USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wayland > Official reports of the town of Wayland 1948-1950 > Part 10
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Under Chapter 90 Maintenance, approximately 7,000 gal- lons of Bituminous Materials were used for surface treatments. Other work consisted of grading shoulders, cleaning drainage systems and repairing guard rails.
Work done under the Highway appropriation consisted of surface treatments as well as the General Maintenance work of the Department. Under this allotment, 34,300 gallons of Bituminous Materials were used. It was found necessary, due to the condition of the paving, to use some of this material on Chapter 90 roads, because at the present time the Chapter 90 Maintenance appropriation is not large enough to cover the necessary repairs.
Cleaning of Dumps has been done when necessary. As no custodian has been provided for the Wayland Dump, coopera- tion from the public would be appreciated. Under the Special Dump appropriation an attendant has been hired. The Dump is open 3 days a week. The area has been enclosed with a wire fence and a shelter with heating facilities has been provided for the custodian.
Work has begun on Riverview Avenue, Overlook Road and Adelaide Avenue, which are to be done under Betterment Construction appropriations.
A 41/2 ton International Dump Truck was purchased for the Department, provided for by the appropriation for New Equipment. This replaced the 1942 Chevrolet Dump Truck.
Respectfully submitted, ALBERT E. POTVIN, Highway Surveyor.
177
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
The expenditures of our department have been high this year and from all reports conditions are the same throughout the State. We have had a tremendous increase in hospital and medical bills in all three categories and more rest home cases, especially on Old Age Assistance. Due to the increase in cost of living and larger case loads it was necessary to ask for addi- tional funds in the Welfare and Aid to Dependent Children categories.
Because of unemployment and generally unsettled condi- tions the case load of all three categories of relief are unpre- dictable. We are asking for what, in our opinion, should be enough funds so we will not be obliged to ask for additional amounts later. We realize, however, that there are great uncer- tainties in the coming year and that changes in legislation or unemployment may upset our estimates.
The Board will continue to use every effort to insure that expenditures will be kept as low as possible with the giving of needed assistance.
CARLISLE D. SCOTLAND, J. SIDNEY STONE, GUSTAF M. BLOMGREN.
STATEMENT OF NET COST
GROSS EXPENDITURES
Old Age Assistance
$74,689.53
Aid to Dependent Children
15,320.40
General Relief
16,709.70
Grand Total
$106,719.63
Reimbursements Due Town on Above Costs
83,223.88
Net Cost to Town
$23,495.75
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WELFARE STATISTICS
1946
1947
1948
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
Cases January 1
79
86
99
Cases December 31 86
98
92
Average Monthly Caseload
85.6
92
94.7
Total Gross Expenditures
$52,179.20
$61,697.28
$74,689.53
Average Gross Monthly Expense per case
$50.79
$55.89
$65.72
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN
Cases January 1
5 cases, 14 children
6 cases, 15 children
Cases December 31 6
15
7
18
7 cases, 21 children 13 34
Average Monthly Caseload 5.5 " 14.5
7.6 "
20.7 «
10.3 "
29.1
$15,320.40
Average Gross Monthly Expense per case $75.73
$114.49
$123.95
GENERAL RELIEF
Cases January 1
11 cases, 12 persons
11 cases, 17 persons
20 cases, 33 persons
Cases December 31 12
18
17
13.8 «
32 24.6
24
65
Average Monthly Caseload 11.1 14.5
Total Gross Expenditures $7,257.61
$9,636.98
21.2 "
42.3
$16,709.70
Average Gross Monthly
Expense per case $54.49
$58.18
$66.08
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Total Gross Expenditures
$4,998.22
$10,441.55
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' SERVICES
To the Selectmen of Wayland :
Information and guidance has been freely given Veterans and Veterans' families who have had troublesome problems.
The subject of Veterans' Housing was considered quite thoroughly. A more detailed report on this will be found in the Selectmen's report.
For the Committee, RONALD S. CAMPBELL, Chairman.
180
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
School Committee
AND THE
Superintendent of Schools
OF THE
TOWN OF WAYLAND
For the Year Ending December 31, 1948
SCHOOL ORGANIZATION, 1948-1949
School Committee
ALLAN R. FINLAY, Chairman
Term expires 1950
CORNELIUS J. MAGUIRE
1951
HARVEY C. NEWTON
66 1949
Secretary and Superintendent of Schools
OWEN B. KIERNAN Office, Center School, Wayland Tel. Wayland 294
School Physician
DAVID R. COREY, M.D. Tel. Natick 2725
School Dentist
FRANKLIN H. SAUL, D.D.S.
Tel. Waltham 5-3283-M
School Nurse
MARY E. McNEIL
Tel. Wayland 47
Attendance Officer
MARY E. McNEIL
Tel. Wayland 47
Custodians
GEORGE F. DICKEY
THOMAS F. MURRAY
High School Center School
FRANK J. KANE
Cochituate School
182
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The School Committee herewith submits to the citizens of Wayland its annual report for the year 1948.
The Committee has approved the accompanying reports of the superintendent and subordinate officers and the statistical tables, and urges full reading by the citizens to obtain a picture of educational activities carried on in this calendar year.
The Committee also expresses appreciation to the towns- people and other members of the School Building Committee for the support accorded the building program at our regular and special Town Meetings.
Respectfully submitted,
ALLAN R. FINLAY, HARVEY C. NEWTON, CORNELIUS J. MAGUIRE, School Committee.
SCHOOL CALENDAR, 1949
Schools open January 3
Winter Vacation-Week of February 20
Holiday-April 15
Spring Vacation-Week of April 17 Holiday-May 30
Elementary Schools close June 17
High School closes June 24 Schools open September 7 Holiday-October 12
Holiday-October 21
Holiday-November 11
Holiday-November 24, 25
Christmas Vacation-December 24-January 1
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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
In the event of exceptionally severe weather conditions or when the transportation system is disrupted, WBZ, WNAC, WEEI, and WKOX will broadcast the no-school announce- ment 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.
We feel these signals are clear and, therefore, urge parents to refrain from flooding the Telephone Office and homes of School Department personnel with telephone calls.
On days when the signal is not used, weather conditions may warrant the non-attendance of certain children. Lack of normal health would tend to make it advisable for parents to keep the child at home. Since weather reports are not always reliable, and since the School Department desires to render maximum education service by having the schools open the greatest number of days, storm signals will not be used on ordinary rainy or snowy days or when there is reasonable doubt.
A good education can be built only on good health. Safe- guard health by keeping your child home when, in your estima- tion as a parent, conditions warrant.
184
FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT FOR THE YEAR 1948
Regular Appropriation Transfers
$121,277.00 819.67
Total Appropriation
$122,096.67
Expenditures
120,960.83
Unexpended Balance $1,135.84
Summary of Receipts
General School Fund, Part I $5,765.00
Tuition and Transportation of
State Wards
1,384.45
Transportation
4,580.00
Rental of Buildings
58.00
Miscellaneous
28.28
Total Receipts $11,815.73
Summary of Receipts and Expenditures
Expenditures
Receipts
$120,960.83 11,815.73
Net Cost of Department to Town $109,145.10
Expenditures
General Control
Superintendent's Salary
$ 3,675.00
Other Expenses
2,025.00
Instruction
Teachers' Salaries
80,774.15
Textbooks
2,652.54
Supplies
2,547.46
185
Operation
Janitors' Salaries
6,604.63
Fuel
3,122.84
Miscellaneous
3,991.83
Buildings and Equipment
Maintenance and Outlay
4,500.00
Other Agencies
Transportation
8,840.00
Health
1,700.00
Libraries
398.86
Sundries
123.52
Total Expenditures $120,960.83
Teachers' Salaries-1948
Allen, David J.
$ 3,400.00
*Bates, Phyllis B.
1,410.00
** Blair, Whitney
7.00
** Caldwell, Sara C.
42.00
Campbell, Jane Noel
2,428.00
*Clement, Stanley L. Currier, Doris G.
1,700.00
2,366.25
** Daley, Mrs. W. A. J.
133.00
** Decatur, Agnes C. Draper, Mabel S.
2,740.00
Dziejma, Peter M.
2,530.00
** Esty, Mabel K.
255.50
** Ferguson, Ellen B.
115.50
Foster, Janie C.
2,690.00
Gately, Eva M.
2,365.00
Gladu, Francis R.
2,790.00
*Hale, Anne, Jr.
1,000.00
Hasenfus, Clement J.
2,340.00
*Herlihy, William F.
1,560.00
*Kelley, M. Rita
2,060.00
Kerr, Mary
2,740.00
*Kerrigan, Ruth R.
1,320.00
*Larkin, Margaret C.
520.00
** Leary, Dorothea
14.00
*LeBlanc, Caro G.
1,000.00
Lindsay, Edith M.
2,040.00
McDonnell, Mary E.
2,140.00
,
186
14.00
Merrithew, Maude E.
2,865.00
Morrill, Ethelyn M.
2,440.00
*Morrill, Radcliffe
2,760.00
Nathanson, Joseph P.
3,240.00
O'Neil, Mary E.
2,627.00
*Paget, Elizabeth A.
1,320.00
Peaslee, Marguerite E.
1,096.00
** Poole, Eleanor T.
14.00
*Proctor, Joan M.
800.00
Radford, Pauline N.
1,096.00
** Raymond, Elizabeth C.
462.00
*Reifsteck, Shirley D.
800.00
*Salmon, Catherine T.
1,380.00
** Scanlan, Mary P.
21.00
*Schaus, Lucibel T.
1,470.00
Shohl, Florence C.
2,230.00
Simpson, Alice Marion
2,865.00
Sisson, Marjorie P.
2,240.00
Strickland, Samuel P., Jr.
2,633.25
*Tassinari, Lillian M.
800.00
*Watson, Philip H.
800.00
Winston, Louise E.
2,490.00
$78,169.50
Massachusetts Audubon Society
360.00
City of Boston-tuition
44.65
Rinehart Handwriting System
700.00
Herbert Blair
1,500.00
$80,774.15
* Part of school year
** Substitute
187
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee, Wayland, Massachusetts.
Gentlemen :
I am submitting herewith my fifth annual report and the fifty-second in the series of reports of the Superintendents of Schools.
In a recent address, Dr. John W. Studebaker, former United States Commissioner of Education, made the following statement. "In a very literal sense, education is the great con- serving influence in our civilization. As trustee for posterity, American education serves to preserve, protect, develop, and transmit to each succeeding generation the glorious heritage of freedom and democracy that is ours as a people. Today, even more than in the past, the faithful discharge of that responsi- bility is imperative."
Our founding fathers were aware of that educational responsibility in Massachusetts, and as early as 1647 required towns to maintain adequate schools. To the end that all citizens be made aware of the progress of the public schools, a later statute required the School Department to report annually.
In reports such as this, an attempt is made to outline only the highlights of the school year and list the major problems ahead. To do more, would produce a most bulky volume, fatiguing to the reader.
OUR NEW BUILDINGS AND PROGRAM
Two dates have been recorded as memorable ones in the year just past-the Annual Town Meeting in March and a Special Town Meeting in November. Endorsements of our building program were recorded at both meetings. For this citizen support, all members of the School Department express appreciation both for themselves and on behalf of the student body.
188
Anticipating the completion of both the Cochituate School and the High School in the fall of 1949, our buildings will con- tain the following general facilities :
High School:
12 classrooms, science laboratory, home economics laboratory, commercial rooms, general shop, cafe- teria - library - study hall, auditorium - gymnasium, shower and locker rooms, and associated facilities for administration, teachers, etc.
Cochituate School:
12 classrooms, cafeteria, auditorium - gymnasium, shower and locker rooms, associated facilities for health, remedial work, teachers, administration, etc. Center School:
8 classrooms, cafeteria - assembly room, remedial room, associated facilities for teachers, administra- tion, etc.
The program planned for these buildings will be without question a broader and richer one. In shifting from an 8-4 to a 6-6 system, the students housed in each unit approach com- mon needs more efficiently, i.e., elementary schools housing grades 1 through 6, group children from six years to twelve years of age in educational and recreational activities with no conflict with older 7th or 8th grade students. Similarly, the adolescent needs of the junior high student in his early teens conform to the program pattern of a six year senior high school housing grades 7 through 12.
The Cochituate addition will ease the enrollment pressures in the elementary schools, and most of the grades will be estab- lished at or near a normal pupil-teacher ratio. The new class- rooms will be modern and up-to-date both in general structure and equipment, offering a school environment conducive to an excellent teaching-learning situation. Also, facilities such as the cafeteria and auditorium-gymnasium will prove of immeasur- able worth to the students and community at large.
In the High School, the new vocational courses and the improved program resulting from adequate laboratories, gym- nasium, study-hall, cafeteria, and other affiliated facilities will guarantee our continuing progress as a Class A Massachusetts High School. Among general program changes contemplated are: (1) inclusion of required courses in general shop for boys
189
and home economics for girls, both beginning in grades 7 and 8, (2) physical education supervision for all boys grades 1-12 similar to the program presently operating for girls, (3) im- proved guidance program, particularly on the junior-senior high school level, (4) expanded offerings in art and music, includ- ing instrumental training not presently offered, and (5) public speaking, dramatics, choral opportunities, and debating com- mensurate with our new stage and auditorium facilities.
ENROLLMENT
As a result of the war and post-war boom in births, the United States will have a record number of children of school age in the 1950's. More than 5,000,000 children will probably be added to the elementary school population in the next ten years. Not only the beginners, but the elementary school popu- lation as a whole will grow very considerably in the years ahead. The high school increase will parallel the upward trend of the elementary school but with a lag of from six to eight years. Thus, the peak in new elementary school admissions may be expected around 1953, but the high school load will not be felt until 1960.
The predictions for grade enrollments in Wayland this past September proved accurate with a total of 837 students being admitted. A prediction range of from 835 to 850 had been prepared by the School Department.
Variables such as economic extremes, war, mobility of population, shifts of industries, private and parochial school enrollments, and health factors make it extremely difficult to predict school age populations over a long period of time. Only expected trends may be indicated with any degree of accuracy. Nevertheless, citizen interest warrants a long-range projection estimate of our present enrollment by grades through June 1959.
190
ESTIMATED ENROLLMENT BY GRADES-1948-1959 (Figures do not allow for anticipated growth of Wayland) Elementary School Grades
High School Grades
1
3
4
5
6
7 78
8
9
10
11
12
Total 837
1948
107
79
76
69
66
62
66
51
47
47
1949
100*
87
77
76
69
64
78
60
66
49
47
1950
98
85
77
76
67
64
76
60
64
49
1951
96
85
77 85
75
74
65
62
74
58
1953₺
96
83
75
72
65
60
74 60
1954
94
83
73
72
63
1955§
94
81
73
70 71
63 70
1957
92
79
71
1958
90
79 90
1959
Recommend splitting any grade 40 pupils or over. (20-25 pupils/ grade preferred.)
35 pupils/grade acceptable. (20- 25 pupils/grade ideal.)
* Assuming less-than-average retardation because of improved education program.
1
Local census returns (1949) are not yet available. It seems safe to assume, however, that a minimum of 100 children will enter each year, warranting four classes of 25 pupils each. The 1949 entering class is estimated at 114 pupils (Precinct I-43, Precinct II-64, plus 7 cases of retardation).
¿ 20 elementary classrooms needed by this year-12 at Cochituate, 8 at Center.
§ U. S. Census Bureau anticipates peak load this year.
191
1956
92
81
62
76
58
64
1952
96
2 89
74
67
STAFF CHANGES
Listed below are the staff changes since January 1, 1948. RESIGNATIONS :
Cochituate School:
Lucibel Schaus
Grade 1
Elizabeth Paget
Grade 3
Center School:
Phyllis Bates
Grade 2
Ruth Kerrigan
Grade 3
William Herlihy
Grade 8
High School:
Radcliffe Morrill
Headmaster
Rita Kelley English, Business
LEAVE OF ABSENCES
Catherine Salmon (From Center School faculty to teach in Germany)
APPOINTMENTS :
Cochituate School:
Lillian Tassinari
Grade 1
Joan Proctor Grade 3
Center School:
Shirley Reifsteck Grade 1
Anne Hale
Grade 2
Caro LeBlanc Grade 3
Philip Watson
Grade 8
High School:
Stanley Clement
Headmaster
Margaret Larkin
English, Business
The above list of resignations offers mute testimony of the continuing shortage of well-qualified teachers, particularly on the primary grade level. The following reasons were submitted among the resignations: three to remain at home, three to accept professional posts at considerably higher salaries, and one to enter business. The resignation creating the greatest amount of interest and regret was that of Headmaster Rad- cliffe Morrill of the High School. He left in July to assume the principalship of the Concord High School. To replace Mr.
192
Morrill, the School Committee investigated a number of candi- dates and elected Stanley L. Clement of Hanover, Massachu- setts as the new Headmaster of Wayland High School. Mr. Clement is the recipient of Bachelor's and Master's degrees, his training having been received at Colby College and the Univer- sity of Maine. His administrative experience covers a period of sixteen years in both Maine and Massachusetts communities. Since 1941, Mr. Clement served as high school principal in Han- over, Massachusetts.
EDUCATIONAL LEGISLATION IN 1948
Recognizing that the public schools are more than a local problem, the 1948 Legislature enacted two state-aid-to-schools laws. Both represent significant forward steps in education and provide a substantial measure of aid to Wayland.
The first law, recorded as Chapter 643, promotes the equalization of educational opportunity in the public schools of the Commonwealth and the equalization of the burden of cost of schools to the respective towns. Under the old Chapter 70, Wayland received state reimbursement each year to a limited degree. For the school year just completed $5,765 will be credited to the General Fund. At the close of the 1948-1949 term, approximately $25,000 will be returned to the town, con- stituting a $19,000 school-aid increase. With all school aids credited, including Chapter 679 which assists in the transporta- tion of students, $31,000 will be realized. This amount approxi- mates 23% of the total school budget.
The second legislative enactment is Chapter 645, which relates to school building aid. Briefly, this law provides state construction grants of from 20% to 50% of the approved cost of new school buildings or the enlargement of existing build- ings. Subject to final approval by the School Building Assist- ance Commission, which administers the statute, Wayland will be reimbursed in the vicinity of 35% of the cost of its over-all school building project.
MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS
(1) During the past year, our plant facilities were improved to the following extent :
The first grade classroom in the Center School was fur- nished with modern tubular steel table-desk and chair units, eliminating pupil furniture over fifty years of age. This instal-
193
lation is in line with the previously stated policy of the School Department to replace obsolete classroom equipment as rapidly as possible. Two other Center School classrooms have been placed in the new furniture schedule for 1949.
Additional classroom improvements involved the replacing of old blackboards with cork bulletin boards in several of the elementary grades.
Dental clinic funds were used in the spring to purchase a dental chair for the Center School which answers a long felt need, and further improves this clinical service.
(2) The cafeteria program continues to operate efficiently as a marginal venture in both the Center School and High School. With subsidy assistance from the Federal government, it has remained self-supporting and to date has not required town appropriated funds. Many communities, however, faced with sharply rising food and labor costs have found it necessary to underwrite similar projects through the regular School Department budget.
Adding to the stove, sink, and refrigerator units already received from the government, potato peelers were allocated to our cafeterias and installed in August.
(3) As a phase of our over-all testing program, the elementary grades were given a battery of achievement tests in the early fall. The first grades were checked by means of a general readiness test, and grades 2 through 8 subjected to tests in major subject fields such as reading, arithmetic, science, social studies, and language. Tests given at this period of the school year are used for diagnostic purposes in determining student strengths and weaknesses so that we may adapt our curriculum offerings accordingly. In general, the results showed our schools to be progressing normally in terms of national median scores.
(4) Two personnel changes were made during the year outside the instructional staff. Thomas Murray, a long time resident of the town, replaced Arthur Bittle as custodian at the Center School. Because of the pressure of his private prac- tice, Dr. Reid Rawding resigned as School Dentist early in the year and was succeeded by Dr. Franklin Saul. Dr. Saul is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Dental School and served in the U. S. Navy during World War II.
(5) Each year the School Department cooperates with teacher-training institutions in setting up cadet practice in the
194
system. Three colleges now send their students here for that purpose. It has been our experience that such an arrangement works to the mutual advantage of the college and the town.
In closing, I urge your consideration of the following reports of subordinate officers which describe in limited detail this year's record of accomplishment in the Wayland Public Schools. Speaking for my associates in the department, I grate- fully acknowledge the encouragement given us in our important work, and thank you for your sympathetic understanding of the needs of our students.
Respectfully submitted, OWEN B. KIERNAN, Superintendent of Schools.
195
REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
To the Superintendent of Schools:
I am pleased to submit my first report as headmaster of Wayland High School. Although I have been here less than one half of one school year, I have been particularly impressed by the cordiality manifested by the people of Wayland, by the outstanding leadership of the superintendent of schools, by the efficient work of the school committee, by the cooperation of the faculty, and by the enthusiasm of the students.
I feel fortunate to have followed as capable an educator as former headmaster, Radcliffe Morrill, whose fine work brought about many improvements in the program of activity of the school and whose organization provided for the smooth beginning of a new school year.
ENROLLMENT
The enrollment on October first was 211, the largest in the history of the school. It is distributed as follows: Freshmen (Grade 9) 66; Sophomores (Grade 10) 51; Juniors (Grade 11) 47 ; Seniors (Grade 12) 47. Of this number, 108 are boys and 103 are girls. The percentage of attendance so far is well over 95%, which is excellent especially for December. Tardi- ness is still a problem for us, however, and one which parents can help us a great deal in solving.
The graduating class in June, 1949, will be by far the largest we have had. A large number of these students are already placed in advanced schools or businesses.
In June, 1948, thirty-five students were graduated. Six of this number are attending college ; three are attending junior college ; two are attending schools of accounting ; one is attend- ing nursing school; and one is attending preparatory school. Two boys have entered the service; one girl is married; four boys are working on farms or construction work, while thirteen are holding responsible business positions.
196
COURSES OF STUDY
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