USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lincoln > Town Report on Lincoln 1946-1950 > Part 42
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The Parent Council performed an admirable service in organizing interested townspeople and trucks to accomplish the task of moving furniture and supplies from Center and South Schools.
The new music room has been used for community activities to a limited degree, and it is hoped that the school facilities will be used for local gatherings to an even greater extent in the future.
School costs present a very material problem and despite the fact that plans for 1950 contemplate no addition to the educa- tional program the budget requirements are increased. The
153
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
major items of increase are as follows: (1) cost of operation of the new building plus additional custodial services, $3,500; (2) provision for teachers salaries comparable with surround- ing communities, $4,000; (3) higher tuition costs resulting from greater enrollment and increased tuition rates, as shown below, $8,000. Because of economies in other areas, the actual increase is $12,068.
1949
1950
Tuition Rate
Tuition Rate
Concord
$204
$270 as of Jan. 1, 1950
Weston
$250
$275 as of Sept. 1, 1950
It is possible that the above tuition rates, which reflect high costs in neighboring towns, foreshadow combined planning and an eventual regional high school.
School costs in Lincoln will continue to rise because in- creased enrollments require more teachers, more paper and pencils, more school buses, and more school plants. The rate of rise will be determined by enrollment increases and by future levels prevailing in salaries for teachers. Direct cost of the schools to the town will hinge on the programs involving state and federal aid to education. Trends indicate gradually increasing assistance from these sources.
Co-operation between the community, the school staff and this committee will provide a good, efficiently operated school in 1950 and thereafter.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN W. CARMAN, Chairman, HELEN P. WILEY, MALCOLM L. DONALDSON.
154
TOWN OF LINCOLN
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
The Superintendent has the honor to submit his annual report of the Lincoln Public Schools.
Education, by its very nature, is a slowly unfolding and persistent force even more powerful in many respects than some of our common phenomena such as the irresistible pres- sures of an erupting volcano and the uncontrollable powers of a mighty stream bursting through its banks and surging re- lentlessly across the land sweeping everything before it. But this spectacle is neither universally true nor so widely observed as it would appear from our standpoint for our democratic form of government - our republic - is a definite minority in political and economic social patterns. Education of the few, seated at the feet of scholars and philosophers, kept the spark alive until the Man of Nazareth and educational philosophers in the persons of Luther, Montaigne, Galileo, Comenius, Rous- seau, Pestalozzi, Froebel and Dewey broadcast the seeds to the multitudes. Today we recognize common understandings as the principle vehicle toward peace and mass education as the sole factor in making this a reality. Thus, upon general edu- cation rests our destiny. We must keep the seedling growing. This was pointed out in the President's Report, 1948, to the Board of Overseers, Harvard University, wherein he said: "The civil liberties of citizens and the independence of com- munities of scholars have marched forward and retreated side by side."
This being the case there can be no hesitancy or indecision with regard to plans enabling educational progress. On the other hand, against this background, let us recognize that the very nature of our democratic framework requires that many processes be carried on by an appointed, delegated or elected few, that in their hands rests the responsibility of society's perpetuation and it is in them that we must place our confi- dence and support in the hour of decision. To this end each one has a responsibility toward the freeing of all mankind. To this end, also, each social entity - person, community, state and nation - has an obligation to do all that it is capable of doing. This concept of one's responsibility to his fellowman may help
155
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
each to understand the zeal and earnestness that inspire the vigor with which a School Committee, for example, may con- tinually make larger and larger demands on personal services, time and monies. To the extent that we challenge and release the potential creative, formulative and interpretative powers of our youth, we establish the leaders of community, nation and world. To this extent we enhance our contribution to the society in which we are rooted. We cannot compromise a re- sponsibility that is likewise an opportunity to provide the leadership we so desire. It will be only through this spirit that world understanding can be arrived at with consequent PEACE, but we dare not hesitate! The time is now! It is in the "Lincolns" all over our national domain where this move- ment has begun and where it must be perpetuated.
Administration
Our efforts are bent toward reorganization, critical analyses of curriculum, and public enlightenment in order that through the latter process those by whom we have been delegated will be ever aware of the goals being sought.
The budget is one means of dispensing this information. Again the budget reflects an increase which might appear dis- proportional to the general trend which at the moment is not uniformly up or down. In this period of post-war stabilization it appears that we have at last entered a period wherein there are sharp increases intermingled with declines averaging out to a fairly high plateau in contrast with the steady rise in all areas during the previous seven years. School enrollments are steadily increasing, however, and with this increase comes the attendant rise in costs due to necessary expansion of plant, facilities and the more generally accepted responsibility to provide equal educational opportunity for all.
A perusal of the summary of the 1950 Budget will disclose that in round figures our budgetary requests have doubled in the years 1944-1950. This is only a half-truth, however, for in 1944 the reimbursement from all sources was only $7,000.00 as compared with $23,500.00 in 1949 which also represents sub- stantially the amount to be expected in 1950. There is the further possibility of an additional $5,000, depending on the outcome of legislation under consideration by the present General Court.
156
TOWN OF LINCOLN
During this six year period the enrollment has risen from 240 to 344. The staff, which numbered eleven at that time, will number sixteen in 1950. Thus it will be noted that net cost to the Town for operation of its schools has increased from $40,000.00 to $75,000.00, while the enrollment and staff have each increased by half. Major increases have been in tuition, personnel costs and material expenses induced by the war years.
It has been approximately twenty years from the time of the recommendations of farsighted school committees and superin- tendents to the present new building, which will incur the awe and respect of neighboring communities for years to come. Ever so slowly this evolution has taken place and dreams have become, in part, reality.
Progress is anything but static and the building and its facilities currently provide for the needed expansion in the educational program. The very nature and size of the student body warrant enlargement of the present staff. One additional staff member would find herself in an extra-hours status much of the time in carrying on remedial work, in connection with her responsibilities as general substitute, and with the organiza- tion and supervision of the testing and guidance program. Placing the responsibility for assimilating and applying the pertinent, often very personal and confidential information regarding child and family upon one capable individual is a sine que non. Yet, if the child is to be understood, activities and program prescribed for and counseling to be effective, such information must be immediately available and its use facili- tated. Even a specialist - a psychologist or psychiatrist on a part-time basis - is a service which should be provided this current generation of children.
To provide adequately for the needs of individuals, a full- time instructor in physical education and recreation is needed. Such a director of recreational activities would be charged with the responsibility for a year-round program for all ages - kindergarten through high school. Such an individual should serve as a liaison officer and coordinator of the recreational activities of the community from planning activities for chil- dren in classrooms on rainy days to scheduling and supervising activities in the Town House and on the summer playground,
157
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
from mass games to recreational activities within and between youth organizations, dance clubs or classes, Boy Scouts, Cubs, Girl Scouts, Brownies and the like. And such a program is needed if the intent and purpose of the community and school health programs are to be carried out to any appreciable degree of succcess. Dental care, for instance, may remove the source and thus relieve an aching tooth, but a recreational program "guided" by a dozen different "directors" and dependent upon the weather is a vain and feeble effort to relieve the ache for physical contact, competition of endurance, strength, speed and the release of pent-up emotions in general. A gymnasium is not to be considered a luxury. The human need for recrea- tion is a recognized necessity. Increased pay and shorter hours per day and week will attest to this fact.
As we recognize the multiple factors of intelligence and capacities for growth we become more aware of the responsibil- ities for providing more opportunities in the manual and hand- craft areas. The transmission of a culture is by no means en- compassed by and assured through the academic arts and litera- ture. Our museums and art archives contain certainly a pro- portionate share of relics of ancient empires and civilizations fashioned by the hand of illiterate man. Today the hand may fashion things to be treasured in a future era but those things will be fashioned by hands of literate men. The need for manual activities and the study and application of them to fit particular cases requires more attention, time and energy than can possibly be provided by the average classroom teacher.
These additions, and others, that are intentionally omitted at this time, if provided, would undoubtedly improve the. quality of instruction already being delivered by teachers who feel more than slightly encumbered with schedules that require intense application of energies for too long periods without a break.
Personnel
In spite of the shortage of qualified teachers, particularly on the elementary level, we were very fortunate in obtaining a complete staff for the beginning of the school year. Not only were all open positions filled by recruitment but additional teachers were employed in the third and fourth grades and the
158
TOWN OF LINCOLN
music teacher came in on a full-time basis which includes the instruction of sixth grade language arts.
Six of the nine new members to the staff are experienced teachers and all save one have bachelor's degrees or the equiv- alent, with two holding master's degrees and a third approach- ing that status. This is a very enviable status for any small town. Every effort should be made to maintain and improve it.
Ground was broken for the new building about December 1, 1948 and though not fully completed, it was occupied on the 7th day of November, less than one year later. Plans may now begin to unfold that will strengthen and broaden the entire program.
Buildings and Equipment
The South School has been closed temporarily. The Center School has had all the floors sanded and sealed, two classrooms redecorated in pleasant, light-reflecting colors and new mov- able chairs and desks installed throughout, like those in the new building. This renovation should be continued without undue delay and space in this building should be prepared for play and dramatic expression. Since the opening of the 1949- 50 school year one boiler has become inoperative. Expert opinion, based on a careful survey by heating engineers, dis- closes that now is the proper time to replace this boiler with an oil burning unit. Plans are going forward to effect this recom- mendation.
The turnaround at the Center School has been greatly improved and some improvement in the play area may be seen. However, the play areas at both Center and the new school will require further attention in order to increase their usefulness.
Since the improvement of the plumbing services in South School, the building is in better condition than previously. Its use for furthering or supplementing the general educa- tional program might well be given serious consideration.
Guidance and Testing
This phase of the general educational program is not likely to gain great stature and come into its desired usefulness until it can be more far reaching in its source of information and
159
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
more interpretative and prescriptive in its consequent applica- tion. More than parentage and economic status are requisite to the fulfillment of the function of testing and guidance. Testing is useless and even likely to be detrimental where carried on haphazardly. Functional guidance delves deeper than fitting child to already established program, and testing goes further than determining intelligence or achievement along the line of matters academic. Testing must aid in dis- covering potential abilities, aptitudes, interests and needs in specific cases and areas in addition to intelligence and subject matter achievement. Guidance must then interpret, prescribe and provide the necessary processes and procedures to relieve the physical and emotional blocks thwarting normal growth and development. Obviously, not everyone is equipped and hence capable of performing in this capacity and equally evident is the fact that pertinent information essential to this function should be limited to confidences of one not unlike a physician or minister.
Enrollment
New records have become of rather little or no concern in recent years due to their frequency. And so, figures regarding enrollment are offered merely as an informative gesture. A year ago our schools showed an elementary enrollment of 302 and the high school pupils numbered 80. The current enroll- ment compared with a year ago is as follows:
Area
1948
1949
Kindergarten
49
50
1 st grade
41
55
2nd grade
39
40
3rd grade
38
46
4th grade
31
42
5th grade
32
28
6th grade
34
33
7th grade
17
33
8th grade
21
20
Total Elementary
302
347
High School
80
84
Grand Total
382
431
160
TOWN OF LINCOLN
Public Relations
There are many variations of the general processes being employed to keep a community informed of the status of its schools. Whatever these practices are, the results may be measured in terms of active and close participation between administration and some form of parent organization. In Lincoln, the Parent Council serves this purpose. More may be expected from this group now that it has established a plan for enlarging its membership. Its function will reach new heights, too, since the pronouncement of its meetings being open to any parent who wishes to attend. This is a commendable attitude and there is hope of promising results. In this connection, the administration of the schools, the School Committee, has declared its regular meetings open for those who would like to attend and it appears probable that attendance may be in- creased at the meetings of these organizations.
The dispatch with which the Parent Council organized the man power and vehicles of the Town and moved us "lock, stock and barrel" into the new building in the space of part of a forenoon, the joy of participation in community enterprise, the casual exhibition of physical strength and stamina, the jocularity, the give and take, the complete abandon of reserve and dignity and the oozing beads of perspiration concomi- tant with honest labor mingled with a refreshing pause over a doughnut and coffee carried one back to the logging, husking and house raising bees of yesteryear.
These affairs, along with providing transportation for per- sons and things, making blocks for the kindergarten, enter- taining staff members, forming committees to study pertinent problems, current affairs and critical analyses of the school budget in addition to sponsoring public programs, are all part of the interpretative process. In connection with these activi- ties, a public program is planned for the latter part of January, 1950, at which time discussion, with question and answer period, will be held on the subject of departmental organiza- tion, the community school and sex education insofar as it may be logically and practically included in the elementary science program.
The assistance of the staff, School Committee and the School Nurse from whom much vital data are drawn is hereby grate-
161
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
fully acknowledged. It is a pleasure to be associated with persons imbued with such high regard for public education. It is likewise an unusual and exhilarating experience to find such work in a community so generally informed and cogni- zant of the role of public education.
Respectfully submitted,
ANDREW J. MANGES, Superintendent.
162
TOWN OF LINCOLN
SUMMARY OF SCHOOL EXPENSES
I General Control:
Expended 1949
Recommended 1950
1. Office Clerk and Expenses: Personal services (12 mo.)
$1,924 07
$1,940 00
Supplies, postage, bulletin
157 65
200 00
2. Salaries - Superintendent: Personal services
4,700 04
4,900 00
3. Expenses - Superintendent: Travel
200 00
200 00
$6,981 76
$7,240 00
II Instruction:
1. Elementary staff
$35,082 50
$42,510 00
2. Textbooks
1,077 86
720 00
3. Supplies.
2,536 09
2,075 00
$38,696 45
$45,305 00
III Operation:
1. Personal services (custodians)
$2,730 08
$4,450 00
2. Fuel: Coal and No. 2 fuel oil
1,569 72
2,080 00
3. Supplies (custodial).
966 57
500 00
4. Utilities:
Light and power
569 45
1,200 00
Water
106 26
280 00
Telephone
218 48
215 00
$6,160 56
$8,725 00
IV Maintenance:
1. Repairs and Upkeep
$1,211 79
$600 00
2. New equipment - Replacements
1,416 45
30 00
$2,628 24
$630 00
\' Auxiliary Agencies:
1. Health
$710 00
$735 00
2. Transportation.
11,234 68
9,752 00
3. Tuition
17,146 61
25,158 00
4. Miscellaneous Expenses
97 88
170 00
$29,187 17
$35,815 00
VI Vocational:
1. Tuition and Transportation
$492 50
$1,003 00
GRAND TOTAL
$84,148 68
$98,718 00
163
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Accounts Receivable
Grammar School Fund
$8 66
City of Boston - Tuition
159 36
Special School, Tuition. 102 00
Local Transportation, Refund
28 85
State Aid as amended by Ch. 643, 1948
9,802 38
Comm. of Mass., Ch. 71, Sec. 7A All Transportation
11,281 98
Comm. of Mass., Ch. 76, Sections 7-10 inclusive
666 17
Sale of Used Desks
637 62
Vocational
219 93
De Cordova Fund
604 00
Total
$23,510 95
Summary
1. Appropriation
$86,650 00
2. Expenditures
84,148 68
3. Balance
$2,501 32
4. Add - Receipts
23,510 95
5. Total Credit, School Committee. $26,012 27
6. Net Cost to Town for School (1 minus 5)
$60,637 73
Membership by Age and Grade, October 1, 1949
Age
Grade
4
5
6
7
8
9 10
11
12
13 14 15 Totals
Kdg.
15 34
49
I
9 39
6
54
II
8 26
4
38
III
10 33 2
45
IV
7 28
5
1
41
V
1
8
16
3
28
VI
7 24
1
1
33
VII
21
10
1
33
VIII
5
14
21
Totals
15 43 47 42
45 38 28 28 27 25
3
1 342
A. Distribution of Minors
by Age and Sex
5 yrs or over and under 7
7 yrs. and under 16
October 1, 1949
1. Boys
67
157
2. Girls
60
166
Total
127
323
1 2
164
TOWN OF LINCOLN
B. Distribution: Location
1. In public day schools 105
277
2. In vocational schools 0
0
3. In private schools 19
45
4. Not enrolled in school 3
0
5. Special-Elementary
0
1
127
323
==
Tuition Pupils Attending Secondary Schools Outside of Lincoln
October 1, 1949
School
9
10
11
12
Totals
Concord
20
16
20
11
67
Weston
5
5
3
4
17
Waltham
1
. .
1
Totals
25
21
24
15
85
Vocational School Enrollees October 1, 1949
Boston Part-Time Apprenticeship School
2
Medford Evening Practical Arts School
1
Newton Evening Trade School
1
Waltham Evening Trade School
1
Graduated from 8th Grade, June, 1949
Theresa Mary Ann Argento
Robert Alan Ashworth
Beverly Ann Bean Arthur George Browning Elizabeth Lincoln Burr
Donald Lamont Robinson, Jr. John Rooney
Robert Joseph Silva
Mary Anne Snelling
Marion Stuart
Marcia Reeve Taylor
Joan Louise Huntley
Howard Manley Maher
Judith Harriett Parks Edward Alan Phillips
Adeline Antoinette Rando
Georgia Clahane Anna Fedock
Priscilla Hewitt Giles
Harry Hoover, Jr.
Loretta Mary Umbrello
ยท
. .
165
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
SCHOOL NURSE'S REPORT
To the School Committee:
A report of school nursing for the year ending December 31, 1949, is hereby submitted.
Schools have been visited daily. There have been 172 office calls for treatment or advice; 42 pupils taken home; and 191 home visits made to check on the cause for absence. Pupils have been weighed and measured twice; scalps and skin examined frequently.
All children entering kindergarten and others, new to first grade, were requested to attend the Well Child Clinic where they were weighed, measured, and given a stripped physical examination by Dr. John A. V. Davies, of Boston. To those, when necessary inoculation, vaccination and Booster "Shot" was given. Because of the large group eligible (52) for kinder- garten, I conducted all day clinics in May and June with Dr. Randolph Piper and Dr. John A. V. Davies as examining physicians. All but two attended.
I assisted Dr. Piper, our school physician, with our regular school examinations. Our routine is to have a very cursory examination, which includes throat, heart, lungs, posture in grades 2nd through 4th, 6th and 8th while in grades 5th and 7th again we have a stripped examination and a Vollmer Test (T. B.).
For the Pre-school Clinics I had the use of the Massachu- setts Vision Chart, also the Maico Audiometer and I expect to have them carly this spring for use in our schools.
I assisted Dr. Joseph Barron, of Boston, with a dental ex- amination in May. Though a great deal of dental work was found to be necessary, a big improvement was discovered, and more pupils were found to have been to their dentist.
Six pupils were taken to Middlesex Sanitorium for Chest X-Ray, and four will return for a check-up in March.
During the Chest X-Ray Survey, in October, conducted by our local Committee of the Middlesex Health Association, and the local Board of Health, the school faculty was represented
166
TOWN OF LINCOLN
100%; others working with our children attended with the exception of but one.
It has been a very healthy year, a small group had mumps, otherwise nothing enlarged to any disturbing proportions. When there is a contagious disease among the children, diag- nosed, and notice from attending physician received by local Board of Health then, and then only, will a notice go to all parents. However there are many cases where no physician is called.
Dr. Randolph Piper, of Concord, comes to give a yearly examination to each pupil. After that he is only on call for the remainder of the year for any emergency or for advice.
The New Health Unit is a dream come true. I hope it will be used to the fullest capacity, and that means carrying on a very good health program, such as: - periodic examinations; health classes; home nursing classes; a more extensive dental program than has been possible before, this to include prophy- laxis and fillings; preventive work; extractions - all this aided by the use of the X-Ray which we now have. I want to remind all parents that these facilities are for all children of Lincoln, not just for those attending public school. Through our Well Child Clinic and the regular school health program all Lincoln children are adequately provided for from birth through their elementary school years.
But to work and plan such a program many of the calls on the nurse will have to be curtailed. A nurse cannot diagnose, yet the nurse is called repeatedly to do just that. Many calls or duties, now asked of the nurse, could very easily be per- formed by a member of the household, leaving the nurse time and energy to do more important public health work.
It has been a very pleasant year, working with the present staff. My thanks to them all, and to Mr. Manges, for their co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
MARIAN N. OBER, R.N., School Nurse.
167
WARRANT
NOTICE Business Meeting, Monday, March 6, 1950, at 7:30 P.M.
WARRANT
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS MIDDLESEX, ss.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Lincoln in said County: GREETING:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify the legal voters of said Town of Lincoln, qualified to vote in Town Meeting for the Transaction of Town affairs, to meet in the Town Hall in said Lincoln, on Monday, the sixth day of March next at 7:30 o'clock P.M., then and there to act on the following articles except Article 1 and also to meet in said Town Hall on Saturday, the eleventh day of March next, at 12 o'clock Noon, then and there to act on the following Article 1, by posting a copy of this Warrant, by you attested in each of the Post Offices, and in some other public place in said Town seven days at least before the sixth day of March next.
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