Official reports of the town of Wayland 1919-1920, Part 5

Author: Wayland (Mass.)
Publication date: 1919
Publisher: Printed at the Middlesex Freeman Office
Number of Pages: 522


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wayland > Official reports of the town of Wayland 1919-1920 > Part 5


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Does not an examination of our educational system show that it is cut too much after the pattern that fits for doctors and lawyers and accountants, intellectual workers? Are we not giving too much emphasis that an education means less toil for the worker? How many of our students are told effectively that behind the bank counter, within the walls of university buildings, the most exhausting of toil goes on ?


113


If the future of our educational system is to yield equal opportunity for all then it must provide training for all voca- tions so that every boy and every girl may find himself or herself and thereby attain the goal of self perfection as a world worker and resident. This will mean greater expend- iture for education through the extension of all forms of trade and maufacturing educational institutions. An age of skilled workers calls for the production of skilled workers in the short- est time. The cost in time and non production makes the shortest route desirable.


Much as we may laud our educational institutions and much as we may dream of extending them in other directions than heretofore we have with us most vividly the great cost of maintaining schools. Sometimes it seems as if the cost is far too great. But when we take any financial statement exem- plfying the cost of a school system for a year or term of years and examine it we find that a very large percentage of the outlay is for labor, not the indirect labor of producing coal and books but the direct toil of men and women in the schools with the children and young people, toil for their comfort in small part, mostly in the work of instructing. Since this is the fact it is evident that the very large increase in the cost of education the past few years is due almost entirely to the in- crease in wages all over the country in all lines of human endeavor. A noticeable difference is that the pay of the edu- cators has not changed much until quite recently while that of most other labor rose very sharply early in the epoch that has wrought such great changes throughout the world. Study of this problem reveals the reason for the very marked increase in teachers' salaries reported in papers the past few weeks in so many cities and towns. Study of the wage problem rela- tively also shows most clearly the reason for the teacher short- age that is indeed a question of no little concern at this time. And we also see the reason for the falling off in numbers


114


entering training for the great art of dealing with our young people.


There is indeed a shortage of teachers of serious moment. State Superintendent Thomas of Maine reports 80 schools in that State closed on account of the teacher shortage. He also estimates that unless something drastic is done at the coming town and city annual meetings that there will be a demand for 500 teachers another fall that cannot be filled. His complete report is well worth our careful study as it deals with the subject from several angles that have an important bearing on the future of all things. New Jersey is reported as seeking 1000 teachers. About one fourth of the teachers in the United States left the work during the last four years and the percentage of those fitting in Normal School to graduate dur- ing the past four years in the United States is 30 per cent be- low normal. Recent figures given me at the State House show that our Massachusetts Normal Schools graduated 14.6 per cent fewer girls in 1918 than in 1917, 30 per cent fewer in 1919 than in 1917, and it is estimated that the number to graduate in 1920 will be 33 per cent less than in 1917. All who graduate do not enter the school room. There is no question about the shortage of teachers and there is a pros- pect of a still greater shortage unless living expenses are great- ly lessened, or other lines of business stop offering such good wages to workmen, or unless a very great advance in the sal- aries is generally made .. It is all but impossible to predict where the high water mark will be.


The serious consequences of an impaired supply of teach- ers, depleted by resignations, and lessened by lack of new material, lowering of the standard of instruction, is clear in the case of the teachers, but it is clearer in the case for the children. If one teacher is worried over meeting her ex- penses, or disheartened and dissatified because many of her acquaintences in other lines with less training and fewer years


115


of service are getting much higher wages and are free from the shrivelling criticism many a teacher worker has to endure, the children in her room are suffering the loss of much val- uable inspirational service as well as much loss of time. When factory workers are discontented their efficiency is dimished. Discontent among brain workers is absolutely deadening.


Your recent action in regard to the wages of our teach- ers seems to be fairly just and satisfactory to the needs for the present. I am confident that the teachers are quite gen- erally satisfied with current salaries and that they have settled down for a term of happy vigorous work. In the case of vacancies we should now be able to seek teachers of the type Wayland will honor and approve. The future outlook is very uncertain and can only be met as developements point the way.


Dr. Sylvester's work in the schools is worthy of special attention and his report should be carefully read. Outside of the work and influence of Dr. Sylvester the work of giving in- struction as to health and physical development consists of a few simple exercises of the calisthenic type and health talks in connection with physiology and hygiene. Several towns employ a visiting nurse who is able to supplement the work of the school physician, advise with the teacher , and follow up the advice of the school physician by visiting parents and explaining to them the needs of dental and other corrective assistance toward development into strong men and wo xen physically. Dental clinics have been established and are proving of great worth in the care of the teeth and have les- sened the expense greatly. The health and physical devel- opment subject is worth of most careful consideration.


Wayland should also consider the re-establishment of the shop and sewing lessons and should consider mnost care-


116


fully the value of establishing and maintaining courses in household arts.


In these times of high prices and the very high cost of education as compared to the past, cities and towns will of necessity examine more closely all the work of the schools in an endeavor to ascertain wherein the cost may be lessened or at least a slowing up of the ever increasing cost of education. The State Board of Education is studying the problem and may have in the future some recommendations worthy of study and adaptation


Already certain changes have been made in laws giving more freedom to the State Board of Education in determining methods of handling the high school problem in small towns. This is a topic that will be before many small towns in the State the next year or so and it should be studied exhaustively.


It is fitting that Wayland should make a thorough in- vestigation of her high school situation, the means for pro- viding for the educating of her young people beyond the grades in other communities, and thus give the high school question a thorough overhauling that our high school may either have better and more whole hearted support in the community whether we hold all the children in town or whether some are sent out of town by individuals. It is not a simple question. The advantages and disadvantages need to be weighed carefully as to the education of our young people ; the financial and transportation issues will come in for close and thorough study; the length of time the out of town schools may likely be able to receive outside children.


The town of Sudbury is studying this question. The State now permits towns to unite in a union high school under the direction of a joint committee. Wayland and Sudbury may do well to consider together the proposition of a union high school.


117


This question should not be settled hastily. A full and thorough investigation should be made so that the facts may be fully compiled, analized, and the matter brought before the town in a clear and unbiased light. That which is best for the education of our young people should be done. There are advantages and disadvantages in both methods of pro- cedure. They should be weighed carefully and the decision should be made for the interest of the boys and girls.


I wish to thank the members of the School Committee for their personal interest in the welfare of the teachers. A corps of teachers happy in the school room, comfortable and content at home, is one great step toward patient and vigorous work with the children. I am sure that the teachers appreciate this thoughtfulness and that they are giving the best of them- selves to the service of the schools.


Respectfully submitted, F. H. BENEDICT


118


REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL


Mr. Frank H. Benedict, Superintendent of Schools Wayland, Mass.


1


-


Dear Mr. Benedict :


I herewith submit to you my second report as Principal of the Wayland High School.


The total number of students attending the school since September 8, 1919 is 55. The present enrollment is 50, of which 28 are girls and 27 boys. The four classes are repre- sented as follows: Freshmen 24, Sophomores 13, Juniors 11 and Seniors 7. The 50 students now attending are distributed to the courses offered as follows : College Course 17, Science Course 5, and Commercial Course 28.


The organization of the school is much the same as last year. There have been changes in the teaching corps but the number of teachers has remained the same and the work out- lined in the course of study is being given. Miss MacMillan, instructor in English is the only full time teacher remaining from last year's corps. Miss Boland is with us for Music once a week as last year. The new teachers are Miss Decatur who has the work in Latin and French; Miss Canniffe, who has charge of the Commercial work; and Miss Hosmer who comes Tuesdays to give instruction in Drawing and Art Metal work.


Having car service between Wayland and Cochituate has ju'[.roved the school schedule, for we no longer have to excuse students early to go home on the barge: The car service has made it possible for students to obtain help after regular school hours, and has given the boys an opportunity to get


119


together for athletic work. Several games of football have been played and quite a bit of spirit aroused. The boys are looking forward to next season to demonstrate that Wayland High has a team worth while. Steps have been taken to de- velope a hockey team in the near future and to arrange for base ball for May and June.


We have given up holding the "Athletic Association" meetings and in place of them are giving a few dances. Al- ready two dances have been given by the school. The first was given by the Junior Class Nov. 21, 1919 at the Town Hall. The second was given by the Senior Class Dec. 12, 1919, at the Grange Hall, Cochituate. These were both very pleasant par- ties.


A part of the money given by the class of 1919 has already been spent for reference books, and the remainder will be used when we find the right books. Having acquired these books I find that the school is in need of some new book cases and a small table. I would suggest that these be obtained in the near future so as to make the books of immediate service to the students.


We are to use the "Literary Digest" this year in con- nection with the history work during the last part of the year. This was done last year with much success. It seems to me that while this may be enough time to give to an intensive study that we ought to have magazines on our table through the entire school year. I wish to recommend that a fund be set aside to purchase such periodicals.


The school is badly in need of science equipment but I shall speak of only two points of weakness. It is difficult to do work involving heat because one cannot get heat in suffi- cient quantity from our small alcohol lamps. If something better cannot be found, of course there is little need for ap- paratus along the line of heat. I have thought that cylinders


120


of compressed gas might be obtained and used to supply our laboratory needs. In electricity the school is equipped for very simple work. We should begin to plan for work using commercial direct and alternating currents. The original ex- pense for such equipment is quite large but the work is worth while.


In the past courses have been given in manual training and domestic science. It seems to me that these subjects should be given a place in our course of study again. They bring quite an expense to the community it is true. To one not in school work this expense seems entirely out of propor- tion to the benefit derived, but people in close touch with edu- cational work believe that students obtain much that is worth while from these courses.


At intervals of six weeks a report showing the student's standings is sent home for inspection and four weeks later a letter is sent, if the student's work has fallen below a passing grade. It is a rare occurrence to hear from the home in case a student is doing poor work. I think it would aid much if parents would take enough interest in the student's work to communicate with me and in some cases have a personal interview. Whenever a student is absent from a class much of the value of the work being covered is lost. Made up work is never covered so well as that done in the regular class. Be- cause of the loss whenever a student is absent, parents and guardians should be unwilling to permit a student's absence from school except for sickness of the student or some mem- ber of the family.


Respectfully submitted,


DAVID J. ALLEN


I21


REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN


Frank H. Benedict,


Superintendent of Wayland Schools ;


Sir :


I herewith have the honor to hand you my report as School Physician for 1919.


I have reason to congratulate the inhabitants of Wayland that their children are so well cared for in the schools by all who have anything to do with their instruction and well be- ing in their school life.


As I examine them year after year I notice a steady im- provement in their physical condition. I am glad to notice an increasing tendency for parents to care for the teeth of their little children. There is at present room for improve- ment in some of the children. However, I expect in the future that children having perfect teeth will be as usual as the re- verse to-day.


I have found all the school buildings in the town well cared for by the janitors. Especially do I notice the complete absence of the characteristic school room odor that is found in many schools where the ventilation is not so well cared for.


I regard the teachers as models in every way. I am al- ways glad to visit the schools because I see so much to admire in the methods of teaching today. My examinations have been much facilitated by the efficient aid of the Superintendent who seems to have the schools well in hand.


122


I have examined every school child in town. I am glad to report that very little real disease is present among them. A few children are not properly nourished, sometimes on account of diseased teeth and tonsils.


WAYLAND


Grades Examined


Number Ex. Defective Perfect


Miss Whitten's Room


23


15


8


Miss Malloy's Room


29


18


11


Miss O'Here's Room


32


19


13


Miss Thissell's Room


21


9


12


Mr. Allen's Room


15


COCUITUATE


!


Miss Cann's Room


21


15


12


Miss Noel's Room


25


21


4


Mrs. McNamara's Room


30


23


Miss Prescott's Room


33


22


11


Miss Oakes' Room


28


15


13


Mr. Tupper's Room


21


11


16


Totals of Examinations


327


183


144


By "defective" in most cases is meant that the teeth or tonsils are diseased. By "perfect" is meant that the teeth are not diseased or made in good condition by dental art. The ap- parent number of defectives is increased because I mark every child defective having even one diseased tooth. In the records I have kept will be seen that one bad tooth this year will mean two or three next, and so on during their school life,


Respectfully submitted,


W. H. SYLVESTER


School Physician


123


SCHOOL CALENDER 1920


WINTER TERM


School opens, Monday, January 5. School closes, Friday, March 26.


SPRING TERM


School opens Monday, April 5.


Grammar Schools close Friday, June 18.


Grammar School Graduation, Thursday Evening June 17, Town Hall High School Graduation, Wednesday Evening, June 23, Grange Hall.


FALL TERM


School opens Tuesday, September 7


Grammar School closes Friday, December 17. High School closes Thursday, December 23.


1921


WINTER TERM Schools open Monday, January 3.


124


CHART 1


Registration, December 12, 1919


School


Room Grade


No. in Grade Total


Wayland Center


1


I


10


II


13


2


III


23


IV


8


31


3


V


15


VI


17


32


4


VII


13


VIII


6


19


Cochituate


1


Sub-I


30


30


2


I


21


21


3


II


14


III


23


37


4


IV


15


V


14


29


5


VI


17


VII


10


27


6


VII


17


VIII


12


29


Class


High School


Freshman


24


Sophomore


13


Junior


11


Senior


55


Rooms 1, 2, and 5, assist in the work of the other three rooms to equalize the burden of the work and to distribute more equitably the time of instruction.


Total Registration, Center


105


Total Registration, Cochituate


173


Total Registration, in the grades


278


High School Registration


55


Registration in all schools


333


125


CHART ?


Eye and Ear Tests


Number of children examined


300


Number found defective in vision


20


Number found defective in hearing


0


Number of parents notified


12


CHART 3


Roll of Students Perfect in Attendance, 1918-1919


George R. Spofford


Trueman Sanderson


Evelene Perodeau


Albert G. Keith


Charles Baldwin


Elvin E. Hawes


Alfred H. Dean


Thelma Valetine


CHART 4


Roll of Graduates


Center Grammar


Cochituate Grammar


Doris E. Carter


Kenneth G. Barry


Robert E. Dolan


Emaline G. Bowles


Mae L. Foley


Harold L. Buck


John J. Foley


Oloff N. Carter


Florence E. Hynes


Roy T. Carter


Alice W. Mills


Raymond F. Coakley


Renee Poutasse


Jennie E. Coleman


Olive K. Ranney


Alfred H. Dean


Anna M. Sherman


Joseph W. Hammond


Emma J. Videon


Francis W. Ward


Thomas G. McEnroy Dennis J. McSweeney Thomas F. Murray Flora I. Pettigrew


Foster R. Spofford


Gladys V. Schleicher


126


Wayland High School


Margaret Eleanor Bent


Ralph P. Norris


Albert Martin Coffey


Bertha G. Phylis


Taivo A. Erickson


Edith K. Poutasse


Marie Hodge


Helen V. Smeltz


James Linnehan


Kenneth E. Morrell


Roger E. Valentine


CHART 5 Organization of Teaching Staff, January 5, 1919


Name


School


Department


Theted Education


David J. Allen


Prin. High


Math. Science


1018


Brown Universtiy


Alice M. Brennan


High


Latin, French


1,10


Boston University


Gladys M. MacMillan


High


English, History


1.13


Boston University


Veronica M. Caniffe


Iligh


Commercial


1919


"allin Normal


Helen Thissell


Center


Grades VIII-VII


1919


Lowell Normal


Helen C. O'Hare


Center


Grades VI-V


1918


Lowell Normal


Alice C. Malloy


Center


Grades IV-III


1918


Lowell Normal


Mabel C. Whitten


Center


Grades II-I


1910


Johnson Normal


Russell E. Tupper Prin. Cochituate


Grades VIII-VII


1911


Hyannis Normal


Jane E. Oakes


Cochituate


Grade VI


1919


Framingham Normal


Sylvia E. Prescott


Cochituate


Grades V-IV


1011


Quincy Training School


Janet M. McNamara


Cochituate


Grades III-II


1211


North Adams Normal


Jane Noel


Cochituate


Grade I


1016


Framingham Normal


Gladys Cann


Cochituate


Grade Sub-First


1918


Ixste, Normal


Agnes E. Boland


Supervisor


Music


1911


N. E. Conservatory of Music


Florence A. Hosmer


Supervisor Drawing


1919


Mass. Normal Art


127


128


GYPSY AND BROWN TAIL MOTH


FROM JANUARY 1st 1919 to DECEMBER 31st 1919 Pay Roll


Daniel J. Graham


$911.50


Leonard Hynes


119.00


George Poutasse Jr.


539.00


$1,569.50


Schedule of Bills


A. W. Atwood, Team for Spraying


55.50


Daniel J. Graham, Expense Account 2.65


C. A. Benson, Gasoline 12.16


A. W. Atwood. Team for Spraying 84.00


William Stearns, Pole for Sprayer


5.00


A. W. Atwood, Team for Sprayer


10.00


Daniel J. Graham, Expense Account


1.13


M. W. Hynes, Postage Stamps


4.50


A. W. Brownell. Moth Notices


5.15


Alice Haynes. Mailing Moth Notices


5.50


C. A. Benson, Gasoline 9.15


State Foresters Department


561.38


831.12


DANIEL J. GRAHAM


Superintendent


129


TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT


1919


State Tax


$5,500.00


State Highway Tax


516.20


County Tax


2,825.68


Town Tax


55,276.78


Overlay


224.63


Excise Tax


891.54


Additional Tax


21.73


Collected Paid Treasurer


12,396.54


Abated


308.83


Excise Tax Uncollected


891.54


Balance


30,998.48


Apportionment from State


15,661.17


$65,256.56 $65.256.56


1918


Additional


$12.98


Balance 1919


27,379.88


Excise


829.98


Collected Paid Treasurer


$8,673.80


Excise Tax uncollected


829.98


Abated


23.24


Balance


18,695.3%


$28,222.84 $28,222.84


1917


Balance 1919


$17,776.32


130


Collected Paid Treasurer Abated Balance


$9,932.72 35.10


7,808.50


$17,776.32 $17,776.32


1916


Balance 1919


$8,718.11


Collected Paid Treasurer


$6,682.13


Abated


1,028.40


Balance


1,007.58


$8718.11 $8.718.11


MOTH TAX 1919


Amount


$757.25


Collected Paid Treasurer


$172.71


Balance


584.54


$757.25


$751.25


MOTH TAX 1918


Balance 1919


$296.45


Collected Paid Treasurer


$94.33


Balance


202.12


$296.45


$296.45


MOTH TAX 1917


Balance 1919


$248.29


Collected Paid Treasurer


$111.41


Balance


$6.82


$248.29


$248.29


MOTH TAX 1916


Balance 1919 92.60


Collected Paid Treasurer 34.32


131


Balance


58.28


$92.60


$92.60


MOTH TAX 1915


Balance 1919


19.15


Collected Paid Treasurer


19.45


Total Collections 1919


$43,955.87


All 1916 and 1917 unpaid taxes are to be collected at once by advertising property and polls unpaid by warrant.


The 1918 unpaid taxes have to be collected on or before Oct. 1st. 1920.


Hope all of above tax payers will take notice of this and save extra costs, charges and advertising by paying at once.


LESTER R. GERALD Collector


132


REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE SINKING FUND


- -


CLOSING OF THE ACCOUNT FEB. 26, 1919 Amount on deposit in the International


Trust Co. Sav. Dept. Jan. 2, 1919 $3,125.50


January 8, Interest, City of Boston Bond 20.00


Feb. 3, 1919, Town of Wayland Note 2,500 0.


Feb. 3, 1919, Interest on above 103.13


Feb. 2, 1919, Town of Wayland Appro- priation 1,408.80


Interest on deposit to Feb. 26 1919 42.44


SECURITIES SOLD FEB. 26th, 1919


2000 Old Colony R. R. 31/2s 1932, 79 1,580.00


Interest 1-24 10.50


1000 Old Colony R. R. 4s 1925, 89 7-8 898.75 Interest 2-24 9.33


1000 Fitchburg R. R. 4s 1928, 78 7-8 788.75 Interest 1-24 6.00


2000 Boston & Maine R. R. registered 4s 1926 (flat) 87 1-8 1,742.50


2000 N.Y. N. H & H. R. R. 4s July 1955, 56 1,120.00


Interest 1-24 12.00


9000 Liberty, 2d, 414s, 94.22 8,479.80 -


Interest 3-10 106.25


$7,199.87


133


1000 Boston 4s July 1927, 943/4 947.50


Interest 1 mo. 24 days 6.00


3000 Newton 4s April 1922, 971/2 2,925.00


Interest 4 mo. 24 days ( 48.00


500 Quincy 31/2s April 1939, 841/2 422.50


Interest 4 mo. 24 days 2.00


3000 Boton Elevated 4s May 1935, 681/2 2,055.00


Interest 3 mo. 24 days 38.00


3000 Boston Elevated 412s 1941 681/2 2,055.00


Interest 3 mo. 24 days 42.75


5,460.00


6000 Boston & Albany 5s 1963. 91 4 mo. 24 days


120.00


5000 Chicago, Burlington & Quincy,


(Il1. Div.) 31/2S 3,758.40


$32,639.03


Less :-


Transfer $6000 Boston & Albany R. R. Co. Registered to Coupon 6.00


32,633.03


Less :- Commissions charged for sale of Securites 15.63


32,617.40


39,817.27


Check on International Trust Co. Savings Dept. to order of F. E. Yeager, Treasurer of the Town of Wayland $39,817.27


CHESTER B. WILLIAMS,Chairman JOHN CONNELLY, Secretary WALTER B. HENDERSON, Treasurer


Wayland, Mass May 27th 1919


134


REPORT OF HIGHWAY SURVEYOR


Feb. 3 1919 Appropriation


$4,500.00


Feb. 5, 1919 Oiling 2,500.00


Nov. 16, 1919 State Highway Commission 400.00


Dec. 18, 1919 State Highway Commission 150.43


Dec. 18, 1919 County Commissioners


550.43


8,100.86


Dec. 31, Expenditures


10,420.83


$2,319.97


GENERAL HIGHWAY


February 6


T. L. Hynes, ^ days 21.00


T. L. Hynes. team, î days 24.50


J.E. Dolan, î days 21.00


March 15


C. W. Fairbank, ? days, 4 hrs. 26.25


C. W. Fairbank, team, î days, 4 hrs.


3.50


C. Gay, 1 day


3.50


S. C. Fairbank, 1 day


3.50


T. L. Hynes, team 10 days


35.00


L. T. Hynes, 10 days


35.00


T. L. Hynes, 10 days


35.00


J. W. Eagan, 8 days


28.00


J. W. Eagan, team 8 days 23.00


J. F. Malloy, 10 days 35.00


J. Dolan 10 days


35.00


:35


Edward Eagan 10 days


35.00


Edward Hynes, 10 days


35.00


Otis Porter, 10 days 35.00


George Dickey 6 days, 4 hrs.


22.75


W. Randolph ? days 24.50


J. Ford 6 days 21.00


March 31


C. W. Fairbank, 14 days 5 hrs. 51.19


C. W. Fairbank, team, 13 days 1 hr.


45.94


C. Gay, 6 days 4hrs. 22.75


22.75


W. Ford, 6 days


21.00


W. C. Neal, 3 days


10.50


H. Wyatt, 6 days 21.00


H. Wyatt, team 6 days


21.00


T. Murray, 4 days


14.00


L. Dunham, 4 days 14.00


R. Carroll, 4 days


14.00


W. Fairclough 1 day


3.50


T. Garvey, 4 days


14.00


C. Maguire, 2 days


7.00


T. L. Hynes, 8 days, 4 hrs


29.75


T. L. Hynes, team, 8 days 28.00


L. T. Hynes, ^ days 4 hrs. 26.25


L. T. Hynes, team, î days, 4 hrs. 26.25


J. W. Eagan, 6 days 4 hrs. 22.15


J. W. Eagan, team, 6 days 4hrs. 22.75


J F. Malloy, î days, 4 hrs. 26.25


25.25


J. E. Dolan, ? days 4 hrs.




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