USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Plainville > Plainville, Massachusetts annual reports 1906-1912 > Part 36
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12
ANNUAL REPORT
graduate of Clarke College, wth four years' successful ex- perience as high school principal, you secured a man who is having the desired effect along this line and is not neglecting any of the other essentials of a good high school. Mr. J. W. Macdonald, agent of the State Board of Education, has twice visited the school since September. After his last visit he made the following report. "I am glad to be able to say that I noticed some improvement, quite an improve- ment indeed, in the spirit and work of the school.
The recitations showed more preparation. I should say that four out of five are responding to the call for better work. There is still opportunity and room for improvement without endangering the health of the pupils from over study. If the pupils understand they must, they will, and they will enjoy the high school all the more for the work it makes them do." In this connection it should be remem- bered that good equipment, liberal financial support and effi- cient teachers are not enough to secure a good high school. There must be much home work, especially under the one session plan. Each pupil should be required by his parents to devote at least two hours a day to home study, and the time allotted should be even more zealously guarded than if pay were expected at the end of each day for the service rendered. Socials and other outside attractions and every other diverson should be firmly made secondary to this. Go- ing to high school and getting the assigned lessons is the business of the pupil, far more important than work in a store, factory or other place of occupation where extraor- dinary circumstances would be necessary to cause irregular attendance for fear of losing the position. "
The pupils in our high school are bright, keen and alert, and show that they had good training in the grades, and there is no good reason why their work should not be of such a quality as to entitle the school to the certificate pri- vilege for those who wish to go to college. Pupils should divest themselves of the idea that a four years' membership
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ANNUAL REPORT
in the high school will entitle them to a diploma regardless of the amount or quality of work done, that to take a sub- ject is all that is necessary to pass it, and that anything less than their best efforts will do. A diploma that does not re- quire their best will not be highly appreciated.
It is earnestly hoped that all parents will realize the vast importance to their children's welfare of the preparation for life now afforded in the high school and will not allow any- thing but a matter of serious importance to interfere with their attendance or the preparation of their lessons.
Plainville has made an excellent beginning of manual training. The woodwork, cooking, and sewing are well taught. In the office is a strong, substantial, well-built davenport entirely constructed by the older pupils.
This, I understand, is one of a number of articles made by the pupils during the past year. They have also done practical work in sandpapering and varnishing a large num- ber or desks. The girls are receiving instruction in sewing and cooking so that the schools are training the pupils in the most practical way and are affording the best kind of an edu- cation, that which equips the mind with useful information and co-ordinates the eye and the hand. This work during the fall term seriously suffered because of large classes and small equipment, and because of the fact that there has been an unusual amount of sickness among the teachers, and Miss Dickson has been obliged to act as substitute. The importance of this work cannot be over estimated, and I desire to reiterate the belief expressed by Mr. Bemis in his last report that it "Should be made intensive, should be pro- vided for on the regular program and should count toward an academic diploma."
I have no doubt that every educator is anxious that the applied work shall not be allowed to interfere with the regu- lar high school course so that all may have a broad founda- tion on which to build the structure of life, yet the stress of the times and the demand that many young people become
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ANNUAL REPORT
wage earners before such a broad foundation is possible, make it necessary for the schools to differentiate and spe- cialize early in the course. The introduction of a business course in the high school is in recognition of that fact. Thus the school caters to those who are to follow a professional career, it helps those who are preparing for business and to a limited degree assists those who are inclined towards in- dustrial pursuits. This is an excellent arrangement. If mechanical drawing, which is recognized as the basis of many industrial occupations, could be added to the high school course, the schools would then be doing all they could be asked to do for the three lines of occupation mentioned.
It is important, however, that the high school work should be as intensive as possible, and in order that the pupils may get the best possible mental poise the so-called vocational studies should not take the place of any regular academic work. Consequently, each pupil should be required to take a full academic course and a vocational study such as book- keeping, stenography and typewriting, or mechanical draw- ing each year, in addition. To build a good house it is important to lay a good, solid foundation.
In a recent census of the high school pupils as to their choice of vocation, the professions, business and industrial lines were nearly equally favored, but not one made a choice of any occupation pertaining to the farm. Yet Plain- ville is situated in a fertile farming section close to a good market, and there is a greater demand for scientific farming now than ever before. There are untold resources in the land about us that should be brought to light, but if the intelligent citizens persist in turning their backs to this the best and in many respects the most independent occupation we have, this work will be taken up by the immigrant. This condition of affairs leads to the serious consideration of the question whether Plainville because of its location and natur- al resources, should add this to its school problems and take steps to point some of its pupils toward the farm.
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ANNUAL REPORT
In order that the pupils in the grades may be stimulated and directed in their outside reading, and in order that they may cultivate a desire for good literature, an effort is being made to develop this phase of their education. To keep a record of the books they read and thus be able to observe changes in the kinds of books selected for reading, a record list has been prepared on which the titles of books read by the pupils from the fourth grade on will be kept. This work has also been carried into the high school and a list of books from which selections may be made has been prepared.
For the purpose of keeping a permanent record of the standings of pupils both in the grades and in the high school, record cards have been prepared, so that each pupil who goes through school will leave two records, one for his standings, attendance and deportment in the grades and the other for his career in the high school.
Your attention is called to an important matter which many parents seem to have neglected. I refer to vaccina- tion. The law, Sec. 6, as amended by Chap. 371, Acts. 1906, and Chap. 215, Acts 1907, reads as follows: "A child who has not been vaccinated shall not be admitted to a public school except upon the presentation of a certificate granted for cause stated therein, signed by a regular, practising phy- sician that he is not a fit subject for vaccination." The im- portance of this law and its enforcement are generally recog- nized, for small pox is a dread disease that has caused great harm to localities where it has broken out, and vaccination is the best safeguard against it. This disease has spread into several nearby localities recently and there is no reason to feel that it may not break out in Plainville, a town in close proximity to a manufacturing community where immigrants are continually settling. In recognition of these important facts and of the evident duty of school authorities to en- force this law, I sent out a circular letter calling attention to it. In response about twenty children have been vaccinated, but there are still a large number who have not complied
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ANNUAL REPORT
with the law, either by being vaccinated or by furnishing a certificate that they were not fit for vaccination.
In view of all the circumstances I recommend that begin- ning with next September no child be admitted to the schools who has not been vaccinated, or does not produce a physi- cian's certificate stating that he ought not to be vaccinated.
Regular teachers' meetings have been held since Septem- ber. During the fall term the more important duties in the school curriculum were considered. At the present time we are studying James Tall's "To Teachers on Psychology."
Through the enterprise of the teachers and pupils of several of the rooms, post cards were sold and a number of excellent pictures were secured. These add to the attrac- tiveness of the school rooms.
In closing this report, I desire to express my apprecia- tion of the kindly feeling shown me at all times, of the faithfulness of pupils and teachers, and the assistance I have received from your committee. Plainville has good schools, but like every living organism they must continue to grow or become stagnant. The prospects are bright that they will con- tinue to build upon the excellent foundation laid for them during the past.
Respectfully sumitted,
ERNEST P. CARR.
Report of Principal of the High School
Superintendent Ernest P. Carr,
Dear Sir :- Following is a brief report of the high school for the past half year.
The year's work was started with this object in view, to get every pupil to have a real interest in his high school work, and to get every pupil to put forth his best efforts all the time. The two go hand in hand, for where one is the other is sure to be. It has been very gratifying to me to see a steady growth in this direction, and before the year is over I hope to see every pupil meeting this ideal. The interest and support of the parents has been one of the main factors in bringing about this result. Some of the parents have asked how much time the average pupil ought to spend out- side of school on his lessons. It is safe to say that the average pupil will need three-quarters of an hour prepara- tion upon each lesson which he has not had opportunity to prepare during school. This means that the pupil will have outside work nearly each day amounting to between three- quarters of an hour and two hours. With this in mind every parent will find it instructive to keep a record of the amount of studying his son or daughter does in one or two weeks, then to compare the results with the amount of studying.
An afternoon session is held each day under the following plan. Each afternoon one or more teachers are at the High School for an hour and a half, or more, beginning at 2:30 P. M. At this time pupils have an opportunity to make up work lost through absence or lack of preparation or deport-
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ANNUAL REPORT
ment. It also furnishes an opportunity for pupils to study under the direction of a teacher and receive help suited to cach individual such as cannot be done in class. It is ar- ranged wholly for the benefit of the pupil and the co-opera- tion of the parents is desired in making it effective. The en- rollment of the school is at present 23 girls and 19 boys, a total of 42. The percentage of attendance for the fall term was 94.
Respectfully submitted, E. D. BARTLETT.
Report of Supervisor of Music
Plainville, Mass., January 25, 1912.
Mr. Carr, Superintendent of Schools,
Dear Sir :- I herewith submit the report of the work in music for the year just closing.
The work has been carried out according to the general outline used last year. Much time has been given to the quality of tone, and it is gratifying to note the good results obtained.
Our method has always aimed at head tone, wholly in the lower grades, for it is a fact that children's voices are high by nature and if the voice is developed with this fact in view, the voice retains its beauty and power when it has reached its full development; consequently all songs should be pitched high.
By this method the chest tones are avoided, the voice is kept in the head register where it can suffer no harm. If young children are allowed to sing in the lower register, using heavy chest tones, sad results are imminent when the voices reaches the adolescent period, which contrary to the popular belief takes place in the voice of both the girl and the boy, although more noticeable in the boy because of the greater change.
In many of the schools the tone quality is remarkable.
The consciousness which the children have that they are producing a beautiful tone to express some lovely thought in music is a joy to them, which is often seen in their faces when I say, "Isn't that a lovely phrase, children, and you
20
ANNUAL REPORT
sing it so well." By these means the esthetic side of the child's nature is developed and encouraged.
At the same time the technique of music has not been neglected, for were that to occur the child would soon lose his interest, for his ability to enjoy depends upon his ability. to read.
No matter how much is developed in the child, a love for. and appreciation of, the beautiful in music. it is a fact that this appreciation is limited in no small degree if he himself cannot understand and get for himself what there is in it. No matter how charming the story or fascinating the poem, we would not enjoy them if we were dependant upon some one to read them for us.
In this manner the child appreciates and enjoys the musi- cal literature which he feels he himself had a part in the mas- tery of ; and furthermore he could not enjoy the concerted numbers of the upper grades if he were unable to read and learn the various parts, which constitute the harmony, if he had not acquired the technical knowledge of time and tune in the lower grades.
Many times a child who is backward in his regular studies is gifted with a musical sense, and finds music the one thing which he can do well. Many times I have called the atten- tion of the teacher to such a child, and she has remarked. "That is about all he can do well." Think what it must mean to a child to find something which he can do well, perhaps outshine the rest of his class. This very knowledge must give him courage to strive harder in other things.
As has been the custom. the seventh and eighth grades gave an operetta, "Hop 'O My Thum," for the graduating excercises and all were pleased with the very excellent sing- ing.
The work in the High School continues pleasurable and profitable. I am especially pleased with the boys. They read remarkably well and all take such an interest in the work. We are now singing "The Wreck of the Hesperus," a cantata which is enjoyed. by all.
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ANNUAL REPORT
We are very fortunate in again having Miss Alice Burton with us, who is a very able accompanist, and who comes each Wednesday for the music period.
I think it is to be regretted that the music should be elec- tive in the Plainville High School. The school is small, and all are needed in the chorus work.
There are a number of pupils who have good voices and who did efficient work in the grades below the High School who do not take the music. This is wrong. They are losing an opportunity which they may very deeply regret in later years. No pupil in school knows what the future may bring to him and it may happen when later he has the opportunity to sing, perhaps in a choir or chorus, he will say, "If I had only continued my music in the High School." Very fre- quently a remark like the preceding has been said to me by young people who have left school and later have taken up the study of the voice. I have the best of reasons for saying that music should not be optional in the Plainville High School, but that this option should be given to the Supervisor of Music.
Thus I am pleased to report a continued progress in the music, and trust that we shall continue to strive for the "Best in Music."
I wish to thank the teachers for their hearty co-operation and you for for your very cordial support.
Very truly yours,
MARTHA C. TISDALE
Report of Supervisor of Drawing
Mr. Carr, Superintendent of Schools,
Plainville, Mass.,
Dear Sir :- A written report of the work in drawing seems hardly necessary when the actual results were seen by so many in the exhibition of last June.
Something from every lesson, even from the first pre- liminary steps, in every grade, was shown, and the large attendance and careful examination and criticism of the work was most helpful to the teachers and a stimulus to the pupils, resulting in better work this year.
The making of jewelry, which we began in the High School last spring is going on with great enthusiasm and we shall have better work to show our friends this year. I wish to thank the school committee for their co-operation in this work, also the men of the town who helped by their gifts of tools and materials and especially by their practical suggestions and advice.
In our leaning toward the practical side of drawing, we must not lose sight of its other, or culture side, and in this connection I would suggest the purchase of some sort of an inexpensive "Radioptican," or similar machine, by which colored picture cards of famous buildings and paintings could be thrown on a screen, and in this interesting way the children could become familiar with the best in architecture and painting.
Very truly yours,
MABEL BRIGHAM
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ANNUAL REPORT
Graduating Exercises Plainville High School CLASS OF 1911
March
Alice May Burton, Pianist
Song-Recessional School
Schnecker
Invocation
Rev. William J. Kelley
Salutatory-The Power of the Speaker Charles Harrison Kenerson
The Class History Dacia Angelia Northup
Song-When the Roses Bloom Stephen Adams
School
The Ideal Town Ruth Welcome Hawkins
Song-Esmeralda
School Levy
The Class Prophecy as Revealed to Me in a Dream Ellen Smiley Cheever
Girls' Trio- Spring Song
Weil
Valedictory-Why Go To College ? Gertrude Evans
Presentation of Diplomas Superintendent George M. Bemis
Song-March of Progress School
Meyerbeer
Benediction
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ANNUAL REPORT
GRADUATES 1911.
Ellen Smiley Cheever Business Course Gertrude Evans College Course Ruth Welcome Hawkins College Course
Charles Harrison Kenerson
College Course Dacia Angelia Northup Business Course
CLASS OFFICERS.
President-Charles Harrison Kenerson
Secretary-Gertrude Evans
Treasurer-Ruth Welcome Hawkins
25
ANNUAL REPORT
Roll of Honor
The following pupils have not been absent nor tardy dur- ing the year for the number of terms opposite their names. Where no number is indicated the record is for one term.
HIGH SCHOOL. Wm. R. Ward, Principal.
Wesley Burton, 2.
George Gardner, 2,
Gertrude Evans, 2,
Arthur Evans,
Alice Burton,
Loretta Holden,
Lee Burton,
Ruth King,
Clarice Bartlett,
Raymond Smith.
Gertrude Evans,
Florence White.
GRADES 7, 8. Anna Ware, Teacher.
George W. Fisher, 3.
Roy E. Evans, 2,
Marion S. Brown, 2,
Florence P. Brown,
Ivy D. Burton, 2,
Alma S. James, 2,
Ruby E. Burton, 2,
Merritt S. Northup.
Marion S. Barney,
Ruth L. Hinton,
Owen Brunner,
Eurilla J. Franklin.
Henry S. Norman,
GRADES 5, 6. Lillian Patterson, Teacher.
Helen Nash, 2, Howard Ware, 2,
Marguerite Engelbert, James White, Bernard Zilch.
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ANNUAL REPORT
GRADES 3, 4. Ethel Phillips, Teacher.
Herman Fielding, 3,
Grace Engelbert,
Earl Barney,
Florence Norman,
Ralph French,
Dorothy Somerville,
Harvey Hinton,
Catherine Zilch.
Charles Nash,
GRADES 2, 3. Alice T. Lee, Teacher.
Helen Chadwick, 2,
Lillian Fielding,
Leland Ellsworth,
John French,
Martin Field,
Anna Sargent,
George Fielding,
Charles White.
Frank Fisher,
GRADE I. Marion H. Jewett, Teacher. Marion Olney.
DIRECTORY
School
Teacher
First Elected Where Educated Local Address
Home Address
High E. I. Bartlett, A. B., Prin. 1911 Clarke College
Plainville Plainville
High High
Eudora Ripley, A. B. 1910 Radcliffe
Ellen J. Whitcomb, A. B. 1911 Pierce Shorthand
School
Grades 7-8
Anna Ware Lillian Patterson
1886 Plainville High
Plainville
Grades 5-6
190, Lowell Normal
66
Huntington, Mass.
Grades 3-4 Ethel Phillips Grades 2-3b Alice T. Lee
1910 Scituate High Miss Simond's
North Scituate, Mass.
Grade 1
Marion H. Jewett
1910
Lexington, Mass.
Ind. & In- dust. Work
Jennie Dickson Prin. of Primary Building
1910
Kindergarten Normal Salem Normal Cambridge Train. Hyannis Normal
Cambridge, Mass. 149 Austin St.
Music
Mrs. Martha Tisdale Mabel Brigham
N. E. Conservatory Normal Art
N. Attle'o North Attleboro
Drawing
North Attleboro
ERNEST P. CARR, A. W., Superintendent of Schools
Residence, South Street, Foxboro, Mass.
Plainville Office Hours, Town Hall Building, Wednesdays, 3 to 4 p. m.
Auburndale, Mass. Holbrook, Mass.
Burlington, Mass.
1910 Framingham Normal
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ANNUAL REPORT
School Statistics for Year Ending June, 1911 By Terms
Fall Term
Total Mem.
Av. Mem.
Av. Att.
Per Cent Att.
Cases of Tardiness
Days Absence
No. not Absent or Tardy
High
45
45.
42.9
95.4
61
170
3
Grades 7-8
32
29.9
29.
97.
14
84
7
Grades 5-6
30
27.8
26.4
94.9
58
99
2
Grades 3-4
41
37.2
35.8
96.2
10
195
5
Grades 2-3
35
33.6
32.2
95.8
12
117
4
Grade 1.
28
25.6
23.2
90.6
11
208
1
Total .
211
199.1
189.5
95.1
166
873
22
Winter Term
High .
45
43.8
40.6
92.6
55
246.
7
Grades 7-8
31
28.8
28.2
97.9
9
57.
9
Grades 5-6
30
28.9
26.7
90.2
74
136.
4
Grades 3-4.
38
36.6
33.3
90.9
13
195.
4
Grades 2-3.
35
34.
30.2
88.8
19
202.5
3
Grade 1.
29
28.6
23.5
82.1
20
299.5
0
Total
208
200.7
182.5
90.6
190
1136.
27
Spring Term
High .
41
40.2
37.6
93.2
120
197.
5
Grades 7-8
30
28.7
27.
94.
9
76.
8
Grades 5-6 .
30
28.3
26.2
92.4
36
101.
1
Grades 3-4.
40
39.2
35.7
91.
14
156.
2
Grades 2-3.
37
33.8
29.8
88.2
21
167.
5
Grade 1
28
26.1
20.3
77.9
9
198.5
0
Total
206
196.3
176.6
89.9
209
895.5
21
Total Year
213
198.7
182.8
91.9
565
270.4
STATISTICS.
1910
19II
Total membership for year
219
213
Average membership
200.35
198.7
Average attendance
181.31
182.8
Percentage of attendance for year
90.5
91.9
Number of persons between five and fif- teen, boys 109, girls 107
216
Number of persons in town Sept. 1, 19II
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ANNUAL REPORT
between seven and fourteen, boys 90, girls 83 173
Number of pupils in the schools during the year between five and fifteen, boys 100, girls 105 205
Number of pupils in the public schools between seven and fourteen, boys 73. girls, 85 158
Number of public schools 6
Number attending school under five years of age 0
Number attending school during the year over fifteen years of age 22
Number attending school during the year between seven and fourteen 158
Number of teachers required by public schools men I, women 8 9
Number of teachers who have graduated from college, men I, women 2 3
Number of teachers who have graduated from normal school 3
AAggregate number of months all schools were kept 55 1110. 16.5 da.
Average number of months the public schools
were kept during year 9 mo. 6. da.
Number of teachers on full time in high school 3
Number of special teachers on part time 2
Number of different pupils in high school during year 45
Number of pupils graduated from grammar school June, 1911, boys 7, girls 8 15
Number of those graduating from grammar school in June who entered high school in September, boys 7, girls 8 15
Number graduated from high school. June, 191I 5 Number of months and days high school was kept 9 mo. 14 da.
30
ANNUAL REPORT
EYE AND EAR TESTS.
Number tested. 233: defective in sight. 20; in hearing. 4; parents notified, 22.
SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 1912.
Winter term of all schools begins January 1. 1912.
Winter term of all schools closes March 22.
Spring term of all schools begins April I.
Spring term of all common schools closes June 7. (Ten weeks. )
Spring term of High School closes June 21. (Twelve weeks. )
Fall term of all schools begins September 3.
Fall term of all schools closes December 20. (Sixteen weeks.)
High School graduation. June 19.
HOLIDAYS.
February 22. April 19. May 30. September 2. October 12, Thanksgiving Day and day following.
PAY DAYS.
January 26, February 23. March 22. April 26, May 24. June 7, June 21, September 27, October 25, November 22, December 20.
STORM SIGNALS.
Three double blasts, 2-2-2. of the whistle at Schofield, Melcher & Schofield's factory at 7.15 a. m. signifies no morn- ing session. The same signal at 12.05 signifies no afternoon session.
Two double blasts, 2-2, of the whistle at 7.15 signifies no morning session, with the exception of the High School. The same signal at 12.05 signifies no afternoon session.
SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN CLERK
OF PLAINVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS
PLAIN
OF
MASS
COLON
TOWN
165
128
E. MASS.
WREN
THAM.
:- 1664
ยท1905.
PLAIN
VILLE
INCORP
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