USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1928 > Part 14
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The system of physical education now used in our public schools accomplishes these purposes. Special emphasis has been placed on pos- ture instruction. The posture program is being broadened out at the present time and will be a major part of the program for 1929. Much valuable work has already been accomplished in this field. Principals and teachers have co-operated splendidly both in organized outdoor play periods and in classroom activities. The physical education leaders have done their work well. I am very much pleased with pupil leadership under teacher supervision.
Athletics in general are forces for great good if properly supervised and sanely applied. They provide opportunities for the development of the qualities of leadership, courage, presence of mind, loyalty, self sacri- fice and stick-to-itiveness, all so worth while in life. They create an interest in school life, welding as they do the many units of the school group into a loyal student body. They provide an outlet for the physical "plus" boy or girl. They teach team and individual play essentials. Athletics should be kept a part of the educational and life program of the pupils. They should not be neglected and neither should they over- shadow the other worthwhile things in life. They should do their part in fitting the pupil for his life in the school and community. Athletic competition presupposes a thorough medical examination, a carefully fol- lowed out training program, and a limited number of contests. Our athletic program consists of a limited number of contests in basketball, baseball, soccer and track for the eighth grade boys. Football is barred. The sixth and seventh grade girls have a basketball series. Eighth grade girls receive practice in basketball, but do not have outside com- petition. They play invitation games with other local schools. The Lincoln and Washington School boys and girls have a purely intramural program in basketball at the new Lincoln School Gymnasium. All of these activities are personally supervised by the director of physical education and the school principals.
The following is a summary of the work accomplished during the past year:
1. Each pupil has been given thirty minutes per day physical edu- cation divided as follows: Ten minutes physical education period con- sisting of either organized games or postural exercises, and two ten minute free play recess periods, morning and afternoon. In addition each pupil receives approximately one hour of hygiene instruction weekly. Three hundred leaders have been trained for this work.
2. Posture campaigns have been started in each school.
180
ANNUAL REPORT
3. Special posture corrective exercises have been given to over one hundred pupils.
4. Leagues organized in basketball, baseball, soccer football and track.
5. Over four hundred pupils have used the High School gymnasium for basketball weekly.
6. Eighth grade boys have received coaching in basketball, baseball, track and football fundamentals. Outside games were played with sev- eral schools in this vicinity.
7. Gymnasium classes were started at the new Lincoln School gym- nasium with each pupil receiving instruction in tactics. Washington School also used this gymnasium for basketball practice.
8. Hiking, skating and skiing parties have been conducted.
9. May Day programs have been held in all schools.
All of these activities have been under my personal supervision.
1 have several recommendations which I wish to offer for your con sideration.
1. That each room in the city be kept furnished, yearly, with a ball suitable for physical education outdoor organized play periods.
2. That the portable at the Richardson School be removed, as play space is cramped by it.
3. That the lunch room at Lincoln School be removed from the gym- nasium. There is a large space between the gymnasium wall and the outside of the building which would make an ideal lunch room. I would ask that this matter be investigated.
4. That a board floor be laid at the Lincoln School gymnasium and if possible a few shower baths be installed in the building.
5. That a fence be placed on the Starkey Avenue side of the Pleas- ant Street School as a safeguard for the pupils at play.
6. That an old section of fence at the rear of Farmers School be re- moved as it cramps the play space.
7. That physical education receive a mark on the report cards.
8. That an effort be made to secure a running track at Capron Park, suitable for the schoolboys and citizens of the city.
In closing I wish to thank you and the committee for continued co- operation.
Respectfully submitted, J. RAY COONEY
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
I submit, herewith, my report as School Physician for the year end- ing December 1, 1928.
In reviewing the health program as conducted in the schools during the past year, we may rest assured that the health of our school children has been given deserved attention. Methods of promoting child health have not differed greatly from those of the past few years, but I feel that the public at large has become more vigilant as regards the well being of their children.
In the course of the annual physical examination of the pupils, two important factors were noted: The increasing number of teeth defects and the decreasing number of diseased tonsils. The importance of early removal of diseased teeth on the child's health cannot be too strongly stressed. In many instances where dental work had been begun, the closing of the clinic provided by the city resulted in rapid deterioration of the child's teeth. Over fifty per cent. of the children examined had de-
181
ANNUAL REPORT
fective teeth. This is a serious indictment of the failure to provide prop- er dental care to future generations. Some arrangement to alleviate this condition should be introduced at once.
The cases of mumps, scarlet fever and chicken pox were quite num- erous during the early part of the year, and an unusual number of scarlet fever cases have occurred this fall. These were of very mild severity, which made their control difficult, many being overlooked by both par- ents and teachers.
Effective quarantine methods tax the efforts of both the local health. and school authorities. A further study of quarantine requirements is deemed advisable and there will probably be some revision. Meanwhile, the supervision of suspicious cases by both parents and teachers, and frequent examination by the school nurse and physician remain the most effective instruments of control.
Mentally retarded children were examined at a clinic held by Dr. Patterson of the Wrentham State School. The value of these annual examinations becomes more evident each year.
In April, physicians representing the State Department of Health re-examined a special group of children as a part of the ten-year program inaugurated by the State. The object of these repeated examinations is the early detection and elimination of tuberculosis. Records of the gain that these children make are carefully noted, and definite recommenda- tions for special care of these children are made. The group of children chosen for the open-air room at the Richardson School are selected on recommendations made at this clinic.
The results of the operation of the open-air room have justified its existence. The area that it serves is limited, but it is a vital unit in the general health program. Not only underweight children are enrolled there but also those handicapped by other physical defects, such as heart and chest cases.
The annual Child Health Day was observed by appropriate exercises at the various schools throughout the city during the month of June. Health plays, parades and games were enjoyed by both pupils and par- ents alike. In many instances the programs were very elaborate.
The nutrition work started several years ago has been generally carried on during the year. Lunches and milk are served in many schools and the children are weighed and measured at regular intervals. Proper posture is stressed in some of the schools with the formation of posture classes.
Many children were enrolled in the summer health camps. The Lions' camp for boys took care of a goodly number. Twenty-six boys and girls were selected for the camp conducted under the auspices of the Bristol County Health Association. Funds for the support of this camp were supplied through the purchase of Christmas seals.
This fall a campaign was carried on by the Health Department for the extension of the diphtheria prevention in the city. Several hundred children from all of the lower grades were given the Schick Test, and those found susceptible to diphtheria were given toxin-antitoxin. Chil- dren of the first grade were given special attention. It will be a perma- nent public health policy to see that all children entering the first grade be given the opportunity of being immunized against this disease, thus gradually rendering the school population immune.
In closing, I wish to emphasize the need for a dental clinic and also to call to your attention the ever increasing demands made upon the school nurse for home work, which she is unable to do together with her other duties.
A detailed report follows:
January
February
March
April.
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Totals.
School Visits.
19
15
21
25
12
0
0
0
14
27
16
27
176
Office Visits ..
112
162
164
124
133
0
0
0
92
154
95
29 1,065
Special Examinations ..
0
560 1,496
37
26
0
0
0
37
171
962
10
0
108
Exclusions. .
789
96
0
263
18
0
0
0
581
651
265
0
0
10
First
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
3
0
0
1
1
2
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
7
Home Calls.
Examination for Athletics
0
0
16
6
0
0
0
0
33
4
0
0
59
Throat Cultures.
0
0
43
0
0
0
0
0
0
37
37
0)
117
Working Certificates.
17
18
14
12
11
15
21
15
56
19
19
13
260
5
32
12
17
0
0
0
13
10
Physical Examinations
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
0
Respectfully submitted, JESSE W. BATTERSHALL, M. D.
ANNUAL REPORT
182
149 3,43S
9
577 3,240
Vaccinations.
.
183
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
This year marks the completion of the school nurse's seventh year.
In the early months of the year there was an epidemic of mumps, the Bliss School having the largest number. There were also twenty-four cases of scarlet fever, and many cases of chicken pox throughout the city.
Since the opening of the schools this fall there have been twenty- five cases of scarlet fever and five diphtheria cases. Epidemics of this kind require the closest supervision on the part of the school nurse in the way of home visits and follow-up work on children who have been reported ill.
In assisting the school physician with the medical inspection some effort was made on the part of the school nurse to tabulate the number of children needing dental care. In the ten schools which have had such inspection the nurse has found that 50 per cent. of the pupils need more or less attention to the teeth. This indicates the great need of a dental clinic for school children.
Pupils who are three years or more retarded in their school work were given special psychiatric tests by Dr. Patterson of the Whentham State School with a view to giving them greater opportunities in special classes.
In April the State Clinic under the supervision of the State De- partment of Public Health re-examined about fifty cases, which have been under observation for the past three years. The State reported favorably in a number of these cases which the school nurse had fol- lowed since the previous examination.
The annual observance of Health Day was held in all the schools early in June. The programs consisted of plays, drills, parades, etc., on the theme of Health. The results were a glowing tribute to the in- terest of the teachers in the health work in the schools.
At the invitation of the school nurse, early in March, Miss Erickson, nutritionist, under the State Department of Public Health, gave an illus- trated lecture on the "Correlation of Nutrition and Posture" before the teachers of the Sanford Street School to which other teachers and moth- ers were invited.
In June at the same school the weighing of the pupils showed only 10 per cent. were underweight, as against 26 per cent. at the opening of school the previous September. This remarkable gain in weight may be attributed to three things: The interest shown by the teachers, the desire on the part of the underweight to take home a monthly report showing gain, and the drinking of milk in the school at 10 A. M.
Twenty-six children entered the Bristol County Camp at the close of school for a four weeks period. Previous to their entering camp, all defective tonsils, adenoids and teeth were taken care of, ten dentists contributing their services.
At the Continuation School, Baby Hygiene was taught to four classes during the year, certificates being given to each pupil who satisfactorily completed the course. A demonstration of the work was given at the school November 22nd and received much favorable comment.
Under the supervision of the local Health Department, a diphtheria clinic was held in the various schools at which the school physician and the school nurse assisted.
The school nurse has been fortunate in being able to get the Chil- drens' Hospital in Boston to co-operate in the cases of children who need
184
ANNUAL REPORT
special treatment. At the present time there are two cases under treat- ment there. One, a case of infantile paralysis, has responded so well that the child, who previously was able to walk only with the greatest difficulty, is now nearly normal.
The work of the school nurse continues to grow in volume and it is practically impossible to give the proper amount of attention to the neces- sary follow-up work in the homes which is of greatest importance.
I wish to acknowledge with gratitude the co-operation afforded by the local dentists, physicians, Health Department, Family Welfare Asso- ciation and the South Attleboro Mothers' Club. I wish especially to thank Dr. Conro for service rendered to children both at his office and at the Sturdy Memorial Hospital.
A summary of the work follows:
Schools
Visits
Schools
Visits
Bank Street.
33
Lincoln ..
40
Bliss ..
40
Płat ..
21
Briggs Corner
27
Pleasant Street. 25
Capron .
15
Richardson.
43
Carpenter Street.
26
Sanford Street ..
31
Dodgeville.
29
South Attleboro
28
Farmers
20
Tiffany
31
Hebronville
34
Washington
38
High
10
Home Visits
314
Special Examinations at Office
167
Assisted at Tonsils and Adenoids Cases.
11
Cases Sent to Family Welfare Association.
16
Cases Sent to Dr. Conro and Glasses Obtained
2
Children Taken to Children's Hospital, Boston.
1
Pupils Excluded from School.
305
Cases Sent to Private Physician
112
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 the Custodian of School Buildings, for the work that has been done in repairing the school buildings during the year. Some of the principal jobs are listed as follows:
High School
The Assembly Hall was Refinished at a Cost of. $780.00
New Curtains on the West Side of the Building. 140.00
Bank Street School
Inside Painting and Calcimining of 3 Rooms and Upper Hall- way. $358.00
18G
ANNUAL REPORT
Bliss School
All Woodwork on Outside of Building Painted. $604.00
Refinishing of 2 Rooms. 130.00
Dodgeville School
Shingling of the Roof and Other Repairs. $539.00
Hebronville School
Two Rooms Were Refinished. $160.00
Pleasant Street School
Calcimining of Rooms and Hallway $120.00
Richardson School
Outside Woodwork of the Old Part Painted. $267.00
Sanford Street Grammar Building
Painted Outside $290 00
Relaying the Under-Pinning at the Grammar Building. 305.00
Washington School
Outside Woodwork Painted. $186.00
Two Rooms, Hallway and Principal's Office Painted and
Calcimined. 325.00
South Attleboro School
Outside of Building Painted. $197.00
New Metal Ceiling in One Room. 112.00
Other Inside Work Consisting of Painting and Calcimining .. 130.00
Other work of a miscellaneous nature, such as the general repair of the heating and plumbing systems, refinishing of desks and chairs, and repairs to steps and piazzas, would take a great deal of space to itemize but amount to several hundred dollars has been done in the usual way.
There is a great deal more work that should have been done for which money was not available. The wooden buildings should be painted every three years. In 1929, the following buildings should be painted: Sanford Street middle building and office, Briggs Corner, Bank Street, Hebronville and the outside woodwork at the High and Washington Schools. Half of the rooms at the High School should be re-calcimined and the burlap in the corridors painted. The Pleasant Street School should be shingled. Concrete aprons should be placed around the Pleas- ant Street and Carpenter Street Schools. New walks should be put in at Sanford Street, Farmers, Carpenter Street, Capron and Washington Schools. Many rooms need to be re-calcimined, the woodwork varnished, and the pupils desks refinished. Chimneys need to be retopped at Pleas- ant Street and Capron Schools. Some of the furnaces are in bad condi-
186
ANNUAL REPORT
tion and new parts will be required at Bank Street and Pleasant Street Schools.
In order to keep the buildings in proper repair. considerably more than the amount usually allowed for that purpose will be needed next year.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARES T. CROSSMAN
REPORT OF ATTENDANCE OFFICER
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
I herewith submit my report as Attendance Officer. I have inves- tigated 346 cases of non-attendance during the school year and find that absences were for reasons given below:
On Account of Clothing. 26
On Account of Sickness 71
To Work. 61
Detained by Parents for Other Causes.
48
Referred to Charity Department.
11
Moved from City
5
Left School. 12
Taken to Court. 5
Truants. . 41
Attending Schools Out of Town. 6
Negligence. 43
Disciplinary Cases. 17
Total. 346
Eighty-one of the above cases investigated were for the Continuation School.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES T. CROSSMAN
SCHOOL COMMITTEE-1929
Term Expires January 1933
Edwin F. Thayer, 17 Mechanic Street
Telephone 468-M.
Mrs. Margaret Conro, 26 Dean Street 1933
Telephone 1047-J.
Joseph Finberg, 24 John Street.
Telephone 981-R. 1933
George E. Nerney, 204 North Main Street 1933
Telephone 1101-W.
Dr. Reginald P. Dakin, 32 John Street. 1931
Telephone 713-W.
Mrs. Lida M. Holbrook, 28 Peck Street Telephone 1227-J. 1931
Leonard I. Lamb, 191 South Main Street. Telephone 971-J. 1931
187
ANNUAL REPORT
Mrs. Alice Stobbs, 115 Bank Street. 1931 Telephone 931-J.
Mrs. Rena Rounseville, 141 South Main Street 1931
Telephone 956-J.
Organization
Edwin F. Thayer. Chairman Dr. Reginald P. Dakin. . Secretary
Edwin F. Thayer. . Representative Before Municipal Council
STANDING COMMITTEES
Teachers and Course of Study
Mr. Thayer
Mrs. Holbrook Mrs. Conro
Text Books and Supplies
Dr. Dakin
Mrs. Holbrook Mrs. Stobbs
Mr. Finberg
Mr. Nerney Mrs. Rounseville
Mr. Thayer
Mr. Lamb Dr. Dakin
Regular meetings, first and third Mondays of each month at 7:30 o'clock P. M.
Bills are paid on the fifteenth of each month.
All bills to be acted on must be submitted in duplicate, and be in the hands of the clerk of the committee, Superintendent's office, on the Saturday preceding the meeting.
SCHOOL FIRE ALARM BOXES
South Attleboro
151
Washington.
152
Lincoln ..
153
Dodgeville.
251
Hebronville.
252
Sanford Street.
351
Bank Street. 352
Richardson.
451 €
High .
551
Tiffany
552
Bliss .
651
SCHOOL TELEPHONES
Bank Street. . 727-R
Bliss. ..
. 1601-R
Briggs Corner
263-J-1
.
Buildings
Finance
188
ANNUAL REPORT
Dodgeville. 620-J
Farmers 236-W
Hebronville 535-Y
High. 194-J
Lincoln.
Pawtucket 5065
Plat. .Pawtucket 7476
Pleasant Street. 1073-Y
Richardson. .
1509-R
Sanford Street.
690-W
South Attleboro
Pawtucket 7473
Tiffany .
Pawtucket 7468
TEACHERS
High School
Charles O. Dalrymple, Principal. Third Street
William F. Eastwood, Sub-Master 117 South Main Street
Mary M. Bagley (Mrs.) English. 249 County Street
Ellen C. Belknap, Biology . 27 Fourth Street
Robert Blair, Science. . 55 Jefferson Street
Janet L. Bond, French. 20 Jefferson Street
Ruth A. Bradley, Mathematics 249 County Street
Edith L. Claflin, German 144 Pleasant Street
Helen M. Claflin, English. 144 Pleasant Street
Violet G. Connolly, English . 15 Hayward Street
Grace C. Daley, English. 250 County Street
Henry E. Dockler, Mathematics
12 Prospect Street
Olive L. Gorrie, Commercial
27 Fourth Street
Jessie M. Graves, Latin.
249 County Street
Raymond H. Grayson, Coach and Physical Training. . . 159A Park Street
Carlisle Hall, Mathematics
37 Centre Street, Rumford, R. I.
Freeman Hall, Jr., Civics, History.
3 Beacon Street
L. Marie Hentz, Commercial
125 North Main Street
Elizabeth M. Hilliard, History .
.23 Third Street
Bernice B. Hosmer, Commercial.
18 Jefferson Street
Helena A. McCormick, Domestic Science
10 Hope Street
Margaret S. Miller, French.
18 Jefferson Street
Marjorie Morrell, Physical Training.
. . 37 Jason Street, Arlington, Mass. Myrta E. Nute, English. 17 Jefferson Street
Mabel M. Ott, Commercial. 25 Sanford Street
Jessie I. Pithie, Commercial. 17 Elizabeth Street
Ruth A. Ramsdell, Commercial .. .53 Fourth Street
Arthur Ray, Mechanical Drawing.
. 868 Pleasant Street
Frances L. Riddell, Commercial
249 County Street
Una Ritchie, English.
10 Wolfenden Street
Louise F. Sawyer, Spanish.
142 County Street Dorothy L. Simonds, History . 142 County Street
George I. Spatcher, Manual Training
957 Pleasant Street
Mabel J. Wall, Latin ..
. 39 Bank Street
Beatrice Smith, Librarian 142 County Street
Ethel G. Collingwood, Clerk .24 Dean Street
.322-W
Washington
189
ANNUAL REPORT
Bank Street School
Room
Milton P. Dutton, Principal. . 683 Park Street
3 Alice M. McNerney, VIII. 206 Park Street
4 Zita Simms, VIII. 119 Pine Street
6 Elizabeth L. Wentworth, VIII. . 34 Peck Street
7 Mildred Couillard, VIII. 33 Peck Street
S Helen F. Drake, VIII. . 20 South Main Street
BLISS SCHOOL DISTRICT
A. Irvin Studley, Principal. 6 West Street
Bliss School
Room
1 Josephine M. Hart, VIII 69 Emory Street
2 Beulah G. Eames, VIII. 118 Union Street
3 Annie C. Terry, VII. . 69 Emory Street
4 Frances L. Gaffney, VII. . 136 West Street, Mansfield, Mass.
5 Marguerite E. Libbey, VI. .21 Peck Street
7 Nellie A. Harrington, VI. 10 Foster Street
6 Helen A. Richardson, V. S Starkey Avenue 16 Bertha W. Cushing (Mrs.) V. 154 Pleasant Street
S Nellie L. Barker, IV . 73 Bank Street
13 Bernice W. Engley, IV. 143 Union Street
9 Penelope P. Rockwood, III. . 126 Freeman Street, Attleboro Falls
10 Carrie L. Bertenshaw (Mrs.) III. 118 Union Street 11 H. Marion Lillibridge, II. Oak Hill Avenue
15 Elsie E. Bowen, II. 6 Sturdy Street
12 Eleanor M. Albee, I. 19 East Street
14 Grace R. Pimer, I. 154 South Main Street
Mary B. Ricker (Mrs.) Individual Instruction .. 81 Brownell Street
Pleasant Street School
Room
1 Katharine F. Powers (Mrs.) III, II. . 69 Peck Street
2 Ethel H. Sanford, II, I. .11 Peck Street
Briggs Corner School
Room
1 Elizabeth M. Bates, Principal, VI, V 8 Sturdy Street
2 Margaret M. Fawcett, IV, III. 24 Park Avenue
3 Marion L. Dunham, II, I .. 153 Park Street
Dodgeville School
Room
1 Mary E. Clark, Principal, VI, V. 15 Mechanic Street
2 Irene A. Colburn, IV, III . . 158 South Main Street
3 Elsie E. Brimicombe, III, II. . 70 Shores Street, Taunton, Mass.
4 Madalene A. Hodges, I. 43 Maple Street
190
ANNUAL REPORT
Hebronville School
Room
Martha J. Roberts, Principal 101/2 Park Avenue
1 Ruth M. Hirons, VII, VI. 23 Tyler Street
2 Jennie S. Pierce, V. . 68 Dean Street
7 Helen K. Peterson, IV. . 5 Orange Street
6 Dorothy B. Poland (Mrs.) 1II. 93 Dean Street
4 Edna C. Jacques, II. 15 Elizabeth Street
3 Miriam J. Claflin, I. 15A Mechanic Street
5 Kathrina S. Thayer, Kindergarten. Steere Street
LINCOLN SCHOOL DISTRICT
Guy W. Weymouth, Principal . Reynolds Avenue
Lincoln School
Room
23 Helen W. Storin (Mrs.) VIII .... 216 Raleigh Avenue, Pawtucket, R. I.
21 Emma J. Lewis, VIII. 10 Mechanic Street
24 E. Marion Bryant, VII. 27 Fourth Street
22 Bertha M. Simpson, VII. . 664 Park Street
25 Marjorie Griffith, VI. 21 Jefferson Street
2 Edith V Potter, V. 15 Garden Street
Alice M. Washburn (Mrs.), Domestic Science ... Orr St., So. Attleboro
South Attleboro School
Room
3 Signe M. Brask, IV, III 23 Twelfth Street
4 Grace B. Tirrell, II. 21 Peck Street
2 Gertrude L. Robbins, I. 18 Third Street
Plat School
Room
1 Helen Calnan, IV, III. 24 Park Avenue
2 Hazel Huxley, II, I. 409 Newport Avenue, South Attleboro
RICHARDSON SCHOOL DISTRICT
Curtis R. Witham, Principal. 20 Jefferson Street
Richardson School
Room
Florence E. Heacock, VII. 11 Third Street
2 Leda E. Renaud, VIII. .93 Dean Street
3 Caroline L. Cole, VI .. . 487 Mt. Hope Street, Attleboro Falls, Mass.
4 Grace WV. Ward, VI. 24 Park Avenue
5 Caroline Cutts, V. . 197 South Main Street
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