USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1928 > Part 13
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119
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1928]
tion to all who knew him. We spread upon our records our deep sense of loss at his passing.
In conclusion, we wish to express to our townspeople our appre- ciation of the interest they have taken in our schools in the past year and to voice the hope that we may continue to deserve and receive their support in the future.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE E. MITCHELL, Chairman BEATRICE WADLEIGH, Secretary MARION BURDETT JOHN VANNEVAR ARTHUR WYMAN Swampscott School Committee.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Swampscott School Committee:
Ladies and Gentlemen :- It is my privilege at this time to present herewith my ninth annual report as superintendent of the Swampscott schools. As in former years this document will consist of three parts; first, a brief summary of the events of the past school year; second, recommendations for the future; and third, a few tables, partly statis- tical and partly informational. The report of the High school principal is also presented in full as an essential part of this report.
Changes in Teaching Staff
During the past year the following changes have taken place in the teaching staff:
High School Joseph Stanton succeeded by Estelle Beaupre
Bryan L. Carpenter John Miller
Junior High School Verne Reynolds
Edith Craig (Mrs.)
Clarke School Florence Scott Margaret Knipe Evelyn Stern
Elloine Woodward Eleanor Parsons Helen Lewis
Palmer School Ida Bradford
Anna Bresnahan
These new teachers in general have entered upon their duties with zeal and efficiency, but we regret at any time the loss of teachers who have proved their worth in our schools, and look forward to the time when we shall be able to retain those who leave us because of more attractive salaries in other communities.
Enrolment
Our enrolment this year has reached the highest figure in the his- tory of the town. The total number enroled for September, the opening month of school, was 1587, as compared to 1537 in September, 1927, and 1491 in June, 1928.
Our High school enroled 327 pupils during this first month as com- pared to 316 a year ago. At the beginning of the school year our first grade enrolments were very large, so an additional first grade was opened at the Clarke school, which relieved the pressure in the Hadley, Machon and Clarke first grades. We also admitted to this class children whose sixth birthdays are to occur in January 1929, an extension of one month in the entrance age privilege.
120
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Opportunity Class
Swampscott was one of the first towns of the state to comply with the law requiring the establishment of special classes for children three or more years mentally retarded, and we have endeavored to do all that we can for this type of child. In recent years it has been felt that some equal opportunity should be given to our gifted children, those who might reasonably be expected to do the work of the six elementary grades in five years. We have, of course, always had in mind our gifted children, and many of them have been accelerated from time to time, though never in a systematic way, and, it is to be believed, not without some slight educational loss to those so accelerated. After a study of our local situation and the practice in other communities there was or- ganized shortly after the opening of school an "Opportunity Class" for those pupils who might hope to do the work of our elementary grades in five years.
Briefly our plans were as follows: To select from the fourth grades of our schools children who, first, had an intelligence quotient of 120, or more; second, were in sound health; third, were not already accel- erated; and fourth, whose parents were desirous of having them at- tempt the work; to group these children in the central part of the town; to have them cover during the present school year the essentials of both the fourth and fifth grades and at the end of the year to promote the successful ones to the sixth grade. We have, accordingly, at the present time a group of fourteen pupils, nine girls and five boys, who meet the above requirements, in charge of a teacher newly appointed for this class and housed in the Hadley annex. It is too early to speak of possible results from this venture; at the present time the class seems well organized, the pupils intensely interested and doing well, and the parents satisfied with our efforts. If by this organization we are able to save a year in the educational life of twelve or fifteen children the project will be a success and amply justified both from the educational and the economic standpoints.
The Palmer School
At the opening of school in September the distribution of pupils in the Palmer school was of such a nature that we were unable to place two grades in any room there. Accordingly, we transferred to the Hadley school the sixth grade pupils of the Palmer school, sixteen in number, making room for them at the Hadley school by the transfer of approx- imately an equivalent number of Hadley school pupils to the Clarke school. It is to be hoped that this condition will not exist another year, and present indications are that the long sought relief in the Palmer school district is to be obtained. At a special town meeting held in No- vember the town voted to take a parcel of land a few hundred feet north of the present building and entered upon from Orchard circle, upon which it is proposed to erect a new school. With persistence and rea- sonably good fortune a building should be ready for occupancy here next September and solve probably for all times the school housing problem in this part of the town.
The High School
It is gratifying to note the interest in the High school situation shown by the special committee appointed at the last regular town meet- ing to consider High school needs. This committee has made a careful and personal inspection of our High school plant, and in general has con- ducted its investigations in a methodical manner. At the present time there is no indication as to the nature of the report which will be sub- mitted, but it would seem that it will be both comprehensive and in- telligent.
121
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1928]
Our Testing Program
We have endeavored during the past few years to make such use of standardized tests as our facilities and organizations would warrant. At the present time we have given intelligence tests to all pupils from the fourth grade through the High school. During the past year we gave to these same grades, four to twelve inclusive, the following achievement tests: Wilson Language Error, Chapman's Unspeeded Reading Comprehension Test, and participated in the State-Wide Arith- metic Tests conducted under the auspices of Professor Wilson of Boston University. A tabulation of the results of some of these tests and com- parison with normal scores will appear in the index. It appears from these scores that our Swampscott boys and girls are holding their own well in these fundamental processes.
Miscellaneous Activities
As in past years it is a pleasure to comment favorably upon many of our extra curricula activities. We feel that our Junior and Senior High athletic teams, both boys and girls, play their different games in accordance with the proper spirit which should actuate present day athletic contests. The past year a special effort has been made by Miss Flora Boynton, our Physical Training Supervisor, to do corrective work with those children showing markedly poor posture. Since September of the current year we have had each week student pupils from some of the Boston physical training schools working with small groups of elementary school pupils who need assistance along these most import- ant lines. Our department of music is functioning most successfully and features of each school year are the concerts given by the musical clubs of the Junior and Senior High schools. The dramatic clubs of these two schools maintain their fine organization and the high standard of amateur theatricals which have characterized them for a number of years.
It becomes increasingly apparent as years go by that the Swamp- scott Parent-Teacher Association is a factor for real progress in the establishment of harmonious relations and better understandings between parents and school people. Each year there is an increase in the in- terest and support given to our schools and there is no doubt but that a large part of this is brought about by the Parent-Teacher Association. The men and women who serve as officers of the association deserve the hearty commendation of all those interested in the progress of Swamp- scott education, as the association itself merits the support of all citizens of the town.
Looking Toward The Future
There is so much that is worthwhile in education today that the pos- sibilities of development in a moderately sized school system are almost without limit. It is obvious that a town like Swampscott with its small organization and limited facilities must be somewhat restricted in its offerings and activities, culling from those things which modern educational theory has to offer that which is most practical and most readily adapted to the local needs. On the other hand, it should be realized that ours is a community which can afford practically anything within reason that will contribute to the successful development of its boys and girls.
Teachers' Salaries
The above principle may very readily be applied in the near future in respect to teachers' salaries. Our teachers have never been underpaid, but neither have Swampscott salaries equaled those of other commu- nities no more able to pay than we are. If we desire to retain our best teachers and to secure for those vacancies which occur in the future the best that the teaching market affords, we must be prepared to pay sal-
122
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
aries higher than those now paid in our system. It is my belief that desirable results would be obtained by the establishment of a super- maximum to which teachers shall be eligible upon the completion of a prescribed number of units of professional improvement, always provided that their work in the class room measures up to the highest standards. Such a plan would be in accordance with the practice in many com- munities where careful studies of the salary situation have been made; it would offer proper inducements to teachers to develop professionally; it would recognize the elements of merit, and it would get us away from the automatic increase based solely on length of service, which has found disfavor with so many.
First Grade Entrance Age
Our present ruling in regard to the age of children entering our first grades is that they must be six years of age before the first of the following January in order to be eligible for membership in our entering classes. This rule was adopted eight years ago and was in accordance with the practice quite general at that time. Since then, however, as the testing programs of larger systems have been developed many com- munities have adopted the policy of admitting children to the first grades on the basis of mental rather than chronological age, or with considera- tion to both. Lynn, for example, admits to its first grades children who are five years and six months old chronologically and those who are five years and five months old if their mental age "determined by an examination given by the school psychologist" is six years as of Sep- tember fifteenth of the current year. Such a ruling is an application of the principle of recognizing individual differences in children, which all school people endorse.
It is my belief that we should similarly modify our own ruling in this matter. It is, of course, true that at the present time we do not have a school psychologist, but we could doubtless secure the temporary services of some one trained in this work for the short period necessary for this task prior to the beginning of school, and the cost would be small in comparison to the benefits which would be derived.
Our School Plant and Grounds
During the past few years we have had from the town special ap- propriations for repairs, which with our regular appropriations, have brought our buildings to very good condition, with the exception of the Palmer and High schools. The Palmer school received no attention the past year because of the request for the new school; and at the High school we did only that work absolutely necessary, pending the report of the special committee of investigation.
Our school grounds, however, are in very unsatisfactory condition. Much has been said about this item in the past, and several requests for appropriations to remedy matters have been refused. It is still my belief that we should ask the town to appropriate this year a sum of money sufficient to have a landscape architect outline a program of development of our school grounds, and to begin the carrying out of this program, and to follow this up in subsequent years with request until the program is completed. In my opinion, nothing connected with the material fabric of our schools excels this item in importance.
Program Extensions
Comment has been made above concerning our special class and the new opportunity class. At this time it seems to me appropriate to re- commend the establishment of another special class, to be organized in the Junior High school and to provide special training for the larger of our retarded boys and girls. The opening of such a class would allow us to have pupils of more nearly the same age and size in the Machon school special class, and would bring the large boys and girls to a building where there are some industrial facilities.
123
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1928]
After much thought and study it has become my belief that we could profit greatly by the employment of some one who would give full-time to the direction of our testing and guidance program. As has been indicated we have tried to make use of modern methods of testing; we have the elements of guidance started, but we need in both these fields the impetus that a full-time specialist alone could supply. It is my belief that the efficiency of our schools and the present and future welfare of our boys and girls would be greatly increased by such a step.
Conclusion
In closing this report it is again a pleasure to commend the spirit of loyalty and co-operation of all members of the teaching staff, as well as to express my keen appreciation of the cordial support and assistance which have been given by the members of the committee.
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD F. DOW, Superintendent of Schools.
HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
To the Superintendent and School Committee of the Town of Swamp- scott:
Ladies and Gentlemen :- I herewith present my second annual re- port as principal of the Swampscott High school.
Attendance
During the year 1927-1928 the percentage of attendance was 95.2 as compared with 95.67 per cent during the preceding year. It is hoped that the present school year will witness a real improvement along this line.
The number of tardiness per pupil decreased from 1.6 per pupil in 1926-1927 to .9 in 1927-1928. Although the latter number is too high, yet a reduction of .7 per pupil indicates a more business-like attitude on the part of pupils and substantial co-operation by parents in having their children at school on time. This is an encouraging feature of the ad- ministration of the school.
Enrollment
1921
254
1922
276
1923
251
1924
265
1925
267
1926
300
1927
316
1928
327
Since September, 1921, there has been an increase of 28.74 per cent. in the enrollment of the Senior High school, while since 1920 the popu- lation of the town has increased twenty-three per cent. There has been no marked annual increase in the High school, except in the years 1922 and 1926, yet the growth has been steady, with the exception of the year 1923, when the enrollment decreased, and that of 1925, when it remained practically the same as during the preceding year. In Sep- tember 1929, an enrollment of between 340 and 350 pupils may be ex- pected. There are sufficient seats to accommodate that number, but some of the classes, particularly those in English, French, History, Physics, Chemistry, and Typewriting will be too large for the present teaching force. An additional teacher will probably be required, because the present teaching load is too heavy in most of the subjects named above. The problem will be to find a room in which an additional teacher may hold her classes.
124
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
The unusually small turnover in our teaching staff during the past year should prove of great value to the school, and is an encouraging symptom of a better school.
College Entrance
Of the 546 graduates of the Swampscott High school from 1920 to 1928, inclusive, 215 or 39.2 per cent. have entered forty-seven post- secondary schools and colleges. Among these colleges are Amherst, Boston University, Bowdoin, Brown, Dartmouth, Harvard, Massa- chusetts Institute of Technology, Mount Holyoke, University of New Hampshire, Norwich University, University of Pennsylvania, Radcliffe, Simmons, Smith, Syracuse University, Tufts, University of Vermont, Wheaton, Wellesley, and Yale.
The school has the certificate privilege of the New England College Entrance Certificate Board, and may send its graduates into any of the following colleges without examination: Amherst, Bates, Boston Univer- sity, Bowdoin, Brown University, Colby, Massachusetts Agricultural College, Middlebury, Tufts, Wesleyan University, and Williams. The school, also, is approved by Dartmouth, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Norwich University, University of Maine, University of New Hamp- shire, and University of Vermont, and may send its graduates into any of these institutions without examinations.
Preparation for the Examinations of the College Entrance Examination Board
Not only do graduates of the Swampscott High school enter those colleges which admit by certificate, but they have good success in pass- ing the examinations of the College Entrance Examination Board and in entering those colleges which admit only by examination.
The results of the College Board Examinations taken in June 1927, were very gratifying, as a previous report shows.
The results of the examinations taken in June, 1928, were as follows:
No. R.
Passed 17
Failed
Per Cent. Passed 89.47
Per Cent. Failed 10.53
No. C.
21
14
7
66-2/3
33-1/3
No. X. 11
7
4
63.64
36.36
Total No. Exams. 51 38
13
74.5
25.5
In this table R. means recommended, C. means consent given, and X. means that the school neither recommends nor gives consent for the particular examination. The interpretation of the R. group is that of nineteen examinations for which pupils were recommended, seventeen were passed and only two were failed.
The following is a summary of the results of the examinations by subjects :
Per Cent. Per Cent.
Subject
No. Exams.
Passed 10
Failed
Passed
Failed
French
11
1
90.9
9.1
Latin
9
7
2
77.8
22.2
Algebra
8
6
2
75.
25.
English
4
2
2
50.
50.
U. S. History
5
2
3
40.
60.
Chemistry
3
1
2
33-1/3
66-2/3
Solid Geometry
1
0
1
0
100
Plane Geometry
9
9
0
100
0
Trigonometry
1
1
0
100
0
19
2
The records of our students in the College Entrance Board Exam- inations and in the colleges demonstrate that this school is preparing for
125
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1928]
and sending into college those who have the ability and the will to do the work assigned.
The college grades of our graduates justify the increasing confidence of the citizens of Swampscott in the ability of the High school to pre- pare their children for college.
A favorable public sentiment is one of the strongest assets of a school. It begets both a feeling of confidence and a spirit of industry in the pupils, and inspires them to do their best. The development of such a wholesome attitude here in Swampscott by parents and other citizens toward their High school is encouraging. It means happier and more eager pupils, more efficient teachers, and a better High school. As water rises no higher than its source, so a school or other public in- stitution rises no higher than the level of the public sentiment toward it, support of it, and confidence in it.
Graduates of 1928 in College
Of the eighty-five graduates of the High school in June 1928, nine- teen entered post-secondary schools as follows:
Boston University
1
Framingham Normal
1
Katherine Gibbs
2
Jackson 3
1
Miss Leslie's School 1
Mass. Instit. of Technology
1
Massachusetts Nautical
1
Northeastern University 1
Posse-Nissen School
1
Radcliffe College
1
Salem Normal
3
University of Vermont
1
Wentworth Institute
1
Extra Curricula Activities
The usual activities in football, basketball, baseball, field hockey, hockey, dramatics, and class socials were carried on during the year.
Health
A health program, comprising medical inspection, corrective exer- cises, and health instruction should be inaugurated in the High school. The purpose of the medical inspection would be to determine only those physical defects which could be helped or corrected by proper exercises. There should be a cumulative health record card for each pupil, and it should show his health progress from year to year. Two periods per week of purposive physical training and one period per week of health instruction should be given to every pupil. Such a program would re- quire a well equipped gymnasium and two full time instructors, one for the boys, and the other for the girls, and the results, I believe, would amply justify the cost.
Conclusion
Some real progress has been made during the year, and a great deal remains to be done, but the co-operation which is now manifest gives hope of a better future for the school.
The support of the School Committee, the counsel of the Superin- tendent of Schools, the co-operation of the teachers, and the excellent spirit among the pupils, I gratefully acknowledge.
Respectfully submitted,
LEE T. GRAY, Principal.
Keene Normal
126
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
STATEMENT-DECEMBER 31, 1928
General
High Elementary
General
School Committee
$ 84.00
Superintendent
6,568.84
Expenses of Instruction
Supervisors
6,770.00
Principals
$ 3,940.00
$ 8,853.32
Teachers
33,298.00
61,968.78
Text Books
1,765.60
936.27
Supplies
2,638.44
3,692.84
Expenses of Operation
Janitors
2,076.00
6,651.96
Fuel
1,145.00
3,779.57
Miscellaneous
1,015.02
2,383.35
Expenses of Maintenance Repairs, etc.
1,289.57
694.64
Auxiliary Agencies
Libraries
62.96
82.77
Health
500.00
Transportation
1,050.00
Tuition
349.69
203.92
Miscellaneous
1,677.12
579.07
Outlay Expenses
New Equipment
1,417.49
$14,840.33
$49,257.40
$91,376.49
Appropriation for year
$155,480.00
Expended
155,474.22
Balance
$
5.78
Special Repair Appropriation
$ 2,635.00
Expended
2,635.00
SWAMPSCOTT'S SCHOOL DOLLAR-1928
Teachers' salaries
61 c
Administration and supervision
16.8c
Operation
11 c
Books and supplies
5.8c
Auxiliary agencies
3 c
Repairs
1.2c
New equipment
1
c
100 c
The above figures show how the Swampscott school dollar was ex- pended in 1928. It is largely self-explanatory, but one or two of the items are more comprehensive than the titles indicate.
Under "Administration and Supervision" are grouped the salaries of superintendent, supervisors, principals, clerk, attendance officer and expenses of the office, committee and the superintendent. "Operation" includes janitors' salaries, light, heat, power and water. "Repairs" in- clude replacements and "Auxiliary Agencies" include libraries, health, transportation, tuition and high school athletics.
127
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1928]
COST OF SCHOOLS (Annual Report of Mass. Department of Education)
Town
Population
Belmont
15,256
$303,991.00
Norwood
14,151
315,399.00
Milton
12,861
233,321.00
Winchester
11,565
209,878.00
Wellesley
9,049
270,401.00
Needham
8,977
188,867.00
Swampscott
8,953
151,262.00
Reading
8,693
194,637.00
Lexington
7,785
184,672.00
RESULTS OF STANDARD TESTS
Chapman Reading Test
Normal Score
Swampscott Score
Wilson Language Error Test Swampscott Score
Grade IV
7
9
11
12
V
11
12
14
17
VI
13
13
17
19
VII
14.9
15
20
19
VIII
17.2
18
22
20
IX
20.1
20
23
23
Normal Score
Amount expended for support of public schools for year end- ing June 30, 1928.
ATTENDANCE REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING JUNE 1928
Total
Enrollment
Av. No.
Belonging
Average Daily
Attendance
Per Cent. for
Attendance
No. Cases of
Tardiness
No. Cases of
Dismissal
No. Cases of
Truancy
No. Cases of
Punishment
Teacher was
Times Teacher
Number of
Sessions
Days
Boys Girls
High
157
167
303.12
288.77
95.2
301
310
3
151/2
7 183
Junior High
208
218
387.77
366.64
94.5
260
200
18
26
183
Clarke
138
127
235.46
222.69
94.5
108
50
43
1 180
Hadley
143
122
231.82
208.06
89.7
177
129
5
104
180
Machon
115
117
200.32
186.24
92.9
169
59
8
1
19
1
180
Palmer
77
83
142.8
136.57
95.6
85
103
+
180
Total
1672
1501.29
1408.97
93.8
1100
851
34
1
2111/2
0
183 & 180
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
128
Corporal
Days
Absent
was Tardy
129
1928] REPORT OF WATER AND SEWERAGE BOARD
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