USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1921-1925 > Part 26
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Maitland, R .- The boy scout fire fighters
Mathewson, C .- Second Base Sloan
Mirriam, I. C .- Washington's boyhood
Oliver, F. G .- The Circus boys
Peary. R .- Snowland Folk
Potter, B .- Ten small book for children
Ralphson, G. H .- Boy scouts in an airship
Rhoades, N .- Puzzling Pepita
Sabin, E. L .- On the overland stage
Saunders, M .- Golden Dicky
Schultz, J. W .- The quest of the Fish Dog skin
'Seaman, A. H .- The boarded-up house
JS487q JS438b JS5625b
Shute, H. A .- Brite and Fair
Smith, L. R .- The singing twins
JS653s JS671d
Snyder, F .- The lovely garden
JS6751
Speed, J .- Billy and Jane, Explorers
JS741b
Stewart, G. B .- In and out of the jungle
JS8492i
Stone, G .- Jane and the owl
JS8771j JT125p JT174e
Theiss, L. E .- The wireless operator with the U. S. Coast guard JT376wi Thorndyke, H. L .- Honey bunch just a little girl JT496hp
Thorndyke, H. L .- Honey bunch her first day on the farm JT496ho
JT496h
Tomlinson, E. T .- Guarding the Border
JT659bo JT659g
Wallace, D .- The gaunt gray wolf
JW188ga
Wallace, D .- Grit a plenty
JW188g
Walsh, R. J .- Kiddie-Kar Book
JW226k
Wells, C .- The Dorrance Domain
JW4534d
JH326i JH326io JH326in
JH617b JH617d JH617do JH791bi
JH791bi JH791sl JH791sj JH791sk
JJ95f JK291mc JK291md JL322e JL847c JM232b JM4382s JM675w JO48c JP3625s JP866
JR163b JR474pu JS116on JS2575g
Snell, R. J .- The dinner that was always there
Taggart, M. A .- A Pilgrim Maid Tappan, E. M .- Ella
Thorndyke, H. L .- Honey bunch her first visit to the city Tomlinson, E. T .- The boys with Old Hickory
89
White, E. O .- When Molly was six Williams, A .- Motor Car Peter
JW583w JW721m
BOUND MAGAZINES
Harpers-Dec. 1922-May 1923 Harpers-June-Nov. 1923
National Geographic-July-Dec. 1923
National Geographic-Jan .- June 1924 Popular Mechanics-July-Dec. 1923 Popular Mechanics-Jan .- June 1924 Review of Reviews-July-Dec. 1922
Review of Reviews-Jan .- June 1923
Review of Reviews-July-Dec. 1923 Review of Reviews-Jan .- June 1924 St. Nicholas-May-Oct. 1923 St. Nicholas-Nov. 1923-April 1924 Scribners-July-Dec. 1923 Scribners-Jan .- June 1924
REFERENCE
Acts and Resolves of Mass. 1923 Acts and Resolves of Mass. 1924
G. A. R. Encampment, Mass. 1924 International Encyclopedia Supplement-2 vols.
Index to the General Laws, Mass.
Journal, House of Representatives, Mass. 1923
Journal, House of Representatives, Mass. 1924 Journal, Senate, Mass. 1923
Journal, Senate, Mass. 1924
Rand & McNally, International Atlas
Report Library of Congress, U. S.
Report, Smithsonian Institution Thirty-seventh report, Interstate Commerce Commission, U. S. Vital Records of Gloucester, Mass.
Vital Records of Salem, Mass., 2 vols. Who's Who (English)
Who's Who in America, 1924
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
and
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
OF THE
TOWN OF ACTON
MASSACHUSETTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
1924
RAFEL
PONI
-1735.
ACTON
THE NEWS-ENTERPRISE HUDSON, MASS. 1925
ORGANIZATION
School Committee
Spencer H. Taylor, Chairman
Bertram E. Hall, Secretary*
Term expires 1926 Term expires 1925 Term expires 1926
Mrs. Lulu L. Clark, Secretary
Mrs. Mary Richardson Mrs. Alice M. Carlisle
Term expires 1925 Term expires 1927
Frank Toohey Waldo E. Whitcomb*
Term expires 1927 Term expires 1925
*Mr. Hall resigned April 1, Mr. Whitcomb chosen to complete his unexpired term.
Superintendent Herman C. Knight, Littleton, Mass. Telephone, Littleton 42-3
Attendance Officers
Thomas Scanlon Michael Foley Oliver D. Wood Herman C. Knight, Superintendent
West Acton South Acton Acton Littleton
School Physician Acton
Dr. E. A. Mayell
Clara L. Chase
School Nurse Littleton
CALENDAR 1925
First short term begins Jan. 5, 1925. First short term ends Feb. 20, 1925.
Second short term begins March 2, 1925.
Second short term ends April 17, 1925.
Spring term begins April 27, 1925. Spring term ends June 19, 1925.
1925-1926 Fall term begins Sept. 8, 1925. Thanksgiving recess-school closes Nov. 25 and reopens Nov. 30, 1925.
Fall term ends Dec. 23, 1925. First Winter term begins Jan. 4, 1926.
3
Legal Holidays
January 1, February 22, April 19, May 30, July 4, first Monday of September, October 12, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day (the day following when any of the first four days mentioned, the 12th of October, or Christmas occurs on Sunday.)
Arbor Day falls on the last Saturday in April, and is not a legal holiday.
Flag Day falls on June 14, and is not a legal holiday. It should be observed by proper exercises by any school in session on that day. The same is true of Armistice Day. November 11.
STANDING RULES
Rule 1. Children shall not be admitted to the public schools until they are six years of age, excepting that children who are six by the first of January following opening of school in September, may be admitted with the approval of the superintendent of schools.
Rule 2. Pupils shall be promoted from grade to grade and school to school according to merit. Thorough and satisfactory work will be required of pupils in a lower grade or school before entering a higher grade or school.
Rule 3. Children who have not previously attended any school shall be admitted to the public schools only at the beginning of the fall term, unless qualified in the opinion of the teacher and super- intendent of schools to do the work.
Rule 4. Pupils shall be held responsible for books loaned to them until returned to the teacher.
Rule 5. No repairs shall be made upon the public property in the care of the school committee except by their authorized agents.
Rule 6. There shall be no signal for "no School" on stormy or inclement days, but parents shall determine in their individual cases whether it is expedient to send their children to school or not.
Rule 7. Schools in the different buildings shall be five and one quarter hours long, including one fifteen minute recess. Primary rooms shall have an outdoor recess each afternoon; other rooms shall have a recess of sufficient length to allow pupils to go to basements and outhouses. Deviation from these hours shall be made only with the consent of the superintendent, and shall be reported by him to the school committee at its next monthly meeting.
Rule 8. Doors shall not be opened before principals arrive. Pupils may be allowed to come to their rooms with the permission of their room teachers, and pupils coming in barges may enter the basements, if weather conditions make it advisable.
Rule 9. The fire drill shall be given at least once in two weeks.
4
Teachers in Service, December 31, 1924
School
Teacher
App. Where Educated
Home Address
Center
Martha F. Smith
1902
Lowell Normal
Acton
Marion L. Towne
1921
Smith
Concord
Ella L. Miller .
1899
Fram. Normal
Acton
West
Julia T. Long
1922
Fitch. Normal
West Groton
Margaret Pederson
1924
N. Adams Nor.
Orange West Acton
Maud B. Priest
1922
Fitch. Normal
Maude E. Barnes
1924
Univ. of Chic.
So. Windham Me.
South
Molly Gilligan
1924
Lowell Normal
Concord Junct.
Helga C. Neilson
1923
Fitch. Normal
Stow
Wilhelmine Sparrow
1924
Westfield Nor.
North Adams
Julia L. McCarthy
1906
Fitch. Normal
South Acton
5
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
We submit herewith our report of finances for the year 1924 and our estimates of requirements for 1925.
Following these figures will be found the report of Supt. Herman C. Knight, which the committee has accepted and endorsed.
You will notice in our estimates for the support of schools for the fiscal year 1925, that there has been an increase in the amount asked as salary for the superintendent, his travelling expenses, and for his office. When the Town of Westford withdrew, in September, from the superintendency union, the three remaining towns agreed to assume the part of his time which had formerly been required by Westford. In the new distribution Acton pays for one-half of his time, and Carlisle and Littleton seven and thirteen fortieths respectively. While the cost of supervision has increased, the state reimbursement will be increased pro rata.
It has been the aim of the present committee to clear up all bills carried over from 1923, and to start the year 1925 with a clean slate.
The continued increase in the cost of sending our pupils out of town for high school and vocational training, has been a matter of discussion throughout the year. The committee have come to the conclusion that the only way out of this difficulty is to establish a high school in town.
The transportation problem is an increasing one, and if at the present time some of the means of transportation are unsatisfactory, the committee have tried, to the best of their knowledge and ability to make it as comfortable as possible for the children, and we ask your cooperation in our efforts. Especially would the committee appreciate having their attention called at once to anything that might occur that would be injurious to the health or morals of the pupils being transported.
The total amount expended in 1924 is $45,728.70.
There has been received on account of the schools, the sum of $4,203.33 as follows :
Mass. School Fund (Income Tax) $2,120.00
Mass. Superintendency Fund
531.69
State Aided Vocational Schools 407.04
State Children Tuition 489.05
Dog License 462.10
Tuition of Cunningham Children 71.25
Tuition of Sadler Children 88.50
Rebate on School Tickets
6.84
Rebate from Town of Littleton, tel., etc.
8.62
Rebate from Town of Carlisle, tel., etc. 5.71
Rebate from Town of Westford, tel., etc.
12.53
$4,203.33
6
From the above it is seen that the net cost of the schools for 1924 is $41,525.37.
Two years ago the town received about five thousand dollars under the provisions of the General School Fund, Part 1, which is participated in by towns whose valuation do not exceed $2,500,000. Based on the tri-ennial assessment made by the Department of Taxa- tion at the State House, the valuation of Acton is $2,721,635.
During the past year the law was codified so that Acton and a group of towns whose valuations range from $2,500,000 to $3,000.000 are again allowed to participate. As a result our town will receive in March the sum of $6,696.05.
Respectfully submitted,
LULU L. CLARK, Secretary.
.
ESTIMATES FOR THE SUPPORT OF SCHOOLS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1925 FOR GENERAL EXPENSES
Salaries and other expenses of the Committee . $175.00
Salaries and other expenses of the Superinten- dent and Truant Officers 2,000.00
Salaries of Teachers
14,000.00
Text Books
500.00
Supplies
250.00
Janitors wages, fuel and misc. operating ex- penses
4,100.00
Repairs
2,500.00
Tuition
15,000.00
Transportation
8,000.00
New Equipment
350.00
Health, Aux. Agencies
1,000.00
$47,875.00
7
PAID OUT FOR SUPPORT FOR YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1924
1. Expenses of Instruction,
Salaries of Teachers $12,926.68
2. Text Books 254.04
3. Supplies
240.48
4. Operating Expenses,
Wages of Janitors
2,057.40
Misc. Operating Expenses Fuel
1,976.93
5. Repairs
1,741.20
6. New Equipment
2,631.16
7. Transportation,
In town, (South & Center) 3,990.00
To Other towns, (Conc. & Maynard) 3,554.13
Tuition, (Concord & Maynard) 12,690.64
9. Auxiliary Agencies, Health 618.55
10. General Expenses,
School Committee, Salaries
95.83
School Committee, Other Expenses
69.64
Superintendent, Salary
1,084.96
Superintendent, Other Expenses 483.59
$44,665.99
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
Transportation $212.53
Tuition 850.18
$1,062.71
Total Expenditures
$45,728.70
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
TRANSPORTATION
B. & M. R. R. Co.
To Lowell
$110.55
B. & M. R. R. Co.
To Somerville ..
60.19
B. & M. R. R. Co.
To Cambridge ..
41.79
$212.53
TUITION
City of Somerville City of Lowell
$328.15
522.03
$850.18
8.
250.76
8
EXPENSES OF INSTRUCTION
SALARIES OF TEACHERS
West
South Center
Mrs. Maude E. Barnes, Prin.
$ 547.36
Maud B. Priest
1,199.96
Julia T. Long
921.06
Margaret Pederson
378.88
Joan A. MacDonald
578.90
Ernest E. Maynard
868.45
Marion E. Twichell
63.16
Mrs. A. L. Saben, (Sub.)
22.50
Julia L. McCarthy, Prin.
$1,213.08
Helga Neilson
762.58
Molly Gilligan
378.88
Helen H. Cummings
810.48
Florence Sargent
580.23
Wilhelmine Sparrow
494.72
Mrs. Allan Hathaway, (Sub.)
125.00
Mrs. A. L. Saben, (Sub.)
40.00
Ella L. Miller, Prin.
$1,199.96
Marion Towne
1,082.51
Martha Smith
1,091.18
Mrs. Percy Foss, (Sub.) .
15.00
Mrs. Chas. Smith, (Sub.)
5.29
$4,580.27 $4,404.97 $3,393.94
SPECIAL TEACHERS
Ella Munsterberg, Drawing Supervisor,
$90.00
$90.00
$90.00
Pamelia Precious, Music Supervisor,
92.50
92.50
92.50
$4,762.77 $4,587.47 $3,576.44
TEXT BOOKS
American Book Co.
West $35.58
South $50.62
Center $9.07
E. E. Babb & Co.
2.53
4.37
6.17
C. H. Congdon Co.
8.26
Ginn & Co.
6.81
3.48
1.57
D. C. Heath Co.
4.09
21.64
Houghton Mifflin Co.
1.80
Inst. for Public Service
.75
.75
.50
L. B. Lippincott Co.
19.83
7.41
1.91
Macmillan Co.
25.80
3.41
A. N. Palmer Co.
3.47
Rand, McNally Co.
5.31
9
Silver, Burdett Co.
10.96
3.34
World Book Co.
2.06
Chas. Scribner's Sons
.73
Benj. H. Sanborn Co.
9.45
John C. Winston Co.
2.37
$104.17
$117.13
$32.74
SUPPLIES
West
South
Center
Milton Bradley Co. Drawing material .. $41.48
$41.48
$31.11
J. L. Hammett Co. Supplies
27.63
53.14
35.67
Finney & Hoit Light fixtures
2.20
Finney & Hoit, Burlap
1.94
Library Bureau, Reg. cards
.51
.51
.51
E. E. Babb & Co. Word builders
.56
. 54
.54
H. C. Knight, Ribbon for diplomas
1.50
T. F. Newton, Ex. on supplies
.50
$72.12
$99.87
$68.49
OPERATING EXPENSES Wages of Janitors
West
South
Center
Thomas Scanlon
$715.00
Theron F. Newton
$734.40
George Little .
$608.00
$715.00 $734.40 $608.00
MISCELLANEOUS OPERATING EXPENSES
West
South
Center
T. F. Newton, express, teaming, cleaning grounds, etc. .
$10.10
T. F. Newton, extra cleaning
12.42
So. Acton Coal & Lumber Co., window cord Am. Woolen Co., lights
1.00
Am. Woolen Co., supplies
7.50
W. & S. Water Dist., water
6.00
30.36
6.00
H. C. Doughty, floor oil
12.46
12.48
12.46
M. E. Taylor & Co., janitor supplies
23.08
J. L. Hammett Co., bell
2.02
.53
.55
F. J. Jameson, paper towels and fixtures. .
9.61
9.63
F. J. Jameson, floor brushes
6.18
5.70
Masury, Young Co., floor brush
3.15
Masury Young Co., liquid soap
6.82
F. W. Green, cleaning vault and mowing grounds 16.10
$8.24
8.38
$6.49
A. D. MacRae, electric light fixtures
3.85
J. L. Hammett Co., thermometers
.53
.66
Harris & Gilpatric, Paper
10
N. M. Scanlon, freight on oil
.70
Milton Bradley Co., flag
3.94
J. W. Livermore, cleaning, teaming, mow- ing, etc.
14.00
W. E. Whitcomb, pyrocarbol
2.74
2.75
2.74
W. S. Woods, keys
.75
J. S. Moore, dust pan and brushes . .
1.50
$49.54
$98.46 $102.76
. FUEL
West
South
Center
So. Acton Coal & Lumber Co., coal
$604.29 $731.44 $413.70
F. E. Parks & Co., kindling
6.00
6.00
C. D. Fletcher
8.00
8.00
8.00
Hall Bros., 15 cords wood
54.50
54.50
54.50
H. B. Butler, sawing wood
10.00
9.00
9.00
$682.79 $802.94 $491.20
REPAIRS
West
South
Center
E. Z. Stanley, Repairs on Heaters
$8.25
$77.82
So. Acton Coal & Lumber Co., boards and cement
8.05
So. Acton Coal & Lumber Co., nails, glass, finish, etc.
8.69
So. Acton Coal & Lumber Co., lumber
29.86
Wilson Lumber Co., lumber
43.63
Chas. Smith, Carpenter work
195.95
81.00
181.85
A. H. Fletcher, venting sewer and work on toilet
21.61
F. Z. Taylor, carpenter work
1.00
W. C. Lund, carpenter work
1.70
C. H. Mead & Co., paint, brushes, and oil
15.99
L. T. Fullonton, setting glass
5.30
W. B. Holt, labor on vault
18.12
W. B. Holt, cleaning flues on heaters
25.88
W. E. Whitcomb, rope and pulley for flag pole
2.25
J. T. McNiff, bolts and washers
1.25
Hall Bros. & Co., sawing lumber
2.50
I. T. Fullonton, labor and material
57.50
224.70
23.50
E. F. Jewett, labor and trucking
10.40
H. R. Strand, repairing clocks
5.00
2.75
George Gutteridge, repairing clock
2.00
P. Mulcahey, repairing chimneys
58.25
33.30
Wm. Kinsley, teaming sand ยท
3.00
E. Z. Stanley, Repairing Furnace
$263.00
So. Acton Coal & Lumber Co., lime and ce- ment
4.95
11
Thomas Scanlon, painting toilets, cleaning and whitening basements 50.00
A. W. Cobleigh, painting roofs of toilets and piazza . 13.70
J. S. Moore, lock
.75
E. A. Comeau, labor and material
169.40
Kenney Bros. & Wolkins, desks and seats
30.90
C. H. Mead & Co., locks, nails, etc.
57.40
$575.82 $672.25 $493.13
NEW EQUIPMENT
West . South
Center
W. B. Holt, furnace as per contract
$585.00
W. B. Holt, installing furnace .
45.23
Kenney Bros. & Wolkins, desks and seats
$30.61
Kenney Bros. & Wolkins, desks and seats and resetting same
86.93
A. M. Engerbretson, Inst. Elect. Lights ... F. J. Jameson, window shades
101.88
93.33
111.33
Halsey W. Taylor Co., drinking fountains N. M. Faust, steel file
50.48
49.69
49.69
A. W. Davis, trucking desks and seats
5.00
W. B. Holt, installing drinking fountains
126.04
26.83
W. B. Holt, installing drinking fountains and repairing vent
214.13
E. Z. Stanley, two heaters
861.00
$1,034.55 $200.46$1,396.15
TRANSPORTATION
J. F. Lovell
J. F. Lovell, (Maynard High)
Walter M. French
1,080.00
A. Christofferson
950.00
B. & M. R. R. Co., (To Concord)
1,575.53
$3,554.13
$3,990.00
TUITION
Town of Concord
High $12,540.64 150.00
Town of Maynard
$12,690.64
AUXILIARY AGENCIES, HEALTH
Mrs. Lillian E. Mitchell, nursing services $175.00
Miss Clara L. Chase
290.00
Dr. E. A. Mayell, medical inspection
150.00
Acton Drug Co., supplies 3.55
$618.55
33.99
$135.00
25.00
High Elementary $1,960.00 $1,960.00 18.60
12
GENERAL EXPENSES
-
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Lulu L. Clark, Secretary, Salary ....
$75.00
Bertram E. Hall, Secretary, Salary . .
20.83
Bertram E. Hall, Expenses
.75
Spencer H. Taylor, Postage, tel., ex- press, etc.
22.03
Arthur F. Davis, Taking Census
30.00
Huntley S. Turner,
Stationery & Printing
8.25
Lulu L. Clark,
Postage, tel., supplies, etc.
4.52
Wright & Potter Printing Co., Acct. Blanks
4.09
$165.47
SUPERINTENDENT
Herman C. Knight, Salary
$1,084.96
Herman C. Knight,
Travelling Expenses
201.92
Postage, telephone, etc.
60.80
Stamped envelopes
9.36
Expenses at Sunapee convention .
12.50
W. S. Ross, Excuse Blanks
4.50
Library Bureau, Office supplies
5.85
J. L. Hammett Co.
Typewriter ribbon
.62
M. McWalter,
Prosecuting Mason Case
25.00
O. D. Wood,
Expenses on Mason Case
7.00
Nellie M. Scanlon, Clerk
156.04
$1,568.55
13
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT
-
Members of the Acton School Committee
Ladies and Gentlemen :
I submit my fifth annual report as superintendent of the Acton schools.
The problem facing us at present is one of proper housing facili- ties. Much money has been paid during the past year or two for re- pairs, but the rooms are already becoming crowded at the South school, and in a short time this will be true at the West.
The solution of this problem is closely related to the erection of a local high school. Additions to the South and West buildings could be made at a cost of from $35,000 .- $50,000. A four room addition made last summer in the town of Westford cost in the vicinity of $45,000. A building that would accommodate pupils from grades seven to twelve would cost accordingto type of construction and number of roonis. The cost roughly estimated, would be about $12,000 a room and would require on the start at least eight class rooms.
All estimates must necessarily be approximates, and the cost can best be determined when location, type of construction, and number of rooms needed are decided upon.
One of the strong arguements for a high school in Acton, is the question of distribution of the money now raised by taxation for school purposes. The amount that must be paid for transportation and tuition represents a fixed charge. Cash discounts for prompt payment of tuition in a neighboring town put a premium on keeping those bills paid. An increase in enrollment may easily require more than the whole amount which in January when the budget is made up, seemed to be ample with a small balance, perhaps, in favor of the grade schools in town.
Now were this to happen but once the situation would not be serious, but each year the fixed charges for high school education must be met, which causes the little "economies" to be exercised upon the pre-high school pupils. With a high school in town econo- mizing could be practiced when necessary upon the high school pupils if it were deemed wise, because the management would be a local matter.
During the past year we have experienced several changes in teachers. These have taken place in the South and West schools. In addition, we have had a change in drawing teachers.
Last spring we had an exhibition of work done under the direc- tion of Miss Munsterberg, supervisor of drawing.
We have had visitations from Miss Bernice Batchelder, a special- ist in primary reading, and Miss Harriet Somers, assistant director of physical education, state department of education. Miss Batchelder visited our primary rooms, and at the close of the school session ad- dressed the primary teachers of both Acton and Littleton on the psy- chology of reading. Miss Somers addressed all the teachers, after
14
spending a busy day in the actual teaching of plays and games which are a part of the program used in correcting poor posture, and also in training in group activities.
A helpful visitation was received from Miss Jenkins of the North Adams Normal school. Miss Jenkins is in charge of the extension work of that school, and visits the graduates or those who have at- tended sessions of the summer school.
A valuable feature of the West Acton school was the Parent Day held in connection with National Education week. The value of first-hand knowledge cannot be over-estimated, and when parents and teachers are working together it is much easier for all concerned.
We wish to invite the attention of the tax-payers to the detailed distribution of the several items of school expense. The study so far as was possible is made to apply to the three schools in the respective precincts, so that the cost of each school may be seen as a unit cost. A study of this sort would be of value could it be carried out for a period of years.
Attention is called to the repair and replacement items. These are large, and details of this phase are given by the school committee in their report. When we consider the age of these buildings, and note the small amount that has been paid out in the past ten years, we must agree that in the light of present day standards of uni-lateral lighting, and modern sanitation, the amount paid for repairs and re- placement is small. It is poor policy to neglect buildings. The moral influence of dilapidated fences and defaced furniture is questionable, and while disfiguring and marking is deplorable, those of us who visit the present day schools in the Actons must admit that the standard of care and treatment has greatly improved since the days of the one-room school of our childhood.
The health work of our schools has been in charge of Dr. Mayell, our school physician, and the school nurse. To procure a nurse was a difficult matter, and the arrangement which has been made with Littleton, whereby a nurse comes to Acton two days a week seems to be the best one that could be made.
In the late winter and early spring an epidemic of mumps made evident the need of a nurse. Since September we have had an out- break of scarlet fever in one family from which children were sent to school. Many home visits have been made and much follow up work has been done.
The teeth of the children have had attention at the hands of the Dental Clinic controlled by the Farm Bureau. This was made pos- sible by local organizations, such as the American Red Cross and the Parent-Teacher Association. This work is of great importance, and the assistance rendered by the various agencies is appreciated.
Perhaps the agency which did as much to show the townspeople and others what the children of Acton are interested in was the Acton Fair. There was a junior department in which our young people ex- hibited their home work done under the direction of County Club agents. This work is done outside of school hours, but with the sanc- tion and assistance of the teachers and local leaders, and has a dis- tinct educational value ; and because this is so, your superintendent has been glad to encourage this phase of education.
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To better prepare our pupils who enter Concord, we are asking parents of pupils in grades seven and eight that they cooperate by making a home study period possible. The great value lies not so much in knowledge gained, as in the forming of the habit of home study. The aim is not home teaching but to gain the habit of home studying. Prin. Goddard who was present at a reception given by the Acton Grange at the beginning of the school year, to the Acton teach- ers said "Oftentimes it is not the pupil who comes into the Concord High school from Acton or Carlisle or Boxboro conditioned who fails but the child whose marks have been good and excellent and who is sure that he will not have to study." The child who was conditioned is apt to work, in school and out, and to succeed. The other some- times fails, and sad to say, not because of lack of ability or prepara- tion, but because of the lack of the study habit when not under close supervision.
In conclusion I wish to urge parents to visit the schools. Visit in the fall at the opening of school, visit in the middle of the year and again at its close.
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