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Onum of Saugus Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Annual Report
of the
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
and
Superintendent of Schools
of the
Town of Saugus, Mass.
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1943
TOWN . OF . SAUGUS
--
.
1629
-
1815.
3
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1943]
Report of the School Committee
School Committee
WILLIAM S. BRAID, Chairman 6 Allison Road Term expires 1945 WALDO B. RUSSELL 8 Anawan Avenue Term expires 1946 GEORGE A. McCARRIER 31 Prospect Street Term expires 1944 HARRY F. WENTWORTH 11 Emory Street Term expires 1946 ANNIE L. HALLIN 35 Adams Avenue (resigned) ROGER C. RICE 86 Adams Avenue (appointed to fill vacancy)
Superintendent of Schools
VERNON W. EVANS 94 Chestnut Street Office. High School Building Office hours-3 to 4 P. M. Every School Day
Secretary To the Superintendent
ANNA V. JACOBS 20 Felton Street
In Charge of Attendance
ANNE C. HUNTLEY 435 Walnut Street HAROLD E. HALEY 72 Jasper Street
School Physicians
DR. LEROY C. FURBUSH 420 Lincoln Avenue
DR. MARY PENNY 26 Jackson Street
DR. JAMES A. CLARK 545 Lincoln Avenue DR. JOSEPH O. WARD (On military leave of absence)
School Nurse
ANNE C. HUNTLEY 435 Walnut Street
High School Principal JOHN A. W. PEARCE 5 Myrtle Street
School Calendar
Fall term, 1943: Opened Septem- ber 8, 1943. Closed December 22, 1943.
Winter term, 1944: (First half) : Opens, January 3, 1944. Closes February 18, 1944. Winter term, 1944 (Second half) : Opens, Febru- ary 28, 1944. Closes April 14, 1944. Spring term, 1944. Opens April 24, 1944. Closes June 23, 1944.
NO SCHOOL SIGNALS Elementary Grades
8 A. M. Radio announcement from radio station WNAC means no morning session for the elemen- tary grades and opportunity class.
12 noon to 12:45 P.M. Radio an- nouncement from radio station WNAC means no afternoon session for elementary grades.
High and Junior High Schools
6:45 A.M. Radio announcement from radio station WNAC means no session of Senior or Junior High Schools on that day.
SCHOOL TELEPHONES
Armitage 1090
Ballard
1091
Cliftondale 1092
Emerson 1093
Felton 1094
Lynnhurst 1095
Centre 1388
Sweetser
1097
North Saugus 1098
Roby 1099
Oaklandvale 0731
High School 0260
Superintendent's Office ...
0775
Guidance Office 1699
Business Office
1420
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Saugus:
At a meeting of the School Com- mittee which took place on January 17, 1944 it was unanimously voted to accept the annual report of the Superintendent of Schools as the report of the School Committee re- quired by the Statutes.
WILLIAM S. BRAID, Chairman
4
ENROLMENT - DECEMBER 1943
SCHOOL
GRADES
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Spec. Totals
Armitage
26
11
19
31
32
28
147
Ballard.
44
38
43
38
25
32
275
23
32
Cliftondale.
36
32
37
37
142
Emerson ...
26
29
21
21
97
Felton.
26
28
43
38
33
39
207
Lynnhurst
14
15
16
12
16
16
89
North Saugus.
16
19
19
15
15
6
90
Oaklandvale.
11
14
17
23
25
14
104
Roby. ......
37
32
37
42
27
32
265
Centre
14
15
15
18
77
Sweetser
42
42
121
118
323
High.
212
236
180
171
799
Central Junior High
173
157
330
Totals. .....
... 250
248
267
257
265
272
294
275
212
236
180
171
18
2945
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
-
...
...
...
.
27
31
15
.
....
.......
.......
.
...
5
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1943]
In Memoriam
FAIRFIELD WHITNEY
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, SAUGUS, MASSACHUSETTS IN 1908 AND 1909
DIED IN MAINE IN JANUARY 1944
School Committee S
WILLIAM S. BRAID, Chairman WALDO B. RUSSELL. GEORGE A. McCARRIER. HARRY F. WENTWORTH. ANNIE L. HALLIN.
6
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
In Memoriam
PAULINE R. PECKHAM
TEACHER AND PRINCIPAL IN SCHOOLS OF SAUGUS, MASSACHSETTS, SINCE 1908.
DIED IN SAUGUS, MASSACHUSETTS ON JULY 19, 1943.
A Faithful Teacher and Friend To The Children of Our Town.
School Committee
WILLIAM S. BRAID, Chairman WALDO B. RUSSELL. GEORGE A. McCARRIER. HARRY F. WENTWORTH. ANNIE L. HALLIN.
7
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1943]
In Memoriam
JOSEPH J. QUINT
RETIRED JUNIOR BUILDING CUSTODIAN IN SCHOOL DEPARTMENT SINCE 1924
APPOINTED
1924.
RETIRED
1939.
DIED
1943.
Service Loyal and Faithful.
School Committee
WILLIAM S. BRAID, Chairman WALDO B. RUSSELL.
GEORGE A. McCARRIER. HARRY F. WENTWORTH. ANNIE L. HALLIN.
8
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 privi- lege of the Superintendent of Schools to submit his eleventh an- nual report for the School Depart- ment, the same being the fifty-first annual report.
The 1943 Budget
At the annual March town meet- ing of 1943 the School Department was voted a general budget of $256,400.00 and a repair budget of $12,000.00. An additional appro- priation of $1,000.00 was granted for the maintenance of the Stack- poles' Field Stadium.
Included in the general budget appropriation of $256,00.00 was sufficient money to allow a tem- porary "increased lost of living" salary increase to all employees of the School Department. The in- creases amounted to ten per cent with a $200.00 maximum for each employee.
Included in the repair budget of $12,000.00 was a sum of $2,000.00 with which to convert the oil heat- ing plant of the Central Junior High School building to the burn- ing of coal. This conversion was ordered by Federal Authorities who at that time claimed a shortage of bunker oil (No. 5). The action of the Federal authorities seemed none too justified at the time but our arguments proved unavailing. Their shortsightedness has since
been proven as there is now plenty of bunker oil (No. 5) available and coal is at a premium.
Included in the Stackpole's Field Stadium appropriation of $1,000.00 was an item of $400.00 with which to make a start on the painting of the huge permanent grandstand.
During the year 1943 the School Department operated within each of its respective budgets (appro- priations).
The following amounts from each respective account were returned unexpended to the town treasury: General Budget $205.43
Repair Budget 158.94
Stadium Budget 11.41
Total $375.78
The Net Educational Cost
The total amount of money ap- propriated for the School Depart- ment in 1943, including the general budget, repair budget, and the sta- dium budget amounted to $269,400 .- 00.
This sum of money, however, does not represent the amount of money expended by the taxpayers of Saugus for education and the maintenance of the Stadium.
The following refunds, as far as can be ascertained at the writing of this report, have been returned to the town treasury during the year 1943:
State reimbursement on account of the employment of teachers: Chapter 70, Part I, General Laws: $24,657.50
Tuition from City of Boston (For Boston wards) : 396.74
Tuition from Commonwealth of Mass. (For State wards) : 1,458.09
Tuition and Miscellaneous Income: 170.10
Unexpended amounts in various appropriations:
375.78
Total
$27,058.21
This total sum of $27,058.21 in various forms of refunds lessens the cost of education and the main- tenance of the Stadium to the tax- payers of Saugus by the above a-
mount. We, therefore, subtract this sum of $27,058.21 from the to- tal amount appropriated ($269,- 400.00) in order to determine the actual cost of education plus the
9
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1943]
maintenance of the Stadium to the taxpayers of the town. The cost is $242,341.79.
Gymnasium-A Basic Need
No efficient and truly worthwhile program of physical education for High School boys and girls is pos- sible until such time as a modern gymnasium is provided by the town. As school authorities we have at- tempted to carry out some sort of a physical education program with- out a gymnasium. It is not efficient and falls far short of desired stan- dards.
Every wide-awake American realizes the value and importance of physical education. Its need has again and again been emphasized. Adequate gymnasium facilities must be provided if any sensible and well planned program is to be carried out. Strong healthy bodies are as important as strong healthy minds. The combination of the two means a better America.
In the post-war era Saugus should undertake to make itself a better and more progressive com- munity. The town is in excellent financial condition, and, apart from our sewer program, is virtually free of bonded indebtedness.
Our first post-war obligation should be to appropriate funds for the construction of a modern gym- nasium for our High School boys and girls.
Then, and only then, can we offer a sound and efficient program of physical education.
Teacher Shortage Acute
In my last annual report I pointed out the fact that competent teachers were becoming scarce. The situation is now acute.
We have already lost many of our most competent and best quali- fied teachers. Some have entered the armed services of their coun- try, some have left the teaching profession to enter private indus- try, some have left Saugus to ac- cept teaching positions in other communities and others have mar-
ried and abandoned teaching as a career.
The School Committee and I have done everything possible to retain all teachers. By vote of the School Committee teachers (women), who marry members of the armed ser- vices, are allowed to continue teach- ing here for a period up to six months after the close of the war. Saugus was one of the first com- munities in the State to take this intelligent action. This action has saved us some of our very best teachers. The School Committee has also approved the hiring of well qualified married teachers (women) for the duration of the war plus six months.
In spite of all of the above ef- forts the inroads into our teaching staff have been heavy. This has been especially true of our corps of teachers in the Senior High School.
We have been forced to close our shops (both woodworking and met- al), eliminate our physical educa- tion program, and combine our col- lege chemistry and physics classes under one teacher.
Qualified science and mathema- tics teachers are no longer obtain- able and the loss of teachers of these High School subjects would be devasting. Two of our present instructors of these subjects are within draft age. They should definitely be deferred. They are far more valuable to the efficiency of our High School than they would be in the armed services.
Throughout the country the shortage of trained teachers is now assuming serious proportions. If something is not done about it the situation can easily become danger- ous. The maintenance of public education in a democracy is essen- tial to the existence of democracy. Without teachers there will be a breakdown. Federal officials should view this situation with alarm --- and better still should do some- thing about it.
In Service of Country
Six of the men teachers on the
10
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
staff of our school system are now in the service of our country in World War II.
Mr. Edward Galligan, coach of football and teacher of Civics, is a Lieutenant (Senior Grade) in the United States Navy. He is stationed at Jacksonville, Florida.
.
Mr. John Burns, teacher of Eng- lish, is an Ensign in the United States Navy. He is on the high seas.
Mr. Francis Hochmuth, teacher of woodworking, is a Sergeant in the Army Air Corps. He is on a bomber crew operating out of England.
Mr. Edward Gibbs 3rd, Head of the High School Guidance Depart- ment, is a Sergeant in the United States Army. He is serving with the American forces in North Af- rica.
Mr. Stephen Lovett, teacher in the Central Junior High School, is an Ensign in the United States Navy. He is at present at a Navy School in Connecticut.
Mr. Donald Hammond, Director of the High School Band, entered the service on January 11, 1944 and his military assignment is not known at the time of the writing of this report.
In addition to the six male teach- ers above mentioned two other per- sons connected with the School De- partment are now serving Uncle Sam in World War II.
Miss Miriam Cameron, former secretary to the Principal of the Central Senior and Junior High School, is a 2nd Lieutenant in the Women's Army Corps. Miss Cam- eron is now instructing new en- listees at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia.
Dr. Joseph O. Ward, School Phy- sician, is a Lieutenant in the Med- ical Corps of the United States Navy.
All of us in the School Depart- ment think of them often and are waiting their return when the war is concluded.
Hundreds of our graduates of Saugus High School, both men and women, are serving their country on land, sea, and in the air. Scores of them are commissioned and non- commissioned officers. Some have already made the supreme sacrifice. Their memory shall always be an inspiration.
It is pleasing to the school au- thorities to know that in army and navy examinations our High School graduates have more than held their own in the toughest type of mental competition. Many of them com- peted against college trained men and women and successfully out- distanced them. Saugus High School can indeed hold its head high for its graduates are record- ing their abilities in no uncertain manner.
Retired Principal Dies
On July 19, 1943 Mrs. Pauline R. Peckham, one of the Town's best known and loved elementary school principals, passed on. Known to hundreds of her former pupils, the lessons that she taught will not soon be erased from memory. Ac- tive, intelligent, and loyal she will be missed not only as a teacher but as a citizen. She served the schools long and well and her ser- vice was always on a high plane.
From personal observation of her work as a teacher and executive my outstanding memory is of her pa- triotism and love of country. She respected the Stars and Stripes and taught her pupils to respect it also.
I know many of her former pu- pils and they are truly inculcated with the lessons of simple patriot- ism learned from Mrs. Peckham. We, who knew her best, salute her as a truly typical American teacher.
Schoolhouse Repairs
Thanks to the intelligent action of the Finance Committee a rea- sonable appropriation for school- house repairs was voted to the School Department in 1943. The appropriation was $12,000.00 of which amount $2,000.00 was for the conversion of the heating system in the Central Junior High
11
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1943]
School from oil to coal. This left the sum of $10,000.00 for school- house repairs; repairs sadly ne- glected in recent years for want of sufficient appropriations.
The School Committee wisely de- cided to repair at least two build- ings throughout. The schools se- lected were the Emerson and the Oaklandvale, the latter approxi- mately 100 years old. The Emer- son School was painted two coats on both the exterior and interior. The building was also completely reshingled and necessary and new interior water pipes were installed. A new fire escape was added to the building at the suggestion of the State Inspector. All ceilings were repaired and refinished. Carpentry repairs were also made to the building.
The Oaklandvale School received similar treatment throughout. Both of these buildings are now in the best physical condition since ap- proximately 1920.
Many other urgent repairs of long standing were made in other buildings throughout the town. Space does not permit a detailed explanation of each.
The School Committee and the Superintendent of Schools earnest- ly recommend a schoolhouse repair appropriation of $10,000.00 in 1944. If the appropriation is granted two more schools will be given a thor- ough overhauling in 1944.
Ten years, with - such an ap- propriation each year, will give Saugus school buildings of which the town can justly be proud.
The School Committee and the Superintendent extends its thanks to the Finance Committee and the town meeting members for their intelligent cooperation in this mat- ter of schoolhouse repairs.
Athletic and Cafeteria Accounts
A summary of the financial con- dition of the athletic and cafeteria accounts of the Saugus High School are included a few pages hence. Both accounts are in sound finan- cial condition. Both are under the
jurisdiction of the School Commit- tee and under the immediate super- vision of Principal John A. W. Pearce. The accounts are audited every so often and records are ef- ficiently kept by Miss Mabel Willey, treasurer of both funds.
The summaries are presented in order that citizens may acquaint themselves with these two school activities.
Saugus High School Band
Too much credit cannot be given to Mr. Donald Hammond for his organization, direction, and leader- ship of the Saugus High School Band. This organization has won State wide recognition and is a distinct asset to the Town of Sau- gus.
With Mr. Hammond leaving for the armed service of his country, the School Committee was faced with the problem of choosing a temporary successor qualified to maintain the quality and precision of the band as it now is. The School Committee selected Mr. Walter F. Germain of Swampscott as the man best qualified to carry on. Mr. Germain knows Mr. Hammond's methods and should prove himself a capable substitute.
The 1943 Saugus High School Band numbered sixty-eight ac- complished musicians. Most of them started their musical train- ing in the fourth or fifth grade. Few citizens know that these band members practise once each week throughout the entire summer va- cation.
During the football season of 1943 many out-of-town people at- tended practically all of our games. We wondered why, and learned that they came to see and hear the Saugus High School Band.
Let us maintain this splendid organization during and after the war. It is a credit to the school and to the community. And may Mr. Hammond return to us after his war service is terminated.
12
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
To Aid Veterans
Many students (mostly boys) of our Senior High School have had their education interrupted by the necessities of war. These boys, some juniors and some seniors, reached their eighteenth birthday at such a time that they were taken into the armed services before com- pleting their high school education.
The School Committee, the Sup- erintendent of Schools, and the High School Principal felt that these boys should be given every possible help within reason to se- cure their high school diplomas af- ter the war has ended.
With this in mind the School Committee has voted to give two credits towards a diploma for a veteran's basic service training and two additional credits towards a diploma for the service of a veter- an in the armed forces. This ap- plies to service in the Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and Mer- chant Marine.
In addition to the above credits a veteran may receive additional credits towards his diploma for correspondence courses taken while in the service, service specialized courses, etc. These courses will be evaluated by a special evaluation board and assigned a certain num- ber of credits towards a diploma. The evaluation board will be com- posed of the Superintendent of Schools, the High School Principal, and the Head of the Guidance De- partment. Final approval in all cases will be by the School Com- mittee.
It is also the intention of the school authorities to have the Guidance Department assist in the rehabilitation of all returning vet- erans who are former students of Saugus High School. In other words the Guidance Department will act as a clearing house thru which many returning veterans may receive advice, aid in securing positions, and help of any nature within its power to give,
It is exceedingly questionable whether or not the Federal Gov- ernment . acted . wisely in. forcing.
boys to enter the service before completing high school. Be this as it may it is most certainly the duty of the school and its officers to do everything possible to aid these youths upon their return.
I assure all citizens that these youths will not be forgotten when they return to civil life.
THE GUIDANCE INSTITUTE
Under the sponsorship of the Saugus Lions Club the annual Vo- cational Guidance Institute took place in the auditorium of the High School in early December. Unques- tionably it was the best Guidance Institute of the series thus far. Largely attended by both students and parents it was particularly valuable to youth interested in the various vocations. One out-of-town visitor pronounced it the best Vo- cational Guidance Institute he had ever attended.
Many persons contributed to make the affair the success that it was. The two outstanding, how- ever, were Mr. John A. Taylor, Acting Head of the Guidance De- partment of Saugus High School, and Mr. Roger C. Rice, Chairman of the Vocational Guidance Com- mittee of the Saugus Lions Club.
The school authorities extend their thanks to the officers and members of the' Saugus Lions Club for their sponsorship of his highly educational project.
Resignation of Mrs Hallin
Late in 1943 Mrs. Annie L. Hal- lin, a member of the School Com- mittee for several terms, resigned. Mrs. Hallin is to live in Florida during the winter season and in New Hampshire during the sum- mer.
The School Committee regret the fact that Mrs. Hallin is terminat- ing her service as a School Com- mittee member Faithful in atten- dance, wise and fair in all her de- cisions and of sound judgment, Mrs. Hallin made an ideal mem -: ber of the School Committee ...
13
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1943]
It is the hope of all of us that she will enjoy good health in the days to come and that she will continue her sincere interest in our school system.
Salaries
Since the rapid increase in the cost of living, School Department employees have been voted a per- manent salary increase of five per cent and a temporary salary in- crease of ten per cent. Although the increased cost of living is greater than fifteen per cent the School Committee feels that it should not ask for a further gener- al salary increase for its employees in 1944. This, of course, is on the assumption that the cost of living is kept at the approximate level of January 1, 1944. If inflation sets in and prices are to rise sharply the School Committee reserves the right to act promptly in the in- terest of fairness to its employees. Practically all employees of the School Department are in the white collar group and would be seriously affected by a further sharp rise in the cost of living.
It is to be hoped that the pres- ent administration in Washington will see to it that the cost of living is not allowed to still further in- crease. If it does not, an increased cost of living will bring with it increased wages with a resultant vicious spiral.
The School Committee must al- ways act both in the fair interests of the employees of the School De- partment and in the interests of the citizens as a whole.
Education of Tomorrow
In the wake of World War II many radical changes will be sug- gested in public education. Think- ing people will do well to appraise carefully any and all proposed changes. There are many educa- tional crackpots in America who will welcome the chance to tear down the old and supplant it with the new. New trends in education should be minutely examined be- fore being adopted. They must be particularly examined with a view
to their basic soundness. Many old fashioned theories and practises in education are just as sound today as they were one hundred and fifty years ago. Much of the new, highly recommended by educational re- formers, has been tried. Much has been weighed in the balance and found wanting.
Basic fundamental training in the essentials will be just as im- portant in the first six grades of tomorrow as it is today. It will always be the foundation corner- stone upon which any true educa- tion is builded.
Subject matter and methods of teaching in the so-called Junior High stage of education may be changed and maybe should be. I myself believe that there is a fer- tile field here for future study and improvement. It could well be that the abolition of Junior High set-ups and a return to eight grades of elementary school would be de- sirable.
My prediction is that there will be definite desirable changes in the subjects taught and the teaching methods used in Senior High School. I list some of the changes with the definite conviction that many are desirable and sound.
(a). Much more emphasis upon the teaching of the manual sub- jects such as woodworking, metal working, printing, automobile re- pairing, etc.
(b). Increased stress on the teaching of subjects in the field of social science. (Government, his- tory, constitution, and correlated subjects).
(c). Increased emphasis on the teaching of subjects in the field of science, especially chemistry, phy- sics, and general science.
(d). A definite retention of all courses in mathematics and an even greater and broader training in this field.
(e). A radical change in the methods of teaching foreign lan- guages. Almost certainly gram- matical construction, declensions, conjugations, and the like will be
14
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
less and less taught. The swing will be toward the teaching of for- eign languages by the conversa- tional method. Students will be taught to speak the language fluent- ly perhaps even with little know- ledge of the mechanics of the lan- guage itself.
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