USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1916-1918 > Part 30
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
cannot escape the condemnation, by shifting the responsibility to their shoulders. It is our work; and if it is done at all, we must do it.
But better days are at hand. The United States Govern- ment is unwilling that its greatest potential asset-our young boys and girls-should not be properly prepared for responsi- ble citizenship. The Employment Service recently organized is about to grapple with this problem, and is making an effort to establish a closer relationship between school and work. In all its branch offices is to be found a Vocational Counselor whose duty will be to handle all boys under eighteen who seek work. In case the boy shows no special aptitude he is ordered back to school and he is obliged to go back. On the other hand, where there is an evident trend or taste for a certain kind of work, the boy is placed in a position that will really advance him industrially. He is not allowed to take a "blind-alley" job that leads nowhere, as so many boys have done in the past. The boy who tries a dozen different jobs in as many months' time starts upon his career with a severe handicap and gives himself a very undesirable classification.
The fundamental aim of this service is to reduce the ranks of unskilled labor, and to save our boys from becoming useless driftwood-the flotsam and jetsam of society. This shows the evident drift towards paternalism; and those of us who are pos- sessed of an independent spirit, must regretfully admit that the social and political power of the individual is rapidly passing. The State is becoming more powerful day by day; the individ- ual is shrinking.
The reason for this transfer of power is not far to seek. The indifference and disregard of the individual shown tow- ards the most sacred obligations has forced the government into this line of conduct. If the individual will not assume this resposibility then the government must take it up as a matter
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
of self-protection. If parents cannot be induced to cooperate with local agencies to secure the desired results, then the gov- ernment will take up the work, and it has taken it up.
In spite of all the trying and irritating conditions that have hedged us about in our work this year we have all endeavored to pursue the even tenor of our way; and, in simple justice to those whose loyalty and fidelity in the work of their chosen calling have been so largely instrumental in achieving the suc- cess of our schools, I rejoice to say that the results attained are very satisfactory indeed.
We were very fortunate in securing a corps of good teach- ers. To be sure some few of them were without experience; but they know the subject matter they are teaching, are enthu- siastic in their work, are improving in discipline, and are well liked by their pupils.
On the whole the town is to be congratulated on the char- ' acter and quality of its teaching force. Many of them have been with us for years; their names have become household names and are always mentioned in terms of warmest appre- ciation and regard. And best of all they richly deserve it.
The primary grades at the beginning of the fall term were in a crowded condition and that remained true until recently. Forty pupils of this age are too many for one teacher to handle; but the scattered homes and impossible distances which these little folks would be obliged to travel to one central school, make any such change out of the question. Again, this element of our school population is changing each year. We would nct be justified in recommending the removal of one of our vacar t school buildings to some central location. These children are at present all comfortably housed, and our only problem has been to decide between a slower rate of progress for these pu- pils and the doubtful experiment of centralization.
The results of the change in the age limit of admission to
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
the public schools from 6 to 5 years, instituted a year ago, have become apparent and are producing the desired effect. Our fifth grade which heretofore has been accommodated in two rooms, was found to be too large for its original quarters and so at the beginning of the fall term the overflow was domiciled in the Payne School. The increase of membership in this grade shows that these pupils are getting an additional year's schooling before going to work, and gives us the material for a closer grading.
The work in the other schools below the Senior High, has been along the ordinary lines, and despite the many interrupt- ions, the usual standards have been maintained. In view of changes lately instituted in the Senior High School, I feel that the work we are attempting to do here deservcs something more than a general statement, and this fuller treatment I shall reserve for another place in this report.
In addition to the regular routine work of the schools, it may be of interest to those who read school reports, to offer in condensed form a list of some of the special activities, com- plete and incomplete, in which the schools have been engaged during the past year.
Physical Training.
In response to the general appeal from Boards of Educa- tion, State and National, and the repeated recommendation of our local school officials the subject of physical training was in- troduced into our school curriculum during the spring term of last year. We were fortunate enough to secure the services of Prof. Ernst Hermann who has been connected with Harvard University for some time and who also has charge of the work of this department in the schools of Somerville and Newton. He is thoroughly equipped for the work and imparts no small portion of his energy to his classes. There has been a very
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
noticeable toning up of the physical condition of our pupils since the work was begun and we feel assured that it has been a step in the right direction. These exercises are given every day in all the schools. In the grades the teacher super- vises the work and gives the instruction. In the Junior and Senior High, the boys and girls conduct the exercises in sep- arate rooms, under the direction of some leader selected by the teacher, who simply supervises the work. All are obliged to take part unless excused by the school or family physician. Such excuses are rare as all seem to enjoy the work. The in- centive to leadership, the development of a genuine school spirit and of self-control are not the least among the many ex- cellent results of this indispensable training.
Art Exhibits.
During the year the Public Library has become a member of the Library Association and is thereby entitled to receive on an average of once a month a set of pictures illustrating some phase of art. These vary in subject matter from reproductions of the old masters to the mere photographic illustrations of some modern industrial activity or process, and furnish a very valuable means of educating our pupils along these various lines.
Through the courtesy of the Library Trustees and the hearty cooperation of the Librarian, we are permitted to place these pictures along the halls and corridors of our two principal school buildings where they are allowed to remain for a week or ten days. This offers great advantages to our pupils along cultural lines. They can become acquainted with the great masters and learn to appreciate their works. All true art is inspiring and ennobling and uplifting. A good picture appeals duectly to the best that is in us; and it seems impossible that the companionship of these works, briet though it be, should
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
fail to leave an impress upon the minds and hearts of young people that shall influence them long after school days are over. They are our silent teachers, but their works endure. I am try- ing to find some capable person who is willing to explain these pictures to the pupils. I would gladly give a period a week for this purpose. The trouble is that our artist friends are altogeth- er too modest.
School Exhibit.
The annual school exhibit was held in the Town Hall the latter part of May, and was well attended. To many of the parents it furnished the only opportunity to inspect and com- pare the work of their own children with that of others, and for this reason every child's work should have a place in the display. Parents are disappointed, too, if they do not find it there and are inclined to belittle the whole exhibit on that ac- count.
On the whole the exhibit was conceded by both parents and visitors to rank high. We heard no adverse criticism; sur- prise and commendation were expressed in about equal meas- ure. The work of the Domestic Science and Manual Training departments required a large amount of space and for this rea- son perhaps the other school work was not so favorably dis- played. Plans are already in mind to relieve this pressure and we hope another year to give each department equal privilege and opportunity.
Promotions, Diplomas and Certificates of Attendance.
l sincerely regret the necessity for further reference to these matters; but from an experience gained during the month of June, I am satisfied that a restatement of the terms upon which promotions are based will not come amiss although it may be considered by some as a meaningless repetition.
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
The standard of seventy per cent as a passing mark, we consider reasonable and fair to all concerned. The school has a rank and standing to be maintained and the pupil must be required to make commendable effort. If a High School diploma is worth its face value -means just what it says in full measure -it is a very valuable asset to its possessor. It is a guaranty of good work, and of the integrity of school officials. It is some- thing worth striving for and most pupils are willing to work hard to obtain it. This is not, however, the class of pupils that claim to have been treated unfairly or that have any grievance. It is the pupil who does not apply himself that tries to make the trouble. To all such let it be said that a diploma is for de- serving pupils only, and that a near-senior is as far from a di- ploma as a freshman.
All promotions and graduating requirements are made upon the basis of the passing mark already mentioned, seventy per cent. If a pupil is slow in his methods of work, he has the privilege of repeating his subject the next year. If after re- peated trials and failures a pupil completes the four years' at- tendance in the Senior High School, he is awarded a certificate of attendance which does not guarantee the character of his work nor of his conduct.
Two Sessions for the Senior High School.
Acting upon the recommendations of the State Board of Education and the express wish of a majority of the parents, the School Committee adopted the two-session plan for the Senior High School. This plan was put in force at the begin- ning of the fall term in September and everything is working as smoothly as could be wished.
Under this plan more of the work is done in the school rooms; the home work is somewhat reduced and opportunity
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
is given the pupils to have the noon meal in their own homes. It keeps the pupils off the street; the nervous rush and flying from one thing to another has been eliminated; there is more time for laboratory work and for making up work; less occasion for flunking; and the teacher can compel pupils to complete each day's work as it becomes due. Best of all the door of op- portunity to avoid recitations and makeup work by "squeaking by" is gradually closing. Better work is demanded and is being obtained. When the pupil is fully convinced that escape from required work is impossible, he will find a new interest in his books and his scholarship will improve.
This plan, too, permits a closer coordination in the work of the two High Schools. Pupils in the Junior High School re- cite with the classes of the Senior High if their course calls for an extended period of preparation as some of the subjects in the college course require or make desirable. The reverse of this is also true. A Senior High pupil may recite or make up review work with classes in the Junior High. This should have a tendency to produce a greater degree of thoroughness in the work of the High School classes as few of them have any de- sire to make recitations in a lower school.
All this cannot be accomplished in a single term or a single year. But I am convinced that we are on the right road and that the results to be secured in the future will fully justify the change.
The transportation problem has been somewhat simplified as every school in the system begins at the same hour. This does away with waiting about for the afternoon jitney as was the practice under the old arrangement.
Every precaution has been taken to safeguard the welfare of those who "stay at noon." The girls of the Senior High are obliged to spend the noon hour in the Winthrop Building di- rectly under the eye of the teacher in charge. The boys remain
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
in the Manning Building under the charge of Mr. Jackman.
Salaries.
Teachers' salaries have been raised during the year to a point still far below that received in the industries. A bonus has also been granted which will remain in effect only so long as the present high cost of living continues. This increase was imperative. It should be bourne in mind that the amount paid our teachers does not represent the net sum which they may call their own. The Teachers' Retirement Fund calls for five per cent. of the gross amount received and must in all cases be equal to or $35. per annum. To satisfy this requirement the salary must be equal to $700., a sum in excess of the salary re- ceived by the majority of our teachers before the bonus of $50. per year was granted them.
We made strict inquiries as to the salaries paid in other towns of the same population and wealth as our own, and in no case was our schedule equal to those of the places invest- igated.
Many of our teachers compare very favorably with those in other towns and cities receiving nearly twice what ours re- ceive. They are industrious, conscientious, and loyal to the in- terests of the school. They have had experience and are fully prepared to render the best possible service. Under these cir- cumstances, I feel that in those cases where especial fitness and evidences of good work are discernible, it would be a matter of simple justice to allow the bonus recently awarded to become a part of the permanent salary of the most successful teachers. These are the teachers we must retain if we wish to maintain the present standard of our schools.
It is by no means certain what the next salary movement is to be. Present indications seem to point to a higher level. Many who left teaching to go into the service or to accept
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
government positions will not return to school work. The sum total of these cases will constitute a tremendous aggregate, and reduce our available teaching force to a very small contingent.
Again, many of those who had prepared for Normal school training did not attend Normal schools at all, but accepted clerical or other positions where the salary was much higher than that paid by the schools, Industrial conditions may force some of these back to the Normal school. But even then the depletion of the upper classes in our High School is bound to be reflected in our Normal school enrollment for one or two years. This will cause a scarcity of trained teachers, for whom school official will pay an advance before accepting the ser- vices of an untrained and inexperienced teacher. If we wish to retain our best teachers, wa must meet this competition.
Candlewood School.
The school in the Candlewood district has been re-opened. Nineteen pupils are in attendance. This change is the result of threatened suspension of car service, lack of other transporta- tion facilities, and the express wish of parents in that section. It furnishes the best illustration for the satisfactory settlement of the transportation problem that is to be found anywhere. It re- lieves the parents of a burden of anxiety as the children are more directly under the influence of the homes, and should pro- mote the moral, physical, and intellectual welfare of the chil- dren. Best of all it will develop a love of home and teach our boys that farming or working upon the land, though hard work, is both healthful and honorable, and even needful if the present tendency to rush to the cities is to be checked. It may also offer a partial solution for the farmers' help-problem, and sup- ply us with a stock of good, sturdy boys and girls, who shall know their rights and dare maintain them. I see no reason why the rural school should not measure up to the standard of
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
town or city schools provided other things are equal. The teach- er, not the locality, makes the school.
Branch Libraries.
Branch Libraries have been established at the Linebrook and Candlewood schools. A selected list of books is sent to the teachers of these respective schools, who act as librarians. The books are distributed and exchanged among parents and pupils alike according to the requirements and tastes of each. How such an arrangement is helpful and beneficial is too ob- vious to all. Further comment is unnecessary.
Courses for Evening School Teachers.
Teachers in the evening school have taken the full courses offered by the Massachusetts Board of Education, "How to Teach the Immigrant." Better results are already apparent.
Teachers' Meetings.
Teachers' meetings are held once a fortnight, in room 3 of the Manning School on alternate Wednesday afternoons at 3.45 o'clock. Owing to pressure of other work this schedule has not been held to so strictly as it should have been, but as things work back to normal conditions improvement is to be ex- pected.
It is hoped that all who are interested in educational prob- lems or methods will avail themselves of the opportunity to at- tend these meetings and to take part in the discussions. We also strongly urge all those who have a place on our substitute teachers' list to attend these meetings as a part of the teaching force.
No School Signals.
The old system gave rise to so much confusion and
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
uncertainty that the following change was made necessary: 4 blasts at 7.30:
No morning session in any school.
4 blasts at 8.00:
No morning session in the first six grades.
4 blasts at 11.00:
No afternoon session in any school.
4 blasts at 11.30:
No afternoon session in the first six grades.
In the absence of any signal at 11.00 the afternoon session for the Junior and Senior High Schools will be held as usual. Teachers and pupils must be present at such sessions as on other days. Excuses and make-up work must be required from all pupils who absent themselves at such times. No signal at 11.30 indicates that the regular afternoon sessions for the first six grades are to be held as on other days. All should bear in mind that the 7.30 or the 8.00 o'clock signal does not excuse teachers or pupils for the entire day. In case of clearing weath- er during the forenoon, afternoon sessions will be held as usual.
Penny Savings.
In one particular our schools were prepared for war. The penny savings which started from such feeble beginnings, had laid the foundation upon which the war movement has built a most pretentious structure.
Under present conditions it is impossible to itemize the re- ceipts and disbursemennts under appropriate heads; as, on some days all the receipts were expended for thrift stamps, or war saving stamps; on other days pupils withdrew from their deposits for the same purpose. The money is collected from each school, except the Senior High School, every week and will average about $45. per week.
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
The table below will show ths amount of money which the children in the various schools have saved during the year, and the manner in which they have invested the same:
Amount on hand Feb. 1, 1918
$373 5S
Withdrawn for new Savings Bank Book
$158 00
Withdrawn for Thrift Stamps
25 58
178 58
Balance on hand Feb. 1, 1919
$195 00
Liberty Bonds
War Sav. Stamps
Thrift Stamps
Total
Wainwright School
500
.165
17.00
682.00
Cogswell School
600
80
23.25
703.25
Payne School
200
240
46:50
486.50
Dennison School
400
340
29.50
769.50
Burley School
650
565
105.25
1320.25
Winthrop School
3750
1790
102.00
5642.00
High School
5150
1395
46.75
6591.75
Candlewood School
50
30
6.00
86.00
Grape Island School
50
50.00
11350
4605
376.25
16331.25
It should be said that these results are in a large measure due to the enthusiasm and hard work of the teachers who have tried to teach a very practical type of patriotism. In some cases individual rooms have gone "over the top." Other rooms lacked but a few purchasers of doing the same.
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
This showing is extremely gratifying from many points of view. It shows that a large portion of our pupils are acquiring the thrift habit, which, if persisted in until the habit becomes firmly established, will be of inestimable advantage to them all through life. We understand that these stamps are to be on sale for another year at least and we hope that parents will urge their children to continue to purchase them even though the enthusiasm of the movement does subside a little. A small bank account or a few war saving stamps may prove a deter- mining factor in the career of many a boy or girl. The advan- tages of systematic savings are very many and cannot be too strongly emphasized.
Repairs and Improvements.
Repairs have been kept at the lowest possible point con- sistent with real economy. The cost of material has been be- yond our reach and labor was not to be had. The one prin- cipal item of work undertaken was the attempt to improve the heating and ventilating in the Manning School Building. This was done during the summer vacation and if continuous use is to be considered a test we are justified in saying that the work was successful. At present we can direct the heat where it is needed as we can control its distribution, something we have been unable to do heretofore. In addition to this we are making a considerable saving in fuel.
The central plot in the school yard has not heen neglected. We have transplanted fifty Mountain Laurels, twelve Canadian Yews, and twelve Dogwoods or Flowering Cornels. If these survive the winter they should make one mass of bloom by an- other season.
We are in hopes to complete the work on this plot in the spring, and to give our attention to the grounds in the rear of the buildings.
-
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
Teachers' Classes.
A class in educational psychology, with a particular empha- sis on the teaching of history, has just been started. The class is composed of the teachers of the first eight grades, and is un- der the instruction of the agent of the University Extension De- partment of the State Board of Education.
A few of our teachers have cempleted one or more courses under this Department, and our plan is to have all en- gage in this work as a sort of post-graduate study. This will help us to keep in touch with the latest and best methods of in- struction, as well as to enable us to pursue some branch of study as our work or taste may dictate.
Dental Clinic.
Through the efforts of the School Physician a dental clinic has been established at the Cable Memorial Hospital with Dr. Kyes and Dr. Smith in charge. For further information as to the work of this department you are referred to the special re- ports of the School Physician and the School Nurse to be found in another place.
Lectures-Excur sions.
Illustrated lectures and school talks have been confined to very narrow limits on account of the large amount of time lost by the epidemic and from other causes, chief among which has been the uncertain car service.
Our community welfare work has suffered from the same cause as also have our contemplated excursions to local historic places under the guidance of Rev. T. Frank Waters who has generously consented to accompany such classes. We are in hopes to have all these activities in full swing acoording to a well selected program by the beginning of the spring term.
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
School Orchestra-Glee Club.
It is with feelings of the greatest satisfaction that I make an- nouncement of these two school activities. The glee club was started a few years ago and had made a steady progress and growth up to last September, when its influence began to ex- tend and resulted in a phenominal growth in membership and musical ability. In fact the whole school is showing an in- creasing interest in things musical.
The school orchestra after many attempts and failures has at last established itself as a major school activity and ยท has en- titled itself to consideration as an important factor in the up- building of a desirable school influence. Under the direction of Miss Lewis, the science teacher, an organization was effected and practice work and rehearsals have continued weekly up to the present time. With a fair rate of growth and constant prac- tice, this orchestra should soon be able to furnish the music for all our school functions. Further comment here is unnecessary as these topics will be discussed in the report of the Super- visor.
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