USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Plainville > Plainville, Massachusetts annual reports 1922-1933 > Part 38
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a vote of 9 in the affirmative and 22 in the negative, and in the House of Representatives by a vote of 93 in the affirmative and 110 in the negative, be approved ?
Referendum question No. 2. Question of Public Policy.
Shall the senator from this district be instructed to vote for a resolution requesting Congress to take action for the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment to the Con- stitution of the United States, known as the prohibition amendment?
The polls will be open at six o'clock in the forenoon and wil lclose at eight o'clock in the afternoon.
And you are hereby directed to serve this warrant by posting up attested copies thereof in at least ten public places in said town, at least seven days before the time of said meeting.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at or be- fore the time of said meeting.
Given under our hands and seal of said Town of Plainville, this twenty-seventh day of October, in the year of one thousand nine hundred twenty-eight.
[Seal]
WILLIAM E. BLANCHARD, HARRY A. HOLT, WILLIAM H. NASH, Selectmen of Plainville.
OFFICER'S RETURN ON WARRANT
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Plainville, Mass., October 31, 1928. Norfolk, ss.
This certifies that I have posted 10 copies of the with- in Warrant in 10 public places in the Town of Plainville.
ELMER C. PEASE, Constable, Town of Plainville.
45
ANNUAL REPORT
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS Norfolk, ss.
Subscribed and sworn to before me,
THEODORE E. A. FULLER,
A true copy. Attest : Town Clerk.
GALEN W. HOYT, Town Clerk Pro tem.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE STATE ELECTION
The Presidential and State Election was held in Town Hall, Plainville on Tuesday, November 6, 1928.
The meeting was called to order by Theodore E. A. Fuller, Town Clerk, who read the Warrant and return thereon at 6 o'clock A. M.
Ballot Clerks : Fred Northup, Alice Ribero, Dacia An- derson. Tellers : Frank King, Irene Walden. The Ballot Clerks and Tellers were duly sworn to the faithful per- formance of their duties before the polls were opened.
Election Officer : George H. Snell.
The polls were opened at 6 A. M.
At 8 o'clock P. M. the polls were closed. (By vote). The number of votes cast 711, and 11 Absentee Ballots, making a total of 722.
The results of the balloting was as follows, viz:
President and Vice President
Foster and Gitlow, Workers Party 0
Hoover and Curtis, Republican 613
Reynolds and Crowley, Socialist Labor
Smith and Robinson, Democratic 2
Thomas and Maurer, Socialist 100
3
Blanks 4
46
ANNUAL REPORT
Governor
Frank G. Allen of Norwood. Republican 601
Chester W. Bixby of Haverhill. Workers Party 0 Charles H. Cole of Boston. Democratic 81 Washington Cook of Boston. Vigorous Prohibition Enforcement 2
Mary Donovan Hapgood of North Brookfield. So- cialist Party 3 Edith Hamilton MacFadden of Cambridge. Inde- pendent Citizen 2
0 Stephen J. Surridge of Lynn. Socialist Labor Party Blanks
33
Lieutenant Governor
John Corbin of Worcester, Workers Party 3
Henry C. Hess of Boston, Socialist Labor Party . 2
Walter S. Hutchins of Greenfield, Socialist Party 6
John F. Malley of Newton, Democratic 71
William Sterling Youngman, Republican 571
69
Blanks
Secretary
Harry J. Canter of Boston, Workers Party 2
Frederic W. Cook of Somerville, Republican 598
Oscar Kinsalas of Springfield, Socialist Labor Party 2
Joseph Santosuosso of Boston, Democratic 64 Edith Williams of Brookline, Socialist Party 4
42
Blanks
Treasurer
James P. Bergin of Webster, Democratic
69
Albert Sprague Coolidge of Pittsfield, Socialist
11
Party 569
John W. Hagis of Greenfield, Republican
Albert Oddie of Brockton, Workers Party
1
Charles S. Oran of Boston, Socialist Labor Party 2
70
Blanks
Auditor 2
John W. Aiken of Chelsea, Socialist Labor Party . .
Alonzo B. Cook of Boston, Republican 56
David A. Eisenberg of Boston, Socialist Party 2
Eva Hoffman of Boston, Workers Party 2
Francis J. O'Gorman of Boston, Democratic 71
Blanks 84
47
ANNUAL REPORT
Attorney General
Edward P. Barry of Boston, Democratic 71 Morris I. Becker of Boston, Socialist Labor Party . 2 Max Lerner of Worcester, Workers Party 1 John Weaver Sherman of Boston, Socialist Party 5 Joseph E. Warner of Taunton, Republican 572 Blanks
71
Senator In Congress
John J. Ballam of Boston, Workers Party 4
Alfred Baker Lewis of Cambridge, Socialist Party 3
David I. Walsh of Fitchburg, Democratic 121 Benjamin Loring Young of Weston, Republican 550 Blanks 44
Congressman - Thirteenth District
Thomas D. Lavelle of Boston, Democratic 76
Robert Luce of Waltham, Republican 556
Blanks
90
Councillor -- Seventh District
Charles A. Brett of Worcester, Democratic
67
Blanks
Walter E. Schuster of Douglas, Republican 548
Senator - Fourth Worcester District
Elbert M. Crockett of Milford, Republican 550
Mary F. McGuiness of Grafton, Democratic 81
91
Representative In General Court Eleventh Norfolk District
William S. Cruickshank of Foxborough, Democratic 74
Blanks
Horace W. Hosie of Franklin, Republican 538
110
County Commissioners - Norfolk County
Russell T. Bates of Quincy, Republican 493
Edward W. Hunt of Weymouth, Republican 482
Warren J. Swett of Canton, Democratic 71 Blanks
398
8
Blanks
48
ANNUAL REPORT
Clerk Of Courts - Norfolk County
Robert B. Worthington of Dedham. Republican 548
174
Blanks
Register Of Deeds - Norfolk County
Walter W. Chambers of Dedham, Republican 537
Blanks 185
Associate Commissioner - Norfolk County
(To fill vacancy)
Arthur Chapman of Braintree. Republican 538
184
Blanks
Law Proposed By Initiative Petition
Shall the proposed law which provides that it shall be lawful in any city which accepts the act by vote of its city council and in any town which accepts the act by vote of its inhabitants, to take part in or witness any athletic outdoor sport or game, except horse racing, automobile racing. boxing or hunting with firearms, on the Lord's day between 2 and 6 P. M .; that such sports or games shall take place on such playgrounds. parks or other places as may be designated in a license issued by certain licensing authorities ; that no sport or game shall be permitted in a place other than a public play- ground or park within one thousand feet of any regular place of worship ; that the charging of admission fees or the taking of collections or the receiving of remunera- tion by any person in charge of or participating in any such sport or game shall not be prohibited: that the license may be revoked : and that in cities and towns in which amateur sports or games are permitted under existing law such amateur sports or games may be held until the proposed law is accepted or the provisions of the existing law fail of acceptance on resubmission to the people, which law was disapproved in the Senate by a vote of 9 in the affirmative and 22 in the negative, and in the House of Representatives by a vote of 93 in the affirmative and 110 in the negative, be approved ?
YES 246
NO 312
Blanks 164
49
ANNUAL REPORT
Question Of Public Policy
Shall the senator from this district be instructed to vote for a resolution requesting Congress to take action for the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment to the Con- stitution of the United States, known as the prohibition amendment?
YES
NO
293
Blanks
342
87
THEODORE E. A. FULLER,
Town Clerk.
A true copy. Attest :
GALEN W. HOYT,
Town Clerk Pro tem.
4
50
ANNUAL REPORT
MEETING OF THE TOWN CLERKS Of The Eleventh Norfolk District
A record of the doings of the Clerks of the Eleventh Norfolk Representative District of the Towns of Fox- borough, Franklin, Norfolk, Plainville and Wrentham.
On the sixteenth day of November, 1928, the Clerks of the Towns above named met at the Town House, in Franklin and examined and compared transcripts of the record of votes cast on the sixth day of November in said Towns, for Representative in the General Court for the Eleventh Norfolk Representative District, in said County, and did ascertain that Horace W. Hosie was duly elected and issued certificates of his election, one of which was sent to the Secretary of the Common- wealth, at Boston, and one was delivered to a Constable of Franklin to be served on the said Horace W. Hosie.
Tabulation Of Votes
William
Horace Hosie
Cruickshank Blanks Total
Foxborough .1264
468
192
1924
Franklin
1336
992
348
2676
Norfolk
320
79
94
493
Plainville
538
74
110
722
Wrentham
604
126
125
855
Totals
4062
1739
869
6670
Witness our hands at Franklin, this
16th day of November, 1928.
John W. Richardson, Town Clerk of Foxborough, Michael J. Costello, Town Clerk of Franklin, George F. Campbell, Town Clerk of Norfolk, Casper T. Blaisdell, Town Clerk of Wrentham, T. E. A. Fuller, Town Clerk of Plainville.
THEODORE E. A. FULLER,
Town Clerk.
A true copy. Attest : GALEN W. HOYT, Town Clerk Pro tem.
51
ANNUAL REPORT
BIRTHS RECORDED IN PLAINVILLE DURING 1928
Date Name
Parents
Jan. 15-Elizabeth Howe Sweeting, Fred - Mildred A.
Feb. 27-James Edmund Goodall, James - Clementine Mar. 19-Milton H. Bachellor, Jr., Milton H .- Beatrice R. May 8-Marie Theresa Plamondon, Oscar A. - Rose E. June 16-Jean Olive Purcell, Ralph D. - Yvonne M. June 26 Ardrey, Charles W. - Leontine M.
June 28-Margaret Louise Maxim,
Horace C. - Elizabeth W.
July 3-William Raymond Dion,
William - Lea P.
Oct. 28-Leo Kenneth Barney,
Earl - Margaret M.
Dec. 12-Herman John Fielding, Herman - Mabel F. Nov. 18-Sheldon Eugene Smith, Raymond N .- Helen S.
THEODORE E. A. FULLER, Town Clerk.
A true copy. Attest :
GALEN W. HOYT, Town Clerk Pro tem.
MARRIAGES RECORDED IN PLAINVILLE DURING 1928
Date Name Married by
Feb. 14. Harold Grant Richards Eleanor Kendall Barney
William T. Beale
May 12. Alfred W. Olsen W. H. Wakefield, Jr. Clara V. Wolfe
June 4. Edward Peter Ducette Helen Ayer J. A. Hinch
June 14. Max Berger Doris M. Simmons
George E. Osgood
52
ANNUAL REPORT
June 16. James Arthur Freeman Hilda Hamblin Whiting
Eber E. Craig A. R. Parron
July 5. Donaldbane McNeill Mary Alice Hardy
John Rex Shepler
July 7. Cecil William Dailey Alma Elizabeth Clarke
John A. Rose
July 28. Raymond Robert Fulton Ruth Rosalie King
Patrick McGee
July 28. Earl Joy Turner Ann Bethiah Hinds
Patrick McGee
July 28. John J. Boyle Racheal Donly
T. E. A. Fuller
Oct. 2. Edmund Roger Mitchell Katherine Mary Bialas
Chas. A. Haney
Oct. 17. William James Livesey, Jr. Doris Eldridge Martin
W. H. Wakefield, Jr.
Oct. 27. Owen Bestor Brunner Gertrude Helen Illgen
Melville Shafer
Nov. 9. Herman Smith Fielding Mabel Lena Fied
T. E. A. Fuller
Nov. 12. John S. Sessler Evelyn S. Robbins
Mason W. Sharp
Nov. 24. Norman Merton Clarke Grace Evelyn Boardman
Dec. 23. Peter Francis Curtis Hazel Mildred Foster
George E. Osgood
THEODORE E. A. FULLER, Town Clerk.
A true copy. Attest :
GALEN W. HOYT, Town Clerk Pro tem.
July 13. George F. Heal Florence Clement
George E. Osgood
Sept. 28. James J. Davis Evangeline A. Wolfe
W. E. Tierney
DEATHS RECORDED IN PLAINVILLE DURING 1928
Date
Name
Yr
Mo
Da
Cause of Death
Jan.
1.
Sewen Peterson Wolfe
88
8
Apoplexy
Jan.
28.
Frank P. Bigelow
57
7
1
Cerebral Embolism
Jan.
31.
Anna Ward Paradis
23
10
15
Albuminuria of Pregnancy
Feb. . 2.
Sarah Estecy Payson
59
4
29
Cancer of Breast
Feb.
17.
Daniel F. Crotty
57
6
Malignancy of Esophagus
Feb.
24. 25.
James Stuart
40
Pneumonia
Mar.
13.
Romeo S. Rainville
5
7
13
Accidental Drowning
Mar.
13.
Claire D. Rainville
6
9
9
Accidental Drowning
Mar.
26.
Lester Dyer Darby
44
22
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Mar.
31. Harold N. Anderson
7
2
Lobar Pneumonia
Apr.
25. Maria Lincoln Noble
61
11
12
Cerebral Embolism
May
12.
Aaron MacDonald
64
3
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
May
17.
Harlie Eugene Thompson
51
7
19
Perforated Gastric Ulcer
May
17.
Mary Ann Brunner
67
11
29
Cerebral Thrombosis
June
5.
Sarah Ella Emerson
75
14
Cerebral Hemorrhage
June
10.
Mary Theresa Poirier
1
13
Convulsions
June
26.
Annie Bialas
July
18.
William Harvey
Yattow
53
24
Chronic Pephretis
July
31. Charles Linder
57
8
26
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Sept.
9.
William J. Glennon
38
Gun Shot Wound of Head
Oct.
5. Helenus Simpson Mitchell
60
10
5
Lobar Pnuemonia
Oct.
15. Isaac Cato Smith
64
Spinal Paralysis
Nov. 8. George W. Wood
70
10
5
Chronic Myocarditis
Nov. 20. Joseph Shablava
42
Lobar Pnuemonia
Dec.
6. Francis E. Herring
73
6
28
Apoplexy (Embolic)
Dec.
20. Herman John Fielding
8
Malnutrition
THEODORE E. A. FULLER, Town Clerk. A true copy.
Attest: GALEN W. HOYT, Town Clerk Pro tem.
4
3
Cerebral Hemorrhage
Feb.
Sarah R. Dailey
81
54
ANNUAL REPORT JURY LIST
Town of Plainville, Massachusetts - 1927 - 1928.
Jeweler
Adams, Geo. H., Cottage St.
Machinist
Anderson, Chester A., South St.
Merchant
Barden, Walter E., South St.
Salesman
Bennett, Edward P., Jr.,
School St.
Jeweler
Blanchard, William E.,
Walnut St.
Retired
Crowley, Arthur L., George St.
Jeweler
Desjardines, Hermon R.,
Bugbee St.
Jeweler
Dodge, John W., Warren St.
Laborer
Loud, Harry W.,
Pleasant St.
McNeill, James E.,
Melcher St.
Toolmaker
Sylvia, Erwin B.,
Lincoln Ave.
Merchant
Thompson, Harry B., Grove St.
Clerk
Wheeler, Adrian G.,
South St.
Jeweler
Wood, George W.,
Spring St.
WALLACE H. PECKHAM, FRANK O. PATTON, WILLIAM E. BLANCHARD, Selectmen of Plainville.
Laundryman
Nerney, Raymond N.,
East Bacon St.
Toolmaker
Annual Report
OF THE
School Committee
OF
Plainville, Massachusetts
PLAIN
VILLE
OF
MASS 16. Colony 28
COLONY
E. MASS.
WREN-
THAM.
1673- -1664-
.1905.
PLAIN
VILLE
INCORP
19
05.
1905
RATED
APRIL 4.
FOR
Year ending December 31, 1928
Wrentham Now 291 790
NMOL
57
ANNUAL REPORT
SCHOOL OFFICIALS . SCHOOL COMMITTEE
RUFUS KING.
Term expires 1929
Telephone North Attleboro, 323-X.
(Appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Harlie E. Thompson.)
CHARLES H. PEASLEY, Chairman. Term expires 1930 Telephone North Attleboro, 121-W.
LORENZO B. STURTEVANT, Sec'y. Term expires 1931 Telephone North Attleboro, 1096-W.
Meeting of the School Committee is held in the office, Town Hall Building, on Wednesday preceding the second Thursday of the month.
Union Superintendent of Schools, Norton and Plainville LAURENCE G. NOURSE Residence Telephone Norton, 66. School Telephone, North Attleboro, 385-R.
The Superintendent may be reached at the office in the Town Hall Building every Tuesday, and other days by appointment.
Authorized to Issue Work Certificates LORENZO B. STURTEVANT Telephone North Attleboro, 68-W.
School Physician
FREDERICK J. CARLEY, M. D. Telephone North Atleboro, 491.
School Nurse MRS. FLORENCE McGINN Telephone North Attleboro, 366-R.
Attendance Officer ELMER C. PEASE
58
ANNUAL REPORT
SCHOOL CALENDAR, 1928-1929
Elementary and High Schools
First term opens Sept. 5, 1928 First term closes Dec. 21, 1928 Second term opens Jan. 2, 1929 Second term closes Feb. 15, 1929 Third term opens Feb. 25, 1929 Third term closes April 12, 1929 Fourth term opens April 22, 1929 Elementary Schools-June 14, 1929 High School-June 28, 1929
Holidays for all schools
October 12 November 11 Thanksgiving Day and the day following
February 22 April 19 May 30
School Sessions
High School: Regular session, 8 to 1:15; extra session 2:15 to 4:15
Grammar School: 9 to 12 and 1:15 to 3:15 Primary School: 9 to 11:45 and 1:15 to 3:15
No School Signals
7:15 A. M .- Three double blasts on fire alarm system signifies no school for all pupils for the day.
7:30 A. M .- Same signal signifies no school for elementary school pupils.
11 :45 A. M .- Same signal signifies no school in the afternoon and all pupils will stay in school one hour longer than usual and then be dismissed for the day.
59
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of the Town of Plainville : January 1, 1929
There have been fewer changes in our teaching staff during the past year than there were the year before. Nevertheless, there were more than we would wish, as permanency in the staff is of great advantage to the system. One high school and four grade positions have had to be filled.
We are pleased to report that the State Normal School at Bridgewater considers our schools of such high grade that one of its girls was assigned to us for her practice teaching-a part of her course.
We would again urge the parents to visit schools more often in all grades so that they may become better acquainted with the everyday work of the schools.
We call your attention to the comparison of our schools to several hundred other New England schools, as shown by the arithmetic schedule in the report of our superintendent.
Last spring we lost our esteemed fellow member, Mr. Harlie E. Thompson, whose death was very sudden and unexpected. Mr. Rufus King was appointed to fill the vacancy and has proved himself very valuable to the committee.
Our financial report follows :
Money Available For Schools
Appropriation $25,875.00
Refund
10.00
Interest on Town School Fund ..
36.81
Expended
$25,921.81
General Expenses
School Committee
Superintendent, Salary
$1,570.00
Expenses
132.65
60
ANNUAL REPORT
Expenses of Instruction
Salaries, High and Elementary $15,397.26 Books and Supplies, High and Elementary 1,558.17
Operation of School Plant
1,342.00
Janitor
1,032.70
Fuel
337.06
Miscellaneous
578.59
Maintenance
417.50
Health
2,868.00
Transportation
670.00
New Equipment
$25,904.92 16.89
Budget For 1929
We recommend for 1929 that the sum of $26,075.00 be appropriated according to the estimated budget.
General Expenses
School Committee Expense ..
Superintendent, Salary
110.00
Expenses
Expenses of Instruction
Salaries, High and Elementary
15,590.00
Books and Supplies, High and Elementary 1,500.00
Operation of School Plant
1,456.00
Janitor
1,500.00
Fuel
325.00
Miscellaneous
634.00
Maintenance
438.00
Health
2,690.00
Transportation
232.00
New Equipment
$26,075.00
$1,600.00
Balance
61
ANNUAL REPORT
The town received during 1928 from the State on account of schools :
General School Fund, Part 1 $2,940.00
General School Fund, Part 2 2,130.69
For Superintendent 775.51
For High School
1,062.50
For Tuition of State Ward
88.41
From the Town of Wrentham for Tuition
$6,997.11
$252.80
Total
Total Expenditure for 1928
$25,904.92
$7,249.91
Receipts from outside sources 7,249.91
Net Expenditure by Town of
Plainville
$18,655.01
The receipts for 1929 are expected to be at least $300.00 more than those listed above for 1928.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES H. PEASLEY, Chairman LORENZO B. STURTEVANT,
RUFUS KING Secretary
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Plainville School Committee :
I have the pleasure of submitting to you my fifth annual report as superintendent of schools and the twenty-third in the series of reports.
Introduction
I shall make brief comment on the topics as given in my previous annual reports but an extended statement of recent progress of the same activities seems un- necessary. The major part of this report will be given to description of (1) certain new activities (2) some
62
ANNUAL REPORT
interesting and valuable statistical data concerning the Plainville Schools and (3) recommendations.
Reference To Report For 1927
The plan as outlined in the five topics under "Super- vision in the Elementary School" and "Supervision in the High School" has been faithfully continued. Much statistical data could be included to show the progress during the past year. Reasonable progress has resulted and the work as outlined will be carried on in the future.
The experience with the new first grade equipment during the past year has justified, I believe, the expecta- tions as given in last year's report.
New Activities
1. Safety Education.
The nedd for every posible effort to impress on the youth as well as the adult the need for personal safety on the street, in the factory and even in the home is very evident upon examination of any daily newspaper. The "lecture" on safety in the streets may not prevent a child from carelessly crossing a street or jumping rides on a truck but the constant presentation of this topic and the practice of the rules of safety in the school hours will do something to help reduce the lamentable list of accidents. The slow progress of general education will eventually teach to all the power of material forces that can destroy men as well as assist them if they are not used according to the rules of the game. The new State Department of Education bulletin, "Course of Study in Safety Education," has been given to all elementary school teachers. The general objectives in this course are given as :
"1. To give children an understanding of situations involving hazard that their behavior in these situations may be intelligent.
2. To develop habits of conduct which will enable children to meet the situations of daily life without accident.
3. To develop habits of conduct which will function in difficult situations in times of crisis.
63
ANNUAL REPORT
4. To develop a generation characterized by habits of carefulness.
5. To develop skill in control of bodily movement.
6. To create right attitudes including :
A. Respect for law and officers of the law.
B. Willingness to assume responsibility for the safety of self and others.
C. Willingness to co-operate in organized efforts of safety.
D. Interest in the social significance of safety.
7. To eliminate all preventable accidents."
Specific objects and means for carrying them out in concrete ways are given the teachers. It would accom- plish little to have mere talks on safety each day. It is intended rather that the ideas of safety will be incorpor- ated in the regular work of the other subjects, i. e. that the reading lesson will frequently show the value of safety in various stories, that the compositions will be often about examples of safe habits and actions, that the playground activities will illustrate correct pro- cedure, etc. Thus we hope to instill ideas of safety and with the same efforts in the homes to see improvement in the everyday life of the children.
2. Reading Investigations.
For two months an intensive drill and testing plan using the McCall-Crabbs reading tests was carried on. Both speed and comprehension in reading were im- proved. During this period the gain as shown by these tests was over three times the normal grade improve- ment. During this period the teachers gave careful study to a recent professional book on the teaching of reading. The results of many scientific studies on this problem were given. Especially in the primary grades several new procedures were examined for use in the classrooms. One lecture on reading was given at one of the teachers' meetings by a reading expert from one of the publishing houses. All of the teachers went for a
64
ANNUAL REPORT
lecture on reading methods to a joint meeting with the North Attleboro and Attleboro teachers.
McCALL-CRABBS MULTIPLE CHOICE READING TESTS
Grade
Average of first three tests
Average of last three tests
Increase in 8 weeks interval
7.2
.2
8
7.0
7.5
.5
7
7.0
7.4
1.2
6
6.2
6.9
.9
5
6.0
5.0
4
4
4.6
3
3.0
2
2.8
3.1
.3
The average increase in all grades was .66.
Example of use of above table : The Plainville Grade 5 was reading with 6.0 grade ability at the start of the drive and with 6.9 grade ability at the end of the eight weeks of study. There was an average increase of 2-3 of a year in reading ability in less than two months time as shown by the use of this scientifically prepared series of reading lessons.
3. Orchestra Classes
Instruction for all kinds of musical instruments is being offered the pupils in the group instruction plan which is furnished in co-operation with the Musicians Supply Company of Boston. The cost is nominal. The object is to arouse and develop musical talent and thus to prepare a large number of pupils who will be avail- able for the high school orchestra. There has been evident much interest in this undertaking. The first class met for eight weeks at the high school during the summer. The plan has been continued during the fall term and it is hoped the classes will be able to continue during the year. No expense has been incurred by the school department. Benefit to the school as well as to the individual will follow.
4. Library Certificates
For some years the state library list of good books
1.1
4.1
65
ANNUAL REPORT
for each grade has been in use. During the past school year special efforts were used to encourage pupils to read books on this list and thus to qualify for the certificates awarded by the Plainville Public Library in conjunction with the state library. Very worth-while results were evident. The following table shows the amount of reading done in Grades 4 to 8:
REPORT OF THE PUPILS SECURING STATE LIBRARY CERTIFICATES IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE PLAINVILLE LIBRARY JANUARY 1 to MAY 1, 1928
Grades
8
7 6 5 24
4 Total
Number of pupils
12 29
36
30
131
Number of pupils receiving first certificates 7 23 36 24
18 108
Percent with 1st certificates 58 79 100 100
60 82% Total number of books read 136 627 344 279 150 1536
5. State Survey Committee
Your superintendent was appointed by the State De- partment of Education a member of a committee of superintendents to draw up a "Plan For A Self Survey of a Small School System." A series of conferences at Bridgewater Normal School were held. The recent surveys of several school systems were studied. A report was given at the state convention of superin- tendents. The survey plan as drawn up aimed to ask a series of practical questions on all of the main activities and the management of a town's school and as far as possible to give proper standards or answers for each question. The main topics of the survey were :
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