USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1909 > Part 7
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Again I call the attention of the committee to the need of revising and printing the rules for distribution, that the patrons of the schools may be made better acquainted with the regulations governing our schools.
The library at the High School is not provided with a number of reference books which are indispensable to the work of the various departments. I recommend that the committee expend the sum of $100 to provide such books as, in the opinion of the principal are most needed.
There is urgent need that electric lights be installed in the Clarke School, and the Farm School. During the short dark days of winter both teachers and pupils in these schools have been put to a great disadvantage through the lack of lighting facilities.
Last year I called your attention to the need of telephone con- nection with the different buildings. In those buildings where there are no telephones the services of the school physician and truant officer are of little use as these individuals cannot be se- cured until it is too late to make their services of value. I hope that all our buildings will be provided with telephones before the beginning of another year.
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Leaving School.
One of the most serious and difficult problems of the public schools, and one which truant officer, teachers and superintendent are trying earnestly and persistently to solve, is that of keeping boys and girls in the schools until they at least shall have com- pleted the work of the grades or until the schools shall have had the opportunity to accomplish the purpose for which they are maintained; for there can be no justification of taxation for school purposes if children are permitted to remain out, or are taken out, of school, to be put to work, and thus grow up in ignorance, and perhaps become a menace to the community. With every opportunity available to their children for obtaining an education it is inconceivable that parents, when able at least to clothe and feed their offspring, should be not only willing, but in many cases, anxious to condemn them to a life of unat- tractive and unpromising toil.
So far this year, I have issued 26 tickets of employment while others are still under consideration. A glance at the table of enrolment by grades will show you clearly the falling off in at- tendance in the upper grades and the need of a more strict com- pulsory attendance law to prevent children from leaving the schools.
School Supervision.
This phase of school work should bring the superintendent, who is the executive agent of the School Committee, into direct contract with the parents. If parents will realize that it is the superintendent who is directly responsible for conditions in the schools, and not the committee, they will know that it is to him they may look for the correction of any injustice to their children and not to members of the School Committee. All grievances presented to the committee are referred to the superintendent for adjustment, consequently it will remove all possibility of mis- understanding if parents will call on the superintendent during his office hours when any matter relating to their children requires consideration. We have in our schools children from many homes. It is not strange, then, that the schools cannot be
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administered in every minor detail to the satisfaction of everyone. No set of rules could be made which would meet every contingent of school management. Teachers and school officials are not infallible. However they do their work conscientiously despite their errors. "The man who never makes mistakes never makes anything."
Most school troubles are the result of misunderstandings. If in such cases parents will visit the teacher the chances are that the best interests will be subserved. The teachers are not enemies to the children, as is so often supposed. On the con- trary, they are the children and parents' best friends. Parents should find time in which to interview teachers in the interest of their children.
Nearly every teacher will fail with a pupil if she has not the co-operation of the parents. It is not sufficient to take the child's word for what transpires in school. Several cases have arisen this year of children whom I know to be truthful, but whose statements about the schools have been unreliable. Children's impressions, owing to immature judgment, are apt to be colored by their feelings and sentiments. A timely interview with teacher or superintendent, in such cases, need never fail satisfactorily to set right such misinformation.
Medical Inspection.
If the aim of education is to prepare children for "complete living," it is then the duty of the school not only "to open the child's mind and let the world in," but also to increase his phys- ical powers. There are many children in schools who are kept back in their work solely because of some physical defect affect- ing the eyes, ears, nose, throat or nervous system. A word of warning from the school physician should lead parents to take steps necessary to the removal of such defects. It is a serious matter to allow children to grow to maturity, afflicted with some bodily ailment which will handicap their usefulness and happi- ness through life. Mental and physical waste from disease is deplorable, especially when such disease is remediable. For
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the sake of our children and for economic reasons the superin- tendent urges all parents to consider more carefully the health of their children.
After two years of operation of the laws requiring medical inspection and the examination of pupils' sight and hearing, there still seem to be many parents who are ignorant of the fact that such examinations are compulsory. Many of these same parents go so far as to inform teachers that their children must not be examined. What sane reason they can have for making such requests it is difficult to imagine. They fail to realize that the school authorities are working in the interests of their chil- dren when they are looking after their physical well-being. The superintendent has felt that it is useless to consider such cases, and has always told the teachers to do their duty by every child. Time will, we hope, remedy such misunderstanding on the par- ents' part. The good resulting from these two laws cannot be estimated. Hereafter, co-operation between the home and the school, I am sure, will result in greatly improved health condi- tions among our pupils.
The general tone of the schools is of a high grade. Trouble between teachers and pupils, and home and teachers, has been reduced to a minimum and has never been of a serious nature. The spirit of the teachers is commendable, and the principals have been untiring in their efforts to raise the standard of their individual schools.
Respectfully submitted,
W. J. PELO.
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| Feb. I
Report of Principal of High School
Mr. William J. Pelo, Superintendent of Schools :
DEAR SIR,-I herewith submit my second annual report of the High School.
The changes that take place from day to day in the develop- ment of the school are scarcely perceptible. It takes time for a school system to adapt itself to a new course of study and to new teachers. When, however, a comparison is made between conditions of a year ago and those which are existing today, then a difference is very readily seen. The membership of the school has increased, the total registration since September 1908 being 163, compared with 154 for the corresponding time of a year ago. If the school continues to experience a like growth, an additional teacher will soon be required.
During the past year, many changes have been made in the building and its equipment. The office and library have been moved to the first floor. A program clock and secondary clocks have been installed in each recitation room, thereby simplifying the work of the principal and the running of the school. The new physical and chemical laboratories and lecture room on the second floor have helped materially to increase the efficiency of the school work. We are all grateful to the school authorities for their prompt action in providing adequate accommodations for this department. You will be pleased to know that the teacher in science reports that this year she has secured better results than ever before. The pupils appreciate what has been done for them and take pride in these laboratories, which for their size are surpassed in few schools of our state. The manual training department has been moved to the building formerly used by the science laboratory. Three new benches have been added and other equipment installed to provide for the increased number of pupils who take this subject. The large number who elect this work, about one fifth of the total membership of the school, shows how much it is appreciated. The work done is very satisfactory.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1909]
In my last report I mentioned the unsatisfactory accommoda- tions for commercial work. I think the time has come when something should be done to provide for this department. The number of pupils who elect this course is increasing, and nothing should be left undone to make it as strong as possible. The fallacy that a grammar school graduate or a pupil after one or two years in high school can, with the superficial polish of a business college, be manufactured in a few weeks into a first- class bookkeeper or stenographer and typewriter was long ago exploded. Business houses prefer a high school graduate. They realize that the high school with a good course in commercial branches, when combined with constant work in English and Mathematics and supplemented with Science and History, is better able to build a foundation for the aspirant for a position in the business world. We now need a room devoted exclusively to this commercial department and supplied with a complete outfit of desks and office equipment.
During the past year the classes in drawing have been con- ducted in the room adjoining the assembly hall on the third floor. The light is insufficient and there are no accommodations for drawing boards, models, supplies. etc. The expenditure of a small amount of money in this department would greatly add to its efficiency.
The pupils feel greatly the need of a place where a small lunch could be obtained at recess. There are now in the build- ing nearly two hundred pupils who are obliged to leave home in some cases as early as 7.30 o'clock in the morning and who do not return until nearly 2 o'clock in the afternoon. There is ample room in the basement for a small kitchen and lunchroom, and I believe due consideration for the health and comforts of the pupils requires that some provision be made in this matter.
Although the school owns a projecting lantern, it does not pos- sess enough lantern slides to be of any material use. Schools which are now purchasing lanters select what is called an opaque projector, by means of which illustrations in books, pictures, photographs, and various kinds of substances can be reproduced on the screen, as well as lantern slides. I would recommend
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that some disposition be made of the present lantern and that a sufficient appropriation be made to purchase a modern opaque projector with a sufficient number of slides to make it of some material service to the school.
I had hoped that the School Committee would find that the appropriation for this year would allow them to provide window shades, retint the walls and ceilings of the school-rooms and as- sembly hall, and also paint the wood work of the building which is exposed to the weather. No repairs along this line have been made since the building was erected. The shades are worn out and the woodwork shows signs of decay. The walls and ceil- ings are dingy, and in many places the plastering is cracked and has already begun to fall. I hope that we shall see these matters attended to during this coming year.
The books in the school library have all been catalogued and numbered and there are a total of 680 volumes. Certain depart- ments in the school are still sadly in need of reference books and I wish I might see an appropriation made annually for the next few years for the demands of this necessary part of the school.
Some years ago, a fund was given the school by David K. and Leonard H. Phillips, the income of which was to be used in the purchase of four medals to be assigned annually to pupils in the high school, as follows : One gold metal to the pupil excelling in scholarship; one silver medal for excellence in English com- position and declamation ; and two silver medals for excellence in deportment. Many times in the past, difficulty has been experienced in assigning the medal for English composition and declamation. The pupil may do very good work in one of these subjects and very poor in the other. Seldom does the same pupil excel in both. Personally, I do not believe in giving a prize for good behavior in school. Invariably it must be given to some pupil who is negatively good, while the mischievous boy, who has tried to restrain his effervescent spirts and some- times failed, receives no reward, although deserving of much the greater praise. For these reasons, Mr. Leonard H. Phillips sanctioned a change in the deed of gift whereby one gold medal is to be assigned for excellence in scholarship ; one silver medal
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1908]
for excellence in English composition ; and two silver medals for excellence in declamation. The prize speaking contest for these last two medals was held in the assembly hall on May 22, and the three judges, George P. Campbell of Marblehead, Rev. Ralph A. Ward, and Elisha M. Stevens of Lynn, assigned the medals to Anna F. Deery, 1908, and Ralph F. Symonds, 1908. Second prizes, consisting of books provided by the School Com- mitte, were awarded Gladys E. Macleod, 1912, and Sydney J. Young, 1908. On the evening of the graduation the gold medal for excellence in scholarship was awarded to Ralph E. Symonds and a silver medal for excellence in English composition to Louise F. Keefe.
The pupils, on the whole, are taking their school work more seriously, and are realizing that the High School is giving them something that is needed by every boy and girl before entering upon the serious problem of a life employment. In my report of a year ago, I called your attention to the new course of study which has been introduced. It is a pleasure to say that a year's trial has justified the changes, and many pupils in the upper classes have expressed the wish that they might have enjoyed its advantages in the earlier years of their High School course. A greater desire to make the High School course a preparation for work in higher institutions is much in evidence. As yet, no at- tempt has been made to have this school placed upon a list of schools whose certificate is accepted by the New England Col- lege Examining Board. Before asking for this privilege, it has seemed best that the new course of study should have a thorough trial and that the school be supplied with such needed equipment as is essential to secure the desired results. At the proper time an application will be made to secure the certificate privilege, and I hope it will be obtained before another year. The fact that the school does not now enjoy the privilege is no reflection upon the quality of work done. Of last year's graduating class, all who tried college entrance examinations were successful and were admitted without condition, as follows : To Massachusetts Institute of Technology, one; Boston University, one; Tufts College, two; also two members were admitted to Salem Nor-
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mal School, and one to Tufts Dental School either by examina- tion or certificate. From the present senior and junior classes it is probable that even a larger number will enter higher insti- tutions.
The percentage of attendance is about the same as for the year previous. There are, however, too many who are unneces- sarily absent. Some, of course, are obliged to stay at home on account of sickness, and in such cases the inevitable is gracefully accepted. The trouble arises in the case of those pupils who are absent without any valid excuse and thereby fall behind in their work and retard, not only their own progress, but that of their classmates.
As regards punctuality of attendance, there has been no marked improvement except for the past few weeks during which the matter has been handled with considerable severity. Tardiness, except in extreme cases, is inexcusable and would not be toler- ated in the business world. Punctuality is one of the first requi- sites demanded by business houses where many pupils will eventually begin their life work. The hablt of being punctual should be acquired in school. Parents can be of great assistance, if they will insist that their children start in time to allow them to reach school and get ready for their day's work at eight o'clock. It seems proper at this time to request the parents to help me remedy this defect.
On the reports sent home to the parents from time to time, an effort is made to state, not only the pupil's standing in his studies but also the criticisms concerning his deportment that come to the principal from the several teachers. These report cards should be examined carefully by the parents, and when it is found that either lessons or conduct is unsatisfactory, the princi- pal should be consulted. Many a pupil could be saved from failure in his work if parents would co-operate more with the teachers in this respect. The discipline of the school on the whole is very satisfactory, but here again the home should come to the assistance of the school. Pardon me if I quote from a message received from a parent : " My daughter may be stupid in her lessons, but she can behave in school. I will see to it that
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her annoying conduct ceases." How refreshing it is to know that such parents do exist !
The aim of the management of the school is to make the pu- pils more efficient, self-reliant, and helpful, thus enabling them better to fill the requirements of good citizenship. Constant earnestness on the part of teachers and continued good will from the citizens of our town cannot fail to enable our school to ac- complish what is expected of it.
Yours respectfully,
HAROLD W. LOKER.
Report of Principal of Clarke School.
Mr. William J. Pelo, Superintendent of School :
DEAR SIR,-The Clarke school was opened in September with large classes in each room.
So far, this year, we have paid special attention to oral and written expression in language, and to problem work in arith- metic.
We need artifical lighting in each room, because, on cloudy afternoons it is too dark for pupils to see to perform their respective tasks.
Our boys and girls, with few exceptions, are well disposed, and are receiving valuable aid from a conscientious corps of teachers.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANCES A. GOULD.
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TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Feb. I
Report of Principal of Redington Street School.
Mr. William J. Pelo, Superintendent of Schools :
DEAR SIR,-At the opening of school this fall, we were much better able to accommodate six grades, one having been transferred to us from the Phillips school, than we were five grades the year before. During the summer, two extra rooms were provided by moving old partitions and putting up some new ones. With the present arrangements, our hall room is very limited and the four class rooms on the lower floor are much too crowded. On account of this, there is no opportunity for games in the lower grades and the building is so old that only the lightest of physical exercises can be given in the upper grades. As all the new partitions are of matched boards, it is impossible for classes in adjoining rooms not to disturb each other. It is very hard to teach the children concentration under these conditions.
The departmental teaching has been continued this year with a fair degree of success, I think. The results in music, drawing and penmanship particularly show the advantage of it.
Our yard from early fall until late spring is in very poor con- dition and fails to meet our need of a play ground for the children.
I would call especial attention to the increase in tardiness and urge that the parents give this matter more thought and atten- tion. On the other hand, many children leave their homes much too early and are often here a half hour before the doors are opened. Many times this extra half hour could be spent to great advantage at home studying.
Our school library is very small and the teachers would par- ticularly appreciate a new encyclopedia which is very much needed.
There has been an increased effort and a great improvement on the part of the majority of our foreign population to comply with the school regulations in regard to health and personal cleanliness.
Yours respectfully
ALICE SHAW.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1909]
Report of Principal of Essex Street School.
Mr. William J. Pelo, Superintendent of Schools :
DEAR SIR,-The Essex street building contains three grades, first, second and fifth, none being overcrowded. Teachers and pupils both, much appreciate the improvements as to the sanitary conditions. There are other improvements which would be ap- preciated such as gas, telephone, and yard concreted. The latter being done would make a much better play yard for the children and improve the condition of the floors.
The fire drill has been made easier by the addition of a new fire gong. On the whole the work has been going along smoothly, harmony prevailing between teachers and pupils. The teachers are doing their best to fit each individual child both morally and mentally for future work and to interest each in his own continuous advancement.
Respectfully,
MABEL F. VERRY.
Report of Phillips Grammar School.
Mr. W. J. Pelo, Superintendent of Schools :
DEAR SIR,-The eighth was the only grade left in the Phillips Grammar School at the opening of the school year in September ; and it was thought best to give it the same hours as the High School.
The results of five months' work prove that as good work can be done in one session of five hours, as in two sessions of three hours and two hours.
By placing the work requiring the greatest mental effort in the early part of the session, and by giving a short recess early and
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a longer one later, the pupils do not seem as tired between twelve and one o'clock as they formerly did in the last hour of the afternoon session.
Respectfully yours,
ELIZABETH J. HADLEY.
January, 1909.
Report of the New Farm School.
To the Superintendent of Schools :
The new Farm School is now in fine running order. The heating and ventilating apparatus troubled us at first because the workmen had left part of the work undone. Now that the work is completed we have no difficulty in heating the building.
Children and teachers have thoroughly enjoyed their first half- year in a well-lighted, modern school house. When the days have been too cold or stormy for out-of-door play the children have had a great deal of pleasure in the playrooms in the base- ment. They are very proud of the building and take great pleas- ure in showing it to their parents and friends. We have had one hundred and four visitors, and the expressions of approval have been enthusiastic. Mr. Caswell, Superintendent of Schools in Marblehead, said he envied Swampscott its beautiful new building.
Although there are three grades and only" two teachers the work has been easily accomplished because we have done it departmentally. It would have been impossible for one teacher with such large grades as we have had to have accomplished the same amount of work if she had one room with mixed grades all the time. Having only the first grade in one room has divided the work and the change has given as much impetus to the children as to us.
We all have reason to be grateful to the Town for the new Farm School.
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We still have many needs. The teachers' desks are dilapi- idated. There are no furnishings for the teachers' room. Situ- ated on the outskirts as we are and needing often the assistance of the school physician and truant officer, a telephone is an abso- lute necessity. During the short days the janitor has been obliged to sweep the building by candle light. The building is wired for electric lights. Why not have the lights ?
Respectfully submitted,
LOUISE C. STANLEY.
Report of Drawing Teacher.
MR. WILLIAM J. PELO.
Superintendent of Schools, Swampscott, Mass .:
MY DEAR MR. PELO,-I have the honor to submit my first annual report of drawing in the schools of Swampscott. My term of service has been so short, that my report cannot be very extensive, but I will endeavor to present a few changes and possible improvements in the course of study.
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