USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1935 > Part 11
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 | Part 15
Our expenditures for the maintenance of the school property have been kept as low as possible consistent with keeping the buildings and equip- ment in a proper state of repair and to avoid undue depreciation.
With the re-opening of schools in September, 1935, the School Com- mittee put into practice a change in method of paying teachers and other school department employees, consistent with a vote taken by the Com- mittee in the latter part of 1934. The practice of paying executives, clerks, and janitors weekly was continued. All teachers, whether on weekly or monthly payrolls, agreed to the semi-monthly system, payable on the 15th and 30th of each month, in twenty equal payments from September 1 to June 30 of the school year. In the succeeding weeks various complications arose because of conflict with rulings by the Town Accountant, with the result that on January 16, 1936, the Committee rescinded all previous votes and voted to establish a weekly payroll system for all School Department employees, beginning January 27, 1936. Although final action took place in 1936, this vote is included to make the record complete.
The problem of the crowded condition of the High School building, even with morning and afternoon sessions, and disposal of the central eighth grades in the afternoon session, if this condition is to be relieved, continues to occupy the attention of the Committee and awaits a definite solution. or attempted solution; but the Committee definitely has voted to abolish the centralization of the eighth grades in the High School build- ing in the afternoon at the close of the school year in June, 1936. It now has under consideration the question whether to re-distribute the eighth grade pupils to the grade schools in their respective home districts, or to centralize them in one or more of the more central grammar school buildings.
In this connection, Charles J. Peterson, principal of the High School, reports that it has been necessary to refuse many pupils permission to take various desired subjects. For example, it has been necessary to have certain typewriting classes in the afternoon, necessitating return to school in the
163
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
afternoon by pupils attending the morning session. Whereas, thirty-five is the normal number of pupils to a class, some classes now have more than fifty pupils. The long-standing inability of teachers to give pupils extra help either morning or afternoon continues, because under the con- ditions of recent years some teachers teach in the forenoon and afternoon. It is hoped to remedy this condition next September after the afternoon session is changed by the elimination of the eighth grades.
Principal Peterson recommends that with the removal of the eighth grade pupils from the High School building in September, 1936, the fresh- men and the commercial divisions of the sophomore class constitute an afternoon session, with the remainder of the sophomores and the entire senior and junior classes attending in the forenoon. As it is necessary to have sophomore typewriting classes in the afternoon, he believes it would be a logical solution to have all sophomore commercial pupils in the after- noon session. This re-arrangement would result in a group of about seven hundred pupils in the forenoon and five hundred pupils in the afternoon session, the number in each case being considerably less that the capacity of the building. There are now eight hundred and fifty six pupils in the morning session, practically filling the building, in comparison with six hundred and twelve in the entire school when it was occupied in 1923. In the twelve years that have elapsed, the High School enrollment has increased nearly one hundred per cent. The present enrollment by classes is as follows:
Boys
Girls
Total
Post Graduates
8
9
17
Seniors
122
134
256
Juniors
126
136
262
Sophomores
170
151
321
Freshmen
177
175
352
603
605
1208
Late in the summer of 1935 it was brought to the attention of the School Committee that if the town decided to provide additional school accommodations and take advantage of a forty-five percent grant from the government under the Public Works Administration Plan, im- mediate action would be necessary. After conferences with the School Building Committee appointed in 1932, which was still in existence, and with the Finance Committee, steps were taken to bring the question be- fore a town meeting. The main purpose of this action was to enable the citizens to decide whether or not to take advantage of a federal grant, rather than to suggest any particular building program at that time, but the Committee did take the position that if any additional school accom- modations were to be provided it would re-affirm its stand taken in 1932 in favor of a separate intermediate school building, in which would be housed the centralized eighth grades and the High School freshmen. The Committee was divided, five to one, on this question, one member favoring an addition to the High School building for High School pupils
164
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
only and the return of the eighth-grade pupils to their respective gram- mar school districts. A special town meeting was held October 14, 1935, and resulted in rejection of any and all plans for additional school ac- commodations, either with or without federal assistance.
Although the situation is not to be construed as more serious than in other large high schools, particularly high schools operating under a two-session plan, the School Department has been obliged to give atten- tion to the problem of stealing by pupils from each other or from the school, and regulations have been adopted to provide suspension for the first offense and expulsion for a repetition thereof, due care being taken to protect pupils from unjust accusations.
As the two-session plan makes it necessary to assign two students to each locker, and as pupils are careless with locker keys, the problem of finding the guilty has been aggravated, but it is believed that the drastic regulations, accompanied by the apprehension of the guilty in two cases of stealing, is having favorable effect.
Although handicapped by lack of text books and other materials, purchase of which could not be made from the restricted 1935 budget, Miss Vivian Dix, the new supervisor of music, who began her duties in September, has made favorable progress. The first Girls' Glee Club in years has been organized with seventy members. The Boys' Glee Club in existence many years, continues under Arthur A. Fulton's supervision. There is lack of room for desired classes in harmony and music appre- ciatlon, but this may be provided when the eighth grades are removed from the High School building. The Boys' Bands continue to do worth- while work under the leadership of Joseph A. Fanck. For the general teaching of music, the School Committee has begun the purchase of new music books for the grades, and this will be continued over a period of time, until depleted or out-of-date music books are replaced. Buying of records to provide listening lessons for the development of music under- standing and appreciation has been authorized.
In the primary grades special emphasis is being given to the necessity of helping each child find and develop his singing voice, and in the upper grades to the introduction of a definite plan for mastery of the score.
Opportunity for an elective chorus period in the ninth grade is being worked out. All other offerings which are after school activities are op- tional. They include orchestra, senior band, junior band, boys' glee club, and the newly-formed girls' glee club and string ensemble. Most high schools provide opportunities in school hours for choral music and at least one elective course beside the musical organizations, which are extra cur- ricula activities. The School Committee and the executive officers con- cerned are reviewing the problem with a prospect of remedying conditions another year. Also under consideration is the question of class violin instruction which is greatly needed for the future development of the or- chestra, whose string section is at present so small as to be overbalanced
165
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
by the other sections were it not for the interest of several violinists who are former graduates.
During the year the Committee has instructed teachers to restore to active use the multiplication table system in conjunction with other methods of teaching number work.
Arrangements have been made to have J. Edward Hatch, attendance officer and custodian af buildings, assume more responsibility and duties in connection with the physical administration of the school buildings and purchasing of supplies, to release the superintendent for more at- tention to strictly educational work.
The extent to which the various school buildings and High School Athletic Field are used for educational and civic purposes is indicated by the fact that the Committee has authorized the use of the High School gymnasium for Federal Emergency Relief Administration projects, use of the High School auditorium for National Education Week meetings spon- sored by the American Legion, use of the High School auditorium for Lions-Rotary clubs entertainment to raise funds for dental, optical and surgical work for needy children; use of rooms in the High School for University Extension Course for Federal Emergency Relief Administration cooking demonstration; use of rooms in the High School building for Chamber of Commerce Business Institute, and the Well Baby Clinic of the Visiting Nurse Association; use of Walton Field by American Legion for Drum Corps Competion, by Y. M. C. A. for amateur aviation meeting, and by Recreation Commission for baseball league; use of rooms in old High (Lafayette) School for Federal Emergency Relief Administration sewing projects, and to Board of Health for anti-rabic clinic for dogs. Audi- toriums in the Greenwood, Montrose and other schools have had the usual use for Parent-Teacher Association events and civic purposes.
. Other acts of the Committee, of public interest, were as follows:
Authorized the installation of a fan to blow heat into the corri- dors at the Warren School.
Authorized the installation of weather-strips on all windows on the east side of the High School building.
Restored manual training and sewing for certain divisions of the eighth grades whose pupils are less adapted for regular academic work.
Voted not to rent the High School auditorium for any event re- quiring advance stage preparation, because of interference with school sessions . 1
Established the tuition rate for the year 1935-1936 as required by law.
For elementary schools $63.35
For High School 91.47
Voted unanimously to indorse the re-appointment of Payson Smith as State Commissioner of Education.
166
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
MISCELLANEOUS FACTS
The following are facts of public interest condensed from reports of elementary school principals :
For the first time in several years the work of the seventh division in the central eighth grades has been arranged to give the boys manual training and the girls household arts. It has proved effective, but more would be beneficial. A larger number of over-age pupils in the eighth grades has made the class in manual training so large that it has been necessary to divide it, thus allowing each class only one hour.
The work in character training has been continued in several schools, with monthly assemblies.
Safety has been stressed by means of posters, dramatics and talks,
There may be some significance in the fact that several parents in requesting that pupils be changed from one room to another have defin- itely expressed preference for older and more experienced teachers.
There is no indication that pupils have been influenced by discussions in the press of the teachers' oath and flag salute legislation, which has been emphasized in the past year. All teachers took the oath without question. The School Department has purchased flags for rooms in the High School, and the Woman's Relief Corps has given five silk flags to the Lincoln School.
Included in the work of the attendance officer has been investi- gation of twenty-one cases of pupils who had left High School, collection of school books and property taken home by them, and home calls out- side of school hours and days. The varied character of the work of the attendance officer is indicated by the following summary:
Sickness
124
Truancy
139
Tardy
15
Kept out by parents or guardians
25
Lack of shoes, clothes and food
76
Found on street and taken to school
8
Found in homes and taken to school
3
Misdemeanors on school grounds
21
Holding warrant for good behavior
3
Suspensions
7
Home employment certificates
6
Factories and stores visited
12
Pupils left school
13
Placed in County Training School
1
Left school to go to work
10
General disobedience
18
Investigated and found them moved
14
Girls taken home because of illness
4
1
167
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Boys taken home because of illness
2
Glasses supplied by Lions Club 10
Tested but did not require glasses
4
Taken to Court 3
Letters sent to parents or guardians
6
Doctors' certificates secured
Schools visited frequently
2
During 1935, three teachers retired after many years of conscientious service to the school children. They were C. Albert Jones, supervisor of music; Miss Mary I. Hawkins, Lincoln School ; and Mrs. Ida G. Low of the Central Eighth Grades.
IN MEMORIAM
Miss Ethel A. Rodgerson was elected in 1925 and was assigned to the Franklin School. In September, 1935, she was transferred to the Lincoln School. Her many years of patient, faithful and conscientious work endeared her not only to the pupils who passed through her room, but to all those who came into contact with her both within and without the corps of teachers. On November 29, after an absence of only a few days from her class, she passed away at the Riverbank Hospital. Wakefield is glad to have had the services of Miss Rodgerson for so many years.
168
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
The health of the pupils has been good with no epidemic or marked incidence of illness. Diphtheria has practically disappeared as a health problem as a result of general immunization of children of school age, though we still need the warning that "eternal vigilance is the price of safety". We have had low incidence of scarlet fever, measles and whoop- ing cough.
The usual complete physical examination has been made of pupils in the first, fifth and ninth grades and the special classes, also all those in any grade that had not been examined previously, and the results recorded on the regular health cards. Defects regarded as of sufficient importance to be called to the attention of the parents were as follows: Defective teeth, 299; diseased or enlarged tonsils and adenoids, 254; parasitic skin disease, 17; disease of heart, 11; underweight, 15; endarged glands, 5; in- flamed eyelids, 3; nasal discharge, 4; no vaccination, 24; miscellaneous, 4.
All other pupils in school have been examined for defects of teeth and throat, and 456 notices of defective teeth and 365 of diseased tonsils and adenoids were sent to parents. As a rule no notice was sent on de- fective first teeth unless the condition was serious. As stated in a previous report, these were omitted because parents as a rule pay no attention to such notices, though care of the first teeth often results in better perma- nent teeth. There is some evidence of neglect of the teeth on account of hard times and a considerable number of parents have reported that nothing had been done to teeth or tonsils because they could not afford it. We found no unusual evidence of malnutrition or lack of clothing on ac- count of poverty.
The pupils immunized against diphtheria in 1934 were tested and those still susceptible were re-immunized. Only ten needed it, however.
Immunization was offered to all in the first three grades and 250 were treated. These will be tested in 1936. Toxoid was used instead of toxin- antitoxin except in children over ten years of age.
The skin test for tuberculosis was offered to pupils in the sixth, ninth and twelfth grades. One hundred sixty-four accepted and of these 30 were reported as positive and notice sent to the parents.
Many pupils have been examined for suspected contagious or parasitic diseases and we excluded from school those thought to be a menace. First aid has been given to pupils injured on the school property when requested. The boys on the football squad have been examined, also the basketball squad and the track team. All girls who have signified inten- tions of trying for the basketball, hockey, or other competitive sports have been examined, and others who complain of fatigue or show evidence of strain from ordinary physical training classes. The School Physician has
169
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
attended the home football games as was requested and has examined and treated boys injured at football upon request of the coach, though it is specifically stated on the consent cards that the school department as- sumes no liability for injuries.
The Board of Health kindly loaned Miss Nellie B. Russell to assist the diphtheria and tuberculosis program.
Besides the routine school work the School Nurse gives the following as special visits :
Children examined for cleanliness 24
Children receiving first aid 90
Boys injured at manual training 16
Burned in chemistry class 4
Children taken to North Reading to be X-rayed 12
Children taken to Waltham to be X-rayed 5
Children taken to Fernald School-admitted 1
Children taken to Psychopathic Hospital 1
(Later admitted to Danvers Hospital-adult type of insanity)
Homes visited 240
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
The following statements are taken from the report of the physical education department :
We are trying through graded lessons which begin with rhythms, stunts, or simple games and lead up to group co-operative games or indi- vidual work, to teach the child certain fundamental skills which will in- crease his or her agility, but also provide some form of activity which he or she may use in after school life.
With these activities we also stress the need for proper food and amount, the need for certain amount of sleep, the need for proper cloth- ing, and the need for certain amount of education with regard to safety and first aid.
In spite of the fact that pupils are not examined for posture defects, we are giving simple corrective exercises to the group which will help strengthen those muscles which help to maintain good posture. There is need for individual work. We believe that if it would be possible to record certain health achievements, such as height and weight to show gains or losses and send same home, it would help inspire the child to put forth his or her best efforts.
170
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
The following figures indicate the number of girls and boys interested in our inter-class or intra-mural sports program. This does not include the number of boys who were members of varsity squads.
Girls' Field Hockey 80
Girls' Basketball 92
Girls' Bowling 75
Girls' Golf*
41
* The girls who were members of this group were fortunate in having Leslie Cottrell, the professional at the Bear Hill Golf Club, as instructor.
Boys' Football
78
Boys' Basketball 275
Boys' Baseball 80
Boys' Track* 70
Cross Country*
40
*These sports, the interclass events, are conducted along with the regu- lar practice. Of course all of these boys did not engage in inter-scholastic competition.
PENMANSHIP SUPERVISION
The interest which the pupils taken in penmanship under the leader- ship of their supervisor is shown by the number of certificates given. The following tables show the number of certificates given, first by schools and then by grades:
By Schools
Greenwood
196
Franklin
198
Lincoln
207
Warren
107
Montrose
94
Woodville
67
Hurd
47
West Ward
34
By Grades
Grade 1
172
Grade 2
126
Grade 3
120
Grade 4
139
Grade 5
131
Grade 6
137
Grade 7
125
This makes a total of 950 certificates given.
171
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
BUDGET
The appropriation asked for 1936 is $260,700.00. The receipts due the School Department are estimated to be about $39,800.00 from the following sources :
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on account of teachers $ 22,000.00
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, tuition, state wards 1,800.00
City of Boston, tuition, city wards
4,024.01
Town of Lynnfield, tuition
10,715.24
Town of Stoneham, tuition
190.95
Individuals, tuition
676.12
Miscellaneous
481.01
$ 39,887.33
By deducting these receipts the net amount needed for school pur- poses to be raised by local taxation is $220,812.67.
DR. J. WILLIAM O'CONNELL, Chairman MRS. EVA GOWING RIPLEY, Secretary Mrs. MABEL WALL SWEETSER, Treasurer HARRY B. ALLMAN
THOMAS F. KENNEY
GARDNER E. CAMPBELL
School Committee.
172
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
APPENDIX
A. Statistics of School Enrollment and Attendance. Cost per Pupil
B. Tabulation of Records of Attendance for School Year, 1934-1935 -
C. School Organization
D. Cost of Public Day Schools
E. How a School Dollar Is Spent
F. Age and Grade Chart, January 1, 1936
G. Changes in Teachers
H. High School Graduation
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
173
A
Population Census, 1935
16,494
Average Membership ending June, 1935
3,367
Average Membership ending June, 1934
3,391
Decrease in Average Membership
24
Total Membership, 1935
3,548
Total Membership, 1934
3,434
Percent of Attendance, 1935
95.22
Percent of Attendance, 1934
95.86
Length of School Year, 1934-1935
39 weeks
Days lost - Stormy weather, holidays:
High
101/2 days
Elementary
111/2 days
Actual Length of School Year:
High
36 weeks
Elementary
35 weeks, 1 day
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, 1934-1935:
High School, exclusive of general control
$91.56
Elementary Schools, exclusive of general control
64.09
All public schools, from all sources 74.25
Cost per pupil including ordinary repairs, in State
90.23
174
1
*
*
12.58
12.07
96.01
4,132
139
30
2
10
29
39
31.48
30.38
96.51
5,367
194
16
5
Avis M. Jones
22
12
34
31.52
29.98
95.11
5,292
372
48
6
Esther M. Winkler
32
3
35
29.77
28.59
96.05
5,047
207
53
15
Elizabeth D. Burke
11
1
12
12.69
11.31
89.11
1,007
123
28
10
Lee Pfeiffer
10
4
14
12.77
11.82
92.57
1,040
34
25
12
Clareberta Wilson
27
4
31
30.87
29.42
95.33
4,809
257
33
11
Abbie A. Bell
28
3
31
30.10
28.96
96.20
5,155
203
16
19
Ethel M. Wilson
32
3
35
33.15
31.69
95.61
5,642
259
43
30
Signe M. Peterson
96.14
5,881
236
31
17
41
37.61
35.92
95.49
6.394
301
55
18
Theresa J. Collins
32
3
35
36.30
34.51
95.06
6.184
319
28
16
-
High Eighth Grade
110
525
578
1,213
1,139.15
1,091.19
95.79
196,404
8,979
3,123
1,348
Hertha Bergner
20
14
2
36
35.01
33.49
97.25
5,995
268
34
40
Eliza V. Coburn
32
5
37
36.80
35.54
96.56
6,361
226
30
29
Isabel M. Elliot
34
3
37
35.93
34.36
95.63
6,151
281
9
23
Lois I. Jordan
21
13
1
35
35.84
34.67
96.74
6,207
209
26
28
Mary Kalaher
17
20
4
41
36.80
34.67
94.20
6,222
382
36
53
33
6
37
36.85
35.85
97.29
6,417
179
5
16
31
2
33
32.15
31.76
97.43
5,663
149
21
10
27
8
35
32.97
32.16
97.53
5,726
143
9
18
33
33
32.93
32.17
97.71
5,727
134
22
3
36
1 37
35.08
33.71
96.10
6,000
243
33
6
Stella Blaikie
34
34
32.64
31.49
96.47
5,604
205
24
3
Helen E. Harper
29
29
29.89
28.84
96.54
2,978
141
17
5
Katherine L. Kelly
29
29
29.32
28.27
96.40
5,101
176
48
10
Helen M. Delaney
**
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
B RECORD OF ATTENDANCE FOR SCHOOL YEAR 1934 - 1935
No. of different pupils enrolled
School
Teacher
5-6
Pupils
Pupils
Pupils
Total
Enrollment
Average
Average
Attendance
Percent
Attendance
Attendance
Days
Absence
Tardiness
Dismissals
Pupils
7-14
14-16
16 or over
2
36
34.37
33.04
Amanda J. Stephenson
41
Franklin
Ethel Rodgerson
Edna M. Paulson
Cora Guarnaccia
Mabel F. Johnson
Lydia M. Sullivan
1
Greenwood
Ida G. Low
C. J. Peterson
Days
Membership
34
School
Teacher
Pupils
5-6
7-14 Pupils
Pupils
Pupils
16 or over
Total
Enrollment
Average
Average
Percent
Attendance
Attendance
Days
Absence
Tardiness
Dismissals
Winifred Beal
40
40
39.18
37.14
94.80
6,611
362
89
41
M. Grace Pike
39
39
37.18
35.56
95.64
6,329
289
51
12
Laura A. Hart
30
30
29.19
27.43
93.97
4,883
312
70
19
Lillian J. Shoff
33
33
32.25
30.53
94.66
5,435
305
47
25
Hilda M. Hayden
39
39
36.74
33.69
91.71
5,949
536
12
15
Susie Long
37
37
36.42
33.92
93.11
5,988
441
35
11
Grace E. Widtfeldt
12
17
29
27.82
25.48
91.59
4.496
413
23
6
Maude E. Parks
11
22
33
29.17
26.60
91.19
4,695
454
31
3
Madaliene J. Crocker
38
1
39
34.97
31.20
89.22
5,507
665
22
6
Alice E. Calkins
35
4
39
36.03
31.95
88.70
5,354
699
62
10
Eleanor B. Ringdahl
29
1
30
30.26
28.57
94.42
5,097
295
11
15
Katheryn Carney
27
27
30.31
28.94
95.47
5,094
241
38
15
Bella A. Rattray
24
7
31
29.75
27.63
92.88
4,863
372
31
16
Eva M. Chick
40
1
41
40.29
38.38
95.25
6,832
340
14
12
Ruth B. Spence
34
4
1
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.