USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1915 > Part 8
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Mr. W. B. Atwell, Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir :- Herewith is submitted the annual report of the Principal of the High School.
NUMBER OF PUPILS
For the year beginning in September, 1915, the number of pupils in attendance has been as follows:
Boys
Girls
Total
Graduate pupils
2
3
5
Fourth Year pupils
33
38
71
Third Year pupils
49
74
123
Second Year pupils
67
60
127
First Year Pupils
78
95
173
Total
229
270
499
I find on looking over my records of the year 1913 that my estimate for the attendance for the year 1914 was 448 pupils. The actual number turned out to be 475. For the year 1915-16, the present year, the estimated membership was 477. As a matter of fact, up to the present time 499 have been enrolled. It appears that the estimates of two years ago were conservative, being under state- ments, rather than over statements. For next September, 1916, my early estimate of 1913 indicated a school of 537 pupils. A more recent estimate, however, seems to show that the school will be larger, even, than that number-viz, 550. Of course, it is under- stood by everybody that an estimate of this sort is apt to go astray, and that the numbers are as likely to run below the estimate as above. However, for the last two or three years our estimates have been under the facts, so that we have a right to expect that the figure, 550, is not far out of the way, as the probable size of the school.
Of the above 550 (estimated) pupils, 350 will be found in the three upper classes.
To care for those in attendance this year requires the services of 18 teachers. The school building provides rooms for only fifteen. It became necessary, therefore, to continue the arrangement of last year, by which, the pupils of the first year class are in attendance in the afternoon hours. A slight readjustment of hours, for several reasons, seemed advisable and almost imperative. At present, school begins for the three upper classes at 8 o'clock and closes at half past twelve; for the first year class, it opens at a quarter of one and closes at five minutes of five. Under the present arrangement, no teacher is obliged to be on duty both afternoon and forenoon, or part of each. : Five teachers look after the afternoon session and the remainder,
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
the forenoon. While this arrangement is an improvement over that of last year, there are features about it that are anything but desirable. In three rooms, the desks calculated to be occupied by one pupil are necessarily shared by two; one upper class pupil in the fore- noon and one first year class in the afternoon. Again, I hear that there are some parents who object to their children being obliged to return home after five o'clock, especially during the season of short days. I sympathize with them in their objection. Although nominally the forenoon session closes at 12.32, it is always three or four minutes later, before it is possible for the building to be occu- pied by the afternoon scholars-thus shortening materially the free time before school begins for the first year class. The few minutes before school opens, I have observed, afford the very best oppor- tunity for teachers to get acquainted with their pupils and to give them individual help. Furthermore, the time actually spent in school by the upper classes has been reduced to four and a half hours and by the first year class to four and a quarter hours. At a time when the tendency is to increase the length of the school day rather than diminish it, it seems as though we were turning backwards the hands of the clock.
I find a reference in my report of last year to the length of time our present building will accommodate the school as at present divided. It was my judgment at that time that when the three upper classes number 375 pupils the limit will have been reached and some further adjustment made necessary. The indica- tions are that we shall come within twenty-five of that number next September.
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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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)
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
Required Minimum Time, Height or Distance
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 1 minute
40 Yards Dash ..
100 Yards
without stopping
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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 over)
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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
Abraham Lincoln
Declamation-First Inaugural Hollis Earl Morton
Semi Chorus-(a) At Twilight Friml
(b) Lullaby (Humoreske) Dvorak
Essay (Honor Rank)-Let Us Have Peace Thelma Bridge
Declamation-Retribution Osborne George Lincoln Dillaway, Jr.
Chorus-The Postilion's Song Hadley
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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.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
SENIOR CLASS-1915
General Course
Doris Hutchinson Allen
Hazel Emma Barstow
Jeremiah Joseph Buckley Doris Helen Cartland
Hollis Earl Morton
Raymond Paul Cassidy
Thomas Christopher Murray
Beulah Milton Christie
Frank Elmer Packard, Jr.
George Lincoln Dillaway, Jr.
Fred Gavin Reid
Olive Louise Eaton Paul Kimball Guillow
Ruth Geraldine Taylor
Millard Wilson Thresher
Ethelyn Grace Hudson
Pearle Ernestine Trefrey
Palmer Hutchinson
Alec Grant Williams
Violett Annie King
Everett May Winslow
Norman Baker Kingston
Elsie May Wolfe
Irene Louise Lawrence
Elliot Zwicker
Commercial Course
Arthur William Anderson
Anna Isabelle Bannon
Ralph Ernest Belmore
Lotty Frances Landers
Ruby Belmore
John Roger Lovering
Ruth Elizabeth Bower
Lawrence Paul MacAdams Ernest MacKay
Mary Isabel Brehaut
Gray Bidwell Brockbank
Mary Esther Maguire
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
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