USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Arlington > Town of Arlington annual report 1958 > Part 22
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COMPARISONS:
1958
1957
GAIN
LOSS
Main Library
Adult Department
144469
136711
7758
YP Department
33456
30255
3201
Junior Library
57797
57423
374
Dallin Branch
56758
52540
4218
East Branch
80468
80303
165
Classroom Deposits
19448
14821
4627
Hospital
2667
2579
88
TOTALS
395063
374632
20431
264
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The above table does not include the circulation figures for the School Libraries of which there are now five in partial operation. A total of 19,043 books were circulated from these five libaries, 7,611 more than in 1957. Following are the figures:
1958
1957
Bishop
1777
(Sept - Dec)
2181
Crosby
717
(Oct - Dec)
Dallin
6157
2042 (Sept - Dec)
Hardy
2755 (Sept - Dec)
4598
Thompson
7637
2611
(Sept - Dec)
TOTALS
19043
11432
GAIN - 7611
ยท
. AND LISTEN
Arlington residents also made use of the Music Department during the past year, for, according to the records, 15,421 phono- record albums were borrowed for home use, study and listening purposes, 2,012 more than during the previous year.
AND BECOME INFORMED
People of all ages and all types used the reference and readers' advisory services of the library, seeking answers to, and informa- tion on a great variety of questions. Young people asked for ma- terial on radioactive isotopes, the Workmen's Compensation Act, progressive education, narcotics, customs during the reign of Queen Anne, the Romanov dynasty, travel in medieval France, the Zenger trial, colonial books, newspapers and almanacs, literary compari- sons of Poe and Galsworthy, the Christopher Movement, ladies' fashions in the 1920's, New England rainfall, modern processing of food, erosion in America, etc., etc .; the adults wanted such in- formation as a list of the Mayflower passengers, material on the Swiss Guards, elementary education in France, the circle and the point in philosophy, results of Nixon's visit to South America, background of Ondine Legend, voting record of Edith Nourse Rogers, number of miles a housewife walks daily, care and feeding of Sala- manders, dwarfing of trees, history of the potato chip business, traffic controls in the 48 states, sail making, a chart of the various religions of the world together with their relative development, decoration of church altars, how to mend an electric toaster, proce- dure for making a community survey, etc. etc.
.
AND KEEP ABREAST
The library program is broad and reaches many individuals and groups through avenues of various kinds. Following is a brief summation of some of the activities of 1958.
Regular deposits of books were sent to each of the three fire stations in Arlington. These collections were changed for new ones upon request of the firemen.
265
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
Ninety semiweekly visits were made by a staff member to the Symmes Hospital. On each visit, pushing a book truck filled with books, the library assistant visited all the wards, charging books to any who wished to make use of this service. 2,667 books were borrowed by the patients and staff of the hospital.
With Mr. Leslie Hurwitz, Director of the Keyboard and Theory Department of the Arlington Academy of Music, as Lecturer, five evenings of music were sponsored by the Music Department during the year. Mr. Hurwitz's subjects included "A compartive disserta- tion on Brahms and Rachmaninoff", "Vocal music from the 15th to the 20th century", "Giants of the Keyboard", "A 'live' Music Lecture," and " An evening of Christmas Music".
Once again, during the fall months, the Young People's Librarian gave instruction in the use of the library to the sophomores of the Vocational High School, the sophomore class of girls at Marycliff Academy and eleven seventh grade classes at Junior High West. At least three and sometimes four class periods were devoted to each group.
Sixteen classes from Hardy, Crosby and Thompson Schools visited the East Branch Library and eleven classes visited the Dallin Branch for book talks and stories during Book Week. The Junior Library had groups from the Parmenter and Junior High Industrial Arts.
In May the Young People's Librarian visited the two Junior High Schools and the St. Agnes Parochial School to acquaint the eighth grade students with the Young People's room and its book collection, and the additional privileges that awaited them upon transfer from the Junior Library at the close of the school year.
The Saturday morning programs for children, presented at the main library and both branches every week during the winter months, offered the children a variety of entertainment and culture through story hours, film showings, and recorded concerts. These programs attracted 3,051 children; 1,040 attended the story hours, 480 the concerts and 1,531 the movies.
605 boys and girls participated in the "Space" Reading Clubs carried on during the summer months; 199 members participated at the East Branch, 172 at Dallin Branch and 234 at the Junior Library.
722 reading certificates were issued to boys and girls who took part in the reading project which is carried on throughout the year by the Robbins Library and the Arlington Schools. Each of 693 certificates represented five books read; 29 honor certificates certified the reader had earned four 5 book awards.
During the year, the Read, View & Talk Club, composed of High School students with the Young People's Librarian and the High School Librarian as counselors, held sixteen meetings. Films, book reviews and panel discussions comprised the programs.
266
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
A series of Open Houses was held during National Library Week in March, to which the Public, Teachers, League of Women Voters, Clergy and Rotarians were invited. This effort resulted in much good will and many an enlightened citizen.
Upon request, book and library talks were given by members of the staff to various groups including the P.T.A.'s, teachers, church and civic organizations.
205 films were furnished for program use to clubs, church groups, boy scout groups, nursing homes and other associations.
The Junior Library hall was made available for 364 meetings of various organizations and groups, and the community hall at Dallin Branch was used on 86 occasions.
AND BECOME AWARE
That there is much "behind the scenes" activity in a library is generally overlooked. New books must be evaluated, purchased, and processed; old and wornout volumes must be discarded; inventory of book stock must be taken; books must be repaired, overdue notices sent and reserves filled. Exhibits must be planned, biblio- graphies compiled, pamphlet and picture files kept up to date, publicity prepared. Included here are a few figures to give some idea of this "back of the scenes" activity.
9,639 books were cataloged and processed for circulation
5,586 volumes were discarded
399 books were found to be missing in inventory
329 phonorecord albums were purchased and processed
20,789 overdue notices were made out and mailed
5,382 book reserves were filled
197 books were borrowed for special study through the Inter- library-loan
195 volumes were loaned to other libraries
AND LOOK FORWARD
As the recent Humphry-McNiff Survey showed, the present library building is now inadequate to serve the community; it is hoped that it will be possible in 1959 to carry out some of the recommendations made in the report to make the library more in- viting to the public and to increase efficiency of operation.
AND GIVE THANKS
To the many friends who have given books, periodicals, flowers, and other gifts to the library during the year, to those who have loaned exhibits and displays, to the newspapers for their generous publicity and to the Staff, Custodians, Board of Library Trustees and the Town Manager for generous cooperation, loyal support and continued interest, the Librarian herewith expresses her warm ap- preciation.
267
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
A special word of appreciation is extended to Miss Ruth Sampson, Assistant Librarian, for devoted and gracious service to the people of Arlington throughout her forty-one years as a mem- ber of the Staff. Miss Sampson's retirement became effective in August 1958.
WAKE UP AND READ
1958 was the busiest, most active year in the history of the Robbins Library. There are still many citizens, however, who are' not taking advantage of their library facilities. These people are invited to avail themselves of the treasures which are theirs and are at hand for the taking. It is well to remember that each en- lightened citizen, through his own knowledge and action, helps to guide the direction of the nation.
Respectfully submitted,
Judith E. Stromdahl
Librarian
STATISTICAL REPORT
Population served (1955 census)
47,148
Total Volumes in Book collection, December 31, 1958
121,906
Total Circulation - Robbins Library and Branches 412,744
Books & Periodicals 395,063
Phonorecords
15,421
Pictures
2,055
Films 205
Total Circulation - School Libraries
19,043"
Total Registered Borrowers, December 31, 1958
20,428
APPROPRIATION
Personal Services
$138,246.92
Books, Periodicals and Bindery
31,400.00
Record Albums
1,500.00
All Other
19,735.00
Capital Outlay
5,485.00
Out of State Travel
500.00
TOTAL
$196,866.92
EXPENDITURES
Personal Services
$136,333.88
Books, Periodicals and Bindery
31,288.59
Record Albums
1,610.34
All Other
19,737.63
*Capital
Outlay
8,229.26
Out of State Travel
469.79
TOTAL
$197,669.49
* Balance Capital Outlay carried over from previous year
268
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR THE YEAR 1958
To the Citizens of Arlington:
Dr. James Bryant Conant, in a recent address before the Mass- achusetts Association of School Committees, emphasized that the first requisite for a good public school system is a good school committee, and a good school committee is formulated by wise de- cisions by electorates, which Dr. Conant points out, depend to a considerable degree on the traditions of the community.
Therefore, the quality of education disseminated to the children of our Town may be placed squarely upon the shoulders of the School Committee and the voters of Arlington.
If we are losing our place among the leading educational com- munities of the State, as has been plainly evidenced in the cases of some cities, then the electorate and the community leaders have only themselves to censure in that they did not feel it their re- sponsibility to either become a candidate for election to the School Committee or to encourage able citizens to present their candi- dacies. These factors should be given careful consideration, es- pecially by parents who expect their children to be educated in our schools and by those citizens who realize that a community is judged by the calibre of its schools.
Apparently there are only a few groups of citizens in Arlington willing to encourage and support able candidates for the School Committee. Unless this apathy is challenged by a group of com- munity leaders, the traditions which were built up and perpetuated by a previous citizenry will crumble and the fall will be heard soundly in the business, economic and real estate values of our Town.
In October, 1958, the School Committee requested the School Citizens Committee to sponsor a public meeting in which new plans and programs were to be discussed with the bald statement that "we want your ideas, suggestions and criticisms." About thirty- five school personnel and fifty parents attended. The School Com- mittee could assume that all who did not attend, including the parents of 7,000 children, felt that we had an excellent school system. Is it such, or is it apathy? If it is the latter, we have rea- son to be concerned. We urge the citizens of our Town to give this question their utmost consideration.
Last year, through diligent and exacting research by the admin- istrative staff, and the cooperation of parents, Arlington qualified as an impact area caused by certain government workers living in cur Town and became the recipient of $43,421.31 in federal funds to alleviate the educational costs induced by federal installations near the Town. For some years the Committee has considered ex- panding and enriching the school program. However, our mounting budget had deterred these innovations.
269
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The coincidence of Sputnik 1 and the federal grant gave impetus to our ideas for new programs for the academically-talented and the broadening of programs in science, mathematics and the hu- manities. Vocational education was strengthened by the acquisition of new machines to teach new phases of the trades. Improvements at the Warren A. Peirce Field were consumated by the use of these funds. The federal funds are allocated to the School Committee for its use under P. L 874, the enabling Act being Chapter 413 of the Acts of 1956.
The School Committee desires to call to your attention the need for a new elementary school in the Pheasant Avenue Area. A plot of land of about 31/2 acres is owned by the Town and has been des- ignated for school purposes. The State Building Assistance Com- mission has approved the plot which means that the State would return a portion of the cost to the Town. The School Committee has notified the School Survey Committee of the over-crowded con- ditions in the Bishop and Peirce Schools which would appear to necessitate relief in this area. Were this school to be constructed, it would appear to be the completion of new school construction in Arlington. Failure to build a parochial school in the Heights area may necessitate an addition to the Dallin School at a later date.
The long-range planning program of 1950 lists the Pheasant Avenue Elementary School as the last school building in the post- war school building plans of the School Committee and the year selected for obtaining plans and specifications was 1959. The High School Addition should be ready for occupancy in September of 1959, alleviating the pressure on the junior highs by the change to a 6-2-4 system.
The new National Defense Education Act, P.L. 864-85, and the State enabling Act, being Chapter 664 of the Acts of 1958, possibly may assist the Town in the fields of science, foreign languages and psychological testing; but for this year it would appear that most of the federal monies will be spent for supervision on the State level.
This type of supervision is of negligible value to towns like Arlington, Brookline, Belmont, Lexington, and Winchester because these towns keep their salary schedules at a higher level than the State and can attract a better supervisory and administrative staff than the State. Hence, allotments of federal funds in this manner will benefit smaller towns and cities unable or unwilling to attempt to attract the best.
Public Law 864 should not be confused with P. L. 874. It is from the latter that we obtain federal funds presently.
A brief word about our budget. The only relief for the local property taxpayer is for the legislature to broaden the tax base Salaries comprise nearly eighty percent of our budget. We are in competition with neighboring communities for the best teachers available, hence our salary schedule must be comparable to theirs in order to keep and attract good teachers. Furthermore, teachers cannot be expected to subsidize the education of our children. Edu- cational TV will supplement some teaching, but will not replace teachers. The remaining increases in our budget may be attributed to increased costs and increased pupils. It is as simple as that.
270
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
The Committee mentions with sadness the sudden passing of Lawrence J. Mantyla, principal of the Dallin and Locke Schools, on April 12. Mr. Mantyla came to Arlington as a teacher from Sher- bern in 1942. He became principal of the Locke School in 1945 and of the Brackett School in addition to the Locke in 1946. When the Dallin School was completed in 1956, Mr. Mantyla became principal of both Locke and Dallin. Mr. Mantyla contributed a great deal to our schools and his loss was felt most keenly by the entire school system.
Mrs. Esther Boyce Schmidt, teacher of special class at the Cutter School, passed away on October 11. Mrs. Schmidt came to Arlington in 1927 and served faithfully in continuous service until her death. She was one of our most outstanding teachers and thus far it has been impossible to find anyone who can begin to replace her.
The following retired from the system during the year: Miss Ethel Ober, teacher at the Junior High School West, after 46 years of service; George R. S. vonKapff, teacher at the High School, after 32 years of service; Mrs. Mary Prestwood, teacher of industrial arts class at the High School, after 31 years of service; Miss Helen Knowles, teacher at the Crosby and Thompson Schools, after 34 years of service; and Mrs. Marion A. Kirschbaum, teacher at the Junior High School West, after four years of service.
In the personnel of the School Committee, Charles R. Kent replaced David Ashton. Mr. Ashton ably served one term on the Committee and was elected Chairman during his third year.
The Committee thanks the entire staff for its continued devotion to duty and all the Town Boards and Officials for their cooperation with the Public Schools.
Respectfully submitted, (Signed) John P. Morine Chairman
271
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
FOR THE YEAR 1958
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 1958. This calendar year in our schools was heralded by the implementation in our elementary and secondary schools of our program for academically-talented chil- dren, the TV program in the first six grades, and the receipt by the School Committee of $43,421.31 under Public Law 874. This grant will enable a reduction in the 1959 real estate tax of approxi- mately 50 cents per thousand because the items for which the ex- penditures are and will be made of this federal money will not be included in the 1959 School Budget. Expenditures have already been made from these funds for television sets for the High School; for an 11th grade humanities course; natural science instruction for all the 5th grades conducted by the Audubon Society; instructional apparatus for the Vocational School; science equipment for one of the elementary schools and for the part-time services of a psychia- trist for consultation purposes.
OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
During the past few years several of our schools have instituted departmental teaching whereby teachers who are specialists in a particular area may exchange classes. For example; in one of our schools music, social studies and language are interchanged among the fifth and sixth grade teachers. By the use of this method talent and special interests of individual teachers can best be utilized. This gives each teacher a better opportunity to specialize in the subject matter being taught. At another school, homogeneous groups in reading and arithmetic are taught by alternating teachers on the same grade level. In this way, each group is provided an op- portunity to advance at its own rate of learning and each group benefits from better teaching preparation. Departmentalized teaching is dependent wholely upon the special abilities of individual teach- ers and cannot be made uniform throughout our system. However, in the schools in which the personnel has been available, it has proved to be successful and wherever possible this will be standard operating procedure in our elementary schools.
The report cards used in the elementary schools have been revised and will be issued for the first time during the school year 1959-1960. This revision was necessary because both parents and teachers felt that the card in its current form could be improved. This study of the report card was undertaken during the current calendar year and was included as part of the Wednesday afternoon In-Service Training Program. An extensive survey was made of report cards used in other communities and they were discussed in teachers' meetings. In these meetings, teachers of each grade
272
ARLINGTON TOWN REPORT
throughout the Town met separately with a principal as chairman and composed a report card for that particular grade level. Follow- ing these grade level meetings there were two general meetings of teachers, one for grades one through three and the other for grades four through six in which the six suggested report cards were dis- cussed. At these meetings the teachers' opinions were freely ex- pressed and they became tlie guide for the smaller committees chosen later to draft one report card for the primary grades and one for the intermediate grades. Both parents and teachers who have reviewed the new report card feel that it is a decided improvement over our existing cards.
Art workshops have been held for teachers at all grade levels from kindergarten through grade 6, which has resulted in a stimu- lating and vigorous creative art program with all of our children. In addition to the workshops, monthly art bulletins are distributed to all teachers giving suggestions for creative art lessons. Among these were seasonal art, new art techniques such as crayon etching, using folded paper for three-dimensional stand-outs, design, illustration, posters, modeling, etching and murals. It is our feeling that more than ever before our children are developing in self-expression, ob- servation, recognition of likes and differences, imagination, organi- zation and interpretation of ideas through many varied media. In the opinion of the elementary school principals our art program is now progressing on a very sound basis under the direction of Miss Eleanor Young.
A most successful and new educational experience was made available to our elementary school with the adoption of a course in natural science and conservation for fifth grade pupils, presented by the Massachusetts Audubon Society. Thirteen one-hour lessons are scheduled, bi-weekly, culminating in a two-hour field trip in the spring. This course emphasizes appreciation and awareness of a person's surroundings and appreciation of inter-relationships of all living things, and accurate observation and interpretation of what was observed. The fifth grade pupils seem most receptive and en- thusiastic toward this instruction.
In one of our elementary schools an experimental program in language was initiated last September in grades four through six. Its purpose is to improve the pupil's knowledge of story-telling and his art of writing stories, essays and compositions. Attempts at accomplishing these aims are undertaken in various ways. The pupil is being taught the assimilation of ideas through the five senses. Much practice in writing phrases and similes increases the child's vocabulary and descriptive powers. It is expected that the pupil's conversation and spelling should improve with the practice of clear and accurate speech that is carried on daily in this pro- gram. Growth in vocabulary is brought about by the use of specific words which the child has looked up in the dictionary, newspapers or books after he has been given a generic word. By writing a let- ter each day, the child becomes acquainted with the form of a letter. The parts of speech and simple diagramming are learned to give the child a sound background in grammar.
The TV program presented by the Eastern Massachusetts Coun- cil for School Television through Channel 2 on the whole has proved to be successful and worthy of the time and expense that it in-
273:
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
volves. Although it is still in an experimental stage and programs do vary in their degree of suitablity, the effectiveness of T V teach- ing is bound to increase as time goes on. We do not expect to see T V replace teachers, but we do expect it to become an important. teaching aid. The program for the present school year includes physical science for grade six, natural science for grade five, social studies for grade four, literature for grade three and music for grade two. Before the series of TV programs began, each teacher was given a teaching guide for her grade level. These guides, en- compassing all of this series of telecasts, indicated the subject con- tent of each program and suggested activities to be carried out prior to the television presentation and the follow-up activities to enrich and clarify the televised teaching.
The elementary school library program is progressing on sched- ule with five libraries now in operation. It is hoped that two more schools will be equipped with school libraries in 1959. Efforts are now being made to work out a uniform course of study to be used by librarians from kindergarten through grade six.
With the continued and enthusiastic activity of a sixth grade science club in one of our schools and with an experimental sixth grade science program being undertaken in another of our schools, we feel that in another year we shall be able to initiate a uniform and stronger science program in the upper grades of all of our- elementary schools.
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