Town annual reports of Medfield 1940-1949, Part 28

Author: Medfield (Mass.)
Publication date: 1940
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 1594

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Fundamental Processes

It is very important to emphasize the fundamental processe in Penmanship, Spelling, and Arithmetic. There is a tendenc to overlook little mistakes but this is to be discouraged. I penmanship "yow" is written for "you." All simple mistake should be corrected at once, and the pupil should be taught t be accurate in the fundamental processes-addition, subtraction multiplication, and division. There is much good in the olde drill methods and teachers should not look upon the tables c multiplication and division as old fashioned. They may be ou of date, but still retain valuable material. In Spelling, wor sounds are important and each pupil must be taught to pro nounce the word and to proceed carefully with the spelling c each syllable. This Spring, transportation available, a "Unio Spelling Bee" is planned to motivate better spelling.

I wish to call your attention to the reports of the principa: and supervisors that follow for they, too, tell much of the wor of the various programs.

Progress has been made in the establishment of a definit program of studies in the grades one to six. The work in th elementary schools has improved and all of us have a bette understanding of the needs and work of the pupils.

During the coming year it is the hope of the administratio that from a foundation based on a friendly understanding be tween the faculty and administration relative to the problem facing the educational needs and programs of the school systen that all may work to produce better results than have bee attained before. Special emphasis should be placed on Citizen ship, Visual Education, Social Studies, Arithmetic, and Physica

Education. It is also hoped that the teachers will strive to pro- luce the desire for better school attendance among the student jody. The School Department is cooperating with every gov- ernment agency in the war effort and will continue to do so.

In closing this, my first report, may I express my appre- ciation to the School Committee for their confidence and help, to the principals, teachers, supervisors, and janitors, who con- tinued to help me in directing the educational activities of Med- field.

Respectfully submitted, E. PERLEY EATON,

Superintendent of Schools.

REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

To the Superintendent of Schools:

I submit the following report as principal of the Medfield High School for the year 1943.

At the regular meeting of the Parent-Teacher Association in May, we gave an exhibition of some of the school work made possible by our new building. Both boys and girls showed what was being done in Physical Training; the girls modeled various garments that they had made in Household Arts, the Dramatics class gave a play, and articles made by the boys in Industrial Arts were displayed in the school library.

The graduation in June clearly showed the convenience of our new building over anything we have had in the past. An audience, which would have sweltered in an overcrowded town hall, enjoyed in comfort a program which could not have been presented so smoothly without the facilities of our library in which to assemble the Senior Class, and the large stage upon which all those participating in the exercises could be placed at one time without any crowding. A copy of the program will be found at the end of this report.

Of the class of 29 graduates, all the boys but one have en- tered the Armed Services, six of the girls are attending college, one has married; and all the others are gainfully employed.

Of the present Senior Class, three boys have already been inducted into service and two more expect to go before the first of February. At present we have in the Armed Forces a total of 126 boys and two girls who have attended our high school

during the past 20 years. Many of these have become commis- sioned officers, a larger number are non-commissioned offiiers, all are making an excellent record. We hope within a short time to have a school service flag and a school honor roll. We have sent out one section of a news bulletin which we plan to send at intervals to all the alumni in the services whose ad- dresses we can obtain. This gives news of the school, of the town, and of their classmates as we can gather it.

'In athletics, we are still handicapped by lack of transporta- tion. We did nothing in baseball last Spring, but did play a series of six-man football games with Millis and Westwood this Fall. We hope to play basketball this winter and baseball in the Spring with nearby towns.

Last February, we introduced a course in Pre-flight Aeron- - autics into our schedule. This is being continued as an advanced course and another beginning course in this subject started. We have modified our Science and Mathematics courses to meet pre- induction requirements. In fact, all courses, except possibly foreign languages, have been affected by the war. At present our shop classes are constructing a commando course on the grounds behind the school building to use in toughening the Physical Training classes as requested by the Federal Govern- ment. Most of the work given the older boys in Industrial Arts should prove of great value when they go into any of the Mechan- ical branches of the service.

Regular instruction in Dramatics is offered in the four upper classes. The value of such instruction was noticeable in the improved poise and diction of the pupils who took part in last June's graduation exercises. Miss Wyeth, our music supervisor, has started a school orchestra and a school choir.

War Bond and Stamp sales have increasel greatly this Fall over those of last Spring. Between the last week of September anl the first of December we bought $1178.30 worth, more than enough to buy a "jeep" and to earn us a citation from the United States Treasury Department. This citation will be framed and hung in the school library as a permanent memento.

The general morale of the school is improving as I felt sure that it would when we got into our new building. Disci- pline is better, marks are better, and the general attitude towards school has improved. We are still bothered a great deal by tardiness, mostly frequently repeated cases among a small group of pupils. May we ask the cooperation of all parents to get pupils out of bed in time to get to school and to have work and errands started early enough so that the pupil can finish and still get to school in time? 31 per cent of the families repre- sented in the school have been responsible for 88 per cent of the tardiness this Fall.

Mental ability tests have been given in the four upper classes. The results will be used to help the teachers to judge whether a pupil is working to his capacity or is loafing on the job. They should help to make the effort marks on the report cards more accurate.

On the day that school began in September, the entire town was stunned by the sudden death of Mr. Wilson who had taught physical training, English, and World History, since January 1st. He had made a fine impression on the pupils and on the community, and in this, his first teaching position, he gave promise of becoming an excellent teacher. He was very much interested in young people and made every pupil's problems his problems. The entire school felt his loss greatly.

In closing, I wish to thank you and the members of the School Committee for your kind assistance.

Respectfully submitted,

ALTON H. HARTFORD, Principal.

REPORT OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

To the Superintendent of Schools:

I herewith submit to you my report as principal of the Hannah Adams Pfaff Grammar School.

At the opening of school in September, we started our year under a new superintendent, Mr. E. Perley Eaton of Dighton, and Miss Helen Wyeth, our new music supervisor; but our teaching staff remained the same with Mrs. MacIver, in Grade I; Mrs. Fargo, Grade II; Miss Calabrese, Grade III; Miss Buck, Grade IV; Miss Grant, Grade V; Mrs. Brown, Grade VI. On the thirteenth of December, we lost one of our faculty by death, Miss Elizabeth Buck, who was a faithful, conscientious teacher and she will be mourned by children, teachers and townspeople alike. .

The enrollment is as follows: Grade I, 37; Grade II, 34; Grade III, 32; Grade IV, 34; Grade V, 34; Grade VI, 33.

KINDERGARTEN. On October 18, we welcomed a kindergarten and have twenty-five enrolled. Mrs. Odett, the teacher, is doing a splendid piece of work with these little tots, and it is hoped by all that it may continue for the rest of the year. This is the first time Medfield has ever had the pleasure of having a public kindergarten.

NATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK. The week of November 7-13 was National Education Week and the school kept Open House on Wednesday, November 10, for all parents and friends inter- ested in visiting the different rooms. Drawing posters and school work were on display. Many parents took this oppor- tunity to visit and we hope to have another in the Spring.

CLUB WORK. Our club work is still being devoted entirely to Junior Red Cross. In October, the children made scrap books. Thanksgiving and Christmas menu cards were designed and colored and sent to the Red Cross Headquarters in Boston for distribution. On November 14, Mrs. Parker spoke to the chil- dren in assembly on "The Importance of Junior Red Cross Work" and showed them a motion picture. She also exhibited samples of handwork, which she thought our children would be inter- ested in making. All classes collected clothing and toys for the drive from November 1 to 15 and we raised $13.56 from the sale of tags. Christmas card scrap books have been made and were sent to the Children's Hospital in Boston.

STAMPS AND BONDS. The teachers have made it possible for all the children to purchase stamps and bonds at the school. They have encouraged savings and have stimulated competition among the rooms to promote the sales. Since the tenth of September we have bought $1420 worth of stamps and bonds. On December 3, the children had purchased $1280 worth, which enabled us to buy a jeep. Because of the demand being so heavy, the jeep couldn't arrive on December 7, Pearl Harbor Day, but we were assured that it would be at the school on December 9 . The children were delighted and after an assembly in the auditorium, Pvt. Kathleen Walker invited the children and teachers for a ride. Our next hope is to fly the Minute Man Flag out in front of the school.

November 1, we started serving soup to the children. This will continue through the cold months with the help of the Civilian Defense, Red Cross and mothers preparing and serving the soup. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the ladies for their splendid cooperation in this work.

SALVAGE. In the Spring the children held two fat-salvage days, and we have had two clothing-salvage drives.

CONSERVATION. Miss McInerny of the Massachusetts Audu- bon Society has been giving Grade VI a special course in con- servation for six weeks covering the following topics:

Migratory Birds and Insects Berry-Bearing Shrubs and Trees Birds' Nests Winter Birds Nature at Christmas

I wish to take this opportunity to thank you, the School ommittee, teachers and the pupils for the support and cooper- tion which has made possible whatever success we may have joyed this year.

Respectfully submitted,

DOROTHY J. BROWN.

REPORT OF MUSIC SUPERVISOR

To the Superintendent of Schools:

I herewith submit my first annual report as Supervisor of Music in the public schools of Medfield.

Having been in the position only four months, I cannot report too much at this time. However, I will tell briefly what has been accomplished.

The program of grades 1-8 consists of a wide variety of songs with emphasis on tonal quality and expression. This year integrated lessons of appreciation have been added to intensify the meaning of music to the students. Listening to records is valuable in enabling the students to discriminate the qualities of musical performance, give instrumental knowledge, and de- velop a desire for good music.

During the first year, the chief aim is a directed effort to cultivate careful oral attention, stimulate love for beautiful music, distinguish moods and increase the rhythmic sense through songs and records. The latter is intensified in the second grade by means of the toy rhythm band which is quite a stimulating element. A good foundation must be laid as it is of vital im- portance in the future training of the child.

Several grades have shown a weakness in reading music and placing their voices; thus we have concentrated on this for quite some time. Moreover, this difficulty becomes doubled when part singing is begun unless it is corrected in time.

Part of some music periods are given to group singing of patriotic and folk songs, also solo and team singing. Some folk dancing has been started in several classes and will be carried out through the school year.

Music is given to all members of the high school; from this a selected group of twenty-five mixed voices have been chosen for a small chorus. This group, newly organized, will supply music for assemblies and special programs of the school.

Much interest has been shown in instrumental music b: the students and as a result of this, an orchestra has been formed. It will take concentrated work of all the members t build up a strong organization but with full cooperation of all a good orchestra can be produced. Our main problem is th varied amount of instrumental instruction given each member However, the enthusiasm of the group, plus steady practicing on their part, will show improvement and needed motivation The greatest joy, understanding, and appreciation come in doing thus it is in music.

Every possible encouragement should be given to our boy and girls to foster their love and interest in music.

May I, in closing, express my sincere gratitude to you, and through you, to the teachers for the friendly cooperation giver me within the past four months.

Respectfully submitted,

HELEN S. WYETH

REPORT OF DRAWING SUPERVISOR

To the Superintendent of Schools:

I am pleased to submit the following report of my work ir the schools of Medfield, as Supervisor of Art during 1943.

Art not only makes young people happy in war time by occupying their minds and hands with pleasant, creative tasks; but, also, takes part directly in many war-related projects, effec- tively serving school and community by spreading information and inspiration wherever needed. Students of all ages make good posters in the Medfield schools. We like outside work if enough warning is given us, so that it can be done well.

Work is improving in both schools here as we become adjusted to our ideal working conditions.

Since September, we have been using an improved art outline, which the teachers seem to like. By starting earlier, the super- visor has been able to visit all the grades every week. Miss Grant is teaching a weekly lesson in grades five and six. The quiet rest- ful atmosphere in this building is conducive to art work and as the teachers all take time to follow the outline and keep a permanent exhibition of drawings in each room, it naturally follows that we are getting a high average of excellent results and interest is noticeable in every room.

High School students are enthusiastic, too, and take pride in the art room. They have tacked monk's cloth on two sides of the

om for a bulletin board, and keep a permanent display of work well-arranged groups. They have braided twine to make hang- g baskets for plants, which grow nicely there. They have made ed-pod charm strings to decorate it. Further improvements will added as time goes on. Personal pride in their surroundings sters care of materials. The art room is a busy place long after hool hours. Art is compulsory in grades seven and eight. wenty-nine freshmen have elected it this year, also thirteen from he upper classes, five of whom are taking mechanical drawing.

Two students who cannot get time enough in school, are taking le extension course on Saturday mornings at Massachusetts chool of Art. Parents should arrange to have their boys and irls take advantage of this opportunity if they intend to go to rt Schools.

Posters have been made for school, church and club activities uring the year. Prizes have been given for some of them.

Both buildings received several gold and silver pins for the P. C. A. poster contest, besides several subscriptions to "Our Jumb Animals." The American Legion sponsored a Poppy Poster ontest for which prizes of defense stamps were awarded at the Memorial Day exercises. The Women's Defense Corp has offered wo contests with generous prizes. The P. T. A. added a grade pportunity for poster prizes besides the Program Cover award. Certification of merit were received from the Red Cross for over wo hundred attractive menu covers which have decorated the rays at holiday time in hospitals. Greeting cards have been made for our veterans in hospitals and for our local men in the service of our country. One student won the American Art Award of a ubscription to the American Artist for one year.

. We are grateful for our filing cabinet and our good art ma- erials, and your encouragement and helpful interest as Superin- endent have made it a pleasure to give our best efforts to this mportant part of the school curriculum.

Sincerely submitted,

EVELYN H. JUDD

REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN

To the Superintendent of Schools:

The annual physical examination of the children in the high and grade schools was completed by November 1.

Numerous minor injuries have been cared for at my office- these injuries having been received on the school grounds.

The incidence of contagious skin diseases, ring worm and im- petigo, has been low.

Respiratory infections have been prevalent the last eight weeks of this term.

The following defects were noted in the course of the physical examinations:

Poor posture

Pediculosis

Skin Diseases 2

Teeth

Wax in ears

Enlarged or Diseased Tonsils

Enlarged Glands

Heart Conditions

Disease of Nervous System

The children in the newly organized kindergarten were in- cluded in these examinations and vaccination against small pox was required as would be the case in admission to the first grade.

Respectfully yours, H. L. PARK

REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE

To the Superintendent of Schools:

I hereby submit my annual report for the town of Medfield.

My program has been as follows:

Physical Examination. The school physician, Dr. H. L. Park, has completed the physical examinations of all the children.

Parents have been notified of defects found at this time and advised to consult their family physicians for advice concerning these defects.

Home visits are made whenever requested to do so by princi- pal or teachers.

Dental Examinations. The dental clinic, held in May spon- sored by the Red Cross and Visiting Nurse's Association and con- ducted by Dr. Edmund Tobin, our clinic dentist.

Number of clinics held 7

Number of children examined 170

Number of children found having perfect teeth 18

Number of children having work completed 65

Number of cleaning's 48

Number of temporary fillings 41

Number of permanent fillings 28

Number of temporary extractions

Number of permanent extractions

Diphtheria Immunization. Every year children who have not been immunized against diphtheria are given the opportunity to receive the necessary inoculations.

Number of children receiving toxoid inoculations 6.

Audiometer Tests. The audiometer test for hearing was given to all children in third grade through the high school.

Defects were noted and corrected wherever necessary.

Tuberculosis Clinic. The Norfolk County Hospital conducted its clinic for the prevention of tuberculosis at the Franklin nurs- ing center.

Five children attended this clinic.

Pre-school Clinic. The pre-school clinic held in June for physical examination of the children who are entering the follow- ing September.

Number of children attending this clinic 22

I wish to express my appreciation to the Medfield Salvation Army fund, to the Tuberculosis fund for their generous support.

To the members of the School Board, teachers and parents I extend sincere thanks for their support and cooperation.

Respectfully submitted,

INEZ S. KERR, R.N.

REPORT OF HOME ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT

To the Superintendent of Schools:

In Household Arts, the older girls have been concentrating on food preservation, nutrition, meat cuts and cookery, desserts, sugar cookery, menu planning, table service and group meals. Emphasis is given to foods budgets and management factors in- volved in meal preparation, planning, preparing, and serving of family meals at a nominal cost. The class is organized into groups, each group planning meals at a given cost, marketing

for supplies, and serving the meals within a given length of time. This year we were privileged to attend a meat-cutting demonstra- tion at Bullard's Market given by Mr. Smith. We were also rep- resented at "Open House" which was held by the Home Economics Department at Framingham State Teachers College. In clothing, the girls will be concentrating on cotton sports dresses, woolen shirts, matching of plaids and checks, rayon and silk dresses, and graduation dresses.

The younger girls have been studying sewing technique, the operation and care of the treadle and electric sewing machines. Many interesting problems are underway including, various types of mending, broomstick skirts, blouses, pajamas, housecoats, play suits and nighties.

The Cafeteria was opened the first day of school, operating under the Household Arts Department. Each grade from the eighth to twelfth have charge of the cafeteria one day a week. The girls have assigned duties and are responsible for the plan- ning of menus, preparing and serving of lunch, washing and put- ting away dishes and utensils, cleaning up, managing the cafe- teria, and balancing the accounts. With a system of alteration of duties each girl has an equal opportunity to learn all phases of cafeteria operation. The grade school depends on the cafeteria this year to serve sandwiches. Their order ranges anywhere from ten to thirty-five daily. At the present time, we have a large enough supply of food on hand so that even if prices rise, we will be able to carry on as usual.

Respectfully submitted,

LILLIAN KREGER.

REPORT OF MANUAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT

To the Superintendent of Schools:

From a start last year which was definitely the beginning, the boys in the shop classes have shown that they have shop sense. The upper classes have advanced so rapidly that they are capable of designing and developing projects of their own, and are doing it without much correction from the instructor. The lower classes are also showing a marked advance and an eagerness to learn.

Due to the fact that woodworking facilities are more plentiful than other types of work, most of the shop work has been in this line.

The upper classes have been taught the use of the various woodworking machines such as the circular saw, surface planer,

drill press, wood turning lathe and the band saw, as well as the ises of the various hand tools necessary. The seniors have been - doing machine metal work also. They take turns on the one metal lathe in making a standard machine bolt. This gives them an opportunity at sharpening and forming cutting tools, setting up the lathe, straight turning, thread cutting, forming a standard bolt head, and about relationship of different dimensions on various bolts. They will receive instructions on figuring and turning tapers. A tolerance of .002 to .003 of an inch is allowed and the boys are keeping within these limits and are doing accurate work.

Sheet-metal work has also been done in which the boys have learned about soldering, the care of the soldering copper, tinning, and the use of fluxes. Sheet-metal layout has been done and more of this type of work planned for the near future. Difficulty in obtaining material for sheet-metal work has retarded this line of work.

The lower grades are doing woodwork on smaller projects so as to learn the use of hand tools. In conjunction with their bench work they have learned to figure board measure and to do shop mathematics. They make working drawings of all projects on which they work and these drawings have to be correct before they are accepted. The boys are doing good work along this line.

The work has not all been limited to the shop by any means. A good deal of work has been performed around the school. The shop classes have erected shelves for storeroom, made costumers for the offices, erected a coal frame in back of the school, refin- ished desk tops, repaired school tables and chairs, made drawing easels for the kindergarten, and a few other jobs in and about the school.

Some of the projects that the boys have made for themselves are smoking stands, night table, telephone shelves, book cases, vanity table, chair and mirror, ice boats, wall shelves and racks, gun racks, music stands, picture frames and stands, metal match boxes, storage chest, parts for machines for home work shop, plant stands and numerous other items. A Commando-training course has been started and as soon as more material is obtained it will be erected.

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Town annual reports of Medfield 1940-1949, Part 28

Author: Medfield (Mass.) Publication date: 1940 Publisher: The Town Number of Pages: 1594

Author: Medfield (Mass.)
Publication date: 1940
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 1594