USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1917-1919 > Part 28
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Our slogan is :- Let harmony prevail,-and teachers through- out Saugus are carrying its spirit into their relations with one another and with the boys and girls under their instruction. We believe this spirit to be a tremendous factor in school work and taken together with an adequate preparation, spells success in almost any school.
Pupils and Their Work
On account of the loss of time last year, caused by the epidemic, a number of our grades were hardly as well prepared as we had hoped, nevertheless, they entered upon their work in September with vigor and in that way have, in many cases, largely overcome the handicap.
The school spirit is fully up to the standard and the outlook very promising in most cases. Some, however, will probably fail of promotion unless they attend more regularly. Almost
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
1919]
any pupil who is absent more than ten per cent of his time will find promotion hard to attain and no parent can justly hold a teacher responsible for lack of promotion under such circum- stances.
In our last report we urged parents to cooperate with us along this line and we are glad to know that many are doing so, but there are still some who seem to place their own comfort and convenience above the education of their children. Truant officers may place such children in their school rooms, but the indifference of parents is sure to defeat, in a very large degree, the aims and efforts of any teacher.
Education is a necessity, attendance at school in general essential to its pursuit and the co-operation of the home and school a mighty factor in its attainment. Once more, then, we say, keep your children in school.
Teachers' Loss Through Illness
According to present regulations, a teacher who absents her- self from school for any cause whatever must lose four-fifths of her salary for the period of such absence.
Such an arrangement cannot help but influence a teacher to remain at her post, though physically unfit to do so, or if ill, to return to her duties at the earliest possible moment. Such a course is sure to be dangerous for a teacher and detrimental to any school. To grant any teacher several days absence under full pay, while ill, would be a much better plan since it would make for greater school efficiency and fairer conditions for those upon whom efficiency so largely depends.
High School
We have only words of commendation to offer regarding the administration of this school.
The organization of both Junior and Senior Schools, while by no means perfect, is strong and well established. Our new course of study is in operation and we believe that it meets the needs of the very great majority. We are still aiming to bind the work even more closely so that there shall be the least possible amount of duplication and a definite step by step progress through the entire six grades.
In September we shall meet with one serious drawback. We shall be called upon to admit some 250 pupils to Grade VII and,
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
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as we shall have graduated only about 60 in June, our school- room capacity will be woefully lacking.
The only solution of this problem, now in sight, is the re-opening of four rooms at the Ballard School and the establish- ment there of a Junior High School branch. But this arrange- ment will not be entirely satisfactory, furthermore, we may need at least one of those rooms for grade 5 or 6 before long, as a new law relative to child labor provides that no child under sixteen years of age shall leave school before he shall have completed the work of the sixth grade. Formerly the completion only of the fourth grade was necessary. This requirement will add to our fifth and sixth grade registration, particularly in the Ballard School.
In consideration of these facts an extension of our Central High School building seems inevitable.
For information regarding specific High School work your attention is respectfully called to the report of the Principal, Mrs. Norris.
Manual Training
One can hardly say too much in favor of the excellent work done in this department, in spite of the handicap resulting from crowded quarters and large classes.
We need more room-in fact we can hardly get along with- out it. Next September we shall have at least a hundred more to serve-an impossibility under present conditions. « One or two courses must be adopted,-the opening of another room or a reduction in the number of hours per week for each class. The opening of another room would call for an additional expenditure, but in the interest of educational advancement it is the proper action. Director Corthell has submitted a report to which your attention is respectfully called.
Supervisors
We are convinced that a larger expenditure should be made for supervisory work.
At present we have no Supervisor of Drawing for the grades and no Supervisor of Penmanship. These are special subjects, they need special preparation and we should not expect every teacher to be fully capable of outlining and carrying on such work. Besides uniformity is impossible where there is no head.
There is something more to drawing than simple formation- there is the awakening of the imagination, development of
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
1919]
observation, strengthening of concentration, appreciation of art, etc. Education is development. We can't afford to cast aside, as " mere frills " any line of work that makes for breadth of vision or dpeth of character.
There is more to penmanship than mere letter formation, valuable as this undoubtedly is. A good penman writes easily, rapidly and legibly. This can be done only by correct position, specific muscular training and practice enough to develop a naturalness that will insure comfort in the performance. All this needs the services of one specifically trained and should begin at an early age.
We are in sore need of two additional supervieors. Let us not economize at the expense of our children's education. It is the worst kind of extavagance.
Domestic Science
The work of this department is especially good. We are crowded for room, however. That is a very important work and we hope sometime to give it the place it deserves. The director, Miss Partridge, has submitted a report to which your attention is respectfully called.
Commercial Department
Miss Thenice Powers, head of the department, and Miss Eva Bishop, one of the two assistants, left us at the close of the year, thus depriving us of two very efficient teachers. After careful consideration and much seeking we secured the services of Miss Rosabel Kelley as head and Miss Emily Campbell as assistant. These teachers, together with Miss Lurana Cole, are main- taining the same high standard that obtained under their predecessors.
This is a department of truly practical work and should be developed.
The Housing Proposition
The problem of supplying proper housing facilities still con- fronts us. Improvements have been made at Oaklandvale, but North Saugus and West Cliftondale still face the same unsatis- factory conditions that obtained last year.
At West Cliftondale, the schoolhouse known as the Armitage could be materially improved as to light and sanitary conditions, but as that part of the town is destined to grow rapidly the wisdom of spending a large sum of money on so small a build-
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ding is seriously doubted. Still we should not expect too great a sacrifice on the part of children now attending school, nor are we justified in withholding from them, for a long period, the conveniences and comforts enjoyed in our schoolhouses elsewhere.
Conditions at North Saugus have not materially changed excepting as to transportation facilities.
Just what bearing the unfortunate removal of car service will have on the school problem is hard to forcast, but one fact stands out so clearly that it can hardly be overlooked : Children in the vicinity of North Saugus are not getting a square deal. Some kind of a modern schoolhouse, large or small, located some- where near the center of the school population is a crying need and the granting of such a house an obligation that we should meet without further delay.
Serious consideration and careful study should be given to the whole housing proposition and a definite building program adopted looking to a permanent solution of this important problem.
Physical Education
The importance of physical education has been very much underestimated especially in this country. Now it is being con- sidered in many places as an important part of the educational program. Good health depends very largely upon the power of ones body to resist disease and that power can be developed by proper physical education. What can be more important ? Other things being equal the person who succeeds best is the one who has a good physique, a face glowing with health, excellent carriage, elastic step, clear eyes and a consciousness of health and strength.
If we want our boys and girls to be so blessed let us not for- get their physical care and education during the formative period of life.
We honestly believe that an efficient physical instructor could make himself of more value to our boys and girls than any other individual connected with the schools. 'Tis not the money we spend but the return we get that counts.
School Nurse
In connection with the subject of physical education we would call attention to the very great service that might be rendered by a school nurse.
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
1919]
Our school physicians are attending to their duties faithfully, but very little of permanent value can be accomplished without " follow up " work. It is this " follow up" work that would devolve upon a school nurse and when done would put real sig- nificance and worth into our health program.
The services of an efficient nurse would check contagious and infectious diseases and thus save many a bill of expense, promote a greater degree of comfort and preserve lives that might other- wise be lost through epidemics. The duties of educators are no longer confined to teaching " reading, writing and arith- metic." We, as advocates and promoters of education must not forever tread the beaten track, but rather, occupy a field that shall embrace every means for the proper care and development of spirit, mind and body and have for our aim the production of the highest possible type of citizenship, whether the individual be a farmer, mechanic, merchant, college professor or clergy- man.
Distribution of Income Tax
In October of this year official blanks prepared in accordance with Part I, Chapter 363 General Acts of 1919, were received · from the State Department. These called for names of teach- ers, their preparation, experience and the amount actually paid each for services as teacher during the year closing June 30, 1919, together with the valuation per pupil to be obtained by dividing the total valuation of the town by the school member- ship.
The law provides that a reimbursement of $200 be granted to the town for all teachers who have received $850 or over for services during the year closing June 30, preceding, and who, having graduated from a standard Normal School, have had at least two years' experience. That the sum of $150 be granted for all teachers who having had same normal training, have had one year of experience or having had one year of nor- mal training, have had at least three years of experience. That $100 be granted to all teachers receiving at least $650 for the year and not included in any of the foregoing schedules.
An additional schedule is provided for the purpose of giving credit for long experience, substituted for normal training, and as a result several of our teachers were entitled to a place in the list calling for the maximum reimbursement of $200, although not normal graduates.
The law further provides that any town whose valuation per
10
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
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pupil is less than $4,500, shall receive sums ranging from $50 to $300 as follows :
Pupil valuation less than $2,000 .
· 300
Pupil valuation between 2,000 and $2,500
· 250
Pupil valuation between 2,500 and 3,000
· 200
Pupil valuation between 3,000 and 3,500
. 150
Pupil valuation between 3,500 and 4,000 100
Pupil valuation between 4,000 and 4,500 50
Our pupil valuation obtained by dividing the total valuation of the town by the school membership was $3,771.17, conse- quently, Saugus received $too in addition to other reimburse- ments for every teacher listed in former schedules.
We found that 57-31/40 of our 70 teachers received sufficient pay to be listed in one of the schedules, the 31/40 being occa- sioned by part time work.
The report was submitted in accordance with specific direc- tions, and as a result the town was reimbursed as follows :
On teachers' account
$8,542 50
Account of pupil valuation
5,777 50
Total
$14,320 00
We shall receive a larger amount next year as our salaries are higher ; in fact, we should receive between $20,000 and $23,000.
Recommendations
I. That at least three days leave of absence with pay during a year be granted to any and every teacher who may be ill for the same or a longer period during the time school is in session.
2. A physical instructor and a school nurse.
3. Supervisors of drawing and of penmanship.
4. An attendance officer on, at least, half time. This posi- tion could be filled by a member of the Board of Health or by a school nurse, to advantage.
5. A school library in every building.
6. An athletic field.
7. A definite building program.
8. Graduation for the Junior High School.
In General
During the past year our teachers have rendered a special ser- vice by joining with your Superintendent in preparing a new
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1919]
course of study. That course is now in operation. In some cases we have been unable thus far to live up to its provisions but we shall grow to it.
We are closing a very pleasant and profitable year and the out- look is most encouraging. Harmony prevails. Teachers enter upon their daily duties with courage and cheerfulness and the boys and girls throughout the town are being efficiently directed.
In closing, allow me to express my appreciation for your cheerful support of my policies and for the spirit of comradeship that you have manifested toward me.
Respectfully submitted, JESSE W. LAMBERT, Superintendent of Schools.
Saugus, January 25, 1920.
School Physicians' Reports
To the Superintendent of Schools, Saugus, Mass.
I have carefully examined all the pupils at the North Saugus, Oaklandvale, Roby and Junior High School. I have at various times during the year inspected the school buildings and sur- roundings. The sanitary conditions at the High School and the Roby School are fairly good-Ventilation is not ideal, but fair. At the Oaklandvale and North Saugus schools sanitary conditions are bad-the rooms are heated by old fashioned stoves, and the only means of ventilation is by way of windows and doors. The toilet rooms are out-of-doors earth closets, and are usually in poor condition, unsanitary, dirty. I find a large number of carious teeth in all the schools. I have found thirty- eight cases of tonsils that should have treatment, and thirty-three cases of adenoids. There are seven cases of deviating septa and four cases of chronic endicarditis. I have found two cases of barber's itch, thirteen cases of impetigo contagiosa and three cases of discharging ears. Also seven cases of pediculosis. I would recommend the employment of a school nurse and a dental clinic. It is a regrettable fact that the cost of keeping the teeth of the average family in proper condition is prohibitive for a wage earner.
The children are the town's best asset and I think if all the citizens could see the long train of ills arising from neglected teeth and the resulting infections and consequent impairment of
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
efficiency as the physician sees them, they would move for ade- quate care for these important organs. The economic if not the sentimental view should compel something better.
Very respectfully,
M. H. DAVIS, M. D.
Mr. Jesse W. Lambert, Superintendent of Schools, Saugus, Mass. :
DEAR SIR,-I respectfully submit my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1919, as School Physician, I have at various times carefully examined all the pupils in the following schools : Emerson, Ballard, Mansfield and Lynnhurst and report the following ailments :
Seven cases adenoids, 4 ring worms, I cholera, II mumps, 6 chicken pox, 6 nasal catarrh, 5 diphtheria, I paralysis, 18 decayed teeth, 17 pediculosis, 6 enlarged cervical glands, 4 tonsilitis, I I enlarged tonsils, I hip disease, 3 eczema, 7 whoop- ing cough, I heart disease, 6 wear glasses, 14 impetigo, 2 mal- nutrition, 1 ivy poisoning.
Very respectfully,
GEORGE W. GALE, M. D.
Mr. Jesse. W. Lambert, Superintendent of Schools, Saugus, Mass. :
DEAR SIR, -I herewith have the honor of presenting to you my first annual report as School Physician for the year ending December 31, 1919.
After carefully examining the pupils in the following schools, Armitage, Cliftondale, Lincoln and Felton, I found :
Fifteen cases adenoids, 51 pediculosis, 44 enlarged tonsils, 27 impacted ceruman, 251 decayed teeth, 2 chicken pox, 4 impetigo contagiosa.
Total number examined 597.
Respectfully yours,
LEROY C. FURBISH.
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
[919]
Report of Principal of High School
J. W. Lambert, Superintendent of Saugus Schools :
Co-operation is essential to success in any business and, right here, I desire to express my appreciation of the efforts of those who are working together for the best interests of the pupils in our High School-your own fine spirit of helpfulness, Mr. Superintendent, the support of the Committee, and the faithful efficient service of the corps of teachers, the labors of the janitors, all these are factors which have helped in making the administration run smoothly.
With a firm belief that life is more than mere book know !- edge-that there has been, generally speaking, a disproportion- ate emphasis placed upon the book learning, it has been my purpose to try to restore the balance by placing no less stress on this, but more on the emotional and volitional elements in the lives of these children-I feel Saugus High School has a clear call to send out into active life young men and women trained to love America.
A system of education which correlates school life to outside life is the safest. The activities of the High School this year have been varied. In achievements of the past year, I would make mention of the
(a) Making of layettes for the Red Cross, as well as $58.95 raised for Junior Red Cross memberships ; $14.01 from sale of Red Cross Christmas seals.
(b) For athletics, through supper, lecture, minstrel show and tag day, $247,09 was raised-over $320.05 through sale of buttons for Welcome Home to Service Men.
(c) Along social lines, by the class of 1919, an indoor pic- nic and dancing party ; by class of 1920, Junior Promenade ; by the class of 1921, a play was presented before the whole assembly.
(d) Over thirty students were enrolled in the Massachusetts Junior extension work in garden, canning, poultry and pig clubs.
(e) Over three hundred boys were enrolled in companies drilled at intermissions and before school who marched Decora- tion Day with the veterans.
(f) In the Art Department, a contest was held for the VII grade pupils.
(g) Current Events are used weekly in the Junior High School and Literary Digests in the Senior High School.
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(h) The Better Speech Week was given emphasis by post- ers, drills in classes, songs, and spelling matches.
(i) A course of study along four different lines has been made out and adopted. It is practical, flexible and yet has a definite purpose.
(j) Departmental work from VII to XII grades with the heads of the various departments fitting the pupils for each grade, emphasizing certain essentials in each grade is making for better scholarship and conservation of time. Emphasis is being placed on drill work in the minimum essentials of Geography, Arith- metic and English.
The moving of all classes at the close of each period allows for change of posture, tends to better class room attention and, although practically every pupil moves, there is no confusion.
The passing of the pupils out of the building in the fire drills has been rapid yet orderly.
Through the generosity of two interested townswomen, two sets of fine reference books have been placed in the school library, Encyclopædia Brittanica and Book of Knowledge.
Three instructive lectures were given to the whole school- one on our National Parks, one on Indians, one on Birds.
The tone of the school is good; there is more of the study spirit.
Knowing that youth is always eager to try its powers, to assume responsibilities, I have sought to train some of the boys for citizenship by giving them group responsibility-for law and order at intermission. It is a form of student government adapted to our own conditions. These responsibilities are affording the boys a chance to " do something." The troubles of a little democracy crop out but the boys of the commission, of the traffic force and the jury are manifesting a great deal of common sense, initiative and, best of all, a pride and interest in their school. It is developing the positive side of their characters.
The total enrollment for this year is 821.
The enrollment by classes is as follows : January, 1920.
VII 220, VIII 160, IX 121, X 79, XI 123, XII 65, two special.
In the VII and VIII grades, the classes are too large-over forty. In the rest of the High School, the average size is twenty-four-There are one hundred and twenty-eight classes daily besides the Domestic Science, Manual Training, and Art classes.
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
1919]
Although the High School is larger than last year, the num- ber of pupils failing in work is considerably less. The majority of these failures is due to irregular attendance. I repeat what I said last year, there is a very urgent need of an attendance officer who shall follow up closely cases and causes of absence and tardiness. These absentees cost money to the town- doing work twice is not conducive to prosperity in any organization and it ought not to be necessary to repeat the school work because of so much absence.
Before I bring this report to a close, may I mention some imperative needs of our High Schools?
Shower bath and lockers for those who participate in athletics.
Lockers for the cloak room in the basement.
Blue print outfit for drawing room.
For Commercial Department .- Six to ten more typewriters. Banking rooms. Office desks.
For Séwing Classes .- Three more sewing machines. Enlarged room.
Larger quarters for the cooking classes.
A school nurse to follow up the medical inspection.
A playground.
A special instructor to direct the physical energies of both boys and girls.
It is regrettable that so many pupils leave school at an early age to go to work-about 80 per cent drop out during the four years from IX to XII grades. It doesn't pay the manufacturer nor the merchant to employ a child before that child is sixteen years of age and it certainly doesn't pay the State.
The importance of High School training in the life of the nation cannot be overestimated. These boys and girls from twelve to twenty years of age are in the most plastic period of their lives. They need the most effective mental and moral training and adequate provision for health and bodily efficiency.
The notions which these youths get now of democracy, of group action, and social activity are the ones which will mould and determine their action in later life. Therefore, I plead that there be adequate teaching force, flexibility of course, and room for each and every boy and girl in Saugus to stay in school until he or she is at least eighteen years old.
As head of the Saugus High School, I am anxious to fit these pupils to play their part in the great period of reconstruction that lies before our nation ; help them qualify to make complete the
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
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work of our forefathers who founded this nation and dedicated it to Liberty. I want to direct for the perpetuity of American principles and ideals-(ideals can't be killed) for I feel these youths are indeed " The Hope of the World."
Respectfully submitted,
(MRS.) LUCIE M. NORRIS, Principal.
January, 1920.
Report of the Supervisor of Household Arts
To Mrs. Lucie M. Norris, Principal Saugus High School :
As supervisor of Household Arts it is with pleasure that I submit my third annual report.
The work of the Household Arts Department of the High School for the year 1919-1920, commenced September 2, 1919. The course is as follows :
Elementary Sewing
Grades 7-8
Cookery
Grades 9-10
Dressmaking Grade II
Foods and Household Management, Grade 12
A great deal of interest is shown by pupils in all departments and it has been, and is, a pleasure to work with them and note their progress during the past three years.
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