USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1926 > Part 14
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Another opportunity for the orchestra to bring itself before a larger audience was the broadcasting program played from, the Outlet Company, Providence, Station WJAR. This program was made possible through the generosity of Mr. Joseph Finberg who paid the expenses of thirty members of the orchestra to Providence and return. Many comments were received from different localities complimentary of this concert.
The annual orchestra concert given in High School Hall was played before the largest audience that ever attended one of our concerts. The orchestra was ably assisted by the High School Glee Club and various
174
ANNUAL REPORT
soloists. The distinctive feature of this concert is the fact that no one is allowed to take part unless they are members of the High School.
I am a firm believer in the encouragement of our own musical talent and I am sure that the large number of people who heard our concert this year feel the same way. My great wish is that this thought will con- tinue to grow in the hearts and minds of our citizens for it is to them we look for financial support and encouragement.
The orchestra played the incidental music at the High School play and also at graduation. It closes its year of usefulness and service to the best interest of music life of the city by a complimentary concert to the students of the evening school and their friends at the High School Hall, December 21.
The following recommendations for the development of the music work in High School is submitted for your consideration:
That the singing class be divided into two divisions-the Freshmen and Sophomores in one and the Juniors and Seniors in the other.
That the orchestra be divided into two divisions-the Freshmen and Sophomores in one and the Juniors and Seniors in the other.
The Freshman and Sophomore Orchestra to play at the Monday as- sembly and rehearse one period. One credit point.
The Junior and Senior orchestra to play at Wednesday assembly and rehearse one period. One credit point.
The orchestra to rehearse in school hours and not after school as at present.
That the Wind players be formed into a band which will play at the Friday assembly and rehearse at the close of school. One credit point.
That a class in theory of music be established. This class to be compulsory to all students of piano and voice who sign up for outside music credits and that members of the orchestra, band and Glee Club or any one else be allowed to enter this class if they wish to do so.
That a class in music appreciation be established and opened to all students of the High School interested in doing the work required.
To establish these classes will give to the music department a better opportunity to serve the pupils of the High School and will make it pos- sible to better check up the work of the individual pupil in music.
I wish to thank the School Committee for the gift of $100 for the pur- chase of a musical instrument for the High School Orchestra. I was fortunate in securing a splendid set of tympani which is in use in our orchestra this year.
I wish also to thank the following citizens of the town whose interest in the orchestra prompted them to purchase a musical selection for the orchestra: Mr. James Wiggmore, Mr. Samuel M. Stone, Mr. Frank Ryder, Dr. Walter E. Briggs and Judge Ralph Estes.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN LAING GIBB
175
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
We have had a successful year. The children have had real joy and pride in some of their achievements.
The year's work began with meetings to explain the work to the new teachers. In the lower grades the meetings were optional for teachers whom had had the work before. From the sixth grade up all the teachers were asked to attend the meetings.
Every year we revise our course carefully, and watch the children to see if we are arriving at our objectives.
Our objectives are to enable the children to draw a little more skil- fully each year; to understand and use a few art principles; to develop individual expression, to be able to make choices involving color and de- sign; to have an understanding and love for pictures.
I feel that we are not getting enough free expression, especially as we get into the upper grades and high school. Just the other day a sixth grade pupil asked if we were not going to have any drawing such as they had in the lower grades, meaning the imaginative drawing. I certainly believe in individual expression, but that the child should be taught to draw while being encouraged to express his own ideas.
The older children feel the need of figure drawing as we give more time to illustrative work. We are beginning in the fourth grade to give definite pose drawing. The aim is good proportion and vigorous action. The figure work in the high school differs considerable. We don't expect remarkable results as figure drawing is a life long study.
One hundred and twenty pupils make up the art department in the high school, a smaller number than we have had for some time. About one hundred and sixty pupils signed up for drawing in June. Some of these didn't enter high school this fall, and others needed the time for other subjects or had conflicts and couldn't enter the department.
Thirty-eight of the pupils are taking four periods a week. Six are taking three periods. Two are taking six periods. The others take two periods, the requirement for one point.
The classes are still very mixed, but there are more double periods which help make the work more satisfactory.
We are very glad to have the drawing department made use of by other departments whenever it doesn't cause a loss to our own work.
Respectfully submitted,
PERSIS A. CROWELL
REPORT OF THE TEACHER OF SEWING
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
In the teaching of sewing, as in other subjects, we realize the im- portance of the fundamentals and our first step is to duly instruct the girls in all branches of plain sewing before they attempt the work for which the stitches taught has been the basis.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Interest in the work is very essential and we find that the making of garments attains and retains the interest to a greater degree than other kinds of sewing. With this fact in mind, we have planned to divide the work of each grade into four groups, fundamentals, household sewing, pleasure work, such as making gifts for Christmas, and garments.
In the fifth grade the fundamental work on stitches is applied to the making of the sewing outfit, including needle-book, pin cushion and work bag. This is followed by hemming towels, making gifts and an apron.
The sixth grade reviews the principles of sewing. The girls learn mending and repairing and make useful household articles, including pillowslips, napkins, aprons and a nightdress.
In the seventh grade the girls are taught the use of the machine and combine hand and machine sewing as is done in practical life. They are then taught making buttonholes, sewing on hooks and eyes and hemstitching which is applied to some gift. They also make their cooking cap and apron.
The work of the eighth grade is done almost wholly by machine and it has been a pleasure to observe the confidence with which the girls use the machines and the majority have learned entirely in this depart- ment. There is included the making of a slip, kimono, pajamas and dress. As the time limit is twenty weeks only, the girls are allowed to take their choice but may make as many of the articles as their ability permits.
All interested in the work of this department are cordially invited to observe at any time.
Respectfully submitted, MINNIE A. WALKER
REPORT OF VACATION SCHOOLS
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
The vacation schools and playgrounds at Dodgeville and Hebronville closed a session of six weeks on August 20, 1926 with a membership of 244 and an average attendance of 156.
With the exception of the tennis courts, see-saws and slides, which we have left open all day as they may be safely used without the presence of attendands, the playgrounds opened at 8:30 and closed at 11:30 daily.
Classes were held in primary and advanced handwork, basketry and sewing. Three rooms were open in each building to care for the various classes. The primary classes began at 9:00 A. M. and closed at 10:30 A. M., the alvanced classes began at 9:00 A. M. and closed at 11:30 A. M. Between three and four hundred articles were completed during the six weeks.
The service of the schools to the community could be greatly in- creased if an attendant could be on the grounds each day until five o'clock, including Saturdays. This could be done at a slightly increased expense and I should like to see it given a trial next year.
Following our plan of adding a piece of playground apparatus each year, a "junglegym" was installed at Hebronville and one at Dodgeville.
Respectfully submitted,
MARTHA J. ROBERTS
177
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
The day has passed when any department of physical education can feel it is meeting its problems by providing ten five-minute lessons a week in formal exercises. The recent state wide laws are reflecting the awakened interest in the demand for games, recreational clubs, and the development of leadership. Formal physical training may be considered a substitute for other and more desirable activity only when the previous types suggested for any sufficient reason cannot be used. If formal drills are used, they should be done well and should aim at definite ends. In arranging drills of this character it would seem important to emphasize three points.
1. Aim. to obtain good posture throughout the lesson. The content must provide uplift of the body, and the emphasis should be up, not down. Attempt to get a sensation of good posture.
2. Aim to secure alertness in response to commands, and body con- trol in all movements. Bring alertness into the voice and manner of commanding.
3. Aim to produce the general effects of exercise. To accomplish this the movements must involve the large muscles of the legs and trunk. They must be performed vigorously enough to secure definite increase in heart rate, blood pressure and respiration.
In my opinion the good points in a departmental organization would be as follows:
1. Adequate facilities for corrective gymnastics.
2. Opportunity for and leadership in games best suited to the groups concerned.
3. Dancing, especially of the group and national types.
4. Athletics of the Intramural and Inter-School types, in extensive fashion.
5. Gymnastics modified and offered in response to the need that may exist to supply activity of a motor kind when the above provisions are not available or adequate.
6. Swimming and life-saving.
7. Recreational clubs.
8. Correlation with the other motor activities in which the boy or girl may be interested, such as school gardens, Boy and Girl Scouts, Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A.
9. Accurate and complete data on the physical condition and develop- ment of the children.
At the present time we are in need of facilities for corrective work and swimming. It is my hope that a swimming campaign can be ar- ranged for the schools this year. Recreational clubs will be started, and an attempt will be made to give individual corrective gymnastics to those pupils needing it. I should say off hand that at least ffty per- cent of the pupils in the city schools would come under this head.
During the past year great progress has been made in the city wide organized play program. Principals and teachers have cooperated splen- didly in this matter, and I feel that at last we are on the right track.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Football has been barred from the eighth grades as being too dangerous a risk for boys of that age, and classes in fundamentals were organized this year which have proved to be very successful.
After a long study of Athletic Leagues for Grammar Schools, I am firmly convinced that they can and should be abolished. The offering of prizes and trophies has led to a feeling amongst the schools which is not beneficial to a program of good sportsmanship. I feel that more ben- efit can come from a purely intramural program for each school, with possibly a few invitation inter-school contests.
The eighth grades have gotten along very happily for several years with inter-school schedules. Many fine athletes have been developed and I feel that this program has been very satisfactory.
I would like to suggest that next year a budget for the Physical Training Department be seriously considered, as there is a great need for more equipment for the organized play program at present; that Physical Training in the grades be marked on the monthly report cards; and that the building committee keep in mind the need for a board floor at the new Lincoln School play-room.
After school activities last year included the following: Intramural schedule for Bliss and Bank Street Eighth Grade Girls at High School.
Room Basketball League-Bank Street Boys at Y. M. C. A.
Two skating parties were very successful.
Several informal hockey games were played.
Two baseball leagues-Central and Suburban.
Inter-school baseball schedules for Washington, Bliss and Bank Street eighth grade boys.
Many inter-room baseball games.
Grammar School Track and Field Meet.
Dual athletic meet, Eighth Grades vs. High School Intermediates.
Team Tennis Tournament for Grammar Schools.
Intramural tennis tournaments for Eighth Grades.
Physical Education Field Days at each school.
Respectfully submitted,
J. RAY COONEY
REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
I herewith submit my annual report for the year ending December 1,1926.
Physical Examinations
The annual physical examination of the pupils reflected, first, the lack of suitable facilities for the care of dental defects and, second, the effects of outside agencies in the relief from diseased tonsils. Most of the results made possible thru the medium of an active Dental Clinic have already gone for naught, since the abolishment of the clinic. This is particularly noticeable in schools like Hebronville and Dodgeville where a great deal had been done in the matter of care of the pupils' teeth.
179
ANNUAL REPORT
The requirement of the health camps that children must have their diseased tonsils removed before enrollment, resulted in many of these cases being operated upon. Well over one hundred children had their tonsils removed during the year.
Nutrition
Lunches were served to the children in many of the schools as has been customary in other years. An innovation by which the pupils bring their own milk is being tried out at the Hebronville School and seems to be working out successfully.
Books dealing with the subject of health and nutrition have been supplied the various schools and these have been of assistance in arous- ing interest in the subject of health.
Open Air Room
The first year of operation of the open air room at the Richardson School has ably demonstrated its need as an integral part of the school health program. Not only were undernourished children enrolled in this room, but other children having physical debilities, which would pre. vent their active attendance in the ordinary class room were admitted. Many phenomenal gains in weight were made and some of these children were able to return to their regular class rooms at the end of the year.
It is a requirement that any remediable physical defect must be corrected before a child is permitted to enroll in the open air class, in order that each pupil is free to gain.
Contagious Diseases
The incidence of contagious diseases, i.e .: Scarlet Fever, Measles, Whooping Cough, etc., during the year was manifested to a degree more severe than during any similar period in my memory.
It was a problem which required continuous supervision and vigilance as cases were very numerous and were controlled with difficulty. One school was fumigated after an outbreak of Scarlet Fever, but the closing of schools was not resorted to in any case.
The School and Health Departments worked in close cooperation in the control of these epidemics.
Health Camps
The Lions Health Camp and the Bristol County Health Camp gave many undernourished and contact tubercular children the necessary at- tention during the summer. These children were carefully selected from the schools as proper cases for camp regime.
Sixteen boys and girls were cared for at the Bristol County Health Camp at Briggs Corner.
Health Show
A health show was held in the spring at the Y. M. C. A. under the auspices of the Attleboro Health Department. The schools were well represented by various exhibits showing the different types of health activities. These exhibits aroused much favorable comment.
-
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ANNUAL REPORT
Mental Clinic
The clinic conducted by Dr. Patterson of the Wrentham State School was repeated again this year. At this clinic children three or more years retarded were given mental examinations.
State Clinic
Clinics under the direction of the Massachusetts Department of Pub- lic Health were held during the spring at which some fifty children were reexamined. This clinic is a part of the state health program for in- vestigation of the underweight child which was undertaken two years ago.
Recommendations
I would again emphasize the necessity of a closer contact between the home and the school. This can only be brought about by either pro- viding additional nursing service or by providing more adequate means of transportation for the present nurse.
With the rapidly growing school system and the corresponding en- largement of the duties of the nurse, it resolves itself into a transporta- tion problem, more and more each year. I therefore recommend the pur- chase of a small car for the nurse.
A detailed report follows:
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Totals
School Visits
22
16
30
14
25
16
19
18 86
19 48
17
196
Office Visits.
54
70
85
62
70
68
Special Examina-
tions
17 647
78
3
86
4
68
81
38
5
1027
Exclusions
6
9
9
28
2
17
2
17
3
93
Physical
Exami-
nations ..
650
83
1 262
20 905 356
92 2369
Vaccinations
1
. .
.
1
1
.
1
1
10
Prescriptions Is-
sued
Working
Certifi-
33
18
26
31
14 29
20
45
70
48
25
17
376
Vaccination Certi- ficates
2
4
2
30
39
77
Examination for
Athletics
24
62
Schools Fumi-
gated
1
1
Throat Cultures
30
30
..
1
. .
48
First Aid
.
. .
.
Home Calls
1
4
1
12
3
32
11
3
1
6
2
24
110
Respectfuly submitted,
JESSE W. BATTERSHALL, M. D.
72
81
696
.
12
cates
181
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
I herewith submit my sixth annual report for the year ending December 1, 1926.
During the year the work was made very difficult by a series of epidemics among the children.
There were many cases of German measles, chicken pox, whooping cough and a few cases of scarlet fever which prevailed up to the closing of the school in June.
As a result of finding one case of Diphtheria, the school nurse as. sisted the school physician in taking thirty throat cultures at the Richard- son School.
Visits were made at the homes of any pupils that were absent three or more days to find out the cause of the absence. As a result of these visits some cases were found which the parents had failed to report.
Interest in the care of the teeth by the children has fallen off to a considerable degree during the year. This I attribute to the fact that there is no Dental Clinic. It is deplorable that such a condition exists and I hope that the children will not be deprived of such a clinic much longer.
In April, the local Board of Health held a Health Exhibit in the Y. M. C. A. Building and the schools were invited to take part. There were three booths for the schools, and demonstrations of the health work were given by a series of posters, the work of several teachers and pupils with compositions by other pupils.
In May, the State Health Clinic under the supervision of the State Department of Public Health re-examined fifty pupils who have made no apparent gain since the original examination in June 1925. Many of the children were advised to enter a health camp during the summer and sixteen were entered at the Bristol County Camp by the school nurse. Defective tonsils, adenoids and teeth were taken care of before they were allowed to enter so they might be free to gain. Several other boys entered the boys' camp. Reports show that a big improvement in health was made during their stay in camp. The investigation of the State Health Clinic in the tonsil cases resulted in one hundred or more children being operated on.
The nutrition work in the schools was carried on along the same lines as in other years, the teachers weighing the pupils, and some schools maintaining half-hour periods devoted to lessons in nutrition.
Mentally defective children were given a special examination by Dr. Patterson of the Wrentham State School. A record of each case was made and placed on file and later follow-up visits were made by the school nurse.
A "Little Mothers' League Class" was organized at the Washington School open to pupils in the seventh and eighth grades, this being the second year such a class was conducted, the instruction being given after school hours by the school nurse. Last year there were nineteen mem- bers but the class being too large for the best results was limited to twelve members this year. Instructions were given in the care of the baby from birth until two years of age. In June a very interesting dem- onstration was given before the Mothers' Club showing the manner of giving the baby a bath, dressing, making the bed and in fact going
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ANNUAL REPORT
through all the details which a baby would require. An entire baby's outfit under the nurse's supervision was made by the members of the class and much favorable comment was made by all the mothers present. Following the demonstration, Dr. Coffin, who represented the State De- partment of Public Health gave a half hour talk along similar lines illustrating her remarks with a number of charts. A picture of the class demonstrating their work was taken.
During the years I have acted as school nurse the work has expanded and grown, reaching such proportions that it is almost impossible to keep up with the work. If the requirements continue to grow, it will be necessary to have an assistant. I recommend that a small car be pro- vided for the school nurse or a larger allowance be made for the use of her own car.
I wish to acknowledge with gratitude the cooperation afforded by local physicians, District nurses, Board of Health and Associated Chari- ties. I wish especially to thank Dr. Webb for services rendered gratis to the children for their teeth, also to Dr. Conro for services rendered to children at his office and at Sturdy Memorial Hospital.
Summary of the Work Follows:
Schools
Visits
Schools
Visits
Bank Street
12
Lincoln
12
Bliss
35
Plat
11
Briggs Corner
25
Pleasant Street 16
Capron
20
Richardson
42
Carpenter Street
15
Sanford Street
29
Dodgeville
35
South Attleboro
21
Farmers
17
Tiffany
27
Hebronville
40
Washington
38
High
5
Home Visits
309
Special examinations at office.
153
Assisted School Physician in taking throat cultures.
30
Assisted at tonsil cases ..
10
Cases sent to Family Welfare Association.
10
Cases sent to private physician. . 106 . . .
Cases sent to Dr. Conro and glasses obtained
.
.
. .
Children taken to Wrentham State School
3
Children taken to Children's Hospital, Boston
.
. .
. ... .
3
Pupils excluded from schools.
. . . . . . . . 106
Respectfully submitted,
ANNA S. BRADFORD, R. N.
REPORT OF THE CUSTODIAN OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
I herewith submit my report as Custodian of School Buildings. I have carried out the usual plan of having all heating plants thoroughly inspected, cleaned and repaired.
. .
. .
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ANNUAL REPORT
The more extensive repairs that have been done this year are as follows:
High School
Roof repaired. Leaks in front of building stopped. Several rooms painted.
Bank Street
Heating coils in two rooms taken out and radiators installed, over- coming the trouble of heating these rooms. Desk tops in four rooms re- finished.
Bliss
Roof repaired where flashings had rusted out and slate shingles broken; the gravel part recoated.
Briggs Corner
Two new dry wells and cement apron on west side to stop water from going into cellar.
Capron
Yard graded. Dry wells rebuilt. Building painted inside. Sill and floor joists reset in one room.
Carpenter Street
Yard graded.
Dodgeville
Upper part of piazza rebuilt where wood work had rotted. Two ceil- ings kalsomined. Gas line connected.
Farmers
Connected with city sewer. All rooms painted.
Hebronville
Roof shingled. New water line from street.
Richardson
Portable building painted on outside.
Sanford Street
Office building painted on outside. Office varnished and papered. Boiler in middle building reset in brick work. Grammar building roof shingled, and two rooms kalsomined.
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