USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1929 > Part 15
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
A second observation is that the condition in which chil- dren arrive at school is not such as to guarantee a healthy, energetic participation in school work. It is planned to do considerable work in the promotion of daily health habits this coming year.
261
ANNUAL REPORTS
Matrons
The two matrons who have assumed the responsibility of guarding the health of the children of the high school, deal with girls in matters of hygiene, instruct pupils in proper gar- ments and food, and at the same time are on call for the prompt treatment of individuals who otherwise would be unable to complete their school day.
Pupil Achievement
It is always interesting to note the extent to which chil- dren respond in the grasping of opportunities for education and the personal efficiency which they acquire as they rise to the top in any undertaking which is of tremendous importance to their future.
As an indication of this, those pupils entering college from the high school attained records which are so remarkable as to cause considerable commendation. 154 students from the high school were successful in being admitted to higher in- stitutions of learning. This is approximately 20 more than were admitted last year. An analysis of the records of those admitted to Harvard showed that five received honors, three of them being of the highest degree, and of those applying for M. I. T., seven received honors, two of them in five subjects, one in four, and the others in one or two subjects. A total of 31 honors were received.
In most cases the success of meeting these entrance re- quirements was predicted by the high school faculty; and, therefore, their recommendations can be considered an indica- tion of success in passing the examinations. This record was achieved (1) at a time when college entrance requirements have been increased in difficulty, and (2) under conditions of most extreme competition because of the number of candidates clamoring for admission.
It is also interesting to note that our scholarship through- out the city has maintained a high record. Pupils, in prize essay contests, have won city, county, state, and national honors. Exceptional honor was attained by one pupil who re- ceived a national prize, which carried with it a trip to Wash- ington, in a composition contest which is probably the most important and extensive ever held in the country.
RESEARCH STUDIES
Education is as effectively operated as are any other affairs of the country. The educational processes have been
265
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
developed through various stages, always tending toward im- provement. The results of our accomplishment or failure are so permanent and far-reaching that those charged with the operation of schools are prompted to the utmost concern for their success.
A continuous measuring and checking up of the ac- complishments of a system and a constant adjusting of the educational opportunities offered to meet the needs of the students are antidotes to allowing our educational processes to become merely routine.
Constant research can and will be the factor upon which the effective management and operation of education will be dependent.
To keep abreast of the times school executives throughout the country are making researches continually. We, in Somer- ville, are doing our share by attacking those problems which seem to be the most in need of attention at the present time. Research will show the way for a higher degree of supervision and will provide for a better quality of instruction and a better disposition of our mental and financial resources.
In accordance with this idea, a steering committee of masters has been working with the Superintendent on the gen- eral problem of increased and more effective supervision. The School Committee has also a small committee at work consider- ing the advisability of making a re-organization of the super- visory force of the elementary schools. This entire problem in- volves a very careful study and revision of the curriculum.
Revision of Curriculum
There has been a lack in the courses of study, especially in their continuity from grade to grade. This investigation will result in a schedule of continuous courses from grade one through twelve. Such a plan will permit us to put into effect methods of instruction, following the best thought and prac- tices of the educators of the country, which will be made uni- form and will be based upon the particular needs of our com- munity.
To accomplish this, three committees, functioning in the high, junior high, and elementary schools, have been working under the direction of this steering committee. As part of this work a very complete study is being made of the methods and means of primary reading, and the Music Director is making a study of the music situation in the city.
266
ANNUAL REPORTS
Marking Standard
For some time there has been the necessity of following- the progress of pupils from grade to grade and from one school to another in an analytical way to determine the extent to which certain factors were responsible for their success and failure: There has been constant endeavor to make the bases of promo- tions and demotions more regular throughout the city, at the- same time leaving masters with the utmost authority to permit. individual consideration of cases that needed such attention.
This action showed the need of bringing our standard of measurement-the teacher's mark-to a position in the general: scheme which would make it more truly representative of the child's place within his class. This required considerable' statistical work and the good results might properly be con -- sidered the most important work of a research nature under- taken this year.
Briefly, the results when completed and made available. for the teachers will give them information which will tend to make the marking scheme throughout the city more uniform. This work will be related and carried along with a testing pro- gram which will extend over a period of three years, and in- clude certain high school pupils, and which will provide us; eventually with conclusive data on pupil progress and the possibilities of school success as related to marks obtained in. any one grade.
Mental Testing
In order to complete any study of merit, some indicator of the child's mental ability is necessary. We have begun this year a mental testing program, which, at the end of three years, will give us "mental" data which will be sufficiently complete to base our courses of study on for all nine grades and our choices of curriculum for individual students. The advantages of this program have been immediately felt and the teachers have at their disposal statistics which, coupled with their own judgment and the aid of the parent and principal, will allow them to serve the needs of their pupils collectively and individu- ally in a much wiser and more complete fashion than formerly. It has also aroused the teacher to the point of acquiring the new knowledge and techniques which have been more recently developed for the governing and teaching of children. By this means, the city is able to make use of the increased skill and knowledge which has been acquired by the teachers through participation in the professional improvement plan.
267
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
This testing program at the present time has two phases, one of which is the testing of the pupils of the seventh grades of the junior high schools in each successive year, and the other is the testing of the pupils of the first three grades. The purpose of the junior high school testing is to obtain for the teacher more information about her pupil for guidance as to proper courses and the speed with which he may take up those courses. This information will be available for use by the high school and colleges and is becoming of increasing value and utility for the guidance and prediction of success of pupils. This information can also be related to subject tests,-teacher- devised and standard,-which practice will lend valuable as- sistance in determining materials of study and methods of teaching, especially in the difficult fields of Mathematics and English.
There is no doubt that this data will help to prevent the tremendous loss of time and energy which pupils spend in courses for which they are unfitted and which therefore will eventually lack interest for them, thus making their school life unhappy, their retention in school a problem, and their success in later life a matter of conjecture.
The second phase of the testing will provide us informa- tion which will be found useful in the treatment of individual cases which are not low enough to be considered atypical but which cause us considerable difficulty because of some definite lack, such as that of word recognition. This information will be absolutely necessary to study properly the new courses of study, the changed methods of reading, and any other research work which may follow.
These research activities are only a step in the right direction and many other studies will follow. It is the intention of the administration to build up within the city a research organization which can function in the different schools in the several capacities in which it may be needed. It should be noted that every member of the instructional organization is to have a vital part in revising the tools by which the futures of the youth of Somerville are to be shaped.
PROFESSIONAL IMPROVEMENT
It is increasingly evident from the improvement shown in the work of our teachers that the Professional Improvement Plan as outlined and put into operation in 1924 was a very important act of the School Committee.
268
ANNUAL REPORTS
Of the 490 permanent teachers now in the employ of the city, 451 have taken courses and have received some financial benefit in addition to what they have gained professionally.
One hundred and sixty-nine teachers have taken courses amounting to 360 college hours and have thus earned the whole increment to the maximum salary of $300. Many of these teachers are continuing to take courses even though they can receive no further financial benefit under the Plan.
As a natural consequence of this Plan, the teachers have been stimulated to better teaching and my observation has strengthened my feeling that this plan is of tremendous value in the making of successful teachers and in increasing their service to the pupils and the city.
CONCLUSION
The accomplishments of the schools are dependent upon the efforts of the teaching corps. During the past year the entire personnel has carried on its work with interest and vigor in such a way as to deserve high commendation from the community and the School Committee. The harmonious effort expended, the spirit shown, the happiness prevailing-all gov- erned by the highest of professional ideals-have resulted in an extremely successful year.
The Superintendent is pleased to acknowledge publicly the fine accomplishment of the year and to pay high tribute to the wonderful spirit of co-operative loyalty shown by his co- workers in their efforts for the youth of our community.
Respectfully submitted,
December 16, 1929.
EVERETT W. IRELAND, Superintendent of Schools.
269
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
Students Entering Higher Institutions in September, 1929
1. Boston College
8
2. Boston University 27
a. College of Business Administration 9
b. School of Education 2
Sargent School 7
c. College of Liberal Arts 2
d. College of Practical Arts 7
3. Bowdoin College
1
4. Chandler School
5
5. Colby School for Girls
1
6. Dartmouth College
1
7. Emmanuel College
1
8. Harvard University
11
a. Harvard College
9
b. Engineering School 2
9. Katherine Gibbs School
6
10. University of Maine
1
11. Massachusetts Agricultural College
1
12. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
9
13. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy
3
14. Massachusetts State Normal Schools
25
a. Massachusetts School of Art 5
b. Bridgewater Normal School
2
c. Fitchburg Normal School
1
d. Framingham Normal School
2
e. Salem Normal School 15
15. Mount Holyoke College
1
16. Northeastern University
18*
a. Business Administration
7
b. Engineering School
11
17. Radcliffe College
6
18. Simmons College
4
19. Tufts College
21
a. Tufts College
9
b. Jackson College
7
c. Engineering College
5
20. Villanova College
2
21. Wentworth Institute
2
22. Wheaton College
1
* Nine registered to enter in December, 1929.
Boys
Girls
Total
Normal Schools
1
24
25
Scientific Schools
29
29
Colleges
52
49
101
82
73
155
NUMBER OF PUPILS BY SUBJECTS
December, 1929
Totals
English
2357
Elocution
1227
270
ANNUAL REPORTS
History
1739
Latin
442
French
1082
Spanish
410
German
66
Italian
112
Chemistry
551
Physics
176
Biology
396
Physiology
48
Astronomy and Geology
23
Trigonometry
18
Geometry
560
Algebra
384
Mathematics
175
Stenography
485
Typewriting
812
Bookkeeping
484
Penmanship
890
Salesmanship
96
Commercial Law
19
Commercial Arithmetic
78
Clerical Practice
79
Commerce and Industry
522
Problems in Citizenship
137
Household Arts
51
Cooking
85
Dressmaking
107
Manual Training
132
Mechanical Drawing
246
Freehand Drawing
235
Arts and Crafts
92
MEMBERSHIP IN HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES
December, 1929
Orchestras (2) 87
Glee Clubs (3)
204
Band
64
Fife, Drum and Bugle Corps
16
Students' Council
18
Traffic Squad
120
National Honor Society
89
School Paper
21
Literary Club
150
Webster Debating Society
47
Girls' Debating Society
23
Players' Club
35
Spanish Club
45
Italian Club
42
Sketch Club
45
Chess Club
16
Girls' Athletic Association
......
350
S. H. S. Athletic Association
all pupils
-
271
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
SOMERVILLE TEACHERS' CLUB
Officers, 1929-1930
President, Ardelle Abbott
S Lilla E. Mann Vice-Presidents, ¿ Elfrida V. Callister Recording Secretary, Ilene C. Ritchie Corresponding Secretary, Frances E. Biller Treasurer, Eleanor D. Campbell Auditor, Anna J. Coll
Object
The object shall be to secure a close union among the wom- en teachers in Somerville ; to promote the spirit of mutual help- fulness ; to advance professional interests ; to create a deeper sense of the dignity of the profession; to unite the interests of the home and school.
Program
February 13 .- Reading, Judge Henry A. Shute. Music by the Bee- thoven Quartette.
April 10 .- Dramatics, under the direction of Miss Harriet M. Bell.
May 8 .- Annual Meeting. Election of Officers. Reports of Committees.
June 1 .- Annual Outing, Riverbank Lodge.
October 17 .- Lecture, "My Trip Around the World," Robert Lincoln O'Brion.
November 2 .- Rummage Sale, Bennett School.
December 10 .- Christmas Party. Entertainment by the Everett Teach- ers' Glee Club.
SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
Annual Report of the Treasurer Jan. 1, 1930
Receipts
Balance on hand Jan. 1, 1929
$2,750 46
Baseball games
$766 65
Football games
6,825 00
Interest
38 34
Miscellaneous
64 75
7,694 74
$10,445 20
272
ANNUAL REPORTS
Expenditures
Athletic supplies
$2,887 92
Medical supplies and services
246 36
Paid visiting teams
1,342 32
Officials
349 00
Police
523 00
Assistance at games
130 00
Postage
30 20
Printing
62 75
Telephone
43 85
Transportation
263 80
Coaching
950 00
Treasurer's salary
100 00
Physician's salary
200 00
Manager's salary
400 00
Dues to Athletic Association
6.00
Miscellaneous
665 00
$8,200 20
Balance on hand Jan 1, 1930.
$2,245 00
GEORGE E. PEARSON, Treasurer.
273
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
IN MEMORIAM
JOHN SHERBURNE EMERSON Baxter, Knapp, Perry schools Died June 9, 1929
NORA F. BYARD Proctor School Died June 10, 1929
GRACE SHOREY Forster School Died May 13, 1929
274
STATEMENT OF WORK OF SCHOOL DENTAL DISPENSARY PROCTOR SCHOOL For the School Year Ending June 28, 1929
MONTH.
No. of Children
Treated
New Patients
Former Patients
Teeth Extracted
No. Teeth Filled
No. Cleanings
No. Having Brushes
Having Brushes
Treatments
Novocain
Examination
Amount of fees
Collected
5Ī
32
19
12
23
6
47
4
37
2
1
$ 9.80
September
156
87
69
65
55
00
144
12
98
15
14
26.33
October
118
73
45
76
28
00
102
16
39
35
17
21.60
November
88
43
15
53
17
3
85
3
37
20
13
14.15
December
108
44
64
58
27
7
102
6
54
27
15
16.05
January
49
24
25
32
4
3
47
2
10
12
9.00
February
32
15
17
21
13
00
26
6
~9
5
1577
. 6.60
March
114
62
52
69
70
29
105
9
48
34
157
24.55
April
106
69
37
68
45
15
98
00
29
44
21.25
May
95
55
40
66
38
10
86
00
19
46
0, 00
21.90
June .
Total
917
504
413
520
320
96
842
75
374
238
1819
$171.23
ANNUAL REPORTS
No. Not
STATEMENT OF WORK OF SCHOOL NURSES FOR YEAR ENDING, JUNE 28, 1929
PUPILS ESCORTED TO CLINICS
Oper-
ations
Conta- gion found in
* Home Visits
Hy- giene Talks
Pedic- ulosis
Un- clean
Eye
Ear
Nose and Throat
*Med- ical
Sur- gical
Skin
Dental
Corrected Vision
| Corrected Hearing
Tonsils
Adenoids
School
Home
New
Old
School
Home
September ..
90
3347
9
244
6
258
2730
113
7
1
2
31
16
2
1
1
1
1
3
3
21
5
1163
...
November ..
115
4717
283
250
5
188
2491
333
117
386
48
81
3
3
5
5
37
5
1326
December ..
76
3094
190
190
5
108
1679
112
212
9
71
1
6
12
4
January
104
5504
168
252
5
210
1591
480
79
215
6
85
2
1
6
6
14
14
1001
1
February ...
72
2482
71
158
4
152
893
548
137
214
62
39
2
2
2
17
8
785
March
102
3758
1073
221
18
16
53
305
2
109
1
1
1
10
5
655
April
87
3609
284
193
4
191
189
364
173
6
82
3
8
789
May
111
2920
112
257
6
158
40
149
54
229
7
69
1
1
3
5
11
10
520
June
92
1
1452
94
238
4
215
37
63
1
139
3
72
8
1
1
17
9
377
Total ...
947
4
34298
2444
2198
60
1620 11803
1967
825 2008
175
14
4
7
1
1
1
1
11
5
18
19
- 8
72
7001
1
*Treated by family physician or dentist
New: Seen first time during School Year Old : Cases followed up
44 Class talks in Hygiene given
3
3415
160
195
3
140
2153
14
118
New
Old
New
Old
New
Old
New
New
Old
New
Old
New
Old
New
Old
seen
Notices sent to
Consultations with
Consultations With
Med. Inspector
'Treatments in School
INSPECTIONS
Schools
Hospitals
Total No. of Pupils
Guardian
Teachers
New
Old
New
Old
4
385
2
-
1
2
185
...
1
October
98
...
327
624
-
...
41
128
Dental
DATE
Old
275
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
.
CONTENTS OF APPENDIX
SUMMARY OF STATISTICS
Population and school census.
School buildings.
Teachers.
Attendance for year.
Cost of school maintenance.
Teachers' salaries.
MISCELLANEOUS TABLES
CONCERNING FINANCE
No. of Table
1. Schedule of school property.
2. Cost of maintaining schools, school year 1928-1929.
3. Cost per capita of maintaining schools, school year 1928-1929.
4. Cost of maintaining schools for a series of years.
5. Cost per capita for maintaining schools for a series of years.
6. Amount spent annually for new school buildings and for re- pairs for a series of years.
CONCERNING PUPILS
7. Population and school registration.
8. Attendance, ctc., of the schools for school year 1928-1929.
9. Statistics of the high school for school year 1928-1929.
10. Pupils by grades, June, 1929.
11. Separate statistics for high, junior high, elementary and vo- cational schools, for school year 1928-1929.
12.
Admissions to first grade in September.
13. Number of junior high school graduates, 1929.
14. Truant statistics for a series of years.
15. Evening school statistics, 1928-1929.
16. Elementary school promotees for a series of years.
17. Attendance statistics of all schools for a series of years.
18. Statistics of the high school for a series of years.
19. Promotions, junior high schools, 1929.
19a Promotions, elementary schools, 1929.
CONCERNING TEACHERS
20. Resignations of teachers, 1929.
21. Teachers elected in 1929.
22. Leave of absence of teachers.
23. Transfers of teachers.
24. Number of teachers employed for a series of years.
276
ANNUAL REPORTS
STATISTICAL AND GENERAL TABLES
25. Changes in textbooks, 1929.
26. High and Junior High School graduation exercises, 1929.
27. Vocational school graduation exercises, 1929.
28. Organization of school board for 1930.
29. Teachers in service January, 1930
30. Officers in service January, 1930.
31. School janitors.
SUMMARY OF STATISTICS 1 .- POPULATION AND SCHOOL CENSUS
Population, state census, 1895
52,200
Population, United States census, 1900
61,643
Population, state census, 1905
69,272
Population, United States census, 1910
77,236
Population, state census, 1915
86,854
Population, United States census, 1920
93,033
Population, state censuse, 1905
69,272
Children between five and fifteen years of age inclusive,
October, 1929, by school census
18,380
2 .- SCHOOL BUILDINGS
Number of school buildings in June
31
Number of classrooms in use in June
436
Valuation of school property
$3,700,000
3 .- TEACHERS
*1928
*1929
Change
In High schools
79
88
+9
In junior high schools
122
127
+5
In elementary schools
223
226
+3
In kindergartens
16
16
0
Total in elementary schools
239
242
+3
Vocational school for boys
10
10
0
Independent Household Arts
1
1
0
Atypical classes
6
7
++1
Sight saving
1
1
0
Cadet teachers
14
20
+-6
Special
13
14
+1
Continuation
3
3
0
Americanization
1
2
+1
Total
489
515
+26
4 .- ATTENDANCE FOR YEAR
*1928
*1929
Change
Entire enrollment for the year
16,807
17,083
+276
Average number belonging
15.190
15,521
+331
Average number attending
14,232
14,435
+203
Per cent. of daily attendance
93.1
93.0
-0.1
High school graduates
513
606
+93
Junior High school graduates
1,040
1,165
+125
277
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
5 .- COST OF SCHOOL MAINTENANCE
*1928
*1929
Change
Salaries of teachers
$950,532 39 $1,001,046 70
+$50,514 31
Salaries of officers
23,795 84
20,869 34
-2,926 50
Cost of books and supplies. ...
51,041 19
54,662 69
+3,621 50
Cost of light and power
13,898 12
19,457 76
+5,559 64
Cost of janitor's services, etc.
86,579 74
87,451 70
+871 96
Cost of fuel and insurance ....
23,543 52
30,032 53
+6,489.01
Total cost of day and evening schools
1,149,390 80
1,213,520 72
+64,129 92
Per capita cost
75 67
78 19
+2 52
Cost of high school instruction
187,342 87
205,906 25
+18,563 38
Per capita cost
87 50
92 96
.+5 46
6-MISCELLANEOUS
*1928
*1929
Change
Paid for new school buildings
$105,469 07
$673,185 00
+567,715 93
Repairs and permanent im-
provements
57,226 33
74,968 01
+17,741 68
Total school expenditures
1,312,086 20
1,961,673 73
+649,587 53
Valuation of city
120,172,300 00 118,840,900 00 -1,331,400 00
Number of dollars spent to
maintain schools out of
every $1,000 of valuation ....
9 56
10 21
+0.65
Number of dollars spent for
all school purposes out of
every $1,000 of valuation ....
10 92
16 50
+5.58
* School year.
Cost of the Schools
The total amount spent for the maintenance of the schools of Somerville for the school year ending June 30, 1929, is $1,213,520.72.
This includes the sums spent for care of school buildings, including janitors' services, fuel, light, and school telephones : the amount paid for salaries of officers, and the amount spent for school supplies ; and the sum paid for salaries of teachers.
The expenditure for care for school buildings is wholly in charge of the City Government.
The amount paid for janitors is
$87,451 70
The cost of fuel is
30,032 53
The cost of light is
19,457 76
A total cost of
$136,941 99
A total cost per capita of
8 82
Cost of repairs
72,680 26
278
ANNUAL REPORTS
The second important expenditure is wholly under the control of the School Committee and is covered by what is known as the "School Contingent" appropriation. The follow- ing is the itemized account :-
DAY SCHOOLS.
EVENING SCHOOLS.
Expenditures.
Total.
High and Vocational
Elementary
High and Vocational
Elementary
CONTINUATION SCHOOLS AND AMERICANIZA- TION WORK
Officers' Sala- ries.
$21,492.99 4,977 84 18,092.39
$7,121.05
$10.937.24
$12.38
$21.72
Office Expenses Textbooks. Stationery and Supplies and Other Ex- penses of In- struction .......
24,886.41
15,949.06
8,328.22
345.96
22.02
241.15
Miscellaneous (Tuition, etc.)
6,082.40
1,779.59
4,066.87
97.37
8.84
129.73
Total
$75,532.03
$24,849.70
$23,332.33
$455.71
$30.86
$392.60
The third, and by far the largest, element of the cost of schools is the sum spent for the salaries of teachers. This ex- penditure is under the control of the School Committee.
The following statement shows the distribution of the sums paid for salaries :-
DAY SCHOOLS.
EVENING SCHOOLS.
CONTINUATION SCHOOLS AND AMERICANIZA- TION WORK
Expenditures.
Total.
High and Vocational
Elementary
High and Vocational
Elementary
Supervisors Principals Teachers
$30.588.63 57,551.25 912,906.82
$7,281.15 14,790.08 302,407.20
$21.487.48 40.715.17 593,268.12
$690 00 6,388.00
$456.00 1,216.00
$1,820.00 900.00 9,627.50
Total
$1.001.046.70
$324,478.43
$655,470.77
$7,078.00
$1,672.00
$12,347.50
The total outlay for all school purposes includes all of the preceding and the sums spent for schoolhouse repairs and new buildings.
279
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
The total outlay for the school year ending June 30, 1929, is as follows :-
Care
$136,941 99
Contingent
54,662 69
Salaries
1,021,916 04
Total for school maintenance
$1,213,520 72
Paid for repairs
74,968 01
Paid for new buildings
673,185 00
Total for all school purposes.
$1,961,673 73.
Each dollar of the sum spent for the support of schools has been divided in the following proportion :---
Janitors' salaries ..
1924 $0.072
1925 $0.077
1926 $0.074
1927 $0.073
1928 $0.075
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.