Report of the city of Somerville 1934, Part 11

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1934
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 420


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1934 > Part 11


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Many parents and School Committee members have re- quested information regarding the value of kindergarten train- ing, particularly as it affects the child's promotion throughout the grades. In order to obtain information on this matter, a


207


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


study of a number of children who attended kindergarten in the years 1928 to 1931 inclusive was attempted. The general purpose of the study was to determine the degree of success or failure of these children. On account of the many considerations involved in such a study, such as the location of the kindergar- tens, their inaccessibility to many children, and the frequent changes of membership due to children's diseases or the mov- ing of families, no valid comparisons can be made with the reg- ular school system. The study showed, however, that in each respective year from 1928 to 1931 79%, 88%, 89%, and 91 % of the pupils were either in or above their proper grade. These percentages would indicate that pupils with kindergarten ex- perience are able to meet the demands of the grades with con- siderably better than average success. Further indication of the predictability of success of such children is given from an examination of the records of 700 children who were in the first grade in January 1934. The kindergarten-trained children showed approximately 5% less failures than those without kindergarten training. This study was undertaken to indicate the extent of the success with which the informality of the in- struction of the kindergarten had been altered to make it uni- fied and purposeful. Included in this change was a course in word recognition for the purpose of assisting the child in the routine of reading in the first grade. This was felt to be neces- sary because so many of the children have serious language handicaps.


It is entirely possible that further changes may be made to assist the child entering the first grade without in the least losing the important values of kindergarten education. It is our intent to continue this study until such time as the data is more conclusive.


A second study has been undertaken concerning our prac- tice of admitting children to the first grade by the mental test. with the idea in view of determining the value of the test in predicting success in the regular grade work. On the basis of two means of judging, -- first, that of the teacher's opinion of the pupils, and, second, that of the results of further achieve- ment testing, the following results were obtained : (1) Accord- ing to the teacher's estimates the group as a whole were ap. proximately 30% above the average in reading and 33% above average in respect to quality of work. (2) The acceleration in grade status is about three months ahead of the grade. (3) The average educational age for the group was found to be 17.3 months above the chronological age.


208


ANNUAL REPORTS


Since the pupils from this study were chosen from schools which had been representative of the whole group, the conclu- sion seems to be justified that the test has selected with a very high degree of certainty the type of child whose success in meeting first grade requirements could be predicted, and, second, the rather astonishing fact that after being admitted their rate of learning and accomplishment has been relatively high. These statements may be justification for consideration of a change in the legal compulsory school age and the allow- able mental age for admission to the first grade.


MEMBERSHIP AND ACCOMMODATIONS


This item has been given attention in previous reports because of a rapidly increasing membership with its conse- quences upon the organization of the schools and the necessary accommodations. It has been an easy matter to explain the increases each year, and each increase has been absorbed with- out difficulty. Part of the increase particularly in the upper grades has been due no doubt to the lack of employment oppor- tunities as a result of the industrial depression and the elimin- ation of child labor by the codes of the N. R. A. The minors affected by this condition now find their only profitable em- ployment in procuring further education.


As in all experiences of this sort, before the reaction be- gins and the increase toward the normal sets in, there is a plateau period. The membership as of December 1st as com- pared with that of preceding years indicates that our graph of increase and decrease has reached the plateau stage. The membership is practically the same as last year. There is in the primary grades, however, a very gradual decrease in the numbers enrolled. This, no doubt, is also due to the same economic conditions that caused the increase in the upper grades and will probably tend towards normal when condi- tions improve.


While the membership shows no increase, still a serious problem confronts us due to the shifting of the center of pop- ulation toward the western end of the city and the fact that a large proportion of the beginners or first grade children re- side in the recently developed portion of our city west of North Street. Small children are not able to make a three quarter mile trip four times a day to attend school. The School Com- mittee is now studying this problem with the idea of propos- ing more accommodations for the primary school children of


209


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


that district. The Northeastern Junior High School is still accommodating an excess of four hundred children beyond the capacity of the building, and in consequence of this condition the School Committee has again urged that consideration be given to provision for an addition to the Leonard B. Chandler building.


The sun has begun to shine on the proposal for a new com- bination building on Cross Street to house the pupils of our unsuitable and inadequate Vocational School as well as the Continuation School, the special classes, and the primary school children of the Edgerly district. Although beclouded for a time, the plans have finally been approved and the land- taking transaction has been consummated by the Board of Aldermen. It is with much pleasure that it can be reported that during the next school year, as part of the P. W. A. pro- gram, progress will be made upon this project and two build- ings will have been removed which have been a source of worry from the standpoint of physical and fire hazards.


The installation of a new heating plant at the Carr School, which has been the subject of a great deal of controversy, has at last reached the stage where it seems probable that the work is shortly to be done.


Under the E. R. A. program definite progress has been made through the recommendations of this department for the redecorating of many buildings, the improvement of toilet facilities and heating plants, and the erection of retaining walls about, and resurfacing and regrading of the yards which have offered serious limitations to the play and safety of the children.


At the suggestion of the Mayor and with the assistance of the Public Property Committee of the Board of Aldermen, the City Engineer is drawing plans for a new arrangement of the facilities of Dilboy Field which will permit better and much needed accommodations for both players and spectators. The School Committee and all of the persons responsible for the athletic program have been much concerned about this situation for a number of years and will await the culmination of the plans with a great deal of gratification. Already, due to the interest of certain members of the School Committee, erection has been begun upon a modern outdoor twelve-lap running track near the Field House. There has been distinct evidence in formulating these plans of cooperation and interest on the part of the Building Commissioner, City Engineer,


210


ANNUAL REPORTS


and the E. R. A. officials. That this work has been carried on in such a fine manner is due to the ability of the men who have been engaged in it.


CHANGES IN PERSONNEL


Due to many factors the personnel of the teaching and supervisory force experiences changes each year. It is always a matter of sincere regret to be obliged to call attention to the departure from our educational service of a large number of our most efficient, most respected, and beloved personalities.


Some time ago attention was called to the fact that in the period of a few years practically all of the older masters would have severed their active connections with our schools. Many of those masters have already retired and the continuation of the process during the past year brought to a close the services of two able and efficient masters.


John A. Avery, Headmaster of Somerville High School for the past twenty-nine years and teacher and submaster in the same school for the previous ten years, retired from service on account of failing health.


George I. Bowden, Supervising Master of the Brown Elementary School district for the past twenty-six years, was forced by the provisions of the retirement act to retire at the close of school in June.


The loss to our community of the services of these two men can best be expressed and recorded by quoting the resolu- tions which were adopted by the School Committee upon their retirements.


RESOLUTIONS


WHEREAS, John A. Avery, Headmaster of the Somer- ville High School, retires this year from the Somerville School system, after a period of devoted service in the High School of thirty-nine years, ten years as teacher and submaster, and twenty-nine years as headmaster, first of the English School, and then of the combined English and Latin High Schools, and


WHEREAS, Mr. Avery as educator and executive, has combined to a remarkable degree administrative ability of a high order with a keen realization of the ethical, esthetic, and spiritual values of education, and


211


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


WHEREAS, for many years as the sympathetic, just, and wise leader of tens of thousands of the youth of our City, he has been a powerful influence in the development of their character toward the highest ideals of conduct and service, and


WHEREAS, by his breadth of vision, resolute purpose, courage and wisdom, Mr. Avery has maintained in the High School, during all the years of its growth and progress under his direction, the highest educational and ethical standards, be it


RESOLVED, That the School Committee of the City of Somerville express its deep and enduring appreciation of his great service to the City, and be it further


RESOLVED, That these resolutions be spread upon the records of the Committee and a copy be sent to Mr. Avery.


WHEREAS, George I. Bowden has retired as Elementary Supervising Principal after a period of service of twenty-six years during which he displayed outstanding ability as an educator and administrator, and


WHEREAS, he has brought to his chosen work and profes- sion a keen insight into childhood and a thorough interest in its problems, and


WHEREAS, he has pursued with characteristic vigor the harassing problems of education and lent his energies with- out stint to their solution, and


WHEREAS, he has been guided at all times by the high- est principles and the noblest of thoughts and actions in order that the city and its children might benefit, and


WHEREAS, he has impressed his associates and pupils alike with his gentlemanly, wise, and efficient conduct of the affairs of his position,


BE IT RESOLVED, That the School Committee extend to him its appreciation of his earnest and unselfish labors and wish for him continued health and happiness, and


BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That these resolutions be spread on the records and a copy sent to Mr. Bowden.


Of the thirty-four masters and teachers who left the service of the community during the year, eight retired because of poor health, three were retired by the provisions of the Statutes of the Commonwealth, two were called to the Great


212


ANNUAL REPORTS


Beyond, twenty left to be married, and one resigned to enter a different field of educational activity.


These masters and teachers during their long periods of service have been vital factors in the success of our community and their influence will carry on for many years. Outstanding through years of efficient service are Louise E. Pratt, forty- eight years ; Jane M. Taaffe, forty-six years ; Charlotte D. Law- ton and M. Helen Teele, thirty-nine years ; Elizabeth L. Hersey, thirty-seven years ; Carrie Armitage, thirty-five years ; Mary B. Soule, thirty-three years ; Kathryn B. Gifford, thirty-two years ; Frances E. Robinson, twenty-eight years.


In filling the masterships at the High and Brown Schools, the School Committee continued its policy of promotion with- in the system.


Harry F. Sears, elected Headmaster of the High School, has been connected with the school as a teacher, master, and vice-headmaster for a period of thirty-seven years. His long, successful experience, his broad acquaintanceship with the problems of the school, his ability to meet quickly, properly, and tactfully situations as they arise, and his devotion to the children, his courage and convictions towards his task brought him a well deserved promotion to this high position within our school organization.


Mr. Bowden's successor, John W. Healey, is a young man of short but intensive experience under our beloved Charles E. Brainard. He has an excellent preparation and ability and brings to the position a fine personality, an intense interest in children, and a desire to do his duty efficiently.


CONCLUSION


It may readily be seen that those who have been charged with the responsibility of carrying on a successful, progressive school system have made an attempt to meet earnestly and sincerely the needs of the changing social and economic con- ditions and have even anticipated actions which the best thought of the educational world is recommending for con- sideration.


This attitude on the part of the School Committee of critical examination and willingness to delve into the more in- tricate phases of education and to inspire so far as is humanly possible the teaching act to the highest effectiveness has been re- flected by all of the teachers throughout the system. It needs


213


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


only to be mentioned that this work must be carried on inten- sively with the purpose in view of evolving from the develop- ments of the social trends with their educational implications a philosophy of education which will include the provision of more suitable curricula with more differentiated programs which will provide definitely for all the necessary educational adjustments. Crises bring out from within the individual responses which are of a noble and unselfish character, and it is apparent that the teachers of our city during this period of disturbance have devoted themselves to their work and to the service of their pupils with a depth of consideration and love for them characteristic of the fine men and women engaged in the profession.


Respectfully submitted,


December 21, 1934.


EVERETT W. IRELAND Superintendent of Schools.


214


ANNUAL REPORTS


SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL


Students Entering Higher Institutions in September, 1934


State Teachers Colleges


Framingham


1


Lowell


1


Massachusetts School of Art


2


Salem


6


Colleges


Albion (Michigan)


2


Aurora


1


Bates


1


Boston College


5


Boston University


11


a. Business Administration 5


2


c. Practical Arts


4


Bowdoin


1


Dartmouth


2


Harvard


4


Holy Cross


1


Emmanuel


1


Jackson


8


Massachusetts College of Pharmacy


1


Massachusetts State


1


New Hampshire State


1


Northeastern University


3


a. Business Administration


3


Radcliffe


1


Simmons


6


Tennessee State


1


Tufts


10


Wellesley


2


Engineering Schools


Massachusetts Institute of Technology


5


*Northeastern University b. School of Engineering


5


Tufts Engineering


3


Other Higher Institutions


Chandler Secretarial School


5


Katherine Gibbs School


1


Lesley School


4


Wheelock School


2


* Entering January 1935


5


b. Liberal Arts


215


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


Summary


Boys


Girls


Total


State Teachers Colleges


....


10


10


Colleges


40


23


63


Engineering Schools


13


13


Other Higher Institutions


....


12


12


53


45


98


Number of Pupils By Subjects December 1, 1934


English


3227


Elocution


745


History


2066


Latin


557


French


1127


Spanish


512


German


70


Italian


197


Chemistry


644


Physics


268


Biology


830


Physiology


283


Astronomy and Geology


20


Trigonometry


52


Geometry


748


Algebra


772


Elementary Economics


70


Stenography


503


Typewriting


1086


Bookkeeping


308


Penmanship


1400


Salesmanship


125


Commercial Law


123


Business Science


203


Arithmetic


713


Clerical Practice


321


Commerce and Industry


713


Household Arts


320


Manual Training


123


Mechanical Drawing


281


Freehand Drawing


266


Arts and Crafts


129


Music Appreciation


264


Musical Theory


192


Choral Practice


636


Physical Education


2314


...


Economic and Civic Problems


288


216


ANNUAL REPORTS


Student Activities


December, 1934


Orchestra (3)


143


Band


100


Girls' Bugle Corps


58


Glee Club, Girls (3)


231


Boys


104


Student Council


20


School Paper


52


National Honor Society


20


Traffic Squad


179


Webster Debating Society


38


Writers' Club


25


Players' Club


50


Stamp Club


15


Girls' Athletics


420


Chess Club


32


Art Appreciation Club


15


Craftsman Guild


19


Aviation Club


15


S. H. S. Athletic Association


All Pupils


217


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


SOMERVILLE TEACHERS' CLUB Officers, 1934 - 1935 President, CLARA G. HEGAN


Vice-Presidents, ELIZABETH F. LEACH


WINIFRED I. MACDONALD Recording Secretary, E. BELLA WEISMAN Corresponding Secretary, ELIZABETH W. RICHARDS Treasurer, ELEANOR D. CAMPBELL Auditor, ANNA J. COLL


OBJECT


The object shall to be 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 10-Lecturer, Edward F. Payne


"Sketches from Dickens"


December 12-Christmas Party


Doric Alviani, Baritone Alta Lena Nicholson, Impersonator


February 13-President's Night Lecturer, Eunice Harriet Avery


Interpreter of World Affairs


April 10-"Novelty Night" Program by Members


May 8-Annual Meeting. Election of Officers


Reports of Committees


SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC COMMITTEE


Report of the Treasurer, January 1, 1934 to January 1, 1935


Receipts


Balance on hand January 1, 1934


$415.70


Basketball games


203.45


Baseball games


456.31


Track


10.00


Football games


6,130.87


Entertainments


438.85


Sale of badges


136.17


Miscellaneous


144.83


$7,936.18


218


ANNUAL REPORTS


Expenditures


Athletic supplies


$2,971.19


Medical supplies


99.32


Paid to visiting teams


2,015.90


Officials


389.00


Policing


614.50


Assistance at games


157.00


Postage


21.00


Printing


88.70


Telephone


4.80


Transportation


263.64


Physician's salary


200.00


Dues to A. A.


7.00


Entry fees


21.50


Coaching


290.00


Miscellaneous


277.50


$7,421.05


Balance in treasury, January 1, 1935


$515.13


Estimated outstanding bills


1,305.83


219


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


In Memoriam


LILLIAN F. COMMINS Bingham School Died February 7, 1934


ANNE D. BRAVO Knapp School Died October 7, 1934


220


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 1933-1934.


3. Cost per capita of maintaining schools, school year 1933-1934.


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 1933-1934.


9. Statistics of the high school for school year 1933-1934.


10. Pupils by grades, June, 1934.


11. Separate statistics for high, junior high, elementary and voca- tional schools, for school year 1933-1934.


12. Admission to first grade in September.


13. Number of junior high school graduates, 1934.


14. Truant statistics for a series of years.


15. Evening school statistics, 1933-1934.


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, 1934.


19a Promotions, elementary schools, 1934.


CONCERNING TEACHERS


20. Resignations of teachers, 1934.


21. Teachers elected in 1934.


22. Leave of absence of teachers.


23. Transfers of teachers.


24. Number of teachers employed for a series of years.


221


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


STATISTICAL AND GENERAL TABLES


25. Changes in text books, 1934.


26. High and Junior High School graduation exercises, 1934.


26a Evening High School graduation exercises, 1934.


27. Vocational School graduation exercises, 1934.


28. Organization of school board for 1935.


29. Teachers in service, December, 1934.


30. Officers in service, December, 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, 1934, by school census


19,093


2 - SCHOOL BUILDINGS


Number of school buildings in June


31


Number of classrooms in use in June


483


Valuation of school property


$4,686.300


3 - TEACHERS


*1933


*1934


Change


In high school


106


113


+7


In junior high schools


156


164


+8


In elementary schools


250


255


+5


In kindergartens


25


26


+1


Total in elementary schools


275


281


+6


Vocational School for Boys


13


12


-1


Independent Household Arts


1


1


0


Atypical classes


8


8


0


Sight saving


1


1


0


Cadet teachers


12


11


-1


Special


21


21


0


Continuation


3


3


0


Americanization


1


1


0


Total


597


616


+19


4 - ATTENDANCE FOR YEAR


*1933


*1934


Change


Entire enrollment for the year


17,758


17,903


+145


Average number belonging


16,303


16,616


+313


Average number attending


15,322


15,591


+-269


Per cent. of daily attendance


93.9


93.8


-0.1


High School graduates


700


847


+147


Junior High School graduates


1,291


1,338


+47


ANNUAL REPORTS


5 - COST OF SCHOOL MAINTENANCE


*1933


*1934


Change +$30,424.63


Salaries of teachers


$1,166,819.37 $1,197,244.00


Salaries of officers


34,010.17


34,085.92


75.75


Cost of books and supplies


48,643.93


45,837.21


- 2,806.72


Cost of light and power


24,134.90


20,943.92


3,190.98


Cost of janitors' services, etc.


104,053.84


107,467.86


+


3,414.02


Cost of fuel and insurance ..


29,751.16


29,370.89


380.27


Total cost of day and evening schools


1,407,413.37 1,434,949.80


27,536.43


Per capita cost


85.30


86.36


+


1.06


Cost of high school instruction


250,033.70


259,492.58


1


9,458.88


Per capita cost


85.31


83.38


1.93


6 - MISCELLANEOUS


*1933


*1934


Change


Paid for new school


buildings


$15,142.34


$29.03


-$15,113.31


Repairs and permanent improvements


39,350.03


50,356.50


+ 11,006.47


Total school expendi-


tures


1,461,905.74


1,485,335.33


+ 23,429.59


Valuation of city


119,798,800.00


118,100,500.00


-1,698,300.00


Number of dollars spent


to maintain schools


out of very $1,000 of valuation


11.75


12.15


+ 0.40


Number of dollars spent


for all school pur-


poses out of every


$1,000 of valuation ..


12.20


12.58


+


0.38


* 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, 1934, is $1,434,949.80.


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 $107,467.86


The cost of fuel is 29,370.89


The cost of light is 20,943.92


A total cost of 157,782.67


A total cost per capita of


9.50


Cost of repairs


50,356.50


+


STATEMENT OF WORK OF SCHOOL NURSES For School Year Ending June 30, 1934


Schools


Hospitals


Total No. of Pupils


Notice sent to


Consultations with


Consultations with


Treatment in School


INSPECTIONS


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 ..


144


8743


663


593


16


519


837


187


151


9


8


22


1


55


1


43


3


80


17


1


4


4


10


14


1222


2


October


152


10012


1658


521


61


274


547


154


465


29


80


16


5


1


34


3


...


42


54


17


17


20


26


12


809


12


November ..


166


5


1497


4369


732


29


221


595


316


167


736


17


170


13


1


1


1


1


1


38


20


3


1


8


8


10


4


40


16


1229


8


December ..


124


7637


1806


647


13


153


618


256


53


576


25


114


8


2


27


27


1


3


1


5


6


6


33


6


1212


16


January


156


1


9961


775


772


16


138


1241


233


176




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