USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1941-1945 > Part 19
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Superintendent, Salary and Traveling Expenses $ 2,033.44 Office Expenses 548.60
Total General Control
$ 2,582.04
Expenses of Instruction
Supervisors' Salaries, Art, Music, Physical
Education
3,129.29
High School Principal's Salary 1,199.92
High School Teachers, Salaries 20,640.31
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Elementary Principals, Salaries 4,905.01
Elementary Teachers, Salaries 8,256.94
$38,131.47
High School Textbooks
562.56
Elementary Textbooks
717.84
High School Stationery and Supplies
929.37
Elementary Stationery and Supplies
378.75
$ 2,588.52
High School Operating Expenses
Janitor
$ 1,553.46
Fuel
1,661.92
Miscellaneous
891.68
$ 4,107.06
Elementary Operating Expenses
Janitors
$ 2,523.92
Fuel
1,406.35
Miscellaneous
587.23
$ 4,517.50
Total Operating Expenses
8,624.56
High School Maintenance and Repairs
457.40
Elementary Maintenance and Repairs
210.70
Total Maintenance and Repairs
668.10
Auxiliary Agencies
Health, High
$ 125.00
Health, Elementary
125.00
Libraries, High
185.83
Transportation
4,750.00
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Vocational Education 52.62
Miscellaneous Expenses, High
157.78
$ 5,396.23
Total Expended
$57,990.92
Unexpended Balance
9.08
Appropriation
$58,000.00
Report of the Superintendent of Schools
To the School Committee of Acton, Massachusetts Ladies and Gentlemen :
I herewith submit my third annual report for the year ending December 31, 1943.
In March, 1943, Mrs. Arthur Fraser of South Acton was elected to serve one year to complete the term of Mrs. Hazel O. Bundy. Mrs. G. Howard Reed and Mr. Waldo J. Flint of West Acton were elected for three- year terms. At the organization meeting Mr. Walter B. Stevens was elected chairman and the superintendent was elected clerk of the school committee.
Teachers
Since January 1, 1943, the following teachers have left Acton: Mr. Robert T. Roy (to become principal of the Sippeican School in Marion, Mass.), Mrs. Louisa Jordan (resigned), Mr. Howard A. Libby (change of vocation), Miss Helen Connell (to teach in West Bridgewater), Mr. Kalervo Kansanniva (Army), Miss Bartlett (to be mar- ried), Miss Eynon (to teach in Winsted, Conn.), Mr. Harris (to teach in Concord, Mass.), Mr. Ralph Hayes (Army), Miss Rosemary O'Neill (to teach in Arlington, Mass.), Miss Constance Russo (to teach in Waltham, Mass.), and Miss
1
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Florence Reed (to be married). This is a total of 12 teach- ers, one-half of our staff.
The following teachers were appointed, six of whom are married women with considerable experience: Mrs. Dardana Berry, Center School, Grades 5 and 6; Mrs. Catherine Archer, Center School, Grades 1 and 2; Mrs. Carrie F. Wells, West School, Grades 1 and 2; Miss Norma E. Leppanen, French and English; Mrs. Mary Emerson, home economics; Mr. Richard E. Bradford, acting vice- principal of the junior high school, coaching and social studies ; Mrs. Barbara Kunhardt, commercial subjects ; Miss Henrietta Schmidt, junior high school subjects; Miss Dor- othy Beers, physical education supervisor; Miss Florence Reed and Mrs. Jeanne Toohey, art supervisors. A total of 11 teachers was appointed.
Several elementary teachers attended a conference on methods at the Bridgewater Teachers College and two high school teachers are part-time students at the Boston Uni- versity School of Education.
Custodians
Mr. Carl Anderson was transferred from the West School to the high school, in a new position combining the work of custodian, attendance officer, and school depart- ment transportation. Mr. Ernest G. Banks took charge of the West School. Mr. Ralph Rogers resigned at the Center School to enter technical defense work and Mr. Harry E. Holt became custodian.
Salaries
On April 5 the school committee voted to pay all reg- ular teachers and principals a war allowance of $200 in 1943. The committee again comes before the town with a budget including the war allowance.
During the Summer of 1943 the state legislature made
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$1200 the legal minimum salary for teachers and the school committee was obliged to meet this requirement on Jan- uary 1, 1944.
Financial
Your attention is directed to the net cost of our schools rather than to the amount appropriated. In 1943 the ap- propriation was $58,000, but the net cost was only $48,- 512.25. The amount received by the town on account of schools was $9,478.67, about 15% of the appropriation, the receipts being listed earlier in this report under "Com- parison of Net Cost of Acton Schools."
The committee asks for $59,000 in 1944, $1,000 more than last year. Several factors explain this increase: the new legal minimum salary, the need to bring our textbooks up to date, and the automatic annual step raises for new teachers, of whom there were eleven in 1943.
Special Articles
1. Payments to Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement Board of $277.88.
This special article complies with Section 9 of Chapter 708 of the Acts of 1941 and Section 9A of said Chapter 708, as inserted by Chapter 419 of the Acts of 1943: An Act Providing for Special Funds to meet the Liability of the Commonwealth and Political Subdivisions thereof to Pay Contributions to Contributory Retirement Systems on Account of Members thereof in the Military or Naval Serv- ice. "In order to provide funds to carry out the provisions of section nine, there shall be appropriated . .. annually, in the case of cities, towns, and districts, sums equal to not less than one-half of the amount which would have been paid by members on military leave of absence referred to in said section nine had they remained in the service of the commonwealth or of a political subdivision thereof during the preceding budgetary period."
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The contributions are to be paid on account of the estate of Theodore H. Ehrhardt, and on account of Robert L. Perry, Roger T. Walsh, John Mitchell, Kalervo Kansan- niva, and Ralph B. Hayes.
2. Metal-Working Machines for High School Indus- trial Arts Shop-$1500.
Four bench machines are needed, as reported last year, which are listed in order of preference: grinder, lathe, shaper, and milling machine. Students in service report how practical our pre-induction shopwork has been. Metal work could be taught in Grades 7-12. Priorities are avail- able for these machines, which were recommended by the service representative of a nationally known school shop equipment concern. The estimated cost includes the addi- tional wiring necessary.
3. Fluorescent Lighting in Elementary Classrooms- $1500.
For several years the superintendent's report has men- tioned the inadequate lighting with 100-watt incandescent lamps. The fluorescent fixtures are guaranteed to give ade- quate light without glare or shadow in all parts of the room.
4. New High School Roof Covering-$1500.
For several years the town has been reminded that the high school roof leaks. Some flashings are needed to replace the Toncan metal flashings originally installed. The felt is low and exposed in spots so that parts of the roof do not drain, especially during a driving storm or follow- ing a heavy snow fall.
Consolidated Elementary School
A consolidated elementary school has been under con- sideration since 1928 and the matter is being brought again to the attention of the town. The school committee rec-
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ommends consideration of a consolidated school and is ready to co-operate with the local committee representing the Massachusetts Emergency Public Works Commission (Mr. Albert P. Jenks, Chairman, Mr. Richard F. Deane, and Mr. Forrest E. Bean). Considerable interest in a consoli- dated school was shown by the town in 1938, when a pro- posal to build was defeated by a small margin.
The chief advantages in a consolidated school will be economy of maintenance and improvement of instruction. The three elementary schools, all about 60 years old, are rated as third class construction. For three buildings there are 5 hot air and 4 steam heaters, costly to operate. Al- though the elementary schools and the high school have about the same number of students, the elementary schools cost about $19,000 more to operate between 1926 and 1936.
Instruction for two grades in one room can not be what it should be, particularly in Grades 1 and 2. In the West School at present there are 42 pupils in these grades in charge of one teacher.
War and the High School Program
Several changes in the high school program caused by the war were listed last year. These changes are still in effect, with two exceptions, and further improvements have been made.
1. Standard Red Cross Home Nursing Course required for senior girls and Standard Red Cross First Aid Course required for junior girls. Fifteen first aid certificates awarded at graduation.
2. Eight diplomas granted senior boys in service.
3. Arrangement for John Nichols to complete his high school course while in the Navy through the U. S. Armed Forces Institute and earn a diploma.
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4. Minute Man Flag earned for the high school be- cause 90% of the students bought war stamps and bonds in one month. Sales are made at noon by members of the Salesmanship and Business Or- ganization classes under the direction of Mrs. Kunhardt, the commercial teacher. Each elemen- tary school also earned the Minute Man Flag.
In Memoriam
Theodore Herman Ehrhardt, former principal of the West School, was killed in action June 4, 1943 in the Latin- American area. He was leading a Ferry Command Squad- ron from Texas to the Panama Canal Zone.
Lieutenant Ehrhardt was educated in the schools of Whitman and received his master's degree at Bridgewater State Teachers' College. He also studied at Harvard and Boston University. Enlisting in July, 1941, he received pre- liminary training at Spartan Field, Oklahoma, basic train- ing in Brady, Texas, and advanced training at Kelly Field, Texas.
Following his graduation from Kelly Field, where he was commissioned a second lieutenant in February, 1942, he married the former Dorothy Cushman, also a teacher. Shortly afterward he was assigned as flight instructor in South America. Later he was stationed with the Ferry Command at Love Field, Texas, where he was promoted to first lieutenant.
The following paragraph was part of a letter sent by the school committee to Mr. Ehrhardt's wife and mother.
"Mr. Ehrhardt was considered a valued member of the staff, particularly in West Acton where he was prin- cipal of the elementary school. His friendly attitude, his loyal support of our schools, and his interest in music and dramatics are strongly impressed on the minds of Acton people."
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Plans have been made to place a picture of Mr. Ehr- hardt, with a suitable inscription, in the West School. Con- tributions will be made by students who knew him.
In Memoriam
Robert Lynne Townsend, who graduated from Acton High School in 1941, died of wounds at Bougainville in November, 1943. He was president of his junior class, president of student council, and a member of the football team, glee club, Torch staff, and traffic squad. The present student council members all signed a note of sympathy sent to his parents, Rev. and Mrs. Lynne P. Townsend of Well- fleet, Massachusetts.
Plans have also been made to place a picture of "Bob" Townsend, suitably inscribed, in the high school building.
SCHOLARSHIP
A high academic standard is maintained. Acton High School is rated a Class A high school by the state depart- ment of education and is approved by the New England College Admissions Board. Students from our school with a B average are admitted to 14 New England Colleges with- out examination. Eligibility for school activities requires a passing grade in studies, a mark of 1 in attitude towards school work and a mark of satisfactory in conduct.
Graduates in 1943 now attend Radcliffe, Massachusetts State College, Becker Junior College, Westbrook Junior College, and the Cambridge Hospital School of Nursing. Eight boys are in service and one girl is in the U. S. Cadet Nurse Corps. Three scholarships were awarded: $50 and $5 by the Acton Center Woman's Club to Jean Elizabeth Campbell and Kathleen Mary Feehan on entering nursing, and $100 by the Acton High School Scholarship Fund to Helen Elizabeth Burroughs. The sympathetic leadership of Miss Towne, the senior adviser, and the guidance work of Mr. Holt, the vice-principal, contribute greatly to the suc- cess of our graduates.
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Acton High School Scholarship Fund
For the year ending December 31, 1943, contributions amounting to $118.95 were received from the Class of 1943, the West Acton Woman's Club and the Parent-Teacher Association. The balance is $522.59. The trustees have taken steps to add an amendment to Article III of the dec- laration of trust so that current contributions may be used as a scholarship up to $100 a year.
Parent-Teacher Association
The P .- T. A. continues its interest in school affairs. The annual declamation contest was held as a school as- sembly, with prizes of $5, $3, and $2 in war stamps. A further contribution of $33.94 to the Stage Equipment Fund made it possible to install permanent drapes on the stage, a great improvement in Blanchard Hall.
Health
Dental work is greatly needed but the school clinic cannot yet be set up again. An effort is being made to have the children see the dentist twice a year and bring to school the state department of public health dental certificate. Dental care is also stressed in the physical education pro- gram.
Conant Library
During 1943 the high school library has rceeived many gifts from townspeople: the latest edition of Encyclopedia Americana (30 volumes), a collection of historical refer- ence books, over 150 copies of Fortune magazine, and funds to purchase about 50 volumes of standard and recent litera- ture for outside reading assignments.
Athletic Association
Considering the transportation problems and the short- age of boys, all athletic teams co-operated wholeheartedly with the coaches: Miss O'Neill, Miss Beers, Mr. Hayes, Mr.
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Kansanniva, and Mr. Bradford. Many fine games have been held. Under the direction of Mr. Holt, Faculty Mana- ger of Athletics, the students improved last year's maga- zine sales with a total of $915.00, which gave the school $309.00 for athletic purposes. The balance on December 31, 1943 was $407.73.
Textbooks
Some progress has been made in bringing the text- books up to date, including readers in Grades 1 and 2, English in Grades 3-8, Science in Grades 7 and 8, all high school mathematics, Civics and World History in Grades 9 and 10, and pre-induction shop courses. New texts needed are Geographies in Grades 4-7, Music for all grades, readers for Grade 3, Science for Grades 3-6, Dictionaries for Grade 8, and Arithmetics for Grades 4-6. In 1945 probably all our textbooks will be up to date.
Fuel
The elementary remedial teaching position was closed in February 1943, and the unexpended salary was used, with the balance in the budget available for fuel, to pur- chase the entire 1943-44 fuel during the Summer. Here- after, the committee plans to purchase fuel for the entire school year during the preceding Summer.
Co-operation
A spirit of co-operation on the part of teachers and pupils has insured the success of many auxiliary school activities. Over 700 phonograph records were gathered to assist the American Legion in its campaign to release new records for service men. Various 4-H clubs made and sold Christmas greens to benefit the Camp Middlesex Fund for a new well. The profits were $86.35. The Art, Home Economics, and Industrial Arts Departments have made many practical articles for service men under the direction of the Junior Red Cross, to which students contributed over $30.
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Home and School
Members of the school department appreciate the con- tinued co-operation of parents and pupils. Teachers are glad to discuss with parents at any time the progress of their children.
I want to thank all members of the school department and the school committee for their support and encourage- ment during a year of many changes.
Respectfully submitted,
RICHARD B. GREENMAN, Superintendent of Schools.
Reports of Special Departments
Physical Training
HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
The health and physical fitness program is being carried on in the schools to meet the needs of our youth in this present war. It is the purpose of this program to develop strength, endurance, agility and co-ordination. This is accomplished through conditioning exercises, rhythmical work, health instruction, and vigorous activities in the form of sports and games.
The elementary school program includes exercises, story plays, mimetics, rhythmical activities, relay races, hunting, and athletic games. All of these activities em- phasize good posture and good health.
In both the junior and senior high school the majority of girls have two periods per week of physical education plus the extra-curricular sports. Every student is given a physical examination and physical education is required for every girl except those excused by a doctor. Included in the girls' program are exercises, folk dancing, stunts and tumbling, modern dancing, and the fundamentals of the various team sports.
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The extra-curricular sports-field hockey, basketball, and softball-include team participation in both intra-mural and inter-scholastic competition. Tumbling, hiking, and skating are also part of the extra-curricular program.
Posture is emphasized in all classes and tests are given with suggestions for improvement. Health instruction and lectures are also included in this program.
A special gymnastic uniform is required of all girls as a part of the class attendance. Hot and cold showers are also compulsory after all activity classes.
Suggestions :
1. Warm sweat suits purchased by the athletic asso- ciation for school team players.
2. Addition of individual sports equipment.
3. Building of tennis courts behind school for class and extra-curricular use.
The physical education demonstration will be held again this year at the high school on May 12, 1944.
Dorothy Beers.
HIGH SCHOOL BOYS
The boys' physical fitness classes started early in Sep- tember with definite aims: health improvement, co- ordination of all parts of the body, ability to give and take, and improvement of general morale through competitive games.
Each boy in Grades 9-12, following a physical exami- nation by the school doctor, has two periods (90 min.) per week of physical exercise plus 4-6 hours per week of extra activities work after school for those who wish to take part. Grade 7 and 8 boys have at least one period (two periods if weather permits) per week of directed exercises and games.
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All boys 'classes are held outdoors whenever the weather permits. They consist of calisthenics, tumbling, wrestling, and open-hand boxing, relays, close-order drill, road running, and the give and take of bodily contact as used in touch and tackle football, soccer, and basketball.
Much of the work carried on is recommended by the physical fitness experts of our U. S. Army as conditioning work.
Competitive 11-man football games were had with Middlesex, Concord, and Maynard. In basketball, under strict eligibility rules, we have scheduled at least a dozen games with surrounding schools. Baseball and track, in the Spring, will be planned if leisure time allows and if schedules can be arranged.
Skills as developed by our boys will be demonstrated to the public in Blanchard Hall on the evening of May 12, at 7.30 p. m.
Richard E. Bradford.
Music
My third annual report as supervisor of music in the Acton Public Schools is herewith submitted.
After two and a half years of instruction, observation, and recommendation, I am glad to report that I have suc- ceeded in establishing a sound and adequate music program in our Acton Schools. I am happy to present to you the fol- lowing progress made by our music department.
A. Progress
1. Established a course of harmony in the high school.
2. Organized a high school band.
3. Established a regular music appreciation program in the elementary schools.
4. Organized elementary instrumental class instruc- tion. Thirty-one pupils are receiving instrumen- tal instruction, seventeen more than last year.
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B. Instruments Acquired
1. Two clarinets purchased.
2. One violin given by Arthur LaRoche of South Acton.
C. Contribution to the Community by the Music Department
1. Part of the orchestra performed for a benefit bazaar.
2. The chorus sang in the Town Hall at the Honor Roll Dedication.
3. A group of high school singers and instrumental- ists sang and played Christmas carols in different parts of the town.
D. Public Performance
1. Annual music festival in April.
2. High school orchestra performed at graduation, a Parent-Teacher Association meeting, and the sen- ior play.
The morale of all groups is excellent.
I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the school committee, the superintendent, and the townspeople for their splendid co-operation, without which our music pro- gram could not succeed.
Charles K. Yeremian.
Art
The basic instruction in art education and appreciation is outlined below.
In the first three grades, emphasis is placed upon crea- tive self-expression in design and in illustration. This em- phasis is continued through the fourth and sixth grades with greater stress upon knowledge of design principles, elements of color theory, and perspective. Appreciation
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is emphasized in the seventh and ninth grades. The senior high school students study principles and theory further and concentrate upon the branch of art study most desired by the student.
Hectographed outlines with sketches, and sometimes samples of the lessons, are given to each grade teacher at the first of every month.
Correlation with other studies is introduced when pos- sible.
In all grades, most of the month of December was de- voted to construction work, design and illustration, and making useful objects for Christmas decoration and gifts. Some work was done for the Red Cross this year.
The posters for the senior high school play, "Plane Crazy," were made by the eighth grade and placed in store windows around Acton and the surrounding towns.
Jeanne Toohey.
Industrial Arts
The primary purpose of the schools of today is to give our youth a good general education. To attain this goal, definite subjects must be offered such as English, History, Science, Industrial Arts, and many others.
In our Acton High School Industrial Arts Department, general industrial training is offered under the units in woodworking, metal working, electricity, mechanical draw- ing, home mechanics, and two pre-induction training courses : fundamentals of shopwork and fundamentals of electricity, as approved by the War Department.
The outstanding value of metal working is quite ap- parent in the present day struggle to supply machines and materials to our fighting forces. Under metal working, machine shop practice stands out in importance both voca- tionally and avocationally. Our own machine shop unit
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would be enriched greatly and be quite complete with the addition of a power grinder, lathe with quick-change gears, shaper, and milling machine. All of these machines are recommended to be of the bench variety due to available shop space.
The 7th and 8th grades are now given two double periods per week, thus doubling their shopwork time and credit. Prepared courses prevail in the high school grades giving students five credits toward graduation for each year of successful completion of work in industrial arts.
Projects being made for the local unit of the Junior Red Cross include a book wagon, lamp stand, floor lamp, table lamp, dart game, fox and geese game, ping pong paddles, and several lapboards and writing boards.
In closing, I wish to express my appreciation to the school board, Mr. Greenman, and all others, who have aided me in the industrial arts work for the past year.
Wilbert H. Hayes.
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School Membership and Attendance
Membership by Age and Grade, October 1, 1943
Boys
Age
Grade 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Ttl
1 15 16
1
32
2
4 18 £ 2
24
3
7 12 2
21
4
15
5
24
6
15
7
6 13
28
8
6 14 5 1
26
9
3 11 5
1
20
10
3 3
3
1
10
11
3 6
2
11
12
1
4
1
6
5 7 3 7 11 5 1 5 8
1 1 7 2
232
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1
Girls
Age
Gr. 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Ttl
1 9 13 2 24
2 2 25 1 28
3
11 6 1
18
4
4 13 3 1
21
24
5 6
1 4 18 1 9 12 2 2
25
7
9 12 4 25
8
18
9
29
10
25
11
19
12
5 11 2 8 17 3
1 5 15 5 11 8 6 8 3 1 18
274
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REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Mr. Richard B. Greenman
Superintendent of Schools Acton, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my annual report as school phy- sician.
The annual physical examinations were completed in November.
In January there were a number of cases of German measles in the Center School and Chicken Pox in the West School in March. Neither reached the epidemic stage.
Immunization clinics for diphtheria were held in May and early June.
I have had the hearty co-operation of the superin- tendent, nurse, and teachers, for which I am grateful.
Respectfully submitted,
E. A. MAYELL, M. D.
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