USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1931 > Part 2
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At the Pumping Station cement walls have been built along the river and on the borders of the drainage ditch, and the grounds have been subgraded in preparation of a coat of loam and grass seed next year.
During the coming year it will be necessary to renew the coke and sand in the filters.
GAS AND ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT.
No long electric extensions have been built this year, but much work has been done in rebuilding the present distri- bution lines, as these in many instances are overloaded, thus causing low voltage and unsatisfied customers.
A new bank of transformers of much larger capacity than the old ones has been installed at the station and other needed improvements made.
No extensions have been made in the gas lines.
A new contract for the purchase of gas was entered into with the Taunton Gas Light Co., effective June 1st. The price fixed in this contract for gas for domestic use is 10c per 1000 cubic feet less than the old contract, with the price for house heating remaining the same.
Respectfully submitted,
H. J. GOODALE, Town Manager.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
School Committee
OF
Middleboro, Mass.
LE
YOUTH AR
COUNTY,
PLYMOU
OUGH
PINCORPORATED
AD.
For the Year Ending December 31st 1931
16
SCHOOL COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION 1931
ALLAN R. THATCHER, Chairman MEMBERS
Allan R. Thatcher, 1 Webster Street
Term expires 1932
Dr. Robert G. Butler, 1 Williams Place
1932
Fred B. Alger, 5 Court End Avenue
1933
Forest E. Thomas, 59 Everett Street
1933
Priscilla S. Alger, 10 Southwick Street 1934
Kendrick H. Washburn, 70 South Main Street
1934
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
J. Stearns Cushing, 16 Court End Avenue Residence Telephone 643-W
Office, Room 7, Town Hall, Telephone 81
Office Hours, School Days, Monday, Wednesday, Friday 3:30 to 5 P. M .; Tuesday and Thursday, 8 to 9:30 A. M.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Regular meetings of the School Committee are held in Room 7, Town Hall, on the first Thursday of each month, excepting July and August, at 7:30 P. M.
17
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SCHOOL PHYSICIAN Dr. A. Vincent Smith, 35 Pearl Street Telephone 50
SCHOOL NURSE
Miss Helen B. Pasztor, 132 North Main Street Telephone 278
SUPERVISOR OF ATTENDANCE.
John T. Connor, 170 North Main Street Telephone 812
CENSUS ENUMERATOR
Mrs. Carrie L. Jones, West Street Telephone 293-M
SCHOOL CALENDAR
First Term, January 4-February 19, 7 weeks.
Second Term, February 29-April 15, 7 weeks.
Third Term, April 25-June 17; High School. April 25-June 10; Elementary Schools. Fourth Term, September 12-December 23, 16 weeks.
NO SCHOOL DAYS
May 30, October 12, October 28, November 11, November 24-25.
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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Members of the School Board:
I herewith present the annual report of the schools of the town and my fifth as Superintendent of these schools.
The past year has reflected the low period of industrial activity by a substantial increase in the membership of our secondary schools. It is always true that when industry does not demand labor the schools show a marked tendency to hold their pupils longer as well as to attract a large num- ber of post-graduate students. Our High School enrollment shows an increase of sixty pupils over a year ago while the graduating class has just doubled that of five years ago. This increase has been taken care of without the addition of further teaching force by increasing the pupil-load in the various classes and the employment of clerical assist- ance in the office.
Attendance in the Vocational schools for which the town pays tuition, has tripled this fall. These classes are adult classes mostly and those enrolled are taking the opportunity to increase their technical knowledge of their particular craft or vocation. The state reimburses the town for a part of this expense but it will of course be necessary to increase the amount appropriated to take care of this item.
All transportation routes are now under contract for three years and all individual reimbursement has been eliminated. Our transportation is now both more efficient in point of service to pupils and in equipment provided. A considerable saving has been made the town and more pupils are being carried than ever before. The award of the South Middleboro High School route contract was made with the provision that public service be maintained for the people of that section of the town and in this way bus service was made possible to the large group of South Middleboro and Rock residents.
One more forward step has been made in the Suburban school problem by the grouping of the Rock and South
19
Middleboro schools. Beginning with this school year the first two grades are attending the Rock school and the next three grades are in the South Middleboro school. Pupils in these schools should show a marked improvement in progress due to the bettered conditions under which they are working.
With the formation of a school band this fall we have completed our program of instrumental music. The band formed under the supervision of Mr. Phillips, and directed by Mr. Weeman, now numbers over forty pieces and is showing remarkable progress and enthusiasm in the work.
Alfred R. Mack, for five years principal of the high school, resigned in June of this year to accept a position in a larger shool system. His organization of the work in the new building and the grade of work accomplished was of the highest order during his years of service.
During the past year our schools have lost one of its faithful friends and a copy of the resolutions adopted upon his death are herewith inscribed in this report.
RESOLUTIONS ON THE DEATH OF WALTER SAMPSON
The past school year has been deeply shadowed by the passing, on April twenty-third, of one of Middleboro's most beloved of teachers.
Walter Sampson, for thirty-three years principal of the Middleboro High School and for the past eight years asso- ciated with the school system as Principal Emeritus of this school, was a most loyal co-worker, a firm friend, and ad- visor. His sound counsel and judgment in educational matters of administration we all deeply respect and his loss we deeply feel. The sterling character of this great teacher still lives in the lives of the pupils of the school with whom he came in contact. His sense of justice, his wealth of humor, and his personal interest in the welfare of individual pupils were qualities of inestimable value in the shaping of many futures. Throughout his life the same democratic
*
20
spirit, the same courtesy to everyone, the same thoughtful- ness of others, the same helpful interests in everything for the good of his fellowmen, have always marked his earthly career. Such lives are a blessing and leave behind them lessons of true living.
In respect to the honor of Walter Sampson, whose teaching here is o'er and who has gone to meet the Great Teacher of us all, be it resolved that these sentences be inscribed upon the records of the School Board of the Town of Middleboro and a copy be sent to the family of the de- ceased to whom in this time of their great bereavement the heartfelt sympathy of the members of this Board is sincerely tendered.
Allan R. Thatcher, Chairman Priscilla S. Alger Kendrick H. Washburn Dr. Robert G. Butler
Fred. B. Alger Forest E. Thomas
In closing I wish to thank the Town Manager, all De- partments and Teachers for their cooperation in making this school year one of progress and success.
J. STEARNS CUSHING,
Superintendent.
21
REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
January 4, 1932
Mr. J. Stearns Cushing, Superintendent of Schools Middleboro, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I hereby submit my first annual report as principal of the Memorial High School. The purpose of the report is to summarize the work being done, to explain aims and objectives, and to make some recommendations for further improvements in the school. It is hoped that citizens who have been unable to visit the school may thus be better able to appreciate its needs and to evaluate its work.
I regret that I am unable to include here a record of the work of the school under Mr. Mack last spring but wish to say that everything was left in excellent condition. Supplies were on hand, the building in good order, and everything was conducive to a smooth beginning of the new school year, -a situation any principal is happy to find in taking up the work in a new school. Mr. Tillson has been especially helpful all the year and much credit is due him for the accurate keeping of many records and the handling of a vast amount of detail in addition to his excellent work in the science department. I am sure the people of Middleboro know even better than I the great contribution he is making to the success of the school.
There were a large number of new pupils so that every available seat was taken before the end of the first week. If there are more pupils next year, additional seats will be needed to replace the chairs now in use in the two study rooms. The large number of pupils who wished to make changes in programs caused considerable confusion particu- larly because so many classes were already filled to capacity. It is recommended that all changes in programs be made in
22
June this year except in very rare cases. The principal will be very willing to give whatever time is needed for individual counseling and conferences with parents so that wise choices may be made in April or May. The choice of a program of studies is a very vital matter and is deserving of more thought than is usually given it.
The employment of a full time clerk in the person of Miss Bessie M. Veazie has been a very wise measure. With- out clerical assistance a principal is forced to spend a large share of his time in doing routine work when he should be doing the more important work of helping to improve class instruction and attending to the problems of administration or discipline. Clerical work done by a principal is expensive in two ways, as hour for hour the principal's time should be worth more than that of a clerk, and also, a school is then losing to a large degree the leadership and educational guidance an executive is trained to give and must give if the school is to be properly conducted.
The members of the high-school faculty have taken the extra load occasioned by the increased enrollment with no complaints. There are six classes of over forty pupils, one of forty-eight, while the seating capacity of the rooms is normally thirty-nine. Without exception the teachers have shown a willingness to do any task assigned and to co-operate in any way for the good of the school.
INSTRUCTION
In all high schools there is an increasing number of pupils who do not plan to go to college and who consequently are not interested in the traditional college preparatory subjects which constitute the major part of the curriculum. The lack of employment has forced many pupils into high school either by law or because parents naturally feel that their children are better off in school than at home, idle. This condition has created a need for a new type of general training which must be intensely practical for the average
23
person and which may be less technical than some of the usual courses. The classes in college preparatory subjects should be reserved for those who have some immediate reason for pursuing them and sufficient capacity to do the work with the degree of excellence demanded by the colleges. The non-college group should be offered the more practical subjects referred to above or allowed to enter divisions of the classical or scientific subjects which are not forced to meet the requirements of the College Entrance Examination Board. Too many of these pupils have turned to the com- mercial curriculum as the only alternative which is little better and results in lowering the quality of the work done in that department. The high percentage of pupils failing in commercial subjects is evidence of this fact.
Certainly such a change will reduce the number of fail- ures, create added interest in school work, and enable each pupil to find work suited to his interests and capacity. In making this statement I do not wish to imply that the common cause of failure is not lack of home study because that is the cause of the vast majority of failures. However, pupils cannot be forced to study but if the class work appears to be of value to them and is within their comprehension, they are more likely to desire to do satisfactory work. In a school having one session as ours do, the pupil of average ability is expected to study from two to three hours each day at home.
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Extra curricular activities and some pupil participation in control of them have been encouraged because of the opportunities furnished to develop social ideals and habits of conduct in conformity to the highest standards. In other words, the activities provide favorable opportunities for pupils to practice the qualities of the good citizen and to enjoy the practice. Here pupils learn to be leaders, to take responsibility either as leaders or as members of a group,
24
to handle funds properly, and to be unselfish in service to the organization to which they belong. At present there is need for some means of encouraging more different pupils to engage in school activities and to limit the participation by a few talented and popular pupils. With all the values of an activities program it is necessary to keep a reasonable balance between curricular and extra curricular activities. Class activities must always take precedence over all others as a general policy and we adhere closely to this policy.
A definite social program has been followed with one function each month. Life offers so many activities which call for social relationships that those trained for them win advantages and opportunities. More members of the lower classes should be encouraged to take advantage of the opportunities thus offered.
The school notes in the Gazette furnish an excellent opportunity for the school to keep the citizens of the town informed as to its activities. A special effort is being made under the direction of Miss Wentworth to make the high- school notes valuable to all who may be interested in the school. We wish to express here our appreciation of the many ways the Gazette has been of service to the school.
The two outstanding new activities are the Girls' League and the Middleboro School Band. The Girls' League is made up of all the girls in school and is organized to promote the general welfare of the girls themselves and to render service to the school. A constitution has been adopted stating the aims of the organization and the duties of its respective officers. Already the League has made many valuable contributions to the school through social functions, a play day, and the correction of some undesirable condi- tions. Miss Harriet Keith has performed the duties of president in a very creditable manner.
The three deans of girls, Mrs. Brawn, Miss Doris Chase, and Miss O'Neil sponsor the work of the League and in addition act as deans of the girls in the respective classes. Mrs. Brawn is dean of the senior girls, Miss Chase of the
25
junior girls, and Miss O'Neil of both the freshman and sophomore girls. They are doing a very constructive piece of work which has a fine influence in the school.
The band of more than thirty pieces is made up of pupils from Bates School and the High School and is under the direction of Mr. Walter J. Weeman. This is a very worth- while activity which makes a strong contribution in training for the worthy use of leisure time.
THE BUILDING
The building is serving the needs of the school very well and will continue to do so if kept in a good state of repair. In the interest of economy some parts of the building were ยท not made to stand the hard usage made necessary by such a large student body as is now using the building. In the interest of further economy every evidence of breakage and wear should be repaired at once. For this reason Mr. John Luipold was secured as a part time assistant to Mr. Goodwin upon the resignation of Mrs. Murphy. Both men are doing excellent work in keeping the building in good con- dition but the full time of two men is needed to care for both building and grounds properly and to attend to minor re- pairs. The desks in several of the rooms are old and, because of the long usage, are in constant need of repair. Mr. Luipold is giving special attention to matters of this kind and is well qualified to do so.
CONCLUSION
It is very essential that each pupil make the school his or her major interest while a member of it. To this end an attempt is made to offer opportunities for the expression of all talents whether academic, athletic, literary, social, artistic, or musical. Pupils receive benefit from the school in the same ratio as they contribute to class work and extra class room activities. Outside interests, however legitimate
26
in themselves, exert a harmful influence on a pupil from the standpoint of scholastic success, if they compete, for his interest in school work.
In recognition of the present economic situation we are trying to make the best possible use of the equipment and supplies available and to ask for only the things that are actually needed in the control of the school, the maintenance of healthful conditions, and the continuance of the high scholastic standing which has been maintained in the past.
Among our aims for Memorial High School, the following are most prominent.
1. To train 'sound minds in sound bodies' and to de- velop habits of healthful living.
2. To send each pupil out into the world better pre- pared to be economically independent and to establish firmly in each pupil an attitude toward right and wrong that will make him the right kind of a citizen.
3. And finally, 'to teach pupils to do better the desirable things they would do anyway, and to awaken a desire for, and an appreciation of the best things in life.'
The school can do little in the development of desirable habits and attitudes and the traits that go to make up good character without the aid of the home. We as a faculty shall endeavor to merit the confidence and respect necessary to warrant the giving of this aid.
I wish to express my appreciation of the many ways in which the faculty, school officials, parents, and pupils have all united in making my work at Memorial High School very pleasant. Principal Burkland has been very co- operative for which I wish to express my appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
LINDSAY J. MARCH,
Principal.
MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL
Middleboro, Massachusetts
Lakeville Boys Girls Total
Plympton Carver Boys Girls Total Boys Girls Total
Membership Boys Girls Total
Post Graduates
1
1
1
1
5
12
17
Senior
4
5
9
2
3
5
1
11
12
51
60
111
Junior
4
2
6
5
2
7
6
5
11
51
68
119
Sophomore
10
5
15
2
1
3
3
9
12
65
66
131
Freshmen
11
9
19
6
10
16
5
9
14
91
107
198
Total
29
22
50
15
17
32
15
34
49
263
313
576
27
28
GRADUATES OF 1931
Higher Schools Colleges
Boys Girls
Total
Northeastern University
1
Dartmouth College 1
New England Conservatory of Music
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
2
Emerson College
1
Simmons
1
Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1
Syracuse University
1
-
Wheaton College
1
10
Normal Schools
Bridgewater
8
8
Commercial Schools Chandler
1
1
Hospital Training Schools
Childrens' Hospital
1
Post Graduates
4
10
14
GRADUATES OF PAST FIVE YEARS
Class of
Number in Class
Number going to College
Number going to Normal School
Number going to other schools
Total continuing Study
1927
56
12
6
10
28
1928
67
10
5
13
28
1929 .
71
7
3
16
26
1930
81
5
8
16
29
1931
96
9
8
14
22
.
29
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF THE ART DE- PARTMENT.
Middleboro, Massachusetts December 23, 1931
J. Stearns Cushing
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 23, 1931.
We have art in the school curriculum because it aids in attaining our objectives in education. It assists in teaching the lessons of health. It facilitates the instruction in the tool subjects. It trains the student for more worthy home-membership and enhances his value in his vocation. Art teaches him more worthy use of his increasing leisure time and develops in him more noble character. It is possible that the study of art or drawing and its allied activities, can affect the life and well-being of the average child in school or the citizen after he leaves the school.
Art, as it is now taught and studied in our schools, affords an excellent aid in the development of the powers of atten- tion, accuracy, observation, perception, comparison, dis- crimination and original thought. The pupils imagination is challenged. Their inventive power is stimulated. They find great joy in working at creation. We must all be designers and artists when we take our places as members of a household.
The study of Art, fosters and develops that discrimina- tion that sees a pleasing harmony in certain color com- binations and that rebels at the jarring discord in other colors whether they appear in women's attire or in the decorations of the homes.
30
There is no vocation known to man but is materially influenced by art. The work of the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker, the teacher, the preacher, and all the rest, is dependent upon art and the knowledge and practice of its fundamental principles.
Practically the same work is being carried on this year as in the previous one, although it has been possible to introduce more advanced problems, because more interest is manifest on the part of the pupils.
September and October were devoted to the fall nature study in all grades, the upper classes studying it in more detail forms. November and December were given over to designs from nature work which were applied to con- struction problems completed in crayon or water color practice appropriate for the holiday season. The plan for the rest of the school year included taking representation, illustration, and object drawing, in January and February; design, including color, costume design, and decoration in March and April; nature and general review in May and June.
In all phases of the work where it was possible the con- struction work was correlated with arithmetic, language, reading, and free expression. It helps in fixing habits of accuracy, neatness, thinking and doing things in an orderly way; to develop control of muscles and cooperation of mind with hand, leading to skill, ability to follow directions, all of which make way for working drawings, training in taste, decoration of things made, combinations of colors, selection of materials, power of invention, and developed application of labor. Art Appreciation, Picture Study, and Color Harmony was given a large place in the study of Art this past year.
The work in the High School has reached the point of specialization in many cases.
Posters, stage scenery, decorations and costumes for plays, hall decorations for school activities were made by
31
the Art Department. An Art Exhibition was held in all of the schools last May and each pupil's work exhibited.
In closing, I wish to say that I am deeply grateful for the encouragement and assistance rendered by the Super- intendent, Principals, Teachers and School Board who have been always ready and willing to help. The success we enjoy in the Art Department is due in a large measure to their cooperation.
I wish to thank you all.
SYLVIA COMLEY MATHESON,
Supervisor.
32
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
January 1, 1932
Mr. J. Stearns Cushing Superintendent of Schools Middleboro, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
I hereby present my report for the music department season of 1931-32. The most outstanding event unquestion- ably was the demonstration "The Evolution of the Orchestra" in which the growth and progress of the instrumental de- partment from the First Grade to the High School was shown.
The concert by the Junior High School in April and the Senior High School in May was an exemplification of the work done in weekly rehearsals in ensemble singing. The junior high school age is a trying time in the vocal life of boys and the drum corps and brass sections of the band and orchestra is an opportunity for many to express them- selves who might otherwise be deprived.
The M. H. S. Girls' Glee Club won many words of commendation for their splendid work at the Conclave in Bridgewater last May. This gathering is not a contest but is an opportunity to get together and see what others are doing in the same general line of work and for a musical uplift.
The Band a new organization of forty-two members, is progressing rapidly under the direction of Mr. Walter Weeman who is assisted by a manager, secretary, and librarian chosen from the ranks. No band is properly equipped without uniforms and we have under consideration several plans for raising funds to do this in the near future.
Is there any one of the fine arts that is more often called upon to assist at countless affairs than music? The band
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