USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1929-1930 > Part 6
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Per pupil cost, Middleton from all sources
86.22
Per pupil cost, Gosnold from all sources
406.69
1
Per pupil cost, Hardwick from all sources
141.83
13
Per pupil cost in Wilmington High School
120.19
Per pupil cost of high schools for the state
129.41
For proof of the effectiveness with which our schools are run, if the children choose to take advantage of the opportunities of- fered, we point with pride to the very excellent records our high school graduates are making in colleges and in the various busi- ness pursuits that they have entered.
AGE AND GRADE DISTRIBUTION
October 1, 1929
5
6
89
23
8
1
II
13
58
62 27
1 9
1
120
20
17 11 9
IV
6 57
29
14
8
1
115
6
5 23 20
V
1
11
47
24
11
3
97
12 12+ 14 15
VI
12 44 32
27
34
11
8
1
98
17 17- 20 20
1
14
12
7
7
1
42
15
32
8 19
S. G.
1
1
1
3
1
3
10
IX
1
14
21
8
3
47
36
72
-
X
18 2.4
12
54
42
74
XI
12
15
7
1
35
27
77
1
5
6
4
3
1
19
15
79
18
92 101
98 104
94 110 97
80
62 66
48
11
4
1 986 233
24 115 12
11:
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19 T UA % 0A % 139
I
18
7
8
9
10
21 7 4
103
13
14 11 12
III
20
UA Indicated children young for the grade.
OA Indicated children old for the grade.
Heavily leaded STEPS indicate normal age spread of the grades.
S.G. Represents the Opportunity Class.
101
.
11 19 18
15 2
2
107
12
VII
17
VIII
XII
18
13 9 65
102
SCHOOL AND GRADE DISTRIBUTION As of September 17, 1929
Silver Lake
1 25
2 24
3 18
4
5
6
7 8 9
10
11
12
T 88
Maple
Meadow
21
11
24
20
76
West
16
9
11
36
South
8
6
7
21
North
9 9
15
33
Walker
35
36
25 38 35
179
Whitefield
24 9
21
38
64
156
Center
89
79
168
High
18
38
44
48 55 34 18 235
Town Hall
10
1002
These figures were reported by teachers on this day. They repre- sent pupils actually enrolled at that time. There was a slight shrinkage later but on this date we were obliged to care for the 1,002 shown. It is very probable that on the corresponding day in 1930 we will have 1,052 to 1,092 in our schools.
October 1, 1929
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 10
11
12
T
Silver Lake
'24
23
16
20
83
Maple
Meadow
23
10
24
20
77
West
16
9
11
36
South
9
5
8
22
North
9
9
15
33
Walker
35
37
25
36
35
168
Whitefield
23
10
21
39
62
155
Center
89
79
168
High
18
19
42
47
.54
35
19 234
Town Hall ..
10
139 103 1/20 115 97 107
98
42.
47
54
35
19 986
This table represents actual membership on this particular day. It does not include those who are non-members from sickness or other causes. The actual enrollment would be in excess of this total.
The figures are taken from the registers of the teachers and are those which are reported to the State Department.
Conclusion
In closing may I call attention to the reports of my associates. Mr. Hood offers an excellent report on conditions in the High School. The Supervisor of Physical Education has tried to show you what her endeavors are expected to accomplish. Mrs. Nichols has reported on health activities of the year.
21
103
The same co-operation and support which has always marked the attitude of the School Committee towards me has continued unabated. To this harmony of relationship during the past six years can be traced the forward progress the school system has made in those years under very trying conditions. Only those of this group realize the difficulties of fitting an expanding number of children into an inelastic school plant.
Dec. 31, 1929.
Respectfully submitted, STEPHEN G. BEAN,
104
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
1929
General Appropriation
$60,000.00
Special Appropriation
11,000.00
Total Appropriated
$71,000.00
General Expense
School Committee:
Salaries
$000.00
Expenses 9.60
Supt. of Schools and enforcement of laws: Salaries
2,190.00
Expenses
414.62
Expenses of Instruction
Supervisors :
Salaries
2,072.75
Salaries-Principals :
High School
2,740.00
Salaries-Teachers :
High School
8,455.75
Elementary
22,570.50
Textbooks:
High School
532.85
Elementary
629.69
Stationery, supplies, miscellaneous:
High School
700.70
Elementary
1,238.19
Expenses of Operation of School Plant
Salaries-Janitors:
High School
1,599.99
Elementary
2,194.10
Fuel:
High School
1,252.63
Elementary
1,223.81
Miscellaneous:
(power, light, water, telephones, insurance, etc:
High School
736.19
Elementary
1,443.37
Maintenance of Plant
Repairs, replacement and upkeep:
High School 335.58
Elementary 705.96
105
Auxiliary Agencies
Libraries-High
5.30
Health
829.75
Tranportation :
High School
1,853.50
Elementary
3,707.22
Miscellaneous :
High School
27.08
Elementary
70.58
Outlays
New Grounds and Buildings:
Elementary
11,100.10
New Equipment
2,330.25
Total Expenditures
$70,970.06
Unexpended Balance
29.94
Appropriations
$71,000.00
106
REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Mr. S. G. Bean, Supt. of Schools, Wilmington, Mass.
Dear Sir:
In accordance with your request, I submit herewith, my first annual report as Principal of the Wilmington High School.
In presenting this report I want to pay tribute to the splendid cooperation I have received from you, the school committee, teachers, and pupils. Without such cooperation our accomplish- ments of the past year would have been impossible.
When I began my work in Wilmington on December third, nine- teen hundred twenty-eight I found the high school in a splendid condition educationally, but unfortunately the financial condition of the high school athletic association was very serious. Unpaid bills had accumulated to the amount of five hundred and twenty- five dollars. I am glad to state, that through the whole-hearted cooperation of pupils and teachers all bills were paid in full, and on December first, nineteen hundred twenty-nine the high school athletic association was free of debt for the first time in a number of years. During my administration I intend to see that we pro- ceed on a "pay-as-you-go" policy.
Seventeen pupils were graduated in nineteen hundred twenty- nine. Four of this number continued their education in institu- tions of higher grade and twelve have taken positions in the busi- ness world.
The class of nineteen thirty will be about the same size but the two succeeding classes should run about twenty-five and thirty- five, respectively.
During the past school year we have had representatives from the colleges in this area present the opportunities for advanced study offered by their institutions. This year we have organized a college club and from time to time invite former college students to attend and give us a more personal glimpse of college life. We hope to interest more students in advanced study through these means.
June nineteen hundred twenty-nine marked the passing of "The Wilmington Alpha" as the local newspaper, brought about by the coming of "The Wilmington News". We did not feel that we could conscientiously solicit subscribtions to, and advertising in, an enter- prise duplicating the service offered by "The Wilmington News". We regret the passing of "The Wilmington Alpha" for it was a unique institution in the state, a school paper serving as the com- munity newspaper, and had earned for itself a warm spot in the hearts of many residents and also former pupils who had helped in the labor of getting it to press.
107
Enrollment in the upper years of the high school has been gradually increasing until the time has been reached when we are faced with the absolute necessity of dividing next year's Junior class into two sections for the study of American History and Eng- lish. From data now on hand we expect fifty-six registrations for American History and fifty-three for English, and since the evi- dence collected over a period of years, shows that the number of new students in September practically balances withdrawals, we may confidently expect these numbers to remain about as stated above. It will be impossible to provide for these new sections with- out an additional high school teacher! The commercial teachers, between them, are caring for an extra section in typewriting this year, and should be relieved of this burden. In addition, our course in general science for Freshmen in the college course had to be discontinued this year. I strongly recommend thatwe engage a man teacher for this additional position and that we select one capable of coaching boys' athletics. I feel that my duties do not permit me to give as much time to coaching of athletics as should be given to insure the success the boys deserve. I have done no coaching since 1917 and sports, like every thing else, have changed tremendously since that time. There is no one else, at present on the faculty, any more competent than I to do this important and necessary work.
The athletic situation in Wilmington is much the same as in former years. Football as a competitive sport was dropped in nine- teen hundred twenty-eight, previous to my arrival, due to the im- possibility of financing the sport and also to the fact that we have little suitable material for a team. I did not think it wise to resume the sport this past year. Our basketball team enjoyed the usual success, possibly better than usual according to present and former pupils. We began the season with no veteran material available but had a fairly good team at the close of the season. We expected five letter men to return as a nucleus for this season's team, but withdrawals have cut this number down to three, so that we start the season with a good offense but inexperienced defense. The baseball team had an in and out season due to an insufficiency of capable coaching. The coming season will be a little better, we hope.
One of our needs is a suitable gymnasium' for carrying out our program of physical education. The present gymnasium is wholly inadequate for the staging of basketball games. The floor should be at least one third larger both in breadth and length, while the ceiling is so low that our goals cannot be placed at the legal height above the floor. A gymnasium could, very properly, be built to serve as a combined gymnasium-assembly hall. Our present assembly hall was designed and built to serve a school of one hundred fifty pupils, which it did, and will do splendidly, but at present we have two hundred twenty-five pupils in the building and are facing the probability of having more in September.
In view of the above statement I would suggest changing our present four year high school into a six year unit. Educational thinkers and administrators recommend the adoption of the six- year unit by all communities when the enrollment of such unit will not exceed six hundred pupils. Such a unit for Wilmington would enroll approximately three hundred seventy-five pupils next
108
September and probably not reach its maximum size for some ten years in the future. This change would necessitate the incorpora- tion of the present seventh and eighth grades into the high school organization with the complete departmentalization of the work of those grades. This would enrich the curriculum of the two gram- mar grades, and permit the greater utilization of the special abili- ties of our teachers as well as lessen the administrative expense of the grades, for we have reached the point where we should have a man teacher in the Center School if we are to retain the seventh grade there. The number and age of the boys now attending that building require the presence of a man teacher. Housing the sev- enth grade in the high school building will permit the transfer of the sixth grade to the Center School and furnish some relief for the crowded conditions existing in all of the grade buildings. It should do away with the necessity of erecting more portable build- ings and the placing of a man teacher in the Center building.
To carry out the above mentioned plan will require the remodeling of the present high school building. This can be done by placing permanent desks in our present library and laboratory, by moving the laboratory into the gymnasium, and by making two class rooms of the assembly hall. I would urge the retention of the stage in the assembly hall as a part of an English room. Making these changes will enable us to house four hundred pupils and put our six year high school into operation. A new combined gymnasium- assembly hall can be built in the rear and attached to the north end of the present building.
I can not close this report without expressing the appreciation of pupils and teachers of the cleaning and decorating that has been done to the building. Every wall and ceiling on the second floor has been cleaned, the ceilings whitened, the walls tinted and the burlap painted. Miss Marland's room on the first floor was also cleaned and decorated. In addition the stage and arch in the assembly hall were cleaned. Every one who has been in the building since the work was completed has commented favorably on the improved ap- pearance. We hope that the work may be completed in the remain- ing part of the building during the present year.
My educational policy is to make our school the best school of its size, to strengthen the college course, if possible, and to improve the commercial department. The school has three important func- tions to perform: first to adequately prepare pupils to successfully continue their education in recognized colleges; second, to fit other pupils to engage in the responsible function of earning a living; and third, to do as much, educationally, as we can for that third group who have no very definite idea of where they are going. Con- trary to some educators I do not feel that the commercial course is the camping ground for all of the educational mis-fits. I do feel, strongly, that the commercial course should be on a par with the college course and that it should do its work so thoroughly that no graduate of that course should ever need to attend any "so-called" commercial colleges to supplement his high school commercial training.
To summarize: I recommend engaging a teacher-coach to care for the increased enrollment in the upper high school grades and to handle boys' athletics; reorganization of the high school into a six
109
year unit; removal of the seventh grade to the high school build- ing; remodeling the high school building to accommodate four hun- dred pupils; building of a combined gymnasium-assembly hall; maintenance of a strong college preparatory curriculum; strength- ening the commercial curriculum; and a wise, friendly guarding of the interests of the so-called general group.
Respectfully,
J. TURNER HOOD, JR.
110
REPORT ON PHYSICAL EDUCATION
One of the most important functions of the public schools today is the care of the health and the proper physical development of the children in their care. Physical Education does more along this line than any other subject taught in the schools.
I plan as my general objectives:
1. Establishing of health habits, such as exercise and correct posture.
2. Securing the benefits of big muscle activity through participa- tion in a program which shall include: games and sports, tumbling, rhythm, dancing and gymnastics.
3. Cutivating the right attitude toward life and providing oppor- tunity for the development of character through situations that in- volve honesty, fair play, team play, loyalty and courtesy.
4. Developing habits of wholesome recreations, such as proper use of leisure time in school and at other times, pleasure in out-of- door games and sports.
The grade schools gave their demonstrations of regular class work at the end of June. Each room demonstrated different types of work carried on in its program. Some of these types were rhythms, calisthenics, drills, dances, and games.
This year each room is visited for forty-five minutes every week. The rest of the time the work is carried on by the grade teacher. Organized play was started this fall and seems to be working out very successfully. At recess, instead of standing around shivering or getting into mischief of some kind, a game is started in which every child must take part. There has been excellent cooperation between the principals and teachers with the Division of Physical Education in helping to put across the new progressive program which has been adopted. In the High School all girls are required to take one forty-five minute period of physical education a week. The regular class work consists of marching, drills, calisthenics and games. Correct posture, proper physical developments and proper coordination of mind and body are the ends sought for in our class work.
Field hockey for girls has been started. This game is considered the most highly organized of any for girls. Basketball practice was started immediately after Thanksgiving and a large group of girls reported for practice. Interclass games were played first and then a team was picked to represent the school in outside games.
In all the schools great stress is laid on posture. Each child is to be examined and given a rating. Parents, however, should not leave this entirely to the teachers. Correction of improper sitting and standing positions should be made at home.
2
111
One more objective of physical education is the development of citizens of which any parent, town, or country may be proud. We need a fine, upstanding, normal, healthy youth with standards and ideals of behavior, enabling him to take his place of leadership or fellowship as the situations arising may demand. The various types of activities in physical education train directly along these lines and in the work in gymnasiums, games, etc. in Wilmington, these objectives are kept definitely in mind.
Respectfully submitted,
EDNA M. COBURN.
112
REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
Mr. Stephen G. Bean, Supt. of Schools, Wilmington, Mass.
I. herewith submit my annual report as school nurse.
During the past year much time has been spent doing follow-up work. A home visit was made to each of 364 children who were examined' at the clinic in November, 1928. Most of these home visits were made in conjunction with the school census which was taken last winter. Seeing the parents personally presented an opportunity to get their cooperation in correcting defects, found at the clinic In many instances this has been done. Many of the parents realized, perhaps for the first time, the importance of sufficient rest for the school child and the value of additional rest periods for the under- weight and nervous child. Fifteen children have had bad tonsils removed, two have been taken to the Eye and Ear Infirmary for glasses, ten have been taken to the North Reading State Sanitorium for re-examination, three were sent to the Southren Middlesex Health Camp for the summer and four have been admitted to the N. R. S. S. as patients.
Dr. D. T. Buzzell, school physician, examined all the children who did not attend the clinic and notices of defects were sent to the parents.
All the children were weighed at least twice during the year, while those who attended the clinic were weighed monthly, when possible, and a record kept of their weight, height, and the number of days absent on account of illness. At the end of the year, or in November 1929 these records were returned to Dr. Chadwick at Westfield where they will be studied and the children not showing sufficient gain will have an opportunity to be re-examined at a ยท future clinic.
Soon after the opening of school in September all the first grade pupils were examined by the school physician in the hope that de- fects found would be corrected before they proved to be a serious handicap to the child.
The large number of children with decayed teeth are having an opportunity to have their dentistry done, at cost, at the dental clinic which is being conducted by Dr. W. J. S. McNally of Somerville, under the auspices of the Wilmington Public Health Nurse Asso- ciation.
To date the work done is as follows:
No. of children cared for 174
No. of cleanings 174
No. of fillings 601
No. of extractions 332
113
I sincerely hope this dental clinic will be an annual event for thorough oral hygiene is a sure step toward normal, healthy chil- dren.
Health talks have been given from time to time in the schools. Much more time could be profitably spent on this important phase of the work but I feel that it is necessary to correct physical de- fects first in order to give practical effect to Health Teaching.
I wish to thank the teachers for their co-operation. Also Mrs. H. C. Barrows and her committee, without whose support and inter- est our successful dental clinic would not have been possible.
Respectfully submitted,
MRS. ESTHER H. NICHOLS, R. N.,
School Nurse.
114
REPORT OF THE CARTER LECTURE COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Wilmington:
The Carter Lecture Committee, during the year 1929, presented to the citizens of the town, two lectures of unusual character and merit.
On Friday afternoon, November 22, Mr. Thornton W. Burgess, the well-known writer for children and lecturer on nature subjects, de- livered a lecture on "Wild Animals" to an audience mostly of young people which filled the Wilmington Theatre to capacity.
On Saturday evening, December 11, Mr. Branson DeCoue, a popu- lar travelogue speaker, lectured on "Northern Africa." Mr. DeCoue presented colored pictures and appropriate incidental music, making his entertainment a thing of great beauty. About one hundred persons were in the audience.
The Committee would be glad to receive suggestions as to future lectures.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN W. HATHAWAY, Secretary for the Committee.
115
TREASURER'S REPORT SARAH D. J. CARTER LECTURE COMMITTEE
January 1, 1930.
Receipts
Jan. 1, 1929 Balance on hand
$206.77
Dec. 3, 1929
F. L. Eames: Income and Interest 300.51
$507.28
Expenditures
Jan. 8, 1929 H. B. Williams
77.24
Feb. 6,
G. F. Frazee, Circulars 4.00
Apr. 5, Grange Hall Corp., Rent
20.00
Nov. 23,
D. H. Ross, Rent
15.00
Nov. 29,
Samuel Frolio
10.00
Dec. 4, Thornton W. Burgess
100.00
Dec. 4,
H. W. Shumaker
7.50
Dec. 4,
Wilmington News
10.00
Dec. 26,
H. B. Williams
100.00
Dec. 26
Wilmington News
2.00
Dec. 26,
Grange Hall Corp. A
10.00
$355.74
355.74
Dec. 31, 1929 Balance on hand
$151.54
Respectfully submitted,
SARAH D. J. CARTER LECTURE COMMITTEE.
ARTHUR F. BLAKE, Treasurer.
116
REPORT OF THE WATER COMMISSIONERS
The Water Commissioners are pleased to submit to the Citizens a report of the first full year's operations of our Water Department.
The work during this year has consisted chiefly in making house connections. At the close of the year we had made 305 service con- nections. We anticipate that many new connections will be made during the coming year and we trust that within a short time all the houses along the line of our water main will be connected with our service.
We cannot urge too strongly those people who have not as yet made connections, the value of a pure water supply. There are many Towns and Cities who would think themselves fortunate in- deed could they secure a water supply such as we have in Wilming- ton. It is our good fortune to be able to deliver into your homes, water which tests very high in purity and low in hardness, and which does not have to be treated with any chemicals.
We hope, therefore, that during the coming year, many people will take advantage of this service and install the water in their houses.
We wish at this time to pay a compliment to our Superintendent, Mr. Foster, who has very ably directed the work of the Water De- partment since the operation began. No problem has arisen which he has been unable to handle, and, without any outside aid. This compliment also applies to the other employees of the Depart- ment who have given the Department painstaking and efficient service during the year.
We would like to mention the fact that in making 305 service installations, the surfaces of the highways were broken in only eight places. By this careful work the surface of our roads have been spared and a considerable expense saved for such repairs as would have been necessary.
During odd times the men have been used in grading the grounds and in time this grading will be completed which will greatly im- prove the appearance of the Pumping Station.
Extensions
The only extensions to the water service during the past year have been in cases when the abutters paid the entire cost of in- stallation as no provision was made for any extensions by the Town. The Water Board, in itself, cannot make extensions to the mains already laid without the authority being given them by the voters.
In case, therefore, any people desire to have extensions made to the present water mains, application must be made to the Select- men in the form of an article to go before the Town Meeting.
117
Work Shop
As we have gradually accumulated apparatus, tools, and equip- ment, it becomes necessary to have proper facilities for housing . them. We are also obliged to provide facilities for testing meters, blacksmith shop, work shop, storeroom, etc., as well as garage for housing the cars and equipment trucks. In our estimate of ex- penditures for the coming year, we are entering an amount of four thousand dollars ($4,000.00) to cover the construction of a work shop. We believe that this is an advantageous time to build this building as in coming years we will have to make payments on the bonds and as this building is an absolute necessity it seems that this is the proper year to build it.
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