USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1933 > Part 10
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14
456.63
Binding
1,363.48
Salaries, library service
9,880.46
Salaries, janitor service
1,998.80
Light
396.63
Supplies
892.31
Other maintenance
2,263.01
Total
$22,181.15
Returned to Town from fines, payment of lost books, etc. $ 764.71
.
151
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Report of School Committee
ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
School Committee for 1933
Dr. J. William O'Connell, Chairman 20 Fairmount Avenue
Term Expires 1934
Mrs. Eva Gowing Ripley, Secretary 40 Emerson Street
Term Expires 1934 1
Term Expires 1936
Mrs. Mabel W. Sweetser, Treasurer 308 Main Street Harry B. Allman 43 Greenwood Street, Greenwood
Term Expires 1936
Thomas F. Kenney 618 Main Street Gardner E. Campbell 11 Wave Avenue
Term Expires 1935
Term Expires 1935
SUB-COMMITTEES
The Committee as a whole acts as sub-committees with the following chairmen :
Mrs. Sweetser-Text Books and Supplies
Mrs. Ripley-Teachers and Salaries
Mr. Allman-Finance and Accounts
Mr. Campbell-Courses of Study
Mr. Kenney-Public Property
Superintendent of Schools Willard B. Atwell, 94 West Chestnut Street
Secretary to the Superintendent Pauline E. Meads, 240 Lowell Street
152
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Wakefield:
The year 1933 brought little improvement in the general financial condition of the town and the problems which the School Department faced in 1932 were accentuated. However, the School Committee has endeavored at all times to co-operate with the Town Finance Committee, has accepted all cuts in the budget, and has lived within its appropriation. The committee asked for $263,000.00 for 1933, which sum in itself was a re- duction of $47,000.00 from the amount originally appropriated for 1932. The Finance Committee reduced this to $256,000.00.
To meet this cut of $7,000.00, the department found it necessary in ad- dition to practising ordinary economies, to:
Suspend the domestic arts and printing departments in the High School.
Limit manual training to the pupils of the High School and to boys electing the Industrial Arts Course.
Increase the size of classes in the Eighth Grade afternoon session, thus releasing one teacher.
Give the drawing supervisor for the grades leave of absence.
Give the High School librarian leave of absence.
Increase the size of classes in the Lincoln School and the number of classes per teacher in the High School.
Save the salaries of two teachers by not electing successors to one, in the Lincoln School, who retired, and another in the Franklin School, who resigned to be married.
Close the Hamilton building; transfer and combine the special classes with similar classes at the Franklin building, thus saving the salary of one teacher, who was released and general operating expenses, including the cost of a janitor.
Buy coal only for the closing months of 1933, instead of for the full school year.
Postpone purchase of books.
.
Transfer the Hurd School seventh grade pupils to the Lincoln build- ing, thus making it possible to close one room in the Hurd building and transfer one teacher to the Franklin building.
The fact that rigid economy was practiced in the general conduct of the schools, and that there was but one repair job that might be termed emergency and expensive, made it possible for the Committee to purchase
153
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
the remainder of the winter's supply of coal and much-needed books for the high and grade schools. This, it should be noted, effected an equiv- alent reduction in the budget for 1934.
The Committee asks for $250,000.00 for 1934, which sum is $6,000.00 less than the appropriation for 1933, thus giving evidence of continued co- operation with the Finance Committee in its endeavor to keep the total of town appropriations at a figure which will prevent an increase in the tax rate.
Economies which have resulted in the discontinuance of Domestic Arts for girls and printing for boys in the High School, partial suspension of the functions of the High School library, and limitation of manual training not only to the High School, but to boys in the Industrial Arts Course, naturally have given rise to the question whether or not the with- drawal of these educational offerings is a loss to the pupils. Public opinion is divided on the subject. One group believes that instruction in cooking and sewing for girls and handcraft for boys are vital concomitants of a modern educational system. Another group believes that these subjects, or at least cooking and sewing for girls, are functions of the home. Your School Committee believes that these are questions demanding thought and attention which they will soon receive, but the fact remains that the academic courses are all the town can support under existing conditions of finance and accomodations. It should be also borne in mind that high per capita cost and relatively small enrollment of pupils in these courses focused attention on them when further economy became necessary. Our Superintendent and our High School and other principals, are firm in their belief that such courses are essential to hold interest in schooling among those pupils who are not gifted mentally for average or high grade work in academic subjects. These problems and recommendations will be given serious study before the next Fall term begins.
Because of the recognized importance of penmanship, and because of assurance of the value of supervision, the Committee rescinded earlier action and reappointed the supervisor of penmanship. With the exception of this and the supervisor of music, all other special supervision, includ- ing drawing in the grades, has been eliminated in the search for economies.
For the sake of brevity, other acts or votes of the School Committee and facts of public interest occurring in 1933, are summarized as follows:
Tuition cost in High School reduced to $101.00, a reduction of about $15.00; and in grade schools to $62.65. This applies to pupils living outside town borders but educated here. Annexation of a small section of Saugus just east of the Greenwood district will produce a loss in revenue to the town on about thirteen pupils at $62.65 per pupil, formerly paid to Wake- field by Saugus.
The per capita cost of education in Wakefield is $89.26 for all pupils, including High School, compared with an average of $99.16 for the sixty
154
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
towns and cities of Massachusetts having 5,000 or more population. The cost of education in Wakefield has been reduced more than twenty per cent since 1931.
Although in sympathy with the national movement to increase or restore wages, the Committee has fixed its budget request for 1934 on the basis of continuing the ten-percent salary cut voted by the town on July 1, 1932, knowing that the Town Finance Committee considers this necessary and that the policy will be followed by all other town boards.
Steps have been taken to prevent mutilation of books in the school and town libraries by requiring that teachers shall not give essay assign- ments calling for illustration, except that original drawings, tracings or newspaper clippings will be permitted.
Fees for use of the High and other school auditoriums have been adjusted upward, to make the revenue more in keeping with the expense of heat, light and depreciation.
The No-School signal has been abolished, except for grades 1 to 7 inclusive.
This is the third winter season in which the evening school has not been operated, with a consequent saving in school cost.
The intelligence test system continues suspended. Inasmuch as the former supervisor is now otherwise engaged, pupils on the age border- line no longer can be tested for admission to the first grade.
Telephones discontinued in the Hurd and West Ward schools have been restored as of January 1, 1934, because the Committee believes that their value in emergencies and in establishing contact with the admin- istrative offices outweighs the relatively small cost.
The principal of the High School and the masters of the eighth grades, have been given authority to consult with parents and pupils and deter- mine whether pupils entering the high school are competent to pursue the college course. This procedure has resulted in a marked reduction in the number of failures in Latin in the freshman class.
Changes have been made in the system of marking pupils for gradu- ation honors in the High School which place emphasis on quality rather than quantity in accomplishment, and will serve to eliminate so-called "padding" of courses to obtain credits.
Gifts of statuary and pictures made by earlier classes to the old High School have been cleaned, re-framed or restored, and will be placed in suitable locations in the present High School building.
It has been voted to require non-resident parents whose children at- tend Wakefield schools to pay all tuition bills of the previous school year
155
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
by September 1. This does not apply to tuition paid by other municipalities or the State.
The Committee has taken a formal stand against the use of Walton Field at the High School for Sunday sports of any kind.
A more advantageous contract has been made for care of shrubbery on school grounds.
The Committee has co-operated with the Selectmen and Highway Department in plans to re-locate Wakefield Brook; and in connection with this town drainage project, to effect a better drainage system for the lower end of the athletic field.
A closer advisory contact with the High School Athletic Association has been established through the appointment of two members of the School Committee to the Wakefield High School Athletic Council, and they are members of the Wakefield High School Athletic Association Board of Directors.
That they may be nearer their duties and in a position to give after- school help to pupils needing it, the Committee has requested all teachers, to reside in Wakefield during the school year. Exceptions have been made in cases in which non-resident teachers live with parents or are wholly or partially maintaining homes with relatives, and in which com- pliance with this request would work hardship or financial loss.
Steps have been taken to bring about the transfer from the now- inactive High School Parent Teacher Association to the custody of the School Committee the Charles H. Howe Memorial Library Fund and the Elizabeth F. Ingram Scholarship Fund.
The department gratefully acknowledges the co-operation of the Beebe Memorial Library Trustees in loaning a librarian, Miss Louise Sheldon, for part time operation of the High School library during part of the Fall term until December 31, 1933, and recognizes the able service given by Miss Sheldon. As this arrangement could not be continued after January 1, for financial reasons, one of the cadet teachers is now in charge.
Military drill continues suspended, as the double session plans make it imposible for a worthwhile number of boys to participate.
For the second season the School Department has co-operated with the Wakefield Recreation Commission by granting free use of the High School gymnasium, two evenings a week, for the women's gym classes. It has co-operated with the relief authorities in loaning the school sewing machines for the Civil Works Service sewing project for unemployed women.
The School Committee has made a practice of confining its purchases to local business houses when they had the goods needed, and of inviting bids from the local firms when they had the service to offer.
156
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
The long-standing failure of the Warren School heating system to properly heat the corridors is still a problem. Plans have been prepared, but estimated cost of the labor and supplies has been beyond the means of the department during this period of enforced economy.
Every summer in recent years it has been necessary to replace parts of the cement walks and platforms around the high school, because of faulty construction and insufficient drainage under the cement work when they were laid eleven years ago.
General repairs in 1933 to school property were not large or expensive.
The exterior of the old West Ward school was painted and the interior has been given some attention. Some painting was done at Greenwood and, later in the year, a Civil Works Administration project in connection with the Federal relief work enabled the department to have six more class rooms and the auditorium painted. Paint for this project was sup- plied by the School Department. Sufficient paint for an extensive interior painting project in the High School was purchased at the same time, to take advantage of a favorable price, and is being held in storage, pending an extension of the C. W. A. projects or the Committee's financial ability to have the work done by private contract. The only major repair job was that at the Woodville School, where roof leakage forced an expenditure of slightly less than $800.00. An additional expenditure will be necessary for caulking windows and doors, for which the contract has been awarded, and fairly heavy expense for repointing brick work and masonry on this build- ing may be anticipated in the near future.
The balcony in the gymnasium at the High School was boarded up, the seats removed, and the space made ready as a locker room. This work was done by the Athletic Association. The balcony and some of the ad- joining ante-rooms were painted by the C. W. A. workers.
Since the opening of schools in September, the committtee has taken advantage of an offer by several young teachers to do "cadet" work in the schools; i. e., assisting the teachers, and aiding pupils needing addi- tional help. One of these is supplying some of the service formerly given by the drawing supervisor in the grades. These cadet teachers serve with- out compensation, for the sake of keeping in training, and their service is rendered without obligation on the part of the School Department.
Following the closing of the Hamilton School, the use of the building was turned over to St. Joseph's Parochial School, which assumes all op- erating costs.
During the year, Henry N. Oliver, Woodville School janitor, passed away and was succeeded by Eugene Lenners, transferred from the closed Hamilton School.
Late in the year, on request of Lynnfield citizens, the Committee ex-
157
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
pressed the sentiment that it contemplated no change in the arrangement by which high school pupils from Lynnfield attended the Wakefield High School. As yet, with the double sessions, the presence of about one hun- dred Lynnfield pupils creates no seating problem and the tuition arrange- ment is of financial advantage to the town.
The principal of the High School reports a total enrollment for the- regular four years of 1120. The morning session of the three upper classes, totaling 763 pupils, nearly fills the building to the capacity originally pro- vided. Enrollment is divided as follows:
Boys
Girls
Total
Post Graduates
13
14
27
Seniors
92
99
191
Juniors
119
125
244
Sophomores
147
154
301
Freshmen
181
176
357
552
568
1120
The principal believes that the standard of work is not as high as. when the longer day gave teachers more time to devote to slow or indif- ferent pupils; that the freshmen and eighth grades are more seriously affected than upper classes; that with more children unable to attend college there should be more rather than less vocational work; and that the elimination of the domestic arts department has been a distinct loss to girls. New or changed courses for eighth grade pupils incompetent to do regular high school work are recommended. He reports satisfactory results from the experiment of 1933 in guiding pupils away from the college preparatory course if they are not capable of doing the work.
Continued progress and satisfactory work in education and character building are reported by him for the Boys' Glee Club, the Hi-Y Club, the Inter Nos Club for girls, the High School Orchestra and the Boys' Band.
This year's program changes make it possible for practically every pupil to attend physical training classes, but the classes are large. Locker- room problems demand solution.
Because of the size of the graduating classes and the tendency of graduates to seek pleasure elsewhere during the evening of the reception,. the principal recommends some change in the old system. This problem is to receive the immediate attention of the committee.
In athletics, the High School won the basketball championship of the Middlesex League last year and had a notable year in cross-country run- ning, winning the equivalent of the championship. As a reward, the prin- cipal runners were given a trip to the Interscholastic Meet at Newark, New Jersey, which was financed largely by the school. In football, the season of 1933 was less successful than in 1932, due to the loss of star
158
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
players, injuries, ineligibility, and the fact that schools above Wakefield's class were opponents.
Facts of public interest from the reports of other elementary school principals are :
Report by teachers' committee on selection of geography books adopted and books purchased.
Improvement is noted in teaching of English under Open Door Langu- age Book system.
Special English books for High School industrial department and "re- peaters" adopted.
Penmanship of high standard, attributed to supervisory work, results in high percentage of pupils winning merit awards.
Safety instruction emphasized in Greenwood School.
School savings system discontinued by Savings Bank, pending more prosperous times.
Franklin School playground reported in poor condition and at times unfit for children.
Special work in character training has been started in the Warren School.
The report of the School Physician appears to indicate, on basis of statistical information, that the health of school children has not suffered under economic conditions due to the depression. There has been no in- crease in number of pupils under weight, in fact there was an actual de- crease in the number of under-weight notices issued, although statistics are not sufficiently complete to detect small variations.
Candidates for athletic teams have been examined, games attended and minor injuries dressed.
All pupils immunized in 1932 for diphtheria were "Schicked" and posi- tive or non-immune cases re-immunized. The total number was 329.
The parents or guardians of all children in the first three grades were invited to have their children immunized, and 263 pupils were so treated. The following is an illustration of how it works. A child of pre-school age was sick for a few days with sore throat. A few days later his older brother developed a severe case of diphtheria, and upon culture the first child was found to have the disease. Three other children of the family who had been immunized remained well. In another family the immunized children remained well. In both instances they were in close contact throughout the disease.
There have been very few working certificates issued this year, and consequently few examinations.
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
159
The pupils in the first grade, sixth grade, special classes and first year high school have been given a complete physical examination and the results entered on the health cards. As a result, 575 notices of defects were issued, of which 227 were for defective teeth, 245 for defective or dis- eased tonsils, 41 for underweight, 14 for organic lesion of heart, 16 for contagious or parasitic skin disease, and the balance for minor defects. This runs very close to the results of last year's examinations.
All the other pupils have been examined for defective teeth and dis- eased tonsils, and disease of the exposed skin and eyelids, and as a result, 904 notices issued, of which 584 were for diseased teeth or gums, 310 for defective or diseased tonsils, 8 for diseased eyelids and the balance for minor defects.
There is some apparent neglect in caring for diseased teeth, but not markedly more than usual. There was an actual decrease in the number of underweight notices issued, though the statistics are not sufficiently complete to detect small variations; that is, notices are not issued unless the child varies 10% from the established chart.
The School Nurse has made visits as listed below:
Homes Visited 246
Children given first aid treatment
92
Children X-rayed 27
12
Children recommended for summer camp
4
Children immunized against diphtheria 263
Children schicked 328
Attendance Officer's Report .
Collected books and money from pupils that had left school 31
Placed in Training School
2
Sickness
91
Truancy
81
Tardy
16
Kept out by Parents or guardians
11
Lack of shoes and clothing and food
83
Found on street and taken to school
7
Found on street and taken to home
2
Found in homes and taken to school
13
Misdemeanors on school grounds
7
Holding warrant for good behavior
3
Suspensions
8
Home Employment Certificates
11
Factories and Stores visited
16
Pupils left school
11
Left school to go to work
5
General disobedience
13
Investigated and found them moved
8
Children improved as shown by X-ray
160
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Girls taken home because of illness 3
Boys taken home because of iliness 2
Taken to court and placed on probation Schools visited frequently
10
I have made several calls at the homes of pupils in the evenings and on Sundays and have talked with the parents regarding their children on several things, with good results.
APPROPRIATION AND RECEIPTS
The Committee has submitted a budget which calls for an appropri- ation of $250,000.00 for the year of 1934. Properly deductible from this. amount is about $40,000.00, the estimated receipts through the Department. Although these receipts are paid into the Town Treasury, they favorably affect the tax rate and leave about $210,000.00 to be raised by local taxation ..
The estimated receipts are from the following sources:
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on account of teachers
$22,650.00
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Tuition, State Wards 2,000.00
Town of Lynnfield, Tuition 11,590.00
City of Boston, Tuition, City Wards
2,000.00
Town of Saugus, Tuition
62.50
Town of Stoneham, Tuition
200.00
Individual Tuitions
913.00
Shop Receipts 400.00
Miscellaneous
100.00
$39,915.50
DR. J. WILLIAM O'CONNELL, Chairman, MRS. EVA GOWING RIPLEY, Secretary, MRS. MABEL W. SWEETSER, Treasurer, HARRY B. ALLMAN,
THOMAS F. KENNEY,
GARDNER E. CAMPBELL,
School Committee.
161
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
APPENDIX
A. Statistics of School Enrollment and Attendance. Cost per Pupil.
B. Tabulation of Records of Attendance for School Year, 1932-1933.
C. School Organization.
D. Cost of Public Day Schools.
E. How a School Dollar is Spent.
F. Age and Grade Chart, January 1, 1934.
G. Changes in Teachers.
H. High School Graduation.
162
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
A
Population Census 1930
16,318
Average Membership ending June, 1933
3,421
Average Membership ending June, 1932
3,393
Increase in Average Membership
28
Total Membership, 1933
3,539
Total Membership, 1932
3,560
Percent of Attendance, 1933
94.47
Percent of Attendance, 1932
95.45
Length of School Year, 1932-1933
39 weeks
Days lost, stormy weather, holidays:
High
10 days
Elementary
13 days
Actual length of school year: High
36 weeks, 3 days
Elementary
35 weeks, 31/2 days
Special teachers employed
2
Regular teaching positions
112
Total teaching positions
114
DAY SCHOOLS
Cost per pupil for instruction and maintenance, based on average membership for the school year 1932-1933:
High School, exclusive of general control 101.11
Elementary Schools, exclusive of general control 63.10
All public schools, from all sources 85.11
Cost per pupil including ordinary repairs, in State
90.40
B
RECORD OF ATTENDANCE FOR SCHOOL YEAR 1932 - 1933
.
School
Teacher
Pupils
Pupils
Pupils
14-16
Pupils
16 or over
Total
Enrollment
Average
Average
Percent
Attendance
Attendance
Days
Absence
Tardiness
Dismissals
High Eighth Grade
C. J. Peterson
73
515
518
1106
1054.14
993.17
94.21
181,848
8,588
2,464
1,330
Eliza V. Coburn
25
10
35
34.02
32.51
95.57
5,852
271
32
39
Hertha Bergna
17
15
32
33.74
32.47
96.24
5,845
229
10
38
Ralph O. Powers
19
18
37
36.80
34.68
94.25
6,243
381
46
34
Ida G. Low
28
14
42
42.78
40.74
95.22
7,333
368
26
51
Lois I. Jordan
20
20
40
40.70
37.60
92.37
6,769
558
53
56
Isabel M. Elliot
32
5
1
38
36.11
35.10
97.20
6,318
180
10
25
Ethel Rodgerson
33
5
38
35.42
34.46
97.28
6,149
128
14
9
Ethel M. Wilson
29
6
35
35.60
34.02
95.56
6,072
281
29
6
Cora Guarnaccia
34
1
35
36.30
35.44
97.63
6,328
153
18
4
Mabel F. Johnson
39
39
36.87
35.51
96.36
6,340
239
40
5
Stella H. Blaikie
29
29
28.22
27.16
96.25
4,848
189
10
6
.
3'4
34
34.00
32.22
96.22
5,749
227
11
3'
Katherine L. Kelly
33
33
31.83
30.40
95.51
5,424
257
31
9
Helen M. Delaney
6
19
25
25.83
24.46
94.71
4,367
243
4
10
Katharine Goodwin
8
22
30
26.26
24.76
94.28
4,419
268
14
2
Esther M. Winkler
25
5
30
28.88
26.45
91.68
4,735
436
17
5
Avis M. Jones
22
5
27
26.27
24.15
91.98
4,305
386
44
9
Lee Pfeiffer
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.