USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1922 > Part 11
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Washington School.
One of the very few schools below the High School that show a gain this year is the Washington School. This school was opened February 8, 1909 and had an enrollment the following year, 1909-1910, of 150 pupils, with four rooms in use. The growth in this school has been steady. In 1920 an addition of four rooms doubled the capacity of the building. The enrollment for December, 1922, was 272, a gain of 122 pupils since 1909. Present indications are that this growth will continue, and it is probable that in a few years another new building will be needed. If this new build- ing could be so located as to take care of the upper grades from both the Washington and the South Attleboro schools it would be a decided benefit for the whole section.
There is a distinct advantage in having all pupils in the eighth grade in outlying sections attend a central school. When, however, the numbers get so large that transportation is difficult and expensive, it would seem wiser to provide for the pupils nearer home. There are 29 pupils in the seventh grade at the Washington School and an equal number at the South Attleboro School. I recommend that some arrangement be made for establishing an eighth grade at the Washington School in September with the idea that possibly some pupils from the South Attleboro School may also be accommodated.
Penmanship.
The style of penmanship taught in the schools is known as the Palmer Method. The course consists of 172 drills which are usually completed in the eighth grade or in the High School. Awards are offered by the Palmer Company for the satisfactory completion of a certain number of drills, the papers being sent to the Palmer Company and judged by their inspectors. For the first twenty-five drills the award is a button; for the first one hundred drills the award is a silver pin; for one hundred seventy- two drills an improvement certificate, a final certificate or a high school certificate. For the school year 1921-1922 the following awards were made to Attleboro schools:
148
ANNUAL REPORT
H. S.
School
Buttons for twenty-five drills
Pins Improvement Final for Certificates Certificates Certificates 100 drills
for 172 drills
for 172 drills
for 172 drills
High
18
33
19
16
2
Bank Street
21
65
16
8
Bliss
8
5
Briggs Corner
15
4
Farmers
14
2
Richardson
25
1
Sanford Street
91
27
1
Tiffany
32
23
14
Washington
2
1
To
Totals
226
161
50
24
2
Evening Schools and Americanization.
Evening schools have been conducted as usual at the Tiffany and High School buildings, and the less formal classes by Miss Roberts at Hebron- ville. Little is said or known generally about the evening schools, but a visit to any school will convince the most skeptical of the value of the work done. At the Tiffany and High School buildings emphasis is laid on teaching English to foreigners who cannot read or write our language, and who need this knowledge as the first step toward citizenship. At Hebron- ville, through a variety of clubs and vocational classes, a great work in Americanization is being done.
Last winter a large class for naturalization was assembled by Miss Quimby, director of Americanization and prepared for their naturalization test by Mr. Sawyer who conducted the class. Practically all who attended regularly passed the test, and as a result of the year's work about 35 were admitted to citizenship. This year there seems to be little interest in such a class, not enough registering the first week to warrant continuing the work, although there are many people in Attleboro who are not citizens. Every person who is a citizen should feel it his duty to interest those who are not citizens to attend these classes, and to assume the obligations as well as the privileges of citizenship. Much was accomplished along this line last year by the Director of Americanization, Miss Quimby, and I hope someone to do this work may become a permanent part of the school organization.
Use of School Plant
For two or three years the school buildings in various parts of the city have been used for neighborhood meetings under the auspices of the Attle- boro Community Fellowship. These meetings have brought parents and teachers closer together so that each became better acquainted with the other and have quickened the interest of the neighborhood in the work of schools. The use of school buildings by the community was further ex- tended in December, when in response to a request from the citizens of South Attleboro, the school buildings in that section were opened for political rallies. The school buildings belong to the City and should be available for use when such use meets a public need.
The Eighth Grade.
Since the opening of the new High School building in 1914 till Septem- ber 1921 all the eighth grade pupils of the city attended the Bank Street School. In 1921, on account of the large number of pupils it was necessary
149
ANNUAL REPORT
to open two eighth grade rooms at the Bliss School and this year it has been necessary to open a third room. On account of crowded conditions and lack of facilities no changes have been made in the eighth grade course of study. At the present time the classes average about 35 to a room. The boys from the Bliss School have been obliged to go to Bank Street School for their manual training. Through the Trustees of the Richard- son School Fund benches and tools have been purchased so that the boys at the Bliss School may receive instruction in their own school. I hope very soon it may be possible to make arrangements so that the girls in the eighth grade may have some instruction in cooking, and that other changes in the course of study may be made to broaden and extend its scope.
The Continuation School.
The Continuation School was opened in September 1920, following the acceptance of the act by the City at the state election in November, 1919. In December, 1920 the enrollment was 193, the highest enrollment for the year. In November began the long continued business depression of which we are now approaching the end, and the continuation school attendance dropped slowly to 123 in May, 1921, and 82 in June. In September, 1921, the school opened with an enrollment of 119 which in- creased to 125 in November and then steadily declined to 89 in May, 1922, and 80 in June. Under these circumstances it was decided to open the school with as few teachers as possible and to add teachers as they were needed. With the improvement of business this fall, many boys and girls under 16 found employment in the shops and consequently the continua- tion school enrollment was greatly increased. The enrollment for Septem- ber was 137 and for December 188. This number will gradually grow less till the close of the school year, although according to business indications the decrease will not be so rapid as last year.
The continuation school is for employed minors between the ages of fourteen and sixteen, and the attendance at the school will fluctuate as business is good or poor. If the improvement in business which began in 1922 continues in 1923, as has been predicted, plans may be safely made to carry on the work of the school on the same basis as last year. I have faith in the continuation school and the good that is being accomplished, and I believe the money invested in the education of those who attend will pay as large dividends in character and citizenship as any school expendi- ture: The report of the Principal gives further details of the work.
Physical Education.
In the development of physical training great progress has been made this year. In 1920 systematic instruction in physical training was begun in the central schools by Mr. H. H. Reinhardt, physical director at the Y. M. C. A. and was continued two years. Last year the work was extended to all schools and grades under the direction of Mr. Lester H. Purvere, who also coached the high school teams. This year the work has been divided, Mr. Ray Cooney having charge of physical instruction in the grades and the track team at the High School, and a teacher at the High School having charge of the regular sports. This arrangement has resulted in better supervision and more extended development of the grade work and has aroused great interest in athletics at the High School.
As soon as it is practicable to make a new program it is planned to arrange for two periods of physical training a week for every pupil in the High School, and to encourage every pupil to participate in at least one high school sport. To carry this plan into effect it may be necessary to have a lady teacher take charge of the physical training of the girls, and possibly assist in coaching some of the girls' sports. That the girls need this training, there is no question. When this plan can be carried into eff- ect the schools will have a complete and adequate system of physical edu- cation.
150
ANNUAL REPORT
Vacation Schools.
The summer schools at Hebronville and Dodgeville opened July 17, 1922 and closed August 25, 1922.
The enrollment at Hebronville was 104 and at Dodgeville 136, making a total of 240 for the two schools.
The average attendance for the two schools was 155.
The classes in handwork and sewing were much larger than in previous years, but the playground attendance was much smaller owing to the cold, damp weather. This brought down the general average attendance.
The schools have not taken care of any boys over eleven years of age owing to lack of a proper instructor. There are many boys of this age who would be glad to come if suitable classes were open to them. Another year it is hoped that an instructor in basketry may be employed who will spend half a morning at each school with these boys.
This year an innovation was tried in that Miss Elsie Sweeney was hired as instructor in physical exercises and as a play leader. She spent half a morning at each school having three groups, a class of boys in organized play, a class of younger children in organized play, and supervised free play. This work proved highly successful.
It has been the plan each year for three years to add a piece of per- manent playground apparatus. This year a set of swings was installed at Dodgeville. It would be a fine thing for both communities if playground apparatus could be added more rapidly and one teacher could be present each afternoon to take charge of the playground until 5 p. m.
About one hundred garments were finished in the sewing classes of the two schools. This included dresses, nightdresses, slips, kimona aprons, and other aprons of different styles. Many of these children do not have over two years of sewing in the regular schools as most of them leave at the sixth grade.
About two hundred articles were completed in handwork, such as dolls' tam-o-shanters, swings, and stocking-caps, marble bags, raffia picture frames and colonial mats. The value gained in the training of hand and eye is merely secondary to the main object of this school, the influencing of character towards sturdiness and refinement. Here the teacher meets the child on a more friendly and natural plane than in the regular school, therefore here she has more opportunity to help him.
The School Savings Bank.
The amount deposited in the School Savings Bank for the year is nearly $735 less than last year. This is a fair indication of business conditions in the city. As a means of teaching thrift the School Bank has no equal and the deposits show how greatly it is appreciated.
151
ANNUAL REPORT
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.
4.406 50
1914
3,658 13
1915.
3,680 00
1916
4,927 27
1917
5,487 04
1918
3,185 91
1919
5,176 32
1920
10,886 16
1921
7,637 33
1922
6,902 89
Total
$75,041 33
Statement January 1, 1923.
Dr.
Balance on deposit Jan. 1, 1922, including interest ($397.09) ... $3,483 18
Deposits in First National Bank from Jan. 1, 1922 to Jan. 1,
1923. .
6,902 89
Interest from Nov. 1921 to Nov. 1922
91 10
Total.
$10,477 17
Cr.
Transferred to pupils' individual accounts, Jan. 1, 1922 to Jan. 1, 1923.
$6,995 00
Withdrawn, 1922, from interest to cover expenses. 49 06
Balance on deposit Jan. 1, 1923, including interest ($439.13) . . 3,433 11
Total $10,477 17
Total amount deposited since October, 1908. $75,041 33
Number of individual accounts opened at the First National Bank from October, 1908 to January 1922. 3,119
January 1922 to January, 1923. 216
Total.
3,333
Number of pupils depositing in the school bank Jan. 1, 1923 1,637
Respectfully submitted,
LEWIS A. FALES,
Superintendent of Schools.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Principal of the High School.
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
The following communication is my second annual report as Principal of the Attleboro High School for the year ending December 31, 1922.
Statistics.
Total number of different pupils enrolled this year 631
Present enrollment. . 593
Number who have left school since last September:
Boys.
21
Girls.
17
Total 38
Of this number:
One was passing in all work.
One was failing in one subject.
One was failing in two subjects.
Five failing in two or more subjects.
Thirty did not remain in school long enough to receive a rating.
Eleven had been promoted with the class.
Eight had not been promoted with the class.
Nineteen were Freshmen.
Five had moved away from Attleboro.
Distribution of Pupils.
Number of boys 285
Number of girls. 308
First year pupils
228
Second year pupils
145
Third year pupils.
128
Fourth year pupils
84
Fifth year pupils.
5
Post Graduates. 3
Pupils in the College Curriculum. 112
Pupils in the Technical Curriculum 122
Pupils in the Commercial Curriculum. 300
Pupils in the General Curriculum 45
Pupils in the Domestic Arts Curriculum.
14
College and Normal Students. Class 1922.
Five boys are represented in the following colleges and universities: Dartmouth, Tufts, Brown University, Boston University and North Eastern College. One boy is attending the Boston Manual Arts School. Five girls are represented in Framingham and Bridgewater Normal Schools. Seven boys and three girls are attending other schools.
A graduate of the Attleboro High School is eligible for entrance to any school that accepts certification grades providing the proper choice of subjects has been made in the high school.
153
ANNUAL REPORT
Organizations.
School Orchestra
Spanish Club
School Band
German Club
Glee Club
French Club
Mandolin Club
Hooks and Crooks Club
Wireless Club
Blue Owl Association
Mathematics Club
Debating Club
Since physical education performs such important functions in the development of the individual we should not restrict its operation to the few who take part in the sports, neglecting all the mass of students. If it is good for the few who are expert, it is much better for the many who need the development. Physical education is an integral function of the school and should be so connected and administered. It should be dove- tailed into the other dominant work of the school and be accepted as quite on a par with intellectual exercises.
Diploma Credits.
The following table designates the number of credits required for graduation and membership to the three upper classes for the following four years:
1922
1923
1924
1925
Sophomores
12
13
14
15
Juniors .
28
30
32
35
Seniors.
48
51
56
60
For Graduation.
72
74
77
80
Morale of Pupils.
The student body consists of boys and girls who are healthy, normal, and with a higher average of intelligence than is generally found in cities of this type. In general their attitude toward their work and their teach- ers is good. Intelligence tests given to the seniors showed a medium score well above the tentative standards corresponding to the tests.
Opinions often reach the principal that the morale of the pupils is not what it should be, and that the spirit of the school patriotism which is so important for the success of every school is somewhat lacking. At present there is no convincing evidence that the pupils are deserving of this criti- cism. However, both can be improved and the public can materially assist in this improvement by refusing to repeat unverified items of criti- cism. Parents should never criticize or belittle teachers in the presence of their children. Such a practice is all too common in families every- where, and it undermines the pupils' pride in their school, and destroys their respect for their teachers. Much good can be accomplished if parents would become acquainted with the teachers and cooperate with them on a basis of mutual understanding and united endeavor for the good of their children and the upbuilding of the school. With such cooperation all incidents or practices which seem to the parent to be open to criticism can be candidly discussed and equitably adjusted.
Recommendations.
Physical Education-A well trained experienced man to act as coach for the high school teams and to teach physical training to the boys of the high school. A competent woman to give part of her time to teaching and the remainder of her time to physical education with the girls.
154
ANNUAL REPORT
Mechanic Arts-Install a complete four year pre-vocational mechanic arts course for the boys. The equipment for the woodworking depart- ment should be completed this year, another department next year and so on, until a four year curriculum can be offered.
Domestic Arts-This recommendation necessitates a radical change from our present program. The city of Attleboro owns property in the vicinity of the high school where the domestic science work can be con- ducted under identical conditions with those of the home. A laundry, kitchen, dining roon, sitting room and bed room should be furnished. With this equipment girl's can be taught the scientific care of the home from a practical side.
I sincerely believe that if the Mechanic Arts and Domestic Science departments are developed along these lines that many of our so called poor students will prove to be our best. They will certainly make better citizens for Attleboro with this knowledge than they would if allowed to withdraw from school because they are not adapted to such studies as languages, mathematics and sciences as taught to answer the college entrance requirements.
School Library-The school library should contain at least 2000 vol- umes and at least one volume for each pupil in excess of 500. The annual expenditure for books and magazines should be at least twenty-five cents per pupil.
Physical Exercises-The session allowed for regular physical exercises should be two sixty-minute periods per week and this should be required of every pupil whose physical condition permits of such work.
Valedictory and Salutatory Honors.
This practice has been discontinued in many schools and according to the State Manual for High Schools, should be discontinued in all schools. It is stated that a percentage basis of marking is unfair due to the standards of different teachers, that students competing for these honors will elect those subjects in which they are likely to get the higher marks regardless of the value of the subjects themselves.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES O. DALRYMPLE
Report of the Director of Continuation Schools.
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
I herewith present for your consideration my third annual report of the Continuation School.
One year ago we had an attendance of 111 pupils, 58 boys and 53 girls. The number steadily decreased till the end of June when there was a mem- bership of 48 boys and 46 girls. At this time it was decided to employ one teacher for the girls who would teach both academic subjects and household arts. Miss Simms was transferred to the eighth grade and Miss McCormick to the high school. Mr. Sawyer, who had taught the academic work to the boys so successfully for two years, accepted the principalship of a school in Watertown. This took away from the con- tinuation school three strong teachers who had taken special courses at Hyannis for two summers, and had had the experience of two years teach- ing in continuation work. They had a knowledge of continuation school pupils, were familiar with the character of the subjects taught, and under- stood the laws governing the school. Their separation from the school is a real loss.
155
ANNUAL REPORT
Miss Dorene Thompson, a teacher of domestic arts in the Springfield, Vermont, high school was secured to teach the girls in both departments. No teacher was employed to teach the boys in the academic department to take Mr. Sawyer's place. The director, amid the interruptions attend- ing the duties of the eighth grade and the office work of the continuation school, tried to take care of this department. In November, Lewis A. Sheafe of Amesbury was employed for the academic work. The numbers increased to 182'at the end of November and an assistant was hired to help Miss Thompson for twelve hours a week.
Mr. Sheafe has been in the hospital now for three weeks where he underwent a serious operation. George Roller of Boston is substituting for him. It always takes time to overcome the effect of so many changes.
A new course was introduced into the manual department of the boys' division. The basis for this course was a small metal box with cover, hinges, handle, and legs. The making of the box involves many operations The boy first approaches his work by making a drawing of the project. This gives many of the boys their first knowledge of mechanical drawing. Then comes the squaring of the brass and the sawing of the corners which teach them to be exact. Grooving for bending and mitering are opera- tions that require skill and care. When the handle and hinges are made and attached the boys have learned to drill, rivet and solder. As the box approaches completion through the different processes of finishing there is an opportunity for original design in decorating.
In the domestic arts the girls have done some real good work. In the early fall they did all kinds of canning. This was absolutely new work to most of them, but all became able to do the canning with good success. They brought in many kinds of fruits and vegetables to can for their own home use. They canned many jars of tomatoes to be used for the lunch- eons in the eighth grade. They were taught to plan meals, how to cook and serve them properly. In November they took up sewing. Using the commercial pattern they cut and made many articles of underwear, aprons and dresses for their own use. During the last two weeks many of them have been making useful articles for Christmas presents.
The real value of this school cannot be measured by the accomplish- ment of this kind of work, for the best results are those that are intangible. Our main objective is to make the pupils better members of society so that they will be an uplift to the community in which they live. Just how much the act of keeping them in touch with civic and general education will accomplish only the future can tell.
A critic of the school is absolutely correct when he says that there are some who do not get much out of the four hours a week spent here. These particular pupils passed the sixth grade more by years of attendance than by mental attainment; their mental and moral condition is such that they can receive little from the school. Their association with this school is a hindrance to its best work and a menace to the morals of the other pupils. The school in its original scope was not designed for such as these.
This kind of work is not always pleasing to one who has high ideals in the teaching profession, but when we see a boy become able to write a busi- ness letter for the first time, or make some definite article; when we see a girl who could not make a pie or a buttonhole, prepare and serve an en- tire meal, cut and make her own wearing apparel then we feel that there is great need of this kind of work and an opportunity for the highest attain- ment for a teacher.
I wish to express my appreciation for the constant support and assist- ance of the school board and the superintendent.
Respectfully submitted,
MILTON P. DUTTON, Director.
156
ANNUAL REPORT
Report of the Supervisor of Music.
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
In reviewing the music work of the pupils in the grades during the past year it gives me great satisfaction to note the increasing interest, not only in the singing, but in other forms of music study. In former years if a pupil was found to be a monotone he was cut off from all participation in any form of music; today there is no pupil outside the realm of music. If he cannot sing he is taught to sing and it is only in very few cases that a monotone gets as far as the fifth grade without being able to sing in tune with his classmates.
The general aim is to get the pupil to sing and enjoy music. There is no special effort made to develop the gifted singer. The music work is confined to general class singing, to improve the voices by the best known method of voice preservation and development and to teach the pupil to read the music he sings. As I travel from school to school I am impressed more and more by the tunefulness of the singing; tlie tone is beautiful and the pupils keep the pitch. What that means can only be appreciated by a musician. At all public entertainments given by the various schools during the year, the singing of the children was one of the most enjoyable features.
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