USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1909-1912 > Part 55
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The main headings under the new form are as follows .: Ex- penses of General Control (overhead expenses) ; Expenses of Instruction ; Expenses of Operating School Plant; Expenses of Mainiaining School Plant; Expenses of Auxiliary Agencies ; Miscellaneous Expenses ; Outlays (Capital Acquisition and Con- struction ) ; Other Payments. Under General Expenses is given salaries of agents of School Committee, clerks and other expen- ses, which are printing, telephones, stationery, and school census ; also superintendent of schools and educational control, including enforcement of compulsory educational laws. Under Expenses of instruction are found salaries of supervisors ; principals of high and elementary ; teachers, high and elementary ; text books, high and elementary ; stationery, supplies and other expenses of instruction, high and elementary. Under Expenses of Operating
School Plant are the following : Wages of janitors and other employees, fuel and miscellaneous for high and elementary schools. Under Expenses of Maintaining School Plant is main- tenance, which includes repairs and replacement of equipment for both high and elementary. Expenses of Auxiliary Agencies in- clude libraries, promotion of health and transportation of pupils. Miscellaneous Expenses include payments of tuition to other schools, pensions, rent and sundries. The Outlay account takes care of new grounds and buildings, alterations of old buildings (not repairs ), and new equipment, except replacements.
EVENING SCHOOLS
While we had a large evening school last year, the total enroll- ment for the fall term of this year is much larger. The total en- rollment for the present term is 220. Because of the increase, we found it necessary to add another teacher to the corps. A few students who were listed as illiterates last year came to the office took and passed the tests for literacy. While the evening school is doing good work, especially for illiterates, there are some who do not take full advantage of their opportunities, and there are some others who feel that the mere fact that they attend the evening school entitles them to a certificate of literacy whether they do any work or not.
167
SEWING CLASS
There were thirty-five members of the sewing class during the year 1911-1912. The work was made as practical as possible, and the young ladies made many different garments which they used as soon as they were finished.
This year we are conducting this department under the provis- ions of Chapter 106 of the Acts of 1912, and have applied to the State Department for recognition as an approved state-aided practical arts course. I see no reason why we should not receive this recognition.
MILLINERY CLASS
A class in millinery was formed during the winter, and imme- diately become very popular. The course consisted of selecting material for and trimming hats. This year the work will be ad- vanced as fast as the pupils can make progress.
MECHANICAL DRAWING
During the fall there was a strong plea by a few for a class in mechanical drawing. The number in the class has dropped grad- ually until now it is too small to continue at the present cost. The young men present are extremely interested, and are doing real, not play, work. Some are using the draftings for pattern making and castings, and I understand one has been at work upon a patent for some part of an automobile, and is doing his drafting in the class in mechanical drawing. I also understand that a year ago this young man knew practically nothing about mechanical drawing.
At the end of the evening school sessions those who were mem- bers of the evening school proper were invited to attend an enter- tainment and social provided by the Italian-American Club, a group of promising young Italians. Refreshments were served after speaking by the President of the Club and members of the School Committee.
EXHIBITION OF SEWING AND DRAWING
The sewing, millinery, and drawing departments combined for an exhibition after the course was finished. The display of hats,
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neatly and tastily trimmed, and garments from shirt waists to complete dresses, some simple, some more elaborate in construc- tion, was a revelation to the visitors. Drawings had a place on one side of the room. The exhibition was a complete success, and proved to the visitors the value of these departments in the evening school.
Comparison of registration and attendance at evening school for last year and for the past fall term :
Average Attendance
Classes
Total Registration Oct .- Apr. 1911-1912
Oct .- Dec. 1912
Average Membership Oct .- Apr. 1911-1912
Oct .- Dec. 1912
Oct .- Apr. 1911-1912
Oct .- Dec® 1912
Illiterate
94
103
64.17
84.80
54.38
78
Literate
53
55
30.15
46.55
23.45
40
Sewing
36
35
26.07
32
21.67
28.4
Millinery
16
16
15.11
14
13.11
14
Drawing
16
11
9.73
6
7.30
4.5
Totals
215
220
145.23
183.35
119.91
164.9
TRUANT OFFICER'S REPORT
Wakefield, Dec. 31, 1912.
WILLARD B. ATWELL, Supt.
DEAR SIR :- I herewith present my annual report as Truant Officer for the year ending Dec. 31, 1912 :
Number of cases investigated during the year, one hundred and twenty-four, divided as follows :
Negligence of parents
53
Truancy
.
24
Sickness
18
Want shoes, clothing
11
Miscellaneous
18
124
One prosecution has been made during the year, the case being placed on file.
Respectfully submitted,
H. A. SIMONDS, Truant Officer.
.
.
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CONCLUSION
We wish to thank the Woman's Relief Corps for the beautiful silk flags which they gave to some of the schools.
I feel that the past year has been prosperous, and the schools have made a distinct step forward. For this I am indebted to the hearty assistance from the principals, and the loyal support and co-operation of the Committee and teachers. I wish to take this opportunity to thank all who have helped to place our schools upon a higher plane.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLARD B. ATWELL.
High School Principal's Report
Mr. W. B. ATWELL,
Superintendent of Schools.
DEAR SIR :- Herewith is submitted my eighteenth annual report,. and the twentieth in the series of High School Principals' reports.
TEACHERS
Since my last report more than the usual number of changes in the teaching corps has occurred. In June, Mr. Crossett resigned as head of the Commercial department to accept the submaster- ship of the High School in Dedham. Miss M. Hannah Wait also, after a long and valuable service, resigned for personal reasons. The Science department, owing to the sad death of Mr. L. N. Brooks, was without a head for a portion of the year Although Mr. Brooks had been in the service of Wakefield for a few months only, he had made a place for himself in the hearts of his pupils and of those who had the privilege of his acquaintance. His unfailing good nature, his simplicity of character, and his straight forwardness left a deep impress on the school.
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These three vacancies and a new position made necessary by the requirements of the curriculum were filled as follows : Mr. John B. Sawyer, a graduate of Bates College and successful principal of Groveton (N. H. ) High School, as submaster and head of the ·Commercial department ; Miss Ethelyn M. Pattee, a graduate of Wellesley College and assistant in the North Stratford (N. H.) High School, as teacher of Elocution and History ; Mr. Herbert Palmer, a graduate of the Mas-achusetts Institute of Technology and assistant in the department of Physics in the same institution, as teacher of Physics and Chemistry, and Miss Violet Peterson, a graduate of Mt. Holyoke College and teacher in the Chatham (Mass ) High School, as teacher of History.
SIZE OF THE SCHOOL
Although the school this year did not come up to the figure that, at the time of the writing of the last report, it seemed possi- ble that it might, still up to the present time a larger number has been enrolled since the opening of school in September than ever before ; viz., four hundred and five, distributed as follows :
Boys
Girls
Total
First Year Class
68
68
136
Second Year Class
57
61
118
Junior Class
40
43
83
Senior Class
22
46
68
187
218
405
Again, as last year, the proportion of boys is noticeably large. The proportion could be made still larger. I believe, if the curricu- lum could be broadened so as to make a wider appeal.
For the year beginning next September I cannot see how we can fail to have a record breaking entering class, the enrollment of the ninth grade being at the present one hundred and seventy- nine. This fact taken in connection with the fact that the senior class is not an especially large one, seems to indicate a materially larger school than this year, perhaps four hundred and thirty or forty. If the prediction becomes a fact, I can see no way to ad- minister the school except by dividing it into two parts, one to
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come to school in the forenoon and one for the afternoon. I have no doubt, whatever, that such an arrangement will prove unsatis- factory. Our experience of last fall, when for a short time the freshman class came to school at ten o'clock and remained till three o'clock, indicates it.
TARDINESS
I would like to refer once more to a subject considered by me some two or three years ago, viz., tardiness. The record is far from satisfactory. On inquiry, however, I find that the difficulty is not confined to Wakefield. It is widespread. The investiga- tion which I have been able to make, of the reasons for the tardi- ness in our school, shows me that there are cases of reasonable and therefore excusable tardiness, but that in the great majority of cases the reasons assigned are trivial. That the value of punctuality is not rated high enough, either by the pupil or his home, is apparent. The school cannot go much farther in its at- tempts to suppress this school evil, for I find that some pupils prefer to be absent rather than tardy. : nd so turn back home when they find they are going to be tardy. To show the esti- mate that is put by the school authorities upon tardiness, allow me to quote for the sake of the delinquents from the Rules and Regulations of the School Committee :
"Attendance must be regular and punctual. Pupils not in their rooms at the time of the last bell shall be marked tardy, and any pupil who is frequently tardy without adequate excuse shall be suitably warned and reported to parent or guardian, and, if the evil is not corrected, may be suspended from school until the parent or guardian shall give satisfactory assurance to the Super- intendent that the irregularity will be corrected."
In spite of all the efforts the schools may make, the evil of unnecessary tardiness will not be eradicated till the home and the school put the same estimate upon it.
EMERGENCY ROOM
There is need of an emergency room. Occasions are constantly arising where it is desirable for a pupil to lie down, e. g. in the case of a pupil taken suddenly faint or sick. Such a room, with
172
a couch and a supply of simple remedies, would be used more than the majority of people have any idea of. In a city near Boston a High School of 900 pupils, I am told by the Super- intendent, uses an emergency room on the average once a day, and as many as six have been known to use it in a single day, both boys and girls. The ordinary factory has better accommo- dations for its help in the case of sudden illness than your High School building. The dressing rooms, corridors, stairways, and toilet rooms in the basements are the only available places now that can be used for sick pupils. Fainting girls have been revived in all these places.
COURSE OF STUDY
The course of study needs revision. It is several years now since the present course was adopted. Authorities say that every five years is none too often to revise a course.
In the discussions with which the public prints are filled, the criticism is common that the schools do not meet the demands of every-day life, that they do not touch the actual life of the pupil. The friendly critics of the High School occupy similar ground. The emphasis is being transferred from the subjects taught in school, to the pupils. As one says, "Instead of the subject being central
the pupils are made central. What is necessary in order that they may conduct their lives with the greatest efficiency and sat- isfaction is being considered. The individual's health, shelter and clothing, social relations and conduct, and enjoyments be- come the focal points of the work."
A new valuation of High School studies is being established, and some day, perhaps not far distant, Manual Training, Physical Education, Agriculture, and Practical Arts for Girls will be deemed quite as important as the traditional subjects of the course. In order to mike clear how such subjects would touch the actual lives of the pupils, may I be allowed to describe somewhat in de- tail the course in Practical Arts for Girls given at the Horace Mann High School, Teachers College, New York City. Much of the phraseology is that of Miss Charlotte Farnsworth, preceptress of the above school. The course is a senior elective course of two
173
periods weekly throughout the year. The subject is treated under five divisions :
1. ECONOMICS OF CLOTHING.
2. HOME SANITATION.
3. HOUSE FURNISHING.
4. SOCIAL RELATIONS AND CONDUCT.
.5. RECREATION AND ENJOYMENT.
1. Economics of Clothing .- The general topic is "How to Clothe Ourselves." A complete wardrobe is planned and the different articles of clothing proportioned, considering also the cost of each and the time it might be reasonably expected to wear.
The study of textiles is taken up from the standpoint of the shopper only. Each girl writes for samples of different kinds of material. These are examined carefully as to quality, width, and price per yard, then compared with standards of good quality that all may become familiar with the appearance, the feeling and the name of the materials. The class is taken on a shopping trip where attention is called to simple, good styles of clothing and materials.
2. Home Sanitation .- The second series of lessons is devoted to home sanitation and management, home nursing, and emer- gency work. The first question discussed is how to select a home, attention being drawn to the location of the house with reference to water, drainage, and accessibility. Special attention is given to the structure of the cellar and its import ance in governing the quality of air. The planning and fur- nishing of the kitchen and pantry, with a comparison of various floor covering's and wall finishes is also considered. Next are studied the planning and keeping of the family budget, cor rectly proportioning expenditures to a given income. The last topic discussed is "What Everybody should Know in Home Nursing and Giving First Aid to the Injured." Among the topics used are : furnishing a sick room ; the making of a bed and care of patient in bed; the staunching of bleeding with practice in applying the simple and most used bandages ; how to revive a person in case of fainting, drowning, or asphyxiation ; treatment and care of burns, poisoning, stings, and bites.
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3. House Furnishing .- This section of the course aims to open the eyes of students to the possibilities of good or bad taste in the home. "Choosing a Color Scheme" is first considered, fol- lowed by a study of the treatment of the walls of a room, includ- ing woodwork, wall coverings, portieres, and curtains. "Floors and Floor Coverings"; "Furniture : Its Proportions and Appro- priate Ornamentation"; "Pictures and Casts : their Choice and Arrangement" are further topics to be studied. As practical work, the girls are required to draw out the floor plans of their own rooms, placing the door and windows and chief articles of furniture ; then the side walls showing arrangement and spacing of furniture and pictures.
4. Social Relations and Conduct .- The aim of this division is to discover how to increase the effectiveness and pleasure, and reduce friction when individuals meet. These ends are sought by making the girl more aware of herself as a social factor, showing the meaning of, and how to attain, the best personal appearance, health, and manners, and how to exercise this per- sonality in the home, the school, and society. The topic, "Cour- tesies and Customs of the Table " is considered a laboratory exercise, conducted in a model dining-room, the different mem- bers of the class taking turns in being hostess, guests, and waitresses.
Such a course, as thus briefly outlined, and supplemented by courses in cooking and laundry work, could hardly be called theo- retical, and would cause those electing them to realize that school and everyday life are not very far apart.
PUBLIC SPEAKING
I had hoped to submit some considerations on the subject of public speaking, but it will be possible to present only one or two points for your consideration.
The claims of public speaking are very generally recognized, but very rarely satisfied. The French call us Americans a nation of mumblers, and we recognize the truth of the charge, but do little or nothing to remedy our defect. One has only to listen to the ordinary recitation to discover how the American voice has been neglected.
175
For more than twenty years "rhetoricals" have been a part of the Friday programme of every Senior. This is a good begin- ning, but the work ought to be extended. The subject is a very practical one. Almost every high school student will find him- self, sooner or later, desiring to address himself to his fellows. with persuasiveness. If he has been thoroughly trained, he will be heard.
VOCATIONAL TRAINING
It will be interesting to know that there are two young men now in school who are preparing to enter one of the half time vocational schools in Boston, in which they will go to school a week and work a week, thus alternating throughout the year. This suggests the direction of the current. Will Wakefield ever support such a half time school? Will her boys always be obliged to leave home to get such an education as they desire?
HIGH SCHOOL STATISTICS
1908
1909
1910
Dec. 1910
Dec. 1911
Dec. 1912
Number graduated
58
53
61
53
71
*67
Average age at graduation
18_2 12
18.6 1 2
18.1 12
18.7
18.5 12
18.3
Senior class
61
58
66
53
72
67
Senior class when entered
112
121
124
127
142
125
Junior class
66
76
69
89
78
81
Junior class when entered
121
124
127
142
125
122
Second year class
91
88
101
92
95
108
second year class when entered
124
127
142
125
122
146
First year class
114
131
115
117
138
127
First year class when entered
127
142
125
122
146
135
*Estimated.
The dark faced figures of the table indicate the membership of the present Senior class throughout the course.
176
MISCELLANEOUS
The following graduates of the school entered higher institu- "tions of learning last fall :
Everett A. Carleton, Rhode Island State College.
Marjorie Cartwright, Art School of the Museum of Fine Arts.
Alma Eaton, Mt. Holyoke College.
Adeline F. Hall, Salem Normal School.
Esther E. Nelson, "
Francis D. O'Connell, Boston University.
Elizabeth P. Payne, Salem Normal School.
Katharine N. Whitten, Wellesley College.
George H. Abercrombie, Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Mary Bridge, Salem Normal School.
Raymond G. Brown, Mass. Institute of Technology.
Theodore F. Cram, New Hampshire State College. Edward S. Duffill, Mass. Agricultural College.
C. Wesson Hawes, Institute of Technology.
Carl H. Holmberg, 66 66
Philip W. Morrison, Jr., Rhode Island State College. Lillian M. Oram, Salem Normal School.
Jessie L. Pease, Waltham Training School for Nurses.
Russel B. Perkins, Dartmouth College.
Helen Randall, Simmons College.
Walter J. Wolfe, Mass. Institute of Technology.
The school is in receipt of the following gifts :
From the class of 1914, a carbon entitled "Spring," by Mauve.
From the class of 1915, a carbon entitled "Autumn Gold," by Inness.
From the Boys' Debating Society, two silk flags and standard.
The Debater, the school paper, has been revived by the Senior · class, and in December a very creditable issue came from the press.
In April, with the advice of Mr. Wilson, Music Supervisor, a pianola was purchased and also a membership in a musical library. The instrument is popular with the pupils, and is in great de- mand after the close of school.
177
Roland P. Payne, 1910, a member of the Junior class of the Mass. Agricultural College, was the recipient last June of the General Improvement Prize.
The Dartmouth College catalogue for this year contains among the list of faculty members the name of Walter A. Phelps, 1908, Instructor in Physics.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES H. HOWE.
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GRADUATION EXERCISES, WAKEFIELD HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1912
Town Hall, Thursday, June 2( th, 8 o'clock PROGRAMME
Overture and March
Chorus-The Glorious Morn (Cavalleria Rusticana) Mascagni
Oration (Salutary rank )-Shall we Separate ? A Supposed Speech of the Year 1812 GEORGE H. ABERCROMBIE
Declamation-The New American Farmer Casson
FRANCIS D. O'CONNELL
Semi-Chorus-Come and Dance Lemaire
Honor Part
*CARL H. HOLMBERG
Poem-The Trinity of Labor
MARJORIE CARTWRIGHT
Semi-Chorus-Now is the Happy Time ( Spring Song) Hosmer
Recitation-The Lady Slipper Orchid Bryce
ADELINE F. HALL
Semi-Chorus-Barcarolle Offenbach
Recitation-The Stone Cutter Gilbert Parker
DOROTHY W. CATE
Solo and Chorus -- Largo Handel
Essay and Valedictory-The Eighteenth Century Woman ESTHER E. NELSON
Presentation of Diplomas-Mr. William B. Atwell
Superintendent of Schools
Class Song-Princeton Melody Orchestra *Excused at his request
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Motto :- Not to Try is to Fail
CLASS SONG
MARJORIE CARTWRIGHT
Oh, pale moon-gleam and starlit sea Ye zephyrs delicate, Receive the pagan heart of me, Intense. that cannot wait The vague, the Future tortured hours Of time-revolving Fate,- Oh, draw aside the veil that lowers, The shadows dissipate !
Oh, time, and tide, and winged wind All the wide world's expanse That calls the soul undisciplined To youth's blithe heedless dance, No past nor present do I claim Of thee to countenance,- But give, oblivion or fame, To-morrow's fitful chance !
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GRADUATES
CLASSICAL
Everett Agustus Carleton
Marjorie Cartwright
Alma Marion Eaton
Adeline Frances Hall
Florence Joseph McAuliffe
Esther Ethel Nelson
Francis Daniel O'Connell
Elizabeth Perkins Payne
Katharine Nesmith Whitten
Dorothy Wilkins
GENERAL
George Harold Abercrombie John Atkins Avery
Emily Blaikie
Mary Bridge
Calvin Wesson Hawes Carl Herbert Holmberg Edgar A Magee Philip William Morrison, Jr.
Raymond Grout Brown
Lillian May Oram
Paul Cartwright
Jessie Lillian Pease
Theodore Francis Cram
Russell Brown Perkins
Marion Louise Cooper
Helen Randall
Eva Jane Dalzell
Hazel Hardy Ryder
Katherine Marie Doane
Helen Atwell Stoddard Alta May Strong
Edward Stanley Duffill
Thomas Ladnor Thistle
Chester Willard Griffin
Laurence Rankin Harris
Frederick Earl Wallace James Wilkinson, JJr.
Walter John Wolfe
COMMERCIAL
Arthur Henfield Bancroft Horatio Haliburton Cann Dorothy Willey Cate Helen Madeline Cook Agnes Teresa Costello Julia Louise Fay Margaret Teresa Fay
Marion Ruth Harper
Irene Frances Holland Harriet Lulu Husson
Reginald Kendall Annie Gabrielle Lenners Grace Mansfield Mary Mccarthy Gertrude Frances McGlory William Clarence McKie
Walter Percy Moore Ethel Margery Morrison Ida Margaret Morrison Katherine Frances Mullen William Joseph Murphy Katherine Frances Murray Ella May O'F'rien Alice Irene O'Connell Gertrude Oldfield
Henry Peter O'Rourke John Henry Palmer Alma Louise Sahlholm Hazel Ernestine Schurman Ralph Washington Sedgley Marguerite Elizabeth Taggart Mary Josephine Whelan
Camilla Draper
181
Report of School Physician
During the last half of the school year, 1911-12, an effort was made to put vaccination on a definite basis. To that end all the children in the primary and grammar grades who did not have certificates of successful vaccination on file, were examined for scars. If one was found a certificate was issued, if not the par- ents were notified that the child had not been properly vaccinated. This necessitated the examination of over one thousand children and the issuing of proper certificates. It seemed as though this once done the records might easily be kept up-to-date, but the number of children entering school from other towns, and those returning after illness, etc., makes this item one of continual vig- ilance. This work has been kept up this year, and we now have practically complete records of vaccination of all children below the High School. The status of vaccination is somewhat uncer- tain on account of the attitude of a small number of parents who áre opposed to having their children vaccinated. The law and the regulations of the Board of Health specifically state that chil- dren must be vaccinated before entering school, but make excep- tion of those children who are certified by a physician as not "fit subjects for vaccination" with a further proviso that the "reason for their unfitness must be specified." It is everywhere recog- nized that it is unwise from a medical standpoint to vaccinate children who are ill, particularly those who have certain chronic diseases or those who have recently recovered from certain acute disorders. It is plainly the intent of the law that these children are the ones to be relieved from vaccination, and, in as much as most of these conditions are temporary, our ruling has been that such certificates are valid for a limited time only. But a few persons, opposed to vaccination under any conditions, have evaded the law by securing from physicians certificates of ill health for their children, some of them frankly confessing that their children were well, but that they did not propose to have them vaccinated. This town has had two epidemics of small pox in recent years. That it did not make greater inroads among the
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