USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1917-1919 > Part 9
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Penmanship.
The special emphasis of last year is continued in the teaching of penmanship. Marked improvement has resulted. The posi- tion and letter-formation are much better than they were at the beginning of the year, and there is greater freedom of move- ment. While the application of the free movement is not yet all that it ought to be, and the writing has not yet acquired the form
24
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
and character most to be desired, yet there is every reason to believe that we are on the right road to permanent improvement.
Teachers are handicapped by the lack of supervision in the teaching of penmanship. It is quite a task for them to learn and apply the present approved methods, but our teachers have responded well to the limited amount of expert supervision available. We need a regular supervisor of penmanship in order to secure constantly and progressively the highest degree of effi- ciency. The frequent changes of teachers emphasizes this need, because it increases the difficulty in securing logical, progressive teaching from grade to grade. An expert supervisor who could give constant attention to the needs of any teacher or grade would insure regular and definite progress. I suggest this need for your consideration the coming school year.
Course of Study.
It is a well recognized fact that every successful school system must have a clearly defined course of study. During the first six weeks of the Fall term, grade meetings were held, and a temporary course of study made out for the school year. The course was based upon the contents of the selected text-books which the teacher follows in the main, though supplementing them with much material from outside courses, and from the desk books provided.
Convinced that a child learns to spell from both the sound of the word and the memory of its appearance to the eye, and that therefore the use of text-books in spelling is an economy of the time both of the teachers and of the pupils, we have had text- books supplied for use in all grades from the Fourth up to the High School.
In language and grammar, the series provided for the schools has proved very satisfactory. In arithmetic the course of study has been made to fit the text-books, and methods adopted to increase the pupil's accuracy, skill and power to reason. In geography, the course has been changed to fit the text-books and the increasing mental power of the child as he grows older. In history a text-book has been adopted for use in the upper grades.
A well defined course of study is of great value in any school system because it gives definitness to the efforts of the teacher and directs those efforts along the line of systematic progress. Another great advantage resulting from a course of study is for the teachers, when they know that they are working in close
25
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
1917]
association and along the same lines. They can compare work, and exchange ideas.
The Course of Study in our schools will tend to develop a thorough classifying of the pupils, and to eliminate a large num- ber of classes in the mixed schools. It is hoped that at the beginning of the next school year, we may have a basal printed course.
School Savings Bank.
The value of school savings banks is widely recognized. School saving develops the child's individuality and self-respon- sibility, causing him to consider the earning value of money, and to understand it as a comfort factor and a power for good. If the proper idea is imparted in the teaching, the saving of pennies becomes an incentive to industry, honesty and generosity ; the child learns that only by owning, will he have the power to expend and distribute.
It is very difficult to teach thrift to men and women who have grown up ignorant of its first essentials. In children, however, we have unwrought material to work with, and we can as readily impress them with the habit of economy as we can teach them arithmetic and geography. Frugality is one of the most important factors of citizenship. When every boy and girl has a bank account of $100 to $300 at the time of graduation from the elementary school course,-an achievement possible in any community where school savings banks are in operation,-the future will be far more secure. An accumulated fund of this sort makes possible for the boy or girl to engage in a small business, go on with higher study, or do:whatever appeals to him or her.
It is of great economical value to a nation to have a frugal, understanding people, and if for no other reason than that of national well breeding, practical thrift should be taught in the schools.
It is far better for children to be encouraged to save a portion of the spending money and incidental earning, and to place the money where it will be of use to the community, and in many cases lay the foundation for the future success of the depositor, than to have it spent for attendance upon picture shows, and in the purchase of candy and other childish indulgences.
I would recommend to the School Committee the coming year the establishment of the School Savings Bank in this town.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Stereopticon.
The stereopticon at the High School has been used success- fully in the High School and Ninth grade the past year. The lantern is an indispensable outfit in the modern school system for the proper development of geography and history. Through its means foreign countries and distant parts of our country are made real to the child and the study of geography thereby becomes full of interest to the wide awake pupil. Moreover, in history the pictures of historic places render this important subject alive to the child. So that, instead of thinking of his- tory as a number of printed pages bound with covers, he can, through his imagination, live through and experience the struggles of our forefathers, until the value of his birthright as an American citizen may be brought home to him with greater force than it can be done in any other way.
President Eliot made the statement twenty years ago that the time would come when the schools would as soon think of get- ting along without a teacher as without a stereopticon; and certainly its value from an educational point of view cannot be denied.
Recommendations and Plans.
I. A printed course of study in the Elementary Schools.
2. Instructor in Penmanship.
3. Installation of Playground apparatus. 1
4. Employment of College and Normal School Graduates for all newly elected positions.
5. Installation of a course "in Mechanical Drawing in the High School.
6. Establishment of new rules and regulations.
7. In order that medical inspection may accomplish its best results, some work needs to be done in following up cases · needing attention, and by visiting the homes, secure for these children the treatment and care which the examination shows to be necessary. This could best be accomplished by a school nurse and would require a person devoted to her work. A recent occurrence makes it seem timely to suggest for your con- sideration the desirability of employing a trained nurse, who shall devote her time to the looking after the health of the individual scholar and that of the pupils as a whole. Surely if parents cannot detect diseases, we ought not to expect our teachers to do so. Medical inspection alone is inadequate.
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
1917]
Understand me, I have no fault to find with the present system, merely it does not go far enough. Our medical inspectors have given good and faithful service.
8. A reading circle should be planned for the encourage- ment of professional reading and study on the part of the teachers. There is no teacher, however well trained, and experienced who does not need to continue her study of educa- tional problems.
9. The question of suitable playgrounds not only for the school children during the school year, but for all the young people of the town is an important one. Our school yards are not of sufficient size to provide suitable playgrounds for the boys and girls who attend school. Our High School students do not have suitable playgrounds. It would be a wise move on the part of the town to take immediate steps to remedy this defect. There is an excellent opportunity for some public spirited citizen or citizens to confer a lasting benefit upon the town by providing its children and young people with a public playground .·
10. Some provision should be made the coming year whereby the salary schedule should be increased. The general upward trend of the salaries of teachers in other places must be met by this town, if we are to retain the service of the efficient teachers whom we must have in order to maintain the efficiency of our schools.
II. Among the facts concerning the national health and hygene which has been firmly established within the past few years, are these two : First .- That it is better to remove the causes of disease than to cure the disease, and Second. - That the common house fly is one of the most dangerous animals because he serves as a carrier of disease. We therefore try to destroy the fly or at least exclude it from our dwellings. Why, then should the town permit the free entrance of these pests into the schoolrooms where they not only annoy the pupils and prevent them from doing their best work, but also are a menace to the health of the pupils and teacher? I would recommend that at least two windows in every schoolroom be fitted with screens.
I2. Establishment of School Savings Banks in the different buildings of the Town.
13. Purchasing of stereopticons for school use in elementary grades.
14. New walks and improved grounds at the High School.
15. One large athletic field near the High School.
11
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
16. A full time paid clerk to keep the office of the School Department open throughout the day and through vacations.
17. An examination of our library equipment for the High School, shows to me the needs of the School Library. I wish to urge that an effort may be made to secure a regular appropria- tion for this purpose. The library is coming to be regarded as a very important adjunct of the school. Without doubt its function is quite as important as that of the laboratory; and if it serves the needs of the student body, it must be growing in all its departments. By adding a few books each year the extent of the library needed to meet the demands of a growing and progressive school, will be met.
18. I would recommend an appropriation for the establish- ment of vacation schools for five weeks during the summer vacation for pupils failing of promotion, because of sickness or other causes, or those capable of rapid advancement through a little additional schooling. Only those pupils, who the teachers had certified in their judgment, would be able to make up what they lacked for promotion in five weeks' concentrated effort, and those pupils whose ability had put them in advance of their fellows and who the teachers had certified would be able to achieve double promotion by some special instruction, should be admitted.
0
Conclusion.
In conclusion, I wish to express my appreciation of your co-operation, of the teachers' loyalty and of the hearty support given to our schools by the citizens of Saugus. That we have good schools I am convinced ; that they are good largely because the people have supported them is quite evident. If my efforts have in any way helped to bring these conditions to pass, I am gratified.
Respectfully submitted,
January 18, 1918.
CLARENCE N. FLOOD, Superintendent of Schools.
Report of Garden Inspector.
CLARENCE N. FLOOD,
Superintendent of Schools. Saugus, Massachusetts.
DEAR SIR: I herewith submit my report as Agricultural Instructor and Supervisor of the Agricultural Department of the Saugus Public School.
1917]
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
29
Immediately after beginning my work in May I visited each of the Saugus Schools and spoke to those pupils who signified their intention of operating a home garden. I urged each pupil to select a plot of soil at home, and gave suggestions and black- board illustrations as to the best varieties of seed to plant, how to prepare the seed bed, how to fertilize it, and how to plant and care for the garden during the season.
I secured from the various schools a list of nearly eight-hun- dred and fifty pupils who expressed a willingness to operate a home garden plot and who desire to have said plot visited by me.
Each listed pupil was visited once, the approximate five hundred who completed their garden operations were visited twice, and those gardens which showed the greatest care and effort on part of the pupil were visited three or four times.
Because of the fact that my work was authorized in view of the town of Saugus receiving a refund of a certain per cent of the expense thereof from the State, my work was conducted under methods authorized and approved by Rufus W. Stimson, Agent of the Board of Education, State House, Boston, Mass.
In accordance with the laws governing such work, Mr. Stimson requested that considerable of my time be spent with adult gardeners. I secured for him a list of fifty gardeners who desired to have their gardens visited from time to time, and to receive any assistance or suggestions I could give. A duplicate written record of each visit made and each suggestion offered these fifty gardeners I have placed on file at your office with similar records of visits made to pupils' gardens.
The records of visits to adults' gardens number about three hundred and fifty.
Later in the season, Mr. Stimson requested me to secure itemized reports regarding food production from as many Saugus farmers and home gardeners as possible. I secured one hundred of these reports showing a total production of vegetables alone amounting to over twenty thousand 'dollars. Basing my esti- mate on these reports, I would judge the production of vegetables in the town of Saugus in the season of 1917, at the prevailing market prices, to be valued at $50,000.
The Agricultural Correspondence Course Study Class of which I have been elected group leader is a continuation of. my work with the adult gardeners who desired a more thorough knowledge of modern gardening science and its practical application.
The Study Class has greatly exceeded my expectations.
·
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
L. Wayne Arny, Supervisor of the Massachusetts Agricultural College Correspondence Courses, informs me that there are at present nearly fifty entries in the various courses by Saugus residents. He states that owing to the interest the students are showing and to the encouragement offered by the school authori- ties, Saugus has by far the best study unit in the State.
It is possible for the class unit to be of great assistance to the community in general in the coming season's drive for increased food production.
The class is promised the hearty support and cooperation of the Massachusetts Agricultural College Extension Service and of the Essex County Agricultural Agent.
The annual Vegetable and Flower Exhibit of the school pupils held in September was very well supported by both pupils and adults. Two hundred and twenty-five entries were made by pupils. A short time previous to the exhibit I visited each school and displayed a model vegetable exhibit explaining to the pupils the proper size and preparation of vegetables for exhibition purposes. The pupils were very attentive and teachers cooperated heartily with the result that the public dis- play was noticably uniform in type, preparation and cleanliness.
The women's canning display was an exceedingly neat and attractive feature of the exhibit, and great credit is due those who originated and carried through the plan.
The home gardeners' display of potatoes and general vegetable display, added great interest and attractiveness to the exhibition. It is to be hoped that both the canning and other adult depart- ment of the exhibit may be increased greatly in the future.
William R. Bostock, assisted very materially to the success of the exhibit both by personal assistance and with a display of prize flowers.
Carl F. Koch, gave excellent practical demonstrations of the preparation of sauerkraut.
Other gardeners interested in the exhibition, displayed special specimens of merit.
The financial debts of the exhibition were met from the Field Day Fund, organized and established for this purpose by former Superintendent of Schools, William F. Sims. An itemized account of all expenses, together with balance of the Field Day Fund, I have placed on file at your office.
Rules governing an Agricultural Department connected with a public school system in a town or city seeking a state refund require that an Agricultural Advisory Committee shall be
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
1917]
appointed. The Advisory Committee appointed in Saugus were George L. Nourse, East Saugus, Chairman : Mrs. Emma E. Walton, Oaklandvale, Secretary ; Carl F. Koch, Saugus ; Henry W. Conant, East Saugus and William H. Fairchild, North Saugus. With former Superintendent of Schools William F. Sims, and with yourself, I have met the Advisory Committee at various times for discussion and advice regarding all phases of my work.
As a report on my work in connection with the Saugus Farm- ing Regiment I will state that upon accepting the position as Instructor and Supervisor of the School Agricultural Depart- ment, former Superintendent of Schools, William F. Sims assured me that the Farming Regiment operations would not conflict with my work with school pupils. Mr. Sims stipulated however that he would designate days, or parts of days, from time to time when I should meet the Farming Regiment workers, or William H. Small, the originator to either instruct and super- vise the workers or give advice regarding the farming operations.
Later in the season I was asked by the Board of Selectmen to act as treasurer of the Farming Regiment, my duties in that capacity being to receive money from the boys and girls and col- lected by them from sale of Farming Regiment produce.
However, as harvest time approached markets were installed in different parts of the town and William H. Small arranged to sell the Farming Regiment produce through that channel. As this obviated the necessity of the boys and girls canvassing for orders, or personally delivering regiment produce to any extent, I was instructed by the Board of Selectmen to collect from Mr. Small the receipts from sale of Farming Regiment products, and to turn said receipts over to the Town Treasurer. Furthermore, I was instructed to notify Mr. Small that an item- ized account of sales would be required. While carrying out these duties I met the Board of Selectmen once each two weeks to report on receipts and Farming Regiment conditions. Receipts from Mr. Small I turned over to the Town Treasurer, statements of same have been given the Town Auditor, and such itemized accounts as I was able to obtain I have filed with the Board of Selectmen.
From my observations I would say that some of the factors which brought about the financial failure of the Farming Regi- ment project were : Adverse weather conditions, hasty prepara- tion of seed beds on rough land, effort to operate too large an area with inexperienced voluntary help resulting in insufficient care and poor fertilization.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
In view of the fact that I have been authorized by the School Committee to co-operate with Superintendent of Schools, Clar- ence N. Flood, in planning an agricultural campaign that will be presented for the committee's consideration, and that may be carried out in connection with the Saugus public school system, I would make the following recommendations :
(1) That Rufus W. Stimson, agent of the State Board of Education, be consulted relative to agricultural work with adult gardeners by such methods as will make it possible for the town to receive a state refund of a certain per cent of any sum expended.
(2) That George L. Farley, Supervisor of the Junior Exten- sion Service of the Massachusetts Agricultural College, be con- sulted, and if possible, invited to come to Saugus to meet inter- ested parties and discuss the best way in which to conduct a campaign with school pupils.
(3) That if possible, a reasonable sized plot of land be secured, and properly fertilized and tilled, on which carefully chosen boys and girls could be allotted garden plots to be cared for by them under regular supervision. These boys and girls might furnish their own seed and implements. In return for free provision of land, preparation and fertilization, these selected pupils should agree to properly care for their plots, meet the supervisor at regular intervals for instruction, and act as garden inspectors, in this way assisting the supervisor in very frequent inspection of pupils' gardens and in other ways.
I would suggest that twenty or thirty such pupils be chosen, among them some of the officers and members of the Saugus Farming regiment who have displayed remarkable persistency and ability.
Respectfully submitted,
ELLERY E. METCALF.
Report of School Physician.
Superintendent CLARENCE N. FLOOD,
Saugus, Massachusetts,
DEAR SIR :- I have inspected pupils in North Saugus, Oak- landvale, and the Roby Schools, and have carefully examined the buildings and surroundings of the above districts, and the high school. I have found 16 cases of adenoids; 12 cases of tonsils ; 7 cases of Otorrhoea, and 7 cases of pediculosis. I
1
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
1917]
find that 82 per cent of pupils have decayed teeth. Many with multiple abscesses about teeth in all stages of decay.
The sanitary conditions are bad at North Saugus, and at Oak- landvale. There is much to be desired in improved ventilation, and in the condition of the toilet rooms. The general sanitary conditions at the High School and at the Roby are fair, but the air in the schoolrooms is too dry. The mucous membranes of the air passages of people remaining in an atmosphere so dry cannot long remain in good condition.
I would recommend a school dentist, a school nurse, the instal- lation of humidifiers, and better ventilation for buildings at North Saugus and Oaklandvale.
I would recommend that the medical inspection of school pupils be systematized. That when a child first enters school he be examined, that his physical condition and history of previous illness be recorded on blank forms furnished by the school department, and that the child's complete record be kept on said form carried out during his entire school attendance. These forms or records to be kept on file in the Superintendent's office.
Respectfully submitted, MYRON H. DAVIS, M.D.
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TOWN DOCUMENT'S.
[Dec. 31
List of Teachers, School Year, January 1, 1917. High School.
Name
Where Educated
Position Appointed Salary
Charles L. Smith
Harvard College*
Principal
1916 $1,700
Edward R. Collier
Harvard College*
Submaster
1916
800
Theodora A. Hooker
Boston University*
Com. Dept. 1914
. 1,200
David Hamblen, Jr.
Boston University*
Assistant
1917
600
Mildred L. Davis
Boston University*
Assistant
1914
700
Amy C. Guilford
Boston University*
Assistant
1915
700
Lucie M. Norris
Boston University*
Assistant
1916
650
Florence P. Davoll
Boston University*
Assistant
1916
650
Elizabeth Hazen
Smith College*
Assistant
1916
600
Alice L. Hart
Radcliffe*
Assistant
1916
600
Nellie L. Hadley to May 18
Bates College*
Assistant
1914
700
Sue Knight
Tufts College*
Assistant
1917
600
from May 21
Ninth Grade.
Nellie A. Hanson
Woburn Train. School*
Principal
1916
850
M. Elizabeth Francis
Radcliffe*
Grade 9
1915
550
Ruth Burbank
Tufts College*
Grade 9
1916
500
Katherine Holland
Salem Normal*
Grade 9
1916
550
Old School.
Nellie K. Bishop
Framingham Normal*
Grade 8
1915
550
Mabel G. Fillmore
Framingham Normal*
Grade 8
1916
500
Roby School.
Lillian D. Byrne
Tilton Seminary
Principal 8
1909
750
Mildred Seaton
Salem Normal School* Salem Normal School* Fitchburg Normal*
Grade 6
1916
500
Grade 5
1917
500
Gorham Normal School* Grade 4
1916
500
Gorham Normal School* Grade 3
1914
600
Salem Normal School*
Grade 2
1915
550
Boston Normal
.Grade I
1917
500
Keene Normal
Felton School.
Maria E Smith
Castine Normal School* Principal 8
1892
7,50
Elizabeth E. Nelson
Castine Normal School* Grade 7
1913
600
Lafayette Train. School* Grade 5-6
1914.
600
Gorham Normal School* Grade 3
1913
600
Gorham Normal School* Grade 2
1915
550
Salem Normal School*
Grade 1
1916
500
*Graduate.
Grade' 7
1914
600
Olive C. Elliott
Ethel M. Edwards Helene H. Perkins Esther J. Nichols
Sarah J. Long Julia J. Nourse
Elizabeth B. Taylor Mildred F. Lombard Hazel T. Stackpole Katherine Callahan
Columbia* A. M.
Salem Normal*
1917]
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
35
Lincoln School.
Name ".
Where Educated
Position
Appointed Salary
Emma B. Hughes
N. J. State Nor. School*
Grade 6
1914
600
Mary O. Mackey
Hyannis Nor. School*
Grade 5
1914
600
Jennie H. Dunn
Fredricton Normal*
Grade 3
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