USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1927 > Part 12
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LYNNHURST : Install electric lights throughout the building. Paint the building outside and put new treads on front steps. Replace two conductors. Whiten ceiling in the upper grade rooms. Install two slate blackboards in room occupied by grades 3 and 4. Paint toilets and whitewash the basement.
MANSFIELD : Repair floor of belfry. Install a gong on the build- ing or repair bell (gong is preferable). Install electric lights in class-rooms. Boys basement should be equipped with new toilets.
No. SAUGUS : Repair two doors. Install door check on south door as it is in direct path of the west wind. Rooms in the old part should have slate blackboards. Those rooms should also have a coat of paint on woodwork. Additional bowl is needed in girls' toilet on the second floor. Repair tank in teachers' toilet. Furnace and several radiators need repairs.
OAKLANDVALE : Both front doors should be replaced by new ones. Front halls should be heated. Steam pipes on west side
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would greatly improve heat conditions. Put storm windows on west side. Install slate black-boards in primary grade room.
Rooms on second floor should be painted. Install sheet rock or metal lath and plaster over smoke pipe. Heating shaft leading to the upper west room should have opening into lower class room so that surplus heat passing to upper room could be utilized in the lower room.
ROBY SCHOOL : Renovate heating system. Resurface portion of basement floor so that hose may be used for cleaning. Repair fire-escape doors, to prevent rain and snow from coming into classroom. Repair or replace teachers' toilet on first floor. Install electric lights throughout the building. Repair gutters. Install conductors over basement door. Floors need repairs or replacement as dampness has caused them to buckle upward as was the case in the Armitage building.
Recommendations
Not so many of our recommendations listed in the report of 1926 have been seriously considered as necessary funds for meet- ing further expenditures were not available.
Your Superintendent believes that no greater needs exist than those mentioned last year, consequently the following recom- mendations are offered.
I. Extension of school grounds wherever possible at a reasonable expenditure. Adjacent lots should be purchased now. They will never be any cheaper.
2. Preparation of a playground at rear of the High School building.
3. Completion and equipment of the spare rooms at No. Saugus and Oaklandvale.
4. Provisions for the erection and equipmeet of a new school- building near the center of school population or for the enlarge- ment of one or more of our present school buildings.
5. Super-maximum salaries for teachers of sufficient experi- ence and for those who take special courses in education.
6. Cement curbing separating driveways, from adjoining lawns on high school grounds. At present the grounds are badly damaged, through carelessness of certain automobile drivers.
In Conclusion
We feel that the record of the past year is a commendable one. Teachers and pupils have worked harmoniously, and although our appropriation was not sufficient to meet the expenses of the
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program we had planned, nevertheless, the schools have been kept open on full time and the standard has not been lowered. We should not be satisfied, however, simply to "hold our own." We must advance or be left behind. Holding one's own, is the next door to "slipping." We shall continue to economize but there are important needs which we trust the taxpayers will help us to meet.
This year we hope to do some of the things we planned to do in 1927. Among the most important of these are the completion of a change in English texts and a change in the system of read- ing. If these ends can be attained, we shall be able to secure more uniform results.
In closing I would express my sincere appreciation for the support of the School Committee, loyalty of teachers and the many words of good cheer expressed by other citizens of Saugus.
Respectfully submitted, JESSE W. LAMBERT, Supt. of Schools.
SAUGUS, MASS., Jan. 14, 1928.
Report of School Physicians
Mr. Jesse W. Lambert, Superintendent Saugus Schools :
I hereby submit my annual report for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1927.
As school physician, I have carefully examined all pupils in the following schools: The Ballard, Mansfield and Lynnhurst, and find as follows :
Adenoids
4 Scarlet fever 6
Catarrh nasal
9 Tonsils enlarged 8
Conjunctivitis
6 Pediculosis 24
Chicken pox 8 Scabies 6
Cernical glands, enlarged I2 Strabismus 3
Deafness, severe
6
Lameness, result of Infantile
Diphtheria
7 Paralysis 4
Impetigo
27
Septum deflected 5
Mumps
6 Whooping cough 6
Much credit should be given janitor Daniel M. Radford for his untiring zeal in keeping the Ballard and Mansfield schools in
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such excellent condition, for neatness and sanitation are essential where so many children are congregated.
Very respectfully, GEORGE W. GALE, M.D.
E. SAUGUS, MASS., January 7, 1928.
Mr. J. W. Lambert, Superintendent of Schools, Saugus, Mass.
Herein I present my annual report as school physician.
The cases of defects and communicable diseases found during the past year are as follows :
Adenoids and tonsils 80 Adenoids 5
Enlarged tonsils 52
Heart trouble 2
Enlarged cervical glands 63 Infantile paralysis 2
Pediculosis I4 Spinal defects 4
Deflected septum 18
Sanitary conditions are quite satisfactory.
The incidence of diptheria among the school children has be- come almost a negligible factor thanks to the very thorough manner in which immunization has been carried on by the state physicians. I have been advised by an agent of the State Board that the state will not carry on this work longer because they consider it a local problem to be met in future by the town.
I would strongly urge a continuance of the work.
Of course, this would involve a slight additional expense to the town. Sarlet fever is quite as manageable through immuniza- tion as diptheria. In the opinion of public health authorities, all children should be immunized. In view of the fact that scarlet fever is strictly preventable, it would seem that the slight expense and inconvenience involved in preventing it should not weigh very heavily.
Very respectfully, MYRON H. DAVIS.
SAUGUS, MASS., January 9, 1928.
Mr. Jesse W. Lambert, Superintendent of Schools, Saugus, Mass.
DEAR SIR,-Herewith I submit my annual report as school physician at the Armitage, Cliftondale, Felton and Sweetser schools, for the year ending Dec. 31, 1927.
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The general physical condition of the pupils remains about the same as last year.
On examination I found :
Tonsils slightly enlarged, 177 Seborrhea of scalp 2
Tonsils much enlarged 222 Adenoids 7
Pediculosis (pupils excluded) 9
Spinal curvature 3
Defective heart 3
Infantile paralysis 2
Deflected septum
3
There was an epidemic of chicken pox during the fall term and this was mostly confined to the Cliftondale school. It was only by the thorough daily inspection by the school nurse and exclu- sion of all suspects as well as those in the same family attending other schools that were able to keep the disease nearly confined to one school.
I have received numerous complaints from the schools and from parents, about coal gas in the Felton and Cliftondale schools. This condition has been corrected at the Felton school and heat- ing conditions seem much improved there.
On numerous visits to the Cliftondale school I have found the building filled with coal gas.
This condition is a menace to the health of the children who are compelled to set in a poisonous atmosphere all day except for short recess period and I would suggest that the school com- mittee take immediate steps to correct this dangerous condition.
Very respectfully, LEROY C. FURBUSH, M. D
Report of the Attendance Officer
To the Honorable School Committee, Saugus, Mass.
We have had better co-operation this year than heretofore, although the calls have been numerous. The absences from school in many cases have been on account of sickness, or other justifiable cause. I feel that the parents are beginning to realize the benefit of co-operation.
We always do have a great number of families who I am obliged to keep after constantly. These families seem to get careless re- garding the children's attendance unless I go for them at every occasion of non-attendance.
Then there is the everpresent problem of scholars who stay out of school for simple reasons that take much attention, as do the children who are sent home by the nurse for various reasons, and
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take this excuse for several days absence. In such case it is necessary to go for them and see that treatment is administered.
I am grateful to the Saugus Welfare League for the valuable assistance they have rendered in many cases.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES E. LIGHT,
Attendance Offiecr. Dec. 19, 1927.
Report of the High School Principal
Mr. J. W. Lambert, Superintendent of Schools,
Saugus, Mass. :
DEAR SIR,-I respectfully submit my annual report for the year 1927.
For another year we have been able to get along without the two platoon system, by carefully dividing the incoming seventh and eighth grade pupils between the Sweetser and the Central Junior High Schools. How long we will be able to continue with this present system will depend upon the number of students who leave school and the number of new students moving into town.
In order to get in the necessary number of classes this year, we had to continue with the seven period program and follow the same time schedule as last year.
NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN THE SENIOR AND JUNIOR HIGH
On September 7th school opened with the enrollment in the Senior and Junior High School as follows :
Junior High-7th grade, 163 students ; 8th grade, 118 students ; making a total in the Junior High of 281 students.
Senior High-(Freshmen) 9th grade, 264 students ; (Sopho- mores) 10th grade, 112; (Juniors) 11th grade, 56; (Seniors) 12th grade, 81 ; making a total in the Senior High of 513 students.
The total number of students on September 7th was 794. This makes a gain of 28 students over last year's enrollment. The enrollment of 1926 was 766 students.
The enrollment in Saugus High School on December 21, 1927 was as follows :
Junior High-7th grade, 160 students ; Sth grade, 113 students ; total in the Junior High, 273 students.
-
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Senior High (Freshmen) 9th grade, 253 students ; (Sopho- mores) Ioth grade, III students ; (Juniors) 11th grade, 58 stu- dents ; (Seniors) 12th grade, 82 students. Total in the Senior High, 504 students.
The total in the High School was 777 students.
You will notice by comparing the figures from September to December that we have lost three pupils from the 7th grade, and five from the 8th grade, eleven from the 9th grade and one from the 10th grade. We have gained two students in the 1 1th grade and one in the 12th grade.
The loss of pupils in the Junior High is due to students trans- ferring to other schools. The loss of pupils in the Senior High is due partly to transferring and partly to students leaving school to go to work.
I am extremely glad to state that we have not lost as many during the fall term this year as we did last year.
GRADUATES
The number of students who graduated from the Saugus High School in June, 1927, was sixty, receiving diplomas as follows : 4 receiving college diplomas ; 49 receiving general diplomas and 7 receiving commercial diplomas.
We have, at the present time, from the Class of 1927, five students attending colleges which grant degrees ; twelve attending business colleges ; four attending normal schools and three attending other schools of higher education.
From this we see that 8 per cent of last year's class are attend- ing colleges of recognized standing ; and 40 per cent pursuing education of a nature higher than that of a secondary school.
In most towns the high school seems to be judged by its ability to prepare its graduates for colleges that grant degrees, but as we look over the records for the past few years we do not find a very high per cent of our graduates attending colleges of this type. By far the greater per cent attend business colleges and normal schools, or go out into life without further education. In view of this fact, I feel that the average high school should not put all of its efforts in fitting a few students for college, but instead, I think, that they should offer courses which would prepare the majority of its graduates to go out into the world and earn a living, without the advantages of a college education.
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STANDING OF SAUGUS HIGH SCHOOL
Saugus High School is rated, by the State Department of Education, as a Class A high school. This entitles us to certify students to any normal school in the state, providing the student does creditable work in high school. We, also, have the privilege, until December 31st, 1930, of certifying any student to colleges that are members of the New England College Entrance Certificate Board, providing a student maintains an average mark in his high school work of 85 per cent.
I am very glad to state that all the students who have entered normal schools or college, by certificate, have been able to do work that has been a credit to themselves and the school.
TEACHING STAFF
During the past year the following teachers left the Saugus Senior and Junior High School :
Miss Mildred Bee, teacher of Stenography I and Typewriting I, replaced by Miss M. Blanche Milbury, who not only teaches Stenography and Typewriting but, also, supervises penmanship in the Junior High.
Mrs. Marion Emmett, teacher of Ancient History and Com- mercial Geography. The classes in the above subjects were absorbed by the other teachers in the Senior High.
Miss Erastine Gilmore, teacher of Spanish, replaced by Miss Helen Towle.
Mr. William Lowell, teacher of Physics and Geometry, replaced by Mr. Harold Warren.
Miss Margaret McIntyre, teacher of drawing in the Senior and Junior High School, replaced by Mrs. Esther Lovering. As the class in Senior High drawing has been getting smaller each year, and owing to the fact that we were short of class rooms, it was decided not to give Senior High drawing this year. Mrs. Esther Lovering was, therefore, employed as a part time teacher to teach drawing in the Junior High.
Mr. C. Francis Woods, full time teacher of Music in the Senior and Junior High, replaced by Miss Ethel Edwards as a part time teacher of music in the Junior and Senior High. Instead of giving class room instruction in music two periods each week, in the Junior High, we have, this year, had the pupils gather one period a week, in groups of two rooms, for technical instruction, and one period per week by grades for chorus work.
The teacher is one of the important factors in a good school.
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Much depends on her good judgment in handling the many intri- cate problems that come up in a school of today. All the new teachers, this year, have had several years experience, and have already found their places in the school system and are helping in building up the standard of our school.
CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS IN THE JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH
The teachers of Science were pleased that you were to purchase approximately $1,000 worth of equipment. Half of the amount was spent for Physics apparatus and the remaining part for Chemistry and General Science equipment. For several years back no great amount of money has been spent on either Physics or Chemistry apparatus. Scientific apparatus wears out and becomes useless the same as anything else and therefore must be replaced.
Two new cabinets have been installed in the Science Depart- ment. One in the Physics room and the other in the Chemistry room. These cabinets will be used to house the new equipment that was purchased.
I would suggest that each year, the sum of $200 be set aside for new equipment in these departments. This would replace worn out material and also supply additional equipment for growing classes.
Two new steel ceilings were placed in the old part of the build- ing in Rooms I and 4. The ceilings in these rooms were badly cracked and soiled and presented a bad appearance.
I believe the policy of installing steel ceilings should continue, as it is found necessary. The constant shifting of pupils from one class room to another throughout the day tends to jar off plastered ceilings and that form of covering is not satisfactory.
The lower part of the corridor wall, on the first floor, was painted a steel gray color to match the paint used on the second floor corridor wall, last year. This redecorating has improved the interior of the building.
The desk covers in rooms 1-11-13-14-15 and 21 were resur- faced and varnished. This makes the desks much smoother to write on and gives them a new appearance.
The Senior students in the Commercial Department, under the supervision of Miss Marison, have, for several years, been sell- ing candy at recess. With the profits made from the sale of this candy several machines of value, for the Commercial Department have been purchased, such as a multigraph machine ; a mimeograph
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machine ; filing equipment for 19 students ; a state flag for the assembly hall and last year they purchased a victrola and an L. C. Smith tabulating machine. It is gratifying to note that there is a co-operative spirit on the part of pupils and teachers to improve the equipment and thus enable other students to get more out of school life.
During the school year a debating club was organized and was open to all Junior and Senior students who were interested in taking up debating. After a few meetings of the club the number of members reduced down to fifteen but their interest and enthusiasm made the club a great success under the able guidance of Mr. C. Carroll Cunningham, the debating advisor.
On March II, 1927, the first public debate was held in the High School hall with Revere, on the question, Resolved, That the 18th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States should be abolished. The debate was won by Revere owing to their greater experience along this line.
This year the club was reorganized with increased membership and enthusiasm and already a debate has been given before the students of the high school. It has been planned to have two or three public debates with outside schools during the school year. I feel that this organization is a great help to the students as it gives them a chance to learn to express themselves in public which will be a benefit to them whether they go to college or out into the world.
This year, for the first time, it was decided to have promotion exercises in the Junior High. The two Junior High Schools, the Sweetser and the Saugus Center, united together in order to have one program. The program carried out was of a much simpler nature than is undertaken in the Senior High. Music was furnished by the students of the eighth grade and a very interesting talk was given by Professor Marshall Perrin, Ph. D., of Boston University. Parents and students declared it a success and the plan of having promotion exercises in the Junior High will, without doubt, be continued in future years.
The following things have come to my attention which go to show that the standard of the school, as well as, the general morale of the school has improved :
I. Tardiness has decreased 20% comparing the fall term of 1926 with that of 1927. This is interesting when we consider that we have a larger student body this fall.
2. Dismissals have decreased 21%.
3. The number of students on the honor and credit lists have
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increased. On the Honor List the number has increased from 4, in the Fall of 1926 to 6 in the Fall of 1927. On the Credit List from 45, in the Fall of 1926 to 64 in the Fall of 1927. An honor student must receive a rank of "A" in all subjects, a credit student a rank of "B" or better in all subjects.
4. The number of students who have dropped out of school during the fall term has decreased from 56 in 1926 to 17 in 1927.
5. The general scholastic average of all students in the high school has improved from 74.7% for the year 1926 to 77.97% in the year 1927.
SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS
Certain improvements are necessary if we are to keep our building in good repair and enable us to get maximum efficiency out of our school plant.
I. Rooms II and 17 have bothered for a number of years in regard to heating up properly on windy days in the winter. This trouble can be fixed by connecting rooms 11 and 17 to the new cast iron boiler in the boiler room. The expense to make this change would be very slight.
2. The steel ceilings in rooms I and 4 should be painted. The steel ceilings were put in last year but there was not sufficient time for the ceilings to be painted.
3. New stair treads should be placed on the steps leading up from Denver and Central street entrances. The present steps are worn and it makes it unsafe for students going up and down stairs.
4. The corridors in the old part of the building have not been painted for a number of years, they are badly soiled and need painting.
5. I would suggest that the dados in rooms 11, 12, 13 and 14 be painted. The present paint is wearing off and is too dark in color. If they could be painted a light gray color to match the rooms on the second floor they would present a much brighter appearance.
When you consider the number of students that we have in our school and that they are moving from room to room every 40 minutes for seven periods of the day, it is not any wonder that some repairs are necessary in a school of this size each year.
I wish to say at this time that no high degree of success can be obtained in school work without co-operation from every angle. I, therefore, in closing wish to thank the parents, the teachers,
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the School Committee and you, Mr. Lambert, for the assistance given me during the past year.
Respectfully,
ROBERT R. WEBBER,
Principal. Jan. 10, 1928.
Report of Principal-Sweetser Junior High School Mr. f. W. Lambert, Superintendent of Schools,
Saugus, Mass.
I have the honor of presenting to you the annual report of the Sweetser Junior High School for the year 1927.
Administration of new building, new pupils, and planning for a normal finished product required patience and vision of months. Continued effort seems to point to realization of a Junior High standard with its size.
Judging from the appearance inside the building today, it is difficult to imagine the vast change since the placing of furniture in the hall and teachers' room and installation of the electric clock system. The new equipment in the Manual Training and Sew- ing departments ranks with the best.
This year has seen begun most of the proposed plans men- tioned in my report of last year, in addition to several important units not anticipated. Club work, individual guidance, athletics, participating in the New England Arithmetic 100 per cent, accu- racy scheme, freedom without license, chances for self control, special programs, chorus music, auditorium privileges, some educational measurement, opportunity placement, all are at present under way here.
The average monthly enrollment is about 265. Attendance is such as to be called favorable especially considering the feat of one room group in securing 100 per cent attendance for the months of September and October. As a whole we have but little absence not occasioned by sickness. Tardiness is somewhat of a factor with the seventh grade when the children are not fully adjusted to changed school program. Parents have been gener- ally very considerate and helpful in every way in making for a smooth running school, and pleasant association.
The Spring exhibition of work accomplished in regular school periods augmented by production of the hand work clubs was a creditable testimony to the skill of the pupils under expert instruction. It is especially worth while to be able to make an
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object of beauty or some definite finished project of which they can say "I did that."
Marshall L. Perrin, Ph. D. of Boston University inspired and delighted the graduates at the public exercises held in High School hall when 115 of the Sweetser pupils completed their eighth year course last June, combining in exercises with the members of the graduating class of the Saugus Center Junior High.
Club work, an outgrowth of pupils' likes or hobbies started in January, 1927, continued in the Autumn term, is indicative of a wonderful opportunity seized by many of the pupils though in some cases the desired effect will not penetrate. It is desired to impress some valuable way of earning money, employment of leisure time, or fund of knowledge not available in school routine.
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