USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Carver > Town annual reports of Carver 1948 > Part 4
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The cost of public education continues to remain at a high level and as predicted last year there is no indica- tion of a decline in the immediate present. The average salary which a Carver teacher receives now is equal to the average paid in towns of similar class throughout
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the State of Massachusetts. However, there is one serious handicap in accepting statistics of this sort and it indi- cates that we shall have to do more than pay the average salary. Although Carver is a class IV town (under five hundred families without a high school) class IV towns are in the minority in Southeastern Massachusetts; the fact should not be overlooked that in order to secure new teachers, we must compete with other towns and cities within a radius of 50 miles around us, and the aver- age classroom teacher's salary of Southeastern Massa- chusetts already is substantially higher than is being paid in Carver at present.
During the past year the legislature passed two bills relating to additional financial aid to the cities and towns for increased school expenses. One, known as School Aid, takes the place of the former reimbursement on teachers' salaries and other expenditures, and reimburses towns through the use of a formula based upon the number of children resident therein of 7-16. It may be conservatively estimated that Carver will receive an additional $2,500.00 under this change. The other bill, and the one most val- uable to Carver, will provide aid in the cost of planning and building a consolidated school. The earlier indica- tions were that Carver might anticipate from 27-30% aid in meeting the cost of a new building which will have to be undertaken sometime within the life of the law as it is not effective after June 30, 1951.
Enrollment for this year, when schools opened in Sep- tember remained at very nearly the same figure as last year with an over-all gain of six in the town. However, the prediction on numbers of pupils to enter next fall in the first grade indicate an increase in the primary (con- sidering those who will be eligible to enter under the examination system next fall) grades thus boosting the total enrollment within the town to about 280, or the highest number in a ten-year period.
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Improved use was made during the past year, through the decision of the school committee, of the existing transportation facilities. Study showed that entirely too many pupils were being accommodated on the West Car- ver bus route as compared with the capacity of the bus. The adjustment of routes permitted a reassignment of routes so that one, supplementary to the North Carver route, was arranged to take certain of the pupils formerly transported on the West Carver route and, as well, cer- tain of those formerly travelling on the original North Carver route which was likewise too crowded for either comfort or safety. Recent observations indicate we may find it necessary to open the question again for further study and revision.
Your attention is respectfully called to the table of re- imbursements and other income which accrued to the town because of school services during the past year. There has been no time previous to this year when Car- ver has received such a high amount. This table may be found among the opening pages of the section devoted to schools in the annual town report.
Once again may I express the appreciation of the others of the school staff and myself for the cordial and constant manner in which the school committee works its prob- lems out. It is always a pleasure to be employed by a town which makes a sincere effort to do the best for its children.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE R. AUSTIN, Superintendent of Schools.
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REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE CENTER SCHOOL
To the Superintendent of Schools:
The number of pupils attending the Center School continues to increase. Our enrollment for the years 1945 to 1948 is as follows: 84, 108, 122, and 136. Grades range in size from twenty-six to forty-one, the latter being housed in a room planned for thirty pupils. Our corridor space is taxed far beyond its normal capacity. Movement of classes from room to room for departmental work and for showing of films is very much restricted, as rooms are now outfitted for the number of pupils in that partic- ular room. Our toilet situation demands attention.
With the resignation of Mr. John F. Murphy Jr., Mrs. Marion Griffith was transferred from her work in Grade VII to departmental work in Grades VII and VIII. Mrs. Alice Shurtleff, a former teacher and more recently a substitute, was engaged to teach Grade VI. The change is working out in a most satisfactory manner. Thus for the first time in twelve years the Center School is without a transient teacher. The averaging teaching experience of the present members of the staff is fourteen years, the average period of teaching in Carver is ten years. This tenure of office insures a continuity of the school pro- gram which is not often possible in a small school sys- tem where there is usually a constant change in the teaching staff.
To add further to the stability of the school program, work is progressing on the much needed course of study. This work is being done by small groups of teachers from Lakeville, Rochester, and Carver under the direction of Superintendent of Schools, Mr. George R. Austin, and with the advice and help of outside authorities. A tenta- tive outline for History in Grade VII was drawn up last year and is now being used in the three towns. Similar
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work is being done for English VII and VIII, Social Studies Grades V and VI, and for History VIII. The work to be covered in each grade is carefully weighed; skills and attitudes are evaluated and assigned to subject areas. When completed and revised after a year's trial, this course of study will greatly benefit the program of the Center School. Teachers are enthusiastic over the possi- bilities and are devoting much time to the study.
Fortunately we have means to measure the success or failure of the academic features of our school program. Standardized Achievement Tests were given in October of the current year in three of our four grades.
The results are tabulated below: (score 5.1 means fifth grade, first month)
Grade Reading English Arith. History Geography Aver.
V
5.1
6.0
4.6
5.1
5.6
5.4
VI
6.9
7.3
5.6
6.5
8.8
6.5
VIII
7.4
7.3
6.7
6.4
7.3 7.0
Our graduates are continuing to do good work in the Plymouth Schools. For the present ninth grade, Carver furnishes 9% of its members, and 13% of the names on the honor roll.
An attempt is made to extend the range of our educa- tional program beyond the well-known three R's. This is accomplished by means of physical training and a very limited sports program, cooking and sewing, manual training, drawing, music and music appreciation. Out of school projects are also enlisted for this purpose. A trip to Boston by Grade VIII has promise of becoming an annual feature of the school's offering. For last year's trip, one-third of the expenses were paid from the school fund, money raised by the pupils of the school. On our first visit we studied the colonial exhibit at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, watched a newspaper go to press, visited Trinity Church, and enjoyed an afternoon at the
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theatre where we attended a performance of the Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera "The Mikado." This work had been previously studied in music appreciation with a complete recording made by many of the singers in the performance we witnessed. With school funds we pur- chased two student tickets for the Community Concerts being presented in Plymouth, Brockton, and Taunton. We encourage listening to worthwhile radio programs. Last spring our baseball team played three games; two with Lakeville and one with Rochester. Carver won all three which in some measure compensated for the defeat our basketball team experienced at the hands of the Waterman School of Rochester.
Defense stamps are sold weekly at the school. This is done to encourage the saving habit on the part of our young people. In a day when the individual is assuming less and less responsibility for his own welfare and per- mitting the government to take over the task, I consider any effort to develop a self-reliant citizenry to be a worth while project of the public school. Only one-fifth of the pupils enrolled take advantage of the opportunity of- fered them. Our weekly sale averages fifteen dollars. Encouragement on the part of the parents would add to the number of pupils setting aside a small amount of money each week.
For the second consecutive year, a magazine drive was staged under the direction of Mr. E. W. Schultz of the Curtis Publishing Co. Our first such drive earned us a total of $163.59: the second year netted us $213.89. This money is to be used to purchase a school radio, and to help defray part of the costs of the annual trip to Boston. If the magazine drive is to continue to be a part of the school program, certain rough edges in the plan will have to be ironed out. It is the plan of the school that pupils approach only those people whose names have been as- signed to them. In some cases this instruction has been ignored. At the present time the school fund has a bal- ance of $269.66.
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Our graduation was held on June 10, 1948, with the theme centering about the topic of the Expansion of the United States. At the same time a display of the work done in Sewing, Cooking, and Manual Training was dis- played. A list of the graduates follows:
Robert M. Andrews a
Margaret L. Pina a
Nancy Bailey a
Mary L. Santos a
Elaine Battles a
Mitchell A. Santos a
Donald F. Braley d
Ronald E. Shurtleff d
Walter M. Correio a
Charles J. Silva, Jr. a
Rita M. Fernandez a
Franklin A. Silva a
Clarence M. Garnett a Lawrence A. Silva d
Richard A. Gonsalves a
Richard M. Silva a
Theodore Goodreau a
Owen W. Vaughan b
Marilyn Griffith a
Janice O. Williams a
Ann V. Perry c Robert C. Williams a
Edward G. Young e
a-Plymouth Junior High b-Weymouth Vocational School
c-Moved from Carver
d-Left School
e-Bristol County Agricultural School
Seventeen instructional films have been scheduled for the current school year: three to be shown in History classes, nine for Geography, two for Literature, and three for assembly purposes. These films have been booked for showing when the subject is being studied in class work. This year we are forced to use the Town Hall for projec- tion of these films as the present size of classes does not permit the interchange of rooms.
Milk is still available to the students. Unfortunately a curtailment of State funds allocated for this purpose has resulted in an increase in the cost of the milk to the pupil. This increase has cut down the number of pupils taking advantage of the plan. The present cost to the pupil is 22¢ a week. Only forty-two of our present enrollment of
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one hundred and thirty-six pupils are regularly obtaining milk through this plan.
What success we may have experienced is due largely to the co-operative efforts of the teachers and supervisors. They join me in expressing my appreciation for the guid- ance and support which you have given us during the school year.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY M. SHAW
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF ART AND MANUAL TRAINING
Mr. George R. Austin
Superintendent of Schools, Union No. 42 Middleboro, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Austin:
In compliance with your request, I herewith submit my annual report of the Art and Manual Training Depart- ments, in schools of Carver, Massachusetts, for the year ending 1948.
"Look! I begin with nothing, and now I have something beautiful."
-A Little Girl.
Development of Creative Expression and a Love of Beauty, is the consummate aim of Art Education.
This instruction is arranged on a Progressive basis.
Pictorial Drawing and Representation include various forms of illustration used in Murals, Posters, and Sketches. Whenever possible, Art is correlated with other curriculum subjects.
Some outstanding productions were "South American "Life and Customs," "People of Other Lands," "Mediaeval Times" and "Pioneer Life."
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Several pupils who submitted Animal Posters in the "Be Kind to Animals" contest, which is annually spon- sored by the S.P.C.A. of Boston, were awarded prizes.
Construction and Paper Craft arouse interest and stim- ulate intelligent interpretation of directions.
Sand Tables, depicting seasonal and holiday projects, were assembled. Houses, barns, villages, Edaville Village and Cranberry Bogs, animals and means of transporta- tion, became vivified by folding, cutting, coloring and pasting paper. Masks were made from clay, and these forms were covered with papier mache, and appropriately painted.
Over a thousand novelties for Red Cross were completed for soldiers at Bedford Hospital to be used in Holiday Festivals.
In developing Printing, the speed pen and brush have proven successful media. Illustrated poems, posters, port- folios and commercial signs were completed in the upper grades.
Design is a very broad field and constitutes the Law of Order, found in Nature and used in Art. Lessons of Se- quence, suggesting graceful or rhythmic motion which include Repetition, Alternation and Progression were studied and enjoyed. Principles of Balance suggesting rest and poise, including Axial, Central, Informal and Tone Balance, uniting and enriching the center and domi- nant parts with related lines and small shapes, were used in creating colorful designs.
Pupils in the first four grades discover these structures by arranging colored tablets on their desks, then drawing and enriching similar designs with colored crayons.
In the upper grades, these Laws of Order serve as familiar guides by which pupils build new designs with brushes and paints. Thus, children recognize the under- lying order in Nature and Art in a positive way which
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enables them to understand and remember principles studied.
The Key to Order is a Key to Art Education.
"We must achieve Order. We may achieve Beauty."
-Denman W. Ross
In the Manual Training Department, some of the boys in Grade Eight are making larger projects than in former years. Bookcases, Sewing Boxes, Magazine Racks and Costumers are some of the finished products. Other pupils are constructing smaller projects, combining foil and wood. These articles have been wrought with consider- able skill and present a professional appearance.
Boys in Grade Seven have made large cutting boards for meats or fish. They represent a pig or fish in shape and coloring. A final waterproof covering of clear varnish is applied. Birdhouses, Bookracks, and other useful objects have furnished interesting problems.
Two boys of this grade completed a Bulletin Board to be used in the school for Red Cross items.
Much work has been done by both grades in repairing furniture for the school.
Enough experience in the fundamental principles of woodworking is offered to enable the pupil to develop his interests and determine his aptitudes along these lines.
Projects of utilitarian value rather than abstract prob- lems have been provided, because of the greater interest which boys have in real construction.
In conclusion, may I take this opportunity to express my appreciation for your enthusiastic leadership and interest. Also as the work of this department expands, so increases my indebtedness to the teachers and princi- pals. My sincere thanks for their good work and unfailing co-operation.
Respectfully submitted, STELLA F. N. MORRISON,
Supervisor of Art and Manual Training.
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SCHOOL NURSE
Middleboro, Mass. Dec. 31, 1948
To the Superintendent of Schools:
Herewith I submit my fourth annual report for the Town of Carver, year ending December 31, 1948.
In reviewing my work I find the year has been an extremely busy one, but with its varied activities it has proven both interesting and stimulating.
While my records show that I have made fewer home visits, the time now consumed in conducting the various tests and increased records allows me far less time for home contacts than previously.
Once again under the direction of Dr. Mayo, the Annual physical examination of all children was conducted at the Benjamin Ellis, E. Tillson Pratt and Center Schools. All defects were noted (mainly dental) and notices sent to parents. Follow-up visits have been made in many in- stances, and the splendid co-operation shown in having these defects corrected makes me feel that we have made real progress in the field of health in the few years I have served your town.
All pupils were weighed and measured twice during the year and it is very pleasing to find the children in such excellent condition.
Group Audiometer tests have been made in all grades above the second, with one failure noted. This is a superior method since the entire room may be tested at one time, thus assuring absolute quiet which is essential for good testing. Next year I hope our own Pure Test Audiometer will be converted for group testing, thus enabling about 20 pupils to be done at one time.
Massachusetts Vision Tests have been conducted in all
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grades this year. Previously only Grades 1, 3, 5 and 7 were done by this method. However, because of the com- pleteness of this test, it seems well worth the effort. Parents of pupils who failed have been notified and re- ferred to their own eye specialists for further examina- tion. This machine and our Pure Tone Audiometer are real assets to our school equipment.
The Annual Pre-School Clinic was held in May in Town Hall. Fifteen children, accompanied by a parent, were given physical examinations and vaccinated upon request by Dr. Mayo, School Physician. Instead of the pre-school home visits previously made, this year a questionnaire was sent to the parents of each child entering school in September. These were filled out and returned to the schools and the method proved to be very satisfactory.
In May the annual Tubercular Routine Follow-up Clinic was held in Carver Town Hall. This was under the direc- tion of the Plymouth County Hospital and eleven contacts were X-rayed. All later reports were negative, none were discharged, and all will be re-examined in one year.
We had no serious outbreaks of contagious diseases; a few pupils were excluded because of skin manifestations. Otherwise, the health of the pupils was excellent.
I have made 142 visits to the schools, 286 to classrooms and 60 home visits. As previously reported, these con- sisted of routine health inspections, health talks, vision and Audiometer tests and conferences with teachers, pupils and parents.
It has been a pleasure to serve the Town as your School Nurse. I am once more grateful to Mr. Austin, to the School Committee, teachers, parents, Red Cross and friends for their continued interest and co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
MADELINE A. BAKER, R.N., Public Health Nurse.
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SCHOOL CENSUS
Age-Grade Distribution, October 1, 1948
5-7 Boys Girls
7-14 Boys Girls
14-16 Boys Girls
16-21 Boys Girls
Totals
Elementary :
Ben. Ellis
School:
Grade I
12
5
6
2
25
Grade
II
5
3
8
Grade
III
11
8
19
Grade
IV
7
9
16
E. Tillson Pratt
School:
Grade
I
9
8
17
Grade II
5
5
10
Grade
III
9
10
19
Grade
IV
9
4
13
Center School:
Grade
V
18
22
40
Grade
VI
16
17
33
Grade
VII
21
13
0
1
35
Grade
VIII
8
12
4
2
26
134
Total Elementary
261
Plymouth Junior High School:
Grade IX
0
2
10
3
1
1
17
17
Plymouth Senior High School:
Grade X
0 0
5
6
3
2
16
Grade XI
2
3
4
4
13
Grade
XII
39
Total
High School
56
Pre-School Pupils
19
10
29
In Other
Schools
1
0
0
1
1
0
8
7
18
Military Service
10
0
10
Out of School
2
2
40
22
66
·
·
.
-
5
5
10
. .
59
68
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SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENCY UNION NO. 42 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY
The annual meeting of School Superintendency Union No. 42 was held at the Center School in Carver on the night of April 12, 1948.
Officers elected for one year were Ralph W. Baker, chairman, and Alice E. Norris, secretary.
The semi-annual meeting was held November 12, 1948, at the Assawompsett School in Lakeville.
The committee voted this year to instruct the superin- tendent to proceed with the In-Service Training Program for Teachers, which had been discussed at two previous meetings. Mr. Austin intends to bring some prominent educational leaders to the Union Teachers' Meetings and thus gain some worthwhile knowledge about the latest trends in teaching methods.
The three towns of Union No. 42 are still feeling the increase in pupil population and school building programs are in various stages of planning in all of the communities.
In connection with this and other coming school poli- cies, the committee voted to become a member of the New England School Development Council, and derive what benefit it can from the reports issued by this council.
An attachment to the audiometer, which will enable the school nurse to test children in groups of ten instead of one at a time, was purchased during the year.
Mr. Austin has kept the Union Committee informed at all times concerning State and National School Aid Bills.
At this critical time when our educational program especially demands a practical, forward-looking man to guide and lead our thinking, the committee is very grateful to Superintendent George R. Austin, who is giving unselfishly of his time and effort to determine the various needs of the different towns.
Respectfully submitted,
ALICE E. NORRIS,
Secretary.
TOWN WARRANT
AND REPORT OF
FINANCE COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN of CARVER
MASSACHUSETTS
IF
A
R
MAS
INCORPORATED 1790. FForRAL
TTS
SE
C H
Annual Town Meeting, March 7, 1949 at 12:00 Noon
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TOWN WARRANT AND REPORT OF FINANCE COMMITTEE
Plymouth, ss. To either of the Constables of the Town of Carver, Plymouth County, Greetings:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are directed to notify the Inhabitants of the Town of Carver qualified to vote in elections and in town affairs to meet at the Town Hall in said Carver on Monday, the seventh day of March 1949 at twelve o'clock noon, then and there to act on the following article, namely:
Article 1. To choose all necessary town officials, the following officers to be voted for all on one ballot, viz: Three Auditors, Three Constables, Three Herring Com- mitteemen, One Tree Warden, One Highway Surveyor and one Assessor, each for one year. One Assessor for Two Years. One Assessor, One Selectman, One School Committeeman, One Cemetery Commissioner, One Park Commissioner, One Member of Public Welfare, and Two Library Trustees, each for Three Years.
The polls will be open for at least seven hours.
And you are directed to further notify said Inhabitants of said Town that as soon as the ballots have been counted the meeting will adjourn to Tuesday, March 8, 1949, at nine o'clock A.M. and at that time will reconvene at said Town Hall in said Carver, then and there to act on the following articles, namely:
Article 2. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1949, and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for
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a period of less than one year in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws.
Article 2. Recommended by the Finance Committee.
Article 3. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) from the free cash in the town treasury for the sole purpose of meeting charges against the cemetery funds in the town treasury.
Article 3. Recommended by the Finance Committee.
Article 4. To see if the Town will vote to accept the cemetery fund or funds paid into the town treasury under the perpetual care statutes, or act anything thereon or thereto.
Article 4. Recommended by the Finance Committee.
Article 5. To see if the Town will authorize the Se- lectmen to prosecute, compromise or defend suits for or against the Town.
Article 5. Recommended by the Finance Committee.
Article 6. To see what disposition the Town will make of the dog fund.
Article 6. Recommended by the Finance Committee that it be added to the Library Account.
Article 7. To see what amount the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the use of Plymouth County Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture, and choose a Town Director as provided in Sections 41 and 45 of Chap- ter 128 of the General Laws, and act thereon.
Article 7. Recommended by the Finance Committee that $100.00 be raised and appropriated.
Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to fix the salary and compensation of all elective officers of the Town as
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provided by Section 108 of Chapter 41. General Laws. as amended:
Highway Surveyor $1.25 per hour
Town Treasurer $1,100.00
Town Clerk 550.00
Tax Collector
1.100.00
All other elective Town officers $1.00 per hour.
Article 8. Recommended by the Finance Committee.
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to transfer from the overlay reserve account to 1949 Reserve Account the sum of three thousand and five hundred dollars ($3.500.00). and act anything thereon or thereto.
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