USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1946-1950 > Part 17
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City of Boston Wards 464.70
Town of Boxborough-Tuition 2,486.47
Town of Westford-Tuition 297.98
Miscellaneous Collections at High School 43.05
$7,879.33
Net Cost of Operation
Appropriated 1947
$81,350.00
Expended
79,096.75
Received by Town Treasurer (as above) 7,879.33
Net Cost of Schools and vocational tuition
$71,217.42
Less : £ Cost of new equipment $940.99
Net cost of vocational tuition 131.13
1,072.12
Net cost of operation
$70,145.30
Expended for Operation in 1947
High Elementary Totals (Gr. 7-12) (Gr. 1-6) (Gr. 1-12)
Superintendence, Enforcement of Laws
and Miscellaneous Expenses
$ 1,437.14 $ 1,363.25 $ 2,800.39
Teachers', Principals', Supervisors' and Janitors' Salaries
36,290.61
22,830.42
59,121.03
Books and Supplies
1,976.72
1,038.59
3,015.31
Fuel
1,187.03
2,012.91
3,199.94
Janitors' Supplies - Telephone, Light and Power (Miscellaneous operating)
1,565.11
606.89
2,172.00
Repairs and Maintenance
1,491.74
527.98
2,019.72
Libraries
88.76
58.54
147.30
Health
134.69
125.00
259.69
Transportation
2,811.00
2,375.00
5,186.00
(Non-operating expense of $1,175.37 not included)
Totals
$46,982.80 $30,938.58 $77,921.38
8
Less Receipts
5,370.92
2,405.16
77,921.38
(Except $103.25 on vocational tuition)
Net Cost of Operation
41,611.88 $28,533.42 $70,145.30
Approximate average number of pupils Average yearly cost per pupil to near- est dollar
310
210
520
$134.00
$136.00
$135.00
In addition to the above, the school department expended the following:
New Equipment
940.99
Tuition to Vocational Schools
234.38
Total of these Two Items
$ 1,175.37
Total of Operating Expenses 77,921.38
Total Expended
$79,096.75
Proposed Budget for 1948
Salaries (Supt., Prin., Teachers and Janitors') $65,000.00
Fuel
4,000.00
Misc. (General Control and Auxiliary) 600.00
Books and Supplies
3,400.00
Transportation 6,000.00
Vocational Tuition 300.00
Janitors' Supplies (Telephone, Light & Power, etc.) 2,100.00
Outlay (New Grounds and Equipment) 1,000.00
Repairs and Replacements
2,000.00
Libraries
200.00
Health
275.00
Total $84,875.00
9
School Membership and Attendance Membership by Age and Grade, October 1, 1947
HIGH SCHOOL
Age
Boys:
Grade
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Tot.
7
8
10
5
2
1
8
2
4
2
0
8
9
8
10
6
1
1
26
10
7
6
2
1
16
7
5
3
15
11
5
14
3
22
8
12
17
21
20
13
19
3
Total 113
Girls :
Grade
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Tot.
7
4
14
1
1
20
8
1
6
12
6
25
9
1
7
12
1
21
10
10
11
4
25
11
1
7
9
2
19
12
6
13
1
20
5
21
20
30
19
19
15
1
Total 130
CENTER SCHOOL
Age
Boys:
Grade
5
6
7
8 9
10
11
12
13
14
Tot.
1
2
7
1
10
2
2
6
8
3
4
1
5
4
1
3
1
5
5
1
10
1
12
6
2
6
1
9
Ungraded
0
2 9 7 5 4
13
8 1
Total 49
12
26
10
Girls :
Grade
ɔ̃
6
7 8 9
10 11
12
13
14
Tot.
1
3
4
7
2
1
5
6
3
2
6
1
9
4
2
1
3
5
2
2
4
2
2
4
Ungraded
1
1
3 5 7 6 5 6
2
34
Grand Totals 5 14
14
11 9 19 10
1
83
SOUTH SCHOOL
Age
Boys :
Grade
5
6
7 8 9 10
11
12
13
14
Tot.
1
3
3
2
3
7
2
12
3
6
1
7
4
2
2
5
4
4
2
10
6
2
1
1
4
Ungraded
1
1
1
3
6
7
£
8
8
6
4
1
1
41
Girls :
Grade
5
6
7
8 9
10
11
12
13
14
Tot.
1
1
5
1
7
2
7
2
9
3
1
8
3
12
4
3
4
7
5
3
3
1
11
6
3
7
1
11
1
5
9
13
10
6
8
1
53
Grand Totals
1
11
16
21
18
12
12
2
1
94
6
11
WEST SCHOOL
Age
Boys :
Grade
5
6
7
8 9 10
11
12
13
14
Tot.
1
3
7
1
2
1
11
1
13
3
1
7
2
10
4
8
5
1
2
1
1
5
6
1
7
2
1
3 £
8
13
16
3
3 8 3
1
58
Girls :
Grade
5
6
7
8 9
10
11
12
13
14
Tot.
1
2
3
5
2
2
3
1
1
7
3
2
2
4
2
6
1
9
5
1
5
1
7
6
2
9
11
2 5 3 5 8 8
10
41
Grand Totals 5
13 16
21
11 11 18
3 1
99
11
8
11
12
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee and Citizens of Acton, Massachusetts : Philosophy :
Every child regardless of his ability, or lack of ability, is entitled to receive the best training possible to help him to become a successful citizen. The less fortunate require much time, patience, and consideration by parents and teach- ers, but they are just as human as the more fortunate and should not be cast aside because of conditions over which they have no control. It is the job of the public school to develop all types of children, and a person worthy of being a teacher in a public school must derive satisfaction from working with all types and seeing them develop. Much less effort on the part of the teacher is required in working with the more fortunate and results are quicker and greater. Many of these pupils will be successful in spite of the teachers. Ability to handle difficult cases and situations is, in my esti- mation, a good yardstick by which to measure teaching ability.
Over the past fifty years, new inventions, experiments, wars, political and economic theories, and taxes have caused practically a revolution in the American way of life. All this has had an unfavorable effect on many of our children and has made teaching so difficult that today it is only the excep- tional teachers who are successful. They are in great demand and the towns where these facts are recognized are bidding for their services.
Two other factors, which occasionally make it possible to retain good teachers, are nearness to home and congenial working conditions. In some cases it is vitally important that the individual live at home; and when home and work are near each other there is a great saving in time, effort, and expense.
We are concerned with the other factor-congenial work- ing conditions. Work is pleasant when personalities are friendly, cooperative, and constructive. Then teachers, as well
13
as others, feel more like doing their best and in remaining in that environment. Everyone who has contacts with a school should realize that he can help to make it successful or he can create a feeling of unrest and dissatisfaction by his comments 'and actions. Suggestions for improvement are always welcomed, but those who offer them should be careful to whom, and in what way, they are given. In teaching, the congeniality factor is more important than most people realize. I hope the town of Acton will be successful in retaining its best teachers, and when vacancies do occur, that the teaching force will be strengthened.
Personnel :
Early in 1947, Mrs. Toye (who was Dorothy Beers) re- signed from the position of physical education instructor for girls, and was replaced by Miss Margaret Greenwood. Miss Greenwood resigned at the end of the school year to take a position at Boston University. This position was filled in September by Miss Nathalea Vincent, a Boston University (Sargent) graduate from Arlington. Miss Mary Hogan, com- mercial teacher, resigned to return to her home in Springfield. Her place has been taken by Miss Jacqueline Jeyes of Lowell, a graduate of Salem Teachers' College in 1947. Miss Ann Horrigan, teacher of English in the high school, resigned to take a position in Arlington, near her home. Her classes have been taught by Miss Judith Britton of Leominster, a graduate of Emerson College. Mr. Ernest Wheeler did not return as teacher of manual arts, and this position has been filled by Mr. Ralph Stetson of Concord. There were two changes in the teaching force of the elementary grades. Mrs. Helga Archer went to California and Mrs. Edith Hatch did not re -· turn. Mrs. Helen Best is now teaching grades three and four in West Acton. She had taught for several years in Chelsea. Miss Genevieve McKenna, with many years successful teach- ing experience in Fall River, took over grades three and four in Acton Center in September. In October, she sent in her resignation, but remained until the Christmas vacation. This vacancy has been filled by Miss Isabel MacPherson, a graduate of Boston University in 1946. Miss MacPherson also had two
14
years training at Salem Teachers' College, and has had several months teaching experience.
Buildings :
Only minor and urgent repairs have been made on the elementary schools during the past year. These include repairing the outside front steps at the South School.
At the West School, a new lock was installed on the front door and the front steps here were repaired.
The heater in the Center School was overhauled and new openings for the smoke pipes were made in the chimney to eliminate the odor of coal gas in the building.
Soon after Mr. Charter returned as custodian at the high school, he installed several new grates in the boiler. Since then considerable work has been done on the heating system. Some steam traps have been repaired and several have been replaced to eliminate knocking in the pipes. Several cracked radiators have been repaired, some new gaskets have been installed, and several valves have been packed. During the summer, the floors in the rooms over the auditorium were cleaned of oil, sanded, sealed, and waxed. A large amount of calking was done around windows and skylights and much of the exterior woodwork was painted during the summer by Mr. Charter with the help of an assistant. During the recent Christmas vacation, the floors in the short halls in the upper part of the building were refinished to match the adjoining rooms. By the time this report is printed, new reflectors and guards will have been installed in the auditorium. An emer- gency lighting unit for the auditorium is also on hand ready to be installed. During the year, we have purchased a new refrigerator and an electric stove for the domestic science department and three new typewriters for the commercial department. We also acquired five teachers' desks and chairs from the Government for the cost of transportation.
During the past year it has been necessary again to patch the roof on the high school. The roof, over twenty years old, started to give trouble within a year or two from the time it was completed. There is a separate article concerning this
15
roof in the warrant which should be given serious thought by the voters.
Survey :
There is a second article, regarding a survey of school needs, which should be looked upon with favor by all persons interested in the future of the town. A long term educational program should be formulated and the land necessary to carry it out should be acquired as soon as possible. By rigid economy we are returning $2,453.25 to the town and it seems logical that the amount requested for this survey should be voted from this excess.
We are asking for $84,875.00 for your schools. I feel certain that the total will cover our expenditures but with prices still fluctuating we cannot be certain that the break- down will be accurate. In 1947, it was necessary to request an extra $200.00 for fuel from the finance board, although we returned $2,453.25 to the town as unexpended balances in other accounts.
I wish to call attention to the reports of special depart- ments which follow.
Respectfully submitted,
DAVID C. BOWEN, Superintendent of Schools
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Center School:
. I herewith submit my report for the Acton Center School for the year 1947.
The teaching staff from January to June was Mrs. Bra- man in Grades 1 and 2, Mrs. Hatch in Grades 3 and 4, and Mrs. Berry in Grades 5 and 6. Miss McKenna was appointed in September for Grades 3 and 4. The average enrollment was eighty-four.
16
There are sixty-one pupils who bring lunches regularly. Milk is sold to these pupils. All the teachers are on duty during the lunch time. One teacher supervises the playground during the short morning recess. One teacher and Mr. Harvey supervise the playground during the half-hour noon recess. Fire drills are held monthly.
The children took part in the Infantile Paralysis collection. The enrollment in the Junior Red Cross was 100 per cent. Red Cross boxes were filled for needy children abroad.
Playground equipment was bought from the proceeds of seeds sold in the spring. Money was also given by the fifth and sixth grade children for this purpose in June.
State Certificates were presented to the children partici- pating under the reading program carried on by Miss Lothrop, our librarian.
During Education Week in November, parents were in- vited to visit the building. The teachers were in their rooms to receive the parents. The response was most gratifying.
I appreciate the loyal support of the parents, the teachers, and Mr. Harvey during the past year.
DARDANA BERRY Acting Principal
West School:
I herewith submit my annual report for the West Acton School.
The September enrollment was as follows: Mrs. Wells, Grades 1 and 2, thirty-six pupils; Mrs. Best, Grades 3 and 4, twenty-nine pupils ; Mrs. Douglas, Grades 5 and 6, thirty-four pupils. The present enrollment is one hundred.
Average number of pupils bringing lunches is twenty-five.
An average of twenty bottles of milk has been sold daily since September.
Fire drills are held monthly.
17
Junior Red Cross enrollment was 90 per cent. Several gifts were brought to help fill boxes for the children in other countries.
Seeds were sold as usual to aid in purchasing of maga- zines and balls.
State Certificate Reading is carried on in Grades 4, 5, and 6.
Mrs. Wells attended the four-day conference held at Leslie College, Cambridge, last June, and received a certificate of attendance.
Education Week was observed on November 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Special invitations were sent to the parents. It was most gratifying to the teachers that sixty parents and friends responded to these invitations.
Three large packing boxes filled with all kinds of clothing, books, toys, games, and candy were sent to a needy family in the Kentucky Mountains for Christmas.
In closing, I wish to thank the many parents for their willingness to help, to Mr. Banks for his kind assistance in mailing the boxes of clothes, etc., and to my teachers for helping to defray the expenses.
CARRIE F. WELLS
Principal
South School:
The South Acton School opened September 8, 1947, with an enrollment of ninety-four. The teaching staff remains the same as last year - Miss Merriam, Mrs. Gemma, and Miss McCarthy. One teacher is on duty in the early morning and two teachers are on duty during the lunch period. Mr. Harvey assists in supervision inside the building and on the play- ground. Fire drills are conducted monthly.
The school contributed to the March of Dimes. One dollar was sent to the 4-H Camp Middlesex in Ashby. Red Cross membership this year was 100 per cent. Many small
18
gifts were brought for overseas boxes. The proceeds of the spring seed sale was $15.00. This money is used for play- ground equipment and magazines. Due to the great rise in prices, I suggest that the school department supply some playground equipment each year.
Whooping cough has lowered the per cent of attendance in the first four grades during November. The audiometer test was given in grades three to six and five children were found to have defective hearing.
Folk dancing was carried on in the spring, although no culmination for this project was undertaken. Shortly after school opened in September, a bus trip to the Indian Museum at Harvard, Massachusetts, was greatly enjoyed by grades 2, 3, and 4. This trip provided information and material for language activities. During Education Week in November, parents were invited to visit school and about fifty people came. The teachers thank those parents for their interested response.
Mrs. Gemma has commuted between Clinton and South Acton daily since September, 1946-a year and three months to date-without a single day of absence. Miss Merriam and Miss McCarthy enrolled for the Elementary Teachers' Con- ference at Leslie College in June and are now attending the classes in "Reading and Study in the Elementary School" held in Concord.
JULIA L. MCCARTHY
Principal
High School:
Conant Library
The library is open for reference work until 3:15 after school. Books may be signed out in the morning before school, during noon lunch period, and after school.
There is still a great need for many new books: fiction, biographies, autobiographies, and historical novels. All dona- tions will be gratefully received. These books are needed for the required reading in the English courses.
19
The Student Council of 1946-47 presented the library with ten books. It is the first time any school organization has helped this library. We wish to thank them for their donation. We hope this will set a precedent and that other organizations of the school will help the library.
We wish to thank the Acton Library for the gift, by transfer, of the two complete sets of the Hudson Edition of Shakespeare. This gift was made possible by the thoughtful- ness of Miss Lothrop, the librarian. These sets were badly needed and will be very much appreciated by the English Department.
We wish to thank those members of the student body who have helped in the library work.
HENRY HOPKINSON Librarian
Art Department :
In the grades, we have covered projects in design and figure drawing. In the drawing of figures, the child has a chance to express himself in the everyday life in which he lives. Art is also correlated with other subjects when pos- sible. The fifth and sixth grades took part in the annual Ani- mal Rescue League Poster Contest. Prizes were awarded to winners in each school.
Students of the Junior High School were also awarded prizes for their Animal Rescue League Posters.
For our Junior Red Cross work, the students of both the junior and senior high school made fifty place mats and fifty menu covers for the Cushing Hospital.
Last April an exhibition of work done by the junior and senior high school students was held in the high school.
This fall a bulletin board was placed in the lower hall and each week different students' work has been placed there, which has proved interesting to passersby.
20
I want to thank all the members, the town, and the school department for their cooperation during this year in making the Art Department a success.
Respectfully submitted,
ELSEA M. BRIDGESS
Acton High School Athletic Association:
The Acton High School Athletic Association has been able to build up a fund through the magazine drive and dona- tions from friends in the town. As of January 1, 1948, the amount totaled $600.00 with very few outstanding bills.
Physical training is conducted for both the junior and senior high school students, the latter after school due to the limited time of the school curriculum.
The intra-mural basketball program initiated last year has been continued with a great deal of success. There are six teams competing weekly allowing for approximately fifty students to compete in athletics.
The high school basketball team has been entered in the Wachusett League and is undrgoing a successful season. This year the team defeated Maynard High School at Boston Garden by the score of 32 to 17, avenging last year's loss by one point. The Athletic Association has purchased basketball suits for both the girls' and boys' varsity teams, with the junior high school team using the varsity suits of last year. The junior high school team is a member of the newly formed Middlesex League.
The baseball team will be a member of the Wachusett League again this year and we have high hopes of being a strong contender for the trophy.
We suggest that a skating rink be set up on the field next to the high school. This could be used for hockey and also for public skating for the boys and girls of the town. The cost could be reduced through the Industrial Arts Depart- ment. Mr. Stetson has vffered to supervise the construction of this rink after the material has been purchased.
21
It is recommended that a full-time athletic director be appointed to supervise the athletic program covering the grammar schools along with the junior high and high school.
In closing, we wish to thank Dr. Clark for his voluntary support in giving free medical aid to members of the teams; the Parent-Teacher's Association which has made free trans- portation available to our home basketball games; Mr. Bradley for his interest in the baseball team in keeping Jones' Field the best playing surface in these parts; and Mr. Bowen and the rest of the faculty of Acton High School for their coopera- tion and interest.
WILLIAM O'CONNELL ALEXANDER KYRIOS
Music Department :
A brief summary of the activities within the scope of the Music Department reveals that some progress has been made in the direction of the goal set by the Director of Music Education. However, the rate of progress must necessarily be slow, in a school that has to split both activities and curriculum so fine.
In a large school, 10 per cent of the student body, repre- sented in music activities, is considered very good, and such a condition ensures a maximum of interest in the art by the participants. In our Acton High School, nearly 80 per cent of the students are in one or another of the music organiza- tions.
While this is a good thing in one respect and enables the instructor to teach as much as possible to as many as possible, it must also mean that the aggregate depth of the interest involved will be shallower than would be the case if the opportunity to study music were limited to the comparatively talented six or eight per cent.
Instrumental music is still hampered by a lamentable lack of instruments, and a suitable time and place for opera- tion. The pressure of other subjects in the curriculum makes it very difficult to afford adequate time for those involved.
22
In the vocal music division, time and place are factors to be considered in evaluating the value; and progress of the work attempted and completed.
Last spring's concert was reasonably successful, and was productive of much good. Both girls and boys were a credit to the town.
The concert given in December by the boys' chorus was also a successful venture, and, for Acton, a novelty in school activities.
This spring a concert that will include a cantata by the fifth and sixth grades is now in preparation, and this should widen the interest in music throughout the community.
The book situation in the elementary schools will soon be adequately adjusted, so that each grade may have the use of a book designed for specific grade study.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN M. PRISKE
23 REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Mr. David C. Bowen Superintendent of Schools Acton, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my annual report as school physician.
The usual physical examinations were completed on October 29, 1947.
Early in the fall special examinations were conducted for students playing hockey and basketball.
Pre-school examinations were held in September.
Inoculations for diphtheria in conjunction with the Board of Health were held for the lower grades in May.
I wish to thank the superintendent, the townspeople, the teachers, and the nurse for their cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
E. A. MAYELL, M.D.
24 REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
Mr. David C. Bowen Superintendent of Schools Acton, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
Report for the school year ending December, 1947.
A few cases of the usual communicable diseases were present through the winter months and again in the late fall but never reaching the epidemic stage.
Pre-school clinic was held early in May when parents could register children entering school in September for the first time and have an opportunity of finding defects in children in time to have corrections made before the child started school -- giving the child a better start.
Diphtheria Clinic was held in May. A chance was given all pre-school children to be Schicked and immunized. Many parents requested Schick tests on children previously done and booster shots were given where needed. Because of the diphtheria cases throughout the state, many gladly took ad- vantage of this opportunity. This year, for once, the clinic was popular and more widely patronized.
The annual school physical examinations were completed early in November by Dr. Mayell.
This year the hearing of all pupils was tested by audiometer and notices sent to parents where deafness was found. It is hoped that parents realize the seriousness of defective hearing and take the necessary steps to do what can be done to restore the hearing before it is too late.
In closing, may I thank the teachers and the superintend- ent for their hearty cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
LILLIAN F. TAYLOR, R.N.
25
ACTON HIGH SCHOOL Graduation Program June 13, 1947
Processional
Pomp and Circumstance
Elgar
Invocation
The Reverend Gordon Crook
Salutatory
Janice Harriette Webb
Senior Chorus
"Rose Marie"
Rudolf Friml
Address
Louis C. Zahner The Groton School
Head of English Department
Piano Solo
Barcarolle .J. Offenbach
Frances Jean Merry
Presentation of Class Gift
Walter Matthew Ballard President of Senior Class
Senior Chorus
"The World is Waiting for the Sunrise" Seitz
Valedictory
Ruth Elaine Gilbert
Class Song
Words : £ Ruth E. Gilbert
Presentation of Awards Mr. David C. Bowen Mr. William O'Connell
26
Presentation of Diplomas Mr. Richard A. Lowden Chairman of School Committee
National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance
Benediction
The Reverend Francis Egan
Recessional
"Triumphal March" from Aida Verdi
Reception to Graduates
GRADUATES, 1947
*Walter Matthew Ballard Gladys Bancroft
+Phyllis Elaine Barnhart David Michael Barry Lorraine Olive Bursaw #Marjorie Christofferson *Gordon W. Danielson Ardelle M. Day Albert Durkee
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