USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Palmer, Massachusetts 1913 > Part 7
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SUMMARY. In brief, the essential features and characteristics of the fundamentals of our grade work
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have been outlined with the hope that a fuller knowl- edge of what we are doing will interest and instruct, and win the sympathetic support of, the public.
HIGH SCHOOL.
The work in the High School is steadily showing im- provement. The teaching corps is one of the strongest, if not the strongest, that this school has ever had. The force averages strong and possesses no weak spots. The school continues to hold its Certificate Privilege granted by the New England College Entrance Board. An ex- tension of the same privilege has been recently granted it by Worcester Polytechnic Institute, after a visitation from one of its professors. He spoke highly of the work done and the efficiency of the instructors.
Two resignations were received last summer. One came from R. W. Clement, Head of the Commercial De- partment, who resigned to accept a more lucrative posi- tion in a much larger field as head of the same depart- ment in the Holyoke High School. Mr. Clement did ex- ceptionally good work in our schools and was largely responsible for organizing and placing our department on a sound basis. The department grew surprisingly un- der his direction. He was offered many positions of more attraction while he was with us, but loyally refused them until he could leave us with as little loss as possi- ble.
Good commercial teachers are rare and hard to se- cure. After a wide and careful canvass, George U. East- man of Uniontown, Pa., was elected to fill the vacancy. Mr. Eastman is a man of wide experience and good scholarship. He is doing excellent work. No one could have fitted in with less of interruption to the work than he has.
The other resignation was from C. W. Lombard of the Science Department. Mr. Lombard taught here a year and a half, doing good work as an instructor and
44
athletic coach. He placed our athletics upon a good basis, injected school spirit into our school, and turned out a winning ball team. He resigned to accept a bet- ter paying position in the West Springfield High School. Mr. Hurley, a local young man, a graduate of Holy Cross in 1913, has filled this position most acceptably. He also will handle the athletics well.
COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT. This department 1S in an excellent con- dition. Its instructors are superior; its equipment is extensive; its instruction is thorough. There are twenty- two new typewriters, a bank, filing cabinets, a telephone, and other necessary equipment in this department. Visitors who are familiar with this line of work are strong in their commendations. No stronger indorse- ment of the work done in this phase of our school work can be cited than these figures which show what the graduates are receiving in wages :
SALARIES OF COMMERCIAL GRADUATES.
First Year Class.
Second Year Class.
Began.
Present.
Began.
Present.
$660.00
$956.32
$520.00
$520.00
300.00
600.00
520.00
520.00
364.00
572.00
416.00
468.00
416.00
416.00
364.00
416.00
312.00
364.00
364.00
364.00
250.00
350.00
322.92
322.92
$2,184.00
$2,288.00
312.00
312.00
Total,
$2,936.92
$3.893.24
Average Yearly Wage.
$367.12
$486.65
$436.80
$457.60
Average Weekly Wage.
$7.06
$9.36
$8.40
$8.80
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Combined Salaries.
Began.
Present.
Total,
$5,120.92
$6,181.24
Average Yearly Wage.
$393.92 $475.48
Average Weekly Wage. $7.58 $9.14
One prominent citizen has said that Palmer never realized any more on any investment she has ever made than she is realizing on her investment in the com- mercial course. Surely these figures would seem to corroborate his statement.
We have frequent requests from local business firms for office help. We endeavor to fill these places to the best of our ability. We recommend only those who, in our opinion, will easily "fill the bill". We try to "play fair" with those seeking office assistants. We are will- ing to allow our pupils to go out upon trial; to relieve the business man of the unpleasant duty of informing the one on trial that he or she has not made good by doing this for him. A fairer proposition can not be put up to any man in business. We could not do this unless we were sure of our product. If we know the nature of the job, we can fit the pupil to the job. This method of procedure is duly appreciated, if one can judge any- thing by the frequency and urgency of the calls we re- ceive to fill positions. We also appreciate such co- operation upon the part of the business firms. With- out it, our department could not succeed. The product turned out by it might be good; but, unless it had a use, it would be useless. We attribute a large measure of our success to this co-operation. May it continue !
Briefly, then, the success of this department is due to the following factors :- (1) Good instructors; (2) good equipment; (3) thorough, painstaking, interested instruction; (4) legitimate advertising of its work; (5) keen interest of, and faithful endeavor by, the pupils;
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(6) sympathetic "backing" of school committee; (7) liberal support of voters; (8) active co-operation of busi- ness men. These contributing elements are not named in order of their importance; such an arrangement is beyond our ability to designate.
ENGLISH WORK. The work in English has been broadened gradually during the past three years. The work was begun by Miss Linton and has been carried on and enlarged by Miss Wyman most successfully. Ample corroboration can be found in an acquaintence with the debates, prize speaking con- tests, assemblies, the school paper, and the class play. The excellence of the school paper, "The Palmer", de- mands public recognition in this report. The ability shown in successfully handling such a venture in a town of our size-both financial and literary ability-is more than average.
The work in the assemblies likewise calls for special mention. Several afternoon assemblies have been given in Memorial Hall by the pupils. Programs of prepared speeches, music, and playlets are given. The ability dis- played by the pupils to get upon their feet and talk is surprising. Training along this line is highly important. No doubt it will show itself in the later life of our pupils when it becomes necessary for them to take part in the civic life of our town or some town or city.
The High School graduation last June was unique, in so far as we know. The exercises were entirely in charge of the pupils. A chairman presided and several pupils gave prepared talks upon various subjects. It proved an interesting innovation. The same style of graduation will be held this year, probably in the even- ing in the opera house.
SCIENCE WORK. The work in Science is being am- plified, extended, and modernized by Mr. Hurley. Much practical work in Chemistry and Physics is being done. Such work, without any doubt,
47
appeals to the interest of the pupils and produces much better results in every way. Interesting, practical, every- day experiments are being performed. The Science classes, for instance, test various foods to show their food value; various manufactured articles for the pres- ence of various ingredients, such as alum in . baking powders. This work is in its infancy, but it shows much promise.
OTHER DEPARTMENTS. Time nor space will not allow an extensive enumer- ation of the strong features of the work in History, Latin, Mathematics, French, and German. The instruc- tion in all of these is thorough and modern. In fact, these subjects have been handled so thoroughly by the same instructors for several years that no special com- ment is needed. The work of Mr. Gray and Misses Clark, Melius, and Toolin is highly satisfactory and merits a public avowal of such a nature.
HEALTH.
MEDICAL INSPECTION. In spite of the fact that Medical Inspection has been in our schools for several years and that the inspectors have been faithful and conscientious in the discharge of their duties, this work has not been made to meet all the needs. Our preventive measures are good and have largely lessened the spread of contagious diseases in "our schools. But there is another side to Medical Inspection -the personal health of the individual without regard to his being a source of contagion. In other words suc- cessful work of this kind has two equally important phases-the social, as suppression of contagious diseases ; the individual, as the correction of all impedimenta to his physical, mental, and moral progress. The care of the individual health and the correction of all disabilities take much time. Medical inspectors must devote a great deal of their time to this. We do not feel free to ask
.
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them to do this because of the small renumeration they receive from us yearly, fifty dollars each. Yet a careful physical examination of each child followed by a notifica- tion of the presence of any disability sent to the parent, followed by a visit of the District Nurse, whose services we may have, would surely promote better health upon the part of many of our pupils.
DENTAL INSPECTION.
An unsuccessful attempt to try out Dental Inspection
was made last year. The dentists visited the Palmer Grammar School late in the school year. They examined the teeth of many of the children and found, as will al- ways be found when regular inspection is not made, many pupils whose teeth needed attention. The time for the inspection was postponed too late in the year through no fault of the School Department. As a result, school closed before further inspection was made. All dentists were invited to participate in the inspection last year. This year a time will undoubtedly be set for making this inspection and all who can will be invited to help make it. In this way, it seems that nothing will cause its failure.
SANITARY MEASURES. The demands of the pres- ent age make it highly im- perative that all possible means of sanitation be em- ployed in our public schools. Individual towels, drinking fountains, disinfectants, deodorizors, and dustlayers are necessary to properly safe guard the health of our child- ren. These means are all employed in our schools. An honest endeavor is made to have our schoolhouses as free from all dangers to health as possible.
NEW CHILD LABOR LAW.
The last Legislature enacted a new law regulating the employment of all minors between the ages of 14 and 21 years. This law demands that those between 14 and 16 years of age obtain an employment certificate ;
49
those between 16 and 21 an educational certificate at- testing their literacy or illiteracy. In order to obtain the employment certificate, the applicant must present a "Promise to Employ", signed by the employer and stat- ing the nature of the employment; a "Physician's Certifi- cate of Health"; a "School Record", showing that he has attended school at least 130 days since becoming 13 years old and that he has completed the fourth grade; and a "Proof of Age"-a birth certificate, a baptismal certificate, a passport, a school register record of age, or a school physician's certificate of age. This employment certificate allows only 48 hours of employment per week and 8 hours per day. The law has thrown much work upon all those concerned-employers, school authorities, inspectors, and truant officers. The law has been accused of working hardships in many cases. It has come in for much unfavorable criticism. The question raised is whether or not it is worth while; whether or not it is acomplishing the purposes for which it was intended.
The Massachusetts Child Labor Committee, the sponsor and author, says that this law is the result of much study and investigation; that it is the Uniform Child Labor Law proposed for the entire United States and already in effect, in most of its provisions, in eight states. The Committee presents the following reasons for its enactment :
(1). "To give the children under 16 more knowl- edge of English; more schooling.
Hence :
(a). The requirement that those who are not at work must attend school.
. (b). The 4th grade test instead of the 3d grade test.
(c). The school record with its definite state- ments.
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(d). The more general requirement of employment certificates.
(2). "To decrease truancy.
Hence :
(a.) The 130 day provision. Previously children have been leaving school during their 13th year, con- trary to law. This provision requires that they comply with existing compulsory attendance laws before they can go to work.
(3). "To enforce the Evening School Attendance Law.
Hence :
(a). The requirements of certificates between 16 and 21.
(b). The more certain evidence of age.
(c). The requirement of a new certificate for each job.
This provision is expected also to discourage too frequent changes of occupation and to keep vocational counsellors informed of the whereabouts of the young workers.
(5). "To give children reasonable hours of labor and reasonable time for rest, play and reading already secured by intelligent adult laborers.
Hence :
(a). The eight-hour day for children under 16. (b). The prohibition of night work. (c). The ten-hour day for minors over 16.
(6). "To protect children from injurious occupa- tions.
Hence :
(a). The dangerous trades prohibitions.
(b). The night messenger and night work pro- hibitions.
(c). The requirement of a new medical certificate for each kind of new work.
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(d). The street trades regulations."
This Committee further asserts :
"While the 8-hour day is the only provision of the law which will affect any large number of children, many evils are corrected which were very bad for the children who suffered them. Young boys were employed in bowl- ing alleys until 11 or 12 at night, often in immoral sur- roundings and generally with a bad effect upon health. Children under 16 are now excluded from this employ- ment. The employment of messengers under 16 after 6 at night, the employment of children under 14 in tene- ment industries for long hours and at miserly pay, street trading by 6 and 7-year old boys in large cities, the em- ployment of young children in pool rooms, employment on dangerous machinery which was frequently causing serious accidents, the employment of children under 14 in the mills through the ruse of calling them 'helpers', these and other child labor evils have been prohibited in the Uniform Law. The provisions do not enforce idle- ness ;they prohibit overwork and harmful work. In case the child does not go to work he is required to attend school.
"Our investigations for four years have shown the need for this legislation. Public opinion in Massa- chusetts has long been demanding child labor reform. Child labor reform necessarily puts somewhat heavier burdens upon employers, parents, schools and public agencies. Only the most far-sighted employers and the wisest parents grasp at once the fact that the burden placed on them has been lifted from thousands of chil- dren. We believe that a sober second thought will convince Massachusetts that the burden should never be put back on the children."
No argument, pro or con, will be inveighed here. The law has much of merit and some of demerit. Its general underlying motives are good; its intentions are
52
good. Time alone will solve the problem of its wisdom. If it were a national, instead of a state, law so that our industries would work under the same conditions as they do in other states, it would not place Massachusetts manufacturing concerns at a disadvantage in meeting others in commercial competition.
ATTENDANCE.
The attendance statistics for the school year 1912- 1913 denote that improvement still continues. The per- cent of attendance last year was 95.76; the year pre- vious, 94.49; the increase was 1.27. The number of tardy marks last year was 203; the year previous, 431; the de- crease was 288, or 53%. When you consider the fact that the percent. of decrease for the last two years has been 521/2 and 53% respectively, you will realize what a large reduction has been made. In fact, the reduction from 907 to 203 is one of 704, or 66 2-3%. Of course, a 50% reduction can not be secured every year. We do not expect it. We do desire, though, to get the tardy cases down to only excusable and unavoidable ones. This year we expect a good reduction; perhaps one of 30%.
At the end of the school year in June, perfect attend- ance certificates, neatly and attractively designed, were issued to 215 pupils who had been neither absent nor tardy during the entire school year. In other words, 15% of our average membership was perfect in attend- ance. The same plan will be followed this year. This means, together with the printing of the monthly attend- ance in the "Palmer Journal", is largly responsible for our good attendance.
Some may say that too much insistence is placed upon prompt and regular attendance. If it were to se- cure good averages only, they would be correct in their criticism. As has been carefully explained in the last two annual reports, this is not the reason. We do this for
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the benefit of the pupil, recognizing the value of right- habit formation; we do this for the benefit of the child, recognizing his right to the best and fullest education possible; we do this for the benefit of tax-payers, recog- nizing that we owe it to them to see that their money is wisely and economically spent; we do this because it is the fulfillment of our duty as laid down by State Law. If we are to be criticized, we prefer to be criticized for performing our duties too fully and too conscientiously to being criticized for performing them too meagerly and too listlessly.
TEACHERS.
No profession offers greater opportunity for real service to mankind, calls for more sacrifice of time, strength, and patience, and returns less financially for the expenditure of one's self, than teaching. No one ought to enter it unless he can do so with a perfect willingness to grasp the opportunity, make the sacrifice, and receive his renumeration in that satisfaction that comes to one upon the recognition of having served his fellow-man to the best of his ability. True teaching calls for real consecration to one's profession. This is neither sentimentally nor idly said; it is said with absolute sincerity.
The real teacher is the personification of loyalty. She is loyal to her work, loyal to her pupils, loyal to those in authority-provided they deserve it-,and loyal to herself. Nothing is more commendable than true loyalty ; nothing more condemnable than disloyalty.
Enthusiasm is one of the greatest assets of a suc- cessful teacher. Some one has said, "Enthusiasm is the greatest asset in the world. It is greater than money or influence. Enthusiasm is faith in action, and when com- bined with initative will remove mountains and accom- plish the seemingly impossible. The man who knows the thrill of enthusiasm knows what pleasure is, and is most likely to be of service in the world."
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There are many other cardinal virtues that a real 1 teacher must possess. Our teachers are loyal and en- thusiastic. They are interested and ambitious. Many of them are young, but they possess the fire of youth. They are desirous of advice and suggestion; they receive both gratefully and graciously. There is much satisfaction in directing such a force.
Nothing could possibly testify more strongly in sup- port of their loyal, conscientious, and trustworthy attitude towards their work than did the condition of the schools last spring upon my return from several months' illness. There had been no diminution of effort, no "letting-up", no "taking-it-easy", because the work was in such a good condition that there could have been none. The excellent progress made in my absence spoke volumes for their trustworthiness. It is highly gratifying to work with teachers of such disposition. Successful work must be done, if their leader and guide is wise and active.
If any improvement has been made during the past few years, a large part of this is attributable to the painstaking, active, capable, and co-operative efforts of the teaching corps. Personally, I realize fully the obliga- tion that rests upon me to repay them for their ready en- listment and help in trying to make our schools a suc- cess. I gladly give them their due and just commenda- tion. With a continuance of this spirit upon their part, the schools of Palmer can be placed upon a firm and sub- stantial basis of successful operation.
COST.
The question of cost was fully discussed in the Re- port of 1911-12; therefore, a few words in the way of a reminder will suffice at this time,
It will be noted that the total cost of running the schools increases every year. In fact, the total cost has grown from $25,345.53 in 1904-5 to $43,236.15 in 1913- 14, an increase of nearly $18,000, averaging $1,800 per
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year. Our average membership has increased within the same period of time from 1,031.64 to 1,433.71, an increase of 402.07, or 39%. If the same rate of expense had con- tinued unchanged, the present membership would have entailed a cost of $35,230.28 for this year; this is $8,005.58 less than our actual cost for this year.
The natural question to arise is :- "Why this in- crease in cost?" The actual increase is approximately $8,000. Since 1904-5, the following have been added to the expense of school maintenance :- Manual Training, Commercial Department, and Medical Inspection. This year these three cost us :- Manual Training, $543.17; Commercial Department, $2,605.39; Medical Inspection, $200; Total $3,348.56. An increase in salaries several times during the past ten years has enlarged the Salary Account more than 39%. A 39% increase would mean a present salary expense of $20,307.73, which is $2,391.03 less than the present. Our Fuel Account runs about $510 in excess of a 39% increase. The new system of heating easily accounts for this. Our transportation in- crease has been far in excess of a 39% increase; in fact, it amounts to a $1,450 increase. These increases total $4,351; this amount added to $3,348, the actual cost of new departments, gives a total of $7,699. This leaves about $300 unaccounted for.
These statements present clearly the reason for the increase in total cost.
A glance at the Table of Cost in the Appendix will show our increase year by year in total cost and cost per pupil. In order to give you a proper basis of judgment, you will find given below a Table of Comparison of the same 22 Towns used so often, showing the average cost per pupil in 1910-11 and 1911-12, the latest obtainable years. You will see that the average increase for 1911- 12 was $3.06 for these towns; for the entire State, made up of 354 towns and cities, $3.76. Our increase general-
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ly remains much less than this. In comparison with other towns, our cost per pupil is low; our yearly in- crease is low. Whereas we spend more per pupil per year as the years come along, still our rate of increase is below that of other towns.
Comparison of Cost per Pupil for 2 Years.
Same 22 Towns.
1910-11
1911-12
Increase
Milton
$54.48
$68.20
$13.72
Concord,
40.45
44.09
3.64
Whitman,
27.74
29.28
1.54
Winchester,
35.39
41.90
6.51
Norwood.
31.28
34.76
3.48
North Attleboro,
29.73
32.11
2.38
Greenfield,
30.58
32.13
1.55
Methuen,
23.12
24.06
.94
Andover,
33.59
35.82
2.23
Danvers,
29.73
28.74
-. 99*
Ware,
30.38
33.65
3.27
Northbridge,
23.45
26.01
2.56
Montague,
32.50
36.43
3.93
West Springfield,
27.76
27.41
-. 35*
Saugus,
26.02
27.89
1.87
Easthampton,
23.17
28.76
5.59
Amherst,
24.14
29.44
5.30
Braintree,
30.46
29.61
-. 85*
Great Barrington,
31.02
32.25
1.23
Gardner,
29.07
20.32
1.25
Athol,
25.77
26.74
.97
Middleboro,
26.78
29.29
2.51
Average,
30.07
33.13
3.06
Palmer,
28.12
26.14
-1.98*
State,
34.36
38.12
3.76
*The minus sign (-) denotes decrease.
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MANUAL ARTS.
DRAWING. The establishment of drawing in the public schools is now quite universal, but its aims and purposes are more or less generally misunderstood.
In the public schools, drawing should be considered largely from a utilitarian point of view; that is, it should develop in the pupil ability to draw readily with tools commonly used (pencil or crayon) those classes of ob- jects which the majority of persons need to draw. The study of drawing bears the same relation to art as the study of language or grammar bears to literature.
Hence the object of the supervisor is not to teach "art" but to teach children through the language of drawing. It is her province to select such material as will furnish the children with definite information in re- gard to sizes, shapes, positions, forms, and colors,-mater- ial that will develop the mental qualities-memory, imagination, reason, and judgment.
The children in the lower grades are encouraged to draw freely and to use drawing as a means of expres- sion. A certain proportion of the time is devoted to inemory drawing. In the upper grades, cardboard con- struction work and elementary bookbinding have been introduced. These furnish the child with general ideas of how things are made, teach him to think constructive- ly, and show him how to use materials economically.
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