USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > Town annual reports of Medfield 1930-1939 > Part 59
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For the first time the annual June outing of the graduating class developed into an April trip to Washington. Such a trip, carefully planned, is in itself an edu- cational event. If part of the money usually spent for graduation clothing and other accessories could be used for and would secure such a trip as this it would be a far better investment. I hope it may become an annual feature.
Interest in athletics has grown this year. Basketball is again possible for both girls and boys, although neither has sufficient opportunity for practise. The change to six-man football enables us to compete on even terms with enough other teams, where it was impossible with the older game. There are other dis- tinct advantages. It should be possible to be assured of adequate financial sup- port so that our pupils could count on complete athletic seasons with reasonable equipment and protection. I recommend a definite, even though small, appro- priation for this type of physical training and health development as part of our school budget.
Again our High School Principal describes graphically the overcrowding of our building and faculty. With constant expansion year by year, through in- genious planning by the Principal and increased burdens assumed by the teachers, we have stretched to the breaking point. Next year, if we promote all in the present sixth grade, we shall have in the building more people than the Building Inspection certificate permits; we shall have more pupils per teacher than will allow us the Grade A certificate, so that we cannot certify for admission to Teachers' Colleges and elsewhere; our study- and recitation-room conditions will be at least as bad as at present. Right now so many of Miss Gallant's classes
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are held in the "library" (the alcove in the corridor near the front entrance and across from the Office) that it is an achievement for them to make any progress under these conditions of interruptions, light, and temperature. At the least it will be necessary for us to retain Miss Harlow for the full day at the High School next fall, thus losing the advantage we have had when she taught sixth grade one-half day and seventh the other and so practically eliminated the "gap" between the two buildings. This, in turn, will probably require the Wheelock Principal to teach all day, losing the time now available for the supervision which is so important. I would go further and argue the importance of another full-time high school teacher next year, had we the room and facilities for work of the kinds so sorely needed-such as manual arts, cooking, sewing; but it is useless to at- tempt these until we have a place for them.
Experts have investigated this whole matter of condition of our present build- ings and our needs in buildings and courses of study, as was asked last year: their opinions have added weight as being from "outsiders," not previously informed or interested in our situation. The results of their survey will be here quoted at length. To them most careful consideration is invited. With their conclusions I find myself in hearty accord. I believe we should abandon the Wheelock building; as building and as site it is not worth what it would cost to make it even partially satisfactory. I believe the present High school building is not suitable for a modern high school but is suitable, almost without alteration, for elementary grades. I believe such addition of building and grounds is possible in the vicinity of the Pfaff school that Medfield can have a school plant, auditorium, and athletic grounds, centrally located, of which it will be justly proud. I believe this can be done without serious burden to the taxpayers. Our note payments ($18,000 in 1939) will be reduced after 1941 to $11,000; with payments no greater than at present the entire cost of the new building could be financed by a twenty- year bond issue. If such a building is to be constructed by 1940 or 1941 it is high time now to make definite plans. I hope at the coming annual Town Meeting the voters will heed the advice of Dr. Davis and appropriate funds for a Com- mittee which shall present plans for building and site, with estimates, in time for prompt action.
For the continued confidence of your Committee and the continued support of all our teachers and school workers I offer sincere thanks; speaking for my co- workers I express our desires to work ever more wisely and effectively for the development of Medfield youth. We welcome the recent formation of a Parent- Teacher Association, in which we hope all parents, teachers, and interested citi- zens may co-operate to keener understanding of our mutual needs, aims, and plans. May closer acquaintance, and clearer understanding lead us all into more effective guidance.
Respectfully submitted, LYMAN R. ALLEN.
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REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
January 21, 1939
To the Superintendent of Schools:
I submit my report as principal of the Medfield High School for the year 1938.
During the April vacation the senior class visited New York, Washington, and Gettysburg by motor coach. This very entertaining and instructive trip was made possible by the townspeople who so generously patronized various whist parties, dances, food sales, plays, and a very successful tag day which the class held. In addition to the amount raised in these ways, each member of the class paid about nine dollars personally. Through this report I wish to thank, on behalf of the class, every organization and individual that made the trip possible. In spite of the expense, I feel that it was very much worth while. Each pupil who went gained a better knowledge of our nation and the way in which the business of government is carried on.
Twenty-one pupils received diplomas in June at exercises in which we attempted to show the townspeople the value of modern high school training, together with something of the actual results accomplished by members of the class during their four years in high school. A complete program of the exercises will be found at the end of this report. Six members of this class are now continuing their studies at higher institutions.
The Hannah Adams Club Scholarship for 1938 was presented to Burton Rawding; and the Washington and Franklin Medal for Proficiency in United States History, presented by the Massachusetts Society Sons of the American Revolution, was awarded to Harriett Hartford.
I wish to take this opportunity to explain that the giving of the Hannah Adams Club Scholarship is in no way connected with the school, except that the princi- pal gives out an application to any pupil who wishes one, furnishes the scholarship committee of the club with the complete school record of each applicant, and allows the committee to interview each candidate individually and in private at the school building. No information as to the pupil who is to receive the award is given out by the committee to the principal or any member of the teach- ing staff until the announcement is made at the graduating exercises.
All indications point to a serious overcrowding of the building next fall. At present we have 191 pupils. If we graduate the 24 members of the present senior class and take in the 50 members of the present sixth grade there will be a net , gain of 26 pupils. Even allowing for some families moving from town and some non-promotions from grade six, it seems inevitable that our next year's enrollment will be around 210: the exact number of persons, including both pupils and teachers, for which our building is now licensed. If we have this number, our ratio of pupils per teacher as figured by the State Department of Education will be too great for us to be ranked as a Class A high school, unless we increase our present teaching force.
Last fall we had to increase the number of seats in the eighth grade room from five single rows of seven each to three double rows of seven each. Next fall we shall have to do the same for the ninth grade room. This arrangement really puts into these rooms more pupils than they were designed for and creates a condition that is far from ideal, especially during written test periods.
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The number of classes small enough to be accommodated in the library de- creases as the school membership increases. Also, of course, the size of study groups increases. Thus the problem of finding rooms for recitation and study groups during periods when all teachers must be busy grows more and more difficult each year. At present it is necessary to have study groups in with recita- tion groups for 3 periods each week, and next fall it will probably be necessary to increase this number. We are teaching a nine-room school in a seven-room building, and there are no indications that the school will shrink to a seven-room size again.
Because of large classes it was found necessary to limit the sewing to the seventh and eighth grades this fall, thus depriving the fifth and sixth grades of that subject. We were, however, able to give a small group of senior high girls a course in home economics problems. There is a great demand for classes in cooking, but with our present facilities this is entirely out of the question for a group larger than four or five. We need facilities for vocational work for both boys and girls. The great function of the modern high school, which, here in Medfield at least, includes nearly every child of high school age, is to fit our young people to live. The older idea of a high school as a place for academic learning was proper enough when only those went to high school who were fitted for acade- mic learning. Now we must provide for the two-thirds to three-quarters of our pupils who do not go further after graduation something more practical for life than the old high school taught. For this purpose more facilities than we have now are necessary.
In athletics we are progressing towards a more satisfactory solution of diffi- culties than at times in the past. The Medfield Community Council makes us an annual donation of the proceeds raised at a penny sale held in the fall. Last year $70.00 was obtained in this way and this year the amount was $140.00. With the dues from pupils, admissions to basketball games, and other miscel- laneous receipts, we have managed to do fairly well although we do not have as much equipment as we need and do not have a chance to do much of anything for the girls. If we could count on a small amount from the school appropriation each year we would not have to worry and could increase our athletic program. We have decided to drop regular football and play the six-man game. Expenses are much less, the danger of injury is slight, and the game is faster and more open. Starting late in October with this new game, we played six games, winning four and losing two. We continue as members of the Tri-County League in baseball and have been instrumental in organizing a new five-school basketball group known as the Inter-County League. Both Mr. Welch and Mr. Baker have given much time and effort to boys' athletics and Miss Gray to girls'.
In closing I wish to thank you and the School Committee, both for myself and the high school teachers, for the kind assistance given us during the year.
Respectfully submitted, ALTON H. HARTFORD.
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REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF ART
To the Superintendent of Schools:
Art is no longer a thing of luxury to be set on a pedestal, but an inheritance given to every human being. It must be applied to everything connected with the comforts of civilization for there is no task that cannot be fettered by even the simplest addition of art. It is becoming so increasingly a part of American needs that many educators forecast a period of immense interest in art education. School curriculums are more and more combining it as an incentive to the learning of many other subjects.
The art teacher must insist upon a well balanced art program which never loses sight of fundamentals, in order that the child may have art experiences which are creative, appreciational and functional throughout his school life, for it is easy to let art become a mere adornment for the other subjects, a high light for ex- hibitions, as the schools try out new processes of integration.
With this in mind, outlines have been planned very carefully and the teachers have done their best to get the most out of them during the past year. Morning discussions with the supervisor have prevented loss of time in the regular art periods and several supervisor's meetings after school have further clarified our problems. These meetings emphasize one kind of work each time, as design, color, etc.
Ralph Wheelock school attempted some correlation with puppets which may produce something worth while later. The S.P.C.A. posters were successful. One general exhibition was held in June which included art work from the high school.
Integration comes more naturally in the high school where many posters for school and local affairs, the "Peak," and the graduation exercises need extra art work every year.
We separated the Freshmen from the rest of the advanced free hand class early in the year, making an extra group. The results have more than justified the inconvenience to those involved. Trips to the Museum of Fine Arts are a definite part of our annual program. The Mechanical drawing class was taken through the Fore River ship building plant last spring. Thanks are due to those who have furnished transportation for such trips.
We are stressing good bulletin work in each building, which stimulates general interest in the work.
We are all trying to live up to the high ideals of our superintendent. In spite of the inevitable difficulties under which most of us work, may we never lose sight of the blue skies of enthusiasm and imagination, in order that these children under our care may become worthy citizens in a modern world.
Sincerely submitted,
EVELYN H. JUDD.
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.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
January 30, 1939
To the Superintendent of Schools:
The required annual examinations of the pupils in the high school and the grade school are complete.
These defects have been noted and reported to the parents.
Defective teeth 96 Chronic ear disease 7
Enlarged or diseased tonsils 47 Skin diseases
3
Enlarged glands
12 Eyes
6
Posture
26
Head lice
7
Heart disease
9
The figures very closely approximate the experience of former years except those for dental defects which show a distinct lowering. This improvement is directly attributable to the work done in the dental clinic by Dr. Edmund F. Tobin, which the local organization of the Red Cross continues to sponsor.
It is gratifying that those conditions which arise primarily through neglect, namely pediculosis and the skin diseases, remain at a very low figure.
Respectfully submitted,
H. L. PARK, M. D.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
To the Superintendent of Schools:
I hereby submit my annual report for the town of Medfield.
My program has been as follows:
1. Assisting the school physician during his yearly physical examinations.
2. Norfolk County Hospital Chest Clinic. Population of grades tested
98
Children Tuberculin tested
72
Per cent tested
73
Number reacting to the test
37
Per cent reacting to the test
51
Number of children X-Rayed
58
Number of children examined
12
Observation group (for an annual check-up by the clinic)
10
Children sent to summer camp in South Braintree
1
3. Schick Test Clinic
15
Number of children receiving test
11
Number of children having negative reactions Number of children having positive reactions
4
4. Immunization Clinic: Ten children received Toxoid Treatment
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5. Pre-school Clinic: Last May there was a pre-school clinic for children who were to enter school in September. Sixteen children attended and received physical examination.
6. We have recently held a dental clinic sponsored by the Red Cross and District Nursing Association. Dr. Tobin was our clinic dentist. Ten clinics have been held.
Number of children attending clinic 116 95
Number of children having work completed
7. We have assisted State Health Supervisor in giving Audiometer Test for hearing to every pupil.
8. We have recently organized a Home Hygiene course in the High School. This course is made up of 27 eighth-grade girls who meet one period a week. This is sponsored by the American Red Cross.
In conclusion I want to thank parents and teachers and the School Committee for their splendid cooperation during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
INEZ S. KERR, R.N.
114
ATTENDANCE RECORD 1937-1938 (Compared with preceding years)
1937-38
1936-37
1935-36 1929-30
Teacher
Grade To. Mem. Ave. Mem. % Att.
Grade Ave. Mem. % Att. Ave. Mem. Ave. Mem.
Anna M. Daddario
1
42
37.0
92.9
1
29.9
91.9
48.7
38.1
Rose Pilibosian
2
34
30.1
92.4
2
39.4
94.0
38.2
33.9
Elizabeth L. Crombie
3
43
40.0
94.8
3
37.1
95.8
48.2
41.8
Elizabeth Buck
4
40
36.8
95.9
4a
19.2
94.9
36.9
33.3
Cynthia Robbins
4b
26.4
95.3
Christina Alach
5
48
44.0
96.0
5
40.9
94.5
40.3
31.1
Dorothy J. Brown
6
47
43.3
95.0
6
39.3
95.3
37.5
38.9
Total Elementary
254
231.2
94.6
232.2
94.5
249.8
217.1
Mary E. Gallant
7
42
40.5
96.8
7
25.9
95.4
35.8
33.3
Clifford W. Baker
8
25
23.1
94.3
8
33.2
93.0
30.2
27.4
Anne H. Gray
9
36
33.3
93.1
9
25.7
95.1
28.2
23.0
John S. Welch
10
26
25.3
96.9
10
27.7
92.0
21.6
23.8
Elsie E. W. Davis
11
25
23.9
93.0
11
19.0
93.8
23.4
21.8
Mary H. McCarthy
12
22
21.6
95.6
12
19.5
95.2
26.3
12.9
Total High School
176
167.7
95.0
151.0
165.5
142.2
Total, both schools
430
398.9
383.2
94.3
415.3
359.2
In 1929-30 the average membership was 359; in 1937-38, 430. In 1930 the school appropriation was $33,600; in 1938, $30,450.
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Gail E. Cosgrove
SCHOOL CENSUS
October 1, 1937
Registration
5-6 yrs.
7-13 yrs.
14-15 yrs.
Total
Boys
37
132
27
196
Girls
33
124
37
194
Total
70
256
64
390
Distribution
In public schools
51
249
60
360
In private schools
2
6
3
11
In State Institutions
1
1
Not in school
17
1
18
GRADUATING EXERCISES
of the
CLASS OF
NINETEEN HUNDRED THIRTY-EIGHT Friday, June Seventeen
PROGRAM
Selections
School Orchestra
"The Glowworm"
Lincke
"Straussiana" Seredy
Vocal Selections
School Chorus
"Nocturne"
Lemare
"The House by the Side of the Road"
Gulesian
Invocation
Rev James C. Marshall Ruth Bridge
"Etincelles"
Moszkowski
Vocal Solos Harriett Hartford
"Pastoral"
Verecini
"Love's Greeting"
Wilson
MOCK TRIAL
American Society, plaintiff, versus the Class of 1938, defendant.
Judge Clerk of Court.
Burton Rawding Robert Brock
Attorney for American Society
James Carr
Attorney for Class of 1938
Hope Lucy
Witnesses
Members of the Class
116
Piano Solo
Senior Double Trio
"Sundown"
"Song of the Melon Patch"
Vocal Selections
"Over the Stars" "Go Down Moses"
"On Venice Waters"
School Chorus Abt
Negro Spiritual Roeder
Presentation of Washington and Franklin History Medal Mr. Harold Stevens, Chairman of School Committee
Presentation of Hannah Adams Club Scholarship
Mrs. Daniel L. Sullivan, Scholarship Commi ee
Presentation of Diplomas
Mr. A. Howard Williamson, School Committee
Class Song
Seniors
Benediction
Rev. James C. Marshall
Class Colors-Maroon and Silver
Class Motto "A Country worth dying for is surely worth living for."
HONOR PUPILS
Ruth Bridge, James Carr, Margaret Hardy, Harriett Hartford, Walter Loker, Burton Rawding, Helen Stark.
Robert Brock, Josephine Colicchio, Doris Fenton, Josephine Ferrone, Laurence Forbes, Margaret Hinshon, Mary Johnson.
Katherine Kelleher, Hope Lucy, Marion Marine, Christine Morse, Graham Rogers, Margaret Shiels, Charles Werner.
Mary Johnson, Christine Morse, Doris Fenton Margaret Hardy, Laurence Forbes, Walter Loker Londonderry Air Targett
117
REPORT OF SCHOOL BUILDING SURVEY
To the School Committee of Medfield, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen:
Following my preliminary report of October 15th, 1938, I now submit the fol- lowing in greater detail.
The Building Situation
I. The Secondary School:
The outstanding difficulty with the present secondary school building is that it was not planned to house a forward-looking program of studies to meet the needs of high school boys and girls of today. The more important deficiencies are briefly summarized:
1. There is no auditorium for the assembly of the school, for training in public speaking, dramatics, and large group activities. Such a room should also serve as a community center.
2. There is no gymnasium for the conducting of health education and recreation. This room also should serve the community as well as the school.
3. There is no fully equipped suite of rooms for the teaching of sewing, cooking, and the home-making arts.
4. There is no shop for boys planned to give the fundamental principles of work- ing with tools and the industrial arts.
5. No rooms are properly equipped for the teaching of the fine arts, such as drawings, crafts, or music.
6. No place has been planned for the serving of food for the lunch period.
7. There is no proper library and study room, most essential to a high school.
8. No proper provision is made for health services and first aid to the sick, as is found in all modern schools.
9. The administrative office is very inadequate for the purpose.
All that can be said for this building is that it contains seven fairly good class rooms. It could be adapted to elementary school uses far better than to the high school program of studies.
II. The Elementary School:
The building now used for the first six grades is a wooden building of a type not permitted by the laws of safety in force today. The lot is restricted in size and is not suitable nor adequate for playground purposes. The outstanding deficien- cies are described briefly as follows:
1. The building is not of fireproof nor "slow burning" construction according to modern standards.
2. The design or plan of the building is not in accord with accepted standards for the arrangement of classrooms, corridors, or stairways.
3. For the above reasons the top floor is not usable for school purposes.
4. The heating and ventilating system is out of date and inadequate.
5. The lighting, both natural and artificial, is faulty. In most of the rooms win-
118
dows are on more than one side of the room, causing cross lighting. The inside portion of some rooms is poorly lighted. Electric lighting is inadequate.
6. The toilet system is the basement type, without warm water for washing and is not up to modern sanitary standards.
7. There is no gymnasium or proper room for recreation on stormy days.
8. There are no wardrobes or clothing lockers for the safekeeping of garments.
9. There is no library, no auditorium, nor lunchroom.
While this building cannot be condemned as unsafe, it is still something of a hazard. Any building program for Medfield should include the replacement of this building by one that will provide, for the pupils of the first six grades, the many advantages of a modern school plant.
The Pupil Enrollment
A study of the pupil enrollment in the schools of Medfield during the past decade . . . shows no appreciable gain or loss in the elementary grades. .. .
All reports from the country show that there is a decided falling off in the birth rate, and that the enrollment in the elementary grades is growing less from year to year. The one factor to be considered in a community such as Medfield with respect to its school enrollment is the possible increase in population with more children moving into the district.
As the situation now stands, it is my judgment that if a new elementary school building should be erected, it would be sufficient to build to accommodate not more than 300 pupils. Any properly planned building would be designed so that it could be added to without unnecessary cost of construction.
I. The Secondary School Grades:
During the past eleven years the secondary school has made a net gain of 25 pupils. This speaks well for the program of studies and for the instruction to hold these pupils in spite of the handicaps of the building. The school now has its largest enrollment of 188 pupils. However, the average increase during the past decade is only from two to three pupils per year. This evidence leads to the recommendation that if a new secondary school is erected it would be sufficient preparation for any probable growth during the next ten to twenty years to build for no more than 250 pupils. Also, this building should be designed so that it could be enlarged at any time without unnecessary cost of construction.
The Secondary Curriculum
A secondary school building should be planned to house a given program of studies. Therefore, to avoid the difficulty in the years ahead which the present building has caused, we should consider the curriculum needs of Medfield youth.
The school administrators are to be congratulated on the extent to which they have been able to carry on so good a program of studies under such serious build- ing limitations. Some steps have been taken to reorganize the seventh and eighth grades, but much more can be done to improve the curriculum in a new building planned for the purpose. With this in mind the following program of studies is presented, not necessarily for adoption, but to help visualize what could be done for the youth of Medfield if the necessary provisions were made. (NB. A grade- by-grade outline was detailed for College preparatory, Business, Practical Arts, and General or Civic Curricula. They are omitted here, but will be shown on
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