USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1940 > Part 11
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154
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Jan. 1, 1940-Cash on hand
Receipts during year 1940
$ 247.01 300.28
$ 547.29
Expenditures for year 1940
130.90
Dec. 31, 1940-Cash on hand Summary of Appropriations and Expenditures For 1939 and 1940 1939
General Relief
Appro.
Spent $ 3,377.01
Balance
Adm. - Salaries
$ 3,500.00
$ 122.99
Adm. - Other Expense
450.00
382.99
67.01
Recipients' Expense
52,435.26
48,062.01
4,373.25
$56,385.26
$51,822.01
$ 4,563.25
Infirmary
Adm. - Salaries
$ 2,378.66
$ 2,378.66
none
Other Expense
7,313.40
7,308.20
$
5.20
$ 9,692.06
$ 9,686.86
$ 5.20
Aid to Dependent Children
Adm. - Salaries -
Town
$ 424.00
$ 424.00
none
Adm. - Other Exp. - Town
76.00
76.00
none
Adm. - Federal Funds
440.58
195.14
245.44
Recipients - Town
15,000.00
14,361.50
638.50
Recipients - Federal
4,208.78
1,343.00
2,865.78
$20,149.36
$16,399.64
$ 3,149.72
1940
General Relief
Appro.
Spent
Balance
Adm. - Salaries
$ 3,406.24
$ 3,406.24
none
Adm. - Other Expense
1,200.00
1,024.81
$ 175.19
Recipients' Expense
42,142.10
42,119.38
22.72
$46,748.20
$46,550.43
$ 197.91
Infirmary
Adm. - Salaries
2,200.00
$ 1,939.33
$ 260.17
Other Expense
6,590.00
6,585.84
4.06
$ 8,790.00
$ 8,525.17
$ 264.23
Aid to Dependent Children
Adm. - Salaries -
Town
350.00
$ 350.00
none
$ 416.39
155
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
Adm. - Other Exp. -
Town
200.00
125.39
$ 74.61
Adm. - Federal Funds
773.63
617.37
156.26
Recipients - Town
11,000.00
7,974.50
3,025.50
Recipients - Federal
8,318.15
8,240.65
77.50
$20,641.78
$17,307.91 $ 3,333.87
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
Application for Old Age Assistance can be made by citizens 65 years or older, whose financial circumstances are such that they require assistance.
May we remind you that Old Age Assistance is not an Old Age Pension.
The local bureau has the duty of determining eligibility and is subject to State and Federal regulations.
The law still requires children to support their parents provided they are able to do so. A careful check to deter- mine their ability to assist in full or part is required.
The total expense of this division would be extremely heavy without both State and Federal reimbursements.
Old Age and Survivors' Insurance went into effect January 1, 1940, but at present we have received only three applications that affected us in connection with this insurance.
Receipts and Expenditures
Town Appropriations
$ 51,276.00
Federal Grants received
47,920.89
Refunds
468.00
$ 99,664.89
Federal Grant Balance Jan. 1, 1941
3,190.14
$ 96,474.75
Balance Federal Grant Jan. 1, 1940
6,805.98
$103,280.73
Payrolls
$103,280.73
Federal Grants
51,536.73
$ 51,744.00
Refunds
468.00
$ 51,276.00
Cash received from the State
34,570.85
$ 16,705.15
156
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Cash received from cities and towns
1,142.48
$ 15,562.67
Billed to the cities and towns Jan. 1, 1941
1,815.53
Net cost to the Town
$ 13,747.14
November and December grants due the town
$ 8,737.04
Estimate due from the State for 1940
$ 33,872.00
Unpaid Bills for 1940
$
96.64
Old Age Assistance Case Load by Months for 1940 286 active cases as of January 1, 1940
Month
New Cases
Closed Cases
End of Month
January
6
5
287
February
2
3
286
March
5
1
290
April
5
4
291
May
9
3
297
June
8
6
299
July
1
6
294
August
12
7
299
September
5
3
301
October
8
5
304
November
8
7
305
December
6
2
309
-
-
75
52
Age Brackets of Existing Cases as of 1940
Men
Women
65 to 69
40
56
70 to 74
37
41
75 to 79
25
46
80 to 84
21
25
Over 84
2
16
125
184
Yearly Report of the Number of Applications Accepted and the Number Remaining on December 31, 1940
New
Closed Cases
Active
Year
Cases
Cases
1935
64
1936
151
21
130
1937
79
44
35
1938
87
51
36
157
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE
1939
80
59
21
1940
75
52
23
472
227
309
Old Age Assistance Administration Town Funds
Appropriation
$ 1,525.00
Expenditures
1,525.00
Salaries
$ 1,195.00
Auto
210.00
Stationery
30.94
Postage
59.38
Telephone
19.45
Sundries
10.23
$ 1,525.00
U. S. Grant Administration
Cash
$ 1,597.29
Balance Jan. 1, 1940
100.33
$ 1,697.62
Expenditures
1,589.06
Balance on hand Jan. 1, 1941
$ 108.56
Federal Grant Administration
Salaries
$ 1,160.01
Auto
30.00
Stationery
66.38
Postage
216.19
Telephone
56.15
Sundries
60.33
$ 1,589.06
APPRECIATION
The Board wishes to acknowledge with thanks the many kindnesses shown in the way of donations of books, maga- zines, clothes and refreshments by numerous individuals and organizations during the year and particularly during the Christmas season.
Respectfully submitted,
M. LEO CONWAY, Chairman HERBERT D. ANDERSON, Secretary HELEN M. RANDALL, HAROLD C. ROBINSON.
158
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of School Committee
ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE School Committee for 1940
Patrick H. Tenney, Chairman
Term Expires 1943
14 Emerson Street
Mrs. Eva Gowing Ripley, Secretary
Term Expires 1943
40 Emerson Street
William E. Jones, Treasurer
Term Expires 1941
29 Lafayette Street
Mrs. Mary Louise Tredinnick
Term Expires 1942
129 Pleasant Street
James M. Henderson
Term Expires 1942
118 Prospect Street
James A. Fox
Term Expires 1941
Fox Road
SUB-COMMITTEES
The Committee as a whole acts as sub-committees with the following chairmen:
Mrs. Tredinnick-Text Books and Supplies
Mrs. Ripley-Teachers and Salaries
Mr. Henderson-Public Property
Mr. Jones-Courses of Study
Mr. Fox-Finances and Accounts
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS Willard B. Atwell, 94 West Chestnut Street
SECRETARY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT Pauline E. Meads, 7 Park Avenue
CLERK Doris Skinner, 9 Franklin Street
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
The single session was re-established in the High School in the fall of 1939. In order to carry out this single session plan, it was necessary to curtail the physical training program and also to use the auditorium for study periods.
It was also apparent that after the single session plan was re-established there was need of additional lockers and locker space, as well as an additional stairway from the first to the second floor in order to relieve the crowded conditions in the corridors and stairways.
159
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
At the Annual Town Meeting of March, 1940, and again at the Special Town Meeting which was held on April 22, 1940, the School Committee caused to be in- serted in the warrant four articles, one article calling for the excavating under the north section of the High School building, under a WPA project, at a cost to the Town of $10,617 for material, equipment and supervision. By excavating under this section of the building, 5,135 square feet of floor space would be gained. This would provide ample locker room space and lunch room space. The second article provided for the conversion of two locker bays on the second floor into class rooms at a cost of $2,013. The third article provided for the installing of two stairways running from the first to the second floor. The fourth article provided for new seats in the auditorium.
An additional article was inserted by the Special Committee appointed by Town Meeting, and this article called for additional alterations on the first floor of the building.
The Special Town Meeting acted favorably on all five articles and appointed a special committee to work in conjunction with the School Committee in making these alterations and structural changes. This special com- mittee consisted of Jabez Hollett, Chairman; Edwin L. Nute, Peter Y. Myhre, Charles J. Doyle and Herman G. Dresser, and they rendered a great deal of assistance and counsel to the School Committee.
Shortly after the Town Meeting in April, the national situation in reference to WPA changed so that it was the opinion of both committees that the excavating plan be abandoned, and the money appropriated there- under be returned to the Town, and this was done. In view of this situation it was found impossible to convert both locker bays into class rooms because of lack of space for the lockers. It was possible, however, to find room for the lockers from one of these locker bays, and this locker bay was converted into an ideal class room. The balance of this appropriation ($1,000) was returned to the Town. The locker problem at the High School is still unsolved, and lockers and locker space for about three hundred and fifty (350) pupils should be furnished. The physical training program will still have to be curtailed until some additional space is furnished at the High School.
A double stairway, costing $4,000, was installed in the center part of the building running from the first to the second floor. This stairway has greatly relieved the
160
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
congestion in both the corridors and other stairways between classes. The change in the WPA situation also made it impractical to have further alterations on the first floor, and the money appropriated under that article was returned to the Town.
The Town appropriated $4,500 for new seats which were installed in the auditorium, and the students who now use this auditorium for a study period are much more comfortable.
A new blower was installed in the Wood Shop at the High School, making the air condition in the Woodwork- ing Department much better for the pupils from a health standpoint.
Mr. William D. Healey has been appointed Director of Extra-Curricula Activity at the High School and has arranged a program for the operation of the High School which will take effect next term, so that the High School will be operated on a six-period plan rather than a seven. He will also have charge of the schedule in the Extra- Curricula Activities so there will not be conflicts between outside work carried on by the High School pupils.
A Guidance Program has been installed under the direction of Mr. Howard J. Heavens, and this program should be of great assistance to the pupils in selecting their life work after leaving High School, as well as being of great help in selecting the proper courses while at High School or at college.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
A new heating plant and stoker were installed at the Hurd School, and new smoke partitions were erected at the Lincoln and Warren Schools.
A fire occurred at the Lincoln School, causing damage to the building and contents amounting to $1,772.73. This damage was completely covered by insurance and the loss was paid in full to the Town by the insurer.
The Committee did not have enough money to install new ceilings in the Greenwood School, but expects that funds will be provided for this improvement.
The Montrose, Woodville and Franklin Schools need exterior painting, and it is hoped that money will be provided for this work in 1941.
Extensive repairs, including heating and plumbing and other work, are needed at the Warren School.
161
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
After careful study of the Arithmetic, Reading and English courses in the elementary schools, the Commit- tee will furnish new text books on these subjects in order that the training in all these subjects will be uniform. PATRICK H. TENNEY, Chairman EVA GOWING RIPLEY
WILLIAM E. JONES
MARY LOUISE TREDINNICK
JAMES M. HENDERSON JAMES A. FOX
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
I herewith submit my annual report for the year of 1940.
Enrollment
The enrollment for the various schools as of December 31, is as follows:
High School
1168
Lincoln 342
Franklin
310
Montrose
180
Greenwood
465
Warren 257
Hurd
97
West Ward
55
Woodville 117
This is a decrease of forty (40) in the total pupils. The High School has an increase of twenty-one (21) and the elementary schools have a decrease of sixty-one (61), although Grade I has an increase of twelve (12) pupils. The greatest decrease was forty-six (46) in the eighth grade.
Special Committees Appointed
We have started work on revising the courses of study for the elementary grades by appointing committees of teachers to make a thorough study of the various subjects. The subjects covered are English, Reading and Arithmetic. Principal George E. Hayes acted as chairman for the English Committee, Principal Eliot B. Leonard for the Arithmetic Committee and Principal T. Frank Shea for the Reading Committee. The Committee for English has made a complete report upon its work, and has made a recommendation on a text book to be used. The report was presented to the School Committee by the Chairman, and its recommendation for a uniform course of study and for uniform text books was accepted and put into operation early in the fall.
The Committees on 'Arithmetic and Reading will render reports late in the spring. The teachers are to be com- plimented for the earnestness and effectiveness of their work.
162
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
During the past year, heads of departments have met with the School Committee to outline and explain the work of the particular department. The Committee has thus learned more of the details of the several de- partments, with the aims which the teachers have set up.
Last year, with the advice and cooperation of the prin- cipals, we set up a time schedule for the various activities and regular work for the elementary grades. This plan has been in operation for the greater part of the school year and has worked out very well. It has co-ordinated and unified the work, and has eliminated disproportionate time given to the several studies and to the special subjects.
Selective Service
When a call came for assistance in registration for the Selective Service on October 16, 1940, the teachers re- sponded practically 100%, the only absentees being those who were ill or who had appointments that could not be changed. I want to commend the teachers for their whole-hearted response to this civic and patriotic duty.
Change of Teachers
There were only two changes in teachers this year. Miss M. Grace Pike and Miss Marjory Finney resigned to be married. They were succeeded by Miss Mary P. O'Connell and Mrs. Mary M. Harrington, respectively.
Manual Arts
When the eighth grades were taken from the High School building and returned to their several districts, all work in manual training for the boys, and sewing for the girls, had to be dropped. It seems to me that this is a most unfortunate situation. The pupils of the seventh and eighth grades should have some work of this kind, particularly in these times.
The pupils in the High School should have a wider choice of shop work than they now have, for they are limited to various kinds of woodwork. A report from the Manual Training Instructor suggesting other possibilities has been submitted to the Committee for consideration. This will mean additional expense, but the pupil who does not expect to go to college should receive more considera- tion than at present.
Physical Education
Each grade of the elementary schools has one period every two weeks with the instructor, who explains and demonstrates the work to be carried on in the class room or out-of-doors by the class room teacher. Each teacher
163
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
has an outline to cover two weeks' work. In Grade I through VI, boys and girls work together, and in grades VII and VIII the boys work with Mr. Shellenberger and the girls work with Miss Shepard. Each teacher spends a certain allotted time of each day with these activities, which are conducted out-of-doors when weather permits or indoors with plenty of fresh air.
Many boys and girls are given an opportunity to fur- ther their physical development by the athletic games conducted by the instructors. Girls participate in soccer, field-hockey, basketball, softball and kickball. For boys there is tag football, soccer, basketball, track, ice-hockey and baseball.
Music
A test on fundamentals was given in June in grades four to eight, which was sufficiently similar to one given two years ago to show progress by comparison.
1938
1939
Grade IV
Not given 74
Grade V
66.75
87
Grade VI
78.5
95
Grade VII
89
92
Grade VIII
89
93.5
In the High School this year, music has been again entirely an extra-curricula, after school subject, yet good enrollment shows continued interest in the band, orchestra and glee clubs. The Gilbert and Sullivan club staged "Mikado" successfully under the difficulty of evening rehearsals.
The value of "listening periods" is being recognized as a necessity in class rooms. A radio is in almost every home. In our democratic country, the boys and girls may choose the programs they wish to hear. It is evident there is a necessity for developing a taste for the better music.
Per Pupil Cost
Cost per pupil for instruction and maintenance, ex- clusive of general control, based on average membership for the school year 1939-1940:
High School $ 112.366
Elementary Schools
74.883
All Public Schools
98.02
State
100.43
Total expenditures for 1940
$ 281,990.00
Receipts for 1940
45,331.21
Net cost from local taxation
$ 236,658.79
164
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Other Reports
Reports of the principals are on following pages. I suggest that you read them for further details of school work.
WILLARD B. ATWELL,
Superintendent of Schools
HIGH SCHOOL
I herewith submit my report of the High School for the year 1939-1940.
The enrollment at the beginning of the school year was as follows:
Boys
Girls
Total
Post Graduates
7
17
24
Seniors
110
120
230
Juniors
136
124
260
Sophomores
159
151
310
Freshmen
188
167
355
600
579
1179
This enrollment was 22 more than last year. There are 114 Lynnfield pupils now registered. Another interesting fact is we had 38 pupils enter High School in the fall whose parents had moved to Wakefield during the spring and summer and had not registered with us when our elective cards were made out in May. This is nine more than last year.
The new center stairway, which was built during the summer, is a great help in passing to classes. We have practically no congested places now, and we are able to get to classes in three minutes where it took four minutes last year. It is also a great help for fire drills. We can now empty the building in about two minutes.
We should consider introducing an elective course in speech arts, including work in corrective speech, public speaking, debates and play productions. This course would prove both useful and popular. Miss Caswell, the head of the English Department, recommended a course like this to the School Committee some time ago.
Last year we revived our School Council. This activity gives the pupils an insight into the running of a large school. The more interest they have in the conduct of school affairs the better it will be for them and for the school.
165
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
During the year we established a course in automobile driving. Considerable interest was shown and the course is continued this year.
Certain changes in the curricula in the High School have been made by adding the following: more complete work in Office Practice, Salesmanship and Problems of Democracy. American History has been a required sub- ject in the fourth year in the High School, but will be put ahead gradually to the third year and Problems of Democracy will be given in the senior year.
We expect this latter change will give the pupils a better understanding of American ideals, and a better understanding and appreciation of our American ways of government.
Mechanical Drawing IV and Freehand Drawing III and IV have been eliminated, and the number of periods for each for the first and second years has been increased from four to five.
In order to make the work in vocational guidance more effective, the School Committee has appointed a Director of Guidance who will take charge of all of this work. He will include with this a study of those pupils who seem to be in the wrong course or who wish advice for prepara- tion for future activities.
A Director of Extra-Curricula Activities was appointed in the latter part of December. His duties will be to co- ordinate the various activities of the pupils to avoid conflicts in times of meetings, and to arrange for the activities to be carried on without evening sessions. The Director has not yet had time to set up the work, but hopes to have schedules ready by the beginning of the fourth term.
In our High School we have the following courses of study :
The College Preparatory Course should be selected by pupils who intend to enter college at the close of their high school careers. In this course English, Latin, Alge- bra, History or Elementary Science should be selected the first year.
The Scientific Preparatory Course should be selected by pupils who intend to enter college and study for a B. S. degree. This course prepares for the Institute of Technology or any other technical school. In this course English, Algebra, Elementary Science and History or Latin should be selected the first year.
The Commercial Course prepares the pupils for posi- tions as clerks, typists, stenographers, bookkeepers or salesmen; in short, for active service in the business
166
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
world upon graduation. In this course English, Com- munity Civics, Penmanship and Commercial Arithmetic and Elementary Science should be selected the first year.
The English Course provides an opportunity for a broad education for those who may complete their school life in high school. It also prepares for state teachers' col- leges, schools of nursing and certain other schools if the proper electives are chosen after the first year. In this course, English, Elementary Science, Community Civics must be taken, and a choice of Algebra, General Mathe- matics or History selected the first year. If the pupil is going to a state teachers' college or school of nursing he must choose Algebra.
The Industrial Arts Course should be chosen by boys who prefer to work with their hands and expect to work in some trade. This course does not prepare for a tech- nical school. In this course English, Woodwork, Com- munity Civics, Algebra or General Mathematics must be chosen the first year.
Our school is rated Class A by the State Department of Education. We have been awarded that rating for many years. Our school is on the Approved List of the College Entrance Examination Board. That means, we can certify pupils who have a rank of B or higher in the subjects required by colleges for entrance for admission to college without examinations.
From last year's graduating class twenty-seven (27) were admitted to degree granting colleges, twenty-one (21) entered business schools and eight (8) to other schools of higher education.
CHARLES J. PETERSON,
Principal
FRANKLIN, HURD AND WOODVILLE SCHOOLS
The three schools are organized with departmental work in the upper grades. At Franklin there is but one room with two grades. In the other two schools all rooms have two grades. The grades at Franklin are small but to maintain a minimum of non-promotions this is necessary. There are two special classes at the Frank- lin School which are filled to capacity. These pupils are instructed in Manual Arts and Household Arts. They are carefully graded in the academic subjects and in- struction given according to their grade in the respective subjects.
Many special activities keep the children and parents interested in school. These are the clubs, character-
167
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
building entertainments and musical programs. The Federal Works Project, sponsored by the State Depart- ment of Education, has sent bands, orchestras and vocal groups which have provided music of the highest type. The character-training programs, besides instilling prin- ciples of citizenship, create interest among the parents At the Franklin School there is an average of one hundred parents in attendance at these programs.
Safety work is a part of our daily work. The importance of being careful on bicycles and walking where there is traffic is stressed continuously. The student patrols are functioning, and while they bring up many problems, they do make children traffic conscious. There are many fire drills during the warm months.
The question of playground apparatus has come up at the Hurd School. There have been two rather serious accidents. Many parents feel that all apparatus should be removed, as it cannot be supervised.
At the last meeting of the Hurd School Parent-Teacher Association it was voted to remove all apparatus. The Franklin School playground, which could be one of the best in town, is useless after bad weather sets in. A WPA project has been held in abeyance for the past three years. Something should be done to remedy this condition.
GEORGE E. HAYES,
Principal
GREENWOOD AND WARREN SCHOOLS
The enrollment of the Greenwood School is substantially the same as it was last year and slightly lower than the year before. The slight variations in enrollment have not affected the plan of organization of the school, and we are fortunate in being able to have two class rooms for each grade.
The Parent-Teacher Association group continues its work with a fine, sincere, co-operative attitude. The sin- cere spirit of helpfulness and good will of the vast majority of the parents of the community is appreciated by the teaching staff. The benefit to the Department of Music in financial support in the purchase of Rhythm Band equipment and Music Appreciation records will benefit all the children of the community for years to come.
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