USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > Town annual report of Chelmsford 1917 > Part 6
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I would commend especially some of our older teachers who have put their best efforts into the work without selfish thought of the time clement. It might be well if a few other teachers copied this rule of labor, for I have noticed in indi- vidual cases, where teachers have seemed to count the min- utes when they could leave the building and have been in their rooms "just" on time in the morning. It is a rule that every teacher must be in her place fifteen minutes before "school opens in the morning, and she must stay for consulta- tion at least fifteen minutes after the close of the afternoon session. Our best workers are in their rooms from three to four times as long as the mere rule requires.
This also brings up the point of tenure of office. Many superintendents claim, and with good reason, that the law regarding tenure of office works out badly in many cases. They think that a teacher of very ordinary ability, or a teach- er whose ability is questionable, is working to stay three years in a place so that she may be assured of her position. I trust that none of the Chelmsford teachers will ever work with such an idea in mind. I trust that as we progress, we may all of us work for the ultimate good of the children of Chelmsford and not for ourselves. Let us not, as teachers, dicuss and criticise phases of work unless we have full facts before us; especially, let us not discuss the shortcomings of pupils before other pupils; rather, let us show a spirit of en- couraging the backward and ill-behaved boy or girl, so that he or she may do better work and feel the desire to do so.
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In a like manner, teachers should not take it upon them- selves to hold "indignation meetings" with themselves or with parents when their own special desires are not promptly realized. There are always reasons for delay and the whole must supersede the individual. The need of the town in other words, comes first and it is the teacher's place to come to headquarters, if it is absolutely necessary that she know the reasons, and then not gossip. I mention this because there have been several instances brought to my attention this fall, where parents have been justly alarmed at condi- tions, receiving reports from children who have overheard a conversation between two teachers, or who had been obliged to listen to the "sputtering" of a disgruntled worker.
Changes in the Teaching Force.
In September, two new teachers took up their work in the High School. Miss Janet D. Currie took charge of the history department, and Miss Winifred F. Jewell came as as- sistant in the science work. Early in the fall, Miss Robinson resigned to accept a position in Pittsfield, and Miss Constance M. Tenney of Arms Academy, Shelburne Falls, Massachu- setts, was appointed to take the work of the business depart- ment. Just as the fiscal year ended, Miss Coles received an appointment in Wakefield and Miss Anna G. Costello, of Yar- mouth High School, has been appointed to succeed her.
At the Princeton Street School, Miss Howarth was trans- ferred from West Chelmsford, to succeed Miss Roark. At West Chelmsford Miss Genevieve Callahan succeeded Miss Howarth, and Miss Helen M. Pierce gave us exceptionally fine service during the fall term as substitute for Miss Dunn who had been granted leave of absence. At South Chelms- ford, Miss Elizabeth C. Stone, a graduate of Fitchburg Nor- mal School, was chosen to take Miss Jenkyn's work. At the East School, Miss French resigned three days before school opened in the fall, and Miss Mildred E. Wing succeeded her.
Because of the large numbers in the various grades of the Center Grammar School, it was found necessary to add two teachers, making a total of eight. Grade V and VI were separated, and Grade VIII now has two in charge, this lat- ter arrangement enabling Miss McFarlin to better assume some of the duties required of a principal. Miss Hazel Knowl- ton was transferred from Golden Cove to Grade I, Miss Reid was given Grade II and half of Grade III; Mrs. Godfrey has had charge of the other half of Grade III and Grade IV and
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Miss Hazel M. Stevens was made assistant in Grade VIII. Miss Marion E. Kimball succeeded Miss Wentworth in Grade VII and early in the year Miss Nellie D. Horner had suc- ceeded Miss Ladd in the sixth grade. In October, Miss Knowlton resigned to accept position in Porto Rico, and Miss Eva M. Large was transferred from Golden Cove to take her place.
At Golden Cove, Miss Alice M. Flynn, who had been teaching at South Row replaced Miss Large, and Miss Ethel Peterson, a graduate of Framingham Normal School, was given the South Row School.
Centralization of Work.
From the viewpoint of the teacher and of efficiency, cen- tralization of work is the best. I can understand how a parent dislikes to have her small child away from home from morning until night and yet this argument cannot hold in nine out of ten cases inasmuch as the children of the outside schools usually carry their dinners anyway.
Today we have the most modern and up-to-date method of transportation in the auto trucks which carry the children from the Westlands, East and South Row districts. These trucks spend a minimum amount of time on the road ; they give the best possible protection during inclement weather ; and they are very comfortable. I wish that the town could afford another such truck for each of the other routes but of course that is impossible under present financial conditions.
Crowded Conditions.
At East Chelmsford, the primary room is very much overcrowded. At any other time I should ask for an assistant to Miss Wing; but under present market conditions, a good assistant can hardly be found and a poor one would hinder the work and handicap the teacher to a greater degree than she is at present. It is very doubtful if we could find a teacher who would be willing to go in as assistant inasmuch as the demand for teachers is such that a hundred positions for regular work are now open within thirty miles of Chelmsford and superin- tendents cannot get candidates. I advise continuing as we are for the remainder of this year, and next September, if condi- tions are not improved, I shall recommend transporting Grades VII and VIII to the Center and regrading the school so as to have only two grades in the primary room.
At the Center School there is congestion in three rooms
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and yet there is little relief to be had until the time comes to have each grade in a room by itself and place the Golden Cove pupils in a building of their own. For the present, we may be able to combine grades in such a way as to give temporary relief, although every room will have its full quota of pupils.
Only one room at Princeton Street School is overcrowded and I have asked for another teacher to relieve Miss Jantzen of Grade IV. We do not need to worry about housing the pupils of this school, for we shall still have one more room that can be opened when the proper time comes.
At Golden Cove we have a problem that, at the present time, cannot be solved definitely. This section of the town is growing rapidly, and with that growth comes an influx of pu- pils of various ages. The little school is already taxed to its full capacity with only four grades there. In two or three years we shall have the problem of housing all of the children of the Westlands and I look to see a new building needed, not later than September, 1920, with accommodations for at least a hundred pupils.
Combinations of Classes.
Oftentimes we hear the argument offered, "Combine classes and do without an extra teacher."
That is a very good argument only when classes can be combined in such a manner as to still maintain the standard of efficiency, and when such combinations can be made in like, grades. For example, we might combine Grades III, IV and V, by placing half of Grade IV in each of the rooms having the other two grades, and thus save the expense of a teacher. But, if we had a small number of pupils in Grade VII and an extra large number in Grade III, we could not expect even passable work from the teacher who attempted to teach half of Grade III and her 8th grade. At the present time we are combining grades in every building in town and I see no way of transferring classes, with possibly one exception, so as to relieve a congested condition.
On the other hand we do have a condition at South Row that calls for considerable thought. In the fall, the parents of South Row district met the School Committee and pro- tested against closing the school. We were assured that the number of pupils would be sufficient to warrant keeping that school in session. To relieve the fifth grade at the Center School, we placed Grade V pupils back in the South Row School, and a total enrolment of twenty-four was registered.
Late in the fall, several left the locality, moving out of
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town, so that at the present time we have only 16 pupils here. The outlook is for a very small entering class, and even if we keep Grade V at South Row, I doubt if there are more than twelve pupils to attend in the fall. Therefore, I shall recom- mend, unless conditions are greatly improved, that the chil- dren be transported to the Center School and the South Row School be closed.
School Attendance.
I wish to emphasize the necessity of good attendance in our schools. Continued absence handicaps the work of the individual pupil, the school as a whole and the teacher. I would commend those rooms that had a percentage of more than 90 for a full year, unless an epidemic of contagious disease has occurred. I am urging the teachers to be more prompt in reporting absences to the attendance officers and I shall urge the attendance officers to demand the presence of pupils in school, using the limit of their power if necessary.
I wish to caution the parents, in a fair and friendly way, not to allow pupils to remain at home to do chores, errands, etc., when those pupils are within the age limits of compulsory attendance. The attendance officer is authorized by law to take such children to school wherever he finds them, and he is also authorized to summon the parents to court for failure to comply with the law. We do not wish to be autocratic but we do intend to see that the children attend school more regu- larly, in certain individual cases.
The High School.
Appended to Mr. Merrill's report is a classification of work, showing the Courses of Study as laid out for pupils. An exhaustive examination has been made of the needs of the pupils of the school and we have made certain exceptions to the general rule that pupils shall not combine two or more courses. As soon as the present subject difficulties are straightened out, we shall insist upon the maintenance of course work and shall encourage the pupils in every possible way to maintain a high standard.
Encouragement means several things-first, it means that the pupil should come to us with some purpose in mind, of working for something that is in life and not merely within the four walls of a school building. It means that every teacher shall do her best to make the pupil have a liking for his work in her subject. Too many teachers of today take
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things for granted and are lacking in that power of getting work from pupils, although they may know their subjects and be able to give their own knowledge. Our object is, not to push forward the brilliant pupil, but to see that the every-day boy or girl gets a "square deal." Therefore, I shall deem it a favor if parents will report to me any lack of encouragement on the part of a teacher and especially any discouragement that may come through sarcastic treatment, neglect or favor- itism. Again, encouragement means that the boy or girl shall feel the influence of the positive rather than the negative. By that I mean that we are aiming to have the pupil trained in those subjects that will be most helpful and we expect that the parents will encourage their children to solve the most diffi- cult problems with the right spirit and shall say "YOU CAN" rather than "See if you CAN'T." If you, parents, do not make your boy or girl a worker in everything, he will certainly be a shirker in something. There are subjects that you or I may not see "any sense" in under present day conditions, but there is a disciplinary phase of the work that will do the boy or girl a world of good. Therefore, "stand pat" and encourage that boy of yours to do his work well and do it every day.
In his report Mr. Merrill has set forth the work done in the various courses. I should like to call especial attention to what he has said about the business course and second his appeal for another teacher in that department.
I would commend the work that Mr. Merrill has done in getting the High School well started this year. I would com- mend the teachers who have assisted him so well and who have proved faithful in their work. Lastly, I would commend the fine spirit of the pupils. Seldom will one find the equal of what we have noticed among the pupils of the Chelmsford High School, when, called upon to make the new venture a decided success, they have responded nobly. They have gone at their work with a spirit that proves WORTH. They have helped us as we have tried to help them and have accepted our efforts in their behalf with a spirit of trust. Yet, behind it all, is the attitude of their parents, and I wish here to thank you, parents, for your loyal support in making our school what it has become-an institution of good, solid, helpful work.
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REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Mr. WALTER K. PUTNEY, Supt. of Schools.
Dear Sir :
But one term of the year has passed when it becomes my duty to present the first annual report of the Chelmsford High School, in which the North High and the Center High are consolidated. While much is still to be done in the way of organization and the full round of a year's work must pass before all problems may be solved or even be clearly presented for solution, yet we feel justified in reporting the merger of the two schools in one institution as already successfully ac- complished. The fine spirit and response of the pupils in adapting themselves to the more formal conditions and prac- tices necessary in a school twice as large as that to which they have been accustomed has aided the faculty greatly in bringing about a smooth and simple routine in the day's work.
The plan of the building and furnishings has contributed much to this result, but we miss sorely an assembly hall and the opportunity it would give us to bring the entire school together seated. At present we can only assemble standing in the long corridors, in a formation lacking very much in the spirit and inspiration which should be gained in a meeting of the school as a whole. Choral singing, which has been one of the most enjoyable and socially profitable activities of the schools in the past is sadly hampered by the necessity of dividing the school into two groups for instruction. The only solution of this difficulty seems to be to be a plan for assem- bling the school in the Town Hall for singing, the details of which I do not think it would be hard to work out. In this connection I would also urge the pressing need of a piano in the school equipment.
The Course of Study has proved to be well adapted to the interests of the pupils and their parents' wishes. In the Commercial Course the change of textbook in Bookkeeping and to the Pitmanic System in Stenography has already proved beneficial. Harder and more thorough work is being done in laying the foundations of success. With the present equipment of typewriters, too large a proportion (one half) of
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our Commercial teacher's time must be devoted to instruction of the beginning class in Typewriting. This forces us to call upon other teachers, not specially prepared, to instruct in some commercial subjects. The demand for instruction in Type- writing will be greater next year. At least fifty pupils must be instructed and more typewriters are needed to carry out the special Commercial work which calls for a minimum of nine periods a day and for the best results would take all the time of two teachers. Departmental assignment to teachers of the courses of instruction has been established for most of the subjects and might be complete if the Commercial work were fully provided for. At present five teachers are instruct- ing solely in their special subjects. Two, while doing most of their work in their specialties, are also assisting in other de- partments. That the Commercial Course needs its due share of the department work of teachers may be seen in the figures, showing Courses elected. Of the one hundred sixty-one pupils enrolled, sixty-one elected the Commercial Course and forty- three the General Course, many of these asking for some com- mercial subjects. Forty elected the Classical Course and seventeen the Scientific Course.
Excellent school spirit among the pupils has been evident from the first day of the term. This has manifested itself particularly in response to calls for patriotic service. On the first call, a Liberty Bond was bought for the school by general subscription. Then a hearty and liberal contribution to the Red Triangle funds was promptly made. On the third call, High School teams canvassed the town thoroughly for the Red Cross, securing more than seven hundred new members. An- other bond, purchased with class funds last year, has been given to the Camp Library Association, and, under the lead- ership of the High School pupils, a third was purchased by the school children of the town.
An Athletic Association, with membership including the entire school, has been formed, and, while ambitious dreams for the future are being enjoyed, immediate interest and en- thusiasm are centered in the coming baseball season, when the Chelmsford High School will be represented by a team that will bring credit to school and town and initiate those organized outdoor activities which will contribute to the moral and physical development of all pupils. The success of the team this first season will depend much upon the hearty encouragement and liberal support of friends and especially upon the early preparation of the diamond on the school grounds.
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At the opening of the school in September about fifteen boys and girls who were looked for did not enroll, most of them having gone to work. Five, being non-resident or having changed residence, entered other schools. Of the one hundred and sixty-one pupils enrolled nine have left to go to work, two on account of health, and three to enter other schools, having changed residence. The application and attendance of pupils has been good, but would be much better if absence were never for other than good reason. Casual opportunities to work, frequently very tempting in these times of unusual wages for inexperienced labor, are too often the cause of absence and even of leaving school. It is certainly for the public interest that all pupils able to profit by high school in- struction should continue at their studies, and rarely is it of more than present advantage to the individual boy or girl to . go out into the unskilled labor of the world at high school age.
While some pupils lost valuable time through absence, many are taking advantage of the opportunity for quiet study and personal assistance of teachers offered by the system of afternoon sessions established. The school remains open continuously every day until 4.20 o'clock, when the last barge leaves for North Chelmsford. On the first four days of the week two teachers are in attendance each day by regular as- signment and meet pupils for individual help as needed. Other teachers are present frequently by agreement, so that on any school day but Friday one can find three or four teachers present during the afternoon. There is offered through this practice an excellent opportunity for parents to meet and con- sult teachers without interrupting school periods and we hope great advantage will be taken of the system. The principal is present every afternoon until all pupils have gone. While it is hoped that parents will call frequently in the afternoon for consultations, visits during the morning session are es- pecially desired. No day should pass without a single visitor. It will be of great benefit to all, teachers and pupils, to become accustomed to doing their work without hesitation or interrup- tion in the presence of interested visitors, and in no better way can the citizens and parents become really acquainted with the work done by the school, and with its purposes and needs. There is always some one in attendance at the office who will direct visitors to the particular recitations in which they may be interested or to the teachers whom they wish to see.
The service of the school barges has been unusually reg- ular, prompt, and efficient, and the presence of teachers, re- quired on every trip, eliminates all possibility of trouble from
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disorder of any kind. The opportunity the barges give to stay over until the last trip, or, going home after school, to return for an hour in the afternoon, is one enjoyed under no other transportation service that I know of. Parents from North or West desiring to consult the teachers about their children's interests would find it very convenient to take the barge leaving the Princeton Street School at 3 o'clock and re- turning at 4.20 o'clock.
A provision for the health and comfort of the pupils which has been very greatly appreciated is the lunch room service. Under the skillful management of Mrs. Mitchell and Mrs. Hemenway the pupils have enjoyed warm lunches including soups, warm drinks, sandwiches, cookies, and other healthful and tasty items of a carefully selected menu. Their comfort would be much increased while enjoying these lunches if suitable tables and seats were provided in sufficient number, - in lunch and locker rooms, so that over-crowding and scram- bling for seats might be entirely avoided.
Before closing may I urge in a few sentences the forma- tion of one Chelmsford High School Alumni Association be- fore the close of the school year. The interest and co-opera- tion of such an association would be a valuable asset in the life of the School. Long before our present Seniors reach their day of graduation they will want to be assured that there is such an organization to welcome them, an organization which none must enter as strangers and in which all their old school friends will be found.
Closing, I would express, as heartily as I can, my thanks to all teachers who have faithfully assisted in solving our new problems, to yourself for advice and assistance always ready at hand, and to the School Committee for patient con- sideration and encouragement.
Respectfully submitted,
EVAN W. D. MERRILL, Principal.
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AN UNUSUAL HONOR.
An unusual honor came to Chelmsford during the school year, when Edwin C. Byam, of the Class of 1916, was given the first scholarship to be awarded under the provision of the Professor Augustus Howe Buck Educational Fund, of Bos- ton University. The purpose of this scholarship is "to enable young men of unusual promise to receive a very much more thorough education than they could otherwise obtain." To this young man it means a full four year regular course, three years of post-graduate professional work, and two years of study abroad.
Is not any principal justly proud of such a graduate?
MEDICAL ATTENDANCE.
The reports of the School Physicians give a detailed ac- count of what has been done this past year. The most im- portant move has been the request made of the parents to fully comply with the law regarding vaccination. The State Board of Health issued a demand for a full compliance with the law, and the pupils were requested to show satisfactory evidence that they had been vaccinated, to be vaccinated or to bring certificates allowable under the law, showing that they were not fit subjects for vaccination. Very little objection was found and only a very few questionable cases arose. Some- times certificates are obtained for the very evident purpose of evading the law and when such is the case it is on the con- science of the parent. But, I wonder if the parent realizes the poor example he is setting for his child to follow? If a child sees a parent evade a law, can that parent censure the child if the latter at some time evades the law in something else? It is nothing to us, officially, and we are obliged to accept any certificate presented, except where such certificate is "absurd of its face," as the Attorney General's office ex- presses it. Then there is nothing for us to do but to send that certificate to higher authorities for judgment.
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REPORTS OF SCHOOL PHYSICIANS.
Chelmsford, Mass., January 1, 1918. Mr. Walter K. Putney,
Superintendent of Schools,
Dear Sir :
Medical inspection of the schools of precincts 1 and 4, showed a very good condition indeed of the health of the children. There were several cases of enlarged tonsils, ade- noids, impetigo, tinea, pediculosis, pertussis and varicella. Vaccination, ordered by the State Board of Health, was given proper attention and 97 children were vaccinated by me. I would recommend that no child shall be admitted at the open- ing of school unvaccinated or without proper certificate. It is pleasing indeed to see how readily the parents accept any measure that tends to promote the welfare of their children. Very respectfully submitted,
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