USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > New Salem > Town annual reports of officers and committees of New Salem, Massachusetts : also valuation and taxes, for the year ending 1944 > Part 9
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2 00
Sweezey, Newton S.
1939
Ford Sedan
12
50
2 00
T
Truman, Dorothy M.
1938
Chevrolet Coupe
12
70
2 49
Truman, Joseph W.
1940
Chevrolet Coupe
12
80
2 85
W
Welch, Albert W.
1936
Ford Sedan
12
80
2 85
Welcome, Gertrude S.
1937
Willys Sedan
12
70
2 49
Wetherby, Louie M.
1936
Ford Sedan
12
70
2 49
Wheelock, Florence
1941
Cadillac Sedan
12
350
12 46
Whittier, Paul M.
1935
Chevrolet Sedan
12
80
2 85
Whittier, Paul M.
Home made Trailer
10
50
2 00
Whittier, Paul M.
1929
A-Ford Tractor
10
50
2 00
Wilbur, Daniel R.
1934
Ford Coupe
12
70
2 49
Williams, Lillian D.
1937
Plymouth Sedan
12
80
2 85
Williams, Lillian D.
1932
Buick Sedan
12 100
3 56
Wold, Arthur
1940
Pontiac Sedan
12
90
3 20
99
Annual Report of the
School Department
....
-of the-
Town of New Salem
for 1945
Organization
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
WILLIAM BULLARD, Chairman Term expires 1946 J. ALLAN BIXBY Term expires 1947
FLORA H. CROWL, Secretary Term expires 1948
The regular monthly meeting of the School Committee is held in the office of the Superintendent of Schools on the last Saturday of each month at 2.00 P. M.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
(Erving, Leverett, New Salem, Shutesbury, Wendell)
EDWIN A. COX
B. S. in Ed., Boston University, 1932
M. S. in Ed., University of Maine, 1939
Office: Town Hall, Main Street, New Salem Telephone: Orange 724-M2
Residence: Main Street, New Salem Telephone: Orange 724-M3
Mail Address: P. O. Box 13, New Salem, Massachusetts
The Superintendent may be seen by appointment at your convenience.
MUSIC SUPERVISOR
JOHN T. BONE Orange
102
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
KIRKE L. ALEXANDER, M. D.
Orange
SCHOOL NURSE
Joyce P. Mathieu, R. N., American Red Cross Public Health Nurse Orange
WRITING SUPERVISOR
W. L. RINEHART Weston
ATTENDANCE OFFICER
ALBERT W. COX New Salem
WORK PERMITS
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS New Salem
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Open September 5, 1945-16 weeks Close December 21, 1945 (Christmas vacation)
Open January 2, 1946-7 weeks Close February 15, 1946 (Vacation one week)
Open February 25, 1946-7 weeks Close April 12, 1946 (Vacation one week)
Open April 22, 1946 (Elementary 7 weeks) Close June 7, 1946 (Academy 9 weeks) (Summer vacation) Open September 4, 1946-16 weeks Close December 20, 1946 (Christmas vacation)
103
Report of the School Committee
Fellow Citizens:
The past year has been an unusually hard one for your School Committee and Superintendent Cox. There has been a continual change in the teaching staff, due to the war, sickness and other reasons. Your Committee wishes to take this occas- ion to thank Superintendent Cox for his untiring efforts to re- place teachers as the vacancies occurred.
We were all very sorry to lose Principal Ciechon, and we still hope to have him return in the near future.
We also wish to thank Mrs. Gardner for taking over the work at the time Principal Ciechon was called into the service.
Much credit is also due Mrs. Avis Bixby and Mrs. Eleanor Eaton in substituting when teachers left unexpectedly.
When the school census was taken, as of October 1, there were 60 children between the ages of five and sixteen years and 28 children under five years living in town.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM BULLARD J. ALLAN BIXBY FLORA H. CROWL
104
Financial Statement
Public School Appropriation Expended
$17875 00
17663 80
Unexpended Balance
$211 20
Classified Expenditures
General Elementary High
School Committee
Salaries
$150 00
Travel
6 00
Superintendent
Salary
1125 00
Travel
120 00
Office Expenses
102 53
Secretary
160 38
Music Supervisor
$ 177 50
$177 50
Handwriting Supervisor
135 00
Physical Education
40 00
Teachers' Salaries
2283 00
4950 61
Textbooks
250 16
297 97
Supplies for Instruction
194 97
198 55
Janitor's Salary
225 00
400 00
Fuel
339 35
535 89
Expenses of Operation
247 74
232 17
Maintenance and Repairs
191 64
70 72
Transportation
1998 37
1992 37
Health
193 78
193 77
Sundries
89 99
47 23
Insurance
9 00
Rent of Academy
300 00
Outlay
140 14
87 47
$1663 91
$6475 64
$9524 25
105
RECEIPTS ON ACCOUNT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS
High School Tuition
Town o' Athol
$111 00
Town of Erving
351 00
Town of Leverett
455 50
Town of Orange
230 25
Town of Shutesbury
240 00
Town of Warwick
624 00
Town of Wendell
933 00
Marilyn Perry, Orange
30 00
Mae Goodwin
27 00
Tuition State Wards 1944
54 00
Tuition State Wards 1945
59 40
$3115 15
Elementary Tuition
Town of Wendell
$ 70 00
Tuition State Wards 1944
311 19
Tuition State Wards 1945
526 05
$907 24
State Reimbursements
Superintendent's Salary (1944-45)
$ 580 00
School Fund Part I (Account
Teachers' Salaries)
1150 00
School Fund Part II (Based on Town Valuation)
3270 48
High School Grant
768 75
$5769 23
Miscellaneous Receipts
9 47
Grand Total
$9801 09
VOCATIONAL HOUSEHOLD ARTS DEPARTMENT
Appropriation $2400 00
Expended for Household Arts Department 2383 90
$ 16 10
106
Expenses
Salaries for Instructors
$1343 18
New Equipment
261 36
Janitor Service
99 50
Fuel
390 02
Maintenance and Repairs
35 64
Supplies, food, cloth, etc.
23 32
Rent
200 00
Miscellaneous
25 01
Textbooks
5 87
$2383 90
FEDERAL FUNDS FOR HOUSEHOLD ARTS DEPART- MENT AVAILABLE 1945
Smith-Hughes Funds
$ 83 98
George-Deen Funds
62 50
$146 48
Federal Funds expended during 1945
146 48
Balance December 31, 1945
$ 0 00
TOTAL EXPENSES OF HOUSEHOLD ARTS DEPART- MENT 1945 INCLUDING FEDERAL FUNDS $2530 38
Receipts of the Department Tuition
Town of Erving
$ 91 00
Town of Leverett
304 50
Town of Orange
42 00
Town of Shutesbury
28 00
Town of Warwick
197 75
Town of Wendell
294 00
Marilyn Perry, Orange
28 00
Tuition of State Wards, 1944
66 00
Smith-Hughes Federal Funds
83 98
George Deen Federal Funds
62 50
State Reimbursement
432 48
$1630 21
107
1
VOCATIONAL AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT
Appropriation
Expenses of Department
$4450 00 4375 09
$74 91
TOTAL EXPENSES OF AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT INCLUDING FEDERAL FUNDS
Expenses
Salary of Instructor
$2441 67
Salary of Assistant Instructor
842 10
New Equipment
3 39
Textbooks and Magazines
66 74
Fuel
293 20
Supplies for Instruction
151 89
Janitor
87 50
Miscellaneous Operating
97 23
Repairs
12 61
Rent
350 00
Miscellaneous
28 76
$4375 09
FEDERAL FUNDS FOR AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT AVAILABLE 1945
Smith-Hughes Funds
$409 46
George Deen Funds
125 00
$534 46
Federal Funds expended 1945
449 99
$ 84 47
Balance Smith-Hughes Fund December 31, 1945
$84 47
108
SPECIAL ACCOUNT-GEORGE DEEN FEDERAL FUNDS
Balance January 1, 1945
$1142 78 1450 00
Received 1945
Total
$2592 78
Expenditures 1945
1274 98
Balance for part Salary through August, 1946 $1317 80
Receipts of the Department Tuition
Town of Athol
$ 264 00
Town of Erving
192 00
Town of Leverett
195 00
Town of Orange
508 50
Town of Shutesbury
240 00
Town of Warwick
178 50
Town of Wendell
592 50
Smith-Hughes Federal Funds
409 46
George Deen Funds
125 00
N. S. A. Reimbursement
1011 50
Miscellaneous
25 00
$3741 46
Expended by School Department, 1945
General
$1663 91
Elementary
6475 64
High
9524 25
Agricultural including Federal money
6100 06
Household Arts, including Federal money 2530 38
$26294 24
Received from the State of Massachusetts: (Reimbursements which are not pay-
able to the town until the Superin-
tendent of Schools has filed evidence
with the Department of Education
that the money has been expended) $7218 35
109
Federal Funds (expended)
$1871 45
Tuition from Towns and Individuals
6227 50
N. S. A. Reimbursement Miscellaneous
1011 50
9 47
$16338 27
Net cost to the Town of New Salem for its Schools, 1945. (The net cost is ap- proximately 38% of the total cost.)
$9901 97
110
Report of Superintendent of Schools
To the School Committee and the Citizens of New Salem:
Your superintendent of schools is pleased to submit his fifth annual report.
STAFF CHANGES
There have been several changes in the faculty this past year. It has become increasingly difficult to find teachers par- ticularly for the special subjects.
Resignations:
Mrs. Eleanor R. Eaton
Miss Irene A. Cavanaugh
Mr. Anthony Baldassarre Miss Virginia Burr
Household Arts Languages Languages Household Arts
Appointments:
Miss Virginia Burr
Household Arts Household Arts
Mrs. Eleanor R. Eaton
Mr. Anthony Baldassarre
Languages
Mrs. Avis B. Bixby
Mr. Turo L. Hallfors
Languages Sub-master, Mathematics, Science, Coach
Military Leave of Absence Mr. Joseph Ciechon
Principal
Mrs. George H. Gardner was appointed Acting Principal in September with authority to act in that capacity during the absence of Mr. Ciechon.
At this time I wish to express my appreciation to Mrs. Eaton, Mrs. Bixby and Mrs. Bullard for their loyalty toward the
111
school as shown in their willingness to act as substitutes even though they, at times, found it difficult to give their time and energy.
Progress is being made under the efficient leadership of Mrs. Stowell and teaching of Miss Swan in the Center School. Mr. Hallfors is to be complimented for the excellent manner in which he is fulfilling his duties.
It is my hope and expectation that the dark days of the fall of 1945 when substitutes nearly outnumbered regular teachers are over and an even brighter future is coming.
Enrollment Statistics
N. S. A. Elementary Total
1941
65
33
98
1942
66
51
117
1943
66
58
124
1944
59
59
118
1945
75
51
126
The trend, in general, is upward. It is encouraging to note the increase in the Academy total over a period of years. All indications point to a greater number of pupils in the years to come.
This trend is not because of available pupils in town. Over eighty per cent of our students come from out-of-town. The pupil may choose from a list of academic subjects, agriculture, aeronautics, machine shop, business, homemaking, music, dram- atics, literary work as well as required subjects for college en- trance.
The philosophy is one of viewing each student as a prospect- ive citizen. The wide range of courses over his secondary school life is offered so he may discover his interests, develop initiative, skills and judgment, as a requisite to future training and later life.
Vocational guidance plays a large part in nearly every course. The agricultural students are not merely textbook
112
farmers, they are dirt farmers and get plenty of assistance and supervision from the department. The home economics girls do actual cooking, practical home-making problems such as sewing, canning, home decorating, designing and cafeteria work.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
The Erving School Union maintains its top place in Union membership in this Commonwealth in the National Education Association. This year marks the tenth consecutive year that the teachers have 100% enrollment. Every teacher is affiliated with the Massachusetts Teachers' Federation and the Nesadagra Teachers' Club.
Once more every classroom is enrolled in the American Jun- ior Red Cross and many educational, worthwhile projects have been completed.
EDUCATIONAL AND EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATES
Every person from 14-16 years of age must have an em- ployment certificate or permit, and those between 16-21 years of age must have an educational certificate. These certificates and permits are issued free of cost by Edwin A. Cox and Rita J. Goddard. When one makes application for a certificate, please apply in person and bring a birth certificate and report of the last grade attended.
SUPERVISORS
The appended reports of the supervisors invite your careful attention. The supervisors are specialists in their respective fields and the results of their efforts are gratifying. The teach- ers have much credit due them for the excellent manner in which they carry out the instructions of these special teachers, Dr. Alexander and Mrs. Mathieu, R. N.
113
FINANCES
The budget for 1946 is $19,500.00. This appropriation is more than last year due to the increased number of teachers. We expect this will be more than offset by tuition returns. Text- books, supplies for instruction, coal, other fuel, repairs and sal- aries continue to increase in price.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
1. A new Victor Sound Motion Picture Projector was purchased by the school departments in Union No. 37. The old projector was owned by the School Department of Erving and rented to the other towns in the Union with the exception of Wendell. Now, with electrical current available in Wendell, all pupils have a program in Visual Education.
2. The purchase of the Massachusetts Vision Test equipment by Union No. 37 will bring more accurate results in the legally required vision test in the various schools.
3. The teachers, School Nurse, Superintendent and some mem- bers of the Union Committee have nearly completed an Admin- istrative Bulletin for Teachers which will clarify many rules, regulations and policies of the system. For the first time this will be available to teachers in the near future.
4. A new report card has been introduced and has received many favorable comments. This report card is not completed as yet, but when the finished product is introduced, it is our expec- tation that it will clarify the pupil progress report system.
5. A study by a teacher committee on a cumulative record system is now in process due to a study made by the superintend- ent of schools and placed in the hands of a selected committee.
6. A new Health textbook has been placed in the hands of each pupil this past year. This was accomplished through the care-
114
ful selection, after an elaborate survey of available books by a selected teacher committee of representatives of all towns in the Union.
7. The testing program has been strengthened the past year. Dr. Barnes continues to test all first grade pupils and others rec- ommended by the superintendent. Scholastic ability tests are given to all fourth and seventh grade pupils. In the spring standardized achievement tests are given all pupils. Individual subject tests on one of the various subjects taught in the grades are given each year. Reading tests were used in 1945. Early in 1946 tests in Arithmetic will be given each pupil. This will tend to give a better picture of the abilities, aptitudes, and achievements of each child, and each teacher is encouraged to make use of the data to improve her own progress and to assist subsequent teachers to understand and help the child.
8. A professional library for teachers is being built up, thereby allowing a teacher to have the best books available for the de- velopment of better teaching techniques and to assist her in any course in professional improvement she may pursue.
9. A large proportion of the teachers in the New Salem schools have joined the Blue Cross Plan whereby for a small fee they purchase group insurance covering hospitalization fees.
10. We expect to have the new machine shop and automotive mechanics building, which is in the process of completion, finish- ed in the spring.
IN CONCLUSION
Once more I thank the members of the School Committee, teachers, other department employees, and all the parents and citizens for their splendid spirit of cooperation.
Respectfully submitted, EDWIN A. COX
December 31, 1945.
115
Report of the Acting Principal of New Salem Academy
Mr. Edwin A. Cox
New Salem, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Cox:
New Salem Academy opened on September 5 with an en- rollment of 69, which is an increase of 10 over last year. The registration showed 13 Seniors, 13 Juniors, 14 Sophomores and 29 Freshmen.
The following towns are represented in the enrollment:
Girls
Boys
Total
New Salem
7
6
13
Athol
0
4
4
Erving (Farley)
1
6
7
Leverett
4
4
8
Orange
2
5
7
Shutesbury
1
.
4
5
Warwick
5
4
9
Wendell
6
10
16
26
43
69
.
Since the opening of school we have gained six and lost two students, which leaves the present enrollment at 73. The at- tendance for the first three months was good, but during Decem- ber the percentage dropped due to sickness and other reasons.
The following shows the distribution among our courses at present:
Agriculture Home Arts College Commerical General Total 42 17 9 3 2 73
116
This year each student is required to take a course in Gener- al Mathematics unless he has taken or is taking Algebra or Business Science.
A new type of report card is being used this year, and we hope it will serve to give the parents a clearer picture of what their children are doing in school.
New Salem Academy has also received certification as a Class A high school for the year 1945.
The Student Council which was organized last spring is continuing to function and holds regular meetings every two weeks.
The Academy has also been accepted as a member of the National Honor Society. In order that a student may be- come a member, he must have an average of 85 or more in all subjects.
During the fall months the boys practiced soccer under the direction of Fred King, class of '39. A basketball schedule for both boys and girls has been arranged with Templeton, Petersham, Hardwick, Bernardston, Orange and Winchester, New Hampshire.
Members of the Alumni who are in the armed services are frequent visitors at the Academy. Also, several who have served for a number of months have recently been discharged.
A record of our class accounts follows:
Balance . Balance Sept. 1, 1945 Jan. 1, 1946
Class of '46
$102 86
$226 58
Class of '47
35 67
54 56
Class of '48
5 71
13 46
Class of '49
5 00
Service Men of N. S. A.
2 90
2 90
N. S. A. Radio Account
5 85
117
Athletic Account Salemica Account Miscellaneous Account Operetta Account
$21 39
$20 38
89 42
73 09
36 18
37 13
51 98
51 98
$346 11
$490 93
Respectfully submitted,
ยข LILLIAN C. GARDNER (Mrs. George H. Gardner)
Acting Principal
118
Program 1945 - 1946
Period
Time
Mr. Hallfors
Mr. Baldassarre Mrs. Gardner
Mr. Lundgren and Mr. Hawkes
Miss Burr
1
8:30-9:10
Gen. Math. (a)
Col. Eng. 1-2
Prob. of Dem.
Agriculture 1-2
Home Arts 1-2
2
9:10-9:50
Plane Geom.
Bus. Eng. 3-4
Typewriting 2-3 Agriculture 1-2
Home Arts 1-2
119
3
9:50-10:30
Chemistry
French 1
Bookkeeping 2
Agriculture 1-2
Home Arts 1-2
4
10:30-11:10
Lunch
Lunch
Stenography 2
Lunch
Lunch
5
11:10-11:50
Lunch
Bus. Eng. 1-2
Lunch
Agriculture 3-4
Home Arts 3-4
6
11:50-12:30
Gen. Math. (b)
Col. Eng. 3-4
Typewriting 1
Agriculture 3-4
Home Arts 3-4
7
12:30-1:10
Gen. Science
Latin 2
Bus. Science
Agriculture 3-4
Home Arts 3-4
8
1:10-2:00
Activities Period and Physical Education - Detention.
Report of the Agricultural Instructor
To the Superintendent of Schools of New Salem:
Nineteen hundred and forty five has not been uneventful in New Salem any more than in the other parts of the world. In our own little way, events have been both encouraging and pleas- ant along with a few bitter and less pleasant happenings.
Outstanding in the agricultural department is the large en- rollment we experienced this year, having 43 boys in the de- partment at our opening last Fall.
Probably the most encouraging and most pleasant nappen- ing during the last few years was the decision on the part of the trustees to construct a new shop building to take care of the in- creased enrollment and to enlarge our present course of study to include more mechanical training during the entire four years of the course. It would seem that the feeling on the part of the students is that the mechanical training is more popular than the agricultural phase of the work. Perhaps feed will become sec- ondary in our requirements as time goes on.
All but one of our last year's graduates have been accepted and inducted into the armed forces, which shows our physical ed- ucation program must be efficient.
Although no outstanding projects were carried on during the past year, several of the boys performed at the fairs with credit to themselves, the school and their teachers. Kenneth Moore from Erving was high ranking individual at Northamp- ton in livestock judging, and Gordon Parsons from Orange was third in a similar contest at Greenfield.
During the last few years there has been a decided trend in our methods of education and I feel that our progress in New Salem has been along lines which will be in keeping with the need of the boys and girls in their future efforts to make a living
120
in some field they like. In fact I feel that we are in the front ranks in an educational way, and hope that we may continue that progress.
I want to express my thanks and appreciation for all the' years of cooperation and help which have been accorded the de- partment in its efforts and hope it will continue to make the work of the department pleasant and progressive.
Respectfully,
R. A. LUNDGREN,
For the Agricultural Department
121
Report of Household Arts Department
Mr. Edwin A. Cox Superintendent of Schools New Salem, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Cox:
I herewith submit my report for the Household Arts De- partment.
Seventeen girls representing each of the four classes in the high school are enrolled in the department this year. Their work, although under the direction of four different teachers since September, has, I feel, progressed satisfactorily. The more recent progress is in a large part due to the willing and able advice of their former regular teacher, Mrs. Chester Eaton.
In the fall preparation for and the actual painting and pa- pering of the Household Arts kitchen proved a practical project. Later the younger group made breakfast menus and prepared them while the older group planned and prepared luncheons. Sewing has included the making of grain bags into attractive aprons and skirts, the cutting and stitching of plaid skirts, reno- vation projects, and the knitting of sweaters, socks and mittens.
The lunchroom was late in starting because of the lack of a regular teacher in the Household Arts Department.
I hope the coming months will result not only in the easing of teacher shortages but also in success for Superintendent Cox's untiring efforts to make our schools what he wishes them to be.
Respectfully submitted,
AVIS B. BIXBY
122
Report of the Supervisor of Music
To the Superintendent of Schools:
The work in the music department goes on about as usual. The present schedule calls for one visit each week at the Acad- emy and one visit every two weeks to each of the grammar rooms. These periods come on Tuesday A. M. and visitors are welcome at any time. Should the budget permit an increase in expenditure for the music department I should like to recommend that more time be provided for supervision at the Academy and provision made for one visit per week to each room at the gram- mar school.
Aside from the usual seasonal programs and graduation, the outstanding event of the past year was the Music Festival in May. This concert took the place of the annual operetia and although it was not as colorful, it seemed to be a worthwhile sub- stitute in view of the unsettled conditions. One advantage of this type of program is that the supervisor is able to devote all the time allotted to the preparation of the musical part of the program instead of utilizing so much of said time for the dramat- ics needed for the production of an operetta. The festival had another distinct advantage in that EVERY CHILD IN THE NEW SALEM SCHOOLS HAD A PART IN THE PROGRAM. We believe this plan to be much more profitable than that follow- ed by many school systems wherein such demonstrations are merely the featuring of a few individual, already talented stud- ents along with a small percentage of the student body. This seems to be especially true of secondary schools. It is also an attempt on our part to line up with a national slogan, "Music for
123
every child, and every child for music". The festival was well attended and enthusiastically received, and the many favorable comments were greatly appreciated.
The year has been both profitable and pleasant and many expressions of gratitude are in order to any and all who have contributed to make it so.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN T. BONE,
Supervisor of Music
124
Report of the Handwriting Instructor
Mr. Edwin A. Cox, Supt. New Salem Public Schools, New Salem, Massachusetts.
My dear Mr. Cox:
I am pleased to submit the following report of the operation of the Handwriting program in the New Salem Schools for the school year of 1945.
In the initial handwriting tests administered in January, 1945, 4.6% of your pupils made a grade of "A" (Excellent); 9.3% made "B" (Good); 86% scored less than "B.". In the tests administered in June, 1945, 27.8% of your pupils scored "A" (Excellent); 25% scored "B" (Good) and 47.2% scored less than "B".
During the school year, approximately 270 formal and 800 informal handwriting papers were graded for your pupils. A formal test was administered monthly and a report was sent to each teacher giving a careful diagnosis of the handwriting of each pupil in her roonm.
We furnished the following instructional materials :- Monthly teacher's outlines, pupil folder outlines, room motiva- tion certificates, term testing paper, individual handwriting cer- tificates for eighth grade pupils who qualified, monthly and term envelopes, seals, etc.
In general, I am pleased with the results obtained and wish to take this opportunity to thank you and the teachers for the fine cooperation I have received.
Sincerely yours,
WLR:ps
W. L. RINEHART
125
Report of the American Red Cross Public Health Nurse
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