USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Mendon > Town annual reports of the officers of Mendon, Massachusetts 1933-1937 > Part 6
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There are 7,978 volumes in the library. 273 were added this past year and 34 were taken out as they were worn out. 78 were bought by the town, and the others as follows: Fletcher Fund, 148; Massachusetts Library Commission, 11; Secretary of the Commonwealth, 1; Gifts, 35.
The library subscribes to the American, American Boy, American Home, Boy's Life, Child Life, Colliers', Country Gentleman, Delineator, Good Housekeeping, Harpers' Month- ly, Ladies' Home Journal, Life, Literary Digest, McCall's, National Geographic, Pictorial Review, Popular Mechanics, Instructor, Review of Reviews, Saturday Evening Post, Woman's Home Companion. The Farmer's Wife, Dumb Animals, Elk's, Columbia, Rotary, New England Poultryman, are given.
Eleven pupils in the Intermediate School received State Reading Certificates for reading 5 books, and Dorothy Oppewal received two certificates for reading 10 books.
$17.09 was received in fines during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
VERENA R. DALEY,
Librarian.
Mendon, January 1, 1935.
70
REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE TAFT PUBLIC LIBRARY.
RECEIPTS.
Regular Appropriations $475 00
EXPENDITURES.
Worcester Suburban Electric Co. $17 35
Forbes Press, stamp 50
Mrs. Nancy Dudley, janitor
52 00
R. H. Hunting Co., Inc. books 5 87
Ginn & Co., Inc. books
10 72
Personal Book Shop, Inc. books
83 55
A. W. Marquis Co., Inc. books
7 88
American Library Asso., Inc. books 7 00
Cahill News Agency, magazines
29 00
Gaylord Bros., Inc. supplies
6 35
Maurice Carlson, repairs
5 40
H. J. George, insurance
24 00
Verena R. Daley, librarian
225 00
Unexpended balance
38
$475 00
Fletcher Fund Expenditures
$165 19
Respectfully submitted, EDWARD F. BLOOD,
Finance Committee.
71
AUDITOR'S REPORT.
TO THE CITIZENS OF MENDON :
Pursuant to Chapter 41, Section 50 of the General Laws I have examined the Accounts of the various Town Officers receiving and disbursing Municipal funds for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1934 and find their accounts correctly cast with vouchers carefully filed.
Respectfully submitted,
WM. A. BARRY, Auditor.
Mendon, January 22, 1935.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
OF THE
TOWN OF MENDON
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1934
74
SCHOOL FINANCIAL REPORT.
RECEIPTS.
General appropriation, 1934 $15,900 00
Appropriation for School Nurse
250 00
Appropriation for School Physician 50 00
Dog Tax, 1933
299 60
Transfer from Emergency Fund
175 00
Total Receipts
$16,674 60
Expenditures
16,671 09
Balance $3 51
REIMBURSEMENTS.
General School Fund Part I $1,750 00
General School Fund, Part II
1,269 90
Superintendent's Salary
366 67
Tuition from State
274 44
High School Grant
655 25
Total Reimbursements
$4,316 26
TAXATION COST OF SCHOOLS.
Total Expenditures $16,671 60
Reimbursements
4,316 26
Net Cost by Taxation
$12,355 34
EXPENDITURES.
Repairs and Replacement $296 29
Care of Buildings
1,195 50
Miscellaneous Operation
93 18
Transportation
2,575 20
75
Fuel 1,108 82
Health
300 44
Textbooks
311 39
Supplies
186 33
Insurance
202 23
Miscellaneous
14 00
New Equipment
50 00
Salaries of Teachers
8,919 05
Music Supervisor
292 50
Superintendent
940 40
Superintendent's Expenses and Office Clerk
165 76
School Committee Clerk
20 00
$16,671 09
Special Appropriation for School Well $1,000 00
Amount Transferred from Reserve
Fund
565 00
Total
$1,565 00
Amount Expended
1,562 75
Unexpended Balance $2 25
SCHOOL DIRECTORY, 1934-1935.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
George G. Davenport, Chairman
Term Expires 1936
Ernest E. Souls
Term Expires 1937
Mrs. Annie B. Coffin, Secretary .
Term Expires 1935
Regular meetings held at the Center School building on the first Monday of each month at 7.30 P. M.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS-MELDEN E. SMITH.
Office-Bellingham Center Building, Bellingham. Telephone, Milford 157-14. Office open from 2-4 P. M. daily and Saturday from 9-12 M. The Superintendent of Schools may be seen at his office personally, by appointment, practically anytime.
76
TEACHERS.
Name. HIGH SCHOOL. Henry P. Clough, Principal
Subject or Grade.
Preparation.
Years of Service in Town.
Marion D. Remmert Ruth M. Parker
Mathematics and Science Dartmouth College and N. H. Univ .- Harvard Summer Schools English and History Latin and French Worcester Normal, 4 years Wellesley College
Seventh Fifth Second
CENTER SCHOOL.
Orrilla F. Park Edith M. Davenport Velzora Thompson Mary M. Ross
Grades 6, 7, 8
Castleton, Vermont, Normal Tenth
Grades 4 and 5
Framingham Normal Fifth
Grades 2 and 3
Perry Kindergarten Normal Second
Grades 1 and 2
Framingham Normal
Fifth
EAST MENDON. Etta Christiansen Grades 1 to 7
Hyannis Normal Fourth
MUSIC SUPERVISOR. Amy Young Burns
Philadelphia Conservatory of Music, Study in Germany, etc. Fourth
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
77
JANITORS.
Raymond Barrows Fred Bullard
Center School East Mendon
TRANSPORTATION AGENTS. Harold C. Barrows Kenneth Taft
TRUANT OFFICER. Harold C. Barrows
78
79
MENDON SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR PERIOD FROM JANUARY TO JUNE, 1935. HIGH SCHOOL.
Open January 2, 1935
Close February 15, 1935 Vacation 1 week
7 Weeks
Open February 25, 1935
Close April 12, 1935
7 weeks
Vacation 1 week
Open April 22, 1935
Close June 21, 1935
9 weeks
23 weeks
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
Open January 2, 1935
Close February 15, 1935 Vacation 1 week
7 weeks
Open February 25, 1935
Close April 12, 1935 Vacation 1 week
7 weeks
Open April 22, 1935
Close June 7, 1935
7 weeks
21 weeks
80
CALENDAR FOR 1935-36. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.
Open September 3, 1935
Close December 20, 1935 Vacation 2 weeks
16 weeks
Open January 6, 1936
Close February 21, 1936 Vacation 1 week
7 weeks
Open March 2, 1936
Close April 17, 1936
7 weeks
Vacation 1 week
Open April 27, 1936 Close June 5, 1936
6 weeks
36 weeks
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.
81
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF MENDON :
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN :
My first annual report as superintendent of your schools is submitted herewith together with the reports of my col- leagues and statistical matter for your consideration.
As a result of a recent visit to the Mendon Schools by Mr. Burr F. Jones, State Supervisor of Elementary Educa- tion, and Mr. Jerome Burtt, State Supervisor of Secondary Education the following report was submitted under date of December 4, 1934.
In my opinion the educational opportunities afforded both to the elementary school pupils and to the high school pupils should be improved. Much improvement can be brought about for both elementary and high school pupils through a re-organization of the school system, and that a re-organizationn such as the Committee has in mind can be had without increasing the cost of education to the Town.
THE HIGH SCHOOL.
Records of the State Department of Education show the following enrollment figures for the Mendon High School during the past seven years :
1927-28 29
1928-29 29
1929-30 28
1930-31 38
1931-32
36
1932-33
33
1933-34
34
82
With such small enrollments as those indicated above, it is my opinion that the continuance of the Mendon High School cannot be justified. Only one other four-year high school in the state has a smaller enrollment. This school is located at New Marlborough, Berkshire County, where its isolated po- sition makes transportation to other high schools impracti- cable.
In a school with such a small enrollment, it is quite im- possible to provide adequate curricular both for those who are preparing for college and for those who are not. The records show that thirty pupils have graduated from this high school during the past six years and that of this num- ber eight have entered institutions of collegiate standing. In other words, 27% of the graduates of this school during the past six years have entered institutions of higher learn- ing. This means that the needs of 73% of the graduates have not been adequately met, since the school is too small to pro- vide the courses in vocational and general subjects and in the fine arts that are essential to prepare for civic and industrial life. In addition, records show that seventy-one pupils entered the Mendon High School during the past six years, only thirty of whom remained to graduate. This indicates that 58% of the boys and girls who entered the school during that time left before graduation. It is probable that many of these pupils dropped out of school because they or their parents felt that the school program offered little of value to them.
In addition to the fact that so small a school can offer only a most restricted curriculum it must be said that the Mendon High School suffers markedly from the limitations of the present school plant. Crowded conditions prevail, since it is necessary to provide for all elementary and high grades, except the first grade. The main room of the high school has to be used for class work at the same time that it must provide seats for study pupils. This leads to difficulty, both in conducting the class and in providing quiet conditions for study. No facitities are available for classes in physical edu-
83
cation, home economics, manual arts, or commercial subjects, and there is no school library.
THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. GROWTH IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ENROLLMENT. GRADES I-VIII.
1928
148
1929
172
1930
176
1931
177
1932
202
1933
195
1934
212
From the foregoing table it is clear that there has been a considerable growth in the elementary school enrollment dur- ing the past six or seven years. This growth has amounted to nearly 50%. 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 improvement has been made by removing grades I and II 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. There is a consensus of opinion among educators that the number of elementary pupils to be taught by one teacher should not exceed thirty-five and that thirty is a better number. When the classes much exceed these figures, a good deal of the teacher's time and energy is necessarily given to matters of control and administration, and it becomes very difficult for her to give the individual attention needed by many pupils. It is our opinion that the entire building should be utilized for elementary school purposes and that at least one, and probably two teachers should be added.
84
RECOMMENDATIONS.
1. That the Mendon High School be discontinued and that the Town provide for the education of its secondary school pupils in the high schools of one or more of the near- by towns. As indicated above, we are of the opinion that better educational opportunities are afforded in larger schools.
2. That the teaching load of the elementary grades be lightened by the employment of one or two additional teach- ers. The rooms vacated by the high school would provide for this increase. In support of this and the foregoing recom- mendations, we are glad to state that the examination of the figures relating to high school costs reveals that fact that there would be a decided reduction in the high school ex- penditure, if the pupils were sent to out-of-town high schools, and this reduction, together with aids received for the State for elementary schools would approximately meet the added cost of employing two more teachers in the elementary schools.
3. We desire to submit the following recommendations with reference to certain physical conditions:
a. The introduction of flush toilets within the building.
b. The re-seating of the 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 the desk.
c. The re-arrangement of the fourth and fifth grade classroom so that the light will come from the left and the rear of the pupils.
We feel that the need for these improvements is particu- larly urgent. The toilets are in a very unsatisfactory condi- tion and the lighting of the interior of the classrooms, as measured by a foot-candle meter, varied from one-third to one-half of the minimum intensity required.
The following letter, dated November 26, 1934, was re- ceived from Mr. A. B. Lord, State Supervisor of Research
85
and Statistics in reference to reimbursement to the town of Mendon in connection with secondary education :
I find that in the high school there were thirty-four pupils in average membership. The cost of operating the school, exclusive of general control, was $5,302.54, which makes a cost per pupil of about $156 per child. The amount of aid re- ceived from the state was as follows:
High School Grant
$700 00
Part I, General School Fund .. 600 00
Part II, General School Fund 1,269 90
Total
$2,569 90
If the pupils in the four years of high school had been sent to Milford, Uxbridge or Blackstone, the cost per pupil would have been $88 in the case of Milford, $105 in Uxbridge, or $81 in the case of Blackstone. If, for instance they had been sent to Milford, the tuition would have been $2,992.00. Of this amount, $1,496 would have been paid by the State, making the net cost $1,496 to the town as compared with $2,733, which was the net cost to the town for maintaining the high school in Mendon.
Of course if the children were transported outside of the Town, the state would allow reimbursement up to 40c per day per child which would, I think be ample to pay the entire cost of transportation.
If the registration in the first eight grades can use the space now occupied by the high school to advantage and the employment of two additional teachers is necessary to make use of the additional space to the best advantage, the town could employ such teachers and with the state aid which will be available the cost from local taxation would be no greater than at the present time, while I think it is apparent that the educational advantages both to the children in the grades and to the high school pupils who attend the high school out- side the town would be very much improved.
86
As your superintendent of schools it is my duty to urge every citizen and taxpayer to give thoughtful consideration to these reports from the State Department of Education. Waste and inefficiency are necessarily associated with the maintenance of many units of administration so small as to render impossible any highly competent service on the part of lay control or professional administration.
EDUCATION FOR CITIZENSHIP.
We have changed the emphasis in education as the de- mands upon the schools have changed. We no longer feel that the chief aim of education is the acquisition of facts. We believe that the aim of education is the development of the boys and girls into useful citizens and accordingly we stress those things we believe are most conducive to the ac- quiring of good citizenship. We have learned that it is not sufficient to have knowledge, and attitudes, and ideals unless that knowledge results in the right form of action. As a result of this belief we try in the schools to enable the pupil to learn to be a good citizen by being a good citizen while he is in school. We try to create a life situation for the practice of the social virtues leading to the life situations he will meet after he is out of school. Character is not made at a single stroke or destroyed in an instant. It must be built up day by day and every act of the child contributes to his character.
Neither the school nor the home can give the fullest edu- cation to the child. The home must give opportunity for the practice of those ideals taught in school; and the school must build upon the work of the home. The responsibility is two- fold and neither should feel that the other should shoulder it alone.
Our country can rise as high as the level of the average citizen can take it. We need not only great leaders but an educated, intelligent type of common citizen, trained to act for the good of the group and welfare of all. We should look carefully to the selection of our teachers; we should see that
87
in this time of crisis education is more important than ever before. Let us resolve that whatever else must be given up we will not deprive our children of their social heritage, for they go this way only once and what they lose now they can not make up later. Let us look farther and see that the very life of our nation depends upon the effective teaching of citizenship and resolve to keep education going forward until this crisis shall be past.
LEISURE TIME.
The new education recognizes the importance of leisure in making or destroying the best in the life of the individual and we find that our schools and those who are in charge of the training of our youth are purposively planning to educate children to make the best use of their leisure.
Our schools should broaden their curricula and introduce the children to as wide a range of life interests as possible. They should teach the use of books and libraries and try to develop wholesome reading appetites. They should develop appreciation of good music and skill in singing, playing, and listening. They should teach games and sports to the child- ren which they may continue when they are old. Our schools should provide a pleasant social life through their clubs and activities. The school should be made the center of a whole- some and satisfying life. Education for leisure should be considered as important as education for earning a living.
Let us give all the assistance we can to this great move- ment in education to train in the worthy use of leisure that our boys and girls may make the most of this modern gift and make it a blessing to mankind instead of a detriment.
SIZES OF CLASSES.
It is important to call attention to the fact that in the Mendon Center School some classes are already overwhelming- ly large, in some cases rendering efficient teaching impossible. We must not lose sight of the fact that education is an in-
88
dividual matter. When class sizes are increased, it is of the utmost importance to provide those services of guidance and adjustment which shall insure attention to the individual child.
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL.
Although the appropriation for instructional materials have usually been adequate under normal conditions, certain policies which restrict the scope of materials that may be requisitioned by teachers seem to be without adequate support in the light of better school practice.
Necessary books and supplies have been denied to teach- ers and pupils. This is not economy. One might as well ask the artisan to work without his tools as to expect that teach- ers can accomplish satisfactory results without the equip- ment in books and educational supplies necessary for the ef- ficient participation by children in the educational program provided for them. The continued intellectual activities of most boys and girls are dependent upon the adequacy of the books and educational supplies and other equipment with' which they learn to work during the period of formal educa- tion.
EDUCATIONAL RECORDS AND REPORTS.
I have found that the educational records kept in Mendon are inadequate. Not only are they inadequate from the point of view of providing continuing and permanent information about individuals, but they are also inadequate for purposes of general educational accounting. The records do not give either a comprehensive or a complete picture of what is actually taking place.
There are certain basic types of information which it is desirable that all school systems have. It is urgently recom- mended that the Mendon schools keep up-to-date information on the following phases of each pupil's development:
89
Scholastic progress, including strengths, weaknesses,
achievements on standardized tests, and the like. Health and Physical Characteristics.
Home conditions and influence.
Social habits and attitudes, including superior quali- ties and needed social adjustments.
Special abilities and interests as in music, art, and writing.
Data on problem cases, as obtained from interviews with parents, special examinations, and the like.
These records should be brought up to date annually or semi-annually. Such records are not solely for the sake of statistical study; they should also be used in planning the pupil's school work. They make available the needed informa- tion for determining those educational opportunities for which there is the greatest need.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF 1934.
1. A new set of rules and regulations for our schools has been adopted by the School Committee.
2. A room in the library has been used for our first grade children and of course this has relieved the congestion in the main building to a great extent. These children enjoy having such an attractive school room and they have done a splendid piece of work during the past few months.
3. A course of Study for grades 1-4 has been written, adopted and used.
4. The Center Building was painted during the summer and necessary repairs made.
5. New wells were dug at the Center School and East Mendon.
90
LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE.
There is so much that is worthwhile in education today that the possibilities of development in a moderate sized school system are almost without number. It is obvious that the Town of Mendon with its small organization and limited facilities must be somewhat restricted in its offerings and activities, culling from those things which modern education- al theory has to offer that which is most practical and readily adapted to local needs. On the other hand it should be real- ized that ours is a community that can afford practically any- thing within reason that will contribute to the success and development of its boys and girls. With this thought in mind I make the following recommendations:
1. That some definite action be taken in the near future in the direction of solving permanently the congestion conditions in the Center Building.
2. That the Town maintain a Junior High School in- stead of a Senior High School beginning in Septem- ber, 1935.
3. That the first grade children be returned to the Main Building again. This would eliminate the extra er- pense for janitor service and fuel.
4. That provision be made in the budget for the in- stallation of lights in at least two of the darkest rooms in the Center School.
5. That the basement in the Center School be thorough- ly cleaned and redecorated. The children who re- main at noon should have a neat, attractive room in which to eat their lunch.
6. That a new salary schedule for teachers be adopted.
91
IN APPRECIATION.
Permit me to express my appreciation of the kind con- sideration, hearty co-operation, and support that you have given me in the administration of our common task. To the teachers and all in the employ of the school system I am in- debted for that loyalty and inspiration which makes the po- sition of superintendent in Mendon a pleasant one.
Respectfully submitted, MELDEN E. SMITH, Superintendent of Schools.
GRADUATES OF GRADE EIGHT, JUNE, 1934.
Matilda E. Allegrezza
Robert A. Brownly
Kenneth S. Hartshorn
Myrtle A. Thomas
Dorothy June
George T. Driscoll
Ruth L. Lee
Kenneth Taylor
REPORT OF SIGHT AND HEARING TESTS NOVEMBER, 1934.
Number of pupils examined 219
Number found defective in eyesight
12
Number found defective in hearing 2
Number of parents notified 9
Flora M. Leoncini
Blanche D. Mankus
92
REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL.
-
TO MR. MELDEN E. SMITH,
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS :-
I herewith submit my annual report of the Mendon High School.
The enrollment by classes is as follows: Seniors, 7; Juniors, 5; Sophomores, 9; Freshmen, 12; Total 33. There are twenty-two pupils in the eighth grade.
Five pupils were graduated June 21, 1934; Janet M. Barrows, Marion R. Bouchard, G. Godfrey Davenport, Ray- mond C. Dudley, and Winifred R. Larson.
The annual prize speaking contest was held in the Town Hall May 25, 1934. The program included ten speakers and musical selections by the school chorus. By popular vote first prize was awarded to Louise A. Davenport, second prize to Dwight J. Davenport, and third prize to G. Godfrey Daven- port.
One change has been made in the program of studies. The two courses, Ancient History and Modern European History, fomerly offered in alternate years, have been replaced by a single course in World History which may be alternated with a social science course called Problems in American De- mocracy. This course is being given this year for the first time.
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