USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Mendon > Town annual reports of the officers of Mendon, Massachusetts 1928-1932 > Part 11
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1909. School garden is advocated by the superintendent.
1910. Reference made to few instances of boys smoking. Paragraph devoted to evils of smoking before age of 25.
80
1911. Home study by pupils of upper grades required. Con- siderable is said about necessity and value of trained teachers.
1912. School savings system urged.
"Recitation is the keystone of the educational arch."
1913. Law of compulsory vaccination enforced.
1914. Reference to law placing state-aided high schools under direct control of State Board of Education. New tenure of office law for teachers went into effect July 1, 1914.
1916. Gladys Blood had eleven years of school attendance with neither tardiness nor absence.
1917. Agricultural instruction in high school advocated.
1918. No school signal advocated.
1919. F. G. Atwell, superintendent for eleven years, resigned because of ill health, and died within a year.
1920. The nation spent on public school elementary educa- tion $762,259,154. It spent on face lotions and beauti- fying cosmetics $750,000,000. For sodas and confec- tions $834,000,000. For tobacco $1,151,000,000. Upon every department of education in the nation it spent less than one billion.
1922. East school building had inside walls and ceiling tinted. This room needs retinting now, 1931.
1923. Superintendent's report noted the question frequently asked, "Why does Mendon not give the same oppor- tunities of instruction in drawing, manual training, household arts, and kindred subjects as are given in most other towns and cities?" Special teacher of free- hand drawing was recommended.
1924. Mendon's proportion of superintendent's salary de- creased. Senior class took trip to Washington.
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The readers are requested to note that the percent of increase in the number of school children is small, while that in costs is large, more in some lines than others.
Though the cost of the Mendon schools has increased much since the year 1900, the per pupil cost is low as com- pared with that of other towns in the state. Mendon's cost per pupil in the elementary grades (one to eight) is very small, while the cost per high school pupil is large. Small high schools are always expensive.
The following comparative table will prove these points:
PER PUPIL COST AS GIVEN IN STATE REPORT FOR 1929-1930.
Per pupil cost in grades 1-8 in Mendon was $63.10
Per pupil cost in towns in Group III was 72.43
Per pupil cost in the State was 100.50
Per pupil cost in Mendon High School was $208.01
Per pupil cost in town of Group III was 149.27
Per pupil cost in the State was 131.25
There are only twenty-one towns in Group III of 112 towns which have a lower cost per pupil in grades 1-8 than Mendon.
There are only six towns in Group III which have a high- er cost per high school pupil than Mendon.
Mendon's rank of total per pupil cost in Group III is $66.
During the summer vacation the East Mendon school building was painted, and a new steam heating system ยท was installed in the Center building. This has been much needed for the past few years and is a great improvement.
A new sanitary system should be installed in the Center building soon. Toilets in the school building are an essential for health as well as convenience. In these times when most homes are provided with modern conveniences it is a real hardship for children to have to go outside in the cold and stormy weather. Also, such conditions are injurious to health.
82
We again urge the voters to seriously consider provid- ing these advantages very soon.
A deeper well will be necessary to provide sufficient water for a toilet system. In fact a better well is needed now. In most seasons the present well provides sufficient drinking water. This past season the well has been dry from early summer until the middle of January.
Since the new highway which is to be built through South Milford is to run directly over the present location of the East Mendon school building, this building must be moved before next summer. Thus it is necessary that the voters of the town decide upon a new location and make an appro- priation for the same.
At the special town meeting the School Committee recom- mended a site near the "Green Store." Some of the residents in that section feel that the building should be located nearer Batesville, since a majority of the present pupils live near and beyond the Batesville corner, and some children have a long walk to the building as it is located now. Others argue that the building should be located near the "Green Store" because that is the section of future home building. Consid- ering industrial conditions, there is but little prospect of in- creased building in crowded sections anywhere.
The most important aspect to consider in reference to locating this building is that it shall be a considerable dis- tance off this new road which will become a speedway with all its attendant dangers to children who play near it.
At the recent town meeting a committee of five members was appointed to study the situation and make a recommenda- tion to the voters at the next annual meeting.
The question of closing the Albeeville school should be considered. It is expensive to maintain a school of only ten or eleven pupils as at present. Considering the amount for teacher's and janitor's salaries, fuel, etc., it is much more expensive than it would be to transport them to the Center while the number is so small.
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Advised by a vote of the town at a special meeting, the Committee provided a bus trip to accomodate a few persons who felt that their children had to reach school too early in the morning. While this arrangement has slightly benefited a few, others are inconvenienced. This transportation plan also transports the children from the Mendon Hill, meeting a demand which has been made in the past. The voters must remember that an increased appropriation will be necessary to meet this additional transportation cost. The more child- ren are transported, the larger the school cost.
The town's pupil transportation scheme at present is not fully satisfactory and is not fair. Some pupils have to come to school very late. A considerable number of the children ride from their homes to the school building while many others have to walk a long distance. This condition exists especially regarding those who live on Blackstone Street.
The following extract taken from the fifty-ninth report of the Secretary of the State Board of Education may be of interest:
"It (the school committee) has exclusive and absolute charge of the settlement of all details about transportation. What is a reasonable walking distance the committee must decide for itself .... Transportation should not be used to reduce sturdiness, self-reliance, and reasonable self-denial in boys and girls. It can not be made equally convenient for all families."
The Mendon School Committee have given earnest at- tention to the schools and always managed them with the strictest economy. Whatever is expended for the schools is essential for successful results. We urge that the taxpayers do not expect an economy that will handicap the prospect of the schools. Again we state that a sufficient appropriation for current expenses should be made so that the Department will not have unpaid bills at the end of the year.
t
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The excellent work of the school nurses deserves mention. Health instruction is the most important phase of school training. The annual examination by the school physician shows that parents are giving more attention to the health interests of their children, and are making an effort to get rid of the diseased conditions. This health education should be pushed with enthusiasm until our people become as "health minded" as they are business minded, social minded, and dress minded.
The reader's attention is called to the special reports, which give more details than this report. The prize speak- ing contest, the High School graduation, the school plays, and other public entertainments are worthy of our attention. They were meritoriously given and well attended.
We are pleased to take the opportunity to commend and express our appreciation of the long and faithful service of Mr. Jacob R. Brown, for 12 years janitor of the Center school building, who resigned his position last summer because of ill health.
Mr. Brown's devotion to his work, his kindly attitude, gentlemanly conduct, and willing helpfulness about the build- ing have won for him the esteem and good will of all teachers and pupils who have been associated with him. They have known him always as a friend of the schools.
We all heartily wish Mr. Brown many years of enjoy- ment at his home, and hope he will continue to have a warm spot in his heart for the Mendon Center schools.
School buildings, equipment, fuel, janitors, and some transportation are essential in a successful school system, but the teacher and the school room instruction are the most im- portant factors.
Much attention is given to buildings, transportation, etc .; parents often seriously complain about some little trouble their children may have in school; but most of us give but
85
little thought and no credit to the great work of the teacher, and the important instruction which goes on daily and con- tinuously in the school room.
It has been said that the recitation is the keystone of the educational arch. In the recitation period the teacher has the closest contact with the pupils. It is there that she can exert her strongest influence. In the recitation mind com- petes with mind in the search for truth, and thereby gains in strength and discipline. In the recitation period the per- ceptive powers are quickened, facts are vitalized, and knowl- edge is acquired, beautified, and used. It is in the recitation directed by the teacher that the pupil learns to marshall facts for a definite purpose. It is here that he can acquire that most important faculty of thought conception and expression through the use of correct language. As is the teacher, so is the recitation; as is the recitation, so is the school.
Some years ago Mr. Edwin Osgood Grover published what is termed his educational creed. There is enough good in it to be worthy of our attention. "I believe in boys and girls, the men and women of a great to-morrow; that what- soever the boy soweth the man shall reap. I believe in the curse of ignorance; in the efficacy of schools; in the dignity of teaching; and in the joy of serving others. I believe in wisdom as revealed in human lives as well as in the pages of the printed book; in lessons taught, not so much by precept as by example; in ability to work with the hands as well as to think with the head; in everything that makes life large and lovely. I believe in beauty in the school room, in the home, in daily life and out of doors. I believe in laughter; in love; in faith; in all ideals and distant hopes that lure us on. I be- lieve that every hour of every day we receive a just reward for all we are and all we do. I believe in the present and its opportunities; in the future and its promises; and in the di- vine joy of living."
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In view of the sentiments of the quotation from Mr. Grover the educational value of schools make them worthy of the sacrifices the townspeople make to maintain them.
It is now more true than ever before that the youth who would have the best opportunities in the life of to-day must be well educated and highly trained for service. Hence the necessity of developing our schools to the highest standard of efficiency.
Respectfully submitted,
CARROLL H. DROWN, Superintendent of Schools.
87
REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL.
TO CARROLL H. DROWN,
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS :-
I herewith submit my third annual report of the Mendon High School for the year ending December 31, 1930.
The total enrollment for the year was thirty-eight, a slight increase over that of last year. At the present time there are five Seniors, eight Juniors, five Sophomores, and eighteen Freshmen. There are seventeen members of the eighth grade.
Three pupils were graduated on June 18, 1930: Walter W. Johnson, Dorothea L. Thomas, Pauline M. Tucker.
Prize Speaking was held in the Town Hall, June 4. Nine pupils participated. First prize was awarded to Marjorie R. Brown, second prize to Ardella M. Anesta, and third prize to Hilda M. Jones.
On December 13, the class of 1931 presented at the Town Hall, a three act play, "And Mary Did," the proceeds of which were added to the Washington Trip Fund. Other school activities, such as Memorial Day program, Christmas exercises, rhetoricals, and work in music have taken place as usual.
During the summer extensive improvements in the school building were completed. The new heating system promises to meet the requirements of a well heated building and is gratefully welcomed by parents, pupils and teachers. Smoke screens have been constructed in the corridors and partitions erected in the attic, which prevent much cold from settling to the lower parts of the building. Desks in the High School
88
have been refinished and are now in very good condition. A recent innovation is the provision of lunch tables and benches in the unoccupied section of the basement for the use of the grade pupils. All of these excellent improvements are especi- ally commendable and highly appreciated by all concerned with the school. They express the willingness of the citizens of Mendon to provide for the school system and illustrate the unselfish attitude of the community.
Parents are cordially invited to visit the school during the regular session to consult with the High School teachers who are in the building two afternoons during the week.
I wish to express appreciation for the support which the Superintendent, School Board, and community have given to the school and to the members of the teaching staff.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY P. CLOUGH,
Principal.
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REPORT OF MUSIC SUPERVISOR.
MR. CARROLL DROWN,
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS,
MENDON, MASS.
My dear Mr. Drown :-
I hereby submit my first report as Supervisor of Music in the Mendon Public Schools.
Music is made a part of every child's life from the first grade through the High School.
The Albeeville School is a very small school to work with, but very appreciative. The technicalities in music are not developed on such a large scale as would be carried out in a larger school. This school is visited only once in three weeks. The Supervisor hopes to soon have a better means of convey- ance, so she may visit more frequently.
The East Mendon School is very fortunate in having a teacher who has musical ability. Her school is divided into two groups; the first three grades work as one group. In- dividual attention has been given to all voices in lower grades, especially to those who cannot imitate tones accurately or carry a tune. The second group is a very intelligent unit. They are progressing very successfully with their books which contain practically all new material for them this year.
The primary grades of the Mendon Center School are lacking in musical ability. The teacher is working very tact- fully with the tonal defective children. The middle grades are up to standard melodically and technically. Through the
90
sincere efforts of the teacher and eagerness of children out- side of school hours, the "rhythm band" is organized on a firm basis. The upper grades have just started new books. It is hoped that the male section in the eighth grade and High School may be given more help toward overcoming dif- ficulties in tonality and reading ability.
I express gratitude to the teachers and yourself for the cooperation shown in the short time I have been teaching.
Respectfully yours,
EVELYN R. MAYER,
Supervisor of Music.
91
REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSING.
To MR. CARROLL H. DROWN,
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS :-
I hereby submit the Annual Report of School Nursing done in the Mendon Schools for the year ending December, 1930.
Tuesday of each week when school was in session, spent in doing school nursing. This consists of visiting the schools, inspecting the children for disease and cleanliness, health talks or some form of health teaching, weighing and measur- ing, etc. Some subject planned on each visit to introduce a health thought.
Albeeville school celebrated May Day Child Health Day in a most fitting manner. The teacher with the nurse ar- ranged a program of outdoor and indoor exercises centering around health.
During the year one child taken to a T. B. Clinic for X-Ray and chest examination, two children to a doctor's office for examination or treatment, three to a dentist and three to a hospital to have physical defects corrected.
The summary of defects found by Dr. Campbell are as follows:
No. of children examined 194
Enlarged tonsils
37
Symptoms of adenoids
20
Defective teeth
44
Enlarged glands
7
Heart condition
1
Foreign body in ear
2
Wax in ears
6
Anaemia
4
Bad posture 4
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Notices of defects found sent to parents or guardians. A number of corrections have already been made.
The following is a summary of the work done by the nurses in the schools.
Health talks given 110
Advice to pupils
428
Treated
22
Excluded as suspicious of disease 10
Home visits
136
Cleanliness inspections
792
Pediculosis inspections 71
Skin inspections
68
The diseases reported and investigated during the year were: Scarlet Fever, Chickenpox, Measles, and Whooping Cough.
Center School children weighed and measured in Septem- ber, January, and May and weight cards sent home to parents.
I wish to thank Mr. Drown, the teachers and the School Committee for their cooperation and support throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN C. GRADY,
School Nurse.
93
REPORT OF THE CENTER 4-H SEWING CLUB.
24 enrolled.
14 completed the work.
PRIZES FOR WORK.
First Year:
1st prize-Mildred Auty. 2nd prize-Marjorie Park and Dorothy June.
Second Year:
2nd prize-Ada Thomas.
Third Year:
1st prize-Dorcas Barrows. 2nd prize-Janet Barrows.
Fourth Year:
1st prize-Elsie Taylor.
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MENDON HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION EXERCISES Unitarian Church, Eight O'Clock Wednesday, June 18, 1930
PROGRAMME.
Processional
Organist
Invocation
Rev. Clarence E. Chamberlain
Song-The Forest Dance Targett
High School
Salutatory and Essay-Massachusetts Bay Colony Dorothea L. Thomas
Song-When Twilight Weaves Beethoven
High School
Essay-The Development of Transportation Pauline M. Tucker
Song-Volga Boatmen's Song
Russian Air
Boys' Chorus
Essay and Valedictory-Life of William Howard Taft Walter W. Johnson
Song-Tercentenary Hymn
Gulesian
High School
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Address-Looking Forward
Miss M. Elizabeth O'Connor
Presentation of Diplomas
Mr. Pickard, Chairman of School Committee
Benediction
Rev. Clarence E. Chamberlain
Recessional
Organist
GRADUATES.
Dorothea L. Thomas,
Pauline M. Tucker,
Walter W. Johnson.
EIGHTH GRADE GRADUATES.
Janet Marjorie Barrows
Marion Rose Anna Bouchard
Arthur Earl Brewster George Godfrey Davenport
Raymond Carol Dudley Harold Rodney Dunbar
Charles Edgar Goodnow
William Lewis Holbrook Albert Thomson Kearsley Louise Evelyn Miller
Arthur Alfred Sabatinelli Joseph Taylor Inez Lanetta Viola Thurber
96
MENDON HIGH SCHOOL PRIZE SPEAKING Town Hall, Eight O'Clock Wednesday Evening, June 4, 1930.
PROGRAMME.
Spring Song
Mendelssohn
High School
The Soldier's Reprieve
E. Fredericka Mayo
The Little Fellow
Hannah
The Swan Song
Dorcas M. Barrows
A Vision of War
Ingersoll
Norman I. Rogers
Hunting Song
Wilson
High School
Anonymous
Ardella M. Anesta
Daskam
Ardelia In Arcady
Hilda M. Jones
Robbins
Marjorie R. Brown
Brooks
The Clock's Story
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Engineer Connor's Son Dromgoogle
Beatrice L. Davenport
The Sacrifice of Sidney Carton Dickens
Dorothea L. Thomas
The Liberty Bell Lippard
Vernon A. Barrows
Fiddle and I
Goodeve
High School
Awarding of Prizes
First Prize-Marjorie R. Brown Second Prize-Ardella M. Anesta Third Prize-Hilda M. Jones
98
MEMORIAL DAY PROGRAM.
Flag Salute
All Schools
Star Spangled Banner
All Schools
Gettysburg Address Walter Johnson
Song-Memorial Flowers
Group from Grammar School
Recitation-Little Hands and Little Hearts Florence Beal
Exercise-The Children's Offering
Three Second-grade Girls
Recitation-A High Resolve
Merton Barrows
A Group of Songs
Primary School Pupils
Recitation-My Country's Flag Peter Oppewal and Roland Taft
Exercise-The Little Army Five First-grade Boys
Recitation-Go Gather the Fairest Blossoms Joseph Zylinski
99
Recitation-Twine Lonely Wreaths Ada Thomas
Song-What Can I Do for America Third Grade
Exercise-Upon Memorial Day
Erene King, Kenneth Hartshorn and Arthur Bouchard
Recitation-Cover Them Over with Beautiful Flowers Joseph Taylor
Before All Lands in East and West Six Pupils of Grades Four and Five
Exercise-From Field and Garden Eight Primary School Pupils
Recitation-Americanism
Marjorie Pickard
El Capitan-March Rhythm Band
Recitation-The Sash of Red, White and Blue Flora Leoncini
Exercise-A Banner Class Fifth Grade
Song-Hymn to America
Grammar Room
Recitation-The Spirit of America
Eleanor Davenport
Flag Drill Twenty-two Pupils from Grades 3, 4 and 5
100
Song-Call of Duty
High School
Address
Rev. Clarence E. Chamberlain
Song-America
All Schools
Benediction
Rev. Clarence E. Chamberlain
REPORT OF SIGHT AND HEARING TESTS DECEMBER, 1930.
Number of pupils examined 216
Number found defective in eyesight
14
Number found defective in hearing
0
Number of parents notified 14
101
MENDON HIGH SCHOOL
Presents "AND MARY DID." Mendon Town Hall, December 13, 1930
CHARACTERS
Mary Sterling-A modern young woman Laurence Grey-A modern young man Jesse White Eleanor Davenport Mrs. Sterling-Mary's mother Dressa Rand-The girl that men forget (?) Mildred Barnes Daniel Grey-Father of Laurence Norman Rogers Edith Smith-Mary's chum Dorcas Barrows
Marjorie Pickard
Willie Sterling-Mary's brother
Betty Sterling-Mary's sister
Miss O. G. Whitaker-A feminist
Matilda-The maid
Beatrice Davenport
Henry-The gardener Austin Taft
The Gentleman from Georgia
Arthur Brewster Marion Flooks
Dora Blackwood
The action of the entire play takes place at the home of Mrs. Sterling, in Marysvale, Mass.
Act I -The Sterling's living room-late Spring. Act II -Scene I-The same-late Summer. Scene II-The same-the night before election. Act III-The same-late Fall.
102
ENROLLMENT BY GRADES JANUARY 1, 1931 AND BY AGES OCTOBER 1, 1930.
Ages
5
6
7
8
10
11
12
13 14| 15|16| 17| 18|
Totals
BOYS
Grades
Grade I
91
10
3
22
Grade II
1
8 2 1
2
6
3
13
Grade V
7
Grade VI
1
5
2
2
13
Grade VII
3 2| 1
4
1
8
Totals of Elemen- tary Grades
9| 11 |14| 11 |11
91
31
7
101
61 21
1
94
High School
3|
2|
6
11
x
0
XI
1
1
XII
1
2
Total High School
3
21
7
1!
1
14
Total Boys
9| 11| 14| 11|
11
9| 3| 7
10|
9
4 8
1 1
108
Ages
5| 6| 7 8
9
10
11|
12
13| 14| 15|
16| 17
18
Totals
-
GIRLS
Grades
Grade I
21
8 1
5
1
4
2
1
1
15
Grade V
2
7
6|
3
3
18
Grade VII
I 5
2 2
2
9
Totals of Elemen- tary Grades
2 9| 5| 6| 15 |10|
8|
7 10| 4| 5| 1
81
High School
IX
1|
2! 1
3| 5| 11
2|
1 I
3
Total High School
1
3
9
5
3
2
23
Total Girls
2
9
5
6
151
10
8
7
11
7
14
5
3
2
104
Grand Totals
11
20
19|
17
26
19
11
14 21| 16
18
13
4
3
212
1
6
XI
7
XII
11
10
Grade II
7
Grade III
3
7
Grade IV
2
9
10
Grade VI
1
5 2
5
Grade VIII
10
Grade III
8
5
15
Grade IV
5
1 1231 1
6
Grade VIII
IX
1
7
X
31
ATTENDANCE STATISTICS FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1929-1930
Total Enrollment
Schools
Boys
Girls
Non-Resident
Aggregate Attendance
Daily Attendance Average
Membership
Boys
Girls
Boys
Girls
5 to 7 Years of Age
7 to 14 Years of Age No. of Pupils
14 to 16 Years of Age
Over 16 Years of Age
Having Perfect Attendance
Per Cent of Attendance
High School Center School
30
9
21
1
5014.
25.98
27.43
28
7
21
28
7
21
2
14
12
2
94.60
Grades5,6,7,8
61
34
27
8941. 7190.5
41.56
43.91
49
24
25
49
24
25
49
3
94.64
Grades 1, 2
29
17
12
2
4298.5
24.70
26.79
29
17
12
29
17
12
12
17
92.19
Albeeville
Grades 2-7
17
6
11
2157.
12.47
13.19
16
5
11
16
5
11
14
2
1
94.59
East Mendon Grades 1-7
27
12
15
3305.5
19.11
21.25
23
9
14
23
9
14
2
21
89.93
Totals
217
104
113
14
30,906.5
175.20 186.79 203
96
107
203
96
107
14
148
27
14
9
93.45
51.38
54.22
58
34
24
58
34
24
45
13
3
94.74
Grades 3, 4, 5
53
26
27
11
Enrollment October 1, 1929
Total No. of Pupils Not Enrolled in Any Other Town in State
No. of Pupils
No. of Pupils
No. of Pupils
No. of Pupils
Average
103
104
In Memoriam MRS. AUGUSTA PETERSON Janitor of Albeeville School Died May 24, 1930
105
TOWN WARRANT.
Worcester, ss.
To the Constable of the Town of Mendon in the County of Worcester, Greeting :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are directed to notify the inhabitants of the Town of Mendon, qualified to vote in Elections and in Town Affairs, to meet at the Town Hall, in said Mendon, on Monday, the second day of March, punctually, at nine (9) o'clock, A. M., to act on the following articles, viz .:
Article 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
Article 2. To bring in their ballots for the following officers: A Town Clerk, for one year; One Selectman, for three years; One Assessor for three years; Town Treasurer, for one year; Collector of Taxes for one year; One Auditor, for one year; One Constable for one year; One Tree Warden, for one year; One Trustee Taft Public Library, for two years; One School Committee, for three years; One Park Commis- sioner, for three years. All on one ballot designating the office intended for each person voted for.
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