USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1938 > Part 28
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14
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Guidance
Miss Lavin has been appointed counsellor of the Guidance Depart -. ment, which was established last spring. She has enthusiastically undertaken this most important phase of educational work. Since September Miss Lavin has inter- viewed all of the seniors primarily for the purpose of educational guidance. A check-up of the 215 graduates of the Class of 1938 through. mailed questionnaires is being conducted, and promises to furnish us a great deal of useful information. Last year Miss Eyre, former guidance counsellor, re- ceived replies in ninety per cent of the cases.
. During the next few months we shall be setting up the organization for a much more extensive program of guidance. One of our first prob- lems of research will be a study of the causes of failure and methods for reducing the number of cases of it. Already toward this end a niental aptitude testing program has been instituted. A committee consisting of Mr. Leahy, chairman, Miss Towle and Miss Lavin will ad- minister tests to all pupils in Grades VII, IX and XI early in January.
Another important project of the Guidance Department will be the keeping of far more comprehensive cumulative record cards. In addi- tion to the data contained at pres- ent in the individual folders, and on the scholastic record cards, the new cumulative record cards will include extra-curricular activities, personality ratings, records of pupils' progress, pupils' interests, and summaries of interviews.
1 Guidance in Saugus High School is being thought of as an organ- ized service designed to give syste- matic aid to the pupil in making adjustments to the educational, vo- cational, health, moral, and civic problems which he must face. Guid- ance should endeavor to help the pupil to know himself as an indi- vidual and as a member of society; to enable him to correct his short- comings that interfere with his progress, and to know about voca- tions and professions so that he may intelligently choose and pre- pare for his life career. The coun-
selling program will be informa- tional and advisory in nature. The counsellor will not make a choice of postsecondary schools and occu- pations for our graduates. Final decisions will be made more and more by the pupil as he matures, the goal being the development of a self reliant and a self directed, yet co-operative personality.
Curriculum Changes
The matter of extensive curricu- lum revision has occupied the at- tention of the faculty since a year ago September. The Commercial Department announced last spring a new clerical division which runs parallel with the bookkeeping and stenographic divisions, is designed for the many pupils who will enter retailing and general office work, and contains the new
courses, Bookkeeping Problems, Business Practice II, and Office Practice II. Nearly one-fourth of the entire student body is now enrolled in these three divisions of the com- mercial course. A new ten-period- a-week course required of all com- mercial pupils in the sophomore year is called Bookkeeping I with Commercial Arithmetic and Pre- Shorthand.
Sociology for juniors and seniors was introduced into the curriculum in September by the social studies department. This course is designed to further the training for intelli- gent citizenship.
Commercial law and economics, formerly conducted as one course, now comprise two full courses.
The Languages Department of- fered in September an elective course in Conversational French, which meets one period a week. The eight French III pupils who form the group are permitted to speak no English in the class. Mention of our original non-college cultural French course, instituted two years ago, was made in the October, 1938, issue of the Modern Language Journal.
We find the practice of teach- ing solid geometry and trigonome- try in a daily rotation schedule in- stead of in two half-year courses a big improvement.
. In addition to College Chemistry, courses in Industrial Chemistry,
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REPORT OF. SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1938]
containing units in research theory, presenting a most successful ope- research practice, production; test -: retta have furnished music for nu- ing, and sales, Household Chemis- merous school functions during the try, and Social Arts Chemistry were past year. presented this fall.
The Extra-Curricular ;Program
A basic principle of modern edu- cational theory is that the ideal curriculum consists of well-selected typical experiences of life. The experiences offered by the inform- al clubs, the class enterprises, the assembly programs and the school paper seem to be a most effective method of integrating school with everyday life. Indeed, the extra- curricular experiences, carefully supervised and based upon vital. in- dividual interests, sometimes have more educative value than the usual classroom experiences. Real- izing this, we have tried to develop the extra-curriculum in Saugus.
Two problems have kept our pro- gram from expanding as we should like to have it. First, our bus pupils and those employed afternoons must go home each afternoon be- fore most of these activities begin. Secondly, the relatively long seven- period day discourages punils from voluntarily remaining after school.
In the Junior High School we have been able to schedule all classes in the first six periods and provide an activity period, thereby eliminating the above difficulties. (This program is impossible in the Senior High School due to the lack of space and the complexity of the schedule.) Each home room is organized in the Junior High School. Each club meets once a week.
Both the Junior and Senior High Schools have girls' clubs, the form- er sponsored by Miss Priest and Miss Borys, and the latter by Miss Hayward assisted by Miss Mother- well. All girls in the Senior High School willing to subscribe to the club code may become members. There are monthly meetings with excellent programs, an impressive installation service and an annual dance in December. This organiza- tion is becoming one of the best of its kind in the state.
The Glee Club and Orchestra, di- rected by Miss Goss, in addition to
The band, under the leadership of Mr. Hammond, has continued to progress remarkably and now has 35 members. In competition with several other bands the boys re- "cently won the first prize certifi- cate of award presented by the World War Veterans" Committee for their excellent appearance in the City of Lynn Armistice Day Parade.
The Girls' Bugle and Drum Corps with 20 members organized this summer by Mr. Hammond, : made a very favorable appearance at the football games."
The Sahico Club, a senior com- mercial group sponsored for sever- al years by Miss Marison, continues to be a strong organization with about 40 members.
The Radio Club of last year, which was abolished because of the new law which prohibits the opera- tion of transmitting stations by schools, is succeeded by a Science Club (Mr. Gifford, adviser), made up of freshmen divided into three groups: one, for those interested in radio; another, in models of both airplanes and boats; and a third, in photography.
In November, Mr. Chadsey organ- ized a Ski Club, the eighty mem- bers of which may well profit by the experience and skill of their adviser.
The English Department now sponsors three extra-curricular groups. Mr. Patterson is working with the Public Speaking Club, whose forty members presented to the school two Armistice Day as- semblies. Debates, individual speeches, and group discussions
feature their meetings. Nearly eighty enthusiastic pupils have joined the new Dramatic Club, whose adviser is Miss Sisco. At the bi-weekly meetings readings and several one-act plays have been given. The club also took charge of the Christmas assemblies.
The "Focus," with Mr. Davis as adviser, has continued to grow in size. Several new departments have been added, and the paper is' now considered a credit to the school.
16
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Over seventy pupils and teachers had a part in the preparation of the contents for the last issue.
Two excellent professional-tal- ent assemblies were made possible this winter, through the policy of permitting those students who could afford to contribute a nickel do so. Every pupil was permitted to attend the assembly regardless of whether he gave or not. We had no trouble in raising the needed amount.
Plans to affiliate with the Nation- al Honor Society are now being consummated. This society has over 200,000 members in the high schools throughout the country, Membership to the local chapter will be based not only upon scho- lastic achievement but upon such qualities as citizenship, service, character, leadership, initiative, courage, punctuality, co-opera- tion, and courtesy. Under the terms of the constitution it is possible for not more than fifteen per cent of the graduating class and five per cent of the junior class to be elect- ed members.
We regret that basketball is be- ing dropped this winter. Three years of experimentation have demonstrated that we cannot make the sport pay under existing con- ditions. Last year we lost approxi- mately $300 on the sport, and on each of the two previous years somewhat more than $200. When and if a gymnasium is provided with adequate seating capacity, and the payment of a rental is unneces- sary, we shall be able to restore this fine sport.
The construction of the stadium last spring made it imperative for us to play our home baseball games at the General Electric Athletic Field in Lynn. The school is most grateful to the General Electric Athletic Association and its com- mittee for the use of the diamond.
The boys did not win all of the games, but they played some ex- ceptionally good baseball under the direction of Coach Friberg. In June we dropped out of the Northeast- ern Conference in accordance with a previous vote of the Saugus High School Athletic Council. As stated in the last report, it was the opin- ion of the writer that this was a
wise action, because the conference was becoming ineffective in exer- cising the necessary control over the athletic contests of the affiliat- ed schools.
General approval of the excel- lent new Stackpole Stadium was expressed by the fans who attend- ed the first home football game this fall. On behalf of the school I wish to take this opportunity to express our appreciation to the Playground Commission and others who have made it possible for our teams to use this first-class stadi- um. The playing field is vastly im- proved; the accommodations for both our teams and the visitors are extremely good. The greatly in- creased seating capacity of the new stands is responsible for the fact that more people saw our games this year than ever before. The new public address system given the school by the Class of 1938 was satisfactorily used in the press box to announce play-by-play descrip- tions of the games.
The football team again this year was successful, winning six of ten games. The most popular achieve- ment proved to be the victory over Melrose. Mr. Harvey was very much handicapped by the serious illness of Mr. Morris, assistant coach of football who was in charge of the backfield. A committee of citizens, or good friends, shall we say, gave the team a complete set of uniforms for eleven players. This is the first financially success- ful year the school has experienced in a decade. We look forward opti- mistically to the 1939 football sea- son.
As stated last year in my report, it is the opinion of your principal, that the duties of the faculty man- ager and the faculty treasurer should be very carefully defined and that their salaries should be commensurate with what is expect- ed of them.
It is also my opinion that we should organize the sports for the boys in Grades VII-IX under one coach. Senior High School athletics should be limited to boys in Grades X-XII. Girls' athletics, such as field hockey, should be introduced in Grades X-XII.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1938]
The Health Program
To carry out the kind of health program we should like to see in ·Saugus, a gymnasium with equip- ment for corrective exercises, is ab- solutely indispensable. In the meanwhile physical training is be- ing given in the locker room by Mr. Friberg two periods a week to seventh and eighth grade boys. Last spring Miss Shirley Howard, a former graduate of Saugus High School and then a practice teacher from Posse-Nissen, came to the school each Thursday to conduct classes for the girls. These classes were held in the basement. This year Miss Borys is in charge of the physical education for the seventh and eighth grade girls. That, as you know, is the extent of our phy- sical education program.
The annual physical examination of each pupil in the school has been completed. It is my earnest hope that the time will come when we can provide dental service in the High School and a full-time nurse. It would be my suggestion that an important part of the nurse's duties should be to teach health classes for our girls.
Our School Organization
A most important innovation this fall was the setting up of an Ad- visory Council. The faculty elected the following teachers members: Miss Willey, Miss Hayward, Miss Peterson, Miss Borys, Mr. Gifford and Mr. Davis. Working with the principal and submaster, the Coun- cil has helped in the solution of several administrative problems. Such matters as improved regula- tion of dances, budgeting for seniors, class pictures, conduct marks and the establishment of an honor society have received the attention of this group. It is also expected that faculty problems will reach the principal through the Council.
The monthly faculty meetings this year are being conducted by the de- partments. The English, Social Studies, and Mathematics Depart- ments have already carried out their assignments in a highly creditable fashion and have sug- gested several schemes for better correlation among departments.
In September, Miss Willey was appointed faculty financial secre- tary in charge of the Student Ac- tivity accounts. This position, which entails a considerable amount of work, is being filled most efficiently.
Our records show that 71 Sau- gus High School graduates are suc- cessfully engaged in working for degrees in 30 colleges. This func- tion of the school continues to be an important one.
At the Commencement Exercises in June the following scholarships and loans were awarded to seniors with high scholastic standing: to Miss Mary Wall, $200 by Hart Bus Lines, Inc .; to Miss June Auger, $100, the Riverside Club; to Donald Norman, $100, the Women's Civic League; to Miss Marienne Buche- rie, $100, the Saugus Teachers' As- sociation; to Emory Rice, $100, the Central Junior and Senior High School Parent-Teacher Association.
The Harvard Club of Lynn book award, made annually to the most outstanding junior boy, was pre- sented to Sidney Woodsum. Miss Muriel Johnston, also a junior, re- ceived the Washington and Frank- lin United States History Medal presented by the Massachusetts So- ciety of the Sons of the American Revolution, for superior achieve- ment in that subject. The Rensse- laer Medal for excellence in science and mathematics was presented to Corliss VanHorn.
National honor was won for the school by Robert Hill of the Class of 1938 for his essay entitled, "The Constitution of the United States and What It Means to the American People." In this contest, sponsored by the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Vet- erans of Foreign Wars and open to all secondary schools throughout the country, Robert Hill won the first prize in the Massachusetts contest and the third in the nation- al contest.
Recommendations
I should like to make the follow- ing additional suggestions:
1. Construction of a glass-parti- tioned room in the alcove of the study hall to be used as a library. The present library, which is too small, could then be used for a
18
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
classroom.
2. Purchase of more books for tables:
the library.
3. Replacement of half of the as- sembly hall seats with tablet arm chairs, as long as the assembly hall must be used for a study room.
4. Erection of a building unit consisting of combined shop and gymnasium, if a new school is not to be built. ..
5. The installation of a small printing shop.
6. Reconstruction of the assem- bly hall stage to meet the state fire marshal's regulations so that scenery can be used for dramatic performances ...
7. Placing of long tables and chairs in the old basement to make it possible for pupils to be seated while eating their luncheons.
8. .. Provision of chairs for the cafeteria.
9. Provision for new wasliroom facilities in the high school.
10. Transportation of some of the seventh grade bus pupils direct- ly to the Sweetser School to help relieve congestion in. the Central Junior High School.
11. Setting up the machinery for more extensive work in guidance.
12. Establishment of an annual fund of $100 to be used for visual education.
13. Placing of gates in the cor- ridors to shut off the assembly hall from the rest of the school.
14. Placing of curtains on the assembly hall doors.
15. Purchase of new equipment for the commercial department, particularly calculators and state - ment and adding machines.
16. Purchase of a glass cabinet to hold a collection of Civil War relics being made for the United States History Room.
17. Sound proofing of corridors.
18. Provision of a late bus so that it will be possible to detain pupils from outlying sections when such action seems advisable.
19. Placing of bulletin boards in each classroom.
20. Provision of electrical,, out- lets in each classroom.
21. Purchase of a microprojector for the Science Department.
22. Replacing of desks with tab- let arm chairs in Room 311, and the
installation of two new laboratory
:: 23. Securing of another teacher for the Commercial Department. (. : 24. Hiring of an assistant secre- ""tary for the office.
:25. Employment of" a full-time charwoman.
:26. Holding of the Commence- ment exercises at Stackpole Stadi- um : ......
In conclusion I wish to thank you, Mr. Evans, and the members of the School Committee, for your helpful advice and encouragement.
JOHN A. W. PEARCE,
Principal.
REPORT OF ART SUPERVISOR
Saugus, Mass. Dec. 26, 1938.
:Mr. Vernon W. Evans, Supt. of Schools,
"Dear Sir :-- I am pleased to of- fer my annual report as Supervisor "of Art in the public schools of Sau- gus, Massachusetts.
This year at the beginning of the "fall term a slight change was made in the Junior High School classes. Art became an elective subject in Grade VII as well as in Grade VIII. This change was necessitated by the new program for art in the Senior High School. This subject is now offered in the Senior High School curriculum as an. elective be- ing given two periods per week for each pupil, thus allowing a full point of credit in place of the one- half point of credit for one period per week as last year. This extra time allowed for the Senior High School students has worked out most satisfactorily.
My visits to each grade class are made monthly. The grade teacher follows a monthly outline for the remainder of the month.
The Junior High School classes receive instruction each węek. Likewise a weekly contact with the Senior High School students is made, but each such student ar- ranges his program to allow for two periods of art.
The schedule as listed above shows a total of classes instructed over a four-week period as follows:
Grade Schools: 55 class periods. Junior High Schools: 24 class
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1938]
periods.
Senior High School: 32 class periods.
With this schedule but a small amount of time is available for actual supervision or for special work with new teachers.
In all of the art classes there are four basic forms of Art Expres- sion which are presented as the art aptitudes of the individual pupil in each grade.
(1) Color. (The Chromatic Ex- perience.)
(2) Drawing and Painting. (The Graphic Experience.)
(3) Design. (The Ornamental or Decorative Experience.)
(4) Construction. (The Motor Constructive Experience.)
Subject matter for the applica- tion of these basic forms is drawn or gathered as far as is possible from class needs and individual in- terests.
We all recognize the difficulty of the seating capacity in the Senior High School Building. It is how- ever recommended that art classes, if possible, have desks and chairs which are more adaptable to the size of the students. The ones now in use are far too small for stu- dents of the Senior High School.
I wish to extend my appreciation to the various departments of the Senior High School who have al- ways co-operated and who are in- terested in the work of the Art De- partment, to the Junior High School teachers who enjoy inte- grating their work with mine, and to each principal and grade teach- er who has carried out the monthly course of study with whole-hearted co-operation during the past year.
My cordial appreciation I wish to extend to our understanding Su- perintendent of Schools, Mr. Vernon W. Evans; Mr. John A. W. Pearce, High School Principal; and to Mr. Leon C. Young, Sub-master.
I appreciate greatly the gener- ous and kind co-operation of the members of the School Committee.
It is a privilege to be a mem- ber of your faculty in the schools of Saugus, Massachusetts.
Respectfully submitted, ANSTRICE CARTER
KELLOGG,
Supervisor of Art.
REPORT OF MUSIC SUPERVISOR
Mr. Vernon W. Evans,
Supt. of Schools,
Saugus, Mass.
Dear Sir: I herewith submit my annual report as Supervisor of Music in the public schools of Sau- gus.
Each grade is visited once a month and more often when possi- ble. Outlines of the work to be covered are given to each teacher the first of the month.
There are also orchestras and harmonica clubs in the grades to be supervised whenever and as often as time permits.
In the Central and Sweetser Junior High Schools one period is given to each room once a week ne- cessitating spending three days a week in the two buildings.
At the Central Junior and Senior High School, all members are com- bined for orchestra. Practice is held, when possible, on Wednesdays. This group spends much time help- ing the Junior High and Senior High with their various programs and graduation exercises. The or- chestra appeared at the operetta. There is a very great need of stringed instruments in the orches- tra. The library of material for this group is also greatly in need of replenishment.
Members of the Glee Club num- ber sixty. Practice time is very limited. The production presented last year was a great success. This group also appeared at graduation and on Christmas Night carols were sung on the steps of the High School.
I wish to extend appreciation for the encouragement from you, Mr. Evans, and the interest of the School Committee. May I extend my sincere thanks to each teacher and principal who has carried out' the monthly course of study and has shown whole hearted co-opera- tion this past year. To various de- partments of the High School for their help and interest I am most appreciative.
Respectfully submitted,
C. ELIZABETH GOSS, Music Supervisor.
20
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31'
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Mr. Vernon W. Evans, Supt. of Schools, Saugus, Mass.
Dear Sir :- I herewith submit my annual report as Supervisor of Physical Education in the Saugus Elementary Schools.
A visit is made to each school every two weeks. Outlines of the lessons to be covered are given to each teacher the first of the month at which time I present the work.
At this time activities are taught and practised. Taught with a view to their being carried on during other play periods and practised that skill may be sufficient to make them acceptable in the play group. While recreation and com- petition are desirable in physical education they are secondary fac- tors during this instructional peri- od. It is made clear to the pupils that the purpose of the physical education lesson is to learn rules of games, steps of dances, etc., and to develop good form in the skills involved in all activities.
The carry over from the physical instruction period to the free play time of children is brought about by making the material, presented in the teaching period, appropriate to the age level and sufficiently at- tractive so that in school or neigh- borhood play they will of their own volition seek participation in the same sort of activities.
The period for physical educa- tion instruction is best inserted either midway between the opening of school and recess or midway be- tween recess and the close of the session, depending upon when the recess is scheduled.
Approximately one thousand of our elementary school children par- ticipated in the dedication exercises of the new Stackpole's Field Sta- dium. They certainly made a won- derful appearance and much credit goes to the teachers in the. ele- mentary schools for their splendid co-operation. The beautiful trophy donated by Governor Hurley was awarded to the Oaklandvale School. Honorable mention was given to the Armitage and Roby Schools.
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