USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1926 > Part 4
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The various awards are presented to the pupils as they are earned, and a chart is kept by each teacher showing the progress of each pupil of the class. After the first of May the teacher makes a percentage analysis of the first success of her class, and a report is given to the superintendent. Our present system is stimulating interest and competition among the pupils and at the same time serves as an absolute stand- ard of measurement whereby the teacher may measure the success of her work.
Each pupil knows at all times that he is working for a clearly defined objective, the gaining of which will result in his being presented with an award card. He knows that his advancement depends upon his ability to master the various steps in a logical order.
The teacher also has a clearly defined aim, and can judge
52
at any time the progress of her class by the number of awards for that particular aim earned by the pupils. In this way she knows definitely whether or not the pupils have mastered the work at hand, and is prevented from taking up any advanced work before the majority of the class are prepared for it.
It might be stated at this time that these awards are not intended as a substitute for the Palmer pins and certificaes. The regular Palmer awards which we obtained in the past were earned by pupils above the fourth grade and will still be given.
In order that the methods of presenting the subject of penmanship by the various teachers may be uniform through- out the various schools, a booklet, containing an outline of the work and full instructions for class procedure, has been prepared and placed in the hands of each teacher.
A year ago a booklet containing a most complete analy- sis of the various strokes of each letter together with appro- priate drills was prepared and is now being used in the upper grades.
We thoroughly believe that we now have a very efficient system for obtaining results.
Yours respectfully, HAROLD C. SEARS,
REPORT OF PRACTICAL ART CLASSES
Mr. Charles H. Bates, Superintendent of Schools,
Dear Sir :
In submitting the report of the State Aided Vocation Classes, I would like to say these classes have been in opera- tion since September 1, 1921. The past year we have held four units in dressmaking, Miss Lura Haskell, teacher, 67 women enrolled, market value of dresses made totalled $740.50, with a saving to the pupils of $396.13.
53
Miss Mary McDonald held three units in millinery, with 29 women enrolled, market value of hats made totalled $160.00, or with a saving to the pupils of $78.39. .
In November we organized a class in Home Decoration, Miss Sylvia G. Comley, teacher, 12 lamp shades were com- pleted in this unit with a market value from $8.50 to $20.00 Very respectfully, HELEN N. ROSE, Assistant Director.
EVENING PRACTICAL ART CLASSES
Director, Charles H. Bates, 47 Courtland Street. Assistant Director, Helen N. Rose, 12 Court End Avenue. Teacher of Dressmaking, Lura L. Haskell, 59 North Main Street.
Teacher of Millinery, Mary E. McDonald, 21 High Street. Teacher of Home Decoration, Sylvia G. Comley, 4 Reland Street.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
To the School Committee :
I herewith submit my annual report :-
During the year all school children were examined and parents notified of defects found.
There is evidence that this method of repeatedly notify- ing the parents of existing defects is gradually, if slowly, bringing about happy results, especially as far as diseased tonsils and adenoids are concerned. During the year forty- nine (49) school children, or 32 per cent of the cases in school, had tonsils and adenoids removed,-a definite increase over any other year. There is still a tendency among parents to regard cavities of teeth as quite a minor defect, thus afford-
54
ing ample opportunity for further educational work along health lines. It is noted by the records on file in this office that the amount of dental work done during any year depends somewhat upon local economic conditions.
A dental clinic in charge of a competent dentist would bring about good results and would pay large dividends in the form of better health conditions. I earnestly recommend its establishment at the earliest possible date. For the results obtained, by this department, due credit must be given to the School Nurse, whose work in the schools and in the home has been a most vital factor.
I desire to thank the Superintendent of Schools, the Principals and teachers for the kindly spirit of co-operation I have received at their hands.
Respectfully submitted,
J. H. BURKHEAD, M. D. School Physician.
REPORT OF SCIIOOL NURSE
Report of the work of the Health Nurse for the year ending Dec. 31, 1926
To the Selectmen and the School Committee :
The duties of the School Nurse and Health Nurse are so closely related that I find it impossible to draw any definite line as to where one starts and the other ends, so I am giving my report for both at the same time.
Home visits 334.
Visits to the Central Schools 286
Visits to the Suburban Schools 144.
Cultures taken in follow-up work of Diphtheria 5.
Assisted School Physician with yearly examinations of the School children. Notices of defects sent home and follow- up visits made.
55
Three patients were taken to the Mass. Gen. Hospital for examination and treatment.
Two were taken to the Eye and Ear Infirmary for Exam- ination and treatment. One was in need of glasses, the other was discharged until further symptoms developed.
One boy was taken to the State School for Feeble Minded in Wrentham. The doctors there advised he be removed from school and allowed to do farm work.
Five patients taken to Brockton for treatment twice a week for three months.
Accompanied two patients to Plymouth County Hospital.
One child taken to Brighton Contagious Hospital.
One boy taken to Plymouth County Hospital for chest examination.
Two patients taken to the Evangeline Booth Hospital.
General inspection was carried on in the way of clean- 'iness, personal hygiene, and contagious diseases. Dental in- spection was done twice a year. Conditions have improved greatly in these cases. There are fewer children excluded from school each year for pediculii.
School
Number
Examined
Defective
Teeth
Enlarged
.Tonsils
Adenoids
Corrected
Teeth
Tonsil
Operations 9
Adenoid
Operations
Enlarged
Glands
Corrected Glands
School St.
388 117
33
37
28
Town House
117
45
.7
7
5
3
3
Union St.
201
38
20
20
13
1
8
8
1
West Side
285
99
27
28
7
2
2
High School
377
67
15
15
15
1
1
Purchade
37
4
9
10
2
5
5
Pratt Free
23
3
3
4
2
Plymouth St.
18
2
Pleasant St.
23
1
3
3
2
1
1
.-
Rock
34
4
4
4
1
2
2
--
5
10
10
Forest St.
85.
2
12
9
1
56
S. Middleboro
31
8
4
4
1
1
--
Wappanucket
24
4
1
2
1
4
4
Thomastown
19
1
2
2
1
1
1
Greene
36
3
4
5
5
Waterville
23
6
1
1
Thompson St.
27
7
4
4
2
2
-
4
4
2
Total
1768 411 153 175
77
49
49
1
1
NUTRITION WORK
The children were weighed and measured. Notices were sent home for all those who were ten percent or more under- weight.
West Side weighed five times.
School St. weighed five times.
Union St. weighed six times. Purchade weighed four times.
Waterville weighed three times.
Pratt Free weighed three times.
Pleasant St. weighed three times. Plymouth St. weighed three times. Soule weighed three times. Rock weighed three times. Thompson St. weighed three times. Wappanucket weighed three times. S. Middleboro weighed three times. Greene weighed four times. Waterville weighed twice.
Town House weighed monthly.
Forest St. weighed monthly.
Mid-morning milk was served to all underweights and any others who desired it during the months of January, February, March, April, November and December. The Nu- trition Committee sponsored this project supplying milk tu all those who could not afford to pay for it yet needed it. The children have shown an average gain in weight which
Soule
20
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we feel was greatly influenced by the serving of mid-morning milk.
Three of our underweight children were taken to the Health Camp in So. Hanson for July and August. Two of these children did remarkably well, the other gained some but not as much as was anticipated. The expenses of the children who went to camp were paid from the Christmas Seal Sale Fund and generous donations from the Senior Red Cross, the Junior Red Cross, the Middleboro Lodge of Elks, the Nutrition Committee, and the Ten Times One Club.
With the exception of a small epidemic of Measles in the spring we have had very little contagious work in the schools. Since the opening of the schools in the fall it is remarkable how little there has been as compared with past years.
In May I attended the Health Congress which was held at Atlantic City. There I spent a most interesting week learning some of the latest methods being used in the nursing world. I feel that it has helped me a great deal in carrying out my program this fall.
The defects of the school children have not been correc- ted as well as we have expected probably due to the poor con- dition of the business in town. The families have not had the money to pay out anything except those things that are abso- lutely necessary and as yet they are not educated to the necessity of tonsil operations and dentistry.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY A. CANNING, R. N.
REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE DUTIES OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
The Nurse shall maintain office hours, School days, from except Saturdays.
8.30 to 9.30 A. M., and from 4.30 to 5 o'clock P. M. daily,
58
The Nurse shall assist the School Physician in his annu- al examination of school children.
The Nurse shall weigh and measure all school children at least twice a year, and at other times as seems necessary.
The Nurse shall have charge of milk furnished to school children.
The Nurse shall visit each school monthly and at other times upon request of any teacher, or the School Physician.
The activities of the Nurse in the schools shall be suh- ject to the direction of the School Physician.
The Nurse shall keep an accurate record of her activities pertaining to school work.
The Nurse shall devote the remainder of her time to the making of home visits.
The Nurse shall submit to the Superintendent of Schools a report in writing each month, setting forth in detail her . activities of the previous month.
REPORT OF THE ATTENDANCE OFFICER
Mr. Charles H. Bates,
Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir :
I herewith submit my report as attendance officer for the year ending December 31, 1926.
No. of absentees reported
189
Reasons given by parents for pupils' absence :
Chickenpox 7
German Measles
31
Measles
48
Colds
61
No suitable clothes
8
No shoes or rubbers
14
Truants 11
59
Working without a certificate 9
Total
189
Where parents could not afford to furnish proper cloth- ing, or shoes and rubbers, the Overseers of the Poor were notified, and they supplied the necessary articles.
Truants were looked up and returned to school when they could be located.
Pupils working without a working certificate were re- turned to school until they secured a certificate, and employ- ers were warned that they must comply with laws of the Commonwealth when employing children.
One pupil was examined at the Wrentham State Hos- pital for Feeble Minded Children, and they advised that the pupil be excused from attending school.
Respectfully submitted,
J. H. WHEELER,
Attendance Officer.
GEORGE W. STETSON, A. B., L.L. B. 1866-1926
By the death of George W. Stetson, Middleborough has lost a well beloved friend, a broad and tolerant citizen, a man of clear wisdom and high ideals. He was a gentleman of the old school, a man of clear vision, of solid principles, dependable, conscientious, of unflagging energy in the per- formance of his civic, as well as his religious and professional duties. There has been no man of his generation in Middle- borough who has contributed more to the success of the town than he.
Mr. Stetson was born in Lakeville and educated in its public schools. He graduated from the Middleborough High School in 1882, Dartmouth College in 1886, and Boston University Law School in 1890. While at Dartmouth he was a member of the Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity and of Phi
60
Beta Kappa, an honorary society composed of men of the highest scholastic rank. He was also a commencement orator.
Mr. Stetson was admitted to the bar in 1890 and for a time practised in the office of Thomas Weston of Boston, with an evening office in Middleborough. In 1896 he was married to Miss Myra Cushing. They have had four chil- dren, all of whom survive him. After the death of Everett Robinson in 1897, Mr. Stetson gave up his office in Boston and commenced active practise in Middleborough, taking over much of Mr. Robinson's clientele.
He was appointed a Justice of the Fourth District Court, which position he held until 1900 when he accepted the ap- pointment of United States Referee in Bankruptcy. This position was held under several judges of the United States District Court for over twenty-five years. His original juris- diction covered Plymouth and Barnstable Counties and was later extended to include Bristol and Island Counties. He sometimes humorously referred to himself as "the Referee with the longest coast line in the United States."
Professionally he was one of the leaders of the bar of Southeastern Massachusetts. His acquaintanceship among the profession was unusually large, and the high esteem in which he was held by his fellow lawyers is well shown by the many cases in which, by agreement, he was appointed Master and Auditor under the authority of both the Massachusetts and Federal Courts. Among these appointments might be mentioned the New Bedford Bridge cases and the land taking cases connected with the Legion Parkway in Brockton.
For several years he was associated with Albert Wash- burn, the present ambassador to Austria, under the name of Stetson & Washburn, and from 1919 to the time of his death he was in partnership with Fletcher Clark, Jr., under the name of Stetson & Clark.
As an attorney he was a loved and trusted adviser, a man of high ideals, who lived up to the highest requirements of the ethics of his profession. His natural judicial powers, his habits of careful and systematic analysis, his clear in-
Photo by Thibault Studio
1
George W. Stetson, A.B., LL.B.
61
sight into men's motives, and his scrupulous honesty, com- bined with his natural charming personality and keen sense of humor, made him an ideal lawyer.
Mr. Stetson was closely connected with the public affairs of the town. He served on the school committee over twenty years and was for many years its chairman. He worked on dozens of committees, among which were committees on by- laws, committees on school needs and plans, and the com- mittee in charge of Middleborough's 250th Anniversary Cel- ebration, of which he was the chairman. To him such ap- pointments were not empty honors but involved faithful at- tendance and painstaking conscientious work.
Mr. Stetson was prominent in many of our leading insti tutions. In 1906 he became a director of the Middleborough National Bank and a director of the Middleborough Trust Company when it was founded, and served on its executive committee from that time until his death. He served as a trustee of the Middleborough Savings Bank for twenty-nine years and as its clerk for fifteen years. He was one of the original trustees under the will of Thomas S. Peirce for the benefit of the "Inhabitants of the Town of Middleborough." By education and experience he was well fitted for these po- sitions of trust, and his rational, practical, sound business judgment has been an element of strength to them for many years.
He was an active member of the Central Baptist Church. serving on its prudential committee and as its treasurer for over twenty-five years. He was clerk and treasurer of Peirce Academy for many years. In the local Y. M. C. A. he had served as president and treasurer and was a director at the time of his death.
For some twenty years he served as chairman of the Citizens' Course and for twenty-five years as chairman of the Republican Town Committee. He was a member of the American Bar Association, President of the Old Middlebor- ough Historical Association, President of the Stetson Kin-
62
dred of America, a member of the Mayflower lodge A. F. & A. M. and many other societies.
George W. Stetson's life work among us is finished, but we are better men and this town is a better town because he lived here. Those of us who felt that we knew him best, who believed that we had followed him truest, and who cherish the thought that we loved him most, see now the place where he stood and know that that place was great and realize that he filled it worthily.
"Now is the splendid column broke, The signal fire is quenched in smoke.
The trumpet's silver voice is still, The warder silent on the hill."
CHARLES H. BATES, A. M.
Mr. Charles H. Bates has been a prominent figure in Middleboro and surrounding towns for the past twenty-five years, and a strong personality in educational circles of county and state for a much longer period. He may be terme an enthusiast, and his life has been devoted unsparingly to the cause of education.
Charles H. Bates was born in Danvers, Massachusetts, June 9, 1857, the son of Albert A. and H. Maria Bates. He was educated in the public schools of his native town and of Salem, Massachusetts and at Colby College, class of 1880. Subsequently he took several courses at Clark University. In 1905 he received the honorary degree of A. M. from his Alma Mater in recognition of his work as a teacher.
Since leaving college Mr. Bates has been engaged, with- out interruption, in the educational field. He has been a suc- cessful teacher in Danvers, Provincetown, Dennis, Chelms- ford, Uxbridge, Salem, New Hampshire and Troy, New Hampshire. He was principal of the Uxbridge High School for thirteen years, from 1888 to 1901, and, in connection with the High School principalship, was Superintendent of Schools
.
63
for eight years, from 1893 to 1901. He was then elected Su- perintendent of Schools of the Uxbridge-Douglas. school dis- trict in June, 1901. In October of the same year, in the line of promotion, he was elected Superintendent of Schools in Middleboro where he is now entering upon his 26th year of service.
In addition to the immediate duties of his calling, Mr. Bates has been associated with many educational organiza- tions, having served as President of the Worcester County Teachers' Association, President of the Plymouth County Teachers' Association and President of the Southeastern Massachusetts Superintendents' Association. He is a meni- ber of the National Educational Association, the New Eng- land and Massachusetts School Superintendents' Associations and the Massachusetts School Masters' Club.
In denomination preference, Mr. Bates has bene affilia- ted actively with the Unitarian Church. In Middleboro, he has been a teacher in the Sunday School, Superintendent of the Sunday School, a member of the Parish Committee and President of the Laymen's League.
In the literary field, Mr. Bates has contributed to dif- ferent periodicals in prose and verse and was the chief writer of biographical sketches for the publication of the Massachu- setts Biographical Society for ten years. He has lectured on educational and popular subjects in many places. He has served as orator at patriotic gatherings and has contributed poems for anniversary, memorial, patriotic and dedicating occasions. In Uxbridge, he served on the board of trustees of the public library for several years. He is a member of the Middleboro Historical Society and has been a member of the Commercial Club for over twenty years, having served for several years as secretary of that organization.
In fraternal organizations Mr. Bates has been promi- nent. He is a member of the local order of Elks, is Past- Grand of the Uxbridge Lodge of Odd Fellows and a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon Society of Colby College.
64
Mr. Bates longest term of professional service has been spent in Middleboro where he was elected Superintendent of Schools in November, 1901. The schools of this town, under his efficient leadership, have gained and maintained a very high standard of excellence; for he possesses qualities which fit him by nature for successful results. He is a man of exemplary bearing, of broad scholarship, of impressive per- sonality, of safely progressive ideas and of a natural prone- ness to assist and benefit those with whom he may be asso- ciated. He is an indefatigable worker, is thoroughly consci- entious in the performance of a duty, and ever ready to help by word or deed the promotion of a good cause. He is a man of marked literary attainments as well as an able public speaker. His ability in this direction has on many occasions, been a positive factor in promoting the civic welfare of the town.
In his professional career, Mr. Bates has gained the an- probation of school officials, the confidence and support of his teachers and the respect of his fellow citizens. The town of Middleboro has indeed been fortunate in having Mr. Bates as the head of her school system for so many years.
STATISTICS OF SCHOOL YEAR 1925-1926
Number of men teachers
7
Number of women teachers
43
Number of supervisors
3
Number of pupils enrolled
1866
Number of boys enrolled
953
Number of girls enrolled
913
Number of High School pupils
340
Number of boys in High School
141
Number of girls in High School
199
Number of non-resident pupils
82
Average daily attendance in High School 311
Average daily attendance in Elementary Schools
1337
Photo by Thibault Studio
Charles H. Bates, A.M.
65
Average membership in High School
322
Average membership in Elementary Schools
1409
Percentage of attendance
95
Aggregate attendance
297,538
Average number of days actually in session-
High School 180
Elementary Schools
175
Teachers graduates of College
10
Teachers graduates of Normal Schools
20
Teachers graduates of High School only
11
Teachers grduates of Training Class
9
Number promoted in High School
249
Number not promoted in High School
47
Number promoted in Elementary Schools
1371
Number not promoted in Elementary Schools 160
Number of visits of Superintendent to Central Schools 683
Number of visits of Superintendent to Suburban Schools 143
826
Number of visits of Supervisor of Music
612
Number of visits of Supervisor of Drawing
684
Number of visits of Supervisor of Penmanship
290
Number of other Visitors
Central Schools -
1650
Suburban Schools
392
2042
Number of pupils defective in eyesight-
High School
114
Elementary Schools
131
245
Number of pupils defective in hearing --
High School
2
Elementary Schools
10
12
66
SCHOOL CENSUS-October 1, 1926 SUBURBAN DISTRICTS
Years
Males
Females
Total
5- 7
42
43
7-14
198
155
14-16
44
43
284
241
525
CENTRAL DISTRICT
Years
Males
Females
Total
5- 7
113
102
7-14
407
429
14-16
90
429
610
618
1228
Grand Total
1753
MEMBERSHIP IN SCHOOLS BY GRADES April 1, 1926
Grade 1
189
Grade 2
179
Grade 3
203
Grade 4
177
Grade 5
167
Grade 6
188
Grade 7
160
Grade 8
175
High School Membership
First Year
113
Second Year
97
Third Year
59
Fourth Year
4.4
1438
67
Post Graduates
3
316
Total
1754
STATISTICS OF EACH SCHOOL (Year Ending June 23, 1926.)
High School School Street
9-12
340
322
311
97
8
48
47
44
96
8
46
44
42
95
8
47
43
41
95
7
47
43
37
94
7
46
43
40
94
6- 7
41
40
38
94
6
45
44
42
94
6
42
41
39
93
4
54
51
49
95
Town House
5
36
35
33
94
5
35
34
33
96
4
42
39
37
93
Union Street
1
42
36
32
89
2
42
38
35
92
8
39
38
34
92
3
42
37
34
92
3- 4
36
34
30
89
Forest Street
1
44
43
39
90
2
39
39
35
89
West Side
1
45
42
39
93
2
45
44
40
92
3
53
50
46
89
4
34
31
29
93
5
44
41
34
96
Percent of
Attendance
Grades
Membership Total
Average
Membership
Average
Attendance
68
6
51
48
46
95
7- 8
40
36
34
95
Pleasant Street
4- 6
32
27
25
93
Plymouth Street
1- 3
27
23
22
93
Purchade
1- 6
53
48
43
88
Thompsonville
1- 8
32
31
29
93
Soule
1- 8
. 28
24
23
93
Waterville
1- 6
44
33
30
91
Green
1- 5
52
47
44
93
Thomastown
1- 8
23
21
19
94
South Middleboro
1- 6
41
35
32
91
Wappanucket
1- 8
22
21
18
92
Rock
1- 5
48
40
38
95
Pratt Free School
7- 8
28
24
22
92
PRESENT SCHEDULE OF SALARIES
Superintendent of Schools
$3500.00
Supervisor of Music, 3 days a week
1800.00
Supervisor of Drawing, 4 days a week
1400.00
Principal of High School
2900.00
Sub-Master of High School
2500.00
Head of Commercial Dept.
2200.00
1ยท Assistant
1800.00
1 Assistant
1700.00
2 Assistants
1600.00
6 Assistants
1500.00
2 Assistants
1400.00
Principal of School Street School
2000.00
Sub-Master of School Street School
1550.00
Principal of Union Street School Principal of West Side School
1400.00
1400.00
Principal of Forest Street School
1250.00
Assistant of Town House School
1300.00
Grade Teachers
1200.00
Suburban Teachers
1200.00
69
JANITORS
New High School
1400.00
High School
1130.00
School Street School
1200.00
Union Street School
700.00
West Side School
1000.00
Forest Street School
340.00
Salaries of the Suburban school janitors range from $1.00 to $4.00 a school week.
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