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 1937 > Part 28
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Many of the older buildings in the city need new lighting fixtures. I recommend that this be given the attention that it should have during the year 1938.
Through the good offices of Ex-Mayor Bradford, our attention has been called to the inadequate accommodations of the Trade School. A complete summary has been made of the needed altera- tions and additions. I recommend that the School Committee con- tinue to give this matter their attention.
Those of you who are familiar with the administrative quarters realize the inadequacy of the facilities. We need new educational and business offices to accommodate the present administrative force, as well as adequate School Committee Rooms.
On December 14 the Committee discussed the recommendations made by the Advisory Committee on Industrial Education for the enlargement of the Trade School. They also discussed the need for administrative quarters, and it was unanimously voted that a committee of two with the Vice-Chairman be appointed to consider the recommendations. I recommend that this committee bring in at an early date the results of their findings.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES N. MUIR,
Superintendent of Schools.
436
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 action of the School Committee in November, 1936, making the Trade School diploma equivalent to a regular high school di- ploma for those Trade School graduates who entered the school after having completed the ninth grade in good standing, greatly affected the number and quality of applications for fall enrollment in the school.
In September, 1937, all new boys admitted to the machine, sheet metal and electrical departments had completed the ninth grade and few boys were admitted to other departments who had not completed the eighth grade. This is a marked contrast to the situation in 1931 and 1932 when the school was not filled even by admitting boys who had only completed the sixth grade.
It was hoped that new federal funds for vocational education would be available in the fall so that additional teachers could be employed in the machine and sheet metal departments but such was not the case. Since the school budget was cut by the City Council it was impossible to increase the teaching force in the Trade School and pay the salaries out of existing appropriations. The enrollment, therefore, has remained about the same as for the past two years as the following table shows:
1932-33
1933-34
1934-35
1935-36
1936-37
Enrol.
Av.
Mem.
Enrol.
Av.
Mem.
Enrol.
Av.
Mem.
Enrol.
Av.
Mem.
Enrol.
Av.
Auto Mechanics
55
47.73
75
53.43 32.92 15.56
85 47 21
58.88 35.42 18.40
20
17.26
21
17.28
Machine (Co-op- erative)
2
1.
2
1
.10 34.14
... 48
34.27
47
34.94
Sheet Metal
19
14.32
23
25
18.42
22
17.81
21
17.53
Woodworking
60
48.03
68
54.62
68
56.84
75
55.14
78
54.08
Total Enrollment
230
274
299
286
289
Total Average Membership
184.66
209.00
222.20
216.63
213.96
79
54. 36.13
Electrical
34
31.30
41
Machine.
22
16.49
22
Plumbing
38
25.79
43
1. 34.69 16.78
52
77 44
54.52 37.63
43
Mem.
437
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
In September, 1937, there were over sixty boys on the waiting list-most of them desiring either machine or sheet metal work. In late November the State Department of Education received new federal funds and offered assistance. A new instructor will be em- ployed in the machine department soon after the first of the new year, to be paid out of federal funds for two years. It is possible that a new instructor in sheet metal work can be obtained in the fall of 1938. It was found that many of the boys who wished to enter the sheet metal department in September but could not be accommodated had made other arrangements for this school year.
It is very gratifying that the Advisory Committee and the School Committee are so interested in getting additional room for the Trade School. The Advisory Committee has met regularly and has been of great assistance to the Director of the school.
On May 1, 1937, I was relieved of my duties as Director of the Trade School and Mr. Frank C. Webster, the Assistant Director, was made Director. Mr. Webster has assumed his responsibilities with commendable zeal which augurs well for the future. In addi- tion to his duties as Director, Mr. Webster continues to teach a rather full program of English and Civics although some of his classes are now being taught by the teachers of related subjects.
The total cost of running the school for the school year 1936-37 was $45,556.44, slightly less than the cost for the previous year. In 1930-31, with an average membership of 170.86, the total cost was $53,255.74. In 1936-37, with a membership of 213.96, the total cost was $7,699.30 less than the cost for 1930-31. Much of this reduction has resulted in a distinct loss of service to the trade school student.
The total cost was reduced as follows:
Tuition for non-residents $10,952 06
Cash for products made in the school 783 47
Aid from the Federal Government
1,842 31
Aid from the State of Massachusetts
14,834 28
Miscellaneous receipts
138 90
Total receipts
$28,551 02
Net cost to the City of Quincy $17,005 42
The tuition receipts have again shown a decrease because more Quincy residents are enrolling in the school. The $200 reduction in cash received for products was more than offset by the savings made for the City by the furniture made for the new wing of the North Quincy High School for which the school naturally received no cash.
The Continuation School
The Continuation School at present is little more than a name but the total cost is very slight. While a charge is made for services rendered by the Continuation School, actually they are not real costs. The teachers who teach the Continuation School girls would continue to teach in the Junior High School if there were no Con- tinuation School pupils and Mr. Clark, the Director, arranges his Continuation School duties so as to interfere very little with his duties of adjustment service. The charges actually shown here are deducted from other sources when the budget is made up.
The following table shows the conditions of the school over a ten year period.
438
CITY OF QUINCY
1927 1928
1928 1929
1929 1930
1930 1931
1931 1932
1932 1933
1933 1934
1934 1935
1935 1936
1936 1937
Boys
95
82
72
45
29
13
Girls
62
65
54
47
42
32
24
25
18
9
Total
157
147
126
92
71
45
24
25
18
9
Hours of Service
11860 7996 7148 6132 4056 2208 1524 1560
896
392
In the fall of 1936 there were only three girls enrolled in the school. On December 1, 1937 there were six girls enrolled. On the other hand, more boys between fourteen and sixteen years of age left school to work during the past year. At present the Continua- tion School is rendering no service to these boys. It may be possible to combine Continuation School service to working boys between fourteen and sixteen years of age with the new general voca- tional group of boys being taught at the Quincy Point Junior High School.
The total cost of the Continuation School service for the school year 1936-37 was as follows:
Total cost (largely a prorated charge) $569 60
Aid from the Federal Government $121 89
Aid from the State of Massachusetts 223 86
Total receipts 345 75
Net cost to the City of Quincy $223 85
EVENING CLASSES
The following table shows the type of work and the enrollment in the Evening Academic Classes from October to December 8, 1937.
Mechanical Drawing
71
Grammar School Arithmetic 52
Grammar School English 63
Elementary Typewriting
307
Intermediate Typewriting
105
Advanced Typewriting
93
Elementary Stenography
173
Intermediate Stenography
73
Advanced Stenography
97
Intermediate Business English
97
Advanced Business English
236
Intermediate Business Arithmetic 76
Advanced Business Arithmetic
141
Classes for Adult Aliens in English and Citi- zenship
191
....
Although the total enrollment of 1110 was about the same as for last fall, the average membership of 673.75 was much better.
The distribution of pupils in the various subject matters was very similar to that of other years. A study of enrollments in stenography was enlightening. Of the 73 students enrolled in Inter- mediate Stenography only 3 had started Stenography in Evening
439
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
School-the other 70 pupils had obtained their start in day school. If only 3 pupils of the 170 odd pupils enrolled in elementary stenog- raphy in 1936 are carrying on the study of stenography during the winter of 1937-38 the teaching of elementary stenography in evening school last year was largely a waste of time. Shorthand is of no value unless it can be used and young people cannot obtain a satisfactory working knowledge of stenography in eighty hours of evening school. The need for studying stenography for at least two years has been explained carefully to all those who elect elementary stenography but each student apparently feels sure she will be one of the few who will continue another year.
If the School Committee will support the action it would be wise to omit elementary stenography from the evening school curriculum for 1938-39 and confine the study of shorthand to those students who have had at least one year's study of the subject in day school, or its equivalent.
The evening school curriculum should be broadened but it is almost impossible to do it on the small budget allowed for this work. When the Evening Academic Classes were resumed in 1935 with a small appropriation it was possible to keep within the budget only by having a rather narrow curriculum with large classes.
The classes for adult aliens in English and Citizenship showed a commendable increase in enrollment and it was necessary to em- ploy one more teacher than was needed in the fall of 1936. It had been planned to open classes in the South and Quincy Point Junior High Schools but with the cut in the budget it seemed unwise to add to the cost of adult alien education.
After a lapse of four years classes in evening trade extension work were resumed in the fall. Registrations were taken two weeks in advance of the opening of the evening classes and sufficient numbers enrolled to justify opening classes as shown in the fol- lowing table.
Evening Trade Extension Classes
Enrollment
Average Number to a class
Per Cent of Attendance
Auto Mechanics
20
15.4
83.7
Electrical Code
3.2
18.3
70.8
Machine Shop Practice
35
29.28
81.4
Plumbing
29
17.65
74.2
Sheet Metal Drafting
25
19.3
89.6
Classes meet on Monday and Tuesday evenings from 7:15 to 9:15 P.M. An extra class in machine shop practice is held on Thursday and Friday evenings to take care of the large number who desired this work and there was still a large number on the waiting list when the classes closed for the Christmas vacation.
Twenty-one men were enrolled in Boston Trade Extension Classes studying twelve different trades-eight were enrolled in the class for aviation mechanics, four were studying alternating currents in electricity and the nine remaining men were scattered one or two in different classes.
The per cents of attendance in evening school is low compared with day school attendance for two main reasons. Attendance in day school is compulsory for all children under sixteen and it is
440
CITY OF QUINCY
voluntary in evening classes and quite frequently evening school students are obliged to work overtime which makes it impossible for them to come to class.
Standardized Tests, Mentally Retarded Children and Special Classes
Detailed reports on the use of standardized mental tests and standardized achievement tests have already been made to the superintendent, principals and teachers of the classes tested. For the last few years teachers have become more and more aware of the value of the standardized tests as aids in determining the mentally retarded child, so during the past year special emphasis was placed upon the value of the standardized tests as aids for determining the mentally gifted child.
I firmly believe that schools should place even more time, effort and care on the education of the very bright children than they do on the very dull. Unfortunately human nature is subject to the law of inertia and bright children are not inclined to work any harder than is necessary to keep up with fellow pupils.
The standardized mental tests are invaluable in showing the teacher and parents who the very bright children are. Group mental tests have been used regularly for over six years in grades I and VI (last year we tested grade V mentally instead of grade VI) and new pupils coming into the system for whom there was no intelligence test rating were tested.
For most pupils above grade IV, the school system has now two group intelligence test ratings which tend to show an excellent correlation. It is reasonably safe then to accept the first grade mental test ratings of bright children with assurance and plan work for the gifted children from grade I on so that they will form habits of industry, concentration, etc. Such procedure has not been followed in the past for grade VI and IX achievement tests show that almost invariably the bright children obtained results below what their mental ability indicated could be reached.
Two hundred and sixteen pupils were referred to various psycho- logical clinics for individual examination which in most cases in- cluded a mental test. The following table shows the broad general findings as to mentality. In all cases a detailed report is sent to the principal of each school with suggested remedial procedure if necessary.
Broad Findings as to Mentality
Name of Clinic
Normal or Better
Dull Normal
3 yrs. or more Mentally Retarded
Case Incom- plete or I.Q. not found
Total Referred
Wrentham Traveling Clinic
13
59
68
5
145
Habit Clinic
21
7
10
3
41
Guidance Clinic
9
11
8
2
30
Totals
43
77
86
10
216
441
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
When children were first referred to the Wrentham Clinic (which is the clinic to which we refer cases suspected of definite mental retardation) over one-half were found to be normal. During the past school year but 9% of those examined were found to be normal. Each year teachers and principals have shown greater discernment in the pupils referred for examination.
On December 1, 1937 there were 258 children in the Quincy Pub- lic Schools known by individual examination to be three or more years mentally retarded or who would be by the time they were fourteen years of age. This is a slight increase of the number for December 1, 1936.
One hundred fifty-two mentally retarded children were in special classes as follows:
Opportunity Class for Older Boys 36
Opportunity Class for Older Girls 18
Ungraded Opportunity Classes (six in number) 98
Fifty-seven of the 106 mentally retarded pupils not in special classes are in various secondary schools and most of them are making good adjustments. Thirty-three of the fifty-seven are beyond the compulsory school age of sixteen and would not continue in school unless they got something from it. Even if academic grades are low the pupil benefits by the social contacts made in the regular school.
Forty-nine mentally retarded pupils are scattered among the nineteen elementary schools. Some are making good adjustments in the grade where they are now located but may need transfer to a special class later. Some should be in a special class but cannot be so placed at present because there is no class near at hand and they are too young to walk or ride any great distance while others cannot be placed because the special class in their district is full.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT H. COCHRANE,
Assistant Superintendent of Schools.
442
CITY OF QUINCY
APPENDIX A
STATISTICAL DATA
1. Financial Statement for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 1937
I. REGULAR AND STATE-AIDED SCHOOLS
Appropriated by City Council (exclusive of Federal Funds) $1,247,069 00
Expended, Regular and State-Aided Schools (exclusive
of Federal Funds)
1,247,053 04
Balance unexpended $ 15 96
Itemized Expenditures
Instruction
$988,747 22
General Control
21,126 06
Coordinate and Auxiliary Agencies
26,889 67
Travel Outside of State
162 20
Operation of Plant
111,680 06
Maintenance
34,737 79
Maintenance-New Equipment
8,698 15
Miscellaneous
6,203 26
Evening School
2,365 89
Total for regular schools
$1,200,610 30
Trade School $ 42,385 86
Smith-Hughes Fund
1,614 72
George Deen Fund
30 00
Continuation School
312 42
Smith-Hughes Fund
257 18
Out of City Industrial
1,130 36
Evening Trade Extension
525 46
Americanization Work
2,088 64
Total for State-Aided Schools $ 48,344 64
Less :- Smith-Hughes and George
Deen Funds 1,901 90
46,442 74
Total expenditure (exclusive of Federal Funds) $1,247,053 04
443
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
II. STATEMENT OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FUNDS
Smith-Hughes Fund
Balance from 1936-Trade School $1,614 72
Continuation School 257 18 $1,871 90
Received, 1937 -Trade School $1,842 31
Continuation School . 121 89
1,964 20
Total available
$3,836 10
Expended
1,871 90
Balance unexpended
$1,964 20
George Deen Fund
Received, 1936-Trade School
$30 00
Expended
30 00
Balance unexpended
2. Money Received into the City Treasury as Result of School Department Operation
Tuition :
City of Boston Wards
$ 747 34
State Wards
3,324 16
Non-resident pupils :
North Quincy High School
113 28
Montclair School
10 80
Evening School 81 50
Trade School 10,956 66
Evening Trade Extension Classes 10 80
$15,244 54
State Reimbursements:
Trade School
$14,906 73
Continuation School (Home School Ex-
penditure) 282 79
Continuation, Trade School and House-
hold Arts (Cities and Towns) 753 05
Smith-Hughes Fund (Federal Govern-
ment ) 1,964 20
General School Fund Statement 97,051 79
Americanization 1,031 31
$115,989 87
Miscellaneous Receipts :
Hall and Gymnasium rentals $1,152 25
Miscellaneous (lost books, sale of mate- rial, telephone, etc.) 583 46
Trade School (sale of material, etc.)
851 06
2,586 77
Total receipts
$133,821 18
444
CITY OF QUINCY
3. Itemized Cost Per Pupil for Support of Public Schools (Day, Evening, Summer) for the School Year Ending With June, 1937
(Based on the Average Membership of the Schools)
Items
Aver. per Capita Ex- penditure for Quincy
Aver. per Capita Ex- penditure for 38 Other Cities
Aver. per Capita Ex- penditure for the State
Instruction (Salaries)
$65 52
$77 34
$70 68
General Control.
1 86
3 83
3 76
Text-books
1 15
. 11
1 29
Other Expenses of Instruction.
2 12
2 70
2 75
Operation.
7 90
11 11
11 01
Repairs, etc.
1 22
3 84
3 42
Libraries.
91
11
15
Health
70
1 68
1 59
Transportation
70
59
2 66
Tuition
11
14
99
Miscellaneous.
15
75
75
Total for Support including or-
dinary repairs.
$82 34
$103 20
$99 05
Outlay, New Buildings, etc.
5 34
10 19
9 36
Total for Support and Outlay
$87 68
$113 39
$108 41
4. General Statistics, December, 1937.
Population of the City (U. S. Census of 1930)
72,000
Number of school buildings: Quincy High1, 1; North Quincy
High2, 1; Junior High, 3; Elementary, 19; Annex3, 1; total 1 2 3 25 Teachers in Quincy High School: men, 22, women, 43; total 65
Teachers in North Quincy High School: men, 22; women, 56; total
78
Teachers in Junior High Schools: men, 25; women, 70; total .. Teachers in Elementary Schools: men, 1; women, 209; total .. 210
95
Principals: Quincy High School, men, 1; (asst. principal), 1; North Quincy High School, men, 1; (asst. principal), 1; Junior High Schools, men, 3; Elementary Schools, men, 94; women, 2; total
$18
Supervisors: music, 3; drawing, 2; health education, 1; Ameri- canization, 1; total
7
Special teachers: librarians, 5; instrumental music, 1 (part time); special class teachers, 9; teachers of physically han- dicapped children, 3; total
18
Continuation School teachers: men (director), 1; women, 25 (part time) ; total
5 3
Trade School teachers: men (director), 1; teachers, 12; total. 13
Evening School teachers: men, 5; women, 14; total 6 19
Evening Trade Extension Classes: men, 5; total 75
Americanization teachers: women, 6; total 8 6
Total number of different teachers 523
445
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
General Control:
Superintendent, 1; Asst. Superintendent, 1; Director of Guidance and Research, 1; Secretary to Superintendent, 1; Bookkeeper, 1; Clerks, 2; total 7
Clerks: Quincy High School, 2; North Quincy High School, 2; Junior High Schools, 3; Trade School, 1; total 8 Coordinate & Auxiliary Agencies:
Supervisor of Attendance, 1; Nurses, 4; Physicians, 2; Ad- justment Service, 2°; total 9 9
Custodians and Janitorial Service:
Chief Custodian, 1; Engineer, 1; Custodians, 22; Asst. Jani- tors, 7; Cleaners, 11; total 42
Total number of different persons employed by the School Department 587
1 Trade School located in Quincy High School Building.
2 Six-year high school.
3 Offices of Supervisors located in Annex.
4 One also included in Junior High Schools.
" One teaches special class. one teaches in Junior High School.
6 Two teach also in Quincy High School, one in North Quincy High School. 7 Five teach also in Trade School.
8 One teaches also in Junior High School, one in Elementary School, one in Quincy High School.
9 One is Director of Continuation School; one is Supervisor of Americani- zation.
446
5. Brief Description of School Property, Also the Value of Schoolhouses and Lots, Etc., January 1, 1938
BUILDINGS
Date of Occupation
Wood or Brick
No. of Stories
Condition
Heating Apparatus
Assembly Halls
Number of
Schoolrooms
Assessed Value
Assessed Value
of Building
Value of
Total
Sq. Ft. in Lot
Quincy High (Academic) 1.2
1924
B
3
Good
Steam
1
41
$122,000
$875,000
$108,897
$1,105,897
146,279
(Trade)1, 8
...
....
...
. . .
...
1
57
45,000
65,324
1,065,324
188,062
North Quincy High1. 4
1927
B
3
Good
Steam Steam
1
25
45,500
955,000 230,500
20,198
296,198
85,348
Central Junior High1, 2 Portable.
1907
B
3
Good
Hot Air
1
26
22,000
535,000
43,706
600,706
193,917
Quincy Pnt. Junior High1. 5
1928
B
2
Good
Steam
18
14,000
180,000
6,450
200,450
137,300
Adams Shore.
1929
B
2
Good
Steam
10
6,500
145,000
7,980
159,480
50,373
Atherton Hough?
1911
B
2
Good
Steam
1
17
15,000
210,000
14,809
239,809
77,040
Coddington8.
1909
B
3
Good
Steam
1
13
108,000
115,000
5,731
228,731
56,785
Portable (Vacant)
1923
1
Fair
Hot Air
1
Cranch.
1900
2
Good
Steam
9
15,000
61,000
2,000
78,000
62,628
Daniel Webster ..
1917
B
2
Fair
Steam
1
16
18,300
374,000
7,098
399,398
126,388
Francis W. Parker
1917
B
2
Fair
Steam
1
16
25,000
260,000
6,900
291,900
80,893
Gridley Bryant9.
1896
B
2
Good
Steam
13
5,500
118,000
5,113
128,613
53,475
John Hancock
1886
B
3
Good
Steam
....
10
12,000
53,000
2,000
67,000
106,255
Lincoln.
1892
B
2
Fair
Steam
....
12
6,500
56,000
1,800
64,300
69,841
CITY OF QUINCY
700
South Junior High1.
1927
B
3
Fair Good
Adams6.
1913
B
2
Fair
Stcam
1
16
6
....
(Continuation)3
....
W
1
Steam
2
700
24,851
24,851
....
...
...
of Land
Equipment
W B
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
1Cafeterias, gymnasiums, special rooms and shops : Quincy High, 15; Trade, 6; North Quincy High, 25; Junior Highs, 27; Thomas B. Pollard, 1; Willard, 1.
2Assembly hall used for classroom purposes.
3Valuation of Continuation and Trade Schools' furniture included in Quincy High school valuation.
4East wing addition occupied September, 1931. West wing addition occupied September, 1936.
"Quincy Point Junior High School valuation of land and building and the square feet in lot included in Daniel Webster School figures.
"Addition of four rooms occupied September, 1931. "Addition of nine rooms and assembly hall occupied January, 1930. 8Auditorium and four classrooms used for Quincy High School Commercial classes.
9Addition of four rooms occupied September, 1930.
10 Addition of ten rooms occupied September. 1924.
11Addition of nine rooms and assembly hall occupied March, 1930.
12 Addition of eight rooms and assembly hall occupied September, 1932. 13 Located on Quincy High School lot. Valuation of land and building included in Quincy High School figures. Home Making School. Offices of Supervisors now located in Annex.
Formerly
..
1
17
2
20
13,400
3,000 4,500
226,519 221,400 65,500
84,314
Quincy12.
1907
B
3
Good Good Good Good
Steam Steam Steam Steam
1
18
21,300 18,000 14,000
269,500 147,000 205,000 205,000
11,647 7,980
302,447 172,980
101,987 243,470
Montclair11.
1912
B
2
B
1
Fair Good Good
Steam
1
6 17
8,500
52,500 207,500
8,945
228,945
76.842
Washington
1903
B
2 212
Fair
Steam
1
20
10,000
80,000
3,500
93,500
50,240
Wollaston2
1912
B
2.
Fair
1
12
24,000
136,000
6,450
166,450
94,672
Annex13
1922
W
212
Fair
Steam Steam
10
...
....
...
17,000
17,000
184,346
Total.
17
448
$615,000
$5,550,000
$379,598
$6,544,598
...
1
Steam
1
Steam
10
16,000
80,000
2,500
98,500
78,626
Willard1
1891
B
2
B B
2
Massachusetts Fields10
1896
Merrymount.
1929
10
7,519
58,286
Squantum.
1919
123,831
Thomas B. Pollard1
1920
B
12,500
North Quincy Athletic eld.
....
447
448
CITY OF QUINCY
6. Report of Attendance Department Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 1937
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