USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1921-1925 > Part 34
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Fuel-High
So. Acton Woolen Co., coal
$368.40
A. W. Davis Trucking, coal
70.08
E. H. Hall, demurrage on coal 2.00
Total fuel
$440.48
Fuel
$1,543.59
MISCELLANEOUS OPERATING EXPENSES
(High School)
First Baptist Church, rental
$375.00
J. L. Hammett, supplies 140.48
Total $515.48
11
(Elementary)
W. C. Lund, labor
$12.15
C. H. Mead, supplies
4.07
J. L. Moore, supplies 3.15
M. E. Taylor, supplies 4.05
J. W. Livermore, labor
2.00
Theron Newton, repairs on flag pole
2.00
F. W. Green, cleaning vaults
7.00
David Kingsley, batteries
.80
Mary A. Wood, cleaning
2.00
Hall Brothers, 3 wheelbarrows, step lad- ders, and waste baskets 28.02
Masury Young Co., floor oil $42.75
Masury Young Co., 2 soap servers. . 3.13
48.88
B. A. King, wiring West school 26.10
Ryan & Buker, floor oil 45.80
Waldo E. Whitcomb Water Supply, con-
struction work 55.00
Frank Jameson Co., liquid soap 73.80
Frank Jameson Co., toilet paper & towels 33.59
American Woolen Co., lights
31.77
Total
$377.18
REPAIRS ELEMENTARY
South School Fence :
Hall Brothers & Co., chestnut posts $20.00
So. Acton Coal & Lumber Co., lumber and
posts
74.18
So. Acton Coal & Lumber Co., lumber and posts
53.85
Thomas Parker, brushes and paint 5.30
Charles Smith, labor on South fence 132.25
Cost of So. fence
$285.58
H. C. Sawyer, labor and material $62.26
Charles E. Smith, labor 350.00
Charles E. Smith, labor 10.00
Board of Water Commissioners 76.62
Robert Laughlin, installing plumbing 615.00
Wilson Lumber Co., cement and supplies. . 18.60
Christen Jenson, digging cesspool . 67.60
Nelson H. Tenney, labor and material 73.08
John H. Bickford, professional services ...
75.00
Cost of toilets
$1,348.16
Charles Smith, labor shingling half of So. school Center toilets :
$280.00
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L. W. Fullerton, painting South building and hall
$471.00
Misc. repairs :
W. B. Holt, labor on pipes, West school .. $9.16
W. B. Holt, labor and material for drain 34.32
W. B. Holt, labor on furnace, West school 10.00
Nelson Tenney, labor and elbows . 6.55
John Hoar, labor on fire escape
8.00
John Hoar, labor and basement door
49.65
C. H. Mead, mdse.
2.55
A. W. Houghton, labor
1.00
George H. Reed, cement
.90
Total
$122.13
REPAIRS (Elementary)
E. Z. Stanley, repaired leak in pipe $1.50
E. P. Gates, bolts for chimneys 2.50
Milton Bradley, mdse. 6.58
J. L. Hammett
2.68
So. Acton Coal & Lumber, glass and latch
.93
So. Acton Coal & Lumber, glass
.90
J. L. Moore, paint
1.95
A. W. Haynes, pine boards and nails (cen- ter)
4.63
Walter Jones, glass and setting
2.10
Thomas Parker, brackets and hooks
1.40
$25.17 $2,532.04
Total Repairs
TUITION
Town of Concord
$3,161.60
Town of Maynard 150.00
Total
$3,311.60
NEW EQUIPMENT
Henry W. Savage, Victrola, High School ..
$50.00
Remington Typewriter Co. . 70.00
Royal Typewriter Co., H. S.
70.00
Underwood Typewriter Co., H. S.
70.00
Milton Bradley Co., Kindergarten chairs, Elementary
25.00
Total
2 Chevrolet Busses, Insurance, License, etc.
$285.00 $3,159.70
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TRANSPORTATION
Within the Town (Elementary) : Walter French $840.00
A. Christofferson 950.00
J. F. Lovell
1,740.00
Total
Within the Town (High) :
J. F. Lovell
$840.00
To other Towns (High) :
Boston & Maine R. R .:
West Acton to Concord .
$533.97
South Acton to Concord
773.48
Total
$1,307.45
J. F. Lovell, Center to Concord
1,140.00
Concord Maynard Bus Line :
South to Maynard, 20 tickets $12.00
Freda E. Brill to Concord 35.00
Total
$47.00
$6,864.45
AUXILIARY AGENCIES
LIBRARY (High)
De Wolf Fiske, Encyclopedias, 1 set $132.69
HEALTH (High)
J. L. Hammett, 1 first aid cabinet
$15.51
Acton Drug Co., supplies 1.85
Total
$17.36
HEALTH (Elementary)
Clara A. Chase, School Nurse $450.00
Ernest A. Mayell, M. D., School Physician . 150.00
Total
$600.00
Total Health
$617.36
Total Libraries 132.69
$3,530.00
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EXPENSES OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Lulu L. Clark, clerk, salary 12 months $100.00
Frank E. Toohey, clerk, salary 1 month .. . 10.00
Spencer Taylor, tel. and postage 4.96
Lulu L. Clark, tel. and postage. 4.83
W. E. Whitcomb, record book for secretary 9.20
Wright & Potter, account blanks
2.05
Total
$131.04
SALARY AND EXPENSES OF SUPERINTENDENT
Salary of Supt. H. C. Knight
$1,549.92
Travelling expenses of H. C. Knight
$218.70
Office expenses of H. C. Knight 73.42
Nellie M. Stevens, clerk 115.60
Rachael Knight, clerk 9.00
$416.72
C. W. Lawrance, expenses $5.85
Virginia Swift, clerk
58.00
Nellie M. Stevens, looking up H. S. pupils' records at Concord
24.20
$88.05
Total
$2,054.69
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT
Members of the Acton School Committee :
I hereby submit my sixth annual report as superintendent of the Acton schools.
It. is customary to make of the school report a means of en- lightening the public as to school policies and procedure. This is the purpose of this report.
For the major part of the year there has been a divided re- sponsibility of supervision, and I shall confine myself to that part of the work that I have had wholly or partly in charge, and I will discuss to begin with the changes in teachers.
The overturn in teachers was heaviest in West Acton, where three of the four teachers resigned. The only other change oc- curred at South Acton. Here one teacher resigned. Three of the four girls hired to take the place of these who left are begin- ners. One has taught one year. Because these girls were begin- ners or home girls, or both, we were able to hire them at salaries not exceeding $1,000.
15
The work of the elementary schools as a whole is good when we consider the size of the grades at South Acton school, the number of grades in a room at Acton Center, and the serious handicap placed upon the upper grade pupils at the West Acton school. Your superintendent is not responsible for these condi- tions, and he realizes that with the opening of the high school in the new building, the deterrent factor will be removed for many years to come.
The interest of the teachers is keen. They are in earnest, and welcome the kindly and constructive criticism of parents. The harsh and unreasoning comment is as detrimental as the other is helpful. We must remember that to criticize intelligent- ly we must know our schools, and the way to know them is to visit them.
Perhaps the most timely topic that I can stress at this time in the educational history of Acton is that we must regard our obligation to the youth of our town not as a completed one. It is true that the pupils of high school age have been well provided. for with the completion of the present splendid new building. We must not forget that school attendance for all pupils to the com- pletion of grade six is compulsory. Whether rooms are crowded or poorly lighted, the child in Acton who has not completed grade six must attend school until he is sixteen years of age if his men- tal condition is such that he can do so with profit. It behooves us. then as persons to whom the physical and mental welfare of the boys and girls of our town have been entrusted that we urge the: town so far as possible to provide means to remedy the crowded. conditions in certain of our schools.
The lighting is faulty and needs to be corrected. Several rooms have antiquated furniture. Children of the tender pre -- high school years should have a chance to sit in seats that con- form to the needs of individual pupils, rather than to be obliged: to adapt themselves to the existing conditions.
The installation of a modern system of sanitation at Acton Center conforms with the policy that I am anxious to emphasize. A carefully worked out program of physical changes in buildings, a salary schedule for teachers, and an equable application of the funds for the solution of the transportation problem are, in brief, the main thought that I would leave with the tax payers and the school committee.
In closing I will quote from William Head Kilpatrick in the- New Republic: "We must have a new theory of education .. Schooling must no longer be the acquiring of facts and skills to give back on demand at examination time. The new school must be the effort to educate for life through life. It must seek con- tinually to remake life to ever higher and richer levels. This means a new conception of curriculum,-everything accepted into the curriculum must be really practical, that is, influencing"
16
life for good. Especially the new school must really build moral character.
And a new conception of method must accompany and bring the new curriculum. Many of the choicest character traits cannot be assigned or tested, but must be called out and fixed in the regime of natural child living. How to direct such living in order to call out the best and then to fix it, this will be the prob- lem of the newer method, a method now conspicuous for its ab- sence in those schools where children are driven in herds to ac- quire in formal fashion a mere formal pabulum.
These conceptions mean a new and costlier school. Let us repeat the word costlier. Some among us must be made to understand. If education is to discharge its duty, it must be better and richer than it has been. Civilization demands it, and this means that better selected and better prepared teachers must have charge, with fewer children to the teacher, and better equip- ment, and all this means money. Is it worth the cost ?
With civilization changing ever more rapidly, with problems increasing in equal ratio, with unrest growing among the un- privileged, with these things happening, we must bring the school more nearly abreast of the demands which it faces. Not to do so is suicidal. The cost and effort are absolutely essential."
Respectfully submitted,
HERMAN C. KNIGHT. February 5, 1926.
PRINCIPAL OF HIGH SCHOOL
To the School Committee,
Town of Acton, Massachusetts :
I have the honor to submit my first annual report as princi- pal of the Acton High School.
In May, 1925, I was elected principal and commissioned by the School Committee to organize a High School in the Town of Acton, which was to open its doors in September, 1925. My first duty was to become familiar with the work and the distribution of Acton students in their various courses in the Concord High School. With the kindest cooperation of Mr. Goddard, Principal of the Concord High School, the records there were examined and it was found that over 92 per cent of all students were enrolled in the College Preparatory Course and the Scientific Course, and in the Commercial Course, the balance being enrolled in Manual Training and Domestic Science Courses. It therefore seemed ad- visable to concentrate the work of the new Acton High School on
17
two courses, the College Preparatory and Commercial Courses. These curricula were prepared and approved by the School Com- mittee.
Provision had been made in the new High School building to give courses in Domestic Science and Manual Training, but until a demand appears sufficient to justify the spending of the town's taxes on these courses it was recommended to and approved by the School Committee that such courses be not given for the present. These rooms are to be put to immediate and valuable use in carrying on the work of the High School as at present organized.
During the late spring and summer a large number of teach- ers were interviewed for the teaching positions at Acton, and of these the following were elected by the School Committee: Miss Leona Albrecht and Miss Winnifred Bruce to teach commercial subjects, Miss Hazel Murray and Miss Mabel Noyes to teach languages and English, Mr. L. Ashley Rich to teach mathematics and science, and the principal to teach language and history.
The date for the opening in the fall was set for the first Mon- day after Labor Day, because of some delay in getting all of the book equipment and typewriting equipment ready for use. The preceding Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday were used to regis- ter the new students in each of the three precincts, arranging classes, and finishing much other organizing work.
The High School opened in West Acton in the West Acton Grammar School and in the vestry of the West Acton Baptist Church, through the courtesy of the trustees and congregation of that church. This arrangement proved reasonably satisfac- tory to the High School scholars and teachers, although the two buildings were over two blocks apart, and much time had to be lost in frequent passing between buildings. This arrangement continued until about December 1, 1925, when it was found that the work done in the Grammar School building could be trans- ferred to the G. A. R. Hall and a vacant store in the same block, and both were just across the street from the vestry where the other classes were held. This arrangement was possible because much of the new furniture for the new building was then avail- able, and because of the courtesy and cooperation of the manufac- turer in transporting and delivering it twice.
During the time that the High School was occupying the rooms of the West Acton Grammar School, the work of the Gram- mar School teachers was unavoidably dislocated and hindered to a great extent. The High School teachers and scholars ap- preciate the inconvenience suffered by the Grammar School teachers and scholars on their account, and feel that special thanks and appreciation should be made for their great patience and courtesy.
During the Christmas holidays it was decided to delay the
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reopening of the High School for one week so as to go directly to the new building, which was sufficiently near completion to occupy the upper floor.
On January 11, 1926, the Acton High School reopened classes in its new home, in the fine new building on the knoll at Kelley's Corner. School work started off with scarcely any delay, and has continued satisfactorily, in spite of the rather frequent noises of the workmen completing the last stages of the construction work on the lower floor. This condition is now rectified, and there should be no further noisy interruptions.
Since the commencement of work in September, the students and teachers have labored hard and patiently in the face of many handicaps, and have done much good work. They deserve com- mendation for their perseverance and patience. However, the teachers all feel that the best work is still to be done now that the School is permanently and satisfactorily housed and proper equip- ment available.
CHARLES W. LAWRANCE.
REPORT OF MUSIC SUPERVISOR
Mr. Herman C. Knight,
Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir :
My report for the year is as follows :
The work in all the grades is continuing along the same lines as in former years. We have a definite amount of work laid out for each grade, and only the splendid help of the teachers makes it possible to accomplish the work.
I should like to mention, however, the unusually fine work that is being carried on in the eighth grades of the West and South schools, under the capable direction of two new teachers, Miss Olive Valente and Miss Mary Branley. All of the grades are showing a marked improvement in their work, but the two grades mentioned above are worthy of special mention.
The piano in the South Acton school has had to be removed from the building, leaving us with only a small Victrola. A new piano in the building would increase the interest of the children both in singing and in music appreciation, and I hope that it will not be long before plans are made to purchase a new one.
I wish to thank Mr. Knight for his whole-hearted support and interest at all times, and also the teachers who are rapidly nearing the goal we have in view, namely-
"Every child for Music;
Music for every child."
Respectfully submitted, DAISY PRECIOUS, Supervisor of Music.
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REPORT OF DRAWING SUPERVISOR
Mr. Herman C. Knight,
Superintendent of Schools
Dear Sir:
My report of the drawing is as follows:
I would like first of all to say a little about the art needs of the children. They need to develop keener observation which I feel we have done through representation and construction, both of which will be brought back to them during the year.
They must develop creative thinking and the habit of using drawing as a language, which has been carried out in our differ- ent kinds of design work.
We do not strive to make artists of the children but the drawing helps them to have a sense of order, rhythm, and the beauty of color harmony,-the appreciation of the beautiful.
I am trying to create a foundation which later can be built upon. I hope to have an exhibition of some of the work that each child has done in drawing.
I wish to thank the superintendent and the teachers for their hearty co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
JEANETTE LANDERVILLE, Drawing Supervisor.
REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Mr. Herman C. Knight,
Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir:
I herewith present my annual report as school physician for the year ending December 31, 1925.
Number of visits to schools-46.
Details will be found in the nurse's report.
The work of physical examinations has been somewhat de- layed owing to the unsettled conditions of the West and High Schools. The examination of the pupils of the West School has been completed and the work is progressing very favorably in the High School.
At this time I would like to inform the parents that per- manent record of the physical condition of each pupil is being kept by the nurse, and she may be consulted at any time by ap- pointment.
Respectfully submitted,
E. A. MAYELL, M. D.
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SCHOOL NURSING REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1925
No. of Pupils in Schools 447
No. of Pupils Weighed & Measured 335
No. of Pupils Examined by Doctor 442
No. of Pupils with Defects 376
No. of Pupils Examined for Pediculosis
1401
Defects :
Tonsils 113
Adenoids
7
Teeth
75
Lungs
5
Skin
23
Nutrition :
7 per cent Underweight 28
10 per cent Underweight
20
15 per cent Underweight
9
Over 15 per cent Underweight
1
Glands of the Neck:
Thyroid
23
Anterior & Posterior Cervical
116
Others
50
Defective Posture
50
Pediculosis
15
Eyes Examined
300
Ears Examined
204
Examined for Sore Throat
25
Excluded for Sore Throat
1
Examined for Illnes's
4
Defective Hearts
44
Talks on Hygiene
14
Sanitary Inspection of Schools
16
Simple Dressings
30
Excluded from school on account of measle contact .
5
Diabetes
1
Nephritis
1
Cases of Impetigo
5
Notices sent home from school for defective eyesight ..
5
Eye sight corrected .
5
Each class room visited every day except the High School
Home visits for school follow up work 110
School children taken to clinic 1
21
Milk introduced into all the schools.
No Trace of tuberculosis in children previously examined at clinic.
One hundred per cent clean heads in all schools.
Fire Drill Supervision.
Would suggest the great necessity of electric light in all the school rooms.
Respectfully submitted,
MILDRED E. WALTHER, R. N., School Nurse.
INDEX
Agriculture and Home Economics
88
Appointments by Selectmen
4
Assessors' Report
Board of Health
Cemetery Commissioners
Collector's Report
Fire Department
Forest Warden
Inspector of Animals
Inspector of Slaughtering
Jury List
6
Library Report
Overseers of Poor
Patriots' Day Celebration
Police Department
Selectmen's Report
Special Committee on Road Work
Superintendent of Streets
Town Accountant
Town Clerk
Births
Deaths
Dog Licenses
Marriages
Non-Resident Burials
Town Meetings
Town Officers
Town Warrant
Treasurer's Report
Cemetery Funds
Elizabeth White Fund
Firemen's Relief Fund
Town Farm Fund
Wilde Library Fund
76
William Chaplin Fund
81
Trustees Goodnow Fund
Trustees Elizabeth White Fund
80
82 83 62 12 84 85 89 83
90 61 100 88 11 87 86 35 13 26 30 32 28
31 13 3 7 73 75 77 78 79 78
SECOND SECTION
School Report :
Financial Statement
7
Legal Holidays
3
Organization
Principal of High School
16
School Calendar
2
School Committee
5
School Nurse
20
School Physician
19
Standing Rules
3
Superintendent's Report
14
Supervisor of Drawing
19
Supervisor of Music
18
Teachers
1
1
L
WELLS BINDERY, INC.
OCT
1976
WALTHAM, MASS. 02154
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