USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1942-1946 > Part 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44
Northeastern University
Springfield College Pembroke College Rensselaer
Skidmore College
Stoneleigh College
Wellesley College
Wheaton College
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Wartime Citizenship. I can truthfully say that this topic is stressed by every department of the high school. More than ever before is it necessary for the student to understand the principles which underlie the American way of life. Our Social Studies and English departments have particularly dwelled on this theme. The Social Studies department with its wide range of courses emphasizes this aim and disproves the "isms" of Europe. The teachers have made, through a daily study of current events, the names of Guadalcanal and Tunisia as familiar as those of New York and San Francisco. Perhaps such intimate knowledge of the far-flung places of the world will turn war citizenship into lasting peace-time citizenship.
The English department, too, has attempted to trans- late this aim into everyday living. The faculty has employed word study to increase vocabulary; grammar drill to facilitate ease in written expression; reading, for understanding. Such drills pave the way for common communication and under- standing of written essentials.
Physical Fitness. Our athletic program, curtailed because of lack of manpower and transportation difficulties, continues its work with the ever-present aim of physical fitness. Intra- mural sports may have to replace scheduled events with other schools in the future, but the department will do all in its
42
power to maintain a beneficial program. Relative to this program I have spoken more in my recommendations which follow later.
Competence in Science and Mathematics. Both of these departments have lengthened the time spent in their classes. There has been a request from army sources for increased skill in General Science, Physics, and Mathematics. As a result, more emphasis has been placed on these subjects this year. In- asmuch as the majority of high school boys will be drawn into the armed forces within the next few years, it is recommended that each boy obtain training in one or all of these subjects. Accuracy and precision are demanded by the army; accuracy and precision are demanded by these subjects.
Preflight Training in Aeronautics. This course was start- ed as a direct request from army sources.
Community Services. I believe that few of the townspeople realize just how much the pupils of the high school are doing for the community war effort. Here I shall include four reports.
1. The high school has sponsored the sale of stamps and bonds.
Total War Stamps and Bonds bought in Oct. $336.10
Total War Stamps and Bonds bought in Nov. 504.40
Total War Stamps and Bonds bought in Dec. 755.10
Total $1,595.60
The Minute Man Flag was won by the students and teachers of the Mary E. Wells High School in November, 1942. This was done by the purchase of stamps and bonds by 90% or over of the students. The flag was held throughout the month of December. The Student Council deserves credit for
43
this splendid achievement and is making every effort to retain the Minute Man Flag in the coming months. Southbridge was one of the first schools in the state to win the Minute Man Flag.
2. Junior Red Cross. Our High School has been very generous in its response to Junior Red Cross. After the usual enrollment fee was sent to Washington, there was left a service fund with which Junior Red Cross materials were bought.
We are members of the Worcester County Council from which source we get our requests for service.
There are many aspects to Junior Red Cross work. Sew- ing, knitting, and collecting books and magazines for the soldiers in camps and hospitals are part of the activities.
Children's hospitals ask for cloth toys and scrap books. The hospitals at Devens and Rutland request scrap books of political and social cartoons to amuse the sick soldiers there. Many fine books of this kind have been completed.
The Art classes have contributed tray favors and menu covers. Shells were donated and painted by the Art pupils to be used as ash trays.
Games and jig-saw puzzles are being collected to replenish stock at camps and hospitals.
This year we are undertaking work at our own hospital and Town Infirmary, offering entertainment to the sick and those who are shut-ins.
Noteworthy in our Junior Red Cross endeavors are: Col- lecting scrap and keys; assisting in various ways the Canteen corps in the Blood Bank; aiding during ration periods as typists and messengers; working at the Control Center and Observation Tower; acting as wardens; working on surgical
1
44
dressings at Headquarters; assisting many committees in vari- ous civilian defense programs; helping our nation in the sale of stamps and bonds.
We hope to continue along these same lines remembering the motto of Junior Red Cross-"Service for Others."
Glee Club. This year the Boys' and Girls' Glee Clubs have combined, and an opportunity is thus given for the sing- ing of three- and four-part songs. In addition to the enjoyment obtained from learning many songs, the technique of singing is also studied. A vested choir from the club sang at a Rotary luncheon and another one at the Harrington Memorial Hos- pital. Several soloists and groups from the club have sung at assemblies, and other engagements will be filled later in the year.
Work of the Commercial Department. The pupils of the Commercial Department have had many fine opportunities to cooperate with various groups engaged in Civilian Defense Work. That so many were willing to give up both school time and hours of leisure after school and Saturdays, without re- muneration, is most gratifying.
Typing, filing, and machine practice classes have done and are doing such work as typewriting, mimeographing, fil- ing, recording, envelope addressing, and mimeoscoping. That we have such splendid equipment is a factor which made this work possible.
Agencies with which classes cooperated are: Air-Raid Pre- caution classes, Civilian Defense, Evacuation Committee, Ra- tion Board (gasoline, oil, and sugar rationing), Red Cross, Report Center, Canteen, and others of which no records were made. Taken on a weekly average, a total of more than 180 hours were devoted to this work by thirty or more pupils.
Our typewriting classes are very large. Typewriting is elected not only by commercials of whom it is required, but also by a number of college and general course pupils. The
45
latter two groups are limited because of an insufficient num- ber of typewriters. Despite this, nine machines will be sold to the Government to answer the war emergency. This will re- quire readjustments in our typewriting classes.
Despite this wartime routine we have tried to preserve our normal requirements as far as possible. We still have our club activities, traffic squad, and safety committee. We have a Reader's Guild devoted to securing a school library, and to date they have collected fifty volumes. In this time of war, it behooves every one of us to realize that the school systems of America are the best safeguards of the American way of living. Mary E. Wells High School stands ready to make all read- justments necessary for this privilege and asks for continued support of the citizens of Southbridge.
Following are my recommendations for the year:
1: That a physical fitness program be installed to in- crease the bodily vigor of youth. This program should include both boys and girls.
2. That military drill be required of all physically fit boys who are sixteen years of age or older. This drill should be conducted by a regular army, navy, or marine officer trained in physical education.
I express my appreciation to Mr. Channing H. Greene, Superintendent of Schools, to each and every member of the School Committee, and to the taxpayers of the town of South- bridge for this opportunity to present my report on the Mary E. Wells High School, and for their continued support of the educational policies of the high school ..
Respectfully submitted, JAMES M. ROBERTSON
Principal
.
46
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR COLE TRADE SCHOOL
To the Superintendent of Schools:
I herewith present my annual report for the fiscal year 1942 covering all activities of the Cole Trade School.
The influence of the War presented a major problem of maintaining our cooperative services with local industries. The attraction of big wages and enlistments in the armed services was cause for 140 young men who were partly or fully trained for the major crafts to sever their connections with this school. Due to the available supply of trainees in the General Voca- tional Department, we have been able to replace the gradu- ates, enlistments, and drop-outs, to sixty percent of normal capacity. We now have a potential replacement force to bring our cooperative service up to full capacity by next June.
STUDENT STATISTICS
Coop.
Day
Total
In school at end of year
67
132
199
Graduated
43
43
Certified
1
1
Entering industry trained for
26
12
38
Entering other occupations
20
60
80
Entering armed service
13
1
14
Unfit for trade subjects
4
4
Returned to Grammar or High School
1
17
18
Left because of illness
2
2
4
Transferred to Coop. School
53
53
Total membership for year 1942
175
284
459
Enrolled during year
53
176
229
3
3
Left town
47
GRADUATES
Machinists
Herbert Charles Barnes Roger Paul Belleville Frederick Leo Blythe George Francis Bundeff Robert Lewis Butterworth John Stanley Ciuchta Eugene Ernest Galipeau
Donald William Hutchinson
Walter Francis Kokocinski Richard Edmund Pickarski Basil Weston Prince Edward Robert Quigley Wallace Arthur Rockwood Emile Charles Roulier John Joseph Rzeszutko Alfred Joseph Tiberii
Themistocli Ziu
Cabinet
Mitchell James Szydlik Mathew Joseph Ziemba
Printers
Leslie Joel Priest
Richard Gordon Woodbury
Drafting
Joseph Michael Czyzewski
Philip Michael DeAngelis
Verick Charles Hmay Charles John Tanionos
Factory Maintenance
Nickolas Antonio Apostola Kristie Andrew Christo
Walter Ciesla
Roland Claud Fontaine
Murdock Fortune
Marion Walter Kulis
George Leo LaCroix
John Joseph Lupa Edward Maly John Joseph Mangan Romeo Ozeas Peck Carmine Joseph Petrillo Pandeli Rutcho Joseph Stanley Travinski Nick Vangel
Painting - Decorating
Roland William Desaulniers
Verick Peter Kopacz
Armand Rene Lavallee
48
GENERAL VOCATIONAL DEPARTMENT
The shops of the General Vocational Department were moved to the Mechanic Street School, which was remodeled last summer to accommodate shop classes. Two machine, one woodworking, and one sheet metal shop are well equipped and will accommodate 150 students on an alternating-week schedule. Related and Academic classes are conducted in the High School building.
REBUILT MACHINE TOOLS
Enough old equipment has been overhauled and motor- ized with individual motors to equip two machine shops. One half of this equipment was replaced by new machines sent here by the United States Government for the training of men and women for war work. Other machines were picked up as junk and put into service again. The school shops made the patterns and parts. This rebuilt equipment is now installed in the Mechanic Street School.
EVENING TRADE EXTENSION
The usual Evening Trade Extension classes served new rather than old employees, which had been customary. This was due to the long working hours of all mechanics. The fol- lowing classes were conducted:
Cabinet 4
Mathematics 43
Architectural Drafting 21
Machine 60
NATIONAL DEFENSE TRAINING
A strenuous training of adults for war industries was con- ducted under two headings: Supplementary and Pre-Employ- ment. The first program served to give employed men and women a better knowledge and more skill to apply to their
49
job. The second program served a large group of men and women still on W. P. A., and another group who were work- ing on jobs considered directly unessential to the war effort.
All courses were first approved by the local School Board; second, by the local Advisory Committee; third, by the Administrative Council; fourth, by the State Department of Education, and fifth, by the Federal Office of Education.
The total cost of these two programs for operation in Southbridge is $31,920.25. All of this fund came from a war appropriation for distribution to localities by the State Office of Education. Other statistics follow :
STATISTICAL REPORT
January 1, 1942-December 31, 1942 Pre-Employment
Number Enrolled 179
Completing Course 95
Number W. P. A. 121
Number Placed 84
Female 34
Supplementary
Number Enrolled 288
Female
26
Productivity Report
Material furnished by school $ 87.85
Material furnished by customer 2,936.35
Value of labor 3,875.91
9,630.88
Market value of product
Cash received from work and products 53.42
50
Equivalent in equipment 2,250.71
Values created for school
83.00
Customer furnishes material 2,936.35
No charge for material furnished by school 9.00
No charge for labor overhead or profit 4,298.40
Total tangible productivity
9,630.88
Subjects
Supplementary :
Blueprint Reading
Machine Drawing
Gas and Electric Welding
Machine Shop Practice Pre-Employment: Machine Tool Operation
1943 Graduates
I estimate that 21 students will be eligible for graduation provided they will be permitted to remain in school until July 1. However, all of this group and several more are eli- gible for induction into the armed forces.
I recommend an early graduation.
Respectfully submitted, CLARK H. MORRELL, Director Cole Trade School
REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF CONTINUATION SCHOOL
To Superintendent of Schools:
The total enrollment of the Continuation School for the year ending June 25, 1942 was twenty-one. Of this number, four girls were 14 to 15 years of age, and seventeen were be- tween 15 and 16 years of age.
51
Classes met on Wednesday from one o'clock till five. The first half of the session was devoted to Household Arts and the second half to Academic Subjects.
Under the direction of Miss Barbara Hall, the Household Arts Classes included foods and clothing.
.As the girls are engaged only as mothers' helpers in their own homes, we tried to help them to become more efficient and practical in their share of the housework and homemaking.
In Clothing Classes, they were taught to use commercial patterns and to do simple sewing in the construction of cloth- ing for themselves and for younger children. Through the pleasure and satisfaction derived from the making of a suitable garment, the girl learns to appreciate the value of home-made clothes which she sees are practical and thrifty.
Elementary principles of cooking were taught in the Foods Classes where the girls studied food values and prepared breakfast and luncheon dishes.
Because the girls who come to Continuation School came from grades varying from all levels of preparation to one year in High School, the work done by the girls as individual students necessitates assignments on the basis of individual ability.
In English, we aim to help the girl to improve in oral and written self-expression through spelling, letter writing, and drills in corrective exercises. Guidance in the selection of magazines and books for leisure reading may prove of lasting value both for information and pleasure to be derived.
Arithmetic is applied to meet the everyday needs of the individual by use of drills and practical problems.
Respectfully submitted,
LAURA B. DESMARAIS
52
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
To the Superintendent of Schools:
The following report deals with the health work done in the public schools during the past year. ·
We were particularly free from serious illness during the year. There were a few cases of scarlet fever, but none were serious. During the time of the outbreak of the disease, a close watch was kept on all pupils. Homes of all absentees were visited, and investigated for possible concealed cases. Only one case was found.
VACCINATION
At the opening of school in September, a check-up of children who had entered school for the first time, as well as of newcomers in the upper grades, revealed that all had com- plied with the State law in regard to vaccination.
EYE TESTS
Eye tests were given by the teachers, who used the Snellen Chart. Although tests given by this method are not always ac- curate, defects of vision can be detected, and parents, unaware of such condition in many instances, are glad to be notified. As a rule, an occulist is consulted and correction is made when parents are contacted.
AUDIOMETER
Hearing tests were given with the audiometer to all pupils above the first grade, and when a hearing loss was found, the same procedure used in the eye test followed. Parents were notified and advised to seek professional advice. Hardened wax in the ear is sometimes the cause of a hearing loss. Twenty-
53
seven pupils were found to have a loss, according to our in- strument. The following report shows the figures:
Mary E. Wells 10 Marcy Street 2
Eastford Road
4
Charlton Street
4
West Street
4 River Street 3
PRE-SCHOOL CLINICS
On June 3, a registration day was held in, the Board of Health rooms in the Town Hall building. Parents were invited to bring children, who were of age to enter school in Sep- tember, and have them registered for entrance. One hundred and sixty-seven reported. One week later, two days were given to physical and dental examinations. One hundred and forty reported. Of this number, fifty were found free from physical defects. The School Physician, Dr. Langevin, conducted the physical examinations. Dr. Desmarais and Dr. DeGrenier con- ducted the dental examinations. The Board of Health and the School Nurse assisted with the examinations.
Splendid co-operation, on the part of the parents, found most of the children ready for school, free from physical defects.
FIRST AID
First aid is given to all children, when injured in the school, or on the school grounds, but no follow-up work is done. Advice is given, and consultation of the family physician is recommended in all cases.
ILL CHILDREN
Pupils becoming ill in school, are, in most cases, transport- ed home. When both parents have outside employment, these children present quite a problem. It is not always possible to · find a good neighbor to care for them until the parents return home. The prospect of more difficulty seems imminent.
54
AIR-RAID PRECAUTION
Under the direction of Mr. Freeman of the River Street School, first-aid boxes were made. These boxes were equipped with first-aid material and placed in the schools, to be used in an emergency.
The sanitary condition of the schools is good. It is a pleas- ure to report janitors co-operative at all times.
Dental Clinics and Toxoid Clinics were held, as usual, in co-operation with the Board of Health.
Through the funds, raised by the sale of health seals, four girls were able to spend July and August at Sterling Health Camp. They all gained weight and received valuable instruc- tion in many ways.
Several requests were made for outgrown clothing. The response was heartening, and the spirit of co-operation splendid.
A class in Home Nursing and Care of the Sick is about to be organized. This course will be open to the girls in the Household Arts Department and will be given under the aus- pices of the Red Cross.
At this time, I wish to thank all who have helped in any way to make our Health Program a success.
Respectfully submitted,
WINIFRED V. KING, R. N.
55
REPORT OF ATTENDANCE SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools:
The annual report of the Attendance Supervisor is here- by presented.
REGISTRATION OF SCHOOL CHILDREN
Persons 5 years of age or over and under 7 387
Persons 7 years of age or over and under 14 1,727
Persons 14 years of age or over and under 16 438
Number of pupils investigated for absences due to illness, truancy, lack of clothing, contagious dis- eases, or other reasons 519
Cases investigated for home permits 27
Cases of persistent tardiness 19
Cases of children working unlawfully 16
Follow-up and friendly visits 35
Number of children assisted with shoes and clothing -
Number of children adjusted in their school work 8
Number of children for whom employment was obtained 13
Number of employment certificates 16-21 literate 1,321
Number of employment certificates 16-21 illiterate 29
Employment between 14-16 50
Home permits 11
News boys' badges and street trade 124
Respectfully submitted,
RAOUL O. LATAILLE
57
REPORT OF VISUAL-AIDS DEPARTMENT
To the Superintendent of Schools:
During the past year, the Visual-Aids Department has again extended its facilities to a greater variety of worth-while purposes. In fact, during the past year, we have assisted the following:
1. Teachers and children in their regular school work
2. The Evening School Courses
3. The Continuation School
4. The University Extension Courses
5. The Air-Raid Precaution Schools
6. Civic organizations and others
In addition, we have adapted ourselves to the war situation by showing war films, especially to High School groups.
In 1942, a total of 32,675 pupils saw 114 different educa- tional motion pictures in 439 showings.
The following tabulation gives a more detailed account of the work done in our public schools during the past year:
MOTION PICTURES
Title
No. Seeing Each Film
Men of the Coast Guard
450
Hot-Air Heating
220
Distributing Heat Energy
220
Central America
445
Mexico
445
Heart and Circulation
155
The Blood
155
Japs Bomb U. S. A.
230
America's Call to Arms
230
Mechanisms of Breathing
155
The Nervous System
145
58
A New Day
130
Hidden Enemies
275
Digestion of foods
120
Digestion
120
Fittings
75
Safeguarding the Speechways
75
Muscles
145
Abraham Lincoln
605
How Teeth Grow
170
Care of the Teeth
170
George Washington's Virginia
615
Fundamentals of Acoustics
90
General Repairs
105
Close-ups
105
Botany Clothes the Nation
115
Young America Paints
115
Ninth Inning
210
Happily Ever After
130
What Shall I Wear
130
Alaska's Silver Millions
615
It's the Little Things that Count
110
The Skin
150
Dover Front Line
625
War and Order
625
White Battle Front
410
Recalled to Life
105
Development of Transportation
565
America Builds Ships
565
Incendiary Bombs
1,175
Illumination
25
Behavior of Light
25
Southbridge Finishing Co.
680
Velocity of Chemical Reactions
15
Design for Power
105
Battle of London
825
London Fire Raid
825
Marching with Old Glory
595
59
Air Raid in London
595
Choosing your Vocation
235
Arts and Crafts of Mexico
235
Microscopic Animal Life
85
Spiders
120
Proof of the Pudding
35
Glass Blowing
65
Undersea Life
120
Development of a Bird Embryo
65
Refining Crude Oil
225
Tuberculosis
155
Posture
65
Energy from Sunlight
180
Wonderworld of Chemistry
35
Along the Great Silk Route
295
Come Out of the Kitchen
65
Our Government
275
First-Aid
310
Home Nursing
310
Historical Introduction to Chemistry
40
Atmosphere Pressure
130
Compressed Air
130
Oxidation and Reduction
175
Sewage Disposal
130
Meat and Romance
495
For America We Save
215
Purifying Water
200
Alaska's Silver Millions
70
The Beneficient Reprobate
70
Big League Baseball
70
It's Up to Us
70
The Warning
315
London Night
315
Men Make the Navy, Navy Makes Men
4,355
Life in the Navy
4,355
Recalled to Life
160
Goals for Gold and Glory
70
60
Anti-Freeze
70
Managing Family Income
40
Fighting the Fire Bomb
510
Where Mileage Begins
110
Development of Transportation
140
Four Stroke Cycle Gas Engine
140
Speedway Tested
75
Championship Basketball
75
Energy and its Transformations
125
Simple Machines
90
Science Saves the Surface
70
The Iceman Hockey
70
Distributing Heat Energy
110
Hot Air Heating
110
Sound Waves and Their Sources
120
Fundamentals of Acoustics
120
A Family Affair
75
A Romance of Industry
75
The Brass Choir
135
The Percussion Group
135
The String Choir
135
The Woodwind Choir
135
Safety
70
British Commandos in Action
40
War in China
40
Illumination
110
Behavior of Light
110
Lenses
110
Our Neighbors Down the Road
75
Total 32,675
61
VISUAL-AIDS USED BY TEACHERS IN THE
HIGH SCHOOL
Teacher
Motion Picture Showing
Exhibits and Literature
Miss Aucoin
1
Mr. Lataille
5
Miss Birtz
1
Total
8
Miss Brodeur
2
Lantern Slides
Miss Corbin
4
Mr. Dion
50
Mr. Dion
68
Mrs. Genereux 25
Miss Drake
12
Mr. Kyrios 25
Mr. Earls
6
Total
100
Mrs. Genereux
2
Miss Hall 4
Filmstrips
Miss Howe
1
Mr. Dion
15
Mrs. Genereux
6
Miss Lanphear
2
Mr. Kyrios
11
Mr. Lataille
49
Mr. Lataille 24
6
Mr. McMahon
11
Miss Norton 2
Total
62
Miss Roper
32
Mr. Sperandio 22
Miss Tait
7
Mr. Dion
175
Mr. Tardiff
1
Mr. Kyrios
33
Miss Vannah
9
Mr. Lataille
38
Mr. Kyrios
51
Total
246
Total
295
Mr. Kyrios
3
Mrs. Beauregard
2
-
Mrs. Leclair
6
Miss Roper
Mounted Pictures
Metronoscope Rolls
Miss Roper 11
62
CHARLTON ST. SCHOOL
Exhibits and Literature
Miss Callahan
6
Mr. Potter
3
Mr. Potter 11
Total
9
Total 32
Lantern Slides
Mounted Pictures
Miss Callahan
50
Miss Claflin 50
Mr. Potter 75
Total
175
EASTFORD ROAD SCHOOL
Exhibits and Literature
Metronoscope Rolls
Miss Foley
3
Miss Morrill
4
Miss Sampson 9
Miss Butler
36
Miss Thompson 17
-
Total
53
Lantern Slides
Miss Sampson
75
Miss Thompson
25
Total 100
Miss Gough 3
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.