USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1921-1922 > Part 10
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The appropriation voted last March has enabled us to do many things which were necessary. We made many repairs and improvements. The Walker and Whitefield buildings have been painted and the Whitefield has been shingled. New equipment has been installed in the High, and new furniture in the Center buildings. The supply department which was at a low ebb at the beginning of the year has been replenished and many new text books purchased. At the present time we feel justified in stating that no town of our size in the state has a better or more up-to-date equipment than Wilmington.
During the year we have taken a thorough census of school children and find approximately 700 in the town.
This is a material increase over past years and the fact brings us face to face with the question of the housing situation. Some years ago the School Board closed the so-called district schools and placed the children in the three four-roomed buildings. There has been a wide diversity of opinion in regard to this move but we feel that at that time there were reasons which justified it. At the present time the increase in school population in the outlying districts and the difficulty of trans- portation especially in the winter, raises a question as to be best policy in the future. We would suggest the plan of one or more buildings to be located so as to accommodate in one, the children from the Silver Lake and West districts and in the other, the children in the East District. We feel that financed in the proper manner through a loan, the expense would be no greater than the present system and would be far more satis- factory.
68
Another matter which has been a source of criticism for a number of years has been the supply of water at the Center and Whitefield schools.
The use of the former source of supply at these buildings having been prohibited by the State Board of Health, it became necessary for the School Board to obtain the water elsewhere. We realize as well as any one that it has been very unsatis- factory and we have asked in connection with our budget that the town appropriate a sum of money to remedy this defect. In view of the fact that we own a large tract of high land in the rear of the Center building we see no reason why a good drilled well could not be sunk so that we would obtain an ample supply of pure water for the two buildings.
The sanitary conditions at the Whitefield School have been a source of complaint from various citizens and we have included in this recommendation an amount to cover an up- to-date sanitary system at the Whitefield and Walker buildings.
We ask your careful consideration of this matter and assure that if you see fit to make the appropriation we will do our utmost to obtain good results.
We desire at this time to pay a tribute of respect to the memory of the late Nettie P. Haley.
Mrs. Haley, a native and life-long resident of Wilmington, had made the profession of teaching her life work. Graduating from the Salem Normal School in 1888, she began teaching in the South School and was later transferred to the North. She remained here until her marriage with the late Edwin L. Haley when she resigned. Upon Mr. Haley's death a few years later she again took up her old position at the North School and was later transferred to the Whitefield where she continued to teach until her death. Mrs. Haley enjoyed in a remarkable degree the confidence of the parents and the friendship of the children. Her work had always received the unqualified praise of the various superintendents under whom she taught and we feel that our town has lost a true and faithful employee.
The report of the Superintendent and the various super- visors will be found in another portion of this report and we
69
would refer to them for a more intimate knowledge of the real work of our schools. In closing, we ask a continuance of the loyal support given us the past year realizing the truth of the old saying, "United we stand, divided we fall."
Respectfully submitted,
HOWARD M. HORTON ELLEN S. PERRY PHILIP B. BUZZELL
School Committee
70
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
General Expenses
School Committee:
Salaries .
$200.00
Other expenses .
66.89
Superintendence of Schools and Enforcement of Law:
Salaries .
1,575.00
Other expenses
383.87
Expenses of Instruction
Salaries, Principals:
High
2,600.00
Salaries, Supervisors
925.00
Salaries, Teachers:
High
5,436.00
Elementary
.
14,885.70
Text Books:
High
235.34
Elementary
806.91
Stationery, Supplies and Miscellaneous:
High
454.22
Elementary
372.07
Expenses of Operating School Plants
Wages of Janitors, etc .:
High
1,200.00
Elementary
1,365.50
Fuel :
High
844.67
Elementary .
.
·
.
.
957.50
.
71
Miscellaneous :
High
351.76
Elementary
330.19
Maintenance
Repairs, etc .:
High
152.26
Elementary
1,457.12
Auxiliary Agencies
Health:
Elementary
108.55
Transportation (within town or city) :
Elementary
3,500.00
Tuition :
High
728.19
Sundries :
Elementary
92.26
.
.
Outlays
New Grounds and Buildings
31.75
New Equipment
·
.
813.80
$39,874.55
Addison, J. H.
$1.75
Allen, John L.
36.64
Allyn & Bacon
43.49
American Book Company
10.07
American Express Company
·
·
.39
.
72
Babb, E. E. & Co.
350.70
Barr, R. R.
279.71
Barrows, H. C.
237.50
Belmont Crystal Spring
45.00
Blaisdell, Warren
27.00
Boston School Department
297.51
Boston & Maine
5.14
Buck Bros.
5.40
Buzzell, D. P.
50.00
Buzzell, Philip
63.75
Cady, C. E.
10.00
Cavanaugh, Charles F.
5.71
Cody Express
4.00
Coburn, C. B. & Co.
9.80
Commission of Public Safety
6.00
Dallman, H. P. & Co.
85.11
Dowling School Supply Co.
36.65
Durkee & Meuse Co.
9.90
Eames, F. L. .
·
169.74
Ellis, O. A.
65.40
Foskett, M. H.
3.00
Frazer, F. A.
6.00
Francis Bros. .
6.75
Ganley, A. L.
12.12
Ginn & Co.
134.74
Gray, C. D. A.
36.75
Hale, Walter L.
1,462.40
Hammett, J. L. & Co.
672.33
Heath, D. C.
110.48
Horton, Caroll A.
45.00
Horton, H. M. Salary
72.50
Repairs, etc.
1,016.64
Horton, John C.
33.00
Houghton, Mifflin Co.
236.11
Howe, Elmore L.
1.00
Jordan Marsh Company
.
3.10
Kelly, James E.
2.00
.
73
Knott, L. E. .
21.08
Lane, Albert
51.75
Livingston, C. A.
29.88
Lowell, Fred A.
29.50
MacMillan Co.
221.55
Magoun, Harold D.
10.15
McDowell & Pratt
619.68
McIntosh, S. R.
70.28
Massachusetts State Prison
12.42
Millard, Blanche
1.50
Mixer, N. I.
6.34
Mossman, Wm. A.
36.00
Municipal Light Co.
126.66
Milton Bradley Co.
137.80
Masury Young Co.
9.70
Neostyle Sales Agency
10.78
Nichols, Esther
20.00
N. E. Tel. & Tel. Co.
150.06
Perry, Charles F.
10.35
Perry, Ellen S. Salary
63.75
Supplies, express, etc.
65.40
Perry, John F.
3.55
Quinn, S. J.
2.50
Reading School Department
430.68
Remington Typewriter Company
14.80
Taylor, Austin
71.50
Tilley, J. A.
9.75
Tree Warden Department
.
12.00
Sanborn, Benjamin H.
70.27
Savage, Henry H. .
30.00
Shattuck & Jones .
.60
Silver Burdett & Co.
4.13
Standard Oil Company
91.92
Stapleton, Charles H.
5.00
Underwood Typewriter Company
70.00
Vose & Sons .
4.60
Waldo Bros. & Bond
37.38
.
·
74
Warrick & York
3.15
Wilmington Women's Club
1.75
Winston, John C.
3.36
White, Smith Music Company
3.67
Woburn & Reading Bus Line, Inc.
1,400.00
Woodside, E. A.
2.05
Wilmington High School
.
1.00
Wright & Potter
.
.
14.59
The following table shows the increase in school population during the past five years :
1918-1919-507 1919-1920-534 1920-1921-614 1921-1922-621 1922-1923-686
DISTRIBUTION OF PUPILS BY GRADE IN SCHOOL
Grades
SCHOOLS
I
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
IO
II
12
Totals
High.
50
47
35
28
16
176
Center.
23
18
23
21
57
142
South.
7
9
12
6
34
Walker.
21
20
26
21
46
45
179
Whitefield .
27
27
37
23
21
20
155
Totals.
78
7.4
98
71
67
65
57
50
47
35
28
16
686
75
DISTRIBUTION OF PUPILS BY AGE AND GRADE
·
Age
Grade
5
6
7
8
9
IO
II
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Total
I
14
36
19
6
1
2
78
II
10
29
20
7
4
2
2
74
III
4
42
35
13
3
1
98
IV
6
28
23
9
4
2
71
V
1
4
20
24
13
1
4
1
67
VI
2
26
21
13
3
65
VII
15
19
13
8
2
57
4
26
14
5
1
50
11
26
7
3
47
X Jr.
6
11
4
7
28
XI Sr. XII
3
5
7
1
16
Totals
14
46
52
75
75
74
79
64
68
62
33
35
13
8
686
76
VIII F IX S
2
7
12
12
2
35
77
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
North Wilmington, Mass.,
Jan. 15, 1923
To the School Committee of Wilmington
Madam and Gentlemen;
I have the honor to submit herewith my second annual report as your Superintendent of Schools.
The appended statistics show the growth of our school population. Roughly, this growth is at the rate of a roomful each year in the grades and this year, the high school showed an increased membership of better than 25%. The increase in taxable wealth lags behind the increase in our school popula- tion. While this ratio is not alarming as yet, it is below the average for the state. The large number of state wards and wards of charitable institutions indicates one factor in this problem but it is only fair to say that the state makes full reim- bursement for the tuition and transportation of its wards. But the reimbursement going directly to the town treasury, this expense must figure directly in the school appropriation. The wards of private institutions remain a heavy burden both on the schools and the taxpayers.
The growth of school population presents a problem that requires an early solution and implies either a new building or else a readjustment of grades with a wider use of our present buildings. The latter solution would be only a postponement of the first and both would necessitate increased expense.
Our growth in school population differs only in degree from that of the other American communities. This growth is altogether out of proportion to the growth of our total popu- lation and while affected locally by our proximity to larger
78
communities with their apparently inflated real estate values and overtaxed housing facilities, it is brought about largely by two factors, namely: the raising of the age for compulsory school attendance and by an enrichment of the curriculum of the secondary schools. A few years ago when the high school catered exclusively to prospective college students, its member- ship was necessarily limited. The addition of commercial studies attracted large numbers and vocational studies still more. If the compulsory attendance age is increased from 14-16 to 16-18 or even to 15-17, as seems likely, our high school membership will increase considerably.
The state offers reimbursement of approximately two- thirds of the salary of teachers doing vocational work. Our own household arts department has been approved by the state and we will become entitled to reimbursement as soon as the town approves an enabling act that will appear as an article in the warrant at the next regular town meeting. It would seem advisable to take advantage of our opportunities in this respect by adding more heavily to the science studies that should appeal strongly to the student who does not intend to continue his studies in some higher institution.
Increased reimbursement for vocational studies seems the only help available to provide for the additional teacher in the high school so urgently required by the tremendous growth in membership. Our grade teachers now average forty pupils and two grades, and in the high school there are several classes having a membership of more than forty pupils. It should be borne in mind that the burden of our teachers is greater than in many places of our size because of the absence of an ungraded room. Our teachers have to make their own especial provision for the gifted and for the retarded pupils.
It is extremely gratifying to report that our teachers, almost without exception, are doing most excellent work, several having taken up professional studies during the summer or extension courses during the term. The teachers' club under the able leadership of Miss Mildred Eames is continuing the good work so well begun last year by the late Mrs. Haley, whose
79
death is a loss keenly felt by both pupils and teachers. The club is rapidly becoming a genuine force for professional and community betterment.
The state requirement in regard to the employment of a school nurse with practically the same status as a teacher com- pelled the cancellation of the arrangement with the Nursing Association. With the cooperation of Dr. Buzzell, Mrs. Nicholls, although serving only one day each week, has been able to maintain the standards in this department and is rendering splendid service in our schools.
A particularly commendable accomplishment on the part of the teacher has been the introduction of milk for the mid-day luncheon. Through the hearty cooperation of our local milk dealers, the pupils are enabled to purchase pure, fresh milk at about half the price charged in many nearby towns. The serving of milk and hot soup during the colder winter weather necessitates considerable extra work for the teachers but it typifies the devotion of our teachers to their program of service for better schools.
The importance of physical training for health and proper physical development can hardly be over-emphasized. Training on the playground in honesty and fair play has very direct values for the school and the community because training in fair play is training for citizenship, the fundamental purpose in public educations. A part of one afternoon was given over to this work as a field day. Practically all the pupils participated in some contest or other. The event was made a complete success through the efforts of Miss Bernice Hale, a graduate of the Sargent School of Physical Training and of Mrs. Roberts who contributed the prizes. It is to be hoped that this can be continued as an annual affair.
Continuing the work begun last year in the development of a uniform course of study in the grades, we have standard- ized with a complete series of text books both the geography and the arithmetic. This makes it possible to work out a course of study for each grade, with basic texts so that the work in each building and grade may be compared with the work in
80
any corresponding grade. It will be necessary to treat the history and language work in the same way. A course of lessons in nature study and hygiene is soon to be completed. Your superintendent, in cooperation with the committees from the teachers' club, has been working out a course embrac- ing the above requirements and when the work is completed, it should be possible to give to each teacher all reasonable latitude for individual initiative and at the same time insure for each pupil essentially the same training. Finally it should be possible for a substitute to take up the work in any room, knowing exactly what is to be done.
Few text books were purchased during the war and during the period of reconstruction. As a result, our books were largely obsolete and all in poor condition. It is a pleasure to report that the schools are now fairly well supplied with ex- cellent text books.
In addition to the purchase of so many text books, an extensive program of repairs has been completed and consider- able new equipment secured, all without sacrifice to the vital interests of the schools and without undue strain on the appro- priation. In spite of the present high cost of instruction, equipment, fuel, and school supplies and in spite of the growth of our school population, it seems unnecessary to ask for any considerable increase in the appropriation unless it be for a new building or for a special improvement which properly ought to be obtained through separate and special appro- priations.
The excellent condition of our schools and the bright prospects for future growth and progress is due in great part to the efficient help of the school committee, to the loyal co- operation of the teachers, and to the efforts of many interested citizens, all of whom have made the work of the superintendent most pleasant and enjoyable.
Respectfully submitted, RALPH R. BARR Superintendent of Schools
81
THE REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
To the Superintendent of Schools:
I herewith submit my fourth annual report as principal of the Wilmington High School.
This year shows the largest enrollment in the history of the school. The total in the high school being 126 with forty- eight in the eighth grade. The distribution by classes is as follows:
Freshman 47
Sophomores 35
Juniors 28
Seniors 16
Next year the enrollment promises to be somewhat larger. This increase in numbers has been handled with a smaller teaching force than we had three years ago. The limit in com- bining classes seems to have been reached. We also have re- sorted to giving courses in alternate years. This works a hard- ship in many cases. I cannot urge too strongly the need of an larged teaching force if we are to keep up our standing. The New England College Entrance Certificate Board placed the school on its approved list for the first time this year. An application for approval for three years is now before the board and I feel sure that it will be granted. I have known the records of the graduates of the four last classes and not one who has entered college has failed to do creditable work. Among the colleges to which the boys and girls have gone directly and made good are, Yale, Smith, Jackson, Tufts, Boston University, the state Normal Schools, and various other schools and business colleges. The community owes a duty to its boys and girls to encourage them to continue their
82
schooling beyond the high school period. The number who do so is large but we should do even better and keep the number growing.
The college requirements set a fairly definite line which our academic work must follow and the demands of the business: would largely determine the grade of our commercial work. In spite of this a course of study should be worked out for all' subjects having in mind its articulation with the course of study being worked out for the grades, this would make for a much desired uniformity. The lunch room has proved a great. success. We have been able to give a child a warm nourishing lunch at a very reasonable cost. This privilege is much used, most of the children supplementing their lunch from home with something hot served at school.
The work in music has been helped much by the interest taken in the orchestra. Their public appearances have been favorably commented upon. Many have been encouraged to take private lessons who would not have done so otherwise. Mr. Ganley deserves a special word of approval for his work with the orchestra.
The Reading National Bank installed an automatic bank in the high school early in the fall and so well was it patronized that the Reading officials have promised to install another in the Walker School. Up to January 1 over $500 was deposited by pupils in the high and center schools.
Among the needs mentioned in my last report I should like. to call your attention to the science department. That is the one place where our work needs strengthening the most. We live in an age of science. We need more equipment for physics and when a new teacher is engaged it would be well to consider the advisability of finding one who had specialized in physics and chemistry.
Our permanent records are kept in a drawer in the principal's desk. This is entirely inadequate. We ought to have files for the records we have, and certain other records ought to be kept which it is impossible to do without adequate filing arrangements. Records inaccessible or poorly kept are. little better than none.
83
The thing that should be done at once is the beginning of a school library. The public library has been most helpful. I wish to take this opportunity of expressing my gratitude for their very wonderful cooperation. However, the public library can be opened but a short time and pupils should have reference facilities readily available at all times during the school term.
Book shelves with glass doors could be put in the back of the assembly room, and small reading tables, that could be easily moved back against the wall when not in use, could be installed. The school would be glad to raise part of the funds necessary for this work.
May I take this opportunity of thanking you, the teachers, and the community for your most sympathetic and helpful cooperation through the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
NELSON I. MIXER, Principal
84
HONOR ROLL
The following pupils were neither absent nor tardy up to December 31, 1922.
High School
Frances Hancock
James Devine
Ruth Carl
Margaret Daly
Mary Currier
Evelyn Durkee
Helen Foley
Gladys Henderson
Charles Smith
Kenneth Carter
Charles Sumner
Lincoln Robinson
Stanley Cady
Arvid Simpson
Viola Goodrich
Irene McMahon
Grade VIII
Mary Bik
Beatrice Detatoe
Virginia Richardson Forrest Dame
Clarence Putnam
Center School Grade VII
Charles Blake
Raymond Swain
Lester Brown
Ernest White
Errol Cox
Irene Troton
Margaret Porter
Louis Brazee
Edward Johnson
Norman Rice
Claude Thompson
Center School, Grades III and IV
Wesley Rice Ralph Lamont George Kimball Paul Flagg
Helen Gibson Anna De Loriea Elizabeth McGranaghan Barbara Clifford
85
Center School, Grades I and II
Ida Dunn Olive Finley Mildred Gibson
Louise Glendon Carl Carlson Walter Jacobs
Winona Lamonthe
Walker School, Grades III and IV
Grace Porter Phoebe Roberts Rose White
Walker School, Grade V
Robert Clark
Helen M. Mitchell
Joseph M. Correia
Dora I. Rice
Lewis Harris
George Hill
Eunice M. Surrette Alice L. White
Dorothy M. Esler
Walker School, Grade VI
Joseph I. Goldberg
George A. Roach
Chester E. Hinxman
William Richards
Lillian R. Cluney Olive M. Surrette
Whitefield School, Grades I and II
Charles Gray Thomas Irving Roy Meuse
Frederick Irving
George Plimpton
Whitefield School, Grades III and IV
Ethel Brown Beatrice Cates
Whitefield School, Grade V
Wilfred Laroche
86
SCHOOL CALENDAR
First Term Recess
January 2 to February 16
February 26 to March 2
8 weeks
Second Term Recess
March 5 to April 13
April 23 to May 4
8 weeks
Third Term May 7 to June 22
High School June 27
7 weeks* 8 weeks
Summer Vacation July 2 to September 3
9 weeks
Fall Term
September 4 to December 21
16 weeks
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS .
February 22, April 19, May 30, October 12, Thanksgiving Recess-November 29 to 30.
87
REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
To Mr. Ralph Barr, Superintendent of Schools,
Wilmington, Mass.
Dear Sir ;- I herewith submit the following report as School Nurse for the months November and December.
My aim in school nursing is to help the children to culti- vate health habits, assist the school physician in the physical examination and seek through cooperation with the parents to correct any physical defects found.
A series of health talks have been started. The topics of those given thus far are as follows :
I. The necessity of brushing the teeth at least twice a day.
This talk revealed the fact that many of the children were in need of a toothbrush. Starkey & Tower, Inc., of Portland, Me., have a toothbrush on the market especially for school children, which sells for five cents. So far about 425 of these brushes have been sold to Wilmington school children. Some of the classes had have toothbrush drills and the number of children who brush their teeth regularly is steadily increasing.
II. Keep unclean things out of the mouth, i. e. everything except food and drink.
Since this health rule has been practiced there has been a decided drop in the number of children who chew pencils, rulers, finger nails, etc., but we look for even a greater drop. Much credit is due the teachers for their splendid help in con- stantly reminding the children.
III. a. The importance of eating the right kind of food; b. the special value of milk and vegetables.
If the parents will cooperate with the school nurse and encourage drinking milk, eating vegetables and all wholesome food the result will be healthier, happier children and better citizens in years to come.
88
IV. Sleeping with open windows. Many people do not think this is very important but school children as a rule are anxious to be strong and healthy and therefore are willing at least to try it. We know if this habit is once established there is little doubt that they will always sleep with windows open.
V. The care of hands and nails, especially washing hands before eating. This can be done more efficiently when every school is supplied with running water and it will have more practical effect when the sanitary conditions in the schools are improved.
These talks are not only given once but they are reviewed time and time again, the children reporting each time the nurse comes how many of the health rules have been practised faith- fully. Some of the teachers have the children report to them each morning. This is a great help, as one day a week is not sufficient time to cover the ground as it should be covered.
The children have been weighed and measured, have had their eyes and ears examined and are ready for the school physician to complete the physical examination.
In closing I wish to thank the Superintendent and the teachers for their cooperation and friendly interest in the work.
Respectfully submitted,
ESTHER H. NICHOLS, R.N. School Nurse
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