USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1946-1950 > Part 10
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The high school has subscribed to the services of Science Research Associates which provides us with a wide variety of up to date vocational in- formation. This is kept on file for student use in the school library along with considerable other occupational information. Information about al- most every institution of higher learning in New England, as well as many more in eastern United States, is available for student guidance also.
11. Teach occupational civics which would consist of a broad basic guidance course for all, with proper emphasis on the social, civic and personal impli- cations of the world's work.
A guidance course of this type is taught to all Ninth Grade students for one half year once a week, and a highway safety course the other half.
12. Teach commercial and economic geography with emphasis on industrial, economic, business, agri- cultural and regional developments.
240
Economic geography is offered as an elective for Grade Eleven.
13. Teach principles of bookkeeping with emphasis on the arithmetic, English, vocabulary, and prin- ciples used in ordinary accounting work, not ne- glecting the opportunity to teach business ethics.
A one year course in bookkeeping is now of- fered following in general the above recom- mendations.
14. Teach first year typewriting with emphasis on proper typing technique for both personal and vocational uses.
First year typewriting is open to all students through election. Provision is made in scheduling so that students may take it for vocational or personal use.
15. Teach business organization with guidance and business information values in mind rather than the intricacies of various forms of organizations.
No course of this name is offered, but a course called "retail selling" has been offered which in- cludes a considerable amount of the material sug- gested above. Other aspects of business organi- zation have purposely been included in junior business training.
16. Teach business law with emphasis on legal prin- ciples and practices as they affect the individual, having in mind the consumer and social implica- tions of this study.
A course called "commercial law" following the suggestions above is offered to students in Grade Twelve.
241
17. Teach economics with special emphasis on those things that high school graduates who go to work at once need to be concerned about: wages, sav- ing, giving, spending, investing, home buying, in- stallment benefits and evils.
No separate course is offered but the material mentioned is covered in the two courses in junior business training and consumer education.
18. Teach first year shorthand-one year of it, and that only when on the basis of careful guidance a qualified group of proper size is available for it-something that will happen infrequently.
First year shorthand is offered in Grade Eleven and transcription and secretarial practice in Grade Twelve. In this particular instance the recommendation of the survey has deliberately not been followed because up to this year, there has been a demand for training in this field which would enable the student to accept employment directly on graduation (or before.) The survey plan would require attendance at a business school beyond high school.
19. If and when general clerical practice is offered, it should be based upon the kinds of clerical work done by some 75% of office workers.
A one half year course called "office practice" follows the recommendation.
20. Consumer economics and consumer goods courses should be included so as to add greatly to the personal economic efficiency of the boy or girl.
A one half year course called "consumer edu- cation" is offered to students in Grade Twelve and follows the survey recommendations above.
242
21. The high school program must be differentiated and flexible; it must also be socially centered, stressing the basic needs common to all the youth of Duxbury. This is general education, the foun- dation of liberal education, the common denom- inator of intelligent and educated citizenship.
The high school program of studies has been completely reorganized on the above premise that there is certain general education needed by all citizens in this country, as well as the need for specialized education in particular fields. The pro- gram now requires all students to take certain general education courses such as English, social studies, health and physical education, general mathematics and general science, but leaves the rest of the high school courses open to students by election under guidance. Duxbury is one of a very few schools in the State that have given their students the opportunities of such a flexible modern educational program.
22. There is a lack of visual or other teaching aids, and library or reading materials.
At present the high school has a good teaching aids program, making use of 200 motion picture films a year, radio transcriptions, radio programs, speech and musical recordings, film strips, maps, charts, school trips, museum exhibits and collec- tions of still pictures. It will expand into a better program as teachers find ways to make more use of it and when physical facilities such as adequate rooms, closets, files, etc., are provided. The li- brary in the high school is becoming a vital factor to the subject matter of almost every course taught and is providing the supplementary read-
243
ing mentioned above, as well as many other things.
23. The teaching load of teachers in Duxbury High School was heavier than it needed to be.
The teaching load of all teachers has been re- vised to conform with accepted standards in modern education and the average for the State of Massachusetts.
24. Besides rescheduling the school day into six peri- ods, an activity period and rotating schedule have been instituted. The activity period allows time for an expanded program of extra class activities, such as school sponsored organizations, clubs, and committees, as well as an opportunity to provide for music, art and laboratory periods. In a school like ours, where most of the children must ride on buses, it is necessary to carry on most of our activities which are important character and citi- zenship training programs, during the school day instead of allocating them to an after school period.
Because the changes mentioned above brought our school into compliance with the Standards for Public Secondary Schools set up by the New England Asso- ciation of Colleges and Secondary Schools, we were, upon application, recently elected to membership in the Association. The standards for admittance to this organization are much higher than the standards used for Class A High School classification in the State of Massachusetts. This definitely places our school among the better schools of New England.
In conclusion, I wish to thank you and the School Committee for your consideration and help during the
244
past year. I am also appreciative of the efforts of our school staff whose loyal cooperation accounts in great measure for whatever success we are achieving.
Respectfully submitted,
WALTER E. SCOTT,
Principal.
4
245
Report of Music Supervisor .
Mr. John A. Whitehead Superintendent of Schools Duxbury, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
Music has always been a source of inspiration and pleasure to many people. It is a medium of expression that people of all countries understand. Of course, to be of the most use, the language of music must be understood to clearly evaluate what is being played or sung. So when we have a common understanding, music can be very important.
Many people are content to be classed as part of the "listening public," while others prefer to participate actively in musical organizations. However, the listener should have at least a generalized knowledge of the rudiments of music so as to enjoy to a larger ex- tent such performances as he hears.
The general aims of the music course are to enable the student to become a better listener and to encour- age others who show special aptitudes and interest to take up the study of an instrument. This may be all summed up by saying that an appreciation is the ulti- mate objective of school music.
The general objectives for each grade are :
1. Rote singing, drills for so-called monotones. Much attention is given to rhythm and devel- opment of good tonal quality.
246
2. . Continued rote singing, special work for mon- otones and emphasis on good tones. First ele- ments of music reading of songs by sight are given.
3. Music reading broadened with more difficult intervals and time problems. Rote work is con- tinued but on a smaller scale.
4. Other intervals are added to which is added the study of chromatics. Some two-part sing- ing is introduced.
5. Two-part singing is expanded and introduc- tion of 6/8 time in reading songs.
6. Further study of two-part with introduction of three-part singing.
7 and 8. Ensemble singing with small choral work in two and three parts.
Through the medium of class songs or phonograph records, some of the finer works of music are presented for a listening or a singing acquaintance. Much can be done with an adequate number of records to supple- ment the class books, for with records the world's finest music is always available. I would like to sug- gest that regular record library be built up so that a program of supplementary music be available from the first grade through high school.
Music performed correctly becomes a part of the individual performer. He should concentrate all of his interest at the moment toward making the best possi- ble rendition. However, unfavorable physical condi- tions can distract the attention of the individual there- by decreasing the effectiveness of the instruction. The space allotted for music in the high school is unsatis-
247
factory. The lack of space which has an unhappy effect on many phases of the school program necessi- tates the holding of the music classes in a corner of the cafeteria. Since this room often becomes a thor- oughfare for other persons, instruction is handicapped.
The world of tomorrow has many innovations which, if used wisely, will do much to benefit mankind. The appreciation of music will occupy an important place in this world of tomorrow. There is much pleasure derived from participating in the performance of a musical selection; there is much satisfaction in listen- ing to a selection well done. To this end our music program points.
Respectfully submitted,
KENDALL W. REYNOLDS,
Music Supervisor.
248
Report of Supervisor of Art
Mr. John A. Whitehead Superintendent of Schools Duxbury, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
Art in the Duxbury Schools is progressing along modern trends in the teaching of art. The children show great enthusiasm and are becoming observant of the beautiful about them. They are learning to appre- ciate the beauty of the arts in foreign lands and com- pare the good points and resemblances to our own decorations and paintings. Great stress is laid on their creative ability and doing the thinking themselves.
As time goes on, less emphasis is placed on ability to copy the drawings of others and on the techniques of drawing and painting as separate lessons. Students are urged to draw from life or from memory and prin- ciples of form, perspective and color are taught through careful discussion of the drawings before the children start and suggestions while they are working.
The crying need in Duxbury is for an art room where work such as casting and modeling can be done with- out disturbing a classroom and where unfinished paint- ings can be left to dry. Using a regular classroom for art purposes also makes storage difficult resulting in an unwarranted waste of time. Our present facilities for displaying finished work is also inadequate. Such
249
a situation is a great handicap to the best interests of the children.
Much emphasis during the past has been on extend- ing the use of different mediums. Much more painting in water color, poster paints, and finger paints is being done. Clay modeling and casting is being stressed. Pen and ink work is being taught in the eighth grade. It is planned in the next year to introduce more prac- tical art such as decorating clothing, glasses and house- hold articles.
Respectfully submitted,
ELLA B. HEBBERD,
Art Supervisor.
250
Report of School Nurse
Mr. John A. Whitehead
Superintendent of Schools Duxbury, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
In reporting some of the health activities in the Dux- bury Schools, prominent place should be given to two improvements which occurred during the early part of the fall term.
One is the new dental health program. The Dux- bury Nurse Association, after considerable study of and consultation on this problem, voted a sum of money to be used to expand the program already existing under apropriated funds for the care of the school children's teeth.
It is now possible for any pupil from Grades One through Twelve, with written permission from home, to have dental care by the school dentist upon the pay- ment of twenty-five cents per visit. This money is turned over to Dr. Dyer each day the children go, and helps to meet a fraction of the expenses.
Work has been progressing two mornings a week, and with a group of more than eighty who have ob- tained permission, a system of rotation has been worked out to try to insure everyone an equal chance. Much appreciation is due to the Nurse Association for their interest and generosity, and to the Red Cross Motor
251
Corps for their faithful provision of transportation to Dr. Dyer in Plymouth.
The second improvement is the carrying out of the physical examinations in Dr. King's offices, at his sug- gestion. This plan has worked out even better than anticipated, for the following reasons:
1. Heat-the temperature was continuously such that the children could undress for examination without feeling cold. This has not been true of previous facilities.
2. Privacy-each child was examined alone, without the necessity of having other children in the room undressing in order not to keep the doctor wait- ing.
3. Space-this is closely connected with the above. Because there was plenty of space for undressing in the waiting room, each one could be examined privately.
4. Quiet-this is one of the most important features for a good examination, so that the doctor's listening with the stethoscope may not be inter- fered with. Because of the above mentioned space and privacy, and because of the sound- proof walls of the office, the quiet compared to all former years was amazing.
5. Clothes-due to the above first three particularly, it was possible to have the children strip down to their underclothing, a very important feature in doing a thorough examination.
Some day it is to be hoped that we can have parents present at the time of their child's examination, so
252
that matters needing their help can be brought to their attention at the time.
The arrangement for doing examinations at Dr. King's office is, of course, only temporary, but the above points are ones we are considering in planning the health unit in the proposed new school building.
Routine activities have been carried out as usual including first aid, inspections, vision testing, assisting with physical and psychological examinations of chil- dren entering school, tuberculin testing in Grades Nine through Twelve, and the overseeing of hearing tests and weighing and measuring. Home visits to school children for the year total 128, and there were 152 office visits.
In addition, the nurse attended the following meet- ings :
School Health Education Institute - Simmons Col- lege.
Consultant Committee to the Massachusetts School Health Council-State House.
Biennial Convention of National Nursing Organiza- tions-Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Respectfully submitted,
SUSAN E. CARTER, R.N.,
Duxbury School Nurse.
253
Report of School Physician
Mr. John A. Whitehead
Superintendent of Schools
Duxbury, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
Due to lack of facilities for making proper examina- tion of the school children, the examinations were con- ducted in my office this year. All children received a complete physical examination, special tests for vision, hearing, Tuberculosis, psychiatric examinations, etc., were made where indicated. The general health of the children was good. As a result of the dental program and dental education, the children's teeth continue to show a marked improvement from year to year.
Respectfully submitted,
CONNIE H. KING, M. D.,
School Physician.
254 Report of School Dentist
Mr. John A Whitehead Superintendent of Schools Dubxury, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
A dental health program is effective only when it is a cooperative project involving the joint efforts of teacher, dentist, parents, and children. We feel the personal instruction given the child in the clinic is very important to safeguard the mouth against future de- struction.
Dr. Connie King is examining children's mouths at the time of his regular physical examinations.
The dental work at clinics is now being done on Wednesday and Thursday mornings, and work com- pleted so far is as follows:
Number of
Treatment
Cases
Cleanings
38
Amalgams
27
Cements
22
Extractions
31
X-Rays
6
Treatments
12
Novocaine Injections
34
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM O. DYER, D. M. D.,
School Dentist.
255
Report of Physical Education Supervisor
Mr. John A. Whitehead
Superintendent of Schools Duxbury, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
I submit herewith my report as Physical Education teacher of the boys and girls in the first six grades and of the girls in the Junior and Senior High School for the year 1946.
Every pupil enrolled in the public schools enjoys a directed physical education program. It varies accord- ing to the facilities available at the various schools.
The objectives of the department are :
1. To provide each pupil with material that is sat- isfying now and has significance in terms of leisure time activities.
2. To help each pupil to develop desirable social traits evident in individual and group sports.
3. To develop in each pupil desirable character traits such as fair play, courtesy, honesty, self control, loyalty, truthfulness, and good sports- manship.
4. To afford each pupil the benefits of outdoor ex- ercise.
256
A partial list of grade school activities includes pos- ture training and posture exercises, group games, team games, the skills of team games, athletic contests, stunts, self-testing activities, rhythms and folk dancing. In the first four grades this work is carried on in the classrooms and on the outdoor spaces provided for play. With the fifth and sixth grades a gymnasium is a part of the school plant. Here both boys and girls enjoy standard gymnasium work in addition to their playground activities.
The Junior and Senior High School girls enjoy the usual sports program with inter-school games in the seasonal sports of basketball, softball and field hockey. In addition, each sport carries an intra-mural team schedule which gives every girl the opportunity of be- ing a member of a team. Variation is presented to the sports program by the work given in the regular physi- cal education class periods. These include, among other things, Danish gymnastics, elementary tumbling, tap dancing, basic social dancing and folk dancing.
Physical education is a form of health training. Through physical education and physical exercise, good health habits should be established. However, a cer- tain amount of direct health teaching is essential. It is for this reason that there has been introduced a health education class for the boys and girls of the seventh grade. This will be followed in time by an additional class in the already established comprehen- sive course in the eleventh grade.
Respectfully submitted,
CAROLA ERB KAPFF,
Physical Education Supervisor.
257
REPORT OF SCHOOL CENSUS
The following report is the one that will be made to the State on our Annual Report as the result of the census taken on October 1, 1946.
5 years and under 7 years
7 years and under 16 years
Boys
24
275
Girls
25
174
49
449
Total 498
Public school mem- bership 48
342
Continuation school membership
none
Vocational school membership none
Private school mem- bership 1 105
State and County Institutions none
Not enrolled in any day school
2
49
449
Total 498
A Graph Showing the Number of Pupils in Various Classes on October 1, 1946
15 30
45 60
Point I-27
Tarkiln I & II-30
Tarkiln II-34
Village III-32
Village IV-31
Village III & IV-14
High V-30
High VI-32
High V & VI-20
High VII-30
High VIII-38
High IX-27
High X-33
High XI-20
High XII-22
259
TABLE SHOWING DISTRIBUTION OF TEACHERS ACCORDING TO YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
Number of Classroom Teachers
Years of Experience
0-4 5-9
4
8
10-14
3
15-19
2
20-24
1
25-34
0
35-39
1
Over 40
2
Total Number of Teachers 21
TABLE SHOWING DISTRIBUTION OF TEACHERS ON THE BASIS OF SALARY*
Salary Classification
Number of Classrom Teachers
1800-1899
1
1900-1999
2
2000-2099
3
2100-2199
2
2200-2299
7
2300-2399
0
2400-2499
1
2500-2599
2
2600-2699
0
2700-2799
0
2800-2899
1
3000-3099
1
20
* Does not include part time teachers and principal.
BUDGET SUMMARY 1943-1947
1943
1944
1945
1946
Requested 1947
GENERAL CONTROL
$2,472.43
$4,069.06
$5,656.92
$3,973.00
$4,607.00
School Committee Expense
1,052.89
694.32
325.86
325.00
280.00
Superintendent's Salary
338.02
1,437.57
2,940.72
1,825.00
2,162.00
Other Expenses
1,081.52
1,827.17
2,390.34
1,823.00
2,165.00
EXPENSES OF INSTRUCTION
30,977.77
33,277.30
39,705.79
50,617.00
72,408.00
Principals' Salary and Expenses
3,378.52
3,004.08
3,099.96
6,570.00
7,914.00
High
--------
3,378.52
3,004.08
3,099.96
3,823.00
4,615.00
Elementary
0
0
0
2,747.00
3,299.00
Supervisors' Salaries
1,594.36
1,728.00
2,629.58
3,290.00
5,102.00
Supervisors' Expenses
50.00
0
0
0
0
Teachers' Salaries
23,147.07
25,529.68
29,708.85
36,592.00
53,797.00
High
12,870.69
14,137.34
16,576.14
19,133.00
30,270.00
Elementary
10,276.38
11,392.34
13,132.71
17,459.00
23.527.00
Textbooks
1,536.22
1,495.61
1,425.66
1,600.00
2,050.00
High
552.76
652.98
648.03
700.00
1,050.00
Elementary
983.46
842.63
777.63
900.00
1,000.00
Stationery and Supplies
1,321.60
1,519.93
2,841.74
2,565.00
3,545.00
High
673.27
675.50
1,824.46
1,665.00
2,280.00
Elementary
648.33
844.43
1,017.28
900.00
1,265.00
...
.......
.....
.....
...
.......
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260
1943
1944
1945
1946
Requested 1947
OPERATION OF SCHOOL PLANT
9,309.67
9,174.84
9,193.95
9,647.00
12,958.00
Wages of Custodians
5,748.04
5,671.47
5,371.98
5,532.00
7,543.00
High
2,134.31
1,874.63
3,233.76
3,150.00
4,112.00
Elementary
3,613.73
3,796.84
2,138.22
2,382.00
3,431.00
Fuel
2,058.20
2,049.34
1,689.38
2,200.00
2,800.00
High
466.53
406.00
1,004.13
1,240.00
1,200.00
Elementary
1,591.67
1,643.34
685.25
960.00
1,600.00
Miscellaneous
1,503.43
1,454.03
2,132.59
1,915.00
2,615.00
High
552.37
572.13
1,240.81
1,190.00
1,570.00
Elementary
951.06
881.90
891.78
725.00
1,045.00
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS
1,391.16
2,496.19
1,326.62
2,174.00
3,295.00
High
598.66
874.00
860.46
1,654.00
2,625.00
Elementary
792.50
1,622.19
466.16
520.00
670.00
AUXILIARY AGENCIES
5,969.07
9,138.24
9,788.22
10,500.71
12,471.00
Libraries
361.06
204.22
188.73
500.00
700.00
High
302.69
107.80
87.35
300.00
350.00
Elementary
58.37
96.42
101.38
200.00
350.00
Health
931.97
988.52
1,020.15
1,030.00
1,460.00
High
313.83
294.31
328.96
465.00
670.00
Elementary
618.14
694.21
691.19
565.00
790.00
Transportation
6,800.00
7,300.00
7,994.39
8,300.00
9,496.00
261
1943
1944
1945
1946
Requested 1947
High
2,100.00
2,040.00
2,579.39
3,030.00
3,592.00
Elementary
4,700.00
5,160.00
5,415.00
5,270.00
5,904.00
Miscellaneous
596.04
745.50
584.95
670.71
815.00
High
0
0
0
496.86
815.00
Elementary
0
0
0
173.85
0
OUTLAY
250.01
725.92
5,945.42
1,080.00
3,745.00
TOTAL BUDGET
$53,090.11
$58,881.55
$71,616.92
$77,991.71
$109,484.00
---. ....
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...
262
263
DUXBURY SCHOOLS DETAILED BUDGET SUMMARY FOR 1947
Budget Expenditures Budget
1946
1946
1947
GENERAL CONTROL
$3,973.00
$3,827.54
$4,383.00
School Committee Expense
325.00
204.05
280.00
Office Supplies
25.00
7.45
5.00
Consultant
200.00
125.00
245.00
Secretarial
100.00
61.60
0
Professional Meetings
0
10.00
30.00
Superintendent's Salary
1,825.00
1,824.96
2,050.00
Superintendents' Expenses
1,823.00
1,798.53
2,053.00
Secretary
748.00
711.00
833.00
Attendance Officer
75.00
15.22
75.00
School Census
100.00
100.00
100.00
Telephone
120.00
136.72
120.00
Supplies, Printing, Postage
450.00
521.32
600.00
Travel
250.00
250.00
250.00
Professional Meetings
50.00
33.95
50.00
Books and Magazines
30.00
30.32
25.00
COST OF INSTRUCTION
50,617.00
50,433.55
66,875.00
Elementary Principal's Salary
1,825.00
1,824.96
2,050.00
Elementary Principal's Expenses 922.00
892.46
1,023.00
Secretary
747.00
742.50
858.00
Travel
150.00
149.96
150.00
Professional Meetings
25.00
.0
15.00
High School Principal's Salary 3,233.00
3,233.28
3,600.00
High School Principal's Expenses 590.00
627.49
700.00
Secretary
540.00
552.26
600.00
Office Supplies
50.00
75.23
100.00
Supervisors' Salaries
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