USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1926 > 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 | Part 11 | Part 12
37
ligent understanding and is a great aid in helping to secure ample appropriations for carrying on the work.
As the people pay for maintaining the schools they should be fully informed as to their activities. Good schools are an excellent asset to any town and the people are willing to pay for them if they know how they are being conducted and for what purposes the money raised by taxation is spent.
I look back with great pleasure on the splendid coopera- tion and loyalty of an earnest and conscientious body of teach- ers during all these years. I appreciate deeply the confidence given me by the School Board with its changing personnel ; the interested attitude of the citizens of the town in the gen- erous appropriations for the support of the schools; the co- operative spirit of the parents and friends of the schools in all that pertained to their highest welfare; the great respect and courteous conduct of the boys and girls of the town which they have always shown me-all these have made my work a worthwhile occupation and now stirs within me a sincere regret to be obliged to retire from these activities and enter .
on a new field of labor.
The past year has been one of the usual activities in school work.
I consider the schools in the best condition they have been in the twenty-five years of my service. The High School is doing excellent work, has a fine corps of teachers and is maintaining the same high standing that it has had for many years. With the bright outlook for still better opportunities when it occupies the new building the people of the town may well be proud of such an educational institution.
It is a cause for rejoicing that the policy of having so many of the Central Schools because of congestion on the part- time and double shift plans will be changed next September. The people have been very patient during this period and I have appreciated very much their attitude because I knew they felt we were doing the best we could under the circum- stances. The permanency of the teaching force in the Cen- tral Schools has had much to do in building up an excellent
38
system of schools. The teachers are a fine body of workers, earnest, conscientious, loyal, and giving of their best ener- gies for the welfare of their pupils.
The people in the rural districts are to be congratulated on the excellent condition of their schools. With a corps of experienced and efficient teachers, having the same advan- tages in supervisions as the Central Schools, with a reduction in many of them from eight grades to from two to five, there- by giving more time for recitations and individual instruc- tion, with school buildings in excellent repair, nearly all of them equipped with electric lights and through the efforts of the Parent-Teacher Associations, which have been of so much assistance in building up the spirit of helpful cooperation be- tween homes and schools, many of them have pianos, victro- las, first aid equipments, school playground equipment, and libraries. I doubt if in any other town of the state rural school conditions are in a better shape than in Middleboro.
Among the activities of the past year the following are worthy of note.
A successful entertainment by the School Street pupils, the proceeds of which were used for purchasing an excellent stereopticon which is of much value as a teaching aid. Ex- tension of the Bolenius system of reading, to grade two For- est Street school, after a very satisfactory trial year in grade one of the same school. An interesting spelling bee conduc- ted by the New Bedford Standard in the Town Hall, when the silver medal awarded to the best speller in the upper grades of the elementary schools, by that paper, was won bv Virginia Russo of the Thompsonville School. Several other pupils received bronze medals for being the best spellers in their respective schools.
The pupils meeting in the Town Hall inaugurating the drive in the schools for the "Old Ironsides" fund was a great success.
It was conducted under the auspices of the local order of Elks and the quota of $100 was easily raised. The bronze medal offered for the best essay in connection with the drive
39
was won by Madeline Caswell of grade 8, School Street School, and presented to her at the graduating exercises in the Town Hall, June 17.
Education week was the most successful of any since the inaugurating of that feature in the schools of the Nation. More people than ever visited the schools. The mass meet- ing in Town Hall was largely attended. Mr. Frank A. Morse, Supervisor of Secondary Schools of Massachusetts, was the principal speaker. An interesting feature of the occasion was the presentation to the Superintendent of Schools by the Teachers' Association of a beautiful floral tribute in rec- ognition of his twenty-five years' service as Superintendent of the Middleboro Schools.
For a second year the local Grange gave a reception to the School officials and teachers, in their hall, with appro- priate exercises. The occasion was much appreciated and served to emphasize two of the great factors in the education of the child, the home and the school.
Armistice Day, November 11, was more generally ob- served this year. Special attention was called to the brave deed of Simeon L. Nickerson, a former pupil of our schools, who sacrificed his life in carrying out a dangerous assign- ment, and in honor of whom the local legion is named, and a sketch of his life was read in each school.
The same force of teachers continued through the school year without a single change.
There are six new appointments in the High School, two new appointments in the Central Elementary with two transferals from Suburban Schools and three new appoint- ments in the Suburban Schools the present year.
A state wide test in arithmetic for grades 5, 6 and 7 was held in December and 400 pupils in our schools took part with gratifying results.
A physical and mental examination conducted by health experts at the expense of the State was held in the fall to ascertain the number of pupils three years mentally retarded. Twenty-four pupils took the examinations and if ten of these
40
at least do not pass the tests a special class must be main- tained for them according to state law.
A series of talks upon reading has been given to the pupils of the eighth grade at the Public Library by Mrs. Witbeck, the librarian, with excellent results. In this way the school and public library become two great factors in the education of the child.
The major repairs at the High School consist of replacing the old treads on the stairs with new, furnishing new curtains, building a fire escape on each end of the building as ordered by the State inspector and the installation of electric lights in all the rooms and corridors. At the Forest Street building a new platform and steps have been built, new toilets and a new furnace installed. The West Side building has been shingled and three of the Suburban buildings renovated. All the Central buildings are now equipped with electric lights and all but two of the Suburban Schools.
With the rooms to be available in September it will be possible to so arrange the Central Schools as to have at the West Side only six grades, one to each room, at the Union Street School, grades one and two, one grade in each of the larger rooms with the two rear rooms used-one for dental work and the other for a special school for mentally retarded children, with grades 3, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 6, 6, in the eight room School Street building, and grades 7, 7, 7, 7, and 8, 8, 8, 8, in the old High School building. This arrangement discontinues the schools at present held in the Town House, School Street portable and rear rooms of Union Street Schools and does away with part time and double shift plans and gives each child a full day schooling.
The excellent service rendered by Chief of Police Sisson and his men in looking so faithfully after the school children in the immediate centre to avoid accidents from passing automobiles should be commended. Parents may feel assured that the safety of their little ones is in good hands.
I record with deep regret the untimely death of the for- mer Chairman of this Board, George W. Stetson, Esq., on
41
June 1. Mr. Stetson during his many years of service had given to the interests of the schools his best efforts, for he was a man with more than usual pride of town in his make- up and he wanted to give to the children of the town the best opportunities for a good education that the town could rea- sonably give. He was a sincere friend of the teachers and carefully guarded their interests in all things that concerned their health and professional duties. He was an unusually companionable co-worker and his presence at the Board Meet- ing always radiated good cheer and his good judgment and fairmindedness made his services of inestimable value. We shall all hold long in memory his upright character and charming personality.
I finish my work in Middleboro with the happy satisfac- tion of feeling that I have given my best efforts to advance the cause of education in the schools of the town during the last quarter of a century.
It has been my "great adventure" to which I have given the greater part of my mature life.
As I am obliged by legal enactment to finish my work in the public schools of the State next July, I wish for my suc- cessor the same helpful spirit of cooperation and the same support in carrying on the work of the schools that I have enjoyed during my long administration.
CHARLES H. BATES, A. M.,
Superintendent of Schools.
REPORT OF THE IHIGH SCHOOL . PRINCIPAL
Mr. Charles H. Bates, Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir :
I wish to submit my report under the following headings:
1. COLLEGE CERTIFICATE.
The High School continues on the approved list of the
12
New England College Certificate Board. It is also approved by Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Dartmouth College, and is in Class "A" for Normal Schools. This certificate priv- ilege is secured for the school by the good work of its gradu- ates.
The High School should not, however, be severely criti- cized if any are unable to pass the increasingly difficult col- lege entrance examinations or fail to do creditable work after entering. The present congestion in colleges means that severe demands are made by college examinations, which are intend- ed to eliminate a large percentage of those who take them. For example, one college examined 1400 candidates for less than 500 places. Most of the colleges are not expanding, but are setting definite limits to the number they wish to acconi- modate.
2. TEACHING CHANGES.
Five changes and one additional teacher were necessary this year. The new teachers with their subjects are as foi- lows: Edith M. Berntson, English and Spanish ; Mrs. Alice D. Brawn, English; Doris H. Cochrane, History; Anne C. Erickson, Mathematics; Esther L. Simpson, Commercial sub- jects; Alfred R. Mack, Mathematics.
When the personnel of a teaching force changes, a dis- tinct loss is likely to strike the entire system until the new personnel can acquaint itself with conditions. It is to be hoped that our faculty may remain intact.
3. ATHLETICS.
An Athletic Association has been organized with a con- stitution and regular officers. Meetings are held regularly. The actual planning and knowledge of the athletic activities act as a stimulus to the interest, and a check upon expenses. A magazine contest conducted for a week netted the Athletic Association over two hundred dollars.
4. PUPILS' REPORTS.
Report cards are sent out five times during the school
43
year. A new card is being sent out this year. This card employs the usual system of A, 90-100; B, 80-90; C, 70-80; D, 60-70; F, 0-60. In addition, however, following the sug- gestions made in the report card recommended by the State, a figure is placed after each letter. This figure tells the atti- tude of the pupil toward his work, as explained on the back of the report card.
Deficiency notices are sent out regularly at the end of each half-term to parents of students who have failed during that time.
5. EDUCATION WEEK.
The new lights gave better opportunity for the building to be seen at night. On Wednesday of Education Week (November 7-13), the Parent and Teacher Night was held, with over 125 in attendance. Opportunity was given for par- ents to meet the teachers of their children, and a brief assem- bly followed.
6. MUSICAL ACTIVITIES.
Mr. Phillips will undoubtedly cover this topic elsewhere, but his work as director should be commended in the highest terms. He conducts general music, boys' Glee Club, girls' Glee Club, orchestra, and boys' quartette. Mr. Belmont has been secured to take charge of the School Band.
7. OBJECT.
After all, the true measure of the success of an institu- tion, our own included, can only be by the results obtained. We must remember too, these results consist not only in the mastering of the subject matter, but also in the interest and attention of pupils, and in their acquiring correct habits of thought and study.
6. MISCELLANEOUS.
Interest in the new building is of course paramount. The question, "When do we go into the new building ?" is
44
asked more from anticipation than from expectation of a def- inite answer. Sentimental reasons are strong ones for going into the new building this school year if it is completed. At the present building, the condition, of course, is a crowded one, yet one would be impressed with the order and air of purposeful activity. The lack of assemblies with their uni- fying effect, the presence of "study" pupils in recitation rooms, and the holdings of classes in improvised school rooms present the real needs. Assemblies are held in the Town Hall, general music being held there every Tuesday, but being in another building, there are disadvantages, especially in in- clement weather.
In conclusion, an excellent esprit de corps exists in the High School gratifying to all. Whatever of success we are having is due to the spirit of the student body, the loyalty and co-operation of the faculty, and the help given by the Superintendent and School Committee. Co-operation and success go together in any enterprise.
Respectfully submitted,
ALFRED R. MACK.
HIGH SCHOOL FACULTY
Years in Middleboro before this year 0
Alfred R. Mack, 26 Benton St. Graduate of Bridgewater Normal and Brown University
Leonard O. Tillson, 11 North St. Graduate of Boston Uni- 27
versity
Harold C. Sears, 17 School St. Graduate of Salem Commercial Roland C. MacGown, Courtland St. Graduate of Dartmouth Herbert L. Wilber, Rock, Mass. Graduate of Boston University Grace Allen, 65 Pearl St. Graduate of Boston University Chrystal M. Chase, 8 Peirce St. Graduate of Wesleyan
Florence Culhane, Rock St. Graduate of Chandler Secretarial Edith M. Berntson, 182 North Main St. Graduate of Boston University
Alice D. Brawn, 180 North Main St. Graduate of Boston University
Anne C. Erickson, 61 Wood St. Graduate of Colby
Mildred E. Stearns, 182 North Main St. Graduate of Boston University
7
1 1 31 7 2 0
0 0 1
GRADUATES OF 1926
Total in Class
Boys 10
Girls 40
Total 50
Attending
Colleges
Northeastern University
Bates
2
8
3 Simmons
1
Emerson
1
Boston Univ.
1
Attending
Normal Schools
Framingham
1
3
Bridgewater
2
Attending
Commercial Schools
2
2
Attending
Other Schools
3
9
12
Total continuing education
6
19
25
The last two are part time teachers in the High School.
7
1
0 0
ton University
Sylvia Comley, 4 Reland St. Graduate of Boston School of Design Wirt B .Phillips, 13 Crawford St., Roxbury. Graduate of Bos-
Graduate of Chandler Secretarial
Esther L. Simpson, 18 Winthrop Ave.
Doris H. Cochrane, 26 Benton St. Graduate of Jackson
Bridgewater Mall.
45
46;
ENROLLMENT DEC. 22, 1926
Total Number
Boys Girls Middleboro Lakeville Plympton Carver Rochester
1 2
3
Senior
24
28
42
9
1
Junior
30
42
64
7
1
Sophomore
41
61
77
16
9
Freshman
69
84
127
6
10
9
1
Totals
165 217
313
38
20
9
2
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
Middleboro, Massachusetts, January 5, 1927. Mr. C. H. Bates,
Superintendent of Schools,
Middleboro, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir :
The musical activities of the Schools of Middleboro have been very busy the past year, owing to our having partici- pated in many entertainments, and several invitations to co- operate with other affairs in the town. The Boys' Quartet and the H. S. Orchestra have had many opportunities to as- sist in outside activities which we have not been able to accept owing to the busy hours of school work and home study.
The Orchestra comprises some thirty members which is about 10 percent of the school enrollment.
The Girls' Glee Club of sixty is very active and enthusi- astic ; the Boys' Glee Club while not so large is equally inter- ested in the work.
The Band under the able instruction of Mr. Harry Bel- mont is making rapid strides and will be able to maintain the standard set by the other organizations of the School. The Band was handicappel by some changes in personnel this year, owing to the removal from town and the graduation of several members.
The Chorus is engaged in weekly rehearsals of several numbers for the spring concert.
.
P. G.
47
The Boys' Quartet have had two changes this year, but we hope they will be able to continue for the two years fol- lowing with the present membership.
In many of our associations we have had no competitive plan but have opened the door to all who would enjoy the study of good music in ensemble.
As we understand it the mission of public school music is not to make great artists but to help every boy and girl to know and appreciate good music.
We have added one instrument (a saxaphone), to our already long list and have a pupil studying it at this time.
The grades are fully up to standard and the new books which were purchased have more than come up to our expec- tations.
The many different Glee Clubs and the Drum Corps and Orchestra in the School Street Building are busy every week and will put on an entertainment in the spring which will overshadow any former event of the school.
The Suburban Schools have carried on in the usual man- ner but the bringing of the upper grades to town has made some changes in the music outline necessary. The trans- porting of the pupil has proven beneficial as they are getting the graded study of music which is impossible in the one- room building.
We in the High School will be most happy to get into the new building and use that wonderful Walter Sampson Auditorium for our music period as the Town Hall is too large and the chorus too much spread out for the best good of all concerned.
So look out for the musical activities in the High School next year.
The outlook is bright for the future, but as one writer has said, "Don't make promises, make good."
Very truly,
W. B. PHILLIPS,
Director of Music Middleboro Public Schools.
48
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF ART
Middleboro, Mass., Dec. 29, 1926.
Mr. Charles H. Bates, . Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir :
I herewith respectfully submit to you a report of the work of the Art Department for the year ending December 31, 1926.
Public School Art teaches the child to look and see more clearly the details of that which comes before his vision. It gives him the power to discriminate between the good and bad in the things around him. It gives him the power to judge and think for himself what is in good taste to which later develops and inclination to create.
The training in the Public Schools will not produce art- ists, but will raise the standard of tastes and provide means for capturing talented pupils and placing them in classes where they may be especially trained and advising them in the type of work or branch of art into which they will be best fitted.
The lessons have been outlined under the following sub- jects, construction work, theory of color, illustration, repre- sentation, costume design, interior decoration, lettering, poster design, object drawing, nature drawing, and design. Primary grades had lessons on the above subjects on a very simplified basis. Elementary lessons on a more advanced basis. The suburban schools had a course of the same outline for the teachers to follow. High School work was carried on with an aim to specialization in the different branches.
Each grade is visited once every two weeks. The subur- ban schools are supervised and visited once a month. One day a week is devoted to Mechanical Drawing and Freehand Drawing at the High School.
Poster work has been a great center as an advertising
49
unit in the affairs and activities of the schools and community. The High School pupils made posters advertising Basket Ball, Foot Ball, Teachers' Play, Senior Class Play, Cabot Club Art Exhibition and Public School Art Exhibition.
A poster contest was held at the Public Library, Book Week, November 8th, to the 13th, to promote more interest in the reading of books. These were made by the seventh and eighth grade pupils. In connection with this a display of dolls dressed in costumes of other countries were made by the sixth grade girls. Posters were made during the year by other grades advertising clean-up week, thrift posters, health posters, posters illustrating poetry, different countries and the months of the year. All of which convinces one that a sure way of public advertising may be accomplished by the school children.
During the time spent on the above work I can say 1 found at least twenty to twenty-five pupils who would be capable of doing extremely well in the Art field after complet- ing a course at an Art School.
The classes in High School have greatly increased in nunt- ber this year. It would be a great benefit if they were allowed a double period a week.
An Art Exhibition consisting of construction work, In- terior Decorating, Costume Design, Architectural Drawings, Mechanical Drawings, Illustrations, Design, Handicraft work, Manual Training and Sewing was held at the Town Hall, June 8, 1926. Work from every school was exhibited.
I attended the Eastern Arts Association Convention held in Syracuse, New York, April 21st to the 24th. It was con- sidered one of the best ever held. I was greatly benefitted by attending.
In closing I wish to thank you and all who have been of assistance to me for the splendid co-operation and interest shown in the work of this department.
Respectfully submitted,
SYLVIA GRENVILLE COMLEY, Art Supervisor.
50
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF PENMANSHIP
Middleboro, Massachusetts, December 15, 1926.
Mr. Charles H. Bates, Superintendent of Schools, Middleboro, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir :
We have, this year, introduced, in grades one to four, inclusive, a very interesting and effective system of awards to stimulate interest in penmanship in our schools. These awards not only act as an incentive to the pupils, but also have a decided value to the teacher in as much as they serve as a definite standard of measurement which may be used to check up on the progress of the class. In the past we have looked upon penmanship as a subject which did not lend itself readily to a systematic testing of progress made. It is true that we have many tests for the measurement of hand- writing, that is, the finished product, but nothing which could be used to test the progress made in the fundamental steps of muscular movement writing.
Briefly our system consists of a series of progressive awards each of which must be obtained by the pupil before he is allowed to try for the next.
The First or
Red Star Award for improvement in muscular control is given for proficiency in executing drills entirely by means of the large muscle of the forearm, the fingers being used merely in holding the pen and not in forming the letters.
The Second or
Silver Star Award for improvement in penholding is given for correct penholding, the fingers being kept in a free. easy, natural position, the pen being held without any con- scious tightening or cramping of the fingers. In moving across the paper the hand is caused to glide on the nails of the third and fourth fingers.
The Third or
51
Gold Star Award for improvement in movement appli- cation is given for proficiency in writing words and sen- tences entirely by muscular movement.
The Final Award or
Certificate is not a new requirement but merely a final test on the requirements of the Red, Silver, and Gold Star Awards.
The Awards themselves are attractively printed cards about 3" x 5" to which the teacher affixes a small paper star of the proper color. The same award card may then be used for any award of the first four grades by merely inserting the pupil's name and grade number, the purpose of the awards, and signature of the teacher together with the proper star. A different standard of success is set for each grade, and although we use the same awards for each of the four grades, they represent a different standard of perfection.
The Certificates are about 9" x 12" and were lettered in Old English by one of the High School pupils. A stencil was then made from the original and the required number turned out on the duplicating machine at no expense other than the cost of materials.
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.