USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1933 > Part 6
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Resignations during the year were as follows:
1933 Resignations School
Reason
June 22
Helen A. Richardson
Bliss, V
To be married
Nellie A. Harrington
Bliss, VI
To be married
Ethelwyn M. Taylor Sanford St., I
To be married
Ethel F. Lawrence
Washington, II To be married
The work done in Grades VII-VHI by Miss Minnie A. Walker has been taken over by Miss Prentiss of the Continuation School. The work done in Grades V and VI by Miss Alice R. Walker has been dropped. By closing a kindergarten and using the room for a regular grade, and transferring the kinder- garten teacher to Grade II, only four new teachers were required this year. Last year only seven new teachers were required. Four new teachers in one year is the smallest recorded number to date.
RETARDED PUPILS
One of the ways in which the schools have economized is by closing two rooms for retarded pupils. We still have one room for such pupils at the Richard- son School. Pupils are classed as retarded who for any reason have been unable to keep up to the grade in school indicated by their age. For example if a child is 12 years old and is able to do only third grade work when he should be doing sixth grade work, he is three years retarded. There are 106 pupils, three or more years retarded in our schools. A boy fourteen years old in a class whose average age is ten or eleven years, is socially out of place, and is likely to be a bad influence on the younger pupils. He feels out of place, he does not do his best, he is probab- ly unable to do the work of the grade, so that he wastes his time, makes no effort, and becomes a disciplinary problem. Such a pupil is a drag upon the class, a trial to the teacher, and usually accomplishes little because of his mental ability. When a pupil realizes that he cannot do the work that the other pupils are doing, and the pupils and the teacher know it, also, he becomes discouraged, and ceases to make any effort. Such pupils are better off in a room by themselves,
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ANNUAL REPORT
where they can be given work suited to their ability, and where they can ex- perience the joy of successfully doing something. To leave them in a regular class room attempting to do work beyond their ability is an injustice to them and a hindrance to the progress of the others. In my opinion, no economy made in the school department has deprived so many pupils of the educational opportunity that should be theirs as the closing of the two rooms mentioned above.
TRANSPORTATION
For years our transportation costs have been very high. When Attleboro was a small town limits for the transportation of pupils were established which were satisfactory for the times and not very expensive as the number of pupils to be carried was small. As the city grew, however, transportation costs increased rapidly as is shown by the following figures:
Expended for Transportation of Pupils
1890.
624.00
1895
723.00
1900
1,480.50
1905
2,257.00
1910
3,043.41
1915
3,173.13
1920
5,563.80
1925
7,859.57
1930
11,840.14
1931
11,853.48
1932
11,923.53
1933
10,949.01
By changing the rules regarding the transportation of pupils a saving of over $1000 was made in transportation cost this year, and there will be a probable saving of $1500 more next year. For many years pupils in Grades I-IV living more than 34 of a mile from school, and pupils in Grades V-VIII living more than 11/4 miles from school have been furnished transportation. Since 1926 pupils in the High School, living more than two miles from school and paying more than one fare each way, have had the extra fares allowed them. This rule for the High School affects many pupils from South Attleboro.
The new rules extend the limits in the grades for which transportation is furnished by 1/4 of a mile, so that pupils in Grades I-IV receive transportation if they live more than a mile from school and pupils in Grades V-VIII, if they live more than a mile and a half from school. Pupils in Grades VII and VIII, living more than a mile and a half but less than two miles from school, receive transporta- tion one way only from April 1st to November 1st.
The application of these rules, together with considerable saving on the school buses, will save the city $2500 a year for transportation of pupils.
THE CONTINUATION SCHOOL
The Continuation School was opened in September, 1920, in accordance with the vote of the city in November, 1919, accepting the act to establish a continuation school. The purpose of the continuation school is to provide part time educational opportunity for employed minors between the ages of fourteen and sixteen. When employed, such minors attend school four hours a week; when unemployed they must attend twenty hours a week.
83
ANNUAL REPORT
In 1919 more than 300 working certificates were issued to employed minors under 16 years of age. When the continuation school opened in 1920, some employers refused to hire any minors under 16 years of age. but 193 boys and girls were enrolled. Pupils may enter any time they obtain employment and may leave the continuation school when they become 16. Consequently the pupils are constantly changing, some entering and some leaving most of the time. The number enrolled has varied with business conditions. When business was good and many minors under 16 could be employed, the attendance was large; when business was poor, the attendance was small.
For the school year 1930-1931, the December, January and February en- rollment was 124. During the last two years however, since September 1931, the number of pupils has been very small. The average monthly enrollment for 1931-1932 was 75. For 1932-1933 the average monthly enrollment dropped to 57. The N R A code does not allow the employment of minors under 16 years of age in the jewelry shops. Consequently the enrollment this fall. Septem- ber to December, has dropped to an average of 42. Of course the teaching force has been greatly reduced, the school being open only one day a week, and three part time teachers employed.
Every town or city which has accepted the act establishing a continuation school, must maintain such a school as long as there are 200 or more employed minors between the ages of 14 and 16. If the number of employed minors falls below 200 for two consecutive years, the school committee may apply to the state department of education for permission to close the school, and it shall remain closed until 200 or more such minors in any year are employed. The following table shows the total number of different minors, 14 to 16, employed in Attleboro since 1920.
Year
Boys
Girls
Total
1920
261
270
531
1921
145
116
261
1922
163
124
287
1923
219
189
408
1924.
172
144
316
1925
151
144
295
1926
143
136
279
1927
132
117
249
1928
126
141
267
1929
147
124
271
1930.
121
115
236
1931
101
104
205
1932
68
83
151
1933
44
64
108
It is evident from these figures that the number of employed minors under 16 years of age for the last two years is much below the 200 required by law for maintaining the school, and if it is desired to close the school, I have no doubt the state department will give the necessary permission.
I shall be sorry to see the continuation school closed. I believe it is worth while to keep employed boys and girls of this age in touch with school activities. Under the N R A code few minors can be employed in industry. The most of our present registration are pupils who have not succeeded well in the regular school and have been allowed to leave school on Home Permits. They are supposed to be profitably employed at home, but I am afraid they have plenty of leisure time. Many of our court cases come from this group. To bring these boys and girls under school influence for only half a day a week is much better for the com- munity than to have them cut loose from school altogether. Like the pupils retarded mentally, these people need all the help we can give them. The cost of the school, with the state reimbursement of half the expense, is very small.
84
ANNUAL REPORT
ACHIEVEMENT TESTS
Since 1930 a definite testing program has been carried out in an attempt to keep the schools somewhat together in work accomplished and up to a certain standard. In October and May tests in the four upper grades are given in the most important subjects. The Public School Achievement Tests are used for this purpose. The results are tabulated by rooms and grades and each teacher receives a copy of the report for her grade. So far, the tabulated scores indicate that the schools are maintaining a satisfactory standard.
PUBLIC SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT TESTS
October, 1933
Reading
Grades
taking
Standard
Median for Attleboro
Equivalent grade for Attleboro
VIII B
50
53
8A
VII
B
45
49
7A
VI
B
41
45
7B
V
B
35
37
5B
Language
VIII B
61
64
SA
VII
B
55
59
7A
VI
B
50
55
7B
V
B
45
45
5B
Arithmetic Computation
VIII B
55
63
9A
VII
B
50
56
8B
VI
B
42
46
6A
V
B
30
31
5B
Spelling
VIII B
95
99
SA
VII
B
86
86
7B
VI
B
76
77
6B
V
B
66
62
4A
Grammar
VIII B
37
13
SA
VII B
28
27
6A
Arithmetic Reasoning
VIII B
32
33
SB
VII B
26
25
6A
tests
Median
VISUAL EDUCATION
For several years I have written a paragraph in my report on the importance of visual education and the steadily growing equipment for this purpose in the
85
ANNUAL REPORT
Attleboro schools. I believe we have as fine an equipment for teaching through the eye as can be found in the state outside of one or two large cities. The Trustees of the Richardson School Fund have been sponsors for the visual education program and have supplied the major part of the equipment.
Every school having a fourth grade or higher is now supplied with a daylight lantern for showing stereoscopic slides. There are about 1500 slides available in the superintendent's office for use in teaching geography, history, industries, literature and art.
Each large school is supplied with a 35mm. motion picture projector, and films are supplied on a regular schedule throughout the year, at a very small expense. The Chronciles of America Photoplays are being shown in the seventh and eighth grades for the eighth successive year. These are made possible through the Richardson School Fund.
We also have four 16mm. motion picture projectors for class room use. More films are now available in the narrow width and the cost of securing them is much less than for the wider films.
For teaching art appreciation we have a set of colored slides to be used in connection with the study of the artists studied in each grade.
The thanks of the pupils and parents should be given to the Trustees of the Richardson School Fund who have made it possible for Attleboro boys and girls to have the benefit of such a splendid equipment.
THE HIGH SCHOOL
For three years the High School has been badly overcrowded. The following figures show the growth for the last ten years:
Average Membership
1922-1923
577
1923-1924
621
1924-1925
646
1925-1926
676
1926-1927
697
1927-1928
706
1928-1929
679
1929-1930
665
1930-1931
693
1931-1932
823
1932-1933
920
In two years the membership increased 237 pupils, or 34%. Additional teachers were not employed to care for this increase but the size of the classes was made much larger. I think the limit of expansion in this direction has been reached. Present indications are that the school will register 975 pupils in September, 1934, and that the school will continue to have large numbers till business improves so that many of the pupils can find employment.
PENMANSHIP
We are using for the fifth year the plan of trying to have each pupil receive the award for his grade offered by the Palmer Company whose method we use. That we are succeeding is shown by the following summary of penmanship awards and the percentage of each grade that received awards.
86
ANNUAL REPORT
SUMMARY OF PENMANSHIP AWARDS 1932-1933
S. S.
Button
G. S.
Button
Palmer
Button
Merit
Button
Prog.
Pin
Imp.
Cert.
Stud.
Cert.
Cert.
Total
1931-1932
Total
High
Bank St.
Bliss .
68
41
40
68
61
44
65
51
438
451
Briggs Cor.
20
18
19
19
14
9
6
105
127
Capron . ..
27
27
22
76
89
Carpenter St ..
30
33
63
60
Dodgeville .
26
18
18
20
20
11
7
2
122
169
Farmers
21
15
20
12
15
14
6
1
104
132
Finberg
29
22
25
23
28
25
35
22
209
164
Lincoln
24
36
39
52
26
53
48
278
298
Plat .
15
16
8
13
4
56
44
Pleasant St.
26
22
22
70
91
Richardson. . .
32
33
74
87
77
88
58
69
518
598
Sanford St.
20
23
29
40
66
72
49
28
327
445
So. Attleboro
34
25
24
20
6
45
35
21
327
369
Washington
56
50
68
56
65
68
16
3
382
412
Totals
435
441
445
442
447
407
362
327
3306
1931-1932
467
470
528
590
511
437
456
307
3766
Per Cent of Pupils in Each Grade Receiving Awards
June enrol.
Pupils holding % of award for grade pupils
Grade-VIII
291
266
91%
VII.
358
273
76%
VI
411
350
85%
V.
413
367
91%
IV
425
399
94%
III
425
387
91%
II
440
432
98%
I.
459
410
89%
Total
3222
2884
90%
1
1
1
4
16
52
75
126
1
16
30
47
96
1932-1933
H. S.
109
95
Tiffany
31
74
39
44
38
Of 3222 pupils in the grades in June, 2884, or 90% had the award for the grade. I call this a fine record.
THE SCHOOL SAVINGS BANK
The statement of the School Savings Bank shows a decrease in deposits during the last two years. For nine years previous to 1932, the deposits averaged annually over $8000. In 1932, the deposits dropped to $5165.36. This year they were $3713.67 but perhaps this is a good showing considering the business conditions during the year.
87
ANNUAL REPORT
Statement December 31, 1933 Dr.
Balance on deposit January 1, 1933 including int. ($1,177.28) $ 3,734.24 Deposits in First National Bank from Jan. 1, 1933 to Dec. 31, 1933 3,713.67
Interest from November, 1932, to November, 1933. 109.37
Cr.
$ 7,557.28
Transferred to pupils' individual accounts, Jan. 1, 1933 to Jan. 1, 1934
$4,054.00
Withdrawn, 1933, from interest to cover expenses. 12.65
Balance on deposit Dec. 31, 1933, including int. ($1274.00) 3,490.63
$ 7,557.28
Total amount deposited since October, 1908.
$158,460.68
Number of individual accounts opened at First National Bank from October, 1908 to January, 1933 5822
January, 1933 to January, 1934 129
Total 5951
Number of pupils depositing in the school bank Jan. 1, 1934 (est.) . .
1500
Deposits Since the Establishment of the Bank in 1908:
Year
Deposits
1908-1-921 (inclusive).
$ 69,138.14
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
1931
8,026.85
1932
5,165.36
1933
3,713.67
$158,460.68
The past year has been a trying one. The size of the classes has been in- creased, (40% in the High School), the teachers' load has been made heavier, books and supplies have been cut to @minimum, (we are nearly back to the 1905 level), classes have been discontinued and subjects dropped, teachers have been released and grades combined, economies of all kinds have been effected where- ever possible, and yet at the same time we have tried to keep the schools up to standards of teaching established under more favorable conditions, to be happy and not grumble, in the face of personal and educational difficulties, to do our part, however humble, to help Attleboro and the country out of the mire of depression into which the nation has been plunged, to be of service and to see that no child suffered mental or physical deprivation if it could possibly be avoided. Our aims have been high and the results gratifying.
I do not feel however that standards can be maintained for an indefinite period under present conditions, and the time is rapidly approaching when the choice will have to be made between saving dollars on the tax rate and better education for Attleboro's boys and girls. I know the parents favor education and I hope the time is not far distant when the boys and girls will have the educational advantages that are rightly theirs.
Respectfully submitted, Lewis A. Fales.
SS
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
I herewith submit with pleasure my third annual report under the following headings and tables :
I. Congestion.
Our registration has fallen off slightly from the school year 1932, 1933. It is difficult to make comparisons, as our enrollment varies from day to day.
However, in September 1931 the average membership was 852.9; in Septem- ber 1932 it was 957.6; in September 1933 it was 927.2. Each September, we have had some "visitors," varying in number from 25 to 30 who enter the school, but who gradually leave during the first few weeks.
We are using practically every room in the building each period in the day. The freehand drawing room is not used on Friday, as Miss Crowell does not teach at the high school that day. We have had to use the stage as a study room, the same as last year.
The state requirement for a class A High School is now a maximum of thirty pupils per teacher. On September 21, 1933, our pupil teacher ratio was 29.3 and on November 1, 1933, it was 28.6. However 57% of our classes (88 out of 155) have over thirty pupils.
Large classes make it difficult for the teacher to give individual attention. This inflicts a greater hardship upon the dull pupil. The economic situation is realized however, and we are doing the best that we can. The per pupil cost at our school was $120.24 in 1929 when the registration was 679. In last year's report (1932) it was $99.96 with a registration of 823. The per pupil cost this year will probably drop to $86 or $87, less than 50c a day! (Imagine sending a pupil to a college or preparatory school at this charge.)
II. Scholarship.
Report cards go out every two months, to all pupils, and deficiency cards are given out on the alternate months. With the report cards has gone a Princi- pal's Bulletin, continuing the attempt to keep parents in close touch with the school. Bulletins last year and so far this year have taken up the following topics: importance of the first report card, the Hi-Y handbook, high school economies, taking books home, explanation of credits, reports of special studies made (see later in this report), athletics, music activities, class rings, senior class activities, selection of study cards, extra classroom activities, and how to study.
Studies of the school as a whole have been made from time to time. Each term it is known exactly just how many "A's", "B's", "C's", "D's" and "F's" were given in each subject and by each teacher.
One month when we had sixty-six cases of tardiness, it was estimated that while only five of the sixty-six were on the Honor Roll, there were twenty-seven on the Deficiency List thus showing a high relationship between tardiness and deficiencies. A letter explaining this was sent home to the parents of those tardy.
On the report card, a letter and a figure are given in each subject. The figure gives the attitude of the pupil according to the estimate of the teacher. 1, 2, 3, 4 are the figures used. "1" is best, "4" is poorest, while the great majority of pupils receive "2". There were forty-four cases where "4" was given. All of these pupils were personally interviewed, and a letter sent home to all parents in the effort to improve the student's attitude.
The same as last year a comparison was made between the freshmen and eighth grade at the end of the September-October term. The majority did approximately the same quality of work. Those who did better or worse were interviewed and a letter explaining the situation was sent to parents.
All of these studies have been made to understand the school better, and establish more contacts by which to be of service.
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ANNUAL REPORT
This year we have introduced Spelling for all pupils. It takes comparatively little time, and does not require a great amount of study. It is too early to make a positive conclusion, but my opinion is that we have made pupils and teachers "spelling conscious."
Penmanship is now permitted only to those Grade VIII graduates who have already received the Student's Certificate.
Shop Mathematics has been introduced in the first year of the Manual Arts Curriculum to those boys who take Mechanical Drawing and Manual Training- a form of mathematics more helpful to their needs than Algebra or Commercial Arithmetic. Typewriting I has been made a half-year subject in order to take care of the large number electing it.
The lighting in the mechanical drawing room has been very much improved by the installation of new lights.
Miss McCormick feels that we could strengthen the Home Economics De- partment by making Household Management and Dressmaking, year subjects instead of half-year subjects as they now are. If this can be done at no additional expense, it would be in order.
III. Extra Classroom Activities
The Hi-Y Club has again put out the Hi-Y Hand Book. It is practically the same as last year.
Athletics continue satisfactorily. Coach Grayson has the football, basket- ball and baseball. Miss Farr coaches the girls in basketball. Coach Cooney has track. Our attitude is the same as that of Professor Marvel of Brown University, who says, "Good sportsmanship first and always. Win if we can."
We continue to have separate assemblies. The three upper classes meet on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, while the Freshmen meet on Wednesday and Friday. Assemblies offer wonderful opportunities to develop morale and good citizenship.
Last year, the Seniors on February 15, 1933, produced the drama "Three Live Ghosts." This was coached by Miss Smith, the Librarian. Later, May 12, the Seniors had the Tufts College Glee Club Concert.
Mr. Gibb will write of our music activities. Our orchestra has done wonder- fully well on several occasions-for example, a cup from Arlington. Our band is gradually developing into a very creditable organization. This year it marched at the North game and made a very good showing. Captain Charles T. Cross- man is helping with the marching evolutions.
The orchestra and glee club gave a Charity Concert May 3, 1933, under the auspices of the Chaminade Club.
IV. Graduates
A record class of 169 graduated in 1933. There were 85 boys and 84 girls.
In checking up (Nov. 27), we find that three (3) are at State Teachers College; twenty, (20) at Colleges; seven (7), at Business College; six (6), at Hospi- tal Training School; six (6), at Special Schools; seventy-seven (77), working; thirty-four (34), are at home and sixteen (16) are Postgraduates.
The school continues on the approved list for the New England College Certificate Board, Worcester Polytechnic Institute and it is also in Class A for State Teachers Colleges.
The library is used more than ever. Pupils are not allowed to use the library as a study room; it is for reference work only. Miss Smith states that 25,800 pupils visited the library during the year 1932-1933, an increase of 2400 over the previous year, and 5000 over the year before that. She has given regular instruction to the Freshman English classes in the laboratory work of the library. This increase in the use of the library has been accompanied by the librarian teaching two classes a day (formerly she was in the library all of the time). The lack of many new books, because of small funds, has been overcome somewhat by
90
ANNUAL REPORT
the generosity of the Joseph L. Sweet Memorial Library loaning reference material to us.
Postgraduates were not admitted until the second Monday after school started in September. This gave opportunity to determine actual registration in September, and to know the size of classes. Then postgraduates were allowed to enter those classes not overcrowded. They are expected to be regular in attendance, perfect in behavior, and well up in their studies. There were four- teen admitted in September, two in October and one in November. Of these seventeen, three have left (December 8) leaving fourteen.
V. Esprit de Corps
We have an excellent spirit in our school, among both pupils and teachers. We contributed $208.77 to the Community Chest this fall (1933); $35.27 by pupils, and $173.50 by the rest of us. This last amount, I feel certain, will compare favorably with that of any other group in the city.
TABLES Total Enrollment for Three Months Ending November 27, 1933
Boys
Girls
Total
P. G ..
8
8
16
1934
54
82
136
1935
103
130
233
1936
122
137
259
1937
137
138
275
Total
424
495
919
Note: We require 15 credits to be a Sophomore, 40 credits to be a Junior, sixty credits to be a Senior, and 80 credits to graduate. This means that a pupil may have 5 credits less than his class and yet catch up. Therefore, each of the above classes except the Freshman, may be considered somewhat larger. For example, the Junior class (1935) in the above, contains some 25 pupils who will doubtless graduate, so that next year's graduating class, 1934, will be probably nearer 165 than 136 as above indicated.
Distribution of Pupils by Subjects October 27, 1933
Class
No. Div
Total
English IV
5
169
English III
8
248
English II.
8
229
English I.
8
266
French III
2
45
French II .
5
132
French I
4
130
German III
1
20
German II.
2
46
German I
4
115
Chemistry
5
138
Physics .
1
24
El. Physics
3
77
Biol. Science
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