USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1905-1907 > Part 18
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OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT.
For the past three or four years one of the teachers in the Commercial Course of the High School has assisted in the Superintendent's office from three to five in the afternoon.
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She writes letters for the Superintendent, keeps the accounts, under his direction, has charge of the Stamp Savings ac- counts, and is generally useful. This arrangement was begun when she was needed only part of the time at the High School. Her duties at the High School have increased with the increase in the Commercial Department so that she now works full time. There has been also a great increase in the office work of the Superintendent, partly due to the growth of the schools, but largely by reason of the great improvement in the methods of keeping accounts and rec- ords. A further extension of methods is planned in certain directions. The time will come in the not distant fu- ture when a permanent clerk in the office will be neces- sary. This is, we believe, a matter of economy as well, for at present a considerable portion of the time of the Superin- tendent is used up in doing office work which could be done just as well by a clerk, while the Superintendent should have much more time for his particular work of directing the teachers from personal class room observation as well as more opportunity for the consideration of educational mat- ters in general.
SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
The buildings as a whole are in good repair.
Theoretically new modern brick buildings ought not to need any money at all spent in repairs. Practically they do need a good deal every year, mostly on roofs, furnaces and plumbing. This year the cost of repairs to furnaces and plumbing was about five hundred and fifty dollars. This was somewhat more than the average. At the Warren School the walls have been tinted throughout the building. This was made necessary by the mortar spattered upon them when the ceilings were plastered last year. At the West Ward School new water pipe has been laid, a new cesspool constructed, and almost an entirely new job of plumbing put in, at a cost of about $150. This work was an absolute
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necessity. At Greenwood the concrete walks have been put down at a cost slightly more than the special appropriation for that purpose, which amount was drawn from the contin- gent appropriation. At the High School the walls and ceil- ings of four rooms have been tinted. These were very black and smoky as a result of the soft coal burned on the year of the coal strike. This is the case also in several of the other buildings, particularly in the old part at Greenwood. New school furniture has been bought for one room at the High School. The old in this room, which was poor, has been removed to the upper large room and is in use there. New furniture has been bought for another room at the Warren. This room was furnished originally, but it was removed to the Franklin three years ago. This room will be needed in September, and may be this spring. The cost of furnishing the two rooms was about $350.
We again call attention to the need of plumbing and sewer connections for the Lincoln and Hamilton Schools, and to the condition of the concrete in front of the Lincoln School. The Woodville School has no suitable supply of water for drinking. For the past year water for that purpose has been carried in pails from the Town Farm. Pipe should be laid on Farm Street so that town water can be supplied.
The need of some practical man to assist the committee both in the plans for repairs and the actual work has been felt for several years, but we have hesitated on account of the extra expense. This year an arrangement has been made with Mr. Harvey G. Brockbank whereby he becomes janitor of the High School and curator of buildings. He has been able already to do a good many minor repairs and assist the committee materially. He is to devote the sum- mer vacation to the usual summer repairs. It seems proba- ble that this arrangement will result in economy, as well as in a more careful attention to the details of minor repairs.
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SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS.
We again call attention to the crowded state of the Lin- coln School, particularly in the lower grades, and to the probbaility of steady increase in that condition. We are now sending children to the Hurd School, to Woodville and to the Franklin that really should go to the Lincoln; and holding what is practically half day sessions in the first grade ; but these limits of relief are reached. The only solution is some additional building in the centre of the town. Were it not for our already large financial burden for new schoolhouses and our high tax rate, we should urge immediate action. At the most this cannot be long deferred. At the Franklin there is an unexpectedly small class in the first grade. Also at Greenwood.
TEACHERS.
The personality of the teacher makes the school.
In these days of Normal Schools and modern methods and supervisors and superintendents, the individuality of the teacher is sometimes obscured by the preponderance of the school "system." That has never been done in Wakefield. The school system is well organized with a corps of efficient individual teachers. It has been the aim of the committee to select carefully trained men and women who have demon- strated that they possess the qualities of successful teachers. We hesitate to give a school of forty boys and girls into the hands of a novice. In other words, successful experience is demanded first of all. Other things being equal, residents of Wakefield have been given the preference. A careful perusal of the list of teachers shows that of the sixty-three regular teachers thirty-two are residents of Wakefield. The stability of our teaching force is greatly affected by our proximity to so many cities and towns that can offer a larger salary. Our aim is to secure teachers so good that some one else wants them. This results in a good many
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changes yearly, but short services of first class teachers is better than a long service of an ordinary or poorer one.
READING BOOKS.
After careful consideration, and upon the recommenda- tion of the Superintendent, the course in reading above the fifth grade has been systematized, so that all the scholars in the same grade will] read the same books each year. This has been essentially true of the main text books in the past but not of the so-called supplementary reading. We believe this an educational step in the right direction and that it will result in economy as well. It has been brought about with practically no increase in 'expense this year.
FINANCES.
The appropriations and expenditures for last year were as follows :
For salaries, appropriation, $42,360 00
Applied from tuition,
29 43
$42,389 43
Expended as per pay roll, . $42,389 43
FUEL.
Appropriation,
. $4,806 25
Expended, .
.
.
4,358 22
Balance unexpended,
$448 03
CONTINGENT.
Appropriation,
. $2,500 00
Applied from tuition,
. 1,111 99
$3,611 99
Expended as per detailed report, .
.
$3,611 99
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BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
Appropriation,
$2,800 00
Applied from tuition, 509 27 .
$3,390 27
Total, expended as per detailed report, . $3,390 27
TUITION ACCOUNT.
Balance from last year, . £ $205 63
Received as per town Treasurer's re-
port, 2,049 86
$2,255 49
Expended :
Salaries,
$29 43
Books and Supplies,
590 27
Contingent, .
.
1,111 99
Balance available for next year,
523 80
$2,255 49 We recommend appropriations for the year beginning Feb. 1st, 1906, as follows :
Salaries,
.$43,000 00
Fuel,
. 4,800 00
Books and supplies,
. 2,800 00
Contingent,
2,500 00 .
Total, .$53,100 00
It is not expected that the appropriation asked for is suf- ficient in any case, except for fuel, but it is estimated that $2,000 will be received from tuition, and we recommend that this be added to the appropriation. The law requires that this be spent for support of schools. A detailed state- ment of expenditures for fuel, for books and supplies, and
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for contingent expenses, also the salary list, follows the re- port of the Superintendent. There are so many wants for the school financially that it is sometimes difficult to decide where necessity and expediency meet. For example, the beautifying of school buildings and school grounds is en- tirely neglected, and some educators contend with quite a show of reason that this is a very important educational feature. There are some school rooms in which the walls are not clean and attractive, and the desks not what they should be. Some books are being used that are worn and soiled. Maps and charts and books of reference are needed and a multitude of things that would contribute to the gen- eral welfare of the schools. Some of the salaries are pretty low. There are too many scholars in some of the rooms. In fact there are calls all along the line that are reasonable and many of them urgent. With all these problems in mind your committee have endeavored to conduct the schools economically and efficiently, having in mind on the one hand the burden upon the taxpayers, and upon the other the needs of the children, believing that a moderately liberal expenditure for schools is the truest economy.
The schools of Wakefield compare favorably with any in the state. Wakefield is known, at least among the superin- tendents of the state, as a good school town. In other words a town of good schools.
SCHOOL POLICY.
No radical change in school policy or administration is recommended. Our schools have not lost sight of the funda- mental principles of education, and no effort is spared to in- crease their efficiency in that direction. Our schools are mindful also that the true aim of all education is to fit young men and women for citizenship, and those schools are best which best succeed in this.
The report of the Superintendent, that of the Principal
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of the High School, and those of the special instructors fol- low this report. They disclose the every day working of the schools. We commend them to your most careful con- sideration.
CHARLES E. MONTAGUE, Chairman, MARTHA F. BLANCHARD, Secretary, JOSIAH S. BONNEY, Treasurer, SAMUEL K. HAMILTON, ELIZA M. GREENWOOD, ASHTON H. THAYER.
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Report of Superintendent of Schools.
MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE :
I hereby submit to you my first report, it being the thir- teenth in the series of reports by the Superintendent of Schools for this town. In submitting this report I can say but little concerning the work accomplished, as my acquaint- ance with the schools covers only a period of a few months. My time thus far has been consumed in becoming acquainted with the conditions of the schools, the work of the teachers, and forming plans for future work. Permit me to say in this connection that I found the schools and surroundings in a condition which reflects much credit upon the teachers, the committee, and the good judgment of my predecessor in the conduct of the work of the schools and in the selec- tion of teachers.
This report can deal only with the condition of the schools -the work within, the general equipment and environment, and some recommendations for the future.
A system of schools cannot be carried on year after year in the same way; this means stagnation, and stagnation in a system of schools is expensive at any price. Expenditure of money for school purposes carefully planned, which will produce good results-intelligent, moral and upright citi- zens-is not extravagance, although the amount spent is large in comparison with the whole municipal expenditure of a single town or city. This is a growing town and the increasing population necessarily increases the school population. To increase the school population, of course, there must follow an increase in school accommodations, equipment and teaching force. This brings to our attention
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SCHOOL ACCOMMODATION AND EQUIPMENT.
On the whole the general condition of our school build- ings is good. There may be one or two exceptions, and some changes might well be made. At the Hamilton build- ing there should be connection made with the sewer, in order to dispense with the unsanitary closets as now exist. This building, in such close proximity to the factory located on the next lot, is at best in a poor position for good sanita- tion. Therefore it is quite wise to take every precaution to produce satisfactory sanitary conditions.
The Prospect street building and the building at Montrose are yet provided with stoves for heating purposes. In both cases better results as to heating and ventilating might be obtained if the stoves were jacketed. This could be done at a small cost, and both teachers and pupils benefitted there- by. Another method, of course, would be to place a furnace in each building and put in a system of modern ventilation. The latter plan is the better but more expensive ; however, one or the other should be done to get rid of foul air without subjecting the children to cold drafts. Over-heated rooms especially those heated by stoves, are more than injurious to the children. It is impossible to ventilate these rooms without opening doors or windows. By this method some of the children are cold and necessarily in a draft, while others may be too warm. Whatever the teacher may do she cannot distribute the heat evenly in the room and at the same time have good ventilation. This matter needs your attention.
I would also call your attention to the crowded condition of the Lincoln school. At present every room is full and three or four are overcrowded. It will be a question at the opening of schools next September how to accommodate the pupils in the lower grades of this building. At present there are :
1st grades
71
2d
66
58
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3d grades
58
4th 66
75
5th
67
6th 66
50
The numbers here given are all the building can seat com- fortably, and at the same time give accommodations to the 7th, 8th and 9th grades. It will be seen that in the regular order of promotions we shall have no room large enough to seat the pupils who will necessarily become members of the 6th grade. The grades below will be no smaller. The only alternative is to fit up a certain room on the second floor which is not very well adapted for school work, owing to the poor light. At best this will accommodate but a small number. Making this arrangement gives accommodation, poor though it may be, for one year only. It certainly will be necessary to enlarge the building, or build anew for the following year.
At the opening of school in September last it was neces- sary to transfer several pupils from grade 5 at the H. M. Warren School to the Hamilton, owing to the overflow. Another room has been furnished in the Warren building to care for extra pupils next year in this part of the town.
At the High School our building is tested to its fullest capacity. Every available space is now utilized, although some of the rooms are anything but suitable for recitation purposes. It is only a question of a few years when larger quarters must be provided. The entering class for next year will number about 125 ; this number is not likely to decrease, but rather to increase from year to year. En- couragement in the upper grades, bringing the High School and grammar school closer together, and broadening the High School courses have contributed to the increased at- tendance in our high schools, and.has therefore given oppor- tunity to many who would never have taken it; it has come to be realized by the masses that the High School is as
·
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much a part of the public school system as is the grammar school, and therefore the legitimate end of a public school course ; consequently, more and more it is demanded by employers that those whom they would employ must have had at least the High School training. We must therefore, soon look to the building of a new High School in order to meet this demand.
A law was enacted during last session of the legislature which states that no schooling certificate shall be approved by any person for a minor under 16 years of age who in- tends to be employed in any factory, workshop or mercan- tile establishment, unless the said minor can read at sight and can write simple sentences in the English language and every such child under sixteen years of age who cannot read at sight and write simple sentences in the English lan- guage shall attend some public day school in the city or town in which he resides during the entire time the public day schools are in session. This law took effect Jan. 1, 1906. It was found that eight persons in Wakefield were affected ; in order to give them every advantage to learn the English language as required by law, a room was provided and a teacher assigned who gives her whole time to this class. The progress made by these pupils justifies the plan.
During the fall about December 1st, Miss Jessie E. West teacher of grades 1, 2 and 3 at the Montrose School re- signed to accept a position in Chelsea at a much larger sal- ary. The Committee concluded, owing to the small num- ber in each room, to close one room, send the seven child- ren of 6th grade to the Centre, and place the remaining grades under one teacher. This plan, while it may be less expensive, may not accomplish for the pupils all that we desire. In my opinion it would be wise to open both rooms next September. There will be about fifty pupils in the first eight grades from this section of the town at the open- ing of school next year. Arranging the pupils so that four
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grades may be in each room, and securing a strong teacher for the upper grades, the pupils in this section would re- ceive satisfactory instruction, and none be required to walk a great distance as at present. It would be preferable for the ninth grade pupils to attend the Lincoln, owing to the extra opportunity offered as a preparation for the High School. I recommend that this arrangement be considered.
STAMP SAVINGS SOCIETY.
The Stamp Savings Society established in our schools April 12, 1902, continues to show good results, and has justified the wisdom of its introduction. There can be no doubt that it has exerted an influence for saving that is in- deed valuable. Not only does the school savings bank teach habits of saving, but also the habit of judicious expenditure of money. It is a pleasure to record the spirit and conscien- tious care with which the teachers have served as cashiers. Below is given the amounts collected and deposited :
REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING
*July 1, '03, July 1, '04, July 1, '05.
Number of cards redeemed, 1,405 1,032
988
Amount of same,
$1,136.19
$925.39
$1,239.76
Number of cards deposited in Savings Bank,
221
319
272
Amount of same,
$391.59
$513.05 $337.24
*The data of this column includes the months of May and June in the year 1902.
MEDICAL INSPECTION.
The question of medical inspection in the schools has been brought to your attention by my predecessor in the last two reports, and the necessity of such a system quite fully set forth. I can heartily endorse all that has been said, and again make the recommendation for your consideration. A number of the cities and towns in the Commonwealth have
.
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already adopted such a system ; the state of Connecticut has passed a law requiring that the examination be made for de- fective eyesight and hearing. There are many cases on rec- ord where the discovery of defective eyesight or hearing has resulted in giving such relief that the pupils who, once thought to be dull or deficient, have shown capabilities equal to any in the class. But medical inspection should go further than the test for defective eyesight and hearing, although this is of inestimable value. Many parents are slow to per- ceive the abnormal condition of their children; others are slow to act, although the condition is apparent ; the medical examination reveals the ailment and the child is started to the physician or a specialist in the discovered disease. Furthermore, medical inspection checks the spread of conta- gious diseases and reduces the mortality among school chil- dren. A school room as generally exists is a medium espec- ially adapted to the diffusion of diseases. Unless the great- est care is used a disease originating in one family may spread through all the rooms of a building. It is not ex- pected that teachers are expert enough to detect the first symptoms of a disease that attacks the children, while a medical inspector properly clothed with authority, by promptly isolating all children who show symptoms of a contagious disease can do much in the way of keeping the schools free from these diseases. Not only would such a course save the lives of many but also do valuable service in increasing the regularity of attendance and of course en- hance the rapid advancement of pupils. In Marlborough a city but little larger than the town of Wakefield where medi- cal inspection has been adopted, I quote from last year's report of the Supt., showing the good effects of the system ; "At each visit the inspector has examined those children who have been referred to him by the teachers, and his ad- · vice has been given to both the teachers and the children's parents ; and if any child has shown symptoms of a conta-
369
gious disease, he and all other members of his family have been promptly excluded from school under the rules of the Board of Health.
Soon after the beginning of the work of the Medical In- spector, the teachers were requested to refer to him for his examination all children who were suspected of having de- fective eyesight. Seventy-nine such cases were examined, and nineteen of these children have been provided with glasses by their parents. Children have been examined for other diseases as follows : For diseases of the ear, seven ; of the throat, thirty-one; of the nose, four; of the skin, sixteen ; persistent headache, three ; with reference to vacci- nation, thirty-four; various other diseases, forty-eight ; found in good health, twelve. This makes a total of two hundred and thirty-four cases examined in the nine school months beginning in February." While we can not estab- lish an elaborate system of medical inspection as is followed in large cities, it is possible for us to give the matter serious consideration and at least have a visitation of the schools twice a week by an inspector to examine all cases reported by the teachers. I recommend that such a course be pur- sued ; also that measures be adopted for detecting defective eyesight and hearing.
In this connection I would recommend in the interest of the health of the children that occasionally all books in use be disinfected ; also to make it possible that the school rooms be swept and mopped more often than they now are.
EVENING SCHOOLS.
Laws of 1898, Chap. 496, Sec. 5.
"Any town may, and every city or town of ten thousand or more inhabitants shall, maintain annually evening schools for the instruction of persons over fourteen years of age in orthography, reading, writing, the English language and grammar, geography, arithmetic, industrial drawing, both
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free hand and mechanical, the history of the United States, physiology and hygiene, and good behavior. Such other subjects may be taught in such schools as the school com- mittee consider expedient."
According to the last census we are reminded that Wake- field comes under the above law. It will be necessary therefore for the town to make some provisions toward car- rying out this requirement. The law further provides, Chap. 183, Acts of 1902, that all illiterate minors over 16 shall not be employed in any factory, workshop or mercantile estab- lishment unless they are regular attendants at the evening school. It is thus seen that we shall be required to make some provision for "evening schools. The amount of money necessary will depend upon the number of illiterates now employed, and the number of nights determined upon that the school shall be held. It is customary to make the ses- sion 60 nights, holding the school 3 nights per week, and opening the same about October 1st. The number of teach- ers averages one for every 10 or 12 pupils. Regular attend- ance is interpreted by the state authorities to mean, every night the school is in session.
TEACHERS.
It is desired in this connection. to speak of the excellent work being done by our corps of teachers. The faithful- ness with which they have performed their duties is com- mendable indeed. Teaching is a business, and the fact that the teacher bears a certain vital relation to her pupils has come to be realized more and more by the profession ; that these pupils are human beings with aspirations and emo- tions ; that they are not a hopeless set ; that each has possi- bilities and must be given inspiration and ideals-all these are realized more and more each year. The teacher is not a taskmaster, should not be an antagonist to the buoyant spirit of the pupil, but a helper, a guide, a real being filled with a desire to lift up and to inspire her pupils with eager-
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