USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Mendon > Town annual reports of the officers of Mendon, Massachusetts 1933-1937 > Part 13
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Sent out 21 baskets
$39 00
Respectfully submitted,
ROY A. BARROWS, HAROLD METCALF, GEORGE G. DAVENPORT, Board of Public Welfare, Bureau of Old Age Assistance.
55
BOARD OF HEALTH.
-
Appropriation $900 00
EXPENDED.
Worcester County Sanatorium, care
one patient
$372 75
Pondville Hospital, care one patient ..
60 00
Lakeville State Sanatorium, care one patient 96 00
Dr. K. A. Campbell, care one person ...
9 00
Frank R. Phillips, inspecting of
slaughtered animals 8 00
George C. Cadman, placarding and
fumigating 4 00
Total expended
$549 75
Unexpended
350 25
$900 00
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE G. DAVENPORT, HAROLD METCALF, ROY A. BARROWS,
Board of Health
56
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS.
Appropriation $800 00
Transferred from overlay account 225 00
$1,025 00
EXPENDITURES. PAY ROLLS.
No. 1. H. W. Gaskill Fire $15 00
No. 2. Levesque Fire 12 00
No. 3. Lamothe Fire 7 50
No. 4. Larkin Fire 41 25
No. 5. Salaries 72 00
No. 6. Dalrymple Fire
10 50
No. 7. B. N. Rogers Fire 7 50
No. 8. Shurtliffe Fire 4 50
No. 9. Randeau Fire 7 50
No. 10. Unitarian Church Fire 70 50
No. 11. H. E. Gates Fire 15 00
No. 12. Auto Fire, Providence St. 5 50
$268 75
Harold F. Lowell, salary
75 00
CARE AND OPERATING EXPENSE OF FIRE HOUSE.
Clark & Shaughnessy, fuel oil $38 64
George G. Johnson, janitor 17 40
M. M. Goodnow, cleaning oil burner 1 40
$57 44
57
NEW EQUIPMENT.
Portland Rubber Co., fire hose $196 00
Gorham Fire Equipment Co., exting-
uishers and supplies 9 50
C. B. Hardy, Powerlight battery 3 75
$209 25
OPERATING EXPENSE OF TRUCK AND EQUIPMENT.
Donant Roy, labor $1 00
H. S. Chadbourne Co., supplies 1 30
Harvey W. Legge, parts for truck and labor 16 26
Fitzhenry-Guptill Co., carburetor for Forest Fire pump 13 37
Nelson Auto Service, battery
6 30
Charles E. Clark, supplies
25 25
Harold F. Lowell
2 00
W. L. Corey Garage, supplies
5 10
William H. Casey, supplies
3 04
C. C. Shattuck, gas and soda
31 54
$105 16
FIRE SIREN.
Worcester Suburban Elec. Co., power $60 00
Dorothea L. Thomas, test blowing .... 36 50
$96 50
44
0 0
58
FIRE ACCIDENT EXPENSE.
Mendon Hill Garage, repairing truck $172 50 F. A. Gould, new ladder 13 60
$186 10
Total Expenditures
998 20
Unexpended
26 80
$1,025 00
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD F. LOWELL, Chief, ROY A. BARROWS, Clerk, RAYMOND L. DALEY,
Fire Engineers.
59
REPORT OF FOREST WARDEN.
Appropriation
$300 00
EXPENDITURES.
Pay Rolls :
No. 1. Thomas Fire
$6 00
No. 2. Hopedale Line Fire 23 50
No. 3. Lovell Street Fire 7 00
No. 4. Asylum Street Fire
49 75
No. 5. South Milford Fire
8 00
No. 6. South Milford Fire, No. 2
7 50
No. 7. Albeeville Fire
22 50
No. 8. Bosma Fire 5 50
$129 75
MISCELLANEOUS.
Chester C. Shattuck, supplies
$3 11
Uxbridge Water Dept., 2 hydrant conn. and cap 8 44
Haynes Welding Co.
2 00
Portland Rubber Co.
73 50
E. T. Powers, stock and labor
61 72
Gorham Fire Equipment Co.
20 36
$169 03
Total Expenditures
$298 78
Unexpended
1 22
$300 00
Respectfully submitted, HAROLD F. LOWELL,
Forest Warden.
60
REPORT OF THE TREE WARDEN.
Appropriation
$100 00
Transferred from Reserve Fund
200 00
Total Resources
$300 00
EXPENDED.
Herbert S. Wood, salary
$10 00
LABOR.
Lewis Holbrook
22 00
William Nuttall
22 00
James Brady
16 00
George M. Johnson
16 00
Roscoe Steere
20 00
William Munsell
20 00
Herbert S. Wood
18 00
$134 00
Harold Metcalf, truck
45 00
H. S. Chadbourne Co., supplies
11 65
Henry A. Hammond, filing saws
5 05
C. C. Shattuck, gas and oil
3 53
F. A. Gould, supplies
25 38
Total Expended
$234 61
Unexpended
65 39
$300 00
Respectfully submitted, HERBERT S. WOOD, Tree Warden.
61
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Appropriation
$350 00
Transferred from Reserve Fund
27 22
$377 22
EXPENDITURES.
Pay Rolls :
Harold C. Barrows
$140 50
Fred Phipps
81 00
Ernest Souls
7 50
Norry J. Daige
30 00
George M. Barrows
9 00
Albert W. Sears
6 00
Raymond Barrows
12 00
Herbert S. Wood
4 00
Harold Metcalf
8 00
Kenneth Morrison
8 75
Harold F. Lowell
2 00
$308 75
Court Fees :
Harold C. Barrows
$40 44
Telephone Calls :
Harold C. Barrows
21 70
Supplies :
James R. Travers, One Finger Print Outfit 5 88
62
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Dept. Public Safety :
One book licenses to carry fire arms, One book of Application Blanks 45
$377 22
Respectfully submitted, HAROLD C. BARROWS, Chief Police Dept.
63
REPORT OF SEALER AND DEPUTY SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31ST, 1936.
Platform scale over 5000 lbs. (free) 1
Platform scale under 5000 lbs
1
50
Spring scale over 100 lbs
3
1 50
Spring scales under 100 lbs
3
30
Computing scale under 100 lbs.
1
10
Counter scales under 100 lbs.
1
10
Gasoline pumps @ 50 cents each
9
4 50
19
$7 00
We have inspected the following licenses :
Meat peddlers
1
Fish peddlers
1
Bread peddlers
3
Fruit peddlers
1
Junk peddlers
3
Range oil
2
Kerosene
2
Ice
3
-
16
64
We have collected fees and turned over to the Town Treas- urer the sum of $5.00 and have on hand the sum of $2.00 which will be turned over to the Treasurer at once.
Respectfully submitted, WALTER TAYLOR, Sealer, WILFRED TAYLOR, Deputy Sealer.
January 10th, 1937.
REPORT OF PUBLIC WEIGHER.
40 Weights @ 20 cents $8 00
1 Weighing not paid for 0 00
$8 00
Respectfully submitted,
FELIX S. BASSETTE,
Weigher.
65
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF SLAUGHTERING.
-
To the Honorable Board of Health:
Following you will find a report of animals slaughtered in my presence and inspected by me in the year 1936:
Cattle
Calves
Hogs
Sheep
January
2
February
March
April
1
May
June
July
August
September
October
1
November
December
-
-
-
Totals
0
1
3
0
Respectfully submitted, FRANK R. PHILLIPS, Inspector of Slaughtering.
66
FORTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TRUSTEES OF THE TAFT PUBLIC LIBRARY.
As we close another very successful year in the work of our Library, we are pleased to note from the Librarian's re- port the upward trend in the reading and study carried on by the patrons as shown by the decrease in the fiction read, while there has been a steady increase in biography, travel, history and science. This is a move in the right direction and we trust the schools will continue to use the library more and more. The schools and library should work together.
Due to the extra appropriation granted by the Town, the floors have been sanded and varnished, which was very necessary to preserve them.
Respectfully submitted,
DONALD B. LOWELL, Chairman, EDWARD F. BLOOD, Secretary, MRS. LENA W. GEORGE, JOHN GOTSCHALL, HAROLD METCALF,
Library Trustees.
67
REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
OF THE
TAFT PUBLIC LIBRARY.
RECEIPTS.
Appropriation $600 00
EXPENDITURES.
Worcester Suburban Electric Co. $12 78
Mrs. Nancy Dudley
52 00
R. M. Donnelly, wood
40 00
Raymond Barrows, repairs
40 50
Personal Book Shop, books
88 23
American Library Association
5 00
H. W. Wilson
22 00
Gaylord Bros., Inc., supplies
13 10
Verena R. Daley, Librarian
225 00
C. C. Shattuck, paint stock
18 39
H. S. Chadbourne, paint stock
8 17
J. B. Farnum Co., floor sander
4 60
Herbert J. George, insurance
25 50
Verena R. Daley, supplies
4 00
Cahill News Agency, magazines
35 00
$594 27
Unexpended Balance
5 73
Fletcher Fund Expenditures
$600 00 125 21
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD F. BLOOD,
Finance Committee.
68
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.
TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE TAFT PUBLIC LIBRARY :-
The circulation for the year (100 days) was 11,642 vol- umes. The largest given out in one day was 232, the smallest 37, the average 116. The circulation by classes was as fol- lows: Fiction, 8160; Magazines, 1952; Biography, 332; Travel, 224; History, 254; Literature, 276; Useful and Fine Arts, 188; Science, 82; all others, 174.
There are 8260 volumes in the library. 209 were added this year. 46 were bought by the town, 141 with the Fletcher Fund, 17 by Clifford Entwistle and 5 others by gift.
The library subscribes to the American, American Boy, American Home, Better Homes and Gardens, Boy's Life, Child Life, Colliers', Country Gentleman, Harpers' Monthly, Ladies' Home Journal, Life, Literary Digest, McCall's, Na- tional Geographic, Pictorial Review, Popular Mechanics, In- structor, Reader's Digest, Saturday Evening Post, Woman's Home Companion. Dumb Animals, Elk's, Rotary, New Eng- land Poultryman, Specialty Salesman, Farm Journal and Hunting and Fishing are given.
$10.25 was received in fines during the year.
Respectfully submitted, VERENA R. DALEY,
Librarian.
Mendon, January 1, 1937.
1
69
AUDITOR'S REPORT.
TO THE CITIZENS OF MENDON:
Pursuant to Chapter 41, Section 50 of the General Laws I have examined and checked the accounts of the various Town Officers receiving and disbursing Municipal funds for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1936, and find their ac- counts correctly cast with vouchers carefully filed.
Respectfully submitted,
WM. A. BARRY, Auditor.
Mendon, January 20, 1937.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
OF THE
TOWN OF MENDON
MASSACHUSETTS
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1936
72
SCHOOL FINANCIAL REPORT.
RECEIPTS.
General Appropriations
$19,446 98
Dog Tax, 1935
300 36
Transfer from Toilet Fund
600 00
Total Receipts
$20,347 34
Expenditures
19,816 70
Balance
530 64
REIMBURSEMENTS.
General School Fund, Part 1
$1,950 00
General School Fund, Part 2
2,192 20
Superintendent's Salary
660 00
Tuition from State
178 32
High School Grant
707 14
Tuition from City of Boston
38 64
Total Reimbursements
$5,726 30
TAXATION COST OF SCHOOLS.
Total Expenditures
$19,816 70
Reimbursements
5,726 30
Net Cost by Taxation
$14,090 40
EXPENTITURES.
Repairs and Replacements $713 76
Care of Buildings
1,290 65
Miscellaneous Operation
157 14
Fuel
867 34
Transportation
2,909 40
Health
310 00
Textbooks
513 42
73
Supplies
490 93
Insurance
94 32
Miscellaneous
3 20
New Equipment
467 34
Salaries of Teachers
10,500 29
Music Supervisor
300 00
Superintendent
1,000 00
Superintendent's Expenses
178 91
School Committee Clerk
20 00
$19,816 70
Toilet Appropriation $3,149 00
EXPENDITURES.
Arthur Johnson, labor
$11 20
Raymond Barrows, labor 25 00
Edward Powers, plumbing contract
2,150 00
Ernest K. Mellen, painting
25 00
Raymond Barrows, labor
3 80
D. K. Barnes, Trucking and labor
18 00
C. C. Shattuck, paint 20 24
Robert M. Donnelly, Trucking
2 00
William H. Casey, supplies
3 60
T. E. Morse Co., supplies
2 75
J. C. Holcomb Mfg. Co., supplies 21 30
Boston Janitor Supply, supplies
11 25
J. F. Estes, Electrical Work 30 00
Harry C. Robinson, services
50 00
Total
$2,374 14
Expended
$2,374 14
Total Unexpended
$774 86
Transferred to General School Fund
600 00
Balance Unexpended $174 86
SCHOOL DIRECTORY, 1936-1937. SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Donald B. Lowell, Chairman
Term Expires 1938
Ernest E. Souls
Term Expires 1937 Term Expires 1939
Regular meetings held at the Center School building on the first Monday of each month at 7.30 P. M. SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS-JOHN H. GOTSCHALL, B.S., Ed.M.
Office-Bellingham Center Building, Bellingham. Telephone, Milford 157-14.
The Superintendent has no regular scheduled office hours. Appointments are always appreciated.
TEACHERS. 74
Name. HIGH SCHOOL.
Subject or Grade.
Preparation.
Degrees Yrs. Ser. or Yrs. in Town
Henry P. Clough, Principal Math., Science, French
Dartmouth College and B.S.
Ninth
New Hampshire University Ed.M.
Middlebury College, A.B.
First
Amy L. Niles
English, Latin
London University, England One
Brown University M.A.
Dorothy F. Covell Wanda L. Haznar
Commercial, History
Salem Teachers College
B.S.
First
Domestic Science Geography
Framingham Teachers Coll.
B.S.
Second
Silas H. Dudley, Secretary
CENTER SCHOOL.
Orrilla F. Park Eunice N. Perkins
Grades 5 and 6
Castleton, Vermont, Normal
Three
Eleventh
Grades 3 and 4
Bridgewater Teachers Coll.
B.S.
First
Edith M. Davenport
Grades 2 and 3
Framingham Teachers Coll.
Two
Sixth
Mary M. Ross
Grade 1
Framingham Teachers Coll.
Two
Sixth
EAST MENDON.
Helena Anderson Grades 1 to 7
Salem Teachers Coll. B.S. First
MUSIC SUPERVISOR. David N. Gellatly
75
Boston Conserv. of Music
Graduate
First
Private Lessons
Ten
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN.
K. A. Campbell, M. D.
Telephone, Milford, 102
SCHOOL NURSES.
Helen C. Grady, R. N. Milford District Nursing Association, Telephone, Milford, 862 Mildred Salmond, R. N., Assistant
JANITORS.
Raymond Barrows Fred Bullard
Center School
East Mendon
TRANSPORTATION AGENTS. Harold C. Barrows Kenneth Taft
TRUANT OFFICER. Harold C. Barrows
76
77
CALENDAR FOR PERIOD FROM JANUARY TO JUNE, 1937. HIGH SCHOOL.
Open January 4, 1937 Close April 16, 1937 Vacation 1 Week
15 Weeks
Open April 26, 1937
Close June 18, 1937
8 Weeks
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
Open January 4, 1937 Close February 19, 1937 Vacation 1 Week
7 Weeks
Open March 1, 1937
Close April 16, 1937 Vacation 1 Week
7 Weeks
Open April 26, 1937 Close June 4, 1937
6 Weeks
CALENDAR FOR PERIOD FROM SEPTEMBER, 1937 TO JUNE, 1938. HIGH SCHOOL.
Open September 7, 1937 Close December 24, 1937 Vacation 1 Week
Open January 3, 1938 Close April 15, 1938 Vacation 1 Week
16 Weeks
15 Weeks
78
Open April 25, 1938
Close June 17, 1938
8 Weeks
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
Open September 7, 1937
Close December 24, 1937 Vacation 1 Week
16 Weeks
Open January 3, 1938
Close February 18, 1938 Vacation 1 Week
7 Weeks
Open Febrary 28, 1938
Close April 15, 1938 Vacation 1 Week
7 Weeks
Open April 25, 1938 Close June 3, 1938
6 Weeks
79
AGE OF ADMISSION TO SCHOOL.
Any child who becomes six years of age on or before January first of the year following the term when he wishes to enter school may be admitted into the first grade, but in every case the admission of a child under six shall be de- pendent upon the fitness of the child to profit by the work of the school, such fitness to be determined by the superin- tendent. Pupils under seven years of age who have not previously attended school shall not be permitted to enter later than thirty days after the opening of school in Sep- tember.
REPORT OF SIGHT AND HEARING TESTS. OCTOBER, 1936.
Number of pupils examined 241
Number found defective in eyesight 22
Number found defective in hearing 1
Number of parents or guardians notified
23
80
REPORT OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
TO THE CITIZENS OF THE TOWN OF MENDON:
During the past year many changes have been made at the Center School.
The new sanitary toilets are very satisfactory and the shingling of the roof has made it possible to now repair and repaint the interior of the building. A new superintendent and new teachers have quickly and willingy fitted into the school system.
A new school building is now the aim of the School committee. The use of the Town Hall has helped the over- crowded conditions, but the State will not allow the children to occupy it unless the sanitary conditions are improved.
A new school building of four rooms would take care of the school for the next twenty years, we believe.
With the Federal Government paying forty-five per cent of the total cost, we believe now is the time to build.
A bond of several years would not be a very large burden on the taxpayers.
The School Committee sincerely thanks the Citizens of the Town for their moral and financial support during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
DONALD B. LOWELL, Chairman.
81
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF MENDON:
GENTLEMEN :
I wish to submit my first annual report on the work of the Mendon Public Schools. Strictly speaking, my report should not be considered an "annual" report because my of- ficial relationship with the organization and its problems dates from July 1, 1936, while this report should cover the entire year. I am also submitting reports from the various departments giving more detailed information. The intention is to furnish the citizens with as complete a record of the activities of the schools, their needs, and plans for their future development as space will permit.
Our teachers are people thoroughly trained for their work, selected on account of their training and our belief in their ability to adapt themselves to the local situation. Our schools are becoming well provided with books and supplies. Our housing conditions are much better than they were one year ago. These conditions have been brought about by your foresight and careful planning, and the pupils are enjoying the benefits of the generosity of the people.
The time has not come, and probably will never arrive, when improvements to the system cannot be made. Working in harmony with the teachers, it is my duty to plan such im- provements as it seems possible to make and present them to you for consideration from time to time. This, we shall continue to do, calling to your attention such changes as are really modern and in accordance with progressive educational procedure.
82
ENROLLMENT.
The enrollment on October 1, 1936 was 241, a decrease of 24 from what it was in 1935. The first grade is smaller this year, and some Mendon pupils are attending the Parochial School in Milford.
BUILDINGS.
The High school building has been improved remarkably in the last year adding very much to the pleasure and com- fort of the pupils and teachers who use it. We are now pro- vided with adequate, modern toilets, a new roof makes it pos- sible to use all our school rooms on rainy days; the new metal ceilings gives one a sense of security when he looks at them. If we can arrange to have the walls painted this coming year, I believe that this building will be in fair condition.
The East Mendon school is in about as good condition as one can reasonably expect a rural school to be. It needs some minor repairs from time to time, but it will serve that section for many years without any great additional expense.
The Town Hall is not a suitable place to house school children. There are several bad features about this building, a few of which may be stated as follows: 1. The light is very bad and inadequate, a condition which is likely to do the children more harm than any other feature of the build- ing. 2. The toilets have been condemned by a State In- spector and we will not be permitted to continue the use of the building unless modern private toilets are put in for the use of the school children exclusively. According to State law, school pupils are not permitted to use toilets that are used by the public. 3. Teaching facilities are very inade- quate, because of : lack of blackboard space and lack of space to use some primary materials that we possess. 4. It is im- possible to hold school when any organization gets permission to use the building. 5. All our school materials have to be moved when oustide organizations use the hall. 6. The playground is not suitable.
83
I believe that the town should take some steps to provide for the children now housed in the Town Hall and, at the same time, provide at least one extra room so that one teacher could be moved out of the high school building.
RESIGNATIONS.
Marion D. Remmert, Mendon High School.
Ursula Leach, Mendon High School.
Helen L. Pickard, Grade 2, Town Hall. Helent Anderson, Grades 1-6, East Mendon.
All four of these teachers resigned to accept positions in other towns.
APPOINTMENTS.
Amy L. Niles, English-Latin, High School.
Dorothy Covell, Commercial-History, High School.
Eunice Perkins, Grades 3-4, Center School. Helena Anderson, Grades 1-6, East Mendon.
I request that you notice the training of these new ap- pointees. (See Directory.)
SCHOLARSHIP.
I believe that the pupils of Mendon are receiving as good training this year as in any other year past. We are not placing as much emphasis on the number of books read in the primary grades as we are definitely trying to improve on the ability to comprehend what is read. On discussing this matter of scholarship with the experienced teachers of Mendon, I have been assured that if any comparisons are to be made, the work of this year will be regarded most fav- orably.
84
HOME STUDY.
It is impossible for most pupils to do satisfactory work in the upper grades or in the high school without "Home Study." Some people will undoubtedly insist that we are asking for too much time, while others will likely claim that not enough time is required. More depends upon the kind of study than on the amount of time spent. If home study goes on where the attention is interrupted by conversation, telephone, radio, and other detractions, the results cannot be other than unsatisfactory. A suggested schedule indicating the amount of time that should be spent in conscientious home study on every school day is as follows: Grade seven, 45 minutes; Grade eight, 60 minutes; Grades nine through twelve, 90 minutes, but those preparing for college in these grades should average 120 minutes in home study.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
1. New Toilets-Center School.
2. New Roof on Center School.
3. New Metal Ceilings in Center School.
4. New Sewing Machines for Home Economic Depart- ment.
5. Two New Courses in the Commercial Curriculum at the High School.
6. Changed the Subjects taught by High School teach- ers so that the English teacher teaches Latin, and the Commercial teacher teaches History, thereby making it possible to secure better trained teachers.
7. New Mimeograph for the High School.
8. Extending the use of the Elson System of reading.
9. The establishment of a Dental Clinic.
85
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE FUTURE.
1. Make some better provisions for the pupils now housed in the Town Hall.
2. Try to obtain an additional room for the High School.
3. Redecorate the rooms at the Center School.
4. New shades in a number of rooms.
5. Replace some of the floors at the Center School.
CONCLUSIONS.
I wish to thank all those who have helped to make my present position a very great source of satisfaction to me. Mr. Clough, the High School principal, and all the teachers in the system have cooperated with me splendidly. It is impossible for me to give these teachers too much praise.
Last, but by no means least, I wish to thank you gentle- men on the Mendon School Committee for the very fine and cooperative spirit which you have shown me. I am certain that I could never have learned the business of School Super- intendent under more desirable circumstances. I hope that I may have the pleasure of working with you, and for you for a number of years to come.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN H. GOTSCHALL,
Superintendent of Schools.
86
REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL.
TO MR. JOHN H. GOTSCHALL,
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS :-
I herewith submit my ninth annual report of the Mendon High School, covering the year from January, 1936.
Registration remains practically constant. The enroll- ment by grades at the present time is as follows. Grade Seven, 29; Grade Eight, 18; Grade Nine, 14; Grade Ten 14; Grade Eleven, 8; Grade Twelve, 6. Total, 89.
The customary events of the school year have been car- ried on with few changes. The graduation exercises was held in the Mendon Town Hall, June 18, 1936. This was the first time in many years that the high school graduation has taken place in the Town Hall, and, despite the limited seating cap- acity of the auditorium, the necessary change proved to be quite satisfactory.
Nine pupils were graduated : Russell Walter Bates, Dwight Judson Davenport, Grace Marian Ellison, Rita Eliza- beth Patricia Grant, George Francis Lee, Evelyn May Randor, Henry Percival Smith, Douglas Taylor, Martha Ella Thomp- son.
The annual prize speaking contest occurred May 16, 1936. Ten pupils participated. First prize was won by Peter Oppe- wal, second prize by George F. Lee, and third prize by Dorcas M. Daley.
There has been one addition to the program of studies. The commercial curriculum has been broadened to include the teaching of shorthand, thus offering the essentials of a business training course.
Late in December the first issue of a school paper made its appearance. The production of a school paper or maga-
87
zine is an important feature in the life of every high school and its achievement in Mendon is a progressive step deserv- ing the support of all. In past years the chief obstacle in producing a school paper has been the printing expense. The recent acquisition of a duplicating machine has brought the cost of printing within the range of the school and has made possible this highly desirable school activity.
Over a period of years frequent mention has been made of the Washington trip problem. It has been more and more evident that the Washington trip for Mendon High School Seniors could not be continued indefinitely under the custom- ary method of financing it. It is, in fact, only through an un- usual spirit of cooperation and support on the part of the community that it has been possible to the present time.
The problem in its entirety was presented to the student body early last spring and after a careful study, certain rec- ommendations were voted and presented to the school com- mittee for their consideration. These recommendations were approved by a unanimous vote of the committee and the fol- lowing regulations were made. Beginning with the class of 1939 and applying to all classes thereafter, each pupil who wishes to go to Washington on the class tour must contribute the sum of thirty dollars toward the cost of the trip. Pupils of the class of 1938 must contribute twenty dollars, and pupils of the class of 1937 ten dollars. The smaller contributions by the classes of 1937 and 1938 were recommended in view of the fact that these classes will have a shorter time in which to make individual savings than will all later classes.
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