USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1938 > Part 8
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Below are a few illustrations of our working plan.
Store Work
Duties of the Job
1. Waiting on customers
2. Weighing articles
3. Making change
4. Dusting shelves
5. Cleaning glass
6. Putting up orders
7. Displaying (windows and counters)
8. Following instructions
9. Proper doing up of bundles
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ANNUAL REPORT
Educational Requirements
1. Arithmetic adding weighing
making change
2. Writing
3. Oral English
Temperamental Factors
1. Proper approach to customer
2. Politeness
3. Honesty
4. Neatness
5. Cleanliness
6. Accuracy
7. Quickness
Gas Station Attendant
Duties of the Job
1. Check and service gas, oil, radiator. battery
2. Check and service tires
3. Clean and polish cars
4. Check anti-freeze
5. Install minor accessories
6. Service skid chains
7. Renew windshield wiper blade
8. Flush radiator
9. Make change
10. Give road information
11. Give information in regard to restaurants and tourist houses
Messenger Boy
Requirements or Duties of the Job
1. Delivery of telegrams
2. Delivery of advertising matter, foodstuff samples, etc.
3. Ascertain correct addresses on telegrams
4. Making out of telegram notices to be hung on doorknobs.
5. Checking of window or store displays for national advertisers
6. Delivery of parcels, letters, etc.
7. Sweeping floors
8. Washing windows
9. Riding of bicycle
10. Collection of magazine subscriptions
Educational Requirements
1. Writing
2. Arithmetic-recording numbers of telegrams delivered
3. Salesmanship-sale of telegrams
Temperamental Factors
1. Politeness
2. Cleanliness
3. Promptness
4. Dependability
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ANNUAL REPORT
The girls' classes were requested to state their opinion of the school in letters written to the principal. The results were most interesting and revealed a true picture of school from the standpoint of the student. The following excerpts need no explanation:
"My mother likes to have me attend this school because she wanted me to learn especially how to cook and sew and other things which I hadn't been taught before. When my mother doesn't feel well, I have to cook the meals and every- one enjoys them. I have been taught how to talk in public and how to act at parties. I know I am going to learn many more helpful things before the school year ends."
"Another reason I like this school is that each day the program is different and it is more enjoyable having it that way. I also find that my friends and teachers are very helpful to me, and that we all help one another."
"My nother told me what trouble she had with her cakes because they always came out as flat as a pan cake. After I had given her the information I learned from Miss Prentiss, my mother's cakes came out better than ever.
"I like the way that they teach us how to act in public, and especially I like how they teach us how to introduce people. We have learned how to serve tea and how to telephone. We learn things about people making our laws. Also, we have learned how to take care of ourselves and what kind of garments to wear."
"I haven't got much money to spend on clothes, but I have learned that it's not how much you pay for your clothes; it's the way you wear them."
"My mother wouldn't let me do any cooking or sew on her sewing machine because I didn't know how. Now she lets me cook and sew because I know how to do both.
"My mother was sick yesterday and I cooked the whole meal. We had company and they appreciated my cooking."
"Someone I know told me that the Vocational School was only for lazy people or pupils who did not learn anything in regular schools. After a month at Vocational School I found out that what I had been told was not the truth."
There are several factors which seem to make the work of the Vocational School distinctive and especially valuable.
First, the program of the school. For most classrooms the subjects to be taught necessarily remain the same year after year. This is not so in the voca- tional schools. The program is revised again and again to meet changing needs and conditions.
Second, the nature of the teaching. Since many of our pupils found regular school routine difficult, special effort has been exerted to give the work attractive- ness and value. Pupils of this age and type must see a definite and immediate need for a subject. A student is encouraged to bring to school any personal or home management difficulty which at that moment may be troublesome.
Third, the home visitation by the teachers. One of the interesting tasks of the teachers is to visit the homes of the pupils several times each year. This home visitation is an important link connecting the home and the school and enables the teachers to understand both the pupils and the conditions of the homes.
Fourth, the preparation of the teachers. The state law requires that all teachers of vocational schools enroll in a special teacher-training course, and for five years engage in some special study for professional improvement. In accord- ance with this provision, our teachers spend one week at a summer conference at State Teachers College at Fitchburg, where special phases of vocational school work are explained by state supervisors and other experts. Our teachers also took additional courses throughout the year. The influence of this intensive
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and special study is naturally felt in the classroom to the advantage of both pupils and teachers.
It might not be amiss to mention that the splendid correlation of the labora- tory and academic work of our school has been commended by state supervisors. In fact, at one of the classes at Fitchburg, our teachers were asked to describe in detail certain of their class activities.
Our school is not all that we would like to have it, but we believe that this branch of our school system is worthy of the interest and support of the citizens of Attleboro.
Respectfully submitted, Milton P. Dutton.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE JEWELRY TRADES SCHOOL
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
I submit herewith the report of the Attleboro Jewelry Trades School for the year 1938.
We have improved the school considerably during the past year, both in our physical layout and in methods of instruction and I derive considerable satisfaction in noting the progress we have made.
We have added new equipment, repaired and improved equipment that we had, changed the locations of most of the machinery to make it more orderly and to create more room; added to and rearranged our lighting so that on the darkest days there is adequate light at all machines and work benches; made a tool crib and stock room for each department to the end that we may keep better check on materials and tools; painted and reconditioned the toilets.
To our related and academic work we added one period a week of related mathematics for toolmakers only; two periods a week of modeling for die cutters only, and substituted accident prevention and first aid for physical education. We organized a safety committee composed of the Director, the instructors and a pupil from each class. These pupils are elected by vote from their own groups. This committee meets once a month at 4 o'clock and discusses way and means of preventing accidents, improving methods of instruction, improving attitude of students towards their work, improving any and all conditions pertaining to the school and the prevention of waste. In connection with this committee a locked box has been fastened on one of the pillars, the key being in the possession of one of the student members of the committee. This box is a repository for suggestion that any of the students care to make. These suggestions are all brought up at the committee meeting and discussed. Those that have merit and are practical are acted upon and put into effect as soon as possible. It is surprising the number of good ideas that have been brought forth.
We have another plan which is showing excellent results. Each instructor picks from the students in his class, who have been in the school over one year and who are doing good work, one boy each week. This boy acts as assistant to the instructor, doing all clerical work, including the marking of each student at the end of the week, on his ability, effort and conduct. This mark is confidential and we have been surprised at their correctness and impartiality. This assistant also has general supervision of the conduct of the class, under the guidance of the instructor, and has the power to correct any pupil who is not conducting himself in a proper manner or who is improperly doing some operation. This plan affords the pupils a chance to see the other side of the picture and gives them an oppor-
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ANNUAL REPORT
tunity to develop self confidence and executive ability as well as encourages a keener interest in the conduct of the school. We find that this plan is also of value to instructors as it gives them more time to devote to backward and new students.
During the year all students visited some factory in our city and were shown the different operations and processes that take place in the different industries. This was made possible by the cooperation of the manufacturers. These boys later on in class told about what they had seen and exchanged ideas with each other.
We have an enrollment of fifty-four at present which is all we can accom- modate; in fact, about fifteen have been turned away this fall for lack of room. It is my opinion that the school has passed the experimental stage and has proved its worth and that plans should now be made for its expansion so that more trades can be taught and more of our youths given the training for which they are best fitted.
In addition to rearranging and repairing our equipment and making a number of tools, machines, etc., for our own use we have polished a brass railing for the pumping station, repaired a tool for making cement pipe for the WPA, repaired a bending tool for the Brockton Trade School, recut some letter punches for the Quincy Trade School, designed and made some pins for the Box 9 Club, made dies and hubs for the medal for the Mass. Sesquicentennial Commission, headed by Gov. Charles F. Hurley, awarded to students in the different high schools of the State for the best essays on the constitution, made a large sign for the Lions Club Health Camp and completed the Thanksgiving Day trophy. This trophy was started two years ago and is to be competed for each year by the North Atteboro and Attleboro High School football teams in their Thanksgiving Day game and to be held by the winning team for one year. It was won by North Attleboro this year. The trophy was on display in the Attleboro Gas Light Company's window in Attleboro and in The Old Colony Lending Library window in North Attleboro previous to the game.
We had a display of work at the Fitchburg State Teachers College this sum- mer but did not have one in Attleboro. We expect to put on a display here in the spring.
Moving pictures were taken of the school in connection with the film "Fnow Your Attleboro."
Four boys were placed in jobs by the school this year and seven others secured them by their own efforts. We have had excellent reports from the boys we placed.
The following equipment has been added this year:
1 1242 Delta motor driven grinder
1 Atlas drill grinding attachment
1 15" Potter & Johnson rebuilt shaper
1 14" second hand lathe-gift of L. G. Balfour Co.
1 second hand riveting machine-gift of R. & G. Co.
1 motor driven scratch brush-made by the school
1 Browne & Sharpe micrometer 2" to 6"
2 South Bend bench lathes with attachments
The instructors and courses are:
Mr. Wilbur C. Kiff-die cutting, free hand drawing and modeling
Mr. Curtis W. Leonard-benchwork, hammersmithing
Mr. Tric C. Lindberg-toolmaking
Mr. Berryman Minah-science, mechanical drawing
Mr. George 1. Spatcher-shop mathematics
Mr. F. Kendall Cleason-United States and World history
Miss Evelyn Y. Griffiths-English
Mr. Frank H. Straker-related mathematics, accident prevention and first aid
Respectfully submitted,
Frank H. Straker.
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
It is my privilege to be the singing teacher in the schools in the city of Attle- boro. I visit the majority of schools every two weeks and the other schools every month. 1 plan the music work to be studied in my absence. The primary stress in the early years is the correct use of the singing voice. We aim also to impart to pupils the power to read simple music in order that they may, on their own initiative, explore the rich treasure house of music for their increasing pleasure.
Fine singing is well established in all our schools and a high standard has been set by the splendid performances of operettas, pageants, and other musical programs performed in many of the schools this year.
Perhaps without our realizing it the radio and moving pictures are exerting a great influence in developing the love of music, that is, giving our pupils a better understanding of the finer types of music. More good music is heard today than ever before and we find more pupils in schools are tuning in on the better type of programs and they seem to realize that the best music after all is the only type that gives them real satisfaction.
There are many fine voices among the pupils in our schools and if you have been privileged to hear any of the various exercises and assemblies at any of the schools in our city you will understand what I mean when I say that the singing in the schools is something that the citizens of Attleboro should know about and be glad that the social, recreational, moral and spiritual influence of good singing has become an established cultural force for good in our city.
High School Music
The Theory Class takes the place of the regular singing period. It was an experiment this year and gave to 30 pupils an opportunity for continued study of theory and harmony. It was a success from the numbers enrolled and the interest shown by the members of the class. Whether it will continue to interest enough musical pupils remains to be seen. This course gives one point credit and the work of the pupils is corrected and graded.
Home Music
The home music department gives credit for piano and voice lessons given at home. It has been demonstrated that anyone who can play the piano is one of the greatest assets to the High School and to the community. Many pupils who took piano lessons when they were in the grades have given up their lessons in high school because it interferes with the numerous activities that develop. There is nothing but regret in store for that boy or girl who decides that something else is preferable to playing the piano. The Home Music Class is an encourage- ment for those players to continue their piano work during high school by giving one credit for piano lessons taken from accredited piano teachers.
Glee Club
The project before the 1938 Glee Club was a presentation of the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta "The Mikado." This was an unusually difficult operetta, but owing to the fine vocal talent developed by the senior class and by the splendid chorus group and the orchestral accompaniment a very fine performance was given in the high school hall on April 7. This, in my judgment, was the best and most commendable accomplishment in music that was ever attempted by our
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ANNUAL REPORT
high school. Thirty pupils from the Glee Club were selected to sing at the Massachusetts High School Glee Club Contest held in Fall River in May and this group was awarded for the second year in succession first honors in the choral division. The Glee Club numbers 85 pupils and meets Thursday at 1:40 and is open to every pupil who wishes to practice singing.
Orchestra
The orchestra maintains its records of past years by playing at the regular assembly once a week and at the Senior Play and at other school exercises or city affairs where an orchestra is needed for incidental music. There are 35 members in the orchestra at present and they meet for rehearsal at 1:40 on Wednesday. Credit is given for attendance only.
Band
At my recommendation your committee engaged a teacher to teach the instruments and direct the band. Certain instruments were purchased such as bass horns, drums and slide trombones, which were necessary in order to give a better foundation for the building up of a real band.
This year their first concert was given before a very large and enthusiastic audience and proved that we had been fortunate in securing a good teacher and band leader in the person of Mr. Alfred P. Zambarano. The band has already played five times at affairs outside of school: the Hallowe'en Parade, the Armistice Parade, the Santa Claus Parade and at three entertainments given in the high school hall by the Rotary Club.
Attleboro was agreeably surprised at the fine showing of the band at the Thanksgiving Day football game. Their new uniforms, their fine marching and playing gave a great thrill to Attleboro people, and the feeling of great satisfaction that Attleboro High School had a uniformed band was everywhere expressed.
If this band is to grow in usefulness as it is bound to, it will be necessary to purchase one or two instruments, such as a baritone and a slide trombone be- cause we find that the pupils do not wish to purchase these instruments them- selves and it will be to the future interest of the band to have these instruments purchased by the School Department. We are greatly indebted to Captain Harry N. Hardsog who drilled the band in marching and formations and to Miss Cassells, who taught the drum majors to swing the baton.
Recommendations for Music
If music in the High School is to continue to have the influence we would like it to have, it will be necessary to encourage the pupils to sing together as a school. There is not any regular singing period where the entire school sings together. Would it not be possible to have each class sing separately as a class throughout their entire high school course at least once a week? It seems to me to allow pupils to go four years without raising their voices in song with their schoolmates is not very good training for their future social life. The Glee Club gives the opportunity to the musical pupils to sing but the unmusical pupils should be encouraged in some way to take part in singing The High School Hall, where most of our music work is done is used by so many musical organizations that I wish to bring to your attention the new electric organ as an added stimulus to the interest in music in our high school and would recommend that one be purchased and installed. Its use would enhance the accompaniment to our own music and would be of great service to the community at large in its various musical efforts. I would also recommend that an additional slide trombone and baritone horn be purchased for the band.
Respectfully submitted,
John Laing Gibb.
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF ART High School
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
The year of 1938 has been an extremely busy and happy one in the Art Department. Our program has worked out more successfully than usual and we have had the opportunity of trying a more varied curriculum.
We still lack space and studio equipment to carry on the study of drawing and painting conveniently, but, with the hope of new quarters and arrangements to come next year we can cheerfully overlook makeshift methods.
The department supply list this year included some new paints which have improved the quality of work by our advanced students in water color and fashion drawing. Also our small reference library has been supplemented with some new books and portfolios of material for our advertising course.
In cooperation with the Attleboro Art Chapter, an organization which keeps in constant touch with the Art Department of our schools, art students in our high school took part in a non-competitive exhibit with students of North Attleboro and Norton. This exhibit was held in the Attleboro Public Library and was well attended by students, parents and townspeople. The experience seemed especial- ly valuable to the students who managed a great part of the details. One group did the selecting, mounting, and arranging of the material; another the cataloging and necessary explanatory lettering; while a third group did the actual hanging of the pictures.
The illustration class had a problem in scenery painting for the first time when they painted the stage sets for the "Mikado", the operetta presented by the Music Department. This project was carried out so that everyone had some work to do under the direction of Anthony LaNinfa, 1938, a senior who designed the sets.
Work of three of our seniors was shown in the Young America Paints exhibit held in Radio City, New York, two of the paintings being street scenes and the third a group in flower arrangement. This was an achievement of note, for drawings were submitted from every state in the United States.
At the opening of school, September 1938, we were able to more nearly equalize the numbers in classes and to have smaller groups working at a time. With this arrangement it is possible to give more attention to each student, to have more field trips to exhibits and places of artistic interest, and to hold classes in outdoor sketching.
Our sketch Club is now a firmly established organization rather than an experiment. It is a student activity which is worthy of continuance.
It is interesting to know that five members of the graduating class entered art school in September, 1938, two at the Rhode Island School of Design, two at the Massachusetts School of Art, and one at the Vesper George School of Art. These training schools are among the most highly rated institutions of the pro- fession.
Because Art Education has been somewhat criticized everywhere in the past few years we are making every effort to have our Art Department give worthwhile service and enjoyment to the students and to the city. We welcome problems from the different schools, teachers, and civic organizations, provided they are timely and non-commercial.
I wish to thank all the people who have given us their splendid cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
Ardith P. Todd.
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF ART Elementary Schools
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
I herewith submit the following report of Art Education in the elementary schools.
This school year has been an exceptionally busy one. The ultimate aims and objectives for which we are constantly striving in Art education; to encourage and maintain originality, to develop skill, and to show the relation of Art to other subjects and phases of living, are nearer being realized wherever the work is being carried on.
Outlines have been issued to all teachers monthly. These are planned to allow for progressive deviation. It is my purpose that they will continue to be used in this manner so that eventually they will serve more as a "manual" for teachers' reference of the type of work to be covered for the grade level instead of as a series of definite set lessons which, under various circumstances, often hamper the development of other experiences for the child.
The outlines contain the following information: one page showing the year, grade, school, teacher's name, room number, art program for the week, and the number of hours allowed for the work per week; the objectives for the month, various suggestions for work, blackboard drawings and room decorations, etc .; a list of graded pictures for picture study; a figure study chart; a page of common tree forms; lettering notes; lettering charts; a list of possible art activities for integrated work, and suggested materials for use with these activities; a graded list of projects; and a record chart of the number of projects completed.
In conjunction with the outlines, projects or activities of integrated work are encouraged and developed. These activities promote initiative and allow pupils to use and apply principles of art which they have previously studied. This work also proves the value of art as a vital, necessary aid to other studies in the school curriculum. One child was so interested in a history activity which was developed in the classroom, as to make a similar one in great detail at home during her leisure hours. One entire class while studying the poem "Hiawatha", made original illustrations on lantern slides. These slides were presented as a school assembly program. This particular activity integrated reading, language study, and in art the study of picture composition.
The scenery for many school plays and entertainments has been completed in the course of this pxst year also.
All of the mentioned activities and many more show the importance, growing demand and necessity for more art education. Cther progressive larger school systems, which we may look to as examples, are all actively engaged in this type of work; and we in Attleboro must of a necessity work for more of it.
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