USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1942-1946 > Part 14
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
2. The new corridor on the second floor has had a significant influence for good pupil behavior.
3. Much of the improvement in pupil morale is due to a clean, more wholesome building environment.
In these statements one can see the beginnings of better atti- tudes toward respect for property, toward cleanliness, and one's duty to co-operate with fellows in keeping public property clean and in repair. I do not say the habits are all formed so they will always react rightly but I do say progress has been made and that the present Academy pupils are displaying more respect and pride in their building than I have ever known.
The elementary schools have a good record in caring for their buildings. In every case where the building has been made cleaner and more homelike the problems in teaching children respect for property and pride in their school have been made easier.
-
REPAIR PLANS FOR 1944
Revised painting schedule.
Academy :
Exterior 1943, 1947,
1952.
Interior 1942, 1943, 1945, 1948.
Cameron :
Exterior 1938,
1944, 1949.
Interior 1944,
1949.
Frost :
Exterior 1938, 1944, 1949.
Interior
1946,
1951.
Sargent :
Exterior
1938, 1945, 1950.
Interior
1942,
1947, 1952.
This year we propose to paint the exterior of Frost School and the exterior and interior of Cameron School. The interior of Cam- eron School is badly in need of paint. Both Cameron and Frost
104
Schools were painted in 1938 and if done in 1944, one coat should be sufficient. Because of the impossibility of being sure good quality of outside paint can be secured in 1944, a special appropriation of $1,400 is being asked to cover the painting of these schools. Then if good quality paint is unobtainable, the funds will be available at some future time when it will be feasible to paint these buildings. It would be foolish to paint them with inferior materials and it would be equally foolish to make no provision for this work so an extensive amount would have to be raised several years hence.
Other major repairs contemplated are improving the coal bins at Sargent ånd Cameron Schools so coal can be dumped directly from the trucks into the bins. At present it is necessary to handle the coal several times and this is a problem in these days of labor shortages-
NABNASSETT SCHOOL
Nabnassett School was closed this year due to the small number of pupils attending there. The school board believed the pupils would be better off educationally in the larger schools and, as there was no increase necessary in bus transportation, the change was made.
OPPORTUNITY CLASS
The opportunity class was transferred to Cameron School in September. One of the difficulties in operating the class last year was the lack of association these pupils had with other children. Moving the class to Cameron School eliminates this difficulty and also elim- inates extra transportation costs.
The new arrangement is functioning smoothly and the pupils are much happier in their new classroom.
I wish to thank the Abbot Worsted Company and the C. G. Sar- gent's Sons Corporation for their generous gifts to the Westford school children.
May I extend to the teaching staff, the school board, and all citizens my appreciation for their fine co-operation during the past year. Such a spirit of working together is bound to improve our schools.
Respectfully submitted,
CHESTER V. SWEATT,
Superintendent of Schools.
105
REGISTRATION-WESTFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS October 1, 1943
School Grades
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Total
U
Academy
54
39
37
29
159
Wm. E. Frost
29
11
15
13
13
16
25
16
138
Sargent
35
23
30
22
15
27
24
16
192
Cameron
.9
26
25
19
25
23
23
14
18
192
Totals
.......
90
59
64
60
51
66
63
50
54
39
37
29
671
Registration of Minors October 1, 1943
MINORS BY AGE GROUPS
5-7
7-16
Totals
Girls
63
276
339
Boys
54
283
337
Totals
117
559
676
..
..
-
-
.9
CORPS OF TEACHERS, DECEMBER 31, 1943
School
Teachers
Training at
Date of Appointment
CAMERON SCHOOL .... Peter F. Perry, B. S., Ed. M. (Prin.) ..... Hyannis Normal, Boston University ...... Sept.
1924
Marion E. Carroll, B. S. E.
Lowell State Teachers College Nov. 1936
Barbara Gray, A. B. .Emmanuel College Sept. 1941
Helen A. Johnston, B. S. E.
Lowell State Teachers College
Sept.
1942
Janet L. Kenney, B. S. E.
Lowell State Teachers College
Sept.
1942
Catherine H. Goodwin, B. S. of E.
.Lowell State Teachers College
Sept.
1943
Louise E. Thompson, B. S., Ed. M. .Lowell Normal-Boston University Sept. 1922
Ruth A. Walker Lowell Normal School
. Sept. 1922
Helen R. Brownrigg, B. S. E. Salem State Teachers College
Sept.
1942
WM. E. FROST .K. Merton Bozoian, B. S. E. (Prin.) ........ Bridgewater State Teachers College .Jan. 1942
Esther T. Burns, B. S. E.
Lowell State Teachers College Sept.
1942
Shirley M. Coughlin, B. S. E.
.Lowell State Teachers College Dec.
1940
Rita H. Miller, B. S. E. .Lowell State Teachers College Sept. 1939
Kathleen R. Hammersley, B. A. .D'Youville College
Oct,
1938
Ruth P. Tuttle
.Lowell Normal School
Sept.
1903
NABNASSETT .Phyllis Ethel Boynton, B. S. E. ... Hyannis State Teachers College Oct.
1942
(Closed Sept. 1, 1943) Helen R. Brownrigg, B. S. E.
Salem State Teachers College Sept.
1942
SARGENT SCHOOL ...... Ruth L. Wright, (Prin.)
. Plymouth, N. H. Normal
Sept.
1931
Jean E. Bell
Fitchburg Normal Apr. 1930
Lottie D. Blodgett
Framingham Normal Sept. 1916
Alice M. Cullen
.Lowell Normal School
Nov.
1940
Ann Harrington
.Lowell Normal School
Sept.
1926
Mary C. McQuade, B. S. E.
. Lowell State Teachers College Sept.
1943
Muriel S. Burke, B. S. E.
Lowell State Teachers College Sept. 1943
Lillian G. Wright
.Lowell Normal School
Sept.
1914
ACADEMY. Anthony G. L. Brackett, B. S., Ed. M. (Prin.)
Middlebury College, Harvard University .. Sept. 1942
Mildred J. Caram, B. S. E.
.Salem State Teachers College Sept.
1941
Carolyn Dutton, A. B. Boston University Sept. 1943
Samuel F. Frolio, B. S., Ed. M.
Tufts College, Boston University Sept. 1942
Marian K. Kelly, A. B., A. M.
Hunter College, Columbia
Sept.
1940
Mary L. Robinson, Ph. B. Goucher, University of Chicago Sept. 1927
Helen R. Rochefort, A. B. Tufts College
Sept. 1942
Mary C. Croucher, B. S. E.
Fitchburg Teachers College Sept.
1943
MUSIC SUPERVISOR Lilley Mae Lawler Nov. 1935
SCHOOL NURSE Dorothy Healy, R. N.
Framingham Sept. 1931
SUPT. OF SCHOOLS .... Chester V. Sweatt, B. S., Ed. M.
Univ. of Maine, Western Res. Univ. ...... Aug. 1942
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GRADUATES June 1943
CAMERON SCHOOL
Laurent Joseph Brule
Dennis Patrick Kane
Rita Theresa Blowey
John James Kavanagh
Chester A. Caless
Irene Kostechko
Donald Huse Caless
Jacqueline Vivian Lamy
Thomas Daniel Caless
Lorraine Lamy
Walter Cinsavich
Mildred Edith Lavalley
William Edward Coleman
Robert Lefebre
Marion Kathleen Connell
Mary Marshall
Vivian Connell
Gloria Milot
Joseph Peter Crickett
Viola Milot
Wasil Daranchuc
James Patrick Mulligan, Jr.
Mary Magdeline Delaney
Theresa Pellerin
Loretta Jean Dudevoir
Albert Joseph Ricard
Catherine Mary Elliot
Carleton Rooks
Jeanine Heroux
Ellen Lorraine Stone
Jean Louise Hosmer
Kathleen Veronica Young
WILLIAM E. FROST SCHOOL
Arthur Antonnelli
Donald Fletcher Johnson
Eugene John Barretto
Phillip Nelson MacArthur
Leo Caliste Bechard
Shirley Claire March
Nathaniel Bradbury
June Louise Olson
David Arthur Burnham
Alexander Murray Patrick Seaton
Madeline Eva Chapman
Lois Evelyn Shea
Stanley Richard Cole
Gloria Eugenia Skinner
Ethel Marion Smith
Jean Marie Collier Walter Edward Coombs
Ruth Elisabeth Smith
Nancy Patricia Corkum
James Ellis Studdiford
Dennis Courtemanche
Mary Josephine Sullivan
Edwin Phillip Donnelly
Phyllis Rita Wajda
Charlotte Lillian Fletcher
Doris Helen Wright
SARGENT SCHOOL
Joseph Richard Connell Theresa Alice Nadolny Jean Emmiline Morgan Patricia Ann Wood
Raymond Richard Valcourt Anthony William Minko Walter Charasko Robert Francis Gower
Theresa Marie Guillemette
109
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF WESTFORD ACADEMY
for the Year Ending December 31, 1943
January 1, 1944
Mr. Chester V. Sweatt Superintendent of Schools Westford, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Sweatt:
It is a pleasure to submit the annual report of Westford Academy. .
In September, 1943, Westford Academy started its second year cf service to the youth of Westford as one of America's schools at war. The fall of 1943 found Westford Academy better prepared to do its job of meeting the needs of the boys and girls of Westford in wartime than it was prepared in 1942.
The teachers have contributed to the war effort by teaching heavy schedules. Two of the eight teachers are occupied seven periods in a seven-period day. All teachers have a full load and extra-curricular duties as well.
The students were better adjusted to wartime education in 1943, after a year and a half of wartime experience. They also felt more keenly the value of an education and were resolved to work hard. if necessary, in order to master their studies. As might be expected, every boy and girl has not been able to carry out his good resolu- tions. Some of them have not studied hard and a few have with- drawn, but for the most part the pupils of Westford Academy have lived up to their resolutions of the new school year very well.
It has, perhaps, been easier for the pupils to do their job this year than it was last. They have found a well-considered wartime curriculum this year. The new courses which have been established have been well worthwhile. Subjects which were not necessary in wartime were dropped out of the program of studies for 1943-1944. Changes were made in the content of the work in many of the sub- jects. All of these modifications were undertaken with much more postiveness than was true a year ago. The faculty this year felt much more certain of its position and this certainty has been re- flected both in the choice of subject matter and in the method of its presentation.
110
The pupils have also been more certain of themselves. They have been more positive that the work they are doing in school is the most beneficial thing they can do for the war effort. They have shown a willing spirit of cooperation with teachers in the general activities of the school. They have worked hard and have expected to work hard. It has become the accepted thing in Westford Academy to get assignments completed and to get them completed on time. It has become a matter of habit to study for examinations. Pupils are escaping from the easy peace-time policy of just getting by and of working to please the teacher. Most of the boys and girls are now trying to please themselves and to satisfy their own consciences.
Because of the generally high morale on the part of the student body, the pupils have been entrusted with larger areas of self-control. It has been the policy of the faculty to foster a spirit of self-discipline on the part of the student body. The teachers believe that if these boys and girls will be without any restraining influences in a matter of a few months they need to be helped to achieve self-control now. It is wrong to treat a boy or girl as a child today, and tomorrow to send him away from friends, school, and home to be a law unto himself, as it were. If the restraints of childhood are all thrown away in one day, there is great chance of personal tragedy. Inasmuch as possible, the pupils in Westford Academy have been encouraged to control themselves this year. There has been only limited faculty supervision. The student council has functioned more actively. Special committees from the student body have been in charge of various phases of school life.
As specific instances of a serious attitude on the part of the stu- dents this year, we have few failures in courses. On the contrary, the subject matter taught is more difficult, but in spite of this most pupils have received higher grades. In fact, it has been possible to resume the publishing of an honor roll at the close of each marking period, a policy which was not followed last year.
There is a larger enrollment this year than there was a year ago. This is contrary to the general trend throughout the country which shows a continuing tendency for secondary school enrollments to shrink.
After boys and girls experienced high wages during the summer in war jobs, many of them did not return to school. In Westford this was also true to some extent, but for the most part, the pupils did return. Many of them, however, continued to work on a part-time basis. A recent survey showed the following employment figures:
111
Girls
Boys Employed
Unemployed
Employed Unemployed
Seniors
S
5
3
10
Juniors
S
4
9
14
Sophomores
9
8
4
21
Freshmen
4
15
S
23
Totals.
29
32
24
68
Most of these pupils are working nearly twenty hours a week. A few work more and one or two hold down regular 40-hour a week jobs and attend school besides.
In spite of more difficult subject matter and additional employ- ment on the part of the pupils, this year has shown an increase in extra-curricular activity. As was true of most small schools last year, there was almost a complete curtailment of inter-school athletic com- petition. This year saw the return to a regular schedule of inter- school games, although fewer in number than in previous years. The size of the squads this year in boys and girls basketball are much larger than last year and compare favorably with peacetime.
The program in dramatics has been more ambitious this year than last. Work in student publications has continued. The club activity period has operated with as many clubs as in past years and with nearly every pupil in school as member of some club.
The few minutes following lunch time during the noon recess period has been used regularly for activities. In the fall this took the form of outside sports; this winter games and dancing have been enjoyed in the gymn.
In the hours beyond the school day the faculty has attempted to serve the youth of the town this year by instituting a moving picture program on Friday nights when there was no organized school affair in progress. The school movie projector, the generous gift of the trustees, was used to show entertaining and wholesome moving pic- tures for the benfit of the boys and girls in all parts of the town. The Parent-Teachers Association agreed to back the project in case of financial difficulty. The local ration board was most generous in help- ing in the matter of transportation. Four hundred boys and girls at- tended shows for the month of December.
112
In the foregoing paragraphs I have attempted to describe and to cite examples of the wartime activities of Westford Academy. There are many specific matters, however, which should be mentioned.
The curriculum of the school was changed in the fall of 1943 with modification of the regulation on social studies in the core curriculum program. In place of civics as a required subject of the freshman year was substituted mathematics. English continued as a require- ment for all four years and social studies, for the last three years.
New elective subjects added to the curriculum included pre-induc- tion mathematics, pre-induction science, advanced mathematics, a second year of Spanish, and the establishment of the offering of physics and chemistry yearly rather than on an alternate year basis. Latin is no longer offered every year. It is to be taught when re- quested as a vocational subject for entrance to college or nurse's training school.
A regular period during the school day for conference between pupils and teachers was started this fall. In past years teachers have always been available by appointment and on certain "afternoons back" after school hours. These practices are still continued, and in addition a period is set aside each day when certain teachers are freed of all other responsibilities and are available to the pupils for special help. This is a feature of the program at Westford Academy which is almost unique for a public school. In private schools, where the ratio of pupils to teacher is much lower, the conference system is commonly used. In public schools, such a practice is rarely found. It is possible for the conference program to be undertaken at West- ford only because the teachers are willing to put forth extra effort. "Spare periods" are not available. At times when the teachers might expect to be without assignment, the conferences are held.
The outside reading program at the Academy continues to be a prominent part of student life. This is made possible through the cooperation of Miss May E. Day, the town librarian, who brings books to school for loan to the students at regular intervals.
Certain changes were made in the faculty this year. Because of the resignation of Miss Ethel T. Tewksbury and Mr. Ernest R. Dalton, two vacancies were created which were filled by the election of Mrs. Mary H. Croucher, formerly a teacher in Amherst, Mass., and Miss Carolyn E. Dutton, a graduate of Boston University.
113
During the summer and Christmas vacations, extensive alterations were made in the Academy building. A passageway was cut through the upper hall, a conference room was made available on the first floor, and lockers were placed in the classrooms. The basements were also thoroughly cleaned and painted, as were the walls in the classrooms and halls of the two lower floors. For this work of cleaning and paint- ing much credit is due to our new janitor, Mr. Howard H. Ferguson.
An honor roll bearing the names of the graduates of Westford Academy serving in the armed forces was placed in the lower hall on Armistice Day. The funds for this honor roll were raised entirely by the students themselves, the largest contribution being made by the class of 1943 as their class gift to the school. At present there are listed the names of 101 men and women now serving. In gold letters are the names of James Harrigan and Emile LeDuc.
I wish it might be possible to make some accurate forecast as to the future. The war renders it impossible to prophesy with even the average expectancy of being correct. Certain factors, however, are beginning to be clear in the general picture.
It seems rather positive that the wartime program of studies at Westford Academy is well established. As long as the war lasts, we may expect to see the same curriculum with only slight modification.
When peace comes, it is doubtful whether we shall ever go back to the same program that we had before war was declared. I believe that the demand for short unit courses will continue and grow and that more and more short term subjects will be offered in all second- ary schools.
When the war is over, or, in fact, before that time, an evaluation of the program at Westford Academy should be made with attention to the success of the Academy in meeting the needs of its students. In the future I believe that secondary education will be expected to fit the boy or girl who graduates from high school for his next step in life. That next step may be going to college, going to a special school such as a trade school or nurse's training school, or going to work. As has been true of most high schools, Westford Academy has paid little attention in the past to the preparation of its graduates to take a definite place in the world.
In connection with this practice of the past, a study of the follow- ing tabulation of drop outs of the last year and a half is, I think, in- teresting:
114
Work
Disliked School
Moved
Military Service
Poor Health
Private School
Married
Boys
9
2
7
7
1
0
0
Girls
9
5
3
0
1
2
1
-
Totals 18
7
10
7
2
2
1
An analysis of the figures shows that, excluding those who en- tered the armed services or moved, 30 pupils left school during this period. It is apparent that 25 of the 30 felt that the school had little to offer them.
The graduates of Westford Academy in the classes of 1942 and 1943, excluding those in the armed services, very largely entered ac- tivities for which they were not prepared in school. The following table shows the distribution of our graduates of the last two years:
College 2
Other Education 7
Commercial 10
Other Work 22
Surely the small proportion of our graduates who are fitted to un- dertake the activity which they enter is subject for careful. thought. When the large number of graduates who drift into various positions is linked with the large number of drop outs, most of whom may be expected to be working at the first job which came along, we may well question the effectiveness with which Westford Academy is preparing the boys and girls of Westford for life.
A careful investigation of the future possibilities of secondary education in the town of Westford should be made in the near future.
The following items should prove of general interest to the citi- zens of the town:
Enrollment-December 24, 1943
Class
Boys
Girls
Totals
1944
14
14
28
1945
11
23
34
1946
17
23
40
1947
21
32
53
-.
-
63
92
155
115
Distribution of Alumni, Class of 1943
Working 7
Armed Services 6
Nurses' training 2
College
2
Dental School
1
Junior Members of the Tadmuck Club
Lillian R. Barretto
Marea R. Kelly
116
WESTFORD ACADEMY
Graduates
Robert Harold Connell Wilfred Anthony Cooney Rosamond Louise Corkery Nicholas Denisevich
Maurice Stillman Flagg, Jr. Walter Whidden Fletche, Jr.
Fernand Roger Gelinas Vera Ann Halko Thomas Alfred Hughes
Mildred Edna Johnson
John Edgar LeCourt
Josephine Mary Lewkowich
Ruth Eleanor McDonald
Ruth Evelyn Moore
Virginia Schill
Margaret Claudina Scott
Arlene Marion White John Francis Young
Class Motto We Finish to Begin
Class Marshal
Nicholas Denisevich
Class Colors Maroon and Grey
Class Flower Gardenia
Winners of Prizes (Given by Trustees)
Awarded at Graduation Exercises Member of Senior Class for Excellence in English: Five Dollars-Margaret Claudina Scott
Member of Senior Class for Excellence in Mathematics and Science:
Five Dollars-Walter Whidden Fletcher ,Jr.
Member of Senior Class for Excellence in Stenography and Type- witing:
Five Dollars-Ruth Eleanor McDonald
Member of Senior Class the Most Worthy Representative of West- ford Academy :. Five Dollars-Josephine Mary Lewkowich
Awarded at Class Day Exercises
Member of the Class of 1944, the Most Worthy Representative of Westford Academy:
Five Dollars-Lillian R. Barretto
117
Member of the Class of 1945, the Most Worthy Representative of Westford Academy:
Five Dollars-Pauline E. Ferguson
Member of the Class of 1946, the Most Worthy Representative of Westford Academy:
Five Dollars-Helen S. Wallace
Washington and Franklin certificate for excellence in U. S. His- tory (awarded by the Massachusetts Society of Sons of the American Revolution ) :
William H. Studdiford, 1944
In closing, may I extend my thanks and appreciation for your splendid support and cooporation of the past year. The school board has also been most considerate of any requests made of them and have insured better teaching through the feeling of confidence which they have given the teachers. I should also like to express my personal ap- preciation to the parents of the boys and girls of Westford Academy for their understanding and whole-hearted support in matters of pupil control.
Respectfully submitted,
ANTHONY G. L. BRACKETT,
Principal of Westford Academy.
118
REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Members of the School Committee:
The following is my report as school physician for the year ending December 31, 1943:
The usual physical examination was made on all the children attend- ing the public schools of Westford. A separate physical examination is made to recheck all the cases in which major physical defects are found, and the children may receive treatment if any is indicated. Academy pupils playing basketball received special examinations.
I have responded to calls at the schools for emergency cases when called by the school principals.
Co-operation by the Board of Health nurse, teachers, and parents of the children has been splendid.
Respectfully submitted,
DR. D. W. COWLES.
119
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
January 9, 1944
Mr. Chester V. Sweatt, Superintendent of Schools, Westford, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
Following is the report of the School Nurse from March 1, to December 31, 1943:
Schools visited 214
Dressings and First Aid 30
Children examined for minor ailments 39
Children recommended for exclusion because of Pedicu- losis and skin infections 12
Children recommended for exclusion because of contagious disease contact 5
Assisted at clinic for mentally retarded children.
Vaccinations checked.
Weighed and measured school children.
Assisted School Dentist with oral examination of all school children October, 1943.
Assisted School Physician with physical examination of school children in Spring and Fall of 1943.
Respectfully submitted,
DOROTHY A. HEALY, R. N.
120
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
Mr. Chester V. Sweatt, Superintendent of Schools, Westford, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
The following is my report as Supervisor of Music in Westford . Schools.
The ultimate aini of all music lessons is to make the learning of music one continuous round of happy memories and pleasurable experiences.
The music program in our schools today provides an integral experience which develops in students an understanding of and a love for music. Music is used to brighten and vitalize the social studies and social studies are used to illuminate the music.
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.