USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1941 > Part 9
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ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
I have taken a few paragraphs from the reports of the Elementary School Principals.
126
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
"The reading system has been functioning smoothly. The use of Phonetics will be a great help to the children in learning to read.
In the Hurd and Woodville Schools, there are two grades in each room but in the Franklin there are no rooms with two grades. At the Franklin School, there are two second grades and two opportunity classes. In these latter classes Manual Arts are stressed and the pupils are given individual instruction.
A junior police patrol is organized at each school, the purpose of which is to make the pupils safety-conscious.
Monthly meetings for the teachers have been held in the various buildings. At these meetings lectures are given on some phase of teaching. These are followed by a discussion period led by the principals. Benefit is derived by these professional meetings. The following is a list of some of the subjects discussed or to be dis- cussed during the school year:
Examinations-old and new types-their values.
How to teach Spelling.
Marks-qualitative and quantitative-their interpretation.
The teaching of Arithmetic. -
Should Reading be taught through the grades?
The integration of the Social Sciences.
Professional Ethics.
Relationship between the Elementary and Secondary Schools.
The sole pupose of these discussions has been to improve teaching."
"There has been a slight decrease in the enrollment at the Greenwood School this year amounting to less than one pupil per classroom. The organization of the classes is the same as in previous years, with two rooms for each of the eight grades.
The purchase of an amplifier for the Greenwood School hall by the Parent- Teacher Association has been of assistance in overcoming the rather difficult acoustical qualities of the hall. The amplifier is used at all of the regular meetings of the Association and is used by the children whose voices have been difficult to hear in all parts of the hall during school assemblies.
The placement of several of seventh grade children in the High School Preparatory Class would appear to be a sound educational policy. There are a few pupils who are naturally not well adapted to the traditional course of study and their transfer to the larger school with its diversified courses and greater facilities will doubtless enable these children to adapt themselves to socially useful careers with less disciplinary difficulty in many cases, and at an earlier period in their lives in the majority of the cases. In enabling these pupils to as- sociate with others of their own age much good is accomplished in their develop- ment of a sound, healthy social attitude.
At the Warren School the enrollment remained very nearly constant for a period of three years but has dropped rather sharply at the opening of school in September, 1941. The entering first grade had only nine pupils, where the ex- perience of the three previous years seemed to indicate an expected twenty-five.
127
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
For the first time in a whole generation the fifth grade classroom has an enroll- ment of only thirty pupils, instead of the more usual number of somewhere between forty and fifty.
A valuable addition was made to the School Library of reference books when the Parent-Teacher Association of the Warren School purchased a set of Britannica Jr. Encyclopedia volumes.
All the classes from the fourth grade through the eighth have been supplied with the new language books in accordance with the findings of the English Com- mittee under the Chairmanship of our late friend and colleague, Mr. George E. Hayes. Although he has departed from our midst, his influence resulting from his efforts on behalf of public education will be with us for many years. The outline of the Course of Study in language work for the grades has been put into effect in all the classrooms and a complete copy of the outline is in the hands of each teacher."
TEACHER VOLUNTEERS
I am pleased to report that when the call came to register for various courses in Defense Work, the teachers responded one hundred per cent. Those who had been assigned as assistant wardens in the schools took the Wardens' Course. Most of the others took the course in First Aid. We can depend upon the teachers for full co-operation in all Defense Work.
HEALTH
The School Physician has filed an excellent report on the health of the school population together with many tables of statistics.
The following are excerpts from the report:
"Health promotion should be a cardinal objective of the school program, an effort should be made to develop health knowledge through healthful living, health service and health instruction. A broad gap exists between the amount of health knowledge available and its application.
The failure of teachers to educate the children regarding dental hygiene and cleanliness may result in dental deficiencies.
Adequate attention should be given to the teeth of the children, especially as it relates to their nutrition and cleanliness, and the repair of small defects as soon as they occur will lead to the improvement for the future. This is just as fundamental to the health as general innoculations against Diphtheria and Small Pox.
No matter what facilities may be available for the correction of such de- fects they are valueless unless the parents of the children in whom defects exist want to have them corrected. That is a matter of education. The place for this education is in the schools, and should start in the early grades and continue through all the grades and especially in High School.
128
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
The health of the school children remains our first national asset. All teachers should have some training in health education, because all teachers have a bear- ing on the health of the child.
As a result of the foregoing as to what has taken place in the past and with our knowledge of the situation, what is to be done about it? We have one of three choices: 1. Go on as we are going now and accomplish little; 2. Blame the parents entirely and feel that our responsibility ceases; 3. Institute new methods.
Of these choices, I feel the third can be accomplished by appointing a dental hygienist, whose duty it will be to examine, educate and do whatever service pertains to the betterment of oral hygiene for the children in the Wakefield Schools.
This would be one of the best and most progressive steps that can be taken. According to the statute of the State governing the dental hygienist in their re- lation to the school work, they must be under the supervision of a dentist. This can be accomplished by the co-operation of dentists in Wakefield.
After personal conversation with several dentists in Wakefield, they stated they would be willing to co-operate in any way possible to see this program accomplished.
Several dentists stated the need of such a program, with the idea in mind they would be willing to supervise the activities of a dental hygienist as re- quired by law.
The past year has shown an unusually high percentage of contagious diseases, especially of Scarlet Fever and Measles.
In the Public Schools for the period of January 1, 1941, to January 1, 1942, a total of 21 cases of Scarlet Fever has been recorded, 201 cases of Measles, 76 cases of Mumps, 3 cases of Chicken Pox and 18 cases of Whooping Cough.
Such epidemics will appear from time to time until methods of immuniza- tion can be developed and applied to our school children, such as are carried out for Diphtheria.
The outbreak of Scarlet Fever this fall was found to be segregated to the Greenwood School District. The focus of infection was traced to one member of a family who having the disease did not receive medical attention from a doctor, and in the meanwhile attended school.
The total number of students examined in grades I in all schools was 213. The total number of fillings found in the teeth of these students was 161 and 369 cavities. 178 Children have tonsils present, while only 35 have had them removed. The total number of notices sent home for tonsils was 75 and for teeth correction was 96. Number of notices sent home for other defects was: Wax in the ears: 17; Notices for Scalps: 2; Notices for Heart Murmurs: 9. Only 87 notices were returned to the schools by the children, showing a lack of interest on the part of the parents to correct these measures in their children.
The school physician has attended all the football games both at home . and away. The total of 29 players were seen by him in his office during the foot-
129
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
ball season. 92 Office Visits were made by the various players. No player received a serious injury.
The total number of students immunized in the Wakefield Schools during the month of April was 118. During the month of May, 108 students were im- munized. In June, only 79 students were immunized. This was due to the fact that there was an outbreak of Measles."
The School Physician has filed complete data on the health of the school population.
NUMBER OF FIRST AID CASES TREATED
High School
140
Greenwood
20
Franklin
19
Hurd
12
Lincoln
11
Montrose
16
Warren
17
West Ward
12
Woodville
10
RETIREMENT
Irving A. Wells, who served as engineer of the High School building since it was built, retired on April 16, 1941. Mr. Wells gave unstintingly of his energies and his abilities in his care of the apparatus, and actually saved the Town many dollars by keeping his equipment in excellent repair.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Homer M. Shellenberger, who for sixteen years has been the Director of Physical Education is on a leave of absence, after accepting a commission as Lieutenant Senior Grade in the U. S. Navy where he will have charge of the physical training and activities of the enlisted men.
.
W. Harold Rood has been appointed to take Mr. Shellenberger's place during the leave. Mr. Rood was sub-master of Ricker Classical Institute for several years, and later graduate assistant at the University of New Hampshire.
SUPERVISORS
After serving for six years as Supervisor of Music for the school system, Miss Vivian Dix resigned to be married. Miss Dix was a hard worker with a great deal of energy and brought the work in music up to a high standard.
Mr. Robert D. King, who has a degree of Bachelor of Music from Boston , University and a Master of Arts from Harvard, was appointed to take Miss Dix's place.
130
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
TRUANCY
The following is the report submitted by the Supervisor of Attendance:
"Several hundred calls were made and letters forwarded to the home and over the telephone for the purpose of checking attendance, non-attendance ex- cuses, return of school property, transportation allowance, home permits, tardi- ness and many other matters of school interest. Three boys were committed by the Malden Juvenile Court on our complaint for "habitual school offences" to the Middlesex County Training School.
In my previous reports, I have stressed the cause of irregular attendance to "home conditions" and disinterested parents. This year was the first since the beginning of the depression that employment has been readily obtainable. I venture to state that more working certificates were issued during the past year than in any three or four years since the depression. This employment attraction developed a certain uneasiness among the student body with the result that a great many absences were caused by boys and girls seeking work. Then there are the parents who permit their children to be absent from school without suffi- cient reason, and this, along with emotional disturbances in other homes caused by father's unemployment, small wages or illness, eventually brings separation from school. Many parents could make their homes more attractive to the child and thus encourage him to remain at home during leisure hours. When pleasant and agreeable home conditions exist, you will definitely find children who are anxious to succeed and continue their scholastic training, and naturally that desire to remain away from school for the poorest excuse is eliminated."
MAINTENANCE
The Committee Agent has rendered the following as a report on the main- tenance of school property:
"The largest and most elaborate program in several years was undertaken by the Department during the past year. Several progressive steps were taken to bring our school buildings and contents up to standard. The outstanding major improvement since the construction of the Montrose School in 1930, was the modernization of the heating plant at the Warren School. This building was constructed in 1897 and heated by six warm air furnaces. They have been re- placed by two H. B. Smith 14 section boilers with Fairbanks-Morse automatic soft coal stokers. Eight class-rooms and the auditorium have been furnished with Herman Nelson Peerless Unit Ventilators. The heating and ventilating con- tract was awarded to Charles H. Gerrior for the sum of $11,430. The heating plant received the instant approval with generous praise by the State Inspector. In addition to this work, it was necessary to do considerable plastering in the boiler room for fire-proofing purposes and patching throughout the building. A cement floor was laid in the boiler room and some temporary brick work was done, in view of the fact that more alterations are planned for the immediate future. The lighting system was improved upon and most of the classroom furniture was taken up and relaid according to school seating standards. The cost of the entire project was $13,997.39. This building is in urgent need of improved plumbing
131
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
facilities, but on account of the nation's defense program the Committee has deferred further activity until a more propitious time.
Some of the more important improvements and repairs were as follows:
HIGH
Painting: All exterior trim and cornices on South and West sides. Auditorium skylights, exterior and interior. Greenhouse exterior and some of the interior.
Skylights over Gymnasium and Shop were touched up. All metal work on main roof.
All window stools on East side. Cafeteria redecorated. Medical room redecorated.
Girls' showers and some toilets.
Rear walls of Auditorium and Gymnasium.
Corridor near boiler room.
Two flagpoles. Exterior of garage.
Lighting in Auditorium improved.
Lighting in Cafeteria improved.
Principal's outside office floor covered with linoleum.
Large section of sidewalk on North side relaid.
No. 1 Boiler retubed.
Four sections of fire hose replaced.
GREENWOOD SCHOOL
The ceilings of six classrooms, two library rooms, two corridors and the stair- well in the old section were covered with Johns-Manville bevelled panel boards instead of plaster. Walls were painted and woodwork varnished. Several doors and window sills were stripped, sanded and finished.
Three entrances were painted. Fire-escape painted.
All metal work on roof painted.
Flagpole painted.
FRANKLIN SCHOOL
Exterior wood and metal work painted. Fire-escape painted.
Windows and doors caulked. Two double entrance doors replaced. Cement sidewalk laid on Traverse Street side by the W.P.A.
MONTROSE AND WOODVILLE SCHOOLS
All exterior wood and metal work painted. Flagpoles painted.
Two outside doors replaced at Montrose.
-
132
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
At the LINCOLN SCHOOL some major repairs had to be done on one of the boilers. Flagpole painted.
A septic tank was replaced and cement steps built in the front and rear of the WEST WARD SCHOOL.
At the HURD SCHOOL the front lawn was improved, a new wood floor landing was laid at the rear entrance and the classroom floors were treated.
GENERAL
In the HIGH SCHOOL every desk, table, piano, bench in gymnasium and cafeteria, window board, and office counters were refinished. Many of these articles had to be stripped and sanded before refinishing. Many window sills were varnished.
In the ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS every desk, chair, table, piano, victrola and organ were refinished. Many window sills were varnished and chair and desk standards painted. This was the first time in four years that this work was done. The total number of pieces refinished in all schools was approximately 6,000.
The summer cleaning of the exterior of all schoolhouse windows, with the exception of the West Ward School, above the street floor, was contracted for this year for the first time in the interests of safety of the janitors.
It should be noted here that the cost of heating the Hurd School has been considerably reduced. This saving can be attributed largely to the efficiency of the automatic stokers. The cost for the 1941-1942 Winter season jumped nearly 25 per cent because of the increase of coal prices:
Winter season 1937-1938 $569.40-Furnaces-hard coal
1938-1939 598.20
1939-1940 853.91
1940-1941
382.42-Steam-soft coal
1941-1942 502.06
All active schoolhouses are now heated by steam, except one, the West Ward School, which is heated by stoves and satisfactorily without a doubt. Two build- ings are now fired with automatic stokers.
The Hamilton School building has again been turned back to the School Department, after having been used by the W.P.A. for over a year."
PER PUPIL COST
Cost per pupil for instruction and maintenance exclusive of general control, based on average membership for the school year, 1940-1941:
High School Elementary Schools
$111.75
77.47
All Public Schools
94.18
State 107.64
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
133
Total expenditures for 1941 Receipts for 1941
$283,102.99 44,491.37
Net Cost from local taxation
$238,611.62
Respectfully submitted,
WILLARD B. ATWELL
Superintendent of Schools
134
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
APPENDIX
A. Statistics of School Enrollment and Attendance.
B. Tabulation of Records of Attendance for School Year, 1940-1941.
C. School Organization.
D. Cost of Public Day Schools.
E. How a School Dollar Is Spent.
F. Age and Grade Chart, January, 1942.
G. School Census.
H. Changes in Personnel.
I. High School Graduation.
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
135
A
Population Census, 1940
16,179
Average Membership ending June, 1941
2,958
Average Membership ending June, 1940
3,001
Decrease in Average Membership
43
Total Membership, 1941
3,069
Total Membership, 1940
3,102
Per cent of Attendance, 1941
93.81
Per cent of Attendance, 1940
95.88
Days Lost, Stormy Weather, Holidays:
High
6
Elem.
8
ยท Actual Length of School Year:
High
181
Elem.
17712
Special Teachers Employed, 1941-1942
3
Regular Teaching Positions
107
Total Teaching Positions
110
Home Teacher-part time
1
-
B RECORD OF ATTENDANCE FOR SCHOOL YEAR 1940-1941
*No. of 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
109
565
525
1,199
1,124.54 1,067.65
94.94
184,553
10,694
2,825
2,462
Christine Callan
19
12
1
32
29.83
28.38
95.11
5,046
252
2
33
Edna M. Paulson
24
13
1
38
38.20
36.63
95.90
6,506
283
4
7
Eva M. Chick
26
26
25.26
24.56
97.22
4,359
124
6
1
Cora Guarnaccia
27
27
27.17
26.28
96.72
4,664
159
12
7
Helen M. Delaney
26
26
23.70
22.55
95.12
4,002
205
1
7
Stella Blaikie
35
35
30.19
28.51
94.43
5,061
299
15
5
Helen E. Harper
24
24
24.69
23.85
96.60
4,232
149
37
7
Lydia M. Sullivan
25
25
24.62
23.72
96.36
4,211
159
1
7
Winifred Geizer
10
17
27
27.05
24.97
92.30
4,433
370
47
13
Lee Pfeiffer
15
1
16
16.91
15.96
94.39
2,833
168
24
1
Avis M. Jones
20
20
19.86
18.66
93.95
3,313
213
5
8
Hester A. Walker
10
1
11
11.05
9.74
88.10
1,734
234
66
40
Elizabeth D. Burke
6
10
16
13.49
12.33
91.38
2,195
207
42
25
Greenwood
Abbie A. Bell
26
4
30
29.16
27.81
95.37
4,936
239
7
30
Clareberta Wilson
21
4
25
24.21
23.19
95.80
4,117
180
12
13
Signe M. Peterson
27
1
28
27.65
26.57
96.09
4,716
192
43
27
Ethel M. Wilson
24
5
29
28.26
26.61
94.16
4,723
293
20
9
Theresa J. Collins
28
28
26.67
25.49
95.51
4,539
213
11
3
Amanda J. Stephenson
27
27
26.41
25.03
94.76
4,442
245
22
15
-
*Does not include pupils enrolled in any other public schools of the State or transferred from another public school in Wakefield.
136
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
B
*No. of 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
Greenwood
Mary P. O'Connell
32
32
33.55
31.49
93.86
5,590
366
60
11
Winifred R. Beal
32
32
28.89
28.10
94.01
4,989
317
117
20
Lillian J. Shoff
32
32
32.25
29.75
92.24
5,281
444
52
17
Laura A. Hart
33
33
32.72
30.35
92.77
5,387
420
19
10
Hilda M. Hayden
26
26
25.09
23.04
91.83
4,089
364
19
5
Hazel O. Wilder
24
24
26.03
24.58
94.45
4,364
256
69
8
Grace E. Widtfeldt
6
26
32
29.73
26.82
90.20
4,760
517
32
7
Maude E. Parks
11
19
30
29.03
25.95
89.40
4,607
546
48
1
Madaliene J. Crocker
26
33 3 3
29
28.01
24.39
87.06
4,329
644
37
4
Hurd
Ruth V. Conley
19
3
22
20.41
19.45
95.30
3,453
170
7
22
Constance M. Doyle
20
20
20.20
19.23
95.17
3,413
173
14
11
34
31.47
28.99
92.13
5,147
439
21
19
Katheryn Carney
34
Bella A. Rattray
20
9
29
25.70
22.97
89.16
4,068
508
39
7
Lincoln
Bernice O. Bazley
28
8
1
37
35.92
32.85
91.45
5,860
544
25
23
Catherine A. Doran
25
1
26
26.00
25.13
96.65
4,448
153
1
3
Ruth B. Spence
26
4
30
29.83
28.32
94.93
5,014
268
43
13
Gladys M. Douglass
41
41
41.08
38.44
93.57
6,806
467
25
40
Alice M. Scipione
48
48
45.70
43.44
95.05
7,690
400
39
6
Bernice M. Hendrickson
38
38
38.46
36.88
95.89
6,529
281
25
11
Ruth E. Webber
44
44
44.05
41.04
93.16
7,265
534
10
43
Mary T. Bonney
14
32
46
43.30
40.07
92.54
7,094
572
51
19
Blanche Meserve
34
4
38
37.49
34.77
92.74
6,155
483
68
7
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
*Does not include pupils enrolled in any other public school of the State or transferred from another public school in Wakefield.
137
18
8
29
26.11
22.25
85.20
3,949
686
Alice E. Calkins
26
138
B
School
.
Teacher
Pupils 5-6
Pupils 7-14
Pupils 14-16
Pupils 16 or over
Total Enroll- ment
Average | Average Member- Attend- ship ance
Per ct. Attend- ance
Days Attend- ance
Days Absence
Tardi- ness
Dismis- sals
Montrose
Beatrice Moody
17
1
18
17.77
17.04
95.89
3,016
129
45
11
Dorothy E. Petersen
21
2
23
22.67
21.24
93.69
3,794
254
62
4
Mabel F. Johnson
35
1
36
36.38
34.82
95.71
6,164
278
39
8
Mary E. Grace
41
41
40.31
37.04
91.88
6,556
580
59
10
Marion E. Garland
6
39
45
34.87
31.84
91.31
5,598
537
100
7
Margaret McGonagle
29
1
30
30.58
27.26
89.14
4,825
589
49
12
Warren
Lois I. Jordan
32
8
40
41.28
38.23
92.60
6,786
542
108
23
Nancy D'Amico
36
4
40
40.23
36.93
91.79
6,554
586
120
31
Mary E. C. Geagan
41
41
40.20
38.02
94.57
6,749
388
76
23
Bessie E. David
38
38
40.56
36.74
90.60
6,522
330
53
17
Irene F. Norton
36
36
32.58
29.64
90.96
5,261
521
44
3
Lillian A. Shaffer
10
27
37
30.86
28.12
91.12
4,991
486
52
31
Elizabeth M. Strout
22
1
23
24.62
21.18
86.02
3,760
615
37
8
West Ward
Mabel A. Kernan
29
29
25.25
22.69
89.87
4,032
451
95
20
Flora S. Hall
21
6
27
27.44
23.84
86.89
4,182
638
65
9
Woodville
Eleanor B. Ringdahl
17
6
23
21.81
20.02
91.78
3,557
317
27
6
Margaret M. Landers
29
1
30
28.78
27.32
94.95
4,848
258
47
5
Mary M. Harrington
39
39
34.64
33.04
95.38
5,866
284
89
17
Virginia A. Bauer
21
11
32
30.40
27.90
91.81
4,955
441
86
7
326
1,562
653
528
3,069
2,931.17 2,749.70
93.81
482,918
32,654
5,294
3,287
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
*Does not include pupils enrolled in any other public schools of the State or transferred from another public school in Wakefield
*No. of Different Pupils Enrolled
1
SCHOOL ORGANIZATION SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS Willard B. Atwell, Ph.B., 1911 Brown University SECRETARY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT Pauline E. Meads, B.S., 1929, Simmons College
SECRETARY Doris Skinner, 1937, Chandler Secretarial School
Name
Subjects
Date of First Where Educated
Election
HIGH SCHOOL
Charles J. Peterson, A.B.
Roland H. Kinder, B.S., Ed.M.
Eleanor K. Abbott, A.B.
English
1930
Wheaton College
A. Louise Allman, A.B., Ed.M.
English
1934 Bates College, Harvard University
Walter E. Antunes, B.S., A.M.
Mathematics, Science
1936
Boston University
Marjorie T. Bunker, A.B. John Butler, A.B., M.A.
Algebra, Gen. Mathematics, Pl. Geometry English
1924
Boston University
1934 Boston College, Harvard University
Joseph Cassano, B.Voc.Ed., Ed.M.
Bernice L. Caswell, B.S., M.A., B.L.I. Head of English Department
Lucian J. Colucci, A.B.
Italian, French, History. Coach: Track, Bas- ketball, Asst. Football
1939
Amherst College
1921 Boston University
1935
Boston University
1941 Boston College
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
139
Francis W. Dinan, A.B., M. A.
Principal
1919 Wesleyan University
Sub-master, Mathematics
1919 University of N. H., Harvard Univ.
Biology, Horticulture, Physiographic Science
1927 Mass. State College, Boston Univ.
1927 Columbia University, Emerson Coll.
Elvira C. Cosman, A.B. Ellen L. Cowing, B.S.E., Ed.M.
Com. Industry, World History, Civics French Latin
C
LIST OF REGULAR TEACHERS TO DATE
Name Raymond S. Dower
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