USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1916 > Part 12
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The High School chorus now numbers three hundred and fifty voices and sings once a week. The quality of the singing and the music used are the very best and makes this a most delightful period in the school life of the pupil. The new grafonola given by the Alumni and the large number of fine records now at the disposal of the pupils of the High School adds considerably to the interest of the music student.
The Glee Clubs composed of boys and girls in the Sanford Street, Bliss, Bank Street, Richardson and High Schools give to the more musical pupil an added opportunity to sing and to enjoy music and provide a nucleus of more experienced singers for the various exer- cises in and out of school which the growing city demands.
One of the most hopeful signs of the musical growth of the city is found in the increasing number of pupils in our schools who are learning to play orchestral instruments. The orchestra is now an
161
ANNUAL REPORT
important feature of our school life and every encouragement is given to help develop this new activity. The Grammar School orchestra meets for rehearsal at the Bank Street School, Mondays at four o'clock. It numbers seventeen regular members. The High School orchestra, twenty-four members, plays at the opening exercises three times a week and meets for rehearsal on Mondays and Wednesdays. It is worthy of note that at the graduation last June the pupils of the High School for the first time not only provided the singers but also the orchestra for the musical part of the program. I wish to call your attention especially to the fact that the pupils are so much interested in their orchestra work that they are willing to give their own time after school for rehearsal and to meet this demand I gladly give extra time of my own. I strongly recommend a system of school credits for this work, for I feel that the interest and faithfulness of the students merit such consideration.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN L. GIBB.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
The delay in the opening of the schools in September, made it possible to hold grade meetings to look over the drawing course be- fore any teaching was done. When the schools opened, the drawing started well everywhere. Eight meetings were held. One thing emphasized at each meeting was that the few principles taught in each grade should be well taught, so that the child would do better work in the next grade.
There are so many interesting things that can be done in a draw- ing course that there is danger of doing many interesting but unre- lated things. The problems we are working out in the grades repeat the principles we are trying to teach. Our success will depend very much on how we keep adding little by little to the beginning which we make.
This year we are giving more time to picture study. A number of new Perry pictures have been added to what we had and each grade will become familiar with a different set of pictures. For vari- ous reasons picture study is difficult to handle satisfactorily but I feel that the influence of it is too valuable not to make more of an effort to put the matter in a practical form. Our picture study is primarily for the enjoyment of beauty and picture appreciation. I know that the children can enjoy more if they know the beautiful. It did my soul good the other day to be hailed from across the street by a second grade girl with these words, "We were looking in a book to-day and saw another picture of Miss Bowles." It was only a few days before, I had taken up Sir Joshua Reynolds' picture in her room.
At different times we have made some study of silverware and jewelry design in the seventh grades, but this year we are going to make a study of it in the eighth grades. We shall not only collect and trace and see which jewelry designs are best, but the pupils themselves will work out a few simple jewelry designs according to art principles.
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ANNUAL REPORT
We give considerable time to commercial design. Under this head comes lettering, book covers, posters, picture mounting, book plates and book binding. We are trying to improve our printing. I feel that the ability to letter well will be of great service. The poster seems to be a problem that appeals to all grades and the High School. It is practical and has much of artistic worth and through this work I hope to awaken a finer sense so that the pupils will dislike the glaring billboards and enjoy a more refined harmony of color.
In High School we give a good deal of time to applied design. It takes several weeks to work out some of our problems, but design is used in so many ways that it is very practical. Because of the high cost of leather we have not done so much leather work as usual. We have done some simple book binding. Mr. Eastwood has had some book binding frames made for us, so that the next time we make a book it can be done in a more advanced way.
This year the freehand drawing courses opened with one hun- dred and fifty pupils, eight less than last year. The junior and senior classes are larger than ever before. It is interesting to look at the number in these classes five years ago. There were five pupils in the junior class and to-day there are twenty-seven. Five years ago there were two seniors and to-day twenty-five.
Respectfully submitted,
PERSIS A. CROWELL.
REPORT OF THE TEACHER OF MANUAL TRAINING
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
The work of the manual training department during the year 1916 has been governed by the motto,
"Good, better, best, Never let it rest, Till your good is better, And your better best."
and I think I may truthfully say we have to a great extent succeeded in raising the standard and the quality of the work. While expecting and demanding a high grade of work we have tried to consider the progress of each individual pupil, mentally, physically and morally. Believing that the development of character is of the most vital and lasting import to the pupil, we have tried to show that "No man can live for self, alone." "We must rub against our neighbors and it is necessary for us to consider them." Progress in this effort has shown itself in the ever increasing readiness of the pupil to under- take work for others as well as himself.
Fifty standards from which to hang posters advertising the Community Fellowship meetings were made with such alacrity and the work done so uniformly well that it is indeed a pleasure to report.
In the spring of 1916 it became necessary to repair the fence of the baseball field and to build new first base bleachers, repair the old bleachers and put up a back stop. The money for this was gen- erously subscribed by some of Attleboro's lovers of boys and their sports, so under the supervision of Principal W. B. Alexander and the
163
ANNUAL REPORT
manual training teacher, about fifty boys volunteered to do the work and right manfully and skilfully did they accomplish the feat.
A cabinet to hold phonograph records and sheet music was built by this department as were also fly-screens for the lunch and do- mestic science rooms. These and other jobs about the school have been done with pleasure.
The number of pupils taking manual training is as follows:
Freshmen
57
Sophomores
29
Juniors
2
Seniors
2
-
90
Grammar grade VIII.
101
Total
191
Decrease from 1915.
23
This is due mainly to the abundance of work at higher salaries causing a decrease in the number of Freshmen.
Course of Work
Freshmen
Bench work-Consists of models which introduce exercises cov- ering the systematic use of wood-working tools in the order of their difficulty : the most common joints-butt, half-lap, tongue and groove, mortise and tenon and dovetail; gluing, sandpapering and finishing with stain and shellac; grinding and sharpening of cutting tools and some filing of saws. Simple cabinet making by those showing apti- tude for it.
Lathe Work-Consists of an elementary course in wood turning, covering the use of the ordinary wood turning tools-gouge, skew- chisel, parting tool and round-nose tool-chuck.
Metal Work-Sawing, drilling, filing and finishing in brass and copper-hinges, catches, escutcheon plates, monogram plates, paper knife, etc.
Sophomores
Bench Work-Pattern making, covering draft, shrinkage, use of shrink rule, finish, core prints and simple split patterns. More ad- vanced cabinet making.
Wood Turning-The wood turning necessary to the completion of their patterns, spindles, taper patterns, face plates, cores, etc. The turning of furniture parts, principally spindles, goblets, card trays, inside and outside screw face plate work.
Metal Work-The elements of the jewelry industry; sawing, filing, drilling, rivetting and finishing in copper, brass or silver; soldering, raising, hammering and annealing metal shapes in copper-watch fobs, silver rings, spoons, forks, sugar tongs, bouquet holders, calendar rack, note-paper rack, napkin holder and various parts for wireless outfits.
Juniors and Seniors
While there is no definite course offered for these pupils, they did work of their own generally in advance of the Sophomore course. To make our course of work give its full value to the pupils we need
.
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ANNUAL REPORT
more wood turning lathes, a band saw, a moulding trough and a gas furnace to melt white metal for casting from patterns and a high speed polishing motor.
Grammar Grade
The Grammar School work comprises elementary bench work, working drawings and problems in shop arithmetic. While execu- tion is ever uppermost in the mind of the teacher, excellency of work is considered of more value than speed.
Mechanical Drawing
The number of pupils electing mechanical drawing is as follows:
Freshmen
69
Sophomores 35
Juniors 9
Seniors 13
Post Graduates 1
127
Course of Study
First Year-Geometrical drawing, three view working drawings, revo- lutions, sections and simple developments.
Second Year-Practice in inking, revolutions, working drawings of machine parts, isometic drawing, tracings and blue prints.
Third Year-Problems in machine motions and design, cams and their construction.
Fourth Year-Cams, belts and pulleys, gearing, intersections and de- velopments of surfaces, or orders of architecture, door and win- dow details, etc.
We are pleased to report that a number of the manual training pupils availed themselves of the opportunity to visit the local fac- tories study the methods of the trade. Stated visits to study local methods of production might be worth consideration as to their value of being included in the course of study.
Thanking you for your interest and advice in this department,
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM F. EASTWOOD.
REPORT OF THE TEACHER OF SEWING
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
I am pleased to report that the work in this department has given general satisfaction the past year. Sewing is a part of every girl's education and very necessary in the home and the work cannot be given too much time.
One of the first essentials in the teaching of any subject is to have enthusiasm for the work aroused in the pupil, and the interest shown in the sewing by the girls makes teaching them a real pleas- ure. The aim of the course is to teach the fundamental stitches and their direct application to articles needed by the girls themselves or in their homes. I try to have the girls feel after their four years' course in sewing that they can actually do something worth wliile
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ANNUAL REPORT
for themselves. Mending receives much attention during the course and the girls are taught that the ability to repair is almost as great as the ability to make. At present, during the Christmas season, all who desire are preparing some gift.
As the work has advanced it has seemed wise to provide sewing machines for the use of the seventh grade girls thus enabling them to combine hand and machine sewing as is done in practical life. We wish to express our great appreciation for the four machines placed in the schools in the center. Much credit is to be given the girls of grades seven and eight of the Washington School, who by their own efforts with the assistance of the teacher, have provided them- selves with a machine. No work has been done at home except stitch- ing by children from schools where there are no machines. It is a more satisfactory way of obtaining good results.
Sewing would not be a subject of such vital interest without the support of the parents in purchasing the necessary materials. I wish to thank them for their interest and assistance in this work.
Respectfully submitted,
MINNIE A. WALKER.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
Following is the report of the work done in this department for the year 1916 with recommendations for the year 1917.
The schools have all required a great deal of attention and in- spection during the last year although I may say that in general the physical condition of the children improves from year to year. There has been a marked improvement in several schools where we used to have a great many pupils who came to school dirty and therefore more susceptible to disease. This I attribute largely to the lessening of immigration and the increased readiness with which most of the foreigners accept and copy our methods of living.
Last spring we had a severe epidemic of measles which kept many hundred pupils from school. The cases were not severe and the mortality was low. Even with constant inspection this disease could not be checked owing to the long and insidious incubation period.
I have noticed a growing tendency during the past year for chil- dren to leave school for good when they reach the age of fourteen. It is distressing to note this increase, which I believe there should be an effort to check. Parents are too eager to get the few dollars that a child may earn, not realizing that a few more years of school- ing makes that child just so much more efficient and valuable, and therefore able to demand more wages. Statistics prove that a child beginning work at the age of fourteen, although he has more years of actual work, does not average the amount in wages that a child does who attends school from four to five years longer. There have . been 689 employment certificates issued and I have examined and signed health certificates for 602 minors, a marked increase over pre- vious years.
I am glad the office of school dentist has been so well filled and can already see the effect of Dr. Webb's work.
The opening of the schools for the current year was delayed two weeks because of the fear of anterior poliomyelitis and not be- cause of any local epidemic. I think we owe a vote of thanks to the local physicians who were willing to make the daily examinations
166
ANNUAL REPORT
which we had planned to make before the decision of the school board to close the schools. There were no cases of the dread disease among the school children of Attleboro during the year, for which we are most thankful. When school opened I visited every school in the city twice the first week and once the second week, which required much rapid traveling and extra time.
As time goes on we blame the spread of disease more and more to the fly, and I believe we are right in that assumption. Children are in school from four to five months when flies are very busy and numerous. I believe I am right in saying that in no way do we en- deavor to prevent the flies from entering the buildings. I have noticed particularly the great number of flies in the buildings where the children live at a distance and therefore bring lunches. The lunch boxes are frequently well covered with flies. I recommend the screen- ing of some of the buildings, especially where food is kept.
During the fall term we had a good example of the way in which diphtheria can be spread among the children. The last of September a case was reported to me from the Bliss School. I immediately made examinations, taking cultures from nose and throat of sus- picious cases. In this way three children were found to have posi- tive cultures, although apparently not sick. In other words, they are classed as diphtheria carriers, and very dangerous to other children. The light case is often responsible for the very severe one. Later with the help of the health officer and the school nurse, cultures were taken from most of the children in the rooms exposed. One other case was found in this way. It was deemed wise to close the rooms directly exposed, and to make daily examinations of the other children. In this way I believe we escaped what might have been a serious epidemic. I want to register my opinion in regard to the closing of schools when there is fear of an epidemic. I think we have better control of the spread of disease with the schools open than with them closed. With careful inspection an epidemic can be prevented in the majority of instances, whereas if the children are allowed to run wild the chance of any control is absolutely lost.
As yet nothing definite has been accomplished in regard to an open-air school for tubercular children of the city. I have in my hands a list of children numbering forty-two, reported to me from the health records. I still hope for a serious consideration of this project as there must be twice this number of children in need of such a school room.
It is with pleasure that I report concerning the school nurse. Through the kindness of the Anti-Tuberculosis Society a very capable nurse, Miss Loretta Taylor, has been appointed to this position. Al- though she has been appointed but a short time, the results from her work are already noticeable.
During the year with the assistance of the district nurses I have operated upon thirteen school children who had enlarged and diseased adenoids and tonsils.
Following the custom in other city schools, and because the need is great, I recommend the establishment of a bath room where necessary in the school buildings, to allow children who need it, the privilege of bathing twice a week under supervision of the school nurse. I would suggest that the first building to be so equipped should be the Richardson School.
To sum up briefly, I have made 5,360 examinations, signed 602 working and health certificates, 210 vaccination certificates and 406 permits to return to school.
Respectfully submitted,
WILFRED E. ROUNSEVILLE, M. D.
PUPILS EXAMINED BY SCHOOL PHYSICIAN AT ANNUAL INSPECTION
High
Bank Street
Bliss
Corner Briggs
Capron
Carpenter
Street
Dodgeville
Farmers
Hebronville
Plat
Pleasant
Richardson
Sanford
Street
Attleboro
Tiffany
Washington
Totals. 1916
Number of pupils examined . ..
431
177
306
98
86
69
98
101
132
25
82
360
408
112
251
135
2,871
Vermin .
2
4
24
9
3
4
32
8
19
4
29
8
13
18
22
203
Enlarged Tonsils. ..
26
22
21
22
12
14
35
12
33
3
13
42
37
15
37
30
374
Enlarged Adenoids
6
5
5
2
1
4
4
2
5
12
8
2
5
7
68
Enlarged Adenoids and Tonsils
2
2
12
6
8
2
6
11
13
4
4
16
11
6
16
9
128
Throat .
4
2
1
·
. .
. .
2
1
2
2
1
. .
. .
16
Other eye conditions
2
2
4
2
. .
. .
2
1
2
2
1
1
3
2
1
1
2
33
Anaemic
10
17
6
27
18
13
16
19
25
39
3
13
65
41
22
29
26
379
Enlarged Glands
53
31
63
53
41
36
13
45
75
13
33
155
154
30
96
80
1,00
Bad Teeth .
... .
..
.
..
.
Total number of examinations, 5,360.
Health certificates to minors under sixteen seeking employment, 602.
Vaccination certificates, 210. Permits to return to school, 406.
5
5
38
Question of Tuberculosis
4
. .
. .
1
1
. .
5
4
2
·
3
1
2
2
.
2
8
Ear diseases .
.
..
1
.
. .
1
.
1
1
1
. .
. .
2
2
6
20
Mentally Deficient .
2
3
. .
. .
..
.
1
. .
.
.
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
1
1
1
. .
..
.
·
. .
2
3
..
..
.. .
. .
.
. .
1
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
..
2
.
.
3
. .
2
1
24
3
1
2
2
1
2
:
. .
3
Eyestrain .
. .
5
13
Skin diseases
..
. .
. .
ANNUAL REPORT
167
.
. .
. .
.
1
Street
South
168
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
Report from October 23, 1916, to January 1, 1917.
Routine school examinations
6
Routine school visits
68
Total visits
74
Number of notices sent to parents after school examinations. 856
Home visits for
Pediculosis
40
Decayed teeth
82
Adenoids and tonsils
50
Impetigo
12
Eyes
3
Home conditions
13
Total number of visits 200
In cases of pediculosis first treatment was given and instructions left as to further care.
Bad teeth-all cases referred to dental clinic that could not go to family dentist.
Impetigo-shown how to care for affected parts.
Adenoids and tonsils-advised seeing family doctor.
Out of the 50 cases needing operations but 4 have been done.
Assisted in taking the cultures of 100 children at the Bliss School
on October 23.
Assisted Dr. Rounseville at 2 operations for adenoids and tonsils.
Have made the following schedule for the remaining school year:
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
Bank St .- Pleasant St.
8-22
5-19
6-20
10-25
9-23
6-20
Bliss
9-23
6-20
7-21
11-26
10-24
7-21
Briggs Corner
10-24
7-21
8-22
12-27
11-25
8-22
Richardson
11-25
8-23
9-23
13-30
14-28
11
South Attleboro
12-26
9-26
12
2-16
1-15-29
12
Dodgeville-Hebronville
15-29
12-27
13
3-17
2-16-30
13
Tiffany
16-30
13-28
14
4-18
3-17-31
14
Carpenter-Capron
17-31
14
1-15
5-20
4-18
1-15
Sanford St .- Farmers
18
1-15
2-16
6-23
7-21
4-18
Washington-Plat
19
2-16
5-19
9-24
8-22
5-19
.
This means spending one morning every two weeks in each school, leaving the afternoons free for following up necessary cases and making home visits.
· Respectfully,
L. D. TAYLOR.
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE ATTENDANCE OFFICER
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
During the past year in the work of investigating causes for absence from. school I find, as in previous years, a number of cases of indifference on the part of the parents to send their children to school regularly. I have been obliged to warn some parents for their neglect in this matter and have tried to impress upon them the fact that the greatest results can only be obtained by regular attendance. I have found some cases of absence resulting from truancy but feel that they were overcome by prompt attention. One boy was taken to court as an habitual school offender and committed to Walpole Union Training School. In one case I was obliged to notify the Super- intendent of the Lyman School at Westboro to remove a boy who was on parole and attending school at Briggs Corner.
In the matter of aiding needy children to attend school I have found some improvement over last year on account of the improved conditions in business and the aid given by the Associated Charities and kind friends.
Following is a table showing number of cases investigated :----
Absences
Benevolences
January
47
18
February
30
14
March
39
19
April
18
24
May
65
13
June
25
7
September
8
0
October
53
15
November
39
14
December
33
10 .
Total.
357
134
Calls made to schools and factories.
163
Calls made to private and evening schools.
10
Taken to court as habitual school offender and committed to Wal- pole Union Training School.
1
Received from a friend for benevolent purposes $10
In conclusion I wish to thank you for your advice and cooperation at all times.
Respectfully,
WARREN PARKER.
In Memoriam
Mrs. O. Cora Chatterton
For forty-four years a teacher in the Attleboro Public Schools. Died September 14, 1916.
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ANNUAL REPORT
School Committee, 1917
Term Expires January 1918
Benjamin P. King,
17 First St. Telephone 764-W
13 Maple St. 1918
Telephone 354-W
32 John St. 1918
Telephone: Residence 713-W
Telephone: Office 279-J
Walter J. Newman,
177 Pine St. 1919
Telephone 710-M
17 Mechanics St. 1919
Mrs. Mary C. Ford,
Tyler St. 1919
Telephone 717-W
250 County St. 1920
Telephone 172-M
South Attleboro 1920
Telephone Pawt. 336-W
1 Cliff St. 1920
Telephone 619-R
ORGANIZATION
Benjamin P. King. Chairman
Dr. Reginald P. Dakin.
Secretary
Benjamin P. King Representative before Municipal Council
STANDING COMMITTEES
Teachers and Course of Study
Mr. King, Mrs. Richardson, Mrs. Theobald, Dr. Dakin, Mr. Thayer.
Text-Books and Supplies
Dr. Dakin, Mrs. Ford, Mrs. Theobald, Mr. Newman, Mr. Briggs.
Incidentals and Repairs
Mr. King, Mr. Newman, Mr. Sadler, Mr. Thayer, Mr. Briggs.
Visiting Schools
Mrs. Richardson, Mrs. Theobald, Mrs. Ford, Dr. Dakin, Mr. Briggs.
INDEPENDENT EVENING INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL
Advisory Committee
S. M. Einstein, E. L. Gowen, W. L. King,
H. D. Lincoln, J. H. Harmstone.
Mrs. Emily L. Richardson,
Dr. Reginald P. Dakin,
Edwin F. Thayer,
Telephone 468-M
Mrs. Florence B. Theobald,
Thomas G. Sadler,
Walter A. Briggs,
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ANNUAL REPORT
SCHOOL TELEPHONES
Bank Street
666-M
Bliss
218-R
Briggs Corner
263-J-1
Dodgeville . 620-J
Hebronville .535-Y
High 390-W
Plat
Pawtucket 2608-W
Richardson 215-R
South Attleboro
Pawtucket 818-R
Tiffany
. 406-W
Washington
Pawtucket 213-M
TEACHERS
HIGH SCHOOL-County St.
William B. Alexander, Principal. . 27 Summer St.
Ross P. Chamberlain, Science. 178 South Main St.
Edith L. Claflin, German. .144 Pleasant St.
Lida H. Marrs, Commercial Branches 62 North Main St.
Alice J. Macomber, English. 21 Hodges St.
Martha A. Clapp, Latin and English. 35 Peck St.
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