USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1931-1932 > Part 5
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5,822
10.37
60.38
75.08
Billerica
5,880
9,326,395
1,320
108,647.66
7,479
10.16
76.01
83.81
Burlington
1,722
2,596,477
353
33,752.87
6,924
8.51
58.94
90.69
Tewksbury
5,585
3,504,607
603
47,865.00
5,991
10.67
63.90
87.15
No. Reading ..
1,948
2,325,548
376
43,964.18
5,550
10.94
60.68
102.74
Middleton
1,712
1,852,100
255
20,765.71
7,685
9.24
71.00
91.65
Andover
9,969
17,073,498
1,725
147,654.47
11,759
7.92
93.08
102.04
Reading
9,767
15,830,425
1,529
232,747.38
7,752
12.24
94.91
111.76
Town
1930
Valuation
Pupils
ation
.
87
. ..
.
TABLE II AGE AND GRADE DISTRIBUTION
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
T UA OA
I
14
99
22
4
2
1
1
143
14
8
II
8
54
36
9
2
109
8
11
III
21
57
22
8
1
109
21
9
IV
1
15
57
27
12 7
1
1
121
16
21
V
16
59
22
9
3
4
2
1
116
16
19
VI
1
13
50
25
20
13
3
125
14
36
VII
1
9
34
29
16
3
1
93
10
20
VIII
10
25
27 31
15
7
3
73
17
10
X
2
11
12
15
4
1
45
13
5
XI
11
15
7
2
35
11
2
XII
11
15
11
2
39
11
2
Ţ
14 107
98 112 107 109 96 87
96 103
57
50
29
14
2 1081 161 154
Heavily leaded diagonal steps show the normal age limits of the various grades. UA Indicates children young for the grade.
OA Indicates children old for the grade.
88
.
1
16
11
73
10
11
IX
89
TABLE III
SCHOOL AND GRADE DISTRIBUTION
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 10
11
12
T
South
16
7
5
.28
West
19
14
15
48
North
10
6
8
24
Silver Lake
25
16
20 22
83
Maple
Meadow
18
14
16
16
64
Whitefield
27
27
20
45
40
159
Walker
28
25
25
38
36
152
Center
40 125
165
High
93
73
73
45
35
39
358
Totals ..
143 109 109 121 116 125
93
73
73
45
35
39
1081
90
REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Mr. S. G. Bean, Supt. of Schools, Wilmington, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I submit herewith my fourth annual report as Principal of the Wilmington High School.
The usual annual changes in the teaching staff have taken place. Miss Marjorie Leland left to accept a position in the Danvers schools. Miss Doris Wright was engaged to fill Miss Leland's position. Miss Stephanie Bean was employed to teach history and English, coach dramatics and arrange assembly programs. Miss Ruth Wisotsky was employed October first to teach commercial subjects. The employment of these last two teachers was made necessary by an increase in our enrollment from three hundred to three hundred and fifty-five pupils.
Our enrollment for the year 1931-1932 has fluctuated from three hundred and sixty-two to three hundred and fifty-five pupils, where it seems likely to remain for the year. We prepared for this in- creased enrollment by making an additional class room from part of the old gymnasium.
There are twelve rooms in the high school building furnished for class use. Every room is in use every period of the day, with the exception of the typewriting room which is vacant one period. At present, there are twenty-four unoccupied desks in the ten rooms furnished for home room use. We feel that we are making use of close to one hundred per cent of the available space.
One who attempts to forecast approaching events runs consider- able risk of having one's forecast upset. However, after making allowance for those pupils who will graduate, leave school, and new ones moving to town, we expect that in September, 1932, we will have thirty-seven pupils in grade twelve, thirty-eight in grade eleven, sixty-four in grade ten, eighty in grade nine, eighty-seven in grade eight and one hundred and fifteen in grade seven. This will make an enrollment of about four hundred and twenty pupils. We have three hundred and fifty-five pupils at present.
Here we have our annual problem of increasing enrollment, but this coming year we will be unable to provide additional accommo- dations. For the past three years we have tried every expedient to avoid a two-session school day. With an increase of some sixty to seventy pupils, we are forced to recommend that grade seven be placed upon a half-time plan this coming school year. After giv- ing due consideration to the increase in population, the annual increase in school enrollment, and the enrollment of the first six
91
grades, we can confidently state that there will be an increasing number of pupils forced to attend school on the half-time plan each succeeding year.
We HOPE to work out an arrangement for the seventh grade half-time plan which will not increase the annual transportation cost for the coming school year. A heavy increase in transporta- tion cost, due to the half-time plan may be expected as a certainty in 1933, and as a possibility in 1932.
We regret very much that economic conditions are such that adequate school accommodations can not be provided. Particularly do we fell the need of an assembly hall, available at all times for school use. The school is constantly growing in size but not in school spirit. The morale of the school is not all that we would have it. We feel that this condition could be corrected if we were able to call our school into assembly when the need is acute. As it is now, we must wait for the second or fourth Thursday when we have the use of Grange Hall, and by that time we have been forced to settle the matter by some less effective means. We use Grange Hall about fifteen times a year for assemblies and after- · noon socials. However, this is much better than having no assem- blies. The distance from the school and lack of availability make it difficult for us to instill school spirit and keep up the morale of the pupils. This use of Grange Hall as a school assembly hall costs the town about one hundred and twenty-five dollars each year.
Wilmington High School graduated a class of twenty-three pupils June twenty-fourth, nineteen hundred thirty-one. Eight of this number are now attending schools of advanced training. Five of the eight are attending the following four-year, day, degree-grant- ing colleges: Boston University, Harvard University, Massachusetts Normal Art. Wheaton College and University of Delaware. Three other pupils are attending specialized schools for specific training. We, of the faculty, are pleased that the good work of the school has been recognized to the extent that Harvard College accepted one of our graduates without requiring him to take any entrance examination and that the other four colleges did not require more than one examination each. Some of these colleges require all pupils, regardless of scholastic rank or reputation of the secondary school graduating them, to take a general examination in English. I think I can safely say that any college in the country that will accept students upon certificate will accept properly certified grad- ulates of Wilmington High School, and in addition, this high school can fit qualified students to enter most American colleges by the examination route, as evidenced by the fact that four graduates of the Class of 1928 passed all examinations for admission to Harvard College, and one entered Radcliffe College by the same method.
The athletic situation remains about the same. Activities are confined to boys' baseball in the spring and girls' field hockey in the fall. The loss of our gymnasium has greatly hampered all extra- curricular activities. The girls' field hockey team had an unusually fine season, losing but one game, and winning from much larger schools, such as Malden and Methuen. The athletic association is out of debt and has enough money on hand to take care of spring activities.
92
The growth in the school population will reach the tenth grade this coming school year. It will be necessary to provide additional classes in English, bookkeeping, stenography, typewriting and pos- sibly in biology. This will require the services of an additional teacher for the new tenth grade classes and the purchase of seven more typewriters costing four hundred and ninety dollars. The public in general does not realize how rapidly the school popula- tion is growing. Such growth demands additional teachers and increased appropriations for salaries.
We feel great concern for the pupil who is not interested in either the college preparatory or commercial courses. Scant con- sideration has been given to his needs. We have built up strong four-year college preparatory and commercial courses while we offer only modern history and biology for the general course pupil. He has to select subjects from both college and commercial courses to make out his program of studies. We would make a beginning toward providing for the general course pupil by offering a course in the ninth year which would be a composite of elementary econo-
mics, sociology and civil government. United States history, offered in the eleventh year, would be broadened to include economic his- tory and government. Economics, offered in the twelfth year, would be developed into a round table conference based upon the economic problems of the day and the fundamental economic laws responsible for existing conditions.
We are carrying on our work to the best of our abilities under conditions most trying to both pupils and teachers. Whatever success we may achieve would be impossible without the cheerful co-operation we have so generously received from them.
To summarize: We shall have three sections of seventh grade instead of two as in past years; this will necessitate the employ- ment of an additional grade teacher and providing an additional school room; we recommend that this additional room be obtained by having two sections use the same room on a half-time basis; we HOPE this half-time proposition can be worked out to avoid any increase in the already heavy transportation cost of the town; there will be new classes in tenth grade English, bookkeeping, stenography, typewriting and possibly in biology; these new classes will require the services of an additional teacher in the high school grades and the purchase of seven more typewriters; increased numbers of pupils must be put on half-time each succeeding year; and an increase in transportation cost the coming school year is a possibility.
In closing permit me to express my appreciation for the consid- eration and careful thought which you and the Committee have given to the problems of the high school. We have worked and planned together for the past three years to increase our pupil accommodations without any new buildings or increased trans- portation cost. We shall continue to work for the best interests of the pupils with whatever resources the town may be able to provide.
Respectfully submitted,
J. TURNER HOOD, JR.
93
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Mr. Stephen G. Bean, Supt. of Schools, Wilmington, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my third annual report as Supervisor of Physical Education. In presenting this report I am happy to say that I have had splendid co-operation from the principals and teachers, and the response from the children has been most grati- fying.
Grade Schools
The grade schools gave their demonstration on the Common early last May and this was well attended by the parents. Each grade demonstrated different types of work carried on in its program. Some of these types were rhythms, calisthenics, drills, dances, mimetics and games. This year, as last year, each room is visited for one-half an hour once a week and on all other days the work is carried on by the grade teacher. Commencing with the fourth grade, each room is divided into teams and named after different colleges. Points are earned by doing good work and winning games, and keen competition results. This fall the pupils have been examined for faulty posture. This is caused by flat feet, round shoulders, weak muscular development, and defective eye- sight and hearing. The pupils are given special exercises to aid in correcting any difficulty, and are asked to practice them at home. There is interest in this work and with the help of pupils and parents I feel that there will be improvement along these lines.
High School
Physical Education for girls in the High School during the past year has been successful. Due to the lack of a gymnasium the only inter-scholastic competition has been field hockey. Last fall was the first season for Wilmington to have a regular schedule, and the girls did very nice work playing against much older and better equipped teams. There were eight interscholastic matches and the girls were defeated only once.
All girls have three Physical Education periods a week, during the fall and spring months, having instruction in the following: All phases of gymnasium work, soccer, field hockey, basket ball, baseball and track. Teams are organized in these sports with com- petition in after school hours.
94
The crowded conditions make it necessary, during the winter months, to hold hygiene ( asses in the teacher's room, and after school to have tap dancing; and tumbling in the halls, typewriting room or wherever a little ; pace can be found.
All High School girls took part in the demonstration on the Com- mon last May. They demonstrated marching tactics, calisthenics, stunts, wand and dumbell drills and games. Twenty girls dressed in clown suits, doing stunts and building pyramids, seemed to be the outstanding feature of the day.
Last October, to fill in at the Grange Fair, the clowns gave an exhibit, and some younger children danced while others acted the nursery rhymes.
This past January, at the Grange Hall, the High School girls presented "The Toy Shop," a song and dance show which seemed to meet with approval.
I wish to thank you, Mr. Bean, for your hearty co-operation, and for your interest in the physical education of the Wilmington school children.
Respectfully submitted,
EDNA M. COBURN.
95 REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
Mr. Stephen G. Bean, Supt. of Schools,
Wilmington, Mass.
My dear Mr. Bean:
I herewith submit my annual report as School Nurse.
No. of Schools Visited 126
No. of Class Room Inspections 14
No. of Children Examined with School Physician 888
No. of Children Weighed and Measured 620
No. of Children Referred to School Physician 11
No. of Home Visits 104
No. of Children taken to N. R. S. S. for Examination 5
No. of Children taken to Clinics, Tonsil, Eye, etc. 14
No. of Children given First Aid
5
No. of Consultations with Doctors, Parents, Board of Health, etc. 69
No. of Children Excluded for Contagion 19
No. of Class Room Talks 12
Dental Clinic:
No. of Children Attended 218
No. of Cleanings 200
No. of Amalgam Fillings 791
No. of Porcelain Fillings 60
No. of Cement Fillings 5
No. of Extractions 220
Total No. of Operations 1,276
State Ten Year Clinic held May 25, 1931:
No. of Children Re-examined 10
No. of Children Improved 8
No. of Children Unimproved 2
No. of Children X-Rayed
9
No. of Children Recommended for Sanatorium Treatment
1
No. of New Children Examined
15
No. of New Children X-Rayed
15
No. of New Children Recommended for Summer Camp 2
No. of New Children Discharged from Clinic 6
Diphtheria Immunization Clinic:
No. of Children given three doses of Toxin Anti Toxin .. 148
No. of Pre-School Children given three doses of T. A. T. 27
Total 175
96
State Ten Year Clinic held in December, 1931, instead of April 1, 1932, to accommodate State Dept.
No. of Children Re-Examined 20
No. of Children Impro ed 16
No. of Children Unimproved 4
No. of Children X-Rayed
21
No. of Children Recommended for Summer Camp 4
No. of Children Discharged from Clinic 3
No. of New Children Examined 3
No. of New Children Recommended for Summer Camp .. 1
The examinations by the School Physician revealed a large num- ber of children with physical defects needing immediate attention. However, due to the financial condition of many of the families at this time it is not possible for them to secure medical and surgical treatment. In order that these children may not suffer permanent harm or disability I am planning, with the help of several of the teachers and supervisors, to give an entertainment by the school children. The money realized will be used to correct some of these defects and for any "Health Work" among the school children.
Also the teachers and supervisors of the Wilmington Schools are giving 11/2% of their month's salary, for three months, to furnish clothing for school children. This will abolish the necessity of children staying home from school for lack of shoes, rubbers, etc.
The Dental Clinic was again conducted by Dr. McNally who did such splendid work last year and sponsored by the Wilmington Public Health Nurse Association.
This clinic meets a definite need in our schools. Many of the children who have just attended the third clinic which is now in progress find that all they need this year is a cleaning or perhaps one or two small fillings. I am deeply grateful to the W. P. H. N. A. for making it possible for the children to have this privilege.
The Diphtheria Immunization Clinic was conducted by Dr. Orton, School Physician, assisted by Dr. Archibald, our District Health Officer. We were pleased with the co-operation of the parents and hope this year many more will want to be on the safe side and have their children immunized.
The 175 children of last year's clinic will be Schick Tested this year to determine their immunity and at the same time any who have not been tested will have the opportunity.
The child recommended for Sanatorium treatment at the State Clinic has been admitted to a Sanatorium. His condition is much improved and he shows steady progress.
Of the two children recommended for summer camp, we had only enough money from the "Health Seal Sale" to send one. This one showed definite improvement after her summer at camp.
97
This year five have been recommended for camp. Due to lack of funds only one can be sent. What about the other four? They too should have a chance!
I wish to thank all those who in any way helped us this year to get a little nearer to our goal and ideal, i. e., a healthy body and a sound mind for every school child in Wilmington.
Respectfully submitted,
ESTHER H. NICHOLS, R. N.,
School Nurse.
98
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING
Mr. S. G. Bean, Superintendent of Schools, Wilmington, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I have the honor to submit my third annual report as Supervisor of Art.
The drawing in the schools has, as in other years, been carried out along definite lines. The object in teaching drawing in the schools is to teach the pupils to appreciate the beauty in nature and art, to improve their surroundings, and, also, to give them the ability to express themselves freely and easily.
In the past year, much has been done to accomplish these things. The primary grades have illustrated stories in booklet form, have had several lessons to teach color, have completed paper cutting and pasting lessons for special days, such as: Thanksgiving, Valen- tine and Christmas decorations, and have had a number of free expression lessons. Illustrating the Indians helped the second grades to know them better. Just at present they are learning the simple geometric shapes, and combining them in border form to learn the term in design of "Repetition."
The drawing in grade four has been for the most part the same method, only more advanced work in color and design. They have learned to combine complementary harmonies, and have studied central balance in design.
The most important work accomplished in the fifth and sixth grades this year was the "Safety First" and "Health" poster con- test. The children worked with great enthusiasm and much was gained, as the posters were entirely original. Out of the two hundred and ninety posters, one hundred and eight good ones were chosen to be exhibited.
The seventh and eighth grades have achieved greater success in drawing this year, as they have double periods every other week, and, therefore, not so much time has been wasted passing materials. They have had lessons on tree shapes, nature lessons, silhouettes of the figure, original calendar illustrations for November and December, perspective, color theory, and at present they are start- ing design patterns.
The High School classes meet after school as they did last year. It is surprising what a regular attendance I have, considering all the other school activities coming at the same time. The free-hand drawing class made some very good Christmas posters in pastels for the first time. Last spring their work on some travel posters with show card color was exceptional. Some of this same class
99
worked for weeks designing, lettering and painting the scenery for the graduation pageant. A few boys are taking mechanical draw- ing, although that also comes after school.
The drawing is correlated with other subjects, and those who attended the health exhibit at the Grange Hall couldn't help but realize this, as drawing was used in nearly every project.
In conclusion, I wish to express my sincere thanks to teachers, pupils and school officials for their loyalty and co-operation in making my work successful.
Respectfully submitted, 1
SHIRLEY H. GULLIVER.
-
100
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
Mr. Stephen G. Bean, Superintendent of Schools, Wilmington, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I have the honor to submit herewith my first annual report as Supervisor of Music.
Music may not help every child to earn a, living in later life, but music will prepare every child to live. It is, therefore, the mission of public school music to endeavor to teach boys and girls to sing with enjoyment, and to listen with understanding.
The aims of public school music are:
1. To give every child the use of his singing voice and pleasure in song as a means of expression.
2. To give the child a repertory of songs which may be carried into the home and social life.
3. To help each child develop power in music reading according to his ability.
4. To give each child talented in music performance every pos- sible opportunity for cultivation.
5. To help the child to develop a love for the beautiful in music and a taste in choosing music for himself.
6. To give the child an opportunity to hear the best-known com- positions of standard composers.
Every two weeks, in the grade schools, each room is visited for forty-five minutes. On all other days, the work is carried on by the grade teacher.
In the first grade the work consists of rote-songs, i. e., songs sung by the teacher and imitated by the children; singing with neutral syllables, recognition of phrases, application of syllables . and individual work with less musical children. The same work is carried on throughout the first four grades with music reading and more technical work.
The work in the fifth and sixth grades consists of the Theory of of Music and two-part singing.
The seventh and eighth grades are visited for forty-five minutes each week, but, unfortunately, the work is not carried on through- out the week. Here, the work consists of part-singing, the Theory of Music and music appreciation.
101
Modern methods of teaching music to school children stress the necessity for bringing music to the child in such a manner that the acquisition of an adequate knowledge of the basic fundamentals of music becomes a pleasing part of the school curriculum rather than a discouraging and too-technical subject that must be en- dured rather than enjoyed. It is imperative, therefore, that the teacher be amply supplied with artistic, practical material, through which the child will be led to make his vital contacts with music.
School music today is more than a restricted study of song material through the sight-reading approach. Song material must still remain the core of the elementary music course, but the need for a broader presentation has emerged from the demands of the time. The school exists for the child, and the child today needs a broad view of music to help him make the proper life adjustments.
The lack of suitable material is discouraging and strongly felt, but time will bring a keener realization of this need.
In January, a, rhythm band, composed of the first three grades from the West School, gave a demonstration at the Grange Hall. This is the only grade school in Wilmington to have an organized rhythm band with the proper equipment.
In the High School, the Girls' Glee Club meets for a one-hour rehearsal one day each week, and the High School Orchestra has the same time allotment. It is to be regretted that more time cannot be given to these organizations, and especially to the Boys' Glee Club, which can meet but once each week, during the noon recess, for a period of twenty minutes. I have found an enthusias- tic interest among the students in the Glee Clubs, and I have tried to encourage any latent talent that I have found.
I wish to thank Mr. Bean, the principals, teachers and pupils for the genuine interest and co-operation that has been given me in my work, and feel that a good ground-work has been laid for the development of school music work in Wilmington.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN J. CAZNEAU.
102
REPORT OF THE CARTER LECTURE COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
During the autumn of 1931, the Carter Lecture Committee pro- vided two public lectures :
On November 27, 1931, Miss Helen Simpson gave a successful reading.
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