USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Oakham > Town annual reports of the officials of the town of Oakham, Massachusetts 1937 > Part 2
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61.12
$2,294.32
Superintendent
J. R. Childs, Salary
$ 340.08
J. R. Childs, Travel
56.88
38
ANNUAL REPORT
Clerk
5.00
Expense
4.20
Census, Augusta Dean
5.00
$ 411.16
Health :
Evelyn Crossley, Nurse
$159.36
Dr. Knowlton
20.00
Holden Clinic
20.00
Our share toward Audiometer and Stereoscope
50.00
$ 249.36
Grade Transportation :
John O'Donnell
$ 900.02
Frank Lupa
1,289.98
Henry Stone
14.50
Douglas Rutherford
32.00
$2,236.50
Janitor :
W. E. Swindell
$ 287.00
Extra Cleaning
19.20
Cleaning Septic Tank
14.00
$ 320.20
Expense :
$ 49.96
Supplies
91.79
Books
48.00
Electricity
6.80
Fixing Furnace
New Window Shades
24.00
Cleaning and Painting School Rooms
87.00
Misc.
28.20
$ 335.75
39
ANNUAL REPORT
Fuel :
21 cords wood at $6.50
$ 136.50
Sawing
15.75
Piling
7.69
$ 159.94
Tuition :
Town of Barre
$2,158.65
$2,158.65
School Committee :
W. E. Swindell, Chairman
$ 10.00
Amalia C. Place, Secretary
25.00
George Dean
10.00
Expenses
1.60
$ 46.60
High School Transportation :
Henry Grimes
$ 150.00
Donald Agar
150.60
Marguerite Troy
168.60
Agnes Woodis
50.40
Sylvester Dean
42.60
Robert Dwelly
63.60
Henry Stone
58.20
Peter White
66.00
Walter Wood
43.20
Clarence Grimes
43.20
John Bechan
109.80
Laura Snay
81.00
Bertrand Smith
64.80
Ira Stone
43.80
Joseph Rossi
106.20
George Lackey
252.60
Joseph Bechan
85.20
John Dogul
106.20
40
ANNUAL REPORT
Anthony Bechan
42.60
E. O. Howkins
131.40
E. J. Crawford
128.40
$1,988.40
Total Expenditures $10,200.88
Respectfully submitted, W. EDGAR SWINDELL, Chairman
AMALIA C. PLACE, Secretary
GEORGE DEAN
School Committee
Report of SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Holden, Mass., December 31, 1937 To the School Committee of Oakham :
Again I have the privilege of presenting for your consid- eration my report on the condition of our schools, this being my twentieth and the thirty-eighth in the series since the for- mation of the present Union.
It has always been your purpose to maintain and extend a program of progressive education without being radical, and to secure for Oakham children the best that our appro- priation perinits. We have not had the problem of changing teachers and for this everyone interested in our progress and in maintaining high standards of service must be profoundly grateful. Oakham is not a wealthy town but it has always re- sponded to every reasonable request for the schools. Our equipment is up-to-date, the classrooms in good condition, washing and drinking facilities much better than found in most rural communities, and an excellent spirit of friendly cooperation and serious determination exists among all con- nected with the school. The boys and girls who attend school in Oakham are very fortunate in many ways.
We feel keenly the loss of Dr. Knowlton. He was friendly and helpful, always ready to respond to any calls made upon him. Through the Holden Clinic the fall examinations were made by Dr. Hayes and then Dr. Mayo was assigned to the work in the schools. His report and that of the School Nurse deserve careful reading. Our health program under the direc- tion of Miss Crossley has been skilfully carried on and extend- ed in many ways. Through her efforts we expect to have our own equipment for testing both sight and hearing. We were
42
ANNUAL REPORT
very fortunate in having Dr. Scott conduct the dental clinic in all the schools of the union.
With four grades for each teacher there is very little time in the school day for teaching special subjects or for much emphasis on visual education, but we occasionally have show- ings of safety and health films. If we had a moving picture projector or even a still-film projector, it would be possible to do much more in this field. Among the new books recently added are texts in social science for lower grades, genera: science in upper grades, general and health readers, and sup- plementary history. There is need for emphasis on safety and health education but at present it must be more or less inci- dental. There is not much opportunity for playing games in the school yard. It would be a great help if we could use the park for the games played by older groups and reserve the school yard for the younger children.
Some excellent work is done under the leadership of 4-H Clubs and we hope local leaders may be able to extend the program to include more boys as well as girls. Many pupils travel on a school bus and it is not convenient to stay after school for extra-curricular activities, but we need to give more thought to this part of the school offering. Sewing and cooking, wood-working, use of tools for building and repair work at home, drawing, music, physical education in all its phases-there is very little time for such things between nine and three-thirty but they are also important. We have a special teacher of music this year and hope to restore the drawing teacher and also have a supervisor for physical edu- cation.
Millicent Crawford and Alfred Wilbur won the blue ribbon medals or first prizes in the annual poster contest. Ar- lette Agar won second prize and the red ribbon medal. Grace Grimes had honorable mention and a year's subscription to OUR DUMB ANIMALS. The public library has helped by the loan of books and magazines. I believe we should plan to add something each year to the school libraries. Some piece
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ANNUAL REPORT
of playground apparatus should be added to our equipment each year.
It may be of interest to note some of the changes that have taken place during the past twenty years. In 1917 Cold- brook, South and West Schools were open and we had five full-time and two part-time teachers. The average member- ship was 77.6 and this year it was 78. The school year had just been lengthened from 34 to 36 weeks, and two years ago it was changed to 38 weeks and the school day shortened a half hour. New laws regarding compulsory school age and at- tendance, teachers' retirement and tenure, employment cer- tificates for all under 21, transportation at public expense for pupils going to high school in other towns-these were en- acted just about twenty years ago. In 1912 adjustable desks and seats were put in all the schools. These desks are in prac- tically perfect condition today, a real tribute to the teachers for they have always taught that respect for public property and care and economy in the use of supplies and equipment are qualities of the good citizen. Perhaps the most advance has been made in the field of health of the school child and the program of physical education. Then, two brief visits by the school physician, a short statement of conditions as he found them and no recommendations more than to say that probably three-fourths of the pupils need the attention of the dentist. Today, we have the health program that we find reviewed in the report of the school nurse this year, and sup- plemented by the action of the Committee in sharing the cost of equipment for testing sight and hearing.
The Committee has given careful thought to the needs . of the schools and the teachers have been loyal and devoted to the service. It has been a pleasure and an honor to work with them.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES R. CHILDS
44
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
To the Superintendent of Schools :
Before submitting my Annual Report may I bring back to memory the words of our loyal friend, the late Dr. Knowl- ton, "We have a big job; to do, let us do our best."
May his unwritten report prove that we tried to do our best, and though his passing has left unfinished a more exten- sive health program, may the memory of his loyalty, co- operation, enthusiasm, and desires, help us to carry on his un- finished program for better health standards of our school children.
The following is the report of health activities from January 1, 1937 :
In January, the State Department, under the direction of Mrs. Helen Hackett, gave the 4A audiometer test to 62 pupils. Only one was found to have defective hearing. This pupil had already received maximum treatment.
Pre-school clinic held in May by the school doctor was at- tended by eight children.
Annual Child Health Day was observed in May and special health films were shown.
The school doctor conducted a re-examination for dis eased tonsils in June. Three children were advised tonsillec- tomy. A tonsil clinic was conducted at the Holden Hospital. One pupil attended. It is hoped the remaining two will remedy this detrimental condition before complications result.
In September, temporary school physician, Dr. Hayes, ex- amined 69 pupils. The percentage of defects had decreased . considerably and only four major defects were found.
In October, Dr. Bessie Scott conducted the annual dental clinic, examining 66 children. Seventeen were found free from defects, thirty-eight received treatment at the clinic, three received partial treament, and five received treatment from private dentists.
Also, in October, Dr. Glidden and staff conducted a clinic for tuberculosis susceptibility. Five children were tested and
45
ANNUAL REPORT
as there was no reaction shown, it was not necessary to give X-ray examinations. .
Children have been weighed four times during the year and I find only five that have not made a normal gain.
Examination for cleanliness, posture, pediculosis, and skin eruptions have been made periodically:
Because of the fine health maintained, we have had no epidemics through the year and much credit is due the teach- ers and parents for their excellent cooperation.
Sanitary inspections have been made by the school doctor three times and special reports of praise have been submitted.
Five home calls were made during the year to interpret to the parent the recommendations made at school clinics.
It is a pleasure to work with the teachers of Oakham and I wish to thank them, as well as the parents and the pu- pils and all other organizations for their real interest and co- operation in our health program.
Respectfully submitted,
EVELYN E. CROSSLEY, R. N.
REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
To the Superintendent of Schools :
This report is necessarily brief because of the short per- iod which I have thus far served as your school physician.
i feel that whatever else might be contained in it, the re- port would be incomplete without mentioning the name of my predecessor, Dr. William T. Knowlton. He was an experienc- ed and kindly physician, respected both by his patients and his colleagues. I know that his loss is keenly felt throughout the district. It is with this thought in mind that I humbly ac- cept the position of School Physician.
In my absence during September the physical exami- nations were done by Dr. Paul T. Hayes, the results of which are incorporated in Miss Crossley's report.
The sanitary inspection of the school buildings was made
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ANNUAL REPORT
in October. My impression is that by and large the sanitary condition of the schools is very satisfactory. In each instance the buildings were clean and orderly. A few improvements are desirable in the basements and lavatories, but I am aware that these would have been made long ago had the necessary funds been available.
We have been very fortunate throughout the fall in hav- ing a low incidence of communicable diseases.
Respectfully submitted,
LEROY E. MAYO, M. D.
IN MEMORIAM DR. WILLIAM T. KNOWLTON School Physician September 1932 - June 1937
47
ANNUAL REPORT
ORGANIZATION, 1936-1937
School Teacher Training Appointed Grammar-Florence E. Bothwell, No. Brookfield H. S. 1897
Primary-Ethel M. Braman, Northfield Seminary
1907
SUMMARY OF REGISTERS, 1936-1937
School
Total Mem.
Ave. Mem.
Ave. Atten.
% of Atten.
Grammar
50
40
37
92
Primary
43
38
35
95
-
-
-
-
Totals
93
78
72
94
REGISTRATION OF MINORS October 1, 1937
Children in Oakham
Boys
Girls
Totals
Between 5 and 7 years of age
14
6
20
Between 7 and 14 years of age
25
27
52
Between 14 and 16 years of age
7
8
15
Totals
46
41
87
AGE AND GRADING CHART October 1, 1937
Age
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Totals
Grade
I
9
1
10
II
2
1 2
5
III
2
1
3
1
7
IV
1
5
1
1
8
V
8
1
9
VI
1
2
3
2
8
5
1
6
3
6
2
5
2
18
VIII
11 4 4 8 11
4 11
9
2
5
2
71
-
VII
48
ANNUAL REPORT
ENROLLMENT, Fall Term, 1937
Grade
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Totals
Boys
6
3
2
3
5
2
4
7
32
Girls
3
1
5
5
5
6
1
11
37
-
-
-
-
-
Totals
9
4
7
8
10
8
5
18
69
ROLL OF HONOR
Perfect Attendance for the Year
Gerald Agar
Renee Agar
William Bechan James Parsons
Alfred Wilbur
GRADUATES, JUNE 1937
Arlette B. Agar
Russell O. Dean
Joseph W. Bechan
William C. Dermody
William T. Bechan
Phyllis E. Grimes
Dorothy M. Briggs
Wallace C. Grimes
Alicia F. Cutting
Thomas H. Howkins
Millicent R. Crawford
George E. Lackey
Ethel H. Zelnia
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 Oakham 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 :
Article 1-To hear the annual report of the several town officers, and act thereon.
Article 2-To choose one Selectman, one Assessor, one member of Welfare Board for three years, one member of School Committee, one Library Trustee, one Cemetery Com- mittee for three years, Collector of Taxes, Treasurer, Auditor, Tree Warden, six Constables, and Moderator 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.
Article 3-To choose all necessary town officers and com- mittees for the ensuing year, not required to be elected by ballot.
Article 4-To see what compensation the town will allow the Selectmen, Treasurer, Collector, Auditor and Constables for the ensuing year.
50
ANNUAL REPORT
Article 5-To see what compensation the town will allow for men and teams in repairing highways and opening roads for the ensuing year.
Article 6-To see if the town will raise and appropriate a sum of money to bond their Treasurer and Collector and Town Clerk.
Article 7-To raise such sums of money as may be neces- sary to defray the following town charges; Schools, Town Officers, Public Welfare, Old Age Assistance, Town Officers' Supplies, Street Lights, Inspection of Barns, Inspection of Meats and Provisions, Police, Printing, Memorial Day, Dog Officer, Sealer of Weights and Measures, Miscellaneous, Library, Cemeteries, Fire Department, Industrial School, Soldiers' Relief, Moth Suppression, Employees' Insurance, Reserve Fund, Supplies and Material for W. P. A. Work, Fire Insurance, Opening Roads, Roads Chapter 81.
Article 8 ---- To see if the town will authorize the Treas- urer, 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 revenues of said financial year.
Article 9 -- 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.
Article 10-To see if the town will employ some person or persons to care for the Town Hall, Town Clock, and Li- brary Building for the ensuing year.
Article 11-To see if the town will raise and appropriate one quarter of insurance on old Town Hall.
Article 12-To see if the town will vote to transfer the balance of the Machinery Fund to Machinery Account.
51
ANNUAL REPORT
Article 13-To see if the town will vote to transfer a cer- tain sum of money from the Machinery Account to the Ma- chinery Fund.
Article 14-To see if the town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a certain sum of money for the improvement of the Turnpike Road, said money to be used in conjunction with any money which may be allotted by the State or County or both for this purpose, or pass any vote relative thereto.
Article 15-To see if the town will raise and appropriate a certain sum of money for Chapter 90 maintenance.
Article 16-To see if the town will raise and appropriate a certain sum for Industrial School.
Article 17- - To see if the town will vote to accept any Trust Funds that may be left to the town for the care of cemeteries or other purposes.
Article 18 -- To see if the town will vote to change the name of Sargent Lane to be known as Loring Road.
Article 19-To see if the town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a sum of money to improve the Wright Memorial Park.
Article 20-To see if the town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a sum of money to improve the Henry Stone Road.
Article 21-To see if the town will vote to appoint a com- mittee to investigate Fire Apparatus for the town or pass any vote relative thereto.
Article 22-To see if the town will vote to authorize the Selectinen to name a committee of three citizens to act as an Electric Rate Committee, this committee to co-operate with the Worcester County Electric Rate Committee for the pur- pose of securing cheaper electric service and to bring atten- tion of the citizens to all activities of the Worcester County Electric Rate Committee.
52
ANNUAL REPORT
Article 23 -- To see if the town will vote to let the Assessors use what free cash the Commissioner will allow to reduce the tax rate.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting up 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 fifteenth day of January, in the year one thousand nine hundred and thirty-seven
SYLVESTER R. DEAN, JOHN M. MORAN,
DONALD A. RUTHERFORD,
Selectmen of Oakham
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