USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Palmer, Massachusetts 1915 > Part 5
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EFFICIENCY.
SCHOOLS. The great demand of the day in all fields of endeavor is efficiency. An attempt is being made to measure all work-be the product abstract or con- crete-by the rule of efficiency. This is entirely feasible where the output of the plant is material. When the pro-
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duct is not material and can not be actually weighed, meas- ured, and tested, the task is far more difficult. No product is more illusive, when an effort is made to evaluate it by some hard and fast standard, than that of the schools. Effi- ciency, at its best, is only a relative term. While there is a disagreement as to the real meaning of education, there can be no one result or results obtained that can be positively labeled as meeting the exact requirements of an efficient school system.
There is but little doubt as to the reason for the public support of schools in our country. It is the desire to so train the youth that all duties, public and private, shall be performed as skillfully, willingly, and squarely as possible. In other words, the object of the public school is to turn out, in so far as it is able, boys and girls in such fashion as to make them efficient citizens when they assume the respon- sibilities of citizenship. An efficient citizen is one who knows and wills to perform all his public duties ; who is an efficient worker in his private day's work ; who is self-sup- porting, self-respecting, unselfish, and considerate; who recognizes himself as a social being ; who fulfills his duty to- ward God and man. The school should, then, in so far as the nature of the pupil will allow, endeavor to furnish the basis for the making of such a man. There are many con- tending factors-home, press, social life, moral atmosphere of community and associates-which may nullify much, if not all, that the school tries to do. Again, oftentimes, the inherited traits of low mentality, perverted mind, laziness. dissolution, irresponsibility, coupled with the, correspond- ingly consequential environment furnished under such con- ditions, undo more than the school can ever do. The clay that the potter has, has much to do with his product. Con- sequently, the qualifications-"in so far as it is able" and "in so far as the nature of the pupil will allow"-are used. The school should train the mind to think logically, the eye to observe accurately, the ear to hear correctly, the hand to work skillfully, the tongue to speak intelligently. It should
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also give right ideals, instil proper motives, broaden and lengthen the horizon. This it should do in so far as possible. What standardization can be set up here? Who will de- termine what the standard should be, and when it is reach- ed? What sort of statistical allowance will be made for the insurmountable difficulties of natural limitations? When will the test be made-now or later in life? Hundreds of similar questions arise. No one can answer them. Some may think they can, but they can not.
TEACHERS. Who is to be the judge of the teacher's work? Without question, he should be an expert. Consequently, the principal or supervising officer, with the approval of the superintendent, should keep a re- cord of efficiency. The grading should be upon few and well-defined classifications-as instruction, manner, discip- line, etc. The standards should be thoroughly understood ; they must, of necessity, harmonize with the aims, ideals, and policies of the individual system under which the teachers are working. These should be carefully set forth, both by talks and conferences, and classroom demonstrations. If the demands and expectations are understood, teachers are in a position to be dealt with more fairly. The first require- ment for giving satisfaction in any sphere of activity is a clear understanding of what you should do and how you are expected to do it. This is not an ideal scheme by any means; it has many weaknesses. It is better than no scheme at all, for it presents to the proper officials a definite rating. All ratings, of course, depend to some extent upon the rater. The human element is bound to enter in. Human ability is very limited. There are no objective standards here any more than in school rating. Whatever we have are qualitative standards.
In order to have such a scheme produce the desired results as far as the teacher is concerned-her retention and professional growth-the marker and the teacher must maintain right relations one with another. The rater must be frank and honest. His critcisms should be positive, not
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negative. He should discuss with his teacher her rating, telling her why she is so rated. He must be "man enough" in ability, dispositon, and character to have his teacher's respect. The teacher must be equally frank and honest. She must take kindly critcism in the right spirit. She should accept it as willingly as she expects her pupils to accept it from her.
Such a scheme is workable and will produce good re- sults. If due recognition is given to its weaknesses by all concerned, no harm will be done and much good will be accomplished.
MEDICAL INSPECTION. The work of the discovery and exclusion of commun- icable diseases is being well done. What is needed, and needed badly, is some arrangement for the physical examin -. ation of pupils, the same to be followed up by a report to the parent and a follow-up visit by a school nurse. The school physician's work is not that of prescription or treatment, but of examination and report to parent with the suggestion that he consult his family physician.
There is no enforcing clause in the laws to compel such parent to attend to the physical needs of the child, if he does not act upon suggestion. Yet, much can be done by co-operation. The school nurse visits the home and ex- plains the report. She wins the respect of the parents and they tend to heed her advice. In visiting the home from time to time, she teaches the parents how to improve the hygienic conditions of the home. An investigation in one of our largest cities showed that in 1,353 cases where a nurse was employed 89 per cent of the recommendations were car- ried out ; that in 1,780 cases, without a nurse, only 24 per cent. of the recommendations of the same physician were carried out. This percentage in favor of the use of school nurses is undoubtedly larger than usual; nevertheless, it is a safe indication of the difference in medical inspection with and without a school nurse.
If the medical inspectors in your schools were paid more and made physical examinations, and if arrangements
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were made, upon proper payment from the school funds, with the District Nurse Association whereby the follow-up work could be done by the District Nurse, excellent results could be secured at small cost.
An examination of almost 600,000 school children re- vealed, it is claimed, that about 65 per cent. of the children attending our public schools are suffering from physical de- fects serious enough to need attention. Some 85 per cent. of this 65 per cent. of defects, it is said, are those of teeth, throat, nose, and eyes.
Some definite action should be taken, in the writer's opinion, to do the medical inspection on a larger scale.
NIGHT SCHOOLS. Night schools were maintained for a period of twenty-four nights last year. These schools were run, in accordance with the requirements of recent legislative enactments, for the pur- pose of taking care, in an educational way, of all illiterates between the ages of 16 and 21 years residing in Palmer, a school being maintained in Three Rivers, Thorndike, and Bondsville.
The following table very briefly and concisely gives the attendance statistics :
Three Bonds- Rivers ville
Thorn- dike
Sum-
mary
Enrollment
104
102
89
295
Average Membership
I04
91.54
74.88
270.42
Average Attendance
101.13
88.12
68.13
257.38
Per cent. of Attendance
97.23
91.54
90.98
97.17
. Tardiness
0
O
O
O
Perfect in Attendance
55
52
26
I33
The total amount expended for this purpose was $662.85. The cost per pupil in average membership was $2.45; in average attendance, $2.57. This is an exceedingly low cost per pupil. During the school year of 1913-14, seventy-seven towns and cities maintained night schools; their average cost per pupil in average attendance was $11.21. Many of these towns maintained schools on a much larger and broad-
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er scope than we; this, of course, made the average cost higher than ours. Nevertheless, a careful analysis reveals that only two towns even approximated Palmer's low main - tenance charge-Westfield with a cost of $2.71, and Green- field with a cost of $2.57. Both of these towns conducted but one school ; Palmer, because of her geographical make- up, conducted three.
This year the evening schools are being run upon a larger gauge. The illiterates are being taken care of, and also those who are interested in becoming citizens of our country. The period of maintenance has been increased to forty nights, experience having proved that the previous plan of twenty-four nights did not produce the desired re- sults.
The pupils of these schools are almost exclusively peo- ple of Polish extraction, the only exception being a class of some thirty people of French lineage who are preparing themselves for citizenship. A marked improvement in many respects is noted this year in those who attended last year. They speak and read English better ; they are more neatly and tastily clothed ; they are more careful in matters of per- sonal hygiene; they understand American ways better and are, consequently, from an American viewpoint, better man- nered. They show keen interest in their work, and their efforts to learn inspire one's respect and admiration.
The "Citizenship Class," established this year in the three evening schools, is one of the best things done along educational lines locally for some time. The purpose of this "Class" is to train our aliens for intelligent citizenship. The prospective citizen must first be taught English ; then he must be given a background of the essential facts of United States History and Government so that he may have an intelligent idea of what his oath of allegiance really means ; next he must be trained to adopt the point of view and ideals of America as far as possible. These three ini- tial steps having been taken, the probabilities of making an American citizen with the right spirit toward, sympathy
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with, and loyalty to, our country are good. This is a tre- mendous task. Full accomplishment is impossible ; but a very near approximation is entirely possible.
There are some sixty-nine men in these classes now. They are receiving valuable instruction. Later in the even- ing school year, if possible, talks by lawyers, judges, and doctors will be given-the first two to talk upon citizenship, and the last upon home and personal hygiene from the American standpoint.
The possibilities are unlimited. Some one has said, "Let me write the songs of a nation and I care not who makes the laws." This simply means that through the song can be implanted within the breasts of a people the right ideals which would furnish them with proper motives for the fulfilment of the highest conception of citizenship. Ideals, then, are the basis of true patriotism. May our evening schools implant the right ideals within the breast of its attendants !
SCHOOL EXTENSION WORK. Wider and wider use of school buildings is being made yearly throughout the United States. Com- munities are realizing that they have too large an invest- ment in their public school property to use it only five hours a day for approximately two hundred days a year, or, in total hours, about one thousand hours a year. Palmer has an investment of nearly $200,000 in her school buildings and equipment.
Some of the after-school activities are classified as follows :- Cultural-Night School, lectures, civic occasions (mass meetings, public discussions) ; Recreational-Ath- letics (gymnastics, active games, folk dancing), clubs (social, athletic) or groups (musical, handicraft, etc.), rooms open for quiet games, reading, study ; Social-Social Dancing, social occasions (parties, banquets).
Without question, some of these activities are, for finan- cial reasons, beyond us now and will be for some time to come. There are, though, many of them that could be
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engaged in without heavy expense if we only had a school building with an assembly hall and a gymnasium. Palmer needs both and needs them acutely. If she ever erects an- other school building and fails to make ample provision for these crying needs, she will make a big mistake. School- houses erected to-day in any sizable town ought to be con- structed with these after-school activities in mind.
The time is surely coming when the citizens of Palmer, irrespective of whether they are of school age or working age, children or adults, will use her school buildings much more fully than they do to-day.
The benefit derived from such a community work can not be judged by the number who are actively participating in it. Education of a community comes through a process of sociological diffusion as well as through the direct activ- ities of its educational plants. At first only a few are affected. They act as "spreaders" of what they get, be it education, hygiene, citizenship, or recreation. Right action and ideals are as contagious as evil action and ideals ; "good" is as "catching" as "evil." The pebble dropped into the pond makes but little noise and impression upon contact, yet it starts in motion ripples that grow into wider and wider circles until the edge of the shore is reached. The instinct of imitation is strong in all people. Conse- quently, what is given to the few soon becomes transmitted to the many. The world has ever been educated thus.
COMMERCIAL COURSE. The evidence of the wisdom of installing a Commercial Department in the High School is constantly being pro- duced. That the quality of the work done is good is amply proved by the success of the graduates in obtaining posi- tions ; also, to some extent, by the continually increasing enrollment. Some forty-three freshmen. enrolled in this course last September. This increase necessitated the as- signment of a new room to this work and the engagement of an additional teacher. The entire course now enrolls some eighty-six pupils.
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One of the most pleasing forms of testimony offered in confirmation of the efficiency of this Department is the repeated calls received from those who have had previous graduates. Within the past few months, two business houses have come to the high school for office assistants, stating that they did so because of their satisfaction with other Palmer pupils. One, in particular, reported that he had several other applicants but that he preferred to get one of our pupils, if possible. The other had previously employed two local commercial graduates and was so pleased with them that he came looking for the third. Fre- quent reports from local and out-of-town employers com- mend highly the work of Palmer graduates. One type- writer employment agency frequently sends for local grad- uates in attempting to fill positions, saying frankly that it does so because of the high type of graduate.
This is entirely unsought commendation and is given merely as concrete proof, and not in any attempt to offer self-laudation.
Forty-six pupils have been graduated. Thirty-four are working ; five are taking advanced work in some school- three at the High School ; three are remaining home for per- sonal reasons ; two have died ; and two have become married.
Previously, tables showing the salaries of nearly all of those working have been furnished; this year only the salaries of the last two classes will be given. Fourteen pupils graduated in 1914. Twelve of them report as fol- lows :- Combined Yearly Wage, $6,175; Conbined Weekly Wage, $118.75; Average Yearly Wage, $514.80; Average Weekly Wage, $9.90. In 1915, fourteen pupils were grad- uated. In spite of poor business conditions, nine have been placed in positions. They report as follows :- Combined Yearly Wage, $4,368; Combined Weekly Wage, $84; Aver- age Yearly Wage, $485.33; Average Weekly Wage, $9.33.
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HIGH SCHOOL.
Mr. Hurley, Principal of the High School, submits the following report : Palmer, Mass., Dec. 9, 1915.
Mr. Clifton H. Hobson,
Superintendent of Schools,
Palmer, Mass.
Dear Sir :
Following find the report of the High School for the past year. As most of the matters planned for the year ending June 30, 1915, have been mentioned in the preced- ing report, and have been successfully carried out, I will confine my remarks to the graduates of last June, and to events which have transpired since the opening of school on September 7th.
On June 30, 1915, a class of thirty-seven was gradu- ated. Of these, twenty-three were from the classical de- partment, and fourteen from the commercial department. Of the four-year graduates, three have entered Normal school ; six, college; and one, business college.
Of the Commercial graduates, nine are already placed in positions, three are taking post graduate courses at the High School, one is at home, and one was recently married. The reports from those who are holding positions are very favorable.
The School opened on September 7th with an enroll- ment of one hundred and seventy-four pupils, and a faculty of nine teachers. The class distribution was as follows :- Four-year Seniors, fourteen; Juniors, eighteen; Sopho- mores, twenty-six; and Freshmen, twenty-one; Commer- cial Seniors, twenty-two; Commercial Juniors, twenty; and Commercial Freshmen, forty-four. In addition to these, there were nine post graduates and special students. As you will notice, a very large percentage of the entering class chose the Commercial Course. This, coupled with the fact that all but a few of our commercial graduates are occupy- ing positions entailing a fair degree of responsibility, at- tests the popularity of this course, and emphasizes very
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strongly its need. The increased growth of this particular department has necessitated the opening of a new room in the building, and the employment of an extra teacher. Miss Anna Bernau, a graduate of Boston University 1911, and a teacher of three years' experience, is filling this newly created position in a very acceptable manner.
Changes in three departments have to be recorded at this time Miss Toolin has resumed her duties as instruc- tor in French and German, after a year's absence, which was spent in Italy, in study and research work. Mr. Kiley resigned his position as teacher of science, after a year of very efficient service, to accept a more lucrative position in the same department of the West Springfield High School. He has been ably succeeded by Mr. Clarence T. Hamill, Brown University 1915. One or two changes have been made in the manner of conducting the work of this de- partment. A full year's course in Biology is now offered in place of the half-year courses formerly offered in Zoology and Botany, respectively. Although we were already greatly handicapped by want of space in the laboratory, it was deemed necessary to install a work bench for the micro- scopical and dissection work of this course, as well as for some of the experimental work incidental to the other science courses, and this was done accordingly by Mr. Hamill. Miss Wyman resigned as instructor in English, after having given three years of eminently satisfactory service. Her place was filled by Miss Leta Young of Water- ville, Maine, who is a Colby graduate, Class of 1911. Miss Young has had three years' experience, in addition to which she has taken a year's post graduate work at Yale. Illness has compelled her to abandon her work for the time being. Miss Emily Ham of Brookfield, Mass., an English teacher of several years' experience, is substituting for her. The manner of conducting the English classes is essentially the same, the only change being a slight variation in the method of carrying on the debates. The period that was given over to mechanical drawing last year, which subject it was
*
22
deemed advisable to discontinue, has been given this year to debating, which is compulsory upon the four-year Sen- iors and Juniors.
It is gratifying to have to record no other changes in the personnel of our teaching corps. The work in the other departments is progressing very favorably under the same able supervision which it had last year. The town is for- tunate in possessing teachers of such fine mental equip- ment.
-
In conclusion, I wish to thank all who have in any way assisted in making this last school year a success. We trust that the same spirit of co-operation and good will which has characterized past relations between the public and the high school, will continue to manifest itself in the future. Results are certain of accomplishment wherever this spirit exists.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN E. HURLEY.
MUSIC AND MANUAL ARTS.
Both of these spe- cial subjects have been frequently enlarged upon. This time their treatment will be short. The instruction in and the supervision over both lines of work are excellent. If as good results could be obtained in all school work as are secured by these super- visors in their particular fields, the entire work of your schools would be par excellent.
TEACHERS. The teaching corps has suffered these losses during the period. intervening between this and last year's report :- By resignation-Alice E. Wyman, English, High School; M. M. Kiley, Science, High School; Marie J. Knobel, Grade I, Palmer Grammar School; Katherine B. Denlinger, Grade 4, Three Rivers Grammar School; Mary T. Smith, Grades 6 and 7, Bonds- ville Grammar School; Zilpha L. Sturtevant, Grade 3, Bondsville Grammar School. By retirement-Mary E. Murdock, Grade I, Thorndike Grammar School. By death -Jennie C. Twiss, Principal, Bondsville Grammar School.
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Mrs. Murdock hal taught in Palmer for a period of fifty years, a remarkable record. Her work was always of high order. Her rest from active duties is well earned.
Miss Twiss was a par excellent teacher. Her work with the boys and girls in Bondsville will continue as long as they live. Her influence for good was strong. Her loss was a severe one.
The following teachers have been appointed :- Leta Young, English, High School; C. T. Hamill, Science, High School; Anna Bernau, Commercial, High School; Kather- ine Duffy, Grade I, Palmer Grammar School; Charlotte V. Furphey, Grade 1, Thorndike Grammar School; Eleanor C. Reardon, Grades 6 and 7, Bondsville Grammar School ; Mary R. Farrell, Grade 3, Bondsville Grammar School ; Anne Mansfield, Grade 4, Three Rivers Grammar School ; Lois Mcad, Grades 2 and 3, Three Rivers Grammar School.
Taken as a whole, your teachers are earnest, conscien- tious, and hard workers. They are actuated by true and high motives and give their best efforts to their work. You are to be congratulated for the excellent quality of your teaching force.
RECOMMENDATIONS. The following recommenda- tions are offered for your
consideration :
(1.) That the necessity of increased accommodations in the housing capacity of school children in the village of Palmer be brought to the. attention of the voters, in what- ever way you deem best, for immediate action.
(2.) That the School Committee recommend the inclu- sion of an assembly hall and gymnasium in the first new school building erected in this village.
(3.) That the School Committee carefully consider the advisability of starting some kind of School Extension Work.
(4.) That the School Committee investigate the need, the possibility, and the desirability of making the Medical Inspection broader in scope and more effective in operation.
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(5.) That the School Committee consider the wisdom of operating the Commercial Department a certain number of evenings during the school year in order to offer the ad- vantages of some commercial training to those who, for various reasons, were unable during their school days to secure such.
CONCLUSION. An attempt to make this report brief, and yet cover the necessary ground, has been made. The writer desires to thank all-Com- mittee, citizens, teachers, and pupils-for the consideration, co-operation, and healthy spirit toward school affairs that they have shown the past year. A continuation of such an attitude spells "SUCCESS" in capital letters.
Respectfully submitted, CLIFTON H. HOBSON, Superintendent of Schools.
Palmer, Mass .. December 10, 1915.
Appendix
A. GENERAL STATISTICS.
I. Population.
Census of 1910, 8,610
School population, September 1, 1914, 5 to 15 years
of age, 1,479
School population, September 1, 1915, 5 to 15 years
of age, 1,474
II. Pupils.
Number of children in town, September 1, as taken from the school census and registers :
1913-14
1914-15
Between ages of 7 and 14,
997
868
Aggregate enrollment, Sept. to June,
1,772
1,788
Average daily attendance,
1,471.52
1,582.20
Average number belonging,
1,526.97
1,640.54
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