Report of the city of Somerville 1941, Part 9

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1941
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 430


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1941 > Part 9


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For Fuel and Light


52,725.00


For Buildings and Grounds


59,850.00


The sum of the appropriations to the two de- partments under the heading Education is therefore:


$1,588,235.00


NOTE :- It should be borne in mind that the sum of $219,375.00 is not under the control of the School Committee.


Using these figures as a basis for computing per capita cost, which is found by dividing the gross expenditures by the number of pupils in the net average daily membership for the year, it will be found that the per capita cost is approximately $97.47.


The following figures represent the revenue received by the City Treasurer on account of the activities under the jurisdic- tion of the School Committee.


From the State:


$147,040.47


General School Fund


$110,858.12


Vocational Education Reimbursement 25,887.16


Americanization Reimbursement


3,325.25


6,500.00


156


ANNUAL REPORTS


Sight Saving Class Reimbursement


500.00


State Wards Tuition


6,459.94


From Federal Government:


9,924.25


George-Deen Fund


7,155.71


Smith-Hughes Fund


2,768.54


From other cities and towns:


13,357.75


Tuition at Vocational Schools


12,687.27


Tuition at Continuation Schools


120.00


Tuition of City Wards


550.48


From Individuals:


686.36


Tuition at Conventional Schools


100.94


Forfeiture of Evening School fees


259.25


For vocational productivity


326.17


Total received through School Committee from all sources:


$170,998.83


Received by Public Buildings Department for rentals, etc.


$90.00


Total of last two items


$171,088.83


If there be added to these figures the sum of $4000, which represents a fair approximation of charges made against educa- tion which are not strictly educational, it can readily be seen that the net cost to the taxpayers for education is not the cost which one would be led to believe it is, but actually the differ- ence between $1,588,235 and $211,089, or $1,377,146. This figure reduced to a net per capita cost is approximately $86.17.


From figures released by the State Department of Educa- tion covering the school year September 1, 1940 to June 30, 1941, it is found that the average per capita cost for the thirty- nine cities of the state is $110.83. Somerville's per capita cost of $97.47 places it in twenty-second position with relation to the per capita cost of the thirty-nine cities. From the same source of information it can be noted that the per capita costs of some of our neighboring cities of the Commonwealth are $131.81. $130.99, $126.95, $122.10, $119.23, $112.40, and $104.47. It should be noted that Somerville's per capita cost is $13.36 below the average for the state. The figures concerning per capita cost are worthy of consideration only when they are used in association with another important factor, that of per capita valuation. Per capita valuation indicates the ability of the community to pay for its activities, and is the relation between number of school children in the net average member- ship and the valuation of the taxable property, real estate and personal, which shows the amount of valuation supporting each school child. Over a period of years in Somerville this pupil per capita valuation has been as follows:


157


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


Valuation of City


Average Membership


Per Capita Valuation


1927


$116,406,900


15,042


$7,738


1928


120,172,300


15,190


7,911


1929


118,840.900


15,521


7,657


1930


122,420.200


15,632


7,831


1931


123,051,300


15,915


7,732


1932


150,285,500


16.030


9,375


1933


119,798,800


16,303


7,348


1934


118,100,500


16,616


7,108


1935


117,182,500


16,613


7,053


1936


115,688,600


16,707


6,925


1937


113,453,300


16,626


6,824


1938


114,522,100


16,623


6,889


1939


114,124,400


16,307


6,998


1940


114,057,800


16,325


6,987


1941


113,273,800


15,981


7,088


The figures indicated in this table for the per capita valua- tion of Somerville should be compared with similar figures of some of our neighboring cities which are as follows: Newton $14,643, Boston $13,124, Springfield $12,275, Cambridge $12,064, Lynn $9,676, Quincy $9,437, Lawrence $9,128, Malden. $8,439, and Medford $7.595.


The program of education offered the Somerville children is full and complete and contains all of the well recognized elements which such a program should contain. It surely can also be considered well administered, in view of the fact that Somerville, the seventh largest city in the state, operates a successful modern school system with a support for each child of $7,088, ranking twenty-eighth in the state at a per capita cost of $97.47, and ranking twenty-second among the cities of the state.


MEMBERSHIP


The public school membership as of December 1, 1941 is 15.492. A comparison of the size and change in membership over a period of years is indicated in the following table :


December


Membership


Change


1941


15,492


-843


1940


16,335


-319


1939


16,654


-104


1938


16,758


-170


1937


16,928


- 22


1936


16,950


2


1935


16,948


63


1934


16,885


30


1933


16,915


+344


1932


16,571


+400


1931


16,171


+149


1930


16.022


+4310


1912


11,712


158


ANNUAL REPORTS


In order to discuss the facts shown in the preceding table, it is advisable to break down these membership figures so that a comparison of the size and change in membership over a period of years for the three units, high, junior high, and elementary schools, may be shown.


The membership of the high school over a period of years is as follows :


December


Membership


Change


1941


3,204


-312


1940


3.516


. 32


1939


.........


3,548


+ 29


1938


3,519


+ 72


1937


3,447


+ 65


1936


3,382


- 30


1935


3,412


+237


1934


3,175


+160


1933


3,015


+281


1932


3,734


+272


1931


2,462


The membership of the junior high schools over a period of years is as follows :


December


Membership


Change


1941


3,609


-134


1940


3,743


-102


1939


3,845


6


1938


3,851


- 84


1937


3,935


- 92


1936


4,027


6


1935


4,033


- 36


1934


4,069


The membership of the elementary schools over a period of years is as follows :


December


Membership


Change


1941


8,301


- -403


1940


8,704


-215


1939


8,919


-122


1938


9,041


- 199


1937


9,240


54


1936


9,294


16


1935


9,310


- 12


1934


9,322


. 34


1933


9,356


These tables show a decrease of membership from the cor- responding date of last year of 843, made up of losses of 312


159


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


in the high school, 134 in the junior high schools (Northeastern 71, Southern 29, Western 34), and 403 in the elementary schools, and a gain of 6 in the Vocational School.


While these numbers appear to be large, it should be noted that during the first five years of the so-called depression period, due to lack of employment opportunities and the operation of the ERA and FERA regulations which prevented boys and girls under sixteen years of age from participation in the usual occupations of this age group, the school population greatly increased in spite of a falling birth rate in our city. Increases should be noted in the total enrollment of 149, 400, and 344, and in the high school enrollment of 272, 281, 160, and 237, followed by general but smaller increases.


The large decrease this year which brings the figures for membership back to the normal of pre-depression days is due mainly to the necessity of employing youth under sixteen years, and that fact is correlative to the factor that many families have moved from our community so that they may be nearer to the defense industries in which they are now employed.


The decrease in the elementary school enrollment reflects the falling birth rate of the past few years, which now is taking an upward turn. In spite of this recent upward trend in birth rate, it will be in the vicinity of three to four years before a material gain will be shown in enrollment of elementary schools.


The general decrease in enrollment should shortly provide an opportunity for a slightly reduced personnel, but at present the only apparent effect will be an unfavorable one, an increase in the per capita cost.


CHANGES IN PERSONNEL


It is always with feelings of serious regret and grave con- cern that the Superintendent is obliged to refer each year to the very great loss experienced by the School System when a number of our most capable associates sever their connec- tions with the schools. During 1941 the children of the schools and the community in general have been deprived of the active services and the influence for good of twenty-eight persons who have been connected with our instructional corps for periods of from three years to forty-five years.


160


ANNUAL REPORTS


Of the twenty-eight, three teachers, one of whom was the High School librarian, after periods of loyal and devoted service of twenty-four, twenty-one, and sixteen and a half years, were called to their great reward. Twelve of the twenty- eight resigned to be married, eleven retired under the pro- visions of the Teachers Retirement Act, and two left to take positions in other localities, one of whom made a fine advance- ment in the profession while the other went to another field of activity. All have served faithfully and well and their terms of loyal and devoted service were noted by the School Commit- tee by expressions of appreciation.


Notable among those who retired were Harry L. Jones, Principal of the Somerville Vocational School, whose entire service covered a period of forty-five years; May E. Small, Master's Assistant at the Lowe School, who was associated with the schools for forty-one years; Annie B. Russell, Carr School, forty years; Mary L. Bryant, Western Junior High School, thirty-eight years. G. Hortense Pentecost and Maria D. McLeod of the Prescott and Baxter Schools respectively served for thirty-six years; Blanche Thompson and Lena Munroe of the Morse School had terms of service of thirty-five and twenty- nine years respectively ; Kathinka Fessman of the Northeastern Junior High School served twenty-nine years; and Nettie Humiston of the Cutler School served twenty-one years.


After a service of twenty-two years and four months in Somerville, Walter Prescott Sweet, Assistant Superintendent of Schools since October 1928, resigned to accept well deserved professional advancement as the Superintendent of Schools in Danbury, Connecticut.


The following resolution adopted unanimously by the School Committee, expresses the esteem in which Mr. Sweet and his service were held :


WHEREAS, Mr. Walter Prescott Sweet, for thirteen years Assistant Superintendent of the Somerville Schools, has recently resigned to become Superintendent of Schools at Danbury, Connecticut, and


WHEREAS, Mr. Sweet served with distinction in the Somer- ville schools from September 1919 as teacher in the North- ern Junior High School, being elected Vice-Principal of the Western Junior High School on May 8, 1922, and Assistant Superintendent of Schools in 1928, and


161


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


WHEREAS, his tact, sympathy, and keen sense of humor greatly endeared him to children and parents alike, and his character exemplified to them the finest qualities of a gentleman and a scholar, and


WHEREAS, because of his deep insight into the psychology of modern youth and their problems, he was able to counsel with deftness and wisdom parents who turned to him for advice, and


WHEREAS, because of his engaging and inspiring personality he is held in high regard by both teachers and citizens, and because of his scholarly attainments, breadth of view, keen sense of educational values, and high ideals, his service to the schools and to the city has been outstanding and invaluable, therefore be it


RESOLVED, that the members of the School Committee ex- press their sincere and deep regret at his resignation, and extend to him their best wishes for his success and happi- ness in the new field of his activities, and be it further


RESOLVED, that these resolutions be spread on the records of this Committee and a copy of them be sent to Mr. Sweet and to the press.


To this the Superintendent takes this opportunity to add his feeling of personal loss in Mr. Sweet's resignation, but wishes to express his congratulations to the citizens of Dan- bury in securing for the children of their community the services of a well trained, able, sincere, and conscientious ad- ministrator and educator whose genial personality will endear him to his new associates and neighbors. Somerville's great loss becomes Danbury's gain. Somerville will long remember him and will feel his influence.


At the close of this year two members of the School Com- mittee with exceptional records of service of ten years in the interests of the welfare of the children are voluntarily retir- ing from School Committee membership.


Dr. Edith L. Hurd, who retires with extreme reluctance, was the most able woman ever to serve on the Somerville School Committee. During her ten years of service she has


162


ANNUAL REPORTS


brought to the deliberations of the Board the benefit of her broad vision, which she gained through her two professions; first, as a classroom teacher in Somerville High School and later as a practising attorney. She was signally honored among the legal profession through having earned the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence from Yale University. Words cannot adequately express the appreciation due Dr. Hurd for her loyal, efficient, conscientious, and militant service and her sincere and steadfast devotion to the responsibility assigned her by her wise constituents. The influence of her services as a teacher and a school committee member will fortunately live for a long period of time. Her reward will be the memory of a task well done.


Dr. Walter E. Whittaker, another highly respected profes- sional person, gave freely of his time and energy to his task of serving the adults and the children of Ward One. During his loyal and faithful service, which consisted of one term of six years, followed by voluntary retirement, and another term of four years, he never sought honors among his associates, but was finally persuaded to accept the Vice Chairmanship in 1939 and again in 1941. His genial personality endeared him to his associates even through periods of conflict of opinion, and his voluntary retirement will be a distinct loss to the school system.


In addition to these two members, the School Committee will be deprived of the associations of two other members of the 1941 Board, namely, James H. Buckley, who has served one two-year term, and James S. Sullivan, who represented Ward six and was elected in June of this year to fill the remainder of the unexpired term of Harold W. Ramsey. Mr. Ramsey, who resigned after a successful service of a year and six months, gave evidence, by his keen appreciation and study of school problems, of his ability to do very effective work as a member of the Committee. Mr. Ramsey's assignment to a gov- ernmental position in another state made it impossible to con- tinue his fine work in the interests of the school children. His associates expressed appreciation of his services and their regret at his leaving.


The calibre of the citizens who have been persuaded to handle the most important task within our community, that of taking charge of the educational program of our future citizens by serving as members of the School Committee, has


163


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


always been on an extremely high level, the majority being professional men and women. During the past year six per- sons, all of whom were professional men (three medical men, an engineer, and two educators), have passed to their great reward. Dr. Francis J. Fitzpatrick, who passed away on Jan- uary 3, 1941, gave sixteen years to the duties of the School Committee, and Dr. Herbert Cholerton, who ended a full and complete life of service on September 25, 1941, gave twenty- three years to his School Committee task, the longest period of service ever given in this City. Dr. Harry M. Stoodley, a member for thirteen years, completed his earthly mission on November 5, 1941, and Charles W. Boyer, an engineer by pro- fession who served six years on the School Committee, laid down his working tools on November 7, 1941. Frank M. Hawes and Walter I. Chapman, educators, who passed away on Jan- uary 21, 1941, and March 5, 1941, served as members of the School Committee for periods of two years and eight years respectively. May the memory of these devoted citizens persist as will the influence of their conspicuous service.


In filling the position of Assistant Superintendent of Schools left vacant by the resignation of Walter P. Sweet, the policy of giving promotion for service within the system was continued by the School Committee.


Leo C. Donahue, elected to be Assistant Superintendent of Schools, brought to his task a fine education and an experience which included teaching, supervision, and administration, as a High School teacher, vice-principal of the Northeastern Junior High School. and Supervising Principal of an elemen- tary school district. His training and experience, combined with his excellent personal qualities, upright and gentlemanly character, loyalty to his associates and his position, trust- worthiness, tact, and diplomacy, constitute a background which expanded by further experience will make him a successful and worthy incumbent.


Philip J. Heffernan, Principal of the Vocational School, Joseph A. Regan, Supervising Principal of the Glines. Edgerly, and Hanscom District, and Joseph M. Thornton, Vice-Principal of the Northeastern Junior High School, all were worthy of their promotions through education and through successful experience in their previous assignments.


164


ANNUAL REPORTS


RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION


Each year it is the privilege of the Superintendent of Schools in presenting his Annual Report to call the attention of the School Committee and the public to matters which seem to him worthy of serious consideration and necessary to the effectiveness of the schools. Recommendations of the Superin- tendent are made only after a careful study of all the factors involved, and are based upon the probability of accomplish- ment.


Due to the chaos in world affairs and the uncertainty of how the present crisis will affect Education and the economic status, it seems inadvisable to make recommendations with relation to ideas and situations which would cause long-term and far-reaching activities to be anticipated and formulated.


Attention must be given, however, to the expansion and acceleration of our Vocational Education program to meet the National Defense needs of industry and the Federal Govern- ment. It is recommended, therefore, (1) that the program of work for National Defense be continued and expanded as the need requires, (2) that the curriculum of the Vocational School be increased to include other trade offerings, partic- ularly welding. and (3) that serious attention be given to scattering the elementary school pupils now housed in the Vocational School Building to make room for the proposed expansion of the vocational program.


It is further recommended that the School Committee make provision in its Rules to participate in the plan of the National Teachers Examinations as a factor in establishing its eligible lists for teachers and cadets.


Again, it is necessary to call attention to recommendations previously made, as follows:


1. That provision be made by legislative act to change the City Charter so that the control and maintenance of school buildings will be placed under the jurisdiction of the School Committee, as is the practice in most other cities and towns


2. That as soon as possible and before others of our school buildings erected in Civil War days need too much


165


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


attention and when the conditions of the City's finances permit, serious consideration be given to the replace- ment of the Prescott Building.


In concluding his fourteenth annual report, the Superin- tendent of Schools takes this opportunity to express his gratitude and appreciation to his associates for their assist- ance and cooperation in making 1941 a year of success and progress for the public schools.


The Superintendent is indebted to the members of the School Committee for their keen appreciation of the legisla- tive obligations facing them and for the willing and cooper- ative manner in which they have spent both time and energy in the service of the welfare of the children.


Much credit is due to the able and efficient leadership of the Chairman of the School Committee, William J. Koen, who, well versed in educational matters, having a keen appreciation of the implications for Education of the present world crisis, and being determined to meet the challenge presented to Educa- tion, gave untiringly of the time allowable from his active life as a Federal official to make his leadership effective in guid- ing forward the progress of the schools.


Hearty and sincere commendation is extended to the masters, supervisors, and teachers for their loyalty and co- operative effort given to their regular tasks and obligations, and particularly for the enthusiastic manner in which they are giving of their time and energy to prepare themselves for the exigencies of the emergency now facing all the citizens of this country.


The Superintendent pledges to continue his best efforts in the interest of progress in the work of the schools during 1942.


166


ANNUAL REPORTS


SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Number of Pupils by Subjects December, 1941


English


3373


Oral English


1487


Physical Education


2259


United States History


968


English History


113


Modern European History


476


Early European History


331


Ancient History


208


Economic & Civic Problems


205


Elementary Economics


28


Latin


505


Greek


...


...


French


716


Spanish


312


Italian


141


German


75


Chemistry


494


Physics


137


Physiology


243


Biology


812


Astronomy & Geology


17


Mathematics Beta


78


Mathematics Gamma


63


General Mathematics


391


Geometry


380


Algebra


417


Secretarial Training


56


Transcription


56


Stenography


424


Typewriting


387


Bookkeeping


465


Arithmetic


193


Clerical Practice


894


Office Machines


77


Business Organization


408


Business Science


121


Salesmanship


177


Commercial Law


571


Commerce & Industry


785


Occupations


1117


Household Arts


257


Freehand Drawing


341


Graphics


267


Arts &


Crafts


104


Manual Training


128


Musical Theory


147


Music Appreciation


354


Choral Practice


504


Student Activities


December, 1941


Orchestra


68


Band


78


167


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


Girls' Bugle & Drum Corps


110


Girls' Glee Club


87


Boys' Glee Club


54


Student Council


37


School Paper


150


National Honor Society


18


Traffic Squad


54


Webster Debating Society


38


Portia Debating Society


39


Players' Club


64


Boat Club


12


International Friendship


6


Girls Athletics


302


Boys' Athletics


483


SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL


Students entering Higher Institutions in September, 1941


State Teachers Colleges


10


Massachusetts School of Art


3


Salem


7


Colleges and Engineering Schools


81


Bates College


2


Boston College


14


Boston University


13


College Business Administration 4


Sargent


1


College Practical Arts


8


Emmanuel


1


Good Counsel College, N. Y.


1


Graceland Junior College, Iowa


1


Harvard


3


Jackson


6


Kent's Hill Junior College


1


Massachusetts State College


.


2


Massachusetts Institute of Technology


2


Mount St. Mary's


1


University of Vermont


1


University of Virginia


1


Northeastern University


14


Business Administration


2


College of Liberal Arts


3


Engineering


9


Pembroke


1


Simmons


5


Springfield


2


Tufts


9


Liberal Arts


6


Engineering School


3


Westbrook Junior College


1


Other Institutions


73


Bentley


4


Bryant and Stratton


4


Burdett


7


Kathleen Dell


3


168


ANNUAL REPORTS


Fisher Business


40


Forsyth Dental


1


Katherine Gibbs


1


Lesley


1


Lincoln Technical


10


Wentworth Institute


2


Hospital Training Schools


23


Cambridge


5


Carney


1


Lawrence Memorial


4


Massachusetts Memorial


3


New England Baptist


1


Somerville


9


Summary


State Teachers Colleges


10


Colleges and Universities


81


Other Institutions


73


Hospital Training Schools


23


Total


187


SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC COMMITTEE


Report of the Treasurer, January 1, 1941 to January 1, 1942


Receipts


Balance in Treasury January 1, 1941


$147.52


Basketball games


923.10


Baseball games


108.10


Football games


7,748.60


Hockey games


11.07


Miscellaneous


181.20


$9,119.59


Expenditures


Athletic supplies


$3,131.65


Medical supplies


163.85


Paid visiting teams


2,167.02


Officials


468.00


Policing


653.00


Assistance at games


340.00


Postage


6.84


Printing


149.73


Telephone


7.70


Transportation


364.70


Dues to AA


3.00


Entry fees


20.25


Orchestra-Basketball games


190.00


Federal Taxes


578.03


Miscellaneous


413.39


$8,657.16


$462.43


Balance in Treasury, January 1, 1942


169


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


SOMERVILLE TEACHERS' CLUB Officers, 1941-1942


President, MARY A. ROONEY


(ANNE DEE Vice-Presidents ) HELEN O'BRIEN Recording Secretary, PHILOMENA LOMBARDI Corresponding Secretary, WINIFRED M. FORD Treasurer, MARGARET BROWN Auditor, JULIA CONNOR


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 inter- est of the home and school.


PROGRAM


October 22-Supper, Hotel Woodbridge, Speaker, Mrs. Emma B. Flagg, "Celebrity Chatalogues."




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