USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Douglas > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Douglas, for the year ending 1936 > Part 3
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Let me quote from the last issue of the Yearbook of the Depart- ment of Superintence of the National Education Association.
"It is now apparent that the people have emerged into a new outlook upon certain common aspects of life. Horizons have broadened. At least two policies are taking form:
1. That the people as a whole, regardless of state and regional lines, are concerned with the conservation of our physical and liuman resources. Hence, the nation insists that none of its citizens shall be deprived of the minimum educational preparation necessary for active participation in a democratic society.
2. That the predominant educational pattern of the past has been inadequate in its social emphasis. Superficially this statement has been interpreted as a need for increases in the number and content of the social studies. More fundamentally it means giving attention to attitudes and to values which, while recognizing the necessity for individual development and material success, provide with more cer- tainty for the general welfare.
Far reaching and genuine changes in educational philosophy, in school organization, in curriculums, and in methods will of necessity take place. But with all these changes the educational program needs to be kept close to the problems and hopes of the people. Education must be built, even more firmly than at present, into every aspect of social progress.
Educators must become students of the social processes of Am- erican democracy; laymen of all economic levels and cultural in- terests must be asked to assist in the formulation of educational poli-
S
cies; and finally in the implementation of these policies, instruction will of necessity draw upon the human and material resources of present day society.
The implication of all this is, that we must all join forces if we are to establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare and secure the bless- ings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity. And to all this we dedicate our best efforts. Education must teach us to grow, physically, mentally, morally and emotionally; tempered by sound principles of sociology, ethics, economics and democracy. Never before has the school faced a greater challenge.
At the present time we offer very little differentiation of courses of study though such differentiation is greatly needed, particularly at high school levels. Our only hope is to organize what might be termed prevocational courses-thereby preparing our graduates for better work in the trades and industries. Too many pupils take the commercial course, but do so because it is the only course we are able to offer which fits one for employment. Many grammar school grad- uates would do well to consider trade school courses rather than undertake high school work-inasmuch as they are better fitted by nature for such courses. A beginning along this line was made last year. Vocational courses along many different lines are offered at the Worcester Trade Schools and pupils who intend entering the trades should be encouraged to undertake this training, rather than a high school course, which, in spite of our desires, is largely cul- tural and leads to college courses and the professions.
Our departmentalizing of our seventh and eighth grades, with promotions by subjects, has worked well and will be continued. Our next step will be to differentiate the work of these grades along the line of junior high school programs, providing the same may be done without too great an expenditure.
Correspondence courses given by the State Department offer many programs which should suit the needs of many of our pupils in high school. At the present time we are managing one such course in mechanical drawing-and pupils are being encouraged to consider other courses.
Our program of annual testing with standard tests has proved invaluable and gives us a yard stick for measuring our pupils' accomplishment. By means of this testing, teacher and pupil know more accurately what the difficulties are-thus giving the data necessary for growth and progress.
In regard to Safety Education a beginning has been made --- but much more needs to be done-and will be done. When we realize that in the United States over 100 people are killed by autos every day and that 2740 are injured every day it is apparent that Safety Education is essential and important
When we realize the great difference in the mental needs of our children, we appreciate all the more the need of Home Economics
9
and Manual Training courses. Both these courses were eliminated during the depression-but both should be reinstated as soon as business conditions warrant it.
Physical education at present consists of a course of hygiene and sanitation definitely arranged for each grade. Athletics are being taken care of by Mr. Gagne and Miss Martin, but we have no physical educational program for all the pupils, except as above stated. To undertake such a program would require a gymnasium -- which, for present, is beyond our possibilities, unless such a building could be arranged for through a P. W. A. project.
A survey covering the past ten years shows as follows:
Our average yearly expenditures for all schools, exclusive of general control was $33,615.35; for teachers salaries $22,244.45; for supplies was $939.09; for textbooks was $745.13; for repairs, re- placements and upkeep $892.87; average number of pupils 522: average number of pupils per teacher 31.6; average number of teachers 16.5 During the past ten years our lowest enrollment was 492 (Oct. 1935), our highest 542 (Oct. 1928) and this year it is 502, an increase of ten over last year.
The physical condition of all buildings is good. The Riley Stoker installed in the grammar school building has made it possible to keep this building warm at all times.
For a more detailed report of school activities I refer you to the reports of the principal of the high school and the supervisors and school nurse.
The teachers, principals, supervisors and special teachers are all enthusiastic about their work, ready and willing at all times to render extra service, and the results in the schools show they have all done good work. I appreciate this co-operation and loyalty- and thank them and the citizens of Douglas for their substantial and generous support.
Respectfully submitted,
A. B. GARCELON
Supt. Schools
ATTENDANCE FOR SCHOOL YEAR ENDING JUNE, 1936
SCHOOL
TEACHERS
Enrollment
Under 5 years
Between
5-7 years
Between
7-14 years
14-16 years
Over 16 years
Average
Membership
Average
Attendance
Per cent of
Attendance
Number of
Tardinesses
Number of
Dismissals
High
. .
18
Juniors .
17
Sophmores
21
Freshmen
Tabea Sweinberger
Evelina Martin
Kathleen Rogers
Clarence Gagne
46
0
0
27
15
4 41.06
39.44
96.02 96.23
104 65
13
Grade 8
Myra H. Jillson
46
0
0
41
5
0
49.66
47.79
40.93
97.07
37
17
Grammar 6
Eunice L. Buffington ..
42
0
0
40
2
21
1
0 22.21
21.11
95.05
34
5
Gertrude Matthewman
22
0
0
0
33
2
0 34.99
33.26
95.06 93.29
15
2
40
0
0
40
0
30
0
0 29.83
28.34
95.48
8
4
",
3
Maria Buxton
22
0
13
9
0
0
21.56
20.18
93.49
10
25
"
1-2
Daisy Sweet
33
0
14
19
0
0 32.71
30.87
94.53
35
0
"
2
Betsy Reid
29
0
28
1
0
0 27.89
25.37
90.84
22
0
1
Gertrude Smith 4
26
0
0
25
1
0 25.46
23.56
92.54
4
6
Douglas 4-5-6
1-2-3-
Elizabeth Chapdelaine
26
0
9
17
0
0 26.00
23.71
92.27
1
Total Elementary Schools
397
Total All Schools
495
0|
8| 50| 40| 84.83| 80.48| 94.95| 141| 74
C. W. Holmes
98|
0|
42
.
.
.
.
. .
.
30
0
0
0 38.47
37.31
4
Elinor M. Dunleavy
35
25
5
5
Mary A. Joy
7
Lola H. Dudley
0
0 41.91
3-5
0
ยท
.
Molly Kelly
Between
Seniors
10
LIST OF TEACHERS JANUARY, 1937
NAME
SCHOOL
HOME ADDRESS
GRADUATE OF
When Appointed In Town
C. W. Holmes
High
East Douglas
Brown University
1918
Evelina Martin
High
West Peabody
Tufts College
1929
Clarence Gagne
High
East Douglas
Bay Path Institute
1931
Kathleen Rogers
High
Chatham
Columbia University
1934
Tabea Sweinberger
High
Holyoke
Mt. Holyoke College
1932
Myra Jillson
High
8
East Douglas
Worcester Normal
1924
Lola Dudley
High
7
East Douglas
Boston Normal
1926
Eunice L. Buffington
Grammar,
6
East Douglas
Douglas High
1890
Mary A. Joy
Grammar,
5
East Douglas
Worcester Normal
1928
Elinor Dunleavy
Grammar,
4
East Douglas
Boston University
1932
Maria C. Buxton
Grammar,
3
East Douglas
Worcester Normal
1916
Elizabeth Chapdelaine
Grammar,
3-5
East Douglas
Worcester Normal
1934
Betsy Reid
Grammar, 2
Peacedale, R. I.
Wheelock Training
1931
Mollie Kelly
Grammar, 1
East Douglas
Douglas High
1908
Daisy Sweet
Grammar, 1-2
East Douglas Douglas
Symonds T. School
1916
Gertrude Smith
Douglas Center 4-5-6
1900
Dorothy Scribner
Douglas Center 1-2-3
East Douglas
1936
David Gallatly
Music Supervisor
Uxbridge
1932
Frank O. Dodge
Band Instructor
Worcester
1931
Howard C. Barre
Orchestra Instructor
1931
W. L. Rinehart
Writing Supervisor
Middlebury, Vt. High Worcester Normal Atl. Associated Studios
1933
11
12
Douglas Memorial High School
Mr. A. B. Garcelon,
Superintendent of Schools:
A recent report of a "Committee on the Social-Economic Goals of America," under the auspices of the National Education Asso- ciation, takes the seven well-known "Cardinal Principles of Second- ary Education" and extends them to ten, in the attempt to enable the high school to train for a citizenship which will be better able to cope with problems in our national life so sharply brought to mind during the past decade. These newly-declared principles only restate the old in different language and add several that reflect the influence of current political opinion. All that is really vital in the training of high school youth is summed up in the objectives of the old "Cardinal Principles," namely: Health, command of the fundamentals, vocation, citizenship, worthy use of leisure time, worthy home membership, and ethical character.
The degree of success in attaining these objectives in high school, in college, and in adult education, will determine the meas- ure of success of the American people in dealing with their prob- lems; for these seven objectives, in turn, all lead toward meeting the one great need in American life, efficiency combined with ethi- cal character.
Let us consider what we have for a high school, what we are doing toward the objectives outlined above and what improve- ments are needed.
First, have we the proper grade grouping for a high school? At a meeting of the High School Principals' Association of Massa- chusetts in Boston recently a high authority stated that in all the confusion that has existed as to the grades a high school should include, it is now clear that it should be a six-year school, that it should be organized as one six-year unit, with no "Junior-High" or "Senior-High" divisions or distinctions. As far as that definition of a high school goes, therefore, we are in line with progress.
We organized our six-year high school five years ago, when the addition of one high school teacher to the faculty made that step possible. We also began promotion by subject in the 7th and 8th grades, a policy which had already been adopted in the old high school, and introduced new texts and methods more suitable to a six-year school.
Since 1932, however, the only material advance made was the introduction of a course in Problems of Democracy for Juniors and
13
Seniors. This course, together with the history and civics courses, fairly rounds out the department intended primarily for the attain- ment of the citizenship objective.
We are fairly strong in the college preparatory and commer- cial subjects, which make toward command of the fundamentals, help toward the vocation objective, use of leisure time, and furnish much valuable training in ethical character.
College preparatory work, however, takes care of only a small percent of the school population. We are weak in providing for the great majority who will not go beyond high school. The type of pupil that cannot be interested in foreign language or mathematics needs hand training as well as mental training.
The obvious step for improvement in this direction is a House- hold Arts department. This department should be very different from the Domestic Science which was dropped during the depres- sion. It should be taught at least two periods daily. Formerly it interrupted and weakened the work of some major course once a week. It should be itself a major course, not for mere children in the lower grades, but for girls in the upper grades. It should be taught by a woman who would command a high salary, who could teach one or two other subjects, who would have the breadth of view to understand that her work toward the high objective of worthy home membership would be the indispensable complement of training also for health, worthy use of leisure time, and ethical character.
The boys need manual arts as the girls do household arts, but we should first supply the latter need because we have both room and equipment for it, while the boys' manual training room dis- appeared before the demands of an increasing school population.
The second great need is a gymnasium. Physical training is the indispensable complement of mental training, and it is practi- cally impossible without a gymnasium. We have therefore inade- quate means to strive toward the first great objective in education, health.
Finally there is an improvement needed for the benefit of the more ambitious type of student, which would cost little compared with the salary of another teacher or the cost of a gymnasium. There are always a few of the older students who would profit by University Extension work. This work is now carried on in fourteen or more high schools in this state and is bound to be introduced into more and more small high schools when its value is appreciated.
The object of this work is to enable a student to get something needed for college or self-improvement which cannot be offered by the crowded program of the small high school.
The plan is very simple. A Junior or Senior in good standing who wishes to enroll for a correspondence course pays the fee in advance (three to ten dollars), gets his material from the University Extension Division in Boston by mail and goes to work. He receives his work in five or more assignments. As he finishes each assign- ment he notifies the principal or teacher in charge and mails it to
14
the Division, which does all correcting, teaching and marking. If the course is finished successfully within a reasonable time, the period to be determined by the Principal advised by the Division, he presents his certificate from the Division to the School Commit- tee and is reimbursed for the cost of the course, less the cost of books and equipment he may wish to keep.
This is the plan I advocate, which I think better than the one prevailing in other schools, where the students are enrolled with- out change to them and the Division sends the bill direct to the School Committee. Under this plan I think it must be hard to guard against a waste of money for poor work done or courses dropped without good reason.
The usual statistical data follows:
Total enrollment in the six grades, 184.
Enrollment in the upper four years, 92.
Number expected to graduate this year, 13; next year, 14. Probably twice that number will graduate thereafter, since there are now 34 Sophomores in good standing.
The organization by classes taught by teachers of the upper four years, with pupil enrollment, is as follows:
The Principal:
Three mathematics classes, 36; Two science classes, 34.
Miss Martin:
Senior American History and Civics, 13; Freshman Community Civics, 11; Ancient History, 20; Commercial Law, 11; Eighth Grade History, 28.
Mr. Gagne:
Six Classes in Commercial Subjects, 90.
Miss Sweinberger:
The Upper Four English Classes, 92; Seventh Grade Hygiene and Spelling, 57.
Miss Rogers:
Three French and Two Latin Classes, 81.
We are glad to amend this report by the announcement that the Committee on January 18, 1937, adopted the University Exten- sion plan advocated above.
Respectfully submitted,
C. W. HOLMES,
Principal.
15
Report of Athletic Director
To the Superintendent of Schools,
East Douglas, Massachusetts:
I herewith submit my sixth annual report as Director of Ath- letics in the Douglas High School.
It has been our aim during the past few years to build up our athletic program to a point equal to that of what is expected of up-to-date high schools. These past few years have not been easy ones, but by hard work and careful management we have been able to establish our funds and equip our teams to make a good appear- ance on the field. At the present time we own and have paid for equipment valued at well over $500. In the mean time we have taken care of our running expenses which would be well in excess of $300. This has only been possible by assessing members of the student body and conducting an average of four projects each year for the benefit of this fund.
Our program has now reached the limit of possibilities under existing conditions. Football has been re-established and baseball continues the stronger sport. Incidentally Douglas is one of two schools in the state with enrollments of less than 100 supporting a football team. A schedule fit for schools three times their size is listed for 1937, so we can well be proud of the work of our teams. Only better support morally and financially from the townspeople will assure us of success. Hence it is plain that the students them- selves can do little more than they have with the present program.
The moral value which high school athletics should achieve is practically lost during the lapse between the football and baseball seasons. A winter sport should be added. Douglas is one of the very few communities in the state which does not offer facilities for high school basket-ball. Even communities much smaller in size have provided excellent facilities for this winter activity. It seems reasonable to believe that with the numerous Government building programs that we might expect this condition to be cor- rected soon.
May I express my appreciation to you, the school board, Mr. Holmes, and to all who have so generously helped make our present program possible.
Respectfully submitted,
C. A. GAGNE,
Director of Athletics.
16
Report of Supervisor of Music
Mr. A. B. Garcelon,
Superintendent of Schools,
East Douglas, Mass.
Dear Mr. Garcelon,
I herewith submit my fourth annual report as Supervisor of Music in the Public Schools of Douglas.
The tone quality throughout all the grades has improved greatly during the past year, and in the lower grades the number of mono- tones is steadily decreasing.
The fourth grade pupils have already started on two part singing. This, as a rule, cannot be accomplished till near the end of the school year.
The pupils of the fifth grade are doing fine work in two part music and advanced theory.
I am grateful for a new set of books for the sixth grade. The books contain unison, two part, and three part songs which are being well sung by the children.
In the seventh and eighth grades, we have sung many of the folk songs of the south, and of other countries in unison, besides the regu- lar three and four part music. The singing at the' class day exercises this past year was unusually good.
The voices of many of the High School boys are at the chang- ing point now, but in a few months many of them will be sufficiently settled to enable the boys to sing well at the graduation exercises next June.
The High School Orchestra played orchestral works of an ad- vanced grade very satisfactorily this year, and the members have been faithful in attendance at rehearsals.
In September a piano was given to the Grammar School Building by Mrs. James M. Hodgdon. We appreciate this gift very much.
I wish to thank you, the school committee, the principals and all of the teachers for their co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
DAVID N. GELLATLY
Music Supervisor
17
Report of Music Instructors
Mr. A. B. Garcelon,
Superintendent of Schools,
East Douglas, Mass.
Dear Mr. Garcelon:
I herewith submit my annual report as instructor of instrumental classes in the East Douglas schools.
My aim is to give each child a fair understanding of his in- strument and the part it plays as a solo or an orchestral instrument. To do this, a thorough knowledge of rhythm, intonation and tone production is necessary. Rhythm, being taught in the class room, by Mr. Gellatly demands less attention than do intonation and tone.
Each new interval is carefully taught and drilled before it is applied to a soio or orchestral piece. A great deal of time) is spent in dev loping tone, especially on the violin and 'cello. Each violinist is shown how to hold the bow correctly and how to produce the best tone from his instrument. This is constantly being brought to the attention of the young musician.
I wish to thank you, Mr. Garcelon, the School Committee, the teachers and others who have co-operated with me to make this work a success.
Respectfully submitted, HOWARD C. BARRE, Instrumental Instructor
REPORT OF TEACHER OF BRASS AND WIND INSTRUMENTS
Worcester, Mass., February 1, 1937
Mr. A. B. Garcelon,
Superintendent of Schools,
East Douglas, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Garcelon:
I herewith submit my annual report of the pupils studying musical instruments in the schools of Douglas.
There six children studying on the Clarinet, five on the Trumpets, three on Bugles, three on Saxaphones, one on Alto Horn, three on Trombones, one on Bass, twelve on Drums, one on Bass Drum, one on Cymbals.
Many of them are capable of playing in public.
I wish to thank you Mr. Garcelon, the School Committee and teachers for the interest they have shown.
Respectfully yours, FRANK O. DODGE Teacher of Brass and Wind Instruments
18
Report of Supervisor of Writing
Mr. A. B. Garcelon, Supt.,
Douglas Public Schools,
Douglas, Mass.
Dear Mr. Garcelon.
I am pleased to submit the following Handwriting Report for the school term ending January 1, 1937.
Our records show that all rooms in the Douglas Schools were up to "Gold Star" standard in the December 1936 test. A gold star indicates a median score of "A" (Excellent) for the room. The other possible awards are "Blue Star," grade "B" (Good) ; "Red Star," grades "C" or "D" (Fair) ; "Black Star," grade "F" (Poor). I wish to congratulate you and your teachers and pupils on this unusually fine record.
During the year I supplied all students with new outlines, room certificates, etc., and awarded Junior and Senior High School Certificates to graduates who qualified. Handwriting tests were administered monthly to all students and a total of 4,500 test papers were graded. Individual diagnostic reports and grades were returned monthly to teachers and students. Approximately 20,000 additional daily work papers were graded by the supervisor in the class room.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank you and Mr. Holmes; also the students and teachers for the fine cooperation given in this work.
Very truly yours,
W. L. RINEHART.
19
Report of School Physician
Mr. A. B. Garcelon,
January 30, 1937
Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir:
Following is the report of the physical examination of the school children:
Pre-School Clinic, June 5, 1936:
Examined
31
Vaccinated
32
Defects:
Moderate Immediate Attention
Teeth
4
Nose
4
5
Throat
4
5
Glands
4
Physical examination of all school children September 1936:
Examined
495
Vaccinated 10
Defects:
Defective Teeth 175
Tonsils and Adenoids 70
Glands (Enlarged) 21
Heart
2
Posture
6
Nutrition
8
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN J. QUINN, M. D.
School Physician.
20
Report of School Nurse
January 11, 1937.
Mr. Albert B. Garcelon,
Superintendent of Schools,
Douglas, Mass.
Dear Mr. Garcelon:
I herewith submit my annual report as School Nurse, two days each week, for the year ending December 31, 1936.
It has been my aim to promote health education. Gradually but surely we are becoming more health-minded. We are, as many other schools throughout the country, finding a place in the school curriculum for health education.
I have made a schedule which allows me ten minutes once a week in each class-room. At this time the health of the pupils and absentees are discussed. Although this schedule can not always be strictly adhered to, it gives an opportunity for closer contact with the teachers and makes possible short talks and inspections without interrupting the regular class-room program.
This schedule also includes office hours, 8:30-9 a. m., Tuesday, at the Grammar School Building; Thursday, the High School Build- ing. At this time I am glad to talk with parents, either on the phone or personally in the office.
The Preventive Tuberculosis Program conducted by the Wor- cester County Sanatorium, assisted by the Southern Worcester County Health Association, was held in November. 72.9% of the pupils in the 7th, 9th and 11th grades took advantage of the clinic. This was an increase of 7.7% over last year.
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