USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1919 > Part 7
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In order that the citizens of our town may have a clearer conception of the legal requirements that compel an increased school appropriation, we are inserting an abstract of such laws as have a direct bearing upon the matter:
GENERAL ACT.
[Chap. 363.]
An Act to Provide for the Distribution of a Portion of the In- come Tax, and of the Income of the Massachusetts School Fund, for the purpose of Improving the Public Schools.
Be it enacted, etc., as follows:
Part I.
Section 1. The treasurer and receiver general shall, on or before the fifteenth day of November, nineteen hundred and nineteen, and annually thereafter, set aside from the proceeds of the income tax a sum of money sufficient to provide for the pur- poses of Part I of this act, and which shall be available therefor without further appropriation by the general court.
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Section 2. The treasurer and receiver general shall, as herein provided, distribute said sum on or before the fifteenth day of November, nineteen hundred and nineteen and annually thereafter, to the several cities and towns of the commonwealth as reimbursement, in part, for expenditures for salaries of teachers, supervisors, principals, assistant superintendents, and superintendents of schools, for services rendered in the public day schools during the year ending on the thirtieth day of June next preceding.
Section 3. For each person employed for full-time service for the entire school year as teacher, supervisor, principal, as- sistant superintendent, or superintendent of schools, the city or town shall be reimbursed as follows :-
(1) Two hundred dollars for every such person who has received as salary not less than eight hundred and fifty dollars and who is a graduate of an approved normal school or college and has had at least two years teaching experience or who pos- sesses preparation and teaching experience accepted in lieu thereof.
(2) One hundred and fifty dollars for every such person, not included in the foregoing classification. who has received as salary not less than seven hundred and fifty dollars and (a) who has satisfactorily completed one year of professional training in an approved normal school or teachers' training school, and has had at least three years of teaching experience; or (b) is a grad- uate of an approved normal school or college, and has had at least one year of teaching experience; or (c) who possesses prep- aration and teaching experience accepted in lieu of either of the foregoing requirements in this paragraph.
(3) One hundred dollars for every such person, not includ- ed in either paragraphs (1) or (2), who has received as salary not less than six hundred and fifty dollars.
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Section 4. For each teacher, supervisor, principal, assist- ant superintendent, or superintendent of schools, employed for less than full-time service for the school year, the city or town shall be reimbursed such a fractional part of the corresponding reimbursement for full-time service provided for in section three of this act as that service bore to full-time service: provided, however, that the person for whom the reimbursement is claimed shall have met the corresponding requirements of cer- tification, if any, specified in section three, and shall have re- ceived as salary an amount not less than that fraction of the corresponding salary for full-time service specified in section three.
Section 8. The superintendent of schools shall, under oath, file with the commissioner of education, not later than the first day of August, nineteen hundred and twenty, and of each year thereafter, a statement containing such data as may be neces- sary for the purposes of Part I of this act, upon blanks prepared by the commissioner. Before filing the said statement the su- perintendent of schools shall submit it to the chairman of the school committee for examination and counter signature under oath. The commissioner of education shall cause the said state- ments to be examined and shall transmit them to the treasurer and receiver general, together with a tabulation showing the amount due to each city and town.
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GENERAL ACT.
[Chap. 277.]
An Act to Determine the Number of Children Retarded in Men- tal Development and to Provide for Their Instruction.
Be it enacted, etc., as follows:
Section 1. The school committee of each city and town shall, within one year after the passage of this act, and annually thereafter, ascertain, under regulations prescribed by the board of education and the director of the commission on mental dis- eases, the number of children three years or more retarded in mental development who are in attendance upon the public schools of its city or town, or who are of school age and reside therein.
Section 2. At the beginning of the school year of nineteen hundred and twenty, the school committee of each city and town in which there are ten or more children three years or more so retarded shall establish special classes to give such children instruction adapted to their mental attainments, under regulations prescribed by the board of education. ]Approved July 1, 1919.
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BUDGET.
Just what sum will be needed to meet our financial require- ment this year is extremely uncertain. We feel that the peak of prices has been reached, but the trend is still upwards; and when this movement will stop, no one can tell. So we wish it to be understood that, in submitting these figures, you are to consider them as tentative rather than as fixed and absolute, though they have been calculated upon the basis of the best judgment of the School Board.
Budget.
General Expense
$ 4125.
Teachers' Salaries
40500.
Text Books and Supplies
4100.
Tuition
216.
Transportation
2900.
Janitor Service
3100.
Fuel and Light
4250.
Buildings and Grounds
3500.
Furniture and Furnishings
400.
Diplomas
50.
Insurance
300.
Miscellaneous
200.
$63641.
The above footing represents the gross amount asked for at the present time, and is to be reduced by the amount of return- items of revenue from the sources indicated on the following page. This, also, is an estimate; but, based on the data at hand
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. IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
at the present time, it is approximately correct.
Returns.
From the State:
On salaries of 26 teachers at $200.
$5200.
60 66 3 150.
450.
4 " 66 100.
400.
2
(part time)
200.
Minor State Wards
200.
Grape Island
160.
Tuition, Beverly Industrial School
216.
$6826.
$6826.
Town of Rowley:
Tuition of Pupils
$2400.
$2400.
Total
$9226.
Considering these totals as fairly representing our require- ment, the account stands thus:
Gross
$63641.
Receipts
9226.
Net
$54415
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.
We wish to make acknowledgment of the various gifts and donations received by the schools during the year. First among these are two valuable pictures from Mrs. F. B. Harrington
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of Argilla Road. The larger of these has been hung in the low- er corridor and the other in one of the smaller recitation rooms, where they add very much to the attractiveness of these posi- tions. A few other gifts have been received with the request that the names of the donors be withheld.
We wish to express our gratitude to Prof. and Mrs. Bailey; to Mrs. Harland Burke and the Misses Bailey and Stanford and all others who by their punctual attendance upon the Commun- ity Chorus rehearsals assured the success of these gatherings. Especially are our thanks due to Mrs. H. K. Damon and Mrs. M. C. McGinley and their corps of able assistants for their splen- did work in connection with our Field Day exercises.
Our thanks are due also to the Chief of Police and the indi- vidual members of his department for their assistance given the Attendance Officer in the discharge of his onerous duties; to Mr. J. A. Huckins and his department for their continued inter- est in and care for the school grounds; to the janitors for their loyal- ty and the interest shown in their work; and to all those who have contributed in any degree towards making our schools a strong- er and more vital force in this community.
We have tried to think of every child as being great, at least potentially, and we have striven to give to each and every one of them, without distinction of "border or breed or birth," that physical, mental and moral training that shall fit him for true and wholesome living and for noble citizenship. To this end we have employed the best teachers available and kept our schools free from the taint of political influence.
Whatever advance or progress has been made in these di- rections is due solely to the loyalty and co-operation of parents, teachers and school officials, and to all these l extend my heart- felt thanks.
JOSEPH I. HORTON, Superintendent of Schools.
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
You are requested to give your closest attention to the sub- sidiary reports to be found on the following pages:
Principal of the Junior High School.
Head of Domestic Science Department.
Head of Manual Training Department.
Supervisor of Music.
Supervisor of Drawing.
Physical Instructor.
School Physician.
School Nurse.
Attendance Officer.
JOSEPH I. HORTON.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL.
To the Superintendent of Schools,
Ipswich, Mass.
Dear Sir :- The report of the Junior High School for 1919 will be very brief. Few changes have been made. The courses of
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study have remained the same as outlined in previous reports.
During the year the pupils have made steady progress in their studies. There has been very little interruption this year as far as illness of pupils may be concerned. Some of our teachers, however, have been ill and we have had many sub- stitute teachers.
Our Junior High School this year is very large. One hun- dred and fifty-five pupils have. been enrolled this past term. This number exceeds last year by forty-three. Our number was greatly increased the first week of December when pupils were promoted on trial from the sixth grades to the seventh and from the seventh to the eighth grades. Most of these chil- dren will be able to carry along the work of their new grade with credit to themselves.
We have but one pupil taking Latin this year.
Much work has been done in physical training. During the fall term when the weather permitted the girls have enjoyed basket ball. While these girls were on the playground, others were engaged in folk dancing or in the regular setting-up exer- cises undcr the direction of their chosen captains. The boys, also, have their captains who lead them in the setting-up exer- cises. Many very good leaders have been found among our pupils. Co-operation on the part of all has been excellent. Those who attended our first Field Day last June will have ob- tained a good idea of the work along this line.
Three subjects have had our especial attention this past year-mental arithmetic, oral composition and penmanship. The pupils have gained much power in mental arithmetic and oral composition. There is yet a very great deal to be done. The penmanship hasn't improved as much as we would like to have it. Many of the pupils have not acquired a free arm move- ment and the formation of their letters is far from good. With more persistent effort on part of teachers and pupils a decided
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improvement is expected.
By visiting the annual school exhibition parents and friends will be able to see a sample of the work done in every subject.
Much less has been done in club work this year. During the summer twelve girls carried on the work of the State Can- ning Club. An exhibition was held in the fall and prizes award- ed for the three best exhibits. Two poultry clubs were organ- ized -- one for the spring laying contest and the other for the winter contest. We also had a small pig club. One of the boys of this club has recently received a cash prize from the State for his good work. This last month a bread making club has been formed. This club will be personally directed by one of our Ipswich girls who is a student at the Essex Agricultural School.
On December twenty-second the members of the junior high school presented a "Forefathers" entertainment in Manning Hall.
The program consisted of music, compositions, recitations, dialogues and a drill. A wonderful school spirit was manifest- . ed by the pupils in the preparation of this entertainment. As a result every child acquitted himself with credit. The presence of many of the parents and friends of the pupils was very grat- ifying. The preparation of a program of this nature necessi- tates much work, both on the part of pupils and teachers, It would have been much appreciated if each child had been en- couraged by the presence of some member of his family.
In the early part of the year pupil government was tried in the school. It proved very successful. In most cases pupils showed good judgment in the selection of their officers, and on the other hand the officers proved themselves able and efficient managers. The offending pupils always received their punish- ment in a friendly manner. This kind of discipline trained the children to become more watchful of themselves and to be more trustworthy and self-reliant.
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During the coming year it should be the aim of every teach- er to inculcate into the minds of their pupils that happiness con- sists of feeling that they are a part of the great world plan and that they must lend themselves to the full measure of their ca- pacities each according to his abilities; that happiness consists of knowing right from wrong and that character is the found- ation of all success in life. Also teachers must cultivate a high feeling of patriotic pride and enthusiasm for whatever concerns the honor and the dignity of our country.
Respectfully submitted,
KATHARINE F. SULLIVAN
DOMESTIC SCIENCE.
COOKING.
To the Superintendent of Schools,
Ipswich, Mass.
Dear Sir :- The work in the cooking classes is planned to give the girls a knowledge of food material and its preparation. The
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general classes of food are studied, their composition, use in the body and various examples of food in each class are given. This work gives the girls ideas about making menus. They be- come interested in household tasks and are more helpful at home.
In the fall of the year the townspeople sent in material to be canned and preserved. In this way the girls gained a prac- tical as well as a theorical knowledge of canning and preser- ving and found a ready disposal of all materials. In many cases the girls brought in their own fruit to be canned or made into jelly and this added to their interest. The vegetables canned were corn and tomatoes. All fall fruits were canned: plums, pears, apples, peaches and quinces; and conserves, mar- malades and jellies of various kinds were made. After the fruits were gone pickling was taken up and practical work was done along this line.
Next the girls prepared simple and nutritious dishes which . are suitable for breakfast. The recipes are chosen which are cheap and yet furnish a high food value.
After this work dishes for luncheon and supper were made. Several lessons were given up to the study of bread. This is a very practical subject to take up but, owing to the shortness of the cooking periods, it is a difficult one to plan.
The food materials which are used in the class a are studied with regard to their origin and preparation for market. The course is not planned wholly on the meal basis system, for this does not prove economical or practical. The food principles and various ways of cooking have to be considered, and food left from the day before must be used up, if the child is taught economy.
Instruction in housekeeping is correlated with cooking. Dish-washing, sweeping, cleaning, washing of dish towels is a
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lesson. The girls take turns being housekeepers and have these special duties to perform.
One afternoon of each week after school hours the High School girls are given instruction in cooking. The work is along the same lines as that in the grades, but is somewhat more advanced. The time is short, so that the actual cooking of certain dishcs which require much time has to be omitted.
All work done in this department is of a practical nature and aims to make the girls neat, capable and economical house- keepers.
Respectfully submitted, MARION BROWN.
SEWING.
To the Superintendent of Schools,
Ipswich, Mass.
Dear Sir :--
The work in the Sewing Department is planned to teach the girls the fundamental stitches and how to apply them on simple garments. The girls are taught the use of commer- cial patterns, the planning and cutting of material in the most economical way. Comparison is made between home-made and ready-made clothing with regard to durability and econ- omy.
The work is begun in the fifth grade. The child learns the stitches on a practice-piece and then applies them on the article she is making. Bean bags or iron holders are made first, then school bags or sewing bags. On these articles the child learns all the plain stitches. Then she may make some simple gar- ment that she needs. The need and capability of the child is
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always considered. Some girls, even in the fifth grade, have helped with the sewing at home and are able to make quite dif- ficult articles of clothing. They would lose interest if required to make simple things, and so it is impossible to keep all the class working on the same article. Two fifth grade girls are now busy on simple dresses for themselves.
In the sixth grade one small article is made by hand. There the child may use the sewing machine on the long seams of her other garments. It takes much time and patience to learn to stitch straight. Nightgowns, princess slips, bloomers, petticoats and aprons of different kinds are made in this grade.
In the seventh grade the girls have but one half year of sewing. They get more practice in the use of the machines while making their cooking outfits which consist of an apron, cap, towel and holder. This class has also done work sent in by townspeople. Repair work and darning is taught, garments being brought from home to be repaired.
In the eighth grade the work is more advanced. Various articles of clothing are made including underwear, blouses, dres- ses and skirts.
The High School girls have two periods a week of sewing. They are able to sew with very little instruction and much of their work is done at home. They are allowed to make any ar- ticle of clothing that they need. In many cases they sew for others in their family. They may do fancy work just before Christ- mas and many of their Christmas presents are made in the sew- ing room.
This year the girls in the Candlewood and Linebrook schools have been given instruction in sewing. The class meets every two weeks. They seem very interested in the work and are doing very well for beginners. They have made bean bags or iron holders and now are working on a sim ple undergarment or apron.
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This course aims to teach the girls to make and repair their own clothes. Many girls who find it hard to learn from books are very clever with their hands.
Respectfully submitted,
MARION BROWN.
MUSIC.
To the Superintendent of Schools, Ipswich, Mass.
Dear Sir :-
In accordance with your request, I am submitting a report of the music department of the Ipswich Public Schools.
The methods employed and the books and course of study in use at the present time are the same as last year.
The music in the grades and also in the High School is pro- gressing most satisfactorily. Concerts were given by the Junior High and also the Glee Club of the Senior High last year, and the interest shown seemed to be rather more than in previous years. The girls of the High School conducted a tag-day, for the purpose of obtaining money to purchase a bronze tablet, containing the names of the High School alumni who took part
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in the World War. As this did not net us enough to obtain the tablet, the money received from the proceeds of the comic opera "Captain Crossbones" will be donated to this purpose also. May I say just a word in regard to the opera?
Great credit should be give our High School pupils for at- tempting such an elaborate production, as nothing of the kind has ever before been presented by our boys and girls. With the great amount of interest shown, it promises to be a success.
In closing, may I offer a few suggestions for the betterment of the music in our schools.
1 That three periods a week be devoted to music in the Junior High instead of two as at present.
2 That the music period be changed from the last period of the day, to the first period in the morning, the only logical time for music study. This should apply to all grades.
3 That two periods a week be granted the High School for music instead of one as at present, If necessary, the periods could be made shorter than at present.
4 That the study of harmony and theory be introduced into the High School. Also one period of music appreciation each week.
5 Credit for outside music study should be granted to any pupil who desires the same, following the course of study re- commended by the director of music. May I ask your very careful consideration of the latter? The above suggestions would be of the utmost value to our pupils.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR HAROLD TOZER.
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
DRAWING.
To the Superintendent of Schools,
Ipswich, Mass.
Dear Sir :---
It gives me pleasure to submit my first report on the Art Work in the schools of Ipswich since September, 1919.
In the first four grades, the progressive method of drawing, outlined by the Massachusetts Normal Art School, has been used since my work began in the schools of Ipswich. The pur- pose of this method is to develop the pencil habit, that is, the power to draw freely and fluently forms of practical utility which the majority of people find it useful to represent. The aim is to build up a serviceable vocabulary, so to speak, for use at all times, when we have to draw from memory without the aid of models. It is impossible to teach the children to draw all the needed forms. This descriptive drawing is wholly de- pendent upon the memory images that we have stored away. In selecting the forms to memorize for our graphic vocabulary, we find that the majority of things are built upon the rectangle, square, triangle, and circle. The house, barn, and furnishings are really made on the type forms and their modifications. If the typical form is memorized and can be turned in any position without reference to the model, that is, if the form is really a
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part of the pupil's own mental furniture, it is an easy matter for him to add the details and complete the story.
In the two upper grades and in the junior high, the per- spective drawing is taught and I hope to take up elementary construction drawing and simple working drawings in the jun- ior high, preparatory to more advanced work in the high school.
Color work and nature painting are taken up in the fall and spring.
The materials used in the Art Work in the grades are pen- cil, crayons, brush and ink, and water colors.
In the high school, the perspective principles are carried out in a more advanced form in the freshman freehand drawing class. In the sophomore, junior, and senior freehand drawing classes, shaded work has been taught in both pencil and char- coal. The Committee has furnished us with some very fine casts which the pupils are working from with very great inter- est.
Principles of design will be taken up and applied in mak- ing different things in leather, such as pocket books, scissors cases, etc.
The work in mechanical drawing includes geometric prob- lems, working drawings, and sectional views, in preparation for technical schools.
In closing I wish to thank the Superintendent and the School Committee for their sincere support, and the teachers for their co-operation and willingness in carrying out the lesson plans.
Respectfully submitted,
ANNA L. NASON.
-
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MANUAL TRAINING.
To the Superintendent of Schools,
Ipswich, Mass.
Dear Sir :-
The work of this department has been continued along the same general lines as those of last year.
At the beginning of the fall term it became necessary to en- large the plant to the limit of capacity in order to accommo- date the increasing number of pupils. The work-benches were taken up and rearranged with a view to giving the best possible working conditions to a maximum number of pupils to a class. New benches with their equipment of tools were purchased and put in place. Additional drop-lights were installed, so that each bench has the proper amount of light. Under the new arrangement all the floor space has been most economically utilized and meets fairly well the requirements of sanitary and healthful working conditions. Lack of heat in extremely cold weather is our only draw-back.
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