USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1913 > Part 8
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It might not be amiss, at this point, to ask a few pertinent questions. Is it a good reason for asking a pupil to be dis- missed simply because he has no more recitations on that day? Is it wise to keep John out of school to pick cranberries for the neighbors if the financial condition of the family is not such as positively to require the revenue derived therefrom? If a pupil comes from a distance and his car arrives at the opening of the school session, does it not belittle the impor- tance of punctuality in the mind of a boy or girl for the parent or neighbor to ask him or her to do a comparatively unimpor- tant errand before school that will impair a record of atten- dance? Does Melissa get the correct estimate of her advan- tage for an education or a due appreciation of the importance of attention to business if her mother writes a note to have her excused the middle of the forenoon to visit her dressmaker? Would it not seem strange for a lady running a stitching machine in a shoe factory during the rush of business to va- cate her post in the middle of the forenoon for the purpose of consulting her dressmaker? Does it pay, even in dollars and cents, for pupils to lose the Monday's session of school to go to the city, either alone or with parents, to take advantage of the bargain sales advertised in the Boston Sunday papers? If there is a vacation of a few days at the holiday season, is it good business to allow our boys and girls to leave school a day before the holiday to visit friends in neighboring towns and return a day or two after the holiday season? Is it wise for parents to countenance their children being out so late evenings that they do not get up the next morning in time for the opening of the school, or if they do, that they are not in a sufficiently rested condition to do their school work to advantage? If the school has a holiday to attend the Brockton Fair and 98 per cent of the pupils prefer the day selected, and the parents of the remainder allow their children to absent themselves from school and attend the Fair some other day is it inculcating in them the spirit of good citizenship by disregarding the principle of majority rule, the basis of our republican institutions? Is it right for parents to ask teachers to honor written excuses if the excuse originated wholly with the pupil, and if the parent even while writing the excuse, feels that the reason is an insufficient one? To what may we
156
attribute the fact that many pupils who live at quite a dis- tance from the school-yes, and at quite a distance from the railroad and electric lines-and whose parents make many sacrifices in order that their children may have an education, are much more regular in attendance than some of those that live within five minute's walk of the school building?
These questions are all based upon actual personal ex- perience. We ask them with an honest and an earnest pur- pose. We ask them having at heart not only the educational but the moral welfare of the young people entrusted to our charge. We make a plea for our young people to improve to fulness the opportunities which this town so generously offers them to secure an education. We make a plea for the culti- vation of habits that will be a strong asset to them in maturer life.
Respectfully submitted, WALTER SAMPSON, Principal of the High School.
157
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MANUAL ARTS.
Mr Charles H. Bates, Superintendent of Schools:
Dear Sir: The same general course in drawing has been used this year throughout the grades as was used last year, an outline of which was given in my report last year.
Much better work has been done in constructive drawing, and with less effort, a result of manual training. The pupils are becoming more exact, more careful, and neater in their work, for it is very easy to see in these concrete problems when a poor result is due to carelessness along these lines. It also teaches them to be more attentive to directions and in- structions. After a certain process has been taught similar problems are given and the pupil is left more to himself in carrying them out thus developing independent activity and initiative on the part of the pupil.
Manual training was introduced into one or two grades each year, beginning with the first, until last year when it had reached the fourth grade. This year it was introduced into all the remaining grades. In the three upper grades, the boys from two rooms, about fifty, worked together on con- struction problems in cardboard and paper while the girls from these same rooms sewed. This arrangement made the classes far too large for much individual instruction and oversight. Also the room teachers had to carry on these lessons, whether properly trained for the work or not, under the direction of the supervisor who worked in one room or the other as she was needed most. In spite of these disad- vantages much good work was done both in construction and sewing.
This fall the principal of the School Street building and a few of the boys from the eighth grade made a long table twen- ty-five feet long by four feet wide and high enough for the boys to stand at their work. This is in the boys' basement which affords good light and is in many respects a good place for this kind of work. The boys from one room, from eighteen to twenty-eight, work here together with the supervisor, while the girls are sewing in their own room with their room teacher. In cases where the room teacher is a man and
158
he does not know how to teach either sewing or manual work complications arise. It is hoped that sometime an assistant may be employed to teach sewing in these grades, or that teachers may be required to fit themselves to teach either one subject or the other under the direction of the supervisor.
A large closet or store-room has been built in the manual training room with ample shelf room to hold all the manual and other drawing materials, and electric lights have been placed over the table for dark days.
The boys in the upper grades have made blotter pads, loose leaf note book covers of all kinds and sizes, recipe books, stationery cases, portfolios, pad covers, strong cardboard boxes to hold each boys manual material, and crayon boxes to replace those worn out in the lower grades. This year portfolios for the teachers' outlines and note books for the sewing models have been made. A few old school books have been rebound.
The girls have made samplers of the common stitches, and models of each to be kept in a note book with a description of each stitch and its use. Also pillow cases have been plain hemmed and hemstitched and sewing aprons or cases, kitchen and fancy aprons and kimonos made.
The boys and girls in the middle grades all do the same kind of work. Part of the year was devoted to sewing, making a sampler of the common stitches, hemming dish towels, and making bags for marbles or buttons.
Simple problems in cardboard and paper construction were worked out and baskets of reed were made and stained. The boys below the sixth grade take an interest in and enjoy simple plain sewing on coarse materials and many of them do their work as carefully and neatly as the girls.
In June a sale was held in the High School Hall of all articles made in the manual work from the second grade through the eighth. Each child was allowed to buy his own work for the price of the material used, and the articles not sold in this way were sold in the sale at a slight increase over the cost of the materials. About fifty-five dollars was taken in which helped pay for the materials used in the manual work for the year.
By the end of this year the boys in the upper grades will have had two years work in cardboard construction and book-binding. This is sufficient to prepare them for work in wood. It is hoped that next year tools and benches will be provided for work in wood as the cardboard work belongs rightfully in middle grades only.
159
The room seems to be very well adapted for this purpose so all that is needed now to enable us to give the boys work suitable to their age and capabilities are the tools, benches and lumber.
I wish to express my appreciation of those teachers who have co-operated so readily in this and the regular drawing work, otherwise what we have accomplished would have been impossible, also to thank the School Board and Superinten- dent for their interest and co-operation.
Respectfully submitted, MARY L. COOK, Supervisor of Manual Arts
160
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REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC.
Mr. Charles H. Bates, Superintendent of Schools:
Dear Sir :- I herewith submit my annual report as Super- visor of Music in the Middleboro Public Schools.
We are slowly and gradually developing the work and are striving to reach a higher standard.
Last year we endeavored to build up the ground work by strengthening the mechanical side of music; this year we hope through proper phrasing, pronunciation, and greater attention to expression to strengthen the artistic side.
Many classes are showing much better work than formerly, so that the work throughout the town is more uniform; and the classes are keeping nearer together in the monthly outlines.
If a pupil moves from one district to another he then finds he has no difficulty in doing the work in the new class.
Last September we introduced a new system of Rhythm or "Time Motions" in all the schools below the Eighth Grade.
This system is taught in all Normal Schools of this State; and will prove beneficial to our schools for this reason: a change of teachers in a school during any period of a school term, would not interrupt the progress of that class should that teacher be one who had received a Normal Training.
This sytem teaches independence and assists to develop the sense of musical rhythm of the child.
The teachers have obtained very good results considering the brief time of its introduction.
It is the universal opinion that reading music correctly at sight is a most important part of our school work; and to stimulate interest and greater endeavor in this regard we are following a special course in the second and third grades in the Union and Forest St. Schools.
This course has proved very satisfactory to both teachers and myself.
It has also caused much enthusiasm among the children who are anxious to improve their own record and compete wih each other; thereby gaining the point which we desire.
At the opening of the winter term we shall introduce the
161
work in the fourth, fifth and sixth grades; thereby placing individual work on a strong basis.
Thinking in reading music is the same as thinking in reading English Composition; but the two things in music train- ing are eye and ear training.
Year after year we hear about music and the more it is coming into distinction; and the more we hear about ear work.
Years ago, the child sang a few songs, and sometimes one who showed marked ability in singing, or playing, before he went to school, would receive more attention.
At the present day we find that time has changed our ideas and we have progressed.
A child can learn to sing as he or she can learn to talk; and we can readily see that steps should be taken to teach music in the schools, and consider it one of the important studies. We are striving to teach the child to sing alone and in concert; and be equally strong; and also teach the subject as if we were teaching German, French or any other language, for if we think of music as a language we readily see that we have elementary sound.
By individual work we are strengthening the singing and musical knowledge in all grades and when a pupil passes into the High School he should be well prepared to take up the work of the High School Chorus.
Excellent work has been done in the Sub-Primary, and first and second grades of the Central schools the past year.
These three years are most important in the music work of the child; for during this period he learns sound, pitch, and commences the study of musical penmanship.
Statistics show that Tone Deafness must be overcome during this period; otherwise ninety percent who pass beyond the third grade remain monotones.
Ninety-seven children entered the Sub-Primary grade of the Central schools last September. About fifty percent were tone deaf. After ten weeks of painstaking work on the part of the grade teachers only fourteen remain.
We have every reason to hope that those fourteen pupils will be developed before many weeks.
The suburban schools are progressing along the same lines of work, necessarily simplified on account of so many grades in a school. Good results are forthcoming in the upper grades and creditable work is being done at the High School.
I believe music should be an elective study in the High School.
162
If the pupil has the talent or liking for music he, under the present system will do good work, if not, he only takes it because it is obligatory; and he is not interested.
Two lectures will be given by visiting supervisors during the school year.
Respectfully submitted, H. O. WETHERELL,
Supervisor of Music.
163
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF PENMANSHIP.
Mr. Charles H. Bates, Superintendent of Schools:
Dear Sir :- I hereby submit the following report of my work of the past year.
I have visited the schools in the village, viz. School St., Forest St., Union St. and West Side Schools, every three weeks and have met the teachers of the outside schools once a month.
At the beginning of the fall term arrangements were made whereby I meet the village teachers in a body once a month and the remaining teachers as frequently, but at a different time, for lessons in writing, because experience has clearly shown that teachers who cannot or do not use muscular movement themselves cannot get the best results. The work of the teachers is sent to the Boston office of the A. N. Palmer Co. for correction. Upon the satisfactory completion of the course, the teachers will receive Certificates ..
Many of the teachers are making rapid gains and it is very noticeable that those teachers are the ones who are getting the best results.
The Palmer Method of Writing was introduced in the West side schools Dec. 1 for a thorough trial.
If it works satisfactorily in this building it will be recom- mended for all our schools. It has been used in the High School for two years and given excellent satisfaction.
Our aim in brief is to secure healthful positions in the school room at all times, to have the pupils acquire an easy rapid legible hand writing, in short to teach plain, practical, rapid writing.
Respectfully submitted, WM. A. HARTHORNE,
Supervisor of Penmanship.
164
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN.
Middleborough, Mass., Dec. 31,1913
To the School Committee of Middleboro:
I hereby submit the report of my work as School Physician and am pleased to again state that the general health of the pupils attending our public schools is very good. On account of the improved sanitary conditions now prevailing in the school buildings and in the homes of the residents of our town, children that are "below par" physically are very rarely found.
There has been practically no disease of a contagious nature this year, therefore the work has been closely confined to routine inspection and examination. At the time of the writing of this report a few children have been exposed to diphtheria, butthey will not be permitted to reenter school until negative throat cultures have been obtained.
I gratefully acknowledge the kindest assistance given by the Superintendent of Schools, the Principals and teachers.
The results of the physical examinations are found below:
Sub Primary.
Number of pupils examined
115
Hypertrophied tonsils-number of cases
15
Adenoids 66
7
Defective teeth
12
Tonsilitis
6
1
Grade I
Number of pupils examined
100
Hypertrophied tonsils-number of cases
13
Adenoids
6
10
Defective teeth 66
17
Strabismus
1
165
Grade II.
Number of pupils examined
95
Hypertrophied tonsils-number of cases
10
Adenoids
66
16
8
Defective teeth
60
66
66
29
Eczema
66
1
Tuberculosis of joint
66 66 6
1
Deviated septum
1
Grade III.
Number of pupils examined
101
Hypertrophied tonsils-number of cases
16
Adenoids
13
Defective teeth
31
Grade IV.
Number of pupils examined
100
Hypertrophied tonsils --- number of cases
17
Adenoids
6
Defective teeth
14
Otitis Media
1
Eczema
1
Grade V.
Number of pupils examined
80
Hypertrophied tonsils-number of cases
12
Adenoids
66
66
3
Defective teeth
66
18
Tuberculosis of joint
1
Grade VI.
Number of pupils examined
82
Hypertrophied tonsils-number of cases
9
Adenoids
4
Defective teeth
15
Grade VII.
Number of pupils examined
73
Hypertrophied tonsils number of cases
8
Adenoids
3
Defective teeth 66 66
16
66
6
66
66
66
66
166
Grade VIII.
Number of pupils examined
84
Hypertrophied tonsils-number of cases
8
Adenoids
3
Defective teeth
16
Enlarged glands
1
Pyorrhoea
1
High School.
Number of pupils examined 217
Hypertrophied tonsils-number of cases
8
Adenoids
1
Defective teeth
22
SUBURBAN SCHOOLS.
Wappanucket School.
Number of pupils examined 22
2
Adenoids
0
Defective teeth
3
Impetigo
2
Thompsonville School.
Number pf pupils examined
20
Hypertrophied tonsils-number of cases
5
Adenoids
6
4
Defective teeth
3
Green School.
Number of pupils examined 50
Hypertrophied tonsils-number of cases
4
Adenoids
4
Defective teeth
5
South Middleboro School.
Number of pupils examined 32
Hypertrophied tonsils-number of cases Adenoids
1
1
Defective teeth
7
66
66
Hypertrophied tonsils-number of cases
167
Fall Brook School.
Number of pupils examined
35
Hypertrophied tonsils-number of cases
6
Adenoids
2
Defective teeth
6
Pleasant Street School.
Number of pupils examined 28
Hypertrophied tonsils-number of cases
4
Adenoids
2
Defective teeth 66
8
Plymouth Street School.
Number of pupils examined 19
Hypertrophied tonsils-number of cases
1
Defective teeth 66
3
Purchade School.
Number of pupils examined
36
Hypertrophied tonsils-number of cases
5
Adenoids
2
Defective teeth
7
Highland School.
Number of pupils examined
20
Hypertrophied tonsils-number of cases
4
Adenoids
1
Defective teeth 66
7
Rock School.
Number of pupils examined
50
Hypertrophied tonsils-number of cases
3
Adenoids
3
Defective teeth
66
15
Strabismus
1
Waterville School.
Number of pupils examined
.25
Hypertrophied tonsils-number of cases
2
Adenoids
-
2
Defective teeth
6
66
168
Soule School.
Number of pupils examined
36
Hypertrophied tonsils-number of cases
4
Adenoids
6
2
Defective teeth
66 66 9
Thomastown School.
Number of pupils examined
44
Hypertrophied tonsils-number of cases
6
Adenoids 66
2
Defective teeth
10
SUMMARY.
Number of pupils examined in the Central Schools 1047
Number of pupils examined in the Suburban Schools 417 Total 1465
Number of cases of hypertrophied tonsils, Central Schools 114 Number of cases of hypertrophied tonsils, Suburban Schools 47 Total
161
Number of cases of adenoids, Central Schools
61
Number of cases of adenoids, Suburban Schools Total
86
Number of cases of defective teeth, Central Schools
168
Number of cases of defective teeth, Suburban Schools Total
257
Number of cases of tuberculosis of joint
2
Number of cases deviated septum
1
Number of cases of enlarged glands
1 1
Number of cases of eczema
2
Number of cases of impetigo
2
Number of cases of strabismus
2
Number of cases of tonsilitis
1
Number of cases of enlarged glands
1
Number of cases of pyorrhoea
1
Respectfully submitted,
J. H. BURKHEAD,
School Physician.
.
89
Number of cases of otitio media
25
169
REPORT OF THE ATTENDANCE OFFICERS.
Middleboro, Mass., Dec. 26,1913.
Mr. Charles H. Bates, Superintendent of Schools :
Dear Sir :- I herewith 'submit my report as School Attend- ance Officer for the year ending Dec. 19, 1913.
Number of cases investigated 73
Number of cases of truancy
9
Number of cases prosecuted
0
Number of convictions 0
Number on probation 0
Fifteen cases investigated were in the Suburban schools.
Yours respectfully,
S. S. LOVELL, School Attendance Officer.
Middleboro, Mass., Dec. 31, 1913.
Mr. Charles H. Bates, Superintendent of Schools:
Dear Sir :- I herewith present my report for the year 1913.
Number of cases investigated 15
Number of cases of truancy
0
Number of cases prosecuted
0
Number of convictions 0
Number on probation 0
Yours respectfully, EVERETT T. LINCOLN, School Attendance Officer.
-
170
ABSTRACT OF STATISTICS. VALUATION.
Assessed valuation of the town $4,984,707 00
Approximate value of school houses and lots $102,000 00
Approximate value of other school property
9,000 00
COST OF SCHOOLS.
Amount available for school purposes
$43,109 75
Total cost of schools for the year
44,218 99
Ordinary expenses
40,437 00
Percentage of assessed valuation expended for schools
. 0086
Average cost per pupil based on average membership
$29.60
POPULATION.
Population of the town, 1910 (U. S. Census)
8,234
CENSUS REPORT.
1912
1913
Number of boys between the ages of 5 and 15
708
715
Number of girls between the ages of 5 and 15
648
636
1356
1351
Number of boys between the ages of 7 and 14
486
516
Number of girls between the ages of 7 and 14
464
452
950
968
CENTRAL DISTRICT.
1912
1913
Number between 5 and 15
824
840
Number between 7 and 14
575
587
SUBURBAN DISTRICTS.
Number between 5 and 15
532
511
Number between 7 and 14
375
371
171
SCHOOL VISITS.
Year Ending June 21, 1913.
1912
1913
School Committee and Superintendent
Central Schools
595
629
Suburban Schools
146
221
741
850
Other Visitors
Central Schools
992
1136
Suburban Schools
640
758
1632
1894
1913
Supervisor of Music, Central Schools Suburban Schools
477
146
Supervisor of Manual Arts, Central Schools
725
Supervisor of Writing, Central Schools
232
PROMOTIONS.
Year Ending June 20, 1913.
HIGH SCHOOL.
Number promoted
132
Number not promoted
27
CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
Number promoted
832
Number not promoted
90
SUBURBAN SCHOOLS.
Number promoted
386
Number not promoted
36
Number promoted in all schools
1350
Number not promoted in all schools
153
Percentage of promotion
89.8
Percentage of non promotion
10.2
172
TEACHERS.
Number of teachers, Jan. 1914
43
High School, men 3; women 5; total
8
Grammar Schools, men 3; women 6
9
Primary Schools
11
Suburban Schools, men 1; women 12
13
Special teachers, Music 1; Manual Arts 1; Penmanship 1; total
3
SCHOOL HOUSES AND SCHOOLS.
Number occupied January 1914
19
Number of rooms, not including recitation rooms
36
High School Rooms
9
Grammar School Rooms
11
Primary School Rooms
8
Portable buildings
1
Suburban School building, occupied
13
Suburban School buildings, not occupied
3
Number of houses heated by steam,1; by furnace 9; by stoves, 8; by steam and furnace, 1.
SIGHT AND HEARING TESTS.
No. of Pupils
No. Found No. Found No. of Parents Defective Defective in Eyesight in Hearing Notified
High School
217
29
4
32
School Street School
398
14
1
15
Union Street School
139
11
1
6
Forest Street School
112
7
1
8
West Side School
171
19
8
7
Pleasant Street School
24
1
0
1
Plymouth Street School
20
4
0
0
Purchade School
34
14
0
14
Thompsonville School
20
2
1
3
Soule School
37
1
0
1
Waterville School
28
3
1
4
Green School
46
1
0
0
Fall Brook School
33
2
2
4
Thomastown School
34
6
2
8
Rock School
47
3
0
3
South Middleboro School
31
6
1
6
Highland School
21
0
0
0
Wappanucket School
25
1
0
0
SCHOOL ENROLLMENT AND ATTENDANCE.
Central
Suburban
Total
1912
1913
1912
1913
1912
1913
Whole number of pupils enrolled
1079
1178
513
501
1592
1679
Average membership
898
956
410
410
1308
1366
Average daily attendance
838
909
373
385
1211
1294
Percentage of attendance
93.
95.
90.
94
92.
94.7
Half day's absence
19,312
17,557
16,249
10,168
35,561
27,725
Cases of tardiness
999
1003
740
518
1739
1521
Cases of dismissals
912
1043
244
243
1156
1286
Cases of truancy
4
22
11
1
15
23
Cases of corporal punishment
4
10
14
9
18
19
Number attending over 15 years of age
160
172
12
9
172
181
Number attending between 7 and 14 years of age
666
646
407
374
1073
1020
173
174
ENROLLMENT TABLE FOR NOVEMBER.
Central
Suburban
Total
1895
662
337
999
1896
669
360
1,029
1897
686
391
1,077
1898
724
389
1,113
1899
727
384
1,111
1900
781
408
1,189
1901
860
401
1,261
1902
840
385
1,225
1903
863
405
1,268
1904
891
400
1,291
1905
907
410
1,317
1906
933
4.20
1,353
1907 .
938
404
1,342
1908
934
438
1,372
1909
946
407
1,353
1910
965
423
1,388
1911
956
449
1,405
1912
1,002
440
1,442
1913
1,067
421
1,488
Enrollment in High School, Nov. 1912
189
Enrollment in High School, Nov. 1913
217
Gain
28
Enrollment in Central Elementary Schools Nov. 1912
813
Enrollment in Central Elementary Schools Nov. 1913 Gain
850
37
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SCHOOL ENROLLMENT AND ATTENDANCE 1895-1913.
1895
1896
1897
1898
1899
1900
1901
1902
1903
1904
1905
1906
1907
1908
1909
1910
1911
1912
1913
Number of teachers
31
31
33
33
33
34
37
37
38
39
39
40
43
'44
45
45
44
43
44
Number of pupils
1,233
1,211
1,232
1,262
1,179
1,236
1,277
1,308
1,346
1,376
1,368
1,482
1,501
1,492
1,503
1,534
1,562
1,592
1,679
Average number
974
948
968
1,024
1,045
1,107
1,122
1,185
1,153
1,188
1,211
1,268
1,261
1,275
1,286
1,290
1,318
1,308
1,366
Av. daily attendance
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