USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1925 > Part 15
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20
Miss Mackinnon was a young lady with a winning personality and had a host of friends at the High School. Her memory will lin-
186
ANNUAL REPORT
ger long in the minds of her schoolmates who cherished her friendship.
RECOMMENDATIONS
I wish to recommend that a budget be established for equipment and supplies for the departments of Chemistry, Physics and Biology. The work in these departments can be made more efficient when we understand just how much money has been allotted to us.
I wish to recommend strongly that only teachers be employed to teach in the High School who make their home in the City of Attleboro during the school week.
The Free Hand Drawing room should be open five days a week and not three as it is at present. This arrangement would aid greatly in arranging the program, it would allow more pupils to take the course and it would aid in keeping the different classes grouped together.
Economics should be made a required subject for all Commercial Seniors. The principles of economics are at the basis of all business life. As it is the aim of the Commercial Course to enable the pupil to fill satisfactorily a place in the business world, it seems to me that he should be given a knowledge of those principles which he will in- evitably meet later on. It is not necessary to treat this subject in an abstract fashion. With the right teacher and the right textbook, it could be made one of the most valuable and enjoyable courses in the whole curriculum.
All the work in penmanship and spelling should be concentrated in one year. Much better results could be obtained in both of these sub- jects if the pupils could have daily drill in them. At present only one period a week is devoted to penmanship and one to spelling. I would suggest that penmanship and spelling be made a required Freshman subject and given five periods a week. Half of each period should be allowed for penmanship and the other half for spelling. The pres- ent penmanship and spelling in the Sophomore year would then be eliminated.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES O. DALRYMPLE.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF CONTINUATION SCHOOL
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools :
Herewith is submitted my sixth annual report as Director of the Continuation School.
The enrollment of the Continuation School for the year ending June 1925 was as follows :
Boys 114
Girls 109
Total 223
ACADEMIC WORK
The work in the academic department we have tried to make sig- nificant and purposeful to each pupil. We try as far as possible to relate his school work to his own experiences, problems, and desires.
We realize that in order to make progress with the pupils we must first arouse their interest. A motive must be provided for the work to be accomplished. If the motive is strong, the attention given to the work in hand is good, and the desired results are secured.
We try to stimulate the pupils to self activity in their school work
187
ANNUAL REPORT
by giving them work in which they see a real use, which satisfies some certain need they feel and secures for them some desired end.
The following are the principal subjects given in the academic depart- ment :
General English
The nature of the continuation school and its pupils furnish certain limitations which must guide the choice of subject matter. These limita- tions demand that the teaching of English should be confined closely to two purposes. It should either minister to the pupils' immediate needs or it should increase their ability for a later self-education. In carrying out these two purposes we keep in mind four objectives: To teach the pupils to hear intelligently, to speak understandingly and correctly, to read intelligibly, and to use writing as a tool. Formal grammar is en- tirely eliminated from the English work.
General Arithmetic
The work in arithmetic is mainly to help the pupils retain their knowl- edge of fundamentals and to show them the application to business and every day life. The work is grouped according to the ability of the pupils so that the same principles may be taught to everyone, but each one may have work according to his ability.
General Course in Hygiene
Our aim in teaching hygiene is to have the pupil see the importance of good health to himself, his family and the community in which he lives, also to impress upon him the fact that good health means more to him than anything else he could possess and that without it he cannot hold employment long and his earning power is thereby lessened.
General Course in Civics
We believe training in citizenship is the most important single func- tion of the academic department. Every pupil receives instruction in this subject. At every point of contact which the pupil has with the school, good citizenship is emphasized. The main object of the lesson is not so much to give the pupil information on the machinery by which government is administered, as it is to make him think and act properly in the relations which affect him as a young worker and a youthful member of his community. The civics work is organized around the needs of the pupils in their industrial, social, and financial relations to the community in which they live and work.
General Improvement Work
The general improvement work is in accordance with the plan as out- lined in the report last year.
The girls have had a wide experience this fall in canning. By means of the cold pack method they have preserved the seasonable fruits and vegetables. They have made jelly, conserve and marmalade, which are being used in sandwiches for the eighth grade lunch. A thorough study of patterns and careful planning and cutting of garments have featured the clothing work
The course at the Library has been continued this year. Mrs. Spof- ford has taken an active interest in the continuation school girls, and freely given of her time that the library might have a part in helping to develop these girls.
The child welfare nurse came to us several times during the year and gave lessons on the care of children. The girls were much interested in these practical talks by Miss Rogers, and we believe it to be of great value to the many who have small brothers and sisters at home. Reports
188
ANNUAL REPORT
from the follow-up visits shows that these lessons in many cases were taken home and put into practical use.
One of the interesting features of the girls' work this year was the dinner given to the members of the school board and a few other guests. The dinner was in keeping with the teaching in the cooking department. It was not elaborate, but rather a dinner that any of the girls could serve in their own homes at a minimum expense. The girls who pre- pared and served the meal were exceedingly interested in their under- taking, and happy because they had the opportunity to demonstrate what they had learned. at the school. The employers very willingly co-ope- rated in a rearrangement of the girls' time at school which was made necessary because of the hour at which the dinner was served.
The household mechanics course has had a very successful year. The electrical department has been popular. The course covers briefly: the history, sources, kinds and uses of electricity; bell wiring, repairing of appliances and fixtures, and house wiring. As a part of this course, it is planned later in the year to equip the shop with electric lights, and install a system of call bells in the regular classrooms of the building.
Sufficient instruction in the installation of the Derby Sentinel Fire Alarm System is to be given to enable the boys to install this system in their own or other homes.
The installation of faucets and flush tanks for demonstration purposes will soon be complete. The woodworking department continues to be popular with the boys and also with the parents, judging from the re- quests for screens, storm doors, shelves, radio cabinets, tables, sewing cabinets, and many other household fixtures.
Effort is made to have the boys bring repair work from home. The supply from this source, however, is not nearly enough for instruction purposes. Therefore, new projects and demonstration work are em- ployed where needed.
Records
An elaborate system in connection with the records of the school and the follow-up work has been added this year by the State. The Life History folder starts with the record of the pupil while he was in the conventional school, continues through the continuation school, and fol- lows his employment subsequent to school. The Survey blanks for indi- vidual enrollment, analysis and assignment, includes questionnaires with the minor, with the employer, with the parent, a digest of the question- naire and an assignment within the school.
It takes about four hours to gather the information for each pupil. If we enroll no more than we did last year, it will require nearly 900 hours or 150 days' labor to complete the records. It is self evident that more help is needed. The State has agreed to pay one-half of the expenses.
Recommendations
It would be of real practical value if the girls who are about to leave could have a course in home nursing. We have visited girls who have homes of their own and found them using what they learned at school. A course in nursing would be of additional help in assisting them to give their babies the best of care and be of real service in case of sickness.
A course in typewriting and filing would give to the superior students an opportunity to better themselves financially. Several of the shop superintendents have suggested that this line of academic improvement would be helpful to some of the boys and girls. A person might be em- ployed to teach typewriting and filing and take over a large part of the clerical work.
Respectfully submitted, MILTON P. DUTTON.
189
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF AMERICANIZATION
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools :
It is my privilege to submit herewith this, the third annual report of the Americanization work here.
The great task in this city seems to be one of creating an interest on the part of all those who should be interested in the education and naturalization of the alien peoples among us. This lack of interest is not simply among the foreign peoples themselves, but extends in great measure to the native born as well. Undoubtedly a part of this indif- ference is due to the fact that the general public is not familiar with conditions as they exist in this city.
The census of 1920 shows the following alien groups in Attleboro :
French Canadians
1104
Other Canadians
893
English
688
Germans 143
Greeks
62
Irish
483
Italians
140
Polish
88
Portuguese
172
Russians
130
Scotch
115
Swedish
423
Besides these larger groups there are people in varying numbers from at least 12 other countries. The total foreign born white population of Attleboro is 4,723. Many of these are able to read and write their na- tive language and doubtless speak English. It is also quite probable that many of them have become citizens, but the census shows that we still have work to do along these lines. Of the 4,723 foreign born, 1,709 are still classed as alien; 764 of these are men, 945 are women, 21 years of age and over.
In addition to these rather startling revelations the census further shows that there are 419 persons, 21 years of age and over who are un- able to read or write in any language whatever. Most, but not all of these, are foreign born. Add to this those foreign born who read and write their own language, but not English, and we would undoubtedly double these figures. It is safe to assume then that we have 1,700 non- citizens and that 800 of them cannot read or write English. This con- stitutes our field of labor as Americanization workers. The problem is to reach these people with our program of helpful service. At present we are hardly scratching the surface of the field. With this potential membership we should have an evening school attendance of 250 or more. Instead, we find the enrollment and average attendance as fol- lows :
1. High School
Enrollment
Av. Attendance
Beginners
15
10
Intermediate ..
31
16
Advanced
53
18
Citizenship
35
12
2. Tiffany
Beginners
9
5
Intermediate
10
5
Total
153
66
190
ANNUAL REPORT
To one fairly familiar with the conditions, these figures do not give great encouragement, the possibilities are so much greater than actual accomplishment that there is always a desire to see more accomplished.
It is my feeling that interest in these matters should be general. Some people question the wisdom or the need of spending the tax payers' money for the education of foreign people. Fortunately there are few such now. To any who may doubt the advisability of such an expenditure let it be stated that the great Ford Motor Company main- tains special classes for the instruction of foreign speaking employees, and many of the industrial plants in New England do likewise. The em- ployers feel that workmen who can read and understand English are not only better workmen, but are less liable to injury, less likely to damage material, in the process of manufacture, more loyal to the firm, because of a better mutual understanding.
The student of social conditions feels that there is danger to America in the segregation of racial groups which is inevitable so long as the language barrier remains. People who do not understand are usually distrustful, hence teaching them English leads to a feeling of confidence. Analysis of the criminal records will show a large percentage of cases due to lack of understanding of our language, customs, and laws. The present disrespect for and disregard of all law behooves us as American citizens to do all in our power to educate those who unwittingly violate the law.
If America is ever to become the ideal nation which Theodore Roose- velt pictured, the nation which knows but one allegiance, we must see to it that all people understand her language, her ideals, her principles, and understanding them, strive for their fulfillment.
It is for the highest welfare of this country that all her people should be educated, and that all alien people among us should be brought to feel as soon as possible the real spirit of loyalty to the ideals of America and her institutions. A review of the year's work will serve to show in a measure to what extent we have endeavored to create that spirit. The results, as in all other educational proceedure, are so in- tangible that they cannot be measured. We confidently hope, however, that those who have sought the help of the classes have been made more loyal and devoted citizens, thereby.
The following services have been rendered :
First papers filled 54
Second papers filled 17
Telephone calls relative to all phases of citi- zenship affairs
50
Home visits
20
Personal interviews
20
Personal letters
30
Circular letters
100
Personal help in English and citizenship 65 hours
Class instruction in citizenship 50 hours
Printed circulars distributed 500
Citizenship booklets of D. A. R. distributed 100
Newspaper articles written 4
Lost papers recovered 1
Assisted at court naturalization session, filling blanks, etc.
3 hours
Many minor matters impossible to classify have been attended to, such as giving information relative to citizenship status of wives, em- ployment of minors, securing of draft records, securing affidavits for persons desiring to get relatives from Europe, giving information rela-
191
ANNUAL REPORT
tive to eligibility to vote, advice to deserting seaman as to eligibility for citizenship, and many other details. It has always been my purpose to make the seeker for information feel that a real personal interest in his or her particular problem has been shown. In many cases the prob- lem was such as to make it genuinely interesting. Then, too, there is great satisfaction in the thought that some helpful service has been rendered.
We are fortunate in having a capable body of teachers, all of whom are experienced and most of whom are specially prepared for the work. They are without exception thoroughly interested in teaching alien peo- ple. They have planned a number of special programs in connection with the holidays occurring during the year, and in various ways en- deavored to make school attractive.
The teachers can, and do, accomplish much, but without the encour- agement and support of the general public, and particularly the em- ployers of alien workers, and the recognized leaders of alien peoples, less will be accomplished than should be.
When every employer of labor recognizes and admits, as one in this city recently did, that the educated workers are worth more to his business, and then brings all the influence at his command to bear on those workers so that they will feel the need of further education, we may hope for a greater interest in and attendance at evening schools.
Respectfully submitted,
A. I. STUDLEY,
Hebronville School
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools :
The extra activities at the Hebronville School for the year, Janu- ary 1 to December 31, 1925, included the following short term classes of ten weeks each: 9 millinery, 10 dressmaking, and 8 basketry.
These classes consist of congenial social groups self-formed. When the group is formed, we supply the instructor, who must also have the qualifications for social leadership.
In addition to these groups, we have three girls' clubs, three boys' clubs, a branch of the Public Library, and a Child Welfare Conference for children from birth to school age, under the care of Miss Lois Rogers of the Attleboro Public Health and District Nursing Association.
The program at present is as follows :
Monday .
3:30
Junior Boys' Club
Milton Veno
6:30 Basketry A
Miss Hillman
Tuesday
3:15-8:30
Library
Mrs. Paland
6:30
Basketry B
Miss Hillman
6:30
Dressmaking A
Miss Ryan
7:30
Millinery A Miss Goff
Wednesday
3:00
Child Welfare Conference
Miss Rogers
3:30
Junior Girls' Club
Miss Staples
6:30
Dressmaking B Miss Ryan
7:30
Senior Boys' Club Mr. Vaughan
Thursday
6:30
Dressmaking C.
Miss Ryan
7:30
Senior Girls' Club
Miss Hirons
192
ANNUAL REPORT
Friday .
5:30 Intermediate Girls' Club
Miss Roberts
6:30 Dressmaking D Miss Ryan
7:30 Millinery B Miss Goff
Respectfully submitted,
MARTHA J. ROBERTS.
Vacation Schools
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools :
The Dodgeville and Hebronville vacation schools and playgrounds closed on August 21, 1925, with the largest average attendance since they were opened over twenty years ago. The enrollment for the two schools was 270 with an average attendance of 183.
The sewing classes in both schools are always filled to capacity as are the basketry classes, while the handwork classes in weaving always have a large membership. These classes completed many articles such as dresses, slips, hammocks, caps, raffia mats, colonial mats, reed trays, baskets, candle sticks, etc. For the older boys and girls we introduced this season filet weaving on net, a practical and successful handwork.
As has been the policy for a number of years, we added one piece of new apparatus to each playground, a "giant stride," which has proved the most popular piece on the grounds, and is fine for developing the muscles of the chest, arms and back. These, with the tennis court, and juvenile swings added last year, have put the playgrounds in fine con- dition.
The motto of these schools might well be "I serve," for they are open summer and winter, day and night.
Respectfully submitted,
MARTHA J. ROBERTS.
Report of the Supervisor of Music
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools :
Throughout our city the singing of the children in the various schools is very fine. From grade one to seven, the pupils are led to sing together with good tone and are taught the rudiments of music reading.
Emphasis is laid on all pupils taking part in the singing. Through the patient and helpful efforts of the teachers, those who cannot sing when they enter school are soon able to sing in tune with the others. Simple songs and exercises are used and every effort is made to get all the pupils to sing together in tune.
Music reading plays only a small part in the early years of the pupil in school, but there is much song singing for the joy and pleasure to be derived from this exercise. From the third to the seventh grade, music reading goes hand in hand with song singing and individual effort is encouraged as well as good class singing. Some very fine readers of music have developed during this year and some very fine voices have been discovered among the pupils of the grades.
A very interesting experiment was tried this year which it is my intention to continue during the coming year. This was in the form of a singing contest between two classes of the same grade at the Bliss school. Two songs from the regular school songbook were chosen and
193
ANNUAL REPORT
after they were well learned both classes sang in contest before me and it proved one of the most interesting exercises. The best individual singer in those two grades was also decided in contest. This contest was entered into by the boys as well as the girls though a girl won the honor of being the best singer in her grade. This idea could well be extended to include all our schools where interschool contests in sing- ing might become an annual affair that would be of great interest in the encouragement of vocal music.
It might be of interest to know that I visit the schools in the centre of the city once every two weeks and the outlying schools once a month. I would much prefer to visit all schools once every two weeks, but it is not possible for me to do so.
The great advance made in the printing of music books for schools is one of the signs of the interest publishers are taking in the business end of music education. In looking over the new publication, I find the print is enlarged and is much more easy to read. Our books unfortu- nately are very fine print and I have decided to recommend that, begin- ning next year, all new material necessary should be of the more recent publications of an entirely new music book. At present I have not fin- ished my investigation along this line, but hope to present this matter in the near future.
The singing of the Eighth Grade is a fitting climax to the music work of our schools and at the graduation in June much favorable com- ment was heard regarding the fine singing. The class entered this year seems equally as good and it is a great pleasure to have the privilege of directing them.
There is a growing demand that we give our pupils in the Eighth Grade some insight into the history and development of music and also some knowledge of the great masters of music. This we try to do dur- ing our singing period. For instance, if we sing a song by Beethoven, Schubert. Handel, or any other famous composer, I call the attention of the class to the name of the composer and ask if any one ever heard of him. Who was he? What did he do? If no answer is given I tell them a few facts regarding the master and ask them to look the matter up before next lesson. At the next lesson the matter is thrown open fo- discussion and the pupils interested stand and tell the class some one interesting fact they have discovered regarding the subject. I sup- ply the necessary facts to complete the story. The same method of class participation is used in bringing to the attention of the pupils the different song forms, the Patriotic Song, the Folk Song, the Art Song, etc.
I am bringing this to your attention because of the increasing in- terest among educators to include the subject Music Appreciation in Junior High Schools throughout the country. To this end I am recommending that in the eighth grade a half hour period per week be given to music appreciation which would include the study of music forms, a study of the instruments of the orchestra and musical current events. This work by the pupils could be definitely measured and credited.
The orchestra of the Bank Street School is an established organi- zation of twenty-four members. They meet once a week after school hours and are progressing in a most favorable manner.
The singing class at High School is one of the most difficult problems. There are four hundred in the music class and as they are not all good singers, many of the pupils with changing voices, it is exceedingly difficult to keep four-part singing on an even balance. However, it has so many fine qualities that in my judgment it meets a real need, in that it gives the only opportunity that many High School pupils have to
194
ANNUAL REPORT
practice singing. I have spoken in previous reports of the advisability of dividing this class into two divisions, and I still think that if four- part singing is to be continued in our High School chorus, it will be necessary to have the freshman class sing alone, and the three upper classes sing together, which would about divide the class equally. Then when it came time for the seniors to prepare their music for gradua- tion either one of these periods could be given up to them.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.