USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Westford > Town of Westford annual report 1937-1941 > Part 14
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For the expenses of the Public Schools this year, we respectfully ask for the sum of $66,000. For the Vocational Schools we respectfully ask for $2000.
Respectfully submitted,
ERIC J. ANDERSON
Chairman.
112
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee:
I herewith submit my seventh annual report as Superintendent of the Westford Public Schools, together with those of my colleagues, cov- ering the fiscal year 1938.
BUDGET
At the last Annual Town Meeting sixty-six thousand dollars was appropriated for the support of the public schools. This amount was asked for in order to carry on our regular work and to provide for sal- aries of two additional teachers. We are turning back to the Town two thousand four hundred fifty-six dollars and twenty-five cents, which is our expended balance. We were able to save this amount because of the following reasons:
1. We hired a substitute at a salary much lower than that of one regular teacher, who is on a year's leave of absence.
2. We were not compelled to form a special class and hire a teacher for the same. The reason for this will be explained later in this report under the heading of "Special Class".
3. In order to make room for the special class which we had ex- pected would be required, we abolished our central supply room. Having no storage place, we have therefore bought very few supplies and have used up some of those on hand. The apparent saving is, of course, offset by the fact that in another year, when there is no surplus, larger expen- ditures for supplies will be necessary.
4. We were forced to close our schools for one week because of the hurricane. The closing saved us about two hundred dollars in trans- portation on this year's budget, but this amount will have to be paid from next year's as the schools will have to run an extra week in June to make up for the time lost.
5. We had planned to paint the exterior of the Frost School dur- ' ing the summer. This work had to be postponed on account of the re- modeling of the building.
113
6. We were unable to retar the driveways around the Frost School . on account of the building alterations that were going on.
7. We asked for an emergency fund as usual. No emergency arose except for the hurricane damage. The Committee has been waiting for federal aid to assist in making these repairs in order to save the ex- penditure of town funds.
STAFF CHANGES
1. Mr. James Fitzgibbons, Principal of the Sargent School, asked for an additional year's leave of absence, in September, to complete the work for his Master's degree. His request was granted by the Com- mittee.
2. Mr. Chester V. Sweatt was transferred from the Frost School to the Sargent School as Acting Principal to replace Mr. Fitzgibbons.
3. Miss Ruth Lord resigned as teacher of Grade V in the Sargent School.
4. Mrs. Lottie Blodgett was transferred from the fourth to the fifth grade in the Sargent School.
5. Miss Mary Meehan was elected to fill the vacancy in the Sar- gent School. She is teaching in Grade IV.
6. Miss Kathleen Hammersley was elected as a substitute teacher for the remainder of the year. She was assigned to departmental work in the upper grades at the Frost School.
7. There was one change in the janitorial staff. Mr. John Peterson was elected as janitor of Westford Academy to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Willey M. Wright.
ACADEMY SITUATION
The following chart will give some idea of the crowded condition existing in the Academy in spite of the fact that we have gained ad- ditional room space this year by transferring the eighth grade to the Frost School. The pupil enrollment was taken on October first of each year.
Home Room
Seats
1937 Pupils
1938 Pupils
3
35
34
30
.
4
35
34
34
5
35
32
35
6
37
(8th grade)
34
114
7 **
21
21
22
8
36
36
33
10*
32
34
27
Total
231
191
215
* Legally this room cannot be used as a classroom.
** Legally we are not supposed to have more than twelve pupils in this room.
Total number of legal seats 190.
Total number of pupils in the building on October 1, 1938-215.
Number of Seniors due to graduate in June 1939-30.
Number of Freshmen expected to enter in September 1939-62.
The above figures show that we shall have an increase of from thirty to forty pupils in the number enrolled in the Academy next fall. The big question now becomes, "Where are we going to put them ?"
As this report goes to print, we are confronted with a warning from the State Department of Education that our present ratio of pupils to teachers is greater than the maximum which they allow. This warning was sent to us by Mr. Mack, who rates our school annually. When he makes his inspection next year, shall we be rated as a Class A high school or shall we be placed in Class B? The latter classification would mean that the graduates of the Academy could not go on to college by certification as they have been able to do in the past. This second class rating would be justified by the lack of sufficient and proper space for our high school pupils, and also by the lack of enough teachers to con- duct the classes. We earnestly hope that this situation can be remedied.
OUR STANDARDS
One of the fairest ways of judging to what extent our school system is achieving proper standards is by comparing our work with that done elsewhere. The success or failure of pupils who transfer to other schools gives us a good basis for such comparison. We find that most elementary school pupils who have transferred to other towns have continued to do anout the same grade of work as they had been doing here. In some cases their marks have risen, which would indicate that our standards were a little higher.
From the Academy our pupils have gone on to colleges and univer- sities with very little difficulty. During the past six years, I have known of no student's having failed in college after being certified for entrance.
115
Many have received high marks in normal schools and business colleges as well.
With reference to the matter of college entrance requirements, parents must of course realize that high marks will not avail for certifi- cation unless the proper courses have been chosen. It is of the utmost importance for each parent to co-operate with the school authorities in planning the high school career of his child. A closer tie between the home and school might eliminate many misunderstandings and dis- appointments.
CHRISTMAS GIFTS
The situation in European countries makes us feel grateful that we are so far away from their troubles and that we belong to this great democratic nation. With foreign democracies falling under the rule of dictators and with Christianity seriously threatened, we must do all in our power to fight off such influences in our own country and in our own community. One way of helping in this battle is to supplement the democratic teachings of our schools with emphasis on Christian holi- days. One of our best opportunities lies in the celebration of Christmas. Because of the existing depression it has not been possible to do this in many homes. In the schools, however, we have been able to continue our Christmas parties through the usual generous gifts of the Abbot Worsted Company and the C. G. Sargent Sons, Incorporated. We hope that these parties have fulfilled their purposes and that they will be made possible for many years to come.
SPECIAL CLASS
Last year we thought that we should be required to create a Special Class for retarded pupils. When the final reports of the State doctor were returned in the spring, we were able to postpone this class until after another examination in the fall. The results of the second examination showed that there was a larger number than the minimum of ten recommended for the Special Class. This means that we should organize such a class without further delay.
NURSERY SCHOOL
The Nursery School continues to operate with federal aid and under federal supervision, with co-operation of the Abbot Worsted Company, the local Welfare Department, and the local Red Cross. The enrollment has increased until there are now thirty-six in attendance. Each pupil receives milk, cod liver oil, and a noon lunch free. Many
116
of the children are transported, without charge, to and from school by Miss Wright and Mrs. Werner in their own private cars. Mrs. Ricard is doing the cooking for the school.
HEALTH
The health work has been carried on by Dr. Dwight Cowles and Mrs. Veronica Meagher. In addition to the two regular examinations given each child, several clinics have been held.
Dr. L. O. Farrar of the Worcester State Hospital, assisted by sev- eral psychologists and psychiatrists from his own staff, examined many retarded pupils who had been referred to him.
Miss Hackett, a registered nurse from the staff of the State Board of Health, tested the hearing of all students above the second grade with the audiometer which was loaned to us by her department. The results were very pleasing as most of our pupils had perfect hearing. Where defective hearing was found, the parents were notified and the children were moved into front seats in order to give them a better op- portunity to hear the class recitation.
In my report last year I recommended that we hire an experienced operator with the new binocular eye testing machine. Since that time Dr. Oaks, of the State Board of Health, has made a report to a group of superintendents at the Ayer Health Center in which she states that the cards used in this machine are not practical as they are too critical. Her department is working on a new series of cards that will be better adapted for school use. Therefore, this eye test has been deferred until some future date when the State Department will have approved it.
In Memoriam
Mr. Willey M. Wright began his services as janitor at Westford Academy about twenty-five years ago. In spite of his advanced age, he was a willing and faithful worker. His death occured on February 7, 1938, following several weeks of confinement in a hospital, due to an accidental fall which took place while he was adjusting a shade in Room 4. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him during his many years at the Academy.
HURRICANE DAMAGE
The hurricane that swept through New England this fall and caused considerable damage throughout the town did very little harm to our buildings. Several slates and parts of the ridgepole covering were blown off the Frost School. The roof of the Academy was badly damaged and has been temporarily patched with roofing paper. The Committee, after inspecting the belfrey that was severely shaken, decided that it was safe but ordered the removal of the damaged wheel on the bell.
117
REPAIRS
The following repairs were made during the past year:
Academy
1. A movie booth was constructed by partitioning off part of a corridor between stairways in the Assembly Hall. This section of the corridor was very seldom used and not needed.
Frost
1. This building was remodeled under the direction of a special committee. As the building has not been officially accepted, there is no report to be made at this time.
Cameron
1. The roof on the old section of the building reshingled.
2. The exterior of the building was given a second coat of paint.
3. Bulletin boards and book shelves were built in each classroom.
Sargent
1. Bulletin boards and book shelves were built in each classroom.
Nabnassett
1. A new tennis court was built with the aid of federal funds.
2. The basement floors were given two coats of paint by Mr. Jones.
SUGGESTIONS
The following is a partial list of suggestions that should receive serious consideration during the coming year:
1. That the exterior of the Frost School be painted.
2. That the playground equipment, which is in very poor con- dition, be repaired or replaced.
3. That a new safe, large enough to accomodate all our permanent records, be purchased to replace that old one that was smashed by thieves this fall.
4. That ventilating hoods be installed over the work bench in the chemical laboratory as suggested by the building inspector last year.
CONCLUSION
In concluding this report, I wish to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to the School Committee for their guidance and support, and to the teachers and others for their co-operation and interest in im- proving our schools.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT W. BARCLAY
Superintendent of Schools.
REGISTRATION-WESTFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS October 1, 1938
SCHOOLS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
P.G.
Total
Academy
82
56
47
29
1
215
*Wm. E. Frost
15
14
19
20
18
18
25
19
148
Sargent
24
22
19
12
19
26
24
23
169
Cameron
30
30
28
39
25
26
24
20
222
Nabnassett
4
14
10
6
4
10
48
73
80
76
77
66
80
73
62
82
56
47
29
1
802
* Registration taken on opening day, October 13, 1938.
REPORT OF SCHOOL CENSUS October 1, 1938
41/2-51/2
51/2-7
7-14
14-16
Total
Girls
13
47
252
84
396
Boys
11
260
90
424
24
110
512
174
820
OVER 16
Girls
199
Boys
205
404
404
Cripples
14
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
14
1238
118
119
TEACHERS IN SERVICE, DECEMBER 31, 1938
School WM. E. FROST
Teachers
Where Educated
Date of Appointment
Clifford M. Hunt (Principal)
Eastern State Normal
.Jan. 1937
Ruth P. Tuttle Lowell Normal Sept. 1903, Sept. 1922
M. Caroline Weaver, B. S. E.
Lowell State Teachers College Sept. 1936
Mary E. Healy, B. S. E. Lowell State Teachers College Sept. 1936
Claire LeDuc, B. S. E. .Lowell State Teachers College Sept. 1938
Kathleen R. Hammersley, B. A. D'Youville College, Buffalo, N. Y. ....
Oct. 1938
SARGENT SCHOOL ....* James Fitzgibbons, B. S. (Principal) ...... Salem Normal, Boston University Sept. 1923 Chester V. Sweatt, B. S. (Act. Principal) .. University of Maine Sept. 1931
Lillian G. Wright Lowell Normal .Sept. 1914
Gertrude W. Provost .Lowell Normal
Sept. 1923
Lottie D. Blodgett (Mrs.)
.Farmington State Normal
Sept. 1921
Emma S. Goucher
Lowell Normal Sept. 1931
Jean Bell
Fitchburg Normal .Apr. 1930
Ann Harrington Lowell Normal Sept. 1926
Mary L. Meehan, B. S. E. Lowell Normal Sept. 1938
CAMERON SCHOOL .... Peter F. Perry, B. S. (Principal) .Hyannis Normal, Boston University Sept. 1921
Josephine R. Mardas, A. B. .Boston University Sept. 1934
Madeline E. Stone .Keene Normal .Oct. 1930
Olga A. Remis Lowell Normal Sept. 1928
Marion E. Carroll, B. S. E. Lowell Normal .Sept. 1937
Letitia W. O'Clair (Mrs.) .Hyannis Normal Sept. 1908
Ruth A. Walker Lowell Normal Sept. 1922
Louise E. Thompson, B. S. Lowell Normal, Boston University Sept. 1922
NABNASSETT Gertrude F. Donahoe (Principal) ...... .Lowell Normal Sept. 1927
Mary M. Reynolds
Lowell Normal Sept. 1922
ACADEMY Julius H. Mueller, Jr., B. S. Ed. M (Prin.) .. Bates College, Boston University .Sept. 1937
Frederick Delaney, A. B. .Boston College ..
.Sept. 1935
Walter T. Pulsifer, A. B.
.New Hampshire University .Sept. 1937
Mary L. Robinson (Mrs.) Ph. B. University of Chicago Sept. 1927
Ethel N. Caldwell A. B. Boston University Sept. 1930
Ethel T. Tewksbury ...
.Chandler Normal, Simmons College Jan. 1936
Mary Bohenko, B. S. E.
Salem State Teachers College Sept. 1936
George O. Charron, M. A. New Hampshire University Sept. 1937
MUSIC SUPERVISOR .. Lilley Mae Moran Nov. 1935
SCHOOL NURSE .......... C. Veronica Meagher (Mrs.) St. John's Hospital Sept. 1927
SUPT. OF SCHOOLS .... Robert W. Barclay, B. S. M. A.
.Norwich University, Boston University ...... Sept. 1932
* Leave of absence.
121
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GRADUATES June, 1938
WILLIAM E. FROST SCHOOL
Treasure H. Bechard
Mildred R. Millis
Carlton L. Chamberlain
David R. Minard
Francis J. Courtney
Mary R. Moreno
Dorothy M. Decato
Vincent J. Popolizio
Austin D. Fletcher, Jr.
Robert C. Pyle
Rowland T. Fletcher
Helen I. Reynolds
Lucille H. Grundy
Grace E. Robinson
Clifford S. Johnson
Rena F. Shea
Mildred E. Johnson
Virginia R. Smith
Thomas E. Walsh
LeRoy H. Whitcomb
Daniel H. LeVan
Richard Whitney
Dorothie B. McCurdy
June A. Williams
Ruth V. Zanchi
CAMERON SCHOOL
Dorothy M. Barteaux
Roger J. Brule
Frederick D. Connell
Mary P. Lord
Gaston Cote
Margaret A. McKniff
Annie Daranchuc
Fernand J. Milot
Mildred M. Douglas John Dundas
Steven Minko
John F. Fitzpatrick
Diego Gerace
Rolland J. Panneton
Dorothy P. Gordon
Mary R. Holmes
Ronald F. Thompson
SARGENT SCHOOL
Maurice J. Bellemore Rita E. Boisvert Bernard E. Carbonneau
Una I. Bechard Edward E. Beebe Sophia Belida
Annie Kostechko
Simone C. Lamy
Jane E. Mulligan Joseph Orr
Georgette C. Socha
Leatrice A. Knight
Charles R. Knight
122
George F. Dubey William J. Dubey Daniel J. Gervais Lucille A. Green Madeline J. Grenier Simone A. Grenier Marjorie A. Hall Joyce R. Hanson Catherine G. Heman George H. Hodgson Mary Kiver Sophie Kovalchek Helen M. Lewkowicz
Jennie A. Kewkowicz
Raymond Malloy Robert M. McCarthy Jacqueline M. Milot Pearl M. Milot Donato Di Monda Mary A. Oliver
Warren T. Payne
Harold L. Pivirotto Jennie Pozniak Robert J. Smith
Norman C. Stirk Blanche Wilk
123
WESTFORD SCHOOL COST FOR PAST FIFTEEN YEARS
Year
Appro- priations
Unpaid Bills
Total
State Aid
Actual
No. of Cost per. Expenditures Pupils Pupil
1924
$62,700.00
$2,679.79
$65,379.79
$ 4,955.80
$60,423.99
779
$77.58
1925
68,000.00
561.79
68,561.79
5,223.76
63,338.03
764
82.90
1926
65,000.00
746.89
65,746.89
5,333.08
60,413.81
743
81.31
1927
66,250.00
170.86
66,420.86
5,757.68
60,663.18
717
84.56
1928
62,552.00
333.99
62,885.99
6,700.00
56,185.99
783
71.78
1929
67,350.00
1,005.45
68,355.45
7,202.08
61,152.37
811
75.40
1930
73,200.00
73,200.00
7,554.40
65,645.50
829
79.18
1931
71,500.00
71,500.00
11,499.31
59,000.69
824
71.60
1932
70,000.00
70,000.00
12,310.40
57,689.60
802
71.93
1933
65,000.00
506.82
65,506.82
11,663.23
58,843.59
816
65.98
1934
66,494.00
64,698.74
11,363.75
53,334.99
806
66.17
1935
66,000.00
64,677.68
10,593.76
54,083.92
783
69.07
1936
65,000.00
64,988.11
8,751.40
56,236.71
808
69.59
1937
67,000.00
66,998.54
10,581.59
56,416.95
800
70.52
1938
66,000.00
63,543.75
9,043.02
54,500.73
802
67.95
$1,795.26 returned to Town Treasurer in 1934
1,322.32 returned to Town Treasurer in 1935
11.89 returned to Town Treasurer in 1936
1.46 returned to Town Treasurer in 1937
2,456.25 returned to Town Treasurer in 1938
Expenditures
124
REPORT OF PRINCIPAL OF WESTFORD ACADEMY For the Year Ending December 31, 1938
January 1, 1939.
Mr. Robert W. Barclay,
Superintendent of Schools,
Westford, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
I am pleased to submit herewith my second annual report as princi- pal of Westford Academy.
1. ENROLLMENT
Total Enrollment on November 28, 1938:
Class
Boys
Girls
Total
1939
14
15
29
1940
21
24
45
1941
23
33
56
1942
37
41
78
Total
95
113
208
Note: We require 15 credits to be a Sophomore, 35 credits to be a Junior, 55 credits to be a Senior, and 80 credits to graduate. This means that a pupi! may have fewer credits than his class and still catch up.
Compared to the enrollment for the corresponding period of last year our enrollment has increased approximately 11%. Much of this increase can be attributed to the size of the entering class which is 13% larger than that of a year ago. It is of interest to note further that the loss in enrollment for the first three months of both the school years 1937-1938 and 1938-1939 remains unchanged; six pupils having dropped out during this period both years. From the above it would seem that our enrollment for the balance of the present school year may be ex- pected to remain in excess of 200 pupils. From your report of 1937, showing the number of pupils in the various grades of the elementary schools, it seems reasonably safe to predict that the enrollment at the
125
Academy will, for the next few years, continue to show a marked in- crease. Without a doubt next year's enrollment may be estimated at ap- proximately 235 pupils, the largest enrollment in the Academy's history.
II. FACULTY
Julius H. Mueller, Jr.
Mathematics
Mrs. Mary L. Robinson
English
Miss Ethel N. Caldwell
Science, English
George O. Charron
Latin, French
Walter T. Pulsifer
History, Civics
Frederick Delaney
Chemistry, Science
Miss Mary I. Bohenko
Commercial
Miss Ethel T. Tewksbury
Commercial, Secretary to the
Superintendent
Miss Lilley M. Moran
Music Supervisor
III. SCHOLARSHIP
For ease in recording pupil progress in school the school year has been divided into five equal marking periods of eight weeks each. The report card sent out at the end of each such marking period continues to be our chief means of acquainting the parent with the progress their boy or girl is making. In case of possible failure in a given subject, pro- vision is made through the deficiency card for an additional report to the home every four weeks. The preparing of this additional report entails much record keeping and considerable time on the part of the teacher. If justified it should result in improved standards of work done. It is earnestly recommended that the average pupil do at least two hours of home study each day. We solicit the cooperation of parents in this matter, as this extra study makes the difference between just getting by and doing well.
An Honor Roll released each marking period serves to give recog- nition to those pupils who have done well in their studies. That the Honor Roll serves as an incentive for improving pupil scholarship is evidenced by the increased number of pupils making the Honor Roll, 15% of the school's total enrollment being on the Honor Roll for the second marking period of 1938-1939.
IV. OUR PROGRAM
Our program makes provision for College and Commercial cur- riculums. Students who do not elect a language in the College course,
126
or who do not take a straight Commercial course, are classified as Gen- eral Students. The distribution of pupils by curriculums and the dis- tribution of pupils by subjects are shown in the following tables:
Distribution of Pupils by Curriculums As of November 1, 1938
College 87
Commercial
General
Total
93
31
211
Distribution of Pupils by Subjects As of November 1, 1938
Class
No. of Div.
Total
English IV
1
32
English III
2
53
English II
2
60
English I
3
82
French II
1
21
French I
2
48
Latin II
1
22
Latin I
1
26
Chemistry
2
50
Biology
2
51
General Science
3
82
U. S. History
1
32
Modern History
1
18
World History
1
10
Civics
2
64
Algebra II
1
30
Algebra I
2
37
Plane Geometry
1
35
Typewriting II
1
8
Typewriting I
1
18
Stenography II
1
8
Stenography I
1
17
Bookkeeping II
1
15
Bookkeeping I
1
25
Commercial Arithmetic
2
49
Commercial Law
1
21
(Total number of class sections is 38).
Our increase in total enrollment has caused a corresponding in- crease in the number of class sections. If our enrollment continues to
127
show an increase each year (and as already indicated, it will) it will at once be apparent that certain subjects now meeting in a single section will have to meet in two sections, if our standing of a "Class A" school is to be maintained. Among these will be the required senior subjects, American History and English IV, if the enrollment of the present Junior Class remains the same at the opening of school in September. The increased size of this year's Freshman Class has already resulted in an increase in the number of class sections of the following subjects: English I, General Science, Commercial Arithmetic, and Civics.
Increasing the number of class sections without a corresponding in- crease in the size of the teaching staff can only result in oversized class sections and excessive pupil teacher load. Inasmuch as all pupils take English, our two English teachers are already working under an ex- cessive pupil teacher load. When it is considered that under our crowded conditions the teacher must also have supervision over study pupils in the rear of the class, it will be apparent that the individual student is re- ceiving in some cases only a fraction of the time and attention of the teacher which should properly be his. To improve this condition of over- sized class sections and to relieve excessive pupil "teacher" load, it is recommended that an additional teacher of English be added to the Academy staff. Even though the addition of another teacher to the instructional staff would insure smaller class sections, our lack of ade- quate space would still mean large study groups in the rear of recita- tions.
An increase in the number of pupils electing Chemistry necessitated having two sections of 25 each instead of the usual single section. Needless to say such large groups do not lend themselves well for in- dividual laboratory experiments, especially in our small laboratory de- signed to accommodate 16 pupils at a time. By having the pupils work in groups of two for individual experiments we have been able to meet this situation, at least for the present year. Any further increase in the numbers electing Chemistry will mean additional class sections in this subject, with a proportionate decrease in the amount of time which Mr. Delaney will have available for teaching other science subjects. In connection with the classes in Chemistry it should be known that lack of proper ventilation in the laboratory constitutes a real menace to the health of the pupils, both in the class and in the entire school. A hood with some sort of blower attachment to remove disagreeable odors and injurious gases is an immediate improvement which should be made in the interest of protecting pupil health if for no other reason.
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