USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1921 > Part 9
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To sum up the values of daily setting up exercises:
1. General Value: Repetitio mater studiorum.
2. Physical Value: Daily strengthening of body postures and mechanics.
3. Physiological Value: Daily vitalizing of organs and functions.
4 Psychological Value: Habituating.
Time does not permit me to make as thorough an analysis of the psycho-physical significance of plays and games.
They are in this respect the very life blood of physical ed- ucation, and I pray that every teacher may become a master architect and builder of playgrounds and school yards, of play rooms and recreation buildings. I pray that you will use the school recesses, the free afternoons and new daylight hours for
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT
enriching the play life of children and adults.
They have far greater social values, because they meet most effectively the individual variations.
Mentally they excell on account of their infinite variety for competition.
We must teach plays and games, because although children inherit a tendency to play, they do not inherit the games, and because one generation of children does not now transmit them to the next. Our cosmopolitan mixture is much to blame for this state of affairs.
A brief summary of the most valuable psychological elements of play may, however be of value in this discussion.
Imitation is a fundamental characteristic of children's play and games. They act out the lives of people around them and the stories they hear.
Let us be sure we surround them with good models and and that they hear good stories.
Remember that the years of five to twelve are the years of most rapid acquisition of knowledge.
Swinging and climbing, as well as touch sensation, including bare feet, are pleasurable for every normal child.
Hunting, fishing and chasing instincts are expressed in games like " tag. "
Running is in itself a great delight in early childhood.
Hiding and finding are inherited instincts. By practice of these games we train the senses. Dodging, catching and throw- ing are pleasurable, and if given opportunity develop spontan- eously neuro-muscular skill and judgment.
Children fear animals but they have also a universal love for them. They make of them comrades and playfellows. They care for them and cherish them. This form of play develops responsibility, kindness and love.
Every child is a primitive agriculturist. Just as primitive
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
man was driven to unite in tribal combinations for his existence, so are boys of pre-adolescent age driven to team and gang activities.
Primitive man here made the beginning of co-operation. This developed an intensive although narrrow type of loyalty.
All our team games closely resemble these conditions. They derive their pleasures from the joy of battle and the joy of com- radeship. Competition is the social element in all games and is universally pleasurable. It is the element that makes them so vigorous stimulating in organic growth and in mental and moral development.
Competition is one of the greatest forces in human progress.
Young boys prefer individual competition, later they want group competition.
Comradeship or co-operation is one other social factor in plays and games. In team games it forms the pleasurable ele- ment. Team games therefore promote social responsibility and group consciousness.
Play stimulates mental conduct on account of its sponta- neous interest. There is no effort of the attention and in conse- quence play secures a higher degree of concentration and more intensive and continued activity than we get in work.
This develops involuntary attention, application, perserver- ance, fighting instincts, character.
Freedom is characteristic of birds and animals and primitive man. Children love freedom. Let us be sure that we do not make play too systematic and compulsory but by all means make the fundamental movements and actions, of which various forms of play and our games are made up, a part of our system- atic exercises. This will fit large numbers for playing games, because having acquired neuro-muscular skill and judgment in simple co-ordinations, they approach the games with greater con- fidence. They are apt to hold their own better in co-operation
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT
or competition with boys and girls who have had natural advantages.
Freedom is the very life-blood of play. To preserve this aspect is one of our most difficult problems.
Play should be free from outer compulsion and inner ne- cessity.
The great moral value in games is the pleasure we derive from them.
Pleasure is the very basis of conduct. It is given unto us as an inner monitor to tell us what to do.
"The tragedies of life are where we sacrifice the pleasures of later life to the enjoyment of the moment."
This is the most powerful argument in favor of games, be- cause they bring out early the inner consciousness.
ยท "Enjoyment arouses the mind and emotions and tends to put all their power at our disposal."
"The trend of pleasure is towards optimism."
This is the psychological significance of plays and games. It is the true philosophy of psychophysical happiness.
It is well that we have so many diversified athletic activities and so many valuable sports.
I believe that it would be of great psychophysical value if we added to our athletic program a greater variety of competi- tions involving the large muscles of the arms and shoulders, and those involving skill and judgment. Not only those involving strength, as discus or javelin shot, but also such as archery, target shooting, hitting and throwing where accuracy and judgment were demanded.
We cannot all play golf, tennis, and billiards. We ought to cultivate a larger variety of games and contests which stimulate atavistic tendencies.
We must invent new activities which must, however, be based upon inherited motor tendencies, but I would warn against
86
IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
the further extension of spectacular and intensive athletic meets if these practices lead to habitual maximum physical efforts, and, if these forms of practice deplete surplus energy and vitality needed for growth and in emergency of sickness. We should have the courage to modify them.
If playgrounds are better places than our schoolrooms and gymnasia for the development of the health of the body, mind and character, we should insist upon getting them.
Let us all follow G. Stanley Hall's idea of morals. Let us 1 act up to our knowledge.
l close by citing a paragraph each from two letters which I recently received.
Joseph Lee: " I am a convinced believer in physical ed- ucation, and especially in the proposition that it is in reality not physical education alone but mental and moral education through physical exercises. I think that in speaking of a man's grasp of an idea or of his moral hold upon himself we are speaking not wholly in metaphor, but are expressing the literal fact that doing things with the body is a moral and intellectual experience and one through which the mind and character get their first and most fundamental growth."
William H. Burnham: "The highest significance of phy- sical training is seen apart from the fact that in physical exer- cises, as in co-ordinated activity, we have in its lowest and simplest terms the training of the human will; that indirectly physical exercise affords the natural means for the control of the emotions; that everyone is offered the opportunity for success as well as the training which comes from failure; that it gives one of the best of opportunities for developing right
87
IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT
mental attitudes, normal interests, habits of co-ordinated activity in doing the best possible in any situation, however evil. I deem the interests and the attitudes developed by physical training of great importance for the mental health of an individual."
Respectfully submitted,
ERNST HERMANN,
Director of Physical Education
MANUAL TRAINING.
To the Superintendent of Schools,
Ipswich, Mass.
Dear Sir :---
I herewith submit the following report of the work undertaken by this department, together with a few recommen- dations for your consideration.
The regulation which placed the work of this department on a parity with other school subjects in obtaining the average rank for promotion still exerts a beneficial influence, and much more and better work is thereby secured. If we could have a fuller appreciation by the public of the importance and practical value of this work to the boys and girls, both now as a means of training, and later on as a substantial means of saving in their own homes. A closer co-operation would be secured and still better work would result as a natural consequence.
But this will require some time for its accomplishment, and will depend in large measure upon the amount of pressure brought to bear by the financial necessities of. the individual home.
The real aim and purpose of this department is to assist each pupil to become more efficient in the work of of caring for and beautifying the home at the least possible cost or expense
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT
and thereby to acquire the habit of thrift.
All our work has been planned and directed along this line from the very start and therefore but little change has been made in our general outline. New things are constantly coming up, however, and the emphasis is shifted to meet the demands of such items. Cement construction is rapidly taking the place of that of wood, and the older pupils should have some knowl- edge of the various uses to which this material may be applied. The making of forms and moulds for the simpler and every-day needed articles about the home or the shop, are to be taken up and a general method of application will be presented. This will be a very useful item of knowledge that may be turned to account in many ways by the pupils even now about their own homes.
The rudiments of soldering metals should be taught to the older boys, and girls as well, for the purpose already mentioned.
The repair of leaky faucets in connection with the reading of gas and water-meters will also receive some attention.
I have purposely omitted any statement in reference to the work done by the pupils, as samples of that work were dis- played at the school exhibit and received very favorable notice.
I will say, however, that the pupils in the eighth grade and and above are asked to select their own projects for work. This secures the interest of the pupil from the start and, though it draws on the teacher's time rather severely, the pupils take in- creased pride in having their work of the best possible quality.
It also gives them the opportunity to estimate the amount of stock required and to calculate the cost of the same. All of which work is of the greatest practical value and tends to devel- op the judgment to a marked degree.
The same is true of the work in cement construction, and the very practical knowledge gained from these two lines of work will be of great usefulness all through life.
90
IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
At the present time the classes are very large and the per- iods too short for the best possible results. There isnt time enough to pick up the work of the class that is dismissed before another class takes its place at the same benches. In all we have two hundred and twenty-six pupils in this department, and all but three periods for the whole week are taken up in actual bench work. This does not allow time enough to prepare the plans and working drawings for each pupil, nor to inspect the work as thoroughly as it should be done. The pupils need a better knowledge of measuring and drawing to scale if a fuller understanding of the work is to be secured. More time should be given to talks upon the source and manu" ure of the ma- terials used and thus co-ordinate the work with the study of geography more closely than is possible under present con- ditions.
In view of the fact that the classroom space is limited, that incoming classes next September are to be much larger, and that there are more of the High School pupils taking up this work than ever before, I would recommend that a full time drawing teacher be employed and that the work now done by the fifth grade be placed under her charge.
Under such an arrangement a slight loss of the knowledge of handling tools might result, but this would be offset by a bet- ter preparation in drawing, measuring, and cardboard construc- tion. It would also insure a closer co-operation between these two departments, and the pupils be the gainers in the end.
As usual I have tried to keep the cost of material at the low- est possible point consistent with efficiency. There has been no loss and very little breakage of tools. On the whole I think the work of the year has been fairly satisfactory; and the out- look for the future encouraging.
Respectfully submitted.
ARTHUR W. GOULD.
ATTENDANCE OFFICER'S REPORT.
To the Superintendent of Schools,
Ipswich, Mass.
Dear Sir: -
The report of the Attendance Officer for the year ending December 31, 1921, is as follows :-
Absentees investigated
341
Visits to schools 180
Causes for absence as follows :-
Sickness 179
Kept out by parents
68
Truants 47
Lack of Clothing
30
Found on street and taken to school
12
Sent to Essex County Training School
1
Taken to school from home
4
Licenses issued to newsboys 22
Minors certificates granted from Jan. 1, 1921 to Jan. 1, 1922
Minors employment certificates 14 to 16 first issue 58
Summer Vacation Permits 14 to 16 N 4
-
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
Literate Certificates
16 to 21 n
118
Illiterate Certificates
16 to 21
21
Certificates exchanged for different employment
179
Registration of Minors, April 1, 1921.
-
Five to seven years, boys
92
Five to seven years, girls
113
205
Seven to fourteen years, boys
393
Seven to fourteen years, girls
394
787
Fourteen to sixteen years, boys
128
Fourteen to sixteen years, girls
108
236
Total
1228
Illiterate minors, male
6
Illiterate minors, female
12
18
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE W. TOZER,
Attendance Officer.
DRAWING.
To the Superintendent of Schools,
Dear Sir :-
Ipswich, Mass.
I herewith submit my first report of the Drawing in the Ipswich Public. Schools begun this last September. Within so short a time it is manifestly impossible to do more than to indicate what is being organized, and what is to be worked out as a systematized course in Drawing and Applied Arts, from Primary Grades up through the High School.
According to your expressed wish, Mr. Superintendent, much stress is put upon the High School Mechanical Drawing Course. Indeed, through all the grades exact measuring and the right understanding of the practical daily uses of working-drawings is to be insisted upon. I have made special preparation for the High School work, as manv of our young men go afterwards to technical schools, and it is of great importance that they should have a foundation of " common - sense " working-drawings. It is a great deal more difficult to get a student to think for him- self than to do his thinking for him. To teach him to plan and lay out his work as an individual is an art in itself. But the added effort doubly repays the teacher when she sees the a- roused interest, and the new power put into his work.
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
A brief summary of my course follows :-
In september we began with color, and Plant-drawing ( of the thoughtful kind).
In October we used the accumulated drawings for design and composition motives.
In November the theory of design was continued and de- veloped, spacing border and surface patterns, printing "repeats" with rythmical, symmetrical and radial arrangements, still em- ploying our color theories. The lower grade children are not burdened with any technical terms, but they quite understand the fundamental ideas.
In December we used our design-knowledge in the making of various gifts and cards. One very enjoyable phase of the work was the making of " animal-toys " so dear to the hearts of children. I must here express my appreciation of the fine work and co-operation of all our teaching force. It is a pleasure to teach with people so broad-minded, helpful and enthusiastic, and in a school system so excellently organized.
In January we shall begin in good earnest the study of let- tering and the second phase of mechanical drawing, stressing in lower grades use of rulers and exact measure. Mechanical draw- ing of various sorts, and its applied use will continue through March, and the upper grades will also study Perspective.
In April I hope to introduce some simple industrial Crafts, and shall give some talks, using illustrations, upon the use of drawing in practical everyday life, in the trades and occupa- tions. We use it also in other school work. Posters will be made. House-furnishing, decorative arrangement, costume-de- sign, pageantry, etc., we shall illustrate with a small travelling . " School Theatre " made in the High School.
In June we shall use our perspective knowledge in garden plans, in some elementary architectural work, and in out-door
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT
sketching.
I feel sure that, with the interest shown in my work, and with the co-operation given me by the Superintendent, and by the teachers, that we shall establish an excellent system of Draw- ing, and one particularly adapted to the Ipswich Schools.
Respectfully submitted,
SARA G. HOUGHTON
Supervisor of Drawing.
REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN 1921-1922.
To the Superintendent of Schools,
Ipswich, Mass.
Dear Sir :-
The examinations of the pupils for the present school year showed a higher degree of physical fitness than has been shown by the examinations of any previous year. The lesser number of tonsil and adenoids requiring treatment, and the im- proved dental conditions are worthy of special mention. These results have been obtained only through persistent and intensive follow-up work on the part of the nurse.
One of the most gratifying gains has been in the reduction of the per-centage of underweights. This has been most marked and most satisfactory. A detailed showing of these gains as compared with last year will be found in the report of the school nurse. This report is most thorough and goes extensive- ly into details. It is to be hoped that everyone will study it carefully.
This gives me an opportunity to point out as accomplished, results that I have long believed could be accomplished through
97
IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
intensive instruction in hygiene and manual training. Both of these things I have advocated and I cannot thank you enough, Mr. Superintendent, for the sympathetic understanding, and fine co-operation you have given to this phase of public health work, and I feel sure that because of it a higher degree of schol- arship will be the outcome.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE E. MacARTHUR, M. D., School Physician.
Ipswich, January 23, 1922.
REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE.
To the Superintendent of Schools,
Ipswich, Mass.
Dear Sir :-
I herewith submit my report as School Nurse for the year 1921 to 1922.
Four days each week are devoted to school work and fol- lowing is listed the weekly schedule.
Monday: 4 classes in Junior High and | Fourth Grade in the Winthrop School are visited.
Tuesday: 2 Sixth Grades in the Winthrop School and the warren, Cogswell. Dennison and Wain- wright Schools are visited.
Wednesday: In the morning children are taken to the Dental Clinic at the Cable Memorial Hospital. In the afternoon the Payne School is visited and 1 Sixth Grade in the Winthrop School.
Thursday: 1 Fifth Grade in the Winthrop School, I class in Junior High and the Portable and the Bur- ley Schools are visited.
The Linebrook and Candlewood Schools are visited as often as opportunity allows.
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
These school visits comprise, inspection of children for cleanliness, and twenty minute health talks concerning Health Habits. This year special emphasis has been put on Correct Posture; the need and importance of Exercise and Sleep, with plenty fresh air, the important fundamentals of Diet and the ne- cessity of being clean.
Right here I would like to state that the teachers, all of them, co-operate with me, in every respect, to help me follow out my plan of work. Each week a quiz is given on the last health talk before the new topic is discussed.
The Dental Clinics are conducted by Dr. Kyes, and Dr. Smith and Dr. Broe, on Wednesday mornings from 9 until 12 o'clock, each doctor taking his turn as the weeks come along.
The F. E. R. N. Club this year kindly furnished some of the supplies used at the clinice.
During the school holidays, special trips are made to Salem to Oculists. In some cases glasses are provided for those who need them, thru various agencies, such as, the S. P. C. C., and from the Red Cross Seal money.
Consultations are held at the School Nurse's Office in the Winthrop Building and treatments also are given there.
During the last year I have found on several occasions, school children who were not properly clothed for the winter season and some of the church societies are working with me regarding the situation.
There have been 1170 Physical Examinations done by Dr. Geo. E. MacArthur, the School Physician, at which the nurse assists. Records of these examinations are kept at the office of the school nurse on cards and notices of the physical defects are sent to the parents, followed by home visits whenever pos- sible. 676 notices have been sent concerning 528 children and 1101 home visits have been msde.
1195 school children have been weighed and measured
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT
and weight Record Charts are kept in each school room. The interest maintained by the children regarding these charts may be shown by the improved condition of underweights in the schools, with the first weighing this new school year. Listed be- low is the percent of underweights in the schools for the pres- ent weighing.
COGSWELL SCHOOL.
1
Grade I.
15.22 p.c. Underweight
II.
31.92 p.c. =
WARREN STREET.
Grade IV.
56.00 p.c. Underweight
Grade V.
37.84 p.c. =
WAINWRIGHT SCHOOL.
Grade II.
21.43 p.c. Underweight
WINTHROP SCHOOL.
Grade IV.
37.25 p.c. Underweight
n
V.
2927 p.c.
=
VI
45.24 p.c.
=
=
44.00 p.c.
43.18 p.c.
=
VII.
42.50 p.c.
=
n
47.37 p.c.
=
n
48.21 p.c.
=
-
IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
101
Grade VIII.
38.88 p.c. Underweight
BURLEY SCHOOL.
Grade I.
16.66 p.c. Underweight
22.86 p.c. 11
11
II.
22.92 p.c. 11
11
III.
33.33 p.c. .
n
11
IV.
35.89 p.c.
11
=
V.
48.64 p.c.
PAYNE SCHOOL.
Grade I.
16.13 p.c. Underweight
11 II
28.57 p.c.
11
III.
20.00 p.c. 11
HIGH SCHOOL
Freshmen
44.00 p.c. Underweight
Sophomore
51.35 p.c.
11
Juniors
31.25 p.c.
11
Seniors
14.29 p.c. 11
CANDLEWOOD.
Graded School 40.00 p.c. Underweight
LINEBROOK SCHOOL.
Graded School
66.67 p.c. Underweight
1
1
102
IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT
The average percent of the school underweight is 36.07 per cent divided as follows :- girls 18.41 per cent and boys 17.66 per cent.
To show the improved condition of the underweights in the schools I am listing a comparison of the percent of underweights in both the Burley and Winthrop Schools, - as follows :-
1920 - 21
1921 - 22
BURLEY SCHOOL
BURLEY SCHOOL
Grade I.
75 p.c. Underweight
16.66 p.c. Underweight
I. 62 p.c. =
22.86 p.c. =
n
II. 70 p.c. =
22.92 p.c. =
33.33 p.c. =
35.89 p.c. =
H
V. 33 p.c. 11
48.64 p.c. =
WINTHROP SCHOOL
WINTHROP SCHOOL
Grade IV.
75 p.c. Underweight
37.25 p.c. Underweight
29.27 p.c. =
45.24 p.c. 11
n
68 p.c. =
44.00 p.c. =
43.18 p.c.
VII. 52 p.c.
46.02 p.c.
VIII. 58 p.c.
38.88 p.c.
III. 72 p.c.
IV. 58 p.c.
=
V. 74 p,c. =
VI. 81 p.c. =
51 p.c.
103
IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
General Summary of Nurse's Report.
School Visits
415
Class
754
Health Talks
671
Treatments
686
Inspection
25512
Consultations
111
Assisted Dr. in Physical Examinations
1170
Children Weighed and Measured
2890
taken to Dental Dental Clinic
155
Private Dentists
2
M
* 11 Oculists
14
1f
11 H
Hospital
1
Home Visits 1101
General Summary of Absences Throughout the Year.
Tonsil and Adenoid Operations
35
Appendicitis
4
Broken Arms 3
Cervical Glands
3
Scarlet Fever
28
Chicken Pox
76
Measles 4
104
IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT
Impetigo
4
Tonsilitis
3
Ringworm
3
Mumps
1
Pneumonia
1
jo
5
Respectfully submitted,
MARTHA J. STEWART, R. N.
School Nurse.
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT
GRADUATION
Junior High School, June 29, 1921.
PROGRAMME.
1. Piano Solo Mary Woleyko
II. Recitation " The World Wants Men " Thomas Doyle
III. Meeting of Civic League Discussion of Forestry
IV. Song. " Song of the Brook " School
V. Composition. President Harding and His Cabinet Group of girls and boys
VI. Recitation " The Balance Wheel " Edmund Witham ,.
VII. Song. " Beauteous Night, O Night of Love " School
VIII. Oral Composition IX. Recitation. " The Land Where Hate Should Die " Harry Merson
Grade Eight
X. Song. " Laughter Land " School
XI. Recitation. " The Shadow on the Blind " Mildred Jedrey
XII. Presentation of Diplomas and Penmanship Prizes Chairman of School Committee
XIII. Song. " The Star-Spangled Banner " School
College Preparatory and Scientific Course.
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