USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1931 > Part 25
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Several changes in the organization of the committee have taken place during the year. Mr. John A. Bishop, who had served the town as a member of the school Com- mittee for twenty-four years, was not a candidate for re-election. His wise counsel and his thorough and in- timate knowledge of school affairs made him an inval- uable member of the committee. He was never too busy to attend to school committee business no matter how much it interfered with his personal plans and comfort.
Mr. Elliott R. Barker, after nine years of service,
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
also "did not choose to run." Mr. Barker was untiring in his attention to his school committee duties, particu- larly in connection with new buildings.
Appropriate resolutions were presented to Mr. Bishop and Mr. Barker by the committee, and a framed copy of them was placed in the school committee rooms.
Mr. Joseph J. Bevins and Mr. Clement J. Beaudet were elected as members of the committee at the March Meeting to succeed Mr. Bishop and Mr. Barker.
On August 19, Denis A. McCarthy, one of our most distinguished members, passed away at his home on Acton Street after a brief illness. Dr. McCarthy had endeared himself to every member of the committee by his gracious manner, his ready wit and, above all, by his lofty principles and earnest effort to understand the educational needs of the children and to provide for them. The committee suffered a distinct loss in the passing of Dr. McCarthy, who considered his membership upon the school committee as one of his greatest honors and one of his most enjoyable activities.
The vacancy caused by Dr. McCarthy's death was filled by the election at a joint meeting of the school com- mittee and the selectmen of Mr. David J. Donahue of 117 Appleton Street.
Mr. Richard Robbins, head janitor of the school department, passed away in August. Mr. Robbins had served the town faithfully and efficiently for twenty-three years and was esteemed alike by all the officials and em- ployees with whom he came in contact.
Two teachers passed away during the year, Miss Esther Hargrove, who died in April, and Mr. Leon T. Yarter, whose death occurred in September. They were both faithful and competent teachers, whose loss is sin- cerely regretted.
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The committee is grateful to Miss Alice W. Homer for presenting to the Town for use on the new high school the beautiful weather vane which was so long a part of the Homer estate. This gift has added significant bisto- rical value because Miss Homer's grandfather, George H. Gray, was one of the pioneers who established free high schools in Arlington.
It is with pleasure that we acknowledge the support and cooperation given us by the selectmen, particularly in connection with the new High School, the Building Committees of the Brackett School and the Pheasant Avenue Schools, the Committee on Additional School Accommodations, the Finance Committee, the Town Accountant, and the other boards and town officials.
Respectfully submitted for the Committee,
(Signed) M. NORCROSS STRATTON, Chairman.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS FOR THE YEAR 1931
To the School Committee and Citizens of Arlington:
This report is respectfully submitted for your con- sideration. It is naturally brief and does not include a discussion of some phases of the work with which your Superintendent has not yet had time thoroughly to acquaint himself.
It will not be out of place at the outset to give my impression of the school system since assuming office on July 1, 1931.
In the first place, the citizens of Arlington have ample reason to feel just pride in the school facilities furnished for its youth. Evidently a wise and foresighted policy has been followed in the matter of location and erection of school buildings. In a town whose growth has been as rapid as that of Arlington, the problems of housing pupils, avoiding congestion, and financing new buildings are serious ones.
The provision of needed accommodations has, up to the present time, lagged somewhat behind the growth in membership. The overcrowded high school, however, has been relieved by the addition of a new building, and the single sessions in effect this year at the Cutter School will soon be discontinued when the splendid Brackett School building on Eastern Avenue is completed.
I have found the quality of instruction and of ad- ministration and supervision by principals and super- visors uniformly excellent. The attitude and interest of
456
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
pupils, too, have impressed me very favorably. These are factors of the greatest significance, not alone for maintaining present standards but also for further improvement.
Arlington has not neglected its school property, but has followed a wise policy of keeping buildings, grounds, and equipment in good shape. Credit for this is due the staff of janitors and maintenance men, and appropriation of sufficient funds for the purpose.
Another commendable characteristic of the schools is the provision of facilities for training different types of children. Differentiated grading, classes for special groups of pupils, mechanic and domestic arts, varied courses in junior and senior high schools, finely organized departments in health, music, art, and vocational subjects are effectively meeting needs which the older limited school programs could not.
Such features as the foregoing are marks of a pro- gressive system, adequately supported by an interested, enlightened community. They should be maintained and fostered, but at the same time without running to excesses, unjustifiable experiments and extravagance.
Several matters deserving more detailed treatment are given here.
The Senior High School
The high school enjoys an excellent reputation. It has labored, however, under serious handicaps for several years. The new building, as already noted, will relieve the worst of these. The addition provides, in "Scheme A," nine regular class rooms and two fine study halls. These will be occupied on January 4th and are to be used principally for commercial classes.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The new building includes also a splendid auditorium which, when completed and furnished, will accommodate the entire school. It will also serve well for important public functions.
Beneath the auditorium is a large lunch room that should suffice for all future needs.
An additional wing, "Scheme B," is now under con- struction and will be ready for use in September, 1932. This addition will contain fifteen classrooms, teachers' rooms, lavatories, etc. The household arts department, music department, and miscellaneous classes will prob- ably be located here.
Attention should be called to the need of additional appropriation for completing and equipping the new building, particularly the auditorium and lunch room. Until this is done, very little practical use can be made of these important units. The matter will doubtless be presented in proper form at the annual town meeting, with detailed information and estimates of cost.
It would also be highly desirable to add to the plant the connecting link between the old and new building as contemplated in the complete plans. The passing of students between the two buildings under present con- ditions is difficult and for many purposes out of the ques- tion. The proposed administrative unit and rear con- necting passageway would remedy the situation. The new gymnasium could be most economically built at the same time in the area between the two buildings. It would furnish relief from the present inadequate facilities for both boys and girls.
The new Warren A. Peirce Athletic Field in the rear of the high school fills a long felt want. Here the whole
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
outdoor program of physical activities can be carried on conveniently and under proper control. The students are indeed fortunate in having this splendid field so conveniently located. The enclosed portion contains the football field, running track, and grand stand. Outside of this there is room for laying out a baseball field, courts for tennis, basketball, field hockey, and other desirable sports. It is named in honor of one of Arlington's most distinguished and beloved citizens. The field was "dedicated to the physical welfare of the youth of Arling- ton" on October 12 by the following appropriate program:
DEDICATION OF WARREN A. PEIRCE ATHLETIC FIELD ARLINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS
Clarence H. Dempsey, Superintendent of Schools, pre- siding.
Music . Mr. Frank W. Wunderlich
Arlington High School Band
Historical Address Chairman of the Park Commission
Dedicatory Address.
Mr. M. Norcross Stratton
Chairman of the School Committee Raising of Flag and Singing of "America" by Audience Music . Arlington High School Band Football Game:
Arlington High School VS. Winchester High School "Dedicated to the Physical Welfare of the Youth of Arlington"
Junior High Industrial Arts Classes
In any group of pupils there are some who are not "book minded," but who, nevertheless, have abilities in other lines which can be developed to the permanent benefit of these individuals and of society. Traditionally
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
organized schools are poorly adapted for such pupils, who, after completing the elementary course (sixth grade) need special opportunities in manual arts.
Prior to July, 1931, classes for these young people were located in several different buildings but in Sep- tember they were consolidated into a separate school in the Old Parmenter building. The work includes courses in intellectual subjects, manual arts and social activities specially adapted to their individual needs. Seventy- eight boys and girls started in the fall. The present arrangement provides opportunity for handling this de- partment with increased efficiency.
School Accommodations
Reference has already been made to the rapid growth of Arlington and to the provision of added school accom- modations in the Heights section and at the high school. Elsewhere the school buildings are quite fully occupied, but there appears to be room enough to accommodate all pupils until the summer of 1933, with some re-organi- zation of classes and some minor changes in school dis- trict lines. Two decisions of the School Committee make this possible. The first was the discontinuance in June of seven sub-primary classes. The second was raising the age of admission to the first grade. Beginning in September, 1932, a child must be five and one-half years old on or before September 30 in order to be ad- mitted. In other words his (her) fifth birthday must have been on or before March 31 preceding. Without these provisions there would have been general over- crowding this year in all of the elementary buildings.
The next building needed will undoubtedly be the one planned for Pheasant Avenue. Many houses are being erected in this section of Arlington, now served by the Cutter and Peirce Schools. These will soon be unable to care for the increasing number of pupils residing north
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
of Massachusetts Avenue. The construction of the pro- posed eight-room building should be undertaken in time to have it ready for the opening of the fall term, 1933.
The junior high school membership can be accom- modated for the next year or two in the existing buildings by a change of boundaries between the Junior High Center and Junior High West. At present, this line follows Lockeland Avenue. After July 1, 1932, it is to follow Mt. Vernon Street. This change will relieve the West school, and make use of spare room at the Center.
Organization and Courses of Study
Four years ago the elementary schools inaugurated the so-called three-track plan, under which each grade was sub-divided into groups of children having similar abilities. Each group progresses as rapidly as advisable, and somewhat independently of other groups in the same grade.
This plan has much to commend it, but equally good, if not better results, may be obtained by a simpler system of organization in which flexibility of program and promotion is incorporated.
Another and even more vital requirement in school organization is the arrangement of courses of study on a basis of minimum essentials plus supplementary assign- ments-that mean enrichment and accurate scholarship more than rapid advance.
A comparatively limited knowledge of Europe, for instance, such as may be learned by slow pupils in six weeks may suffice for a given purpose. The wealth of fascinating and valuable material about Europe is so great, however, that the brightest pupil can profit by extra reading and study that make his education richer. while dealing with topics similar to those of his classmates.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The same principle applies to other subjects. The result of organizing the curriculum on this principle should be to raise the standard of scholarship in every grade and for each individual pupil according to his capacity. At the same time, it is a sound basis for determining special promotions whenever they are warranted.
Such changes as appear desirable will be inaugurated during the coming year, and will be developed as rapidly as practicable.
Finances
The cost of public education everywhere has grown by leaps and bounds during the last twenty years. Arling- ton has shared in this common experience. The factors are familiar to all-the extraordinary growth of the Town, increase in proportion of high school students, expansion of educational program, higher wages and cost of materials, etc.
The period of acute business depression through which we are passing, focuses attention on school as well as other public expenses, and raises the question whether curtail- ment is possible without injury to the system.
The answer to this question is that inasmuch as Arlington is still growing rapidly, a reduction in school costs does not seem possible unless both standards and opportunities are sacrificed. Moreover, the new high school building with twenty-six classrooms and the four- teen-room Brackett School will add an appreciable amount to necessary expenses. Our problem is one of controlling a growing budget so that it will be truly economical. With this is mind, we have given the whole matter careful study since August, 1931, with respect to teachers' salaries, pupil load, organization, janitorial ser- vice, supplies of all sorts, repairs and maintenance, tuition charges, etc.
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Such study reveals that the Town's money has not been extravagantly used. For example, a study was made of salaries paid to supervisors, principals, teachers and janitors in sixteen nearby towns and cities* fairly com- parable to Arlington. Our findings were summarized as follows:
"It seems clear from information secured that the schedules of salaries for Arlington are near the median or average of the places listed, but somewhat below rather than above.
"Initial salaries in the various classes correspond to those of other similar towns and cities except that the initial salary for elementary assistants ($900.00) might well be raised to $1,000.00.
"Quite generally $100.00 is the annual rate of increase for satisfactory service until the maximum is reached.
"The maximum salaries for different groups in Arling- ton correspond well with the basic maxima elsewhere, but are typically lower than the extra-maximum salaries available in other places.
"The places listed vary greatly in local characteristics, population, wealth, usage and organization, all of which affect financial conditions and render comparisons difficult to evaluate. Yet making due allowances for such varia- tions, salaries in Arlington still appear to be very reason- able and below the typical schedules in operation in the suburban area of which Arlington is a part.
"If and when any substantial change may be con- sidered, it would, therefore, appear to be a question of upward rather than downward revision."
*Arlington, Belmont, Brookline, Cambridge, Framingham, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Milton, Newton, Norwood, Quincy, Somerville, Watertown, Weymouth, Winchester.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Reference has already been made to school organiza- tion and courses of study. These affect the number of pupils per teacher. It seems certain that some economies may be effected in this respect that will lessen the increase in cost of instruction. We believe, also, that some savings may be made in purchase of books and supplies without detriment to the schools.
It has been a sound policy for the past few years to keep school property in good condition. This policy should be continued. The value of all school property as of July 1, 1931, was $2,112,500.00. The total outlay for repairs and maintenance, including capital outlay (new construction and equipment) for 1929 was $60,128.46; for 1930, $57,502.78; for 1931, $42,000.00 (approxi- mately). The corresponding amount proposed for 1932 is $41,300.00. (To this should be added cost of super- vision of maintenance, approximately $5,500.00 per year in 1929, 1930, and 1931, and about $3,000.00 in 1932.) It will be seen that there has been a significant reduction in this respect. The cost in 1929 was nearly 50 per cent greater than is proposed for the ensuing year.
The result of this study is the presentation by the School Committee of a budget for 1932 of practically the same amount, $749,500.00, as was appropriated for 1931- $749,399.00.
With careful management, and exercising all reason- able economies, this should suffice, notwithstanding the inevitable increases caused by two new buildings, extra equipment, more pupils and teachers. But with the above amount many urgent needs will have to be denied, and further curtailment would seriously affect the standards and efficiency of the system.
It should be noted that this budget of $749,500.00 makes no provision for emergencies and does not include
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
such items as completing and equipping the new high school building, grading and fencing the Brackett School playground, grading other school playgrounds, etc. Such projects will require special appropriations or bond issues for their completion.
Summer Playgrounds
Supervised play has been continued as in previous years at Spy Pond Field and the Crosby, Hardy, Cutter, Locke, and Russell School playgrounds. An additional feature this past summer was supervision of so-called evening sessions, when older youth and adults enjoyed organized games and sports in the late afternoon and early evening. This opportunity was freely utilized, demonstrat- ing the real value of the arrangement.
The extent to which the playgrounds were used is shown by the following reports submitted by the super- visors:
"Spy Pond Field-from 150 to 200 boys per day, with an average of about 170. These were all boys eleven years of age or over.
"Russell School-from 50 to 100 boys and girls, with an average of 65 mornings and 40 afternoons.
"Hardy School-from 125 to 170 boys and girls, with an average of about 150.
"Crosby School-from 90 to 150 boys and girls, with an average of 115 in the morning and 75 in the afternoon.
"Cutter School-from 60 to 100 boys and girls daily.
"Locke School-a daily attendance of 75 to 100 boys and girls.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
"Several features are of special interest. One is the great variety of occupations and games in which the children are engaged. They include:
Baseball
Paddle Tennis
Bat Ball
Pitching Horseshoes
Squash Ball
Bean Bag Games
Dodge Ball
Checkers
Snatch Object
Puss in Corner
Jackstones
London Bridge
Run for Your Supper
Hopscotch
Farmer in the Dell
Polly
Guessing Games
Sand Box
Volley Ball
Swings
Slides
Teeters
Track Sports
Sewing
Basketry
Story Telling
Etc.
Etc.
"Careful supervision has prevented any serious injury and there have been very few minor mishaps. The chil- dren have played happily and safely together under con- ditions that are wholesome and helpful.
"The director of evening playgrounds reports the nightly attendance as follows:
Spy Pond Field 90 to 150
Russell .
50 to 60
Crosby
60 to 70
Cutter . 60 to 70
Junior High West . 90 to 100
Hardy . 60 to 70"
Evening School
The evening school opened its regular session in the high school building on October 5. The enrollment was large from the beginning and rose to over 500 students.
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Thirty-four classes were organized in the following twenty-four subjects:
Americanization Spanish
Bookkeeping I
English IV Algebra
Bookkeeping II
English III Chemistry
Business Arithmetic
English II Stenography I
Commercial Law
English I Stenography II
MechanicalDrawing
English 7 and 8 Advanced Dictation Printing
U. S. History Typewriting I Cooking
French Typewriting II Sewing
This is the largest evening school Arlington has had. Attendance has been well maintained up to the Christmas recess, and the interest shown by students is commendable in all departments.
Permit me in conclusion to express my sincere appreciation of the uniform courtesy and helpfulness ex- tended to me since assuming the office of Superintendent of Schools, and also to voice the hope that through the united efforts of all who are associated with the schools, the educational system of Arlington may become in- creasingly successful and satisfactory.
Respectfully submitted,
(Signed) CLARENCE H. DEMPSEY, Superintendent of Schools.
January, 1932.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
LIST OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES
*HONOR PUPILS
Adams, Harvey B.
Adams, John Edward
Ahearn, Catherine Josephine
Alexie, George G., Jr. Allen, T. Edwin
*Cook, Edward Marks Cooke, Gertrude D.
* Anderson, Dorothy Frances Marie
* Anderson, Edith Rose
* Anderson, William Thomas, Jr. Andres, Grace Hildegarde Anslow, William P., Jr.
*Crampton, Marion Wright Dahill, Arthur Lawrence
Arnold, Margaret Graham Atkins, Edythe Virginia
Dareing, Grace
* Atkinson, Ida Edytha
Davis, Virginia
*Atwood, Robert Greene Baker, Marjorie Isabelle
*Baker, Virginia Talbot
*Barnie, Dorothy Barbara Barr, Philip Welsh
Dickson, Faith Elizabeth
Beasley, Mary Josephine
Bennett, Charlotte R.
Bennett, Pauline
Bloom, Joseph
Donovan, Anastatia C.
Bowler, Laura Marie
Bradbury, Henry Marston, Jr.
*Brainard, Edwin Ide
Driscoll, Edna Marie
Buckley, Daniel Joseph, Jr. Buckley, Eugene W.
Dunk, Viola
*Bullock, Ruth Ellen Bullock, Thomas Francis
Dunn, Ethel Patrice
Dwyer, Pauline H.
*Burke, Natalie Elizabeth
Dyer, Catherine M.
Eames, Elizabeth S.
Eames, Persis Charlotte
Egan, Mildred C.
Elms, W. Roland
Erickson, Barbara Josephine
Evans, John Robert
Fereshetian, Helen
Forest, Robert Francis
Forsyth, Florence E.
Freyer, Carl K.
Gallucci, Edmund Joseph
Gammons, Homer Philbrook
Gariépy, Michel Alphonse
Glugeth, Lillian
Godfrey, Louise M.
Cody, Margaret Mary
Coffey, Jeannette M.
Cohen, James
Collins, Catherine Veronica
Goodwin, Dorothea
Gottlieb, Dorothea
Gough, Annie Bernice
Gough, Ernest E.
DeNapoli, John Desillier, Irene Louise
DeSimone, Anthony Richard DeSimone, Joseph Prisco Devlin, Dorothy Patricia
Barrett, Lester Francis
Dillon, Lillian Eleanor
Doane, Henry Myers Donnelly, Louise M.
Donovan, James Francis
Dorington, Walter Andrew
*Brown, Millvenia
Driscoll, Helen Mary
Duffey, John Gordon
*Byer, Milton Irving Callahan, Gerald Joseph Cameron, Helen Anna
Campbell, Edward Thomas
Caperonis, Charles John Carbary, Minerva Grace *Carr, Barbara
Carter, Donald Bruce Carter, Mary Katherine Cartullo, Ralph James
Casserly, Alice Cecilia Christensen, June Olive Clarke, Everett Ford Clifford, Francis Joseph Cobb, Dorothy E.
Collins, Eileen Clare Conklin, Isabelle Janice Connell, Charles H.
*Corcoran, Lawrence Edward
*Corleto, Camilla M. Coughlin, Anna J.
Danskin, Leonard Parsons
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
LIST OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES-Continued *HONOR PUPILS
Grannan, Robert E. Graves, Doris Eleanor
Green, Sarah
Gregory, Frank Sleeper, Jr. Gutzmann, Walter Carl
*Hagerman, Donald Clark Hall, Barbara Alice
Mattioli, Evelynne Charlotte Mayo, James David Neal
*Hall, Margaret E. Hankard, Eileen Catherine Harding, Priscilla
*McCarty, William Charles McGrath, Marie Bernadine McManus, Marion Gladys Miller, Helen Elizabeth
*Hart, Margaret Elizabeth Hatch, Alfred Edward
*Mitchell, Dorothy Louise Moore, Mabel Margaret Morgan, Gladys Morton, Robert Cameron
*Hickey, Margaret Rita Hill, John J., Jr. Holton, Jean Irving Holway, Frederick S. Humphrey, Eugenia Crafts Hussey, Marie Patricia Igo, George Ronald Irwin, Helen Gertrude
Moses, Caroline
Murphy, Helen Frances
Murray, Evelyn Janet
Needham, Paul Brinkley
*Jackson, Ruth Elizabeth Jason, Norinne J. Jenkins, Ethel Mae Jenks, Isabel Masters Johnson, Geraldine Marie
O'Leary Irene Constance
O'Leary, Marion Elizabeth
Keefe, Mary Teresa
O'Neill, M. Evelyn
Keefe, William E.
Kelley, Bernard Francis
Kelley, John M.
Kellogg, Eloise Beers
King, Henry Fiske
*Parker, John Otis Parsons, Edith Lorraine
King, Louise Evangeline
Krohn, Mary Theresa
Lally, Theresa Kathleen
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