USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Mendon > Town annual reports of the officers of Mendon, Massachusetts 1933-1937 > Part 3
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rooms. (4) Some adjustable seats. (5) Painting the Center building-much needed. (6) More school books. (7) Pro- visions for keeping water out of basements of both buildings.
The past two years have been very trying for schools on account of depression conditions. In a town like Mendon it is practically impossible to make cuts in the school appropri- ation, as our schools are provided with only the essentials. Coal must be supplied for necessary heating. A certain num- ber of books must be provided. To meet the present day de- mands, no one seems to favor cutting anything on transporta- tion and having children save money by walking. In fact, there are constant increases in the cost of transportation. Teachers' salaries have been in the lowest list, and though cuts have been made, it is impossible to make any considerable saving on teachers' salaries. If much is cut from the salaries, the loss from state reimbursement is equal to or perhaps more than the saving.
Hence those who are acquainted with the operation of the school system find that there can be no large reduction in school costs. It seems to us that it is better to make sufficient appropriation to carry the schools through the year than it is to make an inadequate appropriation which has to be made up later, involving infringements upon the requirements of the laws and considerable difficulty in providing the money to pay all the bills. It can be noted that the expenditures of schools this past year ($16,489.19) have come very close to the figure as first given in the estimated budget made by the school committee and superintendent ($16,500.42). The writer urgently recommends that a sufficient sum for essential school expenditures for the coming year be appropriated at the next annual town meeting.
The following figures show the actual cost to the town for instruction and supervision.
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Superin-
Teachers
tendent
Salaries paid, 1933
$9,453 02
$755 60
Reimbursement from State
3,638 60
366 67
Actual cost to the town
$5,814 42
$388 93
It is very generally known that there has been in the past two or three years a great deal of hostile feeling toward schools, and an attempt on the part of certain people and or- ganizations to cripple the schools with insufficient funds, and handicap the children in their training for life. Some of this feeling is being mollified, and the public is coming to realize that the schools have been injured by the sentiment of false economy. We note that the press, which has been most hostile, is now saying much about the deplorable conditions and how educational interests have suffered. A strong feeling is ris- ing against all influences that would injure the cause of edu- cation.
One of the real problems of the schools to-day is an in- creasing lack of interest in hard study, and the decline in scholarship. Everything comes so easily to young people that it is hard for them to see why they should work in school to gain knowledge. We urge that parents use their strongest efforts to help their children to see that more than ever in these times of lack of opportunity for employment, there is a need of our youth becoming educated and specially trained in some line of endeavor. It seems very evident that in the future, though many may not secure positions, those who secure them first will be those with the best education and the most definite training.
The town is most fortunate in having an exceptionally good corps of teachers. We also highly commend the service of the janitor, health workers and principal. The spirit of the schools has been good, and much has been accomplished in educational training.
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The school, which is the largest and most important in- dustry of this great nation, needs the financial and moral support of the people. Destructive criticism may give some satisfaction to those who criticize, but it can do nothing but harm to schools or any other worthy undertaking. We high- ly commend the school committee members who so unselfishly work for the welfare of the schools regardless of unjust criticism.
We thank the people of the town for the financial sup- port which they have given the schools, and we especially thank those who have so willingly given their moral support. We are confident that a careful investigation will show that our school officials and workers have given most devotedly of their time, ability, and training for the welfare of the child- ren of the rising generation. The best heritage that parents and others who are erelong to step from the stage of action can leave for those who follow, is the opportunity for an edu- cational training for the responsibilities of life, which are so serious in this time of complexity of society.
The school calendar, the table of statistics, and the special reports are deserving of your careful attention.
Respectfully submitted,
CARROLL H. DROWN,
Superintendent of Schools.
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REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL.
To MR. CARROLL H. DROWN,
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS :-
I herewith submit my sixth annual report of the Mendon High School.
Registration has continued to increase slightly through- out the building, and there is little extra available seating capacity at the present time. This is especially true in the grade rooms where conditions are more crowded than in the high school which, with the eighth grade, has fifty-one mem- bers (total enrollment 55).
Three pupils were graduated on June 22, 1933: Irma E. Leoncini, Dorothy L. McGaughey, and Emma M. Taft. Prize speaking was held June 2, 1933 at the Town Hall. Nine pupils participated in the contest and prizes were awarded as follows: Lorraine Barrus, first prize; Russell W. Bates, second prize; and Dwight J. Davenport, third prize. This exercise is one which merits the hearty support of parents and townspeople, and pupils should be encouraged to take part in the rhetorical preliminaries as well as in the final program at the end of the year. Musical programs in con- nection with graduation and prize speaking have been ably conducted by Mrs. Amy Young Burns, Supervisor of Music, and no effort has been spared to arouse interest and provide valuable training. The problem of these worthy projects is to afford a gentle compelling opportunity to many pupils who
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otherwise would disregard the activity because of self satis- fied inertia. The baseball team played a short schedule of games and it is hoped that this branch of athletics may be continued and expanded during the coming season. The other usual routine of the school has been steadily carried on.
The perennial problem of raising funds for the Wash- ington trip is slowly being solved for the current year and the members of the senior class are busily engaged in com- pleting the necessary fund. A competitive entertainment presented early in the year by representatives of the various organized community groups of the town provided an excel- lent start toward the season's quota. The class members greatly appreciate this assistance. It is slowly becoming evi- dent that individual saving by high school pupils must be established as a definite policy if the trip is to be continued.
The high school course of study provides two curricula, the Classical and General, the essential difference between which is the study of Latin included in the Classical Curricu- lum. When the number of pupils entering college is com- pared with the group that does not attend post secondary institutions of college rank, there is evidence that the col- lege preparatory subjects are receiving a disproportionate amount of time and attention. If due consideration is to be given the majority of pupils relative to their immediate in- terests upon high school graduation, it seems reasonable to consider the question of revising the course of study with the view of providing new subjects for the non-college group. The size of the school and teaching staff limits, of course, the amount that can be done, but something can be accomplished to this end.
The development of proper ideals of scholarship and of citizenship call for a united effort on the part of parents, teachers, and pupils to arouse and maintain the will to do and accomplish. Although the numbers are small, there is
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every reason to be encouraged and to press on in the business of education. Scholastic attainment must of necessity go hand in hand with hard work and habits of self denial. Noth- ing worth while is accomplished in any other way.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY P. CLOUGH, Principal.
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SCHOOL NURSE'S ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1933.
To MR. CARROLL H. DROWN,
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS :----
May I present to you the Annual report of nursing work done in the Mendon Schools for the year ending December 31, 1933.
A day a week, when school was in session, was spent in doing school nursing. This was usually on a Tuesday, the morning in Center School and doing home visiting, and the afternoon, in East Mendon and back to Center School to teach a Home Nursing Class.
The following contagious diseases were reported among the school children: Scarlet-fever, measles, mumps, chicken- pox, and whooping-cough.
In March and April a close watch was kept on all ab- sentees checking cases of scarlet-fever. Two active cases were found by the nurse among the school children and diagnosed by a doctor, exposing all children whom these cases had come in contact with. The teachers, closely co-operating with the nurse in excluding and reporting all suspicious cases, helped check the spread of this disease which at one time looked as though we were going to have a good many cases.
In September whooping-cough was reported and again the teachers did a splendid job in reporting suspicious cases to the nurse. A number of coughers were excluded but did
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not prove to be whooping-cough. The only safe means we have of preventing the spread of these contagious diseases is to exclude from school, all suspicious cases, until a doctor pronounces them safe.
The underweight children have been given special atten- tion and encouraged to bring milk to school for a mid-morn- ing lunch. The District Nursing Association supplied cod- liver oil, ordered by a doctor, to one child who was very much underweight.
Four children had chest examinations at the Milford Hospital clinic arranged by the nurse.
One child was taken to the Memorial Hospital Eye Clinic in Worcester.
One boy sent to a summer camp for three weeks, paid for by the District Nursing Association. This had been ad- vised by a doctor who examined this boy last winter. The child made a very good gain and splendid reports came from the camp director as to his behavior and co-operation.
Child Health Day, a day in May we health workers plan a special celebration to draw attention to our health teaching in the schools, is now a Red Letter Day in our school calendar.
Mendon Center School gave a splendid afternoon enter- tainment in the Town Hall, each class taking part with songs, play or pantomime. The hall was well filled with parents and friends.
East Mendon used the school grounds for their program, inviting the guests to an exhibition of health posters made by the children in the classroom afterwards.
Health tags were given to some children, in June, as awards for the correction of physical defects and improve- ment in health habits shown.
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During the summer, the school nurse visited the homes of children entering school for the first time in September urging early vaccination, a physical examination by their doctor and the correction of any defects found. To send a little child to school with a correctable physical defect is an injustice to the child as well as to the tax payer as it usually means repeating the grade.
The summary of defects found by Dr. Campbell is as follows :
Defective teeth 41
Enlarged tonsils 31
Diseased tonsils 4
Symptoms of adenoids 5
Heart conditions 4
Anaemia
6
Wax in ears
15
Symptoms of Bronchitis
1
Notices of defects were sent to parents or guardians fol- lowed by home visits.
About five corrections have been made and doctors con- sulted and treatment carried out for seven abnormal condi- tions found.
The following is a summary of the work done by the nurses in the schools.
Health talks
44
Advice to pupils
128
Treated
33
Excluded as suspicious
21
Home visits
141
Teeth inspections
1005
Cleanliness inspections 1011
Pediculosis inspections
468
Inspected for disease
695
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After school hours on Tuesday at Center School, the nurse taught Home Nursing Classes of eighth grade girls. Some of the subjects taught were temperature taking, making a bed with a person in it, cooking for the sick, the making of poultices, stupes, mustard paste and how to use soaks when ordered by a doctor.
The District Nursing Association furnished all the sup- plies used except the bed which is owned by the town.
If some arrangements could be made for dental service for our Mendon children, if it was only for a few weeks each year it would be a worth while health project.
Again the question of indoor toilets in the schools comes to my mind, thinking every minute as we nurses are, of the comfort and welfare of the children.
May I take this opportunity to thank Mr. Drown for his advice and help, the teachers and parents for their co-opera- tion and understanding, and the School Committee and Wel- fare Board for their support and confidence.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN C. GRADY.
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REPORT OF MUSIC SUPERVISOR.
TO MR. CARROLL H. DROWN,
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS :
I hereby submit my report of the work done in music in the Mendon Public Schools for the year ending December 31, 1933.
Our musical aim is first, to develop appreciation of the beautiful in music. Second, to give each child use of his or her singing voice and pleasure in song as a means of expres- sion. Third, give the boy or girl wider opportunity here and now for fuller living for when we have helped the boy or girl to love music, we have educated him musically.
In the first three grades special work has been done in matching tones, ear training, and singing of rote songs.
In the intermediate grades progress has been made in the study of reading music, sight singing of simple melodies with words, ear training, tonal and rhythm drills, and the introduction of two part singing.
Excellent work is being done in the upper grades in sight reading and two and three part singing.
Much more interest and enthusiasm is shown in our work in the High School and because of this, we believe there is a greater appreciation and better understanding of the Art of Music than heretofore.
I wish to express my thanks and deep appreciation for the splendid co-operation shown by my co-workers as well as the many courtesies extended me by the Superintendent, Principal of the High School, and the School Committee.
Respectfully submitted,
AMY YOUNG BURNS,
Supervisor of Music.
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GRADUATION EXERCISES MENDON HIGH SCHOOL Unitarian Church THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1933 Eight O'Clock
PROGRAMME.
Processional Mrs. Sadie B. Gaskill
Invocation
Rev. Roy B. Wintersteen
Song-"Come Lasses and Lads" Treharne
Girls' Chorus
Salutatory and Essay-"The Century of Progress"
Emma M. Taft
Essay-"Calvin Coolidge"
Dorothy L. McGaughey
Songs-a. "Swinging Along" Wilson
b. "Sleepy Hollow Tune" Kountz
High School Chorus
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Class History and Prophecy
Dorothy L. McGaughey
Essay and Valedictory-"Optimism"
Irma E. Leoncini
Song-"Welcome to Spring" Gabriel-Marie High School Chorus
Address
Judge John C. Lynch
Song-"The Lost Chord" Sullivan High School Chorus
Presentation of Diplomas
Mrs. Annie B. Coffin, Secretary of School Board
Benediction
Rev. Roy B. Wintersteen
Recessional
Mrs. Sadie B. Gaskill
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SIXTH ANNUAL PRIZE SPEAKING CONTEST BY MENDON HIGH SCHOOL FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 1933.
PROGRAMME
The Home Road Carpenter
High School Chorus
Antony's Funeral Oration Shakespeare
Russell W. Bates
The Laughter of Leen Richter
Martha E. Thompson
The Cross Roads Ghost Crim
Dorothy L. McGaughey
Confidence Lassen-Loomis
High School Chorus
The Show Must Go On Fuller
Janet M. Barrows
The Hazing of Valiant Anonymous
Jeannette Bessette
Wednesdays Kerr
Lorraine Barrus
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A Sailor Song The Mermaid
Sullivan Old English Song
High School Chorus
Billy's Rose Sims
Helen Beal
Nydia, the Blind Girl Bulwer-Lytton
Marion R. Bouchard
To the Veterans of 1775 Webster
Dwight J. Davenport
Pathways Danish Folk Song, arr. by Loomis High School Chorus
Awarding of Prizes
First Prize-Lorraine Barrus
Second Prize-Russell W. Bates Third Prize-Dwight J. Davenport
EIGHTH GRADE GRADUATES.
Merton Forbes Barrows Louise Eleanor Perron
Lorraine Evelyn Barrus Lena Puchta
Helen Elizabeth Beal
Eleanor Mafalda Spadoni
Erle Warner Gaskill
Mildred Adeline Taft
Miriam Hope Thomas
Veronica Mary Harper Leo Hartshorn Salvatore Paul Tinio Clara Constance Hickmott Walter Warren Tracy Ernest Perry Wood
Rainey King
Stella Maria Mankus
Marjorie Alice Park
Lawrence C. Woodfall, Jr.
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REPORT OF 4-H CLUBS.
SEWING CLUB.
Fifteen girls finished the year's requirements last May. The prizes awarded at the annual exhibit were as follows:
First Year
First Prize-Mary Spadoni Second Prize-Blanche Mankus Third Prize-Jane Coleman
Second Year
First Prize-Hazel Brown Second Prize-Helen Taft
Third Prize-Priscilla Hartshorn
Third Year
First Prize-Marjorie Park Second Prize-Mildred Taft
Fifth Year
First Prize-Janet Barrows
ORRILLA F. PARK, Leader.
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HOME CRAFT CLUB.
The following prizes were awarded at the annual exhibit in May.
First Year
First Prize-Mildred Taft
Second Prize-Janet Barrows Third Prize-Irene Bessette
Mildred Taft also received first prize at the Worcester County exhibit.
REPORT OF THIS SCHOOL YEAR'S WORK.
The 4-H Home Craft Club has formed for the second year. There are twelve members, six girls taking second year work, and six taking the work for the first year. "Crafty Girls" was chosen as a name for the club.
Every meeting is begun with a regular business meet- ing presided over by the club officers, then followed by the work hour and social. Each girl is required to complete at least two articles to be placed on exhibit at the close of the year's work.
Respectfully submitted,
(Mrs.) GRACE H. TAFT, Leader.
NOTICES.
As required by law, when a minor secures a work certi- ficate he must leave a birth certificate to be placed on file for inspection, in the office of the superintendent of schools. When the minor becomes twenty-one years of age this birth certificate may be returned.
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The office of this union school district has available about seven hundred birth record certificates of persons who are now over twenty-one years of age. We will be very glad to deliver these to their owners. It is requested that any persons who have left birth certificates for employment cer- tificates within the last twenty years and who are now twenty- one years of age, please call the office of the superintendent for these certificates. Many of them are valuable and may be of real use to you sometime.
Some years previous to the World War a stamp savings system was carried on in the schools of this town. That plan was dropped, probably on account of conditions of the war. The deposits made by the school children are of various amounts from one to fifty cents or more. The total amounts were deposited in the bank as one fund. This fund has re- mained in the bank and now amounts to about seventeen dollars.
It seems wise to have these amounts paid to those who made the deposits and to have the account closed. There are good reasons why this should be done.
Will the readers of this notice and their friends and rela- tives who were formerly pupils in the schools of the town and made deposits in the school savings accounts, please bring your stamp books to the superintendent of schools for payment of your deposit. Deposits can not be paid unless the school stamp book is presented. It will be greatly to the ad- vantage of all concerned if these stamp books can be present- ed, the depositors paid, and the account closed. We urgently request your attention to this matter.
ATTENDANCE STATISTICS FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1932-1933.
Total Enrollment
Schools
Total
Boys
Girls
Non-Resident
Aggregate Attendance
Daily Attendance Average
Membership
Total
Boys
Girls
Total
Boys
Girls
5 to 7 Years of Age
7 to 14 Years of Age No. of Pupils
14 to 16 Years of Age
No. of Pupils
No. of Pupils
Having Perfect Attendance
Per Cent of Attendance
High School Center School
33
18
15
0
5388.
28.36
30.14
32
17
15
33
18
15
0
1
15
17
3
94.09
Grades 6-8
68
32
36
5
10243
60.25
64.04
66
30
36
66
30
36
00
38 57
22
6
4
94.08
Grades 3-5
62
42
20
4
8809.5
51.80
56.01
58
37
21
57
37
20
Grades 1-2
54
32
22
3
7648.
44.91
48.66
50
31
19
51
31
20
32
19
0
0
2
92.29
East Mendon Grades 1-7
34
19
15
3
4063.
24.04
25.68
28
16
12
29
16
13
3
25
C
1
1
93.61
Totals
251
143
108
15
36151.5
209.36|224.53|234
131
103
236
132
104
35
140
37
24
11
93.24
92
Enrollment October 1, 1932
Total No. of Pupils Not Enrolled in Any Other Town in State
No. of Pupils
No. of Pupils
0
0
1
92.48
Over 16 Years of Age
Average
F
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SCHOOL FINANCIAL REPORT.
RECEIPTS.
General appropriation, 1933 $14,500 00
Appropriation for School Nurse
250 00
Appropriation for School Physician 50 00
Dog Tax, 1931
291 51
Dog Tax, 1932
252 22
Transfer from Emergency Fund
700 00
Appropriation at Special Town Meeting
450 00
Total Receipts
$16,493 73
Expenditures
16,489 19
Balance 4 54
REIMBURSEMENTS.
General School Fund, Part I $1,800 00
General School Fund, Part II
1,838 60
Superintendent's salary 366 67
Tuition from State 580 39
(Also $592.84 received Jan., 1933; reported last year)
Tuition from City of Boston 127 27
High School Grant
700 00
Total Reimbursements $5,412 93
TAXATION COST OF SCHOOLS.
Total current expenses
$16,489 19
Reimbursements 5,412 93
Net cost by taxation $11,076 26
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ITEMS OF CURRENT EXPENSE.
Repairs and replacement
$69 99
Avery & Woodbury Company $2 10
Gordon Barrows 3 50
Bradbury-Locke Company
40
H. S. Chadbourne Company
41 11
Henderson Gaskill
2 50
J. L. Hammett Company 2 61
Town of Hopedale (seats) 4 00
Reformatory for Women 9 52
Reynolds Music Store 3 25
William J. Seaver
1 00
Care of Buildings and Grounds
$1,186 00
Raymond Barrows
987 00
Fred Bullard 199 00
Expenses of Operation of School Plant
$86 19
Worcester Suburban Electric Light Co.
$18 50
Others (floor oil and other supplies for building) 67 69
Transportation
$2,511 14
Harold Barrows
$998 64
Felix Bessette 45 60
Lester Hodgkins
124 00
Johnson Bus Lines
99 90
M., F. & U. Coach Company
471 25
Kenneth Taft
771 75
Fuel
$1,037 55
Barney Coal Company
$573 34
H. M. Curtiss Coal Company
430 71
Carl M. Taft
33 50
Health
$300 75
Dr. K. A. Campbell $50 00
District Nursing Association
250 00
J. J. Gibbs Rexall Store
75
95
Textbooks
$310 85
Supplies
180 74
Insurance
109 54
Miscellaneous (telephone, postage,
printing, diplomas, etc.)
31 89
Salaries of Teachers and Music Super- visor
9,753 02
Superintendent
755 60
Office Clerk
154 80
School Committee Expense (record book)
1 13
Total expenses
$16,489 19
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TOWN WARRANT.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
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 fifth day of March A. D., 1934, punctually at nine 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 Town Officers :- A Town Clerk, for one year; one Selectman, for three years; one Assessor, for three years; a Town Treas- urer, for one year; a Collector of Taxes, for one year; an Auditor, for one year; one Constable for one year; one Tree Warden, for one year; one Trustee of the Taft Public Library, for two years; one Member of the School Committee, for three years; one Park Commissioner, for three years; all on one ballot designating the office intended for each person voted for.
Also upon said ballots the voters shall give in their votes "Yes" or "No" on the following questions :
Shall the vote or votes under the provisions of the Gen- eral Laws, whereby the Selectmen were to be elected for three
97
(3) years be rescinded, and the Selectmen be elected for one (1) year?
Shall the provisions of the General Laws, pertaining thereto, be accepted, and elect a Surveyor of Highways as therein provided ?
Article 3. To hear the reports of the several Town Officers and Committees, and act thereon.
Article 4. To choose all necessary Town Officers for the ensuing year.
Article 5. To appropriate such sums of money as may be necessary to defray town expenses for the financial year beginning January 1, 1934.
Article 6. To determine when all property taxes shall become due and payable, the last date on which property taxes can be paid without interest being charged, and the compensation of the Tax Collector for the ensuing year.
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