USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1930 > Part 24
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FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1930
F . SAUGU
1629.
1815
LYNN, MASS. FRANK S. WHITTEN, PRINTER 1931
2
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
MORTIMER H. MELLEN, Chairman, Term Expires, 1932 26 Mt. Vernon Street Tel. 385
MRS. MABEL CARTER Term Expires, 1933 Tel. 762-W
I28 Essex Street
WELCOME W. MCCULLOUGH Term Expires, 1931
280 Central Street Tel. 284
FREDERICK WILLIS
Term Expires, 1933
5 Willis Street Tel. 365
WALDO B. RUSSELL 6 Anawan Avenue
Term Expires, 1931 Tel. 582
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS JESSE W. LAMBERT
Residence, 279 Central Street Tel. 267
Office, High School Building Tel. 775
Office Hours-8.30 to 9.00 A.M. 4.00 to 5.00 P.M. on every school day except Friday
CLERK :- MISS ANNA JACOBS
5 Evans Street
ATTENDANCE OFFICER
CHARLES E. LIGHT
30 Stone Street Tel. 376
MEETING OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Regular Meetings of the School Committee are held the first and third Mondays of each month (excepting July and August) at 8 o'clock P.M.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
At a meeting of the School Committee held January 16, 1931 it was "voted to accept the Annual Report of the Superintendent as the report of the School Committee required by the statutes."
MORTIMER H. MELLEN,
Chairman.
1930]
SCHOOL PHYSICIANS
Name and Address
Telephone
Dr. Myron H. Davis 24 Main Street 235
Dr. Leroy C. Furbush 272 Lincoln Avenue I20
Dr. Mary Penney 26 Jackson Street
IIO
SCHOOL NURSE
Mrs. Mary Donovan
Broadway, Lynnfield
Breakers 75090
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Fall Term, 1930
Opened September 8, :930
Closed December 19, 1930
Winter Term (first half)
Opened December 29, 1930 Closes February 20, 1931
Second Half
Opens March 2, 1931
Closes April 24, 1931
Spring Term
Opens May 4, 1931
Closes June 26, 1931
Fall Term, 1931
September 9, 1931
NO SCHOOL SIGNALS
2-2-2-2 on fire alarm and street lights turned on five minutes.
At 8 A.M. means no morning session for grades or opportunity class.
At 12.45 means no afternoon session for grades.
At 6.45 means no session for High School.
At 11.45 A.M. means no session for second platoon.
SCHOOL TELEPHONES
Armitage
1090
Mansfield 1096
Ballard
1091
No. Saugus 1098
Clifton dale
1092
Roby
1099
Emerson
1093
Oaklandvale
731
Felton
1094
Sweetser Jr. High 1097
Lynnhurst
1095
High School
260
3
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
4
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Superintendent of Schools
To the School Committee and other Citizens of Saugus :
It is with pleasure that your Superintendent submits at this time his thirteenth annual report of the conditions, progress and needs of the schools of the town of Saugus, the same being the thirty-eighth annual report of the School Department.
The Teaching Force
The number of teachers who have left us during the past year is somewhat less than that of previous years. This is a source of encouragement and we hope that the time will come when we shall be able to retain a larger proportion of our teaching force than at present. We are very proud of the fact that successors of many of these teachers have been selected from our own citi- zens who have prepared themselves for the profession. The work that these teachers have done during the past four months is highly commendable in general. With a larger experience many of them will take their places among our best teachers. The following list shows the actual changes in our teaching force.
Vernon Evans was promoted to the principalship of the High School to succeed Robert Webber. Mr. Evans' position as sub- master and teacher of history was filled by Frank Gracey.
Harold Adlington was succeeded by John Gifford.
The vacancy in English XI caused by the resignation of Mrs. Mabel Williams was filled by promoting Morelle Connell to English XI and C. Carroll Cunningham to English X. Ashton Davis was appointed to teach English IX.
Amy Wiggin Dushuttle was succeeded by Walter D. Blossom.
Alice Willis was transferred to the High School. Bertha Morrison was appointed to succeed her in the Junior High.
Helen Cunningham was transferred from the Sweetser Junior High to the High School.
Esther Lovering was succeeded by Elsie Anderson who was transferred from the Roby School.
Ruth Douglas succeeded Evelyn Mathews.
Mae Priest was appointed to teach Grade V at the Sweetser School.
5
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1930]
Lillian Connell and Mildred Willard were transferred to the Central Junior High.
Gertrude Chapman was transferred to the Sweetser School Grade V. Harriett Mellen succeeded her at the Armitage School.
Mary Walsh was transferred from the Emerson to the Armi- tage School to succeed Violet Martin.
Gladys Fox was transferred to the Roby School and was succeeded at the Ballard by Segrid Carlson.
Marleah Graves was transferred to the Cliftondale School to succeed Clara Trowbridge.
Dorothy Mason succeeded Katherine Campbell who was transferred to the Mansfield School.
Evelyn Fenna succeeded Lillian Pooler Sewall at the North Saugus School.
Mary Walsh the Opportunity Class teacher resigned. Mary Mullins was appointed.
Additional Teachers
We were obliged to add six full time teachers to our force, as follows :
High School 3
Grade Schools 2 Opportunity Class I
We also employ two part time teachers :
Lillian Dahlin Assistant in Sewing
Dorothy Eccles Assistant in Music
Cost of School Support
The net per pupil cost of education in the town of Saugus is exceptionally low. The comparative cost for the past four years is as follows :
Appropriation General Fund
March 1930
$208,030 00
Received from State (income tax) .
$33,770 00
Received from State (state wards) 607 26
34,377 26
From local taxation .
$173,652 74
6
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Enrollment October 1930 ·
3,375
Enrollment October 1929 .
3,164
Enrollment October 1928 ·
3,094
Enrollment October 1927
2,988
Per pupil cost (net) 1930 based on Oct. enrollment $51 45
Per pupil cost (net) 1929 based
on Oct. enrollment 51 89
Per pupil cost (net) 1928 based
on Oct. enrollment 50 33
Per pupil cost (net) 1927 based on Oct. enrollment 51 81
Per pupil cost based on membership January 1, 1930 is $55.55 making an average for the year about $54.00.
Legislative Work
Doubtless few people are aware of the time and concentrated thought required of our school committee.
Its members have been tireless in dealing with the many perplexing problems that have arisen. Night after night from early evening until about midnight they have given of their best thought and action in their endeavors to reach fair and impartial decisions. They are called upon also from day to day to investi- gate and report on many matters. All this attention is given cheerfully and gratuitously.
Indeed, travelling expenses are met by them as well and telephone services given free of charge.
We feel certain that fair minded citizens will accord to such a committee, cooperation, consideration and sincere appreciation.
Repairs
At our last annual town meeting $8,542 was appropriated for repairs and this went a long way toward making our buildings more attractive and comfortable also in enclosing our grounds to some extent with chain link fences. We believe that fencing the school grounds, especially if located on heavily traveled streets, is a step in the right direction and should be continued until every school ground is enclosed.
The principals and janitors have submitted lists of repair needs and many have been included in the repair budget.
In addition to the regular repair work it will be necessary to complete renovations at the Old Center building, replace the
7
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1930]
antiquated toilet fixtures at the Emerson School and to renovate or replace toilets at the Mansfield. These items alone will require an expenditure of several thousands of dollars, conse- quently the total of our repair budget will, of necessity, be some- what larger than in former years. However, these are real needs and should be met without unnecessary delay.
The Student Body
With few exceptions, the relations between pupils and teachers have been very harmonious. Reasonable discipline is necessary to the best educational results. Arbitrary demands are made only when a pupil shows a decided spirit of rebellion. It is very seldom that a teacher in any of our schools finds such demands necesssary. We congratulate the girls and boys of Saugus, and commend them for their spirit of cooperation.
The cooperation of parents also has been a great source of encouragement, and it is the desire of teachers and superintendent that an even more general and perfect understanding between the home and the school may be secured, since only by such an understanding can the best eduational results and the most whole- some growth be obtained.
The Opportunity Class
One of the most important forward steps in the schools of Saugus has been the establishing of an Opportunity Class, This movement was begun in 1928. At that time we had one oppor- tunity class under the able direction of Miss Mary Walsh, who resigned at the end of the school year to accept a more lucrative position in a larger field of the same nature.
The class of Miss Walsh was located in the high school building, and was carried on under very difficult circumstances. It became very evident that another class would be necessary to care for this particular kind of work. Consequently, we inserted in the town warrant an article calling for $1,500 for the division of the upper room in the old centre building, and for such other work as was necessary in making the rooms, so formed, suitable for the work.
Through the sudden termination of a special town meeting, this article was not reached and we were faced with the situation that admitted of but one solution. We therefore appealed to the Finance Committee for funds sufficient to make it possible to carry forward this important department of school work. The coopera- tion of the Finance Committee made $250 available, and a division
8
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
of the second story of the old centre building was made, the original Opportunity Class was transferred from the high school to one of these rooms and a second class established in the other. For lack of money we were able to make this housing only as a makeshift, but hope this year to secure funds sufficient to complete the work.
Miss Mary Mullins was elected to succeed Miss Walsh and has carried forward the work without a break. Miss Vera Hanson, one of our town girls, was elected to assist Miss Mullins and to have charge of one of the rooms. The cooperative service of these two teachers has done much for the boys and girls in spite of the tremendous handicaps, due to the lack of equipment. It is quite possible, and even probable, that one more room will be necessary at the opening of the school in September.
This is a line of work that should have the hearty support of all friends of education, and should receive from the Superintend- ent of Schools a close and helpful supervision.
Additional Teachers
In his last report the superintendent called attention to out- standing needs. First, an occasional release of the teaching- principals for supervisory work ; secondly, a supervisor of reading and elementary English.
He still believes that the principals should have the relief above mentioned and that English throughout the courses should have the services of an experienced leader and supervisor, who shall give at least one half of her time to the correlation and coordina- tion of work in English.
It would mean an additional salary adequate to secure such a leader, but the superintendent believes that the expense would not begin to measure up to the increased efficiency that such a plan would bring about.
A More Definite Health Program
There is no field of endeavor that has had to do with the edu- cational progress in the town of Saugus in which a greater amount of good has been done than has been attained with respect to the physical welfare of the pupils in our public schools. This work begins with physical education, which is, or at least should be an important factor in the direct promotion of health.
Our school nurse is doing more work than can be reasonably expected, and yet it is impossible for her to cover the entire field.
9
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1930]
School physicians are giving a service that could not be secured at the ordinary rates for many times that which we are allowing them.
It seems to the superintendent that this health program, which is more or less fragmentary, should be brought into closer unity, and he would suggest that a well trained man be placed at the head of the Department of Physical Education and that he shall have had experience enough to do effective service in corrective work, in order that the physically handicapped, whose need of this work is great, mav receive the benefit of such an institution.
He would also suggest that an assistant be employed to give part-time service to physical education, and part-time service as assistant to our nurse, thereby binding together these two important sections.
Furthermore, he believes that the field of our school physicians should be extended with a corresponding increase in salaries, and that a close relationship be established and maintained between the school physician and the director of physical educa- cation, in order that the director may have expert advice relative to the fitness or unfitness of pupils for certain lines of work. It goes without saying that the school nurse should also be in vital touch with the whole situation.
In a word, all agencies that have to do with health work should be brought together and coordinated in such a way as to produce the most effective health program possible.
"Health is Wealth."
High School
Late in the summer Mr. R. R. Webber, principal of the High School, was offered a more lucrative position as principal of the Chelsea High School. This came to Mr. Webber without solicitation on his part. He immediately got in touch with the superintendent and asked to be released from his contract. Later his resignation was accepted with regret and steps were taken toward the election of a successor. Mr. Webber had been with us since September 1922 and during the eight years had brought the school to a very high standard of scholarship and deportment.
Mr. Vernon Evans, whose success as sub-master had never been questioned was promoted to the principalship of the High School. His efficiency, as manifested by results of the past four months, has amply justified the committee's choice. The general morale of the school was never better and the former high standard of scholarship is not only bring maintained, but gradually raised.
IO
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Your attention is respectfully called to the report of Mr. Evans which forms a part of this school report.
High School Heads
Although we have many good teachers in our school, the work not only in English but in History and Mathematics lacks the coordination which is necessary to the greatest educational advancement.
The supervisor of English mentioned in a preceding article might well serve as head of the English department in the high school. This is no reflection on the service of the teachers of high school English, but they all have a full day of teaching, and no one of them can hardly be expected to formulate and keep in operation a definite system extending through the four years.
As to Mathematics, we shall probably need an additional teacher next year, and such a teacher might be employed as head of the Mathematical department, or some one now teaching Mathematics might be promoted to such a position, and his or her position filled by the employment of a teacher.
History is a decidedly important subject, and calls for a closer relationship between the different lines of work in this field of endeavor.
It will be well, also, to establish a head in the field of Foreign Languages.
It is hoped that during the remainder of this present school year, plans may be formulated whereby our high school, which is now a decided credit to the town of Saugus, may be so strengthened along the lines indicated, that it may stand out even more prominently among the leading institutions of the Commonwealth.
Music
The musical program has been extended during the year and much good work has been done.
We now have three teachers of music, Miss Ethel Edwards, the senior teacher, Miss Gertrude Hickey and Miss Eccles. Your attention is respectfully called to the report of Miss Edwards.
Special Reports
There are a number of reports from heads of various depart- ments which are made a part of this report. To these your attention is respectfully called. They are certainly well worth reading.
II
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1930]
A Crying Need
Under housing conditions we have called attention in the past to overcrowding in many of our schools. It has been continu- ously growing worse until there is a distinct and critical con- dition which makes the erection of a new school building an absolute necessity.
An additional Opportunity Class next year will force one room full of pupils from the Old Center building. To meet this prob- lem it will be necessary to transfer to the Felton School a large proportion of pupils now residing in the vicinity of the High School and attending the Roby or the Center School. This trans- fer will make it necessary to send a room full of pupils from the Felton School to the Sweetser Junior High building, with a con- sequent transfer of pupils of the Sweetser Junior High School to the Central Junior High being conducted in the afternoon.
The fourth grade, now being housed in the Cliftondale School, will also pass from that grade to a fifth grade in the Sweetser Junior High building, since there is absolutely no other place for them. Again, we shall be obliged to ask a room full of pupils now being housed in the Sweetser Junior High to go on to the Central Junior High School in the afternoon. As there are now two classes being housed in the Sweetser building that building in September will house four rooms of Junior High and four rooms of grade pupils.
The end is not yet. We shall graduate from the Senior High between 100 and 110 pupils, and shall admit from the eighth grade at least 260 pupils, making an increase in the Senior High School of about 150 pupils. We now have an enrollment of nearly 700 pupils in the High School. The total High School enrollment, therefore, in September, should be approximately 850. Assuming that 50 of these pupils drop out before Septem- ber, 1931, we would still have Soo or more pupils enrolled in the High School. This enrollment is about 75 more than we can accommodate in the forenoon. This means that two classes from the ninth grade must be housed in the afternoon.
Summarizing, the following facts are apparaut :
There will be two rooms from the Sweetser building and two rooms from the ninth grade attending in the afternoon next year. Ten rooms are now occupied in the Senior High School in the afternoon. Fourteen rooms will be occupied in September, 1931. As there are but nineteen rooms it is very apparent that in less than two years we shall have the senior building filled both fore-
12
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
noon and afternoon, a condition which will effectively stop all forward advancement. So much for physical conditions.
We feel the necessity of calling attention to other conditions which alone should make a demand upon all citizens who believe in education and fair play. These boys and girls who attend in the afternoon receive only fifty or sixty per cent of the advantages that they have a right to expect. It is impossible to prepare children for the work of the High School in four hours daily at a time when the physical and mental abilities are at their lowest ebb. A continuation of this process of afternoon work will certainly result in a collapse of the standard of the High School. Such a condition is something that must not occur. We have no fear that the citizens of the town of Saugus will allow it to occur.
But this is not all. Boys and girls attending in the afternoon are obliged to remain until after dark at night. Many of them have long stretches of road to cover. It is decidedly unfair to submit these children to the hardships which they must endure, and to the dangers that are only too evident.
Children are prone to walk in the street. This is very danger- ous even in broad daylight and much more so after dark especially at a time when automobilists have no reason to suppose that the street is being occupied extensively by school children.
It is a marvel that there have been no serions accidents thus far. The most effective way to keep these children off the streets at that time is to make it unnecessary for them to be out. Shall we not meet this outstanding obligation ?
It is a time that we arouse ourselves, not only to the educa- tional disadvantages, but to the physical and moral dangers that surround the boys and girls obliged to walk home after dark. View the situation as you will, proper housing, proper education, proper safeguards are all lacking at the present time, and this lack will effect an ever increasing number until we reach a point where our hands are completely tied.
There is but on solution : a new school building. It is gener- ally conceded that this should be a high school building, and should meet the requirements of a modern high school education. An appropriation should be made this year not next year. Plans should be formed at the earliest possible moment and the work begun and carried forward to completion without unnecessary delay if we are to meet the demands made upon us.
Police Cooperation
We would express our appreciation for the valuable assistance rendered by the Police Department relative to safety measures.
13
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1930
Patrolman Mansfield has given much time and effective thought to this problem and as a result dangers in this direction have been very materially reduced.
Educational Aims
In our last report under the above heading the Superintendent submitted a list which he believes will bear repetition.
I. Reductions in the number of so-called failures. The psychological effect of a failure is exceedingly detrimental.
2. A larger scope for scientific study in both Senior and Junior High School. Science has never had a place in our schools commensurate with its importance.
3. More effective means of promoting moral and spiritual growth. This matter should receive earnest and prayerful consideration.
4. Better facilities for carrying out a broader program of physical health and development. This matter has already been discussed under Health Program.
5. Equal opportunity for all children. We are striving to bring this about. We ask your special support morally and financially.
6. A full subscription to the slogan, "Each for all and all for each."
The public schools exist for all the children of all the people. Let us remind ourselves of this fact from time to time.
"Lest We Forget."
Transportation
Transportation of pupils will cost us somewhat less this year than formerly. The numbers transported are as follows :
A.M. P.M.
North Saugus
40
36
Golden Hills
.
17
16
Lynnhurst
17
26
Golden Hills to
Oaklandvale School .
43
The contract for 1931 was awarded to Joseph Garrow on the face of his bid, which was substantially lower than that of other bidders.
14
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Recommendations
It is a matter of pride and gratification that a number of the Superintendent's recommendations of last year have been acted on, partially at least.
Some of them could not be acted upon and these we repeat. (1) The making of the two-platoon system unnecessary at the earliest possible time. (2) The employment of part-time teachers for releasing teacher-principals for supervisory work. (3) The employment of a Supervisor of English. (4) The employment of Heads of Departments in the High School.
In Conclusion
5
The past year has witnessed some changes. Among the most important is the opening of an additional room for the Oppor- tunity Class, an improvement along the lines of reading in the elementary grades, and a distinct change effecting reading in the Junior High School. As a matter of fact, reading, as a mechanical subject is no longer taught in the Junior High. We have introduced American Literature in its place, and it is working out, we believe, to the advantage of the pupils.
The cooperation of teachers and the homes is growing. The inevitable result is a better understanding and consequently a more general educational growth.
In closing, the Superintendent expresses appreciation for the close and cheerful cooperation of the committtee, for the efficient and loyal manner in which teachers have met and solved their various problems, and for the encouragement received from time to time from the homes of pupils under our charge.
Respectfully submitted,
JESSE W. LAMBERT, Superintendent of Schools.
Saugus, Jan. 17, 1931.
15
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1930]
Report of School Physician
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