USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1954 > Part 13
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SUB COMMITTEES
Selectmen, Police, Fire and Miscellaneous Departments John N. Loud, Chairman James R. Robson J. Howard Hayes
Assessors, Clerk, Treasurer, Health, Cemeteries, Libraries, Parks, Incidentals Paul E. LaJoie, Chairman Edwin A. Barnard Philip D. Ahern
Department of Public Works, Streets, etc. Martin F. Roach, Chairman William H. Dunn Joseph A. Keefe Percival E. Richardson
School Department, Veterans, Welfare, Maintenance, Town Hall, etc. William Gorton, Chairman William H. Farrow Donald A. Johnston Kermit C. Streng
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
Policy Committee
Paul E. LaJoie, Chairman James R. Robson John N. Loud Martin F. Roach Wallace Gorton
Subsequently a Special Committee was appointed to effect liaison between the Finance Committee and the Personnel Board in an effort to minimize the differences of the last few years, the membership of which was as follows:
James R. Robson, Chairman Martin F. Roach Kermit C. Streng
The following is the status of the Reserve Fund as of Decem- ber 31, 1954, after all authorized transfers, as indicated, had been made:
Budget #47 - Reserve Fund, Appropriation $75,000.00
Transfers to Budget
# 2-Board of Selectmen,
Personal Services .Nov. 8
200.00
Expense Dec. 31
29.35
3-Town Manager
Expense Dec. 31
741.85
7-Town Accountant, Personal Services May 17
300.00
11-Town Clerk,
Capital Outlay May 17
40.00
Expense July 12
50.00
Expense Oct. 13 125.00
Expense Dec. 31 22.45
197.45
14-Elections and Town Meetings,
Personal Services Nov. 8
225.00
16-Board of Survey, Expense Dec. 6
100.00
23-Board of Appeals,
Personal Services Dec. 6
75.00
Expense Dec. 6
25.00
24-Wire Department, Expense Dec. 31
35.46
33-Highway & Bridges, Snow Removal Dec. 31 10,000.00
36-Welfare, Capital Outlay Oct. 13
165.00
37-Veterans' Services, Aid & Assistance .Oct. 13
7,000.00
Dec. 16 2,000.00
9,000.00
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REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE
38-School Department State Aided Vocational
School Dec. 16 300.00
42-Non-Contributory
Pensions Nov. 8
10,000.00 Dec. 29 6,798.61
16,798.61
46 -- Workmens'
Compensation .Nov. 8
7,173.61
49-Water Department Maintenance House Connections .Dec. 6 2,000.00 Dec. 31 78.55
2,078.55
Article
72 -- Annual Town Meeting 1954
(Parmenter School) Oct. 13 15,000.00
Article
S -- Special Town Meeting of July 12, 1954
(Crosby School) .. Oct. 13 12,000.00
TOTAL TRANSFERRED $74,484.88
BALANCE RETURNED TO AVAILABLE FUNDS $ 515.12
A total of 25 meetings were held from January 4, 1954 to December 31, 1954 with an average attendance of 12 members.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES R. ROBSON
Secretary
162
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR THE YEAR 1954
To the Citizens of Arlington:
Two new members were elected to the School Committee at the annual Town Election. Arthur F. Coughlin Jr. and William J. O'Brien Jr. were elected to take the places of James W. Kidder and John H. Allison, who retired after many years of faithful and efficient service. Mr. Kidder had served on the Committee for eighteen years and Mr. Allison eight years. Both had served as Chairman of the Committee and worked diligently to maintain high standards in our school system.
The year 1954 was a momentous one in the history of the Arlington School Department. The fire at the Crosby School on May 26th presented a problem in housing pupils which had partially been taken care of at the annual Town Meeting by providing for additions to the Bishop and Parmenter elementary school buildings.
The remodeling of the Crosby School is now under way but the job is so difficult that it is unlikely that it will be ready for occupancy before the opening of schools in September. We are reasonably sure to be in the new Bishop addition by March 1 and hope to occupy the new Parmenter addition sometime later in the year.
Arlington is similar to many other communities in that we require additional classrooms. Our needs are listed in order:
1. Elementary School on North Union Street.
2. An addition to the Junior High West,
3. An addition to the Junior High East
4. Elementary school on Florence Avenue.
These additions should take care of our Elementary and Junior High needs for many years.
We regret to record the passing of four teachers who died in service during 1954:
Raymond S. Morrill, who began service in Arlington in 1931 as teacher and assistant Principal of our Senior High School. In 1948 Mr. Morrill was elected Principal of the Senior High School and at the time of his death, July 7, 1954, was acting in that capacity.
James T. Kearney, who began service in Arlington in 1949. At the time of his death, March 26, 1954, he was a teacher at the Junior High School East.
Mable R. Locke, who began service in Arlington in 1941. At the time of her death, July 14, 1954, she was a teacher at the Crosby School.
Doris Pettengill, who began service in Arlington in 1926. At the time of her death, August 21, 1954, she was a teacher at the Junior High School East.
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Many of the townspeople can attest to the influence for good of these splendid teachers and the sorrow occasioned by their passing.
We pay tribute to two of our teachers who retired in 1954:
Grace E. Fettretch with thirty years of service to Arlington in the Russell School Building.
Helen F. Matthews with twenty-eight years of service to Ar- lington at the Senior High School.
The Committee expresses its gratitude to both of them for their long period of faithful service, for their loyalty and for their valuable contributions to the educational system of Arlington. They have made a distinct contribution to the system and a lasting impression on many of our citizens who were their pupils.
Important appointments by the committee were:
Charles H. Downs as Principal of the Senior High School and Gerard G. Kemp and Guy A. Petralia as Assistant-Principals.
Luke E. McCarthy was elected Director of Adult Education to succeed Joseph H. Gaudet, who resigned to accept a Superin- tendency in Rhode Island. Mr. Gaudet had done an outstanding job in Arlington and left many friends to attest to his record. The Committee wishes him success in his new undertaking.
Bert A. Roens was elected Assistant Superintendent to take effect on January 1, 1955.
The Committee wishes to all appointees success in their new positions and feels that they will continue to maintain the high standards of the Arlington School Department.
We would like to call attention to the results of our training of the youth of Arlington by quoting from the December, 1954 issue of "Arlington Schools Today",
"Arlington High School this year sent the largest proportion of its graduates to college of any year since records have been kept, according to a survey released by the Guidance Department. The average over the years since the Guidance Department was estab- lished and records kept has been slightly over 50%, but this year 57.3% of last year's graduating class are full-time students in accredited institutions, and another 5 % are taking part-time studies while they are working. This means that 62.6% of the class are doing some advanced studying. These figures are the result of 100% contact with last year's graduates, which was successfully accomplished for the eleventh year in a row." We would like to add that some credit should be given to the late Francis E. Thompson, an Arlington citizen, for his generous remembrance in his will of $440,000.00, the income of which provides scholarships to mem- bers of the Senior High School graduating class and which this year amounted to $11,320.41.
The School Committee receives criticism for its actions and occasionally commendation. We would like to include as part of this report a letter received from parents of school children in one of our Elementary schools.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
OPEN LETTER TO THE ARLINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Arlington School Committee Arlington 74, Massachusetts Dear School Committee:
Visiting the Parmenter School during Open House was a tre- mendous worthwhile and gratifying experience.
How can one explain the inspiration many of us felt as we watched and heard the children and their teachers in class? Was it the joy of listening to Miss Griffin's second grade rhythm or- chestra or the impact of the second grade girl who recited her piece - "The color of one's skin doesn't really matter. What is important is how we work and share and live together." Or was it the outstanding example of cooperative experience which Miss Haveles' 3rd grade displayed with their Indian village scenes - or the fine committee projects in Miss Barrett's fifth grade? Through- out the school a spirit of good will and creative activity prevailed.
Our reaction was - how fortunate Arlington is to have these outstanding teachers!
And looking to the future, what is being done to attract and keep teachers and principals of such high calibre in Arlington schools?
Sincerely yours, /s/ Ascher and Sylvia Shapiro
Now for a few words about the cost of our schools. On our real estate tax-bills for the past two years there was a breakdown of the tax-rate showing the amount per $1000 tax assessment ex- pended for our schools. In 1953 the tax-rate was $57.60 and $16.18 of it was spent by the School Department. In 1954 the tax-rate was $54.40 and $16.59 of it was spent by the School Department. On a percentage basis this is 28.09 % in 1953 and 30.49 % in 1954 of our tax levy, expended by the School Department. We would like to add that the average throughout the state varies from 33% to 40% depending upon the size of the community. Our conclusion is that the citizens of Arlington are receiving full value for the money expended by the Arlington School Committee.
In conclusion I wish to personally state my firm belief of the high position in which the Arlington School system is held. In 1931, when I began my service on this Committee, I was familiar with this position, having had experience in the system as a teacher. Now, as I leave the membership of the Committee, I can further testify to its continuance in its high position because of the success of my own five children, who are products of this system.
I also wish to pay my personal tribute to the able admini- strator of our schools for the past thirteen years, Superintendent Clifford R. Hall, who has worked hard and long to continue and keep high the name of Arlington in educational circles.
165
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
For further information regarding the operation of your School Department, we respectfully refer you to the report of the Su- perintendent of Schools.
We express our thanks to the school officials, teachers and em- ployees for their assistance and loyal support. We thank the Town officials, members of Boards and departments, and the citizens of the Town for their cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ JOSEPH J. BEVINS, Chairman Arlington School Committee
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS FOR THE YEAR 1954
To the School Committee of Arlington
Ladies and Gentlemen:
It is my privilege to submit for your consideration the follow- ing report of the schools for the year 1954. I am including in my report excerpts from the annual reports submitted to me by various principals, supervisors and committees.
OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
The elementary department of the Arlington School system has maintained a steady pace in educational progress. We have encouraged our teachers to continue their professional studies and to investigate and test new teaching methods. At the present time teachers are working on special projects in arithmetic, spell- ing, dramatizations for children and classroom art. Some of these studies require actual classroom use. We have, however, limited use and facilities only to those situations in which the results will benefit our children and school system.
The Crosby School fire and its resultant housing of Crosby children in the Hardy School cost many hours in educational plan- ning. It is inevitable that any system of part-time education will result in hardship to all concerned. Through the democratic co- operation of parents, school officials, police and children, an empiri- cal adjustment has been made, including the better aspects of a two platoon system and minimizing the dangers involved in housing two schools of 1300 children in one building.
The pupil housing situation has become increasingly acute in Arlington. To provide more classrooms a six room addition at the Bishop School and a four room addition at the Parmenter are under construction assuring these two schools of adequate room next year. This year a two platoon system and temporary quar- ters in libraries and assembly halls alleviate the room shortage.
Plans are now being completed for new schools in the Florence Avenue district to relieve the overcrowding at the Brackett and Locke Schools. In the North Union Street area a new school is planned to care for the overflow from the renovated Crosby School. Ample space is now available at the Peirce School. However, there is building area available in this district and future developments must be carefully watched. Constant study of future pupil hous- ing is required and is one of our immediate problems.
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
We are working steadily with the Director of Pupil Personnel Services on his two-fold program of providing for exceptional chil- dren and developing a sound mental health program for our entire system. The staff of Pupil Personnel Services is now an integral part of our elementary school daily life and their advice is sought and valued constantly.
The addition of a speech therapist on a full-time basis has been of great assistance in our speech correction needs. The early dis- covery of needs in speech and word-correction habits is essential to a pupil's healthy personality development. Our speech thera- pist is working with 229 pupils in the elementary schools including stutterers, voice and articulation problems.
The teacher supply is still limited. Our present plan of se- lective employment of beginning teachers has been reasonably suc- cessful. Placement of these new teachers of high ability in situ- ations where teachers of experience can work along with them is an in-service training program which guarantees us effective teachers. We must protect ourselves, however, from any great loss of teaching staff in any one period since well-trained teachers are the backbone of any academic situation.
The elementary principals in conjunction with various grade teachers and the Director of Pupil Personnel Services studied the problem of testing arithmetic achievement and processes of Arling- ton teachers. The first version of the test was tried two years ago. the revised version was used this year. A third revision is now ready for next year. We feel that tests of this type, built upon the needs of Arlington children and based upon our own courses of study, are beneficial. At least two results can be realized :--- 1. We are able to study achievement by subject through- out the Town. 2. A study of these achievements result in needed changes in our courses of study.
We have developed an introductory period to Kindergarten which is eliminating many of the fears of first day children. Our three day conference and play schedule between mother, teacher and child at the beginning of the school year has a stabilizing and welcoming effect upon the child. When the child starts school on the fourth day, he knows his teacher, his seat at his group table, some of the things expected of him, and the mother's further pres- ence in the classroom is not necessary.
The continuance of the one session winter day schedule has been beneficial in many respects. There may be need for a study of a revised time program for first grade and for some system of teacher relief during the one session period.
Weekly meetings with the Principals have afforded an excellent opportunity for frank exchange of ideas and opinions which have resulted in improved administrative and classroom procedures.
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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
THE JUNIOR HIGH HOUSING SITUATION
The rapid increase in enrollment at the Junior High East and West is at a critical stage. Using figures based entirely on pupils who are now in the lower grades of the public schools, the enroll- ment of Junior High East has been projected as follows:
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
545
633
642
610
598
670
785
Next fall the classroom space at the Junior High East will be insufficient to accommodate incoming students. Some classes will have to meet in the auditorium and cafeteria. At present the music and art classes meet in rooms with very inadequate facilities. The 633 students next fall will have to be cared for during the lunch period in a cafeteria seating only 234. This cafeteria is now too small and conditions will become much more critical as the enrollment reaches an estimated 785 in 1960.
At the Junior High West the projected enrollment is:
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
796
830
859
820
841
863
934
These figures do not include the transfers from St. James' Parochial School. This school's facilities end with grade eight. A conservative estimate would indicate that approximately 50 % of their eighth grade, or 35 to 40 pupils, will enter grade 9 at the Junior High West. This number should be added to above figures for a more true estimate of the enrollment.
Following are a few illustrations of some of the problems caused by our present overcrowded conditions at the Junior High West :- Two teachers must conduct their seventh period special help in the same classroom at the same time which understandably makes for an unsatisfactory teaching situation. Another room was planned and equipped for audio-visual instruction. It now had to be reverted back to a standard classroom. This has depleted an audio-visual program that once brought national recognition to the Junior High West. The audio-visual programs now are scheduled in the lunchroom and are subject to frequent interrup- tion from food deliveries and noises from the kitchen. The over- flow classes in Clothing meet in a small classroom designed for
remedial instruction. This room had to be converted into a home- room with 20 standard classroom seats which are inadequate for sewing classes. The crowded facilities in the Foods Laboratory resulted in definitely curtailing the course of study in this subject. Some of our ninth grade science classes are so large that pupils are stitting in chairs placed in the aisles. Some seventh grade science classes are without laboratory facilities for demonstration purposes. Twice a week it has been necessary that two shop classes meet in the same shop at the same time which has resulted in decreased efficiency of the instruction. The Auto Shop which
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ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
proved very popular with the older boys and helped to keep them in school was moved out to make space for the lunchroom. It has become necessary at the Junior High West to have three lunch periods with loads above the limits approved by the Department of Public Safety. The three lunch periods limit the flexibility in scheduling classes and it has become necessary to plan for lunch first and education second. Some of the printing classes are too large for complete safety and proper supervision by the instructor. Locker rooms and offices have been reconverted into classrooms. Lockers have been moved into corridors and the corridors are used as locker rooms. These corridors now are inadequate for the traf- fic within the building and are a hazard to safety. The Assistant Principal's Office is a combination office, sick-room and storeroom. It is inconvenient to have a sick child when discipline or guidance cases are being discussed. When new pupils are being enrolled they can be assigned only to divisions where there is space instead of the division to which they belong. Emergency alterations of all kinds have enabled the Junior High West to carry on in this pres- ent predicament. Now the point in enrollment has been reached where these measures can no longer take care of the emergency.
THE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
It is very apparent from a study of enrollment figures that the heaviest increase for the High School will be expected in 1957, it being known that the present Grade 7 enrollment is over 500. It is also evident that an enrollment of between 1700 and 1750 pupils in the Combined Senior and Vocational High Schools in 1958 and 1959 will take place. It has been established that present facilities in the High School building cannot absorb more than 1600 pupils. Assuming that the Vocational School maintains the use of class- rooms it is occupying at present, the problem of sufficient room for High School classes would become acute by 1958. It is quite ob- vious that there is a need for a proper auditorium, gymnasium and additional classrooms. Our High School activities are forced to be lield either in the Town Hall or in one of the local Junior High Schools. The boys' basketball program is conducted in the area that was intended to be an auditorium and which cannot be heated. Our most important needs are for a new auditorium capable of seating between 1500 and 2000, a new gymnasium that can be heated properly in the winter and used for game purposes and at the same time construct additional classrooms and additional administrative areas, thereby bringing the Arlington High School plant up to date. The auditorium and the gymnasium units could be made available to the public in off-school hours and at the same time be isolated from the rest of the building. This need will have to be faced eventually and plans should be made now for this expansion.
Reports of the Department of Pupil Personnel Services show beyond any question that the program at the High School is pro- ducing young men and women well prepared to follow their interests further. The normal local drop-out rate of 2 to 4% supports that fact. In cooperation with the heads of the various departments in the High School, an exhaustive study is being made concerning a radical change in curricula for general students. It is the opin-
169
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
ion of all that the courses for those who are terminating their formal education in High School should be so constructed as to excite the interest of the non-academic mind and thereby accomplish not only a completion of their High School career, but a higher standard of work. It is planned to have some of these course changes in operation for next year. For example, not only will a General English Curriculum be set up for the terminal course pupil, but there will be organized a Commercial English Course which will emphasize those standards that business requires of a well-prepared office worker. In the Social Studies Department, the Science Department and the Manual Training Curricula, equal- ly effective changes are anticipated. It is hoped that these changes will produce a graduate from the Senior High School who will be well-prepared and equipped for the future that he or she will have to face.
A word concerning the extra-curricula activities at the High School would seem pertinent. It is the objective of the present ad- ministration to emphasize student participation and leadership in as many activities as feasible. More and more initiative and re- sponsibility have been extended to the Student Council. Scholarship, Citizenship and Leadership summarize our extra-curricula objec- tive. Close cooperation between the Guidance Office and the Prin- cipal's Office has served to make an efficient approach to the solu- tion of teacher, parent and school problems that arise from time to time.
Recognition of the fine work of Mr. Raymond S. Morrill, who served as Principal for the past six years, should be recorded official_ ly in this report. His standards were high and the excellent record by the graduates of Arlington High School while he was Principal attested to that effect. He had the utmost respect of his workers at all times.
VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
The Vocational High School is continuing the work of pre- paring pupils for profitable employment. The enrollment dropped. slightly from last year because of more careful selection on the part of the staff of the Department of Pupil Personnel Services. In June, 1954 there was a graduating class of 38; 20 of whom are working at the trade for which they were trained; 8 are working at other occupations; 5 going on to school for higher training and 5 in the Armed Forces. The boys who entered the Armed Forces are able to secure higher ratings in the Service be- cause of their experience in the trades.
The Vocational School has been very fortunate in its asso- . ciations with employers who are quite ready to accept its boys at any time. A Cooperative Part-time Course was inaugurated and 7 boys from the Automobile Department were placed in good jobs where they alternated a school week with a work week. It. is hoped to be able to develop this course more extensively.
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