USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1922 > Part 9
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17 33
Lexington
6,350
9,960,406
117,147 71
11 76
Wellesley
6,224
18,327,360
130,294 40
7 10
Note that for the school year ending June 30, 1921, Swampscott spent less, both in actual money and per valuation, than any of the other towns listed.
APPENDIX F.
Cost of Instruction in Swampscott, 1922.
Valuation of Town of Swampscott $16,731,005 00
Total raised by taxation
$422,696 00
Total expended for support of schools $129,321 71
Average membership 1,502 00
Amount expended for support of schools, per pupil $86 09
Amount received by town from state (School Returns) $11,570 00
Net cost of schools to town $117,751 71
Net cost of schools to town per pupil
$78 39
June, 1921
99
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT
1922]
It would be impossible to close this report without speaking a few words of appreciation for the work done the past year by all members of our department.
The professional spirit of our teachers has been exemplified by Swamp- scott's 100 percent enrollment in the National Education Association, and by the time and effort spent by so many in professional study. I com- mend most heartily to the committee the spirit of co-operation shown your superintendent by all supervisors, principals and teachers. And to the members of the committee I am personally much indebted for the support, assistance and friendship so evident in all our intercourse.
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD F. DOW, Superintendent of Schools.
100
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL.
To the Superintendent and School Committee of the Town of Swampscott:
MRS. HARDY AND GENTLEMEN :- I hand you herewith my third annual report as principal of the Swampscott High school.
School opened in September, 1922, with a total of 276 pupils, or an in- crease of 22 pupils over the enrollment of one year ago. There has been an average increment of approximately thirty pupils per year during my three years' stay, and according to present indications there will be an increase of forty pupils in September, 1923, over our present registration. In order to provide additional seating accommodations for these pupils, it was found necessary to transform room 14 into a home room for Juniors, and this room now houses twenty-one pupils. In bringing about this change, considerable difficulty is experienced by pupils in various book- keeping classes on account of the fact that they are now unable to leave any of their belongings in this room on account of the pupils who occupy these seats as home room pupils, and this material must, therefore, be transported into the room and out again, at the close of the period. I tried to point out in my report of a year ago that this annual increase in pupils would soon produce an overcrowded condition in this building, and according to present indications there will be in the neighborhood of 320 pupils who will appear at this building in September, 1923. I believe that the school committee should consider very seriously the problem of additional rooms in this building before 1925.
The services of two additional teachers will doubtless be required in the High school during another school year for the following reasons:
1. The study of German should be introduced again.
2. The additional enrollment mentioned above.
3. Three teachers in the building are now carrying a heavier schedule than seems desirable from the standpoint of efficiency.
4. The problem of meeting the state requirement in physical training will be of such a nature that this instructor may be unable to do any teaching, as is the plan at present.
The penmanship situation has been thoroughly adjusted during the past year. It has seemed to the writer for some time that many pupils in this building were not producing a degree of legibility in writing which was at all commensurate with their stay in school. Examinations were given, therefore, to all pupils and certain standards were set up. All pupils who could not meet this standard are obliged to take penmanship until they can successfully meet the requirement.
The experiment of organizing a beginning class in French was under- taken in this building this year. In previous years there have always been a few pupils who, either through failure or a change in plans, have begun the study of French in Grade 10. This year there were sixteen such pupils and it did not seem desirable that this relatively large number should be
101
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT
1922]
forced to make the daily trip between the two buildings. From present indications, it would seem that this will be a permanent thing.
After the impetus given to physical training by the passing of a state law about a year ago, this subject has had a healthy growth, particularly physical training for girls. Miss Boynton plans class basketball teams during the coming winter as well as a team representing the school. In addition to girls' basketball, there was considerable interest in field hockey during the fall term and a total of six games was played. The girls' team plans to continue this sport during the spring term. In addition to this, the boys who do not play basketball have shown considerable interest in the formation of an ice hockey team.
Now a program similar to the one outlined above requires considerable financial support and therefore the following survey will be of interest.
Sport.
1. Boys' Football
Gain
2. Boys' Hockey (Estimate)
Loss
3. Boys' Basketball
Even
4. Girls' Field Hockey
Loss
5. Girls' Basketball Loss
6. Boys' Baseball Loss
It will be apparent then, that out of six sports one has just paid for itself; four have shown a loss, while the football season has more than paid for itself. Swampscott has no enclosed field and is, therefore, greatly handicapped in its collection of money. This situation has resulted in the fact that a considerable deficit has been carried over each summer to the next football season so that each year's work has been started with the athletic association in considerable debt.
The writer believes that play, properly organized and directed, is just as much a part of a pupil's education as Latin, Algebra or any other sub- ject of the curriculum, and it is suggested that the school committee con- sider the matter of appropriating a certain sum of money each year to be expended, like other funds of the department, through the superintendent's office for the use of school athletics.
It was suggested in the principal's report of a year ago that the con- struction of a small cinder track in the rear of the building would be a very desirable addition to the athletic equipment. Track work would offer athletic activity for many pupils not now engaged, besides being valuable training for our football and baseball teams.
During the past three years an appreciable number of pupils have dropped out of grades 10, 11 and 12, ostensibly to go to work. The writer believes that if this high school had been able to offer courses in manual arts work, suited to the needs, aptitudes and capacities of these pupils, they could have been held in school. It is true that such courses are given in the Junior High school at present and seven boys from the Senior High school are enrolled in these courses, but it is very evident that if these subjects were organized from the standpoint of pupils in Grades 10, 11 and 12 and administered in the Senior High school building, many more pupils would enroll in these subjects, and in addition, they would offer a very
102
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
welcome course of study to many pupils now in the high school, but very evidently misplaced in any of the three curricula which we now offer.
The writer believes that the question of the longer school day should receive the careful attention and consideration of the School Committee and parents of the town. Statistics compiled a year ago on this question showed that out of forty-one schools in the state of Massachusetts which were comparable to Swampscott in point of size, only eight had a school day equal to or less than ours, while thirty-three had a school day longer than ours. With the great diversity of interests offered by the modern high school, it does not seem reasonable that an adequate secondary edu- cation can be obtained by the majority of pupils in a length of day of five hours' gross time.
It is suggested that courses in cooking might be added to the activities of the High School and by this means an adequate luncheon could be prepared whereby a longer school day would be possible without any serious effect upon the health of the pupils.
The writer wishes to take this opportunity to thank the teachers, super- intendent, and school committee for their very helpful co-operation which has been forthcoming at all times.
· Respectfully submitted,
LEIGHTON S. THOMPSON, Principal.
1922]
Attendance Officer's Report.
To the Superintendent of Schools:
DEAR SIR :- I herewith submit my seventh annual report. Great credit is due to the principals and teachers for the efficient manner in which they have kept the high per cent. of attendance in the past year.
The Parent-Teacher Association has brought gratifying results through its co-operation. Co-operation means better understanding, better under- standing means better attendance. This has been accomplished to a large extent, as the tabulation will show as compared with the past few years.
ABSENTEES.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Total.
Complaints received
11 14
9 10
8
4 5
9 9 9 11 10
Cases of truancy
4
3
2
1
3
1
1
2 21
Inexcusable absences
5
7
2
2 1 0
0 0 0
3 0
1
2 2 1
4 0
0
1 26 3
Absent on account of sickness
2
3
0
1
0
3
1
4
2
16
Absent on account of insufficient clothing
0
1
2
0
0
1
0 0
0 0
1 0
0 0
5
*Cases in court
.
3
0
0
0
0
0
7 11 8
Visits made
14
16 10 10 10
91 104
Enforcement of the labor law
0
0
0
·
3
* Found guilty and put on probation.
I wish to thank all those who in any way assisted me in the performance of my duty.
Respectfully submitted,
C. WALTER BURRILL, Attendance Officer.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT
103
2
104
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
SCHOOL DIRECTORY. School Telephones.
Superintendent's Office
2067
Clarke School
.
2127
Hadley School
7973
Machon School
4858
Palmer School
1954
High School
2574
TEACHERS. High School.
Leighton S. Thompson Harriet M. Dillon
Mildred C. Fraser
Nellie L. Hadley
/ M. Louise Hannon M. Lillian Rideout
Joseph Stanton
Clifford Crowther
Maebelle Adams
Anna Remmert
Roland Peacock
Lucile Burleigh
Edna S. Bennett
6 Prospect avenue 84 Humphrey street 32 Greenwood terrace 19 Andrew road Thurston street, Somerville 15 Farragut road 329 Eastern avenue, Lynn 28 Norfolk avenue 117 Paradise road 47 Grant road 56 Greenwood avenue 39 Newhall street, Lynn 25 Cedar Hill terrace
Junior High School.
Alice L. Shaw Jean G. Allan 7 Grace Stevens Beatrice L. Cook
Frances M. Connolly
Mrs. Cecil H. Doe
Alice Durgin Pauline Flagg
* Martha Hannon Mary Ireland Miriam Schafer
Marion Burlingame Dorothy Smyth Margaret Thompson Frances A. Gould Helen Warren S. Perry Congdon
38 Outlook road 29 Outlook road 38 Claremont terrace 42 Collins street, Danvers 220 Parkway, Chelsea 34 Maverick street, Marblehead 45 Pleasant street 978 Humphrey street 108 Thurston street, Somerville 86 Walker road 5 Bassett street, Lynn 80 Banks road 54 Redington street 80 Banks road 199 Burrill street 15 Outlook road 41 Thomas road
105
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT
1922]
Hadley School.
Marion F. Newcomb Mabel L. Colby Grace E. Fuller Mabel Verry Amy Fenwick Margaret Durgin
111 Redington street 67 New Park street, Lynn Paradise road 14 Bond street 255 Burrill street 45 Pleasant street
Clarke School.
Blanche E. Doyle
Anna F. Willey
Ruth K. James
Edith Farnum
E. Jane Owen
Melvina Pearson
Sarah Bucknam
S. Lucretia Collins
Katherine Wilson
149 Humphrey street 56 Rockland street 162 North street, Salem 133 Norfolk avenue 86 Norfolk avenue 34 Berkshire street 114 Norfolk avenue
169 Paradise road 11 Humphrey street
Machon School.
Alice I. Quinn
Dorothy B. Cormack M. Elizabeth Williams
Grace E. Howard
Marion H. Fogg
Mrs. Bessie B. Chapman Mabel S. Knight
47 Hillside avenue 36 Lyman street, Lynn 4 Chapman street, Beverly 40 Perley street, Lynn 11 Wakefield avenue, Saugus 145 Norfolk avenue 43 Norfolk avenue
Palmer School.
Louise C. Stanley
Jessie C. Martin
Grace M. Farrell
Gladys L. Mitchell
Ida Bradford
149 Humphrey street 68 Rockland street 60 King street
48 Lowell street, Lynn 19 Thomas road
SUPERVISORS.
Clara B. Fowler (Drawing)
Flora Boynton (Physical Training)
Esther Nazarian (Music)
Helen Warren (Domestic Science)
S. Perry Congdon (Manual Training)
3 Burton avenue, Beverly 76 Banks road
23 Norfolk avenue
15 Outlook road
41 Thomas road
JANITORS.
Herbert E. Wood (Hadley) Fred W. Wardwell (High) Iber L. Chapman (Clarke) Simeon J. Strong (Machon) Wm. C. McNamara (Palmer)
82 Norfolk avenue
23 Ingalls terrace 30 Blaney street 11 Highland place 802 Humphrey street
106
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
SCHOOL PHYSICIANS.
Dr. Ralph E. Bicknell
Dr. Loring Grimes
Dr. Howard K. Glidden
Dr. Harry M. Lowd
Dr. Francis G. Rowley
High Clarke Hadley
Machon
Palmer
ATTENDANCE OFFICER.
Charles W. Burrill
263 Burrill street
CLERKS.
Virginia Knowlton (Hadley School)
Doris M. Restall (Superintendent's Office)
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1922.
22 Elmwood road
Magnolia road
107
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT
1922]
Report of the Police Department
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
GENTLEMEN :- I herewith submit the annual report of the Police De- partment for the year ending December 31, 1922. Arrested or summoned to appear in court for the following offenses :
Drunkenness
25
Operating automobile under the influence of liquor
10
Operating automobile without a license
4
Insane
4
Assault
3
Truancy
3
Overspeeding .
68
Refusing to stop for an officer
1
Operating an automobile, so as to endanger the lives of the public
1
Non-support of minor child
1
Larceny
.
3
Breaking, entering and larceny
5
Violation of the liquor law
12
Reckless driving
2
Failing to stop and give name
3
Violation of town by-law, barking dog
1
Operating with wrong number plates
1
Assault with attempt to commit rape
1
Bastardy
1
Summons, and arrests for out of town officers
76
Total
227
Males
. 223
Females
4
-
227
Disposition of Cases in Court.
Appealed to Superior Court
9
Committed to State Hospital, Danvers
2
Committed to State Hospital, Westboro
1
Committed to Psycopathic Hospital, Brookline
1
Delivered to other officers
76
Defaulted
1
Discharged by Court
9
Fined and paid .
89
.
.
.
2
Vagrancy
.
.
-
.
108
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Filed on payment of costs
.
.
4
Placed on file
·
·
Placed on probation
4
Released by probation officer
6
Found guilty and paid costs of Court
.
Totals
227
Miscellaneous Work Performed by the Department.
Accidents and assistance rendered
46
Assisted other officers
27
Ambulance responded to fire alarms
54
Injured and sick persons cared for
28
Buildings found open and secured
70
Bicycles reported lost or stolen
14
Bicycles returned to owners
3
Goods reported lost or found
62
Complaints investigated
476
Cases of larceny reported
31
Cases of attempted breaking and entering
4
Cases of breaking and entering and larceny
15
Dead bodies found and cared for
6
Defective streets and sidewalks
15
Disturbances suppressed without arrest
3
Dogs returned to owners or dog officer
95
Fire alarms given by officers
2
Fires extinguished by officers
2
Lost children found and returned to parents
23
Lights furnished for dangerous places
27
Lights reported out in streets
297
Lights found burning in buildings
9
Miscellaneous reports
66
Stray animals cared for
15
Water and gas leaks reported
8
Wires reported down
29
Search warrants for liquor served
11
Value of property lost or stolen
$3,088 56
Value of property recovered
$1,848 38 ·
I hereby recommend the following sums of money be appropriated for the use of the Police Department for the year ending December 31st, 1923: Salaries for regular officers
Salaries for special work
Telephones 250 00
100 00
Coal and wood
175 00
Gas and oil
300 00
Miscellaneous expenses
2,000 00
·
Total
·
$29,585 00
.
.
.
6
-
Poles and trees reported on fire
14
·
$25,760 00 1,000 00
Gas and light
.
19
109
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT
1922]
I would recommend that a committee of five be appointed to consider the advisability of installing the Gamewell system of telephones and red lights as a needed asset to the department.
Death of Chief Ulysses M. Corson.
On July 4th Chief Ulysses M. Corson, who had not been in the best of health for some time, was forced to give up active work and go to his home, where for several weeks he was severely ill. A visit to Dr. Ring's sani- tarium at Arlington Heights apparently benefited him so much that his friends confidently expected that he would return to duty in the late fall. But this was not to be and he gradually sank until the end came peacefully on October 28.
During his service of 15 years as the head of this department Chief Corson had endeared himself to those who served under him, who will regard his memory as one of those big-hearted, generous, kindly men whose greatest happiness was in doing things for others without thought of any other reward than friendship. His worth was recognized not only by the members of this department, but by those connected with the departments of many other cities and towns. His townspeople held him in high 'esteem, and as a proof of their regard have prepared a memorial to his memory, which will show to future generations the feeling they had for the man who, though the head of the police department, tempered justice with mercy and upheld the laws with a rule of kindness.
Respectfully submitted,
EUGENE P. BROGAN, Captain of Police.
SWAMPSCOTT, December 31, 1922.
110
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Report of Board of Fire Engineers -
To the Board of Selectmen:
GENTLEMEN,-Following is the report of the Board of Fire Engineers and the Chief of the Fire Department for the year ending December 31, 1922.
Important Notice.
Ring the nearest box for all fires in buildings, if within reasonable dis- tance, as it is quicker and more accurate than the telephone. If you feel you must use the telephone be sure and ask for Emergency 82, Swampscott Fire Department. Great delays have been caused and large losses suffered by simply asking central for the Fire Department, which gives you Lynn, and not saying Emergency 82, Swampscott Fire Department.
Fire Alarms and Service Record.
Swampscott box alarms
63
Lynn box alarms
.
. . .
4
Other Lynn calls
3
Marblehead boxes
3
Woods fire boxes
7
Telephone calls
114
Still alarms .
11
205
On the mutual aid system Chemical 4 of Lynn responded to 29 of our boxes; Engine 5 and Ladder 1 of Lynn to 1 box; Engine 2, Marblehead, to 2 boxes; Combination A, Swampscott, to 3 Marblehead boxes and 1 still; Combination B, Swampscott, to 5 Lynn boxes and 2 third alarms; Combina- tion C, Swampscott, to 4 Lynn boxes.
Hose, Ladders, Chemicals, Etc., Used at Fires.
21/2 in. hose laid
14,250 ft.
3/4 in. hose laid
5,100 ft.
Large tanks used-35
Hand chemicals used
1,400 gals. 576 gals.
Total gallons chemical used
1,976 gals.
Ladders raised
Pyrenes used
1,353 ft. 8
.
.
.
.
111
FIRE ENGINEERS' REPORT
Company drills
10
Parades
.
2
Hose tests
3
Hours of duty
123 hrs. 11 min.
Miles traveled
.
637.4
Valuation, Losses and Insurance.
Value of buildings in which fires occurred
$ 96,850 00
Damage to buildings in which fires occurred 9,566 14
Insurance on buildings in which fires occurred
148,200 00
Insurance paid on buildings in which fires occurred 9,561 14
Loss over insurance
5 00
Value of contents
149,900 00
Damage to contents
2,088 60
Insurance on contents
120,150 00
Insurance paid on contents
2,038 60
Loss above insurance
50 00
There were also fires in 9 autos and trucks, 1 electric car and 1 railroad bridge.
Apparatus.
The apparatus is in good condition. Combination A has had pneumatic tires installed on rear wheels. It has also had a complete overhauling mechanically. This work was done by our auto supervisor, Captain F. T. J. McNamara, at a saving to the town of approximately $400.
Spare Hose Wagon.
Many times during the past few years we have felt the need of an auto which could carry a reasonable amount of hose which we could use to take the place of one of our pieces of apparatus when it was out of service. It is very difficult to get an auto for temporary use as fire apparatus. We believe this need could be met by changing the present body on the service car to allow it to carry about 1,000 feet of hose, and in addition this could be kept loaded, and during the woods and dump fire season could be used as an auxiliary, which would save taking so much hose from the regular apparatus for that class of fires.
We feel that this is a very important matter and have recommended that money be appropriated to make this change, and also to secure a light car for other work of the department now done by the service car.
Large Hose.
We now have 4,050 feet of first class hose, which has been tested to a pressure of 200 pounds per square inch; also 200 feet of poor hose.
Chemical Hose.
We have 650 feet of first class hose.
I
1922]
112
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Fire Stations.
The Central station is in reasonably good condition, quite a little work having been done on the roof during the past year. The Phillips Beach station should have a coat of varnish on the interior woodwork during the coming year. The men stationed at this house have done very good work painting and varnishing during the past year.
Fire Alarm System.
There have been 77 alarms received and sent out over the fire alarm system during the past year. Three new boxes have been installed and three old ones replaced by new during that time. We cannot urge too strongly the replacing of several of our old Stevens type boxes each year with the modern Non-Interfering Successive Gamewell type, and have so recommended. We are of the opinion that the old obsolete type of indi- cator now in use at the house of Chemical 4, Lynn, should be replaced by a modern punch register. The latter is more reliable and also keeps a rec- ord of each alarm. We have recommended that an appropriation be made for this purpose.
Mutual Aid, Swampscott and Marblehead.
On August 14 the new mutual aid agreement between the Marblehead and Swampscott departments went into effect. By this arrangement our Combination A answers five Marblehead boxes in Clifton, and also covers for Marblehead when all their apparatus is out at a fire. Marblehead an- swers with an engine company our boxes 31 and 32 at Beach Bluff and comes to our Central station to cover the town when we go to Lynn on any- thing except first alarm boxes.
This plan gives us an additional engine company at the boxes covering both the hotels Preston and Bellevue, and gives the town the protection of an engine company when our pump company is helping Lynn. This mutual aid agreement now comprises Lynn, Swampscott and Marblehead, and this town is very fortunate to be in the position to enjoy the benefits of this system, as we believe that town and city lines should not be a barrier to the work of fire departments. The nearest fire company to a fire should do their best to stop it, regardless of its exact location.
Private Autos at Fires.
Do not drive your auto too close to a fire, as one auto takes up more room than 20 persons, and the fire department needs plenty of room to work if the fire is of any consequence. Our movements have been greatly ham- pered at times during the past year by this practice.
In General.
Several of our officers and men have responded to alarms on their days off, of which due notice has been taken, and in cases where conditions war- rant extra time off has been allowed.
Two of our men, Charles H. Lampard and Charles E. Snow, of Combina- tion A, were each sent a letter of commendation for the good work they
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Ring the nearest box for all fires in buildings, if within reasonable distance, as it is quicker and more accurate than the telephone.
If you feel you must use the telephone be sure and ask for Emergency 82, Swampscott Fire Department.
Great delays have been caused and large losses suffered by simply asking "Central" for the Fire Department, which gives you Lynn, and not saying Emergency 82, Swampscott Fire Department.
113
FIRE ENGINEERS' REPORT
1922]
did in the absence of their captain at a serious fire. This department, with the co-operation of the school department, furnished speakers and held fire drills in all the schools in observance of Fire Prevention Day, October 9.
In closing we desire to thank the Highway Department for their excellent work in keeping the streets open for our apparatus during the heavy storms. We also wish to express our appreciation of co-operation of the Police Department at fires.
Recommendations.
That the town appropriate $1,000 for hydrant rental.
That the town appropriate $480 to replace three of our old fire alarm boxes of the Stevens type with modern Gamewell boxes.
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