USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Quincy > Inaugural address of the mayor, with the annual report of the officers of the city of Quincy for the year 1931 > Part 29
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Year
Teachers and
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CITY OF QUINCY
enrolled to remove conditions: 240, or 83.6%, were successful, 27, or 9.5%, left, and 20, or 6.9%, failed.
Standardized tests in Reading, Arithmetic Fundamentals and Arithmetic Reasoning were given on the second day of Summer School and during the last week. The teachers were able to locate major difficulties at once and the final test indicated much improve- ment on the part of most pupils.
Mentally Retarded Pupils
During the school year 1930-31, ninety-nine children were re- ferred to the State clinics by the school principals with the consent of this office. Seventy-five were examined by Dr. Patterson of the Wrentham clinic and the others either at the Child Guidance clinic or the Habit clinic-fifty were found to be three or more years mentally retarded.
On October 1, 1931, there were one hundred fifty-nine children three or more years mentally retarded in the school system. Sev- enty-nine children were in six ungraded "Opportunity Classes" of the elementary schools, thirty-six were in the "Opportunity Class" for older boys in the Central Junior High School portable, fifteen in the "Opportunity Class" for older girls in the portable at the Coddington School and seven were in the adjustment classes of the Junior High Schools. The mentally retarded children not cared for in special classes are scattered throughout the school system, either in schools not easily accessible to a special class or in a district where the class is overcrowded. In a few cases the ex- amining doctors have recommended that the child remain for the present in the regular grade where located when examined.
It will be seen that of the children referred for examination for mental defect, only slightly over fifty per cent are found to be three or more years mentally retarded by the clinics. No child is placed in a special class for mentally retarded children unless the examining clinic so recommends. A group intelligence test given to all Junior High School pupils and the tenth grade of the Senior High indicated that there are several over age children in those grades who are probably three or more years mentally retarded and who should have been referred to a clinic for expert diagnosis earlier in their school life.
In order to care for the larger group of boys at the Central Junior High School portable, it was necessary to add a new teacher to the staff. At the present time Quincy is fortunate in having every teacher in the "Opportunity Classes" specially trained to teach mentally retarded children.
It is a great relief to the regular classes to have the mentally retarded removed, and at the same time they are much happier when placed in classes where they can obtain success in some type of work. The teachers of the mentally retarded carry them as far as possible in the academic subjects while devoting much at- tention to that training which will develop good social habits.
435
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF THE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
MR. JAMES N. MUIR, Superintendent of Schools, Quincy, Mass. My dear Mr. Muir:
This report which I have the pleasure of handing you is my twentieth as principal of the Senior High School. At the begin- ning, I would like to make note of the increase in numbers of high school pupils during the time that I have been in charge of this school. In 1912 there were 790 pupils in a four-year high school while this year we have 2,258 in a three-year school. This is a striking increase in numbers and is, in fact, a much greater increase proportionally than the population of the city, but takes into account only our school. A fair comparison with the report of 1912 would require that all pupils of the corresponding four grades be taken into consideration. This total is 3,705 and shows that the increase has been almost appalling. However, in this respect Quincy has not been unique because it is the experience of the country at large. Many causes have contributed to bring this about, but the significant fact is that the interest of enormous numbers of young people has been so aroused that they have been willing to remain in school for a much longer period than was formerly the case.
The present year is proving to be a very difficult one for us because of crowded conditions. Our pupils number 218 more than last year and the task of finding room for them has been all but impossible. Often rooms have two pupils in a seat; large difficult study groups have to be held in the auditorium; and during the lunch periods and the passing of classes, great milling throngs crowd the corridors or cafeteria, keeping the teachers' nerves on edge and making supervision a difficult matter. Yet the teachers have met the situation with courage and skill and have maintained the usual standards of scholarship and conduct in spite of the tre- mendous handicap under which they are working. Fortunately, graduation in January will take about 200 pupils out of the build- ing and afford a slight relief.
At the opening of school in September our school day was lengthened to six hours in order that all secondary schools in the city might have uniform hours. For all these schools the hours are now from 8.30 A. M. to 2.30 P. M. Our school was the only one affected since the other schools have had a long day. It was expected that this arrangement would afford the pupils more time in school for study and would result therefore in a high grade of scholarship. Adjustment to the new schedule was somewhat difficult on the part of many pupils and the teachers because they had become accustomed to the shorter day, but, nevertheless, the new arrangement was cheerfully accepted and the added time used for the purpose for which it was intended. Although the length- ened day has had only a short trial in our school, we are inclined to feel that it has helped to improve the scholarship and has had a favorable effect on other activities of the school.
Toward the end of the last school year definite steps were taken to establish a Placement Department in the school and teachers were definitely assigned to that work. The members of the grad- uating class were interviewed individually, their qualifications noted on proper cards and this information gathered in a card catalogue which is readlly available for reference. At the same time contact was made with a large number of business houses
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and manufacturing plants in Quincy and Boston in order that these firms might become acquainted with our Placement Department and be led to seek its help in securing workers. Obviously, on account of business conditions, it was not possible to place any considerable number of our pupils in employment this year. We have been able, however, to bring the fact to the attention of em- ployers that we are equipped to train young people for efficient service in office and factories and shall doubtless be able to place many of our pupils in satisfactory employment when business con- ditions improve.
Athletics in the school continue to show the healthy growth that has been evident during the last few years. The number of boys and girls participating in some form of sport has considerably increased and our competitive teams have made a very creditable showing. Our greatest handicap at present is lack of sufficient suitable equipment. Most of our teams are poorly equipped and some of them lack material necessary for protection and safety. There is a right sort of enthusiasm among the teams, however, and some of them have maintained themselves at their own per- sonal expense, aided by sympathetic instructors.
At the graduation exercises in June the following awards were made: Wollaston Woman's Club Scholarships to Ruth H. Kuhns and Jean MacDonald; Quincy Women's Club Scholarships to Eliz- abeth A. Cornish and Esther Dewey; L'Eco Club Scholarship to Conceda C. Amoroso; the Washington and Franklin Medal for Excellence in American History to Elizabeth T. Pebler; the Har- vard Club of Boston award for outstanding boy in Junior Class to John H. Mulhall; the Quincy Women's Club prizes for the boy and girl who, in the opinion of the faculty and their class, had controbuted most to the school, to Ross O. Patten and Alice A Savage.
About the usual number of our graduates entered colleges and normal schools this year as in previous years. Our pupils who took College Entrance Examination Board examinations were as successful as the average of those taking the examinations through- out the country as shown by the report of the Board. Reports from the colleges and schools indicate that our graduates are main- taining very satisfactory standing and in several cases there has been special commendation for scholarship and the spirit shown by the students in the higher institutions which they have entered. Our assistant principal, Mr. Wilson, made the same study for the school year 1930-31 as he made during the year 1929-30 of the loss of pupils for other causes than graduation. The loss during the year 1930-31 was 234 pupils or 9.7%, which is less than the loss of 11% during the year 1929-30. The causes for leaving re- main at about the same percentage as for the preceding year except that fewer left to go to work and more left because of sickness and moving from the city. Failure still continues to be the chief cause for leaving school. When the time comes that we are not so overcrowded and our classes are somewhat smaller, the teachers will have more time for individual attention to pupils and the number leaving for this cause can be considerably decreased.
In closing, may I express our gratitude to you for your constant help and advice and to the School Committee for loyal support. Without these we should surely have labored in vain.
Respectfully submitted,
ERNEST L. COLLINS, Principal of Senior High School.
437
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL DEAN OF GIRLS
MR. JAMES N. MUIR, Superintendent of Schools, Quincy, Mass. My dear Mr. Muir:
I herewith submit the annual report of the Dean of Girls of the Senior High School for the year 1931.
In general, the work has been along the same lines as last year. As Dean of Girls, I am primarily concerned with the following:
1. Social Affairs-The supervision of social affairs means work- ing with the student and faculty committees. In so large a school there is practically always some social activity under way. The time spent is justifiable in that the social program is an important factor in school life and has a distinct contribution to make.
2. The Girls' Club-I am advisor for a Girls' Club consisting of two hundred upper-class girls. The purpose of the Club as defined in its constitution is "to promote friendliness, to encourage worthwhile activities, and to serve the school and community." In addition to regular programs, there is a succession of activities sponsored by various committees. As a special event last spring the Club engaged Margaret Slattery as speaker at an all-girl assembly, to which members of the Home Making School were also invited. An organization of this kind is of extreme impor- tance in developing leadership and in building morale through the influence of older girls. An unlimited amount of time could be spent here to advantage.
3. The Student Council-The Student Council is made up of representatives from the various classes and is the executive stu- dent organization of the school. It assumes certain responsibili- ties, such as the provision of traffic officers and cafeteria marshals, and sponsors various school projects, such as the publication of the Handbook and a weekly news leaflet. Here again considerable time should be spent. I am one of two faculty advisors.
4. Educational and Vocational Guidance-My chief work is educational and vocational guidance. It includes advising girls in their choice of program, discussing with groups and individuals the requirements for advanced training, and providing informa- tion in various ways regarding educational and vocational oppor- tunities.
The importance of this guidance work is being generally recog. nized. If it is to be handled adequately, the school program must make provision for regular classes and individual counseling. There is much to be done in the way of organizing the work in Quincy. Here is where I should like to be able to spend a great deal of time.
5. Special Cases-Throughout the year special cases are re- ferred to the Dean. For the most part they are girls who have attracted attention-through their academic work, attendance, con- duct and health-to the extent of creating problem situations for the school. During the first ten weeks of the present school year there were 130 such cases. They demand a great deal of time for investigation, adjustment, and follow-up. This work is im- portant. It should receive more attention than I am able to give it.
A detailed study which I made last summer of 350 of these prob- lem cases revealed some interesting and valuable information.
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CITY OF QUINCY
In addition to the above, I have the following responsibilities:
1. Emergency Room Cases-The records show that during the past year over 425 girls have come to the Emergency Room. For the most part, the cases have been the usual minor injuries and illnesses. Though minor, it is important that they receive prompt and proper attention. I have tried to use student help as far as possible in the handling of these cases, but at best the time re- quired of me is considerable.
2. Check-Up of Failures-Each term I do what I can in the way of checking-up and investigating the failures among the girls. At our last marking period there were 208 who were failing in one subject; 97 additional girls failing in two subjects; 39 in three; 13 in four; 2 in five, making a total of 359 girls failing in one or more subjects, and a total of 581 subjects failed. In each case some attempt should be made to get at the cause of failure. This is, of course, a phase of educational guidance for which an adequate program would provide.
3. Investigation of Absences-As hitherto, I have helped the Assistant Principal in the investigation of absences among the girls. Due to the recent addition to the Attendance Department, which has helped to handle more of our cases, I have been making fewer home visits. Telephone calls are made as time permits. The average number of girls absent is over 70 daily.
4. Extra-Curricular Records-Twice a year I supervise the assembling of activity records for every student.
The study referred to in the last report revealed that 23% of our students were participating in extra-curricular activities.
5. English Classes-I teach two classes of English. This is one-third of a full teaching program. Also there are various assignments and responsibilities which membership in an organized department entails. Inasmuch as the English work is entirely unrelated to the work of the Dean, I find the combination very unsatisfactory.
Respectfully submitted,
MILDRED B. HARRISON, Dean of Girls.
439
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF GRAMMAR GRADES
MR. JAMES N. MUIR, Superintendent of Schools, Quincy, Mass. My dear Mr. Muir:
It gives me pleasure to submit the following report:
The "Objectives" in English for the fifth and sixth grades have been completed. They are now being tried out with the view of using the pupils' reactions as a basis of revision.
A number of group meetings were held by the teachers of the subjects of Geography, History, English and Arithmetic in the Junior Highs for the purpose of revising the "Objectives." As a result of these conferences, the "Objectives" for the first semester were completed and refashioned with the view of developing, in an elementary way, "educational self-dependence" and adaptation.
Late in the year our Junior High Schools were asked by the Bridgewater Normal to start what should become a permanent exhibit of Problem-Project work. The matter of the request was taken up with the girls and boys, who co-operated in a most whole- hearted manner. This co-operation meant, in many instances, the parting with classroom evidences of work accomplished-always a source of satisfaction and an impetus to further effort-and in some instances the entailing of extra work.
The projects included a series of charts illustrating the begin- ning of "Intuitive Geometry," a composite book on "The Flags of Africa," giving their history and depicting the interdependence of groups of people, a chart showing the "dynamic force of trans- portation's effect upon humanity," the aggregate miles represented by the items of an ordinary meal in Quincy, a set of original pos- ters reviewing Algebraic formulae, two interesting units in Sci- ence, a collection of favorite poems illustrated by original drawings and pictures, and a book of original cartoons summarizing the study of the Monroe Doctrine.
I desire especially to commend and thank the girls and boys of the sixth grades of the Gridley Bryant, Daniel Webster and Wollaston Schools for the splendid contributions, showing the be- ginnings of reference and research work to the Exhibit.
In closing, I wish again to express to you my deep appreciation of your confident support, and also to thank my co-workers-the principals and teachers-for the sustaining encouragement of their loyalty and co-operation.
Respectfully submitted, HELEN MAUDE DELLICKER,
Supervisor of Grammar Grades.
440
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING
MR. JAMES N. MUIR, Superintendent of Schools, Quincy, Mass. My dear Mr. Muir:
I herewith submit my annual report of the drawing department of the public schools of Quincy for the year 1931.
The drawing work in the first six grades has progressed much as in previous years. More emphasis has been placed on original- ity of ideas both in representation and design. Already a notice- able improvement is to be seen in the results ..
Our Junior High School art periods are few, but the students are learning to work more rapidly without sacrificing the quality of the work. These schools have many calls for work within the school, such as posters, signs, etc., which they execute as well as their regular course of study. Beginning this September, art classes have been held at the North Quincy High School for the 10th grade.
During the spring of 1931, posters were produced in certain classes of the Junior High Schools for the Norfolk County Health Association, Inc. Many original posters were obtained and the results were highly praised by Miss Gertrude Greul, executive sec- retary of the organization. The posters were displayed in the Central Junior High School for the local judging committee which was composed of Dr. Nathaniel Hunting, Mr. Oscar Stevens and Miss Georgianna Lane. The posters chosen by the judges as the best were then sent to a Norfolk County exhibition held at the Norfolk Hospital in June. A few of our Quincy posters were given to Mrs. Nathaniel Hunting for the Quincy branch of the Norfolk County Health Association, Inc. A few others were sent to the headquarters of this organization in Boston.
I welcome this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to you, Mr. Muir, for your continued help and interest in this department and to Miss Helen Ash for her unfailing co-operation, and also to the teachers and pupils who so generously respond to the demands of the department.
Respectfully submitted,
AMY E. ADAMS,
Supervisor of Drawing.
441
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
MR. JAMES N. MUIR, Superintendent of Schools, Quincy, Mass. My dear Mr. Muir:
It gives me pleasure to submit the following report for the music department.
In our program of music we are trying to teach children to dis- criminate between the good and bad in music, help them to give music a place in their individual lives, and aid them in the appre- ciation and use of music as a social art.
The main objectives of our work, then, are as follows: (1) the building of a repertoire of worthwhile songs, (2) the control of the mechanics of reading and interpreting music, (3) the development of taste and pleasure in music, (4) the correct use and guidance of the singing voice, (5) the laying of the foundation for instru- mental skill and practice in applying it, (6) the discovery, en- couragement, and guidance of musical aptitudes and talents, and (7) the development of a permanent interest in music. Our work has already been carefully outlined in previous reports for the furtherance of these objectives.
In the vocal field, classroom or chorus singing is required of all children except in the Senior High School, where choral work and glee clubs are made elective subjects with diploma credit. This year we have added to the vocal department of the Senior High School classes for the training of the voice, thus offering to girls and boys with promising voices an opportunity for special development. In May, a concert was given by approximately seven hundred children to demonstrate the vocal work from the early grades of elementary schools through the well-developed choruses of the Senior High School.
In the instrumental field the classes for band and orchestral instruments are now recognized as a necessary factor even though they are conducted wholly outside of school time. These classes have been in operation since 1919. They are open to any school child for any instrument, and the twenty-five cent fee for lesson makes the work self-supporting. In May, the annual instrumental concert was given to demonstrate the working of these classes and to show the resulting orchestras and band.
All music study during the three years of Senior High School is elective, and the fact that the choruses, glee clubs, orchestras and band are larger and of finer quality than in previous years makes me feel that there is a steady improvement in the music department.
The work in the elementary schools should be greatly benefited with the appointment of Miss Doris Simonds as an Assistant Su- pervisor of Music. This will directly relieve Miss Tuthill in her work and make it possible for the elementary teachers to have proper supervision.
In closing, may I thank you for your constant support and ex- press my gratitude to the School Committee, the school officials and the teachers for their co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
MAUDE M. HOWES, Supervisor of Music.
442
CITY OF QUINCY
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
MR. JAMES N. MUIR, Superintendent of Schools, Quincy, Mass. My dear Mr. Muir:
I herewith submit the report of the department of physical education for the year 1931.
The opening of the North Quincy High School necessitated a change in the teaching assignments. Another teacher was placed in the department, being given a full-time program of girls' work in that high school. This program was arranged, giving her op- portunity to spend a full day each week on special work.
A careful survey was made of all pupils needing help for pos- tural difficulties. These pupils were given special exercises in large groups for a few weeks until the instructor became better ac- quainted with the problems to be met. Pupils needing special attention were then divided into classes of twenty and assigned regular meeting periods. These sessions are of twenty minutes' duration and much real progress has already been made in this type of special work.
One particular handicap at Quincy High School has been a lack of proper facilities for tabulating and filing data helpful in the conduct of physical education work. With the large number of pupils cared for by each instructor this has been a serious draw- back. A modern "Kardex" filing cabinet has been placed in each physical education office with an adequate supply of cards ar- ranged to cover complete lists of activities, grades and records for three years, together with history of sickness and accident. With the use of this filing system the uncertainty of the old plan will disappear, being replaced by a definiteness making for greater efficiency.
Co-operating with the school physicians, regular medical exam- inations were given pupils of the seventh, ninth and tenth grades and to all entering competitive sports. These examinations cov- ered heart, lungs and hernia.
"Physical education should aim to provide skilled leadership and adequate facilities that will afford an opportunity for the individual or group to act in situations that are physically whole- some, mentally stimulating and satisfying and socially sound."
"Physical education is fundamentally an attitude, a way of liv- ing, a point of view; incidentally it is a technique, a performance, a particular skill. To him who enters the lists of its activities there should come as by-products-health, skill, good posture, strength and endurance."
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM H. WHITING,
Supervisor of Physical Education.
443
REPORT OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF VISUAL EDUCATION
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