USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1945 > Part 10
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During the past fifteen years the percentage of teachers holding college degrees has steadily increased. In 1930, of a total of 259 elementary school teachers, only 3.1% had earned
153
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
bachelor degrees. By 1942, of 272 teachers, the percentage had climbed to 38.7, while during the current year 46 per cent of the 265 elementary school teachers have degrees.
In 1930, of the 134 junior high teachers, 29% held degrees, but fifteen years later 66% of the 146 teachers hold either bach- elor of arts, bachelor of science, or bachelor of education de- grees.
In 1930 there were 95 teachers in the High School, of which 69.5% held degrees. By 1939 the ratio had climbed to 89.6% of the 130 teachers. During the war years, 1942 to date, the percentage has dropped to 83, but this is due to our loss to the armed forces, and with the return of the veterans the figure of 89.6 will be exceeded.
Many of our teachers, however, are not content with the bachelor degree and consequently pursue summer and late afternoon courses to the end that master's and sometimes doc- tor's degrees are earned. At the present time 15 elementary, 33 junior high, and 39 senior high teachers hold master's de- grees, and we are proud to report that there are associated with our system 5 who hold doctor's degrees. Every encourage- ment is given by the School Committee to the teachers to at- tain higher degrees through the Professional Improvement Plan.
Another item which should be reported here because it shows evidence of the prestige of the personnel of the Somer- ville School system is the recognition extended recently to three of our teachers. Former Lt. Commander J. Edward Shar- key, teacher at the Vocational School, has been loaned to the Vocational Division of the State Department of Education for the remainder of the present school year to inspect, supervise, and organize courses in plants and industries where veterans are being trained.
Albert Williamson, Jr., teacher of Guidance at the South- ern Junior High School, who was associated with a psycho- logical activity in the U. S. Army, was asked by Harvard Uni- versity to work during the remainder of this school year with its Veterans' Advisory Council, assisting veterans who wish to continue their education under the G.I. Bill of Rights.
154
ANNUAL REPORTS
Leo Lapidus, a teacher in the High School, served as an instructor of mathematics in an Air Force Training Center during the war, and last summer and during two months of this fall was loaned to Dartmouth College to act as a civilian instructor in connection with a naval program conducted at the college.
These men were valuable members of our staff prior to the call to serve outside, but upon their return their experiences and knowledge will make them greater assets.
Too often the school department and its personnel are sub- ject to criticism rather than to the appreciation which should be forthcoming for a job well done. Such instances as these are but a very few of many such examples which could be men- tioned that give evidence that the great majority of the mem- bers of our force take real professional pride in the accom- plishment of a task well done, and should receive recognition for it.
BUILDINGS AND REPAIRS
As was stated earlier in this report, the School Committee considered seriously the possibilities of a long-term building program which would provide adequate replacements of sev- eral antiquated school buildings which are quite unsuited in architecture, design. and equipment for modern educational needs and demands. In the latter part of the year it sanctioned and approved the program of postwar building projects which the Superintendent of Schools outlined to the Mayor's Postwar Planning Committee.
The program proposes the replacement of those school buildings which have served the city well for periods of from fifty to eighty years, and which now cost more to maintain for further use than is logically and reasonably proportional to the cost of replacement. It further proposes the construction of an administration building to house the administrative, legislative, and supervisory activities and thus release the pres- ent quarters now used by these groups in the west wing of the High School for secondary school purposes.
Because of the necessity of submitting proposals for pro- jects to the proper federal agency at an early date in order to secure early attention to these proposals, the Postwar Plan-
155
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
ning Committee accepted the statement of the Superintendent of Schools concerning trends in population, birth rate, safety conditions, mobility of population, and other necesary factors which would bring about the proper conclusions so that build- ings will be correctly located geographically in view of the pur- poses to be served.
The Postwar Planning Committee submitted seven pro- jects to the Federal Works Agency for the use of possible fed- eral aid for the schools, as follows:
(1) The replacement of the Prescott School, at Pearl and Myrtle Streets, by a new building of sixteen rooms and other necessary accommodations.
(2) The replacement of three other elementary buildings by new structures of twelve rooms each, to accommodate the pu- pils of the present Morse, Pope, and Knapp Schools.
(3) Making provision for the enlargement of either the Burns or Lowe buildings, both of which are aptly located on streets other than main traffic thoroughfares, to care for the pupils now housed in either of these schools as well as those housed in the antiquated Cholerton building, which stands at the corner of Grove Street and Highland Avenue, and occupies the next available lot for extending the business area of Davis Square. Such an enlarged building would have sixteen rooms, and provision will need to be made for suitable outdoor play area.
(4) The construction of a two story and basement build- ing, 100 feet by 60 feet, to house (a) the administrative offi- ces, (b) meeting rooms for the School Committee, (c) quar- ters for supervisors, (d) rooms for meetings of teachers, and (e) storerooms for school supplies. This building, which is proposed as a wing of the present City Hall, is needed to al- low the use of the present quarters in the High School build- ing for high school purposes. These quarters were designed, at the time of the extension of the High School plant, when the Latin School was torn down, by the Superintendent of Schools so that when necessity arose a few days of carpentry work in erecting partitions would provide seven or nine ad- ditional classrooms for the High School.
156
ANNUAL REPORTS
(5) The construction of a municipal stadium on Rich- ard Trum Field at Cedar Street and Broadway for the use of not only the athletic teams of Somerville High School, but for those of the community at large. Such a project has been a necessity for Somerville for twenty years and it will amply cover the needs of our citizens. It is planned to use the perim- eter of the stadium to house the various public works depart- ments of the City, using the space otherwise ordinarily wasted in the building of concrete bleacher structures. The Planning Committee states that this proposal for a concrete and brick structure located on an area of 560,000 square feet will serve as a monument to the returning veterans of World War II and will serve a useful purpose for the athletes of both sexes, as well as for the citizens and taxpayers, by reason of the housing of all public works departments under one roof.
It is hoped that work may be started on these projects as soon as adequate materials, labor, and funds are available. The applications to the F.W.A. suggest that these projects be in process of construction during the spring and summer of 1946.
During the past year the Commissioner of Public Build- ings has shown a sympathetic understanding of the problems of the schools in relation to present school buildings and has made every effort possible to maintain them in a safe and hab- itable condition.
The Perry School, erected in 1899, received during the past year the most extensive repairs, which have provided many more years of usefulness. The interior of this building was completely painted and varnished. The selection of pastel shades for classrooms and corridors marks a departure from the conventional colors used in our school buildings previous- ly, but nevertheless such a change is well received when it provides the children a more joyous environment in which to work and develop. The heating equipment has been overhauled, desks have been repaired and refinished, and the fire alarm bells have been repaired. This building is worth visiting.
The Burns School, which is fifty-nine years old. has been completely redecorated and is now in a very habitable condi- tion. Plaster was renewed wherever necessary, all walls and ceilings have been painted and whitened, and the heating, ven-
157
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
tilating, and plumbing systems have been completely repaired. All outside doors were painted and the fence in the yard was repaired.
The Northeastern Junior High School has long been in need of extensive repairs. Some important improvements were made during the last year. The entire auditorium was redeco. rated in attractive colors and the front hall was painted and varnished. A new curtain was installed on the stage and a new fluorescent lighting system was provided for the auditorium. The fire alarm system was repaired, a new hot water heater was installed, and more lights were provided where needed. Necessary plumbing, heating, and ventilating repairs were also completed.
The Western Junior High School has had many necessary repairs during the last year. The administration offices were painted and varnished and also four classrooms were com- pletely redecorated. Bells and telephones were repaired and extensive electrical, plumbing, and heating repairs were com- pleted.
Very favorable comment has been made concerning the splendid manner in which the Commissioner of Public Build- ings remodeled the Sight Saving Class at the Cholerton School. In order that these children who have only a minimum of sight might do their studying under the most favorable circum- stances, the room was painted and varnished, new shades werc installed, and, most important of all, the room was equipped with fluorescent lighting. Due to the new electrical fixtures and the improvement in the reflecting surface afforded by the painting and whitening, the amount of light has been in- creased to approximately sixty foot candles.
The special class room at the Prescott School was recent- ly painted and varnished and new shades were provided. The administration office of the School Department was similarly recently redecorated and new shades and radiator guards were installed.
Glass was replaced in twenty-seven school buildings and new window cords were installed in fifteen buildings. Electri- cal repairs were made in twenty-two buildings, including re- pairs to telephones, clocks, bells, fire alarm systems, heating
158
ANNUAL REPORTS
fans, lights, fuses, switches, and the installation of new light- ing. The roofs of ten buildings were repaired. A considerable amount of painting was done in twenty-five buildings, and in- cluded redecorating of classrooms and corridors, refinishing outside trim, desk tops, and other furniture, painting and var- nishing of doors and seats in sanitaries. Plumbing and heating repairs were made in twenty-eight buildings. This problem grows more acute each year due to the large percentage of very old buildings. Door checks and panic locks were repaired at the Cummings School and the High School. Fences were repaired at the Pope, the Prescott, and the Vocational Schools. Plastering was done at the Burns, Cutler, Forster, Hodgkins, Prescott, and the High School. Ash hoists were repaired at the Central Heating Plant and the Carr School. An extensive amount of carpentry was done throughout the schools. Ap- preciation is due and hereby expressed to the Commissioner of Public Buildings for his efforts on behalf of the school chil- dren of Somerville.
COSTS
It has always been a privilege and a source of pride to the Superintendent of Schools to point to statistics gathered by the State Department of Education which showed that the school system of Somerville, the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, with the fourth largest school population in the State (being exceeded in that respect only by Boston, Worcester, and Springfield), has operated its schools at a per capita cost far less each year than the average of the thirty-nine cities of the State. During the school year ending June 30, 1945, the per capita cost of the Somerville schools was four dollars less than the average of the thirty-nine cities of the State, and it ranked twenty-seventh in this respect among these thirty-nine cities.
RECAPITULATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
In submitting this, his eighteenth annual report, covering the calendar year 1945, the Superintendent of Schools has at- tempted to present to the public a discussion of pertinent mat- ters involved in the activities of our schools, and to call atten- tion to necessary considerations for thought, study, and action during the coming municipal year.
159
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Attempt has been made to follow the progress of the de- velopments of the war and the implications for education which evolved due to the frequent and ever-changing complex- ion of the war situation, and attention has been called to the alert, energetic, and ambitious manner in which the adminis- trators and supervisors kept abreast of the problems resulting from the fast changing implications, by studies and analyses. which allowed the necessary recommendations, temporary and otherwise, to be made speedily and to the end that the educa- tional program has been timely, full, and complete, quite ade- quate to the situation.
The proposals for changes necessitated legislation by the School Committee, which was enacted after careful, thought- ful, and farsighted discussion. Much credit is due the mem- bers of the School Committee, who, under the chairmanship of Thomas J. Burke, have made possible through the proper legislation the progress of the year. Mr. Burke, a graduate of our Somerville school system and a successful businessman of the community, expended much time and energy to acquaint himself with the problems of the educational system which in his opinion needed attention. His activities, evidenced by the frequent matters he submitted to the Committee for con- sideration showed his conscientious and keen desire to perform his duties well.
The teachers, one and all, have given of their energy and time in preparing themselves and their work for the new ideas developed through the changing frontiers in education, and have guided their pupils to a successful accomplishment.
The entire organization has cooperated loyally and speed- ily to make the necessary adjustments and revisions and yet, at all times, the standards of achievement have been main- tained. It is the intent of the organization to continue with even more energy in the activities which will be conceived and put into operation for the development of a better citizenry, to the end that a permanent and lasting peace may be estab- lished throughout the world.
The recommendations made in the report for the year 1944 were forward looking with respect to the necessary plans for several years to come, but since only a portion of them received attention, serious consideration is urged to those items men-
160
ANNUAL REPORTS
tioned last year which have not as yet received any action, in addition to others which now seem pertinent.
It is therefore recommended that thought and study be given immediately to the following :
(1) That serious consideration be given to an extension of the present offerings at the Vocational School to provide for the need of trained workers in comparatively new indus- tries, such as Diesel engines, radio, television, and refrigera- tion. It might also be borne in mind that the anticipated boom in the building trades will require trained workers, and there is a dire need of replacement help in the moulding, sheet metal, and pattern making trades.
(2) That to make room for the proposed extension in the previous recommendation a survey be made in preparation for the dissipation of the elementary school and the special class organization housed now in the Edgerly School section of the Dickerman building.
(3) That consideration be given to an extension of the Professional Improvement Plan for the purpose of stimulating a speedy preparation for the new postwar developments.
(4) That another attempt be made to the Legislature for enactment of legislation which will place the jurisdiction for the care and maintenance of school buildings under the con- trol of the School Committee.
(5) That his Honor the Mayor and the Honorable City Government be urged to use every available influence to pro- vide immediately the accommodations applied for by the Post war Planning Committee in the projects presented for consid- eration by the F.W.A.
(6) That the School Committee take formal action to re- quest the Board of Health to consider the advisability of re- vising its present medical inspection plan for school children in order to make possible a more thorough annual examina- tion of the children, by the employment of an adequately com- pensated full-time force of two or three physicians to replace the force of seven inadequately paid inspectors of the present time.
161
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
(7) That provision be made for an extension of the ar- rangements for X-Ray examinations of the chests of school children, so that all in the city may be cared for.
(8) That a thorough study be made immediately of the administrative organization of the High School, to the end that a more closely knit and more effective unit will be de- veloped.
(9) That consideration be given to the establishment of evening school classes at the Vocational School.
(10) That consideration be given to the advisability of establishing a reading disability clinic, the need and benefits of which have been so well demonstrated by the project of the Somerville Kiwanis Club during the last three summers.
CONCLUSION
The year 1945 just closing has been one of the most ser- ious that this country has ever experienced. During a per- iod slightly over eight months there was involved (1) the most intensive and costly warfare of the entire global conflict, (2) the period of thanksgiving experienced by the advent of the cessation of hostilities in Europe on V-E Day, (3) the min- gled feeling of sadness and rejoicing upon the receipt of the news that Japan had capitulated on V-J Day, and (4) the period of anxiety combined with hope that our statesmen and those of the other nations of the globe can pool their faith in the ability of all to establish a world organization that will develop and maintain a permanent and lasting peace which will allow all the peoples of the Earth to live in harmony and with brotherly love until the end of time.
Such a year, with the frequent and speedy changes, crea- ted situations for all the nations of the world, not easily or quickly solvable. Naturally such conditions made perplexing and intricate problems for the schools. Our schools have rec- ognized the responsibilities and duties of Education, and have enthusiastically, energetically, and successfully performed their necessary tasks.
In conclusion, the Superintendent of Schools, fully cog- nizant of the fact that his duties and responsibilities could
162
ANNUAL REPORTS
not have been fulfilled without loyal and cooperative assist- ance, wishes to express his most sincere gratitude and appre- ciation to the Chairman and members of the School Commit- tee, to the administrative, supervisory, and teaching forces, to all other school employees, and to the children in the schools, for their devoted, faithful, and enthusiastic assistance during these most trying times.
Such an organization, by a continuance of the attitudes and performances of past years, will surely maintain and ex- tend its success with ever increasing efficiency, to the end that the citizens of Somerville can be assured of a successful edu- cational system in the world at peace.
EVERETT W. IRELAND,
January 2, 1946
Superintendent of Schools
STATEMENT OF WORK OF SCHOOL NURSES For School Year Ending June 30, 1945
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 ..
91
9522
2486
330
10
974
212
119
2
1
2
2
1
22
3
2
19
...
5
10
237
225
44
40
22
78
13
November ..
126
10230
3120
599
17
829
737
53
649
10
35
4
3
94
13
25
7
2
291
29
16
16
8
72
9
December ...
129
8599
5252
480
4
132 2
11
98
604
28
4
1
7
2
30
1
2
3
3
19
22
2
99
4
January ....
117
10368
2931
543
14
731
1138
2
65
614
2
64
9
3
2
5
9
32
9
1
5
2
65
39
2
28
9
72
8
February ...
124
10151
953
552
8
617
2346
21
64
926
2
47
10
৳2
36
12
4
44
9
105
10
March
141
10372
2393
630
10
327
1435
20
88 1228
4
53
10
1
2
1
36
30
2
6
42
50
12
108
26
April
139
9770
4014
611
8
171
1782
20
98
934
58
1
2
1
6
3
2
32
10
2
2
61
2
41
11
103
8
May
112
7343
2029
523
10
123
896
19
54 1116 6
6
6
2
14
12
16
8
2
4
9
1
2
2
39
2.
33
9
91
16
June
122
7288
1098
596
10
24
285
15
91
693
1
89
20
2
1
7
1
49
14
2
....
...
...
37
24
11
142
10
Total ...
1233
97645
25959
5334
112
4709|10473
129 1000 7646
46
436
76
16
8
174
3
65
9
15
95
6
8
...
47
5
341
259 342
6
280
93
1005
105
· Treated by family physician or dentist.
New: Seen first time during school year. Old: Cases followed up
23828 20111
Children weighed and measured. Physical Examinations made.
DATE
[ School
seen
Guardian
Teachers
New
Old
New
Old
New
Old
New
Old
New
Old
New
Old
Old
New
Old
New
Old
New
Old
1
2
135
1
October
132
14002
1683
470
21
781
1852
17
237
763
8
55
5
3
1
56
18
6
23
...
4
...
...
......
hrů
4
8
...
......
...
3
2
.....
33
298
Optician
Total No. of Pupils
Notice sent to
Consultation with
Consultation with
Treatment in School
INSPECTIONS
Dental
Med. Inspector
...
...
..
...
....
7
2
. . .
...
4
6
3
6
New
STATEMENT OF WORK OF SCHOOL NURSES For School Year Ending June 30, 1945
INSPECTIONS
PUPILS ESCORTED TO CLINICS
Opcr-
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
New
Old
New
Old
New
Old
Old
Oid
New
Old
New
New
Old
New
Old
New
Old
Corrected Vision
Corrected Hearing
Tonsils
Adenoids
School
Home
New
Oid
School
Home
September ..
91
9522
2486
330
10
974
212
119
2
1
2
2
1
22
3
2
19
...
...
...
...
1
2
135
1
October
132
14002
1683
470
21
781
1852
17 237
763
8
55
5
3
1
56
18
23
5
10
237
225
44
40
22
78
13
November ..
10230
3120
599
17
829
737
4
53
649
10
35
4
3
94
13
25
7
2
29
29
16
16
8
72
9
December ...
129
8599
5252
480
4
132
11
98
604
7
28
4
1
7
2
2
30
1
2
3 co
3
19
22
2
99
4
January .....
117
10368
2931
543
14
731
1138
2
65
614
2
64
9
3
2
5
3
32
1
5
2
65
39
2
28
9
72
8
February ...
124
10151
953
552
617
2346
21
64
926
2
47
10
2
36
12
4
44
2.
9
105
10
March
141
10372
2393
630
10
327
1435
20
88 1228
4
53
10
1
2
4
36
30
2
6
42
50
1.2
108
26
April
139
9770
4014
611
8
171
1782
20
38
934
4
6
1
2
1
6
3
2
32
10
2
·2
61
2
41
11
103
8
May
112
7343
2029
523
10
123
896
19
54 1116
6
61
6
2
14
12
16
2
4
00
1
39
2
33
9
91
16
June
122
7288
1098
596
10
2.4
285
15
91
693
1
89
20
2
1
7
1
49
14
2
...
...
37
24
11
142
10
Total ...
1233
97645
25959
5334
112
4709 10473
129 1000 7646
46
436
76
6
8
174
3
65
9
15
298
95
6
8
47
5 341| 259 342
6
280
93
1005
105
· Treated by family physician or dentist.
New: Seen first time during school year. Old: Cases followed up
23828 Children weighed and measured.
20111 Physical Examinations made.
DATE
| School
seen
Notice sent to
Guardian
Consultation with
Consultation with
Med. Inspector
Treatment in School
Dental
Teachers
Optician
-
...
126
...
1
1
8
1
. . .
58
3
2
8
3
33
...
New
New
Old
6
Total No. of Pupils
163
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
PART II
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 1944-1945.
3. Cost per capita of maintaining schools, school year 1944-1945.
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 1944-1945.
9. Statistics of the high school for school year 1944-1945.
10. Pupils by grades, June 1945.
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