USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1929-1930 > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15
Number of persons taking out books, 706.
The reading table has been supplied from the Town appropria- tion with the following magazines: Radio News, Popular Science, Popular Mechanics, Scientific American, National Sportsman, Hy- geia, Nature Magazine, National Geographic, Good Housekeeping, The American, Country Gentleman, Boys' Life, The Youth's Com- panion combined with The American Boy, St. Nicholas, Child Life and for the most of the year a paper, The United States Daily.
Some others contributed by friends are Our Dumb Animals, Liv- ing Tissue, Columbia, Motion Picture, New England Poultryman, Bell Telephone Quarterly, American Issue, Specialty Salesman, Virginia, World Tomorrow, In-One, Junior Christian Endeavor World the greater part of the year and the Town Paper, Wilming- ton News.
81
The Library was closed from April 16 to May 21, while necessary alterations were made on the building; as the money was spent for this purpose new books could not be purchased.
Library Bulletins have been printed directed by John E. Bolger of New Bedford, at no expense to the Town.
Received for fines on books
$63.11
Received for books lost
3.00
Received for old books, papers and pamphlets sold 2.50
Passed in to Town Treasurer
$68.61
Respectfully submitted, ANNA TOLMAN SHELDON,
Librarian.
82
REPORT OF MEMORIAL DAY COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
I hereby respectfully submit my report of expenditures for the proper observance of Memorial Day, May 30th, 1930.
Appropriation
$400.00
Music (Wakefield Band)
$110.00
Speaker (Lt. James Mullen)
25.00
Flowers (George Newcomb)
59.50
Flags (Disabled Vt. Association)
8.50
Refreshments (Legion Aux.)
150.00
Transportation (Carol Gray)
16.00
Transportation (Clergy and Civil War Vets.).
10.00
Transportation (Freight and Packing charges) ...
15.50
Postage and Correspondence
1.50
$396.00
Balance
$ 4.00
J. THOMAS HOLMES.
83
REPORT OF THE WORK DONE BY THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE IN THE TOWN OF WILMINGTON
The following is a report of the work of the Middlesex County Extension Service as developed in the town of Wilmington for the year 1930.
In agriculture, the principle service rendered was answering requests for farm visits to assist with indivdual problems. In homemaking, a group of 19 women took part in studying the greater use of vegetables. They were responsible for passing the in- formation on to 31 others who could not attend the meetings. There was some local interest in the project for improving home grounds and this was developed under the leadership of Mrs. Edward Neilson. A talk was given before the Wilmington Women's Club on Food in Relation to Health.
In Boys' and Girls' 4-H work, 82 were enrolled in the garden, food, poultry and rabbit clubs. Miss Henrietta Swain, Mrs. Palmer, Everett Bedell and Charles Fish served as local leaders. Josephine Roy was awarded a Two Day Trip to the Masachusetts Agricultural College for doing outstanding club work. The garden club members exhibited some of their products in the window of Currier's market. A local town committee has been developed to work for the interest of 4-H club work, composed of Miss Henrietta Swain, Chairman; Mrs. Frank Patch, Mrs. George Irons and Everett Bedell.
A campaign to eradicate rats from farm and home buildings was carried on on a county-wide basis and a great many of the poison baits were distributed in Wilmington.
Many local people took part in the several county-wide meet- ings held during the yaer, such as the county picnic at Wayside Inn, Sudbury, and the Homemakers' Day at Lexington. January 5, 1931.
Respectfully submitted,
ERNEST W. EAMES,
Director.
84
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Citizens of Wilmington:
The Board of Health herewith submit its Annual Report.
The number of Contagious Diseases reported to this Board for 1930 are as follows:
Scarlet Fever
Diptheria
18
Tuberculosis
3
Measles
1
Infantile Paralysis
5
Chicken Pox
1
The Board of Health has seen to the collection of garbage in the Town.
The rubbish has been collected from the stores in Wilmington Square in same manner as has been the practice in other years.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER L. HALE, JEROME J. O'LEARY, WALTER G. BUCKLEY.
Board of Health.
Report of Wilmington Public Health Nursing Service Year of 1930 Record of Visits Made.
Nursing Visits
1,147
Infant Welfare Visits
111
Prenatal Visits
85
Tuberculosis Visits
5
Child Welfare Visits
126
Social Service Visits
179
Attendance at Clinics
12
Other Visits
101
Total
1,805
Miscellaneous
Hospital Visits
39
ALICE DOUCETTE, R. N.,
Public Health Nurse.
ANNUAL REPORT
of the
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Together with the Report of
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
For the Year ending December 31, 1930
86
School Committee
John W. Hathaway
Term expires 1933
Harry W. DeLoriea
. Term expires 1933
Helen H. Buck
. Term expires 1932
Olivia H. Norcross
Term expires 1932
ยท Alfred S. Allen
Term expires 1931
Howard Bedell Term expires 1931
Superintendent of Schools STEPHEN G. BEAN
School Physician
DANIEL T. BUZZELL, M. D., deceased LYMAN R. ORTON, M. D., successor
School Nurse MRS. ESTHER NICHOLS, R. N.
School Calendar
January 5-Winter Term begins.
February 28 -- Winter Term ends.
Vacation-One week.
March 9-Winter-Spring Term begins.
May 1-Winter-Spring Term ends. Vacation-One week.
May 11-Spring Term begins. June 26-Spring Term ends.
Vacation-Ten Weeks.
September 9-Fall Term begins. December 23-Fall Term ends.
87
REPORT OF WILMINGTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR 1930
To the Board of Selectmen:
The national census of 1930 showed that the public school pupils of Wilmington are more than 25% of the population of the town. This large ratio is a full explanation of the relatively high cost of the schools to the tax-paying public. Fortunately, in 1930 the gain in the number of school attendants was small, hence it was possible to make both ends meet financially.
It cannot now be predicted what the 1931 increase will be, but any increase will have to be taken care of either by raising the age of admission, or by resorting to the "platoon" system in some of the classes. Neither expedient would be pleasing, and "platoon- ing" would increase the cost of teaching, heating, lighting, janitor service, and especially would mean a great advance in school transportation. This year, of all years, the town should increase its school accomodations.
We have had to face many changes in the teaching personnel of late, but the school system has functioned smoothly and has given satisfaction to those who have come in contact with it.
In the death of Dr. Daniel T. Buzzell, the schools and the young people of the town lost a devoted friend.
To the entire staff of the department, the gratitude of the town is due.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN W. HATHAWAY, Chairman; ALFRED S. ALLEN, HOWARD E. BEDELL, HELEN H. BUCK, HARRY W. DELOREIA, OLIVIA H. NORCROSS.
88
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Wilmington School Committee,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Herewith is submitted my seventh Annual Report as Super- intendant of Schools for the Town of Wilmington.
Maintaining the brevity of treatment of this report as has been the custom in previous years, I propose to give a brief resume of the work of the past year in order that I may have the space to present adequately the most important problem that is now before us.
The Year in Retrospect
In writing the report a year ago we looked forward hopefully to the solution of the problem of the care of the ever increasing numbers in the upper grades of the school system. At that time it seemed barely possible that by a complete revamping of the High School Building we might be able to take care of the large numbers who would appear in the three upper elementary grades in September. Our budget was prepared with this eventuality in view provided no action was taken by a Town Meeting to increas the size of the High School plant by the building of a six room addition and gymnasium. Not only did the budget, as presented, meet with a substantial reduction, but by vote of the town in- creased accomodations were also refused, owing to a confusion in the minds of the voters as to the issue involved.
It was very evident to us that without the addition of several more class rooms it would be impossible to operate the schools of the town on a full time basis. We had already had unsatisfactory experience in platooning the first grades in the Town Hall School. Not only had this reacted unfavorably on the educational op- portunity of these beginners, but it had materially increased the expense of transportation. We knew that without increased ac- commodations in the Fall we would be forced to resort to this expedient on a very much larger scale. With these facts in mind it was decided to make changes in the High School building such that the seventh and eight grades could be accommodated there together with the regular high school pupils, thus forming a new unit, a six year high school. This was not an unprecedented form of organiation. It was already in successful operation in other Massachusetts towns.
During the Summer vacation internal changes were made in the High School building. The auditorium was sacrificed and parti- tioned into two classrooms. So also was the large study hall on the second floor divided. By this means two large home rooms and two smaller recitation rooms were secured in place of two very useful but very large rooms. The commercial department
89
was removed bodily to what was called the gymnasium, and in its place, by the removal of a partition, was created another good sized home room for one of the large seventh grade classes.
All these changes had been made necessary by continued pres- sure from the ever increasingly large classes coming up from the lower grades. There were one hundred fifteen sixth graders to be taken care of and these were placed in the rooms left vacant by removing the seventh grades from the Center School. Instead of requiring only two rooms however, three were needed. The fourth room was occupied by the overflow from the fifth grade of the Walker School.
Thus by one more desperate expedient the school administra- tion of the town met what looked like an impossible situation. The annual increase of new pupils came and was properly cared for. The numbers at one time neared ten hundred fifty. This num- ber has steadily maintained a level of better than ten hundred twenty-five. All were comfortably cared for, were provided with seats, books, and supplies. New teachers were provided as need- ed and the schools have passed another very satisfactory year.
Changes in Teaching Staff
The number of changes has been great during this year. This is to be expected in view of the quality of the teachers and our proximity to the large towns which are always looking for teachers trained in these smaller town with their low salary schedules.
A serious loss was felt when Miss Dorothy Buckle resigned from her position in the Walker School to accept a more lucrative posi- tion in Reading. Miss Buckle had taught most successfully for a number of years and had reached the maximum salary that we are able to pay. Here again we lost a most valuable teacher for the reason of our low salary schedule. Miss Buckle was followed by Miss Alice M. Webster, a graduate of Gorham Normal School with several years of successful experience.
Another first grade teacher of great promise was lost to us in the person of Miss Viola Sanderson, teacher in the Whitefield School. Miss Sanderson was enticed to North Andover by an increased salary in her home town. Miss Mildred Parsons took over this position. She is a graduate of Perry Kindergarten Normal School.
In November, Miss Ella Howlett left her position in the Maple Meadow School to assume the bonds of matrimony. Her place was taken by Marion Richards of Brookline, a graduate of Framing- ham Normal School.
At Thanksgiving, Mrs. Florence Justice, for several years Prin- cipal of Center School, but this year a departmental teacher in the High School, resigned to assume the duties of a housewife. This resignation resulted in the transfer to the High School of Miss Marjorie Leland who had been made Principal of the Center School in September. Miss Ruth Childs was promoted to the principal- ship and Mr. John Crediford, a Salem Normal Graduate of ex- perience has since been teaching in the sixth grade of the Center School.
90
The overflow fifth grade in the same school is presided over by a new teacher, Miss Lena Carter, graduate of a North Carolina Normal School and later a student at Harvard Summer School. Miss Carter had also had two years experience.
Another important addition to the staff is Miss Alyce G. O'Brien, a graduate of Hyannis Normal School. In addition to her normal school training Miss O'Brien has had office training and ex- perience, and is serving in a dual capacity. She has charge of the third sixth grade room in the Center School during school hours and then serves as secretary to the Superintendent after the school day is ended. Only a district superintendent can ap- preciate what this assistance means.
The city of Quincy with its much higher salary schedule enticed from us Miss Mary A. Janes, organizer and first teacher of the Special Class in the Town Hall. We were fortunate to secure as Miss Janes' successor a young lady specially trained for this kind of work, by study under the direction of the Department of Educational Psychology, of Harvard University. Miss Harrington has conducted this important work in a very satisfactory manner.
Changes in the personnel of the High School staff will be found in the report of the Principal of the High School appended to this report.
During the year it was found necessary to increase the amount of time given us by Mrs. Gulliver, Drawing Supervisor. Late in the year the increase in number of school rooms and outside visits made it necessary to acquire increased length of service from Mrs. Nichols the School Nurse.
The changes in organization made necessary by the increased enrollment has increased the number of names on the payroll from 42 to 45 with a corresponding increase in the amount of that payroll.
By mutual agreement of teachers and school committee it was arranged that commencing in September all teachers were paid on the basis of 'twelve equal monthly payments instead of ten as formerly. It is believed that this will prove very convenient for the teachers. It has met with their approval thus far.
Changes in Curriculum
The outstanding change in this department of the system came in the seventh and eight grades as a result of their consolidation as an integral part of the high school organization.
Departmentalization was already practiced in these grades but not as fully as now became possible. With four teachers for these two grades we were enabled to assign to each teacher that sub- ject which she was best fitted and which she preferred to teach.
It was also made possible to introduce a change in methodology which wa believe will make for a much improved educational pro- ceedure in these grades. In place of a more or less slavish ad- herence to a single text book and a more or less complete master- ing of its contents, it is now possible to conduct these classes
91
in a more mature manner from a multiplicity of reference books and in a method which has clements of the problem method. We do not strain to produce problems however but introduce them as progress suggests. Ours might better be called an original work book proceedure. Indications point to a distinct improve- ment.
Looking Forward
This caption covers one of the most important duties of the Superintendent of Schools. He cannot sit down calmly and trust to luck that "everything is going to be all right" next September. He must study past experience, analyze present con- ditions, and plan for the future. It is not enough to look six months or a year ahead. His vision must extend five and ten years hence. It matters not whether his community heeds his voice, it is still his duty to show the way, and do his utmost that the school children have the opportunity to which they are en- titled. With this thought in mind the writer begs here to pre- sent what in his belief is the most vital problem facing this town in the near future.
In this report last year a table was given showing that the school enrollment in this town had grown from 534 in 1920, to 998 in 1929. This is an increase in ten years of 464 pupils or about 75.6%. On the basis of these figures the school enrollment has been increasing about 71/2% each year.
The average numerical gain in this period is about 46 pupil per year. The average was made smaller by the small increase this year as compared to last. There was a time during the Fall term however, when the enrollment rose to 1050 pupils, but be- cause of movements in and out of town the figures given in the attendance tables show an actual membership on October first of 1017. This figure is below the actual enrollment on that date because of sickness which made some children technically non- members at that time. The actual number of children in the schools when all are present is about 1025.
It may be of interest to note here that an unusually large pro- portion of the residents of this town are school children actually enrolled in the schools. Nearly one-fourth of the population is in school as compared to one-sixth, the average generally prevalent.
A study of the age and grade distribution table given below shows clearly that for each of the next six years, if we maintain our present plan of organization and carry on the six year high school; there will be a class of at least 100 entering the high school building each September. If the usual percentage of these finish the high school course we can expect to see within three years, classes of fifty pupils in the graduating class. This will mean at least 60 in the Junior class, about 75 Sophomores, 90 Freshmen, 95 eight graders, and 100 sevenths. Combined, these figures give a total of 350 pupils. Seating capacity must be pro- vided for 120 more pupils. This means at least three good sized rooms will have to be available or else we are sure to face soni form of part time education.
92
Part time education or platooning is not uncommon even in the large towns and cities. It can be administered successfully where geographical distribution of pupils is favorable. It can be done in Wilmington, but it involves a very material increase in cost of both teaching and transportation. It is probable that this method of organization of the upper grades will commence next Septem- ber if no additional accomodations are granted by the town. If this method of solving the problem is forced upon us it will be necessary to make a very decided increase in the budget already prepared.
In order to make the necessity of increase in expense clear to those unfamiliar with the platoon plan I offer the following ex- planation of what the plan involves. In brief it means two shifts of pupils being taught in the same building at different parts of the day. One group goes to school at eight o'clock in the morning and is dismissed at twelve. At twelve another section takes posses- sion of the building to remain until four o'clock. It is evident that no one staff of teachers will be able to handle both groups since no lunch period would be allowed for the teachers even if they could stand the nervous strain of teaching from eight o'clock until four without any rest period. Two groups of teachers will be required.
Other difficulties can be readily seen in this plan. For instance, there will be the problem of transportation. It must start earlier in the morning. It must be provided for either the class arriving or departing at noon, if not for both. It will be delayed until four o'clock in the afternoon. This means until dark from late November until early in January. There will also be a decided in- crease in the cost of lights and heat. It is difficult to estimate just what the increase in cost will be if platooning has to be our resort. A rough estimate would indicate an annual increase of from four to five thousand dollars. This would depend on the number of classes involved in the platooning.
The Schools in the Anniversary Celebration
The schools, as a department of the Town, had a part in the cele- bration of the 200th Anniversary of the Incorporation of the Town. According to our regular policy, no great amount of time was taken from school work to prepare for this event. In the parade were two floats prepared by teachers in two of the schools. From the Walker School a very attractive float was prepared under the direc- tion of Miss Henrietta Swain, depicting the activities of the various 4-H Clubs of that school. Ye Olde Dame Schoole was the subject of the float representing the West School and prepared under the direction of Mrs. Lena Eames. In the afternoon, on the Common, a demonstration of Physical Education under the direction of Miss Edna Coburn, Supervisor of Physical Education, was presented. All grades from the primary to the high school took part. Follow- ing this demonstration, two historical pageants were given in the exhibition tent, under the direction of Miss Laura Marland. There was also a demonstration of teaching methods of the Colonial days by he children of the West School in period costume, with Mrs. Lena Eames as teacher.
93
Conclusion
In closing, I would call attention to the reports of my associates, which will be found on the following pages. These cover the work being done in the High School; the work in Physical Education, Art, and the report of the activities of the School Nurse. To the hearty co-operation of these, together with the faithful work done by all of the teaching staff, is due the successful year we have just passed.
I appreciate heartily the support and co-operation which I have received from the committee during this year of difficulty due to inadequate housing facilities. Very helpful suggestions from vari- ous members of the committee are responsible for the happy solu- tion of the defficulties.
Respectfully submitted,
STEPHEN G. BEAN.
AGE AND GRADE DISTRIBUTION
October 1, 1930
19 T UA % 0A %
I
11 73
33
8
1
103
20
19
6
6
II
20
61
16
5
1
113
14
12
9
8
III
14
61
27
5
4
115
21
19
16
14
IV
21
51
27
9
5
2
116
15
13
19
17
V
15
55
27
8
9
2
VI
1
13
46
34
14
6
1
113
14
11
21
18
S. C.
94
13
14
16
16
VII
13 34 31
12
4
1
16
30
19
9
2
77
17
22
11
14
VIII
7
12
5
8
2
34
7
21
10
29
IX
1
14
22
9
2
1
49
15
31
3
6
X
11
19
9
2
2
43
11
26
4
9
XI
10
10
3
23
10
43
0
0
XII
!
1018 168 161
24 12
T
5 6
7
8
9 10
11 12 13
14
15
16
17
18
126
11
9
9 7
UA Indicates children young for the grade.
OA Indicates children old for the grade. S.C. Represents the Special Class.
Heavily leaded diagonal steps show the normal age limits of the various grades.
94
12
95
SCHOOL AND GRADE DISTRIBUTION
October 1, 1930
1
2
3
4
5
6
7 8 9
10 11 12
T
North
9
9
12
30
West
19
7
11
37
South
10 5
10
25
Silver Lake.
23
20
23
17
83
Maple
Meadow
26 16
15
23
80
Walker
27
29
28
41
22
147
Whitfield
12 17
14
34
56
133
Center
38 113
151
Town Hall ..
12
High
94
77
34
49
43
23
320
Totals
126 103 113 115 116 113
94
77
34
49
43
23 1018
96
FINANCIAL STATEMENT 1930
General Appropriation
$67,500.00
General Expenses
School Committee :
Salaries
$000.00
Expenses
000.00
Supt. of Schools and enforcement of laws:
Salaries - Superintendent and Truant
Officer
2,358.25
Expenses
325.78
EXPENSES OF INSTRUCTION
Supervisors :
Salaries
2,398.28
Salaries-Principals :
High School
2,646.64
Salaries-Teachers :
High School
8,711.41
Junior High School
1,667.47
Elementary
21,959.38
Textbooks :
High School
963.63
Junior High School
162.15
Elementary
1,076.28
Stationery, Supplies, Miscellaneous :
High School
728.93
Junior High School
123.87
Elementary
1,287.87
Expenses of Operation of School Plant
Salaries-Janitors:
High School
1,566.64
Junior High School
66.67
Elementary
2,407.50
Fuel:
High School
963.28
Elementary
1,852.89
Miscellaneous (power, light, water, tele-
phone, insurance, etc.) :
High School
766.49
Elementary
727.35
Junior High School
16.05
Maintenance of Plant
Repairs, replacement and upkeep:
High School
4,164.25
Junior High School
3.50
Elementary
912.54
97
Auxiliary Agencies
Health 899.87
Transportation :
High School
2,118.33
Elementary
4,236.67
Miscellaneous :
High School 8.86
Outlays
New Grounds and Buildings 419.21
New Equipment 1,935.25
Total Expenditures
$67,477.29
Unexpended Balance
22.71
Appropriations
$67,500.00
98
REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Mr. S. G. Bean, Supt. of Schools, Wilmington, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I submit herewith my second annual report as principal of the Wilmington High School.
It was very evident last spring that Wilmington schools would be faced withe usual housing situation. The erection of the two portable buildings had not completely solved the problem. It was decided to establish a six-year high school and to accommodate all pupils of grades 7-12 in the high school building. This decision made necessary the provision of additional class room space in the high school building.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.