USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1952 > Part 10
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HEALTH
Complying with a new state law which became effective throughout the Commonwealth on September 1, 1952, pro- visions were made for more extensive periodic physical exam- inations for all Somerville school children. Hereafter, instead of the routine annual examination of each school child, the pupil entering school will be thoroughly examined four times before graduation from high school. Examinations are to be held for all pupils of the first, fourth, seventh, and tenth grades. The hearing and vision of each child will be tested in the first grade and every second year thereafter. The School Committee or the Board of Health will provide the services of a school physician to carry out the health appraisal on such children as do not have this service performed by the family physician.
The family is to be given until October 31 to have their own physician examine the child and submit the results to the school on an approved form. The school physician will schedule examinations from November until May, at which time parents are invited to be present.
HEARING CONSERVATION
It is required by the statutes of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that the hearing of all students in the schools shall be tested biennially. In the early years of the effective- ness of the law, hearing was tested by a vocal method, in which the teacher spoke words at a measured distance from the child's ears, causing the child to repeat what was heard. The child was rated as normal or as having a hearing loss and the teacher recommended to the parents a referral to a doctor. This process, while slightly helpful, was far from being suc- cessful.
Over thirty years ago, the children of the Somerville schools, through provision by the School Committee of a mechanical device called the Audiometer, were tested in
153
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
groups much more satisfactorily. Somerville was one of the first public school systems to be so provided with this mechan- ical device. Children found by this test to have a certain hear- ing loss were organized in classes and instruction in Lip Reading was given by a specially trained teacher.
Recently a Puretone Audiometer, an individual testing machine, has been provided for this work, and even more recently an attachment allowing multiple testing has been purchased, making the task of testing the hearing of the pupils much more effective and reliable. This program not only aids the aurally handicapped children, but locates borderline cases which are referred to the otologist at the Ear Clinic provided by the Board of Health, which is an invaluable adjunct to the school program. Through examination by the otologist, diag- nosis is made and treatment recommended to the parents. Many serious hearing losses are thus located sufficiently early so that treatment may prevent further loss and possibly per- manent and total deafness.
The program, through the efforts of those who do the testing, the clinical work, and the teaching of Lip Reading, has been amazingly successful, but it is hoped in the near future provision can be made for helping those whose hearing defect is frequently accompanied by a speech defect, through speech therapy and for auditory training for those children who wear hearing aids.
SIGHT SAVING
It is not generally known that for many years the School Committee has provided a class for the instruction of those children who have but a minimum of sight, in accordance with its policy of providing the special educational opportunites for all the children of the community. Such instruction requires a particular type of organization, a well trained, understanding, and able teacher, an ideal physical setting, a special type of instructional techniques, and specialized equipment. Classes of children needing this instruction must of necessity have a small enrollment, and serious consideration must be given to the program of instruction in order that there not be an undue strain placed upon the already limited sight of these children. This activity is one of those which receives a small amount of financial assistance from State funds.
PARENT-TEACHER GROUPS
In June of 1952 the School Committee adopted an order that Parent-Teacher Associations or similar organizations be
154
ANNUAL REPORTS
established in individual schools or school districts. The Western Junior High School has had a most successful Parent- Teacher Association for more than thirty years, which has made many valuable contributions to the school. The Cutler, Hodgkins, and Cummings Schools also have had successful Parent-Teacher Associations for many years. In those schools which have had such organizations over a period of years, considerable aid has been given the schools through generous gifts, and making provision for various speakers who would acquaint them with particularly interesting phases of the school work. One example which might be noted is the accomplish- ments of the schools in the Reading Readiness Program as given by the Supervisor of Elementary Education. Better under- standings, attitudes, and appreciation have resulted from these meetings.
In compliance with this order, a Parent-Teacher Association has already been organized at the Somerville Vocational High School, and plans are under way for an organization meeting to be held in January for the creation of a similar organization in the Somerville High School. The Southern Junior High School and the Northeastern Junior High School have plans under way for the establishment of new Parent-Teacher As- sociations.
Meetings of parents have been held in all elementary school districts for the purpose of creating Parent-Teacher groups. The response of the parents to these meetings was very enthusiastic and in most schools or school districts the parents have voted to join the National Congress of Parents and Teachers, which is the foremost national body devoted solely to the interests of children and young people in home, school, and community.
LOSSES IN PERSONNEL
The writing of an annual report is generally a pleasure for it serves as a vehicle for the Superintendent of Schools to experience feelings of pride in being able to tell the public of the fine accomplishments of his loyal associates. Each year, however, this section of the report is written with a heavy heart and with feelings of grave concern and regret because it re- cords the great loss of the services of many of the finest members of the educational personnel. Various factors are responsible for the break in the official family, which this year witnessed the termination of service to the children and the City of Somerville of twenty-three persons whose contri-
155
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
butions to education and whose influences will be remembered for decades by those fortunate enough to be the beneficiaries.
Of these twenty-three, all of whom had proven themselves faithful, competent, and devoted servants, four of the com- paratively younger teachers were called to their eternal rest. A Somerville Vocational School teacher, A. Alfred Lombardi, passed away on January 19, 1952, after a period of service of four years and four months; Loretta M. Tansey, Bingham School, died on February 10, 1952, after a period of service of twenty-three years and five months; Alice C. Fitzpatrick, Brown School, died on August 16, 1952, after a period of ser- vice of fourteen years; and Pauline A. Scully, Forster School, who served as teacher for twenty-two years, was taken by death on September 28, 1952. The School Committee recognized these losses by public expressions of appreciation and letters of sympathy to their families.
Of the remaining nineteen, nine retired after rendering long periods of effective, loyal, and devoted service to the pupils of the Somerville schools, and ten resigned to assume other tasks.
Those who retired and their periods of service were: N. Theresa Hennessey, Junior High School, forty years and eight months; Marion E. Orne, Junior High School, forty years; Arthur E. Gordon, Junior High School, thirty-eight years; Caroline M. Frost, Junior High School, thirty-seven years; Irving P. Colman, High School, thirty-seven years; Miriam E. Priest, Junior High School, thirty-five years; Ruth E. Andrews, Elementary School, thirty-four years and three months; Alice E. Griffiths, Elementary School, thirty-two years; and Charles B. Sylvester, High School, twenty-four years and six months.
Of those ten who resigned, six left to assume the duties of marriage, one left to enter a religious order, one to teach in another community, one to enter another phase of the educa- tional field, demonstrating reading material, and Dr. Walter F. Busam left his position at the Northeastern Junior High School to accept a professorship at a Massachusetts State Teachers College, where he will assist in preparing students to enter the teaching profession.
Those who retired and resigned received from the School Committee letters of appreciation for their services, and best wishes for success and good health.
156
ANNUAL REPORTS
BUILDINGS
The Building Commissioner has been very cooperative during the past year in the maintenance and repair of school buildings. He has endeavored to maintain the school plant in a clean, efficient, and safe condition conducive to the learn- ing process in spite of a very limited appropriation.
Four new first grades were created after the opening of the school year at the Cutler, Hodgkins, Grimmons, and Hans- com Schools. Vacant classrooms were available at the Grim- mons and Hanscom Schools and all that was necessary was to equip and furnish the rooms properly. At the Hodgkins School the room used for polling purposes in the basement was utilized as a classroom. At the Cutler School it was necessary to con- vert to a classroom a basement room formerly used as a storage room. This was a very difficult and time-consuming job and required laying a new wooden floor over the cement, painting, decorating, and plastering, electrical work, and for safety purposes the cutting of a door through the brick wall in the front of the building. A fifth grade class was transferred from the Prescott School to the Hanscom School and this required shifting of furniture in both schools, and furniture was also shifted at the Bingham School.
The heating systems at the Hodgkins School and at the Forster School were converted from coal to oil. At the Bingham School a boiler was flooded, causing considerable water damage to the building, which required the damaged ceilings to be torn down and replaced and necessitated new wiring, and several rooms had to be redecorated.
Roofs were repaired in six buildings, general plumbing re- pairs were done where necessary, fences were repaired at five schools, a large amount of work was necessary on the mainten- ance and repair of heating systems in many of the school buildings, and necessary painting was done in seven buildings. Blackboards were installed at the Prescott School where needed, glass was replaced in almost every building, plastering, masonry work, and carpentering were done where necessary, as well as steam fitting and boiler work, and a brick side exit and stairs at the Hanscom School were torn down and replaced. Consid- erable electrical work of a general nature was completed, such as maintaining clocks, fire alarm systems, program bells, fans, lights, fuses, and switches. Desks were refinished in some schools, some new desk tops were installed, and some new kindergarten furniture was made available, including tables
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SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
and chairs made by the carpentry department at the Vocational School.
There is critical need for new classroom furniture in many of the schools. There is also a need for some new teacher's desks and visitors chairs as well as furniture for auditorium use in the Northeastern Junior High School and the Vocational School. There is a need for new blackboards or chalk boards in several of the elementary schools and the heating system at the Cutler School is in need of repair.
RECOMMENDATIONS
In submitting this annual report covering the calendar year 1952, the Superintendent of Schools has attempted to bring to the attention of the public pertinent matters and cir- cumstances concerning the important activities and considera- tions of the School Committee and the schools during the year.
Before concluding his report, it is the duty of the Super- intendent to submit to the School Committee some recommen- dations upon what he considers to be deserving of careful thought, consideration, and action during the coming year based upon the discussions of the foregoing pages. It is there- fore recommended:
1. That the School Committee continue to devote its major attention to the School plant, using as its guide the long- term building program formulated in the Report of the Survey of Elementary School Needs, modifying the proposed schedule in accordance with the changes being developed by the Hous- ing Authority and its Urban Redevelopment Section.
2. That, in view of the substantial progress attained during 1952, through the efforts of the School Committee and the School Building Advisory Committee, with respect to the pro- posed sites for the first three buildings in the building program, the School Committee exert its efforts toward obtaining assur- ance of the acquisition of the proposed sites.
3. That immediate study be given to the determination of the necessary capacity of the three proposed buildings, involv- ing number of classrooms, number and kind of auxiliary accommodations, and type of building desired.
4. That extensive study be given to a schedule for rehabil- itation of the present buildings, which are in need of modern-
158
ANNUAL REPORTS
ization, to be a part of the eventual modern school plant in accordance with the recommendations of the Survey.
5. That early in the study of the previous recommendation serious consideration be given to the very necessary enlarging of the quarters for the auto body work and the painting and decorating activities at the Vocational School.
6. That the School Committee devote considerable effort to obrain action which will cause to be provided for the use of the schools the necessary classroom furniture to accommodate the increasing enrollment in the lower grades, an adequate replacement of the auditorium furniture for the Northeastern Junior High School and the Vocational School, and the required. emergency lights and fire extinguishers as mandated by the statutes of the Commonwealth.
7. That every possible assistance be given His Honor the Mayor in his serious efforts of the past two years to assure the start of the building of the stadium for High School athletic and other activities so that it will be available for use beginning in the fall of 1953.
8. That consideration be given to an extension of the present offerings at the Vocational School to provide for the need of trained workers in the fields of Diesel engines, radio, television, and refrigeration.
9. That the School Committee continue to maintain vig- orously its traditional concept of its unhampered control of education, and to exert its utmost influence to repel any encroachment upon its powers and jurisdiction.
10. That continued support be given to legislative bills which will increase the state's contribution toward the expenses of the educational system of the communities of the Common- wealth.
11. That early action be taken to revise the Rules and Regulations of the School Committee, as contemplated in 1952, so that the Rules will conform with the requirements of recently adopted legislation, and so that necessary revisions may be made with reference to the Rules concerning eligibility of candidates for teacherships and cadetships, and the methods and procedures of the examination plan.
12. That further study be made of the proposal for the establishment in Somerville of a School for the Deaf, the expenses of the project to be borne by the Commonwealth.
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SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
CONCLUSION
Having reviewed matters of significant educational interest to the public of Somerville during the year 1952 and having discussed many problems facing the School Committee, the administrators, and the faculties of the various schools, the Superintendent of Schools in conclusion would like to express his sincere appreciation for wholehearted cooperation to the administrative and supervisory staff, the instructional force, and the citizens and the various city officials who have helped to solve the many problems which have had to be faced in providing good schools. Members of the Parent-Teacher As- sociations, service clubs, and others have demonstrated intel- ligent understanding of the problems of the schools and have given active support.
Members of the School Committee, serving without remun- eration, have given of their time and thought to meet the needs of the schools. Believing that the decisions made have been in the best interests of the community, it seems evident that the problems ahead, if approached with the necessary patience, sympathetic understanding, and the continued cooperation of all, can be met, and Somerville can continue to have faith in the future of its educational system.
EVERETT W. IRELAND,
December 29, 1952
Superintendent of Schools.
160
ANNUAL REPORTS
PART II
SUMMARY OF STATISTICS
Population and school census School buildings
Teachers
Attendance for year
Cost of school maintenance
Miscellaneous Cost of Schools
MISCELLANEOUS TABLES
CONCERNING FINANCE
No. of Table
1. Schedule of School property.
2. Cost of maintaining schools, school year 1951-1952.
3. Cost per capita of maintaining schools, school year 1951-1952
4. Cost of maintaining schools for a series of years.
5. Cost per capita for maintaining schools for series of years.
6. Amount spent annually for new school buildings and for repairs for a series of year.
CONCERNING PUPILS
7. Population and school registration.
8. Attendance, etc., of the schools for school year 1951-1952.
9. Statistics of the high school for school year 1951-1952.
10. Pupils by grades, June 1952.
11. Separate statistics for high, junior high, elementary and vocational schools, for school year 1951-1952.
12. Admission to first grade in September 1952.
13. Number of junior high graduates, 1952.
14. Truant Statistics for a series of years.
15. Evening school statistics, 1951-1952.
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, 1952.
19a. Promotions, elementary schools, 1952.
CONCERNING TEACHERS
20. Registration of teachers, 1952.
21. Teachers elected in 1952.
22. Leave of absence of teachers.
23. Transfers of teachers.
24. Number of teachers employed for a series of years.
25. Changes in text books, 1952.
26. High and Junior High School graduation exercises, 1952.
26a. Evening High School graduation exercises, 1952.
27. Vocational School graduation exercises, 1952.
28. Organization of school board for 1952.
29. Teachers in service, December, 1952.
30. Officers in service, December, 1952.
31. School Custodians.
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SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
SUMMARY OF STATISTICS
1-POPULATION AND SCHOOL CENSUS
Population, United States census, 1895
52,200
Population, United States census, 1900
61,643
Population, State censsus, 1905
69,272
Population, United States census, 1910
77,236
Population, State census, 1915
86,854
Population, UUnited States census, 1920
93,033
Population, State census, 1925
99,032
Population, United States census, 1930
103,604
Population, State census, 1935
100,773
Population, United States census, 1940
102,304
Population, State census, 1945
105,883
Population, United States census, 1950
102,254
Children, between five and fifteen years of a ge inclusive,
October, 1952 by school census
16,521
2-SCHOOL BUILDINGS
Number of school buildings in June
28
Number of classrooms in use in June
512
Valuation of school property
$4,891.600
3-TEACHERS
1951
1952
Change
In high school
127
123
-- 4
In junior high schools
123
126
+3
In elementary school
198
196
-2
In Kindergartens
29
30
+1
Total: elementary and
kindergartens
227
226
-1
Vocational School for Boys
21
21
0
Independent Household Arts
1
1
0
Atypical Classes
13
13
0
Sight savng
1
1
0
Cadet teachers
12
9
3
Special
13
13
0
Cont. and Jr. Vocational
4
4
0
Americanization
1
1
0
Total Teachers
543
538
-5
Supervisors, Principals, etc.
21
21
0
Total
564
559
-5
4-ATTENDANCE FOR THE YEAR
1951
1952
Change
Entire enollment for the year
13,274
13,384
+110
Average number belonging
12,504
12,465
-39
Average number attending
11,464
11,293
-171
Percent of daily attendance
91.68
90.60
-1.08
High school graduates
622
641
+19
Junior High School graduates
834
812
-22
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ANNUAL REPORTS
5-COST OF SCHOOL MAINTENANCE
1951
1952
Change
Salaries of teachers ..
$2,158,643.65
$2,308,171.86 69,651.00
+$149,528.21 +3,005.36
Cost of books & sup- plies
84,320.00
87,265.70
+2,945.70
Cost of care of buildings
476,693.12
485,789.34
+9,096.22
Total cost of day &
evening schools
2,786,302.41
2,950,877.90
+164,575.49
Per capita cost
222.83
236.73
+13.90
Cost of High School instruction Per capita cost ..
549,448.26 252.73
267.85
+15.12
6-MISCELLANEOUS
* 1951
*1952
Change
Paid for new school buildings
Repairs & permanent improvements
$171,698.48
$156,289.96
-$15,408.52
Total school expend- itures
2,786,302.41
2,950,877.90
+164,575.49
Valuation of city
127,760,800.00
129,972,800.00
2,212,000.00
Number
of dollars
spent to maintain
schools out of every $1,000 of
valuation
1.34
1.20
++0.14
Number 4 dollars
spent for all school
purposes, etc.
21.81
22.70
+0.89
* School year
7-COST OF THE SCHOOLS
The total amount spent for the maintenance of the schools of Somerville for the school year ending June 30, 1952, is bid of $733,217.00 was received from the S. & A Allen Con-
This includes the sum spent for care of school buildings, including salaries of officers, the amount spent for school and administrative supplies and services, and the sum paid for salaries of teachers.
The expenditures for care for school buildings is wholly in charge of the City Government.
The amount paid for janitors is $205,676.39
The cost of fuel is 62,646.03
The cost of light is
32,574.67
Miscellaneous expense of operation 28,602.29
A total cost of 329,499.38
A total cost per capita of 26.43
Cost of repairs
156,289.96
579,615.70
+30,167.44
Salaries of officers ....
66,645.64
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 School- Junior
Elementary
Vocational
ยท Evening Schools High
Elementary
Vocational
Jr. Vocational Continuation School and Americaniza- tion Work
Office Salaries
$69,651.00
Office Expenses
6,575.71
Text Books
18,420.10
3,155.34
3,729.48
$11,039.44
$389.54
$26.97
$21.56
$57.77
Stationery, Supplies, etc.
51,969.40
18,305.83
8,672.78
17,189.70
6,318.32
148.92
706.90
626.95
Miscellaneous, etc.
10,300.49
3,301.03
2,566.13
3,884.81
544.52
3.76
.24
Total
$156,916.70
$24,762.20
$14,968.39
$32,113.95
$7,252.38
$179.65
$728.46
$684.96
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.
Jr. Vocational Continuation School and Americaniza- tion Work
Expenditures
Total
High
-Day School- Junior
Elementary
Vocational
- Evening Schools - High
Elementary
Vocational
Supervisors
$42,845.00
$8,694.50
$6,705.50
$25,693.00
$1,752.00
Principals
69,775.00
6,930.00
17,565.00
38,535.00
$4,891.75
$580.15
$9.85
$400.00
863.25
Teachers
2,195,551.86
557,854.95
523,454.72
992,119.08
92,115.12
4,609.50
280.50
3,152.00
21,965.99
Total
$2,308,171.86
$573,479.45
$547,725.22 $1,056,347.08
$97,006.87
$5,189.65
$290.35
$3,552.00
$24,581.24
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
163
164
ANNUAL REPORTS
The total outlay for all school purposes includes all the preceding and the sums spent for schoolhouse repairs and new buildings.
The total outlay for the school year ending June 30, 1952 is as follows:
Care
$329,499.38
Contingent
87,265.70
Salaries
2,377,822.86
Total for school maintenance
2,794,587.94
Paid for repairs
156,289.96
Total for all school purposes
2,950,877.90
Each dollar of the sum spent for the support of schools has been divided in the following proportion:
1947
1948
1949 $0.071
1950
1951
1952
Janitors salaries
$0.088
$0.063
$0.074
$0.070
$0.074
Other Maintenance
expenses
0.068
0.056
0.054
0.056
0.046
0.044
Administration
0.024
0.026
0.028
0.027
0.028
0.027
School supplies
0.027
0.034
0.029
0.028
0.030
0.029
Teachers salaries
0.793
0.801
0.818
0.815
0.826
0.826
$1.000
$1.000
$1.000
$1.000
$1.000
$1.000
--
Per Capita Cost. The proper method of comparison of the cost of schools year by year is to consider the sum spent for each pupil in the average membership. In this computation we exclude the cost of evening schools, and the vocational schools. The following shows:
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