USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1918 > Part 8
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I grant that this problem may not be so important in Swampscott as it is in some of the industrial centers, but nevertheless it is a national movement for the good of our country. And Swampscott must have a place on the map in this as well as in other activities of a like nature. Within the last month the state has given me these figures. There are 88 illiterate people in Swampscott over ten years of age. This is not a great problem to handle, but it is not so small as to justify its being overlooked. I trust that before the year is over you will be able to make an attempt to enroll these illiterate foreigners in evening classes, with the object of teaching them the English language and thus American thoughts and American ideals. Such a work would not only be patriotic in the national sense, but it would be contributing to the good of our own town ; for where the whole is benefited the parts also must derive some gain.
6
82
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
As indicated in my introductory paragraph, there are certain local problems in our own schools upon which progress is to be reported or upon which definite recommendations must be made.
Junior High School.
In my last report I explained fully the idea and also the manner in which we were attempting to work it out in Swampscott. I also made certain recommendations for the year which happily have been carried out almost to the letter.
By the transfer of the Manual Training equipment from the High School building to the Hadley School building, where the Junior High School is located, much more work in this branch has been offered to boys of the type that would probably leave school before finishing the High School course. The work in Manual Training now varies from two hours a week to six hours a week. The same holds true of Domestic Arts. Some pupils are taking it two hours a week and some pupils are taking it six hours a week. Those who follow this course for the longer period not only have cooking but also sewing, dressmaking, some milli- nery and certain elements of housekeeping. Both of these studies are elective, and the intention is to offer them to pupils who will most benefit by such training. The study of a foreign language has also been allowed in each year of the Junior High School. Pupils who would appear to benefit thereby are allowed to take it. This work has met with great success.
I give below the present program of studies for the Junior High School, because it indicates what a great latitude is allowed pupils of various types. It takes into account individual differences, both in ability and in probable careers, and as such is a proper development in giving the right kind of training to our pupils.
Swampscott Junior High School.
PROGRAM OF STUDIES 1918-1919.
Subjects that are set down as Required must be taken by all students. Those that are set down as Elective are to be taken by such students as may desire to take them.
For each class the number of points required and the maximum number of points allowed are set down. The points are indicated by the figures following each subject.
Class I.
REQUIRED.
ELECTIVE.
Hours or Points.
Hours or Points.
English
5
Extra English
2
History and Geography
5
Extra Arithmetic
2
Hygiene
2
Penmanship
3
Arithmetic
·
4
Drawing
2
Music
2
Con. French
3
Cooking
2
Manual Training
2
1. Twenty-two points are required and a maximum of 26 points allowed.
83
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
1918]
2. Extra English and extra Arithmetic are for pupils whose parents believe that work in that direction is more profitable than that afforded by some of the other subjects listed. Thy are also for pupils who will be assigned to take work because of a deficiency in scholarship which might thus be remedied.
Class II.
REQUIRED.
ELECTIVE.
Hours or Points.
Hours or Points.
English
5
Extra English
2
History and Geography
5
Extra Arithmetic
2
Arithmetic
4
Penmanship
3
Music
I
French
4
Drawing
2
Household Arts 2 or 6
Manual Training 2 or 6
Twenty-two points are required and a maximum of 26 points allowed.
Class III.
REQUIRED.
Hours or Points.
English
Commercial Civics
4
Music
I
ELECTIVE.
Hours or Points.
Hours or Points.
Algebra
5
Commercial Geography 4
Arithmetic
4
Penmanship .
2
Latin
5
Household Arts 2 or 6
French
5
Manual Training . 2 or 6
General Science
4
Freehand Drawing, 2
Mechanical Drawing, 2
Twenty-two points are required in this class and a maximum of 27 points allowed.
The French course given in this class is continued from Class 2 and can not be taken unless pupils have previously had French.
In Household Arts or Manual Training, pupils may take either two periods a week or six periods a week. The six period a week course in Household Arts is particularly valuable and includes Cooking, Dietetics, Dressmaking, Millinery and House Furnishing.
School Accommodations
When I discussed school accommodations a year ago, my object was, in view of the lack of the possibility for a new building, to make plans to accommodate what was to be a crowded first grade situation in our schools. Such a course was the only way to get along without additional quarters last fall. As you remember, the entrance age was raised from 5 years to 52 years. By doing this we were able to get along last fall.
5
St
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Notwithstanding, the figures for the first grade enrollment in December were as follows :
Hadley, First Grade 45
Clarke, First Grade .
48
Machon, First Grade
. 43 Palmer, First Grade
32
(In the Palmer School the first grade is also in with a portion of the second grade, making a total in the room of 42 pupils).
Thus, in spite of the raising of the entrance age by a few months, we still have overcrowded conditions in the first grade. This fact has important bearing on the consideration of school accommodations. Next year, in the first grade, we shall have our usual increase plus those who are kept out this year by a lack of a few months in their age for entrance. It would not be advisable to raise the entrance age again next year, because the citizens wish to have their children in school at a reasonable age. But every indication which we can use to form judgment in this matter points to a further overcrowding of first grades in the fall. Unless we further increase the entrance age, we shall have extremely crowded condi- tions unless we provide a Portable School Building. I should not care to go on record in recommending such a building even as a make-shift. In order to be suitable, a portable building should be very close to a larger building. On the Machon lot there is no room for such a building unless we place it close to the street. This, of course, would be highly undesir- able. I therefore recommend that the Committee ask the town to take steps toward securing a suitable building in the Machon district as soon as possible.
Another reason for immediate action is the fact that at the Palmer School in another year or two the town will be asked to provide further building facilities. At the present time that building provides for five grades. It is now well filled. In fact, it is filled almost to the limit. The fifth grade at the Palmer School comes to the Hadley School to the sixth grade. There is but one sixth grade at the Hadley School. Next year will find it almost impossible to provide for these children. This means that as soon as possible we should provide for six grades in the Palmer district, and in order to do this the growth of the district shows that we must have a separate room for each grade. At the present time at the Palmer School, there are three rooms for five grades. The proposition there, when it comes, should be at least a six room building with opportunity for enlarg- ing to an eight room building.
Hours of Session.
Last year at the time of the coal famine we put our schools on the one session plan. This was done in order to save fuel, and as such a measure it was highly successful. It must be remembered that when this change was made the Committee had at hand a formal petition from most of the parents in one school district to put the schools upon a one session basis. The Committee also had informal requests from a large number of par- ents to the same end. Accordingly, aside from the question of coal shortage, the experiment has had particular interest. At first the hours of all the grades below the Junior High School were considerably short
85
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
1918]
ened. Later in the year when the children became accustomed to the new hours, they were somewhat lengthened. The hours under the pres- ent schedule are :
First and Second grade, 4 hours.
Third and Fourth grade, 42 hours.
Fifth and Sixth and the Junior High School, 5 hours.
I know that the plan is successful from an educational standpoint. The school physicians have reported that they believe that the new plan has been conducive to better health among the children, as it gives them a great many more hours of afternoon sunshine for play and exercise. A large number of parents, too, have expressed their approval as to the educational and physical result upon their children. It must also be said that there are some parents who disapprove of the present schedule, but it must be stated that the number of the latter is very small when com- pared with those who have expressed their approval. I accordingly recommend that the present schedule be continued.
Costs.
In former years I have been accustomed to give a table showing the comparative cost from year to year of certain units in educational expense. Last year this plan was somewhat curtailed, as I indicated at the time, by the introduction of a new system of grading. By that I mean that the State System of Accounting provides for only Elementary units and High School units. In Swampscott, however, we have an Elementary School of six years and our High School is divided into two units of three years each. Accordingly, no comparison is possible, since the only other data obtainable applies to a system in which it is understood that there are eight grades in the Elementary School and four in the High School. In this connection I might state that I have begun a system of accounting in our own office, which by another year should be productive of some definite form based upon our own organization. Therefore the only items which have value now are those related to total amounts both for expense and for membership. They are :
Average Membership
1917 1,345
1918 1,350
Increase %
5
Per cent of Increase less than 2 of 1%.
Amount expended for sup- port of Schools . · $64,317 41 $66,334 91
$2,017 50 3.1
Total cost per unit of Aver- age Membership 47 81 · 49 13 1 2.8
: 32
In view of the increased cost both in salaries and in material, I think that we might point to this slight increase with a good deal of satisfaction in the business administration of our school system.
In Appendix D, of this report, as in former years, I have compared certain data of the Swampscott Schools with those of a number of other towns. 'The basis of selection is a classification made by the State a few years ago, in which these towns were grouped as being similar in valua- tion, size and general type. The item to which I call your particular attention is in the column giving the per capita cost of education in these towns. In other years when I have quoted this table, Swampscott has been the lowest in per capita costs. This year it is next to the lowest.
S6
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
In examining the figures for average membership last year, I find that in Lexington the average membership increased considerably, while in all the other towns except one, the average membership decreased on account of the demand for young workers. I include in this table this year a column repeated from a year ago giving the per capita cost last year. A glance at this latter table will indicate to what extent the per capita cost of education has increased in the whole group. In comparing these figures with the figures quoted above, it must be remembered that the State figures are for the school year ending June, 1918, while the figures in the above statement are for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1918. If the comparison were made with last year's table concerning the amount expended for school purposes on each $1,000 of valuation, a great increase would be noticed in all towns. This is due to the fact that under the new State system of taxation a great deal of personal property was taken away from all towns of this type. This places their respective standings higher in the scale.
Teachers' Salaries.
About two years ago at a special town meeting, the salaries of all school teachers then receiving less than $1,000 were raised to the extent of $100 each. Since that time no further general raise has been made in Swamp- scott. During the same period there has been a general raise in teachers' salaries throughout the country. In fact the raise has been so general that it makes Swampscott a less desirable place, from a financial stand- point, in which to teach, than it was two years ago. I call your attention to the fact that in order for us to maintain a high standard in our teaching force, it is necessary that salaries in Swampscott compare favorably with those in communities which might be apt to look here for probable candi- dates. It should hardly be necessary at this time to reason from the standpoint of increased cost of living as to why the teachers' salaries should be now raised. I recommend that you give this matter your careful attention and trust that you will feel that the conditions warrant your asking the town for a general raise to take effect this year. In order to facilitate any action that you may wish to take, I have appointed a com- mittee of teachers who have made inquiries as to actual facts in other communities. The information that they have received is at your service whenever you may wish to use it.
Conclusion.
In the days that are before us, both those who are charged with the administration of our schools, and those who instruct our children in the class-room, must not only attend to the day's work faithfully and with due energy, but they must also have vision in educational matters. In order to get this larger view of our problem, it is necessary for us all to observe carefully, experiment and progress in our profession. To this two-fold task I pledge myself and my associates, who will continue to cooperate most loyally, I know. And the task will be a joyous one, for at the center of our endeavor are the children of Swampscott whom we love.
Respectfully submitted, WILLARD M. WHITMAN, Superintendent of Schools.
1918]
APPENDIX A. Census and Attendance Statistics.
SCHOOL YEAR, SEPTEMBER, 1917, TO JUNE, 1918.
Number of boys 5 years of age or over and under 16 659
Number of girls 5 years of age or over and under 16 623
Total
1,282
Number of boys 5 years of age or over and under 7
92 Number of girls 5 years of age or over and under 7
96
Total
188
Number of boys 7 years of age or over and under 14
482
Number of girls 7 years of age or over and under 14
· 430
Total
912
Number of boys 14 years of age or over and under 16 Number of girls 14 years of age or over and under 16
. 97
Total
. 182
Total enrollment in the schools
1,552
High School enrollment .
225
Elementary School enrollment
1,327
Average membership
1,354
Average daily attendance
. 1,267
Per cent. of attendance
· 93.2
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
87
85
SS
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
APPENDIX B. SCHOOL ATTENDANCE, FALL TERM, 1918. ALL SCHOOLS.
Average Membership
Average Attendance
Per cent. of Attendance
September
1,363
1,23I
90.3
October
1,374
1,218
88.I
November
1,373
1,23I
89.5
December
1,353
1,142
84.2
The normal distribution of membership among the several schools was as follows, showing comparison with Fall Term, 1917 :
School
1917
1918
Variation
Per cent. Variation
High
217
205
-12
-5.5
Hadley
578
571
- 7
-1.2
Clarke
307
309
+ 2
+ .6
Machon
163
163
Palmer
109
125
+16
+14.6
89
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
1918]
APPENDIX C. Attendance Officer's Report.
To the Superintendent of Schools :
I herewith submit my report from January 1, 1918, to January 1, 1919 :-
ABSENTEES
January
February
March
April
May
June
Sept.
October
Nov.
Dec.
Total
Complaints received .
13
8
9
II
6
II
7
15
II
6
97
Visits made
16
IO
16
9
14
13
20
18
IO
137
Cases of truancy .
I
O
2
3
O
I
2
3
4
I
17
Second offence
O
O
O
I
0
O
O
I
2
2
6
Inexcusble absences
4
5
3
5
I
2
3
5
3
O
31
Apprehended on street
O
O
O
2
O
I
2
2
3
O
IO
Enforcement of labor law
I
O
O
4
2
O
O
I
I
I
IO
Cases reported to Supt. of Schools
2
2
O
5
3
I
2
4
3
2
24
Cases reported to School Nurse
O
O
O
O
O
O
2
3
4
3
12
-
-
-
Respectfully submitted,
JANUARY 1, 1919.
C. WALTER BURRILL, Attendance Officer.
90
APPENDIX D. Comparison of the Cost of Swampscott Schools with Other Towns, 1917-18.
(This classification of towns is taken from the Report of the State Board of Education and based on similiarity in size and valuation.)
TOWN
Population 1915
Valuation April I, 1917
Tax Rate 1917
Average Member- ship
Total Amount Available for Support of Schools
Cost per Pupil from Total Expendi- ture
Cost per Pupil from Total Expendi- tures,'17
Comparative Standing of Same Among 353 Cities and Towns
Amount Expended for Schools on Every $1,000 of Valuation
Standing of Same Among 353 Cities and Towns
Average Membership in High School
Cos per Pup in H gh School
Milton .
8,600
$17,834,603
$16 00
1,459
$97,909 79
$67 11
$65 35
60
$5 47
241
317
$94 26
Wellesley . .
6,439
14,484,084
12 10
1,052
74,490 57
70 81
63 31
46
5 02
278
228
96 30
Lexington
5,838
8,490,202
24 00
1,258
56,973 58
45 29
47 79
193
6 23
185
240
81 59
Winchester .
10,005
16,779,415
19 40
1,614
97,110 25
60 17
51 37
91
5 71
221
332
89 52
Barnstable .
4,995
8,099,650
21 40
S86
46,711 31
52 72
45 25
134
5 65
226
130
99 58
Falmouth
3,917
6,935,790
15 30
689
53,043 03
76 99
66 65
34
7 64
102
127
117 49
Swampscott .
7,345
13,142,603
20 00
1,354
66,679 40
49 25
43 08
161
5 07
273
298
78 29
Canton .
5,623
5,144,958
16 00
644
37,384 0I
58 05
50 66
107
7 18
134
159
89 93
Hingham . .
5,264
6,851,371
19 00
685
52,556 30
59 39
4
96
7 27
129
. .
·
46 20
43 74
.
6 47
·
86 94
.
.
.
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
91
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
1918]
APPENDIX E. GRADUATING EXERCISES
OF THE
Swampscott High School
CLASS OF 1918
Not for Self, but for Country
Monday, June 24, 1918 AT 8 P. M.
Hadley School Hall, Swampscott, Massachusetts
PROGRAM
I. "The Star Spangled Banner"
2. SALUTATORY-"Labor and the War" Harold Davis Stanley
3. CHORUS-"The Building of the Ship" . · Lahee Soprano Solo and Obligato by Minnie E. Blocksidge
4. ESSAY-"Russia" James Avery Stalbird
5. PIANO SOLO-Premiere Arabesque Debussy
Anna Slade
6. ESSAY-"The American Red Cross" Marion Arline Davis
7. CHORUS- (a) "Song of the Armorer" . . Nevin
(b) "Keep the Home Fires Burning" . . Novello
8 ADDRESS
Hon. Payson Smith
92
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
9. CHORUS-"Song of Deliverance"
. Coleridge-Taylor
IO. VALEDICTORY-"Swampscott and the War" Dorothy Edwards Chase
II. PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS Rev. Edward Tillotson, Chairman of the School Committee
12. PRESENTATION OF THE PHILLIPS MEDALS Principal George W. Low
13. CHORUS-"Hail, Land of Freedom !" Turner
14. CLASS SONG
DIPLOMAS
Henry Edward Acker
Leslie Byron Acker
Hilda Bernady Anderson
William Parcher Bangs
William Herbert Bates, Jr.
Phyllis Mary Mack
Richard Hartland Bessom
Evelyn Blaney
Jessie Elizabeth Blaney
Frederick Hamilton Bradford
George Victor Brown
Hartley Allan Burgess
Evelyn Angie Cate Dorothy Edwards Chase Hazel Anne Chesley Helen Mae Chesley
Edward Leslie Davis, Jr.
Marion Arline Davis Arnold Woodbury Dennis
Leroy Joseph Doane
Paul Maudsley Doane
Anna Elizabeth Dolan Ruth Durland
Agnes Mabel English
Grace Margaret Farrell
Donald Morrill Fifield Harold Downes Forsyth Evelyn Fryers
Katherine Emmet Hartigan
John Alexander Herbin Leverett Thomas Holder Elizabeth Adelaide Holmes * Pearl Isabel Jackson Herbert Allen Johnson
Harold Hiram Jones Myrtle Irene Jones
Martha Moore Keefe
Bertha Josephine McCarty
Kathryn Louise Madden Alice Cecelia Martina Markee Paul Freeman Markee
Louise Eleanor Martin
Louise Irene Melanson Clarence Clifford Morley Ada Nettie Morrison
John Herbert Nies Philip Franklin Peabody Shirley Clifton Pillsbury Florence Ruth Quinn Hazel Dorothy Raymond Kathleen Moore Robbins Louise Dane Roberts
Warren Stetson Rock Bertha Lillian Roope Marie Uusula Rowe Anna Slade
Frances Maude Smith James Avery Stalbird Harold Davis Stanley Maud Phelps Sutherland Hazel Belle Thyng Leonard Augustine Turner Lester Alfred Walton
Mary Ellen Ward John Irwin Way
93
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
1918]
CLASS SONG.
Tune-" There's a Long, Long Trail." Now, dear classmates, we are leaving Old familiar scenes ; We must try to do our duties, Whate'er they may be. Tho' the road may be so weary We'll cheer up and smile, For we won't forget the lessons Taught in good old Swampscott High.
There's a long, long chain of friendship That's growing as years go by, And which in our class of "eighteen" Can never die.
We must part, but can be loyal As future years roll along,
And keep alive the memory Of affections true and strong.
In this time of strife and struggle Each one must carry his share Of the burdens overwhelming Our land so fair. Soon our boys of nineteen eighteen Will nobly answer the call, And with faithful hearts and trust in God, We'll triumph over all.
-ELIZABETH A. HOLMES.
94
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31.
APPENDIX F. School Directory. School Telephones.
Clarke
2127
Hadley
2067
High
2574
Machon
4858
Palmer
1954
Teachers.
High School.
George W. Low, Principal
Nellie L. Hadley
Abby W. Howes
Grace M. Allen
Harriet M. Dillon
E. Mildred Crane
A. Lillian Rideout
Katherine N. Bickford
Maebelle Adams
Marguerite Young
Carrie J. Fish
15 Bay View avenue 21 Norfolk avenue 38 Rockland street 17 Ingalls terrace 150 Redington street 17 Ingalls terrace 15 Farragut Road 123 North Common street, Lynn 117 Paradise road 179 Lynn street, Peabody I21 Norfolk avenue
Junior High School.
Marion H. Collyer, Assistant
Louise E. Hoeh
Eva Calef
Pauline D. Dondale
Grace B. Boland
Beatrice L. Cook
Jean G. Allan
Anna A. Lowe
Irene Cummings
Pauline Flagg
259 Humphrey street 169 Humphrey street 169 Humphrey street 5 Park street, Brookline 24 Maple avenue 42 Collins street, Danvers 74 Clinton street, Everett 22 Beach avenue 24 Maple avenue 978 Humphrey street
Hadley Elementary.
Marion F. Newcomb, III, Assistant
Margaret E. Durgin, VI
Helen Fitzgerald, V
Mabel F. Verry, IV
Katharine Y. Prescott, II
Mabel I. Colby, I
Frances A. Gould, Coach Teacher
60 Greenwood avenue 45 Pleasant street 31 Ocean street, Lynn Medford Hillside, Medford Willey House 67 New Park street, Lynn 7 Nichols street, Danvers
1918]
Clarke School.
Alice L. Shaw, Principal
Blanche E. Doyle, Temporary Principal
Alice Durgin, VI
Doris L. Carney, VI
Mable S. Knight, V
E. Jennie Owen, V
Amy Fenwick, IV
Edith A. Farnum, III Marjorie Grey, II
Anna F. Willey, I
9 Farragut road 149 Humphrey street 45 Pleasant street 27 Spruce street, Malden 42 Norfolk avenue 90 Norfolk avenue 255 Burrill street 133 Norfolk avenue 255 Burrill street 56 Rockland street
Machon School.
Lena Jenkins, IV, Principal
Isabel O. Delorey, III
M. Elizabeth Williams, II
Dorothy B. Cormack, I
12 Manning street, Ipswich 84 Greenwood avenue 4 Chapman street, Beverly 36 Lyman street, Lynn
Palmer School.
Louise C. Stanley, II and III, Principal Gladys Mitchell, IV and V
Jessie C. Martin, I .
149 Humphrey street 48 Lowell street, Lynn 5 Elmwood terrace
Supervisors.
Robert W. Gibb, Music East Dedham, Mass. Leave of absence for military duty. Lieutenant 302nd band A. E. F. Wirt B. Phillips, Substitute Music Supervisor, 13 Crawford street, Roxbury
Helen Warren, Domestic Science
II Outlook road
Lulu M. Dix, Drawing
S. Perry Congdon, Manual Training
Charles F. Cuddy, Physical Training
41 Thomas road 40 Paradise road
Janitors.
Fred W. Wardell, High Leverett Holder, Hadley Iber Chapman, Clarke
Abram Stone, Machon
Arthur McNamara, Palmer
23 Ingalls terrace 19 Elmwood road 30 Blaney street 84 Pine street 802 Humphrey street
School Physicians.
Dr. Ralph E. Bicknell Dr. Loring Grimes Dr. Howard K. Glidden Dr. Harry M. Lowd
High and Palmer Clarke Hadley Machon
School Nurse.
Mrs. Mary Hammond
46 Aspin road
Attendance Officer.
Charles W. Burrill
263 Burrill street
95
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
96
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Water and Sewerage Board.
Water Department.
To the Citizens of Swampscott :
We submit herewith our report for year ending December 31, 1918.
The outside work of the department has been very limited this year, owing to war conditions. What little work has been done, has been paid for from the emergency fund. No bonds have been issued, and with the natural increase in the sinking fund, a reduction of $11,456.28 in the net water debt has resulted.
The balance on hand in the emergency fund available for use is $3,909.46. There is also a balance of $994.65 for laying 6-inch main in Phillips Circle, which is as yet an uncompleted street, and until such time as it is completed we do not deem it advisable to do the work.
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