USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1906 > Part 14
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SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
APPLICATION FOR LICENSE.
Somerville, .
To the School Committee of the City of Somerville :- I hereby apply as the parent or guardian of. Date of birth.
Residence. . .for a License to Sell Newspapers,-Small Wares,-Flowers,-Black Boots in the City of Somerville, until the beginning of the next school year in September, 190 ..
The minor so licensed hereby promises faithfully to comply with the terms and conditions of the license issued him, and the rules and regu- lations of the School Committee in relation to licensed minors. Parent or Guardian ( Signature of -
This boy attends School,
his attendance is. his deportment is
and I. .approve his being granted a license. Signed, Teacher.
I endorse the teacher's recommendation. Signed, Principal.
MINOR'S LICENSE.
Issued by the Somerville School Committee. No.
Living at.
is licensed in conformity to law and the terms of the regulations below, as a NEWSBOY --
until the first Monday of October, 190. Attest:
Superintendent of Public Schools.
N. B. This license must be renewed at the beginning of each school year, and when the holder reaches the age of fourteen years he must obtain another license from the Board of Aldermen. When a new license is issued, the old one must be given up.
This license is granted on condition that the following conditions are fulfilled: Here follows Section 169 of the Rules.
CARD FOR THE POCKET. CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
Public Schools,
This is to certify that.
has been granted a Minor's License by the School Committee for the vear. No
NEWSBOY - Superintendent
178
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Supervising Principals. There are in the city ten men and two women who bear this title. They are in charge of schools with from twelve to eighteen teachers. They long ago adopted teaching as a profession and qualified themselves for it. They have had an average experience of twenty-five years in the schoolroom. They are close students of all educational ques- tions, and fully alive to whatever promotes or jeopards the in- terests of the schools. They are persons of good judgment, tactful in the management of children and others, interested in the welfare of their pupils and alert in promoting it, and worthy to bear the important responsibilities resting upon them.
These principals teach one-half their time; the other half is occupied in the supervision of the teachers under their charge. The general order and management of the school require a little time, and the care of supplies and clerical duties consume a little more, unless they delegate this work to an assistant. These principals are paid as much as three ordinary teachers receive. Whether their instruction is valuable in this ratio is a question on which judgment might differ. Their supervisory work is important and valuable. The aid and direction they give to teachers in teachers' meetings and by kindly criticism, their stimulus and encouragement of pupils, their skill and judgment in apportioning and directing work and grading and testing classes, and their success in harmonizing the general interests of the school and securing the loyal co-operation of teachers and parents are respects in which their value as supervisors is shown. Some of these principals have charge of sixteen or eighteen rooms. The majority of them have only twelve. There are twelve smaller schools that do not have the advantages of super- 'vision of these experts that the larger schools enjoy. My pur- pose in calling attention to these masters and their work is to suggest that the twelve smaller schools be placed under the supervisory care of these principals. Those in charge of twelve- room buildings have ample time to give at least two hours a week to the work in smaller buildings. If advantages accrue from the influence and labors of these supervising principals, I see no reason why all schools should not share in such advan- tages. In assigning the supervision of schools outside their in- mediate building to these supervisors, we should be following the example of most other large cities where the plan produces excellent results.
I recommend that the supervisory duties of grammar mas- ters be extended to include the smaller buildings. This increase in responsibility may well be accompanied by an increase of salary.
Manual Training and Industrial Education. It seems superflu- ous to add anything to what has been repeatedly said in one way or another in Somerville school reports for a series of years concerning manual training. All educators consider manual
179
SCITOOL DEPARTMENT.
training a most valuable form of education. The schools need it. The public demands it. The law requires it. You and your predecessors have attempted over and over again to intro- duce it as a feature of our school system. Your requests have been heartily endorsed by your fellow-citizens. But with all these efforts it has been impossible to secure money for the equipment of manual training rooms. It hardly seems possible to resist the demand for this line of school work much longer.
Manual training affords a measure of physical exercise; it is a diversion from book-work; it has a fascinating interest to nine boys out of ten ; it is a valuable means not only of muscular but of mental training; it is a potent factor in the development of character; it teaches the dignity of labor; it is an essential preliminary to industrial training; it furnishes a foundation for the work of the future artisan; and from all points of view it is desirable and economical.
Our courses should be readjusted so that in every grade some form of hand-work other than drawing should be required of every child in the elementary schools. This work may be inade progressive, and in the higher grades should take the form! of shop-work with carpenters' tools. The majority of our girls are provided with that most practical form of hand-work, sewing. In addition, they should receive instruction and practice in cook- ing and in all the domestic work and duties that fall to the lot of a woman at the head of a home. I know that it is claimed that the home should furnish such training. True enough, the home should furnish many things that are now relegated to the school, to the church, and to the public, but so long as the home does not discharge duties important to the well-being of the family and the community, the schools must do it. The law gives the school committee authority to equip manual training and cook- ing schools. The expense of maintenance is as legitimate as any other expenses made by the committee.
I recommend that the board equip both manual training and cooking schools, in two centres, at least, and employ instruc- tors therein.
Probably the most vital question now before the educational public is the establishment of industrial or trade schools. There is a demand everywhere for skilled labor. Boys whose school life ends at their grammar school graduation are poorly equipped for the struggle that lies before every person in these days of keen competition and marvelous progress. Most of them secure a three or four-dollar-a-week job. Dissatisfied with slow ad- vancement and poor pay, they drift from one form of business to another, and accomplish little or nothing. The graduates of our high schools who do not continue their education in higher institutions are forced to seek employment commensurate with their ability and training. Those who have taken the commercial courses find little difficulty in securing self-supporting positions.
180
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Boys who have taken manual training and science work gener- ally secure remunerative employment without difficulty. Others who have taken only the academic course engage in various and varying occupations for which they have received no training, and the income from which is consequently small and uncertain.
Industrial and technical schools are needed in which boys and girls from sixteen to twenty-one may receive, at public ex- pense, education in some trade or industrial pursuit that will make of them skilled workmen ready to enter at once without apprenticeship upon their life business.
The movement in favor of industrial schools in this country has grown out of a recognition of our industrial needs, and has been stimulated by the experience and example of foreign na- tions, especially Germany. The commercial and industrial supremacy of this people is largely due to the splendid equip- ment and training furnished by commercial and trade schools. German commercial agents visit various countries to solicit busi- ness, and they have not only a thorough knowledge of the lan- guage of the peoples with whom they are to trade, but have an all-sided, practical knowledge of the business in which they are engaged. Moreover, the trade schools of Germany produce skilled artisans, and, in the long run, the products of such men supply the world's markets. In the city of Berlin alone there are to-day thirty of these trade schools which give instruction and training in every line of work. Even barbers and chimney sweeps may learn their business in them. The day is nearly at hand when similar schools will be found supported at public ex- pense in all our large cities. Even with us very recently an in- fluential body of citizens has petitioned for the establishment in Somerville of a trade school. Such schools furnish that practical form of education that appeals to the average man. They meet material needs.
All these things mean changes in our schools. They mean fewer books and more tools. They mean a larger outlay. They mean for a certain portion of the community less instruction along literary lines and more that shall directly equip the future citizen to be not simply a wage-earner, but an intelligent factor in the general advancement and prosperity of the community and the state.
"The trade school in the United States does not hold such an im- portant place as it does in Europe. The cleavage lines in society are so clearly marked that the boy born to a lowly position in life is quite willing to banish ambition, to enter a trade school, and to become a skilled mechanic. With us the boundless ambition of the young Ameri- can too often entices him to aspire beyond his capabilities and spurn a trade school. Also, the influence from pedagogical circles is so strongly exerted for a 'symmetrical development' that trade schools are rated below educational par. However, the demand for them is keen, and they are being established because of their economic value. There are six building and mechanical trade schools in New York and Brooklyn, three in Boston, two in San Francisco, and two in Philadelphia. New York has two brewing academies; Chicago and Milwaukee one each.
181
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
Philadelphia, Lowell, New Bedford, and Atlanta have textile schools. Chicago, St. Louis, Omaha, Peoria, Waltham, Winona, and La Porte have watchmaking and engravers' schools. The universities of Wiscon- sin and Minnesota and the lowa College of Agriculture have schools of dairying. For dressmaking, millinery, and the domestic arts and science, schools exist in Boston, New York, Brooklyn, St. Louis, and Philadelphia. Eight cities contain schools to teach telegraphers; Effingham, Ill., has a college of photography, and New York an acad- emy for shipbuilders."-Scientific American.
Medical Inspection. The prolonged efforts of the school board and the board of health to secure regular medical in- spection of the schools have been rendered effective by the leg- islative enactment which makes such inspection incumbent upon one of the two bodies named, provided money is first furnished to defray the expenses.
The work in Somerville has been delegated to the board of health, the school board, through a standing committee ap- pointed for the purpose, co-operating as far as possible in the matter. Money having been furnished by the city government, the regular work of inspection began on the fifth of December. The schools of the city have been divided into seven districts, with physicians in charge as follows :-
District 1,-Prescott, Hanscom, Davis, Edgerly .- Dr. Francis Shaw.
District 2,-Baxter, Knapp, Perry, Bell .- Dr. D. S. Flew- elling.
District 3,-Bennett, Pope, Cummings, Proctor .- Dr. L. H. Raymond.
District 4,-Morse, Carr, Durell, Burns .- Dr. W. L. Bond.
District 5, -- Brown, Bingham, Forster .-- Dr. H. M. Stood- icy.
District 6,-Lincoln, Hodgkins, Highland, Lowe .- Dr. Her- bert Cholerton.
District 7,-Glines, English High, Latin High .- Dr. R. F. Gibson.
District 8,-Parochial .- Dr. M. W. White.
In order that the method of procedure in its details may be mnade a matter of record and that information may be furnished to the citizens and others interested, the blanks prepared and used are here given. They will furnish complete information as to the method by which the work of inspection is carried on. (No. 1)
TO THE PARENTS AND GUARDIANS OF CHILDREN IN THE SCHOOLS OF SOMERVILLE :-
For many years the pupils in the schools of our city have been provided with the best possible educational advantages. Every effort has been made to obtain the most efficient teachers and practical text- books, and no money or time has been spared in carrying out the most modern methods of instruction. In addition to this, the city has en- deavored to provide school buildings which should be well ventilated, properly fumigated when necessary, and fitted up with adequate sani- tary conveniences.
It seems important, however, that while the minds are being trained,
182
ANNUAL REPORTS.
the health of the bodies should be more carefully guarded than hereto- fore. To this end, the utmost precaution should be taken to prevent the spread of contagious diseases among the children, and to ascertain physical defects which may prevent the pupils from proper mental or physical development.
Therefore the board of health is about to institute a system of medical inspection in the schools of Somerville. A medical inspector (who is a practicing physician) will visit the school each morning and examine all pupils who appear ill or show evidences of disease. If the pupil is found to be suffering with a contagious disease or seems too ill to remain at school, a printed slip will be given to him, addressed to the parent or guardian, advising that the family physician should be called, and the pupil will be sent home. Under no circumstances will the in- spector advise any special physician or method of treatment (except that a slip describing the treatment for lice will be furnished, when they are found), and every effort will be made to avoid hurting the feelings of the pupil or alarming him.
In addition to this, at stated intervals the pupils will be examined in a general way, and if abnormal conditions of the eyes, cars, nose, throat, or skin, or any general diseases are discovered, the attention of the parents or guardians will be called to the conditions.
The inspector will also frequently examine the ventilation, drainage, and other sanitary arrangements of the school buildings and premises, and any defects will be at once reported and corrected.
The board of health desires your hearty co-operation and support in carrying out its plans. Everything which will be done has for its single purpose the protection of the health of the pupils. You may greatly assist the board and help to prevent diseases and physical de- fects by cheerfully and promptly complying with its requests.
Respectfully, ALLEN F. CARPENTER, EDMUND S. SPARROW, WESLEY T. LEE, M. D., Board of Health.
(No. 2)
TO THE PHYSICIANS OF SOMERVILLE :-
The board of health is about to institute a system of medical in- spection in the schools of the city. Each morning a medical inspector (who is a regular practicing physician) will visit each school and ex- amine all pupils who appear to be ill, or who show evidences of disease. If suffering with contagious diseases or too sick to remain in school, they will be sent home with a slip addressed to the parent or guardian advising that the family physician be consulted. Under no circum- stances will the inspector advise any physician or method of treatment, except that when pediculosis is found, a printed slip describing the use of crude petroleum for the condition will be furnished.
A general examination of the pupils is made at stated intervals, and if any abnormal conditions of the eyes, ears, nose, throat, or skin, or any general diseases are discovered, the attention of the parents or guardians will be called to the conditions, and consultation with the family physician will be advised.
The inspector will also have a general oversight of the sanitary arrangemerts of the school buildings, fumigation, the exclusion of pupils from school on account of contagious diseases, and their return after such exclusion.
The board of health expects that the medical inspection of the schools will result in greatly reducing the number of cases of contagious diseases among the pupils, as well as leading to the discovery and cor- rection of many of the defects which prevent proper mental and physical development. It is earnestly hoped and confidently expected that the
SCHOOL. DEPARTMENT. 183
physicians of Somerville will heartily co-operate with the board of health in its endeavors to successfully carry out this inspection.
Respectfully, ALLEN F. CARPENTER, EDMUND S. SPARROW, WESLEY T. LEE, M. D., Board of Health.
(No. 3)
REGULATIONS FOR MEDICAL INSPECTORS.
1. The inspector shall enter each of the school buildings which are subject to his inspection during the morning of every school day, and shall be subject to call of the principals, in cases of special emergency, during the entire time which the school is in session. He shall receive from the principal of the school the slips which have been filled out by the teachers, giving the names and rooms of the pupils who show evi- dences of sickness, and shall examine those reported. After such ex- amination, he shall state on the slips the diagnosis and disposal of the cases. The slips shall be kept on file by the principal of the school. Care must be taken not to alarm a pupil, and his condition must not be discussed in the presence of any other pupil.
2. All children who show any evidences of contagious or infectious diseases, or, who seem too ill to remain in school, shall be given a slip properly filled out, and sent home.
3. At least once each year the inspector shall make an inspection of each of the children in the schools under his charge, and if any ab- normal conditions are found which, in his judgment, interfere with the proper mental or physical development of such children, these conditions shall be reported to their parents or guardians.
4. The inspector shall enter and inspect such rooms and parts of the school buildings and premises at such times as he deems best for the protection of the health of the children, being always careful not to disturb the work of the school more than is necessary.
5. At least once each month the inspector shall make a careful examination of the ventilation and sanitary arrangements of each school building, and shall at once report any defects to the board of health.
6. Under no circumstances is the inspector to recommend any special physician or method of treatment, except that in cases of pedi- culosis, the printed slips describing the treatment for this condition are to be furnished to the affected pupils.
7. The inspector shall give any needed advice or assistance to the teachers in making the tests of sight and hearing, shall have an over . sight of the exclusion of pupils from school on account of contagious diseases and their return after such exclusion, of vaccinations, and of all means which are employed to prevent the development and spread of contagious diseases. He shall endeavor in every way to see that the regulations of the board of health are carried out, and shall at once report to the board any contagious diseases or violations of regulations found in the schools.
8. The inspector shall, on the first of every month, send to the office of the board of health a report of the work done during the pre- ceding month, together with any comments or suggestions which he may deem advisable.
ALLEN F. CARPENTER, EDMUND S. SPARROW, WESLEY T. LEE, M. D., Board of Health,
-
184 1
1 ANNUAL REPORTS.
(No. 4.)
SOMERVILLE BOARD OF HEALTH. Medical Inspection Department.
1
Report of Medical Inspector for the Month of 190
.
SCHOOLS
LIST OF DISEASES
TOTALS
Comments or Suggestions : -
TOTALS
Number of pupils examined.
Number sent home.
(No. 5)
Medical Inspector.
Keep on File. TEACHER'S STATEMENT.
Room
No
School
Complaint
PHYSICIAN'S STATEMENT.
Diagnosis Advice
4 (No. 6) SOMERVILLE BOARD OF HEALTH. Medical Inspection Department.
Somerville, .190
To the Parent or Guardian :- Symptoms of illness have appeared in the case of.
and you are advised to place the child under the care of your family physician.
The child must NOT return to school until well, without special per- mission from the Medical Inspector.
Very respectfully, BOARD OF HEALTH.
190
(Name)
185
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
School.
(No. 7) Somerville, .. 190
has been reported by the Medical Inspector of Schools as showing evidence of parasites in the hair, and I am therefore obliged to request that the child be kept out of school for a few days until the disease is cured.
Master.
The following method of treatment for killing parasites and nits is recommended by the Board of Health :---
Wet the hair thoroughly with crude petroleum, of which half a pint inay be obtained at a drug store. (See accompanying prescription.) Keep it wet for three hours. Then wash the whole head with warm water and soap. Repeat this process on three successive days. The nits may then be removed by combing the hair very carefully with a fine- toothed comb wet with vinegar. Repeat the combing for several days until no more nits can be found. To make the treatment easier and more thorough, the hair may be cut short if there is no objection.
All the children in a family are likely to be affected, and should also be treated as above.
Brushes and combs should be cleansed by putting them in boiling water for a few minutes.
(No. 8) PRESCRIPTION FOR PETROLEUM.
To be filled at a Drug Store. -
Recipe Crude Petroleum. . eight ounces SIG. Apply to the Hair as directed.
(No. 9)
SOMERVILLE BOARD OF HEALTH. Medical Inspection Department. Somerville, 190
The parent or guardian of.
at. .is hereby informed that a physical examination by the Medical Inspector seems to show the following ab- normal condition :-
You are advised to take this child to your family physician for advice and treatment. Very respectfully,
BOARD OF HEALTH.
This Notice Does Not Exclude the Child from School.
(No. 10)
Keep on File.
PRINCIPAL'S RECORD OF PHYSICAL DEFECT. Name Address Age School Room Date
Defect :
Remarks:
The law requires that there shall be an annual test of sight and hearing conducted by teachers according to directions fur- nished by the state board of education in conjunction with the state board of health. These tests have been begun, but as
186
1
ANNUAL REPORTS.
teachers are obliged to make them under unfavorable conditions in many cases, and as they require considerable time, it is impos- sible now to announce any results.
A careful record is made of the condition of each eye and cach ear of every pupil, and in case of defective vision the follow- ing communication is addressed to parents :-
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. Notice to Parent or Guardian.
In accordance with Chapter 502 of the Acts of 1906, you are hereby notified that the school examination of. shows that there is some trouble with the ears, eyes, which needs com- petent medical advice. Please attend to this at once. Teacher. 190 .
Suggestions of Masters. I have already spoken of the mas- ters of our schools as persons of intelligence, of professional training of long experience, of good judgment. They know their schools. They understand fully the trend of educational movements. They are informed concerning the needs of the community in which they teach. They hold positive and inde- pendent views. They are loyal to the school authorities and to the city which employs them. Holding this estimate of them, and feeling that their opinions concerning the schools are based on an intimate knowledge of the conditions, I asked them, some time ago, to suggest changes which in their opinion would in- crease the efficiency of the schools and enable them more fully to meet the needs of the community. The replies vary mate- rially, as might be expected. In many of the suggestions there is practically unanimity. I give below the principal of these, with now and then a word of comment withholding any indica- tion as to their source :-
1. "Instruction in manual training should be given to the boys of the grammar grades, and lessons in domestic science to girls of these grades."
2. "In every large building a competent teacher, sympathetic and expert, should be employed to teach backward children, either indi- vidually or in a class in a room devoted to this specific use."
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