USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1931 > Part 32
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RECOMMENDATIONS
I. Some form of mat should be placed in the first floor corridor.
2. With individual lockers a prohibitive cost, we should have some chain and lock arrangement to safeguard the clothing of each child. At present it is the honor system.
3. Civics in Grade VIII could be dispensed with for the present and Literature-Spelling made a major subject, five periods per week, with each child required to pass the four majors for full promotion to High School or Grade VIII.
4. The rocks at the rear of the Senior High School building should be cleared away.
I feel that the spirit in Saugus Junior High School is such as to be commended. Discipline has improved considerably, to the desired end. The per cent of school offenders is almost negligible, proving that intelligent children by proper guiding from our staff of willing professional teachers can be trained to carry on in a desirable fashion. The rank and file of our children are amenable. A child shows in school what his home training is like, and my impression is that we have a fine group of students. If one can behave he must. There can be no alterna- tive. Obedience first, other things will follow.
The continued good-will and help from all the Welfare Agencies during the past year, is much appreciated by me. Likewise the Medical and Dental Service so freely given to the
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Junior High pupils when needed is highly valued. Our teachers have done remarkably fine work throughout the year.
I am very grateful to you, Mr. Lambert, for your helpful attitude toward the organization of the Junior High School work, and constructive criticism regarding it.
Yours very truly, LEON C. YOUNG, Principal.
Report of Supervisor of Drawing
Mr. Jesse W. Lambert, Superintendent of Schools, Saugus, Mass.
DEAR SIR,-I am pleased to offer my ninth annual report as teacher of Art in the public schools of Saugus.
The work in the first six grades and in the Junior High School is carried out with the able assistance of Miss Arlene Packard.
The exhibitions this past year were held in each building in June and at the Essex County Fair at Topsfield in September.
Health posters and illustrations were exhibited at Essex County Health Exhibit in Beverly. Group activity assignments have been shown at Boston Univiversity School of Education. Several gold and silver medals were won during the Prevention of Cruely to Animal Week in March of 1931. These medals were presented by the Massachusetts Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, for excellency in poster work done by the children.
The urge for determining definite reasons for definite pro- ceedures in the curriculum was brought to a crystalization in the work of the Commissions of the National Educational Associa- tion. In the Fourth Year Book of the Department of Superin- tendence, these are the summarized factors necessary for con- sideration in the working out of a curriculum :
"I. An aim to produce a human social unit, trained in accordance with his capacities to the nearest approach to complete social efficiency possible, in the time allotted.
II. The qualities worked for are knowledge of, and ten- dency toward cooperation, common defense, general welfare, liberty, health and vigor.
III. Such exercises as will best contribute to these aims will constitute the curriculum.
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IV. The curriculum must be adopted to the ages and capabilities of the children in accordance with the discover- ies of educational research.
V. The curriculum must be administered for its large ends, and not for the mere covering of contents."
Stated still more specifically, and based upon the factors just outlined, we find as the cardinal objectives of education :
1. Health.
2. Command of the Fundamental Processes.
3. Worthy Home Membership.
4. Vocation.
5. Citizenship.
6. Worthy Use of Leisure Time.
7. Ethical Character.
/
I. It has already been stated that Health exhibits have been carried out, with art aiding in the making of posters.
2. COMMAND OF FUNDAMENTAL PROCESSES .- Here the powers of attention, imagination, perception, comparison, dis- crimination and creative thought are induced in the exercises and illustrations in the classroom.
3. WORTHY HOME MEMBERSHIP. This is aided by the teaching of handcraft,-arrangement and selection of furniture, and by color, harmony and design.
4. VOCATION .- Art instruction for the purpose of aiding in vocational training may be defined as follows :
Fine Arts-Appreciation. Industrial Arts. Civic Art and Domestic.
There is art in all vocations,-and in everything within which we come in daily contact.
5. CITIZENSHIP .- This is taught in our art classes through the illustrations of ideas for Community Chest Drives, a study of illustrations from the lives of great statesmen, and through the appreciation of such works of art as have a spirit for love of country.
6. WORTHY USE OF LEISURE TIME .- Children love to sketch,-and draw by themselves. A love for the subject is pre- sented them in the class room and when taught but a few funda- mental principles will gladly work by themselves,-and often make worthwhile pictures and gifts.
7. ETHICAL CHARACTER .- The posters which were sent the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
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but demonstrated the ethical side of character training when the ideas for animal protection were illustrated,-in the above para- graphs but a few of the ways in which art aids in the teaching process has been presented.
The crowded condition of the Junior High School does not allow opportunity for establishing one room for art work. This would be of great assistance if materials and illustrations could be kept in one room aside for this purpose.
So too, because of the conjested condition no art is offered in the High School. We hope for the time to come when the work of the grades may be carried out through the Senior High School.
I wish to express my appreciation to each member of the school board, to you, Mr. Lambert, and to each principal and teacher of the School Department for assistance and for coopera- tion of this past year, and also to the school custodians for their assistance in school exhibition work and willingness to help in every possible way.
Most respectfully,
ANSTRICE CARTER KELLOGG.
Report of Supervisor of Music
Mr. Jesse W. Lambert, Superintendent of Schools, Saugus, Mass.
DEAR MR. LAMBERT,-I herewith submit my fifth annual report on music in the town of Saugus.
Upon comparing the results obtained in music in our school system with that of nearby cities and towns, of merit, I find that all phrases of our music deserve words of praise. I know that we rank among the first.
Our students on the whole enjoy their music periods and profit by them. I think every one will agree that the following attain- ments, pleasure, social contact, alertness, team work and material gain are obtained from a well organized School Music System. Many students now attending and graduates from our High School are making financial use of their vocal and instrumental training.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Beginning with the opening of the school year in September, 1931 all vocal and instrumental classes from grades I to VI inclusive, except grades V and VI at the Sweetser school, have been under the supervision of Miss Gertrude Hickey. The grades at the Sweetser school are taken care of by me.
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Periodical checkings of the progress of each class in all build- ings are kept on file both by Miss Hickey and myself. Special visits to a building for extra help or inquiry are given by me when necessary.
There are four orchestras in the elementary grades, consisting of ten first violins, ten second violins, two cellos, three trumpets, two tombones, two clarinets, one saxophone, two drums and fourteen pianists. The combined orchestra of the elementary schools meets in the High School auditorium about once in six weeks.
Last spring under the auspices of the Teachers' Association, with the cooperation of the principals and grade teachers, Miss Hickey gave an excellent program of vocal and instru" mental music from grades I to VI. A large sum of money was realized from the proceeds. Sixty dollars of which was equally divided among the grade buildings to be used for necessities in the music department.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Again this fall a change was made in the music schedule. Under the present arrangement our eighth grade pupils received only one class period of music per week with no chorus period. The classes are double and consequently meet in the Assembly Hall rather than an ordinary recitation room. The seventh grades, of both buildings, have two periods per week; those in the Central building meet once per week in double classes with me and once per week in a recitation room with Miss Hickey.
During the school year from September, 1930, to June, 1931, every class received two class room periods of music per week, under the instruction of Miss Dorothy Eccles. Excellent results were obtained and I had hoped that this program could have been continued.
I consider the Junior High Orchestra this year the best it has ever been. Instead of two or three outstanding players all do good work. The present enrollment is thirty members.
A Glee Club of about fifty students is enthusiastically meeting once per week at the Central Junior High School. In the spring we shall present a cantata entitled "Washington," by Tillotson- Wilson, in celebration of the Washington bicentennial. Last spring the Sweetser Junior High School successfully gave "The Sunbonnet Girl" by Morgan and Johnson and the Central Junior High, "Way Down South in Dixie" by Martins. Both schools realized a large sum of money. From the combined proceeds, a
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Victrola, Ludwig drum outfit, orchestra music and other music necessities have been purchased.
A Junior Band has been organized. It consists of about twelve members made up of pupils from Grades V-VIII. Simple band music and technique is taught thus preparing the members for the Senior Band.
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
At the opening of the fall term all branches of music were made elective. Once per week there is an available chorus period for every student since seven different periods are pro- vided during the week. About three-fourths of the student body have elected chorus.
The mixed Glee Club is made up of sixty members from all classes the majority being upper classmen. This meets on Wed- nesday at the close of school. A miscellaneous program com- bining the Glee Club and orchestra will make up our annual concert this year. Several reasons have caused us to cancel the presentation of an operetta this spring ; the chief ones being lack of time and a place in which to rehearse.
The operetta, "The Belle of Bagdad," by Morgan and John- son, according to many good critics, was the most successful per- formance presented by Saugus High School. Everyone who ยท participated enjoyed it and the Glee Club is disappointed not to give an operetta this spring.
From the proceeds plus a sum of money given us by the P.T.A., we have purchased a baritone instrument, hired an E flat bass horn which we hope to purchase, a drum major's uniform, repairs on the string bass, music stands and other small music necessities.
THE ORCHESTRA
The High School orchestra is doing excellent work. We now have a complete string section, consisting of first and second violins, viollas, 'cello and double bass. The brass section is repre- sented by first and second trumpets, trombone, baritone mello- phone and bass horn. For woodwing we have first and second clarinets and flute. Then there are the saxophones, drums and bells and pianists.
Last March, Corinne Allen, Donald Hammond, Vincent Pelrine and Hazel Walton were members of the Eastern Music Festival Orchestra which gave a concert in Syracuse, N. Y.
In the all New England Orchestra, which held its performance
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in Boston Gardens in May, we were represented by Corinne Allen, Gladys Chapman, Alden Graham, Donald Hammond, Clason Lambert, Vincent Pelrine, Edward Phillips and John Wilson.
The P. T. A. very generously gave one hundred dollars to be divided among the four students who attended the festival in Syracuse and in addition sixty dollars raised by a school dance, music furnished by our School dance orchestra.
THE BAND
This year the band has progressed by leaps and bounds. The majority of our members this year have had some experience and now, being no longer beginners, practice can be given to the finer points of band technique.
Everyone is proud of the snappy appearance of Harriet Burton in her new uniform, as drum major. Next year she will be able to exhibit some baton stunts.
The band attended many home football games this fall and in December attended the Marblehead benefit game. It was the first out of town trip. Although the instruments froze up while there, a wonderful time was enjoyed by all.
A concert is being planned for a future date, the proceeds to help purchase a few of our many needs.
Any contribution to the music department, large or small will be greatly appreciated.
I am very proud of the long list of competent pianists which are available not only in the Senior and Junior High School but also in the grades.
I wish to thank the various private teachers of music and rhythm in town for their cooperation.
Success present and future for the music in the schools of Saugus is my motto.
I thank you Mr. Lambert for your cooperation and interest, also Mr. Evans, Mr. Young, the Principals of all grade build- ings, the Members of the School Committee, teachers, students and townspeople who have assisted me in my work in the Music Department.
Respectfully submitted,
ETHEL M. EDWARDS.
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Report of Supervisor of Handwriting
To Mr. Jesse W. Lambert, Superintendent of Schools, Saugus. Mass.
DEAR MR. LAMBERT,-I respectfully submit to you my third annual report as Supervisor of Handwriting in the Elementary grades of Saugus.
Last June an exhibition was held in each class room. During the summer Mr. Tozier, New England representative of the Zaner & Bloser Company, exhibited our work at the Hyannis Normal School's summer session. The largest exhibition was held at the Topsfield Fair in September.
During May and June many children in each grade were given certificates or badges for showing improvements in writing. The sixth grade pupils worked for the Junior High School diplomas awarded by the Zaner & Bloser Company and 68 were won.
In order to measure the individual attainment of each child Progress Folders were supplied for the first three grades. A paper written last June was placed in the Folder and it has been interesting to note the great improvement accomplished in six months. These Folders will be passed on from one grade to the next so that when a child reaches the sixth grade he has a com- plete story of his achievement in writing from the first time he held a pencil in grade one. This is a great incentive.
The handwriting scales purchased last year have proven very useful. They provide a standard for judging whether or not a child is writing well enough for the grade he is in.
It takes about three years after its introduction before a system of writing can be in good working order and results truly measured. I feel that the School Committee made a wise choice in changing to the Zaner & Bloser system and I have enjoyed introducing it.
I thank you Mr. Lambert, for your cooperation and interest, the principals and grade teachers for their untiring efforts, and the members of the School Committee who have assisted me in my work.
Respectfully submitted,
MABEL I. NELSON,
Supervisor of Handwriting.
January 11, 1932.
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Report on Sewing
DEAR MR. LAMBERT,-I herewith submit to you my second annual report of the work in the Sewing Department.
The Junior High School includes sewing in the Seventh and Eighth Grades.
Each girl keeps a notebook with notes, outlines and samples of the work as it progresses.
The Seventh Grade girls start with a sewing bag on which the elementary work is used, next an apron followed by underwear and a simple cotton dress. Use of the sewing machine is started as soon as possible.
The Eighth Grade girls continue work with their notebooks, adding necessary notes. Their first problem is pajamas followed by a blouse, a hemstitched towel, and finally a dress.
Some pupils work more rapidly and do more outside work. This gives them an opportunity to make an extra garment. It may be either a wool skirt or another dress.
In October the large tables and one sewing machine used in the Sweetser Junior High were transferred for use in the Central building where the classes were larger and more equipment was necessary. This has helped the work in that building.
I am most grateful for the interest and help I have received in the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
RUTH E. DOUGLAS.
January 1, 1932.
Report of Manual Training and Mechanical Drawing Departments
Mr. Jesse W. Lambert, Superintendent of Schools, Saugus, Mass.
I herewith submit my seventh annual report of the Manual Training Department for year ending December 31, 1931. And the first annual report of Mechanical Drawing in the High School.
The seventh grade boys chose a book trough or foot stool. About seventy book troughs, and sixty foot stools were made.
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The eighth grade pupils selected one of the following, Pricilla Sewing cabinet, book trough end table, or magazine end table. The book trough end table was the most popular. Fifty three being made. The Pricilla Sewing cabinet second, with forty five, and twenty made the magazine end table.
The increased number of students taking mechanical drawing this fall, made it necessary to build twenty-four drawing tables. These were made by the pupils in the eighth grade during the month of November and the first week in December. In addition to these, fifteen were made for boys now taking mechanical drawing who wished to have a table to do extra work on at home. The material being paid for by the individual student.
DIVISION OF MECHANICAL DRAWING
Mechanical drawing was started in the High School in February of this year, with an enrollment of twenty-seven pupils. The two classes were made up of Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior boys. It was necessary to give individual instruction, which proved very encouraging by the results attained. The classes were limited in size, because only those who happened to have one of the last two periods free were privileged to take it.
Beginning in September of this year, about sixty pupils had elected mechanical drawing. A number were refused the oppor- tunity again, because only the last two periods were open for this subject.
In order that this course may be open to all pupils through four years in the High School, there should be at least two more periods. This would open the opportunity to everyone without conflict with other subjects. At least fifteen pupils have reported to me, and regretted not having the opportunity in the last two periods to take Mechanical Drawing. I hope this can be cor- rected by next September.
In closing I wish to think Mr. Lambert, and the members of the School Ccommittee for their cooperation and interest shown during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
PAUL BUND.
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Report of School Nurse
Mr. Jesse W. Lambert, Superintendent of Schools, Saugus, Mass.
DEAR SIR, -I herewith submit my tenth annual report as school nurse for the year ending December 31, 1931.
Number of visits to schools, 617 ; home visits, 256 ; exclusions for pediculosis, 147. All pediculosis cases followed up, all cases returned. In addition to home visits for pediculosis, the home visits for other cases were as follows : Scarlet fever, 5 ; colds, 27 ; sore throat, 11 ; poison ivy, 2; impetigo, 31 ; infected leg, I ; sore eyes, 2 ; skin condition, 1 ; ear condition, 2 ; serum rash, I ; no shoes, 5; sick stomach, 3; chicken pox, 21 ; sickness in family, 13; not at home, 16; enlarged tonsils, 6; enlarged glands, 7; measles, 9; heart, 2 ; headache, 3 ; infected foot, 2 ; toothache, 3; rash, 2; mumps, 5; home to help mother, 4; German measles, 4 ; scabies, It ; whooping cough, 9 ; grippe, 3 ; underweight, 15; mentality, 2 ; truancy, 3 ; unclean, II ; appen- dix, I ; defective vision, 9; tonsilitis, 5.
Immediately after the opening of schools in September, the children were given the usual physical examination by Dr. Penny, Dr. Davis and Dr. Furbush, at which I assisted in checking up the physical record cards. These physical record cards, which are required by the state, are very helpful in showing the physical condition and improvement of the child from one year to the next.
In November and December I assisted Dr. Davis in giving toxin anti-toxin treatment for diphtheria prevention to 327 children.
The children in the grade schools have been weighed and measured. Out of approximately 2,020 children, 95 were found to be ten per cent underweight and 26 were 15 per cent under- weight.
When any contagious disease is reported, all the children in that particular class room are examined and suspicious cases excluded from school. This is done daily until all danger of contagion is past.
Dental Clinic is still conducted on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the Cliftondale school, at which I assist Dr. Beckman, the school dentist.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health offered tags for Child Health Day, for teeth, normal weight and posture. In
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order to earn tags for teeth, the children were obliged to have any necessary work done on their teeth, either at the clinic or by their own dentist. When this work was completed, they were awarde a dental certificate in addition to the tag.
Children of normal weight or of less than 10 per cent under- weight were awarded tags for weight. The supervisor of physi- cal education awarded the tags for posture.
Through the kindness of the School Committee it was voted to award badges to children who bad earned all three tags. There were about 375 children who earned these badges.
In addition to this work, I plan a general inspection of the children at least once a month, or more often if necessary ! At which time all suspicious cases are excluded or referred to the school physicians.
In closing, I wish to express my appreciation to you, Mr. Lambert, the School Committee, the school physicians and the teachers, for the encouragement and cooperation I have received in my work.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY E. DONOVAN, R. N.
' Report on Physical Education, Elementary Grades
Mr. Jesse W. Lambert, Superintendent of Schools, Saugus, Mass.
DEAR SIR,-I herewith submit my second report of Physical Education in the Elementary Schools of Saugus, Mass.
The same principles of teaching are carried on this year, with a slight variation in the method of pupil leadership. Instead of two leaders, (a boy and girl) having charge of the class for a whole month, a new leader is chosen for each individual exercise, thus giving each pupil a chance to direct the activities once in two week
Fo Dances have been introduced in the first three grades this year, with a view to continuing them in the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades next year. Participation in rhythmical activities gives training in self control, poise and posture. Many persons feel that for the boy, interest and the desire to take part in rhyth- mical activities after the third or fourth grade begins to decline because of his nature. This is not true. Wise enthusiastic
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leadership and teaching will carry the boy (1) through the self- conscious awkward age quite as successfully as it does the girl ; (2) will enlarge his physical education experiences which too often are limited to types of activities usable only out of doors and charged with rivalry ; (3) will give him a feeling of self- mastery and accomplishment ; (4) will definitely train him to take his place with ease in the social life of his home, his school and his community.
The School Committee were most kind in furnishing us with 24 large rubber balls and material for 150 bean bags which were made by the sewing department under the direction of Miss Douglas. In order to secure for children the development of or- ganic vigor and those social and moral qualities which may be gained through well directed physical activities, certain space, equipment and supplies are necessary.
There is no duplication of activities for the different grades be- cause it is felt the progress of the student will be more rapid and his skill and interest more varied if the teacher is held to a definite content for each grade. This content should be taught first, then, if time permits, activities taught in any previous grade, if still interesting to the children, may be used as supplementary material.
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