USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Palmer, Massachusetts 1923 > Part 6
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The aim of the present-day schools is to fit the child to best live in a community in harmony and efficiency with all others. In other words, the aim of the schools is to produce a high type of citizen. Whether we will or not, such must be the aim of the public schools today.
COST
During a period of high taxation, every public depart- ment spending money suffers much criticism and must persistingly fight against curtailment in financial sup- port. It is only natural, under such conditions, for the public to revolt against certain expenditures which, in their opinion, will stand curtailment without any distinct loss. The schools, as a rule, are the largest public busi- ness conducted by any city or town and, naturally, re- ceive the first and severest criticism in the matter of ex- penditures. Then again, the results secured in the schools are, as has previously been said, so intangible that a loss is not appreciated oftentimes for many years. If the street department is curtailed in its expenditures, the roads suffer and every time we ride over the roads or walk on the sidewalks and receive a jolt or stub our toe, we realize the reason for it-the department has not suf- ficient money. If the police force is curtailed and a situ- ation arises which the police can not adequately take care of, we know that the public is to blame, because it caused a curtailment in the police force due to the failure to appropriate sufficient money. We refuse to curtail the fire department, because we are afraid our house may burn due to the lack of protection. No one ever thinks of fire department costs in terms of firemen's salaries, and not protection. The same is true of police depart- ment costs. A great many are prone to think of school costs in terms of teachers rather than in terms of chil- dren. The schools are a greater protection than any fire or police department. They prevent a far more alarming conflagration.
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A careful analysis of the situation throughout the country reveals the fact that the increased cost per pup !! per day in school is nine-tenths of one cent over that of thirty (30) years ago. The total cost of school main- tenance has increased locally, state-wide, and nationally. The population has also increased. The stock arguments for reducing school appropriations are easily answered. The question of "Why the increase?" can be easily an- swered by another question-"What has happened to the purchasing power of the dollar?" Industry everywhere demands double price for a particular service or com- modity. The same inexorable economic laws which make this necessary have also increased school costs.
The fear that to educate all the children at the per capita cost will bankrupt the nation is absurd. Educa- tion has a large economic value. An increase of education. an improvement in the type of school and quality of teach- er, will both cause, directly and indirectly, an increased wealth which will more than offset the increased cost of operating the schools. This is a belief expressed by the leading bankers of our country.
The best way to consider the problem of the cost of popular education is to make a comparison over a definite period of years. This has been done for the period from 1890 to 1920. In 1890, the cost was $140.602,000. For every dollar in 1890, $7.50 was spent in 1920. That is a big increase in one way. A careful analysis reveals 2 few interesting features which enter into this cost. From 1890 to 1920, the attendance increased one hundred thirty- nine per cent. (139%). If all else were on a par, that would mean that in 1920 there would have been an ex- penditure of $340,000,000 a year. That is not what was being spent in 1920. The statistics of the United States Bureau of Labor show that the value of the dollar in 1890 was just three times as great as in 1920. You could buy of the necessities in 1890 for one dollar ($1) as much as
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for three dollars ($3) in 1920. In 1920, there was being expended for schools $1,045,540,000. Taking into con- sideration the increased enrolment, the lengthened school year, and the decrease in the value of the dollar, there was being spent every day in 1920 nine-tenths of one cent more than in 1890.
In 1890, there were few high school pupils. In 1920, there were over 2,000,000 of them. It costs more to keep a high school child in school than an elementary child. The question arises, "Can we afford to keep it up?" The an- swer is that, in actuality, we are spending less per day per child than we were in 1890.
ENRICHMENT OF CURRICULUM
With the completion of the new high school, it has been possible to enrich the curriculum, both in the high school and in the eighth and ninth grades. Physical edu- cation, household arts, and manual training have been added. To many, these additions seem an unwarranted additional expense. To those who do not know the value of these courses, it seems an absurdity. To those who do know the value of them, it seems a necessity. The difference is merely one of intimate knowledge. Most differences arise from lack of understanding.
No one ought to question the advantage of physical education. A man's physical set-up has much to do with his success in life. "A sound mind in a sound body" is "as old as the hills."
Home-making in the training of girls is important. Probably ninety per cent. (90%) of all girls eventually become home-makers. Any one who understands the in- fluence of the home upon life in general can not question the wisdom of such instruction. Likewise, manual training adds a distinct contribution to a boy's educational develop- ment.
We have shaped some good courses along these lines which we are offering to the boys and girls in Grades
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8 and 9 and in the high school. We are now giving our pupils a type of education that fundamentally is best suited to fit them to meet the demands of the future when they have become citizens of our town. The inscription on the new high school, "Dedicated by the Town of Palmer to the Education of its Youth, the Hope of Tomorrow," will typify the sort of work which we are endeavoring to do-educate our "Hope of Tomorrow," so that our hope will become a real eventuality.
NEW HIGH SCHOOL
The new high school is daily proving its value as an asset to the schools and the town. The building, with its auditorium, gymnasium, lunch room, and other mod- ern necessities, makes possible many things which have much to do with the success of a real high school. The building is also proving a boon to the entire town. The auditorium and gymnasium are being used quite largely by the people. This is in line with present-day tendency throughout the country. The greatest possible commun- ·ity use of these buildings is a very desirable thing. The buildings are owned by the people, financed by the people, and should be used by the people .. They should be placed at the service of the people at a reasonable expense when- ever such use does not interfere with school work. No attempt to make money should be tried.
The School Committee have drawn up rules and regu- lations for the use of the building. Upon this basis, the community is welcome to the widest possible use of the building. The auditorium and gymnasium are open to any and all people, provided the purpose is a good one and someone will become personally responsible for the use of the building. There has been some little criticism because of the formation of a business men's gymnasium class and a town basket ball league. Some have said that exclusive use of the gymnasium was being given in certain cases. This is not a fact. Any organization,
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whether now in existence or perfected later, can have the use of the gymnasium by complying with certain reasonable regulations. These can be learned at the of- fice of the Superintendent of Schools at any time. No favorites are played.
EXTENSION WORK
With the facilities furnished by the new high school for extension work, in my opinion, much along these lines should be done. For many years, extension work, to a greater or lesser degree, has been carried on-some in conjunction with the State Department of Education and other in conjunction with the Hampden County Improve- ment League. Nearly all of this work contributes to the further education of our adult population who are just as much entitled to education at the expense of the town as are the younger people. Custom only has decreed that the education of the youth must, and should, be done. Adult education is just as important and, oftentimes, fully as necessary. A community today shows its pro- gress, or lack of it, by the amount of work along extension lines which it undertakes.
Americanization
Work in Americanization was resumed directly after the Annual Town Meeting in February, at which time our appropriation for such work was restored. Several classes were immediately started in the villages with good attendance, in view of the late start and the serious interruption caused by the discontinuance of the appro- priation a year before. Considerable time will be con- sumed in the renewal and restoration of interest in this work upon the part of those for whom it is designed.
The work was discontinued during the summer and resumed in the fall. At the present time, there are approximately one hundred ten (110) enrolled in these classes. A peculiar feature of this year's work is that the enrolment in the village of Palmer is larger than that
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in any of the other villages of the town. The present enrolments are as follows :- Palmer, 41; Bondsville, 25; Thorndike, 22; Three Rivers, 18; Total, 106.
The cosmopolitan nature of the classes in the village of Palmer is shown by the fact that the following nation- alities are represented :- Greek, French, Austrian, Rus- sian, Swedish, Albanian, Syrian, and Italian. These par- ticular classes put on a Christmas program, participated in entirely by their own members, which was very inter- esting and showed considerable talent. The error is often made that, because a man does not speak our own lan- guage, he lacks intelligence. Many men of considerable intelligence and fair education do manual work in this country because of the lack of knowledge of the English language. Oftentimes, their ability, could it be expressed in our language, would shame many of us who feel a marked superiority over them. Language handicap is a big one. The intent of Americanization work is to re- move this handicap; also, to promote the right kind of citizenship.
It is to be hoped that Palmer will never make the mistake of practicing false economy in this matter of Americanization. Every penny spent is wisely invested. Those who think otherwise think so because of a lack of intimate touch with this sort of work.
It is always the man in the bleachers who can play the game better than the man out on the field. Never- theless, if you know anything about the game, you know that the man in the bleachers pays admission to see the game, while the man on the field is paid a good salary to play it. In the bleacherite's opinion, the positions should be reversed-he on the field, and the player in the bleach- ers. In some rare cases, this is true. As a rule. never- theless, good judgment has been exercised in having each in his original position.
Boys' and Girls' Club Work
The work done by the schools, in conjunction with the Hampden County Improvement League, along these lines is probably best summarized in the following table:
Project
No. of organized clubs
No. of banner clubs
No. en- rolled
No. com- pleting
Am't won in prizes E. S. E.
Value of products
Total cost
Value above cost
Canning
4
2
34
23
$24.00
$1,050.80
$283.13
$767.67
Garden
3
41
29
669.90
249.40
420.50
Home Economics
4
-
6-1
35
3.50
185.39
94.14
91.27
Total
11
2
139
87
$27.50
$1,906.09
$626.67
$1,279.44
Further comment is not necessary, except that public acknowledgment of the worth-whileness of the Hampden County Improvement League should be made.
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Expectations
An attempt is being made to organize considerable extension work along other lines. A class in the "Gas- oline Automobile" and another class in "Short Story Writers" will soon be in operation; also, if the Town will vote authorizing vocational work, classes in Cooking, Dressmaking, Millinery, and Home Nursing will be of- fered. These classes will be financed in part by the Town and by the State. The first ones mentioned, "Gasoline Automobile" and "Short Story Writers," will be financed by the State. There has been an insistent demand, upon the part of many, for an opportunity to use the House- hold Arts equipment. This opportunity will be offered, provided the Town will take the necessary vote. If all these classes can be put into operation-and the expense will be small-Palmer will be doing a line of extension work well worthy of what it should do.
HEALTH WORK
Health work has been carried on on the most exten- sive scale this year of any of the years of its existence in our system. Real work in the matter of physical examin- ations previously has not been done throughout our schools. This year, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the State Department of Education, these examinations have been made. This has meant a great deal of work for the school inspectors and the school nurse. They have performed it gladly and efficiently.
Final reports have been rendered covering all of the public schools in town, which, summarized, will interest you. The summary of the defects found is as follows: Number of Pupils Examined, 2,014
Number of Defects Found:
Appearance,
154
Nutrition, 211
Posture, 438
Scalp, 329
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Skin,
119
Teeth,
745
Throat,
867
Nose,
55
Glands,
137
Heart,
80
Lungs,
13
Feet,
10
Spine,
17
Total,
3,175
A study of these defects will indicate the fact that teeth and throat, in particular, in a great many cases, should receive attention. It is hoped that parents of chil- dren who have these, or any defects, will pay heed to the notice which will be sent them by the School Department. A re-examination will be made of all who have defects, after which a notification will be sent calling the parent's attention to the defect or defects. This will be followed by home visits on the part of the school nurse. A care- ful check will be kept of all cases and a report will be rendered later, showing how many have given attention to the physical defects of their children. All of this work is done for the benefit of the children. The school is a co-worker with the parent for the child's best interests
One very pleasant feature of the examinations just made was that, with the exception of two parents, no objection was made to the performance of the physical examination by the school inspector. This shows a mighty fine spirit of co-operation upon the part of Palmer parents. The School Department fully appreciates this.
The record of the examination of each child has been placed upon an individual card supplied by the State. This examination will be repeated yearly and the same tabulation made. It will be possible, years later, to get a complete statement of a child's physical condition all through school. This, some day, will prove very helpful, because, if the present tendency, as exemplified in the
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Workingmen's Compensation Act, continues, it will be necessary to know an employee's health record over a period of years. Otherwise, a fair analysis of injury can not be made. The previous condition of the employee cer- tainly should be known. Health-much as has been made of it in the past-will be a more important factor in every- body's life in the years to come.
Milk
Pasteurized milk is being sold at cost to the pupils in all our schools. Much milk is consumed daily. A marked improvement in many cases where there was formerly under-nourishment has been noticed. The pupils like the milk and the milk does much for their physical improve- ment.
School Lunches
School lunches are furnished at cost to pupils in Three Rivers and Palmer. When the new lunch room in the new High School is completed, it will take care of the needs of the high school and grade pupils. The patronage will undoubtedly be heavy, inasmuch as there are so many pupils in both the grades and the high school who come from a long distance, necessitating the requirement of some sort of a mid-day meal. The aim of the School Department is to place the opportunity of securing nour- ishing foods of a wholesome nature before the pupil at an absolute minimum cost.
The possibility of a lunch for high school pupils, furnished by the erection of the new high school, will mean much. Some people scoff at this and the scoffing is due, as has been stated previously, to a lack of intimate knowledge. There are very few older people who do not look out for themselves during the mid-day lunch hour, no matter where they may be at home or abroad. Grow- ing boys or girls, whose systems need more fuel, ought to be provided the same opportunities.
1:1
Physical Education
Physical education will offer an additional oppor- tunity for certain lines of health work. Not only will it improve the general physical condition of the child through the exercise of the muscles, but also it will af- ford an opportunity to teach correct carriage, posture, etc. It will add a distinct contribution to our general health work.
PENNY SAVINGS
The Penny Savings System, which gave way during the World War to War Savings Stamps, was re-established. in November, 1921.
The report, from November, 1921, the date of its re- installation, to November, 1923-a period of two years- is as follows:
School
Number of Deposits
Amount
Palmer,
4,969
$1,878.38
Thorndike,
5,205
2,203.72
Bondsville,
4,622
1,743.73
Three Rivers,
3,573
1,781.25
Wenimisset,
95
55.91
Wire Mill,
783
603.20
Palmer Center,
95
30.17
Total,
19,342 $8,296.36
This report shows that the average amount saved per pupil per year has been two dollars ($2)-not a bad showing.
MAXIMUM SALARY PAID GRADE TEACHERS
Recently a questionnaire was sent out to seventy (70) towns ranging in population from 5,000 to 15,000 on the matter of the maximum salary paid to grade teachers. Sixty-five (65) replies were received. These reports show the following results :
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Gr. Gr. Gr. Gr. Gr. Gr. Gr. Gr. Gr. 1 2 3 4 6
5
7
8
Towns paying over $1,200
47
46
47
48
49
.19
55
58 29
Towns paying less than $1,200
5
5
4
3
3
3
3
2 4
Towns paying $1,200
13
14
14
14
13
13
7
5
0
Total
65
65
65
65
65
65
65
65
33
-
A careful study of the salary statistics shows the following facts :-
Towns paying $1,200-which is the Palmer maximumn in all grades-grade by grade are as follows :- Grade I- Weymouth, Adams, Palmer, Ware, Middleboro, Bridge- water, Stoughton, Franklin, Mansfield, Westboro, Chelms- ford, Winchendon, and Dracut; Grade II-Weymouth, Adams, Palmer, Ware, Middleboro, Bridgewater, Stough- ton, Franklin, Mansfield, Winchendon, Westboro, Chelms- ford, Dracut, and Orange; Grade III-Weymouth, Adams, Palmer, Ware, Middleboro, Bridgewater, Stoughton, Mans- field, Ipswich, Winchendon, Westboro, Chelmsford, Orange, and Dracut; Grade IV-Weymouth, Adams, Palmer, Ware, Middleboro, Bridgewater, Stoughton, Mans- field, Ipswich, Winchendon, Westboro, Chelmsford, Orange, and Dracut; Grade V-Weymouth, Adams, Palmer, Stoughton, Middleboro, Bridgewater, Mansfield, Ipswich, Winchendon, Westboro, Chelmsford, Orange, and Dracut; Grade VI-Weymouth, Adams, Palmer, Mid- dleboro, Bridgewater, Stoughton, Mansfield, Ipswich, Winchendon, Westboro, Chelmsford, Orange. and Dracut ; Grade VII-Weymouth, Palmer, Middleboro, Winchendon, Westboro, Chelmsford, and Dracut; Grade VIII-Wey- mouth, Palmer, Middleboro, Winchendon, and Chelms- ford; Grade IX-Weymouth, Palmer, Middleboro, and Chelmsford; Junior High I-Ipswich.
Towns paying less than $1,200 are :- Grade I-May- nard, Dartmouth, Ipswich, Millbury, and Uxbridge; Grade II-Maynard, Dartmouth, Ipswich, Millbury, and Ux-
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bridge; Grade III-Maynard, Dartmouth, Millbury, and Uxbridge; Grade IV-Dartmouth, Millbury, and Ux- bridge; Grade V-Dartmouth, Millbury, and Uxbridge; Grade VI-Dartmouth, Millbury, and Uxbridge; Grade VII-Dartmouth, Millbury, and Uxbridge; Grade VIII- Dartmouth and Uxbridge; Grade IX-None.
It is to be noticed that, out of sixty-five (65) towns, the largest number which pay less than $1,200 in any grade is five (5). These towns are all small ones from the population standpoint-Maynard being the largest, with a population of 7,086-about two-thirds (2/3) the size of Palmer. The largest number of towns which pay the same maximum in any grade is fourteen (14). The population of these towns, for comparison purposes, is here given :-
Weymouth,
15,057
Adams,
12,967
Palmer,
9,896
Ware,
8,525
Middleboro,
8,453
Bridgewater,
8,438
Stoughton,
6,865
Franklin,
6,497
Mansfield,
6,255
Winchendon,
5,904
Westboro,
5,789
Chelmsford,
5,682
Orange,
5,393
Dracut,
5,280
A study of these figures from still another angle re- veals the following averages for the entire sixty-five (65) towns compared with Palmer:
Population-65 Towns, Valuation-65 Towns, Salaries:
$9,891,421
8,679 Population-Palmer, Valuation-Palmer, Salaries:
9,896
$10,465,790
Grade 1-65 Towns,
$1,344
Grade 1-Palmer,
$1,200
Grade 2-65 Towns,
1,344
Grade 2-Palmer,
1,200
Grade 3-65 Towns,
1,347
Grade 3-Palmer,
1,200
Grade 4-65 Towns,
1,349
Grade 4-Palmer,
1,200
Grade 5-65 Towns,
1,350
Grade 5-Palmer,
1,200
Grade 6-65 Towns,
1,352
Grade 6-Palmer,
1,200
Grade 7-65 Towns,
1,404
Grade 7-Palmer,
1,200
Grade 8-65 Towns,
1,432
Grade 8-Palmer,
1,200
Grade 9-65 Towns,
1,479
Grade 9-Palmer,
1,200
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It is evident from the foregoing that Palmer is not paying her grade teachers a salary that compares favor- ably with other towns in the State of her size and wealth. There is no question but that there should be an increase. This matter will be presented to the Committee of Fifteen, who, in turn, will be requested to present it to the citizens at the Town Meeting for final action.
A new salary schedule should be perfected and, in my opinion, should make financial recognition of years of - service and grades taught, together with a further recog- nition of Professional Improvement upon the part of teachers who take work at summer schools and in exten- sion courses to better fit themselves for their daily work as teachers.
I most heartily recommend that an increase in sal- aries be made. This recommendation I make with full knowledge of increasing taxation and Palmer's ability to stand it.
CONTINUATION SCHOOL
The Continuation School is now in its fourth year of operation. The attendance averages about one hundred sixty-eight (168) pupils. The pupils range between fourteen (14) and sixteen (16) years. They attend school four (4) hours per week. This school is compul- sory, being required by State law. Palmer has no option in the matter of running such a school.
Much good work is being done in this school along edu- cational and social lines. The school is a move in the right direction. It handles pupils during part of the stress period of their lives. It affords the pupils an opportun- ity to come in contact with those who are interested in their welfare, socially as well as industrially, affording them many opportunities for advice, direction, vocational guidance, etc.
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The Continuation School is a good thing. The only difficulty is the short period of time the pupils are in attendance. Those who have had experience with it and those who know it intimately have come to the conclusion that the Continuation School should be a half-time propo- sition-that is, the pupil should spend one-half his time in employment and the other half in school. The best division of this half-time arrangement is thought to be that of alternate weeks in employment and in school. This would give the school an opportunity to do real work with the pupil and would afford time to better fit him for his immediate or future line of employment. Eventually, such a half-time arrangement will be per- fected, in all probability as a solution of the raising of the compulsory school age.
OPPORTUNITY CLASS
The work done in the so-called Opportunity Class is bearing good fruit. These classes are sub-divided into two (2) divisions-a so-called industrial class for the older boys and girls and a so-called special class for the younger. Different types of work are given in each sub- division. Three (3) teachers are employed-two (2) for full-time and one (1) for part-time.
In order to show the kind of work being done in these classes, the following list of articles made last year is given : Girls' Industrial-Work baskets, small reed baskets, pin cushions, aprons, rabbit aprons, toy kittens, bedroom slippers, sweaters, wool flowers, holders, sweet peas, handkerchiefs, work bags, blouses, camisoles, dresses, desk blotters ; Girls' Special-Dust cloths, aprons, painted vases, sweet peas, beaded bracelets, chains, knitted scarfs and caps, dust caps, toy rabbits, night gowns, pillow tops, holders, reed baskets and holders, work baskets, handkerchief cases, laundry bags, work bags, button bags; Boys' Industrial-Coat hangers, knife
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