USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1947 > Part 14
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REPORT OF THE ACTING SUPERINTENDENT
To the School Committee:
Since, because of the serious illness of Mr. Atwell, I have been Acting Superintendent during the greater part of the past year, it becomes my duty to submit the annual report of the School Department for 1947.
The retirement of Mr. Peterson made necessary another major change in the administration of our schools. Mr. Roland H. Kinder was appointed Principal of the High School, and Mr. Arthur A. Fulton become Sub- master.
With Mr. Kinder as Principal, and Mr. Fulton as Sub-master, the High School is in new hands only in so far as these men are new in their present positions. Mr. Kinder came to Wakefield as Sub-master in 1919, the year in which Mr. Peterson became Principal. For 28 years these two men worked together as a "team," which means that there will be no serious break so far as policy and administration are concerned. Mr. Fulton has been a High School teacher since 1915, which is an indication that the "teamwork" of the past will be continued into the future. Both men have merited their promotion.
TEACHERS
The Basic Salary Schedule (Appendix B) adopted by the Committee, which raised minimum salaries by $500.00 and maximum salaries by $400.00, is a step in the right direction. It recognizes the teachers as a professional group which has been notoriously underpaid. However, I should like to point out that these increases did not prevent five good teachers from ac- cepting higher-paid positions elsewhere last June, nor are they any assur- ance that we shall be able to hold our younger teachers in the future. Moreover, we have already discovered that the present salary schedule makes it difficult for us to secure teachers with the background of teaching experience we want.
The belated recognition that teachers as a group have always been un- derpaid has resulted in country-wide increases in teachers' salaries. These increases are certain to continue in the immediate future. Other closely related questions for which School Committees in general will have to find answers are:
193
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1. The single salary schedule for both elementary and High Schools.
2. Equal pay for both women and men teachers.
3. A more equitable program of increases for professional improve- ment.
That Wakefield teachers realize that, if they wish to be recognized as a professional group fitted by training and experience for specialized serv- ice, and if they are to receive increasing financial rewards, they must add to their knowledge, keep abreast of up-to-date methods and techniques in teaching, and increase their own efficiency, is evidenced by the number who are taking professional improvement courses. Thirty-eight elementary and 12 High School teachers, as well as the four Supervising Principals, are taking such courses this year.
The Wakefield Teachers' Club, Francis W. Dinan, president, deserves a special word of commendation. A program for the school year, with both social and educational meetings, has been planned. A monthly Bulletin, with editorials, Club activities, resumes of current educational articles, and school notes, is being published by the Teachers' Club. This Bulletin is of a high order and is a valuable contribution to the School Department. Under the sponsorship of the Teachers' Club an extension course is being conducted weekly, with an enrollment of approximately fifty.
Wakefield need make no apologies for its teaching staff.
SCHOOL ENROLLMENT
A. High School
4th
3rd
2nd
1st
Totals
Sept. 1946
198
214
265
295
972
Sept. 1947
203
238
242
265
948
net loss of 24
Dec. 1947
205
237
246
263
951
B. Elementary enrollment by schools
Frank- Green-
lin
wood
Hurd
Lin- coln
rose
ren
W. Ward Totals
Sept. 1946
296
479
106
303
258
213
65
1720
Sept. 1947
304
513
141
303
263
225
74
1823
Dec. 1947
305
522
135
302
277
207
66
1844
C. Elementary Enrollment by grades
8
7
6
5
4 226
3
2
1
Special Totals
Sept. 1946
175
212
205
203
199
228
241
31
1720
Sept. 1947
200
215
194
219
215
225
216
310
29
1823
Dec. 1947
198
221
202
225
211
218
226
309
34
1844
Mont-
War-
Attention is called to Table B which indicates that the greatest in- crease has been at the Greenwood, Hurd and Montrose Schools, and to Table C to the greatly enlarged enrollment in Grade 1. Both of these mat- ters will be mentioned again under School Buildings.
194
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
SCHOOL BUILDINGS
It is gratifying to be able to report that requirements made by the State Department of Public Safety during the Summer of 1946 have been met. These requirements affected all our school buildings, and included such items as wire lath and hard plaster ceilings and partitions, automatic emergency lights, smoke screens, inter-communicating doors and approved hardware.
During the year major improvements have been made at the following schools :
Warren: Complete remodelling of the basement, including a new audi- torium and new toilets; erection of a fence on the east side of the school property.
West Ward: New floors, new toilets and a gas-heating system.
Lincoln: Painting of most of the classrooms and the Principal's office.
Greenwood: Erection of a fence on the north side of the school prop- erty.
High School: New bleachers on the west side of the athletic field; ex- tensive repairs on the front walks.
However, due mainly to the fact that very little repair work was done during the war years, much remains to be done, and, in the interest of economy, should be done very soon. All the buildings should be painted on the outside. Roofing problems exist at the Montrose, Lincoln, Greenwood and Woodville Schools. There should be new toilet facilities at the Lincoln and Franklin Schools. Work should be done on the playgrounds at the Lincoln, Warren, Montrose and Greenwood Schools. The members of the School Committee are fully aware of these, and other problems which exist in connection with the school buildings, and are planning to present them to the town Capital Outlay Committee.
The increased enrollment in the elementary schools this year, the re- sults of the census of pre-school children, and the large number of new homes being built in Wakefield, indicate that we face a school housing problem for several years to come. The proposed addition to the Hurd School will relieve the congestion in both that and the Montrose Districts, but I should like to emphasize the fact that this will be only a temporary relief. Present indications are that the Hurd School will have a large en- rollment when the addition is opened, and the Montrose School will be filled nearly to capacity even without the pupils from the Hurd District who attend there at present. And these are two of the areas in which there is a great deal of home building.
It also seems evident now that by September of 1948 we shall need the two rooms used by the Branch Library at the Greenwood School. Three entering first grades in September of 1949 will mean 19 classes and 18 rooms. And this is another section of the town which is growing rapidly.
The High School was constructed for a maximum enrollment of 800, and now has a student body of nearer 1,000. This has made it necessary to use the auditorium, library, typewriting room, the biology, general science and physics laboratories, and the cooking room both as home rooms
195
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
and study rooms. The auditorium seats 740, which means that the entire student body cannot meet there at one time. Moreover, approximately 1,000 students have study periods in the auditorium during the course of a week. To accommodate all the students three lunch periods are required, and, if the armory were not available, the program in physical education would have to be seriously curtailed.
REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
"English Department. One of the most interesting of the activities this year has been the building up of recordings for use in the Speech Arts - The English teachers find that one of the worst handicaps faced by High School students is a lack of ability in reading.
Science Department. This department is making a good record but it is working under serious difficulties. The worst one is the fact that science equipment cannot be used to full advantage because too many other groups have to use the science rooms for study periods and as homerooms. This year, as last, there was a decided trend away from Elementary Science in the Freshman electives and into the College Preparatory course and Latin 1.
Mathematics Department. The average boys and girls find that the work they are expected to do in Algebra and Geometry is more difficult. We have tried to meet the situation in part by having one teacher handle all of the Algebra 1 in order to unify and equalize the instruction. How- ever, it seems that the swing toward the College Course has included too many who either lack aptitude in Mathematics or have had insufficient success in the subject.
Commercial Department. The decrease in the number of students choosing the Commercial subjects is temporary. We are teaching Office Practise without the necessary equipment because we have no room for it. We have seven classes in typewriting, one more than last year. This class is made up mainly of non-commercial students.
The Language Department. This department has given color and life to its courses through special programs in the languages studied.
Fine Arts Department. Two of our students won a place in the Na- tional High School Art Exhibition at Carnegie Institute. One other won a third place in a national contest for safety posters, and another won a state-wide honorable mention in a competition for an original greeting card design.
The Shop is really crowded this year with boys taking the Industrial Arts Course - some outstanding work has been produced. If it were pos- sible to broaden the type of the courses in the Shop, it would provide op- portunities of great advantage to many of the boys.
There has been increased interest in the Household Arts Course this year."
The Supervising Principals report that our most pressing needs at present are:
196
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
A survey of all school buildings - A testing program An improved accumulative record system Curriculum revision Audio-visual aids A vocational guidance program A public relations program
FROM THE REPORTS OF THE SUPERVISORS
Miss Jenkins, Drawing
"The purposes of the art work in the grades - are to train pupils to acquire a goodly amount of skill in handwork, to appreciate the best in design and color arrangements, as well as to gain a knowl- edge of the beautiful masterpieces in art.
In the classrooms the work in drawing is so planned that parts of the lessons are directed and others are devoted to free expression.
The art work for the year is planned to correlate with other subjects, An exhibition of art was held at the Beebe Library last June which in- cluded one mount of drawings from every grade in town."
Mr. Dower, Penmanship
Reports the introduction of manuscript writing in the first grades, and recommends the resumption of the practice of Penmanship awards in the 7th and 8th grades as an incentive for greater effort.
Mr. Philie, Supervisor of Elementary Instruction
"Each elementary teacher is visited at least once a month - A special effort is made to be of assistance to the inexperienced teachers and 1 to teachers new in Wakefield.
It is hoped that in the future a testing program, including diagnostic, remedial, achievement, aptitude and intelligence tests, will be set up covering all subject matter fields in all grades.
It is hoped that soon a curriculum revision program can be organized to meet the changing needs of a school population living in an ever-changing social order."
Miss Wheeler, Music
"The music program of study in the elementary grades - includes rote songs and rhythm games in grades 1 and 2 - reading readiness in grade 3 - two-part music in grades 6 and 7 - and four-part music in grade 8.
A new approach to reading of music has been introduced in grades 3 and 4. This method emphasizes diagramming the song by phrase in order to discover the direction of the notes before reading.
Music appreciation was conducted by radio this year in grades 5 through 8. We hope to have an orchestra in every school in Jan- uary of 1948."
197
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Mr. Fanck, Instrumental Music
"The High School band and orchestra played publicly 19 times during the year. A Junior Band and a Junior Orchestra, composed of pupils from the elementary schools, have been formed.
The usual drive was made last Fall to acquaint the elementary school children with the instrumental program and to stimulate interest. As a result 50 beginners were enrolled this year, making a total number of boys and girls taking lessons of 117. If more instruments were available about 40 more would have joined the classes.
The number of instruments owned by the School Department is still not adequate to supply the demand."
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
In my opinion a forward step was taken when it was decided to sep- arate physical education from coaching.
I have two recommendations to make for the future.
1. That consideration be given to the matter of a woman physical di- rector, as an assistant to Mr. Crompton, to work with the girls in the elementary schools.
2. That, as soon as it is possible, men teachers be engaged as regular classroom teachers at the Franklin, Montrose, Lincoln and Hurd Schools, to relieve Principals Black and Dinan of their work in physi- cal education. This recommendation is made for two reasons - I be- lieve we should have more men teachers in the grades - and I believe that the Principals are too valuable to be used for this phase of school work.
We were indeed fortunate to secure Earl W. Crompton as Director of Physical Education. From his plans for his work in Wakefield I quote the following:
"A large room off the gym (High School) is being fitted out as a cor- rective room. The girls are to stress posture, grace and body con- trol, while the boys put their emphasis on improving arm strength, posture and coordination.
Close co-operation will be maintained with the school doctor and the school nurse.
Athletic clubs will be set up in all schools (Elementary). They will have as their objective the guiding of athletic teams, intra-mural programs, and staging exhibitions.
Hygiene and correctives are to be introduced to each student - with a physical education card to follow the individual through his school career."
HEALTH
From the report of the School Physician:
"Of the 2,225 examinations made 618 needed dental care
165 with tonsils which should be removed
O
198
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
65 with wax in the ears causing impairment of hearing 15 had defects in the heart.
It is interesting to note that 997 had had tonsils removed, that only 103 had perfect teeth, and 2,098 had had dental work.
Contagious diseases were slightly less than last year.
Immunization against Diphtheria was carried out this fall in the first grade. There are now very few children who have not been immunized against Diphtheria.
Examination of all boys participating in sports is now required before any are allowed to have equipment issued to them."
From the report of the School Nurse:
Children taken to the clinics for check-ups:
North Reading State Sanatorium 2
Middlesex County Sanatorium 4
Home calls 339
Eye glasses - Lions Club Fund
2
Dental work - Salvation Army Fund 3
VETERANS' SCHOOL
Some excerpts from the report of Howard J. Heavens, who has done an outstanding job as Coordinator of the Veterans' School.
"Registration figures:
January to June 1946 238
Summer Session 1946 - six weeks 245
September to December 1946 257
January to June 1947 283
Summer session 1947 - six weeks 187
September to December 1947 163
This gives us a total registration of 1373, from 621 different students. The total average number of courses throughout has been close to 21/2 courses per boy.
Through this period 212 boys have completed their requirements for either a High School diploma or a State Equivalency Certificate, and to date a total of 372 have entered college, and almost to a boy are doing well.
This fall attendance in some areas began to fall off, so some schools were closed and the areas condensed. The indicated need of the veterans in this area has continued to the extent that Wakefield has one of the largest schools from the standpoint of registration and attendance.
The average cost to the State and to the Town for the equivalent of a full year's High School education per pupil has never exceeded $54.00."
From the report of the Attendance Officer: 576
"Cases of absence investigated
Truancy 103
Kept home by illness 410
199
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Kept home by parents
36
Left school without notice
27
Neglect - reported to MSPCC
2
Court complaint 1
Brought sick children to doctor or home
28
Clothing provided through local service funds
19
Dental treatment provided, same source
6
School property collected
26
Public Library books returned
35'
Special recognition is due to the Principals for a survey and a splendid report on a possible Intermediate School, and to a committee, composed of Mr. Philie and teachers representing all the grades and all the buildings, for the study which eventually resulted in the selection of a basal Arith- metic series for the elementary grades.
It is also gratifying to be able to report that all but one of our schools have a Parent-Teacher Association. The good which these groups have done, and can still do, is limitless. It is to be hoped that the Associations in the various school districts will unite to form a town council, and that this council will affiliate with the state-wide Association.
I should like to repeat at this time some of the suggestions to improve our school system which I made to the Committee last August.
1. Provision for a full-time Guidance Director, whose work would extend down into the 7th and 8th grades at least.
2. The enlargement of the program for Shop work to include other courses than that in woodworking.
3. The securing of a car for demonstration purposes in connection with the course in driver instruction.
4. A review of the elementary course of study by a group including ad- ministrators, Principals and teachers.
5. A well-thought-out program of audio-visual education for the elemen- tary grades.
6. A re-opening of the question of salary increases for professional im- provement.
7. The employment of more men in the elementary grades as positions are open.
8. A special teacher for remedial reading in the elementary grades.
PER PUPIL COST
Cost per pupil for instruction and maintenance, exclusive of general control, based on average membership for the school year, 1946-'47:
Wakefield State
High School Elementary All Public Schools
$ 189.43 $ 195.18
112.88
134.89
140.39
164.07
200
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
NET COST OF THE SCHOOLS
Expenditures Receipts through the Department
$403,588.00 48,452.67
Net Cost from Local Taxation
$355,135.33
Respectfully submitted,
R. EDGAR FISHER,
Acting Superintendent
December 1947
APPENDIX
A. Statistics of School Enrollment and Attendance
B. Basic Salary Schedule
C. Tabulation of Records of Attendance for School Year 1946-1947
D. School Organization - 1947
E. Cost of Public Day Schools
F. How a School Dollar is Spent
G. Age and Grade Charts, January 1948
H. School Census
I. Changes in Personnel
J. High School Graduation - 1947
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
201
A
Population Census, 1945
18,677
Average Membership ending June, 1947
2,657
Average Membership ending June, 1946
2,687
Decrease in Average Membership
30
Total Membership, 1947
2,910
Total Membership, 1946
2,916
Percent of attendance, 1947
94.78
Percent of attendance, 1946
93.70
Days Lost
Stormy Weather
High School
1
Elementary School
21/2
Actual Length of School Year High School Elementary
1761/2
Special Teachers Employed 1946-1947
2
Regular Teaching Positions
99
Total Teaching Positions
101
1
B
BASIC SALARY SCHEDULE
No Degree
B Degree
M Degree
D Degree
Elementary Basic
$ 1,800.00
$ 2,000.00
$ 2,200.00
Service Increments 6 @ $100.
600.00
600.00
600.00
Professional Improvement
400.00
200.00
$ 2,800.00
$ 2,800.00
$ 2,800.00
H. S. Basic-Women
$ 1,900.00
$ 2,100.00
$ 2,300.00
$ 2,500.00
Service Increments 6 @ $100.
600.00
600.00
600.00
600.00
Professional Improvement
600.00
400.00
200.00
$ 3,100.00
$ 3,100.00
$ 3,100.00
$ 3,100.00
H. S. Basic-Men
$ 1,900.00
$ 2,100.00
$ 2,300.00
$ 2,500.00
Service Increments 11 @ $100.
1,100.00
1,100.00
1,100.00
1,100.00
Professional Improvement
600.00
400.00
200.00
$ 3,600.00
$ 3,600.00
$ 3,600.00
$ 3,600.00
180
RECORD OF ATTENDANCE FOR SCHOOL YEAR 1946 - 1947
C
SCHOOL
TEACHER
5 - 6
7 - 14
14 - 16
16 or over
Total
Enrollment
Average
Average
Attendance
Attendance Per Cent of
Days
Attendance
Days
Absence
Tardiness
Dismissals
High School Franklin
Charles J. Peterson
67
472
460
1000
953.77
907.49
95.04
163,349
8331
3085
1675
Edna May Paulson
21
9
1 31
30.91
29.62
95.85
5,228.5
226.5
8
9
Frances G. McCarthy
25
5
30
31.86
30.16
94.67
5,323.5
300
28
16
Catherine A. Doran
29
4
33
33.10
32.29
97.57
5,698.5
142
5
8
Margaret M. Landers
32
32
31.34
29.96
95.61
5,288.5
242.5
7
10
Stella H. Blaikie
26
26
27.51
25.99
94.50
4,588
267
17
5
Cosima N. Perroni
39
39
37.72
35.80
95.21
6,339
319
33
6
Lydia M. Sullivan
2. 33
35
35.45
33.35
94.08
5,886
370.5
15
11
Beatrice Quint
36
5
41
36.98
34.28
92.71
6,051
475.5
32
24
Emma L. Lane
7
10
1
18
16.56
14.90
89.99
2,652
2.95
46
4
Hester A. Walker
16
1
17
14.33
13.21
92.16
2,351
200
57
13
Abbie A. Bell
22
3
25
24.29
23.34
96.09
4,119.5
167.5
9
9
Helen J. Coyne
21
5
26
23.67
25.03
94.58
4,178
239.5
22
22
Ethel M. Wilson
29
2
31
28.41
27.53
96.88
4,858.5
156.5
2.7
8
Signe M. Peterson
30
30
29.42
28.09
95.49
4,958.5
244
48
31
Amanda J. Stephenson
32
32
31.22
29.50
94.50
5,207
303
42
13
Stanley A. Gay
31
1
32
30.63
29.35
95.83
5,180.5
225.5
35
10
Winifred R. Beal
29
29
26.62
24.70
92.77
4,360
339.5
74
34
Helen M. Delaney
27
27
26.05
24.59
94.40
4,341
257.5
11
14
Lillian J. Shoff
38
38
35.65
33.52
94.02
5,916
376.5
60
40
Laura A. Hart
36
36
35.49
33.79
95.20
5,964
300.5
30
18
Hazel O. Wilder
27
27
25.20
23.95
95.05
4,227
220
24
13
Hilda M. Hayden
28
28
26.89
25.67
95.49
4,531.5
214
26
3
10
24
34
34.74
32.80
94.41
5,788.5
342.5
28
11
Marion Weaver
12
20
32
34.49
32.74
94.94
5,779
302
78
23
Grace E. Widtfeldt
32
32
30.93
29.26
94.60
5,164.5
295
47
20
Alice E. Calkins
33
1
34
31.98
29.45
92.10
5,198.5
446
52
8
202
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Greenwood
Winifred Geizer
Membership
RECORD OF ATTENDANCE FOR SCHOOL YEAR 1946 - 1947
C
SCHOOL
TEACHER
6 5 - 6
7 - 14
14 - 16
16 or over
Total
Enrollment
Average
Average
Attendance
Attendance Per Cent of
Attendance
Days
Absence
Tardiness
Dismissals
Hurd
Elizabeth D. Burke
36
36
33.69
31.99
94.96
5,614.5
298
19
59
Katheryn D. Carney
35
35
34.51
32.61
94.49
5,723.5
333.5
42
83
Mary T. (Bonney) Vik
12
12
24
25.10
23.14
92.19
4,061.5
344.5
39
14
Bella A. Rattray
27
2
29
29.01
27.15
93.58
4,766.5
326.5
26
4
Lincoln
Bernice O. Bazley
31
3
34
29.78
28.80
96.70
5,082.5
173.5
14
18
Ruth B. Spence
38
5
43
41.39
39.58
95.63
6,986.5
319.5
30
39
Lucy L. Valente
35
35
35.93
34.27
95.39
6,049.5
292.5
29
8
Alice M. Scipione
37
37
34.02
32.35
95.09
5,709.5
182.5
37
16
Bernice E. Hendrickson
43
43
43.53
41.27
94.81
7,284
398.5
43
20
Ruth C. Webber
34
34
32.29
30.48
94.40
5,380
319
8 18
Lee Pfeiffer
16
17
33
30.45
28.69
94.23
5,064
310
33
7
Montrose
Lois I. Jordan
20
25
25.16
24.16
94.36
4,264.5
255
56
19
Mary E. Cusack
43
43
42.22
39.75
94.15
7,015.5
436
81
16
Mabel F. Johnson
32
2 34
34.05
32.51
95.46
5,737.5
273
55
11
Jennie Flaherty
2.7
27
28.07
26.84
95.65
4,743.5
223.5
92
11
Lona H. Adams
42
42
36.08
34.30
95.09
6,055.5
308.5
9
11
Vivian M. Rodriques
29
29
28.31
26.25
94.49
4,721.5
275.5
50
19
Mary M. Harrington
14
20
34
30.35
28.96
95.42
5,111.5
245.5
53
7
Eunice B. Chatterton
38
38
30.94
29.76
92.22
5,252.5
443
112
0
Beatrice D. Moody
34
5
39
36.85
35.08
95.18
6,191
310.5
109
62
William G. Skulley
36
1
37
36.33
33.98
93.54
5,997.5
414
91
27
Mary E. C. Geagan
32
32
30.79
28.68
93.14
5,062
373
45
20
Mary E. Grace
41
41
37.74
35.03
92.82
6,183
477.5
138
27
Irene F. Norton
25
25
27.67
26.32
95.12
4,646
238.5
10
11
Elizabeth M. Strout
7 21
28
30.15
27.86
92.42
4,918
403.5
44
9
Hazel Vasso
15
2
17
15.89
15.19
95.61
2,681
123
16
6
203
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Warren
Blanche L. Meserve
18
2
40
37.37
35.76
95.70
6,311.5
283.5
38
21
5
Membership
Days
RECORD OF ATTENDANCE FOR SCHOOL YEAR 1946 - 1947
Q
SCHOOL
TEACHER
5 - 6
7 - 14
14 - 16
16 or over
Total
Enrollment
Average
Membership
Average
Attendance
Attendance Per Cent of
Days
Attendance
Days
Absence
Tardiness
Dismissals
West Ward
Mabel A. Kernan Inez A. Gianfranchi Elementary
26
11
37
36.43
32.88
90.25
5,787.5
625
150
28
318
1394
61
2 1775
1713.71
1619.88
94.52
285,910
16561.5
2338
994
.
29
29
26.19
24.60
93.94
4,330.5
279.5
28
20
204
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
1
205
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
D SCHOOL ORGANIZATION
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