USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1934 > Part 8
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 | Part 21
1X. Conclusion.
I invite a study of the tables at the end of this report. Improvement in the times is shown in our contribution to the Community Chest this year. Last year our teachers contributed $173.50; this year the amount was $198. This improvement is an indication of better times and a better feeling throughout.
TABLES
Distribution of Pupils by Subjects October 26, 1934
No.
Class
Div.
Total
English IV
7
193
English III.
7
205
English II
7
238
English I.
. 9
291
French III
2
55
French II
.3
84
French I
6
171
German III
1
26
German II
2
58
German I
.3
96
Chemistry
5
150
Physics
1
31
El. Physics
2
81
Biol. Science
5
175
El. Science
6
211
Latin IV
1
17
Latin III
2
47
Latin II.
2
55
Latin I.
.3
77
U. S. History
7
201
Mod. History
4
120
Anc. History
3
111
Civics
5
192
Sol. Geometry
1
20
100
ANNUAL REPORT
Int. Algebra
3
80
Pl. Geometry
3
80
El. Algebra.
4
118
Penmanship
1
26
Spelling
1
34
Arithmetic .
5
172
Typewriting III
2
64
Typewriting II.
3
82
Typewriting I, 1-2 yr.
2
33
Stenography II
1
33
Stenography I
2
68
Geography
4
138
Bookkeeping II
2
52
Bookkeeping I.
5
127
Economics, 1-2 yr.
2
57
Commercial Law, 1-2 yr.
1
24
F. H. Drawing.
116
Mechanical Drawing
93
Manual Training.
102
Shop Mathematics
1
36
Nutrition II.
1
26
Nutrition I.
3
51
Household Mgmt., 1-2 yr.
2
43
Report on Activities of A. H. S. Class of 1934, Made November 23, 1934
No. Graduates
State Teachers
College
College
Bus. School
Hosp. Training
Special Schools
Working
Home
5 P. G.
- Deceased
Graduates of Past Nine Years
Year
Number
Graduates
Attending State
Teach. College
Attending
College
Attending
Business School
Training in
Hospital
Attending
Special School
1934
161
2
16
10
10
5
1933.
169
3
20
7
6
6
1932.
122
5
13
11
15
5
1931
114
4
24
5
13
12
1930
123
2
17
15
12
10
1929
129
4
33
9
1928.
135
3
31
4
6
1927
122
18
34
6
5
1926.
101
12
24
10
Respectfully submitted,
Alfred R. Mack.
161
2
16
5
65
42
101
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF VOCATIONAL SCHOOL
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
I submit the following report on the Attleboro Vocational School. This school was opened in September at the Bank Street School building. It is under the joint management of the city and state and is equally supported by them. The scope of its work is to give training to those boys and girls over 14 years of age who have not the adaptability for academic advancement.
Out of a total enrollment to date of 48 boys and 48 girls, there are enrolled as members at the present time 35 boys and 38 girls. They attend full time with the exception of a few cases where there is real need of help at home or where they are employed part time as mothers' helpers or as farm workers. The classes occupy five rooms-two academic rooms, a sewing room, a kitchen, and a shop. These rooms are all well equipped with books, supplies, tools and machinery for doing good work. There are four full time teachers, specially trained for the leadership of vocational pupils. With this personnel and equipment, it is our purpose so to conduct the school that we may contribute to the making of the citizen as well as the worker. It is our belief that a vocational education built on the concrete work of the shop and extended into related academic subjects can become an exceedingly effective means of educating several types of boys and girls, and especially those least capable of abstract thinking.
To put these plans and ideas into effect a course of activities has been ar- ranged for the home economics class, the shop class for boys and the academic classes. These divisions, however, are so closely correlated that the result is a well balanced and comprehensive program. We realize the importance of fitting instruction to the individual and that there is much to be done in this direction. One of our special problems is the working out of a procedure by which we can approach effective individual instruction.
Although this school has been established only since September, yet decided progress has been made in meeting our objectives. The girls are given thorough instruction in cooking and sewing, and in addition are taught home management, the art of entertainment in the home, sanitation, home nursing, home furnishing, and the cost and selection of clothing. Besides their training in cooking and sewing the girls have had quite an experience in canning. The materials were brought from home and the girls canned quantities of fruit and vegetables. During the latter part of October they had an exhibit of their canning in one of the store windows. The exhibit received many favorable comments. Special emphasis is placed upon English, general science, household arithmetic, com- munity civics and health. Often the facts learned in the science class become the basis for the lesson in cooking, while the sewing project furnishes material for academic subjects. In order to counteract the attractiveness of the cheap, sordid magazines and writings so easily available to the young people of today, library books and the higher type of magazines are used in the literature periods, while once a week a group of girls visits the library for special work.
Among the major jobs that have been constructed in the shop for boys are as follows: incinerators, stepladders, bicycle carriers, table lamps, smoking stands, and metal necktie holders. The boys have reset all the broken glass in Bank Street School windows and in many windows brought in from home. They have painted screens, overhauled and painted a motorcycle and reseated chairs. We feel that such activities as these together with their instruction in citizenship, vocational guidance, personal hygiene, English and arithmetic will do much for the boys who have not found themselves in the regular schools.
One important phase of the vocational school is the home visitations by the teachers. By this means, cordial and sympathetic relations between the home and the school are brought about. It is on such occasions that the individual pupil's home problems are discovered and plans formed for changing the con- ditions.
With the above procedure we are hopeful that the vocational school boys and girls shall not only become efficient producers and home-makers, but young persons who are alive to the opportunities, joys and beauty of the world about them.
Respectfully submitted,
Milton P. Dutton.
102
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
Singing in the grade schools is very satisfactory and an increased interest has been shown throughout the entire city.
In Lincoln, Tiffany and Finberg Schools operettas have been successfully performed before large audiences. The operetta at Lincoln School was the best of many which they have given. Their Christmas Pageant with the fine singing of the Christmas carols is a source of great satisfaction and has done much to develop the love of music in that school.
The Tiffany School operetta was given in the High School hall and the excellent singing of the children was a feature of the performance.
The Finberg School pupils with their fine equipment presented an operetta in their own school hall and it was a good illustration of the cooperation of teachers, pupils and parents.
All our teachers have cooperated with me in every way to develop a love of singing which is the foundation of the music work in the public schools. Special mention should be made of the good music work of Mrs. Helen Storin, Miss Mary Whalen, Miss Grace Ward, Miss Mildred Crandall and Miss Ruth Hirons.
Grade School Orchestras
In the past years we have found no difficulty in finding enough players to have an orchestra in every large grammar school building, but this year there has been a great decrease in the number of pupils playing orchestra or band instruments. A survey of the entire school department shows that only about a dozen pupils are playing instruments other than the piano. This does not seem to be due to lack of interest in music but in all probability we are just beginning to feel in our schools the result of the present economic condition.
High School Singing
The singing class is composed of 250 pupils. The aim of this class is the development of four-part singing and the result is very satisfactory. We have experimented this year with music slides projected on a screen. The confusion and waste of time is thus eliminated, but the musical results are yet to be proved. These slides are also used in the assembly singing to much better advantage where there is no study of part music involved.
Glee Club
The Glee Club has almost doubled its membership this year. The radical change which was made when the Glee Club decided to give an operetta instead of the regular concert of music may have given the added zest which interested more pupils in this department of our High School music. As a matter of record I think the names of those in the cast of this, our first operetta, should be in- corporated in this report.
103
ANNUAL REPORT
"The Belle of Barcelona," a musical comedy by Charles Ross Chaney.
The Cast
Barbara Fischer, George Pettitt, Donald Phillips, Ruth Myrtle Johnston, Hubert Hennessey, Ethel Perry, William Cooney, George Gibb, Alice Jette, Edmund Reeves, Angelo Fratoni, Bernice Davis, Gertrude Jette, Gilbert Caswell and Richard Glencross.
Accompanists: Ruth Manter and Dorothy Rogers A. H. S. Orchestra, Sheldon Rotenberg, Concertmaster
Teachers assisting: Miss Caroline Churchill, Miss Helen A. McCormick, Mr. Cuthbert Tunstall and Mr. Julius H. Mueller, Jr.
The operetta was a success financially and artistically and was evidently very much enjoyed by the large audience present.
The orchestra this year is composed of only 32 players and of these only four are taking lessons. This unusual condition makes it impossible for the orchestra to make much progress or retain its high standing of the past years. The orchestra continues to play at all assemblies, played at the school play and is available for all school or city functions requiring music.
With the small amount of money that has been realized from concerts and the operetta as well as very welcome gifts from the Chaminade Club and in- terested friends, we have endeavored to keep the instruments which we own in good repair, purchased music for the orchestra, Glee Club, and the band. We have also paid for most of the music slides used in the assembly singing.
The Band
The Athletic Association has shown its interest in the band by securing good uniforms of blue and white, the school colors, and has encouraged it in every way it could. However, this year we did not have enough players of wind in- struments in our orchestra to make a good band and of those who did play, very few, if any, were taking lessons from a teacher of their instrument. I would like to see the band become a major project, with a bandmaster who can teach the wood wind, drums, and brass instruments. I would like to see the school department arrange a schedule that would include a band period in school hours and purchase a few of the larger instruments, which with those loaned to us by Mr. Finberg would give us sufficient instruments for a band. Under the present condition, in order to hold a band practice, either the orchestra or singing period or both have to be sacrificed to create the necessary amount of time.
Recommendations
I recommend that Attleboro follow the practice of many other cities in providing certain instruments, a fund toward the employment of teachers, and the time during school hours for the interested pupils in the grammar school to take lessons. It would be my idea that there should be a regular class period given over to ensemble instruction presided over by a teacher of the particular instrument being taught in that class. The teacher of each instrument should be paid by levying a small weekly or monthly fee on the pupil, and the city to pay the balance. In this way not only would good players be developed for future work in the High School orchestra and band but a source of great enjoyment would be provided for the pupils.
There should be no curtailment in the field of music since a greatly in- creased leisure is one of the most certain outcomes of the economic condition which occasions the depression. Work with music gives the pupil a richer and happier living in providing a fruitful use of free time before and after school days have passed.
Respectfully submitted, John Laing Gibb.
104
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
The general plan of our work changes little from year to year, for fortunately the fundamental principles of art remain the same. All the time we are trying to have work mean more to the child, and be such that it forms right habits and develops the child. Our test of problems is the interest aroused and thought stimulated.
In the lower grades we are laying more emphasis upon free expression, but free expression combined with help when it is needed. For this work we are using larger brushes, powdered paint, large papers and broad crayons.
Clay may be used whenever a teacher wishes the children to work in that medium.
Free expression is not so successful in the upper grades, and yet after study in perspective some children express themselves very well.
We encourage creative work through design. Just now children are apply- ing designs they have made to Christmas gifts, and the results are very satisfactory Not only the results are satisfactory, but the children are enthusiastic and anxious to have the work look well.
Block printing is very popular in two eighth grades and high school. This medium lends itself to strong design and eliminates very fine details. Some of the high school students show a feeling for good craftsmanship.
In the eighth grade we are emphasizing color. Color has been studied all through the grades but now we are trying to get a better knowledge of it. Our objective is color appreciation. We see color in almost everything we look at. We use it. It should be enjoyed and appreciated.
A course in costume design has been added to the high school work. The general aim of the course is appreciation and correct use of costume. So far the work has been illustrated talks on art principles applied to dress, and note book work. Time will tell how elaborate the course will become.
Art knowledge which we are trying to give is only a tool to stimulate art appreciation, and give the children a background for the activities of life.
Respectively submitted,
Persis A. Crowell.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
Ideas concerning physical education have been changing rapidly. The old notion that a child needed constant discipline to mold his character has given place to the theory that perhaps it is better to give him directed freedom subject to the social and moral laws which govern mankind as a whole. Within this freedom the individuality of the child may expand and develop along lines which make him a more contented, useful and interesting personality.
Physical education was once, and unfortunately still is in some places, simply an adaption of classroom discipline to the playground. Moreover it was a futile discipline. Artificial, formal systems of movements done to a still count had little, if any, educational value. The assumption that these systems re-
105
ANNUAL REPORT
sulted in actual transfer of training in accuracy, alertness, and inhibition, no longer obtains. They offered no opportunity for exercising judgment, ini- tiative, self-control, or any of the qualities so necessary to the successful life of today.
Modern society has recognized the error of this attitude towards physical education and is changing its ideas on the subject. It has realized that play is natural. It is the spontaneous physical expression of one's personality. Edu- cators have come to believe that a child in his life processes is a play-built animal; that it is natural for him to run and jump, hang and climb; and that it is essential for him to use these fundamentals, big-muscle movements for character training. Indeed, play is nature's way of educating the child.
The aim of modern physical education, then, is more than mere physiological development. It has gone further; it now includes mental stimulation and character training, the former manifesting itself in cultivation of such habits as keenness of perception, directness of thought, and correctness of judgment; the latter prompting such attitudes as modesty in the winner, resolve in the loser, self-control in the strong and courage in the timid. Its high purpose, therefore, is to educate the individual to function harmoniously in all aspects of bis being.
Our program calling for "Play under Supervision" has worked out most satisfactorily. Teachers have been very faithful. The children love it. The time allotment is sufficient. Principals have cooperated with me in splendid fashion. I feel safe in stating that our play periods are on a par with any City School system in the state.
During the winter months when outdoor work is impossible and indoor work becomes necessary, activities such as stunts, marching, tumbling, rhythms, singing games, simple dancing, posture exercises, and many others too numerous to mention, have furnished a very satisfactory program. My main problem is at the Bank Street School. The play space is practically negligible. Large groups of pupils in each room make indoor work difficult. I have tried to solve this problem with an excellent after-school athletic program for both boys and girls, and a short relief drill period daily in the rooms. Some recess activities are to be added this year. Mr. Dutton and his teachers have cooperated splendid- ly with me, under very trying conditions. A gymnasium would solve the problem very nicely at this school.
Regarding the health day programs, I feel that they should be held early in May. Coming as they do along about May seventeenth they are too near Memorial Day. I would suggest May first for our next effort.
May I say again that I feel deeply grateful to the teaching force of the school system for their wonderful cooperation, and to the Superintendent for kindly counsel and interest.
After School Athletic Program Statistics
Soccer Football-Grammar school series of five teams. 132 boys taking part. Schedule of six inter-school games played.
Eighth Grade Fall Baseball. Four teams. Six games played.
Touch Football. Fifty eighth grade boys er joyed several pick-up games. Basketball. Five eighth grade boys' teams from Lincoln, Eliss and Bank.
About eighty boys received coaching and played a schedule of thirty games.
In the fifth, sixth and seventh grades over two hundred and fifty boys played a preliminary schedule starting in September, after which school teams were selected. Then a league of six teams played a fifteen game inter-school schedule, with seventy-two boys participating.
108
ANNUAL REPORT
The Bank and Bliss eighth grade girls held eight practice sessions, starting in March, and over two hundred and forty girls attended.
At the Lincoln School both boys and girls had basketball classes in their own gymnasium, under supervision of Mr. Weymouth and his teachers.
No attempt has been made for the past three years to give the sixth and seventh grade girls' basketball competition, as it is not advised by the State Department of Physical Education.
The annual city-wide junior boys' basketball tournament was held in March. Sponsored by the Public School Department of Physical Education, sixteen teams took part with one hundred and twelve boys competing. This was the most successful tournament yet attempted.
Swimming. Over two hundred boys were assigned to classes during the "Learn to Swim" campaign at the Y. M. C. A. in February. The writer assisted Mr. Manning of the Massachusetts Humane Society in the handling of the groups.
Tennis. At the Bank Street School a girls' tournament was held with twenty-four girls playing.
Baseball. Eighth grade boys. Five teams. Eighty boys. Schedule of twenty-eight games played.
Grammar School Baseball League. Six teams. Eighty boys. Over two hundred and seventy-five boys played preliminary schedule while teams were being selected. Briggs Corner, Dodgeville and Farmers Schools played a four- game series which ended in a three-cornered tie.
Grammar School Track. Two meets were held. The annual eighth grade meet with fifty entries, and the Grammar School meet with over two hundred entries. A shield given four years ago by the L. G. Balfour Company was retired this season.
High School Track. Preliminary work was started early in February with a weekly workout at the Y. M. C. A. Starting in April the squad worked out three afternoons a week at Capron Park. About sixty-five boys tried out and all were retained throughout the entire season. Five dual meets were scheduled, the team winning four of them, losing only to Norwood High School. The team loses all but two veterans for the start of the coming season. The demands made upon me by the track team take up a lot of time that might well be given to the grade school work. I am finding it increasingly difficult to handle the work, and it is only through hustling around and doubling up that I am able to coach the team.
Taking the entire after-school program as a whole, this has kept me busy during the whole year until well into the early evening. It is a difficult schedule for one man to handle after his regular day's program in the schools.
Championship shields were awarded to the following schools:
Soccer Football. Finberg School
Eighth Grade Basketball. Bank Street School
Grammar School League Basketball.
Finberg School
Eighth Grade Baseball
Bliss School
Grammar School League Baseball
Finberg School
Suburban School Baseball Series Tie between Farmers, Dodgeville and Briggs Corner Schools
Eighth Grade Track Meet .. Bank Street School
Grammar School Track Meet
Finberg School
107
ANNUAL REPORT
The playroom at Bliss School has worked out most satisfactorily. One is planned for the South Attleboro City School in the near future. The games placed in the Richardson fresh air room for use by the pupils who stay during the noon hour have also proved very popular.
I have assisted with the Red Cross First-Aid classes at the Sanford Street School, and have also given Red Cross Life-Saving instructions to a large number of school pupils.
During the year I have completed courses at Boston University and North- eastern University in Boston. I have attended all the conferences on physical education held in this district. At the Playground and Recreation Association conference held at Springfield, Massachusetts, I was selected as chairman of the round table discussion period on the maintenance and supervision of tennis courts and swimming pools.
To all who have assisted me in any way in the conduct of my program I am exceedingly grateful.
Recommendations
Again I wish to emphasize the need of protective fences at the Lincoln, Farmers, Pleasant Street, Capron, Carpenter Street and Briggs Corner Schools.
The gymnasium at Lincoln School should have a board floor.
I would very much like to see Physical Education receive a mark on the report cards.
Respectfully submitted, J. Ray Cooney.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
I submit, herewith, my annual report as School Physician for the year 1934.
With the passing of another year of post war depression we are better able to estimate the immediate effects on the health of our younger generation. Ad- verse financial conditions have reflected themselves in poorer nutrition, increase in dental defects and also remediable physical conditons. This situation ac- centuates the value of the numerous health agencies, both local and state, of whom the school child is the beneficiary.
Among the sources of health betterment may be mentioned the following.
1. The annual physical examination. A review of the physical defects found show an increasingly poor condition of the children's teeth. Without proper facilities for adequate care this presents a difficult problem. An increase in poor nutrition was another outstanding notation.
2. The Sturdy Memorial Hospital Clinic for the removal of diseased tonsils and adenoids was an aid in the correction of these defects. Twenty-four cases were referred to this clinic for operation. Many of these children attending the summer health camps also received attention. Other children were sent to the clinic by various local agencies.
3. The Diphtheria Prevention Clinic was operated at the outlying schools at which both the pre-school and school children in the lower grades were im-
108
ANNUAL REPORT
munized. Fifty pupils were given treatment. These clinics were carried out under the supervision of the local Health Department with the School Medical Service cooperating.
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.