USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1928 > Part 13
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
I wish in this public way to take this opportunity to express deep appreciation to you and to all others who have helped to make my work effective and pleasant.
Respectfully submitted,
MILTON P. DUTTON
REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF AMERICANIZATION
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
This, my sixth annual report as Director of Americanization for Attleboro, covers the period from December 1st, 1927 to December 1st, 1928.
There has been this year a much greater interest in securing citizen ship papers than in the corresponding period last year. This was un- doubtedly due to the enthusiasm created by the Presidential campaign and the desire of many non-citizens to secure the right to vote in the Presidential election. It is to be regretted that under ordinary con- ditions so many of our citizens are indifferent to their civic duties and obligations, for Presidential elections, important as they are, do not affect as closely and as vitally the daily life of each of us, as does the municipal or State election; yet often less than fifty per cent. of the registered voters, vote in municipal or State elections.
A Summary of the Services Rendered Follows:
First Papers Filled Out. 50
Second Papers Filled Out. 60
First Papers Mailed to Examiner. 48
Second Papers Mailed to Examiner. 50
Personal Interviews for Other Than Papers. 30
Home Visits. 4
170
ANNUAL REPORT
Personal Letters Written. 18
Circulars Distributed 2000
Literature Mailed or Otherwise Distributed. 15 pieces
Class Instruction . 90 hours
Private Instruction 6 hours
Telephone Calls too Numerous to Record.
Two Lost First Papers Secured.
Attended Examination of Petitioners for Citizenship.
Assisted Mrs. E. I. Perry's Classes with Books.
Addressed Lions Club on "Americanization in Attleboro."
Took Citizenship Class on Trip to Plymouth and Duxbury.
Visited Polling Place and Council Chamber with Class.
In addition to these services, many which it is impossible to classify have been rendered. Among these the following seem worthy of men- tion because of some unusual feature connected with them. Many per- sons from North Attleboro, some from Mansfield, one from Franklin and one from Foxboro have sought assistance relative to citizenship matters. One man now residing in New Hampshire and one now in Kentucky wrote to relatives or friends here asking information. These communications were referred to me and the desired information was given.
Inquiries concerning birth certificates, passports, requirements for admission of Canadians, affidavits showing residence in other states, re- quirements for admission of an English nurse desiring to study in the United States, ballots for absentee voters, status of women married to aliens, dates for registration of voters and many other questions relating to citizenship have been answered as fully and completely as possible. In some cases considerable time had to be spent in securing the infor- mation desired and then communicating it to the persons seeking. It is always a double pleasure to me to do this since it not only helps an- other, but also adds to my own information and assists me in answering similar future inquiries.
Through the assistance of ladies in some of the womens' clubs, the street assessors lists were checked against the voting lists and in this manner the names and addresses of many non citizens were found. By the help of pupils in all the schools, letters were sent to about two thou- sand such persons, inviting them to register as voters, if qualified, or to avail themselves of the privileges and advantages of the evening school classes. It is difficult to say how much influence this may have had in securing new voters or new members for the evening school, but coming as it did so shortly before election, it served to call to the attention of many people their responsibility as citizens or citizens to be. Many who had delayed securing final citizenship papers too long, were disappointed in being unable to vote, but they immediately took steps to complete the process and be ready for the next State election. From present indica- tions there will be a large number of petitioners at the March session of the court at Taunton. In September a large number were admitted to citizenship, nearly every one of whom had in some measure been as- sisted through my office.
The trip to Plymouth and Duxbury was a part of my teaching plan, by means of which it is my purpose to attempt to show our new Amer- icans at what a sacrifice this nation was founded. Those of us who stood on the bleak, snow covered hill sides of Plymouth in February, did not find it hard to visualize the hardships endured by the first settlers, and
171
ANNUAL REPORT
the visit later in the day to Duxbury and John Alden's house gave a won- derful opportunity to compare living conditions then with those of today. It is my opinion that the future citizens who made the trip have a deeper appreciation of American citizenship because of it. It is my con- stant endeavor in this class to so present the history and traditions of America, that a deeper love and reverence for her will result, and these new Americans will become in deed and in truth, true and loyal citizens.
The motion pictures, made possible to the grades through the Rich- ardson School Fund were used with good effect in the citizenship class in presenting the history of America. These pictures were much en- joyed and appreciated.
The classes at Tiffany School were discontinued because of lack of interest. A very few progressive people in that locality desire an evening school, but the attendance did not warrant the expense of continuance nor the reopening this fall.
The classes as organized December 1, 1928, are:
Begin- ners
Inter- mediate
Ad- vanced
Grammar School Branches
Citizen- ship
High School
12
12
19
28
Average Attendance ..
8
8
13
48 29
11
The following racial groups are represented in the above classes:
Armenian.
2
Irish
8
American .
12
Norwegian.
1
Canadian.
6
Portuguese.
6
English.
4
Scotch
5
French Canadian
28
Serbian .
2
German ..
5
Swedish
35
Italian.
4
It has been my feeling that the attendance at evening school could be much increased by holding classes in various sections of the city, where the people who would benefit by it, could easily reach the school. I realize that this would greatly increase the expense, but I believe the increased attendance and subsequent benefit to the city, of a more en- lightened populace would more than offset the added expense. People take a natural pride in what they feel is their own, and a school for them, in their own neighborhood would have more appeal than one in a distant locality. Then too, after a day's work, at tiring labor, one does not feel like travelling a distance to study.
I hope the time may come when evening classes can be held not only at the High School, but in several other centers, perhaps at the Bliss, the Richardson, the Lincoln and the Washington Schools.
More and more the opportunities of the evening schools should be extended, so that not only aliens who seek citizenship, but any one who desires further mental improvement may find it in the evening schools.
Respectfully submitted,
A. IRVIN STUDLEY
172
ANNUAL REPORT
HEBRONVILLE SCHOOL
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
The extra activities of the Hebronville School may be divided as follows:
Evening Activities for Adults: Dressmaking Clubs. Home Arts Clubs. Branch of Public Library.
Working Girls Club. High School Girls Club.
Evening Activities for Juveniles : Senior Boys Club. Junior Boys Club. Senior Girls Club.
Afternoon Activities: Junior Boys Club.
Child Welfare Conference Under the Direction of the District Nursing Association.
Branch of Public Library for Juveniles.
The activities for adults are held from October 1 to January 1, and from March 1 to June 1, they are omitted during January and February because of the inclement weather conditions and the resulting impaired car service. The "Community Cottage," the twelve-room house which is being repaired, remodeled and made ready for community and extra- curricula use for the school, is our most ambitious extra activity.
Last year we did much tearing out, laid a new floor, replastered and painted two rooms. The studio for the use of gifted students in the second story is nearly finished. A greater part of our time this fall has been spent tearing apart, resawing and making over an abandoned old- fashioned fence which formerly stood on the line between the school yard and the new playground. The boys of the sixth and seventh grades have had as a manual training project the building of 250 feet of this fence. They dug the postholes, set the posts and stringers and sawed, pointed and nailed on about three hundred and fifty pickets. This work has been done during the first twelve weeks of school under the direc- tion of Mr. Gagner, our janitor.
The Branch of the Public Library has been installed in the Cottage since July 1st of this year.
With the opening of the new term we are planning to have the boys construct early Colonial tables and benches for use in the library.
The room for use as "A Community Health Centre" is ready and we plan to move the Child Welfare Conference there the first of the year. We hope sometime to have an out-patient department there. We still have before us the remodeling and furnishing of the south side of the cottage as a model tenement, where we may teach in a practical way the domestic arts.
Our program for the fall of 1928 was as follows:
Monday Senior Girls Club
5:00-5:30 6:30-8:30 Dressmaking Club
173
ANNUAL REPORT
Tuesday
6:30-8:30. Home Arts Club 6:30-8:30. . Dressmaking Club
Wednesday
3:30-4:30. Junior School Girls Club
3:30-4:00. . Child Welfare Conference
3:30-5:30. . Branch of Public Library for Juveniles
6:30-8:00. High School Girls Club
5:30-7:30 Branch of Public Library for Adults
Thursday
4:30-6:00
6:30-8:30
Junior Boys Club Dressmaking Club
Friday
6:30-8:00 . Senior Boys Club
6:30-8:30. Dressmaking Club
Respectfully submitted, MARTHA J. ROBERTS
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
Primary Grades
The music work of the lower grades continues to be a source of great joy and pleasure to the pupils in our schools. It consists primarily in teaching the pupils to sing in tune and in time with each other, beau- tiful songs of varied interest. Songs of the seasons, patriotic, sacred, health, Thanksgiving and Christmas songs, all are used to assist in the development of the life of the young pupil.
If we find a pupil who cannot sing in tune with the others, special exercises are given which develop the ear and the voice until he is enabled to take his proper place in the singing class.
Grammar Grades
Quality singing continues to be emphasized in the grammar grades, and in addition we teach the rudiment of music necessary to read the songs which the pupil sings. Singing in two and three parts is prac- tised and every effort is made to bring the joy of music through singing into the life of every pupil in our schools.
Eighth Grade
It is very evident that in spite of the many interests an eighth grade pupil has that the singing period is one of great pleasure and profit to
174
ANNUAL REPORT
him. It is expected that when a pupil reaches the eighth grade his sing- ing voice should be at its best. With the exception of the boys who at this period of their lives grow rather fast this is true, and I have no hestitation in saying that the singing of the pupils in the eighth grade is very commendable and speaks well for the attitude of the regular teachers toward music.
General Remarks
The introduction of the new song book "The Progressive Series" has added a new stimulus to singing wherever it has been introduced. The enlarged type has made it more easy for the pupils to read and a general improvement has been noted in classes where this book has been in use.
The music club at the Lincoln School is one of the new developments that is proving of intense interest. Those who play various instruments have formed an orchestra and the life and works of Master Musicians are studied and discussed with great profit to the club members and to the entire school.
An orchestra has been organized at the Bliss School and is proving of great value to the growing number of pupils interested in instruments of the band and orchestra.
There is no regular orchestra at the Bank Street School this year, but it is always possible to get enough players together to form an orchestra whenever music is needed for any special program.
There is still a great interest among the grammar school pupils in band and orchestral instruments and because I think is worthy of en- couragement I make every effort to help them. These they are studying in order to better prepare themselves for membership later on in the High School Orchestra.
High School Singing
The High School regular singing class is back on the old schedule of one period of singing each week and is proving highly satisfactory.
Glee Club
The High School Glee Club meets after school once a week and is growing in number and in quality of singing. The Glee Club sings on special occasions and apparently is very much appreciated by the school. At the annual school concert this year the Glee Club sang "The Village Blacksmith," a cantata by W. Noyes in a very commendable manner.
Theory Class
The Theory Class which was started last year is continued this year with no increase in membership. As this course is open to all four classes and there is only one period a week it has been difficult for many who would like to attend this class to arrange their program in order to do so.
Band
The experiment of last year in the effort to form a band did not work out very satisfactorily. This was due entirely to the fact that the
175
ANNUAL REPORT
boys who played the bass instruments necessary in a band did not stay in High School, but went to work instead. This left us without suffi- cient instrumentation to carry on. Another reason why I did not think it well to continue the band was the fact that the work of the orchestra began to show the effects of one less period for rehearsal. This period, as you know, was taken from the orchestra and given to the band. The result was that the orchestra did not improve, and the band was rather poor. Consequently, beginning in September we went back to the old program of admitting all players to the orchestra three periods each week. This has so far proved entirely satisfactory and whenever a band was needed we used the Boys' Club Band and as many of the High School Orchestra players as wished to play were invited to do so. The band played at three football games and added to the enjoyment of the spec- tators.
High School Orchestra
The orchestra concert of this year was a great tribute to the popu- larity of this organization. Two thirds of the seating capacity of the hall was reserved for the first time and all seats were sold. The concert was good and many compliments were received. The orchestra num- bers 70 members this year and is developing as well, if not better, than in previous years. We are fortunate in getting a considerable number of unusual instruments such as clarinets, flutes and horns into our or- chestra this year. This is due to the work of the boys' band sponsored by Mr. Joseph Finberg. The High School Orchestra is beginning to ben- efit from that far sighted and kindly act and will continue to do so in the years to come.
The High School Orchestra is fortunate in having among its friends some who have given inusical selections that have added greatly to the interest and enjoyment of the members. We note the following: Judge Ralph C. Estes, Dr. R. P. Kent, Mr. James Wiggmore, Dr. Walter E. Briggs, Mr. Samuel M. Stone, Mr. Frank Ryder and Mr. Joseph Finberg.
The most enjoyable feature of the entire year was the playing of the orchestra at the great musical contest in Mechanics Hall, Boston. We were in competition with orchestras from Brockton, Fall River, Revere, Lawrence and other larger cities, and though we did not win a prize we did receive honorable mention for instrumentation. Ten members of our orchestra were selected to play in the All New England High School Orchestra Concert and spent three days in Boston rehearsing under the best directors of music in America. This concert was broadcast over the radio as was the announcement that Attleboro was first in instru- mentation, all of which was good advertising for our High School.
The expense of this visit to Boston was met by contributions from the High School Orchestra Fund, the Lion's Club and prominent men of our city.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN LAING GIBB
.
176
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
The trend in art education as I feel it at art conventions and from reading art publications, is toward training the boys and girls to know and appreciate art in the things of everyday life.
As in other years, our projects touch home and civic life, and we are endeavoring to show the children objects that are fine in line and design, and color combinations that are harmonious. We are at work on a plan whereby the room teacher will carry out the work suggested in our out- lines, and the assistant and myself will give our time to teaching ap- preciation by showing art products and encouraging the children to find examples of the principles we emphasize.
In art education the tendency also seems to be for more creative work by the children. We have creative work in design and in free ex- pression, but not so much of this work as I would like to see. Some of the room teachers are becoming more interested in this type of work and believe we are going to have more and better work of this kind.
This is the second year of trying departmental work in the upper grades, and it is more satisfactory than last year.
The principals have been very helpful in planning their schedules so that when I am at their building I can have two lessons going on at the same time, and at the end of two periods I have often seen four classes at work. Having but one day a week in the grades, I can do but little teaching, but am pleased with much of the work I see done.
We have had a successful year in the High School work. The classes have double periods and results have been much more satisfactory with this arrangement.
The students seem to enjoy the work and if they can gain some knowledge and appreciation of art principles, our work is very much worth while.
This year I have only freshman and sophomore classes, but they take four days a week.
Respectfully submitted,
PERSIS A. CROWELL
REPORT OF THE TEACHER OF SEWING
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
During the entire course in sewing, we keep in view a double pur- pose. Not only do we teach the girls to be able to make their own cloth- ing but we also endeavor to give them a moral training in thrift, obser- vation, exactness, neatness and economy. The lessons in sewing also make for quietness and concentration.
The outline of the work is as follows:
Grade V. The beginners learn basting, running and overhanding and then apply the stitches to making a needle book. Neat backstitching is learned and used in making a pincushion. Hemming and overcasting complete the work in stitches and these are applied to making a work bag. A dish towel is hemmed and then comes the main project of the year, an apron.
177
ANNUAL REPORT
This is made wholly by hand and a style is chosen that involves a review of all the stitches.
If any child has extra time she may choose what she would like to make.
Grade VI. Here we begin the sample work for the Scout Book. This includes the various seams and hems, gathering, tucking, darning and binding for trimming. This requires about fifteen lessons and then a pillow case is made followed by a simple kimona dress with bloomers. These, when worn, are a source of justifiable pride.
Grade VII. In this grade we finish the more advanced Scout models such as patching in three diffent ways, sewing on hooks, eyes and tape and making button holes. The work from January on is a cooking apron with a choice of night dress or pajamas for supplementary work.
Grade VIII. The girls in this grade have twenty lessons only, so our first project is a slip as it takes but a little time to get the cutting done and the girls at work. During the first lesson, including four classes, we superintended the cutting of fifty-nine slips and several were basted to- gether and stitched at the end of the period.
While the slip is being made, we cut the more complicated garments to be ready when needed.
Each girl is taught measurements, laying on the pattern with neces- sary alterations, and cutting.
The chief points in this grade are care of machine, suitability of material and pattern, economy and confidence in cutting and finishing neatly.
The projects for the half year are slips, kimonas, dresses, pajamas and coolie coats. The pupil has her choice and may make as many gar- ments as time and ability permits.
It is very rarely we find a girl who does not enjoy the work in sew- ing and I feel we are well repaid for our ceaseless effort when the girls exhibit a pretty dress, made at home, and tell us they made it without help.
Very often, too, some small girl tells us her clothing is made wholly by an older sister who has graduated from our classes. The interest shown by the girls makes the work a pleasure.
Thanks are due to the grade teachers for their cordial co-operation and courtesy.
Respectfully submitted,
MINNIE A. WALKER
REPORT OF VACATION SCHOOLS
The 24th season of the Dodgeville-Hebronville Vacation Schools closed August 24, after a session of six weeks. Three hundred and sixty- nine different children attended these two schools. of these 90 registered in the hand work and weaving classes; 47 registered in the sewing class- es and 26 in the basketry classes.
The registration in the basketry classes would be much larger if there was a teacher in this subject for each school, but as Mrs. Tennant divides her time between the two schools she cannot take care of a larger number.
The classes were held each morning and the playground was kept open each afternoon with an attendant.
178
ANNUAL REPORT
Several hundred articles were completed such as Colonial mats, raphia mats, doll's hammocks, stocking caps, Tam-O-Shanters, fans, dresses, slips, aprons, bloomers, under-arm purses, bags, floor, table and boudoir lamps and shades, refreshment trays, coasters, shopping bags, window-boxes, tea-tiles, pencil trays and many other baskets for gen- eral purposes.
A new piece of playground apparatus was added this year at Hebron- ville. It is a simple type of merry-go-round operated by hand, called a "swing around."
The playground at Hebronvilie would be of much more service if we could use the new lot donated by Mr. Finberg. This lot cannot be used however, as it has a long frontage on South Main Street unfenced.
I should like to recommend again this year as I did last that a class for adults in some type of handwork be formed among the parents of our children for the afternoon session of the school.
Following is a list of the playground apparatus at each school:
Dodgeville
1 Lawn Swing.
2 See-Saws.
1 Large 3-Unit Swing.
1 Giant Stride.
1 Small 4-Unit Swing.
1 Croquet Set.
1 Tennis Court.
1 Junglegym.
1 Sand Box.
1 Slide.
Hebronville
1 Lawn Swing.
2 See-Saws.
1 Large 3-Unit Swing.
1 Giant Stride.
1 Small 4-Unit Swing.
1 Croquet Set.
2 Tennis Courts.
1 Junglegym.
1 Sand Box.
1 Slide.
1 Swing Around.
1 Junior Gym.
This apparatus has been purchased from year to year from the gen- eral appropriation made for the vacation schools.
The teachers this year were:
Dodgeville
Weaving. Miss Gilles
Sewing Miss Ryan
Basketry Mrs. Tennant
Basketry Mrs. Tennant
Afternoon Playground, Miss Keena
Afternoon Playground, Miss Gagner
Attendance Figures
Dodgeville
Hebronville
Enrollment.
173
196
Average Attendance.
74
95
Respectfully submitted,
MARTHA J. ROBERTS
Hebronville
Sewing Miss Roberts
Weaving. Miss Bowen
179
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
In its broad conception, physical education includes, hygiene instruc- tion and inspection for physical defects, marching tactics, formal free hand exercises with or without the use of hand apparatus, dancing, ex- ercises in gymnastics and popular athletics and games.
The objectives of physical education are to inculcate health habits, to develop the body harmoniously through a general systematic exercise procedure, to give a fund of exercise material for use in after school days, to give opportunities for the development and guidance of play spirit, to provide situations which will arouse and increase the physical qualities of courage, fair play, self sacrifice and loyalty and to give positive instruction in citizenship through leadership and response to commands.
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.