USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1920 > Part 9
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1920]
TOWN OF SWAMPSCOTT.
Deferred Revenue Accounts.
LIABILITIES.
Apportioned Sewer Assessments, due 1920-1929 Apportioned Sidewalk Assessments, due 1920- 1922
$2,040 78
398 56
$2,439 34
Debt Accounts.
Permanent Improvement Loans .
. $227,000 00
Sewer Loans
201,950 00
Water Loans (Serial) .
82,700 00
Water Loans (Sinking Fund)
· 150,000 00
$661,650 00
Trust and Investment Accounts.
Phillips School Medal Fund :
Principal
$1,000 00
Income
792 57
Joanna Morse Library Fund :
Principal .
$5,196 00
Income
2,177 39
Mary L. Thomson Library Fund :
Principal .
$1,000 00
Income
.
89 46
Ellen R. Whittle Library Fund :
Principal .
$2,000 00
Income
84 30
2,084 30
A. F. Nesbitt Private Cemetery Fund :
Principal .
$200 00
Income
4.5 83
A. F. Nesbitt General Cemetery Fund :
Principal .
$200 00
Income
91 95
-
Cemetery Lots Investment Fund :
Principal .
$6,881 48
Income
1,346 67
Municipal Insurance Fund :
Principal .
$3,500 00
Income
354 74
3,854 74
Advance from General Cash
33 31
$24,993 70
$1,792 57
7,373 39
1,089 46
245 83
291 95
8,228 15
6
82
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
SCHOOL COMMITTEE-1920
REV. EDWARD TILLOTSON, Chairman 60 Monument avenue Telephone 2481.
ARTHUR W. STUBBS, Secretary 74 Paradise road
Telephone 4344-R.
JOHN VANNEVAR
. 95 Monument avenue
1
Telephone 4862-W.
Regular meeting, first Tuesday of each month at 8 o'clock P. M.
Superintendent of Schools.
Harold F. Dow.
29 Norfolk avenue, Telephone 1758-1.
Office of Superintendent of Schools, Hadley School; Telephone 2067. The Superintendent's Office is open on school days from 8.15 A. M,, to 12 M. and from 1 to 5 P. M. ; Saturdays from 9 A. M., to 12 M.
The Superintendent's office hours on school days are from 8 to 9 A. M., and from 2.30 to 4 P. M. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.
School Calendar.
Winter Term closes on Friday, February 25, 1921. Spring Term begins on Monday, March 7, 1921. Spring Term closes on Friday, April 29, 1921. Summer Term begins on Monday, May 9, 1921. Summer Term closes Wednesday, June 22, 1921. High School Graduation, Thursday, June 23, 1921. Conference for Teachers, Wednesday, September 7, 1921. Fall Term begins on Thursday, September 8, 1921.
Legal Holidays.
The words " legal holiday" shall include the first day of January, the twenty-second day of February, the nineteenth day of April, the thirtieth day of May, the fourth day of July, the first Monday in September, the twelfth day of October, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, or the day following when any of the four days first mentioned, the twelfth day of October or Christmas Day occurs on Sunday ; and the public offices shall be closed on all of said days. - Chapter 126, Acts of 1911.
83
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
1920]
Observance of Flag Day.
Resolved : That the Governor shall annually set apart the fourteenth day of June as Flag Day, the date being the anniversary of the adoption of the national flag by the Continental Congress in the year seventeen hundred and twenty-seven ; and shall issue his proclamation recommend- ing that the day be observed by the people of the Commonwealth in the display of the flag and in such other ways as will be in harmony with the general character of the day .- Chapter 5, Resolves of 1911.
Hours of Session.
Senior High School, 8 A. M. to I P. M.
Junior High School, 8 A. M. to I P. M. Grades V and VI, 8 A. M. to I P. M. Grades III and IV, 8.30 A. M. to I P. M. Grades I and II, 9 A. M. to I P. M.
No School Signal.
Two double strokes on the fire alarm, 2-2.
7.20 A. M. No school in the Junior or Senior High Schools and Grades V and VI.
7.50. A. M. No session in grades I to IV, inclusive.
Important : If the signal does not ring at 7.20 but rings at 7.50, sessions of school will be held in the Junior and Senior High Schools and grades V and VI, and no school in grades I to IV inclusive.
84
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of the School Committee.
To the Citizens of the Town of Swampscott :
Although the past year was one of largely unsettled conditions in both private and public activities your committee is able to note considerable progress in the educational affairs of the town. General recognition of the fact that education is a paramount issue of the times has been of great assistance in promoting the welfare of the local schools. Never before has a larger degree of cooperation been in evidence. In a great measure, therefore, the success attained in the year which has just closed, has been due to the loyalty and assistance of the citizens of the town.
The past year was particularly marked with the starting of a new eight room school building to take the place of the present four room Machon School building. While it was tentatively planned to enter the new structure as soon as completed, it now has been deemed advisable not to disturb conditions which are operating smoothly, although necessarily somewhat congested, but to await the opening of the new school year in September before moving into the new building.
We feel that this handsome new building is going to be an ornament to the town and that its sightly location ought to be protected in the future by acquirement of the vacant land between the present southerly boundary and Essex street ; and we therefore recommend that a committee be appointed by the town to give consideration to this project and report at the adjourned town meeting.
The new structure will contain all the modern facilities for efficient school work and enable your committee to relieve the congestion that exists in a number of other buildings. In view, however, of a marked increase in the school population last September it is clearly evident that Swampscott is to continue as a popular residential town, and an early consideration of further facilities in the easterly section of the town will be necessary if it is to keep pace with the rapidly increasing demands.
Another important event of the past year was the retirement of Willard M. Whitman as superintendent of schools, Mr. Whitman resigning his position to take up the superintendency in a western town at a much larger salary. Fully realizing the importance of this position your com- mittee searched far and wide for available candidates and finally settled upon Harold F. Dow as the candidate best equipped to become the super- intendent of the schools of Swampscott. Subsequent events have proved the wisdom of their action, as Mr. Dow has taken hold of the work with energy and ability.
For some time before Mr. Whitman left he had complained of the extra work entailed in discharging the duties of the principalship of the Hadley school, a position which he held in conjunction with the superintendency. He felt that the amount of time consumed in looking after the interests of
85
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
1920]
this school could be used to better advantage in the general duties of the superintendency. Upon Mr. Whitman's retirement, therefore, it was thought best to separate these positions, and Miss Alice Shaw, for a num- ber of years principal of the Clarke school, was placed at the head of the Hadley school, where her work has given marked satisfaction to your committee and the superintendent.
Although there were a number of changes in the past year in the teach- ing staff of the schools, they would have been far greater if the generosity of the townspeople had not enabled a substantial advance in salaries early in the year. Unquestionably many of the best teachers would have left for more lucrative positions elsewhere had it not been for this increase. As it was, the majority of the changes were due to such causes as mar- riage, a desire to be nearer home, and others not directly due to financial considerations. As a whole, your committee believes the town has a well organized and efficient staff of teachers who are working loyally for the best interests of the children of the town.
While everybody recognizes that an efficient supervising and teaching force is of primary importance in the promotion of education, it is like- wise recognized that school equipment and facilities must be in harmony and that buildings must be kept up not only to standards which will guarantee the health and comfort of the children, but also to prevent wasteful deterioration. In the effort to promote the interests of the teachers during the war and also because of the tremendously high costs of labor and material your committee strove to adhere to a policy of economy which should enable absolutely necessary repairs and postpone prospective improvements that would entail a considerable expenditure of the public funds.
The time has come, however, when a general overhauling is needed, and your committee feels that the work can best be done through a special appropriation for the purpose, thereby confining it to specific purposes and assuring the placing of the buildings in a condition to need but ordinary attention for some years to come. Although labor and material may not have reached the lowest point that they will, any further post- ponement would result in greater cost than any prospective lowering of prices would make up.
In the past year a great deal of the material used in the schools, both books and supplies, and also the general cost of upkeep, advanced much farther than was expected, thereby leaving your committee with insuf- ficient funds to adequately meet the demands of the schools. In such items as coal, however, the situation had to be met and a far greater sum than estimated was expended in this direction. Light and power, too, became items of considerable more expense than in years before, and in consequence of the general increase it was with difficulty that your com- mittee made such provisions as would enable it to properly carry forward the program of the year.
Your committee looks forward to a year of great progress in the schools of the town. With the opening of a new and up-to-date school building and such a rearrangement of the school population as to assure relief from the congestion that exists at many points a maximum of results is sure to be obtained. Your committee renews its request that parents visit the schools and see for themselves what they are doing for their children.
86
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
In conclusion it desires to thank the people of the town for their coopera- tion and their efforts to assist the committee in placing the schools on a standard second to none in the state.
EDWARD TILLOTSON, Chairman. ARTHUR W. STUBBS, JOHN VANNEVAR.
87
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
1920]
REPORT OF SECRETARY OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
To the Members of the School Committee :
Following is a classified statement of the expenditures of the School Committee for the year ending December 31, 1920 :
GENERAL.
General
High
Elementary
School Committee
$574 88
Superintendent .
4,012 24
EXPENSES OF INSTRUCTION.
Supervisors
6,490 30
Principal
$2,483 13
$4,960 00
Teachers
14,261 50
36,102 37
Text Books
203 88
339 25
Supplies
818 69
1,815 34
EXPENSES OF OPERATION.
Janitors
1,440 00
3,622 25
Fuel
1,077 19
4,289 45
Miscellaneous operating
674 29
1,423 14
EXPENSES OF MAINTENANCE.
Repairs, etc.
1,051 10
1,402 22
AUXILIARY AGENCIES.
Libraries
40 41
Medical attendants
150 00
Transportation
550 00
MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES.
Tuition ·
373 07
Sundries
1,187 86
EXPENSES OF OUTLAY.
New equipment
189 49
Totals
$13,568 25 $22,009 78 $55,954 02
Appropriation for year ending December 31, 1920 . .
$91,567 28 ·
Expended for year ending December 31, 1920 · 91,532 05
Unexpended balance .
$35 23
.
Very respectfully yours,
A. W. STUBBS, Secretary.
88
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
To the School Committee of the Town of Swampscott :
GENTLEMEN,-It is with pleasure that I submit this, my first report, as superintendent of schools of Swampscott.
My friend and predecessor, Mr. Whitman, turned over to me the duties of his office in the summer vacation, a favorable time for a superintendent to begin his tenure, since it permits him to become somewhat familiar with school affairs before the academic year begins. Since September, and the re-opening of the schools, it has been my endeavor to acquaint myself as fully as possible with the teaching force, local school conditions and problems. And it is a pleasure to state here that the Swampscott schools make a splendid impression of efficiency upon any one, who, like myself, has occasion to examine them from the professional standpoint. Credit for this belongs to Mr. Whitman, whose constructive policies are everywhere in evidence, to the teachers, who carried out those policies, and to you, the committee, whose support made them possible. The Swampscott schools are in good condition ; it is our duty to maintain their present status and improve it where we are able.
Change in Personnel of Teaching Force.
During the past year there have been several important changes in the teaching force. Mr. Low, principal of the High School, resigned early in the winter, and was succeeded on January 19 by Leighton S. Thompson. Mr. Thompson, a graduate of Amherst College, came to Swampscott from Foxboro, Mass., after several years' experience in Pow- der Point Academy, Roxbury Latin School and the Malden High School. Mr. Thompson speedily won the respect and friendship of the High School faculty and student body, and is building up his school on a firm foundation. His report will be found on subsequent pages.
Upon the resignation of Mr. Whitman, who had been serving in the dual capacity of superintendent and principal of the Hadley School, a step in the right direction was made by the separation of these two offices and the appointment of two people to fill these distinct and important positions. In the selection of Miss Alice Shaw as principal of the Hadley Elementary and Junior High School a logical and very fortu- nate choice was made, logical because Miss Shaw had shown, while prin- cipal of the Clarke School, that she is endowed with splendid executive ability, and fortunate because since she assumed charge the efficiency of the school has materially increased.
The resignation of Charles Cuddy late in the summer resulted in the election of Stephen White to the position of physical director of our schools. Mr. White was well known to many Swampscott people before he was engaged here. His athletic prowess at Princeton and in profes- sional baseball insured that, and he brings to his position a splendid all round athletic experience. In addition to having full charge of High
89
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
1920]
School athletics, Mr. White is teaching three classes in history at the High School, and visits each of the elementary grades in town once every two weeks for the purpose of giving directions in physical training to all pupils. It is my opinion that this work is of enough importance to release Mr. White next year from his academic teaching at the High School, in order to permit his giving more time to physical training in the Junior High School and elementary grades. It is only a question of time before this work will be made compulsory by Massachusetts, as it is in many states already, and Swampscott is in a position to start this work effectively now. In this connection I recommend also an appropriation for the employment of a competent woman teacher of gymnastics for the Junior and Senior High School girls.
Miss Lulu M. Dix, drawing supervisor, was forced to leave us by home conditions. Miss Dix had been in the Swampscott schools for ten years, and it was with real regret that her resignation was accepted. The posi- tion is being very capably cared for by Miss Clara B. Fowler, formerly assistant supervisor of drawing in Webster, Mass.
Other new members of the teaching force are Miss Fraser, in the High School, Miss Schaefer, Miss Smith, Miss Seavey and Miss Bisbee in the Junior High, and Miss Ormes and Miss Kent in the Clarke School. The large registration at the Palmer and Machon Schools made necessary the employment of an assistant teacher in each building, Miss Grace Farrell at the Palmer and Miss Katherine Wilson at the Machon.
Thus it will be seen that there have been a great many changes in the teaching force during the past year Such changes are to be expected to a certain degree, but as a rule they are injurious to the schools. It should be our policy in the employment of teachers to secure those whom we have reason to believe will desire to remain a reasonable time in our schools, as well as to promote conditions of service and salary that will permit the retention of those who have proved their worth.
School Registration.
Below will be found a table showing the number of pupils enrolled each month during the past school year, as compared with the number enrolled the previous year.
Year Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June
Sept. Oct.
Nov. Dec. Aver.
1919 1382 1375 1383
1381
1379
I359
1482
1495
1485 1461 1338
1920 I 483 1456
1456
I453 1465
1447
1563
1558
1554
I 504 1415
It will thus be seen that our schools are growing in a healthy, normal fashion. It becomes necessary, then, constantly to look ahead that we may be prepared for all pupils who are ready for our schools. At present, December, 1920, the registration exclusive of the Junior and Senior High Schools is as follows :
No. Class Rooms.
Average No. Pupils Per Room.
Hadley (Elem.)
.
6
No. Pupils. 271
45.I
Clarke
8
369
46.1
Machon
4
184
46.
Palmer
3
I22
40.6
Total .
21
946
45· plus
90
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
These figures seem to me very significant, as indicating a crowded con- dition of our elementary class rooms that demands immediate considera- tion. With forty or forty-five children in a room proper progress cannot be made, and the demands on the teacher of such a room are unreasonably severe. It is true, of course, that the opening of the new Machon School will relieve this condition, but not adequately. For instance, if the 533 children of the Clarke and Machon districts alone are divided equally between the two buildings there will be 34 children for each room, an ample number. This gives us no help where we need it very badly, viz., in the Hadley School. In addition to the 271 elementary school children there, we have 377 in the Junior High School, or 648 children in the 16 rooms. The library has been turned into a class-room, while about 50 pupils are obliged to use the assembly hall for study purposes every period of the day. Then, too, the accommodations for the administrative offices are inadequate, as are storage facilities. The rapid growth of the Phillips Beach section has filled the Palmer School and portable. All this means, in my opinion, another school so located as to relieve the Hadley and Palmer districts. This project should be started immediately, for School buildings do not spring up over night, and another fall will find us badly overcrowded in the eastern schools of the town.
Repairs on Present Buildings.
For a few years, owing to the high cost of labor and materials, only the most necessary repairs have been made in the different school buildings, until now it seems imperative to do some substantial work in several directions. The installation of electric lights in class-rooms not provided with them, and the redecorating of rooms, dingy and dirty, should be included in this work and a special appropriation made for the same.
Length of School Day.
The hours of session for the various grades in our schools are as follows :
Senior and Junior High Schools, fifth and sixth grades, 8.00 A. M. to 1.00 P. M.
Third and fourth grades, 8.30 A. M. to 1.00 P. M.
First and second grades, 9.00 A. M. to 1.00 P. M.
These sessions are broken by one twenty minute recess for all children, with other briefer basement privileges for the smaller children. In other words we have a one session day in all grades, with the actual amount of time devoted to purely class-room work varying from three hours thirty minutes to four hours forty minutes per day. Now it is my contention that this amount of time is entirely inadequate. We have to-day a curriculum very different from that of years ago, a curriculum embracing more subjects and requiring a more intensive study ; a curriculum that is being further enriched every year, and properly so. It is obvious, then, that with more work to be done we need more time to do it in, or else be forced to accept a lowering of standards incompatible with our scholastic ideals. This latter condition being out of the question, the alternative of a longer school day seems imperative.
It is my recommendation, therefore, that the session of the Junior and
91
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
1920]
Senior High Schools be lengthened to six hours per day, at least, Inci- dentally, this will allow the introduction into our system of supervised study, and the partial abolishment of home study, in addition to the other benefits.
Entrance Age of School Children.
At present we are admitting to our first grade children who are five years and three months of age. Now it is true that some children of that age have the physical and mental development that might warrant the beginning of their education at this time, but the majority of children have not, and the best authorities agree that even the precocious children might well defer entering school until they are further developed. We have in our schools, in all grades, children who are too young for the work they are attempting, and who, as a result, are either failing in their studies or merely receiving the lowest passing marks. These children are beyond their depth, so to speak. They are all right for work adapted to their stage of development, but they are daily confronted by tasks too large for them.
Statistics show that the average age of the class graduating from High School last June was less than seventeen years. A number of these young people have entered college, and some are bound to encounter difficulties that would not be met if they were a year or two older. Then, too, it imposes a greater task on the schools to be obliged to endeavor to prepare pupils of immaturity for college entrance examinations, or the business world.
The above would seem to indicate that the greatest good for the majority of the Swampscott children would be brought about by ruling that no child be admitted to the first grade who is not six years of age. This I submit to the committee for their opinion and action.
School Expenditures.
For next year's school expenses, we shall be obliged to ask the town for a larger sum than has ever been asked for before. This is due largely to the following reasons :
a. Enormous increase in the cost of school supplies.
b. A similar increase in the cost of fuel.
c. The opening of the new Machon school.
d. A larger corps of teachers.
e. The amount of necessary repairs.
f. Nominal increase in salaries.
A word concerning these last items.
The opening of the new Machon School will increase our expenses because it is a larger building, requiring greater care, and more fuel. We shall hope to re-adjust school-district lines so as to relieve some of the large classes in the Clarke School, so more teachers will be needed. We shall, also, need another teacher in the High School next September. A new state law requires a teacher of mentally retarded children.
A year ago a great and beneficial campaign of advertising was being carried on for the purpose of bringing before the people of the whole nation pertinent facts concerning the needs of the schools. Foremost among these needs was that of adequate compensation for the teachers.
92
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
As a result of this campaign a great deal of good was accomplished, and a step was taken towards the recognition of teaching as a profession by the granting of salary increases in most places in the nation. In Swamp- scott a very generous increase of $400 was granted each teacher, an increase which compares favorably with that given in any town of our size and means.
But that good step taken last year must not be the last. Not that it is my contention that another general increase in salary should necessarily be granted this year. But the facts remain that teachers still are under- paid when are taken into consideration their years of preparation, the modern professional requirements, and the importance of their work. The teacher-market is still under-supplied, the Normal Schools have greatly reduced enrolments, all schools are being obliged to take teachers with less than the desired amount of training and experience.
It would be an easy matter to fill many pages with authoritative state- ments of educators and statesmen of national repute as to the necessity of broad and generous principles in this direction; or to cite innumerable instances of other communities where increasingly liberal school policies are being developed, but it does not seem necessary here. I am confident the citizens of Swampscott are desirous of providing their children with the best education possible, even as I am sure that the means of the town are adequate to procure it.
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