USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1933 > Part 19
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8
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
tion. It will always be my policy to recommend local young men and women when they possess the personality and quali- fications necessary for the particular vacancy to be filled.
It is my frank opinion that Saugus has a staff of principals and teachers which, on the whole, would be difficult to dup- licate.
It should be said in passing that when the need became ap- parent every teacher willingly donated five or ten percent of their salary to the Town during the year 1933. In round figures it amounted to approximately $14,000. This was the teachers contribution to a necessary financial readjustment.
CHANGES IN PRINCIPALS
Two important changes were necessary in the principalships of schools during the past year. The elevation of the former principal to the Superintendency made a vacancy in the prin- cipalship of the Senior High School. We combined the Senior High School and Central Junior High School under one head and it was my pleasure to recommend Mr. Earle H. Macleod, a former Saugus resident and a graduate of Saugus High School, to the principalship. He was elected to the position by the School Committee and assumed his new duties on May 1st, 1933. Mr. Macleod has been a successful and progressive high school principal in Carver, Bridgewater, and Walpole; and Saugus was fortunate to secure him. Time has proved that the selection of Mr. Macleod was a wise one.
At the same time Mr. Leon C. Young, principal of the Central Junior High School, was selected as submaster of the combined senior and junior high school to assist Mr. Macleod. Mr. Young is filling the position in an able manner.
It was very apparent that the Sweetser Junior High School needed a new administration. This was accomplished when Mr. Alfred Adams, principal, resigned and Miss Vera Went- worth, a capable junior high teacher, was recommended and chosen as his successor. Miss Wentworth has more than justified my faith in her administrative ability and the Sweet- ser Junior High is now in first class scholastic and disciplinary condition.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1933]
MANY NEW IMPROVEMENTS
Although 1933 was a year of very limited finances I have been able, with the splendid cooperation of the School Com- mittee, to effect many essential improvements in our school system. Space will only permit an outline of the outstanding accomplishments.
1. Erection of a new twelve room brick Junior High School.
The construction of this up-to-date unit as an addition to our high school building increased the efficiency of our school system very materially. It sounded the death knell of the vicious two platoon system and in addition allowed us to in- crease the school day of the Central Junior High School from a four hour day to a six hour day. It also made possible a single administrative unit in place of a previous dual one. This has resulted in a pronounced economy of operation. Both our Central Junior High School and our Sweetser Junior High School are now operated on the same schedule of hours. This gives our two junior high schools a uniformity of subjects and hours previously lacking. In addition we were able to lengthen our classroom periods from approximately 35 minutes to 42 minutes thus increasing the efficiency of the teaching.
The new building contains twelve classrooms, a modern cafeteria (not yet equipped), an up-to-date athletic room with shower baths and a modern oil heating plant. Ten of the class- rooms are being used for junior high school purposes while the other two are being used for senior high typewriting and bookkeeping classes.
The School Committee and the Superintendent desire to ex- press their appreciation to the Building Committee for their extreme cooperation with the school authorities.
2. Introduction of Elson-Gray Reading System.
Our school system was sadly in need of a modern basal sys- tem for the proper teaching of reading. We had been using some six or seven different systems in our various elementary schools. The need of a modern basal reading system which would permit of a standardization in all of our schools was apparent. The Elson-Gray system, published by the Scott
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Foresman Company, was adopted. The entire first and second grades of our elementary schools have been equipped and the system started operating in September of this year. The re- sults already noticeable more than justify the installation and the real results will be more pronounced in the years to come. The Elson-Gray system carries through all twelve grades and successive grades will be equipped with the system from year to year. No longer will children who find it necessary to shift schools during the school year be handicapped by encountering an entirely different reading system. It will be the same in all schools. I am convinced that this new installation will make for increased scholastic attainment.
3. Centralization of Supplies.
Under the former method each schoolhouse had its own supply room and supplies. Newly purchased supplies were shipped directly to each school house. The results were not satisfactory and tended to increase supply costs and encourage waste and extravagance. I have established a central supply room in the high school building where supplies are stored for the entire school system. They are distributed to the various schools upon requisition from the principal of each building. The supplies thus issued are then charged against each build- ing. This system gives us an accurate check on every phase of our supplies and enables easy checking on waste and ex- travagance. It is bound to result in increased efficiency and a distinct saving in supply costs. The principals and teachers have cooperated to the fullest extent in this new program and the results have been most gratifying. There is no reason why a school system should not be conducted on a business basis. The purchase and distribution of all school supplies is now on such a basis.
4. Changes in School Curriculum.
Through the blessing of an increased school day in our Jun- ior High Schools we have been able to supplement our Junior High curriculum by the addition of classes in civics, health and penmanship. This has been done at practically no additional cost. The teachers were available for the extra work and they willingly assumed it. The course in civics will include the
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1933]
teaching of the history of the Town of Saugus. Inasmuch as the history of about every part of the world is taught in our public schools it did not seem amiss to teach our children the history of our town. These new courses tend to enrich our Junior High curriculum considerably and are distinct helps towards the goal of real education.
5. Raising of Principals to Executive Status.
Our school principals are in reality executives of the schools over which they preside. In the past they have been little more than teachers with a meaningless title. It is my opinion that they should be executives in the fullest sense of the word. We have accordingly revamped our administrative structure. I have placed full responsibility for the administration of each building on the shoulders of the principal. They are now re- sponsible to the Superintendent for the proper administration of their unit. In other words they now have real executive power in the conduct of their particular unit. The results have been most pleasing. A better morale is apparent and much of the petty detail has been lifted from the burden of the Superintendent. Teachers are now directly responsible to their respective principals for producing results. All orders to teachers are now issued to the principals from the Super- intendent. The Superintendent holds the principals respon- sible for their execution. In short the principals are the Superintendent's cabinet. They have been raised to their proper sphere in the school system.
Principals can never develop executive ability unless they have a chance to exercise it. They are being given that oppor- tunity and my faith in them has been more than justified.
6. School Physician for High School.
The students of the Senior High School have never had the services of a school physician particularly assigned to that unit. Since the Senior High population comprises approxi- mately 25% of our entire school population it seemed very essential that they have the same health oversight and check- ups as all other school children. I therefore recommended the appointment of a school physician to be assigned to the High School. The School Committee appointed Dr. James A. Clark who entered upon his new duties in September 1933.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
7. Civil Works Allotment.
I was fortunate in securing an allotment of practically $7200 from the Federal government through the Civil Works program for the painting of the interior and exterior of our school buildings. Our school buildings, for the most part, were badly in need of painting and the generosity of Uncle Sam was very much appreciated. It is too early to predict how much work will be done under this grant, but it is quite possible that we may be able to paint all of our buildings inside and outside with two coats. We could not have ac- complished this work out of our regular repair budgets short of a five year period.
8. Elimination of Fire Hazards.
Out of our regular appropriation of $202,000 for 1933 we were able to fireproof both basement stairs in the High School and also to construct a modern fire exit from the study hall on the top floor. These were two improvements long needed for the safety of students and teachers. Parents need no long- er worry about fire hazards at the High School.
9. Purchase of Supplies.
Sensing a rising price market we purchased nearly all of our school supplies early in the school year before prices made their tremendous advances. Almost all of the paper that we purchased skyrocketed in price. Much of it advanced 60 or 70 percent and even in some cases well over 100%. Naturally it meant a substantial saving to the taxpayer. Coal was pur- chased under contract to May 1st, 1934 at a price of $5.22 per ton for soft coal and $10.13 per ton for hard coal. A com- parison with present coal prices will convince one of the money thus saved.
We also saved much by purchasing in large. rather than small quantities.
10. Replacing of Textbooks.
Many old worn out textbooks of ancient vintage have been replaced by modern up-to-date textbooks. We plan to replace more during the year 1934. School children are as entitled to
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1933]
good tools of education as is the carpenter to good tools for his workmanship.
Many other minor changes have been made in our system but space does not permit of their notation in this report.
11. The Chadwick Clinic Service.
We availed ourselves of the opportunity of obtaining the expert services of the Chadwick Clinic for the detection and prevention of tuberculosis. The Clinic has been giving of its valuable services to the school systems of the Commonwealth for the past nine years. It is part of a ten year program and we were fortunate in making contacts when we did. The Clinic operates under the jurisdiction of the State Department of Public Health.
The tests, X-rays, physical examinations, etc., were given to all of our school children whose parents signed the consent slips. Approximately 2472 children received the benefits of the service. A surprisingly small number were found to have any serious ravages of the dreaded disease. By far the greater number were found to be free of the disease.
Dr. Myron H. Davis, School Physician, tells me that it was a distinct forward step towards the permanent preservation of the health of our school children.
The services of the Clinic were given to us without the ex- penditure of a single cent on the part of the town.
May I extend my sincere thanks to Dr. Charles Gill and his staff of medical experts who so loyally gave of their services to the school children of Saugus.
ECONOMY OF OPERATION
A Superintendent of Schools should not only seek to con- stantly increase the efficiency of his school system but he should ever bear in mind that the costs of education are borne by taxation. He is justified in asking for anything necessary to maintain proper educational standards and decent surround- ings for the school children. He is not justified in seeking to expend public funds merely for the sake of spending.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Our school appropriation for the year 1933 was $202,000. Of this amount the sum of approximately $1600 was set aside for the elimination of fire hazards in the high school building. This left an actual general appropriation of but $200,400 or the lowest amount in many years. Attempting to keep within this budget has not been an easy task especially since many bills were contracted previous to my election as Superinten- dent.
This report is of necessity issued earlier this year because of the advanced date of our town meeting. We cannot tell, therefore, exactly how we will come out financially. I have reason to believe, however, that we will either be within the appropriation or very close to it. In either case the showing, I believe, is a credit to the School Department.
My personal efforts have been augmented by a splendid co- operative School Committee, a loyal group of principals and teachers and a general public helpful at all times. Other fac- tors, which made such economy of operation possible, were the finding of many unused textbooks, the locating of unused supplies and the fortunate low prices at which we made sub- sequent purchases. Without all of the above factors it would have been impossible to have operated our school system any- where near the voted appropriation.
A comparison of school costs in 1931 and during the year 1933 may better serve to prove the contention that we have functioned with extreme economy of operation. In 1931 the general school appropriation was $215,078. In addition there was an appropriation of $8,605 for general repairs and an appropriation of $1,000 for special repairs. The total amount of money appropriated for the School Department in 1931 was therefore $224,683. This year, 1933, the total amount appro- priated for the maintenance of our school system was $202,000. If we finish within the appropriation, we have saved the tax- paying public $22,683, in the year 1933 over the year 1931.
I am of the frank and honest opinion that our school system, in spite of reduced costs, is functioning efficiently. I am not of the opinion that our school costs will not gradually mount in the years to follow. Our normal growth will naturally add to our costs as each successive year comes along.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1933]
RECOMMENDATIONS
I make the following specific recommendations most of which are included in our school budget for the year 1934.
(a) A separate appropriation for schoolhouse repairs to make up for the lack of virtually any appropriation for such purposes during the years 1932 and 1933.
(b) The beautifying of our school grounds and the elimi- nation of the dangerous condition of several of them.
(c) The restoration of sick pay benefits to our staff of teachers.
(d) The restoration of the automatic salary increases to our teachers not on maximum. Such increases have now been suspended for two years.
(e) The equipping of the new High School cafeteria so that nearly 1400 boys and girls may enjoy hot lunches at noon time. The money to be made available from the unexpended balance of High School Addition appropriation.
(f) The fitting up of a proper rest and comfort room for the girls of the Senior and Central Junior High Schools.
(g) The purchase of fuel in the future on the basis of B.T.U. heat unit specifications.
I desire to express my especial appreciation of the services of Mrs. Mary Donovan, R.N., our school nurse. She has worked so hard and so successfully in the preservation of the health of our school children. Unmindful of her own welfare she has given so loyally of her services. May she have this humble tribute from a Superintendent who knows her worth.
In closing I desire to thank all who have cooperated with me during this year of 1933. I have had the pleasure of working with an exceptionally conscientious and cooperative School Committee. I am grateful for their splendid cooperation. The loyal spirit of the principals and teachers has been worthy of the best traditions of the teaching profession. I appreciate this greatly. The various Parent-Teacher Associations of the town have given generously of their efforts in the interests of
16
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
education. May I express my thanks to them collectively and to their members individually for this sincere help.
Every Superintendent of Schools looks over a school year . gone by for his greatest single joy. Mine is not difficult to find. It is the joy of having been associated with boys and girls, big and little, whose friendships mean so much to me. The joy of being of service to them is much greater than any other compensation.
Respectfully submitted,
VERNON W. EVANS,
Superintendent.
Saugus, December 15, 1933.
Report of School Physicians
December 19, 1933,
Mr. Vernon W. Evans, Superintendent of Schools, Saugus, Mass.
DEAR MR. EVANS :-
Herein I 'submit my annual report as school physician. I have examined all pupils at North Saugus, Oaklandvale, The Roby School and The Central Junior High Schools. Sanitary conditions in and about the schools are quite satisfactory. I regret that we were unable to do the usual diptheria preven- tion work in the schools. We may be able to carry on this work later in the year. The tuberculosis prevention work oc- cupied so much time that we could not do diptheria prevention work during the Fall. We felt that the tuberculosis clinic was of such value and importance that other work might well wait on it. Following is a list of defects found in the schools under my supervision :
NORTH SAUGUS
Adenoids and Tonsils 12 Enlarged cervical glands 2 Enlarged tonsils 15 Pediculosis 1
Deflected septum 2
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1933]
OAKLANDVALE
Adenoids and tonsils
4 Enlarged cervical glands 1
Enlarged tonsils
4 Pediculosis
3
Deflected septum
1
ROBY
Adenoids and tonsils
14 Pediculosis 7
Slightly enlarged tonsils
37 Enlarged tonsils 25
Deflected septum
2 Defective heart 1
JUNIOR HIGH
Adenoids and tonsils 12 Enlarged cervical glands 4
Slightly enlarged tonsils
77 Pediculosis 1
Deflected septum
6 Enlarged tonsils 47
Very respectfully submitted,
MYRON H. DAVIS, M.D.
Mr. Vernon W. Evans, Superintendent of Schools, Saugus, Mass.
DEAR MR. EVANS :
I herewith submit my annual report for the year 1933.
On examination of the pupils in the Ballard, Emerson, Lynnhurst and Mansfield Schools the following defects were found :
Enlarged tonsils 106 Cervical Glands 35
Adenoids and Tonsils 27 Heart defects 6
Slightly Enlarged Tonsils '73 Pediculosis 13
The keen vigilance of the school nurse aided by the whole hearted cooperation of teachers has been tremendously effec- tive in reducing the number of cases of impetigo and scabies.
Under the auspices of The Riverside Club of Saugus and The Cliftondale Women's Civic League one hundred and ninety-eight children were examined in the pre-school clinic. All the physicians of the town giving their services free as did the graduate nurses. This has been done for several years, expenses defrayed by the Clubs.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY M. PENNEY, M.D.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
December 19, 1933.
Mr. Vernon W. Evans, Superintendent of Schools, Saugus, Mass.
DEAR SIR :-
I herewith submit my first annual report as school physician for the Senior High School.
My appointment came in September 1933 and I have already commenced examining the approximately 900 students in that institution. I expect to complete the examination early in January 1934.
May I say that I shall give freely of my time and knowledge in a sincere effort to keep our High School boys and girls sound in mind and body.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES A. CLARK, M.D.
Mr. Vernon W. Evans, Superintendent of Schools, Saugus, Mass.
DEAR SIR :-
Herein I submit my annual report for the year 1933.
On examination of the pupils in the Armitage, Cliftondale, Felton and Sweetser schools I found the following defects:
Enlarged tonsils 226 Adenoids and tonsils 9
Slightly enlarged tonsils 187 Pediculosis 5
Enlarged cervical glands 4
The sanitary conditions in all the buildings were satisfac- tory except in the Sweetser School where I found them poor in the boys' basement. I would suggest that steps be taken at once to remedy this.
Very respectfully,
LEROY C. FURBUSH, M.D.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1933]
Report of Attendance Officer
Mr. Vernon W. Evans, Superintendent of Schools, Saugus, Mass.
DEAR MR. EVANS :
I herein submit my annual report for the year of 1933 as attendance officer.
I have investigated many calls but truancy is confined to a few. There have been many cases where a lack of clothing and shoes are the cause of absence.
The opening of the addition to the High School and discon- tinuing the two platoon system has made a decided improve- ment in the cause of truancy.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE A. TWEEDY, Attendance Officer
Report of High School Principal
Mr. Vernon W. Evans, Superintendent of Schools, Saugus, Mass.
DEAR MR. EVANS :
I herewith submit to you my first annual report as Principal of the Saugus High School.
THE ADDITION TO THE BUILDING
From the secondary school point of view, the outstanding achievement in Saugus for the year 1933 was the completion of the addition to the old high school building with the ending of the two platoon system. The report of the building com- mittee will probably give a complete story of its work and a description of the building. To prevent duplication I shall confine my report to the educational effects brought about by this change. I do wish to express to the building committee my appreciation for their cooperation and for their unflagging interest in seeing that the Town of Saugus was given a struc- ture of which we can be proud.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
The single session under which we are now able to work extends from 8.15 A.M. to 2.15 P.M. This permits seven class periods of 44 minutes gross time, one home room period of 21 minutes, and a recess of the same length. The schedule is as follows :
8.15- 8.20
Opening exercises
8.20- 9.04 Period I
9.04- 9.48 Period II
9.48-10.32 Period III
10.32-11.16 Period IV
11.16-12.00 Period V
12.02-12.23
First recess
12.23-12.44
Second recess
12.44- 1.28
Period VI
1.28- 2.12 Period VII
The benefits of the schedule are an increase of 50 minutes school time each day over the two platoon system, a better opening hour, a more logical period for lunch, and time for after school make-up periods in both the junior and senior high schools. These longer class periods give more time for instruction with an opportunity for study under teacher super- vision. The result should be better scholarship.
The second effect of the new building has been a difference in the morale of the student body. From personal experience I know that the children of this school have for years consid- ered their building inferior. Pupils of other schools are only too eager to boast of their advantages, particularly the physi- cal ones. The modern equipment in the new addition, the locker room for the athletic squads, and the general appear- ance, have done much to increase the spirit. There is consid- erable truth in the following statements: "The most refined children cannot attain their mental development in the midst of littered and mud-tracked floors and walls disfigured with scrawls and spitballs without losing some of their dislike for coarseness and ugliness. Nor can the children from the crud- est homes learn in the midst of sumptuously kept surroundings and tastefully tinted walls adorned with masterpieces of art without imbibing something of an enduring love and ambition for such environment." Fortunately for us the C.W.A. has just completed painting the interior of the old building and
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1933]
will eventually paint the outside. Our plant can hardly be compared to Lynn English or Melrose High Schools but it has been greatly improved.
Since the new wing contains only twelve rooms which are already in constant use our problem of additional room is only temporarily solved. With every seat in the new building filled on the opening day it was necessary to send to the Sweetser Junior High School pupils who live nearer the Central Junior High School. It is unfortunate that this condition exists but it is quite apparent to any visitor that there is no extra space. In the old building we are still forced to use the Assembly Hall for study purposes. This is not satisfactory but there is no alternative except that of placing study pupils at the rear of classes. Practically all of the rooms are in use every period in the day. The only exceptions are Room 23 and the old junior high school office which is now equipped for Office Practice. Both of these units are unsuited for classes, in fact I believe they were originally designed for storage space. Any increase in the population of our town will be felt immediately in the school enrollment. It is only a matter of time before both buildings will be filled to capacity.
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