USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1934 > Part 17
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Respectfully submitted,
VERNON W. EVANS, Superintendent of Schools.
Saugus, December 19, 1934.
December 15, 1934.
Report of School Physicians
Mr. Vernon W. Evans, Superintendent of Schools, Saugus, Mass.
DEAR MR. EVANS :-
Herein I submit my annual report as school physician. San- itary conditions in and about the school buildings are quite satisfactory. The schools under my supervision have been free from disease of a serious nature. Vaccines and other pre- ventative measures including diptheria toxoid have reduced the incidence of communicable diseases to almost the vanishing point. The intensive drive in tuberculosis prevention as now carried on by The State promises to reduce the incidence of tuberculosis as completely as diptheria toxoid reduced dip- theria.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
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Again I wish to commend the spirit of cooperation between teachers and school nurse who by constant vigilence have recognized problems in their incipiency and have dealt with them promptly thereby reducing the spread of disease to a minimum.
Following is a list of defects found in the following schools during the routine annual examination :
NORTH SAUGUS
Enlarged tonsils 2 Enlarged glands 1
Slightly enlarged tonsils 10 Adenoids and tonsils 5
OAKLANDVALE
Enlarged tonsils 4 Pediculosis 1
Slightly enlarged tonsils
10 Adenoids and tonsils 2
ROBY
Enlarged tonsils
8 Adenoids and tonsils 8
Slightly enlarged tonsils 22 Pediculosis 3
Enlarged cervical glands 3 Deflected septum 3
CENTRAL JUNIOR HIGH
Enlarged tonsils 22 Pediculosis 3
Slightly enlarged tonsils 56 Deflected septum
9
Enlarged glands
2 Curvature of spine 1
Adenoids and tonsils
8
Diptheria toxoid was given to 291 children in the grades.
Respectfully submitted,
MYRON H. DAVIS, M.D.
December 15th, 1934.
Mr. Vernon W. Evans, Superintendent of Schools,
Saugus, Massachusetts.
DEAR MR. EVANS :-
Herewith I submit my annual report as school physician.
I have examined all pupils at the Lynnhurst, Emerson, Bal- lard and Mansfield Schools.
The following is a list of defects found in the schools under my supervision :-
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TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
BALLARD
Enlarged Tonsils
38
Slightly Enlarged Tonsils 20 Cervical Glands
15
EMERSON
Enlarged Tonsils 11 Cervical Glands 11
Slightly Enlarged Tonsils
14 Pediculoses 1
Heart Defects
2 Adenoids and Tonsils 2
LYNNHURST
Enlarged Tonsils 12 Cervical Glands 4
Slightly Enlarged Tonsils
9 Adenoids and Tonsils 1
Heart Defects 2
MANSFIELD
Enlarged Tonsils 12 Adenoids and Tonsils 9
Slightly Enlarged Tonsils 12 Cervical Glands 2
Heart Defects 2
The Sanitary Conditions in and about the schools are satis- factory except the Mansfield, where quite frequently there is an odor of coal-gas.
The Pre-School Clinic was held this year, as usual. One hundred and seventy eight children were examined, and on Physical Examination in September many of the defects found in the June Clinic had been corrected.
I wish to thank the physicians, nurses, and Club Women for their efficient help; and the school authorities for their co- operation.
Respectfully submitted, MARY M. PENNY, M.D.
December 17, 1934
Mr. Vernon W. Evans, Superintendent of Schools,
Saugus, Massachusetts.
DEAR SIR :-
I herwith submit my report as school physician for 1934.
The following defects were found in the High School stu- dents after examining some few less than nine hundred.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
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Enlarged tonsils 82
Curvature of spine 3
Slightly enlarged tonsils 160
Palpable Cervical glands 38
Deflected septum 2
Adenoids and tonsils 12
Heart defects 11
I believe the hygienic conditions in general are improved over last year, and good considering the present social and economic conditions.
Respectfully submitted, JAMES A. CLARK, M.D.
Mr. Vernon W. Evans, Superintendent of Schools, Saugus, Massachusetts.
DEAR SIR :--
Herewith I submit my annual report for the year 1934.
After careful examination of the pupils in the Armitage, Cliftondale, Felton and Sweetser schools the following defects were noted :
Slightly enlarged tonsils 438 Pediculosis 5
Enlarged tonsils 123 Impetigo 1
Adenoids and tonsils 2 Deflected septum 1
The sanitary conditions in the above schools are good except for the boys basement at the Sweetser, which appears to be unchanged from last year.
Respectfully submitted,
LEROY C. FURBUSH, M.D.
Report of Attendance Officer
Mr. Vernon W. Evans, Superintendent of Schools,
Saugus, Massachusetts.
DEAR MR. EVANS :-
I herewith submit my annual report as Attendance Officer for the year 1934.
I have investigated many cases of non-attendance and found most of them due to the following reasons :
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TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
1. Lack of suitable clothing and shoes.
2. Parent unemployed or on part time employment making the pay impossible for him to keep children suitably clothed.
In several cases teachers have cooperated and supplied shoes and clothing.
I am pleased to report that there have been very few cases where drastic measures had to be used and the child placed in a training school.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE A. TWEEDY, Attendance Officer.
Report of High School Principal
December 17, 1934
Mr. Vernon W. Evans, Superintendent of Schools, Saugus, Massachusetts.
DEAR MR. EVANS :-
I herewith submit to you my second annual report as Princi- pal of the Saugus High School.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE BUILDING AND GROUNDS
During the year 1934 our building and grounds have under- gone a remarkable transformation. The projects of painting and landscaping which had been started in the late months of 1933 were carried through to a most successful termination. One can hardly realize the vast amount of work which has been done at the High School. So that the townspeople may know the full extent of the improvements I shall describe them in some detail.
The painting of the building both exterior and interior to conform with the Junior High School addition was accom- plished early in the year with no interference to class room work. While those projects were being completed, carpenters and finishers reconditioned approximately 850 pupils and
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1934]
teachers desks. This work was not the superficial repairing frequently seen but a most thorough scraping and revarnishing job. About the grounds other groups of men removed the loam from the play areas, leveled the vacant lot on East Denver Street to make it suitable for parking cars, and covered the whole with finely crushed stone. These worthwhile projects were carried out through the C.W.A.
From local appropriations the lawns on either side of the main entrances have been reseeded and inclosed by hedges. Close to the front of the building sixty little evergreen trees have replaced the old unsightly shrubbery. Borders of white calcimined stones set off the new lawns and also keep the ab- sent minded motorist from wandering on the grass. Every visitor to the school has spoken of the splendid appearance.
In addition there are three improvements which affect the administration of the school; first, the rearrangement of the Principal's office; second, the furnishing of a sick room for pupils ; and third. the opening of the new cafeteria. With the combined Junior and Senior High School the office now cares for all the detail of approximately 1400 pupils and teachers. This mass of work is most efficiently handled by my secretary, Miss McLernon, with the able assistance of several senior girls whose services are voluntary. The steel filing cabinet counter, which was recently installed, has permitted several important changes to be made in the office routine. A closer check on discipline and attendance is now possible. The private office has proved to be of distinct benefit particularly for personal interviews with parents.
By converting the office of the Junior High School Addition into a sick room a suitable place was obtained for sick pupils. The purchase of two beds, a table, a bureau, dresser, and cur- tains has made an attractive and homelike place to detain pupils until they may return home. It is our policy to take the pupil either to a doctor or to his home rather than to have him remain long in school. This plan, while giving the pupil better care offers less chance for the spread of contagious diseases in the school. The sick room has been placed in charge of Miss Mabel Willey who in addition to being a cap- able teacher is also a graduate nurse.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
The new cafeteria will be opened in the near future. Until tables and chairs have been purchased it will hardly function as planned. With the installation of that equipment, however, there is every indication that the cafeteria will be adequate for our present registration. In the basement of the old build- ing there is sufficient room for the pupils who bring lunches from home. With the removal of the wooden counter there will be an opportunity to erect tables and benches. The new cafeteria will offer hot dishes and a regular dinner at a mini- mum charge. The cost of the cafeteria equipment is included in the appropriation for the Junior High School Addition.
INCREASED REGISTRATION
The anticipated growth in our registration did not material- ize in 1933 but was postponed by the depression. This fall our total was 903 as compared with 866 the preceding year. In normal times it is evident that the return of people to urban. centers will mean an increase in the population of Saugus and a resulting larger enrollment in school. The change in com- pulsory school age from 14 to 16 will also add many pupils who previously have left at the younger age. We are now using nearly all the classrooms every period and in addition have turned the assembly hall into a study room. We shall probably be able to absorb the growth in 1935 and possibly in 1936 unless it is unusually large. After that we must either have more room or return to the two platoon system. Experience has proven the disadvantages of that system and yet we now have in the old senior high school building alone more pupils than in 1929 when it was considered necessary to have morning and afternoon sessions. There is a limit to the enrollment which can be handled in our present building and that limit has al- most been reached.
TEACHERS AND SCHOLARSHIP
We were fortunate in opening school this fall with only one change in our faculty. For some time it has been the policy to employ for substitute work residents of Saugus who are qualified to become teachers. The value of this plan was evident when three of our faculty resigned. Their places were
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1934]
adequately filled by people who had done enough substitute work to know the routine of our system and to have stood the acid test of class room teaching. Under this method of selec- tion there is no hasty consideration of a candidate's fitness for the work or the usual question as to one's discipline. Provided a local candidate meets the requirements it is only fair to the townspeople to give that person the preference. In fairness to our pupils we could hardly recommend a local candidate without all the necessary qualifications of education, person- ality and character.
The faculty of our high school compares favorably with that found in other schools. Our teachers as a whole are indus- trious, cooperative, and enthusiastic about their work. We are fortunate to keep such a fine corps almost intact from year to year. Each teacher is busy every minute in the day either with class instruction or with study groups. The only excep- tions are the heads of departments who have a free period each day for supervision. All teachers carry heavy programs. It is a pleasure to have such a group of excellent workers.
During the past year the New England College Entrance Board renewed the certificate of the high school for another four years. This means that the graduates of our school who are now in college have maintained grades to justify the ap- proval of this school which gave the preparation for college. By the certificate method of admission, any pupil who obtains "B" or better in the high school subjects required for college may enter, without examination, institutions which accept pupils by this method. The granting of this certificate is a good indication that the college preparatory work at Saugus is of high grade. The Massachusetts Department of Education has also rated our school as Grade A.
This last June the only Saugus graduate to take the College Entrance Examination Board examinations successfully passed four and was admitted to Harvard College. This is conclusive proof that the teachers of Saugus High School can prepare pupils for the Board Examinations. Pupils who really want to enter college can do so directly from this school without additional preparatory school training.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
SUGGESTED REPAIRS FOR 1935
(1) Steel treads n the stairways in the old building. The old maple treads are badly worn and very noisy. Their sur- face is so uneven that one's footing is none too good.
(2) Additional radiation in the Assembly Hall and Mechan- ical Drawing room. Frequently these rooms are too cold to be used during extreme weather. The main line could easily be tapped for more radiation.
(3) New chairs and floor boards for the assembly hall. The chairs under constant use are beginning to fall apart. New ones should replace the weakest. The building inspector has suggested new floor boards for the chairs.
(4) Gates in the corridor near the assembly hall. These are needed to shut off the rest of the building when the as- sembly hall is used for night meetings. To leave the entire building open to any curious visitor is doubtful procedure.
(5) New locks and door checks on the exit doors and smoke doors in the old building. The outside door locks are so bad that at times it is impossible to enter or leave immediately. Such a condition is particularly dangerous in case of fire. Not all the smoke doors are supplied with checks. This situation should be remedied at once.
(6) The removal of a large bush in the play area near Central Street. It has long ago lost its beauty and it shuts off the view of any person driving out of the school yard.
(7) New lights in the Mechanical Drawing room. The place now used was not intended for this work. The lighting consists of extensions on the old fixtures. Indirect lighting should be substituted.
In closing I wish to thank Mr. Evans and the School Com- mittee for the cooperation and the confidence shown us at the High School.
Respectfully yours,
EARLE H. MACLEOD
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1934]
Report of Art Supervisor
332 Lincoln Avenue, Cliftondale, Massachusetts.
Mr. Vernon Evans, Superintendent of Schools,
Saugus, Massachusetts.
DEAR SIR :-
I am pleased to offer my annual report as teacher of Art in the public schools of Saugus.
My teaching schedule is as follows: Two days each week are spent with the twelve classes of the Central Junior High School. One day each week is with the five classes of the Sweetser Junior High School. The fifty-six grade classes of the town are visited once each month.
The work in the grades is carried out with the cooperation of the individual grade teacher.
Monthly outlines are planned to form an integrated pro- gram, as far as is possible. This intergration has been greatly aided, this past year, by the systematization of courses of study in each subject for the grades.
An exhibition of work, completed in the Junior High School classes of Saugus, which demonstrated the use of art in con- junction with other subject matter, was displayed at the an- nual conference of Art Supervisors at the Massachusetts School of Art last January.
Various community organizations have offered competitive poster awards to the Junior High school classes.
This past year several bronze and silver medals were awarded to grade pupils for posters made in observance of "Be Kind to Animal Week" by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Some assistance has been given pupils of the senior high school in art problems, but, at present, time does not allow any definite allotment of periods for this work.
I wish to express my appreciation to the teachers who on their own initiative exhibited work completed in the art classes for "Open House Night" which was held Education Week.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
I offer sincere gratitude to each member of the School Board, to you Mr. Evans, and to each principal and teacher of the School Department, for assistance and cooperation.
Most Respectfully,
ANSTRICE CARTER KELLOGG
Report of Music Supervisor
December 17, 1934.
Mr. Vernon Evans, Supt. of Schools,
Saugus, Mass.
DEAR MR. EVANS :-
I herewith submit my report as Supervisor of Music in the Public Schools of Saugus, Mass.
Music is one of the most valuable subjects in the school curriculum, and the influence of it in the lives of both children and adults, is more potent than that of almost any other edu- cational activity.
Music affects human beings favorably, both in their intel- lectual, and emotional lives.
Because of its power to "tone up" both mind and body, its beneficial effect in causing increased quickness of perception, its power to socialize, its possibilities in preparing one for a worthy use of leisure time, and above all, because of its influ- ence in causing an immeasurable increase in human happiness for all, music has come to be more and more commonly re- garded as an indispensable subject in all types of schools: and a larger and larger place is being accorded it.
AIMS AND PURPOSES
The aims and purposes of music instruction in the public schools are as follows:
1. To develop a love for good music.
2. To develop a pleasant tone.
3. To teach the reading of music at sight.
4. To encourage individual and group singing.
5. To develop team work.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1934]
GRADE SCHOOLS
An outline of the work to be covered, is given each grade teacher every two months. My present program calls for one visit every four weeks to these classes. This is very unsatis- factory, as you may well guess, but under present conditions it can not be remedied.
There are orchestras, though very few pupils in each, at the following grade school buildings-Armitage, Felton, and Roby. Weekly rehearsals are held, under my direction, or that of a grade teacher.
There are several harmonica groups, among the grade school children, to which I give as much time as I can possibly spare. The Roby and Armitage have the larger groups, which I visit once a week.
Last year several programs were presented by the grade school children in the form of Minstrel Shows, Operettas, etc. At present quite a number of these programs are being ar- ranged for presentation in the very near future. This requires a great deal of work and rehearsing, but considering the pleasure the children derive, as well as an opportunity to develop unusual talent, it is most certainly worth the effort.
JUNIOR HIGH
Music in the Junior High is limited to one period a week. This is not sufficient to accomplish anything worthwhile. At least two periods for each division, should be the schedule.
A simplified arrangement of Pinafore-by Gilbert and Sullivan is being rehearsed by members of the Central Junior High, to be presented in February.
The orchestra at the Central Junior-Senior High School, is comprised of members of both schools numbering 40. Week- ly rehearsals are held. As in past years, this organization is called upon to furnish music. for a great many school. as well as social functions.
At the Sweetser School, a small orchestra, rehearses once a week.
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[Dec. 31
BAND
Having lost several of its members, who graduated, or joined the football squad, there was not a sufficient number, in the band, to warrant public appearances.
I hope that the time is not far distant, when class lessons in instruments as well as an Instrumental Supervisor, will be part of the music program, for the school children of Saugus.
In conclusion, I wish to thank you, Mr. Evans who have shown deep interest at all times, and aided me very much in my work, also the School Committee and teachers for their splendid co-operation during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
GERTRUDE K. HICKEY, Music Supervisor.
Report of Mechanical Drawing Department
Mr. Vernon W. Evans, Superintendent of Schools, Saugus, Mass.
DEAR SIR :-
I herewith submit my annual report of the Mechanical Drawing Department.
The past year has been a very successful one, judging by the enrollment of about 150 students, who have elected Mechanical Drawing as an extra curricular subject.
Mechanical Drawing is not included in any of the so called regular courses, but it's elective in every one.
It has been a source of encouragement to me, to have met and talked with the large number of parents, who have taken the opportunity to visit our Drawing Room, on the several occasions, when it has been open for inspection. Many of the visitors have expressed surprise at the work completed by the pupils, which includes, inking of drawings, tracings, and the making of blue prints, which we do at the school. We have had as many as 90 visitors in one evening and I know they have been well repaid for their trouble to visit with me.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1934]
This year was the first time that I have had any pupils com- pete in a drawing contest, and was very much pleased that we were able to place in the Nation wide contest. The report which follows is a quotation from the Saugus Herald, Saugus, Mass., Friday, May 4th, 1934. "Among the many high school students throughout the United States who received word this week that they had won cash prizes, or scholarships in the annual contest in literature, crafts and the visual arts which was conducted this spring by "Scholastic," national high school magazine, was Mitchel Dardzinski, member of the junior class of Saugus High School. Young Dardzinski was awarded fourth place in the intermediate mechanical drawing class, and won a five dollar prize. He was also honored by having his drawing" placed on exhibition under the auspices of the magazine in an exhibit in the Carnegie Institute, Pittsburg. Later the exhibit will tour the principal cities of the country under the direction of the American Federation of Arts. The drawings of the winners are now appearing in the magazine throughout the country.
Dardzinski, who is studying Mechanical Drawing under Paul Bund of the High School faculty, competed against 30,000 students from over 2500 different high schools in the country. Principal Earle Macleod called a special assembly this morn- ing when he presented the prize to Dardzinski, and praised him for his fine work."
The greatest handicap which we have in our department is the proper lighting, and many of the visitors have expressed their opinion that they felt that the work we were doing required a better lighted room than we now have, and I hope that new lights can be installed soon.
In closing I wish to thank Mr. Evans, and members of the School Committee for their cooperation and interest shown during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
PAUL BUND.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Report of School Nurse
Mr. Vernon W. Evans, Superintendent of Schools, Saugus, Massachusetts.
DEAR MR. EVANS :
I herewith submit my annual report as school nurse for the year ending December 31, 1934.
Number of visits to schools, 621; home visits, 273; exclusions for pediculosis, 53. All pediculosis cases followed up, all cases returned. There has been a constantly decreasing number of pediculosis cases each year, the percentage for the past year being only 2% of the total registration, and at the present time many of our schools are 100% free from pediculosis. In ad- dition to home visits for pediculosis the home visits for other cases were as follows : sore throat, 9; scarlet fever, 3; impetigo, 11; chicken pox, 18; colds, 17; skin condition, 7; mumps, 4; heart, 3; headache, 5; rash, 4; measles, 18; enlarged tonsils, 21; poison ivy, 7; sick stomach. 7; toothache, 9; whooping cough, 11; grippe, 7; unclean, 12; sickness in family, 9; tru- ancy, 4; home to help mother, 8; not at home, 11; no shoes, 6; Chadwick Clinic, 16; tonsilitis, 9, nervousness, 6; scabies, 3; defective vision, 5; underweight, 19; mentality, 4; enlarged glands, 3.
I assisted the school doctors as usual in the annual physical examination of all children in the grades, Junior High and High Schools. This work extended through September, Octo- ber, November and December and approximately 3442 children were examined.
The follow-up work of the Chadwick Clinic consisted of 68 children being X-rayed and examined by Dr. Reddy of the Chadwick Clinic. Dr. Reddy and Miss Weatherbee, the nutri- tion worker for the Clinic, were very much pleased with the response of the parents attending the examinations.
The usual precautions have been taken in caring for con- tagious diseases. When a disease is reported and symptoms found, the child is referred to the school physician and excluded from school if necessary.
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