USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1937 > Part 6
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In October Intelligence Tests were given to all fourth, sixth and eighth grade classes. It is planned to do this annually, and in this way the student upon entering our High School will have a record which should prove to be of value in more wisely selecting that course of study and work from which he might be likely to profit most, and too, it should be of value to the High School in making more efficient the vocation- al guidance work and effectively do it earlier in the course.
Our schools are lacking in filing facilities and if these records are to be secured there certainly should be adequate means for convenient filing that use may be made of them. Certainly there is no object in secur- ing data unless the same is conveniently and systema- tically filed to encourage and facilitate effective use.
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Other data, in addition to that customarily found in school systems, besides the above mentioned, and needing filing accommodations, is that secured as a result of the Reading Aptitude Tests given to first grade classes with the opening of school in September. These tests indicate those children who will presu- mably need more or less attention than the average, in order that they may acquire a fair reading ability. It is hoped that as a result of these tests the first grade teacher may work more effectively with her class in developing better reading by all the children. Reading is a fundamental requisite to academic progress, and too, facility in reading will encourage the pursuit of an avenue for profitable use of leisure time with plea- sure and relaxation in later life.
A study of this years age grade distribution reveals some surprising and possibly interesting facts. In the undergraduate student body of our High School there are but 11 students who are nineteen years of age, 39 who are eighteen, and more than half of the student body is fifteen years old and younger. This is an un- usually young student body for High School, which fact certainly does not indicate retardation.
Through the cooperation of our district principals a sound film projector was purchased and partially paid for by school activities. The balance will be paid for by the School Department, and also some sound films purchased, which will be the corner-stone for what it is hoped may, as rapidly as possible, be deve- loped in t oa library, or collection of such material. This will make it possible for our schools to have all the benefits which may be derived from this most effec- tive tool for educational purposes. As soon as we can
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have the funds necessary to secure a reasonable va- riety and number of these sound films systematic use will be made of them in all our schools.
The work of making audiometer tests continues and is proving of great value in determining in as abso- lute a manner as possible those individuals who have hearing handicaps and need consideration. The equip- ment for this work is borrowed from the Boston Guild for the Hard of Hearing, and the time has come when I feel that it would be wise to own our own equipment for this work.
Another most desirable equipment which might be profitably used for testing the eyes in an equally definite manner to that now in practice for hearing is the Ophthalmic Telebinocular .. If we had this equip- ment just as exact and definite data as to the indivi- duals handicaps because of his eyes could be determin- ed and the proper steps taken to overcome so far as possible the handicaps nature has imposed on some children. I would recommend immediate action along this line.
A study of the last State Report from the Depart- ment o fEducation shows that the cost per pupil in Braintree for education was $80.25, whereas the ave- rage for this group of 83 towns in which Braintree is classed the per pupil cost was $89.74. As to the size of our school system it is interesting to note that we have a larger school system than seven of the cities, and although there are 11 towns with a larger popu- lation, only 6 of these towns have a larger school sys- tem. This means that of the 335 school systems in the State, Braintree ranks 39 in size. Braintree's school
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system is certainly no longer a small system, and it must necessarily take money in no small amount to operate and maintain at that level of efficiency which our public expect.
The budget for 1938 although larger than for 1937, if one considers the fact that salaries have been res- tored, is larger mainly because of necessary increase in teaching force for the High School on account of the material increase in the number of High School students, and on account of maintenance. The fact that salaries have been restored is something I assure you which is appreciated by each and every one in the Department, and I am confident that I can say, through you, "Thank you" to the citizens of Braintree.
In closing I would call your attention to the other reports in this Department and to the statistics, all of which are worthy of attention.
My thanks are hereby extended to all for energe- tic, cordial and sympathetic co-operative efforts by which the Department has been able to function in such a way as to produce such results that I feel no one has any occasion to feel ashamed of the Braintree Public Schools.
Respectfully Submitted,
C. EDWARD FISHER
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REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
December 31, 1937.
Mr. C. Edward Fisher,
Superintendent of Schools,
Braintree, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
Herewith is submitted my annual report for the high school.
Figures for the school year ending June 1937, are as follows :
Total Membership 975
Average Membership
908
Percentage of Attendance
95.52
These figures indicate an increase in total mem- bership of 30, and in average membership an increase of 28 over the figures for the previous school year. It also shows a substantial increase in percentage of at- tendance. .
Diplomas were granted to 182 graduates last June, the largest number in the history of the school.
The comparative figures for the present school year to date, with those of the corresponding time last year, are as follows:
Registration to Decemmber 31, 1937
Boys
Girls
Totals
Post Graduates 12
30 42
127
1 Seniors
74
116
190
Juniors
103
124
227
Sophomores
129
152
281
Freshmen
139
143
282
Totals
457
565
1022
Registration to December 31, 1936
Boys
Girls
Totals
Post Graduates
7
13
20
Seniors
82
107
189
Juniors
92
133
225
Sophomores
120
136
256
Freshmen
130
146
276
Totals
435
504
939
From the above can be seen that the total regis- tration to date this year is 83 more than at the corre- sponding time last year. This increase, while in part due to an unexpected number of post graduates, is, in the main, the result of larger numbers of under- classmen and has resulted in a problem of over-large classes in many instances and warrants the addition of at least two more teachers to our force.
Last Spring the serious illness of Mr. Lawrence, Head of the Science Department, made necessary a readjustment in the Science Department. Mr. Too- lin's work was changed from that of first-year Science to Mr. Lawrence's program of Physics and Chemistry and the services of Mr. Edward Oakman were secured as a substitute teacher in elementary Science. In Sep- tember Mr. Oakman was added to our force as a
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high school cadet. The continued illness of Mr. Law- rence, however, made it necessary to continue Mr. Oakman as a substitute teacher in Science, which has been done since the opening of school in September.
The following definite teacher needs are apparent: namely, a full-time teacher of Science to take care of very heavy overloads in Biology and Chemistry and a teacher of French and English for similar relief of oversized classes in those subjects. It would also seem that with a school of more than one thousand enroll- ment the full time of two physical education teachers is warranted. Present arrangements do not allow time for the proper handling of the course, in the way of corrective work by the physical education teachers, with those individuals who, by our tests, are found to be physically below normal. As our school has grown from five hundred to a thousand the number of periods of gymnasium work required has increased weekly from 24 to 44, with no increase in teacher personnel. At the earliest possible time I would recommend that Mr. Thwing and Miss Daughraty be made full-time high school teachers. Moreover, if the work of guid- ance and job placement is to be extended, according to the wishes expressed by the School Committee, the full time of another teacher would be required. In connection with the above I wish to point out that, under the present employment conditions, no place- ment bureau can function properly, for nowhere are positions being filled on the basis of training and ex- perience but on the basis of political pull, family con- nections, etc., and this may be expected to continue until conditions improve and a more normal demand for employees is reached.
Last year, in the high school report, it was pointed
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out that more regular attendance and more earnest work on the part of all students could materially cut down the cost of teachers' salaries, and supplies by the elimination of repeaters. Figures, on the present two upper classes only, show that there are 10 fifth- year seniors and 14 fourth-year juniors, who, for some reason or other, are being forced to take at least an extra year in which to complete their high school course. This represents the load of one teacher and does not at all touch on the situation in the two lower classes where there are also repeaters. I would like to emphasize again the need for further attention to the problem of attendance as a means of cutting down failures.
In extra curricula activities there are, as in the past, opportunities for participation sufficient to meet the needs of the average pupil. Our school magazine, "The Wampatuck" for the last school year again re- ceived the award as the best all-round magazine pub- lished in southeastern Massachusetts. Athletically- minded boys and girls have shown healthy interest in various sports. Basketball was renewed as a school activity last winter and, in spite of handicaps in the way of lack of time for practice, etc., was successful. The inter-room games, however, were continued and, at the present time, there are approximately 300 boys and girls who are actively interested in that form of team play. A large squad of girls continued through- out the season in field hockey, as was also true of foot- ball, cross country, track and baseball, so that any boy or girl who has the ability has a chance to make some school team or other. Nearly ten per cent of our study body earn a school letter sometime during the school year. Financing of the various school
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games has become a serious problem, particularly for the next few months. Football, which has in recent years become a money-maker for the Athletic Asso- ciation, did not make expenses during the past season owing to the fact that two of the three home dates were characterized by terrible weather. Baseball,. which is next in expense to football, makes practically no return for the large amount of money spent for equipment, officials, transportation, etc., track, cross country and hockey are a total loss financially. Basket- ball is an unknown quantity, although it is expected that it will be at least self-supporting this winter.
Musical interests of the school have been well taken care of. Glee clubs for both boys and girls are conducted by Miss Flint in addition to regular chorus work,harmony and music appreciation. The girls' glee club broadcast last year over Station WEEI, and the instrumental work has progressed rapidly under Mr. Hauck. We have, at the present time, an excel- lent well-balanced orchestra of nearly thirty pieces and a band of more than fifty pieces, and we are ex- tremely proud of both organizations. The band was equipped with uniforms in October and now makes a splendid appearance as well as performing brilliantly. We expect to compete in the Massachusetts Festival at Fall River in the spring.
Any review of the work in the high school invari- ably leads to a consideration of the handicaps of our two-session day. With 740 upperclass students in a building designed to accommodate approximately 675, it becomes necessary that some of the work of the upper classes be done in the afternoon session. The amount of work of this kind, undoubtedly, will
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be increased for the next school year. Should the in- crease in enrollment continue it would seem that it might be necessary, by September, 1939, to have two full'classes in the afternoon session from 1:00 to 5:00 instead of just the freshmen. It is, of course, apparent that the high school enrollment will not drop to a point where all the four years can be housed at once under the present plant We are now on the sixth year on the two-session basis. If parents wish adequate facilities and advantages for their children in the high school they should seriously consider the desirability of adding to the present high school plant in the very near future.
Leaving out the handicap of shortened periods for all, and fewer periods for freshmen, which are only two of the apparent handicaps, there still remains other equally, or more, serious points such as lack of time for a morning lunch period for the upperclass- men and the fact that the freshmen, for several months in the year, are forced to go home after it has become dark. Although many of these pupils receive trans- portation to points near their homes, there are many who walk distances nearly as great to remote and iso- lated sections of the Town. . This one factor alone should be enough to persuade any citizen of the Town of the desirability of having more reasonable hours for that younger group. For every possible advantage of a two platoon system there are many offsetting dis- advantages.
Respectfully submitted,
J. L. JORDAN.
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REPORT OF THE ART SUPERVISOR
December 22, 1937.
Mr. C. Edward Fisher, Superintendent of Schools, Braintree, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my report for the year 1937.
This year has been celebrated as the centennial of the founding of the first permanent State Board of Education unde the leadership of Horace Mann, leader in the fight for free public schools in America. In 1840 Horace Mann urged that American schools "give instruction in drawing and the elements of art." Thirty years later, in 1870, legislation was enacted which made compulsory the teaching of drawing in the pub- lic schools of Massachusetts.
Art education has changed much since that time and is still changing to meet the needs of the present day. We now see a definite movement or trend, in the organization of various handicraft clubs, hobby- shows, and sketch clubs which indicates a revival of interest in Art for leisure time activity. This is not simply a local manifestation-it is nation-wide, and of such importance that the Federal Government has seen fit to sponsor some of these activities in vari- ous communities all over the Country. We see a re- vival of such old time hand-work skills as wood-carv- ing, needle-point, knitting, crocheting, leather tool-
133
ing, rug making, and many others. The part that is most remarkable in this movement is that it includes the grown-ups as well as the young people
What has the art work in our schools to do with all this? It is an opportunity to definitely influence the children during their most impressionable years. If they appreciate and recognize good design and good composition in a picture, a pitcher, a doorway, good comoposition in a picture, a pitcher, a doorway, a rug, or a church window, they will naturally go on to create handwork of good design, thus have more beauty in their homes and live happier lives. They will not waste time, energy and materials making ugly "dodads and knick-knacks."
Our aim in our school work is two-fold: First :- since we do not expect à very large percentage of our children to become artists, we feel that if we can pre- pare them for fuller enjoyment of beauty in nature and in art we have given them something of value for the rest of their lives. We, therefore, study color and design in flowers, trees, birds, etc., and give them opportunities to create and draw with crayons, water- colors, colored papers, and chalk, expressions that may, or not, be beautiful. The resulting drawing is not nearly as important as the resulting mental reaction of the child. Children like to draw. In order that the same grades in all the schools cover the same sub- ject matter I give out graded monthly outlines of the work to be covered. These outlines are planned to fit the seasons and also include such subjects as figure and animal drawing, people and homes in other lands, various occupations, modes of travel, old and new. In many ways, with drawing and painting we enlarge and
134
enrich the study of history and geography. We make posters and booklets to teach health and safety. We have, at times, assisted in making stage scenery for plays and other dramatic productions.
Our second aim is to have the art work carried out in such a way that a talented child will find plenty of opportunity to increase his knowledge and skill so that if, in later years, he follows art as a vocation his work, even in the grade schools, will have been a definite contribution to his training for his life work. Opportunities for additional and outside work for such chilren are many.
The publication of several new school magazines has given the talented child opportunity to submit cover designs, title pages, illustrations, cartoons, etc. Posters are always in demand. Anyone who wants to can make them both in and outside of school, and bring them to the art class for criticism. In many dif- ferent ways we give opportunity for enough drawing and plenty of encouragement for the talented chil- dren.
In closing, I wish to thank Mr. Fisher, principals and teachers for their co-operation and active interest in the art work of the Braintree schcools.
Respectfully submitted,
RUTH H. JOHNSON.
REPORT OF THE VOCAL MUSIC SUPERVISOR December 31 1937.
Mr. C. Edward Fisher,
Superintendent of Schools, Braintree, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir:
The new social era has ushered in a new psychol-
135
ogy. Interest is more important than skill, tendency more important than status. What a person learns to love or hate is more important than what he learns to do. While technical progress is a real essential part of musical development, it must not be made the most important factor.
The great educational value of our school singing lies very largely in its emotional sincerity as an active experience, with the idea that our pupil groups feel what they sing and sing what they feel, in other words, the attitude with which the children approach the singing of a song is all important and has a determin- ing effect upon the educational value of the experience
In this report I wish to show how our main object- ives are planned to develop these attitudes and inter- est in our children in the vocal study.
The most important objectives of the first three years.
1. To help each individual child to use his singing voice well and to cause him to de- velop a definite feeling that singing is one of the most delightful activities of the school day.
2. To acquire a repertoire of many beautiful songs taught by rote.
3. To familiarize the children with the nota- tion of simple songs so through these songs may be laid the beginnings of a sound foundation of sight-singing and a keener understanding of music itself through the
136
study of notation.
No grades are more important than the first three for securing a favorable attitude so that singing may be one of the most pleasurable experiences in their young lives.
The main objectives of the three middle grades, fourth, fifth, and sixth grades.
1. To continue the development of the voice, through free, beautiful, joyous singing.
2. To develop skill and power principally with regard to pitch and rhythm repre- sented by notation leading to increased pleasure in singing, and a more discrim- inating appreciation of music.
3. To' acquire a repertoire of songs in one, two and three parts that will include living folk songs, patriotic and holiday songs that they can sing with great satisfaction in the child-voice that now is at the apex of per- fection. .
The main objectives of the seventh and eighth grades.
1.
1. To develop joyous musical expressive singing.
2. To develop the capacity to sing a large number of choruses in three and four parts with clear diction, proper phrasing, perfect
137
intonation, expressive tone quality, and a musically realistic interpretation.
3. To acquire further skill in recognizing hearing, and using more difficult tonal combinations in melody as well as more difficult rhythms. All this to be taught in relation with the song material studied, and that this shall lead to a more intelli- gent pleasure in music.
A genuine educational value of vocal music is its use in the social life of the school. Music programs are arranged for formal and informal occasions such as club meetings, parent-teacher meetings, school as- semblies, graduations, entertainments and operettas.
The outstanding performance last year was the operetta, "It Happened in Holland" presented by pu- pils of the Monatiquot School with a cast of a hun- dred and ten pupils.
These performance projects are carried on to arouse desire on the part of the pupils to perform music both alone and with others.
The following is quoted from a leading educator : "Of all the arts music will perhaps play the most im- portant part in the new social order. All persons are affected by it in some way, either through listening or through participation. In fact, one cannot conceive any respected social order without it. As it contrib- utes in large measure to the emotional and spiritual well-being of the individual, so it becomes a force for stability and culture in the nation."
133
In closing my report I wish to thank Mr. Fisher, principals, teachers, and all those who have shown an interest in the vocal music of the Braintree school children.
Respectfully submitted, INGRID E. EKMAN, Supervisor of Vocal Music.
REPORT OF THE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC INSTRUCTOR
December 22, 1937.
Mr. C. Edward Fisher,
Superintendent of Schools,
Braintree, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir :
I submit herewith my second annual report.
In my annual report for 1936 I outlined the gen- eral aims and basic purposes of instrumental music. In succession I wish to state briefly the various activi- ties employed in developing the forementioned ob- jectives :
1. Instruction in all orchestral and band in- struments through the incorporation of ac- cepted studio methods for private instruc- tion into a group methods for school use.
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2. Development of the pupils' reading ability and technical aptitude through training in solo and ensemble playing for personal, school and community use. Participation in the school orchestra or band under strict orchestral routine and discipline, thereby acquiring the sense of "team-work" so necessary in the social world of today.
3. Use of only good music thus enabling the pupil to acquire a knowledge of the best in orchestral and band literature.
4. Instruction and use of the Seashore Music Tests to determine the innate musical ca- pacities of each interested pupil.
During the past year the various instrumental groups have provided music for many school, com- munity, and other social events. Co-operating with other departments these organizations have been able to assist in the presentation of assemblies, sundry dramatics and pageants, operettas, a Memorial Day parade, P. T. A. programs, football games, and other community events.
Last May the high school band and orchestra, in collaboration with the glee club, conducted by Miss Carold Flint, presented their 1st Annual Music Fes- tival The public response was very gratifying and it is hoped that in succeeding years this event will be eagerly anticipated and supported.
The Braintree Public School Conservatory of Music is now functioning for the third consecutive year. Of-
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fering specialized instruction at a minimum cost, the Conservatory has enabled many children, unable to meet the requirements of private instruction, to study a musical instrument or elocution and dancing.
During the past year a fund, created by the Con- servatory, has made it possible to purchase the fol -- lowing instruments for use in the schools: 2 Trom- bones, 2 Clarinets, 1 Flute, 1 Snare Drum, 10 lyres for the High School Band. j
In closing I wish to express my sincere apprecia- tion to all those who so kindly co-operated with the department during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR P. HAUCK. :
REPORT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION INSTRUCTORS
:
December 22, 1937.
Mr. C. Edward Fisher, Superintendent of Schools, Braintree, Massachusetts.
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