USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1921 > Part 10
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On Friday, August 12th, an exhibition of the work in sewing. hanc work. folk-dancing and wand drills was held. Among the many articles exhibited were twenty-five dresses completed by the girls during the six- week term. There was also a large exhibition of hand-weaving. This exhibition was followed by a program of athletic events. Many people were present from both villages. Such an event as this makes for com- munity spirit and good feeling.
Health Work in the Schools.
Practically all books on education that attempt to define the pur- pose of education name the health of the pupils as the first considera- tion. Yet for years little or no attention has been paid to the subject in a practical way. Physiology and hygiene have been taught but so far as the instruction has resulted in stronger and healthier boys and girls the results have been very meagre. This year. the health of the pupils is being emphasized from three distinct phases. First. nutrition classes have been organized, and health talks are being given in practically
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every school. This is an extension of the work done by Miss Lucy M. Queal, government nutrition expert. in the schools at Hebronville and Dodgeville for the last two years, and is due to the interest of Dr. Battershall. the school physician. and the principals of the various schools. The report of the school physician gives fuller information regarding the nutrition classes. Second, physical exercise has been ex- tended to all schools with a competent instructor in charge. To the sub- jects already required by law to be taught in public schools was added last spring instruction in "indoor and outdoor games and physical exer- cise." For two years a part of the schools enjoyed the advantages of such instruction under the direction of Mr. H. H. Reinhardt of the Y. M. C. A. Now all schools are required to have such instruction. To direct this work. Mr. Lester H. Purvere. a graduate of the Y. M. C. A. College at Springfield, who had had experience at Passaic, N. J., has been ap- pointed. Mr. Purvere will not only direct physical training in the grades but will also coach the various teams at the High School. and help to develop interest in sports in the upper grades. Mr. Purvere's report gives interesting details of his work.
Third, school lunches are now being served in most of the schools. This is purely a labor of love on the part of the teachers and indicates their desire to be of service. Starting in one school in an attempt to help the under nourished, in another because of a desire that a warm drink might be served to those pupils obliged to bring their dinners. in others because of the nutrition classes being formed. school lunches are now to be obtained in nearly every school. These lunches consist of milk or cocoa. buns. fruit and cookies, and are served at cost, there being no attempt to make a profit. Pupils assist in the preparation and serving of the lunches, directed by the teacher. The praise of pupils and parents attest the popularity of this phase of school activity.
Professional Improvement of Teachers.
Teaching like any task repeated day after day tends to become formal and mechanical. Unless the teacher has a keen interest in her work and is constantly studying to perfect herself in her profession by taking up new methods and new ways of interesting her pupils, school is likely to become a matter of deadly routine. The same pupils to teach. the same subjects to be taught. the same materials to be used. the same program to follow : how shall the teacher vary her method each day so that the pupils will receive a new stimulus and attack their problems with new inspiration? Only a teacher who is enthusiastic about her work and anxious to increase her efficiency by a knowledge of the best educational practice can do this. A teacher cannot stand still, professionally ; she must make progress or drop behind.
To encourage teachers to study during the summer for the purpose of acquiring a more extended knowledge of their subjects or to improve their methods of teaching. the Committee makes a salary allowance for summer study under the following conditions :
Any teacher or supervisor who takes in a normal or col- lege summer school a course of not less than thirty program hours shall receive for the school year immediately following an increase in salary of fifty dollars. This increase will be for one year only. The same allowance will be made for similar study a second and a third year. For the fourth year the in- crease will be $100 and will be permanent. provided that the four years' attendance comes within a period of eight years.
No further increase in salary will be made on account of summer study until a lapse of five years when fifty dollars will
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again be allowed for each year's attendance at summer school until the fourth year when the allowance will be $100 and will be permanent.
The courses to be taken shall be approved in advance by the Superintendent. and a certificate from the authorities of the summer school showing satisfactory completion of the work each year must be presented before the salary increase will be granted.
Twenty-seven teachers attended school last suunner. five of whom did not return to Attleboro in September. The schools and the number attending each are as follows: Columbia. 7: Harvard. 4; Boston Uni- versity. 2: Simmons. 1: Massachusetts Agricultural College. 4; R. I. College of Education. 2: Cornell. 1: Hyannis Normal School. 6. These teachers have not only gained a broader education by summer study but they return to school in September with new interest and euthusi- asm for their work which results in a general improvement of the work of the pupils. Their influence is also felt by those nuable to attend summer school and tends to raise the standard of all the teachers.
THE SCHOOL SAVINGS BANK.
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
4.408.50
1914
3.6558.13
1915
3.680.00
1916
4.927.27
1917
5.487.04
1918
3.185.91
1919
5.176.32
1920
10.886.46
1921
7.637.33
Total
$68,138.44
Statement January 1, 1922.
Dr.
Balance ou deposit Jan. 1. 1921. including interest ( $340.40) . $3.591.23
Deposited in the First National Bank from Jan. 1, 1921. to Jan. 1. 1922 .. 7.667.26
Interest from Nov. 1920 to Nov. 1921 95.36
· Total.
$11.353.85
C'r.
Transferred to pupils' individual accounts, Jan 1. 1921. to Jan. 1. 1922. $7.832.00
Withdrawn. 1921. from interest to cover expenses. 38.67
Balance on deposit Jan. 1, 1922, including interest ($397.09) . 3.483.18
Total. $11.353.85
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ANNUAL REPORT
Total amount deposited since October. 1908. $68.138.44
Number of individual accounts opened at the First National Bank from October, 1908, to January. 1921. 2.831
January. 1921, to January. 1922. 2.86
Total 3.117
Number of pupils depositing in the school bank Jan. 1, 1922. . 2.171
The past year has been one of progress. Teachers' salaries have been placed on an adequate basis, the health of the pupils is being im- proved through athletic exercise, nutrition classes and school Innches, a large number of people are being helped through the evening schools and the director of Americanization. an added incentive to boys and girls to continue their education has been given by the establishment of the Fin- berg Ennd, the professional improvement of teachers has been recog- nized in the salary schedule. interest in sports in the High School and the upper grades has been greatly increased by having a competent supervisor connected with the department, and the work of the schools has been kept up to a high standard.
Much yet remains to be done. The needs of the schools are many. New buildings are necessary. The manual arts course at the High School should be extended, a teacher of penmanship should be employed. a supervisor of primary grades would greatly strengthen the work of those grades, pupils in the eighth grade should have some choice of sub- jects-impossible now because of crowded conditions -- and furniture and equipment must be kept up to date. These things cannot all be accom- plish at once. but they should be the constant aim of the Committee and should be brought about as soon as possible.
The various reports which accompany this contain many items of interest and importance, and are cordially commended.
Respectfully submitted. LEWIS A. FALES.
Report of the Principal of the High School.
Mr. Lewis A. Fales. Superintendent of Schools:
The following communication is my first annual report as Principal of the Attleboro High School, for the year ending December 31. 1921.
The total enrollment for the present school year has been 590. The present enrollment is 565. Of the students who have withdrawn from school eight have moved away from Attleboro. The remainder have either home or working permits. The present enrollment shows an increase of 117 students or a gain of 26% over that of the preceding year.
Distribution of Students.
Present registration. December. 1921 565
Number of boys 270
Number of girls 295
Number of first year students. 209
Number of second year students 156
Number of third year students. 104
Number of fourth year students 91
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ANNUAL REPORT
Number of post-graduates 5
Number in the Technical Course. 124
Number in the College Course. 91
Number in the Commercial Course. 279
Number in the Domestic Art Course. 13
Number in the General Course.
Recitation Rooms.
Because of the crowded conditions in the High School. it has been necessary to place arm chairs in rooms 100 and 303 and convert them into recitation rooms although they are poorly adapted for this purpose. The mechanical drawing department has been moved from room 201 to room 105. and room 201 has been equipped with desks for a study room. Room 300 designated as a lecture room for the courses in science is being used as a recitation room. This gives us four extra recitation rooms which taxes the building to its limit. A further increase in the number of students in the high school will create a serions problem.
Curricula Changes.
A number of changes have been made in the curricula in order to meet the more rigid college requirements and to broaden the general work in the high school. Ancient History has been changed from a four to a five period subject. American History and Civics are re- quired subjects in the senior year. Mathematics has been decidedly strengthened by placing Intermediate and Advanced Algebra in the third year and Solid Geometry and Plane Trigonometry in the fourth year. The work in Domestic Science which has consisted of Elementary Cook- ing. has been developed into the Domestic Arts Curriculum. In the Sophomore year Dietetics and Home Nursing are taught the first se- mester and Physiology and Hygiene the second semester. The third year. Household Management is tanght the first semester, and Dress- making the second semester. Chemistry and Physics have been increased from seven to ten periods a week. This gives us double periods for Laboratory work which is necessary for efficient work. Since all of our work in the high school may be optional on the part of the student after the first year, with the exception of English and United States History and Civics, it has seemed advisable not to allow juniors or seniors to elect subjects back more than one year in their conrse. Ex- · ceptions may be made for good reasons in Language and Mathematics. A senior would not be very well developed who elected his subjects from the first and second year curricula. English, which is a required subject, could be made more efficient if five periods were required in- stead of four for Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors.
Class 1921.
The class of 1921 consisted of 85 gradnates. Sixteen members of this class. or 20% of its members are registered in the following insti- tutions: Wheaton College, Brown University, Boston University: Sim- mons College, Wellesley College. Three members of the class are reg- istered in State Normal Schools. Twenty members of the commercial department are reported to have accepted positions in the line of work they were fitted for in high school. We are unfortunate in not having a complete record of all of the class.
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Scholarship.
This is the real problem in the high school to-day. and the remedy is the simplest. It is necessary for the average student to study con- stantly at home from two to two and one-half hours for each day spent in the high school in order to do satisfactory work. A grade of 70% may be passing but it will not be accepted by any other institution other than the public schools. If a boy or girl is failing to do satisfactory work. the parent should first examine the home study hours and then if the remedy is not discovered, come to the school and consult with the principal and teachers. Many parents will make big sacrifices in order to send their children to school but are absolute failures in de- manding that they take their school seriously and prepare their lessons. Again. students whose intentions are the best. often neglect their school work for the numerous and often unproductive amusements and attrac- tions. This is only a natural condition for children of school age and the right kind of amusements should be encouraged. but I believe that during the four years in the high school, the studies should be the first consideration. The remedy must come from the home and not the school. Unless parents will assume this responsibility. I see no other way out of the dilemma than to lengthen each school day and period and have each lesson prepared under the supervision of a teacher.
Organizations.
The Wireless Club was reorganized this fall under the supervision of Mr. Thomas. The following equipment has been purchased this year : Gube's regenerator. Radio delector, two step amplifier. one step ampli- tier. One entertainment has been given to the student body in the assembly hall, with wireless music from Pawtucket.
A club in mathematics has been organized by Miss Osborne to pro- mote interest in the study of mathematics as an exact science.
The Spanish club, according to its constitution. aims to promote an economic study of Spanish. The meetings are conducted entirely in Spanish. The programs consist of Spanish plays, musicals, games and refreshments. The work is under the supervision of Miss Dreney.
The Blue Orl, the local high school paper, published by the students under the supervision of the English Department, anticipates a very suc- cessful year.
Glee Clubs. A boys' and a girls' Glee Club have been organize: by Mr. Gibb. the supervisor of music. The value of music in the high school cannot be over estimated. School credits should be given to . members of their clubs who have the ability to make the club and re- main members during the school year under the organization of the school.
. Orchestra. The orchestra of about forty members is one of the most successful organizations that we have in the high school. All students who have musical ability should become associated with the orchestra.
School Band. Mr. Gibb has recruited from the student body and from the orchestra a school band capable of representing the school and the local out-door athletic meets. The band should be made a perma- nent part of the school and organized so as to receive credits toward graduation.
Assembly.
After the opening exercises in the assembly, we have been able to have one or two special number on our program furnished by the music
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department. This not only gives the students taking part self-control before an audience, but encourages the student body to be in school on time in order to attend these exercises.
Physical Education.
A movement in the right direction was inaugurated when all the Physical education of the high school was placed in charge of a trained supervisor. During the past few years all physical training has been limited to basketball and baseball. During this school year we will have about one hundred students taking part in athletics. This work represents football. track. inter-class basketball, varsity basketball. and baseball. We are unfortunate in not having an out-door tennis court.
Mechanic Arts.
The city of Attleboro cannot afford not to develop the work in the mechanic arts department of the high school Every stulent is en- titled to a high school education, but many of them. and often the most successful in life. are not mentally adapted to all book work. Our pres- ent work in manual training is very rudimentary. but could by the addition of woodworking machinery be made to answer for the first year of high school work. A four year pre-vocational curriculum should be one of the leading aims of the high school.
Diploma Credits.
One year's work in a high school is commonly considered as four recitations a day for five days a week. This rate would give us twenty credits a year or eighty for the four years. I wish to recommend strongly that we gradually increase the number of units required for graduation each year until the maximum of eighty is reached. By changing English from a four to a five point subject. three extra units are available. Small credits should be given to members of the boys' and girls' Glee Club.
Attendance and Tardiness.
The percentage of attendance for the first three months of this year is 98.1 and for the same period last year 97.35, and the preceding year 96.27.
The total number of tardy marks for the first three months of this school year is 47, and for the same period last year 288, and the preced- ing year 317. The total number of tardy marks for the calendar year 1921 not including December is 317. The total number of tardy marks for the calendar year 1920 was 1,503.
At the present time I feel that there is not a high schol in New England with as high a percentage of attendance or as low a percentage of tardiness as we have in the Attieboro High School. A condition of this kind can be made possible only by the co-operation of the students and parents. We do not want sick children in school but we do want all the healthy ones all the time. Some tardiness is necessary but the amount is so small that it is negligible.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES O. DALRYMPLE.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Supervisor of Music.
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools :
The rapid increase in the school population has made it impossible for me to keep up my schedule of semi-monthly visits as in previous years. Beginning September of this year I arranged my program so as to visit the center schools once every two weeks and the outlying schools once every month. I am very sorry that such a course was necessary but it was the best arrangement I could make under existing conditions. Another matter that I have not been able to arrange to my satisfaction is that of the eighth grade at the Bliss School. They have not received the same amount of my time as the eighth grade at the Bank Street School. I have made no plans to visit the Plat School regularly but have been able to visit the school twice since September.
The Grades.
The music work of the first seven grades is arranged in a logical manner so the pupil as he advances from grade to grade becomes more able to read the music he sings. We aim to develop free and beautiful singing of songs, teach the proper use of the child voice, and to train and develop the ear and voice of the monotone so he may be able to sing in tune with his classmates. Individual singing is encouraged as a means of strengthening individual capabilities. Patriotic and folk songs are taught in all grades. Music reading is emphasized as never before. one, two and three-part singing is developed, and every pupil is at work in music to the best of his ability. It is safe to say that every normal child who passes through the seven years of the elementary school can read music and sing with some degree of musical intelligence.
Eighth Grade.
The misic work of the eighth grade at the Bank Street School is confined entirely to the practice of singing and the study of some of the great musicians and their works, illustrated by phonograph records. Snch subjects as Handel and the Messiah, Hayden and the Creation, Beethoven and his Symphonies, Wagner and Verdi and their operas have been taken up. Also a series of lectures on the History of Amer- ican Music and Musicians has been given. The object of this study is the extension of the musical experience of the pupil beyond that pro- vided by his own singing.
High School.
One period each week is given to the singing class which now num- bers 350 pupils. The class is too large to handle successfully, and I would recommend that the Freshman class have their singing period on Monday and that the Sophomores. Juniors and Seniors have their sing- ing class on Wednesday morning. This arrangement would cause the least inconvenience to my schedule for the lower grades.
Girls' Glee Club.
The Girls' Glee Chb meets after school hours and in spite of this handicap it is functioning successfully in the life of the school.
Boys' Glee Club.
The Boys' Glee Club was formed last year and sang very acceptably before the school a number of times.
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ANNUAL REPORT
High School Orchestra.
The development of orchestral music in the High School is due entirely to the encouragement given to the players by the school de- partment in the form of credits for attendance. The orchestra numbers 47 players and during the past year besides their regular playing for the school they played for the Community High School night, for the graduation at Segreganset Agricultural School, and at the Chamber of Commerce. They also gave one of their regular concerts at the School Hall. The orchestra insists on playing good music as well as they can. One of the best features of the orchestra is the fact that small groups of players meet together at their various homes for extra practice. thus providing a wholesome and profitable way for them to spend their leisure time. Another interesting group is composed of girls of the orchestra who have their own director. It is safe to say we will hear more about them in the future.
One of the splendid results of our orchestra training is the fact that several of our graduate members who went to college are now playing on their respective college orchestras. At present two are playing in the orchestra at Brown, one at Yale, and two at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The Band.
The boys of the orchestra formed themselves into a brass band for the purpose of adding enthusiasm at the school games. I have heard many favorable comments from the people of the city on this work, and I hope it is now an established part of our music course.
In closing my report I wish to thank the trustees of the Richard- son School Fund for the encouragement given to me and for the pleas- ure given to the school children by the purchase of a new concert grand piano for the High School, new upright pianos for the Tiffany and the Capron schools, and a Victor phonograph for the Farmers school.
Respectfully submitted.
JOHN LAING GIBB.
Report of the Supervisor of Drawing.
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools :
The year's work began as usual with teachers' meetings. The main purpose of these meetings was to find out what drawing could do for the other subjects. It was more than to correlate drawing with other subjects, it was to see if there were not projects which needed the art side, that our work might be more purposeful.
In one school where history is being taught by the project method, the drawing is a necessary part of the project. It is impossible to teach the life of primitive people without teaching their industrial life, and I am watching with interest to see how far we can develop the in- dustrial art side. I hope to see pottery made. and rugs and blankets woven. I shall be glad of the call from other schools for the art side of any project. As opportunity offers the drawing can easily join other courses.
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But the art course has its own definite purpose. That purpose is to lead the child to appreciate the beautiful, to think for himself. and to have a respect for fine workmanship. The fine art of the world is the result of the right use of line, dark-and-light. and color. The children are having experience in the use of line, dark-and-light, and color. through designing. painting, drawing and construction. I am encour- aged when I find a little work that is really fine. I hope we are mak- ing some gain towards appreciating and choosing the beautiful rather than the commonplace.
Industrial art has a large part in many schools. I would like to introduce more of it in our schools.
Industrial art is the process of converting raw materials into things of use, and results in an appreciation of the world's work.
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