USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1920-1926 > Part 36
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51
The school should be the center of Education. Of course not all a child's education is in school. Every experience of life is an important factor in education. The following are truly as educative as school and study ; home, church, street, fields, woods, work, piay, reading, amusements and conversa- tions. The school organizes and unifies all of these. It is said that : "Educa- tion begins at the cradle and ends at the grave," but it is the school that affords the scheme of organization for it all. Therefore school life must interpret all life.
The Sargent School, formerly a four room building, has been converted into a modern eight room school building. Each room has its own cloakroom. and it is well ventilated. The entire cloakroom is closed except when in full view of the teacher and of the entire room. During school hours the wraps are being well dried and aired. This new eight room building did away with the part time sessions which were necessary last year. It also relieved the
S
crowded condition at the Cameron School by having the sixth grade of the Cameron School transported to the Sargent School, thus leaving only two classes to go on part time at the Cameron School. Namely the first grade and the special class made up mostly of non-English speaking pupils and a few who need extra help. The special class hours are from 8 A. M. until 12 noon, and the first grade hours from 12.30 to 4.30 P. M.
If the industries at Forge Village should increase, more grades would have to go on the part time session plan. This would be regrettable, and there are no illusions about it. The children on the platoon system do not have a fair chance; it is impossible for them to complete the required work, and if they are promoted they are handicapped in the next grade. Adding here a little and there a little, will not meet the situation. A larger building procured at greater cost to the public only increases the demand for greater efficiency.
School savings banks have been established in all the schools in town. This affords a fine training in thrift. The banking hours at each school are from 9 A. M .- 9.30 A. M. every Wednesday. Deposits of one cent or more are received and transferred to the Mechanics Savings Bank, Lowell, Mass .. in one lump sum.
I wish that we could arrange for an industrial course in our schools, giving the boys of the upper grades a chance to think about some of the industrial problems which are sure to face them. The purpose of the course would be to increase the educational value of the industrial department, and make it a part of the school system. Motor training without thought content is of little educational value. Some of the following courses could be worked out :
Elementary furniture construction
Elementary carpentry
Household repairing
Textile products
Leather work Farm work in general
Hen houses, etc.
For girls we should give a course in Household Arts, giving the girl a general appreciation of the home home making, and its administration, and a real appreciation for work in the home. If at any time in the future any building space should be vacant I would recommend that it be used for Industrial Education and Household Arts.
During the past year several repairs have been made at the different buildings. Perhaps the two outstanding ones are the painting of the Cameron School and the shingling of the Frost School with slate. Some of the advan- tages of keeping the buildings in good condition are : It saves money in the repairs and improvements made. It saves much more by reducing the occa- sion for having them made. It brings about a higher standard of keeping things in repair, that should be reflected throughout the town in course of time. It also developes a school spirit and pride.
The health department at present consists of the school physician and health nurse. I wish to call attention to their reports. Also the reports of the music supervisor, and the evening school principal.
In closing I wish to express my appreciation of the support of the School Committee and of the co-operation of the principals and teachers. Also the pleasant associations of the pupils of the schools and the co-operation of the parents.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES G. CARTER, Superintendent.
9
Report of Westford Academy
January 1, 1925.
TO WILLIAM R. TAYLOR,
Chairman of the School Committee.
The following is my thirteenth annual report as Principal of Westford Academy :
ENROLLMENT
The total number of pupils enrolled by classes at close of the fall term, December, 1924, was :
Boys
Girls
Total
Post-graduate
0
1
1 1
Special
0
1
1
Seniors
0
9
9
Juniors
6
13
Sophomores
12
17
29
Freshmen
14
18
32
-
-
-
32
53
85
FACULTY
Principal, W. C. Roudenbush, Latin and French.
David Hamblen, Commercial Department. Hiram Taylor, Jr., Science and Mathematics. Miss Laura C. Gothberg, English and History. Miss A. Pamelia Precious, Music.
The resignations last year were : Miss Katherine Ott of the Commercial department, and Miss Daisy Bashford of the Science and Mathematics de- partment.
SCHOOL CLUBS
These comprise the School Orchestra and Girls' Glee Club under direc- tion of Miss Precious.
Several Middlesex County Achievement Clubs under direction of local leaders include the following :
Clothing Club, 16 members, Mrs. W. C. Roudenbush, directress ; Supper Club, 6 members, Miss Ruth Tuttle, directress ; Bread and Lunch Box Club, 7 members, Miss Blanche Lawrence, directress; Poultry Club, 2 members, Mr. George E. Kohlrausch, director.
Certain of these clubs include members from the Frost School as well as from the Academy. The number of members given above include only Academy students.
One-half credit per year is given for satisfactory work in any one of these various clubs. The Academy is the first high school in Middlesex County to allow credit toward graduation for work accomplished in the county achievement clubs. The Principal has been appointed by the County Bureau a member of the Committee of Superintendents and High School Principals to confer and make recommendations regarding club activities.
10
ATHLETICS
The Academy Athletic Associations remain as they were last year in regard to organization, but the regular monthly dues have been reduced to 10 cents. This provides a fund of $80 a year for the general running expenses. Such a fund is made necessary by virtue of guarantees required by the rules of the Northern Middlesex Interscholastic League, also to provide means of carrying on the basket ball schedule. The N. M. I. L. is a high school baseball league, and comprises the schools of Ayer, Groton, Littleton, Lunen- burg, Pepperell, and Westford. Mr. J. H. Fitzgibbons, Principal of the Sar- gent School, is still employed as Athletic Coach by the Association.
Members of the Senior and Junior classes again participated in the "All Student Track Meet" last May and the Academy ranked well to the front in connection with other high schools in the state. We are entitled to another trophy for this achievement, but the state officials have not yet come to present it.
PRO MERITO AND TADMUCK CLUB
Those chosen to membership in the Pro Merito Society from the gradu- ating class of 1924 were: Dorothy Anderson, Elliott Humiston, Jr., Ethel Ingalls, Francis Jarvis, Veronica Payne, and Alice Socorelis. To receive this honor requires a rank of 85% in 7/8 of all subjects necessary for gradua- tion. Of these six students two, Elliott Humiston, Jr., and Francis Jarvis, are now at Boston University ; two, Dorothy Anderson and Alice Socorelis, are at Fitchburg and Salem Normal Schools respectively, and Veronica Payne is studying at St. John's Hospital, Lowell. The honorary members of the Tadmuck Club from the present senior class are Virginia Healy and Hazel Sweetser.
SCHOLARSHIP REPORT CARDS
This year we adopted the "High School Record Card" prepared by the State of Massachusetts for use in its schools. This card provides for a very minute classification of student abilities, and carries through the whole four years.
Besides this record, which is kept at the Academy, we issue to each pupil a bi-monthly report card to be signed by the parent and returned. However, notices are sent to the parents more frequently than once in two months when circumstances require.
PRIZES
The prize of $25 granted by the Trustees of Westford Academy since 1916, and left with the Principal to award from year to year, will be given in 1925 in a different manner than ever before. A word of explanation is required here.
At the opening of school in September the Principal placed in the hands of each student a copy of a printed leaflet which he had written, entitled, "Think on These Things." The contents of this leaflet emphasize plain every-day habits of loyalty, industry, respect for property, neatness, regard for the common courtesies, etc.
It is intended that the student who best exemplifies these qualities during the year shall receive the $25 in toto. In making the decision the school itself is entitled to ballot for choice, the result of which ballot will be carefully considered by the faculty in deciding the winner.
There are also the prizes of $10 and $5 in public speaking given by the Alumni of Westford Academy. At their annual meeting in June the Alumni voted that no student who had at any time received professional instruction or training should be permitted to compete for these prizes.
11
VISITORS
Hon. Frederick A. Fisher of Lowell, a most loyal alumnus of the Academy, made his usual official visit as representative of the Trustees. George L. Farley, State Leader of Junior Extension Work, and George E. Erickson, County Club Agent, both addressed the school on the work of the achievement clubs. Miss Frances C. Ladd, Superintendent of Nurses at the Faulkner Hospital, Jamaica Plain, Boston, spoke to the girls on "The Opportunities of Nursing as a Profession." A month later, eight girls, accompanied by Miss Gothberg, paid a visit to the Faulkner Hospital, where they were shown about the establishment and given the chance to observe and ask questions.
Upon the occasion of "Education Week," in November, Rev. E. D. Dis- brow of the local Union Congregational Church, addressed the school on a timely theme.
SAVINGS BANK SYSTEM
Arrangements have been made with the Mechanics Savings Bank of Lowell whereby any student of the Academy may start a bank account begin- ning with the sum of one dollar. A considerable number of students already had accounts in various banks, but even so we are pleased to report ten new accounts opened within one month after the system was started.
MISCELLANEOUS
Francis Jarvis, class of 1924, won the Washington and Franklin Bronze Medal given by the Massachusetts Society of Sons of the American Revolu- tion for excellence in United States History.
The Academy continues to be recognized as a Class A High School by the State Department of Education, and has the college certificate privilege from the New England College Certificate Board.
Two years ago a medicine chest was placed in the school, supplying a long-felt need. Until this year, however, the school has never had proper accommodations for students taken ill or hurt. A comfortable cot, pillow, and blankets are now provided in a room well removed from the others and easily heated ..
The increased enrollment this year required eighteen additional desks to be placed in the main assembly room. We can now accommodate 92 pupils, or seven more than the present membership. If the Academy grows in members in the same proportion next year, we are likely to require the fitting up of another recitation room and the services of another teacher.
The program of the graduation exercises for June 18, 1924, follows this report. We call attention to the same as furnishing certain information not included in the preceding pages.
Respectfully submitted,
W. C. ROUDENBUSH,
Supervising Principal,
Westford Academy.
12
Graduation Exercises, Westford Academy, Westford, Mass.
AT THE TOWN HALL, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 1924, 10 O'CLOCK, A. M.
-
PROGRAM
March and Overture
SCHOOL ORCHESTRA
Invocation
REV. EDWARD D. DISBROW
Salutatory
ELLIOT FLAGG HUMISTON, JR.
Chorus-The Moonlight Trail
SCHOOL
Salutatory Essay-The Relation of Chemistry to Industry ELLIOT FLAGG HUMISTON, JR.
Chorus (a) Happy Birds
(b) Birdland Symphony GIRLS' GLEE CLUB
Holst Kieserling
Presentation of Class Gift ALICE BERTHA SOCORELIS
Acceptance of Class Gift ELIZABETH PRINN, Class of 1925
Violin Solo
ALBERT EATON
Address
REV. JOHN DAVIS, New Britain, Conn.
Chorus-When de Banjo Plays
SCHOOL
Essay with Valedictory-Every Day Uses of the Radio FRANCIS BISHOP JARVIS
Presentation of Prizes and Diplomas PRINCIPAL W. C. ROUDENBUSH
Class Song (Written by Ethel Evelyn Ingalls) THE GRADUATING CLASS
Selection by the Orchestra
13
GRADUATES
*Dorothy Hilda Anderson Harold Russell Anderson Gerald Francis Desmond Ada Marea Eaton Emma Sophia Goucher ¡Olive Mae Hanson Edward Francis Harrington
*Elliot Flagg Humiston, Jr. *Ethel Evelyn Ingalls
*Francis Bishop Jarvis
*Catherine Veronica Payne Nathaniel Howard Phillips
* Alice Bertha Socorelis Richard Albert Wall
*Elected to "Pro Merito" Society of Secondary Schools. ¡Certificate.
Class Motto-No Victory Without Labor.
Class Colors-Green and Gold. Class Flower-Lily of the Valley.
The following Class parts were read at School Assembly, June 17th. Class History-Catherine Veronica Payne.
Class Grinds-Emma Sophia Goucher.
Class Will-Richard Albert Wall.
Class Prophecy-Ada Marea Eaton.
WINNERS OF PRIZES PUBLIC SPEAKING (Given by Alumni)
First Prize : Doris York, '27. Ten Dollars.
Second Prize : Roger Hildreth, '26. Five Dollars.
Honorable Mention : Hazel Sweetser, '25.
CLASS PRIZE FOR GENERAL EXCELLENCE IN SCHOLARSHIP,
CONDUCT, AND ATTENDANCE. (Given by Trustees) Awarded to Class of 1925-Twenty-five dollars.
WASHINGTON AND FRANKLIN BRONZE MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN UNITED STATES HISTORY. (Given by the Massachusetts Society of Sons of the American Revolution ) Awarded to Francis Bishop Jarvis
14
CLASS SONG
How dear to our hearts are the scenes of our school days, When fond recollections bring classmates to view : There's those who were ready, and those who were steady, And those who were willing some hard work to do. The boys full of mischief, the girls full of laughter, But yes they were all to their class colors true. O Westford Academy ! school of our day dreams, We're hoping some day to rise up in the world.
CHORUS
How gay and how bright was that class of young people That still are to twenty-four faithful and true !
That same dear old school house we hail as a comrade, For often at noon when released from our work, We roamed through that place and we wrote on its black boards. There gayest and saddest of mysteries lurked. How quickly we rushed from its large swinging side doors, When just for a moment we thought we could shirk The duties, the studies, we just fairly hated But O! how we wish we were back there to work.
The words of our motto are sweet in our memories They surely remind us of days long gone by. No victories won without patience and labor ; We think of those words and we always can try. Those sweet, fragrant flowers that grow in the garden For us hold a story which no one can tell Of those long-gone school days with classmates around us When we joined our class at the sound of the bell.
Ethel Evelyn Ingalls.
NOTES
1 Alumni Luncheon following Graduation Exercises.
2 Annual Meeting of the Alumni Association following the luncheon. 3 Graduation Dance at 8 P. M.
15
Report of Music Supervisor
Mr. Charles Carter, Supt. of Schools,
Westford, Mass.
Dear Sir :- Following is my report for the year as Supervisor of Music in the town of Westford :
In the first grade begins the most important work in the teaching of music. The aim constantly before us throughout the year is the elimination of monotones, or those unable to carry a tune. Songs are taught only by rote. Thus if every child, before leaving the first grade, could sing in tune, it would mean that eventually every single person could do so. A remarkably satisfying situation exists this year in each of the first grades : In Cameron School there is not one monotone; in the Sargent School only one; and at the Frost School one or two.
Rote singing is reviewed in the first part of the second year, and then sight reading is begun. Sight reading is the foundation of the work begun in the second grade and continued throughout the eighth grade.
Last year a Victrola was purchased for the Frost School and one for Cameron School-making two in each building for our use. A set of "Bubble Books," twelve in all, are now owned by the first and second grades and are in constant use. They are a great delight to the children as well as a help in teaching them to sing.
In closing I wish to express my appreciation to the teachers for their help, and to Mr. Carter for his hearty co-operation.
Respectfully,
PAMELIA PRECIOUS.
Report of Evening School
Mr. Charles G. Carter,
Superintendent of Schools.
On November 17, 1924, the Graniteville Night School opened its second year with an enrollment of twenty-six students. This is somewhat larger than last year and I hope in the years to come it will become larger. The ages of the students vary from sixteen to twenty-four.
SCHOOL WORK
The classes consist of Arithmetic, English, Civics, History, Penmanship, Spelling and Hygiene. Forty-five minutes is allotted arithmetic. In this class problems are brought to class that have to do with outside work, as building a house, etc. Type problems are solved from Wentworth's Senior Arithmetic.
16
All my arithmetic, civics and English work has been based upon the kind of work that interests the student, as well as instructs.
For example, the class has begun a lesson, "Our Trip from New York to Seattle, Washington." Material is brought to class and through the cour- tesy of the Chambers of Commerce in our large cities material is sent us, whereupon we get our information. The class then writes up an interesting story of travel. In this way their English, history, spelling, penmanship and geography work is correlated.
Special emphasis is placed upon Citizenship. They are taught that they have a place in national, state and local affairs. Committees and elections are carried on in class.
DATA FOR YEAR ENDING DEC. 24, 1924.
Men
Women
Total
No. of Pupils ( whole)
14
21
Enrolled First Night
8
18
26
Attendance
85%
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES H. FITZGIBBONS,
Principal. Dec. 24, 1924.
Note The students of the Evening School paid their own expenses. The
town furnishes the building.
C. G. C.
Report of School Nurse
December 31, 1924.
Mr. Charles G. Carter,
Superintendent of Schools.
The following is the report of the Public Health Nurse for the year 1924.
School visits 395
Absentees visited
156
Examined for minor ailments
27
Classroom inspections 39
Dressings 300
Children sent home for illness 35
342
Visits, observation and advisory
46
Child Welfare visits
Business visits 89
To dentist 114
30
To physician for examination and treatment
To eye and ear specialist 11
17
To Lowell General Hospital, for T. and A. 17 To Abbot Hospital 9
To Mass. General Hospital 1
To Lowell Isolation Hospital 1
Administered ether 6
Throat cultures taken 30
Dairies inspected
7
Samples of milk collected
39
Child Hygiene clinic
1
Nutrition classes for Mothers 3
Milk permits issued 11
Undertakers' permits issued
4
Attended Health Conference
1
All school children weighed and measured May and September. Contagious diseases reported to the Board of Health :
Diphtheria
3
Scarlet fever
7
Whooping cough
5
Mumps
25
Chicken pox
15
Measles
2
Infantile paralysis
3
Tuberculosis
2
Respectfully submitted,
ELVA L. WRIGHT, R. N.
Registration of Minors Ages as of April 1, 1924.
Boys
Girls
Total
Persons 5 years of age or over and under 7
65
66
131
Persons 7 years of age or over and under 14
250
265
515
Persons 14 years of age or over and under 16.
49
65
114
364
396
760
MEMBERSHIP IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BY GRADES AS OF APRIL 1, 1924.
Elementary Schools.
Special class
36
Grade 1
88
Grade
114
Grade
96
Grade 4
93
Grade 5
89
Grade 6
79
Grade 7
56
Grade 8
43
Total
694
18
HIGH SCHOOL
First year 36
Second year
22
Third year 11
Fourth year
15
Post-graduates
1
Total 85
Total in Elementary and High Schools
779
Honor List
Pupils who were neither absent nor tardy during the school year 1923-24.
CAMERON SCHOOL
Grade I- Florette Melot
Grade V-
Grade II-
Leo Bryon
Sophie Daranchuc
Andrew Walkowicz
Orleana Flanagan
John McDonald
Sophie Worobey
Grade III-
Jacqueline Spinner
Walter Mack
Maude Whitley
Grade IV-
Ovid Bryon
Mary Czersky
Jennie Salaiki
SARGENT SCHOOL
Grade III- Joseph Oliver
Grade VII-
Bertha Mardast
Helen Remis
Grade V-
Annie Dumont
Germaine Leduc
WILLIAM E. FROST SCHOOL
Grade VII-
Mildred Healey
Grade IV-
Evelyn Foster
Howard Wright
Grade VI
Dorothy Heywood
NABNASSETT SCHOOL
Grade II- Chester Whitney
Grade IV-
Grade III-
Pearl Smith
Ralph Whitney
Grade V-
Annie Nardloff
PARKERVILLE SCHOOL
Grade VI
Grade IV- Norman Nesmith Elizabeth Nesmith
·
Grade III-
John Buckley
Samuel Gregoire
Grade VIII-
Helen Desmond
Linwood Nesmith
Ruth Nesmith
Grade VII- Herbert Hunt
Grade VIII
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
J. V. FLETCHER LIBRARY
OF THE
TOWN OF WESTFORD, MASS.
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1924
,HER
,
RARY.
1895
Lowell, Mass. COURIER-CITIZEN COMPANY, PRINTERS 1925
LIBRARY REPORT
January 1, 1925.
The Trustees of the J. V. Fletcher Library respectfully submit their annual report for 1924, including the report of the Librarian and the List of Books Added in 1924.
The Trustees ask for the following appropriations, viz :
1. The sum of twenty-three hundred fifty dollars ($2350.00) to meet the current expenses of the main library and its branches.
2. The receipts from the dog licenses in 1924.
The Trustees wish to express their appreciation of the long and valuable service rendered to the Town by Mr. Charles O. Prescott in his capacity as Trustee of the Library from 1907 to 1924. His was a devoted service.
JULIAN A. CAMERON, Chairman. WILLIAM C. ROUDENBUSH, ALICE M. HOWARD, Secretary.
4
Report of Librarian January 1, 1925.
To the Trustees of the J. V. Fletcher Library :
The report of the Library for the year ending December 31, 1924, is herewith presented.
The most noteworthy event of the year was the opening of the stack- room in September to the adult public-thus encouraging the circulation of books which would otherwise have remained on the shelves. This has been much appreciated by those who enjoy wandering among the stacks and handling the books.
It is a pleasure to report that each village now has its deposit station, which is resulting in increased service to the townspeople.
In January the Library exhibited the work of the Cameron School on a wool project, each grade being represented. Of special interest were the posters showing the wool in all stages from the sheep's back to the finished product. At the close of the exhibit the pupils of the seventh and eighth grades made special posters and presented them to the Library,
For Children's Book Week the pupils of the Frost School (grades 5-8) made posters illustrating the value of books and these were placed on dis- play at the Library. An attractive collection of books for children was placed in the conversation room for several weeks before Christmas that those who wished might examine and purchase them.
The trunkful of old-fashioned costumes belonging to Miss Emily F. Fletcher and presented to the library by her nieces has been much appre- ciated by those who have found occasion to borrow them for dramatic pur- poses. The collection has been increased by gifts from Miss Bunce.
Mr. Julian A. Cameron has again contributed to the enjoyment of the readers through the books of fiction which he has presented.
The Librarian desires to call attention to several recent additions to the magazine list which are of timely interest-Illustrated London News; Radio Broadcast ; and Antiques.
The magazine circulation has surpassed its former high record of 1921 by nearly two hundred. A few changes have been made in the list of maga- zines. All except current numbers may be borrowed and the list for the com- ing year is as follows :
WEEKLIES
Geographic News Bulletin Illustrated London News Life Literary Digest Littell's Living Age
Antiques
A. L. A. Booklist
American
Publisher's Weekly
Saturday Evening Post
Westford Wardsman
Youth's Companion
MONTHLIES
Modern Priscilla Nature Needlecraft
5
Asia Atlantic Monthly Book Review Digest Boys' Life Century Child Life
Normal Instructor Open Road Our World Pictorial Review
Popular Mechanics
Popular Science Monthly
Current History
Public Libraries
Delineator
Radio Broadcast
Educational Digest
Readers' Guide
Forecast Garden Magazine
Review of Reviews
Good Housekeeping
Scientific American
Harper's Monthly
Scribner's
Today's Housewife
Travel
Woman's Home Companion
World's Work
PERIODICALS GIVEN, 1924
Congregationalist Christian Century
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.