USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > Town annual reports of Medfield 1940-1949 > Part 22
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In September we started the school year in our new building. The general effect of this on the student body has been excellent. We have rooms enough for our entire faculty of eleven regular teachers, two special teachers, and one cadet-practice teacher all to have classes at the same time if necessary. Classes in each subject can be held always in the same room. There are no classes too large for the rooms. The library gives ample study space with reference books handy. The laboratory makes possible individual science experiments and has adequate storage space for apparatus. We have been able to introduce new courses in general shop for boys, household arts for girls, physical education, dramatics, public-speaking, corrective speech, and pre- flight aeronautics. The combined gymnasium-auditorium is used regularly thirty-three out of the thirty-five periods each week for assembly, for classes in English, dramatics, and public-speaking, for physical education work, and for music.
The front curtain and cyclorama given by public subscription through the Parent-Teacher Association adds greatly to the appearance of the auditorium and makes possible a far greater
135
use of the stage than otherwise. Now that the State Guard Company is using the auditorium for armory and drill hall, their flags, both national and state, are left in standards at either side of the stage. A beautiful silk flag presented by Mrs. Bryant stands in the office, and the burial flag of Ocran Knehr, M. H. S. 1934, presented by his mother, hangs on the library wall as a permanent memorial to the first Medfield boy to give his life in the present world conflict.
Assemblies are held nearly every Tuesday, using the fixed seats on the ramp in the auditorium. So far we have had talks by the Superintendent and the Principal; a Dramatic Sketch by Mr. Hines, of Dedham; a talk by Mrs. Leslie Howlett regarding the Hannah Adams Club Scholarship; a vocational guidance talk with moving pictures by Mr. Newton Smith of the Fisher School, Boston; a talk on First Aid, illustrated by Red Cross films, by Mrs. Howard Welch; a lecture on the nutritional value and use of eggs, illustrated with colored films by Mr. Harold Rotzel of the New England Fresh Egg Institute; a puppet show, written and produced by the seventh grade pupils; and four plays given by the dramatics class.
Vocational courses in the form of general show for boys and household arts for girls were started last year but with the limited facilities available could not accomplish much. Through last June about all that could be done with the boys was shop- drawing and with the girls dressmaking. This fall with the facili- ties of the new building these courses have been made very much worth while. Each pupil in grades seven and eight is re- quired to take them, and most of the pupils in the four upper grades have elected them. Each class meets four periods per week, usually in two double periods in order to be able to accomplish more in the allotted time. For boys and girls who are better adapted to hand work than book work, additional time in shop and household arts, with corresponding credit, is arranged. The boys under guidance of Mr. Freiberg have set up the shop machinery, built a wall bench, put together six woodworking benches and one metalworking bench, made minor repairs, made bookshelves for the library and for the stockroom, made a door and fireplace to use as stage scenery, put up blackboards and built a cupboard in the grade school, made five benches for each locker room, cut down a table to the proper size for the cafeteria kitchen, and are now working on coat racks for the check room, a coat-and-hat-tree for the office, a telephone table for the office, and various individual projects. Although most of the work has been in wood, several of the boys have done work on the metal lathe and some forging.
136
In household arts, girls have made articles of clothing and covers for our four sewing machines, have studied cooking, nutri- tion, textiles, and personal appearance. At the opening of school last fall when the question of how best to operate the cafeteria came up, it seemed better to take care of it with out own household arts department than to call on someone from outside. In this way we would be able to keep prices low and give our girls valu- able training. From the very first day of school in September we have operated as follows. Each grade from eight to twelve inclusive has charge of the cafeteria one day each week. The girls, under Miss Gendron's direction, plan the menus, order the food, prepare and serve it, wash and put away dishes and utensils, clean up the tables and kitchen, act as cashiers, balance the ac- counts, figure costs, and manage the cafeteria. In this way every girl will get an equal chance at all phases of cafeteria operation, not only doing the actual work but learning management and nutrition. This takes one-half the class time allotted to house- hold arts; the other half is spent on sewing, cooking, and theory of household management. Lunch is served separately to junior high and senior high, with a twenty minute interval between the two lunch periods, during which the cafeteria girls eat their lunches and have their recess. We serve various kinds of sand- wiches, soup, cocoa, milk, cracker sandwiches, potato chips, candy, and ice cream. So far we have been able to keep everything at a unit price of five cents. Our income averages around twenty dol- lars a day, all of which is used to buy food, soaps and soap) powder, paper napkins, paper sandwich wrappers, etc., and to pay one girl for working an hour or so after school each day washing dishtowels and doing extra work which we do not have time to do during the regular session. At present we have a large enough supply of food ahead so that even if costs rise, we will not have to go up on our prices for some time. We feel that, for this year at least, we have found an excellent solution to the question, "How can our cafeteria be operated most efficiently at the least cost ?"
With gymnasium and locker room facilities it seemed best to make all pupils not excused by a physician take physical training. Lacking a teacher of physical education we have divided the work among the regular teachers, who are doing a very fine piece of work in a subject with which they are not technically familiar. Each pupil has two periods of gym a week even if it means leaving out a period of some academic subject. This is far below the minimum urged by the government, but is a good begin- ning for a school that has previously had nothing of the sort. In general the work is divided half-time calisthenics and half-time
137
games such as volley ball and basketball for all, tag football for boys and fied hockey for girls.
Because of transportation difficulties it seems practically impossible to have interscholastic sports until the war is over. On this account we had to cancel our baseball schedule last spring, and made no football or basketball schedules this year. We have, however, played several interclass games of basketball and hope to increase this sort of intramural activity as time goes on.
Our pupils' activities are necessarily affected to some extent by the war. The shortage of labor has resulted in one hundred twenty-four of our pupils working regularly outside of school, a total of nearly one thousand three hundred hours a week. We have sold through the school, nine hundred thirty-six dollars and ten cents worth of war stamps and bonds during the last eight months. We collected about forty pounds of old keys and several tons of scrap metal during last November's drive.
The lure of high wages in industry or the uncertainty as to how soon they may have to get into the Army keeps many pupils restless but in general our pupils and teachers have kept calm and have accomplished a good year's work. The effect of the conditions of the past two years in the old building as it was used by all' the grades have shown up in a series of achievement tests given grades seven and eight. These tests showed these two grades one-half to three-quarters of a year behind where they should have been in October of this school year. Probably the same results would appear in all our grades if similar tests were given. We have taken steps to remedy this situation, especially in the junior high, and feel that we are succeeding, although what was lost during these two years can not be made up in one single year.
On behalf of the faculty and myself I wish to thank you and the members of the School Committee for your help and encouragement during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
ALTON H. HARTFORD
138
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
To the Superintendent of Schools of Medfield:
The annual physical examination of all school pupils is com- pleted. No unusual situation as regards contagious disease was present during the fall term but there were several severe injuries to children on the school grounds.
As a group our school children are in good health. The ma- jority of those with defective teeth have only minor defects (one or two cavities) which are readily correctible and which we know will be corrected. Very few have badly decayed, poorly cared for, teeth. Among the group having enlarged or diseased tonsils are a number that have been reported several years without any action being taken at home, and this keeps the number in this group unnecessarily large.
In most instances we have enjoyed excellent co-operation from the parents.
It is noteworthy that there is no case of head lice this year.
The following conditions were found:
Poor posture 33 Enlarged or diseased tonsils 25
Skin disease
1 Enlarged glands 20
Defective teeth 82 Heart disease 4
Wax in ears 8 Nervous disorders 2
Chronic ear disease 3 Poor nutrition 4
Defective vision
3
Respectfully submitted,
HARRY L. PARK, M. D.
REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
To the Superintendent of Schools:
I hereby submit the annual report of School Nurse for the town of Medfield.
During the past year the health of the school children has been exceptionally good. This is due largely to the splendid co-operation and intelligent care given them by their parents.
My program has been as follows:
1. Daily visits to the schools to check up health conditions of pupils, rendering first aid whenever necessary.
139
2. Assisting the School Physician during his annual physical examinations, and visiting of the homes whenever the need has arisen.
3. Planning for and assisting in clinics, as follows:
a. Dental clinic sponsored by the Red Cross and Visiting Nurses' Association.
Dr. Edmund Tobin was our clinic dentist. Nine clinics were held.
Number of children attending clinic 80
Number of children having work completed 76
Number of fillings 32
Number of extractions 48
Number of cleanings
71
b. Norfolk County Hospital Chest Clinic for detection possible incipient tuberculosis.
75
Population of grades tested
52
Children tuberculin tested % tested
71 27
Number reacting to the test
51.9
Number of children X-Rayed
27
Number of children examined
4
Observation group (for an annual check-up by their clinic)
4
Number of children examined by special request
2
c. Immunization clinic, for prevention of diphtheria. Six children received toxoid treatment.
d. Pre-school clinic, held in June to see that prospective pupils were physically fit to enter school in September. Twenty-one children attended and received physical examination.
e. Audiometer Hearing Test.
All children from grades three to twelve inclusive were tested. A constant check of children with defective hearing is being maintained.
For two months milk was furnished to undernourished chil- dren by the Medfield Salvation Army Fund.
The Administration suite in our new school has facilitated the health services. The medical staff, the teaching staff, and the children themselves are enjoying this improvement.
In conclusion I wish to thank our Superintendent, School Committee members and teachers for their splendid co-operation during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
INEZ S. KERR, R. N.
140
---- ---- --- 1 1 1
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1 1
1 1 1
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of
% reacting to the test
REPORT OF DRAWING SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools:
Art was never more important to the well being of this country and to the proper functioning of our schools than in this present world crisis.
Gratified art teachers note how the amazing collection of posters and illustrative material are an effective help in boosting the sale of war bonds and stamps. Art is also assisting production and preventing accidents in war industries. It is a tremendous fact in training our armed forces by equipping them with maps and other visual aids in the field and on the seas. Illustrations in newspapers, magazines, articles and advertisements everywhere are helping us all to comprehend the immense task of winning the conflict ahead of us and the peace to follow.
Alert art teachers are taking this opportunity to bring these facts to the attention of their classes. A big stride in art educa- tion is the natural result, as grade teachers let art penetrate the curriculum, enriching the timely activities of their grade war projects.
Two specific improvements are being tried in our schools this year.
First, two long outlines, one for each semester, have replaced the bothersome monthly outline in each grade. These are to serve for several years. Teachers now know ahead the essentials to be covered, and can plan the work of their grade more intelli- gently. In addition, a short supervisor's outline each month makes it easy to get the most out of these visits. The change seems to be functioning smoothly.
Second, more time is being given to art appreciation, by reading and class discussion of Art through the Ages. This better cultural background should help create the well rounded individ- uals who we hope are to be an example to the post-war world. We are stressing Art for Beauty and Art for Use in each grade. Surprising ways appear constantly to integrate these ideas in the class work and teachers deserve great credit for their share in them.
In the Junior and Senior High schools, where we are so grateful for our new rooms to work in, we are continuing this same idea, under the titles, Art for Culture and Art for Utility. This reading and discussion, going on as we work with our hands, leaves little time for discipline problems. As students gain poise
141
and background for their citizenship in this best country of all, classes with imagination and interest aroused, find plenty of worthwhile problems to beautify their surroundings at little cost, and help their school and community win this war.
Sincerely submitted,
EVELYN H. JUDD
SCHOOL CENSUS
Registration
(5-6)
(7-13)
(14-15)
Total
Boys
29
122
37
188
Girls
39
100
47
186
Total
68
222
84
374
Distribution
In public schools
37
215
79
331
In private schools
2
7
4
13
In vocational schools
1
1
Not in school
29
29
------
-
142
Attendance Record, 1941 - 42 (Compared with preceding years)
To.
%
Ave.
Grade
Mem.
Att.
Mem.
1940-41 Ave. Mem.
1935-36 Ave. Mem.
1930-31 Ave. Mem.
1 Anna M. Daddario
37
92.3
34.9
36.2
48.7
38.5
2 Rose Pilibosian
35
92.8
33.1
31.2
38.2
35.1
3 Jeanne Arbuckle
39
92.2
34.4
35.1
48.2
36.3
4 Elizabeth S. Buck
39
93.3
34.1
32.0
36.9
41.5
5 Madelyn L. Grant
37
94.1
33.4
23.9
40.3
32.4
6 Dorothy J. Brown
27
94.1
25.7
44.3
37.5
31.9
Total-Elementary
214
93.1
195.6
202.7
249.8
215.7
7 Elsie E. W. Davis
45
94.2
41.9
34.7
35.8
41.2
8 John S. Welsh (Jan. '42)
38
93.4
35.2
39.0
30.2
28.3
Lillian C. Gendron
9 Gail E. Cosgrove
40
94.3
39.1
33.5
28.2
22.6
10 Clifford W. Baker
34
92.5
33.0
36.5
22.4
11 Mary E. Nichols
35
91.9
34.2
22.2
71.2
21.3
12 Anne H. Gray
25
92.5
23.8
23.7
22.9
Total-High School
217
93.3
207.2
189.6
165.4
158.7
Total-Both Schools
431
93.2
402.8
392.3
415.2
374.4
143
GRADUATING EXERCISES
of the CLASS OF NINETEEN HUNDRED FORTY-TWO Friday, June Twelve
PROGRAM
Processional
Music, "The Star Spangled Banner" School and Audience
Invocation Reverend Theodore N. Goodale
Music, "Dear Land of Home," Sibelius School Chorus
Class President's Address of Welcome John Allen Newell, Jr. "The Purpose of Education in a Democracy"
Jacquelyn Aurie Rawding
"A History of the Medfield Schools" Ralph Woodbine
------ - ---
Music, "Roses of the South," Strauss School Chorus
"Sidelights on Education in Medfield" William Sven Holmquist
"The Hannah Adams Pfaff School" Robert Mason Allan
Music, "Music of Nature," Mascagni School Chorus
"The Ideal School System" Frances Louisa Welch
"Youth Marches On" Nancy Jane Blood
Music, "To Thee, O Country," Eichberg School Chorus
Presentation of Awards
The Harvard Club Book Award Supt. Lyman R. Allen The Washington-Franklin History Certificate
Principal Alton H. Hartford
The Hannah Adams Club Scholarship Mrs. Marjorie Park President, Hannah Adams Club The Parent-Teacher Association Scholarship Mr. Leslie Howlett Chairman, Scholarship Committee
Music, "The Unfurling of the Flag," Densmore .. School Chorus Presentation of Diplomas Mrs. Mignonette S. Mortimer School Committee
Music, "America"
School and Audience
Benediction Reverend Theodore N. Goodale
Class Motto, "Not to equal, but to excel."
Class Colors, Red, White, and Blue
144
HONOR PUPILS
Theodore Baratt, Nancy Jane Blood, Kenneth Roland Clark, Bar- bara Fenton, William Sven Holmquist, John Allen Newell, Jr., Edith Suzanne Vasaturo, Frances Louisa Welch, Ralph Woodbine
Robert Mason Allan, William Francis Alley, Barbara Louise Bridge, Robert Briggs, Myrtle Audrey Chick, Warren Holden Fenton, Jr.
Elizabeth Inez Mitchell, Jeanne Kathryn Nourse, Donald Edward Penniman, Jacquelyn Aurie Rawding, Catherine Myra Rokes, Thomas William Terrenzi
145
ASSESSOR'S REPORT
Town Appropriations
$145,065.93
Total appropriations voted from available funds
in 1942 in 1941 since 1941 Tax Rate was fixed
2,515.00
1,300.00
$148,880.93
State Tax and Assessments:
State Tax
$7,200.00
State Parks & Reservations
137.97
State Audit of Municipal Accounts
26.46
7,364.43
County Tax and Assessments:
County Tax
$3,000.69
Tuberculosis Hospital
1,010.94
4,011.63
Overlay of Current Year
2,792.73
Gross amount to be raised
$163,049.72
Estimated Receipts :
Income Tax
$8,952.39
Corporation Taxes
2,443.38
Reimbursement 'on account of State owned land
1,836.09
Gasoline Tax (Acts of 1941, Chapter 420) 6,319.53
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
5,446.73
Licenses
1,265.00
Fines
50.00
General Government
920.12
Health and Sanitation
634.29
Highways
90.00
Charities (other than federal grants for aid to dependent children) 1,316.28
Old Age Assistance (other than federal grants) 384.09
Old Age Assistance, Acts of 1941, Chap- ter 729
5,949.75
Schools
3,738.12
Libraries
137.80
Public Service Enterprises (Water
Dept.)
6,158.06
1
1
146
--
--
Cemeteries (other than trust funds and sale of lots)
211.50
Interest: On taxes and assessments
1,056.84
Veterans' Exemptions
30.60
Total Estimated Receipts $46,940.57
Overestimates of previous year to be used for available funds:
County Tax
25.35
State Parks and Reservations
7.00
Amounts voted to be taken from available funds:
September 24, 1941
9,815.00
Total available funds
9,847.35
Total estimated receipts and available funds
56,787.92
Net amount to be raised by taxation on polls and property
106,261.80
Number of polls, 861 @ $2.00 each
1,722.00
Total valuation:
Personal property
212,917.00
7,877.93
Real Estate
2,612,483.00
96,661.87
$106,261.80
Tax Rate
$37.00
Number of persons assessed on personal property
97
Number of persons assessed on real estate
620
Number of persons assessed on personal and real
66
Total number of persons assessed
783
Value of stock in trade
$16,400.00
Value of machinery
4,100.00
Value of live stock
22,257.00
All other tangible personal property
170,160.00
Total value of assessed personal estate
$212,917.00
Value of real estate, buildings
2,098,239.00
Value of real estate, land
514,244.00
Total value of assessed real estate
$2,612,483.00
Total value of assessed estate
$2,825,400.00
147
Number of horses assessed 53
Number of cows assessed 111
Number of yearlings, bulls, heifers, etc. 26
Number of swine assessed 373
Number of fowl assessed
5355
Number of acres of land assessed
8062
Number of dwelling houses assessed
536
CARLTON W. KINGSBURY, Chairman
HARRY E. CONWAY
ROBERT H. FRASER, SR.
Assessors of Medfield
TOWN DEBT
Notes due 1943
Water Mains
1,000.00
Water System
10,000.00
New High School
5,000.00
New High School, Acts of 1941
5,000.00
Notes due 1944
Water System
10,000.00
New High School
5,000.00
New High School, Acts of 1941
5,000.00
Notes due 1945
Water System
10,000.00
New High School
5,000.00
New High School, Acts of 1941
5,000.00
Notes due 1946
Water System
10,000.00
New High School
5,000.00
New High School, Acts of 1941
5,000.00
Notes due 1947
Water System
10,000.00
New High School
5,000.00
New High School, Acts of 1941
5,000.00
Notes due 1948
Water System
10,000.00
New High School
5,000.00
New High School, Acts of 1941
5,000.00
Notes due 1949
Water System
10,000.00
New High School
5,000.00
New High School, Acts of 1941
5,000.00
148
Notes due 1950
Water System
10,000.00 5,000.00
New High School
New High School, Acts of 1941 Notes due 1951
5,000.00
Water System
8,000.00
New High School
5,000.00
New High School, Acts of 1941
5,000.00
Notes due 1952
New High School
5,000.00
New High School, Acts of 1941
5,000.00
Notes due 1953
New High School
5,000.00
New High School, Acts of 1941
5,000.00
Notes due 1954
New High School
5,000.00
New High School, Acts of 1941
5,000.00
Notes due 1955
New High School
5,000.00
New High School, Acts of 1941
5,000.00
Notes due 1956
New High School
5,000.00
New High School, Acts of 1941
5,000.00
Notes due 1957
New High School
5,000.00
New High School, Acts of 1941 Notes due 1958
5,000.00
New High School
5,000.00
New High School, Acts of 1941
5,000.00
Notes due 1959
New High School
1,000.00
New High School, Acts of 1941
5,000.00
Notes due 1960
New High School, Acts of 1941
5,000.00
BESSIE L. HAMANT,
Town Treasurer
Correct:
F. M. BIBBY,
Town Accountant
149
TOWN WARRANT
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Norfolk, ss.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Medfield, in said County, greeting :
----
In the name of the Commonwealth you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Medfield, quali- fied to vote in elections and in town affairs, to meet at the Town Hall, in said Medfield on Monday the 1st day of March A. D. 1943 at 7:00 A. M. then and there to act on the following articles:
Article 1. To choose all Town Officers required to be elected annually by ballot, to wit:
---
One Moderator, One Town Clerk, One Treasurer, One Collector of Taxes, Three Constables, One Tree Warden, One Member of the Board of Health, all for one year.
One Selectman, One Assessor, One Member of the School Committee, Two Trustees of the Public Library, One Member of the Board of Health, One Cemetery Commissioner, One Member of the Water and Sewerage Board, One Member of the Board of Public Welfare, all for three years.
One Member of the Planning Board for five years.
The polls to be opened at 7:00 A. M. and may be closed at 2:00 P. M.
Article 2. To choose Fence Viewers, Field Drivers and Pound Keeper.
Article 3. To see if the Town will vote to accept the reports of the several Town Officers for the past year.
Article 4. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate such sums of money as may be necessary to defray the expenses for the ensuing year.
Expended 1942
Recommended 1943
Executive
$2,527.99
$ 2,531.00
Treasurer
749.42
750.00
Collector
1,576.13
1,800.00
Assessors
799.00
800.00
150
I
1
.
Town Clerk
500.00
500.00
Election & Registration
559.07
325.00
Town Hall
3,022.53
3,265.00
Police
3,996.95
4,007.00
Defense
901.06
500.00
Fire
3,353.80
3,000.00
Sealer
796.53
800.00
Care of Trees
94.74
400.00
Spraying Elms
399.85
400.00
Cutting Brush
498.02
1,000.00
Health & Sanitation
2,500.75
1,600.00
Sewer
953.10
800.00
Highways
14,200.25
8,000.00
Snow
2,999.13
Sidewalks
284.72
300.00
Bridges
17.00
100.00
Guard Rails
198.87
300.00
Street Lighting
4,809.33
5,032.00
Public Welfare
3,104.66
4,000.00
Old Age Assistance
20,813.79
15,000.00
Aid to Dependent Children
1,080.00
500.00
Old Age Administration
114.18
250.00
Aid to Dependent Children-Administration
100.00
Soldiers Benefit
587.69
2,000.00
Public Welfare-Salaries
500.00
500.00
District Nurse
450.00
450.00
Schools
35,389.27
39,108.00
Library
2,589.27
Park & Planning Board
467.05
500.00
Memorial Day
225.00
225.00
Contingent
621.05
750.00
Liability Insurance
697.44
750.00
Fire Insurance
1,155.04
850.00
Fire
49.50
Boiler Insurance
1,174.20
Public Dump
61.90
100.00
County Hospital
1,0101.94
Reserve Fund
1,899.11
2,500.00
Water
6,200.46
6,750.00
Notes
21,000.00
21,000.00
Interest
6,265.02
5,937.50
139.29
150.00
Moth
Article 5. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial
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