USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wayland > Official reports of the town of Wayland 1945-1947 > Part 19
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Fulfilling this obligation for the calendar year 1946, we transmit to the citizens our annual report. To all those who assisted the School Committee during the past year, we express sincere appreciation.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES F. MOORE, JR., CORNELIUS J. MAGUIRE, HARVEY C. NEWTON, School Committee.
SCHOOL CALENDAR, 1947
Schools open January 2
Winter Vacation-Week of February 23
Holiday-April 4
Spring Vacation-Week of April 20
Holiday-May 30
Elementary Schools close June 13
High School closes June 20
Schools open September 3 Holiday-October 13
Holiday-October 31
Holiday-November 11
Holiday-November 27, 28
Christmas Vacation-December 24-January 4
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SCHOOL ENTRANCE
Any child who is five years and eight months of age on September first of the current school year may be admitted to the first grade but in every case the admission of a child under six shall be dependent upon the fitness of the child to profit by the work of the school, such fitness to be determined by the superintendent. Pupils under the age of seven years who have not previously attended school shall not be permitted to enter later than thirty days after the opening of school in September except by special permission of the superintendent. Certificates of birth and vaccination shall be required at the time of entrance.
NO-SCHOOL SIGNAL
WBZ, WNAC and WEEI will broadcast the no-school announcement between 7:00 and 8:00 A. M. In addition two blasts will be sounded on the fire alarm in Wayland and five blasts in Cochituate at 7:30 A. M. It shall be the policy of the School Department, however, to order the no-school signal only in the most severe weather conditions or when the transporta- tion system is disrupted. At other times parents are expected to use their own judgment in sending children to school. On ordinary rainy or snowy days, the no-school signal will not be given.
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FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT FOR 1946
Regular Appropriation
$83,458.75 81,659.76
Expenditures
Unexpended Balance
$1,798.99
Summary of Receipts
General School Fund, Part I $ 5,395.00
Tuition and Transportation of
State Wards
1,145.20
Rental of Buildings
34.00
Total Receipts $6,574.20
Summary of Receipts and Expenditures
Expenditures
$81,659.76
Receipts
6,574.20
Net Cost of Department to the Town
$75,085.56
Expenditures
General Control
Superintendent's Salary
$ 2,437.50
Other Expenses
1,675.00
Instruction
Teachers' Salaries
52,875.75
Textbooks
1,815.11
Supplies
1,584.87
Operation
Janitors' Salaries
5,450.40
Fuel
2,700.00
Miscellaneous
2,100.00
Buildings and Equipment
Maintenance and Outlay
2,000.00
Other Agencies
Transportation
7,972.00
Health
650.00
Libraries
299.86
Sundries
99.27
Total Expenditures $81,659.76
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Teachers' Salaries *- 1946
Allen, David J. $ 3,150.00
Bates, Phyllis B. 1,600.00
Campbell, Jane N. 1,669.50
** Clark, Herbert A. 350.00
Currier, Doris G.
1,770.00
** Daley, Mrs. W. A. J.
5.00
Doherty, Mrs. Nathalie F.
1,501.50
** Dorrington, Paul E. 712.50
Draper, Mabel S.
1,927.50
** Dziejma, Peter M.
660.00
Esty, Mabel
115.00
Fleck, Mrs. Anne Duffie
40.00
Foster, Janie C.
1,980.00
** Gearin. Russell F.
720.00
Gladu, Elizabeth
238.00
Gladu, Francis R.
2,320.00
** Grabau, Carl E.
580.00
Houghton, Leroy K.
6.00
Irvine, Eva M.
1,638.75
** Irvine, Frances D.
952.00
** Janning, Reinold W.
460.00
** Johnson, Eleanor M.
112.50
Kelley, M. Rita
1,848.75
Kerr, Mary
1,927.50
Kerrigan, Marjorie
23.00
Kerrigan, Ruth R.
1,475.00
*Lareau, Marjorie
951.87
Lindsay, Edith May
1,393.25
** Marden, William H.
917.50
** Margarita, Henry R.
460.00
*McDonnell, Mary E.
560.00
Merrithew, Maude E.
2,180.00
Morrill, Ethelyn M.
1,667.50
*Morrill, Radcliffe
3,032.50
** Murray, Michael J.
680.00
** Nathanson, Joseph P. O'Neil, Mary E.
840.00
1,927.50
** Paget, Elizabeth A.
600.00
** Partridge, Eleanor M.
998.75
Peaslee, Marguerite E.
820.00
Quigley, Mary
1,030.00
*** Raymond, Elizabeth
172.00
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Salmon, Catherine T.
1,612.50
Simpson, A. Marion
2,180.00
** Sisson, Marjorie P. *: *Stiles, Margaret W.
600.00
6.00
** Strickland, Samuel P., Jr.
740.00
** Twomey, Dorothy C.
951.87
Winston, Louise E.
1,782.00
$53,895.74
Massachusetts Audubon Society
150.00
Rinehart Handwriting System
650.00
$54,695.74
* Includes Bonus payments, $1,819.99
** Part of school year
*** Substitute teachers
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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee, Wayland, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen :
I herewith respectfully submit to you and the citizens of Wayland my third annual report.
Today there is a mounting tide of sentiment in behalf of better schools. It swells from the ranks of citizens in every American community who recognize more clearly than ever that a high level of universal education is indispensable to the solution of the basic problems of national and world citizenship. In underwriting adequate school programs, cost factors must be faced squarely now, or our post-war youth may be unduly penalized in a society demanding this education on an ever in- creasing scale. This report, therefore, centers on an analysis of our budget in attempting to provide support in the two areas of greatest cost-salaries and buildings.
SALARIES
In 1946 instructional salaries constituted approximately 65% of the budget. Salaries of all School Department per- sonnel totaled 75%. Our proposed 1947 budget retains these percentages which are in line with state and national averages. The major problem, however, is not the salary proportion of the over-all budget, but rather the salary of the individual teacher. Nationally we are faced with an acute shortage of qualified in- structors. Sixty thousand teaching positions were unfilled this year, and one teacher in ten held his position on an emergency certificate. This grave situation is the result of a chain of eco- nomic circumstances. For many years teaching has been a poor- ly paid public service, and a large majority of our teachers have lived on the border-line of economic respectability. War-time inflation followed by post-war inflation and the consequent shrinkage of the purchasing power of the dollar has accelerated the migration of teachers into more lucrative fields.
180
As an example of the wage differential existing in a com- parable field, the minimum professional salary in the federal service is $2,645. The average for all professional workers in the federal government is $4,150 as compared with $2,000 for teachers. A profession, one-half of whose number receives less than $2,000, no longer can attract or hold capable people. The result has been a large annual turnover-more than we would tolerate in business. This year nine staff changes occurred in Wayland. A breakdown shows one retirement, one marriage, and seven resignations to accept higher paying positions. The average salary increase offered to the seven teachers who left the Wayland Public Schools was $750.
In an effort to correct the above conditions, the School Department has continued its policy of promoting more equit- able salaries for all employees. At joint meetings of the Teachers' Salary Committee and the School Committee, the fol- lowing preparational-type single salary schedule was agreed upon and adopted.
ANNUAL STEPS
1 2
3 4
5 6 7 8 9
Max. 10
Preparation :
No degree
1600 1700
1800
1900 2000 2100 2200 2300 2400 2500
Bachelor's
degree
1700 1800
1900
2000 2100 2200 2300 2400 2500 2600
Master's degree
1800 1900 2000 2100 2200 2300 2400 2500 2600 2700
At this time such a schedule places Wayland approximately at the median salary level in comparably sized communities. The present national trend strongly indicates the need of continually upgrading schedules such as ours. In November, California took the national lead when its voters overwhelmingly approved a minimum salary of $2,400 for all teachers.
In supporting our program of education, the Town under- writes approximately 93% of the cost and the State contributes the fractional 7%. If the quality of our schools is to be im- proved, as suggested, there must be increased State support and an extension of federal participation in the financing of public education. That these outside sources of revenue will increase seems almost a certainty in the immediate future.
BUILDINGS
In the Annual Report of the School Department for 1944
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and 1945, mention was made of the proposed building program. The summary of that program is presented below :
Present Status of Schools
1. High School (constructed 1935) Housing 9 class- rooms of all types, com- bination study hall and library, combination audi- torium-gymnasium, auxili- ary offices for headmaster, dean, teachers, and nurse.
2. Cochituate School (con- structed 1910-3 room ad- dition in 1925) Housing 8 classrooms, remedial room, dental clinic and admin- istrative office.
3. Center School (construc- ted 1896) Housing 8 class- rooms, cafeteria-assembly room, teachers' room, ad- ministrative offices, and a dental clinic.
Proposed Building Program
1. Addition to and an enlargement of the present High School to contain all modern facilities nec- essary for separate junior-senior high school organization (grades 7-12). Additional
classrooms, cafeteria, vocational shop, and ex- panded physical education facili- ties.
2. Transfer grades 7 and 8 to jun- ior-senior high school thus pro- viding 8 regular classrooms for grades 1-6 elementary school ex- pansion. Recommend municipal auditorium-gymnasium combina- tion as annex. Cafeteria facili- ties to be included, and extra classrooms as growth increases.
3. A $6500 remedial room addition (approved in 1943) to be built when materials are available. Transfer grades 7 and 8 to jun- ior-senior high school thus pro- viding 8 regular classrooms for grades 1-6 elementary school ex- pansion.
In September, 738 students enrolled in the Wayland Public Schools as follows: Center School 261, Cochituate School 289, High School 188. This enrollment represents capacity opera- tion on some grade levels and overcrowding on others. Our first grades opened with 45 students in each room. The ideal pupil-teacher load is 20 students and, although the present state average approximates 33, it is particularly important to have small classes on the beginning grade levels. An enrollment breakdown of our elementary schools shows three classrooms in the 25-29 bracket (smallest class-27), five in the 30-34 bracket, six in the 35-39 bracket, and two in the 40-45 bracket (largest class-45). The mode of this distribution falls in the 35-39 grouping with the average class size at 35 pupils.
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A temporary adjustment is planned for September, 1947 when the Remedial Clinic in the Cochituate School will be con- verted into a first grade classroom. Distributing 35 students to each teacher, a capacity of 105 students may be cared for next year. The Clinic Teacher will divide her time equally between the Cochituate and Center Schools using offices and special rooms for temporary quarters.
At best this housing arrangement does not lend itself to efficient operation and with the greatly increased number of births during the war and the post-war building boom already underway, the prospects of increasing enrollments are more than probable. Faced with similarly critical needs many com- munities have established priorities for each department in the planned capital outlay program. This year a neighboring town of equal size appropriated $500,000 for its future school build- ing program.
As outlined in the above summary, step one seems to be the addition to the High School to meet very apparent needs on the secondary level and to make immediately possible our transfer in structure to a 6-6 system. This would establish the Cochit- uate and Center Buildings as six-year elementary schools and the High School as a six-year secondary school housing grades seven through twelve.
Material shortages and general labor conditions make it exceptionally difficult to estimate the cost of such a project. If construction could be planned now and completed for the Fall opening in 1948 or 1949, the approximate cost in 1947 dollars would be $335,000.
Step two in the long-range planning program would care for the building needs in Cochituate. Again in terms of ap- approximate cost, this project would total $220,000. Both of these estimates are based on second-class construction arranged under two coefficients-88 cents per cubic foot for classroom space and the like, and 82 cents per cubic foot for the enlarged gymnasium-auditorium space. Without doubt, building aid will be forthcoming from state and federal sources At the present time, the Federal Works Agency allows a town to borrow mon- ies without interest for such building plans.
A comprehensive and exhaustive consideration of the prob- lems of the School Department's organization is not possible in the limited space of this report. In giving an account of our stewardship in 1946, it is necessary therefore, to differentiate
.
183
and select the content, giving only brief treatment to some of our activities.
Plant
The planned program of building improvements and the installation of suitable equipment in our schools has been con- tinued throughout the year. At the High School, the following projects were completed : (1) Basement vents were installed. (2) An athletic storage cage was constructed in the locker room for physical education equipment. (3) In order to improve the hot water system for showers, an automatic gas hot water heater was installed and is proving effective. (4) Double seat- ing has been eliminated and desks have now been placed in single aisle fashion where necessary throughout the building. (5) Under needed equipment an Ediphone was purchased for the Commercial Department, which will aid in teaching modern office techniques of transcription. A Rex-o-graph machine was purchased for duplication purposes. The schools now have facilities for spirit process duplication, gelatin process duplica- tion and mimeographing. The intallation of a safe in the office completed the equipment purchases for the High School.
At the Cochituate and Center Schools, the macadamizing of the areas in the immediate vicinity of these buildings was completed. This now means that hard-surface play areas are available, and custodial problems which resulted from the daily tracking of mud and gravel into the buildings have been reduced to a minimum. At the Cochituate School the grass plots on the north and south sides of the building have been landscaped. The School Department is deeply appreciative of the civic efforts on the part of the Cochituate Garden Club in assisting in this landscaping program.
At the Center School the installation of electric clocks com- pletes the School Department's modernization program in this field.
Physical Education
This year men teachers were introduced on the junior high school level, two being assigned to the Cochituate School and two to the Center School. This assignment has proved advan- tageous in general building supervision, assisting the principals in each of the buildings, and also in carrying out our expanded physical education curriculum. At the High School, an assistant coach has been added to the varsity coaching staff, and the suc-
184
cess of the program is already seen and is treated more com- prehensively in the Headmaster's report.
The gap caused by the lack of a girls' physical education supervisor in grades one through twelve has been filled with the appointment of an instructor in September. A more purpose- ful program is now planned for all girls in physical education.
The athletic field grading project presently under the joint supervision of the School and Park Departments is progressing and when completed will aid immeasurably in the planned ex- pansion of the sports and recreation program.
Health
A clinical program caring for both elementary schools by means of weekly dental clinics was established in September. Already the advantages over the alternate week system of clin- ics are clearly demonstrated in improved teeth and general health.
The chest x-ray clinic underwritten by the Middlesex Health Association operated successfully again this year. Fresh- men and seniors in high school and all new students to the school this year were x-rayed in addition to all members of the school staff. Once again the records showed that not a single case of adult type tuberculosis existed.
Following the recommendations of the Department of Pub- lic Health, an additional toxoid clinic was held this year in order to give an immunization booster to all students. This was done because of the spread of diphtheria throughout the state. At the present time, 300 cases have been reported.
The Massachusetts Vision Testing Program has been made more effective through the purchase of suitable equipment. The School Department is grateful to the local Committees of the Salvation Army who were responsible for this purchase.
School Lunch
At the beginning of this school year, a federal subsidy school lunch program was introduced in the High School. Through this assistance, a "Type A" hot lunch is served similar to the type offered students in the Wayland Center Building. The Cochituate School continues to operate under the "Type C" program, and although this is proving worthwhile, the School Department looks forward to the day when a building addition will allow for cafeteria facilities.
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Penmanship
In order to improve penmanship, a supervisor has been assigned to the elementary schools. The Rinehart Functional Handwriting System will be taught. This system has proved most satisfactory in many Massachusetts and New England communities and considerable improvement should be realized by the end of the present school year. Many business men have justifiably complained over the rather poor handwriting demon- strated by the average American student. It is our hope that this condition will be corrected by means of this added super- vision.
As stated above, in a report of this type omissions must be made because of the many phases in the field of school admin- istration and the need for space conservation. Only citizen visitation to our many departments will give a complete picture. This visitation we wholeheartedly encourage.
In closing may I first express my appreciation to our teachers who, although beckoned by more remunerative oppor- tunities, have held to their positions. Teaching is indeed an essential occupation. It is in a real sense a war and post-war service to one-fifth of the population, and, as such, is a profes- sion of primary importance. In a year replete with the dis- ruptions of a world returning to peace, our obligations have increased multi-fold. To the end that these obligations be suc- cessfully fulfilled, our staff dedicates itself to the year ahead.
To the School Committee, the entire school staff, and the citizens of Wayland, I am deeply indebted and express humble appreciation for unfailing consideration.
Respectfully submitted, OWEN B. KIERNAN, Superintendent of Schools.
186
REPORT OF THE HEADMASTER OF THE HIGH SCHOOL
To the Superintendent of Schools :
I am happy to present to you the report on activities at Wayland High School for the year 1946. Entering a different system in the midst of the school year is often a trying and difficult adjustment. However, the friendliness and cooperation of Wayland High School pupils and teachers have been such that the transition has been both easy and pleasant. I am deeply impressed by the high morale and spirit of cooperation which is evidenced in all school activities. I wish to thank the citizens of the community for their helpful interest and whole-hearted support.
The Program of Studies
Since the war, the eyes of all thoughtful citizens have been focused upon the problems, needs, and changing concepts in public education. The high school, as it existed twenty-five years ago, can no longer be considered adequate for preparing modern youth for successful and satisfying participation in a rapidly changing society. The high school of today must pro- vide a broad educational background for responsible citizenship. It must offer opportunities for youth to participate in solving his personal, social, and academic problems. It must promote an atmosphere wherein students are constantly required to exer- cise discriminating thought and purposeful activity.
In 1914 only fifty percent of American youth went beyond the sixth grade. Today, because of improved educational facil- ities and stricter laws pertaining to child labor and school attendance, the majority of boys and girls remain in school until at least the tenth grade. Hence, the high school of today is in fact a school for all the children of all the people. Its popula- tion consists of pupils who vary widely in their abilities, needs, interests, and vocational education, some for specialized busi- ness activity, some for trade or agriculture, and some do not attain clearly defined objectives until late in their high school career.
187
While preparation for college or for a vocation is still an important factor in high-school education, the primary function of the high school today is to develop a background of skill, awareness, understanding, and interest which will enable young people to do better those things which they will be required to do anyway. These include the study and understanding of the problems involved in establishing a home, assuming parental responsibilities, becoming wise and discriminating consumers, good neighbors, and alert, thoughtful, useful citizens. These are responsibilities which every American youth must assume, no matter what profession or vocation he may choose to follow. The modern high school must offer more and more opportunities for the student to participate in activities which will develop sound personality and character, a respect for the rights and privileges of others, and a broad understanding of social respon- sibility. To attain these objectives, the high school program must shift its center of gravity from subject matter to the learner, from the imposition of factual teaching to participation in the learning experience, from limited, prescribed courses to a flexible and functional program of activity and experience.
The evolution of an improved curriculum is a slow and continuous process. In the spring and fall of this year a num- ber of faculty meetings were held to study the needs for cur- riculum revision at Wayland High School. One outcome of this study was the publication of a mimeographed bulletin entitled "A Program of Studies at Wayland High School." These were distributed to all upper classmen and eighth graders about to enter the Freshmen Class. In this bulletin various . subject offerings were described. Restrictive courses, such as college and commercial, were dropped in favor of a general course which permits a wide choice of educational activity for all students. It should not be inferred from this statement that subjects which prepare for college and business have been dropped from the curriculum, but rather that set combinations of such subjects are no longer required. In this plan each individual, under careful guidance, is able to plan a course of study which will fulfill his own needs and objectives.
Several courses of a general nature have been introduced. Home Mechanics surveys the basic elements of woodworking, metalworking, painting, plumbing, and electricity in such a way as to provide not only an informational background, but also to achieve skills which can be put to immediate use in making
188
simple household repairs and adjustments. In school this group has built yard markers for our football field, built and painted scenery for school plays, and assisted in making repairs about the school. During the Community Chest drive they assisted the local committee by building and erecting display posters. One serious handicap to the work of this course is the lack of proper shop facilities. We are hoping that in the near future such facilities will be made available.
A course in Consumer Economics deals primarily with the problems of the consumer. It includes units on managing one's own finances, on buying and using goods and services, on social security, group insurance, budgeting, etc. In October the Con- sumer Economics Class instituted a cooperative store known as "Way-Co." The financing and management of this enterprise has been in the hands of the students under the guidance of their teacher. The stock consists largely of school supplies and novelties. To date the venture has proved most successful both in terms of financial profit and service to the school.
A class in Reading Improvement has been introduced to assist pupils who are retarded in reading speed, vocabulary, or comprehension. Standardized tests have been given to deter- mine specific weaknesses, and remedial teaching is given wherever necessary. Already some members of the class have shown marked improvement in other studies which require con- siderable reading.
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