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 1940-1944 > Part 17
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Formerly the girls were only able to prepare parts of recipes and meals. As we all know, no home maker would consider preparing such amounts and so that type of food preparation was far from practical. Now the girls prepare whole recipes and meals which is more true to actual home situations. Not only does the girl learn about proper food preparation, but also has to order food economically and understand the im- portance of good nutrition. Ever since the beginning of the war in Europe, nutrition has been stressed more and more. In this connection, I have been fortunate in being able to secure Mrs. Dunbar of Brockton Gas Light Company and Mrs. Burgess of Brockton Edison Company who gave excellent demonstrations on the use and care of both gas and electric stoves and also in the preparation of various types of foods so as to preserve. all their nutritional value. Both demonstrations defi- nitely proved that "A healthy America is a strong America."
As well as preparing meals for their own consump- tion, the girls prepare food for other purposes. So far they have taken care of the food for two teas and the dessert and molded salad for a church dinner. The sophomore class made a wedding cake which was a huge success. It is good for the girls to work in large quantities and I welcome an opportunity to do this. However, it is most important that we do not exploit the girls.
The importance of clothing construction and care is stressed as well as fabrics and good taste in the selection. The girls not only construct garments for themselves, but also whenever the opportunity presents itself, for others as well. If a girl is ahead of schedule or if for some legitimate reason, she is unable to secure material right away for her clothing problem, we have Red Cross work for her to do. This is especially good as it gives much practice on the sewing machine. It is not our intention to make expert seamstresses out of the girls, but rather to enable them to properly care
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for the clothing they already have and to make simple garments so as to save as much money as possible. With conditions as they are at the present time it is more important than ever that every girl know the fundamentals of sewing and how to apply these funda- mentals.
One of the requirements of this program is the home project. Home projects are of definite value to the girl and her home since they enable her to apply the knowledge she has acquired in school to home situa- tions. These projects aid her in accepting some of the responsibilities which come with the running of a home. They also help her to accomplish things outside of the home more efficiently and with more confidence in herself. I believe in the home project since I have seen what an important part it can play in better home living. I sincerely hope that the parents will under- stand the importance of the home projects and will assist in any way possible to make them successful and worthwhile.
Last spring an exhibition was held showing all the garments made by the girls. This is an annual custom and might well be held in the evening as it will mean many more parents will be able to attend.
In conclusion I thank all those who have in any way helped to bring this new program to the school.
Respectfuly submitted,
RUTH E. ERNST.
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REPORT OF MUSIC SUPERVISOR
Mr. Charles G. Taylor Superintendent of Schools West Bridgewater, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my annual report of the work in music in the schools of West Bridgewater this past year.
The youngest children were encouraged to be free and spontaneous in expressing themselves in the sing- ing of rote songs. The middle grades were stimulated through competition in learning the technical problems of time and theory and new tonal figures. And the oldest pupils were encouraged to overcome diffidence and a natural shyness and self-consciousness by much unison chorus work.
Special attention was focused at all times on tone quality. In the case of beginners many devices were employed to bring out the sweet head tones. To the inexperienced it is difficult to point out the difference between the head and the chest tones and unless this can be made clear harsh, strident singing is a result. Good choral work does not mean quantity of tone. It is a necessary part of a child's musical education to be able to recognize and to appreciate the beauty of a pure flowing tone and the added richness in harmonious tonal combinations.
No child is excluded from the music lesson be- cause he cannot sing. Through the listening habit he may become a music lover and not only add to his own pleasurable experiences but bring joy to those with whom he is associated.
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The enrollment in the High School Chorus con- tinues to be large. This is very encouraging and speaks well for the interest of the students since chorus is elective. A group of this size however, is unwieldy and very little specialized work can be done. A selec- tive group for girls' and boys' glee clubs would give opportunity to those particularly interested in more advanced training. A better balance of parts could thus be arranged and the participants would enjoy the new experience of male and female choruses as com- pared with the unbalanced mixed chorus of our present group.
In the spring the schools-with the exception of the Center and High-presented a Calendar of Music in observance of Music Week. I should like, right here, to express my thanks to the parents and teachers for their personal cooperation in making this entertain- ment a success. I have found through experience work- ing with both old and young people that any musical performance must please the eye as well as the ear. Perhaps if the eye is gratified the ear is not so easily offended. Hence, costuming and a certain amount of stage setting are necessary. Children do so much better if they are "dressed up" for a part.
The proceeds from the entertainment and the sale of candy were used to defray expenses of costuming, tickets, and programs, and the balance $7.60 was divided equally among the several schools taking part. Two sets of rhythm band instruments were purchased, a set of community song books, a radio and a phono- graph repaired and many records bought for lessons in music appreciation.
A music memory contest will be held in the spring. A suggestive list of some of the world's best music has been placed in the hands of the teachers of the four upper grades. Pupils should be able to recognize and to name a large percentage of these by the time they leave the eighth grade.
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For the first four grades the lessons in music appre- ciation will consist in learning to listen. This will come through concentration and discrimination and the recognition of familiar themes.
It is hoped that this project will open the way for the child's interpretation, understanding and achieve- ment of some of the cultural beauty that is found in the music of the masters.
Our Forefathers, 300 years ago, sang praises to God who brought them unscathed through peril. The future of this great nation is in the hands of our youth. Great is the privilege; great the responsibility. May our boys and girls go forward with voices ringing.
Yours truly,
LOIS J. SNOW, Supervisor of Music.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
To the Superintendent of Schools and School Committee.
Gentlemen :
I have, since taking over my duties as School Physi- cian of the Town, on March 1, 1941, diligently exercised my ability and services for the benefit and health of the pupils of the schools of this Town; and with the splen- did assistance of Mrs. Lillian Hewitt, School Nurse, I feel quite confident that we have accomplished some im- provement in relation to the health of our school children. I would like to emphasize here that under these doubtful and trying days that the American youth needs good education and above all good physical health, as never before in the history of our Country. I emphatically urge the parents and the people of West Bridgewater to have faith in their public schools, and to support them. I ask the co-operation of the parents in endeavoring to keep their children in good health, so that they may attain the standards of health superior to any community in this Commonwealth.
The Diphtheria Clinic was held at the Town Hall in May of this year. Under the direction and coopera- tion of the Board of Health, and assisted by Mrs. Lillian Hewitt, I gave three inoculations, two weeks apart, of Diphtheria Toxin-Antitoxin, to twenty-eight children; there were no reactions-results obtained satisfactory.
I have made inspections of the sanitary conditions of all school buildings, and found them to be in accord with the requirements of the Board of Health.
This year we had an epidemic of contagious di- seases in this community, of which whooping cough, measles and mumps were prevalent and one case of
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scarlet fever. Through the untiring efforts of Mrs. Lil- lian Hewitt, these cases were followed up, and with the assistance of the Board of Health, we were able to check the spread of these diseases to a considerable degree. As school physician and health officer, I wish to thank the parents for their loyalty and promptness in reporting these diseases to the Board of Health, for by so doing they have made it possible for adequate quar- antine and at the same time have saved many children from loss of school and also without a doubt have pre- vented many of them from infection.
In September the annual physical examination of all the pupils of the schools was made. A thorough examination of the lungs, tonsils, throat, heart, ears and spine was made to 651 children, and the various abnor- malities noted were: infected tonsils, caries teeth, heart murmurs, spinal defects and asthma; for the exact number of these cases, you may refer to the report of the school nurse.
I wish to emphasize and urge the parents to make frequent inspection of their children's teeth, to see that they are kept clean, and if decayed have them taken care of as soon as possible. Bad teeth may be the pre- disposing cause of many serious conditions and also complications, such as streptococcus infection, perfor- ated tonsils and mastoids, and, if pus is present and ab- sorbed by the system, they may develop rheumatic con- ditions and later in life diseases of the heart.
In concluding my annual report I assure you it is with gratification, except for the diseases and defects stated above, to find the physical health of our pupils in such good condition, both mentally and physically, and I wish to express my grateful appreciation to Mr. Charles G. Taylor and to the School Committee for the confidence they have placed in me, and to Mrs. Hewitt who has with faithfulness and generosity assisted me.
Respectfully submitted, A. O. BELMORE, School Physician.
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
Mr. Charles Taylor Superintendent of Schools West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Dear Sir :
I herewith submit my annual report as school nurse. Throughout the year routine health inspections have been made, and findings reported to the school phy- sician, teachers have been consulted and home- visits made. Consultations and arrangements for clinic hos- pital operations have been made. Two cases were re- ferred to the Orthopedic Clinic and accepted. One asth- ma case was treated over a period of time and three cases were referred to the Habit Clinic with good re- sults. Fourteen problem children were referred to the traveling psychometric clinic and were examined.
All children were given a physical examination by Dr. A. O. Belmore, school physician.
80 notices were sent to parents of children in the elementary grades for removal of tonsils and adenoids.
15 notices for defective hearing caused by har- dened wax.
6 for defective vision.
3 for heart murmurs.
2 for defective spine.
3 for asthma.
201 Howard High pupils were examined.
9 notices were sent for defective teeth.
5 notices were sent for tonsils.
1 for heart murmur.
1 for asthma.
1 for nerves.
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The Doctor found a child with a dislocated ver- tabra, an X-Ray proved it and remedial treatment fol- lowed.
The diphtheria clinic was conducted by Dr. A. O. Belmore through the Board of Health. Toxin anti-toxin was administered to 28 children, three doses each.
Early in May an epidemic of measles occurred, a total of 57 cases being recorded. Sunset Avenue district had the greatest number of cases. Whooping cough has been prevalent during the winter and most of the sum- mer, over 30 cases being reported. One case of infan- tile paralysis occuring in a pre-school child was re- ported.
Hearing tests were done by the audiometer. Out of 132 tested, 12 were found to have some hearing loss, a very small percentage. Later Dr. Belmore used a special light, the ophthalmoscope, to examine the ears of all the pupils finding many with hardened wax. This examination was a great benefit, it never having been done before.
Three pupils have been furnished with glasses by parents. Ten others were found with defective vision.
Dr. Edwin Tobin of Boston conducted the Dental Clinic examining all pupils and sending notices.
140 were treated.
12 unfinished.
174 operations such as cleaning, filling and extrac- tions.
The Grange, Scouts, K. A. Club, the Unitarian Wo- men's Alliance, Cochesett Missionary Society and Red Cross made possible relief from human suffering.
The storm windows at the Center School and win- dow curtains at Sunset Avenue School which were recommended by Dr. Belmore have been installed and are greatly appreciated.
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As the year draws to a close your nurse has com- pleted the fifth lesson on Junior Red Cross First-Aid Course to help the defense program. The class num- bers 35 and on completion of the course all having a passing mark of 75 will be awarded a Junior Red Cross certificate. This class is at the Center 8th grade. Be- ginning in January I hope to have a similar class at Sunset Avenue School.
I have attended nurses' meetings, nutrition lectures and nurses' conferences.
Respectfully submitted,
LILLIAN M. HEWITT, School Nurse.
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COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES
HOWARD HIGH SCHOOL
Class of 1941 Howard Hall, June eighteen at eight o'clock
CLASS OFFICERS
President Gardner Lothrop
Vice President Alice Dean
Secretary
Lillian Ventura
Treasurer
Bertha Washwell
Motto-Not Luck, but Pluck
Class Colors
Rose and White
Class Flower
Rose
PROGRAM
1. March-Festival March Mendelssohn
Howard High School Orchestra
2. Prayer Reverend John Hershey
3. Music-Friend of Mine
Wilfrid Sanderson
Howard High School Chorus
4. Address-The Measure of Success Nathan H. Gist
5. Piano Solo-Springtime Corrino
Lieberstraum
Liszt
Alice Dean
6. Presentation of Class Gift
Gardner Lothrop President of Class of 1941
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7. Acceptance for School Julian Lucini President of Class of 1942
8. Presentation of Awards Washington and Franklin Medal Good Citizenship Class of 1940 Scholarship Principal Nils G. Lindell
9. Marche Militaire Shubert
Howard High School Orchestra
10. Presentation of Diplomas Mr. Lloyd Tyrer Chairman of School Board
11. Class Ode Greta Johnson
Class of 1941
12. Benediction
Reverend John Hershey 13. Recessional
CLASS ODE To the melody of "The Loreley" O Howard High we will miss you- Our friends and teachers too, As memory drifts through the four years That we have spent with you. Tonight as we bid you our farewell, Our hearts are grateful to you. Our memories live with you, Howard, Tonight and all years through.
We'll cherish the hopes of our teachers Who helped us struggle through, The class of "41" bids you A fond and faithful adieu. As through life's pathways we journey, Our hearts will ever be true To you, O, Alma Mater, Our thoughts are ever with you.
Greta Johnson
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GRADUATES
Ernest F. Allen
Greta Josephine Johnson
David Anderson
Audrey Carol Lewis
George Asack, Jr.
Ervin Gardner Lothrop
Elsie A. Bergstrom
Edith Marion Madan
Clyfton W. Bourne
George E. Melendy Barbara Ellen Merrill
Marie Rose Cabral
Alice Dorothy Chaves
Albena Gertrude Michalowski
Lucille Mae Cogswell
Vineta Ruth Noyes
James Lester Corbett
Joseph Anthony Perry
Daniel Timothy Crowley
Edward Mikel Pingree
Elizabeth Frances Crowley
George Arthur Dansereau
Russell Frederick Ripley
Walter William Salvador
Stuart Walter Silva
Helena Frances Sousa
Phyllis Mae Trow
Lillian Antoinette Ventura
Bertha Patricia Washwell
Charles Howard Johnson
Maida Ruth Pratt
Rita F. Dansereau
Alice M. Dean
Virginia Rebecca Erickson
Irene Georgeanna Ferrini
Lillian Anna George
Nellie G. Hill
Eleonora Benedetta Zeuli
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FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
WE ARE AT WAR. Federal expenses are in figures which were never heard of or considered before. Each one of us has begun to feel some of the tax burden that is bound to come. It behooves every town to keep its local expenses at as low a figure as will enable the departments to operate efficiently without the frills that may seem desirable under more normal conditions, but can be passed up for the present. By operating our town as economically as possible, we feel we can help to that extent, in holding down the heavy burden which is imposed on every citizen by War conditions.
There are a few recommended appropriations higher than they have been in the past. The Old Age Assis- tance is increasing yearly and a substantial increase will probably have to be met under the law passed last year by the legislature. The war conditions have made necessary a substantial appropriation for civilian de- fense. The amount recommended, we believe, is rea- sonable for the situation as it now exists.
On the other hand, there are some favorable factors in the picture, one of the outstanding items is the elimi- nation of the federal projects account. Also, owing to war conditions, the state has decided to eliminate any funds available to the towns to be spent on Chapter 90, road construction; therefore, there will be no town appropriation this year for such construction. The recommended appropriation for the welfare depart- ment is also lower this year.
Fortunately our local financial situation as shown by our balance sheet is favorable. To help hold our tax rate as low as possible, we have recommended the appropriation of not over $15,000.00 this year from the Surplus Reserve. With this help and the reduced total of recommended appropriations we confidently expect
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that the tax rate for the present year will be approxi- mately $29.00 per thousand. We know this will com- pare very favorably with any towns around us.
We again urge the Water Commissioners to give care- ful consideration to the financial condition of their department. The present commitments of water rates are hardly meeting the expense of maintenance, bonds, and interest. No reserve is being built up to meet the inevitable cost of replacement of water pipes which will occur as years go on. We believe this angle should be given more consideration.
We thank the various officers of the Town who have aided us in our work during the past year. This Com- mittee meets monthly and is always glad to talk over town affairs and finance with any citizens interested.
ยท A Table of Estimates by Departments, amounts rec- ommended by this Committee, and report of recom- mendations on articles in the Town Warrant appear on the following pages.
ARTHUR E. RYDER, Chairman, ALFRED T. WELLS, Secretary, WALTER D. CROWLEY, JOHN C. ELDRIDGE, JOHN E. HOWARD, WILLIAM W. NOYES,
JOHN M. RICHARDS,
Finance Committee.
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REPORT OF FINANCE COMMITTEE ON ARTICLES IN TOWN WARRANT
Article 1. To elect the following Town Officers by Official Ballot: One Town Clerk for one year, one Mod- erator for one year, one Assessor for three years, one Selectman for three years, one member of the Board of Public Welfare for three years, one Treasurer for one year, one Water Commissioner for three years, two School Committee for three years, one Tax Col- lector for three years, two Trustees of Public Library for three years, one for two years to fill vacancy, one Tree Warden for one year, two Constables for one year.
The polls will be open at 9 o'clock in the forenoon of March 2, 1942, and close at 8 o'clock p. m.
Article 2. To choose Town Officers for the ensuing year not elected on the Official Ballot.
Article 3. To hear the reports of all Town Officers and Committees and act thereon.
Article 4. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1942, and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accord- ance with Section 17, Chapter 44, General Laws.
The Finance Committee Recommends such authorization.
Article 5. To raise such sums of money as may be necessary to defray the Town charges for the ensuing year, and make appropriations for the same.
The recommendations of the Finance Committee for each Department appear in the Tables included in their report.
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Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to be used in connection with Chapter 90, Highway maintenance. Said appro- priation to be used together with any sum that may be allotted thereto by State and County.
The Finance Committee recommends the appropriation of $1,000.00 to be used with any sum allotted thereto by State and County.
Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the improvement of Streets; 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 take any other action in relation thereto.
The Finance Committee recommends no appropriation as there are no State Funds available.
Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to appropri- ate a sum of $50.00 for a clinic by the School Physician to immunize school children and pre-school children against diphtheria.
The Finance Committee recommends this appropriation.
Article 9. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $2,000.00 for the purchase, for school purposes, of a plot of land, approximately 91/2 acres, opposite the Center School.
The Finance Committee does not recommend this appropri- ation.
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to author- ize the Moderator to appoint a committee of eight to study the school housing situation.
Refer to the voters.
Article 11. To see what amount the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the use of Plymouth County Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture (Ply- mouth County Extension Service) and choose a Town
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Director as provided in Section 41 and 42 of Revised Chapter 128 of the General Laws and act thereon.
The Finance Committee recommends the appropriation of $100.00 for this purpose.
Article 12. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate the sum of $1,904.01 for maintenance of Ply- mouth County Hospital, under provisions of Chapter 111, Section 85, of the General Laws.
The Finance Committee recommends this appropriation.
Article 13. To see if the Town will raise and appro- priate the sum of $300.00 for maintenance of Visiting Nurse Service in West Bridgewater.
The Finance Committee recommends this appropriation.
Article 14. To see if the Town will accept the pro- visions of paragraph A-7 in the ninth clause of the will of the late Anna Clifford Howard, bequeathing a fund to the Town of West Bridgewater, in trust, to be known as the "William J. Howard and Anna Clifford Howard Scholarship," and the further provisions contained in paragraph A-16 in the ninth clause of said will be- queathing a fund to the trustees of the Public Library, in trust, said fund to be known as the "William J. Howard and Anna Clifford Howard Fund."
Refer to the voters.
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $50.00 for the purpose of pre- serving the Town Records.
The Finance Committee recommends this appropriation.
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the placing of two Street Lights on Wall Street, West Bridgewater, near the Town line.
The Finance Committee does not recommend this appropri- ation.
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Article 17. To see if the Town will vote to install one Street Light on River Street, near the entrance to Memorial Park, and raise and appropriate a sum of money for same.
The Finance Committee recommends this installation and the appropriation of the sum of $18.00 to cover the cost of the same for the present year.
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, in his discretion, but with the written approval of the Board of Selectmen, or a majority thereof, to sell any land acquired by the Town through foreclosure of a tax title and to execute and deliver in the name and behalf of the Town all deeds necessary to effectuate any such sale.
The Finance Committee recommends this authorization.
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