USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1945-1946 > Part 17
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In spite of these deficiencies our graduates have, as stated earlier in this report, gone out and held their own in competition with others of their generation. They deserve great credit as do those who have taught them. Wilmington's children merit something better. WHAT
ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
The first hopeful gleam has appeared in the very wise purchase of the Roman property. This site was viewed with enthusiasm by that representative of the State Department of Education who has supervision over high schools. Whatever has been done beyond this point is told in the report of the joint committee on high school ac- commodations whose report appears on earlier pages of the depart- mental report. NOW, WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
144
The retiring Chairman of the School Committee, Mr. Macleod, has given unstintingly of his time and energy to this cause during the past year or more. He has gone as far as anyone can at present. Progress on this project seems to be stymied by financial factors beyond the control of the town.
THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM
I believe that athletics, that is, competitive games are a most valuable adjunct to the high school program. I even consider them very desirable for pupils from grade seven on. They are, however, an adjunct, i.e., something added to or connected with, and not a part of the regular curriculum. They can never be allowed to interfere with the main function of our schools. Schoolboys should not be util- ized to provide 'Roman holidays' for the populace. This is said with full realization that it is not the opinion commonly held.
There is no disputing the fact that there are lessons learned, abilities created or discovered and character building powers in com- petitive games which are above and beyond the scope of classroom activities. There are physical, mental and spiritual values inherent in clean sport which, during these years of strife, have been de- monstrated to be of great value. Athletics, however, are not an end, in themselves. They are a means to an end; a part of the all around development of the individual. Should they become debauched, by unthinking people, to the level of furnishing public spectacles to sat- isfy a town's ego, all of the good can well be lost. Success or failure to be a force for good is wholly a matter of accent.
It is well established that no school department or school exe- cutive can fairly be held responsible for the failure to have the town advertised by winning teams. The function of a school department is to provide the best possible educational facilities that the town can afford to pay for.
CONCLUSION
For all of the cooperation that I have received from every mem- ber of the school department, from building custodian to members of the school committee, I render sincere thanks.
Respectfully submitted,
STEPHEN G. BEAN
Superintendent of Schools
February 1, 1947
145
REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
January 22, 1947
Mr. S. G. Bean, Superintendent of Schools Wilmington, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I submit herewith my annual report as Principal of Wilmington High School.
The most serious problem that we have to contend with at Wil- mington High School today is the imperative need for more men teachers. This is not only a local problem but rather a serious prob- lem of national importance.
Mr. Henry G. Borchardt, of Chicago Public Schools, writing in Life Magazine for January 6, 1947 says - "I understand very well why the supposedly 'honored' profession of teaching today is nearly without honor, and why it is attracting fewer and fewer capable young men as careerists. The fact is that school teaching is a pre- ponderantly feminine calling and rapidly is becoming almost exclu- sively the domain of women. It is difficult for the male teacher to maintain simple order among several dozen of the restless and often rebellious yougsters in the urban high school population; for the women teachers, it is frequently impossible."
"All but a handful of existing male teachers are older veterans like myself, carrying on for the last few years until we are pensioned off. Practically no new men are coming along to take our places and when we disappear the women will inherit the schools almost com- pletely."
The steady decline in the number of male teachers is equally true in Wilmington High School. At one time in the 1930's we had seven men and five women on the faculty - today we have three men and nine women.
I hear rumors concerning the lack of discipline at the high school and admit that some of them are true; further, I predict that as the number of men teachers decrease that the discipline will likewise deteriorate. Not only does an increased number of women teachers cause an increase in the number of disciplinary cases, but the fact that teachers new to Wilmington are inexperienced inevitably means that they have more trouble with discipline than would an experienced
146
woman teacher. Regardless of how much affection, respect, and es- teem the pupils may have for their men teachers if those men teachers are too few in number they are unable to lend a helping hand at all times to the women teachers who may be having trouble. Few wom- en teachers of twenty-two or twenty-three years of age are able during their first teaching to discipline male pupils ranging in age from fifteen to nineteen.
Having presented our number one problem rather fully I am glad to be able to report definite progress in the extra-curricular program which has been expanded considerably this year. The time from twelve fifty-five to two-twenty on Mondays has been scheduled for activities and during this time we have Band, Glee Club, Freehand and Mechanical Drawing, Home Nursing, Camera Club, Knitting Club, First Aid, and Dancing. I have been particularly interested in ' a dancing class for several years and have asked our Physical Educa- tion Supervisor each year to start such a class. In past years we haven't been very successful but this year I asked Miss Greenwood and Miss Hart to start a class for freshmen boys. I have been very pleased with the progress of the class and gladly give the credit for its success to the Misses Greenwood and Hart while claiming for myself credit for the idea and persistence in finding the right people to make a go of it.
Finally, I would like to present another problem together with a suggestion for its solution. Our school is not large enough to re- quired either a full time French teacher or a full time Latin teacher, consequently we have had a French teacher and a Latin teacher who taught some English classes to round out a teaching program. This hasn't been a satisfactory arrangement for the reason that such teachers haven't considered the English classes to be of equal im- portance with the French and Latin classes. I would recommend that instead of having a French-English teacher and a Latin-English teacher that we have a French-Latin teacher and an English teacher who is a specialist in that field. In this way we will improve the quality of the English instruction in those classes now taught by specialists in French and Latin. The combination of French and Latin taught by one teacher is very common in schools of our size and smaller, and, most French teachers are prepared to teach Latin.
In conclusion I want to express my appreciation to all who have cooperated with me, in any way, in striving to make Wilmington High School a better school.
Respectfully,
J. TURNER HOOD, JR. Principal
147
REPORT OF ART SUPERVISOR
North Wilmington, Mass.
January 1, 1947
Mr. Stephen G. Bean, Superintendent.of Schools, Wilmington, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
For the second year as Art Supervisor in Wilmington it is with pleasure I submit to you my annual report.
My chief objective during 1946 was to create a happy medium between dictated step-by-step art lessons and the modernist's method called "free expression." The first allows no originality and the second permits the art student to do what he wants in a way he desires. The latter may produce effects for a period but if allowed to run for length the student would eventually work aimlessly. In these cases poor drawing habits and painting techniques often result, hence art progress fails.
During 1946, I offered the following drawing essential activities: -Grades one and two started their "art alphabet" by tracing around geometric models and finished with freehand outlines and coloring, thus hand control developed. Gradually followed free expression plus constructive suggestions and illustrations. Grades three and four were able to cut out their own geometric forms and used them as a basis for completed lessons. Silhouette drawing proved success- ful after outline study and practice drawing. Grades five and six originated illustrations for specific subjects. Detailed perspective of object groups were presented in freehand sketching. Grade seven and eight illustrated posters and narratives as well as having figure- sketched their classmates. The High School freehand drawing classes illustrated musical selections and poems in addition to design work, outdoor and figure sketching.
The grade schools are visited once in two weeks, projects started, suggestions and plans left. In the high school, we have two periods of freehand and mechanical drawing weekly. Scheduled draw- ing periods during school hours proved very satisfactory and I am most grateful for Mr. Hood's assistance in making this possible.
148
Wilmington Art Day was held on Wednesday afternoon, June fifth from two to four o'clock with refreshments and greetings from the Teachers' Club. At this time all schools exhibited art accom- plishments in the high school gymnasium. The attendance of many parents, citizens and friends of Wilmington proved most gratifying.
My second year in Wilmington drew to a splendid end, Mr. Bean, through your whole-hearted cooperation and assistance of your prin- cipals and teachers.
Respectfully submitted, EVELYN R. ANDERSON Art Supervisor.
149
REPORT OF MUSIC INSTRUCTOR
To Mr. Stephen G. Bean -
and the Members of the School Committee.
Dear Sirs:
It has been my purpose this year to instill in the school children of Wilmington an appreciation of and a desire for the best in music. I firmly believe this can be brought about only through participation in the performing of good music and in listening to fine performances by great artists. We are unfortunately limited in our listening pro- gram as the only adequate record player available in the grades is my own portable victrola. Because of this the teachers are handi- capped in carrying on the program. Mr. Bean and I have for some time hoped that soon we should be able to purchase out of our "Music Fund" a radio-victrola combination for each large building. These would prove of great value not only in the study of music but in other school subjects.
The youth of today have subconsciously taken and made part of their lives the uneasy, nerve-shattering tempo of the past five years. We must replace that with the calm, peaceful, even-tempered tempo that they are going to need so much in the years to come.
I have added more instruments to the Rhythm Orchestra until now every school is adequately supplied. I hope to be able to show at our annual concert how one composer took these same children's instruments and wrote a composition called "The Toy Symphony".
The teachers have so cooperated in following the work as out- lined in the monthly lesson plans which I give them that I wish to take this opportunity to thank them.
I wish it were possible to give the High School students courses in the Theory, History, and Appreciation of Music, but that is im- possble at the present time because of the crowded condition and the heavy load carried by the teachers.
The course of study which I prepared last year is being carried out in the first six grades. It is based on the five-point program rec- ommended by such leading music educators as Dr. Osburne McConathy under whom I have taken courses for the past three summers. The program is as follows:
1. Singing
2. Playing (instruments)
3. Rhythm
4. Listening
5. Creating
150
We have this year been fortunate in placing a song book in the hands of practically every first grade child. To some this may, at first, seem to be of no practical worth and yet it creates the spring- board from which all reading grows. This is the first step in the program we call "Reading Readiness". To be sure, the children are taught the songs by note; but then the teacher has a valuable follow up in the pictures, the musical sentences or phrases, the building of a reading eye-span, and the feeling for the swing of the rhythm. The versatile room teacher finds this little book a valuable aid to her daily program. No one who has ever seen a first grade child open his book to find a new song, which has just been presented, can have any doubt as to its value.
This "Reading Readiness" program is carried on into the Second Grade where the children are led to notice certain fundamental musi- cal effects, first through the ear and then through the eye. In the Third Grade the eye takes on an increasing share of interest. This grade is the transition period from note singing to note reading. Tone groups are learned; note patterns are introduced; phrases are found to be alike or unlike; tones are found to move up, down, or repeated. From this we come to the actual reading program which is continued through the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades.
The child learns through his participation in the five-point pro- gram how to make the beauty of music, the satisfaction of music, and the companionship of music a part of his every day life.
A film about the Symphony Orchestra was presented to the stu- dents of the Junior High School. In the near future, I hope to pre- sent four other films on the same subject, each one dealing with a different instrumental family.
Two very successful concerts were held last spring. We are now preparing one for the coming spring. The pupils and I appreciate the interest the parents show by their attendance at these concerts.
In closing, I wish to express my appreciation to Mr. Bean, Mr. Hood, and to all those who have aided me in my work.
Respectfully submitted,
OLIVE LITTLEHALE.
151
REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
January 1, 1947
Mr. Stephen G. Bean, Superintendent of Schools, Wilmington, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
During the past year, home visiting has continued to be an im- portant part of the school health program. Many visits were made to seek correction of physical defects revealed by the school physi- cian in his examination. Other were made at the teachers' request. School failures and problems are so frequently allied to physical and emotional handicaps that their solution is hardly possible without / the full cooperation of the home and parents. To foster better under- standing and closer cooperation between the home and the school is one of the rewarding responsibilities of the school nurse. About two hundred and thirty-eight home visits were made in 1946.
Needed dentistry, glasses, tonsillectomies, circumcisions and X-Rays were made possible by the Wilmington Community Fund, through its contribution to the Mildred H. Rogers Fund, which is used exclusively for school children.
Pupils from the fourth grade through the High School were given a hearing test with an audiometer loaned to us by the State Department of Health. Of the seven hundred and five pupils tested, twenty-one were found to have below normal hearing. Some of these have improved with medical care. Others whose hearing is perma- nently impaired, still hear enough not to be seriously handicapped. A few need lip-reading.
The Wilmington Women's Club stimulated interest in Dental Health Education by inviting the Wilmington Teachers' Club to at- tend a meeting at which Raeburn R. Davenport, D.D.S., gave an illustrated lecture on, "Teaching Your Town About Teeth". Unfor- tunately, the loss of one of our local dentists seriously impaired our dental health program. However, effective health teaching will pre- vent dental disease and will be reflected in better dental hygiene when more dentists are available.
Some time and thought have been given to hot school lunches and although it is not possible to provide hot lunches in our present school, we hope the new proposed High School will have a kitchen adequate to prepare at least one hot dish for all our school children.
For the first time since immunization has become widespread, diphtheria cases were reported in many nearby localities. Fortunately,
152
Wilmington escaped. To insure greater protection, in addition to the Spring clinic, a second immunization clinic was held this Fall. A total of one hundred and ninety-eight children between the ages of one and ten attended these clinics.
An epidemic of scabies lowered the school attendance and was quite a nuisance generally. With the cooperation of the local Board of Health, the School Health Department and private physicians, the epidemic was soon brought under control. Isolated cases still being found can readily be cured if proper treatment is promptly obtained and faithfully carried out. Cases of ring-worm, another more stub- born skin disease, have been found in our schools recently. Every effort is being made to prevent its spread.
Teaching a course in Home Nursing, for junior and senior high school girls, is a stimulating task. I hope it will be of real benefit to them.
During the past year, I have taken a course in Rheumatic Fever and one in Child Development. These lecture and discussion courses, not only keep one abreast of what is new in the field, but the con- tact with other nurses doing similar work, is most helpful.
The new records, started last year are, with some changes, proving satisfactory. They not only show what has been done, but often reveal what needs to be done.
For all the cooperation that has made this year's work possible and enjoyable, I am truly grateful.
Respectfully sumbitted,
ESTHER H. NICHOLS, R. N.
School Nurse.
153
ROSTER OF SCHOOL EMPLOYEES POSITION
NAME
Stephen G. Bean
Principal Teachers
J. Turner Hood, Jr. George C. Kambour Harold Driscoll Anne M. McCarthy
Elene Farello Laura N. Marland Rosemary Daly Geraldyne Lynch Eileen Greenwood Margaret M. Hart
George Webber (Mrs.)
Shirley H. Emmons
Supervisors Evelyn E. Anderson (Mrs.) Olive Littlehale Harold McDonnell Principal Alberta R. Mooney S. Myrtle Mahoney Florence Liston (Mrs.) Clementia Scopa Mary G. Quinn Shirley. Hey Kathleen O'Malley
Principal Teachers Irene Sharp Elizabeth Sullivan (Mrs.)
Superintendent High School Sub-Master Social Science and Athletics Commercial
Science
English and History Latin
French and English
Social Science and Girls' Athletics
English and Dramatics
Commercial
Commercial
Supervisor of Drawing
Supervisor of Music Band Instructor
D. T. Buzzell School-Mathematics 8 History and Geography Gr. 8 English and Geography Gr. 8 Mathematics and History Gr. 7 English and History Gr. 7 Geography and History Gr. 7
Center School - Grade V Grade VI Grade VI
RESIDENCE
Wilwington, Mass Wilmington, Mass. Wilmington, Mass. Lawrence, Mass. Lowell, Mass. Wilmington, Mass. Andover, Mass. Lawrence, Mass. Lawrence, Mass. Chelmsford, Mass. Lawrence, Mass. Wilmington, Mass. Lowell, Mass. Wilmington, Mass. Tyngsboro, Mass. Methuen, Mass. Lowell, Mass. Lowell, Mass. Lowell, Mass. Medford, Mass. Lowell, Mass. Lawrence, Mass. Lowell, Mass.
Charlestown, Mass. Burlington, Mass.
INDEX TO WILMINGTON TOWN REPORT YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1946
Page
Accountant's Report
83
Aid to Dependent Children (Town Account)
97
Aid to Dependent Children (U. S. Grant)
98
Ambulance
89
Assessors
86
Balance Sheet December 31, 1946
119
Blue Cross Hospital Service
115
Board of Appeals
91
Board of Public Welfare
96
Carter Lane, etc.
94
Cemetery
106
Cemetery Reserve Fund
106
Chapter 90, Construction
95
Chapter 90, Maintenance
95
Charities 96
115
Constable
89
County of Middlesex Highways Account 115
County Tax
116
Development of Roman Property. 102
115
Education
101
Election and Registration
87
Estimated Receipts 110
Excess and Deficiency Account
116
Finance Committee
85
Fire Alarm Equipment and Installation
90
Fire Department
89
Fire Fighting Equipment
90
General Government
84
Health and Sanitation
92
Highway Department 93
Highway Power Grader
96
Highways, Snow and Ice Removal
94
Highway Snow Plows
96
Highways, Surveying Account 94
Highway Truck 96
Hydrant Rental
90
Dog Licenses
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Highway Account
Accountant's Report-Continued
Indemnity Insurance
Page 104 90
Inspection of Buildings
Interest 107
Lease American Legion Club House
101
Library
102
Maturing Debt
107
Memorial Day
103
Middlesex County T. B. Hospital
93
Military Aid
100
Old Age Assistance (Town Account)
98
Old Age Assistance (U. S. Grant)
99
Outstanding Bills
104
Overlays
108
Parks
102
Planning Board
87
Police Department
88
Premium on Water Mains Extension Notes
110
Protection of Persons and Property
88
Public Health Nurse
93
Reserve Fund
107
Revenue Account
113
Road Machinery Account
95
Schools
101
School Department Loans
118
Sealer of Weights and Measures
91
Selectmen 84
Soldiers' Benefits (State Aid)
100
Soldiers' Benefits (Military Aid)
100
Soldiers' Relief
100
State Audit of Town Accounts
116
State Parks and Reservations
116
State Tax 116
117
Street Lights
96
Summary of Town Debt
118
Suppression of Elm Leaf Beetle
92
Suppression of Moths
91
Tax Collector
85
Tax Titles
110
Tax Titles Possessions
110
Tax Title Possessions (Revenue)
110
Temporary Loans 117
Town Accountant
84
Town Counsel
86
Statement of Town Debt
Accountant's Report-Continued
Page
Town Clerk
84
Town Hall
88
Treasurer
84
Tree Warden
92
Trust Funds
114
Trust Funds Income
114
Unclassified
103
U. S. Bonds
110
U. S. Withholding Tax
114
Vocational Training
102
War Allowance, World War II
100
Water Department Operating Account
104
Water Department Bonds
118
Water Mains Extension
105
Water Revenue Account
105
Wilmington Salvage Committee
115
Reports, General:
Board of Appeal
75
Board of Assessors
45
Board of Public Welfare
72
Building Inspector 55
Cemetery Commissioners
52
Collector's
71
Fire Department
Inspector of Animals
Inspector of Slaughtering
Librarian
Memorial Day Committee
Middlesex County Extension Service
Moth Superintendent and Tree Warden
Police Department
48
Planning Board and Park Commission
53
Public Library Trustees
59
Sarah D. J. Carter Lecture Committee
82
Sarah D. J. Carter Lecture Committee Treasurer's Report.
School Committee and Planning Board
75 66 54
Sealer of Weights and Measures
76
Tax Collector
71
Town Counsel 47
Treasurer 69
Trustees of Trust Funds 122
Tuberculosis Report for 1946 65
Water Commissioners
60
57 64 55 59 80 67 63
Superintendent of Streets
School Department 136
Age-Grade Distribution
156
Calendar
137
High School Principal
146
Holidays
137
No School Signal
137
Officials
136 154
Roster of School Employees
School Committee
138
Supervisor of Art 148 Supervisor of Music 150 152
School Nurse
Superintendent of Schools
140
Town Clerk, Report of
10
Records of Proceedings of Annual Town Meeting, held March 11, 1946
20
. Record of Proceedings of Adjourned Annual Town Meeting Held March 11, 1946 26
Records of Proceedings of Special Town Meeting, March 11, 1946
26
Record of Proceedings of Special Town Meeting Held July 8, 1946
38
Births Recorded
Deaths Recorded
42 42 44
Jury List
Licenses
43
Marriages Recorded
42
Town Officers 3
Warrant for Annual Town Meeting, March 4, 1946 11
Warrant for Annual Town Meeting, March 11, 1947 127
Warrant for Special Town Meeting, March 11, 1946 25
Warrant for Special Town Meeting, July 8 1946 38
2 2
FELLS BINDERY INC. WALTHAM MASS. MAY 1977
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