USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Palmer, Massachusetts 1917 > Part 5
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ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
January 23, 1917. Dr. Moore, Dr. Roche, Mr. Thayer, Mr. Wilson. January 30, 1917. Dr. Moore, Dr. Roche, Mr. Thayer, Mr. Wilson.
February 20, 1917. Dr. Moore, Mr. Thayer, Mr. Foley, Mr. Shea, Mr. Wilson.
February 28, 1917. Dr. Moore, Mr. Thayer, Mr. Foley, Mr. Shea, Mr. Wilson.
April 24, 1917. Dr. Moore, Dr. Roche, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Thayer, Mr. Foley, Mr. Shea.
May 29, 1917. Dr. Moore, Dr. Roche, Mr. Thayer, Mr. Foley, Mr. Shea. June 19, 1917. Dr. Moore, Dr. Roche, Mr. Shea, Mr. Thayer, Mr. Wilson.
August 14, 1917. Dr. Moore, Dr. Roche, Mr. Foley, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Shea.
September 7, 1917. Dr. Moore, Dr. Roche, Mr. Foley, Mr. Thayer, Mr. Shea.
November 20, 1917. Dr. Moore, Dr. Roche, Mr. Foley, Mr. Shea, Mr. Wilson.
Calendar
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IIIGH SCHOOL.
Winter term begins January 2, 1918; ends February 22, 1918. Spring term begins March 4, 1918; ends April 26, 1918. Summer term begins May 6, 1918; ends June 28, 1918. Fall term begins September 3, 1918; ends December 20, 1918. Winter term begins December 30, 1918; ends February 21, 1919. Spring term begins March 3, 1919; ends April 25, 1919. Summer term begins May 5, 1919; ends June 28, 1919.
OTHER SCHOOLS.
Winter term begins January 2, 1918; ends February 22, 1918. Spring term begins March 4, 1918; ends April 26, 1918. Summer term begins May 6, 1918; ends June 14, 1918. Fall term begins September 3, 1918; ends December 20, 1918. Winter term begins December 30, 1918; ends February 21, 1919. Spring term begins March 3, 1919; ends April 25, 1919. Summer term begins May 5, 1919; ends June 13, 1919.
VACATIONS-ALL SCHOOLS.
Winter-February 22, 1918, to March 3, 1918, inclusive. Spring-April 26, 1918, to May 5, 1918, inclusive. Summer-(Grades) : June 14, 1918, to September 2, 1918, inclusive. (High) : June 28, 1918, to September 2, 1918, inclusive. Fall-December 20, 1918, to December 29, 1918, inclusive. Winter-February 21, 1919, to March 3, 1919, inclusive. Spring-April 25, 1919, to May 7, 1919, inclusive.
HOLIDAYS.
Fair Day, Columbus Day, Convention Day, Thanksgiving (with the day following), Washington's Birthday, Patriot's Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day.
School Committee's Report
To the Taxpayers of Palmer, Mass.
Your school committee begs to report to you its activities for the past year ; the way the public moneys were expended and the probable amount needed for next year's work.
The foregoing will be accomplished largely, by the publi- cation of the report to this board of the Superintendent of Schools.
The condition of the school property is mainly very good, sufficient money to properly maintain it having been ex- pended, together with small modifications or additions ordered by the State authorities.
Mention has been made repeatedly of the need of addi- tional school room, and as you are aware the need not merely- still exists, but it steadily increases. A conference has just been arranged with the committee on school accommodation, to take place soon, and it is hoped some plans agreeable to the tax payers may be evolved.
War conditions have served to increase the cost of every- · thing used in school work, and despite the practice of sharp economy, we are obliged to report a small deficit amounting to $120.26.
We cannot see how a considerable increase in our appro- priation over that of last year is to be avoided. Even though there should be no increase in trolly fares, our transportation cost seems likely to be about $600 more than last year. Your committee was represented at hearings held here and at Bos- ton, relating to a proposed increase in trolly fares.
At these hearings your committee protested against in- crease of fares, but if, as seems not improbable, permission is given the company to increase fare the amount needed in ex-
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cess of last year for the item of transportation will consider- ably exceed $600.
Increased cost of living impelled the grade teachers, with but one or two exceptions, to send to the committee a request for increases in salaries. The committee did not feel able to accede to the request in full, but an increase was made. This increase and addition to teaching force make necessary the sum of $3,000 over last year's allotment.
It has been the practice to contract for the coal supply, accepting the offer of the lowest bidder, quality considered. Owing to the coal shortage and the general uncertainty, con- tracts for the full amount needed could not be arranged ; but an agreement was made for the filling of the bins at Palmer village, Thorndike and Three Rivers. This amount is of course not sufficient to carry through, but it is hoped that fore this supply is consumed, the market may afford more. Next year, if coal is procurable, it is likely to be at an in- creased cost.
Much school insurance expires now or soon, and renewals take place at an increased cost. The requirements in relation to insurance are rather clearly delineated by law, and we find that insurance is likely to call for the sum of $900 additional this year.
Your committee in making known these increased needs is not unmindful of the many burdens present and to come, and is endeavoring to keep costs down, so far as is consistent with true economy. There have been frequent meetings, which were well attended.
The personnel of the board has had but one change, by which the board suffered the lost of Mr. William Kerrigan by resignation, whose place was filled by the election of Mr. Henry Foley.
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COMPARISON OF RECOMMENDATIONS.
General Expenses,
1918 $3,615.00
1917 $3,490.00
Increase $125.00
Teachers Salaries,
33,535.00
30,150.00
3,385.00
Text Books and Supplies,
3,000.00
3,000.00
0,00
Transportation,
3,970.00
3,080.00
890.00
Janitors' Service,
3,135.00
2,765.00
370.00
Fuel and Light,
5,900.00
4.450.00
1,450.00
Maintenance of Buildings
and Grounds,
1,200.00
1,000.00
200.00
Rent,
300.00
150.00
150.00
Repairs of School Buildings,
1,000.00
800.00
200.00
Music, Manual Training and Drawing,
2,400.00
2,100.00
300.00
Commercial,
3,800.00
3,700.00
100.00
Furniture and Furnishings,
600.00
600.00
0.00
Other Expenses,
2,035.00
1,100.00
935.00
$64,490.00
$56,385.00
$8.105.00
Respectively submitted, DR. GEORGE A. MOORE, JOHN F. SHEA,
DR. JOHN F. ROCHE,
SAMUEL E. THAYER,
JAMES WILSON,
HENRY M. FOLEY,
School Committee.
Report of Superintendent of Schools
To the School Committee of the Town of Palmer:
Gentlemen :- I herewith present my seventh annual report as Superintendent of Schools in Palmer. This is the twenty- fifth in the series of reports issued by the superintendents of the town.
INTRODUCTION.
In writing the report for the year now ending, the present existing world conditions will be borne in mind. Brevity, with its consequent conservation of public resources, will be the policy pursued. In addition, the effect, generally and locally, of this war upon public education will be dealt with very limitedly. Upon first impression, such a discussion may seem irrelevant in a report of this nature. Further thought, to- gether with careful study of the suggested,-for they will be merely mentioned-, ideas, will change this preconception.
Before beginning such discussion, very brief statements about matters of a peculiarly local nature will be made.
ATTENDANCE.
The attendance statistics continue to indicate healthy school conditions. The percentage of attendance, 95.96%, is .48% less than the highest ever attained-96.44%. There was an increase in tardiness, there being 208 cases against 151 the year before. The total number of half-day attendances last year was 516,754. In other words, there were 516,754 chances for tardiness. The cases of failure in these 516,754 chances were 208. By still another method of comparison, only one out of every 2,485 failed to report promptly, or the percentage
10
of tardiness based upon chances was .04% or 1/25%. There were 249 pupils who were neither absent nor tardy. This means that 14-2/5% of the average membership was perfect in attendance.
COST.
Comparisons given in this report year by year have shown that Palmer's cost per pupil is one of the lowest in the entire. state.
The total cost for the fiscal year just elapsed was $56,- 505.26; the average membership, 1,791.77 ; the cost per pupil in average membership, $31.53. For the previous fiscal year, the corresponding figures were :- Total cost, $53,115.29 ; aver- age membership, 1,719.17; cost per pupil, $30.90. The in- creased cost per pupil was $.63. Taking due cognizance of rising costs-an acute reality since war was declared in the spring-into consideration, the increased cost is small. If present high prices continue to prevail-they undoubtedly will for some time-, the cost per pupil, as well as the total cost, will rise very materially.
Some of the present increases within a year average as follows :- Coal, 25% ; paper, 100 to 200% ; books, 10 to 15% ; transportation, 40 to 50%. The coal increase amounts to some $1,000. Such individual increases make a marked impression on total expenditures. The increased cost of school operation is a fact-not a theory-and must be faced ..
Some saving can be effected possibly by a very close study of all needs. Such a practice will not be an innovation. It may be possible to be still more scrutinous in the future. True economy is not effected by failure to supply actual needs. What is essential for effective work must be supplied. Any curtail- ment that produces lessened efficiency is not economy. Penu- riousness and parsimony in running a business organization are not economy. To strike the happy medium between excessive niggardliness and extravagant liberality is the desired practice.
Any elimination of necessary courses or failure to supply working tools should not be considered. In times like these,
11
even better preparation than previously given should be made available. Our coming citizens-the boys and girls of to-day- need it; our country will sorely need them. Both will have serious after-war problems presented them for solution, prob- lems that, if settled right, will be solved by mutual co-opera- tion. The future welfare of both depends upon what is given them to-day. Curtail, if we must, in other things; curtail in educational opportunities-NEVER !
EXTENSION WORK.
Two lines of extension work were successfully pursued the past year-Evening Schools, and Boys' and Girls' Club Work.
EVENING SCHOOLS. The most ambitious program of eve- ning school work ever undertaken locally was attempted during the last school year. Work in commercial branches, citizenship and illiterate classes was done. Reports from every teacher were handed in, giving in detail the progress made, the attitude of the pupils, and the apparent results accruing from the season's work. These reports indi- cate that the time and money expended were well and profit- ably spent.
Several members of the commercial classes bettered them- selves in position and salary as a result of their attendance.
A number of the men attending the citizenship classes were enabled to pass their final examination for full-fledged American citizenship. The examiners are very strongly in- sistent that applicants coming from countries of different speech and customs in the main from those practised here shall attend such classes.
School authorities throughout the country have for years realized the absolute necessity of evening school work. The public, in many places, have failed to appreciate the significance of it and have refused to give, or have given niggardly, money from the public treasury for its support. Many have shared the oft-expressed feeling that public money should not be spent
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to educate "these foreigners." Now, those who have been able to readjust their view point-most of us have had to do this, whether we desire to or not-see that more of this work would have tended to eliminate much of the hyphenation which has caused so much trouble lately. America is the "melting pot" of nations. Heat is necessary for any melting process. A com- plete amalgamation is impossible unless all elements are pro- perly prepared for the uniform compound. Day schools for the younger, night schools for the older-these have been the heat for the melting pot.
Evening schools ought never again to be compelled to en- treat for public money.
ATTENDANCE.
High. T. R. Thorn. Bond. Palmer Total
Enrollment,
117 72
33
39
29
290
Average Membership,
78.74 49.20
24.61
23.17
16.35
192.07
Average Attendance,
62.83
42.84
20.55
20.85
12.05
159.12
Per Cent of Attendance,
79.79
87.30
83.36
89.97
73.70
82.84
Tardiness,
1
2
0
0
0
3
Perfect in Attendance,
2
8
0
2
0
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COST.
High Elementary Total · $396.50 $660.50 $1,067.00
Teachers' Salaries,
Janitors' Salaries,
21.88
118.62
140.50
Text Books and Supplies,
336.15
15.45
351.60
Total,
$754.53
$794.57
$1,559.10
Cost per Night-40 nights,
$18.86
$19.86
$38.72
Cost Based on Average Membership,
9.58
6.13
15.71
Cost Based on Average Attendance,
12.00
8.25
20,25
Cost per Pupil per Night (Av. Mem.),
.24
.15
.39
Cost per Pupil per Night (Av. Attend.),
.30
.21
.51
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BOYS' AND GIRLS' CLUBS.
The second attempt at a- chievement club work was highly successful. The number enrolled this summer in the various projects was :
Home Economics Club,
48
Small Vegetable Gardens,
213
Market Garden (1/20 acre),
5
Potato,
33
Pig,
19
Poultry,
9
Canning,
126
Total,
453
Number failing to complete work,
15
The financial statement is :
RECEIPTS.
Appropriation by Town,
$200.00
Contributed by Hampden Co. League, Total,
216.20
$416.20
EXPENDITURES.
John E. Hurley, Garden Supervisor,
$150.00
Ethel Spooner, Canning Supervisor,
50.00
Mr. Trask and Miss Price, 12 days,
84.00
Mr. Erickson and Miss Munson, 121/2 days,
50.00
Stenographers-12 days,
15.00
Automobile-800 miles at 7 cents,
56.00
Meals and Carfare, Total,
11.20
$416.20
The enrollment was more than double that of last year. The value of products was far in excess, in spite of the heavy loss entailed by the early frost and freeze in September. Ex- cellent yields of vegetables were secured; pigs, two of which won prizes at exhibitions, of good quality were raised; con- siderably over 3,000 cans were put up. Fifteen out of 453 failed to complete their projects. This means that 3% failed.
The previous year Palmer was warded a silver cup, second prize in the contest of large towns in the State. The work this year is superior in every particular. Other towns may
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have made a greater proportional improvement. If so, Palmer may not get a prize ; but the other towns will have done some very fine work.
Without any exception, the work of the Canning Club in Three Rivers, as club work, excels anything in this section of the State. This club has put up some 3,000 quarts of fruits, vegetables, and greens.
So many of the girls engaged in 'canning would not get this instruction in any other way-in fact, many of them go home and teach their parents-that it is evident that this work is necessary.
The Town should appropriate $300 for this work next year. The money will be well invested.
COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT.
The call for graduates of this department is still very strong. The past year has been an unusual one in its demand for help in all lines. Before school closed last June, twelve of the fourteen members of the graduating class had been placed in positions. Had we had the available material, many more applications could have been filled. Pupils were placed in positions paying from $400 to $1,050 per year. The average weekly wage per graduate was about $13.
It is a fairly safe assertion to state that the sixty graduates now working are earning a combined yearly wage of nearly $40,000.
The department is thoroughly justified in feeling proud of its record, if it cares to feel so.
SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS.
The present superintendent of schools wishes to place himself, positively and unequivocally, upon record with this statement-Palmer can no longer delay in providing additional school room. In making this statement, he feels that he is per- fectly within all bounds of truth, courtesy, and patience, for this is the seventh time that he has called to the attention of
15
the voters the necessity of such action. One actual response only has been made-the addition to the Bondsville School- and that need was emphasized in his first report, in 1912.
In the 1913 report appears this :- "Before many years, the Town of Palmer will have to do something to take care of this increasing enrollment." This related to the Palmer building.
In 1914, a full treatment of school capacity, covering four and one-half pages, giving average membership figures for twenty years, making estimates of the number of years that these buildings would house pupils-with and without addi- tions-, was given.
In the other report for 1914, school crowding was again noted.
In 1915, appears this recommendation-"That the neces- sity of increased accommodations in the housing capacity of school children in the village of Palmer be brought to the at- tention of the voters, in whatever way you deem best, for im- mediate action."
In 1916, a treatise upon "Combined Upper Grades," based upon the building of a new high school and the using of the present one for such a purpose, was given.
Several building committees have been appointed and have discharged their duties to the best of their abilities; yet, one fact stands out clearly-a single building, excepting the two- room addition to the Bondsville School, of any sort has not been erected.
Unless this condition is remedied, but one solution of the problem can be made. This solution is the placing of some of the grades upon a part-time school day. This means about one- half of a school day for all pupils thus placed. For instance, Grade I will use a room in the morning; Grade II, the same room in the afternoon. There is little doubt about the public's reception of such a course, in the writer's mind; yet, no other course of action can be taken. If the public will not build schools to house their pupils, they must accept the best sub- stitute that can be furnished.
A study of average memberships for twenty-four years is here given. This shows the growth of school enrollment.
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AVERAGE MEMBERSHIP FOR TWENTY-FOUR YEARS.
Year
High
Palmer
T. R.
Thorn.
Bond.
A11 Schools
1893-94
74.
230.3
166.
194.1
157.1
919.7
1894-95
73.2
229.7
163.6
216.1
168.1
967.5
1895-96
72.36
219.98
208.86
224.99
185.26
981.8
1896-97
75.43
220.67
202.97
226.30
178.58
953.83
1897-98
77.7
225.64
180.08
217.88
176.15
1023.2
1898-99
82.58
249.34
191.81
211.53
198.99
1050.51
1899-1900
76.5
262.30
193.41
235.69
193.55
1075.85
1900-01
74.
263.74
217.85
227.93
185.63
1051.9
1901-02
68.68
278.33
200.43
224.01
188.37
955.62
1902-03
86.53
284.27
151.51
155.79
198.17
978.82
1903-04
97.97
298.98
160.68
138.94
193.41
1031.64
1904-05
108.24
318.85
169.67
144.4
202.97
1107.91
1905-06
105.27
346.82
182.35
164.02
213.68
1084.67
1906-07
111.22
357.43
177.97
177.4
204.64
1039.24
1907-08
116.2
330.5
179.87
173.29
201.82
1151.19
1903-09
104.8
378.5
215.71
184.65
209.94
1193.56
1909-10
113.27
384.22
260.72
189.54
203.74
1243.56
1910-11
121.13
371.21
288.35
197.68
222.35
1298.9
1911-12
136.86
431.53
294.32
209.11
235.64
1411.33
1912-13
143.78
437.57
312.80
215.14
239.09
1433.71
1913-14
154.85
461.18
346.07
228.93
253.07
1526.97
1914-15
164.20
487.34
376.78
261.83
265.11
1640.54
1915-16
158.3
502.83
398.8
274.89
283.71
1709.09
1916-17
146.37
521.69
407.52
284.58
278.50
1728.15
*1917-18
185.50
548.73
457.32
309.25
308.95
1908.67
*Figures of month of November.
ANTICIPATED AVERAGE MEMBERSHIPS. Based on Assumed Rates of Increase. (This table was made out in 1914).
Rate
High 7%
Palmer 5%
T. R.
Thorn. 4%
Bond. 3%
All Schools 5%
Year
1915-16
175
501
396
271
273
1722
1916-17
187
526
428
282
281
1808
1917-18
200
552
462
293
289
1898
Capacity of Buildings
Comfortable
230
440
320
320
320
1730
Crowded
250
480
360
360
360
1920
8%
17
Note the table immediately preceding. This shows the "comfortable" and the "crowded" capacities of these buildings. Compare present average memberships with these capacities. In computing high school average membership, add forty, which represents the number of grade pupils in the building.
What is the result of this comparison? The high school, with the grade room, is now at "comfortable" capacity, the en- rollment being 220. The Palmer Grammar School is about 70 above "comfortable" and 30 above "crowded" capacity, with- out counting the 40 in the high school. With this 40 included, the excesses are 110 and 70. The Three Rivers Grammar School is 137 and 97 larger in average membership than in capacities. Four rooms are housed in Pickering Hall, two of them being opened there this fall. The Thorndike Grammar School, with an average membership of 309, is 11 under "com- fortable" and 51 under "crowded" capacity. Bondsville aver- ages about the same as Thorndike.
Taking all of the buildings as a whole, they are 178 over "comfortable" and 12 under "crowded" capacities.
This should be sufficient evidence of the need of imme- diate action. If not, add to these conditions the undoubted ad- ditional congestion that the enlargement of the works of the Wright Wire Co. will cause.
18
ABSENCES.
From October 30, 1916, to the end of the school year in June, 1917, a period of 30 weeks, reports were sent weekly to the Superintendent upon the reasons for absence. The in- formation was desired for the purpose of ascertaining to what extent various physical defects were contributing causes.
The completed tabulation is :
High
Palmer
T. R.
Thorn.
Bonds.
W. M.
P. C.
Shor.
Total
Throat,
45
178
94
43
63
19
5
9 1
165
3.03%
Stomach,
45
167
79
39
53
22
6
0 403
Headache,
81
136
138
44
58
0
1 474
7.41% 8.72% 13.62%
Eye,
5
11
15
5
1
1
0 0
0 0
38
.69%
Ear,
2
31
31
12
18
2
1
1
0
36
.66%
Grippe,
12
17
9
26
12
1
0
0
77
1.41%
Nerves,
6
0
1
0
8
0
0
0
15
.27%
Broken Bones,
0
8
1
0
3
0
0
0
12
.22%
Croup,
0
12
2
2
2
4
0
0 0
22 40
.44% .73%
Scarlet Fever,
0
0
0
0
0 00
0
0
.00%
Diphtheria,
0
0
3
0
0 -00
0
3
.05%
Skin Disease,
0
4
11
8
11
10 0
0
91
1.67%
Pediculosis,
0
2
1
0
0
0 0 00
0
3
.05%
Mumps,
0
14
0
0
0 1 0
£ 0
15
.27%
Totals,
303 1058 671 311 356 141 25 28 2844 60.2 %
The above table shows that 60% of all absences was due to illness ; 40%, to other causes. The percentage of absences was 4.04% for the school year. Of this, 60% was due to ill- ness ; 40%, to other causes. Therefore, the percentage of ab- sence due to illness was 2.424% ; to other causes, 1.616%.
% Absent by
Illness.
Teeth,
16
55
36
26
22
5
4
16 46
9
17
739
96
1.76%
Rheumatism,
5
13
6
2
8
3
1
1
0
8 21 0 0 164
3.01%
Measles,
1
133
2
0
Whooping Cough,
1
2
63
25
0
35
.64%
Chicken Pox,
0
28
7
76
88
Cold,
84
247
172
416
7.65%
19
The percentage due to other causes than illness was ex- tremely small. The fact that stands out clearly is that many of the illnesses are from defects that can be elimi- nated by proper attention being given to the causes.
REPORT OF PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS.
Physical examinations for some defects were made at the time of the examination for infantile paralysis. .
Reports were sent home and inquiry was made as to what was done by parents relative to the conditions reported.
These tables give the results for the grades :
DEFECTIVE TEETH.
Grade
Total No. Cases
Treated
Attended To
Nothing Done
Left Town
Failed to Get Notice
I
121
28
5
84
4
0
II
138
28
5
94
6
5
III
130
32
24
64
6
4
IV
96
23
4
61
4
4
V
60
15
8
34
3
0
VI
70
19
7
35
8
1
VII
60
21
0
31
8
0
VIII
25
7
3
13
2
0
IX
22
13
0
8
1
0
Totals,
722
186
56
424
42
14
20
DEFECTIVE TONSILS.
Grade
Total No. Cases
Attended To
Nothing Donc
Left Town
Parent Failed to Get Notice
I
41
4
36
1
0
II
30
5
22
3
0
III
33
4
27
2
0
IV
42
5
33
3
1
V
38
10
28
0
0
VI
25
3
19
3
0
VII
28
2
18
6
2
VIII
12
1
10
1
0
IX
8
2
6
0
0
Totals,
*257
36
199
19
3
*Adenoids also in six cases.
The report for the high school follows :
REPORT ON PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS.
Total No. Cases
Attended To
Nothing Done
Defective Teeth,
31
21
10
Defective Tonsils,
19
10
9
Asthma,
1
0
1
Slight Heart Trouble,
11
0
11
Totals,
62
31
31
Summarized, the total cases numbered 1,041; the cases treated and attended to, 309; the cases in which nothing was done, 654; the cases whose disposition could not be reported because of removal from town or failure to receive notice, 78. Based on the number of cases, 1,041, less those unable to re-
21
port, 78, which is 963, the percentage of parents who did some- thing was 32% ; who did nothing, 68%.
Due allowance being made for all obstacles, the 32% is a good showing. It seems hard to conceive it to be a fact that 68% of all parents notified failed to show any interest in the physical welfare of their children. This condition may not be so ; if not, the investigation was faulty at some point.
Such attempts to help correct physical defects in school children are never more successful than the local one was where no school nurse is employed to do follow-up work. The one big factor in successful school health work is the school nurse. A combination position of truant officer, census enum- erator, and school nurse, filled by the right woman, would more than repay in good work any expenditure of money in- volved in such procedure.
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