USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1948 > Part 14
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GENERAL EQUIPMENT - SCHEDULE C
Office Equipment
$ 405.13
Transportation Equipment
5,949.16
Laboratory Equipment
764.25
Miscellaneous Equipment
14,707.17
Total
$ 21,825.71
SURPLUS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1948 SCHEDULE D CREDITS
Balance, January 1st
$514,377.85
Profit from Electric Operations
48,672.01
Profit from Gas Operations
12,674.62
.
Total
$575,724.48
DEBITS
Paid to Town
$ 35,000.00
Property Abandoned
950.12
Total
$ 35,950.12
Surplus, December 31, 1948
$539,774.36
COST OF GAS
Total cost at Plant
$106,489.61
Cost per M. C. F.
88.2c
Average cost delivered per M. C. F.
$1.536
Average Selling price per M. C. F.
$1.651
Total Gas Purchased
120,678,732
Total Gas Sold
109,828,300
COST OF ELECTRICITY
Total Cost at Switchboard
$199,325.33
Cost per K. W. H.
1.453c
Average cost delivered per K. W. H.
2.612c
Average Selling price per K. W. H.
2.989c
Total Electricity Purchased
13,714,495
Total Electricity Sold
12,917,244
Respectfully submitted, JAMES M. WHITEHEAD, Manager
200
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Report of School Committee
ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE 1948
William J. Lee, Chairman 39 Chestnut Street
Term Expires 1949
Mrs. Mary Louise Tredinnick, Secretary 129 Pleasant Street
Term Expires 1951
Walter C. Hickey, Treasurer 25 Gould Street
Term Expires 1950
Marcus G. Beebe Resigned, June, 1948
Term Expires 1949
Mrs. Alma S. Dutton 33 Avon Street Appointed, June, 1948
Term Expires 1950
Arthur C. Lane 10 Summit Avenue William W. Allyn 1 Edmunds Place
Term Expires 1951
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Carl M. Bair, Jr. 7 Western Avenue
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
R. Edgar Fisher 24 Summit Avenue
SECRETARY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT
Pauline E. Meads 12 Park Avenue
SECRETARY
Lora E. Harris
53 Prospect Street
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The Wakefield School Department on January 1, 1948 entered upon a new chapter in its history, with the first new Superintendent of Schools in nearly two score years. On January 13, 1948, the Wakefield School Committee held its first meeting with the new Superintendent, Carl M. Bair, Jr., who had taken office on January 1st succeeding Willard B. Atwell, who for 37 years had held the office of Superintendent.
At this meeting, resolutions of appreciation in honor of R. Edgar Fisher, interim administrative head, were passed as follows:
201
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Whereas: On July 1, 1946, at the urgent request of the then School Com- mittee, R. Edgar Fisher, Head of the History Department of Wakefield High School, undertook the duty of Assistant Superintendent of the Wake- field Public Schools, a post made necessary by the poor health of the then Superintendent, Willard B. Atwell; and
Whereas: Mr. Fisher accepted this responsibility at sacrifice of his own summer plans and with no prior knowledge of the requirements; and Whereas: In January 1947, when Supt. Atwell's illness made it impossible for him to fulfill the duties of Superintendent of Schools, R. Edgar Fisher acted in that capacity at a time of great pressure in the School Depart- ment; and
Whereas: R. Edgar Fisher represented the School Department of Wake- field with utter disregard of self, and watchful regard for the school chil- dren of the town, and with honor to the town and to himself until De- cember 31, 1947; and
Whereas: R. Edgar Fisher at all times kept the relationship between par- ents and teachers, teachers and pupils, and School Department and School Committee functioning at high efficiency; and
Whereas: Upon the election of Carl M. Bair, Jr., as Supt. Atwell's suc- cessor, R. Edgar Fisher continued to perform service of the same high caliber and to offer complete cooperation to the incoming Superintendent although Mr. Fisher himself had been a candidate for the position of Superintendent.
Be it resolved: that the School Committee extend to R. Edgar Fisher grateful recognition of his signal service to the School Department, and that a copy of these resolutions be spread upon the permanent records of the School Committee.
The excessive snowfall of the severest winter in weather annals made it necessary for the School Committee to take drastic action to protect elementary school children from the traffic hazards occasioned by the re- peated storms. In January, therefore, a one session day was established for elementary schools. This plan was continued until sidewalks were clear on March 24th.
Advance in educational techniques was made possible by the appoint- ment in April of Miss Marion Jennings as Reading Consultant for the Wakefield Public Schools. Miss Jennings's work is remedial and diag- nostic, and through consultations with classroom teachers she aids in special problems and introduces helpful techniques in the key subject of the curriculum-Reading.
The School Committee has now placed a man teacher who also di- rects physical education, in each grammar school building. This policy, it feels, strengthens the functioning of the grammar schools.
The Franklin School has been equipped as a physical education centre for the grammar schools under the special article in the 1947 Town War- rant: This, as has been stated in earlier reports, is a part of a long range plan of improving the older school buildings-a program of which the improvements at the Warren, Hurd, and West Ward Schools were a part. The Lincoln and Franklin buildings are next on the over-all plan.
202
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
At the Greenwood School, the rooms formerly used by the Greenwood Branch of the Beebe Memorial Library were required for school purposes, hence the library has occupied space in the basement of the Greenwood building.
New Rules and Regulations for the Use of School Buildings were adopted and issued in March, and New Rules and Regulations of the School Committee were adopted and distributed in printed form at the opening of the fall term.
A pre-school census was again taken in anticipation of the early need for building expansion in various sections of the town. Mindful of the financial burden which imperative expansion imposes, the School Com- mittee has joined the Massachusetts Association for Adequate Financing of Public Schools.
Transportation beyond that required by law is furnished in several areas of the town due to traffic hazards occasioned by lack of sidewalks. This budget item would automatically cease to appear were sidewalks constructed in these sections.
Administrative quarters at the High School have become so inadequate that the School Committee has requested the Selectmen to grant use of space at the Lafayette Building for School Department administrative offices.
On June 8th, Marcus G. Beebe resigned from the School Committee due to his removal from town. Mr. Beebe had been a particularly active school committeeman.
Elected to the School Committee in 1946, Mr. Beebe has been an ex- tremely active member of the board. Chairman of the sub-committee on public property, he was in immediate touch with much of the alterations and changes at the Warren and West Ward Schools. He also has been secretary of the building committee appointed by vote of town meeting and has been closely connected with the plans for the new addition at the Hurd School.
Mr. Beebe has been one of the School Committee representatives to the athletic council, and has done special sub-committee work on the new School Committee Rules and Regulations. His associates feel that his energy, ability and interest in the School Department have been of unusual value.
At a joint meeting of the Selectmen and the School Committee, Alma S. Dutton, (Mrs. Robert Dutton) 33 Avon St., was appointed to fill Mr. Beebe's unexpired term.
On June 8th, Miss Mabel A. Kernan, who had served the Wakefield Public Schools since 1899, and, for most of her long tenure, as Principal of the West Ward School, retired as of the closing of schools in June. Miss Kernan had served under six superintendents, and her retirement after such long fidelity to her profession and to her town was suitably recognized by her colleagues and the Department.
New classrooms at the Hurd School were ready for use in September, but completion of other portions of the building has been delayed.
203
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The Veterans' Regional High School has continued its sessions at Wakefield High School under the leadership of Howard J. Heavens.
The Woodville School remains closed.
In spite of last year's effort to improve teachers' salaries, the con- tinued upward economic trend has posed problems to the Department and to teachers. In October, the School Committee recommended the formation of a Lay Study Committee for evaluation of teachers' salaries. Such a committee was later appointed to bring a recommendation to the School Committee.
On December 14, 1948, the School Committee voted that Supt. Bair be re-appointed Superintendent of Schools at a salary of $7,500 a year from January 1, 1949 to July 1, 1950. At the same meeting, the School Committee voted that R. Edgar Fisher be re-appointed Administrative Assistant at a yearly salary of $5,800 as of January 1, 1949.
The year of 1948 has been one filled with the problems of rising popu- lation, rising costs, and, in some sections, inadequate physical plants. Im- provements have been made at the Franklin School and extensive altera- tions and additions have been made to the Hurd School. An overwhelm- ing amount of improvement and rehabilitation remains to be done. The above unanimous votes of the School Committee are testimony that the School Committee believes that the administration of these pressing prob- lems affecting the welfare and growth of Wakefield's boys and girls is in trained, efficient, and able hands.
The Committee itself continues to study and to evaluate Wakefield's obligations to its young people. It seeks to assure that they are prepared for serviceable lives in a world community.
WILLIAM J. LEE MARY LOUISE TREDINNICK WALTER C. HICKEY ALMA S. DUTTON ARTHUR C. LANE WILLIAM W. ALLYN
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To The School Committee:
It is a pleasure to present my report as Superintendent of Schools for 1948.
This has been a trying year for the School Committee and the School Department, since a new Superintendent had to be educated. The pa- tience and cooperation of all concerned are deeply appreciated.
Fundamentally, the educative process is conditioned by the pupils, the teachers, the building facilities, the program, the instructional mate- rials (the tools of learning), the home conditions and the community.
An analysis of these factors indicates the general form educational opportunity for Wakefield youth should take.
204
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
PUPILS
Standardized tests designed to ascertain mental ability and academic achievement were administered to more than half of the elementary school pupils. Wakefield children were found to be slightly above the New Eng- land average in both respects.
Minor weaknesses here reflect the national situation. Apparently our youth are not reading as widely as they should, for in the field of Litera- ture certain deficiencies were noted. Comic books, pictorial magazines, movies, radio and television doubtless consume much of the time youth in other generations spent reading.
Science, History and Spelling also show signs of needing more atten- tion. Each of these fields has become more and more complicated due to the rapidly changing world conditions, thus making teaching more dif- ficult.
Spelling, which appears to be a simple subject, is in reality a very difficult one, due to the non-phonetic character of nearly one-third of the words in the English language, the changing vocabulary needs of our pupils, and the small amount of leisure-time reading done by too many of our boys and girls.
The continuation of the testing program is planned, constantly eval- uating the results, diagnosing individual problems, and establishing reme- dial procedures.
This is very important, for each teacher must know the status and needs of every individual pupil and plan his work accordingly. It cannot be assumed that each student knows the same amount or will learn at the same rate of speed as his classmates.
The High School testing program is more comprehensive and is de- signed to ascertain mental capacity, academic standing, aptitudes, scho- lastic ability and major interests.
The uses of this information are extensive. Guiding our youth wisely is a major responsibility and the more information available concerning the individual, the more accurate our guidance can be.
A further use of these data in comparing the results of our school program with other schools gives the school authorities evidence for cur- riculum and course of study revision.
Wakefield has a right to be proud of its youth. They are an alert, active, intelligent and thoughtful group of young people. They deserve the best schools we can provide.
TEACHERS
In this period of teacher shortage Wakefield is blessed with a strong faculty. Within this group are several who compare favorably with the nation's best.
The major concern is with maintaining this high standard, providing the tools and materials pupils need, housing their activities in adequate buildings, and giving the teachers such parental support as is needed for proper student development.
205
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The addition in 1948 of eight elementary and two High School teach- ers has made it possible to reduce the average class size. It is 29 in the elementary schools and approximately 25 in the High School.
The 1949 Budget Request includes funds to finance the first of four steps in providing reasonable instructional materials in the elementary schools. Faculty committees have studied the needs and have recommended the materials to be obtained. At the end of this four year plan each ele- mentary school will have similar equipment, textbooks, supplies and courses of study.
At the suggestion of the Faculty, a Lay-Faculty committee was ap- pointed by the School Committee to evaluate the salary situation and to make recommendations. The committee is composed of ten laymen, five Faculty members, Mr. Fisher, and the Superintendent of Schools ex officio. The committee members are listed below.
Arthur Burwen
Ervine Laughton
Mrs. Forrest Carter
Eliot B. Leonard
Bernice L. Caswell
Edna-May Paulson
Francis W. Dinan
George Perry
Mrs. Charlotte Fitz
Anthony Piazza
James Fox
Harold E. Staunton
James Henderson
Mrs. Mabel Sweetser
Miss Ruth Woodbury
Their report will be acted upon by the School Committee in advance of the annual town meeting.
A Faculty Advisory Council has been established in an attempt to democratize the administration of the School Department. It will be this committee's function to advise the Superintendent on policy matters within his jurisdiction and with respect to personnel policies to be pre- sented for School Committee consideration.
Due to several factors, inadequate salaries, increased enrollments and general working conditions, the shortage of qualified elementary teachers is becoming more acute. Few of the nation's outstanding youth are train- ing for teaching. Very few of the recent graduates from the Wakefield High School are entering teacher training institutions. If public schools are to continue being the backbone of our democratic way of life, cit- izens must actively aid in the recruitment of able candidates for teacher training and also help improve working conditions so that teachers will find it desirable to remain in the profession.
In June 1948 only ONE qualified elementary school teacher was grad- uated from all our colleges for each FIVE vacancies which existed. Thou- sands of our nation's classrooms are NOW closed for lack of teachers. The situation will not improve until more young people can be attracted to teaching, and then at least four years must be spent in training them. By 1954 there will be 6,500,000 more school children than in 1948. That means 260,000 more teachers. What can be done to keep our classrooms properly manned?
206
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Nearly every community in the United States faces the problem of providing classrooms for the increased enrollments. Wakefield is no less affected. For many years the High School has been over-crowded. For- tunately, High School enrollment decreased for some years. Now the need for expanded facilities must be faced. School census figures lead to the conclusion that before a peak in enrollment is reached 1,400-1,500 students will attend Wakefield High School.
The school census also points out that by the Fall of 1949 our ele- mentary schools will be filled nearly to capacity. By altering school dis- trict lines reasonable classroom sizes appear possible; however, in 1950 it is likely that the Woodville School may have to be reopened and pupils transported there.
Unless children already born and presently living in Wakefield find other school facilities, 1952 will see more children entering school than our entire facilities will house. Present indications show a serious 1952 overload in the Lincoln and Warren Districts.
The school census shows the following total enrollments by schools1-
Room
School
Capacity
1948
1949
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
High2
955
1057
1092
1166
1226
1258
1338
1441
Franklin
16
303
337
360
384
413
409
Greenwood
18
515
502
540
539
552
565
Hurd
8
224
210
256
264
278
303
Lincoln
10
324
353
369
397
456
529
Montrose
8
185
185
192
194
205
213
Warren
8
271
283
320
365
424
483
West Ward
2
53
68
80
73
70
85
2827
2995
3209
3382
3624
3845
1 No reduction due to "drop-outs" is made, since estimates on new build- ings are expected to compensate for the normal decrease.
2 Includes estimates for Lynnfield and St. Joseph's.
A graduated attempt to recondition our buildings over a number of years is included in the 1949 Budget Request. It is estimated that a period of at least five years will be required if costs are to be kept within a reasonable limit.
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
The war, high costs, and unsettled conditions have contributed to the limited amount of materials with which pupils may work.
The situation concerning these materials is much less serious in the High School than in the elementary schools. On the other hand the High School is in serious need of major equipment such as typewriters, cal- culators, bookkeeping machines, laboratory equipment, musical instru- ments, shop machinery, etc.
207
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
It is difficult to purchase the materials efficiently since parts of two different school years come within the same fiscal year. The different school years frequently present vastly different needs.
THE PROGRAM
To evaluate any program one must know (1) what it is trying to do, (2) by what means this attempt is being made, and (3) how well the purpose is accomplished.
Primarily, each School Department must, in cooperation with the pupils, teachers, parents and School Committee, establish their target. In other words, what are we trying to do? What difference do we-parents, teachers and all-hope to find in each child, a minute, a day, or twelve years after he enters school?
Obviously this change should be vast and varied, but what change? Is it possible to accomplish the most of which we are all capable without clear objectives and constant purposing?
Having this in mind, a Faculty committee with Miss Lee Pfeiffer as general chairman and Miss Bernice Caswell as chairman of a sub-com- mittee particularly concerned with the High School, has carefully studied the problem. The first report of the committee has been printed and is now being distributed for evaluation. Copies are available for every in- terested citizen.
The foreword clearly indicates the care with which the report was prepared. It states:
"It is the hope of the Aims-Objectives Committee that the fol- lowing reports will be of educative value to the teachers, the admin- istrators, the parents, and, most of all, the pupils-the future citizens of Wakefield. We believe that democratic schools should interest young people through good teaching, adequate equipment, and friendly guidance. Our chief purpose must be, then, to turn out human be- ings who can think effectively and work constructively: and who can, in time, make a better world than this."
HOME AND COMMUNITY CONDITIONS
Wakefield is a wonderful town for young people. It is clean, whole- some and moral. It has more physical attractions than most towns. It has good employment possibilities. It has a marvelous library. It has wide opportunities for amusements. It has that home-town atmosphere, yet has much of the big-town glamour. Its people are solid, friendly and helpful. Its churches are many and well attended. Its greatest asset is the youth upon whose shoulders will soon fall the responsibility of man- aging not only our town, but the endowments, the investments and the retirement funds on which most of us hope to retire. From any point of view, the best is none too good for our children. We cannot afford to give them less.
208
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
The increased enrollment in the elementary schools last September made the employment of more teachers and the transfer of some pupils necessary.
Franklin: A second first grade classroom was opened. Eleven class- rooms are now in use.
Greenwood: A third second grade classroom was opened, making sev- enteen classrooms now in use. In order to do this the Greenwood Branch Library moved its quarters into a large playroom in the basement.
Hurd: The opening of the addition at this building provides eight classrooms, all of which are in use.
Lincoln: A second second grade was opened, with the result that all ten classrooms are now being used.
Warren: The third and fourth grades from the West Ward School were transferred to this building, and a new classroom was opened. There are now no unused classrooms at this school.
West Ward: The transfer of the third and fourth grades to the War- ren School leaves only grades one and two at this school.
It is very gratifying to know that there is now no classroom in Wakefield with more than one grade, whereas last year we had six.
During the year men teachers were added at the Franklin, Hurd, Lincoln and Montrose Schools. This means that there are men teachers in six of our seven elementary schools. These men will have charge, under the supervision of Mr. Crompton, of the work in physical educa- tion in the grades.
The auditorium at the Franklin School has been converted into a gymnasium for the use of the pupils in all the elementary schools. Mr. Cooney, who is in charge of physical education at this school, will also supervise the intra-mural game program of all grades.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE REPORTS OF STAFF MEMBERS
From the report of Mr. Kinder, Principal of the High School.
The total enrollment in the High School is 955, a number which ne- cessitates the continued use of the Science rooms, the auditorium and other rooms not properly adapted for the purpose, as home rooms.
This large enrollment has created problems in several areas. The classes in the Science Department have increased as much as 33%, and are further handicapped by inadequate equipment. Because of the lack of space it has been impossible to admit more girls to the Household Arts classes, or to add other desired subjects to this curriculum. It has been found necessary to eliminate the third year of Mechanical Drawing, and to combine the third and fourth years in Shop. The Commercial De- partment badly needs additional room in which to provide more training with standard office machines.
Progress in the Various Departments
1. The Language Department continues to make extensive use of visual and aural aids.
209
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
2. The Mathematics and History Departments are making cur- riculum studies.
3. The Physical Education Department has about 450 boys and 450 girls in physical education classes, with approximately half of these tak- ing part in athletic activities outside the classroom.
4. The English Department is striving for increased competency and accuracy in reading. Attention has been given to determin- ing reading disabilities, with consequent remedial work. Extensive use has been made of nationally accepted objective tests in vocabulary, spelling, diction and the like. The Lookout won a third place in the national Columbia Scholastic Press competition.
5. Several of the boys and girls in the Fine Arts Department won awards in outside competitions.
Extra Curricular Activities
1. One hundred and seventy-five members of the class had some part in the production of the Senior Play.
2. The band and orchestra have maintained their record of giving creditable performances.
3. The cafeteria has increased the amounts of individual servings and has added a new gas stove to its equipment.
4. The classes in Driver Education and the lectures to Senior boys as pre-induction instruction continue to perform a useful function.
5. The High School again observed Good Government Day.
6. The Cheerleaders have devised and adopted their own code.
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