USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1920-1922 > Part 28
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LYNNHURST SCHOOL .- Drainage system overhauled and put in proper condition ; roof repaired ; conductors repaired ; class- rooms and halls painted ; slate blackboards installed.
NORTH SAUGUS SCHOOL .- Windows screened; classrooms in old building painted.
ARMITAGE SCHOOL .- Installation of stoves and outside steps repaired.
CLIFTONDALE SCHOOL - Brickwork repaired; drainage system put in proper condition ; extra plumbing ; new steps.
LINCOLN SCHOOL- New ceiling ; gutters repaired and new doors provided.
FELTON SCHOOL - Exterior painted ; wall rebuilt ; six class- rooms and halls painted; new conductors installed; drainage system improved.
EMERSON SCHOOL - Roof repaired ; exterior painted ; four classrooms and walls painted.
BALLARD SCHOOL - Additional room fitted up; walls and corridors painted ; fence and steps repaired.
MANSFIELD SCHOOL - New granolithic walk constructed ; drainage system improved.
Many other repairs of a minor nature were made.
We desire to keep the school buildings in good condition and at the same time make improvements to grounds as found neces- sary. For the year 1923, we recommend an appropriation of $8,000 same to include certain improvements to grounds at the new Armitage school building.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we would state that the utmost rigid economy has been practiced during the year, but owing to prevailing
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
salaries existing in nearby cities and towns, we do not recom- mend any changes for the ensuing year. There is also no knowledge at hand that the cost of supplies will be any less during the coming year. On the other hand, certain supplies have already advanced in price and the cost of fuel will be more in 1923 than in 1922.
If the schools are to be kept up to standard an increased allot- ment will be required for the year 1923. A brief budget pre- pared by the committee showing just what increases and total amounts to be spent is appended herewith for the information of the citizens.
Amount spent in 1922 . · $138,498 00
Additional High School Teacher . 1,200 00
Two additional teachers for Armitage School 2,000 00
Additional fuel for Armitage School 325 00
Janitor service for Armitage School 700 00
Transportation to Oaklandvale School from Golden Hills Section
500 00
Transportation to Junior High from
Lynnhurst
1,000 00
Tuition for Continuation School pupils . 400 00
Tuition for Vocational School pupils ·
150 00
Automatic increases for teachers January -June
4,000 00
Automatic increases for teachers Septem- ber-January, 1924
1,600 00
Additional teacher, Oaklandvale School, 1,200 00
$151,573 00
Your attention is invited to the report of the Superintendent of Schools, Principal of the High School and Assistants, also to the report of the Saugus Dental Clinic Association.
Respectfully submitted,
LAWRENCE E. MORSE, Chairman, MORTIMER H. MELLEN, MRS. MABEL L. CARTER, MRS. ROSA V. DANFORTH.
13
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
1922]
The Saugus Dental Clinic Association
In the fall of 1921, after organization was completed, a super- visor was elected. He with two other members were given power to have prepared and equipped, at a limited sum, a dental unit in the Cliftondale School. This place was chosen by a committee who thought it to be the best and most economic situation - but expensive at the best.
The Lynn Clinic Hygienist assisted the supervisor Monday mornings and started the card system, and record book, which is inspected by the state. This help was done without any cost to the association. One purpose of the clinic is to stimulate in all children a desire to have a wholesome mouth by taking care of the teeth. Another is to serve those who cannot otherwise have a dentist.
The association thus makes a healthier condition and a safer environment for all children. The clinic tries to take care of the chidren in our schools of " The Little Wanderer's Home " and " Child Welfare Society." The children who are boarded out by parents should have their own dentist. The state takes good care of its children by their own dentist.
This year more grades have had attention than was thought possible. The supervisor deemed it wiser to do all grades, and all cards of such, before inspection of the entering class. Emergency cases of High and Junior High are attended to at the clinic. Owing to the disappointment of not being able to form another unit, the Red Cross Chapter of Lynn has provided a jitney two mornings a week to take patients to the clinic. The schools at the greatest distance from the clinic have been first served.
The clinic, so far, has been financed by Junior Red Cross membership fund, help from the Red Cross Chapter of Lynn, some funds from tuberculosis sale of Chrismas seals, and private donations. The service of school nurse and use of room for the clinic is given by the School Committee.
Caution : The most important teeth are the first permanent molars. They are often mistaken for temporary teeth. It is of the greatest importance that they be preserved. They are the largest teeth and are the guides to the position of all permanent teeth. If the guideposts are extracted, the permanent teeth which come after may not occupy their correct position, result- ing in possibly disfigurement of the jaw. The biggest item of waste on the school budget is the child who is not promoted.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
In many cases the child who fails to pass is found to have a physical defect, and is often found to be the teeth.
Report of the work done at the Clinic Unit from January, 1922, to January, 1923, is submitted as follows :
Number of patients treated at Saugus Dental Clinic, 486
Total number operations · 1,067
Total number extractions 640
Total number fillings
· 61
Total number prophylactic treatments . . 180
Cleanings
I86
This ends the first year of active work of the Clinic.
Regulations
The following additional regulations have been passed by the committee as to who may represent the Saugus High School on athletic teams.
The original regulation is that a pupil shall have an average of 70% in all studies taken, before he shall be allowed to repre- sent Saugus High School on any athletic team.
(A) That a student shall be taking at least four studies before he shall be eligible to represent the school on any athletic team.
(B) That penmanship, music, chorus, spelling, or type- writing alone unless stenography is taken also, shall not be counted as one of the four studies, nor shall the rank in these studies be considered at all.
(C) That a pupil who drops a study of his own accord shall not be eligible to play regardless of rank in remaining studies (unless such student is taking more than four studies) . In such a case he shall be allowed to drop the elective studies.
(D) That should a student find it nacessary to take up a new study, that the rank he secures in this new study shall not be considered or averaged in with his other studies until he has been in the class for two weeks (10) days. After he has been a member for ten days his rank shall be considered and aver- aged in with his other studies.
(E) That the rank of all players on any athletic team shall be secured from the teachers on Monday or Tuesday, and aver- aged at that time, that this average shall determine who shall
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
1922]
play or be eligible to play the following Saturday, or during that week, and that no change of rank shall take place between Monday and Saturday of any week.
(F) The rank given by the teacher shall in each case be the rank earned by the pupil from September 5, 1922, to the date asked for ; for example, a student desires to play baseball ; to find out if he is eligible to play we must consider his rank in all studies taken from September 5, 1922, to the date called for. If it is above 70% he is eligible.
Architect's Report on New Armitage School RALPH HARRINGTON DOANE ARCHITECT 162 Newbury Street Boston. January 4, 1923.
Mr. Lawrence E. Morse, East Saugus, Mass. :
MY DEAR MR. MORSE :
In compliance with your request, I am transmitting to you through the Chairman of the Building Committee a report on the West Cliftondale Elementary School for the use of the School Committee.
The new building is located on the lot on the northwest cor- ner of Essex street and Pleasant avenue about twenty-one (21) feet back from the Pleasant avenue property line and thirty-one (31) feet back from the Essex street property line. The build- ing actually faces on Essex street and is of such an irregular shape as to make less conspicuous the acute angle formed by Essex street and Pleasant avenue. The building is located on the front corner of the lot to afford as much play space as possi- ble in the rear and is arranged so as to admit of easy access for pupils and convenient delivery of coal and supplies.
The building itself contains six class rooms, 23' x 29' to accom- modate forty-four (44) to forty-eight (48) pupils ; one teachers' . room, 10'x II'; one principal's toilet ; one teacher's toilet ; one boys' toilet, 13' x 23'; one girls' toilet, 13' x 16' ; one boiler room ; one coal storage for half a year's supply ; one playroom for boys, 23' x 23'; one playroom for girls, 23'x 23'. The building contains two iron staircases of fireproof construction and enclosed within fireproof walls.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
The construction of all corridors and their enclosing walls is fireproof. The exterior walls of the building are brick with stone trimmings. The class room floor construction is of heavy timbers. The walls of all stairways and corridors are lined with a vitrious tile particularly adapted to use in this location on account of its sanitary and indestructible qualities.
Each class room has two means of egress and the building has three means of egress on the first floor and four means of egress from the basement. Each class room is equipped with ample slate blackboards and cork carpet tackboards, a bookcase and a Chicago wardrobe for the accommodation of the chil- dren's clothes. The Chicago wardrobe, so-called, is the most efficient means of accommodating pupil's clothing in an elemen- tary school. The toilet rooms in the basement are equipped with the most modern and substantial plumbing fixtures, individual porcelain elementary size water closets and slate urinals. The water closet compartments are of pressed steel, factory enameled, and the floor is of non-absorbing asphhalt with drain in the center so that the toilet rooms can be flushed with a hose.
Provision is made for a drinking fountain on the second floor and first floor and in the boys' playroom and in the girls' play- room. Class rooms are day lighted on one side only in con- formance with the state law requiring standard uni-lateral light- ing. This method of lighting provides light over the left shoulder for the pupil at his desk and is considered the most scientific arrangement and avoids unnecessary eye strain.
The building is heated and ventilated on a so-called " split " system. Fresh air is supplied to the class room through ducts · leading from fresh air rooms in the basement where the cold air is properly tempered and its passage to the class room accelerated. As an auxiliary to this method of heating and ventilating the class rooms, are installed two large radiators under the class room windows. This system of ventilation provides at least thirty (30) cubic feet of air per minute for each person accommodated in the class room and is so arranged that there will be not more than three (3) degrees Fahrenheit difference in temperature of the room in the breathing plane.
Very truly yours, RALPH HARRINGTON DOANE.
17
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
1922]
Report of the Superintendent.
To the School Committee and Citizens of Saugus :
Your superintendent herewith submits his fifth annual report of the condition, progress and needs of the public schools of Saugus, the same being the thirtieth annual school report.
Changes in the Teaching Force
By comparing our list of teachers as recorded in September 1921, with the corresponding list of September, 1922, we find that of a total of seventy-nine listed in 1921, twenty-six left the force during that year as follows : From Senior High, 8; from Junior High, 7; from Elementary, II ; total, 26.
These figures show a loss of practically one-half or the teach- ing force of our combined High Schools and more than one- fourth of that of our elementary schools.
What hope have we for marked educational progress, if we must have a new teaching force every two or three years?
We have no adverse criticism to offer regarding our teachers, in fact they are worthy of commendation, but next year they will do much better work without doubt, somewhere else.
What can we do about it? If we establish the merit system, so called, we shall encounter many difficulties and cause much dissatisfaction. There are so many factors entering into an estimate of a teacher's worth that the establishing of an abso- lutely fair schedule of individual salaries is well nigh impossible.
Nevertheless something must be done without further delay, or our schools are bound to suffer an irreparable loss.
We must have more money. Yes, the tax-rate is high - very high ; but the same is true of coal, books, supplies and teaching service.
We have no desire to increase the tax rate, but we have a very strong desire to raise the educational standard in the schools of Saugus. However, one condition is dependent on the other Tax-payers, let us get together and push our schools to the front.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
A New Salary Schedule
Last year we suggested a new salary schedule, but for lack of necessary funds it was not adopted.
During the past year the need of such a schedule has been amply demonstrated.
We are again submitting the same schedule together with another, either of which would help very greatly in retaining teachers, who would otherwise leave us, and in properly filling such vacancies as might occur.
SCHEDULE NO. I
First six grades :
Ist year ·
$850 00
3rd year . · $1,100 00
2nd year
·
950 00
4th year .
1,250 00
Junior High :
Ist year
·
$900 00
3rd year . · $1,200 00
2nd year ·
·
1,050 00
4th year .
1,350 00
Senior High :
Ist year ·
· $1,000 00
3rd year .
1,300 00
2nd .
1,150 00
4th year .
1,450 00
SCHEDULE NO. 2
First six grades :
Ist year
$950 00
3rd year .
$1,150 00
2nd year .
·
1,050 00
4th year .
1,250 00
Junior High :
Ist year
$950 00
3rd year .
1,200 00
2nd
1,050 00
4th year .
1,350 00
Senior High :
Ist year . . $1,100 00
3rd year .
$1,350 00
2nd year
· 1,200 00
4th year .
1,500 00
Because of the basis upon which the state computes the school claims on account of the income tax, the net cost to a town for teaching services is the same whether the salary be $900 or $950 since there is a difference of $50 in the amount granted. It would seem wise, therefore, to start salaries at $950 rather than at $900 as is now the case in our Junior High School.
19
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
1922]
FINANCIAL STATEMENT ON UNIT BASIS
It is only fair that a tax-payer be informed as to what becomes of his money. This information has been given from year to year, but, not upon a unit basis.
We trust that the following statement may be of interest.
WHAT BECOMES OF YOUR DOLLAR
Superintendant's salary . $.02-
Salary of his clerk . .00 1-3-
Salary of attendance officer and tuition of truants
.00 4+
Salaries of schools, physicians and nurse
Telephones
.00 1-6-
Transportation
.02-
Teachers' salaries
.68+
Books
·02 +
Supplies, stationery, printing .
.032++ .012+
Janitors' salaries
·05 4-5+
Gas and electric
Fuel, High School .
Fuel elementary
.04 4-5+
Rent
.00 1-6-
Water
.
.00 3-8-
Furniture
.00 3-8-+-
Repairs .
.04 5-6+
Miscellaneous
.00 13-120
STATE AID
It is probably not generally known that our schools cost us much less than is indicated by the figures of the financial account, viz : - $137,498.09.
By careful grading of salaries and by keeping up school attendance we are receiving this year from the state the sum of $26,837.50. Our net expenditure for general purposes is thereby reduced to $1 10,660.59.
This, however, should not affect our appropriation, since the full amount must be expended before we can secure the state reimbursement.
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
In general, school attendance in Saugus is fairly regular, truancy being confined to a few individuals who offend again
Tuition .
.00 3-8- .02
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
and again. These are being looked after regularly, and by dint of perseverance on the part of teachers and attendance officer they are getting a fair return from the school in spite of them- selves. Parents or guardians of these offenders are urged to co-operate with school officials and to bear in mind that illness of the pupil is the only valid excuse for his absence.
TRANSPORTATION
This problem is growing larger and more complicated every year. During the coming year it will cost the town approxi- mately thirty-five hundred dollars ($3,500.00)-an amount sufficient to secure three good teachers. Requests are still coming in for additional service in this direction, but it cannot be granted without a corresponding increase in the general appropriation.
Conditions differ so greatly in different sections of the town, that absolute justice to all is difficult of determination and, in fact, is largely a matter of opinion. By law we are compelled to transport all who reside at a distance of more than two miles from the nearest school. This may be all very well, but, in our opinion, a husky boy of fifteen can walk two miles with comparative ease, while a frail child of ten would become fatigued after covering half that distance. However, we may be forced to refuse transportation to all who are not legally entitled to it.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
We are glad to report that something definite is being done along this line.
Mr. Fred Beresford, who has done such effective service as foot ball coach here, was employed as physical instructor and has been carrying on the work since September. He has gen- eral supervision besides giving his personal attention to all boys of the Junior High and to the girls of the seventh grade. He is now training them in the use of Indian clubs and dumb bells, with marching and countermarching as supplementary work.
Miss Lena Johnson is carrying forward the work with the girls of the eighth grade.
A course for the Elementary Schools is appended.
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
1922]
COURSE OF STUDY Grades 1, 2 and 3
Class formation for exercises.
Response exercises.
Two minute period 30 minutes after opening of morning session.
Story Play and Rythmic Exerciscs.
Five minute period one hour before closing the morning session.
Games. Five minute period One hour after opening of afternoon session.
Marching.
Two minute period 30 minutes before close of afternoon session.
COURSE OF STUDY Upper Elementary Grades
Classs Formation.
. Formal Gymnastics
Six minute period commencing second period after opening of morning session.
Games.
Six minute period commencing second period after opening of afternoon session.
Marching.
Two minute period thirty minutes before closing of afternoon session.
AMERICANIZATION
This work has been carried on very effectively by our super- visor, Mr. Johnson, and his assistants. Although not as yet extensive we believe that the expenditure for this branch of education is more than justified by the results secured. It should be extended.
Your Superintendent would recommend that Mr. Johnson be relieved from teaching during the evening and that his entire attention be given to visiting the homes of the immigrant, acquainting them with our plans for their education, arousing interest and organizing classes in any part of the town where the need may exist.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Supervisor Johnson is submitting a report to which your attention is respectfully called.
HOUSING CONDITIONS
We are glad to report that our new six-room school building will probably be occupied before this report reaches your hands.
This building was sorely needed, but it does not solve the entire housing problem.
We shall need another grade building within a very short time-in fact we need it now.
An even more pressing need is that of a Junior High School building in or near Cliftondale.
Your superintendent refrains from making any recommenda- tion, however, since a special committee has been appointed to look over the situation and report.
MANUAL TRAINING
The work of this department is being carried on effectively, in spite of the fact that overcrowded conditions render a per- sonal supervision of the work difficult.
Next year one of two plans must be adopted-either the employment of an assistant or a still further restriction in the number of grades accommodated.
The director, Mr. Corthell, is submitting a report to which 1 your attention is respectfully called.
DOMESTIC SCIENCE
This practical side of our High School education is being carried on effectively.
Miss Mildred Costellow, teacher of sewing, resigned, at the close of the school year after giving us a very high grade of service.
The work is now being done by Miss Emily Woodbury with excellent results.
For details of the work of this department, you are referred to the report of its director Miss Carney.
SUPERVISORS
We were very fortunate in retaining the services of our super- visors, or perhaps more accurately, our special teachers of Music, Drawing and Penmanship.
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
1922]
They could have gone to positions paying much higher salaries, but deep interest in the working out of their plans has held them here for salaries much less than they are worth.
Each is submitting a report and we respectfully call your attention to the same.
HIGH SCHOOL
At the end of the school year our High School Principal, Mrs. Lucie M. Norris, resigned, and, after efforts to induce her to reconsider failed, we began a search for her suc- cessor. After careful consideration of a large number of can- didates Mr. Robert R. Webber of York Village, Maine, was elected. Mr. Webber came to us very highly recommended, both as a man and as an educator. He took up the work at the opening of the school year and has carried it forward in a highly satisfactory manner.
Your attention is respectfully called to Mr. Webber's report.
BALLARD JUNIOR HIGH
The work of this school has been carried on in the same quiet, unassuming, effective manner as usual.
We were obliged to open an additional room to accommo- date the Junior High School pupils of this section, so that now the entire eight rooms are being occupied for school purposes- four rooms for grades five and six and four rooms for grades seven, eight and nine.
Your attention is respectfully called to the report of the Principal, Mr. Johnson.
SCHOOL NURSE
Miss Florence Harrison, our school nurse, resigned at the end of the school year after eight months of service during which time she demonstrated the value of this line of school work.
Mrs. Mary Donovan of Lynnfield, a nurse of broad training, was elected as her successor, and is giving faithful and efficient service.
Your attention is respectfully called to her report.
RECOMMENDATIONS
I. An extension of physical education.
2. The opening of an additional room at Lynnhurst.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
3. Extension of school grounds where possible without an unreasonable expenditure.
4. Preparation of a playground back of the High School and the restoration of the lawn in front.
5. Construction of proper approaches to the High School building.
6. More attention to school grounds throughout the town.
7. Revision of the salary schedule for teachers.
8. Continued support of a definite building program.
9. Extension of the area covered by the plan for Ameri- canization.
IN GENERAL
The past year has been one of quiet advancement.
We have carefully considered the various new schemes, theories and devices calculated to make the attainment to a lib- eral education a very easy matter. Some of these devices such as silent reading socialized recitation project method and super- vised study we are trying out with varying success. Although we believe there is much of good in the new and well thought out theories of educators, nevertheless, they are merely aids and should not supplant the good old fashioned study in school and at home nor should they be greatly relied upon even as aids except when carried into operation by an experienced teacher.
In closing I would express my appreciation for the cheerful co-operation and loyalty of the teaching force, for the willing help of the School Committee and for the uniform courtesy extended to me by the citizens of Saugus.
Respectfully submitted,
JESSE W. LAMBERT, Superintendent of Schools
SAUGUS, January 15, 1923.
Report of School Physicians
To Mr. Jesse W. Lambert, Superintendent of Schools :
I respectfully submit the following annual report.
I have carefully examined all the pupils in the schools assigned to me in this district. The Ballard, Mansfield, Emerson and Lynnhurst. I have also examined all the children at my office sent to me by the teachers for diagnosis and advice.
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