USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1938 > Part 27
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Much other necessary repair
7
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
---
1938]
work was accomplished during the year but space forbids a detailed list in this brief report.
SCHOLASTIC STANDING
Scholastically our schools remain at a high standard. In 1938 Saugus High School was again rated a Class A High School by the State Department of Education. We hope that it will again be so rated in 1939.
One of the conditions, however, for receiving such a rating is as follows:
"Exclusive of the principal, the number of teachers in the school should be such that in general the ratio of pupils in the membership of the school to teachers does not exceed thirty to one."
Our ratio in the Saugus High School in December 1938 stood at 30.8 to 1, which is not in conform- ity with the State requirements. We will probably have the largest Senior High School enrollment of all time in September 1939. In order to keep our ratio near the 30 to 1 requirement we must add at least one teacher to the high school staff in September 1939. Otherwise we run the risk of los- ing our Class A rating for Saugus High School.
In 1934 the privilege of certify- ing our High School graduates to some fourteen leading colleges, which are members of the New England College Entrance Board, was renewed for four years or un- til 1938. In 1938 we received an- other four-year renewal or until 1942. Four-year renewals are only given to high schools whose scholas- tic standing is unquestionable. The School Committee, the Superinten- dent of Schools, and the Principal of the High School are pleased to announce this four-year renewal.
In the past eighteen years I have known of only one Saugus High School graduate who has failed in college after being certified to col- lege in this group. This is indeed a very commendable record.
Graduates of Saugus High 'School have made, and are still making, very creditable scholastic records in the various State Teach- er Colleges of the Commonwealth.
In the fall of 1938 Mr. Alfred R.
Mack, Supervisor of Secondary Education in the State Department of Education, made an official in- spection of Saugus High School. Since his report substantiates com- pletely every assertion of the School Committee and Superinten- dent, I herewith submit it verba- tism.
Mr. Vernon W. Evans Superintendent of Schools Saugus, Massachusetts.
Mr. dear Mr. Evans :-
The following is an account of my impressions of Saugus High School, recently visited.
I went over the building with Principal Pearce, and met a number of the teachers. I feel that there was an air of pur- poseful activity and that the school is well organized and ad- ministered. I was glad to learn that the ratio of men to women teachers is practically 50:50.
In general, it should be em- phasized that you have an ex- tremely crowded condition. Also I wish to call your atten- tion that in the upper four years your pupil-teacher ratio is over the 30.1 ruling. It is 30.8:1, obtained by dividing 985 by 32. The auditorium seats but 620, and I recommended to Principal Pearce that he seriously consider an outdoor graduation program, especially as I saw the new stadium, and understand you have an ampli- fying system for it. There is no gymnasium and no physical education, except for boys only of Grades VII and VIII in the spring and fall. The library seating some 30 pupils with no regular librarian is not ade- quate. There is mechanical drawing, but no manual arts or shop work for the boys and no household arts for the girls. All in all, you certainly need an addition or a new building to modernize the school and to alleviate congestion.
At the same time, I would hesitate a long time before recommending the two-platoon system. There are only six in the state and they are a sorry solution at best.
.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31.
I was sorry not to have seen you, and hope that you have entirely recovered. assure you that Principal Pearce was most cordial and I thanked him for his many courtesies.
Sincerely yours,
A. RUSSELL MACK,
Supervisor of Secondary Education.
Need of Vocational Training
For several years I have stressed the fact that our High School is almost strictly an academic high school. The opportunity for stu- dents vocationally inclined is very slight. I still insist that the Town must eventually meet this very definite educational problem. I refer citizens to my 1937 report in which I discussed the question in some detail.
New Building Construction
I am still very definitely of the opinion that new building construc- tion is badly needed to relieve our over-crowded conditions in the Cen- tral Senior and Junior High School building. I suggest that the report of Mr. Alfred R. Mack of the State Department of Education bears out this · contention. We will make every attempt to circumvent going on a two-platoon system in Septem- ber 1939. It may possibly be avoid- ed. It may be necessary in the in- terests of efficient administration. It will only be resorted to if abso- lutely necessary.
I discussed the building needs of the School Department very care- fully in my 1937 report. The condi- tions in September 1939 will un- doubtedly be worse instead of bet- ter. Nothing is to be gained by the further repetition of facts which must now be known to every citizen.
Salaries of Teachers
The annual March 1938 Town Meeting provided an appropriation sufficient to enable the School Com- mittee to raise the maximum sal- aries of the teachers. All teachers should be extremely grateful for the action of the citizens of the Town. Saugus is now in a more favorable position in respect to the
salaries paid teachers in the sur- rounding communities.
Teachers can repay the Town by giving to the pupils under their control the very best of their abili -. ties, intellect and personality. Let. it be said of no teacher in our- school system that he or she will not render the highest service pos- sible to the Town of Saugus.
It is my opinion that the teach- ers in our school system deeply ap- preciate the fairness of the last Annual Town Meeting in respect to. their salaries.
Faithful Teachers Retire
During the year 1938 two faith -- ful and long time teachers retired. from the service of the school sys -- tem. They were Mrs. Pauline R .. Peckham, principal of the Roby School, and Miss Marah Stebbins, second grade teacher in the Mans- field School. Both had reached the. age where compulsory retirement. required in the State Statutes be- came necessary. By their retire- ment the School Department lost. the services of two above the aver- age teachers. Both were born teachers of the type which can not. be secured easily. Many a Saugus citizen of today received a part of their elementary school education: in the classrooms of either Mrs. Peckham or Miss Stebbins. They can testify better than anyone else· to their true worth.
Mrs. Pauline R. Peckham started: teaching in Saugus in 1897. Ex- cept for a brief period of two years. she taught continuously in the schools of the Town until she re- tired in June 1938. Miss Marah. Stebbins started teaching school in Saugus in 1907 and taught con- secutively in the schools of the Town until she retired in June 1938.
The best wishes of the School Committee and the Superintendent of Schools are extended to these two tachers. It is their hope that many remaining years of happiness. and good health remain ahead for. them.
Athletics
Saugus has received much favor- able publicity during the past two years as a result of its successful
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1938]
high school athletic program. I be- lieve that Mr. Charles W. Harvey, coach of football, deserves the major portion of the credit for put- ting Saugus High School on the athletic map. In his two years as a teacher-coach in Saugus his foot- ball teams have won thirteen victo- ries, tied one game, and lost but six. This record has been made against the strongest type of op- position. Melrose, Gloucester, Mar- blehead, Woburn, Newburyport, and others have been successfully scalped by the Sachems. I predict that other scalpings will occur in the fall of 1939.
The addition of Mr. Nicholas Morris to the teaching staff of our high school, together with his as- signment to help Mr. Harvey in football, has greatly strengthened our football program.
Football carries the freight for all other high school sports in Saugus. Winning teams spell in- creased gate receipts and gate re- ceipts are the financial sinew of any athletic program. The school enjoyed one of the most successful financial years in its athletic his- tory. I believe that Mr. Harvey is responsible in no small measure for this accomplishment. Saugus High School is definitely on the upgrade in its sports program.
My personal opinion is that we should not include on our football schedule too many Class A and B schools. A few such are doubtless all right. We must remember, however, that large city schools have a far larger pupil enrollment to draw its athletic material from. Their reserve strength is therefore much stronger than Saugus High School can muster. I recommend that we feel our way slowly in this respect and not rush too enthusi- astically into too strong competi- tion. Rome was not builded in a day. We should continue to build but on a sure foundation.
The Committee desires to intro- duce sports for girls as soon as athletic finances will permit.
Recommendations
I make the following recommen- dations knowing full well that some of them are impossible of realiza- tion at the present time. It is the
duty of a Superintendent of Schools nevertheless to call them to the at- tention of the citizens.
(1) The maintenance of a staff of teachers in the Senior High School to all times insure a ratio of not more than thirty pupils to one full time teacher.
(2) Better classroom facilities for the children in the special classes.
(3) Replacing of the present costly heating system in the Bal- lard School.
(4) New housing facilities for the Senior High School.
(5) Completion of the basement area in the Sweetser School to furnish a recreation area during the winter months as well as a place for the eating of lunches by pupils.
(6) Improvement of play areas particularly at the Sweetser, Emer- son and Oaklandvale Schools.
(7) The appointment of a spe- cial teacher to relieve the element- ary school principals thus giving them an opportunity to more close- ly supervise the work of their teachers.
(8) The introduction of voca- tional courses by one method or an- other for students in the Senior High School.
In my 1937 report I made other am recommendations which I pleased to state have been carried out during the year 1938. Briefly they are as follows:
(1) More adequate salaries for teachers.
(2) An adequate schoolhouse re- pair appropriation.
(3) The inauguration in 1938 of a seven-year program for the ex- terior painting of schoolhouses.
(4) The establishment of a De- partment of Guidance in the Senior High School.
(5) The equipping of an upstairs c'assroom in the Old Roby School to relieve overcrowded condition in the Roby School.
School Safety Picture
During the year 1938 the School Department developed a motion picture depicting safety measures in our public schools. It is entitled "Saugus Offers Safety." A part of the 800 feet of film is in color which adds to the attractiveness
10
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
of the picture. Mr. Vincent Pel- rine, a local high school graduate, took the pictures with the School Department's new motion picture camera. Fire Chief William R. Sols- man helped immeasurably in the making of the picture. : The film is now available for presentation to the general public. I feel that it is going to prove valuable in that it is going to acquaint the citizens with the safety program carried on in our school system.
Add School Nurse
In January 1939 the School Com- mittee will appoint an assistant school nurse. For the past seven or eight years it has been impossi- ble for one school nurse to cover efficiently the Town's fourteen schools. The ratio of school nurses to school pupils should be about one to two thousand. In Saugus it has been about one to thirty-four hundred. The School Committee took this problem to the Finance Committee in Decem- ber 1938. After hearing the facts the Finance Committee unanimous- ly approved the contemplated ac- tion of the School Committee to add an assistant school nurse as of January 1, 1939. The new position will be on a forty-week basis with a salary of $1,000.
This action is' most certainly a distinct step forward in our health program. It means more efficiency in the detection and prevention of sickness and diseases among our school population.
Dorothy J. Eyre
Death claimed Miss Dorothy J. Eyre, teacher of English in the Senior High School, during the year 1938. The loss of this excellent teacher was indeed a severe blow. Possessed of an unimpeachable character and a winning personal- ity, Miss Eyre was a decided asset to Saugus High School. We all miss her more and more as each day passes. Strangely enough she was to have commenced her duties as Director of Guidance in the High School in September 1938. Death intervened, however, and the Town lost an ideal teacher, citizen and friend.
"Oh,' not in cruelty, not 'in wrath,
The Reaper came that day; 'T was an angel visited the green earth, And took the flower away."
Thanks
To the members, of the School Committee for their constant devo- tion to the best interests of our school system.
To William R. Salsman, Chief of the Fire Department, whose sin- cere help and co-operation has meant much to the School Depart- ment.
To the principals and teachers who have labored to make better citizens of our youthful school population.
To John T. Stuart, Chief of the Police Department, for his personal co-operation whenever required.
To Superintendent Ernest Merri- thew of the Public Works Depart- ment for sincere co-operation at all times.
To the officers and members of the various Parent-Teacher Asso- cistions for their accomplishments and genuine co-operation during the year 1938.
To the Trustees of the Public Li- brary for their efforts to improve our school library facilities.
To John J. Bucchiere and the Playground Commissioners for their co-operation in our
High School athletic program.
To the members of the Finance Committee for their careful con- sideration of the needs and necessi- ties of the School Department.
To Ralph Quirk, Town Account- ant, and Harold E. Dodge, Town Treasurer, for their willingness to co-operate at all times.
To everyone else not specifically mentioned who has shown a true interest in providing the best pos- sible educational training for the youth of today.
Conclusion
In conclusion, may I express the hope that the years to come may be kind to the Town of Saugus. There are serious problems ahead which must eventually be faced without flinching. In meeting these problems all town officials must
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1938]
place the welfare of their commun- ity first. I feel that all of us who serve the public in any capacity must be willing at all times to place the welfare of our Town above any other consideration. Town depart- ments must co-operate, the one with the other. Only through such co-operation can Saugus forge for- ward.
The next ten years in Saugus are going to be critical years in my opinion. They will call for honesty, sincerity and sacrifice on the part of all public officials.
The School Department pledges such service.
Respectfully submitted,
VERNON W. EVANS, Superintendent of Schools.
REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIANS
Mr. Vernon W. Evans,
Superintendent of Schools, Saugus, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my report as School Physician for the year 1938.
Following are defects found in students of the Senior High School after examination:
Throat defects (tonsils) severe 83.
Throat defects (tonsils) mode- rate 69.
Palpable cervical glands 38.
Infected glands 6.
Heart defects-moderate 3.
Teeth defects-severe 74.
Teeth defects-moderate 88.
Curvature spine 3.
Skin-moderate 2.
I am much pleased at the report of an additional School Nurse be- ing employed, which is certain to relieve our present, much over- worked, School Nurse and shows the interest of those responsible for the welfare of the school children of Saugus.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES A. CLARK, M.D.
Mr. Vernon W. Evans, Superintendent of Schools, Saugus, Mass.
Dear Sir :- Forthwith I epitomize
the performance of my year's function as School Physician to the Oaklandvale, North Saugus, Roby and Junior High Schools.
Physical surveys of the scholars in these schools revealed the ensu- ing abnormalities:
Cercival glands, 94.
Enlarged tonsils, 101.
Defective teeth, 143.
Postural defects, 2.
Ocular disturbance, 1.
Nutritional disorder, 1.
Hemiotrophy totalis, 1.
Anchondroplasia, 1.
Auricular deformity, 1. '
Meritorious of mention is the 51 per cent decrease in the incidence of defective teeth attaind' through the zealous activity of the School Nurse and Dentist. Gratifying, too, is the 56 per cent diminution in the occurence of tonsillar hypertrophy which further evidences the ac- complishments of the School Nurse.
A laudatory improvement in sani- tation has been noted.
In conclusion, I desire to ac- knowledge the co-operation of the principals and teachers in the at- tainment of
such a satisfying school health status.
Very sincerely yours,
JOSEPH O. WARD, M.D.
Mr. Vernon W. Evans,
Superintendent of Schools,
Saugus, Mass.
Dear Sir :- I herewith submit my annual report for the year 1938 on examination of the pupils in the Ballard, Emerson, Lynnhurst and Mansfield Schools. The following defects were noted:
Ballard School
Enlarged tonsils and adenoids (should be removed) 27.
Slightly enlarged tonsils, 8 .
Cervical Glands, 5.
Skin Eruption, 1.
Defective Teeth, 8.
Cardiac Disease, 3.
Poor Posture (defective), 1.
Enlarged Glands,, 2.
Emerson School Enlarged Tonsils and Adenoids, 26.
Cervical Glands, 3. Defective Teeth, 2. Skin Eruption-Scabies, 1.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Lynnhurst School
Enlarged Tonsils, 12.
Cercival Glands, 1. Defective Teeth, 9. Cardiac Disease, 1. Mansfield School
Enlarged Tonsils, 12. Cervical Glands, 4. Defective Teeth, 9. Defective Posture, 1.
The very keen vigilance of the School Nurse and whole hearted co- operation of the principals, teach- ers and parents has been effective in reducing the number of cases of Impetigo and Scabies.
The reduction in the number of enlarged tonsils noted this year is due to the fact that a large num- ber of the children had their ton- sils removed during the summer vacation.
Sanitary conditions have in the main been satisfactory. The Mans- field School should have a drinking fountain on the first floor. All the schools should have two wash basins in the basement.
I wish at this point to thank the School Nurse for her carrying on so well while I had to be away. Also the principals and teachers for their alertness in detecting the communicable diseases in their early stages.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY M. PENNY, M.D.
Dec. 29, 1938.
Mr. Vernon W. Evans,
Supt. of Schools,
Saugus, Mass.
Dear Sir :- I am pleased to pre- sent my annual report for the year 1938,
Careful examination of the pupils in the Armitage, Cliftondale, Fel- ton, and Sweetser Schools disclose the following defects:
Decayed teeth 480
Enlarged tonsils 306
Skin lesions 13
Enlarged cervical glands 10
Deflected nasal septum 5
Poor posture 8
Poor nutrition 5 Pediculosis 3
Heart defects 1
It is gratifying to me to learn
of the appointment of another School Nurse by the School Com- mittee. I have recommended this step several times in the past few years and am sure that the general health and welfare of the school population will be much benefited. The sanitary conditions in all of my schools was found satisfactory. Very respectfully,
LEROY C. FURBUSH, M.D.
REPORT OF ATTENDANCE OFFICER
Dec. 27, 1938. To the School Committee:
The attendance in the public schools has improved this fall. Last spring there were many cases of truancy, some of them with the con- sent of parents. These cases were taken to court and have been straightened out.
There have been many cases of absences on account of the lack of shoes, stockings, and clothing. These cases were reported to the proper authorities and have been taken care of.
I will have to repeat, however, what I said in my report last year, that lack of co-operation on the part of the parents is the cause of the absences of many of the pupils.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE I. HULL, Attendance Officer.
REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Saugus, Mass. Dec. 30, 1938.
Mr. Vernon W. Evans,
Supt. of Schools, Saugus, Mass.
Dear Mr. Evans :- In submitting my fourth annual report as prin- cipal of Saugus High School, I am mindful of the words of Benjamin Franklin: "If a man empties his purse into his head, no man can take it away from him. An invest- ment in knowledge always pays the best interest." It is my sincere hope that the reading of this re- port will, in some small measure reveal the truth of this maxim,
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1938]
and reassure our townspeople that their money invested in this high school will pay good dividends to the community in the years to come.
Enrollment
School opened on September 7, 1938, with 985 pupils in the Senior High School and 408 pupils in the Central Junior High School, the second largest enrollment in the history of the school.
Housing
I might well be considered ne- glectful in my duty if I were not to reiterate at the outset the acute- ness of our housing problem and the seriousness of other inadequa- cies in the school. Lack of space makes necessary the unsatisfactory 7-period day, which results in a longer school day and shorter peri- ods. The discipline problem is en- hanced by the fact that under the supervision of one teacher over one hundred pupils are required to study each period in the assembly hall, where, of course, no desks are provided. We need a larger admin- istration office, with waiting room space. We need department offices, health and guidance rooms, more classroom space, study rooms, ade- quate laboratory facilities, a music room, shops, a larger cafeteria, larger auditorium, sanitation and locker facilities, and a much larger library. As you stated in your an- nual report last year, Mr. Evans, the Senior High School is now housing nearly twice the number of pupils it was designed to accommo- date. I hardly need mention again that a school of 1300 pupils with- out a gymnasium is unique in Massachusetts.
One of the important reasons for the provision of these building units is concerned with student morale. Regardless of how much the teachers instill ideals of school spirit, the pupils will inevitably realize that they are not receiving the benefits provided in neighbor- ing secondary schools. School morale is built largely on pride. Our boys and girls can be proud of many features of the school, such as their athletic teams, their bands, and numerous incidental innova- tions, but, with the exception of the new Junior High School addi-
tion, they find little in the building equipment upon which they can look with pride.
I trust that these statements will not be construed in the nature of a complaint. My purpose is only to emphasize these vital needs of the school which should be provid- ed and undoubtedly will be provid- ed as soon as the Town can find the financial means to do so. In spite of these handicaps, much has been accomplished during the past year.
Faculty
Mr. Ashton Davis was appointed head of the English Department to succeed Miss Ruth Motherwell, who, having contributed diligent service for a number of years, was trans- ferred to the Social Studies Depart- ment at her own request. Miss Alice Sisco and Mr. Frank Patter- son, both experienced teachers of English, were added to the faculty in September. Mr. Nicholas Morris was engaged to teach civics and as- sist in the coaching of football. Mr. John Burns was appointed substi- tute for Miss Dorothy Eyre, teach- er of English, during her illness, and was retained after her untime- ly death took away one of the most valuable teachers of the school. Miss Mabel Nelson was transferred to the Central Junior High school to teach English. The teacher turn- over in the High School has con- tinued to be almost negligible since 1932, being only two out of thirty- two this year.
We now have the best trained faculty the school has ever known. Eight members took courses this year at summer school; six are taking courses this winter. Seven members now hold M.A. or Ed. M. degrees, and six more will have obtained them in a year or two. The aggregate length of service of the faculty is longer than ever be- fore. The teachers' book club in- stituted a few years ago, is still in operation, and affords an opportun- ity for them to keep abreast with current literature. The depart- ments are being permitted to send teachers to visit other progressive school systems to study solutions of problems elsewhere similar to our own.
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