USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1943 > Part 11
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843.76
Welfare Department-Cash Advanced
25.00
Infirmary
1.11
Highway Department
21.48
Police Department
21.75
Police Department-Cash Advanced
50.00
Soldiers' Relief
18.47
Military Aid
45.00
Boiler Insurance
6.94
Health Department-Cash Advanced
25.00
Lucius Beebe Memorial Library-Cash Advanced
50.00
School Department-Cash Advanced
50.00
Water Department-Cash Advanced
25.00
Sale of Notes:
Anticipation of Highway Reimbursement
2,000.00
Salvage Committee-Tin Cans
100.44
School Department Receipts
13,368.01
Sealer of Weights and Measures
106.02
Selectmen's Receipts:
Licenses
4,530.00
Lafayette Hall Rental
227.00
Town Hall Rental
87.50
Miscellaneous
164.58
Sewer Department Receipts
7,525.08
Sewer Department Connections Deposit
1,905.61
Sewer Department Maintenance Receipt
4.92
Town Clerk's Receipts
3,587.55
Trust Funds Receipts
1,920.91
United States Grant-Aid to Dependent Children
4,720.23
United States Grant-Aid to Dependent Children Administration
605.62
United States Grant-Old Age Assistance
53,299.02
United States Grant-Old Age Administration
1,623.86
Wakefield Trust Company: Income of Willard Donnell Trust for use of the Welfare Department 271.21
164
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
For the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library :
Junius Beebe Trust
853.71
Decius Beebe Trust 470.07
Marcus Beebe Trust 505.25
Frederick Beebe Trust
122.61
Alice Beebe Carpenter Trust
311.70
Charles S. Beebe Trust
35.24
George O. Carpenter Trust
35.14
Sylenda B. Stearns Trust
58.70
Eleanor H. Beebe Trust
144.08
Katherine E. Beebe Trust
160.75
John H. Beebe Trust Junius Oliver Beebe Trust
171.76
Water Department Receipts
87,114.34
Water Department Maintenance
332.08
W. P. A. Receipts
10.00
Checks 1937 and prior to be credited to Excess and Deficiency
375.11
$2,407,537.04
In account with Town of Wakefield
Cr.
By cash paid, Discount on Temporary Notes
$ 1,188.07
cash paid, Selectmen's Warrants
1,753,957.75
cash paid, Offset State Credits
44,377.85
$1,799,523.67
Cash in Treasury
608,013.37
$2,407,537.04
TAX LIEN FORECLOSURES
During the year 1943, ten tax lien petitions were presented by the town to the Land Court for foreclosure and are still pending.
FINAL STATEMENT
During the year 1944, the following time loans will fall due and are to be included in the tax levy for 1944:
Street
$15,500.00 2,000.00
$17,500.00
Water Loans (included in Water Department appropriation)
27,000.00
Light Plant (paid from receipts of plant)
3,000.00
$ 47,500.00
Extension of Sewer
76.56
165
REPORT OF TOWN TREASURER
There will also be required the following amounts to meet the interest payments: -
Extension of Sewer
$1,356.88
Street
122.50
Temporary Loans (estimated)
3,520.62
$5,000.00
Water Loans (included in Water Department appropriation)
2,601.25
Light Plant (paid from receipts of plant)
160.00
$7,761.25
The borrowing capacity of the town on temporary notes in anticipa- tion of 1943 revenue was $777,681.10 as determined by the State Director of Accounts. Of this amount, the town borrowed the sum of $400,000.00 and of this latter amount, $200,000.00 has been paid, leaving $200,000.00 to be paid in 1944.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN I. PRESTON, Treasurer
166
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
1
Report of School Committee
ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
School Committee for 1943
Patrick H. Tenney, Chairman
14 Emerson Street
Term Expires 1946
Mrs. Eva Gowing Ripley, Secretary 20 Lafayette Street
Term Expires 1946
James A. Fox, Treasurer Fox Road
Term Expires 1944
Mrs. Mary Louise Tredinnick 129 Pleasant Street
Term Expires 1945
James M. Henderson 118 Prospect Street
Term Expires 1945
Paul A. Saunders 309 Albion Street
Term Expires 1944
SUB-COMMITTEES
The Committee as a whole acts as sub-committees, with the following chairmen :
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
167
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT
The School Committee wishes to report that it is doing its very best to comply with the many changes and demands that have been caused by the present war situation.
We are continuing military drill which was restored in September, 1942.
We are maintaining courses in High School as suggested by the War Department to prepare our boys who are to enter the Armed Forces.
It has been extremely difficult to secure new teachers at our salary figures. We have found it necessary to make adjustments in salaries of teachers who have been in our educational system many years in order that we may retain competent teachers.
In view of recent legislation establishing a $1,200 salary minimum for teachers, we were obliged to make an adjustment in the salaries of four teachers.
We wish to thank the teachers and the entire personnel for their assist- ance in registration and rationing.
We also wish to thank the janitors for the countless hours they have worked because of the increased use of school buildings.
Many of our boys and girls are leaving school to enter the Armed Forces. To all seniors who were doing satisfactory work we have given diplomas.
Seven of our teachers have entered the Armed Forces. We have appointed substitutes for the .duration.
The locker situation at the High School is far from being satisfactory, but under present conditions, it is practically impossible to make the desired changes. It is difficult to do any major repairs because of scar- city of labor and materials.
The school population in all elementary schools but one has increased. We found it necessary to discontinue the upper grade in the Woodville School and to transfer these pupils to other schools. This change may not be permanent.
Many changes are bound to come in the near future in the educa-, tional field especially in a rehabilitation program for the discharged serv- ice men. We are giving these changes our due consideration in order that we may be able properly to face these problems when they arise.
PATRICK H. TENNEY, Chairman EVA G. RIPLEY (MRS. W. S.), Secretary JAMES A. FOX, Treasurer PAUL A. SAUNDERS MARY LOUISE TREDINNICK (MRS. F. A.) JAMES M. HENDERSON
168
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
IMPORTANT ACTIONS OF THE COMMITTEE
The following are some of the important actions taken by the School Committee during the past year:
Voted to set up a physical program on a broader scope to fit in with needs of the Armed Forces. William Piscione was appointed as an Assistant.
Granted permission to Beebe Memorial Library to use a room in the Montrose School for a Branch Library.
Voted to authorize the sale of typewriters to the United States Gov- ernment.
Went on record as recommending a 10% salary increase not to ex- ceed $200, for all employees of the School Department for the year of 1943. Subsequent to the annual Town Meeting voted to grant this increase.
Established a policy for the school year permitting seniors in the Commercial Department to leave school after April 1, to accept work in commercial establishments.
Voted to award to boys in the senior class who have joined the Armed Forces or shall join them before the end of the school year and shall have fulfilled the requirements for graduation their diplomas in June, 1943.
Granted permission to the Wakefield Chapter of the American Red Cross to use four rooms in the Lincoln School for an office and workrooms.
Granted use of the Montrose Playground to the Recreation Com- mission.
Voted to grant permission to local organizations to place Service Flags for various sections of the Town on school flagpoles.
1
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT HONOR ROLL
On Leave of Absence
F
Homer M. Shellenberger
With the U. S. Navy
Robert D. King
With the U. S. Army
Lucian J. Colucci With the U. S. Army
Francis W. Dinan With the U. S. Navy Joseph Cassano With the U. S. Army With the WACS
Margaret M. McGonagle
Alice M. Scipione
With the WACS
Charles B. Lally
With the U. S. Army
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
To the School Committee:
The following is the report of the Superintendent of Schools, together with excerpts from the reports of the principals and the supervisors of special subjects.
169
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The schools have been doing a great deal to inculcate an appreciation of duties and responsibilities in young people. We have reorganized the work, particularly in the High School, to prepare the boys for their induc- tion into the Armed Services.
HIGH SCHOOL
Several changes have been made in the content of some subjects in the High School curricula, and a course in Aeronautics has been given for the benefit of those who may want to join the Air Forces.
Courses in First Aid and Hygiene have been added as required subjects. "The enrollment in the High School at the beginning of the school year was as follows:
Boys
Girls
Total
Post Graduates
4
4
Seniors
74
117
191
Juniors
79
123
202
Sophomores
107
111
218
Freshmen
170
164
334
430
519
949
This enrollment was 73 fewer than last year.
"From a survey of the Senior and Junior classes taken in October, we found that 80% of these pupils are working afternoons or evenings. In fact some of them are working too many hours after school to keep up in their school work. This afternoon work makes it impossible for them to get needed help from their teachers after school. Another factor that makes it difficult for the pupil, is the fact that in too many homes, both the father and mother are working and the children have to look out for themselves during the day. This is one reason for the greater number of absences we are now having in comparison with the number we had before the War.
"To help keep the boys physically fit and to help them when they join the Armed Forces, all seniors and juniors have gymnasium work three or four periods a week and one period of military drill. One period a week for all senior boys and girls is devoted to a course in First Aid. A course in Hygiene is given to all junior boys and girls.
"With the rationing of meats. fats and canned goods and with the shortage of milk and cream, it is a very difficult problem to get food enough for our cafeteria. We find that more pupils are patronizing the cafeteria now, evidently because it is hard for the parents to procure food for lunches. The limited space and equipment in which we serve lunches makes the operating of the lunchrooms unsatisfactory to every- one. The boys have no tables at which to eat lunches. They eat in the
corridors by the workshop or in the gymnasium. The lunchroom is hardly large enough for the girls.
170
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
"Since so many pupils work in the afternoon, we find it extremely difficult to have our usual school clubs. This year all rehearsals for the senior class play were held in the evening instead of the afternoon. This condition has its effect on the number of boys who can take part in school sports.
"Last spring, eighty-one boys took the V-12 and A-12 examinations given by the Navy and Army in our High School and a good number passed them satisfactorily. In December, eleven boys took the V-5 Naval Aviation examinations in our school. Six boys passed them satis- factorily and will be allowed to remain in High School until June and graduate with their class.
"Of the boys who were graduated in the Class of 1943, sixty-one are already in the Armed Forces.
"Thirty graduates of the Class of 1943 were admitted to colleges in July or September."
TESTING
"Last September a testing program was inaugurated in the High School for all first year pupils. The Freshman Class was chosen, for the first high school year is the point in the educational progress of the pupil when he breaks away from the general training of the elementary schools to a more specific training of the High School.
"The results of the tests assist the teachers and administrators to make the education for the individual pupil more effective, particularly from the standpoint of emphasizing the individual's strong points by a more sensible placement of the individual into those areas of study in which he may more reasonably expect success. The test results also aid the teacher the earlier to discover the vital weak points of the pupil whereby the teacher may immediately embark upon a course of action that will effect the remediation of those defects which, if not corrected, might easily endanger the pupil's attempt for success in any field.
"The summary also gives the administrators an insight into the effec- tiveness of the educational training given in our elementary schools. The report of the results has certainly given us a vindication as a whole of that part of our school program. It tells us, in brief, that at no point of the nine tests administered are our elementary school pupils be- low the average of the country. In five of the nine tests, only twenty- five percent of all schools tested have done better; in three of the tests, but fifteen percent of all schools have scored higher; and in one test, only two and one half percent have bettered our mark.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
"The pupils on the whole are doing very well. £ There are evidences that they are much affected by the general war conditions. Adults are variously affected and children reflect conditions in their homes. There seems to be a tendency to restlessness, inattention and irritability. Fail- ures and absences make much extra work for the teachers in upper grades especially. Teachers require that pupils should make up lost work.
171
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
"Increased registration in every First Grade, save one, is significant. In the Montrose School, for example, there are fifty-four pupils in grade I, an increase of 20 over the previous year. Home building in this sec- tion with a consequent larger population, accounts no doubt, for the increase in the registration mentioned. If there is further increase here, the time is not far distant, when the room now used as a Branch Library will be needed for school purposes. The Committee was pleased to grant this use, and desires its continuance as long as possible.
"The problem of the luncheon hour here remains difficult.
"The West Ward School was built in 1847 and while the accommoda- tions in the two-room building are such as are found in many school buildings, camps and homes in the State, they are not such as might be expected in a community of the size of Wakefield. Home building is going on in this section also; and the question of a new building in this section will be a pertinent one in a few years.
"While the Hurd School has a comfortable registration, an appreciable increase would tax its capacity.
"Registration of First Grade pupils at the Lincoln School necessi- tated establishment of a second First Grade.
"The facts that First Grades in the Town register two hundred and ninety-four pupils at present against two hundred and four last year, and that the net increase in the total registration is seventeen, are signi- ficant as to problems in the near future."
RATIONING
Necessary rationing was done by the elementary teachers. In Febru- ary, 16,610 ration books were issued and in October, 16,634 books were is- sued. Letters from the Rationing Board were received expressing appre- ciation of the work done by the teachers and by students in the Com- mercial Department. Letters were also received from the Draft Board thanking High School students for their efficient work for the Board.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
"The Department of Physical Education is definitely aware of the challenge that American democracy is facing in the present crisis. We are also cognizant of the virtues developed by active physical activity, sports and games. As a result of this challenge we have developed a dynamic program for Wakefield Schools.
"The general objectives of the program are to develop the health, physical fitness and morale of pupils of pre-military age.
"The following changes were established by the Director of Physical Education :
1. Integrated and progressive program from the first grade through the twelfth.
172
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
2. More careful supervision and check up of the work in physical edu- cation of the grade school classroom teacher.
3. Increased time allotment in the seventh and eighth grades from thirty minutes every two weeks to two thirty minute periods each week.
4. A careful study is made of the health and medical record of children below normal.
5. All Juniors and Seniors are given a complete medical examination.
6. One full time male instructor has been added to the staff. His primary duty is to give instruction in the seventh and eighth grades for boys. Also, to carry on the athletic program after school for these grades. He is also obligated to assist the Direc- tor in the High School program when necessary.
7. Increased time allotment in the High School from two periods a week to five, one of which is used for military drill. (Boys)
8. The Director of Physical Education initiated a course in Hygiene for all Juniors. This subject is taught for twenty weeks during the homeroom period.
9. Through the wholehearted financial support of the School Com- mittee, the Director constructed a unique and permanent Com- mando Course. The work on this course was furnished by volun- teer student labor. Wakefield now has the best obstacle course in Massachusetts.
"The curriculum of any department, to be scientific, must be based on needs, interest and capacity of each individual. A thorough medical examination is the foundation of a health and physical fitness program and becomes an important factor in determining the needs and capacity of the pupil. It is also a safety precaution in view of the vigorous nature of this program.
"Physical fitness implies endurance, stamina, speed, skill and agility. These objectives were the criteria used as the bases for selecting the im- portant activities of this program from the seventh through the twelfth grades.
Program Activities:
1. Athletics, varsity and intramural, games and sports.
A. Football, basketball, hockey, baseball and track.
B. Touch football, speedball, volleyball, softball.
2. Conditioning exercises: victory drill, ranger drill, grass drill, free hand exercises and running.
3. Combatives: judo, wrestling and mass games.
4. Commando running.
5. An achievement and skill test is given three times a year.
Results: A decided improvement was indicated by objective tests, and the average gain was 45%.
"Physical education in peace and in war time forms an integral part of education. It pays for itself if just one boy's or one girl's life is saved.
173
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
It yields big returns in body, greater returns in mind and unsurpassable returns to the community. A community physically and mentally fit will be an enduring, democratic society."
MUSIC
"The Girls' Glee Club rehearsed from January to June during the home-room period on Wednesdays, thus insuring a steadier membership than after school rehearsals would allow. The membership was about forty girls.
"The Boys' Glee Club is feeling the pressure of after school jobs and the enlarged school program, and has suffered in size accordingly.
"More children each year are taking advantage of class lessons on orchestral instruments offered by teachers in cooperation with the school department.
"Harmony is a special subject in the High School curriculum and a very limited number of students study it. A knowledge of some musical instrument is necessary. It does give those pupils who would like to make a serious study of music for a hobby or a profession, a chance to learn the rudiments and mechanics of musical structure. The elementary and advanced classes meet together twice a week.
"The World of Music Series of singing books is being adopted in the grades. The listening program is advancing, three schools having bought new recording machines in the past year. The other schools hope to have good machines by the end of this school year. The next step is to build up record libraries in each school, instead of trying to carry records from school to school.
"Two elementary school orchestras-Warren and Greenwood-were organized in the latter part of the school year to provide group practice for those who were taking instrumental lessons. About six months are re- quired to get the pupils to the stage where they can try ensemble playing. The Junior Band that rehearsed at the High School draws on players from all elementary schools and it performed very successfully at the spring concert. The separate school orchestras serve as a step to the Junior Band which in turn trains for the Senior Band and Orchestra.
"The 1942-1943 Band was one of the finest in the history of the High School. The instrumentation was balanced and the players experienced. The present band promises to be just as fine. The orchestra suffers from a dearth of string players but the enrollment in the string classes will take care of that lack by another year."
DRAWING
"In the primary grades, the work has included the study of color, the drawing of simple objects, illustration of stories and activities, construction work and lessons for the holiday seasons. The purpose of the work is to train the children how to express their ideas with crayons and scissors, and to teach them how to draw the objects they wish to represent in their illustrations.
174
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
"In the intermediate and upper grades, the work included nature drawing and painting, free-brush design, construction work with applied design, perspective drawing, the making of posters, the making of place cards and gifts for the holiday seasons. One special feature of the work this year has been the teaching of spatter work in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades. It included sheets of nature work done with pressed specimens and white paint on colored paper. Also Thanksgiving and Christmas pictures were done in this manner. The seventh and eighth grades decorated stationery with spatter work motifs for Christmas gifts. The seventh grades made autograph albums and notebooks, using marble- ized paper for the covers. The perspective work in the upper grades teaches the pupils to draw objects correctly in relation to one another. It is also a forerunner of the mechanical and freehand drawing taught in, the High School. Picture study also has its place in the drawing outline, in order that the pupils may become acquainted with the great masters and their works."
ATTENDANCE
"The attendance problem has been difficult during the last year. The second year of the War made it, possible for students sixteen years and over to obtain employment at wages far beyond those paid before. Like- wise, students between fourteen and sixteen years of age were enabled to obtain employment after school hours at good wages. These two facts served to induce many of our boys and girls to leave school and forsake an education. It is difficult, indeed, to persuade one to continue in school in the face of such attractive temptations.
"Truancy and absenteeism still persist among the student body and, . strangely enough, particularly among those who can least afford to re- main away from school. Careless parents permit their children to absent themselves from school for trivial reasons. Working mothers are in some instances neglecting their children. The child is in bed when the parents leave for work in the morning and very often he fails to arise in time for school, and consequently, he either plays truant or shifts for him- self for the remainder of the day. Children who are taken ill while in school cannot go home because both father and mother are employed. Some parents 'cover up' their children altogether too much. They ask their dismissal from school for their own convenience; forget the incon- venience caused the pupil and the school, and thereby sacrifice precious school time."
MAINTENANCE
"The shortage of help, increased costs and priorities covering build- ing materials again prohibited the undertaking of so-called 'larger proj- ects' during the year. £ The largest jobs undertaken were the redecora- tion of five classrooms in the High School and the installation of panel
175
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
ceilings in two classrooms on the first floor of the Hurd School and the completion of the interior painting in that building.
The sixty-seven fire extinguishers in the various school buildings were reconditioned. The stage curtains in the High, Greenwood, Montrose and Woodville Schools were flameproofed in accordance with require- ments of the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety. All. steam boilers were examined twice and approved by the Insurance Inspectors. .
"The use of several school buildings by Scout organizations, Civilian Defense groups and by the Red Cross and its volunteer services has caused an increase in the cost of maintenance.
"A room in the Montrose School was made available for Beebe Mem- orial Library purposes. At the Lincoln School in September, another classroom was outfitted for the accommodation of first grade pupils.
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