USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Mendon > Town annual reports of the officers of Mendon, Massachusetts 1953-1957 > Part 4
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The following table shows the actual enrollment and predict- ed enrollment from 1946 to 1960. Figures up to, and including 1953 are actual. Figures for 1954, and beyond, are estimated.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Total 1946-19 21 25 18 29 20 41 16 21 15 11 11 247 1947-25 20 24 25 20 28 28 28 16 16 12 7 249 + 2 1948-32 21 18 22 22 20 27 27 23 12 13 12 249 same 1949-32 36 24 21 27 27 23 23 24 18 12 12 279 + 30 1950-28 38 36 27 24 24 33 19 19 22 16 11 297 +18 1951-27 31 43 45 29 24 27 32 17 23 16 13 327 +30 1952-39 35 28 42 39 30 21 22 28 14 19 17 334 + 7
1953-35 38 35 26 44 39 33 21 21 23 12 18 345
+ 11 1954-41 35 38 35 27 45 39 34 21 20 21 11 367 1955-32 41 35 38 35 27 45 39 31 20 18 18 379 1956-46 32 41 35 38 35 27 44 36 28 18 16 396 1957-46 46 32 41 35 38 35 27 41 33 26 16 416 1958-50 46 46 32 41 35 38 35 27 37 29 22 438 1959-54 50 46 46 32 41 38 35 34 23 32 25 456 1960-56 54 50 46 46 32 40 37 31 30 19 27 468
Table Showing Number of Births and Number of Pupils Entering Grade One Six Years Later. (Figures beyond 1953 are estimated)
Year
Size Grade One Six Years Later
Year
No. Births
25 1946
19
1940 1941
28 1947 25
98
1942
37
1948
32
1943
32
1949
32
1944
25
1950
28
1945
18
1951
27
1946
32
1952
39
1947
28
1953
37
1948
37
1954
41
1949
28
1955
32
1950
41
1956
46
1951
41
1957
46
1952
45
1958
50
1953
48
1959
54
1954
50
1960
56
The enrollment figures have been increasing gradually since 1948. The capacity of the school building is now taxed to its maximum. The next few years will see sharper increases. It ap- pears very likely that within two or three years the present school building will be unable to accommodate all of the children of the town. It would seem absolutely essential to take some action immediately in regard to school housing.
Classroom instruction has continued on a high level. The low turnover of teachers from one year to another is beneficial to our school system. Our pupils are well supplied with modern textbooks. They have all of the various materials needed for good instruction. Considerable testing has been done, which gives a better understanding of the individual child and his needs. During the year a new electric typewriter, a new calculating machine, and a new mimeograph machine have been added to the High School Commercial Department, thereby greatly en- riching this program. Several of our teachers have taken, or are taking, educational courses. The work of our three super- visory departments, handwriting, music, and art has shown the usual high degree of efficiency.
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The School Department has decided to introduce a course in driver education in the High School. This course consists of classroom instruction and practice on the road with a driver- education car. Instructors must be certified by the State Reg- istry of Motor Vehicles. Mr. Clough, our instructor, has taken the required course at Northeastern University. Pupils must be 16 years of age, or over, in order to participate in actual driving instruction on the road. This course is a very important part of our highway safety program. It will teach correct and courteous driving procedure and tend to greatly lessen highway fatalities and injuries on our highways. Students who success- fully complete the course will be enabled to purchase car insur- ance at a reduced rate.
Miss Margaret Shea; a supervisor in the State Department of Education, visited the school in October. Miss Shea was able to observe briefly the work in all classrooms. A general teachers' meeting was held at the close of school, at which Miss Shea discussed modern educational theory, practice, and tech- niques, especially in regard to curriculum. A question and answer period closed the meeting. This meeting greatly bene- fited the faculty members.
American Education Week was observed in November. Many parents visited the school and classes at the time. A special "Open House" night was held in order that parents might have the opportunity to see the various exhibits of class- room work and talk with the teachers in regard to the educa- tional progress of their children. A large number of parents were present. Such parent-teacher conferences are very helpful. Parents are cordially invited to visit classes at any time.
The school lunch program has been most successful during the past year. All pupils have the opportunity of purchasing a well-balanced hot lunch at a very nominal cost. A very large percentage of pupils are taking advantage of the excellently prepared hot meals. Much credit should go to Mrs. Dautrich
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and her assistant, Mrs. Wright, for the continued success of this important school function. The work of the many interested parents who assist in preparing and serving the meals is also deeply appreciated. A new deep freeze unit was installed during the summer vaction.
A registration and visiting day was held in May for children who planned to enter school in September. A large percentage of parents brought their children to the school, registered them, and spent the remainder of the afternoon visiting. Another registration day will be held next May, and it is hoped that all parents will register their children then, and not wait until the opening day of school in September, 1954. It is most important that the School Department knows in advance how many first graders to prepare for. It also saves a great deal of time on the opening day of school.
The annual registration of all minors in town between the ages of 5 and 16 was taken in October, 1953. The results are shown in the following table :
DISTRIBUTION OF MINORS
5 years or over and under 7
7 years or over and under 16
Boys
43
135
Girls
31
142
Totals
74
277
In Public School Membership
47
264
In Private School Membership
2
13
Not enrolled in any school
25
0
Totals
74
277
In addition to regular routine repairs, such as plumbing, heating, and electrical work, the following has been ac- complished :
A new rotary lawn mower purchased
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New floor (First Grade room) Floor repairs (corridors) New cabinets (office) Repairs to grounds New electric typewriter New electric calculating machine New mimeograph New deep freeze (lunch room)
Among the more important items that should be taken care of in the coming year are the following: exterior painting, in- terior painting, further improvements to grounds, a new floor in one classroom, possible roof repairs, and some fence repair and fence painting.
In closing I wish to express to you my sincere thanks for your efforts in making the year a most successful one. The assistance and co-operation of the Principal, Mr. Clough, the teachers, supervisors, school physician, school nurse, townspeople, parents and pupils are also deeply appreciated.
Respectfully submitted,
PERCY L. ROWE,
Superintendent of Schools
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REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
To Mr. Percy L. Rowe,
Superintendent of Schools :
I herewith submit the annual report of Mendon of High and Center School for the year ending December 31, 1953.
The graduation exercises of the Class of 1953 were held on the evening of Wednesday, June 17, 1953. The members of the graduating class were Alden B. Chick, Marilyn R. Chick, Dorothy W. Hart, Claire M. Lamothe, Mathew M. Mantoni, Richard G. Morton, Janet M. Parkinson, George W. Phipps, Robert R. Rhodes, Iris B. Rogers, Justine A. Southwick, Bruce A. Thomas, Joyce A. Twitchell, Wayne F. Wagner, Richard E. Watson, and Bette J. York. Seven members of the class are this year enrolled in post-secondary institutions of higher learning or training.
First place in scholarship was attained by Iris B. Rogers, and second place honors by Wayne F. Wagner. The winner of the Alumni Medal presented by the Mendon High School Alumni Association was Justine A. Southwick. Alden B. Chick was the winner of the American Legion Medal presented by the Roger L. Wood Post of the American Legion. The Good Cit- izenship Medal and Certificate were awarded to Justine A. Southwick.
Bruce A. Thomas was elected by the student body of the school to represent Mendon High School on Student Govern- ment Day held at the State House in Boston. Howard F. Phipps and Betty A. Desmarais were chosen as delegates for the conven- tions of Boys' and Girls' States conducted in June by the Ameri- can Legion and the Legion Auxillary.
This year's senior play, Our Miss Brooks, was presented on the evening of December 11, 1953 at the Mendon Town Hall
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to a capacity audience. The proceeds of the play were added to the Washington Trip Fund. On March 20, 1953, a school minstrel show was presented at the Mendon Town Hall.
During the spring vacation week the Senior Class made the annual trip to Washington, D. C.
Prize Speaking was held at Mendon Town Hall on March 13, 1953. The following pupils presented selections: Charles F. Avery, Jane L. Avery, Cornelius B. Bracco, Joanne Goodnow, Helen A. Hamilton, Maureen A. Smith, Sandra G. Southwick, George W. York, Jr. First prize was won by Helen A. Hamilton, second prize by Joanne Goodnow, and third prize by Charles F. Avery.
In observance of American Education Week, an open house evening was held November 12, 1953 at the Center School. The attendance on the part of the parents was especially good and showed a substantial gain over the attendance of last year.
The enrollment of the school as a whole shows an increase of 13 as compared with the figures of December, 1952. The enrollment figures by grades on December 23, 1953 are as fol- lows: Grade I-32, Grade II-37, Grade III-35, Grade IV-24, Grade V-44, GradeVI-39, Grade VII-31, Grade VIII-21, Grade IX-21, Grade X-24, Grade XI-12, Grade XII-18.
As a supplement to general suggestions and counsel on good study habits given in school, there is one additional factor which merits a brief comment in the annual report of the school. Back of every significant achievement there are endless details and plans. This is especially true of formal education, partic- ularly that part acquired during the high school years. The wise student plans his work and carries out the plan daily, weekly, and yearly. He must have a schedule, and he must follow it, if he is to achieve to the extent of his capacity. Home preparation is an essential part of this schedule and no pupil is getting his proper return on his four years in high school if he does not
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consistently and efficiently spend extra hours in home study each day of the school year. The alternative to liberal home study is a school day of greater length.
Parents are cordially invited to visit school and to confer with teachers and principal at any time.
In conclusion, I wish to thank Mr. Percy L. Rowe, Super- intendent of Schools, the School Committee, the Mendon Parent- Teacher Association, and the townspeople of Mendon for their assistance and fine co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY P. CLOUGH, Principal
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
December 28, 1953
Percy L. Rowe, Superintendent of Schools
Mendon School Department
Mendon, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
The following is the annual report for school examinations. In the hundred and eleven children examined the following defects were found :
Heart Murmurs 2
Tonsils and Inflamed Throats 3
Excess Cerumin 1
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Ear Conditions 3
Referred for dental evaluations 47
Lymphadenopathy 1
Post-nasal drip
1
Vitamin Deficiency
1
Acne
2
Athlete's Foot
1
Asthma 1
Respectfully submitted,
R. A. LUKERT, M.D.
School Physician
SCHOOL NURSE'S ANNUAL REPORT
1953
Mr. Percy L. Rowe,
Superintendent of Schools:
May we submit to you the Annual School Nursing Report for the year ending December, 1953.
As is customary, the Mendon School was visited once per week by the school nurse.
In the early spring a series of three antigen clinics were held. Dr. Allain, school physician at that time, assisted by the district nurses, conducted these clinics.
Registration was held at the school on May 22nd, with the school nurse assisting. In the early part of the year we had a
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mild chicken pox and mumps epidemic; and the latter part, a mild German measles epidemic. Sore throats, colds, and various absentees were reported and investigated.
Antigen clinics were held in Mendon School on March 17th, April 28th and May 26th. Dr. Allain, assisted by the nurses, conducted the clinics. Many hours of preparatory work were taken to make this event the success it was.
The State Department again loaned us the audiometer. The testing was done by the school nurse. This examination is an addition to the health of our school children.
All children were inspected, weighed and measured at inter- vals during the school year. Dr. Ronald Leukert, the newly appointed school doctor, assisted by the school nurse, has com- pleted the physical examinations of all pupils present in Grades 1, 4, 7 and 9.
The following defects were found amongst the children examined by Dr. Leukert :
Heart murmurs
2
Tonsils and inflamed throats
3
Ear conditions 3
Wax in ears
1
Referred for dental evaluations
47
Swollen glands
1
Nasal drip 1
Vitamin deficiency
1
Wheezes in chest
1
Acne
2
Athlete's foot 1
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The following is a summary of the work done by the nurse in her visits to the school :
1. Inspection of pupils 652
2. Pupils inspected for disease 206
3. Pupils recommended for exclusion 12
4. Pupils and nurse conferences 122
5. Pupils treated for minor injuries 68
6. Nurse and teacher conferences 215
7. Home visits 50
In closing may we express our thanks to Dr. Allain and Dr. Leukert for their co-operation throughout the year.
May we thank Mr. Rowe, Mr. Clough, the teachers and parents for their courtesy and co-operation ; the school committee, and town officials for their support.
GRACE MORAN, R.N.
Supervisor of Nurses
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MUSIC SUPERVISOR'S REPORT
To the Superintendent of Schools:
My dear Mr. Rowe:
The music program in the Mendon Schools is being carried out with the usual elasticity, necessary because of the difference in the caliber of the classes. We concentrate on note reading and the production of good tone, always bearing in mind that the aim of Music Education in the Public Schools is primarily intended to create a love and appreciation of good music.
Last October, in Hayden Memorial Building, there was an interesting joint meeting of Teachers of Singing and School Music Supervisors. "Vocal Problems," a subject of interest to both parties, was presented and dealt with through a panel dis- cussion. It was the general opinion that "the chief requisites for tools for correct voice instruction, are that the instructor should have experienced voice placement and the feeling of breath re- lease." Miss Gertrude Tingley, a past-President of the Massa- chusetts Association of Teachers of Singing, and with whom I have taken several courses in voice technics, presided at the meeting and stressed the importance of correct breathing and tone placement. I find both these factors vital to choral training in order to acquire true beauty of tone with effortless flexibility. Maybe key signatures and scale progressions will be forgotten and maybe we will not develop any "prima donnas," but I believe that an ideal of good tone and an attitude of love and enthusiasm for fine music will continue, and will contribute something toward happiness in life.
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During the days of the Christmas season, I approved of the singing in school of such songs as "Rudolph" and White Christ- mas." I think that these two popular songs, and some others, have become part of the American scene. And I think that they can be sung with as correct tone, fine phrasing and good inter- pretation as the arranged foreign folk tunes that we sing each year.
In closing, again I want to thank you, Mr. Rowe, all the teachers, and everyone connected with the school program, for their fine and continued co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
CHRISTINE M. WILSON, Supervisor of Music
REPORT OF ART SUPERVISOR
-
To Mr. Percy L. Rowe Superintendent of Schools
Dear Mr. Rowe,
During the past year the boys and girls of Mendon have enjoyed many opportunities for discovering and displaying their creative abilities in art.
Several pupils designed and submitted posters to the annual poster contest held by the Massachusetts S. P. C. A. in the
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Spring. Prizes were awarded by the S. P. C. A. to Ronald Bethel and Jeanne Gaskill of Grade Five.
During National Art Week in November, fifty pupils from grades one through six displayed drawings and designs at the Taft Public Library. This same display was used at the school during National Education Week.
During the festive holiday season, pupils designed and made Christmas cards, favors, window decorations and home decora- tions, thus giving them ample opportunity to work with various media.
Mechanical Drawing students in the high school have become familiar with the various phases of working drawings, perspective, scale drawings and surface development.
I wish to thank you, Mr. Rowe, the School Committee, Mr. Clough, and the teachers in Mendon for such fine co- operation in the art program for our school.
Respectfully submitted,
E. JANE COLEMAN,
Supervisor of Art
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PRIZE SPEAKING CONTEST
MENDON TOWN HALL-Friday, March 13, 1953
The Blue-Eyed Sheik Kimball
Charles F. Avery
The Thing Wilde
Sandra Southwick
The Man Who Walks Alone Lowther
Cornelius Bracco
Village Chimes Czechoslovakian Folk Tune Grade Six Chorus
Angel Wings Black
Joanne Goodnow
The Death Disk Twain
Jane Avery
What Timothy Whispered to God Donnell Maureen Smith
One Star Shines Out Sharpe
Grade Six Chorus
Dark Victory Brewer and Block
Helen Hamilton
The Pit and the Pendulum Poe
George York
One Night in Mexico Mexican Folk Tune
Grade Six Chorus
Decision of Judges
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GRADUATION EXERCISES OF MENDON HIGH SCHOOL WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 1953
Processional-Pomp and Circumstance Elgar Mrs. Bertha B. Rogers
Invocation Rev. Truman L. Hayes
Salutatory and Essay Wayne F. Wagner Our Men of Vision
Essay Janet M. Parkinson
England's Coronation
Essay
Richard G. Morton
A Forgotten Problem
Song-You'll Never Walk Alone Rodgers High School Chorus
Essay Justine A. Southwick
Our President
Essay
Alden B. Chick
The Graduate of 1953 and the Draft
Bruce A. Thomas Essay
Attitudes and Inventions
Song --- Oklahoma Rodgers
High School Chorus
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Essay and Valedictory Iris B. Rogers Aiding the Handicapped
Diploma-Award Presentation Herbert Bowen Chairman of School Committee
Star Spangled Banner-
Benediction Rev. Truman L. Hayes
Recessional-Marche Romaine Gounod
Mrs. Bertha B. Rogers
GRADUATES OF MENDON HIGH SCHOOL
CLASS OF 1953
Alden B. Chick
Marilyn R. Chick Dorothy Hart
Claire M. Lamothe
Matthew M. Mantoni
Richard G. Morton
Janet M. Parkinson
George W. Phipps
Robert R. Rhodes
Iris B. Rogers
Justine A. Southwick Bruce A. Thomas Joyce A. Twitchell
Wayne F. Wagner Richard E. Watson Bette J. York
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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 quali- fied to vote in elections and in town affairs to meet at the TOWN HALL
in said Mendon on MONDAY the FIRST day of MARCH AD. 1954 punctually at 9:00 o'clock A.M., to act on
Article 1.
Article 2 and all following Articles on this Warrant will be acted upon Friday the fifth day of March at 7:00 P.M.
Article 1. To bring in their ballots for the following Town Officers :
One Moderator for one year;
One Town Clerk for one year;
One Selectman for three years; One Assessor for three years ;
One Town Treasurer for one year ;
One Constable for one year ; One Tree Warden for one year ; One Trustee of the Taft Public Library for two years;
115
One Member of the School Committee for three years;
One Park Commissioner for three years;
One Highway surveyor for one year; One Water Commissioner for three years;
all on one ballot, designating the office intended for each person.
Article 2. To hear the reports of the several Town Officers and Committees and act thereon.
Article 3. To choose all necessary Town Officers for the ensuing year.
Article 4. To appropriate such sums of money as may be necessary to defray town expenses for the financial year begin- ning January 1, 1954.
Article 5. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1954 and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year and to renew any note or notes as may be given for the period of less than one year, in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44 of the General Laws.
Article 6. To see if the Town will appropriate any sum of money for the improvement and repairs of highways, to be ex- pended under the direction of the Massachusetts Department of Public Works as provided under Chapter 81 of the General Laws as amended, or take any action in relation thereto.
Article 7. To see if the Town will appropriate any sum of money for the operation and repairs of Town machinery, a part or whole to be taken from the Road Machinery Fund, or take any action in relation to the same.
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Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate any sum of money for the maintenance of Chapter 90 Roads, said money to be used in conjunction with any money which may be allotted by the State and County for this purpose, or take any action in relation thereto.
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate any sum of money for Chapter 90 New Construction provided the State and County will contribute for such work under the pro- visions of Chapter 90 of the General Laws.
Article 10. To see what action the Town will take regard- ing any legal proceedings that may be brought against or by the Town.
Article 11. To see if the Town will authorize the Select- men to sell any or all real estate owned by the Town by reason of the foreclosure of Tax Title thereon and to execute, acknowl- edge and deliver a proper deed or deeds therefor, authority therefor to terminate March 7, 1954 or take any action in rela- tion thereto. 1955
Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the dog license refund from the Worcester County in 1954 to be used for general school expenses in 1954, or to take any action in relation to the same.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $5,000. from available funds to the Stabilization Fund, as defined in Chapter 124, Acts of 1945 of the General Laws of Massachusetts, or take any action in relation thereto.
Article 14. To see if the Town will vote to have the Town Treasurer elected for a term of three years, said term beginning in 1955.
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to accept the lay- out of Taft Avenue as laid out by the County Engineers, or take any action on same.
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Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of $3,000. for the completion of Taft Avenue, or take any action in relation thereto.
Article 17. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of $250. for the purpose of taking the State Census January 1, 1955 in accordance with Chapter 9, Section 7 of the General Laws.
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of $236.00 to install a gas heater in the Record Room or take any action in relation thereto.
Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of $300. for repairs to the Old Library building or take any action in relation thereto.
Article 20. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of $2000. for the purpose of removing the par- tition between the rooms in the lower town hall to provide one large banquet hall, or take any action in relation thereto.
Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of $500. for fire hose, or take any action in relation thereto.
Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to have a com- mittee of three, appointed by the Moderator, to investigate the advisability of having a piece of fire apparatus in the East Men- don section of the town; said committee to report back at the next annual Town Meeting, or take any action in relation thereto.
Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of $3,150. to buy a piece of land on North Avenue adjacent to the school building, owned by Carlton Goss, for a possible school site, or take any action in relation thereto.
Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to appoint a com- mittee of nine to study the advisability of a Town Water System
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and to report their findings at a Special Town Meeting no later than September 30th, 1954; said committee to consist of the Board of Selectmen, Board of Water Commissioners and the re- maining three members to be appointed from the floor, or take any action in relation thereto.
Article 25. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Moderator to appoint a three member regional school district planning committee to study the possibilities of a regional high school, containing at least one member of the School Committee.
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