USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1937 > Part 7
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From the survey of these certificates we found that 344 (202 boys, 142 girls) minors 16-21 years of age secured jobs. The classification of these jobs is as follows:
174 employed in the manufacturing of jewelry and novelties
38 employed in the textile industry
34 employed in machine shops and related trades
30 employed in clerical work
62 employed in general service
6 employed in miscellaneous jobs
The results of this study are assembled into charts and tables and are on file at the Vocational School.
The information obtained from these certificates indicates where minors are employed in considerable numbers and the next step in this study is to make contact with these places in order to analyze the job to secure a detailed descrip- tion of the duties and operations involved and the technical knowledge needed, the nature and conditions of work, training factors, personal requirements, and when possible the total number of workers on this job in this locality.
Respectfully submitted,
Milton P. Dutton.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF JEWELRY TRADES SCHOOL
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
I submit herewith the report of the Attleboro Jewelry Trades School for the year 1937.
I feel that we have made considerable progress this year toward a better school. Starting this last September requirements for entrance were raised so that all students must be at least graduates of the eighth grade. As part of the plan all students, with the exception of those who have already graduated from high school, now spend each afternoon at the high school taking academic and related work as required by state law. The subjects taught are English, Shop Mathematics, Science, Civics, Mechanical Drawing, Free Hand Drawing and Modeling, with one period a week used for physical education. This program, with the four hours spent each morning in actual shop practice in the trade selected make a well rounded program for the boy which will entitle him to a dipolma at the end of four years and will give him an education comparable to a high school education plus trade experience which should put him in a position to secure lucrative employment upon graduation.
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ANNUAL REPORT
The plan has some drawbacks due to the crowded condition at the high school and to the distance between the two schools, but on a whole is working very well and seems to be appreciated by the students. In the afternoon, while our regular students are at the high school, boys from the Bank Street Vocational School come to us for shop practice.
There is a very noticeable improvement in the type of student entering the school and also in the attendance. Our percentage of attendance is now in the 90's.
We lost three of our instructors during the year by resignation.
Mr. Warren Cameron resigned on May 14 to return to the Watson Company.
Mr. Harry Goodinson resigned June 25 to enter the insurance business and Mr. Charles Thomae resigned October 15 to go into the tool business with his father-in-law.
Mr. Thomae's place was filled by Mr. Eric Lindberg, an Attleboro boy, who came to us highly recommended and whose work since being with us justifies his selection.
Mr. Cameron and Mr. Goodinson were not replaced and their classes have not been reopened to date,
We ran a design class last winter, two evenings a week for twenty-six weeks with an average enrollment of 35 and an average attendance of 12. Some very good work was done and I think the class was eminently worth while. Owing to the loss of our instructor this class is not being run this year. We are, however, again running the metal working class in conjunction with the Peoples Institute. Mr. Leonard teaches this class and it seems to be quite popular. A lot of nice hand work has been completed.
We held two displays this year, one in the Attleboro Gas Light Company's window on Park Street the week of June 7, and one at the Attleboro Public Library in November. This was a part of the exhibit sponsored by the Attleboro Art Chapter.
We finished some worth while projects this year among which were the following.
1. Designed and painted reindeer and sleigh for the Attleboro Garden Club's Christmas display.
2. Designed and painted mural on wall of kindergarten room at Richard- son School.
3. Designed and made badges for Fire Instructors for State Department.
4. Designed and made pins for Camp Coweset Girl Scouts.
5. Modeled head of Horace Mann and one of George Washington for State Dept. of Vocational Education.
6. Made a bending tool for Brockton Vocational School.
7. Made a drinking tool for Milford Vocational School.
8. Made two bubbler heads for Bliss School.
9. Made name plate for Norfolk Prison Colony.
10. Made signs for Girl Scouts cookie window display.
11. Made placques and medals for Attleboro Garden Club.
12. Made trophies and medals for Ray Cooney for use in the schools.
13. Made many tools for our own use and made all repairs on our school equipment.
The following equipment was added this year:
1 Dumore grinder
1 Delta sanding machine
1 Cincinnati milling machine No. 1 1-2
1 Index centers
1 2H Eklind milling attachment
1 9-inch South Bend bench lathe with attachments
1 tank to hold hot solutions
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ANNUAL REPORT
Mr. Virgil Blackinton gave us a lot of seasoned wood from the Old Shuttle Shop. We use this to make hammer handles.
The instructors and courses are:
Mr. Wilbur C. Kiff-die cutting, free hand drawing and modeling
Mr. Curtis W. Leonard-benchwork, hammersmithing
Mr. Eric C. Lindberg-toolmaking
Mr. Berryman Minah-science, mechanical drawing
Mr. George I Spatcher-shop mathematics
Mr. E. Kendall Gleason-civics, social studies
Miss Constance Witherell-English
Thirty-five boys from the school got work during the year.
At present we have an enrollment of 51.
Respectfully submitted,
Frank H. Straker, Director.
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
Grades I-VIII
To write a detailed account of the music work in the grades, would be a repetition of reports which I have written in the years gone by.
I have arranged my program so as to visit each school at least once every two weeks and the music work is continued by the regular teacher. There are still a few schools where I am not able to visit but once a month, namely, Capron, Washington, Farmers, Pleasant Street, Carpenter Street, Plat and South Attle- boro schools.
It is a great privilege that has been given me to be the singing teacher in the schools of Attleboro for so many years. I find that this year there is just as much love of music among the pupils in our schools as in previous years. The study of singing, which includes ear training, notation, music reading, apprecia- tion, and voice training, is evident in all grades from first to eighth. The co- operation of the teachers has made our music in the schools rank very high. The evidence of this is found in the splendid music programs given in many of our schools during the year, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas music programs being especially worthy of comment. One of the most enjoyable music events in the grade schools was the operetta "An Old Spanish Custom" by Clark which was produced by the seventh and eighth grades of the Lincoln School. This was unusual in its quality and reflected great credit on the pupils who took part, and on Mr. Weymouth and Mrs. Helen Storin who conducted the operetta.
HIGH SCHOOL Singing Class
There are two periods given to singing in the regular school time. There are 60 in one class and 50 in the other. We study four part harmony, folk songs ' and the more simple classics.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Music Theory Class
There are 40 pupils in the theory class. They study scales, intervals, triads and chord progressions, biography of musicians and music appreciation. It is hoped that all pupils of home music, band, orchestra, glee club and singing in classes may find it profitable to become members. This class fills a long felt need in the music work of the school. All the work of this class is corrected and credited.
Home Music
There are 16 pupils receiving credit for home lessons in piano. Monthly cards are required to be signed by the parents of the pupil and the teacher of piano. At the end of the school year an examination is given to all Home Music pupils. This is one of the best classes we have in High School as it encourages a pupil to continue his piano lessons during his High School course. There is a great lack of good piano players, and because of their great service in the com- munity I hope the Home Music course will grow in number in the future.
Band
I feel very grateful to the Superintendent of Schools and to the School Committee for accepting my recommendation that a band master be secured who could teach band instruments, and that a few of the larger instruments be purchased that would make a band possible. All this has now been accomplished and Mr. Zambarano, an expert in band, has started his work in the High School and I look now for a fine band in the near future, one that can play indoors and outdoors and be what a band ought to be in a High School-a great thrill, and an enthusiastic inspiration to the pupils in their work or in their play. At present there are 24 pupils in the band. Class lessons are given during school hours and the band rehearsal is held after school.
Glee Club
The Glee Club of 100 pupils is now the largest singing group in school. It meets on Thursday at 1:40 after school hours. The work of the Glee Club during the past year merits more than a passing comment. The presentation of the operetta "H. M .S. Pinafore" by Gilbert and Sullivan was one of the most delight- ful, thrilling and finished productions which has been presented by the music department of the High School. The work of the Glee Club was of such a high order that I decided to enter them in the Massachusetts High School Glee Club Contest which was held at Lowell, Massachusetts, in May. The judges declared them to be the best in their class in the State and our soloist, Miss Edna Gagnon, also won the first honor as the best soloist presented at the contest. As a matter of record I wish to incorporate the cast of "Pinafore" in this report.
Cast of Characters
The Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Porter, K. C. B. Francis E. Martineau
(First Lord of Admiralty)
Captain Corcoran-Commanding H. M. S. Pinafore. Frank Manter
Ralph Rackstraw-able seaman George Pettitt, Jr.
Dick Deadeye-able seaman. Hubert Hennessey
Bill Bobstay-boatswain.
Nelson Fontneau, Jr.
Bob Becket-boatswain's mate. Theodore Carlson
Tom Tucker-midshipmite. Robert Peck
Josephine-the captain's daughter Edna Gagnon
Hebe-Sir Joseph's first cousin. Carolyn Manter Mrs. Cripps (Little Buttercup). Norma Carlson
(A Portsmouth boat woman)
Chorus-First Lord's Sisters, Cousins, Aunts, Sailors.
Glee Club
Respectfully submitted,
John Laing Gibb
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
During the year 1937 several changes have been made in the Art Depart- ment. It is indeed a pleasure to work in a field where new experiences are con- stantly provided.
After studying the situation in the High School I worked out a program which would give the freshmen a general course in art fundamentals and the advanced students a choice of courses in illustration, fashion drawing, commercial advertising, design or crafts.
At the request of Mr. Garland this plan was described in an assembly and as a result many more students signed up for the fine arts than had signed a year ago. However, when the new program was made to coincide with the new rotation schedule now in practice at the High School it was not the success I had hoped for and I am still obliged to mix the classes somewhat to prevent turning some of the most promising students away altogether.
Now that there are fifty more students in the department than we took care of in 1936 the studio is much too small and our equipment inadequate. In some classes the enrollment is as large as 28 and for art work, which usually requires a lot of space, the enrollment should not exceed 15 or 20 at the most. Aside from the classes there are always students who come in for extra work during their study periods. I do not like to refuse them as they sometimes have four study periods in one day.
We still have very inadequate lighting. I know anyone watching us at work on a dark day would sympathize with this statement. There are still no facilities for caring for and cleaning our equipment. This is very unfortunate, not only in wasted time and annoyance to the supervisor, but, because preparing tools for working and caring for them afterward is an important part of the education of an art student.
I do not wish this report to sound entirely as a complaint. There have been many pleasant events during the year. Our students were represented at the Massachusetts Convention of Art Supervisors in Boston last March by a series of large drawings depicting scenes in Mexico.
We put on a representative exhibit of our year's work at the Public Library which event was sponsored by the Attleboro Museum of Art.
Often students' pictures are loaned to the Children's Room at the Library and to our school library. Also we try to fill reasonable requests from the city for poster and illustrative material if our regular lessons are not made to suffer.
The Sketch Club started on its second year with 20 promising young artists. It always pleases me to know that these young people enjoy art well enough to give their spare time to it without hope of recognized credit.
I attended the Eastern Arts Convention held in New York in April. There were excellent exhibits of new, yet dependable art materials, and the lectures were very informative. The discussion on merchandise display as a study for high school students was most interesting.
In time I think the Art Department will become more and more able to serve the needs and wishes of our boys and girls. As future citizens of a jewelry city they must have all the professional equipment they can get to help make Attleboro a center of Art.
Respectfully submitted,
Ardith P. Todd.
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING, ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
I herewith submit the annual report of the Art Department for the elemen- tary schools.
During the past year, pupils, teachers, and the supervisor alike have been extremely active in this field of study. Evidence of such activity has been manifested by the following:
Exhibit
Sponsored by the Attleboro Museum of Art, an exhibit of the art work done in the public schools of Attleboro, North Attleboro, Plainville and Norton was shown in the galleries of the public library, March 14 through March 22. At this time gallery talks were given by Miss Todd of the High School faculty and myself.
To explain the aims and objectives for which this work in our public schools was accomplished, stimulation of originality, skill, and the relation of art to other subjects was emphasized.
Examples of water colors, crayons, pastels, pencil drawings, pen and ink sketches, handicraft, murals, creative design and art projects were included in the Attleboro exhibit. Public interest in this exhibit was evidenced by an attendance of 2500 persons.
Conventions
As a member of the Eastern Arts Association, I was able to attend the convention held March 31 through April 3, at the Hotel Pennsylvania, New York City.
The convention was divided into three major divisions, each having its general meetings and conferences:
Industrial Arts Graphic Arts Exhibits and Demonstrations
The theme of the convention was "Art is Living."
During the inspection of school exhibits, I viewed exhibits of art work done in the New York City public schools, Pratt Institute and Columbia University. Columbia University gave demonstrations with classes of children working under the supervision of teachers from the University Training School.
Also of great interest was an exhibit of foreign children's work at Radio City. From this exhibit alone, it was possible to bring back many ideas and suggestions to our schools for use in design work.
Booths displaying the latest developments in materials and equipment were inspiring and most beneficial. It was possible to obtain many samples of materials and equipment from these booths, and I now have them on display in my office.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Survey
This year time and materials were allowed for encouragement and correlation of project work, in the grades, with the art work.
During the month of May, a "Project Survey" was issued to all teachers in the elementary schools. This survey allowed each teacher to list the number of projects completed by the pupils in her room during the school year from Septem- ber to June.
The survey showed that one hundred and seven projects were completed; that many of these projects were done on sand tables, or art project tables; while others were done by the individual or class notebook method.
Contests
As in past years, pupils made posters for the S. P. C. A. annual poster contest. Many awards were obtained for their efforts, and it is hoped that many more will be received this year.
At the request of the Director and Vice-president of the Community Chest campaign, the pupils in grades six, seven and eight, who so desired, made posters in the interest of the Community Chest. The chosen posters were placed in store windows and awards of merit placed upon them. A total of eighty-eight pupils had their posters exhibited.
Visitations
Because I deem it essential for progress, that supervisors and teachers should know the latest developments in their specialized fields, and manifest an interest in the achievements of other systems, I attended the annual spring exhibition of Junior High School work, in the Providence public schools.
"A "Hobby Show for the Improvement of Leisure Time Activities" held at the Rhode Island Auditorium in Providence in October was interesting and in- spiring. This show made evident what boys and girls are capable of doing in leisure time, with the added advantage of being good training.
A visit to the Lynn school system, October 29 allowed an opportunity for me to observe other classes, to talk with other supervisors, and to receive valuable information regarding a permanent course of study in art education.
Outlines
This year beginning in September every teacher from grades I through VIII received an outline of work in art education which included objectives for the grade, lessons for the month, a suggested room decoration, a figure chart, a list of art activities to aid in project work, a list of materials which are not standard throughout the schools but may be obtained upon request from the Supervisor, and a list of eighty-seven graded suitable projects, many of which were taken from the "Project Survey". An art project chart was also included in the out- lines. These charts are kept in the back of each teacher's outline and will be filled out as a project is completed. The charts allow for the subject matter taught in a project, the length of time allowed for the completion of a project, the month a project is completed, and the method used in working out the project. Space is also made for the listing of other correlated subjects. These charts are of value to both the room teacher and the art supervisor in that each will know what has been done in this work.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Summary
Conventions, I believe, are of utmost importance in the field of art as they afford an opportunity to keep up with changing trends; and art is of little value unless it serves a definite purpose today, not yesterday.
The survey which was issued in May not only enabled me to find out the number of projects completed and the months that the teachers taught the various subjects, but it proved that all of the art tables made by the Vocational School were used to advantage, and that the cooperation of the teachers was splendid.
Because of this survey and other important clerical work which I compiled during the year, I would appreciate a filing cabinet for such use to be kept per- manently in the office.
This next year I hope to give some time to poster study in the endeavor for better and more posters in connection with the S. P. C. A. contest. These posters are sent to Boston and placed with others from various cities and towns. There- fore, I believe we should strive for the highest standards of poster work possible in Attleboro.
With the change of schedule this fall, which gave me the additional responsi- bility of the sixth, seventh and eighth grades, I now have ninety-six classes to plan for, and eighty-nine to visit once in every two weeks.
This is a full program necessitating additional planning to be done outside of school hours, and the responsibility of giving out needed materials. However the pleasure I gain working with these upper grade classes helps to make my work more interesting.
In closing this report it is my pleasure to express my sincere appreciation of the interest, help and cooperation which are much in evidence throughout our Attleboro school system.
Respectfully submitted,
Myrtice A. Perrin.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
Briefly, our school program of physical education may be divided into three groups as follows: outdoor supervised play and recess periods; indoor activities; and after school recreation and athletics.
Play is the child's natural heritage. It is his vocation. In play he is released. His emotions are on the surface. Because he throws himself into play so whole-heartedly, because his emotions and racial impulses are touched, because these emotions may run the gamut from the finest to the most vicious he needs guiding. He needs constant help so that he may adjust satisfactorily to an environment which increasingly demands that humans live together unselfishly in peace and harmony. One of the responsibilities of the school is contributing to a happy, healthful, well-adjusted childhood and one important means of achieving this goal is through wise play guidance. Teachers have cooperated splendidly in this important activity. A visitor to any of our playgrounds would see a teacher-supervised play program in which all children are engaged in room games. An earnest attempt is being made continually to eliminate all rough play. I honestly believe that great progress has been made, and wish to give the entire credit to the teachers who have been so faithful in attending to their play- ground duties.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Our indoor activities, with one or two exceptions, have to be confined to the schoolroom. Pupil leaders groups are organized and trained to help the teachers in this work. At the Finberg School gymnasium classes are held for the seventh and eighth grade boys and girls. This program consists of floor work, apparatus and games. A group of boys from the Sanford Street School enjoy a period at the Y. M. C. A. gymnasium, one day a week, under the direction of the public school director. The room work consists of posture exercises, marching tactics, games, stunts, dancing, rhythms, inter-room athletic competition, and posture tests.
The time allotment for the outdoor and indoor work is ten minutes a day, exclusive of recess periods. This makes thirty minutes a day available for physical activity.
Special attention is being paid to posture work. This past year three posture tests were given in each of the first four grades. Records were kept and posture certificates awarded at the end of the season to all "A" pupils. We have only touched the surface as yet, but satisfactory results have been attained.
After School Recreation and Athletics
Sport
Number of Teams
Number of Candidates
Soccer football.
5
150
Eighth grade football.
2
42
Basketball
8th grade boys.
10
130
6th-7th grade boys
8
200
8th grade girls
15
125
City-wide public school basketball tourney .
29
203
Baseball
8th grade boys.
6
135
6th-7th grade boys
12
350
Surburban league
2
40
Track
8th grade boys .. .
4
40
6th-7th grade boys
10
200
High school track .
1
40
Other Activities
8th grade boys tennis tournament-42 entries
8th grade girls tennis tournament-29 entries
Vocational School horseshoe tournament-26 entries
Swimming campaign-Y. M. C. A. 200 boys recruited from the high and elementary schools and assigned to classes.
Red Cross life-saving instruction given to 100 boys and girls.
Red Cross first-aid instruction given to one class of 25 boys and girls.
An inter-class hockey league was organized at the high school. Poor weather conditions curtailed the sport. This year we will try again and hope for good ice conditions.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Championships in the various school leagues were awarded as follows:
Soccer football. Finberg
G. S. League basketball. Richardson
G. S. League baseball. Finberg
Eighth grade track Bliss
Eighth grade basketball Bank St.
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