USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Mendon > Town annual reports of the officers of Mendon, Massachusetts 1943-1947 > Part 14
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We wish to express our thanks to Superintendent Mr. Rowe, Principal Mr. Clough, all of the teachers and supervis- ors, transportation agents, custodian and all those responsi- ble for the health and safety of our children for their coop- eration in our endeavor to provide the most efficient, advanced and useful education possible for the children of Mendon as an investment in the future welfare of the Town.
Respectfully submitted,
LEONARD M. ROGERS, Chairman, G. KENNETH TAFT, Secretary, JOHN L. LUNDVALL,
Mendon School Committee.
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TO THE JUNIOR CITIZENS OF MENDON :
We ask you to read the reports on the various problems of the School Department. Note the increase in the expense to our Town necessary to maintain our present high grade educational system and then talk over these things with your parents, to see how you can cooperate with all of us, in deliv- ering to you YOUR EDUCATION FOR THE FUTURE, real- izing how much greater is the need now, for it than in the past.
Although school buses are private property and should be treated as such, school property belongs to you, and what you can contribute to its length of usefulness by proper care and use, will be a direct gain and saving to your parents, yourself and all of us.
We will expect and appreciate your cooperation with teachers, bus drivers and all educational facilities placed at your disposal, for after all, the person who will obtain the greatest benefit from your education, is yourself.
LEONARD M. ROGERS.
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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
Mendon, Massachusetts, January 10, 1947.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF MENDON:
GENTLEMEN :
It is with pleasure that I submit to you for your consid- eration my annual report as Superintendent of Schools of Mendon.
There have been only two changes in the teaching staff during the calendar year 1946. Miss Barbara Hammann re- signed in January to be married. Miss Rita Manion who previously taught in grades seven and eight was given Miss Hammann's place in the English department. Miss Manion is well qualified for this work as her major in college con- sisted of English. Mr. Raymond Biedrzycki, of Chicopee, a graduate of Rhode Island State College was elected to take the position left vacant by the transfer of Miss Manion. In September Mr. Biedrzycki was given some high school sub- jects in addition to his seventh and eighth grade work. Miss Eleanor McDonough of the Home Economics Department re- signed in the summer to accept a better position. Mrs. Virginia Farrell was elected to this vacancy on a substitute basis for the year and began her work at the opening of school in September. Mrs. Farrell is a graduate of the Fram- ingham State Teachers College and had some teaching ex- perience before beginning her work in Mendon.
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We are fortunate in not having more changes. In 1945 we opened school in September with five new teachers and in 1946 with only one. A large turnover of the teachers is very undesirable. It interferes with the efficient operation and ad- ministration of a school system. This small change in the teaching staff is due in large part to salary increases granted. Further salary increases will have to be given in order to keep our present teachers, and to get others should any resign at the close of school in June, 1947. The Committee has voted an increase of fifteen per cent effective January 1, 1947.
It is with the deepest of regret that we note the passing of Mr. David Gellatly, our music supervisor for several years. Mr. Gellatly was an excellent teacher and a fine man. He was conscientious, dependable, and faithful. He will be greatly missed by the entire school personnel.
Realizing the inadequacy of teachers' salaries to meet the present high cost of living, practically all cities and towns have either raised or made plans to substantially increase their pay. This tendency is nation wide in scope. To meet the additional costs there will be a bill, or bills, introduced in the General Court of 1947 granting greater reimbursements for educational purposes to the municipalities of the Com- monwealth. It is not possible at this time to determine whether or not any more aid for educational purposes will be received in 1947.
It is imperative that some action be taken to aid educa- tion, our greatest national asset.
This year our total enrollment is practically the same as last year. According to figures there should be an upward trend again in the school membership. The highest enroll- ment in recent years was in 1942 with 307 pupils. The lowest was in 1946 with 247. The population of the Town in 1935 was 1265. In 1940 it was 1315, and in 1945 was 1504. In the
89
ten year period there has been a gain of 239. It would be natural to look for a gradual increase in school enrollment in the next few years. The enrollment figures for the last ten years follow :
Year
Enrollment
1937
261
1938
272
1939
263
1940
274
1941
298
1942
307
1943
284
1944
262
1945
249
1946
247
Very satisfactory progress has been made in the regular school program of studies. Particular stress has again been placed on reading and the language skills. Every possible aid has been purchased and used in the field of reading in the first three grades. More new textbooks have been obtained than for several years. New books consist of spelling, reading, social studies, and science. Teachers are providing for indi- vidual differences in pupils by using small groups, giving indi- vidual attention, and by special help when necessary. All in all, I feel that our children are making sound, satisfactory progress, and that they would compare very favorably with a nation-wide average.
Mr. A. Russell Mack, Supervisor of Secondary Education, of the State Department of Education, visited the school in January, spending an entire forenoon in visiting classes and inspecting the facilities of the building. Mr. Mack was very
90
favorably impressed with the work being done. His major criticism was the high percentage of teacher changes the year before. Fortunately, we have overcome this fault to a very large extent this year.
Beginning in September the Rinehart System of Hand- writing was adopted and introduced into the school system. This is a functional system with the skill acquired carrying over into all written work. The work is carefully supervised with instructors visiting and taking charge of classroom work at least once each school month. Each pupil's work is care- fully diagnosed and his progress noted.
Improvement in this important art has been made and as time goes on still greater improvement will follow.
Two new typewriters were purchased for the Commercial Department. A new liquid process duplicator was obtained in April. This is used in all grades for quantity purposes of any kind of work, either written, typewritten, or drawn. Enough copies for a large class can be conveniently and quickly made. New electric clocks were placed in the physics laboratory, and the Household Arts Department. A good used electric sewing machine was also placed in the Household Arts Department.
Education Week was observed in November. One day was set aside as "open house" day and parents were invited to visit the school and classes. For the most part the regular classroom work was carried on. Many parents visited the dif- ferent classes and saw the school program of studies as it usu- ally operates. Parents are cordially invited to visit the school at any time.
A Parent-Teacher organization was formed late in the year. It is hoped that all parents will join and take advantage of the opportunity of getting acquainted with the teachers and talking over their problems with them. This offers a splendid
91
opportunity for parents and teachers to meet informally and discuss problems of individual children. A fine spirit of co- operation can be built up which will be of great benefit to our school system.
Classes in aviation were held at the school building dur- ing the fall months. This work was under the direction of Mr. Millis of the Mendon Airport, in cooperation with the Federal and State Governments and the State Department of Educa- tion. Many availed themselves of this opportunity to get necessary groundwork instruction in aeronautics.
No outstanding repairs have been made during the year. Routine repairs have been taken care of as trouble originated. The boiler had to be relined in the summer. The vacuum pump and motor had to be fully overhauled. The stoker motor was put into good working condition. New worm gears had to be replaced in the stoker. The hardness of the water made necessary some plumbing repairs. Better desks were installed in the fifth and sixth grade room replacing those which were badly worn. Some desks were also placed in the first and second grade room, and many desks were sanded and refinished. Two new electrical outlets were in- stalled in the home economics room.
In 1947 action should be taken on two very important items of repair, the heating plant and the sewage system. The heating plant is very costly to operate as it seems neces- sary each summer to expend several hundred dollars for boil- er work. New linings seem to be necessary as well as a great deal of work on the stoker. In addition, the stoker is not ef- ficient in very cold weather and needs almost constant atten- tion.
The present cesspool has been causing trouble by over- flowing for some time. This condition is neither healthful nor sanitary. It should be permanently taken care of as soon
92
as school closes in June by the building of a new septic tank or cesspool further away from the building, and built in such a manner that it cannot run over.
Some painting should be done on the interior of the build- ing. New stair treads should be put in where needed, and new floor covering in the halls and corridors where worn.
In conclusion I wish to express to you my deep and sin- cere appreciation for your efforts so earnestly made during the year for the best interests of the school. I also want to thank Mr. Clough, the Principal, the teachers, townspeople, and pupils who have all cooperated wholeheartedly to make the year a most successful one.
Respectfully submitted, PERCY L. ROWE,
Superintendent of Schools.
October 1, 1946
AGE AND GRADE CHART AGE
Grade
Totals
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Boys
Girls
B
2
8
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14
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VIII
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XII
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Totals
3
17
24
17
20
25
18
32
23
25
19
11
11
2
129
247
118
Boys
2
9
13
8
10
7
9
23
15
12
10
7
3
1
129
Girls
1 8
11
9
10
18
9
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13
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93
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94
REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL.
To MR. PERCY L. ROWE,
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS :-
I herewith submit the annual report of the Mendon Center School.
Nine pupils graduated from Mendon High School June 13, 1946: Merrill R. Bracci, Rosamond F. Coe, Patricia Gaskell, Eleanor Hogarth, Virginia F. Irons, Jean H. McTurk, Jacob Oppewal, Kenneth L. Phipps, Wesley T. Rogers. First honors in scholarship were attained by Patricia Gaskell and second honors by Rosamond F. Coe. The award of the Alumni Medal was made to Patricia Gaskell. Jean H. McTurk received the Good Citizenship Pin and Scroll from the Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
The annual Prize Speaking Contest was held at the Men- don Town Hall April 5, 1946. Eleven pupils presented read- ings. First prize was won by Faye A. Pouliot, second prize by Frances M. Fisk, and third prize by Gilbert W. Beal.
A minstrel show was given on March 15, 1946 for the benefit of the Washington Trip Fund.
On December 6, 1946 the Senior Class Play entitled "All Grown Up" was ably presented to a capacity audience at Men- don Town Hall.
95
After a lapse of three years due to wartime restrictions, the Washington Trip was resumed during the April vacation. The system of class dues collection for the Washington Trip is once more in full operation and, unless unforeseen develop- ments arise, it is probable that the trip can be financed ade- quately without changes in the present regulations.
The baseball team played a nine game schedule during the regular season and, during the fall and winter months, boys interested in basketball have been able to practice weekly in Milford under the direction of Mr. Raymond Biedrzycki.
The death of Mr. David N. Gellatly, Supervisor of Music for the past ten years occurred in December, 1946 after an illness of several months. His many pupils and associates felt deeply the loss of a highly respected teacher whose con- tribution to the school was inestimable.
Enrollment figures for the year show a slight decrease in the elementary grades with approximately the same member- ship in the junior and senior high school grades. The figures as of January 6, 1947 are as follows: Grade one-18; Grade two-21; Grade three-26; Grade four-20; Grade five-28; Grade six-20; Grade seven-39; Grade eight-16; Grade nine-19; Grade ten-15; Grade eleven-11; Grade twelve- 11.
The purchase of a liquid process duplicating machine has provided an addition to the building equipment which is prov- ing to be an excellent and efficient teaching aid.
The teaching staff of the school is earnest and sincere in the effort to teach the youth of Mendon the fundamentals of
96
successful and happy living. In conclusion, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the teachers, the Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Rowe, the members of the School Committee, and to parents and members of the community who have con- tributed to the achievement of this purpose.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY P. CLOUGH,
Principal.
97
SCHOOL NURSE'S ANNUAL REPORT
TO MR. PERCY L. ROWE,
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS :-
I herewith submit the Annual School Nurse's report for the year ending December 31, 1946.
The District Nursing Association has just finished its twenty-sixth year of school nurse supervision in the Mendon school.
In 1946, Center School was visited at least one day a week when school was in session, usually on a Tuesday.
It was difficult to work out a definite schedule, but an ef- fort was made to visit the classrooms each visiting day and talk with the teachers. At this time a health talk may have been given, a classroom inspected or individual talks with pupils whom the teachers or parents had drawn to my atten- tion.
School nursing cannot be compared to a music supervis- or's or a writing teacher's work among the school children, where results can be noted almost at once.
A school nurse's work is largely prevention and correc- tive work and has much to do with the home life of our school child as it has with the school life.
During 1946 the school children were quite free from con- tagious diseases to any great extent.
98
Chicken-pox, measles, german measles and one case of scarlet-fever with a few cases of scabies were reported by the parents.
The following is a summary of the work done by the nurse in the school building.
All children were weighed and measured three times in 1946 and weight reports sent home to parents.
A large number of these children were done when they were babies through the efforts of the district nurses.
Every new child entering our school as well as every new family, with children, moving into town are questioned as to this treatment. This past year fifteen pre-school children re- ceived the three protective doses of Toxoid. As these will later be our school children I feel I should include this item in this report.
Number of Cleanliness Inspections of pupils 207
Number of Classroom Inspections of pupils 76
Number of pupils advised 236
Number of pupils inspected for disease 219
Number of pupils treated for minor injuries
54
Number of pupils excluded from school
25
Number of health talks to classes
19
Number of talks with teachers regarding pupils
107
Number of home visits regarding absentees or health conditions 145
In the fall Dr. Campbell the school physician was assisted with the general physical examinations of the school children.
The following is a summary of the defects found on the 222 pupils examined :
99
Defective teeth
55
Enlarged tonsils
37
Enlarged adenoids 1
Wax in ears
14
Heart murmurs
7
Signs of nervous disorder
3
Anemia
4
Skin conditions
4
Defective eye conditions
3
Notices of these defects were sent home to parents.
Although the teachers are responsible for the testing of the hearing and eyesight of the pupils the nurse assists by re- testing all questionable cases.
Due to the follow-up work done each year, about ninety per cent of our Mendon School children are protected from diphtheria.
In closing, may I thank Mr. Rowe, Mr. Clough and all the teachers for their cooperation. I also wish to express my ap- preciation to the school committee, the Board of Health and the parents for their understanding and confidence.
Respectfully submitted, HELEN C. GRADY, R. N., School Nurse.
REPORT OF VISION TESTS.
Number of pupils tested for vision 141
Number of pupils found with defective vision 6 Number of parents notified 6
100
MENDON HIGH SCHOOL PRIZE SPEAKING CONTEST MENDON TOWN HALL, APRIL 5, 1946, 8.00 P. M.
I Give Thee Back
Black
Frances M. Brown
What Is America
Carney
Kenneth L. Phipps
The Rose Garden
Law
Frances M. Fisk
Rescue of Father Fauchelevent
Hugo
Frederick J. Grant
The Bride and the Burglar
Neville
Faye A. Pouliot
Mother Machree
Olcott
Lois J. Wagner
Betty at the Baseball Game Anonymous
Annette O. Rondeau
Lest We Forget Dickover
Gilbert W. Beal
Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata Anonymous
Margaret C. Desmarais
Can Germany Be Successfully Disarmed
Fleming
Earl W. Rogers
The Light
Van Antwerp
Shirley A. Kneeland
The Accordianists On Parade Mosti
Benigno Leone
Decision of the Judges
101
GRADUATION EXERCISES OF
MENDON HIGH SCHOOL
UNITARIAN CHURCH THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 1946
PROGRAM
Processional-March of the Priests Mendelssohn Mrs. Bertha B. Rogers
Invocation
Rev. Stanley R. Welch
Salutatory and Essay-Resources of New England
Rosamond F. Coe
Song-To Thee, O Country ..... Eichberg
High School Chorus
Essay-Agriculture in New England
Jacob Oppewal
Essay-New England Industry
Virginia F. Irons
Song-The Heavens Are Declaring Beethoven High School Chorus
Essay-Trade and Transportation in New England
Merrill R. Bracci
102
Essay and Valedictory-
New England People and Their Heritage Patricia Gaskell
Award and Diploma Presentation Mr. Leonard M. Rogers, Chairman of School Committee
Star Spangled Banner
Benediction
Rev. Stanley R. Welch
Recessional-Grand March from Aida Verdi Mrs. Bertha B. Rogers
GRADUATES OF MENDON HIGH SCHOOL
CLASS OF 1946.
Merrill Ralph Bracci
Rosamond Freida Coe
Patricia Gaskell
Eleanor Hogarth
Virginia Fiske Irons
Jean Hope McTurk
Jacob Oppewal
Kenneth LeRoy Phipps
Wesley Thayer Rogers
103
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 third day of March A. D., 1947, punctually at 9 o'clock A. M., to act on the following articles, 1 and 2. Article 3 and all following Articles on this Warrant will be acted upon Friday, the seventh day of March at 7 P. M.
Article 1. To choose a moderator to preside over said meeting.
Article 2. To bring in their ballots for the following Town Officers: One Town Clerk for one year, One Selectman for three years; One Selectman for one year; One Assessor for three years; One Town Treasurer for one year; One 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; One Highway Sur- veyor for one year; all on one ballot designating the office in- tended for each person voted for.
104
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, 1947.
(This is not a complete Warrant.)
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting up an attested copy thereof at the Post Office in said Mendon and causing a copy to be published once in the Milford Daily News, a newspaper published in Milford, Mass., both said posting and publication to be at least seven days before the time of the meeting hereby ordered to be held.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this warrant with your doings thereon to the Town Clerk of said town be- fore the time of meeting aforesaid.
SILAS H. DUDLEY. ROY A. BARROWS, HAROLD METCALF,
Selectmen of Mendon.
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF MENDON
INCLUDING THE REPORT OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
FOR THE
Municipal Year Ending December 31, 1947
281ST ANNUAL REPORT
MILFORD, MASS. THE CHARLESCRAFT PRESS, PRINTERS. 1948.
TOWN OF MENDON.
Town of Mendon Incorporated May 15, 1667.
Population 1504, 1945 Census.
Registered Voters in 1947; Men, 439. Women, 405. Total 844.
Annual Election :
First Monday in March.
Annual Meeting : First Friday Evening after the first Monday in March.
County Commissioners :
George W. Jones, Chairman Worcester
Elbert M. Crockett Milford
Francis E. Cassidy Webster
Fourteenth Congressional District
Congressman, Joseph William Martin, Jr. .... North Attleboro
Fourth Senatorial District
Senator, Joseph S. Virostek Webster
Ninth Worcester Representative District Representative General Court, Peter F. Fitzgerald, Blackstone
Sheriff for Worcester County
William A. Bennett Worcester
TOWN OFFICERS.
SELECTMEN. (Selectmen serve as Board of Public Welfare Board of Health and Fence Viewers).
D. Victor Smith Harold Metcalf Lee P. McFarland
TOWN CLERK. Albert S. Coleman
TOWN TREASURER. Silas H. Dudley
TAX COLLECTOR. Arthur P. Dalton
ASSESSORS.
Carl M. Taft £ D. Kinsley Barnes Charles F. Leonard, Clerk.
AUDITOR. William A. Barry
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Robert Chase Gordon R. Good John L. Lundvall
TRUSTEES OF TAFT PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Harold Metcalf John L. Lundvall Percy Rowe Lena W. George Verena Daley, Secretary
4
REGISTRARS OF VOTERS.
Asa Vear Fred L. Kempton
Joseph W. McEwen Albert S. Coleman, Clerk
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
Franklin E. Goodnow Roy A. Barrows Donald B. Lowell
PARK COMMISSIONERS.
Norry J. Daige Francis D. Morrison Fred Phipps
Chief of Police
Mathew M. Mantoni
CONSTABLES.
Mathew M. Mantoni
Harold C. Barrows
Tree Warden
William E. Nuttall
Town Solicitor Shelley D. Vincent
Dog Officer Thomas Stevens
Public Weigher Martha Dudley
Sealer of Weights and Measures Kenneth Taylor
Superintendent of Schools Percy Rowe
Fire Chief and Forest Warden Harold F. Lowell
Superintendent of Streets William R. Bowen
Burial Agent Norry J. Daige
5
Inspectors of Slaughtering
Frank Phillips Willard Seibert
Inspector of Animals
Erle W. Gaskill
Town Accountant
Helen F. Irons
WATER COMMISSIONERS.
Franklin Goodnow Everett Watson Donato Leone
6
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
INCIDENTALS.
Appropriation
$2,800 00
Transferred from Reserve Fund
385 34
Total
$3,185 34
Expended :
SELECTMEN.
Dues to Worcester County Selectmen's
Association
$6 00
Dues to Massachusetts Selectmen's
Association
15 00
Postage
27 76
Milford Daily News, advertising
18 53
Hobbs & Warren, license forms
14 29
Charlescraft Press, printing
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