USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Plainville > Plainville, Massachusetts annual reports 1934-1941 > Part 22
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65
Reserve for Petty Cash Advance: Public Welfare
$75.00
Dog Licenses Due County
187.20
Reserve for Water Extension
925.90
Reserve for Road Machinery Equipment
1,335.52
State Parks and Reservations Tax
(Balance to be Provided for)
7.45
County Tax (Balance to be Provided for)
13.21
Unexpended Appropriation Balances
13,738.74
Reserve Fund-Overlay Surplus
359.88
Overlays-Reserved for Abatement of Taxes: Levy of 1935
$1,554.04
Levy of 1936
1,326.51
2,880.55
Revenue Reserved Until Collected:
Motor Vehicle Excise Tax
$334.62
Special Assessment
31.75
Tax Title
1,889.03
Departmental
4,051.23
Water
3,319.16
9,625.79
Surplus Revenue
24,769.77
$53,919.01
DEBT ACCOUNTS
Net Funded or Fixed Debt:
General
$3,000.00
Water
1,400.00
$4,400.00
High School Addition Loan
$3,000.00
Water Supply Loan 1908
1,400.00
$4,400.00
TRUST ACCOUNTS
Trust Funds, Cash and Securities
$727.30
School Fund
$727.30
97
Annual Report
of the
School Committee of
Plainville, Massachusetts
PLAINVIL
MASS 16 colog) 128
COLONY
MASS.
Angle Trey
THAM.
1673-
2-1664-
-1905
PLAIN
VILLE
19
05.
4 190
CORPORATED.
APRIL
Year Ending December 31, 1936
1ยบ NMOI WREN
100
ANNUAL REPORT
School Officials
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
HENRY S. TAMBLYN, Chairman Term Expires 1937 Telephone North Attleboro 1112W
LeROY B. WILSON, Secretary Term Expires 1939 Telephone North Attleboro 288
FRANK O. CORBIN Term Expires 1937
Telephone North Attleboro 1146-W (Appointed to fill vacancy caused by resignation of Elmer G. Ralston)
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 ap- pointment.
Authorized to Issue Work Certificates HARRY L. DIXON Telephone North Attleboro 830
School Physician DR. ALLEN R. HOWARD Telephone North Attleboro 159
School Nurse MRS. RUAH M. HARRIS Telephone North Attleboro 1115-W
Attendance Officer ELMER C. PEASE
101
ANNUAL REPORT
SCHOOL CALENDAR-1936-1937
Elementary and High Schools:
First term opens September 9, 1936 First term closes December 23, 1936 Second term opens January 4, 1937 Second term closes February 19, 1937 Third term opens March 1, 1937 Third term closes April 23, 1937 Fourth term opens May 3, 1937 Fourth term closes: Elementary Schools-June 18, 1937 High School-June 25, 1937
Holidays for all Schools:
October 12, 1936 November 11, 26, and 27, 1936 April 19, 1937 May 30, 1937
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 ele- mentary 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.
Plainville NO SCHOOL signals are broadcast over the following radio stations.
W NA C 7:00 A. M. to 7:15 A. M. and 7:30 A. M. to 8:15 A. M. WEAN at 7:30, 7:45, and 8:15 A. M. W JAR 7:30 to 8:00 A. M. WPRO 7:30 to 8:00 A. M.
102
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of the Town of Plainville:
We are glad to be able to report that the co-ordination of the work of Grades VI, VII and VIII, that has been in operation for nearly three years, has fully proved its worth and we propose to make this permanent.
The curtailment of the appropriation asked for, con- sidered necessary by the voters, forced us to make some drastic revisions in the budget presented with our last year's report. These sharp reductions in expenditures for books and supplies, fuel, miscellaneous operating expenses, main- tenance and new equipment can be made for one year with- out serious harm but, if continued, will affect the efficient conduct of our schools.
We want to again call your attention to the condition of our heating plants, and we will repeat from our last year's report:
"The various units are old and inefficient and we are apt at any time to have breakdowns that are liable to force repair expenses of hundreds of dollars. Your committee is strongly in favor of a central heating plant to do away with all of the antiquated units now in use. We realize that the town is not yet in a position to take care of this outlay, al- though we are convinced it would be an economy in the long run. It is our aim to keep the present system going with as little expense as possible until we feel the time is ready to ask the voters for a central system."
Through a W. P. A. Project, and the cooperation of the Selectmen, the school yard has been graded.
Practically nothing has been available for badly needed repairs, both exterior and interior, and it is problematical how much longer this work can be postponed without serious harm to the property.
In June, 1936, we lost three teachers. Mrs. Marian W. Gillis went to the Malden High School and Miss Grace L. Knox and Miss Grace A. Grant went to Farmington, Connecti-
103
ANNUAL REPORT
cut, schools. Their places were taken by Miss Amanda P. Macy, Miss Virginia Prario and Miss Muriel L. Moore.
We ask you to study carefully the following financial statements and Superintendent's report.
Money available for Schools in 1936
Appropriation
$25,000.00
Interest on Town School Fund
21.98
Refund on Town Hall Lights
..
97.70
$25,119.68
Expenses
General Expenses:
School Committee
$120.00
Superintendent's Salary
1,599.96
Expenses
171.23
Expenses of Instruction:
Salaries, High and Elementary
15,617.71
Books and Supplies, High and Elementary 1,006.42
Operation of School Plant:
Janitor
1,664.00
Fuel
936.94
Miscellaneous
524.11
Maintenance
259.03
Health
422.16
Transportation
2,675.00
New Equipment
24.60
Tuition
97.92
Total
$25,119.08
Balance .60
The town received during 1936 from the State on Ac- count of Schools:
General School Fund, Part I $2,500.00
General School Fund, Part II 3,049.67
104
ANNUAL REPORT
For Superintendent
For High School
773.33 1,050.00
$7,373.00
From the Town of Wrentham for Tuition
156.62
From the Tuition of State Wards 85.67
Total $7,615.29
Total Expenditure for 1936
25,119.08
Receipts from outside sources
7,615.29
Expenditure by Town of Plainville 1936 $17,503.79
PLAINVILLE SCHOOL COMMITTEE BUDGET 1937
Budget 1937
Expended 1936
Expended 1935
Expended 1933
Expended 1931
School Committee
$120.00
$120.00
$120.00
$120.00
$
Superintendent's Salary
1,600.00
1,599.96
1,599.96
1,599.96
1,600.00
Expenses
170.00
171.23
160.37
60.28
121.83
Teachers' Salaries
15,550.00
15,617.71
15,939.18
15,544.37
16,200.25
Books and Supplies
1,700.00
1,006.42
2,005.84
631.25
1,573.68
Operation of School Plant:
Janitor
1,664.00
1,664.00
1,696.00
1,523.20
1,646.00
Fuel
1,216.00
936.94
1,218.47
509.00
1,533.24
Miscellaneous
465.00
524.11
482.59
271.54
551.48
Maintenance
600.00
259.03
610.83
291.58
377.77
Health
445.00
422.16
420.97
427.33
387.82
Transportation
2,675.00
2,675.00
2,675.00
2,393.50
2,675.00
Tuition
300.00
97.92
New Equipment
315.00
24.60
370.19
392.06
$26,820.00
$25,119.08
$27,299.40
$23,372.01
$27,059.49
LEROY B. WILSON, Secretary FRANK O. CORBIN
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY S. TAMBLYN, Chairman
106
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Plainville School Committee:
I have the honor to submit to you my thirteenth annual report as Superintendent of Schools and the thirty-first in the series of reports.
Visual Education
The Plainville Schools, through the help of the Parent- Teacher Association and other organizations in town, secured a motion picture machine. This was one of the first schools to take up actively this new form of visual education. Re- cently a 16 millimeter machine has been secured. The old machine required a licensed operator and the expensive 35 millimeter reels. The new machine may be used without re- strictions at any time by each classroom teacher. It is, there- fore, possible to use this more extensively and individually in each classroom with greater efficiency for direct instruc- tional purposes. A committee of teachers has studied the many new films that are available on topics of interest to ele- mentary, grammar school and high school pupils. A schedule has been published giving the time when each of these films will be available. This plan will make far more efficient the program in visual education. If one sees the enthusiam of the pupils in the classroom on having these pictures avail- able, one sees at once the added interest which they take in the school program.
Horace Mann
1937 is the Centennial for Horace Mann. On June 29, 1837, he was appointed Secretary of the newly created Massa- chusetts Board of Education. His efforts to build up the public school system in Massachusetts have become known throughout the nation and have placed the name of Massa- chusetts foremost in education. His accomplishments and educational ideals are being studied and lauded by many schools in this state especially and also throughout the nation. A committee for the observance of this Centennial has been appointed by the State Commissioner of Education. Every opportunity for bringing the facts of the life and work of Horace Mann before the attention of the older pupils and public in general will be used in 1937. As an example of the
107
ANNUAL REPORT
conditions that Horace Mann found in the schools in 1837, the following quotation may be interesting: "I have good reasons for remembering another class of schoolhouses where there never was a severely cold day, without the ink's freez- ing in the pens of the scholars while they were writing; and the teacher was literally obliged to compromise between the sufferings of those who were exposed to the cold of the win- dows and those exposed to the heat of the fire, by not raising the thermometer of the latter above ninety de- grees, until that of the former fell below thirty. It was an ex- cellent place for the teacher to illustrate one of the facts in geography; for five steps would have carried him through the five zones." As an example of the educational ideals of Horace Mann, the following quotation is worthy of thought. It is as valuable in 1937 as 1837 for it gives the basis on which the purpose of public education is founded. "Educa- tion must be universal. It is well, when the wise and the learned discover new truths; but how much better to diffuse the truths already discovered, amongst the multitude! Every addition to true knowledge is an addition to human power; and while a philosopher is discovering one new truth, millions may be propagated amongst the people. Diffusion, then, rather than discovery, is the duty of our government. With us, the qualification of voters is as important as the qualifi- cation of governors, and even comes first, in the natural order. The theory of our government is,-not that all men, however unfit, shall be voters,-but that every man, by the power of reason and the sense of duty, shall become fit to be a voter. Education must bring the practice as nearly as possible to the theory. As the children now are, so will the sovereigns soon be. Education must prepare our citizens to become municipal officers, intelligent jurors, honest witness- es, legislators, or competent judges of legislation,-in fine, to fill all the manifold relations of life. For this end, it must be universal. The whole land must be watered with the streams of knowedge."
Professional Growth of Teachers
At the present time, there is an exceptionally strong in- terest on the part of many teachers in professional advance- ment. More teachers are taking courses in education now than at any time in the past. One must in teaching, as in any other profession, be constantly in contact with the growth of the science of that profession. In order to give some
108
ANNUAL REPORT
recognition to those who have given of their time, energy, and financial resources for this purpose, I am giving below the list of the teachers who have been taking courses in various colleges.
I. List of teachers who took Professional work last summer:
Elizabeth A. Reynolds, 2 courses
Katharine I. Howard Harry L. Dixon
II. Who are taking courses during first semester of this school year.
Elizabeth A. Reynolds
Mildred H. Robbins Virginia Prario Muriel L. Moore
Katharine I. Howard
III. Who plan to do so second semester.
Elizabeth A. Reynolds Katharine I. Howard
Barbara E. Houston Beatrice H. Wood Rowena B. Rice
Each fall the Norfolk County Convention gives one day of real opportunity for the teachers of this county to hear the best speakers on current educational topics. This con- vention has been of great value to all and especially to the beginning teachers.
The elementary school principals have recently organ- ized a group in this section of the state. The elementary school principals in Plainville have been active in this work and received much from their part in these meetings. The high school principal has attended the state and district meetings of the high school principals. Recently, Miss Kath- arine Howard with the Superintendent visited in Reading, Massachusetts, where a day was given to the study of the
109
ANNUAL REPORT
teaching of reading. The teachers had opportunity to visit classes where methods in the teaching of reading were being demonstrated. During the afternoon, special demonstrations and a lecture by Professor Durell of Boston University on "Means for Improving the Teaching of Reading" took place. Superintendents and selected teachers from a large number of towns were present to gain information and help on im- proving the reading program. This is a sample of a very practical means for the improvement of the school program. Other topics and other teachers will have similar opportuni- ties at various times. Also, general teachers' meetings are called after school for the teachers in the two towns in this school union. The next meeting of this type will be held shortly at which Dr. Hollis P. Allen of the Graduate School of Education, Harvard University, will be the speaker on the topic, "Ear-marks of a Good Teacher." The superintend- ent at regional, state, and sometimes at national meetings of superintendents has opportunities to keep in touch with the current activities and progress in he administration of schools. It is also equally important that through many means such as outlined above each teacher receives help and inspiration for making progress in his or her special work or school responsibility.
There has been a Plainville Teachers' Club in the past but during the past year it has become very active and started a worthwhile professional program. In February 1936 it be- came affiliated with the State Teachers' Federation. The re- cord of the Plainville teachers is given in the following quo- tation from Mr. Dixon's annual report. "No longer can the principal of a school afford to neglect to impress his teachers with the importance of a professional attitude. A glance at the record of Massachusetts teachers as they are enrolled in the National Educational Association is enough to prove the point. I am proud to be associated with a group of teachers, all of whom belong to the state teachers' federation and fifty percent of whom belong to our national professional organi- zation."
School Bulletins
With the start of this school year occasionally bulletins have been sent through the pupils to all parents. Whenever some topic arises which the Scool Department feels should be brought to the attention of the parents, a general bulletin
110
ANNUAL REPORT
of information is prepared and when this has been approved by the School Committee, it is sent out. The bulletins since the start of this plan have been No. 1, "The No School Plan" by which information was given in regard to the start of a plan for broadcasting through the courtesy of four radio stations the information concerning the "no school" signals. In the past, many parents, due to weather conditions, have been unable to get the local signals. Bulletin No. 2 outlined the work of several unusual activities of the High School Commercial Department. This bulletin not only gave these items as interesting information but also gave parents infor- mation which might help them in guiding pupils to take up this work when they reach high school. Bulletin No. 3 outlined the schedule of the motion picture films which are being used in all classrooms. In addition to their value for instructional purposes for the pupils, any parents who might be interested in the topics on this schedule are most welcome to visit the schools at the time of these showings.
Teaching of Spelling and English
During the past fall, the teachers have been studying the teaching of spelling in our schools. Miss Robbins was chair- man of the committee of teachers from the two towns for this study. The present system was inaugurated several years ago. Several changes and the use of new material and some new type of procedures have resulted from this study. This material will be purchased as soon as possible and the pro- cedures recommended put into operation. At the present time, a similar study of the very basic subject in the school program, that of instruction in English, is going through a similar procedure. The text books in English were adopted in 1926. There are many changes in the newer text books in this field. The available material from more than a half dozen publishing houses will be studied. The text books have needed to be changed for some time both because of their educational need and because of the physical condition of the books. This will be a substantial item in the school bud- get, but the need is pressing.
School Assemblies
The educational value of an assembly period is widely accepted. Some school systems recognize this on the regular daily program. With us, however, only special assembly pro-
111
ANNUAL REPORT
grams have been used. The pupil requires the social, that is the group experience and training, as well as the individual mental development. A number of references to this type of work in our schools during the past year were made in the reports which I have received. Miss Katharine I. Howard reports in the Primary School as follows.
"This year a very progressive educational theory was worked out in the Primary Building. Each grade had full charge of a half hour assembly program. Grade 4, Columbus; Grade 1, Thanksgiving; Grade 5, Christmas; Grades 2 and 3, Eskimo Program, as a follow up of an Eskimo study in school work. The remainder of the assembly periods is in charge of a committee consisting of four to five pupils in each grade. The first assembly in charge of this committee is an 'Arith- metic Review,' showing progress in arithmetic through five grades."
The following quotation is from Miss Robbins.
"Another interesting feature of our year's program has been the successful Assemblies, in which pupil participation has been the central idea. It is largely through such programs and the regular weekly Club meetings that a background is built up for such successful demonstrations of pupil ability as was shown in the Grammar School Graduation last June.
Another type of assembly program has been made possi- ble by the recently purchased motion picture machine. Visual education has become an interesting and helpful part of our year's work, as has also the school radio, with music apprecia- tion."
THE HIGH SCHOOL Mr. Harry L. Dixon, Principal
Quotations from the report of the High School Princi- pal follow.
"We consider our students as individuals of varied abili- ties. No two of us are able to do the same things with the same success. Therefore there is no place for a school pro- gram which does not provide for an elastic quality so that the students may find their places in which they may meet
112
ANNUAL REPORT
with an appropriate amount of success. Even with our neces- sarily limited Course of Study we are making this possible. We have added three courses in the last six years which have been definite steps in this direction: Economics, Biology, and Problems of Democracy."
"Students vary also in their interests which cover quite a spread at times. A school in which the teacher gives a proper recognition to the real interests of the boys and girls is one which is making a start which is psychologically sound. We all try to find some student interest to which to attach the new material. The fact that we have small classes and are' thus able to know our students intimately permits us to make this approach to our teaching which is denied teachers in larger schools."
"One of the finest ways in which students, teachers, and administrators can be brought together for cooperative ef- fort is in what is generally termed the Student Council. My experience with Student Council has been that they serve to inform the principal of needed reforms regarding certain faculty requirements as well as to present the student repre- sentatives with the view points, held by the faculty, which are responsible for the details of school regulations under con- sideration. Students are just as intelligent as teachers and are just as willing to think a problem through to its logical answer as are the teachers. They often need additional facts in order to find a logical answer. I believe the opportunity must be given the Student Council to function if we are to do what we should to foster the ideals of Democracy. Our future as a democratic nation depends on what we give its future citi- zens in the way of a chance to think in terms of that form of society. To insure just this chance we foster a cooperative program for Plainville High School students in which each teacher finds an active and intimate part. The Student Coun- cil should be, and locally is, the starting point in the planning of such a program.
"The athlete is often in the public eye and so gets his share of public recognition which urges him on to better ac- complishment. Many of our students are not able to play competitive sports, therefor, we encourage activities which include those students of varying abilities. Self-confidence, cooperation, attention to details, cencentration, industry and many other fine qualities are developed by those who take
113
ANNUAL REPORT
part in the actual cast of a play, in the handling of the pro- perties, in the sale of tickets, in prompting, etc. Here too, we find that a finer feeling of school and class loyalty is de- veloped which is ample proof that this sort of activity should be encouraged in our high school."
"Our graduates who are in college are giving a credit- able account of themselves. Miss Corris Hofmann is now a senior at the University of Illinois where she is majoring in Chemistry. She is one of the comparatively small group of 81 undergraduates to be placed on the Dean's List which distinction is based upon the scholastic averages made by the individuals concerned. Mr. Roderick Chisholm and Mr. Ed- ward C. Heintz, Jr. are now juniors at Brown University where they are making exceptionally fine records which have been responsible for affording them the opportunity to fol- low the Honors Program which carries with it privileges not enjoyed by the average undergraduate. None of the Plain- ville High School graduates who have entered college since 1933 have failed to maintain their class standing. The grad- uates of the Commercial Department of the High School are making good progress also. The evidence for this is found in the large number of recent graduates who are securing positions in business offices."
THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Miss Mildred H. Robbins, Assistant Principal
The experiment in reorganizing the work of the Gram- mar grades was started in September 1934. After two full years of operation it is time that the results should justify the change. This plan was called the cooperative plan because it meant a closer working together of the three teachers in a closer contact with all pupils of these grades. Although this has been called by some a Junior High School the organiza- tion, the number on the staff, and the school equipment is inadequate for justifying such a title. This plan, however. has many of the most valuable features of the Junior High School organization. The following quotation from the re- port of Miss Mildred H. Robbins, who has recently been appointed Assistant Principal of this school, is of interest. This statement is of special significance because of Miss Rob- bins' experience with this school under two different organiza- tions and her previous wide experience in other schools.
114
ANNUAL REPORT
"The success of the recently developed 'Co-operative Plan,' in Grades VI, VII, and VIII is, I am sure, apparent to all who are in any way familiar with the school and its pro- gram. The pupils who have gone on to High School, under the new system, have been found to be more efficient stu- dents, having developed study habits which were impossible to foster under the old program.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.