USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1941 > Part 9
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During American Education Week, November 9 to 15, the pupils in the eighth grades started to work on a "Defense Poster" project sponsored by the Attleboro Round Table. These are to be placed on exhibit in Attleboro to en- courage the sale of Defense Savings Bonds and Stamps. After this a selected group will be sent to Boston representing Attleboro at the Massachusetts Federa- tion of Womens Clubs.
While all of these stimulating activities are being carried on, regular seasonal work is carried out too. At the present time some soap carving is being done along with clay modeling. Two classes at the Lincoln and Finberg schools respectively are participating in the making of block prints for the printing of Christmas cards. All classes are given the opportunity to make special Christmas holiday decorations, cards and gifts; several of the seventh and eighth grades have pupils now engaged in the painting and decorating of such articles as wooden trays, boxes and colorful strings of gourds.
In addition to promoting this full program I have tried to keep in touch with what is being done in other places by worthwhile outside contacts. Last summer I attended session and exhibits at the N. E. A. Convention in Boston, June 29 to July 2, where the Department of Art Education lectures were held at the Museum of Fine Arts lecture halls. Here the doings of the Saint Louis, Cleveland and San Francisco convention were discussed, thus giving a relative under- standing of the endeavors in this field of education in other parts of our country. Movies showing the value of motion pictures in the teaching of the appreciation of Art and actual classroom methods were also shown.
There have also been several necessary conferences with the head librarian of the local library, committees of the local Museum of Art and History, and partici- pation in the judging of American Legion Posters made by pupils in other parts of the state to represent Massachusetts in the national contest.
Although I did not feel that I could attend the Eastern Art Teachers' Con- vention, held in New York, this year, I kept my membership in the Association and the bulletin of January, 1941, lists me among those having unbroken member- ship records covering the past five years.
It would be impossible to mention in detail all that has been done in this department within this past year. However, I have tried to present enough in this report to show that pupils and teachers are most certainly active and, I
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believe, more interested than ever before in this subject. Principals and teachers are most cooperative.
That this department is busy can readily be understood by the growing interest and demands made by outside influences. I wish that it were possible to do more, for the interest evidenced by these outside influences brings out more clearly the fact that Attleboro is Art conscious, and this is as it should be.
For next year to make the curriculum more progressive, I would like to arrange to have Art Education motion pictures added to the list of pictures now obtained for the schools.
I would also like to arrange to have children make field trips to jewelry factories and nearby places of cultural interest.
In closing may I say that enthusiasm and interest in this subject in our schools is most gratifying. It makes all effort worthwhile.
Please accept my sincere appreciation for your help and advice.
Respectfully submitted,
Myrtice A. Perrin.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
Physical education has the same responsibilities as education in general. It is that area of education which, because it deals with the body in action, in movement, has as one of its major aims the development of more sensitive control of this instrument for more effective functioning.
Every pupil enrolled in the public schools enjoys a physical education program daily. Physical activity is essential for normal growth and development and for health maintenance.
The playground program has as its general objectives: to afford pupils the benefits of outdoor exercise, to provide pupils with material that is satisfying now and has significance in terms of leisure time activities, to help pupils to develop desirable social traits evident in individual and group sports, to develop in pupils desirable character traits such as fair play, courtesy, honesty, self control, loyalty, truthfulness, and good sportsmanship. Our program varies according to the facilities available at the various schools.
At Finberg School in Hebronville, and Lincoln School in South Attleboro, where gymnasiums are a part of the school plant, both boys and girls enjoy standard gymnasium work, in addition to their playground activities. At all other schools the work is done on the play space and in the classrooms. Plans are now completed for a gymnasium program at the new Willett School when the auditorium-gymnasium is made ready for the work. A partial list of grade school activities include posture training and posture exercises, group games, team games, the skills of team games, athletic contests, individual sports, stunts, self-testing activities, rhythms and folk dancing, swimming instruction and sports instruction.
The annual "Play Day" was renamed "Posture Day" in order to bring the importance of posture before the pupils. Inter-room posture drill competition was held in the schools, and prizes awarded to the winning rooms. During the school year the correct sitting and standing positions have been taught, and movies have aided in this work, the films being obtained from the State Depart- ment of Health.
Special events were the City-wide basketball tournament for boys of the grammar school, vocational, jewelry trades, and high school groups, eighth grade basketball classes for girls, first-aid, life-saving and water safety instruction, athletic leagues in soccer football, basketball, baseball and track, football in-
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struction for eighth grade boys, basketball night programs for Finberg, Bank Street, Bliss, Sanford Street, Richardson and Lincoln schools, tennis tournaments, high school inter-class and inter-school hockey, including games with Norton, Canton and Needham high school groups, figure skating class, skating race meet at Washington School, and the City wide swimming campaign.
In addition to the annual high school inter-class track competition, meets were held with Oliver Ames, Walpole, and Fairhaven high schools, St. Raphael Academy and Dean Academy. Several boys were entered in the State meet at Newton High School.
Recommendations: A wire fence fronting West Street at Farmers School. This is practically the only play space available for the children. The grade is downhill toward the street making a decidedly hazardous situation during play periods and recesses when equipment is used. The fence with a gate would be a wonderful safety measure, completely enclosing the playground.
A board floor for the Lincoln School gymnasium, and provisions made for a dressing room with shower facilities.
May I extend my sincere thanks to you, and to all who have in any way assisted me in my duties.
Respectfully submitted, J. Ray Cooney.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
I submit my annual report as school physician for the year 1941.
A well balanced Health Program should be included in the curriculum of modern education. Factors in the making of such a system should include physical examinations, control of contagious diseases, personal hygiene instruc- tion, a complete course in physical education, a good dental program, and the proper school house facilities for the pupils.
There must be complete cooperation between the various agencies involved, both with the teacher and the parent. Health education should not be construed as an extra by the teaching staff, but as a must in the educational program. There has too long been an indifference to the emphasis on health in the educa- tional system. The building of the body is as essentially important as the train- ing of the mind.
The initiative in health education properly belongs to the teacher. The care of defects, however, and the responsibility of the health of the pupil properly remains with the parent. It is of little use to teach the pupils proper health habits in the school if they are not encouraged at home.
I believe that all health agencies now operating in the schools should be more closely coordinated.
The health program must be suited to the needs of the community in which it is carried on. I believe it necessary that the school authorities and the public must show collective interest in such a program and must be prepared to carry on the responsibility of the proper functioning of the program.
In order that those interested may become acquainted with the medical health program I give you the following resume of the work as it is now carried on.
Physical examinations are carried on annually throughout the school system, exclusive of the high school, where those engaged in ahtletics are examined before they are allowed to take part in them.
Defects found are noted and the parent is informed thereof. These notices are made out on a triplicate form and should be signed and returned by the parent or his physician, thus insuring a definite recommendation for correction of the defects as agreed on.
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Pupils 3 years or more retarded up to the age of 14 are examined. These include the maladjusted child.
Physical and mental examinations are given by the Department of Mental Diseases. Results of these exams are kept on file at the office of the superin- tendent of schools.
The two Tuberculosis Clinics have been held annually. The original Chadwick Clinic comprising a ten year program, has been concluded and a clinic under the auspices of the Bristol County Hospital is functioning instead. This clinic operates at the high school where pupils are tested and those found positive are X-rayed. Physical examinations are given each X-rayed pupil. Results of these examinations are accessible to the parents. Positive X-rays are referred to the family physician and the health department.
Children are referred to the Habit Clinic at the Sturdy Hospital monthly, through arrangement of the family or school physician.
Ear and eye defects are found as result of tests given by the teachers. In case of doubtful results the school nurse is notified.
The control of contagious diseases is very seriously attempted by the school and city health officer. Daily inspections are made in rooms where contagious disease has been reported. during the incubation period. Reports of absence due to contagious diseases are investigated and the health department is notified of any cases found in the schools. All contacts are identified where possible and excluded. Teachers are instructed as to the common symptoms of contagious disease, so that any other cases can be excluded by them.
Pupils are excluded by the teachers on the recommendation of the school physician or nurse, in case of any acute condition detrimental to the other pupils.
They are readmitted by certificates issued by the family physician, school physician or nurse.
No medical or surgical treatment of any kind is given to the pupils except in emergency, where first aid measures are required. All those in need of any treat- ment are referred to their parents who should secure the services of their family physician.
Recommendations:
I. I feel that the present health program should be carefully examined and any necessary changes made which will be adaptable to our community.
II. A definite program of health education should be instituted.
III. A more coordinated physical education program to be devised, which will give opportunities for the many instead of the few.
IV. Proper transportation arrangements for the school nurse should be arranged at once.
V. It may become necessary that with the broadening of the present scope of the health activities, additional assistants will be required, therefore, the school authorities should give this matter early consideration, if these changes are to be instituted at the beginning of the new school year.
A detailed report of the work for the year follows:
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Totals
Schools Visited.
22
16
18
13
15
12
12
20
16
17
161
Physical Examinations
524
597
414
56
85
629
321
556
3182
Office Visits
256
74
52
46
37
32
46
48
53
46
690
Vaccinations.
1
7
8
Examinations for Athletics
12
44
78
84
15
233
Special Examinations
38
1
1 27
24
1
127
107
326
Working Certificates.
2
1
1
3
7
3
18
8
10
6
59
Exam. following accident. . . 48
48
Referred for X-ray.
1
1
Respectfully submitted, Jesse W. Battershall, M. D.
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ANNUAL REPORT
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
December. During this month 40 school visits were made, and 26 home calls. Scarlet fever cases at Bank Street, Sanford Street and Washington schools neces- sitated 487 inspections during the incubation period of the disease. Three cases of ring worm, 2 cases of scabies and one case of conjunctivitis were recom- mended for exclusion. Sixty-eight girls and boys of the high school basketball teams were examined by the school physician and nurse, before being allowed to participate in this sport. Four hundred and fifty-one annual physical examina- tions were completed in the elementary schools. Mental history taking of pupils three years retraded was completed.
January. Sixty-five school visits were made and 6 home calls. Cold and grippe were prevalent everywhere. With scarlet fever in the Washington, Cap- ron, Finberg and Richardson schools, and chicken pox at the Richardson School, 972 inspections were made in the rooms in which there were actual cases. In- spections for pediculosis were made in all the schools visited. An investigation of the physical condition of each pupil involved in a school bus accident was made by the school physician and nurse. First aid was given where necessary. Follow-up visits were made to the homes of those out of school, and school visits were made to those in school on the two following days. Pupils carried on the Chadwick Clinic were weighed and measured at High School. One case of neglect was investigated at the request of the Police Department. Appointments were made for five children to have their eyes tested and to receive glasses, through the Teachers' Eyeglass Fund. A class in Infant Hygiene was started at the Voca- tional School. Dr. Helen McGillicudy, from the Department of Child Guidance and Social Hygiene, talked to the High School girls. Other health talks were given by the school nurse to various High School groups.
February. Thirty-eight schools were visited and 15 home calls were made. Three hundred thirty-five physical examinations were completed. Another investigation and report was made of the children who were involved in the bus accident, at both High and Bank Street schools. Another minor accident case was investigated. First aid was given to 14 children. A conference was held with Mr. Victor Vaughan of the School Committee, regarding lighting and eyes of the school child. An all day Red Cross meeting was attended in Worcester, Massachusetts.
March. Forty school visits and 2 home calls were made. Eyeglasses were secured for 6 children, and an X-ray at the Bristol County Hospital for another. Five hundred forty-nine physical exaimnations were completed and 258 special inspections were made for communicable diseases. Many cases of whooping cough and colds occurred at Bliss and Capron schools among the primary children. The School Clinic X-rayed 18 children at the High School, for evidence of tuberculosis in its follow-up clinic. Twelve athletes were examined by the school physician for the track team. First aid was given to 6 children and to one teacher. Assistance was given in the weighing and measuring of the children at Sanford Street School. Presence at the Juvenile Court was requested by the S.P.C.C. agent, when three neglect cases came up.
April Thirty-nine schools were visited and 6 home calls were made. Forty- four boys were examined for baseball and the annual physical examinations were completed. One boy was taken to the Bristol County Hospital for X-ray. The selection of the 18 children for the Bristol County Health Camp (made possible through the Christmas Seal sale) was started. Nine other neglect cases came up at the Juvenile Court which the nurse was requested to attend. Inspections for pediculosis were again'done. Four' children were excluded with evidence of pediculosis.
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ANNUAL REPORT
May. Forty school visits were made and 19 home calls, to secure children for camp. The Bristol County School Clinic gave chest examinations to the 18 previously X-rayed. Ten children were X-rayed and examined by the doctors of the Chadwick Clinic (state). At Farmers, Bliss and Washington schools, 405 inspections were made for symptoms of scarlet fever. Several cases of whooping cough occurred at Pleasant Street School. The pre-school clinic was held under the auspices of the District Nursing Association, with the school nurse assisting. Ninety-seven pre-school children were examined by eight doctors and one dentist. One accident case was investigated.
June. Forty-two schools were visited and 6 home calls were made. Scat- tered cases of whooping cough and many cases of ivy poison occurred in all schools. Health Day, with emphasis on "Posture" was held in all the schools. Attendance at the Juvenile Court session was requested by the S.P.C.C. agent, on two neglect cases.
September. A vaccination clinic was held at the Sturdy Hospital, under the auspices of the Health Department, for the children of indigent parents. Seven children were vaccinated. Vaccinations were checked of all new pupils in all the schools. Seventy-six boys were examined for football by the school physician and nurse. Seven home calls were made. Inspections for pediculosis were made and 7 children recommended for exclusion, with 37 receiving warning notices. First aid was given to 31 children. Sixty-one school visits were made and several conferences were held with the S.P.C.C. agent regarding neglect cases. A poli- omyelitis case occurred at Farmers School where daily inspections were made for two weeks.
October. Fifty-seven schools were visited and 14 home calls were made. Six hundred twenty-nine physical examinations and 84 examinations for athletics were completed. One accident case was investigated and first aid was given to 42 children, consisting mostly of skinned knees and hands. One Jewelry Trades School boy was taken to the hospital for an X-ray. Mental histories were started of all children retarded three years or more, and of those children who are problem cases, in preparation for their examination at the Mental Clinic.
November. Forty-three schools were visited and 52 home calls were made. Two hundred and sixty-three inspections were made for measles at the Lincoln School. Two children were recommended for exclusion. In the absence of the Health Nurse, the School Nurse visited all homes where measles cases occurred, obtaining information regarding the contacts and the medical care. One chicken-pox case was investigated. At Tiffany School a child swallowed an eraser and was taken home by the nurse, with advice to the parents to obtain medical care. One appointment for an eye examination was made, and the checking of all eye defects was started. Children on the Chadwick Clinic were weighed and measured. A conference with the Bristol County Clinic nurse was held as to arrangements of a new clinic at the High School in January. Children in the High School where the incidence of tuberculosis is highest, will be given the opportunity to be tested and X-rayed twice during their High School years. Mental history taking was completed.
During the morning office hours, from 8 to 9 daily, 212 conferences with parents and pupils were held. These conferences, as well as the home visits tend to establish a closer link between the home and the school, which is vitally necessary in securing the cooperation of the parent.
In closing, may I thank all those who have aided me in the fulfillment of my duties.
Respectfully submitted,
Dorothy B. Wendell, R. N.
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE ATTENDANCE OFFICER
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
I submit herewith my fourth report as Attendance Officer.
Number of cases investigated, 163. This is 67 less than last year. Of this number only 17 cases were from the Vocational School. The small number of cases from the Vocational School is probably due to more home calls by teachers.
Investigation revealed the following reasons for absence:
Absent on account of illness. 58
Detained by parents for other causes 28
Moved from city 7
Left school 1
Taken to Court. 2
Truants. 59
Attending city schools . 2
Attending schools out of town. 2
Negligence . 3
Disciplinary cases 1
163
The two cases that were brought to court are now on probation. It is interesting to note that no absences this past year were due to lack of clothing. Respectfully submitted, W. Wesley Young.
REPORT OF THE CUSTODIAN OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
I submit herewith my fourth annual report as Custodian of School Buildings. The past year has seen many improvements in our schools, among them the new Willett School, which we were fortunate to finish before the National emergency made it impossible to obtain building materials. The replacement of the old style window shades with the new double shades has improved the lighting in every room where they have been installed.
At the High School we had to put seventeen new tubes in the boilers as these boilers are very old and should be retubed as they are becoming quite expensive to keep in working order.
The Bank Street School has been abandoned and all the equipment has been removed to the Sanford Street grammar building for storage.
At the Bliss School new window shades have been installed in rooms 1, 2, 3, 4 and 14. These are the new double shades. New shades were also hung in the upper and lower rear corridors and the front and side stairways. Some of the stairways need new treads which must be replaced in the near future. A new fence is badly needed across the back of the yard which will complete the wire fencing around this building. All classroom furniture was revarnished.
The Briggs Corner School has had new toilets placed in both the boys' and girls' basements. This eliminates the old latrine system. A sink was set up in the basement, gas was piped into the basement and a gas stove set up so hot lunches could be served. The back door that was beyond repair has been re- placed. The dry well in the rear of the building was dug up and repaired. This will eliminate the water in the cellar.
The furnishings of the Capron School have been taken up and stored. This building is now being used by the Girl Scouts.
The Carpenter Street School is being used as a storage place by the School Department and the Welfare Board.
At the Farmers School the floor in room 1 was treated with a preparation to keep down dust. The toilets were painted with white enamel, and a new coal bin which will more than double the capacity of the present bin has been con- structed. All defective smoke pipe was renewed.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Doors at both ends of the Finberg School which were in a dangerous condition were replaced as well as the door on the fire escape. New double shades were installed in one of the rooms to replace single shades. All classroom furniture was varnished.
Lincoln School was painted on the outside with two coats of lead and oil paint. The cement corridors were painted with deck enamel. New grate bars were installed in one of the boilers.
At the Plat School a new window was installed in the second floor cloak room.
A new heater was set up at the Pleasant Street School and that now completes the renewing of the heating equipment at that school. The new steel furnaces are far better than the old cast iron ones. All toilets were repainted. The chimney had to be rebuilt as it had gotten in a dangerous condition. The depres- sion in the sidewalk that held water after every rain has been eliminated. The latrine system at this school as well as the Farmers School should be replaced with modern toilets. There is enough toilet equipment at the Sanford Street School to take care of both these buildings.
Much has been done at the Richardson School. The outside trim has been painted with two coats of lead and oil paint and the joints between the brick and woodwork caulked with a special compound which ought to make a saving in the fuel expense of this school. A new section of fence was erected on the Pearl Street side of the building. New grate bars were installed in one of the boilers. The fresh air room has been converted into a domestic science room. Three rooms of pupils' furniture were set up in two vacant rooms and as a replacement in another room. Old window shades were replaced with new double shades in rooms 2, 3, 5, 10, 13, the office, teachers' room and the front corridor.
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