USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Inaugural address of the mayor, with the annual report of the officers of the city of Quincy for the year 1936 > Part 27
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In 1926 the organization consisted of the regular day school, which was definitely the 8-4 plan then called the elementary and grammar grades (7th and 8th) and High School. There was a large Continuation School, Independent Industrial School (now Trade School), Home Making School, Evening Academic School, Industrial Evening School for Men, Industrial Evening School for Women, Americanization Work, and Summer School.
The old Quincy High School building on Hancock Street, no:w designated as the Central Junior High School, was utilized in September, 1924 to take care of the eight grades from a few over- crowded schools,-Coddington, Daniel Webster, and Lincoln-and the 9th grades from all over the City excepting the college prepara- tory group of the 9th year. This type of organization prevailed up to 1927.
The type of organization in January, 1937 is known as the 6-3-3 plan,-elementary, junior high, and high school. There are at the present time three junior high schools, one three-year high school, and one six-year high school, a Trade School, Evening Academic Classes, Evening Americanization Classes, and a very small Con- tinuation School.
415
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
On assuming. my duties as Superintendent in Quincy a building program was imminent. The City's schools were crowded every- where. The School Committee promptly took up a five-year build- ing program and carried it to a successful conclusion.
In January, 1927 there were twenty school buildings. There were eleven portable buildings scattered throughout the City. In Janu- ary, 1937 there are twenty-five school buildings and two portable buildings.
The North Quincy High, South Junior High, Quincy Point Junior High, Adams Shore and Merrymount schools were built during the last decade. The first unit of the North Quincy High School was ready for occupancy and dedicated February 8, 1927.
Additions to the various schools were built as follows:
Complete renovation of the gymnasium at the Central Junior High School and a complete new unit of showers and lockers for the girls and boys adjacent to the gymnasium.
Atherton Hough School, 9 rooms and assembly hall occupied January, 1930.
Montclair School, 9 rooms and assembly hall occupied March, 1930.
Gridley Bryant School, 4 rooms and small assembly room occupied September, 1930.
North Quincy High School east wing occupied September, 1931.
Adams School, 4 rooms occupied September, 1931.
Quincy School, 8 rooms and assembly hall occupied Septem- ber, 1932.
North Quincy High School west wing occupied September, 1936.
Cranch School, small assembly room built out of two class- rooms.
Repairs. The School Committee included in the five-year build- ing program the modernization of the old buildings. The repairs to the old buildings and the school yards during this period have been many and varied. Much headway was made up to 1933. I will not attempt to enumerate in detail the items of repair. Suffice it to give a few to illustrate the type and scope of the repairs. For example, a fence was built around the property of the Ather- ton Hough School, except in the rear, and the playground re- surfaced with permanent material. The same is true of several of the elementary school yards.
At the Central Junior High School a great variety of repairs have been completed. In 1930 the heating system was improved. A fire alarm system and hot water tank was installed. Brass pipes and Mason safety treads were installed throughout the building. The interior of the building was painted.
In 1935 the boilers were retubed and many other minor repairs were completed. This does not include the work that the W. P. A. workers have been doing at the Central Junior High School for the last year and a half.
These repairs are typical of those done in many of the other buildings. In addition to the general repairs, the resurfacing and fencing of the playgrounds, all of the buildings have been painted inside and out except the interior of the John Hancock and Cod- dington School.
This is an achievement in industry on the part of the School Committee of which they can be proud; which shows clear vision
416
CITY OF QUINCY
and good thinking by a School Committee devoted to an ultimate aim-good schools.
Teachers' Qualifications. In January, 1927 the minimum quali- fication of a teacher in order to receive appointment as a regular teacher in the elementary grades in the public schools of Quincy was graduation from a normal school (two year course), or some equivalent training school for teachers.
At present the qualifications for teachers elected to the Element- ary Schools require graduation of at least a four-year course in a State Teachers' College or its equivalent and shall have had a "B" standing in the three departments-scholarship, personal equin- ment and power to teach. Teachers elected in the Junior High Schools shall be graduates of a four-year approved normal or college course. Teachers elected in the Senior High School shall be gradu- ates of a four-year approved normal or college course and shall have had two years of successful teaching experience.
The complex situations that we are obliged to face in our daily work require constantly increased preparation in order to meet the changing demands of the times.
In addition to the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of Schools there were forty-nine men teachers ten years ago, seven- teen of whom were college graduates; sixteen, normal school gradu- ates; two, graduates of secondary schools; and fourteen in the Industrial School whose qualifications were mainly that of trade education.
At present, in addition to the Superintendent and Assistant Super- intendent, there are ninety-eight men teachers employed,-sixy-five of whom are college graduates of whom twenty-two have Masters Degrees, seven with degrees from teachers' colleges, one with diploma; fourteen normal school graduates; six, secondary school all of whom have taken advanced courses since their employment as teachers; and thirteen with trade education.
Special Classes. The maladjusted child has received more at- tention by the establishment of special classes for them. There were two of these classes in January, 1927,-one at the Thomas B. Pollard School and one at the Adams School. At the present time we have eight such classes,-one each at the Adams, Daniel Web- ster, Francis W. Parker, Lincoln, Thomas B. Pollard, Willard, Central Junior Portable, and Coddington Portable. In addition to that we have three classes established for scholarship adjust- ment-one at the South Junior High, one at the Quincy Point Junior High, and one at the North Quincy High. Two years ago we established a physically handicapped class.
The raising of the standard of qualifications of all teachers; placing more men teachers in the school system, which has given, we think, more virility to our work; the segregation of the malad- justed in our classes; the elimination of the midyear promotions; have been done with a high hope of increasing the scholarship of the individual child and we think it has.
The Effectiveness of the Educational Program. This leads me to the underlying reasons for the outstanding improvements in the educational program of the school system.
Some of the contributing factors for greater efficiency are here recorded: (1) a closer knitted organization, i.e., the system has a greater unity of purpose; each field highly specialized in its en- deavor to do the best work yet joined closely and firmly together in a unity of purpose; (2) it was essential to arouse the princi- pals and teachers to the larger vision of the new, more diversified
417
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
program of studies and the teaching of the whole child; (3) the elimination of the midyear promotions; (4) the establishing of the junior high school on a junior high school basis; (5) special classes for the maladjusted pupil and other special classes mentioned previously ; (6) enriching the program of studies by giving (a) variety of new subjects adapted to the individual needs and capa- cities of the various children, (b) by a more thorough study of what to teach; (7) more attention to the individual child in the groups and as individuals. This was brought about by a very definite program in (8) Guidance and Research which has been discussed fully in previous reports; (9) extension of the Art pro- gram; (10) The Teaching Aids,-the teaching aids have done much to improve the efficiency of the work of the classroom. This, too, was discussed at length in my 1935 report; (11) the development of the music department. In 1927 there was a director of music and one assistant and a teacher of music at the Central Junior High School. At present we have a director, two assistants, and four full time instructors of music. We have never lost sight of the curriculum purpose of music which is (a) to read simple music at sight, (b) to understand musical terms and concepts, (c) to sing with pleasure, (d) to enjoy and appreciate music. Music is the universal language which enables human intelligence to com- municate with each other; (12) the development of the library. In January, 1927, we had two libraries,-one at the Central Junior High School and the other in the Quincy High School. Now we have five well appointed libraries with approximately 2,000 volumes and five trained librarians. We have tried to keep before the teachers and pupils the library purposes; to instill into the minds of the pupils the reading objectives, creating life attitudes toward books, and to acquire library skills. The library has been discussed quite fully in my former reports. I look upon a well conducted school library as the center of school life. It should be the most potent single agency for promoting and continuing education after school days are over.
Reorganization of the Health Program. The Superintendent's Annual Report to the School Committee for the year ending De- cember 31, 1935 concluded with five specific recommendations. The second recommendation was that there be a complete reorganization of the Health Department.
On April 14, 1936 the Health Program as recommended by the Superintendent in his Annual Report of 1935 was unanimously adopted by the School Committee. By Health Program is meant HEALTH PROJECTS, HEALTH TEACHING, PHYSICAL ACTI- VITIES, HEALTH DEVELOPMENT, AND SOCIAL EFFICIENCY.
For several years the Committee had faced the problem of re- organization and came to the conclusion that all the health ac- tivities should be combined in one program as previously outlined. In January 1927, the Health Program provided for a school physi- cian, three nurses, a dentist (part time) and a prophylactic nurse. The dentist and prophylactic nurse were discontinued in January, 1933. There was no direct relationship between the medical side and the physical activities. The physical education program pro- vided a Supervisor of Physical Education and two assistants.
The SCHOOL HEALTH PROGRAM IS NOT A MEDICAL PRO- GRAM. IT IS DEFINITELY AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM and therefore the effort to make it such in the reorganization.
At the present we have two school physicians (part time), four nurses, two health service workers-one in each high school;
418
CITY OF QUINCY
and on the physical, ten instructors-five men and five women, and a Director of the department who is called Director of Health Education in charge of all the health activities in the Quincy Schools.
The outstanding feature of the program is the adjustability to the individual needs of each pupil. The entire program should coordinate toward the physical and mental well-being of all con- cerned. It is highly desirable to put this type of a program into effect in Quincy and to do this it is essential to have trained and experienced teachers.
We are working toward that end.
Review of Some Facts for the Year Just Closed. Permit me to draw your attention to the Budgets allotted to the School Com- mittee for the following years:
1931
$1,242,360.80
1932
1,237,189.00
1933
1,139,000.00
1934
1,225,096.26
1935
1,215,072.59
1936
1,210,000.00
You will note that there has been a gradual reduction in the Budget for the past five years, this in the face of new buildings, more heat, light and power needed, the operation and maintenance of the buildings have of necessity increased, more numerous de- mands by outside agencies for the use of the school buildings. Another item you should note carefully is the tremendous increase in the expenditure of moneys for secondary education. These facts alone should convince any one of the tremendous accomplisli- ments in the synchronization of every department of the school system.
We have kept within the budget allotted to the School Committee for the year 1936. This could only be accomplished by the eager prosecution and research into every field within the school system. Since approximately ninety percent of the money appropriated for school purposes is paid to the personnel which includes the teach- ing staff, clerks, custodians, cleaners, and all other workers, there was but one place we could cut the budget and that was from the teaching staff. This was done by the elimination and combining of several classes in the elementary schools. Then, too, several key people were out during the year-the doctor, the Director of Guidance and Research, a nurse for part of the year-all of whom we must provide for in 1937.
I am unalterably opposed to waste of public funds. It is our duty to see that we get one hundred cents worth of service for each dollar expended.
The burden of keeping the budget within its allotted amount has devolved primarily upon the superintendent. His authority is not commensurate with the responsibility thrust upon him. The present school system in Quincy is conceded by many of the leading educators to be a most efficient and progressive school administration, the most successful since the days of Francis W. Parker in every particular on less money per capita than the systems of like size in the State.
The Quincy school system is attracting attention of the most progressive educators throughout New England and many other school systems in the Country. Teachers, supervisors, principals, superintendents of schools, lay and professional men have visited our schools during the year 1936. Requests and questionnaires are
419
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
constantly coming to the Superintendent's office from all parts of the country inquiring about different phases of our work. Quincy has come to be looked upon as a leader in public education.
The schools are in a constant state of flux; in a state of con- tinuous change. The radically changed social and economic condi- tions under which we live demand the change.
The type of pupils coming to our high schools today demand a preparation for practical living. The type a generation ago came to school with no practical objective. Thus has come into being the cosmopolitan high school such as the North Quincy High School with its adequate equipment to take care of the pupils' every need and prepare the pupils to go out and earn their own living. It offers a comprehensive education to the masses during their adolescence. It offers in one school an unusual variety of courses intended to fit the needs and capacities of the various abilities of those who attend. The ultimate aim-better citizens.
We are now in a position to go. Much has been accomplished; much remains to be accomplished. We have just reached the stage where we should be able to crystallize and make effective much of the work that has gone before. With the combined efforts of the personnel we should be able to further our achievements. We have the human resources. We are acquiring the physical plant and by all pulling together we can make this vision an actuality.
In January, 1936, we conducted a scientific testing program of the hearing of the children to determine those hard of hearing and it has given us information sufficient that we should go forward with this program. I am, therefore, recommending for the future a very definite program.
Recommendations for the Future-(1) That a very definite pro- gram be set up to test the pupils' hearing to discover those who are hard of hearing by scientific testing and the pupils found to be hard of hearing be followed up with corrective work so far as possible; and that some tangible class work be given to those who are entirely deaf and cannot get work in the regular class room.
(2) That there should be a very definite and tangible program set up for the examination of the eye as well as the ear. Pupils that cannot see well; pupils that cannot hear, are handicapped from the beginning. The teachers should know who those pupils are. The parents should know if their child has difficulty with sight and hearing and both work together for the common good of the child.
(3) The Law and Order program, started in 1934, should be attacked with renewed vigor in the light of the work done by the various committees.
(4) A complete renovation of the boys' shower and locker room and a new gymnasium at the North Quincy High School are essential.
The Assistant Superintendent has reported for the State-aided schools, Evening Schools and Special Classes.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES N. MUIR, Superintendent of Schools.
420
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF THE ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
MR. JAMES N. MUIR, Superintendent of Schools, Quincy, Mass.
My DEAR MR. MUIR:
I submit the following report on the Trade School, Continuation School, Evening Classes, Mentally Retarded Pupils and Special Classes.
The Day Trade School
The membership of the Trade School for the school year 1935-36 was 216.63, nearly six less than that of the previous year. In the table below is shown the enrollment and average membership by departments for the past five years.
1931-32
1932-33
1933-34
1934-35
1935-36
Enrol.
Av.
Mem.
Enrol.
Av.
Mem.
Enrol.
Av.
Mem.
Enrol.
Av.
Mem.
Enro !.
Av.
Auto Mechanics.
54
42.79
55
47.73
75
53.43 32.92
85 47
58.88 35.42
77
54.52
Electrical
37
31.12
34
31.30
41
Machine.
16
12.96
22
16.49
22
15.56
21
18.40
20
17.26
Machine (Co-op- erative)
2
1.
2
1.
2
1. 34.69
1
.10 34.14
....
34.27
Sheet Metal
21
15.38
19
14.32
23
16.78
25
18.42
22
17.81
Woodworking
53
36.57
60
48.03
68
54.62
68
56.84
75
55.14
Total Enrollment
214
230
274
299
286
Total Average Membership
164.10
184.66
209.00
222.20
216.63
Plumbing
31
24.28
38
25.79
43
52
48
44
37.63
Mem.
During the past two years the school has been practically at capacity membership for the number of teachers employed. Two departments, sheet metal and machine, could accommodate more students if additional teachers were employed. There are waiting lists in both departments mentioned and there were sufficient appli- cants last fall to have warranted expanding the machine department had there been funds available to pay a teacher.
All the graduates of the machine department of June, 1936, were placed in the trade and the graduates for June, 1937 have jobs waiting for them when they complete the course. Industry is apparently on the road to recovery with indications that there will be difficulty in filling the demand for trained machinists. I strongly recommend the employment of another instructor in the machine department in September, 1937, and the possibility of another instructor in the sheet metal department by September, 1938.
421
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
In July, 1937, under the provisions of the new George-Dean Law for Vocational Education, Massachusetts will receive almost twice as much money from the Federal Government for vocational edu- cation as it has received in the past. Indications are that this money will be used to finance new forms of vocational education rather than to expand existing departments. I believe Quincy should increase the opportunities for trade education in the future by adding one or more of the following: Welding, including Ox- Acetyline and Electric Arc Welding; Interior Decorating and Wood Finishing, which includes Painting; and possibly Printing.
In November, 1936, the School Committee voted that pupils who completed the Trade School course in good standing after having completed the sixth grade with sufficient credits to have entered grade ten should have on their diplomas the words, "This is the equivalent of a regular high school diploma". This action should tend to attract to the Trade School many boys who in the past have hesitated because they wished a high school diploma even though they were really better fitted to work with concrete material.
The total cost of running the school for the school year 1935-36 was $46,042.66, an increase of $3,404.52. This increase was due largely to the necessary purchases of much needed supplies, re- placement of old equipment and the purchase of new equipment.
The total cost was reduced as follows:
Tuition for non-residents $11,608 31
Cash for products made in the school 983 36
Aid from the Federal Government 1,614 72
Aid from the State of Massachusetts
14,906 73
Miscellaneous receipts
90 51
Total receipts
$29,203 63
Net cost to the City of Quincy 16,839 03
The amount received for tuition shows a drop of $1,852.43 due to a drop in the tuition rate for the past two years of $70 per pupil and because more Quincy boys enrolled leaving less room for pupils living in other communities.
The Continuation School
The table below tells the story of the Continuation School since 1926
1926 1927
1927 1928
1928 1929
1929 1930
1930 1931
1931 1932
1932 1933
1933 1934
1934 1935
1935 1936
Boys
84
95
82
72
45 47
29
13
Girls
56
62
65
54
42
32
24
25
18
Total
140
157
147
126
92
71
45
24
25
18
Hours of Service.
...
11860 7996 7148 6132 4056 2208 1524 1560
896
422
CITY OF QUINCY
The girls enrolled were all employed in the home either on Home Permits to work in their own home or to do housework and help care for children in the home of another.
In the fall of 1936 there were but three girls enrolled in the school and they were placed for one day a week in a class with a regular day school teacher where they received instructions in cooking and sewing.
The cost of teaching the pupils is now reduced to a small amount as the only cost is for the supervisory work of Mr. Dana Clark. Unless the number of youths between 14 and 16 years of age who are at work increases considerably, I recommend that this branch of the school system be discontinued. It has been main- tained to date because industrial conditions seem to indicate that there might be a decided increase in the employment of 14 to 16 year old youths in certain fields.
The total cost has been slight as the figures below indicate:
Total cost of Continuation School $924.80
Aid from the Federal Government $359.23
Aid from the State of Massachusetts 282.79
Total receipts 642.02
Net cost to the City of Quincy $282.78 The cost for 1936-37 will be considerably less than for 1935-36.
Evening Classes
Evening Classes in academic subjects and adult alien education were maintained on a similar basis as last year. The following table shows the type of work with the enrollment from October 4 to December 16, 1936.
Mechanical Drawing 85
Elementary Typewriting 295
Intermediate Typewriting 99
Advanced Typewriting 114
Elementary Stenography 171
Intermediate Stenography 57
Advanced Stenography
96
Business English
334
Business Arithmetic
233
Grammar School English and Arithmetic 86
Classes for Adult Aliens in English and Citizen- ship 161
The total enrollment of 1,082 different pupils was about the same as the fall enrollment of last year but the average membership of 550 showed more pupils dropping out. The per cent of attendance for the ten weeks was 82.55, the highest we have ever had in evening school.
Of the 1,082 different pupils who enrolled in the academic classes, 623 were high school graduates most of them being young people who have been unable to obtain employment and who wished to maintain their skill in typewriting or stenography. The increase over last year in the number of pupils who withdrew from evening school was due largely to the rather large number who obtained work during the fall months and for the Christmas season and could not keep up with their evening school attendance.
423
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
The classes for adult alien education showed an increase but we are not reaching the large number that we used to reach when we had classes at the South and Quincy Point Junior High Schools. It is the uneducated alien who furnishes the most fertile ground in which to sow the seed of communism. Less than a $1,000 increase in the evening school appropriation would enable us to open classes for adult aliens in South Quincy and Quincy Point. I believe it would be money well and profitably spent.
In addition to the students attending evening classes in Quincy the city has been paying the tuition of 42 men who are attending the Boston Evening Trade Extension Classes. By State law every community in Massachusetts must maintain Evening Vocational Classes or pay the tuition of any qualified student who desires to attend the Evening Trade Extension Classes in another town or city. The 42 men attending the Boston Evening Trade School were taking work as follows:
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