USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1941 > Part 8
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As Chairman of the Planning Board, Mr. Edward M. Bridge has served on the house-numbering committee, the special park board and committees dealing with defense housing and other defense matters. Mr. Bridge has kept the other members of the Board advised of the progress of these various committees and the Board has discussed the various matters involved at length.
Respectfully yours,
EDWARD M. BRIDGE, Chairman, CHARLES W. MORRILL, Secretary, DR. FRANK T. WOODBURY, EDWARD G. LEE, FITZROY WILLARD,
Town Planning Board of Wakefield.
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113
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
Report of Board of Health
To the Citizens of Wakefield:
The Board of Health herewith presents a resume of its activities with special reference to the health condition of the town, for the year 1941.
For the general well being and appearance of the town the Board of Health again stresses its hope for the co-operation of all citizens in the care of rubbish. Each citizen should realize that the two dumps, one on the Heyward Wakefield property off New Salem Street, and the other on Green Street provide oppor- tunity for rubbish disposal where it is cared for, and by using these sites the general beauty and well being of the whole community will be greatly enhanced. The Board of Health feel that the care takers of these two dumps have done a very excellent work.
The great value placed by the Public Health department of the Common- wealth upon the immunization of dogs is evidenced by a recent urgent request of the Board of Health that all dogs not immunized within the past year be pro- vided with a special clinic for such immunization and in addition that all dogs not so immunized be placed under restraint. In addition to this the Board will in 1942 hold its regular dog clinic.
During the year 1941 the office of the Board of Health has issued 284 Plumb- ing Permits. Number of fixtures installed 1174.
Divided as follows:
Water Closets
238
Lavatories
209
Bath Tubs
180
Sinks
182
Sink and Tray
50
Two Part Trays
42
Boilers
60
Tankless Heaters
75
Bath Showers
120
Stall Showers
12
Urinals
3
Soda Fountains
2
Dish Washers
4
Refrigerator Chests
4
Drinking Fountains
3
The sum of $385.00 has been collected by the Board for these permits, and the same deposited in the Wakefield Trust Company to the credit of the town.
The Board continues its four year comparison of reportable diseases; also the cost of these diseases over the same period.
114
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
1938
1838
1940
1941
Tuberculosis
11
9
11
9
Diphtheria
0
2
0
0
Pneumonia
15
18
21
6
Poliomyelitis
0
1
0
1
Measles
11
37
37
294
Chicken Pox
42
16
9
5
Septic Sore Throat
1
0
1
0
Scarlet Fever
65
6
12
29
Typhoid Fever
0
0
1
0
Conjunctivitis
1
1
1
1
Whooping Cough
11
4
6
64
Trichinosis
0
0
0
1
Tetanus
0
0
0
1
Dog Bites
49
74
50
69
1938
1939
1940
1941
Tuberculosis
$7,268.75
$6,092.00
$6,203.76
$6,911.13
Scarlet Fever
1,732.29
584.00
255.25
772.00
Other Contagion
234.79
444.55
505.33
191.53
Miss Russell make the following number of visits to homes in connection with infectious and reportable diseases:
Tuberculosis-including contacts
572
Scarlet Fever
62
Whooping Cough
8
Chicken -pox
3
Measles
602
Poliomyelitis
2
Mumps
6
Conjunctivitis
1
Dog Bites
4
During the year Miss Russell made the following hospital visits in con- nection with patients being X-rayed and examined, or for treatment or admission:
20 trips to Middlesex County Sanatorium, Waltham. Mass.
32 trips to North Reading Sanatorium, North Wilmington, Mass.
3 trips to Essex County Sanatorium, Middleton, Mass.
2 trips to Melrose Hospital, Melrose, Mass.
1 trip to Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Boston, Mass.
The total receipts of the Health Department for the year 1941 were $546.19, as follows:
Milk and Food Inspector
$126.00
Plumbing Permits 385.00
Reimbursement and Licenses 35.19
115
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH AGENT
The tuberculosis subsidy from the State for 1941 and payable in 1942 amounts to approximately $2,299.97.
Respectfully submiited,
WESLEY S. GOODWIN, Chairman, ROBERT DUTTON, M. D., Secretary, NED C. LOUD.
Report of Board of Health Agent
To the Board of Health:
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit my report for the year ending December 31, 1941.
The work of this department has not varied much from past years. There are many complaints registered in this office, some have merit, others have not. However all must be investigated and adjusted to the satisfaction of the com- plainant.
I respectfully stress the importance of the co-operation of our townspeople in the disposal of rubbish and refuse, other than garbage at either of the two super- vised dumps, situated at New Salem Street, and Green Street. The promiscuous dumping around our town is evidence that the full co-operation of our towns- people is needed to eliminate these unsightly conditions which exists in various sections of our town.
I have investigated and adjusted four hundred and five (405) complaints to the satisfaction of all concerned.
Respectfully submitted,
DAVID MARTIN.
116
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Tuberculosis Dispensary Report
To the Wakefield Board of Health:
Gentlemen:
The annual report of the Tuberculosis Dispensary is herewith respectfully submitted.
The Tuberculosis Dispensary is open the first and third Friday evening in the month from 8 to 9 and the second and fourth Tuesday afternoon from 3.30 to 4.30.
The number of examinations made at the Dispensary the past two years have been fewer than in the previous years. This is due to the patients being edu- cated to the value of X-rays in the diagnosing and treatment of tuberculosis. Another reason is that the majority of ex-sanatorium patients return regularly to the sanatorium for chest examination and X-ray, and for treatment when necessary. Fifty-six examinations were made.
In December we held a re-classification clinic, under the State health de- partment in co-operation with the local health department. The purpose was to see if we could not place a number of our tubercular patients on the inactive list. The nurse made approximately sixty-five calls, to explain the clinic to the pa- tients, and inviting them to attend. Forty patients attended this clinic, twenty- nine were placed on the inactive list.
Each year the nurse's follow up work on contacts and ex-sanatorium cases increase. The contacts must be examined and x-rayed frequently. We can't ignore these proved means of finding the unknown cases of tuberculosis, and with more contacts being examined and x-rayed each year, transportation increases. Also a great many ex-sanatorium patients without means of transportation must be taken regularly to the sanatorium for periodical check ups.
We have eleven patients in the Middlesex County Sanatorium in Waltham, and two patients in the Essex County Sanatorium in Middleton. Nine cases of tuberculosis were reported during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
IRA W. RICHARDSON, M. D., Dispensary Physician.
NELLIE B. RUSSELL, R. N.,
Dispensary Nurse.
117
REPORT OF MILK AND FOOD INSPECTOR
Report of Milk and Food Inspector
January 17, 1942.
To the Wakefield Board of Health:
Gentlemen:
Herewith is submitted the annual report of the Inspector of Milk and Food for the year ending December 31, 1941.
The work of this branch of the Health Department may be divided into three operations as follows: office routine, field work and laboratory testing.
The office work consisted of the keeping of all records, issuing of the various licenses and permits and the carrying on of such correspondence as arises.
The field work consists of frequent inspections of 28 dairy farms, 9 of which are out of State, 5 pasteurizing plants, 4 ice cream manufacturing plants, 1 sausage manufacturing establishment together with all the other food selling and hand- ling places within the limits of the town.
The laboratory work consisted of the collecting and testing of 168 samples of milk and cream. The results of these tests were rarely other than standard, which speaks well for the brand of dairy products sold in Wakefield.
Many conferences on Milk and Food have been attended by me throughout the year. Those of recent date have been especially important, having to do with the question of war time distribution and preservation of milk and food.
The following details sum up the work performed in office, field and laborator- tory:
Retail milk licenses issued-58 at 50 cents
$29.00
Dealer milk licenses issued-38 at 50 cents 19.00
Pasteurizing licenses issued-5 at $10.00
50.00
Ice Cream manfacturers licenses issued-4 at $5.00
20.00
Oleomargarine permits granted-16 at $1.50
8.00
Total
$126.00
Dairies under direct supervision-28
Dairy Inspections made in Massachusetts-37
Dairy Inspections made out of State-11
Dairy permits approved-26
Food inspections made-37
Laboratory examinations made-168
118
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
All cash received was turned in to the Town Treasurer and I hold his receipt for the same.
This opportunity is taken to thank all who in any way have shown co-opera- tion and helpfulness throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted,
LAWRENCE E. DOUCETT,
Inspector of Milk and Food.
119
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Report of School Committee
ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE School Committee for 1941
Patrick H. Tenney, Chairman 14 Emerson Street
Term Expires 1943
Mrs. Eva Gowing Ripley, Secretary 40 Emerson Street
Term Expires 1943
James A. Fox, Treasurer Fox Road
Term Expires 1944
1 Mrs. Mary Louise Tredinnick 129 Pleasant Street
Term Expires 1942
James M. Henderson 118 Prospect Street
Term Expires 1942
Paul A. Saunders 309 Albion Street
Term Expires 1944
SUB-COMMITTEES
The Committee as a whole acts as sub-committees with the following chair- men :
Mrs. Tredinnick-Text Books and Supplies Mrs. Ripley-Personnel Mr. Henderson-Public Property Mr. Fox-Finances and Accounts Mr. Saunders-Courses of Study
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Willard B. Atwell, 94 West Chestnut Street
SECRETARY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT
Pauline E. Meads, 7 Park Avenue
SECRETARY
Doris Skinner, 9 Franklin Street
120
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
During the year 1941, the High School was continued on a single session plan. It is still necessary to curtail the physical training program in order to operate under this plan because the gymnasium must be used as a lunchroom for the boys and the auditorium must be used as a study hall for a large number of pupils. Locker and lunchroom facilities are still grievously inadequate. The High School has been operated on a six period plan since January, 1941, instead of the seven period plan formerly used. Extra- curricula activities are now operated under a plan to prevent conflicts in use of the building.
During the year 1941, the School Department lost two of its most valuable teachers. Principal George E. Hayes died on February 6, 1941. His many years of faithful service as an executive and teacher will ever be remembered. Miss Margaret A. Ryan, who was a Latin teacher at the High School for many years, died on May 27, 1941. Her record was one of many years of able and conscientious service. Her death was a distinct loss to the school system.
During the year it was necessary to install new tubes in one of the boilers at the High School. Many repairs were made to all the school buildings. A new heating plant and stoker was installed at the Warren School and many new ceil- ings were installed at the Greenwood School. Prices increased radically on fuel and supplies after the Town voted the school appropriation.
The School Committee has and will continue in every way to co-operate with the Defense Committee in the protection of the school children and also in providing space for classes in the Defense Work. Beginning in November, the Defense School used the High School building several nights a week and use of the buildings for this purpose will undoubtedly increase.
The teaching staff in the elementary schools has been decreased by one dur- ing the past year because of decrease in school population.
In view of the increased use of the High School auditorium as a study hall, and of the corridors as defense refuges, lighting has been improved in these areas.
The School Committee pledges itself to take whatever emergency action may be possible for the protection of the school children of Wakefield.
PATRICK H. TENNEY, Chairman MRS. EVA GOWING RIPLEY, Secretary JAMES A. FOX, Treasurer MRS. MARY L. TREDINNICK JAMES M. HENDERSON PAUL A. SAUNDERS
121
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
In Memoriam
Principal George E. Hayes passed away on February 6, 1941, after a linger- ing illness. Mr. Hayes had been a principal here since 1920. He began his work in the Woodville School and at the time of his death was Principal of the Franklin- Hurd-Woodville District.
Mr. Hayes was an energetic and tireless worker in his schools where the wel- fare of the pupil was always uppermost in his mind. His strong personality and his fine work will carry through the years with all pupils who came under his guidance.
With all the energy he spent in his school work, he found time to do out- side work in the interests of the community at large.
On May 27, 1941, Margaret A. Ryan passed away. Miss Ryan had been on the teaching staff since 1905. She taught the first eight years in the elementary grades and was transferred to the High School in 1913.
Miss Ryan was a thorough, painstaking, conscientious teacher. She had the respect and love of all her pupils who considered her an efficient teacher. Our staff felt her loss very keenly.
122
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Herewith is presented the annual report of the Superintendent of Schools.
Statistics on enrollment, attendance, faculty and expenditures are given in the appendix. I suggest a careful reading of the items appearing in this part of the report for the School Department.
DEFENSE AIR RAIDS
We have been mindful of dangers from air raids and we have given a great deal of thought and study to the situation. Our first care is for the safety of the children as far as we can provide for it. We have had each building inspected thoroughly by a committee composed of Mr. Edward Bridge, an architect; Mr. George Blair, a contractor; and the School Committee Agent, Mr. Kenney. Mr. Bridge gave a full report of the investigation together with recommendations. None of our buildings are safe against direct hits by bombs nor from explosions of large bombs nearby, but there are places in each building which are reasonably safe from danger from incendiary bombs.
The School Committee has decided that if there is a sufficient lapse of time from a warning, all the buildings shall be evacuated. We have made careful plans for this evacuation if possible, and we have had a drill on this, all schools being dismissed at a given signal from the central office of the Department. We asked for and received from practically every parent a statement of the time at which the pupil reached home. These reports showed that over ninety-five per cent of the pupils in the elementary schools reached home within fifteen minutes from the time the alarm was given. The average time for the high school pupils was between twenty and twenty-five minutes. Most of the pupils took the drill serious- ly and did not loiter. We have also asked all parents to send to the school, the place to which their child should go if no one should be at home when the child arrived in case of either a drill or an actual evacuation.
In case of a raid, if there does not seem to be time for the children to get home, the pupils will repair to the place assigned in a protected part of the school building.
SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Three very important pieces of work by committees of teachers have been done or are in progress. These are: English, led by the late Principal Hayes; Reading, led by Principal Shea; and Arithmetic, led by Principal Leonard.
I commend all who worked on these committees for their industry and for the professional spirit with which they entered upon the studies.
The courses in English and Reading have been presented and accepted by the School Committee. The reports included a course of study and recom- mendations for textbooks to be used in the subject. These books have been adopted.
The Committee on Arithmetic has practically completed its studies, but has not yet rendered a report. This will be done during the coming term. There will
123
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
be some changes suggested to make the subject matter and the times of intro- duction of the various topics fit our local needs better.
PRINCIPALS' MEETINGS
We have had weekly meetings of the principals for discussions of school work and for directions for various problems which naturally occur during a school year. These meetings have been of great value through free and frank discussions of each problem as presented and will lead to more uniformity in methods of procedure, and will have a tendency to knit more closely the general work in the various buildings.
"Time has been spent in the rooms, attending to the work in progress, par- ticipating in the discussions, observing the difficulties encountered by pupils in reading as applied to the various subjects. The degree of intelligent reading can be raised. It is noted that thought getting is very difficult for many of the child- ren. Geography and History are hard subjects because of that trouble. Mathe- matics in the upper grades is not on the level desired, partly because of inability and partly from the fact that the books seem to be a little too far advanced for their understanding. More and more attention is being paid to that subject in an attempt to remove some of the rough places."
"The teachers have been very faithful in their work and have done all pos- sible to carry on all types of school work for the highest good of the pupils. Their welfare is of prime importance."
T. Frank Shea and Eliot B. Leonard carried on the work of George E. Hayes from the time of his death to the end of the school year. These men did the work without compensation, although it meant a great deal of extra work.
In August, Jules I. Philie was elected Principal of the Franklin-Hurd-Wood- ville District to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Principal George E. Hayes.
Mr. Philie has had extended experience in both high and elementary grades and also in administration work. We welcome him to our staff with the expecta- tion of excellent work. He has already established himself with both the pupils and teachers.
HIGH SCHOOL
The following paragraphs are taken from the report of the High School, Principal.
"The enrollment at the beginning of the school year was as follows:
Boys
Girls
Total
Post Graduates
1
1
2
Seniors
106
119
225
Juniors
152
126
278
Sophomores
149
154
303
Freshmen
139
153
292
547
553
1100
124
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
This enrollment was 79 less than last year. We had only two Post Graduates this year where we had 24 last year, also there was a much smaller Freshman class. Last year we had 355 and this year 292, or a loss of 63 pupils. This is the smallest freshman class we have had since 1931 when we had 329.
During the fourth term we went on a rotating daily schedule. In this schedule the classes come at a different time daily and now we have each day six periods, 52 minutes long, where we had seven periods, 40 minutes long. Classes meet only four times a week where they met five times a week in the old schedule. Many teachers feel that it is not possible to accomplish the same amount of work in four 52 minute classes a week as they did in five 40 minute classes a week. The rotating system has been used with some satisfaction in some schools. By the end of this year we will be able to give a more reliable conclusion regarding the results of work done in the rotating schedule in comparison with what was pre- viously done in the old schedule.
This year we have a regular homeroom period each week during which we have school assemblies or take up definite studies that are of vital importance to the pupils. During the Freshman year the program consists of a systematic study of the High School Manual of Administration. In the second year it con- sists of a survey and study of various vocations open to trained men and women in Wakefield and Boston, also a consideration of personal traits making for suc- cess in their temporary chosen vocations. In the third year the program consists of the study of appropriate dress and behavior for social functions, work, recrea- tion, etc., and in the senior year it consists of the ethics of business and professional life, and appropriate personal behavior in business and professional relations.
On an activities period once a week, we have a general musical chorus of over 500 pupils. They sing familiar songs and are taught the rudiments of choral singing. It is a very popular period with the students.
In the guidance work of the school, it is our desire to develop every boy and girl to the fullest extent of his or her abilities. We wish to help every pupil in this way so that after graduation each will be able to find enjoyment and pride in making a living and in being useful, worthwhile citizens.
Each individual possesses different abilities and consequently different needs. It is the business of the Guidance Department, particularly in the case of those pupils who are unable to help themselves completely, to help them discover these abilities and needs and aid them to find the best direction for them to follow.
The aims, then, are two fold: (1) to fit the individual pupil to whatever courses our school offers that will best fit his needs, and (2) to make available all occupational information possible to help each student to discover his own abilities, interests and aptitudes, and thereby make more intelligent choices of subjects for self preparation.
Under the direction of the Director of Extra-Curricula Activities, a High School Manual was compiled. Each freshman was presented with a copy of the manual. This manual is the basic study for the Freshmen in their homeroom period and makes their entrance into the customs of the High School much easier.
4
125
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
A Student Activities ticket to get more pupils interested in student events was introduced. By the use of this ticket pupils are admitted to all school ac- tivities for about half the regular admittance charges. This year about 30% of the school availed themselves of this privilege.
With the entrance of the United States in the World War and the prospects of the eastern coast of our country being bombed, we have organized our school to protect the pupils as far as possible if such an emergency arises. In case we are not warned of a raid in sufficient time to send the pupils home, we have ar- ranged to have the third floor pupils assemble in the lunchroom and fan room in the basement, also in the first floor corridor. Pupils who are in the auditorium meet in the rear of the auditorium or the north subway from the auditorium. Pupils in the gymnasium and woodshop are to meet in the corridor between the wood- shop and the gymnasium or in the lunchroom and pupils from Room 012 meet in the corridor by Room 012 or lunchroom.
Our High School is rated Class A by the State Department of Education. We also are on the approved list of the College Entrance Examination Board which 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. Last year 32 pupils were admitted to degree granting colleges.
All of our athletic teams have been successful and there is a very healthy at- titude toward sports. This year we were elected to the Eastern Massachusetts Hockey League, so all of our games will be played in the Arena. This makes it possible to play a regular schedule, whereas before entering the League we had to depend upon the weather and it was practically impossible to play a regular schedule. Mr. Francis Dinan is coaching the hockey team this year."
The locker rooms and the lunchroom are still very badly crowded. We have eased the lunchroom conditions somewhat by using the gymnasium as an eating place for the boys.
We still have to curtail the work in physical education although this part of school training should have increased attention as the examinations of the Se- lectees have proven.
The use of the gymnasium is still restricted because, as I have said, it is used as a lunchroom for boys and the auditorium still has to be used by a large number of students for a study hall; and it is impossible to use the gymnasium for physical activities and at the same time use the auditorium for study.
The lighting in the auditorium and in the corridors has been greatly improved.
Francis W. Dinan, a teacher of several years of experience was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Miss Margaret A. Ryan. In addition to the regular classroom teaching, Mr. Dinan has been appointed coach of hockey for the current school year. Mr. Dinan has proved to be a valued addition to our faculty.
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