USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1934-1936 > Part 26
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The position held by Miss Reynolds last year - in the Junior High School - was filled by the appointment of Miss Dorothy L. Maxim, a resident of Leominster, Mass- achusetts, a graduate of the Junior High School course of Keene Teachers' College and a teacher of four years' experience.
In the High School, after two years' service in the Commercial department, Miss Gertrude Mahn resigned
8
Report of Superintendent of Schools
to be married and her position was filled by the selection of Miss Elizabeth Belkus, of Brockton, a graduate of the College of Practical Arts and Letters, Boston University, and with two years' experience as a teacher of Commer- cial subjects in the high school at Winchendon. Massa- chusetts.
The position of Principal of the High School, held for the past eight years by A. Russell C. Cole, was filled by the appointment of Frederick A. Calkin, a graduate of the Massachusetts School of Art, a student for one year at George Washington University and a graduate student at Harvard and Boston University. Mr. Calkin has been in school work for the past sixteen years, ten of these at the Springfield Technical High School and the last five at the Winthrop High School.
UPKEEP OF BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
During the year 1935 there were no major repairs to the High School building. New equipment included thirty-five pupil desks which were installed in the Library-Study Hall, making a total of sixty pupil stations in this room. A band saw was added to the equipment of the Practical Arts department, and the circular saw and bench planer were replaced by new machines.
The interior of the Household Arts building was painted, and two filing cabinets for use in the preserva- tion of records were placed in the Superintendent's office.
At the Hatherly School, the repairs were largely con- fined to the interior painting of the two front rooms, and the refinishing of about one hundred pupils' desks. It was also necessary to install a new stack heater. Fol-
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Report of Superintendent of Schools
lowing the recommendation of the building inspector from the State Department of Public Safety, a change was made in the fire alarm equipment of the building. This included the installation of four separate fire alarm stations and a new fire gong.
A replacement of major importance was made at the Jenkins School building. The old slate urinals and the iron sink in the boys' basement were replaced with white porcelain units, and the walls covered with asbestos tile. In the course of this work a section of the cement floor was torn out and a layer of magnesite flooring compo- sition substituted. A new fire alarm system similar to the one at the Hatherly School was also installed in this building. In response to a recommendation from the office of the State Department of Public Safety a new fire escape leading from the north-west class room on the second floor was erected. With this addition all of the pupils on the upper floor can pass out of the building without entering the corridor.
It is very important for the coming year that a new ventilating duct connect the basement toilets with the ventilating stack at the Jenkins School. This, with the addition of an electric fan, should assure satisfactory ventilation of the toilet rooms. A new furnace, to pro- vide more adequate heat for the two front rooms, is very much needed at the Hatherly School.
Other repairs that are not as imperative as the two above mentioned, but nevertheless needed, are the instal- lation of new urinals at the Hatherly School, the re- painting of the outside wooden surfaces of the High School, the painting of the interior of the same building with the exception of the rooms refinished recently, the replacement of the two iron sinks at the Household Arts
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Report of Superintendent of Schools
building, and the resurfacing of the athletic field at the Community Center.
SCHOOL ENROLLMENT
Elementary Grades
Grades
Junior High Senior High Total Grades
1926
286
104
119
509
1927
314
97
117
528
1928
361
93
137
591
1929
369
88
135
592
1930
398
77
144
619
1931
421
73
162
656
1932
436
107
165
708
1933
443
131
173
747
1934
440
141
192
773
1935
400
135
206
741
For the first time in more than a decade, the school enrollment, as shown by the October first census, de- creased this year as compared with the previous year. The total enrollment on October 1, 1934 was 773, and on October 1, 1935, 741, a decrease of thirty-two pupils. While the Junior High enrollment was slightly smaller than last year the Hatherly and Jenkins Schools together showed a net decrease of forty pupils. This condition is not unique to Scituate as the decline in attendance of elementary pupils has been general throughout the state. On the other hand, our High School enrollment this year increased from 192 to 206, and all indications point to a continued increase in this unit for the next two years. In fact, it seems likely that our High School next Sep- tember will register over 240 pupils.
The situation that will confront us at that time, as Mr. Calkin points out in his report, demands two things:
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Report of Superintendent of Schools
first, that an additional room, for use as a home room and for recitation purposes, be provided to take care of this increase, and second, that another teacher be added to the High School faculty. To secure the extra room I ex- pect it will be necessary to use for this purpose either the Music or the Art room. This was discussed as a possibil- ity two years ago when it seemed probable that the Junior High enrollment would make it necessary to pro- vide an extra room for the seventh grade. This move can be made with little injury to the work of either of these special departments, altho it will submit the super- visors to some inconvenience in caring for materials and supplies, and arrangements will need be made for taking care of combined choral groups in the Auditorium. This situation indicates clearly that we are approaching the maximum capacity of the High School building, and any further increase in enrollment beyond that indicated for next September will make the question of an addition of several rooms to the east wing of the building a per- tinent one.
An additional teacher must be provided next Septem- ber to take care of the larger number of recitation groups that will be made necessary by the increased enrollment. The teacher load - particularly in daily classes - is heavy this year. The High School timetable provides for a seven period day plus an eighth period for extra curricular activities. In this eighth period all teachers are occupied with the supervision of home rooms or with other duties in the building. Of the eight regular teachers - outside of the Principal, who teaches three classes - six are occupied with recitation groups, Li- brary or other routine duties for the entire seven periods. The other two teachers have one free period a day. We are fortunate this year in having the assistance of a stu- dent from the Tufts College School of Education and it
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Report of Superintendent of Schools
is hoped that a similar arrangement can be made an- other year. There is no expense to the town for this service.
At the present time, besides those enrolled in the town schools, there are seven Scituate boys and girls from Humarock attending the Marshfield schools, one Scitu- ate boy enrolled in a special class at Cohasset, one boy at- tending the Quincy Trade School, and one high school graduate in attendance at the Boston Trade School for Girls. The tuition for the above is met from our school budget. In the case of the pupils attending vocational schools, the town is reimbursed, from state funds, for one-half the cost of the tuition.
EXPANSION OF THE SCHOOL PROGRAM
From time to time we have suggestions from individu- als or groups of people sincerely interested in the devel- opment of our schools that we add this or that course to our curriculum, or that we expand our school program to take in groups of pupils that are not now admitted to our schools. Most of these proposals have considerable merit, and yet it may be impossible, for various reasons, to incorporate them into our school program. At this time especially, when the need of governmental expen- ditures for emergencies is so pressing, we must consider carefully the cost of adventures into new fields as well as their merits. Not only this, but an expansion of the program that would require space for housing facilities is out of the question as far as the present school build- ings are concerned. Every room of the Hatherly School is being used for regular school purposes. The same is true of the Jenkins School this year except for one small room, and this is being used advantageously for groups of pupils - from the large third and fourth grades -
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Report of Superintendent of Schools
who need individual attention. It is not unlikely, how- ever, that this room may need to be used for regular school groups next year. I have already stated in this report the situation that exists at the High School building.
In the absence, then, of present school building facil- ities to accommodate additional school groups, the only al- ternative would be to substitute these courses for those already established that are not required by school law or needed for admission to higher institutions. I very much doubt if the value of the new course would be commen- surate to the loss of the one already established, whether it be the Commercial, the Domestic Science, or the Prac- tical Arts. We can profitably centralize our thoughts and energies on making our established school courses con- stantly more effective in the light of the educational needs of today and tomorrow.
FEDERAL PROJECTS
The School department sponsored a Federal Works Progress Administration project to clear up the plot of town land adjoining and south of the Old High School building. This has already been partially carried out. Before completion it is planned to rebuild the adjoining walls, grub out the roots, remove all stones on or near the surface, smooth up the plot and seed it down. The cost to the town will be small.
The educational project on food preparation that was started last year under the Federal Emergency Relief Administration is being continued this year under the Federal Works Progress Administration. The classes meet five times a week at the home of Mrs. Edith S. Dwight. On January 20 the enrollment was thirty-three.
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Report of Superintendent of Schools
Your attention is called to the reports of the Principal of the High School, the School Physician, School Nurse, and Attendance Officer. Special items from reports of the Principals of the Hatherly and Jenkins Schools are also given, together with several articles written by teachers which deal with the activities of their depart- ments. The usual statistical tables and the Financial Statement for the year 1935 are included.
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD C. WINGATE, Superintendent of Schools.
15
REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Mr. Harold C. Wingate, Superintendent of Schools, Scituate, Massachusetts. Dear Sir :
I submit herewith my first annual report as principal of the Scituate High School.
Cur maximum enrollment this fall was 211, an increase of 15 over one year ago. With only two exceptions every class room is being used every period, with extra chairs in most of them. The library-study hall is taxed to its capacity each period of the day. The teacher load, measured in terms of periods of teaching, is greater than that recommended by authorities, even though some re- lief is being given by the help of a practice teacher.
The present 8th grade class numbers 73 while the graduating class from high school is but 31. This means a probable increase of 40 in the Senior High School next September. A reorganization of the mathematics de- partment, necessitated by new requirements of the Col- lege Entrance Examination Board in that subject, will probably mean two additional classes. Two academic classes and two study groups are being carried by a practice teacher. It is quite evident that additions will have to be made to our teaching force and at least one additional classroom each period must be provided.
16
Report of High School Principal
Enrollment in the art, glee club, household arts, and practical arts classes has been large, and the results ob- tained from the work carried on in these departments have been gratifying. These cultural and practical courses are a very vital part of a well rounded program. It is interesting to note the increase in numbers in the practical arts work :
1934
1935
Freshmen
8
25
Sophomores
10
19
Juniors & Seniors
13
16
Totals
31
60
The installation of additional machinery has added to the popularity of manual training and much credit is due the insrtuctor for his up-to-date methods.
An afternoon session period has been introduced dur- ing which each teacher is in his room from 3 to 4 o'clock one day each week. During this time students may re- ceive individual help, or may be detained for makeup work and disciplinary reasons. This is also a good time for parents to interview teachers if they so desire.
In order to notify parents of students whose standing in any subject is low, that a failure on the next report card is probable, warning cards are being sent out in the middle of each eight week marking period. It is hoped that these warnings will be the means of elimin- ating some failing marks.
I feel that the athletic work of the school is being con- ducted on a high plane. Much praise should be given the players for their conduct in competitive sports. Finan- cially, the athletic association is in good condition. In
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Report of High School Principal
response to an appeal, 91 per cent of the student body joined the association this fall and are paying dues of 10 cents a month. In return the student is given a season ticket of admission to all home games in all sports.
Dramatics in the school received an impetus in De- cember when Scituate was awarded the cup for its pre- sentation of the "Valiant" in a contest of one-act plays with Norwell and Hanover High Schools.
It is hoped that the school library may be added to in the near future. Additional books in literature and the social sciences would be desirable to supplement the texts used in those subjects. One member of the faculty is at present re-cataloguing the books.
In conclusion, may I express to you my sincere grati- tude for the many helpful conferences and suggestions, and, through you, the School Committee for their en- couragement and support. I also wish to thank the teach- ers for their cooperation and excellence of work ac- complished.
Respectfully submitted,
FREDERICK A. CALKIN, Principal.
18
THE HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY
ADELAIDE COLBURN
Instructor in English and History - High School
Several years ago the books in the high school library were catalogued according to the Dewey-Cotter system, which is used in libraries throughout the country. Since then, however, there has been no one on the faculty with time to give special attention to this work. Although the post-graduates revised the listing and arrangement last year, there has been no complete classification of titles for systematic shelf arrangement.
On the first of November, 1935, the reorganization of the library system was begun, and although necessarily detailed and slow, it will be completed by the end of the school year. Nearly half the number of volumes in the collection have been added since the original cataloguing, and these are now being marked. Many others, with figures partly effaced by use, are being re-marked by a student assistant, who is also rearranging the books on the shelves by number, so that they may be quickly and easily located. Each volume will be cross-listed by au- thor and title in the files to facilitate reference work.
It is planned to institute a system of student librarians as soon as feasible. One student will be in charge of the room during each period of the day, to assist in finding reference material, and see that borrowed books are prop- erly charged and returned to the shelves. These librari-
19
Report of Instructor in English
ans will be selected from the study groups, and the work will be so divided that the time of no one student will be greatly taxed.
It has already been found valuable in two classes to have a special shelf reserved for books which have a par- ticuar bearing on some phase of their work. These books are removed from general circulation and kept for the use of members of the class during their study periods. It is hoped that as the system grows, it will be possible to arrange with the town libraries to borrow books which will help to broaden the resources at the command of each class. It is possible, also, to borrow from the state whatever is not available locally.
There is the space and need for many more volumes. As the library grows with the school, perhaps it will be- come possible to have a trained librarian to help stu- dents develop self-reliance and judgment in exploring the fields of their interests. A library assignment will then be a challenge to initiative, instead of a copying ex- ercise, and the library will fulfill its highest function.
20
HOME PROJECTS
DOROTHY E. MACFARLANE Instructor in Household Arts - High School
In the Household Arts course a stated number of hours of home project work must be done each year, for which the pupils receive credit. Through the home projects each girl gains actual experience in the home by applying the knowledge she learns in school. Before the girls start actual home projects, they begin with home prac- tices of shorter duration than projects which consist of repetition of processes and principles learned. in school and which develop manipulative skill. They then go on to home projects which require more thought and plan- ning and which develop managerial ability as well as manipulative skill. The projects are progressive in de- gree of difficulty and the amount of responsibility in- volved.
Before a girl starts a project, she consults both mother and teacher as to the type she will undertake. In this way a girl is guided to select a project which is interest- ing to her and beneficial to the home, and which is re- lated to school work. Each home is visited at least once a year by the teacher to determine the progress and value of the work done by the pupil.
Through home projects we hope the girls will assume more responsibilities in their homes and also become proficient in carrying out their duties.
21
INTRAMURAL AND INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS
EDWARD L. STEWART
Instructor of Physical Education - High School
In modern schools, competitive sports, both intramural and interscholastic, contribute much towards the com- plete development of the individual. They not only tend to create a strong body and an active mind with complete coordination between them, but because of the lessons in fair play, cooperation, loyalty and sportsmanship, they are effective means of developing high character.
At Scituate High School it is the rule that the pro- gram of each boy include two periods of physical train- ing weekly. Most of the time in these classes is devoted to learning how and playing the different seasonal sports. In the fall the time is largely taken up by touch football, tennis and soccer ball. As soon as the weather becomes too severe, the classes are held in the gymnasium where basketball, dodge ball, kick ball, and tumbling hold sway. In the spring of the year most of the time is devoted to baseball, tennis and track.
In interscholastic athletics Scituate High School is represented by the varsity teams, Football, Basketball, and Baseball. About thirty-five boys comprise the squads in these sports. The boys who compete in interscholas- tic sports are not required to join the regular physical education classes because of the amount of time they devote to athletics outside of school hours.
22
Report of Instructor in Physical Education
The value of athletics and sports does not end with the graduation of a person from school, but the skills gained may be carried on to later life. Interest and participa- tion in athletics is one of the most interesting and whole- some of hobbies for any age.
23
A SOCIAL STUDY PROJECT
MARION L. BRINE
Teacher of Social Subjects - Junior High School
The Junior High Civic Classes carry on a study of the important groups to which they belong. The School is one of these groups; therefore, because the students of today will be the citizens of tomorrow and because hav- ing a knowledge of a definite goal adds incentive to the work, we made a detailed study of the aims of education.
First, time was given for a general discussion, a period in which pupils courteously exchange ideas in an organ- ized group. With guidance the principles of education were developed, namely: Health, Mastery of Fundamen- tal Subjects, Training in Character, Worthy Use of Lei- sure Time, Training for a Vocation, Appreciation of the Importance of Home Life and Training for Citizenship. Then came the problem - How can these aims become a real part of each child's knowledge rather than an exer- cise in memorizing ? It was decided that everyone should make a set of posters illustrating the aims. The follow- ing examples will give an idea of what pictures were used - for Worthy Use of Leisure Time, all types of pictures illustrating sports; for Importance of Home Life, pictures of family activities; for Citizenship, pic- tures of great statesmen or patriotic events. After the material was gathered together each aim was carefully printed on the poster paper and the pictures were mounted. We then spent a period having an exhibit in
24
Report of Instructor in Social Subjects
order that we might discuss and criticize the posters. The finished work was finally incorporated in each pupil's notebook.
Thus with a better understanding of why he is going to school; with a clearer end in view the pupil is stimu- lated to work toward that day when he will take his place as a worthy citizen in the community.
25
REPORT FROM HATHERLY SCHOOL
GEORGE W. BURRILL Principal
The registration in our school has fallen slightly be- low that of last year due to the fact that our entering class was somewhat smaller than usual. In all other grades the numbers enrolled continue about the same as in other years.
Our grounds and building are kept in good condition owing in a great measure to the efficiency of our excel- lent janitor service. While the playground is quite ample, the sloping surface at the back makes it unsuitable for some of the supervised games.
During the spring term hot soups and drinks were provided by the local Red Cross unit to the great enjoy- ment of pupils and teachers also. Many availed them- selves of this opportunity of having either a hot soup or hot drink with their lunches.
In this brief account of our school we wish to stress two important phases which, to our minds, play a most important part in the results accomplished, - namely, attendance and the training in citizenship.
From the time the pupil enrolls in the first grade until he is promoted to other schools, the first aim is to instil in him a sincere liking for his school. We believe that our attendance records show that we are successful in
25
Report from Hatherly School
this. The instances of absences from school, aside from illness, are very rare, indicating also a commendable co- operation on the part of parents.
In striving to maintain the standard of scholastic marks we are satisfied that the efforts made in training our pupils in citizenship have a far reaching effect. The marks in citizenship, - health, industry, reliability, co- operation, thrift and courtesy, have grown to mean some- thing to the pupil and an earnest effort is made on his part to make a creditable showng. Some of these boys and girls, at least, cannot fail to retain and make use of these principles and habits which tend so strongly to in- fluence their future success in life.
27
REPORT FROM JENKINS SCHOOL
LEROY E. FULLER Principal
School opened in September with a slight decrease in enrollment due to the fact that thirty-nine were promoted to the Junior High School in June and only thirty-three entered grade one in September.
Jenkins School has eight class rooms, four of which are small, accommodating from twenty-five to thirty pupils. For the past five or six years it has been neces- sary to divide one or more of the larger classes. This year the division was made in the sixth grade.
We have been unable to use the assembly hall on the upper floor this year, under orders from the State De- partment of Public Safety. However, we have been able to give programs in the larger rooms and invite other classes.
From the sale of seeds by pupils of the different grades, and from some other sources, a small school fund is maintained each year. This money is used to purchase library books for the various rooms, extra playground equipment, Christmas gifts and costumes for school plays. Some free milk has been distributed.
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