USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1900-1902 > Part 62
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Three new horses have been bought during the year.
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Two by vote of the town, the other by approval of your board ; this was necessary as the horse driven in the hose wagon developed a lameness, and acting under the advice of Dr. Allen, of Stoneham, that to continue to run him to fires would be likely to permanently disable him, we sold him to the poor department for $50.00 making a good horse for their work, and purchased one from Mr. G. W. Killorin for $200, which has proved a good investment.
A new swinging harness has been put in the Greenwood hose house as voted at the fall town meeting.
CENTRAL FIRE STATION.
The department has been located in the new central engine house for over a year, and appreciate the comforts of a modern engine house. A number of citizens have availed themselves of the opportunity of visiting it often accompanied by out of town friends. Several committees from other towns, that contemplated building engine houses, have also inspected it, and found many features that were of value to them. We hope to see more of our own citizens come and become better acquainted with the department, and would be pleased to show them around at any time. The valuable addition to the fire alarm system in the house, during the year, is an indicator, that shows the number of the box, on an alarm of fire. This we understand has cost the town nothing, as one of our citizens stands ready to pay for it when the bill is rendered, an offer which we believe will be appreciated by the town.
NEW GREENWOOD HOSE WAGON.
Two years ago the Greenwood Hose Co., that had re- sponded to fires for a number of years without compensa- tion, was placed on the pay roll of the department. During the year they have added to the apparatus a modern hose wagon to carry 800 feet of hose and two extinguishers,
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paying for the same with the money received from the town for their services. It is a valuable addition to the apparatus of the department and shows a commendable public spirit on the part of the Company.
COMMITTEE ON NEW HORSES.
Acting as a committee, appointed at the fall town meet- ing, to purchase two horses for the department, we had some difficulty in finding what in our opinion would be a suitable pair, for the amount appropriated, $400. We finally found a pair in Reading at $450 and made an agree- ment with the owner to hire them for 4 weeks at $10 a week, and if found satisfactory at the end of that time he to be paid the amount appropriated, $400. If not satis- factory he should replace either or both, until satisfied. At the end of 5 weeks we purchased them, as in our opinion they were suitable for the department's work, taking the $40 for 4 weeks' hire from the regular department appro- priation.
HORSES.
During the year the horses have responded to 32 alarms of fire. In addition to the necessary teaming of the de- partment, taking the apparatus out for practice, etc. We have also kept them at highway work and street sprinkling, when we could find work for them. We believe, with cooperation on the part of the highway department, they will, during the coming year, make a good financial show- ing to the town.
Following is the record of the department's work :
982 days street watering.
45₺ days highway work.
36 days hauling stone to crusher.
$50 for sale of horse to poor department.
$17.50 sale of manure to poord epartment.
$10 for use of steamer to Wakefield Water Co. $9.00 1} days' work for G. W. Killorin.
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This income is paid direct to the town treasurer, except when we kept them to work hauling stone from sewer trenches to stone crusher, doing so by arrangement with the highway surveyor, as he had no appropriation to pay for this work. They have also taken care of two snow plows.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
We recommend that a fire alarm box be placed at the corner of Main & Lowell streets, also at junction of Lake street and Broadway. We also recommend that hydrants be placed on Converse street near Warren school, corner Summer street and Birch hill avenue, on Foundry street, near rear entrance to Harvard Knitting Mill and at corner of Lowell and Vernon streets. We again call the atten- tion of the town to the piece of apparatus used by the J. H. Carter Hose Co. This piece of apparatus is not adapted to the purpose used, and we hope the town will see its way clear to purchase something more modern in the near future.
CONCLUSION.
We take this method to tender our thanks to your honor- able board for the interest you have taken to promote the efficiency of the department, and for your kindness during the past year. Also to the officers and members of the department for the cheerful manner in which they have per- formed their duty, and for all interest shown; to Chief Hallett and his officers for services rendered.
Respectfully submitted,
WM. E. CADE, R. J. LAWDER, E. S. JACOB,
Board of Fire Engineers.
Wakefield Feb. 10, 1902.
ANNUAL REPORT
-OF THE-
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
- -OF THE-
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD,
-FOR THE
YEAR ENDING JANUARY 3Ist, 1902.'
SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR 1901-1902.
G. H. S. Driver, Ch'n, 290 Main St., Term expires 1902 Eden K. Bowser, Treasurer, 26 Avon St.,“ 1902
E. A. Fisher, 7 Murray Street, 1903
Melvin J. Hill, 7 Park Avenue, 66 66 1903
Mrs. Ida F. Carlisle, Sec'y, 9 Summit Ave.,“ .6 1904
Ashton H. Thayer, Greenwood, 1904
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS. U. G. Wheeler, 27 Yale Avenue.
ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD.
GEO. H. S. DRIVER,
MRS. IDA F. CARLISLE,
EDEN K. BOWSER,
Chairman
Secretary
Treasurer
SUB=COMMITTEES.
Mr. Bowser,
RULES AND REGULATIONS. Mr. Thayer,
Mrs. Carlisle
Mr. Hill,
COURSE OF STUDY. Mr. Bowser, Mrs. Carlisle
TEACHERS AND SALARIES.
Mr. Thayer,
Mr. Driver,
Mr. Hill
TEXT-BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
Mr. Driver,
Mr. Fisher,
Mr. Thayer
MUSIC, DRAWING AND CALISTHENICS.
Mrs. Carlisle,
Mr. Hill,
Mr. Fisher
PUBLIC PROPERTY.
Mr. Thayer, Mr. Driver, Mr. Bowser
Mr. Fisher,
FINANCE AND ACCOUNTS.
Mr. Hill,
Mr. Bowser
TRUANT OFFICER. H. A. Simonds.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS. U. G. Wheeler. OFFICE HOURS.
Mondays, 7 to 8 o'clock p. m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 to 8.30 a. m. Wednesdays and Fridays, 4 to 5.30 p. m. Committee Room, Flanley block.
MEETINGS OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Third Friday of each month at 8 o'clock p. m., at Flanley Block.
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Report of the School Committee.
TO THE CITIZENS OF THE TOWN OF WAKEFIELD :
The School' Committee herewith submit their report for the fiscal year ending January 31, 1902.
It is with much pleasure that the School Committee come before the town of Wakefield, whether their desire may be to prefer a request for needed appropriations for current school expenses, or to ask for the construction of, or the enlarging of, school buildings, or on the other hand, to make report of progress from year to year.
The citizens of this our town have ever been generous in promoting the cause of education in our midst, the fact be- ing well recognized by one and all, of whatever party, race or creed, and whether possessing wealth or otherwise, that in the little child and later on in the maturing youth is to be found our future citizen. In this land of liberal Repub- licanism or broad Democracy, whichever we may choose to call it, no one can foretell but that we may be educating a child to fill the place of highest honor in our glorious coun- try. The possibility is not so remote as it might seem, and reference to the lives of our great men demonstrates the fact, that they have sprung from homes, many of which have been located in towns no greater in population than ours, and indeed, often in towns of much smaller size. Therefore it is, that the generosity of our citizens is not only highly commendable, but also an exemplification of wisdom.
But the questions are asked, what has the year 1901-1902 done for us of good ? Very much. Have our schools made an advance ? Yes, most certainly.
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First as to buildings. Hardly had the hammer ceased to sound on the addition to the High School building, when the earnest petition from the Franklin school district was presented to the town, and the school committee also urging the necessity of the case, the petition met with a ready re- sponse, and an appropriotion of $30,000 was made and a building committee appointed, with a result that at the present time a fine eight-room brick building is in an ad- vanced stage of construction, and ere long the children from the plain, will gather with the " little tots on the hill ," in a building to which any town may well point with pride.
Again the cry is heard, " We need increased school accommodations." This time from our suburb of Green- wood, which is growing so rapidly of late, and although some of our citizens were a little afraid that the call came too quickly upon the heels of that from the Franklin district, yet the peculiar nature of the situation, rooms overcrowded, some scholars necessarily transported to another school, and Boyntonville being entirely shut out, its children attending school in Melrose, thus causing us to pay a large sum for tuition to that city ; these reasons'all proved so potent that, in a "record -breaking town meeting," the needed appropriation of $15,000 was voted, a committee apointed, and new plans for a large addition to the Greenwood school have been accepted, and before many months shall have passed the little ones who shed so much brightness along life's path- way, in the southern portion of our town, will be well accommodated, and our enterprising "suburb will be en- couraged to grow yet more rapidly in the future than it has in the past.
Wakefield may well congratulate itself on its growth as a town, and also, upon its willingness to rise to the occasion in providing educational privileges as they may be called for from year to year.
REPAIRS .- The committee thisyear after due deliberation,
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considered it to be wise to adopt a different plan in regard to repairs made on the different school buildings, taking, say, two buildings each year and putting them in thorough repair, only attending to matters in other buidings which could not be postponed. In pursuance of this plan the Hamilton building has been thoroughly renovated as to in- terior, as has also the West Ward building, the latter also having had the roof shingled and the building painted out- side. The interior of the Montrose building has also been completely renovated. These buildings will need but little outlay for several years. In addition to what has been mentioned the chimneys of the Hamilton and one chimney of the Lincoln building needed to be and were repaired. Thus it will readily be seen, that this year it has been necessary to do more than will be required in future years, and this plan having been inaugurated, will eventually lessen the amount required for repairs per annum, while at the same time the buildings will be kept in better condition.
ORGANIZATION .- The committee consider that they can with much satisfaction call the attention of the citizens to the organization, so to speak, of educational work in the town. At the head, as the executive officer of your com- mittee, is found a gentleman, Mr. U. G. Wheeler, superin- tendent of schools, who is entirely at home and heartily in earnest in his work. We have the greatest confidence in his integrity, good judgment and fidelity, and the past year's experience leads us to express ourselves in terms of strongest praise as to his success. Given a good leader in any enterprise and success is assured. Our large corps of teachers, with scarcely an exception, are ably following the direction of Mr. Wheeler, as the results brought about by their instruction amply prove.
We can not omit making special mention of our high school, which this year seems to have attained (if this is possible) a higher standing than ever before. The princi-
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pal, Mr. C. H. Howe, is heart and soul in earnest in his work, and the many pupils who are found attending ad- vanced halls of learning, after graduation from our high school, demonstrate the fact of his faithfulness to them and to the work.
We take pleasure in calling attention to the report of the superintendent, which enters largely into detail, and ask for it and also the report of Mr. Howe your careful considera- tion.
Following will be found a summary of the appropriations and expenditures for the past year and also our estimates of the amounts which we consider necessary for the ensuing year :
Appropriations for Schools, General, Teachers,
Superintendent, Janitors, Fuel, etc. . $37,750 00
Balance available from last year 114 14
Income from tuition 1,382 08
$39,246 22
Expended for salaries
$35,362 11
66 " Military expenses
121 75
" fuel ·
. 3,091 90
66
" tuition, Melrose 665 75
$39,241 51
Balance
$4.71
SCHOOL CONTINGENT.
Appropriation
. $2,700 00
Income from tuition 184 65
$2,884 65
Expended
. $2,884 65
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TEXT BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
Appropriation
$2,600 00
Income from tuition
141 68
$2,741 68
Expended .
. $2,741 68
COMMERCIAL COURSE.
Appropriation
$1,250 00
Expended
Pay rolls
$1,055 02
Books and supplies
194 98
$1,250 00
EVENING SCHOOL.
Appropriation
$800 00
Balance from last year
447 75
$1,247 75
Expended
Pay rolls
$496 25 ·
Books, light and other supplies 525 54
$1,021 79
Unexpended balance
$225 96 ·
TRANSPORTATION.
Appropriation
$450 00
Expended
181 50
Balance
$258 50
Appropriations recommended for the ensuing year :-
General . $39,425 00
Commercial Course
1,600 00
Contingent
2,700 00
Books and Supplies
2,600 00
We have carefully prepared these estimates, hoping to call for a smaller amount than was necessary last year, but we find it impossible to do this. Indeed it is reasonable
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for us to expect that from year to year an increase rather than a decrease in appropriations will be needed.
Our town, beautiful for situation and easy of access to Boston, is naturally leading new families to locate with us, and as the children increase in numbers, more teachers are required and a larger amount of supplies as well as more text books are needed. This all means more money. Is the money well expended ? We have but to watch the careers of our youth after graduation from our schools to quickly respond, it is.
We have thus far made no suggestion of improvements needed. We consider that we have schools in such excellent working order that there is need of almost no sug- gestion. Especially are the developments along the lines of the Commercial Course to be commended.
As to Manuel Training, we look forward with hope that additional instruction may be given in this branch in the near future. We would like in this department to be able to copy more closely the excellent and advanced methods now in use in Berlin. but we must be content to advance slowly, trusting however, that as our town increases in wealth we shall be found ready to adopt their superior sys- tem, which includes schools styled by President Pritchett as " Monotechnic " schools. It has been said that each child is unique as he first approaches education, and the school is to help him to unpack what intellectual tools he has, and then to teach him to use them.
Our suggestion would be, then, to the incoming school committee and to all others engaged in educational work in our town, that in every way possible we bend our system of education to the dealing with all pupils as individuals, help- ing them to develop that which is best in themselves and encouraging them to bring forward their special talents to the largest success. We believe that in this the citizens will heartily concur, and we know that from year to year it
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has been the goal which our teachers, with hardly an ex- ception, have been striving to attain.
The term of Messrs. Geo. H. S. Driver and E. K. Bowser expire with the close of this month of February. Mr. Driver has served the committee as treasurer one year and is at present its chairman. Mr. Bowser is now its treasurer. Both members have served on the most im- portant of the sub-committees.
In closing, we, the school committee desire to express our thanks for the support accorded us by the citizens of the town, and we feel sure that even as in the good old times of yore, the town of South Reading ever sturdily sup- ported " the little red school house," so now in these later days, the town of Wakefield can be depended upon to uphold our present advanced system of education.
GEORGE H. S. DRIVER, Chairman, MRS. E. A. CARLISLE, Secretary, EDEN K. BOWSER, Treasurer, MELVIN J. HILL,
ASHTON H. THAYER,
EVERETT A. FISHER,
School Committee.
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Report of Superintendent of Schools.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE :
I have the honor of submitting to you my third annual report of the schools of Wakefield, which is the ninth in the series of superintendent's reports.
In considering the work of the past year I am particular- ly impressed with the harmony that has prevailed among all connected with the schools. The teachers have been loyal and have rendered faithful and efficient service. Everything considered, it has been a pleasant and profitable year in the schools. The unanimous and loyal support of the com- mittee. the uniform courtesy and confidence shown me has been a matter of pleasure and gratitude.
In the administration of any enterprise as extensive as the school system in a town of this size. there must be a complete understanding as to the respective duties and re- sponsibilities of those in charge and a hearty co-operation of all forces. Such a condition has prevailed to an unusual degree for the past year. I recognize the fact that the final authority for everything connected with the schools must rest with the committee. Since the demands of personal affairs do not permit the members of the committee to direct in person, or even to know the details of the work. the superintendent is given considerable freedom in the manage- ment. and is held responsible for results. I am willing, and expect, to be held responsible for everything freely en- trusted to me. From the nature of the case the superin- tendent is more familiar with the needs of the schools than any member of the committee can be, for all his time and energy is given to this work. In many matters, then. the
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opinion and recommendations of the superintendent ought, as is the case, to have the determining influence. In many other matters the committee ought to be held responsible and should never try to evade this responsibility.
Superintendent Brodeur in his last report for the city of Chicopee sums up the relation of the superintendent to the committee so clearly that I desire to take from it the following quotation :
" The superintendent is the executive agent of the school committee chosen to see that their decisions are carried out and that the school machine runs smoothly and effectively ; but if he is worthy of confidence, he will find his greatest opportunity in guiding by his advice the counsels of the school committee. This influence upon the school policy of a community is what makes him an important official and differentiates him from a mere clerk. He should not be officious, neither should he be afraid to give his opinion ; he should not attempt to overawe his employers, but he should realize that they expect him to advocate strongly the best things. He should be given the privilege of discussion and, on all matters within the scope of his duty, his opinion should be given more than ordinary consideration. He should be given a place on most special committees, and some matters should be left to his sole control. He should keep the committee informed on all matters, realizing that the more complete this information the greater will be the power lodged in him. The school committee will usually allow a worthy superintendent to do almost anything he wishes, provided he first ask their permission.
" The duties of school management may be divided into three classes. 1. Some belong naturally to the com- mittee,-the appointment of janitors and truant officers, the establishment of school boundaries, the decision as to the number and location of schools, and the transportation of pupils. 2. Some belong of right to the superintendent,-
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the organization and classification of schools, the promotion of pupils, the preparation of courses of study, the adoption of methods of teaching, etc. 3. Some duties belong to both superintendent and committee.
"a. Who shall appoint teachers ? To answer this question fairly we must realize the responsibility of each party. The superintendent is responsible for results of schoolroom work ; if children are taught but little, if time is wasted, if pernicious influences surround pupils, he will justly feel public displeasure : under such circumstances he ought to have no small share in the choice of his assistants. This is doubly so since in almost every community the ser- vice of nearly a quarter of the entire teaching force is either mediocre or entirely unsatisfactory, while in some cases egregiously poor teaching is tolerated because of public opinion or through pity of those concerned. On the other hand, the school committee must elect all teachers ; the pub- lic realizes this fact and for many years has received its appointment favors at their hands, A failure to respond to the requests of influential patronage seekers is sure to bring down vials of wrath upon undeserving heads. Every com- munity has its two classes of citizens,-those who are anxious for the best teachers, wherever appointments may be given ; and the more numerous and more strenuous people who believe places on the teaching force, like posi- tions on the roads, should go to local applicants. A few foundation principals may be suggested. (1) To secure a good teacher should be the first consideration ; (2) if such a person can be found in the city, she should be employed ; (3) in determining fitness " influence " should play no part ; (4) attendance at a normal school or graduation from college does not make one a teacher ; (5) the school committeeman should realize that a faithful discharge of his duties forbids that he should consider himself primarily a ward representa- tive ; he is a state official, charged with the duty of caring for her future citizens.
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" I have spoken thus at length because here is the great cause of dissatisfaction in every progressive community ; we all seek to be fair and to discharge faithfully our duties, but the situation is difficult. I believe all teachers should be elected by the school committee from candidates nomi- nated by the superintendent, and that without such nomina- tion, no candidate should be considered. The committee should prescribe rules of procedure in accordance with which the superintendent shall nominate, but once deter- mined. the procedure should be invariable. It is our practice that whenever a vacancy occurs the superintendent shall nominate a candidate ; if satisfactory, he is elected ; if not, another name is submitted. The only rule for the guidance of the superintendent specifies that he shall not recommend any candidate who is not a graduate of a normal or an approved city training school, or who, lacking this, shall not have had successful experience as a teacher else- where."
SCHOOL WORK.
In my last report special attention was given to each sub- ject studied in the graded schools. My purpose in so doing was to indicate the amount and kind of work we were attempting, and to briefly discuss the methods employed and the results obtained. Our work the present year has been along the same lines, and there has been a constant and painstaking effort on the part of all concerned to make the work more effective and the results more definite. There has been no change in text books nor have new methods to any extent been adopted. The results, I think, compare favorably with results generally obtained in graded schools, although they are less satisfactory than we wish they were. However well pleased we may be with the results of any one year of work, it is not the part of wisdom to be satis- fied, for such a condition would stand in the way of progress. Only by an earnest striving after better things
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can improvement be expected. We can not stand still. We must either advance or retrograde. There are usually con- ditions present in every school that stand in the way of the best results, but if failure only stimulates us to greater effort, then failure is sometimes a good thing. I expect better results next year than we have secured in some directions this year, and I think I am justified in such ex pectations.
Some complaints have come to me this year from parents wherein the teacher was blamed for real or fancied mistakes. I hope that all people having criticisms or suggestions to make will come to me at any time. I shall always be ready to listen, and shall endeavor to see that justice is done to all. If the teacher is at fault she will be so informed and requested to guard against it in the future. If the child is alone to blame, and no injustice has been done, I shall en- deavor to convince the parent of that fact. Please do not air your grievance in public until you have made the proper effort to have the matter righted. There is a great probability that the child will carry home a mistaken or dis- torted view of the matter, however honest the child may be. Very few children think they are in the wrong from their point of view. It is obviously wrong for a parent to side with the child without further investigation. Judgment should be suspended until all the circumstances are known. Several cases have been brought to me the past year where- in the parent has been perfectly satisfied after learning the facts.
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