USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1925 > Part 13
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Transportation
At no time during the past seven years, at least, has there been better service given to us than we have received from Mr. G. A. Garrow, who handles all of our transportation excepting that taken care of by the electrics. Whatever the weather or the condition of the roads Mr. Garrow is always attending strictly to the work assigned to him. This item, though expensive, seems absolutely unavoidable. The total cost including car tickets is approximately $100 per week.
School Grounds
We take pride in reporting improvements in the condition of our school grounds especially that at the High School. The walk installed there is not only a decided convenience but a thing of beauty. The public in general will agree that the expenditure on this prominent corner is fully justified. We should not stop here, however, but should continue to improve our grounds not only from the point of beauty but for the greater safety and
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1925]
comfort of those using them. As to the extention of school lots we very heartily recommend the purchasing of adjoining land wherever possible.
The New School Building
Last year we took pleasure in reporting on "The Passing of the Lincoln School." This year it is a matter not only of pleasure but of pride to record the erection of a new school build- ing that promises to be one of the most artistic and up to date structures in town. It contains eight class rooms capable of seating about three hundred pupils ; also an assembly hall of ample proportions. This building has been needed for several years and we all look forward to its completion with relief.
The building committee should certainly be congratulated on its splendid achievement thus far.
A Forecast
Although we are justified in being pleased and proud of our building operations during the past few years, yet the future looms large with probabilities that we shall hardly be able to meet unless we keep resolutely on with our building program. The total enrollment in our combined high schools during the fall term was well over a thousand. This means that we must accommodate about seven hundred and fifty in the central school next year after opening the new school building, considering the probable increase. In other words, we shall have a condition bordering on congestion :- certainly no room for growth.
Judging from the present outlook our entire central high school building will be needed for the senior high school pupils only, within a period of two years.
Conditions regarding grade school accommodations are no better, as we are even now over-crowded in many sections of the town and will soon be unable to cope with the situation unless steps are taken without delay looking to the erection of another school building. We may as well face the facts and prepare for action.
We are behind on our building program and are barely keeping up with current growth.
It is indeed pleasant to look upon the excellent work now being done, but we must plan to meet future demands or lay ourselves open to the charge of not providing adequate quarters for those who have the right to look to us for a chance to attend school, under proper housing conditions.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Special Subjects
Specific reports on these subjects will be included in this school report. To these reports we call your attention and again assure you that they are submitted by teachers who are doing an exceptionally high grade of work.
High School
In spite of the two-platoon system in operation here very good work is being done. The mathematical deparment feels the loss of the services of Mr. Wheeler who, by his own request, was allowed to devote his entire time to the science department.
Principal Webber has proven himself to be the right man for his position. Your attention is called to his report.
School Nurse
Mrs. Mary Donovan is still with us and is carrying forward a line of work which cannot be measured in terms of dollars and cents. Your attention is respectfully called to her report.
Repairs
Many large demands have been made upon our repair appro- priation. We have endeavored to meet the same as far forth as possible. The following are some of the larger pieces of work accomplished, listed by schools.
LYNNHURST. The house has been shingled and the heater renovated.
MANSFIELD. Here we have two floors laid and minor repairs done.
BALLARD. All rooms in this building have been refinished,- they needed it badly. Grates have been replaced in one heater. The roof of this building was so badly out of repair that a com- plete new roof was necessary. This we have supplied.
EMERSON. This building has been shingled, the chimney rebuilt and furnaces repaired at a considerable expense.
CLIFTONDALE. Here we have installed a teacher's toilet and have done some interior painting.
ARMITAGE. An emergency existed here as the furnace grates burned out. New ones cost approximately $100.
ROBY. One boiler under this building has been completely retubed and two fire escapes installed as required by the State Inspector.
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FELTON. Here again we were surprised by having the furnaces suddenly go out of commission where we expected only minor repairs. Other general repairs have been made here also.
OAKLANDVALE. This house has been shingled and other work done.
HIGH SCHOOL. Only a comparatively small part of the neces- sary interior painting has been done here and yet it cost $500 or more, two cabinets have been made for laboratories and some outside painting done and furnaces repaired. On the school grounds our new walk cost more than we allowed, but it is worth it
There are many needs to be met during the coming year and some of them are rather expensive. We would list the following : At the Emerson, a complete, new heating system must be installed, or the furnaces replaced. The same may be true at the Felton, though there is some hope of another year's service from the present plant.
One boiler at the High School must be retubed. There is also much painting to be done inside and some outside. Other repairs, such as building steps, etc., will swell the expense to $1,500 to say nothing of renovating the heating system which will become absolutely necessary. This will cost $2,000 or more.
A chimney on the Cliftondale school building should be rebuilt.
New floors are badly needed at the Felton and at the Oakland- vale schools, also some interior painting. Several new ceilings are needed at the Roby and at the Mansfield buildings, besides a liberal expenditure for inside painting.
The Lynnhurst building should be painted outside. There is much State work still undone and besides, we may expect addi- · tional demands from the State at any time.
It would seem to be a wise policy to make a substantial increase in the appropriation for repairs.
Recommendations
We are surely making progress in meeting outstanding needs. It is highly gratifying to a Superintendent when permanent im- provements are made in accordance with his recommendations.
We have made a splendid beginning on the High School grounds but should not be content until other walks are built and a better place provided for out of door exercises.
We respectfully submit the following recommendations for your careful consideration.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Ist. Extension of school grounds wherever possible.
2nd. Excavation back of the High School sufficient to give as large a space as possible for physical exercises ; also the building of a retaining wall on line of Denver street, if necessary, and com- pletion of the approach from Central street.
3rd. The securing of options on building lots suitable for school buildings.
4th. Full and careful investigation concerning prospective needs for further building operations.
5th. Readjustment of teachers' salaries.
6th. Super-maximum salaries for teachers who take pro- fessional courses.
In General
School work in general has been very satisfactory during the past year. Teachers and pupils have worked in harmony and we feel that there is a steady growth along ] lines. Quiet everyday progress is bound to bring results. This we have endeavored to maintain.
In closing your Superintendent would express his appreciation for the continued encouragement and support of School Com- mittee, teachers and parents, without which, his labor would be in vain.
Respectfully submitted,
JESSE W. LAMBERT, Supt. of Schools.
SAUGUS, Jan. 12, 1926.
Report of School Physicians
Fesse W. Lambert, Superintendent of Saugus Schools :
DEAR SIR,-I have the honor of presenting to you my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1925.
As school physician, I have carefully examined all pupils in the following schools: The Ballard, Emerson, Mansfield and Lynnhurst, and find as follows :
Adenoids
5 Pediculosis 14
Adenitis Tuberculosis
I Stabismus 3
Conjunctivitis
5 Septum deflected .
4
Cernical glands, enlarged 7 Nasal catarrh . 7
Deafness, severe
I Lameness caused by infantile
Tonsils enlarged · paralysis 9 7
Impetigo contagioso . 53
Whooping cough 4
1925]
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
I find also a large number of children suffering from decayed teeth, in the lower grades.
I find also three cases of blindness in one eye, result of acci- dental injury.
I wish also to report that I found the premises in and around the school houses in a good sanitary condition.
Very respectfully, GEORGE W. GALE, M. D.
SAUGUS, MASS., January 9, 1926,
Mr. Jesse W. Lambert, Superintendent of Schools,
Saugus, Mass :
I herein submit my annual report as school physician. Sanitary conditions in the schools under my supervision are quite satis- factory. The work in diptheria prevention, while it has been carried on only two years, is showing quite remarkable results in reducing the incidence of that deadly disease. During the past year the schools have been quite free from diseases of a serious character. This is probably due to the constant very efficient work of the school nurse in cooperation with the teachers and board of health.
We have seen about the usual number of minor diseases and defects. Following is a list of the latter.
Adenoids and tonsils 85 Adenoids 15
Enlarged tonsils 148 Spinal defects 3
Enlarged cervical glands 84 Heart trouble 3
Pediculosis 22 Infantile paralysis 3
Deflected septum
55 Chronic rhinitis I
It is quite noticeable that those children who have nasal passages obstructed by deflected septa and by growths are under nourished and lacking in the energy necessary to carry on work efficiently.
I would advise beginning the work on Scarlet fever prevention. This is called "The Dick Test and Inoculation."
The work is done in much the same way as the diptheria pre- vention work and seems to be quite as efficient in scarlet fever as the diptheria serum is for the latter disease.
Respectfully, M. H. DAVIS.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Mr. Jesse W. Lambert Superintendent of Schools, Saugus, Mass.
DEAR SIR,-I herewith submit my annual report of the phys- ical examination of the pupils attending the Cliftondale, Felton, and Armitage schools.
By the aid of the physical examination cards issued by the State Department of Education we are able to check up from year to year the physical changes in each pupil, and it has been very interesting to note the amount of improvement in the major- ity, especially in those who have been supplied with milk in the school.
The following defects were found :
Tonsils slightly enlarged, 178 Tonsils much enlarged . 147
Cervical glands enlarged . 32 Seborrhea of scalp
·
Pediculosis 8 Adenoids . 6 .
4
Heart defects 3 Acute bronchitis
.
2
Deflected septum
I Spinal curvature
5
Infantile paralysis . 2 Epilepsy .
.
I
Respectfully submitted,
LEROY C. FURBUSH, M. D.
Report of the Attendance Officer
To the School Committee :
A few years ago in my report I expressed pleasure in the fact that we were no longer called truant officers. I am now glad- ened again to find that in educational circles we are classed as Attendance teachers, which in reality is just the attitude one must have toward children who have not acquired a liking for school work, though happily we have the strong arm of the court to back up our aims. No child has been sent away this year, due I think to the fact that I have been able to reach the boy before he has gotten behind in his studies and become dis- couraged in his efforts to keep up with his class. At a recent conference of Attendance Teachers we were advised that we were to sell education to children who had not availed them- selves of the idea. This has been a great help. I find most boys will listen. I have followed up more closely this year the first and second grades, where children have entered at an advanced age, for the purpose of keeping them in line for pro- motion each year as I find children of advanced years at entrance
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find themselves much embarrassed later when they show their ages and are classed with those much younger. In such cases failure of promotion makes their positions much more em- barrassing.
Sickness has not been so much a cause of non-attendance as in previous years, due very largely to the Schick treatment, which has practically eliminated Diptheria from the schools.
Let me remind you that the cost each year to Saugus for this treatment has not exceeded fifty dollars, the work being done by the nurse and health officer in cooperation with the State Department. The closer I get in touch with the children, the more I wish I could give more time to interviewing parents at their homes, I have done this, as far as it has been possible, with considerable success. I still feel the most trouble comes between the ages of fourteen and sixteen, when the law lets down the bars. I sincerely hope for an early passsage of the bill extending the age to sixteen and eighteen.
I wish to convey, through you, to the principals and teachers of all the schools, my sincere appreciation of their cooperation.
Respectfully submitted
CHARLES LIGHT, Attendance Officer.
Report of the High School Principal
Mr. J. W. Lambert, Superintendent of Schools, Saugus, Mass. :
DEAR SIR,-I respectfully submit my fourth annual report for the year ending December 31, 1925.
This is the second year that the Saugus Junior and Senior High School has had to labor under the difficulties of the two platoon system. It is impossible to accomplish satisfactory work, in either the Junior or Senior High School, while this system is in use. It is hoped, that with the erection of the new school build- ing on the old Lincoln lot, we will be able to abolish the two platoon system by next fall.
The time schedule, which we have used this year is practically the same as last year, except that the recess period has been lengthened five minutes, giving us a recess of fifteen minutes.
Physical Education, in the Junior and Senior High School is conducted the same as last year, a ten minute period is set aside in each session between the second and third periods. During
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this period a pupil conducts the exercises in each home room under the supervision of the home room teacher. This plan is used in many of the schools around ghere, and seems to be the best, where it is impossible to have the classes in a gymnasium.
NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN THE JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH
School opened in September with enrollment in the Senior and Junior High School as follows : seventh grade, 283 ; 8th grade ; 223 ; total in the Junior High, 506. Senior High, post-graduates, 2 ; Seniors, 67 ; Juniors, 65 ; Sophomores, 112 ; Freshman, 258 ; making a total of 504. This makes a total in the High School of 1010. Enrollmen December 23, 1925 as follows : 7th grade, 275 ; 8th grade, 220 ; total in Junior High, 495. Senior High, post-graduates, I ; Seniors, 64 ; Juniors, 64 ; Sophomores, 108 ; Freshman, 256; total in the Senior High, 493. Total number of students in the Junior and Senior High, 988. The above figures show a decrease of 11 pupils in the Junior High and II pupils in the Senior High during the fall term.
GRADUATES
Last June 67 students were graduated from the High School, 28 or, 42 p. c., are now attending schools of higher instruction ; divided as follows : in college, taking the straight college course, 13; in normal schools, 4; in business colleges, 4 ; attending academies, other high schools and trade schools, 8.
The per cent of students, who are attending schools of higher instruction, is greater this year than in previous years.
STANDING OF SAUGUS HIGH SCHOOL
Saugus High School is rated by the Massachusetts Depart- ment of Education as an A grade school. This enables any student, who graduates from Saugus High, and receives an average of 80 per cent in the subjects taken while in high school, to enter normal school without examination.
Saugus High School is on the list of secondary schools, ap- proved by the New England College Entrance Certificate Board, this enables us to certify any student who receives a mark of 85 per cent, or above, in the subjects he has taken while a student in the high school. The colleges on this list are as follows :
Amherst College Bates College Boston University
Colby College Mass. Agricultural College Middlebury College
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1925]
Bowdoin College Tufts College Wesleyan University
Brown University
Williams College
Our certificate privilege expires December 31, 1926, and I have already made application to have our certificate privilege extended for three more years.
Graduates of Saugus High School, who have gone to the above colleges during the past two years, have made creditable records and thus enabled us to remain on the approved list of secondary schools.
SIZE OF CLASSES IN THE JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
One of the disadvantages in the Junior and Senior High School, has been the size of classes. In the past many of the classes, in the Junior High, have had over 40 pupils. This far exceeds the size of the classes recommended by Educators and by the State Department of Education. Classes in the Senior High School should not number over 25 students, and in the Junior High they should not exceed 28. We have this year been able to reduce the size of classes in the 7th grade to an average of 35 students and in the 8th grade to an average of 32 students. This assists us ina small way to make up for some of the dis- advantages of the two platoon system.
The average size of the Sewing Classes is 17, average size of Cooking Classes, 18; average size of Manual Training Classes, 16.
In laboratory classes like cooking, sewing and manual training to do satisfactory work a class should not exceed 16 in number.
In the Senior High the classes vary from 5 to 39 in number, the average being about 28 students. Any class in the Senior High which numbers over 25 cannot do satisfactory work. A student in a class of 30 or more pupils, taking a subject like French or Latin, may find that he is not called upon more than twice a week, this is due to the fact that it is impossible for any teacher, in a period of 40 minutes, to get a satisfactory recitation from 30 or 40 students. This is the main reason why classes in the Senior High should not number over 25.
In any high school it is impossible to do away with all the small classes, for instance, in the Junior and Senior years there will always be a few students in such classes as Latin II, Solid Geometry and Senior French, owing to the fact that out of the Senior Class of 60 students there would not be over 8 or 10 taking the straight College Course.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
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TEACHING STAFF
One of the important things in a successful school system is the teaching staff. The longer a good teacher can be induced to remain in the school the more successful the school will be and a better education will be received by those attending the school. We were fortunate this year in not losing many of our teachers. School opened in September with only four changes in the teach- ing force of the Junior and Senior High School. Owing to the increased number of students it was found necessary to employ an extra teacher for the Junior High. In the Senior High a greater number of changes took place. Five new teachers were employed, four to replace teachers that left and one extra teacher to take care of the additional number of classes in the Senior High.
During the fall term three more teachers left, these were as follows : Miss Foster and Mr. Corthell resigned to take up work in other schools, and Miss West resigned because of ill health. The filling of these positions by new teachers caused a slight interruption in these departments. I consider that we have been very fortunate in the past few years in being able to hold as many good teachers as we have, considering the salaries that the teachers receive in Saugus as compared with surrounding towns.
INTELLIGENCE TESTS
During the fall term the Terman Group Test of Mental Ability was given the students in the Senior High School. A number of schools in the country are using intelligence tests to find out what ability a student has for doing school work. The tests have been corrected and the results given to the teachers so that they may know the ability of all students they have in their classes, and if they are doing school work equal to their ability.
Mental Tests may be used in a school in the following ways :
a. To determine the quality of school work that each student will do.
b. Classification of students for instructional purposes.
c. In determining the amount of work and number of subjects that a student should be permitted to carry.
d. In discovering the students who are willfully neglecting school work (loafers).
We hope to use the results of the tests given in the future in as many of the above ways as possible.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1925]
During the fall term there was given to the students in the Junior High an arithmetic test sent out by the Massachusetts State Department of Education. This test was sent to all cities and towns that would agree to give the same in all of the grades from 5 to 8 inclusive. The tests were called "The Massachusetts State Wide Arithmetic Contest", and were given for the pur- pose of finding out how well arithmetic is being taught in the grades in the different cities and towns in Massachusetts. The result of these tests, when the same is received, will enable us to know if the pupils in the 7th grade compare favorably with those of other schools.
CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS IN THE JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH
One of the most important changes that has been made during the past year was the moving of the Manual Training Depart- ment to the basement of the High School. Previous to the mov- ing of the Manual Training Department to this building the students, taking this subject in the 7th and 8th grades traveled to the old manual training building, near the Roby School. This caused a loss of 20 minutes to all students in going and coming from the building. Many complaints were received from people along the way saying that students were trespassing on their property.
The moving of the manual training into the High School build- ing means less expense in that it saves the heating of an extra building for this department. The room set aside is sufficiently large to take care of any expansion that might be necessary in the next few years. Part of the room may be used for mechanical drawing, should the building become crowded and this be necessary.
The library equipment of Saugus High School has not been what it should be. The Class of 1924 left a sum of money which was spent last year for books for the library. The Class of 1925 gave the sum of $250 for the purchase of books for the High School Library that would best meet the need of the greatest number of pupils. The town also appropriated a sum of money which has been used to purchase three library tables, one dozen library chairs and a book rack all of this equipment was needed to increase our library facilities.
All modern schools, that are being built and equipped at the present time, are setting aside a large room and equipping it in excellent shape to be used as a high school library. Any
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
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school that is not improving its school library is not keeping up to date.
We hope that in the future graduating classes will assist us in every way, that they can, to improve this department of our school.
A few changes were made in the Junior High program the past year. That of requiring cooking in the 8th grade, instead of sewing, this has been a great improvement, in that all girls should know something about cooking and should have a knowledge of sewing. In the past the pupils who reached the ninth grade were given permission to elect cooking, but few availed themselves of this opportunity.
During the summer vacation, the chemical laboratory, the physical laboratory and the study hall, which occupy the third story of the old High School, were re-painted. This adds greatly to the attractiveness of these rooms, which previous to the paint- ing were stained in many places.
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