USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1903-1905 > Part 32
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36 00
Wiley, Julia A.,
48 00
Hawkes, Dolly,
36 00
Willan, Elvira L.,
48 00
Hayden, Frank W.,
72 00
Woodis, Vasti,
48 00
Hayward, Harry,
48 00
Wormwood, Rachel,
48 00
Jefferds, Susan F. A.,
40 00
Kalaher, Hannah,
4 00
Total,
$3,790 00
267
Above payments of State Aid have been paid from the Treasury as instructed by the Board of Selectmen, and will be reimbursed to the town by the state.
For Military Aid and Soldiers' Relief payments, which are paid by Selectmen, see Auditors' report.
268
FINAL STATEMENT.
During the year 1905 the following payments will come due, which are to be included in the tax levy for that year by votes which the town has already passed, except water, which is paid from income of plant :
Municipal light plant, $6,000 00
New cemetery,
500 00
Almshouse, .
500 00
Warren school house,
2,000 00
Water,
4,000 00
Greenwood school house,
2,000 00
Junction school house, .
2,000 00
Sewerage,
2,000 00
North school house,
500 00
Cooper street bridge,
500 00
Metropolitan park,
500 00
Fire station, .
1,000 00
High school repairs,
1,000 00
Park (local), 500 00
Greenwood gas extension,
1,000 00
Gas bench renewal,
550 00
November appropriations,
12,496 00
Total,
. $37,046 00
In addition to above, there will be required about $35,000.00 to pay interest, but as interest on water bonds will probably be appropriated from receipts of that depart- ment, and interest on sewer bonds from abutters' assess- ments, this sum will be reduced to about $15,500.00, to enter the coming tax levy.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT W. FLINT,
Treasurer.
WAKEFIELD, February 6, 1905.
ANNUAL REPORT
-OF THE-
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE-
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD,
-FOR THE-
YEAR ENDING JANUARY 31, 1905.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR 1904-1905.
Eden K. Bowser, Treasurer, Wakefield Park, Term expires 1905 Dr. Chas. E. Montague, Sec'y, 26 Chestnut St., 1905
Mrs. Martha F. Blanchard, 214 Salem St., 66 1906
1906
Samuel K. Hamilton, Chairman, 33 Yale Ave., Miss Eliza M. Greenwood, 10 Lafayette St., Ashton H. Thayer, Greenwood Post Office, Wakefield,
1907
1907
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS. Alfred C. Thompson, 126 West Chestnut Street.
270
ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD.
SAMUEL K. HAMILTON,
Chairman
DR. CHARLES E. MONTAGUE,
. Secretary
EDEN K. BOWSER,
Treasurer
SUB-COMMITTEES.
RULES AND REGULATIONS.
Mr. Hamilton, Mrs. Blanchard, Miss Greenwood
Dr. Montague,
COURSE OF STUDY. Mr. Bowser, Mrs. Blanchard
TEACHERS AND SALARIES.
Mr. Thayer, Miss Greenwood, Mr. Hamilton
TEXT-BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
Mrs. Blanchard, Mr. Thayer, Dr. Montague
MUSIC, DRAWING AND CALISTHENICS.
Miss Greenwood, Mr. Bowser, Mrs. Blanchard
PUBLIC PROPERTY.
Mr. Thayer, Dr. Montague, Mr. Hamilton
Mr. Bowser,
FINANCE AND ACCOUNTS. Dr. Montague, Mr. Thayer
TRUANT OFFICER. H. A. Simonds, 10 Charles Street.
OFFICE HOURS. School Days, 9 to 9.30 a. m., at Superintendent's Office.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS. Alfred C. Thompson, 126 West Chestnut Street.
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 Rooms, Flanley Block.
MEETINGS OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Second Friday of each month at 8 p. m., at Committee Rooms.
271
Report of School Committee.
TO THE CITIZENS OF WAKEFIELD :
In submitting the annual report required by law, your committee refer to the reports of the superintendent of schools, the principal of the High school and the teachers in the special departments, and bespeak for them a careful reading. They afford the information in reference to the work of the school department for the past year which most largely interests the public. The statistics herewith sub- mitted show the expenses of the department and the chan- nels through which the money has been expended and afford valuable information as to the management and work of the schools.
As our system is now organized the superintendent has the immediate care of the schools and is the executive officer of the school committee, so that the duties imposed upon the committee are principally to look after the property of the town, the finances of the department, consider and establish policies and see that they are carried out. In all these matters they have received the cordial assistance of the superintendent.
PROPERTY.
The property of the town consists of the land, buildings thereon, school furniture, books and incidental supplies for the use of teachers and scholars.
The various school buildings have been located and erected from time to time in accordance with the then im- mediate needs, and as a consequence they are not located in the most convenient places for the accommodation of the present population. There has been, however, no such
272
change in the location of the population as to require the removal of any buildings or to cause special inconvenience to the pupils, but patience and forbearance have been fre_ quently demanded both from them and their pa rents. I should be realized, however, that it makes but little differ- ence to most pupils whether the school room is a quarter or a half a mile from their residence. It is much more essen- tial that the school room when reached should be convenient, safe, well warmed and ventilated, and in a sanitary con- dition. In these particulars your committee have exercised care and think that the town has no substantial reason for complaint but the time is not far off when some extended improvements must be carefully considered.
In order to make adequate provision for all pupils in the schools we have been obliged to make several transfers from one building to another, resulting in slight inconvenience and some complaint, but upon investigation by those most affected they have become satisfied that the committee have adopted the best course under the circumstances and these changes have been complied with in the complaisant manner which has always characterized our people.
REPAIRS.
The plastering upon the ceilings of the Warren school building was in such a condition that in order to insure the safety of its occupants it became necessary to remove it and this has been done and the ceilings throughout the building have been replastered. For this work a special appropria- tion was made at the autumn town meeting. The cost ex- ceeded the appropriation by a small amount. Numerous repairs have been required on the Franklin building and others are imminent. New windows have been inserted in the south side of the Hamilton building to increase the light in the rooms darkened by the proximity of other buildings. Substantial repairs have been made in the High school and
273
Lincoln buildings. It will be absolutely necessary in a short time to connect the Lincoln building with the sewer system and it is very desirable that the same should be done at an carly date at the Hamilton building. The grounds about our school buildings need improvement and adorn- ment, and we hope that our finances will permit something to be done in that line during the next year.
FINANCES.
The auditors' report will show the exact amount expended by this department during the year and that we have kept slightly within the appropriation. We have endeavored to be economical but not parsimonious. The people of the town demand that opportunities and means for education should be afforded their children fairly equal to those afforded in other towns, and this is demonstrated by their readiness to respond by their votes to the reasonable re- quirements of the committee. The committee are anxious to meet the demand, and we believe that our schools and school surroundings compare favorably with those of towns similarly situated. The expenditures of the year have been as follows :
GENERAL.
Appropriation for teachers, superintendent, janitors, etc.
$40,033 00
Expended for salaries,
$39,863 15
Military department, 100 00
Balance unexpended, applied to fuel, 69 85
$40,033 00 $40,033 00
FUEL.
Appropriation,
.
$4,502 00
Applied from general,
69 85
Applied from tuition, .
.
219 56
Expended, .
. $4,791 41
$4,791 41
$4,791 41
274
SCHOOL CONTINGENT.
Appropriation,
$2,500 00
Applied from tuition, .
·
898 56
Expended, .
. $3,398 56
$3,398 56
$3,398 56
TEXT BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
Appropriation,
$2,600 00 ·
Applied from tuition,
.
453 87
Expended,
. $3,053 87
. $3,053 87
$3,053 87
COMMERCIAL COURSE.
Appropriation,
Applied from tuition,
.
19 70
Expended,
.
$1,619 70
$1,619 70
H. M. WARREN SCHOOL, SPECIAL.
Appropriation,
$450 00
Applied from tuition,
102 33
Expended, ·
$552 33
$552 33
$552 33
Balance from tuition unexpended, .
.
$205 63
The amount received for tuition is
$1,899 65
We recommend that at the next annual town meeting there be raised and appropriated for the support of the school, for the then ensuing year the following sums :
General school purposes,
. $47,166 25
Contingent expenses,
.
2,500 00
·
Books and supplies,
2,800 00
·
Total,
. $52,466 25
$1,600 00
. $1,619 70
.
.
275
We do not expect that the sums suggested for contingent expenses, books and supplies are sufficient, but any deficit can be made up as heretofore from the income from tuition, which is estimated for the year ensuing at fifteen hundred dollars, which we recommend be added to the appropria- tion.
It will be observed that these sums are somewhat in excess of last year's expenditures, and this fact arises from several causes, the most important of which are that it will be necessary to establish at least one new school, and that in pursuance of a right policy established some years ago, the gross amount of the salaries of teachers will be increased. It is the good fortune of the town to retain in its employ a large number of teachers who have not reached the maximum, and who are entitled under that policy to an increase in their salaries. Substantially the same appropriation will be required for incidentals, and a slight increase for fuel for the year ensuing. The amount received for tuition varies from year to year, and affords a substantial help to our finances. Any surplus in this fund is by law added to the succeeding year's appropriation, and is not turned back to the treasury of the town as are other appropriations.
POLICY.
The committee have endeavored to adopt such a course as would tend to produce trained minds, sound bodies and high morals. In this endeavor they have avoided as much as possible all display, realizing that learning loves an opportunity for undisturbed meditation and work. In the choice of subjects and matter they have sought those things which tend toward the culture of the mind and seem best adapted for future usefulness. This choice demands careful study, observation and a consideration of the coming civili- zation of New England. Change is written upon the character and nationality of her population. The sentiment
276
and needs of today are not those of yesterday, and will not be those of tomorrow, and it is only the prophetic eye that can penetrate the veil of the future. Humanity can only critically observe the present and, guided by the " lamp of experience," endeavor to reveal its mysteries. The middle aged of today easily distinguish the difference between the New England life of the past and present gen- eration. The agricultural center of this country is in the great west. What was once the literary center of the United States has gone beyond the borders of New England. The use of metal in ship building has deprived her of one of her foremost industries, and today we see her multitudin- ous looms weaving their products nearer to the producing point of the raw material. Her foreign and domestic com- merce have not kept pace with that in other parts of the country, and her people are brought face to face with a con- dition which they do not admire, but with which they must cope as best they can.
New England still has her magnificent universities, her great and small colleges, her public school system, and still rivals the world in the intelligence and ingenuity of her people, and above all holds in her tenacious grasp the spirit of good morals, and a liberal and enlightened chris- tianity. She still has the summer sun and the winter snow, the bracing air of the seashore and mountain, the sandy shores and granite heights, which have given to her people the active, energetic physical and mental capacity for which they have been for so many generations distinguished. While acknowledging losses which she has suffered, it is the duty of all, in whatever sphere of activity engaged, to use all those advantages which she retains to promote her growth in intelligence and prosperity, that she maintain her supremacy in the production of men and women.
In this work the public school must be in the future, as it has been in the past, a paramount factor, and the work of
277
the educator is so to discern the demands of the future as to enable him to direct the efforts of the present to meet those requirements. The commonwealth, by its laws, aided and directed by the best educators, has marked out the lines and courses which seemed best in taking the child from the beginning of its school age, carrying him along through various changes and grades until he is prepared to enter upon such activities as are found to be necessary or con- genial. Into these courses and along these lines every municipality has been plunged and from which unaided it cannot rescue itself, however desirable. It is true that each has its own little sphere of influence but it cannot with any hope of success depart from the general scheme adopted by surrounding communities, but it can recognize that it is a unit which helps to make up the commonwealth and is entitled to have its own voice heard and its opinions con- sidered in the determination of the general policy. Your committee, while not advocating any radical departure, yet are emphatic in their views upon some few questions, and they venture to express their opinion that the general policy of the commonwealth does not tend to make the young self- reliant. It does not make them do for themselves. It requires the municipality and the teacher to do too much for them. It tends to the lassitude of mental faculties. A powerful brain or high moral tendencies can no more be produced without exercise than a muscular forearm. We raise our voices for a more practical education and we speak now solely for our own community, realizing that practical education may be one thing for one community and another for another in accordance with their circumstances. Out of the twenty-two hundred school children in the schools of Wakefield today the large percentage of them must obtain their livelihood by the labor of their hand or their brain. Few are born that need not exercise either and those will prove of little use in the world. Hence, beyond the train-
278
ing of the mind in those things which are absolutely essen- tial to all, the tendency of the teaching should be toward such subjects as will best fit them for such activities as they may in the future be engaged in. Not however in the way of professional life or of those specialties akin thereto, for those are beyond the scope of public training. There is a line of demarkation, though fine, which should be adhered to. Public school money should be expended for the com- mon benefit of all, with such incidental specialties as the peculiar trend of the child's mind will readily indicate. Hence we endorse the thorough, systematic and constant training in the essentials necessary for all scholars through- out their lives, and by this we mean a constant drill therein throughout the school age. If a special fitness or a very earnest desire is found, opportunity for wider culture and a thorough fitting for the university or technical school should be afforded, but not otherwise. Too many excellent mechanics, farmers and merchants are spoiled to make poor ministers, cheap doctors and worse lawyers. If a boy has mechanical talent, a desire for a knowledge of the products of the earth, an interest in the intricacies of commerec, an ambition to explore the realms of science, or to master the elements of nature, the public school should render him assistance and give to him at least the elements of the sub- ject toward which his mind tends. If a girl is attracted by the art of needlework, or looks forward to the comforts of her own home, or is gifted with a passion for music or art, or anticipates a lifetime spent in leading others in the paths of knowledge, or aspires to the professions and business of a more masculine type, she too, in addition to the funda- mentals, should be inspired to greater and more diligent effort along the lines to which her mind tends. In a word, drill fundamentals to all and such special training as time and opportunity will permit. While not teaching all such subjects in the public schools of our town as a part of the
279
regular curriculum, they have been in the past incidental and suggestive and can be made more so in the future. The minds of the pupils may be easily turned toward the natural and cultivated products of the earth, toward the mechanical contrivances which they see about them, toward the commerce, the arts and the sciences which prevail in the latitude of New England and they should be stimulated to a study of such subjects. New England will depend more largely in the future than in the past upon her agri- culture, her forestry and her mechanics. Thus it becomes more necessary that the child should be equipped to meet the conditions which will surround him when he arrives at mature life.
Thus far we have spoken only of mental education. But no substantial mental education can be obtained without a trained and developed body, and while this matter is and should be to a very large extent left to the individual him- self and those in charge of his home training, yet the school does and should exercise a supervision and a powerful influence. As the best product of the school is a good citi zen it must look as well to physical as to mental training, and while our town has not established what may be prop- erlys called a department of athletics, yet the schools have given much attention to the matter of exercise and the gen- eral development of the body. This work has culminated in the High school in the military drill and while that has not escaped censure in many quarters, we think that it has met with general approbation in our community. It is not adopted for the purpose of making soldiers or of encourag- ing war or warlike tendencies, but it is adopted as one of the means of physical culture which will interest and develop the boys of our day. It has a pronounced effect upon the mental characteristics of those who participate in it. It not only trains the hand, foot and eye but it encour- ages to a marked degree the spirit of attention and ready
280
obedience. The truth of this may be readily observed by any spectator at the annual drill of our battalion.
The cultivation of the moral side of a child's nature, while left primarily to home and church influences, yet has a pronounced and determined place in schools. Religious training, so far as doctrines are concerned, is rigorously excluded, but all violations of human or divine law are vigorously discountenanced. The teaching of morals consists not alone in instruction about matters and things expressly forbidden, but more largely in inspiring a desire for high ideals and righteous conduct. The mind of the child should be projected into a lively knowledge of the virtue there is in " whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, what- soever things are lovely and whatsoever things are of good report." But the most powerful component of morality teaching in our public schools is the teacher himself. It is not what or how he teaches that gives the noblest result, but what he is himself as he goes about his daily work. Who that has ever sat under the instruction of Principal Taylor or President Bancroft of Andover, touched the ennobling personality of President Tucker, observed the conscientious devotion of President Harris, wondered at the pervasive power of President Eliot, felt the impact of the life of President Dwight, or come within the influence of that saintly but kingly spirit, President Lord, long ago passed to the great beyond, but has felt the glow of a spiritual grace which teaching alone can never give.
Respectfully submitted, SAMUEL K. HAMILTON, CHARLES E. MONTAGUE, EDEN K. BOWSER, MARTHA F. BLANCHARD, ELIZA M. GREENWOOD, ASHTON H. THAYER,
281 Report of Superintendent of Schools.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE :
My third annual report, which is the twelfth in the series of annual reports by the Superintendent of Schools of this town, is herewith respectfully submitted.
TEACHERS AND SALARIES.
During the past year there have been no special changes in the general plan. The work of our teachers has been characterized by earnest enthusiasm. In justice to them it is fair to say that upon the whole our schools have made a very gratifying progress. This is the more commendable in view of some very real difficulties. Last September the fall term began with twenty-four per cent. of our teachers new to their positions. The effect upon a school system of so material a change in the teaching force is obvious.
In my last annual report the matter of salaries was dis- cussed. This is such a vital factor in securing and retain- ing good teachers that your attention is most earnestly called to that portion of the above mentioned report. Since the salary question was so fully discussed there, it is not expedient to take it up at length here. A few facts will be given which were published during the current month in the sixty-eighth annual report of the State board of educa- tion. Average wages of male teachers per month for the State, $145.48. Average wages of female teachers per
month, $55.37. For Wakefield, covering the same period : Average wages per month of male teachers, $92.50: of female teachers, $50.08. From the above it is apparent that Wakefield cannot compete successfully with the average town of this State in the matter of salaries.
The general public many times falls into error in consider- ing teachers' salaries. It looks at the monthly wage and its verdict is " pretty fair pay." It must be remembered that
282
the teacher has to divide by twelve instead of ten; that makes the monthly wage a different story. Again, the purchasing power of a dollar, in relation to living, is much less now than it was a few years ago. Teachers' salaries have not advanced commensurately. There is this bright side to the yearly misfortune of losing some of our best instructors. The fact that they leave us to accept better positions at increased salaries is a potent argument in encouraging teachers to come here.
SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS.
For each schoolroom below the High school there is an average of thirty-eight pupils. The classes have been so arranged that there are not over two grades in any room except at Montrose. There, owing to the small number of pupils, it has been necessary to have three grades in each of the two rooms of that school. It is my opinion that now the grading is arranged as well and as economically as it can be under existing conditions.
The matter of school accommodations for the town was fully dealt with in my last annual report ; therefore, it is necessary now to call attention only to schools where the conditions have changed. The number of pupils in the Greenwood school have not increased as rapidly as there was reason to expect. The eight schoolrooms of the build- ing are occupied with schools, but it is probable that the increase can be taken care of for another year at least.
During the year another room at the Franklin school has been furnished and another school started. The eight school- rooms of the new Franklin are now in use. A few more pupils can be accommodated by distributing them through the rooms. If the school population of this district in- creases as rapidly as it has in the past the old Franklin, which was closed a few years ago, will have to be repaired and put into commission again within a year or two.
283
At the present time the greatest need of room is at the Lincoln school. The building is overcrowded from the basement up. In one part of the basement is the supply room for all of the schools of the town. It is not a suitable room for the school supplies, as they get dusty in the winter when the heating apparatus is running, and in the summer when the fires are out papers and books mildew. The sloyd room is in another part of the basement. Since a new floor was laid the room serves its purpose very well, except more room could be used profitably for this important work. On the floors above every room is in use ; even two little class- rooms which were not designed for regular school rooms.
In the first grade room there have been enrolled this year thus far seventy-one pupils. Of course it has been impos- sible to teach so large a number together; therefore, the group system has been tried. The school was divided into five groups ; each group was assigned a morning and an afternoon session when it should not attend school, thus the number was reduced one-fifth. This scheme has worked very well, but it would be of little use with a larger number of pupils. In fact another year, if the number of first grade children increases, and it certainly will increase, judging from past records, it will be necessary to divide the children into two divisions, giving each division a half- day session, unless more room is provided. My views respecting increased school accommodation for the Lincoln were fully set forth in the last year's report; therefore, I will not repeat at this time. This, it seems to me, is the most important matter for immediate consideration.
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