USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1918 > Part 8
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Home Project Work.
This is part of the regular school work ; to relate as closely as possible home and school problems, with the co-operation of the mother, and enable each student to assume increasing re- sponsibility in her own home. It was found before starting this work for the year that
92.5% help at home before coming to school. 95 % help after school,
100% help on Saturday, 87.5% help on Sunday.
The household tasks begin with simple duties, and progress as the individual girl improves. This project work is carried out first by the instructor in cooking visiting the home. An ap- pointment with the mother having been previously made, the general outline is talked over with her and the aim ex- plained. This year we have stressed the use of the substitutes
117
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
for wheat, meat, fats, and sugar, and have asked that the daughter be allowed to help with the cooking or baking, later to assume entire charge of it for a limited time.
A task is assigned a pupil for four weeks. This task is discussed with the pupil each week and when possible, as in the case of bread, a record made of a sample brought to class, and a mark given for its appearance, taste, and texture. When this bread has been made sufficiently often for the in- structor to feel sure that it will continue to be well made, the final report from the mother, and the teacher's final report are- added to the project card. and the project finished. Another task is then assigned that will function in the home, and carry out the school training.
Pupils are given full time or half time credit in hours for. each project. When the instructor gives a definite project, and can follow it up closely by visits to the home and ex- amination of completed work, the full credit in hours is given.
When a pupil is obliged to stay home because of illness in the family, and does all or part of the household work, she receives half time credit if she keeps a record of what she has done. This difference is made because the instructor can- not follow up all the work, and because no regular assign- ments for standards can be given.
If a pupil, who is fond of sewing, makes a hat or dress at home, keeps a record of the number of hours spent in the making of it, and keeps to standard, she receives half time credit.
This is often a great help to a girl who must lose time from school because of illness at home, and allows her to. make up part of her absence.
Junior High Schools.
Household Arts departments are in operation in the four Junior High Schools. Millinery has been introduced into the second and third years, with dressmaking and cooking taught in all three years.
This functions in the school as usual; but has been sufficiently elastic to change temporarily to meet patriotic needs.
In dressmaking refugee garments have been made ac- cording to the requirements of the Junior Red Cross. In cooking, lunches are prepared for teachers and in several schools pupils are served as well. Sandwiches, cookies, fruit, desserts, cocoa or soup are prepared by the pupils and taken to the different rooms to be sold. During the Victory Girls drive children made cookies, cake, and sandwiches at home, selling them at recess. and earning part of their pledges in this way.
118
ANNUAL REPORTS.
The canning of vegetables and fruits has been taught; in two schools the drying of fruits and vegetables, which were also sold to earn money for the Victory Girls.
Senior High School.
Domestic Science Department .- Fifty-three girls have reg- istered for cooking this year. The course continues the same as last year, of course adapting it to teach the use of the war sub- stitutes.
At the opening of school in September it seemed desirable to serve the teachers' luncheon at the close of school instead of at the regular noon hour. This necessitated quite a division of operations ; so that while some of the classes furnish some part of the pupils' lunch at noon, others prepare for the after school service.
Special luncheons have been served at various times. In February of last year some of the senior class prepared and served dinner at the graduation of the February class. There were sixty guests present, including the Chairman of the School Board, the Superintendent of Schools, and the Head Master. In March a luncheon was served to thirty-five teach- ers of Science, and at different times during the year refresh- ments were served to several clubs of the school.
Domestic Arts Department .- One hundred and six girls elected dressmaking this year. Special emphasis was placed on the renovating of dresses, although some work was done for the Surgical dressings classes when eighteen aprons were made for the Red Cross units. As this subject is entirely elective, it did not seem wise to set aside this regular work for the refugee garments. The following is a record of the work accomplished by these classes :-
No. of cotton dresses made 65
No. of voile dresses made
44
No. of serge dresses made 18
No. of silk dresses made
10
Separate skirts
16
Graduation dresses, white voile
13
Dresses remodelled
8
Order work
2
Coat suit
1
Aprons for Surgical dressings class
18
Sets of underwear
6
Materials used
1,038 yds.
Cost of material used $547 40
In most expensive dress 10 50
In least expensive dress 1 00
No. of dresses material costing more than $5.00. 16
Less than $2.00 57
Approximate commercial value of work
$1,186 33
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SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
High School Lunch Room.
About 800 students are served each day. While it is not possible to find out exactly how many take advantage of the lunch room, it is possible to approximate the number by the additional amount of food prepared and the additional amounts of raw materials purchased.
Prices have not been raised in spite of the fact that all other school lunch room prices have advanced with the in- crease in costs. The credit for this is due cooking instructors and the lunch room manager, for their faithful efforts in care- ful planning, avoiding all waste, and eliminating as far as possible all but absolutely necessary expenditures. The wishes of the Food Administrator have been adhered to, and posters and bulletins have been displayed where the students could understand why some changes were necessary.
Graded Schools.
With the transference of upper grammar grades to the Junior High Schools, sewing is taught in the fifth and sixth grades only. Here, as in all the schools, Junior Red Cross work has been substituted for the regular work of the course. It has been possible to grade this, however, so that the children are taught according to the general educational plan, and have gained rather than lost by the substitution.
Evening Practical Arts Classes.
In November, evening classes in Practical Arts were opened for the seventh season. Two centers were used: the Senior High School, where dressmaking was taught, and the Western Junior High School, where there were dressmaking and millinery classes. The unit system of instruction, ap- proved by the State Board of Education, was carried out, each unit consisting of a term of 10 lessons, and a definite piece of work assigned for that time.
Special emphasis was placed on the renovating of ma- terials and using them in the making of hats and dresses. Children's coats were made from old cloth skirts, materials were dyed and combined with silks found at the remnant counter, and with the addition of braided designs, made into very attractive dresses.
Hats were made from bits of old materials, and in one case the velvet flounce of a discarded dress. For the most part it was this renovated material that was used, but there were also hats and dresses of new materials, and the exhibition showed a wide variety.
Cooking was offered as a third course, but was not popular, due probably to so much instructive material being given out by the Food Administration.
120
ANNUAL REPORTS.
WAR ACTIVITIES.
Red Cross Work in the Schools.
This was started last year in all the schools, and has gone forward actively. To a great extent the regular courses have been laid aside to help supply the need of the soldiers and refugees.
Aside from the patriotic and helpful spirit developed in the girls, the educational side has been strictly followed, by ap- portioning the quotas of work to fit the different grades. Classes of volunteer after-school workers have been formed in some of the schools. Each group comprises about 15 girls with a teacher of the school in charge and a Senior Red Cross worker as leader and work inspector. Each girl of the group completes one garment. There has been the heartiest co-opera- tion here, and it has been so planned that no one teacher is called upon for duty after school hours except for a limited ยท time, after which another volunteer teacher takes her place with a new unit formed. In this way, while many are gladly offering their services, no one is called upon for after-school work for an indefinite period.
There are four of these after-school units at the Senior High School, each unit meeting once every two weeks, and three at the Western Junior High School, meeting every week.
The approximate list of articles made through December, 1918, in all the schools is shown in the Statement of War Activ- ities in Somerville Schools.
Victory Girls.
This was a part of the War Work Campaign started in November, for children over ten years of age, and particularly affected the Junior and Senior High Schools. Each school appointed a committee and sub-committees to plan ways and means of finding work for all children, who might become members by earning their pledge money. This committee was in touch with the executive committee of the city co-operating by exchanging opportunities for employment according to the district where the child lived. Places were investigated in Somerville first for the younger children, and afterwards in Boston and Cambridge for those of legal working age. These last were mostly special positions in connection with the Thanksgiving and Christmas rush, and in most cases meant from several days to a week out of school, or else night work.
All calls made upon the Vocational Committee by the em- ployers were referred to the school nearest the home of the prospective employer, and the committee of that school selected the child for the work.
121
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
The public. responded generously. Housekeepers with light household tasks, and mothers with babies to be taken out each afternoon gave some little girls the chance to earn their pledges, while some stores and factories offered special Sat- urday work. In the Junior High Schools some of the children made candy, cakes, and cookies and sold them at recess time, while others prepared and sold dried vegetables and fruits done up in attractive packages. The report of one member of the executive committee follows :-
Victory Girls Report.
Girls who applied for positions . 55
Girls over 15 years
6
Girls under 15 years
49
Occupations wished for particularly, take care of babies, wait on store, go on errands.
Employers interviewed 20
Positions offered (in large establishments),
5
Work found for (To Christmas),
15
Kind of work found:
Lunch counter, lunch room, accommodator, sales girls, factory work, ironing, housework, clerical work, lace making.
Report of employers interviewed:
5 will not take part-time workers.
3 offer Saturday work only.
2 offer all day work 3 days before Thanksgiving, 4 days before Xmas.
4 families who want occasional service.
1 (factory work) can use 50 to 75 children over fifteen years.
5 offer light household tasks.
It was suggested to those children interviewed that they give up some chewing gum, candy and movies, that they let all their neighbors know that they are Victory girls, and are ready to help, and that they let the worker in their school know what they can do to earn money.
Very truly yours, MARY HENLEIGH BROWN, Principal of Vocational School for Girls and Supervisor of Domestic Arts.
January 22, 1919.
,
STATEMENT OF WAR ACTIVITIES IN SOMERVILLE SCHOOLS.
War Savings Stamps. Teachers and pupils entered most heartily into the campaign for the sale of war savings stamps and thrift stamps. In many schools the need of patriotic sav- ing was constantly presented by four-minute speakers, the force of whose arguments and the earnestness of whose presen-
122
ANNUAL REPORTS.
tation brought large results. Striking posters and blackboard drawings by pupils kept the subject constantly before the minds of all.
Much enthusiasm was aroused as the result of a large civic parade on Flag Day, June 14. One division was composed of school officials, teachers, and children from the high, junior high, and grammar schools of the city. The most excellent showing of this division attracted much favorable comment. The high school was headed by their own buglers and fife and drum corps. Similar music furnished by a large group of jun- ior high school pupils assembled at short notice revealed much talent and won well deserved approval.
As shown elsewhere in detail in this report, the total num- ber of pupils buying stamps during the year was 7,666, the total value being $81,820.53.
Junior Red Cross. A drive for Junior Red Cross member- ships and work resulted in a one hundred per cent. enrollment of the schools of the city. Money contributions amounted to $3,782.89.
The following list of articles made for the Red Cross speaks convincingly of the patriotic interest of the children.
Afghans
41 Needle Books
236
Applicators
600
Nightgowns
21
Aprons
20
Nurses' Mits
25
Blankets
1
Paper Dolls
1237
Bloomers
10
Petticoats
12
Boys' Undervests
20
Pin Balls
3114
Brassieres
77
Property Bags
614
Button Bags
1005
Quilts
35
Chemises
21
Sailors' Bags
213
Children's Bonnets
19
Sailors' Handkerchiefs
384
Children's Dresses
12
Satin Aprons
20
_- Children's Handkerchiefs
2
Scarfs
1
Comfort Bags
25
Scissors Cases
105
Comfort Kits
150
Shawls, crocheted
24
Comfort Pillows
93
Sleeping Caps
12
Compresses
6518
Socks
174
Crutch Pads
90
Swat Sticks
113
Diapers
812
Sweaters
20
Face Cloths
2
Tampons
2402
Gun Wipes
270
Thread Winders
3303
Helmets
4 Tobacco Cases
68
Hospital Bootees, pairs
184
Tooth Brush Cases
274
Hot Water Bottle Covers
43 Weight Bags
177
Housewives
74
Women's Dresses
38
Italian Thread Winders
13218
Wristers, pairs
4
Joke and Scrap Books
435
Total number of articles. 36,372.
Furniture Made :
25 tables, 18 benches, 8 screens, 9 costumers, 24 ink-stands.
Total value $2,175.50.
123
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
Books for Camp Libraries. While there was a generous response to this call, yet it is not possible to give exact figures, as contributions were made in part by children in the school buildings while many individuals took their books directly to the Public Library. In addition, cash contributions had previ- ously been made to the amount of $331.26.
Halifax Fund. A request for money to be sent to the re- lief of the sufferers in the Halifax disaster was answered by gifts to the amount of $537.49.
Red Cross Drive. The week of May 20 was chosen for the campaign for this cause. The schools raised for this most worthy use the sum of $1,435.62.
Nut Shells and Pits. In response to the appeal to save these materials for the making of gas masks for the soldiers, boxes and baskets were placed in the several schools and large savings were made.
Selective Draft Board Work. The large amount of work entailed in the making and indexing of the cards necessitated in the performance of the work of the three Selective Draft Boards of the city was in large measure performed by volunteer teachers. An inconspicuous but highly valuable patriotic ser- vice was rendered by these many teachers.
Nursing. During the time that schools were closed as the result of the epidemic of influenza many teachers volunteered as nurses or for other service in connection with the hospitals.
Liberty Loans. No body of workers responded more promptly and generously to these several calls than did our teachers. In their own personal purchases and in the clerical work connected with the several drives, they acquitted them- selves in a manner to do credit to their profession.
Home and School Gardens. As a patriotic service garden- ing assumed a dignity and importance during the year of 1918 that had never before been given it. School and home gardens were given more than usual attention and several canning clubs were formed to conserve the products of the gardens. In a contest at Worcester, September second, with nineteen cities and towns competing, our exhibit was awarded second prize.
Camp Sunderland. The work of this camp which included about sixty boys from the high school and junior high schools is described in detail in the report of the Headmaster of the High School.
Camp Victory. The success of this camp of high school girls was most convincing of the value of girls in this unusual form of service. This also is fully described in the high school report.
Other Farm Service. Many boys enlisted for work from planting to harvesting time on nearby farms. At a time when many farmers were in almost desperate straits because of the shortage of help, these boys fully performed the work of men.
124
ANNUAL REPORTS.
United War Work Campaign. In the furtherance of the work of the seven great interests represented in this campaign, pupil participation took the form of enlistment as Victory Boys and Victory Girls, pledged to earn, save, and give for this cause. Teachers assisted by forming committees in the schools to help the pupils in finding ways to earn their money. This work is progressing most satisfactorily. The contributions of teachers to this cause, as given through the schools, was $749.85.
Somerville's quota of boys and girls was 1,737. The num- ber that responded was 1.805 boys and 1,954 girls, a total of 3.759, pledging a total of $17,855.50.
These facts are most convincing evidence that the schools of Somerville during the year of war service just closing have many times
Gone Over The Top.
STATEMENT OF THE WORK OF SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL PATRIOTIC ASS'N. October 1, 1917. -- January 1, 1919.
Probably the pioneer organization of its kind among high schools in this section of the country, if not in the whole coun- try, was started October, 1917, by the pupils and teachers of the Somerville High School. Through the efforts of the prin- cipal and the members of the Students' Council of the school, a plan was originated to form the Somerville High School Pa- triotic Association, the membership to include both faculty and pupils.
The object of the organization was to assist the nation. state, or city in any philanthropic or humane movement both during the war and at any other time. Subdivisions of the gen- eral work included such activities as Junior Red Cross, knit- ting, sending magazines to soldiers, selling tags throughout the city for charitable work, rolling bandages, aiding the gov- ernment in clerical work. teaching wounded soldiers, and the like.
Every pupil and teacher of the school signed an enlist- ment blank, on which he or she pledged service to some one or more of the activities to be conducted by the Association. The pledge was as follows :-
"I promise to hold myself in readiness to per- form any service consistent with my home and school duties that will directly or indirectly assist my coun- try, my state, or my city."
On the back of the pledge card was a list of activities which the enlisted member checked to designate preference for some particular kind of work.
125
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
The motive in forming this organization was to have in readiness means to assist in the various activities which the school might be called upon to perform from time to time.
It was felt that through this one central organization bet- ter and quicker results might be obtained than by handling each activity separately in the school. In addition it was felt that through the medium of this organization each pupil of the school would be given a much better and more practical op- portunity for civic education than he would obtain otherwise.
Following are the reports of the Treasurer and of the groups in charge of various war activities :
SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION.
STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES. March 1, 1918 -January 14, 1919.
1918
Receipts.
$
57 61
April 11, Girls' Athletic Association Dance 13 75
12, Contribution of pupils for Local Char- ities
30 00
12, Sale of Old Papers and Magazines 100 00
16, Knitting Club Dance
17 60
June
6, Sale of Papers and Magazines
42 89
25, Sale of Tickets
9 00
25, Donation from Rooms 324 and 321
50
$272 35
$272 35
1918
Expenditures.
March 20, Lumber
$ : 17
20, Cloth
10 86
27, Oilcloth for Surgical Dressings Room
: 25
April
11, Shears for Surgical Dressings Room
: 28
11. Cloth for Surgical Dressings Room .
3 75
11, Varnish for Surgical Dressings Room 17, Contribution to Associated Charities
5 00
May 14, Lock for Surgical Dressings Room .
1 35
27, Hats and Sashes for parade
11 90
June 3, Magazines sent to soldiers
70 00
26, Red Crosses for parade
2 25
Oct.
31, Laundry
1 70
1919
Jan. 8, Somerville Civilian Relief .
2 00
14, Total Expenditures
$126 66
14, Balance
145 69
$272 35
MARY F. OSBORNE. Treasurer.
1 15
March 1, Contribution . 1 00
4, Sale of Old Papers and Magazines .
126
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Knitting.
The Knitting Club gave several dances to earn money for the Junior Red Cross.
The Club had a Christmas party in 1918 at which the mem- bers made and packed candy bags and toys to be distributed by the Associated Charities.
The Knitting Club sent to the Red Cross in 1918:
11 helmets
36 trench caps
1 scarf
6 pairs of wristers
11 sweaters
62 pairs of socks
21 pillows
6 knitted squares
10 shawls
The Club also undertook sewing for the relief work and made eighteen dresses.
Newspapers and Magazines.
From January to April a competition was held between rooms to bring in the largest amount of old magazines and newspapers. These were carried to school by pupils in small and large bundles, also collected in larger quantities by autos, and were tied up, weighed (to give proper credit to the rooms), and piled up in one of the basement rooms. At first local junk dealers gave 40c per 100 pounds for the newspapers, 55c for magazines ; later by an agreement with the Boston Paper Board Company of Albany street, in truck loads by the ton, newspapers were sold at 55c per 100 pounds; magazines, 70c per 100 pounds. The amount of $200.50 was turned over to the treasurer of the S. H. S. P. A.
The five highest rooms collected as follows :-
Teacher
Room
Total number of pounds
Average for pupil
Miss Towne
122
10,938
199
Mrs. Gilbert
211
4,524
156
Miss Campbell
323
2,267
113
Mrs. Topliff
103
2,544
77
Miss Batt
202
2,811
73
To the winning room an appropriate poster was awarded in an assembly period. Of the total amount of money re- ceived $70.00 were spent in subscriptions to magazines for Camp Devens Libraries. Many copies of recent issues were forwarded to the Harvard Radio School, Camp Devens, and the Annie E. McCarty House.
Red Cross Surgical Dressings.
One of the active branches of the Somerville High School. Association has been the Surgical Dressings. The Association.
127
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
chose Miss Lillian Trask chairman of the student body, and Miss Congdon chairman of the faculty.
A definite amount of training was required by the gov- ernment for the supervision of the work room, and two of the teachers took a special course at the Metropolitan Red Cross Rooms, Boston, and received certificates.
In January the faculty committee on surgical dressings met and voted to form a class, this class to meet every Wednes- day afternoon from 3 to 5. The plans were carried out, and on the following week twenty teachers met at the Red Cross Rooms, Somerville, to receive instructions. Later on, two different teachers from these classes were assigned to supervise the work each day at school.
Meanwhile Room 308 on the third floor of the West Build- ing was fitted up for the work, and it was quickly changed from a dark schoolroom to a light, cheerful workroom.
The Manual Training Department of the school made the tables and other fixtures for the room, while the Art Depart- ment painted the diagrams on the green oilcloth coverings, which were used for measuring and folding gauze dressings. The Science Department attended to the lighting of the room. The aprons and veils worn by the girls were made under the direction of the Sewing Instructor. In this way much was accomplished through school co-operation.
In order to arouse enthusiasm, Mrs. Thomas Allen of the Boston Red Cross came out to talk to the girls on the possibilities and the needs of surgical dressings. So many answered her appealing call to join in this work that ap- pointments had to be made by lot, from the Senior and Junior classes. These classes met on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of each week from 3 to 5. The first meeting was on March 28, 1918.
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