USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1921 > Part 2
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City Physician Clarence P. Holden, M.D.
School Physicians Elizabeth Hirst, Edward L. Marr, Albert E. Small
Public Health Nurse Mrs. Myrtle S. Meriam
Overseers of the Poor
Adeline G. Reed, Chairman
Thomas F. Troy Eugene L. Pack
Pratt Farm Closed November 1, 1918
Park Commission
Addison L. Winship, Chairman Term expires 1924
Andrew F. Evers.
1925
Robert A. Perkins.
1923
Harry N. Vaughn
66
66 1922
Gustaf E. Johnson
1926
16
CITY OF MELROSE
School Committee
William Coggeshall, Chairman
Term expires 1923
Josiah D. Bullens .
66
1923
F. Janet Habberley
66
66
1921
Isabelle Stantial.
1921
Paul H. Provandie .
1921
William B. Alexander
66
66
1922
William T. Atwood.
66
66
1922
Harry F. Sears
66
1922
Mabel B. Dole.
66
66
1923
Sinking Fund Commissioners
Edward J. Kitching, Chairman
Term expires 1922
Franklin P. Shumway.
66 1923
Everett L. Fuller
66
66
1924
Trustees of Public Library
Rev. Paul Sterling, Chairman
Term expires 1924
Clara G. Muldoon
66
1922
Frank W. Campbell
66
66 1923
Mary C. Barton.
66
66
1923
Charles E. French.
66
66
1924
Cemetery Committee Willis C. Goss, Chairman
J. Henry Kunhardt
Peter H. Ackerman Victor C. Kirmes, Clerk Roscoe A. Leavitt, Supt. Wyoming Cemetery Richard J. T. Roome, Inspector of Graves of Soldiers and Sailors
Registrars of Voters
Edwin L. Cragin, Chairman
Term expires 1922
John J. Keating
66
1923
Edwin J. Tirrell.
66
1924
W. DeHaven Jones, City Clerk, Ex-Officio
66
1922
Neil Divver
17
CITY OFFICERS
Engineers of Fire Department Joseph Edwards, Chief Charles F. Woodward, Deputy Chief
Public Weighers of Merchandise
Fred H. Goss Flora M. Harris
Charles B. Goss
Patrick J. Kervin
Grace F. Gilbert
James G. Stiles
Glenna B. Towner
George E. Findlay
Patrick G. DeCourcy
Enos R. Pye
Josiah Ginns James McTiernan®
Richard T. Ricker
Arnold K. Prior
Charles F. Woodward
Dennis J. Murphy
Mrs. M. A. McDonough
John T. Craven
Albert J. Waghorne
Clifford Thompson
Robert A. Dickson
Edward A. Hearstin C. Raymond Herald
Field Driver M. James Hanley
Pound Keeper M. James Hanley
Fence Viewers
Daniel J. Lucey
Charles H. Everson
Constables
William H. Burns Louis B. Heaton Charles Roeder
M. James Hanley George E. Kerr George E. Burke
James H. Jeffery John F. Rand
12
CITY OF MELROSE
Dog Officer M. James Hanley
Keeper of the Lock-up George E. Kerr
Police Officers
George E. Kerr, Chief Redford M. Rand (Retired)
George E. Fuller
Frank N. Pierce
Wallace B. Eaton
Michael Reardon
Garfield Carpenter Daniel J. Foley
Albert A. McBeth
William A. Riley
Frederick M. Kirmes
William T. Fahy, Inspector
Michael J. Brennan
Joseph V. Curran
Patrick H. O'Leary
Harold S. Wolley
Reserve Officers
Walter Herbert Wells John W. Holden
Harvey D. Forbes Edwin E. Spraker
Special Officers
M. James Hanley Edgar Sherburne
Burgess W. Grover Joseph A. Lavin
Special Officers to Serve Without Pay
Edward P. Mclaughlin Arthur S. Moreland
Roscoe A. Leavitt F. C. Newman Charles W. Burnham
George H. Cray O. S. Davenport
Harry H. Thompson
Charles J. Wing George W. Higgins
Chester W. Woodbury
Robert A. Lloyd
Louis B. Heaton, Captain
Allston H. Pineo
19
CITY OFFICERS
Planning Board
Agnes L. Dodge
Term expires 1923
Frank H. Noyes.
66
66
1922
Albe S. Noyes.
66
66
1924
Eva G. Osgood .
66
1924
Albert F. Hussey
66
1924
Edward E. Prior
66
1923
George C. Glover
66
66
1923
Advisory Committee on Memorial Building
Dr. Frank A. Newman
Term expires 1925
Clarence T. Fernald
1925
Fred E. Ellis
66
60
1925
Elmer Wilson.
66 1925
Frederick U. Corson
66
1924
Nellie F. Luce.
66
66
1924
Ethel G. Collins
66
66
1924
Elizabeth M. Stetson
66
66
1924
Edward L. Evans .
66
1923
J. Sydney Hitchins
66
66
1923
Dr. Walter H. Flanders
60
66
1923
Board of Survey
E. Copeland Lang.
Term expires 1923
William N. Folsom
66
66
1922
William E. Waterhouse
66 1924
66
1922
E. Gertrude Copeland
66
1922
Robert L. Briggs
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SCHOOL DEPT.
School Committee for 1921
Name
Residence
Term Expires
Harry F. Sears
44 Orris Street
1923
William B. Alexander *
148 E. Foster Street 1923 .
William T. Atwood
70 E. Emerson Street 1923 .
William Coggeshall
158 E. Foster Street
1924
Mrs. Mabel B. Dole
24 W. Emerson Street
1924
Josiah D. Bullens
254 Porter Street .
1924
Mrs. F. Janet Habberley 17 Bellevue Avenue 1925
Dr. Paul H. Provandie
88 W. Emerson Street 1925
Mrs. Isabelle Stantial
146 Florence Street
1925
William Coggeshall, Chairman
William T. Atwood, Secretary
Meetings of the Committee
Regular meetings of the School Committee are held in the Committee Room, High School Building, on the second and fourth Mondays of every month, except during July and August, at 7.30 p.m.
Superintendent of Schools
John C. Anthony 26 Hillside Avenue . Office: High School Building-Tel. Melrose 55
Secretary
Dorothy A. Haskell
116 Porter St., Somerville
Tel. Somerville 1539
STANDING COMMITTEES
Finance and Supplies
Dr. Provandie Mr. Sears Mr. Atwood Mr. Alexander Mr. Bullens
Mr. Atwood
Schoolhouses and Janitors Dr. Provandie Mr. Bullens
Teachers and Salaries
Mr. Sears Mrs. Stantial Mrs. Habberley Mrs. Dole
Text Books and Courses of Study
Mrs. Stantial
Mr. Alexander Mrs. Habberley Mrs. Dole
The Chairman of the School Committee is a member, ex-officio, of all standing committees.
.
.
21
SCHOOL REPORT
SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Mr. Coggeshall
Legislative
Mr. Sears Mr. Atwood
VISITING COMMITTEES
High School. School Committee
Franklin and Whittier Schools Dr. Provandie
D. W. Gooch School Mrs. Stantial
Mary A. Livermore School Mrs. Habberley Washington School. Mr. Sears
Lincoln School Mr. Atwood
Warren School. .Mrs. Dole
Sewall and Ripley Schools. Mr. Alexander
Winthrop School. Mr. Bullens.
SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 1922
WINTER TERM 1922
Opens January 4, and closes February 17
SPRING TERM 1922
First Half: Opens February 27 and closes April 21.
Second Half: Opens May 1 and closes June 23.
FALL TERM 1922
Opens September 13, and closes December 21
HOLIDAYS DURING TERM TIME
Every Saturday, New Year's Day, Washington's Birthday, Patriots' Day, Memorial Day, Columbus Day, and Thanksgiving Day with the half day preceding and the day following it.
"NO SCHOOL" SIGNAL
Notice of "no school" will be given by striking the number 22 four times upon the fire alarm, and by sounding the whistle at Factory No. 2, of the Boston Rubber Shoe Company.
The signal will be sounded at 7.15 a.m. for no session in the High School, and at 8.15 for no morning session in all grades below the High School. In case there is to be no afternoon session, the signal will be sounded at 12.45.
Report of Superintendent of Schools
To the School Committee of Melrose,
Ladies and Gentlemen :-
I herewith submit my annual report as Superintendent of the Public Schools of the City of Melrose. This is the thirty-second in the series and the thirteenth by the present Superintendent.
The most serious problem of our public schools to-day is that of adequate financial support. As a nation we are paying the bills for a great war. We are just beginning to recover from a period of depression. We are weighed down with the burden of taxation. Together with everything else, the cost of education has more than doubled. As in all such times, retrenchment is in the air. After the Civil War, a similar condition existed, and public education had a tremendous setback. Are we to go through a similar period, or shall we see to it that our children, in their preparation for life, are not made to pay the price of the war?
The United States is not only the richest country in tfie world, but its wealth is enormous. In 1920, this country spent more on luxuries than it has spent on education in 150 years. In 1921, all education, public and private, elementary, secondary and higher, for the entire nation, cost less than $1,000,000,000. On the other hand, we spent for
Candy and chewing gum $750,000,000
Soda and similar confections
834,000,000
Perfumery, jewelry, silk stockings and other articles of personal adornment.
959,000,000
Movies
1,000,000,000
Other entertainments .
897,000,000
Joy rides and pleasure resorts .
3000,000,000
(or three times the cost of all education)
One of our greatest states paid more for the suppression of crime than for education.
There is no question but what this nation has the money to do what- ever it wishes in the way of education for its children. It is merely a question of how we desire to spend our money. It is equally evident that this is no period in which to handicap our children. They will need all the preparation that we can give them to solve the problems they will be called upon to face.
Public education is the most important undertaking of any com- munity. Adequate support of the schools has the unqualified approval of the great majority of our citizens. Of course no extravagances should be allowed, and a proper return should be required for every expenditure. On the other hand, no backward steps should be undertaken without the full knowledge and consent of a majority of the voters. It is a com-
Tobacco
1,151,000,000
23
SCHOOL REPORT
paratively simple matter for a small group of active people to appear to represent the sentiment of the entire body of voters. Such a group should not be allowed to force retrenchment in the educational opportunities for our children, through the inactivity or lack of information, of the majority of our parents and citizens. The proper education of the more than 3,000 children in the public schools of Melrose is much too important a matter to allow it to become a question of politics or to deteriorate to the plane of petty dispute. The present situation is so vital to the future welfare of our children and of our nation, that it should engage the atten- tion of every parent, citizen and taxpayer, to the end that it may receive the broadest and most liberal consideration.
It is true that the public schools are taking a large proportion of the amount raised by taxation and are constantly needing more because of the increase in school population, the need for higher salaries and the necessary expansion of a modern school system, but our children and the civilization which they must carry on, are worth all that we do for them,-all that they cost us.
The School Committee is directly elected by the voters and are directly responsible to them. They spend weeks in the careful preparation of the budget and always reduce it to the limit of safety. That budget then goes to His Honor the Mayor and then to the Honorable Board of Aldermen for their approval and appropriation. They, in turn, are hampered by the exigencies of the tax rate and by the pressure brought to bear on them to keep that rate down. That pressure bids fair this year to be greater than ever. Whether the public schools are to suffer as a consequence is for the parents, citizens and taxpayers to say.
It is not altogether fitting that the School Committee should be obliged to beg for an adequate budget to educate our children, or that the Board of Aldermen should be forced to cut the necessary amounts because they are given to understand that the taxpayers will not approve the bills. The citizens, as voters, should take charge of this situation and see to it that both these Boards are given assurance of their support.
Teachers' Salaries .- The largest single item of our budget, and the one that has increased the most during the last three years, is that of teachers' salaries. Last year we paid our grade teachers, as a maximum salary, less than the average salary paid in all the cities and towns in Massachusetts and much less than in the suburban cities about us. In fact, only four of the thirty-eight cities paid smaller salaries than Melrose.
After consultation between the School Committee and the Board of Aldermen, a schedule was adopted and later was presented to the teachers and accepted by them. This schedule is on the merit basis. It will take several years to complete it and the cost will thus be distributed over that period, but it is essential to the welfare of our schools that this schedule should be carried to consummation. Those entering on teaching service and those continuing in it should have the clearest possible fore- knowledge of what their pay is to be from year to year for efficient service.
.
24
CITY OF MELROSE
The effect of constant agitation over teachers' salaries is disastrous. It is such agitation that weakens the morale of the teaching force more than all other experiences combined through which teachers are called upon to pass.
New Buildings .- Crowded conditions in the elementary grades are worse than anticipated. We have 58 rooms in these schools. Of this number, 35 have over 40 pupils; 23 have 44 or more pupils; 9 have 50 or more pupils; and only 9 have from 30 to 35 pupils. In the Franklin district the classes are all large, and one first grade is in a basement room. At the Washington School two classes are installed on the third floor, the assembly hall on the same floor has constantly from one to three overflow classes, one group of third grade children is now on part time, and others will have to follow if further room is not provided by next September. The city has the money available. The School Committee has unani- mously agreed upon the best available site. Immediate construction should not be further delayed.
Physical and Health Education .- With the appointment of a man of unusual training and experience as Director of Physical Education, we have completed our plans for this department. The general purposes of this plan are, First: to get every boy and girl in our schools not only interested in, but actually taking regular part in out of door games and active athletics. Second: to discover those pupils who have any physical defects and therefore need either medical attention, or special corrective exercises.
This fall it was possible to make the required physical examination only in the Freshman Class of the High School. Every physician in the city gave his time without remuneration for this purpose. Every boy and girl was examined, and the results have been given to the public.
In the matter of out of door games, we have introduced soccer foot- ball for the boys of the upper grammar grades, volley ball for the girls of those grades and the high school, basket ball for both boys and girls of the high school, also field hockey for the girls and quoits for the boys. Simpler games have been started for the smaller children. In all this work we realize more than ever the handicap of the small play area about our school buildings. The Lincoln School is the only one that has an adequate playground, and steps should be taken gradually to remedy this condition.
In connection with all this work it is well to bear in mind that while the development of strong teams to represent us in athletics must always be incidental and subordinate to the broader purposes of this department, yet the building of stronger and healthier bodies resulting from these methods, the habit of team play and the spirit of true sportsmanship thus engendered, cannot fail to give us stronger athletic teams in the future.
Closely allied with this department is that of Health. Here we have' our three school physicians, under control of the Board of Health, and the school nurse, at present under control of the School Committee. These -departments have worked in the closest and most harmonious co-operation
25
SCHOOL REPORT
for the benefit of our children, and health conditions in our schools have changed very greatly for the better within the past few years. While we cannot yet hope to escape occasional epidemics of such highly in- fectious diseases as mumps, measles and whooping cough, yet even these are greatly reduced, and in many other ways our children are afforded unusual protection. The result of the examination of the teeth of the children for several years, supplemented by the dental clinic at the Melrose Hospital, has more than justified itself by the very excellent condition as a whole of the teeth of this year's Freshman Class, as shown in the recent examinations. Added to all this we have our regular department of hygiene in the grades, and instruction in the High School with frequent lectures by noted specialists, so that the children are taught throughout . their course, not only how to build up a strong body, but at least the fundamental means of keeping that body strong and healthy throughout life.
At a recent meeting of our Community Forum, several representa- tives of the School Department gave papers containing much valuable- information. Lack of space forbids my including them all in this report, although it is to be hoped that they may appear in the local press. I am, however, submitting that of Mr. Sprague, as a report of certain facts in regard to our High School which I feel should be in the hands of every parent.
With deep appreciation of the continued support of the Committee, .. the teachers and the community, this report is
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN C. ANTHONY, Superintendent of Schools
IN SCHOOL COMMITTEE January 23, 1922
It was VOTEDz
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 1921
Report of the Principal of the High School
To Mr. John C. Anthony, Superintendent of Schools,
Melrose, Massachusetts:
Historically speaking, the High School in its beginning and develop- ment has been the answer to the people's demand for public secondary education. Therefore, though in essentials it is uniform the country over, it takes on special form from the particular community which it serves. In a city like Melrose there would be little demand for industrial and trade courses, and the school, while being a comprehensive high school, yet would stress largely the cultural. The result is shown in the courses offered, viz .: the College, Scientific, General, and Commercial. These courses, with the exception of the General Course, contain the minimum of essentials. The subjects are carefully selected to attain the desired end. Colleges and technical schools are requiring so much in way of preparation that a heavy burden is placed upon the school to cover the work satisfactorily in four years. In the College Course, time is taken from the purely fitting subjects for only Elementary Science and Com- munity Civics in the first year and Ancient History in the second year. In the Scientific Course, Elementary Science, Community Civics, and Mechanical Drawing are the only subjects not required for entrance preparation. The school can attempt no further work in either course without lengthening the school day or the school year. This is largely true of the Commercial Courses. They embrace subjects which are deemed necessary to the type of preparation which we aim to give and include very few opportunities for elective work. The General Course alone permits of any elasticity. From year to year, however, the variety of elective subjects has proved insufficient for a small but ever increasing group of pupils who for want of other subjects, have turned to the Com- mercial branches. The time is near when it will be well to consider opening to general pupils definite opportunities along manual lines.
The situation in the high school to-day is typical of its past. At the beginning of the school year, the 664 pupils were divided approximately as follows:
College Course 27%
General Course 23%
Scientific 13% Commercial " 37%
Our problem is very largely academic and calls for the acquisition of the theoretical rather than the practical. For this reason it is a more difficult one than in those schools which offer manual arts courses.
It is the duty of the public schools to develop a responsible and intelligent citizenship. The courses in our high school tend to this very thing. We have no elaborate or expensive equipment and are attempting
27
SCHOOL REPORT
no showy work of any kind. We are trying in a broad sense to bring out . individual character, to stimulate individual responsibility, and to teach the principles of community living and well being.
To this end, we try to have each pupil placed in the kind of work for which he is best fitted. His choice of a course to begin with is determined after careful consideration by teachers and parents. If later he is found to have made his selection unwisely, adjustments are made to fit the case. Already this year 68 pupils have had changes made in their courses, always after consultation at home, with the teacher, and the principal.
This school is endeavoring more and more to develop its policy of establishing closer relationship between home and school. In addition to the quarterly reports, deficiency reports are regularly sent to the home. Also daily, weekly, and as occasion requires, special reports are made to parents. Through correspondence, telephone and parents' nights at the building, an effort to bring about mutual acquaintance, understanding, and co-operation is made. While this is done through a pupil's entire course, especial care is taken during the first year. Pupils are then under the supervision of teachers who are particularly charged with the duty of following up and advising freshmen. The submaster of the school has supervision over the entire freshman class and in addition to frequent conferences and advice, gives extra help to pupils in subjects in which they are failing. The Dean of Girls keeps informed on the work, health, and circumstances of the girls and is of material assistance in all matters which affect them. I know of no high school which is doing more than we to direct and aid the proper development of pupils. Teachers are at the building regularly on two afternoons each week for special help to those who are failing or have lost work through absence and many have- additional appointments on other days. Our "make up" and "trial" system gives every encouragement to pupils who for one reason or another,. have failed.
The test of a school doubtless is the quality of its output. The records made by our graduates in college entrance examinations and subsequently in their college course, have done the school not only credit but honor. Below is the record of our pupils in the college entrance examinations for last year:
Total number of examinations recommended 41 Passed 41
100%
consented .
48
41
85%
without recommendation or consent
30
9
30%
for all above
119
91
76%
Each year we receive from colleges notices of the high scholarship standing of some of our graduates. Only recently has announcement been made of honors coming to three Melrose boys at Harvard College. Our business graduates whose work we can check up, prove equally capable and successful. Two of them in the local Savings Bank and one in the-
28
CITY OF MELROSE
City Treasurer's office, are giving complete satisfaction. Not only does . the high school to-day in the work offered seem to be meeting the needs of our city, but is succeeding in its efforts to send out boys and girls who can satisfactorily meet the demands made upon them in their various occupations.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM D. SPRAGUE, Principal
29
SCHOOL REPORT
TOTAL COST OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS School Year, 1920-1921
General Control
General Administration Salaries
$3,166.26
Other General Salaries.
937.55
Other General Expenses
1,211.29
Instruction
Teachers' Salaries .
104,481.25
Text Books and Supplies.
6,107.12
Operation of School Plant
Janitors' Services
10,122.32
Fuel.
11,254.56
Water, Light and Miscellaneous
1,521.72
Maintenance of School Plant
Repairs, Replacement, and Upkeep.
17,908.80
Auxiliary Agencies
Promotion of Health
860.00
Transportation
1,100.00
Tuition and Miscellaneous
647.12
Total
$159,317.99
New Equipment
857.42
Total
$160,175.41
AVERAGE COST PER PUPIL, ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
for these items, for the School Year, 1920-1921, based on the average membership (2,309) was as follows :-
General Control
General Administration Salaries $1.37
Other General Salaries .41
Other General Expenses .53
30
CITY OF MELROSE
Instruction
Teachers' Salaries . 45.26
2.64
Text Books and Supplies .
Operation of School Plant
Janitors' Services. 4.39
Fuel.
4.88
Water, Light, and Miscellaneous
.66
Maintenance of School Plant
Repairs, Replacement, and Upkeep
7.76
Auxiliary Agencies
Promotion of Health.
.38
Transportation.
.48
Tuition and Miscellaneous
.24
Total .
$69.00
New Equipment
.37
Total
$69.37
TOTAL COST OF HIGH SCHOOL School Year, 1920-192I
General Control
General Administration Salaries
$833.74
Other General Salaries
247.00,
Other General Expenses
319.12
Instruction
Teachers' Salaries.
55,299.97
Text Books and Supplies.
3,929.78
Operation of School Plant
Janitors' Services.
4,714.32.
Fuel.
4,081.67
Water, Light and Miscellaneous
1,039.06
31
SCHOOL REPORT
Maintenance of School Plant
Repairs, Replacement, and Upkeep
2,236.53
Auxiliary Agencies
Tuition and Miscellaneous
476.18
Total
$73,177.37
New Equipment
3,097.80
Total
$76,275.17
AVERAGE COST PER PUPIL, HIGH SCHOOL
for these items, for the School Year, 1920-1921, based on the average membership (608) was as follows :-
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