USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > Town annual reports of Medfield 1930-1939 > Part 45
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Arthur E. Wills
$8.90
$10.12 9.24 158.63
9.78
Edison Electric Ill. Co.
119.71
132.87
E. Roy Kerr
8.25
6.75
L. M. Glover Co.
16.50
35.44
36.06
New Eng. Tel. & Tel.
48.40
28.31
27.89
R. E. Johnson
7.01
5.74
Medfield Sewer Dept.
1.00
Frank Kennedy
2.04
1.66
$12.38
Thomas Tapley
20.75
21.75
Town of Medfield
25.70
25.06
22.99
Transcript Press, Inc.
6.25
3.12
3.13
Waldo A. Fitts
4.23
3.47
Medfield Water Department
12.10
9.77
11.94
John Newell
12.50
$251.06
$321.97
$296.41
Total Operating Expense .
$869.44
12
Expense of Maintenance
E. Roy Kerr
$65.92
$18.51
$16.50
John N. Wills
12.00
9.00
Hartshorn Electric Shop
1.30
Albert A. Dean .
1.35
Weiker's Express
1.01
1.24
Charles Clark
73.93
C. A. Engley
19.71
J. F. Clark
6.25
$159.40
$39.23
$52.18
$250.81
Auxiliary Agencies
Health
Inez Kerr Dr. H. L. Park
$210.00
$114.72
$95.28
150.00
78.00
72.00
Clement Drug Co.
1.30
.66
.65
$361.30
$193.38
$167.93
$722.61
Transportation
Amie Newell
$2,048.75
Johnson Bus Lines
65.00
$2,113.75
Miscellaneous
A. H. Hartford
$4.86
Isabelle Griffin
6.75
Ralph Falkins
3.50
Victor Press
16.17
-
Total Auxiliary Expense .
$31.28
$2,867.64
13
New Outlays
New Grounds and Buildings
Town of Medfield
$16.00
E. Roy Kerr
175.00
191.00
New Equipment
R. E. Johnson
$49.97
International Eng. Works Co.
33.50
Singer Sewing Machine
44.88
14
F. A. Smith
220.00
$348.35
$539.35
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Medfield :
The following report is submitted for the year 1936 :
One of the duties of a School Committee is to plan for the future welfare of the boys and girls sent to the schools. To do this the members of the Committee must see that there are: (1) sufficient books and supplies; (2) well- trained efficient personnel ; and (3) adequate buildings.
Books and Supplies
With its limited budget your Committee has tried to keep expenditures for books and supplies very low. Many books that we would like to furnish to give greater infor- mation to the pupils we cannot get. Many others that. would be valuable for extra class work or outside activities we cannot get. Supplies have also been cut down as much. as possible so that the expenditure per pupil is small.
Personnel
With regard to the personnel of the schools, the aim is continuously to maintain, and wherever possible improve, the standards set for all positions. High educational and 1 professional standards are set for each teacher and super- visor within the system. Janitors are expected to keep the equipment, buildings, and grounds in good condition. Here again, the Committee is limited by the rather low salary schedules which the present makes necessary.
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Adequate Buildings
As was pointed out in the Committee's Report for 1936, the most pressing need is for adequate buildings.
The Ralph Wheelock School has for several years past shown increased numbers in each grade. Relief was fur- nished during the past year by rearranging two of the grades and placing some pupils in a room formerly used for drawing or special classes. This plan temporarily cares for the situation in this building.
Regarding the High School, the problem is getting more difficult each year. At present every available space where classes can be crowded is used every period of the day. The Superintendent's report shows that for several years to come very large classes will be sent from the sixth grade to the High School building. Where are these pupils to be seated or taught ?
In addition, parents and citizens are constantly asking the Committee to furnish subjects that will better fit the pupils for life in the community. Such demands are fair and should be granted. One such request was made recently that cooking and sewing be provided for the girls. There was no room for cooking classes and equipment. Sewing has recently been provided for some of the girls by re- arranging regular classes and study groups. There are no provisions for similar handwork activities for the boys and these are as necessary as those for the girls.
For years the need of furnishing organized athletics for both boys and girls has been recognized but a declining appropriation has made this impossible. More space will enable the Committee to furnish a more valuable education to every boy and girl in our High School.
16
-.
Several months ago when these matters came up for dis- cussion it was stated that the Committee should have some plan as to what it wished to do. After many meetings and discussions a definite plan was formulated, sketches were drawn for a building necessary to carry out the plan, and estimates as to its cost were gathered.
Recommendations
The School Committee therefore recommends that the Town appropriate a sum of money sufficient to build a suit- able annex to the High School, such building to cost ap- proximately $6,000.00 without a basement, or slightly more if a basement is included.
For the coming year 1937 the Committee for its regular appropriations needs the sum of $29,950.00.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK H. CLOUGH HAROLD F. STEVENS A. HOWARD WILLIAMSON
17
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee :
Herewith I offer the reports for 1936 of various repre- sentatives of the School Department, together with my own report and recommendations.
It has been a year of development along many lines with few sudden changes. Two losses in our teaching force were much regretted. Mrs. Clarke-Redding, after four years of very superior work in languages, left because of marriage. She has been at all times a very helpful and positive influence in the school. Miss Isabelle F. Griffin also resigned her position as teacher of commercial sub- jects for a similar reason. She had proved herself a com- petent and growing teacher. Her successor is Miss Mary H. McCarthy of Millis, a graduate of Boston University who had done substitute work for us in that department during the year. To take Mrs. Redding's work Miss Mary E. Gallant was transferred from Grade five. Her prepara- tion at Worcester and Boston Teachers' Colleges had pre- pared her for just this line of work. For the work of grade five Miss Margaret Kimball of Newburyport, a graduate of Bridgewater Teachers' College, was secured. The large fourth grade was divided and Miss Cynthia F. Robbins of Norwell (Tufts College graduate) was put in charge. Both Miss Kimball and Miss Robbins had had successful experi- ence. All the new teachers have done work of high merit and the spirit of good-will and industry has continued and increased.
18
-
Comparison with my records and recommendations of preceding reports should help to understand the present. Last year's emphasized first the existing and expectable overcrowding in both elementary and high school classes. The Ralph Wheelock situation has this year been relieved by two factors - a smaller entering class and the division of the fourth grade. Apparently there was some loss by removals from town - some during the summer and no less than nine pupils since school opened in September ; however, smaller entering classes are the common experi- ence of many towns - due perhaps to decrease in both immigration and birth rate since 1929. In spite of this, excepting grade one, our classes now average 41. This number is too large for the best work, but such classes are not unmanageable.
In the high school the peak in attendance, as in other towns, is apparently not yet reached. The entering class was smaller than anticipated. Only one class numbers over 30. The next five classes to be promoted to high school, however, are from 38 to 45 and, as mentioned, average 41 at present. As the Principal shows, we now have not enough rooms for all classes scheduled and the "library" alcove of the main corridor is used for several recitations daily. Mr. Hartford shows also that such loss as we have is partly due to pupils dropping out when the law permits or when they find jobs; many who go would remain if our school could offer what they need.
To sum up, last year's average membership was 415; today we number 388. There are still over-full classes in the elementary grades but the situation is much better than last year. At the high school we have still an over- taxed building, with larger numbers probably coming and needs for other subjects and classes.
Reference to preceding School Reports for the past ten or fifteen years will show frequent recommendations of
19
manual or industrial arts, domestic arts and science, physi- cal training, and athletics. Things which are needed by boys and girls growing into today's life and industry : things needed by those to whom the book approach is not the best : things offered in schools elsewhere : things many parents do understand and want; these things Medfield has felt is could not yet afford. Shall we ever have them if we do not make a resolute beginning?
Compare this current school report for 1936 with that of 1925. In that earlier year, eleven years ago, the new high school building was not yet voted. Medfield had one building to maintain - one janitor only. It was before the depression, before the peak expenses. The organization was simple compared with the present. At that time we had an average membership of 309; our total expenditure was $28,124. There were 13 full-time teachers, with three supervisors or part-time teachers. This present report shows an average of 415 members with 14 teachers and one supervisor. Our appropriation in 1936 was $29,500. This is a gain in pupils of over 34%, - while the current appropriation is increased but 4.8% and the teaching force is practically the same. Thus the expenditure per pupil was in 1936 reduced by nearly 22% from that of 1925 from $91.01 to $71.08. The average of all cities and towns in the State for 1935-36 is given as $96.59, while the towns of our group (under 5000 population, with High School) averaged $89.94 per pupil.
Comparison with other years gives similar results. Taking 1929-30 as a basis (after the new building was occupied and just before the force of the depression was felt) our appropriation of 1936 is reduced 11.6%, with an increased membership of 15.6%.
It is evident that if Medfield would appropriate as much per pupil as it did eleven years ago, when the school plant was much less extensive, it would make possible. the intro-
20
duction of activities we have long wanted and never af- forded. Your Committee is even now recommending the construction of a relatively simple and inexpensive annex to the high school plant which will offer at least Domestic Arts to the girls and Industrial Training to the boys. For both these lines of activity there is a demand as well as need. Interested mothers have recently made earnest ef- forts to secure financial means and physical equipment for this work for the girls. No location could be found in town where cooking instruction could begin ; but we are at this moment starting work in Sewing for grades 5 to 8 in our regular classrooms. A small addition to equipment, difficult adjustments of schedules, and a temporary arrangement for competent instruction are making this feasible. Your own plans as drawn and formulated show that a building suitable for satisfactory beginnings for both boys and girls can be constructed for $6000, without basement. The initial outlay for equipment and a basement, highly desirable, would add to this cost. If the Town will appropriate as much per pupil as in 1925, basing it not on last year's large membership but on the present reduced numbers, it will mean an increase of $5800 - practically enough to build the proposed building this year. Slightly more than this, but not as much as the average town and city expenditure per pupil last year, would build with basement and equip for work. Can Medfield afford to refuse to do it?
It is a pleasure to commend again the increasing friendly spirit and cooperation in both schools. The teachers are working together with enthusiasm and with eagerness to accept leadership. Pupils are responding well and increas- ing in self-direction. For their cordial support and for your own never-failing stimulus and guidance in our common responsibility for the development of all pupils of Medfield, I offer my hearty appreciation and thanks.
Respectfully submitted,
LYMAN R. ALLEN.
21
REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL -
January 15, 1937
To the Superintendent of Schools :
I herewith submit my report as principal of the Medfield High School for the year 1936.
At the close of this report you will find the program of the graduating exercises held last June. A very successful dramatization of the present objectives in education was given by the class. This was worked out as a project in the English class and then the results were made into a graduation play. In this way the exercises are the climax to the regular class work in English for the year. As this year, 1937, marks the one hundredth anniversary of the election of Horace Mann as the first secretary of the Board of Education in Massachusetts, we are planning to make the graduation exercises this year center around his career.
The Hannah Adams Club Scholarship for 1936 was awarded to Miss Ruth Smith. A Washington and Franklin Medal for Proficiency in United States History, presented by the Massachusetts Society, Sons of the American Revo- lution, was awarded to Stanley Williamson.
Of the twenty-seven graduates in the class of 1936 twelve are continuing their education as follows :
Bentley School of Accounting and Finance 1 Boston University, College of Liberal Arts 1 Bryant and Stratton Commercial College 1
22
Framingham Teachers College 2 Peirce Secretarial School 1 Portia College of Liberal Arts 3 Tufts College 1
Medfield High School Post Graduate Work 2
Of the members of this class attending college, one is a member of the university glee club, one a class president, and another is editor of the college paper.
In the past five years we have graduated a total of 97 pupils. Of these, 37 have gone to various schools of college grade. Nine of these have finished their courses and 25 are at present attending these schools.
Although in my last report I expected a larger enroll- ment than usual this year, we had in September a total of 159, six less than last year. This was due to the non- promotion of several sixth grade pupils and the removal of four families from town.
Even with this number we still need more room and are not able to take care of all pupils as we should. Study groups and recitation groups should not be mixed together in the same room. No teacher can give the proper atten- tion to both groups at the same time and the recitation group can not help distracting the attention of the study group. As long as we have one or two recitation groups of seven pupils or less (as we now have in Latin) we can use the library, but when the time comes that we have no groups so small, we will have to double up recitation and study groups.
We still need some kind of work for the mechanical minded. Four pupils left school between September 1 and .January 15 who would probably have completed the year f if we could have offered them this kind of work.
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In athletics we had a successful baseball season, winning 6 games and losing 3. This fall it was thought best to dis- continue football as a major sport because of lack of suit- able players, and the expense involved. We could have started the season with a fairly good team but with no good substitutes. One or two serious injuries would have made it necessary to cancel our schedule during the season and we thought it fairer to the other schools involved not to start our schedule at all. We did, however, practice regularly and played two games. In the fall we held a track meet with Dover High School, which we won. Last spring we participated in a tennis tournament with the other schools of the tri-county league, both boys and girls taking part.
The motion picture machine continues to prove its worth. Educational trips to lectures, to the theater and to mu- seums have supplemented our class work. The best ex- amples of class work posted on the classroom walls have encouraged pupils to do better work. There is a con- stantly increasing spirit of responsibility on the part of the pupils, fostered especially through the growing influ- ence of the student council.
In closing. I wish to thank you and the members of the Committee for your kind assistance during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
A. H. HARTFORD
....
24
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING
Mr. Lyman R. Allen, Superintendent of Schools, Medfield, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir :
I submit my customary report as supervisor of art in the Medfield schools.
The human race is never static. Even fifteen years ago it would have been impossible to foretell the physical, economic and spiritual changes which we take for granted today.
Education as a whole has been deeply affected. It is a continual struggle for educators to keep up with changing conditions, in order more fully to prepare our children to meet life in a new world. This is particularly true of school art, for any such work which is of real value must correlate with the ever-changing methods and curriculum of the school as a whole. Correlation with the other school subjects is now the chief art objective.
The exhibition at the Ralph Wheelock school last May showed that we are making some progress along these lines. The teachers deserve great credit for the way they are carrying out the outlines and using the art problems to enrich the other studies wherever possible.
For the first time, we have cause to be proud of our Junior High art work. It was made compulsory last year,
25
with an extra period given to it between the supervisor's visits. The results are showing more every week. Besides the extra time, the dignity of its now being a required subject has a remarkable effect on these grades.
The advanced class in High School freehand drawing is always an interesting group. Besides the usual posters, design and Holiday problems, figure and landscape work, we added a unit of "Flower Arrangement" last winter, which was worth while. This class appreciates the new tables which make the work in this room easier for us all. Time was taken for a trip to the Boston Art Museum.
The new books purchased last year have been a great help in lessening the confusion caused by individual work in the mechanical class. Each pupil can now advance at his own rate of speed without asking too frequent questions. The books tell definitely each step in the problems. The boys make good use of them and accomplish much more than they used to .
The freedom which the superintendent and school com- mittee have always given us in this part of the school work has been a big feature in its development.
Sincerely submitted,
EVELYN H. JUDD.
26
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
To the Superintendent of Schools :
The annual physical examinations of all the school chil- dren have been completed and the following defects found :
Enlarged or diseased tonsils 38 Eyes (defective vision) 12
Nutrition (underweight) 14 Poor posture 10
Defective Teeth 122 Chronic ear diseases 2
Enlarged glands 26 Heart disease 11
Nose (adenoids) 7 Pediculosis 2
The heart cases noted are valvular conditions which do not require treatment, but these children are observed from year to year and are restricted or excluded from participa- tion in sports as may be indicated.
Defective teeth were found in a large number, but as this number includes many with only slight defects (such as one or two teeth with cavities) it is not indicative of serious dental conditions in but a few. Fifty-four of these children have been cared for in the dental clinics held at the school the major expense of which is met by the local branch of the Red Cross. There have been 15 of these clinics in 1936.
Since the opening of school in September there has been no epidemic of contagious disease. There have been two isolated cases of scarlet fever and two of whooping cough.
Respectfully submitted,
H. L. PARK, M. D.
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
To the Superintendent of Schools :
I hereby submit my annual report for the town of Med- field.
In school health service, the nurse works with the teach- ers as well as with the physician and parents for the health of the child and is a connecting link between the school and. the home.
The health program largely misses its point unless it is educational throughout. The children will unconsciously absorb ideals of healthful living if they live healthfully in. school, if the buildings are clean, sanitary and attractive, if the teachers radiate health, and if the doctor and nurse remember to enlist the cooperation of the children them- selves. Health records of each child are available from the time he enters the first grade until he is a senior in high school. Therefore his readiness to take advantage of this opportunity for learning is evident. This is advan- tagious for the child and the school. It is less expensive to educate a child in good physical condition than one who is not.
/
My report covers a period of one year and my program has been as follows :
1. Assisting the school physician during his annual physical examinations. In the interest of correcting defects noted by the physician at the time of these examinations,. I have made 23 Home visits.
28
2. Norfolk County Hospital Chest Clinic :
a. This is a case-finding Clinic which includes all children in grades 7, 9, and 11.
Tuberculosis often begins in early childhood. The childhood type of tuberculosis seldom produces symptoms of the disease ; it is often found in children who seem to be in perfect health. The infection at this stage can be found only by the tuberculin test and the X-Ray.
b. This clinic gives parents an opportunity to have their children receive a complete chest examination.
Number of children examined was 55, which was three-quarters of the entire group.
Number of children X-Rayed, 31.
Number of children given physical examination, 8. Number of follow up cases from past, 15.
Each year one child is selected from this group by the physician and is given the opportunity to attend summer camp in South Braintree.
3. Schick Test Clinic
Purpose - To determine whether the child is sus- ceptible to diphtheria.
32 children received this test, 28 of whom were .school children.
25 children showed negative reactions.
7 children showed positive reactions.
4. Immunization Clinic
. For those children entering, school unprotected against diphtheria, immunization should be urged.
39 pre-school children received toxoid treatment.
29
!
11 school children received toxoid treatment.
This treatment is responsible for the reduced num- ber of cases of diphtheria.
5. Dental Clinic :
Our dental clinic is sponsored by the Red Cross, which provides funds, and District Nursing Association, which furnishes equipment. Dr. James Burns of Dedham is our clinic dentist.
10 clinics were held in May.
7 clinics were held in October.
In May 243 children from the first six grades were examined and parents of 82 requested the services of the school dentist. Of this number 50 had their work com- pleted.
15 children were found with teeth in perfect con- dition.
In October 240 children were examined.
Parents of 110 requested services of school dentist. 48 had work completed.
8 were found with teeth in perfect condition.
6. Pre-school Clinic
Our pre-school clinic, held in May, was attended by 20 children. 1
The aim of this clinic is to make it possible for every child to enter school free from remediable physical defects.
In conclusion I wish to thank the teachers and the par- ents for their cooperation during this past year.
Respectfully submitted,
INEZ S. KERR, R. N.
30
ATTENDANCE RECORD 1935-36 (Compared with preceding years)
Teacher
Grade
To. Mem. Ave. Mem.
% Att.
1934-35 Ave. Mem.
'29-'30 * % Att. Ave Mem.
Miss Daddario
1
53
48.7
92.7
43.6
91.1
38.1
Miss Murphy
2
39
38.2
93.9
41.2
92.0
33.9
Miss Crombie
3
50
48.2
94.1
34.4
92.4
41.8
Miss Buck
4
39
36:9
92.5
37.1
93.1
33.3
Miss Gallant
5
44
40.3
93.6
36.4
92.7
31.1
Mrs. Brown
6
40
37.5
93.7
34.5
95.3
38.9
Sp. 5.9
87.4
31
Total Elementary
265
249.9
93.4
233.1
92.5
217.0
Miss Davis
7
40
35.8
94.4
31.3
95.9
33.3
Miss Gray
8
34
30.2
94.9
32.0
95.3
27.4
Mrs. Clarke Redding 9
32
28.2
92.8
22.3
95.3
23.0
Mr. Russell
Boys 10-12
39
36.7
93.4
(X)
21.7
96.4
23.8
Mr. Hardy
Girls 10-12
36
34.5
95.3
(XI)
28.5
95.7
21.8
(XII)
14.4
95.6
12.9
ATTENDANCE RECORD 1935-36 (Concluded)
P. G. 0.5
51.1
Total - Jr. Sr. High
181
165.4
94.2
150.7
95.5
142.2
Both Schools
446
415.3
93.7
383.8
93.7
359.2
* In 1929-30 the average membership was 359 ; in 1935-36, 415. In 1930 the school appropriation was $33,600 ; in 1936, $29,500. (Appropriation reduced 11.6% for increased membership of 15.6%.)
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SCHOOL CENSUS, OCTOBER 1, 1936
Registration
5-6 yrs.
7-13
14-15
Total
Boys
30
123
31
184
Girls
21
130
40
191
Total
51
253
71
375
Distribution
In public schools. .
36
247
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