USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1937 > Part 21
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Whittemore, Edith A.
There has been much of long illness on the staff during the year 1937. Miss Barbara Darling resigned on April 23, 1937, on account of illness. Miss Miriam Snow resigned to be married.
Miss Rachel Santoliquido and Miss Miriam Snow were made staff members during the year.
Four girls took the Reference Course given by the University Extension.
The Library was hostess to the Charles River Club, the Pratt Library School, and to the Boy Scouts.
A number of the staff have been called upon to speak at various meetings, having to do with books and the pro- fession : namely, Mrs. Thelma Montague, and Miss Esther Gannett.
The Librarian has spoken at Parent-Teacher meetings, given book reviews, taken part in civic organizations, and served on a number of committees.
To the friends of the library, who by kindly criticisms and helpful suggestions have shown their interest, we are grateful. For flowers, pictures, magazines, books, and money, we are thankful. To the newspapers of the town, we owe thanks for their helpful publicity.
In concluding, I wish to express my grateful acknowl- edgement for the cheerful and faithful cooperation of my staff. To the Trustees, I extend my thanks for their con- fidence and interest at all times.
Respectfully submitted,
LUCINDA FIELD SPOFFORD, Librarian.
398
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF THE CURATOR OF THE ROBBINS PRINT COLLECTION FOR THE YEAR 1937
As is to be expected in a collection of some 100,000 portraits, the work of identifying and card cataloguing subjects and measuring them for permanent mats occupies the greater part of the curator's time. This is routine which is interrupted only when exhibitions are being pre- pared and hung. During 1937 two small groups from the collection were exhibited in the gallery on the main floor and one large one, now in progress, was hung in the print room upstairs. In the gallery, early in the year, were shown a group of landscapes and a few biblical subjects from Mr. Robbins' original collection, and in September there were portraits of famous actors and actresses of va- rious periods. On November 8, the large exhibition was opened: 85 subjects, comprising 22 English mezzotints, mostly of the classical period; 56 portraits in several print media of noted contemporaries and near-contemporaries (most of which are recent accessions) ; and seven drawings selected from a large group of interesting but unidentified drawings found among the prints. These prints and draw- ings will remain hung until early summer. The exhibition has received favorable publicity in the columns of two well- known Boston art critics.
By way of routine, research goes steadily on; several hundreds of the better prints have been measured for mats and mounted; and two hundred solander boxes have been purchased for the permanent housing of the matted 14"x18" portraits. It is expected that portfolios for the subjects of larger size will be added to the equipment during the com- ing year.
The following eighteen portraits have been acquired in 1937:
Astor, Viscountess Nancy. Drypoint by Walter Tittle
399
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
Chesterton, G. K. Lithograph by Walter Tittle, 1922 Autographed
Coolidge, Calvin
Etching by Dwight C. Sturges,
1925
Denis, Maurice Lithograph by Odilon Redon, 1903 Trial proof 1
Einstein, Albert Etching by Hermann Struck, 1923 Autographed
Foch, Marshal Ferdinand .. Drypoint by Walter Tittle, 1921
Gauguin, Paul Wood engraving by G. de Monfred
Gershwin, George
Etching by F. Coradal
Heifetz, Jascha
Drypoint by Walter Tittle
Henri, Robert Etching by John Sloan, 1931
Hodgson, Ralph Etching by A. Hugh Fisher
Hurd, Peter Lithograph-Self-portrait
Lewis, Sinclair Drypoint by Richard Hood Autographed
Morley, Christopher Drypoint by Richard Hood Autographed
Partridge, Roi Drypoint : Self-portrait (Book- plate)
Powys, Llewelyn Etching by Reginald Marsh, 1930
Yeats, John Butler Etching by Anne Goldthwaite
Yeats, William Butler Etching by A. Hugh Fisher
KATHRYN M. ACHUFF,
Curator.
400
CIRCULATION BY CLASSES FOR THE YEAR 1937
Gen.
Phil.
Rel.
Soc.
Lang.
Sc.
Useful Arts
Fine Arts
Lit.
Hist.
Trav.
Biog.
Non- Fict.
Fict.
Total
Jan.
1112
236
108
2325
32
329
691
789
1265
534
977
965
9363
17307
26670
Feb.
937
219
115
2593
3.4
308
643
748
1132
531
783
935
8978
16812
25790
Mar.
1079
282
128
2814
23
386
808
836
1340
560
911
783
9950
18752
28702
Apr.
1032
207
122
2443
113
440
746
849
1262
546
893
689
9342
17967
27309
May
977
199
108
2094
34
368
581
720
1044
358
772
734
7989
15386
23375
June
877
156
207
2714
18
577
709
713
906
524
924
898
9223
21128
30351
July
857
166
61
1778
33
191
422
483
576
320
668
557
6112
15331
21443
Aug.
793
156
58
1426
28
187
439
454
459
235
586
472
5293
14101
19394
Sept.
952
180
66
1718
24
305
501
563
656
388
722
575
6650
15847
22497
Oct.
1068
228
119
2360
18
350
652
760
1102
496
792
730
8675
17096
25771
Nov.
1073
232
130
2975
26
412
786
728
1079
564
905
877
9787
18065
27852
Dec.
904
245
104
3011
20
440
831
733
1096
560
843
767
9554
17207
26761
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Total 11661 2506 1326 28251
403 4293 7809 8376 11917 5616 9776 8982 100916 204999 305915
401
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION FORM FOR UNIFORM STATISTICS
Annual Report for the Year Ended December 31, 1937
Name of Library: Robbins Library.
City: Arlington. State: Massachusetts.
Name of Librarian: Mrs. Lucinda F. Spofford.
Date of founding
1835
Population served (estimated)
38,555
Assessed Valuation of Town
59,436,500
Terms of use: Free for lending.
FREE FOR REFERENCE
Total number of agencies 3
Consisting of Central Library
1
Branches 2
Number of days open during year (Central Library) 302
Hours open each week for lending (Central Library) 66
Hours open each week for reading
(Central Library) 66
INCREASE
Number of volumes at beginning of year 55,527
Number of volumes added during year by purchase 3,482
Number of volumes added during year by gift or exchange 74
Number of volumes lost or withdrawn during year 2,923
Total number at end of year 56,160
402
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
USE
Adult
Juvenile
Total
Number of volumes of fiction
lent for home use
146,817
58,182
204,999
Total number of volumes lent for home use
204,180
101,735
305,915
Pictures circulated
1,097
REGISTRATION
Number of borrowers registered during year ..
1,871
Registration period, years
3
Number of periodicals and newspapers cur-
rently received :
Titles
165
Copies
208
Number of publications issued during year :
Booklists
0
Number of staff, library service (including part-time)
14
Number of staff, janitor service
3
LIBRARY FUNDS
Robbins Art Fund $42,976.60
Henry Mott Library Fund
5,200.00
Timothy Wellington Fund 100.00
Ellen W. Hodgdon Fund
1,000.00
Children's Book Fund 5,000.00
Nathan Pratt Library Fund
10,000.00
Elbridge Farmer Fund
54,003.77
E. Nelson Blake Fund 4,073.75
Dexter Rawson Fay Fund
1,741.60
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Receipts from :
Trust Fund Income Balance, Jan. 1, 1937 .... $2,267.14
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
403
Appropriation by Town
26,300.00
Income from Trust Funds, 1937
2,394.80
Transfer from Reserve Fund
252.25
$31,214.19
Expenditures
$28,565.92
Balance of Salary Account returned to
Treasurer
252.25
Balance of Materials Account returned to Treasurer
1.22
Balance, Dec. 31, 1937
2,394.80
$31,314.19
Payments for :
Salaries, library service
$15,653.83
Salaries, janitor service
1,893.
Books and periodicals
5,265.60
Bindery
1,603.52
Fuel
1,151.52
Light
825.02
Building and grounds
1,089.96
Telephone
143.06
Other expenses
939.49
$28,565.92
Robbins Art Fund .
Expenditures :
Salaries
$922.00
Prints
312.50
All others
681.14
$1,915.64
404
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Arlington:
During the past year the town suffered a great loss in the passing of its chief school executive, Dr. Clarence H. Dempsey. Dr. Dempsey resigned his position as Super- intendent of Schools, effective May 1, 1937. He was ap- pointed Superintendent July 1, 1931, and served faithfully and efficiently through six years of serious depression. Due to illness, he had been confined to his home the greater part of the time from the opening of schools in the fall of 1936 to the time of his resignation. During this period he courageously carried on his duties from his home with the assistance of his efficient secretary and immediate office force. On June 12, 1937, Dr. Dempsey died at his home on Newman Way, Arlington. His professional efficiency, genial and kindly disposition, and sterling character will remain a lasting influence on his loyal organization of teachers and pupils.
Mr. Joseph S. Keating was elected to the position of Superintendent of Schools by a unanimous vote of the Committee, to begin his duties July 1, 1937. His previous experience as a successful teacher, principal and superin- tendent well qualify him as executive officer of our system.
The School Committee had one change in personnel in 1937. Mr. Harrie H. Dadmun completed, in March, three years of very valuable service to the school department. Mr. Joseph J. Bevins was elected in March to succeed him.
Several changes have been made in the rules of the School Committee. All sub-committees have been elimi- nated and the Committee is presently acting as a body, holding meeting once a month with special meetings when necessary.
405
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The school buildings have been well maintained and are in a fairly good condition considering the amount of money allotted for their upkeep. The past year, through W. P. A. grants, considerable painting has been done, both interior and exterior, stone walls built, walks constructed, drains installed and much grading completed. The Unem- ployment Department also rendered service of various types of work in the school department. Of the amount of $12,- 000 appropriated for repair of buildings, the greater part was used in minor repairs and in the heating, lighting and electrical equipment throughout the school system. The amount of expenditure for maintenance has been exceed- ingly low when it is considered that the valuation of our school plant is approximately $2,600,000. This item must be increased in the near future and, particularly so, if the W. P. A. is curtailed.
Reimbursements by the Commonwealth of Massachu- setts on account of Education for the year 1937 are as fol- lows :
Vocational Education
$2,326.98
Tuition of State Wards
2,637.86
Other Tuition
316.78
Miscellaneous
879.39
Americanization
1,166.82
General School Fund
50,981.90
$58,309.73
The Committee will return, in unexpended balance, an amount of $1,166.10 of the 1937 appropriation. The total of the last two items, $59,475.83, deducted from the total appropriation of $652,634.68, leaves a net charge against the real estate tax levy of approximately $593,158.85.
Your school buildings are in constant demand by va- rious organizations in the town. This constant use by the W. P. A. and Youth movements, Scouts, Parent-Teacher
406
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Associations, musical groups and many others causes an expenditure of approximately $8,000 for heating and light- ing and care of the buildings. What little revenue is de- rived from this source reverts to the Town treasury and is not credited to the school department. While the above movements are very desirable and useful, they are a direct expense to the school department and should not be con- sidered in the per pupil cost.
Your Committee feels that some definite action should be taken in the completion of the unfinished high school auditorium. This building in the present condition, with unfinished walls, ceiling, stage, balcony, and temporary lighting system, is practically of no use to the high school organization. We feel that immediate consideration of this matter should be given.
A central supply system has been put into operation with a general store room at the high school. This system will establish a correct inventory of all supplies and text- books on hand and in use.
During the year 1937 the Athletic Council continued under a budget system. The treasurer's report as of Janu- ary 1, 1937, showed an amount of $1,339.80 in unpaid ac- counts with cash on hand in the amount of $273.08, or a net deficit of $1,066.72. The report as of December 31, 1937, shows an amount of $1,309.07 cash on hand with current outstanding bills of $238.43, or a net worth of $1,070.64.
Mrs. Daisy K. Kelsey, elementary school teacher in our system since September, 1926, died on October 24, 1937, after a brief illness. Her devoted service and whole- some influence will ever be remembered by her host of friends in the school department.
The Committee records the retirement of three teach- ers under the State retirement statutes. Mrs. Elizabeth A. Roach, special class teacher at the Crosby School, en- tered service in 1925. Miss Lela C. Murdock, head of the
407
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
French department at the high school, began her long period of service in 1919. Miss Adelaide L. Hutchins, teacher of Spanish and History at the high school, entered our service in 1918. We wish to express our appreciation for their efficient and devoted service to the citizens and youth of Arlington.
Your Committee has confidence in the administration of the Superintendent of Schools to meet the standards of education approved by the citizens of the town.
We wish to express our appreciation for the splendid cooperation of all town boards and officials, and to the teachers and school employees for their contribution to the efficiency of our department.
Respectfully submitted,
CLEMENT J. BEAUDET,
Chairman.
January, 1938.
408
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS FOR THE YEAR 1937
To the School Committee of Arlington:
Ladies and Gentlemen:
My first annual report is herewith submitted with some of the usual statistical data. To present a written report after a few months of service in my present position is a hazardous procedure. One risks being ridiculous by reporting concerning his own work when he is scarcely settled in a new position, or of being presumptuous by reviewing or criticising conditions with which he has not had time to become familiar.
A school report should be of informative and construc- tive value and should be of interest to the Committee, the public, the teachers and the profession of teaching. It should give a review of the work of the year together with an outline of the Committee's policy. I have not been with you during the last year; hence, I must be ex- cused from presenting an annual review. This, however, does not prevent me from calling to your attention several matters I have noted during my short period of service with you. I wish, before outlining a constructive policy, to record factors of which I feel that the Committee and the citizens of Arlington have reason to be proud.
Some Commendable Features
1. A community which is conscious of the needs of its various citizens ;
2. A community which has sufficient taxable wealth, approximately $59,000,000, to meet the needs of its boys and girls without undue hardship upon the taxpayers ;
409
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
3. A community which has a large proportion of able and growing teachers ;
4. Modern buildings for the most part, and grounds of which any citizen may well be proud. These are great assets. The erecting of buildings, prop- erly heated, lighted and ventilated, with proper sanitary fixtures and with sufficient room and equipment to properly and adequately train youth cannot be too much emphasized. This community has made a commendable effort in this respect.
5. The presence in this school system of many good things which the Committees, superintendents, principals and teachers of other years were fac- tors in effecting. It is upon these things that the present Committee and teaching corps must build.
The problem of training youth to meet the needs of a changing social order still remains. Education must necessarily develop and expand to meet the needs of the changing social condition.
Organization of the School Department
The chart on the following page shows in a graphic way the organization of the schools.
The value of such an organization can be more fully appreciated by those who have been or are connected with the administration of public education or with business.
There is probably no more important duty for the School Committee than the selection of its chief executive officer, the school superintendent. Education is such a large, technical and special field that the Committee must be largely guided by the recommendation of its superintend- ent whom, provided they give him authority, they hold responsible for the success of the school system. It is ob- vious that unless all employees of the system are directly responsible to him or to those to whom he delegates the
410
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
People (Stockholders)
School Committee (Directors)
Superintendent (General Manager)
Supervisors (Specialists)
Principals Department Menuges
Secretaries (office Force)
Teachers (Foremen)
Maintenance Dept. Janitors
Doctors (Health Agencies)
Pupils (Workmen)
Attendance and Visiting Teachers
Parents (Customers)
Nurses (Nurse Service)
SCHOOLS ORGANIZED IN A BUSINESSLIKE WAY
management of special divisions of school work, who in turn are responsible to him, there can be little responsibility placed upon him and little can be expected but lack of or- ganization and of system, with all of the inefficiencies and unpleasant things which follow in train.
The chart clearly brings out the relationship which the Arlington School Committee has wisely provided for in their new rules and regulations. I believe that the adop- tion of the new rules and regulations was a distinct step forward in the administration of the schools in Arlington.
411
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Enrollment
I am presenting here a tabulation of enrollments in the Arlington public schools for the period of the past five years, with the thought of showing the trend of the enrollment in our grades in order that we might direct our future plans in taking care of the needs of our boys and girls. It is evi- dent from a study of this table that there has been a steady growth in the junior and senior high schools during the past five years. The enrollment in the elementary grades during that period has decreased about 240 pupils. The decrease in enrollment in the elementary grades will not be felt in the junior high schools for at least three years. Then, according to these tables, there should be a dropping off in the num- bers for the junior high schools unless other factors, such as growth in the population of the town, should enter in.
ENROLLMENT BY GRADES, DECEMBER, 1933-1934-1935-1936-1937
Dec., 1933
Dec., 1934
Dec., 1935
Dec., 1936
Dec., 1937
High School
Post Graduates
56
55
46
39
31
Seniors
270
283
264
313
333
Juniors
...
452
429
528
544
537
Sophomores
676
712
704
692
729
Industrial Class
33
30
32
32
28
Total High School
1,487
1,509
1,574
1,620
1,658
Junior High
Grade 9
476
512
537
556
586
Grade 8
551
568
580
611
593
Grade 7
566
572
608
615
656
Total Junior High
1,593
1,652
1,725
1,782
1,835
Junior High Industrial
3rd year
35
19
20
25
23
2nd year
17
26
25
24
24
1st year
29
26
22
24
29
Total Junior High Industrial ..
81
71
67
73
76
.....
....
412
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Elementary
Grade 6
577
608
606
646
580
Grade 5
609
640
629
587
593
Grade 4
633
633
564
597
597
Grade 3
609
586
589
592
554
Grade 2
595
598
585
584
542
Grade 1
584
589
550
508
507
Special Class
33
29
28
27
27
Total Elementary
3,640
3,683
3,551
3,541
3,400
Total of all grades
6,801
6,915
6,917
7,016
6,969
..
..
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
413
414
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Co-ordination
After a careful survey of the Arlington school system, I found a need for co-ordination in the various parts of the system. The various grades and schools require more uniformity in the courses of study, textbooks, allocated time to each subject and in other matters. With a view to remedying this condition, and after a careful study of the situation, I recommended that the School Committee engage a person who would co-ordinate or in the old term "supervise" the work of the first six grades. There is a dire need for this service at the present time since it is my desire to do a great deal of work in curriculum building during the next few years.
I believe the crying need of the schools which I hope can be met, in part at least, during the next year is that of textbooks. The books used in many instances are inade- quate. Due to the necessity for curtailment for the past several years, the amount appropriated for textbooks has been considerably less than the amount that is appropriated per pupil for this purpose in the average town and city in the State. In the final analysis this is not economy. We cannot afford to have fine school buildings, excellent in- structors and deny them the tools to work with.
Through the cooperation of the town Finance Com- mittee we have been able to make some progress during the past few months. The Finance Committee of the town were not willing to recommend anything for our needs in this respect until they had thoroughly investigated the situation, but, after investigation, I believe they realized there was an outstanding need, and during the fall months trans- ferred from the Reserve Fund $2100 for purchase of text- books. The next school year we shall need an appropria- tion for textbooks that will be up to the State average in order to meet meagerly our needs in this respect at the present time. Last year a committee studied arithmetic and brought in recommendations for the adoption of a new arithmetic series in the elementary grades during the
415
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
fall months. These books have already been placed in the third and fourth grades. It is my hope to supply the fifth and sixth grades with this series during the next school year.
Reading
The basal system of reading in the Arlington School system is supposed to be the Beacon system. This is a pho- netic system which has been replaced in progressive school systems quite rapidly during the past decade. In Arlington at the present time we are using several different systems of reading with the result that a child moving from one dis- trict to another finds it almost as difficult as if he were moving to some other town.
At the present time a committee has been appointed to study several reading systems with the hope that by next September we can have a uniform system of basal reading in all of the first grades in the Arlington schools. I believe we should have the same basal system at least in the first three grades.
Junior High Schools
In the school report last year it was stated that the limit of efficiency had been reached in your junior high school organization, both in regard to seating capacity and the teaching load. This proved to be true and during the summer it was necessary to make a new classroom out of part of the library at the Junior High School West and to add another teacher in order to meet the needs of the in- creased enrollment in this school. At the Junior High School East it was necessary to install seats in another classroom, and at the Junior High School Center to replace a teacher who had been dropped from the teaching corps about a year ago.
After conference with the junior high school principals it was agreed that there is lack of standardization and co-
416
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
ordination in the work of the various junior high schools. We have already agreed upon standardizing the books in English and mathematics and I hope in the next few months to have committees working in the unification and stand- ardization of some of the other subjects.
The High School
There has been a tremendous change in the high schools of our country during the past twenty years. In the early days our high schools were highly selective institu- tions accepting only such young people as had shown good or excellent intellectual ability in the elementary schools. The high school curriculums were narrow in scope. The standards of scholastic accomplishment were high and re- quirements for promotion were distinctly rigid. Gradua- tion during this period implied four years of intensive work, faithful effort, and considerable abstract intelligence. The diploma of the high school graduate was proof that he possessed these qualities.
Our high schools today have become secondary schools for all of the children of all of the people. It is now not possible to insist on our former rigid standards of achieve- ment for many of the pupils who are enrolled, no matter how expert the instruction or how carefully the curricu- lum be planned. I believe it is necessary to distinguish care- fully between scholastic training and the socializing function of our secondary schools.
The high school diploma at the present time may mean for the mediocre student merely three years of regular attendance, good behavior and, in the judgment of the faculty, reasonable and satisfactory effort. It is a process of meeting the demands of the boys and girls of adolescent age who are placed in our charge, a process very difficult in application. If the standard of the teacher be too high, many of these pupils will be denied the opportunity of graduating. If the standards are too low, graduation may come as a result of three years of bluff and shirking and
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