USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1920-1926 > Part 42
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Salaries of all teachers are near the normal for towns of our size and teachers tend to remain in service instead of leaving after the first year. Bet- ter teachers can be and are employed. Twelve hundred dollars is the max- imum salary established for grade teachers.
School enrollment is not increasing and the need for additional building does not seem pressing. At the Cameron School the necessity for two ses- sions is done away with by transporting one roomful of pupils to the Sargent School.
At the Parkerville School the number of pupils is smaller than usual and it may be in the interest of economy to temporarily bring these pupils to the Frost School. Before this step is taken a hearing will be given.
The nurse employed by the Board of Health is also the school nurse. About three-fourths of the work is in the schools, yet none of her salary is paid out of school appropriations. This means that work done in the schools is paid for out of the funds of another department. The state auditor calls this an illegal practice. We feel that this was instituted several years ago by vote of the town and we do not consider the school board responsible.
In the matter of school finances one generation pays the educational expenses of the next. Our forebears provided us with an educational system that met the need for citizenship at that time. We in turn are obligated to do the same for the next. The fact that a man does not have children, or that his children have gone through the schools, does not excuse him from paying school expenses. Education of the child is not for the benefit of the child alone, but for the social group of which the child is a member, and for intelligent citizenship without which a democracy such as ours could not long endure.
For the year 1926 we respectfully ask for the sum of sixty-five thousand dollars ($65,000). This is three thousand dollars less than the sum called for last year.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR G. HILDRETH,
Chairman.
5
School Calendar
Fall Term Begins-September 9, 1925. Fall Term Closes-November 25, 1925.
Winter Term Begins-November 30, 1925.
Christmas Vacation-December 23, 1925, to January 4, 1926.
Term Ends-February 19, 1926. Vacation-February 19 to March 1.
Term Begins-March 1, 1926. Closes-April 16, 1926.
Term Begins-April 26, 1926. Closes-June 18, 1926.
Fall Term Begins-September 8, 1926. Fall Term Closes-November 24, 1926.
Winter Term Begins-November 29, 1926.
Christmas Vacation Begins-December 23, 1926.
Christmas Vacation Ends and School Begins-January 3, 1927.
Special Exercise Days and Holidays, 1926
February 12th. Lincoln Exercises, one hour.
February 19th. Washington Exercises, one hour.
April 16th. Patriots' Day Exercises, one hour. May 28th. Memorial Day Exercises, one hour. October 11th. Columbus Day Exercises, one hour.
November 11th. Armistice Day Exercises, one hour.
November 24th. Thanksgiving Day Exercises, one hour.
LEGAL HOLIDAYS
January 1st, February 22nd, April 19th, May 30th, July 4th, First Monday of September, October 12th, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Arbor Day and Flag Day should be observed by proper exercises by any school in session on those days.
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Teachers in Service, 1925-1926
William E. Frost School
Teacher Grades Taught Where Educated
Percy L. Rowe, Prin.
VII-VIII Castine Normal
Harriet Taylor
V-VI Aroostook Normal
Houlton, Maine
Ruth P. Tuttle
III-IV Lowell Normal
Westford, Mass.
Edith A. Wright
I-II Hyannis Normal
Westford, Mass.
Sargent School
J. H. Fitzgibbons, Prin. VII-VIII Salem Normal
Lillian G. Wright VI Lowell Normal
Kathryn Toolan V N. Adams Normal
Mrs. Charles Blodgett
IV Farmington Normal Graniteville, Mass.
Mary M. Reynolds
III Lowell Normal
Margaret T. Winters
II Wheelock School
I Lowell Normal
Lowell, Mass. Cohasset, Mass. Graniteville, Mass.
Cameron School
Peter F. Perry, Prin.
VII-VIII Hyannis Normal Provincetown, Mass.
Helen Chipman VI Truro Normal Anna A. Sheahan V Gorham Normal
Ruth A. Walker
IV Lowell Normal
Windsor, N. S. Portland, Maine Lowell, Mass.
Mrs. L. W. O'Clair
Louise E. Thompson
III Hyannis Normal Forge Village, Mass. II Lowell Normal Lowell, Mass. I Perry Normal
Mildred E. Pilkington
Margaret M. Carney
Ass't. Lowell Normal
Mansfield, Mass. Lowell, Mass.
Nabnassett School
Louis O. Forrest, Prin. Estelle Mills
VI-V-VI Gorham Normal I-II-III Lowell Normal Lowell, Mass.
Parkerville School
Louise Chipman I-II-III-IV-V-VI Truro Normal Tupperville, N. S.
Music
A. Pamelia Precious Lowell Normal Forge Village, Mass.
Several of the teachers attended summer school this past summer.
C. G. CARTER.
Beverly, Mass. Westford, Mass. N. Adams, Mass.
Gertrude Provost
Home Address Boothbay, Maine
Kennebunk, Maine
7
Superintendent's Report
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
I hereby submit my second report as Superintendent of the Grade Schools of Westford.
Recently our Government made an inventory of its assets and Public School education was placed near the top. In 1870 only twenty-seven city superintendents were employed in the United States. So the administration and supervision of the public schools is really a new profession.
A superintendent must be a supervisor, an executive, and an organ- izer. As a supervisor he is brought into close relations with both teachers and pupils. As an executive he comes into close relations with the board of edu- cation. He must always bear in mind that without the support of the board he can not accomplish much. As an executive there are hundreds of matters that he must decide and act upon without consulting the board. The board would become disgusted if he ran to them with every detail. On the other hand there are hundreds of matters that must be decided by the board. As an organizer, the superintendent has many educational affairs to be worked out with the board, teachers and citizens of the town. He may have several changes of one kind or another to make and he needs the co-operation of all.
At certain periods the superintendent should place each building under a survey, to find out the repairs needed, cleaning to be done, and he should also have the heating system inspected by the State Department. He should find the number of text books needed, books that should be unpacked, stamped, etc. Also supplies for pupils, teachers and janitors should be de- livered to the respective schools.
Education :- Dr. Arnold's definition of Education is: "Education is the process by which the individual acquires and develops control over his ma- terial and social environment."
Accepting the above as a definition for education, we find that the whole child, mental, physical, and moral must go to school, therefore it becomes necessary to make our schools responsible for the entire unity of his devel- opment. Text books are used only as a means toward an end in the child's full development. A lesson within a textbook has no value, except as it has a bearing upon the needs of a pupil's life. A proper means of social entertain- ment must be provided for each school. The association during the school day should be used as one of the best means of educational advancement.
Our State is doing a great deal in Physical Education and we have made a good start on supervised play at recess. Miss Somers, State Assistant has visited our schools and inspected our recess periods. Our teachers are to teach both indoor and outdoor play. The greater the self control of a child, the more freedom he can be given, and each child should be given as much freedom as possible without stepping upon the rights of others. This may be done through the organization of the school by having him respect the rights of his asso- ciates at school. A fine spirit for all this may be taught through play, the teacher acting as the supervisor. Our State Law requires a teacher to teach indoor and outdoor play. Good homes and good schools are necessary to
8
make a good town, state and nation; so each pupil must be taught to respect one another and their rights and this can be taught through the right kind of play.
HEALTH WORK IN OUR SCHOOLS
One of the major purposes of public education is the conservation o f child life. At present the health staff is made up of the school nurse, schoo physician and the school dentist. I wish to call your attention to their re- ports. Early in the year, Dr. Raymond was engaged by the School De- partment to do the dental work. The medical inspection is done by Dr. C. A. Blaney. The happiness and the efficiency of the child by preserving and improving his health is the main object of the medical inspection. This in- spection includes a careful and thorough examination of the physical con- dition of the child. It also includes in a general way an inspection of the nose, mouth, throat, skin and chest. The testing of the vision and hearing is done early in the school year by the teachers. Directions for the same are given out by the State Department.
The school nurse usually follows up the defects found by the school physician and teachers, and advises the parent to act in relation to the same for the correction thereof. The nurse is always ready to render all the help possible. I feel that the sanitary conditions of our schools are well cared for. This past year new toilets have been installed in the Portable School at Forge Village and six new toilets were installed in the main building (Cam- eron School). The ventilation of each room depends upon the teacher, and I believe that each teacher knows how a room should be ventilated.
REPAIRS
This past year the Sargent School has been painted inside and outside. The Cameron School has been shingled and as I have mentioned in another place, new toilets have been installed in both the portable and main build- ing. The portable has been painted white. Bell systems have been installed in the Sargent, Cameron and Frost schools. Electric lights have been in- stalled in the four new rooms at the Sargent School. Electric lights have been installed at the Frost School, also. Playground equipment has been replaced at all the schools. Grading has been done at the Sargent School and at the Nabnassett School the grading has been completed.
THRIFT
Banking has been very successful in our schools, some over $3,000 has been deposited in the bank during the past twelve months by the pupils.
National Educational week was observed by the schools and several parents visited the schools during that week. Last spring special days and evenings were given over for the parents, when the work of the year was ex- hibited. About two hundred parents and citizens visited the schools at that time. Late in May a Field Day program was given at the Whitney Play- ground, which proved to be successful. Graduation exercises were held in June, at which was a large attendance. I wish at this time to call your at- tention to the report of the Music Supervisor.
9
Several changes have been made in the teaching staff this year. Miss Kemp resigned early in the spring to accept a position in her home town and Miss Taylor substituted in her place for the remainder of the year. Mrs. Blodgett took the fourth grade made vacant by Miss Kemp. Miss Taylor took the position made vacant by Miss Lawrence, who is attending the Emerson School of Expression. Miss Winters has filled the position made vacant by Miss Willey. Mr. Perry was elected Principal of the Cameron School. Miss Sheahan took Miss Rylander's place at the Cameron School. Miss Carney was elected assistant teacher at the Cameron School. Mr. Forrest was elected Principal of the Nabnassett School and Miss Mills was elected for the primary grades of that school. Miss Louise Chipman took Mrs. Hunter's place at Parkerville. With the exception of Mr. Forrest and Miss Mills all the regular teachers have had one or more years of teaching experience before coming to Westford.
I wish to thank the School Committee, teachers, parents, pupils, music supervisor and citizens of the town of Westford for their support and co- operation.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES G. CARTER,
Superintendent,
10
Report of Westford Academy
January 1, 1926.
To ARTHUR G. HILDRETH,
Chairman of the School Committee.
The following is my fourteenth annual report as Principal of Westford Academy:
ENROLLMENT
The enrollment by classes as of December, 1925, is:
Boys
Girls
Total
Post-graduate
0
1
1
Special
0
1
1
Seniors
4
8
12
Juniors
5
9
14
Sophomores
8
18
26
Freshmen
9
15
24
-
26
52
78
FACULTY
Principal, W. C. Roudenbush, Latin and French; Hiram S. Taylor, Jr., Science and Mathematics; Bertha E. Veeder, English and History; Alice M. Brackett, Commercial Department; A. Pamelia Precious, Music. Miss Laura C. Gothberg of the English and History Department resigned follow- ing a service of two years; also David Hamblin of the Commercial Depart- ment after one year's service.
SCHOOL CLUBS
With a few exceptions these are the same as they were last year. The work of these organizations is concerned with what are known as extra- curricula activities, and one half credit per year is given for the satisfactory completion of any project. We now have a School Orchestra and Girls' Glee Club under the direction of Miss Precious, and several clubs under the general supervision of the Middlesex County Extension Service; directed by local leaders.
These clubs are the Clothing Club with fifteen members, the Supper Club with nine members, the Lunch Box Club with two members, and the Handicraft Club with three members. The leaders of these respective clubs in the order given are Mrs. W. C. Roudenbush, Alice M. Brackett, Harriett Taylor, and Percy L. Rowe.
11
In line with the County Club work we make mention of a special Fruit Judging Class which held several sessions under the direction of state leaders. In March, 1925, eight boys trained in this class, entered a fruit judging con- test in Littleton, and won first place in competition with several schools. On May 1, George Kimball, Linwood Nesmith, and Elmer Bridgford went to the Massachusetts Agricultural College at Amherst to compete in a fruit judging contest held for the High School boys of the state under direction of the Pomology Department of the College. In this contest George Kimball won second price and Elmer Bridgford third prize on the individual judging. At the Brockton Fair in October, a County contest was held, Middlesex being represented by C. V. Flagg, Jr., of Littleton High School, George Kimball and Elmer Bridgford of Westford Academy. This team won first prize, a silver cup, and Elmer Bridgford won the second individual prize with a score of 1140 points out of a possible 1200. The winner, Fred Taylor of Groton, scored 1160 points. Each contestant had to identify and place the following classes of apples: McIntosh, Wagener, Spy, Delicious, Wealthy, and Baldwin. Since several substitutions were made, it meant identifying each apple.
October 30, a Fruit Club exhibit was held at Horticultural Hall, Boston, and the Westford Girls' Canning Club, comprised mostly of Academy pupils, won for Middlesex County the second prize, amounting to twenty five dollars. Besides this, the Westford Club won thirty dollars in gold in in- dividual prizes at the exhibit.
We believe that such activities as are outlined above have great edu- cational value in giving young people confidence in their own powers and respect for what others of their kind are accomplishing.
PRO MERITO AND TADMUCK CLUB
Each year there are certain students who receive special honors due to their scholarship rank. The Pro Merito Society is an honorary society within secondary schools similar to the Phi Beta Kappa in the colleges. The mem- bers are chosen from the Senior class in June of each year, and included Vir- ginia C. Healy and Hazel E. Sweetser from the class of 1925.
The honorary members of the Tadmuck Club this year are Alice Remis and Jean Bell of the present senior class.
ATHLETICS
The Academy Athletic Association comprises all pupils of the school, and is the organization which supports the various teams representing the Academy. Membership tickets for the year are seventy five cents, and tickets admitting to all home games are sold to the general public for one dollar. From the money thus obtained we care for the general expenses of the Asso- ciation. Westford ranked well to the front in the baseball league (the North- west Middlesex Interscholastic League) last summer, and had a good record in basket ball. In this latter sport the team has a splendid start for the present season, having won all the games played but one. Thus far we have won from West Groton, 52 to 12, from Stoneham High School, 32 to 16, from Littleton High School, 44 to 24, and lost to Reading High School at Reading, 30 to 6. The team appeared in their new uniforms the night of the Stoneham game.
12
For the third successive year, the Academy has won honors in the "All Student Track Meet" held each May, and was awarded a plaque and a cer- tificate of accomplishment signed by the State Commissioner of education, Payson Smith.
SENIOR CLASS PLAY
This particular performance was on a much larger scale than usual. It consisted of a musical comedy in three acts, entitled "Springtime," a John B. Rogers production under the direction of their representative, Miss Grace Moody, with Miss Marjorie Baker as pianist. There were over twenty lead- ing characters, and a stage full of society groups, servants, wedding guests, flower girls, etc, who supported the main actors. The play was given in Abbot Hall, Forge Village, on April 16, 1925, and netted the Senior class the sum of seventy dollars. The expenses alone were over one hundred dollars'
NECROLOGY
With regret we record the death of two graduates of the Academy the past year:
Elizabeth Heywood Hildreth, of the class of 1897, who died March 18, 1925, Lawrence Alvin Ingalls, of the class of 1922, who died May 8, 1925.
Hon. John Jacob Rogers of Lowell, who had served on the Board of Trustees a comparatively short time, died in March, 1925.
MISCELLANEOUS
A much needed improvement in the furnishings of the building has been supplied by replacing the old shabby window curtains with the "Duo-Roll" System which is perhaps the best of the kind.
Also seven new typewriters have been installed, four Underwood's and three L. C. Smith's, to replace machines which had been in use ten or twelve years.
Compton's Pictorial Encyclopedia has been added to the school library, and supplies a real need as a reference text. It is most attractively illustrated, interesting in subject matter. and very popular with the School.
This year there is more money available for the purchase of books of reference, the lack of which in times past has been a serious handicap to the school. Besides the encyclopedia just mentioned, we are now provided with a considerable number of standard reference texts thereby enriching and en- larging the scope of the student's text book. We have the beginnings of a library worthy the name, thus placing the Academy more on a par with schools of its grade.
The Academy Savings Bank System is taken advantage of by one fourth of the School, and the deposits steadily increase in amount. These accounts are deposited with the Mechanics Savings Bank of Lowell.
George E. Erickson, County Club Agent of the Extension Service, gave an illustrated talk on garden club work last March. It was the first use of the lantern for such a purpose at the school, and it proved possible to darken the room sufficiently to show a very fair picture.
13
In May, on invitation of the Authorities of the Lowell General Hospital, the girls of the senior class visited that institution on a tour of inspection. Some of the class are now entered there to study the profession of nursing.
The Academy Faculty attended the convention of the Northwest Middlesex Teachers' Association held in Ayer, October 26, 1925, and on Oc- tober 31, the Middlesex County convention of teachers held in Boston.
"Education Week" in November was not observed by special programs rendered each day, but invitation was extended to any who chose to visit the school and observe it under the regular daily regime.
The Principal, however, devoted one period on the schedule to a brief outline of the history of education in New England, and in particular, sketched the history of the school system of Westford as related to the Academy past and present.
The program of the graduation exercises for June 24, 1925, follows this report, and we call special attention to the list of prize winners which shows the disposition made of moneys provided by the Alumni and Trustees. The bronze medal annually given by the Massachusetts Society of Sons of the American Revolution is a prize well worth winning, and is awarded to that Senior in each high school of the State who ranks first in United States history.
Respectfully submitted,
W. C. ROUDENBUSH,
Supervising Principal,
Westford Academy.
14
Graduation Exercises, Westford Academy, Westford,"Mass.
AT THE TOWN HALL, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 1925, 10 O'CLOCK, A. M.
PROGRAM
March and Overture
SCHOOL ORCHESTRA
Invocation
REV. EDWARD D. DISBROW
Salutatory
HAZEL ESTHER SWEETSER
Chorus-Waitin' in the Shadows
SCHOOL Wellesley
Salutatory Essay-Interesting Happenings on Boston Common HAZEL ESTHER SWEETSER
Chorus (a) Wanderer's Night Song
(b) Silver Eyes GIRLS' GLEE CLUB
Rubinstein Fearis
Presentation of Class Gift
GRACE AMY DANE
Acceptance of Class Gift
ROGER HILDRETH, Class of 1926
Duet, I Love a Little Cottage
Fearis
REGINA MCLENNA MARJORIE BAKER
Address
REV. JOHN M. PHILLIPS, Manchester, N. H.
Chorus-Anchored
SCHOOL Watson
Essay with Valedictory-Vocations for Women VIRGINIA CLAIRE HEALY
Presentation of Prizes and Diplomas PRINCIPAL W. C. ROUDENBUSH
Class Song (Written by Mary Catherine Wall) THE GRADUATING CLASS
March
SCHOOL ORCHESTRA
15
GRADUATES
Grace Amy Dane Mary Louise Dureault
Lydia Harriet Griffin
Katherine Evelyn Healy
*Virginia Claire Healy
Lillian Gertrude Hosmer +Elizabeth Irene Prinn *Hazel Esther Sweetser Mary Catherine Wall
*Elected to "Pro Merito" Society of Secondary Schools. +Certificate.
POST-GRADUATE
Emma Sophia Goucher, Class of 1924
Class Motto-Per Angusta ad Augusta Class Colors-Crimson and Silver Class Flower-American Beauty Rose
The following Class parts were read at School Assembly, June 22nd.
Class History-Mary Louise Dureault Class Grinds-Lydia Harriet Griffin Class Will-Katherine Evelyn Healy Class Prophecy-Lillian Gertrude Hosmer Class Poem. Elizabeth Irene Prinn
WINNERS OF PRIZES
PUBLIC SPEAKING (Given by Alumni)
First and Second Prizes equally divided between Lillian Hosmer, '26, and Dorothy McEnaney, '28, Seven and one-half dollars each.
Honorable Mention: Charlotte Wilson, '27.
To that student who best exemplified during the year the qualities of character, suggested in the school pamphlet, "Think on These Things." (Given by Trustees).
Alice Remis, '26, Fifteen dollars. Andrew Locapo, '27, Ten dollars.
WASHINGTON AND FRANKLIN BRONZE MEDAL FOR EXCELLENCE IN UNITED STATES HISTORY.
(Given by the Massachusetts Society of Sons of the American Revolution) VIRGINIA CLAIRE HEALY
16
CLASS SONG (Tune of "Let Me Call You Sweetheart")
I
Westford, class of '25 Bright and gay, We are here to greet you all This June day. As the parting time draws near, We will leave this school so dear, That we loved in olden days Now gone by.
CHORUS
This will be a memory In our hearts so true;
When we think of Westford Then the skies seem blue. We regret to leave our friends Both old and new. Goodbye, schoolmates, teachers, all Farewell to you.
II
Through difficulties to great things Will be our rule, When we part from happy friends In this dear school. Our Academy days are o'er And we'll cherish them more and more. With the knowledge we have in store We'll make our way.
Mary Catherine Wall.
NOTES
1 Alumni Luncheon and reception to graduates following the exercises.
2 Annual meeting of the Alumni Association following the luncheon.
3 Graduation Dance in the Town Hall at 8 P. M.
17
Report of Music Supervisor
Mr. Charles G. Carter,
Supt. of Schools,
Dear Sir :- My report as Supervisor of Music for the year is as follows:
Perhaps the most important step taken in this year's work is the pur- chasing of a piano for the Sargent School. The cost of the piano was $225, with a ten per cent discount, the piano was bought in December, and already we have paid one hundred dollars. The remainder of the amount we hope to pay before next December.
The work in the grades continues along much the same line as in previ- ous years. Perhaps it would interest some to know what is supposed to be ac- complished in each grade during the year.
Grade One:
a. teaching of note songs.
b. individual work with the children.
c. elimination of monotones.
d. good tone quality.
c. music appreciation.
Grade Two:
(All grades start in with a review of the preceding year's work, and all grades have a little Music Appreciation.)
a. vocalizes and rote songs.
b. sight reading from board and later, books.
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