Town annual report of Saugus 1935, Part 17

Author: Saugus (Mass.)
Publication date: 1935
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 374


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SCHOOL PHYSICIANS


DR. MYRON H. DAVIS 24 Main Street


Tel. 235


DR. LEROY C. FURBUSH 272 Lincoln Avenue


Tel. 120


DR. MARY PENNY 26 Jackson Street


Tel. 110


DR. JAMES A. CLARK


315 Lincoln Avenue


Tel. 760


SCHOOL NURSE


MISS OLIVE M. NEAL 12 Richard Street


Tel. 1496-M


14A Jackson Street


4


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


SCHOOL CALENDAR


Fall term, 1935


Winter term, 1936 (first half)


Winter term, 1936 (second half)


Spring term, 1936


Opened September 4, 1935 Closed December 20, 1935 Opens January 2, 1936 Closes February 14, 1936 Opens February 24, 1936 Closes April 17, 1936


Opens April 27, 1936 Closes June 19, 1936


Closing June 19, 1936 dependent on reasonable weather.


NO SCHOOL SIGNALS


Elementary Schools


8 A.M., 2-2-2-2 on fire alarm system and radio announce- ment from Radio Station WNAC, means no morning session for elementary schools and opportunity classes.


12:45 P.M., 2-2-2-2 on fire alarm system and radio announce- ment from Radio Station WHDH means no afternoon session for elementary schools.


High School and Junior High Schools


6:45 A.M., 2-2-2-2 on fire alarm and radio announcement from Radio Station WNAC at 7 A.M.


SCHOOL TELEPHONES


Armitage


1090


Mansfield 1096


Ballard


1091


Sweetser 1097


Cliftondale


1092


North Saugus


1098


Emerson


1093


Roby


1099


Felton


1094


Oaklandvale


731


Lynnhurst


1095


High School


260


Superintendent's Office 775


REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE


To the Citizens of Saugus:


At a meeting of the School Committee held December 17, 1935, it was voted to accept the Annual Report of the Super- intendent of Schools as the report of the School Committee required by the Statutes.


WALDO B. RUSSELL, Chairman


1935]


REGISTRATION-by Schools and by Grades-January 1936


SCHOOLS


GRADES


TOTALS


1


2


3


4


5


6


7


8


9


10


11


12


P.G. Special


Armitage


28


20


30


34


32


35


Ballard


30


30


25


36


37


32


Ballard


69


Cliftondale


38


42


39


37


156


Emerson


26


29


20


26


101


Felton


45


42


44


41


42


37


251


Lynnhurst


22


15


8


20


17


15


97


Mansfield


35


29


34


38


136


North Saugus


14


14


12


14


12


13


79


Oaklandvale


14


15


26


13


15


13


96


Roby


38


44


50


48


39


35


254


Roby


33


14


21


68


Old Center


29


12


20


61


Sweetser Junior High


163


163


Sweetser Grades


64


44


108


Central Junior High


163


307


470


High School


257


311


165


170


50


917


Special Class


36


Totals


323


309


300


327


309


277


326


307


257


311


155


170


50


3431


REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE


179


190


37


32


.


5


6


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


Report of the Superintendent of Schools


To the Honorable School Committee and Citizens of Saugus:


It is both the duty and the privilege of the Superintendent of Schools to submit his third annual report for the School Department, the same being the forty-third annual report.


ANOTHER YEAR OF PROGRESS


The year 1935 has been another year of distinct progress for the School Department. Much has been accomplished to the betterment of the school system. Cooperation is always necessary in the attainment of accomplishment. The Superin- tendent of Schools has received loyal cooperation from the School Committee, the teachers of the system, parents and students. His work has accordingly been a pleasure and it is with grateful appreciation that he expresses his thanks for the above mentioned splendid and loyal cooperation.


ECONOMY OF OPERATION


The total school appropriation for the year 1935 amounted to $209,017.14. Of this amount $203,967.14 constituted the general appropriation, $4,000 was for schoolhouse repairs, $500.00 for cafeteria equipment in the Central Senior and Junior High School, and $550.00 for money saving electrical work in the Central Senior and Junior High School.


This year, as in 1933 and 1934, the School Department fin- ished the year within its appropriation. From the general appropriation there was an unexpended balance of $125.65, from the schoolhouse repair appropriation an unexpended balance of $4.76, from the cafeteria appropriation an unex- pended balance of $2.35, and from the electrical appropriation an unexpended balance of $184.00.


When one considers that in 1931 the School Department ap- propriations were $224,683.00 against a total of $209,017.14 in 1935 it can readily be seen that the School Department has


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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE


1935]


expended its appropriations judiciously and wisely.


The total amount of money actually expended by the School Department in 1935 was $208,700.38. This was not the actual cost to the citizens of the town however. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts refunded to the town treasury on the account of Education $33,050.00. The receipts of the School Depart- ment were $41.77. This makes a total refund of $33,091.77. Deducted from the $208,700.38 this leaves $175,608.61 as the actual cost of the School Department to the citizens of Saugus for the fiscal year 1935.


I can assure all citizens that the School Department has affected an economy of operation designed to give the Town one hundred cents for every dollar expended.


NEW HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL


After serving for two years as Principal of the Central Sen- ior and Junior High School Mr. Earle H. Macleod resigned to accept a more remunerative position as Principal of the Senior High School in Haverhill, Massachusetts.


From a long list of applicants the School Committee ap- pointed Mr. John A. W. Pearce, Principal of the Senior and Junior High School at Rockland, Massachusetts, as successor to Mr. Macleod. Mr. Pearce entered upon his duties here in September 1935. He is proving himself an excellent school executive. His present salary of $3100.00 per year should be increased in 1936 to at least $3300.00.


THE NEW CAFETERIA


I am pleased to state that the School Department will not find it necessary to request the Town for any further appro- priation this year to complete the Central Senior and Junior High School Cafeteria and its equipment.


This year 1935 the Town Meeting gave us an appropriation of $500.00 for cafeteria equipment. With this money we pur- chased tables and a very small amount of silverware. We were able to purchase dishes and the necessary remaining silver- ware from our general budget. We are purchasing the electric refrigerator from cafeteria profits. The matter of cafeteria


8


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


chairs, in our opinion, is not a crying need at this particular time.


THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM


Physical Training and athletics are now generally recognized as an essential and integral part of a modern Senior and Junior High School program. Until 1935 we had absolutely no physi- cal training in our Junior High School. This was most cer- tainly against the spirit of the State statute which requires the teaching of Physical Training in the public schools. Through savings in our regular general school budget we were able to engage the services of Mr. Bernard A. Friberg of Swampscott at a salary of $1650.00 per year. Mr. Friberg has a full program of Physical Training in the Central Junior High School. He is also head coach of varsity baseball and assistant coach of varsity football. For the first time in the history of the School Department we are developing boys of Junior High age physically. Since these boys are the nucleus of our future varsity baseball and football teams, as well as our future citi- zens, the value of Mr. Friberg's work can be readily seen. Anyone who knows Mr. Friberg intimately can testify as to his influence and ability in the physical training of boys of adolescent years.


The athletic program of the school is seriously hampered by the lack of a gymnasium and the lack of an inclosed athletic field. There is probably not another Senior and Junior High School in the Commonwealth of 1400 students without a gym- nasium and an inclosed athletic field. The citizens of the town interested in the physical development of youth should give these two above mentioned questions their most serious con- sideration. The school authorities are having to pay the Cliftondale Community House $200.00 this winter in order that our high school boys may play basketball. This $200.00 does not come out of the coffers of the town treasury but out of the hard earned money of the High School Athletic As- sociation. We as citizens should not deny our youth the same opportunities furnished them by other communities far less financially independent than we.


In spite of handicaps just mentioned our varsity football eleven won seven of ten games played this year defeating every


9


REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE


1935]


school in the Northeastern Conference League with the excep- tion of Marblehead. We know of no team excepting Salem High School that did defeat Marblehead. The School Com- mittee and myself feel that Coach John B. Leahy and his assistant Mr. Friberg did exceedingly well especially when it must be considered that they are forced to mould teams with- out the benefits of a gymnasium or an inclosed athletic field.


The lack of an inclosed athletic field cost the Athletic Association at least $1500.00 on the Marblehead and Danvers games alone. This $1500.00 would have provided the monetary wherewithal to equip a Junior High School football eleven and baseball team as well as providing silk pants, hoods, etc. for the varsity teams.


I cannot too strongly recommend the need of a gymnasium and an inclosed athletic field. Citizens who do not favor these necessary things have no right to sit on the sidelines and criticise our athletic teams. Give us what other schools have- the chance to compete on an equal basis-and Saugus High School will be on the map athletically as well as scholastically.


SCHOOLHOUSE REPAIRS


The sum of $4000.00 was given the School Department in 1935 for schoolhouse repairs. Nearly one half of this amount was expended in making a start towards replacing the unsani- tary toilet facilities in the Roby School. All of the toilets have been replaced and a modern system of proper ventilation in- stalled. The work should be completed in 1936. This work consists of installing a new urinal in the boys basement, two new ceilings, and other minor repairs incidental to properly completing the job. When this is done the Roby School will have up to date modern toilet facilities.


The Committee thus had about $2000.00 left to make all necessary repairs in the thirteen other school buildings. This gave us an average of $152.00 per building. With this money many necessary minor repairs were made.


There are several extremely necessary repairs which should be made in 1936. They are as follows:


1. Completion of the replacing of toilet facilities in the Roby School.


10


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


2. Replacing of all interior water pipe in the Oaklandvale School.


3. Replacing of all toilet facilities in the Old Roby School.


4. Completion of the basement area in the Sweetser School to furnish a recent recreation area in winter weather as well as a place for the eating of lunches by pupils.


The School Committee is still of the opinion that a school- house repair appropriation of $7000.00 per year is little enough to properly keep in repair one million dollars worth of school property. This would be only at the ratio of $7.00 for each $1000.00 worth of property.


The sum of $7000.00 would probably not even be sufficient to complete the four very essential major repair and renova- tion projects listed above.


It is true that our school property is in the best condition of years. It is good business to keep it that way. Money so expended is an investment in our school buildings and one that in the long run pays dividends.


THE FLAG SALUTE CASES


The Massachusetts Legislature in 1935 passed a law com- pelling school teachers to cause their pupils to salute the Flag and give the pledge of allegiance to it at least once each week. Whether it was wise or unwise legislation is beside the ques- tion. The fact remains that it is the law of the Common- wealth. Since the statute compelled teachers to cause the pupils to both salute the Flag and pledge allegiance thereto, it became necessary for the School Committee to pass a local regulation giving the teacher backing consistent with the in- tent of the State law. This the Committee did. Six pupils persistently refused to either salute the Flag or pledge al- legiance to it. They cited religious objections in support of their refusal. The School Committee had but two alternatives. They could either exclude the pupils from school until such time as they saw fit to obey the school regulation or they could do nothing and thereby establish the precedent of allow- ing any other pupil to disobey any other school regulation which might be repugnant to his religious beliefs. The Com-


11


REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE


1935]


mittee in the interest of school morale and discipline chose to take the first alternative. The Committee was advised by the Town Counsel that they could legally take such action.


The most important principle involved in the case is un- doubtedly overlooked by many people. School regulations are made for the good of the school as a whole. To allow, pupils to obey the particular regulations of which they approve and disobey the ones they do not approve would most certainly be a dangerous procedure. It would not be long before the ad- ministration of the public schools would pass from the control of the school authorities to the control of the school children. This, in my opinion, was the really important principle in- volved. It was this principle which the School Committee felt must be preserved at all costs.


CHANGE IN TUITION LAW


The present State statute regarding the collection of tuition from pupils of non-resident parents should be changed. Each year Saugus educates probably more than one hundred child- ren whose parents do not reside in Saugus. The Common- wealth of Massachusetts pays the tuition for the state wards but in virtually all of the other cases no tuition can be col- lected. Under the present state statute no tuition can be collected unless the school department where the child resides can prove that the child is residing in their community for the specific purpose of receiving an education in their public school system. One can readily see that this is almost impossible of proof.


In my opinion the law should be changed so as to permit the municipality furnishing the education to collect the tuition either from the parents or from the municipality which should be furnishing the education. The present statute is a joke as far as enabling a community to collect tuition is concerned.


The serious phase of the problem is that these outside child- ren tend to congest many of our classrooms and may eventually be the direct cause of expense for additional housing. The matter should be seriously considered by the Legislature and some more equitable statute evolved.


12


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


THE TEACHING STAFF


During 1935, excepting for a small percentage, our teaching staff remained with us. This is an advantage since it enables us to retain virtually an experienced personnel. The few in- experienced have, for the most part, done exceedingly well.


The problem that we as citizens will have to eventually face is the problem of retaining our experienced teachers in the service of this town. During the depression such a problem naturally did not exist. Teachers with a position were loathe to change under any conditions. With the return to normal or prosperous times, however, the problem will most surely be with us. We cannot in good times expect to retain our experienced male high school teachers, for instance, on sal- aries of from $1500.00 to $1800.00 per year. Other com- munities the size of ours are paying experienced male high school teachers from $2000.00 to $3000.00 per year. The same thing is true to a slightly lesser extent in respect to our women teachers. Our schedule of teacher salaries is hopelessly low in comparison with communities all about us. Efficient teach- ers deserve reasonably decent salaries. They perform perhaps as important a task as any professional worker in the com- munity. It is my sincere belief that the time is not far distant when we will be obliged to raise our salary schedules or suffer the loss of some of our best and most efficient teachers.


Almost to a teacher our staff has been most loyal and co- operative. May I take this opportunity to express the ap- preciation of the School Committee and the Superintendent of Schools for such loyalty and cooperation.


SCHOLASTIC STANDING


The scholastic standing of our school system remains at a high standard. In 1935 our Senior High School was again rated a Class A High School by the State Department of Education.


In 1934 the privilege of certifying our graduates to some fourteen leading colleges which are members of the New Eng- gland College Entrance Board was renewed for four years or until 1938. Four years renewals are only granted to High Schools whose scholastic standing is unquestionable. This is


13


REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE


1935]


proof positive that our school system is functioning efficiently.


It might also be interesting to note in passing that our elementary school children are frequently placed in a higher grade when they transfer to schools in other communities.


PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATIONS


I am particularly proud of our Parent Teacher Associations in the various schools. At the recent state convention of the Massachusetts Parent Teacher Associations three of our own associations placed in the first ten of all the associations in Massachusetts. The contest was for increased membership. The three local associations placing among the first ten in the state were the Ballard, the Felton and the Armitage. Incident- ally the Ballard Parent Teacher Association won the state contest for increased membership in competition with all other similar organizations throughout the Commonwealth.


The Parent-Teacher Associations in Saugus are a distinct credit to the town. They are extremely helpful and coopera- tive. I cannot speak too highly of the excellent welfare work that they have done among the school children. Theirs is the work of real service. May they continue to carry on in 1936 as they have during the year 1935.


NEED OF A VOCATIONAL SCHOOL


The time is rapidly approaching when Saugus should have a vocational or trade school. Our Senior High School now has an enrollment of more than 900 students. It is strictly an academic type of high school giving an excellent general edu- cation as well as preparing for institutions of higher learning. It offers very few, practically none, of the practical arts or vocational courses designed to prepare students for specific vocations.


Thinking citizens will agree that many of the 900 students now in our High School will never attend higher institutions of learning. The general education is highly desirable but it may not directly help many students to earn a living in later life. Many high school students, especially boys, are manually inclined and obviously fitted for vocational training. They are not interested in Latin, French, History or perhaps many of the other subjects offered in our High School. They would be interested in mechanics, woodworking, elementary engineer-


14


TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


ing, and such courses. Our High School has no such courses. Neither has it the space, facilities or personnel for their intro- duction. Therefore students vocationally inclined have little or no opportunity to receive the training to which I believe they are entitled. They may, it is true, enter an outside voca- tional school such as the trade schools in Boston, Beverly, Everett, Somerville and other cities. In such cases the Town of Saugus pays the tuition and receives a one-half reimburse- ment from the Commonwealth. Relatively few students, how- ever, can avail themselves of this opportunity since there are transportation and other costs involved which must be borne by the parents of the students.


One thing is most certain. A boy or girl vocationally in- clined should have the same opportunity to develop his or her talents as a boy or girl who may be academically inclined. In our High School they do not have the same opportunity. Be- cause of their lack of interest in the regular subjects of the curriculum they frequently leave high school as soon as pos- sible and become what might be termed "maladjustment cases". It does not follow that because boys and girls cannot master certain subjects that they are devoid of brains. They have brains but they may not be attuned to the interest of academic subjects. Many a brilliant surgeon, inventor and sci- entist showed little brilliancy while students in academic high schools.


I have given this matter much thought and careful consid- eration. In the interest of equality of opportunity for all boys and girls of high school age I most earnestly suggest that Sau- gus entertain the idea of establishing a vocational school. Its cost of operation, I understand, is shared by the Common- wealth.


In conclusion may I express my appreciation to the School Committee members for their loyal cooperation, also to all teachers, citizens, parents and students who have been so con- siderate of our many and varied problems.


Respectfully submitted,


VERNON W. EVANS,


Superintendent of Schools.


15


REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE


1935]


Report of School Physicians


December 17, 1935.


Mr. Vernon W. Evans, Superintendent of Schools, Saugus, Mass.


DEAR MR. EVANS :-


Herein I submit my report as school physician for this year. Sanitary conditions in and about school buildings at Oakland- vale, North Saugus, The Roby School and The High School are quite satisfactory. Communicable diseases of a serious nature have disappeared from our public schools. There have been epidemies of German Measles, Chicken Pox and Mumps. These are of a minor importance and do very little damage except to interrupt the school attendance. There is a remarkable re- duction in the number of children presenting enlarged and in- fected tonsils and adenoids, and carious teeth.


Following is a list of diseases and defects found during the usual routine school examination at the beginning of the school year.


Enlarged tonsils


72 Pediculosis 6


Serious postural defects


7 Nutritional defects 4


Deflected septa


12 Enlarged lymphatic glands 12


Very respectfully, M. H. DAVIS, M.D.


December 14, 1935.


Mr. Vernon W. Evans, Superintendent of Schools,


Saugus, Mass.


DEAR SIR :-


I herewith submit my report as school physician for the year 1934.


The following defects were found in the High School stu- dents after the annual examination.


31 Heart defects 5


Enlarged tonsils


Slightly enlarged tonsils


56 Deflected septum 1


Palpable Cervicle glands 24 Adenoids and tonsils 7


Curvature of the spine 2


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TOWN DOCUMENTS


[Dec. 31


Hygienic conditions in general are unchanged, and the large decrease in defects found is due, I believe, as a result of the frequent examinations given each student before reaching High School age.


Respectfully submitted,


JAMES A. CLARK, M.D.


December 16, 1935.


Mr. Vernon Evans, Supt. of Schools, Saugus, Massachusetts.


DEAR SIR :-


The following is the report of the fall round-up for the schools of which I am physician.


BALLARD


Enlarged tonsils & adenoids 17


Pediculosis 2


Slightly enlarged tonsils 10 Poor nutrition 3


Heart defects 1


EMERSON


Enlarged tonsils & adenoids 14 Pediculosis 2


Slightly enlarged tonsils 12 Poor Posture 3


Cervical glands 2 Poor nutrition 4


MANSFIELD


Enlarged tonsils & adenoids 14 Heart defects 1


Slightly enlarged tonsils 10


LYNNHURST


Enlarged tonsils & adenoids 21 Heart defects


Enlarged tonsils 12 1


A large number of the children that received cards for En- larged Tonsils in 1934 had same removed during the summer vacation.


Since the fall round-up I have made visits to the Emerson, Ballard and the Mansfield Schools. I have had to give over one hundred certificates for children to return to school, having been absent on account of Mumps, Measles, Scabies, Impetigo Contagiosa, Enlarged Glands and severe colds. Two were out on account of Acute Rheumatism.


1


17


REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE


1935]


During the summer round-up, under the auspices of the Riv- erside Club and Civic League, and with the assistance of all the physicians of Saugus, and our nurses, 175 children were examined and defects noted, and parents told to correct the same if possible before the child entered school.


I wish to thank our Superintendent, Miss Neale, the teachers and the parents, for their splendid co-operation in trying to keep our schools free from contagious diseases.


We are all working with the aim in view to make our schools the best in the state. All the schools are clean and sanitation good.


Respectfully, MARY M. PENNY, M.D.


Mr. Vernon W. Evans, Superintendent of Schools,


DEAR SIR :-


December 11, 1935.


Herewith I submit my annual report for the year 1935. The following defects were noted after careful examination of the pupils in the Armitage, Cliftondale, Felton and Sweetser schools :


Enlarged tonsils 158 Deflected septum 4


Slightly enlarged


20 Posture 21


Adenoids


19


Cervical glands


7


Heart defects




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