USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Oakham > Town annual reports of the officials of the town of Oakham, Massachusetts 1947 > Part 2
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There were no pupils in Grade VIII last June and there- fore no formal graduation exercises. The program at the close of school gave special consideration to the outstanding service of our Principal, Miss Florence E. Bothwell, who then had completed 50 years of teaching. We do well to pay honor to Miss Bothwell. Oakham is indeed fortunate to have her continue this wonderful service to our children. We have NOT been troubled by the situation the President of one of our textbook publishing houses refers to in the following words :
37
ANNUAL REPORT
"During the past 50 years the schools have let the word MUST disappear from the educational pro- gram. Military service training put it back into use. We have talked of Progressive Education to give a high-sounding name to the program of letting a pupil do what, if anything, he happened to feel like doing at the moment. I doubt if a teen-ager is competent to determine what he wants to study or how much work he ought to do, unless there is some MUST along the line to drive him to achievement. In fact I doubt if many adults would have any reason to be proud of their accomplishments if there had been no element of MUST to play a hand in their decisions."
Several bills for increased financial support of the public schools were presented to the Legislature last year. Oak- ham will benefit by the passage of one bill increasing re- imbursements for transportation. Other bills will be be- fore the Legislature again this winter, looking to increased support. Teachers' salaries are still a long way behind factory wages. With increases already granted, salaries in 1947 have about 14% less purchasing power than in 1941. At the present time there is an actual shortage of 300 teachers in Massachusetts. Other matters that are being given careful study relate to Certification of Teachers, In-Service Training, State Aid, and Consolidation of School Districts to Construct and Maintain High Schools.
At recent Joint Committee meetings there has been active discussion of a change in the present Union. Holden is growing rapidly and is ready to consider withdrawing from the Union. It is my belief that Oakham, Paxton and Rutland would constitute a compact and effective unit with many obvious advantages over the present arrangement. One of the objectives of such a Union might well be the construction and maintenance of a consolidated high school. At present Paxton sends its high school pupils to Worcester and Oakham sends to Barre. In the new consolidated high school you would have full control of the program of study, the teachers, the transportation, athletics and the same supervision your children had in the elementary schools.
In closing may I express my deep appreciation of your loyal support. I shall always cherish the many friendships formed and lessons learned.
Respectfully submitted, JAMES R. CHILDS,
Superintendent of Schools.
38
ANNUAL REPORT REPORT OF THE ART SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools :
The following is my second report covering the work in Art in the Oakham school during the past year.
We are carrying on the plans as outlined in my previous report, working to develop the imagination, teach the child to think, and to make wise choices in his environment.
The response on the part of the pupils has been evi- denced by considerable initiative and successful demonstra- tion of our aims.
I appreciate the splendid cooperation of the teachers and pupils.
Respectfully submitted,
CECILIA E. HALL
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
To the Superintendent of Schools:
The yearly physical examination of the school children has been completed by Dr. Mayo. Defects have been re- corded on the individual physical record cards of each pupil. The predominating defects were disease tonsils and carious teeth. The parents are urged to have corrections made.
The Visual and Auditory tests were made. Most of the defects have been corrected.
Three diphtheria immunization clinics were held and 34 students were inoculated by Dr. Mayo.
A pre-school clinic was held in May. The parents pres- ent at these clinics gave the doctor an excellent opportunity to explain about the defects found.
Throughout the year routine work goes on, such as home visits, personal interviews, weighing and measuring, inspections, first aid, excluding sick children, planning and assisting the school physician in clinics.
Field visits
5
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ANNUAL REPORT
First aid 18
Physical examinations with Doctor 53
Pupils weighed and measured
106
Clinics 4
I sincerely wish to thank everyone who has helped throughout the year to make my work pleasant and effective.
Respectfully submitted,
BRENDA T. SULLIVAN, R.N.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
To the Superintendent of Schools:
This is a brief report of the work done in the schools of this district by the school physician during the year 1947.
Diphtheria clinics were held in Holden, Rutland and Oakham in the early spring. In May pre-school clinics were held in the same towns and the pre-school children were vaccinated for Small-pox.
Soon after school started in September physical ex- aminations were begun of all the pupils in the district. These examinations were completed in early December.
In general the health of the students during the past year has been very good. Physical examinations showed very few cases of major defects. The most frequent defect noted was that of dental caries.
Respectfully submitted,
LEROY E. MAYO, M. D.
ORGANIZATION 1946-1947
School Teacher Appointed
Grammar, Grades V-VIII-Florence E. Bothwell 1897
Primary, Grades I-IV-Helena K. Rutherford 1946
Music Supervisor-Winona A. Weed 1944
Art Supervisor-Cecelia E. Hall 1946
40
ANNUAL REPORT SUMMARY OF REGISTERS 1946-1947
Grades
Total Memb.
Ave. Memb.
Ave. Attend.
% of Attend.
I-IV
35
31
29
94
V-VIII
18
16
16
93
Totals
53
47
45.
93
ENROLLMENT, FALL TERM 1947
Grades
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Total
Boys
6
6
2
1
1
2
0
6
24
Girls
1
5
4
7
4
2
2
4
29
Totals
7
11
6
8
5
4
2
10
53
REGISTRATION OF MINORS
Children in Oakham
Boys
Girls
Total
5 to 7 years of age
11
7
18
7 to 14 years of age
14
27
41
14 to 16 years of age
6
1
7
Totals
31
35
66
(There were no graduates from the)
(Grade School in June 1947
.. )
41
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Appropriation for the year
$12,500 00
Expenditures for the year 12,710 99
Deficit
$ 210 99
Expenditures for the year
$12,710 99
Receipts for the year
8,373 75
Actual cost to town
$ 4,337 24
Receipts
School Fund Part 1
$ 430 00
School Fund Part 2
2,280 37
Chapter 71 S. 7A
5,175 60
Superintendent's Salary
145 00
State Wards
342 78
$ 8,373 75
Expenditures
Teachers :
Florence E. Bothwell
$ 1,800 06
Helena K. Rutherford
1,800 14
Winona A. Weed
92 22
Cecilia E. Hall
148 50
$ 3,840 92
Health :
Esther Gonyer, School Nurse $ 15 75
Brenda T. Sullivan, School Nurse
144 75
Leroy Mayo, M.D., School Physician
52 50
$ 213 00
42
ANNUAL REPORT
Superintendent :
James R. Childs, Salary
James R. Childs, Travel
$ 335 00 30 00
$
365 00
Grade Transportation :
Leonard A. Hardy
$ 1,980 00
John O'Donnell
1,140 00
$ 3120 00
Janitor:
Winthrop H. Boyd
$ 348 00
Walter B. Green
40 00
Janitors' Supplies
28 46
$
416 46
Fuel :
Ralph Wagner
$ 185 63
George W. Dean
140 00
Briggs Bros. Lumber Co.
108 00
Walter B. Green, Packing Wood
15 00
448 63 $
Miscellaneous :
Books
$ 102 04
Supplies
58 78
Donald Agar
3 00
Pearl Towle, Clerk
16 00
Ralph I. Daniels, paint
9 00
$ 188 82
High School Tuition:
Town of Barre
$ 2,054 16
$ 2,054 16
High School Transportation:
Donald Agar $ 82 40
43
ANNUAL REPORT
William Bechan
360 80
John Dogul
234 40
Haven Goodwin
140 00
Alfred Morse
280 00
Worth Parsons
128 80
Romeo Riendeau
116 80
Stanley Sieczkarski
104 80
Andrew Riffenburg
144 00
Robert Dwelly
141 60
Clarence Smith
13 60
Van French
54 40
Asa Shepard
84 00
Alexander Crawford
43 20
Grace Wells
135 20
$ 2,064 00
Respectfully submitted,
MARY P. CRAWFORD, Chairman
GEORGE W. DEAN
LEONE B. DANIELS, Secretary
School Committee
44
ANNUAL REPORT
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 second day of February next, at 12 M., at which time the polls will be opened and will be closed at 8 P.M.
Business meeting will open at 8 P.M., 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 the Welfare Board, one member of the School Committee, one Library Trustee, one Cemetery Committee, all for three-year terms. A Collector of Taxes, Treasurer, Auditor, Tree Warden, six Constables, three Fence Viewers and Moderator for one year, all on one ballot.
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 if the town will vote to fix the salary and compensation of all elective officers of the town as provided by section 108 of chapter 41, General Laws, as amended: 1 Town Clerk, 3 Selectmen, 3 Assessors, 3 Board of Public Welfare, 3 School Committee, 1 Moderator, 1 Tax Collector, 1 Treasurer, 1 Auditor and raise and appropriate a sum of money therefor.
5.00 250000 06 .54 2000
7
click 25
0100 15 25 Bd
15.00
1
19
Club 25.00
each
5
45
ANNUAL REPORT
Article 5-To see what compensation the town will al- low for men and trucks in repairing highways and opening roads for the ensuing year. Selman
Article 6-To see if the town will raise and appropriate a sum of money to bond their Treasurer, Collector and Town Clerk. $ 50.00
Article 7-To raise such sums of money as may be nec- essary 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, MEM- ORIAL DAY, DOG OFFICER, SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES, MISCELLANEOUS, LIBRARY, CEME- TERIES, FIRE DEPARTMENT, INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL, MILITARY AID, MOTH SUPPRESSION, EMPLOYEES' INSURANCE, RESERVE FUND, FIRE INSURANCE, OPENING ROADS, ROADS CHAPTER 81, AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN, 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 fiscal 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. I Vadliner
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. 3) of Selection
Article 11-To see if the town will raise and appropri- ate one quarter of the insurance on Old Town Hall$ 5.15
Article 12-To see if the town will vote to transfer a certain sum of money from the Machinery Fund to the Machinery Fund Aid. acct 3000.00
Article 13-To see if the town will raise and appropri- ate a certain sum of money for Chapter 90 Maintenance.
1200.0
7 9
46
ANNUAL REPORT
Article 14-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. yes
Article 15-To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treasury, a sum of money for Chapter 81 Highways in anticipation of revenue from the state, or take any action in relation thereto. $3000.00
Article 16-To see if the town will vote to let the Assessors use what free cash the Commissioner will allow to reduce the tax rate 4000,00
Article 17-To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a certain sum of money to care for the Town Common or take any vote relative thereto. 50.00
Article 18-To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a certain sum of money for the 4H Club or take any vote relative thereto. 50,00
Article 19-To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a certain sum of money to improve the South Road or take any vote relative thereto.
500,00
Article 20-To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a certain sum of money to improve the New Braintree Road between Percy Wilbur's and Harold Gray's by removing the stone walls on each side thereby eliminat- ing snow drifting or take any vote relative thereto.
1500.00
Article 21-To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a certain sum of money to improve the Turnpike Road Chapter 90 Construction, said money to be used in conjunction with any money alloted by the State or County or both for this purpose or pass any vote relative thereto.
Article 22-To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a certain sum of money for the improvement of Spencer Road Chapter 90 Construction, said money to be used in conjunction with any money which may be alloted by the State or County or both for this purpose or pass any vote relative thereto.
600,00
Article 23-To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a certain sum of money to improve the Scott Road or take any vote relative thereto.
800.00
47
ANNUAL REPORT
35.00
Article 24-To see if the Town will acquire a tract of land from the Department of Conservation for a Town Dump and raise and appropriate a sum of money therefor.
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 twenty-fourth day of Janu- ary, in the year one thousand nine hundred and forty-eight.
JOHN M. MORAN, DONALD A. RUTHERFORD, WILLIAM ZUKUS,
Board of Selectmen
1
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