USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1930 > Part 8
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3. It saves a year in the life of the educational career of the child, permitting him to enter his voca- tion without the bad effect of retardation and over- age.
There is a possibility of. developing this summer school into a vacation school where children who are desirous may at- tend of their own volition. The feeling is growing that the school year should be increased to meet the wishes of certain pupils or the demands of others for special instruction. Over one hundred requests were received from parents desiring their
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children to attend school simply and purely for the purpose of occupying their time in a wholesome, purposeful atmosphere. The city might well undertake this enterprise at an incon- siderable expense in comparison with the good derived.
Evening Schools
The pressing need of many young people for additional instruction has been more evident this year than for many other years. For that reason many new classes were begun and an attempt made to individualize instruction to make the pupil's growth more certain.
At the request of several people, a class in Lip Reading was formed in the Evening High School. The class has been attended by sixteen members once a week and they probably represent the most faithful and appreciative group of students that we have in the city.
Classes in Clerical Practice, Italian, and French have also been begun this year and the response from the pupils has been such as to cause this office a great deal of satisfac- tion.
It was necessary because of the large enrollment to form additional classes in English, Bookkeeping, and Shorthand. Diplomas were awarded to one hundred twenty-three pupils of the largest graduating class in the history of the school.
A large demand was in evidence at the opening of the Evening Schools in October for instruction in Cooking and Home Nursing. Three classes in Food Preparation were nec- essary to meet the demand and one class for the accommoda- tion of the Home Nursing applicants.
It is the sincere desire of the Superintendent that the popularity of the evening instruction for adults shall continue to grow and develop so that more of the purely academic high school subjects may be added to the curriculum. It is evi- dent that the need and the desire for a complete high school education by those people who on account of various reasons have been forced to enter the commercial world before they were well prepared for the fulfillment of their responsibilities of life, will necessitate offering many and more diverse sub- jects.
Art
So much interest was manifested in the Superintendent's report of last year in that section pertaining to art that it was
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decided this year to hold a public exhibition showing the work in art throughout the grades, one to twelve inclusive. This exhibition took place in the High School Gymnasium and was viewed by 2,000 people. Over twenty demonstration classes were conducted by teachers for the purpose of giving the visit- ors a detailed knowledge of the instruction. Well over 10,000 separate pieces of work were placed on display, occupying all four walls of the Gymnasium. This is the first time in the city that a public exhibition of the work in any subject has been held which included all the grades. The exhibition had two purposes, first to acquaint the public with the changes in the method of instruction in art, and second, to provide a source of stimulation for the teachers throughout the sys- tem. It was so successful in the accomplishment of these two purposes that the schools will periodically undertake others of a somewhat similar nature in all subjects in order that the work of the schools may be more fully appreciated by the peo- ple providing the facilities.
Music
Music is the universal language and it is pleasing to re- port remarkable progress in providing additional facilities to meet the needs that have been present in the schools for sev- eral years.
In the elementary schools one new teacher has been added. It is the intention of the director to have made a course of study which will more adequately set forth the aims in these grades. Because of the increased demand for instruction in the junior high school, the two instructors in field music now divide their time between the junior and the senior high schools and additional instruction in choral music has been provided. The most important addition, however, has been that of two teachers to the music staff of the high school, whose duties will be those of teaching the appreciation of music, harmony, and choral societies.
The desire, at the present time, so far as music is con- cerned, is largely one for instrumental instruction, and it no doubt will surprise many to learn that one matter of great in- terest is the introduction of rhythmic orchestras in the kinder- garten.
Group Instrumental Classes
The success of the after-school classes taught by private teachers has encouraged the continuance of the classes and
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the addition of others. At the present time there are approx- imately 317 pupils studying piano, violin, trombone, cornet, and other instruments, and there are classes every afternoon in various school buildings throughout the city. The expense of this instruction is borne by the pupils.
Classes for Retarded Children
On account of the increased demand for instruction in special class work and the inability of many boys to be happy in the regular grades, the organization of an additional class was made necessary this year. These classes offer one of the best evidences of a large school system making adequate pro- vision for children whose progress through school has been hampered and whose lives outside would become unhappy as a result. Academic work has received a great deal of atten- tion with the idea in view of determining how much can be done without causing fatigue to the pupil and having him lose interest in his school work. The work as a whole is much bet- ter understood, the parents are highly pleased with the prog- ress of their children, and the children seem to be among the happiest.
This work is becoming more necessary every year and it is entirely probable that in the near future the city will have to provide classes of this nature to accommodate the need of children in the junior high and senior high schools. With the addition of these classes, there will be provision for all chil- dren whose attendance in special classes is desirable for their happiness and progress in school.
Lip Reading and Sight Saving Classes
All children have had their hearing tested by means of the audiometer this year and the results of the test have been carefully analyzed and the most serious individual cases stud- ied by the Lip Reading teacher.
This work has revealed many cases of children for whom it will be necessary to provide instruction in speech correc- tion in the near future.
Necessity for lip instruction is evidenced by the fact that at the present time there are at least twelve students whose condition of deafness makes imperative the reading of the teacher's lips and it is rather astonishing that their proficiency in lip reading enables them to make such fine progress in their school studies.
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Many children with a decided lack of vision have been reported to this office and with the help and advice of the state they have been placed in the sight saving class. With the assistance of the school nurses and several local societies, many pairs of glasses have been purchased and the nurses have taken several children to the eye clinics at the various hospitals.
Crippled Children
A group of children whose attendance at school has be- come impossible because of serious illness or accidents which either make them physically or mentally incapacitated for school and objects of pity has received but little attention. The School Committee, previous to the passing of the statute providing for such children, authorized provisions to be made for a visiting teacher for these children. Many parents have welcomed her with tears of gratitude and her advent is one of great joy to the poor child whose misfortune is a heavy one. With the addition of this teacher, the School Commit- tee can say that all children who are capable of receiving in- struction are receiving it no matter what their handicap or the conditions which made their lives unhappy.
Kindergartens
A careful survey has been recently conducted to determine the need for additional kindergartens and the possibility of providing rooms for them. It is not generally understood that a more definite and special provision must be made for kin- dergarten children than any other group in our schools. Kin- dergarten rooms-especially must be light, roomy, warm, well ventilated, and free from drafts, dust, or objectionable odors. More important than all of these is the need for proper toilet facilities. Many of our schools are not adapted for kinder- garten purposes and cannot be made so except at a very con- siderable expense for this type of instruction.
The kindergarten plays a vital part in the education of any child. It provides a safe, healthy place for the kind of play which under supervision assures individual growth. It does much to train the child in those personal matters that are es- sential to good progress in the grades and teaches him to func- tion as a unit in a large group.
The purposes of the kindergarten and the limitations of facilities for them are stressed so that the parents may un-
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derstand our attitude toward them. The School Committee would like to provide a kindergarten within the reach of every child.
INSTRUCTION IN THE WORTHY USE OF LEISURE
The past year has seen greater activity among teachers and pupils in the development of interests and abilities of individuals. This attempt to provide instruction that will be useful and will enable the pupil to lead a fuller life is signif- icant at this time because of the developments in industry which tend to give man more leisure for the pursuit of his hobbies.
The stimulus afforded to teachers and pupils alike by the celebration of the Tercentenary made possible a more inten- sive study of history, especially local history. At least two outstanding outcomes from this study were :
1. The enthusiasm with which teachers and punils worked together in the compiling of the sev- eral different projects with the Tercentenary as the theme. These projects were so different as to defy classification or generalization. Many excellent plays were given in which children participated with great enthusiasm and at the time of production they were visited by many parents.
2. The excellence of the individual work which was contributed by every child with the Tercenten- ary as the theme. It may have been the drawing and cutting of a picture of a Pilgrim, or a work book which took a year's time and a great deal of effort to compose, or a classroom project, such as the plan- ning, preparing, and installing of decorations por- traving prominent characters or events of this pe- riod of the history of this Commonwealth, but, what- ever the activity, it developed within him an ability to produce from his imagination, to take advantage of his historical knowledge, and, above all, it pro- moted the development of that sense of pride which accompanies the true appreciation of the historical significance of his State in the progress of the na- tion. This work culminated in a pageant in which 2,000 children took part. Another event of impor- tance was the visit of several thousand children to the state historical exhibit at the Armory.
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The Pageant entitled "Municipal Freedom Gives National Strength", written and directed by Ruby F. Sutherland, a teacher of Somerville High School, assisted by Dr. Harriet E. Tuell, Head of the History Department of Somerville High School, was given by the teachers and pupils of the Somer- ville Public Schools on Dilboy Field, Saturday, June 14th, as a part of the Tercentenary Celebration of the city.
The author chose the scenes and episodes to be presented with the purposes of (1) stimulating among all the citizens of Somerville, children and adults, a greater appreciation of the glorious traditions of our city and (2) acquainting vis- itors with the conspicuous part played here in the founding of our state and nation.
In order that this wonderful portrayal of the historical importance of our city as presented by the author of the pag- eant and the teachers and children of our schools may be made a public record for the information and interest of posterity, it is deemed advisable to record here the outline of the pag- eant and a brief explanation of the episodes.
Preceded by a very impressive and inspiring prologue written in verse form, the episodes were as follows:
I. Visit of Myles Standish and coming of first White Settlers.
The first white men who wandered over Somerville soil were Myles Standish and his exploring party from Plymouth in 1621. In 1630 John Woolrich came from the eastern portion of the land-grant known as Charlestowne to · settle in Somerville. Accompanying him were Captain Norton, Edward Gibones, William Jennings, and John Wignall.
II. Governor Winthrop launches "Blessing of the Bay", July 4, 1631.
John Winthrop, the first Governor of the Massachusetts Company, came to Somerville and was granted 600 acres known as The Ten Hills Farm where he made his home as early as 1631. It was he who launched the first ship to be built in the colony and gave it its name, "The Blessing of the Bay." A tablet marks the. site of his home.
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III. Squaw Sachem deeds land to White Settlers.
In 1639, the land now called Somerville was deeded by the former occupant, Squaw Sachem, to the early settlers for "twenty-one coats, three bushels of corn, and nineteen fathoms of wampum." We are led to believe that the most amicable relations existed be- tween the Indians of the Mystic Valley and the first settlers of Somerville.
IV. Somerville of the 17th Century.
During the years that followed, the num- bers grew and the portion of Charlestowne now called Somerville saw the usual institutions in their midst-the singing school, the stocks, and the customary bargaining between white man and Indian. A town government was organized and the "Seven Men" (selectmen) were chosen. Constables supervised the conduct of the cit- izens and offenders against the Puritan code of laws were severely punished.
V. Seizure of Powder House, September 1, 1774.
In the days preceding the Declaration of Independence, the colonists in Somerville dem- onstrated their courage and military prowess by accumulating ammunition, throwing up fortifications, and drilling soldiers. In the old Powder House were stored 250 barrels of powder which had been gathered from the various towns. General Gage, learning of the cache, determined to seize the store.
VI. Preparation for Resistance. April 19, 1775.
Close upon the seizing of the powder, the feeling of alarm made itself definitely felt with the result that groups of citizens met pub- licly and privately to discuss the actions of the King and his parliament, and to sing rousing revolutionary songs. Unusual activity among the King's men previous to April 19, 1775, aroused the colonists to concerted action and Paul Revere's ride and the subsequent Battle of Lexington resulted.
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VII. Bunker Hill Day. June 16, 1775.
On June 16 of the same year, Bunker Hill withstood the British soldiers and saw many of the citizens flee to Somerville where they sought temporary refuge, later to become mem- bers of the community.
VIII. First Flag raised. January 1, 1776.
One of the outstanding events in the his- tory of the city was the raising of the first flag on Prospect Hill, then called Mt. Pisgah. The flag showed the red and white stripes as in the present flag and in the field now occupied by the forty-eight stars were the crosses of St. George and St. Andrew on a field of blue. The event took place on January 1, 1776.
IX. First Flag changed to New Flag.
By a very ingenious design and arrange- ment of costumes the Great Union Flag was instantaneously changed into the present forty- eight star flag.
X. Procession of the Participants.
For the success of this feature, the community is serious- ly indebted to the very modest author, Ruby F. Sutherland, whose every effort was given to the work in such a whole- hearted, painstaking, and energetic manner.
The musical program for the Pageant was furnished by the combined bands of High School, and Northeastern and Western Junior High Schools under the direction of Harry E. Whittemore and James M. Clark.
In the junior high school there have been attempts to interest children that are worthy of mention. There is the requirement that each child join a club in which he learns to take part as a member of a body in the business of that body. It is interesting to note that the work in these clubs has some- what followed the developments outside the school. One out- standing example is the accession of the study of aeronautics and model plane making to the place formerly held by radio. The understanding with which boys deal with scientific data and the facility with which they apply themselves to compar-
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atively unfamiliar projects, is astonishing to a layman. Espec- ially interesting also has been the enthusiasm shown by many girls and boys alike in making objects of art which do much to make a home more attractive. Articles such as paper flow- ers, lamp shades, hooked rugs, book ends, doilies, luncheon sets, dresses, pillow cases, etc., have been made in these classes that are extremely pleasing and inexpensive. Certain other activities attract a large number of children and their perform- ance is more or less public and of an excellence that is admir- able.
To show the extent of the activity in Music, it should be noted that there is an orchestra in each junior high consist- ing of approximately 90 members, that each school also has a band and a glee club. At least one-half of the school member- ship is enjoying and participating in some form of music of a nature that will bring out the pupil's own ability and pro- vi le enjoyment in later life.
There must be much done in the future to educate chil- dren to lead a life outside of school that is healthy and wis?, and parents and educators must spend more time in the study of the factors that make life so complex to the child.
There is a feeling on the part of teachers that scholarship is suffering because of a lack of interest and incentive among children and a misunderstanding on the part of parents as to its necessity.
It is evident throughout this report that teachers are spending considerable time in the study of reasons for failure and are actively engaged in the prevention of it. New courses of study are made and others adapted to provide for the in- terests and abilities of the children. The club work, the orches- tra work throughout the system, and instruction in athletics are all provided with the intent of making school life more attractive and more productive for the child. Unless the pub- lic supports these new attractions and recognizes their pur- pose and their merit, little good, and perhaps harm, will re- sult. My message to the parents in this regard would be to have their children enter wholeheartedly into all school activ- ities, at the same time aiding them in judging their capabil- ities for carrying on the burden of many activities. It would seem to me that if such were done a child would graduate from high school with good scholarship, a hobby in which he had become interested and somewhat skilled, and a well devel- oped judgment which would prevent him from overdoing in any activity. His success in life would be guaranteed by hav- ing learned how to make the correct and best use of his time.
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MEMBERSHIP AND ATTENDANCE
The public school membership at the present time is 16,022 as compared with a membership of 15,626 at the cor- responding date last year, and 15,844 for the same approx- imate date of the previous year. These figures bear out in part the statements previously made that (1) the possible school population is fast approaching the saturation point in our community, (2) there is a natural fluctuation in the number of pupils entering the lower grades annually, (3) the private junior high school in East Somerville is still continuing to affect the membership of the Northeastern Junior High School, and (4) the popularity and attractiveness of our high school is growing each year.
The increase in membership over last year is 396. The high school, after making a gain in membership of 88 two years ago and a gain of 77 last year reports a large increase this year of 217. This is, in part, due to the statements made above and is one effect of the industrial depression which al- so has caused a decrease of 37 in the membership of the Con- tinuation School. The junior high schools show a gain of 8, in spite of the fact that the membership at the Northeastern Junior High School has been reduced by 44. The elementary schools show an increase of 189 made up by gains in the Glines and Edgerly districts and a slight loss in the Knapp and Bingham districts.
The attendance record of our schools was given a decided impetus during the first half of this year by the wise action of the School Committee in establishing two new positions in the department of attendance and supervision. These two po- sitions were filled by temporary employees who did a very fine piece of work in the tasks to which they were assigned.
The general average of attendance during the period from February to June was increased, due to their efforts, by near- ly two per cent. This attainment is commendable in view of the fact that the percentage of attendance in the Somerville schools has always stood high in comparison with the other cities of the state and has always at least equalled the average for the state.
The necessity for this additional service is quite evident when it is realized that during the first quarter of this new school year ending in November, the High School had exactly the same percentage of attendance as in the first quarter of the previous year, 95.8. The junior high schools which had a
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percentage, during the first quarter of last year, of 96.6 fell off to 96.14 this year and the elementary schools showed 96.5 last year in comparison with 95.6 during the same period this year.
RESEARCH
Education is the foundation of human progress. The ed- ucational processes have been developed through various stages, always tending toward improvement. The results of the accomplishment or failure are so permanent and far-reach- ing that those charged with the operation of schools are prompted to the utmost concern for their success.
A continuous measuring and checking up of the accom- plishments of a system and a constant adjusting of the educa- tional opportunities offered to meet the needs of the students are antidotes to allowing our educational processes to become merely routine.
Constant research can and will be the factor upon which the effective management and operation of education will be dependent.
In the field of education, research is proving that educa- tion is not the intangible process that it was formerly sup- posed to be. Research indicates that education can be directed by studying the individual child as he is, by visualizing him with his particular capacities developed, and by adapting courses of study, methods, and environment to bring about those changes by which he may go out to meet life in terms of his own best self. Scientific educational research only dates back to approximately 1900. In the last quarter of a century we have glimpsed its possibilities. Challenging years of thought- ful experimentation lie ahead of us. Research which evolves out of a sound educational philosophy and which is inter- preted by this same philosophy aids all educators.
We must continually take stock of our system because we are spending public money for its support and the steward- ship of the system must justify the expenditures, so that one hundred cents worth is returned for every dollar expended, and improvement always must be manifested.
We must know: (1) What is being done; (2) Why it is being done; (3) How well it is being done. The answers to these questions cannot be found in terms of traditionalism, custom, or subjective analysis. Research is the only means by which the answers may be found. Facts are necessary to all research. Therefore we must secure the facts about what
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is being done. Research considers all policies, plans, proce- dures, technics, judgments, and appraisals in terms of ob- jective evidence.
In industry the sales department soon learns whether or not the product is right through the variation in volume of sales. But the validity of the product of the schools is not so easily discovered. Research must be employed to determine this, and it must explore the fields of psychology, society, and industry to get the facts. Are the schools putting into prac- tice that which scientific contributions indicate should be in practice ?
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