USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Plainville > Plainville, Massachusetts annual reports 1942-1950 > Part 41
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ANNUAL REPORT
2. School Buildings:
Early in this twenty-five year period an addition was made to the High School building. This allowed the organiza- tion of the Junior High School. For several years the increase of school enrollments has been most evident in the primary grades. Gradually it has been necessary to give up the double grades in several rooms until at the present time there are single grades for each room. Now with an enrollment of forty-one in the first grade and the possible first grade en- rollment for at least the next four or five years of forty to forty-five pupils further steps must be made to meet the school building needs in Plainville. The active consideration of this problem to meet both the elementary and the Junior-Senior High School needs by the special School Planning Committee appointed by the town is to be highly commended. It has been a pleasure during the past year to meet at various times with this committee. I believe an excellent report and recommen- dations to the Town will be made by this committee.
3. Teaching Staff:
Objectives for education, buildings in which to carry on educational plans are needed, but both fail unless there is a qualified highly trained, devoted, inspired school teacher in the classroom. Competition to get the best teachers, of course, exists. Each town wishes to get such teachers. Many professional advantages such as the opportunity to work in a school system dedicated to the highest ideals and with a pro- fessional minded staff may induce young teachers to accept a position. A reasonable salary in relation to both the cost of living and the salary offered in other communities must, how- ever, be available to attract or long hold capable teachers. As far as competitive conditions have made possible, the Plainville schools have tried to secure the best trained young graduates of the teachers' colleges and the liberal arts col- leges. It has been recognized that our schools could not com- pete with the wealthy in holding such people for a long serv- ice. Through special assignments and teaching principalships, several such outstanding teachers have and are being held. During the war and the recent postwar years, there has been, as we all are aware, a great shortage of teachers. The in- creased competition for the type of teacher we have described has increased drastically. In the rapid increase in teachers' salaries, our schools have made reasonable progress, but have
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ANNUAL REPORT
not kept up with the general increase. This problem is under serious consideration by the School Committee at the present time.
"America needs teachers. She needs teachers whose hearts will leap when children run to meet them in the morn- ing, whose eyes will flash with pride when the schoolhouse door swings open. She needs teachers who are trained and dedicated to the building of a better generation and a better world."-N. E. A. News.
4. The Pupil:
All of the factors listed above are centered on and directed towards the pupil. The aims of education, even the physical conditions in the classroom and the training of teachers, have more and more centered around the objective of making the pupil an active participant in the process of education. Mere memorization of facts from textbooks or from the teacher's experience is not sufficient. Countless stories have been told of pupils being exposed to information and then failing to act upon it. A pupil has often left a lecture on "Safety" to run out into the street and be run down by an automobile. A lesson in honesty may not prevent cheating in an examination. The active cooperation of the pupil in wanting to learn, in recognizing the worth-whileness of the objectives and in work- ing to take his place in our society must be secured. A growth in this direction in teaching methods has taken place. A brief reference was made to this situation in the elementary school in last year's report. A similar change in point of view as to the place of the pupil in the process of education is taking place in the High School field also. An examination of many of the current High School activities and class procedures shows that this is taking place here also. The recently re- vised pupil accounting records and school report cards in both elementary and high school illustrate the same objective.
Social Studies
A committee of teachers representiing the Elementary schools and the High Schools for both Norton and Plainville have been meeting this Fall to discuss and analyze our current practice in the teaching of Geography and History. A Profes- sor from the State Teachers' College at Bridgewater has been present at one meeting to offer advice and suggestions to this
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ANNUAL REPORT
committee. A careful study of the aims and contents of school work in this field as recommended by our State Department of Education and in certain outstanding School Departments is being studied as the basis of our own plans and procedures. The textbook material in this field at the present time in our schools is badly in need of replacement. Teaching in this field furnishes the most important approach to the problem of help- ing our young people to appreciate and make as their own, the American way of life-our Democracy.
Brief Summary
Many important educational activities were started or carried on with exceptional success during the past year. Limitation of this report allows brief mention of only a few of them.
I wish to express appreciation for the outstanding service during the past seven years of Mr. F. Sumner Turner as prin- cipal of the high school. It has been a plasure to have him as a leader in our school system because of his enthusiasm, energy and high educational ideals.
During the past year Mrs. Isabel Maddocks resigned as school nurse after giving several years of faithful service to this work. Mrs. Janet W. Claudy was elected to this position and has started this work with much enthusiasm and ability.
This fall a new basketball league called the Mayflower League has been organized. This will do much to standardize and to put on an organized basis school competition in this sport. Mr. Turner was active in the organization of this league and the Plainville Lions Club is one of the clubs which is presenting the trophy for competition in this league.
During the past year the Plainville Parent-Teacher Asso- ciation and the Plainville Lions Club have both given large sums of money and active support to many school enterprises. Both organizations have done this in the past and I wish to record sincere appreciation of the continuance of this splendid work.
The School Lunch program which has been brought up to a very high standard has continued during the past year. The schools have been fortunate in having Mrs. Cheever and Mrs. Lougee continue in its operation. The School Lunch program is a valuable asset to the health of our pupils.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Special attention is called to the comment of Miss Wood, Principal of the Primary School, in her report concerning pen- manship and reading. The new penmanship system is also in use in the Junior High School. A new and intensified addition to the reading program has just been started by Mrs. Brinton in the Junior High School which will supplement the work in the Primary Schools under Miss Wood.
During the past year Mrs. Harriet Washburn has returned to supervise the music in the Primary Schools. Pupils and teachers are both very happy to record their appreciation of her work in our schools. The recent Christmas operetta is an expression of the benefit of her supervision.
This last fall Mr. Nahum P. Gillespie was secured to take charge of the music in the Junior and Senior High Schools. Mr. Gillespie has been an instructor in Dean Academy and at the present time is supervisor of music in the Norton schools, and also conducts his private studio in Brockton. I feel confident, before the end of the school year, that there will be in various public events tangible evidence of the value of his work.
Careful consideration to the following reports is urged:
PLAINVILLE JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. Roland L. Wolcott, Principal
Having assumed the duties as Principal of the Plainville Junior-Senior High School on December 6, 1948, I consider it impossible to present a full report of school activities for the past year.
An administrative change during the school year presents problems for an administrator, the faculty, and the student body. Recognizing this fact, I feel that any major changes in the educational program must await a careful study of our problems. After only two weeks, I am unable to present such a report. I can assure you that every possible effort will be made to constantly improve the educational program in the Plainville Junior-Senior High School.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Upon my arrival, I was pleased to find arrangements nearly completed for the purchase of a new motion picture projector. This equipment is now available for use in class- rooms and assemblies. At my request, the School Committee has provided a sum of money for film rentals. It is our plan to book as many desirable films as we can profitably use for specific classroom teaching-learning purposes. Films con- taining more general information for use with larger groups will be reserved for assemblies.
May I take this opportunity to thank personally the mem- bers of the School Committee, Mr. Nourse, and the faculty for their fine cooperation since my arrival.
PRIMARY SCHOOL
Beatrice H. Wood, Principal
It is with pleasure that I submit my sixth annual report on the activities and progress of the Primary School.
When school opened in September, the enrollment by grades was as follows:
Grade 1
37
Grade 2
28
Grade 3
23
Grade 4
26
Grade 5
26
140
At the present time 147 pupils are enrolled. The first and second grades are particularly large-much larger than they have been for some time.
During the fall I have spent one day a month visiting the various classrooms to observe the presentation of our new Penmanship system and the progress of Reading.
In October we introduced the Kittle System of Writing. This system was planned by a former teacher of many years
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ANNUAL REPORT
experience. She had ample opportunity to observe the diffi- culties confronting children learning to write, and from her experience and observation evolved a most effective way of teaching Penmanship. We noted an improvement soon after the introduction of the system-not only in regular penman- ship drills, but also in the carry-over to other written work.
Reading is progressing satisfactorily. We are endeavoring to continue drill in phonics in the upper grades so that the pupils will be able to sound out for themselves new and un- familiar words.
Reading classes are divided into groups, each group read- ing different books, according to its ability. On the whole, the majority of our pupils are up to grade, and many are able to read material far beyond their grade level.
This year, Miss Allen, the third grade teacher, has given half-an-hour one day a week to each grade for the purpose of teaching them games, folk dances and athletic skills. This period was planned as part of our preparation for Play Day.
Our playground, being situated on all sides of the building, is a difficult one to supervise. An effort is made to have at least one teacher on duty from the time the first bus arrives in the morning until the last bus leaves at night.
All grades participate in supervised play at recess, but at other times the pupils play freely by themselves. In order to simplify the problem of supervision, pupils who do not come to school on the bus have been requested to remain away from the school grounds until 8:30 in the morning and 12:30 in the afternoon.
In the spring, Play Day was held in the Town Park. The program consisted of competitive games, races, stunts, folk- dances, the crowning of the May Queen, and was featured by a bicycle parade.
Our Memorial Day program, for the first time in several years, was combined with the Junior High and High School programs. Once again we were privileged to have as guests veterans of both World Wars and members of the Legion Auxiliary.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Our annual Exhibition of school work was well attended and provided an excellent opportunity for parent-teacher conferences.
During National Education Week we held Open House and welcomed many visitors. On one afternoon tea was served in the school lunch room after school, and this, too, resulted in a pleasant and profitable social hour.
This year, Mrs. Washburn, our Music Supervisor, coached a Christmas operetta, "Thirty Minutes with Santa Claus." Every child in school took part, either as one of the stage characters, or as a member of the group singing Christmas songs. Without Mrs. Washburn's help this presentation would have been impossible, for she gave unstintingly of her time and experience in order that the operetta would be a success.
As usual, the pupils enjoyed several movies related to their school work.
Mr. Hawkins, of the Registry of Motor Vehicles, gave a talk and showed movies about Safety.
Miss Worthington, from the Hood Milk Company, spoke on the nutritional value of milk, and also showed movies about this subject.
Again, through the kindness of the Parent-Teacher Asso- ciation and the School Committee, the fifth grade enjoyed the nature Study classes conducted by Mr. Dennis, Superintendent of the Bird Sanctuary at Sharon, and sponsored by the Massa- chusetts Audubon Society. These classes included lectures, movies, demonstration lessons, field trips, exhibits, and cul- minated in a visit to the Bird Sanctuary.
Our financial activities were much the same. The pupils contributed generoussly to the March of Dimes, the Junior Red Cross (again we achieved an enrollment of 100 percent), and the Tuberculosis Drive.
In the spring we held our annual campaign to sell seeds.
The girls and boys brought in many toys and gifts which were sent overseas for Christmas.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Once more, may I commend Mrs. Cheever for her tact and patience with the children, and for the nutritious lunches she serves each day.
To the Primary School teachers, also, my gratitude for their cooperation and efforts in trying to make the Primary Building a pleasant and efficient place for both teachers and pupils to work.
They join me in thanking you, Mr. Nourse, for your help and understanding, and the members of the School Committee for their support and consideration.
ART
Louise B. Spier, Supervisor
"Art is understood by all civilized Nations while each has a separate language."-Plato.
The pupils of the high school art classes and the sixth, seventh and eighth grades have been painting pictures of every day life to send to foreign countries under the International Art Exchange program which is sponsored by the National Art Education Association and the American Junior Red Cross. Czechoslovakia, France, Sweden, Venezuela, Belgium, Greece, Japan and Canada are countries participating in this exchange program. The opportunity to give children of other countries an idea of life in America and to help promote a better under- standing and friendliness with other nations is of utmost value to our young people. It is hoped that eventually there will be pictures in return from some of these foreign countries.
The art program has continued as usual throughout the grades. Children have had the experience of using crayons, finger paint, easel paint, watercolor and pempera. They do representation, design and simple construction work, corre- lating with regular subjects wherever possible. The first grade painted six nursery rhymes in large panels; the second grade, a mural on planting through harvesting crops; the third
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ANNUAL REPORT
grade, a mural on Mexico; the fourth grade, ten panels on ships; the fifth grade, a series on the development and history of bicycles; the seventh grade, large illustrations of Valley Forge, Paul Revere, John Paul Jones and maps of historic places.
At Open House, last May, about forty-five or fifty people visited the high school exhibition of art, mechanical drawing and craft work. Examples of students' works in pencil, crayon, pastel, pen and ink, watercolor and tempera done through the year were shown.
The results of the Massachusetts S. P. C. A. annual poster contest were as follows:
1st Prize-Anne Kilham Grade 5
2nd Prize-Peter Hemmingsen Grade 7
Honorable Mention-Elizabeth McQuade Grade 4
The first prize was a silver pin; the second prize, a bronze pin; and the honorable mention, a year's subscription to the Society's magazine.
My sincere thanks to Mr. Nourse, the principals and teach- ers for their continued cooperation and loyalty.
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Dr. John T. Cotter
All children attending the Plainville Schools were exam- ined and the general health was found to be good. There was noted the usual percentage of dental defects which were listed and parents notified. Second in number were the cases of in- fected tonsils, which were also noted and parents notified.
The annual diphtheria prevention clinic was held during the spring of 1948, and the pre-school examinations were held in May 1948.
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ANNUAL REPORT
The examinations for the years 1948-1949 are in progress at present.
There has been an outbreak of ringworm of the scalp in surrounding communities, and to date three cases have been discovered in Plainville's school. The necessary precautions are being taken, and any suspicious cases will be examined as they appear.
It is planned to hold the usual diphtheria prevention clinic and pre-school examinations in the spring.
I wish to thank Mrs. Claudy, the school nurse, for her able assistance to me.
SCHOOL NURSE
Mrs. Janet W. Claudy
A pre-school clinic was held in the spring, at which time children scheduled to enter school in the fall received physi- cal examinations. Physical defects were noticed, and parents were notified, so that any physical impairments might be remedied prior to the opening of school.
Plans are being made to hold a Diphtheria Clinic this spring. Children from nine months to twelve years of age are eligible to attend, and to receive the immunization treat- ment for Diphtheria.
During the month of November, all students were given hearing and vision tests, and notices of defects were sent to parents.
Annual physical check-ups of all students are in progress. Senior students, all faculty members, and personnel have re- ceived chest x-rays.
I should like to thank Dr. Cotter, Mr. Nourse, Mr. Wol- cott, and each member of the teaching staff for the coopera- tion given our program of health.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Closing
The Plainville School Committees have been through these twenty-five years sincerely devoted to the task of maintaining and constantly raising the educational standards in the schools. I know, as few others have had the opportunity to observe, the many demands of the school committees responsibilities. The present school committee is faithfully meeting the needs of the school. It is a pleasure to work under such leadership.
Respectfully submitted,
LAURENCE G. NOURSE, Superintendent.
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ANNUAL REPORT
PLAINVILLE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION
Exercises, June 23, 1948
PROGRAM
Processional Seniors
Invocation-The Lord's Prayer Chanted by the Glee Club
Salute to the Flag Audience
America (1st and 4th verses) Audience
Salutatory-"The Eyes of the Future" Gordon Ray Anderson
High School Glee Club "Moonlight and Roses"
Lemare
"Love Thy Neighbor"
Gordon and Revel
Valedictory-"Carpe Diem"
Mildred Arleta Franklin
Presentation of Class Gift Edward Fryer Rose
President, Class of 1948
Presentation of Plainville High School Alumni Award Mr. Arthur W. Washburn, Jr. President of Plainville High School Alumni Association
Presentation of Awards to Graduating Class F. Sumner Turner, Principal
High School Glee Club "Out of My Dreams" Rodgers and Hammerstein
Address-"The Measure of Success" Albert O. Davidsen
Director, Sturdy Memorial Hospital
Diplomas presented by Clinton E. Barton Secretary, Plainville School Committee
Star Spangled Banner Audience
Benediction Recessional
Reverend John M. Bowmar Seniors
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ANNUAL REPORT
CLASS OFFICERS
President Vice President Secretary
Treasurer Valedictorian Salutatorian
Edward Fryer Rose Berkley Stanton Davis Beverly Lorraine Riley Mildred Arleta Franklin Mildred Arleta Franklin Gordon Ray Anderson
CLASS ROLL College Preparatory
Gordon Ray Anderson
Mildred Arleta Franklin
Beverly Lorraine Riley
James John Davis Jean Elizabeth Proal Edward Fryer Rose
COMMERCIAL COURSE
Jeannette Easterbrooks
Lucy Isabel Sharron
GENERAL COURSE
Berkley Stanton Davis Joseph Edward Gaulin Phyllis Marie Meunier CLASS MOTTO
Graduation,A Milestone, Not a Hitching Post Class Colors Class Flower MAROON CARNATION
MAROON and WHITE
FACULTY
Mr. F. Sumner Turner, Principal Biology and Guidance
Mrs. Virginia Brinton Social Science
Mrs. Dorothy M. Cooke English and Music Miss Rosemonde E. LaFleur Foreign Languages and English
Mrs. Patricia B. Langlin Commercial
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ANNUAL REPORT
Miss Grenith Rood Social Studies and Physical Education
Miss Louise B. Spier Art
Mrs. Dorothy L. Tufts Mathematics
Miss Marie C. Volk Mathematics and Science
STATISTICS
Extracts from the School Census of October 1948
Pupils between 5 and 7
26
34
60
Pupils between 7 and 16
136
127
263
162
161
323
SIGHT AND HEARING TESTS
Number of pupils examined 303
Number of pupils found defective in eyesight
25
Number of pupils found defective in hearing
35
Number of notices sent to parents
60
Work Certificates
Number of employment certificates issued
3
Number of educational certificates issued 45
Average number of days the Elementary Schools were in session 178
Number of days the High School was in session 183
Perfect Attendance for the School Year 1947-1948
Grade 10-Bruce Foote
Grade 9-Alden Franklin
Grade 8-Russell Babbitt, Robert Carvalho, Alfred Felici, Bruce Hayes, Alan Whent
Grade 6-Frederick Benker, Karolyn Youngdahl
Grade 5-Roger Babbitt, Beverly Snell
Grade 4-Arthur Belanger, Ronald Felici
Grade 2-Michael Barnes
Grade 1-Stephanie Stafford
ATTENDANCE FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 1948
Aggregate
Attendance
Average
Attendance Daily
Total
Membership
Membership Average
Per cent of
Attendance
Number of
Tardy Marks
Number of
Dismissals
High School
11,083
60.29
66
63.41
95.26
429
91
Grade 8
3,743
20.34
21
21.14
96.22
66
9
Grade 7
3,327
18.08
20
19.09
94.71
61
6
Grade 6
4,051
22.02
23
22.89
96.19
65
27
Grade 5
5,803
33.26
37
35.43
93.88
72
6
Grade 4
3,809.5
21.83
24
23.28
93.77
10
1
Grade 3
4,329
24.81
30
28.07
88.39
70
10
Grade 2
3,235
18.54
21
19.93
93.02
6
0
Grade 1
5,293
30.33
35
33.62
90.21
19
2
Total
44,673.5
249.50
277
266.86
93.52
798
152
.
LIST OF TEACHERS-JANUARY 1, 1949
School
Name
Where Educated
Date of Appt.
Junior-Senior High School
Roland L. Wolcott, Principal
Middlebury College, A. B. 1948
Boston University, Ed. M.
D. Rita Davis
Bridgewater State Teachers College 1948
C. Bateman Ewart
Dartmouth, B. A. 1948
Virginia C. Brinton
Salem State Teachers College, B. S. 1946
Boston University, A. M.
William J. Galarneaux
Boston University, B. S.
1948
Grenith M. Rood
Boston University, B. A.
1947
Rose Marie Downie
St. Joseph's College, B. A. 1948
Marie C. Volk
Radcliffe College, A. B. 1946
Primary 5 Beatrice H. Wood, Principal
Framingham State Teachers College 1930
Primary 4 Esther F. Grant
Bridgewater State Teachers College Perry Normal 1947
1946
Primary 3 Barbara Allen
Primary 2
Clarice Van Ummersen
Bridgewater State Teachers College
1946
Primary 1
Elizabeth J. Snow
Bridgewater State Teachers College 1945
Drawing
Louise B. Spier
Mass. School of Art, B. S. 1945
Music Nahum P. Gillespie
New England Conservatory of Music 1948
Music Harriet F. Washburn
Boston Teachers College 1948
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE AND GRADE, OCTOBER 1, 1948 GIRLS
Ages
5
6
7
8
9
10
11 12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19 Total
Grade 1
5
12
2
19
Grade 2
2
15
17
Grade 3
3
4
2
2
11
Grade 4
2
13
2
17
Grade
5
5
6
2
1
14
Grade 6
7
5
4
16
Grade 7
6
7
3
1
17
Grade 8
1
5
6
Grade 9
1
2
3
6
1
4
5
10
Grade 10
3
4
7
Grade 11
3
6
2
1
12
Grade 12
5
14
20
6
20
10
15 14
13
3
11
12
6
2
1
152
MEMBERSHIP BY AGE AND GRADE, OCTOBER 1, 1948
BOYS
Ages
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19 Total
Grade 1
2
16
1
19
Grade 2
12
1
13
Grade 3
5
5
1
11
Grade 4
1
8
1
10
Grade 5
5
6
1
12
Grade 6
6
11
3
1
21
Grade 7
4
5
9
Grade 8
1
6
2
1
10
Grade 9
4
10
3
1
18
Grade 10
1
3
4
8
Grade 11
1
2
1
1
1
6
Grade 12
2
3
5
2
16
18
7
14
13
17
14
7
12
7
8
5
1
1
142
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen-
Gentlemen:
Your Water Commissioner's report the following exten- sions completed: Potter Avenue, Hillcrest Drive and Walnut Street.
There have been more services laid this year than in any other year.
One (1) hydrant on South Street replaced.
SPECIAL ACCOUNTS POTTER AVENUE and HILLCREST DRIVE
Balance on hand, January 1, 1948
$ 262.16
August 17-Frank King, labor $ 96.00
Charles Hunt, labor 6.00
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