USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1929 > Part 19
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All the school buildings are in excellent physical condition and are well kept. Extensive work will, of course, be necessary on the grounds at the Hunt School during the coming year, and the paths and roadways at the Pond School should be further improved.
The report of the Superintendent of Schools, which im- mediately follows, relates in detail the educational progress of the past year, with recommendations for the future.
222
The estimates for the coming year appended below take into consideration the regular maintenance of existing buildings and grounds, in part suggested above, and adequately provide for the expected increase in attendance, which has been substantial and steady for a number of years, and according to the school census, promises to continue.
Expenditures 1929
Estimates 1930
Salary of Superintendent
$5,000.00
$5,000.00
Other General Salaries
2,041.75
2,150.00
Other General Expenses
1,752.08
1,800.00
Teachers' Salaries
225,222.61
243,900.00
Text Books & Supplies
19,195.79
18,000.00
Transportation
16,437.60
17,000.00
Support of Truants
112.57
250.00
Tuition
925.85
1,000.00
Janitors
25,617.19
27,000.00
Fuel
13,421.16
13,000.00
Light
1,765.63
2,000.00
Maintenance
35,630.86
30,000.00
Other Expense
1,082.24
1,500.00
Evening Practical Arts
1,251.31
1,200.00
Day Household Arts
4,231.42
5,000.00
Day Industrial
22,341.85
22,000.00
Shoemaking
4,364.71
5,500.00
Total
380,394.62
396.300.00
223
LEGION MEMORIAL FIELD
The work on the athletic field continued during the summer and fall under the personal direction of Mr. Fred O. Stevens, Superintendent of the Water Department, who was by vote of the town authorized and appointed to act in conjunction with the School Committee in this matter.
A general layout plan prepared by Mr. Ernst Hermann, of Newton, an engineer specializing in such work, was adopted, and ground for a baseball diamond, outfield; and the necessary adjoining surfaces was further drained, filled, graded and seeded. : This area will be ready for use in the spring. A subsequent appropriation allowed for the laying out of a quarter mile running track, with an eighth mile straightaway and the subgrading thereof. Substantial subgrading for a football field within the running track was also done in the fall. There remains to be done but little further subgrading, and then the ground will be ready for loaming and seeding. The top grading of the running track will be composed of cinders. Considerable. quantities de- rived from the several schools are now being deposited weekly so as to be spread in the proper locations with the opening of spring.
For the removal of surface water the plans for the field call for the installation of small catch basins at designated points, and at other locations where conditions will show their need.
Your Committee recommends that a sufficient appropriation be made at the March meeting so that the general field work, including the construction of several tennis courts, may be com- pleted before mid-summer. Definite estimates for such work will be presented to the March meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
PRINCE H. TIRRELL, Chairman ETHEL G. TAYLOR, Secretary (Mrs. Arthur R.) JOHN P. HUNT J. HERBERT LIBBY, M. D. FRANCIS W ... REA : EDWIN R. SAMPSON
I concur in the above report insofar as the same concerna. Legion Memorial Field.
FRED O. STEVENS
224
COMMERCIAL
STREET
LEGION MEMORIAL FIELD SAST WEYMOUTH - MASSACHUSETTS-
, 5 DOUBLE TENNIS COURTS
LAYOUT PLAN
FerienICH
SPECIAL
GAME
COURT
COURT
"199
GAREY
AUXILIARY , FOOTBALL FIELD
AUXILIARY
FOOTBAL 1.
FIELD
HIJATICA
GRESS
GAASC -. RASCHVIL DIAMOND
MIDDLE
APEA
0
ST.
REGULATION BASEBALL DIAMOND
HAMMER
Styles A. Fisk
REGULATION
FOOTBALL FIELD 360. 150
CASS
ARCA C
RT
CAL
MILF TRACK
STREET
GRAND STAND SEOMBO SEATS DEATH 41* **** * REMONT HS-IF
HEJTH IO'.Y" GRAND DEATH
Huset i Dire"
Francis. W Coming
To H.1b ('
NICHTOFM
3350 MCAT
STAND
wide
GAME ! =
Litchfield " Mude i Panchay BY Insalatalindsay NEWTON, MASS. PLAYGROUND PLANNER -
FINNER
225
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS Members of the School Committee:
The report of the condition and progress of the schools for the year 1929 is herewith presented for your consideration and approval. This is the forty-fourth in the series of annual reports of the Superintendents of this town, and the twenty-first report of the present incumbent.
Owing to the many" and diversified interests of the school. system, it is difficult to speak with exactness concerning the work and needs of many of the departments. For that reason you will find included, under separate headings, the report of the Principal of the High School, the reports of the various supervisors, and of those having charge of special activities. Included also are graphs which show more clearly than figures the steady and spectacular growth in the elementary grades, in the High School, and in the Vocational School. The increasing cost of education from year to year is likewise shown.
In a general way, the same conditions obtain as last year. Much of the energy and time of the department has been devoted to preparing for and taking care of the increasing number of children, in selecting teachers, and in organizing new schools. Since the beginning of the year twenty-two rooms have been opened, eighteen in new buildings, and four in buildings that already existed. In September the one hundred and forty . pupils taking vocational work were grouped to form a separate unit, with a director in charge to correlate the studies and be responsible for all activities. Two "Opportunity" classes have been opened in ideal surroundings under teachers well prepared for the work, and furnished with admirable facilities for in- structing the children and securing the best results.
The grading of the Legion Memorial Field has been pushed to such an extent that another year will see its completion and mark the opening of one of the finest playgrounds and athletic fields in New England. Its extensive area has been planned so that several games of baseball, football, hockey, soccer, and so forth, may be played at the same time, according to the season. This field may set a standard for the improvement of trants of land which might otherwise be useless or of little value. In à town growing rapidly like Weymouth the danger lies, not in reserving too much land, but in reserving too little for outdoor activities. Land adapted for play areas should be secured, not only for the benefit of school children, but also for those beyond school age, who likewise need healthful re- creation and sport. Great corporations, recognizing this fact, provide clubhouses and other means of recreation for their help, or require them of the communities in which they establish their plants.
The open-air auditorium at the High School has been com- pleted in conjunction with the War Memorial Committee, and the grounds have been improved with macadam drives and cement walks and curbs.
226
How the School Dollar is Spent.
TEACHERS SALARIES 60%
BYTES AUXILIARY AGENCIES 2%
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION 2%
4%
TRANSPORTATION
TEXT BOOKS AND SUPPLIES 5%
STATE-AIDED DEPARTMENTS82%
MAINTENANCE ANDOPERATION 20%
TEACHERS' SALARIES and TEXT BOOKS AND SUPPLIES, heavy items of cost, need no comment.
MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION covers repairs to build- ings, work on grounds, all equipment, janitors' salaries and supplies, fuel, light and water. For the last few years expenditures have appeared under this head that were formerly covered by specific appropriations.
The STATE-AIDED DEPARTMENTS are Carpentry, Printing, Shoemaking, Automobile Repairs, Day Household Arts, and Evening Practical Arts Schools. One-half the cost is reimbursed by the State.
TRANSPORTATION cost for this town is one of the largest in the state. Only five other places pay more.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION includes salary, conveyance, and clerical help of the Superintendent, all telephones, census and truancy. work.
Under OTHER AUXILIARY AGENCIES come physicians. health supplies, and all items of a miscellaneous nature.
227
Cost of Instruction
100
350
300
250
200
130
1100
50,000
YEAR
1315
1 5
17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 20 29 30
The large item of cost in any school system is Teachers' Salaries. Any marked change in the rate paid to teachers is reflected immediately in a chart of this kind. In 1913 the maximum salary paid to teachers in the elementary grades was $550.00 In 1920 salaries were increased and again in 1924. A comparison of the increase in cost for the last six years with the enrollment shows that costs will and must increase in proportion as school membership increases.
To show that the cost of education in this town still com- pares favorably with that in other towns belonging to the same group as Weymouth, a table is submitted giving the average cost per pupil in other places. There are 79 towns in the state of a population in excess of 5,000. In this group Weymouth stands 6 in size and 11 in valuation, but 57 in expenditure per pupil And 72 in tax rate.
228
Figures taken from the State Report for the School Year ending June 30, 1929
1
Expenditures all pupils Amount Rank
Valuation per pupil Amount Rank
Tax Rate per $1000 Amount Rank
Brookline
$134.33
2
$28,408.
1
$20.00
78
Arlington
102.37
11
9,931.
14
31.00
32
Norwood
99.71
15
8,571.
25
29.00
46
West
Springfield®
99.55
16
8,411.
26
31.00
33
Milton
98.71
18
13,456.
6
27.20
58
Plymouth
98.65
19
10,137.
12
23.20
75
Wakefield
93.11
22
7,103.
39
34.40
16
Greenfield
90.48
32
7,525.
34
28.40
51
Watertown
88.93
38
9,795.
15
30.00
39
Rockland
86.26
42
6,104.
49
28.70
48
Whitman
82.49
52
5,723.
56
30.90
34
Framingham
82.30
53
8,126.
27
29.00
44
Dedham
81.37
55
7,868.
32
30.00
38
Braintree
80.77
56
7,177.
38
30.40
35
WEYMOUTH
80.71
57
10,312.
11
23.80
72
Methuen
79.37
60
5,559.
62
39.25
3
Winthrop
78.07
64
7,893.
31
26.70
61
TEACHING FORCE
Teachers, Grades 1 to 8
102
Teachers, High School (including Shop)
50
Supervisors
12
Total
164
There have been very few resignations during the year. Miss Myra G. Keep, the Elementary Supervisor, resigned on October 25, after three years of service. Two teachers left the High School, one in the Vocational Department and the other in the French Department, and one vacancy occurred in the seventh grade of the Junior Annex. The list of appointments, however, is long, because of the opening of new rooms and the hiring of extra teachers. Miss Helen E. Mayer was granted leave of absence to teach in the Normal School a
Angers, France, through an arrangement made by Harvard University, from which she received her A. M. degree in June.
CHANGES IN THE TEACHING FORCE
RESIGNATIONS
High School
Junior Annex
Lucille A. Goding K. O. Windsor Agnes S. Holdahl
Elementary Supervisor
Myra G. Keep -
RETIRED
Bicknell School
Edward B. Nevin School
Cora L. Beard
Stella L. Tirrell
1
229
LEAVE OF ABSENCE Helen E. Mayer APPOINTMENTS.
!
High School
: High School
L. Josephine Baker Esther L. Benson Harry F. Duncan
Rose .R. Grace Beatrice' Ingalls
Lillian Jefts Lucille Jones
Margaret K. Langford
Edith A. Sanborn
Bernice I. Purinton Eva Skala Waldo H. Swan
Francis E. Whipple, Jr.
Junior Annex 1
Athens School Bicknell School Washington School Hunt School
Eleanor Freeman.
Marjorie Maynard
Mary Tobin
Ruth Tirrell
John , F. . Martin
Catherine. E. Mckenzie
Marie B .. Upton
Fvglyn Linscott .
Mary H. Benson
Louise Barker .:
Miriam H. Stearns
Hazel .Nietzold
Marion .. Ray
Pratt School Shaw School Edward B. Nevin School Opportunity Classes
Asst. Drawing Supervisors
In last year's report a complete description of the provisions for professional improvement was given. During this year forty teachers presented credits and were granted salary increases. Twenty of these were among the younger teachers, who were obliged to do the work in order to secure their annual increment. A number of the teachers have been working for degrees. Two received them in June and several others will have completed the necessary work for degrees next year. The quality of the professional improvement courses which' the teachers have been taking has been satisfactory. I would urge the younger teachers. (specially, to select cultural courses to broaden their education and general outlook.
In no previous report has the subject of teachers' retire- ment been mentioned. It may be well to explain briefly at this time its benefits and the provisions of the law under which a teacher at the age of sixty may, or at the age of seventy must., retire from active service. Those teachers who were in the em- ploy of the town previous to July 1, 1914 might or might not, as they saw fit. subscribe to the Teachers' Retirement Act. All teachers who have entered the service since July 1, 1914, how
230
ever, have been compelled by provision of the law to set aside a portion of their earnings each year to be used for an annuity, this annuity to be increased by a pension contributed by the State. At the present time five per cent. of the salary is required, but no assessment runs over one hundred dollars. Any person teaching in 1914 who did not accept the provisions of the Act at that time may enter the Teachers' Retirement Association by paying back assessments with interest. Of the one hundred and sixty-four teachers on the pay roll, one hundred and thirty-five are contributing towards an annuity and pension. Since 1914 four teachers over the age of sixty have retired:
Name
Date of Retirement Age
Years of Service
Emma J. Smith
September 1, (1918
69
50
Martha J. Hawes
July 1, 1924
67
48
Cora L. Beard
September 18, 1929
60 39
Stella L. Tirrell
December 7, 1929
69
41
During the current year both Miss Beard and Miss Tirrell retired because of ill health. Miss Beard was graduated from the old North High School in 1888, and taught in Adams, Athens, and Bicknell Schools. A reception given to her at the Bicknell School on November 4 demonstrated in a remarkable manner the esteem in which she is held by her associates in school work, her pupils, and her personal friends. As her Superintendent for more than twenty years, I was glad to be present and enjoy with her the tributes of those gathered there. Miss Tirrell has not been in school since September, owing to serious illness. She has served the town long and faithfully, first as a teacher in the Adams, Thomas, and Hollis Schools, then as Principal of the Howe School for twenty-five years, and finally as a teacher in the Edward B. Nevin School, which replaced the Bates and Howe buildings. As her Superintendent during a large part of this period of service, I wish to speak in the highest terms of her loyalty, her faithfulness, and the conscientious manner in which she performed the most exacting of her duties.
Note :- Miss Louise Utpardel was retired for disability in 1917. She received a minor pension from the State, but her retirement did not come under the broader scope of the Teachers' Retirement Act.
231
Graph showing past growth of High School by years and estimated growth to 1935
.1400
1300
ACTUAL ENROLMENT
1200
ESTIMATED ENROLMENT
1100
1000
900
800
stidne do
700
600
NUMBER
500
400
500
200
YEAR 1013 1 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 22 24 25 26 27 28 29 (1 0) 32 33 34 %
This graph shows in a very interesting manner the steady growth in High School enrolment, which started in 1913, con- tinuing for three years, was modified by war conditions and the demand for labor from 1916 to 1921, was checked in the year of 1923 because of the necessity of having the pupils attend in two platoons, morning and afternoon, then resumed in 1924 the steady growth started in 1913, and has continued to date in practically the same line as was shown previously. A forecast for the future, using the same rate of growth, shows that by 1935 there will be more than fourteen hundred pupils in the Senior High School.
232
Increase in Elementary Grades
3400
-3300
13:00
200
2200
2700
2600
2000
2400
2300
=100
2000
YEAR 1913 14 15
16
17
18 13
20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 90
This graph is of interest, when compared with the one for the High School. It shows that the ratio of increase in the number of pupils in the elementary grades corresponds almost exactly to that in the High School during the past six years. The drop in 1924 and 1925 was due to the change of the entrance age from five years to five years and five months, and to the elimination of the ninth grade, which shortened the school course by one year. It is safe to forecast that in five years there will be a thousand more pupils in the elementary grades. A building program should be planned accordingly. Six or eight rooms should be provided each year through new construction.
233
SCHOOL CENSUS (As of October 1, 1929) 5 to 7 yrs. 7 to 14 yrs. 14 to 16 yrs Total :
BOYS
Ward I
69
348
75
492
Ward II
92
419
112
623
Ward III
.69
231
63
363
Ward IV
48
211
54
313
Ward V
51
190
41
282
Total
329
1399
345
2073
GIRLS
Ward I
72
358
96
526
Ward II
88
459
120
667
Ward III
61
240
56
357
Ward IV
47
238
52
337
Ward V
46
164
44
254
Total
314
1459
368
2141
GRAND TOTAL
643
2858
713
4214
DISTRIBUTION OF ABOVE MINORS
Public Day School
407
2591
675
3673
Private Schools
61
261
28
350
Not enrolled in any school
175℃
6
2
183
Working
.:
GRAND TOTAL
643
2858
713
4214
Eight children between the ages of 7 and 16, not enrolled in any school, are either crippled or under the doctor's care. It is a custom in many places to provide a home teacher for the in- struction of these pupils who are crippled or otherwise unable to attend school.
Although the census of 1920 gives Weymouth 17,253 people, an estimate of the present population based on school census figures would indicate a population of over 24,000.
ATTENDANCE
Total Number Enrolled
4,070
Average Daily Membership
3,915.83
Average Daily Attendance
3,660.34
Per Cent. Attendance
93.48
Highest Building
Per Cent
Jefferson
Per
Cent.
Jefferson
„
VIII
97.11
Jefferson
..
VII-VIII
96.22
Junior Annex
:
VII
96.20
Jefferson
„
96.05
Hunt
VIII
96.04
:
Junior Annex
IĻI
96.41
Nevin
".
I
96.18
Bicknell
96.49
Highest Rooms
Gradė VI
97.81
8
8
(Records above noted are for the school year closed on June 20, 1929)
1
234
EVENING PRACTICAL ARTS CLASSES
During the past two years the evening groups have included only practical arts subjects. These seem to meet the public demand and have been well patronized since the opening in October. At present two classes in dressmaking are being conducted in the Bicknell School at North Weymouth. Each class meets once a week for three hours. Two other classes, one in cookery and one in dressmaking, meet twice a week in the High School at East Weymouth, for two hours.
The work is divided into two units totaling seventy hours for the group taking single weekly sessions, and eighty hours for those taking two sessions a week. The unit subjects pro- posed for cookery are: Cakes and Pastry, Party Refreshments and Candy, Lunches, and Dinners. For the dressmaking classes in East Weymouth the units are: Cotton Dresses, Silk Dresses, Woolen Dresses, and Sport or Summer Dresses. In North Wey- mouth the units are: Silk Dresses, Renovating Blouses, Sport Suits, and Spring Dresses. There may be considerable variation in the unit subjects in order to suit the work to the demands of those in the classes.
.A few statistics relative to the results of the first unit of work now completed will give some idea of the quality and -quantity of the work.
Dressmaking .:
Total Cost of Material $227.27
'Total Valuation of Product 758.00
Average Cost per pupil for Material 3.78
Average Valuation per pupil of Product 12.63
: Cookery:
Estimated Valuation of Product 106.35
"There has been a total of sixty taking dressmaking, while twenty-three have taken Cookery. Even with such large groups the per cent. of attendance.has been approximately 88, an ex- eHent record for evening classes.
EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATES
According to a law passed in 1919, any town having more than two hundred employed minors between the ages of fourteen and sixteen is obliged to maintain a Continuation School. This town was compelled to open a Continuation School in November, 1919, but almost immediately the number fell below that required by law. The school was discontinued in January, 1928. There is no present prospect that such a school will have to be re- opened, as the records for 1929 show:
Weymouth Minors between ages of 14 and 16:
Total Number in Town (October 1) 713
Total Number employed in Town 23
Total Number employed Elsewhere 10
-
Outside Minors between ages of 14 and 16:
Total Number employed in Town .4
235
On December 31, the actual number of minors employed in town was seven. Six others living in this town were employed elsewhere, making a total employed of thirteen Weymouth minors between the ages of fourteen and sixteen.
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS
The buildings are in much better condition then they ever have been. The basements are clean, janitor service has been greatly improved, and the requisite amount of painting is being provided. Heating plants have been brought to so higli a degree of efficiency that all buildings are heated comfortably, ever in the coldest weather. The one glaring defect at the present time is the grading and the appearance of some of the school grounds. Such improvements, however, as are necessary can be made from the regular maintenance account in the near future.
REPAIRS-1929
ADAMS SCHOOL
Painting outside of building and minor repairs.
ATHENS SCHOOL
New shades and modern drinking fountains.
JAMES HUMPHREY SCHOOL
Modern drinking fountains and minor repairs.
JEFFERSON SCHOOL
Complete installation of electric lights and outside painting. WASHINGTON SCHOOL.
New floors in half of building, modern drinking fountains, new shades and painting inside and outside.
PRATT SCHOOL (Old Building)
New ventilating shafts, modern drinking fountains, new shades and grading.
SHAW SCHOOL
New shades, new chimney flue and outside painting.
EDWARD B. NEVIN SCHOOL
New furniture in one room, repairs to heating plant and grading.
POND SCHOOL
Grading.
HIGH SCHOOL
Renovation and rearrangement of lunch room, new gas service, new boiler room fans, new shades, chairs for girls' gymnasium, inside painting, grading and sidowalks; and regular repairs.
236
REPAIRS RECOMMENDED FOR 1930
ATHENS SCHOOL
Painting outside and new clock sytem.
JAMES HUMPHREY SCHOOL
Painting outside.
WASHINGTON SCHOOL
New floors in three rooms and corridor,
HUNT SCHOOL
Grading of entire yard, cement sidewalks, tearing down old Hunt School, and changing location of Lincoln School.
PRATT SCHOOL (old building)
Stuccoing (previously recommended), removal of boiler, new sanitaries.
SHAW SCHOOL
Grading of grounds close to building, cement walks.
EDWARD B. NEVIN SHOOL
New furniture or repairs to old.
POND SCHOOL
Cement sidewalks.
HIGH SCHOOL
Grading of grounds in rear of building, painting inside of original building and first wing, new fence on property line at rear of building.
WEYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL Report of F. W. Hilton, Principal
In submitting my annual report I wish to give a list of the various courses offered by our school, together with a brief outline of the purpose of each. Students often choose courses that are not intended to prepare them for their future life work. There is need of greater care and thoughtfulness on the part of the parent and student in the choice of subjects on entering the High School.
Courses
Objectives
Classical College, A. B. degree, normal schools (professions)
Technical College, B. S. degree, technical schools
Business Business schools, office work
General General education, may tend toward normal pre- paration or general office work Practical Arts Home-making, dietitians
Agricultural, Mass. Agricultural College, 'practical agriculture
Trade Auto Repair, Carpentry, Printing, Shoemaking
. In order that you may know how well the school meets the objectives of the various courses I will. give an outline of what happens to the graduates after leaving High School, using as an illustration the Class of 1929.
237
Classification by courses
Present employment Bus. Other Not College Normal School Schools Work Reported
College Prep.
35
13
3
8
6
4
1
Business
51
1
0
9
5
28
8
General
34
1
4
3
8
12
6
Prac. Arts
6
0
0
0
1
5
0
Agricultural
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
Trade
9
0
0
0
0
9
0
136
15
7
20
20
59
15
The size of our school is increasing at a normal rate and the building is being used almost up to its capacity. The entire student body numbers 1321, distributed as follows:
Departments
Number of pupils
Number of teachers including administrators
Senior High School
929
41
Junior High School
253
9
Opportunity Class
23
2
Trade School
116
9
1321
61
Classification of students according to courses in the Senior High School.
Freshmen Sophomores Juniors Seniors Total
Classical
84
58
42
29
213
Technical
46
26
21
20
113
Business
172
130
88
65
455
General
24
13
11
18
66
Agricultural
8
8
3
5
24
Practical Arts
17
17
10
10
54
Post Graduates
351
252
175
151
929
Sources of Students in the Freshman Class
Boys
Girls
Total
Athens
5
20
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