USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1941-1945 > Part 13
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Levy of 1940
1,676.56
Levy of 1941
1,928.66
1,557.22
Welfare
1,353.43
1,402.48
Old Age Assistance
387.43
405.36
State and Military Aid
447.50
210.00
County Dog Account
66.00
60.00
State Aid to Highways
4,552.15
3,139.59
Tax Titles and Possessions .. 743.40
429.96
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Library Book Account Fire Dept., Ladder Truck
200.00
1,000.00
Reserve for Highway Debt 3,188.46
Reserve Fund Overlay Surplus
6,987.29
7,518.28
Departmental :
Levy of 1942
1,953.12
Revenue Reserved until Collected : Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes 986.65
1,492.22
Cash
1941 $63,036.12
1942 $74,885.15
Accounts RECEIVABLE
Taxes :
Real Estate Levy of 1940 $ 9,889.80
Real Estate Levy of 1941
23,162.89
$ 8,467.86
Premium on Bonds 94.67
County Aid to Highways
2,259.39
Departmental
2,254.36
2,077.84
Tax Titles
670.12
356.68
State Aid to Highways
6,811.54
3,139.59
Tax Title Possessions
73.28
73.28
Surplus Revenue
51,724.71
71,036.09
Tax Judgement Excise
502.62
502.62
Overdrawn Account: Highway, Chap. 81 3,139.59
Debit Accounts :
Temporary Highway
10,000.00
State and County Assessment
32.31
$119,847.02 $116,324.80
$119,847.02 $116,324.80
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DEBT ACCOUNTS
Net Funded Debt
20,000.00
18,000.00
High School Bonds
4,000.00
3,000.00
High School Addition Notes
16,000.00
15,000.00
$ 20,000.00 $ 18,000.00
$ 20,000.00 $ 18,000.00
Trust Accounts
1941
1942
Trust Funds Cash and Securi- ties $192,677.82 $194,629.80
1941
1942
Elizabeth White Charity Fund $ 26,581.52 $ 26,869.27 Georgia E. Whitney Charity
Fund
13,562.49
13,548.57
Wilde Memorial Library Fund
14,390.00
14,695.11
Acton Firemen's Relief Fund
2,238.53
2,510.58
'West Acton Firemen's Relief
Fund
622.24
634.74
Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund
46,583.32
47,243.34
Cemetery Surplus Fund
1,023.53
1,044.09
Luke Blanchard Cemetery Fund
1,505.13
1,505.60
Susan Noyes Hosmer Cemetery Fund
82,554.52
82,958.93
Sarah T. Green Cemetery Fund
151.00
154.03
Charlotte L. Goodnow Fund
3,465.54
3,465.54
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$192,677.82 $194,629.80
$192,677.82 $194,629.80
Respectfully submitted, HOWARD L. JONES, Town Accountant.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
School Department
OF THE
TOWN OF ACTON MASSACHUSETTS
RATED
PONI
1735
ACTON.
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31 1942
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Organization
School Committee
Miss Fannie E. Davis, Chairman Term expires 1943 Mrs. Arthur Fraser
(appointed until 1943) Term expires 1944
Mr. Robert C. Hall
Term expires 1945
Mr. Richard Lowden
Term expires 1945
Mr. Edward A. Schmitz Term expires 1943
(Mrs. G. Howard Reed for January and February, 1943) Mr. Walter B. Stevens Term expires 1944
Meetings of the School Committee
Regular meetings of the school committee are held the first Tuesday of each month in the high school at 8:00 p.m. Exceptions may be made during July and August.
Superintendent Richard B. Greenman Office-High School Building, Telephone 110
School Physician Ernest A. Mayell, M.D.
East Acton, Telephone 345-3
School Nurse Mrs. Simon D. Taylor, R.N. North Acton, Telephone 33-22
Attendance Officer Carl Anderson
West Acton, Telephone 105 or 16-12
Custodians :
High School, Tel 110 Daniel MacDougall
Center School, Tel, 86 Ralph Rogers
South School, Tel. 445 Benjamin Sawyer
West School, Tel. 105
Carl Anderson
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Tentative Calendar for 1943
January 4-Schools open.
February 19-Schools close.
March 1-Schools open.
April 16-Schools close
April 26-Schools open.
May 31-Holiday (Memorial Day).
June 4-Elementary schools close.
June 11-High school graduation.
June 18-High school closes.
School Year 1943-1944
September 8-High school opens.
September 13-Elementary schools open
October 12-Holiday (Columbus Day). October 29-Teachers' Convention.
November 11-Holiday (Armistice Day).
November 25 and 26-Thanksgiving Recess.
December 23-Elementary schools close.
December 24-High school closes.
1944
January 3-Schools open.
February 18-Schools close.
February 28-Schools open.
April 14-Schools close.
April 24-Schools open.
May 31-Holiday (Memorial Day).
June 2-Elementary schools close.
June 9-High school graduation.
June 16-High school closes.
No School Signal-All Schools All Day 7:00 A. M., fire whistle in all precincts-2-2-2-2 7:00-8:00 A. M., radio announcements over WBZ and WEEI
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STANDING RULES OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1. Admission to School
Children shall not be admitted to the public school until they are 5 years, 8 months of age on or before September 1, except in the case of those children 5 years, 6 months of age on September 1, whose mental age and physical condition are satisfactory. Ordinarily, entrance must come during the first two weeks of school. All children entering for the first time must present birth and vaccination certificates.
2. School Sessions
The total length of sessions shall be 514 hours in the elementary schools and 6 hours in the high school, with suffi- cient recesses. The doors of schools shall not be opened to pupils except by the principals or persons delegated by the principals.
3. School Busses
All pupils living a mile or more away from the schools they attend are entitled to bus transportation. Bus pupils must meet the bus schedule and, while on the bus, conduct themselves properly.
4. Excuses for Absence and Tardiness
Pupils are expected to attend school regularly. They must present a written excuse signed by parent or guardian for each absence or tardiness.
5. Detention
Pupils may be detained after school in the afternoon not longer than 30 minutes in the elementary schools and for a longer period in the high school.
6. Contagious Diseases
State Laws: Chapter 71, Section 55; Chapter 76, Sec- tion 15:
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"A child from a household where a person is ill with small- pox, diphtheria, scarlet fever, measles, or any other infectious or contagious disease, or from a household exposed to con- tagion from any such disease in another household, shall not attend any public school during such illness or exposure until the teacher of the school has been furnished with a certificate from the local board of health, school physician or from the attending physician, stating that danger of conveying such disease by such child has passed."
7. School Property
Pupils shall be held responsible for books loaned to them by the school authorities, and shall not mar or injure any form of school property.
8. Fire Drill
Fire drills shall be given at least once in two weeks in the elementary schools and at least once a month in the high school.
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Teachers in Service As of January 1, 1943
Center School
Appt.
Graduate of
Robert T. Roy, Prin.,
1942
Hyannis State College
Home Address West Acton
B. S. E.
Ruth Berglind
1935
Lesley Normal School
South Acton
Louisa Jordan (Mrs.), B. S. E.
1942
Hyannis State College
Acton
South School
Julia McCarthy, Prin.
1906
Fitchburg State College
South Acton
Florence Merriam
1927
Fitchburg State College
South Acton
Carolyn Tuttle, B. S. E.
1940
Fitchburg State College
South Acton
West School
Howard A. Libby
1942
Gorham Normal School
West Acton
Grace Callanan, B. S. E.
1935
Fitchburg State College
Wesi Acton
Helen Connell, B. S. E.
1942
Boston University
South Acton
Alice Feehan, B. S. E.
1938
Fitchburg State College
South Acton
High School
Richard B. Greenman, Prin. 1935
Harvard University and Boston University
Dartmouth College and Boston University Fitchburg State College
East Acton 1-
Lydia Abbott, A. B. 1942
Colby College
West Acton
Rebecca Bartlett, B. S. E. 1939
Framingham State Coll.
East Acton
Margaret Boornazian
1929
Burdett College
Ruth Eynon, B. S. E.
1941
Salem State College Harvard University
Robert Harris, A. B.
1940
Ralph Hayes
1942
Castelton Normal School
Wilbert Hayes
1942
West Acton
Henry Hopkinson, L. L. B.
1930
Marjorie Jones, B. S.
1931
Marion Towne, A. B.
1921
Smith College
Supervisors
Rosemary O'Neil, B. S. E.
1942
B. U. Sargent School
Constance Russo
1941
Charles K. Yeremian
1941
School of Practical Art Longy School of Music
West Acton
A. B., Ed. M.
Walter W. Holt, Vice-Prin. 1928
East Acton
of S. H. S., B. S., M. A.
1938
Kalervo Kansanniva, Vice- Prin. of J. H. S., B. S. E.
West Acton East Acton Acton Boxboro
Gorham Normal School Northeastern Law School Simmons College
West Acton South Acton Concord
South Acton Waltham Watertown
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School Committee
-
To the Voters of Acton :
The school committee herewith submits its report with that of the superintendent of schools for the year 1942.
Mrs. Olive Bundy of South Acton resigned from the com- mittee in August, to join the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps. Her office was filled by Mrs. Margaret Fraser, who was voted by the remaining members of the committee, and the select- men, to fill the vacancy until the March election.
Acton has lost several teachers during the year to the armed forces and better paying positions. There is an acute shortage of teachers, and it is almost impossible to replace those who leave here for better positions.
The committee has very carefully figured the 1943 budget, and, because of existing conditions, feels justified in asking for additional money to operate on, and to try to hold our teachers for the benefit of the youth of Acton.
Respectfully submitted,
FANNIE E. DAVIS, Chairman.
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Comparison of Net Cost for Acton Schools
1941 1942
Received by town treasurer on account of schools-
State Treasurer :
General School Fund (state aid on
account of teachers' salaries) .
$4,110.00
$4,519.00
Tuition of State Wards (full) ..
779.84
1,315.39
Vocational Education-Waltham .
108.09
212.40
Trade School (one-half)
Middlesex Training School (one- half)
55.06
Boxboro Tuition
1,313.43
1,600.00
Westford Tuition
217.44
132.12
City of Boston, tuition of wards . .
115.56
172.26
Total received
$6,699.42
$7,951.17
Appropriated
$47,375.00 $52,100.00
Spent from appropriation
47,369.01
52,080.83
Received by town treasurer
6,699.42
7,951.17
Net cost
$40,669.59 $44,129.66
Notes : 1. Receipts were larger in 1942 because of
a. One additional teacher.
b. A large group of boys attending the Waltham Trade School.
c. An increase in paying students.
1940-41
1941-42
Wards
14
42
Boxboro students
10
17
2. The town will receive $190 in 1943 from the U. S. Government for the sale of school typewriters as requested by the Treasury Department.
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3. The net cost of education in Acton in 1942 was $7951.17 (about 15%) less than the amount appro- priated.
4. In comparing the school costs in 1941 and 1942, the increase in appropriation was $4,725, but the increase in net cost was only $3,460.07.
5. The large number of wards and out-of-town students attending Acton Schools accounts for the large re- ceipts, about 15% of the appropriation in 1942. Thus the appropriation in Acton cannot be compared on an equal basis with that of all other towns of the same size and valuation. It appears that the net cost of schools in Acton is not excessive.
6. The townspeople, through their school committee, are at a turning point as far as the schools are concerned. The choice is between a policy of operating the schools at a minimum of cost, regardless of the service given, and a policy of operating the schools economically for the long-range benefit of the students at a slightly higher cost than at present, but one which the town can afford. The choice is now before the town.
Acton School Department
Proposed Budget for 1943
1942
1943
2. Supt. of Schools and General
Expenses
$ 2,500
$ 2,500
3. Supervisors (3)
2,200
3,550
4. Principals
High (1)
1,000
1,200
Elementary (3)
4,100
4,940
5. Teachers
High (12)
17,800
21,140
Elementary (7)
7,800
9,410
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6. Textbooks
800
700
7.
£ Stationery and Misc. Supplies
1,500
1,350
8. Wages of Janitors
3,840
3,840
9. Fuel
2,180
2,180
10. Janitor's Supplies and Power
1,200
1,200
11. Repairs
1,100
500
12. Libraries
55
200
13. Health
300
300
14. Transportation
5,000
4,750
15. Sundries
125
140
16. Vocational Education
500
100
$52,000
$58,000
Summary of Expenses for Support for Year Ending December 31, 1942
Superintendent, Salary and Travelling Expenses .
$2,150.00
Office Expenses 476.65
Total General Control
$2,626.65
Expenses of Instruction
Supervisors' Salaries, Drawing, Music, Physical Education
2,062.50
High School Principal
1,000.00
High School Teachers
17,501.48
Elementary Principals
4,107.50
Elementary Teachers
7,385.00
$32,056.48
High School Textbooks
616.35
Elementary Textbooks
448.18
High School Stationery and Supplies
1,094.63
Elementary Stationery and Supplies
732.00
$2,891.16
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High School Operating Expenses
Janitor
$1,391.44
Fuel
1,047.78
Miscellaneous
852.52
$3,291.74
Elementary Operating Expenses
Janitors
$2,404.00
Fuel
956.98
Miscellaneous
538.12
$3,899.10
Total Operating Expenses .
7,190.84
High School Maintenance and Repairs
455.66
Elementary Maintenance and Repairs
1,130.24
Total Maintenance and Repairs
$1,585.90
Auxiliary Agencies
Health, High
$149.50
Health, Elementary
125.00
Libraries
107.05
Transportation
4,925.03
Vocational Education
188.16
Miscellaneous Expenses, High
156.99
Miscellaneous Expenses, Elementary
78.10
$5,729.80
Total Expended
$52,080.83
Unexpended Balance
19.17
Appropriation
$52,100.00
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Report of the Superintendent of Schools
To the School Committee of Acton, Massachusetts,
Ladies and Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my second annual report for the year ending December 30, 1942.
In March 1942, Mr. Robert C. Hall and Mr. Richard Low- den were elected to the school committee for a three-year term, and Mr. Edward A. Schmitz was elected to serve until 1943. Miss Fannie E. Davis was elected chairman, and the superintendent was elected clerk of the school committee. When Mrs. Hazel O. Bundy resigned in August 1942 to enter the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, Mrs. Arthur Fraser was appointed to serve until the next regular town election.
Teachers
The following teachers terminated their service since January 1, 1942: Mr. Clayton E. Craig (to become principal of a school in Jaffrey, N. H.), Miss Helen Appleby (to be married), Mr. Robert L. Perry (naval reserve), Miss Cecelia Callanan (to teach in North Attleboro), Mr. John Mitchell (navy), Mr. Roger T. Walsh (navy), and Miss Rita O'Donnell (WAAC). Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Walsh are on leave of absence.
The following teachers were appointed: Miss Helen B. Connell, elementary remedial teacher; Miss Rosemary O'Neill, physical education supervisor ; Miss Lydia Abbott, junior high school ; Robert T. Roy, principal of Center School; Howard A. Libby, principal of West School; and Wilbert Hayes, industrial arts.
Mrs. Chester Jordan (Louisa Wood) was transferred to
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Grades 1 and 2 in the Center School, and Mr. Ralph Hayes to the high school English and coaching position.
Five teachers are studying at the Boston University School of Education, and three men teachers are taking a refresher course in mathematics at the Harvard University School of Education under the ESMWT (Engineering, Science and Management War Training) program set up by the gov- ernment to train teachers not in the field of mathematics or physics to take the place of teachers in those fields now in service.
Salaries
In the 14 school months between September 1, 1941 and December 31, 1942 there have been 14 resignations in a staff of 26 teachers and principals, an average of one a month. This is more than a 50% turnover, compared with 30% for 1941. In one year there have been 3 physical training super- visors and 3 eighth grade teachers. The need is still clear for increasing salaries enough to retain and attract teachers, who are the most important single factor in the education of our children. It is economical to pay what a teacher is worth, and it is costly to subject students to an ever-changing staff. The co-operative spirit and excellent work of our present staff, however, as reported in many quarters, suggest that the Acton people should have the best schools they can afford by keeping the staff as a unit. The answer lies in adequate salaries.
Financial
Your attention is directed to the net cost of our schools rather than to the amount appropriated. In 1942 the appro- priation was $52,100, but the net cost was only $44,129.66. The amount received by the town on account of schools was $7,951.17, about 15% of the appropriation, the receipts being listed in another part of this report under "Comparison of Net Cost for Acton Schools."
Your attention is also called to the urgent need to main- tain our present staff of teachers. The committee asks for
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$6,000 additional to do this, which is about three-fourths of the amount the town received on account of schools in 1942. It is reasonable to use part of this income for adequate sal- aries, for the town does not consider the schools a source of revenue.
The long-range benefits from a plan of adequate salaries are readily seen. Teachers will not come to Acton only for experience, using the town as a stepping stone, as they have in the past, but will take a more lasting interest in the com- munity. Good will on the part of the town toward the teachers in the form of adequate salaries long needed, will build up the school department and place it on a firm founda- tion. The parade of teachers will stop and the result will be a more effective training for our children, which all parents desire.
School Plant Improvements in the school plant follow :
South School :
Painting exterior.
Plastering and painting one room.
New bulletin boards.
New fire escape door.
Recapping chimney.
Two radiators added.
Center School :
Cement floor in part of basement.
Work bench and shelves for janitor supplies.
West School : Washing walls.
High School : Painting boys' toilet.
Special appropriations will be needed in the near future. The high school roof, leaking in four places, December 30, 1942, will need to be replaced. The plaster and paint in Blanchard Hall need attention. The 5 hot air and 4 steam heaters in the 3 elementary buildings, costly to operate, should be replaced as a matter of economy, by a single steam boiler
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in each building and additional radiators. Before the eye- sight of elementary children can be safeguarded with 150-watt bulbs, the wiring of each building must be replaced in order to carry the load of electricity safely. Some new floors in the elementary buildings are needed. A consolidated elementary school would be an economy.
War and High School Program
The war has brought a number of changes in the high school program :
1. Physical fitness classes for every boy and girl 90 min- utes a week.
2. Aeronautics class (6 boys, 1 girl).
3. Solid Geometry and Trigonometry class for seniors (15 members).
4. Standard First Aid Course required for senior girls.
5. Pre-induction course in shopwork, approved by the War Department.
6. Penny milk for all students to increase health (one- half pint for one cent) .
7. War stamps on sale daily in the corridor.
8. Large servings of food at minimum prices through surplus commodities and wholesale purchases.
9. Granting of war-time diplomas to seniors in good standing leaving after February 1 for military serv- ice, early entrance to college, agriculture or industry with approval of senior adviser, principal, and school committee.
10. New folder-type of diploma.
Scholarship
The Honor Roll requirements have been raised as follows : High honors-all A's; Honors-2 or more A's and the rest B's. Graduates in 1942 now attend Massachusetts State Col- lege, Framingham and Hyannis State Teachers' Colleges,
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Becker Junior College and Boston College. Three scholarships were awarded: $100 by the Acton High School Scholarship Fund to Virginia Godfrey; $50 by the Acton Center Woman's Club to Florence Lawson; and $50 by the Acton Parent- Teacher Association to Helen Bjorklund. The West Acton Woman's Club, the Class of 1942, and the Class of 1943 made generous contributions to the Scholarship Fund.
Acton High School Scholarship Fund
For the year ending June 30, 1942 contributions amount- ing to $100 have been received from the West Acton Woman's Club and from the Classes of 1941, 1942, and 1943. The balance on July 1, 1942 was $493.65. It is a policy of the trustees to award or lend at least $100 a year, hoping to receive in gifts at least the same amount.
Orgnization of High School
The junior and senior high school grades were set apart in two units with a vice-principal for each, Mr. Kansanniva and Mr. Holt. Separate lunch periods, assemblies, and social events are held, although the school unites in many activities. Most teachers have classes in both units.
New textbooks were adopted in Mathematics, English, History, Science and French.
A detailed course of studies for Acton in Art, Music and Physical Education have been made.
Parent-Teacher Association
The continued co-operation of the P. T. A. has been of great benefit to the school department. Its support of the hot lunch program in Acton Center, the Milk Fund, the Schol- arship Fund, the Stage Equipment Fund is greatly appre- ciated.
Health
The dental work was discontinued in 1942 because no dentist could be secured to carry on the work. Some cases, however, were treated by neighboring dentists. The penny-
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milk program, started in November, has made available to every student a half-pint bottle of milk for 1c, the Acton School Milk Fund paying .95c and the Agricultural Marketing Administration paying the balance. The demand for milk increased in all schools and more than doubled in the high school. The Dental Fund has a balance of $9.66. A Health Survey of the Acton Schools was made by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, many of the recommendations already being in effect.
Athletic Association
All athletic teams showed excellent spirit and improve- ment in skill under the coaches : Miss O'Donnell, Miss O'Neill, Mr. Walsh, Mr. Kansanniva and Mr. Ralph Hayes. Total receipts of the association were $1371.86 and payments were $1165.93, the balance being $205.93. Sales in the fall maga- zine campaign to support the A. A. reached a new total of $712.50. A basketball banquet for the boys' and girls' squads was held in March.
Reports of Special Departments
Physical Training
High School Girls and Elementary Schools
A country at war needs youths who are physically fit. Therefore, a Physical Fitness Program is being pursued in the schools. The purpose of the program is to develop strength, agility and endurance. This end is accomplished through conditioning exercises and vigorous activities.
In the elementary schools there are exercises, mimetics, singing, games, story plays, relay races and games suitable for the age group.
In the junior and senior high schools every girl has two periods per week of physical education, plus extra curricular sports. Among the activities taken by the girls are exercises, folk dancing, stunts, tumbling and modern dancing. The par- ticular phase taken in modern dancing is a study in rhythm,
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space, time and focus, and the dancing is accompanied by percussive instruments.
The extra-curricula sports are field hockey, basketball, softball, hiking, bowling and skating. In the three former sports, the teams participate in intra-mural and inter-school competition.
Every student is given a physical examination, and phys- ical education is required for all except those excused by a doctor. Hot and cold showers are compulsory after all ac- tivity.
Posture is stressed in all classes, posture tests are given and suggestions for improvement are made. Talks on health and cleanliness are also included in this program.
Suggestions :
1. Gymnasium uniforms required for all class work.
2. Warm sweat suits purchased by the A. A. for school team players.
A Physical Education Demonstration will be held at the High School on February 17, 1943.
Rosemary O'Neill
High School Boys
December 5, 1942 marked the initial appearance of a revised physical fitness program for all boys from Grades 7 through 12. Designed to replace the old course, the new program meets the present needs for health improvement through carefully planned calisthenics, elementary skills in tumbling, wrestling and boxing, wand drills and other valuable co-ordination exercises, and finally, the completion of endur- ance tests adapted by grades to meet minimum requirements as established within each individual group. Supplementing the new schedule will be varied sports for the purpose of developing the spirit of competition.
-
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In embryo at present, the program has been well received by all classes, who spend ninety minutes each Tuesday, and, as planned, a supplementary afternoon period for the more enthusiastic students. To insure greater interest and scien- tific development in the various desired skills, professional advice and assistance' has been assured.
Kalervo Kansanniva
Music
After a year of instruction and observation, I am happy to present my second annual report as supervisor of music.
A. Progress
1. Established a much needed course of studies for Grades 1-12, in order to insure uniform training in the entire school system, including vocal, instru- mental, chamber music, theory and music apprecia- tion.
2. Organized Rhythm Band in Grades 1 and 2 to stimu- late musical interest and appreciation.
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