USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Plainville > Plainville, Massachusetts annual reports 1922-1933 > Part 66
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increase of $800 over 1932 is shown in claims already entered with the state department. In the July school returns further increase is probable which will increase this to about $1300 over 1932.
Reimbursements From Commonwealth Of Massachu- setts On Account Of Schools Based On Last State Returns
Net
Amt. by Town $826.67
Reimburse-
Net Amt. by Town
Harry L. Dixon
$2600
$715.50
$1884.50
Elizabeth Reynolds
1300
615.50
684.50
Alice Heywood
1600
715.50
884.50
Mrs. Marion Gillis
1600
715.00
884.50
Mildred H. Robbins
1200
465.50
734.50
Esther M. Allen
1050
400.41
649.59
Beatrice H. Wood
1250
465.50
784.50
Edith F. Tuttle
1050
400.41
649.59
Sylvia E. Ahola
1050
400.41
649.59
Murielle Fuller
1050
400.42
649.58
Katherine Howard
400
72.50
327.50
Mrs. Harriet Washburn
400
72.50
327.50
Mrs. Rowena Rice
.
. .
Totals $16,400
$6,027.65 $10,371.35
Money Available For Schools
Appropriation
33.08
Interest on Town School Fund
75.00
Refund on Town Hall Lights
Total
650.00
Transfer
$25,558.08
Balance
Expended
General Expenses
School Committee
$ 1,600.00
Superintendent's Salary
450
122.50
327.50
Mrs. Mary J. Croke .
Salary and Reimburse- union expenses ment
$1600
$773.33
Laurence G. Nourse ..
Salary
ment
934.50
1400
465.50
$26,100.00
$26,208.08
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ANNUAL REPORT
Expenses
101.64
Expenses of Instruction
Salaries, High and Elementary .
16,289.87
Books and Supplies, High and Elementary
1,122.54
Operation of School Plant
Janitor
1,644.00
Miscellaneous
393.74
Maintenance
181.73
Health
414.93
Transportation
2,675.00
New Equipment
80.00
Total
25,536.34
Balance
$21.74
Budget For 1933
We recommend for 1933 that the sum of $24,900.00 be appropriated according to the estimated budget.
General Expenses
School Committee Salary
$ 120.00
Superintendent Salary
1,600.00
Expenses
70.00
Expenses of Instruction
Salaries, High and Elementary
15,950.00
Books and Supplies, High and
Elementary
800.00
Operation of School Plant
Janitor
1,664.00
Fuel
1,000.00
Miscellaneous
306.00
Maintenance
200.00
Health
465.00
Transportation
2,675.00
New Equipment
50.00
Total
$24,900.00
Fuel
1,032.89
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ANNUAL REPORT
The town received during 1932 from the State on account of Schools :
$2,650.00
General School Fund, Part 1
2,310.15
General School Fund, Part 2
773.33
For Superintendent
1,067.50
For High School
$6.800.98
From the Town of Wrentham for Tuition 60.04
$6,861.02
Total
Total Expenditure for 1932 $25,536.34
Receipts from outside sources 6,861.02
Net Expenditure by Town of
$18,675.32
Plainville
The receipts for 1933 are expected to be approximate- ly $1300 greater than in 1932.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES H. PEASLEY, Chairman FRANK O. PATTON, Secretary ELMER G. RALSTON
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Plainville School Committee :
I have the honor to submit to you my ninth annual report as Superintendent of Schools, and the twenty- seventh in the series of reports.
Introduction
For last year's report I submitted, in detail, the ex- penditures in itemized form as the main part of the Superintendent's report. As the general handling of the school budget and the savings that have been pos- sible in the appropriation of 1932 have been presented in your report, I shall not repeat the detailed items, but raise certain questions concerning the operation and the principle of public schools in view of the financial situation.
Are Schools Worth The Cost?
Teachers' salaries have been questioned in most com- munities. With the need for retrenchment in public expenditures, a reduction of the major item in the budget must be considered. In discussing this a number of factors are essential. In general, teachers' salaries have been always below the return which other profes- sions and industry have paid for similar or less pro- fessional training. The teachers, in general, accepted this situation because they had not chosen the teaching profession for the purpose of large returns and because the return has been considered steady and dependable. With the present situation the other returns which have in most cases been far higher are, in some, lower today. This tendency toward equalizing should be considered. In this town the salaries have not been ever at their highest point equal to the salaries in surrounding places or with the state average. Therefore a small reduction here may be an equal, or even greater loss to a teacher than several times as great a change in other places. A recent article by Professor Munro used the phrase in considering the operation of schools of "cheap bread and costly brains." The bread of the schools is the buildings and the equipment. The brains are the teach- ing force. In considering relative returns the former
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ANNUAL REPORT
may be much reduced with less danger than when the latter are concerned. The personnel of any educational or industrial plant is the most vital factor in any under- taking. It may seem that in industry the intricate and complicated machine is more important than the oper- ator but a poor operator may easily ruin the best machine. It takes "costly brains" of the highest order to perfect and improve the machinery. This is consid- ered a fundamental part of any industry. This com- parison is equally true in education.
Is the transportation of school children worth the cost? Many of us can remember walking to school much greater distances than children do today. Trans- portation conditions in general have changed greatly in the last twenty-five years. The highways are not as safe. Almost every newspaper has supporting data for this statement. It might well be better for many pupils to exert themselves more than at present in getting to school. A large percent of the children in the homes are not trained to walk any great distance. If there is an errand to be done, the family car is used in doing it. Many young people of high school age are given oppor- tunities to go to the places where they wish to go by the family car or in a friend's car. All members of the home have changed their own habits of walking. The school in this matter as in other items is a reflection of what the home collectively does, and furnishes that which has been asked and often emphatically demanded by the home.
Another factor enters. A reduction would undoubted- ly reduce the number attending after the compulsory school age. A census of the question of transportation in one town recently resulted in a vote ten to one against requiring pupils to walk greater distances. The school readily reflects the wishes of the home.
The expenditures for fuel and light have remained rather constant until recently. The price of coal in the annual contract for coal has been a very low figure in comparison with the general prices. No great difference could be made in this expenditure with the present heat- ing conditions.
The education supplies and books are the tools in our trade. A drastic reduction in these will reduce the
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ANNUAL REPORT
efficiency of the product. A substantial reduction was made this year with a definite drive on thrift and savings by every teacher with her pupils. Further reduction in supplies and school equipment is planned in the 1933 budget.
Is the supervision of school worth while? The more intensive and scientific supervision of schools has grown in the last twenty-five years. This has been a parallel to a similar progress in business and industry. Roger Babson, one of the most eminent financial authorities, makes a statement that the most important factor in the operation of any enterprise is the personnel of the man- agement. Our Commonwealth has recognized this factor when requiring a superintendent of schools. It has also financially assisted small towns such as ours by paying a substantial part of that cost and through that means regulating the quality of the service by its power of certification and financial assistance.
New equipment has been drastically reduced and under present conditions can be continued. This, of course, will, of necessity, require enlarged expenditures in suc- ceeding years.
The item for maintenanec for the sake of the safety and health of the pupils demands certain minimum ex- penditures. This item has been reduced fifty percent and for a time can be continued.
The expenditures for health have been low. Legal requirement, as well as the health of the pupils, re- quires this expenditure.
The items listed as miscellaneous operating expenses have been reduced to a minimum.
Each of the items plays its part as given above in making possible the education of the children of the citizens of Plainville. The demand for education has greatly increased. 317 pupils are being educated at the present time against 291 pupils in average membership in 1932, 301 pupils in 1931, 303 pupils in 1930, 299 pupils in 1929. The membership in 1922 was 237 pupils and in 1921 227 pupils. The demand and the needs which of course require financial support have not grown less as in many business enterprises which have been able to
94
ANNUAL REPORT
curtail expenditures but have increased. This increase in the product of the schools has been carried on with a less proportional increase in the support of schools.
Are schools worth the cost?
How Can You Measure A School?
Definite rules and charts have been formulated where- by the physical properties of a school may be scienti- fically measured. We can say fairly definitely whether a building is properly designed to carry out its purpose -the education of the children of the community which has been taxed to build and maintain that building.
For the last twenty-five years there has been a steady increase in the efforts to test and measure the educa- tional product of the schools, or, in other words, to see whether the pupils themselves have acquired the educa- tion for which they are sent to school. Many of these are fairly definite and concrete in registering their re- sults. From time to time the Plainville reports have recorded the results of a number of these tests. Many people may raise the question whether these tests cover the essential elements of an education. Many people, as well as educators, differ decidedly in their definition of an education. There are many things for which it is not yet possible to make an objective measurement. It is possible to say how well a pupil can read the multipli- cation table, translate a page of Caesar, do an experi- ment in chemistry, or typewrite a letter. Can we show objectively what is the inspiration for interest in read- ing, a desire to continue one's own educational growth, the love for the best in music and in art and in drama, the interest in history, the desire for better citizenship and loyalty to our country? A prominent speaker re- cently suggested a more intensive "Course in Citizen- ship." We may and are teaching the elements of civil government, the principles and history of our Republic but we can never teach the desire to make our country better and stronger. We can only inspire by the daily life and personality of the people with whom our chil- dren come in contact. These people are the teachers and ourselves. The first essential is that we, ourselves, set this high standard, the teachers alone cannot do it. We may rightly demand a higher standard from the
95
ANNUAL REPORT
teachers. They are trained and selected for this pur- pose. These elements, however, we cannot put into a test as we would of a teacher's ability to do arithmetic or translate a language.
When a person may say that he acquired from contact with his teachers an interest in the better and the higher things in his own life, in his business, and in his civic activities, those teachers measure up to the highest standard. If the contact in the school is creating an interest in worth while books, healthful sports, creative hobbies, better movies, and practical student enterprises, then a solid foundation is being laid for interest in the best civic enterprises and social organizations and prac- tical duties of citizenship in adult life. While we have no yardstick by which we may measure these elements, the teaching staff is consciously and earnestly striving toward this goal.
Brief comment follows on certain activities during 1932.
The teachers have cooperated with the Plainville George Washington Bi-Centennial Committee in bring- ing on many occasions this subject before the pupils. The High School art classes have taken part in the Norfolk County Game Plan which had the objective to interest the pupils of high school age in local town plan- ning. This was a most fitting way to honor the one who guided the planning of our national capitol. Essays on Plainville in the year 2032 were written by all Juniors and Seniors. The prizes were awarded through the gen- erosity of the Plainville Board of Trade to Beryl Ken- erson, first prize and Elizabeth Patton, second prize.
At one of the series of teachers' meetings Miss Ruth Faulkner of the Massachusetts Society for Mental Hygiene presented the topic of "Mental Hygiene." The magazine "Understanding the Child" is furnished free by that society to all public school teachers in Massa- chusetts. A continuation of the study of the possibilities of mental hygiene in helping solve many educational problems has been carried on as one of the important topics for professional study.
Recently I started a series of articles called "Know Your Schools in Plainville" which, with the kind co-
96
ANNUAL REPORT
operation of the editors, have been published in the newspapers of most of the surrounding cities. The pur- pose of this series of articles is to present to the citizens information to help them know their own schools. Every Friday night with hardly an exception there has been a column of "School News." This has been done with the excellent co-operation of the newspapers. This new series of articles by the Superintendent of Schools is aimed not to replace but to supplement the present plan. The purpose will be to present general procedures, plans of operation, principles and objectives of various school practices.
Summary Of Reports
Comment on the reports which have been submitted to me by those in charge of special school activities follows :
I The report of Harry L. Dixon, Principal of the High School.
Of reports from high school principals, this is one of the most valuable I have seen. The important topic of study habits by high school pupils has been extensively investigated with the assistance of the teachers and the pupils. The conclusion which suggests more organiza- tion of study periods under the supervision of the teachers with a longer school day is in accord with the accepted educational principles and practice in many Massachusetts communities. I urge the careful ex- amination of this plan at educational meetings.
I quote from the report.
"There is always the tendency on the part of those not in direct contact with classroom procedure to think of teaching dealing with only the learning of facts. This is the minimum result to be sought by a school which is at all progressive. At the other end of the scale of objectives is the mental development of the individual. If he can be taught to think, then the school is success- ful. If he is taught to study, the school has done by him as well as he can possibly ask.
"The High School Faculty has believed this and so wrote a questionnaire on study habits based very largely on suggestions given by the students themselves. The
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ANNUAL REPORT
results of this questionnaire combined with what other information we had leads us to the conclusion that more effort should be put on the actual process of studying. This can not be done unless the student and the teacher can work together. As the schedule is now this co- operative effort is not possible to a very great extent. We therefore make the proposal that the length of the school day be extended from 1:30 to 3:00 so that time may be provided for the working together of teacher and student, not merely on subject matter to be learned but that the pupil may be lead toward the mastering of the way in which to most efficiently do his studying and thus better fit himself for the later demands of higher education or the very important and essential duties as an active, worth while, co-operative, and intelligent citizen in his community."
II The report of Mrs. Harriet F. Washburn, Super- visor of Music.
Valuable progress is seen in primary school activities. The band has grown in members and interest. I quote :
"Our Olde Folks Concert in Music Week last May was most attractively given, with songs, dances and cos- tumes of Washington's time. The Grammar School graduation as well carried out the Bi-Centennial idea in plays and a cantata telling of incidents in Washington's time and life.
"The addition of a course in Elementary Harmony in High School has been made. This is done for those who are to become teachers or supervisors of Music. A week- ly period is given and is proving quite interesting. I hope more will want to take it next year, for it is very helpful even if one plays simply for his own amusement."
III
The report of Mrs. Rowena B. Rice, Supervisor of Art.
Essential facts in the report are :- 1, Plan for a new course of study for grades and high school,-2, high school handicraft class did work in block-printing, batiking, leather tooling, copper work and silver jew- elry,-3, Winners in the Game Plan were: First prize, Fred Paul, second prize, Corris Hofmann, third prize, Harold Snell,-4, winners in the George Washington
7
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ANNUAL REPORT
poster contest were: High School-First prize, Eliza- beth Patton, second prize, Barbara Kenerson, third prize, Corris Hofmann,-Grammar School-First prize, Alfred Hartman, second prize, Esther MacNeill, third prize, Arthur Ronhock.
IV The report of the School Nurse, Mrs. Ruah M. Harris.
This report gave an interesting summary of the monthly reports which are made to the school com- mittee. Very faithful watch on the health condition of the pupils is kept and notices sent to the parents. Lec- tures, talks, and motion pictures are used in presenting health instruction. Through the Chritmas Seal Fund one boy was sent to summer camp where he "derived much benefit from camp and upon returning home showed a gain of eight pounds."
V The report of the School Physician, Dr. Willis L. Hale.
The annual examination has been completed. Fre- quent inspections of pupils in the classrooms and the sanitary conditions of the buildings are made. All pupils entering school athletics are given special and more ex- tensive examination. The Chadwick Clinic for preven- tion of tuberculosis will be held soon.
It has been a pleasure to respond to the considerate co-operation and active interest of the School Committee to face the many problems and unusual circumstances in the administration of the schools in 1932.
Respectfully submitted, LAURENCE G. NOURSE.
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ANNUAL REPORT
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES PLAINVILLE HIGH SCHOOL June 23, 1932
Class Colors-Old Rose and Silver Motto-"He who labors conquers" Class Flower-American Beauty
Program
Processional
High School Orchestra Seniors
Invocation
Rev. John W. Annas
Song-"An Old Garden"
Hope Temple
School
Salutatory Ronald C. Darling Selection High School Orchestra
Address
Dr. Henry F. Waring
Wheaton College
Song-"Columbus Returns" William Brown
School
Valedictory
Alpin Chisholm
Presentation of Diplomas Mr. Charles H. Peasley Chairman School Committee Presentation of Alumni Awards .... Mr. George Prance President P. H. S. Alumni Assn.
Benediction Rev. John W. Annas Recessional
Graduates
High School Orchestra
Class Roll
General Course Alpin Chisholm Ronald Carlton Darling Ruth Helen Fisler Donald Edward Grant Hope Rogers
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ANNUAL REPORT
GRADUATION EXERCISES OF PLAINVILLE GRAMMAR SCHOOL June 15, 1932
- Program -
George Washington Bi-centennial Pledge Cantata-"George Washington"
Text by Romanie Van DePoele Music by J. V. Dethier
Group 1
1. "George Washington" 2. "His Childhood"
3. "His Education"
PLAY-"All About Washington" by Julian Lee
SCENE-An interior where children are studying
Characters
Billy Charles Nowick
Lee Bagley
Edward
William Hurst
Washington
America Ruth Clampitt
Irene Brodeur
Betty Arleta Franklin Louise James Hurkett
Bobby
Ruth Wolf
Mary
Alexander Franchey
Tommy
Other children: Cornelia Sharron, Helen Thompson, Beatrice Allen, Cecelia Ronhock, Leona Boerger, Walter Fink, Hazel Waterman, Ruth Pearsall, Dorothy Henrich.
Group 2
5. "Manhood"
4 "Youth"
7. "Revolution"
6. "Ferment"
PLAY-"At Valley Forge" by Julian Lee
SCENE-A camp at Valley Forge
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ANNUAL REPORT
Characters
Sentry Alfred Hartman Washington Chester Anderson
Carson Wendell Washburn
Soldiers : John Brockway, Donald Peckham, Herbert Fish, Everett Skinner, Lee Bagley.
Group 3
8. "French Help"
9. "The Constitution" 10. "Presidency"
Presentation of American Legion School Awards
By HENRY F. CATERER, Commander of John E. McNeill Post, No. 217
Presentation of diplomas and awards LAURENCE G. NOURSE Superintendent of Schools
Program under the direction of Miss Mildred Robbins and Mrs. Harriet Washburn
Graduates
Beatrice Elizabeth Allen
Chester Arthur Anderson
Lee Milton Bagley
Leona Mary Boerger
Irene Mary Brodeur
Ruth Clampitt
Walter Theodore Fink
Herbert Joseph Fish
Alexander Allen Franchey
Arleta Franklin Arthur Wendell Washburn, Jr. Alfred Harry Hartman Hazel Irva Waterman
Dorothy Eleanor Henrich Ruth Harriet Wolf
James George Hurkett William Albert Hurst Charles Gerard Nowick Ruth Frances Pearsall Cecelia Florence Ronhock Cornelia May Sharron Everett Willard Skinner Florence May Snell Helen Slater Thompson
Miss Mildred Robbins, Teacher Harry L. Dixon, Principal
102
ANNUAL REPORT
Perfect Attendance for the School Year 1931 - 1932
High School
Donald Breen Earle Cook Alice Fairbanks Ralph Keyes
Brainard MacNeill Grace Morse Charles Peasley Hazel Pike
Grade 8
Lee Bagley
Grade 7
Robert Hayes Clifton Everett
Clarence Everett
Grade 6
Ruth Cook David Feid
John Grzenda Harland Nash
Clarence Snell
Grade 5
Florence Everett
Wellington Gillis Robert Osterholm
Norman Feid
Gerald Rammel
Grade 4
Barbara Peckham
Edward Gillis
Lucy Simmons
Helen Grant
Grade 3
Adella Klos
Robert Gardner
Marjorie Anderson
Grade 2
Frank Grzenda
Ruth Feid Arlene French
Edward Rogala
Grade 1
Kenneth Peck
Eileen Feid
Ruth Clampitt
Irene Brodeur
103
ANNUAL REPORT
STATISTICS
Average number of days the Elementary Schools were in session
Plainville
180
Average for State (Group III Towns) 176
Number of days the High School was in session Plainville
186
Average for State (Group III Towns) 182
Data on costs of schools is included in the main report of the School Committee. This topic is explained in detail.
Extracts from the School Census of October, 1932
Males Females Total
Pupils between 5 and 7
21
24
45
Pupils between 7 and 14
123
101
224
Pupils between 14 and 16
40
20
60
184
145
329
Sight and Hearing Tests
Number of pupils examined 307
Number found defective in eyesight
24
Number found defective in hearing
3
Number of notices sent to parents
27
Work Certificates
Number of employment certificates issued
3 Number of educational certificates issued 7
LIST OF TEACHERS-January 1, 1933
School
Name
Where Educated
Date of Appt.
High
Harry L. Dixon
University of Illinois
1929
Marion W. Gillis
Radcliffe College
1929
Alice Heywood
Boston University 1928
Elizabeth Reynolds
Bryant & Stratton
1931
Grammar 8
Mildred H. Robbins
Truro Normal School
1929
Grammar 7
Esther M. Allen
Framingham Normal School
1931
Grammar 6
Beatrice H. Wood
Framingham Normal School 1930
Primary 5
Edith F. Tuttle
Fitchburg Normal School 1930
Primary 4
Sylvia E. Ahola
Bridgewater Normal School
1930
Primary 2 & 3
Murielle Fuller
Bridgewater Normal School 1930
Primary 1
Katherine Howard
Bridgewater Normal School 1930
Music Mrs. Harriet F. Washburn
Boston Normal School 1927
Drawing
Mrs. Rowena B. Rice
Worcester Art Museum School
1927
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE AND GRADE, OCTOBER 1, 1932
GIRLS
Ages
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Totals
Grade 1
7
6
1
Grade 2
3
2
14
Grade 3
5
7
2
14
Grade 5
6
3
2
2
2
3
10
1
1
17
Grade 8
7
5
1
13
High School
1st year
3
7
3
13
2nd year
.
1
1
1
3
3rd year
4
7
11
4th year
4
9
2
15
Post Graduate
Totals
7
9
8
13
17
6
16
18
10
11
8
12
9
3
147
BOYS
Ages
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Totals
Grade 1
7
6
1
14
Grade 3
3
3
3
Grade 4
2
15
2
1
2
1
23
Grade 5
3
9
2
2
1
17
Grade 7
4
10
1
4
19
Grade 8
2
9
3
1
1
16
High School
1st year
2
7
3
12
2nd year
4
6
1
1
12
3rd year
4
2
2
1
9
4th year
1
2
2
5
Totals
7
12
11
6
21
17
14
18
16
19
15
5
5
2
1
169
.
13
Grade 7
3
1
1
2
13
6
7
1
1
15
Grade 6
6
7
1
14
9
Grade 6
6
7
2
2
1
1
19
1
1
Grade 2
5
Grade 4
ATTENDANCE TABLE FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE, 1932
Aggregate
Attendance
Average Daily
Attendance
Total
Membership
Average
Membership
Per cent. of
Attendance
Number of
Tardy Marks
Number of
Dismissals
High School
11,095
59.62
70
63.28
91.70
47
11
Grade 8
5,021.5
27.97
33
29.98
93.30
4
0
Grades 6 & 7
6,654
37.06
44
38.76
95.65
15
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