USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1953 > Part 15
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177
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
grades 7 8 and 9, including the Parochial Schools, did not show any marked increase until this year. It decreased from about 1640 in 1947 to about 1570 in 1952, but it has increased over 80 to 1655 this year. This increase will continue; and estimate of 2000 in 1956 in the Junior High Schools combined with grades 7, 8 and 9 in the Parochial Schools is shown by the current enrollment in grades 4, 5 and 6. There should not be any important change in Senior High School enrollment for the next two years, but in September 1956, 1957 and 1958 it will increase between 100 and 150 pupils each year unless the Parochial High Schools take a greater por- tion than at present. The estimate is between 1700 and 1750 pu- pils in the combined Comprehensive and Vocational High Schools in 1958 and 1959.
We will face the choice of obtaining increased space or adopt- ing many unsatisfactory expedients to liouse the increased number. If we assume certain ideal conditions-that the Vocational High School does not require any additional class rooms, that all rooms are in use all the time, that the average class size is 30, that the study rooms are filled to capacity, conditions practically impossible to attain-then we find that we can accommodate only about 1630 pupils. When we housed the maximum of about 1880 in 1940, we had four classrooms now used by the Vocational School, room 14 was divided into two smaller rooms, the drawing supervisor's room, the guidance office and one of the mechanical drawing rooms were full time recitation rooms and the size of many classes was limited by the capacity of the room where it met. The housing problem will become serious by 1957.
Changes in the compulsory automobile insurance rates give additional emphasis to the teaching of driver education and train- ing. The insurance rates of cars that are to be operated by driv- ers under twenty-five are being increased approximately 60%, but this increase is reduced to about 45 % if the driver secured his license by passing an approved course in Driver Education and Training in a public high school. plete our course here. It may increase the demand for Driver
This benefits financially those who com- Training. We train about 125 to become licensed drivers each year and over 200 in the Driver Education alone. So far our Driver Training Program has just about satisfied the demand. It is too early to state whether the change in the law will increase the de- mand enough to require another car and instructor. This may be the first time that a state department has given direct monetary value to high school training in a specific subject.
The gift of land adjoining the Warren Peirce Field offered by Mr. Herbert Buttrick and Mr. Edmund Frost was accepted at the 1953 Town Meeting. Plans for a road from Mill Street to the rear of the school are now in progress. We hope to obtain funds for building a football practice field and other additional athletic facilities in the new area.
ARLINGTON VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
The Arlington Vocational High School is continuing to give training in Automobile Repairing, Machine Work and Electronics. Our enrollment has increased from 139 last year to 163 this year This made it necessary to have an additional teacher in the Auto- mobile Department and an additional teacher for academic work.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
We had 21 graduates in 1953 and all were placed in the trades for which they were trained or joined the Armed Services. The boys in the Armed Forces are successfully using their trades and many have written letters to us stating that they have received better ratings because of their ability to carry on in the Electronics field, Automobile Mechanics or Machine Shop. Our graduates all re- ceive a High School diploma besides the certificate of trade exper- ience. They are also active in the High School extra curricular activities such as athletics, band, student council and school paper. We have been able to obtain additional surplus equipment and have put in two new Diesel Engines in the Automobile Shop. We plan to use these Diesel Engines to give the boys training so that they will be able to work on the engines now in use in the large trucks, busses and other heavy equipment.
We have instituted the use of a Rotating Fund with the Town, now required by law, so that parts and material may be purchased for use in the customer's property in repairing automobiles, ra- dios and televisions and other equipment. This material is all paid for by the customer and we are turning over about $400. worth of material a month which indicates that the boys get good chance for practical work in preparing them to go out and hold their places in industry.
THE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS
The study of foreign languages in the Junior High School has been under study for some time by the Administration and the Head of the Foreign Language Department. In order to decrease the number of failures and to make the study of foreign languages more meaningful to Junior High School pupils, a new plan is being introduced. Pupils in Junior High may begin their study of French or Latin in Grade 8 and will be expected to continue with their choice through Grade 9. If they experience unusual difficulties they may, under proper guidance be allowed to drop the foreign language until Grade 10. Experience has shown that with addi- tional maturity many pupils have better success with foreign
languages when undertaken in High School. At the same time those pupils who have carried on the foreign language success- fully for two years in Junior High School will be adequately pre- pared to continue with advanced work in their foreign languages in High School.
Integration in major subjects between Junior and Senior High School is being affected by the respective Department Heads with the result that the transition for pupils from Junior to Senior High School has become smoother.
The increased activity in athletics has "eated a need for suit- able play areas adjacent to both schor Inreased enrollments have brought on an acute classroom sl ige in the Junior High buildings. Already, curtailment of st features of the Junior High educational program is evident ause of lack of suitable facilities.
THE JUNIOR HIGH INDUSTRIAL ARTS SCHOOL
The cumulative experience of the school over a period of years lias proven that the intensive training in Citizenship afforded by the school has been, and is of vital importance to the individual
179
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
and to the community. This year the school has emphasized the attributes of good behavior more than ever before. This special emphasis aids in the prevention of juvenile delinquency. Extra precaution taken to avoid such trouble is preferable to the use of curative measures after an offense has been committed.
Applications for enrollment in this school are frequently re- ceived from other communities. Twenty-three pupils are at present enrolled on a tuition basis.
OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
During the development of our kindergarten program one of our major problems has been the adjustment of these beginners at the opening of the school year. It has often been necessary to assign a child to another room or teacher after the first day of school in order to evenly distribute the increased enrollment. This year a new plan was devised whereby the opening day of school was confined to the registration of new pupils and the assignment to classrooms. On the second day the parent and child visited the classrooms at an appointed time giving the child an opportunity to acquaint himself with his surroundings. The third day the reg- ular kindergarten classes began. By this method the child's ad- justment to our school program has been well founded.
The renovation and refurnishing of the Crosby School was completed in a program planned for the improvement of our older buildings. This school is now equipped with modern lighting, sani- tation and movable seating units in all classrooms. The accomp- lishments of this program are a credit to our community. Our educational plants are meeting the needs of the increasing enroll- ment and providing the facilities for continual growth in our edu- cational program.
The Reading Program has been extended in order to develop the children's basic reading skills by establishing a firm back- ground for completely independent reading. The emphasis is to have each child move ahead with ever increasing assurance as liis ability to read independently grows and matures. As one step in developing this independence we have in our basic text series, contrary to general opinion, a very definite sequential program of phonics through the grades. The entire word-attack program of the primary grades is aimed toward teaching children to associate sound and meaning with the printed form of words already in their speaking-meaning vocabulary. In the middle grades the child is taught to get the pronunciation and meaning of words never en- countered before. This involves the use of the dictionary which is the major word-attack emphasis in the middle grades. In our approach to phonics we use the modern point of view which sees phonics as only one aspect of the word-recognition or vocabulary- building program. The child who can combine several methods of attack on an unfamiliar word is the most successful reader. Phon- ics alone may not give him the word due to the many unphonetic words in our English language and the many exceptions we have to the rules. However, phonics, plus use of context, plus recogni- tion of a familiar part of a word may unite to achieve the desired identification of the word.
A further emphasis, particularly in grades four five and six,
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
has been to encourage the teaching of reading in all the content subjects. Reading has the basic responsibility toward the whole curriculum as it enables a child to perceive, identify and react to printed words. All learning experiences at school become a part of the growing child and such content subjects as health, arith- metic, science and social studies are part of this growth. Reading specialists have recognized that each subject has its own vocabulary, concepts and basic skills. Thus if instruction in each subject is to be effective, teachers must anticipate and prepare pupils to cope with these distinctive problems. In the past we have relied upon basic instruction in reading to develop good readers but recent research has found that this is not enough. The New England Reading Association Conference for the past two years has stressed the necessity of teaching reading in all the content subjects.
The final goal in all our concentration on teaching of reading is to develop an interest in reading on the part of our children. All the skills, all the techniques, all the mechanics are only tools to use in learning to read well so as to be able to enjoy reading. To- day reading and literature are more important than ever before with all the outside interests that our younger generation encoun- ters. Through reading and literature your child may extend and enrich his experience, gain insight into relationships and learn to interpret, understand and cope with life. As part of our annual Book Week observations in the schools, all teachers encouraged their classes to make use of our excellent libraries in Arlington. We desire to instill in our children the fact that reading is a worth- while and enjoyable leisure time activity.
The Summer Reading Institute proved extremely beneficial to those children who attended regularly. The result of this program was carried directly to the classroom in the fall as individual re- ports for each child were given to the pupil's new teacher. The report indicated at what level to commence the year's work and what areas in reading needed further strengthening. The indi- vidual test program for pupils with reading difficulties has con- tinued and diagnoses and remedial suggestions were made to the teachers with later follow-ups to note progress.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Dr. Carl E. Erickson, formerly a member of the staff at Boston University, was employed to fill the vacancy caused by the resig- nation of Mr. Russell Peterson, who moved to Springfield, Massa- chusetts. It was with deep regret that we lost the services of Mr. Peterson as he did an outstanding job in organizing our Health and Physical Education Department. Dr. Erickson has been as- signed to the duties of Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics. With a person directing the entire program it will give us the integration and coordination so vitally needed in our program.
The Physical Education Department at the present time gives specialized instruction to all students, grade 1 through 12, for physical education and correctives.
At the fall meeting of the Department of Physical Education the following needs were outlined and discussed and it is the ob- jective of the Department to meet these needs within the near future:
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SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
A. The future of health education in the Junior High Schools to be given consideration:
1. Grade 7 - Personal health
2. Grade 8 - Community health
3. Grade 9 - First Aid and Safety
B. Need for health instruction in the Senior High School.
C. The enlargement of the intramural program.
1. The Junior High Schools working in cooperation with each other.
D. The need for an everchanging course of study meeting the needs of the pupils.
1. Combining girls and boys classes in the Junior High Schools; teaching square dancing in Grade 7 and so- cial dancing in Grade 8.
2. Trying volleyball on a co-educational plan.
3. Introducing tennis and bowling in the Junior High School.
4. Re-organizing the course of study in the Senior High School including more sports with carryover value, such as golf, tennis, badminton, etc.
E. The need for better planned demonstrations.
F. Better public relations.
1. By use of newspapers, P.T.A., etc., informing the gen- eral public what we are doing.
G. The need for an office at the High School for the Physical Education Department for boys.
H. The establishment of a library with up-to-date books avail- able to all members of the Department.
I. A general survey to be made of the Health and Physical Education Department using the cooperative Study of Secondary School Standards as a criteria.
J. An analysis of teacher load.
K. Methods used in assigning students to the Physical Edu- cation classes at the Junior High Schools and the Senior High School.
L. The definite need for the improvement of facilities.
A workshop is in operation at the Hardy School where new teachers are learning the various dances, rhythmics, stunts and games that are required in our all inclusive course of study in our elementary school program. The intramural sports program has been expanded on the elementary level by adding touch football in the fall and baseball in the spring to our present popular Satur- day morning basketball program under faculty guidance. The Junior High School intramural programs are in operation during the entire school year with excellent student participation. Intra- murals on the Senior High School level are severely handicapped due to the lack of indoor and outdoor facilities. It is in the in-
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
tramural program that children have the opportunity to practice and enjoy the skills which they have learned during their physi- cal education classes.
HEALTH
Health as defined by Williams is that quality of life which enables one to live most and to serve best. Health education, therefore, is not merely the teaching of subject matter to students, but the development of specific habits, attitudes, ideals and know- ledge that will afford the individual an opportunity to obtain his optimum physical, mental and emotional growth and development.
In our Town of Arlington, our Health Program consists of three areas, Health Service, Health Instruction and Healthful School Living. Our health instruction program on the elementary level is given by the classroom teachers. The Scott-Foresman Series for health is used as a reading text in grades 1 through 6. On the Junior High School level as of November 1953 a new textbook has been added, You and Your Health, for instruction in grade 7. One of our major needs at the present time is for additional health in- struction on the Junior and Senior High School levels.
Our health service program consists of the various measures used in evaluating the status of the child. The school doctors, the nurses, specialists and the teachers work cooperatively in meeting the needs of all the children.
Healthful school living incorporates such important items as heating, lighting, ventilation, sanitation and the safety of the buildings and grounds.
In summarizing our needs in this area, probably our greatest need is for the reconditioning and resurfacing of our playgrounds adjacent to the school sites. They all have a hazardous surface at this time.
ATHLETICS
Our athletic program at the present time is going through a process of reorganization. The organizational plan for our fall program includes the following: - At the High School we have cross country and football. Football in the future will have a Varsity Squad containing mostly Junior and Senior High School boys playing a varsity schedule of nine games. A junior varsity squad comprised mainly of sophomore boys playing a schedule of approximately seven games. The Junior High Schools will each have their own team with twenty-five boys in uniform, each school playing a separate schedule of five games with the final game being the East-West game as was conducted this past fall.
Touch football on the elementary level and the intramural soccer, speed ball and touch football program in the Junior High Schools will give the boys basic fundamentals needed, if they care to take part in football on the High School level.
Our winter program of hockey has been enlarged this year with the entrance of a Junior High School team into the League of Junior High Schools, sponsored by the MDC Corporation at the Boston Arena Saturday mornings.
The basketball program has been enlarged by having separate Junior High School teams playing a complete schedule.
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SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Winter track as usual has been under the very capable hands of "Doc" McCarty. There is a definite need here for an assistant to "Doc" to carry out the type of program which is needed.
Our spring program will include baseball, track, golf and posssibly tennis.
REPORT ON SAFETY
The safety report for this year contains good news for all con- cerned in the safety of Arlington school children. This year Arl- ington won two national awards, - the first a pedestrian award for having no fatal accidents, presented by the A. A. A .; the second award for the outstanding school safety education program, pre- sented by the National Safety Council.
The appointment of school traffic supervisors has greatly aid- ed the safe travel of children to and from school. Some of our crossings are unusually hazardous due to commuting motorists. The assignment of a selective enforcement squad has succeeded in controlling the movement of traffic and correcting the abuse of dangerous driving in Arlington. This program has had excellent re- sults and we urge its continuance. The effectiveness of our present school police safety program has been attained by the unceasing cooperation of the police, fire, highway, traffic maintenance and school departments.
THE DEPARTMENT OF ADULT EDUCATION
This is a report of the fourth year of the organized program in Adult Education in our public schools. The program has grown in four years from an initial enrollment of 250 to 1100 persons. Our citizens are eager to avail themselves of every opportunity in Adult Education; the evidence is abundantly furnished at regis- tration time when, inevitably, classes are oversubscribed to the extent that this year, for example, we had over 200 persons on waiting lists. Registration for all classes was held in January and September. The program in Arlington consisted, with one or two exceptions, of courses recommended by the State Department of Education, therefore subject to reimbursement from State funds. Thus. courses in the following categories were offered:
Practical and Home Arts 44 classes
Adult Civic Education
classes
Commercial or Business Education 3 classes
Vocational and Trade Extension classes
TOTAL 54 classes
Three schools, namely the High School, Junior High East and Junior High Industrial Arts were open from 7 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday in order to conduct the Program. A staff of 32 teachers was employed. Most courses cover a period of 20 weeks- a few last for 10 weeks. Attendance at these courses is excellent. Strict attention is paid to attendance records and a compliation of these shows an 80% average attendance in all classes. Certain classes like Sewing, Upholstery and Furniture Refinishing are in a very great demand in spite of the fact that we conduct classes for more than 300 in Sewing, 54 in Furniture Refinishing and 60 in Upholstery. Classes were also conducted for the foreign born and appropriate closing exercises were held at the Robbins Library
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Hall in April. It is always a source of great inspiration and pa- triotic zeal to witness these new arrivals struggle to learn our language and become oriented among us, striving to found a new home, many times after bitter experiences and the forsaking of kith and kin.
The Annual Exhibition and Fashion Show was held on April S from 7 to 10 p.m. More than 4200 persons visited this show which was held in both assembly halls of the High School simul- taneously. A feature of the Exhibition was a Fashion Show put on by more than 250 of the Evening School sewing students ex- hibiting about $14,000 worth of clothes. The Metal Craft, Tray Painting, Pottery, Fabric Decoration and Rug Exhibits drew much favorable comment.
In compliance with directions from the State Department of Education we were obliged to limit enrollment in the Evening Trade Extension Classes to those engaged in the trade. This became ef- fective January 1, 1953. Evening Trade Extension Classes are under the direction of Mr. Harry Patterson.
It will be noted that the Program in Adult Education as pre- sently constituted is a generous one on the basis of Trade Exten- sion, Practical, Manual and Home Arts and Skills. As time goes on it may become desirable to broaden the base to allow for the presentation of courses in other fields. We have had a number of requests for such courses as Parliamentary Law, Public Speak- ing, Languages, Child Psychology, Current Events, Local Govern- ment, etc. However, the growth of our present day Adult Edu- cation Program from zero in 1949 to an enrollment of 1100 per- sons in 1953 represents a phenomenal development.
SCHOOL CAFETERIAS
The operation of the school cafeterias in Arlington is now an $80,000. annual business. Each year, since we started operating under the National School Lunch Program, the number of hot meals served in our three school cafeterias has increased in larger proportion than the increase in enrollment. The State Office of School Lunch Programs reimburses us at the rate of nine cents for each complete lunch sold and two cents for each one-half pint of milk sold separately from the complete meal. In addition to the subsidy from the State and the daily cafeteria receipts, we are assisted in the operation and maintenance of the three cafeterias by the Town appropriation. The School Lunch Program has moved swiftly onto the educational scene. The practice of serving school lunches has demonstrated the difference proper food makes in the alertness and vitality of children. It has created a better school- home environment and has brought about improvements in school living and learning.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, may I express to the School Committee, to all fellow workers in the Department and to other officials, my appre- ciation for your kind help and support.
Respectfully submitted, CLIFFORD R. HALL
Superintendent of Schools
185
REPORT OF THE INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS
Report of the Inspector of Buildings
January 12, 1954
Mr. Edward C. Monahan
Town Manager
Arlington, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my report of the inspection of building, plumbing and gas for the year ending December 31, 1953.
Four Hundred Twenty-Nine (429) building permits were issued, classified as follows:
1-Family Dwellings
204
$1,902,200
2-Family Dwellings
11
112,000
3-Family Dwellings
1
14,000
Complete 1-Family Dwellings
1
12,000
10-Apartment Dwellings
3
135,000
Foundation for Apartment
1
2,500
Telephone & Telegraph Bldg.
1
450,000
Research Building
1
27,768
Manufacturing & Office Bldg.
1
150,000
Curling Rink
1
60,000
Gasoline Service Station
1
7,000
1-Story Buildings
7
86,800
10-car Garage
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