USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1928 > Part 2
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CONDITIONS IN THE SUBURBAN SCHOOLS
I would recommend that the three schools in the East end of the town be treated as a unit and each school Green, Soule, and Waterville house only two grades each. This would mean a slight transportation problem and expense but the added educational value would be great. Where now each grade receives approximately one hour per day it would be possible in a school of two grades by combination classes to devote nearly three hours each day to each grade.
CLASS FOR RETARDED PUPILS
As stated in my last report the laws of the Common- wealth require all pupils three or more years retarded to be examined and if there are over ten in a town that town must form and maintain these pupils in a Special Class. These pupils were tested by Dr. Tait of the State Department and nearly thirty were recommended for such a class. It is planned to use the small vacant room in Union Street School for this purpose.
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HEALTH
I wish to call attention to the appended reports of the School Physician and School Nurse. The Health program in the schools is of very high order due to their careful and untiring efforts.
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation in a town of as large an area as Middle- boro is an enormous problem. At the present time there are 9 busses running to the Central Schools and serving 7 of the Suburban Schools carrying 486 pupils over 253 miles of road each day. Other pupils come to the Central Schools on three busses and are reimbursed for money expended.
Due to the number of Senior High School pupils in the Wappanuckett District this year one new route was neces- sary.
Comparative figures as to the cost of transportation for the past year in the neighboring towns might be of interest. Falmouth
$19,799.62
Barnstable
18,684.25
Dartmouth
16,512.20
Plymouth
16,029.15
Weymouth
14,817.80
Middleboro
14,216.09
Westport
12,929.22
Wareham
12,273.37
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC CLASSES
The Violin classes under the instruction of Mrs. Marion Belmont were so successful last year that these have been continued and augmented by not only more Violin classes but by groups of pupils for instruction in the brass, wood- wind, and percussion instruments under the direction of Mr. Walter Weeman. All these classes are doing very fine
26
work and the pupils are getting nearly the equivalent of pri- vate lessons at the cost of twenty-five cents per lesson.
It is not the intention of the Music department to make musicians of all these children but rather to enable them to obtain a foundation in the study of instrumental music at little cost to themselves, and for their own pleasure. There are more people earning their entire living, or part of their living through Music, than any other business in this coun- try, but one.
PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATIONS
Two new associations were formed during the past year, West Side and Bates School Associations. Both of these are very active and their cooperation and help is already felt within these schools.
The organization of the Parent-Teacher Council during the year has brought all of the allied associations together so there may be a unification of purpose and is greatly appre- ciated by your Superintendent.
CONCLUSION
Let me again urge all to carefully read the departmental reports appended that the fine work done by those in charge may be properly appreciated.
Respectfully submitted,
J. STEARNS CUSHING,
Superintendent of Schools.
27
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Receipts
$9,143.69
Tuition
7.52
Books & Supplies
98.77
Miscellaneous
250.00
Sale Old School Buildings
Commonwealth of Mass. Vocational School
323.29
Commonwealth of Mass.
Included in Income Tax
17,890.00
Total Receipts
Payments
Administrative Salaries
$4,000.00
General Salaries
Music-Drawing
3,470.00
General Expenses
1,478.15
Teachers' Salaries
78,428.34
Books & Supplies
7,708.96
Tuition
831.80
Transportation
14,212.16
Painting High School
346.53
Janitors' Services
6,884.26
Fuel & Light
5,614.70
Maintenance Buildings
5,072.95
New Buildings
173.68
Furniture & Furnishings
846.83
Insurance
1,616.00
Other Expenses
190.05
Walks and Grading
2000.00
Total Payments
130,354.20
2,520.21
27,713.27
Receipts
NET COST OF SCHOOLS
$102,640.93
$27,713.27
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REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Middleboro, Massachusetts
January 5, 1929.
Mr. J. Stearns Cushing, Superintendent of Schools
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my third annual report.
1. COLLEGE CERTIFICATE.
The High School continues on the approved list of the New England College Certificate Board. It is also approved by Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Dartmouth College and is in Class A for Normal Schools. Graduates of recent years now at college have received special mention for oustanding scholastic records as follows, Dartmouth 3, Rhode Island State College 1, Northeastern University 1. One of last year's graduates because of his high scholastic record and examinations was admitted to Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
In September, graduates of this school entered the fol- lowing colleges, Tufts, Simmons, Dartmouth, Massachu- setts Institute of Technology, Northeastern University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Massachusetts Agricul- tural College and Norwich University. One post-graduate entered Annapolis Naval Academy. Other schools to which graduates of the class of 1928 went are Framingham, Bridge- water and Salem Normal Schools, and Rhode Island College of Design.
2. TEACHING CHANGES.
Three new teachers and two additional teachers were necessary at the beginning of this year. It is interesting to note that six of the eighteen teachers are graduates of the Middleboro High School. It is to be hoped that the per- sonnel of the teaching force will remain fairly constant as changes hurt the continuity of the work.
29
3. SIZE OF THE SCHOOL.
In connection with the expense of the High School the following figures should be kept in mind. In the past four years the registration has been as follows: 1925-340: 1926-385: 1927-450: 1928-510.
It is difficult to prophesy, but a conservative estimate for September 1929 is 550 pupils. This means an increase of teachers, and money absolutely necessary for maintenance, desks, books, etc. It costs about 50c a day per pupil in the High School. This is much less than the average amount for the state. This increasing enrollment means that the two remaining rooms not now seated, must have desks and chairs placed in them.
4. SCHOLARSHIP.
Something of the pride in turning out good students is shown under College Certificate. A similar pride is taken in many who go at once into gainful occupations, into offices, etc.
Report Cards are sent out every two months, and Defi- ciency Cards are sent out the alternate months, oftener if necessary.
An Honor Roll is maintained, the names are read in Assembly, are printed in the local paper, and a large copy is framed and placed in the corridor. Some sort of an Honor Society is contemplated. In far too many cases however, it is a sad commentary that students are satisfied with "getting by," rather than being dissatisfied with anything less than their best. Systematic home study is necessary. Absence and Tardiness are exasperating. We know that they are not consistent with good scholarship, and we are making every effort to reduce them. Our major difficulty is likely to be with pupils living within easy walking distance of the school, and in most cases, with pupils not overburdened with home duties. We try to show pupils the value of punctuality and living up to their obligations. We get con- siderable cooperation from the homes, but we believe that
30
there could be a real improvement if more people could see what we are trying to do. Sickness in the home, church, and some real emergency are legitimate excuses. The par- ent's signature is required for each case of tardiness or ab- sence.
5. SCHOOL LIFE.
The average person is probably little aware of the active life at the High School. Our teachers are always busy, as is the Principal. The multiplicity of tasks, the large amount of administrative work, the many details, that 500 pupils necessitate are unrecognized except by those intimately connected with the work.
6. EXTRA-CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES.
The Memorial High School Student Body continues to function successfully. In addition, there are the following: Cosmos Club, Latin Club, Spanish Club, Boy's. Glee Club, Girl's Glee Club, and Orchestra.
Socials are held about once each month in the Walter Sampson Auditorium.
The Sachem is published five times this year instead of three. In Athletics the football season has been a particu- larly successful one, perhaps the best. Basketball and base- ball promise well. The financial problem is however a vital one. Bills are paid, but it is deplorable that the athletics do not more nearly pay for themselves.
The Auditorium gives a wonderful opportunity for assemblies. Speakers have been secured at intervals, and there have also been student programs. On several occa- sions, Principal Emeritus Sampson has visited and conducted morning exercises. He is always welcome.
7. PHYSICAL DRILL.
At present the girls are far better taken care of, in this respect than the boys. Boys of course, have athletics, but this applies to a comparatively small group. It is now ar- ranged so that each girl has physical drill one period a week.
31
This is done with the help of two of the lady teachers, and Miss Mabel Morrissey, MHS '26, a trainer from the Possee Nisson Physical Education School of Boston. 8. LUNCH ROOM.
Since entering Memorial High School we have had a lunch room selling sandwiches, milk, cookies, chocolate etc. at recess. To go from 8.10 to 1.30 without nourishment is expecting too much of growing boys and girls, and in the case of many who live a distance from school, the time is even longer. Some bring lunches, but almost half (250) of the total registration (500) regularly patronize the lunch room. There is absolutely no question but that the existence of the lunch room is justfied. However the room is a small one and there is no opportunity to serve hot dishes. The room we are now using will have to be given up next year to seats and desks for increased registration. The gymnasium offers an unsatisfactory solution.
9. MISCELLANEOUS.
Education Week in the schools is undoubtedly covered elsewhere. We feel at the High School that the last one was the most successful. Special programs were held each day and the evening meeting was very well attended.
The alumni Organization is enthusiastically welcomed. The presence of a strong Alumni cannot but help for the good of the school.
A trainer from Bridgewater Normal School helps out tremendously. We have a different one every thirteen weeks. Fire drills are held regularly. Without wraps all are out of the building in two minutes.
Painting and grading have made a vast improvement. Last year's class left money, which with money from the Cosmos Club, was used to buy shrubbery.
The past year has seen the addition of many volumes to the school library.
10. IN CONCLUSION
This report is brought to a close with a combined feeling of gratification and gratitude, gratification that things are
32
well at the Memorial High School, and gratitude to those whose cooperation make it possible. "Teamwork" is a wonderful motto whether spoken or unspoken. The helpful attitude of the School Committee and Superintendent, the splendid loyalty of the Faculty, and the high type of boys and girls, make an incomparable combination.
ALFRED R. MACK,
Principal.
: 33
GRADUATES OF 1928
Higher Schools
Boys
Girls
Total
Attend colleges
Dartmouth
1 Simmons 1
Northeastern 2
Mass. Agr. Col. 3
Worcester Poly. Ins1
Tufts
1
Norwich Univ.
1
Normal Schools
Bridgewater 2
Framingham 2
Salem
1
5
5
Commercial Schools
Burdett
1
1
Nurses' Trg. Schools
5
5
Other Schools
2
2
4
Postgraduates in HS
1
3
4
Total continuing their education
13
17
30
Total in Class
28
39
67
ENROLLMENT DECEMBER 31, 1928
Boys
Girls
Total
Post Graduates
2
4
6
Seniors
22
48
70
Juniors
48
46
94
Sophomores
56
96
152
Freshmen
95
96
191
223
290
513.
10
11
34
TUITION PUPILS
Lakeville
Plympton
Carver
Total
Post Graduates
1
0
0
1
Seniors
10
7
0
17
Juniors
9
3
2
14
Sophomores
10
15
7
32
Freshmen
11
7
10
28
41
32
19
92
REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Middleboro, Massachusetts
January 2, 1929
Mr. J. Stearns Cushing,
Superintendent of Schools
Dear Sir:
In making my first annual report I wish to congratulate my predecessor, Dr. James H. Burkhead, for his excellent judgement and supervision of the school work during his term of office and particularly for the results obtained.
The mental attitude of a large majority of the students toward their general welfare and their desire to follow sug- gestions and advice was a revelation that added praise for a most earnest and efficient School Nurse and for all the teachers of the various schools.
The purpose of the examination of all school pupils is to assist them to not only be well for a single year but to be stronger for other years to come and it is sincerely hoped that all the parents will assist the pupils when they return home with the advice given them.
Chapter 75, Section 15 of the General Laws states: An unvaccinated child shall not be admitted to a public school
35
except upon presentation of a certificate like the physician's certificate required by section one hundred and eighty-three of chapter one hundred and eleven.
I would suggest that all pupils of the incoming first grade be vaccinated before entering school in the Fall of 1929. The moral effect on a child's mind of obeying or disregarding a law should be carefully considered in this respect.
At this time, for the parents and for the pupils, I wish to thank the School Committee, the Superintendent of Schools, the Principals and Teachers for their interest in us all, for the careful supervision of the health of our younger pupils, for their kindly advice and assistance and for their well recognized love for those left in their charge.
A full account of pupils examined, defects found, and de- fects corrected since the last examination is hereby appended.
DR. A. VINCENT SMITH,
School Physician
.
36
SCHOOL
Pupils
Examined
Teeth
Defects
Teeth
Corrected
Tonsil & Adenoid
Defects
Tonsil & Adenoid Corrections
Senior High
513
63
59
21
10
Bates
312
67
51
34
4
School Street
371
68
38
32
5
Union Street
124
5
1
15
1
West Side
218
34
20
15
0
Forest Street
61
2
0
11
0
Waterville
34
1
1
3
1
Soule
12
1
0
3
3
Thompsonville
31
3
3
3
2
Green
35
3
0
5
0
Wappanuckett
20
4
4
0
0
Rock
32
5
2
2
2
South Middleboro
30
3
2
1
0
Thomastown
21
3
0
5
0
Purchade
43
3
2
5
2
Plymouth Street
22
1
1
2
1
Pratt Free
19
5
0
4
4
Pleasant Street
18
2
2
3
2
1916
273
186
164
37
Teeth defects corrected 68% Tonsil & Adenoid defects corrected 23%
37
REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
Middleboro, Massachusetts January 3, 1929
Mr. J. Stearns Cushing,
Superintendent of Schools
Dear Sir:
Enclosed please find statistics showing work covered by the School Nurse during the last year.
VISITATIONS
Home visits
565
Central Schools
210
Suburban Schools
113
Doctors Offices with pupils
23
Office treatment given
251
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES
Mumps
33
Measles
105
Chicken Pox
3
Whooping Cough
11
Scarlet Fever
26
Spinal Meningitis
1
HEALTH TALKS GIVEN
Unity Club Boys, "Formation of Good Habits."
Girl Scouts, "Poisons and Narcotics."
West Side Parent-Teacher Association, "Care of Teeth and the Need of a Dental Clinic."
North Middleboro Mothers' Club, "School Clinics."
Memorial High School, "Personal Hygiene."
MEETINGS ATTENDED
West Side Parent-Teacher Association
4
Forest Street Parent-Teacher Association
2
Bates School Parent-Teacher Association
2
Massachusetts Health Convention, Bridgewater
2
66
66
Falmouth
66
66
66
New Bedford
66
66 South Hanson 2
38
American Red Cross, Plymouth
Plymouth County Teachers' Association, Brockton
TRIPS WITH SCHOOL CHILDREN
State House: two children to Child Welfare Department
2
Brighton Contagious Hospital
Plymouth County Hospital
4
Lakeville Sanitorium for X-Ray
4
RETARDED PUPILS
61 Home visits
61 Personal Histories of Pupils
Assisted Dr. H. S. Tait of State Hospital, Taunton, in examination of 58 pupils.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS
Assisted School Physician in examination of 1916 pupils
Weighed and measured pupils in 12 Suburban Schools 4 times.
Weighed and measured pupils in 5 Central Schools 4 times.
Weighed and measured pupils in High School, once.
UNDERWEIGHTS
School
October
December
School Street
77
57
Union School
3
8
West Side
37
25
Forest Street
2
6
Bates
73
47
Suburban Schools
36
20
TEN-YEAR TUBERCULAR CLASS PROGRAM
Examination held April 25, 1928
Dr. Martin of State Department, Examiner
Number of pupils examined 10
7
Number found to be improved
3
Number who had Tonsil & Adenoid Operation
Number having Sanitorium treatment
1
39
Number who have had Sanitorium treatment 3
Number recommended for treatment 1
Number recommended for X-Ray 1
Number in Summer Health Camp 1927
4
Number in Summer Health Camp 1928
4
Pounds gained 2714
Inches 314
Other gains: cheerfulness and ability to get on with others
DISTRIBUTION OF MILK
To all underweights in all Central Schools December to May 20, 186 bottles.
HEALTH DAY
Parade of school children, 1700 in line
Health Play in Town Hall
Health Movies for Parents and Pupils
Distribution of Crusade Awards
DONATIONS RECEIVED
Dental Clinic
$5.00
Bethany Girls
5.00
Girl Scouts
20.00
Junior Red Cross
5.00
No. Middleboro Mothers
5.00
Thompsonville PTA
5.00
American Legion No. 64
5.00
West Side PTA
25.00
$75.00
Summer Camp, Plymouth County Hospital
Junior Red Cross
$20.00
Woodbine Tmeple No. 34 Pythian Sisters
24.30
Middleboro Co. No. 11 U. R. K. of P.
24.30
Arbutus Lodge No. 123 Knights of Pythias
24.30
$92.90
So. Middleboro PTA
40
Needy Children Junior Red Cross Junior Red Cross Middleboro Lodge of Elks
$20.00
25.00
50.00
$95.00
HELEN B. PASZTOR, R. N.,
School Nurse
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
Middleboro, Massachusett January 2, 1929
Mr. J. Stearns Cushing,
Superintendent of Schools
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my report for the Music Department for the year ending December 31st, 1928.
The musical activities of the schools have progressed in a steady, healthy way. Many new plans have been tried which have been very advantageous to the whole school system.
Last Fall we had the privilege of seeing and hearing a demonstration by Grace Drysdale of Boston, of the Rhyth- mic Band and were immediately interested. The first prin- ciple in any activity is rhythm and especially so in Music. Rhythm also makes for concentration in every subject. Rhythmic Bands have been formed in one Central and one Suburban school and it is hoped this branch of the work may be increased during the coming year.
The Fife Classes of the School Street School fourth grades proved so great a success that the work here has be- come widely known and has stimulated much interest in other localities to follow along these lines. These classes are
41
a very great influence in stimulating reading by syllable. Last year we had two classes of forty each, who are still carrying on in the fifth grade this year and about the same number are beginning the work at the present time in the fourth grade making a total of over one hundred and fifty fife players in this one school.
The Violin Classes proved so successful last year that classes in all orchestral instruments have been inaugurated. Clarinets, trumpets, trombone, French horn, cello, drums, etc. make up these classes. The Violin classes number nearly fifty pupils while the classes of other instruments have over fifty enrolled. Mr. Walter Weemen is instructing the classes of brass, woodwind and percussion while Mrs. Marion Belmont continues her very fine work with the violins. Our schools should feel very proud of the very high grade of work done in this instrumental group instruction.
A graded course in Music Appreciation has been intro- duced in all grades and by the use of a sequential series of victrola records of the masterpieces of music an appetite for the better things in music is being developed.
The Bates School is rehearsing "The Pilgrims of 1620," by Hosmer, and while it is the most pretentious cantata ever attempted by the school it has been most enthusiastically received by the pupils. The drum corps and orchestra of this school are developing rapidly.
Departmentalization of the Music course in the Bates school has proven a great success and the classes are much farther advanced than at the same time last year.
The High School is planning to give "Trial by Jury," by Gilbert & Sullivan, early in February, with a splendid cast of soloists and a special chorus from the Glee Clubs. The new books purchased for the Recreational Singing are very useful.
I wish to thank the School Department for its unqualified approval of the plans suggested during the past year.
WIRT B. PHILLIPS,
Supervisor of Music.
42 -
REPORT OF ART DEPARTMENT
Middleboro, Massachusetts December 28, 1928.
Mr. J. Stearns Cushing, Superintendent of Schools
Dear Sir:
I herewith respectfully submit to you a report of the Art Department for the year ending December 31, 1928.
The public school Art Program does not want to make artists out of everybody; nor does it want to raise the level of appreciation to the point that all pupils spend energy in expressing their enjoyment at all times during the day. For- tunately we could not realize such educational ideals if we would. The more encouraging objectives are to make it possible for the differing abilities and experiences to be happily stimulated toward reasonable growth and apprecia- tion.
We study Art because a knowledge of Art can give us more pleasure than most anything else. It is like the win- dow in the workshop that lets in the sunshine and gives a beautiful outlook.
The Art Department has aimed to train the eye to see accurately, the hand to do skillfully, and the judgment to decide unerringly. It has cultivated the artistic sense in an appreciation of beauty, of symmetry, and correct propor- tion. It has cultivated the habit of planning definitely and of executing consistently, according to well-laid plans. With- out the development of the artistic sense no man or nation ever reached the heights of a rounded culture. School Art is building in the child that force which is perhaps the great- est of human assets, creative imagination, which is the most important of all. "Imagination" said Napoleon, "rules the World."
43
In the first four grades the aims have been:
1. To develop the pupils' ability to visualize form.
2. Pupils should all be able to cut well, to line, and we have attempted to hold the pupil responsible for facts already learned.
3. We have begun to train the pupil to do form, color, design with a greater definiteness.
4. To conform to established rules.
In the fifth and sixth grades there has been a growth from year to year, in each line of work, the stress being placed on the development of ability to visualize and the mastery of the elementary principles of Object Growing, of Design, of Color Harmony, and of Construction. The appre- ciation of a thing well done, of that which is good in manu- factured articles, in buildings and ground, and the work of Art in general has received some attention in these grades. Here also there has been a more intensive concentration on details of form and composition. Design has been applied to gift making, or to some project that has made the applica- tions of principles concrete and has shown their values in the actual making of things.
The chief objectives in grades seven and eight have been the finishing of an elementary art education. The work planned for these grades has been specialized and somewhat prevocational in type. The importance of beauty in pro- portion and structure, lines representing beauty, and good surface enrichment has been emphasized.
The aim of art instruction in the Senior High School has not been to develop finished articles or craftsmen. It has been rather to build thoroughly on a foundation of drawing, design, color and the elements of the handicrafts, and then later through elective courses, to sustain interest by con- tacts with such fields of opportunity as Illustration, Art in Advertising, Interior Decoration, Design in Costume, Wall Paper, Furniture, etc. Pupils with special aptitudes and talents have been discovered and conserved, and have been guided to the Art Schools best adapted to meet their parti- cular needs.
44
Along with the regular work of the Department posters for school activities and town affairs were made by the High School students. In the last three years the High School Art classes have increased five times their number in attend- ance and election. The interest has been very great, and the talent among the members of the classes is exceptional, which proves the need of further art instruction.
An Art Exhibition was held in the Town Hall on June 5, 1928. It was one of great interest, consisting of Construc- tion Work, Costume Design, Clay Modeling, Sand Table Projects, Landscapes in cut paper, Landscape Paintings, Drawings and Paintings from Nature, Plant Study Draw- ings, Figure and Pose Drawings, Bird and Animal Life, Illustrative Drawings, Object Drawings, Stenciling, Decora- tive Design, Posters, Mechanical Drawings, Architectural Drawings, Manual Training Projects, Sewing Projects, Pic- ture Study Booklets, and projects of Correlation. An exhibition of this kind offers encouragement to the pupils, and has a socializing effect in establishing closer relations between the home and the school.
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