USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1949 > Part 14
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
The task of establishing accurate enrollment figures, made extremely difficult by the mushrooming of new housing developments in Wakefield, was furthered considerably by the efforts of Mr. Donald Mitchell, who pre- pared a thorough census projection. His projection with, of course, allow- ances for subsequent growth, has proved of sound value to the Committee.
The question of regionalizing the High School is being considered with great care. While there is an appreciable financial gain to be had from such a move, the Committee fears that the loss of local autonomy may off- set this advantage. Finally, by School Committee vote, it was decided to reopen the Woodville School in September, 1950, in order that at that time there may be the requisite number of classrooms available for the school population.
A specially appointed lay committee began an exhaustive study of the salary situation in May. After many weeks of meetings, the lay committee presented its findings and recommendations to the School Committee which voted, on June 7th, the schedule as suggested by it with only two minor revisions.
After many years of service to the Wakefield Schools, Miss Ethelyn M. Pattee tendered her resignation. The Committee wishes her its sincerest best for a long and happy retirement at her home in Colebrook, New Hamp- shire.
The availability of teachers satisfactory to the Superintendent con- tinued in short supply. Hence, in order to maintain the high standards of the Wakefield faculty, the School Committee decided to suspend its regulation barring married teachers throughout 1949. The Committee had the pleasure of voting the tenure elections of such able teachers as the Misses Wheeler and Weaver, and Messrs. Ceddia and Gay.
The leadership of the School Committee had been since March, 1949, in the hands of Mr. William J. Lee. The persons who served with him are as one in agreeing that the many qualities, particularly those of devotion and selflessness, which he brought to his chairmanship can be expected only of a truly unusual individual. While not surprised, still it was greatly distressed, to receive from Mr. Lee his letter of resignation both from the chairmanship and from the School Committee. With great reluctance and regret the Committee accepted his resignation. His place was filled by Mr. Michael F. Collins.
In its need for a new Chairman, the Committee chose Mrs. Mary L. Tredinnick, who has served longest on the Committee. In spite of the fact that no woman had ever held the chairmanship before, all the members believed that she would handle the chair in her typically able fashion. Events have proved the wisdom of the decision, for during the most diffi- cult times her skill has been remarkable and her judgment sound.
Mr. Arthur C. Lane, having previously received the appointment as Wakefield representative on the Massachusetts Association of School Com- mittees, was appointed School Committee representative on the Salary Schedule regulation committee. Mr. Walter C. Hickey replaced Mr. Lee on the Building Committee.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
The School Committee received a second reversal when it became nec- essary for William W. Allyn to tender his resignation because of his re- moval from Greenwood to Marlboro. Fully mindful of its debt to Mr. Allyn, the Committee voted the acceptance of his resignation with deep regret. Mr. Herbert D. Hancock, of Greenwood, became his successor both on the School Committee and on the Athletic Council.
During the year a letter was received from Miss Joyce Horner, Chair- man of Freshman English at Mr. Holyoke College, in which she praised the fine preparation offered to seniors in the college course at Wakefield High School.
An action taken late in 1949 which offered considerable satisfaction to the members of the Committee was the tenure election of Mr. R. Edgar Fisher as Assistant Superintendent of Schools.
Your School Committee ends the year 1949 with the most satisfying feeling that the school system in Wakefield is definitely and rapidly im- proving. The Superintendent, a man of vision and rare ability, has now become well acclimated and is doing superior work. He is ably assisted by his principals and faculty. Residents of Wakefield have every right to be proud of their teaching staff. Let us hope that when another report is written they may be equally proud of their school plant.
MARY LOUISE TREDINNICK
ARTHUR C. LANE
WALTER C. HICKEY ALMA S. DUTTON MICHAEL F. COLLINS
HERBERT D. HANCOCK
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee:
It is a genuine pleasure to submit my second annual report as Superin- tendent of Schools. The year 1949 was a very pleasant one. The superb leadership provided by the School Committee and the thoughtful support of the citizens gave the teaching staff the assurance they needed to do a superior job.
The staff as a whole accomplished a great deal. Wakefield is indeed fortunate, for among the teachers are several who compare favorably with the nation's best. They provide an inspiration not only for their pupils, but for their colleagues as well.
Teachers' salaries were improved as the result of a comparative study. It appears that the minimum salary of $2,400 for women teachers and $2,600 for men placed us in a good competitive position when seeking beginning teachers. If economic conditions remain at today's level and the shortage of teachers (particularly in the elementary field) persists, the maxima may have to be raised. Only minor adjustments seem necessary after operating the new salary schedule for nearly a year. As a consequence, the general
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
faculty morale is vastly improved. This situation is reflected in classrooms where pupils reap the benefits from a faculty less worried since its economic problems have become lighter.
Our children, who represent Wakefield's greatest asset, have shown most of the average tendencies of modern youth. A careful observer cannot fail to notice that their behavior is considerably above average. Your Super- intendent has followed various student groups through many activities and has always been proud of his charges.
Their problems are more complicated than those of their parents. How much reading, for example, would their parents or grandparents have learned if they had had television, radios, fast automobiles, movies (particularly the out-door type) comic magazines, picture magazines (Life, Look, etc.) condensed reading material (Reader's Digest, Quick, etc.) to the extent these things are prevalent today? The moral fiber of youth is said to have degenerated. This I doubt. However, compare family life today with that of even a generation ago. Compare the temptations of today's youth with those of their grandparents. The temptations may be the same, but the opportunities are much greater today. Compare the parental supervision of the youth of today with that of a few decades ago. All in all, our modern boys and girls do well to remain as clean and decent as they are.
We cannot evade our parental responsibility for juvenile delinquency, when 75% of it comes from broken homes or from homes where both par- ents work. We all are largely products of our environments, and, as chil- dren, cannot do much to improve the conditions in which our parents place us.
The Church, the schools, and the community are cooperatively seeking a solution. One would certainly feel that any answer to this problem would center around our homes. In the past it was felt that one's intelligence was an inflexible thing, determined by one's antecedents. Psychologists have proved that, while it is somewhat true, an enlightened environment can improve one's native intelligence as presently measured.
As a School Committee you are charged with providing each child with a gocd and equal educational opportunity. This you have attempted, and still are attempting, to do. However, such general quality as the schools may develop will depend largely on the kind of pupils who enter our schools and the kind of environment from which they come.
It seems to your Superintendent that the School Department must con- centrate its efforts toward a solution of the complicated problems involved in housing the large number of pupils who will enter Wakefield public schools during the next few years.
Late in 1949 two independent studies were made concerning enroll- ments, one by our own staff and another by Donald P. Mitchell who does similar work for the State School Building Assistance Commission. Al- though computed on different patterns, the projections were approximately the same. The Mitchell projection, in a condensed form, is presented as follows:
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REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Wakefield High School (Totals-Grades 9-12)
Year
Wakefield
Lynnfield
Total
1936
975
96
1071
1937
1071
98
1169
1938
1044
97
1141
1939
1062
101
1163
1940
1030
1
*Actual 978
The blackface figures are projected figures as of October 1 and are based on actual births recorded. The projection is for years 1948 to 1959 inclusive. It should be pointed out that the greatest growth in the high school will occur after this period as the greatly enlarged elementary en- rollment moves up to secondary grades.
A clear picture of the relationship between births, elementary and high school enrollments can be obtained by placing them side by side.
Enrollment
Enrollment
Enrollment
Year
Allocated Births
1-8
9-12
1-12
1936
243
2075
975
3033
1937
224
2013
1071
3087
1938
219
1924
1044
2968
1939
227
1890
1062
2952
1940
240
1835
1030
2865
1941
272
1691
1016
2707
1942
293
1766
910
2676
1943
381
1841
850
2691
1944
832
110
942
1945
862
117
979
1946
879
130
1009
1947
845
129
974
1948
847
124
971
1949
842
128
*970
1950
821
122
943
1951
843
129
972
1952
838
137
975
1953
836
141
977
1954
829
156
985
1955
919
144
1063
1956
993
168
1161
1957
1153
19
1343
1958
1255
188
1443
1959
1303
207
1510
1941
1016
103
1119
1942
910
105
1015
1943
850
103
953
112
1142
200
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
1944
373
1815
832
2647
1945
324
1775
862
2637
1946
416
1723
879
2602
1947
479
1860
845
2705
1948
408
1930
847
2777
1949
2090
*842
2926
1950
2255
821
3076
1951
2344
843
3187
1952
2550
838
3388
1953
2799
836
3645
1954
3332
829
4161
1955
919
1956
993
1957
1153
1958
1255
1959
1303
* Actual 812
All of the above projected figures may be considered as a minimum because recent building in Wakefield indicates that the acceleration in population will be greater in the next few years than it has been in the past. Such an increase will, of course, make for greater numbers in the school enrollments both in children of school age and births to enter school in the '50s and '60s.
It is interesting to note that the High School enrollments herein projected are based on the assumption that, with improved High School facilities, only 66% of the boys and girls who enter High School will be graduated. It is our sincere hope that, should the people of Wakefield vote to enlarge and improve the High School facilities, a broader program can be offered and that some 80% to 85% of the boys and girls who enter school will graduate.
It is important to note that each school district is growing. Some elementary school districts will have nearly twice as many children in school by fall of 1954 as they have now. This conclusion does not include the large number of children whose parents are now building, or will shortly build, homes in Wakefield. This condition is so serious that plans should be undertaken immediately to develop an efficient and economical building program with the aim of housing approximately one-third more boys and girls in 1954 than we now have in our elementary schools.
Wakefield High School enjoys a fine reputation with respect to pre- paring students for college and for commercial positions. The quality of work in our shops and home economics department is high but extremely limited. It is the fervent hope of your Superintendent that no effort be spared to provide a broad High School program. In this democracy of ours the Constitution guarantees each individual an equal opportunity. That basic philcsophy should be so ingrained in our school system that
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REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
every youngster, regardless of his needs, his background, his race, or re- ligion, will find a challenge to help him prepare for life.
There is no thought in the minds of the school department adminis- trators which conceives an immediate change in the broad policies which guide our educational program. A Curriculum Committee of staff mem- bers and professional consultants is undertaking the work of improving our general curriculum. In other words, we are seeking refinement in our present program, improvement of staff through careful replacement and in-service training, and adequate housing for the large number of boys and girls who will enter school each successive fall.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE REPORTS OF STAFF MEMBERS
From the report of Mr. Kinder, Principal of the High School. Progress in the various Departments.
The Department Heads are gradually increasing their supervisory and administrative activities so that the positions are becoming more vital to the school.
English Department.
The Oracle won a first place certificate in the Columbia University Scholastic Press Contest.
New methods of teaching with emphasis on the speech arts have been tried, including extensive use of the recorder and microphone, and the travelogue method of presenting book reviews.
One teacher has been assigned to a remedial reading class.
Stress has been placed on fundamentals in spelling, accurate expres- sion and vocabularies.
An attempt has been made to improve the library training for all students.
150 Seniors served on committees in connection with the Senior Play, and The Lookout has a student staff of 43.
Science Department.
96% of the membership of the Class of 1949, and 93% of the member- ship of the Class of 1950, have had one course in science during their High School course.
Commercial Department.
The Department Head recommends a general clerical course for office workers who will not become secretaries or bookkeepers.
As in former years a great deal of help is given to graduates in finding positions.
The Senior classes in Stenography have started a local business survey to determine what the Department should do to show the students the scope and variety of work which has to be done. The time and aid given by local business men is much appreciated.
Forty College Preparatory course students are taking Typewriting.
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Mathematics Department.
The members of the Department are working on a revision of the courses offered.
Standard tests were given during the year in Algebra and Plane Geometry. In the latter Wakefield students were well above the median for the nation as a whole.
Language Department.
The course of study has been revised.
Extensive use is made of audio-visual aids.
The Spanish Club has had a successful year, with meetings outside of school hours, with lectures, exhibits, musical programs, etc.
History Department.
A half-year course in Consumer Education has been added for Seniors. This has been supplemented by newspapers, films, speakers, etc.
New History and Geography maps have been purchased.
There are now two classes in American Life and Government.
A discussion group of 16 members, meeting after school, has been organized.
Shop.
The Juniors are once more working on a house-framing project, which gives them a sound basis of the fundamentals of building.
Students from this group have done many minor repair jobs, and have undertaken several special projects.
Fine Arts Department
Seventeen paintings were submitted to the American Red Cross, passed by a jury in New York, and are now part of an exhibit which is being sent to Australia, France, and other European countries.
Students from these classes did the Christmas murals throughout the building, gaining valuable training and creating a general good effect on the whole student body.
Household Arts Department.
A study is made of the various types of cooking, with emphasis on nutrition. The students are taught to plan, prepare and serve a well- balanced meal.
The fundamentals of sewing are taught, including the use of patterns, cutting, altering, and use of materials.
Extra curricular activities.
Physical Education.
415 girls and 462 boys are enrolled in Physical Education classes.
New report cards rate the students in growth, attitude, strength and skills.
Track was revived, with a limited schedule.
A boys' intra-mural basketball league had 31 home-room teams, and 308 students taking part.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
The regular Physical Education classes stress sport skills, corrective body mechanics, tumbling, wrestling and apparatus work.
For the girls the activities include archery, bowling, field hockey, basketball, softball, and badminton. There is a very real need for an assistant to the girls' Physical Director.
A Sports Club was organized by the Physical Director.
Assemblies.
The assemblies put on by the students themselves have been very popular and have been well done.
Under the supervision of the Guidance Director monthly meetings for Juniors and Seniors have been arranged, at which occupational in- formation has been given by leaders in the field, some of the best informed men and women in greater Boston.
Sports Equipment.
A new system for the issuing and control of sports equipment has proved unusually successful.
Music.
A Girls' Chorus, the band with 52 members and the orchestra of 22 members have added much to the musical life of the school.
Student Teachers.
During the year nine college students, all men, have done practise teaching in the Wakefield High School, and each has done a fine job.
Miscellaneous.
There were two classes of 40 each in Driver Education, with the final examination made out by the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
Weekly classes in Military Instruction are still compulsory for Senior boys.
The Rifle Club and the Ski Club continue to operate, and a Camera Club is to be formed in the coming year.
The Cheerleaders have set up their own code of eligibility and stand- ards of conduct. The Majorettes also established their own eligibility rules. Both groups are self-supporting.
The Inter Nos Club of 250 members and a Grooming Group of 150 members have had a successful year.
The Student Council has conducted seven canteens and one semi- formal dance, and, with a faculty committee, has set up minimum stand- ards for holding class office.
Director of Guidance, Howard J. Heavens
The Guidance work for the past year has been largely with High School students, although the Director has worked constantly, in an ad- visory capacity, with the elementary Principals and Miss Jennings, Read- ing Consultant.
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Each spring the High School Principal and the Guidance Director give advice and suggestion to all eighth grade pupils on choosing their High School courses of study. When these children reach High School the Guidance Director has much of their background from the cumulative record cards which have been kept since they entered school. He records their High School record on similar cards.
A library of educational information has been built up, and gradually sources of occupational information are being gathered, although, as yet, placement is done largely through the Commercial Department and the Dean of Girls.
The most vital part of guidance is individual counseling. The attempt is made to deal with the members of the individual classes in the follow- ing order: Seniors, Freshmen and Juniors. The Freshmen are interviewed after the end of the first term of each school year.
In January the Boston University tests are given to the Juniors. One such test recently added is the Occupational Interest Inventory, and the Director tries to interpret these tests to the individual students.
For the third year a follow-up is being made of last June's graduating class, with information available from 90% of the graduates.
The Juniors write their long themes on occupations.
In cooperation with Stoneham and Reading, monthly meetings of Juniors and Seniors on various professions and occupations have been held during the past year. It is planned that next year's conferences shall be for Freshmen and Sophomores.
The greatest needs of this department are more space and added personnel.
Excerpts from the Reports of the Supervising Principals
The Warren School P .- T. A. has presented the school with a film strip and slide projector. Movies are shown every two weeks, preceded by, and followed up with, classroom discussion.
The new physical education program for both boys and girls of grades 7 and 8 is working out very well, and will be extended next year to grades 5 and 6.
Office space has been provided at the Lincoln School for the Reading Consultant and the Supervisor of Music.
Extra curricular activities for pupils at the Lincoln and Hurd Schools include clubs for singing, photography, sewing, debating, history, dra- matics, etc. Many classes also take field trips as a part of their in- struction.
The Lincoln P .- T. A. initiated a study of the possibility of setting up a dental clinic in the schools.
A new form of report card for the pupils in grades 1-3 has been tried out.
There is a new spirit among the pupils and teachers of the Franklin School because of the improvements made there during the Summer. However, much still remains to be done, both inside and outside the build-
205
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
ing. The present lavatories should be replaced, the lighting is wholly inadequate, and the grounds definitely should be given considerable at- tention.
Both pupils and teachers are much pleased with the new history and geography textbooks.
There is a real need for much more reference material in all grades.
The Franklin and Montrose Schools have their own school news- papers.
Pupils of grades 5-8 at the Montrose School now have a regular period, stressing dramatics, art, music. It is planned to produce an operetta at the end of the present school year.
There is a real need for a true program of visual education in all the schools.
The parents' visiting nights at the Montrose and Franklin Schools have been well attended, with excellent results for both children and parents.
Reading Consultant, Marion J. Jennings
An important part of the reading program is an attempt to relate the program to child development, to the child's personal and social needs.
Some aspects of this program include providing in-service opportuni- ties for professional growth, furnishing adequate materials, including pro- fessional books, textbooks, adequate classroom furniture, and improving public relations.
Conferences with, and meetings of, teachers, outside speakers, Uni- versity Extension courses, talks by the Reading Consultant before P .- T. A.'s and other local groups, meetings with teachers of private kindergartens, and classroom visits for consultant service (473 such visits were made in 1949) and testing are some of the means used.
Testing in the reading program. Reading readiness tests were given to 335 first grade pupils. The Stanford-Binet tests, for diagnosing in the case of retardation and adjustment in the case of acceleration, were given to 35 pupils. The Metropolitan Achievement tests were given in all the grades in May.
Six Wakefield pupils received free tutoring, and 16 were given exam- inations, at the Boston University Speech Clinic.
Two sections of English classes in the High School are devoted to remedial reading.
Recommendations for 1950:
1. Extension of the special advisory remedial program to all schools.
2. Purchase of new basal reading texts for some grades, the addition of more supplementary material, reading chairs for grades 4-6.
3. A two-day reading workshop in the spring, with outside consultants, discussion of the modern trends, and demonstration of techniques.
4. More field trips to points of local interest to develop a broader experi- ence program, and the use of local talent for talks and demonstration.
5. More teacher visiting in other school systems.
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TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Supervisor of Music, Janet Wheeler
Time has been allowed on the schedule for teachers to call for special help in planning programs or in solving problems in classroom music as they occur.
The "New Music Horizons" series has been extended to include the third grade.
Dancing has become a pleasant and successful means of furthering musical experience.
In May a folk dance festival was presented on the Common, with children from all grades and from all schools participating. The glee club concert of both High and elementary school pupils was very successful.
There is a growing interest in school bands and orchestras, but the demand for musical instruments far exceeds the supply.
Supervisor of Drawing, Grace A. Jenkins
In grades one, two and three a great amount of free expression is planned, with constructive suggestion by the teachers. The upper five grades are encouraged to show originality by various projects and by the correlation of art with the other subjects. Posters for school events, clay modeling, and construction problems are part of the routine work.
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