USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Franklin > Town of Franklin annual report 1950 > Part 12
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The birthrate in Franklin decreased from 161 in 1942 and 149 in 1943, to 134 in 1944 and 136 in 1945. In 1946 it increased to 164, and in 1947 to 170, so the present decrease will not continue more than another year, and after that an increase may be expected for several years, according to the annual statistics for births in Franklin.
SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS
Since 1945 the enrollment in our elementary schools has increased from 941 to 1095 pupils, or an increase of 154. During this same period, the high school enrollment has decreased eight pupils.
This year most of the increase in the elementary school enrollment was in the third grade, where the numbers increased from 129 pupils in 1949 to 163 this year, or an increase of 34 pupils. The only place where it was possible to obtain another classroom for this large increase of pupils was in the Theron Metcalf Building. Here, a room on the first floor that previously had been used for classes in the Junior High School was made available by moving the Junior High School classes into the assembly hall on the second floor, and equipping the first floor room with third grade furniture.
Because of the large number of third grade children in the north end of the town, it seemed advisable to have two third grade rooms at the Ray School and to transfer the fourth grade children from the Ray to the Horace Mann Building. By making the above changes, temporary accommodations have been provided for the increase in elementary school enrollment.
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In recent reports I have stated the following: "Thirty children is the maximum number that should be assigned to a teacher in the first three grades, and twenty-five is considered a better number. In the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades the number may be a little larger, but the children are not getting the individual attention needed for good progress if more than thirty-five pupils are assigned to one teacher."
The past fall, ten of the fifteen rooms with children in the first three grades had over thirty children. The average number in the fif- teen rooms was 30.3. In the fourth, fifth and sixth grades, eight of the ten rooms had thirty-five or more, the average number for the ten rooms being thirty-seven, with most of the crowding in grades five and six.
The action of the voters at a special town meeting in June, in making funds available for a new elementary school .building, should go far in alleviating the crowded conditions that have been increasing in the elementary grades for the past five years.
NEW GERALD M. PARMENTER SCHOOL
The proposition of providing a new elementary school was pre- sented to the voters at three different town meetings last spring by the Building Committee. Each time it failed by a very small margin to receive the necessary two-thirds vote required for enactment. Early in the summer, when it seemed as if the project was doomed to failure, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest B. Parmenter offered to give the land at the corner of King and Wachusett Streets, containing upwards of twenty acres, to the town in memory of their son, Gerald M. Parmenter, who lost his life in the Air Force in the Asiatic theatre during the second World War, provided the school was named in remembrance of him.
This public spirited and magnanimous offer of the Parmenters was greatly appreciated by the townspeople, and when a fourth town meet- ing was held late in June, an appropriation of $304,000.00 for a new elementary school to be known as the Gerald M. Parmenter Elementary School was carried, with only a few dissenting votes. The sincere thanks of all the townspeople interested in the children's welfare is extended to Mr. and Mrs. Ernest B. Parmenter for their generous offer that will make the school a reality.
The Building Committee is composed of the following members: James E. Mather, Chairman; Howard C. Henderson, Secretary; Leonard L. F. Remington, Jack Nasuti, Mrs. Barnard Bachner, Mrs. Theodore Yankee, Walter B. Chilson, and Ernest B. Parmenter.
They selected S. W. Haynes, Associates, of Fitchburg, Massachu- setts, architects for the building. Many meetings have been held by the Building Committee, and the Architect is going over and considering preliminary plans. On December twenty-first, the Building Committee, Architect, and Superintendent met at the office of John E. Marshall,
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Director of the Massachusetts School . Building Assistance Commission, 88 Broad Street, Boston, to discuss the plans, and receive Mr. Marshall's suggestions in regard to them.
Since then, the Architect's office has been busy getting out the working drawings and specifications for the building, and as soon as they are complete and satisfactory to the Building Committee, they will be advertised for bids. It is hoped that the bids will be received and the contracts awarded before the end of February, so that construction can begin early in the spring.
CHANGES IN TEACHERS
Only two teachers left our employ the past year, both in order to retire. At the end of March, Mrs. Ethel K. Foster, who had been a teacher in Franklin since 1914, reached the compulsory retirement age of 70 years. Mrs. Foster had been a teacher for 49 years, and for the past 34 years in the sixth grade at the Ray and Horace Mann School buildings where she taught English, History, Civics and Art. In these subjects she was a very efficient, faithful and inspiring teacher. She gave freely of her time and energy in assisting the children under her charge in putting on plays and entertainments in connection with their work, which they much enjoyed.
In June, Edith L. Metcalf, who had been a teacher at the Brick School in Franklin since 1904, resigned. During her 46 years as teacher of the first and second grades in the Brick School, she exerted a fine influence on the lives of the many young children who came under her instruction.
The loss of these two faithful, conscientious, and stimulating teach- ers, who had a combined teaching record of ninety-five years, has been a heavy one for our elementary schools. We sincerely hope that they. will have many years to enjoy their well-earned vacation.
We were fortunate to secure Alice R. Gilbert, who has substituted in the schools of Franklin for many years, to take the position made vacant by Mrs. Foster. Dorothy Perron, with successful teaching experi- ence, was obtained to fill the position made vacant by Miss Metcalf at the Brick School.
An additional position for the third grade room at the Theron Met- calf building was filled by the appointment of Ruth K. Parker, a recent graduate of Framingham Teachers' College.
All of these teachers have entered upon their new positions with enthusiasm and a helpful spirit, and are valuable additions to our teaching staff.
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TRANSPORTATION
The three year contracts for transporting the school children of Franklin expired last June. Advertisements were placed in the local papers for new bids. The only bids received were from the Supple Motors, Inc. and the Johnson Bus Company, and they were nearly double the $15,478.00 in the school appropriation of 1950, which had been increased from $9,790.00 of the previous year. After several con- ferences with representatives of the two companies, and consideration of owning and operating our own busses, a bid for operating three busses was received from the Supple Motors, Inc. of $8,925.00, and from the Johnson Bus Company for operating three busses in the morning and four in the afternoon of $10,425.00. These amounts were more than the money available for transportation for the balance of the calendar year by $1,500.00. A meeting was held with the Advisory Board and that Board, after understanding the emergency, kindly consented to the transfer of $1,500.00 to the School Department Transportation Account from the Reserve Fund. After this transfer of $1,500.00 to the School Transportation Account, the transportation for the three year period was awarded to the Supple Motors, Inc. and the Johnson Bus Company at an annual cost of $8,925.00 and $10,425.00 respectively.
This fall the number of children transported to and from school was 447, an increase of 33 over last year. In 1950, Franklin received from the state for transportation of children living more than a mile and a half from school, $6,218.64, as compared with $3,385.00 received in 1949.
Early in the fall a petition was received from the teachers asking for an annual increase in salary of $300.00 for all teachers, effective January 1, 1951.
The School Committee held a meeting with the Salary Committee of the Franklin Teachers' Club to talk over the request and considered the matter at several School Committee meetings.
The stabilizing of salaries under the salary schedule of December, 1949, which seemed at that time to be satisfactory, was no longer ade- quate because of the Korean war, the rapid increase in living costs, and the increases given in other town departments. The School Committee finally decided to give all full-time teachers a flat increase of $200.00 in their yearly salary, effective after the annual town meeting and retroactive to January 1, 1951. They also voted to give the usual incre- ments according to the salary schedule, to all full-time teachers on tenure. Part-time teachers will receive a proportionate amount, Teach- ers not on tenure will receive the increments according to the salary schedule, effective in September 1951.
This action of the School Committee should make the salary of Franklin teachers compare favorably with that of other towns of com- parable size in Massachusetts, and increase by $200.00, the maximum on the salary schedule of December, 1949.
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SCHOOL MUSIC
The music in the schools for many years has been under the direc- tion of Mrs. Riley, who devotes three and a half days a week to the work. Mrs. Riley supervises the vocal music in all the grades, directs the orchestra in the Junior High School, and the Glee Club in the High School. The instrumental music in the High School is under the direc- tion of Mr. Ralph Howard, one of the teachers there.
The following, which is taken from Mrs. Riley's report, gives more information in regard to her work:
"In the grade schools, music has a very definite place in the child's life which carries over into adult life. The children are taught sight- singing from the first grade through to the eighth grade.
"The moveable 'Do' system is taught and much time is given to eye and ear training, to rhythms, voice building and some knowledge of theory.
"A thorough foundation for sight singing must begin early in the grades. Rote songs, as many as forty, are taught in the first grade. The underlying principle of such a procedure is based on the fact that music reading is a combination of ear and eye training. Two part music, soprano and alto, starts in the fourth grade, three part in the fifth and sixth grades. In Junior High School each student is expected and given the opportunity to sing solos, duets or trios. This teaches the student the art of independent part singing with confidence and accuracy.
"The Junior High School orchestra, though made up of beginners, meets once a week and has progressed satisfactorily. It consists of one violin, one clarinet, two accordians, seven trumpets, drums and piano. This combination is most helpful to the young members as they derive many benefits in ensemble playing. This Christmas they were able to play all the carols with the entire school.
"There are twenty-one girls in the Glee Club in our High School."
SCHOOL ART
Drawing and art work in the schools this year is under the direc- tion of the Supervisor of Art, Miss Annette Beane, who devotes three and a half days a week to this work. The Supervisor meets the pupils in the first six grades once in two weeks, when she gives a demonstration lesson and outlines to the homeroom teacher the work to be done before her next visit. The Supervisor devotes a full day each week to the girls in the Junior High School, where she conducts the classroom work in art for all the girls. The boys have Mechanical Drawing one day a week under the direction of the Shop teacher, Mr. Brady.
In the High School, the art work is elective for both boys and girls. The classes for girls are conducted by the Supervisor of Art, and for
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boys by the teacher of Industrial Arts and Mechanical Drawing, Mr. Masi. The following, taken from their reports, gives further information in regard to this work:
"Art is a living force, which when taught, must stem from the needs and desires of the group. Art is not a subject to be taught only for the talented. Satisfactory work is a product of interest and enthusi- asm; therefore a desire for such must be created. Art creates and solves problems which enter into our homes, schools, work and play.
"The elementary child has so recently exchanged part of his home hours for those spent in school. Children love to tell stories and so we urge them to create from normal child experiences, a story, using the media art has to offer. They have many experiences to relate and we must have a variety of media to satisfy the urge to experiment and explore creatively. The young child must feel that he is not limited in his supply of material, either through size or quantity. Little fingers need big crayons and little, inexperienced hands need a lot of room on a piece of paper, with which to experiment.
"Later on the child's interest widens and envelops the United States and eventually foreign countries. To these sources, then, we turn for interest and desire to create.
"Holidays are important occasions in any art program, for these stimulate interest in all age levels.
"In High School, there should develop a deeper understanding of the subject and a more skillful handling of all the mediums. The art classes this year have aided committees with suggestions and decora- tions for school dances. The art program is willing at all times to give helpful suggestions and with proper notice to assist in community projects to the best of its ability.
"In the grades: work has been aimed at that which most interests the child. His home, his family, his friends, his pets and every day events of his life. They have experimented with-
(1) crayon engraving
(2) paper sculpture
(3) weaving
(4) potato printing
(5) cut paper
(6) mural painting
"In the Junior High School: much Red Cross work has been done.
(1) paper weaving
(2) use of water color washes
(3) cut paper problems
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(4) figure drawing and painting
(5) contour drawing with pen and ink
"In the High School:
(1) the designing of rugs
(2) lettering
(3) pen and (T) ink techniques
(4) pastels
(5) charcoal figure drawing
(6) paper sculpture
(7) cut paper murals for decorations"
"The Mechanical Drawing classes, I believe, are developing quite well. We have replaced much needed equipment and are now able to develop a course which will teach fundamentals effectively."
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Regrading the grounds back of the High School Building for more space on one level.
2. Installation of a larger oil tank of at least 5000 gallon capacity at the High School.
3. Installation of fluorescent lights in more classrooms in High and Junior High Schools.
4. Installation of a new ceiling in the physical room at Junior High School.
5. Printing the Rules and Regulations of the School Committee in pamphlet form.
The spirit of cooperation and services which is manifest in our school system and the deep interest of parents and townspeople in the welfare of the school children inspires us to give our best efforts to the boys and girls entrusted to our care, in order that they may become intelligent and worthy citizens of our town, state and nation.
I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the members of the School Committee for their advice and assistance, to the teachers for their cooperation and support, and to the townspeople for their consid- eration and interest in the welfare of the schools.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR W. HALE
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REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit to you my annual report as Principal of the High School.
The total enrollment of the school as of October 1st was 358 pupils, exactly the same on the corresponding date in 1949. The following table illustrates the distribution of pupils:
Boys
Girls
Totals
Post-Graduates
1
0
1
Seniors
38
42
80
Juniors
26
39
65
Sophomores
48
46
94
Freshmen
71
47
118
Totals
184
174
358
The eighty-one graduates of the class of 1950 received their diplomas on the 8th of June. Of these, thirty-one have gone on to further education, thirteen to colleges, two to preparatory schools, eight to schools of nursing, four to business schools, and four to specialized schools. In addition, three boys have entered the service of their coun- try. Of the remainder, forty-two are working, one has become a home- maker, three are unemployed and one deceased.
The only change in our faculty during the year was in the Art Department where Miss Annette Beane took over as Supervisor of Art in place of Mrs. Mary Bolger. Miss Beane is anxious to build up this department at the high school, and is working on plans to extend the program so that those who have ability and talent in this field may receive more than one period a week of instruction. We think it should be well worthwhile and will cooperate fully with her in these plans.
The hot lunch program continues in popularity with the youngsters of both high school and grades, the number fed being approximately 350 each day. We are very proud of this project, and invite parents and taxpayers to drop in and see this program in operation and partake of one of these well-balanced meals.
The high school building is in excellent condition considering the fact that it is now in its 26th year and used constantly, not only during the school day but for afternoon and evening activities by many organi- zations in town. The rooms are cheery and bright, especially those
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which have the new fluorescent lighting. We hope that you will con- tinue to furnish the classrooms with fluorescent lighting for we find it most beneficial for classroom work.
Mr. Masi is making extensive changes in his Shop, building larger benches, each one accommodating four boys and allowing for storage space, thus giving us more room and greater pupil capacity in the room. The floor in the Shop is in very bad condition, many of the old blocks having come loose and others split. The result is an uneven floor, a source of danger which should be remedied at once.
The two recommendations which I have made many times in the past in my report are included here once more. First, we believe that another man should be added to the Industrial Arts Department. Mr. Masi is carrying on with six classes, three classes in Shop and three classes in Mechanical Drawing, dividing his time between the Mechan- ical Drawing room and the Shop. We still believe that it is not efficient to have either of these rooms idle any part of the day, when we know that both can be used to maximum capacity with the addition of another man. Secondly, we believe that the present layout in back of the school, with the yard at three levels, is a waste of space, and makes any use of this land for either girls' and boys' physical training or athletics impractical, even impossible. We believe that the yard should be graded to one level and new walks built in the rear of the school. We make these recommendations most emphatically and hope that something can be done on both these projects in the near future.
As we enter the new year we are faced with a very serious prob- lem, the same problem which we faced in 1942 and, according to older teachers, in 1917. This is the spirit of unrest amongst young people as they observe the unsettled world conditions. This unrest is not confined to seniors, but extends on to lower classes-a feeling of futility as far as school work is concerned. We are trying to stress the importance of good sound education in these times more than ever, but in spite of our efforts, we have lost already three members of our senior class and two from the lower classes to the armed services with many others already briefed and ready to enlist. We urge the parents to cooperate with us in emphasizing the need for at least a high school education before they enter the armed services. This is what the armed services want, for they realize that the better educated the young man is, the better the soldier he will become.
In conclusion, I wish to take this opportunity to thank you, the School Committee, the teachers, and the pupils for the fine spirit of cooperation and support which has made possible any success that we may have enjoyed.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES J. DOHERTY
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REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit to you my annual report as Principal of the Junior High School.
The total enrollment of the building, including the third, fourth, fifth, and Junior High grades is 356.
Mrs. Ruth Parker is very capably filling the position as teacher in the third grade, which was added to our building this year.
We are trying to carry on our Junior High program under very crowded conditions. We have had to give up one of our Junior High rooms to a third grade. This has meant that we have had to use our hall as a classroom and our Domestic Science room as a homeroom.
Crowded conditions and the use of our assembly hall for classes has made it practically impossible to continue our Visual Education program which was carried out so satisfactorily last year. We hope this may be remedied another school year.
The girls' art classes continue to make favors for the Cushing Vet- erans' Hospital for all special holidays.
Last summer we had two rooms painted and equipped with fluor- escent lighting. This is a very great improvement, and we hope the remaining rooms will be painted and will have the fluorescent lighting.
We also need another teacher in the Junior High School. Some time ago a teacher resigned and her place was never filled.
Respectfully submitted,
J. ETTA McCABE
REPORT OF THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR OF THE FRANKLIN
HIGH SCHOOL TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my annual report as Athletic Director of the Franklin High School.
We finished the year in a healthy financial condition, turning over $219.25 to the Town Treasurer as our revolving fund, according to the new regulations of the past session of the Legislature, Chapter 658 of
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the Acts of 1950. In addition we have an unexpended balance of $72.23 from the $1475.00, the amount appropriated by the Town in the School Budget of 1950.
The new regulations pertaining to the handling of funds in connec- tion with physical education and athletic programs in schools provide that all receipts shall be turned over to the Town Treasurer to be kept as a separate revolving A. A. fund, and that bills shall be paid by him from this fund with the approval of the School Committee.
The trend throughout the state seems to indicate a distinct falling off in attendance at schoolboy athletic contests. We noticed it somewhat in football and it is becoming very evident in basketball. We hope that it will not affect our receipts too greatly and are planning to carry on as we did this year with the previous mentioned balance on hand as a reserve fund.
One of our big problems in the past has been the cleaning of athletic equipment. Last year alone we spent over $400.00 for cleaning our football equipment. Our basketball cleaning has been most unsatis- factory. Twice during the past five years we have lost our jackets by damage in the cleaning process. We have undertaken our own cleaning, convinced that there is no substitute for soap and water to remove perspiration, and have already cleaned and stored most of our football equipment for next season at an expense of about $75.00 to date. This saving in cleaning can well be used in the purchase of new equipment.
Our one most emphatic recommendation is that a school physician be in attendance at each home football game. The.new regulation in the general rules of the by-laws of the Massachusetts Secondary School Principal's Association states "it is recommended that it shall be the responsibility of the home team to see that a physician is in attendance at each football game." We have already talked with the doctors on this matter and have been assured of their cooperation.
During the past year, we introduced a new sport to our program, Golf. We hope that the small expense necessary to operate this sport is justified by the benefits derived by the small number of boys who take part.
Following are the Athletic Budget for 1951, the account of expend- itures from the town appropriation for athletics, and the account of the receipts and expenditures of the Athletic Association for the year 1950. The figure shown under receipts for football and basketball is the net profit after the payment of officials, police, ticket-sellers and Federal tax.
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