USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Oakham > Town annual reports of the officials of the town of Oakham, Massachusetts 1929 > Part 2
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46 40
Paid Bert S. Reed
51 20
Paid F. N. Beckwith
33 60
Paid Mrs. Katherine Mullen
146 80
Paid Isabel Daniels
24 00
Paid Mrs. Hipkins
48 00
Paid S. R. Dean
23 60
Paid Joseph Potter
23 60
Paid Florence Izzi
30 40
Paid Evariste Dufresne
48 00
Total Expenditures
$11,664 58
Total Appropriation
$12,150 00
Total Expenditures
11,664 58
Unexpended Balance
$1,938 40
$485 42
Respectfully submitted, GERTRUDE A. WOODIS, LEONE B. DANIELS, School Committee.
REPORT
OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Holden, Mass., Jan. 1, 1930 To the School Committee of Oakham:
It is my privilege to present for your consideration my twelfth report and the thirtieth in the series since the formation of the: present school union.
I have frequently commented on the remarkable continuity in: our organization and what this means in high standards of service and scholarship. For more than twenty years we have had no. changes in our list of regular teachers except those that have come with the closing of the small schools. It is with deep regret there- fore that changing conditions in Coldbrook and the removal of many of the old families have caused a break in this long rec- ord, and I have to report the loss of Miss Butterfield as a teacher of that school. In her we have had a teacher of rare ability, fine professional spirit and keen understanding. I believe that her pupils will never forget the lessons in self control, honest think- ing and fine citizenship that always may be associated with her work as a teacher.
We are again to be congratulated that there has been no change at the Center school. Oakham is a small town but nowhere may be found finer loyalty and devotion to her best interests than in this school. We are glad also to report that our special teachers of. Music and Drawing returned for another year. There has. been renewed interest and excellent work done in both subjects. under their direction. I believe that many of the leisure moments in the lives of our boys and girls will be enriched because of these lessons in Drawing and Music.
43
ANNUAL REPORT
The situation at Coldbrook has changed somewhat because of . the transient population. The prospects in June were that we would have too few children to continue the school but others came in and there is now an enrollment of 27 with Miss Myrtle Booth of Worcester the teacher in charge. The school will prob- ably have to be continued until the completion of the Metropolitan Water System tunnel.
We were able to hold another Teachers' Institute, under the direction of the State Department of Education, in Holden on March 8, and all our teachers attended. In the fall all the schools were closed for one day and the teachers attended the Convention in Worcester. It has been our experience that the Institute is more helpful to teachers than the Convention. With over 1200 teachers in Worcester and about the same number in the County towns, accommodations for a Convention are overtaxed even if we recognize the value of the gathering from a purely inspirational standpoint.
In the annual Poster Contest conducted by the American Humane Society we did some good work. Eugene Wilbur won the blue ribbon medal, Laureston Crawford and Edgar Duquette won red ribbon medals and Anthony Lupa and Frank Potter had Honorable Mention, which includes a subscription to their official magazine.
Another Spelling Bee under the direction of the Telegram- Gazette was held in Rutland on May 9, and Rose Dufresne, Thais Beckwith and Florence Izzi represented Oakham. There were 31 contestants from the four towns of this union and Hubbards- ton. Rose Dufresne won this contest and represented us at the finals in Worcester.
A novel feature of the work in Music this year was a Musicale held in Holden in May under the direction of Miss Spofford. Over 200 pupils took part in this observance of National Music week and presented a splendid program.
Our boys and girls who are attending high school continue to reflect credit on Oakham schools and win honors for themselves.
44
ANNUAL REPORT
Annie Virr and Dorothy Reed represented their schools in the County Commercial School contests. In high school, in college and in normal school Oakham is well represented. Education is the most important single business interest conducted by this or any other town. It involves the largest investment and the biggest payroll. It gives to the community and to the world a product of incomparable value. With trained teachers and modern educational processes our schools today are more interesting and more valuable than ever. As good citizens we want every child to have an equal chance with the other children of the nation. Good schools and a fair chance for every child are inseparable. When we consider that in Massachusetts alone we spend six times as much for automobiles and four times as much for ice cream, candy, tobacco and movies as we spend for public education, we certainly are not spending too much for our schools.
May I ask your attention to the reports of the School Nurse and Physician. We are trying to emphasize the highest standards of care necessary for the mental and physical welfare of our children. They include proper habits of cleanliness, right kind of food, regular sleeping hours, wholesome recreation, proper physical examinations, immunization against small pox, diphtheria etc. The school further works constantly for character training, develop- ment of good manners and disposition, consideration for others, truthfulness, and loyalty to family, school, town and country.
In closing I want again to express my sincere appreciation of the devotion of the Committee to the best interests of the schools, and to thank all those who have worked so faithfully to main- tain and raise our educational standards. We regret keenly the resignation of Mr. Earle C. Parker as Chairman of the School Committee. We miss him as a personal friend and a construc- tive executive.
Respectfully submitted, JAMES R. CHILD,
Superintendent of Schools.
45.
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE MUSIC SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools :
Various opportunities are offered in the Oakham schools for musical experience.
The singing period plays an important part. Last spring folk songs were studied as a part of the regular period. Later, these same songs were arranged in a program for the May concert in Holden and representatives from each room were sent there to participate with children from the other towns. It was an ex- perience they will long remember. During the weeks preceding Christmas, much time was spent in singing the Christmas Carols. There is a great need for supplementary music readers in the school. At present, one reader is used for four years which is too long without other material to go with it.
Instrumental music is playing an important part in the schools. At present, there are nine studying the violin and four the clarinet at the Oakham Center school, while at Coldbrook, there are two studying the violin. We are hoping to form these players into an orchestra.
I wish to thank the superintendent, teachers, and the children, for their kind cooperation and interest in all that we do together.
Respectfully submitted, MARY R. SPOFFORD.
REPORT OF THE DRAWING SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools :
The time has past when drawing is of value only to the com- parative few who have unusually ability or talent. Surely in this age of such general use of color and decorative design in business of all kinds, some training along these lines will be of very practical use to the average child in his future life. There- fore we aim to make our projects practical and bring them with- in the ability of the average child. We find that asthetic ap-
46
ANNUAL REPORT
preciation is more easily developed through the actual experience · of creating some object.
The year's work is divided into three groups. In the fall we study nature, using fall plants and flowers as subjects. In the upper grades original designs are made from these plant growth studies. These designs are applied in decorating notebook covers and boxes. Lettering alphabets are studied and posters made using the children's own freehand patterns. The holidays are observed by the making of special colored paper posters. Free- hand holiday cards are designed by children in the upper grades.
The aim of our winter work is proportion in all grades : simple perspective, foreshortening and shading in the upper grades. We lay aside a part of the winter period for animal poster work. Interesting results were obtained last year and several prizes were won by our boys and girls. This is a splendid chance to develop originality and we look forward to this year's poster contest.
During the Spring we study color not only in nature, but in a more practical and scientific way, applying color to projects re- quiring a knowledge of simple color harmony.
Memory drawing of objects studied during the year are given at various times. Also memory tests of pictures studied for ap- preciation. We are finding among our boys and girls quite a sense for developing good original designs and using pleasing color harmonies.
We plan to exhibit type work done in our schools at the close of the school year.
Respectfully submitted, DORIS L. POTTER.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
To the Superintendent of Schools:
This report covers the period from January 1929 to January 1930.
47
ANNUAL REPORT
Medical Inspections : The annual medical inspection required by law was carried on in September by Dr. Kimberly. A number of tonsil defects had been remedied and the teeth of the pupils were much improved due to the dental clinic in the spring.
Weighing and Measuring: The children are weighed and meas- ured without shoes three times a year. Most of the children in Oakham make a small but steady gain each month. The under- weight children are competing with each other to attain normal weight. A prize is offered to the one who makes the best steady gain by the end of the school year.
Clinics : The free examination, or "Ten Year Program" con- ducted by the State Department of Health was held in Rutland Center School in September and the children of Oakham who have been receiving this examination, with one additional pupil, were taken to that school for re-examination.
Number of children examined 4
Number improved
2
Number unimproved 1
Suspect cases
2
Hilum cases 1
A dental clinic was held in June with Dr. Blanchard of Barre as dentist. The report is as follows :
Pupils
100
Pupils examined
90
Fillings
110
Cleanings
60
Extractions
14
Pupils with defects
76
Dental Certificates
66
A number of talks have been given this year and a good deal of material in the form of posters and booklets have been available.
Several monthly inspections have been made during the fall. This is an excellent way to keep the pupils interested in their health. Improvements in cleanliness and personal appearance were observed from month to month.
48
ANNUAL REPORT
It is a pleasure to work with the teachers of Oakham and I wish to thank them, as well as the parents and pupils for their real cooperation.
MILDRED GIVAN, R. N.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
To the Superintendent of Schools :
The fall examination of school children was unusually reassur- ing as to the value of school examination work. In the interim since the closing of schools many bad cases of diseased tonsils were corrected. The children this fall were in exceptionally good condition. Dental defects, which were so thoroughly cleaned up two years ago with the dental clinic are again making their ap- pearance. It is very timely that we are again having this clinic. The educational value of this project is very worth while es- pecially in regard to the care of the first, deciduous, set of teeth. The prejudice is very widespread in favor of doing nothing to these teeth, no matter how bad they may be.
Miss Givan has been very active in her campaign against poor posture. Results are noticed in a general improvement of posture. This is especially noticeable in such instances where the teacher has caught the vision of improved posture and "carries on."
An innovation has been started in reporting various physical defects. In the past we have been restrained from reporting many borderline conditions because insufficient data was available to make a definite, positive diagnosis. We are now noting these con- ditions as suspicious, referring the family directly to their physi- cian who is in a position to get complete data in the form of further history, laboratory data, etc. This emphasizes the need of cordial relations and cooperation with the practicing physicians. It would be worth while at some time to have a meeting devoted to the possibilities (and limitations) of school health work.
The report would not be complete without an acknowledg- ment of the splendid work that is being done by Miss Givan as evidenced in her whole-hearted interest in the children's welfare.
49
ANNUAL REPORT
We also have enjoyed splendid cooperation of the teaching force in helping out with the school examining.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR M. KIMBERLY, M. D.
-
50
ANNUAL REPORT
ENROLLMENT: FALL TERM 1929
Grade
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
Total
Boys
11
6
7
5
3
7
7
7
53
Girls
3
5
7
6
8
7
3
3
42
-
-
-
-
-
Totals
14
11
14
11
11
14
10
10
95
REGISTRATION OF MINORS October, 1929
Children in Oakham
Boys
Girls
Total
Between 5 and 7 years of age
14
5
19
Between 7 and 14 years of age
39
37
76
Between 14 and 16 years of age
14
9
23
Totals
67
51
118
AGE AND GRADING CHART
2
October, 1929
Age
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15 Total®
Grade
I
11
1
2
14
II
9
2
11
III
4
6
4
14
IV
10
3
1
14
V
1
10
3
1
15
VI
1
6
2
9
VII
5
4
9
VIII
2
8
2
1
13
Totals
11
14
8
17
14
10
9
12
3
1
99
SCHOOL ORGANIZATION
School
Teacher
Training
Appointed
Center Grammar
Florence E. Bothwell
No. Brookfield H. S.
1897
Center Primary
Ethel M. Braman
Northfield Sem.
1907
Coldbrook
Ruth E. Butterfield
Worcester N. S. 1904
Music
Mary R. Spofford
Lowell N. S. 1927
Drawing
Doris L. Potter
Keene N. S. 1927
-
-
-
51
ANNUAL REPORT
STATISTICS FOR 1928-1929
School
Total Mem.
Ave. Mem.
Ave. Atten.
% of Atten.
Center Grammar Center Primary Coldbrook
33
32
29
92
34
31
28
89
45
35
34
97
Totals
112
98
91
93
HONOR ROLL Perfect Attendance for FIVE YEARS Marion Wilkins
Perfect Attendance for FOUR YEARS Rose Bruno (1T 12A) Louis Kitchen (2T)
Perfect Attendance for THREE YEARS Charles Potter
Perfect Attendance for TWO YEARS Bertha Potter (1A) Eugene Wilbur (1A)
Perfect Attendance for ONE YEAR
Helen Bechan
Russell Dean
John Bechan
Edgar Duquette (1A)
George Bruno (1A)
Patrick Izzi
Gladys Bullard (1A)
Gilbert Potter (1A)
Ann Daniels (1A)
Stephen Winsky (1A)
Charles Dean
Alberta Woodis
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Fall Term-Sept. 3, 1929, to Dec. 20, 1929 16 weeks
Winter Term-Jan. 6, 1930, to Mar. 14, 1930 . 10 weeks
Spring Term-Mar. 31, 1930, to June 6, 1930 10 weeks
52
ANNUAL REPORT
Fall Term-Sept. 2, 1930, to Dec. 19, 1930 16 weeks Winter Term-Jan. 5, 1931, to Mar. 13, 1931 10 weeks Spring Term-Mar. 30, 1931, to June 5, 1931 10 weeks
HOLIDAYS
January 1, February 22, April 19, May 30, Labor Day, October 12, November 11, Thanksgiving Day and the day following.
GRADUATES, JUNE, 1929
Florence Baldwin Charles Dean
Alwyn Beckwith
Rose Dufresne
Thais Beckwith
Raymond Hipkins
Emma Bruno
Florence Izzi
Rose Bruno Eldridge LaCount
Barbara Bullard
Frank Potter
Isabel Daniels
Laurel Snay
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 third 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 Overseer of Poor, one School Committee, one Library Trustee, one Ceme- tery Committee for three years, one Selectman for three years, one Assessor for one year, one Cemetery Committee for one year, one School Committee for one year, Collector of Taxes, Treasurer, Auditor, Tree Warden, six Constables ; shall licenses be granted for the sale of non-intoxicating 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.
54
ANNUAL REPORT
Art. 5. To see what compensation the town will allow the Selectmen, Treasurer, Collector, Auditor and Constables for the ensuing year.
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 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. 8. 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. 9. To see if the town will authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow during the current finan- cial 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. 10. 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. 11. 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. 12. To see what sum the town will raise and appropriate for the suppression of the browntail moth.
Art. 13. 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. 14. 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.
55
ANNUAL REPORT
Art. 15. To see if the town will raise and appropriate $163.08, for insurance on Town Hall and contents or pass any vote rel- ative thereto.
Art. 16. To see if the town will raise and appropriate a cer- tain sum to purchase and set a flag pole.
Art. 17. To see if the town will raise and appropriate $50.00 for fire department equipment.
Art. 18. To see what action the town will take in regard to accepting as a gift from Josephine H. Wright of New Haven, Connecticut, a certain tract of land comprising 41/3 acres, more or less, and situated in the central village of Oakham, the same be- ing more particularly described in a deed form W. Edgar Swin- dell and Effie Swindell to Henry Burt Wright, dated November 22, 1923, and recorded in the Worcester District Registry of Deeds, Book 2319, Page 168, and in a deed from Arthur Webb and Edith C. Webb to Henry Burt Wright, dated November 10, 1923, and recorded in the Worcester District Registry of Deeds, Book 2319, Page 168.
The land proposed to be given to the Inhabitants of the Town of Oakham is described in a quitclaim deed from Josephine H. Wright, dated March 13, 1929, and is upon the following con- ditions :
That the land herein conveyed shall be used only for park and recreational purposes, including its use for athletics, playgrounds, pageants, and similar purposes, and as a general meeting place for the inhabitants of the town of Oakham, for such purposes as may contribute to their spiritual or physical well-being ; that only such buildings or structures may be erected thereon as shall be useful for park and playground purposes and shall not interfere with the use of the land for purposes of recreation, and every building or structure, except such as are reasonably necessary for recrea- tional purposes such as grandstands, goals, stages or platforms, shall be erected within twenty meters of the northern or the
56 '
ANNUAL REPORT
western boundary line and no structure shall ever be so placed that it will interfere with any sport of the programme planned for the time that such structure is to stand ; that the land shall be named and known as Henry Burt Wright Memorial Park; that if the land herein conveyed ceases to be used for the purposes for which it is given, or, since it was the wish of Professor Wright that the park should benefit the townspeople, if its maintenance becomes too burdensome to the taxpayers of the town of Oak- ham, then, in either case if three fourths of the duly registered voters of the town shall vote to sell the tract at a meeting es- pecially called by the Selectmen in the month of August to con- sider the sale, the town may sell the tract and all the proceeds of such sale shall be given in trust to the Worcester Bank and Trust Company of Worcester, Mass., to constitute a fund to be known as the Henry Burt Wright Scholarship Fund. The in- come of this fund in any one year shall be used as follows :- Any resident of the town of Oakham who may be studying at an agriculture college, school of forestry or college of the liberal arts may make written request to the Selectmen before November first to receive such income. The Selectmen shall make inquiry of the authorities of the institutions at which such residents are studying and shall satisfy themselves that the applicants and stand- ing well in purpose, behaviour and studies. They shall at a meeting in December name by a majority vote an applicant as recipient of the year's income of the fund. If no applicant is named as recipient of the year's income of the fund, the year's income shall be added to the principal of the fund.
Art. 19. To see if the town will raise and appropriate $100.00 for grading and improving the Henry Burt Wright Memorial Park, providing Art. 18 is accepted.
Art. 20. To see if the town will raise and appropriate a cer- tain sum for a dental clinic.
Art. 21. To see if the town will appoint a board of trade to investigate the possibility of securing some industry to locate in town or pass any vote relative thereto.
57
ANNUAL REPORT
Art. 22. To see if the town will raise and appropriate a sum of money to purchase a new truck for the road department and make an appropriation for the same.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting up three attested copies in public places in said town seven days at least before time of holding said meeting.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of meeting as aforesaid.
Given under our hand this twentieth day of January, in the year one thousand nine hundred and thirty.
JOHN P. DAY, WALTER A. WOODIS, SYLVESTER R. DEAN, Selectmen of Oakham.
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