USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1943 > Part 9
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The regular Spraying and Moth-Control Work demanded by the State was done, but due to insufficient help-took longer than usual.
We wish to acknowledge the excellent work of Miss Florence Melanson as Lifeguard and of Patrolman Gallup at Blaney Beach. We also wish to thank the Lions Club for their fine community spirit in maintaining the First Aid Room at the Beach. This First Aid Room was manned by a fine staff under the very able direction of Mrs. John T. Lee and they were kept busy throughout the summer. Acknowledgment is also made to the fine co-operation of the Lynn Chapter of the American Red Cross in loaning of equipment for the First Aid Room.
A large American Flag was given to the Park Department by Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Gage. This was a most welcome gift, as our flags are seeing rough service during this war period.
The Department extends its thanks, also, to Dr. and Mrs. J. R. Walsh for their gift of a flowering Crabapple Tree; to Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Bradley for a group of Forsythias and a large Blue Spruce; and to Mr. Handley, Cemetery Superintendent, for assorted shrubs.
Looking to the future, we have several projects planned for in- creased recreational facilities in line with the State Recreation Com- mission plans. These projects can also furnish work for returned soldiers as part of a rehabilitation plan.
We should like to see more active co-operation between citizen's organizations; such as, the Parent-Teachers, the Churches Fraternal Groups and Civic Groups, and the Park Department in securing- for youth and adult alike-better recreational facilities.
In the Phillips Beach Section there is no place for children to play, outside of a very few vacant lots. This could be remedied by the securing of a portion of the Palmer Estate, now in the process of development, for a playground.
On the Whitney Estate, are a couple of ideal ponds for children to skate upon. "Jimmies" pond, near the standpipe, is another pond ideal for small children and located near the new development at that end of the Town. With very little work and maintenance needed, these places could be utilized by many children in these sections who are now too far away from other facilities.
Phillips Park is now at the point where final grading and finish- ing are all that are needed to produce a really good baseball field; a fine football practice and playing field; and an adequate field hock- ey area. Only a comparatively small amount of money is neces- sary to produce so much needed play space.
JOHN HOMAN, FREDERICK C. BURK, RALPH I. LINDSEY, Park Commissioners.
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SCHOOL REPORT
1943]
School Report For the Year Ending December 31, 1943
SCHOOL COMMITTEE, 1943
Marion D. Morse, Chairman
LYnn 2-2203
7 Millett Road
Edgar U. Burdett
LYnn 2-3853
56 Elmwood Road
Bernard F. Carey
LYnn 3-3693
79 Banks Road
Amos E. Russell
66 Kensington Lane LYnn 3-6464
Regular meeting, second Wednesday of each month. Superintendent of Schools and Secretary of the School Committee
Frank L. Mansur
88 Banks Road LYnn 3-2193
The office of the Superintendent of Schools is open on school days from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M .; Saturdays from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.
School Calendar 1944
Winter term begins Tuesday, December 28
Winter term closes Friday, February 18
Spring term begins Monday, February 28
Spring term closes Friday, April 14
Summer term begins Monday, April 24
Fall term begins Wednesday, September 6
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The School Committee submits the following report for the year 1943:
The real purpose of a School Committee's report is to give a clear and concise record of the year's accomplishment. It is not to theorize or to indulge in idealistic visions. However, standing on the brink of a New Year and overlooking the panorama of the past year, one is conscious of a psychological something, which has noth- ing to do with cold facts, but which does have a definite significance. This "something" is the calm with which the School System has ac- cepted the changes, irregularities, and inconveniences necessitated by the war program.
Last year was a year of questioning; this year has been one of complete understanding of the necessary changes. This attitude has been reflected very definitely in the schools, and has been ex- ceedingly beneficial in its effect on the students. Short hours due to rationing; changes in schedules at the High School to conserve heat; earlier graduation; changes in the Christmas vacation to en-
63 Orchard Road
Ralph N. Murray
LYnn 5-0597
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TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
able High School students to work; and cooperation with the Scouts in the potato harvesting are all iregularities which have meant more work for the teachers. They have accepted it cheerfully and with understanding. The town has reason to be proud of this same spirit of generous cooperation throughout the entire personnel.
The following monthly school record will give a clear account of the school year and will avoid duplication of those items covered in the report of the superintendent.
January
Adult Alien classes were discontinued.
Plans were formulated for the conversion of the High School to coal if necessary.
Physical training courses and a course in Elementary Machines were under way.
$15,069.20 was returned to the Town from the General School Fund for 1942.
It was decided to keep football competition in its own class.
February
The Finance Committee accepted the budget as submitted. Schools were closed for rationing.
March
The Navy was granted the use of the High School for V-12 examinations.
The conversion from oil to coal in the High School was com- pleted.
High School students were notified that outside dances could not be run as High School dances.
April
The rate of $1.00 an hour was set for janitors' overtime work. The High School was reported to be operating on coal very satisfactorily.
It was decided to grant war diplomas.
May
A pre-induction course of study was reported as under way. Theodore Nordin was awarded the contract for painting the High School.
The Alumni Scholarship was awarded to Lillian Manchin.
The Alumni Fund was invested in United States Savings Bonds. At the meeting of the Alumni Scholarship Committee, it was pointed out by Mr. Young, that the amount given for scholarships exceeds the present income of the fund. This matter, having been thoroughly discussed previously, the committee voted to instruct the Town Treasurer to invest $4,000 of the High School Alumni Fund in Series G United States Savings Bonds on or as soon as possible after July 1. This was done and the bonds are in the possession of the Town Treasurer.
Miss Jean Allan was granted leave of absence.
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SCHOOL REPORT
1943]
June
The number of Miss Anne Linscott's speech correction classes was increased.
Regulations covering Diplomas and War
Certificates were adopted.
September
The flag salute was changed.
In view of the decision of the Supreme Court invalidating the compulsory element in the statutes requiring pupils and teachers to salute the flag, the School Committee had no alternative but to vote to amend the regulations, Chapter 2 Section 5, by eliminating the entire section as it then ex- isted, due to an amendment on September 4, 1935, and to substitute the original wording of this section, as follows: "The morning exercises of the schools shall begin with the reading, without note or comment, of a selection from the Bible as required by the laws of the Commonwealth, and, in the elementary schools with the salute to the flag. In the Senior and Junior High Schools the salute to the flag shall be given at all assemblies. The United States flag shall be displayed in each classroom or other room where opening exercises are held."
High School boys were permitted to help in potato harvesting.
October
The School calendar was arranged to allow students to work during the Christmas holidays.
Diploma credits for outside music were discontinued.
It was voted to flame-proof all school auditorium curtains.
November
Definite plans were made for the band.
In November the chairman attended a meeting of the Band Parents' Association. There was considerable misunder- standing of facts and finances in connection with the band and orchestra, and also of the committee's attitude toward the band. In an open discussion the chairman endeavored to make it clear that the expenditures of the School Com- mittee were limited to certain definite items by State reg- ulation, and that, while the committee intended to be co- operative in what ever way they could to aid in the suc- cess of the band, their financial assistance had to be of the specific kind prescribed by State legislation.
The Band Parents' Association have given much time and thought to enlarging and improving the appearance of the band, and its constructive ideas should be of great help in the future of the organization. In cooperation with the High School authorities and Mr. Marino, their enthusiastic support is most welcome and should prove invaluable.
To assist in the plans of the Band Parents' Association, the School Committee, at the next meeting, voted to request Mr. Marino to have definite rehearsals in instrumental mu- sic to be held at least three or four times a week regularly throughout the year, and to expend whatever reasonable sum is necessary for musical instruments, the total this year not to exceed $500.00. This sum does not include the
110
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
amounts already spent for music and the repair of instru- ments.
December
The Boy Scouts were granted the use of the High School gym- nasium.
The Committee conferred with the Park Department.
In November the wooden bleachers at Blocksidge Field were condemned and torn down. On December 7th, Mr. Mansur, Mrs. Morse, and Mr. Burdett met with Mr. Lindsey and Mr. Burk of the Park Department to consider the question of new bleachers.
Through the efficiency of the Park Department some por- table bleachers had already been located and needed only a financial binder to hold them for action by the Town Meet- ing. As a result of this conference, the Athletic Association of the High School was authorized to provide funds up to $200 for the purpose of securing the option.
It developed during the conference that the Park Commission must, within the next year, provide suitable toilet facilities at the field, and are proposing the erection of a building for this purpose, the building to be later expanded to provide locker facilities at the field. Those present at the confer- ence were favorable to this building project. The sentiment of the School Committee was that the proposed projects are necessary for the proper equipment of the field, and that the School Committee would support the project. The Committee hopes that the townspeople will feel that the time has come when a field house is a necessity and that they, too, will support any reasonable and intelligent plan offered by the Park Department.
This record, in conjunction with the report of the superinten- dent, covers the problems handled directly by the School Commit- tee. There are other sides of school business, however, which con- tribute very materially to the success of a school. They should not be omitted in any full report. We refer to the extra curricula ac- tivities.
The athletic program comes to mind first, because of the foot- ball team, which has reached the top this year, and of which we are so very proud. The other athletic activities have been carried on during the year under enthusiastic instructors, and, inspite of limited facilities, have given opportunity for each and every student to fit in somewhere.
The opera, which has been given for a number of years by students of the High School, had to be omitted this year. This was due partly to the lack of suitable voices, and partly to lack of fuel at the High School. However, Mr. Henshaw, with the assist- ance of Mr. Mansur, is directing a very delightful play, which has already been given for the school, and which will be repeated at a public performance in March.
Miss Nazarian, our music director, is taking large groups of children to the Symphony Concerts in Boston. With generous mo- thers aiding in the chaperoning and transportation, it still remains an overwhelming task, which would be undertaken only by a person of courage and with a deep interest in her work.
We touch upon these particular subjects because this type of
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SCHOOL REPORT
1943]
interest on the part of the faculty is the rule rather than the ex- ception, and is often known to the public only if their own children are involved.
Our outstanding feat of the year is the sale of War Bonds and Stamps. With every advertising medium of the home front directed toward the sale of Bonds and Stamps, we feel very proud of our own splendid record. The Swampscott Schools are certainly pulling their share of the load.
There is another branch of the School System that deserves commendation. We refer to the efficient management of the cafe- terias. These are operated under the capable direction of the dieti- cians and their assistants. Only those who have to compete with food shortages, rising costs, and ration stamps of changing size, color, and value, can appreciate what it means to try to serve satis- factory, well-balanced meals. This is not only done, but the ac- counts show a surprising cash balance.
The usual fall inspection found the buildings in excellent con- dition, although the janitors had been handicapped by losses in their personnel.
The systematic plan of repair and renovation is going on and has proved to be the most economical way of keeping the buildings in good condition.
Our budget, the largest in the town, is considered carefully ev- ery month and we feel that every dollar is being used to the limit of its purchasing power. We are keeping up the standards of our schools, despite the necessary, but disturbing interruptions. For- tunately we have a superintendent who looks at each problem with the question in mind, "How can it be solved to work under the present war conditions, and also to fit into the post war plans?" In other words he has vision.
The committee has tried to help him meet the challenge of the times. The members, themselves, have tried undividually to meet the demands of war, and to begin to plan for post-war educa- tion. These plans are important, but perhaps it is more important to face 1944 with its inevitable complexities with that same calm that helped to carry on through the difficult year of 1943.
Respectfully submitted,
MARION D. MORSE, Chairman EDGAR U. BURDETT, BERNARD F. CAREY, RALPH N. MURRAY, AMOS E. RUSSELL.
FINANCIAL REPORT OF THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Appropriation
$235,004.00
Refund
10.00
$235,014.00
Warrants Payable
968.01
$234,045.99
112
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Expenditures
General Control
$7,688.77
Instructional Service
177,593.88
Operation of Plants
33,281.45
Maintenance
6,426.61
Capital Outlay
99.49
Auxiliary Agencies
4,411.32
229,501.52
Unexpended balance
$4,544.47
Credits to the Department
General Receipts
$124.61
Tuition Received-General
1,134.26
Tuition, State Department Public Welfare 279.75
State Refund, Trade and Vocational Schools 173.94
State Refund, General School Fund 14,753.55
$16,466.11
Net Cost of Schools
$213,035.41
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Members of the School Committee of Swampscott
Mrs. Morse and Gentlemen:
Probably there has never been a year in the history of the public schools of Swampscott when conditions have made necessary living and acting from moment to moment more than during the present year, at least so far as administrative planning has been concerned. In meeting such conditions every possible means has been taken to prevent unfavorable reactions upon educational proce- dures, and to keep spur-of-the-moment adjustments from interfer- ing with normal pupil school life.
Insofar as the elementary schools were concerned-and I think, too, the Junior High School-the measures taken seem to have been reasonably successful, but the High School was without ques- tion considerably disturbed. This was inevitable.
Conversion to Coal
In the first place, we were confronted with an oil shortage, and the High School burned oil. Early in the year we were ordered by the Federal authorities to convert the oil plant to a coal burning outfit, and steps were taken at once to comply. However, the amount of oil that we could have before conversion could be completed obviously was too little to operate the school. Sessions were, there- fore, shortened an hour a day through mid-winter, and all activities requiring additional use of the building were eliminated unless di- rectly connected with the life of the school.
By mid-March we had converted two boilers and we were oper- ating on coal. The heating plant carried the building under normal winter conditions with this equipment. However, the maximum amount of coal that we can carry in bins is about seven tons, and we burn about two tons a day. It is obvious, therefore, that any failure in coal supply, or any delay in deliveries, will leave us in a difficult position. Moreover, the problem of protecting the building
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SCHOOL REPORT
1943]
through an extremely cold night without a night firemen causes some concern. The fact that coal firing requires the constant attention of one man during the day has already made necessary the employment of an additional man.
Rationing Registrations
In February, and again in October, our teachers were enlisted for the issuance of War Ration Books Two and Four. Schools were closed for the purpose for a week during the first registration, but in October the work was all done during afternoon hours with only a shortening of the school day. Nearly eleven thousand books were issued on each occasion.
Changes in School Calendar
To meet the statute requirements for days of school, the April vacation was eliminated entirely for the High School. By this means we gained back several days, to replace those lost through the ra- tioning programs and by the extreme cold weather that forced can- celling of sessions in January and February. The Senior class at the High School was graduated on May 19th, the purpose being to free pupils for war employment. For the same reason the Christmas holidays were made to run from December 15th to December 28th, instead of extending into the New Year.
Employees in the Armed Services
Early in January Mr. Howard Batchelder of the High School faculty was commissioned in the Navy. During the summer Wendell Jones, a janitor at the Junior High School, was called to the Army through the draft. In each case the positions have been filled by military substitutes, and those leaving have been given leave of absence.
Janitorial Force
The problem of finding satisfactory and capable men to be janitors has been acute. We have had to employ, and break in to their duties, no less than five new men as janitors within the twelve months. Primary causes were illness and the draft. One of these served less than a month and found the work too strenuous for his health, Another became seriously ill and has been under medical care for several months. The other three are now becoming well accustomed to their work.
The tendency is to look upon the job of a janitor as more or less of a sinecure. Such is certainly not the case. To give a build- ing the care it needs, to operate efficiently a heating plant so as to keep a building not only warm but safe, to assume the responsibility for thousands of dollars worth of public property and to conserve it efficiently, requires as a building custodian an active, alert, intel- ligent young man of some mechanical ability who is not intent upon sparing himself. Unless older men have been brought up on the job, they too often find the long hours of work and the responsibi- lities of heads of buildings taxing beyond their strength, although we fortunately now have several recently employed older men serv- ing as assistants and doing very well at it. Our head janitors, how- ever, are all comparatively young men who are able and loyal, and it is to be hoped that they may be allowed to continue in their status of essential civilian employees.
114
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Speech Correction
Perhaps the most outstanding move in the matter of curriculum during the year has been the recognition of the need for speech improvement and correction by the employment of Miss Anne Lin- scott as a full-time teacher.
It is rather interesting that so obvious a physical disability as a speech defect has received so little attention in public education until comparatively recently, in view of the fact that nearly every other conceivable defect has received attention for years. A survey of our own schools last spring revealed the fact that in the elemen- tary and junior high schools alone nearly seven percent of the pu- pils showed distinct speech difficulties of the nature of stammering, lisping, inability to pronounce certain letters, indistinct enunciation, etc., all serious enough to be handicaps and to require attention. This condition led to your election of Miss Linscott in November to give full time to the individual speech needs of the pupils in question.
Diplomas
We were confronted early in the year with the question of how to deal in the fairest way with those boys who were required to leave school to enter the armed services. After consideration of several individual cases and an examination of the practices else- where, your Committee adopted the following regulations:
1. A regular diploma will be granted to those members of the Senior Class who remain in school and graduate.
2. War Diplomas will be given to those members of the Senior Class in good standing (meaning that they are at the moment of leaving candidates for a regular diploma) if they enter the service on or after January 1, of the school year in question.
3. War Emergency Certificates will be granted to all other boys who leave school to enter the service, this to include:
a. Those not members of the Senior Class.
b. Pupils in the Senior Class not passing sufficient credits on the date on which they enter the service to entitle them to a regular diploma if the same condition should exist in June.
c. Those who leave before January 1, regardless of their standing.
War Bonds and Stamps
We have tried to concentrate the attention of our pupils on car- rying out intensively two or three war activities rather than on at- tempting a great number feebly and possibly ineffectively. The most active participation has been in the purchase and sale of War Bonds and Stamps. In this connection, we have tied in closely with the local Committee headed by Mr. Carl Perry. Whenever special local drives have been underway, pupils of the High School have kept a stamp booth in operation at one of the local stores. When the funds were raised to purchase a bomber, school children selected its name- "Swampscotta."
The principal work and interest, however, has been within the school buildings, where pupils have both purchased for themselves and solicited sales to the credit of their particular buildings. From , January through November 30th their efforts accounted for $58,-
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SCHOOL REPORT
1943]
101.80 in War Bonds and Stamps. Since September, 1942 the High School alone has averaged over $2330 each school month. All schools have been entitled to display the Treasury Minute Man flag regularly because of the degree of participation by both teachers and pupils.
A special drive was inaugurated during the fall under Federal Treasury sponsorship, whereby Bond and Stamp sales might be credited towards the purchase of particular pieces of Army or Navy equipment. We are advised that the Junior High School was the first school in the Commonwealth to attain its quota, with the Machon School close on its heels. Since that time, all schools have completed their self-chosen assignments, and in some cases have doubled their original goals.
The complete list of equipment thus provided is: two original jeeps, one flying jeep, one amphibian jeep, five life floats, four motor scooters, three field ambulances, and two parachutes. .
Junior Red Cross
The other activity upon which we have concentrated has been the Junior Red Cross. Our schools are 100% enrolled, and are func- tioning actively. A total of 1666 articles has been provided this fall for army hospitals, service men's ditty bags, and children in hos- pitals, as follows:
350 Thanksgiving Menu Covers 50 Nut cups
500 Christmas Cards
50 Place cards
50 Ribbon Book Marks
50 Leather Book Marks
250 Hospital Tray Covers 3 Christmas Wall Posters
100 Jig-Saw Puzzles
60 Cakes of Soap -
10 Tooth Brushes For Servicemen's
10 Tooth Powder
Ditty Bags
5 Face Cloths
40 Games
36 Christmas Tree Place Cards
10 Christmas Books
36 Christmas Wall Hangings
20 Children's Toys
Building Repairs
We have done the usual minor repairs always necessary to keep the buildings in good condition. The High School has been painted on the outside, four classrooms redecorated at the Clarke School, two classrooms, a corridor and the office redecorated at the Stanley School (thus finishing all parts of that building), the girls' toilet room of the Hadley elementary school refinished, and the office of the Superintendent repainted.
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