USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Tewksbury > Town of Tewksbury annual report 1939-1944 > Part 35
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Our communities must wake up to the fact that they are to see marked changes in our system of education when this war is won. If we have any national wisdom we will see to it that, never again must young men's lives depend on the skill of six-week machinists, even though modern machines seem to run of themselves and our people have shown a marvelous power of learning to handle them. We must get over the idea that our offspring should all have white collar jobs. It sometimes seems that our whole war effort is being slowed up by a superabundance of white collars rather than a scarcity of overalls.
We must also see to it that our children are taught more and better how to live in their world. They must be taught more of the importance to them, personally, of how and by whom they are governed. They must be made to realize that any government, local, state or national, is only as good as the men who make and administer the laws. We should teach them to fear political fences as much as prison bars --- even more. We should be allowed to teach them to ask WHY, when a
146
man or group of men spend $10,000 to secure election to a $5,000 office or when a man appointed to a $5,000 job seems to be obliged to live "from hand to mouth". In short, we should be realistic. We should teach these young people to use their own heads and not let others do their thinking for them.
THE TEACHER SITUATION
Here is one of the most difficult problems the school official has to face at the present time. Good teachers have always been scarce. Teachers of any kind, available to the none too rich towns, are getting to be difficult to find. This is not surprising in consideration of the fact that a young woman earning $1,200 a year as a teacher can get $1,500 or $1,600 a year at not too skilled labor and be free to forget her job at the end of a day and sleep at night like a baby. There is a wide difference between running an immovable machine for eight hours, and controlling forty highly aniniated children while teaching them at the same time. It is not surprising that many young people who are quali- fied to teach and who have even been teaching, are glad to take up some form of mechanical labor.
The situation is further complicated by the demand of the govern- ment for the services of young men teachers in the armed forces. Every man who steps out has to be replaced by a woman. Frequently none can be found who are capable of teaching the subjects which are re- quired. For example: It is difficult to find women who can teach the sciences, mathematics or vocational courses for boys. Any who are available are immediately snapped up by the larger and richer com- munities.
During the year we have lost some very good teachers for various reasons. Two of our young men have gone into the armed services. Mr. Sanıpson, Principal of Shawsheen School, was inducted into one of the sea-going services during the summer and Mr. King of the High School faculty entered the army during the fall term.
Mr. Miller, acting head of the High School, resigned to accept a science position in Arlington. Mr. Herbert Hoyt, Principal of the Sher- born secondary school, was elected to the vacancy.
Mr. Hoyt in his section of this report has enumerated the other changes in the High School faculty. I will not repeat them.
In the elementary schools there were numerous changes. None of these were in the Foster School. This staff continues the same as last year.
147
In the Shawsheen School the condition was serious. As indicated above the principal resigned in the summer, as did Miss Von Bergen, teacher of grades six and seven. She accepted much better pay at clerical work in the Hingham Ship Yard. Later Miss Holt, who taught grades four and five, accepted a better position in another town nearer her home. Josephine Mclellan, who taught grades three and four last year, changed her name to Hedstrom and automatically ceased teaching.
So matters stood well along in August. All endeavors to secure an adequate principal were in vain. Seventh grade teachers seemed equally scarce at the salary we could offer. An additional difficulty appeared, due to gasoline rationing, which introduced the element of transporta- tion to further complicate the situation. Precious gasoline was burned pursuing vain leads. Finally when schools were about to open, with only one position filled by Miss Mason of North Billerica, it was found necessary to call upon friends for aid. As a personal favor to the Super- intendent, Mrs. Thelma Doucette of Reading, a strong teacher, formerly in his employ in Wilmington, consented to take over the preliminary organization of the school and to stay as long as her family affairs per- mitted. Mrs. Doucette did an excellent piece of work. It is to be re- gretted that she was not able to continue longer.
No satisfactory candidate having applied for the seventh grade position it was necessary again to call on an old friend, formerly Miss Alberta Ringer of the Foster School staff. Miss Ringer, now Mrs. Mooney, consented to take over the position temporarily and when Mrs. Doucette had to retire, Mrs. Mooney became acting principal. This change made it necessary to secure another seventh grade teacher. Mrs. Edith Thornquist of Reading was hired on a substitute basis. Mrs. Thornquist had a long succesful experience as teacher in large schools before her marriage.
At the end of a month Miss Mason who was elected to succeed Miss Mclellan in the third and fourth grades, asked for a release to take a position in Billerica. Miss Margaret Mathews of Lowell, who had taught in a New Hampshire town, was secured for this place.
At about this time we had to call back Mrs. Josephine Mclellan Hedstrom to take the vacancy left by Miss Holt's resignation which really came after schools had started.
Still later in the fall, in November, Miss Elizabeth Reynolds an- nounced her approaching marriage and resigned. Again we called on our former teaching staff and hired Mrs. Margaret Hedstrom Oliver to take charge of this first grade room. At the commencement of the
148
Christmas vacation Mrs. Mooney found it necessary to give up her posi- tion as acting principal of the school. We were fortunate to find avail- able the services of an experienced teacher in Mrs. Ann Washburn, who is now serving in the capacity of acting principal.
Thus at the close of the year there was but one teacher left of the six who had been in the school in June.
At Christmas, Miss Dorothy Ogston, teacher in the primary grades in the Ella Flemings School, announced her approaching mar- riage and presented a plea for a leave of absence for the balance of the year. Miss Helle Generales, of Lowell, has been placed in charge of this room.
This is typical of what has been happening all over the state and nation and of what we may expect to continue for the duration of the war. Our only way of holding our teachers will be to meet financial competition as best we are able.
As an item of interest may I state that there has been a 40% turnover in the teaching corps since June considering actual positions involved and a 50% actual change in persons.
SCHOOL LUNCH PROJECT
Two excellent school lunch projects have been in operation during the year. They have been most successful and of great benefit to the children served. At the Shawsheen School a very fine job of adapta- tion to conditions was done and the result a dining space and very good cooking and serving facilities were developed.
Thanks to receipts of surplus commodities from the government and the labor furnished under W.P.A., it has been possible to serve very fine lunches at a very low cost.
It is hoped that the third project at the Foster School can be put into effect. There is some uncertainty about our ability to secure either free products or free labor.
This town owes a vote of appreciation to those who have had a hand in the planning and administration of this very desirable addi- tion to our school service. The work has been done better and more efficiently than in many larger communities.
149
RATIONING
Our teachers have done a very important service to this community and the nation in their intelligent and efficient execution of the three important rationing programs. They have been patient in the face of undeserved criticism and faults of conception in some of the projects themselves. I want to take this opportunity of thanking them all for their cheerful acceptance of this patriotic duty thrust upon them and to compliment them upon their very intelligent completion of the work.
HEALTH
The excellent teamwork between Dr. Larrabee and Miss Haines, the school nurse, has had and is having an important effect on the wel- fare of the school children. Their careful examination and prompt action has helped to keep us free from serious epidemics of the so- called children's diseases. Some of these ailments regarded as a neces- sary part of growing up are far more dangerous than the general public realizes. Many defects which become chronic in later life are traceable to these childhood diseases.
ART AND MUSIC
Progress in Art and Music has been in the capable hands of the same people who served us last year. Music in the elementary schools is showing a steady growth. In the high school it continues to main- tain a high level of accomplishment. Miss Shea's work in the super- vision of drawing shows increasingly good results.
ENROLLMENT
There has been a slight decrease in enrollment since last year. A great part of this drop came in the high school. This is wholly nat- ural in consideration of the existing economic and war conditions. Dur- ing the year 1941 we had not begun to see the number of opportunities for work for young people that are now available. Then there was no call for working certificates for part time employment for children under sixteen. For those over sixteen the issue of certificates has in- creased from six to eight times.
This tendency toward decrease in school attendance is likely to continue for the duration if no sudden influx of new residents comes from nearby defense plants. This is a possibility and has to be consid- ered in planning for the future.
150
WAR'S EFFECTS
As we approach the peak of the nation's war effort we may expect to see more and more required of the schools. They too will be drafted for a variety of endeavors all directed towards producing a more effec- tive fighting force. We may be called upon to forget all of our familiar courses of study and to direct our efforts to preparing our young people to be better able mentally and physically to bear war's impact. The de- mands already are very strong for a change of emphasis in our physical education. We can no longer spend nearly all of our effort on less than 20% of the pupils enrolled. It is demanded that we give a good hard and thorough general physical training to every child capable of standing it. This is for boys and girls alike and is one of the "musts" of the government's program.
There will probably be added calls for the aid of school children in the planting and harvesting of crops. Accent will be placed on the importance of home gardening and the preserving or "canning" of products. It is even possible that we may see boys under sixteen al- lowed to do labor now forbidden to them. They may even be urged to do such labor. All depends upon the length of this war. The sooner ended the sooner we begin our way back to the true American mode of existence.
THE SCHOOL PLANT
All of the school buildings have been kept in excellent repair and have been well cared for by good janitorial service.
Our one trouble for the year has been with the heating apparatus at the Shawsheen School. It was difficult to determine why such a new and efficient appearing heating plant would not give clean warm air to all rooms. There was a "bug" somewhere which has not as yet been found. Changes and repairs combined with intelligent handling by the janitor is giving results which are at least bearable.
CONCLUSION
May I call attention to the reports of my various associates whichi are here presented. They are worthy of consideration. I gratefully acknowledge the loyal cooperation and help which I have received from school committee, principals, supervisors and teachers.
Respectfully submitted,
STEPHEN G. BEAN,
Supt. of Schools
January 8, 1943.
151
REPORT OF THE HEADMASTER Tewksbury High School January, 1943
To the Superintendent and School Committee:
The following is my annual report as Acting-Headmaster of the
Tewksbury High School.
The following table shows the enrollment for October 1, 1941 and for October 1, 1942.
ENROLLMENT BY CLASSES AS OF OCTOBER 1
1941
1942
Boys
Girls
Total
Boys
Girls
Total
Post Graduates
1
1
2
1
Seniors
21
17
38
14
17
31
Juniors
25
26
51
23
30
53
Sophomores
26
32
58
23
25
49
Freshmen
30
34
64
29
35
64
102
110
212
89
109
198
It will seem that there has been a decided decrease in the enroll- ment of boys since last year. This is due to the fact that some of our young people have entered the armed services of our country before graduating from high school while others have been attracted by lucrative positions in defense work. It is obvious that the man power shortage in this country is becoming acute, but in most cases the student would be more valuable to his country and in a better position to advance if he completed his high school education.
Attendance was fairly high until December when it dropped off rather badly. This was due to the fact that many of our students were working before Christmas. I wish to point out the advantage of the student being in school every day when it is possible. Absence makes it necessary to repeat work thus wasting the time of the teacher and other members of the class.
152
The division of students according to the courses for which they have registered is as follows:
Commercial 56
College 52
General
44
Manual Training 17
Nurses Training 11
Teachers' College 6
Home Economics 13
In answering to the growing need for trained man power in our armed forces, we are making drastic changes in our schedule and are adding an eighth course of study which might be called pre-induc- tion training. We have added a full year class in aeronautics which is proving interesting to a large group of boys and should be very benefi- cial after graduation. We have also added a course in blue print reading and expect to add two other courses called Fundamentals of Machines and Fundamentals of Electricity. This is being done at the request of the War Department to prepare our boys for induction into the armed services. We are also asked to help in the physical preparation of our students and in answer to that need we are introducing a physical education program for all. The periods have been short- ened to allow time for a full hour of physical education every day. This will permit all boys to have two hours of gym each week and all girls at least one hour.
There have been several changes in the high school teaching staff during this year. Mr. Richard Miller, Miss Leonore Meehan, and Miss Marjorie Scoboria resigned during the summer to accept more lucrative positions. Mr. Herbert Hoyt was elected as Acting Headmaster to take Mr. Miller's place, Miss Marjorie Stanley was elected to replace Miss Meehan in the commercial department and Mrs. Kathryn Hall was elected to replace Miss Scoboria in the mathematics department. Miss Hall resigned in November and Miss Catherine Riley substituted for her until December. In December Miss Maguire took over part of the mathematics and Mrs. Elizabeth Hoyt was elected to take over the rest of the mathematics and part of the language department. In November Mr. Joseph King entered the army and Miss Fatoula Papaconstantineau was elected as the science teacher.
In June, 1942, the high school held its seventh annual com- mencement exercises. The following were presented diplomas and special honors by Mrs. May Larrabee, chairman of the School Board.
153
Rita Barrett
Barbara Sawyer
Salvatore Lipomi
Andrew McCormack
Allan Osterman Walter Pupkis William Roper
Dorothy Labonte
John Carter
Earl Sheehan
Christine Liakos
Frederick Dorsch
Henry Smith
Pauline Maclaren
Walter Doucette
John Smith, Jr.
Mildred Mavrogianis
Roland Fearon
John Sullivan
Josephine Neveska
Winthrop Fitzgerald
George Wilson
Alice Patenaude
Albert Hinckley
John Whitehouse
George Liegakos
SPECIAL HONORS
Valedictory, Winthrop Fitzgerald Salutatory, George Liegakos
The May L. Larrabee Scholarship Awards WILLIAM FITZGERALD, GEORGE LIEGAKOS
The Balfour Award ALICE FARRELL
The Melvin Rogers Awards WALTER DOUCETTE, WILLIAM ROPER
The Sons of the American Revolution History Medal PHYLLIS BLAIR
The Parent-Teachers' Association Medal ELLA BERNSSON
The Becker College Award DOROTHY LABONTE
Class President, Salvatore Lipomi Class Marshall, John Smith, Jr.
JUNIOR USHERS Mildred Hughes, Marcia Pike, Leo Bonugli, William Chandler
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Ella Bernsson Jean Coombes Alice Farrell Elsie Haas Audrey Jones
Margaret Sheehan Jennie Suslovitch Martha Tremblay Leo Berube Melvin Burgess
Harold Shapcott
In June, 1942, Tewksbury High School was awarded for the seventh consecutive year the class A certificate issued by the State Department of Education.
The reduced enrollment among the older boys had an adverse effect on the football team this fall. From a standpoint of victories we did not have a successful season, but from any other point of view we were highly satisfied. The boys played hard, clean football all fall and were partially rewarded at the end of the season by a tie with Wilmington. The fact that many of the older boys didn't return this year gave many of the younger ones a chance to gain experience. Although the income from the game was small, the expenses for new equipment was light and the balance for the football season was favorable. A full financial report for the Ath- letic Association is appended.
The school board and Hi-Lights Club cooperated in buying a liquid duplicator for the commercial department. The machine is proving very valuable to the whole school. It gives the commercial students valuable experience and it is proving much cheaper to operate than our Mimeograph machine.
The play chosen last year by the Dramatic Club was "The American Patriot," a timely comedy with a lesson in patriotism for everyone. The play was produced under the direction of Miiss Doris Groesbeck with Ella Bernsson acting as student director. The play proved to be a financial and dramatic success.
The girls' and boys' chorus gave their Fourth Annual Concert in May. Several numbers were presented by both groups. The mixed chorus gave a number which was a bit different from the ordinary by giving a Chorale Speaking of the 24th Psalm. We had as our guests of the evening the Wilmington Boys' Choir with George Pendleton assisting them on his trumpet. Also a piano solo was given by Juanita Battles and an Invocation was read by Ethel Harmon. It was all ably directed by Miss Harriet Donehue, music supervisor.
In conclusion, I wish to say that I have been very favorably impressed by Tewksbury's attractive, well organized high school. In general I have found the equipment excellent, but I feel that we should add more books to the school library, especially sonie good reference books. I also feel that some of our textbooks should be replaced by newer editions.
155
It is a pleasure to acknowledge the thoughtful consideration of high school problems by the school committee and the friendly coun- sel of the superintendent of schools. I wish to thank the members of the faculty and the student body who have been helpful to us new teachers in our adjustment to the school and community.
Respectfully Submitted,
HERBERT E. HOYT, Acting Headmaster.
156
TEWKSBURY HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION REPORT FOR YEAR 1941-1942
RECEIPTS
EXPENSES
Football
$344.20
Football
$350.28
Basketball
176.46
Basketball
254.06
Baseball
5.06
Baseball
44.45
Field Hockey
6.07
Field Hockey
74.17
Miscellaneous
265.92
Miscellaneous
152.70
Total
$797.71
Total
875.66
Balance on Hand, September 1, 1941
86.23
$883.94
$875.66
Balance on Hand, September 1, 1942
8.28
$883.94
$883.94
-
-
Age-Grade Distribution October 1, 1942
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
T
I
31
40
11
1 1
84
=
21
40
10
1
72
66
IV
20
40
7
3
3.
1
4
78
V
20
27
16
3
2
68
VI
2
19
33
9
5
1
69
VII
20
31
13
7
1
72
VIII
13
34
11
9
2
69
T
31
62
72
63
72
56
73
59
55
23
10
2
578
IX
15
36
11
2
64
X
5
32
10
1
48
XI
13
26
12
1
1
53
XII
12
18
1
31
P.G.
1
1
2
T
15
41
56
50
32
3
1
198
G. T.
31
62
72
63
72
56
73
59. 70
64
66
52
32
3
1
776
1
21
32
8
3
1
TABLE II Teacher-Grade Distribution
October 1, 1942
TEACHER GRADE
I
VIII
1X | X
XI
XII
P.G.
T
FOSTER SCHOOL
MELOY
39
39
CUNNINGHAM
35
35
COLBATH
37
37
BLAKE
38
38
PIPER
42
42
FLYNN
38
38
LYONS
41
41
HOWARD
38
38
TOTAL
39
35
37
38
42
38
41
38
308
SHAWSHEEN SCHOOL
OLIVER
43
43
KATHERINA
32
32
MATHEWS
25
15
40
HEDSTROM
20
25
45
THORNQUIST
24
9
33
WASHBURN
15
26
41
TOTAL
43
32
25
35
25
24
24
26
234
NORTH SCHOOL
GENERALES
2
5
4
5
16
HERSEY
1
7
7
5
20
TOTAL
2
5
4 5 1 7 7
1
5
36
HIGH SCHOOL
HOYT
64
48
53
31
2
198
TOTAL
64
48
53
31
2
198
GRAND TOTAL
84
72
66
78
68
69
72
69
64
48
53
31
776
Teachers' names as of Jan. 4, 1943.
V
VI
VII
REPORT OF THE MUSIC SUPERVISOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
To Mr. Stephen G. Bean and Members of the School Committee.
Dear Sirs and Madam:
Each year I have attempted to give general outlines of what is being attempted in music education in the elementary schools. It seems needless to repeat them here.
Out of the many things which could be taught I have endeavored to evolve a course of music study dealing with certain basic needs in music; simple enough to catch the imagination of the child and not discourage his attitude toward music, yet thorough enough to give him sufficient understanding so that he would be able to "know" his way around, and have certain skills enabling him to express himself musically.
In all teaching there is bound to be passive as well as active learn- ing. In passive learning the child receives impressions from without which afford pleaure and which have more or less influence in deter- mining the things which he is to know. Some of these passive or con- comitant learnings that are gained through systematic music drill are, -the cultivation of the imagination; the memory is strengthened; at- tention and accuracy are developed. It is conducive to order, method and system. It trains the will, helps gain the power to think and trains certain of the senses. It awakens love, respect and confi- dence. It has "physical education" advantages because it promotes deep breathing and erect posture. It promotes cheerfulness, fortitude, good-fellowship and an appreciation of the mutual dependence of all who live in a community. It prepares for good citizenship.
We attempt simple correlation. Through anecdote, bits of music history, pictures, and choice of songs we tie up music to the other sub- jects. But in no sense do we try to make a place for music by doing this. We believe in music for its own sake and it must win its way on its own merit. This it is doing. Our children love to sing. They are developing a consciousness of power in music. They are telling us what they hear over the radio that we have taught them in school. Also, we try to guide them in their listeninig to the radio. They have learned to differentiate types of music and laugh gleefully at certain programs because they know it for "joke" music and only to be tol- erated.
160
The seventh grade usually presents difficulties all its own. We have been able to overcome the shyness which appears at this age. Their love has overcome their fears. They have nice poise and a real desire is manifest. They have learned to accept the physical difficulties as something to be endured for the time being because they have discov- ered that it is in the natural course of events in their lives. They laugh at each other's "noises" rather than being embarrassed.
As a nation we are not rich in national song, but we endeavor to have every child learn to sing and love the few that we do have. This year we have maintained a strong patriotic motive and shall continue it even more so as the months go by.
Choric-speech has been introduced in the seventh and eighth grades at Foster, the upper grades at the North and the eighth grade at Shaw- sheen. This is valuable in interpretation and diction in song as well as being worth-while for its own sake.
Rhythm orchestras have been attempted in all schools.
There have been music contests in all schools.
The North School presented a patriotic program of songs and dances of the Colonial period in April. It consisted of a cantata, en- titled "George Washington", followed by a scene, "An Evening at Mount Vernon". The rhythm orchestra played several selections.
Musical Matinees, where grades entertain each other, were held in all schools near the close of the school year in June.
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