USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1925-1926 > Part 6
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FRANK W. DAYTON,
CHARLES F. PERRY,
D. T. BUZZELL, M.D., Agent.
Board of Health of Wilmington.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Together with the Report of the SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
For the year ending December 31, 1925
140
School Committee
PETER NEILSON .
.
Term expires 1928
ALFRED S. ALLEN
Term expires 1928
HELEN H. BUCK
Term expires 1926
OLIVIA H. NORCROSS
Term expires 1926
JOHN W. HATHAWAY
Term expires 1927
HARRY W. DE LORIEA
Term expires 1927
Superintendent of Schools STEPHEN G. BEAN
School Physician DANIEL T. BUZZELL, M. D.
141
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR 1925
To the Citizens of Wilmington:
At the beginning of the year 1925, the School Department of the town of Wilmington received a grievous blow. Mrs. M. Leontine Buck, who for several years had been a teacher in our schools, passed into the other life. She had been a very public-spirited citizen, active in many lines of en- deavor. Her loss was felt and mourned by many, and not the least by her associates in the schools.
During the past year, the School Committee has held regular monthly meetings, with an occasional extra or in- formal meeting.
Under the guidance of our Superintendent, Mr. Stephen G. Bean, the schools have been conducted in an efficient manner. The Committee feels that in him and in the teachers, and other school employees, the town has a work- ing body of public servants remarkably well organized and adapted for the purposes of their employment. The Super- intendent, in his report, will note changes in personnel in detail.
The Committee renewed, for a second year, its contract for the transportation of pupils with the Eastern Massa-
142
chusetts Street Railway Company. The service has been good, but the conditions since September last have not been as satisfactory as they were in the 1924-1925 school year. There has been a substantial increase in the number of pupils to be transported, requiring the use of a third bus, and involving an additional expense, for which provision must be made before next summer.
The high school has been improved by the laying of a suitable floor in the large basement room intended for gymnasium purposes. This work was done within the esti- mate, and a very good floor was obtained. It is to be hoped that in the near future the room can be made more useful by the installation of some apparatus for physical culture.
The school buildings are in fairly sound condition. The Centre School has become shabby, both inside and outside, and should receive consideration. The high school is now in good condition, but it could be improved by general in- terior decorating and renovation.
Last September saw an increase of 65 in the number of children attending school. This increase not only upset our transportation arrangement, but involved the use of addi- tional school space. With the generous consent of the Se- lectmen, the Town Hall was furnished with school equip- ment and is now in use by a large class of first-grade pupils. Our regular school buildings are filled to capacity and another increase in the number of scholars next fall will find us without place to put them. It is imperative that additional school space be acquired within the next seven months in order that the schools may continue to function as they have done in recent years. What was said in the School Committee's report a year ago, could well be re- peated here with emphasis. The overcrowding of which
143
the town was then warned has already come and conditions will soon be worse, unless we have immediate action on the problem.
The School Committee is grateful to all connected with the schools for their good and efficient services and to the other town officials and to the public at large for their hearty co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN W. HATHAWAY, ALFRED S. ALLEN, HARRY W. DE LORIEA, OLIVIA H. NORCROSS, HELEN H. BUCK, PETER NEILSON,
School Committee of Wilmington.
144
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee of Wilmington.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Subscribed please find my Second Annual Report as Superintendent of Schools for the town. I have endeavored to make it as brief as possible and still cover the main phases of the year's work.
For the months from January first to July first there was no great change from conditions as reported last year. The work was brought to a reasonably successful conclusion ending with excellent graduation exercises of a fine class from the High School.
We endeavored to be more rigid in the requirements for promotion and gave very few of the so-called "trial pro- motions." Many children in the schools today are laboring under the handicap of having advanced a grade before they were truly ready to do so. This is often done on the insis- tence of parents, but it is a serious mistake for the children concerned.
The real report for the year centers around conditions which arose within the first few weeks of the Fall term. It did not develop on the first day, but reached its height early in the second week of school. I refer to the wholly unfore- seen and unforeseeable influx of children into the schools of the town. Of course we knew we were to have more chil-
145
dren entering than were present at the close of the last school year and had made such preparations as would leave each of the teachers with a comfortable number. The hordes which appeared all but overwhelmed us and soon every schoolroom in the town was overcrowded, even in- cluding the extra room which had been prepared in the Town Hall. By the end of September there had been en- rolled a few less than eight hundred children.
After having housed every child we were faced with the problem of seating them all. Here was where we began to think of what was to become of the comfortable financial balance which had been so carefully husbanded to carry the system to the end of the fiscal year. And this was truly but the beginning of the financial problem, because once seated the children needed books and supplies. The new school in the Town Hall had to have a teacher and a jani- tor as well as some changes in the condition of sanitaries and coat room space.
Next came reports of crowded busses on one of the transportation routes, necessitating the addition of a third bus. Here was another unexpected draft on that rapidly diminishing balance. And so it has been throughout the Fall, just one new demand after another, so that it seems remarkable that we reached the end of the year with so little indebtedness.
As an evidence of the good judgment of the Committee when preparing its budget for the year it should be said that had that budget been met in full, the year could have been successfully financed with a very small balance re- turned to the town.
Looking to the future, that is, to next September, it is reasonable to expect a repetition of our experience of the past year. Financial preparation for this can be made at
146
the will of the Annual Town Meeting, but if there is a repetition one thing is certain and that is, that the present school plant of the town will be wholly inadequate. Today there are in the first seven grades of the schools approxi- mately five hundred and sixty children. This does not include any of the grades housed in the High School. These 560 children are in fourteen school rooms, which gives an average of 40 children to a teacher. This average is not accurate because the two teachers in the seventh grade have each 35 children in her room, while some of the teachers in the lower grades have as many as 48 children in two grades. Thus the teacher load is very unfairly divided and those children who need the most individual attention cannot get it because of the large numbers in their classes. Even if conditions were to remain as at present there must be some kind of reorganization of the grades in order that the children in the primary grades may have a fair chance. Please note that no mention is made of easing the teachers' burdens. They are accepting their lot very cheerfully and doing their best. It is the children for whom consideration is asked.
Suppose, then, next September brings another increase of 60 or more pupils. Where will we even pack them, to say nothing of giving them a seat and a hook for their clothing? Such a condition is not only possible but is very probable. It is a situation to be faced without delay.
A committee on school accommodations has been at work during the year and it is hoped that some definite plan to meet the probable emergency has been developed. Whatever the plan may be, action should not be delayed. It is a thing which cannot be avoided if your school chil- dren are not to suffer. No makeshift platoon plan should be considered for a moment. It would be expensive and in- efficient. Expensive here especially, because of the trans- portation problem involved, as well as the cost of extra
147
teachers or the extra cost of teachers. Another expensive difficulty with this plan is the general lack of artificial light in the present buildings. This would be very neces- sary to the lengthened day. And there are other undesir- able features of which space does not permit mention here.
While fully appreciating what it means to suggest a new building when the town has under consideration so im- portant a project as a water supply, we would be remiss in doing our duty were we to neglect to make known this really pressing problem of the near future; a time so near that immediate action is imperative. It takes time to build a satisfactory school building.
The Teaching Corps
The teacher personnel has remained substantially the same as last year. There were too many changes, but the gains offset the losses.
Miss George M. A. M. Crockett was added to the High School staff and assists in the eighth grade, replacing Mrs. Powell, whose removal from town was regretted.
Late in the year Miss Webb resigned to be married and was replaced by Miss Frances Hindenlang, who has had exceptional advantages in French as a preparation for her work.
In the seventh grade two new teachers had to be secured to replace Miss McGrane and Mrs. Bischoff.
Miss Verna L. Wadleigh, a teacher of wide experience, was secured as principal. Miss Wadleigh is a specialist in standard tests and is doing some original work with her
148
class which it is expected will lead to a wider application in the other schools of the town.
Miss Eva Clark was secured as the other seventh grade teacher. She is also experienced and has seconded the work of the principal to good advantage.
Mrs. Patten is in charge of the room where Miss Chap- man served so long and so well. Miss Patten is also a trained and long experienced teacher.
For the new room in the Town Hall, Miss Irene Richard- son was engaged. Again we were able to find a trained and experienced incumbent for the position.
The present teaching staff seems very strong at nearly every point. It is hoped that we may be able to hold it intact, but this is almost too much to expect when larger towns can offer superior salaries and teaching conditions.
Music and Drawing
In music Mrs. Kimball has continued her excellent work. It is a pleasure to hear the children sing. They seem to enjoy it and not to take it as part of a day's work. In some rooms, notably the combined seventh grades, chance has brought together a group who sing exceptionally well. The voices here blend beautifully. This is also true of the eighth grade group. These are by no means the only chil- dren in town who sing well.
Instrumental music is being well cared for in the High School under the able direction of our own Mr. Gerald Frazee. No doubt, the public performances of Mr. Frazee's charges are still remembered from their concert and the music at graduation.
149
The drawing department is under new leadership this year. Miss Marion Ladd of Winchester, a graduate of Boston Normal Art School, is now in charge, replacing Miss Barry, who is now in Amesbury. The work pro- gresses on well-planned lines and seems to be very satis- factory. Miss Ladd is well liked by both pupils and teachers.
Health Activities
Work in this department has gone forward under the direction of Dr. Buzzell and Mrs. Constance A. Holliday, R.N. The report of Mrs. Holliday will be found in these pages.
Credit should be given for the work of Miss Horton and Mrs. Mobbs for their excellent work with hot lunches.
High School
In lieu of asking for a special report from Mr. Knight I want to say that the local High School shows every evi- dence of good administration.
Classroom activities run smoothly and effectively. The young people seem interested and are always busy. Dis- order is noticeable because of its absence.
Activities outside of regular class work are reasonably varied and loyally supported. Baseball and basketball teams have met with more success than could be expected from a small school. The musical clubs are doing excellent work, and in the drama no little talent has been shown.
Under Mr. Frolio military drill is carried on and receives credit towards graduation, it being really as much physical training as military drill, the rifle replacing the dumbbells and Indian clubs. The Alpha, a weekly newspaper, is the
150
literary outlet of the school and serves at the same time as a local weekly for the town. It is self supporting, which is something of a novelty.
Numbers and Distribution of Pupils
As is usual, two simple tables are appended for purpose of comparison with other years and to show just how the school population is grouped and has progressed since the last report.
TABLE I School and Grade Distribution December 31, 1925
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII VIII
XI
X
XI
XII
Whitefield
30
37
29
29
23
38
186
Center
5
28
17
21
70
141
Town Hall
43
43
Walker
27
20
29
19
46
43
184
South
7
13
10
10
40
High
55
52
24
17
24
172
112
98
85
79
69
81
70
55
52
24
17
24
766
This table represents actual membership in every case and does not show the full enrollment of the school. The numbers would be larger if children who have become non-
TABLE 2
AGE AND GRADE DISTRIBUTION December 31, 1925
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
T
A
%
R
%
I
58
42
9
3
112
0
12
II
5
40
31
15
6
1
98
5
22
III
6
27
32
15
2
2
1
85
6
18
IV
8
27
28
10
3
2
1
79
8
16
V
3
23
18
11
8
4
2
69
3
25
VI
11
27
28
10
5
81
11
15
VII
2
21
23
14
9
1
70
2
24
151
VIII
6
18
18
11
2
55
6
13
IX
9
23
14
6
52
9
6
X
1
6
12
4
1
24
7
1
XI
6
7
4
17
6
0
XII
9
10
4
1
24
9
1
766
69
154
1
KEY: Roman numerals indicate the grades. Arabic numerals at heads of columns indicate age to the nearest year. Heavy black diagonal ruling indicates normal age limits in the grades. A shows number under age for any grade. R shows over age for any grade.
152
members temporarily, because of sickness or for some other reason, were included.
The second table (see page 151) shows the distribution of pupils on the basis of age and grade. It also gives in- formation concerning the question of retarded and acceler- ated pupils. It is noteworthy that in spite of the increase in age limit for the first grade there is still a large number of under age pupils. There is also too great a percentage of retardation. This will receive careful investigation dur- ing the coming year.
Conclusion
May I take this opportunity to express my hearty appre- ciation of the co-operation I have received from my asso- ciates and for the cordial and appreciative manner in which the School Committee has received my efforts. The har- mony which exists, in general, throughout the school sys- tem is a source of satisfaction.
Respectfully submitted,
STEPHEN G. BEAN.
Wilmington, Mass. Dec. 31, 1925.
153
FINANCIAL STATEMENT 1925
General Appropriation
$44,000.00
Special Repairs :
Vocational Education
1,000.00
1924 Unpaid Bills
1,124.23
General Expenses 1925
School Committee :
Salaries
$0.00
Other expenses
6.66
Supt. of Schools and Enforcement of the Laws: Salaries 1,740.00
Other expenses
446.72
Expenses of Instruction
Supervisors :
Salaries
$679.00
Salaries-Principals :
High
2,700.00
Salaries-Teachers :
High
6,357.50
Elementary
16,295.00
Text Books :
High
421.05
Elementary 305.09
Stationery, Supplies and Miscellaneous : High 344.70
Elementary
934.64
154
Expenses of Operating School Plants
Wages of Janitors, etc .:
High
$1,450.00
Elementary
1,508.00
Fuel :
High
1,055.20
Elementary
1,695.00
Miscellaneous and Sundries :
High
156.36
Elementary
627.12
Maintenance
Repairs, Upkeep, etc .:
High
2,128.48
Elementary
867.29
Auxiliary Agencies
Health
741.36
Transportation
2,929.50
Tuition, Voc.
494.22
Miscellaneous
77.07
Outlays
New Equipment :
High
142.50
Elementary
375.74
Total Expenditures
43,984.48
Unexpended Balance $15.52
155
Recapitulation
General Appropriation Expended
$44,000.00
43,984.48
Unexpended
$15.52
Special Appropriation for Vocational Education
1,000.00
Expended
494.22
Unexpended
$505.78
Special Appropriation for 1924 Bills
1,142.23
Expended
1,142.23
$000.00
Special Appropriation for Repairs Expended
654.23
646.24
$7.99
156
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
Mr. Stephen G. Bean, Superintendent of Schools, Wilmington, Mass.
The following is a report of the activities of the school nurse for the year 1925 :
This year has been one of getting acquainted, of trying out and establishing new methods of health education, and of working toward perfect health conditions for the school child.
The sanitary conditions have been improved consider- ably-a drinking fountain has replaced the pail and dipper at the Whitefield, and two other schools have been supplied with fountains ; the toilet facilities have been increased ; and the children of the South School have been provided with a wash stand, which not only does away with their running out to the pump in all kinds of weather to wash, but also serves as a stimulus to help the children remember to obey that important health rule, "Keep Clean."
It is interesting to note how much more interested the children and their parents are in health and in our efforts. to promote it. It is gratifying to note that from year to year the defects occur less often, and that an increased per- cent of defects is being treated. Of the children that have been notified of defective tonsils and adenoids this year
157
about one-fifth have had them removed; and of those noti- fied by the dentist more than one-half have had treatment. The number of children that needed dental treatment at the beginning of the year was appalling, and I feel that we cannot overestimate the good work accomplished by the dentist who was supplied to us by the local District Health Association.
The work of the school nurse has changed in the last few years from that of curing disease to that of preventing it. The largest part of preventive work consists of education, therefore, the studying of hygiene and the learning of health habits have become an important part of the school child's curriculum. Dansdill's book, "Health Training in the Schools," has been supplied to the teachers as a guide in teaching health habits ; posters have been sent out by the State Department of Public Health and exhibited and dis- cussed in the schoolrooms ; the first grades have used health alphabet booklets for supplementary reading and coloring; and through the co-operation of Mrs. Kimball and Miss Ladd the subject of health has been correlated with music and drawing.
Starting in September a monthly program for health teaching has been supplied every teacher, so that each week a definite subject might be correlated with the school work, or taught as a separate subject. This work is supplemented by the monthly classroom talks on health. The teachers have been most co-operative and are showing more and more interest in health teaching. Some have made attrac- tive posters, some have bought them, to hang in their class rooms so that the interest of the children might be stimu- lated constantly. The children show the results of this work and it was interesting to observe that only a few weeks after school had begun this fall there was a notice-
158
able change in the appearance of the children-in one school particularly. They had been careless about their hair, nails, etc., and after a few talks on neatness took such an interest that the improvement was soon noticeable. Nearly all children are taking more care and pride in their per- sonal appearance, and they have learned thoroughly the rules for safety first and for healthful living.
The state and county health departments do a wonderful work in guarding the children from tuberculosis and in helping the mothers solve nutritional and general health problems. A large group of underweight children and their mothers benefited by the tuberculosis clinic held here in the spring. Three children were sent for the summer to the county health camp, where they all gained weight and re- turned in the fall much improved. At the time of the clinic Mr. Bean was most generous in giving the services of his car to make the necessary home visits in the outlying dis- tricts.
Mr. Bean has taken a great interest in the health work and his advice and suggestions have been well appreciated.
Mrs. H. C. Barrows, the president of the District Health Association, has helped the work a great deal by aiding in the transportation of children from their schools to the dentist at the time of the clinic, and by giving her time and services has made it possible for several children to attend clinics in Boston.
I am very grateful to Dr. Buzzell for his unfailing co- operation and to all the teachers and parents who have contributed so much toward making school nursing suc- cessful.
159
Number of classroom inspections
51
Number of individual examinations by nurse 2,173
Number of times pediculosis found 116
Number of children weighed or measured 707
Number of children 10% or more underweight
122
Number of children 15% or more overweight
13
Number of children attending dental clinic
135
Number of children attending tuberculosis clinic 41
Number of children classified as suspicious
3
Number of children taken by nurse to other clinics
6
Number of individual examinations by doctor
875
Number of defects found
640
Number of notices sent
556
Number of corrections made
172
Number of classroom talks
38
Number of home calls 78
Respectfully submitted,
CONSTANCE A. HOLLIDAY, R.N.
160
TOWN WARRANT
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Middlesex, ss.
To Walter A. Hill, Constable of the Town of Wilmington,
Greeting:
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and in the manner prescribed in the By-Laws of said Town, you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town qualified by law to vote in Town affairs to meet and assemble at the Town Hall on Monday, the first day of March next, at 10 o'clock in the forenoon, the polls to be opened at 9.45 a.m. and shall be closed at 8 p.m. for the election of Town Officers.
ARTICLE 1. To bring in your votes on one ballot for three Selectmen, who shall also act as Overseers of the Poor and Board of Survey ; one Assessor for three years; Town Clerk ; Treasurer; Collector of Taxes; Constable; three Fence Viewers; two members of the School Committee for three years; two trustees of the Public Library for three years ; one trustee of Trust Funds for three years; one member of the S. D. J. Carter Lecture Committee for five years ; Tree War- den ; Moderator ; also to vote on the following question, to wit : "Shall Licenses be granted for the sale of certain non-intoxicat- ing beverages in this Town?" Yes or No.
You are also hereby further required and directed to notify and warn the said inhabitants of the Town of Wilmington, who are qualified to vote on elections and Town affairs, therein to assemble subsequently, and meet in Town Meeting at the Grange Hall, Wildwood Street, in said Town of Wilmington, on Monday, the eighth (8) day of March, A. D. 1926, at eight (8) o'clock p.m., then and there to act on the following articles :
161
ARTICLE 2. To choose all other Town Officers for the en- suing year.
ARTICLE 3. To hear the reports of Committees and act thereon.
ARTICLE 4. To see how much money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the following items as requisitioned by the various Departments :
General Government Charities and Aid
Protection of Life and Property Soldiers' Benefits
Health and Sanitation
Miscellaneous Expenditures Education
Highways
ARTICLE 5. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to bor- row money in anticipation of revenue of the present financial year.
ARTICLE 6. To see how much money the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the observance of Memorial Day, and to determine how the same will be expended.
ARTICLE 7. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of seventy-five (75) dollars for the up-keep of Regan Park, Rogers Park and Thomas Nee Park, or do anything in relation thereto.
ARTICLE 8. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate the sum of one thousand ($1,000) dollars for Public Health Work, or do anything in relation thereto.
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