Report of the city of Somerville 1929, Part 15

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1929
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 438


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



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.