USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Oakham > Town annual reports of the officials of the town of Oakham, Massachusetts 1931 > Part 2
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The long and faithful service of our teachers is a matter for sincere congratulation. The work has been carried on with larger classes without any lowering of our high standards.
The usual annual poster contests sponsored by the American Humane Education Society and under the direction of our Draw- ing Supervisor have served to bring out some fine talent. The work in both Drawing and Music has been of high quality. The winners in the Poster Contest were Ellen Crawford, gold medal; Fred Stone and Howard Lackey, silver medals; Henry Lupa, Alberta Woodis and Stephen Winsky, honorable mention.
Our equipment for teaching is adequate for our needs and the building and class rooms are in excellent condition. The one serious problem, that of proper lighting, has been studied and re- ported on by the State Board of Education. It does not seem practicable to attempt the remodeling that would be necessary to increase the window space, but larger light globes have been in- stalled and we now have good lighting on the dark days.
May I call attention to the splendid service being rendered
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ANNUAL REPORT
by our School Nurse? Her report indicates what is being done, with the co-operation of teachers and parents, along the line of health promotion and general child hygiene. The use of an Audio- meter in making hearing tests was new this year. It was made possible through the Worcester League for the Hard of Hearing and the testing was done by Miss Anna C. Shattuck. Follow-up work is done by the League at a special Clinic held in Worcester. These tests should be made yearly for it is entirely possible for a child with normal hearing this year to develop serious difficulty following a sickness.
Our expenses for the year have been about the same as during the preceding year. Teachers and pupils are unusually careful in the use of books and supplies. The desks that have been in con- stant use for over twenty years show practically no markings or damage of any kind, but it would be well to give the tops a new finish of Duco or varnish stain. Some playground equipment is very much needed.
The County Extension Service has continued 4-H Clubs under the direction of Mrs. Cross and Miss Bothwell. There were fifteen active members. Weikko Nahkala has received special mention in the Poultry and Handicraft groups.
The radio is being used in schools more and more each year. The American School of the Air, with the support of the U. S. Department of Education and the co-operation of many of Ameri- ca's leading educators, presents the following :-
Monday-American History dramatizations
Tuesday-Story Telling and Music
Wednesday-Literature Dramatizations
Thursday-Music Appreciation
Friday-Vocational Information. Current Events These are half-hour programs at 2:30 each day, and with the Dam- rosch Music Appreciation programs, afford a wonderful educa- tional privilege to the country child. This is a splendid opportunity to enrich the school program.
I should like to recommend the adoption of a series of hygiene texts to be used in supplementary reading and as a basis for formal instruction. A set of Natural Science readers would give us an organized and unified course in elementary science and would be
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ANNUAL REPORT
a valuable aid in acquainting our children with the beauty and wonder of nature and the world about them.
The School Committee has given careful thought and study to all school problems that have been presented and I am deeply grateful for this support and for the splendid co-operation of the teachers, as well as for the excellent care of the building by Mr. Swindell.
Respectfully submitted, JAMES R. CHILDS, Superintendent of Schools.
REPORT OF THE MUSIC SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools :
The music program in the Oakham schools has remained much the same as it was last year.
The singing still plays the important part. In the Primary Grades the children first learn to sing and then to read music. The rhythmic band furnishes much enjoyment and interest and adds to the sense of rhythm.
In the grammar grades more difficult songs are learned and sung. Folk songs are best loved and we use them as much as pos- sible. Many problems in the theory of music are met and solved. Every lesson is a lesson in the appreciation of music. The violin and the victrola help to widen the musical experience, as well as the delightful Concord Book of Folk Songs.
My weekly visit to Oakham continues to be one of the bright spots of the week.
Respectfully submitted, MARY R. SPOFFORD.
REPORT OF THE DRAWING SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools :
In the work of the past year projects have been planned which have been a progressive development of the previous year. More stress has been placed on the expression of individual ideas both in composition and design. Design has been an especially interest- ing field of creative development. Considering the increasing de-
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ANNUAL REPORT
mand for decorative design in the business world, it seems to offer a practical outlet for the child who has artistic ability.
We have made an effort to apply our designs, color study and representation to some constructive projects such as boxes, book covers, greeting cards, Christmas wrapping papers, linoleum block printed cards. Attractive blackboard designs have been made and used to decorate the school rooms.
We aim throughout to make pupils independent workers, that they may originate and produce posters and other projects with confidence and success.
The new Course of Study in Art issued by the State Depart- ment of Education is very helpful. It has been necessary to make but few changes in our course to have it coincide with the new outlines.
Respectfully submitted,
DORIS L. POTTER.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
To the Superintendent of Schools :
Dr. Thayer has completed the physical examinations for the school year beginning in September. The children have been weighed and measured four times since January.
In April Dr. Fredricka Moore and Miss Mary Billmeyer made a Health Survey of the school, and as a result many helpful sug- gestions were made which are being carried out.
The children were given a hearing test by the audiometer in April. This test was conducted by Miss Grace Shattuck under the direction of the Worcester League of Hard of Hearing. The fol- lowing is the report of the tests :-
Slight loss of hearing in both ears 3
Slight loss of hearing in right ear 1
In June four children were brought to the pre-school clinic which was held at Paxton, and were examined by Dr. Thayer.
The "Ten Year Program" was conducted again by the State Department of Health in October. This year the skin testing was omitted but the X-raying and physical examinations were done as before. The following report is the findings of the clinic :-
Number of children examined 4
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ANNUAL. REPORT
Number of children improved 4
Number of children X-rayed 3
Number of children recommended for summer camp 1
Number of children discharged from the clinic 1
The following is the report of the work done by the nurse :-
Classroom inspections
25
Home visits 27
20
School hygiene talks
Home hygiene talks
20
Tonsil and adenoid operations
2
Children taken to infantile paralysis clinic 1
Other than one case of erysipelas there has been no com- municable disease in the school, and it appears to have been a healthful year.
I wish to extend my sincere thanks to all who helped to make the clinics a success, also my appreciation to the teachers, parents, and superintendent for the co-operation and helpfulness shown during the year just closed.
Respectfully submitted, AMREAN B. BLOOD, R. N.,
School Nurse.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
To the Superintendent of Schools :
The following is a report of the medical examination of the Oakham schools. The details of the health work and examinations are given in the report of the School Nurse.
1. Poor ventilation.
2. Over-crowding.
3. Moderate lack of co-operation in attending to defects noted in pupils last year.
I wish to commend the School Nurse on her untiring efforts in equipping the schools with proper first aid kits, on her visits to the homes, endeavoring to supervise bodily cleanliness, and on her capable manner of handling children returning to school following
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ANNUAL REPORT
contagious diseases.
Respectfully submitted, ROCKWOOD H. THAYER, M. D.
REGISTRATION OF MINORS October, 1931
Children in Oakham
Boys
Girls
Total
Between 5 and 7 years of age
7
6
13
Between 7 and 14 years of age
36
30
66
Between 14 and 16 years of age
4
9
13
Total
47
45
92
AGE AND GRADING CHART
Age
6 7
8 9
10 11
12
13
14 15
16 Total
Grade
12
II
2
4
6
12
III
2
6
2
2
12
IV
1 10
1
12
V
1
5
3
1
10
VI
5
6
1
12
VII
1
5
4
1
1
12
VIII
1
6
2
9
Ungraded
1
1
Total
12
8 13
13
6
12
13
11
3
0
1
92
STATISTICS FOR 1930-1931
School
Total Average Average % of
Mem.
Mem.
Atten.
Atten.
Grammar
46
40
37
93
Primary
51
44
41
95
Total
97
84
78
94
I
10
2
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
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ANNUAL REPORT
SCHOOL ORGANIZATION
1930-1931
School Teacher Training Appointed
Grammar-Florence E. Bothwell North Brookfield H. S.
1897
Primary-Ethel M. Braman Northfield Seminary 1907
Music-Mary R. Spofford Lowell N. S. 1927
Drawing-Doris L. Potter Keene N. S. 1927
HONOR ROLL Perfect Attendance for THREE YEARS
Helen Bechan (1/2A) John Bechan
Russell Dean
Perfect Attendance for TWO YEARS Yvonne Agar
Perfect Attendance for ONE YEAR
Arlette Agar Lillian Hall Henry Lupa (1)
Henry Stone Alberta Woodis (1)
GRADUATES-JUNE 1931
Howard Lackey Albert LaCount
Victor Smichinski
Marion Wilkin.ยป Stephen Winsky William Wareing
Sophie Yurkevicius
ENROLLMENT, FALL TERM 1931
Grade
T II III
IV V VI VII
VIII Totals
Boys
4
8
6
4
5
4
5
4 40
Girls
3
4
5
4
8
3
6
5
38
Totals
7 12
11 8 13
7
11 9
78
TOWN WARRANT
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Worcester ss :
To either of the constables of the town of Oakham, in the county of Worcester.
Greeting :
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 first 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 offi- cers, 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, Collector of Taxes, Treas- urer, Auditor, Tree Warden, six Constables for one year, all on one ballot. The polls will be open 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.
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-
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ANNUAL REPORT
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 Building 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 relative 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 under Chap. 90, to repair the No. Brookfield road, providing the county and state appropriate an equal sum.
Art. 17. To see if the town will raise and appropriate a cer- tain sum for new bridges, or pass any vote relative thereto.
Art. 18. To see if the town will raise and appropriate a cer- tain sum toward a dental clinic or pass any vote relative thereto.
Art. 19. To see if the town will accept a deed from Nathan Fisk for his farm, or pass any vote relative thereto.
Art. 20. To see if the town will vote to establish a Road Ma- chinery Account, to which shall be credited all receipts received for the use or rental of road machinery, the proceeds to be appro- priated as voted by the town for road machinery purposes, or take any action in relation thereto.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Art. 21. To see if the town will vote to appropriate (sum of money) to establish a Road Machinery Fund for the purpose of purchasing, repairing and operating road machinery.
Art. 22. To see if the town will accept $100 from Mrs. Henry Butler for the care of the S. O. Butler cemetery lot, also $100 from Walter Loring for the care of the Thomas Loring cemetery lot.
Art. 23. To see if the town will discontinue a piece of road unused since the construction of the Rutland road, near the state highway.
Art. 24. To see if the town will raise and appropriate a cer- tain sum of money for new sidewalks or pass any vote relative thereto.
Art. 25. To see if the town will raise and appropriate $44.00 for new construction at the Charlton Home Farm or pass any vote relative thereto.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting up at- tested copies in public places in said town seven days at least be- fore 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 eighteenth day of January, in the year one thousand nine hundred and thirty-two.
JOHN P. DAY, SYLVESTER R. DEAN, WALTER A. WOODIS,
Selectmen of Oakham.
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