USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1923 > Part 8
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June 1. To Balance in Bank . . .. .. $114.08
13. To Field Day Receipts . . ..
226,47
1923
April 26. Francis Wade, trees. . .. .. $ 8.90 June 13. C. Leary & Co., tonic. .... 21.00
66 Geo. E, Vivian, tent ... 20.00
C. A. Glover, band . .
27.00
Ipswich Ice Cream m Co 43.55
Balance in Bank. .
219.90
$340.45
$340.35
1924
Jan. 1. To Balance in Bank . . .. ... $219.90
Respectfully submitted,
MRS. HARRY K. DAMON, Trustee.
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT
School Exhibition.
Two afternoons and evenings were given to these exercises, and the increased attendance of parents and friends gave gratifying evidence of the growing interest in this phase of our school work. All grades and all departments were well represented.
Each year as the scope of our work enlarges, brings an added amount of material, and the space for displaying the work this year was taxed to the utmost. In fact, neither the domestic science nor the manual training departments had a fraction of the necessary room for a proper display of their excellent work, and other departments were limited in the same way.
Each afternoon was given over to demonstration work by the first six grades. An effort was made to show, as far as possible under hall conditions, the place held by the element of play in the teaching of the lower classes. It was also attempted to show that these little folks were capable of doing and com- prehending work, generally considered as beyond their capacity, In spite of the questioning and the disapproval of such a course by some of our best teachers, it was admitted by these unbelievers that the results justified the experiment and exceeded their most sanguine expectations. The parents were astonished and the little folks were delighted with their accomplishments.
The first evening's program was furnished by the Junior High School, and consisted of part-singing and an old-fashioned spelling match. Considerable interest was taken in this last number. The audience became very enthusiastic as the competition became keener, and the contestants made their last stand.
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT
The address of the evening was given by Prof. Schroeder of the State Board of Education. His subject was "Health: How It Is Promoted and Maintained by Physical Exercises." It was a timely and instructive theme, and though the hall was crowd- ed and a large part of his audience was standing, his discourse was well received.
The second evening's program was furnished by the Senior High school, and consisted of a French play under the direction of Miss Blodgett, and an English play under the direction of Miss Allen. A typewriting contest concluded the exercises of the evening. Every number of the program was thoroughly en- joyed by an audience that was interested, enthusiastic, and ap- preciative.
We feel justified in saying that these school exhibitions have been productive of all that could be reasonably expected or hoped of them. They were introduced with the idea of giving the parents an opportunity to inspect and judge certain phases of the work of the schools, and to acquaint them more fully with what the schools were trying to do for their children. It was hoped that a closer relation between the parents and the schools might thereby be established and a deeper interest in things educational might be secured. In the opinion of not a few competent judges, as well as as in the estimation of the School Committee, these things have been accomplished. Henceforth, by the unanimous vote of the Committee, Field Day and School Exhibition are to have a permanent place in our educational program.
Domestic Science and Manual Training.
These two departments may be taken together for the
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT
purposes of this discussion, as both have so many needs in common. Both are failing to function as fully as they should do, and both will need to be considered along identical lines of readjustment, if they are to serve effectively in the larger work which changing conditions impose upon them.
For a long time we have been convinced of the necessity of a generous expansion in their scope and work if we wish to keep abreast of the times and give our boys and girls a larger practical training than they have heretofere received.
Radical changes in the curiculum will hardly be necessary. There must be, however, a closer co-ordination between the work of these departments and that of the high school. This may be done by extending the courses in related subjects so that the work in each one may supplement the other. We should have more mechanical drawing and household chemistry in the high school, and more advanced work in both the manual training and domestic science departments, so that more of our high school pupils may receive the full benefit of the higher and better training which these two departments would then be able to offer.
Formerly but few of the high school pupils were interested in this work, But of late, owing to the growing apprecia- tion of the practical value of these courses, and to a new sense of the dignity and the recompense of labor as well, the increased enrolment in these classes make these changes necessary.
The work must be extended to reach more of the higher grades without taking from the lower ones, and there must be less of repetition and useless duplication.
We feel that both of these departments are doing excellent work --- work that more of our boys and girls should be compelled to take up and complete. For it is here that they gain that first-hand knowledge of so many of the really practical things
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT
of life. It gives them power, as well as skill; it fits them for a larger service both in their own homes and in the community, and helps them to become more independent and frugal.
It should not be inferred from anything in the foregoing that I care to speak slightingly or disparagingly of the work of either of these departments.
That could not be done with any regard for honesty of statement. I wish simply to point out the opportunity for these departments to enter upon a field of much larger usefulness to our pupils, and of extended service to the community. Both Miss Brown and Mr. Gould, the respective heads of these departments, have worked faithfully and considerately for both school and community needs; and it goes without saying, that the things here taught, will be used more frequently in after life, than almost anything else except, perhaps, the mother tongue.
But we come now to the parting of the ways. The manual training room is not large enough to accommodate the classes that are assigned to it. There are but twenty-three benches and no room for more. Some of Mr. Gould's classes are from six to eight in excess of this number. This is a handicap that can not be overcome in the present crowded condition of his room. He should have more floor space. Then new lines of work could be taken up that would not only keep our boys in school for a much longer time, but would also give them the rudiments of some gainful occupation or trade. The old system of apprenticeship has passed. To whom or what are we to look as the prinpcial recruiting agency of these necessary and honorable occupations if not to the schools? We employ special teachers and buy special equipment for our commercial departments, and make every effort to prepare a certain number of our pupils for clerical positions, and they succeed in life. How about this other class, whose gifts are of
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT
another type, whose tastes and preferences incline them to other walks of life that are just as useful, just as important, and just as honorable? Have we no interest in these pupils? Are our obligations and responsibilities all met and fulfilled before we come to them? Are they to be denied equal opportunity? Not by the public schools.
The Seven Objectives.
Perhaps one of the most concise definitions of education is, The preparation for complete living. But "complete living" is too inclusive; it should be broken up into smaller units before it can be given even the most superficial treatment. As "no man liveth to himself" it will be necessary in the consideration of this division, to include man not only as an independent and isolated unit, but also as a being closely related to his fellow man, from whom he is to receive numberless benefits and to whom he must render unstinted service in return.
By common consent, then, the necessary capacities or qualifications which a man should possess in order to attain to this ideal are summarized as follows: 1. Health. 2. Command of fundamental processes. 3. Worthy home-membership. 4. Vocation. 5. Citizenship. 6. Worthy use of leisure. 7. Ethical character. Let us take up one or more of these topics to show what the schools are attempting to do along these lines.
HEALTH.
If we will but recall the fact of the terrible percentage of those rejected as unfit for military duty during the late world war, we shall the better appreciate the value of health as a
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT
national asset. Health, too, is necessary to the enjoyment of leisure as well as to the vitality of the race. Science had shown us the way in which to strengthen every bodily infirmity and to build ourselves up into a strong and sturdy manhood. Health is a matter of habit, therefore health education becomes one of first fundamentals.
Our schools are doing more today in this line than ever before. Both parents and teachers are co-operating in an effort to have the children properly nourished. Generous contributions for the nutrition classes have been received from several of our local organizations, and no child is overlooked at the midmorning lunch. On the average we are using 250 jars of milk per day, and a marked improvement in both the physical and mental condition of these pupils has been noticed. They look better, are increasing in weight, are doing better work, and are getting more enjoyment out of life.
The School Milk Fund account may be found on another page.
Dr.
JOSEPH I. HORTON In Account With SCHOOL MILK FUND.
Cr.
1923
1923
Jan.
Feb. Paid for Milk. $28.00
Mar.
Apr. 27.
·
20.48
May 8.
·
4.68
Aug. 18.
16.29
Dec. 24.
13.23
" 31. Balance in Bank. 77.32
160.00
160.00
1924 Jan. 1. Balance in Bank .
$77.32
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH I. HORTON.
15.
Mar. 14. Rec'd from Woman's Club $50.00
.. Hope Club. .... 50 00
Aug. 17. 66 Am. Legion .... 60.00
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT
The teachers are paying more attention to posture than before. Dr. Gulick says, "No child should be permitted to go through school, any more than through West Point, with a bad back. There is no excuse for it unless the child is an actual cripple. It is not too soon the first day to insist that all sit up in a proud, strong way; that all stand with straight knees, crown of the head high, neck touching the back of the collar, and to walk about with light elastic step."
With the new outline for daily posture drills for each grade, just introduced, we are in hopes to show a great improvement in the carriage of our pupils. Physical exercises are given daily in all our schools. Both indoor and outdoor games are participated in by nearly all the children, where school-room and school-ground facilities will permit. 1
Physiology and hygiene are taught in the most practical manner. Personal cleanliness, ventilation, sleep, care of the body, food, first-aid, and sanitation, are all treated most thor- oughly by the school nurse. She also does a deal of follow-up work, and, in many instances, finds advice given in the schools put into actual practice in the home.
Special effort is made to instruct the children in reference to the care of the teeth. Nearly every week Miss Stewart may be seen with a group of boys and girls on the way to the hos- pital, where our local dentists are doing a genuine work of love.
I hope, though I do not expect, that these gentlemen who, with little or no remuneration whatever, both in and out of season for a number years, have been giving this important service, --- ] hope that they may receive the full measure of that recognition and appreciation which is justly due them.
The School Physician, who is the pioneer in community health work in Ipswich, and is connected with the department of medical inspection and hygiene of the schools, has made
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT
every effort to secure immunity from two of our most dreaded diseases. Miss Stewart, the school nurse, is connected with this department, and has faithfully seconded his effort. Lectures were given, to which the general public and the parents were invited, and the whole subject set forth in a clear and convin- cing manner. Statistics were furnished and every question was answered in a way that should have inspired confidence.
A partial response was made; but the results were not commensurate with the efforts put forth, neither were they in accord with what is conceded to be the best scientific opinion. Should an epidemic of diphtheria sweep through the schools, in no wise could this department be held accountable. This is a moot question, I know. Every layman has a right to his opinion. But we should seek the truth, and be willing to be led by its teachings. My own personal opinion is worthless. I
want to do what will bring to my neighbor nothing but good. We learn but slowly; but it would seem, in view of the tremen- dous progress made by inoculation in wiping out some of the most terrible diseases, that we must soon admit that "prevention is better than cure," and that preventive medicine in entitled to our serious consideration.
For a more detailed account of this work,let me refer you to the reports of the School Physician and the School Nurse, to be found on another page.
COMMAND OF THE FUNDAMENTAL PROCESSES.
When the three R's comprised nearly all that is implied in this topic, the work of the schools was much more simplified and better defined than it is at the present day. The great mass of knowledge of today is many times larger than that of a generation ago. Much of it is fundamental, and must be
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT
taught within the few short years the child remains in cchool.
Only minimum essentials can be attempted, and our teach- ing must be of the most intensive sort. The aim is to give the child the right viewpoint and to let him learn to do by doing. Constant repetition and drill are necessary along the lines of the child's own experience, and the life within the school and the life without should be as closely correlated as possible.
With the possible exception of an undue emphasis on arithmetic, we feel that our teachers are doing all that can be expected of them.
WORTHY HOME-MEMBERSHIP.
This topic is at once suggestive of the complete change that has taken place in the functions of the home and the school within the last few years. Formerly the home undertook the training of its own membership; but not so at present. Today it is the specific work of the school to develop those qualities which make the individual a worthy member of the family, and to give him the appreciation of the home as a social institution.
The school endeavors to establish the habit of assuming home responsibilities, and to encourage the practice of those household duties thas are so essential in maintaining the stan- dards of a well-appointed home. It tries also to inculcate a respect and a love for parents, and to create an interest in each and every member of the family, a willingness to share in their burdens and their pleasures.
In many schools credits are given for the performance of these simple houehold duties. I will name . a few from the report card before me :--- Barn or yard work, care of rooms, cooking, knitting, making beds, reading good literature, sawing or splitting wood, setting table, mending, tending fires, washing
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT
dishes. Other duties might be given; but the above will serve as an example of how the school and home are co-operat- ing in order to build up a worthy home-membership. To some this will appear a piece of real foolishness. But is it?
WORTHY USE OF LEISURE.
I will pass over the topics 4 and 5, as all are more or less familiar with them as pursued in the schools, and recognize their value in any scheme of education.
But in this "worthy use of leisure" I feel that we have some- thing that should compel the serious attention of both old and young. We have not as yet learned to sense the importance of leisure as a part of each day to be filled, not with pleasure or recreation alone, but with service to others, and to self-improve- ment. It gives an opportunity for each to ride his hobby, and to acquire a taste for music, or art, or literature, or nature study in some of its various forms.
Just now we are introducing some of our best magazines into the schools for the purpose of establishing the taste for good literature and allowing the pupils to select such topics as are of interest to the individual. In this way we feel that the teacher can become a better judge of the special tendencies of each child and can prescribe his reading with a clearer under- standing and larger promise of success.
The gain made in this direction will be reflected in a more worthy home-membership, and prompt to a larger social relation -ship, that will provide pleasure and profit for the days to come. Coupling this with the different games and sports that the pupils engage in while in school, and we have a combination of much promise in the development of a citizenship of a much-needed type.
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT
ETHICAL CHARACTER.
President Emeritus Eliot in a recent address has this to say: "One thing is sure, we shall not make democratic education successful until we have put back into all the democratic schools instruction in fundamental ethics."
Another: "Finally, the realization of the objectives already named is dependent upon ethical character, that is, upon con- duct founded upon right principles, clearly perceived and ad- hered to. Goodcitizenship, vocational excellence, and the wor- thy use of leisure, go hand in hand with ethical character; they are at once the fruits of sterling character and the channels through which such character is developed and made manifest. Character is meaningless apart from the will to discharge the duties of life; and there is no guarantee that these duties of life will be rightly discharged unless principles are substituted for impulses. Ethical character is involved in all the other ob- jectives, and at the same time requires specific consideration in any program of national education."
These are not the extravagant expressions of idealists or reformers. They summarize the requirements of hard-headed businessmen the world over. In fact, some of our largest bond- ing companies are distributing special text-books throughout the country in order that the principles of right conduct and honesty may be the better taught in our public schools.
These seven objectives furnish an outline of the work our teachers are expected to do. When we consider the scope and the importance of that work --- the full development of the child's physical, mental, and spiritual faculties --- the magnitude of the task impresses itself upon us. Were this the only viewpoint, few would attempt so arduous an undertaking.
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT
But there is another view. The ideals of sacrifice and service leads them on to the accomplishment of the noblest, the grand- est work in all the world. May we realize our obligations to them more fully., and give them that measure of appreciation and support which should be accorded the members of the highest of all callings, the preparation for complete living.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.
I wish to acknowledge my indebtedness to all those who have in any way assisted in bringing to our schools the large measure of prosperity they have enjoyed during the past year. Friends have been many, and their suggestions and counsel have been most helpful.
To the teachers I wish to extend my sincere thanks for their co-operation, their loyalty, their zeal, and their continued sup- port.
To the School Committee I wish especially to express my feelings of deepest gratitude for the pleasant and harmonious relations that have always existed between us. My burden of work has been greatly relieved by your broadminded and gen- erous attitude towards all school questions and policies. Your loyalty to the best interests of the schools has contributed in no small degree to their continued prosperity; and as a citizen and a servant, I tender you my best wishes and my heartfelt thanks.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH I. HORTON,
Superintendent of Schools.
MANNING HIGH SCHOOL.
To the Superintendent of Schools :---
It is with pleasure that I submit this report to you and the citizens of Ipswich.
I wish to call your attention first of all to the class gradua- ting last June. It was the largest class graduating for some years and even though much smaller than it should be, I think we can feel that the members did gain an ambition to do some- thing definite, and are engaged at present as follows:
Name
Course
Present Occupation
Evelyn Bamford
College
Somerville Library
Julius Bean
Harvard College
James Burke
Bates College
Dorothy Shaw
Boston University
Roseltha Witham
66
Garrette's Store
Ruth Brown
General
Salem Normal
William Burke
Boston University
Anita Daniels
(College of Business Adm.) Salem Normal
Ruth Gilday
Salem Normal
Jonathan Hall
First National Bank
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT
Nancy Homans
General
Office, Burr F. Jones (Newburyport)
Olive Pace
George Porter
Salem Normal At home
Paul Raupach
Northeastern Univ.
Albert Spyut
Helen Bruce
Commercial
Bernice Connor
Leo Dondero
66
Phyllis Girard
Salem Hospital Burdett Commercial Office, Ipswich Mills Office, Judge Hayes Burdett Commercial
Arnold Hamilton
Hollis Hamilton
Robert Kent
At home At home Burdett Commercial
Elsie Manzer
Helen Rogers
Catherine Ryan
Salem Commercial
Beatrice Tufts
Office, Town Treas.
Althea Whittier
First National Bank
Elsie Marr
Not every one in school is destined for college, normal . school, or advanced commercial training. In school as in every other line of work a small percentage of the people excel, usually less than five per cent; consequently a very few are pre- pared for entrance to college or normal school.
Some of those who are prepared cannot go because of other reasons. The same thing is true with our graduates from the Commercial Course. Some are prepared to take positions of responsibility, and we can recommend them. Others have completed the requirements for graduation so far as quantity of work is concerned, but the quality is such that we cannot rec- ommend them for some types of work.
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT
The past year has show us that local employers are interested in the graduates of our school, and we have been able to help those graduates, prepared for the work, to obtain good positions.
It sometimes happens that a person hires a graduate of the school for a type of work in which the graduate is not prepared. I feel that better results could be obtained for both graduate and employer if the school authorities were consulted as to the preparation and inclination of the graduate to do the work.
I think it is clear that pupils are not going to reach the same degree of preparation for life work during four years of high school. No two people have just the same amount of ability, no two people have just the same home training, and certainly no two pupils are interested in the same type of work to the same degree in school.
We endeavor to teach, first of all, that he is a member of society and must respect the rights of others. We try to teach the individual to be honest in his work and in his deal- ings with schoolmates and teachers. We try to lead pupils to form habits of industry and punctuality.
We can accomplish something, but we cannot get far in teaching these lessons without the co-operation of parents. I wish to say that we do get that co-operation in most cases, but I must admit that I have met parents who are so anxious to make life pleasant and easy for their boys and girls that they want them to be excused from anything hard and allowed to go on as easily as possible.
If we can teach the pupil to overcome obstacles, to do his daily work, to be punctual, the question of passing any specific subject is overcome.
We are trying to maintain a standard of work equal to any high school in the state, and I assure you that the work is definitely presented to the pupils as a whole and much addi-
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT
tional time is given to those who need additional help. The teacher cannot help the pupil by doing his work for him, but no pupil need leave the building any day without knowing how to do his next day's work. There are many things after the pupil leaves school tending to divert his mind from study and if the parent is interested, he must realize that he has some duty at least to the extent of setting aside a definite time and place for the pupil to study at home. No one in school can do satisfactory work without at least two hours home study. This may mean that he will have to give up some pleasures, and even the whole family may have to sacrifice the pleasure of the wireless or other entertainment for the evening.
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