USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1914 > Part 8
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would not give the room for an additional teacher. The division of the Assembly hall into school rooms could meet temporarily the future enrollment, although it would seem unfortunate to be obliged to divert it from its present purpose.
The growth in this school, therefore, calls attention to two things-the need of more teachers and the need of more room.
The present teaching force is too small. The number of recitation rooms too few. The number of pupils in many of the classes too many.
The State Board of Education has stated that for approved High Schools there should be one teacher for every twenty- five pupils, exclusive of the principal. With the present number of pupils the school has one teacher for every thirty- five pupils, exclusive of the principal.
Too much work is being required of the teachers owing to the size of many of the classes. Some of these classes should have smaller divisions.
The school needs another teacher if not two more.
The growth in the commercial department calls for more assistance in the teaching and more room for suitable ac- commodations. There should be three rooms for the work.
The school today in order to do the work which it is cap- able of should have better facilities and a larger teaching staff.
SUPERVISORS.
The report of the supervisors having charge of the work in manual arts, music, and penmanship will be of interest to the friends of the schools. It can be said of them that all are doing painstaking, conscientious, and creditable work.
They follow their schedules faithfully, are enthusiastic in their departments, willing at any time to assist teachers, endeavor to raise the standard of work by meetings with the teachers, and are ever alert to keep their courses of study up to the standard of the best and latest educational methods.
I wish to record here my appreciation of the work of our late supervisor of penmanship, Mr. William A. Harthorne, who did so much to place that work on a sound basis and gave to the schools an excellent start in the Palmer method which promises to produce very gratifying results.
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TEACHERS' TENURE.
As so many of the teachers of our schools will come under the tenure act at the next annual election the main features of the laws are here given:
The law provides for teachers, supervisors, and superin- tendents as follows:
Tenure of office after three consecutive years of service ; dismissal by a two-thirds of the whole school committee, thirty days prior notice to the teacher, supervisor or superin- tendent of the intention of the committee to vote upon the question of dismissal: statement by school committee of the reasons for which dismissal is proposed and in the case of a teacher, recommendations by the superintendent to the school committee; no decrease of teacher's salary except by a general revision affecting the same salary grade; no decrease of superintendent's salary, without his consent, until at least one year after the school committee has voted to reduce his salary; no limitation of the right of a school committee to dismiss a teacher for conduct unbecoming a teacher; no limitation of the right of a school committee to dismiss a teacher because of decrease in actual number of pupils in the schools."
The object of the law is to give a reasonable degree of tenure and to prevent hasty, arbitrary and unjust dismissals.
The law became effective July 1, 1914. Under its provi- sions the superintendent, Supervisor of Manual Arts, Super- visors of Music, Principal of the High School and five as- sistant teachers in that school, 16 teachers of the Central elementary schools and 8 Suburban teachers must be placed on the tenure list if reelected.
Only 12 teachers of the force remain who have not served three consecutive years. Four of these will be eligible to ten- ure in 1916. The very few changes the past year and the fact that so large a number will be entitled to go on the tenure list next June show a strength in the permanency of the force that cannot but be of vital importance to the best interests of the schools.
TEACHERS' RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION.
Under the provisions of the teachers' pension act which makes the joining of the association optional for all teachers in the service of the State prior to July 1, 1914 but obliga- tory for all teachers entering the service of the State for the
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first time after that date there is forwarded to the Secretary of the Retirement Board by the town Treasurer each month the sum of $33.50, representing the monthly assessment of the five members enrolled from this town.
This obligation on the part of new teachers coming into service of the State for the first time will mean a retention of anywhere from $3.50 to $10 per month from their salaries.
Many towns have made it possible for their teachers to join this association without feeling it as a burden by adding to their regular salaries the amount to be paid as a yearly assessment.
EVENING SCHOOL
Attention is called to the Act relative to the maintenance of public evening schools.
As this is likely at any time to come before the School, Board for consideration the law governing the same is given in full:
Chap. 590, Sec. II reads- -
Any town may and every city or town in which there are issued during the year from September first to August thirty first certificates authorizing the employment of twenty or more persons who do not possess the educational qualifica- tions enumerated in Section one Chapter forty-four of the Revised Laws as amended shall maintain during the following school year an evening school or schools for the instruction of persons over fourteen years of age in ortho- graphy, reading, writing, the English language and grammar, geography, arithmetic, industrial drawing, both freehand and mechanical, the history of the United States, physiology and hygiene, and good behavior.
Such other subjects may be taught as the school committee considers expedient."
The purpose of this statute is to require that evening schocl instruction shall be offered in towns and cities where there are a large number of illiterate persons over 16 years of age.
So far as such a law affects this town it will not be neces- sary to maintain such a school next year, as only 15 such certificates have been issued. If, however, with the revival of business and the employment of more illiterate minors over 16 years of age any such number of certificates should be issued in any one year it would be necessary to maintain such a school the following school year.
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It is pleasing to note that the following recommendations which were a part of the report of 1913 have been carried into effect:
1. The readjustment of the salaries of the janitors of the Suburban Schools so that they are better equalized. All these janitors are now receiving a higher wage for services than was paid several years ago.
2. The readjustment of the salaries of the teachers of the elementary schools.
The present school year shows an increase in the salaries of 19 teachers in these schools.
While the salary paid the teachers in cur suburban schools compares favorably with that paid by other towns in the county the salaries of the central elementary teachers are much lower.
3. The renovation of some of the suburban school build- ings not attended to in 1913.
All the suburban buildings with the exception of the Thomastown, Highland and Wappanucket buildings are now in good condition. These three buildings should be renovated this summer vacation.
4. The adoption of the Palmer System of Penmanship for all the elementary schools.
This method is meeting with excellent success and already 13 of the teaching force have been awarded diplomas by the Palmer Co. signifying their ability to teach their system of writing. It is hoped before the end of the school year many more teachers will be the recipients of such a praiseworthy testimonial.
5. The adoption of a new course of study in English grammar, composition and literature that will give more time and attention to those subjects.
This has been partly met by the work now outlined for the English Preparatory School in the Town House.
It is expected under this plan of work to prepare for the High School in a better and more uniform manner.
6. The enlargement of the quarters for the typewriting department in the High School building to accommodate the growth in the commercial course. This problem has been met temporarily by the taking of one of the teachers' dressing rooms and placing four typewriters for use of the pupils.
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7. The purchasing of a sufficient number of book-keeping desks to equip completely the present commercial room in the High School building so as to give opportunity to all pupils desiring to take up commercial work.
Through the willingness of the Peirce Trustees at the re- quest of the School Board to finance this expenditure 16 modern commercial desks were purchased and the seats arranged to accommodate the present class.
The Peirce Trustees also financed the expenditure for 4 typewriters, 4 typewriting tables, 10 chairs and a teacher's chair-the whole amounting to $394. This action of the Trustees was much appreciated by the Board as it enabled it to carry out this necessary improvement without exceed- ing the school appropriation.
8. The replacing of the plaster ceiling in the second room on the first floor of the West Side building with a metal ceiling.
The two rooms on this floor now have metal ceilings of the same design.
The walls of these two rooms should be painted next sum- mer.
9. The relieving of the congestion at the Green School by the adoption of a plan whereby the number of grades may be reduced.
This congestion problem was solved for the time by the division of the school into two sections-a grammar and a primary- on the one session plan.
The grammar section attends in the morning from 8.20 to 12.15 and the primary section in the afternoon from 1.15 to 4, the first grade being dismissed at 3.30.
Each section comprises four grades. By this plan the cost of transportation of the two upper grades to the School Street school at one time considered was avoided.
The plan has many obvious advantages and the condi- tions in this district make it a practical one.
Only part of the school is in the room at the same time thus giving better conditions as to air. The school day is extended one hour and a quarter thus giving the teacher that amount of extra time for work with the pupils. Under this plan more time is gained, amounting to more than a day each week -- longer recitations periods are possible, more instruction for the individual pupils can be given, the primary grades are given more attention and better work in every study and greater progress will be possible.
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The plan is pleasing to the people and has the approval of the teacher.
It seems to fit the situation in an ideal manner.
10. The securing a special appropriation for continuing the repairs at the High School building.
The town appropriated $1,000 for carrying on the needed repairs. New floors have been laid in four rooms, two of the rooms have been reseated, the desks and chairs in all the rooms have been varnished, new curtains have been placed where needed and many minor repairs made. The repairs in this building should be continued until it is in good con- diticn.
A new floor is needed in the Assembly Hall, the woodwork, walls and ceiling of the corridors need painting and kalsomin- ing and a better ventilation in the chemical laboratory used also as a regular recitation rocm is necessary.
It would be well to have electric lights installed in the rooms and the approaches to the building repaired or re- placed by granolithic walks. Over $200 of the appropriation will be available this year.
11. The appointment by the town of a committee to consider the needs of more school accommodations. Such a commit- tee was appointed to consider the present situation and to report at the adjourned meeting a temporary solution for the congestion and at the next annual meeting what should be the best solution in the matter of a permanent policy.
This committee after carefully considering the situation as presented to them by the School Board recommended to the town that the two rooms in the Town House-the former court-room and the West room-should be taken for school purposes and that the whole of the rear part of the first floor should be for use of the schools.
This report was accepted and the sum of $500 appropriated for fitting up the rooms, hallway, and lavortories.
The rooms have been well equipped for school use and are answering the purpose of temporary quarters very well.
The rental of these rooms including the Superintendent's office is $500 per year.
The following recommendations, some of which have been previously submitted, are respectfully presented :-
1. The extension of the granolithic walks to the pupils' entrance on each side at the School Street building.
2. The reseating of the Wappanucket school with single seats and desks.
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3. The equipment of the rooms of the Union Street, Forest Street and West Side buildings with electric lights so that each teacher can have a desk light.
4. The renovation of the rooms at the Union Street building.
5. The adoption of some method for teaching thrift in the schools formerly carried on by the Cabot Club.
An investigation of this matter has resulted in recommend- ing as the best plan for such work a continuance of the stamp saving system with an appropriation ample enough to cover the expense of material and service of a collector.
6. The continuing of repairs at the High School building
7. Raising the age of admission to the first year of school by the adoption of a rule which will permit no child under five years and a half to be admitted in September.
It is the experience of our primary teachers that children younger than that are too immature mentally to do the re- quired work of the first year successfully.
8. Placing a text book in arithmetic and in spelling in all elementary grades above the second year. This will relieve the teachers of the primary grades above the second of much unnecessary work and will be of great advantage in the suburban schools.
9. To rearrange the course of study so that technical grammar may be begun in the eighth year, and that the study of U. S. History shall be given two years, the last year as a daily study.
10. The addition of at least one teacher to the teaching force in the High School.
11. The holding of the graduation exercises of the elemen- tary schools in Town Hall rather than in the High School Assembly Hall. With the large classes now being graduated the Assembly Hall is not large enough to accommodate com- fortably those desiring to attend
This was evident at the last graduation.
CONCLUSION.
I wish in the conclusion of this report to refer to the at- titude of the School Board towards matters of school ad- ministration.
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The members of the Board during my superintendency have always regarded the supervision of the schools as a matter of business to be attended to by the Superintendent and have given such matters as the selection of text-books, the making of the courses of study, the nomination of teach- ers, and the introduction of methods wholly to his judgment.
While giving him the power of initiative in such matters the Board has not in any way neglected any of its duties or failed to assume its responsibility for the educational policy of the town. All matters of school betterment have always formed a part of the business of the meetings of the Board which have always been well attended. It is a fact that while under the regulations of the Board it requires 4 mem- bers out of the six to form a quorum there has not been a meeting within the last ten years that has failed to have a quorum present. The Superintendent has appreciated this support and has always felt that he was in no way hindered in putting into force changes for the best interests of the schools, and that he has always had the confidence of the Board and their cooperation.
Only in this way can any municipality hope for good schools, free from interference or dictation on the part of those in power who may have some personal interests to serve.
So long as that attitude is maintained, so long as the Su- perintendent shall feel that he is receiving the support and cooperation of his Board in what is for the best interests of the schools, so long will the schools of any municipality be worthy of financial support and the endorsement of the people.
I congratulate the town in having its educational interests in the hands of those who are faithful to their duties and who have at heart the best interests of the schools of the municipality they have sworn faithfully to serve.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES H. BATES,
Superintendent of Schools
SPECIAL REPORTS
PRINCIPAL OF HIGH SCHOOL SUPERVISOR OF MANUAL ARTS SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC SUPER VISOR OF PENMANSHIP SCHOOL PHYSICIAN SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICERS
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REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL.
Mr. Charles H. Bates, Superintendent of Schools:
Dear Sir :-- The following is the brief annual report of the principal of the High School. Our teaching force at the beginning of the school year was the same as that of last year with one exception. Miss Irena M. Crawford resigned in the summer vacation, and her place was filled by Miss Helen R. Towers. Later in the term the school lost by death the services of Mr. William A. Harthorne, who had been the head of the commercial and athletic departments for the past four years. Miss Louise H. Scott was chosen to fill Mr. Harthorne's position for the remainder of the year, and Mr. Harry L. Edgcomb was appointed to coach the football team.
The total number enrolled during the fall term was 245, the largest in the history of the school. Of these 103 were boys and 142 were girls. By classes the numbers were as follows: Postgraduates, boys 2; seniors, boys 16; girls, 27; juniors, boys 13, girls 20; sophomores, boys 21, girls 37; freshmen, boys 51, girls 58. There is promise cf a large entering class next year. I think the school will number from 265 to 275 pupils. This would require an increase in our teaching force in order to do good work. Some of the classes at present are too large to get the best results.
The number of tuition scholars during the fall term was 34. If all remain during the school year, it will mean an income for the town. Towns were represented as follows: Lake- ville 28, Plympton 3, Rochester 2, Halifax 1. The number of pupils drawing transportation money was 56.
The first class graduated from the Middleboro High School was that of 1876. This class consisted of 8 members. Since that time the classes have numbered as follows: 1877, 1; 1878, 9; 1879, 8; 1880, 9 ; 1881, 15; 1882, 6; 1883, 4; 1884, 16; 1885, 13: 1886, 15; 1887, 4; 1888, 11; 1889, 13; 1890, 12; 1891, 15; 1892, 11; 1893, 5; 1894, 15; 1895, 14; 1896, 17; 1897, 20; 1898, 21; 1899, 15; 1900, 20; 1901, 20; 1902, 17; 1903, 24; 1904, 23; 1905, 29; 1906, 32; 1907, 27; 1908, 38; 1909,29 1910, 31; 1911, 23; 1912, 28; 1913, 25; 1914, 43. The
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total number of graduates from our High School has been 687. The first eleven classes were graduated under Mr. J. H. Willoughby and numbered 104. The next four classes were graduated under Mr. A. K. Potter and numbered 40. The remaining twenty-four classes were graduated during my principalship and numbered 543.
The graduating class last June numbered 43, the largest in the history of the school. Of this number 17 are con- tinuing their studies as follows: Dartmouth College 2, Colby 1, Bridgewater State Normal 5, Wentworth Institute 2, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy 1, Boston School of Telegraphy 1, Business schools 3, postgraduate work in the High School 2.
The question of school accommodations still confronts us. Larger accommodations for our High School are an impera- tive necessity in the near future. I hope that this problem may be solved satisfactorily and with a view to the needs of the town for years to come.
Respectfully submitted, WALTER SAMPSON,
Principal of the High School.
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REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MANUAL ARTS.
Mr. Charles H. Bates, Superintendent of Schools:
Dear Sir:I take pleasure in submitting my report of the work in Manual Arts for the past year.
Drawing and manual work are so closely correlated now, especially in lower grades, that it is hard to draw a dividing line between the two subjects. As more manual work has been introduced the drawing has been simplified, less time has been spent on subjects requiring much work to produce a pretty effect and more time on the fundamentals.
Each year the aim to teach the child to express himself by means of drawing clearly, easily, exactly and neatly, becomes stronger; to use the pencil, whenever possible, to express his thoughts as readily as he expresses them by words; also to cultivate in the child an appreciation of beauty of form and color in nature, art, and common objects. The majority of people will not choose the refined and beau- tiful if their sense of beauty has not been developed. They must be taught to know and love beauty in all of its many forms of expression. The course in music helps to do this for sound; and drawing, if it is taught as it should be, awakens an appreciation of the beautiful in form and color. Also in manual work, beauty of proportion, shape, harmony in the relations of one part to another, are taught, as well as the beauty of perfect workmanship.
Along more practical lines the manual work is training the child to do all forms of manual work more accurately, to use his hands more skilfully, easily, and quickly, to think more clearly, to visualize and concentrate, to be more exact, and not think that "some where near right is good enough."
In the fifth and sixth grades the manual work for Christ- mas this year was the best our boys have ever done. Candy boxes were made using white faced cardboard covered with holly paper. Only two or three were spoiled, very few mis- takes were made, and very few were soiled. Nearly every boy paid for the material used in his box and took it home. In one grade most of the boys made two or three boxes that every boy and girl in the room might have a box of candy
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on the Christmas tree. Another grade made desk sets of a ยท large blotter pad, with figured cloth ends, and a small blotter and penwiper with cloth backs. The same articles sell for 40c. in the stores.
These same grades have made double envelopes for holding drawings to be used in the eighth grade, covers for the girl's sewing note books, and over a hundred cardboard crayon boxes for the lower grades, thus saving the town expense in buying them.
The girls have been learning to hem and hem stitch. Dish towels, children's bibs, doilies for tea sets, and guest towels were made. Designs were worked in outline stitch or cross- stitch. Nearly every girl in these grades can do plain and French hemming well, and in the sixth grade hem-stitching. No girl may make a towel or other article until she has learned to do the stitch well on a small piece of cloth. Other stitches are taught on small samples first to be left in the se- wing note book, and then the stitch is used on some article.
Manual work was dropped from the seventh and eighth grades last spring as the boys had done all the required work in cardboard. I hope that the time may come when benches, tools, and lumber will be provided for the upper grade boys. The work in cardboard in the middle grades has given them excellent preparation for more advanced work.
Drawing in the eighth grade has three forty minute periods a week one for each section. The time is spent in drilling on fundamental principles of appearance drawing and some working drawing, that they may be able to use their knowl- edge of drawing in their high school work. No paints are used in this grade.
In the first four grades girls and boys take the same manual work. Two terms are given to coarse sewing, two terms to paper and cardboard construction, and one term to weaving or basketry.
We mean to keep periods spent on these subjects strictly within the time allowed, and very little, if any, time outside school hours has been spent on them. The work has all been good, solid teaching and drill, and no time spent on show work or work which is merely effective without much benefit to the child in the doing of it. The tendency now is to keep the drawing very simple for with the manual work less time can be given to drawing alone.
Better work is coming in from some of the subur ban schools this year than ever before, owing partly to the fact that there are fewer changes in the teaching force, and better teachers.
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In addition to the general help given at suburban teachers' meetings a number of these teachers have come to me for individual help in the subjects they do not thoroughly under- stand or for consultation in planning their work.
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