USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lincoln > Town Report on Lincoln 1925-1929 > Part 21
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Heretofore the necessary expenses for extraordinary re- pairs made on the school buildings has not been taken from the appropriation controlled by the School Committee. These matters were taken care of by the Selectmen and the cost therefor paid out of the miscellaneous appropria- tion and under the direction of the Selectmen. In order, however, that the people of the town may know the actual cost of the carrying on of the schools including repairs on the buildings, the Committee feels that all matters pertain- ing to the schools including all repairs on buildings should be controlled by the School Committee and should be in- cluded by them in their budget for the year, in no other way can the actual yearly cost of maintaining the schools of the town be known.
Again we would call your attention to matters covered by the Superintendent in his report. It is the desire of the Superintendent and also of the Committee that a close touch be kept by the parent with the Superintendent and teachers as to what progress is being made by the child as in no other way will the parent know what the child is accomplishing at school. We would also direct the parents' attention to the very important matter of seeing to it that the children devote particular attention to their school work first. As time goes on, the idea appears to be growing that the children's first duty is to advance socially and other- wise outside of school. This supposition is entirely wrong and it is the duty of the parent at all times to see to it that the school work comes first and if there is time left for matters outside of school or for diversions of different kinds, these should, in all cases, be secondary. The parent should keep in close touch with the children, also examine care- fully its report card before signing and returning the same. Parents should also insist at all times and make this fact known to the teacher and Superintendent that it is their wish that the fundamentals of the school course should come
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first and this before social and club work. The ordinary school day is not long and the time required for the essen- tials of necessity will take up the greater part of this day. We urge the parents to consider this matter very carefully.
The Committee has very carefully prepared its budget for the coming year and have considered increases where necessary only and have striven in every way to keep their required appropriation at the lowest minimum. It appears that an appropriation of thirty-six thousand five hundred dollars will be necessary to carry on the schools for the cur- rent year and this sum is hereby recommended by the Com- mittee.
You will find hereto a summary of the expenditures for the year 1927 as also receipts for the amount received by the Town Treasurer on account of the schools.
A full and complete report of the Superintendent and the School Nurse is annexed hereto.
Respectfully submitted, ANTHONY J. DOHERTY GEORGE G. TARBELL EDITH B. FARRAR
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Expenditures on Account of Schools for 1927
Salaries
$16,975.00
Expenses of Superintendent's Office
125.09
Books
439.44
Fuel
876.00
Miscellaneous Operating Expenses . .
354.46
Repairs
265.38
Health
233.35
Local Transportation
5,657.00
High School Transportation
2,028.30
High School Tuition
5,974.44
New Equipment
483.10
$33,993.41
Receipts on Account of Schools for 1927
From Trustees of Lincoln Grammar
School Fund $ 59.36
From Commonwealth of Mass. Voca- tional Education 505.04
From Commonwealth of Mass. Tui- tion of State Wards 1,524.70
From City of Boston, Tuition of City Wards
556.57
From Commonwealth-High School Transportation 1,926.78
From Commonwealth of Mass. Re-
turn on Teachers' Salaries 1,950.00
6,522.45
Net cost of Schools to Town $27,470.96
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the School Committee of Lincoln :
I hereby submit my fifth annual Superintendent's report for the year ending December 31, 1927.
Teachers
The opening of the Fall term found but one new teacher added to the regular teaching force. Miss Marjorie S. Manser of Auburn, Maine, a graduate of Bates College, is now teaching Mathematics in the Junior High School in the place of Miss Mildred MacDougal, who resigned to go to California. Miss Manser brings with her three years of experience in teaching Junior High School Mathematics in So. Paris, Maine.
So far as can be learned from the records, this is the first time in many years there has been but one change in the regular teaching force. Thus the superior calibre of the Lincoln teaching staff has been maintained for another year.
As Concord demanded the entire time of Mr. Robbins, we reluctantly had to look for a new Manual Training teacher. Mr. James O'Sullivan of the Framingham School system was secured to take Mr. Robbins' place. Upon the resignation of Mr. O'Sullivan on January 1, Mr. E. W. Burckes of Waltham was selected to fill the vacancy.
Many elements enter into the possibility of securing and keeping good teachers in Lincoln. One of these is the finding of good boarding places. We have been very for- tunate in the past two years in being able to obtain suitable places where the teachers may be contented. The easy
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accessibility to Lincoln from Waltham and other larger towns and cities aids greatly in overcoming this difficulty.
Another factor is the payment of reasonable salaries so that larger places will not draw the good teachers away from Lincoln rapidly by the promise of much larger sal- aries. Since the present salary schedule was put into opera- tion about six years ago, there has been a steady improve- ment in the teaching force by reason of being able to secure better teachers and also keeping them in Lincoln longer than previously.
No school system is complete, however, without some method of either improving the teachers in the service or of preventing them getting into a rut. Teachers must constantly get new ideas and keep informed of the newer methods and ideas in education. One of the best ways to accomplish this is by taking courses, either in the colleges near at hand, university extension courses offered in Boston and other cities, or by attending summer school for a few weeks. Every teacher owes to herself and to the children she teaches, to keep in touch with the rapid strides being made in education. There is not one of us who knows so much that he or she can learn no more by further study.
As a reward-not an incentive, inind you-to the teachers who try to improve their teaching by further study, addi- tional salary increases have been voted under certain con- ditions. The School Committee passed the following vote at its June meeting, with a minor amendment at a later date :
The teachers in the Lincoln schools may receive credit for professional improvement as follows:
1. A college credit shall consist of 15 hours of class work of sixty minutes each or its equivalent.
2. Credits may be obtained in college, normal school, university extension or summer school courses.
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3. No credit shall be given for an incomplete course.
4. All courses for credit shall be approved in advance by the Superintendent of Schools and School Com- mittee.
5. A teacher who satisfactorily obtains 4 credits in ap- proved courses in one year shall receive $50 additional salary the following year. The increase shall be for one year only.
6. A teacher who obtains 4 such credits a year for 3 out of 5 years shall be placed and continue on a maximum salary basis $100 greater than the previous maximum.
7. Every teacher shall, at least once in 5 years, take ap- proved courses giving a minimum of 2 points credit.
Membership
School was opened last Fall with the largest enrollment in the history of the school. As will be noted by the age- grade table at the end of this report, there were 234 pupils enrolled on October 1, 1927. As there were ten gypsy chil- dren from three families, the membership was lowered to about normal when they moved about the first of November. 222 is the enrollment as of December 23, 1927.
Attendance
On the whole, the attendance for the past year seems to be very favorable. Especially is this true of the past Fall. Good weather and very little sickness have aided greatly in the high attendance records.
An attendance record was broken this Fall by the eighth grade. From the opening of school on September 7 until November 15, a period of two and a half months, not a single one of the twenty-one pupils missed a day of school. This is the first time within the history of the present school
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records that a grade has had 100% attendance for more than one month.
A comparison of the percentages for the Fall of 1927 with the corresponding months of the previous year shows what the epidemics of whooping cough and typhoid fever did in 1926.
1927
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Grade IX
94.40
98.15
96.55
100.00
VIII
100.00
100.00
99.42
96.19
VII
98.68
98.34
98.54
98.75
VI
96.69
95.53
95.86
96.03
V
97.82
96.82
95.38
94.44
IV
98.61
98.27
98.74
96.96
III
98.10
97.65
97.82
94.64
II
94.87
95.45
98.05
95.77
I
93.71
91.94
95.92
91.04
Average
97.10
96.91
97.36
95.98
The list of pupils who did not miss a day of school dur- ing the entire year is greater this year than ever be- fore. In addition to the 18 pupils listed below, there were 11 who missed but one day, 12 were absent only two days, and 16 for three days. The number of non-absences for the past five years is as follows :
1926-27
18
1925-26
12
1924-25
11
1923-24
15
1922-23
7
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The following pupils were not absent during the school year 1926-27. One star against the name denotes that the pupil had perfect attendance during 1925-26; and two stars signifies perfect attendance for 1924-25 and 1925-26.
II Leonard Melanson Athlon Huntley
III Jeannette Campobasso *Norma Recchia
IV John Chaves Robert Furiga
V William Clark
VI John Algeo *Allan Montgomery
*Natalie Recchia
VII Irene Christie John Edgar
** Virgil Poland Chester Peck
VIII Albert Cunningham Ethel MacLean
IX Gordon Cunningham Alma Langille
Percentage of Attendance for 1926-27
Grade
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
Ave.
IX
.96.07
94.40
*96.45
*91.95
91.51
.* 99.84
98.33
96.95
97.95
98.04
*96.15
VIII
93.90
*96.73
96.10
86.15
88.67
97.57
98.64
93.05
96.86
*99.46
95.16
VII
96.68
95.32
92.88
89.40
*95.41
95.35
*98.76
*97.79
96.25
97.52
95.71
VI
.97.06
95.69
95.58
88.04
93.75
96.04
97.703
96.66
96.16
97.82
95.43
V
96.80
93.90
92.35
88.26
88.75
93.86
97.83
95.95
97.08
97.83
93.72
IV
.94.91
95.23
83.47
88.76
90.18
96.61
96.43
95.46
96.72
97.71
93.58
III
*97.49
96.38
89.25
67.71
91.35
97.49
96.85
96.85
*98.43
95.01
92.74
II
93.20
92.76
92.04
90.02
92.14
95.86
95.21
94.00
94.97
97.95
93.87
I
97.24
92.63
79.55
72.79
86.44
93.51
97.45
89.15
97.45
97.96
90.81
Average
95.93
91.45
90.85
84.79
90.91
96.24
97.47
95.10
96.87
97.70
94.25
*Indicates banner attendance for month.
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Age-Grade Distribution
The table at the end of this report which is entitled "Membership by Age and Grade October 1, 1927" may not mean much to many people, but with a little analysis I am sure you will agree it is of great significance. The law re- quires any town having ten or more children who are at least 3 years retarded to maintain a special class for such children. Has Lincoln over this amount?
A study of the table will show that the children of nor- mal ages are contained between the dark vertical-horizontal lines, with the underage ones to the right. It will be noticed there are nine boys and two girls who are three or more years over age for their grade. This might be alarming were it not for the fact that five of these eleven pupils were gypsy children who moved November 1st. This simply leaves six pupils in the group who are three or more years retarded; which is a very small percentage of the total number of boys and girls.
School Play
Under the direction of Miss Wadleigh, the school play · "Stung," given on Friday evening, April 29, 1927, was a great success. The proceeds from this fourth annual play were again used toward the promotion of visual education in the schools. The cast of characters was as follows:
John Channing Charles Carney
Clara Channing Elvera Laurin
Mrs. Bennet Margaret Dean
Walter Bennet Harold Gregory
Marie, Mrs. Bennet's maid Alma Langille
Mrs. Freeman, Clara's mother Lydia Roberts
Mr. Conrad Gordon Cunningham Mr. Denning John Farrar
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School Exhibition
As the Town Hall was deemed too small to again hold a combination exhibit of school work and graduation ex- ercises on the same evening, a novel arrangement was made last June. On Friday evening, June 10, 1927, the Centre School exhibition was held in the various class rooms. Reg- ular class work was held for an hour in all the grades from the third through the ninth, beginning at 6.45 p. m. Pupils were dismissed at noon on that day in order that they might return in the evening.
There was a large attendance of parents, who were unanimous in their opinion that the exhibit, class lessons, physical exercises and fire-drill were all a great success.
Grades One and Two of the South School had their ex- hibition and classroom demonstrations on Thursday after- noon, June 9, from one to two o'clock.
The graduation exercises of the ninth grade were held at the Town Hall on Thursday evening, June 16, 1927: The program and a list of the graduates may be found at the end of this report.
High School
Of the 21 pupils in the ninth grade last year, 18 went on to high school, one to Boston Trade School, one to the Waltham Nurse's Training School, and only one did not go on for further study.
As there were very few Lincoln pupils graduating from high school, the number 'attending this year has been greatly increased. At the present time there are 53 Lincoln pupils attending high school: 24 in Waltham, 27 in Concord, one in Boston Trade School and one attending the Newton Vocational School.
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The number of high school pupils has been gradually increasing, as may be seen by the figures for the past five years :
1923-24
1924-25
1925-26
1926-77
1927-28
32 35 66 45 66 53 37 pupils
This growth in high school membership has been one of the large factors for the increase in school costs, although it must be remembered that some of this expense is returned to the town treasury by the State. The present indications are that the number entering high school next September will just about equal those graduating in June.
Your Superintendent has kept in close touch with both the Concord and Waltham High Schools to see how well the Lincoln pupils are doing. The results have been very gratifying, especially this last Fall. Out of the 51 pupils in both these high schools, there is but one pupil who has failed in more than two subjects for the first three months. For the month of November, there was but one pupil of the twelve who entered Concord in September who received a flunking mark in any subject, and that person in only one course. It is our wish that the Lincoln pupils continue their good work in the high schools.
Health
Since the close of the typhoid fever epidemic last Janu- ary, the school has been fortunate to escape any serious illness. Although there had been a clinic for inoculation against typhoid at the Town Hall during the Christmas vacation in 1926, it was considered wise to hold another free clinic at the school in January. Over 50 pupils were inoculated at this clinic held from January 7 to 21, 1927.
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The Schick test and diptheria inoculation was given again in March. The nurse's report gives a detailed account of this clinic work.
The dental clinic was held every Friday from March 4 to May 27, 1927. Dr. Edward Frye was the dentist for his third season in Lincoln. That the dental work has borne fruit is shown by the voluntary assertion of the school physician, Dr. Wood, during his yearly physical examina- tion this Fall, when he stated that the children's teeth were on the whole the best he had ever seen. We hope the Dental Clinic Committee will be able to make this clinic a permanent annual affair.
The regular systematic physical exercises have been car- ried on during the year-out of doors whenever possible, and in the classrooms only during bad weather. During the Autumn months a special posture class was formed. Each teacher sent pupils with poor posture into the class where they were kept until they proved they could stand and sit in good position.
On account of the typhoid fever, serving of cocoa was postponed until January 24, 1927. It was continued until March 25, 1927. Owing to the late start, the total expense $119.19, was slightly smaller than usual. Of this amount $75 was contributed by the Grange, the balance being given by parents and pupils.
Merit Prizes
All who attended the graduation exercises last June were greatly thrilled at the awarding of the merit prizes. Early in the school year, a father who wished his name kept secret, offered five dollars to the boy and a similar amount to the girl in the Junior High School, who should be judged the most worthy by the teachers and the Superintendent.
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After considerable study and discussion it was finally de- cided to make the awards on the basis of these five points :
1. Scholarship; 2. Leadership; 3. Responsibility ; 4. Co-operation ; 5. Conduct (including attitude).
There are many things to be learned in school that the boys and girls may not get out of books. Expert knowledge without moral character as a basis is not real education. Leadership of the right kind-not only on the athletic field, but also in the classroom-is one of the important factors in training for life. Pupils have plenty of opportunity to develop leadership in school.
The word responsibility covers a wide range of the pupil's daily tasks. Are home lessons completed and passed in on time; is a pupil honest with himself and his fellow pupils in his school studies; can the boy or girl be trusted to act properly when the teacher's back is turned ; does he have to be watched in the corridors, basement or on the playground? These are only a few of the factors that might be listed under the heading of responsibility.
In a way, co-operation might overlap part of the traits listed in the above point. Does a pupil get along well with his teachers and his classmates, or is he or she always pouting, quarrelling or irritable?
A pupil's conduct really includes all the above, but under it we have listed attitude. Not what is done but how it is done, is what we are chiefly concerned about in this case. The old maxim that actions speak louder than words ap- plies to this factor.
Toward the end of the school year the American Legion offered five dollars to be used for some educational purpose ; and so it was deemed wise to divide this amount as second merit prizes for a boy and girl.
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The prizes awarded were as follows :
Girls Boys
First Prize Margaret Dean
Second Prize. Elvera Laurin
Hon. Mention . .. Alma Langille
Harold Gregory
John Farrar
Gordon Cunningham
I am glad to announce that the donor of the first prizes has signified his intention of awarding these prizes again this year. It is to be hoped that the awards may become a permanent annual affair.
Co-operation
During the past year I feel that the parents have co- operated very much with the teachers, although there really aren't as many visits to the schools as I should like to see. Some mothers have remarked to me, "I don't like to bother the teacher." As a matter of fact, both teachers and pupils enjoy the friendly visits of parents ; for is there anyone who does not like to proudly display the good work he or she is doing?
From the school's point of view these "Pointers for Parents", by E. W. Stitt, Associate Superintendent of Schools, New York City, might prove mutually beneficial.
1. Insist that your children shall never be late at school.
2. They should never be absent, except when abso- lutely necessary. In that event, see that a written excuse is brought by the child when he returns.
3. Be specially careful with the little ones who are starting in the kindergarten or 1A classes. Help them to love to go to school.
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4. Upper-grade pupils usually have lessons to study or prepare. See that assigned tasks receive care- ful attention.
5. Let the children do their own home work. They should not need your help.
6. Textbooks should be neatly covered. All children should be as careful of the property of the city as of their own.
7. Cleanliness of face, hands, and body should be re- quired. "Cleanliness is next to godliness."
8. Remember how weary you become of taking care of one child. Have plenty of sympathy, therefore, for the teacher who has a class of 50.
9. Examine the monthly report cards of your chil- dren before you sign them. Require a record of "A" or "B+" if possible.
10. If your children are untruthful, dishonest, or dis- obedient, it necessarily reflects discredit upon you, and is some indication that the home training you give them falls short of what it should be. Do not blame the teacher.
11. Have a high regard for the principals who are re- sponsible for the safety and education of your chil- dren and thousands of other pupils as well. Their positions are more important than those of bank presidents.
12. Teachers are also worthy of your highest apprecia- tion, because they have the real task of instructing your children and in training them to become good Americans. .
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The feelings of one Massachusetts teacher are told in the following poem published in "Common Ground" which I am sure will be of interest to all.
A Toast to Parents
Sometimes I think that parents Are a funny kind of folk, And yet they seldom see, themselves, Just wherein lies the joke.
They come to us, so serious About their children dear,
That we must grave as judges be, And let no smile appear.
"My son's extremely brilliant," So says the fond mamma. Alas! with us, that brilliant son Comes hardly up to par.
"My darling child," another cries, "Has ne'er been understood." We understand his heedless ways. Most anybody could.
"Have you a grudge against my child? Why should you keep him back? His work at home is wonderful. I fail to see his lack."
So cries the father in his wrath, Around promotion day ; Yet we both know that child of his Has spent the year in play.
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We hear about the picked-on child. The nervous child we know. The child who is so sensitive, And thus the stories go.
We listen, and we sympathize,- But, I'll confess to you, We have a feeling that to us The sympathy is due.
Sometimes, I think that parents Are the nicest kind of folk : And when I say this thing to you, I leave behind-the joke.
Just lay some need before them, And hear their quick reply,- "What can we do to help you? What part can we supply ?"
Perhaps some skeins of worsted For little hands to weave, Perhaps gifts big and generous For school use we receive.
It's not the gift that matters. It's the spirit in it all. It's their readiness to answer When they understand the call.
The faith these parents give us,- It should keep us staunch and true: "Do as you think best with Mary. I am trusting her to you."
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· And best of all, the letter We so delight to get:
"What you have done for Johnny We never can forget."
At parents, wise or funny, You may smile, as I have done.
Yet I say, and you will join me, "God bless 'em every one."
Improvements
A new steam boiler was installed in the South School during the summer vacation. While an improvement in heating conditions has been made, the existing conditions are not wholly satisfactory yet. With another minor change, we hope to make the situation still better.
Electric lights were installed in the entries and the base- ment of the South School during the summer.
During the Christmas vacation, electric clocks were in- stalled in the Centre School. In order to avoid confusion in the building because of the varieties of time of the several clocks, this system was considered essential by thus having a uniform time throughout the building. All the bells for classes, recesses, etc., will be operated automatically by this system, thus insuring accuracy at all times.
New window shades have been purchased and installed in three of the rooms on the upper floor of the Centre School. The old ones which had been in use for years were much the worse for wear. The new shades not only im- prove the appearance of the school rooms, but also are built for the pupils' comfort.
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Junior High School
There seems to be such a mistaken idea in the minds of many of the townspeople as to what a junior high school is, that I wish to outline briefly what constitutes this type of school. The thought as expressed or implied by many persons that the ninth grade of school- that is, the first year of a four year high school-is separated from the upper three years and designated as "junior,"-this thought is erroneous.
A junior high school is defined as a school adapted to the needs of pupils approximately 12 to 15 years of age. Some towns and cities are organized with grades 7 and 8 in the junior high school, but in most places such a school in- cludes grades 7, 8 and 9. This gives six years to the ele- mentary school, three to the junior high and three to the senior high school, and is known as the 6-3-3 plan.
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