USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Oakham > Town annual reports of the officials of the town of Oakham, Massachusetts 1924 > Part 2
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Stirrup Latch
Six Seconds of Darkness
Secret of the Sea
Sky Pilot in No Man's Land
Son of the Otter
Sicily Ann
Stowaway
Spinner in the Sun
Swindles
Safety Curtain
Truth Dexter
The Professor and the Petticoat
Top of the World
To the Last Man
U. P. Trail
Unafraid
Up the Road with Sally Valley of Silent Men Vision Splendid Within the Law
-
40
ANNUAL REPORT
Winds of Chance
White Man
When a Man Marries
When Pam Pipes Zazoo Mystery You Never Saw Such a Girl
ADULT NON-FICTION
First Biography of Calvin Coolidge
Afterwhiles Disesaes of Cattle Diseases of Horses Gates Ajar
Health at Home Life and Letters of Walter C. Pgae, 2 Vols. Longfellow Poem and Prose, 3 Vols. Whittier's Poems
CHILDREN'S FICTION
About Harriet Between the Lines in Belgium Between the Lines in France
Being a Boy Betty Leicester
Dandelion Cottage
Donald and Dorothy Ceidi
Maid of Old Manhattan
Maid of Bunker Hill Tangled Threads Understood Betsey
What Katy Did What Katy Did at School
41
TOWN OF OAKHAM
CHILDREN'S NON-FICTION Compton's Pictured Encyclopedia, 8 Vols.
Viking Tales
In closing I wish to thank the board of trustees and all who have helped to make the past year's work so pleasant.
Respectfully submitted, (MRS.) GRACE E. BAXTER.
42
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Receipts
Town-Support of Schools $3,200 00
State return-School fund 2,427 75
State return-High School tuition
1,146 00
State return-School Superintendent
289 98
State return-High School trans-
portation 982 30
State return-Income Tax, for
general school purposes
640 00
Rutland Tuition
72 00
30 53
$8,788 56
Expenses
School Committee
Paid Sylvester R. Dean, services $10 00
Walter O. Babcock, services 10 00
Minnie M. Day, services 25 00
$45 00
Superintendent's Salary and Expense of Office
Paid James R. Childs, salary $385 02
James R. Childs, travel expenses 56 34
James R. Childs, telephone, 1924 3 05
James R. Childs, postage and express 2. 60
Minnie M. Day, taking school cen- sus .5 00
$452 01
43
TOWN OF OAKHAM
Teachers
Paid Miss Florence E. Bothwell $1,100 00
Miss Ethel M. Braman 1,100 00
Miss Ruth E. Butterfield
1,100 00
Mrs. Ruth B. Dwelly 231 00
$3,531 00
Supplies
Paid Edward E. Babb & Co. $24 52
H. W. Carter Paper Co. 21 00
Dowling School Supply Co.
8 70
J. L. Hammett Co.
17 97
Geo. S. Butler
5 69
C. H. Parker & Son
1 76
$79 64
Books
Paid Edward E. Babb & Co. $31 36
Ginn & Co. 10 81
$42 17
Care and Cleaning
Paid :William A. Nye $233 20
For Coldbrook School 42 00
$275 20
Fuel
Paid Chas. B. Daniels, 23 cords @ $8 50 $195 50
Walter R. Dean, 41/2 cords @ $8.50 38 25
John P. Day, sawing wood 10 50
Chas. B. Daniels, sawing wood 8 50
44
ANNUAL REPORT
Edson Hapgood, sawing wood 5 10
Walter O. Babcock, putting in wood 3 00
$260 85
Repairs
Paid Walter O. Babcock, repairing flagpole $4 25
Frank Cheever, repairing lock on door 1 50
J. R. Childs, jacket for Cold- brook stove 8 50
John P. Day, moving desks 3 00
$17 25
Promotion of Health
Paid Dr. E. S. Douglass, school physician $25 00
Ruth Douglass, services as
school nurse 25 00
$50 00
Grade Transportation
Paid John O'Donnell - $576 00
Morton Lincoln
504 00
Eldridge LaCount
248 00
Nathan Fiske
720 00
Peter Yablousky
18 00
$2,066 00
High School Transportation
Paid Clifford R. Knight
$214 80
Walter J. Bruce 54 60
45
TOWN OF OAKHAM
Oliver O. Wilkins
75 60
Benjamin Atwood
51 60
O. A. Carpenter 69 20
William H. Parkman
152 00
Patrick O'Donnell
77 60
Edward J. Crawford
68 00
J. C. Rutherford
196 80
Joseph Potter
120 00
Hazel Briggs
72 40
Katherine Mullen
22 80
John P. Day
42 40
J. W. Knight
23 60
F. A. Sullivan
23 60
$1,265 00
High School Tuition
Paid City of Worcester
$112 50
Town of North Brookfield.
71 00
Town of Whitinsville
110 00
Town of Hardwick
500 00
Town of Holden,
100 00
Town of Rutland
100 00
$1,118 50
Total expenditures $9,202 62
Respectfully submitted,
SYLVESTER R. DEAN, WALTER O. BABCOCK,
MINNIE M. DAY,
School Committee.
46
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Holden, Mass., January 1, 1925.
To the School Committee of Oakham :
My seventh report as superintendent, and the twenty- fifth in the series since the formation of the present union, is presented herewith for your consideration. Tables of statistics similar to those given in former years will be found appended and will serve to indicate the changes and growth in the schools. During the year the possibility of a change in the present union was considered by the Department of Education but no action has been taken as yet. A re-grouping of towns in this vicinity was considered with a view to forming another district and simplifying the problems of travel.
At the annual meeting of the Joint Committee in May the time and salary of your superintendent received special consideration in view of the changes in school population. It was voted to assign to Oakham two- twentieths and to Paxton three-twentieths of the time and salary. This is the reverse of the former division and because Oakham has reduced the number of its reg -. ular teachers from five to three with practically no change in number of pupils enrolled, while Paxton has added another teacher to its regular list, taken up Music and Drawing with part-time teachers, and grown in en- rolment from about 60 to over 100. Corresponding ad- justments gave to Holden eleven-twentieths and to Rut- land four-twentieths. These changes will be reflected in the reimbursements from the State. Two-thirds of the salary up to $2,500 and of the travel expenses up to $400
47
TOWN OF OAKHAM
comes back to the towns so that the net cost of the superintendent's salary will be for Holden $70.25 per month, Oakham $12.77, Paxton $19.16 and for Rutland $25.56. Telephone, postage, stationery, costs of taking te census, of services of attendance officer, and printing are also charged under the head of superintendent, and these items with the allowance for travel expenses make up the figures in the annual report.
It is a pleasure to report that we have kept the same splendid corps of teachers, a record very few towns can. equal. Although Oakham has responded with fine loy- alty to the calls for more money for her schools, I note from the financial reports that she has not increased her appropriation for three years, while the State reim- bursements have been increasing. I would recommend especially then; that we provide in 1925 for an increase to be applied on salaries and toward the support of a. full-time nurse as recommended by the State Board of Education and the Department of Public Health. The. teachers have been very careful of all supplies and books and have trained the pupils in wise economy. Our bill for these items is far below that of many other towns. This loyal service and training should be recognized in every way possible. And we are immediately facing the. demands for definite Health education in the schools. The examinations made by law by the School Physician are of little value unless followed up by home visits. I mentioned in some detail in my last report the duties of the nurse and I am convinced that we could in no other way get more for our money than by an investment of this sort. I am glad at this time to commend the work that has been done by both Dr. and Mrs. Douglass, but they may not be expected to do much on an allowance of $25 per year each.
48
ANNUAL REPORT
'The year has passed rapidly and real progress has been made. We cannot speak in too strong terms of praise of the work of the teachers. The change from nine to eight grades has been worked out with care and without injury to anyone. We have made several changes in textbooks along with the change in grading but without great expense. With four grades in each room at the Center the Primary room is relieved of one grade with- out adding to the number in the Grammar room. We have about 16 boys and girls in high school in other towns and maintaining the same general high standards of scholarship that have been set for them here.
Some excellent work is being done in the conduct of the so-called socialized recitation. Too often we find the teacher doing all the work-the talking and the thinking, but in the socialized recitation we are a co- operative group. The teacher talks less-the pupils more, but under her guidance. The aim is to create an atmosphere of purposeful activity and responsibility among the pupils. The spirit of democracy is that of in- dividual efficiency and self-control and the socialized recitation makes the pupil a member of a working com- munity accomplishing a definite task or project. It means careful planning on the part of the teacher but it develops among the pupils resourcefulness, careful thought, courtesy, the social instinct and self-confidence. I have been much pleased with the progress that has been made along these lines.
The problem of transportation is a difficult one but this is true in all towns situated like Oakham. It will probably be necessary to spend more on this item of the budget but State reimbursement will take care of a part of the increase. The number of pupils certainly does not justify opening any more schools at present, and it is
49
TOWN OF OAKHAM
doubtful if there will ever be enough children in the south and west parts of the town to make it pay. The consolidated school is far more efficient regardless of any reasonable difference in cost.
One of the slogans for American Education Week was "Visit your schools to-day." If more parents would do this, would become better acquainted with the teachers while at work and would study conditions under which teachers and pupils work, our schools would be better. Cooperation is better than criticism. One thing parents would observe if they visited our schools often would be teachers and pupils spoiling their eyes trying to study or read on dark days. Some way of lighting the school- rooms should be provided.
I would like to repeat my recommendation of last year regarding toilets for the boys at the Center, some playground apparatus at both schools and painting and fencing at Coldbrook. Several loads of gravel should be spread between the doors in front of the building at Coldbrook.
I want to thank you all for your loyalty and support and assure you of my desire to be of service in every way possible.
Respectfully submitted, JAMES R. CHILDS, Superintendent of Schools.
50
.
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SCHOOL STATISTICS, 1923-1924
Began Total Ave. Ave. P. C.
Teacher
School
Training
Here
Mem. Mem. Att. Att.
Florence E. Bothwell Center: Grammar No. Brookfield H. S. 1897
28
27
25
92
Ethel M. Braman
Center Primary
Northfield Sem'y
1907
37
33
29
88
Ruth E. Butterfield
Coldbrook
Worcester N. S.
1904
31
27
26
98
Ruth B. Dwelly
Music
Northampton 1909
96
87
80
93
TOWN OF OAKHAM
REGISTRATION OF MINORS (Census)
April 1, 1924
Children in Oakham 1
Boys Girls Total
Between 5 and 7 years of age
6
7
13
Between 7 and 14 years of age
33
39
72
Between 14 and 16 years of age-
14
2
16
Illiterate minors 16 to 21
0
0
0
Totals
53
48
101
ENROLLMENT, FALL TERM 1924
Grade
I. II. III. IV. V.
VI. VII. VIII. Ttls.
Boys
7
6
4
6
1
2
6
10 42
Girls
8 3
3
7
3
8
5
6
43
Totals 15
9
7
13
4
10
11 16
85
PROMOTION BY GRADES, JUNE 1924
Grade
I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. Ttls
Full pro.
7
9 14
3 9
10
6
14
5 77
On trial
3
2
3
1
1
10
Repeat
1
1
1
3
Totals 10 10
14
3 12
13
8
15 5 90
52
ANNUAL REPORT AGE AND GRADING CHART April 1, 1924
Age
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Totals
Grade
I.
2 7
1 10
II.
5
3 2
10
III.
1 3
63
13
IV.
3 2
5
V.
2 2511
11
VI.
3 7 1 2
1 14
VII.
3
5 1
9
VIII.
1 6
5
1
13
1
3
2
6
IX
2 13 6 13 11 15 8 11 8 4
91
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53
TOWN OF OAKHAM ROLL OF HONOR
Perfect attendance for FIVE YEARS, except as indi- cated :
Raymond Crawford (1)
Perfect attendance for ONE YEAR, except as indicated :
Roscoe Crawford
Albert Sullivan
Charles Dean (1)
Barbara Sullivan
Stephen Lincoln
Helen Sullivan
Kathyrn Mullen Herbert Sullivan
Vincent Mullen
Kenneth Wilkins.
Frank Potter
Mildred Wilkins
Perfect attendance for two terms, except as indicated :
Norman Baxter (1/2) Dorothy Reed (1)
Thais Beckwith (1)
Ethel Trumble (1)
Vivian Loring
Perfect attendance for one term, except as indicated :
Barbara Bullard (1)
Esther LaCount (1)
Elizabeth Bullard (1)
William Myska (1)
Isabel Daniels (1)
Myrtle Reed (1)
John Day
Damie Winsky (1)
Frances Karp (1)
54
TOWN OF OAKHAM
SCHOOL CALENDAR
- Fall Term-Sept. 2. 1924, to Dec. 19, 1924-16 weeks.
Winter Term-Jan. 5. 1925, to March 13, 1925-10 weeks.
Spring Term-March 30, 1925, to June 5, 1925-10 weeks.
Fall Term-Sept. 8, 1925, to Dec. 18, 1925-15 weeks.
Winter Term-Jan. 4, 1926, to March 19, 1926-11 weeks.
Spring Term-April 5, 1926, to June 11, 1926-10 weeks.
Holidays
January 1, February 22, April 19. May 30, Labor Day, October 12, Thanksgiving Day and the day following.
55
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN AND SCHOOL NURSE
South Barre, Mass., Dec. 28, 1924.
To the Superintendent of Schools :
The following is the report of the pupils I have ex- amined in the Oakham Schools : Coldbrook Springs
Cases of defective teeth 10
Cases of enlarged tonsils and adenoids
3
Cases of excessive wax in the ears 1
Pediculosis 2
Number of pupils examined 25
Number of pupils absent
0
Number of cards sent to the parents
14
One case of strabismus
Centre School
Cases of defective teeth 18
Cases of enlarged tonsils and adenoids
5
Cases of excessive wax in the ears
S
Pediculosis 9
Number of pupils examined
60
Number of pupils absent
2
Cards sent home to the parents
35
Respectfully submitted, E. S. DOUGLASS, M. D.
South Barre, Mass .. Dec. 28, 1924.
To the Superintendent of Schools :
The following is my report as school nurse for the past year in Oakham Schools :
In January 1924 a visit was made at the Centre school and special tests given to a scholar, followed by several
56
TOWN OF OAKHAM
visits to the home. In September the school physician was assisted in the examination of the pupils. The pupils were weighed and measured in November and those found to be underweight were requested to drink more milk to attempt to bring weight up to normal.
Mrs. Hanson, R. N. Executive Secretary of the South- ern Worcester County Health Association, came to the schools on Nov. 12th and started the Modern Health Crusade Club. Each pupil from the fourth grade to the eighth grade was provided with a scorecard. Eleven daily health chores are to be recorded by the parents or teacher and the school with the highest percentage re- ceives a Health Crusade Banner for their schoolroom.
Respectfully submitted, RUTH DOUGLASS.
TOWN OF OAKHAM
REPORT OF THE MUSIC SUPERVISOR
Mr. J. R. Childs,
Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir :
The ultimate object of this course is to give the pupil the power of appreciating the best in music. This is gained through ear training, voice culture, sight reading and learning of songs and to render them understand .. ingly.
It is very evident that the ability of the children to sing music at sight, with a pure tone and a true tonation is constantly increasing.
In music as in other subjects, a high standard for the mass is best obtained by educating the individual.
Two part singing is introduced by the singing of rounds. Throughout the grades the problems in time, tone and theory are studied and drilled upon.
If the music lessons have made the pupils more alert inentally, keener in observation, more appreciative of the beautiful, and have given that test of training, "the capability of attempting new subjects," we may justly feel that we have accomplished much for educational music in the schools.
Respectfully submitted, RUTH B. DWELLY, Supervisor of Music.
58
ANNUAL REPORT
AUDITOR'S REPORT
This is to certify that I have examined and approved all bills of the Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor, School Committee, Road Superintendent, Cemetery Committee, Fire Warden, Library Trustees, and accounts of Moth Superintendent and found them to be correct. I have also examined the accounts of the Treasurer and Tax Collector and found them to be correct.
ORTON O. BUTLER,
Auditor.
59
1
ANNUAL REPORT
LIST OF JURORS
!
George W. Dean, Treasurer John O'Donnell, Farmer E. J. Crawford, Salesman Herman Dean, Laborer Frank Cheever, Carpenter Clarence Grimes, Farmer W. E. Swindell, Farmer
61
CONTENTS
Auditor
59
Charlton Poor Farm 33
Collector's Report 26
Fobes Memorial Library
36
Highway Superintendent
28
Jurors, List of 60
Librarian's Report 37
Overseers of the Poor 32
School Committee
43
School Statistics 52
Selectmen's Report 21
Superintendent of Schools
47
Town Clerk's Report
10
Town Officers 3.
Treasurer's Report 13
Trust Funds
17
Warrant
7
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