USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1932 > Part 16
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Term expires April 1, 1934 Wey. 1889-M
707 Broad Street, East Weymouth EDWIN R .· SAMPSON
19 Lincoln Street, North Weymouth MRS. ARTHUR R. TAYLOR
Term expires April 1, 1934 Wey. 0216 Term expires April 1, 1935 Wey. 0434 Term expires April 1, 1935
44 Tower Avenue, South Weymouth Wey. 2354
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
PARKER T. PEARSON 590 North Street, East Weymouth
Wey. 0520
OFFICE Weymouth High School, East Weymouth
Wey. 1460
OFFICE HOURS
At High School Daily: 9:00 to 9:30 A. M. 3:30 to 4:30 P. M.
HELEN G. TONRY, Secretary 79 Chard Street, East Weymouth MYRTLE L. RICE, Assistant Secretary 79 Front Street, Weymouth
Wey. 1534-M
SCHOOL CALENDAR, 1932-33
FALL TERM-Opens September 7-Closes December 23
WINTER TERM-Opens January 3-Closes February 24 Opens March 6-Closes April 28
SPRING TERM-Opens May 8 Closes June 22 HOLIDAYS-Columbus Day, Armistice Day, Thanksgiving and day fol- lowing, Washington's Birthday, Good Friday, Patriots' Day, Me- morial Day.
NO SCHOOL SIGNAL 2-2-2 2-2-2
At 7:30 A. M., no session in any grade during the morning. At 8:00 A. M., no session in Grades I to IV, inclusive, during the morn- ing.
At 11:45 A. M., no session in Grades I to IV, inclusive, during the after- noon.
At 12:45 P. M., no session in any grade during the afternoon.
196
ADAMS SCHOOL - ERECTED 1932
197
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE
Regular meetings of the School Committee are held the first Tues- day of each month at the High School Building at 7.30 P. M.
ENTRANCE AGE
No child shall be admitted to school in September unless he has reached the age of five on or before the first day of April preceding. Children entering for the first time will be admitted only during the first two weeks of school.
BIRTH CERTIFICATES
A birth certificate is required for entrance to the first grade.
VACCINATION
No child shall be allowed to enter the first grade without a cer- tificate of successful vaccination.
Quotation from State Law, Chapter 76, Section 15: "An unvac- cinated child shall not be admitted to a public school except upon presentation of a certificate like the physician's certificate required by Section 182 of Chapter 3."
EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATES
No child between the ages of fourteen and sixteen shall be allowed to leave school until a signed promise of employment card has been presented to the principal of the building in which he is attending school. Employment certificates are issued by Mr. Charles Y. Berry, at the Hunt School, Weymouth, every week day except Saturday, between the hours of nine and twelve.
198
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Weymouth :
The School Committee herewith submits its report for the year 1932, together with the appended report of the Superintend- ent of Schools and those of the several departments.
School growth continues unabated. The new six-room Adams School, authorized at the last annual Town Meeting, was com- pleted on opening day in September, and the housing needs for the north part of the town are sufficiently supplied for the imme- diate future.
Betterments and repairs have been made as opportunity of- fered. The principal betterments have been on the grounds of the Bicknell and Hunt schools, by the provision of seven tennis courts, primarily for the use of the High School, on Legion Memorial Field, and the arrangement of an additional classroom in the base- ment of the Shaw School. The complete furnishing of the Adams School was also provided from the Maintenance account. In these more stringent times it is likely that school maintenance will need to be confined more nearly to repairs, and it is a fortunate circum- stance that those things which are in the nature of betterment have in the past years been so liberally allowed by the town. School property throughout the town is in excellent condition.
School growth still remains a problem and inevitably adds to the aggregate cost of operation. For the coming year, although attendance will probably exceed by more than two hundred that of the past year, such growth will be met by distributing it to the best advantage, adding to the numbers in each grade. With com- plete distribution our existing schools can accommodate about five thousand pupils, and such attendance is likely to be reached next Fall.
In submitting our budget for the coming year we have had in mind the times, the pressing need for economy, and curtailment where the same can be done without harm or where necessary. The total estimate is accordingly less than the same for the past year, although the aggregate attendance will be at least two hundred larger. To reach such estimate it has been necessary to omit betterment work, to reduce slightly the provision for text- books and supplies, to provide for no new teaching positions and for no increases in salaries. The matter of reduction of salaries, we believe, is one of financial policy for the town to consider. Our budget is, therefore, based upon the existing salary scale, which is deemed to continue throughout the school year ending in June. No substantial diminution of the following budget can be
199
had, however, without a reduction of the existing salary scale. We believe that some special arrangement and appropriation should be made to provide for the incidental expense of opening school buildings for other than school purposes, and which is not spe- cifically provided for in the following budget :
Expenditures
Estimates
1932
1933
Superintendent
$ 6,500.00
$ 6,500.00
Other General Salaries
3,277.50
3,350.00
Other General Expenses
1,894.16
1,710.00
Teachers' Salaries
275,951.76
277,000.00
Textbooks and Supplies
17,726.72
15,000.00
Transportation
17,004.80
17,000.00
Support of Truants
33.72
100.00
Tuition
662.48
1,000.00
Janitors
1
28,645.72
29,300.00
Fuel
12,159.05
11,500.00
Light
2,597.14
2,500.00
Maintenance
36,385.12
25,000.00
Other Expense
1,405.43
1,000.00
Day Household Arts
4,236.82
4,700.00
Day Industrial
23,457.77
23,800.00
Shoemaking
3,744.33
3,700.00
Evening Practical Arts
423.49
Total
$436,106.01
$423,160.00
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
200
Increase in School Population
5000
-4000
-3000
2000
1922 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 '31
June 1932
Nov 1932
In the last few reports attention has been called to the fact that the school population is increasing in the proportion of about six rooms' a year. This chart shows that the growth remains constant. A new six- room building at the Heights provided for the increase last year. No provision, however, is being made for increased attendance this year.
201
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Members of the School Committee:
I take pleasure in presenting to you my twenty-fourth report, the forty-seventh in the series of annual reports of superintendents of this town.
In accordance with the usual custom, reports of the principal of the high school and of those having charge of special depart- ments or activities in the school system are included. As these reports cover the work of the year in detail, further comment is unnecessary at this time.
POPULATION
Census of 1930
20,883
SCHOOL CENSUS (as of October 1)
1931
1932
Decrease
51
7 years
673
688
7 to 14 years
3,179
3,134
14 to 16 years
804
807
4,656
4,629
27
ENROLLMENT
1931
1932
Increase
Total number enrolled
4,420
4,587
167
Average daily membership
4,267
4,43I
164
Average daily attendance
3,981
4,180
199
Per cent attendance
93.28
94.34
1.06
Per cent attendance (State)
94.09
94.15
.06
SCHOOL BUILDINGS
1931
1932
Increase
Number of buildings
15
16
I
Number of classrooms
163
169
6
Number of halls
4
5
I
Number of gymnasiums
4
4
Number of cafeterias
I
I
-
INSTRUCTORS
1931
1932
Decrease
High school
55
. 54
-
I
202
Elementary grades
IIO
Opportunity class
2
2
-
Special
I3
II
2
-
180
177
3
,
It is easy to explain why the thistle-down floats on the wind and why the cocklebur rides clinging to the back of a sheep, for' sooner or later the seed of the thistle or cockle will come to rest, and new plants springing up will continue the cycle which Nature has set. It is not so easy to explain the reasons for a depression' . nor what its outcome may be. If we are to believe that "history is the potential knowledge of the past to the end that the lessons of the past may be applied to our present and future good," then the present depression will not have a lasting evil effect upon the schools. The worst depression that the country has known, 1873- 1879, enlarged the field of education and caused a net increase in expenditure of fifty-three per cent. It may well be that the people of that era did not wish to mortgage the future by borrow- ing on the earning capacities of their sons and daughters. The depressions of 1893, 1907, and 1921 caused no loss in the edu- cational opportunities for the children.
The present depression, though serious, will pass, and its cares and problems will become memories growing fainter with the years. It is for this generation to determine whether it will accept its responsibilities as men should, or, falling away from the high ideals of the past, leave impressed upon the future the seal of failure.
New and disturbing elements, however, have appeared in the present crisis. Certain large financial institutions and the news- papers which they control are seeking to focus publicity upon municipal expenditures, in order to draw attention from their own worthless bonds sold, from high commissions collected from them, and from ill judged investments in real estate. It is for the parents to say whether the welfare of their children should be left to the discretion of those who have failed so signally in their own field. An "ornamental turret" may be seen and admired, but the interest of a Kreuger & Toll bond leaves much to be desired.
Education is recognized as the first duty of government. It is also the best investment of the people. No other expenditure of money will bring so sure a return. It can be produced in a de- pression to better advantage than at any other time. The upper grades, high schools, and colleges are filled with those who, being unable to work, are seeking to improve their possibilities for em- ployment in the future.
203
The children are the best asset of the town. Upon their proper training depends the success or failure of the future. To para- phrase and change the words of a great play, "Education, mark where she stands! Within that magic circle rests the future of the race."
RETRENCHMENTS AND SAVINGS
The cost of the school department depends in a large measure upon the number of children. If the number increases, the cost must go up or be offset by retrenchments and savings.
Last year ten new teachers were employed. This year the increase in school population has been absorbed and we are em- ploying three less teachers. The music position left vacant by the retirement of Mr. Calderwood has been left unfilled; the princi- palship of the Junior Annex has been added to the duties of Mr. Wallace L. Whittle, of the High School chemistry department ; one teacher has been dropped from the Vocational School. The work in sewing was partially covered for four months, but has been so arranged that it will come under the charge of one teacher starting in January. The six rooms in the new Adams School were provided for by taking three teachers from the old building and three from other buildings in town.
Beginning with the new year the shoemaking department in the Vocational School will be discontinued. This action is un- avoidable, due to business conditions, but it is to be regretted. Shoeworking is still the chief labor industry of the community, and probably will remain so. The boys of that department could not enter until they were sophomores, were generally sixteen years of age, and their earnings will be missed by the families to which they belonged.
In addition, all evening classes were closed, beginning with the October term. Under the law, any town of ten thousand popula- tion or over is obliged to maintain an evening school. Wey- mouth holds a unique position. It has no illiterate minors, and only six under the age of sixteen who are employed at present. Practically all who are physically and mentally able to complete the work of the High School do so.
Turning to a more material form of saving, all desks for the new Adams School were constructed by the boys in the cabinet- making department of the Vocational School, with a saving to the town of about $600.00. All other equipment was purchased with money from the maintenance account. This was necessary,
204
as no money was included in the original appropriation for either equipment or furnishings.
The boys of the cabinetmaking department 'also constructed one hundred desks needed for new pupils in various buildings.
The statement is frequently made that the town has not bene- fitted as it should from the valuation of the Edison plant. Let us see for a moment just what the situation is.
There rests on my desk a pamphlet which states that in 1921 the average tax rate in Massachusetts was $25.41. At that time the tax rate in Weymouth was $30.00, and in three succeeding years, $29.25, $29.25, and $30.50, the year before the effect of the Edison valuation was felt. At present the average tax rate in Massachusetts is nearly $30.00, while in Weymouth the rate is $24.00. In other words, the Edison valuation has reduced our tax rate nearly $6.00 on a thousand.
In addition, consideration should be given to the fact that the low valuations of the period directly following 1924 attracted a great deal of cheap construction to the town on which the munici- pal expense is many times the tax return. During this period also the town was compelled to increase its expenditures enormously in all departments : streets, fire, police, and schools.
Since 1921 public school enrollment has increased as noted by the following figures :
1921
Dec. 23, 1932
Number Increase
Per cent Increase
High School
353
1,256
903
255 plus
Elementary
2,734
3,446
712
26 plus
Total
3,087
4,702
1,615
52 plus
All of these additional pupils have had to be furnished with new quarters, equipment, and supplies. More than one hundred classrooms have been constructed during this period for replace- ment and new use.
205
10
20
This chart shows the rank of Weymouth among the 83 Massachusetts towns having more than 5000 population in respect to size, valuation, per pupil cost of education, expenditures for schools and tax rate for the school year ending June 30, 1932.
30
4º
50
60
701
BOL
7th
5th
33rd
73ª
75 ch
in population >20,882
in valuation $46,455,905
in per pupil cost of education $89.73
in portion of local tax used for schools $7.89
in tax rate $24.25
The above chart shows in a striking manner the low relative position of the town as to tax rate and the small amount taken from the tax levy for school purposes.
206
CHANGES IN THE TEACHING FORCE
RESIGNATIONS
High School
L. Josephine Baker Alene E. Clifford
Rose R. Grace
Ruth A. Thompson
Priscilla M. Sargent
E. Louise Barker Marjorie E. Skinner
RETIRED
Junior Annex, Principal Supervisor, Music
APPOINTMENTS
High School
Vocational School
Junior Annex Opportunity Class
Adams School Bicknell School
M. Jean Young
Harold C. Sherwood Katharine M. Hale
Helen Varnum
Jane Stub
Preston DePlacido
Ruth E. Henley
George J. McCarthy
Dorothea E. Abbott
Florence Hartt
Leon C. Fitzgerald
Barbara H. Pray
TRANSFERS
Madeline L. Cote
Ruth E. Funk
Eleanor L. Garvin
Margarita M. Jones
Philip. T. Jones
Helen G. Lyons Ruth E. Mayo Mary E. McMorrow A. Alberta Richmond Thelma Salzgeber Margaret S. Wise
Hunt to High School
Junior Annex to High School
Hunt School to Junior Annex
Pratt to James Humphrey School Bicknell to High School Junior Annex to High School Bicknell to Adams School
James Humphrey to Junior Annex Hunt to Shaw School
Pond to Adams School
Center Portable to Pond School
Junior Annex Opportunity Class Sewing Supervisor
Adeline M. Canterbury James W. Calderwood
Hunt School
Center Portable Pratt School
Edward B. Nevin School
207.
Of the seven resignations listed, three were received from teachers who intended to be married. Four married women, who had been employed temporarily, were replaced with new teachers on the permanent basis.
All told, six positions have been abolished. The vacancies caused by the resignation of the Sewing Supervisor, the retirement of the Music Supervisor, and the retirement of the Principal of the Junior Annex at the High School have not been filled. Also, one cabinetmaking position in the Vocational School, which had been filled on the temporary basis, has been discontinued.
To offset this number, however, three new grades were opened at the new Adams School in September, making a net decrease of three positions from last year.
Of the appointees, six are college graduates, and five are normal graduates, divided as to years of training as follows: four of four years, and two of three years. One man has special training of two years.
Two new teachers have been added to the retirement list : Miss Adeline M. Canterbury, who has served the town as teacher and principal since 1887, a period of forty-five years, and Mr. James W. Calderwood, who became supervisor of music in 1910.
Both teachers represent the highest type of service and have been highly honored and esteemed by the community. The re- ception given to Miss Canterbury by her former pupils was in- spiring, a crowded hall offering tribute to her for long years of faithful service.
Mr. Calderwood, affectionately called "Jimmie" by the pupils, still occupies a unique position in the system, as he has refused to sever his associations with the children, carried on his band work during the summer, and is still giving a great deal of free in- struction outside of school hours. For that reason I am not writ- ing in the spirit that his work has ended, but in the hope that he may remain with us and serve our children for years to come.
HEALTH
As was stated in last year's report, nearly all the children in our schools were tested for tuberculosis, those showing symptoms of the disease have been re-examined this year, and reports have been made to their parents as to their condition.
A dental clinic, organized at the Hunt School through the in- strumentality of the Lions Club, has served children from all parts
208
of the town. Great credit should be given to those dentists who have given their services without charge in order that this work might be a success. In the beginning contributions were received from the following organizations :
Weymouth Chapter American Red Cross $150.00
Weymouth Visiting Nurse Association 25.00
Weymouth Catholic Club 10.00
Weymouth Circle Daughters of Isabella 10.00
Weymouth Grange 10.00
Weymouth Lions Club
10.00
Weymouth Teachers' Association
10.00
The Weymouth Lions Club has made a further contribution of $115.00 for the purchase of supplies, etc., during the present school year.
The Weymouth Rotary Club, which has for a number of years furnished treatment for tonsil cases, continued its work and during the summer made all arrangements and paid for sixty-five tonsilec- tomies.
The school nurses have been untiring in their efforts to guard the health of the children. They have devoted much energy to see that no child should suffer from lack of food or clothing. Teachers and principals also have been active in securing clothing, shoes, and rubbers, have given much from their own incomes in in- dividual cases, and as a body have contributed nearly $1500.00 for welfare work.
ATTENDANCE
(For School Year ended June 23, 1932)
Total Number Enrolled 4,587
Average Daily Membership 4,430.66
Average Daily Attendance
4,179.96
Per Cent of Attendance 94.34
HIGHEST BUILDING IN TOWN
Jefferson 97.24
HIGHEST ROOMS IN TOWN
Jefferson-Grade IV
98.41
Athens-Grade III
98.08
Hunt-Grade VIII
97.91
James Humphrey-Grade VI
97.84
Jefferson-Grade III
97.58
209
James Humphrey-Grade IV
97.35
97.24
Hunt-Grade VI Jefferson-Grade I 97.03
HIGHEST ROOMS IN TOWN BY GRADES
Grade VIII-Hunt
97.91
Grade VII-Edward B. Nevin
96.57
Grade VI-James Humphrey 97.84
Grade V-Washington 96.42
Grade IV-Jefferson
98.41
Grade III-Athens
98.08
Grade II-Jefferson
95.97
Grade II-Athens
95-97
Grade I-Jefferson
97.03
A summary of attendance records for the year shows con- siderable improvement when compared with that of 1931. An increase of 1.06 per cent for the entire school system is gratifying, and illustrates graphically the co-operation which has existed on the part of the children, parents, teachers, and principals. The local papers will continue to print the results attained during each four-week period. It is hoped that another year will show still; further improvement.
SCHOOL CENSUS
(as of October 1, 1932)
5 to 7
7 to 14 years
14 to 16 years
Total
BOYS
Ward I
109
398
100
607
II
90
437
91
618
III
72
271
66
409
IV
50
227
54
331
V
41
247
58
346
Total
362
1580
369
23II
GIRLS
Ward I
85
401
124
610
II
85
424
II4
623
III
67
270
66
403
IV
55
234
81
370
V
34
225
.53
312
Total
326
1554
438
2318
GRAND TOTAL
688
3134
80
4629
years
210
DISTRIBUTION OF ABOVE MINORS
Public Day School
490
2837
765
4092
Private Schools
69
287
32
388
Not enrolled in any school
129
8
7
144
Working
0
O
3
3
County and State Schools
O
2
O
2
Total
688
3134
807
4629
For the first time in years the school census shows a decrease in the number of those children in town between the ages of five and sixteen. The decrease of twenty-seven is not large, and does not occur in the grades which will have a direct bearing upon the number of pupils entering school. The limit of increase must be reached ultimately, as no new houses are being built and the surplus of houses constructed during the boom period must be nearly filled.
EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATES
Weymouth Minors between the ages of 14 and 16:
Total Number in Town, October 1, 1932 807
Total Number Employed in Town, 1932 8
Outside Minors between the ages of 14 and 16:
Total Number Employed Elsewhere, 1932 3
Total Number Employed in Town, 1932 O
Note :- On December 31, the actual number of Weymouth minors between the ages of 14 and 16 that were employed was 6: 5 in Weymouth and I in Boston. Four girls were doing housework, and one boy and one girl working as store clerks.
WEYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL (Report of Mr. F. W. Hilton, Principal)
In submitting my annual report for the High School, I wish to speak briefly in regard to matters of economy and the efficiency of our organzation. It is customary to estimate the required teaching force for efficient high school work at approximately twenty-five pupils for each teacher. Various factors are likely to make this vary from twenty to thirty pupils per teacher. In many
211
of our State-aided courses, classes in the neighborhood of fifteen are deemed necessary to meet State approval; and these are likely to necessitate larger classes in other subjects, in order to keep down the theoretical cost of education. After a careful analysis of our various groups, I find that even with our small groups in House- hold Arts and Agriculture, our larger classes so balance these that our average is approximately twenty-five pupils per teacher throughout the High School. We have been able to distribute an additional load of approximately one hundred pupils, including thirty-six post graduates, without any additional rooms or any additional teachers. Practically all homeroom seats have been occupied, so that distribution by classes has been somewhat com- plicated. It is especially difficult to find accommodations for study rooms without resorting to placing students in the rear of recitation halls.
The supervisional duties of Miss Canterbury in the Junior Annex have been absorbed by our own faculty with a saving of the cost of one full-time teacher. The seventh and eighth grade sewing, formerly handled by a special supervisor, has been taken over by Miss Williams, in addition to her regular work. I be- lieve that the teachers have undertaken these additional burdens with a vigorous and loyal attitude of meeting the needs for econ- omy, and are doing as efficient work as possible under crowded conditions.
There have been several changes in our faculty, all of which were replacements. These have been largely promotions of teachers who have trained in the grades and have already proved their worth in our school system.
While we believe that during times of unemployment and want there should be no lavish expenditures for education, we hope that nothing will be done to detract from the high standard which has enabled our students to prepare themselves for prac- tically every kind of work that they might desire. Suggestions for cutting out non-essential subjects, such as sewing, drawing and music, may make a basis for argument, but would save little from our school budget, unless such subjects were carried on with a greater expenditure than our town has ever given. It is, moreover, difficult to say that these subjects are non-essential. In fact, we believe that with certain pupils they would be fully as important as other types of instruction.
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