USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1935 > Part 8
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Mr. Walter Purdy, Mr. Albert Gunner and Mr. George Mullen left the school in June when the FERA money stopped, as they could not meet the age requirements of the State. Mr. Nicholas Barbieri was engaged for a short time last spring to teach an evening class in designing.
Courses
In addition to our toolmaking, die cutting, bench work, finishing and design- ing, we are giving courses in modeling, free hand drawing, mechanical drawing and shop mathematics. All the toolmaking classes are required to take mechanic- al drawing. This is a practical course in actually designing tools to be made.
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THE JEWELRY TRADES SCHOOL
DIE CUTTING
FINISHING
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All bench workers take both free hand and mechanical drawing; die cutters must take modeling and all who wish take shop mathematics.
Mr. Cameron teaches the free hand drawing, modeling and mechanical drawing for bench hands. Mr. Kiff teaches shop mathematics and Mr. Thomae teaches mechanical drawing for toolmakers
An evening class in designing was conducted last spring by Mr. Barbeiri. We again have an evening class this winter which is being conducted by Mr. Cameron. Owing to a shortage of space our design class opened in the Richard- son School, but was moved to Bliss School due to a painting project. We expect to return to the Richardson School the first of the year.
The following displays were conducted: one in March in the Attleboro Steam & Electric Company window and another in November, which is still in the window as this is written. I think all who saw both will agree with me that we have made a great deal of improvement in the quality of our work.
The evening class also had an exhibition which was held in conjunction with the Museum of Arts at the Public Library.
The school mailed personal invitations to all city officials, school committee, manufacturers and parents of students to visit the school. A few took advantage of this, but not many.
During the last year there have been 192 different pupils in the school and we have had an average attendance of 39 every day, including the summer. Twelve boys were placed in industry by the school and many more found getting jobs easier because of the training they received.
Athletics
The school had a basketball team last winter which had a fairly successful season. This team was organized and conducted by the boys themselves with very little help from the instructors. They tried a baseball team in the spring, but were not successful in this. At present the boys are busy organizing an entertainment for our Christmas party which is to be held the last afternoon before we close for the vacation.
There seems to be a tendency on the part of many teachers to think of the Attleboro Jewelry Trades School as a place where scholars whose mental equip- ment is below the average belong. I would like to correct this impression if possible. It is true that many boys who were poor scholars and failures in school have turned out to be successes in industry, but this is not because their mental equipment was poor, but rather because the schools did not arouse their interest and industry did. It takes just as high a grade of intelligence and skill to be a first class tool-maker or die cutter as it does a doctor or lawyer.
We are endeavoring to give our students a background which will enable them to become foremen and superintendents in the industry. All will not attain this goal, but we expect that some will.
It is my hope that the teachers will encourage some of the brighter students to attend our school.
Due to the inspiration of Mr. Small, the advisory committee has planned for this winter a series of lectures on the practical use of design to increase profits and some noteworthy people have already been secured for this course. The lectures are to be open to manufacturers and other factory executives. the first in the series will come in January and Paul Hollister, executive vice-president of R. H. Macy & Company will be the first speaker. Announcement of the other speakers is reserved until such time as the committee completes its plans.
The advisory committee, in conjunction with the school committee and in one session with the 1944 committee has been studying and discussing the
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future of the school. The federal aid now being given is assured until a year from June. In the past year the federal and state aid amounted to $11,500 while the city put in only $1.500 toward the expenses, a much smaller percentage than is required for other federal projects. Just what the situation will be after another year is the problem to be solved.
The school is unique because the urge for it did not originate in any state or federal source; rather it reflected a definite move by the community and by men not in the jewelry industry. It first aimed to do something to absorb the idle young man; it then hoped to do something about a restoration of the apprentice system now long since vanished.
Begun as an ERA project, taken over by the State as an aided vocational venture, the school now seems to have justified itself to the degree that its future should be charted. The committee has considered what might be done if suitable quarters could be provided, if educational as well as industrial instruction might be given, if girls as well as boys might be included in vocational courses. As far back as when Thomas W. Williams was the senator from Attleboro, the need of a jewelry school in this section was the subject of legislative investigation. The school has now arrived, after many years; the city in the coming year must decide whether it is satisfied from the early trial that the school can be of assistance to the young people here and to the jewelry and silverware industries. If it is so satisfied, the city should and undoubtedly will provide adequately for the future of the school. And the cordial approval given the progress here by the state and federal officials who have visited us indicates that they expect no less than this.
I take this opportunity to thank Mr. Fales and the School Committee for their splendid cooperation and support which they have given me this past year.
Respectfully submitted,
Frank H. Straker, Director.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
Grade Schools
In the lower grades we aim to train the monotone to sing in tune with his classmates; then begins the teaching of notation, intervals, and vocal drills a knowledge of which is necessary to music reading.
Music reading and singing are practiced in all grades and much fine singing is heard in the regular schoolroom as well as in special music programs, operettas, pageants and concerts given by many of the schools during the year to which the public is always invited.
The advantage of having an auditorium in a school building where the entire school body may assemble for patriotic exercises and other school functions is proving very valuable. It is quite a thrilling experience to hear from three to five hundred pupils sing together. The patriotic songs of America, the folk songs and Christmas Carols seem more inspiring and must have a more enduring influence on the cultural education of the pupil.
High School Singing Class
The regular Monday morning singing period is open to the pupils of the three upper classes. The principal object is to practice four part music. The class numbers 260 voices, well-balanced as to parts.
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Last year we experimented with lantern slides projected on the screen, but this year we returned to the use of books and find we make better progress. Each pupil is given a book of his own and is directly responsible for bringing it to the singing class.
The Glee Club of 100 voices has had a very successful season, climaxed by o splendid performance of the operetta, "The Belle of Bagdad" which added quite a goodly sum to the music fund of the school as well as providing a very pleasing entertainment to a large audience.
Orchestra
The High School orchestra numbers thirty players. This is the smallest number for many years.
The members of the orchestra with a few exceptions seem very immature and do not seem able to play the music of former orchestras. I find that very few of the members of the orchestra are taking lessons on their instruments. This situation prevails in other cities in regard to orchestra work. Supervisors in general feel that it is due to the economic situation of the past years which has made it impossible for the pupils to take lessons, the result being a lessening of interest. This of course retards the orchestra, but we confidently expect that as soon as conditions improve, we shall find the orchestra as good as formerly.
The Band
As only a few players were left in High School this year capable of forming a band, it was decided to start with an entirely new set of players. At the present time twelve instruments have been loaned by Mr. Finberg to the freshmen pupils, and a teacher of Trombone and of Alto Horn has been secured to teach them to play. This is being financed by the Athletic Association and the music depart- ment of the school, and it is hoped that these players may improve enough to begin band practice in the spring.
The many excellent programs of music appreciation now available for public school children on the radio is attracting considerable attention among educators. If we are to get the benefits of these programs, it will be necessary to have radios in all schools. We will also have to rearrange our entire school program to meet the time of the radio broadcast. I cannot see that anything is to be gained by giving up the singing period and instituting the listening period. I think both are a necessary part of every pupil's equipment for a full and free enjoyment of the blessing of music. I think I will go further and declare that because of the cultural value of music in education, our pupils should be taught singing ap- preciation and anyone musically inclined, who wishes to learn to play an instru- ment, should receive one by applying to his principal. Also he should pay for it at his convenience and should receive instruction in the school he attends. Though we may have accomplished a little along this line in our schools in Attleboro there is much more that might be done to bring music more closely into the life of the pupil.
Respectfully submitted, John Laing Gibb.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
As I look over the year's work and think of the boys and girls we are educat- ing, I realize we must emphasize what has been our objective for some time. That objective is to have the children connect the work we are doing with life about them. The pupils' art should be a thing to use every day.
Our subject matter is based upon the interests, needs and ability of the children, and we want them to find the principles we are teaching in the things of their every day life.
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Representation is an aid to other school subjects and helps form the habit of seeing and thinking.
Poster making is usually enjoyed and it focuses the attention of many problems, such as health, safety and ethics. Some schools enter the contest "Be Kind to Animals." Many have received medals and honorable mention.
Interest runs high when we apply design to useful articles. Sometimes a request comes "Could you give us an extra lesson? The children are anxious to apply their design." One unusual request came "Will you give us a test when we finish our picture study? The children want it."
In September two courses were added to the high school work, one in Home Decoration, and one in Related Arts. The girls taking these courses and Costume Design have not had the regular high school drawing. A double period a week is allotted to these classes.
The general aim in our study of home decoration is to develop good taste in the home. So far we have been gaining a knowledge of the principles of design and color for a successful planning of a simple home. This course is a splendid starting place for the study of art in its relation to life.
The related arts course will take up problems in costume design, home decoration and various craft problems, such as block printing, tie and dye work and batik.
We have added a short course which might be called The Appreciation of Art, which is required by all pupils taking free hand drawing. Our aim in this course is to look for beauty in every day surroundings and to make seclections of fine things according to right standards.
Some of the most successful work during the year has been in design and decorative work. The application was to book jackets, maps, leather work and batik.
We are trying to give the boys and girls a background for enjoyment and greater development.
Respectfully submitted, Persis A. Crowell.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
Every child needs to be exposed to the growth-giving activities that have brought satisfaction through the ages: hiking, swimming, dancing, skating, ball games, singing, dramatic activities, learning the joy of team-play and comrade- ship in doing things with others.
Every child needs to discover which are the special activities which give him personal satisfaction and joy. In these activities he should be helped to develop the skills essential to supreme enjoyment throughout life.
Every child should choose certain activities, certain hobbies that he can keep up as long as he lives so that there may be no "dull" stretches.
In our school physical education program through such activities as marching, postural exercises, games, stunts, folk dances, tumbling, athletics (soccer football, touch football, basketball, baseball, track, tennis, volley ball, etc.) I believe that we are accomplishing these results.
Our daily outdoor supervised play periods have given me much encourage- ment. Particularly do I appreciate the way in which principals and teachers have cooperated, and the same holds true regarding the indoor activities. All
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have given wonderful support. The annual health day programs were very successful due to their efforts.
A demonstration of physical education was given at the High School early in October and an overflow crowd of eight hundred persons attended. The program consisted of: Rhythm Orchestra, Natural Rhythms, Folk Dances, First-aid Drills, Singing, Marching Tactics, Flag Drills, Tumbling, Apparatus Work and Pyramids.
During the past year I attended the summer coaching school at Northeastern University in Boston, and also completed a course in physical education at Boston University. As usual I attended the annual State convention of physical educa- tion. Recently I have been honored with a membershin on the State basketball committee.
There are several school playgrounds which need to be fenced in as a safe- guard for the children while at play, particularly the Pleasant Street area border- ing on Starkey Avenue, where considerable of a traffic problem exists at times. I hope that this may be done in the very near future. €
The Lincoln School playroom would make a beautiful gymnasium with the installation of a board floor over the present cement foundation, allowing for a much broader physical education program than is now possible.
After School Athletic Statistics
Soccer Football-6 teams, 150 boys, 15 games.
Fall Baseball-4 teams, 48 boys, 5 games.
Touch Football-14 teams, 21 games.
Basketball-8th grade-5 teams, 100 boys, 30 games. 6th and 7th grades-6 teams, 250 boys, 15 games. Sth grade girls-125 girls received instruction, no games. City-wide tournament-19 teams, 152 boys.
Indoor Track-High School, 50 boys, once a week, Jan., Feb., March.
Hockey-4 informal games under supervision.
Swimming Campaign-Arranged for 200 boys to receive instruction.
Tennis-Over 200 players, girls and boys, one tournament.
Baseball-8th grades-5 teams, 100 boys, 18 games. 6th and 7th grades-8 teams, 275 boys, 17 games.
Track-8th grades-3 teams, 65 boys, 1 meet. 6th and 7th grades-9 teams, 150 boys, 1 meet.
High School Track-1 team, 45 boys, 7 meets.
Class in Life Saving-22 boys.
Class in First-aid-16 boys and girls.
Championships Awarded
Soccer Football.
Finberg School
Eighth Grade Basketball.
Bank Street School
Sixth-Seventh Grade Basketball. Sanford Street School
Eighth Grade Baseball. Bank Street School
Sixth-Seventh Grade Basketball Richardson School
Eighth Grade Track Bank Street School
Sixth-Seventh Grade Track Richardson School
In connection with eighth grade athletics I wish to state that all players must receive a passing grade in all studies in order to be eligible to take part in
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sports. There is also a seventeen year age limit for eighth grade players. As soon as a boy reaches his seventeenth birthday he becomes ineligible.
Without a doubt the grammar school athletic program, taking in such a wide range of sports, has had much to do with the success of our High School teams. Almost without exception the boys who make good in grammar school athletics are the ones to be found on their high school squads.
In addition to the above activities I have found the time to conduct a foot- ball league for unemployed boys of school age. Twelve games were played at Hayward Field on Saturday mornings with four teams and over eighty boys taking part.
In my opinion track should be abolished as a high school sport. The severe handicap of not having a track in the city upon which to train properly is reason enough. I do not believe that a sport should be fostered which does not have adequate training facilities for the boys.
To all who have assisted me in this program, teachers and alumni of the various schools, I wish to extend my sincere thanks. I also wish to thank the Y. M. C. A. for the use of their building and the General Plate Company for the loan of their athletic field.
Thanking you and the committee for your cooperation, I submit this report.
Respectfully submitted, J. Ray Cooney.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
I submit, herewith, my report as School Physician for the year 1935.
An analysis of the physical defects found at the annual examination clearly demonstrates that dental caries which constitute 43% of all defects found is a major problem. Yet nothing has been done to alleviate this condition. This matter was brought to the attention of the Health Department and the Mayor who, I feel, are sympathetic to the establishment of a dental clinic. I again express the hope that some way may be found to finance this clinic either through the appropriation directly by the city or perhaps as a health project financed in whole or in party by government allotment.
Among the communicable diseases reported during the year were measles, grippe, whooping cough, scarlet fever, chicken pox and infantile paralysis. One case of diphtheria was reported. Measles, grippe and chicken pox were epidemic in character.
Infantile paralysis, the disease most dreaded by the public, occurred in but one instance during the school year. This case developed at the High School and was the result of contact with the disease at the patient's home. On account of the popular anxiety extreme precautionary measures were taken in all the schools. When the schools opened in the Fall there were numerous cases of infantile paraylysis reported in the eastern section of the state, as well as in nearby Rhode Island. There were no cases reported among the school children of our city and it was thought advisable to open the schools as usual. Daily examina-
tions of rooms where suspected contacts were reported were made by both myself and the school nurse. Illness among the children was investigated when possible and each child was required to be examined before returning to school and was given a certificate of his freedom from contagious disease. With the report of a single case daily inspections were made of the pupils at the High School during the incubation period of the disease. I was ably assisted by the School Nurse and the Health Department Nurse in making these inspections.
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The Chadwick Clinic was held during the year as usual. Of the 168 children examined all showed improvement except one. Nine children were recommended for Health Camp. X-Rays were taken of each child attending the clinic. In- cidentally the work of the Chadwick Clinic has now been transferred to each of the County Hospital Units. Dr. Garnet P. Smith of our local County Hospital has charge of these clinics in this district.
Health Day was observed by the schools on May 1. This year the subject of "Play" was stressed in the programs.
Accident Prevention should be brought constantly before the minds of the pupils. The responsibility for instructing the child rests primarily with the parent but the schools can be made an important instrument in dealing with this subject.
Twenty-four children had tonsilectomies performed at the Sturdy Memorial Hospital through the efforts of the School Nurse in following up cases found at the annual physical examination.
Diphtheria Prevention Clinics were held in the outlying schools under the auspices of the local Health Department. These clinics were well attended.
I wish to acknowledge the cooperation of Dr. R. P. Kent, Health Officer, Dr. A. C. Conro, the staff of the Sturdy Memorial Hospital and the Health Nurse in carrying out the health program in the schools.
Good medical work in the schools depends upon the efficiency of the School Nurse. We are very fortunate in that we have an untiring worker with the welfare of the school child first in mind.
A detailed report follows:
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Totals.
Schools Visited.
19
17
20
15
17
14
22
24
18
10
176
Physical Examinations
483
19
170
28
380
414
101
1595
Office Visits
174
283
205
136
89
51
82
216
143
57
1436
Vaccinations
6
2
1
1
28
28
66
First Aid
3
2
5
Examination for Athletics
35
20
45
100
Home Calls
1
1
5
1
1
9
Special Examinations.
19
120
191
3830
22
37
4219
Diphtheria Immunization
93
93
Working Certificates
3
2
3
1
2
9
6
5
5
36
Respectfully submitted,
Jesse W. Battershall, M. D.
ANNUAL REPORT
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
I herewith submit my annual report as School Nurse, for the year ending December 1, 1935.
Every year, although the daily routine is the same, certain phases of the work receive more emphasis than others. For instance, this year the preparation of the children for the clinics and the actual time spent in assisting at the clinics necessitate the suspension of the daily program for weeks at a time.
Early in January, histories have to be taken on all the children who are 3 years or more retarded. As these histories are some 5 pages long, 30 minutes is the minimum amount of time spent on the home call. Last year 69 new histories were taken.
Ten boys and 10 girls were prepared for Bristol County Health Camp. Twenty home calls were made to obtain histories containing information valuable to the Camp Director; tonsils were removed at the Sturdy Hospital and dental defects were corrected through either the welfare agencies or the kindness of local dentists; and clothing and supplies required were inspected.
The Chadwick Clinic of the State Department of Health X-Rayed and examined 187 children. It takes about 2 weeks for the X-Raying and 3 weeks for the physical examinations. During this time, attendance at the clinic of the nurse, is required constantly.
The coming year will provide us with a new clinic for the prevention of Tuberculosis. This clinic is similar to the State Clinic, but is under the super- vision of the County. With their parents' consent, children in grades VII, IX and XI will be tested annually and those showing a positive reaction to T. B. will be X-Rayed and given a physical examination. As this is the age group in which the greatest increase in T. B. is shown, the value of such a clinic is easily recognized.
The Diphtheria Prevention Clinic was held in October in South Attleboro, Dodgeville and Hebronville under the supervision of the Health Department, the school physician and nurse assisting. As most of the school children have been immunized, the clinic consisted most of pre-school children and babies. Ninety-three children were given the 3 treatments.
During the year 40 children had their tonsils and adenoids removed at the Sturdy Hospital. The majority of these were in preparation for camp while the others were special cases referred by clinic or family physicians.
Forty-nine children had special eye examinations made by Dr. Conro. Glasses were obtained through the Family Welfare Association, the Public Welfare or in some cases through the family. This year it is interesting to note that 196 children are at present wearing glasses, and that 109 other children are in need of them right away, in order to get the most out of their school work. The facilities for the correction of these defects are very limited.
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