USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Oakham > Town annual reports of the officials of the town of Oakham, Massachusetts 1952 > Part 3
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HOLIDAYS
October 13, 1952
November 7, 1952
November 11, 1952
November 26 - December 1, 1952
April 3, 1953
Columbus Day Teachers' Convention Armistice Day
Thanksgiving Recess Good Friday
62
TOWN OF OAKHAM
Report of SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee and Citizens of Oakham:
Herewith I present the annual school report, the fifty- third in the series.
This vear we have been making educational progress. We have had a teaching staff well qualified to instruct our children and young people.
In April Mrs. Elizabeth Fisher, teacher of Grades III, IV and V. resigned, having moved to Connecticut. Mrs. Winifred B. Lane, a local resident, was elected to fill the vacancy. Mrs. Esther Hawkes and Miss Helena Rutherford complete the regular staff. The two supervisors, Miss Ruth Innes and Gregory F. Bowes have, each week, taught music and art. The Rinehart penmanship instruction is proving very worth while.
The School Committee has had monthly meetings with the Superintendent of Schools. At these meetings school procedures have been discussed.
Several parents have visited the school and assisted the teachers in constructive ways. The PTA has held its meetings in the school and has been very cooperative. The contributing of a record player by this organization will prove very beneficial.
The American Legion Auxiliary has sponsored dancing classes for the young people.
The Grange, the Legion and local church groups are making contributions toward educating the youth of the community.
It is gratifying to know that nearly all the graduates of the Oakham school are doing good work at North Brook- field and Holden High Schools.
We have recently given Standardized Achievement Tests in the upper grades. The results were very satis- factory as compared to the Norms of the Test.
In November the Union School Committee met and granted me the opportunity to accept the Superintendency of the Wachusett Regional High School. This will reduce the amount that Oakham will need to appropriate for the Super- intendent's salary. I shall, however, endeavor to give as much time to the Oakham school as in the past.
63
ANNUAL REPORT
The assistance the pupils and teachers have received from the librarian, Mrs. Lila Wilbur, adds much to the school educational program. Our pupils have done much more reading than formerly. Oakham is fortunate in hav- ing a library near the school.
The budget that the Committee is recommending is in line with towns similar to Oakham. The increase is due to the increased cost of tuitions and teachers' salaries. The amount we received from the State for transportation in 1951 was for two years, in 1952, only one year. Thus the net cost to the town for education the past year will be greater than the previous year.
I appreciate the help and cooperation that the Com- mittee, teachers, the janitor, the town officials, organiza- tions and citizens have given me.
WILLIAM H. BUKER,
Superintendent of School Union, No. 29
64
TOWN OF OAKHAM
Report of the SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
To the Superintendent of Schools:
The school physician submits the following report for Oakham for 1952.
The annual physical examinations have been complet- ed.
Immunization clinics were conducted last spring using Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoid provided by the State. Clinics are being planned for this coming spring.
Respectfully submitted, LEROY E. MAYO, M.D.
65
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of THE SCHOOL NURSE
To the Superintendent of Schools:
The physical examinations of the children in grades 1, 4, 7 have been completed by Dr. Mayo. The predominent defect was carious teeth. The parents are urged to have corrections made. Children with decayed and aching teeth can not do good school work.
Three diphtheria immunization clinics were held and 38 students were innoculated.
A pre-school clinic was held with the parents present. The purpose of this examination is to check the health of the child and to insure his best physical condition when he begins school. Any defects that are found should be reme- died during the summer.
The annual vision test has been given and most of the defects have been corrected.
The testing of hearing for all school children has been completed. The children's hearing is tested by means of pure tone or descrete frequency audiometry. Pure tone test- ing may be briefly described as a determination of a child's ability to hear soft sounds at different pitches. It enables the tester to detect beginning hearing losses before they have advanced sufficiently to constitute an educational or social handicap to the child.
All contagious diseases must be reported to the Board of Health. School permits must be obtained before a child may be readmitted to school. Permits may be obtained either from the family physician or the Board of Health.
The health of a child in the school and community is important. A few suggestions are offered to the parents.
1. A child with a beginning cold should be kept home. Beginning symptoms of many communicable dis- eases include early signs of a cold. Prompt isola- tion from others may prevent spread.
2. Do not send a sick child to school.
3. Do not send a child to school who has been in pain or has been nauseated the night before.
66
TOWN OF OAKHAM
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has established the following regulation:
A child shall be examined by a physician six months before entering school or during the first year after entrance and at intervals of either three or four years.
Throughout the year routine work went on, such as home visits, personal interviews, weighing and measuring, inspections, first-aid, excluding sick children who either come to school ill or who becomes ill at school, planning and assisting the school physician in clinics.
Weighed and measured, 59; Feld visits, 12; Vision test, 69; hearing test, 72; Pupils excluded 4; Puplis re-admitted, 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.
December 20, 1952
67
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of THE MUSIC SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools:
Since singing is the universal medium of musical ex- pression, the correct use of the singing voice in spontaneous song is considered in the schools.
Provision for independent reading is made with a readi- ness program in the primary grades and the application in the intermediate grades.
Appreciation of music is dependent upon contact with good music and upon training in musical judgment and dis- crimination. A record library available to all schools in the Union has been started and the individual schools have ex- pressed their desire to supplement this supply. With one exception, each school in the Union has an adequate record player. Two are very recent acquisitions.
Throughout the program a linking up with daily life and a feeling of cooperation and service has been empha- sized. It is hoped that through the youngsters' participa- tion they have received an emotional lift.
Much credit is due the grade teachers upon whom the success of the music program is dependent.
Respectfully submitted, RUTH S. INNES
68
TOWN OF OAKHAM
Report of THE ART SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools:
The objectives of the Art program this year have been a variety of experiences in using different types of media, a variety of approaches to art problems and projects, and encouragement of self-expression in art work.
In the primary grades, the children, working mostly with crayons, occasionally with paints, colored construction paper, and an assortment of materials such as cloth, metal- ic paper, cotton, etc., have created pictures, designs and murals covering such varied subjects as games, activities around the school and community, holiday projects and decorations, and seasonal projects. The objectives of these lessons have been - use of color, design, organization of the paper and the fundamental shapes of houses, the human figure, trees, animals, automobiles and other familiar ob- jects.
In the intermediate and Junior High School grades, water color is used, and many experiments and projects are worked out using this medium, so that the children will become competent in its use. Landscapes, figures engaged in various activities, the seasons and their related colors, color charts and analysis, perspective, and experiences with which children are familiar, are some of the problems that are considered and worked out. Again on these grade levels work is done with other materials, including colored paper, metallic paper, cotton, and a general exploration of the uses and possibilities of scrap and waste materials.
The cooperation of the classroom teachers, upon whom much depends for the success of such a program, has been very gratifying.
Respectfully submitted,
GREGORY F. BOWES
Supervisor of Art
69
ANNUAL REPORT
SUMMARY OF REGISTERS June 1952
Grades
Total Mem.
Ave. Mem.
I-II
24
22.79
% Att. 91.74
III, IV, V
26
23.20
93.
VI, VII, VIII
23
22.25
93.67
Totals
73
68.24
92.8
ENROLLMENT, DECEMBER 31, 1952
Grades
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Totals
Boys
5
7
4
2
5
4
3
1
31
Girls
7
5
6
4
5
2
5
4
38
12
12
10
6
10
6
8
5
69
SCHOOL CENSUS - October 1, 1952
Boys
Girls
Total
5 to 7 years of age
8
9
17
7 to 16 years of age
31
38
69
39
47
85
GRADUATES - June 1952
Oakham Center School
Valena N. Bechan
Paul R. Downer
Beverly A. Gallant
Virginia Rutherford
William J. Budreau Patricia E. Foley Marilyn Parsons Grace E. Wells
TUITION PUPILS Barre High School
Howard Bechan Carol Riffenberg
Wesley Dwelly - transferred to North Brookfield High School Phyllis Bechan
Mae Hardy - transferred to North Brookfield High School Edith Crawford - transferred to Holden High School
North Brookfield High School
Virginia Foley Virginia Rutherford Gail Wells Valena Bechan
Betty Hardy David Wells Grace Wells William J. Budreau
Patricia Foley
70
TOWN OF OAKHAM Holden High School
Edith Crawford
Marilyn Parsons
Beverly Gallant
South High School Joseph Miller Worcester Boys' Trade High School Ralph Dwelly Richard Wilbur
Ralph Mann
71
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of OAKHAM SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Appropriation
Expenditures
$ 21,700 00 21,226 84
Unexpended Balance
$ 473 16
Expenditures
$ 21,226 84
Receipts
13,152 32
Actual Cost to Town
$ 8,074 52
Receipts:
General Fund, Chap.70
$ 5,484 72
Supt. Salary
280 83
Transportation
6,936 77
Tuition - Vocational
450 00
$13,152 32
Expenditures:
General Control:
School Committee Expense
$ 12 51
Superintendent's Salary and travel (Wm. H. Buker)
509 27
Office Salaries
250 33
Office Expense & Census
86 60
$ 858 71
Expense of Instruction:
Teachers:
Esther G. Hawkes
$ 2,466 72
Elizabeth Fisher
887 73
Winifred B. Lane
1,405 30
Helena K. Rutherford
2,266 39
$ 7,026 14
Supervisors:
Ruth S. Innes
$ 239 83
Gregory F. Bowes
273 19
Rinehart Handwriting System
170 00
$ 683 02
72
TOWN OF OAKHAM
Substitutes:
Mary G. Arms
$ 16 00
Elsie J. Havens
160 00
$
176 00
Text Books
$ 259 25
Supplies
435 79
$
695 04
$ 8,580 20
Operations of School Plant:
Janitor's Salary
$ 468 00
43 39
Janitor's Supplies Fuel
708 82
$ 1,220 21
Maintenance of School Plant:
Repairs
$ 287 09
$ 287 09
Auxiliary Agencies:
Health:
Brenda T. Sullivan, School Nurse $ 206 54
Dr. Leroy Mayo, School Physician 75 00
Supplies 5 75
$ 287 29
Miscellaneous
44 92
Tuition:
Town of Barre
$ 1,230 92
Town of Holden
198 46
Town of North Brookfield
618 75
City of Worcester
660 89
$ 2,709 02
73
ANNUAL REPORT
Grade Transportation:
Leonard A. Hardy
$ 3,800 00
John O'Donnell
1,520 00
High School Transportation
1,919 40
$ 7,239 40
$10,280 63
Respectfully submitted,
WILLARD C. RUTHERFORD,
Chairman
MARY M. PARSONS
LEONE B. DANIELS, Secretary
School Committee
74
TOWN OF OAKHAM
WARRANT
THE 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 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 March next, at 12M 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 Town Clerk, one Selectman,. one Assessor, one member of the Welfare Board, one mem- ber of the School Committee, one Library Trustee, one mem- ber of the 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.
Article 5. To see what compensation the town will allow for men and trucks in repairing highways and open- ig roads for the ensuing year.
75
ANNUAL REPORT
Article 6. To see if the town will raise and appropri- ate a sum of money to bond their Treasurer, Collector and Town Clerk.
Article 7. To raise and appropriate such sums of money as may be necessary to defray the following town charges: SCHOOLS, PUBLIC WELFARE, OLD AGE ASSISTANCE, AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN, TOWN OFFICERS' SUPPLIES, STREET LIGHTS, BOARD OF HEALTH, ELECTION AND REGISTRATION, INSPEC- TION OF ANIMALS, INSPECTION OF SLAUGHTERING, POLICE, PRINTING, MEMORIAL DAY, DOG OFFICER, SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES, MISCELLA- NEOUS, LIBRARY, CEMETERIES, FIRE DEPARTMENT, VETERANS' BENEFITS AND ADMINISTRATION, MOTH SUPPRESSION, DUTCH ELM DISEASE, EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION INSURANCE, RESERVE FUND, FIRE INSURANCE, SNOW REMOVAL AND SANDING, ROADS - - CHAPTER 81, MEMORIAL HALL MAINTENANCE, TREE WARDEN, INSPECTION OF WIRES, EXPENSE OF WORCSTER COUNTY RETIREMENT SYSTEM, CARE OF TOWN COMMON, AND 4-H CLUBS.
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 raise and appropri- ate one quarter of the insurance on Old Town Hall.
Article 10. To see if the town will vote to transfer a certain sum of money from the Machinery Fund to the Machinery Account.
Article 11. To see if the town will vote to accept. any trust funds that may be left for the care of cemeteries or other purposes.
Article 12. To see if the town will raise and appropri- ate a certain sum of money for Chapter 90 Maintenance.
Article 13. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from unappropriated available
76
TOWN OF OAKHAM
funds in the treasury, a sum of money for Chapter 81 High- ways in anticipation of revenue from the State, or take any action in relation thereto.
Article 14. To see if the town will vote to appropriate from their surplus revenue a sum of money to be used by the Board of Assessors in figuring the 1952 tax rate, same to help reduce the amount of the tax rate in 1952.
Article 15. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a certain sum of money for the improvement of Robinson Road, Chapter 90 Construction, said money to be used in conjunction with any money which may be allot- ted by the State or County or both for this purpose or take any action relative thereto.
Article 16. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a certain sum of money for the Oakham Civilian Defense Organization or take any action relative thereto.
Article 17. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a certain sum of money, same to be used in paying the notes of the town coming due in this fiscal year, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 18. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to be used to pay the accrued interest due in this fiscal year on its outstanding Funded and Fixed debt, or take any action relative thereto.
Article 19. To hear the report of the committee rela- tive to Oakham's joining a Union Health Department.
Article 20. To see if the town will vote to transfer the sum of $100 from the Cemetery Lots Account to the Ceme- tery Appropriation Account. This money is to be used to develop new lots in the Pine Grove Cemetery.
Article 21. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a certain sum of money to prepare and oil a section of the Rutherford Road or take any action relative thereto.
Article 22. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate $1200 to improve and oil a section of the Scott Road or take any action relative thereto.
77
ANNUAL REPORT
Article 23. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a certain sum of money to help set up a hot lunch program in the Oakham Center School.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting 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 aforsesaid.
Given under our hand this ninth day of February in the year one thousand nine hundred and fifty-three.
JOHN P. O'DONNELL WALTER E. COLE HENRY W. STONE, JR.
Board of Selectmen
INDEX
Town Officers 3
Selectmen's Appointments 5
Report of Town Clerk
7
Charlton Home Farm Association
11
Public Welfare
12
Fobes Memorial Library
16
Tax Collector
17
Town Treasurer 19
Town Treasurer's Summary
20
State Audit
23
Balance Sheet
26
Cemetery Committee
29
Moth Superintendent
30
Board of Selectmen
31
Board of Health 53
Superintendent of Streets 54
Fire Department 55
Librarian
56
Veterans' Agent
58
Town Auditor
59
School Committee
60
Superintendent of Schools
62
School Physician 64
School Nurse
65
Music Supervisor 67
Art Supervisor 68
Organization
69
School Department Report 71
Warrant 74
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