USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1938 > Part 9
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Continued a previous action to admit children under the required school age if they showed a mental age of six by a Simon-Binet Test.
Established a course in Italian in the High School as required by a recent enactment of the General Court, a petition and the required regis- tration having been received.
Discontinued two teaching positions in the elementary schools, one at the Woodville School and one at the Franklin School.
Accepted, on behalf of the Hurd School, a gift from Miss Boardman of a set of Encyclopaedias and the Century Book of Facts.
Accepted a gift from Miss Eunice S. Wall of a framed high school di- ploma of her great-aunt, Susan Adelaide Stowell, the class of 1863.
We hope that the following projects which have been given to the W.P.A. office for consideration may be completed:
Plastering ceilings in classrooms in the Franklin, Greenwood, Wood- ville and Hurd Schools.
Washing and painting inside the Greenwood, Woodville, Franklin and Lincoln Schools.
Fireproof ceilings and cement floors of spaces in the Woodville and Greenwood basements under the Auditoriums.
Build a combination of tennis courts, skating and hockey rink, and fill and grade the football field on the High School Athletic Field. Sub-drain and fill the playground at the Franklin School.
Relay floors at the Lincoln and Hurd Schools.
Changes in the personnel for the year may be found in Appendix H.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Total Cost
Net Cost of Schools for Maintenance and Operation:
Expenditures for 1938
$285,235.05
Receipts through the School Department 40,720.89
Net Cost to the Town through local taxation $244,514.16
Per Pupil Cost
Cost per pupil for instruction, maintenance and operation based on average membership for the school year, 1937-1938, exclusive of general control :
High School
$103.42
Elementary Schools
71.26
All public Schools 83.26
Cost per pupil including ordinary repairs, in State 101.27
Details of finances may be found in Appendices D and E.
CARE OF PROPERTY
It is interesting to note that four school buildings, particularly the High School, are used to a considerable extent during evenings. The Univer- sity Extension Division of the State Department of Education has held three classes in the High School.
The walks at the West Ward School were in a dangerous condition. During the summer, they were repaired by resurfacing and filling in the shoulders.
The School Department was very fortunate in that the damage done by the hurricane in the fall was of minor importance. No building was damaged at all. A few trees were uprooted or had branches broken off. At the Lincoln School, three large trees were blown over onto private property. Some trimming of broken limbs and branches was done at the Greenwood, Franklin and Montrose Schools. The Tree Warden took down six trees on Walton Field. The wood and debris were removed by the Welfare Depart- ment.
There are several ceilings that should be replaced. The School De- partment has strapped them to make them safe, but hope that the W.P.A. will put in new work.
Several buildings and classrooms need painting badly. A project for this work has been placed with the W.P.A.
The School Department hopes that all the W.P.A. projects will be ac- cepted and approved, as all the work called for is needed badly.
Several window sashes at the Lincoln School are in such condition that they should be replaced next summer. This replacement is necessary and
136
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
will make a considerable difference in heating the building. There are two rooms which are always below the required temperature on cold, windy days.
The fire-alarm system in the Hurd School was inadequate and has been replaced.
Many return traps of the heating system in the Greenwood and High Schools had worn out and were renewed during the summer.
Late in the fall, many tubes in one of the boilers at the High School were leaking. There were so many that we were advised to retube the boiler entirely.
The School Committee made the usual inspection of all property late in the spring.
The grading of the Greenwood Playground was finished this year by W.P.A. A new sidewalk was also laid on the southern end.
HIGH SCHOOL
The enrollment at the beginning of the school year was as follows:
Boys
Girls
Total
Post Graduates
15
17
32
Seniors
116
127
243
Juniors
106
151
257
Sophomores A. M.
86
73
159
323
368
691
Sophomores P. M.
41
62
103
Freshman
183
152
335
224
214
438
Total
547
582
1,129
The enrollment this year is 14 less than last year.
In commenting on the High School the Principal states:
"We are still handicapped with the two session school. This system seemingly is not a great hardship for the pupil who is preparing for college for he soon learns that to get ready for college he must make the most of the handicap and he has a definite goal to work for and he rises to the situation and works. To the pupil who has no definite goal it is a serious drawback. We are not able to do for him what we should and he apparently doesn't care. If he can get by he is perfectly happy and content. The freshmen are the ones who suffer most. They have not learned how to organize their work. The afternoon is not a satisfactory time to be in school, the lighting is very poor and the combination is one that affects their work seriously.
"Regardless of the handicaps of the double session school it is very gratifying to see so many of our graduates enter higher institutions of learn-
137
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
ing and make good. About 20% of each graduating class go to higher in- stitutions of learning. This speaks well for the students and also for their teachers.
"Two rooms in the Lincoln School are used during the morning as study rooms for High School students who wish extra help in any subject. The number reporting for the work is not as large as desired.
"We have made great advancement in our choral music. Last spring the glee clubs presented the operetta 'Trial by Jury'. It was delightfully done and great credit is due Miss Dix and Mr. Fulton for the performance. We have over 200 boys and girls in the various glee clubs. In fact there are only a very few high schools in the state that have a boys' glee club. Mr. Fulton is very successful and is to be commended for the musical achieve- ment of the boys.
"When one considers the handicaps under which the musical organiza- tions, the glee clubs, the band and orchestras operate as far as time and places for rehearsals are concerned, it is remarkable what is being done for and by the boys and girls. At the present time we have over 325 pupils, or 30% of the school, receiving musical instruction.
"In sports we are as successful as could be expected considering the conditions under which we operate. In basketball, all practicing is done after five o'clock which is very inconvenient for pupils and parents. Also if we have any inter-school games in the afternoon, none can attend them as it would interfere with the work of the afternoon school.
"In baseball we have intra-mural games in the early part of the season, then inter-school games the last five or six weeks. We do not turn out such good school teams probably but now we have over 100 boys playing base- ball whereas we used to have 20 or 25."
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
The registration in the various elementary schools as of December 31, 1938 is as follows:
Franklin
350
Montrose 184
Greenwood
503
Warren 257
Hurd
109
Woodville 112
Lincoln
381 West Ward 64
Loss of 39 pupils compared with December 31, 1937.
Two teaching positions were not filled in September 1938. These were taken care of by combining two classes in the Woodville School and by com- bining two classes at the Franklin School. These combinations should cause no loss of efficiency in either place.
Two playgrounds will have to have attention when funds may be available. These are at the Montrose and Franklin Schools. In all probability it will be necessary to scrape off a part of the present field and replace this with some material which will pack better and give a firmer bed for a top dressing.
138
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
The following paragraphs are taken from reports of the elementary principals.
"Considerable improvement of the conduct of the children during the morning recess periods at the Warren and Greenwood Schools has been accomplished by changing the recess schedule. Three recesses are held in- stead of two, as in the past. The seventh and eighth grades now have their recess exactly in the middle of the morning, making it possible to hold four equal class periods during the morning, where in the past this was impossible. The fact that one period for a major subject had to be held in the afternoon caused many program difficulties when special teachers were in the build- ing. As it is now, the special teachers have no trouble because they can handle the work in the departmental grades during any part of the P. M. session. Grades one, two and three take their recesses in one group, just before the seventh and eighth grades go out. They have much more room to play and no big fourth graders to trample and bully them as they did in the past. The fourth, fifth and sixth grades go out together immediately after the seventh and eighth grade recess and have the same advantages as the small children. Accidents on the playground at this time have been cut down so much as to be almost eliminated, largely I believe, because of the fact that everyone has more room to play. This schedule has met with the enthusiastic favor of teachers and pupils, both. It was put into effect in April at the Greenwood School and worked out so well that it was followed, beginning in September, at the Warren School. At the Warren School, the play ground is so much too small for the size of the school that the effect of relief from over- crowding is much more noticeable. Scarcely a month passed under the old schedule that the neighbors didn't complain of children running over their property at this time. No such complaint has been received since the new schedule was put into effect. It has had the effect of enlarging the play- ground without any expenditure."
"The School Department established a program of visual education, showing a series of historical films in a sequence of shows covering all of the elementary schools from grades three to eight. These films are from the Yale University Film Service and are historically accurate and vividly bring to the children a new realization of the hardships which were over- come by our ancestors in the establishment of our country. It would seem that a new sense of values and appreciation of our insititutions thus de- veloped in the minds of the children might be of inestimable value in com- bating the subversive influences which seem to be all about us."
"The teachers have worked faithfully during the year. They have given attention to the various holidays, proclamations of the Governor and have given patriotic instruction on all of them. Otherwise, the general work has had all possible consideration."
"There was a valuable experience for those chosen to represent the Lincoln School in the demonstration of public school music at Boston University School of Music on April twentieth. The pupils gave a good account of their work in music and received a compliment from the teacher in charge. It was what they wished to see, the regular class room music."
139
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
"Likewise the general work is advancing; teachers are exerting them- selves to accomplish all that is possible to accomplish. So many psychological facts enter into the situation and so many personal characteristics have to be considered, that at times it seems that nothing is being accomplished. However, in spite of all, there is progress, development and permanent results."
"The departmental program in grades seven and eight deserves special mention. The combination of two grades in a room complicates the situation somewhat. Nevertheless good work is being done."
"The noon period at the Montrose School is so long that play becomes boresome and time monotonous for them. It has seemed that a shorter noon period would obviate much of the difficulty. Grades one and two could profit by having their session continue till 11:30 A. M. and by beginning the after- noon session at one o'clock and no hardship to any home so far as we know would result. Parents who live the farthest from the school have been asked to consider the matter. They think their children can get home and back for an early beginning. Most of them are on the grounds very early any- way. Closing at three o'clock would insure arrival at home before dark and before the intense cold of late afternoons has developed. A trial of the plan is recommended. If it were found to be unsatisfactory, it could be dis- continued."
"The character training programs are being continued as in previous years.
"Safety has been concentrated upon and the posters and bulletins sup- plied by the State Department have been used.
"The special classes at the Franklin School are larger this year than they have been for some time. Mrs. Burke's class composed largely of girls should have proper facilities for cooking. Gas should be supplied to the second floor not only for this class but also to eliminate the use of the oil stove used by the pre-school teachers. The special class has returned four pupils to the regular grades during the year and with the exception of one pupil they are maintaining a passing grade."
"The Lions Club is doing a noteworthy piece of work for the school children in Wakefield. Many pupils have been provided with needed glasses. It is needless to say that in almost every case there has been a noticeable improvement in scholarship."
MUSIC
The following paragraphs are taken from the report of the Music Super- visor:
"When children enter the first grade, a few are able to 'carry a tune' correctly, some sing with varying degrees of accuracy, and others cannot sing at all. But every child is a potential singer, and the task of realizing this goal becomes one of patient, individual training by the teachers of the lower grades. Records were begun with this year's entering class and the result shows real accomplishment.
140
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Choir
Variables
Non-Singers
October, 1937
52
81
108
June, 1938
148
51
39
"A standard test in music fundamentals was authorized by the School Board this year for grades five, six, seven and eight. Again the results show the good work being done by the grade teachers. No class is below the mini- mum standard of achievement and many are in the upper levels.
Minimum Standard
Average of Test Result
Grade V
53
67
Grade VI 60
77.7
Grade VII
64
86
Grade VIII
67
88.8
"This fall work was begun in preparation for the second and more diffi- cult phase of the testing program-the ability to read music.
"Because of the increase in musical activities, all of the high school organizations could not be represented in the annual Music Week Concert. Therefore the junior and senior orchestras and bands gave a successful con- cert in April. This marked the first concert appearance of the junior orchestra and its continued development to follow.
"The glee clubs also presented recently, their third annual Hour of Christmas Music. The directors hope that the singing of portions of Handel's Messiah at this season will become a school tradition."
HEALTH
The following paragraphs are taken from the report of the School Physician :
"The pupils in Grade I and V and those in the first year of High School have been given a complete physical examination and the results recorded on the standard cards furnished by the State. Notice was sent to the parents of defects discovered as follows: In Grade 1 and V sixty notices were sent about teeth, seventy about nose and throat, four probable organic heart lesions, twenty no vaccination, one thyroid deficiency, one parasitic skin disease.
"Of the freshman girls in the High School, thirty-eight had defective teeth, fourteen nose or throat defects, two heart lesions, one enlarged gland, one inflamed eyelid, and two no vaccination. Of the boys, forty-seven had defective teeth, twenty-four nose and throat defects, one hernia, three in- flamed eyelids and three no vaccination.
"As an evidence of how carefully vaccination has been looked after, it is to be noted that only five in the entire freshman high school group did not have a vaccination scar.
"The other three classes in the High School were given an inspection examination with the discovery of one hundred and ninety-eight who needed
141
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
dental attention, twenty-nine whose nose and throat needed attention and two with inflamed eyelids.
"All the pupils in the grades, except I and V were given similar examina- tions with the detection of three hundred and ninety-two who needed dental attention, two hundred and sixty-one whose nose and throat were defective, five who had inflamed eyelids and a few parasitic skin lesions.
"Numerous suspicious cases of contagious or parasitic disease have been referred to me for diagnosis.
"The pupils immunized against diphtheria last year, and any others asking it, were given the Schick test and of these about 3% were not im- mune. These were reimmunized with the new pupils who asked for it. The absence of diphtheria has lulled the public a trifle as to its dangers, and the number submitting to immunization is somewhat less than formerly, being one hundred and forty.
"The State is about to undertake the testing for tuberculosis of the entire High School, so far as requested by the parents. As occasion offers, pupils known to be contacts with tuberculosis have been taken to the North Read- ing or Waltham Sanatoria for examination and X-Ray. This work has been done by the School Nurse in conjunction with the Board of Health Nurse.
"The incidence of severe contagious disease has been small. The health of the pupils good with almost no evidence of malnutrition due to 'hard times'."
The School Nurse reports the following special cases:
First Aid Cases-minor injuries
61
Children excluded with Impetigo
4
Boys injured at Manual Training
7
Children taken to the Doctor's office for examination
3
Pre-school children investigated as to physical condition
2
Children taken to No. Reading San. for X-Ray
12
Children taken to Middlesex County Sanatorium
6
Children taken to Fernald School
4
Children admitted to Fernald School
1
Children admitted to Monson School
2
Home Visits 379
ATTENDANCE
The Attendance Officer reports that he has investigated the following cases and has taken care of the same:
Sickness
82
Truancy
61
Tardy
18
Lack of clothes, shoes or food
38
Kept out by parents or guardian
12
Home employment permits
1
142
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Collected school books and property from
40
Left school to go to work
28
General disobedience
16
Investigated excuses
11
Investigated and found them moved
14
Found on street and taken to school
6
Found on street and taken home
1
Girls taken home ill
4
Boys taken home ill
1
Left school
21
Misdemeanor on school grounds
11
Holding warrants for good behavior
5
Suspensions
9
"I have made several calls not during school hours but at other times and have talked with parents or guardians regarding the child's progress and deportment, and have received a good reception and co-operation in most cases."
RETIREMENTS
During the year, two teachers retired from active service, Miss Mary E. Kalaher and Miss Katherine L. Kelly.
Miss Kalaher retired at the end of the school year after fifty years in the schools of Wakefield. During this long period she lost no time because of personal illness.
The many pupils who sat under her instruction have a kindly remem- brance of thoughtfulness and of the thoroughness of her teaching ..
Miss Kelly was first elected as a teacher in 1894. Her quiet dignity, thoroughness of teaching and general thoughtfulness for the good of her pupils were fully appreciated by her classes.
T. John Ardill, who served as janitor of the West Ward School since November, 1911, retired on May 1, 1938 because of failing health. Mr. Ardill rendered excellent service for the school and the pupils.
IN MEMORIAM
Miss Susie E. Long passed away suddenly on February 14, 1938. Miss Long served in our schools for thirty years conscientiously and faithfully. She gave of her best to her pupils, seeking always to interest them in their studies, and enriching her own teaching by study for the sake of the boys and girls whom she instructed.
Miss Mary E. Kalaher retired at the end of the school year in June after a service covering a period of fifty years. She passed away in the early fall after a brief illness.
She earnestly desired that her pupils should make good progress and did not spare herself to accomplish this aim.
143
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
There are many mature men and women as well as many young people who realize the worth of Miss Kalaher's teaching.
COMMENT
In 1938 Wakefield lined up with the large majority of communities in the Commonwealth by restoring the 10% cut in salaries which had been in effect since July, 1932. The restoration added about $23,500 to the budget requirements.
The school enrollment has decreased again this year. There were 39 fewer pupils in the elementary schools in December, 1938 compared with December, 1937. Because of this decrease it was possible to eliminate two teaching positions in the fall, enabling the School Department to close the year with balance of over $1,600.00.
The double session for the High School remains an unsolved problem. The Committee has given a great deal of study to what might be done with the present equipment to return to a single session, but so far has not found any plan which does not involve serious objections from the point of view of the well-being of the entire educational system.
The School Committee, realizing the financial condition of the Town, had not anticipated asking for an addition to the High School building; but when the Federal Government announced late in the spring that it would help finance projects in school buildings by paying 45% of the total cost, in- cluding architect's fees, equipment, grading et cetera, the Committee felt duty bound to give the townspeople an opportunity to vote upon acceptance of this offer. Although the time during which applications for a project could be filed was limited, the Committee had plans prepared for an ad- dition which would have adequately met the requirements of operating the High School on a single session. These plans were presented to the Town at a special meeting in the fall, and the whole proposition was rejected, but a special committee was appointed to study the problem. The School Commit- tee awaits with interest the report of this special committee.
HARRY B: ALLMAN, Chairman, MRS. EVA GOWING RIPLEY, Secretary, THOMAS F. KENNEY, Treasurer, MRS. MARY LOUISE TREDINNICK, PATRICK H. TENNEY, WILLIAM E. JONES.
144
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
APPENDIX
A. Statistics of School Enrollment and Attendance.
B. Tabulation of Records of Attendance for School Year 1937-1938.
C. School Organization.
D. Cost of Public Day Schools.
E. How a School Dollar Is Spent.
F. Age and Grade Chart, January, 1939.
G. School Census.
H. Changes in Personnel.
I. High School Graduation.
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
145
A
Population Census, 1935
16,494
Average Membership ending June, 1938
3,112
Average Membership ending June, 1937
3,205
Decrease in Average Membership
93
Total Membership, 1938
3,204
Total Membership, 1937
3,327
Per cent of Attendance, 1938
95.66
Per cent of Attendance, 1937
95.28
Days Lost, Stormy Weather, Holidays:
High
11
Elem.
13
Actual Length of School Year:
High
183
Elem.
181
Special Teachers Employed
3
Regular Teaching Positions
111
Total Teaching Positions
114
B
RECORD OF ATTENDANCE FOR SCHOOL YEAR. 1937-1838.
*No. Different Pupils Enrolled
School
Teacher
Pupils 5-6
Pupils 7-14
Pupils 14-16
Pupils 16 or over
Total Enroll- ment
Average Member- ship
Average Attend- ance
Per ct. Attend- ance
Days Attend- ance
Days Absence
Tardi- ness
Dismis- sals
High Franklin
Charles J. Peterson
93
547
561
1,201 1,130.19 1,082.93
95.81
197,977
9,094
2,701
1,440
Mary Kalaher
32
12
44
43.23
42.28
97.82
7,591
170
13
11
Eva M. Chick
25
3
28
27.31
26.24
96.06
4,710
193
12
10
Edna M. Paulson
25
25
24.63
24.33
98.77
4,366
54
6
6
Cora Guarnaccia
38
1
39
39.C8
38.04
97.36
6,829
185
15
9
Mabel Johnson
36
36
36.49
35.15
96.33
6,311
240
22
10
Stella Blaikie
35
35
34.21
33.50
97.95
6,015
125
11
8
Helen Harper
19
19
18.72
17.88
95.56
3,173
150
36
3
Katherine L. Kelly
26
26
26.66
25.95
97.36
4,606
125
24
15
Helen M. Delaney
6
17
23
21.54
20.29
94.26
3,603
220
3
4
Lydia M. Sullivan
2
17
19
20.62
19.78
95.92
3,511
149
1
7
Lee Pfeiffer
22
2
24
24.09
23.06
95.72
4,093
183
15
4
Avis M. Jones
24
24
20.10
18.58
92.43
3,299
270
23
7
Elizabeth D. Burke
5
3
8
10.07
9.79
97.24
1,762
50
19
4
Hester A. Walker
12
12
12.01
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