USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1917-1919 > Part 18
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The resignation of Mr. Charles Smith, after two years of effi. cient service as Principal of our High School, came as a great surprise and again your Committee was confronted with the problem of selecting his successor. The scarcity of male teachers and the operation of the draft, rendered this a most difficult
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
problem. Mrs. Lucie Norris, who was acting Principal, was a candidate and was elected unanimously by the Committee.
The harmony and efficiency in evidence at the school would indicate that the Committee acted wisely.
Scarcely had school started in September, than we were forced to close for five weeks on account of the epidemic of influenza. Your Committee has endeavored to have the chil- dren make up as much of this lost time as possible so that the work for the year may be more nearly complete.
These are a few of the more difficult situations that the Com- mittee has had confronting them in 1918.
Teachers' Salaries
Early in the year it became evident that something must be done to retain our teachers, for the number of resignations became alarming and your Committee had already received a notice from the State Board of Education that in order to keep our High School in Class A, we must keep a larger number of experienced teachers on the staff. Each emergency was handled as it arose and your Committee was successful in retaining some of our best teachers.
The inability of the Superintendent to get teachers to come to Saugus for the salary paid and the realization that our teachers were underpaid caused the Committee to vote a general increase of salary dating from January Ist. This included raising the minimum in the grades to $600, and the maximum to $900, and the minimum at the High to $700 with a maximum of not less than $1,000. Heads of Departments, minimum at $800, maxi- mum $1,100. Principals $25 per room over regular salary. While we may still lose an occasional teacher to some of the surrounding towns, your Committee feels that we have taken a step in the right direction and that eventually our teachers will receive a salary that will enable us to have the best and keep them. Practically the entire increase in the School Budget for 1919, about $10,000, is for teachers' salaries.
In view of the fact that all other employees of the town had from time to time received an increase in their wages, your Committee could not longer ignore the petitions of the School Janitors for an increase which was unanimously granted.
New Buildings and Equipment
No building has been done in 1918, but the two room addition to the Lynnhurst School was completed in March and accepted
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
1918]
by the Town with appropriate exercises. This gives the Lynn- hurst section of the Town, a building with modern equipment and heating plant and room enough to take care of the increase for some years to come.
For some time your Committee has felt the need of increased facilities in the Science Department at the High School. With a constantly increasing number of pupils taking Physics and Chemistry, it became necessary to add to the equipment in this Department. A new demonstrating table was furnished for use in the Biology and Physics classes, a new 12-foot Chemistry table, considerable equipment for the Physical Laboratory and supplies for the Chemical Laboratory. The Science Teacher has been given an assistant and it is the desire of the Committee to get this Department up to the proper standard.
Victory Field
The Committee cannot emphasize the importance of an athletic field and playground too strongly. We hope some way may be found to obtain a Victory Field in commemoration of those who fought, and those who gave service to help win the war.
Physical Culture
It is true that our High School is not well arranged at present for gymnasium work, nevertheless, much work can be planned for a form of exercise that will benefit all. The Committee believe the first steps have been taken and the Committee urges their rapid development, and asks the townspeople to approve of this important branch of our educational system.
Domestic Science
The early history of our Domestic Science Department has been given. This year has brought to our attention fast develop- ment. The lunch counter is becoming congested at times, owing to the wholesome attractive lunch given at a small price. Dressmaking is available to the juniors and seniors of the High School.
The canning of two hundred cans of produce is another important step in the work. A letter from a pupil who won a prize in this work expresses the stimulus of this branch to her, and, therefore, it must be to others.
Our Red Cross work deserves to be mentioned ; the sewing class giving time after school to sew for the Saugus Auxiliary, making children's garments and layettes, also that every school
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
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is 100 per cent. Junior Red Cross membership, and that one hundred and seven students are senior members of the Red Cross. A word of appreciation should be given the teachers who carried their schools over the top.
The Committee suggests that an inventory be taken of the equipments of this department, and that a custodian be appointed for the same. Entire inventory to include also flags and other changeable equipments, as chairs, desks and seats, as it is necessary at some meetings to know at once where these furnishings are. 1
Evening School
At various times your Committee has recommended the establishment of an evening school. Since the close of the war, a large number of pupils have been released from work, engaged in winning the war, and so your Committee feels that the time has arrived when the evening school shall become a reality to accommodate these pupils who left school to go to work. Accordingly, your Committee is planning to open an evening school in the fall of 1919 under the supervision and assistance of the University Extension Bureau of the State Board of Education.
School Repairs
The Committee feels that it will be necessary to ask for an appropriation this year of $8,073.
The buildings are getting older every year and for a number of seasons have received only such renovating as the small amounts which have been appropriated would permit. We now feel that owing to the increased number of pupils in some of the outlying schools that very radical changes are necessary, such as the increasing of the window area on the north and west sides of the rooms and screening of the light from the opposite side ; also, changing from stoves to proper heating system, disregarding out- buildings and providing more modern conditions, also providing such buildings with water that have no supply.
There can be a saving to the Town if the present method of heating the Manual Training Building by steam from the Roby School is discontinued and a heater is provided for the Manual Training Building. Under present conditions in mild winter weather it is necessary to run both of the large boilers to heat the Roby and the Manual Training Building. If an appropria- tion is made for a smaller heater, as recommended, only one boiler will have to be run at the Roby School except during the coldest weather.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
1918]
Re-grading the Roby School yard is absolutely necessary as the grade has washed down to from 5 to 8 inches around the founda- tion of this school and in some places exposes the rough rock. The Committee feels it will be necessary to put concrete footings around this building and re-grade ; also take down the brick work of the back and front porches which have badly cracked and settled. The northwest side of the roof which has been leaking for a number of years is in such a state where reslating and new valley zincs are absolutely necessary.
The Emerson School yard needs regrading and the roof of the Cliftondale School needs repairing.
The draft of the chimney at the new High School is poor and after investigation as to the best method of improving condi- tions, the Committee recommends that the chimney be built up 15 feet. This will bring the top of the chimney above the roof of the old part of the High School and will increase the efficiency of the heating system.
The Committe recommends that a part of the old High School Hall be partitioned off and a skylight be built in the roof to give the proper light for a drawing room to accommodate those scholars taking up drawing.
The Mansfield School yard retaining wall has been gradually bulging out and for a number of years has been considered unsafe. The Committee now feels that the time has come when this wall must be rebuilt to safeguard the best interests of the town.
The Mansfield School has no fire escape, and as this building has only one staircase and the whole structure is of wood, the Committee recommends that a fire escape be placed on this building.
North Saugus School
The request of the Government that no new building be under- taken during the war left the situation at North Saugus as it was. The town is paying $100 yearly for rent of the Portable School, $1,000 for transportation of pupils to Junior High, and has already paid an architect $900 for plans for a building. It would seem as if most of the $1, 100 could be saved yearly if there was a new school at North Saugus. The Portable Building is hard to keep warm and in spite of the fact that there is a large heater, the teacher and pupils both suffer from the cold. The town already owns sufficient land so there is no question as to the site and as the town already owns a plan that with a few alterations
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
could be used, your Committee would feel gratified if steps could be taken to solve this problem this year.
Conclusion
Your Committee would call the attention of the citizens to the reports of the Heads of Manual Training, Domestic Science and Commercial Departments, which show that these depart- ments are doing splendid work.
The above report, together with those of the Superintendent and the Principal of the High School, give a very comprehen- sive idea of the year's work.
" Your Committee deeply regrets the fact that the report this year is not unanimous, but feel that as every opportunity has been given to make it so, we can simply say that we object to a minority or supplemental report which the committee as a whole has not seen nor heard, and regret that the situation exists that calls for this explanation."
Respectfully submitted,
ERNEST W. HOMAN, Chairman. LAWRENCE E. MORSE, ANNA C. PARKER, HENRY O. WESTENDARP.
4,
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
1918]
FINANCIAL STATEMENT Education
General Expenses.
Superintendent, salary . $1,880 00
Garden supervisor 731 33
Attendance officers .
122 50
School physician
300 00
Clerk .
235 40
Printing, stationery and
postage
213 52
Telephone
141 57
Traveling expenses
.
28 48
School census
50 00
Safe
25 00
Moving safe .
10 00
All other
3 63
$3,741 43
Teachers' Salaries.
High and Junior High $17,206 10
Elementary . . 26,811 40
Music, drawing, sewing and manual training . 3,952 38
47,969 88
Text Books and Supplies.
High and Junior High.
Books .
· . $583 34
Supplies
. 1,429 49
2,012 83
Elementary.
Books
. $1,363 59
Supplies
· 1,752 71
3,116 30
Manual Training.
Supplies and equipment, 405 56
Commercial Department.
Supplies
5 70
Amount carried forward, $57,251 70
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Amount brought forward, $57,251 70
Domestic Science.
Supplies
78 58
Tuition.
Tuition
589 07
Transportation.
Barge .
880 00
Support of Truants.
Essex County
143 86
Janitor's Service.
High
. $1,819 46
Other
3,839 67 ·
5,659 13
Fuel and Light.
High.
Coal and wood . $2,267 89
Gas and electricity
216 26
2,484 15
Other.
Coal and wood
. $5,883 36
Gas and electricity
126 70
6,010 06
Buildings, Interior Repairs.
Carpentry and painting . $875 76
Plumbing
1,521 65
Electrical
170 84
Glass, shades, etc. ·
43 40
Oiling floors
119 26
2,730 91
Outside Repairs.
Carpentry and painting, $311 00
Granolithic walk .
509 20
Retaining walls (High), 570 77
1,390 97
Amount carried forward,
$77,218 43
.
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
1918]
Amount brought forward, $77,218 43
Furniture and Furnishing.
High
$727 09
Other ·
2 25
729 34
Janitor's Supplies.
High
$29 68
Other
183 97
213 65
Other Expenses.
Diplomas, Graduation,
expenses
$33 08
Water .
428 05
Disinfectant .
12 00
Express
114 92
Flags .
38 72
Cleaning cesspool.
16 00
Rent
125 00
Keys ·
50
Use of land .
30 00
Teaming
II OO
Dressing for land .
25 50
834 77
Unpaid bills, 1917, general,
224 62
Unpaid bills, 1917, repairs,
26 12
Total for education . 79,246 93
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Superintendent of Schools
To the School Committee of the Town of Saugus :
Your Superintendent has the honor to submit his first report of the condition, progress and needs of the Schools of Saugus, the same being the twenty-sixth annual school report.
Teachers and School Efficiency
Many changes in our corps of teachers have become necessary during the past year. War activities, the opening of new fields of labor, and the tempting offers made by other school officials have resulted in a spirit of unrest, the loss of some teachers and the retaining of others only by substantial increases in salaries. Let it not be supposed, however, that any teacher on our force is now receiving too large a salary; this is positively not the case -indeed, further increases must be made, if we are to maintain the efficiency of our schools and thus do our duty by our boys and girls, the citizens of coming years and the hope of that democ- racy for which our gallant young men have fought, bled and died -an educated democracy, a democracy that shall be safe for the world.
We must not measure our schools in terms of dollars and cents nor judge them by the standards of the past. We are facing a new era and must prepare to meet the demands of coming days or suffer a distinct loss, compared with which a few extra hun- dreds of dollars would shrink into insignificance.
" Efficiency " should be our watchword. Let us hope that the tax payers will help us to stamp it indelibly upon the school system of Saugus.
Teachers and Pupils
A few words of commendation are due those who have done the most to advance the standards of our schools.
Generally speaking, teachers and pupils have worked in harmony. There have been but few cases of serious friction, and we are happy to say, fewer cases of corporal punishment.
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
1918]
We believe that our teaching force is an efficient one and well worthy of the support of all concerned. Irregularity of attend- ance and a persistent tardiness on the part of some pupils is a very bad feature and should be corrected. These boys and girls not only defeat their own chances of promotion, but retard the progress of their respective classes. The truant can be dealt with, but the individual who stays out for a session or two each week, or comes in late because of some little inconvenience, ought not to require the services of an attendance officer. These cases need co-operation of parents and school officials. Permit me to urge that parents see that their children make a business of attending school.
High School
The work of our High School is going on smoothly although retarded somewhat by irregularity of attendance due largely to the prevailing epidemic.
We have been working to systematize the work by establish- ing heads of various departments who shall be held responsible for a uniformity in the work of the different divisions. We have also developed the departmental idea in the Junior High and shall next study more carefully the changes necessary in our courses of study. In this respect there is a chance for improvement.
Permit me to commend the work of principal and teachers.
Your attention is called to the report of the Principal, Mrs. Norris.
Sad Losses
It grieves us to record the loss by death of a number of people intimately connected with our schools. Miss Sarah A. Biffin for a period of years a most efficient and highly respected teacher, Miss Florence Furbish who, during her comparatively short term of service secured and held the entire confidence and respect of pupils, parents and teachers, and Dr. Thomas T. Perkins who for a small salary so willingly and efficiently served as one of our medical inspectors.
We recall also other grievious losses-members of our schools in various sections of the town. We do not wish to dwell upon the dark days of our experience but would hold in respectful memory these faithful co-workers.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Manual Training
Excellent work is being done in this department. The interest is very marked, the teachers are very willing and efficient and the equipment, while not all that it might be, is by no means poor.
This is a department that should be genrously supported and extended. Your attention is respectfully called to the report of our director, Mr. Corthell.
Music and Drawing
The progress in these subjects is satisfactory. Supervisors and teachers have worked in harmony and good results have followed.
Permit me to say, however, that the work in mechanical draw- ing now being so efficiently carried on in our High School is of sufficient importance and magnitude to claim the full time and energy of one teacher. The supervision of grade work should therefore, not be placed upon her shoulders.
Your attention is respectfully called to the reports of the sup- ervisors, Miss Carr and Miss Richardson.
Domestic Science
As a special report is to be made by our efficient director very little need be said here.
I wish, however to speak of the excellent work being done by teachers and pupils. This department deserves our hearty support.
Your attention is respectfully called to the report of the director Miss Partridge.
Commercial Department
The work of this department has been handicapped somewhat by lack of teachers but is now going smoothly. This is a very important line of work and should be promoted in every way possible.
Your attention is respectfully called to the report of its head, Miss Powers.
School Gardens
This feature of our school work has been carried on in a highly satisfactory manner by Mr. Ellery Metcalf, our agricultural instructor. The work has been approved by the State and
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
1918]
reimbursement granted. I wish to go on record as being strongly in favor of such activities.
It gives me pleasure to call your attention to Mr. Metcalf's report.
Parent-Teachers' Associations
These associations are particularly helpful in Saugus, governed, as they seem to be, by a spirit of co-operation and helpfulness. I have had the privilege of attending several meetings and am convinced that every school or school section would be greatly benefited by an organization actuated by the cheerful, wholesome, helpful spirit shown at these meetings. Children, however honest, see things from the child's point of view and thus unintentionally misrepresent school matters. These troubles are given their true proportions by parents who are acquainted with the teachers, their work and the many cares of the schoolroom.
As Superintendent of Schools, permit me to thank these organizations for their friendly spirit and valuable aid.
Penmanship
This branch of work has been given its share of attention and good progress is being made. We intended to employ a super- visor this year but lack of funds and the scarcity of experienced candidates have defeated our plans. A supervisor should be employed in order that a uniform system may be followed.
Our regular teachers are doing excellent work but we can hardly expect them all to be expert along this line or to have a complete mastery of the principles involved. We hope to have a competent supervisor next year.
The Physical Welfare of the Child
The Town of Saugus is doing so much for her schools, that I hesitate to call attention to needs still existing that seem as real as any thus far met. It is a foregone conclusion that educational progress is promoted very largely by physical health and comfort. Several of our schoolhouses are sadly lacking in those conditions and appointments necessary to meet a reasonable demand.
First, as regards light : The standard ratio of glass area to floor space is 20 per cent and light should be admitted on the left or from the back of the pupils.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
In the Oaklandvale School, the ratio of glass area to floor space is less than 10 per cent and half of that is on the wrong side.
In the Armitage School rooms, the ratio is about 15 per cent but one-third of it is on the wrong side.
No child can get the most out of his days work while subjected to eye strain.
Now as to toilets : Outside buildings compel children to be exposed to all sorts of weather and in case of small children, especially, not only is the comfort but the health very seriously jeopardized. We have a right to compel children to attend school. Let us not forget that the children also have rights. Let us grant those rights by giving them schoolrooms that are well heated, well lighted and well ventilated.
In the mind of your Superintendent, the Oaklandvale School should be provided with chemical closets in the room adjoining the class room, a sanitary room furnace or jacketed stove in the coldest corner of the class room and windows enough placed at the left of pupils to admit a reasonable amount of light.
At the Armitage School, flush closets should be installed and the lighting improved as at the Oaklandvale.
This will require money, to be sure, but the expense will be more than justified by more regular attendance, far better con- ditions for study, a greater degree of health and comfort, and as a direct result, a saving of time on the part of some pupils with greater progress for all.
The appropriation for repairs should be liberal.
The North Saugus situation is a serious one. With respect to the main building and out-houses the same deplorable condi- tions as those mentioned above are readily seen.
The smaller building where the 3rd and 4th grades are housed is totally unfit for a winter schoolroom in this climate. The floor is very cold, a condition that not only causes serious dis- comfort but endangers the health of both pupils and teacher.
We hoped to make the room habitable by banking, but the floor is still so cold that pupils might well envy the boy who " stood on the burning deck."
The only encouraging thought connected with this building comes from the fact that Saugus does not own it, it is portable and can therefore be returned to its owners.
The whole situation can be summed up in two statements.
I. Pupils of North Saugus and vicinity are very improperly housed.
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
1918]
2. The proper solution of the problem can come only by the erection of a new school building.
Physical Training
The subject of physical education is now claiming the atten- tion of our leading educators and it really seems worthy of a place on our school program. The late war has brought to our attention, as never before, the physical unfitness of a large pro- portion of our youth and we can no longer be blind to the neces- sity for some means by which our boys and girls may be made physically, as well as mentally and morally, fit to fight life's battles more strongly and successfully. We may have athletics in the form of baseball, football etc., but these sports while excel- lent so far as they go, do not include the needy, but rather, those who need physical training least. Physical training, to be effective must have for its aim, not the winning of games so much as the formation of an erect well developed disease-resist- ing body.
This condition can be brought about only by a regular system of physical exercises for every boy and girl, the same to be under the immediate supervision of one who can recognize physical deficiencies before they become too marked and can prescribe such sets of exercises as will best correct those deficiencies.
Certificates Issued in 1918
Five Hundred and thirty-six Educational Certificates (literate) Two hundred and ninety-two Employment Certificates.
The Educational certificates are issued to persons from sixteen to twenty-one years of age.
The Employment certificates are issued to persons from fourteen to sixteen years of age.
Recommendations
Your attention is called to the following needs :
I. Fly screens. Keep the children in school and the flies out.
2. An athletic field.
3. Special attention to school grounds.
4. A school library in every building.
5. Better sanitary conditions in and around outlying school buildings.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS. [Dec. 31
6. Admission of children at the age of five and one-half years, but no mid-year admissions to first grade.
7. Physical training, under competent supervision, for every pupil.
8. Graduation for the Junior High School.
Conclusion
In spite of the many adverse conditions arising from frequent loss of teachers and the inroads of the epidemic, something has been accomplished during the past few months.
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