USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1936-1940 > Part 36
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At this time, the Athletic Association wishes to thank Mr. Albert Jenks for providing athletic letters for 32 eligible boys and 22 eligible girls.
The following Athletic Association financial statement for 1939 shows less receipts and expenditures than in 1937 and 1938 but presents a balanced budget.
Receipts
Expenditures
Cash on hand,
Equipment $110.26
Jan. 1, 1939
$61.64
Transportation 84.00
Gate
70.39
Officials 54.50
Dues
97.43
Janitor 13.50
Magazine Drive 73.72
Miscellaneous 38.65
A. A. Dance 21.69
Cash on hand,
Gifts
11.61
Jan. 1, 1940.
50.82
Movies
15.25
$351.73
$351.73
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From the above it is evident that athletics must still be heavily subsidized, because gate receipts netted only $70.39. The subsidy results from constant "drives" and occasional financial aid from the school committee ($10.50 in 1939) .
3. £ Miscellaneous Activities
Realizing the importance of certain activities in the educa- tional process, the school principals have co-operated well in directing a limited number for the students as well as for the public. A few of these wil be briefly mentioned.
In the field of dramatics and public speaking, there were several high school assemblies, at eight of which outside speak- ers furnished the programs. For Major Coulter's timely re- marks on democracy, Mr. James Kinsley's explanation of the workings of town government, and Rev. Mr. Wilde's Memor- ial Day address the students are duly grateful. Unfortunate- ly, the use of the auditorium for assemblies is limited because the room must be used also for physical education classes. The Senior Play, "Cross My Heart", coached by Mr. Greenman, re- ceived very favorable reception. The Teachers' Club, using eleven teachers and three seniors, presented the comedy, "Are You a Mason ?" The Carlos B. Clark local history essays were well prepared and well delivered, but the public interest, if judged by slim attendances during the last two years, has made it seem advisable to declare a "moratorium" for a few years. On Exhibition Day, in the elementary schools, several simple but effective playlets were offered inside and outside the schools. Finally, a public speaking class in the high school has been organized under Miss Thompson and meets once each week.
In further contacts with the public, the superintendent feels grateful to an earnest group of townspeople who helped organize a local Parent-Teacher Association. Already, three evening meetings and one afternoon meeting have been held, all well attended, under the active presidency of Mrs. Edward Schmitz. Programs are being planned for each of the remain- ing school months. The fact that over 100 parents joined the
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organization within two months augurs well for the movement. On three other occasions, the 4-H Banquet, attended by 90 lead- ers from several towns, the reception tendered the five new teachers by the Acton Teachers' Club, and the annual school exhibition, all testify to the use of the high school by adult groups and the growth of public relations. For various forms of publicity considerable credit is due Miss Boornazian and the students in typewriting.
4-H work has continued in one group in each of the ele- mentary schools and in two groups in the high school. In par- ticular, Mr. Braman has been requested to present a report of his group, the Agricultural Club.
"We started the year with a study of vegetable, flower, and fruit diseases, accompanied by lectures by men from the Extension and Experimental Station Services. Three lectures by myself have been added on the care, handling, and exhibi- ton of poultry.
"Starting January 3, 1940, we are to have eight meetings on landscape architecture and farm planning. Then we are to study vegetable and flower cultivation in the spring.
"There are now seventeen boys in the club. Some of these are back for third-year study, which in itself shows a demand and need for this worthwhile study.
"It is my ambition that in the future a full time course may be incorporated in our system."
To assist the regular class-room instruction, all the stu- dents in the Biology classes attended the Horticultural Show, the members of the Agricultural Club visited two farms, the school paper staff attended a convention of school paper edi- tors, and the senior class visited the Art Museum and State House, observing both House and Senate in action. One visit- ing lecturer on health and one on art spoke to appropriate groups. Three students visited Framingham High School for all-day observation. The excellent educational film service fur- nished by Boston University has been maintained weekly. Our
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school library, reorganized by Miss Stolte, continues to pro- vide opportunities to boys and girls living far from public libraries. The private fund established for aiding the library was $36.41 on January 1, 1940. $60.95 was spent during 1939 for useful books. Incidentally, the public school appropriation for "libraries" is only $50.00, $40.00 of which must be used annually in the purchase of magazines.
IV. Teacher Personnel
Five changes occurred in the teaching personnel, four in the high school and one in the elementary schools, during 1939. Four teachers resigned because of more attractive offers in other schools and one to be married. In the high school, Miss Elinor Brown of Leicester succeeded Miss Stolte, Miss Eleanor Thompson of Webster Miss Billman, Miss Rebecca Bartlett of Worcester Miss Leavitt, and Mr. John Mitchell of Worcester Mr. George Braman, Miss Alice Feehan of Acton was advanced from special to regular teacher to fill Miss Dickerman's place. The school authorities regret the resignations of teachers who served long and well. Reasonable increases in salaries should be made periodically for service and merit. The new teachers are all college graduates, with excellent college records, and, despite lack of experience, have done satisfactory work. Regu- lar monthly faculty meetings continue for professional discus- sion and improvement. This year we have begun a long study of curriculum revision, so much needed in Acton. Weak spots noted in the achievement tests given in 1938 have been strengthened. General achievement tests will be given again in 1940.
There follow the reports of the work in Domestic and Manual Arts, Drawing, and Music. The report of the school physician and school nurse are printed separately.
V. Domestic Arts
The work in this department is planned to make better home citizens, and consequently, better community citizens of the girls.
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Grade 7-Clothing : 2 periods weekly.
Skill in simple stitches and construction of gar- ments.
Grade 8-Foods : 4 periods weekly. Skill in cooking simple dishes. Knowledge of bodily requirements and how these may be satisfied in daily diet.
Grade 9-(1st semester) Social living and personal grooming: 3 periods weekly.
(2nd semester) Clothing care, repair, and se- lection : 3 periods weekly.
Knowledge of fabrics and their manufacture.
Grades 10, 11, and 12-Home making : 5 periods weekly. Knowledge of child care; home nursing; care and selection of home equipment; nutrition; and budgeting.
Attitudes toward other members of family, home, and community.
Grades 11 and 12-Lunch Room : 5 periods weekly. Skill in working in kitchen.
Knowledge of menu making and food buying. Ability to plan working period in order to have meal properly prepared.
Lunch Room Report
Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1939 $30.16
Total sales for 1939. . 2,026.77
Total expenses for 1939. $2,050.48
Cash on hand, Jan. 1, 1940
6.45
$2,056.93 $2,056.93
Compared with 1938, there was a cash balance for 1939 of $23.74 less than in 1938, but there was $28.43 less cash on hand to start with. An interesting item is $81.82 more sales in 1939 than in 1938, or $304.68 more than in 1937. If costs of common articles of food continue to rise, prices must naturally
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be raised to prevent a deficit. There is need of more plates and other articles for daily service; for this purchase the small balance is not suffcient.
VI. Manual Arts
So much interest has developed in manual arts since Sep- tember that it seems advisable to present Mr. Mitchell's report verbatim.
"According to a recent federal government bulletin, In- dustrial Arts in the junior and senior high schools is that part of general education which (a) provides boys and girls with information regarding industry and workers; (b) reveals em- ployment opportunities offered by industry; (c) satisfies the student's desire to create useful things; (d) develops hobby and handy man interests and abilities; (e) contributes to the tastes and judgment of the prospective consumer; (f) devel- ops interest and ability in home repairs and maintenance; (g) gives opportunity for co-operative effort in groups; and (h) illustrates and vitalizes the academic subjects."
"To establish these aims, the Industrial Arts Department of the high school has inaugurated several new changes in its set-up. Briefly, the outline of the courses being attempted is as follows :
Grade 7: Fundamentals of woodworking, a knowledge tools, woods, and materials.
Grade 8: A combination of woodwork and elementary sheetmetal work together with their related studies.
Grade 9: (Elective) Home Mechanics-a course de- signed to acquaint boys with types of jobs and duties performed around the home.
Mechanical Drawing-the study and making of working drawings, fundamental to all in- dustrial arts courses.
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Grade 10: (Elective) General Shop-a multi-activities shop in which advanced woodwork, bench metal work (wrought iron work), and ele- mentary electricity will be conducted at the same time.
Machine Drawing-the study and drawing of machine parts.
Grade 11: (Elective) General Shop-advanced wood- work (use of machines), metal work (bench metal, forging and casting; sheetmetal, and artmetal) woodfinishing.
Architectural Drawing I-fundamentals of architecture, the laying out of simple house plans.
Grade 12: (Elective) General Shop-machine wood- working and cabinetmaking; artmetal work; ceramics, Keene's cement, and plastics; ma- chine lathe work. Architectural Drawing II-(prerequisite, Arch. Drawing I) Development of house plans, etc.
"In order to carry on all these activities, it was necessary to reorganize the whole shop. Through the help of students and instructor this was done, new benches were installed, some new equipment was purchased, and the rearrangement of the shop layout was effected. Now it is possible to accommodate, in the general shop scheme, as high as 15 to 20 boys in these varied activities and their related studies.
"It must be borne in mind, however, that the aim of the Industrial Arts department is not to make skilled workmen,- the trade school does that,-but merely to give the students an opportunity to explore and discover their interests or apti- tudes in the industrial field.'
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VII. Drawing
Mr. Frank Braman writes as follows in regard to his drawing work :
"This year the art in Grades 1 through 6 has been most gratifying, in that those grades have covered more subject matter than ever before. These students in the lower grades have made an extensive study of our native bird life, their habits and colors; and, in Grades 5 and 6, their relation to agriculture. More group drawings have been produced. The research accompanying these has been very beneficial. Several of these large drawings were evident at the exhibition. More attention has been given to lettering than in other years. The result in learning letter shapes and taking directions is becom- ing evident.
"Grades 7 and 8 have been kept largely to a study of com- position and balance that was much needed by these groups, with an added touch of mechanical drawing in Grade 8.
"With few exceptions, Grade 9 boys elected to take me- chanical drawing. I am trying to work in as much shop work drawing as possible.
"High school students of free hand drawing have received review work in lettering, color composition, design, balance, and perspective. Advance work in a few cases has been suc- cessful among the Grade 10 and 11 people, and particularly successful in Grade 12 and post graduate years."
VIII. Music
a. Vocal
As stated last year, the outlook in music under Mr. Moran is much brighter than before and continues to show slow but steady improvement. A carefully graded system has been worked out for the first six grades, extending from rote-sing- ing, matching tones, etc. in Grades 1 and 2 to three-part sing- ing in Grade 6. In Grades 7 and 8 preparation is made particu- larly for the high school glee clubs and choral singing, but Mr. Moran finds difficulty in the changing voices of the boys and
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the limited time granted for the work.
The course in Music Appreciation, required of all students in Grade 9, "covers a brief history of the development of mu- sic, analysis of form, acquaintance with a large number of standard recordings, theory, and brief biographies of im- portant musicians". It has not been easy to develop this course satisfactorily, but progress has been made.
Publicly, the most ambitious work ever attempted, the operetta entitled "The Sun-Bonnet Girl", was presented be- fore a crowded audience in the high school last spring. It was pronounced a decided success. Over 60 boys and girls par- ticipated, requiring an extension of the stage. This addition was constructed, without labor cost, by Norman Garthe of the Class of 1939, his father, and brother, in such a manner that it can be detached and used again in the future. On several other occasions, the glee clubs performed before the townspeo- ple, and in the coming spring, they expect to present a con- cert and engage in a state contest with other schools.
b. Instrumental
The usual struggle to develop an orchestra continued, due to lack of instruction before Grade 7 and to a sufficient num- ber of students who have taken lessons regularly. Acton is particularly handicapped in this regard. Our chief reliance seems to be upon boys and girls, better trained in instrumental music, who move in from other localities.
The high school still needs a smaller, upright piano, rath- er than the present large grand, which ocupies too much space and is in poor condition.
c. Youth Concerts
Through the continued efforts of Mr. Greenman 19 stu- dents attended six Boston Symphony Youth Concerts in 1938- 1939. Eighteen students are attending the concerts this year. This is a wonderful opportunity for boys and girls to hear the best of music at very reasonable prices. It is strongly hoped
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that more help can come from the parents for transportation, for this is our most serious problem.
Conclusion
The schools have all been well-heated and comfortable, am- ple working material has been provided, and pupils like to at- tend. Relationships betwen parents, teachers, and pupils have been pleasant. For their part in helping to create this situation, the superintendent wishes to thank the school committee, townspeople, and members of the school staff.
Respectfully yours,
WALTER F. HALL, Superintendent of Schools.
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Report of the School Physician
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Walter F. Hall Superintendent of Schools Acton, Massachusetts
Dear Sir :
I herewith submit my annual report as school physician.
The yearly physical examination of all the pupils in our schools was finished in October. Examinations of all pupils taking part in sports were made prior to the regular yearly physicial examinations in the high school.
Details of the examinations may be found in the nurse's report.
In October there were two cases of scarlet fever in the West School, but with prompt isolation and quarantine we were fortunate in not having more cases develop.
In November there were some cases of measles in North Acton, but by isolating the contacts we were able to keep the disease out of the schools.
The pre-school clinics were held in June and the immuniz- ation clinics for diphtheria were held in May.
On the whole, we had a very healthful year, and I wish to thank the superintendent, teachers, nurse, and townspeople for their co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
E. A. MAYELL, M. D.
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Report of the School Nurse
Mr. Walter F. Hall Superintendent of Schools Acton, Massachusetts
Dear Sir :
I herewith submit my report as school nurse for the year ending December 31, 1939. The physical examinations of all school children were made early in the fall by Doctor E. Mayell, our school physician. Examinations are made as early in the school year as possible so that a child's physical condition may be known to parent, teacher, and nurse, and any adjustments or corrections favorable to pupil may be made. High school students who sign up for competitive sports are given a thor- ough examination with particular attention given to condition of the heart. The following list tells the story of defects found by physician in his examinations :
Number of pupils examined 512
Heart irregularities 34
Teeth (dental decay) 175
Enlarged tonsils
48
Malnutrition
23
Skin eruptions
8
Faulty posture
35
Posture defects were properly referred to the teacher of physical education for helpful advice. The number of children needing dental care has always been a major problem. In some cases dental work has been done, in others none for some time. This condition has shown great improvement since our school dental clinic was started three years ago. In three years the clinic, which usually runs for just a few months in the fall, has examined and treated 255 children. In all but a few cases all necessary work was completed and the State Department
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Health Dental Certificate given. Some of these cases were re- peaters, coming to the clinic annually to have work done. Through the Red Cross we have been able to buy tooth brushes which are sold at reduced prices to children. When the clinic finishes at South School about 97 children in Acton will have received dental care.
The Board of Health and the school physician have con- ducted every year a program for diphtheria prevention. It con- sists of a Schick test, and, if the test is a positive one, three doses of toxoid are given at weekly intervals. The Schick test was given at parents' request, to 96 school and 34 pre-school children. Of this group 41 showed a positive test and received toxoid injections. This clinic is open to pre-school groups, who are most in need of diphtheria protection by immunization.
The school clinic formerly called the Chadwick Clinic was not held their year. The present plan of Middlesex County Hos- pital calls for a clinic to be held in each high school every three or four years. It thus gives students of all classes an oppor- tunity to be examined once during their high school course.
We are fortunate to have had very little communicable dis-, ease in school the past year. There were 12 reported cases, all in elementary schools.
At the pre-school conference held in June, 30 pupils came for an examination by the school physician. Then the parents had an opportunity to have conferences with first grade teach- ers.
Our community benefited through the sale of Christmas seals in this way. Three pupils had removal of tonsils; one boy went to Prendergast Preventorium for four weeks; and help was given to milk and dental clinic programs. Mrs. Thelma Blood is our local chairman for the Southwestern Middlesex Health Association. This association runs our local "Health Camp Virginia", which cared for girls only this summer.
Routine work was carried on in schools, daily visits made when possible, and absent pupils visited in the home. All
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pupils had a vision test, and a re-test if necessary.
Number of pupil inspections 1,376
First aid and simple dressings 409
Pupils taken home ill 20
Pupils taken to oculist 12
Pupils taken to physician 14
Number of home visits 206
I wish to express my appreciation to you and to the teach- ers for your support in this school health program.
Respectfully submitted,
GENEVIEVE J. CREELEY, R. N.
Graduates of 1939
** John Henry Anderson Walter Alad Anderson Eleanor Deana Brackett * Helen Buckley Leon Nathan Claflin
*Robert Edward Clapp
Frederick Stuart Conquest
Dorothy Dyer Coulter
Mary Arlene Jones
Donald Wallace MacDougall James Herbert Nelson
Robert Edwin Newsham
Irving Lundberg Opsahl Richard James Pedersen
Helen Pederson
George Wilson Robinson Janet Doris Spinney
Mary Cullinane Sonya Farley
Norman Garthe
George Bernard Gilbert
David Lester Jenks
Barbara Ethelyn Jensen
Nancy Starbuck * Joseph Leonard Walther Gloria Irene Wamboldt Kenneth Lee Webb
Robert Ernest Weymouth
Honor Students *
Honor Students and members of National Honor Society
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Student Essays :
First honors : John H. Anderson-"A Small School Should Attempt Vocational Education"
Second honors: Barbara E. Jensen-"A Small School Should Not Attempt Vocational Education"
Nancy Starbuck: "We Make Our Own Way"
Awards During Year :
Robert E. Clapp, Carlos B. Clark Acton History Award, First prize; Norman Garthe, Carlos B. Clark Acton His- tory Award, Second prize; Nancy Starbuck, Carlos B. Clark Acton History Award, Honorable Mention. Helen Pederson and Robert E. Clapp, American Legion Award for best rank in Scholarship, Loyalty, and Achievement (Edward-Quimby Post).
John Anderson : Washington-Franklin Medal for best rec- ord in American History (Mass. Society, Sons of the American Revolution) .
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INDEX
Warrant, Monday, March 4, 1940
3
Town Officers 9
Selectmen's Report
14
Town Meeting (Abstract), March 13, 1939
15
Special Town Meeting (Abstract), Dec. 18, 1939 24
25
Births 26
Marriages
28
Deaths
Non-Resident Burials
Dog Licenses
Jury List (Revised) 1939
Cemetery Commissioners
W.P.A. Work Relief
Superintendent of Streets
Tree Warden
Moth Control
Assessors
Trustees of Goodnow Fund
Middlesex County Extension Service
Sponsor, W.P.A. Projects
Sealer's Report
Police
Librarian's Report
Books Added to Public Library
60
Elizabeth White Fund
73 73
Dog Officer
74 75
Town Nurse
Board of Health 76
Tax Collector 78
Superintendent of Town Forests
82
Forest Warden
83
Fire Department 84
Public Welfare 85
Old Age Assistance 86
41 43 44 45 46
47 48 49 50 51 52 60
Inspector of Animals
33 34 36 40
Town Clerk's Report
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INDEX (Continued)
Aid to Dependent Children 87
Welfare
87
Report of Finance Committee
88
Treasurer's Report
90
Town Accountant
103
Balance Sheet, 1939
139
Schools :
Organization 147
Teachers 150
School Committee 151
Budget for 1940
154
Summary of Expenses, 1939
155
Superintendent 167
School Physician
182
School Nurse 183
Graduates, 1939
185
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Several Official Boards
OF THE
TOWN OF ACTON MASSACHUSETTS
RATED
NI
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^ACTON.
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31 1940
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Several Official Boards
OF THE
TOWN OF ACTON MASSACHUSETTS
RATED
ONI
1735.
^ACTON
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31 1940
THE MEMORIAL PRESS, Inc. Plymouth, Mass.
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TOWN WARRANT
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Middlesex, ss.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Acton, in said County, Greetings:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify the legal voters of said Town of Acton, qualified to vote at town meetings for the transaction of town affairs, to meet in their respective precincts, to wit:
Precinct 1-Town Hall, Acton Center
Precinct 2-Universalist Church, South Acton
Precinct 3-Woman's Club House, West Acton
at 12 o'clock noon, Monday, the third day of March, 1941, by posting a copy of this warrant, by you attested, at each of the places as directed by vote of the town, seven days at least before the third day of March.
To bring in their votes on one ballot for the following town officers: Moderator, town clerk, town treasurer, col- lector of taxes, one selectman for three years; one assessor for three years; one member of the board of public welfare for three years; four constables for one year; one cemetery commissioner for three years; two members of the school committee for three years; one member of the board of health for three years; one trustee Memorial Library for three years, and a tree warden.
The polls will be open at 12 o'clock noon, and close at 8 o'clock p .m.
You are further requested in the name of the Common- wealth to notify the legal voters of said Town of Acton, as
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aforesaid, to meet at the Town Hall, in said Acton, on Monday, the tenth day of March, at 7:30 o'clock p. m., then and there to act on the following articles:
Article 1. To choose all necessary town officers and com- mittees and fix salaries of all town officers.
Article 2. To see if the town will vote to accept the several reports of the town officers.
Article 3. To hear and act upon the reports of any com- mittee chosen at any previous meeting that have not already reported.
Article 4. To see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and appropriate to defray the necessary and usual ex- penses of the several departments of the town and determine how the same shall be raised.
Article 5. To see what sum of money the town will vote to raise and appropriate for the observance of Memorial Day.
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