USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1939 > Part 23
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The Junior Library has carried on the usual activities, summer club, story hours, book fair, Good Book Week cele- bration. More intensive work has been done with the schools. English classes came from Junior High Center for instruction in the use of the library, and pupils from In- dustrial Arts for inspection of the building.
Good Book Week was the occasion of visits from pupils of the six elementary schools. They were given time to see the library building as a whole and to enjoy the ex- hibit of new books.
The East Branch continues to do what it can, with short hours, lack of the right location and few books. East Arlington does need a Branch that can take care of its own library needs.
What of the Elementary and High School students who need the use of reference material? What of that large number of boys who are no longer in school but would like to study or read in a quiet place ?
GIFTS
Various volumes have been presented to the library by local people, publishers and authors :
Miss Lucy M. Brigham Mr. and Mrs. Colin Clements William Powers Kneibbs
William H. Lannin
Robert Schalkenback Foundation
430
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Miss Mabel Weedon
Mrs. Clifford Dumble Miss Julia Maynard Heights Study Club J. Howard Atkin Billy May Bertrand Washburn
Mrs. Horace Everett
Mr. William A. Forbes Misses Allen
Mrs. Gertrude Tewkesbury
Mrs. Mildred White
Mrs. Charles E. Lay
Arlington Townsend Club
Florence Ryerson
Miss Florence Harris
Miss Mildred Hayward
Other gifts have been received from the Trefoil League, total payment on lantern; George M. Brooks, marble bust and stand; Junior Woman's Club, $15.00 for use of the li- brary; Mrs. Francis Thompson, globe :
Book marks from the three banks of the town have proved helpful in keeping the books from having worn down corners.
The beauty of the Library has been increased by the many flowers received from friends. The Garden Club members, as in other years, have been most generous with their gifts of flowers and Christmas decorations.
Our local newspapers have been most helpful in the way of publicity. To these all we express our thanks.
Staff
During the year there were two resignations, Miss Pauline Bennett, to be married, and Miss Alice Cutter, to take a position at Harvard College Library.
431
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN
Miss Frances Macaulay, a part-time worker for several years, was made a staff member. In October, Miss Louise Campbell joined the staff.
The Librarian appreciates the loyalty and willingness shown by staff members in whatever task set them, as well as in their wish to render the best possible service.
I desire to express to the Trustees grateful acknowledg- ment for their understanding of the problems of the library, for their helpfulness and co-operative spirit.
Respectfully submitted,
LUCINDA FIELD SPOFFORD
December 31, 1939
Librarian
432
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
REPORT OF THE CURATOR OF THE ROBBINS PRINT COLLECTION FOR 1939
The year 1939 may be recorded as uneventful, in that there were few interruptions to the regular routine in the Robbins Print Collection. Cataloguing, research, measur- ing for mats, mounting, went on as always, and several persons used the collection for research in the field of por- traits of obscure subjects, a fertile field in a collection so vast as this one. The renovating and redecorating of the exhibition gallery necessitated the removal of all prints from the walls for the summer; in the fall the former exhi- bition, with a few changes, was hung.
The following portraits have been acquired during 1939 :
American subjects:
Higgins, Eugene Self-portrait Etching, 1912 Myers, Jerome Self-portrait Etching
ยท Miscellaneous:
Cundall, Charles .. Drypoint by Francis Dodd
And the following ten drypoints from the Arms Confer- ence Memorial Portfolio by Walter Tittle:
Borden, Rt. Hon. Sir Robert
Cartier de Marchienne, Baron E. de, 1923
Cavan, Frederick Rudolph Lambart, 10th earl of Geddes, Sir Auckland
Kato, Taka-akira, baron, 1921
Lee, Lord, of Fareham, 1921
Sarraut, Senator Albert
Schanzer, Carlo
Sze, Sao-Ke Alfred
Tokugawa, Iyesato, prince, 1921
433
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN
The Robbins Collection now has eighteen of the twenty- five drypoints done from life by Walter Tittle of the leading figures in the conference on the Limitation of Armaments held in Washington in 1922. It is expected that the re- maining seven will be added to the collection next year.
KATHRYN M. ACHUFF,
December 30, 1939
Curator.
434
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION FORM FOR UNIFORM STATISTICS
Annual Report for the Year Ended December 31, 1939
Name of Library: Robbins Library.
City : Arlington. State: Massachusetts.
Name of Librarian : Mrs. Lucinda F. Spofford.
Date of founding 1835
Population served (estimated)
40,000
Assessed Valuation of Town $58,699,800
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 ...
58,628
Number of volumes added during year by pur- chase 3,246
Number of volumes added during year by gift or exchange 217
Number of volumes lost or withdrawn during year
1,486
Total number at end of year 60,605
Number of volumes of fiction lent for home use
210,444
435
REPORT OF LIBRARIAN
Number of volumes of non-fiction lent for
home use
118,911
Total number of volumes lent for home use. 329,355
Pictures circulated 596
REGISTRATION
Number of registered borrowers December 31, 1939
19,765
Number of borrowers registered during 1939
2,008
Registration period, years
3
Number of periodicals and newspapers cur-
rently received :
Titles
195
Copies
245
Number of publications issued during year :
Booklists
0
Number of staff, library service (including part-time)
14
Number of staff, janitor service
3
Full-time
1
Part-time
2
LIBRARY FUNDS
Robbins Art Fund
$42,974.42
Henry Mott Library Fund
5,200.00
Timothy Wellington Fund 100.00
Ellen W. Hodgdon Fund
1,000.00
Children's Book Fund 5,003.40
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
Appropriation by Town
$29,600.00
Expenditures :
Salaries-Library Service $16,819.95
Salaries-Janitor Service, etc ....... 2,452.62
436
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Supplies and Expenses :
Books
3,402.00
Periodicals
514.83
Bindery
1,861.61
Fuel
1,528.83
Light
988.68
Buildings and Grounds
587.76
Telephone
144.14
Other Expenses
1,069.34
29,369.76
Unexpended Balance
$230.24
Reverts to Town Surplus
$230.24
Library Trust Funds Income-1939
....... ...
$2,208.16
Expenditures :
Books
$1,961.56
Bindery
246.60
$2,208.16
$2,208.16
Income During 1939
Carried forward to 1940
$2,041.70
$2,041.70
Robbins Art Fund
Expenditures :
Salaries
$927.13
Prints
254.50
All Others
52.78
$1,234.41
Total amount spent for books
$5,363.56
Total amount spent for periodicals 514.83
Total amount spent for bindery
2,108.21
437
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Arlington :
At no time in history has the value of the American scheme of public education been more justified than today. No real democracy can exist without an educational system which provides an adequate training in citizenship and an equal opportunity for all of its youth. Education is costly, but it is worth the price.
For years Arlington has enjoyed a reputation for its generous support of education and for its excellent school system. Your School Committee has conscientiously main- tained past standards and is constantly endeavoring to im- prove the service which our schools can render to our children. The Committee has been economical in adminis- tering the schools and conservative in expending the funds provided by the town for education.
Citizens should read the report of the Superintendent, which the Committee presents as part of its report and in which is detailed the improvements made in the organiza- tion of the school system and the reductions brought about by wise planning, careful administration and constructive supervision.
The personnel of the School Committee for 1939 was the same as for 1938.
Your Committee is obliged again to refer to the need for additional school accommodations. It is our duty to call attention to the urgent need for the town to take some action toward providing adequate school buildings in the Hardy and Russell districts. The Hardy School is now filled to capacity ; the Russell School, as we pointed out last year, is no longer serviceable for the needs of the district it is trying to serve. An adequate, safe building in a new location is a necessity. The Town should authorize the appointment of a School Accommodations Committee, which
438
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
should include members of the School Committee, to make an immediate study of this situation.
Again we point out the fallacy from the standpoint of economy, good business and urgent need, and we might well add civic pride, of continued delay in completing the George H. Lowe, Jr. Memorial Auditorium. We ask the town why something cannot be done about this.
Arlington has school property which has a total valua- tion of $2,902,916. We are justly proud of the excellent care which is given to our buildings, but constant repair and replacements are necessary. Experts all agree that at least 11/2 per cent of the valuation of buildings and equip- ment is a reasonable amount for care and upkeep. This would amount to $43,543.74. We are requesting in our 1940 budget $29,622.00, which is very much less than we might be expected to ask for. We have received in the past some W. P. A. help, but we are getting very little W. P. A. help now. We cannot depend upon that. We must warn you that more funds will be required for maintenance in the future if we are to properly safeguard the town's investment in school buildings.
The net cost of education to real estate taxpayers is materially reduced by the revenue accruing to the town from the Commonwealth and from other sources. The receipts on account of education during the fiscal year 1939 are as follows:
Vocational Education
$ 3,606.10
Tuition of State Wards
2,860.42
Other Tuition
406.37
Miscellaneous
654.26
Americanization
471.25
Rentals
211.50
General School Fund
51,392.25
$59,602.15
The total 1939 appropriation amounted to $659,326.70. Deducting the reimbursements and the unexpended balance
439
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
of $7,219.76 turned back to the town, the actual amount for school purposes from our Real Estate Tax levy is only $592,504.79.
We regret to record the passing of two teachers who died in service during 1939:
Myrtle M. Davis, who began service in Arlington in 1907. At the time of her death in March, 1939, she was a first grade teacher at the Locke School. She had given effi- cient and faithful service to Arlington for thirty-two years.
H. Pauline Pattison, who began service in Arlington in 1934 and died July, 1939. She was an efficient teacher of English at the High School.
We pay tribute to two of our teachers who retired in 1939. Both have given long service to the Arlington schools. Both have made a distinct contribution to the system and a lasting impression on many of our citizens who were their pupils. We refer to Miss Helen M. Dow, first grade teacher in the Parmenter School, who began her teaching in Arling- ton thirty-five years ago in 1904; and to Miss Flora E. Fuller, who, at the time of her retirement in February, on account of illness, was principal of the Locke School. Miss Fuller began her service in the Arlington schools in 1914. The Committee expresses its gratitude to both for their loyalty and for their valuable contributions to the educa- tional system of Arlington.
We express our thanks to the school officials, teachers and employees for their assistance and loyal support. We thank the town officials, members of boards and depart- ments, and the citizens of the town for their cooperation.
Respectfully submitted, M. NORCROSS STRATTON Chairman, Arlington School Committee
January, 1940.
440
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS FOR THE YEAR 1939
To the School Committee of Arlington :
Ladies and Gentlemen :
I hereby submit my third annual report as Superin- tendent of Schools in the Town of Arlington. The report deals with some of the details of our school system which ought to be of public interest. There are many phases of school work that should be covered by a report of this kind. To this end I have asked the high and junior high school principals, the elementary school supervisor and the supervisor of maintenance to submit reports to me of their work. I am, therefore, including portions of these reports as a part of my annual report.
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this report is to furnish you and the citizens of the town useful and interesting information con- cerning the work of the public schools. When once we stop to consider the question seriously we are forced to the conclusion that the administration of its public school system is the biggest business in any community. In the rush of everyday business and activities we are prone to forget this fact. In our complex national life more and more obligations are being placed on the schools of the nation. Upon them primarily rest the duty and privilege of molding the lives and ideals of the future citizens of this nation. If the nation is to endure, the teaching and in- struction of youth must be a matter of universal concern. It is the hope of your superintendent that the information contained in this report may, in some measure, set forth the conditions in our schools so that all who read it may have a better understanding of our efforts in the training of the young people in the public schools.
ENROLLMENT BY GRADES, DECEMBER, 1934-1935-1936-1937-1938-1939
Dec., 1934
Dec., 1935
Dec., 1936
Dec., 1937
Dec., 1938
1 Dec., 1939
High School
Post Graduates
55
46
39
31
39
42
Seniors
283
264
313
333
351
424
Juniors
...........
429
528
544
537
637
590
Sophomores
712
704
692
729
724
764
Industrial Class
30
32
32
28
30
23
Total High School
1,509
1,574
1,620
1,658
1,781
1,843
Junior High
Grade 9
....
512
537
556
586
590
632
Grade 8
568
580
611
593
641
575
Grade 7
572
608
615
656
569
590
Total Junior High
1,652
1,725
1,782
1,835
1,800
1,797
Junior High Industrial
3rd year
19
20
25
23
21
27
2nd year ..
26
25
24
24
29
22
1st year
26
22
24
29
25
23
Total Junior High Industrial
71
67
73
76
75
72
....
...
...
..
-
-
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
441
Elementary
Grade 6
608
606
646
580
596
602
Grade 5
640
629
587
593
599
558
Grade 4
633
564
597
597
551
516
Grade 3
586
589
592
554
530
519
Grade 2
598
585
584
542
525
492
Grade 1
589
550
508
507
476
482
Special Class ...
29
28
27
27
27
20
Total Elementary
3,683
3,551
3,541
3,400
3,304
3,189
Total of all grades
6,915
6,917
7,016
6,969
6,960
6,901
442
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
443
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
ENROLLMENT
From the table of comparative enrollment it will be observed that the total school enrollment of December 1939 is but fourteen pupils less than the total in 1934. There are some significant contrasts between these enrollments, however, to which I wish to call your attention.
It will be noticed that in the elementary schools there are 494 less pupils enrolled in December 1939 than in December 1934. The dropping off in elementary school en- rollment is not peculiar to Arlington, but seems to be prev- alent throughout the nation during the past five years, due, in part at least, to depression years.
Our junior high schools have 145 more pupils en- rolled than in 1934 and our senior high school 334 more pupils than in 1934. Thus we have an increase of 479 pupils in our upper grades where the cost is greatest.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
It has been my aim and purpose during the past two years to revise the courses of study in the elementary schools and to have the work in each of these schools cover the same ground so that a child moving from one section of the town to another would not find himself in the posi- tion of one moving to another town. I mentioned in previ- ous reports the introduction of a new reading system and that we were working on a course of study in arithmetic. We have completed the course of study in arithmetic and at the present time are working on a course in social studies. I shall quote from the elementary supervisor's report some of the accomplishments of the past year.
"Conferences with the individual principal, sometimes visiting with her, whenever I have gone to a building have helped me to improve the work. We go over the rating sheets, the individual records and problems the teachers are facing, agreeing on a mutual plan of help which the principal follows up and reports on my next visit. The prin- cipal and supervisor need to work in complete understanding
444
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
in all matters pertaining to teachers and pupils. In nearly all cases we have reached this point of working together.
"We have had a principals' meeting every month, with three extra or special meetings, at which not only all routine matters of organization have been discussed and agreed up- on but curriculum content, teaching methods and profes- sional problems of all kinds have been considered. Into these meetings I have brought reports from state and na- tional meetings, from university conferences, from the new- est magazines and professional books as well as contacts with outstanding educators it has been my good fortune to meet during the year. I have tried to extend our horizon by bringing the best of educational thought I could find. I find a great need in this line. These principals' meetings which have grown in frankness, in cooperative spirit and intensive endeavor, are making not only for general im- provement but for unity of purpose and achievement throughout the schools, and 'an equal chance for every child.'
"The reading has improved greatly. This year the teachers, being more familiar with the system, have ac- complished much more both in quantity and quality. The supplementary reading has also improved and is better graded due to the new supplementary books and the better foundation of the new system. When I came here in March 1938 many first grades were in primers or pre-primers and many second grades in primers or book one. Now, at the close of December of this school year, all first grades are nearly through the primer; some are nearly through book one and have read from three to five other books. All second grades are well along in book two and some have finished it, as well as having read from two to four sup- plementary readers. The quality of the reading is much better and the power of the children to attack the new reading much greater.
"Every teacher in the first three grades has a bulletin on phonics which indicates when, where, and how she is to teach the various sounds. This was compiled from the
445
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Elson system and makes clear and complete the instruction and use of phonics in reading. It shows each teacher ex- actly how much sound teaching she does in her grade and where in her reading she does it. It also shows her the phonics taught in the previous grade which she must retain by use. The superintendent, supervisor, or principal com- ing into a room and consulting this bulletin can see at a glance what the children have learned in phonics and where they are now working. It is a clear guide to very definite, comprehensive phonic work in reading. The phonics now go along with and are a building part of the reading.
"Arithmetic. The teachers, as requested, kept records during the year of how the course of study and new arith- metic textbooks worked and from these records collected from every teacher, the committee revised the course of study.
"Social Studies. The geography and history are more clearly related this year, the majority using the unit basis. Bulletins on the fourth, fifth and sixth grade work have been placed in the hands of the teachers. These are tentative guides until the committee gets out a regular course of study which should be finished this year.
"The History and Geography of Arlington has been carefully compiled during the past year and goes into the fourth grade classrooms in its first form this month. The plan is to use all this material on the Story of Arlington that can be understood and appeals to this age child and during the year have the children write and illustrate it in story form. It has been a big piece of work and the committee deserves great credit for they have gone far and wide for the material and have spent a great deal of time rewriting it.
"Penmanship. A study of the penmanship showed a great variety in the style of writing, no agreement in ma- terials or methods and great differences in standards and accomplishments. This was natural since it is some years since it has received any supervision. The Houston material
446
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
which had been used was placed in the hands of all the teachers, board work stressed in the first grade and a general agreement reached as to the spacing of paper and use of ink. As a result, the penmanship has improved. There has been a general improvement in teacher pen- manship which I wish to commend. A committee of teach- ers is working on a course of study in penmanship and hopes to have it ready by April.
"Testing Program. This year we finished up a simple testing program so we have a clear, brief picture of every child. As far as it goes for the first time, it is complete. There is an intelligence quotient for every pupil. This was obtained by giving the Henmon-Nelson tests in all grades above the first. The first grade was tested by Dr. Lincoln who used the Detroit test for beginners. Dr. Lincoln also tested sixty problem children. Dr. Rothney from Harvard tested all the pupils coming to us from private schools, the great majority of whom were seeking admission to our sec- ond grade.
"The Metropolitan and Durrell-Sullivan tests were used to get the achievement of every child in reading and arith- metic, so at this time in the elementary schools we have the chronological age, the mental age, the intelligence quotient and the reading and arithmetic rating as well as other sig- nificant data from this testing. This has been used to help us in our grouping of children, in our planning of work, in our placing of children and in our meeting indi- vidual needs.
"Every recommendation on a child from the Harvard clinic, Dr. Lincoln or Dr. Rothney has been carefully con- sidered by the supervisor with the principal and teacher, and remedial work followed up. When the problem has been too great for us we have sought help from such outside clinics as Boston University, Harvard University, Dr. Thom, and Judge Baker Foundation. There has been constructive follow-up on every case."
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS
From the junior high school principals' reports come
447
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
the following high spots. During the past year increased effort has been made to satisfy each pupil's needs, capaci- ties, aptitudes and interests. In order to follow out this program different forms of reliable data were used, such as teachers' marks and judgments, psychological tests, stan- dard subject tests, health records and records of personal conferences.
There has been a great deal of guidance work carried on in the junior high schools during the past year. One of the principal guidance problems of the year, carried out in all three junior high schools, was to prepare pupils for a wise choice of subjects for the following year. First, a series of grade forums was held where subject offerings of the next year were explained and discussed, including, of course, the courses of study in the senior high school. It is hoped that the work in guidance can be carried on more extensively as time goes on. You may recall that in my report of 1937 I stated that I believed guidance the heart and core of any school system.
In September, the junior high schools began operation under revisions suggested by the superintendent or by the mutual planning of the three junior high school principals or as a result of research within the schools themselves.
Two notable forward steps were taken in the past year in the direction of improved curricula and in the addition of a seventh period for individual help.
The change from the multiple-choice curriculum to four curricula designated as Civic, College, Commercial, and Technical, not only furnishes a more stable and purpose- ful offering in the junior high school, but it brings about a closer articulation with the curricula of the senior high school.
The seventh or special help period is working out very satisfactorily according to the reports from all three junior high school principals, as it permits each teacher to concen- trate upon a relatively small group of pupils with conse- quently profitable results. The percentage of failures has dropped noticeably since the period was introduced.
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