USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1922 > Part 22
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Parents often think that a high school diploma is all that is necessary to gain admission to college. This fallacy should be suppressed early in the Junior High School. Pupils in or- der to satisfy the college must do much better than passing work and must do much more than the amount of work just necessary for securing a High School diploma.
The rigorous and exacting requirements imposed by the colleges make college preparation very difficult and fill the short school day to repletion. Little opportunity is, therefore, granted the college-bound pupil to indulge in the so-called extra-curriculum activities of the high school, such as music, debating, work on the school paper, dramatics, etc. In this respect pupils of the preparatory course are largely deprived from taking part in many of the broader activities of the school and from securing that all-round preparation which gives them the best foundation for valuable citizenship and efficient membership in society. In brief, college preparation is narrowing rather than broadening,-in general, uninspira- tional.
Even with these limitations, college statistics show that public high school trained young men and women do better work in college than those from private preparatory schools.
What is the solution of this problem? A longer school day would help somewhat and that seems all that one can suggest under present conditions. Even that would be at- tended with some risk as time would thereby be taken by some from needed physical exercise or home study.
A real solution must come from the colleges through a readjustment of the requirements, a letting up of the gruel- ling and deadening repetition in the languages, the substitu- tion of interesting authors in both ancient and modern lan-
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guages, the study of modern history, social sciences, and the problems of citizenship, and a recognition of the value of a real study of music, debating, or art.
May the day soon come when all the courses in a high school may fit for citizenship and a real appreciation of right living."
The Commercial Department. This department provides vo- cational training in bookkeeping, typewriting, and stenogra- phy. A pupil who has taken the regular course in these sub- jects can easily find employment upon graduation, and can meet all the requirements which it is reasonable to expect a beginner of the age of a high school graduate to have in any of these subjects. Pupils of the commercial department of the graduating class are required to spend one week in office work during the senior year. These pupils by their work in the City offices, have clearly demonstrated their ef- fciency in stenography and typewriting, and in their ability to meet office requirements usually placed upon a beginner. Some graduates of the high school attend commercial schools, either to specialize in advanced work or to complete the course which they have begun too late to finish before grad- uation. Such instances in no way reflect upon the work of the school. They are variations of the rule which is that completion of the commercial course of the Somerville High School fits a pupil to begin work in some one of the three branches taught.
The General Course. The general course affords an oppor- tunity for pupils who for any reason plan to defer specializ- ing until after graduation. This course is rich in material and affords a fine opportunity for study and improvement under good conditions.
The Household Arts Course. This department is of recent development in the high school. It is fully explained in the report made by the Director of Household Arts. In this course a girl divides her time equally between a group con- sisting of dressmaking. millinery, cooking, household eco- nomics and other related subjects, and a group of academic studies taken from the general curriculum. It is valuable not alone on account of the special training which it provides but also for the reason that it fits girls to enter a variety of vocations upon graduation, wherein they can be self-sup- porting until the time for home-making arrives.
Extra Curricula Activities
Personal development of the students of the High School in initiative, self-reliance, executive ability, and social co-
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operation, is promoted by certain activities which the stu- dents themselves conduct. These are commonly classed as extra curricula activities. What is being done in the High School along this line is shown in the following statement which has been prepared, with the approval of the Head- master of the High School, by Stephen H. Mahoney, a mem- ber of the High School Faculty :
The Extra Curricula Activities of the Somerville High School
Besides the regularly prescribed activities there are many undertakings connected with the High School course which are open to the pupils. These activities are conducted by the pupils themselves, but are under the guidance or super- vision of members of the faculty. The administration of the High School fosters and encourages these miscellaneous un- dertakings as helpful to the pupils from a cultural, recrea- tional, or scientific standpoint.
The Students' Council is the representative organization for the entire membership of the school. The four officers of each class, namely, the president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer are ex-officiis members of the council. In addi- tion there are six members known as Floor Proctors, each proctor representing the rooms on one floor of each of the High School buildings. The Council in its representative capacity acts for the student body in offering suggestions to the Headmaster and Faculty relative to student cooperation in school affairs. Illustrations of the work of the Council are : planning methods of filing to and from recitations, pro- curing posters and mottoes for school activities, conducting school assemblies for the promotion of some particular un- dertaking, acting as ushers at assemblies and public gather- ings. and acting as monitors in the fire drill. The projects of the Council are transmitted to the pupils of the school through the medium of Proctors, each home room in the school building being represented by a Proctor selected from the membership of the room.
In addition to the Students' Council, as has been inti- mated above, each of the three classes in the High School has its own organization for the administration of class affairs. The class officers, namely, a president, vice-president, secre- tary, treasurer, editor, and assistant editor are elected an- nually by ballot. Each election is conducted in accordance with the custom of municipal and state elections, the candi- dates being placed in nomination by the filing of the proper papers and, in the case of the senior class, the election is conducted at a city polling booth under the supervision of
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student election officials. Each class conducts its own meet- ings during the school year as occasion demands, the routine work being attended to by the officers.
Chief among the literary activities of the school is the publication of a school paper, "The Radiator." This paper which is issued monthly is managed entirely by students. This publication serves as a journal for recording school activ- ities, and as a medium for promoting interest and coopera- tion among the pupils.
The Boys' Debating Society, with an active membership of about fifty pupils, aims to foster practice in public speak- ing, to train the boys in logical reasoning, and to promote interest in public questions. Meetings are held weekly in the school building, and in addition the society usually com- petes in one or more contests with other schools.
The Girls' Debating Society serves the same purpose for the girls of the school. This organization is a member of a triangular league, the other members being representatives of the Newton and Brookline High Schools. These three schools meet annually in a triangular contest.
The Somerville High School Players' Club is a recently 'organized undertaking in the school. With a membership of approximately 125 pupils, its purpose is to promote in- terest in dramatic activities. Included in its membership are pupils representing the Art Department, the Dressmak- ing Department, and the Manual Training Department, thus enabling the organization to procure within its own ranks the costumes, scenery, and stage property essential to the pres- entation of plays.
The Somerville High School Orchestra heads the list of musical activities. Its membership of sixty pieces is drawn from the pupils in the school capable of playing orchestral instruments. Most of the players have already been mem- bers of similar organizations in the Junior High School Sys- tem and accordingly have profited by such experience. The orchestra is under the supervision of the director of music, and aims to teach concert playing for both school affairs and other functions which have the sanction of the School Committee.
The School Band with a membership of approximately thirty-five pupils rehearses weekly and furnishes music for many of the school activities, particularly those of an out- door nature. The band is also occasionally called upon to render music for parades and other undertakings which have the approval of the school authorities.
The Fife and Drum Corps is a boys' organization which
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renders music chiefly for the physical training activities of the school, particularly those of an outdoor character. It is composed of 40 pupils who meet weekly for instruction and rehearsal.
The Fife, Drum and Bugle Corps is a similar organiza- tion for girls, and alternates with the boys' organization in furnishing field music. There are at present about 40 mem- bers in the corps.
The Mandolin Club is composed of 24 pupils who play the stringed instruments. Its purpose is to provide pleasure for its members in concert playing and also to furnish an- other type of entertainment at school functions.
The Boys' Glee Club has a membership of 30 and meets weekly for rehearsal. Its objective is socialized concert sing- ing for the purpose of the pleasure it affords those partici- pating, as well as for the purpose of rendering selections in public.
The Girls' Senior Glee Club numbers 80 members from two upper classes in the High School and serves the same purposes as the similar organization among the boys.
The Girls' Junior Glee Club secures its membership from among the first year pupils. Its present membership is ap- proximately 45 girls.
The Somerville High School Athletic Association is the medium through which the pupils support the major athletic activities of the school. An executive committee, on which the students and alumni are represented, conducts the ad- ministrative business of the association. Under its super- vision Baseball, Football, Hockey. Basket Ball, and Track activities are conducted for the boys of the school. This association conducts its work in cooperation with and under the direction of the School Committee.
The Girls' Athletic Association is a similar organization for the purpose of promoting athletic activities for girls. Its organized undertakings thus far include Tennis, Basket Ball, and Field Hockey, and in addition it has conducted informal hikes, swimming groups, toboggan parties, and similar activ- ities.
The "S" Man's Club is a newly formed society in the school. All athletes who have been awarded letters by the Athletic Association are eligible to membership. The pur- pose of the club is to cooperate with the school faculty in the conduct of athletic undertakings, to promote a better feeling among those participating in school athletics, and to exert its influence in general school affairs.
The School Bank is the medium through which thrift is encouraged among the pupils. At a stated time in the
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week's program a brief period is provided during which the pupils of the school are encouraged to make regular deposits in the bank or its sub-stations which are conveniently located throughout the school.
The French Club was organized to stimulate interest in the French Language, and give opportunity for speaking French in recitations, dialogues, plays, songs, etc., and to help pupils to gain confidence and to become better ac- quainted with teachers and fellow pupils.
The Chess Club has at present a membership of 25 boys and meets weekly to promote interest in this scientific game. Matches with other schools are occasionally arranged.
The Radio Club is now in the process of organization. Its objective is to instruct pupils who are interested in the subject of Radio to build or improve Receiving Sets and also to provide instructions in the reading of the Radio Code.
The Art Club is the most recent organization in the school and is not yet sufficiently established to report its ac- complishments. Its function will be to promote interest in art as an asset to culture and also to assist other school activ- ities by furnishing posters and like material.
Vocational School
Under the State Law any child fourteen years of age or over is entitled to attend a vocational school in his own town or elsewhere in the state, provided his own town does not maintain the type of school which he wishes to attend. In the latter case, the home town must pay the tuition for every such pupil to the town maintaining the school which the pu- pil attends. Somerville has for a number of years maintained a day Vocational School for Boys. For a number of years it also maintained a day Vocational School for Girls, but in October, 1919, this school was closed and in its place a de- partment of Household Arts was established in the High School as a vocational opportunity for girls. Under present conditions, then, the local youth may choose between attend- ing the vocational school maintained by the City of Somer- ville or attending some other type of vocational school main- tained in other communities. At present, attendance of Som- erville youth at day vocational schools is as follows :
In Somerville Day Vocational School. 90
Household Arts, S. H. S. 34 In Boston 14
Of the number of pupils attending the Boys' Vocational School 52 are residents of Somerville and 38 of other communities.
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Five departments are maintained : academic, wood-work- ing, machine-shop, automobile repairing and mechanical draw- ing. The school is well equipped, has competent instructors, and prepares boys to enter the trades as advanced appren- tices. Its course of instruction is three years in length. Un- der the rules of the Department of Education, fifteen pupils is the maximum number to be taught by a trade instructor. While the present school plant is so occupied that there is lo room for additional classes, there is room for additional pupils in a number of the departments.
The possibility of increasing the scope and influence of this school is great. Such development can only come, how- ever. as a result of greater appreciation of this type of school on the part of parents whose boys would find their best ca- reers in industry. In a community where construction is one of the greatest enterprises in which the people are engaged, well- trained tradesmen are essential to its welfare and progress. Honorable careers of usefulness and profit are open to such workers. The Vocational School for Boys gives a chance to learn the elements of a trade and at the same time to advance in academic study. It is possible, of course, to develop this school by the addition of a year to its course of study should the public demand therefor be sufficient. In the same degree, instruction in other trades could be added, thereby increasing the opportunities for boys to prepare to earn a living and to get academic instruction at the same time.
Continuation Schools
In a referendum vote in 1919, the people of Somerville decided to accept the provisions of the law in reference to continuation schools, and in September 1920 such schools were opened by the School Committee. Two kinds were pro- vided, one for girls and one for boys, each having two teach- ers. The classes were located in the High School building, each using two rooms. The equipment of the two schools was furnished mainly by transfer from the High School. To- day both schools are located in the High School building, and improvement has been made in the space provisions made for them. Under the law, all children fourteen to sixteen years of age, who are at work, must attend Continuation School four hours every week, in the town where they are employed. As many of our youth work in other places than Somerville, not all of them are in our Continuation Schools.
The present membership of our schools is as follows : Boys, 88; Girls, 48. Both schools are organized in two general departments, academic and practical arts. The work
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in both departments is well organized and holds the attend- ance and interest of the youth who attend the schools.
One element of difficulty in the management of these schools is the problem of the twenty-hour pupil. Under the law a child fourteen to sixteen years of age who is out of work must attend Continuation School twenty hours a week. As there is a good deal of variability among the individuals of this group, due to the fact that changes of employment and idleness are constantly occurring, it is difficult in schools as small as ours to arrange satisfactory programs for these pupils. The problem, however, has been handled as well as possible under the conditions now obtaining. Future devel- opments may point to ways of improvement in this matter.
Americanization
Classes in English for adults of foreign birth have been conducted in accordance with the general plans which have been developed in the two preceding years. So far as the organization goes, an attempt has been made to provide the most convenient opportunity possible for those who wished to learn the English language. Classes have been conducted in school buildings in the evening, in factories wherever ar- rangements to that end could be made, and in schoolhouses and homes during the day. A special effort has been made to provide afternoon classes for mothers and interesting re- sults have followed this attempt. A class in citizenship was conducted in the Morse School with an attendance of 22 men, of whom 21 passed the examination for final papers. Two supervisors have visited the homes of many non-English speak- ing families to spread information about these classes and to create a friendly attitude towards our language and customs. A very eager spirit has been shown by all of those who attend these classes and a strong desire to become acquainted with the English language and identified with our habits and com- munity life. The classes average 67 sessions a year. General- ly the attendants of these classes are sorry to have the ses- sion come to a close. In looking for a justification for con- ducting this work at public expense one would have to esti- mate the following values :
(a.) A considerable number of men have qualified for citizenship through the instruction received in these classes.
(b.) A much larger number have improved their knowl- edge of English and thereby have increased their value not alone to themselves but also to the other members of the com- munity.
(c.) All of the attendants have gained in knowledge of
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and sympathy for our institutions and have thereby become more identified with our interests.
The work in Somerville has been conducted in harmony with the general plans formed by the Department of Educa- tion for the carrying on of this work throughout the state. These state plans indicate that the problem of educating the foreign-born in the English language and customs is regarded as of large importance to the future welfare of the state. In connection with the meeting of the N. E. A. in Boston a conference of leaders in Americanization work lasting two days was held. The general state of this undertaking through- out the country was considered. The common opinion was that this work is necessary and should be pushed vigorously among all people of foreign speech residing in this country. This opinion was maintained on grounds of national interest as well as on grounds of the interest of the newcomers them- selves. The local work is in harmony then with the purposes, plans of organization, and methods of procedure which are approved by the workers in this field both in the State and the Nation.
Night School
Night schools now include the Evening High School, ele- mentary academic classes, vocational classes for men and women, and Americanization classes. This enumeration shows a change in the character of night school instruction from the type formerly given, which was mainly academic. The Eve- ning High School has been conducted on the general lines followed in previous years. The membership has been some- - what larger than last year, and has been made up of earnest young men and women. Never has there been more interest in the subjects studied or better progress made by the stu- dents. .
The classes in strictly elementary work were only two in number. one at the Bell School and one at the Western Junior High School. In this department of Evening School under- taking a considerable shrinkage is shown from the numbers of earlier years. It is probable that the local native-born youth advance so far in school before leaving that the kind of night school instruction they desire to obtain will be found in the high school rather than in elementary grade work. This condition is no reflection upon the organization or offering of the Evening Schools. but is an indication of the change of day school conditions.
The vocational evening classes have been conducted for men and women. Those for the men have been located in
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the Vocational School for Boys, and consisted of classes in machine shop practice and automobile mechanics. The Voca- tional School for Women consists of classes conducted in the High School building, and in the Western Junior High School. The subjects offered are dressmaking and millinery. These classes are well attended and are meeting a very positive de- mand. All vocational classes, whether held in the day or evening, are conducted in co-operation with the State Depart- ment of Education under the plan by which the State pays one-half of maintenance cost.
Atypical Classes
Section 46, Chapter 71, General Laws of Massachusetts is as follows :
"The school committee of every town shall annually as- certain, under regulations prescribed by the department and the commissioner of mental diseases, the number of children three years or more retarded in mental development in attend- ance upon its public schools, or of school age and resident therein. At the beginning of each school year, the committee of every town where there are ten or more such children shall establish special classes for their instruction according to their mental attainments, under regulations prescribed by the department."
Before the enactment of this law Somerville already had established three classes for such children. These have al- ways been full but have taken care of only a fraction of the number of children for whom such classes are intended. During the summer of 1921 a psychological clinic began work in Som- erville under the direction of the Department of Education and has continued in operation ever since. As the members of this clinic devote only part-time to this city, the progress of the work is necessarily slow.
It has, however, completed the examination of a number of children and has made definite report upon them. At the present time the situation is as follows :
Thirty-seven additional children have been declared to be eligible for this type of school. One hundred thirty-nine more children have been reported for and are waiting exami- nation. Without doubt a large part of these children will be found to be three years or more retarded. It is apparent irom this review of the matter that a considerable problem must be met and solved in the near future. With fifteen pupils to a class there are now enough of these children to make two additional classes. This number will be increased as the examination progresses. Consequently we shall be
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called upon to provide additional classes, probably at least four or five in number. With an undertaking of this size to be handled, methods of organization will necessarily have to be considered. At present the three classes are placed sep- arately in different parts of the city, each conducted as an in- dependent unit. Each receives and teaches pupils of various ages and stages of physical and mental development. This arrangement has, in the past, been necessary for various rea- sons. The classes have done the work for which they were established as well as possible under such conditions, but with the larger undertaking to be managed a different scheme of organization should be followed, and very much more should be done for these children. As soon as circumstances will permit, all of these classes should be gathered in one build- ing, the work should be graded by age or capacity, and more adequate provision of handwork equipment should be pro- vided. Such an arrangement would be more economical so far as the needed equipment is concerned and it would pro- vide opportunities for older children of this type which they do not now have.
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