USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1918 > Part 3
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Dissemination of government and war literature, or of any informa- tion needing wide distribution in connection with war and relief work, has been largely accomplished through the schools.
The sale of Thrift and War Savings Stamps, and of Liberty Bonds, has been very definitely organized, and we need not be ashamed of the results when we realize that pupils of Melrose Public Schools own a total of $22,304 in War Savings Stamps, and of $91,900 in Liberty Bonds.
Moreover, we believe that all this work has been made of permanent value since it has been deliberately used for the teaching of generosity, thrift, loyalty and patriotism.
We have victoriously ended the greatest war in history. Unprepared America has accomplished big things in a big way, and was ready to do vastly more. Our young men are to-day the pride of the world. They have shown that they have initiative to an unprecedented degree,-that they can face new conditions and solve untried problems successfully. They have proved that they are brave and patriotic in defense of their country, and even more, with utmost generosity, noble impulses and high ideals they set themselves to right the wrongs of the world, while the entire nation, even to the little children, toiled and sacrificed with absolute unity to support them.
Thus has the Spirit of Democracy been exalted. Thus has the public school system of these United States been justified, for as the German educational system brought about a world cataclysm and ultimate failure, so the system developed by a free people is responsible for the present spirit of our nation and its success, because of its preparation of the present generation for this great task.
33
SCHOOL REPORT
Never before have our public schools received the recognition and the appreciation of our entire people as at present. But the schools of to-day, if they are to continue to merit that confidence, must be ready to undertake the task of to-morrow. We are facing great problems, a greater crisis than we have already passed. Just what changes will be required in education during the next twenty years, no one can say, but, as the political, the financial and the commercial world, will demand the best thought and effort of our greatest men, so will our educational problems command their deepest consideration, and in none of these fields will the reactionary or the ultra-conservative be tolerated any more than the ultra-radical. We need safe, sane, progressive men as never before.
We are facing a new world. It behooves the public schools to prepare for it, for, in addition to the great fundamental successes of our public schools, we have been shown our failures. The great numbers of young men who were ignorant of the English language and of American ideals,- the overwhelming percentage of physically unfit,-the disregard of thrift, the lack of knowledge of community sanitation and personal hygiene, of civic ideals and duties,-these are some of the outstanding and sinister warnings of the war,-and in these respects the State, and the school system which it has fostered, have failed.
We have always known that we were engaged in the most important work in the world, but the world has only just begun to appreciate it. Since, therefore, the eyes of the world are upon us, and the hope of the world, as never before, depends upon the public schools, let us see to it, not only that past successes are repeated, but that past failures are retrieved.
In our own city, the people of Melrose, the school authorities, and Melrose teachers, have always worked together, and will continue to do so for the best development of our schools. The highest good of the children, in their present environment and in their development and training for future usefulness, is the one vital question to be considered by any community in relation to its educational system. Everything else, even to the tax rate, must be subordinate.
We should keep constantly before us the fact that if our buildings are out of repair, it is our children who are affected; if our salaries are low, it is our children, more than our teachers, who suffer; if other communities offer broader courses of study, and greater opportunities for practical training, it is our children who are handicapped when they go out into the world of competition. School appropriations should be wisely distributed and carefully expended, but it is not a matter for con- gratulation if a progressive city is expending much less than other cities, in proportion to its ability.
Melrose school authorities have been duly cautious in the use of the appropriations given them. Up to this year they have been able, not only to maintain the efficiency of the schools, but have had reason to feel pride in the results. To-day, however, with the rest of the world,
34
CITY OF MELROSE
they face altogether different conditions. It is evident that unless appro- priations are very considerably increased, our schools will rapidly deteriorate.
The cost of Melrose public schools had increased very slowly up to 1916. While the State as a whole had increased appropriations for school purposes 67%, Melrose had been content with an advance of about 2%. Since then there has been a considerable increase, but confined to three items,-fuel, fire protection and salaries. The first was inevitable; the second was required by the State authorities; the third has not begun to equal the increased cost of living, or what has been done by other communities, and has not extended to the higher salaried positions.
Even with these increases, however, Melrose, last year, was much below the rest of the State in the average cost per pupil, and although the city ranks rather high in its valuation per pupil, and number 70 in the tax rate per thousand, yet Melrose stands number 202 in the list in the amount of that tax which she expends upon her public schools.
MAINTENANCE OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS
For many years the city has expended on the maintenance of school- houses and grounds considerably less than one per cent of their valuation. This is not good business policy and has naturally resulted in rapid deteri- oration of buildings and equipment. Interior finish has been neglected for years. Repairs on stone and brickwork demand immediate attention if some of it is not to fall. Much of the plumbing is old-fashioned and worn out and calls for constant and expensive repairs. Roofs on several buildings must be renewed at once. Heating plants in several instances are in such condition that they may give out at any time, which would necessitate the closing of the school. We are extremely fortunate to have gone so long without having to close some building. The time has unquestionably come when extensive repairs must be made.
In this connection provision should be made also for artificial lighting of all school rooms. On dark days regular work has to be suspended to prevent eye strain. Some of the buildings are worse than others in this respect, and should be cared for this year.
TEACHERS' SALARIES
During the present year, Melrose public schools have lost thirty- three teachers. Fifteen of these were from the High School. This means that one-third of the entire corps in Melrose has been replaced this year, and that there has been a change in more than one-half of the High School force.
Such a turnover as this in any commercial organization or industrial plant would be extremely serious. In a school system it is well nigh disastrous. The only saving fact in the present instance has been that we have a strong organization, and have been able, so far, largely to retain our principals and supervisory force, and a considerable number of our experienced teachers,
35
SCHOOL REPORT
In engaging new teachers, both in the grades and in the High School, we have found it necessary to pay, because of the demand, as high a salary to most of our new teachers as we are paying to those of much longer experience, who have been with us for several years. This is naturally a disturbing factor. Our teachers are fully informed of the higher salaries paid in other cities and in other states, as well as in the commercial world, and know that they could secure positions at con- siderably more if they made the effort. Not one of the teachers who has left for other school positions but would have preferred to stay in Melrose. They were forced to leave because of the need of higher salary. Those teachers who remain have done excellent work for Melrose, and feel that at this time their services should be appreciated without their being forced to seek other positions.
It is true that during the last two years our grade teachers and high school assistants have had a total increase of $100, making the highest salary now paid to any grade teacher $800, and to women assistants in the high school $950. Meanwhile, the actual cost of room and board, to say nothing of other expenses, has increased $150 per year, and the teachers were very inadequately paid before. By a referendum vote of six to one, Louisiana has just doubled the amount expended upon her schools and teachers' salaries. Pennsylvania is about to pass a bill carrying $20,000,000 for a twenty-five per cent increase in all teachers' salaries. New Hampshire is recommending a minimum salary for grade teachers of $1,000. Many other cities and towns have made large increases, and some, in addition, have given a special bonus of $100 a year for the duration of the war. These are only typical instances of what is happening throughout the country. Several of our high school women assistants have gone to similar positions at an increase of 50% in salary, with a maximum promised of as much more.
It is easy to realize what a year or two more of these conditions will mean to Melrose, if nothing is done to retain our experienced teachers, especially in consideration of the fact that the supply of such teachers is practically exhausted, and teachers just out of normal school or college are receiving as much as we are now paying experienced teachers. More- over, teachers' salaries are not going down after readjustment to peace conditions. As a class they have been greatly underpaid. In the future they will be paid more, probably much more than at present.
Melrose faces a very grave situation, along with every other city and town in Massachusetts. Not only that, but the condition is country wide. It may not be merely a question of whether Melrose will pay more for competent teachers,-it may even be a question of whether such teachers can be secured at all. Certainly we know that they cannot at present salaries.
In this connection, also, we are finding the problem of housing our teachers an increasingly difficult one, one that we shall have to face and work out before long. A new teacher has to spend many hours before she finds a home for herself, and then often has to take what she can
1
36
CITY OF MELROSE
get, and not what she wants or needs. For the solution of this problem we shall need what Melrose is always ready to give,-the intelligent and sympathetic co-operation of its citizens.
Comfortable and congenial surroundings are needed by our teachers. Much of their work has to be done at home, and like every one else, they can do better work, and are happier and more contented if they have a real home, not just a "boarding place."
It has, therefore, seemed best to the School Committee to put the situation fully before the community, and to recommend that serious consideration be given this whole question in view of the actual emergency which we face. It is the unanimous belief of the committee, that, instead of the usual increase of $50 per year, according to regular schedule, all grade teachers and high school women assistants, who have been in Melrose more than a year, should be raised $100, beginning January 1, 1919, and that the new teachers should be given a similar increase at the end of their first year of service. Payment of such increases, however, will not be made by the School Committee until the necessary amount of money has been appropriated by the Board of Aldermen. To maintain the efficiency of the entire teaching corps an addition of approximately $17,000 to Teachers' Salaries for 1919 will be required.
The School Committee wishes it thoroughly understood that His Honor, the Mayor and the Honorable Board of Aldermen have shown themselves entirely friendly to our public schools. Even with the unusual increases of the past two years, they have granted practically the entire appropriation requested for this department. However, in this instance, the Committee feel that it is fair to the Aldermen, before they are called upon to act in this matter, fair to the Committee, and fair to the Com- munity, that all our citizens should have full information on this vital question.
Inferior teaching must inevitably result in inferior citizens and a weakened national spirit. Our schools have justified themselves in the past. They cannot justify themselves in the future unless they do a bigger, broader work than ever before for the individual, for democracy and for the world. If Melrose schools are to keep pace with the wonderful development that is coming in the next few years, we must have com- petent teachers, adequately paid, and contented with their environment.
The School Committee confidently leaves this situation in the hands of the community and their representatives, His Honor the Mayor and the Honorable Board of Aldermen.
With full appreciation of the help, the support and the forbearance which have been extended to us throughout this most trying year, this report is respectfully submitted.
JOHN ANTHONY, Superintendent of Schools In School Committee January 27, 1919
Voted :
To accept the report of the Superintendent of Schools and to adopt the same as the Annual Report of the School Committee for the year 1918.
37
SCHOOL REPORT
TOTAL COST OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS School Year 1917-1918.
General Administration Salaries
$2,297.55
Other General Salaries
917.44
Other General Expenses
706.18
Teachers' Salaries .
51,215.24
Text Books and Supplies
3,452.59
Janitors' Services
5,981.13
Fuel and Light.
7,572.41
Water and Miscellaneous ..
662.71
Repairs, Replacement and Upkeep
3,560.15
Transportation.
833.50
Tuition and Miscellaneous.
437.76
$77,636.66
AVERAGE COST PER PUPIL, ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
for these items, for the School Year, 1917-18, based on the average mem- bership (2,029) was as follows :-
General Administration Salaries.
$1.13
Other General Salaries.
.45
Other General Expenses
.34
Teachers' Salaries .
25.24
Text Books and Supplies
1.70
Janitors' Services.
2.94
Fuel and Light.
3.72
Water and Miscellaneous.
.
5.21
Transportation.
.41
Tuition and Miscellaneous
.21
6.20
TOTAL COST OF HIGH SCHOOL School Year 1917-18
General Administration Salaries
$702.45
Other General Salaries
282.56
Other General Expenses
212.12
Teachers' Salaries
33,030.33
Text Books and Supplies
2,737.55
Janitors' Services
3,357. 50
Fuel and Light.
2,026.01
Water and Miscllaneous.
422.03
Repairs, Replacement and Upkeep
1,791.24
Tuition and Miscellaneous
1,627.77
..
.32
Repairs, Replacement and Upkeep
1.75
$38.21
$46,189.56
38
CITY OF MELROSE
AVERAGE COST PER PUPIL, HIGH SCHOOL
for these items, for the School Year, 1917-18, based on the average mem- bership (618) was as follows :-
General Administration Salaries
$1.13
Other General Salaries
.45
Other General Expenses
.34
Teachers' Salaries .
53.45
Text Books and Supplies
4.43
Janitors' Services
5.44
Fuel and Light.
3.28
Water and Miscellaneous
.68
Repairs, Replacement and Upkeep
2.90
Tuition and Miscellaneous.
2.64
TOTAL COST OF ALL SCHOOLS School Year 1917-18
General Administration Salaries
$3,000.00
Other General Salaries.
1,200.00
Other General Expenses
918.30
Teachers' Salaries .
84,245.57
Text Books and Supplies
6,190.14
Janitors' Services
9,338.63
Fuel and Light.
9,598.42
Water and Miscellaneous
1,084.74
Repairs, Replacement and Upkeep
5,351.39
Transportation
833.50
Tuition and Miscellanous
2,065.53
$123,826.22
AVERAGE COST PER PUPIL School Year 1917-18
Based on average membership (2,647)
General Administration Salaries.
$1.13
Ctl er General Salaries
.45
Other General Expenses
. 34
Teachers' Salaries.
31.83
Text Books and Supplies
2.34
Janitors' Services
3.53
Fuel and Light.
3.63
Water and Miscellaneous.
. 41
Repairs, Replacement and Upkeep
2.02
Transportation
.32
Tuition and Miscellaneous.
.78
$46.78
74.74
12.30
$74.74
39
SCHOOL REPORT
ANNUAL FINANCIAL EXHIBIT Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 1918
Receipts
Appropriation, regular items
$128,838.64
Appropriation, from tuition.
2,750.00
Special Appropriation, Protection of School Buildings Balance from 1917.
1,200.00
2,289.37
Special Appropriation, Portable Schoolhouse
4,600.00
$139,678.01
Expenditures
General Expenses
$5,146.94
Teachers' Salaries.
90,548.50
Text Books and Supplies
5,943.77
Tuition.
1,204.86
Transportation.
891.00
Support of Truants.
70.86
Janitors' Services
9,449. 45
Fuel and Light.
12,332.67
Maintenance of Buildings and Grounds.
4,966.99
Furniture and Furnishings
493.80
Other Expenses
523.05
Summer School
16.39
$131,588.28
Special Appropriation, Protection of School Buildings.
3,100.72
$134,689.00
Special Appropriation, Portable Schoolhouse. .
4,587.81
$139,276.81
Unexpended Balance, Regular items.
.36
Unexpended Balance, Protection of School Buildings.
388.65
Unexpended Balance, Portable Schoolhouse ...
12.19
$139,678.01
39a
SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPALS' REPORTS FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR, 1917-1918
I. By Schools
-
Schools
No. of Dif- ferent Pupils Enrolled Exclusive of Re-Enroll- ments
No. of Boys
No. of Girls
Average Membership
Average Attendance
Per Cent. of Attendance
High .
684
324
360
618.47
591. 11
95.57
Franklin .
338
173
165
319.75
300.15
93.87
Whittier.
130
73
57
122.32
114.09
93.28
Warren .
129
64
65
124.08
115.98
93.47
Livermore
208
117
91
196.44
188.45
95.93
Sewall .
131
70
61
126.28
118.40
93.75
Washington
386
189
197
371.45
346.72
93.34
Lincoln .
325
174
151
305.36
288.51
94.48
Gooch .
316
157
159
299.78
281.76
93.98
Winthrop.
141
60
81
132.88
122.99
92.55
Ripley
25
17
8
24.43
21.63
88.53
Total.
2,813
1,418
1,395
2,641.24
2,489.79
94.26
CITY OF MELROSE
SUMMARY OF PRINCIPALS' REPORTS FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR, 1917-1918
2. By Grades
Grades
No. of Dif- ferent Pupils Enrolled Exclusive of Re-Enroll- ments
No. of Boys
No. of Girls
Average Membership Attendance
Average
Per Cent of Attendance
High . .
684
324
360
618.47
591.11
95.57
Eighth.
210
110
100
199.42
190.86
95.70
Seventh.
245
121
124
229.05
216.27
94.42
Sixth .
242
125
117
230.67
217.90
94.46
Fifth
308
158
150
289.58
273.67
94.50
Fourth.
300
150
150
282.67
265.33
93.86
Third.
245
136
109
242.33
228.41
94.25
Second.
272
133
139
264.39
246.43
93.20
First.
307
161
146
284.66
259.81
91.27
Total.
2,813
1,418
1,395
2,641.24
2,489.79
94.26
SCHOOL REPORT
. .
.
39b
-
40
CITY OF MELROSE
NUMBER OF TEACHERS IN THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS DECEMBER 31, 1918
Male
Female Total
High (Grades X, XI, XII, XIII).
7
23
30
Grammar (Grades V, VI, VII, VIII)
0
31
31
Primary (Grades I, II, III, IV)
0
30
30
Supervisors, Music .
0
1
1
Drawing
0
1
1
Manual Training
2
0
2
Primary
0
1
1
Penmanship.
0
1
1
Sewing.
0
1
1
Physical Education
0
1
1
Total
9
90
99
NUMBER OF PUPILS IN THE DIFFERENT GRADES
DECEMBER 31, 1918
Primary, Grade I.
307
Grade II .
292
Grade III
281
Grade IV
257
Grammar, Grade V
299
Grade VI
279
Grade VII.
235
Grade VIII
203
High,
Freshman Class
186
Sophomore Class
163
Junior Class
153
Senior Class
99
Post Graduate.
7
Total
2,761
41
SCHOOL REPORT
AVERAGE AGE OF PUPILS IN THE DIFFERENT GRADES SEPTEMBER 1918
Primary,
Grade I.
6 years 4 months
Grade II.
7 years 7 months
Grade III
8 years 9 months
Grade IV 9 years 9 months
Grammar, Grade V.
10 years 10 months
Grade VI
11 years 9 months
Grade VII.
.12 years 11 months
Grade VIII.
13 years 5 months
High,
Freshman Class
14 years 6 months
Sophomore Class
15 years 5 months
Junior Class
16 years
2 months
Senior Class
17 years
1 months
APPENDIX
GRADUATION EXERCISES
Class of 1918 Memorial Hall, Evening of June Twenty-sixth, at Eight o'clock
PROGRAM General Theme-Looking Forward
OVERTURE-"The Bridal Rose" Lavalle
High School Orchestra
INVOCATION
Rev. John O. Paisley
SALUTATORY and ESSAY-"Broadening Effects of the War" Evelyn Lossone
SELECTION-"Damascus Triumphal March" from "Naaman"
Costa
High School Chorus
ESSAY-"Education"
Louise Odiorne
ESSAY-"Science" Mae Davis
SELECTIONS- a. "Come with the Gypsy Bride" from "The Bohemian Girl" Balfe ยท b. "The Little Dustman" Brahms Girls' Glee Club
AWARD OF PRIZES BY THE FRANKLIN FRATERNITY
SONG-"When the Roses Bloom Again" Adams High School Chorus
AWARD OF FIDELITY PRIZES IN MATHEMATICS Harland Wilbur
(President of the Euclidean Society
43
SCHOOL REPORT
SELECTIONS-
a. Minuet (No. 2 in G)
b. Nocturnal Piece.
L. van Beethoven Schumann
High School Orchestra
ESSAY and VALEDICTORY-"World Relations' Edwin Carpenter
PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS Dr. Lowell F. Wentworth (Chairman of the School Committee)
SELECTION-"Bridal Chorus" from "The Rose Maiden" Cowen Chorus and Orchestra
SENIOR CLASS HONOR LIST
Pupils who have maintained a general average of 90% or over during the entire course.
Edwin Carpenter
Evelyn Lossone
Louise Odiorne
Mae Davis
Doris Small
Avis Sherburne
HONOR LIST FOR OTHER CLASSES
. Pupils who have maintained an average of 90% or over in each subject during the past year.
Sophomore Class
Esther Eldredge
Boynton Fletcher
Helena Sansom
Freshman Class
Grenville Gerrish Albert Taylor
MELROSE WOMAN'S CLUB HONORS
Margaretha Hofman
Alice C. Merrill
44
CITY OF MELROSE
MELROSE HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRA
Alice C. Persons, Director First Violin
Kenneth Loring Pearl Mollins Miriam Smith
Malcolm Dole Herbert Faulkner Dorothy Knight.
Second Violin
Edna Richards Marjorie Fulton Ella King
Clifton Day Philip Brown Earl Sampson
'Cello Elizabeth Smith
Cornet Dorothy Buckley Arthur Bourne
Rosalie Taylor Kenneth Dole Assisted by George Brown
Flute Werner von Klock
Drums Paul Dow
Piano Margaretha Hofman
FRANKLIN FRATERNITY PRIZES
English I Ruth Jennings
English II Kenneth Dole
English III 1 Kenneth Loring Honorable Mention-Frederick Raynes Mary D. Colby
English IV J. Warren Foster Honorable Mention-Theresa O'Neil
Algebra I Katherine Butters
Algebra-(Open to All) John W. Sands
Geometry I Stewart Luce
Geometry-Open to All Leander Fester
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45
SCHOOL REPORT
CLASS OF 1918
Doris Mildred Barnes Winifred Cecilia Barrett Theodore Blanchard Beebe Lois Irene Berry Annie Bleakney Catherine Mary Bowes Beatrice Melvina Boynton Horace Wilkinson Briggs George Alfred Brown Alice Elizabeth Calkins Edwin Francis Carpenter Philip Basil Carruthers Thelma Doris Clapp Eva Bigelow Clarke Walter Michael Clarke Ethel Wentworth Cobb
Allan Webster Corthell Ralph Brewer Cummings Dorothy Helen Cushing Mae Leonard Davis Helen Bradford Dean Edith Bassett Emerson Chester Leroy Fletcher Joseph Warren Foster, Jr. Marie Orton French Walter Alonzo Friend Willard Albert Gallotte Alma Browne Gerrish Wilburn Scott Goldthwaite Freda Frances Grossman Elizabeth Guild Alice Isabelle Hagan Maynard Laurence Harris Alanson Rollins Hathaway Alice Wiley Hayes Edwin Junius Hayes Kenneth J. Hermann Barbara Allen Higgins Margaretha Concordia Hofman Mildred Adelma Hubbard Walter Francis Hynes George H. Ingraham Viola Jennings Helen Morris Johnson Marie Josephine Kelley
Leonard Joseph Leving Marguerite Clark Libby Alice E. Littlefield
Evelyn Myrtle Lossone Donald W. Lovejoy Myra Isabelle Luce Azelle Mildred MacKeil Miriam A. MacLean
Herbert Russell Marden
Mary Agnes McIlwraith Girvan Taylor McKnight Alice Clyde Merrill Helen Boyce Metcalf James Howard Minott Pearl Evangeline Mollins Marion Carolyn Myers Hazel Frances Nelson Mabel Louise Odiorne Theresa Mary O'Neil James Gilbert Parsons Helen Mary Pattee Edith Mabelle Pavey Helen Louise Peabody George William Potter Harland Roger Ratcliffe Ethel May Redding Archibald Francis Robertson Clarence Edwin Roeder M. Dorothy Rourke Albert Joseph Sanford Lana Messerli Sawtelle William Irving Scarborough Anne Elizabeth Sheldon Avis Alden Sherburne Doris Althea Small
Elizabeth K. Smith Randolph Belmont Smith Hortense Douglas Solomon Virginia Sprague Helen Stantial Paul Sherman Staples A. Bettina Starratt Editha Stone Michael Lawrence Sullivan
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46
CITY OF MELROSE
Richard Charles Kenney
Hinson Leverett Trites
Pauline Agnes Kilb
Walter Edwin Trask
Philip Greeley Kilday
Ralph Howard Underwood
Kenneth S. Kimball
Theodore Jack Vaitses
Minnie F. Lebovitz
Dorothy A. Vlasto .
Florence Emily Legg
Harland Ashley Wilbur
Albert Shepard Leonard
Barbara Minot Wilder
Pauline Leonard
Edith Mae Wilson
Edna Rosamond Woods
PUPILS PROMOTED FROM THE EIGHTH GRADE TO THE HIGH SCHOOL JUNE 1918
Eighth Grade, Franklin School
*Hulda Anderson
*Arthur Beal
*Dorothy Carman
*Constance Carter
*Hazel Cheever
*William Dunn Elliot Earl
*Ruth Emery Florence Flower
*Stuart Farland
*Gladys Lockhart
*Stanley Flagg Laurence Frohock
*Lucy Norton
*Francis Hupper
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