USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1927 > Part 7
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The condition of our school plants is good, and I hope that we may be able not only to keep them in first class condition, but that as time goes on we may be able to continue a policy of making improvements such as
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the installation of running hot water, which is to found now in but four of our buildings, improving the surface of playgrounds about buildings, and grading these grounds, also fencing several of those where the haz -. ards are greatest. During this last year questions have arisen in regard to the exact location of school ground boundaries, and I hope that arrangements may be made this year so that all school grounds may have bounds properly set, and blue prints made and filed in the School Department office.
When examining the financial statement at the end of this Department's report, I hope it will be noticed that in making appropriations for the School Department's budget the fact will not be over-looked or minimized that over 9% of the money appropriated and spent is returned to the Town. This last year over twenty-four thousand dollars was received from va- rious sources, which would amount to over $1.15 per thousand dollars on the tax rate.
In concluding this report, I wish to express my most sincere appreciation to all those connected with . the work in our schools for their earnest, energetic, and effective cooperation with me in our efforts to bring about the best results possible with the materials and facilities at our disposal. Special appreciation I feel is due from all to the secretary in the Superintendent's office for her interest, effort and success in meeting the variety of demands made upon her, and for the exact- ness and efficiency of her clerical work, upon the re- liability of which so much of our success is dependent.
Respectfully submitted,
C. EDWARD FISHER.
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REPORT OF HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
January 3, 1928.
Mr. C. Edward Fisher, Superintendent of Schools, Braintree, Mass. 1
Dear Sir:
Herewith is submitted the report of High School for the past year.
The figures on membership and attendance for the school year 1926-27 were :
Total Membership 445
Average Membership
410
Percentage of Attendance
95.59
The figures on membership for the present year, - to date, are as follows :
Boys
Girls
Total
Post Graduates
3
3
6
Seniors
40
59
99
Juniors
44
55
99
Sophomores
76
73
149
Freshmen
101
80
181
Totals
264
270
534
The total registration of five, hundred thirty-four
/ is eighty-nine more than at the corresponding time last year, and represents an increase of nearly twenty-three percent. The growth for the next year should be a more moderate one, but substantial. The distribution by sexes in the various classes is of especial interest. Last year there were fifty-three more girls than boys
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registered, while at the present time the difference is- only six. The two lower classes both have more boys than girls-twenty-one in the case of the Freshmen. Last June showed the same steady increase in the num- ber of graduates, seventy-three receiving diplomas at that time, and the present Senior class should show a marked increase in the number of graduates. .. The class of 1929, however, will no doubt be smaller, for it. has been somewhat below normal ever since entering.
The percentage of attendance for the four months. since the opening of school in September has been be- low that of the two previous years. . This is accounted for mainly by the fact that there has been an unusual- ly large number of cases of measles, both among the High School pupils and among their younger brothers. and sisters. ;
TRANSPORTATION
Owing to the marked growth of the school a fourth" bus had to be added for the East Braintree pupils who live two miles or more away. At the present time over one hundred and fifty are being transported from that section of the Town, and twenty-six more from the Highlands section are transported by trolley.
TEACHING FORCE
Few changes occurred in the faculty, only three. resignations being received. Two of these were from teachers who were leaving the service, at least tem- porarily, and the other from one who secured a higher salaried position in Newton.
CURRICULUM
With a very few exceptions the work of the pres- ent year is the same as of last. " The History Depart-
: :
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ment was reorganized, one new course being intro- duced. Full time courses in both freehand and mech- anical drawing were added in place of the part time courses, and have proved very popular with the stu- dents. Penmanship was cut from five to two periods per week, but home work is required, so that the credit is nearly the same.
EXTRA-CURRICULA ACTIVITIES
Outstanding in the list of such activities is the work of the "Wampatuck." For the third time in the past four years Braintree won the trophy shield for the best all-round paper published in the schools rep- resented in the Southeastern Massachusetts League of School Publications for the school year 1926-1927. For the third year in succession Braintree won the silver cup for the best formal essay, and also the silver cup for the best short story, thus winning three of the five prizes offered. The paper has been self-supporting for the past four years.
Athletics have occupied their usual place in the extra-curricula work. The results of the various sea- sons have been satisfactory. The baseball team of last spring won a good proportion of its games. The foot- ball team had a very satisfactory season, although only three games were won. The girls' hockey team had a most unusual season, losing only one of the ten games played. For the first time in several years there will be a school basketball team for boys as well as for girls .The various classes will have teams and the usual inter-class series will be played. In connection with the work of athletics the gymnasium work should be mentioned. For the most part the pupils have taken well to the two periods of compulsory work each week, and the results obtained show the value of the work.
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Team games, at best, cater to the few, but the gymna- sium work is universal, and therefore much more ben- eficial to the school as a whole.
MUSICAL ORGANIZATIONS
This year we have an orchestra of about flfty pieces, meeting on each Thursday morning. They have played at various events outside of school. Last spring a band of twenty pieces was organized from the brass instruments of the orchestra. All classes have group singing each Thursday, and in addition to this, selected voices from all classes make up a special chorus.
DEBATING
Several debates were held last winter with other schools as well as among members of the debating club. Only one decision was lost. There will be another series this winter. Last year there was tried out the plan of having the debates with other schools during the school day, in assembly, so that the whole student body could be present. The plan worked well and will be followed this year also.
SCHOOL BANK
The school savings bank was put into operation in January, 1927. A good proportion of the students became depositors, and the work is being continued in our new bank quarters. Deposits made simply to swell the numbers in the school who are depositors have not been encouraged but rather the regular de- posits, although they may be small, with the idea of in- culcating the habit of systematic saving.
EMPLOYMENT BUREAU
During the past year, and especially since June, many graduates and students of the school have been
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placed in positions. The demand for workers of va- rious kinds is much varied, and an effort is made to meet each demand with the right kind of help.
NEW BUILDING
This report would not be complete without due reference to the new building which was opened for school use on September 7, and formally dedicated on October 21. Braintree has today a fine appearing, well arranged and well built building, comparing favor- ably in all respects, with the exception of a lack of manual training facilities, with any other school in the Commonwealth. Four months' use has convinced everyone connected with the administration of the building that it is an excellent plant. The considera- tion which the pupils as a whole show in the use of the building is an indication of their appreciation of what Braintree has done for them in the way of edu- cational opportunities.
ORGANIZATION :
Early organization of the work for the school year starting in September made it possible for the various classes to get under way promptly when the building was opened on September 7. The various grades are assigned to home rooms as follows: Post graduates and seniors, 105 in number, to the 105 possible home room stations on the first floor. The juniors and sophomores, 238 in number, are assigned to the possible 245 home room stations on the second or main floor, and the 181 freshmen are assigned to the top floor, which will have to take care of further increase in the size of the school in the next few years. Additional home room stations are available on the third floor to accommodate about
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150 by utilizing the study hall for a home room. This would bring the total number to about 680, which would seem to be the capacity of the building for effi- cient handling.
The first floor is used for work in science, math- ematics and domestic arts. The second, or main floor, is given over to all branches of commercial work, and the third floor is used for classes in English, history, civics and languages.
FEATURES :
The arrangement of the auditorium and gymna- .sium, with the latter on stage level, and with the inter- connecting doors, appeals as one of the most interesting features of the building. The few occasions on which we have used these combined sections of the building have proved it to be a most satisfactory arrangement.
The cafeteria has at present facilities for seating two hundred seventy at one time, with sufficient spare room to put in additional tables to accommodate half the student body until such time as it becomes neces- sary to enlarge the building. It was necessary at the beginning to organize the lunch period into two squads, with twenty-five minutes between. This space of time allows the cafeteria help to get things in shape for the second squad, and also makes it unnecessary to pur- chase so much equipment in the way of trays, silver- ware, dishes, etc., as would be necessary if all were accommodated at the same time. There is no waste of time for either group, for Group A goes to lunch for twenty-five minutes, and then to period four for fifty minutes, while Group B goes to period four for fifty minutes, and then to lunch for twenty-five minutes, bringing them together again at the beginning of the fifth period. Every pupil who has lunch at school
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must eat it in the cafeteria, but he may either buy at the counter, bring his lunch from home, or buy part and bring part from home. Every effort has been made to make the students understand that those who bring their lunches from home have the same right to use all the facilities of the cafeteria as those who buy at the counter, and pupils are encouraged to buy at the counter only in case they and their parents feel it to be to their advantage to do so. Prices for a good daily variety of foods are very moderate. An expenditure of twenty-five cents secures a good lunch consisting of meat or a: meat substitute, vegetables, bread and but- ter, dessert, and cocoa, or milk. The same special dishes may be purchased separately if desired.
GYMNASIUM ?
The gymnasium is a much appreciated part of the building. It is in use all of the school day on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays for gymnasium classes, and every afternoon for the present for basket- ball practice. ' When' the season opens it will be re- served twoi evenings each week for basketball games. During the months of January, February and March for three evenings and one afternoon a week it will be utilized for adult gymnasium classes. : : : :
LIBRARY:
The library is equipped with six tables, forty chairs, a magazine rack, atlas, dictionary stand, and a charging desk. There are about fifteen hundred new volumes and forty, weekly or monthly magazines of ed- ucational nature, and some daily papers. The use of the library has rapidly increased to such an extent that it has become necessary to require students to get pre- vious permission to go there for any period, in order
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not to have more coming in than could be accommodat- ed at one time. So far as the scholastic work of the .school is concerned-and that is the purpose for which .schools should be run-the library is the most valuable feature of the building, with no exception, and should be maintained and kept up to date whatever expense is necessary. .
SCHOOL DAY :
At the beginning of the present school year the school day was somewhat lengthened in order to allow for the extra time necessary in getting from one point to another between classes. The session begins at 8:15 and closes at 2:20. On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday there are six 50 minute periods, and on Thursday there are six 40 minute periods, and a sev- enth period one hour in length at the close of the day. "This longer period is planned for assemblies and for extra-curricula work, the first part of the period being used for assembly purpose and the latter part for group meetings, clubs, etc.
During the sixteen weeks in which the building has been occupied many parents and friends of the pupils have visited the school. In closing I wish to ex- press the hope that during the remainder of the year many more will come, to see for themselves what the work is, how it is done, and in general become better acquainted with the school and the teachers.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES L. JORDAN.
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REPORT OF CONTINUATION SCHOOL
January 3, 1928.
Mr. C. Edward Fisher, Superintendent of Schools, Braintree, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my report for the Boys' Depart- ment of the Continuation School.
The enrolment at the opening of school in Septem- ber was forty-nine boys. This decrease in enrolment. in September was due to several boys who became six- teen years of age during the summer, and to a depres- sion in the local industrial plants.
Several boys were employed during the summer. and fall by the market gardeners, and were very reg -. ular in attendance.
Every boy is given a questionaire to fill in when he enrolls in Continuation School, and I find every boy selects some particular kind of work or trade in which. he is interested. Very few boys stick to one particular kind of work long enough to acquire an apprentice- ship. There are several boys who would like to enter. a trade school, but usually home conditions make it. difficult.
In our school shop we have put up a rack for lum -. ber, made a reading table for our class room, several toys for Christmas, including a doll house and twelve. Duck Rockers for the children. We were unable to- fill the orders for Duck Rockers this year, but hope to. supply more of the children next Christmas.
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The following subjects are taken up in our aca- demic classes, related shop mathematics, English, cit- izenship, mechanical drawing, and hygiene.
In closing I wish to thank all those who have co- operated with us in any way.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES I. ALLEN.
REPORT OF CONTINUATION SCHOOL
January 3, 1928.
Mr. C. Edward Fisher, Superintendent of Schools, Braintree, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my third annual report for the Girls' Department of the Braintree Continuation School :
The classes began in September with a total en- rolment of thirty, a very decided decrease from the en- rolment of 1926.
The girls did a great deal of canning in the fall for various customers who furnished the jars and the materials. This work included jams, jellies and marma- lades, as well as the whole fruits and vegetables. The other work in cooking comprises the planning and cook- ing of practical meals which are served at cost.
The work in sewing this year began with the mak- ing of a velvet tam-o-shanter, each girl making her own pattern. We also made notebook covers which are used to hold the cooking recipes. These recipes
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are mimeographed for us by the High School pupils .. Another interesting problem was the construction of sewing boxes from cardboard and covered with cre- tonne.
At Christmas we offer a number of problems to be- used as gifts. The girls also draft patterns and make. undergarments as well as dresses.
In the academic work we study English, hygiene and civics, in order to lay a foundation for healthier homes and happy thrifty citizens. The entire work is. of a most practical, directly useful and of a general. improvement nature.
Respectfully submitted,
ELIZABETH P. COBB.
REPORT OF ART SUPERVISOR
January 3, 1928.
Mr. C. Edward Fisher, Superintendent of Schools,. Braintree, Mass.
Dear Sir :
I herewith submit a brief report of the art work: of the grades in the Braintree schools.
My work in Braintree began in September when. the previous art instructor gave up the work in the. grades to devote all her time to the drawing in the High.
156
School. It was not hard to pick up the work where it had been left, because of the excellent drawing book with which every teacher was supplied. From these books, and from the additional outlines which I pre- pare monthly for the teachers, the work has gone on as follows: September and October largely devoted to Nature drawing; November to Thanksgiving projects and December to Christmas objects.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank the teach- ers and principals for their unstinted cooperation and interest in my work. They have made my work here very pleasant and agreeable.
I am sure the teachers and pupils of the seventh and eighth grades join with me in thanking the School Department for the new water color boxes with which we have worked since September. It has awakened a new interest in drawing for them to be able to work with a new and fascinating medium. Taking into con- sideration that the medium is not easy, and that it is brand new to them, they have accomplished excellent , results with it.
Finally, the aim of drawing in the grades is not primarily to produce artists, or merely to produce good looking drawings for exhibition, but to open and en- large the vision of each individual pupil and guide him to express himself more ably by means of drawing.
Respectfully submitted,
RUTH H. JOHNSON.
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REPORT OF VOCAL MUSIC SUPERVISOR
January 3, 1928.
Mr. C. Edward Fisher, Superintendent of Schools, Braintree, Mass.
Dear Sir :
I herewith submit my annual report of vocal music in the Braintree Schools.
We never have made more rapid progress in our music than we are making this year. Three things particularly have contributed to this progress, uniform material or music equipment for all schools, which is the more up-to-date and of the highest standards, the fine grading in all classes throughout the town, and the splendid cooperation of teachers and principals.
My department includes five phases of music study : song-sing, voice training, music reading, music writing and music appreciation.
Song-sing is by far the most important phase of the local work. Song-singing during childhood consti- tutes the best possible foundation for any future music study in which either the amateur or the professional musician may engage. We aim in song-singing that every child shall secure free and correct use of the singing voice and pleasure in song as a means of ex- pression, and that every child may have acquired a repertory of songs which may be carried into the home and social life.
Much assembly singing is advocated in the upper grammar grades. There are splendid reactions to be secured from group singing. This is of great value, and at no time in the whole life of an individual is it
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of greater value than during the age of adolescence ... During this activity the child is privileged to test the : potency of harmonious sound, odered effort, giving in: order to receive, by the emotional uplift that is his in proportion to the amount and extent of his contribu -- tion. We must ever keep in mind that the greatest potential efficiency of the individual requires the de -- velopment of his talents.
Ability to read music is much more difficult to ac -- quire than reading of other languages. A greater num- ber of mental processes are involved and the success- ful reading of music requires a mental concentration. that is difficult to obtain. Many of our seventh and. eighth grades display excellent ability in sight reading, singing three and four part songs correctly at sight.
Music appreciation is the ultimate aim of our mu- sic course. While the most progressive educators of today believe that singing is essential they also believe that school music should mean something more than singing and playing. The listening lesons will not only strengthen the musical pupils, but prepare the less gifted child who can take in more than he can express to become an intelligent listener, a lover of music though unskilled as a performer. With the coming of the radio there is a real need for training boys and girls to enjoy and appreciate the best music. Never before have we had the wealth of musical opportunity that is now made available through the medium of radio's magic. Symphony orchestras, string quartets, wood and brass ensembles, artist soloists offer their best for the edification of the multitude.
Much care is taken to give each phase of the music study a fair amount of time out of the hundred minutes a week allotted to music, and not to attempt more in the listening lessons with the phonograph than.
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can be accomplished without sacrificing standards in song-singing, voice training, music reading and music writing. In the few minutes that can be spared for music appreciation, we are making a great effort to acquaint the pupils with the instruments of the orchestra and "some of the masterpieces in musical literature.
There is a marked improvement in the interpreting "of rhythm, especially in the primary classes since the physical training department was established in the schools. Rhythm is the elixir of life. Real rhythm is the king of the music land, and the producer of long life and happiness. Rhythmic people do not have brain : storms. They understand self control.
With forty minutes allowed for assembly singing, the increase in the size of the classes in the High School and no definite time for glee club work, it is very diffi- cult to obtain the results desired in the High School. We are looking forward to the time when we not only have periods for glee club choruses, but elective ad- vanced studies in music, such courses as appreciation and harmony, subjects which are needed by every stu- ·dent who cares to pursue music as a professional career.
In closing my report I wish to quote what a lead- ing educator says in regard to the place of music in education.
"So long as education is a preparation for com- plete living, the awakening of the tonal and rhythmic sense in childhood is a vital element in education. In the training of the head, the hand and the heart, it is one of the most potent agencies for their combined evolution to protect the musical birthright of every child, provide the fundamental training which" makes possible the enjoyment of the priceless contribution which music makes toward complete. living."
Respectfully submitted,
INGRID E. EKMAN:
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REPORT OF INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC INSTRUCTOR".
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January 3, 1928.
Mr. C. Edward Fisher, Superintendent of Schools, Braintree, Mass.
Dear Sir :
The activities of the Instrumental Music Depart- ment throughout the seven principal schools of the Town are being progressively developed and maintain- ed in a manner consistent with the foremost educational standards of school music.
Although each school possesses its own orchestra and beginners' classes, the results of instrumental mus- ic in the grades finds most fruitful culmination in the High School Orchestra. This orchestra together with the High School Band offers the young instrumentalist an opportunity of expression that may well enable. him to attain that desirable objective of modern school music, namely, "An Appreciation of Music."
The Instrumental Music Department, through va- rious means and projects has acquired instruments of a size and nature not usually owned or possessed by the individual, on account of cost and utility, but which afford a boy or girl a very valuable opportunity to ac- quire much pleasure and profitable use of such instru- ment without cost. The school owned are eight in num- ber, and are distributed among six schools of the Town, and usually belong or form the foundational or funda-
161
mental rhythmic portion of the orchestra to which they are assigned.
The number of instrumentalists in the various schools are as follows :
. Noah Torrey School 22
Monatiquot School 15
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