USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1929 > Part 17
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I nive hid to re- rt to court action in some cases in order to sic ire result», After being successful in bringing the scholars to. school they have developed into habitual offenders in the class- ro m. In two of these cases I have had them committed to the Liweise Dining School, Feel that this has been a great benefit to the boys and not in any Way a punishment, Punish- ment is not the remedy for these offenders, It is only a case of diplo natically applied discipline, and the Lawrence Training School is wonderfully adapted for this, and fortunate in its personnel,
I find nany homes where it has been a burden to keep children clothed suitable for school attendance. These cases have been helped and the scholars kept at school.
Absence on account of sickness has been less this year than previously, due largely to the preventative work with primary grades. Chicken pox, diphtheria, scarlet fever and measles have been checked very successfully.
I have been quite successful with boys whom it has been impossible to locate when absent, by talking with them at school the next day. Believe we can cultivate the " man " in our boys in this manner much better than by force, although we do have cases where this does not reach, and they must be placed where they are under strict surveillance all the time.
An unusual number of girls have given trouble this year, but we now have a place for girls at Lawrence when it becomes absolutely necessary to commit them.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES E. LIGHT.
Report of the High School Principal
Mr. J. W. Lambert, Superintendent of Schools,
Saugus, Mass.
DEAR SIR,-I submit my annual report for the school year of 19'9.
With the student body in our Junior and Senior High School constantly increasing we found, this fall, that the number was too large to be operated on a single session plan. We therefore once more had to adopt the two-platoon system and it is operat- ing as follows : The eighth grade and the Senior High School begin their school day at 7.40 with the program as follows :
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1929]
7.40 to 7.50 Opening Exercises
7.50 to 8.28 First period 8.28 to 9.06 Second period
9.06 to 9.16 Physical Education
9.16 to 9.54
Third period
9.54 to 10.32 Fourth period
10.32 to 11.10 Fifth period
11.10 to 11.30
Senior Intermission
11.32 to 12.10 Sixth period
12.10 to 12.50 Seventh period
The eighth grade and Senior High closing at 12.50.
The seventh grade which comprises four rooms of approxi- mately 150 students begin their school day at I P.M. Their pro- gram is as follows :
1.00 to 1.05 Opening Exercises
1.05 to 1.40 First period
1.40 to 2.15 Second period
2.15 to 2.20 Physical Education
2.20 to 2.55 Third period
2.55 to 3.30 Fourth period
3.30 to 3.40 Intermission
3.42 to 4.17 Fifth period
4.17 to 4.52 Sixth period
The seventh grade day closing at 4.52 P.M.
I might explain further that it is necessary to have a seven period day in the Senior High School as there are just so many classes that must meet each day and we have available only 22 rooms for class work and the study hall for study purposes. This means at the present time there is no available class room but what is in use every period in the morning session. With the student body constantly increasing it is perfectly evident to me that it will be impossible to handle the 8th grade in the morn- ing session another year. The two-platoon system will have to continue next year and the 8th grade will have to come in the afternoon to give us room enough in the morning to handle all the Senior High classes in a reasonable length school day.
The fall term of school opened September 4 with the number of students in each grade as follows :
7th Grade : Four home rooms which meet in the afternoon, a total of 155 students.
8th Grade : Four home rooms, à total of 147 students.
9th Grade : Seven home rooms, a total of 274 students.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
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Ioth Grade : Four home rooms, a total of 138 students. IIth Grade : Three home rooms, a total of 86 students. 12th Grade : One home room, a total of 85 students.
A total number in the Senior High School of 583 students. A total number in the Junior High of 302 students. The total number of students in the Saugus Junior and Senior High School in September was 885. Last year at the same time we had in the building 827 students, an increase of 58 students. From pre- vious reports you will notice that in the year 1927 we gained 28 students over the previous year of 1926. In 1928 we gained 33 students over the previous school year of 1927. In 1929 we have gained 41 students over the previous school year of 1928. The enrollment in the Senior and Junior High School at the close of the fall term, December 20, 1929 was as follows :
7th Grade 150 students 8th Grade 146 students A total in the Junior High of 296 students.
9th Grade 270 students IIth Grade 84 students
Ioth Grade 134 students 12th Grade 84 students
A total in the Senior High School of 572 students and this makes a grand total in our Senior and Junior High School on December 20, 1929 of 868 students, an increase over last year at this time of 72 pupils. This proves very conclusively that the number of students dropping out each year is rapidly decreasing, in other words, that more students are staying in high school until they graduate. During the fall term we have lost from school as follows :
7th Grade 5 students
Ioth Grade 4 students
8th Grade I student
IIth Grade 2 students
9th Grade 4 students
12th Grade I student
The above facts should show the townspeople that a new high school is needed and when the erection of a new high school is undertaken one should be planned sufficiently large to allow for a large increase of students in the next ten years. It is far cheaper for any town when it is building a new high school in a com- munity where the population is rapidly increasing to spend at first sufficient money so that the problem of additions or addi- tional buildings will not come up before the town for the next ten years.
GRADUATES
Last year the graduating class was not as large as the previous year. In all we had 71 students who received diplomas, namely
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1929]
as follows : Seven graduated from the College Course, seven from the Scientific Course, twelve from the Commercial Course and forty-five from the General Course.
Out of the 71 who graduated last June, 19 per cent or 14 students received honor marks during their four years of high school work. A student is considered an honor student when he receives a grade of 85 per cent or above in his four years of high school work.
Since last June we have made a careful survey of the 71 graduates of the class of 1929 and we found that [I were attend- ing colleges of good standing, 7 were in Normal Schools in this or other states, 8 were in Business College, and 1I were attend- ing other schools of higher learning. In all we have 37 or 52 per cent who are attending institutions of higher learning. This is practically equal to the per cent which attended higher institu- tions out of the class of 1928. We also found that 15 per cent of the class of 1929 are attending colleges of recognized standing in this or other states.
STANDING OF SAUGUS HIGH SCHOOL
Saugus High School has been rated by the State Department of Education as a Class A school. This enables any student who graduates from Saugus High School to be certified to any Normal School in the State providing said student has a school average of 80 per cent. During the past four years our High School has been a member of the New England College Entrance Certificate Board which gives us the privilege of certifying all students who have an average in their school work of 85 per cent to the following colleges :
Amherst College Bates College
Colby College Mass. Agricultural College
Boston University
Middlebury College
Bowdoin College
. Tufts College
Brown University
Wesleyan University
Williams College
Our graduates who have attended colleges during the past few years have made good records and I have no doubt but that Saugus High School will be kept on the accredited list.
CHANGE IN TEACHING STAFF
At the close of the school year 1929 we were fortunate not to lose many of our older teachers from the teaching force. Owing to the increase of the student body in the Junior and Senior High
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School it was found necessary to employ three additional teachers. The changes are as follows :
Miss Ruth Sawyer, teacher of Algebra and Geometry replaced by Miss Eleanor Batchelder, who is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire on a B. S. Course and has received a Masters Degree at Cornell University. Before coming to Saugus she taught two years in the Newmarket High School, Newmarket, New Hampshire, also two years in the Penacook High School, Penacook, New Hampshire.
Miss Helen McDuffee, teacher of French I and Latin I replaced by Miss Dorothy Eyre, transferred from Sweetser School. Miss Eyre is a graduate of Boston University, class of 1928.
Mr. Fred Beresford, teacher of Algebra I, Physical Education, and Athletic Coach replaced by Mr. Albion Rice who was a former teacher in Saugus.
Miss Fannie Spinney, teacher of French II and III, replaced by Miss Bernice Hayward, who is a graduate of Boston Univers- ity. Miss Hayward has had six years of teaching experience, the last four of which was in Hamilton High School, Hamilton, Mass. Miss Hayward has taken University Extension Courses and also has spent a summer travelling in France, England, Switzerland and Italy.
Mr. Harold Haley a teacher of Algebra I, Civics and General Science is a graduate of New Hampshire State College, class of 1929.
Mr. Harold Adlington a teacher of English IX and Civics, is a graduate of Harvard College. Before coming to Saugus he taught one year at Goddard Seminary, Barre, Vermont.
Miss Beatrice Armstrong, a teacher of 8th Grade French, Latin, Reading and Spelling is a graduate of Boston University, class of 1929.
Mrs. Esther Lovering, a teacher last year of Junior High Drawing, is now teaching Reading and Spelling in the 7th grade.
It is also interesting to note that many of our teachers that are now working in the Junior and Senior High School are at pres- ent taking Extension Courses or Education Courses at Boston University or Harvard College most of them working for advanced degrees. The fact that many of our teachers are improving their spare time by securing further education is a very commendable feature in showing that the educational standard of our present corps of teachers is being improved.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
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CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS IN THE JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Many desirable changes and improvements have been made during the past year in and about the High School building.
We have had trouble in the past during the winter months in heating rooms 11 and 17 warm enough owing to the fact that these rooms were exposed to the west winds. By connecting rooms 11 and 17 to the cast-iron boiler, additional heating surface was given to these rooms and we have found that they have been very comfortable this fall. :
Walls in rooms 1, 2, 3 and 4 were painted to match the walls of the other rooms nearby.
Corridors on first floor near Principal's office, also Principal's office and room adjoining it were painted. Corridors near Superintendent's office were redecorated.
The dadoes in the teachers' rooms also the small rooms adjoin- ing them were painted.
Everything in basement varnished, white washed or painted. The lunch counter and woodwork around it were painted. Doors washed and varnished. Ceiling near room 5 was plastered and painted.
EXTRA CURRICUĻA ACTIVITIES
The Glee Club of the Saugus High School was organized early in the year and started in rehearsing on the operetta, "The Bells of Beaujolais," which was presented to the public on April 12, 1929. A large audience was present and they pronounced the operetta a great success.
The Senior class of the High School presented the three act drama, "Adam and Eva" on January 25, 1929, to a well-filled house. The profits received from the play was used to pay the expenses of the graduating class, also to leave a gift to the school We are very pleased to announce that the graduating class of last year left the sum of $125 to be spent in improving the present stage for the benefit of dramatics.
This fall, under the direction of Miss Bernice Hayward, the French teacher, a French club has been formed for the purpose of interesting the students who are taking French with a purpose of using it after they leave High School. Before a student can become an official member of the club he must have read certain French classics and agree to correspond with some person in France and in this way be able to gain a knowledge of French which he would be unable to do in regular class work.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
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The Debating Club has been organized which includes students of the Junior and Senior classes who care to take part in this activity. Already a debate has been scheduled with Everett High School to take place in Saugus High School, Friday evening, January 10, and another debate has been scheduled with Melrose to take place in March. The Debating Club offers students who have literary or public speaking ability a chance to appear before audiences that are not high school students for the purpose of thorough expression that cannot be practiced in any class period. The Debating Club is under the direction of Mr. C. Carroll Cunningham, one of the English teachers.
The Sahico Club which is composed of the Senior Commercial girls was organized early in September. The purpose of this club is to study commercial problems and at different times throughout the year speakers are called in to talk to them about the different commercial occupations and requirements for stu- dents in these occupations. During the past year the students who were members of the Sahico Club were the ones who worked with Miss Marison in serving the school lunches. Out of the profits during the year the following things were purchased :
A dictaphone which consists of a transcribing machine a dic- tating machine and a shaving machine. The shaving machine is used to shave the records so that they can be used over and over again to reproduce the human voice.
An envelope sealer.
A protectograph check writer which will enable the girls how to use this machine to write checks while they are students in High School. This machine is used in nearly all business houses in filling out the checks so the sum of money cannot be raised.
A Munroe calculator.
A dictionary for the Commercial Department.
One Ajax office time clock which enables us to stamp all of the slips of tardy pupils or the slips of any pupil that has to report to the office at any time during the school day. This is found to be a great time saver over the old plan.
The Library Department was very glad to receive a years sub- scription to the following magazines : "The Scientific Ameri- can," "The World's Work," "The Scholastic," "Nature Magazine" and the "National Geographic." These were pur- chased by the Commercial Department.
SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS
In any school building which is used 180 days in a school year by so many students it is found necessary to replace parts
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1929]
worn out. Floors, desks and chairs receive a great deal of wear, year after year as pupils move from class to class. We therefore should have the following improvements attended to during the coming summer to place our building in good condition for the school year of 1930 and 1931.
I. New floors are needed in the corridors of the old part of the building on both first and second floors. Also on landing between floors. New treads on Central street stairs.
2. New curtains in many of the rooms of the high school building. Other curtains in stained condition could be turned and thus present a much cleaner appearance.
3. New light in the coat rooms near rooms I and 4. While the building is being used under the two-platoon sys- tem these rooms are extremely dark after 4 o'clock in the afternoon.
4. The walls in the Assembly Hall are badly stained and need redecorating. Also the front of the balcony needs paint- ing. Some provision should be made to remodel the stage so that it will pass State inspection and enable us to use the present stage for High School plays and operettas.
5. Three new works for clocks in the home rooms.
6. New railing and steps on the Assembly Hall exit.
7. Some provisions should be made so that a reasonable sum of money would be placed at the disposal of the high school library each year in order to enable us to purchase books which are absolutely needed in this department. During the school year 1928-1929 there were no funds avail- able to subscribe for any magazines for use in our high school library. This greatly limits us in our possibilities of doing more extensive work. We therefore feel greatly indebted to the Commercial Department for subscribing this fall to five magazines which are of great value in our English, Civics and History classes.
To make the Saugus High School one of the best in the State should be our aim. This can be accomplished only by the full cooperation of all the people in the town. School housing con- ditions here in the high school need improvement. Changes are needed in courses of study and in equipment but this cannot be accomplished without additional room. With careful thought and proper guidance and your support we hope to slowly climb to the top.
At this time I wish to thank the parents, the teachers who have
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
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labored with me, the School Committee who directs the policies of the school system and you, Mr. Lambert, who is responsible for its educational advancement.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT R. WEBBER, Principal.
Report of Principal of Sweetser Junior High
January 1, 1930.
DEAR MR. LAMBERT,-I present for your approval the fourth annual report for the Sweetser Junior High School.
In the year passed we have enjoyed excellent spirit with teachers, children and parents cooperating for high efficiency. The result has been desirable.
The policy of the Junior High School watching individual dif- ferences, received considerable attention last year. "In a number of instances the outstanding devices were in use in our own"sys- tem notably, provisions for grading, extra help, and in a small way acceleration through adjustment. Many similar schemes were introduced always with one thought in mind, harmony in working out the best possible system for all in the Junior High School. . We are constantly improving various helps begun in former years, to the point where we can look back at a humble beginning, and note with pride the advance that has been made. One illustration is in stage presentations.
Several changes in faculty occurred during the year. Miss Vera Wentworth returned as Mathematics instructor to take the place of Mrs. Elsie Phillips who left the service after several years of excellent work in the Junior High School. Miss Helen Cunningham accepted the French-Latin position when Miss Dorothy Eyre went to the High School. Miss Mildred Willard succeeded Miss Mabel Nelson in the Geography department. Miss Nelson is now Penmanship supervisor for the grades. . Mr. Albion Rice has resumed Physical training duties after the resignation of Mr. Fred Beresford. Miss Arline Packard is the new Drawing Supervisor. Mrs. Lovering going to the Central as a full time teacher. We welcome the new members as much . as we regret having the others leave us.
ASSEMBLIES
We have been fortunate in securing many prominent men and women as lecturers and entertainers at our assembly periods
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1929]
averaging one each week. Assembly is on Tuesday or Friday usually, though we have held it to accommodate the speaker or to celebrate a holiday. Almost without exception a number of children take a special part with singing or recitations chosen to symbolize the event of the day, or the outstanding thought.
Stage experience is valuable to children and their parts on the whole are well taken and received.
Assemblies conform to this regular plan calling for each person to do a share toward a successful program. Orchestra, Flag salute, American's Creed, Hymn, two Recitations, Music, two Recitations, Address, Star Spangled Banner, Orchestra.
The school orchestra of 17 pieces has been coached by Miss Edwards from almost zero value to the point where its services are valued for outside functions. These requests are often granted. The main purpose, however, is to have a strong organization to help the school carry on its work. It is always a delightful addition in Assembly.
CLUBS
Steadily the number and value of clubs has increased. We feel that they are a decided help to a child. The interest shown in this one extra-curricular activity is indicative of a hobby which could profitably be fostered in later years. Many clubs take care of handwork as distinct from artistic talent or informational clubs. The dues collected in some groups are at the end of the year applied toward some worthy purpose at the discretion of the club concerned. At present the 300 children assemble for one period each Friday in one of these personally chosen groups, Glee club, drawing cartoon, nature, ukulele, sealing wax, costume, mythol- ogy, Red Cross, Martha Washington, write-a-story, dramatic, lettering, travel, study, or magazine club. The articles fashioned are the property of the child, and many homes have benefited from the club period here.
The Glee Club with an enrollment of 60 pupils staged several attractions for assembly use. Their major production was held for two evenings May 8 and 9, when " Windmills of Holland " was given to the public. The expenses were high, but $60 profit was netted for orchestra material and new instruments for the Junior High School.
The exhibition held in June showed the regular work of the school. It is the chief wish that every child have some one article in the exhibition which is attended by many adults.
The "Eight B" promotion plan instituted several years ago is
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allowing about forty per cent of such pupils to regain lost stand- ing and graduate on time.
On June 20, 1929, 91 members of the eighth grade joined in exercises with the graduating class of the Central Junior High School. Mr. Albert Morris, A. M., of Boston University gave the address.
The Parent-Teacher Association held a number of social gatherings and has assisted the school in many ways. We ask a continuance of their good will.
The Sewing and Manual Training departments present a fine appearance today. Equipment though slowly added is very acceptable. Work of the finest quality is turned out, and for most of the children the two laboratories are an interesting diversion from book learning.
ATHLETICS
Three years have been spent in educating the children to the fact that our High School athletics depend on an early start. Football is dangerous for children unless properly carried forth at much expense. Basketball is prohibitive since we have no gym- nasium. Hockey is a question solved by the elements. Baseball and track we can have.
We are at present linked with schools of Lynn, Reading, Wakefield and Melrose-in interschool baseball and fare well. The spirit is excellent and the result is already apparent in High School ranks. Respect for authority in team play is demanded.
The new athletic field at Cliftondale will be a wonderful improvement over the marsh field we have had to use.
Organized track can now be worked out, though a school Field Day should be the incentive.
RECOMMENDATIONS
I. The grounds need attention in the spring.
2. The waste space underneath the Auditorium should be utilized.
3. Shades placed in the Assembly Hall would permit visual education.
4. Printing on a small scale should be introduced in the curriculum.
5. The school banking system should be in effect in the Junior High School.
I wish at this time to express my gratitude to all the officials of town welfare agencies. Whenever I have called for assistance
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1929]
it has been forthcoming. Medical, dental, police and such pro- tection is of great benefit to the children of this school.
I appreciate the sincere efforts of the School Committee in my behalf and the trust placed in my handling of the problems which arise here.
Always, Mr. Lambert, your guiding hand over the children of the Sweetser Junior High School has been a decided help to us.
Respectfully submitted, LEON C. YOUNG, Principal.
Report of Supervisor of Drawing
Mr. Jesse W. Lambert, Superintendent of. Schools,
Saugus, Mass.
DEAR SIR,-It is with pleasure that I submit my seventh report as teacher of Art in the town of Saugus.
This past year Miss Packard was appointed as my assistant,- our work including the Junior High classes. Due to the over- crowded condition in the morning session, it was impossible to provide a room for the Senior High classes in drawing. Because of this congestion special time has been granted, that pupils of the Senior High School may receive instruction in drawing by remaining once a week after the regular classes have been dis- missed, this being an elective subject.
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