USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1939 > Part 8
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With the faculty rests the real responsibility for the sound education of those pupils entrusted to their care. That this responsibility has been exceptionally well accepted and dis- charged by Hamilton's teaching staff during 1939, is indicated by the fact that it would be impossible to designate any one of the teachers without the mention of all.
The physical education program through the medium of athletics continues to merit increasing interest from the pu- pils. Intramural and outside competition in baseball, soccer, field hockey and basketball, have developed teams which rank well with those towns of corresponding size.
Plant Maintenance and Improvement
With the appropriation of $1,500.00 in 1939 to continue the waterproofing at the high school, $1,340.00 was actually ex- pended. Waterproofing on the northeast side and the entire front of the main building, together with the necessary outside repairs, has now been completed, and so far proven most sat- isfactory. The $785.00 devoted to this work in 1938 will re-
4
HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
main in escrow until 1941 to serve as a cash bond for the en tire work.
The installation of stokers at the high school at a cost of $935.00, has already demonstrated the advisability of such pur chase. In addition to the saving in fuel as expected, the even distribution of heat as well as a considerable saving in labor has been accomplished. The boilers at the Lamson School, one of which was installed in 1897 and the other in 1906, have been condemned by state inspectors, making it necessary to replace these boilers before the next heating season. The committee employed John E. Chatman, consulting heating and ventilating engineer, 27 Haymarket Square, Boston, Massa chusetts, to make a survey and recommendations. His miui mum estimate of $3,400.00 has been used for the appropria tion requested. Later, this work together with his specific; tions will be submitted to heating contractors for bids.
In addition to the major items necessary for plant upkeep a yearly painting and repair program has been established. Your committee feels that such a program must be followed if the buildings are to be kept in proper repair.
Town water has now been installed in all three of the school buildings.
Financial
The regular budget for 1939 was $42,858.64 of which $196.08 was not used and returned to the town. This budget included an estimate for eights months' operation of the high school cafeteria. This change was made to conform with rer ommendations from the department of corporations. The food purchases for the cafeteria during that period was $804.50 Receipts returned to the town were $907.34 which gave the town a net difference over their disbursements of $102.84. The same procedure will naturally be continued each year, and the
5
SCHOOL REPORT
utimate for 1940 includes ten months' operation of the cafe- teria instead of eight. All purchases will be paid by the town and all receipts returned to the town. The assessors may use the anticipated receipts in their tax rate computation for 1940. The total reimbursements applicable to schools from all sources amounted to $5,231.84 as herewith listed:
Reimbursements 1939
'I'nition
$ 502 00
Industrial Arts
81 05
State reimbursements of teachers' salaries
3,740.00
Cafeteria receipts
907 34
Miscellaneous
1 45
$5,231 84
Your committee has many responsibilities and many impor- tant decisions to make throughout the year. It has endeavored to proceed economically and to keep in mind educational ad- vancement. The splendid co-operation of the various town departments, agencies and individuals has been very much appreciated.
Respectfully submitted,
HARRY S. GILCHREST, Chairman FREDERICK WINTHROP, JR. Secretary GRACE B. LAMSON
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the School Committee of Hamilton, .
Madam and Sirs:
I have the honor to submit herewith my seventeenth annual report.
Enrollment, September, 1939
Grade
Jonathan Lamson
Adelaide Dodge Walsh
High
1
20
7
2
31
6
3
31
5
4
31
1
5
29
4
6
33
2
7
32
8
33
9
34
10
34
11
26
12
21
Post Graduates
2
Totals
175
25
182
Grand Total
-
382
A comparison of enrollment figures over the past ten years discloses the fact that the average enrollment in grades one through six has been 207 whereas at the present time there are 200 enrolled in these grades. The average enrollment in grades seven through twelve has been 187 as against the present enrollment of 182. Our present enrollment in all grades is
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SCHOOL REPORT
382, which is 12 less than the average over the ten year period. Due to the slight fluctuation in enrollment, the lowest being 178 in 1937 and the highest being 424 in 1933, the town Ichool department is not faced with the serious school housing problems which confront many towns or cities.
At the present time there is one unused room at the Adelaide Dodge Walsh School and two unused rooms at the Jonathan Lamson School. All rooms at the high school are in use.
Two hundred pupils could be assimilated in the school sys- lem without greatly overtaxing the seating capacity of the buildings.
With this small fluctuation in our enrollment it is possible to maintain a school budget which does not greatly vary over a period of years. If necessary expenditures for additional equipment and repairs are spread over a period of years the item for these expenditures can be kept within a reasonable figure.
The average budget over the last five year period has been $42,220.15. The budget requested for 1940 is $42,397.78, or an increase of $177.63 over the five year average. This in- crease is spread over several different items of the budget that more efficient results may take place all along the line.
Teachers
This has been a banner year due to there having. been no change in our teaching force.
The several though small increases given teachers have had a tendency to let the teachers know in a material way that their services were appreciated. Therefore, they have not sought positions elsewhere and as a result our schools have gone along with very commendable results in many of the departments.
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SCHOOL REPORT
As I look over the list of teachers it is possible to give credit to each for some outstanding work accomplished during the year.
It is impossible to state in figures just what it costs a school system for every change in its personnel due to the many fac tors involved. I believe if all factors were taken into consid eration one might well state that to replace a teacher who is doing good work there is no saving to the system even though there is a reduction of one hundred dollars in the salary. 11 is through a long period of service that a teacher accumulate a store of knowledge regarding the children, their parents, the community likes and dislikes, and the functioning of the school system, all of which are of utmost value in building up a school system.
It should be our policy to retain the services of our teacher: at salaries commensurate with services performed.
New School Laws
The laws passed by the 1939 session of the General Court and of most concern to education are:
Chapter 294 revises the antiquated law regarding a penalty for failure to provide school funds sufficient for the support of the public schools as required by law.
Chapter 94 provides that the charge, if any, for a newsboy's badge for selling on the street shall be such a sum, not more than twenty-five cents, as the officer who issues it shall deter mine.
Chapter 167 recognizes and brings under the Massachusetts Insurance Department, the athletes' accident benefit fund spon sored by the Council of New England Secondary School Prin cipals' Association.
Chapter 308 concerns transportation to industrial education schools outside the town of residence.
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SCHOOL REPORT
Chapter 311 adds a new section (13B) to Chapter 71 of the General Laws intended to authorize teaching of various foreign languages.
Chapter 343 provides regulation of trade schools, as a result a recent notoriety.
Chapter 461 changing the compulsory school attendance law.
Of the above Chapters, 167 and 308 deserve consideration hy your committee that necessary action may be taken if there will be an advantage to the pupils of the town.
Reading System
Our present Reading System has now been in use as basal Fout ten years. It seems very necessary that a change in ystem be made at this time that our pupils may be taught this most important school subject according to the most up- In date method, and provided texts that appeal to children.
'Two reading demonstrations have already been given our teachers by representatives of different publishers. Other sys- lems will also be demonstrated that our teachers may recom- mend the one system for adoption which is most adequate for our needs.
It is hoped that with the opening of schools in September the new system will be available for use.
Music
To supplement the teaching of music fundamentals, vocal work, and music appreciation as done by Miss Thomas, the Music Supervisor, the services of Mr. Everett L. Wescott have been secured for instrumental instruction. At present ten drummers, eleven buglers, and two drum majorettes are receiv- ing weekly instruction during school hours at a cost of twenty-
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SCHOOL REPORT
five cents per lesson which is paid by the individual reccivi the instruction. 6
Many pupils who might desire to receive instrumental m struction are not able to do so because they find it impossible to purchase an instrument. To care for this group, organ tions will be solicited to provide an instrument to the school department which may be loaned the pupil while pur !! instruction as a member of the school. It is also anticipated that your committee may deem it advisable to purchase a 1. instruments from the Music Education Fund to be loan i pupils.
To build up this work of Mr. Wescott it is very importing that he be given the hearty cooperation of the community is done elsewhere for the promotion of Drum and Bugle Corp School Orchestras and School Bands.
Mental Hygiene and Child Guidance Clinics
We have been fortunate to have the voluntary assistant the Executive Staff, composed of Dr. Henry B. Elkind am Mr. Harry R. Dane, of the Massachusetts Society for Mental Hygiene for work in the Jonathan Lamson School since Octo ber first. The work of the staff has consisted of studying th school as a whole, to know the work of the teachers and in a very general way to know the work of the pupils. Leetit. have been given that teachers may know more about the ment il health of the child, what individual pupils the staff will enden vor to assist and what they wish teachers to do to assist in ca rying on the work. Conferences are held with the individual teachers to learn about the child who may offer need for adin ment to make it possible for him to get more enjoyment of doing his school work and living with others.
The work of Dr. Elkind and his assistant has been limited very largely to educational work preparing the field for the
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SCHOOL REPORT
4 of the Division of Mental Hygiene which will establish pedi Guidance Clinic in Hamilton, it being the first town Hate to have a Ciinic held in a School System. A klit, psychiatrist and a social worker will be in attend- Cal the Clinic.
Qo only the work of the Clinic which will be held semi- iM, will be to make a careful study and treatment of the what child presenting personality, behavior and scholas-
Miben for study and treatment will be referred to the lo teachers and parents. The written permission of the orl always secured before any work is done with the child. Mare most fortunate to have available the services of Dr. 1. Elkind, of the Massachusetts Society for Mental Wwww, and his staff together with Dr. Edgar C. Yerbury, wo of the Division of Mental Hygiene, with his staff wnl rond to the town. If the above service were to be paid Via done in many city school systems maintaining such me ut would doubtless cost in the neighborhood of $2000 Kód year.
ho it be understood that the Clinic service is free to any Tablon town regardless of age or school attendance.
Conservation
un outgrowth of the Essay Contest on Conservation held oral junior and senior high schools in this vicinity in there has been inaugurated a course in Conservation Chung in grades three through six.
This services of an instructor for semi-monthly talks is pro- LI from a fund contributed by a group of citizens of Hamil- Winham, and Topsfield who are particularly interested in wation and who feel that the best method of disseminating Inder on conservation is through the schools.
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SCHOOL REPORT
Lectures are given on Trees, Insect Study, Seeds, Wint Bird Hibernation, Evergreens, Predators, Soil, Water Pollu tion, Forms of Fresh and Salt Water Life and Wild Flower Field trips will be taken during the spring in the immedial. vicinity of the school. If there is sufficent interest on the par of the pupils it is hoped to take some if not all to one of the Bird Sanctuaries.
Teachers report the pupils are much interested in the lia tures and are bringing exhibits and printed articles to the classroom for the benefit of the class. The work is so valual that I trust it may be continued as a part of the regular schul curriculum.
Conclusion
In conclusion may I express to parents and other employe. of the school department and to the members of the school committee my personal appreciation for all that has been dow to make the past year one of great educational value to the pupils of Hamilton.
Respectfully submitted,
J. D. WHITTIER
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SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. John D. Whittier Superintendent of Schools Hamilton, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
My eighth annual report is herewith presented as Principal of the Hamilton Junior-Senior High School.
I am dividing this report into two parts. The first part deals briefly with some of the oustanding events of the school year. The second part is an elaboration of a topic which leads toward personal improvement.
The composing and publishing of our school magazine, The Hamiltonian, is a cooperative enterprise entered into by the pupils of all grades. Miss Beatrice Edmondson, as one of the multy supervisors, presents a most attractive magazine three times a year. It has received praise from neighboring schools as well as from contests where similar school magazines have been assembled and judged. An interesting feature to many lø that it is financially sound. A profit accompanies its publi- ention although its annual subscription price is but twenty- five cents. It is gratifying to report that local business con- werns have responded most satisfactorily to the requests of r student advertising managers for advertisements.
Each year the problem of raising money for activities of graduation week confronts the senior class. In order to make the whole school conscious of the fact that most performances ure school and not class activities and that their success depends on the cooperation of all a new policy is being followed. Each plass is allowed a definite percentage of the proceeds from
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SCHOOL REPORT
tickets sold. This plan tends to build up the treasuries of all classes during the time that such grades are in my building
Class rings and pins are standard each year to the cylind that the design which each class chooses must center and the head of Alexander Hamilton. The ring which the jun class chose this year carries the initials of the owner on the outside of it together with the class year.
A large and excellent picture of the high school build appeared for the cover design of The Massachusetts Teach Magazine in January. It was sponsored by the Student ( cil. This magazine is subscribed to by over 20,000 educator within this State.
Sectional assemblies are being continued with succestu year. These are held on alternate Wednesdays. The plan de allows for meetings of the Student Council and Student Senat on alternate weeks. At least five general assemblies are loll during the year, usually preceding either a State or a National Holiday. Outside speakers whom we have had during the past year include B. G. Willard, Vice-President of the Bendl School of Accounting; Professor Connor of Emerson Coll who spoke on "Better English"; and Professor Robert S. Ihn worth of Clark University, who dramatized poetry.
Films for class instruction have been provided approximal. l twice each month during the year to supplement text-book struction. I have been fortunate in securing educational lila to show to larger groups of pupils. These have include 1 "News in the Air" by the Esso Marketeers; "Safety Glad a demonstration of Television ; a sound moving picture of 1 United States Navy; and a picture from the Schafft Chow late Company. The size of the groups which have witnessed these pictures have been restricted to the seating capacity our laboratory room, as this is the only room in the buildni that is equipped with opaque curtains. It is the hope of It
15
SCHOOL REPORT
The pupils and the faculty that the gymnasisum will soon be outfitted with curtains which will allow for the projection of onwing pictures to the entire school at a single sitting.
A fashion show, more elaborate than usual, was presented on Wednesday evening, June 14, by the girls of grades seven, might and nine. In conjunction with this, the Industrial Arts department helds its exhibition. The enthusiasm of those tak- wie part in these demonstrations show the keen interest in the work of these departments. A social hour including the serving of refreshments ended the program.
The Pro Merito Society was introduced at the graduation whereises in June. This is an honorary society for the mem- lots of the upper two classes who have exhibited outstanding aromplishments in scholarship. The six seniors whose names appeared on the graduation honor roll list were inducted into thuis society as charter members. The necessary mark for raduation honors is an average of 85 in all subjects during thw high school course. Honor Roll Certificates, prompted by a suggestion from the Junior High School Senate, were intro- duced this Fall. These are presented to pupils of the Junior High School who make the honor-roll at each of the quarterly marking periods. The plan gives recognition to good scholas- fie work.
Music seems to be a necessary and welcome adjunct to any program. From an elective point of view it has been on the decline in popularity among the pupils. In seeking a cause for this I come to the conclusion that it apparently results from the lack of an opportunity to frequently practice the use of their musical training. My recommendation is that consid- rration be given to having weekly instruction in music by the music instructor.
The school was well represented in public during the year by the public speaking of its pupils. Miss Jane Perkins en-
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SCHOOL REPORT
tered the Legion Oratorical Contest early in the year and the local and district contests. She was then qualified tu enie the zone contest in Lowell where she performed in a credit manner against competitors from urban communities,
March 14 she also entered the Forensic League Tournan 1 at Gloucester with three other local contestants. She won low honors in her division.
The annual Elbridge R. Anderson Government Speak Contest was conducted at the Community House on Wat day, May 24. Our Junior High School Pupils gave a account of themselves and won the first two honors. The, zens of Hamilton appreciated the willingness of Mr. Anda to allow this contest to alternate henceforth between ilu towns rather than always being held in Wenham as formul
It was a significant and a praise worthy fact that our li Basketball Team won the Small School Basketball Tourneo Haverhill last March. Members of the team not only brand back to the school a permanent school trophy, but several un vidual prizes for outstanding accomplishments and exhibition of good sportsmanship.
The student body has approved the adoption by the Athl Council of a plan whereby a single Award Letter will be en to deserving athletes during the year instead of at the che each season's sport. On this letter will appear descript insignia of the sport in which it was earned.
Space does not permit my giving due credit to all the mad- teaching which is done day after day in my building. In the report I wish to draw your attention to the excellent teachou of Junior High School Science by Mrs. Hazel Ramer. The subject is taught to each of the three junior high school grad The vital and interesting topics which are studied help u. make the pupils' interest in this subject exceedingly 1 .... Educators could easily choose this subject as one which woudt
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SCHOOL REPORT
orve as a worthy foundation subject for pupils who continue further with their education as well as for those who find it necessary to end their schooling at an early period. I think that we who have the molding of the policies of our curriculum must forever be conscious of the aim toward which the school erves the youth of this community. A thought to be care- Fully considered might be whether we are giving too much emphasis to the teaching of certain preparatory subjects for the few graduates who later attend college. Possibly we should vive greater consideration to the greater number of our gradu- ales who do not go further with their formal training, and assist them while they are in school, to better prepare them lor as rich and full a life as possible in whatever community they may find themselves.
The second part of my report is prompted by the thought expressed by Tourgee when he once said, "Education is a life work and not a matter to be crowded into a few early years." Then again, the famous psychologist, William James, gave currency to the notion that "man absorbs no new ideas after the age of twenty-five." There is another familiar saying dong this line which holds that "you can't teach an old dog new tricks." It really seems like an important matter. Thou- ands of teachers in the United States, including the majority of the teachers in Hamilton, who are past twenty-five years of age, are spending considerable time and money in securing additional education. The question can be asked: Are all these people deluding themselves ? Just when is one too old to learn ? Or is there great wisdom in that other staple house- hold phrase, "never too old to learn" ?
There is only one thing that is well agreed upon, and that is that the plastic years of youth are the fruitful years for learning. Our confidence in that has dotted the land with choolhouses, and has led us to enact compulsory educational
-
- --- - -
!
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SCHOOL REPORT
laws. As a matter of fact, when one stops to think about can it be recalled of anyone having heard that childhood the best time to learn ?
Edward Lee Thorndike, a widely recognized psychologgut discovered and set forth in a book called "Adult Learnin the following very sweeping assertion : "You can learn mm- thing under the sun that you want to up to forty-five at han and perhaps later."
He was able to work out a scale of learning abilitiesi different ages from his several experiments. He called the Learning Coefficients, but they may be thought of as pene ages. From the following table it may be observed that tin 100 per cent learning period is between the ages of twenty and twenty-four inclusive. Here is the summary :
Ages
Learning Coefficients
14-16
59
17-19
85
20-24
100
25-29
89
30 and above
87
Please notice that adults thirty years of age, or older, learn more readily than any of the young hopefuls in high school. Continuation schools and evening sessions for older learners are apparently wise investments. Many adults 19 our community are wisely taking advantage of the offermet by the Beverly Evening School, and local educational author ties are financially backing them by paying their tuitions.
Whether graduates from high schools can go to college of not, they should not let their learning lag. My point is that the adult citizen of Hamilton should take advantage of th years that are ahead and direct their own further learn
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SCHOOL REPORT
After the habit of study is acquired in school, then koopt should be made to keep it up. It is an important m a pleasant and profitable life.
Phe Taet of the matter is that adults are actually never too by learn until they give up the struggle and "quit cold." bears a great deal about plastic youth; how about giving hubce for plastic maturity ?
touring this report to a close I want to express my wendion for the close cooperation which I have received my colleagues. Members of my faculty have been loyal I Laihful in executing the duties which have been entrusted HAom. I am very grateful to you for the assistance which fre given me. It is my belief that the boys and girls Homilton are worthy of every cent spent toward their edu- and that they will continue to prove that money spent public education is a good sound investment.
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