USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1923 > Part 11
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
1. I washed my hands before each meal today.
2. I brushed my teeth thoroughly.
3. I tried hard to keep fingers and pencils out of my mouth and nose.
4. I carried a clean handkerchief.
5. I drank three glasses of water, but no tea nor coffee.
6. I tried to eat only wholesome food, including vege- tables and fruit.
7. I drank slowly two glasses of milk.
8. I went to toilet at regular time.
9. I played outdoors or with windows open a half hour.
10. I was in bed eleven or more hours last night, windows open.
11. I had a complete bath on each day of the week that. is checked (x).
"If, for fifteen weeks, he does fifty-four chores a week out of a possible seventy-two, he earns a certain title, receives a
184
ANNUAL REPORTS.
button, and can then work for the next title with slightly different chores. A careful record of his weight is kept and its significance explained to him. For this purpose the Visit- ing Nursing Association has given a set of scales to each of nine elementary school districts.
"As a result of this strong emphasis on personal habits, many children come to school cleaner, milk and healthful foods grow in use while tea and coffee lose popularity, a bath becomes a 'habit' instead of an 'Event', and a correct standard of what one ought to do is established. A desire to stand well with his fellows sometimes tempts the pupil to pad his score, and right here is the opportunity for the teacher to strengthen the pupil's moral fiber by stressing the desirability of truth.
"The enthusiasm of the Crusade spreads to grades below and above the fourth, thus accomplishing much.
"Hot water, soap and towels in our schools would greatly aid in fixing habits of cleanliness."
"FLORENCE A. CHANEY, Supervising Principal."
"Three years ago I wrote you at some length concerning some mental testing we had been carrying on with our sixth grade. From your Annual Report, 1921, page 22, I quote the following from this letter,-'we are trying to find the best psychological method of determining the mental efficiency of the children in the different grades above the fourth. The time is not far distant when mental ability will form the fundamental basis for all grading, classification, and promo- tion.'
"I have felt that you would be pleased to have me con- tinue these experiments and gradually make a classification on the basis of a 'properly administered and correctly inter- preted' mental measurement of our pupils.
"You were always careful to say that this task of test- ing and classifying the pupils of the school should be wholly voluntary on the part of the teachers and principal; that the pressure must come from within, not from without.
"It thus seemed to the teachers of the Edgerly school that it was up to them to make as thorough a study of the subject as possible and to give their best effort to the work of regroup- ing our punils along the line of their intelligence, their capac- ities. and their aptitudes.
"We were especially fortunate in having on our faculty an exchange teacher from California who was well qualified by experience and study to give these tests.
NORTHEASTERN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL LEONARD B. CHANDLER SCHOOLHOUSE MARSHALL STREET, SOMERVILLE OCCUPIED MARCH 3, 1924
DOHLER ROON
TAN DOOM
DUCT JANEL
STAGL
.UNDER STORAGE
A
0
CLASS DOON
D
AUDITORIUM AND LIZECISE ROOM
DOYS JOULLT
TOILET
POYS SHOWERS
DOYS LOCKER DOOM
R
WOOD WORKING
CLASSROOM
0
TOON
C
C
D
C
D
MECHANICAL DRONING
DOOK DINDING
PRINTING DHOD
RECITATION DOON
CLASS DOOM
CLASS ROOM
CLASSROOM
VESTIBULL
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
NORTHEASTERN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL LEONARD D. CHANDLER SCHOOL HOUSE FOR THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE MASSACHUSETTS
RITCHIE, PARSONS & TAYLOR, ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERS. 15 ASHBURTON PLACE, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
-
0 0 CORRIDO
WOOD WORKING
DUCT SPACE
STORAGE
STORAGE
DUCT SPACE
DUCTOPACE
DOYS TOILET
STORAGE
GIRLSTOILET
CLASS ROOM
CORRIDOR
CLASS ROOM
CORRIDOR
CLASS ROOM
BALCONY
11
MOVING PICTURE
DOOTH.
1
C
O
R
R
1
D
O
R
LOBDY
DOOKKEEPING CLASS ROOM
CLASS ROOM
CLASS ROOM
PRINCIPALA OFFICE
4 WOMEN TEACHERSE ROOM
HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM
CLASS ROOM
CLASS ROOM
CLASS ROOM
FIRST FLOOR PLAN
NORTHEASTERN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL LEONARD B. CHANDLER SCHOOL HOUSE.
FOR THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS
RITCHIE, PARSONS & TAYLOR, ARCHITECTS 3 ENGINEERS, 15 ASHBURTON PLACE, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
CLASS ROOM
TYPEWRITING AND OFTICL APPLIANCE ROOM
AND DOOK DOOM
CLASS ROOM
0
CLERKSOFFICE
MIN TEACHERS Room
UPPER PART OF AUDITORIUM
L
MODEL SINK
DOY'S
A
0
0
A
FREE HAND DRAWING
LIVING
1
LUNGH
ROOM
A
CHAMBER
R
FREE HAND DRAWING
CLASS ROOM
STOCK
CLASS ROOM
DIOLOGY
0
O
AUNDRY
U
U
C
O
2
1
D
O
A
7
HOTEL
SEWING
SEWING
CLASS ROOM
LIBRARY
CLASS ROOM
CLASS ROOM
CLASS ROOM
SECOND FLOOR PLAN
NORTHEASTERN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL LEONARD B. CHANDLER SCHOOL HOUSE FOR THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE MASSACHUSETTS
RITCHIE. PARSONS & TAYLOR, ARCHITECTS &ENGINEERS 15 ASHBURTON PLACE, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
R
GIRLS TOILET
DINING
D
ELEMENTARY SCIENCE
DOOK DOOM
WESTERN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL ZEBEDEE E. CLIFF SCHOOLHOUSE HOLLAND STREET, WEST SOMERVILLE ADDITION OF EIGHT ROOMS AND AUDITORIUM, OCCUPIED MARCH 1923.
C
SOUTHERN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL BELL SCHOOLHOUSE VINAL AVENUE, SOMERVILLE ADDITION OF EIGHT ROOMS OCCUPIED MARCH 1923
-
185
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
"With this teacher as the guiding spirit and with the untiring and sympathetic support of all the members of the faculty we undertook the task of giving Intelligence and Standardized Tests to our three hundred eighty fifth and sixth grade pupils and of arranging in groups, and in a limited class, our present sixth grade.
"We gave to each of these pupils the following: National Intelligence test, Spelling test based on the Ayer's scale, Stone Reasoning test in Arithmetic, Trabue Language test, Woody- McCall Mixed Fundamentals in Arithmetic, and the Thorn- dike-McCall Reading test.
"As a result of these mental and educational tests and the, teacher's estimate of ability we selected
1st. A class of thirty-eight pupils to be promoted to the Junior High school with recommendation for Special Instruction with a modified course of study ;
2nd. A limited class of thirty-four to be promoted to our sixth grade and placed under the guidance of one of our strongest and most sympathetic teachers.
"Since September, on account of the crowded condition at the Edgerly school, this class has been increased to fifty- three pupils and an assistant teacher has been added.
"In this limited class were placed the over-age pupils and those who had fallen below the average rating as given for standard tests for this grade. The Intelligence Quotient for pupils in this group was from 60 to 90.
"We have now been working with this new classification for about four months and it is the unanimous opinion of all the teachers that it has brought about excellent results. Without doubt it has served the purpose of interesting teachers in the study of individual children and the planning of their teaching to fit the level of the mental ability of the class.
"This limited class follows the Course of Study prescribed for regular classes, the teacher. being permitted to eliminate and abbreviate in order that there may be time for drill on essentials.
"As I visit this limited class, your definition of a good school often comes to my mind. 'In a good school the chil- dren are busy, interested, happy, and successful. There is no feeling of failure in the air, no compulsion, no depression, no gloom.'
"This, of course, is an experimental period with us. We are, however, thoroughly convinced that the individual child must be studied and his needs met, whether he be in the slow group, the average group, or the superior group, and that in-
186
ANNUAL REPORTS.
telligence and attainment tests properly administered and interpreted will serve a long felt want."
"CHAS. E. BRAINARD, Supervising Principal."
ACCOMMODATIONS
This year has been the most conspicuous one in the history of the Somerville schools for the number and extent of addi- tions to the school accommodations. The Zebedee E. Cliff Schoolhouse has been increased by the addition of an audi- torium, six classrooms, a lunchroom, and a large basement room suited to a variety of purposes. The Bell Schoolhouse has been enlarged by eight rooms. A third building, the Leonard B. Chandler Schoolhouse, is so nearly completed that it will be occupied early next year. This building, a thorough- ly modern, fireproof structure, will provide accommodations for about 1500 pupils and will be a model of serviceability and economy. It has been carefully planned with a view of adaptation to the work of a junior high school organization. When this building shall be opened early next year, the with- drawal of pupils from the Eastern and Northern Junior High Schools will release in those places rooms which will be needed for other school purposes. These additions to the junior high schools have relieved the overcrowding which had long ex- isted in two schools, and have made possible conducting of the work there in a more efficient manner. At the Southern Junior High School the partial two-session plan which had been in use for some time was abandoned when the new addi- tion was finished and the whole school was put on the one- session plan.
Besides this new construction, land has been added to the school grounds at the Southern Junior High School, and the tract known as the "ledge lot" has been put into condition for use by the pupils of the Western Junior High School. At the Carr School the wooden house once used for the Girls' Vocational School has been removed and its site has been made a part of the school playground. A large addition has been made to the grounds at the Durell School. These very sub- stantial improvements have been wisely provided in response to manifest needs. They will be of lasting benefit to the schools and through the schools to all the youth of the city.
While the present condition in the Southern Junior High School is far in advance of that which has prevailed, it should be clearly realized that this plant is not yet adequate to the
187
SCHOOL .DEPARTMENT.
needs of the school. Here are assembled every school day more than one thousand children, twelve to fifteen years of age, a period of life characterized by extreme physical activ- ity. For these children the school plant provides little op- portunity for physical exercise. The school yard is small. The street is a narrow thoroughfare for automobiles, danger- ous to children even in the act of crossing it. There is no indoor place at all free for use for physical exercises. It is, of course, practically impossible to furnish at this school an outdoor playground large enough to meet the needs of its pupils, but it is possible to construct another addition con- taining a large room suitable for use as an exercise room, and an assembly room. Indoor space should be provided large enough for the separate physical training of boys and girls. This need will remain, always demanding attention, until such an addition has been made.
A corresponding need exists at the High School. Head- master Avery in his annual report to the Superintendent of Schools calls attention to the fact that the High School Build- ings are again overtaxed, and makes a plea for a careful con- sideration of measures for their improvement. He specifies particularly the lack of facilities for adequate physical train- ing. This plea should be heeded. The High School plant has developed through a series of years by successive additions made chiefly to give more seating space. As a result of this growth, the buildings now are not as well adapted to the various educational undertakings carried on as would be a modern high school plant. In connection with furnishing more space to meet the present prospective growth of the schools wise planning can offset some of the present disad- vantages under which the school works.
The need of facilities for physical training at the High School is greater now than ever before. For years school authorities have asked for a gymnasium for the High School. In my first annual report to the School Committee I made such a recommendation, but the need is greater now than it was then because physical training has now become one of the prescribed subjects of the course of study in public schools, and general interest in physical training as a health measure has greatly increased in the last few years. The statements which I have made above concerning the Southern Junior High School apply with equal force to the High School. I recommend that the city provide, at an early date, a structure designed to give space enough for two exercise rooms, one for girls and one for boys. This building should be so constructed that the girls' play room and the boys' play
188
ANNUAL REPORTS.
room could be used at the same time as separate exercise rooms, or could be combined into one room when desired. Under the latter conditions it could be used as an assembly room for larger gatherings than can be accommodated in the audi- torium. This use would be valuable to the school and to the community alike as there are occasions when it is desirable to provide for a larger assembly than the auditorium will seat. The type of structure contemplated in this recommendation is not expensive. The play rooms do not require expensive apparatus or other outfittings. Sufficient floor space, ade- quate showers and lockers, brick walls, height of ceilings, ventilation and sufficient heating apparatus to insure a temper- ature between 60 and 65 in winter weather are essential characteristics of such a room. As a final reason for urging this provision, I call attention to the fact that Somerville is a city thickly populated, with insufficient play areas for the children of the city. The streets are impossible for play pur- poses.
There is, therefore in this city unusual and urgent reason for control by municipal agencies of the play instincts of children. This control should not be preventive merely, but should be constructive, furnishing for the children sufficient opportunity for safe and wholesome play as a means for physical development and health. Such constructive control cannot be adequately furnished to children in this city with- out additional indoor opportunity for play and physical train- ing. The loss of the gymnasium of the Y. M. C. A., and the refusal of State authorities to allow High School pupils the use of the State Armory has still further restricted the oppor- tunities which our youth have enjoyed in the past. Conse- quently. these opportunities are now at the smallest extent in the history of the city. The one bright spot in this view is the fact that an exercise room has been constructed this year at the Z. E. Cliff School, and that one will be available in the Leonard B. Chandler School. These acts give reason for the hope that it will be possible in the near future to give these much needed improvements for the benefit of the High and Southern Junior High Schools.
TEACHERS
High
Jr. High
Elem. inc. kind. 227
Voca. Total
Increase
Dec. 1923
74
119
9
429
7
Dec. 1922
71
116
226
9
422
189
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
Forty-eight teachers were elected during the last year, and were assigned as follows: High School 7; Junior High Schools 23; Elementary Schools 15 (This includes 1 new atypi- cal teacher) ; Continuation School 1; Physical Training Super- visors 2.
All of these teachers have had professional training or successful teaching experience. Most of them had had both before their election to positions in the Somerville schools. Fifteen teachers had had professional training and one year of experience. Thirty had had two or more years of success- ful experience in teaching. Three men elected for Manual Arts Work had had long and successful experience in Wood- working.
Twenty-one. teachers resigned: 8 to be married; 7 to accept better paying positions elsewhere; 6 for other causes.
Two teachers were transferred from Junior to Senior High.
Two teachers were transferred from one elementary school to another.
There were three deaths, and six retirements.
Unusual were the losses of teachers during the past year. Death claimed three who were for many years highly success- ful and dearly beloved by all who knew them. Miss Mabel C. Mansfield, a teacher of the Edgerly School, Miss Alice L. Davis, a teacher of the Southern Junior High School, and Miss Clara A. Johnson, a teacher of the High School, by faith- fulness, efficiency, and personal characteristics had endeared themselves to a wide circle of acquaintances. They will not be forgotten by any who came within their personal influence.
Other teachers equally well-known were taken from the schools by retirement :-
Miss A. Marion Merrill, long the head of the Department of English in the Somerville High School, Miss Mina J. Wen- dell, since 1882 Principal of the Morse School, Charles G. Ham, since 1898 Principal of the Carr School, Miss Mary H. Joyce, for many years a teacher in the elementary school, Miss Alice I. Norcross, for many years a conspicuous figure in the Pope School, and Miss Alice S. Hall, long a teacher in the Hodgkins School. All of these teachers through long service had attained a wide influence in the community. To lose so many well-known teachers in one year is fortunately unusual. The taking away of such influences as these necessarily leaves the schools poorer until such loss can be made up by the con- tribution of new and growing life.
In appreciation of the long services as masters of elemen- tary schools, the School Committee on June 22, 1923, conferred
190
ANNUAL REPORTS.
the title of Master Emeritus upon Miss Mina J. Wendell and upon Charles G. Ham. At the same time and for a like reason, the Committee bestowed the title of Master Emeritus of the Somerville Latin High School upon Dr. George L. Baxter, for many years Master of the Somerville High School. Professional Study
Our teachers have continued to show interest in self-im- provement by means of professional study. In response to an inquiry sent out from the Superintendent's Office, princi- pals reported the number of their teachers who were taking outside work for professional improvement. No attempt was made to limit these replies to any particular form of profes- sional study. Hence, this inquiry did little more than to show to what extent the idea of professional growth through study is affecting our teachers. More than one-third of the total number of teachers was shown through these reports to be taking some kind of outside professional work. When it is borne in mind that this is purely voluntary action on the part of these teachers, unaffected by official inducements or compulsion, this condition can be regarded only as highly creditable to the professional spirit of our teachers. A cor- responding condition was noted in my annual report last year.
In view of the fact that changing conditions in social, business, and civic affairs are compelling reorganizations of educational agencies, and a readjustment and improvement of educational methods, it is evident that there is an increas- ing need for teachers in the service to pursue professional studies. Therefore, it is a timely and far-reaching act for the School Committee to provide, as one of its last measures for the improvement of the schools, a plan by means of which teachers may secure increase of pay in recognition of pro- fessional study while in the service.
COOPERATING AGENCIES
Important help has been given the schools by the cooper- ation of various civic organizations. Chief among these are the Parent-Teachers' Associations which are connected with most of our schools. The meetings of these Associations have been well-maintained and well-attended and have promoted an undertanding between the teachers and parents of pupils which would otherwise have been impossible. These meetings, moreover, have furnished the administration valuable opportu- nity for spreading among the patrons information about the schools which otherwise would have remained unknown by them. In addition to this valuable function, the meetings
191
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
have afforded an opportunity for the discussing of important educational topics by speakers who are qualified to give in- formative opinions upon them. In these and other ways, Parent-Teachers' Associations have given and performed a useful service for the schools.
Another organization which has been most helpful to the schools is the Somerville Visiting Nursing Association. Dur- ing the past year, this Association has financed the cost of material for conducting the Modern Health Crusade in the fourth grade classes in the city, and has also furnished a set of scales for nine school districts. It is still actively inter- ested in this work and will continue the activities already be- gun. A very significant benefaction to the schools was a gift of $400 made last year by a group of ladies interested in the Dental Dispensary. As a result a modern dentist chair has been furnished, a dental engine has been secured, and a suffi- cient balance remains for other needed improvements.
Anne Adams Tufts Chapter D. A. R., Sons of Veterans, the W. C. T. U., George Dilboy Post, V. F. W., and the Edison Electric Light Company, are other organizations which have rendered direct help to the schools. These agencies do not cause interruptions of school work but on the contrary con- tribute directly to its more successful performance.
APPEALS TO SCHOOL CHILDREN
During this year, various causes have sought the assis- tance of school children in the accomplishment of the purposes of adults. Many times when it is proposed by adults to raise money for some philanthropic, benevolent, or patriotic pur- pose, the first impulse seems to be to ask the children of the public schools to contribute to the funds of this project. In other cases, organizations exist for the purpose of promoting some other objective than the raising of money. Under such circumstances, it is conceived to be desirable to establish the purpose of the organization through special instruction to the children in the public schools. Hence it is getting to be a matter of great frequency for organizations of one kind or another to present a request that a particular appeal be pre- sented to the school children. During the last year, there have been the usual number of such cases. The School Com- mittee, however, has refused to allow most of such requests to be brought to the attention of pupils. In view of the fact that two appeals of a national character are now waiting for action- of the School Committee, and in view of the fact that appeals for causes remote from the experience and know- ledge of the school children are apparently increasing in
192
ANNUAL REPORTS.
number, it is necessary to raise the question why such re- quests should be permitted to come into the schools at all. The schools exist to instruct children in knowledge which they need, for the acquisition of which their time in school is all too limited. The schools also exist to train children in . practices which will develop moral character and skill needed to sustain them in the life of the world. For both of these purposes the curriculum of the schools provide material. Un- less, therefore, an appeal made by an outside agency can contribute something directly to one or the other of these two purposes, it ought not to be allowed to take the time or the attention of teachers or pupils. Some such causes un- doubtedly there are, but their number is very few in compari- son with the flood of appeals which flows in upon the schools.
CONCLUSION
This report has touched briefly upon the most outstand- ing features of the school organization and of the work accom- plished under it during the year. It points out how the organization of the schools is consistent with both the trend of educational discussion of the present time and with the resources placed at the disposal of the School Committee. It shows how the various departments of the school organiza- tion are carrying on their respective enterprises. This account shows abundant reason for our citizens to be grati- fied with the work of the schools. In march with the senti- ment of the times the schools are doing efficiently the work of instruction in the field of knowledge, and the work of training in the forming of right habits in the field of social relationships,-personal and civic. This is a demand made by society upon the schools today. It is a task of constantly increasing difficulty. It involves meeting and solving new problems. It forbids a lethargic reliance only upon the past. It requires the facing of the future with courage and deter- mination to meet its needs successfully.
With such a view of its obligation and with such a spirit of service, the school organization closes the old year and faces the new. I call attention to the reports of principals and teachers which, because of their length, will be printed in another part of this report. These statements give details of the work that is being done in important departments and afford the data on which my generalizations are in part based.
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.