USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1919-1920 > Part 10
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While at times a hardship seems to involve an individual by the requirement of rigid scholarship, on the other hand it would be an injustice to the rest of the school should the require- ments for all be relaxed in favor of one. It is not a pleasant task for a teacher to be obliged to give deficient marks to any pupils, and, contrary to popular belief, the teachers have no grudges which they pay in this way. It is much easier and far more pleasant to say that all children of the class are doing satisfactory work, and are in no danger of failing to secure promotion. Should a teacher be so lax a certain number of pupils would be promoted to the next class without proper preparation. The child then finds himself beyond his capacity and makes another failure, this time self evident. The task of the teacher is to keep all of her class doing the required work and to meet the problems squarely should the occasion arise.
The subjects of transportation of school children, repairs and the improvement of school buildings are discussed fully by the committee.
Early in the fall term one half hour was added to the school day, making the time of dismissal three-thirty. This gives a total time in school of five and one-half hours, including
72
the time out for recess. The results expected are an improved scholarship, also elimination of the excuse for failure, that of lack of time.
For the co-operation of committee, citizens and teachers, your superintendent expresses due appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
ROSCOE G. FRAME, Superintendent.
SCHOOL CALENDAR
First Term January 3 to February 25 8 weeks
Recess February 28 to March 4
1 week
Second Term March 7 to April 29
8 weeks
Recess
May 2 to May 6
1 week
Third Term May 9 to June 24* 7 weeks
*High School, June 29
Summer Vacation June 30 to September 6
9 weeks
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
February 22, Washington's Birthday. May 30, Decoration Day. October 12, Columbus Day. November 25-26, Thanksgiving Recess.
73
THE REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
To the Superintendent and School Committee;
I have the honor to present herewith my second annual report as principal of the Wilmington High School.
There are certain features of school administration that are of concern to all who are interested in our school. The first of these is the membership. By classes, the enrollment is as follows:
Boys
Girls
Total
Freshmen
20
23
43
Sophomores
14
15
29
Juniors
6
10
16
Seniors
10
16
26
Postgraduate
2
-
.
52
64
116
Of those graduated in 1920, two boys and two girls are attending college, two girls are in Normal school, one boy is attending a radio school, while one girl is taking postgraduate work at Northfield and will enter college this coming fall, and another girl is attending Emerson School of Oratory. Beside these, two boys have returned to school for extra work and plan to enter college in the fall. Thus a total of eleven out of a class of nineteen are continuing their education. Thus 57.7 per cent of this class continued their work as compared with 41.8 per cent of the graduates of all the high schools of the whole country, as is shown in the last available figures, compiled
--
74
by the United States Bureau of Education. This is a compli- ment to the high standard of the community when so many continue their education.
A second question, most often asked, has to do with the number of pupils pursuing commercial work. The figures are interesting in themselves and admit of some interpretations which I feel are of considerable significance.
Number of students pursuing the commercial course.
Boys
Girls
Total
Freshmen
5
12
17
Sophomores.
4
4
Juniors
1
9
10
Seniors
10
10
.
6
35
41
This shows that the course in its entirety is pursued for the most part by girls who plan to do office work and who would, were it not for the chance offered, either not go to school at all or go to some business college.
These figures need some further qualifying to show the real significance of commercial work. Let us consider the number who are not pursuing the commercial course but who are taking one or more commercial subjects, and who are not counted above.
Boys
Girls
Total
Freshmen
-
Sophomores
7
6
13
Juniors
1
1
Seniors
2
1
3
Postgraduate
1
.
1
-
11
7
18
75
This is a total of fifty-nine. One more than half the school is taking some commercial work. Slightly over a third is taking straight commercial work. Among this number are many whom the school would not hold were it not for the opportunity that this work affords. These figures show that pupils try out the work in the first two years and only those continue who are fitted to make some practical use of it. It is significant for parents to observe that the chances of a boy holding to the work for the whole course are very remote, but when one does he is usually much above the average. The number of pupils which a commercial course interest to try high school and the number it holds make it worth every dollar it costs the com- munity.
There have been three changes and one addition to the teaching force. To fill the vacancy caused by resignations, Miss Doris M. Wheeler was elected to take charge of the com- mercial department, Miss Maud Disbrow has the Latin and French, and Miss E. Althea Sartell has the science. We were fortunate to retain Miss Laura N. Marland as teacher of history and English, as well as Miss Mildred Leighton, as domestic science teacher. Miss Josephine F. Harmon was elected to have charge of the eighth grade which has been placed in the high school building.
I cannot pass this opportunity of urging upon you the necessity of keeping teachers who have made good. Let the economy come somewhere else if necessary but don't make Wilmington a training school for inexperienced teachers. If a teacher is worth a little more money to some other town she is worth it to us. Be fair to our boys and girls and give them the best instructors you can.
Your teachers are interested in their work and their pro- fession. Over half of them are taking courses Saturdays and afternoons to make them more efficient. The increase in salary of a year ago has made this possible.
76
The most radical charge that has been made in the adminis- trative work of this school has been the placing of the eighth grade in the high school building. This seems to be in line with the best educational practice, and there are several reasons that made it seem advisable: In the first place they come in contact with a man principal; in the second place they have partial departmental teaching instead of the one home room teacher for all subjects; in the third place they have a chance to become familiar with the high school in many ways; this change makes the gap between the high school and the last grammar grade less marked.
The experience with this group has led me to form a few general conclusions which I should like you to consider. The first of these regards the curriculum.
We are in a period of transition in educational practice. The methods of over ten years ago are inadequate to meet present conditions. The junior high school movement, so -called, is still too young for one to be dogmatic about it, but still there is enough that is settled and definite so that school administrators are justified in making beginnings. To this end the curriculum for the last grade should be modified. The mathematics should include whatever review of arithmetic may be necessary and such use of algebra, constructional geom- etry and the statistical graph as may be within the easy reach of the pupils; such work to prove its worth by actual service in common life outside the school.
The history and civics should be treated as a unit to the end that a pupil leaving school at the close of the grade should have a patriotic understanding of his country's part in the great world drama and a lively sense of his responsibility as a citizen.
The geography should include more than the locational geography of a few years ago. It should leave the pupil with
77
a definite idea of the commercial, climatic and social influences that geographical location has.
The English should aim to equip the pupil with a knowl- edge of the sources of material so that he can find out things for himself. It should familiarize him with what is best in literature, both contemporary and classical. He should be able to write a simple letter or a brief report on a subject about which he has adequate knowledge. This is an ambitious pro- gram and it would be unwise to attempt too much.
The second part is the instruction. The work should be done by teachers who are specialists. The mathematics should be handled by one who has a lively appreciation of the grade work and of the requirements in high school.
The English should be unified so that it is one continuous progression from the first year to the twelfth. The teacher should be a specialist. We have attempted to do this by having the instruction given by the same teachers who give similar courses in the high school.
The next question is one of hours and cannot be answered off hand. I should suggest that some time before the close of the year this group be given the same hours as the high school and definitely incorporated as a part of it. Then we shall get some actual facts on which to base our judgments as to what is best to be done in the future.
Finally, I wish to express my sincere thanks to you, to the community, and to the teaching force for a most kindly and helpful co-operation.
NELSON I. MIXER, Principal.
78
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
Mr. R. G. Frame, Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir.
Having been requested to report briefly on the present status of music in the Wilmington public schools, I herewith present a short statement of conditions as I found them upon assuming the position of Supervisor of Music. After a careful survey of the various schools, I found the following to be the chief defects of the system of musical instruction in vogue at the beginning of the present school year.
1. There seemed to be no definite course of study to which the teachers could conform and thereby develop unity and purpose in their work. As a result different teachers were using entirely different ways of approaching the same subjects, or were neglecting the most important details, which naturally resulted in confusion. I should judge that about one-half of the present High School body are unable to distinguish one note from another. What have the pupils been doing during the eight years of Grammer School?
2. There was a shortage of available textbooks in certain rooms, while in others obsolete books were still in use.
3. The South School, now the only district school, had been almost entirely neglected. As a result pupils going from that school to other buildings were lacking in the requirements of their respective grades.
4. The worst conditions musically were discovered in the High School. Here there seemed to be a prevailing opinion that the music period was one of recreation and rest, and that work was a thing to be shunned. There had been no system
79
of testing voices, and pupils had been left to sing any parts that might suit their whims, which in many cases resulted in no singing at all.
Now, as to what is being done to remedy conditions. Referring to (1) I have in preparation a course of study by grades, such as is recommended by the State Board of Education and adapted to the conditions in Wilmington schools. A copy of this course will be placed in the hands of each teacher, who will be requested to follow as closely as possible the requirements of the respective grades. This will insure the pupils having a proper knowledge of the fundamentals of music upon reaching High School, and will also enable them to go from one school to another or to any other town or city with some assurance that there will be slight difference in the music study.
2. Sufficient textbooks have recently been purchased to remedy the existing shortages and obsolete books have been replaced by modern editions.
3. The South School now receives equal attention with other schools.
4. It will take time to remedy the long neglected condi- tions in the High School. The voices of all the students have been tested and assigned to their proper parts. A Glee Club has been organized, which includes those best qualified to sing. A band is now in process of formation, which we hope will stimulate the interest musically of the boys, and later provide material for a Town band. And finally, the discipline of the music period has been raised to a degree on a par with that of other lesson periods.
There could be many other things said concerning plans, but I prefer rather that results speak for themselves.
Respectfully submitted,
GERALD F. FRAZEE, Supervisor of Music.
80
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING
Every Monday and Tuesday since school opened in Sep- tember, Wilmington has received drawing instruction. On Mondays, lessons are taught at the Center School, High and Junior High Schools respectively, with occasional classes in the Walker School in the latter part of the afternoon. Tuesdays are given to work in the South, Walker and Whitefield Schools, each school receiving personal instruction from the supervisor three times a month.
One lesson each week is taught by the supervisor in each grade and before leaving a class, the teacher in charge receives personal supervision for a lesson to be taught during the remainder of the week.
The work in the grades has been in design and representa- tion, with special work at the holiday times. Stress was laid on proportion, neatness and general usefulness of the topics taught. In each grade the best two or three results of each lesson are kept and at any time a visitor may see exactly what has been accomplished by the individual classes.
The remainder of the year will be given over to color study, perspective, "customs and costumes of many nations," civic improvement and a certain amount of handwork.
In the High School the drawing work has been that of water color work of specimens from nature, design, color theory, poster work and lettering. The rest of the year's work will include perspective, proportion of the human figure in costume, stencil work and other design.
DOROTHY M. DURHAM, Supervisor.
-
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN ACCOUNTANT
FOR THE
Financial year ending December 31, 1920
SHOWING
APPROPRIATIONS, RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS STATEMENT OF TOWN DEBT AND BALANCE SHEET
82 REPORT OF TOWN ACCOUNTANT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Herewith I beg to hand you my report as Town Account- ant for the year 1920, as follows:
Schedule 1. Covering departmental appropriations, receipts and payments; trust funds account ; interest, abatement of taxes and Excess and Deficiency Account.
Schedule 2. Balance Account.
Schedule 3. Revenue Account and Estimated Receipts.
Schedule 4. Statement of Town Debt, showing indebted- ness incurred and paid during the year, and total indebtedness December 31, 1920.
Schedule 5. Balance sheet, after closing books, showing financial condition of the Town December 31, 1920.
As is shown by Balance Account the net deficiency for the year amounts to $841.12, which, after transferring to Excess and Deficiency Account, reduces the credit balance of latter to $1,320.46.
Valuation book and Tax Collector's books have been verified and compared.
Accounts of Tax Collector, Trustees of Trust, S. D. J. Carter Free Lecture Committee, Wilmington Public Health Nursing Association and Town Clerk's Dog Tax Records have been examined and found in order.
Treasurer's books and vouchers have been audited, and cash balance as stated, $7,804.43, is correct.
Respectfully,
HARRY R. DEMING,
Town Accountant.
83
SCHEDULE 1
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Selectmen
Appropriation
$850 00
Payments
Salaries
$675 00
Perambulating Town lines
50 00
Auto hire
28 00
Postage, printing and stationery
32 09
$785 09
Unexpended, transferred to Balance
Account
64 91
$850 00
$850 00
Town Accountant
Appropriation
$650 00
Payments
$600 00
Salary
27 80
Postage, printing and stationery .
$627 80
Unexpended, transferred to Balance
Account
22 20
$650 00
$650 00
. ...
84
Treasurer
Appropriation
$500 00
Transferred from Contingent Fund .
6 69
Payments
Salary ·
$400 00
Premium on bond
50 00
Postage, printing and stationery
56 69
$506 69
$506 69
Tax Collector
Appropriation
$1,000 00
Transferred from Contingent Fund .
472 04
Payments
Salary .
$1,362 56
Postage, printing and stationery
.
108 15
Telephone
1 33
$1,472 04 $1,472 04
Assessors
Appropriation
$1,600 00
Payments
Salaries
$1,253 00
Postage, printing and stationery
46 00
$1,299 00
Unexpended, transferred to Balance
Account
301 00
.
·
$1,600 00 $1,600 00
-
85
Printing Valuation Books
Appropriation $900 00
No Payments
Balance brought forward
$900 00
Town Clerk
Appropriation
$130 00
Payments
Salary
$100 00
Postage, printing and stationery
9 50
Miscellaneous
2 00
$111 50
Unexpended, transferred to Balance
Account
18 50
$130 00
$130 00
Election and Registration
Appropriation
$300 00
Transferred from Contingent Fund .
203 59
Payments
Election :
Salaries
$202 00
Postage, printing and stationery 42 75
Voting booths . 35 56
$280 31
Registration :
Salaries
$195 00
Stationery and printing
28 25
223 25
$503 56 $503 56
-
86
Town Hall
Appropriation
Received return insurance premium,
$300 00 9 00
Payments
Salary, janitor
. $62 50
Telephone
19 85
Fuel
137 13
Light
44 34
Supplies and repairs
13 85
Insurance
15 98
Stationery
4 11
Miscellaneous
5 00
$302 76
Unexpended, transferred to Balance
Account
6 24
$309 00
$309 00
Constable
Appropriation ·
$50 00
Payments
Salary
$50 00
PROTECTION OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY
Police Department
Appropriation $1,500 00
471 00
Received for damage to traffic signal 8 17
Transferred from Contingent Fund .
276 36
Overdraft, transferred to Balance
Account
153 42
Received for police duty
87
Payments
Salaries and wages
$2,059 50
Telephone
36 06
Automobile hire
176 00
Premium on surety bond
5 00
Traveling expenses
14 93
Badges, clubs, uniforms, etc.
46 90
Postage, printing and stationery
2 49
Traffic signals
34 96
Hire outside lock-up
12 50
Miscellaneous
20 61
$2,408 95 $2,408 95
Fire Department
Appropriation
$1,600 00
Received from sale old equipment
40 25
Overdraft, transferred to Balance
Account
343 58
Payments
Salaries and wages
$597 90
Auto and horse hire
12 50
New Equipment .
36 30
Repairs and supplies
251 00
Fuel
181 15
Light and power .
55 95
Telephone
21 08
Whistle repairs and maintenance
267 10
Alterations to engine house
535 85
Rent
25 00
$1,983 83 $1,983 83
88
Sealer of Weights and Measures
Appropriation
$75 00
Received sealing fees
27 09
Payments
Salary
$75 00
Transportation
1-5 00
Seals and dies
9 06
Miscellaneous
80
$99 86
Unexpended, transferred to Balance
Account
2 23
$102 09
$102 09
Suppression of Moths
Appropriation
.
$1,200 00
Received from State .
1,098 78
Received for private work
.
313 75
Charged property owners on tax bills
707 45
Payments
Salaries and wages
$2,503 75
Team hire
438 26
Repairs and supplies
82 36
Premium liability insurance
170 31
Telephone
22 42
Postage, printing and stationery
32 29
Miscellaneous
5 09
$3,254 48
Unexpended, transferred to Balance
Account 65 50
$3,319 98 $3,319 98
.
.
.
.
89
Tree Warden
Appropriation
$300 00
Received for private work
4 00
Payments
Salaries and wages
$244 75
Team hire
25 14
Hardware and repairs
7 85
Trees
16 00
Fertilizer
2 25
Miscellaneous
.
1 85
$297 84
Unexpended, transferred to Balance Account. 6 16
$304 00
$304 00
Forest Fires
Appropriation
$500 00
Received from B. & M. Railroad,
account railroad fires
103 02
Received refund account payroll
45
Overdraft, transferred to Balance Account
37 28
Payments
Salaries and wages
$566 50
Auto and horse hire
30 00
Pumps and shovels
25 70
Repairs and supplies
14 40
Refreshments
4 15
$640 75
$640 75
90
Brush Fire Truck
Appropriation
$2,000 00
Payments
Reo truck and equipment
$2,000 00
Health and Sanitation
Appropriation $300 00
Received from State, account
Inspector of Animals 75 00
Received fees, Slaughter House
Inspector 169 00
Received for records, births, deaths and marriages 1 50
Overdraft, transferred to Balance Account
258 00
Payments
Salary, Agent of Board of Health
$ 15 00
Salary, Inspector of Meats and Pro- visions .
526 00
Salary, Inspector of Animals
150 00
Vital statistics, fees for return of
births, deaths and marriages .
112 50
$803 50
$803 50
Public Health Service
Appropriation
$1,000 00
Payment
Paid Wilmington Public Health
Nursing Association .
$1,000 00
1
91
Highways, Roads and Bridges
Appropriation
$8,500 00
Received for team hire
17 00
Received for pair of horses
250 00
Received for repairs to approach to railroad bridge
545 00
Payments
Salaries and wages
$3,212 81
Team hire
776 51
Removing snow .
2,895 69
Hardware, lumber and repairs
230 59
Premium liability insurance
251 40
Gravel and sand
160 80
Cinders
375 00
Tar
340 97
Steam roller
32 00
Hay and grain
561 30
Stable rent
25 00
Pump repairs
7 50
One pair horses, harness and cart
(from Poor Account)
415 00
$9,284 57
Unexpended, transferred to Balance
Account 27 43
$9,312 00 $9,312 00
Church Street Macadam
Appropriation
$3,000 00
Transferred from Contingent Fund 5 00
Payments
Inspection of stone crusher boiler
S
5 00
Building road, as per contract
3,000 00
$3,005 00 $3,005 00
92
Repairs to High Street and Woburn Street Culverts
Appropriation®
$500 00
Payments
Salaries and wages
$315 13
Team hire
44 63
Drain pipe
65 52
Dynamiting .
7 65
Miscellaneous
.
61
$433 54
Unexpended, transferred to Balance
Account
66 46
$500 00
$500 00
Electric Street Lights
Appropriation .
$6,250 00
Payments
Paid for lights per contract $6,034 42
Unexpended, transferred to Balance Account
215 58
$6,250 00 $6,250 00
CHARITIES
Poor
Appropriation .
$2,000 00
One pair horses, harness and cart
(to Highway Account)
415 00
Received for team hire
422 33
Received for vegetables.
6 00
.
.
·
.
93
Received for live stock
$ 72 00
Received for farming implements
83 00
Received for rent of Town Farm
75 00
Received for old buildings, etc., at Town Farm .
198 00
Received for aid rendered Outside Poor
685 49
Payments
Board
$1,344 00
Clothes and shoes
133 99
Hay and grain
154 93
Stable rent
27 00
Care of horses
40 00
Blacksmithing
4 50
Groceries
108 23
Fuel
101 25
Cash
519 50
Rent
40 00
Transportation
20 00
Burial
30 64
Miscellaneous
36 10
$2,560 14
Unexpended, transferred to Balance
Account
1,396 68
$3,956 82 $3,956 82
Dependent Mothers' Aid
Appropriation
$200 00
Received from State
81 00
No payments
$281 00
Unexpended, transferred to Balance
Account .
$281 00
94
SOLDIERS' BENEFITS
State Aid
Appropriation $300 00
Payments
Paid as per State returns .
$232 00
Unexpended, transferred to Balance
Account
68 00
$300 00
$300 00
Soldiers' Relief
Appropriation
$48 00
Payments ·
.
$48 00
EDUCATION
Schools
Appropriation .
$33,963 00
Payments
Salaries
$24,278 08
Fuel ·
.
3,086 74
Repairs
2,034 43
Tuition .
443 80
Transportation
2,814 00
Books and supplies
622 96
New Equipment .
119 91
.
95
Telephone, postage, etc.
$260 58
Miscellaneous
302 40
$33,962 90
Unexpended, transferred to Balance
Account
10
$33,963 00 $33,963 00
High School Drain
Appropriation
$4,679 00
Payments
Testing at High School
$ 280 00
Building drain
4,399 00
$1,679 00 $4,679 00
Public Library
Appropriation
$500 00
Received for fines and damage to books
49 97
Received from Trustees of Trust Funds
42 89
Payments
Salary, Librarian .
$193 75
Books and magazines
248 67
Binding .
49 96
Light
12 35
Janitor service
11 00
Insurance
54 80
Cataloguing .
11 00
Postage, printing and stationery
11 33
$592 86
$592 86
96
Base Ball Diamond
Appropriation
$250 00
Payments
Labor
$49 50
Team hire
15 00
Survey
15 00
Plates
14 03
$ 93 53
Balance
156 47
$250 00
$250 00
Balance
$156 47
Regan Park
Appropriation
$15 00
Payments
Care grass plot
$15 00
Unclassified
Appropriation
$600 00
Received for board and care of stray
horse
17 50
Transferred from Contingent Fund
36 35
Payments
Printing Town Reports
$440 00
Delivering Town Reports
.
18 04
Certifying Town Notes
16 00
Postage, printing and stationery
47 55
Rent safe deposit box
10 00
Board and care stray horse
17 50
.
97
Repairs and care Town flag
$16 36
Care of Town clock .
45 00
Repairs to Town clock
28 90
Miscellaneous
14 50
$653 85
$653 85
Memorial Day
Appropriation
$400 00
Payments
Music .
$105 00
Printing
2 75
Flowers
34 25
Memorial address
20 00
Refreshments
206 25
Flags
26 00
$394 25
Unexpended, transferred to Balance
Account
5 75
--
$400 00
$400 00
Cemetery
Appropriation
$500 00
Received from sale of Lots (one-half)
37 50
Payments
Labor
$430 00
Hardware, paints and repairs .
81 98
Fertilizer
3 50
$515 48
Unexpended, transferred to Balance
Account .
22 02
$537 50
$537 50
98
Painting Cemetery Iron Fence
Appropriation
$150 00
Payments
Labor .
$40 00
Paint and brushes
6 98
$46 98
Unexpended, transferred to Balance
Account
103 02
$150 00
$150 00
Trust Funds
Received from Trustees of Trust Funds, income S. D. J. Carter Free Lecture Fund
$270 00
Received from Trustees of Trust Funds, income account Cemetery and Common Funds . 49 65
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