USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1920-1926 > Part 15
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51
CHANGES IN THE TEACHING FORCE
Perhaps the most radical step taken by the School Committee was the decision to hire for the Wm. E. Frost and the Sargent schools male principals. The success of the step is apparent to those who are intimately acquainted with the schools, and the wisdoni of the committee in initiating this part of the educational program is not questioned by the parent of the boy who is coming in daily contact with him who has been a boy himself, and who understands the boy's viewpoint.
In addition to the principals referred to in the previous paragraph. there have been other changes, including two teachers in the Cameron school for such time as the two platoon system was in effect. Three new teachers at the Academy are taking the places of the two whole and one part-time teachers of last year. Later in the year Miss Willey of the Cameron school was transferred to the Sargent school as teacher of the second grade there. and at the Wm. E. Frost school, Mrs. Carter was engaged to assist with the overcrowded classes of that building. A new teacher was engaged for the Parkerville school, and at its December meeting, the committee voted to hire still one more teacher for the Wm. E. Frost school, as there are two rooms in that building that legally are entitled to assistants. The new teacher will not begin her duties till February.
TRANSPORTATION
Perhaps more than any other one phase of school administration, the problem of transportation is the one problem which occasions more anxiety and which is harder to adjust to the entire satisfaction of all concerned than any other. Westford schools have enrolled 183 pupils transported by motor barges, horse-drawn vehicles, and trolleys to different schools, as follows :
Sargent School 16
Academy
45
Wm. E. Frost School. 122
183
To compute the average cost is not difficult, but to measure costs in anything like a scientific way, is impossible, because of the difference in
13
conditions which enter into the problem, such as distance, means of con- veyance, winter routes, etc.
The State Board of Education is not able to give any assistance as to average cost throughout the State, because of these difficult factors which enter into any local problem of transportation.
The committee have taken this stand in regard to transportation, that, as far as possible, the motor-drawn bus shall be used in place of the horse- drawn vehicle.
WORK OF THE YEAR
The work of the schools has shown improvement. This is uniformly noticeable throughout the town, and it is reflected in various ways by the pupils themselves in their attitude toward those in authority, and toward school property. Improved physical conditions at the Sargent, Wm. E. Frost and Parkerville schools are in part responsible. Again the work of the nurse has been of inestimable value, and more potent than any other force is that of the earnest enthusiastic teacher.
The interest of the townspeople in certain projects, as in the health program at Forge Village, has been helpful. Particular mention should be made of the generosity of Mr. Alexander Cameron, who gave prizes for the best health posters by the boys and girls of the different schools. The help- fulness of those who have acted as leaders of the clubs is also appreciated. Particular mention is due Mr. Otis Day for his untiring efforts with the boys, and for the part he has taken in helping the boys to exhibit their pigs at Groton Fair, where several of the boys won prizes on their exhibits. Several public spirited citizens made it possible to offer generous prizes to members of the Home Economics clubs at their final exhibit.
There may be a question in the minds of some as to the legitimacy of work such as the Farm Bureau is doing with the boys and girls in school hours. I think that a work so distinctly educational in its many phases may well have our support, and in this connection I am making a few excerpts from the report of the County Leader, Mr. Trask, on work accom- plished in this field :- "Enrollment-Home Economics, 50; Canning, 12; Garden, 8; Pig, 8; Dairy 1. Organized Clubs, 9. Club Meetings held, 42. Home Visits, 71. Westford has the largest pig club in the county. William K. Carver who raised a 310-pound pig won second honors which means a two-day trip. He also won first at the Groton Fair. Three other Westford pigs won prizes at Groton and many canning and garden prizes were won there also."
PHYSICAL TRAINING IN THE SCHOOLS
It is made permissible by law to have physical training in the school. Eventually the importance of this phase of development will be more generally accepted and gymnasia will be provided for use in the different schools. Until such time we must make use of the playgrounds. Organized play has been carried on during the year at the Cameron School, and during the fall term under the direction of the principals of the Sargent and William E. Frost schools. At the Academy the work has been divided and Principal Roudenbush has given setting-up exercises to the boys, while at the same time the girls have been given work by Miss Latham. At Parkerville, there
14
has been no special effort to stress the playground work. Mrs. Robbins has served hot cocoa to the pupils of her school instead.
REPAIRS AND UPKEEP
This year the Sargent school needs shingling and outside painting. These items should cost less another summer than at any time since our participation in the war, and it is poor economy to let these major repairs go year after year.
This school is in need of adjustable furniture. I recommend that the committee include in their budget a sum sufficient to purchase new castings for the used desks at Forge Village school, and by having these desks refinished, two rooms could be fitted with adjustable furniture at a saving of about $200.
NEW SCHOOLHOUSES
The new school at Brookside will help to relieve the congestion at the Wm. E. Frost school. The Cameron school is temporarily relieved by the two-room portable school, but that is only a temporary building. The Sargent school is filled beyond the point of efficiency. The stockroom in this school is used as a classroom, and a class is reciting in the lower corridor, while pupils are passing to the basements. At the Wm. E. Frost school this same condition will be seen with the coming of the new teacher in February.
At the Academy, Principal Roudenbush tells of the inadequate quarters. With these conditions facing us on every hand, it would seem none too soon to present to the Town a plan for additional facilities such as Mr. Jones outlined in his report to the School Committee.
COST OF THE SCHOOLS IN WESTFORD
To the taxpayer of the town the increase in school appropriation is a matter of grave concern. Because I believe it is due that the taxpayer know the cost of the schools, and with that thought in mind I present the fore- going table which I prepared from data taken from the returns made to the State Board of Education for the school year ending June 30, 1921.
PER CAPITA
Table showing per capita costs of several items of school expenses in Westford and surrounding towns. 1921:
Average
Cost of
Cost of text-books
Cost of janitor service H.S. El.
Cost of repairs
Net av. cost
Net av.
Name of
memb'ship instruction
all expenditures cost per
Town
H.S El
H.S.
El.
H.S.
El.
H.S.
El.
H S.
El.
capita
Littleton
49 182 $97.16 $40.15 $4.63 $3.63
$3.49 $3.10 $2.44 $1.80 $129.71 $79 10 $93.92
Acton
78 310
34.77
. .
2.70 1.78 2.96
... 3.94
5.85 3.29
3.14
150.40
61.83
82.72
Westford
61 541 72
. .. .
34.00
. .
. . .
7.50
. .
1.79
223.40
88.51 113.10
From the foregoing table it is quite evident that the per capita cost for Westford schools is below that of the other towns in the same district, and below the average in group III.
I wish to close this report with a word of appreciation of the splendid co-operation that I have received.
The work of the year has been a helpful experience, and to the com- mittee, because of their adherence to the constructive policies adopted, is due the great part of the success of the year.
Respectfully submitted,
HERMAN C. KNIGHT,
Superintendent of Schools.
.
. .
1.65
120.43
58 57
67.64
Carlisle
. . .
95.15
30 30
2.40
15
Report of Westford Academy.
January 1. 1922.
To H. C. Knight,
Superintendent of Schools.
The following is my tenth annual report as principal of Westford Academy :
The enrollment of the school on the opening day of the present year. September 7, 1921, comprised thirty boys and thirty-six girls, which is now reduced to twenty-seven boys and thirty-five girls. Two boys have moved from town, another has gone to work. One girl has left to go to work.
Of the sixty-two now enrolled, nineteen are members of the senior class, nine of the junior class, fifteen of the sophomore class, and nineteen of the freshman class.
By far the largest proportion of students come from distances which practically necessitate transportation, especially in the winter season. Only eleven members of the school are within easy walking distance. Twenty-two of the total number of students come from Forge Village and Graniteville.
As head of the school we were much gratified when the committee voted to grant us another full-time teacher. This action filled a need which had existed for several years, and we are now able to provide a program which does not require teachers to handle such a variety of unrelated sub- jects that their proficiency is thereby impaired. Teachers are now assigned work in departments more nearly related. which is the proper condition in a well-regulated school. The Principal has the classes in Latin. French, and Community Civics; Miss Katherine Ott, the Commercial Subjects; Miss Dorothy Latham. English and History : Miss Elizabeth Brown, Science and Mathematics ; Miss Ruth Sargent, Domestic Science.
Since there were only two regular recitation rooms in the building be- sides the main study hall. it became necessary to provide additional room upon the advent of another teacher. This was met by furnishing with armed chairs a room used as an office and storeroom, but as this room is not heated it cannot be used for recitations in cold weather. Accordingly we hold certain classes, now here, now there, wherever it can best be done. Our work will be more efficient when we have another recitation room properly equipped and heated.
Certain changes were made this year in the school hours, also in the curriculum. School now opens at 8.45 A. M. instead of S.30, and closes at 2.30 p. M. instead of 1.40. The recitation periods are forty minutes in length, except the last one of the day, which is thirty-six minutes. The principal change made in the school hours is extension of the noon recess. which has been lengthened from twenty minutes to thirty-five. Further- more, fifteen minutes are given to setting-up exercises just before the recess. The Principal directs the boys in these drills, and Miss Latham. the girls.
16
In this way we try to live up to the new state law which requires every public school to include physical training in its curriculum.
Besides the introduction of setting-up exercises (an essentially new foa- ture of the program) we devote more time in all four of the classes to cur- rent events. These are studied in connection with lessons in history and civics, the published leaflet, "Current Events," having been subscribed for by the classes as a help in this study, besides the newspapers ordinarily read. A further change in subjects was made by the substitution of a year of gen- oral history in place of French. We now have French two years in the course instead of three years.
The baseball season from April 22 to June 10, 1921 was not so suc- cessful in certain particulars as that of the year previous. Yet considering the conditions under which some of the games were played, the team did well. Out of twelve games played, we won five and lost seven. Our oppon- ents were Lowell Vocational School, and the high schools of Littleton, Ayer, Groton, Pepperell, and Chelmsford.
Much interest has been manifest in basket ball since October. Princi- pal Carter of the Frost School has coached the boys of the Academy as well as those of his own school, and Miss Brown organized a team among the girls, who played a team from Bromfield School on November 18, and won by a score of 49 to 5. The boys have played several games among them- selves, various groups challenging other groups. They also played a game with the Ayer High School November 15, which resulted in a victory for Ayer by the score of 43 to 17. Besides these particular athletic activities, mention may be made of the work begun by Miss Latham in organizing a troop of Girl Scouts.
In January, 1921, Mrs. H. W. Hildreth, teacher of English and History, resigned and her work was taken by Mrs. O. L. Brownsey for the remainder of the year. Miss Etta Crane and Miss Mary Connors resigned in June after serving here for two years.
On April 22, 1921, Miss Fisher, professor of Education in the Lowell Normal School, addressed the girls of the Academy on the subject of teaching as a profession. Several girls from different classes signified either an in- tention to teach or an interest in the subject. Miss Gladys Ingalls, of the class of 1921, is now studying in the Lowell Normal School. With regard to the present activities of the graduates of 1921, it is encouraging to report that Carl Anderson, Francis Daley. Harold Harrington, Henry Harrington, Chester Lapniewski, and Stanley Smith are all attending higher institutions of learning in or near Boston. Lillian Hunt and Hattie Simpson attend the Kimball Commercial College in Lowell.
The Principal this year as last accompanied a delegation of school boys to the Older Boys' Conference held in Ayer on Saturday, April 16, under the direction of the Y. M. C. A. The boys who attended from the Academy were Lawrence Ingalls, Eric Anderson, Herbert Shea, and Elliott Humiston, Jr.
The girls elector to membership in the Tadmuck Club on basis of scholarship are Helen Kimball and Carolyn Bell of the class of 1922. These two. together with Catherine O'Neil and Norman Cutter, also received elec- tion to the Pro Merito Society of secondary schools, an honor granted only to those of superior rank in scholarship.
17
The Senior class play, "A Black Diamond," given by a cast of eight members of the class on the evening of May 18, was a success, artistically and financially. The performance netted close to $100.00, which money was applied toward meeting graduation expenses. The graduating class re- membered the Academy by the gift of a Seth Thomas clock, now placed on the wall of the main assembly room, while the old clock was moved to the typewriting room, where a time-piece was needed.
By agreeing to frame and install with proper ceremony a life-sized por- trait of Theodore Roosevelt, the Academy became the recipient of such a portrait from the American Defense League of New York. Exercises were held in connection with this ceremony on June 8, upon which occasion sev- eral students assisted the Principal by selected readings on the life and career of Roosevelt.
It has become customary for the senior class near the close of their year to take some pleasure trip or outing. The class of 1921 decided upon an auto excursion to Old Orchard, Maine, and June 14, accompanied by the Principal and Mrs. Harry M. Ingalls, the class took this trip. Finding Old Orchard somewhat dull so early in the season, it was decided to return as far as Salisbury Beach where the remainder of the day was pleasantly spent. No accident of any kind occurred to mar a delightful outing.
On June 16, we were favored by a visit from Hon. Frederic A. Fisher, who addressed the school in his practical and convincing way. He pre- sented us with a copy of the general catalogue of trustees. teachers, and students of Westford Academy, published in 1895, and spoke of the career of certain graduates who have become famous.
We observed Armistice Day on November 10, the day before the holi- day. A program of exercises appropriate to the occasion was given. Be- sides the part taken by the Principal, there were songs and readings by members of the school.
During the past year death has removed Mr. Abiel J. Abbot, who had served years as Treasurer of the Academy Trustees. Out of respect to Mr. Abbot, the Academy sessions were omitted the afternoon of May 4, when the funeral services were held in the Unitarian Church.
The death of Alice Mae Gilson (Kilmister) early this past December. removes from the list of living graduates of the Academy a young woman who was valedictorian of the first class to graduate under the present Prin- cipal in 1913.
The plan adopted for awarding the prize money given by the Trustees is the same as last year, viz :-
PRIZES FOR 1921-22
1. A prize of five dollars to that member of the Freshman class who obtains the highest average rank in all subjects during the year.
2. A prize of ten dollars to that member of the Senior, Junior or Sopho- more class who makes the highest percentage of improvement over his aver- age rank for the year 1920-1921.
3. Two prizes of five dollars each to those members of the Senior Junior or Sophomore class who rank second and third, respectively, in per- centage of improvement over the year 1920-1921.
18
4. Deportment will be considered in awarding above prizes.
5. The prizes will be awarded at the graduation exercises in June, 1922.
Attention is called to the graduation program of June 22, 1921, which is printed elsewhere in the Town Report.
Respectively submitted, WILLIAM C. ROUDENBUSH, Principal of Westford Academy.
Graduation Exercises of Westford Academy.
AT THE TOWN HALL, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1921 AT 10 O'CLOCK A. M.
Program
March with Overture
TITANIA ORCHESTRA
Invocation
REV. O. L. BROWNSLEY
Salutatory
FRANCIS HANDLEY DALEY
('lass History
MARJORIE EVELYN BELL
Class "Grinds"
ALICE ELIZABETH JOHNSON
Class Will
LILLIAN MAY HUNT
Canta a "The Landing of the Pilgrims" SOLOIST : CONRAD EDMUND COTE
Coerne
Presentation of Class Gift
RUTH JOHNSON
Acceptance of Gift
HELEN MAY KIMBALL, Class of 1922
Class Prophecy
CHESTER LAPNIEWSKI
"His New Day"
PRIN. W. C. ROUDENBUSHI ORCHESTRA
Valedictory
STANLEY JOSEPII SMITH
Presentation of Prizes and Diplomas
SUPT. H. C. KNIGIIT
Class Motto-Service. Class Colors-Blue and gold. Class Flower -- Lily of the Valley.
19
Graduates
¡CARL OSCAR ANDERSON
*MARJORIE EVELYN BELLE
*FRANCIS HANLEY DALEYİ ¡MABEL GERTRUDE DANE ¡MARION FLETCHER ¡MILDRED FLETCHER *HAROLD ARTHUR HARRINGTON
*HENRY DANIEL HARRINGTON ¡LILLIAN MAY HUNTĖ *GLADY'S MIRIAM INGALLS
¡ALICE ELIZABETH JOHNSON
¡RUTH JOHNSON *CHESTER LAPNIEWSKI$ ¡MARJORIE POLLOCK ¡HATTIE GLADYS SIMPSON *STANLEY JOSEPH SMITH?
*Academic Course. ¡ English-Business Course. #Elected to the "Pro-Merito" Society of Secondary Schools.
Winners of Prizes
GIVEN BY ACADEMY TRUSTEES
Highest percentage of improvement in scholarship, (second, third and fourth year students) over the year 1920.
First Prize-Florence Caunter, '22. Ten Dollars. Second Prize-Mabel Dane, '21. Five Dollars.
Third Prize-Alice Walsh, '22. Five Dollars.
Honorable Mention-Lawrence Ingalls, '22.
Highest Average Rank for First Year Students
Prize-Dorothy Anderson. '24. Five Dollars. Honorable Mention -- Frank Jarvis. '24.
Report of Commercial Department Teacher.
January 1, 1922.
Mr. H. C. Knight. Superintendent of Schools. Westford, Mass. My Dear Mr. Knight :
There are enrolled in the commercial department at the present time fifty-two pupils. This is a decrease of six from the beginning of the year; four of these have left school.
20
This course offers subjects for each class in the school. Commercial arithmetic is a freshman subject; bookkeeping may be taken in the sopho- more year and continued through that and the next two years, and short- hand and typewriting are placed in the junior and senior years.
The arithmetic class numbers fourteen ; the three bookkeeping classes, thirty-two, while in the two years of shorthand and typewriting there are nine and twenty-one respectively.
Sutton and Lennes' "Business Arithmetic" is used in the arithmetic class. Fundamental operations are particularly stressed.
The Miner text-book, of the Moore and Miner series, is used for book- keeping. Work is given illustrative of different kinds of merchandising, accompanied by various business forms. It would be of advantage to have for this work larger desks, equipped with wells for both black and red ink.
The system of shorthand is Benn Pitman, as given in the Pitman- Howard "Phonographic Amanuensis." Supplementary dictation is given.
There are five Underwood typewriters, one Royal, and one Oliver. It is a valuable asset to have more than one kind of machine, especially two such makes as the Royal and Underwood, for these two, with the Reming- ton, are used very largely by business concerns. The classes are divided in such a way as to eliminate the necessity of making regular use of the Oliver. Respectfully submitted,
KATHERINE L. OTT.
Report of Supervisor of Music.
Mr. H. C. Knight,
Superintendent of Schools,
Westford, Mass.
Dear Sir:
My report for the music department of the Town of Westford is as follows :
I have felt pleased with much of the work accomplished in the grades during the year past. Where there is a good working spirit, enjoyment of their music and interest in it, there the desired results are obtained.
Last winter I started a class in piano instruction, given by the class method, now so much used in schools. The children, who attended regularly, certainly did very creditable work. I was much pleased with the result. After getting a start several of the children left the class for private in- struction, which of course is to be desired. Lack of interest on the part of the parents made the little recital the children tried to give in May quite disheartening. I felt sorry for the children and sorry that the parents took so little interest in a movement that might mean so much to the child. In many cases instead of visiting a piano class and becoming acquainted with the method used in this comparatively new idea, they stay at home and condemn the method because it is not the way they were taught. I was unable to find a teacher to carry on the class this year, so it was dropped temporarily. I am satisfied that it can be carried on in school, but it must
21
have the parents back of the children if the best results are to follow. Because the lessons cost but ten or fifteen cents does not excuse the child from being present at every lesson or from as faithful practice as if they cost ten times that amount.
Last June for the Academy graduation we sang the cantata. "The Landing of the Pilgrims." It seemed a pleasant change from the choruses we usually sing.
We are planning to give an operetta at the Cameron school before very long. It is some years since we have produced one. I trust it will be enjoyed by the parents for I am sure it will afford pleasure and profit for the children.
In closing let me thank the teachers and superintendent for their helpful co-operation.
Respectfully submitted, MARY B. RAYNES, Supervisor of Music.
Report of Domestic Science Teacher
Mr. H. C. Knight,
Superintendent of Schools,
Dear Sir :
The following is a report of the work in Domestic Science.
Cooking and sewing are taught three days a week in the schools of Westford. Tuesday and Wednesday of each week are devoted to cooking in the Academy, with one-half hour of sewing in the upper grades of the Wm. E. Frost school on Tuesday afternoon. Thursday my time is divided between Forge Village and Graniteville. Sewing in these two places is taught to all girls from the fifth to the eighth grades inclusive. The classes in cooking are conducted very much the same as last year. Lessons are assigned for outside study, for example, the composition and preparation of vegetables, fruits and cereals. The cooking has to be planned with the lunch in view, as the money received from the lunches pays for the material used.
The lunches are simple and nutritious.
The receipts from the lunches since the beginning of school in September have paid for the material used. The girls at present are interested in pre- paring a menu for a child of a given age requiring a given amount of food calories.
The sewing in all of the grades has been a little difficult, as they have to furnish their own material. In many cases the mothers have nothing for them and they lose interest. I have found, however, that by buying material and letting the children make some garment suitable for themselves they are ready to buy the garment when it is completed at cost price. On these garments they get much practice in hand sewing and learn much of the construction of a garment.
Respectfully submitted, RUTH M. SARGENT.
22
1
Report of School Physician.
To the School Committee :
Following is my report as medical inspector of the schools of Westford for the year ending December 31, 1921 :
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.