USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Plainville > Plainville, Massachusetts annual reports 1922-1933 > Part 71
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Subscribed and sworn to before me this 3rd day of June, 1933.
ARTHUR W. WASHBURN, Town Clerk.
26
ANNUAL REPORT
PROCEEDINGS OF STATE ELECTION OF CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION DELEGATES
The special State Election was held in the Town Hall, Plainville, Tuesday, June 13, 1933. The Town Clerk read the Warrant and return thereon.
Ballot Clerks : Dacia Anderson and Fred Northup.
Tellers : Alice Ribero and Frank King.
Ballot Box and Police Officer : Charles Harris.
The above named having been sworn to the faithful performance of their duties, the polls were declared open at 6 A. M.
The polls were declared closed by unanimous vote at 2:45 P. M.
Total number of ballots cast were 359, and 359 names were checked on the voting list and ballot box registered 359.
The results of the balloting were as follows, viz :-
To ratify or reject the following amendment to the Constitution of the United States, proposed by Joint Resolution of Congress.
Text of the Proposed Amendment
Section 1. "The eighteenth article of Amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.
Section 2. "The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Section 3. "This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Consti- tution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress."
Fourteenth Congressional District Delegates Opposed to Ratification (Against Repeal)
J. Frederick Barden of 8 Kilton Street, Taunton ... 118 William A. Bartlett of 28 Ash Street, North Attle- borough 119
Mary W. Hart of 193 Winter Street, Fall River 117
Delegates Favoring Ratification (For Repeal)
Spencer Borden of Interlachen, Fall River 203
Robert M. Leach of 44 Harrison Street, Taunton 202 John B. Morin of 9 School Street, Attleboro 218 Blanks 100
"Shall licenses be granted in this town for the sale therein of wines and malt beverages ?"
YES
240
NO
115
Blanks
4
ARTHUR W. WASHBURN,
AWW-PW
Town Clerk.
28
ANNUAL REPORT
ASSISTANT TOWN CLERK
Plainville, Mass., Mar. 7, 1933.
To Charles S. Cobb of said Plainville,
Sir :
By virtue of the authority in me vested, I do hereby appoint you Assistant Town Clerk of said Plainville with all powers, duties and authority appertaining to said office with full power of revocation.
ARTHUR W. WASHBURN,
Town Clerk.
Plainville, Mass., Mar. 7, 1933.
I do hereby solemnly swear to faithfully and honestly perform the duties of Assistant Town Clerk of the Town of Plainville so help me God.
CHARLES S. COBB.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 7th day of March, 1933.
ARTHUR W. WASHBURN, Town Clerk.
A true copy. Attest :
ARTHUR W. WASHBURN,
Town Clerk.
29
ANNUAL REPORT
Notification of Vote Passed by the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Plainville
April 13. 1933.
A. W. Washburn, Town Clerk.
Dear Sir :
At a special meeting of the Selectmen held April 8, 1933, it was voted to grant licenses in the Town of Plain- ville for the sale of 3.2 Beer and Wines according to law.
PLAINVILLE BOARD OF SELECTEMEN, M. M. Rines, Clerk.
A true copy. Attest :
ARTHUR W. WASHBURN, Town Clerk.
Notification of Vote Passed by the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Plainville
Dec. 7, 1933.
A. W. Washburn, Town Clerk.
Dear Sir :
At the regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen held Dec. 7, 1933, it was voted to grant licenses in the Town of Plainville for the sale of all Alcoholic Beverages ac- cording to law.
ARTHUR L. CROWLEY, WILLIAM H. NASH, Selectmen of Plainville.
A true copy. Attest :
ARTHUR W. WASHBURN, Town Clerk.
30
ANNUAL REPORT
LICENSES RECEIVED BY TOWN CLERK FOR YEAR 1933
Number of dogs licensed, 211 $557.00
1 Breeder's license 25.00
$582.00
Less fees
42.40
$539.60
15 Common Victuallers
@ $ 3.00 each $ 45.00
3 Inn Holders
@
5.00 each 15.00
1 Auctioneers
@ 2.00 each 2.00
7 Pool and Billiards
@
5.00 each 5.00
17 Lord's Day
@
3.00 each
51.00
12 Gasoline
@
1.00 each
12.00
1 Beauty Parlor
@
1.00 each
1.00
1 Franchise Fee
@
1.00 each
1.00
6 3.2 Beer and Wine
@ 200.00 each 1,200.00
2 Alcoholic Beverages 734.00
Amount turned over to Town Treasurer . . $2,605.60
ARTHUR W. WASHBURN, Town Clerk.
31
ANNUAL REPORT
BIRTHS RECORDED IN PLAINVILLE DURING 1933
Date
Name
Parents
June 15, 1928-Marilyn Ann Proal
Sumner T .- Mary V.
Nov. 15, 1932-Helen Antoinette Strong Frederick C .- Helen E.
Dec. 22, 1932-Richard Melvin Paulus Ernest-Rita C. Jan. 1, 1933-Carol Whiting Maxcy Ernest L .- Ruth G. Jan. 14, 1933-Lois Marjorie Wilson
LeRoy B .- Eunice A.
Feb. 14, 1933-Patricia May Pearsall
Howard J .- Maude E.
April 4, 1933-Payson Bennett Averill Payson B .- Edna P.
May 19, 1933-Francis Joseph McGowan
Francis E .- Dorothy B.
May 22, 1933-Lorraine Marie Dion
William-Leah P.
June 1, 1933-Rene Emile LeBlanc
Emile-Marie G.
June 2, 1933-Doras Ruth Seymour
Israel-Ruth G.
June 13, 1933-Alden Ballou Franklin
Jesse W .- Frances W.
July 2, 1933-George Joseph Parenteau
Albert-Rita P.
32
ANNUAL REPORT
July 19, 1933-Barbara Jean Snell Herbert-Valore Y. Aug. 29, 1933-Michael Joseph McDonald Michael J .- Mary B. Sept. 25, 1933-Barbara Jeanne Harris Frank D .- Hattie R.
Oct. 4, 1933-Ronald Alec Frederickson Alec-Elsie G.
Oct. 29, 1933-Shirley Helen Paquin George N .- Shirley Ida Nov. 2, 1933-Joan Theresa Blais Hormidas O .- Genevieve W. A true copy. Attest :
ARTHUR W. WASHBURN,
Town Clerk.
33
ANNUAL REPORT
MARRIAGES RECORDED IN PLAINVILLE DURING 1933
Date
Name
Married by
May 10, 1933-Romeo Mailly, Plainville Mercedes St. Onge, Central Falls, R. I.
Rev. J. A. Laliberte
June 8. 1933-Alfred Travers. E. Prov., R. I. Alice Soffa, Providence, R. I. Rev. Henry G. Budd, Jr.
June 12. 1933-Joseph Francis McQuade. Plainville Gladys Miriam Hutchinson, Plainville Rev. James J. Walsh
July 1, 1933 -- John Milledge Anderson, Prov. R. I. Olive Louise Woodworth, Plainville Rev. Robert L. Taylor
July 24. 1933-Vincent B. Franklin, Plainville Marion D. Bartlett, Franklin
Rev. Henry G. Budd, Jr.
July 26, 1933-Earl B. Barrows, Plainville Elizabeth B. Salzman, Plainville Rev. Eber Eldon Craig
July 29, 1933-Hendrik Oldenbrook, Medford Virginia Christine Rydon, Somerville Rev. Henry G. Budd, Jr.
Aug. 8. 1933-Milton I. Burnes, E. Parsonsfield, Me. Jeanete Olins, Chattanooga, Tenn. Rev. Gilbert A. Potter
Aug. 13, 1933-Alonzo H. Card, Bowdoin, Me. Harriett A, Brockway, Plainville Rev. Frederick A. Dyckman
3
34
ANNUAL REPORT
Aug. 27, 1933-Oscar N. Nelson, Plainville Marjorie L. Taylor, Lowell Rev. Lloyd B. Byron
Nov. 3, 1933-Alton E. Hewes, Attleboro Evelyn Agnew Dupee, Plainville Rev. Gilbert A. Potter
A true copy. Attest :
ARTHUR W. WASHBURN,
Town Clerk.
DEATHS RECORDED IN PLAINVILLE DURING 1933
DATE
NAME
Yr. Mo. Da.
CAUSE OF DEATH
Dec. 28, 1932-Ida Florine Keach
77
3
4
Aortic regurgitation
Jan. 16, 1933-Charles Adolph Brunner
79
8
8
. Myocarditis
Jan. 17, 1933-Mary Bradley Craik
78
5
19
. Lobar pneumonia
Feb. 22, 1933-Inez Maud Bacheller nee Spinney
64
8
21
( Chronic valvular endocarditis, .
¿ chronic myocarditis
Mar.
2, 1933-Adolph Michael Eger
82
10
2
. Arterio sclerosis
Mar. 9, 1933-George Herbert Bacheller
73
5
10
. Cerebral hemorrhage
Mar. 18, 1933-Oscar L. Walden
80
6
11
. Mitral regurgitation
Apr. 8, 1933-Delia Hartman
87
1
26
. Chronic myocardial degeneration
Apr. 9, 1933-Charles Wilson
75
5
. Fracture neck, arterio sclerosis
May 3, 1933-Elizabeth A. (Vickers) Entwistle
81
1
. Arterio sclerosis
May 7, 1933-Helen Ernestine Roessler
45
10
20
Arterio sclerosis
May 24, 1933-William Bishop
69
5
24
. Cerebral hemorrhage
Aug. 26, 1933-Glen Edward Beaulieu
2
22
. Lobar pneumonia
Sept. 3, 1933-Caleb David Burdge
18
5
11
. Intestinal obstruction
Sept. 29, 1933-Louisa P. Guild (Bennett)
76
3
10
. La Grippe
Nov. 16, 1933-Harriett Emily Franklin
(Ray)
84
1
3
. Cerebral hemorrhage
Nov. 20, 1933-Ida J. Rand .
78
11
. Cerebral hemorrhage
Nov. 26, 1933-Frank Wilson Averill
55
1
29
. Cerebral hemorrhage
A true copy. Attest:
ARTHUR W. WASHBURN, Town Clerk.
36
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF TOWN CLERK EXPENSES for Year ending December 31, 1933
Amount appropriated
$ .42
Express
20.00
Postage
4.50
Stenographer
9.59
Supplies
4.25
Dog Notices
37.50
Fees
150.00
Salary
13.00
Binding Records
239.26
Unexpended balance
$45.74
ARTHUR W. WASHBURN, Town Clerk.
$285.00
37
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF REGISTRARS' Expenses for Year ending Dec. 31, 1933
Amount appropriated
. $100.00
Salaries
Fred W. Northup
$20.00
Frank King
20.00
Harold Anderson
20.00
Arthur W. Washburn
20.00
80.00
Unexpended balance
$20.00
ARTHUR W. WASHBURN,
Town Clerk.
38
ANNUAL REPORT
JURY LIST Town of Plainville, Massachusetts - 1933 - 1934
Name
Address
Occupation
Anderson. Chester A., South St.
Machinist
Averill, Frank W., South St.
Merchant
Barney, Frank E., Spring St.
Jeweler
Bennett, Philip A., Broad St. Jeweler
Bird, Elijah H., South St. Jeweler
Blanchard, William E., Walnut St.
Jeweler
Dodge. John W., Warren St.
Jeweler
Holt, Harry A., Spring St. Retired
Kenerson, Harry C., East Bacon St.
Machinist
McKeil. Byram H .. Spring St.
Truck Driver
McNeill. James E .. Bacon Square
Laundryman
Parmenter. Lyman H., Lincoln Ave.
Painter
Quirk, Charles. South St.
Painter
Rines. Millard M., South St. Farmer
Schubert, Otto, South St.
Jeweler
ARTHUR W. WASHBURN,
Town Clerk.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
School Committee OF
PLAINVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS
PLAIN
ILL
MASS 16 Colony 28 COLONY
NMOI
WREN
Angle Trey
THAM.
1673
-1664
1905.
...
PLAIN
VILLE
INCORP
19
05.
1.1905
NOV 20 TH
ORATED
APRIL
E. MASS.
FOR
Year Ending December 31, 1933
41
ANNUAL REPORT
School Officials
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
FRANK O. PATTON, Chairman. Term expires 1934 Telephone North Attleboro, 507-R-2.
ELMER G. RALSTON, Secretary Term expires 1935 Telephone North Attleboro, 1223.
DR. N. C. BULLARD Term expires 1936 Telephone North Attleboro, 337-J.
Meeting of the School Committee is held in the office, Town Hall Building, on Wednesday preceding the third 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 at the Town Hall Building every Tuesday, and other days by appointment.
Authorized to Issue Work Certificates HARRY L. DIXON Telephone North Attleboro, 830.
School Physician DR. WILLIS L. HALE Telephone North Attleboro, 339-W.
School Nurse MRS. RUAH M. HARRIS Telephone North Attleboro, 1115-W.
Attendance Officer ELMER C. PEASE
42
ANNUAL REPORT
SCHOOL CALENDAR, 1933 - 1934
Elementary and High Schools:
First term opens September 6, 1933.
First term closes December 15, 1933.
Second term opens January 2, 1934. Second term closes February 21, 1934. Third term opens February 26, 1934. Third term closes April 15, 1934.
Fourth term opens April 23, 1934.
Fourth term closes :
Elementary Schools-June 15, 1934. High School-June 22, 1934.
Holidays for all Schools :
October 12. November 11.
Thanksgiving Day and the day following.
January 1. February 22. April 19. May 30.
School Sessions :
High School: Regular session, 8 to 1:30; extra session, 1:30 to 3:30.
Grammar School: 9 to 12 and 1 to 3. Primary School : 9 to 11:45 and 1 to 3.
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.
43
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Plainville :
The Committee reports the successful completion of a most unusual and difficult year in the operation of its public schools. The school year was shortened by only one week and that is to be made up in 1934. In consider- ing the many towns that have been obliged to entirely eliminate the work of their schools for several weeks or have been unable to pay their employees for part of the school year, the Committee feels that the Plainville record justifies much satisfaction. This result has been accomplished by exceptional procedures. The 10% con- tribution by the teachers and the Superintendent has helped to make possible the net cost of schools and at the same time to maintain and in fact to increase the reimbursements to the town from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The 10% cut in contribution by the other School Department employees and the transporta- tion contractor has materially helped reduce the budget for the past year.
The expenditures for school supplies and equipment have again this year been drastically reduced and in fact much more than on the previous two years' reduction. This has undoubtedly worked a hardship on the pupils and reduced the efficiency of the instruction. Further curtailment of the purchase of janitor's supplies such as oil, soap, paper towels, etc., and a restricted use have been necessary in order to keep within the school budget. A drastic reduction in the amount of fuel purchased dur- ing the past year has been absolutely necessary. The plan has been started this present school year to try out the use of Coke in place of Anthracite coal. It seems probable at this time that this change will work for greater heating efficiency and be the source of a substan- tial financial saving.
The co-operation of the Plainville Civil Works Admin- istrator has made possible during the Christmas vacation
44
ANNUAL REPORT
the redecoration of the ceilings and walls of the class rooms in the primary building and two of the class rooms in the grammar school. Some valuable equipment and materials are left from this project which, as soon as funds are available, the Committee would advise using for a completion of this work. This work has made these class rooms clean, bright and attractive.
The following financial statements concerning the ex- penditures for the Plainville School Department and the estimated budget for 1934 deserve your most careful and thoughtful consideration. The curtailment in the past two years has made problems which must be met.
Money Available for Schools in 1933
Appropriation $23,300.00
Interest on Town School Fund 25.67
Refund on Town Hall Lights 48.00
Total
$23,373.67
Expended
General Expenses :
School Committee $ 120.00
Superintendent's Salary 1,599.96
Expenses 60.28
Expenses of Instruction :
Salaries, High and Elementary .. 15,544.37
Books and Supplies, High and Elementary 631.25
Operation of School Plant :
Janitor 1,523.20
Fuel 509.00
Miscellaneous 271.54
45
· ANNUAL REPORT
Maintenance
291.58
Health
427.33
Transportation
2,393.50
New Equipment
Total
23,372.01
Balance
$1.66
The town received during 1933 from the State on Account of Schools :
General School Fund, Part I
$3.370.00
General School Fund, Part II
2.957.15
For Superintendent
773.33
For High School
1,000.00
$8,100.48
From the Town of Wrentham for
Tuition
60.04
From Tuition of State Wards
221.18
Total
$8,381.70
Total Expenditure for 1933
$23,372.01
Receipts from outside sources
8,381.70
Expenditure by Town of
Plainville
$14,990.31
Total of Contributions by School
Staff
1,406.23
Net Cost of Schools, 1933
$13,584.08
Net Cost of Schools, 1932
18,675.32
This is a reduction of $5,191.24, or 28 per cent, in the net cost of education.
46
ANNUAL REPORT .
1933 STATE REPORT
Expenditure per Pupil from Local Taxation
Plainville
$59.68
Wrentham
72.64
North Attleboro
68.23
Foxboro
67.48
Attleboro
68.03
Mansfield
67.22
Fall River
63.92
State Average - Group III Towns
70.11
BUDGET 1934
Expended Expended Expended
Budget 1934
1933
1932
1931
School Committee
$ 120.00 $
120.00
Superintendent, Salary
1,600.00
1,599.96 $ 1,600,00 $ 1,600.00
Expenses
90.00
60.28
101.64
121.83
Teachers' Salaries
16.350.00
15,544.37
16,289.87
16,200.25
Books and Supplies
1,000.00
631.25
1,122.54
1,573.68
Operation of School Plant:
Janitor
1,581.00
1,523.20
1,644.00
1,646.00
Fuel
1,290.00
509.00
1,032.89
1,533.24
Miscellaneous
335.00
271.54
393.74
551.48
Maintenance
375.00
291.58
181.73
377.77
Health
426.00
427.33
414.93
387.82
Transportation
2,583.00
2,393.50
2,675.00
2,675.00
New Equipment
250.00
80.00
392.06
TOTALS
$26,000.00 $23,372.01 $25,536.34 $27,059.49
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK O. PATTON,
Chairman
ELMER G. RALSTON, Secretary
DR. N. C. BULLARD.
47
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Plainville School Committee :
I have the honor to submit to you my tenth annual report as Superintendent of Schools and the twenty- eighth in the series of reports.
The past year has been an unusual one in the opera- tion of public schools for the school system reflects the unusual circumstances, the uncertainties, and the finan- cial retrenchments that have been common among the public in general. The maintenance of school standards has been faced with an increased enrollment and a de- creased financial support especially in the grammar school grades and the high school. I believe the school staff has met this situation courageously and uncom- plainingly and given their best efforts to maintain the school standards and especially to increase the effective- ness of the work which they have been doing. It has been a year of educational progress. I shall set forth some of the educational activities and procedures which have been started or emphasized in 1933. Following this, comment will be made on some present problems and future needs of the schools.
Study Habits
At joint meetings of the teachers of the Norton High School and the Plainville High School the problem of the study habits of pupils has been considered extensively. A study of the habits and customs of the pupils during time for study at home and at school was made. The available professional books on the topic of "How the Teachers May Help the Pupils to Improve Their Methods of Study" were analyzed. A pamphlet, "Sug- gestions for Obtaining Improved Results From Study," was drawn up. This pamphlet was the result of a very systematic and careful study of the question by the Principal and teachers in the Plainville High School. This pamphlet was placed in the hands of each pupil in
48
ANNUAL REPORT
the high school. The teachers have endeavored in gen- eral talks and by practical demonstration with pupils in the various class periods to make the suggestions prac- tical and valuable. More and more school officials are coming to the conclusion that more important than the subject matter of the school curriculum-the dates in History, the formulas in Mathematics, etc .- are the mental habits, the point of view and the attitudes which are developed by the pupils while going through their high school training. The following introduction to the pamphlet which was given to the students sets forth this point of view :
"High School students should be considered success- ful when, because of the training and development obtained in their high school classes, they are able to reason out a logical answer to some of their problems. The ultimate aim, then, of the classroom should be to give the same benefits to the student's brains as physical exercise does to his muscles. The learning of facts, such as dates, formulas, etc., has the same place in the train- ing of the student's mental structure as' the usual calesthenics may have in the improvement of his mus- cular structure. But the ability to use the mind in complex situations often confronting it is the end sought by Education, in much the same way as the ability to use the various muscles, in a properly co-ordinated man- ner, is the end sought by a team trained to play basket- ball.
"The sincere, conscientious student is neved satisfied with the results which he is getting. He wants to know how to improve; how to get more accomplished in a stated time ; how to work for longer periods at a high rate of efficiency. No one suggestion will work for all students. In most cases there are probably a number of ideas which may be of value to a student. Many of these ideas have been found helpful in schools similar to ours. It is hoped that they may be used to the benefit of all members of this student body."
A similar plan with suggestions for Grammar School pupils has been started. The aim is to make the assign-
49
ANNUAL REPORT
ment of lessons more helpful to the pupils and to discov- er methods for helping the pupils to improve their own study habits. These efforts continued over a period of time will produce substantial results. In order to be entirely effective, the co-operation of parents is neces- sary since a large part of the study time is at home. I urge parents at all opportunities such as Parent-Teacher Association meetings, school exhibitions and, best of all. when parents visit the schools, to talk with the teachers to help improve the methods and habits of study at home. Any parent may have a copy of this study bulletin.
Monthly Health Bulletin
One of the outstanding developments of modern education has been the emphasis on instruction in health. Without a sound body mental development is wasted. Every social investigation has pointed out the need for thorough instruction in health.
Last spring the recent course of study in health educa- tion, which was prepared by the Massachusetts State Department of Education, was carefully examined by all teachers under the direction of the School Nurse. This fall, in order to give additional help and suggestion for this work, the School Nurse has outlined a definite pro- gram for each month in the school year.
The work of the School Nurse requires a large amount of health inspection. Equally important and for lasting results, perhaps more so, is the health instructional work. The Course of Study and materials have been used by the class room teachers. This monthly bulletin on health education, supplemented by the talks to pupils and per- sonal suggestions to teachers by the School Nurse, is a new feature this year. The effective carrying out of this program will bear fruit in the improved health conditions and make less remedial and correctional work neces- sary. The old saying that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" applies in health activities.
4
50
ANNUAL REPORT
PUPIL MARKING SYSTEM
Both parents and teachers recognize the many evils and difficulties inherent in any marking system. They frequently advocate giving up all plans for marking pupils. A recent example of this is the city of Newton where all marks and report cards have been abolished. The reasons which that school system gave for this unusual action were :
1. Marks are unfair to the child.
2. They foster unhealthy competition.
3. Marks do not give parents any important know- ledge of their children.
In place of the usual plan a semi-annual note to each parent is sent by the teacher. There are also month- ly visiting days for parents. Any system which gives up formal reports requires much more active co-opera- tion and interest on the part of parents in visiting school and keeping in touch with the class room teacher than is usual in the average public school. This new plan has very distinct advantage provided this co-operation exists.
Our teachers have made and will continue to make every effort to make marks mean more and be of greater value to both pupils and parents.
The marking plan in the high school is very much influenced by the college entrance systems. The recent tendency is to depend less on the entrance mark of the candidates to colleges. Several colleges admit pupils after an examination of their high school record on the basis of their record in the Scholastic Aptitude Test. The newest plan has been announced by Dartmouth Col- lege. They have given up the examination and certificate system and will allow pupils to enter exclusively on the result of their record in high school. This is a most
51
ANNUAL REPORT
revolutionary step but if it succeeds, it will give the pupil a chance to have greater freedom in devoting his time to the field which is most valuable to him without regard for general and rigid college system. This plan puts greater emphasis on the quality of the every day work and progress of the pupil and also puts greater responsibility on the teachers for stimulating the indi- vidual interests and finding out the latent possibilities of the pupils. The high school staff has been making a list of items which they feel affect the standing and gen- eral progress of a pupil in high school. These have been considered at conferences with groups of parents. From these investigations it is hoped that a list of character- istics will be drawn up which may be added to the high school report in order that parents may have as much information as possible concerning the factors which in- fluence the progress of pupils in high school.
A conference or a getting-together of the teacher and the parent for the purpose of looking over the progress of the pupil concerned is the surest way of helping the school progress of the pupil. The characteristics or habits which a pupil is acquiring or developing are more important than his progress in the subjects which he is . studying or the marks which the teacher assigns.
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