USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Douglas > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Douglas, for the year ending 1939 > Part 4
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The same signal at 11:15 A. M., denotes that there will be one session. In case of one session all grades will close at 12:30 P. M .; except first grade which will close at noon.
If the whistle does not blow at 11:30 A. M. there will be school in the afternoon.
A. B. GARCELON, Superintendent.
8
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee and Citizens of Douglas:
I herewith submit my twelfth annual report of the Town of Douglas, the same being the thirty-ninth superintendent's report for the Union.
The character of the work done in all the schools for the past year has been very satisfactory. The type and kind of work we have attempted to do, i. e. our regular school work, has been well done, but great problems have presented themselves. These problems are, to a large extent, in our high school.
During these past years of economic stress, with the resultant large amount of unemployment, a great many of our graduates of eighth grade have continued on into high school. These young people, under ordinary conditions would have gone to work. Therefore we have in our high school to-day, a number of pupils who are with us because it has been impossible for them to find employment, rather than because of their interest in the kind of work our high school offers.
In the past fifteen years our high school enrollment has increased almost three hundred per cent.
Of this increased enrollment a relatively large per cent are taking the commercial course. This is due to the fact that pupils find themselves in the position that they must take a course that leads to a job, and not be- cause these pupils are qualified to take the course.
Investigation through a questionnaire to the high school pupils reveals the fact that many pupils want and need trade school courses. Our nearest Trade School is the Worcester Trade School. Here there are twelve hun- dred on the waiting list, which is not a very hopeful situation for those wanting trade school training.
To run trade school courses in our schools would be the complete answer to our problem, but the cost of so doing would be entirely out of the ques- tion.
The only thing for us to do is to think in terms of prevocational courses, which could be given by our regular teachers and at no increase in cost. Our manual training and home economics courses were discontinued several years ago; courses which I believe fulfill the needs and wants of a large number of our pupils, especially the girls, and which should be re-established as soon as funds are available.
Vocational guidance is a matter very much needed in all high schools, but very difficult of administration. However, last year we made a start by furnishing pupils with vocational monographs.
9
This year we have supplied more information along the lines of voca- tional guidance, as follows:
1. Vocational Trends: a monthly publication giving up-to-date in- formation concerning different lines of employment: i. e. Today's News of Tomorrow's jobs.
II. "Occupational Monographs": a monthly pamphlet covering just one line of work. All information is new and up-to-date. So far this year we have received pamphlets on Statistical Workers, Land Transportation, Con- sumer Cooperation, Rural Journalism, Teaching, Printing, How to choose a Career, Highway Jobs, Advertising, The War, and American Jobs.
III. "Vocational Guide": a monthly pamphlet concerning Current Oc- cupational Information in many (50 or more) fields of work.
IV. "Reprints and Abstracts" Service: a pamphlet giving excerpts from vocational sources of many kinds.
V. "Basic Occupational Plans": a pamphlet issued quarterly giving statistical data in the fundamental or basic industries.
VI. "Research Dept.": a pamphlet giving specific information concern- ing an inquiry sent in to the Science Research Associates.
VII. This is a limited service: i. e. we are privileged to ask for full in- formation concerning a limited number of lines of work during the year. The results we receive as VI above.
To the above series we are soon to have 20 minute talks to our high school boys and girls, from the business men of Douglas. These talks will be informal, and will give advice and counsel to our pupils concerning the best procedure to follow to enter any given line of work.
While high school pupils have been receiving consideration in prevoca- tional and vocational guidance, much has taken place in the grades. Here background courses have been worked out; courses which give our pupils information along important lines and yet not interfere with our funda- mental courses. These background courses cover such subjects as Physical, Health, Thrift, Art, Character, Manners, Safety, and Science. In each of these subjects we have a book for each grade and all subjects will be intro- duced into each grade as soon as funds are available. At the present time, in these reading courses, Health, Safety and Science are being stressed.
Visual Education, a program we have long wanted to incorporate into our regular curriculum, is now possible through the purchase of a very fine Bell and Howell sound-on-film, projector. Definite yearly programs are now being made out, the films being carefully chosen to supplement the regular classroom work. While this program is still new, having been in operation but a few months, our pupils of all grades have received positive and definite benefits. For further data on prevocational and guidance courses, I refer you to the very fine report of Mr. Holmes.
Our boys athletic program, sponsored and directed by Mr. Clarence A. Gagne, has been very satisfactory and successful. For a school to put on an athletic program with little or no financial assistance from school funds is most certainly an accomplishment.
10
Girls' athletics this year is under the able direction of Miss Tabea Swein- berger, assisted by Miss Linnea Anderson. For the accomplishments in girls' athletics, I refer you to Miss Sweinberger's report.
Handwriting in the schools continues to be eminently satisfactory, as is shown by the report of Mr. W. L. Rinehart, our writing supervisor. Tests in handwriting resulted in very high scores, and yet this year's record is better than that of last year.
It is with pleasure that I refer you to the report of the School Nurse, Mrs. Mabel M. Brown. In this report you will notice that something is being done to correct the defects found in the physical examinations.
Our plan of school organization, with the first six grades in separate buildings and the last six grades in the high school, has proved very satis- factory. Our next step will be a program from 6-2-4 plan to a strictly 6-6 plan. This can easily be done, as all our pupils in sixth and seventh grades are now in the high school building.
In closing I wish to thank all those who have thoroughly and consci- entiously helped me in all my efforts for advancement in the schools.
Respectfully submitted,
A. B. GARCELON,
Superintendent of Schools.
AGE-GRADE TABLE
Total Number of Students Enrolled October 1, 1939-503
BOYS
Age
5
6 7
8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Totals 25
Grade 2
1
19
6
.
5
1
1
28
3
.
3
3
7
7
2
22
4
27
5
21
6
30
7
27
8
9
16
10
13
66
11
1
1
.
.
.
.
·
3
6
2
.
.
Totals
19 19 14 22 23 20 20
26
19 20 21
24
9
3
.
.
259
GIRLS
Grade
1
18
6
3
.
.
2
2
4 11
3
.
.
.
1 7 16 1
25
4
.
10
3
3
8
14
3
3
6
6
1
1
26
7
19
8
21
9
4
12
4
1
1
22
10
1
5
7 7
4 4 3
2
13
12
10
Totals
20 11 21 29 12 41 23
15 11
19 20 12 10
244
.
2
1
1
4
2
1
4
6 9
8 4
2 7
7 4
1
25
2
3 5
3 5 1
6 3
2
.
.
.
11
·
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
12
4 10
1 5
1
1
4
1
1
17
11
.
.
.
.
7
·
2
·
10 11
3
4
8
4
3
7
10
6
·
27
20
3
16
5
28
6
12
11
14
12
11
1
10 11
Attendance for the School Year Ending June, 1939
SCHOOL
TEACHERS
Enrollment
Under 5 years
5-7 years
7-14 years
14-16 years
Over 16 years
Average
Membership
Average
Attendance
Per Cent of
Attendance
Number of Tardiness
Number of
Dismissals
High
..
Clarence W. Holmes
30
30
29.93
28.55
95.38
129
55
Seniors . .
C. A. Gagne .
21
5
16
21.24
20.47
96.37
70
11
Juniors . . . .
T. Sweinberger
32
10
22
31.14
29.62
95.07
77
8
Freshmen
L. Anderson
29
24
5
27.49
26.32
95.76
108
33
Grade 8
Myra H. Jillson
29
17
11
1 26.64
25.36
95.18
185
19
7
.
·
Dorothy Scribner . .
22
8
12
2
21.68
20.79
95.79
48
0
Grammar 6
Eunice Buffington .
45
37
8
42.95
42.21
98.30
24
17
Mary A. Joy
47
45
2
47.10
45.94
97.54
35
13
Elinor Dunleavy
43
43
41.30
40.23
97.70
31
5
3
Maria C. Buxton
35
35
34.72
33.77
97.25
8
12
2
Betsy Reid
31
8
23
31.36
30.48
97.03
19
0
Mollie Kelly .
26
26
25.11
24.93
95.61
12
0
Daisy E. Sweet
19
5
14
18.73
17.84
95.17
20
0
D.C.
" 1-2-3
Gertrude M. Smith.
23
10
13
22.92
20.79 |
90.74
1
8
D.C.
" 4-5-6
Constance M. Callahan
28
26
1
1
24.11
22.01 |91.25
13
2
12
.
. .
. .
. .
45
35
10
42.85
41.62
97.13
51
3
7-8 .
5
4
..
..
. .
1
.
1-2
Lola H. Dudley
. .
. .
Sophomores
L. Rinfrette ..
List of Teachers, January, 1940
NAME
SCHOOL
HOME ADDRESS
GRADUATE OF
When Appointed In Town
C. W. Holmes
High
East Douglas
Brown University
1918
Linnea Anderson
High
East Douglas
Boston University
1937
Clarence Gagne
High
East Douglas
Bay Path Institute
1931
Lena M. Rinfrette
High
East Douglas
Worcester Normal
1938
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
Constance M. Callahan
High
7-8
East Douglas
Worcester Normal
1938
Eunice L. Buffington
Grammar,
6
East Douglas
Douglas High
1890
Simonne Bouvier
Grammar
5-6
Northbridge
Framing. & Wor. S. T. C.
1939
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
Alice Blanchfield
Grammar,
2
Easthampton
Bridgewater S. T. C.
1939
Mollie Kelly
Grammar,
1
East Douglas
Douglas High
1908
Daisy E. Sweet
Grammar,
1-2
East Douglas
Symonds T. School
1916
Gertrude Smith
Douglas Center 1-2-3
Douglas
Middlebury. Vt. High
1900
Alice Samborsky
Douglas Center 4-5-6
East Douglas
Worcester S. T. C.
1939
David Gellatly
Music Supervisor
Uxbridge
Atl. Associated Studios
1932
Frank O. Dodge
Band Instructor
Worcester
1931
Howard C. Barre
Orchestra Instructor Writing Supervisor
1931
W. L. Rinehart
1933
13
14
DOUGLAS MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL REPORT
Mr. A. B. Garcelon, Superintendent of Schools:
I herewith submit my twenty-second annual report as principal of Douglas Memorial High School.
Our enrollment at present includes 20 Seniors, 24 Juniors, 32 Sophomores and 38 Freshmen, a total of 114.
In the attempt to evaluate the work of the high school in terms of what we are doing to meet the apparent educational needs of its members, let us study the following figures.
The enrollment in the various subjects or groups of subjects is as follows:
English, 114 Mathematics, 42
French, 50 Commercial Subjects, 100
Physics, 18
Industrial Geography, 19
History, 53 Latin, 20
General Science, 26
Thirty-six students are taking the so-called "Classical Course," selecting subjects from the first six named above. Few of these will reach college. At present only eleven of them have made the college certificate grade in all their subjects. Five or six more may make the grade before they graduate, but probably not a dozen in all will go to college in the next four years.
The fact that only a few of these students will reach college, however, does not mean, to my mind, that they are wasting their time in the above- named studies, nor that the town is wasting money on their training in these subjects. So long as we can prove by records of our graduates who have gone to college that the teaching of these subjects is honest and skill- ful, I believe that there are immeasurable values in them for those who pursue them and yet do not go to college. There are no more valuable pre- vocational courses than some of the college-preparatory subjects, for those who can do them, and will work hard enough to pass them, even if they do not make college certificate grade. College preparatory mathematics af- fords indispensable training for many courses in trade school. Some of it is required for admission to such part-time schools as the Lynn General Elec- tric apprentice shops. In physics and chemistry, college requirements em- phasize practical applications in a great many life situations, in health, in the home environment, and in industry. College preparatory English em- phasizes the kind of practical English needed in the every-day affairs of the business office and the management of industry. Even Latin is pre-voca- tional for girls who wish to prepare to teach or train for the nursing pro- fession.
15
Sixty-one students are taking what we call the commercial course, that is, at least two commercial subjects. Nearly 100, therefore, are enrolled in these two courses, the classical and the commercial. The remaining small group are taking the "General Course," which consists of subjects selected from the commercial and the "Classical" curriculum, with the addition of industrial geography, general science, and problems of democracy. The stu- dents in this group are mostly those who start with the classical course, fail in that, and then have to make up their courses from the commercial list and the meager offerings outside the two principal lists. These people, to- gether with a few from both the commercial and classical groups, constitute the chief problems in the school because of the lack of manual arts courses. Although they are a small group, the cost of equipment and teaching that would do much towards meeting their needs is at present prohibitive. The solution of the problem of the ill-adjusted pupil of the "General Course," who needs more "pre-vocational" work in school, is the trade school. Here the State, I believe, will come to the rescue of the small towns in the future, providing more accommodations in the way of trade schools in the larger towns, and perhaps helping pay tuition and transporation of pupils who have to go out of town to get the kind of schooling that they need. At present the Worcester trade schools can hardly take care of needs within the city itself.
We are trying to do more each year towards vocational guidance. Of course, any live teacher always did what one could, in the hurried, informal way that time would allow, to help a student choose a career or an occupa- tion, if one seemed to have reached the degree of maturity required to think ahead of his high school days. For many years in this school the principal has had a questionnaire answered by each pupil annually to indicate choice of occupation, if possible, as well as educational intentions after high school. The results, from the few who expressed any choice or ambition to go fur- ther than high school, were put on record.
Within the past two years about twenty "Vocational Guidance" or occu- pational "monographs" on as many different occupations have been added to our meager stock of school library books, and one or more of each of these occupational pamphlets have been eagerly read by nearly every pupil in the school.
This year we have begun a program along more professional lines in the direction of vocational guidance. A more comprehensive questionnaire was given each pupil to ascertain his intentions as to further education after high school, his chief interests in life, his favorite studies, etc. The most sig- nificant of the 2000 or more replies received were tabulated by the prin- cipal. Some interesting results follow, showing the number of students in- tending to continue their education in various types of higher institutions:
College (traditional type, engineer- ing, or teachers' college), 13 Business college, 19
Trade school, 17
Hospital training, 13 Other institutions, 15
16
Many students expressed a variety of occupational interests in life not indicated in the tabulation above. As to avocational interests, a deplorably small number seem interested in reading, only 26, mostly girls. Only 22, again, mostly girls, name music as a "chief interest."
As to favorite studies named, the following is a partial list giving the number of students after each subject named as first choice:
Mathematics, 20 English, 16
Commercial subjects, 20 Science, 16
The next step in the vocational guidance procedure consists in admin- istering a variety of standard tests to ascertain the special aptitudes, ca- pacities and abilities of each pupil, such as tests on general intelligence, mechanical aptitudes, clerical abilities, etc. The faculty are then in possession of data which will enable them, so far as time will allow, to interview each student and advise him as to his chances of success in the direction of his expressed ambition, or to arouse ambition, if none has hitherto been evi- dent, and stimulate effort toward appropriate goals.
A very great aid in this vital work of guidance, as well as in the regular studies, will be the new projector recently installed in the school system. For this we are indebted, first, to the efforts of the Teachers' Club under the leadership of its president, Miss Tabea Sweinberger. The Club raised money to contribute towards the purchase of the machine, thus arousing interest, and the School Board soon followed with an appropriation to cover the cost of the projector and accessories, enabling the Club to use its fund for rental of films.
Mr. Gagne deserves much credit from the fact that at the beginning of the school year he was the only teacher in town who could operate the projector, and also for his work in teaching others to operate it. Under his instruction three of our Seniors, Richard Bruno, Albert Frost, and Stephen Limanek, were next to qualify as operators, and they have served admirably in presenting many films in the high school and in the grades. Several teachers in each building in the village have now learned to run the machine.
Under the auspices of the Teachers' Club contracts have been signed with two distributing agencies, Westcott, Slade & Balcom of Providence, and The Pathescope Company of Boston, for the rental of films, arranging for a definite visual education program extending at least until next Christ- mas.
I wish to express my deep appreciation of the efficient and constant co- operation of all teachers in the building in our endeavors to maintain and improve the standing of our high school.
Respectfully submitted,
C. W. HOLMES, Principal.
17
REPORT OF ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
Mr. A. B. Garcelon,
Superintendent of Schools:
I herewith submit my ninth annual report as Director of Athletics in the Douglas High School.
The past year has been filled with quite varied results, most of them favorable however. For the second consecutive year we have carried on the program for boys without any financial aid from the school fund. This is particularly pleasing for it shows that our efforts for the past several years are bringing results. It has only been possible because of the continued hard work of the student body and the fine co-operation of the athletically minded citizens.
Basketball returned as a varsity sport and the success of the team was marked by an invitation to the Worcester County Tournament. This op- portunity to meet the best teams in the county came as a result of the splen- did showing made by our boys against some of the largest schools in the vicinity. The lack of proper home facilities was easily seen and this proved a severe handicap when playing under good conditions. That they did so well, is a tribute to the boys themselves. At the start of the present season, four schools refused to meet Douglas only because of the lack of better facilities.
In the spring, Douglas regained its place as a leader on the baseball field. Spurred on by a gift of jackets from Mr. Winfield Schuster and the local Kiwanis Club and particularly by the continued enthusiasm and encourage- ment from Mr. Schuster, the boys succeeded in defeating every team in the league at least once, to finish in third place only one game behind the cham- pionship school.
The only disappointing activity proved to be football. It is quite agreed that the school is small to sponsor such an activity. Records received from the Boston Herald show that only two other schools in the State playing football have a smaller number of boys. Officials in nearby schools often comment on the marked success of our teams against its much larger op- ponents. Nineteen boys reported for the team in the fall. Four were lost early in the season due to injuries and two others became ineligible due to scholastic difficulties. At that point it was agreed by the faculty manage- ment as well as the Board that it was inadvisable to continue this sport with only thirteen boys remaining. All the boys who were injured have re- covered and two boys who were covered under the insurance plan are ex- pected to receive benefits.
The outlook for the future is particularly pleasant. Financially we hope
18
to pay our way. The basketball team shows promise and is certainly de- serving of better facilities. Baseball is again of a "championship" form and the fewer victories are due only to the fact that the competition is from schools out of our class, that is having enrollments of more than twice the size of Douglas.
I want to express my gratitude and appreciation to you, to the members of the school committee, to Mr. Holmes, as well as to our many other friends who helped so generously during the past year.
Respectfully submitted, C. A. GAGNÉ, Director of Athletics.
19
REPORT OF GIRLS' ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
Mr. A. B. Garcelon, Superintendent of Schools
· Dear Mr. Garcelon:
I am pleased to report on girls' athletics in the Douglas Memorial High School for the present school year. The program of sports at present con- sists of field hockey in the fall and basketball in the winter.
The field hockey season of 1939 was successful and enjoyable. Approxi- mately fifty girls participated. The varsity team of high school girls played five games with teams of neighboring towns; the Douglas girls won four games and lost one. Two teams, composed of seventh and eighth grade players, also played inter-class games.
Basketball practise, under the able coaching of Miss Linnea Anderson, is now being held twice a week at the Sokol gymnasium. To date, one game has been played, against Uxbridge. The girls of the Douglas High School won that game. The schedule for the remainder of the basketball season consists of five more games. About thirty-five girls are taking part in this sport.
In both sports the girls have shown splendid spirit and good team play. Pauline Bruno, a veteran player and a post graduate scholar, has given valu- able assistance as manager of the varsity hockey team and of the varsity basketball team.
Respectfully submitted,
TABEA SWEINBERGER. Girls' Athletic Director.
20
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
Mr. A. B. Garcelon,
Superintendent of Schools,
East Douglas, Mass.
Dear Mr. Garcelon,
I herewith submit my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1939.
In April, the Operetta "The Three Bears" was presented by pupils of the Grammar School, and in May, the pupils of the seventh and eighth grades, and High School also gave an Operetta, "The Maid with the Golden Slipper."
On May 30th, a patriotic program was given on the grounds of the Grammar School. Several instrumental selections were offered, and the chil- dren marched to music provided by a small bugle and drum corps made up of pupils of the school.
At the Graduation Exercises, the senior class sang the following choruses: America, Beloved Land-Adams; Waltz of the Flowers-Tschaikowski; Ita- lian Street Song-Victor Herbert.
The singing and note reading is good throughout the grades and in High School, and I am gratified to find that there is an increasing appreciation of the good things in music shown by all of the pupils.
I wish to thank you, Mr. Garcelon, the school committee, the teachers and principals for the co-operation given to me in my work.
Respectfully submitted,
DAVID N. GELLATLY, Music Supervisor.
21
REPORT OF TEACHER OF STRING INSTRUMENTS
Mr. A. B. Garcelon, Superintendent of Schools,
East Douglas, Massachusetts.
Dear Mr. Garcelon:
I herewith submit my report as instructor of string instruments in the East Douglas schools.
There are eight children studying violin, two guitars, one ukulele and five accordian, many of whom are beginners this year. Some of these pupils have shown unusual talent.
The attendance has been very good and the interest shown by the pupils is very gratifying.
I give each pupil special studies and short exercises for the development of tone and technique every week.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank you, Mr. Garcelon, and all the teachers for their interest and co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
HOWARD C. BARRE.
22
REPORT OF TEACHER OF BRASS AND WIND INSTRUMENTS
Mr. A. B. Garcelon, Superintendent of Schools, East Douglas, Massachusetts.
Dear Mr. Garcelon,
I herewith submit my ninth annual report of the pupils studying wind and percussion instruments in the Schools of Douglas.
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