USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Mendon > Town annual reports of the officers of Mendon, Massachusetts 1933-1937 > Part 10
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REPORT OF 1927-
"Since the added teacher in the High School made it possible to give a better opportunity to the pupils of the Grammar School, it leaves the most crowded condition in the intermediate room. Though our efficient teacher, Miss Pear- son, was handling the school well, yet with a school of nearly or more than fifty pupils, it was impossible to have time for individual instruction."
REPORT OF 1928-
"The elementary grade schools are rather crowded, es- pecially the intermediate room, with its over fifty pupils. This crowded condition is a handicap to the success of the school, and difficult for the teacher and pupils."
REPORT OF 1929-
"The crowded condition of the Center Schools is a large problem. Children placed in town by the State and outside cities make this problem acute."
REPORT OF 1930-
"The schools in the Center Building are large, and the High School and eighth grade room is crowded."
REPORT OF 1931-
"The schools in the Center Building are becoming very much crowded. This condition is caused by the large number of State and City Wards placed in the town, the lowering of the age of entrance, and new families moving into town. Unless some of these conditions are changed, more school room will be imperative. The Primary schools of nearly fifty pupils should have a full time assistant."
REPORT OF 1932-
"One of the larger problems before the schools at pres-
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ent is the crowded condition of the rooms. The table of en- rollment will show that every room is crowded, some even to a dangerous extent."
REPORT OF 1933-
"The schools are much handicapped by being so over- crowded, which presents our most immediate need, and per- haps the largest problem before the schools at present. It is very evident that the best work cannot be done where there are so many children in one room. Also they are becoming crowded to the danger point, especially in case of fire. If present conditions continue, the schools will be more crowd- ed next year, and more room will be imperative."
REPORT OF 1934-
"It is clear that there has been a considerable growth in the elementary school enrollment during the past six or seven years. This growth has amounted to nearly 50 percent. The result has been a generally overcrowded condition in the Center School. This overcrowded condition has given rise to an increase in the teacher load. Although a considerable im- provement has been made by removing grades one and two from the school building and housing them in the library, we are of the opinion that the classes are too large for the most effective work to be done."
ENROLLMENT.
Our enrollment has reached the highest figure in the history of the town. The total number enrolled in 1935 was 265 as compared with 243 in 1934 and 251 in 1933. Un- fortunately the increased enrollment has been so distributed that it has caused serious congestion in the lower grades and made it necessary to remove sixty-five children to the Town Hall.
This is not, in many respects a desirable or satisfactory arrangement, but after careful study we feel that education-
88
al opportunities will suffer less by this program than by any other arrangement under the existing conditions.
SCHOOL COSTS.
Every year the cost of the schools has been discussed in the school report from various angles. Facts and figures based on a state-wide basis have been given repeatedly. These figures have shown that our cost has been consistently low by comparison. The comparisons made are taken from the annual report of the State Board of Education. The State has recognized for years that this is a scientific, business like method of cost analysis and comparison. Every busi- ness man recognizes that this is true.
These tables show the average cost per pupil in average membership in the state for the years 1925-1935 as com- pared with the average cost per pupil in the town of Mendon.
Year
State Average
Mendon
1925
86.54
87.83
1926
88.52
80.19
1927
92.77
81.97
1928
96.72
91.08
1929
98.15
90.97
1930
100.50
94.18
1931
100.82
99.10
1932
100.38
84.13
1933
93.38
80.00
1934
87.09
77.79
1935
89.20
73.12
There can be no claim of extravagance in the expendi- ture for public education in Mendon, since for several years we have spent less per pupil than the average in the State. You will note by the above table that this year we have spent $16.08 less on each boy and girl than the average town or city in the Commonwealth. This means that if we were al-
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lowed that much more for each boy and girl our school budget would have been $22,178.20 or $4,261.20 more for the past year. It is questionable whether this should be a matter for local pride or not. True economy in school administration cannot be measured by the standard of continually spending less than our neighbor.
Because of the geographical distribution of our pupils we have an item of expense in our budget that the average town or city does not have, namely transportation. The past year we have spent $2,659.60 for the sole purpose of getting the children to school. This is about 14.8 per cent of our total budget. It is a large item which we can not avoid. I know that it is always the desire of the School Committee to keep our school costs as low as possible and yet not curtail the offering to our children.
CHANGES IN THE TEACHING STAFF.
RESIGNATIONS :
Ruth M. Parker, Mendon High School.
Velzora Thompson, Grades 2-3, Center School. Etta Christiansen, Grades 1-7, East Mendon.
APPOINTMENTS :
Ursula Leach, Commercial Subjects, High School.
Wanda L. Hazner, Home Economics, High School.
Helen L. Pickard, Grade 2, Town Hall.
Dorothy Fisher, Grades 1-6, East Mendon.
Of the teachers who left during the year two resigned to be married and one is continuing her education. One ad- ditional teacher was appointed to meet the demands of the increased enrollment in the High School.
SCHOLARSHIP.
We are grateful to the library trustees for their willing- ness to allow the first grade children to use the basement
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room last year. As a result the teacher was able to send on into the second grade a class which ranked among the high- est in scholarship. This class read the Elson Pre-Primer, Primer, and ten other first readers during the year. It has been customary in the past to read mostly primers in the first grade and this accounts in part for having so many in the upper classes who are unable to read material suitable for their grade.
The second grade has already completed their Elson Basic Book II and the teacher plans to have them read at least eight more supplementary readers before the close of school in June. I know that you will agree that in view of these facts, our primary grades are doing an outstanding piece of work.
Since our pupils in these grades, due to their excellent start, seem to be far above the average, work equivalent to normal standards should not be taken as satisfactory since they are not the best which can be obtained. By acquainting the pupils with the standards they ought to reach, we receive their cooperation of interest and endeavor.
PROFESSIONAL STUDY.
In a progressive school system a teaching force must keep informed on the newer developments in education, new methods and practice. Professional study is the biggest aid to this end. Several of the teachers in our school system have taken summer courses during the past two or three years and have thereby made themselves more valuable to our school. It is hoped that more teachers can avail themselves of this opportunity in the near future. Some school systems offer an increase once in three years to the teachers who have attended summer school. I hope that the time will come when we can give some consideration to such an arrangement in our school system.
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ATTENDANCE.
The attendance in our schools has been very good con- sidering the geographical distribution of our pupils. Some live a great distance from the school and there are many who have to walk from one to two miles before they reach the bus terminal before being transported to school. During stormy weather they are confronted by many difficulties with which the pupils who live near the school do not have to contend. Our average attendance for the school year was 90.12 per cent.
The entering class of September, 1936, will probably number 20-25 which means that together with the average number of withdrawals between now and opening of the fall term, we may look forward to an enrollment of over 275 for next year. The following year will bring an enrollment that we shall be unable to handle under our present conditions.
Congestion brings about conditions that present problems other than that of lack of seating accommodations. Some of the problems linked with that of seating the pupils are as follows :
1. More time is consumed in emptying the build- ing in case of fire.
2. More time is consumed in traffic and passing.
3. Lack of toilet facilities and drinking fountains.
4. Lack of cloak room and much congestion at dis- missal during winter months when cloak rooms are used more.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF 1935.
Last year I called to your attention some of the immedi- ate needs of our school plant. It is with a feeling of satis- faction that I can report some of these things as accomp- lishments.
1. Electric lights have been installed in all rooms in the Mendon Schools.
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2. The basement in the Center Building has been thor- oughly cleaned and the ceiling and walls whitened.
3. Two rooms were made available in the Town Hall for our first and second grades and were ready for occupancy in September.
4. Necessary repairs were made during the summer on the roof of the Center School.
5. The teaching load of the elementary grades has been lightened and teachers have been able to give the pupil more individual attention.
6. The re-seating of several classrooms in such a way as to bring the pupils nearer the main sources of light, and in such a way as to provide the proper distance between chair and desk.
7. The re-arrangement of the fifth and sixth grade classroom so that the light will come from the left and rear of the pupils.
8. Many new subjects have been added to the High School Curriculum.
9. New and interesting text books have been placed in the hands of every child in our school system.
10. Meetings of the teachers of the first four grades have been held during the fall months for the purpose of revising the course of study. The teachers have worked faithfully on this problem and by the Christ- mas recess had nearly completed the revision of the course of study in the first four grades.
11. All the desks in the primary and intermediate rooms were planed and varnished during the summer months.
LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE.
It is comparatively easy to present a list of things that we should like to have. It is not so simple to present a list of those additions to our staff and equipment which are es-
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sential for the proper maintenance of our schools, particular- ly this year when conditions require that we use every effort to avoid unnecessary expenditures. However, our school population has been increasing for several years and must be provided for, since our school system, like all other human institutions cannot stand still; it must either improve or go back. We prefer that it should improve and believe that the citizens of the town share this sentiment. With this thought in mind I make the following recommendations:
1. The introduction of flush toilets within the building.
2. A new salary schedule for teachers.
3. Painting and redecorating some of the rooms in the Center and East Mendon Schools.
4. New shades for several of the rooms in both school buildings.
5. A set of encyclopedias for the elementary school.
6. Purchase of new clocks for several of the class rooms.
IN APPRECIATION.
It is my privilege to express again my appreciation to all who have assisted in improving education in Mendon. The past year has been one of happy cooperation of all who served the Mendon School Department. To you, the Committee, is due the gratitude of all of us who have the responsibility of administering the public schools. Your appreciation of our problems and your wise sustained guidance to their solution are an ever present incentive to our work.
Respectfully submitted,
MELDEN E. SMITH,
Superintendent of Schools.
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REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL.
TO MR. MELDEN E. SMITH,
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS :-
I herewith submit my eighth annual report of The Mendon High School for the year ending December 31, 1935.
A reorganization of high school classes with consequent changes in school program, teaching staff, and room assign- ments was initiated at the beginning of the current school year. The addition of grade seven to the previously exist- ing combination of grades eight to twelve inclusive has prac- tically transformed the school into a six year junior and senior unit. The utilization of the supply room and the former sixth and seventh grade room has provided the classrooms necessary for this change.
In an attempt to conform to well established aims of junior high school work, to the extent that size of school and material resources permit, the program of studies for grades seven and eight has been somewhat broadened. Two double periods per week in Clothing and Foods are being offered to the girls of grades seven and eight respectively. An explora- tory course given three times per week in Science is incor- porated in the program of grade eight, and some changes have been made in courses of study for both grades. These changes in courses of study will be more fully amplified and definite as the school year continues. In grade nine a new course, Junior Business Training, is being offered for the first time. It is intended as an introductory course for pupils who will continue in the commercial curriculum, and for those who may follow a general high school course. It is not college preparatory, however, and parents and prospective
95
high school students should keep this fact in mind if post secondary school work in liberal arts college is contemplated.
The most significant change in the work of the last three grades of high school is the introduction of commercial courses and the consequent decrease in foreign language. Introductory language courses will continue in Latin and French, and college preparatory students will be provided an opportunity to continue in either or both in order to meet individual needs. However, separate organized advance classes in both languages will no longer be possible each year. Typewriting, Bookkeeping, and Commercial Geography are new commercial subjects, and there is an adequate demand for the introduction of Shorthand to justify its inclusion in the curriculum next year. These new courses meet a need long felt among the pupils of the school and furnish new op- portunities for the children of the community. The problem now before the administration of the school is to maintain a proper balance between the new and the old in order that each may contribute its share in the education of boys and girls and that neither may be slighted.
The enrollment of the school by grades on December 31, 1935, is as follows: Grade Seven-24, Grade Eight-22, Grade Nine-16, Grade Ten-11, Grade Eleven-6, Grade Twelve-9, Total-88. Seven pupils were graduated June 20, 1935: Jennie Winifred Beal, Louise Alice Davenport, Alma Marie Hersey, David Mann Jones, Donald Allen Jones, Daniel Hiscock Taft, and Ada Frances Thomas. Nineteen pupils received diplomas from the Eighth Grade: Mary Louise Amantea, Florence Emily Beal, Irene Blanche Marie Bessette, Mildred Elizabeth Bowen, Hazel Eunice Brown, Arline Louise Chase, Frank Edward Dudley, Ruth Elinor Ellison, Donald Worth Kearsley, Nancy Rita Magliocca, Lester Perry Mann, Jr., Ruth Mc- Gaughey, Peter Oppewal, Nelson Norman Perron, Arthur Roy, Ercole Louis Sabatinelli, Mary Eleanor Spadoni, Edgar White, Jr., Arthur Wiersma.
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Prize Speaking was held in the Town Hall May seven- teenth with eight students taking part. First prize was won by Dwight J. Davenport, second prize by Edgar White, Jr., and third prize by George F. Lee. Three one act plays were presented in the Town Hall in March, in which all classes were represented. The present Senior Class present- ed a three act play, The Black Derby, December thirteenth. The cast was composed wholly of Seniors and included every member of the class.
In connection with National Education Week, November 10-16, an evening session was held at the high school on the evening of November twelfth. Representative classes were held from six forty-five P. M. to eight forty-five P. M. The attendance of parents and friends at this session was highly gratifying.
During the year the school building has received valu- able improvements and numerous additions to its equipment. The outstanding innovation is the installation of lights in all rooms and corridors, an improvement which is of inestimable value to pupils and teachers. Cupboards have been built into the supply room for use by the household arts classes, and an electric stove installed. Numerous bulletin boards have been replaced and added throughout the building, and a wall book- case put up in the junior high room. Six typewriters with metal tables have been provided for the commercial students and a filing cabinet for school records. The basement walls have been whitened and the blackboards are now in process of being refinished and dressed. Numerous sets of textbooks have been added to meet the needs of the new courses and others have been replaced. A new encyclopedia has been pur- chased to replace the badly worn set which has been in con- stant use for many years. A number of movable seats have been installed to replace those taken to the town hall school rooms.
At the present time, desirable repairs include the re- placement of fallen plaster in the upper corridor and adequate
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closet room for science equipment now moved to the attic to provide space for other classes. To supplement the work of the commercial group and as an aid to teachers through- out the school, a duplicating machine would be useful and a valued addition to school equipment. Several household ap- pliances for household arts classes are also desirable if the courses are to be fully equipped.
In conclusion, I would express grateful appreciation to the Superintendent, Members of School Committee, and Citizens of the town for support and cooperation with the school and all its activities.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY P. CLOUGH,
Principal.
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REPORT OF COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT.
January, 1936.
TO MELDEN E. SMITH,
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS :
I hereby submit my report for the first year of the Com- mercial Department of the Mendon High School:
In September, 1935, there were four (4) new courses of- fered in the High School: Junior Business Training, Book- keeping, Commercial Geography, and Typewriting. The en- rollment is as follows: Junior Business Training, 13; Book- keeping, 16; Commercial Geography, 7; Typewriting, 15.
The Junior Business Training is offered as a course for freshmen as a preliminary to all further commercial works. It aims to acquaint the student with information concerning travel, communication, banking, billing, filing, payments, transportation of goods, insurance, budgeting, keeping of cash books, figuring of interest by legal methods, and all other processes incidental to business. Also in a small way it attempts to help the child decide as to his future place in life by offering a summary of the types of business organiza- tions and the types of service to be found in each one. At the end of the course a period is given over to the discus- sion of business conduct and ethics, to ambition and its real- ization. Throughout the entire course business habits: neat- ness, promptness, responsibility and trustworthiness are emphasized and demanded.
The bookkeeping course, open to sophomores or juniors, consists of textbook material which comes into practical use in "sets" which are realistic narratives of different business-
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es. Regular double entry methods are taught always with the practical applications of rules kept in mind. All funda- mentals have already been taught, journalizing, posting, tak- ing statements and closing.
In the typewriting group there are 13 beginners and 2 advanced students. The typing classes have one period a day of work. Once a week there is a universal speed test- 5 minutes-followed by rhythm drill and direct dictation practice. The required speed on the typewriter demanded by business men of inexperienced typists is 45 five-letter words per minute. The average of the beginners at the present time is 18.6, with one student doing 28, one 23 and the majority of the rest between 16 and 18. The interest in the subject is great enough so that there have been a good many extra hours spent in the typewriting room, spare periods or afternoons.
Commercial Geography is primarily a study of the pro- ducts of the world, how they enter into world trade and con- sequently the effect of this on political divisions. The course is divided into three general units: manual work, outside reading, and discussion.
If next year it becomes possible to add shorthand to our curriculum, I believe that we will have a complete and worth while group in the school.
I wish to thank not only our superintendent, but also the principal, schoolboard, fellow teachers and the people of the town of Mendon for the ready cooperation and help which I have been given.
Respectfully submitted,
URSULA E. LEACH.
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REPORT OF THE HOME ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT.
-
TO MR. MELDEN E. SMITH,
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS :
May I present to you a report of the work done in the Home Economics Department of the Mendon Centre School for the past four months.
The department was started in September, 1935. A former supply room has been converted into a modern kitchen which conveniently accomodates a class of eight pupils. At present two eighth grade food classes meet here once a week for two consecutive periods of cooking.
The clothing class, composed of the girls in the seventh grade meets twice weekly for two consecutive periods. The work in clothing is designed to teach the use of patterns, fitting of garments, correct use of stitches and the general procedure in simple dressmaking. Clothing problems have been chosen which appeal to girls at this age and which have lead them to further activity in sewing. Aprons and caps (to be later used in the Foods classes) stuffed animals, and simple underwear have all been made in this class.
A thorough study, based on our new textbooks, has been made of the classification of foods and elementary nutrition. Since the purchase of our cooking utensils, emphasis has been placed both in the problems of food preparation and skill in the art of cooking.
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Much interest has been displayed among the girls in both the Foods and Clothing Classes in spite of the limited equip- ment. I should like to recommend, however, that in order to maintain efficiency and a high standard of work in our Home Economics classes, the following equipment be pur- chased for the new school year:
1. Electric sewing machine.
2. Flat iron and ironing board.
3. Small refrigerator.
4. Small kitchen sink.
At this time I should like to express to the Superintend- ent of Schools, the Principal, the School Committee, and the townspeople my sincere thanks and appreciation for the kind support in helping to begin this department at the Mendon Centre School.
Respectfully submitted,
WANDA L. HAZNAR.
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REPORT OF MUSIC SUPERVISOR. -
January 22, 1936.
MR. MELDEN E. SMITH,
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS,
MENDON, MASSACHUSETTS :
I hereby submit my report of work done in music in the schools of Mendon for the year ending December, 1935.
In our work in music throughout all the grades and High School we have endeavored to teach every boy and girl the use of his or her singing voice and develop a free and beauti- ful singing of songs.
In the primary grades we have given much individual at- tention to monotones, that is, children who have difficulty in matching tones or singing a melody, as well as developing an elementary degree of power and skill in independent sight singing.
We are stressing sight reading, ear training, phrasing, rhythm, part singing, tonal and time problems in the inter- mediate grades.
The works from great music masters are being studied in High School and the classes have shown an intelligent and enjoyable participation in their study.
Your Music Supervisor again wishes to express her deep appreciation for the fine co-operation and courtesies extend- ed by the Superintendent of Schools, Principal, School Com- mittee, and each and every teacher.
Respectfully submitted AMY YOUNG BURNS,
Supervisor of Music.
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GRADUATION EXERCISES OF
MENDON HIGH SCHOOL
Unitarian Church
THURSDAY EVENING, JUNE 20, 1935.
EIGHT O'CLOCK.
PROGRAMME.
-
Processional March Wagner
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