USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1943 > Part 18
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Jean A. Hoyt, substitute-High School
John J. Sexton, substitute-High School
Regina Ahern, substitute-High School
Dorothy Hayman, substitute-High School
Howard Danforth, part-time substitute-High School Benjamin E. Banks, part-time substitute-High School Doris J. McCarthy, substitute-Junior High School East
Lena Manning, substitute-Junior High School East Jerome C. Buckley, substitute-Junior High School East
Donald W. MacDiarmid, substitute-Junior High School West
Charles J. Anton, substitute-Junior High School West
Charles P. Lawrence-Junior High School West
Alice P. Lally-Brackett School
Edith C. Wilson, substitute-Brackett School
Susan B. Guy, substitute-Brackett School
Mabelle Felch-Crosby School
Marion Slade, substitute-Hardy School
Helen L. Tees-Peirce School
Transfers :
Mary V. Donnelly-from Russell School to Cutter School
Ruby M. Wilkins-from Russell School to Brackett School
Ruth E. Wallace-from Brackett School to Parmenter School
It is again a sad duty to report another distinct loss to the School Department. In November, Miss Bertha W.
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Richards, of the staff of the Junior High School East, passed away. A teacher in the schools of Arlington for twenty-nine years, she was an inspiration to pupils and co-workers. The children of that district have lost a good friend and wise counsellor.
The Committee wishes to go on record to express its appreciation to the entire School Department personnel for their work during the year. The many duties of normal times are magnified by war time conditions; as a result, unusual efforts are required to operate under such conditions. The performance of the Maintenance Depart- ment should especially be commended as the man-power shortage and the poorer quality fuel have made the work much more difficult. As in 1942, the School Department carried out the 1943 rationing programs most satisfactorily. Also, the work of the employees in the Superintendent's of- fice has been conducted with its customary efficiency, includ- ing the rationing program and the increased payroll work necessitated by tax deductions.
As usual, it has been a pleasure to work with the other departments of the Town due to the spirit of mutual cooperation, which is evident in these contacts. It is the intent of the School Committee that the School Department shall be conducted in such a way as to be a credit to the Town and, from our contacts with the other departments, it is felt that this same desire motivates their actions. It is this spirit which has given Arlington the reputation of being a good town in which to live, and it should be the desire of all of us to maintain this reputation.
Respectfully submitted, JAMES W. KIDDER
Chairman
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS FOR THE YEAR 1943
To the School Committee of Arlington,
Ladies and Gentlemen :
It is my privilege to submt for your consideration the following report of the schools for the year 1943. I am in- cluding in my report excerpts from the annual reports submitted to me by various principals and supervisors.
YOUTH AND THE FUTURE
Our young people can be challenged to look into the future by showing them that present plans, if well developed and directed, hold out the possibilities of a better life for all. We must help youth to develop an attitude which will include a recognition of the necessary sacrifices of the present in order that they may know the true value of Democracy. If they wish the protection and freedom avail- able to them under our way of life they must be willing to sacrifice now. Rapidly changing conditions cause us to be confronted with problems in the planning of a school program. Our program must be adjusted to provide our young people with a full knowledge of the responsibilities that will be theirs when they become of age. During this war emergency some things must be curtailed, but our ed- ucational program must be retained and strengthened. We must avoid any curtailments which would handicap the youth of America who are now in our schools.
Through guidance we can help youth to discover the opportunities for participation in the armed forces, in industry, and in the professions. We can help them make intelligent choices of the parts they may play by means of a careful study of the needs of the times. They must be informed as to the standard required for success in va- rious occupations and must be aided n formulating per- sonal plans. To accomplish this the educational system must revise and revitalize its basic courses, especially math- ematics, social studies including economics, and the sciences.
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Some of the content has been found to be non-functional in terms of war and post-war society. This should be elim- inated from the courses in the curriculum to make room for that which is vital. New courses should be offered to pre- pare youth with special abilities to fit into the more specialized work.
Schools should be alert to create new ways of aiding our pupils in understanding the duties of citizenship. They should have a proper conception of the terms "liberty" and "freedom." We should seize every opportunity to use the devotion to duty and country, which reaches its peak in wartime, to arouse enthusiasm for the best in future conduct in all civic affairs.
PERSONNEL SITUATION
Twenty-four of our teachers have entered the armed services. Their places must be maintained by substitute or duration teachers. To date we have been exceedingly fortunate in the calibre of teachers who are covering these vacancies temporarily. However, if the demand for man power increases to the point where teachers of physical education, mathematics, science and vocational subjects are taken into the Services, we will face a critical situation. It may be necessary to curtail some of the vital subjects we are now offering our young people. Our problem is further accentuated in view of the fact that, due to a drop in the school enrollment, we have twelve fewer teachers in the system than we had two years ago. Yet, we must maintain our organization to care for the twenty-four teachers who sometime will return from war service. It means that any additional vacancies occurring in the system, for any reason, especially in the junior and senior high schools, must be cared for by substitutes on a duration basis.
ADJUSTMENTS TO THE HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM
As was anticipated, the effect of the war emergency has been greater at the high school than at other schools. -
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From the report of the high school principal the following paragraphs show these effects and the adjustments which have been made to meet many rapidly changing conditions.
"As we expected, the enrollment in the Senior High School has decreased during the past year. On September 28, 1942 the enrollment was 1706 and on September 27, 1943 it was 1542. This decrease of 164 is largely normal and due to the fact that the enrollment in the Senior High School reached its peak in 1940-41. Since then there has been a steady decrease in the number of pupils attending the Arlington schools. Of the fifty-six pupils who failed to return to the high school last September after com- pleting the previous school year, twenty-one went to work, two joined the army, and the rest entered trade schools and private schools. It appears from these figures that while in other places over the country large numbers of children, tempted undoubtedly by large wages, have left school to go to work, a relatively small number of our pupils have done this. It is reasonable to believe that this number would have been somewhat larger if pre-induction courses had not been introduced in the school last year and added to this year. These courses are primarily for the purpose of giving the boys the kind of preparation recommended by the U. S. Army to make them more efficient soldiers. The subject matter taught is intensely interesting to the great majority of boys.
"This year the following pre-induction courses are in- cluded in the program of studies: Aeronautics (2 classes), automotive mechanics (3 classes), basic mathematics (3 classes), electricity as a part of physics (5 classes), mechanics as a part of physics, radio (2 classes), and shop . mechanics (1 class). The number of boys who are taking aeronautics and physics is about the same as last year and the number taking automotive mechanics has increased by one class. Since the other pre-induction courses were added to the program of studies this year, the total num- ber of boys enrolled in pre-induction subjects is considerably greater than last year.
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"Another new course, war time nutrition, which every girl as far as possible must take this year, was started in October. The purpose of this course is to give information about the different ways of maintaining a satisfactory standard of nutrition for the members of a household during such a period of scarcity of certain foods as exists now because of the war. It is hoped that the girls will carry this information home where it will help their mothers in buying and preparing the food needed for a proper diet.
"Toward the end of last year, an obstacle course was built on the Warren A. Peirce Field under the direction of the Supervisor of the Maintenance Department and in ac- cordance with army recommendations. This course is proving valuable in furthering the program started last year in toughening the boys in the school physically.
"It is evident from the above paragraphs, and from the fact that a very large number of the pupils are taking part in war-time services both in and out of the school, that we are accomplishing practically all of the aims of the High School Victory Corps, as recommended by the U. S. Department of Education.
"During the past year and so far this year the school has felt the impact of the war both directly and indirectly. The School Committee voted that any boy in the senior clas who left school to enter military service after Jan- uary 31, (the end of the first half year) should be granted a diploma in June provided his school work at the time of his leaving was satisfactory. A considerable number of the boys were either drafted or, before reaching the age of eighteen, enlisted in some branch of the war services. Many of these boys, although eligible to receive their diplomas last June, could not attend the graduation exercises. This year a number of boys have already been drafted or have enlisted, and are not eligible to receive their diplomas because they have not finished the work of the first half year. To those of this group, a special diploma has been voted, and is made available immediately upon induction, certifying that the high school work has been completed to the date the boy enters the Armed Services. Since early last spring,
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the shortage of employees to fill civilian jobs has become a growing problem. A large number of seniors were excused from their school work before graduation to take permanent jobs. This was bound to lower the quality of the work of some of the seniors who remained in school. This year the demand for help in civilian industry and commerce has been very strong. Although we have not made a practice of allowing the pupils to be absent from school in order to work, a very large number of pupils have obtained part- time jobs and many of these pupils are either working so many hours or are getting so fatigued that their school work is suffering. Here the parents can help greatly by not permitting children to take jobs that will interfere with their school work. Few children can carry a normal school program satisfactorily while doing outside work that re- quires four or five or more hours daily.
"We at the High School recognize the necessity of dealing with these problems as intelligently and sympathet- ically as possible. We shall continue to do all that we can to maintain a satisfactory standard of achievement in the school work of the pupils and to help them to live a normal school life that will mean so much to them in the future."
ACTIVITIES OF OUR GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT
The following is quoted from the annual report of the director of this department.
"The work of the Department has been geared to war-time needs. However, all those persons associated with the program are continuing to carry out the basic principles of guidance which will be of value to Arlington boys and girls, when the day of peace arrives. In the fol- lowing paragraphs you will find enumerated the many ways in which guidance is helping Arlington Junior and Senior High School pupils.
"The Department has taken an aggressive attitude toward securing Armed Service information and making it available to all high school boys. The director has written a report about Armed Service Induction as a result of visits to the Boston Induction Center and Fort Devens. This
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report and other information is made available to all boys prior to induction. The Department has conducted exam- inations for the Army and Navy, sponsored meetings for Armed Service information, and is publishing a monthly bulletin of pre-induction news.
"In addition to keeping pupils informed about war occupations, monthly occupational bulletins, designed to tell pupils about post war jobs, are being issued. It is anticipated that separate occupation bulletins for Junior and Senior High School students can be prepared soon.
"The Department. has continued to provide testing for groups and individuals as requested by school administra- tors. During the next few months a new testing program is planned which will insure all boys having sample tests prior to entering a branch of the Service. These tests are helpful as the boys are given similar tests soon after induction. Vocational aptitude testing has been extended to reach more pupils.
"Due to man-power shortages, the Department has made more placements than ever before. In addition to serving private industry, the Department has found stu- dent workers for the Post Office Department, Arlington Public Works Department, and local public utilities. A successful farm labor placement program was completed. In spite of the heavy demand for part-time workers, Guid- ance Counselors have continued to consider the welfare of the pupil when making placement contacts.
"The Department recently compiled a pamphlet of College, Business and Technical School entrance require- ments. Bulletins telling about the requirements for nurses' training schools, trade school courses and opportunities therein have also been issued. These articles help junior and senior high school pupils to plan more carefully their school programs.
"The guidance course of study in the several junior high schools has been strengthened through the use of more guidance materials. Additional reference books will soon be made available for junior high school use. The director
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rearranged his schedule to allow more time to assist pupils and teachers of grades seven to nine.
"A high school survey has been completed recently to provide pupil extra curricular activity records. These records are helpful in completing Armed Service and other questionnaires. Another survey was conducted to determine how many high school pupils were employed, their kind of employment, the hours they worked and their estimated earnings. Of the replies received, it is estimated that 63 per cent of the boys and 57 per cent of the girls are employed. Their total weekly earnings exceed $7,000. The average weekly pay of the boys is $11.23 and of the girls $7.54. The latter figure would be several dollars a week higher were income from domestic work separated from income from business positions.
"All 1943 high school graduates were recently fol- lowed-up by mail. An offer was made to provide any assistance needed to solve work or school problems and in several instances, personal contacts have been made to help former pupils. In some instances a Guidance Coun- selor has contacted the graduate's employer or college dean to help in matters of adjustment. The director has held evening conferences at his office or home, for graduates, drop-outs and others who could not come during office hours. During the past summer, due to war conditions, he was at the office each Saturday morning for pupil confer- ences. The average number of pupil visits on Saturday mornings during the summer was fifteen.
"An annual survey of all college preparatory course students in grades nine to twelve is now being planned. Such check-up should help those pupils to better prepare for college entrance and should assist those not qualified for college work to change their course of study."
OUR JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS
The principals of our three junior high school build- ings present the following as a report of educational ac- tivity for the present school year.
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"The major change in our educational program was the introduction of specific instruction in penmanship in grade seven to replace the informal plan. Already class work reflects definite improvement. Two periods were added to the six previously assigned to English per week. These are to be used for penmanship and spelling.
"A new spelling text has been introduced in grades seven and eight. This provides for a definite study plan and follow-up of pupil's usage. The actual value of spell- ing can be measured only in terms of accurate use of words in daily written work, not in spelling tests.
"Much publicity has been given to the physical train- ing program of our armed forces. The junior high schools have encouraged pupils to participate in the posture drills. These exercises are taught in gymnasium classes by the physical education instructors and then are daily practiced under student leaders. The aims are to help the pupil to secure physical efficiency and well being and to emphasize good posture.
"The schools have cooperated in war activities. Each school maintains a project for selling stamps and bonds. Minute Man Flags have been awarded to the West and the Centre for achievement in this important war work. Teachers issued War Books II and IV. It was necessary to temporarily close school to do this civic service. These gaps in one school year present a problem as to completion of courses when much time is lost. Men teachers from the town, particularly the East, have cooperated with the Draft Boards by acting as clerks at physical examinations.
"The war has also brought a problem in personnel. The schools are proud of the fact that many men, and women, too, have gone into the Army and Navy. There they have been recognized by being promoted to the rank of officers. However, this has left many vacancies to fill temporarily. The short time in which we have had to get a substitute at times has brought about an acute situation in getting a properly qualified substitute.
"For the coming year, we have two problems which we wish to undertake with serious study; first, the plan-
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ning of efficient instruction in grammar to guarantee that our pupils will write accurately; secondly, the introduction of more drill and problem solution in mathematics. Both of these steps are in line with recommendations made by the Army and Navy after screening pupils for the V and A programs. The instruction in these two fields will prob- ably require the introduction of new textbook material."
ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
The supervisor of our elementary schools reports be- low on various adjustments to the program of education in the first six grades of our school system.
"The present day philosophy of education demands that teaching begin at each child's level of development to make possible the fullest realization of his potentialities. There is a great difference in the learning capacity of chil- dren. Some make rapid progress in their studies and should be given an enriched program. Special thought has been given throughout the year to the needs of our pupils of superior ability. Through conferences, study, and extensive planning we have tried to provide challenging opportunities for this group. Certain knowledge must be learned, but we try to leave in every problem an opening for individual thought. As time goes on we hope to become more and more aware of our obligation to these "leaders of tomorrow." Some pupils make slow progress, but it is equally important that they be given work commensurate with their ability in order that successful achievement may be assured.
"Emphasis has been placed on pupil activity. With- out doubt the school in which the pupils learn most is the school in which boys and girls are planning, organizing, contributing original ideas, assembling material, and carry- ing out enterprises. The teacher acts as a guide and friend, helping the children to meet their own needs. She lives with them, sharing experiences and making the learning- teaching process a cooperative endeavor. She must be as alert as the eager group about her. The teacher's task is
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more difficult than the task of former days of teaching factual knowledge, but the outcomes are more satisfying. With this method the classroom, instead of being a lesson- hearing room, becomes a laboratory in which pupils par- ticipate.
"War and coming reconstruction call for changes in the Social Studies program. Teachers and administrators have worked during the year to plan a program which aims to clarify the issues and conduct of this devastating war and to prepare for the making of a just and lasting peace. The pamphlet entitled "Priorities for Elementary School Social Studies" prepared at Boston University, has served as a guide for the changes which we have inaugurated in the elementary grades. Classroom organization provides for democratic practices. In a variety of ways we have endeavored to develop in our young citizens an understand- ing and appreciation of the underlying principles of democ- racy and a realization that each individual has a part in maintaining and preserving it. Continuous study of pupils' reactions and group relationships should aid the teacher to determine what further experiences are needed to assure that measure of respect for the rights and opinions of others, which is basic to democratic living.
"The course of study in spelling which was distributed to teachers this year has proved to be a valuable aid in the spelling program. While it is definite enough in its scope to show teachers, and especially new teachers, what we are trying to accomplish, it is not expected to be so closely followed as to prevent provision for individual differences.
"Reading is a vital experience in the life of every child. Pupils who fail to learn to read are deprived of many pleasures and enriching outcomes which all children should enjoy. The intensive reading program, previously reported, has been continued with enthusiasm and effi- ciency. Revised editions of textbooks, workbooks, and teachers' manuals of our basic reading system have en- hanced the joy of reading for the primary pupils because of the beautiful pictorial pages and the more appealing sub- ject matter, and have delighted the teachers because of the
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carefully organized material outlined in the manuals. The services of two reading specialists during the year were greatly appreciated by the elementary school personnel. Both specialists gave inspiring and instructive demon- stration lessons and conducted conferences on progressive reading methods.
"The library is an important integrating factor in the child's educational experience. The pursuance of the en- riched and expanded curriculum requires the use of many library knowledges and skills. In his use of library mate- rials, an elementary school child should, as early and as far as possible, learn to work independently of the teacher and the librarian. This year our sixth grade pupils were scheduled for library periods at Robbins Library or at one of the branch libraries for class instruction. The pupils were taught how to select a book to read, where to find it in the card catalogue, where to find it on the shelf, and how to have it charged. They also had some instruction in the use of reference books. The librarians gave the basic lessons, and the teachers extended the work just as they do with the supervisor of special subjects. The real test is not what use a child makes of library materials in the presence of his teacher or the librarian, but what he does by himself. When he has learned to use library materials effectively, he has actually learned how to do something that he will need to do all his life."
THE MANUAL ARTS DEPARTMENT
"During the year 1943 much of the Manual Arts work has been in the form of defense activities. In the first six months of the year, the junior high schools were completing their quota of model planes for the U. S. Navy. At the Senior High School, pupils and teachers were busy constructing the following items for the Arlington De- fense Committee :- twelve stretchers and five supply chests for the medical unit, one medicine chest for the new ambu- lance, seventy-five signs for the Victory Garden Committee, for use in the various garden centers in Arlington.
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