USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1927 > Part 7
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Upon no other subject is there such unanimity of opinion among all sects and creeds and conditions as upon that of char- acter building. Self-expression, as it has expressed itself of late, has not met with general approval. We are beginning to question whether any form of selfishness, unmodified by a re- cognition of constituted authority or of obligation to our fellow- man, will ever adequately meet human needs and make for progress. We are pretty well agreed that the Golden Rule
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embodies those fundamental principles upon which the stabillty and continuance of society must be built.
For a few years past our teachers have been requested to devote the last fifteen minutes of each school day to a practical consideration of this subject, and so, through the study of poems, of prose, of songs, biography, pictures and the concrete in- stances of local right-doing, have they tried to im press upon their pupils the lessons of these abstract truths.
Though the models held up and the examples cited were worthy of all respect, and doubtless left a good impression upon the minds and hearts of these children and youths, we must ad- mit that they had that abstract quality, so to speak, which cannot possibly be so effective in moulding character as a well- planned program of daily right-doing. Would we teach obedience? (and this is the key-word to all effectual training.) Then require obedience. Honesty? Then require honesty. Industry? Then require that all work shall be done in the best manner and promptly at the time appointed.
This is character building through works, and there is no better way. It places the responsibility where it belongs, and directs the growth of the pupil from day to day. Unconsciously he is forming right habits, and habits make character.
It calls for individual work with the individual pupil, not for the last fifteen minutes, but for all the time. It calls for pa- tience and kindness, but your main dependence will be an un- yielding and insistent firmness. Alibis should not be en- couraged or tolerated. The good work of a year or of a lifetime, may be undone, and given a contrary direction and impulse, by a single momentary lapse. Children are good judges of "human nature", and discover the weaknesses of parents and teachers before either are conscious of them. A false mark, or rank, not honestly earned, is an abomination, a hot-bed of duplicity, one of the most common and most serious destructive agencies with which we have to deal. These should never be allowed.
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Character building is a man-sized job and needs the full co- operation of parents and teachers. If undertaken early, and pursued systematically, the result may be fairly assured. The personality of the teacher, her attitude toward her work, and that steady, silent influence which emanates from her own char- acter, will be her best helps in accomplishing this most worth- while task.
The reorganization of the work in drawing has been carried on by Mr. Adams, who had charge of this work last year.
To some superficial observer, this method may not have so strong an appeal as other systems; but the real basis for all drawing, especially the mechanical and practical features of the subject, is there; and, in its development, covers a very import- ant field of knowledge.
As I said last year, it correlates with other subjects to a re- markable degree, and gives the pupil a real power to reason out certain relations of form, size, and contents, that he would not otherwise possess. To the fuller understanding of the work in arithmetic and geography, it is a very valuable help. The pupil, by his own initiative, makes a broader application of those fun- damental principles which he has been accustomed to use from the very beginning of his work. He is conscious of the power thus gained and attacks his prob ems with greater confidence.
Another valuable feature of the system is that the teacher is her own supervisor of the subject. This results in less con- fusion, gives more flexibility to her program, and affords an op- portunity to venture into such new fields of illustration and de- sign as her taste and inclination may dictate.
This is the second year that the system has been used in our schools, and the results have been very gratifying. The em- phasis is being shifted to the side of methods, and an effort to arouse the aesthetic faculties is meeting with some success.
It will be of interest to parents, especially to those who are planning to send their children upon graduation to Normal
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School, to learn of some changes that have taken place in these schools.
The course for teachers and supervisors of music, at the State Normal School at Lowell, has been extended to four years, and leads to a degree.
A new course, three years in length, for teachers of men- tally retarded children, has been established at the Salem State Normal School.
Two-year courses have been discontinued at two of our Normal Schools, and the inference is that they will shortly be discontinued in all Normal Schools of the State.
The plan or admission for qualified applicants remains the same as for 1927. Under the selective process, scholarship will be allowed 75 points for 15 units of work, and personality 25 points.
In computing the total score for scholarship, a mark "A" will be allowed 5 points; "B" 4 points; "C" 3 points; "D" 2 points.
Another score is used for computing personality. Each candidate must pass a satisfactory physical examination. Fur- ther information may be obtained from Mr. Whipple, the prin- cipal of our High School.
Owing to the unsettled industrial conditions in our town at the present time, and their probable effects upon the size of our school membership, I shall not enter into any consideration of the subject of new buildings, improvement of school grounds, nor of any other matter solely dependent upon the estimated increase of school population. These we can put off until such time as financial skies are clearer, and the press of numbers forces them again to our attention.
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Obituary.
"There is a reaper whose name is Death, And with his sickle keen He reaps the bearded grain at a breath, And the flowers that grow between."
ADA BAMFORD,
A Pupil of the Payne School, Died October Ninth, 1927.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.
To my mind this caption implies a moral as well as tra- dítional obligation. I shall waive all consideration of the tra- ditional, and confine myself by such means as I may command, to the expression of my sincere gratitude to all those persons, agencies, and influences that have contributed so helpfully to the success of our schools during a most trying year.
And first of all, to you gentlemen of the committee, not so much by reason of your official standing, but as co-laborers working with a common purpose, for a single end, do I wish to thank you.
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Differences of opinion are bound to arise whenever any thorough-going and worth while consideration of any subject is undertaken. Our discussions bave lacked none of those qualities. Whenever we have agreed to disagree, I have ac- cepted your decisions and worked as hard and with such single- ness of purpose as though our opinions were in full accord. The schools have had the benefit of the double point of view and all is well.
To that host of benefactors, Mrs. Robert Kimball, Miss Dob- son, Mrs. Hayward, the Parent Teachers' Association, the Amer- ican Legion, the Masonic Lodge, and especially to the Unknown Friend, to the Rotary Club and others, do I tender my thanks for various gifts of material as well as of money.
To those teachers who have given such splendid evidence "that teaching is to them a serious career and not merely a tem- porary expedient on the one hand, or a method of earning an easy livelihood on the other," I offer my thanks in largest meas- ure. To your devotion to duty, and to your loyalty and fidelity to the organization is the success of our schools most largely due.
Neither am I unmindful of my many obligations to the Clerk of the Board, the School Physician, and the School Nurse, the Janitors, the Jitney Men, for their many personal favors and general helpfulness.
Certainly those Dentists, who for many years have given of their time and skill to the Dental Clinic at the Hospital, are deserving of something more than my poor words of commen- dation. Theirs is a genuine public service, and should have some measure of public recognition. They conserve the health of hun- dreds of people each year, at no little personal loss of time and money; and yet, to my knowledge, I have never seen any public expression of appreciation of their self-sacrificing work, outside the School Report, which is only a departmental affair. Not but what it belongs here, for it is fundamental in health
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education. But they are entitled to a more general recognition than our limited space can allow them.
That they are not self-seeking or dependent upon the pub- lic expression of good-will for their continuance in this service, goes without saying. The facts disprove any such view But we must concede them one quality, at least, that is not abundant in our town, and that is a fixedness of purpose to carry things through to their ultimate goal. They have succeeded. They have given this service the permanency of an institution.
Last, but not least, there is another whose memory (for she has passed from earth) should be held in deepest respect and veneration by every individual in this town, and that is Mrs. Mary Cowles Cummings, formerly of Woburn, Mass. The num- ber and diversity of her gifts, and the wide variety of human in- terests which they are intended to further and conserve, place her name in the forefront of the town's benefactors. The His- torical Society, The Convalescents' Home, and the Schools- each and all received substantial gifts. But her greatest and richest gift is, the gift of a considerable portion of land on the top of Town Hill, for the use and behoof of the inhabitants for- ever. None of her gifts shows a larger generosity of spirit nor a keener foresight and discernment in making provision for our present and future welfare. Our freedom of action is being re- stricted more and more as the years go by. Had we been de- nied the privileges which that hill-top affords, we might have a a livelier appreciation of its merits. But she saw its value, and by her wisdom and nobility of thought secured it for our people through all coming time. May we not hope that our people, es- pecially our graduates who have benefited by her generosity, may deem it as a personal obligation and privilege to conserve these gifts, and to give her name an honored place.
Again thanking you, one and all, I subscribe myself
Gratefully yours,
JOSEPH I. HORTON, Supt. of Schools.
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MANNING HIGH SCHOOL.
Joseph I. Horton,
Superintendent of Schools, Ipswich, Massachusetts,
Dear Sir:
It is with pleasure that I herewith submit my eighth annual report as principal of Manning High School.
The past year has brought us some new problems, but in spite of these I cannot refrain from referring to some of those conditions that still stand out as old problems in our work.
One problem of paramount importance concerns the reten- tion of experienced teachers. At present we train teachers for one or more years up to the point of efficiency, and then allow some other town to take them, because we are unwilling to re- cognize their service by a substantial increase in salary. There is necessarily waste effort for the first few weeks of a teacher's connection with the school. Last year, two teachers valuable to our organization left to enter larger fields with more evidence of appreciation for their work.
I feel that we have met with the same degree of success in filling these positions as previously. I can sincerely say that we have a group of as capable, ambitious, harmonious workers as ever. This does not change the fact, however, that it takes time to readjust conditions with each change we are compelled to make.
Other problems still no nearer solution, are the lack of ac- commodation for our laboratory work and the lack of room and
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equipment for library work. It seems that our pupils are en- titled to equipment and instruction comparable to that in other communities. We are compelled at present to use the assem- bly hall for classes throughout the day, and this renders it un- suitable for assemblies and socials. Certainly we cannot hope to develop the best in our pupils without laboratories, a library, and assembly hall.
I do not call your attention to these facts in the spirit of complaint or because do not realize that you understand them, but I do feel that they are problems beyond the school adminis- tration and should receive very definite study.
We have made a creditable gain in reference books this year and in general our text books are in good condition. We should consider seriously this year the change of some sets of text books that are antiquated so far as modern work is con- cerned. We can make use of reference books even though we have no means of placing them at the disposal of all pupils, and we should continue to supply an increasing number of such books.
It is with pleasure that I can report the change of about sixty fourth grade desk irons that have been in use temporarily. In fact, our class rooms and corridors are all that we need ask for so far as appearance and furniture are concerned.
During the last year the building has been equipped with an up-to-date efficient fire alarm system ready to be supplied with an economical power supply. We now have an electric clock and fire alarm system operated on fifty-four dry cells, which mean an expenditure of about thirty-five dollars a year for renewal. The amount of current used in proportion to the cost of dry cells is relatively small. For a comparatively few dollars more an efficient electrical system can be installed which will pay for itself several times in the next five years. I hope this system will be seriously considered before more money is expended for dry cells.
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I believe if we are to teach the pupil to plan his work, clocks should be provided in each room. We have a master clock to which should be connected secondary clocks for the class rooms. At present we have only three clocks in the building. These have passed their usefulness. The electrical system could well be completed at a small cost in proportion to the benefit to the pupil.
I realize that none of us as individuals or as a part of a community can have conditions just as we wish them, but there is no doubt that we are sometimes extravagant in our efforts to be economical. I believe that we have been extravagant in our failure to keep experienced teachers. I feel that we are wasting much time and energy in waiting for tools with which to work. It is necessary only to study our position in comparison with other schools of the state to see that we are trying to give our pupils the same preparation at four-fifths the cost in other schools.
School opened this fall with the largest enrollment in its history; namely, 308 pupils distributed by classes as shown in your tabulated report of enrollment.
The enrollment has doubled in the last seven years. Our graduating class has more than doubled as shown by the fol- lowing:
Enrollment
Graduates
1920
152
1920
21
1921
160
1921
23
1922
187
1922
20
1923
197
1923
27
1924
253
1924
26
1925
274
1925
29
1926
285
1926
37
· 1927
308
1927
45
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The Senior Class at present has a membership of 48. Of course it is clear that the enrollment of the high school has in- creased in a greater proportion than the enrollment of the schools as a whole. This shows that a much larger proportion of our pupils are taking advantage of the high school.
It is interesting to note that the experience of Ipswich is in accord with the growth of the high school the country over. Statistics show that high school population has increased in the United States nearly eight times since 1900 and has nearly doubled in the last seven years.
Whereas the high school ten years ago had a comparatively small group of pupils preparing for some definite future, the school at the present time is confronted with the problem of ·interesting and helping to develop a much larger group. Ten years ago the average pupil graduating from high school hoped to continue definite school work. Now we find the school made up of a large proportion of pupils intending to enter the office, the trade, or other employment giving an immediate financial return.
It is not always the pupil with the highest degree of men- tality who s encouraged to enter the higher institutions of learn- ing, and because of this the school finds itself confronted with more stringent entrance requirements. I feel that I should again bring to the attention of parents through this report that it is not reasonable to expect that any pupil can enter any institution of learning beyond high school grade until he has been able to attain a rank of "B" or higher in each subject in high school.
Our standard of work is comparable to work of the same grade in any high school, and we find a reasonable proportion of pupils in each class doing "A" and "B" work. We also find some pupils hoping to go beyond the high school unwilling to sacrifice pleasure for work. The school has control of the pupil for a small part of the day but the pupil has much school work to do out of school hours and should have a definite time set
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aside for home study. Each individual needs recreation and there is no reason why any pupil can not plan time for two hours of recreation or remunerative employment. It is not rea- sonable to believe, however, that any one can do satisfactory work without concentration.
The high school pupil has many enemies in any community working for his downfall, and I think you will agree that Ips- wich is no exception. We try to meet the conditions in so far as we can by extra school activities. I will not take space to go into detail, but just mention some of the ways in which we are trying to give the pupil an opportunity to adjust himself to the school community, and we hope we may help him to take a respectable place in the town community.
Music seems to me as one of the broadest aud most helpful as over ninety per cent of the school is interested at present in the elective musical clubs under the direction of Mr. Tozer. I trust Mr. Tozer's report will deal with this work in more detail.
Athletics, although at present reaching a small part of the school, do more to develop self-control and leadership than any other of our activities, The athletic policy of Manning High School may be summed up as follows:
They are carried on for as large a number as equipment and conditions will allow.
They are directed by a man who thinks only of the value to the participants and the name of the school.
The one who works the hardest and is the best qualified represents the school-
Athletics are run for the pupils, not as an advertisement for the coach or the town.
I wish to express my sincere appreciation of Mr. Conary's untiring efforts with the boys after a full day's work in the class room. Even though little opportunity has been given to the girls as yet, Miss Blodgett has done much in addition to her heavy school program to help the girls.
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I believe the town hall can serve no greater purpose than it is serving at present in giving our boys and girls an opportunity to play basketball. I hope we can prove to the Selectmen and the people of Ipswich that my assumption is true.
Pupils are also given opportunity to develop initiative and leadership in dramatics, clubs, school paper, and school socials.
I could mention each individual teacher in connection with some of these activities, but I need only say each is doing the best possible to carry on the work. The class room teacher needs no alibi and I realize when a person makes a remark as to the five hour day of the teacher. he is entirely ignorant of school work and it is not worth while to discuss the matter with him. I can say with all sincerity, however, that our teachers are engaged in school work on an average of 10 hours a day for six days a week.
Not all pupils profit from all the activities of the school and undoubtedly some profit from none of the school work. I do feel, however, that no one can study the career of our graduates for the last seven years without feeling just a little pride in the fact that they have as a whole continued their learning and de- velopment.
The graduates of last year are at present engaged as fol- lows:
Paul Hayes
Rogers Lord
Elizabeth Glover
Virgene Hamilton Palmer Raupach Berenice Lester John Kobos
Ralph Kenyon Laura Gordon Eleanor Casali
Bowdoin College
Bates College Boston University Boston University Boston University University of New Hampshire Boston College
Worcester Polytechnic Inst. Sargent's, Physical Education Salem Normal
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT
Nellie Soja Parker Hull
Oliver Curville
Dorice Tozier
Joseph Goot
Lillian Day
Mary Keyes
Rhoda Goodhue
Edna Curran
Mona Munroe
Hercules Bokron
Ruth Humphrey
Mary Lucy John Grant
Mildred Tufts
William Connor
Marion Ames
Hilda Dupray
Hayward's Hosiery Mill
Clara Georgopulos
Mill Office
Pauline Witham
Mill Office
Corinne Bourque
Mill Office
Mary MacLeod.
Mill Office Mill Office
Mildred Ainsworth Mildren Powers
Office, Allston
Hazel Player
Ipswich Mills
Ellen Dow
Burnham's Trading Post At Home
Clara Phaneuf
Edna Roper-Andrews
Mill Office
Everett Smith
Burke's Heel Shop Holland's Store
Eleanor Dodge
Norma Ellsworth
At Home
Seymour Grose
At Home
Rodney Jewett
Hayward's Hosiery Factory
Salem Normal Pace Institute Chandler Secretarial School Chandler Secretarial School Northeastern University Salem Commercial Essex Agricultural School Mansfield School, Boston Nursing, St, Elizabeth's Hospital Mary Brook's Kindergarten Huntington School Post Graduate Post Graduate Beverly High Post Graduate St. John's Preparatory Quint, Florist, Boston
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John Sheppard · Robert Sheppard
Crane's Estate Working for Ryan
Several of last year's graduates have plans for the future that they cannot enter upon at once because of age. It is im- possible for a girl to enter training for nursing before she is eighteen years of age. At least three others are planning to go to college. Age entered in, but some had neglected to take work in preparation for the institution they decided to enter at the last minute.
I believe the number coming to graduation with no plans for the future is decreasing, but there are still some who do not plan ahead and choose the right course. I feel, too, that we should not graduate so many of our pupils to wait a year and, in some cases, two years before they are old enough to enter the next field in their training. The age in our senior class should average between seventeen and eighteen years and surely only the exceptional pupil can get the most from the sen- ior year if much under seventeen years.
We surely are fortunate in the worthwhile financial help given our graduates last year toward higher education. Through the generosity of Mrs. Cummings and her desire to see the ful- fillment of Roxanna Cowles' will, two pupils received $200.00 each with an appropriate medal. The will provides a fund which should insure sufficient income to help a boy agd girl each year in college. The only stipulation is that those to ben- efit by the help must have a rank of 85 or over throughout the course and be in a position to profit by the help for advanced schooling. These scholarships will not necessarily go to those receiving the highest rank, but the element of help to the in- dividual must enter in. Last year these scholarships were given to Laura Gordon and Palmer Raupach.
A scholarship of one hundred dollars given by an interested local man was awarded to Elizabeth Glover. A twenty dollar
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IPSWICH SCHOOL REPORT
gold piece given by the same individual was awarded to Ralph Kenyon. A medal given each year by the Sons of the American Revolution to the pupil in the senior class showing the greatest interest in American History was awarded to Palmer Raupach. A two year scholarship to Pace Institute given by the Institute was awarded to Parker Hul .
The School award to those meeting the requirements as outlined in Scholarship, Leadership, and Athletics was given to the following:
Four years
Palmer Raupach Elizabeth Glover Paul Hayes Ruth Humphrey
Three years
Mary Patch
Ralph Kenyon Elizabeth Gove
Althea Howe Vergene Hamilton
Bernice Lester
William Connor John Kobos
Two years
Richard Durham Barbara Damon
One year
Dorothy Dunn Mary Henderson Evelyn Hebb Mary Brennan
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