with the bank by the children.
By vote of the Committee, Mr. Hull dissenting, the town will be asked to appropriate the sum of $89,000 for the main- tenance of the public schools of Leominster for the year 1915. This sum with the unexpended balance of the year 1914, $472.69, and the estimated income from all other sources amounting to $2200 makes a total available of $91,672.69, or $3,315.18 more than was expended in 1911. This is required by an increase in salaries of approximately $3000; an esti- mated increase of $600 in text books and supplies; and an expected increase in the cost of fuel owing to the unusually severe and continued cold weather of the present winter.
FRANK I. PIERSON
M. H. CHRYSTAL H. PORTER HALL C. S. BRIGHAM F. T. PLATT
.
SCHOOL CALENDAR
1915
January 29, Friday Second Quarter ends
February 22, Monday,
Washington's Birthday-Holiday
March 19, Friday-April 5, Monday,
Vacation for Elementary Schools March 26, Friday-April 5, Monday, Vacation for High School April 16, Friday
April 19, Monday
Patriots' Day-Holiday Memorial Day-Holiday
June 18, Friday
June 25, Friday
Elementary Schools close High School and Grade 9 close
September 7, Tuesday All schools open
October 12, Tuesday
Columbus Day-Holiday
November 12, Friday First Quarter ends
November 25 and 26
Thanksgiving recess:
December 17, Friday P. M .- January 3, 1916, Monday A. M. Vacation for Elementary Schools
December 23, Thursday P. M .- January 3, 1916, Monday A. M. Vacation for High School.
Third Quarter ends
May 31, Monday
Financial Statement
The financial statement following is for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1914 :
RECEIPTS
Appropriation for Public Schools $85,000 00
Balance from previous year
1,621 96
Kendall fund, High School
425 00
Kendall fund, North Leominster
121 20
Received from transportation
1,256 40
Received from incidentals
161 61
Sales, manual training department
36 03
Sales, domestic science department
21 50
Received from tuition
180 00
Rent of armory
6 50
$88,830 20
EXPENDITURES
Expenses of General Control.
School Committee and business offices :
Clerical services
$ 795 17
Printing and stationery
81 46
Traveling expenses 100 50
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PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Telephones
247 54
Miscellaneous 86 85
Superintendence of Schools and educational control :
Salary of Superintendent
1,927 03
Salary of Attendance Officer
766 64
Traveling expenses
56 76
Miscellaneous
126 20
Expenses of Instruction.
Teachers' salaries, day schools
56,852 82
Teachers' salaries, evening schools 987 00
Text books 1,218 53
School supplies, apparatus, etc.
3,586 71
Clerk, High School
360 00
Expenses of Operating School Plant.
Janitors' services, day schools
7,189 48
Janitors' services, evening schools
48 00
Fuel
5,686 79
Light, power, and janitors' supplies
792 95
Expenses of Maintaining School Plant.
Repairs, replacement and upkeep
2,137 46
Miscellaneous Expenses.
Medical Inspection
660 00
Transportation
3,476 30
Printing, express, and miscellaneous
359 24
Outlay.
Alterations, etc.
491 05
New equipment, furniture, etc.
323 03
Total expenditures
$88,357 51
Unexpended balance, Dec. 31, 1914
$ 472 69
$88,830 20
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PUBLIC SCHOOLS
ADDITIONS AND ALTERATIONS, PRIEST STREET SCHOOL .
Unexpended balance
$713 26
FIRE PROTECTION
Unexpended balance
$110 22
REPAIRS AND PERMANENT IMPROVEMENTS OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS
Unexpended balance
$52 44
INSTALLING FLUSH CLOSETS IN SCHOOLS
Amount of appropriation $1,000 00
Paid to Town of Leominster, for laying pipe 78 76
Balance on hand, Dec. 31, 1914 $ 921 24
EQUIPMENT OF ADDITIONAL ROOM AT NORTH LEOMINSTER (KENDALL HALL)
Amount of appropriation $500 00
Expenditures
Willard H. Foss, labor $ 2 00
Fuller Lumber Co., lumber 5 46
J. L. Hammett Co., blackboards and inkwells 18 24
William J. Johnson, services as janitor
12 00
Leominster Hardware Co., hardware
3 67
Lyon Co., repairing furnace 61 49
W. K. Morse, freight and trucking 6 02
10 00
Frank E. Wilson, services as janitor Total expenditures to date
$118 88
Balance on hand, Dec. 31, 1914
$381 12
Report of Superintendent
To the School Committee,
Town of Leominster.
Gentlemen :-
I have the honor of submitting my first annual report and the thirty-second of the series.
As but three months have elapsed since entering on my duties, I shall not attempt to make a comprehensive report. There are, however, some features of the work to which I wish to call attention.
RECENT CHANGES IN TEACHERS
Hardly had my work been fairly started when we were confronted with the resignation of the High School principal, Mr. Edward R. Clarke. As soon as it became known that Mr. Clarke was to leave, we were deluged with applications, more than fifty men applying in person. At the request of the Committee, I spent several days visiting a selected list of candidates. Upon reporting the result of my investigations, Mr. K. L. Morse of Abington was chosen to fill the vacancy.
Following closely the resignation of Mr. Clarke came that of Mr. Alberti Roberts, head of the science department, who accepted the High School principalship at Rockland. In less than a week Mr. M. D. Brock was appointed his successor.
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PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Several vacancies have occurred also in the elementary schools, necessitating the employment of five new teachers during my short term of office.
While it may be a compliment to have our teachers sought for in larger places, yet it is decidedly detrimental to make so many changes during the school year and I trust we may not have a recurrence of the number of resignations in such a short time.
EVENING SCHOOLS
The work of the evening schools is characterized by a spirit of earnestness on the part of teachers and pupils. There are three special features of the work this year to which I wish to allude. First, a class of young men has been organized for practical work in electricity. This is the first industrial course to be given in our night school. The interest shown by these pupils would justify our offering other practical courses, especially in cooking and sewing.
Second, the High School classes in commercial work are composed of ambitious people who welcome this opportunity of obtaining a commercial education. There are four High School graduates in this class and four more who have had the equivalent of a High School course. While the others have not had these advantages, yet they are no less determined.
Third, for the first time advanced classes of Italian-speak- ing people have been formed for instruction in American his- tory and civics. These pupils are attending the school for the second or third year and have already obtained their first naturalization papers.
I would make two recommendations concerning the even- ing schools. First, that they open early in October with a term of ten weeks before Christmas and another term of eight
159
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
weeks beginning in January. Second, that a diploma be awarded those who attend the school four years and complete the work of the eighth grade.
For more detailed information I append the report of the principal :
To Dr. William H. Perry,
Superintendent of Leominster Schools:
The night school term which opened December 8, 1913, had a total enrollment of 375, the largest since the school was established. This splendid enrollment shows the rapid growth of the school. Only six years ago, when I first acted as prin- cipal, an enrollment of 150 was considered large, but in 1913-14 our average attendance was 178. It is interesting to compare the figures of enrollment and attendance during the last four years :
Year. No. enrolled. Av. attendance. No. nights. No. teachers. Illiterate.
1911
215
95
44
13
140
1912
201
85
48
12
67
1913
216
80
48
12
150
1914
375
178
44
17
243
Nearly every country in Europe is represented in our enrollment. The majority of our pupils speak little or no English when they first attend the school, but the consequent difficulty is soon overcome through their interest and desire to learn the language.
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PUBLIC SCHOOLS
ENROLLMENT IN NIGHT SCHOOL, 1913-1914
Illiterate Illiterate
Country.
No.
Male.
Female. Illiterate. minors.
adults.
Not illiterate.
Italy
192
157
35
175
127
48
17
U. S.
112
82
30
13
11
2
99
Canada
48
22
26
32
27
5
16
Russia
4
2
2
2
2
0
2
Sweden
4
4
0
4
3
1
0
Greece
3
3
0
3
3
0
0
Finland
3
1
2
3
2
1
0
Syria
2
1
1
2
2
0
0
Holland
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
France
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
Austria
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
Ireland
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
Hungary
1
1
0
1
1
0
0
Germany
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
Bulgaria
1
1
0
1
0
1
0
Totals
375
279
96
237
179
58
138
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN H. COBURN, Principal.
INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL
Plans have been considered in several conferences with the principal of the Industrial School and the supervisors of Manual Training and Household Arts, also with Mr. R. O. Small, Deputy Commissioner of Education, having charge of the vocational education in the state, looking to the further development of the work of the Industrial School.
This development may be along one of two different lines. The first would be to make it a state-aided Industrial School.
161
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Here the aim would be to give boys over 14 years of age instruction in vocations requiring skilled labor so that they may enter upon such employment at an advantage over the boys who have not had this instruction and also would furnish a more desirable class of workers for the employer. Schools which meet certain requirements and receive the approval of the Commissioner of Education will have one-half the expense of maintenance paid from the state treasury.
It does not seem feasible just at present to establish this kind of a school at Leominster owing to the limited demand for boys from 14 to 16 in skilled industries and the difficulty in meeting the state requirements.
The aim of the other type of school would not be to secure proficiency in a vocation but to give motor minded boys opportunity to acquire an education through motor activities and also to give them some insight in different kinds of work which may aid them in the subsequent selection of a vocation. To accomplish this a greater variety of industrial work should be offered. The following are suggested as hav- ing a practical value :-
First: Wood work
Cabinet making Wood turning Pattern making
Second : Concrete work
Making bowls for tabourets, etc.
Third : Electricity Bell wiring Telephone wiring Motor wiring
11
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PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Fourth : Printing
Made practical by printing forms used in School Department, letter heads, envelopes, etc.
Fifth: Mechanical drawing
The academic work should be planned with reference to the future needs of industrial workers and be closely related to the shop work.
By adopting some of the suggestions outlined above, this school will offer greater advantages to the boys attending it.
THE SCHOOL HOME
The girls of the Industrial School spend one day a week in the School Home where they receive instruction in cooking, sewing and general home work. To make the work more practical, luncheons are prepared for three teachers, who pay 15 cents apiece for them. Two girls are assigned each day to do the marketing and they are required to keep within the limit of the 45 cents at their disposal. Two other girls do the cooking, and others the sewing.
I would suggest that the committee consider using the entire Haynes house another year for the Domestic Science courses. This would enable us to remove all Domestic Science work from the Field Grammar School and make two more rooms available for regular school work.
NINTH GRADE
The increased number of pupils in the High School last fall made it necessary to remove one of the ninth grade classes from the High School building to the Lancaster Street School. The further increase next year will doubtless cause the removal of another ninth grade class. The difficulty in
163
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
housing these grades which now confronts us brings up the question of discontinuing them altogether.
During the past few years there has been a decided trend toward organizing the elementary schools in this state on a basis of eight grades.
I am informed by the State Department that 28 towns were at one time a little over a year ago contemplating a change from the nine grade basis to the eight grade basis. In making arrangements for the next school year, I would sug- gest that the Committee consider the advisability of organizing our schools on a basis of eight grades.
SCHOOL SAVINGS BANK
The School Savings Bank has been in operation a little over a year, and during that time $3,220.22 has been deposited. Each Monday morning the children bring their savings to the teacher and these are deposited in the Merchants National Bank in the name of the Superintendent of Schools as trustee. As soon as a child has $2.00 in the bank an individual bank book is issued.
The only objection which has been raised to school banks is the amount of work involved on the part of the teachers and the time that is taken from their regular duties. The average amount of time per week which the teachers of our town give to the bank work is twenty-eight minutes. In addi- tion to this, the principals devote some time to entering the amounts received from the various rooms in their buildings.
It would seem that the benefits the children derive from the encouragement in saving are more than commensurate with the time required on the part of the teachers.
164
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Some interesting data is herewith given :-
Total amount deposited to January 5, 1915 $3,220 22
Amount transferred to individual bank books 2,530 00
Amount withdrawn by pupils 86 70
Balance in School Savings Bank, January 5 603 52
Number of individual bank books issued
612
Total number of depositors in School Bank 1144
In closing this report I wish to thank the Committee for the hearty support you have given me and the interest you have shown in every phase of the work. Entering upon my duties as I did after the school year had begun, your assist- ance and encouragement have been especially appreciated.
Respectfully submitted,
W. H. PERRY, Superintendent. January, 1915.
REPORT OF ATTENDANCE OFFICER
From July 1, 1913, to June 30, 1914.
To the School Committee :-
Number of visits to the public schools 297
Number of visits to St. Cecilia Parochial School 14
Number of absences reported by the teachers 421
Number of cases of truancy 37
Number of cases investigated where children were found to be absent on account of illness 470
Number of cases where children were kept out without any good reason and parents notified to keep them in school regularly 133
Number of children found at work and put to school 9
Number of children found on street and put to school 44
Number of children found at moving picture shows 9
Number of absences reported at Evening School 132
Various other cases investigated 93
Number of age and schooling certificates issued 255
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES V. O'CONNOR, Attendance Officer.
REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIANS
To the School Committee :
The efforts of the present Medical Inspectors are being continued along the same lines as the past year. The same stringent rules about the return to school of pupils who have been out with contagious disease are being enforced.
The general health of the school children has shown a most excellent average. The total medical summary of ab- sence on account of illness, from all causes, shows 2572 absences last year as compared with 1935 this year.
Colds, as was the case last year, head the list of ailments. An effort is being made to instruct the children as to the con- tagious character of the so-called common cold. Their atten- tion is being directed to the danger which may come from coughing in each other's faces. It is the purpose of the Inspectors to exclude from school cases of respiratory infec- tion while at the height of the coughing stage. This seems desirable, especially in view of the fact of the close relation- ship between colds, earache, tonsilitis, laryngitis-often called croup,-bronchitis and pneumonia.
The Inspectors wish at this time to call the attention of the Committee to the urgent need of regular dental inspection in the schools. It is believed that much may be accomplished by this means in the promotion of the health and welfare of the children. It is to be understood, of course, that such
167
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
inspection should be followed up with dental work as recom- mended by the Inspectors. Attention is called to the preva- lence of digestive disturbance in causing absence from school. This greatly outranks all other causes outside of the conta- gious. It is the firm belief of the Inspectors that a propor- tion of such absence would be eliminated by proper dental care.
During the past year regular medical inspection has been carried on at the Night School. The work here has in some cases given a clue as to the possible source of contagion among pupils of the day schools. One of the Inspectors is present at each session of the school and it is found that their presence operates to discourage frequent attempts to be excused on fake illness.
The medical summary for the year is appended :
SUMMARY OF MEDICAL INSPECTION
Abscess
5
Lumbago
1
Anaemia
5
Malaria
2
Appendicitis
6
Measles
11
Asthma
5
Measles, quarantine
31
Blood poison
2
Mumps
33
Boils
12
Neuralgia
4
Bronchitis
5
Neuritis
6
Browntail moth itch
5
Nits
2
Canker
2
Paralysis
1
Cold
593
Pleurisy
1
Croup
6
Pneumonia
2
Cystitis
1
Rheumatism
4
Diarrhoea
3
Ringworm
2
Diphtheria, quarantine
98
Scarlet fever
35
Earache
6
Sprain
2
Eczema
3
Swollen glands
20
Eye diseases
33
Tonsilitis
345
Grippe
22
Toothache
11
Headache
31
Varicella, quarantine
89
Hives
5
Whooping cough
15
Impetigo
84 Worms
2
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PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Indigestion
289
Wry neck 1
Injury
24
Itch
5
Vaccination cards
24
Ivy poison
25
Employment certificates
258
Jaundice
18
Certificates of age
14
Laryngitis
1
Entrance certificates
3
Respectfully submitted,
CLARENCE S. BRIGHAM,
THOMAS A. SHAUGHNESSY,
Medical Inspectors.
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PUBLIC SCHOOLS
GRADUATING EXERCISES
Of the Class of 1914, Leominster High School.
Selection High School Orchestra
Prayer Rev. Thomas Legate Fisher
Chorus-"Wind and Sea" (Cauffman)
Salutatory
Ralph Francis Tenney
Presentation of Class Gift Hobart Arthur Whitney
Acceptance Albert George Lauzon, 1915
Chorus-Scotch Folk Songs,
(a) "Annie Laurie "
(b) "The Rose of Allandale "
Class History Milton Fayette Prue
Selections from "Adele" (Briquet) Orchestra
Class Prophecy Stanley Richardson Bates
Valedictory Evelyn Jane Shattuck
Chorus-"The Heavens Resound" (Beethoven)
Presentation of Diplomas Mr. Frank I. Pierson
Award of Mayo, Nixon and Underwood Prizes,
Principal E. R. Clarke
Class Song Benediction
Rev. Thomas Legate Fisher
Selection
Orchestra
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PUBLIC SCHOOLS
GRADUATES
Irene Mae Atkins
Marion Celia Baillie
Harold George Barrett
Stanley Richardson Bates* Marie Victoria Beland
Ethel Rose Marguerite Bourbeau Hugh Henry Bradley
Abraham William Britton*
Elizabeth Mary Carroll
Helena Frances Connaughton
Ruth Agnes Corey Francis Walter Coughlin
Mary Elizabeth Coughlin
James Bernard Crane
Myrtle Farrar* Cecil Flewelling
Nina Elizabeth George*
Philomena Josephine Guy
Myrtle Maud Hicks
Lillian Mae Killelea
Marian Myrna Kirkpatrick
Ruth Hannah Kittredge Clarence Morton Kline*
Leo Leamy Harold Herman Lloyd Vera Helen Look
Mildred Reed MacComiskey* Mary Margaret McHugh Irene Frances McPherson Gladys Almira Morhous William Sherman Platt Rachel Potter Raymond Page Potter Milton Fayette Prue Maurice Willard Richardson Mildred Emily Richardson* Myrtle Evelyn Roberts John Henry Schulthess Evelyn Jane Shattuck* George Ernest Shields Marguerite Irene Sisco Rodney Bryant Swift Ralph Francis Tenney* George Robert Thompson Marjorie Tremblay* Blanche Evelyn Vorse Bessie Louise Wass Emma Olive Wellington* Ruth Gertrude Whitcomb Hobart Arthur Whitney Elsie Marion Woods
*Class honors.
CLASS OFFICERS
President-Hobart Arthur Whitney Vice-President-Harold George Barrett Secretary-Irene Mae Atkins Treasurer-Ruth Hannah Kittredge Marshal-Maurice Willard Richardson
Colors: Purple and white. Motto-Nihil sine labore.
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PUBLIC SCHOOLS
GRAMMAR SCHOOL GRADUATES June, 1914
Miss Conlin, Teacher
Gladys M. Barry
Peter J. Gallagher
Phillip E. Leighton
Helen E. Bell
I.eona E. Gaskill
William G. McGuire
Mildred C. Brown
Leo H. Gillespie
Earl W. McDowell
Winifred M. Callahan
Ralph E. Haley
Cornelius E. O'Sullivan
Lester E. Carter
Edna C. Harris
Raymond E. Petts
Claire M Connaughton Charles W. Hart
Eva G. Richardson
Rosario A. Dauphinais Lawson M. Hiltz
Hazel G. Sawin
Norman W. Dukeshire Dixi C. Hoyt
Helen C. Sheehan
Norman C. Fassett
Mary E. Ingram
Daniel J. Watson
William A. Farrell
Edward J. Lavin
Phillip G. Williams
Mrs. Harrington, Teacher
Charles E. Allen Ella M. Ashe
Marion A. Bates
Annie F. Gettens
Mabel E. Brown
Winfield D. Gove
Charles W. Page
Howard M. Burns Grace J. Carter Canzadia Cook Francis J. Cummisky
Ruth E. Ingraham Esther L. Jewett William H. Latimer Delvena M. LePage
Arlene E. Preston Edith C. Robbins Mildred R. Sayles Florence I. Spencer Frederick J. Talbot
Leo J. Donnelly
Ethel M. Dow
Evelyn T. Merrey
Hazel D. Tyler
Hattie M. Farr Ferdinand B. Fischer
Rena K. Moran
Bertha A. J. Youngdahl
Mrs. Lewis, Teacher
Kathryn Erdman
Edward J. Gaffney
Mary M. Gardner Gladys I. Goodwin
Everett G. Richardson
Christine M. Russell . Mildred L. Sargent Grace J. Sawin
Louise F. Stein
Ezra H. Thomas
Mrytle Wood
John J. Kearney
Roxa M. Woods
Miss Gallagher, Teacher
Edgar Graham Alfred Guy Helen Merrill
Gertrude Nelson Helen Sykes Catherine Wray
Ernest Proteau Raymond St. George
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