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It follows naturally that a continuance of such a policy is dependent upon further public support as indicated by approval of the necessary expenditures. The brevity of this report will serve to emphasize the importance which your committee placed upon the policy of improve- ment to which it is committed.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN VANNEVAR, Chairman, ELEANOR INGELFINGER, GEORGE C. THOMAS, BEATRICE WADLEIGH, ARTHUR M. WYMAN, Swampscott School Committee.
53 Farragut Road
154 Norfolk Avenue
Eleanor Ingelfinger (Mrs.)
Breakers 8790
15 Outlook Road
Arthur M. Wyman
Breakers 4783-W
Spring term begins Spring term closes Summer term begins
94
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Swampscott School Committee:
Ladies and Gentlemen :- It is my privilege herewith to submit my report for the year 1929, the tenth which I have had the honor to submit to a Swampscott School Committee. The first part of this report will consist of a brief review of the school year, with emphasis on what seem to be the more important items of that period; the second part will consist of recommendations for the future.
The past year has seen an unusual number of changes in the teach- ing staff. The following brief tabulation indicates the teachers who resigned from the respective schools, and the names of those who were appointed to replace them.
High School
Resigned
Teachers New to System James H. Dunn
Elsie Perry Beryl Cram
Mona Pendergast
Edith Baldwin
Hazel F. Paine
Merle G. Hall
Roscoe E. Lovell
Junior High School
Marie Tetzlaff
Dorothy Record
Helen H. Fielden
Catherine Hurley
Leonie M. Chandonnet Cleora Crooker Harry O. Swett Mary C. Warmber
Clarke School
Elloine Woodward
Katie Sanborn
Hadley School
Dorothy Tower
Machon School
Julia McHugh
Elva Shantz
Palmer School
Anna Bresnahan
Emma W. Parry Charlotte N. Conners
Of great interest and importance in this connection is the policy adopted by the committee of endeavoring.to attract to the schools of the town teachers of superior ability. When the budget for 1929 was under consideration it was felt that nothing could contribute more to the welfare of the schools than fine teaching and, accordingly, provision was made in the budget for a salary schedule which would permit two things: first, to retain in our schools and suitably recompense those teachers who can truly be rated as superior, and secondly, to secure for such vacancies as may develop teachers who would meet the same high standard. The Finance Committee of the town co-operated in this endeavor and approved for this purpose a substantial increase in the amount budgeted for teachers' salaries. A definite salary schedule a copy of which is appended was adopted by the committee and put into operation in September, 1929. Sufficient time has not elapsed to state definitely the results of the policy outlined, but present indications are that in general it will gradually bring about a strengthening of our teaching staff. It would seem wise in this connection to point out that such a policy is bound to mean substantial annual increments in the school budget. While Swampscott teachers have not been under paid, our salary schedule has never been of such a nature as to attract the real leaders of the profession to our schools, and a definite policy and
Mary P. Thompson Marion T. Childs (Mrs.)
95
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1929]
schedule calling for the employment and retention of the best material of the profession means that the department must be prepared to pay salaries commensurate with the ability it wishes to engage.
From the administrative point of view, the establishment of the above policy raises this question: Just what constitutes a superior teacher? At the present time there are few objective standards by which teaching may be measured. It is largely a matter of subjective evidence, of opinion, and so numerous are the factors that enter into the forming of such an opinion that the most we can hope for is an approximation. It is a pleasure to state that the first attempts made to apply the principles laid down in the salary schedule met with the fullest co-operation from the principals of the various schools and was accepted by the teaching staff with an equally fine spirit.
In September of the current year the committee inaugurated a new policy of admission to the first grades of our schools in accordance with the following rule adopted by the committee at its meeting of April 24: "No child who is not five years of age by January 1 shall be admitted at the opening of school in September, except a child who becomes five years of age between January 1 and March 1, whose mental age is six years as of September 1 of the current year, determined by an exam- ination given by the school psychologist under the direction of the School Committee and no child shall be admitted after the first six days of the school year who is under seven years of age except by permission of the Superintendent of Schools. Any person entitled to instruction in the Swampscott schools may be assigned by the Superintendent to such school and grade as his present attainments and needs warrant."
There are several important principles involved in the above ruling, but primarily it is a recognition of what Thorndike and others have called "The First Law of Learning"-the law of readiness, which is to the effect that before learning can take place the organism must be ready for it. We have recognized this law to a certain extent in most of our school activities. For example, we have not attempted to teach the multiplication tables during a child's first year in school, nor frac- tions or formal grammar in the primary grades, nor calculus to Junior High School pupils. In recent years research and investigation have enabled us to generalize this and other laws of learning, and in this connection it has been clearly established that not all children of the same chronological age become ready for mental tasks at the same time. Let me quote here Dr. B. D. Buckingham, Director of the Bureau of Educational Research, at Ohio State University, who says: "We know so much more today than we used to know about the conditioning in- fluence of native ability. We have learned that some children are not ready for a given learning task as soon as others and that a few never become ready for any but the simplest tasks. A child who has the mentality of a typical child of six-that is, whose mental age is six-can profitably begin the first grade of an American school-unless, of course, he is handicapped otherwise than mentally. He can learn to read as children are taught reading in that situation." Primarily, the policy introduced by this measure makes our entrance requirements more flexible than admission by chronological age, assures more homo- geneous grouping, and will doubtless reduce the amount of retardation. Furthermore it makes simpler the work of the first grade teacher and spares the child not ready for formal school work the chagrin of failure to keep up with his class-mates. Incidentally, too, this is in accord with the practice in many progressive school systems, Lynn, Beverly, Melrose and Winchester being among the neighboring com- munities to adopt this policy of admission to grade one.
Another legislative act of the committee which seems worthy of commendation at this time is that which abolished the policy of dis- continuing the school sessions on stormy days. This too is in ac- cordance with the increasing tendency on the part of school committees to recognize the fact that education today and the maintenance of the
-
96
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
schools is of too important a nature to be interrupted by inclement weather. The State requires us to maintain our Junior and Senior High Schools for at least one hundred and eighty days each year, and on this basis the cost to the town is almost a thousand dollars per day. Surely no other business involving such an amount would allow the weather to determine whether it be carried on or interrupted. It can- not properly be said that such a policy will prove detrimental to the health of the children for each parent can now determine for himself whether weather conditions are of such a nature as to make it unwise for his child to attend school. No educational loss will result because on very stormy days an adjustment of school work will be made in accordance with the children present at that time. Furthermore, the confusion which results from the failure of the no-school signal to be observed is now done away with. The schools will be open every scheduled day, and in time this should result in better attendance and better morale.
The year 1929 has witnessed greater accomplishment along the lines of building and ground development than any year in the history of the Swampscott schools. First, this year has seen the planning and erection of the new Stanley School. This long-anticipated and greatly needed replacement of the Palmer School is a modern eight room struc- ture, with auditorium, so planned as to admit readily of enlargement, strategically located near the center of the district which it is to serve. The committee in charge of this project have succeeded admirably in their endeavor to provide a building of which our department may well be proud, and it is with pride and pleasure that this is added to the educational equipment of the town. By means of it the elementary school children of this part of the town will have henceforth and for the first time in six years adequate school housing.
It is my happy privilege at this time to call attention to the name selected for this new building, the Stanley School, so called in honor of Miss Louise C. Stanley, the present principal of the Palmer School, the principal to be of the new school, a member of one of the honored families of the town, a greatly loved, efficient teacher and a woman with whom it is an honor to be associated. The School Department is fortunate to have a principal like Miss Stanley to control and direct the organization of this new school plant.
Of importance hardly less than that of the erection of the Stanley School has been the healthy development during the past year of the interest in the proposed new high school. A project of such magnitude, involving so many questions financial and otherwise, is of necessity slow in its growth. The 1929 town meeting appointed a committee to study this matter, providing a small appropriation for its use, and con- siderable progress has been made along constructive lines. It is especially gratifying to note the increased attention which our citizens are giving to this problem. It is a frequent topic of conversation, com- ment and debate, and rightly so, for no undertaking of this department has ever been of greater moment to the welfare of our community.
The committee requested and the town voted last February an appropriation to be expended towards the development of the Machon School grounds, an enterprise long overdue. This work has been conducted under the direction of competent landscape architects and the results to date are very gratifying to all those who deplored for so long a time the ill kempt appearance of the grounds about this fine building.
During the past year we have added two new courses of study, one in high school English and one in elementary arithmetic. These have been developed by committees of teachers and principals and represent a great amount of careful study and effort. Other curriculum com- mittees are now at work, so that a conservative policy of constant curriculum revision is being maintained.
97
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1929]
It seems appropriate at this time to commend to the committee, and through you to the citizens of the town, the extra-curricular school activities which have been outstanding. Among these are the publica- tion of the "Swampscotta," the high school magazine; the annual exhibi- tions and field day of our physical training department; the concerts by the musical clubs of the junior and senior high schools; the pro- ductions of the dramatic clubs of the same two schools; and the con- struction of the three floats which, as Swampscott's contribution to the Tercentenary parade in Lynn, were planned and developed almost entirely by members of the school staff.
As in former years we acknowledge the support of the Parent- Teacher Association, and the other organizations of the town who so frequently help us in our various lines of work. Especially this year are we indebted to the Visiting Nurse Association which generously supplied new scales for the Hadley and High Schools. This year, as indeed every year, the School Department has had the fullest co-opera- tion and assistance from the other town departments, for which we express our gratitude at this time.
Looking to the Future
In considering the future needs of any school system, it is possible to go to almost any extent, so numerous are the opportunities for development and growth all in accordance with the accepted modern conception of education. The policy of our department, however, has been towards conservatism with emphasis on the fundamental elements of good teaching, proper housing and steady unspectacular achieve- ment. It is in accordance with this policy, then, that the following suggestions are offered for the consideration of the committee and the town.
The situation in regard to the high school building grows steadily more acute. The report of the principal shows that the enrollment another year will necessitate an additional high school teacher, but the present rooms are so occupied that it is going to be exceedingly difficult to find space in which the new teacher can meet her classes. Our small industrial arts rooms are more and more crowded each year, the lunch facilities increasingly inadequate and in general the handicaps to efficient school maintenance so great that we urge once more imme- diate action by the town in regard to more ample high school accom- modations.
Attention has been called many times to the lack of play space in the Hadley School grounds. When the annex was planned for ele- mentary school purposes it was also hoped that provision could be made for a gymnasium where a reasonable program of physical training for junior high school pupils could be maintained, but the town decreed otherwise. It is my earnest belief that the committee should request the town to provide more play-ground space about the Hadley School and to erect a suitable gymnasium for the use of the pupils of this school. Specifically, it is my recommendation that the town acquire the two pieces of property adjacent to the Hadley Annex on Redington street, the first owned by the Chick estate, containing approximately 10,400 square feet, and the second owned by Addie F. Andrews, con- taining 5,800 square feet, and that a gymnasium be erected in connection with the Hadley School. The strongest reason that can be given for the additional land taking will be found in the appearance of the Hadley School yard at recess, where crowded conditions and brick pavements make what should be a recreation period a time of congestion and positive danger. As for the gymnasium, it is imperative if we are to develop in our Junior High School any worthwhile program of physical education. The state requires such a program and as it is maintained in this school during the winter months in corridors and basements, it is merely a compliance with the letter of the law.
98
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
The work already done about the Machon School has made such an improvement that it would seem desirable to continue it another ' year. Accordingly, it is my recommendation that this department re- quest another appropriation to be expended on the continued develop- ment of the grounds around this building.
In concluding this report may I call to your attention the splendid way in which all members of the staff have endeavored this year, as in former years, to lead, help and inspire the boys and girls of Swamp- scott. May I, too, express to the committee my appreciation of their cordial support and co-operation.
Respectifully submitted,
HAROLD F. DOW, Superintendent of Schools.
REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
To the Superintendent of Schools and the School Committee of the Town of Swampscott:
Ladies and Gentlemen :- I herewith present my third annual report as principal of the Swampscott High School.
In order not to exceed the space allotted to this report in the annual report of the town, I can refer only to the superior results attained by our pupils in the College Entrance Board Examinations last June, the favorable reports from the colleges in regard to those who entered last September, the rather marked probable increase in enroll- ment in the High School next September, and the following recom- mendations:
(1) In last year's report a more complete program of physical and health education was recommended. The need still exists and should be met.
(2) There should be an adequately equipped laboratory for biology, complete curricula in both mechanic and household arts, and satisfactory lunch room accommodations and conditions.
(3) An additional teacher in the High School will be imperative in September, 1930.
Respectfully submitted,
LEE T. GRAY, Principal.
ATTENDANCE OFFICER'S REPORT
To the Superintendent and School Committee:
Ladies and Gentlemen :- I herewith submit a report of my work Attendance Officer for the year ending December 31, 1929.
as
Visits to homes 223
Absences due to illness 84
Absences due to miscellaneous reasons Truants 19
120
A prompt follow up of all absences reveals a large percentage of absences due to ignorance and lack of interest on the part of parents, and the inability to provide proper clothing for inclement weather.
When parents get the school point of view they are almost always ready to co-operate, and only in isolated cases have I had to repeat a visit. The present need seems to be to arouse a consciousness in parents of their duty to the child and the school.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY K. HAMMOND, Attendance Officer.
99
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1929]
STATEMENT-DECEMBER 31, 1929
General
Elementary
Junior High
High
General
School Committee
$117.42
Superintendent
7,186.40
Expenses of Instruction
Supervisors
6,860.00
Principals
$6,340.00
$2,840.00
$4,000.00
Teachers
39,573.39
31,272.00
29,351.11
Text Books
1,651.07
903.63
870.09
Supplies -
2,146.47
2,076.16
2,150.80
Expenses of Operation
Janitors
4,757.48
1,949.93
1,935.29
Fuel
2,091.06
1,355.66
942.44
Miscellaneous
1,577.34
1,168.38
736.23
Expenses of Maintenance Repairs, etc.
1,589.63
1,192.83
917.89
Auxiliary Agencies
Libraries
149.31
100.89
88.13
Health
375.00
125.00
Transportation
1,000.00
500.00
Tuition
518.51
429.30
Miscellaneous
793.66
514.08
914.95
Outlay Expenses
New Equipment 1,378.73
$15,542.55
$62,562.92
$43,998.56
$42,336.23
Amount of appropriation Expended
$164,446.50 164,440.26
Balance
$ 6.24
Building and grounds appropriation
$1,000.00
Expended
833.81
$ 166.19
MONEY RECEIVED BY TOWN TREASURER AS RESULT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT OPERATION
From State
Reimbursement on account of employment of teachers
$13,110.00
Reimbursement for tuition payment of chil- dren in vocational schools 175.25
Reimbursement for tuition payment of chil- dren in continuation schools
43.82
Reimbursement for tuition of State wards
83.13
$13,412.20
From Office of Superintendent of Schools Tuition
$273.75
Miscellaneous receipts
102.27
376.02
$13,788.22
100
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
CENSUS-OCTOBER 1, 1929
Number of boys 5 years of age or over and under 16 Number of girls 5 years of age or over and under 16
860
883
Total
1,743
Number of boys 5 years of age or over and under 7 Number of girls 5 years of age or over and under 7
150
184
Total
334
Number of boys 7 years of age or over and under 14 Number of girls 7 years of age or over and under 14
540
Total
1,110
Number of boys 14 years of age or over and under 16
140
Number of girls 14 years of age or over and under 16
159
Total
299
PUPILS ENROLLED-NOVEMBER, 1929
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors
P. G.
Total
High
133
108
78
8
327
Class I.
Class II.
Class 111.
Junior High
130
128
147
405
Gr. I.
Gr. II.
Gr. III.
Gr. IV.
Gr. V.
Gr. VI.
Special Adv. Rtd.
Clarke
61
49
32
33
37
67
279
Hadley
40
45
43
35
25
54
12
254
Machon
39
45
28
34
33
12
191
Palmer
36
33
27
33
25
35
189
1,645
SWAMPSCOTT'S SCHOOL DOLLAR-1925-1929
1925
1926
1927
1928
1929
Teachers' salaries
56. c
57. c
61.8c
61. c
61. c
Administration and supervision
22.3c
20.9c
16.7c
16.8c
16.6c
Operation
11.4c
11. c
11.2c
11.2c
10. c
Books and supplies
5.3c
5.5c
5.7c
5.8c
5.9c
Repairs
2.5c
1.9c
2.3c
3. c
2.3c
New equipment
0.8c
0.8c
0.2c
1.2c
0.9c
Auxiliary agencies
1.7c
2.9c
2.1c
1. c
3.3c
100 c
100 c
100
c
100 c
100
C
570
101
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1929]
AGES AND GRADES-OCTOBER 1, 1929 Grades 1-12 Inclusive
Ages
Grade
Sex
5
6
7
8
9
10
11 12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19 Totals
M
17
54
12
2
85
1
F
24
56
7
2
89-174
M F
1
24
55
8
5
93
2
27
34
10
3
2
1
1
62
3
M F
1
11
40
10
62-126
M
11
38
11
4
2
66
4
F
24
30
9
3
2
68-134
M
5
F
59 --- 119
M
3 31
38
19
3
1
3
M
2
14
33
15
8
6
1
52-130
M F
M F
M
1
13
25
15
8
2
64
10
F
2
26
32
7
4
1
72-136
M
1
10
19
8
5
1
44
11
F
2
27
28
5
2
64-108
12
2
21
19
3
1
46- 79
Opportunity M F
2
7
1
1
4 2
1
1
56
29
12
2
820
by Age
F
24
84
52
79
66
67
60
59
72
70
72
65
28
7
1
806
Grand Total
42 162 128 139 138 142 132 141 129 135 138 121
57
19
3
1626
SWAMPSCOTT SALARY SCHEDULE
On and after September 1, 1929, the minimum requirements for appointments in the Swampscott schools shall be as follows:
(1) For appointment to the elementary grades:
(a) Training of at least two years beyond the completion of an approved four year high school course.
(b) Two years' teaching experience.
(2) For appointment to the junior high school:
(a) Training of at least three years beyond the completion of an approved four year high school course.
(b) Two years' teaching experience.
(3) For appointment to the high school:
(a) Training of at least four years beyond the completion of an approved four year high school course.
(b) Two years' teaching experience.
The following salary schedules are provided:
Schedule A (For elementary grades)
A minimum salary of $1200.00 and a maximum of $1500.00 to be reached in increments of $100.00 each.
To reward superior teaching ability and additional specific qualities the following definite salary levels above the automatic maximum are hereby established:
M
18
78
76
60
72
75
72
82
57
65
66
4
2
72
9
4
25
30
6
6
1
78
7
F
2
14
23
8
4
8
5
2
56
8
22
33
7
4
2
68 --- 124
1
13
32
20
16
11
5
1
33
Class
10- 12
Special
M
8
Class
F
4-12
1
1
1
60
10
36
10
2
1
95
6
F
6
18
32
5
64-159
21
20
14
5
76-169
9
37
12
4
14
26
72-144
M F
2
3
Totals
102
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Superior Teaching Level No. 1-An increment from $1500.00 to $1700.00 in two annual increases of $100.00 each, open to all teachers whose service is of such high quality as to justify such action.
Superior Teaching Level No. 2-An increment from $1700.00 to $1800.00 open to all teachers whose service is of such high quality as to justify such action, and who in addition have completed the equivalent of three years of training beyond the completion of a four year high school course.
Superior Teaching Level No. 3-An increment above $1800.00 open only to those teachers whose service is of a conspicuously high order, and who in addition have pursued professional study beyond the re- quirements of the preceding level.
Schedule B
(For junior high school)
A minimum salary of $1400.00 and a maximum of $1700.00 to be reached in increments of $100.00 each.
To reward superior teaching ability and additional specific qualities the following definite salary levels above the automatic maximum are hereby established:
Superior Teaching Level No. 1-An increment from $1700.00 to $1900.00 in two annual increases of $100.00 each, open to all teachers whose service is of such high quality as to justify such action.
Superior Teaching Level No. 2-An increment from $1900.00 to $2000.00 open to all teachers whose service is of such high quality as to justify such action and who in addition have completed the equivalent of four years of training beyond the completion of a four year high school course.
Superior Teaching Level No. 3-An increment above $2000.00 open only to those teachers whose service is of a conspicuously high order, and who in addition have pursued professional study beyond the re- quirements of the preceding level.
Schedule C (For high school)
A minimum salary of $1600.00 and a maximum of $1900.00 to be reached in increments of $100.00 each.
To reward superior teaching ability and additional specific qualities the following definite salary levels above the automatic maximum are hereby established :
Superior Teaching Level No. 1-An increment from $1900.00 to. $2100.00 in two annual increases of $100.00 each, open to all teachers whose service is of such high quality as to justify such action.
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