USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1921 > Part 6
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OFFICE HOURS
Mondays, 7 to 8 p. m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 to 8.30 a. m. Wed- nesdays and Fridays, 4 to 5.30 p. m. Office, Odd Fellows Building.
Telephone, Office, 122. Residence, 363-M.
Clerk, Edna Kroener, Telephone, 316-R. Hours, 8 to 12 and 1.30 to 5 on school days, and 8 to 12 on Saturdays.
REGULAR MEETING OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Second and fourth Fridays of each month at 8 p. m., at Committee Rooms.
1924
Harry B. Allman, Treas., 55 Greenwood Ave.
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of School Committee
NEW HIGH SCHOOL
Work on the new High School building has commenced and is progressing rapidly. It is to be hoped that before the expiration of the year, the building will be completed and ready for occupancy. This should relieve conditions greatly.
Your committee are of the opinion that for the time being we shall not re- quire any additional teachers in the new building. Additional janitor service, however, will be necessary.
Landscape architects have laid out the grounds. An athletic field for foot- ball and track events, a baseball diamond, and tennis courts, have been care- fully treated. Gardens will be provided for study in agriculture and horti- culture. When the new Gymnasium is in operation, we anticipate having an intensive course in physical training for girls, which will correspond with the military drill of the boys.
CHARLES H. HOWE MEMORIAL LIBRARY
In previous reports of this committee, we recommended that the Library in the new High School building be a memorial to Charles H. Howe, our late beloved High School Principal, and we are pleased to note that a movement is now on foot towards starting such a library. We feel that the Library will be a very important part of the High School and trust that the matter will not be dropped until such time as sufficient funds are acquired to complete the same in a satisfactory manner.
There is a great possibility for the town's people to show their interest in this building by donations of pictures, sculpture, or money for decorations to go into this building and the committee would be very pleased to hear from its citizens along this line.
PROFESSIONAL ADVANCEMENT
We are pleased to note the interest that a number of our teachers have taken in the matter of professional advancement as outlined in our report of last year. Some of our teachers will participate in additional compensation this year. We feel that the adoption of this system of compensation for professional growth has been so far, very successful.
CONFERENCES WITH PARENTS
It is gratifying to the committee to note the interest that has been taken by parents in consulting with the Principal of our High School regarding courses of study. The talks which have been given by Mr. Peterson have undoubtedly done much towards bringing about a better understanding between parent and teacher.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
REPAIRS
During the summer, some of the more important repairs to school buildings were attended to. Two heaters were installed in the Warren School, two in the High School, one at the Franklin and one at the Greenwood. The interior of the Prospect School has been painted, water spouts and dry wells repaired. Fire alarm boxes have been installed in all schools.
CROWDED CONDITIONS OF BUILDINGS
The committee are confronted with serious problems at the Greenwood and Franklin schools on account of crowded conditions. At the Greenwood school, first and third grades, it has been found necessary to work the two-session plan. We have also been obliged to adopt this method in the Franklin, third and fourth grades. It will be possible, when the new High School is completed, to relieve the pressure somewhat on the Franklin building, as a part of the old High School building can undoubtedly be used for grade purposes. The present existing condition at the Greenwood school is so serious that either an extension will have to be made to the building, or a portable building used.
-
Your committee are giving this problem serious study at the present time and hope to have something definite to report at an early date.
SALARIES
The committee do not recommend any increase in teachers' salaries this year and have made no provision in their budget for the same. The only exceptions are the natural increases which occur until the maximum salary is reached.
It has been found necessary for the committee to put additional teachers in the Woodville, Franklin, Greenwood, and High schools. We do not believe any additional teachers will be required in our schools next year. .
APPROPRIATIONS
We recommend the following appropriations:
Salaries
$171,690.00
Contingent
15,000.00
Supplies.
7,000.00
Fuel
13,000.00
Evening School.
5,300.00
Practical Arts. .
800.00
Tuition for Boys in the Middlesex Training School
310.00
Total
$213,100.00
The receipts are estimated to be $25,000.00.
Ever since the coal shortage a few years ago, the School Department has not .received the full year's supply of coal during the fiscal year. We thought the
1
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
same thing would hold true in 1921, but the total amount of coal required for the school year 1921-22 was actually delivered before the schools opened in the Fall. Consequently we have actually paid something over $19,000.00 for fuel which is really the supply for nearly one and one-half years.
We estimated the fuel bill to be $13,000.00, which leaves a shortage of some- thing more than $6,000.00. If it had not been for this unexpected coal bill, the department would have finished the year with no unpaid bills, and we should not have been obliged to ask for an increase of $8,000.00, for next year's ap- propriation. We should have needed an increase of not more than $2,500.00.
J. LOWE McMAHON, IDA FARR MILLER, HARRY B. ALLMAN, EVA GOWING RIPLEY, JOHN B. SAWYER, LEO A. ROGERS.
Report of Superintendent
To the School Committee :
Ladies and Gentlemen :- I herewith respectfully submit my annual report for the year 1921.
It seems somewhat unfortunate to have an annual report for schools come at this time of the school year, for such a report naturally covers one-half each of two different school years. I suggest that in the future the annual report of the superintendent be rendered at the end of a school year, covering the work of that year only. It would seem then to be a report of one unit rather than a partial report of two different units.
SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS
Until the new Montrose School was built, no extra accommodations, except a portable building at the Franklin School, have been provided for the Town since 1902. At that time the average membership for the Town as a whole was 1794. This year it is 2646. The total enrollment at the High School at that time was 266, now it is 558. In 1911 the average membership in the High School was 375, in 1921 it is 526.
In 1913 the Town bought a one room portable building for the Franklin dis- trict; in 1918 a new building was built in Montrose with a net gain of one room; in 1919 a two room portable building was set up at the High School; in 1920 a
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
new building was built in Woodville with a net gain of four rooms. Thus in 19 years, with a net gain of 852 pupils, there have been added only eight rooms to the seating capacity of the Town.
We have been able to take care of this growth in part by dropping the ninth grade. If we had retained this, we should have found it absolutely necessary to have at least five more rooms than at present. We have no available space which we could utilize with the exception of the large halls in three buildings, but these and the school rooms cannot be heated at the same time because of the arrangement of the heating apparatus. If the change had not been made, the Town would have had to build another new building of at least six rooms, because five does not lend itself to economy unless the building might be a one- story affair. Not only would another school have been necessary but we should have to have had five more teachers at $1,350.00 each, another janitor, the expenses of heating and upkeep of this extra building, and the extra books and supplies needed for this 9th grade. The Town is thereby saving at least $10,000.00 per year because this grade had been dropped.
Not only has this saving been made but the efficiency of the schools has not been impaired. Upon examining the data of cities and towns in the State which have both the Elementary and High Schools, we find the following:
No. having 12 yrs. School No. having 13 years School
Cities
23
15
Towns over 5,000 population
47
23
Towns less than 5,000 population
92
17
162
55
The ninth grade as maintained here had the following subjects: English' 1-2 year Arithmetic, 1-2 year Algebra, Latin about 20 lessons, English History and Geography. 98% of the pupils who finish the eighth grade go to the High School. The students took Algebra, Latin and English History again in the High School without credit for the work done in the ninth grade. There is no reason why geography cannot be finished before the end of the eighth grade, and surely the elements of arithmetic ought to be completed by the end of the eighth grade.
Pupils are now admitted to school at practically 5 1-2 years of age, whereas formerly they were admitted at 5. Many parents find it necessary to have their children finish their work as soon as possible because of the home finances, for they find the burden of a high school education very heavy. These people save one year schooling. The average age at graduation from High School is about 18.
College requirements are gradually stiffening. If they continue, it may be necessary to add one year to the High School course for those who intend to go to college. It is the extra work in the High School that these pupils need rather than an extra year in the grades.
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
As I have stated above, we have managed with the addition of eight rooms in 19 years to take care of the increased enrollment of pupils, but we have been able to do this only by very close figuring. We now have four grades on part time in two different buildings. In Greenwood grades 1 and 3, and in the Frank- lin District, Grades 3 and 4 have one session daily. I believe that with con- ditions as they exist in Wakefield, we need the two daily sessions for each class.
The contract for the new High School calls for the completion of the build- ing by December 1922. When this is ready for occupancy, we shall have six rooms in the addition in the old building which we can use. The other rooms are not suitable for class-room purposes. We can put all pupils in the eighth grade, with the exception of those who live in Greenwood, in this annex. It does not seem feasible to bring the eighth grade from Greenwood because of the distance and because, if they should come, they would have to stay up town all day. Placing the eighth grades here would give us the following relief: Lin- coln, 1 1-2 rooms; Warren, 1 1-2 rooms; Franklin, 1 room; Woodville, 1 room. With this available sapce, there would be room in the Warren School for several years; the Lincoln would be relieved for three or four years; the Woodville would be adequate for a few years; and the Franklin would be relieved for a year or two. Some other means will have to be taken for relief at Greenwood. There are three possible plans:
1. Continue on part time as at present.
2. Transfer to Greenwood the two room portable building at the High School which will not be needed for High School purposes when the new building is completed.
3. Build an addition to the present building or erect a new building.
The first plan is not at all satisfactory to the residents of Greenwood. The second plan would probably take care of the situation for two or three years. The third plan provides the only means for permanent relief. In order to make any additions or to erect a new building, it will be necessary to secure more land either adjacent to the present school house lot or in another section. We have had advice from an expert who informs us that it is impossible to make any ad- ditions to the present building on the land already owned by the Town. The great drawback to this third proposition is the state of the finances of the Town. If building could be postponed for three or four years, the Town would be bet- ter able to finance a new building as several large bonds mature within that next five years.
LIBRARY
Plans for the new High School have been adopted, and the building is under way with the expectation that it will be completed late in the year 1922. Per- haps it would be better to give a detailed description of the arrangement of rooms and accommodations at a later time. There is one room, however, to which I wish to call your attention, and that is the new Library. I do not believe it is
9I
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
necessary at this time to justify the needs of such a room. This will be an im- portant workshop for all students; no other room except the auditorium or gymnasium will be in such common use by all.
It seems entirely proper that this Library should receive a name. The late Charles H. Howe for nearly a quarter of a century was Principal of the High School. He guided and taught hundreds of students, even children of former pupils. He was intensely interested in a Library and in its arrangement in the new building. While a member of the Building Committee, he spent a great deal of time on planning this Department. Almost one of the last subjects of a conversation with one of his teachers before his death was the new Library.
I hope this Library may be a Memorial Library dedicated to the memory of Mr. Howe, and I suggest that it be called the Charles H. Howe Memorial Library. It would be a fine thing if his former students would furnish some books, and also some of the decorations after a definite plan has been adopted.
SPECIAL ROOM FOR STUDY
The three upper classes of the High School attend mornings from 8 to 12.30, and the Freshmen afternoons from 12.30 to 5 o'clock. This afternoon session is short, and the students have practically no study periods, and we have felt for some time that something should be done to relieve the situation. This fall we made arrangements for the use, during the morning, of the lower hall in the Odd Fellows' Building for a study hall. Attendance is voluntary, but all who wish to come are welcomed and helped in their studying by the teacher in charge. During the afternoon this same teacher has charge of a similar study hall in the High School, using room I. Formerly the first year teachers had no chance to meet the students to help with their work. Careful co-opera- tion between the room teacher and the study hall teacher has made it possible now to give the aid needed. The Principal reports a general improvement in the Freshman work which seems to be a direct result of this experiment and seems to warrant continuing with it.
CLUB WORK
Club work in Wakefield has been very successful, but during the summer it met a setback. Our efficient club leader, Donald White, was elected to be a full time teacher in the High School. This has left us without anyone to head up the club work throughout the Town. This work is so valuable that we ought not to drop it. I hope we may find some way to continue the work during the coming year.
FIRE ALARMS
Some of the citizens have felt that the school children have not been adequately protected in case of a fire in the schoolhouse. At a Spring Town Meeting an appropriation was made to make it possible to install a Town fire alarm box in each of the school buildings. This work was done during the summer under the direction of the Municipal Light Plant and the Fire Department, and now
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
each building has a fire alarm box in the lower corridor in a place where it can . be instantly seen and easily reached.
SALARIES
At no time during the past ten years at least have the salaries of the teachers in Wakefield been equal to the average salary in Massachusetts. The Finance Committee asked our Department to cut expenses 25% for the year 1922. 75% of the school budget goes to teachers' salaries and 5% to janitors' salaries. You can plainly see that a cut of 25% means that teachers' salaries would have to be cut. Nearly all of the other expenses are fixed charges without which the schools could not operate. It is evident that these could not be eliminated and still maintain the schools.
Contrary to opinions as expressed by some, the teacher situation has not been relieved to the point where the supply of trained teachers meets the demand. The old law of "Supply and Demand" still functions. Massachusetts is some- what better situated than many other States. because we do not have as many schools closed because of the shortage. If we reduce our salaries, which are already comparatively low, we should lose many more teachers than we do now because of the inducements to go elsewhere. We already find it very hard to replace our ordinary losses, but what would be the result then? We should have to lower our standards and take teachers that we would not ordinarily have in our system, and I do not believe that the citizens would be at all satisfied with such arrangements.
It may be interesting to compare the per capita cost of schools in Wakefield with the per capita cost in the State. The amounts are for sums spent for main- taining the schools, but do not include appropriations for new building.
I have prepared a graph showing the comparison mentioned. It is very in- teresting to note that at no time during the past ten years has the per capita cost in Wakefield been equal to or above the per capita cost for the State as a whole.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
$ 65
60
55
50
45
40
35
30
1912
1913
1914
1915
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
Cost per capita for State
Cost per capita for Wakefield for moneys from all sources. Cost per capita for Wakefield for moneys from local taxation
94
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
PROFESSIONAL IMPROVEMENT
Last year the Committee formulated plans for encouraging the professional improvement of the teachers. There are four who in the past two years have gained the six credits required by advanced study during the summer and dur- ing the school year. Practically one fourth of the teachers are now taking advanced courses. The schools are already beginning to feel the results of this work by the teachers, and I believe we shall see a steady increase as time goes on.
Late in June the Committee experimentally created the office, Custodian of Buildings, whose particular work it should be to do or supervise all repair jobs about the school buildings. Mr. A. D. Cate was appointed to the office. Dur- ing the six months since June, he has saved the Town an amount equal to his yearly salary in the labor that he has performed. This experiment should be continued a while longer before we can definitely say it has been entirely suc- cessful.
SEWING
The following is a report of the sewing teacher as submitted to my office:
"The garment as a project, with many problems to be studied, which lead to its completion, is being accomplished. The work cultivates the thought, will and judgment of the classes and obtains results in creative self-activity which will help the child more capably to take her place in the work. The aim, there- fore, is to lead to independent thinking and doing, to enable the girl to meet fully real situations.
"The following details are pursued in the first year, such as, the training of the body to assume and keep correct position, training of the fingers to handle properly the implements used and training of the eye to quick, accurate percep- tion. The fundamental stitches are taught as a means by which the girls may construct a definite article and not as an end in itself. The drawing of various stitches and kind of work, with correct descriptions of oral and written specifi- cations of work, tends not only to train the hand but to develop sewing strengthens and matures the mind, thus creating habits of thinking and ex- pressing clearly. The course progresses to practical applications in mending, making wearing apparel and articles of household art.
"After the stitches are learned in crocheting, the work becomes a mechanical operation and is therefore used as 'pick-up work' resulting in the making of lace and yokes for the garments that are being made in class.
"The machine work not only includes stitching but the study of the machine in detail.
"Through this course the girls learn that sewing is not merely a useful handi- craft but an art having its body of principles and rules according to which it must be taught to secure the best practical results as well as educational re- sults.
ยท
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
"Thus the course in sewing is systematized so as to help in the larger develop- ment of the girl and bring her to the constructive powers that fortify her in one of the most important phases of the art."
AMERICANIZATION WORK
We have in Wakefield a comparatively large number of foreign birth who are illiterate in the English language, and some who are illiterate in their own tongue. Many of these people own their own homes and apparently intend to stay in this country. We have not been reaching them satisfactorily by means of the evening school.
During the spring the Committee appointed Miss Josephine Rourke, a teacher in the Greenwood 8th grade, as Director of Americanization. One-half the cost of all the instruction of the adult illiterate in the English language is borne by the State, this includes one-half the salary of the Director. Miss Rourke has been doing fine work and has made a success of this Department. She has also acted as principal of the regular evening schools, including the Prac- tical Arts classes.
By reducing the illiteracy among these people and helping to make respected citizens of them, the Town will be decidedly the gainer. The following is taken from Miss Rourke's report:
"Purpose of the program.
1
"To teach the foreign born the language of America, to impart a knowledge of American government, history, customs and ideals so that they may become useful, respected citizens of our country.
"Many new features have been introduced during the past year, the work having been carried on in close co-operation with the State Supervisor of Ameri- canization. Because of a larger number of classes meeting in one center, more complete grading has been possible and better results were obtained. In com- parison with the three classes held in the Italian clubs in 1920, nine were opened in 1921, with a total registration of 111 pupils. The rooms were heated, lighted and equipped for school puposes by the members of the organizations. The School Department furnished only the teachers and the necessary books. Wake- field is the only community in eastern Massachusetts where club classes are held to such an extent.
"Seven of the teachers engaged in the Americanization work are registered in a Teacher Training course, offered by the State for 'Immigrant Education,' and will take examinations necessary to receive a State certificate. Three others already hold these certificates.
"Three classes were opened during the year to prepare Petitioners for their final examinations for citizenship. By special arrangement with the Bureau of Naturalization, an agreement was made wherein the Federal Examiner will come to the class rooms to give the educational examinations which Petitioners must pass before obtaining their final papers. About twenty-five students
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
are planning on taking these in February. The Evening School teachers have assisted forty-five applicants in making out their 'Facts for Declaration of Intention' and many employers in the Town have helped in this work by allow- ing their men time to go to court, without deducting their pay.
"Work with immigrant mothers was begun under direction of the public schools in 1921. Two prosperous Evening School classes were organized and the home class work was commenced. The plan as operated has been for the teacher to organize small groups of mothers into classes to meet at the homes of the stu- dents for two one-hour periods a week, the teacher's program being to go from one home to another, thus meeting several groups each afternoon.
"Assemblies have been held once a week where an effort has been made to foster group singing and where the immigrants themselves have had an oppor- tunity to contribute many splendid numbers to the program. The Italian band entertained one evening with several opera selections and a stereopticon lecture was given on 'Things Worth Seeing in the United States.'"
TOTAL REGISTRATIONS, FOR FALL OF 1921
Practical Arts
Millinery
31
Sewing. 33
Citizenship Classes
High School 20
Union Club. .
12
Columbus Club
10
Total.
42
Beginners Classes
Santa Maria
20
High School.
30
Sons of Italy. 15
Total.
65
Intermediate Classes
Santa Maria.
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