USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > Town annual report of Chelmsford 1929 > Part 7
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J. EARL WOTTON, Financial-Secretary Term Expires 1931 North Chelmsford.
JOHN A. McADAMS, Secretary. . Term Expires 1932 Westlands
SUPERINTENDENT
GEORGE S. WRIGHT, A. B. ....... . Office in Center Graded School Chelmsford Center.
SCHOOL PHYSICIANS
ARTHUR G. SCOBORIA, M. D. Chelmsford Center
FRED E. VARNEY, M. D. North Chelmsford
SCHOOL NURSE
(Mrs.) MAE S. LEWIS Office in Center Graded School
ATTENDANCE OFFICERS
HAROLD C. KING . Chelmsford Center
BERNARD McGOVERN . North Chelmsford
SCHOOL CALENDAR
The school year is divided into a fall term ending at the Christmas vacation, and three terms after the holidays.
Fall terms from Sept 3, 1929 to Dec. 20, 1929.
Second term from Jan. 6, 1930 to Feb. 28, 1930.
Third term from March 10, 1930 to April 25, 1930.
Fourth term from May 5, 1930 to June 27, 1930.
The school year of 1930-1931 will open on Tuesday, Sept 2nd with teachers' meetings. Pupils will report on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 1930.
NO SCHOOL SIGNAL
In case of extremely bad storms or of roads dangerous because of ice, a signal for no school is given on the fire alarms at the Center, North, West, South, and East, three blasts, repeated three times. When given at 7.15 there are no sessions for the day. The signal at 11.15 in- dicates no afternoon session for the grades.
TEACHERS
The table shows the teachers at the beginning of the school year 1929-30 the position held, the date when service in Chelmsford began, and the institutions in which they prepared.
HIGH SCHOOL
Horace E. Hobbs, A. M., Principal, Sept. 1927. University of New Hampshire, Columbia.
C. Edith McCarthy, Vice-Principal, Commercial, Sept. 1923, Salem Nor- mal.
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F. Christine Booth, B. A., Latin, Math., Sept. 1927, Colby. Jeanne M. Low, A. B., French, Sept. 1927, Bates.
Edith M. Donahoe, A. B., English, History, Sept. 1927, Smith. Hilda B. Dunigan, B. S. E., Commercial, Sept. 1928, Salem Normal. Anna B. Monahan, B. S. S., English, Sept. 1928, Boston University. C. Owen Greene, A. B., Science, Nov. 1927, Bates.
Daisy B. MacBrayne, English, Sept. 1929, Boston University. Walter D. Hayes, B. S., Biology, Math., Sept. 1929, Bowdoin. CENTER
Louis O. Forrest, Principal, VIII, Sept. 1926, Gorham Normal (Mrs.) Eva L. Dobson, VII, Nov. 1919, Plymouth Normal. M. Beryl Rafuse. VI, Sept. 1920, Truro Normal. Helena B. Lyons, V, Sept. 1920, North Adams Normal. Emily Hehir, IV, Sept. 1928, Lowell Normal.
Ellen F. Devine, III, Sept. 1927, Lowell Normal.
(Mrs.) Esther R. Nystrom, II, Dec. 1911, Lowell Normal.
Eva M. Large. 1, Sept. 1917, Lowell Normal.
EAST
William H. McLin, Principal, VII-VIII, Sept, 1929, Gorham Normal.
Mary F. Robinson, VI-VII, Sept. 1924, Lowell Normal. Mary E. Mooney, III-IV, Sept. 1924, Lowell Normal, Grace G. Sheehan, I-II, Sept. 1922, Lowell Normal. HIGHLAND AVENUE
Harry J. Kane, B. S., in Education, Principal, VII-VIII, Sept. 1929, Bridgewater Normal.
Ella Bailey, V-VI, Sept. 1925, Farmington Normal. Lottie M. Agnew, III-IV, Sept. 1923, Lowell Normal. Estelle M. Buckley, I-II, Sept., 1926, Lowell Normal.
PRINCETON STREET
Gertrude A. Jones, Principal, VIII, Sept. 1899, Salem Normal. Ella A. Hutchinson, VII, Sept. 1905, Framingham Normal. (Mi's.) Elsa Reid, VI. Sept. 1922, Lowell Normal, May D. Sleeper. V, Mar. 1907, Chelmsford High and Extension Course (Mrs.) Lilla B. McPherson, IV, Sept. 1920, Framingham Normal. Genevieve E. Jantzen, III, Sept. 1911, Lowell Normal. Helen C. Osgood, II, Sept. 1921, Lowell Normal.
Katherine G. Dewire, I, Jan. 1921, Lowell Normal.
QUESSY
Earl C. Suitor, Principal, VII-VIII, April 1929, Plymouth Normal. Bertha H. Long, V-VI, April 1896, Salem Normal. Edith M. Grant. III-IV, April 1925, Salem Normal. Jane E. McEnaney. I-II, Sept. 1926, Lowell Normal.
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SOUTH
Myrtle Greene, III-IV-V. Sept. 1928, Lowell Normal.
Catherine J. McTeague, I-II, Sept. 1927. Lowell Normal.
SOUTH ROW
Mary D. McEnaney. I-II-III-IV. Sept. 1928, Lowell Normal.
WESTLANDS
H. Jean Rafuse, Principal, VII-VIII, Sept. 1920, Martin's Point N. S., High School.
Vera G. Rafuse, V-VI. Sept. 1921, Truro Normal.
Mayme G. Trefry, III-IV, Sept. 1921, Truro Normal.
(Mrs.) Marion S. Adams, I-II, Jan. 1928, Lowell Normal.
SUPERVISORS
Charlotte L. Hyde, Music, Oct. 1927, Lowell Normal.
Robert A. LaFountain, Physical Education, Sept., 1929, Springfield Col- lege.
TRANSPORTATION
George Marinel, North Chelmsford.
JANITORS
High School, C. O. Robbins, Chelmsford Center.
Center Graded, Otis Brown, South Chelmsford.
East, Richard Robertson .* East Chelmsford.
Highland Avenue, Edward Fallon, North Chelmsford.
Princeton Street, John Matson, North Chelmsford.
Quessy, John Boutilier, West Chelmsford.
South, E. Dyer Harris, South Chelmsford.
South Row, Mrs. Thomas Moran, Chelmsford Center.
Westlands, Charles Stearns, Chelmsford Center.
* Deceased.
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE-1929 Town of Chelmsford
TO THE CITIZENS OF THE TOWN OF CHELMSFORD:
We herewith submit the report of the School Committee for the year 1929.
We strongly urge every voter and parent within the town to care- fully read and study the report of the Superintendent of Schools-it is a very concise and clear statement of the subjects it covers. We wish to emphasize the Superintendent's statement as to the crowded condition in both the Westlands Grammar and the High School, and we recommend that a committee be appointed to make a full and careful survey of the problems confronting them of this nature.
Steps to utilize all availabe space at the High School have already been taken, and an increased enrollment, such as is anticipated next fall, will have to be met temporarily by using part of the Grammar School for the over-flow.
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The past year marked the close of the long and devoted service of Miss MeFarlin in the school system of the Town, and the Superintendent and the School Committee feel that we voice the wishes of her many pupils and friends, when we recommend that the Grammar School Build- ing on Wilson St. be named in her honor.
The Parent-Teacher Associations in all parts of the Town have in the past year lived up to the records of other years for a very active interest and cooperation with the Committee and with the Teachers, in working for things that tended to make friendly and pleasant relations.
The School Department is very fortunate to have such faithful and concientious men in charge of the School Buildings throughout the Town.
The personnel of the Janitors remains unchanged with the exception of the late Mr. Richard Robertson of East Chelmsford, who passed away the latter part of the year. His term of service was marked with effii- cient care of the school building in his charge, and pleasant and courte- ons bearing toward all who came in contact with him.
The present Town Warrant for the first time for a number of years contains no article calling for outlay of any major amount, other than current expenditures during the coming year.
There has been installed a toilet system in the Old Princeton Street School (so called) and the exterior of the same school has been newly painted, and the cupola repaired.
The exterior of the Westlands School has been painted, and the grading at the rear of the school has been brought to a suitable condi- tion.
The matter of transportation has seen a decided change in the School Committee policy. Since motor buses have been used for transportation until last fall, the Town has owned and maintained two busses. The. service and record established by them was very satisfactory. The School Committee entertained the project of changing entirely to con- tract system, only after it was seen that a material saving could be effected. After careful study of the situation bids were called for, based upon rules and conditions that would give the Committee as full and complete control of the operation and conduct of the buses as though they were directly owned by the Town. It was found that by contract the Town would effect a net saving of approximately what would be represented by the depreciation and interest of the investment in Town owned buses, namely approximately $2000 yearly. One of the Town owned buses was about six years old and would have had to be replaced last fall, and the other bus this coming season. The reasons stated de- cided the School Committee in favor of the contract system, and a con- tract of three year's was entered into with Mr. George Marinel of North Chelmsford.
Lack of sustained interest in the evening school maintained at North Chelmsford for the past few years caused abandonment of the project last fall.
Harmonious relations exist throughout the school system. We have a teaching force that is in the main very good, and in some schools where the turn-over has been low it is decidedly above the average. As vacancies occur we shall endeavor to maintain the same high standards.
Respectfully submitted, EDWARD B. RUSELL J. EARL WOTTON, JOHN A. MCADAMS,
School Committee.
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REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE:
Herewith is submitted my second annual report, the 56th in the series of school reports, together with reports by the Principal of the High School, the supervisors, nurses, etc., all of which I endorse as part of this report I have emphasized this year two features of our school system, teachers and their salaries, and the need of more school room. Last year I discussed at length the topic of the promotion and grading of pupils and I would refer parents who have questions regarding the progress their children are making to pages 111-113 of the report of 1928.
TEACHERS AND SALARIES
The report of this year would be incomplete without special mention of the retirement of Miss Susan S. McFarlin. She began her fifty years of service to Chelmsford children in the East school on April 14, 1879. The report of 1880 said: "Miss McFarlin has secured most marked and praiseworthy success." From that commendation of her first year's work to the year completed last June it has been the consensus of opin- ion of pupils and parents, of school committees and superintendents, of her fellow teachers and the general public that she continuously reached unusually high standards both in teaching and in administration. She was transferred to the Grammar School at the Center in 1893 and later was made principal of the school. More than any other one person she has molded the thoughts of the pupils at the Center, formed their ideals, shaped ther characters; and by doing this over a long term of years, as her pupils class by class became the men and women of affairs, she has left a permanent imprint on the life of the community. She retires with the love and admiration and best wishes of all who have known her.
In the High School Miss Helen A Reed, who had taught English for two years, resigned at the end of the year. In July Mr. Ralph P. Coates, vice-principal and science teacher for eight years, resigned in order to go into business, and just before the opening of the fall term Mr. Daniel W. Torrey, who had served one year, announced that he had entered the Naval Air Service and would not return. For the first po- sition Miss Daisy B. MacBrayne, a teacher of wide experience, was se- cured. Miss C. Edith McCarthy was made vice-principal, and Mr. C. Owen Greene, a Bates graduate who had been principal of the Highland Avenue school since Nov. 1927, was promoted to the science position. Mr. Walter D. Hayes, a graduate of Bowdoin, with three years' experi- ence in the Dover, N. H. High School, was secured for the last vacancy.
On April 1st Mr. Harold Meyette resigned the principalship of the Quessy school in order to accept a private school postion at Verbank, N. Y. Mr. Earl C. Suitor, a graduate of a three-year course at Plymouth Normal, who was teaching at Sandwich, N. H., was engaged for the po- sition. Mr. Forrest was transferred from the East school to the prin- cipalship at the Center, and Mr. William H. McLin, a graduate of Gor- ham Normal, who had been teaching three years in Hardwick, Mass. was secured for the principalship at East Chelmsford. For the High- land Ave. principalship, Mr. Harry J. Kane, a graduate of the four year course at Bridgewater Normal was engaged.
In August Miss Esther M. Kochian, who had taught the 5th and 6th grades at the East school since 1925, resigned in order to accept a po- sition in Haverhill. The term opened with an experienced substitute in charge, and later Miss Mary F. Robinson, formerly teacher of the 2nd grade at Princeton St., was given the position.
Mr. Ellsworth R. Thwing, supervisor of physical education for two years, declined re-election and accepted a similar position in Braintree. Mr. Robert A. LaFountain, who had studied at Springfield College and was physical director in the Lewiston-Auburn Y. M. C. A., was chosen 1or the position. Miss Mary Sheehan resigned as school nurse on Au- gust 1st, and Mrs. Mae S. Lewis, school nurse in Townsend, was engaged. On the request of Principal Clarence M. Weed, it was voted to allow 4th year students in the music course at Lowell Normal to do practice teaching in the High School under the direction of Miss Hyde, as critic teacher. The arrangement is working out to the advantage of all con- cerned.
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I commend your action in securing for the three positions in the High School teachers of experience. A school system can reasonably absorb and train one or two beginners each year, but when teachers who have already passed their apprenticeship can be obtained at slight increases in salary then it is only good business to secure them. In every case it is our duty to buy the best service that is obtainable for the money we have to use, regardless of the claims of those who seek positions or of the pressure they may bring to bear. In the long run the choosing of teachers is the most important task school committees and superintendents perform.
In December the teachers in the elementary schools presented a petition to the, school committee, asking for increases in salaries of all grade teachers. The committee gave the matter careful consideration, after instructing the superintendent to ascertain the salary schedules of towns similar to Chelmsford, and felt obliged to reply that in ther opin- ion the time is not opportune for a general increase in salaries. Final action on such a request must be taken by the voters in town meeting, and it is therefore fitting that the facts ascertained be made public and that the principles underlying salary schedules be discussed.
Prof. Ellwood B. Cubberly of Stanford University is one of the rec- ognized authorities on public school administration. The principles given below are taken from his works, and such salary schedules as he describes are almost universally used.
1. The beginning salary should be high enough to secure well- trained and well-educated teachers.
2. "Small automatic annual increases for a period of years, say five to seven years, during which time the teacher is gaining compet- ency and reaching a point beyond which increase in teaching efficiency is usually small without further professional preparation. This common inaixmum should represent a living wage for a person with the habits, instincts and training of a teacher."
3. Provision for possible salary increases, above the common max- mium, for teachers of high classroom efficiency who give satisfactory evidence of professional growth.
4. Provision for special salaries for positions calling for special capacity.
With these principles in mind, let us .consider the salary schedules of 20 towns which can reasonably be compared with Chelmsford. By the report of the Department of Education for the year ending June 30; 1929, Chelmsford had a population of 6,573 (state census 1925), a val- uation of $7,696,150, and a valuation per pupil of $5,774. Note the last item, the taxable wealth for each pupil enrolled, a most significant fig- ure if comparisons are to be fair. No town is included in the compari- son in which the valuation per pupil exceeds $7000.
The salaries for the first year range from $800 to $1200, but the towns paying $1000 or more require that the teacher shall have had pre- vious experience. The Chelmsford salary for beginners without experi- ence, $900, seems to be an average one. It meets the first of the stated principles,, as we have no lack of applicants of two and three year nor- mal courses at that amount.
About half of the towns give $50 automatic increases, the remainder giving $75 or $100. The increase in Chelmsford is $50.
The maximum ranges from $1250 to $1600. Quite generally for sal- aries of $1400, or more, professional study is required, or the salary is paid only in the 7th and 8th grades or junior high school. The average for the 20 towns would probably be nearer $1400 than the $1300 max- imum of Chelmsford. Our maximum salary for elementary schools is un- doubtedly low.
Prof. Cubberley and other writers on school administration point out the relation between salaries and efficiency in teaching. Higher sal- aries should mean better educated, better trained, more progressive teachers; and such teachers mean better schools. In any school sys- tem the teacher holds the key position. She is the one in actual con-
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tact with the pupil. The worth of the system depends on the efficiency of her work in the classroom. She can be aided in material ways by giving her a comfortable room in which to work, by supplying her with all needed books and tools, by keeping the pupils in the best possible condition through the efforts of the nurse and physician and dentist; but after all these things have been done, the fact remains that it is the teacher herself who counts most. She should be given encourage- ment to increase her professional preparation, to develop her personal- ity, to augment her power, all in order that from a full storehouse she may have the more to give back to her pupils. For this purpose the "common maximum," the "living wage," of principle 2 above is not suf- ficient. I urge upon the voters of the town that they support a policy of giving substantial increases above the present common maximum to those teachers of successful achievement who will add to their pro- fessional perparation by summer school work. This would put into effect, principle 3, which is not at present employed, and would react to the benefit of the boys and girls in school.
The correspondence with other towns regarding the salaries of teach- ers is on file in the superintendent's office and may be consulted by anyone who is interested. Also, a brief summary of the findings of the investigation may be had on request.
During the last school year or the present year about one-third of the teachers have taken university extension courses given in Lowell. Last summer Mr. Forrest and Miss McBrayne took courses at Boston University, Miss Robinson at Yale, Miss Low at Middlebury, Mr. La- Fountain at Springfield, Mr. Hobbs, Miss Monahan and the superinten- dent at Harvard. The school system would benefit by having more of the teachers take summer school work.
SCHOOL BUILDINGS
A problem of major importance for the town to solve is that of ad- ditional school room. It should be approached with a clear understand- ing of all the facts, and the solution should provide for the needs of com- ing years so far as is possible. The table below shows the enrollment by rooms in October and the seating capacity of each room.
Pupils
Seats
Center, Grade
31
40
Grade II
36
35
Grade III
36
36
Grade IV
38
38
Grade
32
35
Grade VI
34
35
Grade VII
34
35
Grade VIII
36
35
East, Grades I and II
39
42
Grades III and IV
34
37
Grades V and VI
36
39
Grades VII and VIII
25
32
Highland Ave., Grades I and II
34
40
Grades III and IV
41
40
Grades V and VI
34
40
Grades VII and VIII
26
38
Princeton St., Grade I
45
48
Grade II
34
36
Grade III
35
41
Grade IV
32
43
Grade V
35
42
Grade VI
40
45
Grade VII
33
42
Grade VIII
25
42
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.
Quessy, Grades I and II .
37
42
Grades IIt and IV
40
Grades V and VI
23
36
Grades VII and VIII
23
25
South, Grades I and H
20
30
Grades III, IV and V
33
30
South Row, Grades I-IV
21
27
Westlands, Grades I and II
39
40
Grades ILI and IV
36
35
Grades V and VI
34
35
Grades . VHI and VIII
32
35
It is generally considered that a teacher in an elementary school can reasonably be required to take care of about 35 children, and that 40 should be the maximum. You will note that by this standard nearly every room is filled to normal capacity. In a few rooms the enrollment exceeds the number of seats, and desks of the movable type are used for the overflow. This is not possible in the Westlands, as the school rooms are very small. A few 5th grade pupils are now being carried from the Westlands district to the Center, such action being made nec- essary by the fact that over 40 pupils were registered in a room seating only 35. Moreover the Westlands section of the town is growing as evidenced by the building activity, and in all probability there will with- in a few years be many more chldren in that neighborhood than the present building can possibly accommodate.
The High School membership has increased 92% in the last ten years, going from 160 in the fall term of 1920 to 307 last fall .. This is not a phenomenal growth; high school enrollment everywhere has in- creased enormously in recent years. The building was designed for 225 students. It has no adequate assembly room and no gymnasium. As Mr. Hobbs shows in his report, it is now crowded to its utmost capac- ity. Literally speaking there is not room in the bulding for any more desks for students, and no classroom for the addtional teacher who will be needed next. Sept., when the enrollment by conservative estimate will reach 330.
Here are the two pressing cases at the present time the Westlands and the High School, but the action taken should so far as is humanly possible, make provision for many years for all sections of the town. The proper procedure would seem to be for the town to authorize the appointment of a committee, which should include the school committee, to make a complete survey and study of the situation and report back to the town. Such a survey might include.
1. An estimate of how much the town may grow in ten or twenty years, and in what sections.
2. The existing buildings: whether it is feasible to enlarge them if the school population should increase; the possbility of providing playgrounds; etc.
3. A study of the high school question from every viewpoint, ed- ucational, financial, etc. This is the big question, for it is tied up with all the others, and the committee will need to give it prolonged study. To illustrate, at least two very different solutions are possible, each having advantages and dis-advantages.
One solution might be to adopt the junior high school plan. This involes grouping all the 7th, 8th and 9th grades by themselves; giving them an approved junior high course of study; and providing specially trained teachers. Then the present high school building could be used for the 10th, 11th and 12th grades, for which the building would prob- ably be ample for many years except for the lack of a gymnasium. Pro- vided all the 7th, Sth and 9th grade pupils could be gathered into one school, this plan from a purely educational viewpoint would probably be the best one. But its adoption would involve a new building, either for the school itself, or, if the Center Graded School were used for that pur- pose. for the first grades at the Center. Also, the plan would increase transportation by more than 50%.
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The point may be raised that the town could have two junior high schools, at the North and at the Center. This would necessitate a new building at the North. Educationally the two schools would be much less efficient than one larger one, for the smaller schools could not rea- sonably offer so many courses. There would be some duplication of equipment, and the cost of instruction would probably be greater, but transportation would be much less.
On the other hand the present organization of eight grades and a four-year high school can be retained. It is still by far the more com- mon organization. It is cheaper; junior high schools cost more year by year than the usual grade organization. But if the present plan is re- tained provision must be made for the overflow in the Westlands, and perhaps in other buildings, and the High School building must be en- larged to provide for the school of next year, and for 1935 and 1940. In doing this the building could be modernized by providing an auditorium and a gynasium with proper equipment. The cost of transportation would not be increased except by the growth of the school.
Whatever action is taken, two great needs of the High School should be met, an assembly room and a gymnasium. The present ar- rangement of using the Graded School basement is not only unsatisfac- tory, but in several respects positively dangerous. The two iron posts in the center of the floor are a serious hazard. It is simply good luck and nothing else that no one has been seriously hurt on them. Perhaps a still greater hazard is the fact that every day, in all sorts of weather, groups of high school students must go down the hill to the other school for their work in physical education, and after their exercises go back to the High School. This is all right in good weather in September and June, but on stormy days, or when the hill is covered with snow or ice, it is a decidedly dangerous practice. Will not the town take action to give the school a suitable gymnasium before broken bones, or a cracked skull, or a case of pneumonia arouses public opinion? No solution of the seating problem will be adequate that does not remedy this condi- tion.
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