USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1921 > Part 9
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IV-School Buildings.
Number of school buildings. September 1921. (portables 4) 24
Number of school rooms ( High 25, Grades 90) 115
Number of rooms in use. 113
V -- Teachers.
Number of teachers and supervisors, January 1. 1922 132
Number of teachers in High School.
25
Number of teachers in grades I-VIII. 93
Number of teachers in kindergartens.
4
Number of teachers for individual instruction 3
Number of special teachers and supervisors. 6
Number of permanent substitutes. 1
The growth of the schools and the requirements of the law have made necessary the addition of seven teachers since January 1. 1921. Four of these teachers were added to the High School corps in Septemll- her because of the large increase in the number of High School pupils before mentioned. One was required for the extra room opened at the Bliss School. The law requiring instruction in "indoor and outdoor games and athletic exercise," approved by the Governor, May 3. 1921, caused the appointment of a physical training director in September.
126
ANNUAL REPORT
Resignations During the Year.
Date
Teacher
School Cause of resignation
1921
Apr. 13 Helen F. Small
High
Illness
May -1 Hannah Pratt
Sanford
Retired
May 11 Irma A. King
Bliss
To be at home
May 15 Bernice A. Jones
Washington Needham
May
16 Alice M. Ritz
Richardson
Dedham
May
25 Gladys Cameron
Richardson
Saxton River
May 31 Ruby King
Richardson
To be at home
Winnifred A. Mansur
Richardson
June 6 Theresa Clitheroe
Bank St.
To be married
June 9 Esther J. Nichols
Richardson
Westtown. P'a.
June 11
Ruth H. Russell
Tiffany
Hudson
June 25
Harriet M. Fogg
Bank St.
Springfield. Mass.
June 25
N. Gertrude Handy
High
To be married
June 25
Phyllis Jenkins
High
June 25
ES. Lillian Shaw
High
June 25
Elsie F. Libby
Sanford St.
July 18
Edith Robbins
Washington
To study
July 20
Helen Garland
Sanford St.
Arlington
July 29 Annie H. Traill
Richardson
Youngstown. O.
Aug. 5 Helen Tingley
High
Secretarial Work
Ang. 9 Ellen Gustin
Tiffany
To be married
Ang. 22 Gertrude Evans
Washington
To study
Aug. 24 Beatrice L. Waterhouse
Sanford St.
Somerville
Sept. 1
Clara G. Smith
Dodgeville
Youngstown. O.
Oct. 5 Hazelfern Hofmann
Bank St.
To be married
Oct. 26 Bernice W. Cragin
High
Worcester, Mass.
Nov. 19
Mildred O. Jillson
Washington
To be married
Nov. 21
Mildred N. Brownell
Richardson
To be married
Leave of Absence.
July 28 Ethel Sanford
So. Attleboro Illness
Nov. 29 Martha A. Clapp
High
To be at home
June 25 Grace L. Sullivan
Washington
Although twenty-nine teachers resigned during the year, thirteen to teach elsewhere, only seven resigned to accept positions paying better salaries. The others who resigned to teach in other places did so to be nearer home or for personal reasons.
Teachers' Salaries.
The last increase in teachers' salaries which took effect in March this year placed Attleboro salaries on a par with the salaries of other cities and towns with whose school systems we like to make compar- isons. Teachers have to be sought for in the open market and that city has the best opportunity to select teachers whose maximum salary is the highest. or whose schools offer decided professional advantages. During the war salaries were not increased in Attleboro so fast as in other places with the result that many good teachers left Attleboro. T. offset this drop in salaries, and in order that the city could hire good teachers and retain the services of others, salaries in the last two years have been raised very rapidly. They are no higher than they ought to be considering the valuation of the city and the standard of the schools.
Carolyn L. Bardwell
Tiffany
Springfield. Vt.
127
ANNUAL REPORT
The maximum salaries for women teachers are as follows:
High School assistants. $1.700 Elementary schools, Grades VII-VIII. . . 1.600 ( Highest paid $1,550.)
Elementary schools, Grades 1-VI 1,500
It is not generally understood that the State contributes toward each teacher's salary the sum of $100. $150 or $200 according to the teacher's education and experience. In 1921 the amount received from the State for this purpose amounted to $22,500. For 1922 it is esti- mated that $24.500 will be received. This money can be used only for teachers' salaries and enables the city to pay better salaries than it otherwise could.
Cost of Instruction.
Valuation of Attleboro. 1921 $23.234,575.00 Expended for support of schools excluding evening and vacation schools 267.868.33
Average membership of day schools. September. 1920. to June, 1921 3.499
Expended per pupil based on average membership. $76.56
Cost of books and supplies per pupil . 2.87
High School.
Total amount expended for High School, including High School share of general expense.
$55.203.71
453
Average membership of High School. 1920-1921 Cost per pupil.
$121.86
Cost of books and supplies per pupil .
7.77
Elementary Schools.
Expended for elementary schools
$212.664.62
Average membership of elementary schools, 1920-1921 3.046
Cost per pupil.
$69.82
Cost of books and supplies per pupil. 2.15
The question is often asked. how much does it cost to educate a child in Attleboro, and how does that cost compare with the State Averages? Figures taken from the State Reports will answer this question. Attleboro became a city January 1. 1914. so that a com- Parison with the cites of the State since that date will also be inter- esting.
The Cost Per Pupil in Attleboro Compared with the Cost in the Cities of the State and the Cost for the State as Taken from the State Reports.
Year
Attleboro
State
Attleboro less than State $2.48
('ities of the State
Attleboro less than cities
1905- 6.
$27.60
$30.08
1906- 7
28.93
30.53
1.60
1907- 8
30.79
31.53
.74
1908- 9
31.51
32.36
.85
. ...
. .
1909-10.
31.36
33.42
2.06
1910-11
34.84
34.36,
.4% over )
.....
1911-12
36.41
38.12
1.71
.. . . .
... .
128
ANNUAL REPORT
1912-13
35.13
38.91
3.78
..
...
1913-14.
34.90
39.82
4.92
1914-15.
36.78
40.41
3.63
$41.58
$5.10
1915-16
38.41
41.68
3.27
43.02
4.61
1916-17
40.18
43.74
3.56
45.09
4.91
1917-18.
41.52
46.82
5.30
47.68
6.13
1918-19
44.84
50.94
6.10
52.25
7.41
1919-20.
46.68
57.20
10.52
58.07
11.39
1920-21.
62.58
72.12
9.67
73.65
11.20
It will be seen that only once in 15 years has Attleboro exceeded the average cost per pupil for the State and then by only forty-eight cents. Since 1915-1916. Attleboro has steadily dropped below the state average. In 1919-1920 the cost per pupil in Attleboro was $10.52 below the average for the State and $11.39 below the average for the cities of the State. Out of 354 towns and cities in the State, only seventy-one had a lower cost per pupil than Attleboro. For 1920-1921 Attleboro was $11.20 below the average for the cities.
These figures indicate economical management. They also point to the danger of being so economical that the efficiency of the schools mas be impaired. This condition was realized by the committee, and re- sulted in increased appropriations for teachers' salaries where most of the saving indicated had been made. The total increase was large because Attleboro was so far below the average to start with and be- cause of the tremendous growth of the schools occurring at the same time.
The Finberg Fund.
Educationally, the most important event of the year was the estab- lishment of the Finberg Fund by Mr. Joseph Finberg, a member of the School Committee, and well known for his keen interest and untiring activity in all matters pertaining to civic improvement and educational betterment. especially those matters affecting the welfare of the boys and girls of the city. In order to help graduates of the High School to continne their education in higher institutions of learning. Mr. Finberg has established a fund the income of which is to be loaned to deserving students in the sum of $200 per year for four years to help defray their college expenses. Boys and girls are alike eligible to use this fund one graduate being selected each year by a committee consisting of the Superintendent of Schools. the chairman of the School Committee and a third member to be selecte:l by the Attleboro Trust Company, the trus- tee of the fund. The Trust Company has named Mr. Finberg as the third member. The student selected may expect to use the fund each year he is in college provided his work is satisfactory and he meets other requirements of the committee. The amount loaned is to be repaid by the student in small amounts beginning one year after grad- uation from college.
The action of Mr. Finberg in establishing this fund means munch to Attleboro. Many boys and girls of excellent ability are prevented from attending college because of lack of funds, and because they are afraid they will not be able to earn money and do college work in their freshman year. For these students and for all to whom loans shall be made, the Finberg Fund means freedom from anxiety over the payment of colleze bills and a greater concentration upon and more intensive application to the serious work of college. The Finberg Fun I will bring increased happiness to future generations, it will open up opportunities for advancement and training for leadership to many unable to advance themselves, and it will stimulate the users to emu- late in their lives the character and spirit of the founder of this fund. Attleboro already owes much to Mr. Finberg. It will never cease to re- inember with pride this last expression of his generous interest in the city's welfare.
ATTAINMENT OF THE HIGHEST SCHOLASTIC STANDING HAS WON THE HONOR OF BEING VALEDICTORIAN FOR THOSE WHOSE NAMES ARE HERE RECORDED
FLORENCE M. VARLEY 144
RUTH E. COLE 15 CRISSY H. VARLEY 16
ELIZABETH E CORNELL'L7 MARGARET K.MARSHALLIS ELIZABETH B. COLE 19
ELLEN R. BOWEN 20
PRESENTED BY THE ATTLEBORO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 1921
129
ANNUAL REPORT
Bronze Tablet for Valedictorians.
Another important event. educationally, was the presentation to the High School in May, by the Chamber of Commerce, of a bronze tablet on which are inseribed the names of the valedictorians of the graduating classes since 1914. when the first class graduated from the new building. Blank spaces have been left so that when complete the names of the valedictorians for forty-five years will be recorded. This tablet evidences in a practical way the interest felt by the Attleboro Chamber of Commerce in the education of the boys and girls of the city, and provides another ineentive for High School pupils to do their best. To be valedictorian is. in itself, an honor. won by scholarship: but to have one's name in enduring bronze placed in a conspicuous place in the school for future generations of pupils to look upon. is to give such added dignity and honor to the position, that it will have an ennobling influence upon the lives of the valedictorians themselves, as well as stimulating the pupils to a higher standard of scholarship. The Cham- ber of Commerce has provided a valuable and lasting token of its inter- est in education. and should receive the earnest and sincere thanks of the school department and the entire community.
Continuation School.
Report for December. 1921.
Total enrollment. girls 79
Total enrollment. boys. 79
Total. 158
Present enrollment, boys 59
Present enrollment. girls 59
Total. 118
The Continuation School began its second year in September. It has already shown its value to the community. This depends not so much in the information acquired by the pupils, the trade skill or the domestic art developed. important as these are, but in the strengthen- ing of character. the broadening outlook on the opportunities of life, and the establishment of new and higher ideals. These results are hard to measure but an intimate knowledge of the work of the school shows that they are being accomplished. While the school shows a decreased enrollment this year owing to business conditions and the fact that many who would be employed are staying in school, yet it seemed best to keep the organization of the school the same as last year, so that when business does revive there will be no loss in the efficiency of the school. The report of the director follows:
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools :
I herewith submit for your consideration my second annual report of the Attleboro Continuation School.
We are very fortunate that we have the same teaching force we had last year. The instructors and director attended a conference at Hyannis last summer. The interpretation of the Continuation School laws and the best methods of instruction were given special attention. This special summer school will not be continued for all teachers, but every instructor must take a self improvement course each year.
One year ago as we were just getting started in the work the first term was spent in the organization and arrangement of a systematic
130
ANNUAL REPORT
schedule of work both vocational and academic. Since that time steady progress has been made.
The academic work ineldes civics, hygiene. English and arithmetic. From this work come incidental lessons in history, geography and science. The work is given in developmental form or from lesson sheets. Civies has been based on community life in this city branching out from our own organization to the departments of state and nation. Hygiene is entirely personal. For the most part English is taught orally and only enongh written work is done so that the pupils may become familiar with Isiness forms and letters. Arithmetic is taught indi- vidnally. based upon the pupil's previous education. his work in the vocational department. and his job.
The home-making conrse seems to be well adapted to the needs of the girls. In cooking an entire meal is prepared and served each les- son. emphasis being placed upon the wise choice of foods. Throughout the year each girl is given the opportunity to act as host. hostess, gnest and waitress. During the early fall the girls were taught to can many kinds of fruit and vegetables. A simple laundry equipment has been added so that the principles of laundering may be taught. In sewing the girls not only make new garments for themselves but remodel old ones and are thus given an opportunity to study the economics of clothing and the proper cleansing of old fabrics. In the follow-up visits in the homes we learn that this work is appreciated.
In the jewelry department the boys have been working along the same lines as indicated in my last report, not being able to do much advanced work on account of the lack of equipment. A small expendi- ture for equipment is needed before satsifactory results can be ob- tained. Since September many talks have been given upon design and the alloying of metals, supplemented with actual work in design and the making of articles based upon the work. Boys have been encont- aged to bring in articles for repair.
During the recreation period this fall the boys have played volley- ball. This has had a wonderfully good influence in the management of the school. We have no place for the game during the winter months.
At the summer conference it was noted that Attleboro was one of the three cities in the State whose continuation. schools completed their follow-up programs. We have given this work special attention believ- ing that the results of our visits give us the only true basis for our future relations with our pupils.
One of our greatest endeavors is to induce pupils to return to the regular school. In this way we have been very successful. Fifteen boys and girls have returned to the grades or have entered the High School because we have influenced them to do so.
It is the policy of the school to obtain jobs for the nnemployed pupils whenever possible. Even during this year of business depression we have found employment for six pupils.
To secure the right attitude and conduct of the individual pupil is one of the most satisfactory phases of our work. Many pupils who have come to the school with little regard for themselves or others have shown a greatly changed attitude before they left. Several of the boys and girls have remained in the school after they became sixteen. This is very gratifying to us as it shows that they realize the benefits of the school.
Respectfully submitted.
MILTON P. DUTTON. Director.
131
ANNUAL REPORT
Evening Schools and Americanization.
Educational opportunity through evening schools is presented to those who desire to add to their education by this means. Three school buildings are used for this purpose. At the High School building. classes have been organized for those of foreign birth who desire to learn the English language and so graded, that by attending two or three years, sufficient English may be acquired to pass the examination for citizenship. Here, also, is a citizenship class where a man desiring to be naturalized may gain not only a knowledge of the history of this country and its form of government. but more important than these. an acquaintance with the character and ideals of the great men of America who have left the imprint of their lives upon our history. Classes have also been formed in bookkeeping. typewriting. cooking. mechanical drawing and the usual school subjects.
At the Tiffany School, many men in the neighborhood are taking advantage of the opportunity there provided, and three classes have been formed to study English.
At the Hebronville School, no formal classes are held but through the self-sacrificing interest of Miss Roberts various groups are brought together in a social way and much good accomplished. Miss Roberts gives the details of this work in her report. Hebronville and Attleboro have reason to be grateful to Miss Roberts.
Hebronville Community Center.
"When the President of Princeton was asked if his faculty initiated the modern engineering courses, he replied, No. The students demanded the work and we furnished it.' "
The extra school activities of the Hebronville Community Center have practically come about in this same fashion. As there has been a demand we have tried to meet it. Last year there was a demand for cooking and sewing classes by the working girls. We met these de- mands. This year for these same girls we have a millinery class taught by Miss Leary. also a class in dressmaking for married women taught by Miss Alice Walker. This class makes a specialty of making over old garments into new. A course in home nursing is to follow the millinery course. The twenty-two girls of the Working Girls' Club are enrolled in this course.
The Working Girls' Club meets regularly every Wednesday evening from 7 to 9:30. From 7 to 7:30 the girls have a good time talking. playing and singing: from 7:30 to 8:30 about twenty boys, between the ages of 14 and 18, come in and the time is spent in dancing. The next hour the girls take their millinery lesson. Thus every Wednesday about forty-two young people have clean and sane enjoyment under proper suprvision.
This club also holds a social once in every four weeks. These socials are strictly community gatherings, the tickets being sold only to the people of the two villages. All the money raised by this club this winter is to be used by the girls in part payment toward a two-day trip to New York and up the Hudson. The girls will get a good deal of pleasure and incidentally education in the history and geography of our country, for which they are to be prepared by stereopticon talks.
The building is open five nights a week and two afternoons as follows :
Monday. 6-7:30-School Girls' Club. embracing girls from 12 to 16 years of age.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Tuesday. Branch of Attleboro Public Library. 3:30-5:30-Children. 6:30-8:30-Adults. In the library are twenty current magazines earned by the school children.
Alternate Wednesdays, 3:30-4:30-Junior Girls' Club ; Junior Boys' Club.
Wednesday. 7-9:30-Working Girls' Club. 7:30-8:30-Dancing class. 8:30-9:30-Milliuery class.
Thursday, 7:30-9:30-Dressmaking class for married women.
Friday, 7-9-Boy Scouts.
At present Hebronville has in the High School four pupils, at Bank Street School six pupils. That is, out of an enrollment of over 200. Hebronville perhaps averages each year, four or five in the High School and of these four or five not more than two complete the High School course. Of the six or seven who go to Bank Street not all remain throughout the year. On the other hand, there are approximately 150 young people, fifty of whom are between the ages of 14 and 21. taking advantage of the extra school activities. Shall we give the people of Hebronville what they demand and what they can use?
There are in Attleboro many foreign-born adults who have not be- come citizens. For many reasons these people have not been reached by our evening classes and they have made no attmpt to become nat- uralized. How to interest them in citizenship sufficiently so that they would take steps to learn the English language and prepare for nat- uralization has been a problem. Such persons need individual help and encouragement and no one connected with the school department had the necessary time to devote to this purpose. After several conferences with the Director of Americanization for Massachusetts it was finally decided to employ a director of Americanization to take charge of the classes in English and naturalization in the evening schools, to build up other classes in homes and factories if possible, and to assist in every way those seeking information regarding naturalization and citizen- ship. To this position Miss L. May Quimby of Claremont. New Hamp- shire, was appointed. Miss Quimby did not begin her duties here till October 1st, but in the three months that have elapsed she has been able to make considerable progress. Before anything definite could be accomplished she had to become acquainted with the city and the peo- ple who need her help and those agencies that wished to be helpful to her. Such a task takes time, but Miss Quimby has covered the field very thoroughly and will have very definite results to report at the end of the year. Her report for three months follows :
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools :
I herewith submit my report of Americanization work since the first of October. Much of the time has been spent in getting acquainted with the city of Attleboro and with the people among whom we hope to work. ('alls have been made at some of the homes and a few people have been helped with individual problems. It is our earnest desire to be of ser- vice to any who may need help and requests for aid will be gladly welcomed.
The foreign-born mothers are the most isolated of all our non- English-speaking people. A large percentage of them are illiterate and very few enroll in classes for learning English when such classes are offered to them. The home cares of the mothers prevent their regular attndance. Many times the opposition of the men make the classes hard to recurit. A special effort is being made. however, to form afternoon
133
ANNUAL REPORT
classes for the mothers. Beginnings in most cases must be made with the individuals. The immigrant woman, because of her infrequent con- tacts with the outside world is usually shy, sensitive to criticism and fears to expose her ignorance by trying to learn with others. Often many calls are made and several lessons given before she gains the con- fidence necessary for her to join a group.
The organization of the evening schools is essentially the same as it has been in the past. Two schools are being maintained at present, for the purpose of teaching English and citizenship; with a present en- rollment at the High School of 43 and at Tiffany of 44.
The work in the schools is based on the State lessons supplemented with lessons of local interest. Emphasis is placed on the speaking. read- ing and writing of English in the beginning and intermediate classes. Lesson themes deal with everyday English. community and personal hygiene, history, civies, geography and topics of entrent interest.
In the advanced classes work in English is continued. History and other informational subjects are tanght through the reading as in the first two years and grammar, arithmetic and spelling are added.
Thirty lessons in civies for naturalization are taught the citizenship classes and every effort is made to prepare the men for their examina- tions for citizenship.
In all classes the interpretation of the best of American principles and ideals is the background for all the work. The class work is socialized as far as possible and the friendliest relationships are estab- lished between members of the school and the school department.
In closing. I wish to express my sincere appreciation of the helpful advice of the Superintendent and of the co-operation of evening school teachers, citizens and members of the School Board.
Respectfully submitted.
L. MAY QUIMBY.
Vacation Schools.
For six weeks last summer a vaction school was held at Dodge- ville and Hebronville. Cooking. sewing. handwork, folk-dancing. and physical exercises were taught. Each school opened in the morning with chorus singing and a story hour. The average attendance for Dodgeville was 82 and for Hebronville was 83.
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