USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1931 > Part 14
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Language Course
For the present year we have made a start on a similar examination of our course in language. The present course was adopted to overcome an apparent neglect of the mechanics of good composition for the sake of the development of the imagination. It seems to be generally · agreed among our teachers that we have gone to the other extreme and are now getting mechanics without sufficient thought and subject matter. After all, composing is not the act of putting down words on paper, but. rather, the inner process of organizing thought which may later be expressed orally or in writing. The mental process is just as essential as the physical. and neither should be neglected. We hope to arrive at a satisfactory balance, which may find expression to you in a recom- mendation for new texts in that subject.
152
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Increased Enrollment
An examination of the table below will indicate that there has been a steady increase in enrollment in the schools for the past five years.
School
Sept. 1927
1928
1929
1930
1931
High School
316
327
323*
355
357
Junior High School
389
389
401
412
307
Clarke Elementary School.
246
297
272
243
249
Hadley
240
233
250
239
245
Machon
204
199
193
229
238
Stanley
142
142
185
187
195
Totals
1,537
1,587
1,624
1,665
1,691
Here is an increase of ten per cent. in the number of pupils in a comparatively short length of time. Coupled with this condition is the fact that no provision exists west of Pleasant street for taking care of additional pupils. The only place where more pupils can be advanta- geously housed is at the Stanley School, where two empty classrooms exist; and this is exactly the location where extra rooms cannot be used for relief at the present time without inconvenience and transportation expense.
The most difficult situation is at the Hadley School where every elementary grade has an excessive enrollment. We have been compelled to engage an assistant for this building, but an assistant is admittedly only a makeshift. Extra seats in any of the rooms only make for crowded conditions and less effective teaching opportunity, but we have had to resort to this expedient this year.
While this state of affairs continues, the maintenance of any clear cut district lines is out of the question. Transfers of pupils will have to be made from year to year between the Clarke and Machon Schools and between the Hadley and Clarke Schools. It may even be necessary to make adjustments that will send children temporarily to the Stanley School from the Hadley. It is to be hoped that parents will under- stand the situation and meet us half way through their willingness to co-operate by accepting necessary changes, even when they do not like them.
It should be clearly noted that this problem is closely allied to the question of a new high school. As was pointed out last spring, locating a new high school building elsewhere will leave the present building for grade school expansion. Rebuilding or enlarging on the present site may eventually mean taking grade nine back into the High School . organization for the sake of taking care of elementary school growth within the Hadley district; and with this possibility, any forward-look- ing scheme for enlargement ought to provide more actual classroom space than a new building would.
Financing Athletics
Serious consideration should be given the question of financing High School athletics. School departments are limited by statute as to the purposes for which they may expend their money. An attempt to secure a special act of the legislature permitting this school depart- ment to provide equipment for athletic teams has failed. The only income for the athletic association, therefore, is from gate receipts and guarantees, except for the payment for a few items which we may legally make. The expense of a year of sports, including football, base- ball, basket ball, field and ice hockey is approximately $3,000. Receipts amount to about $2,000, plus what the School Department may pay.
You can readily see that the association is headed for bankruptcy at this rate. Either receipts must be increased, or athletic teams must be abandoned. The latter step would be a blow to the welfare of the school and of the town.
153
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1931]
The obvious remedy is an enclosed field where admission charges may be made. Conferences with the Park Commissioners indicate that they are favorable to such a scheme and will further it. The need is for immediate action, and I trust that the present school year may see a town field so enclosed for the benefit of the school. The benefits will be two-fold: (1) The association will become self-supporting, and (2) the money now expended by the School Department may be diverted to the larger aim of a general physical education program for all pupils.
Sport Receipts
In this connection Mr. Gray, principal of the High School, writes: "The receipts from football games have to pay the expenses of all sports, and they can not do it. During the recent football season the game with Marblehead on Thanksgiving Day was the only one to show a profit, which was $1,051. The losses on the other games were as follows: Hingham, $100; Natick, $140; Saugus, $100; Winthrop, $130; and Gloucester, $125. The average attendance at these games was about 2,500 persons, and the receipts were: $67.50, $39.75, $69, $45.50, and $51.50, respectively. Officials, ball, lining the field, guarantee, depre- ciation of equipment, and incidentals bring the average cost of our home games to approximately $175. Every home game, therefore, results in a loss of $100 or more.
"This year we have had a few costly accidents, and our balance January 1, 1932, with all bills paid, will be about $300. That will not be enough to carry on the other interscholastic sports during the year. Baseball alone costs nearly $500, and the receipts from a game do not pay the umpire.
"A collection of from $300 to $500 per game of football will make it possible to finance all of our athletics, and that can be done with an enclosed field.
"Jackson Park is better suited for immediate use as an enclosed field, largely because of the lower cost of enclosing it. An excellent iron fence and a thousand bleachers can be erected there at a cost not. to exceed $7,000. The continuance of our interscholastic athletics depends upon the enclosure of this park."
American History and Civics
A statute (chap. 71, sec. 2) of the General Laws provides that "in all public elementary and high schools American history and civics, including the Constitution of the United States, shall be taught as re- quired subjects for the purpose of promoting civic service and a greater knowledge thereof, and of fitting the pupils, morally and intellectually, for the duties of citizenship."
We are, probably, fulfilling the letter of that law. We are teaching American history, and we are teaching the Constitution of the United States incidentally, but we are doing so in much the same stereotype fashion that was in vogue before the law was passed. If any of you, as I did, pursued a similar course at about the eighth grade level when you were in school, you are aware just how much that study provoked you to "civic service," and to what an extent you were "morally and intellectually stimulated to the performance of the duties of citizenship."
It is customary in many systems to provide a course which will meet the spirit of the law, as well as the letter, and to place that course in the Junior High School. The study of Community Civics, handled in such a fashion that the pupil identifies it as functioning in his own community and in his own life, can be made a live and vital undertaking. I recommend the establishment of such a course.
Public Kindergartens
I believe there is a definite demand for public kindergartens in Swampscott, and that the matter should receive your consideration as
154
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
soon as room is available. The cost of kindergartens is not prohibitive, even if the original cost slightly exceeds that of equipping a regular primary room.
I am not, however, interested in the kindergarten as a social agency. It is not a place where children may be merely "taken care of." It is, rather, a definite step in the educational process, taken at a time when the habits and tendencies that determine outlook in later life may be moulded, or at least can be more easily effected than in early childhood. The kindergarten room is usually the scene of the child's first lesson in co-operation and social discipline. Here he learns to act with the group, vet to be a leader if he is capable of it; here he is encouraged to exercise his powers of observation, initiative and creation; here he learns color and form, rhythm and beauty, fair play and the willing submission to authority. Certainly, such matters are worth while.
Small Financial Balance
The financial report for the year shows a small unexpended balance. This I am particularly pleased to report to you, since it represents a considerably greater accomplishment than was anticipated from the year's appropriation, which carried no allowance for building repairs. You will note, however, that we were able to do at least a normal amount of major repairs by effecting economies in other directions, and still come through without needing assistance.
The figures as they appear on our books are:
Appropriation Expenditures :
$196,150.00
General Control
$7,004.35
Instructional Service
158,259.23
Operation of Plants
19,069.13
Maintenance
6,553.39
Capital Outlay
961.30
Auxiliary Agencies
3,864.33
195,711.73
Unexpended Balance
$438.27
General Receipts of the Department
$1,096.55
State Refund to the Town on Account of Schools
16,158.57
Total
$17,255.12
Net Cost of Schools
$178,456.61
Our appropriation next year will approximate $203,000.00.
Miss Louise C. Stanley
The recent death of Miss Louise C. Stanley, coming as it did with unexpected suddenness to most of us, has removed from our system one of its outstanding personalities. Miss Stanley had been a lifelong friend of many of the people of the town. She had taught in the same district since 1887, and it had been her pleasure to teach for the past two years in a school that had been named in her honor. She was respected and loved by a long succession of pupils, parents and fellow teachers, upon whom she had left the lasting impress that only the highest type of teacher and gentlewoman is privileged to make.
Respectfully submitted, FRANK L. MANSUR,
Superintendent of Schools.
155
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1931]
REPORT OF ATTENDANCE OFFICER
To the School Committee of Swampscott:
Ladies and Gentlemen :- I herewith submit a report of my work as Attendance Officer for the year ending December 31, 1931.
Visits to homes 114
School conferences
78
Absences due to illness 54
Unsuitable clothing as cause of absences
21
Unexcused absences
39
Total
306
In almost every case our attendance problems are due to faulty home conditions, and much time has been given to adjust this condition. Respectfully submitted,
MARY K. HAMMOND, Attendance Officer.
CHANGES IN THE TEACHING FORCE
Resigned
New to System
Previously Engaged At
High School
Mary P. Thompson
Emily B. Campbell
Fall River, Mass.
Evelyn A. Hill
Mildred J. O'Leary
Fall River, Mass.
Mildred A. Maus
Antoinette Lambert
Quincy, Mass.
Charles F. Cuddy
John I. McLaughlin
Medford, Mass.
Helen C. Lingham
Agnes T. Santry
Hadley Junior High School Portsmouth, N. H.
Mabel M. Connell Junior High School
Leonie M. Chandonnet Hester B. Dwinell
Elisabeth Maddison
Edna E. Kellett
Cranston, Rhode Island
Agnes T. Santry
Eleanor Sanborn
Winchester, Mass.
Mary G. Boyce
Hadley Elementary Sch.
Florence L. Melanson
Brockton, Mass.
Eleanor Rice
Pembroke, Mass.
Clarke School
Katie Sanborn
Evilena B. Snider
Haverhill, Mass.
Hadley School
Elizabeth Platt
Ruth A. Risk Stanley School
Cleveland, Ohio
*Louise C. Stanley
Blanche E. Doyle *Deceased
Clarke School
PUPILS ENROLLED-November, 1931
Sophomores 145
Juniors
Seniors 87
P. G. 8
Total 358 Total 401
Junior High School
Gr.
Gr.
Gr. 3
Gr. 4
5
Clarke School
39
48
58
36
33
37
Hadley School
36
37
39
40
44
38
15 249
Machon School
45
29
36
34
32
35
23
234
Stanley School
30
33
37
31
21
33
185
919
High School
358
Junior High
401
Elementary
919
1,678
Class I 143
Class II 152
Class III 106
1
2
Gr. Gr. 6
Special Adv. Rtd. Total 251
High School
118
Richmond, Vermont
156
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
CENSUS-October 1, 1931
Number of boys 5 years of age or over and under 7 Number of girls 5 years of age or over and under 7
166 147
Total
313
Number of boys 7 years of age or over and under 14 Number of girls 7 years of age or over and under 14
580
Total
1,134
Number of boys 14 years of age or over and under 16 Number of girls 14 years of age or over and under 16
225
Total
442
Number of boys 5 years of age or over and under 16 Number of girls 5 years of age or over and under 16
952
Total
1,889
AGE GRADE TABLE-October 1, 1931
19 &
Grand
Grade Sex 5
6
7
8
9 10
11
12
13
14
15 16 17
18 over Tot. Tot.
1
F 21 44
1
26
27
12
2
1
15
3
1
84
3
M
F
65-140
M
1
9
35
14
7
1
67
5
2
14
39
11
35
11
3
2
1
8
2
1
68
7
F
MI
3. 28
35 19
4
2
1
4
7
61
9
2 20
16
7
2
9
62
10
F
1 28 40
9
1
1 85- 147
M
2
3
28
14
10
14
8
1- -- 34
12
1
21
25
6
1- - 54- 88
Opp'tun- M
5
4
9 6- 13
ity Class F
1
5
2
1
2
1
2
2
1
Class F
M
16
71
61
82
76
62
76
72
70
72
51
59
39
13 12
3-823
F
22
74
82
84
51
83
74
74
64
55
78
57 39
3-852
Grand Tot. 38 145 143 166 127 145 150 146 134 127 129 116
SWAMPSCOTT SCHOOL DEPARTMENT DIRECTORY High School
Lee T. Gray, Principal
Maebelle Adams
John I. McLaughlin Dorothy C. O'Keefe Mildred J. O'Leary
Emily B. Campbell
Mabel M. Connell
A. Lillian Rideout
Arthur G. Cronk
Agnes T. Santry
Harriet M. Dillon
Ilah Spinney
James H. Dunn
Amy D. Thissell
Walter R. Henshaw
Bertha I. Wales
Antoinette Lambert
Marjorie White
74-147 68
2
F
1 30 39
21
34
43
6
2
1
5
10 13
1
66- 133 65
6
80- 145
M
1
17
16
40
13
4
1
77- 145
92 59- 151
8 F
5.
18
29
3 25
M F
47- 108
M
14
25
11
3 2
4 1-66- 117
M F
Special M
2
1
3
1
2
78
25
6-1675-1675
M
15
45
13
9
44
20
40
29
22
3
3 25
37
13
1
22
17
2
13
3
25
23
1
10
7
78-146
M F
86- 170 75
4
F M F
2 2- 51 11
14 9 ---- 23
Bartholomew F. McArdle
554
217
937
73
M
F
3
11
3
14
1931]
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
157
Junior High School
Alice L. Shaw, Principal
Jean G. Allan
Edna E. Kellett
Docia A. Botkin
Florence L. Melanson
Mary G. Boyce
Crandall P. Nodwell
Lena M. Patchett
Marion P. Burlingame
S. Perry Congdon
Marjorie Richardson
Beatrice L. Cook
Eleanor Sanborn
Edith M. Craig
Mary C. Sexton
Cleora A. Crooker
Dorothy F. Tower
Helen Warren
Clarke School
Blanche E. Doyle, Principal
Eleanor C. Parsons
Adelaide V. Bennett
Melvina G. Pearson
Edith A. Farnum
Evilena B. Snider
Helen H. Hudson
Katherine F. Wilson
Helen B. Lewis
Hadley School
Alice L. Shaw, Principal
Viola Anderson
Ruth A. Risk
Margaret E. Durgin
Phyllis G. Smith
Amy M. Fenwick
Mabel F. Verry
Ruth K. James
Anna F. Willey
Machon School
Mary I. Perkins, Principal
Ada S. Lewis
Marion J. Champion
Elise A. Meaney
Hazel D. Chase
Elsie B. Oakes
Mary Gandolfo
Elva M. Shantz
Mabel S. Knight
M. Elizabeth Williams
Stanley School
Blanche E. Doyle, Principal
Jessie C. Martin
Charlotte N. Conners
Emma W. Parry
Grace M. Farrell
A. Thelma Smith
Alice M. Gove
Supervisors
Flora A. Boynton
Physical Education Art
Clara B. Fowler
Esther Nazarian
Music
Marion E. Tyler
Penmanship
Superintendent of Schools
Frank L. Mansur
Secretaries
Barbara Bent
Marion E. Clinch
Frances M. Newell
L. T. Holder Herbert E. Wood
Rudolph Woodward John F. Wilson Simeon J. Strong Harold Wheeler
Hadley School High School Superintendent of Schools
Janitors
High School Hadley School Hadley School Clarke School
Machon School Stanley School
E. Marion Bryant
Alice T. Durgin
Hester B. Dwinell
George E. Hutchinson
Eleanor Rice
Marion F. Newcomb
158
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Board of Appeals
During the six months ending June 6, 1931, four petitions were heard, of which two were granted and two denied. The following is a resume of these hearings:
Date Petitioner Jan. 26 Connell & McDermott
Petition
Place an office in the building at 10 Cedar Hill terrace. Decision: Pe- tition denied. Upon the question of jurisdiction the Board rules that this petition should first be brought before the Selectmen on the ques- tion of an extension of the present use.
Feb. 26 Felice Dagnese
To complete the erection of a four car garage approximately 30×40 feet and use the same for business purposes at 262 Essex street. Deci- sion: Petition denied. The Board further finds that the Building In- spector would be perfectly within his rights in the opinion of the Board to grant a permit for the completion of the garage with the understanding that it is up to the forces that have the enforcement of the laws to control its use.
May 12 Mabel E. Nelson
To build a garage within the set back area at 17 Ingalls terrace. De- cision: Petition granted. The ga- rage doors to open in.
June 22 Faustin J. and Gertrude M. Tague
To build a garage eight feet from the sidewalk line and partially with- in the set back area at 109 Green- wood avenue. Decision: Petition granted.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE M. GLIDDEN, Chairman, WILLIAM O. TITCOMB, RALPH MAXWELL,
Board of Appeals.
On May 29, .1931, the Board of Selectmen reappointed George M. Glidden, William O. Titcomb and Ralph Maxwell for the term ending June 6, 1932. The Board organized with the re-election of George M. Glidden as Chairman and Horace R. Parker as Clerk.
159
REPORT OF BOARD OF APPEALS
1931]
During the six months ending December 31, 1931, seven petitions were heard all of which were granted. The resume is as follows:
Date Petitioner July 13 Marion Doen Morse
Petition To build within the set back area at the westerly corner of Humphrey street and Millett road. Decision : Petition granted as described on blue print.
Aug. 3 Sarah C. Hutt
To build within five feet of the side- walk line of Greenwood terrace. De- cision: Petition granted.
Aug. 24 Faustin J. and Gertrude M. Tague
To extend grant to build garage at 109 Greenwood avenue to within five feet of the sidewalk. Decision: Petition granted.
Sept. 28 Letitia N. Colclough
To build within ten feet of the side- walk at 112 Aspen road. Decision: Petition granted, the house to set back so that the nearest projection will be ten feet from the street line, the sun parlor and driveway to be on the southerly side of the house.
Oct. 5 A. L. Newhall, M.D.
To erect a frame residence at the corner of Humphrey street and Lawrence terrace in such a manner that every part of said structure shall be at least three feet from the easterly line of Lawrence terrace. Decision: Petition granted. No part of the overhang of the main struc- ture to be nearer than three feet six inches to the street line of Law- rence terrace and no part of the overhang of the bay window to be nearer than two feet from the street line of Lawrence terrace.
Nov. 23 Charles E. McManus
To use the premises at the junction of the railroad and Essex street near the Essex street bridge for busi- ness purposes. Decision: Petition granted, with the understanding that no buildings are to be erected in connection therewith.
Nov. 23 Nicolas Dichirico
To build within the set back area on Cardillo terrace. Decision: Petition granted, provided the overhang does not exceed six inches.
Respectfully submitted. GEORGE M. GLIDDEN, Chairman. WILLIAM O. TITCOMB, RALPH MAXWELL,
Board of Appeals.
160
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Park Department
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
Herewith is submitted the annual report of the Park Commissioners for the year ending December 31, 1931:
Monument Avenue Parkway
The usual care and attention was given to this section during the past year.
The services of one man are required continuously during seven months to maintain this reservation, and the results attained seem to meet with the approval of the citizens and other visitors to the locality. The section at the base of the ledge between Walker and Farragut roads was dedicated on Armistice Day as Howland Park.
Jackson Park
During the winter, considerable progress was made in cleaning out the undesirable growth in the woodland sections of the park. Men working under the unemployment fund removed all poor trees, many of which were moth breeders, cut out all underbrush and vines which were killing good trees, covered the ball field with good loam found in the park, and also constructed a road with suitable retaining walls from the field to Burpee road. When workmen have not been otherwise engaged, considerable progress has been made in excavation and grading for the location of two tennis courts. It is hoped to have these courts finished and in use by early summer. General conferences have been held with High School authorities relative to the enclosing of the ball field with a wire fence and the erection of bleachers within the enclosure. While we are agreeable to the idea of enclosing the field in order to derive necessary revenue, and have added an amount to the budget sufficient to cover the cost. we do not deem it advisable at this time to advocate the additional expenditure required for bleacher seats.
Abbott Park
Poor weather and skating conditions prevailed last winter at this Park. Only with a long continued spell of low temperatures can good ice be had.
Blaney Beach Reservation
During an unusually heavy storm in March considerable damage was done to park property at the beach. The rear end of the building was stripped of shingles to a height of ten feet, platform and steps washed away, the gasoline locker undermined and settled, walks and shrubbery washed out, and other damage suffered which required repair and replacement. With the aid of the Board of Health, the long stand- ing practice of dumping garbage brought from various places of business has been discontinued, and it has been possible to keep the beach in a very clean condition for the pleasure of thousands of bathers and visitors.
Phillips Park
More appreciated than any other recent addition to park equipment were the two tennis courts opened at Phillips Park last summer. Pa- tronage became so heavy that it became necessary to provide the ser-
161
REPORT OF PARK DEPARTMENT
1931]
vices of a young man student to allot the playing time for various groups. Many citizens of mature years, as well as a large number of young people, took advantage of the fine courts, and play continued until December 13, when the gates were closed for the winter. The old portable building, being badly 'out of repair, was demolished and the grounds surrounding its location will be regraded and improved next year. The old hockey rink is being gradually filled and its site is to be used for ball field and parking purposes.
Street Intersection Plots
All of the small plots in various parts of the town have been well cared for during the year. A great improvement was made at Bay View and Fuller avenues by the construction of a concrete curb bordering the plot.
Respectfully submitted, ARCHIBALD MILLER, STUART P. ELLIS, JOHN HOMAN.
Inspector of Animals
To the Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen: The following is a report of my work for 1931. There have been fifty-one cases of "dog-bite" investigated this year and of this number forty-eight have been placed under quarantine for two weeks after which they were examined again, and, if they were found free from contagious disease they were released and a report sent to the Department of Animal Industry. The three other dogs had been sent away before the report was received. This was also reported to the State Department, in order that the local inspectors in the towns where these animals had been sent, could examine them.
There has been one case of rabies this year.
The general inspection of meat cattle, sheep and swine was made in January. This consists of a physical examination of these animals for symptoms of contagious disease; also an examination of the prem- ises to see that they are kept clean and properly ventilated.
Respectfully submitted, FRANK B. STRATTON, M.D.V., Inspector of Animals.
162
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Surveyor of Highways
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
I herewith submit my annual report for the year 1931. All con- struction work this year has been done by contract.
Phillips avenue, from Plummer avenue to Humphrey street, also Chatman avenue have been put to grade and resurfaced with bitu- minous macadam asphalt.
Windsor avenue, from Lynn line as far as accepted, has been re- surfaced with Barrett Company Tarvia lithic and rolled.
Barnstable road: the hills on this street resurfaced with Tarvia lithic and rolled.
Foster road: street and sidewalks reshaped, resurfaced with Tarvia lithic and rolled.
Minerva street: the part accepted last year, reshaped, sidewalk built and resurfaced with Tarvia lithic and rolled.
Buena Vista street: ledge removed. This street will have to be resurfaced next year.
Buena Vista street, at Cherry street; fence put back, curbstone laid and street resurfaced with tar mixed compound.
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