USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1934 > Part 9
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4. Eight cases were referred by the school physician to the Mental Clinic held at the Sturdy Memorial Hospital under supervision of Dr. Ralph Chambers of the Taunton State Hospital. These cases were classified at this clinic and results were of assistance to the teachers in properly adjusting these children to a suitable educational standard.
5. Vaccination Clinics were conducted at the several schools at which thirty-seven children were vaccinated.
6. The clinic for retarded children was repeated this year under direction of Dr. Patterson of the Wientham State School.
7. At the Chadwick Clinic, 193 children were examined and X-rayed. The findings of these clinics were discussed both with the parents and with their family physicians in order that there might be more careful supervision of those children needing it.
8. Other Clinics. Cases were referred to the local Health Department Clinics and to special clinics to outside hospitals. Many cases were referred to Dr. A. C. Conro of this city for special examination and recommendation.
9. Twenty girls were chosen for the Health Camp operated by the Bristol County Tuberculosis Association at Briggs Corner. The Lions Health Camp took care of 50 under-nourished boys.
10. Other local agencies and individuals were of assistance in caring for those children having need for special assistance. Among those may be mentioned the District Nursing Association, the Family Welfare Association, the Welfare Department and local physicians and dentists.
Health Census
A health survey was made by several nurses as a C. W. A. health project. As a result of this canvas 3413 children were checked regarding the incidence of contagious diseases as well as the correction of physical defects. It was the first time that a follow-up on these conditions has been properly made, and much valuable information was received. The health records of each pupil are now brought up to date.
Dental Survey
A dental survey was made by local dentists as a project of the U. S. Public Health Service. A 10% cross section of grades I-VIII inclusive was used in estimating the need of dental care. This study involved 430 pupils. The results clearly demonstrated the lack of proper dental care and the necessity for the establishment of a dental clinic. About 64% needed attention, 84% had never been to a dentist and 4% had abscessed teeth.
Communicable Diseases
Among the communicable diseases most prevalent throughout the year were measles and whooping cough. These appeared in epidemic proportions and were very difficult to control. This was especially true regarding the latter disease, as it was atypical in type and difficult to diagnose.
Other diseases reported were chicken pox, mumps, scarlet fever, diphtheria and sleeping sickness. The fact that we had only one case of diphtheria demon- strates the value of the Diphtheria Prevention Clinic.
109
ANNUAL REPORT
Health Day
The Annual Health Day was held on May 18, 1934, with similar programs to those of former years. It is the purpose of this observance to encourage the child to practice better health habits. Programs at the several schools vary according to those most adaptable to their individual group.
Nutrition
It is clearly evident that education regarding proper food, health habits, etc., will not be sufficient to better the poor nutrition seen in some of our school children. The lunches that are served in the schools are merely supplementary to that food which should be had at home. Some schools are serving milk at mid-morning lunch periods. In other schools more extensive lunches may be had during the noon hour for those children not going home during this time.
A detailed report follows:
110
January .
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September . .
October
November . .
December
Totals.
School Visits.
20
12
18
12
23
15
21
17
16
15
169
Special Examinations
16
24
80
30
36
56
242
Physical Examinations
1020
354
80
413
440
468
643
3418
Office Visits.
85
68
93
83
94
53
34
28
41
34
613
Examination for Athletics
64
10
53
15
142
Vaccinations
3
1
1
3
20
22
52
First Aid. .
7,
1
1
4
Working Certificates
1
3
3
4
1
3
15
Home Calls.
1
1
2
Referred to Massachusetts General Hospital
1
Referred to Mental Clinic .
1
Examinations for S. P. C. C. T. A. T. Immunization.
2
60
Examinations for Camp.
24
Referred to Sturdy Memorial Hospital for Tonsilectomy. 26
Respectfully submitted,
Jesse W. Battershall, M. D.
ANNUAL REPORT
111
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
I herewith submit my report as School Nurse, for the year ending December 1, 1934.
Clinics
1. The Diphtheria Prevention Clinic was held in November, under the super- vision of the Board of Health, the School Medical Service assisting. As most of the school children have been immunized at previous clinics, only 60 out of the 100 who were immunized at this time were school children. The rest were babies and pre-school children.
2. The Mental Clinic under the supervision of the Wrentham State School operated by Dr. Patterson and her assistant, visited us in January and March. 191 children either three years or more retarded, or listed as special cases were examined and classified as follows:
64 new histories 99 re-examinations 28 special examinations
These special examinations are for the problem child-the child who is so maladjusted that his influence is felt by the normal children in his room as well as by his teacher. The report of these exams enable the teacher to understand better the child's problems and to guide him more understandingly and in- telligently.
3. The Attleboro Mental Clinic, under the supervision of Dr. Ralph Cham- bers, of the Taunton State Hospital, was used to good advantage this year. Eight children who were more or less a problem to their parents and teachers were examined and treatment prescribed. Several of these children were examined by the Wrentham Clinic later in the year.
4. The Chadwick Clinic.
In March, the personnel of the Chadwick Clinic came to us from the State House in Boston. This consisted of doctors, nutritionists and X-Ray technicians. 193 children were re-examined. The following is the report of the examination:
Children examined. 193
Children improved. 189
Children unimproved 4
Children X-Rayed .. 170
Children recommended for Sanitorium treatment. 1
Children recommended for Summer camp. 7
Children discharged from Clinic 6 New Cases . 6
The children are weighed and measured every three months throughout the year, and the record with the X-Ray report is used to assist the doctors in their diagnosis.
5. The Tonsil and Adenoid Clinic. Twenty-four children had their tonsils and adenoids removed at the Sturdy Hospital in June. These were recommended by their family doctor, the Chadwick Clinic or the school doctor in preparation for Health Camp. Nine were financed by their families, 6 by the Public Welfare and 9 were free cases.
112
ANNUAL REPORT
6. The Vaccination Clinic was held in June at the Dodgeville, Finberg and Washington Schools. Twenty-six pre-school children were vaccinated free. During the year 11 new pupils were vaccinated.
7. The Ear and Eye Infirmary in Boston examined and treated 4 children referred by the school physician and Chadwick Clinic.
8. The Nerve Clinic at the Massachusetts General Hospital took care of 1 High School boy, referred by Dr. Battershall.
Communicable Diseases
Chicken Pox
21 cases reported to the Board of Health, from October, 1933 to June, 1934.
Diphtheria
Only 1 diphtheria case was reported.
Measles
From January until June, 141 children in school had measles. Fortunately it was of a mild type without serious complications.
Mumps
Very few cases of mumps were reported although we are sure of 7.
Sleeping Sickness
In October one case was reported of an eighth grade pupil.
Scarlet Fever
Seven cases of scarlet fever were reported from December to June.
Whooping Cough
96 cases of whooping cough were reported during the school year. It was a problem for the physicians to establish a diagnosis on many more cases of severe coughing, because the children had no other sign or symptom of the disease.
Thus, so far as they were affected by children's diseases, the attendance of the younger children was pretty irregular.
Surveys
1. The U. S. Public Health Service conducted a dental survey in April, of a 10% cross section of our school children, Grade I-VIII, inclusive. This meant that 430 children were examined by seven local dentists. Special forms and charts were used and the following appalling results were found:
a. 63% of the children were in need of dental treatment.
b. 84% (or 364) had never been to a dentist; the other 16% had had one or more types of treatment such as extractions, fillings or prophylaxis.
113
ANNUAL REPORT
c. 4% of the children had abscessed teeth. One specific case, a girl had 9 abscessed teeth in her mouth, yet unless her parents were receiving aid from some public or private agency, this girl could not have the proper dental care. We have all recognized the great need for a dental clinic here, but it takes these individual cases to make us almost demand that something be done immediately to relieve these children not only from their present suffering, but to safeguard their future health. Every lay person through reading of articles on Health Education knows the value of proper dental care early. Yet many of these same people still feel the expense of the Dental Clinic unnecessary.
2. The C. W. A. Project for Nurses. Employed to make a Health Survey, these nurses obtained a history of 3413 school children by a very complete house to house canvas, from March 19th to April 23, 1934. Much valuable and prac- tical information was gathered for our files, which are constantly in use.
Physical Examinations and Correction of Defects
Physical examinations were completed in March. 3148 or 95% of the children, Grades I-VIII, inclusive were examined by Dr. Jesse Battershall, School Physician.
1353 or 42% had Dental Defects 808 or 24% had Poor Nutrition 182 or 5% had Diseased Tonsils 13 or 4-10% had Heart Murmur
An increase from 39% to 42% in dental defects was noted.
Notices are sent home to the parents following these examinations and al- though they are anxious to correct these defects, are able to do but little about it.
Through the hospital and Dr. Conro's kindness, nose, throat, ear and eye defects have been corrected.
Home Calls
187 home calls were made during the year to contact the home and the school or some welfare agency whereby the correction of defects might be ac- complished. Histories for clinics and camp were also taken at this time.
Relief Work
One of the most noted improvements made during this depression is that of organized relief. Families know now to whom they may apply for permanent or temporary assistance, therefore doing away with the duplication we first ex- perienced. However, there are still families who need a little assistance of clothing. 643 pieces of clothing were given out through my office. These were all donated to me through the kindness of school children and their parents.
Health Day
Health Day was celebrated on May 18, 1934. Splendid outdoor programs were presented to interested parents and guests in most of the schools. The other schools having auditoriums gave Health Plays and had Health movies. Health Tags were awarded for those who were. 100% physically fit; those who had all dental work completed; and for those who had improved in any of their Health Habits. Altogether, it was a most successful culmination of their Health Work for the year.
114
ANNUAL REPORT
HEALTH CAMPS
Bristol County Health Camp. The requirements for entering Health Camp were changed this year. Girls who were recommended by the Chadwick Clinic, the local clinic, Hilium cases, children who had had contact with tuber- culosis or suspicious cases of Hilium were the ones to be admitted for their four weeks at camp. Ten girls were there in July and ten in August. Everyone showed a substantial gain.
Nutrition
Mid-morning milk and graham cracker lunches are served in most of the schools. Lunchrooms in several schools where children are compelled to spend their noon hour serve soup, cocoa, fruit and some simple desert to supplement the lunch brought from home.
Classes
Classes in Infant Hygiene were held at the Continuation School. The theory and practice of caring for babies from birth are taught. The girls of this age group find this information both helpful and interesting.
Positive Health is stressed in all the classrooms. Although the teachers do all the Health Teaching, health talks on special subjects are given daily, along with the routine health inspection.
Professional Improvement
1. Monthly meetings of the Bristol County-Norfolk County Club of Public Health Nurses were attended.
2. Three conferences of the Massachusetts Organization of Public Health Nurses in Boston and Plymouth were attended.
3. A Series of Three Lectures at the Beth Israel Hospital on the mal- nourished child proved most helpful.
Various other lectures on Health Subjects were attended.
Weekly meetings of the Public Health workers in Attleboro were held. Round table discussion aid in clearing up many of our perplexing problems.
The summary of the year's work in detail follows:
School
Visits
School
Visits
Bank Street .
27
High
19
Bliss . .
38
Lincoln
29
Briggs Corner
23
Plat
31
Capron .
27
Pleasant Street
28
Carpenter Street
29
Richardson . .
32
Continuation
26
Sanford Street .
36
Dodgeville
33
South Attleboro
29
Farmers
31
Tiffany
36
Finberg
28
Washington
31
262
271
Total .533
115
ANNUAL REPORT
Total number of visits made to schools
533
Total number of visits made to homes . 187
Total number of cases referred to S. P. C. C. 3
Total number of cases referred to Public Welfare. 26
Total number of cases referred to Family Welfare. 30
8 Total number vaccinated. .
191
Total number immunized (T. A. T. innoculation)
60
Total number of Tonsil and Adenoid operations.
24
Total number given eye examination by Dr. Conro.
36
Total number for whom glasses were obtained . 36
Children prepared for Bristol County Health Camp. 22
Total number of children referred to Mass. General Hospital (Nerve Clinic) . 1
Total number of children referred to Ear and Eye Infirmary 4
Total number X-Rayed and examined at Chadwick Clinic. 193
In closing, I wish to thank the superintendent and the school physician for their kindness and assistance, Dr. Conro, the Family Welfare, Public Welfare, District Nurses, Garment Guild, Red Cross, Sturdy Hospital, principals and teachers and those in the Superintendent's office, who have helped me in the fulfillment of my many duties.
Respectfully submitted,
Dorothy B. Wendell, R. N. School Nurse.
REPORT OF THE ATTENDANCE OFFICER
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
I hereby submit my report of cases investigated for non-attendance for the year.
Absent on account of clothing
16
Absent on account of sickness.
12
Absent to work . 7
Detained by parents for other causes 23
Referred to Charity Department.
2
Moved from city
6
Left school. 4
Taken to court 7
Truants .
4
Not attending city schools.
7
Attending schools out of town . 4
Negligence . 13
Disciplinary cases 16
121
Forty-nine of the above cases investigated were for the Continuation School.
One boy was committed to the Middlesex Training School as a habitual truant. Some members of the School Committee including Mrs. Conro, Mrs. Holbrook and Mr. Thayer accompanied me to the Field Day exercises of the Middlesex Training School. I believe they found their visit very profitable.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles T. Crossman.
4
Total number examined by Attleboro Mental Clinic
Total number examined by Wrentham State Clinic
37
Total number of cases referred to T. B. Clinic .
116
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE CUSTODIAN OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
I herewith submit my annual report of repair work on school buildings and grounds. Practically all of our work this year was accomplished under the C. W. A. and E. R. A. appropriations. We were able to do a great deal of inside refinishing, much more than we had ever felt it was possible to do with the schools in session; but by careful planning and the cooperation of the principals, much work was accomplished. The grading in four school yards was improved and a large amount of cement walks were laid, also a retaining wall at the Bliss School. The work that was done under this system is listed as follows:
Project No. 3011
Painting and Repairing, Dec. 12, 1933 to Jan. 25, 1934
1. Superintendent's Office
Moved one partition, covered walls and ceiling with plaster board and painted three coats, laid new floor in one room, including four small rooms in all.
2. Lincoln School
Painted gymnasium and manual training room, walls and ceilings one coat
3. High School
Calcimined and painted four main stairways, walls of basement, and var- nished gymnasium. Gymnasium two coats of varnish, burlap in stairways two coats of paint.
4. Finberg Annex
Tore out one partition, covered ceilings and walls with plaster board, built three plain bookcases, cemented cellar bottom-fifty square yards of cement.
Approximately twenty thousand square feet of surface were refinished. All work was done in a workmanlike manner and it is the most satisfactory of any work that we have had done for a long time.
Project No. 4880 (Extension of Project No. 3011)
Painting and Repairing, Jan. 29, 1934 to Feb. 15, 1934
1. Lincoln School
Painted one set of corridors and stairways one coat of paint. .
2. Tiffany School
Painted, calcimined and varnished main stairway.
3. Bliss School
Calcimined, painted and varnished the auditorium, stage and anteroom.
Approximately eight thousand square feet of surface were refinished. All work was done in a workmanlike manner and is most satisfactory.
117
ANNUAL REPORT
Project No. 6150-2 Painting March 3, 1934 to June 12, 1934
1. Bliss School
The new part of a sixteen room building-eight classrooms, two corridors, and two stairways-ceilings and upper half of walls, washed, sized and calcimined one coat. Lower half of walls-painted two coats. All woodwork varnished, all pipes and radiators gilded.
2. High School
Ceiling of basement painted two coats. All galvanized iron, metal work and flashings on the roof painted two coats.
3. Tiffany School
Two story, eight room building-corridors on upper and lower floors, one stairway, principal's office and teacher's rest room-all plastered walls and ceilings washed, sized and calcimined one coat. All burlap painted one coat and all woodwork varnished.
4. Dodgeville School
Two story, four room building-basement of entire building painted one coat of cold water paint.
5. Carpenter Street School
One story frame, two room building-painted one coat.
6. Bank Street School
Two recitation rooms-all plastered walls and ceilings washed, sized and calcimined one coat, all woodwork varnished.
7. Lincoln School
Two story brick building-two stairways, walls and ceilings painted one coat, Manual training room-woodwork varnished.
8. South Attleboro School
Two story frame, four room building-painted one coat outside.
9. Farmers School
One story frame, three room building-painted one coat on the outside.
10. Washington School
Toilets and lunch room in basement-walls and ceilings painted one coat of cold water paint.
Project No. 6150-3
Grading School Yards, March 15, to May 12, 1934
1. Sanford Street School
21,825 square feet of surface graded from one to six inches deep. Two dry wells.
118
ANNUAL REPORT
2. Bliss School
30,286 square feet of surface graded from one to four inches deep.
3. Richardson School
27,728 square feet of surface excavated from four to six inches deep, re- filled and graded.
4. Bank Street School
4,832 square feet of surface excavated from six to twelve inches deep, re- filled and graded.
Project No. 6150-4
Cement Walks and Water Aprons, March 8 to May 10, 1934
1. Bank Street School
All old walks and water aprons taken out and 247 square yards of new cement walk and aprons to replace them.
2. Bliss School
Old concrete walks removed and 302 square yards of new cement walk re- placed, retaining wall containing 16 cubic yards of cement work.
3. Sanford Street School
238 square yards of cement walk-old walk removed and replaced with new.
A total of 787 square yards of cement walk and water aprons and 16 cubic yards of retaining wall. All work was done in a workmanlike manner and is very satisfactory.
SUMMARY
Paid by C. W. A.
Paid from Local Funds
Project
Number
Labor
Materials
Trucks
Materials
Trucks and Cement Mixer
Super. and Trans.
Total $2,641.92
No. 3011
$1,890.00
$322.10
$276.63
$153.19
No. 4880
907.20
167.96
74.43
1,149.59
No. 6150-2
2,980.26
621.35
193.68
3,795.29
No. 6150-3
1,832.20
$456.00
189.48
$567.00
3,044.68
No. 6150-4
1,310.28
622.82
425.00
117.62
2,475.72
Total
$8,919.94
$322.10
$456.00
$1,878.24
$992.00
$538.92
$13.107.20
Total paid by C. W. A
$ 9,698.04
Total paid from Local Funds
3,409.16
Total.
$13,107.20
During the coming year a large amount of money will be needed to put our heating systems in proper and safe condition. There are several heaters that are very bad and will have to be replaced either in part or in whole.
119
ANNUAL REPORT
At the Grammar Building, Sanford Street, fire pots in two hot air furnaces are badly cracked, allowing the escape of gas which is carried up into the class- rooms.
At Bank Street, the small steam boiler has a badly cracked section. We have been able to repair this temporarily and it will very likely hold through this season. This is a McGee boiler and is no longer manufactured. It will be im- possible to obtain a new section if that were a practical thing to do. The other steam boiler in this building is very old and causes considerable trouble from time to time. I would recommend a thorough investigation of this heating system.
At the Capron School one furnace is in very bad condition and should be replaced by a new heater.
Tiffany School has four hot air furnaces-there are some cracks in all of them, but one is in very bad condition. It might be repaired by a new fire pot.
Dodgeville has one very poor heater.
Washington School-one furnace is badly cracked and will need a new fire pot.
Plat School-one furnace is in poor condition and may have to be replaced by a new one.
South Attleboro School-one heater is in very bad condition and must be replaced.
I would estimate that it would cost approximately between $4500 and $5000 to put these furnaces in proper condition. The heating and plumbing systems are getting old and are continually giving out, and draw heavily on our maintenance account. If money can be available for work on school buildings this year, a great deal of inside refinishing should be done as some rooms are in a very black and dirty condition.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles T. Crossman.
SCHOOL FIRE ALARM BOXES
South Attleboro
151
Washington
152
Lincoln
153
Dodgeville.
251
Finberg. 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
Dodgeville.
. 834-W
Farmers . 1868-R
Finberg
. 535-R
High
1825
Lincoln
Perry 5065
Plat.
Blackstone 8254
Pleasant Street
1073-J
Richardson .
1509-R
Sanford Street
727-W
South Attleboro
Blackstone 2245
Tiffany
.322-W
Washington
Blackstone 1212
120
ANNUAL REPORT
TEACHERS
High School-Tel. 1825
Alfred R. Mack, Principal. . 24 Dean St.
William F. Eastwood, Sub-Master 117 South Main St.
Ruth A. Bradley, Mathematics .6 King St.
Carolyn Churchill, English 142B South Main St.
Edith L. Claflin, German. . 28 Hodges St.
Helen M. Claflin, English. 28 Hodges St.
Violet G. Connolly, English. 12 Perrin St.
Grace C. Daley, English. 111 Dean St.
Frances Farr, French. 21 Jefferson St.
Marian Geer, English. .
191 South Main St.
Kenneth L. Goding, Science. 117 South Main St.
Jessie M. Graves, Latin.
348 South Main St. .6 King S
Evelyn Y. Griffiths, Latin, Civics.
970 South Main St.
Freeman Hall, Jr., History. .
19 Bicknell St.
Elizabeth M. Hilliard, History
.23 Third St.
Bernice B. Hosmer, Commercial.
18 Jefferson St.
Ina M. Hunter, Biology. .12 Perrin St.
Helena A. McCormick, Household Arts. 31 South Main St.
Etta E. Moore, Commercial, Algebra. 20 Falmouth St.
Julius H. Mueller, Jr., Mathematics
52 Robert St.
Mabel M. Ott, Commercial. 22 Third St.
Gertrude H. Parsons, German, Science 191 South Main St.
Marjorie A. Pierce, French. 2 Prospect St.
Jessie I. Pithie, Commercial. 9 Mechanic St.
Ruth A. Ramsdell, Commercial. 12 Perrin St.
Irma G. Searle, Commercial, French. 16 Park Ave.
Dorothy L. Simonds, History. 12 Perrin St.
George I. Spatcher, Manual Arts. 957 Pleasant St.
Cuthbert W. Tunstall, Mechanical Drawing 117 South Main St.
Constance Witherell, English. .9 No. Walker St., Taunton
Beatrice Smith, Librarian, English. 12 Perrin St
Benita M. Dorwart, Clerk. .4 Prospect St.
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