USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1920 > Part 10
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Below is the plan as finally adopted.
INDUCEMENTS TO PROFESSIONAL ADVANCEMENT
The School committee desires to recognize professional growth and power by additional compensation. To this end, therefore, it has adopted the follow- ing regulations, effective as from September 1920.
I. Eligibility requirements :
(a) First Special Increase.
1. 5 years experience in teaching, three of which shall have been continuous service in Wakefield.
2. Receiving the maximum salary.
3. Grade of at least "fair" in teaching efficiency.
4. _At least six credits earned by advanced professional work as out- lined in Section IV. .
(b) Further Special Increases.
1. 3 years experience in teaching since receiving the last special increase.
2. A grade of at least "good" in teaching efficiency necessary for second and third increases.
· 3. A grade of at least "very good" in teaching efficiency necessary before receiving additional special increases after third increase.
4. At least six credits earned by advanced professional work since receiving last special increase.
1
148
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
1
II. Procedure.
(a) Teachers invited to submit in advance plans for special work or ad- vanced study to Superintendent for approval.
(b) Teachers to file before October 1st report of work done during previous years for which in their judgment the Committee may be willing to allow credits.
(c) The Committee, on advice of Superintendent, may recommend special salary increases on or before December 1st of each year.
(d) Special salary increases to take effect January 1st following the Com- mittee's recommendation.
III. Amount of Special Increase.
Special increase to be $75.00 per annum.
IV. Methods of obtaining Credits.
(a) Advanced study.
1. A resident study at approved college or university.
Two credits for each one-half course of at least three hours per week.
2. A non-resident course conducted by the Massachusetts Board of Education.
One credit for 20 class hours.
3. College or University summer schools. Three credits for 30 or more program hours.
4. Approved non-resident course of study. Credits according to character of institution and course of study.
5. Reading courses. Reading courses of four or more approved books, one credit. Maximum of two credits.
6. Thesis on some topic relating to school work based upon current educational literature and personal class room experience. One credit.
7. Accomplishments through miscellaneous activities such as travel, music, lecture courses, etc., which have the approval of the Committee.
Maximum, two credits.
(b) Class room work.
1. Use of class room as laboratory for study of educational problems involving observation, study and report subject to the approval of the Committee.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Not more than three credits for one year's work or five credits for study of an important problem requiring not less than two year's work.
(c) Exceptional professional service.
The Committee may give credits or special increases for ex- ceptional service to the school system which is readily recog- nized as surpassing the requirements outlined in Section 1 of this plan.
GENERAL REGULATIONS
1. The word "teacher" as used in this plan includes all persons in teach- ing or supervisory positions in the public schools of Wakefield.
2. Time spent on leave of absence for professional study shall count as part of the continuous service of the teacher.
3. The Committee, at its discretion, may permit leave of absence not exceed- ing one year for other puposes than professional study to count as part of the continuous service of the teacher.
4. Courses of study for elementary school teachers must be higher than high school grade and for high school teachers of a post graduate college grade, or a course adjudged by the Committee to be of a particular value to the teacher.
5. No credits will be allowed except on presentation of a passing mark ob- tained in the course or courses pursued.
6. Courses of study must, in general, relate to work of the teacher. A teacher desiring to obtain a credit in a reading course should prepare an abstract of each book read and after reasonable time, be prepared to take an examination upon any one of these books which the Superintendent of Schools may select. Two of the four books read must relate directly to class room work of the teacher.
7. Credits will not be given for miscellaneous activities such as travel, music, lecture courses, etc., unless of such a character as to relate to school work and to contribute to increased success of the class room.
AMERICANIZATION
We have in Wakefield a comparatively large number of people of foreign birth. We have been maintaining evening schools for their benefit, holding special classes in their club rooms and in the Woodville School besides the regular sessions in the High School. The classes in the High School are mainly for minors who are compelled by law to attend evening school. All the others are for adult men. We have been neglecting the women, but now I feel we should give them more special attention. To do this would require the appointment of someone who would take charge of and supervise the work. Perhaps it would be better to appoint some woman who is in sympathy with the alien and who could work
150
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
harmoniously with them. I recommend that the Committee do appoint a di- rector of this work and that we begin active work in the fall.
The State feels an obligation in aiding the illiterate alien and has signified its willingness to co-operate with towns and cities by reimbursing them one- half of the expense involved. It would therefore cost this town about one thou- sand dollars next year to take up this phase of citizenship work.
INTELLIGENCE TESTS
Many educators realizing that all pupils are not receiving equal chances are trying to equalize them. In the past the dull and slow pupils have had most of the attention given them. Of course this has had to be somewhat at the expense of the brighter ones. The Army, in planning for promotions, gave tests for determining the intelligence of the men. School officials have seen merit in the idea and have applied it to school work. Psychologists have worked out tests which are applicable to all grades in the school system. They now advise grading pupils according to results of these intelligence tests, feeling that groups of us about the same mental ability would make better progress than groups which have been at school about the same length of time. Our present grouping is by chronological age rather than by mental age, and is fairly flexible as far as promotions go, but I believe we could save the brighter pupils more time and give them more preparation than we now do if we should group all pupils by ability as determined by psychological tests, and I recommend that we take up this matter for next year.
SPECIAL CLASS
A law recently passed by the General Court states that any town which has ten or more pupils three years or more mentally retarded shall maintain special classes for the instruction of these children. It now seems very probably that we shall have to organize at least one such class next year.
The matter of accommodations is a serious one with us as we have no available space in the centre of the town. In one or two schools away from the centre we have very small rooms that may be utilized temporarily, but we shall have to plan for space for such classes.
COURSES OF STUDY
The committees of teachers working on the courses of study have practically finished their work. The courses have not yet been formally presented to the School Committee but will be soon, and will be put in force within a very short time.
NEW HIGH SCHOOL
Probably it is not necessary to give any extended report upon the progress of the new High School Building. I will merely state that the Building Com- mittee have procured plans and specifications, and that these were put out for
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
bids last summer. All the bids were so high that the Committee decided to wait for more propitious times before building. The plans and specifications are now in the vault in the Town Hall and as soon as building conditions seem to be right will be put again in the market for bids. I surely hope we may be able to begin operations this summer.
MILITARY DRILL
Military Drill has been in existance in the High School for about twenty- five years. We have given about one hour per week to it with fair results. Last spring the Committee voted to reorganize this department and petitioned the Government to establish a junior unit of the R. O. T. C. This petition was declined temporarily but the Government authorized us to work under General Orders No. 45. We have reorganized to conform with the requirements. The boys who elect drill receive diploma credit therefor, and anyone who elects drill must continue throughout the year in order to receive credit. The classes now meet three times each week instead of once and are required to take up the following subjects as a minimum:
A. Physical training, first aid to the injured, and elementary hygiene and sanitation.
B. Nomenclature and care of the rifle and equipment.
C. Infantry drill Regulations, close and extented order, to include the schools of the soldier, squad, and company.
D. Instruction in firing the rifle to include gallery practice.
The Government furnishes rifles, ammunition for target practice and an instructor without any expense. The town has furnished a bond for five thousand dollars for the safe return of all material issued for use in the school.
Sergeant Ernest Monroe has been detailed as instructor, and has worked very harmoniously with the faculty for the good of the boys. I am pleased to report my entire satisfaction with his attitude and his work. In the short time he has been here he has effected a great change in the boys.
We have been practically assured of recognition as a junior unit of the R. O. T. C. next year. This will mean that the Government will furnish not only equipment but clothing for the boys. The uniforms, including shoes, stockings, shirts, cap and overcoat may be worn at all times during school hours. This will mean no small item of expense saved the parents of the boys.
Promotions heretofore have been by election by the battalion, which means that not always has the best man for any given position been chosen. Pro- motions and appointments hereafter will be based entirely upon merit, subject to the approval of the Principal.
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
· MISS M. ANNIE WARREN
During the past two or three years the school system has been saddened by the loss of teachers who had won a firm place in the hearts of pupils and towns- people alike.
Last spring Miss M. Annie Warren, principal of the Warren School died after a lingering illness.
Miss Warren had been a teacher in Wakefield for forty nine years, and was beloved by all who knew her. Her kindliness and gentleness left a lasting mark upon every boy and girl who attended her classes. It was a pleasure and an inspiration to work with her because of her personal qualities. I esteem it an honor to have known Miss Warren intimately.
Miss Warren was succeeded by Harold B. Arey from Bristol, Rhode Island, who is doing very good work.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
SCHOOL SAVINGS BANKS
All the large buildings are now inculcating thrift and the idea of saving by maintaining School Savings Banks. The latest to take up the matter is the Warren School.
I find that there are two things which stimulate the children in putting away their pennies: saving for the future, and saving for some particular thing.
Below is a table giving the statistics for the year ending November 1920.
Greenwood
Lincoln
Franklin
Warren
Total
Active Accounts.
256
228
293
45 $351.26
822
Amt. of Deposits.
$1,604.71
$644.85
$1,319.36
$3,920.18
No. of Deposits
2,098
2482
4,048
900
9,528
Withdrawals
32
122
99
21
274
Åmt. of withdrawals. .
$46.37
$327.46
$44.03
$13.58
$431.44
Amt. trans. to pupils accts. in Savings Bk. $1,631.61
$245.58
$1,271.00
$285.96
$3,434.15
Bal. in custody of Prin- cipals.
$81.03
$125.37
$101.06
$51.72
$358.19
No of Savings Bank Books 'ssued
79
17
118
84
298
REPAIRS
Repairs during the past two or three years have been reduced to doing only what was absolutely necessary for the preservation of the buildings and the health of the children. Last summer we found it necessary to overhaul the heat- ing and ventilating apparatus at the Warren School. We estimated about $1,500.00 for this but when the old furnaces were pulled down we found that all but one of them, there are six, were entirely unfit for use.
I believe that steam heat, both direct and indirect, is the proper method for heating buildings in tihs New England climate. We found from estimates that it would cost approximately $15,000.00 to make the change. As we did not feel warranted in asking the Town for such an amount at this time, we decided to replace the worn out furnaces. The costs of this work, plus changes neces- sary in the ventilating system, cost $4,800.00 instead of $1,500.00 as planned. Therefore we had to let many minor things go without any attempt at fixing them.
For some time past .the heating and ventilating at the Lincoln School have been unsatisfactory. We secured expert advice as to means for remedying the defects. There were four definite suggestions: replace the steam engine for working the fan with an electric motor, rebuild the tops of the ventilating stacks, install a vacuum pump, and add more direct radiation.
We have substituted the electric motor, and from the results I believe it will be unnecessary to rebuild the tops of the ventilating stacks, as this has reme-
I54
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
died the back drafts which we were getting. I believe we can get along com- fortably for a while without making any further changes, but as soon as prices come down I believe we should install the vacuum pump and add more direct radiation to all rooms. We shall probably have to replace the boiler within a few years, although by using a vacuum system we would get results by using a much lower pressure. Unquestionably this will prolong the life of the boiler, which is a high pressure type.
Repairs at the High School have been postponed from time to time because it was hoped that a new building would soon be ready for use. As building has been delayed, because of high prices, the Committee felt that it was absolutely necessary to do considerable work during the summer.
The Town made an appropriation of $16,000.00 for this work. This amount proved too little by about $1,000.00. The building has been repainted inside and outside. All woodwork has been refinished, electric lights were installed throughout the building, metal ceilings placed in rooms one, ten, three and five, and in one portion of the upper corridor, and new lockers purchased for the use of the teachers.
There has never been any heat provided for the principal's office nor for the lunch counter. The furnaces already in use could spare no heat. Acting upon advice from experts we installed an additional furnace to take care of these rooms and also a portion of the lower corridor.
This work has made the old building presentable and a more pleasant place in which to work, but it has in no way lessened our need of the new building which I hope we may soon see under construction.
HEALTH CONDITIONS
Following this report may be found that of the School Physician. I call this to your attention. The School Physican and School Nurse have worked harmoniously together for the welfare of the children.
The following is a part of the report rendered by the School Nurse, giving somewhat in detail the nature of the work which she has to do:
"During January and February many children were absent on account of colds and lack of proper clothing owing to the severity of the winter. As in past years, I have been able to relieve the most needy cases by obtaining shoes and rubbers through the local organizations. In the spring months in which we look for contagious diseases among the school children, we were fortunate in having only a few cases of Scarlet Fever, four of which were in the Mont- rose District, one, a child under school age, died. The school was closed for one day and thoroughly fumigated. The Doctor and I visited every day al- ternately until the danger of contagion was past. We also had a number of cases of Measles in Greenwood and by closely observing the children were able to keep the school open and the disease confined to that district. In April the children were examined by the Physician and as usual notices sent home in regard to the condition of teeth and tonsils. The number of notices in re-
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
I55
gard to enlarged and diseased tonsils are decreasing, which shows the seed of our work has taken root and it is very pleasing to the Doctor and myself. I took two children from the Franklin District to the Eye and Ear Infirmary and had their tonsils and adenoids removed, the Junior Red Cross treasurer sup- plying the funds as the case was a very deserving one and the children were in a very bad condition. One was a boy who was backward, had repeated the second grade and was not up with his class in the third. He now seems to be doing good work. This small fund which was on hand after the war activities ceased has been a real blessing in needy cases. Mr. Shea who is treasurer has given me the privilege of using it. We also had glasses for three children from the same fund. The teeth of the children are in poor condition and is a problem which I hope we will be able to solve in a way in which the work can be done at a reasonable fee. Poor teeth are the cause of a great many ills even in child- . hood. The following are the number of notices sent home in regard to defec- tive teeth, examined by the School Physician in April:
Teeth
Tonsils
High School .
117
4
Lincoln School
85
40
Franklin School
75
22
Greenwood
36
37
Warren
59
20
Hamilton.
18
11
Montrose.
6
12
Hurd
18
6
Woodville .
29
8
West Ward.
4
8
The first aid kits in most of the schools have been of a great help. Children falling in the school yards, injuring themselves, can be given first aid. I was visiting the Warren School one day when a boy in the eighth grade dislocated his wrist. I was able to give him first aid treatment and when the doctor (Doc- tor Loughlin) arrived, he was very much pleased with the treatment he had re-" ceived. He took the boy home, advising him to keep the bandage on for a few days. Many children fall scraping elbows and knees. I have treated forty seven of these cases, thus preventing infection."
CROWDED CONDITIONS
If the new building in Woodville had not been opened this fall it would have been impossible to care for the children in the Lincoln School on full time. I am afraid that the relief will be temporary for the school seems to be filling up very rapidly.
Greenwood is in bad shape as far as the first three grades are concerned. There are at present fifty-seven in the first; fifty-five in the second; and forty-seven in the third.
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
In the near future we shall have to consider extra accommodations there, probably by enlarging the present building or building a new one.
There is only one way to give immediate relief, and that is to divide the first two grades and have each section attend part time. Later a portable building may be placed in the school yard to take care of the overflow until such time as permanent quarters can be provided.
THE NEW WOODVILLE SCHOOL
When the contract was let to build the new Woodville School, it was agreed that the building should be ready for occupancy in January, 1920. After many . vexing delays we finally entered at the beginning of the fall term.
In this new building we have the most up-to-date school house in town. Visi- tors have expressed a wish to take the building back into their home town.
A full description of the building has been given the public through the courtesy of the Daily Item, so I feel that it is not necessary at this time to repeat it in detail.
There are some features in this building which we should put into other schools as soon as we can. This is the only school that has electric clocks. Anyone who has had anything to do with schools knows of the difficulty with ordinary clocks. It is almost impossible to keep them together even though the janitor may set them every morning. The extreme changes in temperature, together with the dust and dirt, tend to interfere with the works. I wish we could install electric clocks in at least every large building.
The auditorium is conveniently located and is equipped not only for school use but also for a civic centre. Complete arrangements are installed both for a stereopticon and a moving picture machine. Both are of great value today for educational purposes when properly used. .
The small emergency room, fitted and equipped for taking care of minor accidents and for the use of the School Nurse, is the only one in-town. We ·should have such a room in every large school.
There are two play rooms in the basement, one for the boys and one for the girls. These adequately take care of those who are obliged to get to school be- fore the doors are open. They also give a chance for complete relaxation during the recess period when the weather is too inclement to permit out-of-door recess.
I want to call attention especially to the possibility of an outdoor school room at this building. The supports of the ceiling of the auditorium are strong enough to allow us to use the roof over this part of the building for school room pur- poses. Very little work will have to be done to make this usable.
At present we have the first seven grades in attendance. Because the Lin- coln building is so nearly crowded we shall have to add the eighth grades next year. It will be impossible to make room for the present seventh grade next fall at the Lincoln School. I am sure this will meet with approbation from the citi-
157
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
zens of the district, for I have had a petition from the scholars for this very thing.
Taking all in all the building was erected at a very opportune time.
MANUAL ARTS
We believe that boys prefer to do things that have some practical value, therefore, we have the boys do certain things that the School Department needs. The following tables give an idea of the kind of work the boys do after they have learned to use the different tools, and processes:
PRINTING
Quantity
Nature of Work
Stock
Estimated Labor
Estimated Market Value
100
Plant analysis blanks.
$2.75
$2.75
3000
Temperature records. .
$2.80
8.75
12.25
200
School Committee Notices.
1.50
1.50
100
School Committee Notices
1.00
1.00
1500
Tardy Slips.
2.00
2.00
200
Envelopes.
1.00
1.00
50
Recipes
125
1.00
1.15
50
Recipes
.125
1.00
1.15
50
Recipes
.125
1.00
1.15
50
Recipes
.125
1.00
1.15
50
Recipes
. 125
1.00
1.15
50
Recipes
125
1.00
1.15
50
Recipes
.125
1.00
1.15
50
Recipes
.125
1.00
1.15
720
Baseball Schedules.
1.30
2.00
3.30
500
Athletic Association Tickets .
9.00
13.50
24.75
1500
Garden Questionnaires
1.00
3.75
5.00
1000
Envelopes (Athletic Assoc.).
1.25
1.25
500
Meeting Notices
1.25
1.25
100
Return Postals.
1.50
1.50
4500
Admission Slips
.65
4.00
4.80
500
Envelopes
1.00
1.00
5000
Library Cards
8.00
6.00
16.00
400
Meeting Notices.
1.50
1.50
7200
Attendance Slips
5.00
3.00
8.25
100
Postals.
2.50
2.50
5.62
7200
Tardiness Slips.
5.00
6.00
12.25
Teachers' Certificates
2.00
350
Meeting Notices.
1.50
1.50
400
Meeting Notices.
1.50
1.50
1.00
1.00
4000
Report of Supplementary Examination.
3.00
3000
School Nurse Cards. .
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Quantity
Nature of Work
Stock
Estimated Labor
Estimated Market Value
350
Meeting Notices.
1.50
1.50
250
Meeting Notices.
1.00
1.00
100
Absence Records
2.00
2.00
100 Postals.
1.00
1.00
1000
Registration Cards
1.25
2.25
3.75
1000
Registration Cards.
1.25
2.25
3.75
800
Attendance Slips.
1.00
1.00
1500
Tardiness Slips.
2.00
2.00
200
Envelopes .
1.00
1.00
1800
Class Attendance Slips.
1.00
1.00
500
Rifle Assignment Cards .
.50
1.00
1.62
2000
Letter Heads, High School.
3.00
2.00
5.75
300
Letter Heads, Hurd School.
.30
1.00
1.30
100
Letter Heads, Prospect School
.10
1.00
1.10
100
Letter Heads, Hurd School.
.10
1.00
1.10
500
Letter Heads, Warren School
.25
1.00
1.25
500
Letter Heads, Warren School
.50
1.00
1.50
1000.
Letter Heads, Superintendent's Office
2.00
1.00
3.50
100
Letter Heads, Superintendent's Office.
.50
1.00
1.50
600
Letter Heads, Hamilton School
.45
1.00
1.45
500
Letter Heads, Woodville School
.35
1.00
1.35
500
Letter Heads, Franklin School.
.50
1.00
1.50
500
Letter Heads, High School
.50
1.00
1.50
1000
Letter Heads, Superintendent's Office
2.00
1.50
4.00
200
Letter Heads, Greenwood School.
.40
1.50
1.90
100
Letter Heads, Agricultural Department
.10
1.00
1.10
300
Letter Heads, Superintendent's Office
.60
1.50
2.25
500
Letter Heads, High School
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