USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Pepperell > Town annual reports of the officers of the town of Pepperell, Mass 1956 > Part 26
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2 New England Tel. & Tel. Co. Bonds 2,000.00
2 Baltimore & Ohio R. R. Bonds
2,000.00
2 Chicago & Indianapolis R. R. Bonds
2,000.00
3 Bangor & Aroostook R. R. Bonds
3,000.00
2 U. S. Government Bonds
2,000.00
1 U. S. Government Bonds
10,000.00
8 U. S. Government Bonds Series G.
8,000.00
1 Holyoke Street R. R. Bond 500.00
1 U. S. Government Bond 500.00
STOCKS:
50 Shares First National Bank of Boston 2,900.00
77 Shares Shawmut National Bank of Boston 2,772.00
22 Shares Holyoke St. R. R. (Value Unknown) First National Bank of East Pepperell 267.47
Respectfully submitted,
PHILIP R. McCLAIN,
Treasurer.
66
Report of Librarian of the Lawrence Public Library
To the Trustees of the Lawrence Memorial Library : Circulation :
STATISTICS
The librarian respectfully submits the following report for 1949:
Number of days the library was open
203
Number of new patrons
90
Number of books and magazines circulated
15,193
Classified circulation of books and magazines:
Adult
General works
2
Fine arts
197
Philosophy
71
Literature
285
Religion
68
History
249
Social science
65
Travel
441
Language
11
Biography
407
Science
74
Fiction
7,450
Useful arts
209
Magazines
1,586
Classified circulation of books: Juvenile
Religion
12
Literature
62
Social science
102
History
22
Science
87
Travel
65
Useful arts
52
Biography
68
Fine arts
78
Fiction
3,530
The adult circulation was 11,115 which is higher than last year's figure of 10,795. The juvenile circulation of 4,078 shows a gain of 107.
Through Inter-library loan we have borrowed 15 books from other libraries.
67
Number of volumes in library according to accession book, Jan. 1, 1949
27,259
Number of volumes added in 1949
By purchase 215
By gift 42
Number of volumes in library Jan. 1, 1950
27,516
List of Magazines for 1950
American Magazine
New York Times Book
Atlantic Monthly
Review g.
Book Review Digest
Newsweek
Booklist
Our Dumb Animals g. -
Catholic World g.
Pepperell Free Press g.
Child Life
Photoplay
Christian Century
Popular Mechanics
Congressional Record
g.
Reader's Digest
Harper's Magazine
Reader's Guide to Periodicals
House Beautiful
Hygeia
Rotarian g. Saturday Evening Post
Ladies' Home Journal Life
Saturday Review of Literature g.
McCall's Magazine
Soviet Russia Today g.
Mademoiselle
Time
Turner's Public Spirit
National Geographic Magazine
Wee Wisdom
New York Herald Tribune Book Review
Woman's Day g.
HELEN M. WILEY,
Librarian.
68
Holiday
THE ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
School Department
OF THE
TOWN of PEPPERELL
MASSACHUSETTS
5
DEDDE
For the Year Ending December 31
1949
ORGANIZATION FOR 1949
Sidney F. Mason, E. Pepperell, Ch'rm'n Term expires 1952
Lucy J. Spring, E. Pepperell Term expires 1951
Guy Murchie, Pepperell, Secretary Term expires 1950
Superintendent of Schools Herbert H. Archibald, Pepperell
Telephone at office (Shattuck School) Pepperell 22
Telephone at residence Pepperell 407-3
Telephone at High School Pepperell 68
Telephone at C. M. Shattuck School Pepperell 22
Telephone at Groton Street School Pepperell 2
School Physician
Charles T. Porter, M. D., East Pepperell, Mass. (In charge of diagnosis, first aid, sanitation, and certificates for return after communicable diseases.)
School Examiner
Charles T. Porter, M. D., East Pepperell, Mass. (In charge of annual physical examination and pre-school clinic.)
School Nurse
Mrs. Ellen Dee, R. N., East Pepperell, Mass. (Nurse of Pepperell District Nursing Association.) Office in Town Hall .- Phone at office: Pepperell 433 Telephone at home: Pepperell 311
Janitors
Peter Fitzpatrick John F. Cullinan
Bus Drivers
Harold B. Olsen Alfred R. Baraby Roger Ryan
Oak Hill Nashua Road and North Pepperell South Road
70
Supervisor of Attendance Harold C. King
No School Signal
At 7:30 on fire alarm: Three blasts followed by three (33) means all schools, both high and elementary, will be closed all day. Also broadcast from WBZ several times be- tween 7:00 and 8:00 a. m.
SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 1950
January 3 to February 17
7 weeks
February 27 to April 14 7 weeks
April 24 to June 9 (Elementary)
7 weeks
April 24 to June 21 (High School)
September 6 to December 22
School opens January 3, 1951
The schools will close on all legal holidays, the day after Thanksgiving, and the days allowed for teacher's con- vention and visiting schools.
Schools close at noon for Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE Financial Statement
December 31, 1949
February 1949 Appropriation
$88,955.00
Dog Tax
501.19
September 1949 Appropriation
1,250.00
October, Check Refunded
260.00
Total Resources
Total Expended
$90,966.19 90,899.59
December 31, 1949
Balance
$66.60
71
Expended :
Salaries of School Committee
$180.00
Expenses of School Committee
220.84
Salary of Superintendent
2,445.00
Expense of Superintendent
931.10
$3,776.94
Expense of Instruction
Salaries of Supervisors
$4,682.00
Salaries of Teachers, High
23,964.00
Salaries of Teachers, Elementary
28,366.50
Text Books, High
556.51
Text Books, Elementary
846.71
Supplies, High
485.56
Supplies, Elementary
807.89
$59,709.17
Expense of Operation
Janitor, High
$2,403.32
Janitor, Elementary
2,996.68
Fuel, High
1,719.74
Fuel, Elementary
2,313.95
Operating, High
1,456.85
Operating, Elementary
1,053.15
$11,943.69
Repairs
High
243.68
Elementary
602.00
$845.68
Auxiliary Agents
Health Transportation
376.64
8,611.00
Tuition
1,136.29
$10,123.93
72
Summer Playground
Salaries and Expense 467.54
$467.54 .
Outlays
Equipment
398.25
$398.25
Driveways
Shattuck School
600.00
High School
1,000.00
$1,600.00
All Other
Transportation of Teams
437.25
Athletic Equipment
431.40
Picture Projector
672.72
Stair Treads
493.02
$2,034.39
Total Expended
90,899.59
Total Appropriated
90,966.19
Balance, December 31, 1949
66.60
REIMBURSEMENTS
Transportation
4,915.00
Union Superintendent
1,160.00
Tuition Individuals
100.30
Vocational Education
554.23
High School Athletics
524.51
Sale of Material
3.60
Refund on Transportation
260.00
Refund, Miscellaneous
11.32
State Aid to Schools
23,079.35
$30,608.31
73
The above reimbursements reduce the actual cost of schools for 1949 to $60,291.28.
SIDNEY F. MASON, Chairman of School Board.
PROPOSED 1950 SCHOOL BUDGET
December 31, 1949
Financial Statement
School Committee Salary
180.00
School Committee Expense
250.00
Supervision Salary
2,760.00
Expense
1,450.00
Teachers' Salaries
62,380.00
Supervisors' Salaries
4,023.00
Janitors' Salaries
5,400.00
Text Books
2,000.00
Supplies
1,800.00
Operating
2,925.00
Fuel
4,000.00
Health
500.00
Repairs
500.00
Transportation
8,200.00.
Transportation-Teams
800.00
Tuition
1,200.00
Equipment
500.00
Summer Playground
500.00
Athletic Equipment
800.00
Projector
335.00
Appropriation
100,503.00
74
Report of the Superintendent of Schools
To the School Committee and Citizens of the Town of Pepperell:
I have the honor of submitting, herewith, my second annual report of the supervision of the Pepperell Schools for the year 1949.
Organization
Several changes have been made in the teaching and administrative staffs of our schools during 1949, as follows:
Mr. Robert Patch, formerly a teacher of Science and Mathematics in the high school, has assumed the duties of Principal of the Pepperell High School.
Mr. Robert McCreech, a graduate of Fordham Univer- sity, was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resigna- tion of Miss Dorothy Manion and is now capably handling the teaching of all subjects in the Social Studies Depart- ment.
Miss Ruth Webster, a graduate of Boston University P. A. L., has been elected to teach all commercial subjects to replace Mr. Neland Klonel who resigned in June 1949. The high standard of work started in this field of studies is being capably maintained under Miss Webster's direction and teaching.
Mr. Frederick Kaufmann was engaged as a new teacher of Junior High School subjects, a move taken to meet re- quirements of the Massachusetts Department of Educa- tion in the direction of preserving and maintaining our Class "A" rating, by giving our principal, Mr. Patch, at least fifty per cent administrative time. Mr. Kaufmann is a graduate of Boston University, School of Education.
Miss Joan Littlehale, a graduate, Class of 1949, from
75
Massachusetts School of Art, with a degree of B. S. in Ed., has been elected as Art Supervisor for all schools in Union No. 63, Pepperell having her services for three days a week, Dunstable, one-half day, and Tyngsborough, one and one- half days. Her report gives in detail the objectives and aims of her instruction which, I believe, represent very definite growth and fill one of the long-felt needs in our educational program.
In the elementary schools the changes and additions are as follows :
In the Clara M. Shattuck School no resignations were received from members of this staff. Two additional teach- ers were required to make provisions for greatly increased enrollments and the management of two additional class- rooms. Mrs. Agnes Grainger, a graduate of Fitchburg Teachers' College, Class of 1947, after two years of success- ful teaching experience in Hubbardston, Massachusetts, was elected to teach in Grades III and IV in one of our new basement rooms, and Mrs. Inez Creighton, a graduate of Fitchburg Teachers' College, was elected to take an over- flow class of Grade I pupils in the other newly constructed classroom in the basement. These two rooms, with another built in the summer of 1948, are regarded as emergency classrooms and should serve only in that capacity, to re- main until such time as a building program can make for more suitable and permanent housing facilities.
In the Groton Street School Mrs. Carroll Whalon was elected to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Mrs. Ethel Bailey who has accepted a Groton teaching position in order to be nearer her home. Mrs. Whalon, a graduate of Lowell State Teaches' College, comes to us with a background of seventeen years' successful teaching ex- perience in Pepperell and Everett, Massachusetts. We feel the work of grades III and IV here are in very capable. hands. Other than this one change our staff at the Groton Street School remains the same as in the previous school year and, again, the Committee is pleased that no other replacements became necessary.
Repairs
Some important repairs, representing very definite
76
improvements, have been made in our school system. Chief- ly among these are two renovations in the Shattuck School. An obsolete and entirely inadequate heating system, com- prising six old and worn-out coal furnaces, has been re- placed by a splendid H. B. Smith Oil Heater with Master- craft burner-a unit capable of properly heating, with thermostat control, all rooms in the building in the most severe winter weather . The lighting system, also, has been improved. Discarding the lights which have served the building for over a decade, the rooms are now splendidly illuminated by the latest of lighting devices-the Wake- field fluorescent unit. In addition to these two major re- pair items we have retreaded all stairs in the Shattuck building, and have resurfaced the driveways to both the Shattuck School and the High School. It is my recommen- dation that we immediately give attention to these same three items of repair and replacements as relate to the Groton Street School. All three, heating, lighting, and stair treads, need the same consideration as was given to the Shattuck School. This work completed would put our two elementary units in splendid shape.
Finances
Sometimes we are led to believe that we are spending a great deal of money on education here in Pepperell. In- deed it is not hard to hear it said that we spend altogether too much in the education of our youth. Lest we be misled, and before we feel ourselves extravagant and spendthrifts, shall we consider ourselves in comparison with others- some one hundred two other towns about our size through- out the state. We are classified by the State Board of Edu- cation in what is known as "Group III, Towns under five thousand population with High Schools." The median school support per pupil for these one hundred three towns is $175.29 for the school year ending last June. Pepperell spent for that same year $125.47 per pupil. There were two towns only in the one hundred three towns that spent less money per pupil during the past school year, Merri- mac at $116.95 and Northbridge at $124.27. In light of these facts it does not seem unreasonable for our School Committee to ask for slightly more money on which to run our school system during the coming year.
77
A group of interested citizens and teachers called the Pepperell Study Group has carefully analyzed the needs of Pepperell youth as they pertain to education, and they find many elements of a modern educational program lacking in our offerings to the children of Pepperell. The Study Group attributes our very low per pupil cost to the fact that we are not offering our boys and girls, especially at the high school level, the courses and instruction, the guid- ance and individual help offered in other schools. It is our belief also that our limited college curriculum does not arouse the interest of the average boy or girl, many of whom are not going on into college work, and, as a result, drop out between grades VII and XII before completing their high school education. Experience tells us that these drop-outs, and the percentage is very high each year (to be exact, fifty-two per cent of the last four graduating classes), without a high school diploma, are going to face very "rough sledding" in making their way in this highly complex and competitive world of today.
Some of the elements of a modern educational program found lacking in our Pepperell schools are:
Health Education Program School Library
Industrial Arts Cafeteria and Lunch Program Household Arts Adult Education Program
Guidance Program Remedial Reading
Kindergarten
If our schools are to offer the children of Pepperell the type of education they need, the type that is found in the more progressive communities of our state, all of the above mentioned elements must ultimately be included in our cur- riculum offerings. We are recommending a start on three of these for the present year: (1) Health Education Pro- gram, (2) A Guidance Program and (3) Remedial Reading Program. Just how much of a start can be made depends upon how much money can be found available with which to launch the programs.
Our budget for 1949, originally set for $88,955 was necessarily increased, by vote of the Town, to $90,966.19. This increase was occasioned first by a State Law obliging
73
us to pay all teachers employed a minimum of $2,100 per year; second, the need of an additional first grade teacher to handle the overcrowded Grade I problem in the Shattuck School; third, an additional high school teacher to give Mr. Patch the required fifty per cent time in administration; and fourth, another State Law affecting all union superin- tendents. The new law has it that all superintendents in unions are to start at a $4,400 yearly salary with $200 an- nual pay increase up to $5,000 for the fourth year of ser- vice. Travel allowance also was increased from $400 a year to $600 under the new law.
As over against this yearly outlay of $90,899.59 for education in Pepperell we have in estimated receipts and State Reimbursement of 1949 for education the amount of $31,397.80. This represents a return to the Town, from the State, of about one-third of our expenditures for education, and is larger than the 1948 Reimbursement of $21,099.64 by $10,298.16. Each year shows a much larger return from the State to aid in meeting educational costs.
For the year 1950 our School Committee is asking for an appropriation of $100,503.00, an amount sufficient to give proper regard to the necessary operational costs. This increase of $9,603.41, as will be noted, is a little less than the increase of State Reimbursement, $10,298.16. It will make it possible to give our teachers a salary comparable to the average salary for the one hundred three towns making up Group III. Pepperell's average teaching salary for the past year has been $2,233 per year. The average for all towns in Group III is $2,378 for the same period. If we are to expect retention of the services of our good teach- ers it is clear that we must be able to give them a salary commensurate with at least the average of the state for towns of our size.
The School Committee is greatly indebted to Mr. Thomas Kennedy for his giving the Town of Pepperell a very valuable plot of land to be used for school purposes in future years. Such consideration of the welfare of our children will long be remembered.
79
Conclusion
It has been a very great personal pleasure for your superintendent to combine his efforts with those of a high- ly co-operative School Committee in the interest of giving our Pepperell youngsters the very best possible type of public school education. Progress is very definitely being made toward an expanding educational program, one which will include all of the necessary elements, courses of study, and instruction that go to make up modern education for modern children. The support of many lay groups, particu- larly the Study Group, the P. T. A., and Woman's Club, and civic organizations is greatly appreciated. Their in- terest and expressed idea of wanting our Pepperell schools to be growing schools, their willingness to help in every way is encouraging to the efforts of the School Committee. Indeed, there is much truth to the assertion that our public schools are just what our public wants them to be. Ap- parently Pepperell people want our schools to rank with the better schools of the state. To that end we all have a real goal toward which to strive. It is a challenging and interesting objective and well worth working for. Your School Committee and entire staff eagerly await such an opportunity for 1950.
Respectfully submitted,
HERBERT H. ARCHIBALD, Superintendent of Schools.
Report of the Principal of the High School
Mr. Herbert H. Archibald
Superintendent of Schools Pepperell, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Archibald :
Much of our attention this year has been focused on giving our High School pupils opportunities to participate
80
in school activities. Pupils planned and carried out assem- bly programs for Education Week, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. We were very fortunate to obtain two periods of time on Radio Station WOTW. During Education Week, a group of pupils went on the air with a panel discussion. During the Christmas season, the Girls Glee presented a program of music and Christmas Carols.
Dr. Porter, Mrs. Dee, and the teachers have completed physical examinations, eye examinations, and ear examina- tions. Notices of defects have been sent to the parents.
This fall the school received from the State Depart- ment of Education a checklist of requirements for Class A. There are two main items on which Pepperell High is weak. Because of the teaching requirements placed upon our coaches, we are unable to offer Physical Education classes to our four upper grades. Some provision should be made for these classes in another year. Under the direction of Mr. Pappalardo, a program of intramurals for boys has been started. This may partially fill the requirement of Physical Education for all. Our School Library is extre- mely limited and exists on an informal basis only. There is no separate budget for the school library. Whether the proximity of our fine Lawrence Public Library makes our school facilities adequate is a question which should be referred to the State Department.
Reports reaching the High School office from the vari- ous colleges which our graduates are attending have been highly favorable. We are doing well the job of preparing youth for college. But how fine a job do we do in satis- fying the needs of the other eighty-five per cent who do not go to college? Why do we find that fifty-two per cent of our last four classes which entered Grade VII have dropped out before graduation ? Here is probably the most important problem which every high school in America is facing today. The curriculum studies which have been started by Mr. Archibald will go a long way toward answer- ing this question. Teachers, pupils, and lay persons are working together to determine the best possible answer for our young people of Pepperell. We know that in the end we will make our good school even better.
81
Our present lack of space and overflow of pupils has brought about conditions which are not the most conducive to good learning, but our fine group of teachers and student body have co-operated to make the best of the situation. Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT B. PATCH,
Principal.
Report of the Principal of the Shattuck School
The year of 1949 has been one marked with consider- able advancement physically for this building, adequate lighting and heating being two of the things lacking for a good many years. In place of six large furnaces we now have one boiler which does a better job than the six com- bined did. The lighting is sufficient, and should be respon- sible for better eyesight among pupils. The treads on the stairs were all replaced, after having seen service for some sixty years.
The construction of three new rooms in the basement during the past two years has competently taken care of the ever increasing numbers who attend this school. These rooms are adequately heated, lighted, and well-ventilated by window fans.
The open-house night, which was held during Educa- tion Week, was very gratifying. Approximately two hun- dred fifty parents and visitors came in to look over the building and displays of school work.
About one hundred fifty bottles of milk are being served at lunch hour this year. Since the State aids to the extent of one and one half cents per bottle, it brings the cost of milk to a lower figure than otherwise would be the case.
82
A supervisor of Art has been added to the faculty, and progress is again being made in this subject.
I here make my annual complaint about the play- grounds at this school. Plans seem to be in the making, such that adequate playground space may be provided.
Last June the achievement tests were given to the pupils of the sixth grade, and results showed that most pupils were well above the Norm for the country, as a whole, for these tests.
The school census taken in October shows that the en- tering class in September will be equally as large as the one we had last September. This will mean two rooms for each of the six grades in this school.
Respectfully submitted,
CARLTON A. BURNEY, Principal.
Report of the Principal of the Groton Street School
Mr. Herbert H. Archibald Superintendent of Schools Pepperell, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
I hereby submit my annual report for the year ending 1949.
Some of our biggest problems were congestion, heat- ing, and lighting. A new heating plant and adequate light- ing are urgently needed. The school was built in 1892 and with the original heating system it has certainly served the townspeople well. Five more seats and desks had to be installed in Grades V and VI to accommodate forty
83
youngsters. The seating capacity of the third and fourth grade room provided for forty pupils and forty-seven had to be taken care of. Three bus pupils were sent to the Shattuck School and five children were sent downstairs to Mrs. George Whalon, making a combination second and third grade room.
There was only one change in the faculty. Mrs. Bailey resigned during the summer and was replaced by Mrs. Car- roll Whalon.
Pupils participated in the Junior Red Cross member- ship drive, filled Christmas boxes for shipment abroad and made nut cups for use in veterans' hospitals on holidays.
Dr. Porter and Mrs. Dee made the annual physical ex- aminations in the fall. Ears were tested by Mrs. Dee. In- dividual tests were given first graders and pupils needing retesting. Eyes were examined by means of testing equip- ment using the Snellen E. Chart. This test was more ac- curate than ever before and eliminated any guessing. Dr. McIntosh, assisted by Mrs. Dee, examined the pupils' teeth and a large majority needed attention. Forty-one children received "booster shots" at the Toxoid Clinic and nine, the regular inoculations.
Milk is sponsored by the Pepperell School Department. The cost to the child is four and one fourth cents a day and the State pays one and one half cents. The fraction of a cent collected over is used to buy straws.
The Mothers' Club provided the usual "Hoodsies" for the children's Christmas party.
It has been a pleasure to work with the superintendent, teachers, and nurse, as their co-operation is excellent.
Respectfully submitted,
ELIZABETH R. DWYER,
Principal.
84
Report of the Sewing Supervisor
Mr. Herbert H. Archibald Superintendent of Schools Pepperell, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
The girls in the seventh grade have made aprons, blouses, and skirts and have learned how to use the electric sewing machines.
The eight grade girls have learned how to work with commercial patterns and to make simple dresses, skirts, and blouses.
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