USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1926-1930 > Part 33
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REPAIRS AND EQUIPMENT
A rather considerable amount of money was spent on repairs during the past year. At the Point School, the
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$1700 which was appropriated at the last town meeting was used as follows: A cellar was dug and a cement floor laid therein. The underpinning was repaired and all cracks were filled with cement. The chimney was repaired and lengthened to the floor of the cellar. A hot air furnace was installed and the building was painted both inside and out. At the rear of the class-room, par- titions were erected and toilets and lavatories were in- stalled. Running water was already in the building, and with the construction of a cesspool, we have sanitary equipment which would pass the inspection of the most critical. The toilets are provided with heat, ventilation, and plenty of light. The floors are of water-proof lino- leum, and there is ample room to take care of the number of pupils in the building. A new slate blackboard was built into the front end of the room, and behind it racks were built upon which clothing might be hung.
There is hardly enough money to finance the installa- tion of electric lights this year, but this cost should not be great, and I hope that the appropriation for another year may be ample to take care of this need.
A rather unlooked-for situation arose when a leak de- veloped in the roof of the building at Tarkiln. In attempt- ing to repair the difficulty, it was found advisable to shin- gle one side of the north building. The concrete floors in the new addition to this building had never been treated, and the surface was consequently hard to clean, and the dust quite annoying. This was corrected during the summer months, and the toilets, which had never been completely painted, were given a good heavy coating of white enamel. The toilets in every school building in town should be finished with white enamel, as the dirt shows up more quickly, and there is less likelihood of neglecting the cleaning, with a resulting lack of sanitation. In this new addition, there had never been any baseboards, and as the plastering was being loosened by repeated scuffing of feet, these were installed. The plastered walls of the north school room were calcimined, and at Christmas
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time the entire interior of the south school room was painted. The lighting of this south room had not been entirely satisfactory, and a very much lighter shade of paint was used than formerly. This seemed to correct the difficulty. As planned in our budget for 1929, a new heating unit was installed in this set of buildings. The old units had not been adequate, and one of the furnaces was worn beyond repair. The new equipment which we have installed embodies every modern idea. It can be controlled from the classroom. There is ample provision for maintaining the proper supply of moisture in the air, and there is an electric-fan which insures the proper circulation of warm air throughout the entire system, and an eveness of temperature at every point of the building. Not only is our building being adequately heated and ventilated through this new installation of equipment, but also from present indications the fuel bill for this school will be so materially reduced that the equipment will more than pay for itself, in a period of three years. - At the Village School, much money was spent on san- itary conditions a year ago, and there has been little call for outlay on the repairs in the year just past. The old furnace in this building has needed the attention of a plumber from time to time, and probably will not carry its load a great while longer. The shingles on the side wall of the building were beginning to look rather shabby, and a coat of stain was applied.
The new high-school building has not yet reached the point where heavy repair bills are necessary. There was a break in the plumbing beneath the basement floor which required some attention. Several slate shingles, broken by the ice and snow sliding from the roof were replaced. In a driving easterly storm, we were bothered somewhat by leaks through the walls. These were repaired by filling tiny crevices beneath the stone window sills with cement. Some painting was necessary around the window frames and casings. Fertilizer and dressing were essential for the proper care of the lawn. The grass and shrubbery
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also required a considerable amount of weeding, water- ing, and mowing, but the beauty of the grounds seems amply to repay us for any expenditure in this field. A little trouble developed in the electrical wiring and the state inspectors were called in to make a survey of the situation. It was found that the contractor was at fault, and he was required to make the necessary replacements and repairs without cost to the town.
REPAIRS AND EQUIPMENT NEEDED FOR ANOTHER YEAR.
At the Point School, as already indicated, electric lights should be installed, so that on dark or stormy days there will not be danger of eye-strain. The old building formerly used as a wood shed and for the toilets is of no further use to us, and some steps should be taken to dis- pose of it as soon as possible. I believe a little money should be spent each year in improving the grounds around the school building.
The south building at Tarkiln really needs a new floor. There should be provided for this group of buildings about two dozen folding chairs to provide for parents and visitors who wish to attend the little entertainments given by pupils from time to time. The corridors between the two school rooms is the only part of the building that has not been painted recently. For sanitary rea- sons, as well as for appearance, this should be attended to at cnce. Here as at the Point School, an effort should be made gradually to improve the appearance of the grounds. The driveways should be laid out and care- fully marked. Some shrubbery and trees should be set out at various points. A flag pole should stand at some place on the grounds between the building and the street. The north school room is shaded by trees growing thickly and too close to the building These should be removed so that the proper amount of light may enter the school room at all times.
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I have already hinted that the furnace at the village School is nearly at the end of its days of usefulness. In very cold weather, it is hardly adequate, and in warm or sultry days, it must be watched or gas escapes into the class room. No provision is made for properly moisten- ing the air, and circulation of heat must depend entirely upon gravity. On very windy days, this causes an over- heating of one section of a room, while the other part may be cool. To run this heater is wasteful, as the amount of coal used is practically twice what it should be for a building of this size. A new heating system similar to that installed at Tarkiln should be installed here during the summer months. There is some likelihood that the chimney is the seat of some of our heating difficulties, and it should be overhauled. A number of years have passed since any painting was done in the class rooms. Walls are becoming grimy, and should be given a good coat of paint. There has also been some difficulty in taking care of the water which flows from the roof, the nature of the soil near the building being such that dry wells become useless in a very short time. I believe that cesspools should be built at a sufficient distance to pre- vent any further danger of water running into the base- ment during rainstorms.
At the New High School, some work should be done in repairing the lawns. These were carefully seeded and rolled at the time of the construction, but there are always imperfections which appear on a job of this sort after the major part of the surface has received proper growth. This is particularly noticeable on the steep banks, where it is always somewhat difficult to maintain the sodded surface. The building is now reaching a point in age where it would probably be well to do some painting. Considering the enormous amount of surface which must be covered, I should recommend so planning the work that a certain fractional part will be done each summer, thereby eliminating the possibility of having to face the
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unquestionably heavy financial burden in any one year. Gas lines should be brought into the school, particular- ly for use in the laboratory, where the type of heat which we now have is so slow that our experimental work is seriously handicapped. In a building of this size, there are bound to be some general repairs from year to year, which cannot be anticipated, but for which we must plan in making up the budget for the coming year.
SCHOOL WORK OF THE YEAR
A detailed statement of the work of the elementary school will be found in the reports of principals of these schools, and I shall not attempt a repetition. All special work for which the town employs supervisors will also be reported by the person in charge of the department.
In the High School, with the exception of a slight reor- ganization in the English department, there has been no change in the course of study. We are continuing with the use of standard achievement and intelligence tests, and find therefrom that the work of our schools compares very favorably with the standards of the country as a whole. These tests bring out more clearly than any other known method the topics which are weak or the subject matter in which there is over-emphasis. They serve as a check-up on the work of pupils and teachers alike.
Our orchestra continues with its growth and improve- ment. Mr. Clark comes to the school one day each week to give violin lessons to those wishing training in this field. Just before the close of the year, we were fortunate in interesting Mr. Cassano, supervisor of music in the schools of Rockland, in giving one day a week in the in- struction of those pupils who wish to play on the wind instruments. Both Mr. Clark and Mr. Cassano have had many years of successful teaching experience, and, through them, the children have an economical and con- venient method of studying music. At present, there are over twenty pupils who are taking advantage of this
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opportunity. Many of these are from the lower grades of the new High School, and their interest and success foretell the organization of a band before the end of the year. The orchestra, in cooperation with the Glee Club, has assisted in many entertainments during the past year, and it is still in demand, not only in Duxbury, but in neighboring towns.
Our Wednesday morning assemblies continue along much the same line as during former years. We have been fortunate in securing many fine speakers who have had a real message for the boys and girls of Duxbury, but I believe that the greatest value has been obtained from the programs planned and executed by the pupils themselves. Parents and friends of the school have a standing invi- tation to be present at these affairs, and we are grateful to see them attending in ever increasing numbers.
Our school magazine, The Partridge, continues its ex- istence in practically the same form as last year. It has, however, doubled in size, and the number of contributors testifies to the live interest and enthusiasm with which the pupils are now backing it.
In making plans for the annual Senior Play, we were again fortunate in having the help and advice of Mr. Seymour. It seemed advisable to break away from the usual custom somewhat, and to give two short plays in- stead of one. This enabled a greater number to partici- pate and relieved the burden which otherwise would have rested on the shoulders of one or two students. The performances were given Friday, December 6th, and a very large and appreciative audience was on hand. On the following Tuesday, the entire cast, including the school orchestra, went to South Hanson and gave their entertainment to the inmates of the Tuberculosis Hos- pital located there. Under the direction of the English teacher, two groups have made trips to Boston, to see Shakespearean plays given at the Repertory Theatre, and last spring Mr. Charles Clark took the entire sixth grade into the flower show in Boston.
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The library is being put to more extensive use by the pupils of the school than ever before. I know of no town where so helpful an arrangement is in existence, and I am sure that the librarian and trustees of the organiza- tion are due the most sincere thanks, not only of every- one connected with the administration of the school, but also the parents of those children who are so greatly bene- fited by the arrangement. The only possible criticism one could make of the entire situation is that the demand for juvenile literature far exceeds the supply. I sincerely hope that the townspeople will see fit to increase the appropriation this year that this defect may be remedied.
School athletics have been carried on much as usual, with average success coming to the team in each sport. There is need, however, not for further emphasis upon in- terscholastic contests, but upon attempting to interest every pupil in some form of outdoor exercise, which may be played when his school days are over and it is no longer a simple matter to organize a group sufficiently large to support a team in such contests as basketball, baseball, etc. There is need of some special work along this line, and I wish that we might have the assistance of a teacher or supervisor trained in showing people how to play. Another suggestion which might be made in re- gard to this matter would be in a way more complete use of the playground available. Tennis is a game which requires very little outlay for equipment, and since only two people are necessary for a contest, the matter of finding opponents or making up a team is simplified. It is a game which may be played without danger of physical injury for many years after a person has !^ft school. More tennis courts should be m. de available, in order that our boys and girls may become accustomed to a form of physical exercise which will be of value to them after their school days. With the land available on the school property and Train Field, it is possible to mal'e seve al greens and a quite passable course u on which golf may be played. This would require a comparatively
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small outlay and again would give an opportunity for training in a game which adults play.
Last year the Singer Sewing Machine Company con- ducted a class in dressmaking, which was open to the ladies of the town, entirely free except for the actual cost of material used. There were eight lessons in the course, and between fifty and sixty people availed themselves to the opportunity.
I think that we have been quite fortunate in the small amount of sickness in the schools during the past year. There has been no epidemic, which necessitated the closing of any school in town, and no time has been lost on account of inclement weather. The attendance was at all times good, but it was found necessary to take one parent to court because of neglect in keeping her child regularly in school.
GIFTS TO THE SCHOOL
The Trustees of Partridge Academy made their annual award of the Partridge scholarship to Robert McAuliffe, who is attending Renessaler Polytechnic Institute. The Trustees of the Partridge fund also provided for a very interesting entertainment in the High School auditorium. The project was somewhat new to the people of Duxbury, and I believe that they did not realize the caliber of the performers, and consequently the attendance was dis- couragingly small. The enthusiasm of the audience, how- ever, presages a greater success for future attempts along this line.
The Senior Class left as a souvenir of their school loyalty a beautiful landcape by Mr. Warner. Mr. Warner has also contributed during the past year a painting for the school office, and a set of scenes for the stage.
The G. A. R. and allied patriotic organizations have guarded with zealous eyes the condition of the American flags in our school rooms and on the school buildings.
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Wherever there has been need of replacement, they have assumed responsibility and have given flags to every school building in town. These organizations, including the American Legion, financed a showing of patriotic moving pictures for our Memorial Day observation. The American Legion has also sponsored a contest based on the knowledge of the history and use of the flag. The gold prize for the winner of this contest was awarded to Chester Hubbard.
The Duxbury Garden Club has continued to sponsor the Junior Garden Clubs in the school. Many of the children spent their summer vacations caring for beauti- ful gardens, and in the fall prizes were awarded for various types of excellence in this work.
Mr. B. F. Goodrich generously gave us enough duck manure to amply care for the annual dressing of the lawns about the new school buildings.
The Duxbury Nurse Association early in the year bought complete equipment for school dental work, and made arrangements for installation in the nurse's room at the new High School building. This association also paid for the examination of the teeth of every school child in the town. There is a field here in which much more money could be spent. The teeth are important to the health of the child, and cavities should be filled or the teeth ex- tracted before the poisons, seeping into the system, have caused a physical breakdown which may result in per- manent disability. Many parents are unable to stand the expense which the proper treatment of the teeth entails. It is almost to much to expect the Nurse Association to bear this burden in addition to what they have already so generously done. The School Committee is not legally allowed to spend its funds for this purpose, but the Board of Health can shoulder the responsibility if the people of the town see fit to allow it a sum of money for this purpose. The Nurses' Association also provided us with an audiometer for testing the hearing of each school
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child above grade two. This device is the only definite measuring stick for testing accurately the sensitiveness of a person's hearing.
The Duxbury Grange gave its annual reception to the teachers of Duxbury. This affair is most beneficial, com- ing as it does at the beginning of the year, and thus serv- ing as a means of enabling the teachers to become ac- quainted, not only with one another, but also with the parents of the students.
A large number of bulbs were presented to the New High School by Mrs. W. M. Benedict. Mr. Brett very kindly laid out a garden and the boys of the seventh grade worked very hard preparing the soil for planting these bulbs.
One of our fir trees, in the oval in front of the new school, failed to stand the strain of transplanting, and it was necessary to find another tree to take its place. Doctor Emerson came to our rescue and gave us a little spruce, which was set out, and is apparently surviving.
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation has been handled with the same effi- ciency of other years. There has been very little criticism or complaints received from this department, and the busses have run regularly and arrived almost invariably on time. It is perhaps good fortune, but more likely due to unusual care, that Duxbury has not had an injury or accident of any sort.
In conclusion, there is but one indisputable inference which can be drawn, namely, that a school can never be any better than the teachers who are in charge of the classroom. In our efforts to secure these teachers, we are in competition with the attractions of larger towns, and not with those of our own group. To retain good teachers, our salary schedule must be higher. This is true, particu- larly in the lower grades, where the foundation for all future success must be laid.
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The repairs recommended for the coming year, such as a new furnace for the Village School, a new floor at Tarkiln, with the necessary painting at the new school, will be rather costly. We are also faced during the com- ing ycar with an outlay of over $500.00 for tuition for pupils attending schools out of town. While in this par- ticular item, there will be at least partial reimbursement by the State, yet the School Department does not receive the benefit of these returns, and as far as our budget is concerned this must be provided for. To accomplish our purpose as outlined in this report will require $48,500.00 and I recommend that the School Committee ask our citizens for this amount.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE E. GREEN.
PROGRESS AND EDUCATION
Yesterday we rode in the ox cart and horse-drawn vehicle-today in the high speed motor car and the air- plane. Yesterday we plowed with the sticks and oxen- today with tractors and multiple plows. Yesterday the candle was our only means of illumination-today elec- tricity "floods the earth". Yesterday fifty miles of cross- country travel per day was unusual-today a few hun- dred is the usual. Yesterday the paved road was unheard of-today thousands of miles of hard-surfaced, "all year" highways traverse the country. Yesterday we attended the community entertainment of questionable quality- today we sit in our homes and enjoy every type of enter- tainment over the radio. Yesterday we sent our com- munications by messenger-today we send them by air- mail, or wireless. Yesterday we read news a week old- today it is broadcast as it is happening.
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Education has brought our yesterdays into our todays. It has enabled us to think of "what was" in terms of "what is."
These succeeding changes in the parade of progress have brought their concern-concern for their influence on the mode of living-the habits and opportunities of a hundred million people. It has meant a constant adjust- ing of the educational objectives in order to train youth and adult to the new life. Herein the contribution the schools have made. It has been a process of mind develop- ment. The training has keyed the mental to control the physical. It has proved a governor, a safety valve, a regulator of human conduct, behavior and effort.
All classes have adjusted themselves to the new situa- tions. The laborer has become the mechanic; the trades- man the supervisor, the superintendent or the executive. With the raising of the lower limits of living have come greater opportunities. The individual has educated him- self to the new job.
These changes are in evidence also in increased wealth. Farm property in general has become more valuable. Residential, business and industrial holdings have done the same. Salaries, incomes on property, earning capa- city of industrial and commercial organizations have in- creased. With the greater earning power and a larger number of invested dollars have come new desires and greater purchasing power necessary to take care of a greatly augmented production. Basic in all of these is educational progress. In the words of President Hoover, "If we were to suppress our educational system for a single generation the equipment would decay, the most of our people would die of starvation, and intellectually and spiritually we should slip back four thousand years in human progress. We could recover the loss of any other big business in a few years-but not this one."
The changing situation has taxed and challenged the ingenuity of the schools. They have given an accounting.
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They have demonstrated the wisdom of the investment. Where there are criticisms of legitimate school costs they result from the inability to measure resuits or the fail- ure to see the whole picture.
If our schools were faced with the task of educating for today alone it would be a sufficiently difficult under- taking. They have the added responsibility of educating for tomorrow.
Issued by
Better Schools League, Inc.,
176 West Adams Street,
Chicago, Ill.
11-29
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE TARKILN SCHOOL
To the Superintendent of Schools of Duxbury : Mr. George E. Green :
The work of the pupils of the first four grades at Tar- kiln School for the year ending December 31, 1929 has been as follows:
After our Christmas vacation of 1928, we came back to work for the last half of the school year. Amid all our school work we found time to get ready for our joint concert in March. From the proceeds we bought some playground equipment, such as a slide and a giant-stride.
During the remaining time, until June, we worked very hard to complete our required work. Most of the pupils of the first and second grades had completed the usual requirements necessary for promotion. The third and fourth graders completed their course with the exception of two pupils. Our average percentage of attendance
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from January 1929 to June 1929 has been 91.51. On the last day of school we gave the children a party, serving them ice cream and cakes.
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