USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > Town annual report of the officers of Wakefield Massachusetts : including the vital statistics for the year 1951 > Part 14
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80.00
Samuel F. Ramey
15.00
Linwood L. Ramsdell
50.00
Louis Ranelli
20.00
Rose Rathe
25.00
Elizabeth Ellen Reid
20.00
Henry Reid
20.00
John Reid and Alice VanArman
50.00
Warren A. Reiss
80.00
Nettie B. Renz
50.00
Alexander L. Rhind
80.00
Sarah Richardson
20.00
Daniel W. Rideout
20.00
Mrs. Elizabeth B. Riley
40.00
Mrs. Laura Ring
80.00
Chester Robbins
45.00
Jeffery Robbins
75.00
Mary E. Robbins
15.00
Robbins
60.00
Carmine Roberto
50.00
James Roberto
100.00
James Roberto
30.00
Michael Roberto
50.00
Francis C. Robie
25.00
Carrie A. Robinson
10.00
Harold C. Robinson
60.00
Mrs. Jennie M. Robinson
40.00
Ronald A. Robinson
80.00
W. E. Robinson
50.00
Mrs. Emily Roche
20.00
George G. Rogers
20.00
Ida L. Rogers
15.00
James Rogers
50.00
of Fund
REPORT OF TOWN TREASURER
185
Principal
Salvatore Rosati
60.00
Walter M. Rose
20.00
Francis B. Ross
50.00
John Roulston
50.00
Emily Rounsevell
120.00
Grace S. Rowe
50.00
Carmilla Rufo
50.00
Elizabeth Ruggles
40.00
Frank D. Ruggles
40.00
Clifford S. Russell
50.00
Harry F. Russell
50.00
Marvin Russell
120.00
John E. Rutberg
30.00
Marion Ryan
15.00
Salvati
60.00
Franzo Sampieri
20.00
Antonio Santoro
120.00
Josephine Sardella
30.00
Marie Sateriale
30.00
Mary A. Saulnier
20.00
Joseph Scandura
40.00
Scanlon Lot
150.00
Asunta Sciulli
20.00
Ellen Scott
50.00
John Scott
60.00
Mrs. Lila B. Scott
20.00
Mrs. Mary G. Seabury
50.00
Augusta Seifert
20.00
John Serrentino
50.00
Serena Serrentino
50.00
Kenneth G. Shaw
20.00
Marietta Shea
75.00
Francis Sheehy
15.00
Clara Sheperson
10.00
S. Morton Sherman and Perry A. Davison
50.00
Maria Short
25.00
Ethel Sibley
30.00
Alex Sielawa
15.00
Albert Simpson
20.00
James A. Simms
50.00
Mrs. Helen L. Sindona
40.00
Josephine Sliwa
20.00
Cora A. Smith
40.00
Mrs. Edna Smith
60.00
Ella Smith
50.00
Florence Smith
60.00
Income Available
of Fund
186
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Principal
Income Available
George E. Smith Ida Smith
50.00
50.00
Jennie M. Smith
30.00
Marjorie Smith
50.00
Marshall Smith
30.00
Urben J. Smith
15.00
Urben J. Smith
50.00
Wnslow Smith
30.00
Joseph Snay
15.00
Snell
30.00
John Souza
25.00
William Spreadbury
20.00
Anthony N. Stamegna
80.00
Frank S. Stamegna
50.00
Lillian M. Stanley
50.00
Mary B. Staples
50.00
Dorothy Stewart
15.00
William R. Stewart
50.00
Mrs. Morris Stoddard
120.00
Raffaele Storti
50.00
Soccorso M. Storti
120.00
Charles Strong
40.00
Catherine Sullivan
120.00
Charles Sullivan
50.00
Mrs. Hannah Sullivan
50.00
Mrs. Jane W. Sullivan
40.00
John J. Sullivan
60.00
Mrs. Joseph Sullivan
40.00
Anna Surrette
40.00
Annie Surrette
40.00
Jeffery Surrette
60.00
Mrs. Jessie A. Surrette
40.00
John A. Surrette
10.00
Josephine Surrette
15.00
Joseph O. Surrette
10.00
Surrette
60.00
Charles Swanson
10.00
Anne Sweeney
20.00
Anna Szabsda
50.00
Elizabeth Taggart
50.00
Grace J. Talbot
60.00
Mr. and Mrs. John Talbot
50.00
Marion J. Tanner
60.00
Bernado Tecce
50.00
Mrs. Rose Tecce
120.00
Tedesco Lot
90.00
of Fund
REPORT OF TOWN TREASURER
187
Principal
Income Available
O. E. Thomas and Mrs. Myrtle Mortimer
50.00
Mary Thomas
30.00
David Thorpe
90.00
James Thornton
50.00
Kathryn Thurston
20.00
William Tonks
50.00
Mrs. Carrie M. Tonneson
40.00
Albert W. Torrey
20.00
Lavina J. T. Towle
10.00
Katherine Trepsas
15.00
Lewis Tucker
50.00
Charles M. Tyler
50.00
Abbie C. Underwood and Grace S. Richardson
50.00
Ellen Varney
20.00
Elizabeth Vasey
50.00
Isaac W. Vidito
30.00
Joseph Viera
10.00
Francis V. Wade
120.00
Lillian V. Waite
10.00
Albert M. Walsh
60.00
Elizabeth Walsh
50.00
Maurice F. and Agnes T. Walsh
50.00
Michael J. Walsh
50.00
William J. Walsh
50.00
Margaret Ward
50.00
Robert Warner
80.00
Alice Warren
10.00
Albert C. and Edith Waterman
50.00
Mrs. Annie S. Wenlenski
40.00
Leon West
40.00
Arthur Weston
30.00
Edith M. Wheeler
15.00
Katherine Whipling
30.00
Harry W. White
100.00
Herbert White
100.00
Lillian White
20.00
Mrs. Mary J. White
80.00
Sally White
10.00
Mr. and Mrs. Walter E. White
50.00
Blanche Whitney
60.00
Richard Whittington
10.00
Richard Whittington
10.00
Mary E. Whynot
20.00
Harry Wilkes
60.00
P. M. Wilkinson
50.00
Gertrude Willson
15.00
of Fund
188
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Principal
Income Available
Charles M. Wilson
of Fund 15.00
Martha D. Wilson
200.00
Stanislaus Wojtylo
30.00
Ernest B. Wright
30.00
James F. Yorkes
30.00
Duncan A. Young
50.00
Louis H. Young
15.00
Louis H. Young
15.00
Percy Young
50.00
Sophie Bilicki
30.00
Thomas N. Canavan
60.00
Antonio DelRossi
90.00
Lillian Detweiler
60.00
Mrs. Frederick Doucette
60.00
Finney
30.00
Stanley Fitzpatrick
120.00
Maurice Flynn
30.00
Nellie Gerrior
120.00
Michael Glynn
90.00
Hawkes
30.00
Harriet L. Hunt
200.00
Frederick and Nellie Hupprich
120.00
Sidney Kimball
60.00
Josie Kurkier
60.00
Frank Landry
120.00
Longo
180.00
Joseph Longo
120.00
Lynch
30.00
John J. Maloney
120.00
Mildred A. Melanson
60.00
Mckay
60.00
North
90.00
Perry
30.00
Clarence Phinney
100.00
Thomas Powers
30.00
Richards
30.00
Gregory W. Rogers
60.00
Mrs. Pota Sharmutos
60.00
Shields
90.00
Edna M. Smith
30.00
Spence Lot
30.00
Mary A. Steeves
60.00
Watts
60.00
Helen Wilson
60.00
Salvatore Zappala
120.00
Charles M. O'Connell
60.00
REPORT OF TOWN TREASURER
189
Principal
Dr. Bernard L. Higgins
120.00
Caroline D'Alessandro
60.00
Hawkes
30.00
Alice A. Farrar
60.00
Ignazio Palumbo
120.00
Susan DeMasellis
60.00
Mary G. Murphy
60.00
Charlotte E. Cardigan
120.00
Pica
60.00
O'Connell
30.00
Sheppard
60.00
Edna Smith
30.00
James Mallon
30.00
Helen Butler
60.00
Eleanor Doucette
30.00
Sue A. Jennings
30.00
Jennie Muse
60.00
Cacciola
30.00
John E. Foote
60.00
Patrick Conley
60.00
Antonio and Alfred Colantuonio
300.00
John Morley
60.00
James R. LeBlanc
60.00
Mary Pica
180.00
Luigi Rosati
60.00
Mattie Magnus
30.00
Venera and Josephine DiMauro
90.00
Crupi
30.00
Joseph Corindia
90.00
Josephine Bisso
60.00
John Moccia
180.00
Philip Riley
60.00
Melendy Lot
30.00
Wenzer Lot
30.00
Elizabeth Riley
30.00
Melanson
30.00
Bessie F. Melendy
30.00
Muise
60.00
John W. and Vito J. Moccia
180.00
Schroeder
30.00
Geo. F. and Evelyn Bennett
60.00
Helen Neely
60.00
Surette
30.00
Elida Kelley
60.00
Beatrice Grafton
60.00
Meade Lot
60.00
Income Available
of Fund
190
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Principal
Income Available
Amiro
30.00
DiTonno
60.00
Raymond Habblitz
30.00
Cullen
60.00
Anthony DelRossi
30.00
Annie Jacobs
60.00
Moore Lot
30.00
Mrs. Ray S. Harris
90.00
Mathias Muzzrole
60.00
Russell Widener
60.00
Paul F. and Gertrude J. Doucette
60.00
Allie Goodhue
30.00
$ 88,214.37
$ 3,117.63
CASH ACCOUNT
Dr.
John I. Preston, Treasurer $899,420.24
To Balance from last Report - Cash
Blue Cross Deductions
12,202.35
Board of Appeal
270.00
Building Inspector's Receipts
956.70
Cemetery Dept .:
Sale of Lots
3,118.00
Perpetual Care
3,780.00
Miscellaneous
2,616.54
Collector of Taxes Receipts:
Advertising Costs
21.00
Committed Interest
6,423.89
Costs
790.90
Excise Tax
133,556.51
Sidewalk and Street Betterments
21,821.90
Moth Assessments
883.50
Taxes and Interest
1,289,023.89
Certificate of Liens
378.00
Commonwealth of Massachusetts:
Highways
14,904.57
Com'r Vets Services
15,637.05
Income Tax
81,034.90
Refund of Receipts Treas. Dept.
42.59
Director of Standards
66.00
School Construciton Grant
96,501.37
Meal Tax
5,404.29
Old Age Assistance
124,618.22
Corporation Tax
98,096.66
School Lunch
2,568.91
Aid to Dependent Children
12,325.89
of Fund
REPORT OF TOWN TREASURER
191
Support of Indigent Persons
130.00
Temporary Aid and Transportation
7,171.81
Metropolitan Parks
192.92
Metropolitan Parks Serial Two
72.24
Charles River Basin
1,178.92
Metropolitan Sewer
614.89
Vocational Education
2,070.37
Ref. Int. Charles River Basin
13.36
Dept. of Public Health
1,192.15
Court Fines-Malden
2,368.20
Federal Tax Deductions
121,689.09
Fire Department Receipts
14.00
Health Department Receipts
1,649.80
Insurance Receipts-Damages
47,593.76
Interest on Post War Funds
1,625.00
Lucius Beebe Memorial Library Receipts
1,274.09
Lucius Beebe Memorial Library Cash Advanced
50.00
Middlesex County :
Highway Maintenance
5,834.47
Dog Licenses
1,822.61
Municipal Light Dept. Receipts
728,663.59
Police Department Receipts
590.17
Police Department Cash Advanced
13.93
Public Welfare Dept. Receipts
6,316.34
Public Welfare Dept. Old Age Assistance
4,003.42
Public Welfare Dept. Infirmary Receipts
1,358.00
Public Works Dept. - Highway Department
225.06
Sewer Connections Deposit
20,817.86
Sewer Maintenance
3.00
Sewer Maintenance Refund
5.00
Water Maintenance
1,230.67
Water Maintenance Refund
41.42
Park Division
300.67
Fire Department
23.00
Moth Department
2.41
Board of Survey
238.56
Water and Sewer Cash Advanced
25.00
Sale of Scrap
1,461.61
Redemption Tax Title Deeds
1,292.90
Redemption Tax Title Deeds Interest
.56
Redemption Tax Title Deeds Releases
4.00
Refunds:
Veterans Benefits
789.08
Old Age Assistance
2,836.05
Welfare
528.60
Election and Registration
11.81
Water
3.66
192
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Highway
244.32
Land Court
91.75
Telephone Refunds
50.20
Board of Public Works
26.50
Trade School
60.00
Compensation Account
3.00
Selectmen
6.50
Forest Warden Payroll
1.25
Tax Collector
1.00
Sale of Bonds
706,000.00
Premium on Bonds
4,094.80
Accrued Interest on Bonds
1,006.05
Sale of Highway Reimbursement Loan
20,800.00
Sale of Tax Title Land
1,445.00
School Department Receipts:
41,942.95
Athletic Association
9,287.99
Lunch Room
30,716.20
Cash Advanced
200.00
School Teachers Retirement Deductions
21,184.24
Sealer of Weights and Measures
381.30
Selectmen's Receipts :
Commission Town Hall Telephone
19.20
Rent of Lafayette Hall
332.71
Rent of House
360.00
Various Licenses
5,107.00
Sewer Department Receipts
15,247.84
Town Clerk Receipts
5,610.02
Trust Fund Income
1,773.56
United States Grant-Old Age Assistance
138,577.94
United States Grant-Aid to Dependent Children
14,028.63
Wakefield Trust Company:
372.82
Income from Willard Donnell Trust For Lucius Beebe Memorial Library
4,071.74
Water Department Receipts
143,984.91
$ 4,960,837.34
In account with Town of Wakefield
Cr.
By cash paid Selectmen's Warrants cash paid Offset State Credits
$ 3,633.830.85
2,058.97
$ 3,635,889.82
Cash in Treasury
1,324,947.52
$ 4,960,837.34
193
REPORT OF TOWN TREASURER
INVESTMENT FUNDS
United States War Bonds 21/2 % $ 65,000.00
LOAN ACCOUNT
During the year no money was borrowed on Temporary Notes in an- ticipation of Revenue.
$20,800 was borrowed on Highway Reimbursement Loan.
PERMANENT DEBT
Permanent Debt January 1, 1951
$ 1,326,000.00
New Issue School Bonds
577,000.00
New Issue Sewer Bonds
58,000.00
New Issue Street Bonds
41,000.00
New Issue Water Bonds
30,000.00
$ 2,032,000.00
Paid During 1951
117,000.00
$ 1,915,000.00
The debt is chargeable as follows:
School Bonds
$ 772,000.00
Sewer Bonds
516,000.00
Street Bonds
188,000.00
Highway Department and Police Station Loan
66,000.00
Police Station Loan
90,000.00
Water Bonds
283,000.00
$ 1,915,000.00
FINAL STATEMENT
During the year 1952 the following loans will fall due and are to be included in the tax levy for 1952:
School Loan
$ 45,000.00
Sewer Bonds
40,000.00
Street Bonds
31,000.00
Highway Dept. and Police Station Loan
6,000.00
Police Station Bonds
5,000.00
$ 127,000.00
Water Bonds (Included in Water Dept. Appropriation)
32,000.00
$ 159,000.00
194
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
There will also be required the following amounts to meet the interest payments:
School Loan
$ 14,244.25
Sewer Bonds
8,632.00
Street Bonds
3,039.00
Highway Dept. and Police Station Loan
787.50
Police Station Bonds
1,750.00
$ 28,452.75
Temporary Notes
2,000.00
$ 30,452.75
Water Interest (Included in Water Dept. Appropriation
4,446.25
$ 34,899.00
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN I. PRESTON,
Treasurer
195
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Report of School Committee
ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE 1951
Mrs. Mary Louise Tredinnick, Chairman 129 Pleasant Street
Term expires 1954
Michael F. Collins, Secretary 39 Fairmount Avenue
Term expires 1952
Walter C. Hickey, Treasurer 25 Gould Street Herbert D. Hancock 3 Marion Road
Term expires 1954
Frederick W. Bliss 31 Park Avenue Lane W. Fuller 28 Morrison Avenue
Term expires 1953
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Carl M. Bair, Jr. Resigned April 1, 1951
21 Shumway Circle
John B. Hendershot June 1, 1951
74 Chestnut Street
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
1
R. Edgar Fisher 24 Summit Avenue
SECRETARY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT
Pauline E. Meads
12 Park Avenue
SECRETARY
Lora E. Harris
53 Prospect Street
ACCOUNTANT
Philip H. Stockford
11 Fielding Street
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The year 1951 for the School Department has been one of change, loss, and adjustment in an unusual number of key posts.
On July 1st the sudden death of Dr. Ira W. Richardson, school physi- cian, saddened the town and brought to the School Department a sense of acute loss. His deep interest in the school children of Wakefield and his warm and friendly personality had made themselves felt throughout the community. The following resolutions were passed by the School Com- mittee on July 10th :
Term expires 1953
Term expires 1952
196
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
WHEREAS: It has pleased Almighty God to call from this life Dr. Ira W. Richardson, and
WHEREAS: Dr. Ira W. Richardson has nobly served the Town of Wake- field for seven years as School Physician, and
WHEREAS: He has performed this humanitarian public service with the highest ability and with unselfish devotion, and
WHEREAS: He has been known to all school children as a kind friend, to the athletic group as loyal follower and supporter, and to all co-workers as teacher and helper,
BE IT RESOLVED: That the Wakefield School Committee here record its deep regret at the loss of its distinguished health head and of his creative leadership; that the sympathy of the Wakefield School Committee be extended to the Richardson family and these resolutions be spread upon the minutes, and a copy be sent to Mrs. Richardson and to the Wakefield Daily Item.
On January 2nd the resignation of Dr. Carl M. Bair, Jr., superin- tendent of schools since January 1st, 1948, was accepted as of April 1st, 1951. Dr. Bair resigned to accept a call to the Glen Ridge, N. J., school department, and at the time of his departure from Wakefield the following resolutions were voted:
WHEREAS: Tonight's meeting of the Wakefield School Committee is the last regular session which Dr. Carl M. Bair, Jr., will attend as Superintendent, and
WHEREAS: During his three years of service to the Town of Wakefield in this capacity, he has exhibited executive ability, enthus- iasm, wisdom and an unusual comprehension of the current school problems, and devoted himself to them wholeheart- edly, and
WHEREAS: He has demonstrated so aptly his sound principles of pro- gressiveness in the field of education, the while making countless friends not only for himself, but for the school system, and
WHEREAS: In his natural acceptance of greater responsibilities and a decided promotion in his chosen field, for which he is em- inently qualified, the Town of Wakefield loses a public ser- vant who was extremely valuable for his concrete contribu- tions to the expansion, growth and development of the public school system, therefor be it
RESOLVED: That the Wakefield School Committee at this meeting ex- press to Dr. Bair its full recognition and appreciation of his many contributions of inestimable value to the town in so many ways, not only as Superintendent of Schools, but as an exemplary citizen of the community, and unanimously and publicly wish for him and his family continued vigorous good health, coupled with all the joys and satisfactions of life in his new position and in all the future; and further be it
DR. IRA W. RICHARDSON School Physician 1944-1951
197
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
RESOLVED: That a copy of this resolution be spread upon the records of this meeting, that a copy be sent to the School Board of Glen Ridge, New Jersey, and a copy presented to Dr. Bair.
This opportunity for Dr. Bair brought to the School Department an- other period of adjustment, and for the second time in four years the post of acting superintendent of schools was capably filled, with honor to him- self and to the town, by Assistant Superintendent R. Edgar Fisher.
On April 10th the resignation of Miss Mary K. English, school nurse for thirty-five years, was accepted, and on June 30th Mrs. Marjorie Bunker Dexter, since 1916 a member of the mathematics department of the high school, retired. In June, William B. Black, principal of the Montrose-Franklin district, resigned to accept an appointment with the Massachusetts School Building Assistance Commission. On December 29th notice of retirement at the end of the school year was received from sub-master Arthur A. Fulton, second senior member of the high school faculty.
The service of these leaders is not fugitive, but lives on in the mem- ories of those they led, and is imprinted upon the personality of the town.
In the clerical staff Mrs. Esther Ball resigned as clerk in the high school office to accept a position with the police department. Two cus- todians, Francis Goldsmith and LeRoy Little, resigned to become firemen, and Thomas Hemsworth, senior custodian, was retired on July 1st. The loyal service of these members of the School Department personnel is recognized and valued by the School Committee.
At the first meeting of 1951 Lane W. Fuller replaced Arthur C. Lane, resigned, as School Committee member.
After extensive search and weeks of interviewing candidates, on March 27th, John B. Hendershot, Superintendent of Schools at Newington, Con- necticut, was appointed Superintendent of Schools in Wakefield. Super- intendent Hendershot had been a leading candidate at the time of Superin- tendent Atwell's retirement, but Wakefield was not at that time successful in securing him.
Richard F. Smith, Supervising Principal at Plymouth, Massachusetts, was appointed Principal of the Lincoln-Hurd school district, a post left vacant by Lt. Commander Francis Dinan's return to active service.
Mrs. Mary A. O'Brien and Mrs. Dorothy L. Adams were appointed school nurses, increased school enrollment necessitating two full time nurses, and Dr. Sigmund Szydlowski, on August 28th was appointed School Physician. Mrs. Margaret B. Clewley, R.N., was appointed one quarter time field worker. Mrs. Serena Murley was appointed clerk in the high school office, and John Hunneman, Paul K. Burbine and Louis J. Colucci were appointed to custodian vacancies.
The School Committee continued its organization of the previous year, Mary Louise Tredinnick, chairman, Michael F. Collins, secretary, and Walter C. Hickey, treasurer. Lane W. Fuller was appointed school repre- sentative on the Town Civil Defense Committee, and Michael F. Collins represents the schools on the V. F. W. Safety Council.
198
TOWN OF WAKEFIELD
Superintendent John B. Hendershot was invited to participate in the School Administration Workshop at Columbia University School of Educa- tion, a coveted honor.
R. Edgar Fisher, who was acting superintendent of schools when the Class of 1951 entered high school and who was again acting superintendent in their senior year, was the unanimous choice of the School Committee for graduation speaker, a duty which he fulfilled with inspired eloquence.
The School Committee records its gratitude to the Wakefield Daily Item for printing, gratis, flyers presenting comparative school building costs for use of the citizens at Town Meeting sessions.
The two elementary schools for which appropriations were voted at the Annual Town Meeting were named by the School Committee to honor two deceased citizens of Wakefield. The proposed north ward building will be called the Harris M. Dolbeare School, and the proposed west ward building will be known as the Mary E. Walton School. Publicity in the Daily Item listed in detail reasons for the choices.
In matters of policy, the School Committee again suspended its rule which would permit the marriage of women teachers to constitute a resig- nation. Due to overcrowding, the 6th grade at the Warren School is being transported to the Franklin School, thus adding to the large number of pupils taken out of their home districts because of lack of room.
The Elementary School Curriculum Guide upon which a committee of teachers headed by Principal Paul Antony had been working was adopted as the beginning of a revised elementary curriculum.
Civil Defense First Aid supplies were purchased for each school as recommended by the school physician, and all school department person- nel were required to take an American Red Cross First Aid Course.
On recommendation of Superintendent Hendershot, school session hours in the elementary schools were changed to 8:45-11:45 A. M. and 1:00 to 3:00 P. M., thus shortening an over-long noon hour and lessening bus transportation.
Tuition rates of $259.82 for High School and $163.01 for Elementary Schools were established according to the prescribed state formula.
A Cost of Living index-based percentage raise was voted for all school department personnel.
The long-range plan of maintenance was continued during 1951. The auditorium, cafeteria and boys' and girls' locker rooms at the high school were painted, as also was the exterior of the Warren School, and both exterior and interior of the Greenwood School. A large section of the front walk at the high school was resurfaced, and a new stage curtain purchased for the high school auditorium. The domestic hot water piping in the high school was replaced.
The year 1951 ends with the question of expansion at the high school still unsettled, and with school population figures still mounting at an un- precedented rate. Double session is a certainty in several schools.
It is the earnest hope of the School Committee that this major prob- lem may be settled at the 1952 Town Meeting so that creative educational
199
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
administration may be the challenge to the department rather than con- stant and ever mounting concern with space needs and consequent trans- portation difficulties and costs.
The School Committee thanks the Town for the privilege of serving its young people by working for the preservation and improvement of Amer- ica's unique gift - free and universal education.
MARY LOUISE TREDINNICK
MICHAEL F. COLLINS WALTER C. HICKEY HERBERT D. HANCOCK
FREDERICK W. BLISS
LANE W. FULLER
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Wakefield School Committee:
I have the honor to present for your consideration the Annual Report of the Superintendent of Schools for the year ending December 31, 1951.
I am proud, indeed, that you placed confidence enough in my ability to have selected me as your executive officer for the schools of Wakefield. I sincerely hope that I may in some measure merit your trust by the work of the schools in the future.
I do not feel that I have a right to make too critical an analysis and to pass judgment in my report on the administration and supervision of the schools for the past year, as they were not under my direction for more than the past few months. Changes that have taken place since Septem- ber will be judged later by their merits. I do, however, want to state in a few brief words some of my philosophy of education which will be used as a basis for our future work and recommendations.
We have never felt our responsibility in public education as keenly as we do today, and public education has never faced a more difficult com- bination than it faces now, and will face in the future For a number of years our teacher replacement ranks have been depleted far below the point of safety. Costs have continued to soar because of the inflation spiral, and enrollments have increased while the necessary school build- ings have not been constructed. At the same time greater demands have been placed upon our educational systems.
Education has always sought to know the purpose of life, and the best means of training our youth to fulfill that purpose. Human living must have a purpose and those who live it must be trained to reason, to evalu- ate, to plan, to judge, and to accomplish. To do these things our young people must have trained imagination; they must have essential knowl- edge of their surroundings; they must know the truth, and have confidence in it; and they must have mental and physical strength for real work.
Means of communication have been developed tremendously during the past few years, which makes it imperative that greater emphasis be placed on knowledge of language and adequate speech. An understand-
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ing of the symbols of things, such as the printed page, the spoken word, the mathematical formula, the phenomena of science, and the ways of co- operative living, must be given even greater attention.
For the youth we shall have to develop a more effective way of laying before him the possibilities in human life, and of providing proper guid- ance in selecting the things that will gain the purposive end that he se- lects for himself.
Our school system must plan so that the children will be prepared, so far as is humanly possible, for the conditions they will meet when they leave school and enter upon the business of living an adult life.
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