USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1925 > Part 14
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176
ANNUAL REPORT
special drill. Each teacher is responsible for correcting the errors de- signated for her particular grade and any lower grade. The seventh and eight grades will make a survey of their language errors and drill on those most common. The parents will be asked to help in this better speech campaign and tests given later in the year to check up on the success of our efforts.
In the near future two additional supervisors should be appointed, one for primary grades and one for penmanship. Changes in teachers are constantly occurring and teachers vary in education and experience. If a new teacher in primary grades could have the help and advice of a teacher of wide and successful experience the work of the primary grades would be more uniform and of a higher standard, and the pupils better fitted for the succeeding grades. The teachers in the first three grades lay the foundation for all the education that is to follow, and the best teachers should be employed and the best methods used in these grades. A primary supervisor would be an inspiration to every primary teacher.
Penmanship Awards
In penmanship we are using the Palmer method and during the year send many papers to the Palmer Company for penmanship awards. For the school year 1924-1925 the awards were as follows :
School
Business
V Certificates
Merit
Buttons
Buttons
Progress
Pins
Improvement
Certificates
Final
High
2
25
29
Bank Street
4
35
48
19
Bliss
1
159
92
48
22
Briggs Corner
0
6
6
1
Dodgeville
0
15
9
0
0
Farmers
5
25
14
0
0
Hebronville
0
46
10
4
1
Richardson
0
33
36
15
2
Sanford Street
2
113
113
36
4
So. Attleboro
0
23
11
2
1
Tiffany
0
35
20
8
1
Washington
0
25
17
3
3
Total
7
14
540
405
142
49
8 7 0 ONO y Certificates
While the results by this method are fairly satisfactory and there is considerable interest in penmanship, there are still many pupils whose writing would be greatly improved by a special teacher of penmanship.
Richardson School Addition
The eight-room addition to the Richardson School was occupied April 13, 1925. Seven rooms are in use, four for regular grades, and one each for a kindergarten, an ungraded class, and an open-air class. The kindergarten enrolls fifty-five pupils and is very popular with the parents. The ungraded class was at Sanford Street School last year but has been reorganized and is made up of younger pupils.
The open-air class consists of twenty pupils in grades III, IV and
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ANNUAL REPORT
V, who are pre-disposed to tuberculosis and need plenty of fresh air, rest and sunlight. Cots and blankets are provided and each pupil has a chance to rest after the noonday lunch. A great improvement has been noticed in the health of these pupils, two having reached normal weight and returned to their regular grades. The windows are kept open except in extreme weather and the temperature in the room does not rise above 60. All pupils would be benefitted by similiar condi- tions, plenty of fresh air and a lower temperature, and it is hoped that in time the influence and example of the open-air class may bring about this result in every school room in the city.
The Lincoln School
Although the Lincoln School in South Attleboro will be completed in the spring of 1926 it is not planned to occupy it till September. The building contains nine regular class rooms, a cooking and sewing room for the girls and a maunal training room in the basement for the boys. From the Washington School will be transferred the seventh and eighth grades, and such pupils in the fifth and sixth grades as live nearer the new school. From the South Attleboro School will be transferred the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grades, making a total enrollment for the new school of about two hundred pupils. The seventh and eighth grades will do some departmental work as a pre- paration for the highly specialized departmental work of the High School, and will have better educational opportunities than any school in the city. The City School in South Attleboro has long been over- crowded, and this condition has been a handicap to pupils and teachers; the opening of the Lincoln School will make possible a higher standard of education in the grades that are left in this school.
The High School
The report of the principal of the High School shows 344 taking the college and technical courses out of 671 pupils enrolled. The com- mercial course registers only 280 pupils and the general course 47. A few years ago the majority of the pupils in the High School were tak- ing commercial subjects. This change is merely indicative of the trend of the times, and shows that more pupils are thinking of going to col- lege than of preparing for commercial positions. The cooking classes for the girls and the manual training courses for the boys are not so popular as they were a few years ago, as shown by the falling off in en- rollment in these classes.
The enrollment at the High School in September was 707 although the number has dropped to 682 at this time, December 1925. The es- timate for September 1926 is 717 pupils. The building is crowded, and the accommodation of more pupils well be at a sacrifice of comfort and efficiency.
The High School greatly needs additional lockers for the pupils' clothing. There are 340 lockers to accomodate 700 pupils, which means that two pupils use the same locker. This is an unsatisfactory ar- rangement and causes much trouble and confusion. A locker for each pupil should be provided as soon as possible.
Teachers at Summer School
Fifteen teachers attended summer sessions at Normal Schools or Colleges as follows :
Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3
Simmons 2
Syracuse University 1
178
ANNUAL REPORT
Rhode Island College of Education
3
Hyannis Normal School
4
Gorham Normal School
1
Presque Isle Normal School
1
A number of teachers have taken courses at Boston University during the year and some have taken extension courses offered by the State. So long as the teachers show such a professional spirit the standard of the schools will continue to be raised.
RESIGNATIONS
Date
1925
Teacher
School
Cause of resignation
April 7 Stafford J. Connor
High
Long Island
May 4 Anita M. Robb
Bank St.
At home
May 9 Helen M. Rogers
Richardson
At home .
May 14 Jessie A. Dix
Bliss
Florida
May 14 Vivian Dix
Washington
Florida
June 4 Alta I. Randles
Continuation
Private School
June 8 Dorene Thompson
High
Swampscott
June 9 Bernice Hanna (Mrs.)
High
At home
June 11
Elva M. Gurney (Mrs.)
Bliss
At home
July 14
Doris Brooks Hall (Mrs.) High
At home
July 14
Beatrice Paul
Briggs Corner To study
July 27
Gladys I. Gilbert
Bank St.
Needham
July 31
Helen J. Thayer
High
To study
Aug.
1 Rosamond Barney
High
Haverhill
Aug.
1 Elaine M. Burns (Mrs.) High
At home
Aug.
5
Myrtle Sowerby
Washington Marlboro
Aug.
5 Mae L. Foster
High
At home
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
4,658.13
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
1923
8,271.24
1924
7,849.22
1925
8,459.52
Total
$100,621.01
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ANNUAL REPORT
Statement January 1, 1926
Dr.
Balance on deposit Dec. 24, 1924, including interest ($591.19) .. $3,579.88
Deposits in First National Bank from January 1, 1925 to December 22, 1925 8,459.52
Interest from November 1924 to November 1925 101.09
Total
$12,140.49
Cr.
Transferred to pupils' individual accounts, January 1, 1925 to January 1, 1926 $8,382.00
Withdrawn, 1925, from interest to cover expenses
26.75
Balance on deposit December 20, 1925, including interest ($665.53) 3,731.74
Total $12,140.49
Total amount deposited since October, 1908
$100,621.01
Number of individual accounts opened at the First National Bank from October 1908 to January 1925 January 1925 to January 1926 279
3,882
Total 4,161
Number of pupils depositing in the school bank January
1, 1926 1,949
Each year new educational theories are being put into practice. The aim of all new ideas is to improve methods of teaching and to help the individual pupil to a higher plane of achievement. More at- tention is given to the individual pupil at present than at any time since the passing of the old district school. Each new theory of edu- cation with its application to teaching method is a challenge to teachers to try it for themselves, to compare the new with the old, and to adopt the new where better results can be secured. Thus is progress in edu- cation attained. Attleboro teachers are striving loyally not only to keep the schools up to their previous standard, but, if possible, to make them better each year. To the efforts of the teachers, supported whole-heartedly as they are by the School Committee and the people, is due the present excellent condition of the schools.
Respectfully submitted,
LEWIS A. FALES,
Superintendent of Schools
180
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools :
The following communication is my fifth annual report as Principal of the Attleboro High School for the year ending December 31, 1925.
Statistics
Registration :
1st year 2nd year 3rd year 4th year 5th year Total
Dec.4,1925
Pupils
Pupils
Pupils
Pupils
Pupils
Post Graduates
11
11
Seniors
97
4
101
Juniors
115
16
2
133
Sophomores
166
27
4
197
Freshmen
222
15
2
1
240
Total
222
181
144
118
17
682
College
Technical
Commercial
General
Total
Seniors
28
25
31
17
101
Juniors
45
20
48
16
135
Sophomores
68
34
83
12
197
Freshmen
68
50
118
2
238
Total
209
135
280
47
671
Post graduates
11
682
COLLEGE STUDENTS
Class of 1925
Evelyn Anderson
Mansfield Normal, Mansfield, Pa.
Jessie Anderson
Bridgewater Normal
John Louis Breault
Annapolis
Edwin L. Butiziger
Boston University
Dorothy E. Fuller
Wheaton College
Gwendelyn Gay
Catherine Gibbs Sec. School
Francis Harrington
Fitchburg Normal
Everett Holt
Colgate
Robert A. Knowles
Springfield College
Ruth London
Radcliffe
Albert Lawton
Wheaton, Illinois
John McIntyre
Boston College
Russell Carpenter
Harvard College
Bertha Cooke
Brown University
Florence Morin
Brown University
Edwin L. Stuntzner
Boston Conservatory of Music
Theodore Perry
Harvard College
Lloyd Carpenter
Syracuse University
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ANNUAL REPORT
REQUIREMENTS FOR PROMOTION
Sophomore standing 15 credits
Junior standing 35 credits
Senior standing 60 credits
Graduation standing 80 credits
It is not impossible for a pupil not to be promoted one year and then pass extra credits and graduate with his class.
POOR SCHOLARSHIP
Poor scholarship with a few pupils is a habit, beginning in the high school or the upper grades of the grammar schools. With poor scholarship go poor deportment, poor application and lack of co-opera- tion. If the school can not sell itself to a pupil, he would be a better citizen if he withdrew from school when his interest began to lag, rather than allow himself to sink into habits leading to failure. With complete co-operation of the parents with the school, many of these failures could be eliminated. Home study, plenty of sleep, habits of industry about the home, and the co-operation between parent and teachers would aid greatly.
The pupil, who is industrious, often a slow thinker, whose studies are difficult to master and his rating below the average the first year or so, can be depended upon to graduate with his class. It is with this class of pupils that the school does its greatest work and not with the indifferent, physically and mentally lazy pupil; and those who have quick minds are always found at the head of their class. The latter class are given their opportunity and they really grasp it without much as- sistance.
Scholarship
A 291
B E 1079 C 1545 D 619 126 I 8
V
161
Inc 24
Seniors Juniors Sophomores Freshmen
Total
Passing all subjects
96
118
145
185
544
Failing 1 subject
4 12
34
36
86
Failing 2 subjects
3
11
13
27
Failing 3 subjects
1
1
7
9
Failing 4 subjects
4
4
Failing all subjects
9
7
8
24
Total
110
133
198
253
694
HONORS
Last spring a competitive examination was called in the 15th Con- gressional district for candidates for an appointment to Annapolis Mili- tary Academy. Mr. Louis Breault, a member of the class of 1925, was one of the contestants. Mr. Breault had the highest rating of all can- didates and will receive the appointment.
Mr. John Person, a member of the class of 1924 entered West Point Military Academy in September of this year. Mr. Person was certified by the High School. His marke were accepted, and he was entered with- out taking the general entrance examinations. This is one of the high- est honors a high school or preparatory school can receive.
Mr. Robert Mason, a graduate of the High School in the class of 1921, graduated from the college of Mechanical Engineering at Cornell University with the class of 1925. Mr. Mason is registered in the grad- uate school at Cornell, having been awarded a fellowship entitling him
Incompletes
182
ANNUAL REPORT
to do graduate and research work and become a candidate for the de- gree Ph. D.
Mr. Frank Porter-Shirley, of the class of 1924, has been awarded by the trustees of the William and Alice Hinckley fund of the University of California, the Hinckley Scholarship. This is Mr. Porter-Shirley's freshman year at the University of California.
At the present time the High School is represented in practically all the Normal Schools in New England, Harvard College, Tufts, Rad- cliffe, Boston University, Boston College, Simmons College, North- eastern University, Boston Conservatory of Music, University of Maine, University of New Hampshire, Middlebury College, Dartmouth College, Connecticut College, Brown University, University of Pennsylvania, Colgate University, Cornell University, Syracuse University, University of California, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
LATIN
The course of study outlined for the Latin department covers the requirements of the College Entrance Examination Board. The aim of this course is to develop the ability to read and write Latin of a fair degree of difficulty. Effort is made also to have the pupils realize that Latin, besides being a college preparatory subject, is of real value in itself, that it is the medium of expression of a great and progressive people, that the selections read are unsurpassed in any tongue, and that it is one of the important bases of their own language.
During the last four years the number of students has increased rapidly. In 1922, there were five Seniors studying Latin; in 1924 there were fourteen; while this year there are twenty-two. About two hundred pupils are now registered in the department, distributed as follows: Seniors twenty-two, Juniors thirty-two, Sophomores fifty- three, Freshmen eighty-six. In comparison with other schools of equal size, this is a large percentage.
The willingness to work and hearty co-operation of the pupils makes the scholarship high throughout the department. Students continuing Latin in college are, so far as we can ascertain, successful.
ENGLISH
English is a required subject during the four years at High School, which fact means that the English department is the only department in which every pupil in the school is enrolled. The teachers must have pupils with a wide variance in mentality and poor students can not be dropped as in an elective subject. Hence, there is a tremendous responsibility of making English interesting and at the same time meeting the requirements.
The work of the department is so organized that all the Freshmen do uniform work as do the other three classes, with the exception of college preparatory divisions that do more intensive work. Uniform requirements are met by means of plan books sent to teachers each week outlining the schedule for the week; thus, the work is kept up to date in all classes. Each teacher follows her own ideas and uses her own methods of instruction, but the foundation of each lesson is the same.
Meetings of teachers in the English department are frequently called by the Head of the Department, and the various problems are thoroughly discussed. The teachers make recommendations, compare notes, and apparently recognize the necessity and value of these meet- ings. The fact that all the teachers in the English Department hold college degrees, have had previous experience in teaching and exhibit
183
ANNUAL REPORT
an attitude of seriousness toward their work enables the department to do commendable work. Each teacher feels responsible for her share in the success of the English work.
Appreciation of the various types of literature and ability to recog- nize works of merit together with a desire to read these books are the aims in the literature courses. Pupils do outside reading which paral- lels their required reading, but is more modern, and a permanent record of each pupil's work in English is kept for the entire four years. The department is crippled for parallel readings, for there is a scarcity of books on modern poetry, short stories, and plays in our school library. In many cases the Head of the Department has supplied seniors in the college course with books from her own library, thus making it pos- sible to give such seniors a wide range of reading.
Grammar has been the bug-bear of entering Freshmen, but last year the Head of the Department made an outline of English grammar for the eighth grades throughout the city and this year the teachers of Freshmen English classes report satisfactorily about the student's knowledge of simple grammar.
Oral compositions, which require reading of a variety of subjects, are given in all classes. Errors in grammar' are readily detected by the class. The more advanced classes give rather keen criticisms on subject matter presented.
The results of the written compositions can be obtained by a per- usal of the "Blue Owl," the school paper, the editorial staff of which is composed of students of the highest scholastic standing in English. Compositions done as class work by students in any class of English are printed in this magazine.
Time alone tells the results of instruction in English. The more immediate results may be obtained by considering the work of our alumni in English in the various colleges. Our school is represented in many colleges and so far the English Department has had satisfactory reports from those students who are now attending college and from those who have graduated from college. If our pupils can make good in English in Harvard and other colleges of high standing, it proves that the Attleboro High School gives the preparation in English re- quired by the Colleges, if the pupil is willing to study and do his work faithfully.
HISTORY
Although smaller than some of the other departments, the history department has been endeavoring to maintain an equally high standard and has tried to make the work as vital as possible. As a means to these ends, the socialized recitation is used where feasible, but not to the exclusion of other forms, as it is believed that better variety and consequently greater interest can thus be secured. The socialized reci- tation has been varied to suit the needs of different classes, and it has been found especially workable for current events, which are ordinarily discussed once a week. The students choose their own officers and conduct the business part of their meetings according to parliamentary procedure. They usually appoint committees to report on different types of topics, as, for instance, international, national, and local affairs. Debates have also proven stimulating. These range from informal ones, arising in the course of class discussion, to organized contests with picked teams and more preparation. The students have shown excellent spirit in obtaining and handling material on such subjects as child labor, student government and similiar questions.
To make sure that work is not limited to a few students, short,
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ANNUAL REPORT
unannounced tests are frequently given on the day's assignment, and cor- rected by the students themselves. Comparison of their ratings with those of the teachers has shown that the marks given are usually fair, and are, furthermore, more willingly accepted by the pupils. Since this system has been adopted, the average of most students, especially in the assigned tests given at longer intervals, has tended to improve.
Thanks to the co-operation of the school library and the public library, it has been possible to provide a wide selection of books for outside reading. The work of the history department, it is believed, might be still further improved, however, if it were possible for each teacher to have a room equipped with maps, books and pictures. Until such an ideal can be attained, the present handicap of having to hold classes in different rooms might to some extent, be overcome if por- table maps in Ancient, Mediaeval and Modern History could be pro- vided.
BIOLOGY
Biology-a study of living things-both plant and animal, is a subject of great value in the Attleboro High School curriculum. In the first place there are few subjects that add so much to general culture by increasing the number of things in which we are interested and about which we should have information. Few people really see very much of the things about them-accurate observation is a very rare trait but valuable and the study of biology greatly increases the powers of observation.
Mere observation of facts is not enough however, for one should be able to draw correct conclusions, from what one sees. This ability to think and reason is one of the chief aims of the laboratory work in biology.
It is the foundation of medicine, farming, gardening, and forestry and upon its laws are based the care and breeding of all domestic animals and plants.
In even a more personal way, biology deals with the health and care of our own bodies-hygiene. It also includes the study of the cause and prevention of disease, the work of bacteria and means of maintaining healthful surroundings-sanitation. One half of all human deaths are caused by germ diseases and at least half of these could be prevented by proper knowledge and practice of hygiene. This in itself is sufficient reason for the interest in the study of biology.
Many students who fail to show interest and desire to work in other courses seem to awake and become part of a wide-awake class in biology. To perform simple experiments, to take field trips, to draw diagrams of plants or animals actually seen, to make simple collections of specimens and even outside research work on economic problems appeals strongly to them. Once you arouse their interest there is no further worry.
But all this may fail unless there is proper equipment a necessary stimulant to teacher and pupil.
FRENCH
For students in the college preparatory course, the present three year course seems satisfactory. Its aim is to give a thorough founda- tion in grammar and a good training in reading French, which will enable the student to pursue advanced courses with profit. As much attention is given to training in pronunciation and conversational work as is possible in the time given. In addition to the regular work, in-
185
ANNUAL REPORT
terest is stimulated by the use of a French newspaper to which many of the students subscribe. During the past year, they have had cor- respondents in France and many interesting letters have been received.
The work of the students in the Technical course is not entirely satisfactory. On account of the fact that freshmen who have not had the advantages of a year of Latin or even of High School English are trying to do the same work as the Sophomores in the college divi- sion, it seems now that more fail than ought to.
COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS
The number of pupils enrolled in the Commercial Course this year is larger than ever before. Extra sections have been formed in several subjects and a new teacher added to take care of these classes. At present the enrollment in courses is as follows :
Commercial Arithmetic 142
Penmanship and Spelling I
135
Penmanship and Spelling II
86
Commercial Geography
86
Bookkeeping I
92
Bookkeeping II
45
Accountancy
4
Typewriting I 117
Typewriting II
56
Stenography I
53
Stenography II 20
Commercial Law
32
Economics 8
The department aims to prepare its students for service in the business world. In all subjects emphasis is placed on the formation of business like habits as well as the acquiring of an adequate knowledge of the subject studied. Accuracy, neatness and punctuality are re- quired in the preparation of all work.
Use has been made in several subjects of awards for superior work in order to stimulate the pupils to greater effort. It has been found that the certificates offered in penmanship, shorthand and typewriting are received with. enthusiasm by the pupils. Last year a great many of these awards were earned and it is hoped that this year the number will be even larger.
MEMORIAL
A beautiful picture in natural colors of the Cliffs at Gay Head by Stanley E. Rogers was presented to the High School by Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Mackinnon in memory of their daughter Ruth Mackinnon of the class of 1925 who died March 20, 1924.
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