USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1936 > Part 7
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
93
ANNUAL REPORT
Visual Education : This work in the school is organized under the direction of Julius H. Mueller. Student operators are in charge of the projector in their free periods and all teachers who plan to use a film for class purposes are expected to view the film previous to class showings. Films shown to date this fall are:
Diphtheria, Conquest of Oxyacetylene Welding and Cutting Materials Oxywelding in the Home Fire Prevention, The Red Robber Metals, House of Dreams Asbestos Redwood Country Travel Thrills Glass Containers, Manufacture of Monel Metal, Story of Rubber, Conquest of the Jungle Sugar, The Sugar Trail Sugar, Harvest of the Sugar Maple Silk, The Romance of Panama Canal
Classroom Products for School Use.
The mechanical drawing classes, taught by Cuthbert Tunstall, are frequently called upon for schedules, administrative forms, and posters necessary in the administration of the school. In this respect they have some of the motivation which extra-curricula activities enjoy. This stimulus to do an especially good job and secure the approval of the school is noticeable in the products of the department. Almost equally persistent is the activity of the manual arts and drawing classes in supplying the needs of various departments in the school.
Class Advisors: A system of faculty advisors, in effective operation for several years, promotes better organization of the four classes and affords the benefit of advice and experience of members of the faculty. In one capacity or another, all teachers are concerned with the activities of at least one of the four classes. Advisors mentioned below are in positions of chief responsibility :
Senior Class-Miss Edith Claflin, Miss Mabel Ott Junior Class-Miss Jessie Graves, Miss Ina Hunter Sophomore Class-Miss Ruth Bradley, Miss Dorothy Simonds Freshman Class-Miss Helen Claflin, Miss Constance Witherell
V. A New Road
The tendency in an annual report is too often to stumble along the same path followed in previous years without much looking ahead. The proposed addition to the high school building opens a new road. To what better country will it lead?
Modernizing of the present building will mean, among other things, adequate lighting, more library space, an improved stage adapted to dramatics, better provisions for s ience classes both general and college-preparatory, improved accommodations for athletic teams and spectators and facilities for a general program of physical education, and adequate cafeteria, more space for type- writing classes, and expanded quarters ir the household and manual arts. The added rooms will make possible improved educational services as follows:
A Longer Period. Modern conditions for home study are not often conducive to the best work. Logically, study of an assignment should be begun, at least, in the classroom under the direction of the teacher who is best qualified to assist.
Study Halls. Study halls, as such, will facilitate better work habits among study pupils and lessen distractions in the classroom where the teacher will no longer be under the necessity of supervising two groups at once.
94
ANNUAL REPORT
Expanded Offerings in the Commercial, Household Arts, and Manual Arts Curricula. Training in the use of modern office equipment for those seniors carefully selected on the basis of previous success in the commercial course would be a satisfactory climax to the previous and more elementary training and a fitting complement to advanced work in stenography and typewriting. With more space and equipment, the household and manual arts classes can be enriched by the addition of other units of work which the present restricted facilities make impossible.
Physical Education. The Ancients practised a firm belief in the idea of a sound mind in a healthy body. The teaching of good health habits through physical education is a school's primary responsibility.
Fine Arts. With improved facilities for instruction in science, commerce, and the household and manual arts, should come a parallel increase of the school's offerings in the cultural realm. The present limited number reached through the orchestra, singing groups, and drawing classes might easily be doubled through courses in music and art appreciation. Although much of its training seeks practical ends, Attleboro High is not a vocational school but a comprehensive school for nearly all types of young people in their teens. The school enjoys an excellent faculty, a splendid student body, and a fine esprit de corps. Given additional space and improved equipment, it is our responsibility not only to develop individual talents and abilities wherever they may be found but through a comprehensive program of mental, moral, and physical education to train for the best type of future citizenship. This constitutes the service of the high school to the community.
Respectfully submitted,
Philip L. Garland.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF CONTINUATION AND VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
I hereby submit my annual report for the Vocational and Continuation schools.
This type of school was originally devised for pupils who were not academical- ly inclined, but were to become homemakers and craftsmen. In selecting the students for this school the original purpose should be adhered to, and no pupil admitted as a disciplinary case unless he can readily be adjusted by placing him in a situation in which he can find himself. The shop classes should be kept small for good results. At the present time a few more girls could be instructed but the shop classes for the boys are too large. If the present boys membership is maintained through a period of time sufficient to warrant its permanency, then some provision should be made for the betterment of shop progress. The nature of the work is such that each shop worker should have close supervision in order for him to get out of his efforts just what the school has planned for him to do.
The boys have received real practical training by doing many repair jobs about the building and for people in the community. They have built art tables for the school department; rebuilt and redecorated chairs, tables, desks, book- cases, etc. A small unused room over the office is being renovated for the use of the school. One of the real fine pieces of work in this room is the laying of a hardwood floor. Several of the boys who had never before seen a hardwood floor laid can now do a creditable job.
The girls' division of the vocational school aims to prepare its pupils for positions as mothers' helpers or for housekeeping duties. At the present time all of the former students who wish to work have found employment. We have many requests for girls who have been trained in our school that we cannot fill.
95
ANNUAL REPORT
As in the past, the activities of the school are based upon the management of the home, with emphasis upon actual practice in the various phases of the subjects. The plan entails more knowledge than might seem necessary, for the modern woman needs to be not only a skilled housekeeper but an intelligent homemaker. She must understand family relationships, the wise use of leisure, the art of making the home attractive, the economic value of good health and the care of the sick, the management of finances and participation in community life.
English, arithmetic, art, and civics are taught rot as special subjects, but in their relation to the home. So, the purpose and use of a budget, installment buying, and how to stretch the clothing dollar must be learned. Poise and con- fidence for participation in social affairs come when one is familiar with the rules of etiquette and has a knowledge of correct speech and simple parliamentary procedure. A study of health might be uninteresting but a course in charm in veigles a girl to learn and practice the laws of hygieneasa basis of good grooming and personal attractiveness.
Our school nurse, Mrs. Wendell, conducts a class in infant care, while the girls themselves assist in making a real layette. A knowledge of story-telling and simple handicraft have proved very helpful to the young mother's helper. The progress of the girls has been most encouraging. Small classes, individual help, the close cooperation of home and school, and the careful grading of subject matter have resulted in happier students. Some of the girls have had a little experience in cooking at home, but the planning, preparation, and serving an entire meal is indeed an accomplishment.
The annual exhibit of canning was given as usual this year. Perhaps no one enjoyed the display more than the girls themselves. From the favorable com- ments received they may be very proud of their labor.
Occupational surveys, for the purpose of providing a factual basis for sug- gestions in regard to training possibilities ir the general vocational schools, have been made in many cities throughout the state. It has been suggested to us by the State Department of Education that we should make a similar survey here. At the present time we are engaged in making a survey of this type and we feel that it is a worthwhile project.
The purposes of this survey are as follows:
1. To help determine the contents of the course of study.
2. To help the pupils make wise occupational choices.
3. To provide pupils with a wide range of training opportunities.
4. To determine training possibilities based on occupational data.
In order to be able to carry out these purposes it is essential to know what jobs minors (14-21 years) get in this city. Information supplied by the education- al certificates gives all the i ecessary facts to provide a good basis for the beginning of the survey. The information secured from the certificates shows where ard in what kind of work minors are employed, the school grade completion of the minor, and the age at which the miror secured work.
After this information is obtained contact is to be made of potential jobs in order to secure
1. a description of the duties and operations involved
2. the technical knowledge needed for job performance
3. total number employed on the job in this locality
4. nature and conditions of work
5. training factors
6. advantages and disadvantages
7. personal qualifications
8. educational requirements
The results of this study are to be assembled into charts and tables and the curricula of the school and the courses given in the general shop should take form out of the interpretations of this factual material secured from the survey.
96
ANNUAL REPORT
The successful application of the survey to the students activities, and the following of the program submitted last year will fit the pupils for purposeful living.
I cannot close this brief report without expressing my appreciation to those who have contributed to what measure of success this school has had this year. Special mention should be made of those teachers who every summer and at their own expense attend the conference held by the State Department. We are grateful to the library staff for its cordial cooperation, to Mr. Herbert Hicks for his generosity in giving window display room, to those who have given demonstra- tions of household equipment, to those who have given style conferences to the girls and to insurance companies for their helpful informational material.
Respectfully submitted, Milton P. Dutton.
REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF JEWELRY TRADES SCHOOL
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
I submit herewith the report of the activities of the Attleboro Jewelry Trades School for the year 1936.
It was decided this year to ask for a separate appropriation of $5000 for the maintenance of the Attleboro Jewelry Trades School. Due to various causes, the appropriation was delayed until October and was cut to $4000. This handi- capped us considerably but in spite of that we have maintained a steady progress, not only in our teaching and the quality of work produced, but also in the quantity of equipment and the type of students enrolled.
The idea of having high school students attend afternoons and receive credits toward graduation was not successful, due mainly to the fact that it was impossible to arrange their programs at the high school to leave their afternoons free, so this plan was dropped this fall.
The advisory committee ran a series of four lectures starting January 21st and ending March 3rd in the Chamber of Commerce Hall for manufacturers and their executives. The speakers were as follows:
Paul Hollister, Executive Vice-President, R. H. Macy & Co.
Allyn B. McIntire, Vice-President, Pepperell Mfg. Co.
George Switzer, Industrial Designer
Richard Bach, Metropolitan Museum
All the speakers visited the school and seemed much impressed. Mr. Hollister made a donation of $50 to the school. A drill press was purchased with this money and labelled with his name.
Evening classes in design were held for 47 nights last winter, ending May 1st. Mr. Warren Cameron was the instructor. The average enrollment was 36 and average attendance 11. This class is being run again this winter.
In conjunction with the People's Institute, we are running a class in metal work evenings at the school for adults. Mr. Curtis Leonard is the instructor. This class has been well attended and everyone seems very enthusiastic about it; in fact, many wish the course extended.
During the year the following equipment was installed:
Lights for die cutter.
Delta drill press, gift of Paul Hollister.
Small double acting power press, gift of Mr. Finberg.
Transformer for electric furnace, loaned by A. S. & E. Co. Electric furnace, gift of Oscar Hillman.
97
ANNUAL REPORT
Potenleameter, gift of Foxboro Co.
Large pickle tank purchased.
Telephone.
3 large hammering blocks, from elm tree taken down on Railroad Avenue. Gorton pantographing machine, gift of Spencer Thermostat Co.
1 large Manville power press, secondhand, purchased.
1 Dexter Machine Company lathe, secondhand, purchased.
1 No. 2 Reed surface grinder complete with magnetic chuck, new.
25 plaster casts, new, for models.
The instructors and courses are the same as last year:
Mr. Warren B. Cameron, design, modeling, drawing.
Mr. Wilbur C. Kiff, die cutting, mathematics.
Mr. Curtis W. Leonard, benchwork, hammersmithing.
Mr. Harry D. Goodinson, finishing, plating, electro chemist.
Mr. Charles G. Thomae, toolmaking, mechanical drawing.
As part of the toolmaking course all students visited the Attleboro Forge and watched Mr. Gellatly do some forging and welding.
The instructors all attended a course in teacher training last winter held in Attleboro for our benefit by the State Department of Vocational Training. Mr. Coats was the instructor. The instructors also attended the State Teachers College at Fitchburg one week this summer, as well as visiting several large industrial plants.
Two displays were set up in the Attleboro Steam & Electric Company window, one in June and the other in November. They both caused a lot of favorable comment.
We also held a display at the State Teachers College at Fitchburg and a display at the State House, Boston, which was there all summer. We also set up a display at the school for the benefit of the state and federal authorities on one of their visits.
We held a Christmas party last year at which time we distributed to the students work which we had made during the year. We expect to do the same this year.
Besides making tools and vises for our own use and repairing our equipment, we made many trophies of various kinds for Mr. Cooney for use in the schools, as well as charms and bracelets for every sport in the High School. We also made Mr. Cooney 67 medals for the track meet held at Capron Park and 30 medals for the New Bedford Vocational School.
We completed the dies and tools for our own school ring and all boys who have attended school for a year are entitled to have one. So far we have made about a dozen.
We made two bubbler heads for the school department, another sign for the fire department, a turning tool for the Y. M. C. A., special hinges for the manual training class at the High School and one hundred special pieces for the Foxboro Company. We also made two seals for the Plymouth Pottery School. The design department has also designed some street signs which may be used later.
During the year we pulled down the partitions that made the office and stock room and utilized the space thus gained to put in more equipment. We rearranged the departments and painted all machinery and benches.
One hundred fifty-nine boys have attended this school during 1936 and we have had an average attendance of 43.
Twenty boys got work due to their attendance at the school.
We have an enrollment at present of 57 with a daily attendance of 50. This, with the exception of one or two classes, uses to full capacity all available space and equipment.
I hope that in the near future adequate space and equipment will be provided so that this school may become a real benefit and credit to the city.
Respectfully submitted,
Frank H. Straker, Director.
98
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
Grammar Schools-Grades I-VIII
The music work of the grades continues to preserve the high standard of former years. The tone quality is good and the articulation is excellent. In the first three grades we emphasize song singing, ear training, and tone building; special help is given the monotones and in the majority of cases we are able to get them to sing in tune during the third or fourth grade. Music reading is followed throughout the other grades and two and three part singing is studied. In the eighth grade the problem of the changing voice is handled sympathetically ; the boys are placed into tenor and bass parts and four part singing is established.
There is nothing more inspiring than the singing of the entire group of Richardson School pupils when they meet at the Armory to sing the patriotic songs for Memorial Day exercises. The same thing might be said of the Bliss and Finberg schools which are fortunate to have an assembly hall. The fine singing at the Lincoln school deserves mention; there is no more thrilling exercise than the annual Christmas Pageant with its lovely Christmas music, sung by selected groups and also by the entire school. There is good singing in all our schools, and it is because our pupils are exceptional and our teachers perform their duties faithfully and well.
Monday Singing-High School
This class is open to all sophomores, juniors and seniors who wish to continue the study of part singing. The class numbers nearly 300 pupils who study folk songs, patriotic music and the more simple vocal classics.
Glee Club
The Glee Club had for their study this year the operetta "Tulip Time." It was performed in costume, with orchestra accompaniment before a large audience. It was an artistic and financial success.
Freshman Glee Club
This is the first time that an opportunity was given the freshmen in our high school to sing, and about 70 pupils enrolled as members of this glee club.
The High School Orchestra
In my last report I spoke of the decline in the interest of pupils in orchestra instruments. This was due entirely to economic conditions and not to any lack of musical talent. However, this year I find quite a number of new players who in a few years will be a great help to us. The orchestra exists for the boys and girls of our high school who wish to make music together, and who by so doing give to the school an orchestra that may be of service not only to the school but to the community as well. The orchestra played the incidental music at gradua- tion and at the senior play. It also plays at both senior and freshman assemblies every week.
High School Band
I have previously asked for time in school for a band and I understand that beginning next year Mr. Garland is to make the necessary arrangements so we can practice regularly every week. With a band, an orchestra and a glee club, we will feel better equipped to satisfy the musical demands of our pupils and better serve the community.
It is customary for the school department to purchase the necessary in- struments for the band. These are loaned to pupils willing to learn to play them, and are returned when they graduate. Bass horns, baritone horns, alto horns and drums are needed. We have enough of the other instruments on hand at present, such as cornets, clarinets, trombones and saxaphones to make a be- ginning.
99
ANNUAL REPORT
I have used the money we earned from our operettas to repair instruments, buy new music for the band, orchestra, and glee club and have paid for the first ten lessons whenever I have loaned an instrument to a pupil. There are 25 instruments in use now in band or orchestra that have been loaned to pupils free of charge.
The W. P. A. recreational department was fortunate in securing the services of Miss Florence Adel, teacher of piano and cello. A large piano class was immediately secured and is now in progress in some of the outlying schools. I have also been fortunate in securing Miss Adel to teach a class of five pupils in cello. If music work of this kind could be extended to include band and orchestra instruments, it would be most helpful in bringing the joy of music participation into the lives of many more of our pupils.
In closing I might add that this year I attended the National Music Educa- tion Convention in New York which was a great pleasure and inspiration to me.
Respectfully submitted,
John Laing Gibb.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING, HIGH SCHOOL AND GRADE VIII
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
As it has been my rather difficult task to take over the work of someone else this report covers only the term from September to December, 1936, instead of the complete year.
Grades VI, VII, VIII
Having worked with these same pupils for two previous years, I find this term a pleasant continuation of tasks already under way.
'It is my aim to keep the children alert to what is going on in this world of ours by means of the several mediums in art. Our work depicts local activities, subjects directly connected with other studies, and creative or holiday "sprees" where the children have an opportunity to produce whatever their imaginations are capable of.
Special attention should be given to the eighth grade pupils preparing them to choose whether or not they wish to continue their study of art upon entering high school. However, there is such a shortage of time that it is impossible to give adequate attention to any of the nine eighth grades widely separated about the city. Two of them can be visited only once a month and three others never receive instruction directly from the supervisor at all.
High School
The fall term has been largely experimental. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting acquainted with the students in my classes and in finding out what work might best help them in achieving their ambitions and in living happy and useful lives.
Our work consists of problems in lettering and advertising, design, color and illustration. All first year students receive special groundwork in the above mentioned subjects. The problems are carried out in the following mediums: pastels, crayon, pencil, pen and ink, water color, poster paint, cut paper and block prints.
Next year I should like to change the course of study enough to allow the advanced pupils to specialize in advertising, illustration, or design.
100
ANNUAL REPORT
Classes in home decoration, costume design and related arts are given practical problems in relation to the home and are required to make as many articles of handicraft as time and money allow. We are, however, handicapped in this work because of a lack of reference material.
I have started one innovation called the "Sketch Club". On Thursday afternoons a group of students from the advanced classes meet to draw or to make something in crafts. This is entirely voluntary on the part of the student, consequently we have a fine group of really interested young people.
In the drawing studio we have two serious drawbacks. The lighting is very poor and we have no ascess to hot and cold water. These and a large sink with wide drains are extremely necessary to properly care for the room and for the utensils used. Brushes and paint pans cannot be well cleaned without hot water.
I wish to give my sincerest thanks to all who have supported the art depart- ment and especially to the teachers, whose steady and kindly cooperation have been invaluable ir. accomplishing the work I have tried to do.
May I express my appreciation to Miss Persis Crowell, supervisor of art in this city from 1908-1936, whose great kindliness and patience taught me much in carrying on this work.
Respectfully submitted,
Ardith P. Todd.
REPORT OF THE DRAWING SUPERVISOR, ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
Art is an intangible subject, recognized, and promoted in various ways through the ages.
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.