USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1952 > Part 21
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25
There are certain broad fields in which one may estimate the suc- cess of a large High School in addition to studying the placement of its graduates and we would like to mention three at this time. School absences are carefully checked. It is an ever-present problem. Re- ports from industry indicate that absenteeism for minor reasons is much more prevalent than a generation ago and we see the same re- flected in the school population. Part-time employment affects attend- ance. A survey shows that about 35% of our pupils are employed an average of about sixteen hours a week. We feel that irregular attend- ance is a symptom of an undesirable condition and we make every effort to correct it. Our percentage of attendance, though never as high as we want it to be, indicates a very healthy condition.
If a school did not meet the needs and wants of its pupils, there would be a large number of drop-outs. We try to recognize symptoms of conditions that lead to dropping out of school and remedy them before they reach that stage. We follow the careers of the drop-outs later for several years. We recognize that in some cases there is a point of diminishing returns, when under existing conditions it is actu- ally better for a pupil to leave school, but such cases fortunately are rare here. A survey shows that our percentage of drop-outs is very small. We keep no record of the number of pupils who have been dissuaded from plans to leave school, but we know that there are many.
300
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The percentage of pupils who fail to be promoted and the per- centage of subject failures are other indications of how well a school is fulfilling its purpose. No failing marks may indicate an absence of standards or challenge to pupils; too many failing marks indicate a condition that needs correction. In the two years of 1937 and 1938 when enrollment was approaching its peak, 18% of the graduating class had taken four years to complete the three-year course; now only about 3% require the additional year. Of the final marks last June only 4% were failures. A study of the average marks which the Class of 1952 received from grades nine through twelve indicates that, of the total marks
9.3% were A's 16.8% were D's 2.6% were F's
32.2% were B'c
39.1% were C's
This healthy condition is the result of many efforts. Effective coun- selling by the Guidance Department, adjustment of courses to meet pupil needs and abilities, recognition of individual differences, increased opportunities for extra help through our special period, smaller classes, and decreased teacher load are contributing factors. The progress of our graduates leads us to believe that this reduction in failures has been accomplished without lowering our standards in college prepara- tory subjects or the preparation of our commercial graduates for the demands of commercial work.
ARLINGTON VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
In Arlington Vocational High School we are giving training in three trades, Automobile Repairing, Machine Shop work, and Radio and Television Servicing or Electronics. The school is supplying an important part of our overall educational plan by preparing boys, that are unable to go on for higher education, for positions in industry where there is a demand for our graduates. The increased enroll- ment indicates that the school is accepted by the parents and we are placing all of our graduates in jobs for which they have been trained. Our graduates all receive a High School diploma besides the certificate of trade experience and are active in the High School extra curricular activities such as athletics, band, student council and school paper. A member of the machine shop group is president of the High School senior class and we are represented in the student council.
The Radio and Television Shop is one of the best equipped shops in the state and trains the boys in all phases of electronics. The students build and analyze a five tube AC-DC super heterodyne re- ceiving set and then advance to the servicing of all kinds of receiving sets and the construction of transmitting sets. Training is given in the construction of television sets and the servicing and maintenance of them. A television set was built on a display board and exhibited at the American Vocational Association Convention. This piece of apparatus is being used as a teaching aid with the senior boys in Tele- vision. The department operates an amateur transmitting and receiv- ing set on short wave length. The graduates have all been placed with service men and laboratories in and around Arlington.
301
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
The Automobile Shop is one of the largest in the State with 7200 square feet of floor area and has ample room for 20 cars. The equip- ment in use is complete and of the latest type. Students are trained in modern methods of lubrication, motor tune-up, brake service, engine reconditioning, electrical and cooling system service, repairing of clutches, transmissions and differentials. The students have set up eight engines on stands and four chassis with engines, which are being used by the Sophomores for instruction. Graduates from this depart- ment are constantly in demand by the local automotive service sta- tions and garages, with starting salaries that are above average. An additional room in the High School is being used for classes in auto- mobile related work.
The Machine Shop is equipped with modern machine tools and the boys receive training on engine lathes, bench lathes, drill presses, milling machine shapers and precision grinders. Many projects are carried through from the steel bar or rough casting to the finished product including heat treating. Ten machines and an electric welder have been added to the Machine Shop during the year. Eight of these machines were procured from the State Department of Education with no cost to the town except for transportation. These machines are being completely overhauled and new parts are being made by the students as part of their training. Our graduates of this department have all been placed in machine shops at good wages with unlimited opportunities for advancement.
A safety committee has been organized among the students from different departments and periodic checks are made in the shops. We are pleased to report that the Armed Services recognize our training and the boys receive preferential treatment while advancing rapidly to higher ratings .
FROM THE JUNIOR HIGH PRINCIPALS
A teacher's handbook has been introduced to facilitate the teach- ing of Guidance in grades seven and eight. Already improvement has been felt and the teaching is more effective.
An experiment is being performed at the Junior High East and Junior High West in the teaching of French. The results of this ex- periment will be available shortly and we hope to use them to improve our French teaching in the Junior High Schools.
Under the direction of Mr. L. Hassler Einzig, Supervisor of Music, a cooperative concert with Lexington was arranged. The combined orchestras of Junior High East, Junior High West and Lexington gave a concert for the students at each of the two Arlington schools and also at Lexington. We feel this stimulated interest in music and we hope this may become an annual affair.
Cooperating with the Civil Defense Authorities, air raid drills have been rehearsed in our schools so that students and teachers can get to appointed shelter areas in a very short time. We feel that our schools are ready for any emergency that should occur.
302
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Each year we invite representatives from the Senior High School and Vocational School to speak to parents of grade nine students who will enter grade ten the following year. Parents are given a resume of courses that their children may pursue at these schools and any questions they have are answered at this time. We feel this custom has been successful and so plan to make it an annual affair.
It should be mentioned here that both schools are being rapidly filled and with the increased numbers entering from grade six and the new homes being built in the town, more space must be made avail- able soon at both buildings.
THE JUNIOR HIGH INDUSTRIAL ARTS SCHOOL
The fact that requests for information concerning this school are , constantly being received leads us to use the annual report as the best medium for informing the public about our work. It may be that the great number of citizens attending Adult Education Classes in our building have become cognizant of our work, or that public interest in Special Education is increasing, or that the growing need for such training for boys and girls has focused attention on this school. Re- gardless of the reason it seems proper that public relations should be expanded.
The Junior High Industrial Arts School is a part of the Public School System of Arlington. It is a Special School meeting the re- quirements of the State Board of Education for the purpose of indi- vidual study, guidance and training of the pupils enrolled therein. The flexible, inventive program of the school requires ingenuity of special methods for teaching atypical boys and girls carried out by a specially trained staff with state certification. Communities which have not included such a school in their system recognize the benefits derived from the training and often request the enrollment of their pupils for a nominal tuition. Parents desire to extend the period of training at their own expense in some cases. Obviously, too many of these pupils cannot be accepted, but several are enrolled thus bringing reimburse- ment to Arlington.
ELEMENTARY PRINCIPALS' REPORT
The first of two immediate problems at the elementary school level is the acquisition of teachers who meet the standards set by the School Committee. As we may interview only the students in the upper quarter of the graduating classes at the Teachers Colleges, and appli- cants who have at least one year of successful teaching experience, the field is very limited. The only exceptions to the above rule are grad- uates of the recognized kindergarten training schools who are in the upper quartile. With the great need for elementary teachers, the prob- lem is becoming acute.
The second of our immediate problems is the lack of classrooms for the added enrollment, as explained earlier in this report. With a substantial increase in kindergarten enrollment and large classes in
303
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
the primary grades, this has become a serious situation. Some rooms now in use were never intended to be classrooms.
Carrying on the policy of curriculum evaluation established several years ago, we are revising and preparing a new Teacher's Guide in Arithmetic for kindergarten through grade six. We have been fortu- nate in securing the services of Mildred B. Stone from the Salem State Teachers College to give a course in the teaching of arithmetic in the Elementary Schools. This was accomplished through the cooperation of Harvard and Boston University. Sixty elementary teachers are tak- ing the course.
The program of better lighting, painting, renovating and re-furn- ishing the older buildings is a forward step in meeting the educational needs of Arlington.
This department continues to have principals' meetings with the Superintendent on a weekly basis. Department heads, supervisors, textbook and visual aids representatives and specialties having busi- ness to conduct with the Elementary Schools are presented at these meetings. The fundamental purpose of these meetings is to coordi- nate functions of the Elementary Schools.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Physical education has changed with the times and today presents a markedly different appearance from that of the past. Today we note an added emphasis on the consideration of individual differences. We should always be cognizant of helping each individual to know and un- derstand his abilities and limitations. By providing varied activities in our program of physical education we allow each individual to find experiences suited to his needs, interests and abilities. We should re- member that physical education is a "doing process" rather than a "memorization and recitation process". It is a development of such de- sirable social traits and sportmanship, loyalty, group cooperation, lead- ership, pupil participation in purposing, executing and judging. Physi- cal education also offers rich opportunities in developing skills, knowl- edge and appreciation in recreational activities which may be used in later life.
The Arlington schools were chosen to put on the physical education demonstration for the State Convention. At the Junior High West our pupils gave excellent performances of the regular physical education work, showing the progression of the various activities from grade one through Senior High School. We wish to commend the physical edu- cation teachers in the Junior and Senior High Schools and the class- room teachers in the Cutter, Locke and Brackett Schools who con- ducted the Elementary School part of the program for their superior work. The visiting supervisors and teachers from all over the State were very appreciative of the new ideas they received here in Arlington.
By the appointment of one new teacher in the girls' physical edu- cation department and by making a few changes in the assignments of the other teachers all major problems have been solved. Now all
304
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
phases of the health and physical education program are covered, and what is more important, taught by teachers best equipped by education and experience to do their particular part, so that the pupils are now receiving the maximum value from the program.
Corrective classes have now been established for girls in the Junior High West, Junior High East and Senior High School. Already pro- gress is noticeable even in the short time since the organization of the classes in September. The corrective program in the Elementary Schools has been going on for many years with changes for the better each year. Last May on the re-examination given by the school physi- cians there was an improvement in 64% of the postural and foot de- fects. Even better results are expected this year because of more time granted for these classes and by including kindergarten pupils in the program. Special help is now being given to the poorly co-ordinated pupils. The non-skipper in grade one, the one-way slider in grade two and the upper grade pupils who lack rhythm and sport skills are not happy because they cannot do as well as the rest of the class. Special individual help to these pupils not only results in their better physical development but also aids their mental health. Much needed assist- ance has been given in the teaching load at the Senior High School. Here an extensive after-school program offers varsity sports, field hockey, basketball, softball and tennis, as well as intramurals, Girls' Athletic Association activities and modern dance. More time is now available for supervisor to help the many new Elementary School teach- ers in the afternoon session and after school. A workshop has been started in the Hardy School where teachers, new within the past few years in Arlington, can "learn by doing" the various dances, rhythms, stunts and games that they are required to teach in the all-inclusive course of study in our Elementary Schools.
The intramural sports program under faculty guidance has expand- ed to such an extent today that the goal of "A Sport for Everyone and Everyone in a Sport" is rapidly becoming realized. Intramurals are designed to provide wholesome competition within the school. Oppor- tunities are provided for the pupil to participate in a wide variety of activities which allows each to find action suited to his interests and abilities. All athletic facilities and equipment in the school system used in the required physical education program are also used in the intramural program, making for maximum usage. As a result of our intramural program it is interesting to see how much our pupils are being benefited as they move from Elementary to Junior High School to Senior High School levels. There is always a close relationship be- tween the activities being taught in physical education and the ones played as an intramural sport.
The following sports are offered:
Touch football Life saving (Junior and Senior High
Soccer Bowling School boys only)
Basketball Softball
Track Badminton-Tennis-Modern Dance (girls only)
Gymnastics
Field Hockey
305
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
HEALTH PROGRAM
School health education is a vital part of the whole educational process by which each child in school is guided and helped in his efforts to develop physically and mentally to his fullest possible extent. The achievement of each child toward his own optimum health de- pends upon some sort of correlation between school health education, parent education and general community-wide health education. In seeking solutions to health problems, particularly those concerned with pupils in school, it is necessary to have close teamwork. On this team will be teachers, parents, doctors, nurses, dentists and other organiza- tions whose activities relate to the welfare of the children.
As an outgrowth of meetings held with our School Health Council, described in the 1951 Annual Report, it was recommended that meet- ings be held with all grade teachers to discuss health education and procedures for implementing a specific program. This was carried out with teachers in each grade throughout the system, meeting separately.
Today a total functioning school health program consists of three main areas:
1. Health Services:
That part of the health program which includes all of the measures which might be used in evaluating the health status of the child; i.e., screening and examinations, daily inspection, pupil observation, careful follow-up, corrective classes, nurse-teacher-parent conferences, safety, first aid, cumulative health records, etc.
2. Health Instruction :
That part of the total health program which is concerned with the organization of learning experiences directed to- ward the development of favorable health knowledge, habits and attitudes.
3. Schcol Environment:
That part of the health program dealing with the environ- ment which surrounds children during school hours; i.e., cleanliness, safety of the buildings and grounds, lighting, ventilators, recreation, sanitation, facilities provided for eating lunch, etc.
OUR PROGRAM OF CHILD SAFETY
The safety program for this year has been successful and the re- sult of cooperation between the Superintendent of Schools, the Chief of Police, the Police Safety Division and the Arlington teachers and parents. At the beginning of the school year every school danger zone was marked, every crosswalk was ready for the children. All major crossings were covered by a police officer and every other crossing was protected by a school patrol leader.
306
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Patrol leaders were selected in May for their "In-Service" training. In September and in February a general meeting of all patrol leaders was held for training purposes. Periodical inspection of patrols in action is a very necessary and very immediate part of keeping patrols at a high level of efficiency.
This year at the request of Civil Defense Director, Daniel J. McFad- den, we have initiated a program of Civil Defense and have conducted drills in all its procedures.
Another phase of our progam was a meeting of our school authori- ties with the Fire Chief and his officers. This meeting resulted in a formation of routine procedures for fire drills and a clarification of fire alarm systems. The helpful attitude of Chief Richard Tierney and the cooperation of his Department cannot be overestimated in its val- ue to the safety of our children.
During the month of December, the Safety Officer, Sergeant Philip Sweeney, and the Safety Director visited every school in Town and talked to the children about home and street safety for the holidays. Later in the year, the safety program for our schools was presented to the Arlington Council of P.T.A.'s through an illustrated talk.
One of the primary factors in our work is to make the position of patrol leader a desirable one and a position to be aspired to by younger boys and girls. Through the mutual efforts of Police and School Depart- ment and with the aid of the merchants of the Town, a Christmas party, complete with gifts and refreshments and Santa Claus, is given to all the patrol leaders each Christmas. This party is the only one of its kind in the State and it is an occasion which the patrol leaders anticipate throughout the year. Through the courtesy of the High School Athletic Department the patrol leaders have been allowed to attend baseball and football home games by presenting their creden- tials. At the close of the school year, through the courtesy of the Red Sox baseball team and arranged by Mr. Russell Peterson and super- vised by members of the School and Police Department, every patrol leader in Town attended a league ball game at Fenway Park.
The willing cooperation of every person and department has tended to make this safety program of our School Department one of the best programs in the country. The Analysis of Annual Inventory of Traffic Safety Activities, 1951, shows the high percentage of efficiency of our program. Our percentage grade for 1951 was 83. The only reason this grade is not higher is that the survey includes certain fac- tors such as the operation of school buses which our schools have no reason to require. Our percentage of safety coverage has increased steadily since our program began. We feel that we have progressed towards our ultimate goal and our achievement has been noteworthy.
DEPARTMENT OF ADULT EDUCATION
Community interest in Adult Education continues to be exception- ally high; here, as throughout the nation, the trend cannot be mistaken. The people, people beyond high school and college age, are seeking educational opportunities. They look to their own community to pro- vide these opportunities in ever widening fields of interest. According to a recent survey by the National Education Association, enrollments in Adult Education in communities like Arlington are on the increase and at present are 87% over those in 1947.
307
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Our 1951-52 program closed with an Exhibition and Fashion Show at Arlington High School on April 2nd. We used both halls at the High School and there were over 3000 persons who came to see work which had been taught and done in forty-four classes by about nine hundred persons.
Our 1952-53 program began with registration which was held on September 24, 25 and 26 at three centers,-the High School, Industrial Arts and Junior High East. We registered 1046 persons in a program made up as follows:
Business Education
2 classes
Adult Civic Education
2 classes
Distributive Education
1 class
Vocational Extension
6 classes
Practical and Home Arts 41 classes
This is a State-aided program with the exception of the two cours- es in Business Education, namely Typewriting. The High School, Jun- ior High East and the Industrial Arts are open four evenings a week, Monday through Thursday, for Adult Education and four classes also meet in the morning and afternoon at the Industrial Arts School. Automotive Mechanics, Beginners' English, Blueprint Reading, Citizen- ship, Cookery, Machine Shop Practice, Sewing, Radio, Starting and Operating a Small Business and Typewriting are taught at the High School. Furniture Refinishing, Lamp Shades, Leather Craft, Millinery, Pottery, Rug Braiding, Rug Hooking, Slip Covers, Tailoring, Textile Painting, Tray Painting and Upholstery are taught at the Industrial Arts School. Home Mechanics, Metal Craft and Sewing are taught at Junior High East. Registration in virtually all of these classes was very heavy, so much so that there were waiting lists in almost all of them. It is worthy of note that for three weeks following registration this office was besieged with inquiries, both by telephone and in writ- ing, from persons who had not been aware of the dates of registration and wanted to enroll in some class. As noted above, 95% of the entire program is State-aided. Therefore, Arlington is reimbursed to the extent of over 50% of the cost of this program. Attendance, a factor which is very significant in a program such as this, has been satisfac- tory. We closed the 1951-52 season with an over-all attendance of 78%. Attendance in the 1952-53 program (since September) has been over 85%. English for Beginners is taught twice each week at the High
School along with a class in Citizenship. These two classes are meant to be of special assistance to the foreign-born living in Arlington. At present, there are thirty-two enrolled and they represent eleven na- tionalities. Last spring special closing exercises were held at the Rob- bins Library Hall at which those who had been attending classes in Eng- lish and Citizenship received recognition for their efforts from the School Committee, the D.A.R. and the American Legion.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.