USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1935-1936 > Part 16
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The new teachers in service at the close of the year are as fol- lows:
Mr. Harold Driscoll High School
Mr. Baldwin Steward High School
131
Mr. Carl Harvey
High School
Miss Alyce O'Brien D. T. Buzzell
Miss Caroline Brady Center
Miss Desire Goldsmith Center
Miss Anna P. Waters Center
Miss Barbara Purbeck
Whitefield
Miss Ruth Kidder
South
Of the teachers who were on the list last year the following is the present distribution:
Mr. William G. Grinnell. Lexington
Mr. Richard Allen Connecticut
Mrs. George C. Webber At home
Miss Barbara Stuart. Beverly
Miss Thelma Roscoe Married
Miss Lena Carter
Weston
Miss Elizabeth Giles
Tewksbury
Miss Ellen Cannon
Concord
There have also been changes in the staff of janitors. Mr. Herbert Johnson was transferred from the Silver Lake School to Center School; Mr. Edward E. Brooks succeeded Mr. Johnson at Silver Lake. Mr. William White followed Mr. John Dooling as janitor at the West School, and Mr. William Babine is successor to Mr. Oliver Newcomb at Maple Meadow School.
SCHOOL LIBRARIES
I regret to report that until the current year no allowance has been made in the budget for reference and other books for the use of the school children. It has been so difficult to secure adequate textbooks from our appropriation that school libraries were neglected. The need is peculiarly felt in a town like this where the library is open only twice a week, and where the desires of the adults for fiction has pre- cedence over the need for reference material for students. Under such circumstances we are forced to provide at least & minimum of the needed books. In the high school a modest library has been built up through the efforts of the English departments but with little help from the school department. The greatest need is evident in the grades from three through eight and especially in the Center and Buzzell Schools. This year we have made a start by purchasing a set of the Junior Encyclopedia Brittanica and a set of collected English classics. These were placed in the Buzzell School. A set of the same Encyclopedia was also placed at the disposal of the ninth grade in the High School.
132
In the lower grades the Walker School by means of a trust fund has the beginnings of an adequate library which should be augmented. In the other schools there are scattered copies of auxiliary books but little organized library material. At least fifty dollars a year should be appropriated to remedy this defect in our school equipment. After a few years this amount could be reduced materially.
SCHOOL ENROLLMENT
As has been the usual experience for twelve and more years, the enrollment has crept to a new high mark. Last year's report showed 1,155 and this year on the same date there were 1,193. This total was secured as of Ocotber first, but the real high mark came later in the month. At one time when the figures were taken there was a total of 1,204 pupils enrolled. Of this number on that date, there were 297 in the high school proper and 195 in the D. T. Buzzell School which is operated as a part of the high school organization.
On the basis of the enrollments on October first there was an increase of 38 pupils over last year. This verifies the prophecy in my previous report and conformis to the average yearly growtli very closely.
If the enrollment figures, which are shown in the tables later 1u this report, be examined, it will be seen that the Silver Lake School ' is still a center of congestion. We were obliged to put the first two grades on a part time basis because of the great numbers. The table shows that there were 57 pupils in the first and second grades on October first. This problem permitted of two solutions. We could either hire another teacher or platoon the school. Of the two, pre- vious experience had shown that having the first grade come half of the day and the second the other half worked to the best advantage. This gave a class of 39 in the first grade, a number too large for good work in any class of beginners. The afternoon class being small, only nineteen, gave them a better chance than they would get at any time when two grades were in one classroom. Great credit is due the parents in this section that they understood and accepted this very necessary procedure.
If time and space permitted, it would be of great value to show by tabulation or map just where the great proportion of children reside in this town. It is certain that it would show that a school in the area between Shawsheen Avenue, Aldrich Road, Forest Street, and Bur- lington Avenue would soon be filled to overflowing. Such action how- ever, would almost depopulate the Whitefield School. It would pro- duce a great reduction in the loads carried by the school busses, but would not reduce cost of transportation materially.
133
CONCLUSION
The co-operation given by all my associates in the department has been of its usual high quality and has been cheerfully given. For this I am duly grateful and extend to all my most sincere thanks.
To the School Committee I offer a very deep appreciation of their support, loyalty, and co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
STEPHEN G. BEAN,
Superintendent of Schools.
Dec. 31, 1936.
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134
AGE-GRADE DISTRIBUTION
October 1, 1936
5
6
7
8
9 10
11 12
13
14
15
16 17 18
19
20
T
I
32
87
26
2
1
1
149
II
19
67
27
7
1
1
122
III
20
50
17
11
2
1
101
IV
15
60
18
S
2
103
V.
11
50
24
11
3
99
VI
2
18
58
21
9
4
3
1
116
VII
13
45
18
17
10
2
105
VIII
15
53
15
7
90
S. C.
3
1
1
4
5
3
1
18
T.
32 106 113 94
98 102 107
94
89
41 23
4
903
IX
2 13
40
24
4
3
1
S7
x
1
9
44
28
3
1
36
XI
9
33
20
1
1
69
XII
1
12
18
13
2
2
48
T.
...
..
14
49
78
77
44
20
3
3
290
G. T.
32 106 113 94
98 102 107
96 103
90 101
S1
44
20
3
3
1193
..
2
SCHOOL-GRADE DISTRIBUTION October 1, 1936
1
II III IV V VI VII VIII IX
x XI XII Sp.
T.
South
7
4
6
17
West
22
21
43
North
18
18
Silver Lake
38
19
18
21
96
Maple Meadow ..
14
24
17
8
63
Walker
45
33
28
41
31
178
Whitefield
23
21
32
33
31
140
Center
37
116
153
D. T. Buzzell ..
105
90
195
High
87
86
69
48
290
Total
149
122
101
1.03
99
116
105
90
87
86
69
48
18
1193
ROSTER OF SCHOOL EMPLOYEES
NAME
POSITION
HOME
DATE APPOINTED
Stephen G. Bean J. Turner Hood, Jr.
Superintendent
Wilmington
1924
Principal H. S.
Wilmington 1928
George G. Kambour
Mathematics
Wilmington
1930
Charles Holbrook
Science
Framingham
1935
Harold Driscoll
Social Science and Athletics
Lawrence 1936
Laura N. Marland
English and History
Ballardvale
1919
Edna Thornton
English and Dramatics
Amherst
1935
Alice Hathaway
Latin and English
No. Wilmington 1932
Baldwin Steward
French and English
Winthrop
1936
Gladys Alexander
Commercial
Tewksbury
1923
Alice Stanton
Commercial
Worcester
1930
Carl Harvey
Commercial
Wilmington
1936
Margaret Bradley
Phy. Ed. Supervisor
Reading
1935
Shirley H. Gulliver
Drawing Supervisor
Newton
1929
Angelica Carabillo
Music Supervisor
Hartford, Conn.
1935
Sylvia Neilson
History and Geography
Wilmington
1933
Margaret Delaney
English and Geography
Lowell
1932
Myrtle Colson
Mathematics
Jamaica Plain
1934
Elizabeth Giles
Geography and Drawing
Reading
1932
Doris Groesbeck
English and Music
Lawrence
1935
Alyce O'Brien
Mathematics and History
Rockland 1936
John W. Crediford, Jr.
Principal Center
Hamilton
1930
Caroline Brady
Grade VI Center
Woburn
1936
Desire Goldsmith
Grade V Center
No. Wilmington
1936
Anna P. Watters
Grade VI Center
Medford 1936
ROSTER OF SCHOOL EMPLOYEES CONTINUED
NAME
POSITION
HOME
DATE APPOINTED
Henrietta Swain
Principal Walker
Wilmington
1893
Olive Oman
Grades III and IV Walker
Wilmingotn 1933
Sybil Weiberg
Grade II Walker
Reading
1927
Anne Merritt
Grade I Walker
Middleton
1935
A. Estelle Horton
Principal Whitefield
Greenwood
1922
Lena Doucette
Grades II and III Whitefield
Wilmington
1918
Barbara Purbeck
Grade I Whitefield
Medford
1936
Olive Littlehale
Grade IV Whitefield
Tyngsboro
1934
Lena M. Eames
West
Wilmington
1927
Ruth S. Maynard
Sp. Class
Pepperell
1929
Ruth Kidder
South
Wilmington
1936
Mildred Rogers
Silver Lake
Lowell
1935
Nathalie Towle
Silver Lake
Gloucester
1935
Harriet Donehue
Maple Meadow
Lowell
1936
Helen Patten
Maple Meadow
Reading
1926
Esther Nichols
Nurse
Wilmington
1922
E. C. MacDougall
School Physician
Wilmington
1932
Charles F. Perry
Janitor High School
Wilmington
Ernest Cail
Janitor Buzzell School
Wilmington
Herbert F. Johnson
Janitor Center School
Wilmington
Wilson Thompson
Janitor Walker School
Wilmington
Roland Hinxman
Janitor South School
Wilmington
William White
Janitor West School
Wilmington
Walter A. Gebhard
Janitor Whitefield School
Wilmington
Edward E. Brooks
Janitor Silver Lake
Wilmington
William Babine
Janitor Maple Meadow
Wilmington
Roger Buck
Janitor North School
Wilmington
REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
January 4, 1937
Mr. S. G. Bean Superintendent of Schools, Wilmington, Mass. Dear Sir:
I submit, herewith, my ninth annual report as Principal of the High School and my fifth report as Principal of grades seven and eight, now located in the Buzzell School.
The greater part of the activities of the Buzzell School I shall leave to your report since the grades in this building are more gen- erally associated with the elementary grades. I appreciate the whole- hearted co-operation of the teachers in this building, namely, the Misses Delaney, Neilson, Colson, O'Brien, Groesbeck, and Giles, and feel that they are doing a commendable piece of work.
We have had a rather large turnover in the High School teaching force. Mr. Grinnell and Mr. Allen resigned to accept better positions elsewhere. Mrs. Webber is remaining at home after three very suc- cessful years work with us. We regretted keenly that these teachers were not to be with us when school reopened in September. This is the price the smaller schools have to pay when frequently some of our better teachers are obliged to leave us for the more attractive salaries offered elsewhere. We are grateful for the good work done by these teachers while with us and are ever hopeful that their suc- cessors will be able to carry on with the same high quality of in- struction.
Mr. Harold Driscoll, a graduate of Villanova College, was elected to teach Social Sciences and to coach boys' athletics. Mr. Driscoll's athletic preparation, both as a competitor and a coach, leads us to believe that he will be successful if the boys in the school will co- operate fully.
Mr. Carl Harvey was selected to teach commercial subjects. Mr. Harvey holds both the Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Boston University. In addition he has had a number of years successful ex- perience in the business world. Mr. Harvey's academic preparation,
139
his business experience, and his enthusiasm for teaching are awaken- ing a genuine interest on the part of his pupils.
Mr. Baldwin Steward was chosen to teach French and English. He is a graduate of Harvard College and has had a year of foreign travel and study. Incidentally, Mr. Steward is our fourth French teacher to have the advantage of foreign study. I believe that Mr. Steward is continuing the good work of his predecessors in the posi- tion.
These teachers were selected after a thorough canvass of the can- didates available within the salary range permitted by our budget. In each case final selection was made upon a basis of qualifications and without regard to race, creed, or politics.
At present we are greatly handicapped by the lack of a Gymna- sium-Assembly Hall. Other schools refuse to send their basketball teams to play in our present Gymnasium. We cannot object to their decision as it is impossible to play basketball, according to the rules, in our Gymnasium. Baskets can not be placed at the proper height, the ceiling is too low, and the floor area too small. Therefore, rather than deprive Wilmington pupils of the opportunity to meet neighbor- ing schools in this sport we have ventured to engage Grange Hall for all home games.
This hiring of Grange Hall is a venture, as no one can prophecy whether or not the revenue from admissions will offset the expense of alterations in the Hall and meet the other expenses such as official's pay, hall rent, and travelling expenses for out-of-town games.
An even greater handicap to the successful administration of the school is our inability to assemble the entire student body at one time. Every administrator likes to keep a finger upon the pulse of his school and be able to help mold its morale. The school assembly is the chief instrument available to the Principal for this purpose. Without the assembly the school ceases to be one large unit and becomes a collection of small units made up of home room groups. These smaller units cannot properly absorb the consciousness of a school spirit or realize their responsibility for the well being of the school as a whole. This very lack of school unity reflects itself most forcibly in the matter of boys' athletics.
With Mr. Kambour's assistance we have inaugurated a plan of "split assemblies." That is, we assemble our Freshmen and Sopho- mores as one unit and our Juniors and Seniors as another unit. This
14(
plan has proved helpful for now we work with two groups rather than with eight home-room groups. At these assemblies we invite men- bers of the community to address our pupils. In spite of this effort we realize that we cannot obtain the response which would be possible were we to have one large assembly. One can only appreciate the difficulties with which we are confronted when he considers we have been unable to hold an assembly of the entire school during the past six years.
The results, or lack of results, on the part of our school athletic teams in past years are a source of great concern to some of our citizens. Various theories have been advanced to account for this condition. One theory is that the Coach is not competent; another, that the Principal and Superintendent show no interest in athletics and should be removed: and still another theory advanced is that the School Committee does not give sufficient financial support to the school athletic program. I do not subscribe to any of these theories, I have confidence in the ability of the Coach. I do not believe there is any one in the town who has a more genuine interest than I in the success of our boys in athletics. My background of competition in athletics together with my experience as a high school coach has left me with an enduring interest in the various branches of sport. True, I do not devote all of my time to the furtherance of sports. That is impossible. My conception of the Principal's work is that primarily he is accountable for the educational advancement of the pupils. After this primary obligation has been taken care of he should develop the extracurricular activities in-so-far as the time and money at his command will permit. This I do.
The interest shown by the Superintendent in the building of an athletic program for the girls is too well known to require my refuta- tion of the charge that he is not interested in high school athletics.
So far as the School Committee is concerned I am glad to bear witness that it is interested in school athletics and has at all times given as much financial support to the sport program as the budget granted at the Town Meeting would permit.
My own theory is that there are several factors contributing to the failure of our boys in winning more games. First, there is always a group of boys in every school uninterested in sports; second, some boys live so far from the school that they do not like the long walk home after a hard practice; third, others fear physical injury; fourth, another group is prevented from participating due to parental objec- tions; fifth, some are denied the privilege of taking part because they
141
are financially unable to buy the shoes necessary for the various sports.
I believe most of these boys not participating in athletics at present could be sufficiently interested to take part if the school spirit were aroused to the proper degree. I further believe that the school spirit could be aroused if we had a room large enough in which to assemble the entire school as a unit.
Through the aid of the W. P. A. the area in back of the High School has been filled in and levelled. Sand was used for the filling. This does not afford a satisfactory surface for play. Consequently, we will be unable to get the maximum benefit from this play ground until a firmer surface has been provided. I suggest that the entire area be rolled and oiled. While a surface of this kind would have imper- fections, yet, when the oil has dried, it would be relatively firm and unyielding. If this surfacing could be done in June at the close of school it should be in good condition at the opening of school in September.
In conclusion, I wish to express my appreciation to our teachers who are so unselfishly devoting their energies and abilities to prepare our pupils for their careers. It is a distinct pleasure to work with such a splendid group. I am truly grateful to Mr. Kambour, sub-Master of the High School, for his very real assistance in solving a multitude of problems day after day, and to Miss Delaney, Principal's Assistant in the Buzzell School, for her excellent work during her first year in this new position.
To you, Mr. Bean, and to the School Committee I am deeply ap- preciative for the kindly, friendly guidance and sympathetic under- standing.
Truly yours,
J. TURNER HOOD, JR.,
High School Principal.
142
REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
-
January 20, 1937.
Mr. Stephen G. Bean, Superintendent of Schools, Wilmington, Mass.
Dear Sir:
In this annual report I wish to emphasize the two-fold nature of the School Nurse's work.
Her program is one of prevention and her objectives are:
First to save money for the school department by preventing unnecessary loss of time from school due to illness.
Second, the prevention of disease so that each child may be started along the pathway of life with as good physical equipment as is possible. and with some knowledge of healthful living and its ad- vantages.
It takes the co-operative effort of the home and school to ac- complish this. At school we are ever alert for signs of communicable disease. We hold clinics for the prevention of disease. We endeavor to call the parent's attention to such defects as will handicap the child in school, or be likely to lead to trouble later on. We ask the parents to co-operate by keeping their children at home when they are suspicious of contagious disease. By using the clinics offered and by consulting their family physician concerning defects noted at school. For no child suffering from mal-nutrition, defective vision, diseased tonsils, nervous disorder or any one of the many defects found can do his best work in school. Often they have to repeat grades which is not only an added expense to the town but also a loss of time to the pupil, and may have a detrimental effect on his attitude toward future school life. In fact frequently when a failing child is reported, the home visited, and the situation carefully gone over, we find some physical or neurological basis for the failure which, when corrected, allows the child to develop normally, and the school work to improve.
143
It is tragic, indeed, when after finding the trouble it cannot be corrected because of economic conditions in the home. In order to have money to help a few of these children we put on a "Health En- tertainment" in Grange Hall last March. Our fund of $140.00 has helped 14 children to date. I wish to thank the pupils, teachers, sup- ervisors, and the Public Health Com. of the Women's Club for their interest and assistance.
The dental clinic was successful as usual, with 36 more children cared for than last year. We wish every child might have the neces- sary dental care.
Number of children attending 193
Number of cleanings 177
Number of Amalgum fillings 454
Number of Porcelain fillings 20
Number of Extractions 227
Total Number of operations 908
It is a well known fact that most cases of tuberculosis develop in persons who have been in contact with someone suffering from the disease. In an effort to prevent this, all children known to be con- tacts are X-Rayed and examined at least once a year at the N. R. S. S. In addition to this 185 children or 92% of the 7th, 9th and 11th grades were tuberculin tested last May. 47 reacted to the test and were X-Rayed. One child was found who needs special care and observa- tion.
Dr. E. C. MacDougall, School Physician, examined the children in the first eight grades and notices of defects were sent to the parents. He also examined 24 high school boys who wanted to play football.
Approximately 175 home visits were made during the year.
The diphtheria clinic was postponed for lack of time. However, that clinic is now in progress and 139 children received their first inoculation last Monday.
I wish to thank you Mr. Bean, the teachers, supervisors and those members of the Women's Club who helped to make this far reaching work more effective.
Respectfully Submitted,
ESTHER H. NICHOLS, R. N., School Nurse.
144
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING
Wilmington, Mass.
Mr. Stephen G. Bean, Superintendent of Schools, Wilmington, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
I have the honor to submit my eighth annual report as Super- visor of Drawing.
Evidence is to be found on every hand that the public has come to the conviction that art Is not one of the fads, but that it is essential in the cultivation of good tastes and pleasurable surroundings. The graceful lines of the latest model of automobile, slinple and well de- signed furniture, tasteful home decoration, clothes of suitable texture and color, posters, well designed hardware, and the Innumerable items that enter into our everyday life, all indicate the real and practical expressions of art.
It Is but natural, therefore, that the public looks to the school to offer the puplls some opportunltles In art education. Doubtless the contribution that art education in the public schools can make to the largest number is to develop the desire and capacity to enjoy the beautiful things and to cultivate a discriminating taste In the matters of form. design, and color which enter Into the puplls' daily living.
I have planned a course Including these phases of drawing, which I outline for the teachers. My schedule for each grade is the same as other years. I teach one forty-five mlnute period once in two weeks in every room. At least three lessons are planned by me to be taught by the regular teacher in between my visits.
Some of the most interesting lessons that have been accomplished in grades one and two are creative pictures of different subjects made from scraps of colored papers, and crayon drawings illustrating stories. These grades also made several designs, besides many paper cutting and pasting lessons. The most unusual projects that were done in the past year were the "Farm S," "Indian Scenes," and "Nursery Rhyme Borders" that were made in grades two, three, and four. Already this year, an "Aquarium" and three "Safety First Borders"
145
have been started which the children are enjoying immensely. In one fifth grade one is being started on the history of "Homes". All the fifth grades have made great progress in design work, figure drawing, and free-expression drawing.
The most effective work of the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades in the past year were the "Health Posters," which were exhibited March thirteenth at the Grange Hall and prizes were presented to the six pupils who had originated the best posters. There were at least twenty more students who earned an "honorable mention," and over one hundred and twenty-five posters worth exhibiting. Some very successful lessons have been accomplished in these grades in all- over pattern designs, stained glass windows, and Christmas candle designs.
As usual the High School has much too short a time for drawing, and this year we have the shortest period we have ever had. They have designed some original "Madonnas", done some work in figure drawing, travel posters, and have also made posters for many school activities.
I have a small class in High School mechanical drawing, and I am continuing the course in it at the special class in the North School with very encouraging results.
The annual exhibition of art was held last June the ninth in the High School Gymnasium, following the physical training demon- stration on the common, with a very large number of parents attend- ing. As every one was so enthusiastic about it, there probably will be another one near the end of this year.
In conclusion, I wish to express my sincere thanks to Mr. Bean, principals, teachers, and pupils, for their loyalty, co-operation, and activity in making my work successful.
Respectfully submitted,
SHIRLEY H. GULLIVER,
Supervisor of Drawing.
146
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
Wilmington, Mass.
Mr. Stephen G. Bean, Superintendent of Schools, Wilmington, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
I have the honor to submit my second annual report as Super- visor of Music.
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