USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1933 > Part 16
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XIII. For every child who is blind, deaf, crip- pled, or otherwise physically handicapped, and for the child who is mentally handicapped, such measures as will early discover and diagnose his handicap, pro- vide care and treatment, and so train him that he may become an asset to society rather than a liability.
The challenge implied in this charter brought about a serious determination on the part of educators and members of school committees throughout the country to devote their most sincere efforts to meeting the crisis in education. These champions of the child and his rights have been handicapped at every turn by those who would befog the real issues by drawing attention to what they term large expenditures of money and extravagances in education.
The year 1933, productive as it has been of the most rapid and far reaching changes-social, political and economic- which our country has ever witnessed, has presented the most serious problems ever faced. So many beliefs and policies which hitherto have been considered fundamental have been
285
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
so completely turned upside down over night that it seems wise for those in charge of education to make haste slowly, and proceed only when the ultimate goal seems to be some- where near our side of the horizon.
The School Committee. of Somerville has consequently given serious attention to a betterment of our organized courses of study ; to the relief of unemployment, so far as it could be done without subordination of the standards of our schools ; and to a continued policy of economy so far as obtain- ing one hundred cents worth for every dollar expended. Par- ticularly prominent in its deliberations has been the thought of preparing the next generation so that the chaos of the eco- nomic and social crisis of these past years cannot be repeated.
To the extent that this crisis has been caused by a low ethical standard, will it, to the same degree, be prevented in the future by imbuing the next generation with the ideals which lead to sane thinking and a high level of right conduct so characteristic of the best type of citizenship.
For a number of years the school enrolment of our city has been increasing, particularly in the upper grades, due to the evident fact that the community is aware of the impor- tance of an adequate education for all. This increase has come in spite of the fact that the saturation point of public school enrolment was thought to have been reached some time ago in Somerville. However, another factor is now operative with respect to this increase. Due to the enactment of the National Recovery Act, with the consequent development of the codes of the N.R.A. Administration, child labor is practically elim- inated. This action should have been taken five years ago by the acceptance of the Child Labor amendment, but with a characteristic lack of foresight the people ruled otherwise. Now, an industrial and economic chaos has brought about that which could not be accomplished by those who had the inter- ests of the health and welfare of the children at heart. The dollar again has more influence than common sense.
Under the conditions of the codes, children under sixteen years of age must now attend school while schools are in ses- sion and they cannot be employed more than three hours a day after school hours. Furthermore, the employment in which those between sixteen and eighteen years of age may be en- ยท gaged is being limited by industry. It is apparent, therefore, that a choice must be made by these minors between school-
.
286
ANNUAL REPORTS
ing and loafing, instead of working, schooling, and loafing as was formerly the case. The school then becomes the only avail- able place to which those who choose wisely may go for profit- able employment; hence the increase in enrolment in our up- per grades. This increase is not composed of new students but is composed of a larger number who stay in school three, four, or five years longer. The following table will best show this tendency over a period of years to remain in school :
MEMBERSHIP BY GRADES ON OCTOBER 1, EACH YEAR
Year
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
1925
1257
1256
1234
1054
885
592
532
1928
1311
1322
1292
1268
984
720
623
1930
1333
1333
1292
1323
1092
885
622
1931
1364
1378
1301
1256
1257
858
765
1932
1293
1390
1352
1328
1302
1038
700
1933
1348
1328
1366
1400
1383
1045
849
Per cent of
Increase
1925-1933
7.2
5.8
10.7
31.7
56.5
76.5
59.5
MEMBERSHIP AND ACCOMMODATIONS
The public school membership of the present time is 16,915 as compared with a membership of 16,571 for the correspond- ing date last year, 16,171 the year before, and 16,022 and 15,- 626 before that. These figures show increases of 344, 400, 149, and 396. The distribution of the increase of 344 is made by in- creases in the High School of 218, junior high schools 59, elementary schools 79, Continuation School 7, and a decrease in the Vocational School of 19.
It has been maintained for three years that the increased enrolment in the High School, caused by the persistent de- mand for more education, and the effect of the depression was not cause for alarm because of the temporary nature of the de- pression. Due now to the elimination of child labor, the con- tinued increase will, before long, cause considerable concern as to the adequacy of its housing.
In the elementary schools, a combination class for third and fourth grade pupils was opened for pupils in the Cum- mings school, and a fourth grade was reestablished in the Lincoln School. Our elementary schools, however, will be adequate for some time so far as pupil stations are concerned although the Edgerly School should be abandoned for physical
287
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
reasons as suggested in the program which calls for a new school building on the present site.
In the junior high schools, while it is possible to house more pupils in the Southern and Western buildings, it seems impossible to place the district lines at such points that the overcrowded Northeastern building can be relieved. In con- sequence the School Committee urged that consideration be given under the Public Works Program of the city to an addi- tion to the Leonard B. Chandler Building on Marshall Street.
The Vocational School, which for several years has been reported as wholly unsuitable and extremely inadequate, has received some attention this year through a recommendation of His Honor, the Mayor, in the Public Works Program, for a combination building on the present Edgerly School site to house the Vocational School, the Continuation School, and the present primary school in that district.
A great amount of work is contemplated under the Civil Works program in redecorating a number of the elementary schools, and making much needed changes in the heating plants and toilet facilities.
COST
It is inevitable that the total amount of money spent for the operation of the educational effort is proportional to the number of pupils who must be accommodated in the schools. For years the Somerville schools have held a very enviable position among the schools of the state with reference to the figure by which school systems may be compared, namely, per capita cost. This figure is obtained by dividing the total ex- penditures spent from all sources by the net average member- ship in the schools. This year the figure to present the true picture, must be expressed in two ways,-(1) the per capita cost as computed from gross payroll figures and (2) the cost as computed after the contribution of the teachers from their salaries to public welfare is deducted. This contribution amounted during this year to $155,524.73 and in addition other economies were effected by (1) the failure of a large number of teachers to receive their automatic increases amounting to $5,100, (2) the suspension of increments amounting to $3,100 which the teachers had earned and to which they were entitled, and (3) some savings made for the year by reducing the ap- propriations for textbooks and supplies. It is necessary only
288
ANNUAL REPORTS
to note the reduced expenditures as stated above and the in- creased enrolment mentioned previously, in order to realize that the actual cost for instruction in our schools has been reduced during the year by an amount of approximately ten dollars per pupil. This reduction has been effected without depleting our educational opportunities in any way, except to suspend the Summer School for the year. It is surely com- mendable that, while we have maintained our organization, the cost per pupil for education has been reduced.
The report as made by the State Department of Educa- tion, however, through June 30, 1933 gives an erroneous im- pression due to the fact that the figures include expenditures from June 1932 to December 31, 1932, as well as from Jan- uary 1, 1933 to June 30, 1933, and do not take into account in any way the contributions made by the teachers, which money is charged to the operation of schools even though it were never paid to the teachers. In short, the schools are charged with an expenditure of over $155,000 which actually was used for welfare purposes.
CHANGES IN PERSONNEL
The yearly report upon the changes in personnel of the educational organization is one of the sad duties of the Super- intendent, because it means the loss of service to the com- munity of some of our most experienced, efficient, and loyal teachers. This year the number is slightly larger than usual. Of the twenty-one persons who brought to a close their careers of educational service, fourteen were retired by the provisions of the statutes of the Commonwealth, five left to be married and two were called to the Great Beyond. Of those who re- tired, four were forced to retire and ten voluntarily retired. These fourteen had exceptionally long periods of service in the schools of Somerville as follows:
Charles E. Brainard, forty-four years, Clara B. Sackett and Mabel Mansir, forty-two years, Lennie W. Bartlett, thirty- nine years, Elizabeth J. O'Neil and Elizabeth Foster, thirty- eight years, Ella H. Bucknam, thirty-six years, Jennie M. Twiss, thirty years, Mabel K. Davis and Laura R. Cunning- ham, twenty-nine years, Grace E. W. Foster and Emma Damon, twenty-five years, Lucy I. Topliff and Charles A. Kirk- patrick, twenty years.
289
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
The School Committee recognized the worth of these long periods of service and the importance of the part played by Mr. Brainard and these teachers in the education of the cit- izens of our City, by adopting resolutions or sending to them letters of appreciation for their services to the community.
In filling the mastership of the Glines, Edgerly, and Grim- mons School District left vacant by the retirement of Charles E. Brainard the School Committee selected Leo C. Donahue, formerly Vice-Principal of the Northeastern Junior High School. To this assignment, Mr. Donahue brings a pleasing personality, a fine educational background, and a willingness to travel on in the footprints worn so deeply by his predecessor.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Due to the fact that all persons in the country are study- ing and surveying the educational offering in view of the ad- justments necessitated by the National Reconstruction Act, and all its subsidiaries, it seems advisable for School Commit- tees to proceed slowly with respect to the inauguration of new activities and projects until such time as the necessary read- justments make it possible to maintain some stability in the educational world. In consequence of this situation, the School Committee recommends the continued support of its policies and urges the citizens of our community to insist upon the. maintenance of the high standard of their school system.
CONCLUSION
Expressions of felicitation and gratitude are always in order for the successful completion of a year's work. The school teachers' responsibilities which are legion, and their duties and tasks which are arduous require their most earnest efforts in the interests of the children under ordinary circum- stances. During this year, however with unanticipated prob- lems, such as (1) being beset with unwarranted criticisms from sources which should have been friendly, (2) being seri- ously concerned about their security, and (3) facing a series of consecutive payless pay days, they have striven harder than ever to maintain and even increase their high standards of ac- complishment.
The members of the School Committee and the Superin- tendent appreciate greatly the extraordinary efforts of the teachers on behalf of the children of the community, and com-
290
ANNUAL REPORTS
mend those who have done their utmost to maintain their pur- poseful functions during these trying times, without subor- dination in any way of the high ideals so characteristic of the teaching profession.
Respectfully submitted,
EVERETT W. IRELAND, . Superintendent of Schools. December 18, 1933.
291
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
Students Entering Higher Institutions in September, 1933
1. Boston College
6
2. Boston University
12
a. College of Business Administration 7
b. College of Liberal Arts 5
3. Bowdoin College
1
4. Chandler Secretarial School
1
5. Emmanuel College
1
6. Graceland, Iowa
1
7. Harvard University
5
8. Katherine Gibbs School
4
9. Lasell Junior College
1
10. Maryville, Tenn.
1
11. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
4
12. Massachusetts State College
1
13. New England Conservatory of Music
1
1.4. Northeastern University
5
15. Radcliffe College
6
16. Simmons College
1
17. Smith College
1
18. State Teachers Colleges
16
a. Bridgewater
2
b. Lowell
1
c. Massachusetts School of Art
4
d. Salem
9
19. Tufts
25
a. College
12
b. Engineering School
5
c. Jackson College
8
20. University of Alabama
1
21. University of New Hampshire
2
22. Wentworth Institute
1
23. Wheelock School
1
24. William and Mary College
1
25. Wooster, Ohio
1
Summary
State Teachers Colleges
16
Scientific Schools
15
Colleges
62
Other Higher Institutions
7
100
292
ANNUAL REPORTS
Number of Pupils By Subjects December 1, 1933
English
3242
Elocution
1607
History
2001
Latin
549
French
1251
Spanish
507
German
80
Italian
187
Chemistry
650
Physics
295
Biology
667
Physiology
208
Astronomy and Geology
42
Trigonometry
51
Geometry
828
Algebra
754
Economic and Civic Problems
277
Elementary Economics
44
Stenography
508
Typewriting
1006
Bookkeeping
272
Penmanship
1346
Salesmanship
124
Commercial Law
107
Business Science
130
Arithmetic
611
Clerical Practice
319
Commerce and Industry
696
Household Arts
309
Manual Training
144
Mechanical Drawing
294
Freehand Drawing
275
Arts and Crafts
130
Music Appreciation
180
Musical Theory
162
Choral Practice
491
Physical Education
2272
Student Activities December, 1933
Orchestra (3)
150
Band
96
Girls' Bugle Corps
60
Glee Club, Girls (3)
204
" Boys
87
Student Council
20
School Paper
55
National Honor Society
41
. Traffic Squad
175
Webster Debating Society
50
Writers' Club
33
Players' Club
50
Stamp Club
25
Girls' Athletics
150
S. H. S. Athletic Association
All Pupils
293
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
SOMERVILLE TEACHERS' CLUB
Officers, 1933-1934
President, RUTH M. LANG
ELIZABETH JJ. LEACE
Vice-Presidents & WINIFRED I. MACDONALD
Recording Secretary, BERNICE J. ANDREWS Corresponding Secretary, ALICE M. PATTERSON
Treasurer, ELEANOR D. CAMPBELL Auditor, ANNA J. COLL
OBJECT
The object shall be to secure a close union among the women teachers in Somerville ; to promote the spirit of mutual helpfulness; to advance professional interests; to create a deeper sense of the dignity of the profession; to unite the in- terest of the home and school.
PROGRAM
October 5-25th Anniversary Party. Speaker, Prof. Charles Frederick Whitney, "An Hour with MacDowell".
December 20 - Illustrated lecture by Bob Hewitt, Cowboy Author and Lecturer, "Roaming in Wyoming".
February 7-Guests: Group from the Home for the Aged; Play by Irma Watson, "Powder and Patches".
April 11-Lecture: Edward Weeks, Editor-in-Chief of the Atlantic Monthly Press. Subject, "The Editor's Easy Chair". Guests: Somerville Schoolmen's Club.
May 9- Annual Meeting. Election of Officers. Reports of Committees.
SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC COMMITTEE
Report of the Treasurer, January 1, 1933, to January 1, 1934 Receipts :
Balance on hand, January 1, 1933
$1,090.86
Basketball games
152.50
Baseball games 46.15
Football games
4,498.57
Interest
3.73
Entertainments
85.00
Miscellaneous
101.10
$5,977.91
294
ANNUAL REPORTS
Expenditures :
Athletic Supplies
$2,734.75
Medical Supplies
68.98
Officials
388.00
Police
567.00
Assistance at games
123.50
Postage
7.00
Printing
70.50
Transportation
208.20
Physician's salary
200.00
Dues to A. A.
4.00
Coaching
210.00
Paid to visiting teams
785.86
Miscellaneous
194.42
$5,562.21
Balance in treasury, January 1, 1934
415.70
Estimated outstanding bills
921.60
STATEMENT OF WORK OF SCHOOL NURSES For School Year Ending June 30, 1933
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 ..
128
10665
762
490
20
359
842
345
219
139
99
29
2
381
46
43
154
5
...
4
42
2
1060
7
October
118
11664
3592
602
29
244
1230
4
224
515
78
193
1
2
3
95
5
1
91
43
1
4
1
27
8
38
4
1208
10
November ..
106
1
9612
8339
499
22
147
1014
102
78
319
11
99
13
1
65
2
2
25
11
2
4
2
2
2
56
12
1256
16
December ..
154
11283
1431
712
20
172
520
178
96
705
88
257
16
2
2
1
45
41
4
1
1
30
38
2
70
31
1141
20
January ....
127
2
9789
441
586
13
140
617
376
100
787
62
106
21
1
2
3
2
1
46
42
2
1
10
10
12
43
17
1183
13
February ...
1
9027
501
611
25
142
525
96
53
826
30
343
14
1
2
1
1
38
1
2
8
1
10
9
6
43
6
655
17
March
156
9291
3337
608
24
103
78
64
35
898
5
183
5
1
1
43
22
9
19
30
10
408
1
April
123
9421
3338
473
20
94
206
284
89
624
26
6:25
10
2
1
29
43
3
2
4
3
5
5
26
11
766
6
May
143
7563
1397
526
24
150
297
391
39
543
119
12
1
1
25
16
4
2
3
3
10
19
17
854
6
June
159
6096
186
581
78
296
30
239
14
352
42
103
6
1
106
-
26
17
2
2
3
3
3
7
17
8
503
12
Total.
1362
4
94301
18324
5688
270
1847
5359
1734 1073 6788
438 2427 144
3
13
11
654
70
1
513
278
8
8
55
8
94
89
107
9
384 117
9034 106
* Treated by family physician or dentist.
New: Seen first time during school year. Old: Cases followed up.
13162 Children weighed. 21 Class talks in Hygiene given.
Schools
Hospitals
Total No. of Pupils
Notice sent to
Guardian
Teachers
New
Old
New
Old
New
Old
New
Old
New
Old
New
Old
New
Old
New
Old
New
Old
New
Old
Optician
seen
Consultations with
Consultations with
Treatment in School
Dental
Med. Inspector
INSPECTIONS
DATE
148
29
23
32
18
31
.. .
8
18
55
295
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
In Memoriam
WILLIAM E. O'BRIEN High School Died November 14, 1933
ARTHUR S. GOVONI Southern Junior High School Died February 23, 1933
296
ANNUAL REPORTS
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 1932-1933.
3. Cost per capita of maintaining schools, school year 1932-1933.
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 repairs for a series of years.
CONCERNING PUPILS
7. Population and school registration.
8. Attendance, etc., of the schools for school year 1932-1933.
9. Statistics of the high school for school year 1932-1933.
10. Pupils by grades, June, 1933.
11. Separate statistics for high, junior high, elementary and voca- tional schools, for school year 1932-1933.
12. Admission to first grade in September.
13. Number of junior high school graduates, 1933.
14. Truant statistics for a series of years.
15. Evening school statistics, 1932-1933.
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, 1933.
19a Promotions, elementary schools, 1933.
CONCERNING TEACHERS
20. Resignations of teachers, 1933.
21. Teachers elected in 1933.
22. Leave of absence of teachers.
23. Transfers of teachers.
24. Number of teachers employed for a series of years.
297
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
STATISTICAL AND GENERAL TABLES
25. Changes in text books, 1933.
26. High and Junior High School graduation exercises, 1933.
26a Evening High School graduation exercises, 1933.
27. Vocational School graduation exercises. 1933.
28. Organization of school board for 1934.
29. Teachers in service, January, 1934.
30. Officers in service, January, 1934.
31. School custodians.
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 census, 1925
99,032
Population, United States census, 1930
103,604
Children between five and fifteen years of age in-
clusive, October, 1933, by school census
19,035
2 - SCHOOL BUILDINGS
Number of school buildings in June
31
Number of classrooms in use in June
483
Valuation of school property
$4,683,400
3 - TEACHERS
*1932
*1933
Change
In high school
105
106
+1
In junior high schools
154
156
In elementary schools
248
250
++2
In kindergartens
20
25
+5
Total in elementary schools
268
275
+7
Vocational School for Boys
13
13
0
Independent Household Arts
1
1
0
Atypical classes
8
8
0
Sight saving
1
1
0
Cadet teachers
13
12
-1
Special
23
21
-2
Continuation
3
3
0
Americanization
1
1
0
Total
858
872
+14
4 - ATTENDANCE FOR YEAR
*1932
*1933
Change
Entire enrollment for the year. ..
17,389
17,758
+369
Average number belonging
16,030
16,303
+273
Average number attending
15,104
15,322
+218
Per cent. of daily attendance
94.2
93.9
-0.3
High School graduates
770
700
- 70
Junior High School graduates
1,217
1,291
+ 74
298
ANNUAL REPORTS
5 --- COST OF SCHOOL MAINTENANCE
*1932 *1933
Change +$12,743.74
Salaries of teachers
$1,154,075.63 $1,166,819.37
Salaries of officers
34,453.21
34,010.17
443.04
Cost of books and supplies
53,787.78
48,643.93
5,143.85
Cost of light and power
26,818.98
24,134.90
2,684.08
Cost of janitors' services, etc.
104,709.95
104,053.84
656.11
Cost of fuel and insurance
32,306.38
29,751.16
2,555.22
Total cost of day and evening schools
1,406,151.93
1,407,413.37
+
1,261.44
Per capita cost
87.24
85.30
1.94
Cost of high school instruction
247,059.75
250,033.70
2,973.95
Per capita cost
88.93
85.31
3.62
6 - MISCELLANEOUS
*1932
*1933
Change
Paid for new school
buildings
$440,776.25
$15,142.34
-$425,633.91
Repairs and permanent improvements
52,637.46
39,350.03
13,287.43
Total school expendi-
tures
1,899,565.64
1,461,905.74
- 437,659.90
Valuation of city
150,285,500.00
119,798,800.00
-30,486,700.00
Number of dollars spent
to maintain schools
out of every $1,000 of valuation
9.36
11.75
+ 2.39
Number of dollars spent
for all school pur-
poses out of every
$1,000 of valuation ..
12.63
12.20
- 0.43
* 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, 1933, is $1,- 407,413.37.
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
$104,053.84
The cost of fuel is 29,751.16
The cost of light is 24,134.90
A total cost of 157,939.90
A total cost per capita of 9.69
Cost of repairs
$39,350.03
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 following is the itemized account :
Expenditures
Total
High
Day Schools Junior Elementary Vocational
Evening Schools -
High
Continuation School and Elementary Vocational American-
ization Work
Officers' Salaries
$34,420.42
...
...
...........
......
....
...
Office Expenses
5,915.11
Text Books
16,669.25
$5,383.15
$4,432.29
$6,697.40
$104.47
$46.38
$5.56
Stationery and Supplies
and Other Expenses
of Instruction
22,444.01
6,666.46
7,227.60
5,290.75
2,717.73
261.13
$13.46
266.88
Miscellaneous (Tuition, etc. )
3,205.31
1,058.19
316.71
1,676.74
61.30
41.85
11.67
$3.85
35.00
Total
$82,654.10
$13,107.80
$11,976.60
$13,664.89
$2,883.50
$349.36
$25.13
$3.85
$307.44
.
The third, and by far the largest, element of the cost of schools is the sum spent for the salaries of teachers. This expenditure is under the control of the School Committee.
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
299
.
.
The following statement shows the distribution of the sums paid for salaries :
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