USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1923 > Part 13
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"If we are to perform this task properly, we must have a knowledge of those we are seeking to initiate into our brotherhood. We can only acquire this knowledge by actual personal social contact.
205
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
"There is but one way to make a good American,-that is through sympathy and understanding. It is necessary to know the history of the present and past condition of the im- migrant and the simple homely traits which manifest them- selves in his manner of daily living. The form of procedure must be based on the psychology of the folk. This knowl- edge cannot be obtained at long range but by actual partici- pation in the home life by constant visiting.
"Only by the most intimate relations can a supervisor gain the confidence of the new people, but once having gained it, nothing can sever it. After months and even years of visit- ing, she finds that she has built up a most vital clientele. These people constitute a wonderfully powerful nucleus up- on which to build for future organization and development of the work.
"There is no magic of process which can be applied to all national groups. Each group must be given its own peculiar consideration and patient friendly visits.
Americanization is a mutual process, and success will never be realized while the foreign born are forced to live in unassimilated groups and remain the victims of civic disin- terestedness. Here again innumerable opportunities for civic betterment are afforded through the visiting of the native born organizations, and bringing about a healthy state of cooperation between those who were placed here by the acci- dent of birth and those who showed in advance that they were endowed with initiative by coming here.
"Perhaps one of the most vital necessities for the per- sonal contact in this work is the status of the immigrant mother. Her husband and children absorb American influ- ence in the school and factory,-she hears them speaking a new language which she does not understand, she is shunned by her American neighbors, and is even derided by her chil- dren. She has lost all authority over her children. The child becomes her mentor and interpreter. These tragedies are of- ten reflected in the criminal court records which show that the number of offenders are children of foreign born parents and native born parents in the ratio of two and one half to one. It is interesting to note that this condition is improv- ing since the closer personal contact with the home has been established. No longer does the immigrant mother close her door in the face of the Americanization worker, because she knows that she is not being patronized but helped to a better understanding of her new environment, and that only through the medium of the English language can. she hope to cope
.7 206
ANNUAL REPORTS.
with her husband and children and her new life in America. A few specific cases may prove of interest :
1. Was witness in three court cases.
2. Was witness in cases of Naturalization.
3. Accompanied two racial groups of women to Naturalization court for first papers.
4. Accompanied three women for diagnosis and ex- amination, X-Ray etc.
5. Took groups to visit the Legislature and courts.
6. Procured $200 worth of work in embroidery for a woman whose husband was out of work.
7. Visited a dying husband in hospital and reported daily to wife who was ill in bed.
The true value of the personal touch in this work can never be estimated. It is the foundation upon which human rela- tions are blended into the spirit of true understanding which alone makes for success."
"ETTA D. ELLSWORTH."
The size of the undertaking in Somerville has not changed materially during the last year, nor have the nationalities represented changed. To be sure, some of those who have attained an accomplishment sufficient to obtain Citizenship papers have left our ranks, but the new immigrants have more than filled the vacancies. At the present time the mem- bership is 411, divided as follows :- Evening classes 274; Afternoon mothers' classes 95; Factory classes 10; Citizen- ship class 14; and Dressmaking evening class 18.
The appended table shows the location of centres, types of classes and time elements of the classes in operation when the schools were closed for the Christmas recess.
An innovation in Americanization work was started in the Morse School as an experiment. Dressmaking is used as the medium for the teaching of English. It has not been at- tempted with the idea of teaching the beginner English but to stimulate the interest of those who have acquired at least some English through attendance on Beginners' classes or by personal contact with English speaking persons. At this time it would not be advisable to make great predictions for the success of this undertaking but it seems probable that other classes of a similar nature will attract many who have not been sold on the conventional academic instruction.
In the interest of National Education Week the classes met in High School Hall on the evening of November 21,
207
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
1923. Mr. Charles S. Clark, Superintendent of Schools, pre- sided. His Honor, Mayor John M. Webster, made an inter- esting address of welcome. The Director and two members of the classes told of the work in Somerville and members of the classes and the High School orchestra furnished a fine musical program.
In concluding this brief statement of the work, I want to give full credit to the supervisors and teachers and I wish to express my appreciation of their loyalty and cooperation.
Respectfully submitted, EVERETT W. IRELAND, Director.
Table Showing Location of Centres, Types of Classes and Time Elements of Americanization Classes
TYPE OF CLASS
TIME
LOCATION OF CENTRE
No. of
Classes
Beginners
Inter-
Mixed
Citizen-
Mothers'
Factory
Dress-
making
Days
Hours
Sessions
per week
sess. in hrs. Length of Average
per week Hours
TEACHERS
Glines School
-
2 | 1
1
M. Tu. Th.
7.30.9.30
3 |
2
1 6
Harriet F. Ward
Morse School
5 |1|
M. Tu. Th.
7.30-9.30
3 | 2
6
Laura Flynn
M. Tu. Th.
7.30-9.30
3
2
1 6
Marie Wieczorek
M. Tu. Th.
7.30-9.30
3
2
6
Edith Laycock
1
-
1 -
Tu. Th.
1.45-3.30
2
1 3/4
| 31/2
Mary A. Whitney
Tu. Th.
7 30-9.30
2
| 2
4
-
Mrs. Nora Early
M. Tu. Th.
7.30-9.30
3 | 2
-
6 Mary A. Macklin
Tu. W.
10.00-11.30
2
13/4
31/2
Mary A. Whitney
1.30-3.30
Bennett School
-
3
1
M. Tu. Th.
7.30-9.30
3 | 2
6
- Estelle M. Crowe
| W. F.
1.00-2.45
2 | 13/4
31/2
Mrs. Etta D. Ellsworth
--
1 |
W. F.
2.45-3.45
2 |1
2
-
-
1
1
-
-
|M. Tu. Th. F. |
7.30-9.30
|4 |2
-
-
Sara S. Coyne
W. J. H. School ..
-
3 1
M. Tu. Th. F. |
7.30-9.30
-
-
4 | 2
-
-
Mary Laffin
M. F.
2.00-4.00
2 | 2
4
Mary A. Whitney
Bingham School
-
2
1
1
Tu. Th.
1 1.30-3.30
2
13/4
31/2
Mrs. Etta D. Ellsworth
M. W. Carr Co ..........
1
1
M. W. F.
12.00-1.00
3 | 1
3
- Mary A. Whitney
314 Lowell St.
....
1
1
Th.
10.00-12.00
1 | 2
2
Mrs. Etta D. Ellsworth
I. A. Citizens ....
2
-
1
Tu.
| 7 45-10.00
1 | 21/4
21/4
1 Mrs. Etta D. Ellsworth
M. Th.
2.00-4.00
2
1 3/4
31/2
Mrs. Etta D. Ellsworth
-
22 | 4 |3 |4 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 1 |
-
57 |
|106 34
-
| M. Tu. Th.
7.30-9.30
3 |2 |6
Monira Gregory
-1
|1
-
-
1
-
-
2
1
1
-
- 1
1 |
-
M. Tu. Th.
7.30-9.30
3 2
6
-
Elisabeth S. Webster
-
-
1
| M. Tu. Th. F. |
7.30-9.30
4 | 2
8 -
-
Carrie M. Frost
...
ANNUAL REPORTS.
208
1
Knapp School
..
..
1
Mrs. Etta D. Ellsworth
Bell School
..
...
mediates
ship
Day
1
2.45-4.15
8
8
1.00-2.30
209
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSEHOLD ARTS
Mr. Charles S. Clark, Superintendent of Schools, Somerville, Mass.
Dear Mr. Clark :
The number of girls electing Household Arts this year is over four times that of last year, the total registration being 110. They are more earnest and have a higher rating for scholarship than last year's group. They come from the dif- ferent departments in the High school,-some from the Col- lege, some the General, and some from the Commercial, by far the largest number from this last.
This increased attendance is partly due to the rearrange- ment of the Household Arts course so that it would dove- tail into these other departments without taking out any of the particular subjects that belonged to Household Arts.
Certain conditions exist. There are two groups taking Household Arts in the Junior High schools, one the straight Household Arts, and the other the Commercial Household Arts, this the larger group. Now when girls from this last group enter the High school they naturally elect the Commer- cial Course, although they may want Household Arts too; but because the subjects conflict for some periods, they are obliged to drop one or the other and so drop the Household Arts and elect just cooking or dressmaking, which will give them the number of points they require and can be fitted in wherever they have a spare period. This is an unsatisfactory arrangement because a period is only about forty-one min- utes. There are pupils also in other courses who want House- hold Arts but cannot elect the course in its entirety because of conflicting programs.
Because we felt that Household Arts was an important part of a girl's training and at the same time recognized the attractions that a business career would have, we planned the time and the program so that they would fit into every other course. This was done by arranging household subjects for certain periods every day, and suggesting certain electives that were related to Household Arts and could be partly cred- ited to that course. A detailed outline of the arrangement is given here.
210
ANNUAL REPORTS
Sophomore Year
Periods
Points
Millinery (Sept .- Nov.)
-
4
2
Dressmaking (Jan .- June)
5
3
1
1
-
10
6
Elect for Household Arts
Commerce and Industry
21/2
2 1/2
and Drawing
21/2
1
or Physics
.
.
5
5
Biology
. .
.
5
5
Junior Year
Millinery (Sept .- Jan.)
5
3
Cooking (Sept .- June) .
4
2
Home Project
1
1
Elect One
Chemistry
5
5
Drawing
.
.
.
4
2
Senior Year
Cooking (Nutrition) .
(Household Management)
5
3
Nursing
Dressmaking (Sept .- June)
(choice of either)
4
2
Millinery (Sept .- June)
1
1
Elect One
Physics .
5
5
Chemistry
5
5
.
.
.
A question may arise as to why these required High school studies are not adapted especially to the Household Arts program, but are given as they are given in the regular High school program. Unless a pupil fulfills the require- ments of a study she is very much handicapped when she wishes to continue her education beyond High school, and so as few girls have very definite plans as to the future, it was thought wiser to keep the required standard, particularly as these selected subjects partly dealt with problems of the house- hold. This arrangement has worked out satisfactorily this year.
The programs of the Junior and Senior classes are so arranged as to allow during the last two periods of the day
10
6
Home Project
10
6
Dressmaking (Jan .- June)
Cooking (Food Study) (Sept .- June)
Home Project
Nursing (Nov .- Jan.)
211
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
some freedom for educational opportunities out of school. Visits are made to interesting places when occasion arises. A visit was made to a market in Boston where different cuts of meat were explained. When the new Manhattan Laundry was opened a group visited that place and were much inter- ested in modern laundry methods. Another group visited the electrical exhibit at Davis square and brought back to their house-planning class much of value, for they had seen real equipment that had been discussed in class from catalogues. Another time a series of lantern slides were shown on appro- priate dress for High school and College girls. These slides were made for school and club use under the direction of the Extension service of the Massachusetts Agricultural College and the Clothing Bureau of Filene's and were loaned by that Bureau. A Supper Club has been organized under the direc- tion of the Junior Extension service. Further visits are plan- ned to Framingham Normal school, to one of the hospitals, and some of the special training schools.
Lessons on Home Care of the Sick have just begun with Miss Spelman, a Red Cross nurse, in charge of the classes. The course covers the same ground as last year, and is the approved course for which a certificate is granted. It is di- vided to cover two years instead of one to allow for more practice. Time is saved by having lessons in the school build- ing, and although this is not an ideal arrangement when the room is not especially equipped, a good deal of time is saved for class work that would have to be spent going to and from the hospital.
The other subjects in the Household Arts course continue the same as last year; dressmaking and millinery for part of each year; textiles, house planning, and household accounts. Reports from the Cookery and Dressmaking instructors are here given :
"The cookery classes in the High school are divided into two groups, the Household Arts classes, and the elective classes or girls who elect just cooking and none of the other Household Arts subjects. There were only nineteen girls who were able to arrange their programs to elect cooking. This was due to a change in the policy of the department, namely that girls must have double periods of cooking, not single periods promiscuously through the week. It certainly was hard to refuse the fifty-seven girls because they had only single periods, but we hope that more time can be found for double periods next year.
"The Senior class have cooking four periods a week and special stress is placed on the preparation of luncheon and
212
ANNUAL REPORTS
dinner menus and service. Cooking is closely related to the work in nutrition which is given two periods a week for three months. During this time the fundamental principles of foods are studied, and their places in the diet. Later when they have Household Management the problems of the house such as menu planning, marketing, planning of work, and san- itation will be studied. Order cooking has also been done by the Senior Class. This consists of making breads, muffins, cakes, pies, and cookies.
"The Sophomore groups have food study and cooking. The cooking is of the simpler kind and is disposed of in the lunch room. In the food study class the individual foods that make up the daily dietary are considered.
"Considering the increase over last year we can safely say that the Household Arts department has gained a place of importance in the High school curriculum and we hope it will continue to grow and thereby fulfill a very vital need in each and every girl's training."
"ETHEL M. MOORE, Instructor."
"Two hundred and sixty-seven girls, not including the Household Arts group, applied for dressmaking but owing to lack of room one hundred and fifteen were refused. The work of this department is the same as last year. Forty of the 1923 graduating class made their graduation dresses ; some the evening dresses for Senior night. In the Senior class two winter coats of soft pile fabrics were made, the class being shown how to sew fur, as both these coats had fur col- lars and cuffs. Two sport coats were made, and several coat suits.
"To the girls willing to spend some money in buying materials for advanced sewing, no better opportunity offers than this instruction in dressmaking and coat making, and it compares favorably with similar work turned out by colleges where dressmaking is taught.
"Two pupils have been placed in dressmaking establish- ments and are doing well. There is always an opening for girls wishing to engage in this occupation, and the gratifying fact is that they are taken on the recommendation of the in- structor and always make good.
"An effort is being made to interest the mothers in com- ing to the school and becoming acquainted with the House- hold Arts teachers so that a friendly relation between the two can be established. It is planned to hold a mothers' meeting once a month on Monday night while the evening
213
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
school is in session, to have some interesting topic presented, and to have a social time afterwards with different groups of girls as hostesses each night.
"This month the same lantern slides that were shown the day classes were shown in the evening, except that more were shown in the evening concerning women's dress. About thirty- five mothers attended, some bringing friends with them; while the number was small there was much interest shown, and bet- ter still we had the opportunity of becoming acquainted.
"Household Arts has a definite place in the High School program. Its aim being vocational, it reaches out into other departments among students who want to know of special op- portunities for study or earning a living, and there have been girls who come to this department to talk over their future with the director. Some girls want training in special schools but do not know where to apply for information, or what studies would be of the most help, so they come seeking in- formation, consult the catalogues, take them home to be talked over with parents, and ask advice. In several cases these personal talks have been supplemented by visits to the spe- cial school with the director, and every encouragement 'has been given to help toward a decision.
"This little vocational guidance does not necessarily bring students into the Household Arts department; but it is show- ing girls outside the department that Household Arts means something besides cookery and sewing, and that its interests can be closely connected with other departments."
"JULIA A. HALEY, Instructor."
"While the Lunch Room prepares most of the food served to both pupils and teachers, it is possible to use that prepared in the cookery and the Continuation School classes. As the lunch room is a school affair, it makes use of products of the school when possible, and is a good outlet for the disposal of foods.
"A varied and plentiful lunch is offered each day. This consists of two or three hot dishes, three kinds of sandwiches and buttered rolls, milk served in individual bottles, ice cream, and two or three kinds of desserts. It is a rule of the lunch department that all foods sold over the counter shall be prepared in the school by the manager and her helpers; the only foods purchased outside being loaves of bread, ice- cream, milk, and chocolate bars. It is also a rule that can- ned goods are used when it is not possible to procure fresh ones.
214
ANNUAL REPORTS.
"A student can procure a substantial lunch in the cafe- teria for a very reasonable sum. Following is a sample menu :
Lamb stew 5c
Macaroni and cheese
5c
Scalloped potato with bacon
5c
Ham sandwiches 5c
Peanut butter sandwich
4c
Buttered Vienna roll
3c
Raisin bread and butter
3c
Milk
5c
Ice cream
5c
Chocolate
5c
Cream puffs
5c
Caramel Blanc Mange
5c
It is not known how many pupils are served each day. There is an open recess, and on fair days a number buy their lunch across the street; on rainy days the place is crowded.
"The members of the faculty are served in two periods ; recess and the fifth period. While their food is usually the same, sometimes more expensive foods are served than would be purchased by the pupils.
"The lunch room has been in existence about ten years, and equipment is wearing out which it is costly to replace, yet the best of things cannot last forever, and it is hoped that new equipment can be added to make the service better. The lunch room could be more attractive and compare more favor- ably with other high schools if the walls were whitened, and a wood floor added back of the counter, where dampness and moisture there are injurious to the health of the workers, and the slippery condition of the concrete is dangerous at times."
"GERTRUDE LUCE, Manager."
Junior High Schools. In the Junior High schools this year Bread Clubs have been started under the direction of the Junior Extension Service of the Massachusetts Agricultural College and carried on somewhat differently from last year, as the regular teacher of Domestic Science is the leader for the group in each school. This had previously been done in one school and was most successful. In the other schools it had been carried on with most enthusiastic groups under the general direction of Miss Crowe who has been in charge of the summer canning clubs for several years. Because of her increased duties in other lines she preferred not to have these clubs this year, and so they were organized in each school by the Domestic Science teacher. We hope that at the end of the year there will be as excellent a showing of products as under Miss Crowe's supervision.
215.
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
Another new arrangement has been made in regard to having a practice teacher for some afternoon classes in cook -. ery and morning classes in sewing in the several schools where an extra teacher was needed for part time.
We are very much pleased to be able to make arrange -- ments with the Vocational Department of the Framingham Normal school by which a Senior student gives twelve weeks: of her time to instruction in our classes. At the end of this time another student takes her place for the same length of time. This arrangement cannot interfere with prearranged instruction, and it brings new ideas to us that we are always. glad to have. It is of benefit to the young teacher because she has entire charge of a class and is responsible for its suc- cessful conduct. These teachers are supervised by Miss Stur- tevant, the Director of the Vocational Department at Fram- ingham, and by the Director of Household Arts of Somer- ville.
Sewing Classes in the Grades. This sewing does not vary much as it is the beginning of the sewing course and needs to be elemental. Emphasis is placed upon posture, and stitches applied to real articles and not to samples.
Last spring an exhibit from the sewing classes in the grades and Junior High Schools was sent to London at the request of the Metropolitan Chapter of the American Red Cross to interest teachers of Home Economics in the British Isles. We were glad to have our sewing included with that of other schools sent overseas.
Evening Practical Arts. There has been a greater de- mand for entrance to these classes than ever before, and while we had at the beginning a registration of two hundred eighty- four, we could not accommodate so many. At the High school 73 were admitted to the dressmaking classes, and 83 to the millinery classes. Three new teachers were added to the facul- ty to take care of the increased numbers. At the Western Junior High school twenty were admitted to the dressmaking class, and forty to the millinery classes.
While a millinery class can be fitted into a regular school room, we are limited as to dressmaking for the subject needs special equipment, and we have only one room in each build- ing available, with a cooking class room turned over to that use in the High school.
New interests have been added this year. The making of a dress form has been taught, a subject that became so popu- lar in extension work several years ago. So now at the be- ginning of her dressmaking course each woman will have
216
ANNUAL REPORTS.
made for her a dress form that is herself without any adjust- ing, and on which she can drape all the dresses she makes during the two years. It was tried out in one class to see the result and was accepted so enthusiastically that it will now be introduced into all the dressmaking classes.
In millinery, buckram frames were made this year, fitted to the individual, and draped and trimmed by her, so that the first hat made was entirely made by hand from founda- tion to finished ornament.
In the term after Christmas frame blocking over wire foundations will be taught, including the use of the crown block. Flower making will be the between season unit, with new flowers and foliage for the models.
Two exhibits have been arranged for; one on December 13 when winter hats from both schools will be shown, and some of the dresses, and another exhibit at the close of the schools in March. This as last year will show spring styles and will be a social evening for the class members and their friends.
There has been this year, as always, splendid coopera- tion between teachers and students. Interest seems to grow each year and there is renewed inspiration.
For both day and evening schools all appreciation is due teachers for their willingness to help in every way to make this a very successful year.
Very truly yours, MARY HENLEIGH BROWN,
Director.
January 1924.
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE EVENING HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. Charles S. Clark,
Superintendent of Schools,
Somerville, Mass.
Dear Mr. Clark :
The growth of the Evening High school during the last four years is shown by the following table :
Total enrollment, December 1920
Total enrollment, December 1921 ยท 536
542
Total enrollment, December 1922 .
. 716
Total enrollment, December 1923 .
. 875
217
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
The enrollment by subjects for the last two years, with the percentage of increase in each subject is here given :
Subject
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