USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1930 > 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
SUMMARY OF PENMANSHIP AWARDS 1929-1930
H. S.
I Cert.
Stud.
Cert.
Imp.
Cert.
Prog.
Pin.
Merit
Button
Palmer
G. S.
Button
S. S.
Button
Total
High
188
Bank Street
6
51
20
32
28
13
150
Bliss.
7
81
48
106
116
133
31
84
606
Briggs Corner
3
5
18
31
39
14
18
128
Capron .
34
47
81
Carpenter Street .
3
34
26
63
Dodgeville
12
15
32
57
75
20
12
223
Farmers
16
18
41
53
15
24
167
Hebronville
9
17
18
25
50
28
25
172
Lincoln .
12
34
20
72
82
83
303
Plat .
5
8
14
16
43
Pleasant Street
17
17
34
Richardson. .
50
85
146
136
122
3,9
578
Sanford Street
68
73
174
169
159
47
690
South Attleboro.
4
11
35
17
13
80
Tiffany
43
30
80
98
109
115
81
556
Washington
6
17
52
111
148
35
2
371
Totals.
102
407
359
781
930
1094
475
285
4433
Total awards to pupils below the High School
Total number of pupils in grades below High School
3279
More awards than pupils
966
This record will be hard to beat.
MEETING INDIVIDUAL NEEDS
In trying to meet the individual needs of each pupil last year in reading, each class was divided into two, three or four groups according to their ability, and each group was given the kind of reading suited to its ability. I am sure this plan of teaching accounts largely for the progress made. If this same plan could be put into effect in teaching all subjects, the results would surely be surprising. With the limitations surrounding each teacher, however it is practi- cally impossible to use this procedure in more than one subject at a time, without having a great deal of confusion in class work.
Carrying the same idea over into the High School, to save pupils from failing and leaving school during their freshman year an attempt was made to choose subjects in which they were interested and which they had ability to complete.
50
13
17
~ Button
.4245
185
ANNUAL REPORT
In March, the following letter was sent to every pupil in grade eight:
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS
March 17, 1930. To Pupils of Grade Eight:
The school year is rapidly passing and you will soon be asked to decide upon your next year's work. I take it for granted that you intend to enter High School. Much of your success in High School will depend on the subjects you select and your preparation for them.
If you are planning to go to college or a technical school or normal school you will want to take the college or technical curriculum. This means you will study in the High School next year English, Latin or French, algebra, and ancient history. The marks you have received on your report cards in language, arith- metic, history and geography will be good indications as to how well you are prepared to continue these subjects in the High School. If your marks are "E" or "G" you should not have any trouble next year. If your mark is "F" in any of these subjects you should consider very carefully before making your choice of subjects and should consult your principal before making your decision.
If you do not plan to go to college or normal school, you may be interested in the commercial or domestic arts curriculums, if you are a girl; or in the manual arts curriculum, if you are a boy. The commercial curriculum will fit you for clerical work, and includes the subjects of commercial arithmetic, penmanship, bookkeeping, typewriting and stenography. To take this curriculum, you should be good in language, arithmetic and penmanship. The domestic arts curriculum and the manual arts curriculum are suited to girls and boys who prefer to do things rather than study books. Cooking, sewing, elementary science, community civics, manual training and mechanical drawing are some of the subjects taken the first year.
I urge you very strongly to go to High School; but I also urge you to consider the subjects you choose, and your ability to master them. Before making any choice at all, after you have talked with your parents, consult your principal. You will be asked to make your decision some time in April.
Yours for a good education, Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools.
At the same time the subjects open to freshmen were arranged in courses and these courses used in the period for vocational guidance as a basis for study. Teachers explained the courses and pupils were encouraged to ask questions about any subject not understood. This study continued, an hour a week, for several weeks, thus giving pupils plenty of time to become acquainted with each subject and to be ready when the time came in May to choose their subjects wisely. The approval of the grammar school principal was necessary, and he and his teachers tried to save pupils from choosing subjects they could not master in the High School. The subjects were arranged in suggestive courses as follows:
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS
April 14, 1930.
Revised Courses of Study-Freshman Year College and Normal
Domestic Arts
Periods Credits
Periods Credits
English I
5
5
English I
5
5
Latin I.
5
5
Cooking 1 :
4
2
Algebra I.
5
5
General Science 5
5
Civics & Vocations
5
5
Arithmetic or .
5
5
.
Algebra 5
5
Ancient History
5
5
186
ANNUAL REPORT
Technical
Manual Arts
English I.
5
5 English I.
5
5
French I.
5
5 General Science. .
5
5
Algebra I.
5
5 Civics & Vocations 5
5
Ancient History 5
5 Manual Training 6
3
Mechanical Drawing. 4
2
Commercial
General
English I. 5
5 English I. 5
5
Commercial Arithmetic. . 5
5 General Science . 5
5
Penmanship and
Civics & Vocations 5
5
Spelling 5
3
Arithmetic or . 5
5
Civics & Vocations 5
5
Electives
Free Hand Drawing
Orchestra
2
1}
Band
1
Glee Club
1
Theory of Music
1
Music Appreciation
1
Singing.
Home Music.
1
Subjects in other courses if allowed by program.
As a help to pupils, parents and teachers to gauge the ability of pupils to accomplish successfully the work of the High School, an elective blank was used on which was placed the pupils' marks for three ranking periods-six months- in the four important subjects on which high school depends, language, arithmetic, history, and geography, and side of these the subjects desired next year in the High School. A pupil who had difficulty passing arithmetic could hardly hope to solve algebra; a pupil poor in language might expect trouble with English. By thus showing the pupils and their parents somewhat of their ability, the pupils chose subjects in which they were more likely to succeed. These elective cards also help the teachers in the High School to understand better the cause of pupil failures there. The following was the form used:
HIGH SCHOOL ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS Freshman Elective Blank
Name.
Address
School
Date
Curriculum selected.
Subjects taken
Marks for three ranking periods
Subjects desired next year
Periods Credits 5 5
Arithmetic.
English .
Language
History
Geography
Deportment
Physical Training .
2
1
Total Credits
5
General Science. 5
5
Algebra 5
Periods
Credits 2
4
Age
this year
187
ANNUAL REPORT
20 credits, with physical training, will represent a year's work.
Approved by
Parent. Teacher advisor.
As a further means of helping freshmen, a letter was sent to parents in September, offering any assistance possible on the part of the High School to help pupils adjust themselves to the school. Many pupils get behind and fail during the first month or two, although their failure may not be apparent till later in the year. If pupils can be helped at the right time during the first two months, fewer failures would result. I am sure the letter was appreciated :
September 22, 1930 To Parents of High School Freshmen,
Your son or daughter entered High School as a new pupil this month. He took up the study of new subjects, with new teachers, in a building with which he was not familiar, and in a school organization to which he was not accustomed. He assumed new responsibilities as to his studies, his conduct, and his school, and began one of the most important periods of his life. The success or failure of many pupils depends on the start they are able to make. It takes time for new pupils to adjust themselves to the school and the new conditions, and if it takes too long, pupils are likely to find themselves failing by the end of the second month.
This letter is written in the hope of preventing many failures. To be as helpful as possible to the new pupils, teachers have been appointed as advisers to members of the freshman class. The teachers are anxious to assist the pupils in any way. If your boy or girl is having trouble with any of his studies, if he does not understand the work already done, if there is anything about which he needs help, ask him to see his adviser, his teacher or the principal at once. Help given now may be worth much more than help given later. If parents will do their part in seeing that home study is faithfully done, the school will try to do the rest, so that the work of every freshman boy or girl may be successful. Do not hesitate to call on the school for help.
Very truly yours, Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools.
As a further help to pupils in the High School, especially freshmen, each teacher has been made adviser to ten freshmen. Each adviser is urged to become personally acquainted with the pupils in his group, and to encourage friendly relations between them. The reports reaching me last year showed that the teachers were earnestly trying to carry out the idea and were meeting with unusual success. No report of the work this fall has as yet been made.
A further extension of the idea of meeting individual needs and of providing educational opportunity for "all the children of all the people" was evident in the action of the Committee in broadening the high school courses and the intro- duction of a new subject. The success of a High School is measured, by some people, by the number of graduates who go to college and by their record there. By other people, the success of a High School is measured by the number of pupils who enter the school and complete the course, whether they enter college or not. In other words, the success of the school is measured by its power to attract and hold pupils. It is hard to keep the high school from becoming simply a college preparatory school. It must fit pupils for college, and the colleges dictate what that preparation shall be. At the same time, the High School,
188
ANNUAL REPORT
supported by public funds, should offer to every pupil of high school age an educa- tion suited to his ability and meeting his individual needs so far as funds will allow so that all may have the benefit of a high school education and thus become worthier citizens.
With the idea then of providing a better education for those who may not be going to college, the Committee made two half courses into full courses, community civics and general science, and added to the curriculum a new sub- ject, elementary physics, especially intended for those not taking the college course. At the same time an attempt was made to build up courses in manual arts for boys and domestic arts for girls, and to make all pupils feel that the school was interested in them and wanted to provide the kind of education that would be most effective for them. I believe that all these measures, taken to insure the success of high school pupils, are producing a better understanding of the school on the part of pupils and parents, and are accomplishing the result they were intended to effect.
Four additional teachers were added to the corps of teachers in September. Two were needed for the classes for retarded pupils opened at the Lincoln and the Finberg Schools These classes are required by law and have long been needed. They are made up of pupils who have difficulty in doing the work of the regular grade and need special help and a variety of lessons. The number in the class is small and the teacher has opportunity to give special attention to each pupil. The individual needs of the pupils are being cared for. One extra teacher was needed for an overcrowded fourth grade at the Washington School, the pupils being transferred to the Lincoln School and a new room opened there. The fourth teacher was made necessary by the completion of the Finberg School and the placing of a single grade in each room.
RESIGNATION OF TEACHERS
The number of changes in teachers each year is much less than it was a number of years ago. This may be accounted for by the fact that there is a large number of teachers, unemployed, seeking positions, and also that many of our teachers live in Attleboro. Twelve teachers resigned during the year, one was granted leave of absence, and one was removed by death. Stability in the teaching corps makes educational progress easier.
1930
Resignations
School
Jan. 23
Margaret S. Miller
High
Feb. 21 Caroline L. Cole
Richardson
April 18
Claude C. Smith
Sanford Street
May 5 Elizabeth M. Bates
Briggs Corner
May 15 Alf J. Munnick
Manual Training
May 26 Ina E. Stairs Farmers
June 4 Elizabeth McNamara Carpenter Street
June 14 E. Marion Bryant
Lincoln
July 8 Helen Meader
High
July 14 Evadne Harrington
Tiffany
July 29 Janet L. Bond
High
Nov. 22
Flora M. Goff
Richardson
Reason for Resignation Melrose
To be married Secretary, Chamber of Commerce To be at home
Wellesley To be married Swampscott New Jersey
To be married To be at home Illness
Leave of Absence
July 7 Lila M. Allen
Washington
Deceased
Feb. 24 Arthur M. Ray
High
189
ANNUAL REPORT
THE SCHOOL SAVINGS BANK
Deposits for each year since the establishment of the bank in 1908:
Year
Deposits
1908
(3 months)
$ 2,429.00
1909
4,497.85
1910
4,198.25
1911
4,142.16
1912
3,826.22
1913
4,406.50
1914.
4,658.13
1915.
3,680.00
1916.
4,927.27
1917
5,487.04
1918
3,185.91
1919
5,176.32
1920
10,886. 16
1921
7,637.33
1922
6,902.89
1923
8,271.24
1924.
7,849.22
1925
8,459.52
1926.
7,366.52
1927
8,374.95
1928
8,752.85
1929
8,586.30
1930
7,853.17
$141,554.80
Statement December 22, 1930
Dr.
Balance on deposit Dec. 22, 1930, including int. ($929.11) $ 4,208.44
Deposits in First National Bank from January 1, 1930 to December 22, 1930. 7,853.17
Interest from November 1929 to November 1930. 118.04
$ 12,179.65
Cr.
Transferred to pupils' individual accounts, Jan. 1, 1930 to January 1, 1931. . $ 8,038.00
Withdrawn, 1930, from interest to cover expenses. 30.92
Balance on deposit December 22, 1930 including int. ($1,016.23) . 4,110.73
$12,179.65
Total amount deposited since October 1908. $141,554.80 Number of individual accounts opened at First National Bank from
October, 1908 to January, 1930. . 5,179
January, 1930 to January, 1931 259
Total 5,438
Number of pupils depositing in the school bank Jan. 1, 1931. . 1,748
190
ANNUAL REPORT
All the tests that have been given, show that the schools are doing good work. I believe the city has a right to be proud of its school system. Some of the buildings are not all that could be desired. I suppose there are some people in the department who are more interested in their pay check than in their work. This is not true however of the great majority. I doubt if any school system has a larger proportion of teachers, janitors or other employees who take greater interest in their work, who have more pride in doing their work well, or who are constantly trying to do their work better. This condition exists in Attleboro and it is responsible for the fine feeling in the schools and for the progress that is being made.
Respectfully submitted, LEWIS A. FALES, Superintendent of Schools.
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
The following is my tenth annual report as Principal of the Attleboro High School for the year ending December 31, 1930.
1928
Number of Graduates .. 135
Number attending a Normal School .
3
2.2%
Number attending a College or University.
31
23
Number attending a Business School
4
3
Number training in a Hospital.
6
4.4
44
32.6%
1929
Number of Graduates. 129
Number attending a Normal School
4
3.5%
Number attending a College or University
33
25.5
Number training in a Hospital
9
7
46
36
%
1930
Number of Graduates.
123
Number attending a Normal School .
2
1.6%
Number attending a College or University
17
13.8
Number attending a Business School.
15
12.2
Number training in a Hospital
12
9.8
Number attending Special Schools
10
8.1
56
45.5%
Blue Owl
The Blue Owl has one of the strongest organizations this year that it has had for a number of years. About twenty-five per cent more advertising has been sold this year than in any previous year. The subscription list has been increased by about one hundred twenty-five new subscribers.
191
ANNUAL REPORT
Blue Owl Assembly
The pupils are given an opportunity at the beginning of the year to learn something about the Literary Association. This is done by placing the Blue Owl Staff in charge of one of the morning assemblies. All members of the staff have seats on the platform.
This year the assembly period was opened by Basil Simms '32 who conducted the devotional exercises. This was followed by a bassoon solo by Lois Studley '31. The Editor-in-Chief, Philip Athanas '31, introduced his own assistants and heads of the various departments who explained the work of their department. This seems to be an excellent method of interesting pupils in the Literary Association.
Mechanical Drawing
This work during the past year has been more closely correlated with the work in the Manual Training Department than has been the custom during the past few years.
As far as possible, drawings are made of the projects in the Manual Training Department. This work is taught from an educational standpoint and deals entirely with practical subjects.
The work of the freshman year consists of: Working drawings, tracings, blue prints, intersections, developments as used in sheet-metal work, isometric views, and very elementary house planning.
The work of the sophomore year deals with: Machine designs in simplest form, also cam and gear designs.
In the last two years the work deals with individual problems in architectural drawings and cost estimates.
Wentworth Institute
Wentworth Institute in Boston held a Visitor's Day Thurdsay, March 20, 1930. Fourteen boys from the High School under the leadership of Mr. Spatcher spent the day in the shops and laboratories which were in operation for the benefit of the visitors.
Orchestra Honors
The following pupils, who are members of the Attleboro High School orchestra, represented the High School as members of the New England Orchestra in Boston, April 23-25, 1930: Julia Apps, violin; Lois Studley, bassoon; Marjorie Rhodes, viola; Byron Caranicolas, trombone; Anthony Caranicolas, French horn.
Practice Teachers
A number of seniors from Wheaton College practiced teaching in the High School during the months of April and May. The list consisted of Gladys Hall, Mathematics; Barbara Wiggin, French; Mary L. Martin, Latin; Eleanor Herrick, French; Thelma Smith, English; Eleanor Wadleigh, French.
Pupils See "Macbeth"
Under the leadership of Mrs. L. J. Cummings, who was assisted by other teachers in the High School, about fifty pupils attended the Shakespearean play "Macbeth" in Boston, March 29, 1930.
192
ANNUAL REPORT
Dressmaking Exhibit
The members of the dressmaking classes held an exhibit in the assembly June 19, 1930 of the dresses made during the year. Each girl in the class had made three pieces of lingerie and three dresses.
College Week
The week beginning February 17, was called College Week and was for the purpose of helping the High School pupils to decide on the type of college they wished to enter after graduation from the High School. Also, to create an interest in the minds of all the pupils to continue their studying after leaving the High School.
Some of the speakers and the school they represented are:
Tufts. Smith.
Professor George S. Miller Miss Elizabeth Hilliard
Brown Mr. Kenneth Mason, Director of Admis- sions
Boston University Mr. T. Everett Fairchild, Assistant to the President Miss Priscilla Gough, Director of Publi- Mass. Agricultural College city Assistant Dean Lamphear
Radcliffe.
Northeastern
Professor M. J. Schlagenhauf
Mass. Institute of Technology
Professor T. H. Taff
Bryant & Stratton
Professor H. J. Lee
Simmons.
Miss Marjorie Shea, Alumnae Secretary
Dartmouth.
Mr. Charles R. Cabot
Worcester Polytechnic Inst.
Professor Z. W. Coombes
Dramatic Club
The Dramatic Club has increased its membership from fifty-five last year to seventy-five this year.
At each monthly meeting it is planned to present a one-act play. Members are encouraged to read worth while plays and review them for the club.
Such a club can justify its existence if, besides affording enjoyment, it helps towards the establishment of individual taste and discrimination in dramatic entertainment.
The Hi-Y Club
Nine years ago this September, a group of resolute young men, under the guidance of Mr. Osmond Coburn, founded what is known as the Hi-Y Club. The chief purpose of this club was, "To Create and Maintain throughout the School and Community, High Ideals of Christian Character."
Membership was limited to the boys of the Junior and Senior classes. This club now has a yearly membership of forty-five alert, hard working members. It carries on an extensive program in the school and community.
Each year at the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons the Hi-Y Club gives a basket to some needy family.
During the course of the year, the Hi-Y holds a Faculty Banquet. This is a get-together of the teachers of the Attleboro High School and the boys of the Hi-Y Club. The chief purpose of this meeting is to get the teachers and pupils more intimately acquainted with each other.
193
ANNUAL REPORT
One of the most interesting works of the Hi-Y is carried on by its Gospel Team. This team is composed of five or six young men who visit the churches in and around Attleboro and take part in the church services.
The Hi-Y Club closes its season with a Sport Dance at the High School. This is one of the most outstanding socials of the school year and puts a fitting climax to an extensive program.
The Debating Club
The Debating Club has been holding its meetings this year every month. The Club has secured many new members and at present has a membership of about forty.
Debates have been held in the following subjects:
"Resolved, that further limitations of armaments is a necessary step toward peace", and "Resolved, that the compulsory school education age be raised to eighteen."
The Club has joined a League sponsored by Boston University to aid High School debating. This League will send student coaches when necessary, material for debates on subjects chosen by the League, and also will arrange for debates to be held between High Schools.
The French Club
Membership in Le Cercle Francais is limited to students of the advanced classes in French who maintain an average of "B."
Meetings are held the second Thursday of each month. A definite program which can be conducted in French is prepared by the students for each meeting. Readings, plays, games, and songs, as well as various instructive material con- cerning the history, the institutions, and the customs of the French people make up these programs.
It is the purpose of the club to give to the student increased opportunity for using the language which he is studying in the class room.
High School Library
This year we are offering an extensive course in the use of the library. Each division of the freshman class comes to the library for five consecutive lessons in the use of the card catalog, dictionaries, encyclopedias andspecial reference books. A new text, "Find It Yourself" is used and each student is required to do work in the library which will require him to become familiar with library tools. It is hoped that this course will help students to use all libraries intelligently and efficiently.
All classes of workers are demanding an ever increasing amount of leisure. As part of the program of the school to prepare its students to use this leisure advantageously, we try to establish an interest in good literature and current events. A subscription to the Junior Literary Guild this year has aided us in this purpose by bringing to the library each month one new, interesting book of literary value. A larger appropriation for books would help in this work.
Another objective for this year is an addition to our collection of books and material about vocations. We are anxious to secure recent and accurate information about as many specific vocations as possible in order to help with the program of vocational guidance.
194
ANNUAL REPORT
High School Play
"The Goose Hangs High", a comedy in three acts by Levis Beach was presented by the High School, April 24, 1930. The following comprised the cast of characters:
Bernard Ingals.
Arthur Soper
Eunice Ingals
Dorothy Colby
Noel Derby
William Morse
Leo Day
Harold Macdonald
Rhoda
Helen Madden
Julia Murdock.
Elizabeth Congdon
Mrs. Bradley
Martha Hiller
Hugh Ingals.
Arthur White
Ronald Murdock
Warren Kellogg
Lois Ingals.
Irma Tanner
Bradley Ingals.
Arthur Boardman
Dagmar Carroll
Mabel Eddy
Elliot Kimberley
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.