USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1924 > Part 9
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7. Music --- "The Star Spangled Banner"
8. Benediction
53
IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
GRADUATES OF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, JUNE, 1924.
Bronek Alhowek
Doris Arvanites Thelma Bailey
Barbara Bickerton Doris Bickerton George Booth Marjorie Bragdon Joseph Carey
Stella Ciolek Dorice Comeau
Evelyn Cummings Clarence Dupray
Beulah Economopoulou
Mark Fannon
Charles Flewelling
Agnes Gallant
Christos Georgopoulous Fred Hudson Joseph Goot
Daniel Grant
Seymore Grose
Lois Hall Arthur Harrington Chester Hills Lawrence Hills
Barbara Howe Ruth Humphrey
Ruth Arthur
Harold Atkinson Stanley Bennett Courtney Bickerton
Anna Blunda Florence Bourque Ralph Burnham Alice Ciolek
Theodore Ciolek
Francis Connor
Charlotte Dodge
Richard Durham
Robert Elwell Hilda Fannon Joseph Gaffney. Martha Georgekopoulou Peter Gonis
John Goodhue Elizabeth Gove Esther Grant Albert Hall
Frances Hardy Lawrence Henley Hartley Hills Althea Howe
Myron Howe Lydia Jodoin
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
Paul Jodoin Frank Klosowski Margaret Mackinnon
William Karchonas Charles Lampropoulous
Mary MacLeod
Henry Manzer James Merson Ruth Millard Mary Patch
Mary McTernon John Michon Mona Monroe
Gertrude Phelan
Glenna Pollard
Vernal Pollard
Wilfred Poor
Richard Priest
Dorothy Rand
Louis Saulnier
Emily Saunders
Allen Saunders Gloria Scahill
Doris Scahill
Eleanor Sheppard Fannie Sklarz Nellie Sojka
John Sikora Frank Smith
Clara Snelson
Mabel Spencer
John Starsiak
Ernest Stone Arthur Saunders Joseph White Dorothy Willcomb Irene Wolejko
Raymond Wile Wallace Wile
Gertrude Whittier
Edmund Wolejko Mary Zervas
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
DEPARTMENT OF HYGIENE AND MEDICAL INSPECTION
George E. MacArthur, M.D., Martha J. Stewart, R. N. Supervisor. Nurse.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR.
To the Superintendent of Schools:
The primary function of this department is to promote and conserve the health of the children in our schools. There are many problems to be met, and many angles of approach to these problems, so that constant thought and study are neces- sary to produce results.
It is only by comparing health conditions of today with those of years ago that one is able to realize how much higher the general standard of public health is than it was a decade ago. This higher standard which is general throughout the country is due in a large measure to the work done in the pub- lic schools and by other agencies, Federal, State and Munici- pal; and in the latter the work in the public school stands first.
Ipswich has an enrollment of more than fourteen hundred and fifty in her schools. It is safe to say that her population wtihin the school age, 6 to 21 years, exceeds 2000. The popu- lation of the town probably exceeds 6500. There were 95 deaths in 1924. Eighteen of these were under one year of age. There were only four deaths among persons of school age, two of these were due to accident, and two to disease. These figures are taken from the vital statistics records of the town and are correct. Do they show something?
53
IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
The work accomplished by the Dental clinic has been of great value in a health way. Much has been done also for the children as a result of notices sent to parents calling attention to defects that were revealed by the physical examinations. This department appreciates the spirit of co-operation that has been shown by parents and guardians.
The milk that is furnished daily to many of the children has had an important bearing on the general health.
Physical training and athletics have both done their part in the practical working out of these health problems. The phy- sical training is now well standardized; but it is my belief that athletics should be more strongly featured and developed. The town would be wise to make a liberal appropriation for such development.
Attention is called to the report of the school nurse which shows in detail what has been done by the department.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE E. MacARTHUR, M. D.
Ipswich, February 3, 1925.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE.
Mr. Joseph I. Horton, Supintendent of Schools,
Ipswich, Mass.
Dear Mr. Horton:
Am listing on following page the report of school work done by me for the year ending December 31, 1925,
57
IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
SCHOOL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1924.
School Visits
358
Class
618
Home Visits
652
Treatments
143
Talks
439
Consultations
24
Inspections
18881
Children Taken to the Dental Clinic
132
Oculist
5
Weighed and Measured
1387
Assisted Dr. with Physical Exams.
1368
Children Weighed
2016
Conferences Attended
4
Respectfully yours,
MARTHA J. STEWART, R. N.
MUSIC REPORT.
Mr. Joseph I. Horton,
Superintendent of Schools.
My Dear Sir:
Considering the fact that the work in music in the public schools of Ipswich has been carried on in the same man- ^ ner as in previous years, I hardly think that a detailed report is necessary.
We have, however, made one step forward. New music
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
readers have been purchased for all the grades, and I feel that I can safely promise that the advantages to the children will more than offset their cost. More [interest in the work is being shown. and even with less than a year's study, the boys and girls are much farther advanced in music than at any time since I have acted as supervisor. I wish to thank you and your committee for the purchase of these books.
And may I take this opportunity to also thank you and your teachers for their hearty co-operation in music.
Respectfully submitted, ARTHUR HAROLD TOZER, Supervisor of Music.
DOMESTIC SCIENCE.
To the Superintendent of Schools:
Dear Sir:
The work for the most part since September, 1924, has been carried on as it was last year. A few changes, however, have been made.
The work in sewing has been planned to teach the funda- mental construction stitches and their uses on simple garments which the children make for themselves. Simple decorative stitches, pleasing color combinations and a knowledge of the common fabrics used for various garments are taught. Under_ wear, dresses, blouses, and jackets have been made.
In cooking the aim is to teach meal planning, proper food combinations, table setting and preparation of meals for a family . The breakfast has already been served. Now we are working
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
on a supper menu and next term we are going to serve a dinner. Later lessons in bread making and meats are to be given.
The interest shown by the Junior High pupils and the prog- ress that they have made so far this year is indeed gratifying. The interest of the younger girls in the sixth grades is encour- aging.
Something should be done, however, to stimulate interest in Domestic Science in the High School. The girls enrolled are doing very good work for the most part, but a very small per- centage of the Freshman class has elected Domestic Arts.
It would be well to add to the equipment of the Domestic Science room. There are desks for sixteen girls, while we have 21 in one of the cooking classes. There are only three sewing machines while some of the classes have an enrollment of of thirty pupils. With more equipment better results and more work could be accomplished.
I conclusion, I wish to thank Mr. Horton, Mr. Tozer and Miss Sullivan for their interest and help.
Respectfully submitted,
MARION F. WHITNEY.
MANUAL TRAINING.
To the Superintendent of Schools,
Ipswich, Mass.
Dear Sir:
Since the opening of the Fall term, it has been my defin- ite object to show the pupils the direct connection between men- tal and manual labor, and the application of the subjects of arithmetic. drawing, etc., which are taught in the grades, to the training in this department.
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
I have insisted strongly upon the carrying out in detail of the instructions given to the pupils. Every pupil has a definite outline to follow in every project he works out If this outline is followed accurately, there is practically no waste of time or ma- terial.
In order to make the work more interesting to the pupils, I have tried as far as possible to make the work individual. This gives the fast and accurate worker an opportunity to progress more rapidly and with more understanding of the work than he could otherwise obtain.
In doing this, it has been necessary to allow some of the boys to do larger problems which require considerable material, and harder woods of greater value. The cost of material in this case is partly defrayed by the pupil.
The enrollment of pupils in this department this year far exceeds that of any previous year. There are now two hundred and eleven boys and six girls enrolled. Due to such large class- es, our classroom is entirely too small to answer the purposes, and our tool supply is inadequate. We have bench room for twenty-four pupils and tools for about sixteen. Some of the classes are over thirty in number.
There is also need for better lighting and heating facilities. The classroom is quite dark except for awhile in the afternoon, and for the past month it, has been quite uncommon for the thermometer to go higher than 50 degrees.
In closing, I wish to say that I am satisfied with the interest that the pupils as a whole are showing, and hope that they will keep up their good work. The fathers and mothers of the town have just cause to feel proud of the boys, and I will do every- thing within my power to make them reliable and trustworthy workmen, so that they will in future years be better men and better citizens. Respectfully,
E. BENJAMIN CURRIER.
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
ATTENDANCE REPORT.
To the Superintendent of Schools: Dear Sir:
I have investigated one hundred fifty cases of absences and all have been returned to school or found to have reason- able excuses for being absent. In only one case was it neces- sary to invoke the aid of the court, and in that case the child elected to return to school rather than be sent away.
One hundred seventy-seven certificates have been issued to minors for the year.
Very truly yours, GEO. W. TOZER, Attendance Officer.
PENNY SAVINGS ACCOUNT.
I have collected from the teachers $206.33, and deposited in the savings bank $222.92.
GEO. W. TOZER.
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATION.
When this organization was first mentioned as a possibility, I must confess to a feeling of no small degree of apprehension as to the line of action it intended to pursue. We had had some experience with community workers that was far from satisfactory or agreeable, and we had come to the point where we desired assurance doubly assured. Moreover, we had been warned by those who had not been favorably impressed by an actual experimental knowledge of Parent-Teacher Associations, and we were skeptical about the matter.
It was not until many conferences with the now acting president, and much studying of by-laws, the aims and purposes of the organization, etc., that my fears were allayed.
It is the unwritten law of the organization not to interfere with the administration of school affairs, and in the degree in which this fundamental principle of the order is either ignored or conscientiously observed, in a like degree do its activities become either an intolerable nuisance or a most beneficent agency in the work of community uplift and welfare. Whether or not it has given a good account of itself, shall be left to your decision, when we have set down some of the things it has undertaken and accomplished. It asks for judgment by no other standard save works alone.
The first thing attempted was to provide some one to lead the activities of the playgrounds during the summer vacation. Most fortunately the selection was made of Miss Helen Hum- phreys, who, though young in years, possessed all the qualities of leadership in a remarkable degree. She was vigorous, quietly enthusiastic, undemonstrative but forceful. She studied her problem from every angle, and made herself complete mistress
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
of the situation. Rarely, or never before, have I seen such evidence of tact, resourcefulness, and clear cool judgment in one of so few years. And above all, she worked with that singleness of mind and purpose that was as noticeable as it was refreshing.
Her work was with the children, and for them alone. No attempt at display or publicity was ever shown. The selection of her playgrounds was conditioned upon but two things-the fitness of the location and the comfort of the children. The membership of her classes averaged high throughout the season, and the children grew strong, vigorous and happy. We were all sorry when the season ended, and we sincerely hope that Miss Humphreys' services may be secured for another year.
The Association has held several meetings or conferences during the year, and a definite plan of action has been settled upon. In addition to meeting and becoming acquainted with the local teachers, an effort has been made to become ac- quainted with the mothers of the children in our schools. These meetings have been held in the Town Hall and the attendance has been very gratifying indeed. Considerable progress, too, has been made in securing new members from the foreign moth- ers, who are now taking a deeper interest in educational affairs and manifesting a stronger desire for social recognition. It is a question of time only when these people will be in the ascend- ancy, numerically; and this coming together where an exchange of ideas and where the personal and sympathetic touch may be had, will do much to give them our point of view and familiarize them with the spirit of our institutions. This feature of the work of the Association alone is of tremendous importance to the fu- ture of this community, and can be measured only when con- ditions directly opposite to this procedure are taken into the comparison.
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
In future gatherings of this kind, it is proposed to employ an interpreter so that these people will not be obliged to listen to a program rendered in an unknown tongue.
In addition to these pageants of nations the association has been instrumental in securing the services of one of the finest musical combinations in the whole country-the Schubert Club. This group of artists is directed by Mr. Edward MacArthur, who, formerly was the supervisor of music in our public schools and is a brother of Dr. George E. MacArthur, our school physi- cian. Too much cannot be said of the program presented, nor of the perfect rendition of each number under the masterly leadership of the director. His power to control the expression of every varying phase of his compositions is simply wonderful, and Ipswich is to be congratulated that such a rare musical treat was made possible through the efforts of this organization. It is proposed to make the visits of the Schubert Club a perman- ent feature in the work of building up a deeper sense of music appreciation, and it is hoped that we may have them with us once or twice each season.
Nor are the activities of the association confined to music alone as a subsidiary educational agency. The moving picture has been requisitioned to exhibit some of the finest historical films the country affords. Robin Hood, Lincoln, and America have been given for the benefit of the pupils in the schools as well as for mixed audiences. Through the co-operation of Mr. Bragdon, the rates for the children's matinees have been brought within the reach of all, and an opportunity of great historic and educational value has been presented to our schools.
The Association has undertaken the distribution of crackers and free milk, and also of flowering bulbs. Each child is given a half-dozen bulbs of various kinds, and is instructed how to plant and care for them until they bloom. One-half of these flowers are to be retained in the schoolroom of which the
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
child is a member and the other half of them are sent to the hospital to give cheer and comfort to the sick. This is an excel- lent training in social service, and is bound to be reflected in an enlarged vision and a deeper sympathy, that will manifest them- selves in lines of upright conduct and character.
As the result of a lecture by a lady from the Board of Edu- cation who has charge of the development of libraries in the public schools, a reading table was installed in the English room of the Junior High School, under to charge of Miss Abby Smith. Contributions of books, magazines, and papers have been so generous that the table has been actually loaded with these gifts. This furnishes an opportunity and an incentive at one and the same time. Children who have completed their work for the period, go to the table, select a book, and read and report on the article selected. The reading habit is thereby acquired and the taste for good, wholesome literature is established.
The schools need more tables and more books, and to se- cure these a rummage sale has been conducted by the members of the association with a fair degree of success. In furtherance of this idea, an exhibition by the Venetian Glass Blowers has been planned for the near future. This will be an exceedingly interesting and instructive exhibition of working in glass, and should it receive the patronage it deserves, the funds for library books for the schools will be measurably increased.
There are other features of the Association program that might be mentioned, but we prefer to wait until these are near- er materialization before announcements are made.
-
JOSEPH I. HORTON. In account with School Milk Fund
Cr.
1924 Jan. I. Balance in Bank $ 77.32
1924
April 10. Paid for Milk
$ 13.14
July 2.
9.48
Nov. 4.
13.05
Dec. 11.
12.57
.. 31. Balance in Bank 29.08
$ 77.32
$ 77.32
1925
Jan. 1. Balance in Bank
$ 29.08
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH I. HORTON.
Dr.
The distribution of milk is one of the important features of our health program. It has been wonderfully successful; but as our balance in the bank was getting low we became apprehensive as to our ability to carry it forward. The Woman's Club, the Rotary Club, the Parent-Teacher Association, theLegion and some few individuals have very generously come to our relief. The future is therefore full of assurance.
MRS. BESSIE B. DAMON, TRUSTEE.
Dr.
In Account with School Ground Improvement Association. Cr.
1924
1924
May 8. * Francis Wade, trees
$ 69.77
June 18. Ipswich Ice Cream Co. 47.20
26. Chas. A. Glover, band 33.00
" Lopez & Co., badges
5.82
July 5. S. C. Gordon, trucking
5.00
Hiller & Co., cloth
10.90
Lopez & Co., badges
1.50
¥ G. E. Vivian,
20.00
Aug. 24. C. Leary & Co., tonics 26.60
Dec. 31 Balance in Bank 208.57
$ 428.36
$ 428.36
1925
Jan. 1. To Balance in Bank $ 208.57
Respectfully submitted,
MRS. BESSIE B. DAMON, TRUSTEE.
*The thanks of this community are due Mr. Francis Wade for the personal attention given to the selection, planting, and care of these trees. They were planted in the Burley School grounds where they will become an increasing source of beauty as the years go by.
Jan. I. To Balance in Bank $ 219.90
June 26." Receipts from Field Day 208.46
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
NIGHT SCHOOL.
-
The night school did not re-open in October, as in other years, as we were without funds. The work in Americanization has been interrupted and it will require some little time and ef- fort to regain the lost ground.
Few communities have so heavy and varied an educational program as has this of ours. When you consider the scope of the work that should be undertaken and accomplished by our educational department, as a measure of local security and peace, it would seem that no time should be lost in the pros- ecution of this work. I have already tried to point out, in the opening pages of this report, the chaacter and size of the task that confronts us. If the town fails or refuses to act in accord- ance with the recommendations of its school committee in ref- erence to this matter, then the Town itself must assume the responsibility of its acts, or its neglect to act. It is a question that is becoming more important each year, and the longer its settle- ment is delayed, the more difficult its accomplishment will be- come. As I have said before, it is a work of such tremendous size and importance that every organization in the community should co-operate with the school authorities and have a part in the undertaking.
There is another class of people who deserve consideration in this connection, and that is a considerable group of young people, who, from economic necessity, were obliged to leave the high school before completing the course. They now see the error of their ways, and desire to redeem the past if an opportunity be given them. They realize now as they did not earlier, that too
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
many doors are closed to them by reason of the lack of a high school diploma. They are ambitious and worthy of our confi- dence as to the sincerity of their purposes. They are obliged to work during the day, but they realize that if this opportunity for further study is denied them, that their advancement in life will be most seriously retarded if not ended altogether. I sincerely hope that this class, too, may receive sufficient consideration at your hands to enable these young people to realize their hopes to the fullest extent. We need a large evening school if we in- tend to meet the educational requirements of this large and wor- thy group of people.
IN GENERAL.
We were admonished to make this report as short as possi- ble, without omitting any materially important phase of school work. The omissions will be many, and the report will not be short.
In reference to the elementary schools, let me say that their work and their efficiency has been greatly impaired by the change of teachers and the lack of books and other supplies. During the months of November and December hardly any sup- plies or books were ordered. The schools scraped along with such supplies as we could dig out of closets and stock rooms, most of it old, dirty, and ill-adapted to the purposes it pretend- ed to fill. Books, especially reading books and histories, were insufficient in number and either too high or too low for the
IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
grade in which we were obliged to place them. Under such conditions the best work could not be expected and we were not disappointed as to our expectations. Since the first of the new year we have tried to supply these needs more promptly, and things have taken a slight turn for the better.
There is one phase of our school work that calls positively for consideration and improvement. And that is the unneces- sary amount of tardiness and absence. This is not the fault of the teacher nor of the school. It is the fault of the parents. Chil- dren who leave home in season may frequently loiter on the way and be late. But this habit does not account for, nor cover, a majority of the cases. Children do not leave home early enough and, as a consequence, are late. sometimes nearly every morn- ing.
If the child is sent home for an excuse, then the parent com- plains and accuses the teacher of partiality, or lack of judgment. or spite, or some other unreasonable and senseless thing.
In every such case the child suffers a decided and positive loss, both in interest in his schoolwork and in that training in promptness and punctuality which is the best guaranty of his success in life. The same is true of absences. The child is al- lowed to remain at home on the slightest pretext. He thought he heard the whistle blow, or it was cold, or hot, or he wasn't feeling well. or someone was going out of town and he wanted to go with them. Sometimes he feigns sickness the duration of which is limited to about an hour or less after school begins. Needless to say that recovery in such cases are rapid and com- plete. It is one of the child's most powerful agencies for gaining his desired ends, and he knows how to use it to perfection. In fact, works it overtime.
I am not writing these things for the sake of finding fault. I condemn fault-finding. It is an app al for a broader view, a saner consideration and wiser settlement of this very vital sub-
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT.
ject, with a full knowledge of the facts before us. It is of the boy l am thinking; of his welfare and his chances of success; of his ability to stand among men and to consider himself the equal of his fellows. And such eminence has never been gained from habits of shiftlessness. Success in life grows out of the exercise of right habits --- punctuality, promptness, depend- ability, honesty, character. There is no other road, be not de- ceived.
In too many instances such children leave school as soon as the law permits, take up with any blind-alley job, and finally graduate to the street corner. Some of them start on a dozen different jobs within twelve months' time.
But the regretable part of the story remains to be told. Af- ter some years have elapsed some of them come back to the of- · fice seeking advice and counsel for the future. It is pitiful to witness their disappointment when they learn how little our schools can do for them at such times. They fit in nowhere; they are too old to re-enter the grades they left and are incapable of taking advanced work. There are no evening classes, and in spite of all our efforts to console them, they leave the office dis- couraged and depressed.
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