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
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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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