USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1913-1916 > Part 48
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72
ATTENDANCE
The attendance since the opening of school has been the subject of especial attention. From month to month the attendance has been analyzed as carefully as may be. It appears that while the great majority of parents-two out of three-realize the value of constant and regular attendance, a few seem utterly to fail to see any value in it. In the month of December, out of 291 absences, over one hundred came from the absence of a mere handful of pupils-viz: 19, while 332 pupils had a perfect record. As nearly as I can figure it, there is about 3 per cent of necessary absence, with which absolutely no fault can be found. Beyond this necessary absence, there is a further substantial amount for which the reasons are entirely trivial. I wish the parents could realize the harm done by the occasional absence. There is more than one pupil in school whose failure to keep up with his class is due to absence that could have been easily avoided.
105
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
MILITARY DRILL
Attention has been called anew to the subject of military drill in schools, because of the interest in the general topic of preparedness and the possibility of our country becoming involved with the nations of Europe.
As I understand the report of the Legislative Commission on "Military Education and Reserve," it is the opinion of the Commission that military drill in schools is of little value.
An editorial in the Boston Transcript sets forth the attitude of the Commission, as follows:
"Instead of destroying time and energy to no purpose in infrequent close order drills, the commission recommends that for students who wish direct military training opportunity should be offered them to enroll in summer camps where in the period of a month, under competent direction, they can get all the possible value of the old system and more and get it in a way that shall be really effective.
"For the schools it strongly urges the further development of physical training according to the best prescribed standards, and also the teaching of the true military history of the United States, and of personal hygiene and camp sanitation. Recognizing that the boy best trained for civil life will be also best prepared to undergo intensive training in the particularized business of soldiering, when the time for such training comes, the commissioners stress such points as these and stress them correctly.
"In summary, then, the commission would have the public schools contribute the right groundwork for the making of soldiers, not the frills either of uniform or of drill, the State give opportunity of in- tensive training to all toward the making of good private soldiers, and the colleges engage more and more in the training of men to be capable officers.
"This policy for the schools is precisely what President Lowell has laid down as good policy for the colleges. He would not waste time in the desultory training of student battalions but would offer every man full opportunity to get good training in summer military camps for college students. Such must be the programme of our schools and colleges not only to the end that their students may have competent training, but also that they may avoid a false sense of security and sufficiency from the continuance of old forms of drill which are often of positive harm."
In view of these recommendations, a reorganization of our military instruction would seem desirable. My own feeling is that it would be wise, perhaps not to go the full length of the commission's recommendations and do away with the drill altogether, but to confine it to the boys of the two upper classes, making it compulsory except as provided by law, viz: for those who have conscientious
106
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
scruples against it and those who are physically unfit. At present there are upwards of eigthy boys who would take drill under such an arrangement. With the numbers reduced it would be possible for an instructor to do much more intensive work than can possibly be done at present. At the present time, the rifles (many of them) put into the hands of the cadets are dummies. No arrangement has been possible for the adequate storing of the equipment. It has been bandied from the schoolhouse, to the Town Hall third floor, to the basement of the Armory. Nothing has been done, perhaps noth- ing could be done to arouse any respect for the equipment. In the reorganization of the department, nothing should be attempted that cannot be done as it ought. A battalion of three companies, as at present organized, cannot possibly work together at the same time in our armory in extended order. (I understand the recommendation of the commission is against close formation.) If we are to retain our present organization and all classes drill, the services of the in- structor should be employed for three days and one company drill at a time. Taking all things into consideration the better course to pursue seems that of restricting drill to the older boys in the upper classes, making it compulsory for them and making it real drill, not play, with rifle practice, tent pitching, extended order work, etc.
PHYSICAL TRAINING
My report of 1913 made a reference to the subject of Physical Training, expressing the hope that some day your board would see fit to appoint a director of physical training for the the town. If Military Drill were discontinued for the two lower classes in the High School, it would seem desirable to substitute something in its place, and what better than a thorough course in physical training. Dental hygiene, school physician, annual examination of eyes and ears-these words indicate that the community cares for the bodies of the school children. The eyes and ears, however, are not ex- amined, the school physician does not do his work, the school dentist is not called in, until after the damage is done. Eyes and ears are discovered to be defective, sore throat and flushed face are detected, the teeth are found to be decayed. This is about as far as the care of the health of children goes on the part of school authorities. Little is done to prevent eyes and ears becoming defective, or the teeth decaying, or to increase the resisting power of the children's bodies. Would not a well-conceived and carefully-carried-out course in physi- cal training provide a foundation for healthy eyes and ears and teeth and bodies? Would not such a course come nearer being funda- mental than existing tendency and practice? When plans are drawn for a High School building, I hope ample provision may be made for a course in physical culture for girls and boys alike. What Boston is doing under the enlightened and far-seeing oversight of Nathaniel
107
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
J. Young, Director of Athletics, may well be a subject of thoughtful study. May I quote from an article of his-
"Years of experience in the department of physical education of the Boston public schools has taught me that the main object of athletics in public schools is not to encourage strenuous competition to the exclusion of the rights and the needs of those youngsters less fit and unable to endure the most rugged forms of athletics, but to make competition such that it can be indulged in by all, even down to the puniest youngsters who are in the greatest need of physical exercise
"Close competition has a tendency to destroy the general value of schoolboy athletics, making them of physical value to the few instead of the many which is the object in view. It requires but few boys to compose a football or baseball team and these few are picked from the many who are called out. If it were not for the fact that Boston schools have provided exercise fitted for the others, the majority would be passed by unnoticed while theirs might be the greatest need for physical exercise.
"Of course it is difficult for athletics to exist without some forms of competition by which the participants may gain satisfaction for their efforts, but the competition should be of such character that all may join. Interclass competition should and has been encouraged in the Boston schools and those who have been unable to earn a place on the school team might be able to make a place on a class team and gain the same benefits as their more gifted brothers.
"For this very same reason soccer was added to the list of authorized sports of the Boston schools. Many boys were obliged to wholly pass up athletics owing to their inability to make football, baseball or track teams, and soccer required the very grade of physi- cal effort that was fitted to these boys. This gave several hundred more the opportunity to gain benefit through school athletics.
"Much has been done for track athletics in Boston schools. Raised corners have been furnished those schools with tracks and all the apparatus required has been supplied for track and field work. Regardless of the physical ability of any of the pupils, some form of exercise can be found suited to their ability."
Below is the required Physical Training Course for High School boys in Boston.
FIRST YEAR Each Boy Must Qualify in: Dash; One form of jumping; Putting shot (5 pounds); Chinning (Pull-ups); Swimming.
108
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Required Minimum
Events
Time, Height or Distance
50 Yards Dash .
8 seconds
Running High Jump
3 feet
Running Broad Jump
11 feet 6 inches
Standing Broad Jump
5 feet 6 inches
Putting Shot (5 pounds)
25 feet
Chinning (Pull-ups)
3 times
Swimming
10 strokes with- out stopping
SECOND YEAR
Each Boy Must Qualify in: Dash; Two forms of jumping; Putting shot (8 pounds); Chinning (Pull-ups); Three swimming events.
Required Minimum Time, Height or Distance
Events
75 Yard Dash .
11 seconds
Running High Jump
3 feet 6 inches
Running Broad Jump
13 feet
Standing Broad Jump
6 feet
Putting Shot (8 pounds)
26 feet
Chinning (Pull-ups) .
5 times
Swimming:
Diving
20 Yards
35 seconds
60 Yards
without stopping
THIRD YEAR
Each Boy Must Qualify in:
One dash and one run; Two forms of jumping; Putting shot (8 pounds); Chinning (Pull-ups); Three swimming events.
Events
100 Yards Dash
15 seconds
220 Yards Run .
32 seconds
Running High Jump
4 feet
Running Broad Jump
14 feet
Standing Broad Jump .
7 feet
Putting Shot (8 pounds)
30 feet
Chinning (Pull-ups)
6 times
Swimming:
Dive and Pick-up Object .
6 feet depth
40 Yards Dash .
1 minute without stopping
100 Yards
Required Minimum Time, Height or Distance
109
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
FOURTH YEAR Each Boy Must Qualify in: One dash and one run; Two forms of jumping; Putting shot (12 pounds); Chinning (Pull-ups); Three swimming events.
Required Minimum Time, Height or Distance
Events
100 Yards Dash
14 seconds
440 Yards Run (16 years or cver)
1 min. 20 sec.
Mile run (17 years or over)
8 minutes
Running High Jump
4 feet 6 inches
Running Broad Jump
15 feet
Standing Broad Jump .
7 feet
Putting Shot (12 pounds)
26 feet
Chinning (Pull-ups)
7 times
Swimming :
220 Yards .
without stopping
Carrying burden in water
Knowledge of First Aid
For girls the physical training includes free standing exercises, dancing, games and apparatus work, with the following extra re- quirement --- "Each girl must know how to swim before she can re- ceive a diploma. First year girls are not required to swim; second year girls must swim 25 yards; third year girls, 50 yards; and fourth year girls, 75 yards."
MUSIC
The effect of increasing the allotment of the music director's time is already apparent. Every pupil in school now shares in the weekly chorus work. The voices of the second year class have al- ready been once tried out privately by the instructor. It is the ex- pectation that before the year is over, there will be another trial. The greatest obstacle we meet in the work with the first year pupils is the self-consciousness of the boys that keeps them from singing freely. We have been trying in a rather desultory fashion, the ex- periment of having the boys sing by themselves. The zest and in- creased freedom with which they throw themselves, almost without exception, into the singing leads me to wonder if it would not be a wise course to provide an additional period weekly for the boys of the first year class, until they acquire the habit of free singing and be- come accustomed to the sound of their own voices. The period ren- dered available by giving up military drill could well be used for this added practise.
110
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
PETTY THIEVING
The school has suffered for several years from petty thieving, which it seems well nigh impossible to stop. With only one recess, and a short one at that, during each session, of necessity frequent permission must be granted to go to the basement. To do otherwise, would work grave injury to many pupils. The corridors and hallways, therefore, become a more or less frequented highway. Inasmuch as the wraps of practically every child in school hang in the corridors, they are at the mercy of every passerby. A coat might almost as well be hung in the North Station and be expected to be left alone, as to expect the outer clothing hanging in the corridors of our school to go unmolested. The wonder is that we do not suffer more. The best that can be done is to charge every pupil to leave nothing of value in their outer pockets in the corridors. The disease is incident to our crowded conditions. A new building will provide individual lockers.
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
During the year, one boy has left the school in order to attend the Agricultural Department of the Reading High School. How soon others may do the same thing, of course, we cannot tell. As I under- stand it, the whole or part at least of his tuition will be paid by Wake- field. While I have felt the great desirability of establishing an agricultural department in connection with our school, it might seem foolish to do so when a good school is so near our doors, to which those agriculturally inclined can resort. Wakefield is a manufac- turing town and it is a question whether it could not well add to the curriculum of its High School, a department of vocational education, not agricultural. If it were done, it is entirely possible that pupils from our neighboring towns of Stoneham and Reading might desire to attend. The High School in Menomonie, Wisconsin, offers courses in architectural drafting, machine drafting, machine shop practice, plumbing and brick laying for pupils in the last two years of the course. For the first two years the mechanical work consists of joinery, wood turning, pattern making and foundry practice. It is not the idea to teach pupils any particular trade, but to give them the fundamentals of several trades.
111
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
THE STANDING OF WAKEFIELD IN THE STATE
Below is a summary submitted to you early in the year which, it appears to me, will be of interest to the people of the town.
Facts obtained from the Circular of Information No. 1-Board of Education of Massachusetts.
1. There are 216 High Schools in the State.
2. Wakefield High School is among the forty-four (44) cities and towns whose High School numbers 300 pupils or more.
3. In this group the highest cost per pupil for instruction is in Brookline High School where it is $99.00 per pupil.
4. In Wakefield the cost per pupil for instruction is $35.00 and Wakefield stands 38th in the list of 44.
5. Wakefield is in the third of the four (4) groups into which these forty-four (44) towns and cities are divided according to val- uation, that is, her valuation is less than $6000 but more than $5000 per pupil.
6. In Wakefield, 18 percent of all the pupils in school are High School pupils.
7. In nine (9) of the forty-four (44), this percentage is higher than eighteen (18) ; in four (4) it is the same, and in thirty-one (31) it is less.
8. The cost of Wakefield High School for fuel, janitor, repairs, etc., was $10 per pupil.
9. Of the forty-four (44) schools in the group, six (6) had a lower cost, three (3) had the same and thirty-five (35) had a higher cost.
10. Of the forty-four (44) schools, Wakefield stands 39th in total cost per pupil, that is, for instruction and up-keep; Newbury- port, Marlboro, Gardner, Woburn and Natick being lower.
112
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
MISCELLANEOUS
The following graduates continued their education beyond High School graduation.
Evelyn S. Donnelly Barbara Randall
Gladys Watkins Miriam A. Sanders
Marion Lawrence
Thelma Bridge
Hazel E. Barstow Jeremiah J. Buckley Doris Cartland Raymond P. Cassidy Beulah Christie Paul Guillow
Palmer Hutchinson Norman B. Kingston Philip McAuliffe Dora McKie
Edith Packard
Fred G. Reid Ruth G. Taylor Millard Thresher Violett King
Salem Normal School Simmons College Radcliffe College N. H. State College Simmons College Wakefield High School (Post Graduate) Salem Normal School
Valparaiso (Ind.) University
Bradford Academy Harvard Dental School
Lasell Seminary
Wakefield High School (Post Graduate) Norwich University
Lowell Textile School Tuft's Dental School Wakefield High School (Post Graduate) Wakefield High School (Post Graduate)
R. I. State College Lasell Seminary Phillips Academy Exeter School for Nurses
Deaconess Hospital
113
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
A new club, an English Club, has been formed in the English Department. Membership is confined to those whose records are either A or B.
Emily Preston is in the Sophomore Honor List, at Mt. Holyoke College, being among the Sarah Williston Scholars. This means that Miss Preston is one of the thirteen students with highest rank.
In the faculty list of Mt. Holyoke College appears the following: "Frances E. Jackson, graduate fellow and assistant in Zoology," received Senior Honor, being one of the Mary Lyons Scholars. Miss Jackson is a graduate of the class of 1911.
The school was favored in the late fall with an address by Mr. Sidney Watkins of the Boston & Maine Railroad on "Safety." His address was one of the most interesting that it has been the fortune of the school to hear.
With Reading and Stoneham, Wakefield has joined in forming the Middlesex Triangular Debating League. On January 7, Wake- field and Stoneham debated-Resolved that the United States should adopt Prohibition. Wakefield won.
A Parent-Teachers' Association in connection with the school has been formed and much interest has been displayed in the few meetings that have been thus far held.
GRADUATION EXERCISES, WAKEFIELD HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1915 Town Hall, Thursday, June 24, 8 o'clock
PROGRAMME
Overture and March
Chorus-The Parade
Tracy
Declamation-The Public Duty of Educated Men Leonard Aloysius Dryer
Curtis
Essay (Salutatory Rank) Shall the Women of Massachusetts Vote? Barbara Randall
Chorus-Spread Thy Silver Wings, O Dove
Rubenstein
Declamation-First Inaugural Hollis Earl Morton
Abraham Lincoln
Semi Chorus-(a) At Twilight
Friml Dvorak
(b) Lullaby (Humoreske)
Essay (Honor Rank)-Let Us Have Peace Thelma Bridge
Declamation-Retribution Osborne
George Lincoln Dillaway, Jr.
Chorus-The Postilion's Song Hadley
114
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Oration (Original) -I Wonder- Alec Grant Williams
Essay and Valedictory-Who Are Our Neighbors? Gladys Watkins
Presentation of Diplomas-Mr. W. B. Atwell
Class Song March
Superintendent of Schools Music by C. Albert Jones
Motto: Esse Quam Videri
CLASS SONG Alec Grant Williams To Thee, O Lord God of Mercy, A humble chant we raise, Our hearts deep stirred with purpose, With naught of earthly praise. The hand is leaving that led us Through preparation's strife. Help us, O Lord of the future, Bear the burdens of life.
The light of a great tomorrow Greets through the open door, Deep bathed we stand in its glory, In hope, for evermore. As sea girt cliffs hurl the breakers, Hurl wrong, in cause of right. May work be a long sought pleasure, Life useful, a keen delight.
To Thee, O Lord God of Glory, Thy humble children call. As we step into the future, Thy hand, Lord, lest we fall. Thy guidance through the dark of night, Lead us, Lord, show us light. When pleasure bends to duties' right Guide us, Lord, in Thy might.
115
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
SENIOR CLASS-1915
General Course
Doris Hutchinson Allen Hazel Emma Barstow Jeremiah Joseph Buckley Doris Helen Cartland
Raymond Paul Cassidy Beulah Milton Christie
George Lincoln Dillaway, Jr.
Fred Gavin Reid Ruth Geraldine Taylor
Millard Wilson Thresher
Pearle Ernestine Trefrey
Alec Grant Williams
Everett May Winslow
Elsie May Wolfe Elliot Zwicker
Commercial Course
Arthur William Anderson Anna Isabelle Bannon
Ralph Ernest Belmore Ruby Belmore
Ruth Elizabeth Bower
Mary Isabel Brehaut
Gray Bidwell Brockbank Adelene Carolyn Burrill
Maurice Otis Carter Mary Elizabeth Curley Grace May Dadley Mabel Edna Dadley Leonard Aloysius Dryer Isabel Anna Friberg Daniel Hallissey Galvin Ivy Mae Gould Bertha Elizabeth Holmes
Edris Lawrence Kalberg Esther Eugenia Lofstrom Mary Elizabeth Keefe Marion Gertrude Kennedy
James Francis Kelly Alice Louise Kelley Lotty Frances Landers John Roger Lovering Lawrence Paul MacAdams
Ernest MacKay Mary Esther Maguire Elizabeth Margaret Maloney Helen Rita Marshall Arthur Louis Maxwell
Agnes Louise McFadden Florence Elizabeth Miller Edith May Packard Helen Christine Preston Arleigh Clifford Sawyer Pearl Evelyn Scott Edward John Sexton
Theresa Irene Shea Mary Blight Thistle Eunice Elizabeth Whitney Emily Cenie Whittle
James Everett Worthley
Olive Louise Eaton Paul Kimball Guillow Ethelyn Grace Hudson
Palmer Hutchinson Violett Annie King Norman Baker Kingston Irene Louise Lawrence
Philip Leo McAuliffe Dora McKie
Laura Ernestine Mills Hollis Earl Morton
Thomas Christopher Murray
Frank Elmer Packard, Jr.
116
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Classical Course
Thelma Bridge
Marion Lawrence
George Washington Butterfield
Barbara Randall
Margaret Herrick Clark
Evelyn Sarah Donnelly
Miriam Augusta Sanders Gladys Watkins
Frances Elisabeth Watson
Below are the yearly statistics.
HIGH SCHOOL STATISTICS
Dec.
Dec.
Dec.
Dec.
Dec.
Dec.
1910
1911
1912
1913
1914
1915
No. graduated
53
71
65
70
70
*69
.Aver. age at grad. 18 7-12 18 5-12 18 3-12 18 3-12 18 9-12 18 6-12
Senior Class
53
72
67
70
81
69
Size when entered 127
142
125
122
146
135
Junior Class 89
78
81
90
84
119
Size when entered 142
125
122
146
135
168
Second Year Class 92
95
108
98
147
120
Size when entered 125
122
146
135
168
158
First Year Class
117
138
127
161
146
168
Size when entered 122
146
135
168
158
173
* Estimated.
The dark faced type of the table indicates the membership of the present senior class from year to year in its course.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES H. HOWE.
117
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
In February 1915 a case of measles was reported on Salem street. Other cases were soon reported from the Lincoln school and the disease spread rapidly until all schools in town were infected. In four months measles were reported in more than three hundred seventy-five families having children in school, and the total number of cases must have reached at least six hundred and probably more, with at least four deaths directly of indirectly.
In several instances half of the pupils in a room were absent at a time.
In almost all cases the law and the regulations of the Board of Health were carefully observed. The cases were reported, the house placarded, and all children of infected families kept out of school. The directions to teachers were to send home at once all pupils show- ing signs of the disease. But all our efforts had no effect whatever in stopping the spread. In practically all the school rooms not more than one or two susceptible pupils failed to contract the disease. It is my firm belief that if no precautions whatever had been taken the epidemic would not have been more severe, or resulted more seriously. The fact that measles is highly contagious before a diagnosis is made in most instances, and that parents as a whole consider it a slight and necessary disease render the present means of combating such an epidemic almost if not entirely useless. Unless some future means are found we shall witness a repetition of epidemic as soon as we have a sufficient number of susceptible pupils in school.
The so-called serious contagious diseases, Scarlet Fever, and Diphtheria have not gained a foothold in our school population. We have had quite a number of cases during the year but nothing re- sembling an epidemic, and so far as I know no contagion in these diseases has been traced to the school.
Aside from the measles epidemic the health of the children has been in the main good and fairly free from the contagious and parasi- tic skin diseases. Eternal vigilance is the price of the latter con- dition.
The Principals and Teachers have cooperated with the School Physician in fullest degree and it is in a large measure due to their care and watchfulness that cases are called to my attention. The entire benefit of medical inspection cannot be realized until some way is devised to care for those children whose parents neglect to take seriously the advice given. These are a small proportion however. The Attendance Officer has been of material assistance in dealing with the parents.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.