USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1906 > Part 15
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As there was no room for the ninth grade in the Roby it became necessary to have it occupy one room in the old building or assign to its use one of the vacant rooms in the new high school. It was finally decided that the most economical plan would be to make the transfer to the new building, and place the ninth grade from East Saugus in the same room.
The new high school building has eight class rooms, a chemi- cal and a physical laboratory, and an assembly hall. The seat- ing capacity is sufficient to accommodate the school for several years, if its growth is no greater than it has been recently. At present there are about 180 pupils in the building, including 48 in grade nine.
I 2
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
As there are in the several schools of the town about 90 pupils in grade nine and more than 100 in grade eight it is probable that the classes to enter the high school for a few years will be larger than they have been.
A new four-room schoolhouse on Lincoln avenue a little east of Morton avenue was occupied for the first time in September. The great need of this building was to relieve East Saugus which has been overcrowded for some time. But the building is located too far west to be within easy reach of the East Saugus pupils. For this reason it was with considerable difficulty that the pupils of this section were accommodated this fall. The ninth grade was transferred to the High School and pupils of the first five grades living on Ballard street or west of it were transferred to the new building and two schools were opened there. By this plan we have four schools at East Saugus with two grades in each room Three of these schools have been very large-too large for the best work. Probably it will be necessary to open another school in the new building soon made up of grades, five and six. But the new school is so far to one side that it cannot easily afford further relief to this section. Evidently additional accommodations must be provided at East Saugus in the near future.
The membership of the Cliftondale Schools has not increased this year. When the fall term opened there was no overcrowd- ing except in one room at the Felton. This need was met by the employment of an assistant for the principal with understand- ing that she work chiefly in grade eight-the overcrowded room.
At North Saugus there has been a marked increase in the school population, a part of the year the membership of the school being more than fifty. Two teachers became necessary and two have been employed. The assistant uses the upper room and works with the younger pupils, while the regular teacher has cared for the older classes in the room below. If the present large number of pupils continues the upper room should be furnished as a regular class room and two separate schools organized.
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REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
The Oaklandvale school is small and several pupils from this section are attending the schools at Saugus Center at their own expense for transportation. In the interest of economy as well as education it would be well to close this school and have all the pupils come to the Roby, transportation being furnished by the town. This arrangement would give the children of this section better school privileges at greatly reduced cost.
Teachers.
At present forty regular teachers are employed. Of these, six are in the High School, eight at the Roby, six at East Saugus including the new school, sixteen at Cliftondale and four in the outside schools. Seven of these are college graduates, twenty are normal school graduates, and six others have attended normal school but did not complete the course.
During the year ten teachers have resigned. Five left to accept a larger salary elsewhere. To make good these losses and to provide for increased enrolment, thirteen teachers have been elected. The following is the complete list of changes :
WITHDRAWALS
SCHOOL
ELECTIONS
Alice J. Potter
Roby
Alice M. Homan
Mary E. Greene
East Saugus
Pauline R. Peckham Roby
Alice M. Homan
North Saugus
Lotta M. Wentworth
Bertha I. Phillips
Felton
Edith A. Chellis
Eva Alice Cole
Lincoln Avenue
Grace M. Stone
Lillian C. Campbell
Lincoln Avenue Lucy M. Hayes
Alice G. Smart
Lincoln Avenue
Gertrude Lowe
Lucie Mears-Norris Susie L. Fitz
East Saugus
Ina E. Hildreth
Essex street Irene F. Thompson
East Saugus
Mabel A. Bacon
New Schoool Lucille C. Morse
High Clara B. Holden
Felton Alice G. Preston
Roby
Edith M. Clark
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REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
TRANSFERS
FROM TO
Ethel W. Coker
East Saugus Roby
Lilla G. Parker
East Saugus Roby
Ella F. Robinson
East Saugus New School
Memorial Day.
It is the law of the State that, "In all the public schools the last regular session, or a portion thereof, prior to the thirtieth day of May, known as Memorial Day, shall be devoted to patriotic exercises." This law was observed in all our schools this year as for many years and with great pleasure.
It is also the law of the State that every school-house shall be furnished with a flag not less than four feet in length and " suit- able apparatus whereby such flag may be displayed on the school- house building or grounds every school day when the weather permits and on the inside of the school-house on other days." In general this law has also been observed. There has never been a flag pole on the Roby building but there is one on the school-house near it. Occasionally janitors have allowed the halyards to break before putting in new ones. Then it becomes necessary to lower the pole in order to replace the ropes,-in some cases a difficult and expensive operation. Repairs of this kind are not made promptly always, and this means that during the interval the flag cannot be displayed.
The schools are indebted to the members of the G. A. R. for beautiful flags,-one for each schoolroom-which were formally presented last May. These flags are the proper size for inside display and for use in giving the flag salute by the pupils.
Sewing and Sloyd.
In many of the cities and towns of this state sewing holds a secure place in the curriculum of the public schools. To any one who has seen class work in sewing no argument is necessary to prove its practical value and its great interest to the girls. I am in favor of introducing sewing as a part of regular school work in the upper Grammar Grades. A course of one hour a week for two or three years could be offered without great
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REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
expense. If the girls furnished their own material, as is cus- tomary, the annual outlay need not exceed $200.
Some form of manual training for the boys is quite as necess- ary and should be provided. A room can be equipped with benches and all the tools necessary for accommodating a class of twenty for about $400. One such room might serve the whole town, for classes could go to it once a week from the several schools to take the lessons. If the lessons were offered to boys of as many as three grades, the annual expenses for an instructor would be about $600.
Fire Drills.
Some attempt has been made to give fire drills in the larger school buildings but not with complete satisfaction. There is no way of sounding the fire alarm except by using a hand bell or the bells of the building. This is bungling and inadequate. I would suggest that each building be equipped with a gong of such size as to be heard easily in all parts of the building and to be used exclusively for fire drill purposes.
Public School Savings Bank.
Allow me to call your attention to the importance of encourag- ing pupils to save their money. This is being done in many places by the introduction of school savings bank or the stamp savings system. Upon inquiry I find that plans of this kind meet with general favor on the part of teachers, pupils and parents wherever they have been adopted. If some plan of this kind commends itself to you, I should be glad to see it tried in our schools.
A large number of the children have spending money, but it is often spent in a way to bring no benefit to the spender. Some- times it is used in a way to produce positive physical injury. If a plan could be introduced that would cause our children to open bank accounts and begin to save systematically, I am sure the teachers would be glad to assume the extra work involved.
16
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
Music.
The report of the special teacher of music is herewith sub- mitted :
Mr. C. E. Stevens, Superintendent of Schools :
DEAR SIR,-Owing to the fact that no radical changes are attempted in music, the report from year to year must necessarily be along similar lines.
During the past two years more individual work has been introduced and the results are most encouraging. The child can read much more rapidly and accurately. The method has given confidence to pupils,-has taught self-reliance, necessitating dependence upon one's knowledge and placing personal difficulties where the teacher can give direct help.
Work has been done in tone perception. This work demands close concentration of mind, strengthens the memory and trains the ear. A few minutes devoted to this drill, during each lesson, is of great value to pupils.
Music is the subject that sinks deeper far than all others, into the heart of the child, moulding it as nothing else can. It is an aid to dicipline, producing harmony of thought and action, and is a means of giving courage and inspiration. So true is this, that if music were eliminated from our schools the efficiency of all school work would greatly suffer.
In closing, I wish to express my thanks to all for their support and co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN M. PAGE.
Drawing.
This department easily maintains the high standard of recent years. In view of the fact that we allow but 75 minutes a week to this subject, the results being obtained are highly creditable. We give place here to the report of the special teacher of Drawing.
17
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
Mr. C. E. Stevens, Superintendent of Schools :
DEAR SIR,-Throughout Massachusetts, for the past two years, there has been a gradual tendency in the courses of draw- ing instruction toward more constructive work. This has been more noticeable and carried out in a larger measure in cities and towns where the supervision of both the drawing and manual training have been under one and the same head. In towns where no distinct manual training course was provided, this change has manifested itself under the heads of Constructive Drawing and Design.
In preparing our course of study for this year I felt that we too needed more of this constructive work and knew that our course was not accomplishing what it should. Many of our pupils were woefully ignorant of terms constantly used in constructive work and of great value in one's general education. The experi- mental change which we made in our course has proved most successful. In the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth grades cer- tain constructive terms are taught, the elements of a working drawing, the use and value of a blue print, and the association of familiar objects with type solids which they approximate in form. Both freehand and instrumental work are required. We believe this to be another wise step toward making our course a vital and progressive one.
Conditions for developing the work are more favorable than they have ever been since I have directed the work in Saugus. The most congested districts have been relieved by opening the new schools. By the present program each room receives a visit at least once in three weeks. The ninth grades receive lessons more often than the other grades as we believe it well that these pupils should have the greatest possible advantage since some of them leave school at the end of this year.
Since we have no kindergarten system many of our primary children are weaker in the use of their hands than in schools where the system exists. I have found it advisable and beneficial to introduce some simple paper folding, freehand cutting, and weaving, associated with the work in drawing. Though we have not gone to extremes in this work we can see that it has
18
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
benefited our writing, drawing and the general development of the children.
I think we may congratulate ourselves on having procured a group of such capable teachers to fill vacancies caused by recent resignations. May I thank all who have in any way aided my work and look for a continuation of their hearty support.
Respectfully submitted,
C. EDWARD NEWELL.
High School.
With the occupancy of the new building in September, it is believed that this school enters upon a new era of growth and prosperity. Already there is in evidence increased enthusiasm as well as increased enrolment, and there can be no doubt that the growth in numbers which has been so marked in the lower grades is about to appear in the High School. The entering class in the future should not be less than sixty and may be more. If the courses to be offered could be increased by the addition of stenography and typewriting, there can be no doubt that many pupils now leaving town would remain longer in the school. Beyond the initial expense for the installment of an equipment, the added annual expense would be very little except for the salary of an instructor. Your attention is called to the report of the Principal.
Mr. C. E. Stevens, Superintendent of Schools :
DEAR SIR,-I herewith submit to you my fifth annual report of Saugus High School.
Enrollment
139
Average membership for the year 117.33
Percentage of attendance . 94
Present membership I34
The membership of the Saugus High School for the past year has been the highest in the history of the school. The percent- age of attendance has again increased having this year a gain of one-half per cent.
19
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
Nevertheless each scholar has lost on an average over two weeks of school work; and, since about one-half of the scholars are seldom or never absent, that means that the other half loses on an average over four weeks of school work each year. When we consider the injury to pupil, class, and school of such irregularity in attendance, it is surprising that some parents will permit so many absences on flimsy excuses or with no excuse whatever.
Much dissatisfaction is caused by the fact that the no-school signal can be heard only in the immediate vicinity of the fire alarm bells. Often scholars who are very faithful in attendance come long distances to school after the bell has rung. Besides, I fear the non-faithful sometimes remain at home on stormy days in the belief that the bell may have rung and they didn't hear it.
If no other solution to the problem presents itself, a telephone at the High School would be a great help not only on such occasions but at many other times also.
Again, High School pupils might often attend school when the weather is not suitable for younger pupils to be out. For this reason I would suggest a second signal for the High School only.
As we said last year there has been nothing abnormal or start- ling to report in our regular work. There has been no change in the course of study, no change in the corps of teachers. The teachers have worked together faithfully and effectively, and the scholars have cheerfully adopted their every suggestion for the good of the school. The scholars too have as a whole worked hard and faithfully. We try to impress upon them that the good citizen is he who does his share in the world's work; and that, instead of being a necessary evil, work and its successful accom- plishment is a source of happiness and contentment. That we are turning out workers and not drones is shown by the fact that graduates from our school were admitted this fall to Boston University, Harvard, Tufts and Williams. One is studying art, three are studying music, one elocution; some are in business college and others are profitably employed at home or in good business positions.
20
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
The question is often brought home to me,-Are we doing as much for the latter as for the rest? That we are doing our full duty to those who attend college is shown by the fact that our graduates are able to pass the Harvard examinations and that our school is approved by the College Entrance Certificate Board.
The constantly increasing requirements of the colleges necessarily crowd out the " three R's " from our classical courses, but should we not give a course in which not only more attention can be given to these subjects but in which short-hand, type- writing, and business methods and correspondence may find a place? I believe the results would fully warrant the increased expense which, after installation, would be not more than $1,000 per year.
My attention has often been called to the fact that many of our pupils read little outside of their school books and have little knowledge of current events. One can not be a good citizen unless he knows what is going on about him and exercises his judgment of men and affairs. It is to regretted that no room in our new building was designed for a library and reading room. But I believe it would be a good investment if some of the best papers and magazines could be placed in each room and regular periods be devoted to their study.
Following the precedent established by former classes of the High School the class of 1906 presented the school with a beauti- ful gift, the best of Longfellow, which was a welcome addition to the decorations of the school building.
Our thanks are due also to the ladies of the Relief Corps who have presented the school with a beautiful flag, a most appro- priate and acceptable gift.
At the beginning of the fall term we moved into our new building which we find more commodious and better suited in many ways for a High School than was our old building. It is to be regretted however that the laboratories were not ready for use. Our physics and chemistry classes have suffered some what thereby but we hope to more than make up the loss before the end of the school year.
2I
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
Financial Report.
Amount of money on hand Jan. 1, 1906
$16 10
Received from Bond prize contest, ·
39 45
Received from sale of recitation programs
6 55
$62 10
Paid for printing · $6 50
Paid for elocution teacher
25 00
Paid for recitation programs
6 00
--
$37 50
Balance on hand Jan. 1, 1907 . $24 60
In conclusion, I wish again to thank you and the gentlemen of the committee for your kind and helpful interest throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted,
LELAND A. ROSS.
Sight and Hearing Tests.
Two sections of Chapter 502, acts of 1906 reads as follows :
SECTION 5. The school committee of every city and town shall cause every child in the public schools to be separately and carefully tested and examined at least once in every school year to ascertain whether he is suffering from defective sight or hear- ing or from any other disability or defect tending to prevent his receiving the full benefit of his school work, or requiring a modification of the school work, in order to prevent injury to the child or to secure the best educational results. The tests of sight and hearing shall be made by teachers. The committee shall cause notice of any defect or disability requiring treatment to be sent to the parent or guardian of the child, and shall require a physical record of each child to be kept in such form as the state board of education shall prescribe.
SECTION 6. The state board of health shall prescribe the directions for test of sight and hearing and the state board of
22
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
education shall, after consulation with the state board of health, prescribe and furnish to school committees suitable rules of in- struction, test-cards, blanks, record books and other useful appli- ances for carrying out the purposes of this act, and shall provide for pupils in the normal schools instruction and practice in the best methods of testing the sight and hearing of children. The state board of education may expend during the year nineteen hundred and six a sum not greater than fifteen hundred dollars, and annually thereafter a sum not greater than five hundred dollars for the purpose of supplying the material required by this act.
The material for these tests was received from the state offi- cials about the first of December and the teachers began at once the work required of them. The examinations were completed before the close of the term.
It was discovered that twenty per cent. of the pupils have imperfect eyesight while at least five per cent. have serious difficulty with the eyes. More than four per cent. of the scholars wear glasses but these were not included in the exam- inations as it was assumed that their eyes had already received attention. Evidently, many not now using eye-glasses ought to have them and parents who have been advised in this matter are urged to take action without delay.
About ten per cent. are defective in hearing in at least one ear, but not more than one-fourth of these are seriously defective. Doubtless in most cases the trouble may be entirely removed if competent medical advice is secured at once.
A summary of the record of sight and hearing tests is given in the last pages of this report.
School Physicians.
SECTION 1. Chapter 502, Acts of 1906 provides that "the school committee of every city and town in the Commonwealth shall appoint one or more school physicians," but by the pro- visions of section seven of this same act the committee is not per- mitted to incur any expense for this purpose beyond the amount
23
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
appropriated by the town. There being no appropriation, there can be no school physicians unless they are willing to serve with- out pay. I am of the opinion that a small appropriation for this purpose should be made by the town annually.
The experiences of the year give this subject peculiar interest. School hygiene in general and contagious diseases in particular should be given most careful study. Teachers are not specialists in this line. They often feel the need and should have the assistance of competent medical advice duly authorized.
Greatly to the regret of all our schools at Cliftondale have been disturbed again this fall by an outbreak of diphtheria. The experiences of 1889 were nearly duplicated as is seen by the following quotation from the school report of that year :
"Early in the winter of 1889 diphtheria prevailed in Clifton- dale. There was a local panic and the schools were closed one week. Dr. Abbott of the State Board of Health was invited to come out from Boston, and he made a careful examination of the school-houses, also of the houses where the disease was or had been. The school-houses were thoroughly fumigated and cleansed according to his suggestions. We have made careful inspection of the cases, and feel confident on the theory of Dr. Abbott, that not a single case of diphtheria has originated within the schools."
Having in mind such conditions as these as well as all matters pertaining to the physical welfare of the pupils, I am in favor of school physicians. The health of the pupils and the teachers should be afforded every possible protection.
A Closing Word.
I cannot close this report without urging an increase in the teacher's salaries. This is the most important consideration to come before you at this time. If there can be money this year for only one thing that we did not have last year let it be $1,000 to increase teachers' salaries. If the present standard of the schools is to be maintained, it must come. At present salaries, it is with great difficulty that good teachers can be secured, but if such come to us they do not stay more than one or two years.
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REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
Notwithstanding these conditions much good work is being done in our schools, but the best is not yet in evidence. We can never be satisfied while there is so much ahead of us to achieve. We have not yet learned how to attend to the physical and moral development of the children in the best way. These problems are being studied by able men everywhere and is to be hoped that wiser methods will soon be made known to us.
In conclusion, I desire to express my deep appreciation of the confidence imposed in me by entrusting me so many years with the adminstration of the schools of your care.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES E. STEVENS, Superintendent.
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REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
Summary of Sight and Hearing Tests.
Classification.
High
School.
Saugus
Centre.
Clifton-
dale.
East
Saugus.
Ungraded
Schools.
Total.
Number of pupils examined . .
177
265
557
201
81
1,28I
Number defective in right eye ..
28
32
88
45
14
207
Number defective in left eye ...
2I
40
106
38
18
223
Number defective in both eyes ..
16
29
85
30
I3
173
Number very defective in eyesight
14
II
23
IO
6
54
Number wearing glasses
I3
10
26
8
I
58
Number defective in right ear
18
19
33
24
8
102
Number defective in left ear
19
14
28
23
7
91
Number defective in both ears ..
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