USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1920 > Part 7
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the School Committee of the Town of Ipswich, Mass., Gentlemen :-
This is the nineteenth in a series of reports issued from tbe offices of Superintendent of Schools and the fifth by the present incumbent.
It is with no small degree of satisfaction that we advise you of the steady growth and uniform progress of the schools under your charge. Our schools to-dav have a larger enrollment than ever before in the history of the Town. The number of teachers employed is also the highest on record. In fact, all the available school room has been brought into use; and at the present rate of increase it will be but a short time before we shall have to pro- vide further accommodations.
At the beginning of the long vacation last July it .was evi- dent, judging from what data we could collect, that we should be obliged to make use of the small, one room building, in the yard of the Payne School. This building, although vacant . for some years, had remained undisturbed so far as its equipment was concerned, and, with a thorough cleansing of walls, desks, and floors, and the replacing of a few desks, was soon put into condition for the new class which filled it to capacity the very first day.
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Miss Frances Trussell, who formerly taught in the lower room of the Payne School, was put in charge and Mrs. Millard was transferred from the Cogswell School to take the place made vacant by the withdrawal of Miss Trussell.
This change accomplished another very desirable object. It reduced the number of two-grade rooms, and gave us three straight grades in this district, each accommodated in a single room under the management of a single teacher.
The housing of our school children was a matter of extreme uncertainty throughout the whole vacation period. The state- ment that the Greek people in this community were about to withdraw their children from the public schools, caused us to hesitate in making any provision for a greatly increased number of children. If these people should carry their designs into eff- ect, no extra accommodations would be needed. Should they fail to do so, then we should be obliged to provide for the total number. All our plans therefore were accompanied by doubt and misgiving lest all the work we should do might be un- necessary and finally go for nought. '
But at last, about ten days before the opening of the schools, it became evident that the school officials would have to pro- vide the extra accommodations and extra teachers as well.
Accordingly, the Warren St. School, which had from the beginning of the World War been given over to Red Cross and other welfare work, was cleared and thoroughly cleansed. Desks, formerly used in the study hall of the Manning School, were brought in and both rooms refurnished without the purchase of a single piece of new furnitute. Of course, the desks were too large for children of these grades, but where it was impossible to make a suitable adjustment in the desk itself, a foot rest was installed to secure a proper and comfortable seat for each and every pupil. Aside from the awkward appearance of the fur- nishings, these rooms are adequately furnished for all practical
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school purposes.
We were extremely fortunate in securing, at the very last moment, the services of Miss Helen W. Marr, a training-school graduate and a teacher of experience, for the fourth grade. Miss Eva A. Willcomb was transferred from the Winthrop School to take charge of the fifth grade.
Considerable changes were made in the seating arrange- ments of the Manning High School during the summer vacation. Nearly all the desks were resurfaced. Those in the bookkeep- ing room at the front of the large Hall were brought down and rearranged in double rows in room 5 on the second floor. The · typewriting desks were carried across the hall-way into the room adjoining thus bringing the whole commercial department of the school into one compact body from which all changes could be made with least waste of time and effort.
By this arrangement the large hall is left free for chapel ex- ercises, lectures and school entertainments, and is available for the use of the pupils of all grades below the High School as well. It also bringsthe school together on the two lower floors, assists materially in the work of supervision of the corridors and stairways, saves time and confusion in change of classes and re · duces to a minimum the temptation to lawlessness and rowdy- ism. In fact, I have not seen a single instance of this sort of conduct during the year. And, with all credit and due respect for the good intentions of our boys and girls, and, let me assure you it is by no means inconsiderable, I feel that such admirable conduct may be due in no small degree to the fact that the op- portunity to do otherwise could not be found.
In going into these petty details of supplying additional ac- commodations for our school children, I am perfectly well aware of the utter uselessness of such material for legitimate school- report purposes; and l hesitated at first about introducing the matter. But I had a two-fold purpose for so doing. In the first
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place I wished to make it clear to the taxpayers that in providing three additional school rooms and in employing four extra teach- ers, every effort was made to keep the expense of such work down to the lowest possible figure. My second object was to express my appreciation of the admirable conduct of the teach- ers occupying two of these hastily-furnished rooms. The furni- ture ifself is on the border line between the antique and the really. modern; the desks are movable, inconvenient, and noisy , not at all comparable in appearance with those in some of our school rooms. But these teachers have accepted thesituation in splendid fashion; and never has any hint or sign of a mur- mur or complaint come to my knowledge. Allow me to say in all sincerity that in view of brief space of time and the charact- er of the material with which these changes were obliged to be made, I feel deeply grateful for the attitude they have maintain- ed throughout a very trying season.
In this connection let me say that owing to lack of funds we have adopted every conceivable make-shift device in order to keep within the limits of our appropriation. Old books that had been boxed up for exchange, were unpacked and put into use again; second-hand books have far outnumbered new ones in our purchases; and in many instances that I might mention, actual necessities have not been permitted. The price of sup- plies of all kinds, of fuel, and of transportation has reached the limits of extortion. But we were compelled to take them at the prices demanded. Had I taken the risk of limiting my coal sup- ply to January 1 st, I should have had enough with which to pay all my bills In view of the fact that the closing of the schools for a single day entails a loss of over $300, I deemed such a course altogether too hazardous, and the coal was purchased. We have on hand at the present time enough to carry all the schools through until the first or the middle of March, and the smaller schools are fully provided for up to the end of the year.
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The nightmare of a deficit which has been before me for the past six months, has at last become the reality I dreaded - the first since I have been with you.
NEW RIGHT-OF-WAY. (Temporary)
Since my first coming into this office, there has been more or less discussion aa to obtaining an exit from the rear of the school grounds across the land adjoining out to Manning Street. Each year brought a certain amount of agitation and effort in this direction, but all, until this year, to no avail. Some of the land owners were again interviewed this last year and prices for this desirable privilege, ranging from $25 to $100 annually, were finally obtained. An agreement was then entered into be- tween Mr. William Rand and the School authorities, that for the sum of $25, to be paid annually, the school children might have the privilege of crossing his land by a certain, well defined path or way to the above-mentioned street, with the distinct under- standing that any deviation from the prescribed path or way should be considered an act of trespass and furnish sufficient grounds for the revoking of the privilege. It was also stipulated that the agreement might be terminated by a thirty-days notice given by either of the parties. This passage way, which is not by any means in the best location, greatly benefits the children living in the easterly part of the Town and saves a considerable amount of time and travel. It is thoroughly appreciated in stormy weather and should have been secured years ago.
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HEALTH PROMOTION.
This work has been undertaken with renewed energy this year by each of the three units comprising the organization for this work, and there is every evidence of the closest affiliation and co-operation among them.
Physical training has a definite place on the program of each and every one of our schools. No pupil is excused there- from except upon the written statement of his family or the school physician, setting forth the unfitness of the pupil for such vigorous exercise. In these setting-up exercises the object is to promote the symmetrical development of the body as a whole; and to impart to the internal organs such measure of strength that they may function naturally and completely that the indi- vidual may take pleasure in his work as well as in his play, and find joy and delight in living or in being alive. To such men and women, with a sound mind in a sound body, we must de- pend in the future, as we have done in the past, for the greatest and best service to humanity, and we must bend all our energies to secure such a noble end. I feel that our boys and girls are de- riving much benefit from this work and refer you to the report of Professor Hermann for a more extended account of what is being done.
The modern viewpoint that health is largely a matter of habit is rapidly gaining ground even among laymen. and most par- ents are sincerely interesting themselves in this vitally important matter. They desire to know why their children are not devel- oping physically as well as mentally, and they seek to remedy any defects. The childs record of weight and measure as re- vealed by the quarterly score card receives quite as much scrutiny as do the ranks for arithmetic and spelling. We recall with pleasure the many expressions of satisfaction and gratitude com-
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ing from parents whose children have shown the standard in- crease in development and growth; and we shall not soon forget the appreciation of those parents in whose children the School Physician found the unmistakable symptoms of incipient tuber- culosis. Both of these children were removed from school, put upon a nourishing diet, kept in the open air, and are well on the road to a perfect recovery. What to eat, and how and when food should be taken, sleeping with a window open, bathing, care of the teeth, and keeping away from people that are sick, and avoiding crowded and stuffy rooms and public halls, all these have a place in the content of the instruction given; and in a large majority of cases the pupils show a responsiveness that is most gratifying.
The health charts posted in the corridors and in some of the school rooms are always centers of attraction to interested groups of children eagerly scanning these voluntary records; and you may rest assured that the boy or girl to whose name is affixed the largest number of stars or credits is no inconsiderable personage.
This work is closely correlated with oral and written com- positions by the room teacher and in this way much of the infor- mation so received is carried to the home where its influence is greatly needed.
The follow-up work by the School Nurse functions very economically with that of the Attendance Officer. Attendance slips come to the Superintendent's office at the beginning of every session. Should a pupil's absence be indicated as due to illness, the name is given to the School Nurse who at once in- vestigates the case. In many instances she finds that absence from school is due to other causes than sickness. The child may be retained at home to assist the parent in one way or another. It may be to look after the smaller children, or to minister to one or both parents who themselves are ill. Not
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infrequently it is because the child himself is lacking in foot- wear or some other article of clothing. If such be the case, the matter is immediately brought to the attention of one or the other of our local charitable organizations and the situation is speedily relieved.
While it is the first duty of a school superintendent to see that the pupils under his supervision and control, devote the most of their time and energies to the acquisition of knowledge, to the development of that strength of mind and purpose that shall enable them later on to get understanding, I must confess to a feeling that the work of our health department as briefly outlined in the foregoing, may, after all, be considered as a re- sponsibility and an obligation of equal if not superior rank and merit. I cannot, of course, go into any extended argument here to support my positon. But I will say this that, ideally consid- ered nothing in the cold, business-like, academic work of the schools, begins to compare in scope and influence with this hu- manizing work. No other division of school work functions so widely and completely with the fundamental principles of all Christian civilization, nor links together so many of those splen- did institutions upon which the social order depends for its very existence. 1 : 4
The work of the school, the home and the church is here brought together in a wonderfully forward-looking way that enab- Jes us to give that all-round, symmetrical development of the mind, the body, and the soul, which will make the perfect man.
And so we have come to look upon this feature of our work, not as a passing fad, nor as an isolated and negligible fragment; but rather as a very fundamental and vital part of our school program - as something wholly worth while and should have a prominent and permanent place in the daily work of every school.
Whether or not there is any need of such work among the
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children of our schools shall be left wholly to your judgement. But before giving a decision, please read the percentages of un- derweights as given by the report of the School Nurse.
DRAWING
Owing to illness Miss Anna L. Nason, the Supervisor of drawing, has been unable to attend to her duties in the schools for two months. We have hoped that she might recover suffic- iently to resume her work within a limited period. But up tn this time she has not been able to return. The greatest need for her services is felt in the High School where some of the sen- ior class wish to offer mechanical drawing as a unit for admiss- ion to the Institute of Technology. Unless she is able to return within a very short time, we shall be obliged to secure someone else to take her place.
This we shall be loath to do, since Miss. Nason has been doing satisfactory work, and has the confidence and esteem of the pupils, teachers, and school officials. We certainly hope that she may make a rapid recovery and be found among her pupils again within a very short time.
MUSIC.
This department is still under the guidance and direction of Mr. Arthur H. Tozer , who has held the position of Supervisor of Music for some time. He brings to his work the same energy and a- bility to attain results as he has shown in the past and is maintain- ing that same steady progress which commends itself to both parents and school officials.
Although he has been considerably handicapped by lack of
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books, and other music material he has shown some superior work with the classes of the Junior High School. The pupils of the sixth grade and above are taking up part singing with considerable enthusiasm and relish, and are acquitting themsel- ves well in both school and concert work.
This is the awkward age, when children naturally hestitate and dislike to do anything so effeminate as to sing, but nothing of the kind is noticeable in this school. All take part willingly and seem to enjoy the exercise very much.
This is due in large measure to the Supervisors strict meth- od of discipline. The loafer and the slacker finds this a most uncomfortable situation. and abandons all such inclinations if he has any, very early in the course. The result is that all or very nearly all, sing, and increasing enjoyment and appreciation is very . noticeable. I doubt if you will find many schools where a larger percentage of the pupils take part in such earnest and rational fashion, and I have received quite a few very complimentary notices of the work.
The giving of examinations in the mechanics of the subject has considerable to do with present attainments. The rank of each pupil is made a matter of record and counts in their av- erage rank for promotion. On the other hand due credit is giv- en for all outside work in this subject, whether it be vocal or in- strumental, that can be certified to by a recognized, competent instructor.
The High school is greatly in need of some book containing selections for responsive reading, with hymns suitable for chap- el exercises. Such a book has been selected, but could not be purchased last year as our funds were insufficient. This, I con- sider, to have been a great loss of opportunity for creating a re- fined and lasting school spirit of the very best type. For the pupils in this school, the present is a very impressionable age; and the power of every agency and instrumentality should be
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invoked in their behalf to strengthen and build up these finer qualities of mind and heart while they are most susceptible to such influences. We can ill afford to neglect or ignore these fit- ting opportunities for inculcating these nobler sentiments, and giving enlarged visions of usefulness through the days to come. If a dog will respond to kind, intelligent, and sagacious treat- ment why shouldn't a boy? The trouble is that in the adminis- tration of our school we have over emphasized the how-to-get- a-living, and neglected too long and too much the how-to-live.
We have tried to keep the idea and ideal of service con- stantly before the minds of these young people. The custom of carol singing by the school has been carried out this year, per- haps more than ever before, in the spirit of genuine good will; and we have the assurance that the effort met with as genuine an appreciation. Singing at the Hospital and at the Home for the Aged by groups of our school children at other times than on school days will be the final test to which this work should be submitted. If it stands that test, it will be pronounced good.
In closing this topic, we feel fully justified in saying that the work of this department is greater and better in quantity and quality than ever before. A more generous and outspoken ap- preciation on the part of the parents and friends of the school will be very encouraging to both supervisor and pupils.
PENMANSHIP.
For many years past the classes of Mrs. Nellie Smith ( nee Sullivan )"at the Burley School have shown exceptional ability in this line of work. The percentage of certificates granted to her pupils far out-numbered those given to schools of similar grade. More than all this her work always showed superior excellence in our school exhibits, and her pupils retained so much of this
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ability that it was always in evidence in the higher grades to which her pupils were promoted. Again, the character of her work served as an inspiration to other teachers in grades below and above her own. And when such teachers began to realize that the time given to this subject was not the chief factor in the solution of this problem, they began to give more attention to position and movement during every written exercise, and the thing was accomplished. The theory of teaching penmanship is very simple indeed. The difficulty lies in compelling the pu- pupil to persistent effort in maintaining correct position and movement until they become established habits. It requires pa- tience. painstaking care, and obedience; and satisfactory results will be retarded in direct ratio to our letting up on any one of these three essentials.
The pupils have shown considerable enthusiasm in this sub- ject during the past year and we have tried to encourage them by giving certificates and diplomas for satisfactory work. Nei- ther the teachers nor myself act as judges in this matter. Spec- imens of the work are submitted to disinterested parties and there is no appeal from their decision.
The pupils of the Burley School were awarded twenty nine certificates and seventeen diplomas. Miss Weare's room took the lead for fourth grades' and Miss Sullivan's for fifths. In the Winthrop School thirty three diplomas were given out and not a few of these were awarded to former pupils of the Burley School.
At the beginning of the year the chairman of the School Board, Mr. Herbert W. Mason, who has always taken a vital in- terest in the welfare of our schools, offered six cash prizes one of which was to be given to a pupil in each of the grades from four to eight inclusive, who could show the best work for the year. The papers were collected and assorted and six of the best from each grade were sent to Mr. Mason who submitied
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them to a committee, composed of Boston School teachers, an expert penman, and a business man for their findings. After a critical examination of these papers, which the committee de- clared were of unusual merit, the prizes were awarded to the following named persons:
Mary Sourereo
Fourth grade.
John Starsiak Fifth grade.
Mildred Surrette Sixth grade.
Jennie Shulaķa
Seventh grade.
Alma Marcourelle Eighth grade.
When the announcement of these prizes was made in the Salem News and in the Ipswich Chronicle, the writer of the ar- ticle was moved to make some pertinent observations. Here is what he said:
"Although the percentage of children of nat- ive born parents is considerable greater than those of foreign born in our public schools, nevertheless among the five winners of the school handwriting contest, there cannot be found a strictly native or English name.
Instead three of the five winners are Polish and two are French. The Polish pupils, especial- ly, are deserving of great credit, as the people of that nationality were the latest arrivals here.
Under the same educational system the pupils who are under a handicap, outclassed the strictly English speaking pupils. The reason for this must be the pupils themselves, as all are instructed by the same teachers and under the same system.
If the children of non-English speaking par- ents maintain the same stride in the future that they have in the past it will not be long before the nat-
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ive parents can boast of their Colonial ancestry while the foreign born parents can boast of the fact that their children have carried off all the honors. "
There is at least one substantial fact made clear in the above without very much reading between the lines. One that should please both the true American and the immigrant alike ;- and that is that our schools are fulfilling their mission, and doing their full part in the building of a real democracy.
Another fact, not so apparent to all, may be found there also. Why do the children of the emigrant excel to such an ex- tent in this matter of penmanship. It is because they are taught to obey. Obedience with them, as it once was with us, is held as a cardinal virtue. and it bears fruit that is both pleas- ing and profitable. All the pupils are told to maintain a certain position and to execute certain, prescribed movements. Some obey these instructions, but, others do not. But these last win no prizes.
It is needless to say that Mrs. Smith was appointed Super- visor of penmanship last September, and is doing exceptionally good work.
DOMESTIC SCIENCE DEPARTMENT.
This department is not receiving the consideration from the pupils of the upper grades that its importance in the scheme of living positively demands. Incapacity and unpreparedness are getting to be national characteristics, and their evil conse- quences are to be seen on every hand. Modern social and in- dustrial conditions have wrought tremendous changes in our national life, and unrest and unhappiness were never more threatening than they are today. In the homes and the home-
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life of our nation these changes have been very noticeable. The old-time home has lost its prestige and some of its functions have been shifted over to the school as its best possible ally.
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