USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lincoln > Town Report on Lincoln 1941-1945 > Part 38
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Included in our spraying this year will be the sides of roads where poison ivy is abundant. To be effective this spraying will have to be done when the ivy is in bloom. The total ex- penditure for the year 1945 was $1,471.95 and it is recom- mended that $3,145.00 be appropriated for the year 1946.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN J. KELLIHER, Tree Warden.
124
TOWN OF LINCOLN
1945 LINCOLN PLAYGROUND REPORT
PART I
General supervision of all playground activities was under the able direction of Mr. James Dudley for the fifth successive year. Mrs. Bernice Holmes acted as part-time assistant,
Instruction in tennis, baseball and softball was offered to boys and girls of all age groups. Baseball games with play- grounds from adjoining towns were played weekly by teams consisting of Lincoln men and boys.
A tennis tournament for boys and girls was held the last two weeks in August. The success of the first men's tennis tournament in Lincoln will insure it as an annual event of the playground.
Track events and swimming for boys and girls will be a part of the next year's program as well as tennis matches with other towns.
PART II
The summer of 1946 will see quite a few changes in the playground program. It is our desire to both expand and vary our activities. The young men returning to Lincoln from the Armed Forces should find a program of outdoor activities planned to their needs. It is our intention to offer organized instruction and contests during evening and week- ends for these men.
The regular daytime program for younger boys and girls will include track events, baseball, softball, tennis and swim- ming. To successfully carry out this program a sum of six hundred ($600) is requested. This sum will cover the salaries of one full-time supervisor, a part-time assistant and necessary equipment.
REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
125
REPORT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR
I herewith submit the Annual Report of the Building Inspector of the Town of Lincoln.
Permits Classification Estimated Value of Work
2 New Residential
$8,000 00
5 Residential Alterations and Additions 1,795 00
9 New Accessory Buildings 6,375 00
1 Alterations and Additions to Acces- sory Buildings 50 00
3 Alterations to Business Buildings
2,075 00
5 Plumbing 1,380 00
19 Electric 1,390 00
Total 44
$21,065 00
3 Applications Refused
Total Fees Collected $56 00
Respectfully submitted,
CYRUS W. MURPHY, Building Inspector.
126
TOWN OF LINCOLN
COMMITTEE FOR INVESTIGATING THE NEEDS OF THE LINCOLN SCHOOLS
In our report as published a year ago the Committee was unanimous in recommending that a new school be built. With that as a premise we have given great consideration and study to its proper location. We stated that we felt that it should be located on the property adjacent to the Ball Field which opinion was also expressed by the unanimous votes of the Planning Board, School Committee, and the studied judgment of our consultant, Mr. John I. Nichols. However, in view of the fact that the Town already owned a sizable tract of land known as Pierce Park, we felt that every consideration should be given to it before a final recom- mendation was made to the Town and this has been done. It is still our unanimous opinion that the so-called Ball Field property is the best location.
Our reasons are these:
1. Ample size not only for a present building, but also for expansion when and if needed.
2. Large enough in extent to give playing fields and parking areas to meet all demands.
3. Contours are such that roads, playgrounds, parking areas, drainage, and water can be installed without ex- cessive construction cost.
4. It is central and easily accessible.
5. It is well away from any heavily travelled highways.
6. It is adjacent to present baseball field and tennis courts.
As regards the Pierce Park property, the Committee feels that it should be retained for park purposes. With the town resuming its growth in the postwar period, as it is certain to do, we feel that in future years the citizens would regret ex- ceedingly having given up this open space in the center of Town. Furthermore unless the school could be located at some point about where the present house stands there would be insufficient space, and there are legal restrictions surround-
127
COMMITTEE ON NEEDS OF LINCOLN SCHOOLS
ing the use of the property for anything other than park pur- poses which would require legal rulings to change.
The Committee felt then that its opinions should be sub- stantiated by an engineer as to the merits of each site for building purposes. Consequently we engaged the services of Mr. Everett M. Brooks, a Civil Engineer of Newton, and a summary of his report follows:
Summary of Costs (not including cost of new property)
Pierce Park Site (Bituminous driveway) $21,288 20
Ball Park Site (Bituminous driveway) 4,706 40
$16,581 80
Recommendations
On the basis of the above figures we would recommend the Ball Field site for the following reasons:
1. Less cost to the Town. (Approximately $16,000 sav- ing.)
2. Better location because of topography. Grading and drainage. Finished grade.
3. Larger playground area (234 acres Pierce Park site to 5 acres Ball Field site) at no expense to the Town.
4. Better location because it is far enough away from main roads.
Signed: EVERETT M. BROOKS, Civil Engineer,
October, 1945 Newtonville, Massachusetts.
Above cost figures include driveway approaches to school sites, playgrounds area and water mains.
We also wanted to know what legal entanglements had to be overcome if a school should be erected on Pierce Park. For this purpose we asked for an opinion from Mr. Sydney R. Wrightington, an attorney of Boston, regarded as one of the outstanding men in this field. We are quoting from his letter as follows:
128
TOWN OF LINCOLN
November 26, 1945
Mr. William N. Page Lincoln Road Lincoln, Massachusetts Dear Mr. Page:
As Chairman of the Committee for Study of Needs of Lincoln Schools, you have submitted to me copies of the will and codicil of John H. Pierce, the will of Elsie Pierce and deed of Robert M. Pierce to the Town, dated March 1, 1930. I have also received copies of votes of a Town Meeting held May 14, 1927.
The will of John H. Pierce among other things provides that on the death of his daughter, Elsie, he gives his "Farm and house in said Lincoln to the Inhabitants of Lincoln for- ever and in addition to thereto an annual income of three thousand ($3,000) dollars for the maintenance of same, the same to be used for a Hospital and Park for the use and en- joyment of the Inhabitants of Lincoln forever."
The will of Elsie Pierce establishes a trust of Twenty-Five Thousand ($25,000) Dollars for the benefit of her brother Robert and his wife and on their death the income to be ex- pended "in connection with the bequest made by my father in his will for the maintenance and preservation of a hospital and park for the use and enjoyment of the Inhabitants of Lincoln forever."
The deed conveys to the town a small parcel of land ad- joining the farm subject to certain conditions.
You have asked my opinion with reference to the possi- bility of using part of this land for the erection of a new school house. I understand that the area conveyed by the deed is too small for that purpose and that your question really re- lates to the farm referred to in the will of John H. Pierce.
The gift under this will is upon a charitable trust. I have not been asked to express an opinion as to the effect of the votes of May 14, 1927. If they were not an acceptance of the gifts in the wills, the Town clearly cannot use the land for a school because it does not own it. If the votes were an acceptance of the gifts, that acceptance imposes on the Town an obligation to carry out the terms of the trust.
Summer smith
$ 84- 40.30 €-
Wall
518.33
230
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MOICOIN
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16 16
34968
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B.
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Estate
250.54
612 59
Brook
Town of Lincoln
6.85 Ac.
DRIVEWAY 0. 44
TOTAL
7.29 ACRES
225.65
along
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Sumner Smith
1440 .
23783
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$26.15
1991
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Town of Lincolns:
156
Stone
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LINCOLN
EVERETT M BROOKS NEWTONVILLE
CIVIL ENG MASS
Site proposed by the Committee in studying needs of Lincoln Schools.
PLAN OF LAND
IN
LINCOLN
- MASS.
Estate
of Helen o. Storrow
JAN. 18,1946.
SCALE : | IN. = 100 FT.
of Helen O. Storrow
-- N 22.08 40~ ~~ 11- 14 30 W
Harold S. Cousens
-N 4. 48 50 W 165.00
48-55.20 N
308 67
N 50 50 -JOS DS + N 260 70
- 3 05 -98 - 2 N 238 60
21.43 ACRES
R. 86703 .... ">>.
2951- RIGHT :2010 OF
278 52
12. 22 00 ₺-
N
5.68 ACRES
Estate of Helen . ... Storrow
N 88-16.10 E-
199.92
-R* 3188.66 ---
N19. 55.30 €- 5 1286
Helen O. Storrow
Estate of William Peirce
431 26
217.80
ROAD
130
TOWN OF LINCOLN
tion of being able to afford outstanding provisions for edu- cation. We all know that the quality of this education is of greatest importance in the future tasks of citizenship.
We endorse the recommendations of the Nichols Report and congratulate the Special Committee for the Lincoln Schools for its initiative in the preparation of this excellent analysis of our problem. We wish to make the following suggestions which should be considered in the selection of the school site.
The up-to-date standards for an elementary school building require a site of from 20 to 25 acres. This area is mandatory for the building itself, for its approaches and parking area, and for the play fields. A part of the land must be kept in reserve for the moving of the play fields as the turf becomes worn down and to give the school protection against undesir- able encroachment. The dimensions of that part of the site where the building is to be placed should be such as to permit the free disposition and the orientation in any direction of a building that may be 200 to 400 feet long. Also the possibility of future expansion of the building should be kept in mind. The largest portion of the property should be suffi- ciently level and well drained to allow for all these installa- tions without excessive grading or drainage costs. The location of the site should permit easy access but should have enough isolation to ensure safety from traffic hazards and separation from nearby residential areas.
Judged by these standards, the Pierce Park site is inade- quate. It is too small unless the whole park is to be taken, and this would deprive the Town of an open space increas- ingly essential in this central location as the Town develops.
The land available for the play field is too small, and no other part of this rolling property can be used for this purpose. The only part of the site available for the building is very narrow in the east-west dimension; this would hamper the architect in laying out the classrooms towards the sun. Future extensions would be difficult. As shown by the Brooks Report, the costs of development of this site would be rela- tively high.
Today, January 13, 1946, we have as a group visited and inspected both of these sites that are under consideration.
131
COMMITTEE ON NEEDS OF LINCOLN SCHOOLS
For the reasons enumerated in this letter, in addition to all the other reasons brought out in the Nichols Report and the Brooks Report, we consider the Pierce Site unsuitable for the Lincoln School.
Sincerely yours,
Signed :
John Quincy Adams
Walter F. Bogner Robert H. Dietz
Henry B. Hoover Hayward Pierce
Lawrence B. Anderson Kenneth M. Cook
Walter Gropius Cyrus Winthrop Murphy Constantin A. Pertzoff
The Ball Field property mentioned throughout this report comprises two parcels of land. One is immediately opposite and to the west of the ball field and is owned by Mr. Sumner Smith. The other parcel is in the rear of this property and runs to a present farm lane. It is owned by the estate of Mrs. James J. Storrow. We have endeavored to obtain selling prices from both owners but have been unsuccessful.
On January 15, 1946, a meeting of the Board of Selectmen, School Committee, Finance Committee and this Committee was held at the request of Mr. Sumner Smith to entertain a suggestion that an attempt be made to change the wills of John Pierce and Charles Smith to make available the Pierce Park property for school purposes and the Smith Fund for construction of an elementary school.
After consideration of these suggestions, together with all facts presented above the Committee feels that, on the basis of merit for school purposes, the Ball Field area is the proper location and should be acquired by the town.
Preliminary plans and specifications for the new school should be started at once and we are asking the Town to re- quest the Moderator to appoint a Building Committee with authority to choose an architect and to vote sufficient funds for its requirements.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM N. PAGE, Chairman.
JAMES DeNORMANDIE CHARLES K. FITTS
MARGARET H. NORTON ALBERT A. SCHAAL
-
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF LINCOLN
FOR THE
SCHOOL YEAR 1945
COLN
NEWTON GARDEN CITY PRINT
1946
134
TOWN OF LINCOLN
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Term Expires
ROLLIN J. FAIRBANKS, Chairman
1947
HELEN P. WILEY .
1948
WILLIAM N. PAGE
1946
Superintendent F. H. McKELVEY
Secretary WILDA M. WARD
Kindergarten DOROTHEA K. AUSTIN* ELIZABETH T. WHEELER
Grade One JOSEPHINE C. DOHERTY
Grade Two VILLETTE P. BERNHARD
Grade Three VIVIAN C. BURNS* MARYCLARE HAYES
Grade Four
HELEN T. HOUSTON* MARY ALICE FORBES
Grade Five. ... ELEANOR L. HARRIS
Grade Six LUCILLE H. CHARRON* MARTHA L. STRATTON; GERTRUDE S. KEILY
Grade Seven SHIRLEY A. THOMPSON* LOIS S. PARSONS
Grade Eight MADELINE TOBIN* ELEANOR C. BROWN
*Resigned June, 1945
+Resigned Dec. 21, 1945
135
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Supervisor of Music JOSEPHINE R. GLEASON* ERNA V. FISHER
Supervisor of Art LILLIAN W. HUNT
On Military Leave of Absence CLARK L. DEXTER EDWARD McGONIGLE
School Physician RANDOLPH PIPER, M.D.
School Nurse MARIAN N. OBER, R.N.
Janitor WILFRED SMITH
Attendance Officer JOHN J. KELLIHER
School Calendar 1946
September '4
Schools Open
October 25
Teachers' Convention
November 11
Armistice Day
November 28, 29
Thanksgiving Recess
December 20
Christmas Vacation
1947
January 2
Schools Open
February 14
Schools Close
February 24
Schools Open
April 11 Schools Close
April 21
Schools Open
May 30
Memorial Day
June 13
Schools Close
No School Signal 7:30 A.M. 3-3-3 on Fire Whistle 7:35 A.M. 3-3-3 on Fire Whistle Announcement made over Station WBZ, WNAC
136
TOWN OF LINCOLN
REPORT OF THE LINCOLN SCHOOL COMMITTEE for the year 1945
The year 1945 has in many respects been a transitional one for the Lincoln Schools. Following the unexpected resigna- tion of Mr. H. Paul Larrabee as superintendent of the Concord- Lincoln Superintendency Union, your School Committee sent a questionnaire to all residents of the town, requesting an expression of opinion as to whether Lincoln should continue in the superintendency union. While only eleven per cent responded, more than seventy-five per cent of the replies favored withdrawing. It was, however, only after careful consideration of not only these returns but also several other important factors that your Committee voted to withdraw from the Union, and both the Concord School Committee and the Commissioner of Education concurred.
After a thorough consideration of more than seventy applications, Mr. Frederick H. McKelvey of Rockford, Illinois, was elected as superintendent of the Lincoln schools and he began his new duties on July 15th.
A series of parents' meetings were held during the spring term in cooperation with the League of Women Voters, to acquaint interested parents with the school program and personnel. Similar meetings were held in the fall under the leadership of our new superintendent. In both cases the response was encouraging. Occasional reports have been issued by your Committee so that the community might be adequately and correctly informed as to school affairs.
Throughout the year we have followed carefully the prog- ress of the Committee for the Investigation of the Needs of Lincoln Schools. The preliminary report of this special committee is unanimously and enthusiastically endorsed including the recommendations that the proposed site be purchased and that preliminary sketches and specifications for the new school be prepared. We believe that Lincoln has been exceptionally fortunate to secure the services and counsel of Mr. John I. Nichols and we are in full accord with his recommendations.
137
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The budget for 1946 has been submitted to the Finance Committee and calls for a total appropriation of $53,261.70. This amount represents an increase over the actual expenses for 1945. Several factors are responsible for this larger bud- get.
We now have a full-time, resident superintendent. Pro- vision has been made for slight salary increases for those teachers who are not receiving the present maximum. Be- cause we have a former teacher, (Edward S. McGonigle) and a former principal, (Clark L. Dexter) on military leave of absence, it is legally necessary not only to continue their retirement fund payments, but, in the case of Mr. Dexter, a special allowance must be made for the difference between the salary he is entitled to receive and the maximum being paid teachers at the present time.
A reorganized program for Grades 3-8 necessitates increas- ing our total teaching staff from nine and three-fifths teachers to ten full-time teachers. This will make possible the teach- ing of music and art throughout the week instead of on a one or two-day basis. Provision has been made for strengthening our teaching materials, completing textbook series, and re- plenishing physical education equipment as well as art media. The appropriation for transportation has been increased approximately $1,000 largely in anticipation of replacing at least one and possibly two of the three busses.
We wish to record our appreciation of the services of Mr. Larrabee who willingly assumed the extra responsibilities of the Lincoln schools at a difficult period. Acknowledge- ment is also made of the contributions of Mr. Arthur J. Dows who served as principal during the first half of the calendar year. We are particularly indebted to our entire teaching staff, our clerk, the school nurse, and especially our custodian for their loyal services throughout the past year.
Your Committee appreciates the patience and understand- ing which the townspeople have shown towards our efforts to provide a school system appropriate to the community in which we live. We are grateful to our new superintendent, Mr. McKelvey, who during his brief service with us has
138
TOWN OF LINCOLN
displayed not only excellent leadership but also high stand- ards and a contagious zeal. We believe 1946 will bring even more tangible evidence of our progress towards achieving a superior elementary school system.
ROLLIN J. FAIRBANKS, Chairman, WILLIAM N. PAGE, HELEN P. WILEY.
139
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Lincoln School Committee, Lincoln, Massachusetts.
As superintendent of the Lincoln Public Schools I have the honor to present the annual report for 1945. This report will be devoted partly to an appraisal of some of our current needs, but more largely to consideration of some proposals for improvement of our educational program.
It is requisite for achievement of a modern elementary school program that the teaching staff, the parents, the community, and students too, come to agree upon and to understand the basic educational philosophy which is to permeate the school's life. Educational beliefs, thus devel- oped, become the guides for action and the framework for consideration of new proposals. They are specific and defi- nite and involve such important areas as the following:
The Outcomes of Learning The Learning Process Areas of Instruction Democracy and Education Child as a Learner Teaching
It is proposed that the school staff and the parents and community begin to develop the fundamental criteria upon which our program will rest. The resulting statement, in written form, should then serve as our mutual conception of what the school believes.
The School Program of Studies
The program of studies which was in effect last year has been continued during the present year. Club activities have included student council, newspaper, dramatics and science, and is now modified to be carried on as a part of class work.
The modern elementary school has broadened its educa- tional objectives to include all important outcomes of learning, character traits, emotional attitudes and appreciations,
140
₱
TOWN OF LINCOLN
understandings, effective ways of thinking, living and work- ing together, in addition to the acquisition of essential knowl- edges, skills and specific abilities. The mastery by students of basic essentials in reading, languages and numbers is still a major objective but it is only one of the school's important tasks.
The areas of instruction include the major fields of human endeavor, the language arts (reading, writing, spelling in functional situations), the social studies (geography and history), science, mathematics, health and physical educa- tion, and fine and industrial arts. In each of these areas it is proposed that our objectives and methods be carefully examined and that brief guides be developed as resource materials and as evidence of a well-thought out plan of instruc- tion. Courses of study need not be bulky dust-gatherers but can and should be concise guides which give direction to our over-all plan. They are especially needed in the language arts, in the social studies, and in science.
Music, art and dramatics enrich our lives and cannot be introduced too early to children. Our present program is inadequate in both time and materials for an excellent pro- gram, but improvement has been started.
Music has been increased to twice a week this year, and more important, the taste and standard of our music is soundly conceived. Several collections of songs have been acquired, a satisfactory radio-phonograph purchased, and a small record library has been started with excellent material.
Art has been increased in time, under the regular teacher, with the supervisor once a week. There has been some in- crease in variety of media but more is needed.
Both music and art require that the teacher have some special training, competency and interest, as well as knowl- edge of children, for the best teaching. It is not to be ex- pected that every regular teacher will have these abilities. It is proposed next year that most of the instruction in these areas shall be given by trained teachers who are on our staff on a full-time basis. This can be done with only a slight addition to teacher service.
Health and physical education are very important elements of an excellent program. They will continue to be taught
141
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
by regular teachers, except in the upper grades where it is proposed that instruction be under one teacher. Our great need is for equipment, provision for some of which is made in the 1946 budget. It is proposed that a definite program be developed, properly balanced between games and game skills, self-testing activities and rhythmic activities.
Science and nature study are vital parts of a modern pro- gram. Our text material is good but we need simple equip- ment for experiments and many interesting books in this field.
Industrial arts for boys and home arts for girls are desirable in the upper grade program. It is proposed to plan for wood- working and mechanical drawing for boys, utilizing present equipment with some additions, and home arts for girls, in- cluding home management, personal grooming and sewing.
The Kindergarten provides children with social experience, with learning activities of value in themselves, and with readiness preparation for the first grade. Study of the pri- mary school will lead toward a continuation of desirable social experiences and the building of concepts and ideas along with learning to read. Reading even in its early stages is a means toward an end, not an end in itself.
Guidance and Testing
All teachers are concerned with the personal development of each pupil and of each group as a social group. Guidance is always a real part of good teaching, as the teacher learns the needs of her pupils and class. In addition to this, there is need for knowledge of the ability of pupils in terms of their maturity and experience which can best be provided through an adequate program of testing.
The services of Dr. Anna C. Wellington will continue to be available for making individual examinations of our entering Kindergarten pupls and other special instances where guid- ance is needed.
It is proposed that achievement tests be continued at the end of the year, that a more diagnostic test be given in mid- year, that personality tests be utilized before entrance to upper grades and that general ability be determined at inter- mediate and upper grade levels as well as at kindergarten. The school should know its results in teaching skills and
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