USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1921 > Part 6
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2. Housing Conditions:
No subject has caused more discussion in the town during the past two or three years than the housing con- ditions of the School Department. Your Committee regrets very much that its urgent request for permanent school house constructions have not been granted. Failure to provide proper accommodations has this year brought the inevitable result - half sessions for a large number of school children. The number of pupils who are receiving. only one-half the schooling to which they are entitled, numbers 266, of which 211 are in Precinct 1. Such a condition cannot, of course, be continued for long, and your Committee assumes that the citizens of the town wish to alleviate this condition as soon as possible.
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Within a reasonable time before the annual town meeting, detailed figures will be placed before the town showing the actual housing problem. Your Committee still strongly advocates prompt action looking toward the construction of a new High School building. The need of such a building is so apparent that it seems unnecessary to advance any arguments to sustain the Committee's stand on this matter. The building of a new High School would not only relieve that problem but would also through the use of the present High School building as a Grammar School, relieve the over-crowded conditions in all of the Primary and Grammar grades in Precincts I and II, where, in addition to the half time conditions specified above, there are seven temporary or unsuitable class rooms.
Your Committee feels that the important points for the Town to consider in the erection of a new High School are the size and cost. Detailed figures will be presented on these two phases. When these points are decided by the citizens, your Committee recommends that the selection of an architect, the preparation of plans and the construc- tion, be placed in the hands of a small committee, these matters being capable of better handling in a small commit- tee than by a large committee, or in a town meeting.
Additional Grammar School facilities in Precinct III must also be provided, while there are, at present no pupils in Precinct III attending school for only a half session, this condition has existed only since January 16, 1922. Con- siderable planning was necessary to provide full time in- struction for all pupils in East Braintree, Six temporary or unsuitable class rooms are now in use in Precinct III, and even with these additional facilities it will be prac- tically impossible to provide full time instruction for all its pupils in September 1922.
Detailed recommendations providing for an addition to the Abraham Lincoln School will be submitted to the citizens by the School Committee.
Your Committee strongly urges prompt action on the part of the citizens of the town, looking to the carrying out of the above recommendations. We feel that further expenitures on the part of the town for portable buildings or for the constructions of temporary class rooms would be extremely wasteful of the town's funds, and we sincerely hope no such further expenditures will be required.
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3. High School:
In view of the possible misunderstandings which may have been brought about by recent publicity given to our High School problem, we wish to call to the attention of the citizens of the town that our High School affords not only comprehensive commercial courses, but also courses preparing pupils for colleges and scientific schools. These courses are being taught by capable and efficient teachers, (all college graduates) and no better test of the work can be brought forth than that many Braintree High School graduates are successfully pursuing their studies in New England Colleges.
4. Teachers:
The School Committee has used every endeavor to keep the standards of our public school teachers to the very highest. We feel that the town should be greatly pleased with its teaching force, the efficiency of which was very much increased under Mr. Flood's administration.
Respectfully submitted, J. THOMAS BALDWIN. ALIDA N. STEVENS. FRANK W. COUILLARD, CARRIE F. LORING. GEORGE H. WETHERBEE
School Committee.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS To the School Committee:
This report must necessarily confine itself to a rather general impression of the conditions of the school system as I find them and not to accomplishments of the past, having been here so short a time.
The condition of the buildings is such as to require the immediate expenditure of a large sum of money, not for betterments although this should be done if we are to keep up with the progress being made in most places, but for repairs. . It does not seem possible that the people as a whole can be aware of the unreasonably rapid decay and depreciation of school buildings on account of the failure to appropriate money in sufficient quantity to keep buildings in good repair. Paint and plaster in both the Abraham Lincoln and Hollis Schools are in very bad shape because of the failure to water proof the walls of these buildings and thoroughly pointing-up the masonary work of the entire
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building in each case. This work can be effectively done under guarantee by reliable contractors and it should be done but the repair of the plaster and paint before this is done is throwing away money. Similarly to spend money on the interior walls of the present High School is wasting it unless first the roof is repaired as is much needed and should a new High School be built this building will still be needed for grade school purposes and should be put and kept in good repair.
New furnaces at the Penniman and Pond Schools are an immediate necessity. These heating plants judging from appearance and reports as to the. length of time they have been used would indicate that they owed the Town nothing. One boiler at the Jonas Perkins needs thorough overhauling. I am informed one of them was cared for last year. Jonas Perkings and Pond Schools need painting on the outside, inside too for that matter, and all windows puttied. I am very much inclined to believe that many of the windows at the Pond School are so far gone as to make it necessary to replace them rather than repair. Stair treads in some buildings are worn dangeroulsy thin and curtains in many places are far from being an addition to the appearance of the room and worn to such an extent as to be almost of no use. I make no attempt to specify all the needs in the way of repairs in this report but simply the larger and most noticeable needs. The influence upon pupils and teachers of a building kept in good repair is most desirable: pupils will be much more likely to respect and not abuse public property for they feel when buildings are not looked after if no one else cares why should they, and teachers of ability and ambition, other things being equal, will go and stay where the rooms, buildings and grounds are made and kept attractive and in good repair. The pupils work and the teachers work are far greater and better under such cou- ditions and the public is getting a larger return for the money spent for instructing.
There are many opportunities for betterments such as enlarging and grading of school grounds, installation of electric lights, electric clocks and bells, transformers, motors and rheostats: dampers on ventilating ducts, and last but most important the increased facilities, not temporary or portable, for housing; in other words, new school houses.
At present there are seven classes housed in portables, four in assembly halls, three in basements and 266 children on half time. Of these children on half time 153 are at the Pond School, 58 at the South West and 55 at the Hollis. Of
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the Portables, two classes are at Quincy Avenue, one class at Jonas Perkins, three classes at Noah Torrey and one class at South West: Of the classes in basements, one class is at Jonas Perkins, and two classes are at the Hollis School.
At the High School we find a wooden building of three floors, really an eight room building with laboratories for Physics and Chemistry, and a library, housing 320 pupils. The work of the Household Arts, part of it being conducted in the basement and the rest of it in the library: lunches served at noon in the basement: improvised rooms at each end of the corridor on the second floor where heat is un- satisfactory but the best that can be had under the cir- cumstances, and ventilation -- well it is a crime to ask classes to stay there. And in spite of all this a High School Body and a teaching force with a spirit and a record of accomplishments for which this town has no occasion to blush, but your building - well that is different. You will have 600 boys and girls in your High School in Septem- ber 1925 at the opening of school. Don't build for today only but look ahead and build for tomorrow so that you may have a chance to catch your breath between the jobs of building additions.
The lack of room for the grades in Braintree and South Braintree would be overcome by the building of a new High School building but conditions in East Braintree would not be bettered. I am not a believer in the multiplicity of school plants nor do I agree that a mile is too far for a child to go to attend school, but if the town wants a new building on Quincy Avenue instead of an addition to the Abraham Lincoln, which would give immediate relief to conditions, and provide to some extent for the future, there certainly would be a use for it. I am firmly convinced however, that there is more urgent need for the High School than for any- thing else, but if both can be provided at once it will present an opportunity for much improvement in our school work.
Much better results would be possible in our school work with more attention given to the tools with which pupils and teachers have to work. I have provided in the budget for a considerable increase in the appropriations to be made for text books and supplies and it is to be hoped that a way may thus be provided for a broader and at the same time, more thorough education in a definitely systematic way by text books fixing a course of study.
There is much to be done for children in our public schools by other means than text books. The physical welfare should receive more attention in a systematic way by physi-
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cal culture exercises and organized play-ground activities under the leadership, guidance, and supervision of our teachers. Play ground equipment should receive
some attention. A thorough physical examination of every child at least once a year should be made and records kept all through his course in school. Just at pres- ent this does not seem possible as the Board of Health looks after the appointment of a school physican and he is now merely subject to call by the school department in emergency conditions. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," The school nurse, now required by law, is of course of some assistance in this way.
In this state there are 355 school systems divided into four groups. The first is composed of cities and numbers 38 the second is towns of over 5,000 population and numbers 75; the third is towns of less than 5,000 population main- taining a High School and numbers 115, and the fourth is towns of less than 5,000 population not maintaining a High School and numbers 127. Braintree is then in group two. The State Department of Education very carefully tabu- lates statistical tables for these school systems and gives ranking or comparative standing to each community. The following facts are worthy of attention for Braintree, and have been secured from the State Department of Education.
Braintree - Average for group 11 - Rank - Av. for State - Rank Spent for local taxes per pupil
$50.28 $59.02 57 $63.64 210
Spent from all sources per pupil
$56.33 $67.78 62 $72.12 299
Valuation of Town per pupil
$5,033.00 $7,189.00
54 $9,057.00 255
The Continuation School seems likely to be a perman- ent feature in as much as Quincy alone issued last year al- most enough certificates for employment in Braintree to require the town to maintain such a school. Had Braintree not issued a single certificate it would still have been neces- sary to maintain the school, as Quincy, Brockton, and Weymouth together issued more than 200 employment certificates, which is the number, established by statute, requiring the Continuation School.
A law requiring the presentation of a birth certificate upon attending school for the first time is now in force in this state and will be a great advantage to the teachers in determining as to whether a child is entitled to attend or not.
Last year the average membership in our schools was
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2212: five years ago it was 1889, while under date of Janu- ary 27, 1922 it is found to be 2,275. This growth with no permanent school construction cannot continue at this rate without in every way seriously interfering with proper work by the schools, and also it will prevent return commensurate with actual outlay.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank every one for the extremely cordial reception given me upon taking up my work here as superintendent of schools.
Yours respectfully, C. EDWARD FISHER, Supt. of Schools.
HIGH SCHOOL REPORT
January 1, 1922. Mr. C. Edward Fisher, Supt. of Schools, Braintree, Mass. Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my report for the year just passed.
Attention is first called to the increased enrollment. We have registered forty-three more than last year at this time. By classes the registration is as follows:
Post-graduates. 3
Seniors
43
Juniors 61
Sophomores 98
125
Freshman
Total 330
The present membership is 318, and indications are that a much larger proportion than usual will finish out the school year. Last July we graduated forty, and about the same number may be expected to graduate next June. Allowing for this number, and for the usual proportion who leave dur- ing the year for some reason or other, we can reasonably expect a membership of at least 375 in September 1922. This fall we were fortunate in having one room, No. 2, which had never been used for a home room. This has been equipped with portable seats and desks, and has accommo- dated about thirty-five pupils, so that no one has been without a desk.
During the past year the Assembly Hall has been put to more frequent use than ever before. The generous loan of a number of seats from the Hollis School has made this
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,
possible. Frequent assemblies of the whole school are sure to react favorably on school spirit, and classroom work. Since September 1920, all of the school functions, with the exception of the Senior Reception, have been held in the school hall. Inexpensive curtains were purchased from the proceeds of a party given by the Junior Class of last year, and several entertainments have been given for the School, in the past few months. In December 1920, a Pilgrim Pageant was given in the Town Hall, and the proceeds paid for a splendid Victrola for the school hall. The public entertainment this year will probably take the form of a Drama, by the Senior Class, to help defray expenses of Graduation.
Late in December a school paper was issued, for the first time in several years. There will be three other issues before the close of school, in June.
As is common everywhere today, athletics play a prominent part in the School's activities. Our baseball team was successful, winning nearly all of its games. The foot- ball team. on the other hand, lost practically all its games this fall. It might be said, however, that the football squad was composed of very light, and inexperienced boys. There is much interest in basketball, both among boys and girls, and in addition to the games which are played with outside teams, there will be a series of inter-class games, for the school championship.
There seems to be quite a common belief that pupils who wish to prepare for college must go elsewhere than to Braintree High, or must take post-graduate courses in some other school. This belief is most erroneous. It is true that a large proportion of our pupils take commercial subjects, but our College Preparatory Course is a strong one, planned to fit the pupil who is capable of doing college work for any college. In the past four years we have sent pupils, on certificate to Boston University, Bates, Jackson, M.A.C., N. H. State, Oberlin, Simmons, and Tufts, and have had other pupils pass the examinations for West Point, M.I.T. and Harvard. In the same period of time, only three grad- uates have gone elsewhere for post-graduate work, and I believe none of these are in college at the present time.
In spite of several changes, necessitated by resignations during the past year, we have an excellent teaching force. Of our thirteen instructors, nine are college graduates with A.B. degrees. Not a single academic subject is taught by other than a college graduate. Without exception these teachers are well trained, and experienced. The regularity
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with which larger schools hire away our Braintree teachers indicates that these teachers must be well qualified.
In closing my report I wish to ask that the enclosed copy of our Courses of Study be printed as a part' of the report.
Respectfully submitted, JAMES L. JORDAN, Principal.
COURSES OF STUDY OF THE BRAINTREE HIGH SCHOOL FIRST YEAR
COLLEGE PREPARATORY Required
English 5
Algebra
5
Latin .
5
Science 1/2 yeart. 5
General Science 12 year .
5
GENERAL
Required
English .
5
Elementary Social Science.
5
Elect two
Algebra .
5
Introductory Business
5
Household Arts .
5
General Science
5
Latin .
5
COMMERCIAL Required
English .
5
Introductory Business
5
Elementary Social Science
5
Elect One
Algebra
5
Household Arts .
5
General Science 5
5
Music required in all courses.
Drawing optional in all courses.
SECOND YEAR
COLLEGE PREPARATORY Required
English
5
Plane Geometry. 5
Latin .
5
Elect Two
History to 1700. 4
French 5
Spanish
5
Biology
5
GENERAL Required
5
English
Elect Three
Biology 5
History to 1700 4
Plane Geometry 5
Bookkeeping .
5
Stenography .
5
French .
5
Spanish .
5
Household Arts
5
COMMERCIAL
Required
English . .
5
Bookkeeping 5
Typewriting
4
Elect Two
Plane Geometry
5
History to 1700. 4
Stenography . 5
French .
5
Spanish .
5
Household Arts
5
.
Biology
5
ยท
Music required in all courses.
Drawing optional in all courses.
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Latin
THIRD YEAR
COLLEGE PREPARATORY 1 Required
English .
5
Algebra
4
Latin
5
Elect Two
Physics
5
History since 1700 4
French
5
Spanish .
5
GENERAL Required
English
5
Elect Three
History since 1700 4
Physics .
5
Adv'ced Bookkeeping .
5
Typewriting
4
French .
5
Spanish .
5
Stenography
5
Algebra
4
COMMERCIAL Required
English .
5
Commercial Geog. 12 year 5
Business Practice 12 year. 5
Typewriting
4
Elect Two
Stenography
5
History since 1700 4
French .
5
Spanish
5
Physics
5
Algebra
4
..
Music required in all courses.
Drawing optional in all courses.
FOURTH YEAR
COLLEGE PREPARATORY
Required
English
5
Latin
5
U. S. History and Civics.
5
Elect One
Plane Trigonometry, 12 year 5
Solid Geometry, 12 year 5
Chemistry 5
French.
5
Spanish
5
GENERAL
Required
English .
5
Elect Three
U.S. History and Civics 5 Solid Geometry 5
Chemistry . 5
Household Management,
Advanced Cookery 5
French . 5
Typewriting 5
Spanish
5
COMMERCIAL
Required
English .
5
Commercial Law 12 year
5
Economics 1/2 year
. .
5
Elect Two
Bus. Organization, 12 year 5
Advanced Arith. 12 year 5
Stenography .
5
Typewriting
5
French .
5
Spanish .
5
.
U.S.History and Civics
..
5
Music required in all courses.
Drawing optional in all courses.
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Mr. C. Edward Fisher, Supt. of Schools, Braintree, Mass. Dear Sir: January 1, 1922.
I submit with pleasure the second annual report of the Braintree Continuation School.
The Continuation School housed in the Hollis Estate. last spring proved to be very successful, teachers and pupils working together toward a common end, the advancement and general improvement of every pupil enrolled.
During the recent business depression most of the Braintree children seemed to retain their employment. About twenty-five per cent were out of work and were re- quired to attend the school twenty hours a week. thus mak- ing the class rooms very crowded.
This fall it became necessary for us to find other quarters to house the school and the committee selected the base- ment of the Hollis School as the best available space. .
In view of the fact that the school was two months late in starting, we have worked doubly hard to make up as much of that time as possible. Many improvements have been made by the boys including a tool room which has proved to be a fine start toward the systematic arrangement of tools and supplies. There are many more repairs needed and we hope to do as much of this as possible ourselves.
The girls' department under the supervision of Miss Parkis has been very successful, and those enrolled are working with interest and enthusiasm. They are showing repeatedly their interest in this work and desire to advance. Many useful articles have been made. It is hoped that the necessary cooking equipment may be installed another year so that the girls may have the benefit of a domestic science course.
The follow-up work has certainly established a good feeling between the employer and the school, and in visit- ing the homes I find hearty co-operation.
I wish to extend to the various firms in Braintree, who employ our boys and girls, my appreciation for their co- operation and untiring efforts that have linked the school work with the shop.
For next year, I should recommend securing quarters nearer the center of employment so that we may be more closely connected with the various industries and study their needs. I would suggest some additional equipment for the manual training work and the inslallation of cooking equip- ment for the girls' department.
These recommendations I feel are of vital importance to the success of the school, and the accomplishment of our main aim, General Improvement. Respectfully submitted, January 1, 1922.
Frederic D. Rankins, Director.
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January 1, 1922.
Mr. C. Edward Fisher, Supt. of School, Braintree, Mass. Dear Sir:
In presenting my first report of the music department, it gives me pleasure to say that the work in music, as a whole, . is far ahead of the work at this time of the two previous years of my supervision in Braintree School, not only along the technical lines, but the increased interest and enthusiasm is well marked.
My aim in the music study is that all children should have a certain amout of rudimentary knowledge of music and to be able to read music with a fair degree of proficiency ; that they should be able to use their voices correctly, to be able to sing with a pleasing tone quality; that they should be able to discern the emotional quality in music and to interpret good music intelligently; that they should have as wide a cultural training as possible, and especially that they should be trained to become intelligent and appre- ciative listeners.
The general plan of the outline in Song-work and music reading requires that at the end of the third year the children will have the ability to sing correctly and pleasingly from thirty to forty new songs each year.
The chil iran's voices in all grades are receiving more special attention through voice drills and breathing exercises that are assigned for daily practice. On account of the large . number of changing voices in the upper grades, I have found it necessary to test the voices at least twice a year to make certain that the pupils are assigned the part in the chorus work that is best suited to their voices.
Our course in appreciation is planned from two view points, singing or performing side, and the listening side of the subject. In the study of the former much thought is given the kind of song material assigned and the literary content is discussed, as well as the musical. In all songs we teach phrasing and the interpretation of the spirit of the music. But the great majority of our children will never be either singers or players - they are to go through life as listeners. It is our urgent duty to prepare thes" growing vouths under our care to become intelligent listeners an'l lovers of music at the same time that we are training them to sing.
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There is considerable interest manifested in this music appreciation work. Two principals have volunteered to teach regular lessons in appreciation, two teachers have loaned their own machines for school use, and the children of one primary grade earned money to buy a good new ma- chine for their school room. Within a year five new phono- graphs have been purchased and each school has spent from ten to twenty-five dollars for new records. This money was obtained from Parent-Teachers Associations, and the funds of the various schools. At present every school is equipped with one to three phonographs and a few appropriate records. The numbers of records are so limited we have only been able to make a bare beginning in music appreciation. Could we obtain material sufficient to carry out a regular course, our little people will grow physically, mentally and spiritually into adults who will demand the best in music.
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