USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1929 > Part 8
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A great improvement has been shown in the tech- nique of the children's work. This is particularly notice- able in the posters which the boys and girls have made. The eighth grade furnished posters to advertise the Brain- tree Teachers' Association play in January. The fifth and sixth grades took part in the Thrift Poster Contest con-
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ducted by the savings Bank Association. Over fifty of these posters drawn by Braintree children were hung in the exhibition that was held at the Boston Public Library in May. The seventh and eighth grades also entered the Humane Poster Contest, carrying away a number of prizes.
In conclusion I would like to express my thanks and appreciation to the teachers, principals, and superintend- ent for the interest and co-operation which they have shown in the art work during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
RUTH H. JOHNSON.
REPORT OF VOCAL MUSIC SUPERVISOR
January 1, 1930.
Mr. C. Edward Fisher, Superintendent of Schools, Braintree, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
In making my annual report of my music program in the Braintree Schools I am happy to say that I have had splendid co-operation from the teachers, and the re- sponse from the pupils has been most gratifying.
Braintree is growing so rapidly that the increased enrollment brings a few more classes each year. This year five more classes have been added to my supervision. I visit every class once in two weeks, spending from fifteen to thirty minutes in each room. Much credit is due Mr. Fisher for the masterly way he has taken care of the growth in the Braintree School system. In spite of the crowded conditions in several schools we "carry on" and make good progress.
Every effort is made to keep our methods and music material up to date, and to add such new phases of music study as have proved successful and helpful in other school systems. The latest phase of music introduced in the primary grades is the teaching of rhythm with small percussion instruments. The Jonas Perkins School, Hol-
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lis School, and the Abraham Lincoln School have pur- chased complete sets and have done some very interesting work with the instruments. Should you question the value of this work, you would only have to visit one of these classes and see the eagerness, enthusiasm, and joy expressed on every child's face, to be convinced of its value in education.
Music educators are beginning to realize as never be- fore the need of developing a sense of rhythm at an early age. Rhythm is the basic feature of music and the most potent force in the world, the underlying principle of life. We breathe and move in rhythm. To be in harmony with life and the world we must keep in time with the all-per- vading rhythm which is present everywhere.
We are making a desperate effort to "sandwich-in" listening lessons with the records and a study of the lives of the great composers in the upper grammar grades in the time allotted to singing. Through the phenomenal de- velopment of the sound-transmitting and reproducing in- struments-the radio, reproducing piano, and phono- graph-the pupils have an opportunity to hear constantly the world's great music as never before. How can we miss this golden opportunity to awaken an interest in the boys and girls in the beautiful in music which will en- hance their lives during work and leisure by providing that elevation of spirit which comes from contact with the beautiful.
Vocal music in the High School was made an elective subject this year, an arrangement which is more satisfac- tory. Over two hundred and fifty students elected music, a surprisingly large number when pupils have to make up the regular class work they lose on account of taking sing- ing. As we have only forty minutes a week I divide the group into two choruses so as to give them as much as possible in this allotment of time.
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It is absolutely necessary to give one or two public demonstrations in the High School of our vocal music an- nually in the form of concerts and operettas, not merely to entertain the public but to give the pupils the oppor- tunity to give expression to music ability and at the same time encourage our youth to use their musical talents to give pleasure and benefit to others.
I wish to thank Mr. Jordan and the principals of the grade schools for their co-operation and I wish to thank Mr. Fisher and the members of the School Committee for their interest in the vocal music of the Braintree school children.
Respectfully submitted,
INGRID E. EKMAN.
REPORT OF INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC INSTRUCTOR
January 1, 1930.
Mr. C. Edward Fisher, Superintendent of Schools, Braintree, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
In compliance with your request I wish to submit my annual report.
The Instrumental Department of the public school system of Braintree has since its inception developed and maintained this progressive activity consistent with the ideals and practices of similar towns and cities.
In the grades, from the fourth and upwards, the chil- dren present themselves as beginners in instrumental music, chief among whose choice is the preference for the violin.
The method used for this course, for reason of its being the greater number, is the one adopted and used in New York City among 1500 school pupils as taught by Dr. Frank R. Rix, Director of Music, and now universally recognized and accepted by foremost systems elsewhere.
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The methods used for other instruments are of a similar high standing, and the results obtained thereby testify to the success of their use and application. As soon as the beginners are able to master the fundamen- tals of rhythm, tune, and the simple technique relative to their instrument, they are progressed to the orchestra, such an objective being the aim and desire of nearly every individual who is interested in the study of an instrument.
Besides the classes in Instrumental Music, each of the seven schools has its own orchestra. These orches- tras are active units, and are required and expected to play for various occasions and observances during the school year.
The apex of this instrumental activity is reached in the High School, where an orchestra of goodly size and a band of 25 pieces are the results of that work which was begun in the grades. This band and orchestra rehearse each week, and at various times are invited to play not only for school purposes but civic and social functions.
The number of school owned musical instruments total as follows :
7 bass drums 6 pairs of cymbals
5 contra basses (string)
3 B flat baritones
3 E flat altos
1 violin
2 E flat basses (upright)
1 BB flt sousaphone (Helicon)
1 snare drum
1 B flat slide trombone
1 cornet
1 bugle
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The interest and co-operation which I have received from the teachers and principals has been of helpful as- sistance, and I wish to express my appreciation and sin- cere thanks for the same.
Respectfully submitted,
FREDERICK W. J. LEWIS.
REPORT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION INSTRUCTOR
January 1, 1930.
Mr. C. Edward Fisher, Superintendent of Schools, Braintree, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
It is with pleasure that I submit my first report as Director of Physical Education.
With the opening of school, a program was organized whereby each grade in every school is visited once a week for a period (varying from twenty to twenty-five min- utes) of instructional training and practice in Organized Play.
The informal type of work consisting of Organized Games, Big Muscle Activities and Free Play is believed, by the writer, to be the ideal type of Physical Training where such activities can be carried on out-of-doors in the Fall and Spring.
The interest on the part of the teachers and pupils of the grade schools is very gratifying, and the benefits de- rived from this informal work is evident. Especially is this noticeable among children who lack the co-ordination between mind and body so necessary for immediate re- sponse of action. Such activities also encourage the timid child to participate.
The enthusiasm with which the children play the games involving team play, co-operation and good sports- manship is further evidence of the success which Physical Education is meeting.
With the advent of winter, Physical Training must
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be carried on indoors, which necessitates modifying all ex- ercise to suit the circumstances encountered. Wherever possible, the school auditoriums are used for the groups which permits a more varied program than the school room aisles will allow.
The formal activities are used for an indoor program as follows: first and second grades receive story plays, singing games, folk dances and rhythmics, all being a form of mimetic gymnastic lesson. Beginning with the third and through fifth grades, activities include march- ing tactics, formal and informal calisthenics, postural training, folk dancing (girls), elementary tumbling (boys), and games. Boys and girls of the sixth, seventh and eighth grades are of a psychological and physiological age which call for separate classes, and this is the method which is being used. Activities are more highly organized than those of the grades.
The Spring program will be similar to the Fall pro- gram with activities in keeping with the games played by children at this time of year.
It has been a pleasure to appear before the various Parent-Teacher Association meetings, permitting the par- ents to see some of the work demonstrated and to ac- quaint them with the aims of this department. Pupils from the different grades, with the able assistance of their teachers and directed by the writer, were responsi- ble for the programs which seemed to meet with approval.
The High School classes are conducted two days a week, with an average of fifty-five boys in each of the six periods a day. Each period continues for fifty-five min- utes and every boy is required to dress in the regula- tion outfit, athletic jersey, running pants and rubber soled gym shoes. This year the activities consisted of informal games held out-of-doors until November, the classes being held indoors when cold or rainy weather prevailed. Or- ganized games such as Post Ball, Newcomb, Speed Ball,
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Tag Football, and others which called for the participation of every student, were played.
The indoor program is continued with marching, for- mal and informal calisthenics, self-testing activities, ap- paratus work of horizontal bar, horse, mats, ropes and basketball goal throwing, together with various contests and group stunts which keep the students occupied the entire class time, concluding with a shower bath, stressing daily cleanliness.
Previous to the regular basketball season Mr. Law- rence of the High School faculty, and the writer, endeav- ored to interest students who were not already partici- pating in one of the fall sports offered by the school. A call for basketball candidates among the various classes resulted in the organization of approximately fifty boys into teams of five members. Every boy not only received good wholesome exercise together with a fair knowledge of the fundamentals of this sport, but the majority con- tinued their endeavors among the candidates of teams chosen to represent the school. A similar program of in- terclass competition will be conducted in the spring at the conclusion of the basketball season.
Plans are now being formulated for a Gymnastic Ex- hibition by the boys and girls of the regular gym classes, to be held in April, 1930. This event will undoubtedly be an annual affair demonstrating the procedures of regular class work by a selected group.
If at the end of the school year we find evidence of those qualities so necessary for healthy and intelligent students, good character and moral development, one of the aims of the Physical Education program will have been fulfilled.
In closing, I wish to express my appreciation for the helpful advice of the Superintendent, the Principals of the schools, and for the co-operation the teachers have ac- corded me.
Respectfully submitted,
E. R. THWING.
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REPORT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION INSTRUCTOR
January 1, 1930.
Mr. C. Edward Fisher, Superintendent of Schools, Braintree, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my first annual report of Physical Training in the Braintree Schools.
The work in the Physical Training department has proceeded along much the same lines as the last three years, always stressing the work that is to benefit the largest number of children.
In my four months of working with the children of Braintree Schools I find them the most co-ordinating and interesting group with which to work.
The classes in the high school were conducted as far as possible out of doors until the weather became too se- vere, and now are conducted in the gymnasium, making use of the apparatus which the gym affords. Because of the increased enrolment in the high school this year the Physical Training classes run from forty to sixty, which is too large to accomplish the work which could be done with classes of thirty to forty. The girls appreciate the facilities which are offered them, and great enthusiasm is shown in most branches of the work.
The fall sport for the girls in high school was field hockey, in which about 25 girls reported regularly. We had a schedule of ten games, and while the weather was very much against us we made a creditable showing and have a good nest egg remaining with us for next year. Basketball is well under way, the work so far consisting of class practice in view of picking a varsity squad for the coming season.
In the elementary grades the physical director meets every class once a week, and a lesson is left to be taught every day.
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Story plays are given in the first and second grades, rhythmic exercises in the third and fourth grades, and from the fifth grade more formal work, working up to the upper classes. Games form the recreative part of each lesson, and care is taken in selecting games which stress the important factors of Physical Education, such as good posture, fair play, good sportsmanship.
In closing I wish to thank Mr. Fisher, the Superin- tendent, Mr. Jordan, principal of the High School, as well as the principals and teachers of the various schools in Braintree for the very fine co-operation I received from them.
Respectfully submitted, ALICE E. DAUGHRATY.
REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
January 1, 1930.
Mr. C. Edward Fisher, Superintendent of Schools, Braintree, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
Please allow me to submit my first annual report on the health work that is being done in the schools of Brain- tree.
About 3300 children have been examined by our school physicians, and about 400 health cards given out. In cases where physical defects were discovered, such as enlarged or infected tonsils, parents have been notified.
The school children have all been weighed and meas- ured.
The children of the first four grades have been ex- amined to see if any dental work is needed. Parents are notified if such work is necessary, and if they wish this work to be done at the Dental clinic, the children are treated at a nominal cost. All our school children are ex- amined at frequent intervals to see if there are evidences of parasites in the hair. When such evidences are found, notices are sent home in regard to proper treatment, and
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some demonstrations have been given as to proper meth- ods of application.
In some cases home co-operation has been lacking, . but in most instances it has been freely given:
Talks on cleanliness have been given, and instruc- tion has been offered on the care of the body. Care of mouth, hair, nails, etc., has been stressed. The nurse has made it a point to instruct all children in the proper use and care of school lavatories.
After the Christmas vacation, Mothercraft will be taught to the girls of the eighth grades.
I have not kept count of the number of demonstra- tions on cleanliness that have been given, but I remember taking up fourteen individual cases in one afternoon with most encouraging results. I have in mind a particular case in which one boy was given a new coat by his mother with the stipulation that he could wear it only when he was clean. Such co-operation from the home is a fine thing.
Home visits have been made in cases where this course seemed advisable. In all cases hearty co-operation has been given.
When the threat of diphtheria caused uneasiness in one building the room was fumigated, and cultures were taken. All cultures came back "negative", and no other cases developed.
There have been a few cases of contagious diseases. Among these have been scarlet fever, whooping cough, chicken pox, and mumps. At this writing there are not many children absent from these causes.
Treatment and first aid have been given to all chil- dren who have asked for them, also in all cases recom- mended by teachers. In some cases medical aid was found imperative, and they were referred to their family doctors.
A health talk was given to all high school girls not long ago.
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I have made it a point to visit all rooms in the high school with the object of becoming acquainted with both teachers and pupils.
One of the handicaps that slows down the work of the school nurse is the distance between schools and the poor facilities of transportation. Much more efficient work could be done if some means of transportation were provided by the Town.
In conclusion I wish to thank Mr. Fisher, the Superin- tendent, and all the principals and teachers of the various schools in Braintree for the fine co-operation which I have received.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY E. COLLINS, R. N.
REPORT OF ATTENDANCE OFFICER
January 1, 1930.
Mr. C. Edward Fisher, Superintendent of Schools, Braintree, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
I hereby submit the following report as Attendance Officer for the year closing Dec. 13, 1929.
I have worked in conjunction with the State Board of Labor and Industries, also the Friendly Aid Associa- tion and School Nurse.
I have investigated 609 cases as reported to me and found pupils absent for the following reasons :
Sickness 161
Truancy 28
Lack of clothing, shoes, etc. 19
Kept out by parents 96
Found on street and taken to school
41
Left school
12
Non-registration (new pupils placed in school) 8 Found on street and taken home 24
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Left town 21
Employment cards 26
Tardy 19
Factories and stores visited 31
Found at home and taken to school 41
Department of Immigration cases investigated 0
Destroying and loss of school property 0
Disturbances at school and on streets 4
Home employment cards granted 2
Taken to court 0
Reported to school nurse 12
Boys placed under my charge by parents 6
From farm to school (under 14 years) 21
Evening calls on parents 37
I have investigated all cases of the schools including the Continuation School and High School, in the interest of parents, Superintendent of Schools, and at all times having in mind the welfare of the Town in general.
Respectfully submitted,
C. S. HANNAFORD.
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COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES OF THE BRAINTREE HIGH SCHOOL
High School Auditorium, Wednesday Evening, June 19, 1929, at eight o'clock.
March, "Pontificale"
Gounod
High School Orchestra
Adam Geibel
Songs, " 'Tis Morn" "Allah's Holiday" Friml
Senior Class
Salutatory Essay, "You"
Nan Keast
Essay, "Value of Art" James Collins
Essay, "Extra Curricula Activities" Frances Ryan
Selection, "Bohemian Girl" Balf
High School Orchestra
Essay, "The Incomparable Master of the Piano" Mary Pierce
Song, "The House by the Side of the Road" Gaines
Senior Class
Essay, "The Greatest Lovers in Literature" Eleanor Henshon
Presentation of Philergian Essay Prize Mrs. Herbert F. French, President of Philergians Gavotte, "Dancing Dolls" Seredy
High School Orchestra
Award of Scholarship Prizes Mr. Otis B. Oakman, Treasurer of Braintree School Fund Valedictory Essay, "The Lure of Travel" William Collins Presentation of Cup, Medals, and Diplomas Mr. Ralph B. Woodsum, Mr. C. Frederick Tarbox of the School Committee Farewell Song (Words by Ruth Smith) Senior Class
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Class Officers
James Collins, President Eleanor Henshon, Vice-President Myrtle Grohe, Secretary Frances Ryan, Treasurer
Philergian Essay Prize Winner James Collins
French Medal Winners Nan Keast William Collins Dorothy Phelps
Sons of Italy Cup Winner Albert Avitabile
MEMBERS OF CLASS
Charles Francis Abell
Ronald Nairn Alison
¡Fritz Ronald Anderson
Helen Willard Arnold Albert Avitabile
Dorothy Avice Belyea
Angelo Peter Zampine
George Richard Besselman
David Thayer Blunt
Edgar Harrison Bolles, Jr.
Olive Magdalen Breen
Merrill Everett Cain
Francis Joseph Coleman James Paul Collins
*William Henry Collins Norman Carleton Cuff John Henry Cummings Meta Davidson Charles Joseph Donahue, Jr. Chester Oliver Ellis Elizabeth Florence Evans LeRoy Reid Follett Doris Irene Frasier Matthias Anthony Gorham Myrtle Rae Grohe
Rena Mary Gertrude Bendinelli
Joseph Clayton McKeough
Daniel Joseph Meaney
Elizabeth Mary Meehan George Carl Mencke
*William Miller Andrew Benjamin Moline Florence Genevieve Moody Robert Henry Moody Pauline Bernice Moore
Mary Angeline O'Rourke Marjorie Louise Parker Ernest Andrew Parkis, Jr. Edith Conlon Payne
*Dorothy Phelps Marjorie Phelps Mary Thorning Pierce Florence Prudence Potter
Richmond Chilton Potter Margaret Louise Reardon Ruth Elizabeth Ross Frances Ellen Ryan Sylvia Eileen Shippee Laurance Drake Sibley Ruth Elizabeth Smith
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Catherine Susan Gurney Hans Hagen, Jr. Joseph Alphonsus Haley, Jr.
Dorothy Hastings Alice Marie Heffernan Eleanor Claire Henshon
#Edward James Smith Nora Spence Arthur Edwin Stenberg Dorothy Corthell Stewart
Eleanor May Stewart
Lillian Grace Tarbox
Phyllis Frances Horsman Lucia Irene Howes Bessie Struthers Howie
Marjorie Louise Tenney Leona Beryl Torrey Ella Elizabeth Trott Emily Josephine Trott
Nan Arnold Keast
William John Knight
Albert Russell Lucid
Meriale Catherine Lund
Gertrude Alexia Waite Edna May Walsh Arthur Browning Wheeler Annie Lorraine Whitehouse Catherine Jane Wishart Muriel Woodman
Marion Eleanor Wynot
The following is a list of all the Grammar School Graduates in the Town of Braintree, June 20, 1929.
MONATIQUOT SCHOOL
Marjorie Lois Bean
Alice Worden Blake
Ellis Whitcomb Cain
Doris Felter Newcomb
Zabel Anna Charles
Rita Marie Clougherty
James Arthur O'Connell Winifred Virginia Ostrander Dora Virginia Pantano -.
Gladys Louise Cox
Virginia Parker
Alice Virginia Crowe
Pauline Barbara Schlager
Edward Charles Schroth
Clara Crippen Schulze
Richard Thomas Shea
William Francis Shea Ernest Sweezey
Marion Beulah Thompson
Martha Ethel Thompson
Gertrude Tilden
Marion Frances Worth
Charles Leonard Waite
Nicholas Mavilia Elizabeth Frances Mallon Paul Richard McGrath
John Thomas McSharry Stanley Melrose
Rose Katherine Cramer
Dorothea Irene Coburn
Anna Mildred DeCosta John Severin Hansen Ethel Cecelia Hayden Kasimer Charles Lakus Doris Virginia Lansing Wilfred Earl LeVangie Marie Josephine MacFarlane
Alice Mary Lynch Marion Louise McDormand Richard Martin McGrath + ¡ Neither absent or tardy during high school course.
* Completed course in three years.
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HOLLIS SCHOOL
George Reynolds Bartlett
Eileen Rita Cliffe
Cosam Edward Cocozella
John William Pitts
Arthur Leavitt Cushing
Edmund Thomas Powers
George Francis Earney
Katherine Miller Scott
Frances Marie Fuller
Beatrice Catherine Tassinary
Mazie Hall
Virginia Thurlow Carolyn Williams
Fred Clinton Harraden
Philip Lanzandorfer
Bettina Woodsum
Evelyn Marie Lindbohm
Charles Lindley Woodford
Edith Mary Lunt
Harold Milford Lord 1
Burpee Edward Mackenna
Ann Norrie Milne
PENNIMAN SCHOOL
Roger Wales Arnold
Warren Richard Parker
Arthur Robert Benson
Walter Cannon Brock
Francis Perkins
Albert Andrew Burke
Donald Walter Peters
Richard Edward Corbett
Charles Robert Reynolds
Thomas Francis Farrell
Robert Cameron Robbins
Philip John Healey
Evelyn Daisy Kuplast
George Bentley MacDonald
Herbert William Meara Marjorie Louise Meara
John Andrew Wilken
Franklin Merrill
Dana Kirby Woodman
JONAS PERKINS SCHOOL
Virginia Cushing Atwood Ruth Elizabeth Chambers
Virginia Christian
James Ballou Cook
David MacFarlane Phillips Edith Marie Rice
Edward Frank Ricker Stella May Rugg
Morris Preston Gurney
Frederick James Savory, Jr.
Evie Estella Sherrard
Helen Marion Smith
Helen Sarah Storme
Charles Haley Robert Morrill Hallett Doris Hough
Ralph Sidney Nickerson Edith Parker
Lincoln Wilbert Parker
Arthur Victor Cooke James Henry Curran, Jr. Louise Isabel Donaldson
Grace Eleanor Sunbury Clara Louise Tellier Marjorie Louise Wallace Linda Jane Watters
Ruth Annie Morrison
Alfred Borden Morcom
John William Murphy
Robert Stanley Paul
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Walter Joseph Hanson Ansel Edmond Jackson Joseph Valentine Keeley
Dorothy Elizabeth Kendrick
Carol Ann Macleod
Raymond Dobson Marstin Donald Sydney McNeil
Arthur Vincent Sward Robert Banks Taylor Thelma May Taylor
Lawrence Aloysius Trainor Arthur Augustus Wentworth Agnes Ethel Wishart
THOMAS A. WATSON SCHOOL
Raimonda Mary Alosi
Elsie Margaret Allen
Frederick Joseph Boudreau
Charles Moses
Alexander Bullock
Thomas Frazier Messenger
Florence Lillian Clayton
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