USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Plainville > Plainville, Massachusetts annual reports 1913-1921 > Part 12
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"We do not sing 'America' and the 'Star Spangled Ban- ner' as much as we ought, but every child learns them in school and sings them on every star occasion. Sometime he will do this daily.
"The schools of Canada make any anti-British sentiment impossible. 'America' in the schools makes any anti- American sentiment impossible. No teaching of history will do for patriotic sentiment what a daily school song can do."
It is said there is no more perfect mechanism than the
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ANNUAL REPORT.
mechanics of music, yet, on the other hand, there is no music in that which is merely mechanical. So while we must teach the mechanical side of music, we strive to keep upper-most and fore-most the inspirational side, and to teach the child the difference between music and vulgar noise. And thus make music worth all that the teaching of music costs.
Rhythm as well as tune is taught through the songs be- ginning with the first grade and later the song is taught through rhythm.
Much has been accomplished in the line of work started last year, namely : singing words at sight, not allowing the pupils to even hear the interval aloud before using the words. This work in some of the schools is very satis- factory. Of course this cannot be accomplished without preparation in both time and tune problems.
Rhythmis forms and tone phrases are presented as wholes. Simple forms being used first, and the more dif- ficult ones being taught by comparison. 1
I wish to thank you and the school committee for cordial support, and the teachers for hearty co-operation.
Very truly yours,
MARTHA C. TISDALE, Supervisor of Music.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING.
Mr. Ira A. Jenkins, Superintendent of Schools.
DEAR SIR :- The aim of all education today is to make
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ANNUAL REPORT.
everything studied in school, connect in some way with the outside life of the child ; this is especially possible in teach- ing drawing.
Drawing in all its phases, color, design, proportion and compositiin, is applied, even in the lower grades to dress, house-furnishings and object drawing appeals especially to the older child as soon as he realizes that by learning to draw the type solids, prisms, cylinders, etc., in all their positions, he is able to draw all sorts of buildings of his own and other countries funiture, machines, in fact any thing, and what is of more value, is able to see proportions and shapes quickly.
The training in drawing is most valuable to the child without natural ability, the one who does not see quickly or doesn't use his hands well, if he is to do manual work later.
To make the course in the High School of more practical value a class in metal work has been added to proceed the jewelry course. A desk set, consisting of a paper cutter, blotter corners, book rack ends, ink well and tray is being made of copper with designs sawed out and etched. The jewelry class is learning to saw, set stones and solder and is making stick pins, fobs, bar pins and rings and the free hand class is applying original designs to leather and is tool- ing purses, book-covers, scissors cases, mats, etc., with creditable success.
For the limited time given to drawing in comparison to the time spent on other subjects, I feel that the results are worth while and that the knowledge gained will be of prac- tical value later, in a better ability to see, to make and to enjoy beautiful things.
Respectfully submitted,
MABEL BRIGHAM.
Plainville, Mass., Jan. 14, 1914.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Plainville is fortunate in having its public library so con- veniently located for the use of the schools. I would sug- gest that an arrangement be made between the trustees and the teachers whereby the library can be made a more vital adjunct to the daily work of the schools.
Through the Free Public Library Commission of Massa- chusetts about sixty volumes of valuable books have been given to the public library and have been placed by the trustees at the disposal of the teachers for the benefit of the children. These books were selected especially for young people.
A love for good reading should early be instilled in the minds of the youth. Teachers should take especial care to direct the child aright in his choice of books.
MEDICAL INSPECTION.
The experience the past year with contagious diseases proves the value of careful medical inspection.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN.
Mr Ira A. Jenkins, Superintendent of Schools.
DEAR SIR :- The report last year made to you and the town authorities, called attention to the sanitary arrange- ments and conditions of the school buildings. I then stated that more modern facilities should be provided for the child-
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ANNUAL REPORT.
ren as a protection to the health of the student body. Again, I wish to emphasize this need, and to recommend that the sanitaries be changed. If the drainage admit of it, I ad- vise that flush toilets replace the present ones, and that the urinals be removed altogether. If this cannot be done, then I recommend that the sanitaries be placed in a separate building located at a proper distance from the class-rooms. The expense involved would not be great as compared to the advantages gained, and I urge the town authorities to give this problem careful thought.
With the exception of three cases of diphtheria and sev- eral of chickenpox, the health of the student body has been good .. The former outbreak threatened to interfere seriously with the school work, but prompt action by the Board of Health and the School Committee in disinfecting the buildings and in closing the schools for a time prevented the disease from spreading among the pupils. While I do not consider the sanitary arrangements of the buildings responsible for the outbreak and spread of the disease, they caused marked anxiety with many parents, and a number of the pupils were kept at home after the schools opened, thus delaying the school work. In view of this condition, and the need of more modern sanitation, I have called the attention of the town authorities to this problem.
Respectfully submitted,
HERBERT LOWELL RICH, School Physician.
I earnestly recommend a dental inspection of all pupils and that reports be sent to parents.
Nearly all the pupils have been vaccinated. It is im- portant that the law regarding vaccination be strictly en- forced because Plainville, situated as it is, is particularly exposed to infectious or contagious diseases.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
The ear and eye tests have been made as follows :
No. pupils
No. found No. of
No. found defective defective parents
examined
in eyesight in hearing notified
High School ....
47
2
5
Grades 7 & 8 ...
37
2
2
Grades 5 & 6 ...
47
4
2
Grades 3 & 4 ...
49
4
00 3
Grades 2 & 3 ...
14
4
3
Grade 1.
32
6
5
Parents should heed the notices sent, and take prompt measures to remedy the defects. Blindness or deafness may thereby be avoided.
A TEACHERS' RETIREMENT LAW.
By an act of the legislature of 1913, a teachers' retire- ment association shall be established on July 1, 1914.
All teachers in the public schools except those in the city of Boston entering the service after that date must become members ; those already in the service may become members. Each teacher who becomes a member must pay to the Con- monwealth 5 per cent. of each year's salary, but the mini- mum amount shall be $35, and the maximum $100.
Any teacher who shall have become a member of the retirement association, and who shall have served fifteen years or more in the public schools of the State, not less than five of which shall immediately precede retirement, may retire at the age of sixty years and must retire at the age of seventy years and shall receive, (a) such annuity as his assessments with interest at 3 per cent. shall entitle
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ANNUAL REPORT.
him, and (b), a pension as large as the annuity, and (c), an additional pension sufficient to make the total pension (b) and (c) equal to the pension to which he would be entitled, had he paid thirty assessments. If (a), (b) and (c) to- gether do not amount to $300, the State shall contribute enough to make the total allowance $300.
Should any member of the association withdraw from service in the public schools before reaching the age of sixty, he shall receive all amounts contributed, together with compound interest at 3 per cent. on the same.
The duties of the school committee are given in this act as follows :
SECTION 9. (1). The school committee of each town and city in the commonwealth shall, before employing in any teaching position any person to whom this act may apply, notify such person of his duties and obligations under this act as a condition of his employment
(2) On or before October first of each year the school committee of each town and city in the commonwealth shall certify to the retirement board the names of all teach- ers to whom this act shall apply.
(3) The school committee of each town and city in the commonwealth shall, on the first day of each calandar month, notify the retirement board of the employment of new teachers, removals, withdrawals, changes in salary of teachers, that shall have occurred during the month pre- ceding.
(4) Under the direction of the retirement board the school committee of each town or city in the commonwealth shall furnish such other information as the board may re- quire to relevant the discharge of the duties of the board
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ANNUAL REPORT.
(5) The school committee of each town and city in the commonwealth shall, as directed by the retirement board, deduct from the amount of the salary due each teacher em- ployed in the public schools of such city or town such amounts as are due as contributions to the annuity fund as prescribed in this act, shall send to the treasurer of said town and city a statement as voucher for such deductions, and shall send a duplicate statement to the secretary of the retirement board.
. (6) The school committee of each town and city in the commonwealth shall keep such records as the retirement board may require.
STORM SIGNALS.
Attention is called to the change in the storm signals. Three double blasts signify no sessions for any schools for the day. Two double blasts signify no sessions for the grades for the day.
These changes seem advisable because the children who are transported have no means of getting to school in the afternoon.
The storm signals will not be given unless the streets are impassable for the barges or the storm is too sever for the children to walk to school.
PARENTS.
Parents can aid the schools in many ways. The oftener they visit the schools and the better acquainted they become with the teachers, the more efficient will the schools become. The following was recently sent to the parents by a well- known superintendent: "We are sending this letter to you because we desire to say some things which we wish you
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ANNUAL REPORT.
to keep and think over from time to time. The school is one of the greatest forces for public good which has been worked out through the ages for the betterment of condi- tions under which people live. It has not always been ideal, nor is it now in all respects ; but it is common ground where all differences can be laid aside for the few common things that all people are ready to recognize as absolutely essential to individual and community well-being. School is a center for study, for thought, for culture and action,-the place nearest home where all may meet and discuss community interests. We can all agree to push the local school inter- ests, knowing that every day spent in hard school work is a real blessing to the child himself and to his associates throughout his life. We want the community to stand firmly for the very best school conditions that their means can afford. We want the best teacher possible for you to have, and that teacher making the very best use of every means, time, energy and materials at her command. We want to see the school-room made a real mental workshop, where all the energy of each day is used to the very best advantage. We count on your support in every effort that really makes for the better, and we want your objections when you see time, or effort going to waste. We wish you and your school success."
CONCLUSION.
I recommend that the age for admission to the first grade be made five and one half years. With the present age of admission some children are too immature to do the work required in the first grade and, as a result, are compelled to repeat the year's work. They should be left free for another year to play out of doors and grow strong and robust.
I also recommend a play ground large enough to admit
11
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ANNUAL REPORT.
of baseball and track meets. Physical training is as im- portant as mental training, for mental development is limited by the vigor and strength of the body.
The work of a teacher in the public schools is a work of service. It ought to be done with a full measure of faith and love, for "The most blessed of human endeavors is service-the service that educates and builds and makes this old world a better and happier place in which to live and work. Service is the spirit of the hour. It blesses hin that gives and him that receives; it is the brotherhood of man in business ; it is a helping hand extended unselfishly ; it is bread cast upon the waters ; it is a way of helping our- selves by helping each other. The best that can be said of any one man is this : He served others that they might better serve themselves."
Respectfully submitted,
IRA A. JENKINS. January 21, 1914.
Graduating Exercises Plainville High School
Class Motto-"Dig." Class Flower-The American Beauty. Class Colors-Red and Gold.
ORDER OF EXERCISES.
March
Alice May Burton, Pianist
Song-"Sweet Genevieve" Tucker
High School Chorus
Invocation Rev. William J. Kelley
Salutatory and Class History Howard Percy Bigelow
The Panama Canal Arthur Whipple Evans
Songs-(a) "June" (b) "The Dancers" High School Chorus
Schnecker Gilbert
Our National Calamities
Clarice Bartlett
Mexico
Lee Williams Burton
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ANNUAL REPORT.
Class Prophecy George Woodworth Prance
Our Trip to Washington
Valedictory
Marie Louise King
Presentation of Diplomas
Superintendent Ira A. Jenkins
Song-"Song of the Armorer" Nevin High School Chorus
Benediction
Rev. William J. Kelley
GRADUATES OF CLASS OF 1913.
Clarice Bartlett Arthur Whipple Evans
Lee Williams Burton
George Woodworth Prance Howard Percy Bigelow Marie Louise King
CLASS OFFICERS.
Howard Percy Bigelow
President
Marie Louise King Secretary Treasurer
George Woodworth Prance
GRADUATES OF PLAINVILLE GRAMMAR SCHOOL, JUNE, 1913.
Leroy F. Corbin Albertus J. Greene
Andrew J. Dietz
William H. Greenhalgh
Mabel E. Dupee
Margaret McQuade
Marguerite E. Englebert
George C. Foster
Mildred M. Marble Ralph L. Morgan
..
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ANNUAL REPORT.
Helen Nash
Edith M. Nelson
Thomas L. Norlund Doris M. Wing Evangeline E. Wolfe
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 occurs the record is for one term.
HIGH SCHOOL.
Clarice Bartlett, 3
Marion L. Barney, 2
Howard P. Bigelow, 2
Lee W. Burton, 2
Florence P. Brown, 2 Marion S. Brown, 3 Malcolm H. Greene, 3
George F. Gardner, 3
Eurilla G. Franklin, 3
George W. H. Fisler, 2
Ray E. Evans
Arthur W. Evans, 2
Alice E. Herring, 2 Ernest E. Munroe Clarice Nash, 3 Merritt S. Northup
Ida L. Corbin
Richmond Chace
Ralph L. Parker
Owen B. Brunner, 2
Edith N. Reynoldson
Andrew J. Butler, 2
E. Howard Stolworthy, 3
GRADES 7 and 8.
Estella M. Dorset Albertus J. Greene
Francis A. Dorset William H. Greenhalgh
Marguerite E. Englebert, 2 Helen Nash Frank H. Stolworthy, 3
GRADES 5 and 6.
Helene Burton Grace H. Englebert
Ralph L. French William E. Langill
Ruby E. Burton, 2
Ivy D. Burton
Lillian E. Hancock
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ANNUAL REPORT.
Herman S. Fielding, 2 Gertrude Sanford Howard I. Ware
GRADES 3 and 4.
Helen L. Chadwick
Raymond A. Cobb
Helen G. Coombs, 2
Gladys A. Munroe, 2
Lillian M. Fielding, 2
Marion D. Olney
Frank Fisher, 2 Anna L. Sargent, 2
John H. Goodall, 2 Harold Simpson
Carlton M. Greene, 3
Mary White
Emily M. Greene, 2
Carl S. Wolf
GRADES 2 and 3.
Edmund Goodhall, 3
Wallace S. Dorset
Harold E. Corey, 2
Marie C. Briel
Elton Briel
Russell W. White
Eunice E. Sharp, 2
Kimball H. Sargent, 3
Kimber M. Moulton Elsie Greenhalgh
Sarah M. Zaino
GRADE 1.
Alice H. Stolworthy
Nelson Everett
Flora Landry William Elsasser
Arline R. Herrick
Warren F. Boyd
Ralph D. Hart Clinton E. Barton
Jesse W. Franklin, Jr.
Clinton C. Bagley
The following pupils have not been absent nor tardy for two years.
Clarice Bartlett
Marion S. Brown
George F. Gardner
William Hancock
Geoffrey Hill
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ANNUAL REPORT.
STATISTICS.
Population of Plainville, census 1910 1,481
Valuation of town, April 1, 1913. $1,036,694 00
Whole tax of town, 1913 22,604 00 Total expenditure for schools, 1913 10,068 38
Amount raised by taxation 7,528 65
Number of children in town between the ages of 5 and 15, census of September, 1913:
Boys
106
Girls
112
Number of children in town between the ages of ? and 14 (compulsory school age), census of September, 1913:
Boys
84
Girls
86
Number attending school during the year be- tween 5 and 15:
Boys
119
Girls
118
Number attending school during the year be- tween 7 and 14:
Boys
90
Girls
86
Whole number of months all the schools were kept during the year 1912-13 55 8-20
Average number of months all the schools were kept 9 4-20
218
170
237
176
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ANNUAL REPORT.
Average number of months all the schools of the State were kept during 1911-12. 9 5-20
Number of months the High School of Plain- ville was kept during the year 1912-13. .
9 12-20
Average number of months the high schools of the State were kept during the year,
1911-12
9 9-20
Percentage of attendance of all the schools of
State for 1911-12, based on the average membership 93
Number of pupils graduated from the High School in June, 1913 :
Boys 4
Girls
2
6
Number of pupils graduated from the gram- mar school in June, 1913 :
Boys
Girls
2- 00
Number of pupils, graduating from the gram- mar school in June, 1913, who entered the high school in September :
Boys
6
Girls
8
Number of pupils in school January 1, 1914 : Boys 122
Girls 124
15
14
246
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ANNUAL REPORT.
OUTLINE OF LAWS RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN.
Children under 14 .- May not work in factories, work- shops, manufacturing, mechanical or mercantile establish- ments, barber shops, bootblack stands, public stables, gar- ages, brick or lumber yards, telephone exchanges, tele- graph or messenger offices, constructions or repair of build- ings, or in any contract or wage-earning industry in tene- ment or other houses.
Cannot be employed at all during school hours or before 6:30 A. M. or after 6 P. M.
Must attend day school regularly, unless otherwise re- ceiving instructions in a manner approved in advance by the superintendent of schools or the school committee.
Children under 15 .- Shall not be employed or exhibited on stage, in circus or public place (see complete list). May take part in a festival, concert or musical exhibition upon the special written permission of the mayor and aldermen or the selectmen.
Children under 16 .- If employed by express or trans- portation companies may work not more than 10 hours in any one day and 54 hours in any one week.
No minor under 16 years of age shall be employed or permitted to work in operating or assisting to operate any of the following machines :
(1) Circular or band saws, (2) wood shapers, (3) wood jointers, (+) plainers, (5) picker machines or machines used in picking wool, cotton, hair or any other material, (6) paperlace machines, (?) leather burnishing machines, (8) job or cylinder printing presses operated by power other than foot power, (9) stamping machines used in sheet metal
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ANNUAL REPORT.
and tinware or in paper or leather manufacturing or in washer and nut factories, (10) metal or paper cutting machines, (11) corner staying machines in paper box fac- tories, (12) corrugating rolls such as are used in corrugated paper or in roofing, or washboard factories, (13) steam boilers, (14) dough brakes or cracker machinery of any description, (15) wire or iron straightening or drawing machinery, (16) rolling mill machinery, (1?) power punches or shears, (18) washing or grinding or mixing machinery, (19) calendar rolls in paper and rubber manu- facturing or other heavy rolls driven by power, (20) laun- dering machinery, (21) upon or in connection with any dangerous electrical machinery or appliances, or near mov- ing or dangerous belts, gears, etc., or on scaffolding, in heavy work in building trades, tobacco manufacturing. tunnels, bowling alleys, pool or billiard rooms.
Must attend day school regularly unless they hold em- ployment certificates and work 6 hours per day regularly, or have the written permission of the superintendent of schools to engage in profitable employment at home; or un- less otherwise receiving instruction in a manner approved in advance by the superintendent of schools or the school committee.
Shall not operate elevators for freight or passengers.
Children between 14 and 16,-If employed in factories, workshops, manufacturing, mechanical or mercantile es- tablishments, barber shops, bootblack stands, public stables, garages, brick or lumber yards, telephone exchanges, tele- graph or messenger offices, construction or repair of build- ings, or in any contract or wage-earning industry in tene- ment or other houses, may work not more than 8 hours in any one day, 6 days in any one week and 48 hours in any one week, and may not work before 6:30 A. M. or after 6 P. M.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
Cannot be employed unless employer holds Employment Certificate for each child, except on Saturdays between ? A. M. and 6 P. M.
Children 16 to 18 .- If employed by express or transporta- tion companies, may work not more than 10 hours in any one day and 5+ hours in any one week.
Shall not operate elevators running at speed of more than 100 feet a minute, and in Boston are forbidden to operate all elevators except in private or apartment houses.
Boys 16 to 18; Girls 16 to 21 .- If employed in factories, workshops, manufacturing, mechanical or mercantile estab- lishments, barber shops, bootblack stands, public stables, garages, brick or lumber yards, telephone exchanges, tele- graph or messenger offices, construction or repair of build- ings, or in any contract or wage-earning industry in tene- ment or other houses, may work not more than 10 hours in any one day, 54 in any one week, 6 days in any one week, and not before 5 A. M. or after 10 P. M. and in textile industries not after 6 P. M.
If employed in factories, workshops, manufacturing, mechanical or mercantile establishments, the employer must hold an Educational Certificate for each child employed.
Educational Certificate must show completion of fourth grade work in reading, writing, and spelling completed, otherwise employment is illegal unless the child is attend- ing day school or public evening school, if the city or town of residence maintains such and presents to his employer each week a sufficient school record of such attendance.
Children under 18 .- No minor under 18 years of age shall be employed or permitted to work: (1) in or about blast furnaces, (2) in the operation or management of
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ANNUAL REPORT.
hoisting machines, (3) in oiling or cleaning hazardous machinery in motion, (+) in the operation or use of any polishing or buffing wheel, (5) at track repairing, (6) at switch tending, (1) at gate tending, (8) as a brakeman, fireman, engineer, motorman or conductor upon a railroad or railway (9) as a fireman or engineer upon any boat or vessel, (10) in operating any motor vehicle of any descrip- tion, (11) in or about establishments wherein gunpowder, nitro-glycerine, dynamite or other high or dangerous ex- plosive is manufactured or compounded, (12) in the manu- facture of white or yellow phosphorus or phosphorus matches, (13) in any distillery, brewery, or any other es- tablishment where malt or alcoholic liquors are manufac- tured, packed, wrapped or bottled, (14) in that part of any hotel, theatre, concert hall, place of amusement or other establishment where intoxicating liquors are sold.
The provisions of this section shall not prohibit the em- ployment of minors in drug stores.
Children 18 to 21 .- If employed as messenger boys in telegraplı, telephone or messenger offices, must not work before 5 A. M. or after 10 P. M. (except in delivering newspaper messages ).
Children under 21 .- Must not be employed in, about or in connection with saloons or bars or sent to immoral re- sorts.
Boys 18 to 21 .- If employed in factories, workshops, manufacturing, mechanical or mercantile establishments, employers must hold Educational Certificate.
Educational Certificate must show completion of fourth grade work in reading, writing, and spelling completed, otherwise employment is illegal unless child is attending day school, or a public evening school, if the city or town
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