USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1940-1942 > Part 15
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The system of Transportation adopted two years ago, has not worked out as satisfactorily as had been anticipated. We have had numerous complaints. We are of the opinion that the addition of one more Bus, would eliminate this dissatisfaction.
Your Committee, as the result of the death of Mr. Perez Young, (whose passing away we deeply regret, he having been a faithful and conscientious driver for many years) passed a Vote, that hereafter, on the decease of any School Bus Contractor, his contract should revert for its unexpired term to his direct next of kin, provided, that lie or she, were competent to comply with said terms of the contract. In Mr. Young's case, we are pleased to state that his mother, Mrs. Young, will continue to operate this route, with Mr. Charles Lane as driver of the bus.
Mr. Lewis B. Newcomb, who, like his father before him, has been for many years, an earnest and faithful janitor, one upon whom we could always depend, applied for a year's leave of absence, on account of his health. This was unani- mously granted, and as a substitute in his place, we engaged Mr. Frederic G. Peirce.
In closing, we wish to thank the various organizations, who have made mani- fest their interest in our schools and to the citizens, for their unstinted financial support and which we feel sure will redound to their credit, by enabling us to maintain a high standard of Education, in this fair town of ours, with its famous Historical and Educational background.
Respectfully submitted,
PETER W. SHARP, Chairman, MRS. EMMA L. DAMON, Secretary, MRS. MARION C. ALEXANDER,
School Committee.
6
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee of Seituate:
I take pleasure in submitting my fifteenth annual report for your consideration.
CHANGES IN TEACHING STAFF
There were four teacher resignations that took effect at the end of the school year in June, 1940. Two of these were in the supervisory field and the other two were members of the staff of the Hatherly School.
Miss Ruth A. Whidden, for ten years supervisor of physical education in the Seituate schools, resigned to be married. This position was filled by the appoint- ment of Miss Virginia E. Vines, Seituate, a graduate of the Sargent School of Physical Education, with one year's experience at The Rumson Private School, Ine. of Rumson, N. J. In addition to being Supervisor of Physical Education in the elementary schools, Miss Vines has charge of the girls' physical education classes and sports, and teaches Ancient and Modern History at the High School.
The other resignation in the supervisory field was received from Mr. Philip W. L. Cox, Jr., for the past two years Supervisor of Music. To the vacaney thus created. two appointments were made. Miss Gertrude M. Reynolds, Seituate, a graduate of the Boston University School of Music, became the Supervisor of Music for the Hatherly and Jenkins Schools, a part-time position. Mr. John T. Samuelson, of Hull, a graduate of the Boston University School of Music, with some teaching experience during the past year in the Hingham schools, became Musie Instructor in the High School. Mr. Samuelson also teaches a class ir General Science and one in the Survey of Mathematics.
Miss Doris C. Crocker, for the past ten years a teacher in our elementary schools. was married during the school year and so resigned in June. Her position, as teacher of the second grade at the Hatherly School, was filled by the appoint- ment of Miss Evelyn C. Ames of Natick, Mass .. a graduate of the Framingham State Teachers' College with three years' experience in Grade Two at Marion, Mass. The position of assistant teacher in Grade One at the Hatherly School was also made vacant when Miss Barbara T. Young resigned to accept a teaching posi- tion at Winthrop. The vacancy was filled with the appointment of Miss Priscilla Kelley, Scituate, a graduate of the Perry Kindergarten Normal School with experience as a special teacher in the schools of Medford.
SCHOOL ENROLLMENT-OCTOBER 1 Ten Year Period
Elementary
High School
Grades I-VI
Grades
VII-XII
Total
193]
421
235
656
1932
436
272
708
1933
443
304
747
1934
440
333
773
1935
400
341
741
1936
412
356
768
1937
388
358
746
1938
409
357
766
1939
411
368
779
1940
415
359
774
7
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
The enrollment in the Scituate schools on October 1, 1940 differs very little from that of the preceding year; the elementary grades show an insignificant in- crease and the High School a small decrease. Over the ten-year period there has been little change in the enrollment of the elementary grades, while in the High School the increase has been marked. In 1931, sixty-four per cent of our pupils were enrolled in the Hatherly and Jenkins Schools, and thirty-six per cent in the High School; while in 1941 less than fifty-four per cent were enrolled in the elementary grades and over forty-six per cent were in the High School. This explains why the number of teachers in the elementary grades-including the special class teacher now required by law-is the same in 1941 as in 1931. It also explains, in part, the reason for the increase of the High School staff from eleven in 1931 to eighteen in 1941.
UPKEEP OF BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
In addition to the usual routine repairs at the Hatherly and Jenkins schools, during the past year over one thousand square feet of slate blackboards were resurfaced. A sandtable and some additional kindergarten chairs were pur- chased for the Hatherly School, and at the recommendation of the local fire department, a new fire alarm system, connecting the school system with the town fire stations, was installed in this building.
Numerous repairs and replacements were made at the High School. The stone steps of the two entrances on the west side of the building were reset and all the iron railings, the fire escape rails and treads, and the metal grills of the auditorium wing of the building, were repaired and painted. The north walls of the auditorium wing were weatherproofed.
New electric light fixtures were installed in Room 103 and Room 207. This completes the changes in the improvement of the artificial lighting in the High School building recommended by the survey conducted in 1939. The shades were replaced in the eighteen windows on the south side of the east wing. New window curtain material was purchased for the six large windows in the audi- torium, and the curtains were made by the girls of the Household Arts classes Twelve chairs for replacement purposes were purchased for the cafeteria. Eight new work benches were made for the shop by the boys of the Practical Arts department. And finally, a new electric time clock with class-bell controls was installed in the Principal's office, replacing the old one that had been in use since the building was constructed. in 1916.
New equipment purchased during the year included a parallel bar for the gymnasium, a combination scrubbing and polishing machine for the use of the janitors, and three filing cabinets for keeping records. In addition, iron gates were installed at the entrances to the balcony, and a crane was attached to the wall on the left side of the stage opening to be used in lifting heavy equipment, such as piano and gymnasium apparatus, on and off the stage.
In the Household Arts building, an unused air shaft and old hot air furnace was removed, a low water cut-off was installed in the heater; and four new light fixtures were placed in the sewing and cooking rooms.
In connection with the care of the community center grounds, a new power mower was purchased to replace the one in use for the past ten years. To better house the mower and to provide room for the equipment used in the care of the grounds, a small tool house was constructed by the boys of the Practical Arts classes.
8
7
SCHOOL FINANCES FOR FIVE YEAR PERIOD
Receipts
1936
1937
1938
1939 $90,570.00
1940 $90,160.00 112.32
Federal Funds Dog Tax Civic Center Grounds (Separate Appropriation)
149.60
144.49
250.91
205.92
778.78
866.79
302.43
1,500.00
974.04 1,500.00
1,500.00
1,500.00
Carricd over from 1939
411.00
$83,628.38
$87,261.28
$91,374.95
$92,578.35 $92,183.32
SCHOOL EXPENDITURES FOR FIVE YEAR PERIOD
General Expenses
1936
1937
1938
1939
1940
School Committee
$218.50
$198.30
$220.40
$218.52
$297.39
Superintendent, salary and expenses
2,562.06
2,560.13
2,592.60
2,564.34
2,593.85
Clerk and Attendance Officer
434.00
437.75
438.00
468.00
439.00
Other Expenses of Administration
60.42
30.02
30.03
43.20
38.17
Expenses of Instruction
Supervisors and Teachers
45,972.00
48,163.25
51,162.42
52,674.00
55,063.00
Textbooks and Scholars' Supplies
4,146.94
4,747.78
4,362.70
4,726.38
4,672.59
Plant Operation and Maintenance
Janitors
5,519.50
5,426.00
5,484.00
5,530.50
5,532.50
Fucl
2,510.49
2,305.05
2,678.57
2,396.16
2,504.14
Upkeep of Buildings and Grounds
3,613.71
5,676.84
4,923.48
4,451.26
3,361.66
Miscellaneous
1,467.05
1,576.09
1,646.92
1,813.91
2,092.63
Auxiliary Agencies
Library
144.74
488.87
330.27
315.28
218.95
Health
479.44
496.84
479.00
500.86
435.91
Transportation
12,094.40
12,272.05
12,523.58
11,955.62
10,054.29
Miscellaneous
1,176.45
1,235.07
1,169.82
1,093.44
1,270.37
Outlay
New Equipment
$960.52
$345.14
$971.00
$292.09
$977.31
Total
$81,360.22
$85,959.18
$89,012.79
$89,043.56
$89,551.76
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
9
Appropriation
$82,700.00
$84,750.00
$88,650.00
1936
1937
1938
1939
1940
Special Items
Tuition, Vocational and Other Americanization Classes Evening High School Classes Community Center Grounds
$956.69
$937.17
$765.24
$223.15
$254.50
215.90
504.28
340.00
1,289.31
1,277.06
1,475.75
1,248.35
1,317.26
Total
$83,606.22
$88,173.41
$91,253.78
$90,730.96
$91,967.80
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT CREDITS (Not available for use of School Department)
From State Funds:
1936
1937 $5,818.94
1938 $6,257.23
1939
1940 $6,457.43
Maintenance of Household Arts Classes Trade School Tuition
1,016.55
1,087.29
1,152.01
1,032.59
1,031.32
142.19
149.62
96.44
69.94
65.26
Tuition of State Wards
332.67
503.54
554.84
436.28
644.31
From City of Boston-Tuition
570.27
577.18
653.43
451.52
469.10
Money Collected by Department
167.16
151.61
160.24
131.76
183.41
Total
$7,912.50
$8,288.18
$8,874.19
$8,551.42
$8,850.83
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
$6,429.33
On Employment of Teachers
$5,683.66
10
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
EVENING SCHOOL FOR ADULTS
(a) Americanization Classes
For the school year ending in June, 1940, two classes in adult-alien education were maintained. These classes, taught by Miss Anne L. Cunneen and Mrs. Edith W. Burrill, had a total enrollment of fifty men and women and were in session forty-six evenings. Forty-seven of those enrolled were of Portuguese ancestry and three of Italian. On April 11, forty-two of the group were awarded State Certificates.
It has been a pleasure to work with these groups, and they have been most appreciative of what the school is doing to help them better understand the English language and American ideals. Individually, they are industrious, earnest, courteous, sincere and very responsive to what is good and what is right. It is to their credit that such a large proportion of their number have become citizens,- of the thirty-three enrolled in the classes this year, all are either citizens, peti- tioners for second papers or declarants for first papers. It is their firm intention to be good citizens.
(b) Classes in High School Subjects
During the year 1940 classes in Typewriting and Shorthand with Miss Ruth E. Hawkes as teacher, were held for a total of forty-seven evenings. The attendance was very large from January through April. The total enrollment during the fall term was twenty-nine.
In October an adult class in Practical Arts was started and to the end of 1940 mnet for a total of sixteen evenings. It has an enrollment of twenty-five men and an average membership of fifteen. Mr. Nels H. Sandberg is the teacher in charge.
Early in January 1941, an adult evening school class in Story Writing, taught by Mrs. May Futrelle, and one in choral singing, taught by Mr. John T. Samuelson, was started.
These classes are all open to the public and no tuition charges are made.
TRENDS IN EDUCATION
Present world conditions, and the determination of our leaders, approved by the great majority of the American people, to rapidly build up our defenses and to give all possible material aid to the world democracies in their struggle for existence, has established the fact that there is a shortage of well-trained mechanics when industry is geared to high production. This means that the facilities of our trade schools should be increased, by enlarging existing plants or establishing new ones, or both. The State Department of Education is vigorously attacking this problem and is making substantial progress. While this does not mean that every high school should be made over into a trade school, we must be alert to the needs of the time, and shape our courses accordingly.
Irrespective of changes, all schools must work zealously to build up a high morale. We must teach, with increased emphasis, the blessings and privileges bestowed upon the individual by our democratic form of government. "At the same time we must not let anyone forget that these liberties involve and require the highest degree of individual and group responsibility and sacrifice for the common good." We must seek to renew faith in the American way of life and to increase loyalty to all of our democratic institutions.
Your attention is called to the several reports of school officers and teachers, together with the various statistical tables and the Financial Statement for 1940.
Respectfully submitted, HAROLD C. WINGATE, Superintendent of Schools.
11
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Mr. Harold C. Wingate
Superintendent of Schools
Scituate, Massachusetts
Dear Sir: 1
I submit herewith my sixth annual report as principal of the Scituate High School.
The over-crowded condition of our school building continues, making it necessary this year to hold a bookkeeping class in the cafeteria and a history class in the science laboratory, which is far from ideal.
The graduating class of 1940 was the largest ever to leave Scituate High School. Sixty pupils received diplomas. About one-third of this number went on to higher institutions of learning and many others found positions of merit. They are showing the results of the good foundation they received at this school.
Although the State Department of Education records show the average number of high school graduates throughout the state attending colleges to be about 13.2%, Scituate High School has sent over 20% of its graduates to college in the past five years. Students prepared for college at this school are at present enrolled at Boston College, Boston University, Bowdoin, Brown, Duke, Fitchburg Teachers College, Harvard University, Lowell Textile, Massachusetts State College, Massachusetts School of Art, Northeastern, Rhode Island State College, Simmons, Smith, the United States Naval Academy and the University of California.
At the beginning of the school year our business department was broaded by the addition of several new courses. Typewriting is now being given in the sophomore' year so that three years of the subject may be taken instead of two. A course in Junior Business Training has been added to the sophomore curriculum, also. The institution of half-year courses in Salesmanship and Commercial Law, and a second year of Bookkeeping allow students to take a general commercial course without Stenography if they so desire. Senior Science has been added in the Science Department. This latter course may be substituted for Physics by pupils not preparing for the colleges or scientific schools.
Much interest is being taken in instrumental and choral music this year under the direction of a new instructor. An orchestra of thirty musicians and a senior high school chorus of about sixty-five singers are delighting the members of the school at assemblies and at public performances.
A non-credit course in Character Guidance is being tried out this year in grade 9. Discussions on pertinent subjects dealing with school problems are held during home-room periods.
Our Safety Driving Club proved to be so successful last year that it is being continued. The Scituate High School Club received the first certificates issued by the Registry of Motor Vehicles to any Massachusetts High School.
12
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
Other school clubs and activities have had a successful year. The Junior Red Cross was joined by a very large percentage of the student body. Many departments of the school are working on Junior Red Cross projects and several boxes of dolls, toys and scrap books, made or repaired by seventh and eighth grade pupils, were sent to hospitals and childrens' homes before Christmas.
Our athletic teams continue to be successful in competition with teams from other South Shore towns. The 1940 girls' hockey team deserves special commenda- tion, their schedule being completed without a defeat, while the baseball team and football team each lost but one game.
It is always gratifying to have your fine support, Mr. Wingate, and the backing of an efficient corps of teachers.
Respectfully submitted,
FREDERICK A. CALKIN,
Principal.
REPORT FROM HATHERLY SCHOOL George W. Burrill Principal
Hatherly School opened in September, again with an increase in the number of pupils in attendance, the registration being the largest since the seventh and eighth grades were taken from our building to form the Junior High School.
Due to the prevalence of colds and grippe the attendance record has not been up to our usual standard. We find the parents very co-operative in this respect. They realize, I believe, that regular attendance is very necessary to continued progress. The foundation of two important school subjects is laid in the early grades and regular attendance is most desirable.
We recently learned with sincere regret that Mr. Lewis B. Newcomb, owing to poor health, had been granted a year's leave of absence from his duties as janitor of Hatherly School. Mr. Newcomb has been connected with our school for about twelve years during which time his faithfulness to his many duties and his loyalty to those with whom he came in contact have been highly appreciated.
Following the Christmas vacation we resumed the serving of hot drinks and soup. Many pupils avail themselves of the opportunity of having something hot with their lunches and we feel that especially on extremely cold days this is of great value to them.
Following our usual custom, appropriate programns have been arranged in the different rooms to observe the several holidays and days of special note. During the latter part of the year our grades were pleasantly entertained by Mr. John Hines who gave his dramatization of "Jack and the Beanstalk" which was greatly enjoyed by all.
We are again enrolled one hundred per cent in the Junior Red Cross. In addition we have donated money to the American Red Cross to help provide for needy children in the war-torn land across the sea.
REPORT FROM JENKINS SCHOOL LeRoy E. Fuller Principal
The number of pupils enrolled in Jenkins School has not varied much over a period of four or five years. As has been true throughout the country, entering classes have been small during these years. Our present (Jan. 2, 1941) enrollment
13
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
is 221 pupils, quite evenly distributed over the grades. Attendance is generally very good, although at the present time we are feeling the effects of the influenza epidemic. --
Each class is enrolled in the Junior Red Cross, while some have made scrap- books which have been sent to the County hospital. Programs have been given at times during the year, the special feature being a performance of "Jack and the Beanstalk" by Mr. John Hines, Actor.
Several new books have been added to the room libraries during the year. Some of these were provided by the Department, while others were purchased with money from our school fund. Acquiring a suitable library is a slow process. Through the co-operation of the librarian of the Allen Memorial Library we have been able to borrow books, especially those that appear on the State Reading Certificate List. Children like to read and it is one of our problems as teachers in the elementary grades to direct their reading into the proper channels. Pub- lishers of school textbooks have done much to create an interest in reading by producing books with fascinating stories and attractive illustrations. We must do even more; we must bring about a desire within the boys and girls to want to read the best books and magazines available.
COMMERCIAL CLASSES IN THE EVENING SCHOOL Ruth E. Hawkes Commercial Teacher
Classes are held each week on Monday and Wednesday evenings at the high school from seven to nine o'clock in business subjects. These classes consist of be- ginning Gregg shorthand theory, advanced dictation in Gregg shorthand, and typewriting.
The advanced shorthand class offers a good opportunity for a person to review his outlines and to keep up his speed in taking down dictation. The rate of dictation is graded according to the group and speed work is given. New matter as well as practiced material is dictated and then this may be transcribed while the beginning shorthand class is carried on.
The beginning shorthand class is taught by the Functional Method and takes one assignment an evening. Forty-five minutes of preparation is required for each assignment. The theory work can be covered in about seventy assignments. No writing is done until after twenty-one assignments have been covered; this develops a good writing style.
Beginning typing is taught to those who have had no typing experience, and drills, exercises, and speed work are given to those more advanced. Also instruction in the set-up of different forms including business letters is given. The material presented is adjusted to the individual needs of the members of the class.
Some students prefer to take only the typewriting without the shorthand and spend the entire evening on this work.
A COURSE IN SALESMANSHIP Clarence O. Atkinson Teacher of Business Subjects
This year a course in salesmanship has been added to the commercial depart- ment of the High School in the eleventh grade. This course is designed to help those students who, after graduation, find themselves confronted with apparently insurmountable obstacles in the business world. These obstacles are usually, first, lack of experience and, second, inability to sell their services to an employer.
14
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
What constitutes experience can be taken to mean the ability to get along with others and to influence them to take certain desirable action. This ability in the past has usually been acquired by years of experience. Today its principles are so clearly defined that they may be to a large degree acquired in the class- room by learning and practicing specific and well-defined techniques in the selling process.
A general outline of the course starts with the study of each of the above mentioned principles in their natural order as follows: first, the physical and mental qualities of personality and the salesman's use of English and his ability to reason; second, knowing the goods and the company that the salesman repre- sents; third, understanding the customer, buying motives and how to secure prospects; fourth, the many phases of the sale itself, including demonstrations and closing the sale; and fifth, the mechanics of salesmanship,-letter writing, and advertising.
Written assignments go along with the study of each topic and a large part of class time is used to discuss selling problems. Probably the most valuable part of the course is a series of projects that are prepared and presented to the class by the students themselves to illustrate what has been studied and discussed. Each one has the opportunity to practice salesmanship while the others offer constructive criticisms.
To accomplish the two-fold purpose of the course it is hoped that the mastery of the fundamentals of salesmanship will lead to a more satisfactory solution of the employment problems after graduation.
THE BOYS' ATHLETIC PROGRAM Edward L. Stewart Instructor
Academic subjects have been discussed in papers by other teachers so a few words on an extracurricular activity at Scituate High School should prove of interest.
To call the athletic program extracurricular is perhaps a misnomer, for even though the varsity athletic activities take place outside school hours they, never- theless, are an important part of any school program.
Here at Scituate we compete interscholastically in four different sports, football, basketball, baseball and tennis. In order for a boy to become a candidate for any sport he must first be given consent by his parents and then be certified as physically fit by the school physician.
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