USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1921 > Part 8
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$1,319 35
Non-resident tuition .
4,292 02
Veterans' Bureau
8,000 00
Cash from Products
1,726 23
Credits
130 94
Summer income.
4,311 64
Total income
19,780 18
Net maintenance cost
11,079 90
Net cost per capita
$100 18
State Reimbursement
5,539 95
Net cost to City
5,539 95
Net Cost per capita to City
50 09
Labor and value of products on work for School and City Departments for which no charge was made
2,096 54
Net Cost to City .
$3,443 41
Net Cost Per Capita to City
31 13
Respectfully submitted,
HARRY L. JONES, Principal.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE CONTINUATION SCHOOLS AND AMERICANIZATION WORK.
Mr. Charles S. Clark,
Superintendent of Schools, Somerville, Mass.
Dear Mr. Clark :-
I herewith submit the report of the work of the Continua- tion Schools covering the period from September 1, 1920 to date, and of the Americanization work for the year 1921.
Continuation Schools.
On November 4, 1919, by a referendum vote, the citizens of Somerville accepted the provisions of Chapter 311, General Acts of 1919, which authorizes the establishment of a state aided Continuation School in any city or town, where two hundred minors between the ages of fourteen and sixteen are
125
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
employed under authority of employment certificates or home permits. Employed minors are required to attend school four hours per week of the forty-eight which they are permitted by law to work, and must attend twenty hours a week during periods of temporary unemployment. For such instruction, each city or town, conducting such a school, is reimbursed by the state an amount equal to one-half the net maintenance cost of the school.
In accordance with said Compulsory Continuation School Act the local school was established and was opened on Septem- ber 9, 1920, as a part of the public school system. The organiza- tion consisted of a director and three teachers, two men and one woman.
The problem of the school is to provide suitable part-time instruction for fourteen to sixteen-year-old minors who leave the regular schools to go to work. The salient characteristics of the adolescent pupils are revealed markedly in this group of students. This age is a period of rapid growth, tremendous energy, physical awkwardness, quick temper, self-conscious- ness, strong likes and dislikes, and unrest, shown by a constant drifting from job to job.
The reasons for leaving school may be grouped under two headings, namely, reasons related to economic conditions in the home, and reasons related to conditions in the regular schools. Lack of interest in the regular school work results in failure, failure causes discouragement and discouragement creates a desire to leave school. Contrary to expectations the larger number leave school for reasons related to conditions in the regular schools.
These characteristics and reasons for leaving school determine the functions of the Continuation School, which are: (1) the conservation of the education already acquired and the extension of it; (2) vocational guidance, facts for which are obtained by (3) follow-up work; (4) placing minors in better jobs ; and (5) tying school work to the job.
The functions of the school determine the plan or the program of studies. In order to provide forthe conservation and extension of education already acquired, especially for those who found conditions in the regular school uninteresting, it was necessary to adopt a methodology based on interest factors. For instance, these factors in English and Arithmetic are derived from the pupil's employment and his outside interests such as sports and recreations, which make the lessons very different from those which the children dislike in the regular schools. Civics and Hygiene are taught with the basic idea to make good citizens. It is more important to the Continua- tion School pupil to know his duty to his family, his neighbor-
126
ANNUAL REPORTS.
hood and his community, and how to care for his health that he may better serve his employer, than to know the number of members in the Senate at Washington, or the names and locations of all the bones of his body.
An intelligent choice of vocation cannot always be made for various reasons, namely :
(1) Desirable openings are not always available.
(2) The background of experience is lacking.
(3) Childish whims and the ill-formed ideas of parents generally are accountable for the choice.
Vocational Guidance is the antidote and may be admin- istered in two ways:
(1) Either by furnishing the background of experience. by the practice of actual shop work in well-equipped shops conducted on a commercial basis, or
(2) Through discussions on the opportunities of various commercial and industrial callings, and through conferences with individuals, growing out of follow-up visits to the homes and places of employment. The small school must, of necessity, use the second method. Follow-up visits. bring the home, the employer, and the school into close contact, and the pupil is considered in relation to his individual needs.
With these functions as a base, the program of studies is divided equally between academic and practical arts subjects. The academic work, for both boys and girls, includes oral and written English, Civics, Hygiene, Mental and Oral Arithmetic and Spelling. All academic subjects are related as closely as possible to the practical work which consists of household arts, cooking and sewing for the girls, and woodworking and general household repairs for the boys. It is our desire soon to add home nursing to the program for the girls, and sheet metal and electrical work for the boys.
Three rooms in the High School building were given over for our exclusive use, and a fourth has been used jointly with a High School Manual Training class. The milling machinery already in use in the High School, and sewing machines, a power machine, gas stoves, kitchen and dining room furniture, dishes and cooking utensils formerly used at the Girls' Voca- tional School were also placed at our disposal. Expense of installing new equipment and increased overhead charges were thus avoided.
New pupils are entering the school each week, making group instruction an impossibility within a short time of the opening of school ; therefore, the class work must be individual to a large degree.
In the shops exercise work is reduced to a minimum, and all projects are man-sized, marketable products. Already
127
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
our list of products in the boys' school, all of which have been sold, and our large repeat order list, include baby swings, waste baskets, telephone tables and chairs, tea wagons, cos- tumers, taborets, ironing boards, kitchen tables, etc. In the girls' school marketable products were prepared for the high school lunch room and many articles of wearing apparel were produced by the sewing class. Our productivity returns to the State Department of Education showed, to June 30, 1921, products having a market value of $958.81.
The membership of the school is always a varying quan- tity, due (1) to the dropping out of those who become sixteen years of age, and (2) to constant changing of city of employ- ment by the students. During the school year 1920-1921 the total number of different students enrolled was 382, of which 157 were girls and 225 were boys.
About November 20, 1920 the business depression which swept the country caused a large increase in the group of temporarily unemployed minors who were required to attend Continuation School twenty hours per week. This problem is distinct from the problem of the four-hour group and in- volves a larger provision for room, instruction and equipment. In order to provide for this group an extra woman teacher was added to the corps. Business conditions are now tending toward normality, but the enrollment for this year to date is smaller than for the corresponding period of last year. The decrease in enrollment is due to the fact that more students of our school are becoming sixteen years of age than the num- ber who are leaving regular schools to go to work. The scarcity of jobs makes the number who are leaving the regular schools far below normal, for no minor under sixteen years of age may leave school until he has a promise of employment.
The organization of this school was greatly facilitated by advice and suggestions from the Superintendent of Schools, and the High School administration has co-operated to make the school a success, and I wish to express my appreciation to all those who have shown interest and aided in the work.
Americanization Work. .
Somerville, in common with many other cities in Mas- sachusetts, especially those on the Atlantic coast in close proximity to ports of entrance, has many residents of foreign birth. Since the beginning of the World War the number has been increased by the large influx of immigrants to this country. A large number of these speak only the language of their native country, while others are wholly illiterate. The census of 1920 shows that there are 1200 persons, twenty-
128
ANNUAL REPORTS.
one years of age or over, who are unable to write in any." language, regardless of their ability to speak or read English .. These people cannot mingle easily with English speaking people· and they are at a disadvantage in all ways, especially in the matter of becoming acquainted with local institutions of government and society, and of becoming imbued with Amer -- ican ideals. Participation in governmental matters is not. within their reach, due to regulations controlling naturaliza -- tion. This condition is so serious that all units dealing with. government have seen the necessity of giving the matter .. earnest consideration.
Massachusetts, which is acknowledged to be the leader. in this respect, has passed a fine piece of legislation in Chapter- 295, General Acts of 1919, later changed to Chapter 69, Revised ! Laws. This act authorizes any city or town, in co-operation with the State Board of Education, to establish classes for instruction in the use of English for adults unable to speak,. read or write the same, and in the fundamental principles of government and other subjects adapted to fit for American citizenship. For such courses, the Commonwealth shall re -- imburse the city or town an amount equal to one-half the total' expense of supervision and instruction.
On October 6, 1919 the School Committee voted to accept- the provisions of Chapter 295 and, in consequence, classes. were organized at the evening school centers at the Bell and Highland Schools and at the Glines School during the fall season of 1920. In November, 1920 a Director for the work. was appointed and during the year 1921 two full time women organizers were added to the administration. The organizers : also supervise and instruct as part of their duties.
The work already established was reorganized and re- classifications were made, conforming with the specifications of the State Board of Education, Division of University Exten- sion, Department of Americanization. The students were graded in three groups, termed Beginners, Intermediates, and Advanced. The qualifications for these grades are as follows :
1. Beginners.
a. Ability to talk. Pupils having no power of oral ex- pression with or without some abil- ity to, understand the simplest forms of expression.
b. Ability to read. Pupils able or unable to readin their own language, but unable to read! simplest English intelligibly.
129
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
c. Ability to write. Pupils able or unable to write in their own language but unable to write simplest English sentences from dictation.
Il. Intermediates.
a. Ability to talk.
Pupils able to speak some English well, those who have completed a Beginners' Course, or have had con- siderable association with English- speaking people.
b. Ability to read.
Pupils able to read simple sentences with understanding.
c. Ability to write.
Pupils able to write from dictation and able to compose short letters with some correctness in form and spelling.
!Il. Advanced. v
Ability to talk, read and write to a sufficient degree to be able to study principles of civics and government and history leading to an examination for Nat- uralization.
Certificates showing progress through the various stages of this program are provided for the students by the State Department.
New classes were organized and developed whenever the demand required, and new centers have been opened in the Bennett, Bingham, Morse, and Knapp schoolhouses. Factory classes have also been organized at the plants of the North Packing and Provision Company, New England Dressed Meat and Wool Company, Hinckley Rendering Company and at the factory of H. M. Hillson Company. Mothers' classes, meeting afternoons at the Glines, Morse, and Knapp schools, have been very popular and well attended. A Citizenship class which was organized at the club house of the Italian-American Citizens' Club of Winter Hill, was rewarded by the announce- ment by the Federal Examiner that all taking the examina- tion had passed. The number of classes has been increased three-fold and the enrollment has been more than doubled.
A few years ago it was the general opinion that anyone could teach an evening school class, especially one composed of non-English speaking people. Later, trained day school teachers were found working in these classes, but it was soon found that the methods for day school work with children, without adaptation, cannot be made to serve for Americaniza-
130
ANNUAL REPORTS.
tion classes for adults. There is a distinct pedagogy in this work with adults and a very distinct methodology; therefore, teachers for these classes must be specifically trained for the work.
A careful study of methods has shown that the Direct Method is the proper one to use in the teaching of English to non-English speaking adults.
In view of the scarcity of specifically trained and qualified teachers for this work in Somerville, a fifteen lecture Teacher Training Course was conducted for us by the State Depart- ment.
At the opening of schools this fall, in order to stimulate and arouse interest in the cause, both among the foreign-born and older residents of the community, a Citizenship Day Celebration was held on Columbus Day, October 12, under the auspices of the School Committee. The main feature of the celebration was the public mass meeting held in High School Hall, at which His Honor, Mayor Charles W. Eldridge presided and His Excellency, Governor Channing H. Cox made a patriotic address in which he told of the advantages enjoyed by American citizens which are denied the peoples of other countries. He urged the foreign-born to continue their educa- tion, at least until they were able to become naturalized. John J. Mahoney, State Supervisor of Americanization, spoke along the same lines.
Preceding the exercises in the hall there were spectacular parades from the Morse, Glines and Bennett districts. Music was furnished in the hall, on the grounds and for the parades by the 101st Infantry Band.
The appended table shows the scope of Americanization work in operation when the schools were closed for the Christmas recess.
Plans are under consideration for the establishment of several additional factory classes and mothers' classes in sec- tions of the city where classes of this sort are not now con- ducted. Citizenship or Naturalization classes will be organized in any locality where a sufficient number of petitioners are found.
The results of the work during the year have been ex- ceedingly gratifying to me, and I wish to give the credit and express my appreciation to the organizers, supervisors, and teachers for their faithful, earnest, untiring efforts to bring about the desired results.
Respectfully submitted,
EVERETT W. IRELAND, Director.
LOCATION OF CENTER
No. of
Classes
Beginners
mediates
Mixed
Citizen-
ship
Afternoon Mothers'
Factory
Days
Hours P. M.
Sessions
Per Week
Length of
Ses in hrs
Hours
Per Week
No. Enrolled
TEACHERS
Glines School
3
.
.
M.W.F.
7.30-9.30| 3 | 2
6
| 22 | Florence W. Schroeder
1
M.W.F.
7.30-9.30|
3 | 2
| 6
31 | Mrs. Etta D. Ellsworth
W.F.
2.00-3.30
2
11/2
3
20! Mrs. Etta D. Ellsworth
Morse School
4
1
M.W.F.
7.30-9.30
3 | 2
6
31 |Elisabeth S. Webster
1
M.W.F.
7.30-9.30
3 | 2
6
-
39 |Alice M. Hayes
1
M.W.
7.30-9.30
2 | 2
| 4
28| Mary A. Whitney
1
Tu. Th.
2.00-3.30|
2 |
11/2
1 3
-
17 | Mary A. Whitney
Bell School
2
-
1
|M.Tu.Th.F.
7.30-9.30|
4
2 -
8
-
76 | Sara S. Coyne
Highland School
....
1
1
M.Tu.Th.F.
7.30-9.30
4
2
8
38| Myrtle M. Irwin
Knapp School
2
1
M.W.F.
7.30-9.30
3 | 2
6
-
33| Mrs. Melissa M. Lloyd
·
1
M.W.
2.00-3.30
2 | 11/2
13
15| Mary A. Whitney
Bennett School
2
1
M.W.F.
7.30-9.30 | 3 | 2
6
26 |Harriet F. Ward
1
M. F.
7.30-9.30| 2 | 2
1 4
17|Estelle M. Crowe
Bingham School ....
1
1
M.W.F.
7.30-9.30| 3 | 2
6
33 | Olive M. Brownell
N. E. D. M. & W. Co.
1
1
F. 4.00-5.30|
1 | 11/2
11/2
-
42 |Mary A. Whitney
Hinckley Rendering Co.
-
1
1
Tu.Th.F. 12.00-1.00
3 1
3
-
13 | Mrs. Etta D. Ellsworth
H. M. Hillson Co. -
1
1
Tu. Th.
5.00-6.00
2 | 1
2
1
20| Mrs. Etta D. Ellsworth
18 3 3 5 1
3 3
49 32
891/2 559
-
-
1
M.Tu. Th.F.
7.30-9.30|
4 | 2
8
-
58 | Mary A. Macklin
--
-
-
-
-
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
131
-
- -
-
-
..
TYPE OF CLASS
TIME
Inter-
1
1
132
ANNUAL REPORTS.
REPORT OF THE GARDEN SUPERVISOR.
Mr. Charles S. Clark,
Superintendent of Schools, Somerville, Mass.
Dear Sir :-
Permit me to submit a report of my work as garden super- visor and agricultural teacher for the season of 1921.
School Gardens.
At the end of three years, dealing with boys and girls in the City of Somerville along the lines of garden work as, a form of healthful and useful education, I feel as though I am qualified to make the statement that the successful carrying out to a completion of this definite project has been a success in Somerville. The general consensus of opinion among adult persons has been that children of fifth and sixth grade ages would not show an interest sufficient for them to actually complete a project such as that involved in the proper care of a garden. This year sixteen schools with a total enrollment of three hundred and thirty children cultivated approximately nine acres of land within the city limits, most of which was located on the City's Public Parks. Of these three hundred and thirty children, all but eight fulfilled all of the require- ments and carried the work through to a successful finish. This was done in spite of the fact that the season of 1921 from the standpoint of weather conditions was one of extremes, which makes the carrying on of garden work very difficult and at times very discouraging. I truly believe that the lessons learned and the experiences gained by the three hundred and thirty boys and girls who had school gardens this year will be of lasting benefit to them in years to come. Very few changes were made this year in the conducting of school gar- dens. Each participant was given a piece of land containing three hundred square feet. The land itself was plowed, cover- ed with dressing, and put in a condition for planting by the City Engineer's Department. All seeds and plants used in the school gardens were purchased by the supervisor, the chil- dren paying the cost of the same, which was 85 cents this year. All products raised were the property of the children to do with as they wished. The gardens were actually planted and cared for up to the close of school during school time, which in most cases amounted to about two hours per week. During the vacation the supervisor spent one-half day each week at each plot of land and every school gardener was expected to
133
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
be present that half day at least to care for his garden. The attendance during the summer vacation, even on the hottest days, is positive proof in itself that boys and girls are interest- ed and are willing to work if they have the proper incentive and encouragement. As has been the case for the last two years, one of the requirements of garden work is the keeping of a garden record book. Each gardener is provided with such a book and an accurate record of all products taken from the garden and the disposition made of them is kept together with all expenses incurred in operating their garden. From a careful analysis of these record books the following figures may be of interest and show to a certain extent results of this work. The total value of all crops raised was $8,000. This amount is divided into three parts; $1,500 was sold by the children, $4,500 was the value of the vegetables carried home and used by their parents, $2,000 represents the value of the vegetables taken from the school gardens and canned for use during the winter months. One of the great advantages from canning work is that the boys and girls are organized into clubs and as such receive recognition from the State Depart- ment of Agriculture and the County Bureau of Agriculture and Home Economics. Through these two mediums, a keen interest is worked up among the participants in the offering of suitable prizes and the chance to make exhibits at various fairs and expositions in competition with club members carry- ing on similar work throughout the whole state. This year garden club members made exhibits at the Massachusetts Horticultural Society's Exhibit at Horticultural Hall, Boston ; at the New England States Fair, Worcester; and also at the Middlesex County Fair at. Waltham. At the horticultural exhibit in Boston, they won several cash prizes. At Worcester first prize of $20 was awarded the Somerville Garden Club in competition with similar exhibits from all over the New Eng- land States. $22 in money was also awarded the different exhibitors at the Waltham Fair.
Canning Clubs.
Canning clubs were organized and conducted through the two summer months by two school teachers employed by the Recreation and Playground Commission to carry on this work under my supervision. Five clubs were organized with a total enrollment of sixty-five children. The work was carried on at two canning centers, one in the Western Junior High School. the other at the Senior High School where the equipment neces- sary for the carrying on of this work is provided. Most of the children belonging to the canning clubs had a school garden
134
ANNUAL REPORTS.
so that the vegetables canned during the season were freshly picked and of good quality which insures a canned product of the best. These canning clubs are also enrolled with the State and County Agricultural Departments and receive aid and benefit from them both. Canning club members are not only taught how to properly can all kinds of fruits and vegetables but they must be able themselves to explain and properly demonstrate the different steps necessary. Three girls, mem- bers of our canning clubs, were chosen as a demonstration team to represent Somerville in canning competitions carried on by the State Department of Agriculture. These competitive examinations were held at Watertown, Worcester, and Spring- field. As a result of their superior work, they captured the first prize and are known as the champion demonstration can- ning team of this state for the year 1922. At the close of the canning season a public exhibition of their products was held in the basement of the Senior High School at which time two competent judges from the State Department of Agriculture were present and judged their products. Some idea of the quality of the work done by these children, whose average age is 13, may be determined from the score card returned to the supervisor by the judges. The average score obtained by all of the sixty-five members was 93.5; the highest score being 96.4.
Winter Instruction.
During the winter term, classroom instruction to boys and girls was given in the fifth and sixth grades along simple lines of garden work. By means of this instruction, the chil- dren having gardens were better prepared when the time for actual garden work was at hand. A supply of flower and vegetable seeds put up in small packages was purchased by the supervisor and sold to the school children at cost. In this way reliable seeds of the varieties best adapted to garden condi- tions found here in this city were placed in the hands of chil- dren. About 16,000 packages were disposed of in this manner. Through the co-operation and courtesy of the Warden of the City Farm, flower and vegetable seeds were started in the greenhouse and then transplanted to cold frames and later used in the school gardens. Children from the schools in the west- ern part of the city were given valuable lessons in this phase of garden work, and it is the earnest desire of your garden supervisor that children in other parts of the city may get a little of this experience by means of the placing of some cold frames in the school yards. The cultivation of flowers was given more prominence in my work this year. I believe that if the children of this city can be interested in the cultivation
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