USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1944 > Part 20
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SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
to aid the teacher in discovering the reason for individual errors and in supplying the proper kind and quantity of remedial drill. These innovations in grammar and arith- metic, resulting from last year's plans, are working out sat- isfactorily at present.
"During recent years increasing interest and atten- tion have been given to the subject of science and science instruction in our schools. The demand for trained scien- tists is always greater than the available supply. There- fore, it has been our effort not only to make science more meaningful, interesting, and useful to the average student, but also to prepare for further scientific study boys and girls with special scientific aptitudes. A suitable science text for the eighth grade and one for the ninth grade have been in use now for about a year and they seem to be suc- cessful in accomplishing the purposes above outlined.
"The physical training of the older boys of the junior high schools has been greatly improved by the formation of a football squad which has received regular and systematic instruction during the fall from Coach Ostergren at the High School. It is our hope that during the coming year plans will be made for similar group training in track, basket ball and baseball.
"A Minute Man Flag has been flying regularly from the flagpole of each school since last September, testifying to the continued interest of the pupils in purchasing war bonds and stamps."
Report of Supervisor of Elementary Education:
"Probably the most outstanding attainment of the year in the elementary school department has been the estab- lishment of kindergartens. I can truly report that I have never been confronted with a more challenging task nor have I ever experienced more satisfaction and delight in the resulting accomplishments. The major part of this report will be devoted to that phase of my work.
"As a result of an appropriation of one thousand dol-
408
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
lars, granted at the annual Town Meeting last March, for the equipping of kindergartens in the public schools, im- mediate action was taken in order that carefully organized, well-equipped kindergartens would be ready for use in each of the eight elementary schools at the opening of school in September.
"The primary purpose of kindergarten training is to provide an opportunity for each child to develop emotion- ally, socially and mentally so that he will enter the first grade with a strong feeling of security. As children live and work happily together under the guidance of a wise teacher they naturally form habits and attitudes which influence their later school work and life. The kindergarten provides experiences and activities which give a definite readiness for reading which begins in the next stage of the child's development.
"Although all available equipment from the former nursery schools was assembled for use, it became evident that the amount of money appropriated was not sufficient to furnish the desirable materials which give atmosphere to the room and for equipment which adds so much joy to a day in the kindergarten. An appeal was made through the Parent-Teacher Association to the mothers of each district, which was met with overwhelming enthusiasm. Attractive stuffed animals, beautifully dressed dolls, gay bean bags, books, pictures and many types of splendid "outgrown" toys bespeak the ardent effort of generous parents. Per- haps the greatest single contribution from the associations was the donation of artistically designed curtains for the kindergarten rooms. This response is exemplary of the ever existing attitude and helpfulness of the Parent-Teacher Associations of Arlington. Another source of help which deserves much credit is the Art Department. The super- visor and her assistants made many posters of Mother Goose subjects which, at present, adorn the classrooms. Even as colorful pictures as these lose interest for chil- dren if they hang for a long time in one place. In order that these pictures may be observed and enjoyed to the ut-
409
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
most, they are sent to another school each month accord- ing to a planned schedule. Still another source of help which deserves much credit is the Maintenance Department. The supervisor has designed storage boxes and cabinets which will provide for systematic arrangements of ma- terials and add greatly to the effectiveness of the class- room routine. Samples have already been placed in one classroom and are proving to be entirely satisfactory. Needless to say, this huge undertaking of the Maintenance Department will not only be extremely advantageous to the kindergarten, but will also serve as an economy meas- ure for the School Department.
"Not to mention the importance of well-trained teach- ers possessing pleasing personalities, tact, a keen sense of humor and a love for children would indeed be an oversight. I feel that we are most fortunate in our choice of teachers. In their individual class rooms they have obtained excel- lent results, and at group meetings which we have fre- quently held, they have readily and cheerfully shared their experiences and successful methods of procedure. This pooling of the most purposeful achievements of the entire group is sure to pay huge dividends in the outcomes of the individual kindergartens.
"After four months of observation of the children of kindergarten age, seeing how they have learned to play and work together, learning what are their rights and what are the rights of their classmates, overcoming shy- ness, and cultivating patience, I am deeply impressed by the worthwhileness of good kindergartens. Because of the gratifying accomplishments of the kindergartens to date, I believe it is safe to predict that this early training for chil- dren has become a "must" in the schools of Arlington. To all participating parents, to the supervisors, principals and teachers, I wish to express my personal appreciation for their praiseworthy cooperation.
"The regulation recently passed by the School Com- mittee advancing the age of admission to school two months
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
will, I believe, give beneficial results. Children will be ad- mitted to the kindergarten if they are four years and seven months old by September first. This would make them at least five years and seven months of age when they enter first grade. This age of admission is certainly not too high. Studies of children's progress in the first grade and later school work show that if we delay the entrance age until children are at least six years, or preferably six and one- half years of age mentally, we shall be more certain that they will be ready to read. It is important that a child ex- perience successful achievements in his beginning school work, and in order to accomplish this, it is necessary for him to be mentally able to cope with the situation. To force a child to do a particular type of activity before he is able accomplishes little so far as the desired activity is con- cerned and may result in discouragement and maladjust- ment. In certain cases this year we have recommended that children, although of the required chronological age, withdraw from the first grade and receive preliminary training in the kindergarten. Close home and school rela- tionship is essential as the attitude of parents is a signifi- cant factor in making the decision. A difference of opinion between the home and school leads to confusion in the mind of the child. We have had splendid cooperation from par- ents and we feel confident that with greater maturity will come more security and a happier school experience for each child.
The Guidance Department:
Much real progress has been made by this department. in spite of the fact that its administration has changed three times in the past four years. Mr. Roens went into the service in September, 1942 and is now on leave of ab- sence for the duration of the war. Mr. LaDue agreed to serve as director on a military substitute basis taking up his duties in October, 1942. Much credit should go to him for the development of a well planned guidance program for our young people. His many contacts with business houses and with industry have provided part time work for approximately two-thirds of the high school student body.
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SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
In August, 1944 Mr. LaDue accepted a much more lucra- tive position with the Babson Institute in Wellesley and concluded his duties in Arlington at the end of September. Miss Ellen Fitzpatrick, who has served as assistant in the department under both Mr. Roens and Mr. LaDue has been appointed as Assistant Director and has assumed the duties of acting head of the department during the remainder of Mr. Roens' absence. A substantial portion of the annual report submitted by Miss Fitzpatrick is printed below, explaining several important features of the activities of the department.
""The Guidance Department has continued to carry out the original principles under which it was established in 1936, which are: to provide assistance to students in order that they may recognize their potentialities and limita- tions, to help them develop their abilities to the fullest ex- tent, and to utilize this knowledge and development in planning their school and post-school careers. Naturally deviations have been necessary because of war-time emer- gencies ; the Departmnt has also been expanded. We have, however, never lost sight of our primary objectives. The Department will continue to function for the best interest of the pupils, individually as well as collectively.
"Counseling, analyzing and working out suitable pro- grams, together with the following up of pupils with edu- cational problems absorb the major part of the counselors' time. Many problems bring about conferences with parents with whom the Guidance Department does its utmost to cooperate in every way. Aid is also given to teachers in helping them to understand the individual pupil. The De- partment can point to the satisfactory solution of the ma- jority of the so-called "cases" presented to counselors. The great lack is time. Many more interviews are needed than can be furnished.
"A survey was recently completed for the class of 1944. It was most gratifying to obtain a 100% reply for,
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
I believe, the first time. The survey not only determined the status of the graduates of last June, but also reminded them of the continued willingness of the Guidance Depart- ment to help them. Twenty-two members of the class have sought the aid offered by the counselors in educational and occupational adjustment or other problems confronted since graduation. The Guidance Department has always encouraged the former pupils whom it has counseled to fur- ther their education and training in appropriate fields even though they are employed. It is interesting to note that 32.4% of last year's graduates are taking further educa- tion. The following facts are taken from the summary of the survey :
%
No.
%
Employed
40.4
171
40.4
Unemployed
.2
1
.2
Further Education
32.4
Colleges
76
18.0
Business Schools
22
5.2
Nursing
14
3.3
Junior Colleges
11
2.6
Miscellaneous Schools
8
1.9
Preparatory Schools
3
.7
High School-Post Graduate Course
3
.7
Armed Services
26.3
Navy
64
15.2
Army
34
8.1
Marines
11
2.6
Coast Guard
1
.2
Merchant Marine
1
.2
Miscellaneous
.7
3
.7
Return of questionnaire
100%
423 100%
Supplementary
No. of those employed
who are attending eve-
ning school .... 28
% of total employed 16.4%
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SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
No. of those in Armed
Forces in V-12 pro- grams 14
% of total in Armed Forces 12.6%
"A very active program carried out during this year will be repeated next year to inform college preparatory students about scholarships. The graduates of the class of 1944 were most successful in obtaining scholarship assist- ance, an honor not only for the individual pupil, but also for the school, since most awards are based on scholarship. The school is especially proud that one student was awarded the Pendleton Regional Scholarship by Wellesley College. This scholarship is the highest honor given to a freshman by Wellesley. Another student received the New Eng- land Regional Scholarship from Mt. Holyoke College, a sec- ond singular honor. The total awards given to the class of 1944 amounted to $5,300.00, exclusive of those awarded by Arlington organizations, allocated as follows:
Emmanuel College $1,000
Harvard
600
Katherine Gibbs School (not accepted) 800
Mt. Holyoke
100
Regis College (not accepted) 400
School of Practical Arts 500
Wellesley College
1,300
Wyndham School
600
$5,300
"The testing program followed that of the previous year except for an extension of senior testing. This ex- tension provided all boys with test experience prior to be- ing tested upon entering the Armed Services. All girls entering nursing schools were also included. Testing is done by the Department only when the testing results will serve a useful purpose. Individual testing is done as an aid to counseling and in special cases at the request of school administrators.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
"As a result of frequent bulletins issued by the De- partment, students have been informed about post-war occupational opportunities. It is realized that post-war conditions may change present occupational predictions ; nevertheless the Department believes pupils should be stimulated to think about occupations of the next decade. A well-informed student will find any necessary adjust- ments less difficult than his uninformed neighbor will. The latest occupational publications are available for pupil use.
"Armed Service information has taken less time in 1944 than in 1943, especially in the past few months. This change is due to a retrenchment of special training pro- grams upon the part of several branches of service. All fundamental pre-induction information is still available to boys as it is issued for public release.
"With the advent of war-time labor demands there has been a great number of job placements by the Department. The Department has done all in its power to help the em- ployer and the pupil, for it must be remembered that good service to employers today may result in future calls for pupils, perhaps when the demand for workers is far below today's peak. During 1944 the Department has made 939 part-time placements and 172 full-time placements. In all placements the Department always attempts to find "the right job for the right worker." It is interesting to note that 84% of the full-time placements of the class of 1944 were made by the Guidance Department. However, em- ployment has not and will not become the most important function of the Guidance Department.
"With Mr. LaDue's leaving, the Department lost its only full-time counselor. This has brought about a change in the program of the junior high schools where the work is now being supervised by a committee of junior high school principals with Mr. John O. Matthews as chairman. All possible cooperation will be given to the new arrange- ment by the members of the Guidance Department. Cor-
415
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
rect guidance at the junior high level is one factor in elimi- nating many of the maladjustments of pupils when they enter the senior high school.
"Another activity of the Guidance Department which has already assumed great significance is the problem of the returning veteran. The solution of this problem should be the concern not only of the Guidance Department, but also of every other American. The Department has already been called upon a number of times for help, but with "our re- turn to normalcy" we must make further plans to aid in the educational and vocational readjustment of our former students. The Guidance Department in no way feels it can take the place of various government rehabilitation and re- employment committees, but it does sincerely believe that many of our former students prefer to return for counsel- ing and advice to surroundings that are familiar to them, and to counselors and teachers that they have known for a number of years. To make this service effective so that the veterans will know that the Department is really inter- ested in him and his problem, every effort is now being made to provide him with the latest available information. When counselors find that they are unable to help the veteran with his problem, they feel it is their duty to refer him to the particular agency which can best handle his difficulty. The Guidance Department is adding to its occupational and educational library constantly to provide useful infor- mation on colleges, scholarships, technical schools; require- ments for various types of occupations; sources of train- ing for certain jobs; openings, remuneration, advantages, disadvantages, and chances for advancement in occupations in which veterans are interested.
"The Guidance Department has had many calls during the past months from members of the Armed Forces who desire to earn a high school diploma. The Department has encouraged each former student to continue his studies in order to meet the school requirements for a diploma. When a student leaves school to enter the Armed Forces
416
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
before earning his diploma, the Guidance Department tells him of the opportunities for study in the service and urges him to take advantage of these opportunities. Many former students are continuing their studies and earning a diploma in this way.
"Another type of request which has frequently been made by service men is for information relative to colleges and also future vocations. In every case, the letters have been immediately answered, and information concerning the problem has been forwarded to the individual."
Our Citizenship School:
The Junior High Industrial Arts School continues to function as the Junior Citizens' Club, giving the pupils active . experience in the discipline and training essential to good citizenship. The enrollment of the school has increased to seventy-five which is approximately the capacity, not necessarily of the building, but of the organization of in- struction as it is now constituted. Interest in the accom- plishments of the training program is evidenced by the visits of delegations of many local organizations and rep- resentatives of other school departments who have come in recent months to study the school organization.
Report of the Supervisor of Physical Activities:
"For many years some members of the School Com- mittee have felt that more boys in our schools should take part in competitive sports. The war came and the various Armed Services made competitive sports a compulsory and vital part of their war training program. With this ob- ject in view the Committee created the position of Director of Physical Activities and appointed two new coaches in the high school to replace two who had entered the Navy.
"It was apparent at the outset that the program was to be greatly handicapped by lack of adequate equipment and instructors. However, a start was made by combining the three junior high school football squads into one group and having this group practice at the senior high school field under the supervision of the high school coaching
417
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
staff. Games were played with the freshman and junior high school squads of Melrose, Malden, Brookline, Chelsea, and Saugus, in which every member of the squad of forty participated. Great interest and enthusiasm were shown by the players, parents, and townspeople who witnessed the games. The junior high school principals were high in their praise of the value to the boys competing under this new plan.
"Our program for the winter season is to have all- junior high school basket ball and track squads which will compete with schools outside of the system. In addition, an intramural league will be formed for all boys interested in basket ball, in the 7th, 8th, and 9th grades and every candidate will play on some team. Arrangements have been made' to have the boys in the Junior High School Center use the Senior High School court for practice and games. It is the first time that this school has had this opportunity and seventy-five boys appeared the first day of practice. An attempt will also be made to organize hockey teams in the junior high schools, but lack of rinks makes this a problem. Our plans for baseball will be the same as basket ball - featuring the intramural program.
"In summary, we feel that a good start has been made in having more boys in competitive athletics, especially in the junior high schools, and in integrating the athletic program of these schools with the senior high. One feature has been to eliminate the intense rivalry which in many cases was carried over into the Senior High School. Lack of adequate equipment is at present our greatest problem, especially in football. The junior high schools have very little equipment and the Senior High School athletic depart- ment loaned what they had available. The result was that many boys were deprived of the opportunity of participat- ing in football and most of those that did play were not adequately equipped. ,
"All will agree that one of the most effective means of combatting the juvenile delinquency problem is to get
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
as many boys as possible interested in a sports program. In order to accomplish this worthy project ways and means must be found to furnish the boys with proper equipment and facilities necessary for such a program."
Juvenile Employment :
Young people sixteen years of age and up to the age of twenty-one who desire to work must obtain an educa- tional certificate from the school department office. This certificate must be obtained for part-time as well as for full time employment. The superintendent may excuse a pupil from school whose age is between fourteen and six- teen for full time employment if in his opinion it is for pupil's welfare to do so. It is evident from the records that a peak in the employment of our youth has been reached. In 1942, 1908 certificates were issued to minors between the ages of sixteen and twenty-one and 126 to those between the ages of fourteen and sixteen. In 1934, the largest number ever issued in this community was recorded with a total of 2,685, including those for minors between the ages of fourteen and sixteen. The past year, 1944, saw a reduction to 1,712 for those over sixteen, and 691 for those between fourteen and sixteen. The majority of the certificates issued to those under eighteen years of age were for work outside of school hours.
War Bonds and Stamps:
The "Minute Man" flag, representing at least 90% participation of all the pupils in a school in the purchase of war stamps and bonds and awarded on a monthly basis of credit, has been carried on the flagstaffs of nine of our schools.
At the close of the Sixth War Bond drive, the pupils have purchased war bonds and stamps since the inaugura- tion of sales in our schools three years ago to a grand total of $488,852.29. This information is included in the annual school report as a tribute to the service and patrio- tism of our young people.
419
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Objectives and Recommendations:
1. With the approval of the State Vocational Act at the last annual town meeting, we were enabled to expand and further develop pre-induction vocational courses in automotive work and radio construction and theory, as suggested by Army authorities, by the United States Office of Education and the Pre-Induction Training program of the Massachusetts Department of Education. These courses, formerly meeting one hour daily, are this year of two hours' duration and may be expanded to three hour daily trade courses as a part of the gradual expansion of the work of this department.
2. Army authorities have requested a broadening of the physical education work into a war fitness program. We have endeavored to cooperate in this matter and we have made some progress where the season permits our pupils to be out of doors. In fact, many more boys, espe- cially of junior high school age, have participated in our sports program this year. Our indoor program is limited by the lack of facilities in some buildings. Consideration should be given to an expansion of the gymnasium facilities at the Senior High School, the Junior High School West and the Junior High School Centre.
3. At the time this report is being prepared considera- tion is being given to a plan of centralization of authority whereby full use may be made of all recreational facilities within the town. The development of such a centralized program apparently has the support of many citizens as well as Parent-Teacher Associations. A well organized rec- reational plan, if provided with proper equipment and with an expansion of facilities which now are almost meager, should do more than anything else in the combatting of the delinquency problem.
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