USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1931 > Part 9
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used by grades seven and eight. When this building is enlarged to make an East Junior High School, a North Junior High School could also be constructed and the Town would then have its schools on a 6-3-3 plan.
Assuming that the schools are not to be organized on a 6-3-3 plan, it will be necessary, when the Town be- comes 20,000 population, to build additions to each of its elementary units to provide facilities for instruction in Manual Training and Household Arts, and also to pro- vide teachers at each of these units (now 8 in number), all of which would be a tremendous expense, not only for the construction work but also annually for the eight groups of teachers for those subjects. With the 6-3-3 plan the additions to elementary units for this kind of work would not be necessary, as it could be provided for in the Junior High Schools and meet the requirements of the law, and only two groups of teachers for these sub- jects would be necessary, instead of eight.
Following this may be found reports from our Su- perintendent and others engaged by your School Com- mittee for the organization, supervision and instruction of the children in the Town. We feel that they are worthy of your attention.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY D. HIGGINS, Chairman, ALIDA N. STEVENS, Recording Secretary. RALPH B. WOODSUM, WILFORD P. WOODSUM, HARRIET B. W. KIMBALL, C. FREDERICK TARBOX,
School Committee.
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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
January 1, 1932.
To the School Committee:
I present herewith, as Superintendent of Schools, my eleventh annual report of the School Department.
With the opening of the present school year of 1931- 1932 was found the smallest number of new teachers that we have had for more than ten years, there being but 14, and 6 of these were due to increasing the corps of teachers from 134 to 140. It is thus seen that there were but 8 resignations. Of these 14 new teachers, one- half are Braintree residents. Of our corps of teachers, 83 have taught more than three years here, and have had an average experience of over fifteen years; 20 are teaching their third year here with an average experi- ence of nearly seven years; 23 are teaching their second year here with an average experience of over six years; and 14 are teaching their first year here with an average experience of nearly three years. It is quite encourag- ing to find the percentage of overturn in the personnel of the teaching corps becoming smaller, because it must necessarily mean more satisfactory work accomplished in our schools.
The two additional rooms which were provided at the Penniman School by construction work carried on during the summer were put into use shortly after the opening of school in September, which obviated the con- tinued use of the auditorium for a class room. -
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At the Abraham Lincoln School the last available class room was put into service, so that here, in spite of the large addition first available for use a year ago last April, every class room is now in use.
At the Thomas A. Watson School, although a two- room portable was in use for the first time last year, it was found necessary also to use the auditorium for class room purposes again this year.
At the Hollis School it was found necessary to put into use for a class of fifth grade children a basement room formerly used by the girls of the Continuation School when such a school was in operation in the Town.
The most serious situation was found at the High School, due to increased enrollment, as the building, now in its fifth year of use, is wholly inadequate to meet the demands of the present enrollment. Next year half-time work in the High School will be inevitable.
What may be done to meet more effectively the de- mands made by the growth of our school membership is stated in the report of the School Committee, and should receive from the public favorable consideration to the greatest extent possible if low cost in the sup- port of the local public schools is to continue. You do have now a low cost according to the statistical report issued by the State Board of Education. There are 355 cities and towns in the State, and of these there are only 66 where the per capita cost for the support of the schools is less. Braintree's per pupil cost was $81.87, the average in the State was $100.77, and the average in Group II, which compsises 83 towns of over 5,000 popu- lation, was $92.30. There were 59 towns out of the 83 wherein the per pupil cost was greater than in Brain- tree. Of these 83 towns there are but 11 larger than
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Braintree in their population, and only 8 with a larger membership in their school system. There are, however, 37 with a higher valuation per pupil, and 46 which spend more per thousand of valuation. Any statistical study which may be made of the costs for the support of your schools will show low comparative costs. It is true that costs are greater than ten years ago, but much more is being demanded by the public of its schools, as shown in legislative enactments which are presumably expressing "the will of the people", and these are not the result of School Committees' actions, or Superintendents', or teachers'. If the public wants the schools to do these things it will have to pay. If you, the citizens of Brain- tree, do not want them, go to your legislature and see that some of the laws pertaining to education are res- cinded or amended. It is time, in my judgment, that the tide turned, and instead of the home passing on more responsibilities to the schools, some of those now rest- ing on the public schools be turned back to the home, where they belong. This action would, to some extent at least, stop and reduce the constantly climbing costs of education. Stop, Look, and Listen, not so much to your School Department budgets as to your State laws per- taining to education, and to some of the popular demands more or less well established by custom and precedent and practice, and continued because of public pride. "Pride goeth before a fall", and municipal credits have taken some fall.
The Chadwick Clinic recently completed in our schools, conducted by the State to detect tuberculosis in its various stages of development in pupils, shows some who need attention and care. In all such cases reports have been made to parents or guardians with advice and recommendations to effectively check and overcome,. so far as possible, existing conditions. Follow-up work will
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be carried on by State and local agencies wherever neces- sary.
Our diphtheria clinics for toxin anti-toxin treat- ments have been continued this past year, as was done the year before, and it is to be hoped that as time goes on the community may rid itself of all danger of any epidemic of this disease. This year the dental clinic has been curtailed some in the extent of its work because of not having sufficient funds. The number of children in the lower grades is becoming greater each year, and therefore the cost for this work must necessarily become greater or we must stop the work at a lower grade level than in the past. The general health conditions in our schools are good, and so too is the work of our teachers.
I regret the inability of the Department, through lack of funds, to make some changes in text books used, and to adopt more modern ones, and also to provide a larger variety. Variety will do much in the way of cre- ating interest, and without interest the best work of which the pupil is capable is impossible.
This Town has an exceptionally strong corps of teachers which is working effectively and harmoniously for the best interests of the children. We all are human, and make mistakes, but I would ask the continued sym- pathetic and friendly co-operative attitude of the public toward us in our work which always has been shown, and for which I herewith to express my appreciation and thanks in behalf of the personnel of this Department.
The reports and tables following give more detailed information and merit your attention.
Respectfully submitted, C. EDWARD FISHER.
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REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
January 1, 1932.
Mr. C. Edward Fisher,
Superintendent of Schools,
Braintree, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
Herewith is submitted my fourteenth annual report as Principal of Braintree High School.
MEMBERSHIP AND ATTENDANCE
Figures for membership and attendance for the school year 1930-31 were as follows:
Total Membership 709
Average Membership
656.95
Percentage of attendance 95.18
These figures show a substantial increase over the previous year, particularly in the percentage of atten- dance.
One hundred twelve were graduated in June, and ap- proximately the same number will graduate this year.
Registration for the present school year shows an increase of approximately one hundred over that of the corresponding date last year. This represents an increase of about fifteen per cent. The total registration since the opening of school in September is seven hundred ninety- five, and is divided as follows:
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Boys
Girls
Totals
Post Graduates
8
8
16
Seniors
61
65
126
Juniors
74
85
159
Sophomores
123
100
223
Freshmen
149
122
271
Totals
415
380
795
The increase in numbers represented in the above figures, and somewhat larger than was anticipated, brought several problems, the chief one of which was that of finding proper accommodations, particularly for study halls and lockers. One hundred additional corridor lock- ers were installed, previous to the opening of school in September, bringing the number of such up to seven hundred eighty-one-less than the number of pupils actually in attendance. A lesser number of gymnasium lockers were also installed, sufficient to give each pupil the sole use of one such locker. Additional ones of both kinds will have to be purchased before the opening of the school year 1931-32. Where to put the corridor lockers promises to be a serious problem, for the hundred recent- ly installed took up most of the available corridor space.
The large study hall of previous years, made by throw- ing open the folding doors between rooms 306 and 307, and which seated about one hundred thirty study pupils, had to be done away with as such, since the separate rooms were needed for class rooms. At the present time every class room is used for every period of every day. In addition to this the auditorium has to be utilized as a study hall for a portion of every day.
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An anticipated registration of about eight hundred fifty in September 1932, indicates that the school will have to be organized on a two session basis at that time, the three upper classes being in session in the morning, and the first year pupils in the afternoon. This is a far from satisfactory plan, for it cuts down in a marked degree the efficiency of any school system so organized, but this would seem to be offset by the disadvantages of overcrowded classes, and the use of make-shift rooms such as the cafeteria and assembly hall, the first of which has to be lighted with artificial lights all of the time, and the other a large part of the time. Working under such conditions is not for the best interests of the pupils, either from the standpoint of work accomplished or health-the latter receiving far too little attention as matters are now.
In connection with the health of the pupils should be mentioned the work of the Tuberculosis Department of the Chadwick Clinic, which conducted its tests in all of the Braintree Schools. Five hundred fifty-two pupils, or about three-fourths of the high school members, with the signed consent of the parents, were given the preliminary test on November 18. On hundred eighty-eight of those who took the preliminary tests were X-rayed, and of these seventy-four were given thorough physical examin- ations by a corps of trained physicians, working in con- junction with the State Board of Health. The parents of these pupils were invited in at the time of the examina- tions for consultation regarding diet, hours of rest, etc., and nearly all of them responded.
TEACHING STAFF
Our corps of teachers compares favorably with that of any secondary school of our size. Changes in the per-
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sonnel of the force have become less and less, so that new names among them represent largely additions to the force, rather than replacements. This stability works to the great advantage of any school system.
For the present school year the following new names occur in our corps-Miss Bernadine McCusker, replacing Miss Elisabeth Gross as teacher of Freshman English; Mr. Albert Murphy, succeeding Mr. Henry L. Farr in the History Department; Mr. James L. Heggie, an addi- tional teacher of English; and Mr. Vinal G. Good, an additional teacher of Mathematics, Science and Civics. Mr. Good also has had charge of football coaching.
The fact that we received a five year extension of our privilege of sending pupils on certificate to colleges be- longing to the New England College Certificate Board, indicates that our teachers are doing a good job in their work, for such extension depends on the work of pupils who attend colleges represented on the Board.
Many of our classes at the present time are in excess of the numbers recommended as the maximum for most efficient work. This fact, with the anticipated increase in numbers, will make necessary several additional teach- ers in September 1932.
TRANSPORTATION
The transportation by busses and trolley for pupils living in East Braintree and Braintree Highlands has been continued. A sixth bus was added to those already operating from East Braintree. All of these busses are carrying far too many pupils. To properly care for the situation there should be two more busses at the present time. The separation of the boys and girls in all but one of the busses helped in the solution of some of the
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problems connected with the bus service, but the condi- tions are still far from ideal. For the past year a four o'clock bus has made a trip to East Braintree on Monday afternoons to accommodate those who stay for help or make-up work on that day. All teachers are present until four o'clock on that day as well as on one other of their own choice, so that pupils from remote sections of the Town may get after-school help, and at least on Monday not be obliged to walk home. If this system of late trans- portation is to be continued, two busses should be pro- vided instead of one.
EXTRA-CURRICULA ACTIVITIES
This term includes a wide variety of interests such as athletics, dramatics, music, debating, editing of the school magazine, clubs, etc.
Every existing extra-curricula activity has justified its existence. It is a proven fact that the lessons of co-opera- tion, loyalty, initiative, good sportsmanship, fairness, etc., derived from participation in the outside activities, react to the decided advantage of the school. It is very seldom that problems of attendance occur relative to the boys and girls who are interested in the various activities. Their interests are such that they desire to be in school regularly, and their class work gains thereby. It is like- wise true that these same pupils very seldom present problems of discipline. In most cases the average scholas- tic attainments of these pupils is higher than that of those who are not so interested. It is a fact worthy of comment that not a single boy was lost to the football squad during the season just passed owing to scholastic difficulties. The same thing was true of the girls' hockey squad.
In connection with football, attention is called to the
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unusual interest in that sport, as evidenced by the atten- dance at the games. A squad of thirty-five boys worked hard throughout the season. The team won its first two games only, and lost the remaining six, each game lost by a one touchdown margin. Regardless of the number of victories or defeats it is considered our most successful season. Our boys were playing a hard, clean game every minute, and were never beaten until the last whistle had blown-a mighty valuable characteristic for any indi- vidual or group to possess. The large crowds which at- tended the games, and the collections, which in spite of "hard times" averaged four times as much as in any previous year, indicated that the public appreciated the hard playing, and fine sportsmanship of our boys, both of which characteristics were but a reflection of the work and attitude of their coach.
Our school magazine, the Wampatuck, again won the award for being the best all-round publication in the Southeastern Massachusetts League of School Publica- tions. More advertisements than ever before were secured from Braintree, and the indications are that the number of local advertisers will be increased this year. This is one of the few self-supporting school publications. The school appreciates the growing interest and support of town merchants.
During the past year and a half, stage equipment to the value of about six hundred dollars has been purchased for our hall. This equipment was made possible largely through the gifts to the extra-curricula fund by the Choral Society, Philergians and other organizations in town and the school Dramatic Club. The possession of this scenery makes most effective the presentation of worthwhile public entertainments.
The widespread interest of our students in the many
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extra-curricula activities is the best possible answer to the question which has recently been raised by the editor of one of our local papers as to "Whether our young people are sent forth with real preparation for, and knowledge of the art of living, of getting along with folks and of management of daily existence."
PROBLEMS
The most serious problem for the next school year is that of accommodations for the ever-increasing numbers, and has been discussed in a previous section of this re- port. Next to that in importance is the problem of non- attendance, or unnecessary absence. This intermittent absence from school costs the Town a large amount of money in unused seats annually. It costs no more to operate a school with one hundred per cent attendance than with ninety-four per cent attendance, the latter representing the approximate average percentage atten- dance for the past few years. The school on this basis is operated at a six per cent loss. As matters stand the responsibility for attendance falls on the school. Such being the case, a considerable amount of time which should be devoted to supervision and administration has to be given to attendance matters. The ideal condition is one where the school takes the responsibility for in- struction and the home for attendance. This unnecessary absence is confined largely to pupils who are above the compulsory age limit. The Attendance Officer cannot be utilized in such cases and we have no visiting teacher. In many cases the school is considered meddlesome if it tries to keep the close check of such absence.
Punctuality and regular attendance are essential not only in duty to the class as a whole, but to the community
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which is thus getting the greatest value for the money spent. In my opinion unnecessary absence on the part of pupils below the compulsory school attendance age should call for drastic action on the part of the Atten- dance Officer, and unnecessary absence on the part of those above that age should call for permanent exclusion from school. If this were the case, loafers would be weeded out and at the same time the progress of the classes accelerated, since they would not have to wait for absentees to catch up, and the efficiency of the school raised at a material saving in cost to the Town.
Respectfully submitted, JAMES L. JORDAN.
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REPORT OF THE ART SUPERVISOR
January 1, 1932.
Mr. C. Edward Fisher, Superintendent of Schools, Braintree, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my annual report on the drawing in the grade schools of Braintree for the year 1931.
One thing which is a constant source of happiness to me in my work is that everybody likes to draw. Some- thing one likes to do is usually done with enthusiasm, and anything one is enthusiastic about is usually done well. I feel that the quality of the design work especially has gone ahead by leaps and bounds. The children them- selves have been surprised at what they have created with their colors. In most instances they have made the designs directly in color without pencil drawing. The work has developed a freedom of feeling without sacrific- ing the neat appearance of the whole.
On June 4 and 5 there was an Art Exhibit at the Cochato Club of some of the drawing work done during the school year ending June 1931 by the grade children in the public schools. There were drawings shown from every class of each school in town. The exhibition was open all day and in the evening. Parents and friends of the children visited the exhibit in large numbers, not to mention the children themselves who came to see their work "hung up".
I wish to take this opportunity to thank all the teachers and pupils who worked so hard and willingly with me in getting the exhibition material selected, mounted, and hung. The results were well worth the time and effort it took to obtain them.
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In April grades one, two, three, and four entered the Health Poster Contest of the Norfolk County Health Association. Out of the posters submitted from Braintree four were awarded prizes : second, third, fourth and fifth prizes. These posters were on exhibition at the Norfolk County Hospital on June 3. The best of the posters that were not submited to the contest were shown in the exhibit at the Cochato Club. The fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grades entered the Humane Poster Contest and won a large number of medals and "honorable men- tions". These prize-winning posters were exhibited at the Boston Public Library the week of April 19. None of the prize-winning posters of that contest could be in the exhibition at the Cochato Club either, because the win- ning posters became the property of the Humane Society to be used by them in their educational work.
An elementary course in Mechanical Drafting was given to the boys of the eighth grades. New equipment was bought, and a good start has been made in establish- ing this as a regular course for eighth grade boys. The course serves as an introduction to the work in the High School and to those who do not elect mechanical drafting in high school it should give at least the ability to make and read a simple working drawing which many need in later life.
We are to have some new work along the line of Art Appreciation some of which is already started. We must not only train the gifted in creating the beautiful; we must also train a much larger group to be appreciative onlookers that create an atmosphere favorable to the Art spirit. We must help to raise the standard of good taste of the general public of tomorrow.
Respectfully submitted,
RUTH H. JOHNSON.
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REPORT OF VOCAL MUSIC SUPERVISOR
January 1, 1932.
Mr. C. Edward Fisher, Superintendent of Schools,
Braintree, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir :
I herewith submit my annual report of vocal music in the Braintree public schools.
Song-singing is by far the most important phase of the vocal music. Song-singing during childhood constitutes 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 expression and that every child may have acquired a repertory of songs which may be carried into the home and social life.
The song-singing begins in the Kindergarten. A large percent of every entering class cannot "carry a tune" and before songs can be taught these children are given individual attention and through the play spirit match one tone, two tones, and eventually sing a song. Due to the splendid work of our Kindergarten teachers we had many first grades in September where ninety percent of the children could sing correctly. The first grade teachers carry on this work with daily individual training with those who did not learn to sing in the Kindergarten and practically every pupil learns to sing in the first grade unless they have a throat or speech defect.
Song singing is important but we must also teach children to read music independently and fluently at
.
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sight, otherwise music does not function as a worthy school subject. Herein lies its intellectual value, and upon this music reading power in the child depends the degree in which he can participate with enjoyment the world's great music.
Music appreciation is the ultimate aim of our music course. While singing good music with a beautiful tone is the best means of gaining an understanding and appre- ciation of music, yet we must not limit the pupils' study of music to only such music which they can sing, but supplement their own powers of accomplishment with the hearing of much music far beyond their own power to perform. Through the radio and the phenomenal de- velopment of the sound-transmitting and reproducing in- struments the pupils have an opportunity to hear con- stantly the world's great music as never before. We are making slow progress in this phase of our music study because we need more phonographs and more time. The twenty minutes allotted to music is all needed for voice training, song singing, music reading and music writing.
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