USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1924 > Part 9
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149
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
FRANKLIN SCHOOL
The contract has been awarded for the New Franklin School Build- ing and the building is now well under way. From appearances it would seem that it would be ready for occupancy Sept. 1st. The Building Committee were fortunate in being able to place the contract within the appropriation for the type of an addition which it was considered nec- essary to erect. The Portable School used at the Greenwood District has been removed to the Lincoln School and is being utilized there. This has given considerable relief for the time being to the Lincoln School.
REPAIRS
A new heating and ventilating apparatus was installed during the summer in the Lincoln Building. New type sanitary toilets have been installed in the West Ward School which eliminates the necessity of children going out of doors in the winter.
RECOMMENDATIONS
We recommend appropriations as follows :
Salaries
$215,800.00
Fuel
14,800.00
Contingent
13,400.00
Books and Supplies
7,500.00
Evening School
6,900.00
Total
258,400.00
The tuition and receipts are estimated to be: $34,000.00.
The detailed reports of the Superintendent of Schools and Principal of the High School merit your careful reading.
.
J. LOWE McMAHON
IDA FARR MILLER
HARRY B. ALLMAN
EVA GOWING RIPLEY
JOHN B. SAWYER
LEO A. ROGERS
150
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of Superintendent
To the School Committee:
Ladies and Gentlemen : I herewith submit my annual report of the School Department.
Accomodations
With the addition at Greenwood completed and that of the Franklin under way, the housing conditions in the several districts are well taken care of with the exception of the Lincoln. The portable which was in Greenwood has been moved and set up in the rear of the Lincoln Build- ing. There are now 559 pupils{ enrolled, with seven classes out of thir- teen with 45 or more students, and three with 50 or more. It looks as though we shall have to use these rooms for an overflow next year. This will probably take care of the situation for the next three years.
The opening of the parochial school next fall will probably relieve the situation in certain sections of the town, particularly in Grades I and II.
Greenwood School
For the past few years, it has been necessary to call to your atten- tion the fact that some of the buildings were not large enough to acco- modate all of the pupils of a district. During the fall of 1923 a building Committee began the work of making alterations and enlarging the Greenwood School. The old building had eight rooms with a hall on the third floor. The remodelled building has eighteen rooms, and an audi- torium on the first floor. The old roof was taken off, leaving a flat roof for the whole building. The accompanying cuts show the layout of rooms and accomodations. The original building was heated by 6 hot-air furnaces; for this the Committee substituted direct and indirect steam heating, which is much more satisfactory and efficient. The audi- torium, with a kitchenette connected, was designed to meet community needs as well as all school needs. The building is well designed and built and should take care of this section of the town for several years to come, although at the present time there is more building here than in any other single section.
The public Library formerly had a room in the basement for a Branch. At the present time they are using a room which is not yet needed for school purposes.
COLL STORAGE
UNDER
C
O
0
BOILER
BASEMENT.
O
FAN ROOM
0
D
D
STAIR. HALL Nº3.
GIRLS SANITARIES
DOY'S ROOM
STOCK. ROOM
CORRIDOR
*
CORRIDOR
GIRLS ROOM
CHECK ROOM-
STAIR HALL Nº2
X
X
#
STAIR
. BOYS SANITARIES.
METER GOOM
ELECTRICAL ZOOM
BASEMENT
PLAN
GREENWOOD GRAMMAR SCHOOL WAKEFIELD MASSACHUSETTS
THOMAS M. JAMES COMPANY ARCHITECTS BOSTON NEW YORK
151
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
*
*
*
n
CORRIDOR
ם
152
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
NEW BUILDING
OLD BUILDING
CLASS ROOM Nº 4
CLASS ROOM Nº3
.
WAR ROOM
1
CLASS ROOM Nº 7
WARDRO ME
CLASS ROOM Nº6
CLASS ROOM Nº 5
STAIR WALLNP3
KITCHEN
WARDROBE" [C] WARDROBE" TE.
CORRIDOR
CLASS ROOM Nº8
CORRIDOR
TOILET
CORRIDOR
c.
AUDITORIUM
STAGE
WAR OF
c.
500 SEATS ON FLOOR 100 SEATS ON MALCORY! 600 SEATS TOTAL
STAIR HALLAº2
STAIR HALL NOI
CLASS ROOM Nº9
CLASS ROOM Nº1
WARD BODE
LADIES R.ODM
FIRST FLOOR PLAN GREENWOOD GRAMMAR SCHOOL WAKEFIELD MASSACHUSETTS
THOMAS M. JAMES COMPANY ARCHITECTS BOSTON NEW YORK
.
TOILET
CLASS ROOM Nº2
MEN'S ROOM
WARPROS
153
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
NEW BUILDING
WARDROBEA
CLASS ROOM Nº13
CLASS ROOM Nº 12
CLASS ROOM Nº 1
CLASS ROOM Nº15
CLASS ROOM Nº 14
Iwasbrock
STAIR HALL Nº3
STORES
CORRIDOR
c
CLASS ROOM Nº17
CORRIDOR
TOILET
10
BALCONY. 100 SEATS
UPPER, PART OF AUDITORIUM
STAIR HALL HOZ
c.
STAIR HALL NºĮ
CLASS ROOM Nº18
CLASS ROOM NOIO
*
PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE
SECOND FLOOR PLAN GREENWOOD GRAMMAR SCHOOL WAKEFIELD MASSACHUSETTS THOMAS M. JAMES COMPANY ARCHITECTS BOSTON NEW YORK
CLASS ROOM NOJI
TEACHER'S RGDM
CORRIDOR
OLD BUILDING
-
154
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
FRANKLIN BUILDING
The building in the Franklin district cannot accomodate the pupils · from the Junction District. For several years we have used a portable building, but this was not enough; one or two grades have been on part time, part of the class attending mornings and the other afternoons.
At the last spring town meeting the Town voted $145,000 for alter- ations and an addition. The contract has been let and work is well un- der way. The old building had 8 rooms with a hall on the third floor. The new, complete building will have sixteen rooms, with an auditorium on the first floor with access direct from Traverse Street. The old heating system consisted of five hot-air furnaces and one small steam boiler. This will all be changed to direct and indirect steam heat.
We expect to occupy the addition at the beginning of the fall term.
Standardized Fire Alarm System
Working in conjunction with Chief Graham of the Fire Department, we are standardizing the fire alarm equipment in the schools, when any alterations are made in a building. We made a beginning when we built the new High School. Every school house has a fire alarm box in the main corridor near an exit. In the High School and Greenwood this box is connected with several sub-stations throughout the building. By means of a shunt an alarm may be pulled from any of these sub-stations, which will ring the bells in the building for a fire drill; 'or in case of fire the alarm is sounded in the building and at the same time on the town sys- tem. This same arrangement is planned for the new Franklin building. We feel that this system adds greatly to the safety of the children and the buildings.
Interruptions
During the process of alterations and building the addition to the Greenwood School, there was necessarily much noise and confusion. Of course this greatly interfered with the school work, but the teachers and pupils made the most of a trying situation and are to be commended for the way in which they handled their work. There was a slowing up of the work and it will take some time to overcome this.
This year the pupils and teachers of the Franklin school are passing through the same ordeal, and they are meeting it with the same good spirit that Greenwood showed.
Prospect School
The Prospect School is the only one left to have outside toilet faci- lities. The parents of this district have urged the Committee to consider
155
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
some means of doing away with the necessity of going out of doors in all kinds of weather when a pupil needs to go to the toilet. It is im- possible to install a flush system, because of danger of freezing, due to the way in which the building is heated. It was proposed to move the old toilets close to the schoolhouse, but this was deemed inadvisable be- cause the entrance would of necessity be through the fire escape. This seemed to add too much to the danger in case of fire.
The Committee has therefore used the old coat-room downstairs and has installed a chemical tank such as is in use in many camps and in many rural schools. I believe this installation will fully meet the con- ditions.
Parent-Teachers' Association
Nearly all the districts have thriving Parent-Teacher Associations, which are working with the Department for the good of the schools. The one particular thing needed in most of these is a larger attendance and larger interest on the part of the fathers. The Franklin Association has the largest number of men interested and working in the meetings. Each year a Committee of about 25 men give a "Men's Night" at which they attend to all the arrangements for entertainment and refreshments. These events are highly successful, for they usually have about 400 in attendance.
Each association has made timely and valuable contributions to the needs of the school in its district. These have been appreciated by the pupils.
Lafayette School
grade
One year ago we put all the eighth grades in town, except that at Greenwood school in Lafayette Building. This year, because of increase in enrollment, we added another teacher. The work of the school has been put upon the Departmental Plan, and has proved to be very efficient. More intensive and thorough work can be done by both teacher and pupil. At some future time we ought to differentiate the work to take care of those who are more interested in doing things with their hands and who do not care so much for book work.
Professional Improvement
For the past three years we have been able to have some professor from Boston University come to Wakefield to give extension courses. Each year we have been fortunate in the man chosen. He has come with a wide reputation for scholarship and ability, and I know the teachers have profited much from instruction given. Several other teachers who desired a different kind of course are attending classes at Boston Uni- versity and at Harvard. There are about 35' teachers taking extension work.
156
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
One principal reports upon this as follows: "Since the teachers have been pursuing the University Extension course, it seems that the general work is improving, both in the attitude towards, and interest in their task, and in the devices utilized in teaching."
In the light of what we have learned, I believe the Regulations cov- ering professional improvement should be changed somewhat and should be brought up-to-date.
Education Week
During the month of November, Education Week was observed throughout the country. During this week we tried to get as many as possible into the different schools to see the actual operations. We made no attempt to put on any show work but ran through the regular routine for the day. Believing that most parents would find it more convenient to visit in the afternoon, we reversed the sessions, putting on the regular morning after lunch. The High School and Lafayette School each had an evening session. On Monday night of this week Dr. Payson Smith, State Commissioner of Education, gave an address to the students of the evening school and to those citizens who cared to attend.
Parents and all who are interested in the schools are most cordially invited to visit at any time, but we gave especial invitations to attend during this week. In all buildings there were about 2000 who visited during the week.
Boys' Week
During the spring Boys' Week was recognized through the town. All departments of the town made special arrangements to allow the boys to see them function. In several schools, boys were chosen to take care of the routine work, from acting as principal to taking charge of classroom work. I believe many boys experienced an inspiration and a different outlook upon schools as a whole as a result of this demonstration.
Banking Report
The function of the school is not only to teach subject matter and furnish working tools for handling the problems of life, but it also should furnish training in a stabilized, upright character. Among other factors making up the latter is thrift. One of our means for teaching this is through the school Savings Banks working with the Wakefield Savings Bank. Our present system is cumbersome and demands too much time both from the principal and teacher. I hope we may soon find some way to simplify this.
Below is a report of the School Savings Bank for the past year. The figures are for November 1, 1923 to November 1, 1924.
SCHOOL SAVINGS BANKS
Green wood
Franklin
Woodville
Lincoln
Hurd
Warren
Total
Active Accounts No. of Depositors 1924
349
180
78
203 2,084
101 1,035
199 1,231
1,110
Amount of Deposits
$1,646.93
$539.52
$602.97
$720.50 136
$754.67
$251.71
9,000 $4,516.30
No. of withdrawals
30
32
29
39
27
293
$19.13
27.30
$14.87
$376.17
$42.42
$49.18
$529.07
accounts in Savings Bank
$1,613.42
$527.00
$609.00
$344.87
$690.00
$190.00
$3,974.29
Balance in custody of Principal
$132.34
$65.60
$24.90
$5.39
$157.36
$23.76
$409.35
No. New Savings Bank Books issued
58
30
22
25
54
189
Summary for Twelve Years
No. Deposits
Amt. Deposits
Amt. Withdrawals
Amt. trans. to Pupils' Accts in Savings Bank $26,518.73
No. Sav. Bk. Bks. Issued
80,063
$32,230.35
$3,940 97
2,268
2,423
1,375
852
Amount of withdrawals Amount transferred to pupils
158
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Attendance
The population of Wakefield is steadily increasing as is evident from the increase in enrollment in the schools. When schools opened in September we had registered more pupils for the first month than were registered throughout the whole year of 1923-1924. We now have more than 3200 pupils enrolled with about 650 in the High School. In the last ten years the school population has increased practically 50%. This increase tells the story of more accomodations needed, which has to be met by either building new buildings or additions.
Heating at Lincoln School
The boiler at the Lincoln School has been in use for more than thirty years. Apparently it is good for several years to come, but the insurance company would not insure for another year with the pressure needed to heat the building. In the spring the town made an approp- riation of $13,000 based upon estimates given us by R. D. Kimball Com- pany of Boston. The engineers drew up specifications for replacing the old boiler with two smaller ones, repiping the vento and basement, and adding coils to rooms where necessary. For some time we have been bothered at times by a backdraft in the ventilation stacks. To overcome this the engineers recommended a change in the top of each stack. There were openings on only two sides with a heavy slab of stone over the top. New openings were made on the other two sides with the expec- tation that this would stop the draft from mushrooming down when the wind is in certain directions. The system was changed to a combina- tion vacuum and gravity system with a new vacuum pump. The con- tract was let to V. J. Kenneally Company. The completed job cost $12,065.80.
Tests
In other reports I have recommended that we give more mental tests for the purpose of grading the pupils in classes. We should not rely entirely upon such tests, but they would be a help in deciding upon how much we might expect from individual pupils and whether or not they were working according to their ability. I think the Town would gain enough in increased efficiency and work to pay for someone who could give at least a part of her time to this kind of work.
The Rules and Regulations state that a pupil to be eligible for entrance to school must have been five years old on or before April 1 preceeding the opening of school in September. For reasons easily un- derstood, the Committee has kept strictly to this rule except in rare in- stances. Last fall we tried the experiment of testing a few children who were slightly under the required entrance age. If the child showed
159
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
a mental age of 51/2 years, we admitted him on trial. Those who were admitted are making good, although the teachers have had some extra work to do because the children had a late start. I recommend that this become a regular means of admission with the understanding that no such pupil will be tested later than the second week of school.
Last year Boston University conducted a state wide contest in spell- ing. Wakefield ranked twenty-fifth, among the 78 towns and cities. This year the University will conduct a similar test in language which Wakefield will also enter.
Sprinkler System
When the Lafayette School was remodeled, several years ago, we installed a sprinkler system, covering the entire basement, and the chemical laboratory. We also put stand pipes with hose at each end of the corridors. At that time the whole building was heated. Now we do not use the laboratory nor a portion of the basement. We have had difficulty in keeping the pipes in these portions from freezing. I sug- gest that we change from a wet to a dry system. It will cost about $700, but it will be safer for the building. An alternative is to install heating apparatus to keep these pipes from freezing. This would not cost so much perhaps, but I am not sure that we could guarantee that there would be no freezing in zero weather.
Manual Training
Last year we did not have as many boys electing Manual Training as we expected. This year there has been a decided increase, so much that during the fall we were' unable to accomodate the boys of the sev- enth grades. This lack must be taken care of as soon as possible.
Among the larger pieces of work in the woodworking shop were the following: Post office pigeon holes for Evening School, tool cabinet, window boxes, table, pipe-rail lumber rack, book case for class room, blueprint frames, and staining gun rack. The total cost of material for special work was $173.79, while the estimated market value of the finished products was $508.38.
The printing shop has taken care of all the department printing, except five pieces of work that were too large for our presses. The total for stock was $184.44, estimate for labor $487.20; and the estimated market value of the work was $671.64.
160
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
CHANGE IN TEACHERS
Resignations
High School
Paul A. Saunders, Mathematics Irene F. Laughton, Office Assistant
To Boston To Bradford Academy
Grades
Louise Chapman, Lafayette 8. Geneva M. Woods, Hamilton 1. Martha Koford, Greenwood 4-5 Mary Perdew, Franklin 7 Marjorie Penley, Franklin 6 Lillian E. Gregory, Franklin 2 Jane Fitzhenry, Woodville 6-7 Alice L. Gahagan, Woodville 3 Laura Tout, Woodville 1
To Melrose
To the West To Malden To New Bedford
To Salem To Winchendon
Transfers
Ellen Connorton, Woodville 2 Katherine Goodwin, Franklin 2-3 Mary L. Willey, Montrose 1-2
To Hamilton 1 To Franklin 2 To Woodville 1
IN MEMORIAM
Alice Abbott-Warren, Grade 7.
Elections
High School
Charles R. Thibadeau, Mathematics
From Essex H. S.
Grades
Genesta A. Beal, Lafayette
From Jonesport, Me.
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
161
Winnifred Beal, Greenwood 5-6 Grace Clevenger, Greenwood 1 Sophie Kroll, Lincoln 3 Florence Ladd, Franklin 7 Hester Walker, Montrose 1-2 Margaret Corbet, Greenwood 3-4 Hilda Hayden, Woodville 3 Judith Nordberg, Woodville 6-7 Ruth L. Mount, Franklin 6-7
From Jonesport, Me. From Wakefield From Substitute
From Dover-Foxcroft, Me. From Wakefield From Salem Normal From Salem Normal
From. Abington, Mass. From New Jersey Helen Delaney, Franklin 2-3-4 Maude V. Kinney, Warren 7
From Substitute, Boston From Bookton, Me.
Conclusion
The work of the department is moving along very smoothly and efficiently. This is due to the complete harmony between the Com- mittee and the teachers. I want to thank all who have made this possi- ble.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLARD B. ATWELL.
162
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
r
Report of High School Principal
Wakefield, Mass. January ?, 1925.
Mr. W. B. Atwell
Wakefield, Mass.
Dear Sir:
Herewith is submitted the annual report of the principal of the High School for the past year.
The enrollment at the beginning of the year was as follows: -
Boys
Girls
Total
Post Graduates
1
2
3
Seniors
44
56
100
Juniors
69
71
140
Sophomores
85
97
182
Freshmen
106
108
214
305
334
639
This is the largest enrollment we have ever had. At the end of November we had enrolled 647 pupils.
We were very fortunate in losing but one teacher this year. Mr. Paul A. Saunders went to Boston and Mr. Charles Thibadeau, principal of Essex High School, is to take his place. We were very sorry to lose Mr. Saunders' services as he was a strong teacher and his pupils did well at the College Entrance Examinations. I believe the reason we are able to have so high a standard of work is due to the fact that we have been able to retain our teachers and have few changes each year. I trust that arrangements will be made so that our salary schedule will be high enough to keep our teachers, if not we will lose many of them. I find in looking for teachers that most places smaller than Wakefield are now paying as much and in many cases more than we do. If we are to keep up the standard of work we are now doing, we must keep the teachers we now have and not let other towns or cities take them from us.
The results of the College Entrance Examinations last June were very satisfactory indeed. 90% of the examinations taken were passed successfully. When we consider the fact that of the 19,000 examinations taken throughout United States last June only 60.4% were passed suc-
163
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
cessfully I feel sure that our boys and girls did very well indeed. Two years ago 83% of the examinations were passed, last year 85% and this year 90%. This result shows that the teachers of the college students are preparing them successfully for college and that if a pupil will work he can get a good college preparation in our high school. It is a fact worthy of note that of the pupils who enter college from this High School none are dropped by the colleges for lack of preparation but in many cases they are commended for their good preparation. This is not ex- clusively a college preparatory High School, still we are fitting those who desire to go, as well as giving those boys and girls who are not go- ing to college, a good High School education.
This year we have made chorus singing elective and those who en- joy music and who work faithfully at it for the year are to receive 1/2 credit. Hitherto, all pupils were required to take music one period a week and received no credit for it. Of the three upper classes, fully 50% have elected music and I am sure the change has been a good one. A Girls' Glee Club has been formed and the class meets during school hours. This is conducted as any other class period and I feel that the girls are getting more out of Glee Club work than they ever did before.
Last year we had twelve members in our Orchestra, this year we have twenty-five. We have two rehearsals a week and the pupils are to receive one credit for Orchestra work. We have put it on the same basis as any other school subject. I am sorry I could not have the re- hearsals during school hours, we now have them at the close of school. The Orchestra plays every Thursday at the assembly period and also at other school functions.
Assemblies are held every Thursday at 10.30 o'clock and generally we have a speaker of repute who gives an educational as well as an in- spirational talk. I feel that they are very much worth while. The last year we have had some exceptionally strong speakers.
In a school of our size we always have many clubs of one sort or another. These clubs mean extra work for the teachers still they have their places and are of value and the teachers gladly give their time and energy to make them valuable. At present there are various English Clubs, Science Club, Civics Club, Boys' and Girls' Debating Clubs, Girls' Glee Club and Dramatic Club. Last year the Dramatic Club, under the leadership of Miss Lillian Hurley gave the "Pedler of Hearts" at which they made $168. The club gave the entire proceeds to purchasing refer- ence books for our school library.
We have a school weekly paper of which we are all proud. This is under the supervision of Mr. Arthur A. Fulton. I feel that this paper has done more for the good, clean, healthy school spirit of our
164
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
school than any other agency in school. The articles in the paper are all written by the pupils and it certainly, is run in a very business-like manner. Last year they donated $50 to the Charles H. Howe Memorial Library Fund, $75 to Athletics of the school, $10 to the Stereoptican Fund and $10 to the French Orphan Fund.
The Debater, the school Annual of the senior class, was to my mind a better magazine than any we have had since I came to Wakefield. This magazine represents the best of our literary work and means a great deal of hard work for the editors and the English Department.
Last June the Senior Class had a Class Day which was a new de- parture for our school. I am sure that the Class Day Exercises were greatly enjoyed and that the Senior Class will look back upon its grad- uation exercises with a great deal of satisfaction.
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