USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > Town annual reports of Medfield 1930-1939 > Part 6
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No.
281
Blanks.
174
731
A true copy, Attest:
WILLIAM H. EVERETT, Town Clerk.
139
SPECIAL MEETING
December 29, 1930
Pursuant to a Warrant issued by the Selectmen, the inhabi- tants of the Town of Medfield, duly warned and notified in the manner prescribed by law, met at the Town Hall in said Med- field on the twenty-ninth day of December, 1930, at 7.30 p. m., and the following action was taken on the Articles contained in the Warrant.
Article 1. To see if the Town will accept the sum of $100.00 for perpetual care of the Clarence M. Cutler Lot in the Vine Lake Cemetery, or do or act anything relating thereto.
The Finance Committee recommended that the sum of $100.00 be accepted in usual form.
Voted, that the recommendation of the Finance Committee be accepted.
Article 2. To see if the Town will grant and appropriate the sum of $941.00 to meet the expenses of the Fire Department for the current year, or do or act anything relating thereto.
The Finance Committee recommended that the sum of $941.00 be granted and appropriated.
Voted, that the recommendation of the Finance Committee be accepted, and the sum of $941.00 be granted and appro- priated.
Article 3. To see if the Town will grant and appropriate the sum of $27.10 to meet the expenses of the " Air Whistle" for the current year, or do or act anything relating thereto. (Fire Engineers.)
The Finance Committee recommended that the sum of $27.10 be granted and appropriated.
Voted, that the recommendation of the Finance Committee be accepted, and the sum of $27.10 be granted and appropriated.
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Voted, that the sums granted and appropriated at this meet- ing be taken from free cash in the treasury.
Voted, that the meeting be dissolved.
Attest:
WILLIAM H. EVERETT, Town Clerk.
ANNUAL REPORT
of the
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
and the
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS of the
TOWN OF MEDFIELD
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1930
143
ANNUAL REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Town of Medfield for the Year Ending December 31, 1930
School Committee
FRANK H. CLOUGH, M. D., Chairman .... Term expires 1932 MRS. ALICE W. CONWAY, Secretary Term expires 1933 MRS. EVELYN BYNG. Term expires 1931
Regular meetings first Tuesday of each month at 2.30 p. m. High School building.
Superintendent of Schools
Lyman R. Allen, 19 Beech St., Framingham Tel. Fram. 194-R Regular visits Tuesday after 1st and 3rd Mondays; others unannounced or by appointment.
High School Principal
Alton H. Hartford North St., Medfield
School Physician
Frank H. Clough, M. D.
North St., Medfield
School Nurse
Mrs. Martha E. Blood, R. N. Park St., Medfield
Janitors
Martin Sweeney
John Dyer
School Calendar 1931-1932
Year
Term
Weeks
Opens
Closes
1931
Winter
7 January 5,1931
February 20
Spring 7 March 2
April 17
Summer 8 April 27
June 19
Fall 16
September 8
December 23
1932
Winter
7 January 4
February 19
Spring
7 February 29
April 15
Summer
9 April
25
June 24
-----
144
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Medfield:
The School Committee meet at 3 o'clock on the first Tuesday of each month of the school year. Parents and citizens who wish to confer on any school matter or pupil's problems are invited to meet the committee at any of their meetings.
On October 24, 1930, Mrs. Susan M. Clark died after a short illness. She was a member of the school department as a teacher and member of the school committee for over twenty- six years, and during all that time she was faithful to the duties of the department.
Mrs. Evelyn Byng was appointed to fill her place.
During the year, there have been several changes in the teaching personnel of the schools. At the High School, Miss Titus resigned, and her place was filled by Miss Anna Regish. In October, Mr. Palumbo resigned to take a teaching position in the Boston Trade School. His place was filled by Mrs. Theresa MacMurray. Miss Estelle Harlow was obtained to teach part time in the seventh grade and part time in the sixth grade.
In the Ralph Wheelock School, Miss Foye resigned and Miss C. Louise Barber took her place.
Miss Helen McDonald's place was filled by Miss Grace Oliver. In November, Miss Ruth Sauer resigned to be married, and Miss Anna Daddario came to teach the second grade.
The School Committee wishes to thank Mr. Oliver J. Clark for the gift of the picture, "Franklin at the Court of France." This picture belonged to Mrs. Susan M. Clark and was given in memory of her and can be seen at the High School.
We have been able to do some work at both schools. At the High School, a closet for the folding chairs and various things of the janitor was built. Metal closets were put in, in the Com- mercial Room, and blowers for the boiler were installed; this will save about $4.00 a ton on coal.
145
In the seventh grade, one row of seven new chairs and desks were added to accommodate a large class. Twelve new chairs have replaced the old ones in the typewriting room. The latter have been repaired and are in use at the Ralph Wheelock School. A good, used piano which could be purchased ad- vantageously was placed in the High School and the player piano there transferred to the Ralph Wheelock School.
There was added some much needed scientific apparatus, also.
Five old typewriters were exchanged for five new ones.
There was a large number of new text books purchased for use in both schools.
At the Ralph Wheelock School, a wire fence was erected on the line between the school lot and that of Mr. William Kelly. Two cement walks were built from the school to Pleasant Street and Miller Street.
The lunch room has been utilized for a drawing room, and a heating and ventilating unit installed. A metal closet was put in, in the office. We have purchased more supplies than usual as they had dropped in price. They were the type which are used daily.
It has been voted that minimum age of admission to Grade I of the Medfield Schools remain five years and six months on September 1st of year of entering with the exception that an applicant who lacks not over one month of that age be referred to the Superintendent of Schools. Such child may be admitted at his discretion after due consideration of the child's physical and mental fitness (by intelligence examination) and available school accommodations. A birth certificate is required of every pupil upon entrance.
We departed from the usual custom when obtaining new teachers of hiring all just out of school or college, by appointing two who had previous teaching experience in the elementary department and one in the high school, and we feel that it has been money well expended.
We have tried to give the scholars the best that a small town could afford and feel that it is up to them to do their part.
The school committee, in closing, feels they have conscien-
146
tiously done their duty, being ably supported by the Super- intendent, Mr. Allen, the various supervisors, principals, and the teachers, and not omitting the last but not least, the jani- tors. In another place, you will find the reports of the others of the Department.
For school expenses for the coming year we ask for $32,500.
It may be of interest to note that the total cost per pupil for the support of all our schools, from State and local sources was 91% of the average cost throughout the State, or $91.14. The net cost paid from local taxation was 80%-$74.51 as against an average of $90.10. These figures, for the school year 1929-30 are taken from the State report.
147
FINANCIAL REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Appropriation
$33,600.00
From Town Treasurer, Interest on School Fund
178.23
$33,778.23
Expenses of General Control
School
Committee Ex-
penses
$
18.55
Lyman R. Allen, Supt. of Schools.
918.75
Lyman R. Allen, Expenses
110.65
$ 1,047.95
Expenses of Instruction Salaries of Teachers-High and Junior High
Alton H. Hartford.
$2,500.00
Umberto Palumbo
1,240.00
Theresa E. MacMurray
337.50
Marion A. Bagley.
1,440.00
Elaine Benedict.
1,240.00
Estelle Lord.
1,240.00
Marion Strode.
1,240.00
Dorothy M. Titus.
775.00
Anna M. Regish.
480.00
Estelle Harlow
240.00
$10,732.50
Salaries of Teachers-Ralph Wheelock School
Dorothy F. Brown
$1,400.00
Estelle Harlow.
240.00
Helen A. McDonald
720.00
Grace Oliver
400.00
Elizabeth S. Buck
1,200.00
Muriel Foye.
600.00
148
C. Louise Barber
420.00
Ruth Sauer
900.00
Anna Daddario
100.00
Grace Whalen
1,240.00
$ 7,220.00
Special Teachers
Evelyn F. Judd.
$
560.00
Nettie F. Hamant
320.00
$ 880.00
$18,832.50
Text Books
Elementary Grades
$ 381.54
Junior High Grades.
330.96
Senior High Grades
246.96
$ 959.46
Stationery and Supplies
Elementary Grades.
$ 320.53
Junior High Grades.
209.85
Senior High Grades
277.23
$ 807.61
Operating Expenses
Janitor Service
Ralph Wheelock School
$1,431.00
High School
1,431.00
Janitors' Supplies.
34.37
Fuel.
1,272.00
Water
140.00
Light.
163.38
Telephone.
105.90
Miscellaneous.
68.95
$ 4,646.60
Maintenance
Ralph Wheelock School .... $ 171.71
High School 136.70 -
$
308.41
149
Auxiliary Agencies
Health
$ 738.60
Transportation
Ralph Wheelock School
1,517.70
High School 1,404.93
Tuition (Vocational
School)
231.73
Miscellaneous.
251.71
$ 4,144,67
Outlay and Equipment
E. R. Kerr
$ 65.00
Cement Walks, Ralph
Wheelock School
370.00
Ventilating Additional
Room at the Ralph
Wheelock School
490.00
Electric Blower System - High School
445.00
Metal Cabinets
99.82
Furniture
115.15
Typewriters.
145.00
Piano
50.00
Milligan Hardware Com- pany, tools.
8.03
Edward E. Babb Company
36.20
F. A. Smith, fence and car-
pentry at Ralph Whee- lock School
191.17
$ 2,015.37
Grand Total
$32,762.57
Unexpended balance.
1,015.66
$33,778.23
Correct:
W. E. GARDNER,
Accountant.
150
SCHOOL RECEIPTS
Mass. School Fund, Part I (Income Tax) $2,130.00
Mass. School Fund, Part II
512.97
Mass. High School grant. 1,250.00
For Superintendent's salary and ex- penses. 473.82
For tuition, Walpole
353.90
Income from invested funds.
178.23
$ 4,898.92
Net balance to be paid from taxes.
27,863.65
$32,762.57
Respectfully submitted by the School Committee, FRANK H. CLOUGH, Chairman, ALICE W. CONWAY, Secretary, EVELYN BYNG.
151
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee of Medfield:
It is my privilege to make my second report to you and through you to the citizens of Medfield.
In October Medfield suffered a loss in the passing of Mrs. Susan M. Clark, for fourteen years a member of this School Committee and for over thirty years directly associated with the schools of the town. This service, coming as it did after years of educational and teaching experience elsewhere, con- stitutes a record noteworthy in the annals of the State. Her wide range of experience, long knowledge of the schools of this community, mature and sound judgment, ever fresh and en- thusiastic attitude toward progress in education, and personal interest in every pupil and teacher were sources of unique power and influence which will long be missed. To fill the vacancy thus created until the next regular election, Mrs. Evelyn Byng was duly appointed, in November. She has undertaken the work with sympathy and enthusiasm.
We have had, as must be expected, interruptions in the per- sonnel of the teaching force. One teacher, Miss Macdonald, retired after several years of faithful service. Miss Ruth Sauer left us to be married. Mr. Palumbo, Miss Titus, and Miss Foye, after terms of varying length, resigned for places of larger salary and opportunity. We are fortunate in their successors, who have assumed their work with intelligence and vigor. All were well prepared, two were experienced in other localities; and we were particularly happy that Mrs. McMurray was able to return to the High School when the interruption there came in the midst of the term. She returns with the full confidence and esteem of pupils and community. Miss Regish in the Commercial Department, Miss Oliver in Grade V, Miss Barber in III, and Miss Daddario in II have quickly made their places and are doing strong work. Nevertheless, there is
152
usually a temporary loss when a tried and experienced teacher leaves and one new to the situation if not to the profession, takes her place. Of course Medfield cannot compete with the wealthier cities; equally of course there is good stimulus when members of a teaching corps realize that growth into larger spheres is open and is encouraged. There is also helpful stimu- lus with the coming of new, enthusiastic teachers, eager to make their places. But a measure of permanence is valuable and it is worth while to continue offering added inducements to remain here and grow in efficiency. Another very helpful step has been the addition of an experienced teacher, Miss Harlow, to carry work in both Junior high school and sixth grade, thus serving to "bridge the gap" and to relieve the principal of the elementary school for more supervision.
Our Census, Age-grade, and Attendance tables, given here- with, show practically no gain or loss in numbers of pupils. Our percentage of attendance has not shown the improvement over last year which was hoped and which should be possible with the town's liberality in transportation of pupils.
While there has been distinct improvement in our schools in nearly all lines I still feel there is not yet a sufficiently strong businesslike attitude in the High School and that the remedy lies principally in the home. Too few pupils take the personal responsibility for their own progress that they would do if their homes individually paid for them the actual tuition cost which the town pays. Outside interests, particularly those which use evenings other than Friday or Saturday, should not take the time or absorb the attention and initiative and interest of the pupils. The one-session plan was originally adopted largely to give the long afternoon and evening so there might be serious, effective study, without interference with healthful exercise and rest. The School cannot put the pupil into College; he must put himself. The Home and the School can furnish opportunity and stimulus and guidance. Such investigations as we have made indicate that the average time of serious home study is disappointingly low. Will each home co-operate with us?
There have been many improvements in physical equipment
153
during the past year, described more fully elsewhere. At the Ralph Wheelock school a woven-wire boundary fence, cement walks, and cinder filling where the town's sidewalk-grading left the playground low and wet have increased safety and healthfulness. The building is now easily approachable from both sides in all weathers. Installation of blower fans for the boilers at the High School now permits burning buckwheat (hard) coal. This is accomplishing what we have seen it do elsewhere-give better-controlled heat at reduced cost, at the same time being cleaner for our building and our neighborhood. If it fulfills the present expectation it should be installed at the Ralph Wheelock school next summer.
One of the serious limitations of the High School building has been remedied in the best way apparent by fitting-up the lunch room at the Wheelock building for a Drawing Room. While it is inconvenient to High School pupils to walk one way or the round-trip between the two schools, the benefit in real interest and serious work accomplished more than compensates. A moderate supply of drawing instruments is helping Mechani- cal Drawing and Mrs. Judd now gives us two days a week. Careful reading of her enthusiastic report is suggested. We are still handicapped by the lack of a gymnasium, for health and physical training, for development of the best team work in athletic sports, with its incident school loyalty and interest and co-operative leadership, and for use in social gatherings of various sorts. We as yet can see no way to overcome this handicap.
A serious problem in which we hope to make distinct progress during the coming year is that of promotion and grading. Our Age-grade table indicates that one-sixth of our pupils are re- tarded one or more years. There is a range of five, or even six, years in the ages of pupils in single grades. Study is being given this situation in the hope of meeting more nearly the needs of individual pupils. For each pupil of every grade the school should be his place of business, wherein he is happily and absorbingly employed in what he can do increasingly well.
Medfield may well take special pride in its High School grad- uation of last June, as interestingly reported elsewhere by the
154
Principal. It was distinctly appropriate to Medfield-one of the Bay State's historic towns-as part of its celebration of her Tercentenary year. It is a pity we have no moving-picture record of this beautiful and meaningful pageant.
In closing let me thank your Committee, the teachers, jani- tors, and all school workers for their cordial support and faith- ful endeavor. It augurs well for increased accomplishment to come.
Respectfully submitted,
LYMAN R. ALLEN, Superintendent.
-
155
REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
January 15, 1931.
Mr. Lyman R. Allen, Superintendent of Schools,
Sir :-
I herewith submit my report as principal of the Medfield High School for the year 1930.
Graduation Exercises
As 1930 marked the three hundredth anniversary of the founding of Massachusetts Bay Colony, of which Medfield was a part, it seemed very pertinent to make the graduation exercises historical in character, particularly as no other observance of the occasion had been planned by the town. It was finally decided to prepare and present a historical pageant of the early history of the town. Much time and thought were put into this by the class, the teachers, and the other pupils in school who took part. Using as a basis a pageant published by the State Department of Education, the Seniors, as a part of the regular English class work changed certain sections to apply to local conditions and wrote in entirely new parts where the original could not apply. The pageant was presented in a prolog and seven episodes. Of these, episodes three, five, and six were written entirely by the class. The prolog with the connecting links between the episodes, and episodes one, four, and seven were changed considerably to fit local conditions. Between the episodes appropriate musical numbers were in- troduced as solos, orchestral numbers, or vocal choruses. All participants were dressed in appropriate costume.
The cost of costuming the pageant was considerable and would have been prohibitive if we had had to hire all the cos- tumes used. The class spent twenty-five dollars for costumes
156
instead of presenting a gift to the school, feeling that in giving a performance of this calibre as their contribution to the ter- centenary year they were doing something just as valuable as the gift of a picture or anything of that sort would be. Many of the costumes were made by the pupils or their parents, and many were loaned by townspeople. We are much indebted to Mr. Ware for the loan of stage properties, etc., suitable to the periods represented, and also to the Norwood Junior High School for the loan of costume material. The entire student body entered into the spirit of the occasion in a highly com- mendable manner. Of the 140 pupils in school at the time about 65 took active parts in the pageant. A complete pro- gram will be found at the end of this report.
Although no members of the Class of 1930 have gone to college; five of the twelve are continuing their education at business schools or private academies.
Enrollment
There was an increase of sixteen in enrollment in September of this year over that of the same month last year, making a total of 161 pupils. Since then three pupils have moved from town making the present enrollment 158. This increase is due to an entering grade of forty pupils as against a loss of only twelve by graduation. The average graduating class for several years previous to 1930 was 17. This year (1931) there should be 22 graduates. Conditions now indicate that the present enrollment of between 155 and 160 will remain fairly constant for the next two years and will then increase to 170 or so due to a large grade which should enter in 1933.
The size of the seventh grade this September has caused temporarily crowded conditions in one room. Although the building is large enough to accommodate up to two hundred pupils, the largest number of seats and desks in any one room was thirty-five and a class of over that number in any subject could not be accommodated except through the use of tablet arm chairs. The type of work that must be done in the seventh grade can not be done properly on these tablet arms and desks are essential. Through a slight change in the seating arrange-
157
ment of the seventh grade room an additional row of seats was placed during the last vacation period and this room will now seat up to 45 pupils.
Drawing Classes
The removal of the drawing classes to the Ralph Wheelock building will prove to be of great value, especially to the ad- vanced pupils. Arrangements for drawing at the high school building were never satisfactory. During the periods that the drawing classes met it was necessary to double up in other rooms in order to release a room for these classes. There was no chance in the room for the storing of material or for keeping pupils' work from week to week. Any painting or other work that needed to dry after the period was finished had to be left on the window sills or chalk tray. There was an interval of only one minute between the end of the drawing class and the beginning of the next recitation when an entirely different group had to use the room. This made the cleaning up of the drawing work difficult to handle and any work left to dry as mentioned above was in the way of the incoming classes. With a room devoted only to drawing, all of this inconvenience has been done away with and the pupils are more careful of their work and more interested in it. At present only those who are really interested in the subject and can really profit by taking it, are in the drawing classes. The few who thought that the trip between the two buildings would be an enjoyable recess and elected drawing on that account were eliminated early in the fall. The trip between the two buildings may seem some- what of a hardship, especially to the younger pupils, and may. seem to be an unnecessary waste of time. But the periods have been so arranged that the time for returning to the high school for one class comes during recess, while another class is dismissed from school immediately from drawing. Time for passing for the seventh and eighth grades is taken out of a spare period. On days that the weather is too severe arrangements have been made to omit the drawing classes for the junior high groups. With drawing given to senior high school pupils two periods a week instead of one as formerly, regular credit towards
158
graduation can be given for this subject. The results in the personnel of the group and in the improved type of work fully justify the change.
Athletics
Miss Regish has taken over the work with the girls formerly carried on by Miss Titus and Mr. Hartford has taken over Mr. Palumbo's work with the boys. During the fall the girls played an interclass series of fieldball and basket ball games. A school team has been organized in girls' basket ball but because of the necessity for practising out of doors we have been handicapped considerably by weather conditions. It is practically impos- sible to win any games with a team that can not practise and must play all its games away from home. The girls deserve a great deal of credit for the spirit which they show in trying to play at all under such conditions. Newcomb is being played as an organized indoor game for the winter season. During the spring, track practise will be carried on.
Last June a tennis tournament open to all the pupils in high school was held in which twenty-six entrants participated. The winner, Gordon Hardie, Class of 1933, was presented with a silver cup furnished by the school athletic association. A similar tournament is planned for the coming spring.
The baseball team coached by Mr. Umberto Palumbo last spring had a fairly successful season. In football this fall we again had the services of Mr. William Palumbo as coach. Thanks to his willingness to give his time and the generosity of several of the townspeople who subscribed money for the purchase of equipment, we developed the most successful team we have had for years. Out of eleven games played we won four, tied three, and lost four. An ice hockey team has been organized for the winter, which at time of writing had won one game and lost one. Baseball will be played in the spring, Medfield High remaining a member of the Tri-County League as in the past.
Assemblies
. A regular schedule of assembly periods for the present school . year has been arranged by a committee of the School Executive
159
Council. During the fall we had an original play written and presented by the Freshman Class; a Thanksgiving play by the seventh grade; a dramatized version of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" by grade eight; an illustrated lecture on the winter birds of Massachusetts by the field agent of the Massachusetts Audubon Society; and four illustrated scientific lectures. For the remainder of the year three debates, two outside speakers, and three class programs are planned. These assemblies are an integral part of school work at the present time and bring matter of great educational value into the school from outside as well as developing initiative, responsibility, and poise in those pupils who plan and take part in class assemblies.
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