USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > West Bridgewater > Town annual reports of the selectmen, overseers of the poor, town clerk, and school committee of West Bridgewater for the year ending 1925-1929 > Part 37
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the contention that the technical knowledge of one's occu- pation forms but a small percentage of the necessary quali- fication needed for success in that particular line of en- deavor. If the importance of these extra-curriculum activi- ties is accepted, generally, I believe, the schools' work in turning out a product that can better meet life's problems efficiently would be unquestionably more effective when support, and cooperation of the agencies outside of the school are solicited.
In its program of extra-classroom activities the school has supported the school magazine, "The Climber," pub- lished three times a year, plays given by the senior class, and by the athletic association, an operetta, an 18-piece or- chestra, a girls' league, baseball and basketball. The oper- etta and the play by the athletic association are newcomers in this program. In addition to arousing a general interest in music the operetta was an excellent example of what the cooperation of nearly half of the school and practically all of its teachers, can produce in the way of worthwhile ac- complishments. The athletic association play was a dramatic success, but as far as raising money-the reason for its pro- duction-it was a complete failure for it lacked, apparently, the support of the community.
In our school plant there have been two outstanding achievements in equipment that aid in better administra- tion, in enriching the pupils' educational opportunities, and in making teaching more efficient. First of all, a program clock that automatically operates the classroom bells, was installed in November. This valuable addition was made possible by the gift of last years' graduating class and by the liberal financial aid of the Trustees of the Howard Funds. The second improvement of note was the appropriate equipping, as a library, a small well-lighted room adjacent to a large study hall. Here four hundred books form the nucleus of material for reference as well as for reading. By
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a careful and systematic selection of needed books and magazines the library will gradually grow to meet a need of long standing. For these improvements, as well as for modern office window shades and furniture, chairs for the orchestra, the furnishing of a teachers' rest room, shelves in the supply room, and the resurfacing of the tennis court, the school is greatly indebted to the Trustees of the Howard Funds.
As recommended in my previous reports I still strongly believe the school could better meet the needs of the com- munity if (1) the curriculum was enriched by a course in domestic science, and (2) a teacher's salary schedule was put into effect to retain a teaching staff of high calibre by reducing the teacher re-placement to a minimum.
In conclusion, I wish to express my thanks and appre- ciation for the loyal support of the Superintendent of Schools, the School Committee, the Howard Trustees, the teachers, and other friends of Howard High School.
Respectfully submitted,
NILS G. LINDELL.
. SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
To the Superintendent of Schools,
West Bridgewater, Mass.
Dear Sir :
I herewith submit my report on the music in the public schools of West Bridgewater. The few changes made in the teaching force have not affected the progress of the work. In the High School the interest of the chorus is very genuine
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and there is a steady increase each year in the number of students electing this subject.
Music is cultural and inspirational and the response of the class to these influences is marked.
Last May members of the chorus, assisted by the school orchestra, presented the operetta, "Love Pirates of Hawaii." This was very enthusiastically received by the audience and a repeated performance requested.
The students so thoroughly enjoyed this operetta and derived so much good from it, that a vote was taken in September to have another which we expect to give in the spring.
A number of High School students have expressed a desire for a Glee Club. With the pronounced interest shown in the Thursday morning choral period and with the many good voices available for more advanced training in singing, opportunity should be given these students for further work in music. Much is being done educationally for the backward pupil in the schools of today, but the bright or ambitious child is not receiving his just due. No special classes are be- ing organized for the advantage of those pupils who can and should go ahead along the line of their natural aptitude.
We have no course in Music Appreciation. At least one period a month should be devoted to this side of the study of music. The only work done in the appreciation of music is during the regular classroom singing period and is not very satisfactory as the time is too short. The supervisor has, on one or two occasions, brought records to the class to supplement a particular lesson.
The tremendous, far-reaching influence of the Dam- rosch broadcasting concerts on music appreciation is un- questionable. Their educational and inspirational effect is widely recognized and in many towns and cities, school children are privileged to hear these concert lectures on Friday morning from 11 to 11:30 o'clock and from 11:30 to
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12 o'clock. These broadcasting concerts by one of the fore- most musical leaders of America today are not only instruc- tive and entertaining to young and old, but are stimulating and create a desire to know and learn more. The broader our knowledge the keener our understanding and the deeper our appreciation. We store up within ourselves golden melo- dies for the years to come.
I would ask your consideration of a course in music appreciation. More attention might well be given this art that finds such sympathetic response, that has such a world- wide appeal, that speaks the one universal language of the emotions. Is it not possible for us in West Bridgewater to do a little more musically for our boys and girls ? In the early training is laid the foundation of the future. Gems in literature, art and music taught in school will create a taste for the beautiful world they will open up to the individual, but if little or no time be given to these in the early train- ing, the individual, in many cases, will not have the desire or initiative to enter this world himself.
Our schools are very well supplied with music books.
The new piano at the Jerusalem School will be of great assistance and pleasure to the children.
The Matfield unit is the best equipped at the present time. There is a very good piano in the upper grade school and a victrola and rhythm band instruments in the lower grade. I certainly appreciate and am very thankful to the parents and friends in this section for their generous help in procuring these additions for the advancement of music in these schools.
At the Centre, Sunset Avenue, and Cochesett Schools the music is progressing very happily. In the early fall tea- chers and supervisor often feel discouraged with the lack of progress made. This may be due in a measure to a certain amount of adjustment necessary in the new environment,
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also to a sub-conscious comparison of the previous June class to the present one of September.
We also have a rhythm band in the Sunset Avenue Primary Department. These bands, which are so popular and are so generally used in the public schools at the pres- ent time, are recognized very largely for their means of developing the rhythmic sense, self-expression, concentra- tion and team-work. Most of the instruments require two. hands which makes for prompt muscular co-ordination. The Toy Symphony Orchestra is one of the most potent means for arousing the subnormal child.
In closing, I wish to thank you and the teachers for your interest and cooperation.
Respectfully yours,
LOIS J. SNOW, Supervisor of Music.
SCHOOL NURSE'S REPORT
To the School Committee and Superintendent of Schools in the Town of West Bridgewater:
It gives me great pleasure to present my report as School Nurse in the year 1929 as follows:
Beginning at the High School all pupils were examined by the School Physician. Two were found with serious heart defects, three with enlarged thyroid glands, eleven with de- fected tonsils and adenoids which should be removed, twenty were ten per cent. or more underweight. A number were advised not to take part in athletic games in order to conserve energy.
In the grade schools, 394 yearly examinations were made by the School Physician. Eighty notices were sent
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for defective tonsils and adenoids, 33 children had physical defects corrected since last year.
Over 150 certificates were issued by the School Phy- sicians, allowing children who had been absent on account of illness to return to school. Many doubtful cases were referred to them and excluded when necessary.
Early in the fall we had numerous cases of impetigo. Any scratch or bite on the hands or face should receive immediate attention so impetigo cannot get a start, as this skin disease is very contagious.
Five cases of diphtheria were reported from Matfield. Eighty cultures were taken and one child proved to be a carrier. If toxin-antitoxin had been administered early this would have rendered children immune to diphtheria. To date there has been over 50 cases pertussis in town. Nine cases of scarlet fever were reported this year. Twelve full days were spent in the dental clinic. Work accomplished 106 cleanings, 119 extractions, 158 amalgam fillings and 15 cement fillings. Owing to the unemployment of parents this total was unusually small.
Usually fifty per cent. of the children are underweight when school opens. There is a marked improvement this year which proves there is better understanding of general health teaching in the homes.
We are indeed fortunate in having Miss Anna J. Foley of the Plymouth County Health Association test the ears with the new audio-meter. An ear phone is placed first over the right and then over the left ear; a victrola arrange- ment is secreted in a box and the children write down what they hear. These papers are carefully corrected. This is an effective, accurate method of testing ears. Only seven were found to have defective hearing, four of which are remedial cases. One child was sent to the summer health camp for eight weeks through the sale of Christmas seals.
My work has taken me into many homes in all parts
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of the town in the interest of retarded children and follow- ing up cases of remedial diseases.
I wish to express my thanks to all connected with schools for the courtesies and assistance extended me in my work.
LILLIAN M. HEWITT,
School Nurse.
REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIANS
To the School Committee and the Superintendent of Schools :
Except for a few cases of diphtheria and the present epidemic of whooping-cough, the physical condition of pu- pils is as good as could be expected.
Home environment is responsible for a very great per- centage of the indisposition and physical illness, to say nothing of their scholastic standing.
If the time ever comes when children consult their parents instead of parents consulting the children, we may reasonably expect both physical and mental improvement. The present epidemic of whooping cough is mainly due to carelessness of parents and physicians alike, who fail to report such cases to the Board of Health. In some instances ignorance or fear of exposure have been the cause of such failure-both inexcusable.
The School Nurse, Mrs. Hewitt, has done and is doing a very important work in the Schools, and health conditions have greatly improved under her watchful care. We en- deavor to keep children in school when it can be safely done, but that is no excuse for lack of cooperation on the part of the parents or guardians.
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The Superintendent, Teachers and School Nurse are careful of the well being of the pupils, why are the parents less careful concerning food, rainment and deportment ?
Children who have a cold, cough or other disquieting troubles should not be in school. They cannot properly apply themselves to the task before them, and are a menace to themselves and others.
The question of throat affection has been discussed time and again. Enlarged tonsils are not always diseased. Diseased tonsils should be removed by enucleation, not by amputation or by other measures just as silly and decidedly more dangerous as time goes on.
Complaints unless supported by evidence have little force, and should not have.
Hearsay does not constitute facts.
We are very grateful for assistance rendered by the Superintendent, Teachers and Committee.
ELLIS S. LELACHEUR, WALTER C. WHITING,
School Physicians.
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COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES HOWARD HIGH SCHOOL Class of 1929 HOWARD HALL June twentieth at eight o'clock
H. H. S. 1929 "He Who Conquers, Conquers Himself"
CLASS OFFICERS
President, Richard Tucker, Jr. Vice-President, Dorothy Kirby Secretary, Annette Baxter Treasurer, Josephine Cassiani
Class Colors-Green and White Class Flower-Pink Rose
PROGRAM
1. March-National Emblem March Orchestra
2. Prayer Rev. F. Burton Long
3. Music-"Row, Boatman, Row" Adam Geibel
High School Chorus
4. Address Lynn H. Harris, Ph. D.
5. Presentation of Class Gift Richard Tucker, Jr. President of the Class of 1929
6. Acceptance for School Lyle Butts President of the Junior Class
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7. Scholarship and Honor Awards Mary Janes Scholarship Wednesday Night Club Scholarship Parent-Teachers Scholarship Washington and Franklin Medal
Principal Nils G. Lindell Richard Charnock
8. Violin Solo
9. Presentation of Diplomas
Superintendent Richard D. Tucker
10. Class Ode Written by Beatrice Ensher Senior Class
11. Benediction Rev. F. Burton Long
CLASS ODE
Words and music by Beatrice Ensher Children, thine, fair Howard High School, Though it's now farewell to you, Always we shall sing thy praise, Seeking high thy name to raise, Good old, true old Howard High School,
With thy love our hearts do blaze, We are loyal, fondly gracious, For those fleeting high school days.
Chorus :
Dear old high school days, Filled to the brim with joys untold, Happy we've been always In those hours more precious than gold. Grateful, thankful too, high school home, We are to you,
For those years you've seen us through, So it's now adieu.
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High school days have been the fairest That our lives have ever known. Careless, free, without a worry, Listless of the winds that're blown, Ah, those days we'll surely cherish, And as treasures they shall grow, In our memories we shall live them, As in dreams they'll come and go.
GRADUATES
College Course
Evelyn Marie Anderson
Everette Fremont Bolles
Marion Smith Bryant
Louise Patricia Crowley
Walter David Crowley, Jr.
Isabel Genevieve Stankus
Ellen Tirrell Leavitt
Richard Dana Tucker, Jr.
Nellie Veronica Turski
Commercial Course
Annette Marie Baxter
Edith Marion Denley
Josephine Marie Cassiani
Dorothy Elizabeth Kirby
Claire Cypher
Doris Naomi Davison
Josephine Keck
Gladys Mae Lothrop
Eleanor Isabelle Wheeler
Technical Course
Robert Leigh Baker Wilfred Robert Leach
Felix Cheyunskis Harold Leroy Soule
General Course Kenneth Lawrence Biladeau Kenneth Howard Clark
Helen Esther Berry
Rilla Lucille Mahoney
Ruby Merle Davison
Velma Gertrude Hambly
Lester Joseph Charnock
Beatrice Alexander Ensher
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SCHOLARSHIPS
There are now four scholarships open to the graduating class each year. The sponsors and the amounts of the scholarships are as follows:
Howard High School Alumni Association, $100.00 Mary Janes Scholarship 50.00
West Bridgewater Parent-Teachers Asso- ciation 100.00
The Wednesday Night Club 100.00
In order to be eligible to receive the Parent-Teachers Asso- ciation and the Wednesday Night Club scholarships, the applicant must be of good character, shall have attained at least an average of B in his or her academic work, and must be one seeking higher education in an approved school.
The Mary Janes Scholarship is awarded to "the most deserving pupil earning the highest general average during the four-year course. Only those pupils desiring an advanced education in a school of liberal arts or science shall be con- sidered eligible for the scholarship."
The conditions of the Alumni Scholarship have not yet been made public.
SCHOOL MEMBERSHIP BY GRADES JAN. 1, 1930
SCHOOLS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Totals
Howard High
45
39
23
23
130
Center VIII
37
37
Centre VII
37
37
Center V-VI
21
29
Center IV-V
17
27
Center II-III
10
27
37
Center I-II
27
10
37
Sunset Ave. VII-VIII
19
16
35
Sunset Ave. V-VI
20
13
33
Sunset Ave 111-IV
22
12
34
Sunset Ave. I-II
25
22
47
Matfield 1V-V-VI
14
8
11
33
Matfield I-II-III
8
7
13
28
Cochesett IV-V-VI
10
12
9
31
Cohesett I-II-III
9
9
13
2
3
3
26
Totals
75
63
82
55
61
57
56
53
45
39
23
23
632
173
31
Jerusalem I-VI
6
5
7
8 10
TEACHING FORCE 1929-30
High School
Nils G. Lindell
Arthur Frellick
Margaret Hayes
Frieda Turschmann
Madeline Rice
Miriam May
Beatrice Copeland
Principal Science Commercial Commercial Languages English History
Center School
Rose L. MacDonald, Principal
Grade 8
Theresa Miller
Grade 7
Margarette Riley
Grade 6
Elizabeth Eastman
Grade 5
Ruth Simmons
Grades 3 and 4
Eleanor Spencer
Grades 3 and 4
Gertrude Pillsbury
Grades 1 and 2
Sunset Avenue School
Marjorie Copeland, Principal
Grades 7 and 8
Martha Bowden
Grades 5 and 6
Elizabeth Worthing
Grades 3 and 4
Erema Hirtle
Grades 1 and 2
Matfield School
Miriam Hall, Principal Gertrude Ward
Grades 4, 5, 6
Grades 1, 2, 3
Jerusalem School
Winifred Darling Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Cochesett School
Bessie Bowman, Principal
Grades 4, 5, 6
Margaret Toomey
Grades 1, 2, 3
Supervisors
Lois J. Snow, Music
Dorothy Griffin, Drawing
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SCHOOL CALENDAR
SCHEDULE OF TERMS, HOLIDAYS AND VACATIONS
FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR OF 1929-1930
Established by School Board Vote, November 11, 1929
First term-15 weeks, opens Sept. 9, 1929, closes Dec. 20, 1929.
Second term-8 weeks, opens Dec. 30, 1929, closes Feb. 21, 1930.
Third term-7 weeks, opens March 3, 1930, closes April 18, 1930.
Fourth term-8 weeks, opens April 28, 1930, closes June 20, 1930.
Holidays:
Columbus Day, Oct. 12, 1929.
Armistice Day, Nov. 11, 1929.
New Year's Day, Jan. 1, 1930. Decoration Day, May 30, 1930.
Vacations :
Thanksgiving recess, begins Nov. 28, closes Dec. 1. Christmas recess, begins Dec. 20, closes Dec. 29. February recess, begins Feb. 21, closes March 2. Spring recess, begins April 18, closes April 27.
Report of the Finance Committee. Town of West Bridgewater.
In the course of our work this year, there have arisen situations, outside of the matter of approving expenditures, which have a direct bearing upon financial matters of the Town, and we feel it the duty of this Committee to bring them before the voters for their consideration.
During the past year we have been called upon to con- sider transfers from the Reserve Fund to the account of a few of the town's departments. While the committee has the power to authorize transfers from this Fund, we urge all departments to bear in mind that the Reserve Fund is appropriated to meet EMERGENCY needs and all regular expenses of every department should be kept within the annual appropriation, if possible.
Articles are often inserted in the warrant of the annual meeting calling for work on some special street, and in some cases a definite sum is named for this purpose. It is the opinion of this committee that unless this work is to be in the nature of a so-called permanent road, it is to the best interests of the town as a whole to have all work on GRAVEL roads covered by the general highway appropria- tion and this appropriation administered by the Selectmen and used on the streets which in their judgment are in most urgent need of attention.
We recommend to the consideration of the voters the
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appointment of a more or less permanent Committee to serve in the nature of a planning board, to map out a pro- gram of PERMANENT road building in the Town to cover a period of several years. Such a Committee would pro- vide the voters with a clear idea of the program and thus eliminate numerous requests for small appropriations such as we have had in the past. If a carefully considered plan were adopted in this way, it would doubtless be possible to enlist the aid of the County and State, in the construction of permanent roads, which in the course of several years would give the Town a well-planned net work of permanent roads requiring comparatively small expense for upkeep.
When permanent roads are being built, we believe ar- rangements should be made in the contract whereby gravel excavated from the road should be used in building a foundation for a sidewalk on that street, if one does not already exist or if the grade is changed, destroying the old sidewalk. The expense of carting the sidewalk foundation should be comparatively small under such arrangement. In the building of sidewalks of "blacktop" construction the ex- pense is naturally much more than ordinary gravel top and we urge the voters to carefully consider this fact in view of the increasing demand for the extension of "blacktop" sidewalks.
The appropriation for street lights is increasing every year as a result of the addition of new lights. The voters should keep in mind that the cost of each new light (at present $18.00 per year) not only adds to the appropriation of the current year but also is a continuing amount each year thereafter.
A serious condition exists at the present time in the tax collector's department. Taxes are still outstanding from the commitment of 1927 and 1928. The statutes provide that taxes on real estate must be collected within one year from October 1st of the year committed. Prompt and ef-
3
fective measures must be adopted to obtain the immediate settlement of these overdue taxes.
A similar situation exists in the collection of water rates. At the end of the year 1929, there were still out- standing $238.68 of the 1927 commitment, $840.93 of the 1928 commitment and approximately $2,400 of the amount committed in the first three quarters of the year 1929. These overdue amounts should be collected immediately. No in- terest is collected on water rates and outstanding amounts mean a loss to the town, which is borrowing money to meet current bills.
We recommend to the voters the appointment of a committee to carefully consider the present arrangement of the collection of water rates and bring in their recommenda- tions to the town as to the advisability of placing the col- lection of water rates directly under the control of the water commissioners, if they find the previous votes of the town do not now permit such an arrangement. The purpose of our recommendation is to definitely place the responsibil- ity of collection, which at present seems to be somewhat in doubt.
You will observe that there is no Article in the Town Warrant calling for the appropriation of any sum of money from Reserve Surplus to apply on the 1930 tax levy. Ordin- arily the amount thus appropriated has been $10,000. This year it will be impossible to make such a transfer because of slow collections and the necessity of the Town carrying excessive loans in anticipation of taxes.
The report of the state director of accounts covering the recent audit of the town books appears elsewhere and asks a determined effort to collect the outstanding taxes and water rates. The cost of the audit was materially more this year, partly due to the large number of outstanding accounts which the auditors were obliged to check up.
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Prompt collections will be of material advantage to the fin- ancial condition of the town.
We wish to extend to the town officers our thanks for the cooperation and interest shown in practically all depart- ments in furnishing us with estimates and information necessary to aid us in our work of recommending to the town the appropriations which in our judgment are justi- fied for the coming year. A table of estimates by depart- ment heads and amounts recommended by this committee; also a report of our recommendations on the articles in the Town Warrant are found on the following pages.
ยท B. L. CARTER, Chairman,
A. E. RYDER, Secretary,
M. W. ALGER,
A. W. BUTLER,
G. N. DAVIS,
E. P. DUNBAR,
R. S. FRELLICK,
B. F. HANSCOM,
K. L. HARDENBROOK, N. P. HILSON,
J. OLSON,
G. A. PETERSON,
E. C. PORTER,
J. M. RICHARDS,
C. THAYER.
REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TABLE FOR COMPARISON
Annual Appropriations and Expenditures for 1928 and 1929, Together with Amounts Estimated by Department Heads and Recommended by Committee for 1930
Appropriated 1928
Expended 1928
Appropriated 1929
Expended 1929
Estimate 1930
Recommended 1930
Moderator
$25.00
$25.00
$25.00
$25.00
Selectmen
900.00
$621.39
900.00
$600.09
900.00
900.00
Town Accountant
700.00
694.50
725.00
701.59
725.00
725.00
Treasurer and Collector
1,500.00
1,531.71
1,550.00
1,550.00
1,650.00
1,600.00
Assessors .
1,500.00
1,350.91
1,600.00
1,497.34
1,675.00
1,675.00
Other Finance Officers and Accounts.
50.00
22.00
50.00
6.00
50.00
25.00
Town Clerk
672.00
608.31
668.00
609.33
650.00
650.00
Election and Registration
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