USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1917-1918 > Part 10
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An experiment in arrangement of classes is being tried at the Grammar school for the seventh and eighth grades. Instead of the room teacher having all subjects of that grade, the work is divided into departments, thus allowing each teacher to have her favorite subjects, with corresponding benefit to the class: also gradually introducing the pupil to methods which will be met in the High School. Under the direction of Miss Price instruction in physical training has been undertaken for the older pupils, using the regular drills, also supervised games at recess. The work is in line with expected legislation, and it is very possible that this work will be required next year.
The percentage of school attendance throughout the town has been highly unsatisfactory, even though due allowance is made for the severe weather of last year and the large amount of sickness this fall. Except for reasons of health the place for children is in school every day that school is in session. Many parents do not seem to realize this, hence the alarming number of absences recorded each year. The parents who allow their children to remain at home for little or no excuse, while doing great injury to the other pupils of that room by retarding their progress, inflict the greatest injury to their children, not only in work lost, but in inculcating habits of evasion of work and duty.
65
For the most part we have had little trouble with obtaining the co-operation of parents in regard to securing written excuses for absence on the part of the children. Blanks have been printed for the convenience of parents, in order that we might more readily obtain the written excuse required. Unfortu- nately, some refuse to give any excuse or statement that they have knowledge of the absence of the child and that they con- sider it necessary. The action of these few may oblige us to take severe steps in enforcing the attendance laws which allow but seven unexcused absences during the school year.
There is hardly any department of public work which is sub- jected to as much criticism based on as little knowledge of actual conditions, as the public schools. We are glad to receive crit- icism, or the immediate report of any condition which should be remedied, in order that action may be taken at once to prevent its recurrence. However, such reports should be based on first- hand knowledge, usually obtained by a visit to the school. It is noticeable that those who visit the schools most frequently enter the least number of complaints. Visitors are always welcome, and the teachers are glad to explain any matter not understood by the parents.
The superintendent wishes to express his appreciation of the attitude of the teachers toward the schools. Seldom does one find a body of teachers who work together with the harmony and co-operation which we have in our teaching force this year.
To the School Committee, and to those of the Town who by word or deed have helped to make our schools better, your super- intendent extends his gratitude and thanks.
Respectfully submitted,
ROSCOE G. FRAME, Superintendent.
66
THE REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
To the School Committee and Superintendent :
Dear Madam and Gentlemen: I have the honor to submit to you my third annual report as principal of the Wilmington High School.
In my report of last year mention was made of the necessity of all pupils remaining in school until their High School course had been completed. While the total membership this year has been slightly less than it was a year ago, yet the enrolment has exceeded expectations. It is impossible to say what the result would have been had the war continued. The class entering the High School last year from the eighth grade of the grammar school numbered fifty-two pupils, while the incoming class this fall totalled but thirty-two. Then, again, the class ·of 1918 graduated nineteen which was the largest graduating «class since the High School course has been extended to four years. Considering the attraction of the high wages paid to both boys and girls in industry, the enrolment has been remark- ably large. In fact, it has been proportionately larger than that in many of our neighboring high schools.
The fact remains, however, that too few pupils remain to complete the full course offered in the public schools. Among the various causes given for this dropping out process may be mentioned retardation, high wages, irregular attendance, incapacity and late entrance into the high schools due to various
67
reasons. Whenever the work in half or more of the subjects taken in any one year must be repeated, indifference is often engendered, a dislike for work follows, and the pupil leaves school. It is, indeed, rare that a pupil will remain to finish the high school course who has failed more than twice in one-half of the subjects taken in any one year.
There are many other conditions which indirectly are the causes of pupils leaving school. Many of these, such as ill health, needed at home, sickness of others, etc., are merely the last straw. Forces have long been at work impelling to this final day in school. So long as the centripetal forces toward the school are stronger in the aggregate than the centrifugal forces away from it, the pupil remains. But once the balance begins to swing the other way, it moves rapidly and is hard to check in its course. That this ultimate elimination in nine out of ten cases is not the result of any one impelling cause, admits of no doubt. An accumulation of gathering forces, as the pupil wends his way along the school course, is the real cause of leaving. The home and school and society in general are all more or less responsible for the final outcome, leaving school.
Already the Children's Bureau of the Department of Labor is engaged in the " Back-to-School drive to get a square deal for children." Not only are the teachers being asked to aid in this mammoth undertaking but the Child Conservation Sec- tion of the Council of National Defense, comprising 11,000,000 women, will carry on the active work of the campaign for the return of children to the public schools.
A boy must have play in order to give him an all-round devel- opment. Good wholesome sports are needed by the high school boy, especially in cities and in communities adjacent to large centres of population where rural ideas of social life are more or less influenced by that of the city. One may argue, and not without reason, that athletic sports in high schools are instru-
68
ments of demoralization to intellectual gain where victory alone is the goal sought and sports are not strictly supervised. Where- ever there is a school where outdoor and indoor sports are en- couraged and controlled, there will be found scores of boys who are kept in school, not for the simple reason of play, but because they are getting something which is paramount and theirs by right. Many of the boys on the scholastic honor-roll will be found members of the athletic teams.
The following extract is taken from the "Moral Values in Sec- ondary Education" recently published by the Bureau of Educa- tion. "The moral values in athletics are abundant. Even a single reason like the contribution to clean recreation would justify the importance attached to this activity. Warning must be sounded against excessive eagerness to score a reputa- tion for victories. The ethical aim is to cultivate the spirit of team-work, and especially honorable rivalry, with all that this implies of fair play, courtesy and generosity both in victory and defeat."
" In gymnastics much can be done to instil habits of instant, voluntary control and discipline in obedience to orders. With- out the corrective supplied by free co-operation in sports, gym- nastics on a large scale might perhaps simply inculcate habits of automatic obedience which are hardly consistent with the ideals of democracy. The value of the combination lies in the fact that both types of teamwork are needed, each in its special place. There are occasions-e. g., on an alarm of fire-in which it is essential that whole groups respond inplicitly and instantly to sharp commands from those in authority. There are other occasions-e. g., a civic reform-where the freer type of teamwork is required. In both cases what is needed is not only the practice but that conscious, intelligent grasping of the ideal."
" For the timid natures both gymnastics and athletics afford excellent means of developing self-confidence. Boys and girls
69
are often helped in this regard not simply because of improved health, but because of the self-trust inspired by the conscious- ness of having overcome difficulties once feared."
Through the kindness of the committee in charge of the Com- mon, the boys and girls are permitted to use these grounds for their play and their athletic contests. Although the right and left fields are rather short, when the regulation diamond is con- sidered, nevertheless, the game of baseball is well provided for. For the game, however, which has taken such a firm hold upon the students in American schools and colleges-football, the one above all others which develops the nobler instincts of a boy's character-absolutely no provision has been made. The few games of football that the High School has played have necessarily been away from home. Football will never be on a sound basis in the Wilmington High School until a suitable field is provided upon which the boys can play.
The one way in which a field can be secured, with the smallest expense to the Town and near enough to the schools so that the play can be supervised at the noon recess, would be to place the town flag-pole at the angle of the Common where Church Street and Middlesex Avenue meet. Although the Common would not make the ideal athletic field, it would answer all requirements and it is earnestly hoped that this change can be made so that the football team will have a place to practice by the beginning of school next fall, and games can be played in Wilmington.
The recent agitation following the results of the physical examinations made by the various exemption boards would seem to indicate that the day is not far distant when all schools, both urban and rural, must be provided with ample play- grounds. The following recommendations copied from. the report of the investigations made by a committee appointed by the National Education Association speak for themselves. " Whenever conditions permit, the physical exercises should
70
be conducted on the playgrounds. The following table shows the space estimated for one game of various plays:"
Curtis
Narragansett Machine Co.
Acres
Acres
Baseball
1.00
2.00
Volley ball
.10
.03
Tennis.
.10
.06
Basket ball
.05
.08
Football
1.20
" The National Education Association resolutions demanded 272 square feet per child for play, recreation, and gardening. It would seem that 150 square feet per pupil ought to be the minimum requirement for play and recreation of junior and senior high school pupils. This estimate does not include gar- dening. In small high schools more than 150 square feet per pupil are necessary in order to provide for baseball and football for the boys and volley ball and basket ball for the girls. An item often neglected is the game equipment for basket ball, baseball, volley ball and other games. Grounds and gymna- siums are practically useless unless they are equipped for activity."
Not only must provision be made for all the games connected with the modern high school for fall and spring, but suitable arrangements must be made for physical exercise, gymnastics and games during the winter months. On account of the con- dition of the floor in the gymnasium this part of the building is rendered practically useless except as a space for congregating and serving lunches during recess.
In my opinion the probability of water ever again entering the basement has passed. The condition of three years ago no longer exists. Many opinions have been expressed explaining the cause but it is my firm belief that it was brought about by the water from the pond in the rear of the Grammar school and
71
from the high ground directly back of the High School per- colating through the loose soil after the grounds had been filled in and before it had become firmly packed. Now that this soil has settled, the likelihood of water entering the building seems to be slight. indeed. If this probability no longer exists, there seems to be no reason why a new floor cannot be laid in the gymnasium which would make this now useless part of the. building as valuable to the pupils as the building committee intended that it should be. It will only be a short time when some form of physical exercise will be compulsory in all schools, no matter what disposition the Massachusetts Legislature may make of the physical education bill soon to be brought before it.
The opening of the second month of school this fall found an entire new staff of teachers. The old teachers had all resigned to accept positions in other schools where the salaries were more attractive. As a result a complete reorganization of the school and its activities has been made necessary. The complete harmony and loyal co-operation of the school officials and the teachers have made the progress much more rapid than was anticipated. Time only will make a complete and satisfactory readjustment of the different departments.
The social activities of the High School have been as numerous and as varied as the times would seem to warrant. Through the generosity of Mrs. C. S. Harriman, the Wilmington Woman's Club and the School Board and from funds earned by enter- tainments and the minstrel show, enough money was raised to provide curtains for the stage of the auditorium and a projecting and stereopticon lantern. There are still needed to make this. equipment complete, shades for shutting out the light in the day time and a microscopical attachment to throw chemical and biological processes invisible to the naked eye upon the screen. There are a great many experiments in the sciences which may be shown with advantage to an audience by means of a lamp, but there are others which can only be rendered vis- ible by projection upon a screen. Over $200 have been ex- pended so far for this equipment and it is estimated that an
72
additional sum of about $100 must be obtained. Plans for raising the required amount are now under way and the entire equipment seems assured.
The Junior Red Cross with a membership of one hundred per cent has done splendid work. Through membership fees and entertainments it has raised over $100 for the purchase of yarn for making stockings and sweaters and for cloth. Besides knitting, many garments have been made for the refugees of Northern France and Belgium. Over $4,000 worth of War and Thrift Stamps have been sold to citizens and the pupils them- selves own $680 worth. The average amount owned by each pupil in school is $9.06. Every scholar in school has money invested in this war-saving proposition. The success of these enterprises has been due in a great measure to the encourage- ment and financial assistance of Mr. Edward N. Eames and Mr. C. S. Harriman who created the enthusiasm for the con- tests and made such excellent results possible.
The greatest menace opposing the efficiency of the Wilmington High School is the loss of its teachers from year to year. It is far better for the efficiency of any high school to have a per- manent force of teachers, be they only of mediocre ability, than a corps of brilliant teachers who are only temporary. Every effort should be made to retain teachers who have given satis- faction. The welfare of the pupils demands it. There is still a large scarcity of teachers and a complete revolution such as the High School has been going through this year might mean demoralization.
In conclusion, allow me to thank the School Committee, the Superintendent and the teachers for their kindness in aiding me in the serious problems which the High School has had to encounter this year.
Respectfully submitted,
W. F. ALLEN, Principal.
73
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
Mr. R. G. Frame,
Superintendent of Schools, Wilmington, Mass.
Dear Sir: I herewith submit a report in music for the past year.
Everywhere the work has progressed very satisfactorily and an excellent " team-work " spirit has been shown in every grade. In the lowest grades special attention has been paid to the sing- ing of syllables as a means of developing and emphasizing a definite tore vocabulary and to enable the child to think in tone relationships.
In the middle and upper grades two and three-part singing is always an interesting part of the program and it gives the child an opportunity of singing really beautiful harmonies as well as an experience in all sorts of musical effects. It also trains him to sing independently. The eighth grade is doing especially well with rather difficult material. It is in this grade and the first year in the High School that the adolescent period prevails, which is often not an altogether favorable period in some instances. By the time the second year in High School is reached the boys' voices in particular show a decided change, as we say, for the better. A few are able to sing the tenor part while more voices drop to the bass range. Our High School chorus is doing the best work it has done for years which proves that no one can predict a definite future for September at the
74
closing of schools in June. At present there is a very good' balance of parts, and an ability and willingness upon the part of nearly every one to read at sight with fair accuracy. The main problem seems to be to keep them supplied with enough material.
The success to a great extent now-a-days in school music is- the selection of songs that make the strongest appeal to the singers themselves. During the past two years, naturally enough, the appeal has been strongly patriotic and the spirit of the times has not been lost upon the boys and girls in school. They have all felt the call to enter in heartily with the nation- wide effort to keep America singing. Our occasional outbursts of the new war songs has shown we have some wide awake material at hand and it surely is the aim of every music leader to obtain that spirit and allow it to develop in the right direc- tion.
I wish to thank you and the Committee for always showing your interest in our musical prosperity.
Respectfully yours,
MABELLE PROCTOR COUNCE ..
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN ACCOUNTANT
FOR THE
Financial year ending December 31, 1918 SHOWING APPROPRIATIONS, RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS STATEMENT OF TOWN DEBT AND BALANCE SHEET
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REPORT OF TOWN ACCOUNTANT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Herewith I beg to submit my report as Town Accountant for 1918, which gives appropriations, receipts, payments, state- ment of Town Debt and Balance Sheet.
In common with many other cities and towns our financial condition at the close of the year is not as satisfactory as might be desired. The net deficit for the year, amounting to $8,505.98, has completely wiped out our balance of $2,383.09 standing to the credit of Excess and Deficiency Account at the beginning of the year, and created a deficit of $5,132.12. To offset this is the amount represented by Accounts Receivable, totalling $8,679.76, consisting of $7,828.89 due from Bay State Street Railway Company, for 1917 and 1918 taxes; $670.87 from the State on account Poor and $180.00 due from underwriters on account fire damage to Town Hall.
Valuation and commitment books were examined and com- pared.
Books of both Tax Collectors, Trustees of Trust Funds, Treasurer of S. D. J. Carter Free Lecture Committee and Town Clerk's Dog Tax Records have been examined and are correct.
The accounts of the Treasurer have been audited, and cash balance stated in his account, $1,199.17, is correct.
Respectfully,
HARRY R. DEMING, Town Accountant.
77
SCHEDULE 1
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Selectmen
Appropriation
$850 00
Payments
Salaries
$675 00
Postage, printing, stationery
.
80 60
Legal services
.
40 00
$795 60
Unexpended, transferred to Balance
Account
54 40
$850 00
$850 00
Town Accountant
Appropriation
$450 00
Payments
Salary
$400 00
Postage, printing and stationery .
9 35
$409 35
Unexpended, transferred to Balance
Account
40 65
$450 00
$450 00
78
Treasurer
Appropriation .
$375 00
Transferred from Contingent Fund
40 48
Payments
Salary
$250 00
Premium on Bond
.
.
50 00
Check Protector
.
49 00
Postage, printing and stationery
66 48
$415 48
$415 48
Tax Collector
Appropriation
$1,000 00
Transferred from Contingent Fund
43 33
Payments
Salaries
$950 77
Postage, printing and stationery
78 52
Telephone .
14 04
$1,043 33 $1,043 33
Assessors
Appropriation
$900 00
Payments
Salaries
$775 00
Postage, printing and stationery
32 50
Record of Property Transfers
31 60
$839 10
Unexpended, transferred - to Balance
Account .
.
60 90
$900 00
$900 00
79
Town Clerk
Appropriation
$120 00
Payments
Salary
$100 00
Postage, printing and stationery
12 37
Premium on Bond
2 50
Copies Town By-Laws
3 00
$117 87
Unexpended, transferred to Balance
Account
2 13
$120 00
$120 00
Election and Registration
Appropriation
$300 00
Payments
Election :
Salaries
$71 00
Postage, printing and stationery 37 04
$108 04
Registration :
Salaries $125 00
Postage, printing and stationery 23 35 148 35
$256 39
Unexpended, transferred to Balance
Account
43 61
$300 00
$300 00
80
Town Hall
Appropriation
$200 00
Received account fuel
30 48
Transferred from Contingent Account
276 78
Payments
Salary, janitor
$ 75 00
Telephone .
20 41
Fuel .
141 16
Light
40 45
Supplies
12 48
Repairs
217 76
$507 26
$507 26
Constable
Appropriation
$50 00
Payments
Salary
$50 00
PROTECTION OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY
Police Department
Appropriation
$1,000 00
Received for police duty
·
98 00
Transferred from Balance Account
795 13
Payments
Salaries and wages
$1,574 75
Telephone .
23 14
Automobile hire .
101 50
Premium on Surety Bond
5 00
Traveling expenses
26 97
Handcuffs .
.
17 50
Legal services
·
100 00
.
.
81
Postage and printing .
$ 3 50
Maintenance traffic lights
16 82
Hire outside lock-up
21 00
Miscellaneous
2 95
$1,893 13 $1,893 13
Fire Department
Appropriation
$1,250 00
Received on account fire duty
.
1 20
Received for horse
35 00
Payments
Salaries and wages
$634 83
Telephone .
11 70
Whistle repairs and maintenance
159 26
Auto and horse hire
64 30
Repairs
21 73
Stable rent
36 00
Pumps
35 10
American flags
9 00
Fuel .
48 48
Badges, supplies
4 45
$1,024 85
Unexpended, transferred to Balance
Account
.
261 35
$1,286 20 $1,286 20
Sealer of Weights and Measures
Appropriation Received sealing fees .
$75 00
17 22
82
Payments
Salary
$50 00
Dies and seals
14 06
Record books and labels
8 34
Team hire .
7 00
$79 40
Unexpended, transferred to Balance
Account
12 82
$92 22
$92 22
Suppression of Moths
Appropriation
$1,200 00
Received from State
933 94
Received for private work
71 30
Received return liability
insurance
premium
9 77
Charged property owners on tax bills
947 87
Transferred from Contingent Fund
17 83
Transferred from Balance Account
19 09
Payments
Salaries and wages
. $2,272 72
Team hire .
531 50
Repairs and supplies .
86 83
Premium liability insurance
192 94
Telephone
27 87
Postage and printing
32 13
Premium fire insurance
·
51 87
Miscellaneous
3 94
.
.
.
$3,199 80 $3,199 80
.
83
Tree Warden
Appropriation
$300 00
Payments
Salaries and wages
$122 45
Team hire .
6 50
Trees and loam .
114 00
Repairs
.
3 25
Supplies
5 65
$251 85
Unexpended, transferred to Balance
Account ·
48 15
$300 00
$300 00
Forest Fires
Appropriation
$300 00
Received from B. & M. Railroad .
48 71
Transferred from Balance Account
421 67
Payments
Salaries and wages
$506 88
Team hire .
105 50
Board of horse
138 00
Postage and stationery
3 55
Brooms, lantern, etc. .
5 36
Miscellaneous
11 09
.
$770 38 $770 38
84
Health and Sanitation
Appropriation $300 00
Received from State, account Inspector of Animals . 75 00
Received fees, Slaughter House Inspec- tion
115 00
Transferred from Contingent Fund ·
30 90
Payments
Salary, Agent Board of Health
$ 15 00
Salary, Inspector Meats and Provisions. 242 00
Salary, Inspector of Animals
150 00
Auto hire . .
5 00
Printing
6 00
Contagious diseases
5 00
Quarantine wages
37 50
Vital statistics, fees for returning births,
deaths and marriages
60 40
$520 90
$520 90
Highways, Roads and Bridges
Appropriation .
$6,500 00
Payments
Salaries and wages
$2,582 51
Team hire .
2,269 04
Removing snow . .
497 03
Hardware, repairs, etc.
.
102 78
Premium liability insurance
566 50
Survey
3 30
/
Signs.
.
20 70
·
85
Gravel
$ 183 30
Miscellaneous
3 00
$6,228 16
Unexpended, transferred to Balance
Account
271 84
$6,500 00 $6,500 00
Electric Street Lights
Appropriation
$5,703 50
Payments
Paid for lights per contract
$5,642 63
Unexpended, transferred to Balance
Account 60 87
$5,703 50 $5,703 50
CHARITIES
Poor
Appropriation
$1,500 00
Received for transportation Outside
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