USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wayland > Official reports of the town of Wayland 1945-1947 > Part 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32
2,363.50
*Grabau, Carl E.
160.00
*Henderson, Mildred A.
1,256.25
*Horan, Mary V.
968.75
Irvine, Eva M.
1,500.00
Irvine, Frances D.
1,535.25
Johnson, Eleanor M.
1,575.00
** Johnson, William M.
408.00
Kelly, M. Rita
1,645.00
Kerr, Mary
1,805.00
*Kerrigan, Ruth R.
520.00
Lareau, Marjorie M.
1,500.00
Lindsay, Edith M.
1,417.50
*Margarita, Henry R.
100.00
*Mazzarella, Ruth P.
805.00
914.49
*McArthur, Elizabeth Merrithew, Maude E. Morrill, Ethelyn M.
2,002.50
1,627.50
*Norris, Thelma
744.00
** O'Connell, M. Julie
48.00
*O'Connor, Thomas B.
1,228.75
*Bates, Phyllis B.
156
*O'Neil, Mary E.
437.50
Partridge, Eleanor W.
1,627.50
Peaslee, Marguerite E.
825.00
*Quigley, Mary E.
640.00
** Raymond, Elizabeth C.
102.00
*Salmon, Catherine T.
580.00
*Schleicher, Ernest W.
285.00
Simpson, A. Marion
2,002.50
*Terry, Louise E.
750.00
Twomey, Dorothy C.
1,500.00
*Winston, Louise E.
640.00
$49,798.62
Massachusetts Audubon Society
120.00
$49,918.62
¿ Includes Bonus payments, $1,964.37
* Part of school year
** Substitute teachers
157
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee, Wayland, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen :
I transmit to you and the citizens the Annual Report of the Superintendent of the Wayland Public Schools. This report reflects the impacts of war and peace on our schools and on the educational program in general. From the beginning of the war to its successful conclusion this year, the schools have continu- ously adjusted to meet war-imposed problems and to serve war- created needs. The full story of what the schools have done, how the schools have served, and what the schools have con- tributed, cannot be told. Time and space forbid. When future generations evaluate this program in the light of a perspective that time alone can give, they may well be impressed by the effectivness with which our democracy has used education to defeat the force and regimentation of the dictatorships.
PERSONNEL
Teaching Staff
Today a critical situation confronts the schools of the nation at this most crucial point-the teaching personnel. An attrac- tive building. modern equipment, and the right type of textual and supplementary materials all help to make a good school. But a community can have everything else that money can buy for a school, and it will not have a good school unless it has good teachers. No school is any better than its teachers.
In limited sections of the United States the salaries paid to teachers are sufficient to attract and hold capable people. In most sections, however, salaries are too low to obtain the kind of teaching that we need or to provide economic justice to the teachers. As stated in last year's report, the more attractive salaries offered in other fields have caused a war exodus of 200,000 teachers from school systems nationally. This factor
158
coupled with the 60 percent decrease in teacher college enrol- ments carries a prophecy of unfortunate consequences unless present trends are checked. This past year within the profes- sion, one teacher out of every three changed positions. Way- land ran close to the national average with ten changes in staff. Of these, one teacher represents a newly inaugurated post and one position remains unfilled. As is the case in Wayland, the marked shortage in the field of physical education has forced many Massachusetts communities to do without the services of a girls' supervisor. Our supervisor resigned in June to accept a similar position in a nearby community at a 63 percent increase in salary.
Listed below are the staff changes since January 1, 1945. Resignations :
Cochituate Building Miss Mary V. Horan
Grade Six
Center Building
Mrs. Elizabeth C. McArthur
Grade One
Miss Thelma Norris Grade Two
Mrs. Ruth Mazzerella
Grade Three
Miss Louise E. Terry
Grade Six
High School
Miss Mildred A. Henderson
Mr. Thomas B. O'Connor
English, Social Studies Science, Business
Supervisors
Mrs. Annette G. Emerson
Mr. Ernest W. Schleicher
Physical Education Music
These resignations were accepted with regret, for in each case the teacher had served the community well, and it was with a sense of loss that we recorded the termination of his services in the Wayland School Department. It is interesting to note that four teachers left to become associated with other school systems, two to establish homes, and three to enter or devote more time to business activities. Of the foregoing teachers it would seem that the resignations of Miss Mildred Henderson and Mr. Ernest Schleicher created the greatest interest and regret. Miss Henderson, after twenty years' service in the High School, left to accept a teaching assignment in her home com- munity. Mr. Schleicher, because of business pressures, resigned to devote all of his time to those activities.
159
Appointments :
Cochituate Building Miss Mary Quigley Grade Six Miss Quigley is a graduate of Boston Teachers' College with a Bachelor of Science degree and received her Master of Arts degree from the Boston College Graduate School in 1943. Before joining the staff of the Cochituate School, she taught in the schools of Boston and Dedham, Massachusetts.
Miss Louise E. Winston Remedial Teacher This is a new position inaugurated in September, 1945. Be- fore joining the Cochituate staff, Miss Winston taught in the schools of Belmont, Boston, and Mansfield, Massachusetts. She is a graduate of the Boston Teachers' College with a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Education degree.
Center Building
Miss Catherine T. Salmon Grade One Miss Salmon is a graduate of the Framingham Teachers' Col- lege with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree. She formerly taught primary grades in the Medway School System and is doing graduate work at Boston University.
Mrs. Phyllis B. Bates Grade Two
Mrs. Bates is a graduate of Brookline High School and Leslie Normal School. She previously taught in New York state and Cambridge, Massachusetts, doing graduate work at Har- vard University and Stout Institute.
Miss Ruth R. Kerrigan Grade Three Miss Kerrigan is a graduate of Wheelock College with a Bachelor of Science degree. This is her first appointment as a full-time instructor, with teaching cadetship experience in the Brookline and Newton school systems.
Miss Nathalie F. Crowley Grade Six
Miss Crowley is a graduate of Emmanuel College with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She previously taught in the schools of Stow, Massachusetts.
High School
Miss Mary E. O'Neil English, Social Studies Miss O'Neil is a graduate of Emmanuel College with a Bach- elor of Arts degree. She received her Master of Arts degree
160
from Radcliffe in 1942. Before joining the staff in the High School, she taught in the high schools of Boston, Upton, and Franklin, Massachusetts.
Mr. H. Robert Margarita Science, Physical Education Mr. Margarita is a graduate of Brown University. Following an honorable discharge from the United States Army Air Corps, his experience has been mostly in the physical educa- tion field, having completed two successful years in the pro- fessional leagues.
Supervisors
Mr. Carl E. Grabau Music Mr. Grabau is a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music and has done graduate work at Boston University and the University of Michigan. His previous teaching ex- perience was at the Fessenden School in Newton.
The School Department personnel objective is to find and retain good teachers. Good teachers who are well prepared and constantly learning more about teaching-who are supplied with excellent books and supplementary teaching materials-whose classes are small enough so that each pupil can be treated as an individual and receive maximum educational benefits-teachers who are paid salaries which make it possible to live comfortably, to continue to study, to travel, and to do other things which result in enriched teaching personalities.
Custodial Staff
On December 31 the School Department accepted with deepest regret the resignation of Thomas M. Metcalf. This marked the completion of twenty-seven years of meritorious ser- vice. On evaluating a custodial assignment one is made aware of the heavy responsibilities which are his. The health, safety, and frequently, morale of a building are reflected through his untiring efforts. He is one of the most important members of the school staff. Through the years Mr. Metcalf has met each of his responsibilities happily and efficiently, and the citizens may take justifiable pride in commending him for a job well done.
Mr. Arthur Bittle has been appointed to fill the vacancy created by Mr. Metcalf's retirement. Mr. Bittle was educated in the St. Louis Public Schools and is a veteran of six years' service in the United States Navy.
161
PROGRAM
Professional
There are thirty teachers on the staff of the Wayland School Department, including principals and supervisors. Of these, seventeen enrolled in graduate courses this past year at Boston University, Harvard University, or through the Massachusetts University Extension. The professional spirit which prevails is also reflected through the affiliations of the Teachers' Associa- tion. At present the teachers hold membership in both the Massachusetts Teachers Federation and the National Education Association, being one of six Massachusetts communities main- taining such club membership.
Principals' meetings for guidance and instruction are held regularly, and similarly, each principal is responsible for build- ing meetings organized for the purpose of professional discus- sion. Through this plan the administration functions demo- cratically, with teachers participating in such vital phases of the educational program as selection of basic texts, revision of report cards, formulation of salary schedules, and over-all policy development.
Curriculum
Wayland presently retains an 8-4 structure for its schools. This involves elementary buildings housing grades 1 through 8 and a high school comprised of grades 9 through 12. Leaders in our educational thought and practice today consider the ele- mentary school more and more as a six-year part of a twelve or fourteen year system of public schools. The responsibility of the elementary school is to impart those foundational skills, atti- tudes, appreciations, and understandings necessary for later learning. Similarly it must recognize individual differences to the extent that all children on any grade level are helped to ob- tain a maximum development commensurate with their capaci- ties, aptitudes, and interests. In order to adequately care for the needs of the slow learner, a remedial clinic was started this year in the Cochituate School. Retarded pupils in the lower grades with correctable reading defects are given special in- struction in this clinic. An analysis of our retardation causes, shows the lack of readiness and poor study habits to be princi- pal barriers. The former may be corrected partially by raising age requirements for school entrance and the latter through daily or frequent visitation to the clinic.
162
A reading library has also been set up in conjunction with the clinic room and to date is proving most effective.
In the Center Building, Principal Mabel Draper, whose time is fractionally divided for teaching, supervising, and caring for remedial needs, heads the clinical program. Handicapped by the lack of a clinic room, this weakness will be corrected when the building addition, approved by the voters in 1943, is com- pleted.
Continuing our testing program, the Kuhlmann-Anderson Tests of Mental Ability were administered this year to the ele- mentary grades. The results are being used for interpreting individual pupil needs and developing a program to meet these needs.
An additional supervisor of nature and conservation has been introduced in the fifth grade curriculum this year. Under the sponsorship of the Massachusetts Audubon Society, an instructor, films, live exhibits, and all teaching materials are pro- vided. The field of study includes bird life and natural history -- seeds, plants, soil, water, insects, mammals and stars. The course has proved to be of great interest to the boys and girls with the lessons closely linked with their every day experiences in the living world around them.
Today much attention is being focused on the secondary school. All of our teachers and many of our citizens have been concerned with a recent publication of the Educational Policies Commission. Entitled, Education for All American Youth, it presents a real challenge to secondary education. It foresees a fourteen year system of public schools, probably on a 6-6-2 basis, which will emphasize general education. Changes in col- lege entrance requirements have already been effected by out- standing institutions to meet this proposal. The high school curriculum must adquately meet the needs of all secondary youth in (1) growing up, (2) profiting from guidance, (3) achieving health and physical fitness, (4) making the most of the natural, scientific, and technological environment, (5) learning to recog- nize and appreciate beauty, (6) using leisure time well, (7) pre- paring for earning a living, for further education, or for both, and (8) becoming self-educating.
Our high school offers four curricula to its students at the present time-college, commercial, household arts, and general. As is the case in a majority of other communities, each cur-
163
riculum must be revised and expanded, with others added, in order to care for these needs and meet the monumental challenge of Education for All American Youth.
The Iowa Tests of Educational Development were admin- istered this fall in grades 9 through 12, and although presented more comprehensively in the Headmaster's report, it bears repetition here, that the results can be wisely used in refining and re-adapting our curriculum offerings.
Health
This year in addition to the routine health program admin- istered by the school doctor and school nurse, the following services were added. Under the sponsorship of the State Department of Public Health, an oral prophylaxis program was begun in grades three and four. This will be a three to five year project in which a complete cleaning, using a sodium fluoride solution, will be given these children. The officials of the Public Health Department anticipate that this service will retard the development of dental decay.
The dental clinic recommendation presented in the 1944 report became a reality in 1945. Dr. Rawding, the school den- tist, now operates a clinic in both elementary buildings. This is, however, an alternate week program, and although we anticipate a weekly clinic in each building, the present arrangement con- stitutes a real step forward. A dental chair donated by the Tufts Dental School assisted materially in getting the second clinic underway.
An improvement in the method of testing vision and hear- ing has been made through the introduction of the Massachu- setts Vision and Audiometer Tests. This equipment is now available through the North Metropolitan District Health Office and is being used in the Wayland Schools.
The Middlesex Health Association worked with the School Department in organizing a chest x-ray clinic for the students in high school and all school personnel. It was pleasing to note that not one case of adult type tuberculosis was recorded.
Physical Education
Since the loss of our girls' physical education supervisor in June, each elementary teacher has handled her own physical education program. Although a substitute plan at best, it has worked exceedingly well. The loss was felt most sharply on
164
the high school level where no member of our staff has had that type training. In order to care for the girls' athletic program, Miss Crowley of the Center School has been assigned that extra responsibility. Her previous experience ably qualifies her, and until such time as a supervisor can be found, the girls' athletic program will operate as outlined.
Mr. Margarita has been assigned boys' physical education and an expanded and more purposeful program is planned. As a vital phase of this expension, the school authorities look for- ward to improved facilities on the high school athletic field.
School Lunch
This September a much needed cafeteria opened in the Cen- ter School. By means of an arrangement with the Community School Lunch Program, a federal subsidy helps underwrite this project. Through this assistance a "Type A" hot lunch is served consisting of milk, a vegetable-meat dish, bread, butter, and dessert. A nominal charge of fifteen cents is made for this full meal.
The Cochituate Building has little space to accommodate such a project although the need is as great. A "Type C" pro- gram, however, was started this fall and students there may purchase one half pint of milk for three cents. This is also possible through a federal subsidy and the resulting increased milk consumption has been gratifying.
PLANT
Maintenance and Repair
This past year considerable improvement in our physical plants has been made. In a report of this type, however, it is possible to outline only the major improvements.
Our elementary schools received the greatest amount of renovation with both buildings being completely repainted. The approved bidders were Livingston and Company of Medford for the Center School, and the Wilson Company of Wellesley for the Cochituate School. Before these major painting pro- jects were undertaken, an extensive survey was conducted by the School Department in order to establish the visual needs of the various classrooms on a scientific basis. Definite color schemes were adopted for all classrooms with differing two-tone effects. Light pastels were used on the upper walls and darker semi-gloss paints were applied to dados and lower walls for
165
maintenance reasons. Window shades were also replaced in the buildings, styled so as to harmonize with the colors employed. The results of this work are observed in better lighting condi- tions, the elimination of color monotony, and higher morale among pupils and teachers.
Additional major improvements in the Center Building were (1) the remodelling of the first floor and basement to pro- vide a teachers' room, an enlarged kitchen, and a cafeteria- assembly room seating one hundred students, (2) the installing of insulation on the third floor to improve heating facilities and lower fuel costs, (3) replacing worn stair treads with carbor- undum safety treads, and (4) installing asphalt tile flooring in the corridors and offices.
In the High School it was necessary to replace an electric sub-main under the building. This condition was caused by sweating due to improper ventilation. After consultation with the School Department's engineers, it was recommended that basement vents be installed. This project is already underway.
The future considerations in this program of plant im- provements are as follows : (1). replacing obsolete elementary school desks with modern, movable classroom furniture, (2) continuing the asphalt tile flooring project into the classrooms, (3) replacing the worn stairways in the Cochituate School with modern fireproof stairways, (4) macadamizing the areas in the immediate vicinity of both elementary schools to make available adequate play space and reduce custodial problems resulting from the daily tracking of mud and gravel into the buildings.
Proposed Building Program
On every hand people are planning for the future. Labor, industry, business, and government are all looking ahead. With the termination of the war and the possibility of actual con- struction in the immediate future, many communities have al- ready completed the initial planning stage. These long-range plans when translated into a specific priority program are guar- antees of orderly community growth. It might be well to state here again the general proposal presented in last year's School Department report.
"Any consideration of plant facilities should in- clude planning for future growth. Present and post- war trends indicate a continuing growth of communi-
166
ties such as ours on the outer suburban rim of Boston. This year eighty-three children applied for admission to Grade One. This growth condition is taxing our facilities and if continued will undoubtedly overtax them. One solution to the problem would be a revision of our present 8-4 organization plan to a 6-6 plan. This would establish the Cochituate and Center Build- ings as six-year elementary schools and the High School as a six-year secondary school housing grades seven through twelve. This, of course, would call for plant expansion of the type that would adequately house and care for the educational, vocational, and recreational needs of our youth."
A census survey conducted by town officials and the School Department in January of this year revealed 421 children from one through five years of age. Of these 177 were residents of Precinct 1 and 244 of Precinct II. On the evidence of this growth it would seem that preliminary plans should be prepared. Of first importance would be the revision of structure to a 6-6 basis as recommended above. This would immediately relieve the elementary school enrolment and offer our secondary school youth an expanded junior-senior high school program. Second- ly. when an elementary addition is contemplated it would be made to the Cochituate Building. Also, the School Department has recommended to the Building and Finance Committees that consideration for a municipal auditorium-gymnasium in Cochit- uate, be viewed in the light of a Cochituate School addition. This would give to the community at large and to the students of that building much needed facilities. A combination audi- torium-gymnasium with cafeteria facilities included, plus what- ever additional classrooms are needed, as our present growth continues, would adequately care for these future needs.
At the Town Meeting two years ago, the voters approved a $6500 addition to the Center Building. This is principally for a clinic room, and construction will be started as soon as mate- rials are available.
Below is a summary of the School Department's proposed building program.
167
Present Status of Schools
Proposed Building Program
1. Center School (construct- 1. A $6500 remedial room addi- ed 1896) Housing 8 class- rooms, cafeteria-assembly room, teachers' room, ad- ministrative offices, and a dental clinic.
tion to be built when materials are available. Transfer grades 7 and 8 to junior-senior high school thus providing 8 regu- lar classrooms for grades 1-6 elementary school expansion.
2. Cochituate School (con- 2. Transfer grades 7 and 8 to structed 1910-3 room addition in 1925) Hous- ing 8 classrooms, remedial room, dental clinic and ad- ministrative office.
junior-senior high school thus providing 8 regular classrooms for grades 1-6 elementary school expansion. Recommend municipal auditorium-gymnas- ium combination as annex. Cafeteria facilities to be in- cluded, and extra classrooms as growth increases.
3. High School (constructed 3. Addition to and an enlarge- 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.
ment of, the present High School to contain all modern facilities necessary for separ- ate junior-senior high school organizations (grades 7-12). Additional classrooms, cafe- teria, vocational shop, and expanded physical education facilities.
In closing I wish to thank the Chairman and members of the Wayland School Committee for their counsel, cooperation, and support. Progress in a department of this size can only be realized when principals, teachers, students, health officers, cus- todians, bus drivers, and all other school personnel cooperate and constantly work toward the improvement of the over-all program. To them, and to all the citizens, I express my deepest appreciation.
Respectfully submitted, OWEN B. KIERNAN, Superintendent of Schools.
168
REPORT OF THE HEADMASTER OF THE HIGH SCHOOL
To the Superintendent of Schools :
The following constitutes my second report as Headmaster of Wayland High School.
The concluding months of last winter and spring brought an almost complete fruition of our goals for the year. The dramatic club presented a three-act play ; the Junior Class Prom set a model pace in elegance, enjoyment, and at the same time mor than covered the costs. Several other evenings during the year were devoted to dancing or a play followed by dancing The baseball team swept through a brilliant season in which it defeated all opponents and included two tasty victories over Weston. To make direct contact with our state government, and to see industry at first hand, the senior class made a trip to the State House and several other classes visited business estab- lishments.
After an excellent demonstration given by dancers from Bouve School of Physical Education, our own girls made rapid progress in the newer techniques of modern dance.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.