USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Oakham > Town annual reports of the officials of the town of Oakham, Massachusetts 1942 > Part 2
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It is a privilege to be able to write today, as I have many times in the past, that the work of our schools has been carried on with the same degree of excellence that has always characterized the service of our teachers, but not this year without interruptions. During the twenty-five years that I have been here there has been no time when we have been so profoundly affected by world events. The idea of "schools as usual" is as impossible as that of "business as usual." It is good to note that our teachers and pupils have responded wholeheartedly to the many calls for special ef- fort and special service in the "all-out" for a victory that must come and the new world that must be built. There will be many other calls for service and many sacrifices to be made, but we shall meet them and do our part in training the coming generation in the ways of democracy and the means of preserving it.
Sugar rationing involved the registration of every fam- ily with all its members, and of individuals not in a family group. This was followed by gasoline or "mileage" ration- ing, and more recently fuel oil rationing. All this service was performed by the teachers promptly and efficiently. At the Annual Teachers' Convention in Worcester, Governor Saltonstall said: "The work of you teachers in this time of crisis has been tremendous. You have contributed to the war effort ... As governor of the state I want to thank you for
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ANNUAL REPORT
your work."
The reports of the Nurse, School Physician and the Sup- ervisors give summaries of their activities. Dr. Mayo has resigned temporarily to enter the service, thus placing heav- ier duties on the Nurse and the teachers. It is particularly important that parents give special thought and care to the health of the children. There is aready a scarcity of doctors and nurses available for civilian services. In any case of emergency we may call the Holden Clinic, but such calls should be made through the nurse or the teachers. We have planned for the pre-school clinic in the spring.
Our school building and equipment are in good condi- tion and we do not anticipate any unusual difficulty in secur- ing books and supplies.
The children have entered with enthusiasm into the pro- grams for collection of scrap. They sold seeds for victory gardens, and have done some excellent work in the 4-H Clubs. Grace Grimes and Betty Kowal exhibited dresses at the Fram- ingham 4-H Girls' Day program.
Safety pictures were shown and a safety talk given by Officer Knowlton of the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
Our enrolment for the school year was 57 and member- ship 68, or a slight increase over the previous year. There were 6 in the first grade, and this fall 5 children started in Grade One. The per pupil cost has increased somewhat this year, fixed costs being about the same but the enrolment now only 48. We are most fortunate in having so far escaped the problems which accompany radically changing curricula. the loss of teachers and rising cost of living. The transporta- tion of pupils may need some special study in view of the present government demands.
I want to thank the Committee. the teachers and all
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those in the community who have given so generously of their time in support of our schools.
Respectfully submitted, JAMES R. CHILDS, Superintendent of Schools
REPORT OF THE MUSIC SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools :
It is with great pleasure I submit the following report of the progress in the Music Department.
The heading Music includes the following: singing, eurhythmics, rhythm bands, sight reading, theory, and ap- preciation. Some excellent work has been done in the pri- mary school overcoming potential monotones. The grammar school is showing marked progress in three part singing.
A good example of the ability and interest in music was shown by the production of the musical pageant at gradua- tion. Several who participated in this are now members of high school glee clubs.
Today, more than ever, Music is a necessity. The fol- lowing is the opinion of one of our Allies :
"The English Government considers music a vital and essential part of war-time emergency measure. Music is recommended for children, as a measure of education and self-expression ; for adults it brings encouragement, provides relief from shock and strain and serves as a measure for binding people together in spiritual unity. For all groups music is held vital in giving people something to live for. Music is helping Britain maintain her morale to win the war."
On wings of song let us help to defend and preserve, for ourselves and our posterity, the ideals and practices of our beloved American democracy.
I wish to thank you, the School Committee and the teach-
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ers for their assistance and interest and to express my ap- preciation to the pupils for their splendid cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
ELIZABETH S. HAGAR
REPORT OF THE DRAWING SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools :
The work in the Art department this year has covered the care and use of materials, and the subjects of representa- tion, design, space and tone relation, lettering, construction and handcraft, modeling in clay, and art appreciation. Through correlation and efficient cooperation art work be- comes "a helping hand, a kind of connecting link that binds all other subjects to it, and makes every study at school more interesting and valuable because we are building for the fu- ture as well as for today."
From our foundation program of last year a working and graded outline has been established. A general library of pictures has been started for the Union. By means of Kodachrome slides lessons in art appreciation have been given; appreciation of the things about us in everyday life for the lower grades, and in upper grades a study of the types of art, drawing, painting, color, sculpture, architecture and the crafts.
We have made use of available waste material in our program, posters in the War Effort have been designed, and projects are under way that include the making of maps, charts and various models of housing, etc. Mr. Reynolds, the State Director of Art Education in Massachusetts ad- dressed the teachers of the Union on "Art and the War To- day."
In closing I wish to extend my sincere appreciation for your interest and assistance, and to thank the teachers and pupils for their splendid cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
WINIFRED M. BOND
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
To the Superintendent of Schools :
At the close of the year 1942, the routine annual clinics and examinations show the following results :
1. Pre-school clinic-vaccination and examination-4 attended.
2. Tonsil clinic-1 attended.
3. Dental clinic-incompleted-now in operation.
4. Diphtheria immunization-48 attended.
5. Annual physical examinations-no major defects dis- covered.
6. Monthly sanitary inspections-special reports sub- mitted.
7. Children weighed and measured-1 percent failing to make normal gains.
8. Home calls and conferences-12.
With the entrance of Dr. Mayo, our school physician, in- to the armed forces, we feel it vitally important that the home and school continue to cooperate in the year to come to maintain the health standards achieved during the past year.
Many homes will feel tremendously the existing condi- tions, and the health of our children must not be neglected. A few suggestions are offered to the parents.
1. Do not send a sick child to school.
2. Do not send a child to school who has been in pain. or nauseated the previous night.
3. Remember watery eyes and noses are often fore- runners of a communicable disease.
4. Protect other members of your family by promptly isolating the sick child.
5. Do not hesitate to call your family physician if in doubt.
6. Provide simple, nourishing, well-balanced meals for your child.
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7. Sce that your child is adequately dressed for the weather.
8. Remember colds are readily checked if prompt treat- ment is begun-bed rest, forced liquids and isolation are important.
9. Transportation of a sick child to his home constitutes a serious problem. Be prepared to do your part.
10. Your child's teacher is interested in the health of her entire classroom. Notify the teacher of your child's absence. The teacher will be watchful of like symptoms in other children.
11. Send an explanatory note to the teacher following absence. Determination of a child's fitness to partici- pate in a full day's routine can then be made.
12. Secure from your family physician or local Board of Health, the necessary certificate for the child to return to school following a communicable disease. No child will be admitted without one.
The health of the child in the school and the community is important. We will do our part. Will you?
· To the teachers, the janitor and all who have made the health program for the past year pleasant and effective, I wish to express my sincere appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
EVELYN E. BUTLER, R. N.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
To the Superintendent of Schools :
The following is my report as School Physician in this Union during the past year.
In the Spring of 1942 the vaccination clinics and the ex- aminations of pre-school children were heid in each school throughout the district. At the same time the school build- ings were inspected for sanitation. Diphtheria clinics were held in Rutland by the State Board of Health, and in Holden they were conducted by. Dr. Crane and myself under the
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ANNUAL REPORT
auspices of the local Board of Health. In October the children were examined in each school of the district, and the buildings were again inspected. The children seem to be in unusually good health this Fall, and we have been fortu- nate in not having any major epidemics of contagious diseases. Respectfully submitted,
LEROY E. MAYO, M. D.
ORGANIZATION, 1941-1942
School
Teacher
Appointed
Grammar : V-VIII - Florence E. Bothwell
1897
Primary : I-IV - Ethel M. Braman
1907
Music: I-VIII - Elizabeth S. Hagar
1940
Drawing: I-VIII - Winifred M. Bond
1941
SUMMARY OF REGISTERS, 1941-1942
Grades
Total
Ave.
Ave.
% of Attend.
I-IV
37
31
29
93
V-VIII
31
28
26
94
-
-
-
-
Totals
68
59
55
94
ENROLLMENT, Fall Term, 1942
Grades
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Sp
Total
Boys
4
6
4
5
5
3
2
2
31
Girls
1
1
5
1
3
2
3
4
20
Totals
5
1
11
5
8
7
6 6
2
51
REGISTRATION OF MINORS October 1, 1942
Children in Oakhanı
Boys
Girls
Total
5 to 7 years of age
3
6
9
7 to 16 years of age
31
21
52
-
-
-
Totals
34
27
61
Mem.
Mem.
Attend.
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ANNUAL REPORT
GRAMMAR SCHOOL GRADUATES June, 1942
Nancy Regina Benedict
Eva Flora Grimes
Edna Elizabeth Kowal
Dorothy Louise Leno Albert Joseph Rock
Vivian Mae Showalter Eugenia Blanche Sieczkarski Robert Ludwick Szczuka Ralph Edgar Wilbur Ronald Warren Wilkins
HONOR ROLL
Mitchell Benedict Elizabeth Kowal Chester Showalter
15: 3 189 4/ 5 r. E. B, 1 g) = 3
36 EM. 3
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 first 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 Town Clerk, one Assessor, one member of Welfare Board for three years, one member of School Committee, one Library Trustee, one Cemetery Committee for three years, Collector of Taxes, Treasurer, Auditor, Tree Warden, six Constables, 3 Fence Viewers, 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. Business meeting at two P. M.
Article 3-To choose all necessary town officers and committees 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.
Article 5-To see what compensation the town will allow for men and trucks 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.
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ANNUAL REPORT
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 AS- SISTANCE, TOWN OFFICERS' SUPPLIES, STREET LIGHTS, INSPECTION OF CATTLE, INSPECTION OF MEATS AND PROVISIONS, POLICE, PRINTING, ME- MORIAL DAY, DOG OFFICER, SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES, MISCELLANEOUS, LIBRARY, CEME- TERIES, FIRE DEPARTMENT, INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL, SOLDIERS' RELIEF, MOTH SUPPRESSION, EMPLOY- EES' INSURANCE, RESERVE FUND, FIRE INSURANCE, OPENING ROADS, ROADS CHAPTER 81, MOTHERS' AID, CARE OF HALL, TREE WARDEN.
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, and Library 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 a cer- tain sum of money from the Machinery Fund to the Ma- chinery Account.
Article 13-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.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Article 14-To see if the town will raise and appropriate a certain sum of money for Chapter 90 Maintenance.
Article 15-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 16-To see if the town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a sum of money to improve the Wright Memorial Park or take a vote relative thereto.
Article 17-To see if the town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a sum of money for the improvement of the Spen- cer 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 18-To see if the town will vote to let the As- sessors use what free cash the Commissioner will allow to reduce the tax rate.
Article 19-To see if the town will vote to accept the provision of Section 69, Chapter 152 of the General Laws, Ter. Ed., as amended by Chapter 435 of the Acts of the Year 1939, providing for the payments of Workman's Compensa- tion to injured employees of the town.
Article 20-To see if the town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a sum of money for Oakham Civilian Defense Com- mittee or pass any vote relative thereto.
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 sixteenth day of January. in the year one thousand nine hundred and forty-two.
SYLVESTER R. DEAN
JOHN MORAN DONALD RUTHERFORD
Board of Selectmen
BHS
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