USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Oakham > Town annual reports of the officials of the town of Oakham, Massachusetts 1926 > Part 2
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It is a pleasure to be able to record the same list of teachers. We should not make the mistake of underestimating the import- ance of keeping them, and Oakham children are indeed fortunate to have their early school life in an atmosphere of high ideals and serious devotion to duty. The main factor of every school is the teacher and we are under a deep obligation to ours, for their patience and devotion and their high sense of responsibility. With the training that is given in school must go the interest and in- telligent cooperation of the home and the church. A high moral standard and respect for authority are fundamental in character building, and an education without training in obedience and self control is worthless, even dangerous.
A Teachers' Institute was held in Holden on October 1 under the direction of the State Department of Education and all our
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ANNUAL REPORT
teachers attended the meetings. Our experience has been that such meetings are of more value than the large convention. At this Institute we had 165 teachers and among other subjects we had talks on the teaching of Geography, Reading, Art and care of the child's health.
Special interest in spelling was aroused by a Spelling Bee held in Worcester under the direction of the Telegram-Gazette. In the preliminary contest, with Hubbardston and the four towns of our union, Burton Mullen of the Coldbrook School won first place and represented us in Worcester.
I have prepared a brief statement of comparative costs that may be of interest when we are considering the matter of appropria- tions.
Cost per pupil in average membership :
Oakham
State
Teachers' salaries
$40 82
$61 95
Books and supplies
2 02
4 06
Janitors' salaries and fuel
5 21
9 78
Repairs and upkeep
12
4 88
We spend more for transportation per pupil in average mem- bership than the average for the State, but this is due to the size of the town and the scattered population. Reimbursements in 1927 will be larger than last year because of the new law that is now in effect. There will be about $1,000 more under Part II of the General School Fund.
The repairs and new equipment as well as the books mentioned in last year's report should be provided for this year.
I am very grateful for the many expressions of friendship that I received during my illness and especially thankful to all who have been so loyal and devoted to the best interests of the schools.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES R. CHILDS,
Superintendent of Schools.
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42
TOWN OF OAKHAM
REPORT OF THE MUSIC SUPERVISOR
Holden, Mass., Jan. 1, 1927.
To the Superintendent :
I respectfully submit my first report as Supervisor of Music in the town of Oakham.
In Grades I to IV the music instruction follows the plan for rural schools. These grades are visited each week and the music period divided into three classes. In the first grade rote songs are taught and special help given the less muscial children.
In the second and third grades rote songs are continued in or- der to give the child a musical vocabulary and instill in him a de- sire to express himself in music.
Observation songs are used for ear and eye training, after which come the new songs from notation.
In the fourth grade the songs are more advanced and a thor- ough drill is given on all problems which come in the child's experience.
Grades five to eight are taken in one group. The work covers a general review of all problems from the fourth grade through the fifth, and sixth grade work is being carried on with very satisfactory results.
In Coldbrook, music instruction is given in three separate classes, according to the prescribed course for rural schools. All classes are doing good work and it is a great pleasure to watch the development in the younger pupils of their power to master cer- tain problems and understand certain musical effects.
In all the lower grades the phonograph is used to teach discrim- ination and concentration. In the upper grades we are studying Nationalism in Music. American national airs and folk music have been rendered and the history of the compositions and com- posers given. We intend to take up other phases of American music, after which the national music of other countries will fol- low.
43
ANNUAL REPORT
Our aim is not only to give each child a musical background of beautiful music to enable him to develop the power of sight read- ing and interpretation, but to help him to gain a lasting love for the best in music, the only true music appreciation.
I wish to thank all who are in any way associated with my work in the schools for their help and co-operation.
ANNIE P. STEVENSON,
Supervisor of Music.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING
Holden, Mass., December 31, 1926.
To the Superintendent of Schools :
The work in drawing in the schools of Oakham from January to June 1926, was as follows: Practice in lettering and drawing of animals, later combined in the making of animal posters. Some of these were entered in the M. S. P. C. A. poster contest held at Boston in April. Then followed a study of paintings by early American artists, the notes and pictures of which were sewed and bound in book form in several grades. Plant and flower studies completed the year's work.
The fall term work began with nature and figure drawing and illustrations from imagination. Then followed elementary study of color. Construction problems were given during December. The work planned for the remainder of the year consists of drawing from imagination, art appreciation, poster making, a further study of color and nature drawing.
It is a joy to do this work with children who are so responsive and eager. Under the direction of their room teachers, who have co-operated with me in every way, some very good work has been produced in the schools.
HELEN E. MILLS,
Supervisor of Drawing.
44
TOWN OF OAKHAM
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
To the Superintendent of Schools :
This report covers the period from Jan. 1, 1926, to Jan. 1, 1927.
Medical Inspection : We were very fortunate in securing Dr. Arthur M. Kimberly, children's specialist, for our School Phy- sician, as he has given our children a very efficient examination of the throat, heart, lungs, mouth and posture. This physical ex- amination is given to ascertain as nearly as possible the exact condition of the children, to point out defects to parents, that they may correct them, thus safeguarding their children from serious , trouble later.
Teaching from a medical standpoint, the old saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure", seems to be in line with the idea of a thorough physical examination which everyone should have every year. We are starting with the children, hop- ing that they will continue all through their lives, to have a doc- tor for a friend, and have him check them over year after year. This would lead to a correction of errors in diet, exercise, and living conditions that may prolong an active and vigorous life much longer than we are accustomed to.
Our aim for the children is good health. £ The definition of good health is "To live most and to serve best".
Weighing and Measuring: The children have been weighed four times during the year. This is done to show how the children are gaining, and to check up on the child's growth. All children should gain a little, although some will gain more than others. We try to impress the normal weight children to keep their weight up to what it should be. The children 6 to 9 per cent. below weight are urged to help themselves to gain their weight. In the case of children who are 10 per cent. and more under- weight, I am trying to get in touch with the parents, to co-operate with them in trying to find the cause, and to see what can be done to help them gain their normal weight.
45
ANNUAL REPORT
Lunches: Most of the schools are serving a lunch of crackers and milk at recess. We especially urge the underweight children to take this extra milk, as milk is the best-known food to bring children up to normal weight and to promote a normal growth.' Milk is not a fat producer, but is a muscle, flesh and bone builder. The parents have co-operated with us and have urged their children to take this extra milk during the day, either buy- ing it at school or bringing it from home.
A hot lunch at noon is so beneficial to growing children that we hope to have some means of providing it for more children in the future.
Teaching Health Habits: It has been my pleasure to assist the , teachers in teaching health habits in regard to food, cleanliness, fresh air, rest, sleep and play. If these good habits are started in childhood and become fixed, they will last a lifetime. Let us strive to start our little folks on the right road to permanent good health.
Clinics : In June there was held in Rutland a clinic for admin- istering the Schick test and the immunizing doses of toxin anti- toxin for diphtheria prevention. One hundred per cent. of all the children Schicked showed that they were susceptible. Nearly all the children that were Schicked took the immunizing doses and are safe for twelve years at least. We are planning to hold an- other clinic in the spring and hope to have the children of the four towns immunized against diphtheria.
The Parent-Teachers' Association of Rutland is working hard to have a dental clinic in the near future. We hope to carry out the suggestion from the State Department of Public Health, Hy- giene Division, to care for the six-, nine- and twelve-year molars and to preserve these teeth from future decay if possible; then fill all the present cavities of the children in the school. We hope this clinic will help the parents who do not have the time to have this work done in Worcester.
Communicable Diseases : We cannot control any epidemic in the school without the parents' co-operation. Children who are .
46
TOWN OF OAKHAM
known to have been exposed to any contagious disease should be kept at home during the incubation period for the safety of the other children in the school. This is one way in which to show our "community spirit."
Vaccination : There are a few children who have not been vac- cinated. These children should be vaccinated or have a certificate from their family physician saying that they are not in a fit phy- sical condition. This certificate must be presented to the school teacher every year at least, according to the Massachusetts law
Sanatorium : Four children have been entered at the Westfield State Sanatorium, suffering from hilum tuberculosis, to stay for a period of six months, more or less.
School Children Examined by Dr. Kimberly
Paxton . 118
Defects-Tonsils 35
Defects-Tonsils.
32
Teeth 79
Teeth
110
Coldbrook Springs
26
Holden
224
Defects-Tonsils
23
Teeth
31
Oakham. 58
Defects-Tonsils 26
Defects-Tonsils
14
Teeth
90
Teeth 45 West Rutland . 25
Defects-Tonsils 13
Teeth 18
North Rutland.
20
Defects-Tonsils 10
Teeth 14
Rutland
188
Quinapoxet.
50
Defects-Tonsils
17
Teeth .
31
Total pupils examined-1,117.
Unionville .
24
Defects-Tonsils
3
Teeth.
17
Holden High School
115
Defects-Tonsils.
9
Teeth.
47
Defects-Tonsils
66
Teeth
94
Jefferson.
123
Defects-Tonsils 11
Teeth 20
Chaffins .
146
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ANNUAL REPORT
I wish to express my appreciation of the splendid co-operation from the teachers and very pleasant relations with the parents on my home calls.
NAOMI A. CUNNINGHAM, R. N., School Nurse.
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TOWN OF OAKHAM
ENROLLMENT FALL TERM 1926
Grade
1
JI
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
Total
Boys
6
4
6
7
4
6
1
2
36
Girls
5
9
9
3
6
6
4
7
49
Totals
11
13
15
10
10
12
5
9
85
PROMOTION BY GRADES, JUNE, 1926
Grade
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
Total
Full pro.
11
11
8
6
11
3
8
9
67
On trial
4
1
2
1
1
9
Repeat
2
1
2
1
6
Special
1
1
1
3
Totals
14
15
10
8
15
4
9
10
85
AGE AND GRADING CHART
April 1, 1926
Age
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Total
Grade
I
11
4
1
16
II
5
7
2
1
15
III
3
7
1
11
IV
2
3
2
1
8
V
1
3
6
4
14
VI
1
1
2
1
5
VII
3
1
3
2
9
VIII
1
6
1
2
10
11
9
11
12
6
13
8
12
4
2
88
REGISTRATION OF MINORS October 1, 1926
Children in Oakham
Between 5 and 7 years of age
8
9
17
Between 7 and 14 years of age
33
37
70
Between 14 and 16 years of age
7
15
22
Totals
48
61
109
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-
Boys Girls Total
SCHOOL STATISTICS, 1925-1926
Teacher
School
Training
Began here
Total Mem.
Ave. Mem.
Ave. Att.
% Att.
Florence E. Bothwell
Center Grammar
No. Brookfield H. S.
1897
28
26
24
93
Ethel M. Braman
Center Primary
Northfield
1907
31
28
26
92
Ruth E. Butterfield
Coldbrook
Worcester N. S.
1904
31
29
28
97
Frances B. Settle
Music
A. I N. M.
1925
Helen E. Mills
Drawing
Mass. Nor. Art
1925
Totals
90
83
78
94
.
ANNUAL REPORT
1
49
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TOWN OF OAKHAM
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Fall Term-Sept. 7, 1926 to Dec. 24, 1926. 16 weeks
Winter Term-Jan. 10, 1927 to Mar. 18, 1927 10 weeks
Spring Term-April 4, 1927 to June 10, 1927 10 weeks
Fall Term-Sept. 6, 1927 to Dec. 23, 1927. 16 weeks
Winter Term-Jan. 9, 1928 to Mar. 16, 1928. 10 weeks Spring Term-April 2, 1928 to June 28, 1928 10 weeks
Holidays
January 1, February 22, April 19, May 30, Labor Day, October 12, Thanksgiving Day and the day following.
ROLL OF HONOR
Perfect attendance for FOUR YEARS:
Helen Sullivan
Perfect attendance for THREE YEARS except as indicated :
Vincent Mullen Stephen Lincoln (1)
Perfect attendance for TWO YEARS except as indicated :
Marion Wilkins Burton Mullen (1)
Perfect attendance for E YEAR except as indicated :
Frank Potter (1/2)
Rose Bruno (1T)
Myrtle Reed (1)
Charles Dean (1)
Warren Sanderson
Louis Kitchen
Madeline Wilkins
Mary Kitchen
Vivian Loring
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Worcester, Mass., Jan. 1, 1927.
To the Superintendent of Schools :
In commenting on the physical examination of the children may I say that on the whole they seem in very good condition. A great many remedial defects exist. The most frequently occurring are defects in the early (deciduous) teeth. Among the older children there is a much greater tendency to keep the teeth defects cor- rected.
I should say that the responses to notices on defects sent in previous years has been very good. The better the financial status of the parents and the more enlightened they are, the more quickly these notices are responded to.
A school room is very much like a home. In the hands of one teacher it may be very cheerful and orderly and pleasant, while in the hands of another it may be very bleak and forbidding. With only one or two exceptions I think that the teachers have made very much indeed out of the possibilities of their school rooms. Several of the rooms are exceptionally well managed and cared for.
The actual equipment for heating, ventilation, etc., in the va- rious buildings, you are doubtless familiar with. In some of the schools this is very much better than in others. Centralization has always meant a great improvement in equipment.
ARTHUR M. KIMBERLY, M. D.,
School Physician.
REPORT
OF THE TOWN AUDITOR
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 Wardens, 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.
TOWN WARRANT
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WORCESTER, SS.
To either of the constables of the town of Oakham in, the county of Worcester.
GREETINGS :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the town of Oak- ham qualified to vote in elections and in town affairs, to meet at the Town Hall, known as "Memorial Hall," on Monday, the seventh day of February next, at nine o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to act on the following articles :
Art. 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at all town meet- ings except for the election of State Officers, during the coming year.
Art. 2. To hear the annual report of the several town officers, and act thereon.
Art. 3. To choose one Selectman, one Assessor, one Over- seer of Poor, one School Committee, one Library Trustee, one Cemetery Committee for three years, one School Committee for one year, Collector of Taxes, Treasurer, Auditor, Tree Warden, six Constables, shall licenses be granted for the sale of non-in- toxicating beverages in this town, all on one ballot. The polls will be opened at ten o'clock in the forenoon and may be closed at two o'clock in the afternoon.
Art. 4. To choose all necessary town officers and committees for the ensuing year, not required to be elected by ballot.
Art. 5. To see what compensation the town will allow the Selectmen, Treasurer, Collector, Auditor and Constables for the ensuing year.
54
TOWN OF OAKHAM
Art. 6. To see what compensation the town will allow for men and teams in repairing highways and opening roads for the ensuing year.
Art. 7. To see if the town will raise and appropriate a sum of money to bond their Treasurer and Collector and Town Clerk.
Art. 8. To raise such sums of money as may be necessary to defray town charges for the ensuing year, and make appropria- tions for the same.
Art. 9. To see what sum of money the town will raise and appropriate for the relief of poor and needy soldiers, as required under Chapter 79, Section 18, of the Revised Laws.
Art. 10. To see if the town will authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow during the current financial year, in anticipation of the revenue of said year, such sums of money as may be necessary for the current expenses of the town, giving the note or notes of the town therefor, these notes to be paid from the revenue of said financial year.
Art. 11. To see if the town will appoint some person as agent, to prosecute and defend all suits that may be brought for or against the town in the ensuing year.
Art. 12. To see if the town will employ some person or per- sons to care for the Town Hall, Town Clock, and Library Build- ing for the ensuing year.
Art. 13. To see what sum the town will raise and appropriate for the suppression of the browntail moth.
Art. 14. To see if the town will vote to insure its employees and make an appropriation for the same, or pass any vote rela- tive thereto.
Art. 15. To see if the town will raise and appropriate a cer- tain sum of money as a reserve fund, to be used as an emergency or overdraft.
Art. 16. To see if the town will raise and appropriate a cer- tain sum of money to have its valuation and taxes printed.
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