USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1942-1946 > Part 7
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
Although the first purpose of Westford Academy this year has been to do its part in the effort to win the War, it cannot be said that everything of interest in the Academy has been directly connected with the world conflict. The planned changes in the curriculum, for example, have been completed according to schedule. In all four years of the Academy there is now a "Core Curriculum" and a large number of elective subjects. We do not have a number of compart- ments in our curriculum, as, for example, a Commercial Course, a College Preparatory Course, and a General Course, but rather a basic educational program for all pupils. Students are individually coun- seled as to which subjects will best help them to achieve the goals which they have set for themselves.
The "Core Curriculum" was completed this year with the institu- tion of a course in Problems of Democracy. All pupils are now re- quired to take English each year and to take Civics the freshman year, World History the sophomore year, United States History the junior year, and Problems of Democracy the senior year.
121
Additions to the elective studies in the curriculum include Aero- nautics, Home Chemistry, Spanish, and Home Nursing. Each of these subjects have good enrollments and are proving to be highly worth- while.
The handwriting program has been slightly altered this year with the introduction of "hospital classes" for those who do not come up to a set standard in the legibility of their handwriting. The handwriting of every pupil in school is checked each month, and those who do not meet the standard are given special training.
The motion picture projector, the generous gift of the Trustees of Westford Academy, is in frequent use, both as a method of in- struction in the classroom and as a means of educational entertainment. .
The club activity program once a week continues to be a popular part of school life. An opportunity is provided for each student to join the club of his choice where some activity in which he is in- terested is pursued.
Changes in the faculty this year consisted of the election of Mr. Anthony G. L. Brackett as principal, Mr. Samuel F. Frolio as in- structor in science, and Mrs. Helen R. Rochefort as teacher of foreign languages.
Miss May E. Day is most generous of her time in coming to the Academy one day every three weeks with a supply of books from which pupils may make selections for outside reading.
I should like to be able to make some forecast as to what the needs of the Academy may be in the future, but because of the war conditions it would seem unwise to do more than offer a few ob- servations. It may very well be that the next year will bring about great changes in our curriculum. We believe that everything in our present curriculum is good, not that it is incapable of improvement, but that it is basically sound. In these times of national peril, however, we must be ever ready to sacrifice whatever is necessary for the good of the country. This may mean that some of the courses which do not directly contribute to the war effort will have to be abandoned for the duration.
It may be that the length of the school year will have to be radically altered. If the present plan of the government and of the colleges to ask for high school seniors after three years and a half of
122
secondary school continues, as we have every reason to believe it will continue, then we must try to crowd into the three and a half years all of the good that we previously did in four years. We will have to evaluate carefully and throw aside some of the things we have previously felt to be essential.
There is one demand of the present which seems to be partic- ularly certain to continue, and that is that our boys must be tougher physically. That means that we should institute a program of health education and that we should start regular physical training classes. Such classes should be compulsory for all boys unless ex- cused by the school doctor because of physical incapacity.
It would seem that I have covered the essential features of the activity of Westford Academy during the past year. Below are cer- tain statistics which should be of interest to the citizens of Westford.
Enrollment-December 23, 1942
Class
Boys
Girls
Total
1943
10
10
20
1944
20
17
37
1945
17
26
43
1946
19
32
51
P. G.
2
2
Totals
66
87
153
Distribution of Alumni, Class of 1942
Working
16
Armed Services
8
Business College
7
Post Graduate
2
Training for Nurse
1
Nurse's Aid
1
Junior Members of the Tadmuck Club
Ruth E. McDonald
Margaret C. Scott
123
WESTFORD ACADEMY
LIST OF GRADUATES, CLASS OF 1942
College Course
General Course
Sophia Belida
Maurice Gerald Bellemore
Carlton Lee Chamberlain
Carl Alexander Chaplin, Jr.
Bryce Hunter Crocker
Annie Daranchuc
Clifford Sargent Johnson
Margaret Mary Kelly
Mary Page Lord
Raymond Malloy
Steven Minko Mabel Elaine Morse
Robert Joseph Orr
Evelyn Earnestine Peart
Phyllis Marjorie Rancour
Grace Etta Robinson
Nina Sechovich
Robert James Smith
Georgette Catherine Socha
Norman Charles Stirk
Ruth Violet Zanchi
Inez Joyce Whitney
*Pro Merito
Winners of Prizes (Given By Trustees)
Awarded at Graduation Exercises
Member of Senior Class for Excellence in English during the Senior year:
Five Dollars-Austin Fletcher, '42
Member of Senior Class for Excellence in Senior Stenography:
Two and one-half Dollars-Blanche Johanna Wilk, '42
Member of Senior Class for Excellence in Senior Typewriting: Two and one-half Dollars-Inez Joyce Whitney, '42
Washington and Franklin Certificate for Excellence in U. S. His- tory (Given by Massachusetts Society of Sons of the American Revo- lution ) :
Rena Frances Shea, '42
124
*Treasure Henry Bechard Leon Paul Courtemanche
*Austin Dana Fletcher Barbara Ella Gay Dorothy Priscilla Gordon
Joyce Roselyn Hanson Catherine Gertrude Heman
*Rena Frances Shea LeRoy Holden Whitcomb, J1.
Commercial Course
Mary Kiver
Sophie Kovalchek
Helen Mary Lewkowich
Jennie Ann Lewkowich
Jacqueline Marjorie Milot
Blanche Johanna Wilk
Awarded at Class Day Exercises
Member of the Junior Class who, in the estimation of classmates and members of the Faculty, has done the most for the Class and for Westford Academy :
Ten Dollars-John Edgar LeCourt, '43
Member of the Sophomore Class who, in the estimation of class- mates and members of the Faculty, has done the most for the Class and for Westford Academy.
Ten Dollars-Thomas William Gower, '44
Member of the Freshman Class with the Highest General Average for the Year:
Five Dollars-Pauline Edna Ferguson, '45
In conclusion I wish to express my appreciation and thanks for the splendid cooperation on the part of the teachers, the Superintend- ent, and the School Board in the making of this past year a success- ful one. As a newcomer to this town, I should like to add that I have been nost favorably impressed by the excellent support of the parents in matters of student control.
Respectfully submitted,
ANTHONY G. L. BRACKETT,
Principal of Westford Academy.
125
REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Members of the School Committee:
The following is my report as school physician for the year end- ing December 31, 1942:
The usual physical examination was made on all the children attending the public schools of Westford. A separate physical examina- tion is made to recheck all of the cases in which major physical de- fects are found, and the children may receive treatment if any is indi- cated.
I cooperated with the Westford Seals Sales Committee and the Board of Health in administering tuberculosis tests to all the school children desiring it.
I have responded to calls at the schools for emergency cases when called by the school principals.
Cooperation by the Board of Health nurse, teachers, and parents of the children has been splendid.
Respectfully submitted,
DR. D. W. COWLES.
126
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
January 14, 1943.
Mr. Chester V. Sweatt, Superintendent of Schools, Westford, Mass.
Dear Sir:
Following is the report of the School Nurse from January 1, to December 31, 1942:
School Visited 263
Dressings and First Aid 29
Children examined for minor ailments 34
Children recommended for exclusion because of Pediculosis and other skin infections 11
Children recommended for exclusion because of Conta- gious Disease Contact 16
Assisted at Clinic for Mentally Retarded Children. Num- ber of children seen 30
Vaccinations checked.
Weighed and measured all school children.
Audiometer, loaned by State Department of Public Health, used to check hearing of school children.
Assisted School Dentist in Oral examination of all school children.
Assisted School Physician with Physical Examination of School Children in Spring and Fall of 1942.
Respectfully submitted,
VERONICA P. MEAGHER, R. N.
127
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:
Even though the children have had to adjust themselves to many new personalities in the schools this year, the loyal cooperation on the part of the pupils and teachers has been most gratifying. I am pleased with the progress made in carrying on my line of work.
Our course in Appreciation of Music has taken on many more ac- tivities, and the schools are being visited more often by parents to see these units function.
Glee Clubs are organized in all of the schools under the direction of the homeroom teacher, and rehearsals are held after school hours. Some very fine singing of Christmas songs was done by the group from the Sargent School at the Parent Teachers' Meeting in Westford and at the M. E. Church Fair in Graniteville in December. I also heard some splendid rehearsals at the Cameron and Frost Schools. -
On February 2, the Academy Glee Club entertained the P.T.A. in the High School Auditorium and gave a concert there on May 8 for the purpose of getting caps and gowns for the Commencement exer- cises in June. However, I am sorry to relate that the proceeds amounted to less than two dollars, after all their untiring efforts and splendid performance.
On May 30, the children from all of the schools assembled at Westford Common for the Memorial Day Exercises. A group from grades six and seven of the Sargent School sang "Brave Comrades Sleep" at the Civil War Monument, and the combined schools sang "Pledge to the Flag" and "Star Spangled Banner" most creditably at the World War Monument.
128
At present, rehearsals for the performance of the "Nutcracker Suite" are in progress at the Frost School, the concert to be given in the spring.
In conclusion, I wish to acknowledge the cooperation of the Super- intendent and express my sincere gratitude to the teachers for their helpful support in making this year happy and successful.
Respectfully submitted,
LILLEY M. MORAN,
Music Supervisor.
129
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF HANDWRITING
December 22, 1942.
Mr. Chester V. Sweatt, Supt., Westford Public Schools, Westford, Mass.
My dear Mr. Sweatt:
I am pleased to submit the following report on the operation of the Handwriting program in your schools.
Our records show that 20% of your pupils made a score of "A" or "Excellent" on the initial test administered in September, 1940. In the tests administered at the close of the school term last year, 71% of the pupils received a grade of "A." This indicates excellent achiever ment on the part of your teachers and pupils for which I should like to extend my congratulations.
Last year was the first year in which the Handwriting program was extended to the high school. It is interesting and gratifying to note that 62.9% of the high school pupils received a grade of "A" at the close of the year in Handwriting.
Our supervisors made ten visits to the classrooms during the school term. Master copies of the assignment were placed on the blackboard monthly for instructional purposes; approximately 17,250 samples of informal handwriting were graded in addition to 5,750 formal test papers. A report was sent to each teacher monthly giving a careful diagnosis of the handwriting of each pupil.
The necessary instructional materials were furnished from my office; these included instructional folders for the pupils, monthly out- lines for the teachers, room motivation certificates, individual hand- writing certificates for high school seniors and eighth grade pupils, monthly and term specimen envelopes, term testing paper, etc.
In general, I think that the program has operated effectively and I have been pleased with the excellent cooperation.
Sincerely yours,
W. L. RINEHART,
130
WESTFORD SCHOOL CALENDAR 1942 - 1943
FALL TERM
64 Days
Schools Open-Sept. 21 Schools Close-Dec. 23
WINTER TERM
54 Days
Schools Open-Jan. 4 Schools Close-Mar. 19
SPRING TERM 57 Days
Schools Open-Mar. 29
Schools Close-June 18
DAYS OMITTED
Columbus Day-October 12.
Teachers' Convention-October 30.
Armistice Day-November 11.
Thanksgiving-November 26 and 27. Washington's Birthday-February 22.
Patriot's Day-April 19.
Good Friday-April 23. Memorial Day-May 31.
GRADUATIONS
Elementary-June 18. High School-June 21.
The graduation dates are tentative and depend on whether the state requires us to make up the time lost in September when the opening of school was delayed so that pupils could assist in the har- vesting of crops.
131
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
J. V. FLETCHER LIBRARY
OF THE
Town of Westford
OWN OF
NESTE
R
D
C
1729
RPORATED
23
SEP
For the Year Ending December 31, 1942
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE J. V. FLETCHER LIBRARY
January 1, 1943.
The Trustees of the J. V. Fletcher Library respectfully submit their annual report for 1942, including the report of the Librarian and the list of books added in 1942.
The Trustees feel that further repairs in the building are needed therefore they ask for the following appropriation, viz:
1. The sum of twenty-four hundred dollars ($2,400.00) to meet the current expenses of the main library and its branches.
2. The receipts from the dog licenses in 1942.
3. The receipts from the sale of discarded materials in 1942.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM C. ROUDENBUSH, Chairman WILLIAM R. TAYLOR ALICE M. HOWARD, Secretary.
135
FINANCIAL REPORT OF THE LIBRARY FOR 1942
Salaries and Wages:
Librarian
$ 775.00
Janitor
350.00
Assistants
245.00
1,370.00
Books and Periodicals:
Books
$ 777.51
Periodicals
100.05
Binding
118.82
996.38
Fuel and Light:
$
522.82
Buildings:
Water
$ 9.96
Janitor's supplies
12.39
Repairs
36.43
58.78
Other expenses:
Telephone
$ 22.81
Transportation of books
30.00
Stationery and postage
13.23
Miscellaneous
12.31
-$
78.35
$ 3,026.33
Income
Town Appropriation
$ 2,400.00
Receipts from dog licenses
618.52
$ 3,018.52
Interest from funds
7.81
-
$
3,026.33
Receipts from fines and sale of waste material
$
159.34
__ $
-
136
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
January 1, 1943.
To the Trustees of the J. V. Fletcher Library:
The librarian herewith submits her twenty-fifth annual report ill the eighty-fourth year of the Westford Library and the forty-sixth in the present building.
The grade school children who go by bus still come to the library during their noon hour for books of recreation and reference work which makes a very busy half hour. Books for English book reports are taken to the Academy once in three weeks but the pupils do not have the chance to come to the library after school as formerly so do not read as much.
During Book Week in November the librarian was invited to Miss Tuttle's room to give a talk on books and the library and to give out certificates earned by the children for reading a certain number of books from the state reading list. Others have been added since so that the complete record to date is two honor certificates (20 books) to Frederick A. Burne and Edwin Cox, with seven five-book certificates to six other children. Fifteen children in Graniteville earned one or more certificates last spring.
A general renovation of the library took place last winter. As the shelves in the stack room were very much crowded, many of the old- est and least used books were removed to the attic and arranged so they may be consulted when needed. Out of date magazines and worn out books were sold for salvage; Massachusetts state reports and Smithsonian reports on top of the stacks were removed to the base- ment where a book room has been arranged. The collection of books from the Social Library (1797-1859), nucleus of the present library, were placed in the cases in the former trustees' room upstairs. In checking with the quaint catalogs of 1816 and 1841 it was surprising to see how many of those old leather bound volumes were still in ex- istence. We also have many of the books of the Agricultural Library which was given to the town in 1873. Added to these are the gifts from various people which gives the library an interesting collection of old books from the eighteenth century on.
137
About 15 books of limited use here which the library did not own have been borrowed mainly thru the Division of Public Libraries.
Last winter an exhibit was arranged in the Frost museum case of articles representing countries in the war zone of the Pacific. Includ- ed were three knives brought from the Philippines at the close of the Spanish-American war by Walter Cutter, motorman of the Westford electric car line, three Chinese puppets, scarf from Java and bullock cast from Ceylon loaned by Miss Marion F. Winnek and dolls from Siam, Java and other countries belonging to the librarian. Books on this region were placed on the table nearby and maps of the war zones were hung in both rooms.
Later an exhibit of articles from the historical room collection was shown, among which were samples from the blue dinner set be- longing to Miss Grace Wood's mother; Ephraim Abbot's commonplace book sewed on newspaper of 1800; gill measure of Colonel John Rob- inson which was used to measure out the men's daily ration of rum in the Revolution; and two horn spoons belonging to Charlotte Bronte.
As a new atlas was needed the one published by the Encyclopedia Britannica was purchased. At the close of the war the company will furnish new maps to bring it up to date.
The library cooperated with the American Library Association and the Division of Public Libraries in collecting books for the sol- diers. About 600 were brought to the deposit station in Forge Village and to the library after which they were taken to the central station in Lowell. More will be needed this coming year.
The Library hall has been put to good use this year. The canteen class of the Woman's Defense Corps met there weekly on Thursday afternoons for ten weeks last spring. Since Septembr 17 the Red Cross has met from two to four every library afternoon to fold band- ages. This is open to everyone and more workers are needed.
A few magazines have been dropped as not used. All except cur- rent numbers may be borrowed for one week and the list for the com- ing year is as follows:
WEEKLIES
Geographic News Bulletin
Publishers' Weekly
Illustrated London News Life
Saturday Evening Post
Time
New York Times Book Review
Turner's Public Spirit
News Week
(Westford Wardsman)
138
MONTHLIES
A. L. A. Booklist
American
American Cookery American Girl American Home Antiques Asia
Atlantic Monthly
Better Homes and Gardens
Book Review Digest
Boys' Life
Child Life
Cosmopolitan
Country Gentleman
Etude
Flying and Popular Aviation
School Arts
Sky
Travel
Wilson Bulletin
Woman's Home Companion
Yankee
BI-MONTHLY
Horn Book
Popular Homecraft
SEMI-MONTHLY Library Journal
QUARTERLIES
Old Time New England
Subscription Books Bulletin
PERIODICALS GIVEN, 1942
Automotive War Production from Automotive Council for War Pro-
The A V Bell Telephone Quarterly Books, N. Y. Herald Tribune Christian Register
Christian Science Monitor Christian Science Sentinel
duction
From the Publishers
From American Tel. & Tel. Co.
From The Old Corner Book Store From Unitarian Alliance of West- ford From Miss Mary E. Burbeck
From Miss Mary E. Burbeck
Hygeia Instructor
Jack and Jill
Ladies' Home Journal
National Geographic Natural History
Nature Open Road Outdoor Life
Parents' Magazine
Popular Mechanics
Popular Science Monthly
Reader's Digest
Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature
Good Housekeeping
Grade Teacher
Harper's Monthly
Hobbies House Beautiful
139
DuPont Magazine Journal of Calendar Reform Middlesex County Bulletin
New England News Letter New Hampshire Troubadour Opportunity Our Dumb Animals Specialty Salesman Magazine Steel Facts
Tax Talk
Taylor-Tycos Rochester Quarterly
Today's Home
Travelers Standard Army Life
Zion's Herald
Front DuPont de Nemours Co.
From World Calendar Association From Middlesex County Exten- sion Service From New England Council
From State of New Hampshire
From the Publishers
From the Publishers
From the Publishers
From American Iron & Steel In- stitute
From Mass. Federation of Tax- payers' Association
From Taylor Instrument Co.
From the Gas Co.
From Travelers Insurance Co.
From the War Department
From Graniteville Epworth League
NAMES OF DONORS, 1942
Australian National Publicity Association-one volume
Buckshorn, Fisher-12 volumes
Blodgett, Miss Della-several pictures, etc.
Cameron, Mrs. Julian A .- one volume
Caunter, Miss Florence-one volume
Courtis, Mrs .- 4 volumes Elliott, Herford N .- one volume
Fisher, John-3 volumes
Harrington, Mrs. William-15 volumes
Hartford, Mrs. Jennie-one Westford picture
Kelly, Miss Marian K .- 6 volumes
Lambert, James-cheese press
Lawrence estate-pictures and other articles
Shurcliff, Arthur A .- one volume
Sullivan, Catherine and Geraldine-two jig-saw puzzles
Taylor, Mrs. W. R .- one volume
Walker, Robert-two jig saw puzzles
CIRCULATION
Total circulation of bound volumes 14,006
Volumes lent at Library
11,761
Volumes lent at Graniteville
1,013
Volumes lent at Forge Village
995
Volumes lent at Nabnasset
237
Circulation in children's department
4,942
140
Volumes lent thru the schools
1,991
Feriodicals lent
3,153
Pamphlets and clippings lent
85
Pictures lent
730
Jig-saw puzzles lent
129
Number of days open
153
Largest monthly circulation of bound volumes, January 1,311
Smallest monthly circulation, September
752
Largest daily circulation, January 5 205
20
ACCESSIONS
Volumes added by purchase 393
Volumes added by gift 57
Volumes received from the United States
2
Volumes received from the State
4
Total number of volumes added
456
Number of volumes in the Library
21,789
AMOUNT OF FUNDS
Legacy of Stephen S. Stone $1,000.00
Legacy of Augustus K. Fletcher 1,000.00
Legacy of Mary A. Henarie, Laws Fund
1,000.00
Legacy of John M. Osgood
1,000.00
Legacy of Jennie Reed Wilkins
150.00
Legacy of Adeline T. Burbeck
500.00
Legacy of Albert E. Prescott
7,056.08
REGULATIONS
The J. V. Fletcher Library is open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sat- urdays (legal holidays excepted) from 1:30 till 5, and from 6:30 till 9:00 P. M.
The Forge Village deposit station at the Post-Office in charge of Mrs. Josephine Connell is open daily.
New books of fiction can be kept only one week; but there may be one renewal. All other books may be kept four weeks. Renewals may be made by telephone or by postal.
No books shall be transferred, or acknowledged as returned, un- less delivered to the librarian.
For each day that a book is kept beyond the prescribed time a fine of one cent is charged.
Borrowers finding books mutilated or defaced should report the fact to the librarian.
141
Smallest daily circulation, December 24
LIST OF BOOKS ADDED, 1942
Classified Books
Adamic, Louis-Two-way passage 325.73 A1
Alderson, Nannie T. and Smith, H. H .- A bride goes west B A362
American Red Cross-First aid text-book 614.88 A
Anderson, Clarence W .- Thoroughbreds 636.1 A
Baker, Nina B .- He wouldn't be king; Simon Bolivar B B690
Baker, Ray S. (David Grayson)-Native American B B169
Baumer, Wm. H .- He's in the army now 355.12 B
Bernheim, Bertram M .- Adventure in blood transfusion 615.65 B
Betten, H. L .- Upland game shooting 799.24 B
Bisch, Louis E .- Why be shy? 179.9 B
Blair, Edna-The food garden 635 B3
Bosanquet, Mary-Saddlebags for suitcases 917.1 B2
Brockway, Sylvia, ed .- Respectfully yours, Annie 940.548142 B
Broemel, Louis-Sheet metal workers' manual 621.79 B
Brown, Cecil-Suez to Singapore 940.548 B1
Browne, Lewis-Something went wrong 909.8 B
Burchett, Wilfred G .- Pacific treasure island, New Caledonia 919.32 B
Chamberlain, Samuel-Fair is our land 917.3 C6
Clapesattle, Helen-The doctors Mayo B M473
Clark, Clarence C. and others-This physical world
500 C
Coale, Griffith B .- North Atlantic patrol 940.545 C
Connolly, James B .- Canton captain B F695
Crockett, Charles D .- The house in the rain forest
919.5 C
Crow, Carl-He opened the door of Japan B H317
Davies, Jos. E .- Mission to Moscow 947 D
Dempewolff, Richard-Famous old New England murders 343.7 D
Dempsey, Paul W .- Grow your own vegetables 635 D
Derleth, August W .- Village year; Sac Prairie journal 818 D6
DeSeversky, Alexander P .- Victory through air power 940.544 D1
Diamant, Gertrude The days of Ofelia 917.2 D
Duncan, Dorothy-Bluenose: portrait of Nova Scotia 917.16 D
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.