USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1923 > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10
THE THOMAS S. PEIRCE FUND
A part of the income from the above fund has been contributed since 1902 by the trustees for aid in educa- tional works and in meeting some of the necessary expendi- tures in the repairs and construction.
Since the organization of a commercial department in the High School, the trustees have paid all the expenses incurred by commercial teachers' salaries, the cost of type- writers and, for several years, the cost of many supplies. For ten years or more they paid the salary of an additional teacher in the academic department of the High School and also $100 of the salary of another teacher in the school each year for that time.
The total amount paid by the trustees for teaching service since 1902 to the present time is $41,773.01. In addition to this sum they have paid for other school pur- poses a total of $19,727.21, making a grand total of $61,500.22.
The largest amounts paid were $2,385.76 for a new boiler, floors, and 224 chairs at High School, $1,876.43 for repairs at Union Street, $3,339.90 for new plumbing at High School, $8,827.85 for a two-room portable building at the West Side, $1,800 for typewriters, and $640 for installing heating system at Union Street building.
By the instituting of the commercial department an opportunity is given the young people of the town for
35
securing a business training. The commercial department has been a success from the start and a large percentage of each graduating class in recent years has completed its course.
MOTHERS' CLUBS
These organizations have had a very successful year and are a worthwhile benefit in their activities. Meetings are frequently held and the schools and homes are brought closer together in a common purpose.
Hot lunches are provided for the pupils remaining the noon hour in some of the schools by these clubs. Special occasions are arranged for the pleasure of the children such as picnics, outings, field days and Christmas observance.
Seven of our suburban buildings have been equipped with electric lights by them, the clubs not only paying for the installation, but also the lighting bills. These lights are very helpful on the dark days.
The Purchade Mothers' Club has paid for the painting of the interior of the Purchade School as well as purchasing new curtains. Two of these Clubs have started a piano fund. The Fall Brook Club has been incorporated and plans to have a community house. The West Side Club has been incorporated and is making a field, recently purchased, into a good playground. Several of these clubs have joined the Massachusetts Parent-Teacher Association. It is un- doubtedly true that no town in the State has so many such organizations and to their influence may be traced the good will that exists in all the districts towards the schools. There are now eleven of these organizations. It gives me great pleasure to commend their worth and the good they are doing.
In addition to the Mothers' Clubs the work of Com- munity Service has been continued and it is to be regretted that the Community Centre part of the work, owing to increasing expenses, has been discontinued. The nutrition
36
and playground features of the work will, however, be con- tinued.
FUTURE PROBLEMS
Among the school problems which may soon engage the attention of the School Board are the following :
1. A new course of study for the Elementary Schools, based on the eight-year plan which will be ready for adop- tion when the plan is in effect in all the Elementary Schools in September, 1926. The regrading of these schools, made possible by a new High School building, will give an oppor- tunity for the enrichment of such a course and provide one more in keeping with the demands of the present times.
2. The semi-annual promotion of pupils in the ele- mentary schools whereby pupils of good ability may more quickly complete their elementary course This plan is in force in many progressive towns at the present time and gives an opportunity for those with ability to receive a more intensive training in a shorter time.
3. A revision of the High School course of study more adaptable to the character of the work which will come with a better equipped building and a larger teaching force.
4. A longer school day in the larger Suburban Schools so as to meet more successfully the requirements of school work. The introduction of a more intensive plan for carry- ing on the special studies as drawing, music and physical training has made necessary that more time should be given than is possible under the present arrangement. The South Middleboro School is now working under such a plan, beginning at 8.45 and keeping till four o'clock with a half hour intermission at noon. The afternoon session of these larger schools could well be extended to four o'clock as nearly all of them are equipped with electric lights. This should be done up to the time when these schools are con- solidated.
5. The adoption of a plan whereby the upper grades of all the Suburban Schools can be transferred to the
37
Centre even if the above plan is carried into effect. With the erection of the new High School building and the using of the present High School building for a Junior High School, made up of grades 7 and 8, it is only fair to those pupils of those grades in the Suburban Schools to allow them to attend this school. This arrangement would be an excellent one for the Suburban Schools and prove of great benefit until such a time as the plan for consolidat- ing these schools into central buildings should be carried into effect.
6. The opening of a summer school at the Centre, where an opportunity would be given to pupils failing of promotion in June to make up the work by more in- tensive study and individual assistance, and thus not be obliged to repeat a year's work-often an injustice to the pupil as well as a great discouragement. Many towns by such schools reduce the number of repeaters. An expendi- ture of $300 for this purpose would be money well invested and help to grade the schools more effectively.
7. A careful study of the transportation problem to see if some arrangements can be made whereby a smaller expenditure would be necessary.
8. The introduction of some system for the promotion of thrift. The Stamp Saving System of a few years ago was very successful in teaching this subject. Such a plan is in force in a large number of places and it seems to me that it might well be considered whether the adoption of some plan at the present time is advisable.
9. The extension of the work in drawing, and physical training, by personal visits of the supervisors of these sub- jects to the Suburban Schools. I feel that much better progress would be made if such visits were possible. To bring this about would require that some arrangement be made for transportation by automobile. This would give an opportunity for a visit once in three weeks by each super- visor to each school. The more careful supervision of these subjects and the inspiration to both teachers and pupils by
38
such visits would be money well expended. With over 400 pupils in these schools it seems to me only fair to them that some such arrangements should be made.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES H. BATES,
Superintendent of Schools.
39
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. Charles H. Bates, Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir :
I submit herewith my first annual report as principal of the Middleboro High School. As I have been in charge of this school less than four months, my report is naturally brief.
I do wish to emphasize, however, the excellent scholar- ship and deportment which I find in the school, due to the able and conscientious administration of my predecessor, and I wish to express here my appreciation for the attitude of kindly interest and helpfulness which he has shown since my coming. It is a pleasure also to mention here the invaluable assistance which Mr. Leonard O. Tillson has rendered me in my work. I should be most ungrateful if I failed to make note of the professional viewpoint and the spirit of loyal co-operation which exist in the faculty, and which I prize highly. In short, the few months thus far spent in Middleboro have been for me one of the pleas- antest experiences in my entire teaching service.
Two matters of fundamental importance ought to be here mentioned. First, due to the increase and changing nature of high school attendance and to the rapidly widen- ing educational needs of the young people, Middleboro, like many other communities, is immediately faced with the problem of broadening the educational opportunities available to young people of high school age. The fact that within recent years fifty-two per cent of the students
40
who entered the Middleboro High School never stayed to graduate indicates rather clearly that a wider offering of subjects is needed to retain the students in school where we may adequately train them for their future duties as citizens. For some time this situation has been realized by those in charge of the schools, but an inadequate high school building has made the needed progress impossible.
This brings up a second matter of importance. We have noted that Middleboro boys and girls need wider edu- cational opportunities. To provide these a more adequate High School building is necessary. The voters are squarely faced with a choice between dollars and the needs of the boys and girls who are to be the citizens and voters of the future. The present high school arrangement can be con- tinued only at the expense of the boys and girls. A recent editorial in the Boston Herald remarked as follows: "A town never gets on the map by the motto, "Take care of the pennies and the scholars will take care of themselves."
Lastly, the present high school building is a most seri- ous fire hazard. Recommendations which, if followed, will remedy the more serious features of the situation have been made. A fire drill has also been organized which clears the building in slightly less than a minute.
May I in closing thank you for your helpfulness and ask you to express my appreciation to the school commit- tee for their steady co-operation in furthering the welfare of the boys and girls.
Respectfully submitted, PAUL S. NICKERSON, A. M.
Principal of the High School.
41
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
Mr. Charles H. Bates,
Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir :
I herewith submit my report of the musical activities in the schools for the past year, which has been an un- usually busy one.
The High School chorus is preparing for the annual spring concert, to be assisted by the Girls' Glee Club, the Boys' Glee Club, and the orchestra.
The Boys' Glee Club, a new organization in the school, is composed of more than fifty boys, who sing in four part harmony. They rehearse every Tuesday under the direc- tion of Mr. Nickerson, who has had a wide experience in high school and college glee club work, and the boys are fortunate in having one so well qualified to guide them in this new departure. Boys' voices of the high school age should not be treated like adult voices, and for this reason experience is necessary in directing their efforts to main- tain the naturally beautiful quality.
The Girls' Glee Club is doing splendid work prepar- ing for the concert, they are going to show Middleboro a sample of really professional singing.
The High School orchestra bids fair to be the equal of any of which we have boasted.
The Boys' Instrumental Club made a decided hit at the Spring concert, and our regret is that other activities have crowded out the organization this year. But the "Greatest good to the greatest number" is our motto, and so we bow to the fates and hope for better things next sea- son.
42
The Grammar School chorus is doing good work un- der Principal Hazard. Four part singing has been intro- duced here, and the pupils are ready to take up more diffi- cult selections in the High School.
The Grammar School orchestra numbers twenty-two in its ranks this year. We have not only the largest mem- bership, but also the greatest variety of instruments since its organization, and we boast of the youngest 'cello player in any similar school.
Right here I want to thank you for the interest you took in the matter of purchasing a bass viol for the schools, which the Board allowed us to do. One boy is practicing diligently on it, and will soon be able to join us.
. The Drum Corps is gaining recruits daily. Our numbers were depleted last year by many of the boys graduating, but when one left several were ready to take his place. We will in all probability soon have a larger crops than was presented previously and we hope to maintain the standard set by the original corps.
The music in the grades has gone along in the even tenor of the past. The tone quality of the pupils, has (to use the words of one who heard them at Christmas time in the Town Hall) greatly improved. The children sang better than ever before. Credit for this should be given to the grade teachers, who are guarding against the too common fault, quantity rather than quality.
The plan worked out by you of grading the schools at North Middleboro, has done wonders for the music in the two schools of that locality. It would help every com- munity if such conditions could be obtained in the Subur- ban Schools.
The schools in the outlying districts have been visited regularly, and I find hearty co-operation on the part of the
43
teachers in carrying on the work. All evidence indicates a most successful year for music in the Middleboro schools.
Respectfully submitted, W. B. PHILLIPS,
Supervisor of Music.
44
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING
Mr. Charles H. Bates, Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir :
The following is a report of the work in drawing and manual training which I am conducting in the schools :
During the fall the study has been on the principles un- derlying good design, leading to a better appreciation of fine art, "good taste" in the choice of objects for everyday use and the ability to make simple adaptations of these principies that are both practical and pleasing.
Beginning with the winter term, we plan to give the children a special opportunity to develop for themselves the language of drawing. The desire to represent objects, animals and people in order to tell a story will furnish the motive for learning to draw them well.
The ability to plan the making of simple objects from start to finish is our aim in construction work. We lead the child to think out possible ways of proceeding and help him to choose the one that seems best for that particular piece.
The picture-study lessons have been received with en- thusiasm. They are an excellent means of correlating art appreciation and history with English composition.
The High School art classes are greatly limited by the short amount of time which the supervisor is allowed to spend there. Then, too, a pupil can work in free-hand or mechanical drawing only by being excused from the class in which he usually recites at that period and making up that work later. This makes it difficult for some who have talent for this work to take the course. If it might be
45
arranged to have the supervisor spend more time in the High School, the pupils could work with her when they were free from other recitations.
Sewing lessons for the girls of the middle grades are arousing much interest, while the boys are doing simple card-board and book-binding problems.
I find my work encouraged by the interest in drawing which the teachers show, their belief in its practical value, and their co-operation in making it help in the teaching of other lessons.
Respectfully submitted, EVELYN B. WELLS,
Supervisor of Drawing.
46
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF PENMANSHIP
Mr. Charles H. Bates, Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir :
The following is my report on the condition of pen- manship in the Middleboro schools for the past year :
Our ultimate aim is to teach arm movement writing to the pupils of the public schools. There are two methods of writing known to all, finger movement and arm move- ment. In my reports of other years I have endeavored to show just what is meant by arm movement and its ad- vantages over finger movement, and I will not repeat here those advantages except to say that they are obvious to all. The Palmer Method, which we are teaching, is simply one of the many good arm movement methods. The funda- mental principles of all systems of arm movement writing are the same.
There are two text books in use, one in the primary grades, and one in the intermediate and upper grades. To- gether with these two textbooks, the primary teachers are supplied with teachers' books containing instructions and model lessons. In addition, the supervisor makes a visit to all the central schools every three weeks, and either per -. sonally takes charge of the class or has the teacher con- duct the lesson. In this way he is able to make construc- tive criticism and suggestions. To stimulate interest on the part of the pupils we have the various Palmer Method buttons, pins and certificates, as well as the Ayres Scale for the Measurement of Handwriting.
In certain classes there is a marked improvement in the quality of the work from month to month. As a whole
47
we have attained a fair degree of success in our work, both in the Central and Suburban Schools. For the first time since my connection with the Middleboro schools, a number of suburban pupils received awards. This speaks well for the teachers of those classes. Many awards were also given to the pupils of the Central Schools, and two-thirds of a High School class in penmanship received certificates for proficiency in business writing.
The actual teaching of penmanship as of any other sub- ject, rests with the teacher, and any results obtained de- pends upon her knowledge in, and enthusiasm for her work. Conversely, the lack of results might to a certain degree be attributed to a lack of the same qualities. Some teachers state that pupils lose interest in their work because they are given the same textbooks during the intermediate and upper grades. They would like something which the pupils could "take" for a year and then drop, using a differ- ent textbook the following year, to be "taken" in the same way. There being but twenty-six letters in the alphabet, it can readily be seen that this is not necessary. The work of "teaching" the subject then falls on the teacher.
Further improvement of the penmanship in our schools, as I see it, must be made through "teaching" and not through the use of more textbooks or merely "giving" a lesson. The textbook is not, of course, sufficient in itself. It requires as much time and forethought in preparing a penmanship lesson for presentation as any other lesson in the curriculum and if that is done, and the work correlated with other subjects, a great improvement can be expected in the future.
Respectfully submitted,
HAROLD C. SEARS,
Supervisor of Penmanship.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Mr. Charles H. Bates, Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir :
The following is a report of the work in the local schools for the past year :
One of the most pleasing results of the past year has been the increased ability of the teachers in teaching the classroom gymnastics, games and rhythmic steps, which are a part of the daily lessons. To many of the teachers Physical Education was a new subject and required addi- tional preparation to teach, yet they have shown excellent co-operation and results have developed accordingly.
Supervised play at recess periods is the next forward step to be taken and already the local schools have some teacher in charge at recess time. Supervised play does not necessarily mean compulsory play, but does assure every one of fair play, and for those who do not know how to play, games will be given by the teacher in charge.
Athletic tests for motor ability in chinning, jumping, throwing and running begin in January, under the super- vision of the teachers, assisted by a picked group of pupil leaders.
Several of the schools had organized teams in baseball last season, even the boys at Union St. school enjoyed the game in the cramped quarters back of the school. Soccer football has been introduced into the local schools for boys and the game of Schlaug ball for girls and teams will be organized as finances for equipment appear.
49
Athletic games for all boys and girls in the High School is a part of the program of the department of Physical Education and will be pushed forward as rapidly as funds and supervision can be provided. The High School baseball team enjoyed a very successful season under the direction of D. Melvern Gammons, and the football team under the coaching of Everett Clough brought out a large number of candidates than for years past and a fine team was developed.
Many special events in the schools, such as parents' day, holidays and field days, where the work of physical education was given a part in the program showed a keen appreciation on the part of the teachers of the possibilities for bringing joy to the children through the medium of physical expression.
A Field Day will be conducted in May, the program being similar to the "Olympic Play for All" demonstration, which will take place in Paris in June, 1924.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK A. CROSIER,
Supervisor of Physical Education.
50
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
To the School Committee :
The campaign to have physical defects of the child corrected is being carried on by the School Physician and Public Health Nurse by repeated examinations of the pupils, by sending notices to the parents of defects found, and by visits to the home by the nurse.
As a result of these efforts I am able to report that during the past year twenty-two (22) children of school age have undergone operation for the removal of tonsils and adenoids and ninety-three (93) have had dental defects cor- rected.
It is the plan, at an early date, to give the Schick test to all school children, whose parents will give their con- sent, thereby hoping to eliminate Diptheria from our schools. The mild epidemic of this disease this year em- phasizes the wisdom and necessity of this procedure.
The present nurse, Miss Mary Canning, has been with us but a short time and is doing creditable work.
In my work I have had the loyal support of the Super- intendent of Schools, the Principals and teachers.
Respectfully submitted, J. H. BURKHEAD,
School Physician.
51
.
REPORT OF ATTENDANCE OFFICER
Mr. Charles H. Bates,
Superintendent of Schools.
I herewith submit my annual report as Attendance Officer for the year ending December 31, 1923.
There were 326 absentees reported, and the following named reasons were given for being absent:
Absentees reported
326
Moved to another town
5
Truants
13
La Grippe
12
Whooping Cough
22
Tonsilitis
15
Colds
55
Sore throat
31
Mumps
35
Measles
27
Diphtheria
9
No shoes to wear
5
Scarlet Fever
10
Chicken Pox
33
Enlarged Glands
24
Inflamatory Rheumatism
3
Enlarged Tonsils
9
Sprained Shoulder
1
Blistered Heel
3
Home permit
11
Pink eye
3
326
Six of the truants were looked up and returned to
52
school. One was sent to a working boy's home, as a per- sistent truant. Two pupils under 14 years of age who had procured working certificates through false statements were discovered and returned to school.
Respectfully submitted,
J. H. WHEELER,
Attendance Officer ยท
53
WALTER SAMPSON, A. B., A. M., M. P.
Walter Sampson, son of Uriah and Betsey J. (Ashley) Sampson was born in Lakeville, Mass., Dec. 13, 1862. He received his early education in the public schools of Lake- ville and later attended Peirce Academy, Middleboro. De- siring a broader education he entered Middleboro High School in 1880, and such were the intense application given to his studies that he was graduated in 1882 with the rank of valedictorian.
Entering Dartmouth College in the fall of that year he soon gained a reputation for thorough scholarship and was recognized as one of the leading scholars of that in- stitution. He was a member of the Alpha Delta Phi fra- ternity, served as one of the editors of the college paper, "The Dartmouth," was also a member of the College Glee Club, and on graduation was elected a member of Phi Beta Kappa, a strictly scholarship society, limiting its member- ship to those of the highest rank in scholastic attainments. Mr. Sampson has the unique distinction of having had three degrees conferred upon him by his Alma Mater-Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and he was the first graduate to receive the honorary degree of Master of Pedagogy.
His teaching career began while he was yet a college student, as he taught school in Stewartstown, N. H., the winter of 1884-85. After graduation from college he served as Principal of the Academy at Lyndon, Vt., from 1886 to 1890.
He entered on his work as Principal of the Middleboro High School in Sept. 1890 and held this position till forced by illness to resign March 23, 1923. When he assumed charge of this school it numbered 87 pupils with two teach- ers beside himself. During his last year 291 pupils were en-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.