USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1936 > Part 6
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Recipients of loans from this fund agree to repay the same as soon as con- venient, beginning not less than one year after graduation from college. The amount received from loans repaid is added to the principal to be used in helping other students.
Since this fund was established in 1921, loans amounting to $12,313.00 have been made to 33 students attending 22 different colleges and training schools. The names of the schools and colleges attended show the variety of aims and purposes of the students attending. The list is as follows:
Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cornell, Brown, Annapolis Naval Academy, Holy Cross, Bowdoin, Simmons, Wheaton, Boston University, Massachusetts Agricultural College, Northeastern University, Graceland College, Iowa State University, University of New Hampshire, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Wentworth Institute, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, Massa- chusetts State Teachers Colleges at Bridgewater and Fitchburg, Rhode Island College of Education and Bryant & Stratton College.
That so many persons have been helped to better and happier lives through the administration of this fund, is a source of great satisfaction to the donor, and he deserves the continued thanks of those who have benefited by the es- tablishment of this fund.
METROPOLITAN ACHIEVEMENT TESTS
These tests have been given again this year in Grades V, VI, VII and VIII, and the results compared with the standard norm and the results of the November tests of 1935. Twenty-six different tests were given. In twenty-two tests our schools were above the standard, in two they were equal to the standard, and in two they were below the standard. Comparing the results with the November tests of 1935, the marks were higher in fifteen cases, equal in five cases, and below in six cases. These results are decidedly good, and show that the schools are keeping up to standard.
84
ANNUAL REPORT
Summary of Metropolitan Achievement Tests
November 1935
November 1936 Attle.
Com-
Com- pared pared with
Test
Stan. Norm.
Attle. Grade
Stan. Norm.
with Grade standard last yr
Reading
8.3
9.1
8.3
9.1
7.3
8.1
7.3
8.3
6.3
6.7
6.3
6.9
5.3
5.5
5.3
5.4
Vocabulary
8.3
8.2
8.3
8.3
=
7.3
7.4
7.3
7.6
+
1
6.3
6.3
6.3
6.5
5.3
5.4
5.3
5.4
Arith. Fundamentals
8.3
8.8
8.3
9.1
7.3
8.
7.3
8.1
6.3
6.8
6.3
6.7
5.3
5.2
5.3
5.1
Arith. Problems
8.3
8.8
8.3
8.9
I
+++1
English, Pts. I,
8.3
9.3
8.3
9.3
II and III
7.3
8.3
7.3
8.4
6.3
7.2
6.3
7.3
5.3
6.
5.3
5.9
+
English, Pts. I and II
8.3
9.2
8.3
9.3
=
++
Spelling
8.3
8.5
8.3
8.5
7.3
7.4
7.3
7.5
6.3
6.4
6.3
6.4
T
5.3
5.1
5.3
4.9
++111
7.3
7.7
7.3
7.9
6.3
6.5
6.3
6.8
I
5.3
5.4
5.3
5.3
=
1.++1
7.3
8.2
7.3
8.4
PENMANSHIP
The schools still continue to use the Palmer Method of penmanship, with excellent results. At the end of the school year in June, more than 90% of the pupils have obtained the penmanship award for the grade. The report in detail shows the activity of the schools in this subject.
85
ANNUAL REPORT
Summary of Penmanship Awards, 1935-1936
High.
Bank St.
1
1
3
14
28
47
35
Bliss . .
44
55
46
63
65
24
67
43
407
436
Briggs Cor ..
11
14
16
11
12
10
5
79
85
Capron .
25
13
18
56
60
Carp. St
21
22
20
63
66
Dodgeville
10
15
8
15
10
8
4
12
82
94
Farmers
21
18
15
25
14
13
9
4
119
101
Finberg
17
17
21
11
9
5
19
11
110
149
Lincoln
18
23
26
22
20
36
47
192
226
Plat. .
6
11
10
6
10
6
49
53
Pleas. St
22
17
21
14
2
76
77
Richardson ...
35
29
35
65
69
79
65
39
416
464
Sanford St.
26
29
31
62
54
58
40
11
311
385
So. Attleboro.
20
10
18
20
7
75
84
Tiffany
26
25
24
48
54
34
45
26
282
351
Washington
20
51
37
61
50
76
31
10
336
352
Totals .
304
344
344
428
378
336
335
267
2736
1935 Totals . . 369
378
449
424
440
313
351
308
3032
Per Cent of Pupils in Each Grade Receiving Awards
Grade
June Enrol.
Pupils holding award for Grade
pupils
High, Com'l
34
34
100%
VIII
307
282
92%
VII
374
320
86%
VI
359
326
91%
V.
431
410
95%
IV
428
403
94%
III
340
321
94%
II
364
360
99%
I.
345
305
88%
Total
2982
2761
92.6%
S. S.
Button
G. S.
Button
Palmer
Button
Merit
Button
Prog.
Pin
Junior
Cert.
Stud.
Cert.
H. S.
Cert.
1936
Total
1935
Total
36
36
14
Out of 2982 pupils, 2761 in June had the penmanship award for the grade. This is 92.6%. In the second grade only 4 pupils did not get the grade award.
REPAIRS
The most important improvement that has been made this year is the repairs to the heating equipment in several of the school buildings. At the Briggs Corner School, an entirely new oil-burning, steam heating equipment, with a unit ventilator in each room has been installed. For the first time in many years the building is now warm and well ventilated.
At the Tiffany School, a new boiler has replaced the old one which broke down last winter.
At the Dodgeville School, a small oil-burning boiler with necessary radiation was put in to heat the hallways, which have always been cold in winter weather.
Per cent of
86
ANNUAL REPORT
At Tiffany, Washington, Bank Street, Sanford Street, and Dodgeville schools, cracked and broken firepots and domes in the furnaces were removed, and new ones put in making the furnaces as good as new. In several schools, Vacu-Drafts were installed in the smoke pipes, which will prevent smoke and gas escaping into the building, and make it possible to use soft coal instead of anthracite. This equipment has eliminated the noxious condition that has existed in several schools for some time, and greatly reduces the fuel cost. These buildings are now better heated and ventilated at a lower expense than before.
Another important improvement has been the erection of wire fences at the Bliss, Sanford Street, Finberg and South Attleboro schools, to take the place of old wooden fences fallen down from decay. The new fences add much to the attractiveness of the school lots, and will be less expensive to keep up than the wooden fences.
In 1937 a new fence should be erected on the Newport Avenue side of the Lincoln School lot, several buildings need another coat of paint, and a great many minor jobs need to be done to keep the buildings in good condition. Minor repairs have been neglected for so long that many rooms look rather shabby.
W.P.A. Project
The city was granted an allotment of $6,744 WPA money for inside and outside painting of school buildings this fall which it was unable to use because no painters were available. No other projects were undertaken this year.
RESIGNATIONS
Seven teachers resigned during the year and one was granted leave of absence. Mr. A. R. Mack, who had been principal of the High School since September, 1931, resigned in March to accept the position of supervisor of secondary education in the state department of education. Mr. Raymond H. Grayson, who had served the High School as instructor-coach since September, 1925, resigned in July to be- come the supervisor of physical education in the state department of education.
1936
Teacher
School
Reason
January 6
Pearl V. Palmer
Richardson, Ung.
Health
January 6
Jane S. Hodges
Washington, V
March 14
A. R. Mack
Prin. H. S.
To be married State Dept.
June 1
Elsie M. Brimicombe
Dodgeville, II
To be married
July 6
Raymond H. Grayson
H. S. Coach
State Dept.
August 4
Marian Geer
H. S. English
Business
December 6
Mae H. Storin
Washington, VI
To be married
Leave of absence-1 year-Carolyn Churchill, High School
Retirement
After twenty-eight years of service as supervisor of drawing, Miss Persis A. Crowell was placed on the retired list, July 1, 1936. Miss Crowell was always capable and efficient, and tried to make her work in art correlate with the city's leading industry, jewelry making. Her resignation was received with regret.
THE SCHOOL SAVINGS BANK
The School Savings Bank was started in October, 1908. The report of 1935 contained a complete detailed statement of the number of depositors and the amount deposited to date. A summary is given in this report.
87
ANNUAL REPORT
Years
Average number of depositors
Amount deposited
1908-1912
1181
$ 19,093.48 23,158.94
1918-1922.
1742
33,788.61
1923-1927
1753
40,321. 45
1928-1932
1600
38,384.53
1933
1500 est.
3,713.67
1934.
1500 est.
3,941.93
1935
1410
4,503.35
1936
1407
5,072.90
Total
$171,978.86
Statement, December 31, 1936
Dr.
Bal. on deposit Jan. 1, 1936, including int. ($1,383.75)
$3,620.66
Deposits in First Nat'l Bank from Jan. 1, 1936-Dec. 31
5,072.90
Interest from November, 1935, to November, 1936.
63.23
Cr.
$8,756.79
Transferred to pupils' individual accounts, Jan. 1, 1936 to Jan. 1, 1937
$4,796.00
Withdrawn, 1936, from interest to cover expenses.
87.55
Bal. on deposit December 31, 1936, including int. ($1,359.43)
3,873.23
$8,756.79
Total amount deposited since October, 1908.
$171,978.86
Number of individual accounts opened at First National Bank
from October, 1908 to January, 1936. January, 1936 to January, 1937 155
6245
6400
Number of pupils depositing in the school bank Jan. 1, 1937 1407
Approximately 50% of the pupils in the grades below the High School practice thrift through the School Savings Bank with deposits before 1932 averag- ing more than $6000 a year. During the last five years, the deposits have shrunk somewhat but are increasing at present.
The year 1935 was a hard year for the school department. The year 1936 has been much better. Teachers who were in Attleboro January 1, 1933, and suffered a 10% cut, have had their salaries restored in full. Teachers, who began service in schools after 1933 at a minimum salary, and had received no step in- creases, and other teachers whose step increases had been stopped by the depres- sion, received substantial readjustments in their salaries. A new elementary science book has been introduced into some of the eighth grades to replace the study of physiology which has been a part of the curriculum for this grade for many years. Furnaces have been repaired, fences built, and some educational progress has been made. The readjustments of salaries saved several vacancies. A fine spirit of loyalty and cooperation exists among the teachers. The schools are in good condition. When some of the suggestions contained in this report can be carried out, a long step ahead will be made. Let us hope that there will be no long delay. The child's opportunity is now. His progress in education
should not be hindered.
Respectfully submitted,
Lewis A. Fales.
1913-1917
1489
88
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
I am pleased to submit herewith my first annual report as Principal of the High School.
I. Enrollment
The average membership for the month of September was 920. While this does not show an increase over last year, it still represents seriously overcrowded conditions in a building which was built to accommodate only 600.
Enrollment by Class and Sex (Average for month of September)
Boys
Girls 2
Total
P. G.'s
4
6
Seniors
62
83
145
Juniors.
85
106
191
Sophomores
148
121
269
Freshmen
148
161
309
Total
447
473
920
Enrollment by Subject as of December 1, 1936
Total number of pupils
Subject
English
897
French
240
German
149
Latin.
190
Ancient History
119
Civics.
202
Medieval and Modern History .
111
U. S. History .
167
Algebra.
203
Plane Geometry
74
Solid Geometry
13
Commercial Arithmetic.
153
Household Arithmetic.
22
Shop Arithmetic.
34
Biology
150
College Chemistry
55
Doscriptive Chemistry
69
Household Chemistry
12
College Physics
14
Elementary Physics
106
General Science.
198
Bookkeeping
184
Commercial Geography
151
Economics and Law .
103
Penmanship and Spelling
27
Typewriting
175
Stenography
103
Nutrition and Clothing
58
Household Management.
17
Costume Design
27
Home Decoration
6
Related Arts.
7
Mechanical Drawing.
102
Manual Training
96
Free Hand Drawing .
63
Singing 255
Glee Club
213
Orchestra
40
89
ANNUAL REPORT
Oversize Classes
Five sections in Civics and Commercial Arithmetic have more than forty pupils each. When it is considered that under our crowded conditions the teachers must have supervision also over study pupils in the rear of the class, it will be apparent that the individual pupil is receiving in some cases only a fraction of that time and attention of the teacher which should properly be his. In typewriting, sixty-five pupils, electing the subject for the first time, are on the waiting list. Present room and equipment, considered, the school is forced to offer typewriting to beginners one-half year only. This is to be regretted, particularly in the beginning year of a new subject.
II Graduates in College
Although the proportion of graduates in the class of 1936 continuing their education in post-secondary schools is slightly higher than in previous years, the number is still a relatively small percentage of the graduating class. Of one hundred sixty-five graduates in June, 1936, forty-two are continuing in some school of higher education. Of these, twenty-five (approximately fifteen per cent) are in technical schools or colleges of arts and sciences. While the school recognizes its increased responsibility to provide for the greater numbers now enrolled who will not go on to college, college preparatory work is still held to be one of its most important functions.
Institutions Attended by Forty-two Graduates of the Class of 1936
Bentley School of Accounting Boston University Bridgewater State Teachers College
Brown University
Bryant College Burdett College
Dartmouth College Framingham State Teachers College
Goucher College
Hyannis State Teachers College
Katherine Gibbs School
Lasalle Junior College
Leslie Kindergarten Training School
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Mount Holyoke College
Norwich University
Northeastern University
Notre Dame University Providence College Roanoke College Rhode Island School of Design
Wellesley College Wentworth Institute Westbrook Junior College Wheaton College
William and Mary College
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
III. Student Activities
Much has been written and said of the importance of personality education in our high schools. To live successfully in a cooperative society, boys and girls must be given opportunity to learn certain invaluable lessons. Among these are self-control, respect for the rights and opinions of others, and ability to get along with one's fellows. Opportunity should be presented also, to develop whatever talents and abilities they may possess. Restricted as our program of student
90
ANNUAL REPORT
activities must necessarily be under present crowded conditions it has still been possible to realize some of the advantages of the following ways:
Assembly: An attempt is being made to prepare assembly programs of real merit. Although outside speakers are occasionally called upon to address the student body, emphasis is being placed increasingly upon participation by students themselves. The high school orchestra is always in attendance under the direction of Mr. Gibb, and the cheer leaders have contributed to arouse enthusiasm in preparation for our athletic contests. The traditional rally before the Thanksgiving Day game with North Attleboro was especially successful in building up school spirit because of the interest and presence on the stage of a group of prominent citizens.
Senior Play: Following successful experience of last year, the senior class elected to present the annual play early in the fall, On November 12, a three- act comedy, "The Show Off," was skillfully presented after a period of intensive coaching by Miss Beatrice Smith. The performance was well received by a large audience.
Socials have already been held by the two upper classes, in both cases proving successful financially as well as socially. The gymnasium has been attractively decorated by hard-working committees under the supervision of their respective faculty advisors.
Class Rings: Following an established policy of the school, rings are not bought until the middle of the junior year when it can be fairly definitely de- termined what juniors may be expected to go on with their class and graduate the following year. The ordering of class rings is supervised by Miss Ina Hunter.
Athletics: The members of the football squad, under the successful coach- ing of Howard Tozier, climaxed an excellent playing record with the defeat of North Attleboro on Thanksgiving Day. At a banquet on December 4 in the Park Hotel, the combined Lions and Rotarians of the city gave vigorous expres- sion to the general feeling of commendation which prevailed.
A schedule of practice days has been evolved insuring a fair division of time in the gymnasium between the boys' and girls' basketball squads. Unfortunately, two factors over which the coaches have no control reduce this practice time to a minimum: 1, the necessary use of the gymnasium by boys of grammar school grade and 2, lack of a dividing partition to permit practice by both squads the same afternoon. For girls, basketball is the single major sport offered. Miss Evelyn Griffiths, assisted by Miss Dorothy Simonds, assumes the duties of coach in addition to her regular work as classroom teacher. Her valuable assistance should be augmented with the introduction of a more comprehensive program of girls' athletics, to include such sports as field hockey and archery. This would mean a full-time director of athletics for girls. An assistant for Mr. Tozier in the work with boys would complete a staff sufficient to do justice to this very important phase of our educational program. In his capacity as faculty manager, Mr. Spatcher facilitates the work of the coaches in all sports and makes possible much of the success the school enjoys in athletics.
Athletic Honor Society: A year ago, at the suggestion of Mr. Mack and upon recommendation of the student council, it was voted to form a local chapter of the National Athletic Honor Society. The aims of this society are apparent in its requirements for membership:
1. Candidate must have a record of satisfactory deportment, i. e. no "D's" or "F's" for the previous one and one-half years, and not two or more "C's" in one year's deportment.
2. Candidate must have earned at least twenty points the previous year and have no final marks below "C-".
91
ANNUAL REPORT
3. Candidate must have had no ranks below "C-" the last one-half year.
4. Candidate must have won a letter in at least one sport (major or minor).
These boys were elected to membership last year:
Reed Baker John Lee
Alfred Cloutier David Niven
William Flynn
Harlow Paul
Richard Glencross
Gordon Salinger
Herrick Higson
A few names will undoubtedly be added during the present year.
Student Council: A council representative of the entire school, and pro- viding a means for the exchange of student opinion on matters of school interest, continues to occupy the most important place among our student activities. Meeting under the advisorship of Julius H. Mueller, with the assistance and cooperation of the principal, the council is assuming an increasingly important role in the life of the school. Although only recently organized for the school year, it has already sponsored and supervised the election of class officers, and discussed more recently such matters of interest to the school as the improvement of conditions during the crowded recess periods and the solution of minor problems in the cafeteria. The class elections were made more interesting, and provided real training in civics, through the cooperation of Mayor Brown who made possible the use of official voting booths.
Sun Reporters: A staff of editors and reporters, recently organized, reports the activities of all departments of the school in the columns of the Attleboro Sun. With the cooperation of Mr. Roberts of the Sun office, this group is gradually developing a news column of real interest to friends of the school and securing for its own members valuable training in a work of definite carry-over value.
Blue Owl: The Blue Owl staff, under the advisorship of Miss Frances Farr, acting in the absence of Miss Carolyn Churchill, occupies a prominent position in the life of the school. The magazine enjoys the enthusiastic support not only of the student body, but of adult members of the community as well. Miss Ruth Ramsdell is the staff's financial advisor and, in addition, keeps the books for all student activities. Miss Ardith Todd is the art advisor.
Town Meeting and Forum: One of the most interesting opportunities for training in practical citizenship was afforded by invitations extended by the Chamber of Commerce to members of the student body to participate in the "Town Meeting" held in the Chamber of Commerce on December 4, and in an earlier discussion held in connection with the Forum class in the People's In- stitute. Preparation for these meetings motivated class work in U. S. Fistory for a period of several days and provided an opportunity for most effective train- ing in civics.
Newer Activites: Newer activities are the sketch club, under the direction of Miss Ardith Todd, and the debating club with Miss Dorothy Simonds as advisor. The latter group may eventually become an activity in general public speaking for which there is a recognized need among students and which should eventually be a part of the school's program. Studies are being made of safety education in the schools of Providence and a few communities in Massachusetts. When sufficient data is secured, a safety club will be organized with Kenneth Goding as faculty advisor. This club will have available accident figures com- piled by the Safety Council of Boston. It will concern itself with rules for safe driving, mechanics of the automobile, and a general treatment of the present problem of highway safety. The debating club, which may later become a public speaking club, and the proposed new safety club are attempts on the part of the school to fill recognized needs of everyday life.
Band: To begin the study of an instrument in a school band and develop a talent, perhaps hitherto unsuspected, the high school boy or girl may open an avenue of enjoymen t and cultural advancement for the rest of his life. Regard-
92
ANNUAL REPORT
less of whatever advantages may accrue to a school as a whole from the develop- ment of a school band, there is sufficient justification for its existence on educational grounds alone.
Student Activities in the Daily Program: If the so-called extra-curricula activities are the best means yet discovered for helping boys and girls "to do better the things they are likely to do anyway" then it is logical to consider them as part of the regular program of the school. An activities period has for several years been a part of the daily program in several high schools of New England.
IV. Administration.
Following the resignation of Mr. Mack in the spring, the task of administer- ing the school for the remainder of the year and of preparing the schedule of classes for fall reopening fell to the submaster, Freeman Hall, Jr. That Mr. Hall performed this task with credit is perhaps best indicated by the ease with which the school was soon under full swing in September.
Crowded conditions in the building necessitate an extra amount of super- visory duties for the few available men teachers. In this connection, Mr. Hall, Mr. Goding, Mr. Mueller and Mr. Tunstall perform a distinct service to the school.
Provision for Make-up Work: To facilitate make-up work in the afternoon for those absent on account of illness, or for other good reason behind in their work and justified in asking special help of the teachers, a revised make-up schedule was adopted by the faculty and inaugurated early in the fall. This schedule enables a pupil to meet two teachers, if necessary, in a given afternoon. It is an excellent opportunity for pupil-teacher conferences to remove misunder- standings of all sorts which may have arisen in connection with regular classroom work.
Make-up Sessions 1:45-2:30, 2:30-3:15
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Miss Farr
Miss E. Claflin
Miss Bradley
Miss H. Claflin
Miss Hunter
Miss Graves
Miss Hosmer
Miss Connolly
Miss Moore
Miss McCormick
Miss Daly
Miss Pierce Miss Ramsdell
Miss Ott
Mr. Goding
Miss Griffiths
Miss Smith
Miss Parsons
Mr. Mueller
Miss Hilliard
Mr. Tunstall
Miss Pithie
Mr. Tozier
Miss Povey
Miss Searle
Miss Simonds
Miss Wall
Mr. Spatcher
Miss Witherell Mr. Hall
Eye and Ear Tests: The results of these tests showed that one hundred and one pupils in the school are defective in sight and thirteen in hearing. Letters have been sent to parents concerned calling the matter to their attention and advising speedy action. If remedial measures are not taken, not only the success of the pupil in his school work is in jeopardy, but his ultimate success and happi- ness in life.
Fire Drill: Four successful fire drills have been held since September. Even under crowded conditions the student body is able to leave the building promptly and in good order. Without hurrying unduly, the building can be vacated in approximately two minutes.
Ranks: The ranking system of the school provides for an official report to parents every eight weeks or, in the case of possible failure, every four weeks. If at the middle of each eight week term a pupil's passing for the term is doubt- ful, the teacher sends home a warning to that effect with her reasons for the failure and suggestions for improvement. This system entails much record keeping and considerable time on the part of the teacher. If justified, it should result in improved standards of work done.
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