USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1918 > Part 10
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School Gardening
Through the efforts of the committee on food conservation of the committee of public safety an appropriation of $1,200.00 was made for war garden work in Attleboro. This sum was placed at the disposal of the school committee so that the work could be organized as a de- partment of the High School and aid from the State be received. In order to obtain this aid, however, a class had to be formed of persons over sixteen years of age, who agreed to follow instructions and to keep account of the cost of their gardens and the income received. As an instructor, Mr. Arthur F. Fraters, a graduate of the Bristol County Agricultural School at Segregansett, was employed. Mr. Fraters be- gan work the last of March and remained till August 30, when he was drafted. He did a great deal of work in securing land for gardens, ap- portioning it to applicants and caring for the plowing. In the schools, pupils in the upper grades were urged to have gardens and many responded. These pupils received some instruction in groups in the school buildings but it was impossible to visit all the gardens. With the cooperation of Mr. Robinson of the County School, Home Garden Clubs, Poultry Clubs and Pig Clubs were formed.
In addition to his duties as garden instructor, Mr. Fraters had charge of the community market which was open two days a week and had a very successful season. Late in August Mr. Fraters was sum- moned to appear before the exemption board in Taunton and left Attle- boro August 30 to enter military service. I regret that he was unable to complete the work so well begun. The management of the com- munity market was taken over by Mr. Samuel B. Slocomb, chairman of the food committee, and the information for the final report to the State regarding the garden work was obtained by Mr. John Anderson.
An exhibition of the products of the gardens was held in Chamber of Commerce Hall, Friday, September 13, 1918. Although the day was rather stormy, there was a good attendance and the exhibition was excellent. Prizes were offered to each grade V-VIII inclusive for the best collection of different kinds of vegetables as well as for the fol- lowing vegetables:
Beans 50
Beets
6
Potatoes
6
Peppers
6
Corn
6
(ears)
Squash
1
Tomatoes
6 (ripe)
Pumpkin
1
Carrots
6
Cabbage
1
Cucumbers
3
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ANNUAL REPORT
Prizes were also offered for canning and for any large or unusual vegetable.
The following were the prize winners:
BEST COLLECTION OF VEGETABLES.
Age
School
Grade VII 1st Prize Regina Dohr
12
Bliss
2nd Prize Clifford Jordan
13 Sanford St.
3rd Prize Ethel Smith 12
Richardson
Grade VI 1st Prize
Donald Jordan
11
Farmers
2nd Prize Alice Rivers
13
Bliss
3rd Prize Harry Jingozian
15 Briggs Corner
Grade V
1st Prize Willard Handy
12 Sanford St.
2nd Prize Edgar Gamache
11 Tiffany
3rd Prize Donald Knowles 11 Bliss
Grade IV
1st Prize Mary Conlan
10
Bliss
2nd Prize Lela Payette
12
Sanford St.
BEANS
Age
School
Grade
1st Prize
Clifford Jordan
13
Sanford St.
VII
2nd Prize
Alice Hyland
13
Sanford St.
VII
3rd Prize
Evelyn Chartier
12
Washington
VII
POTATOES
1st Prize
Regina Dohr
12
Bliss
VII
2nd Prize
Hope Martin
11
Richardson
VI
3rd Prize
Donald Jordan
11
Farmers
VI
CORN
1st Prize
Felix Lakomecki
12
Richardson
V
2nd Prize
Regina Dohr
12
Bliss
VII
3rd Prize
David Fine
12
Bliss
VII
TOMATOES
1st Prize
Ethel Smith
12
Richardson
VII
2nd Prize
Willard Handy
12
Sanford St.
V
3rd Prize
Clifford Jordan
. 13
Sanford St.
VII
CARROTS
1st Prize
Edgar Gamache
11
Tiffany
V
2nd Prize
Donald Knowles
11
Bliss
V
3rd Prize
Wilfred Paille
9
Richardson
TALL CORN
Felix Lakomecki
12
Richardson
V
CUCUMBER
1st Prize
Willard Robinson
10
Briggs Corner
VI
2nd Prize
Willard Handy
12
Sanford St.
V
3rd Prize
David Fine
12
Bliss
VII
BEETS
1st Prize
Regina Dohr
12
Bliss
VII
2nd Prize
Ethel Smith
12
Richardson
VII
3rd Prize
Lela Payette
12
Sanford St.
IV
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ANNUAL REPORT
PEPPERS
Age
School
Grade
1st Prize
Ethel Smith
12
Richardson
VII
2nd Prize
Alice Rivers
13
Bliss
VI
3rd Prize
Mary Gazzola
13
Tiffany
VI
SQUASH
1st Prize
Allen Blanchard
13
Sanford St.
VII
2nd Prize
Regina Dohr
12
Bliss
VII
3rd Prize
Edgar Gamache
11
Tiffany
V
PUMPKIN
1st Prize
Elizabeth King
11
Dodgeville
VI
2nd Prize
Alice Hyland
13
Sanford St.
VII
3rd Prize
David Fine
12
Bliss
VII
CABBAGE
1st Prize
Mildred Wilson
13
Washington
VI
2nd Prize
George Leary
13
Sanford St.
VII
3rd Prize
Regina Dohr
12
Bliss
VII
SUNFLOWER
1st Prize
Michael Mohr
12
Sanford St.
VI
2nd Prize
Albert Robbins
11
Richardson
VI
3rd Prize
Allen Blanchard
13
Sanford St.
VII
SUMMER
SQUASH
1st Prize
James Brown
10
Washington
V
2nd Prize
Russell Carpenter
10
Farmers
VI
3rd Prize
Regina Dohr
12
Bliss
VII
ONIONS
1st Prize
Alice Rivers
13
Bliss
VI
2nd Prize
Evelyn Haley
12
Sanford St.
VI
3rd Prize
Regina Dohr
12
Bliss
VII
CANNING
1st Prize
Alice Rivers
13
Bliss
VI
2nd Prize
For quality-
Dorothy Ham
12
Tiffany
VII
2nd Prize
For variety-
Mary Conlan
10
Bliss
IV
3rd Prize
Bertha Hillman
13
Richardson
VII
.
The results obtained by having an agricultural instructor this year were decidedly satisfactory. His services to the community as an in- structor and to have charge of the community market were well worth their cost. That something along this line should be done each year there is no doubt. An instructor who could devote most or all of his time to the home gardens of the pupils would be of more ultimate value to the city in the encouragement he would give to home gardeners than one who spent the most of his time with older persons. The benefits derived in a few years from such instruction year after year would soon be plainly apparent in the increased garden spots about tlie city and in the value of the vegetables produced. An appropriation for this purpose should be made this year so that the result of the previous work may not be lost.
131
ANNUAL REPORT
The Work of the Schools
During the past four years no attempt has been made to extend the scope of the school work beyond the usual school activities. The schools have tried to do their part in winning the war by having school gardens, selling bonds and war savings stamps, doing Red Cross work, and above all trying to create in the minds of the pupils a feeling of intense patriotism and love of country. To all demands made upon them the schools have promptly responded. During the period when the schools were closed on account of the influenza, the teachers as- sisted in nursing and caring for the sick, and have been glad to assist the exemption board when called upon.
Now that these activities no longer demand attention, and the rea- sons for further delay in extending the work of the schools have been removed, consideration should be given to several important phases of school growth.
The combined eighth grade school in the Bank Street building has never been called a junior high school but in many respects it is one. The amplification of the work of this school by the introduction of cooking and commercial subjects was recommended last year and I repeat the recommendation this year. Such work is now being done in many junior high schools and I believe it entirely practicable and profitable to introduce these subjects here. They would be of decided benefit to those who do not enter high school and would be of great advantage to those who are to continue the study of these subjects in high school.
The extension of the manual training department in the High School has been hampered by the lack of room in the basement caused by the instalment of the machinery for the evening classes in tool- making. There is need in this department for more lathes so that the class may work effectively, and as soon as possible additional courses should be planned based on the fundamental operations of the jewelry industry.
For the girls in the high school, the sewing course of the grades should be followed by dressmaking and possibly some instruction in millinery. The course in cooking may well be supplemented by courses in health and hygiene, invalid cookery and elementary nursing. The recent epidemic has shown that such instruction may be invaluable in times of public stress and it will certainly be a great factor in creating better home conditions in the community.
For several years the school physician has recommended the segregation of those pupils who have been found by the clinic to be unable to profit by the regular instruction of the schools and who need special care and instruction. There are roughly twenty-five or more of such pupils who have been recommended for special classes. No action has been taken on account of the expense and the fact that the children were scattered all over the city. As soon as possible, how- ever, for the good of the pupils, the schools they are in, and for the welfare of the community, these pupils should be separated and put in a class by themselves where they may receive such instruction as will be profitable for them.
The School as a Community Center
Two years ago we emphasized to teachers the desirability of basing all school work so far as possible on the principle of appealing to the pupil's interest, of presenting the subject in such a way that instead of the recitation being simply a matter of repeating what the pupil had learned from the text-book he would acquire the same in- formation through seeking to solve some problem in which he was in-
.
132
ANNUAL REPORT
terested, taking his information not only from the text-book in use but from whatever sources were available.
This was followed by an attempt on the part of teachers to give the pupils a larger share in the direction and management of the school, the school being organized as a social group working for a common purpose, with the teacher to lead, direct and inspire rather than to command and drive. This has been done most successfully by Miss Roberts at Hebronville, whose school is attracting attention out- side of Attleboro and is serving as a model for other places.
As an outgrowth of her work in socializing the school and appeal- ing to the interests of her pupils, Miss Roberts was led to organize various clubs to center in the school and to supplement the work of the school. I have asked Miss Roberts to present a brief account of these activities as an illustration of the possibilities of the school as a social center in a small community. Attleboro should be proud of such a teacher and Hebronville is to be congratulated upon receiving the benefits of her splendid efforts.
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
"The wider use of the schoolhouse" is probably to become very common throughout the United States, in both urban and suburban communities. There is no history to be found of the extra activities of the school in America, but it at least dates as far back as the sing- ing bee and the spelling match of the olden days.
There is an effort being made at Hebronville to have the school give the widest possible service, educationally, to the community. Through the clubs for the boys and girls an endeavor is made to give education in those more intangible qualities which go to make up the good citizen. The Senior Boys Club is filled .to its membership capa- city, which is limited by the size of our room. In this club through the medium of gymnasium games and team work are inculcated the love of fair play, judgment, alertness, consideration of others, group loyalty, and mutual service.
The Senior Girls Club is also filled to its membership capacity and has a waiting list. The club takes in girls from twelve to sixteen years of age. There is a demand that would be filled by the formation of a second club taking in girls from sixteen to twenty-one, but owing to lack of assistance it has not been possible to meet this demand. In this club the girls are taught dancing and have an hour of gymna- sium games. It is the aim to do the same in this work, educationally, as is done for the boys.
The Junior Boys and Girls Clubs are held in the afternoon from 3:45 until 5:00. For three quarters of an hour they have simple in- dustrial work and for half an hour games.
A branch of the Public Library has been opened in the school building as a part of the community center. It is open every Wednes- day from four until six, for the children, and from 6:30 to 8:30 for adults. Reading tables, magazines, and stereoscopes are provided. The library has grown rapidly in point of service since its opening last April. Owing to the epidemic it has been open only six times this season, but with a circulation of eighteen hundred for the six weeks.
Not the least that we hope to give these boys and girls from this extended service is their share in the refinement that has come with the spiritual growth of civilization.
Last spring the Hebronville Manufacturing Company loaned the school a plot of ground on which twenty-four children planted gardens as a part of their school work. Mr. Benson and one other offered money prizes for the best gardens.
Little has been done in comparison with what might be done.
133
ANNUAL REPORT
It is hoped within the next month to conduct community singing and some sort of educative moving pictures should be given each week. It would also be desirable to have some instruction in household arts for the older girls. With these added activities each one of the young people of the community would have the opportunity of using the schoolhouse three afternoons or evenings a week instead of two as at present.
"The moral standing of a city is judged by the avocations of its people."
Respectfully submitted,
MARTHA J. ROBERTS.
Evening Schools
The evening school for the school year 1917-1918 was closed De- cember 20, 1917, partly on account of the poor attendance and partly to save fuel. The opening of the school this year was delayed on account of the influenza, the first term beginning October 28, 1918, and ending December 17, 1918. The second term began January 2, 1919, and will continue till February 27, 1919. In addition to the usual classes in bookkeeping, mechanical drawing, and the regular day school subjects classes were formed in typewriting and cooking. This last class is very popular, it being necessary to form three divisions, each division meeting once a week.
Through the efforts of a committee of the Attleboro Community Fellowship, consisting of Mr. Harold F. Howe, secretary of the Y. M. C. A., Mrs. Lucinda F. Spofford, librarian of the Public Library, and Mr. Carl Swanson, a naturalization class of forty has been formed which will be conducted as a part of the evening school. The natural- ization procedure will be taken up in detail, but especial emphasis will be placed on our form of government and the rights and duties of citi- zenship.
It was the opinion of the advisory committee that no attempt be made this year to start classes in design and toolmaking, but plans will be made to continue these classes in the fall of 1919.
Statistics from October 28 to December 17, 1918:
Males
Females
Total
Enrollment
85
114
199
Illiterates enrolled
5
3
8
Illiterate minors enrolled .
4
3
7
Average attendance
70
Per cent of attendance to enrollment.
35
Richardson School Fund
Each year the schools are indebted to the trustees of the Richard- son School Fund for some new equipment or project which broadens school opportunities and presents additional advantages to the pupils of Attleboro. From this Fund the High, Sanford Street and Bliss Schools have been supplied with lanterns for using slides to project pictures upon a screen and this year four hundred selected Under- wood and Underwood slides were purchased to be used to visualize the teaching of geography, history and language. To supplement the slides and to be used in connection with them four hundred and fifty stereographs have been purchased and forty-eight stereoscopes to use them in. Thus a whole class can be shown a few pictures in a short time and the subjects presented become more vital and interesting. . The slides and stereographs are to be kept at the superintendent's
134
ANNUAL REPORT
office and sent to schools as requested but it is planned to provide each building so far as possible with enough stereoscopes to supply the largest class. By adding to these slides and stereographs from time to time the collection can be kept up to date, and be made of in- creasing interest from year to year.
The School Savings Bank
It is not surprising that the amount deposited in the bank this year is the smallest for any year since the establishment of the bank although last year's deposits were the largest. In every drive of Liberty Bonds the pupils have done their part and especially have they been urged during the year to invest their savings in War Savings Stamps. For this reason the deposits in the bank are less than last year, but the amount of stamps bought brings the total sav- ings of the pupils up to a substantial sum.
Deposits for each year since the establishment of the bank in 1908:
Year
Deposits
1908 (3 mos.)
$2,429.00
1909
4,497.85
1910
4,198.25
1911
4,142.16
1912
3,826.22
1913
4,406.50
1914
3,658.13
1915
3,680.00
1916
4,927.27
1917
5,487.04
1918
3,185.91
Total
$44,438.33
STATEMENT JANUARY 1, 1919
Dr.
Balance on deposit January 1, 1918, including interest ($226.43)
$2,437.01
Deposited in the First National Bank from January 1, 1918 to January 1, 1919 ..
3,185.91
Interest from November, 1917, to May, 1918. 38.59
Interest from May, 1918, to November, 1918.
26.85
Total
$5,688.36
Transferred to pupils' individual accounts, Jan. 1, 1918
to Jan. 1, 1919.
$3,800.44
Withdrawn, 1918, from interest to cover expenses 10.00
Balance on deposit January 1, 1919, including interest ($281.87)
1,877.92
$5,688.36
Total amount deposited since October, 1908.
$44,438.33
Number of individual accounts opened at the First National Bank from October, 1908, to January, 1918 1,985
January, 1918 to January, 1919. 158
Total
2,143
Number of pupils depositing in the school bank January 1,
1919
1,075
Cr.
135
ANNUAL REPORT
War Savings Stamps were purchased by 1,205 pupils during the year 1918 to the amount of $12,879.75, distributed by schools as follows:
School
Pupils enrolled
Number holding stamps
Stamps purchased
High
412
207
$2,833.25
Bank St.
147
75
842.50
Bliss
311
139
943.25
Briggs Corner
80
32
241.75
Capron
76
30
165.00
Carpenter St.
76
32
292.75
Dodgeville
125
21
198.75
Farmers
85
32
214.25
Hebronville
158
63
331.00
Plat
26
7
63.50
Pleasant St.
78
8
90.25
Richardson
393
153
1,228.00
Sanford St.
477
238
4,146.00
South Attleboro
130
42
ยท 286.00
Tiffany
229
64
572.75
Washington
155
62
430.75
Total
2,958
1,205
$12,879.75
Deposited in School Savings Bank
$3,185.91
War savings stamps purchased.
12,879.75
Total saved by pupils.
$16,065.66
Sight and Hearing Tests
Number of pupils enrolled. .
3,023
Number found defective in eyesight.
238
Number found defective in hearing.
65
Number of parents or guardians notified
264
No School Signals
For the school year from September, 1917, to June, 1918, schools were closed on account of stormy weather as follows:
Date
Grades Closed
October 30, 1917
I-VIII Afternoon
January 7, 1918
. One session
January 15, 1918.
One session
February 5, 1918
One session
136
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
The enrollment at the beginning of the school year was as follows:
Post Graduates
3
Seniors
69
Juniors
87
Sophomores
105
Freshmen
164
Total
428
This is only five less than the enrollment of last year and consid- ering the unusual demand for laborers in the jewelry shops, I think it is a splendid enrollment. There were 204 boys in the school and 224 girls. In the freshman class there were 96 boys and 68 girls which is very unusual. We have the largest senior class in the history of the school.
The attendance during the year 1917-1918 was very good indeed. The percent of attendance was 97.3 for the entire year. This is much higher than is usually found in high schools.
The regular work of the school has been interfered with to a great degree owing to the large number of new teachers we have had during the year. In one and a half years there have been twenty-two new teachers, including the principal. Since the school began in Septem- ber we have had ten new teachers and four substitutes. It takes sev- eral months for a teacher to get accustomed to the system of the school and to learn the names and abilities of the students. In the meantime there is a loss of efficiency that bodes ill for the standard of the school. In addition to the changes in the faculty, the influenza epidemic has hindered the school work greatly. So far this fall, school has been in session only fifty-four days; about three-fourths of the regular time, although much of the time lost will be made up by omitting one week of vacation and lengthening the year one week.
Notwithstanding all the inconveniences that we have experienced, the spirit and attitude of the pupils has been very satisfactory. They have risen to the occasion and have done remarkably well. I trust measures will be taken which will make it possible for us to retain our teachers. We cannot hope to have a first class high school that will be an honor to the city unless the salaries paid are high enough to attract and keep the best teachers.
The new teachers this year are Mr. Alvin Thomas in Science, Mr. Nahum Harden in Manual Training, Miss Myrta E. Nute in English, Miss Mabel I. Osborne in Mathematics, Miss Helen C. Clark in Mechan- ical Drawing, Miss Lena F. Uhlig in History, Miss Bernice W. Craigin in French, Miss Mildred Hood, Miss Amy D. Dorsett and Miss Lillian E. Townsend in the Commercial Department. We were very sorry to lose the services of Miss Lida H. Marrs who had been the head of the commercial department for so many years. She was a most efficient teacher and was always working for the best interests of the pupils.
Our library is becoming one of our most valuable departments in the school. The Public Library loaned us a hundred books during the year. During the past year 8,795 pupils used the library in comparison with 2,064 the year previous. A librarian of the Public Library is in charge each day from 8:15 to 11 o'clock and from 1 to 2 o'clock, and books are issued by this librarian under the same system as that used in the Public Library. During the three periods after recess the
137
ANNUAL REPORT
library is in charge of the English teachers. During the year 3,056 books were issued. I feel that pupils who learn how to use a library effectively have acquired a habit that will be of untold value to them all through life.
The orchestra has become a necessary part of our high school life. At present we have twenty-seven members.
The class of 1916 presented the school with fifty dollars to pur- chase whatever was needed most. We plan to spend it in procuring new books for the library. Mrs. Homer M. Daggett presented the school with two volumes of views of historic value which she secured while on her trip around the world.
Of the sixty-two graduates of the class of 1918, six went to college, three to normal school, and one to Annapolis Naval Academy.
We were not very successful in basketball or baseball last year. Mr. Royal Rock of Providence coached the baseball team. He worked hard with the boys and considering the material he had to work with, he did very well. I find that many of the boys who can do well in athletics do very poorly in their studies and because of their low scholarship are not eligible to take part in athletic events. There is more interest in athletics this fall and I believe that with the efficient work of Mr. Earl White we shall do better in basketball than we have done for the past two years.
Nine of the high school boys enlisted in the Boys' Working Re- serve and worked on farms during the last month of school and during the summer vacation.
The showing made by the pupils in purchasing Liberty Bonds, War Savings and Thrift Stamps, in Red Cross work, and in subscribing to the Attleboro War Chest was good.
I desire at this time to express my appreciation of the hearty co- operation which I have received from the members of the faculty, and for the hearty support I have received from the Superintendent.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES J. PETERSON.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
Music study in the schools of our city continues along lines that have proved successful in the past and gives promise of better things in the future. Singing continues to hold first place in the hearts of the pupils. This fact is continually brought to my mind by the in- terest shown in the study of reading music and by the excellent sing. ing that is general throughout the city.
No effort is spared to interest the pupil in music in some form or other. If he cannot sing, it is possible he may be taught to appre- ciate music through the phonograph, the orchestra, or by lectures on music topics.
It is needless to repeat from year to year the steps by which we grade the music teaching of the grammar school. I will, therefore, mention just a few things that we have attempted to do that seem to me to have been of value. In every room in the city schools, the prin- cipal patriotic songs were taught so that the entire school body could sing together if the occasion demanded. This same idea was also carried out in connection with the teaching of the home or so called folk songs of America, also certain songs such as are recognized as the standard Christmas songs all over the world. These songs were taught with the hope that they might be useful as a means of recrea- tion outside of school life. The thing I am aiming at is to make the
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