USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1935 > Part 2
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A very novel feature of the extra curricular program this year has been the broadcasting of a play each month by the Dramatic Club over station WNAC under the direction of Miss Doris P. Chase. Broadcasting is an important in- dustry and it is desirable that pupils interested may have an opportunity to learn something about it.
The sports program for boys is making a fine contribution to their welfare under the direction of Mr. Battis. His teams have been very successful and yet Mr. Battis does not sacrifice the welfare of a player to win a game, nor is he unmindful of the best interests of the school as a whole. The sportsmanship shown by the players has received favorable comment from other coaches, officials, and op- posing players.
24
The physical education program for girls is not quite as far advanced as that for the boys, but it is improving under Miss Jenkins' leadership. The girls had one of their most successful seasons in basketball last year, both from the standpoint of games won and in the number of girls taking part. Additional equipment is needed to give the girls a satisfactory program.
The point system by which participation in activities is stimulated and controlled, is being improved by Mr. Cox. The revised plan will grade the amount of time a pupil may spend in activities according to the scholastic standing of that pupil. In the past it has been left largely to parents to decide when their children were becoming too busy, unless they were failing in school work. It seems to be a much better plan to have the number of activities limited accord- ing to the marks a pupil receives.
A large number of parents attended the annual Parents' Night program, conducted this year in co-operation with the Bates P. T. A., on the evening of November 5. Mr. Payson Smith, then Commissioner of Education, gave a very inspirational address in which he interpreted some of the present trends in education. The lunch room was opened to the inspection of the parents present and con- ferences with teachers were arranged.
Early in November the Memorial High School was approved by the officials of the National Youth Adminis- tration as an agency for providing work for pupils. Fourteen pupils have been approved for work for which they will be paid by the federal government . The work given has been clerical work and the making of improvements in the grounds, building, or equipment.
In conclusion, I wish to express my appreciation to all those with whom I have worked in administering the school, for the fine spirit of co-operation they have shown. The presidents of the local Parent Teacher Associations and many parents have shown a great interest in helping to equip the lunchroom. The time and the money given is
25
appreciated by pupils and teachers. Very substantial assistance was given by parents in Lakeville, Plympton, and Carver.
I would also like to express a request that parents be invited to visit the high-school classes and to make the ac- quaintance of the teachers of their children. It is unfortu- nate that so few parents in town have any first hand know- ledge of the way in which classes and the school in general are conducted. While it is true that conferences with teach- ers can be more conveniently arranged in the after-noons by appointment, all parents are cordially invited to attend any class session at any time. I am sure that any parent will find the effort required to make a visit to have been worthwhile because of the better acquaintance he or she will have with the school.
Respectfully submitted,
LINDSAY J. MARCH,
Principal.
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STATISTICAL TABLES
Memorial High School, 1934-1935
TOTAL ENROLLMENT
Lake- Plym- ville
pton
Car- ver
Membership Boys Girls Total
Post Graduates
2
1
1
5
12
17
Seniors
10
3
9
51
55
106
Juniors
7
6
11
66
73
139
Sophomores
20
4
22
72
102
174
Freshmen
17
2
21
103
91
194
56
16
64
297
333
630
GRADUATES OF PAST FIVE YEARS
Class of
Number in Class
Number going to college
Number going to other schools
Total con- tinuing study
1931
96
9
22
31
1932
114
27
25
52
1933
108
13
27
40
1934
95
12
23
35
1935
107
11
30
41
GRADUATING CLASSES 1931-35
Class
Boys
Girls
Total
1931
32
64
96
1932
51
63
114
1933
49
59
108
1934
43
52
95
1935
43
64
107
27
GRADUATES OF CLASS OF 1935
Schools
Boys
Girls
Amherst
1
Bently School of Accounting
3
Boston University
2
Bridgewater State Teachers College
1
Brown University
1
Leslie Kindergarten School
1
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1
Massachusetts State College
2
Nursing Schools
6
Post Graduates at M. H. S.
5
12
Providence Bible Institute
2
Rhode Island State College
2
Simmons College
1
Stonleigh College
1
17
24
28
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
Middleboro, Mass. January 1, 1936
Mr. J. Stearns Cushing Superintendent of Schools
Dear Sir:
I hereby submit the report of the Music Department for the season of 1935 and 1936.
"Music Is The Voice of Man's Heart"
School Music is a means to an end. We are told that we have more happy, well cared for children by a large percentage than any other country in the world and we may justly assume that we have a larger number of talented children. This naturally means that many of these pupils can, with careful guidance, become the leaders of their time in the fine arts. In order to prepare this talent for the future, we must strive to extend the functions of our schools and various music institutions.
One who speaks with authority said, "All children should be given the chance to participate in the greatest joy of life, namely music." If this be true the children of Middleboro are extremely happy for, from the first grade to the high school, all enjoy this privilege.
Music education teaches the child the value of discipline, co-operation, and team work. Music is absolute; it is vital; it is indispensable; and not merely a sentimental accessory in our educational system.
One of the fundamental demands in a child is his desire for rhythm, and if this is not properly directed, much of the rhythm balance is left undeveloped. Since rhythm is quite
29
the most essential element, it is highly desirable that the child be trained from a very early age, hence our rhythmic bands and toy orchestras in the primary grades. Probably few people realize when they see a number of small boys marching proudly in a drum corp of questionable ability that a vital process of character building is going on in these youngsters. At the School Street School the first steps in this structure are taken with 28 boys, at the present time participating in drum classes.
Children have a marked preference and qualification for different types of musical training and activity and, if gradually and properly coached through the years of school life, music will become a very vital part of their future, and the instrumental classes in the grade schools are most surely laying a foundation for our youths to build upon.
No one who ever had the opportunity to play in a group ever forgets it and that event will always be a memory over which you pause and smile, for the pride of being one of the group and the glory of actual performance is their's.
Three things enter into the constructive program for the child in public school music, preparation, participation, and performance. These are the factors that make the child pursue in his music studies when much of the other work becomes boresome. Music furnishes an interesting outlet for enthusiasm and creative ability and often relieves a difficult situation. If we would make a success of this work, we must have vision and not vision alone but also a good measure of patience in order to overcome that which is ordinary. However children must not be expected even under the most advantageous conditions to perform with perfection. In music, as well as in other subjects, the pro- gress must be gradual; therefore the performance of the first grade children deserves the same measure of com- mendation and encouragement that is accorded to the High school band, orchestra, mandolin club, glee clubs, and chorus.
We are planning an elaborate program for the Music Demonstration in the spring which will include the band,
30
orchestra, mandalin club, rhythm classes, and representing groups from all of the grades, in vocal music, showing the progressive steps covered in the teaching of music in the modern schools.
Our band and orchestra have played at the many func- tions both indoor and outdoor during the past season and acquitted themselves with the credit to the department.
Bates School and the Memorial High School are pre- paring for concerts in the spring for the benefit of their respective music funds.
Over one thousand visits have been made to different rooms and buildings in the town during the past year, where we find that the music period is, as usual, enjoyed by both teacher and pupil.
Whatever the music of the future in our country is, lies in the hands of these children; therefore, I say all credit to those teachers who so willingly toil through the tiresome preparatory stages up to the actual finished performance, for their's is the power, the pleasure, and the glory.
Very respectfully,
W. B. PHILLIPS,
Supervisor of Music.
31
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF ART
"A genuine perception of beauty is the highest education". Fuseli
Middleboro, Mass. December 27, 1935
J. Stearns Cushing Superintendent of Schools
Dear Sir:
I hereby submit to you a report of the Art Department for the year ending December 20, 1935.
In the schools every teacher has had a complete outline of the subject and of the work to be taught. These out- lines have aimed to cultivate good taste; to teach good judgement in selection and arrangement. The art principles have been expressed in the courses in understandable terms with instruction for making designs and selecting color schemes given in each lesson. Each subject has been developed through progressive steps. The beginners have followed the lessons and in a short time have created his or her own designs and color schemes. Projects have been given in each lesson that have stimulated a desire to par- ticipate further in creating articles of artistic value and use.
These same principles have been carried along in more advanced stages in the Junior and Senior High School classes.
As a supervisor I have taught each class once in three weeks in the first six grades at which time I have tried to help the teacher with her problems, to interest the children, and to correct the weakest spot in the artistic development of the class as a whole. I also have taught every week in the Bates and Senior High Schools.
32
In addition to the regular work of the department, posters, costumes, place cards, decorations for socials, menu covers for school activities and town affairs were made by the Bates and Senior High students. The interest has been great, and the talent among the members of the classes has been exceptional which proves the value of art instruction.
The Art Department of the High School presented an amateur afternoon program on March 20, 1935. The pro- ceeds which amounted to forty dollars were used to purchase extra materials for the art classes.
An Art Exhibition was held in the Town Hall on May 22 and 23. It was one of great interest, consisting of nine charts from each grade, three on color, three on design, and three on representation. These charts showed the progress in Art principles throughout the work of the various grades. Each principle was applied to some phase in every day life. The object of this was to show that a knowledge of the art principles is an essential factor in the twentieth century civilization. A group poster from each grade was on ex- hibition. There were 386 charts on color, representation, and design, and 150 posters.
In addition to these were featured several large oil paintings of winter and boat scenes done by High School students. The High School exhibit also consisted of con- struction work, costume design, interior decoration, land- scapes in cut paper, wall paper designs, landscape paintings, drawings and paintings from nature, figure and pose draw- ings, decorative designs, wood carvings, finger painting, posters, cartooning and mechanical and architectural draw- ings.
A sand table feature was the West Side School Savings Bank. There were miniature homes and gardens in sand- table form by the Bates School Art Club.
During the exhibition groups of pupils from the High and Bates schools gave a demonstration of the various types of art work. Therefor the practical and aesthetic side of
33
Art Education was recognized by all who attended the exhibition.
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.
In closing, I wish to express appreciation to the School Board, Superintendent, Principals, and Teachers who had a part in making Art in the schools this past year successful.
Respectfully submitted
SYLVIA G. MATHESON,
Supervisor of Art.
34
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL AND PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE
Middleboro, Mass. December 31, 1935.
Mr. J. Stearns Cushing
Superintendent of Schools
Dear Sir:
I herewith present my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1935 showing by statistics the work accom- plished during the year. The report is prepared in the order of the year's clinic program.
ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAMINATION IN SCHOOLS.
Assisted the School Physician, Dr. A. V. Smith, in annual examination of 1854 children. 291 defect notices, exclusive of Hearing, Vision and Dental defects were sent to homes.
Tonsil and Adenoid defects found 291
Vision defects found 110
Hearing defects found 32
Defect Corrections 1935
Tonsil and Adenoids 53
Hearing 12
Vision 15
Measured all pupils in Suburban and Central Schools twice for height; weighed all pupils four times.
DENTAL CLINIC
School Dental Clinics are held each Tuesday morning, 9 to 12 o'clock, from October 1 to June 1.
35
Examination
School membership of first two grades 291
Number of children examined 265
Number found with dental defects 217
Correction of Defects
Children with defects corrected at clinic
237
Clinic Operation
Cleanings
17
Fillings, Temporary teeth
168
Permanent teeth 65
Extractions, Temporary teeth
91
Permanent teeth
36
Number of different children treated 1935
237
Number of pupil treatments
377
Dental certificates issued
71
Emergency cases
24
Summer Camp children treated
2
Retarded Class Clinic children treated
10
Children treated for Welfare Department
32
Amount collected in fees at clinic
$28.25
LIP READING CLASS
Financed by the Chandler Ford Fund, Herbert E. Walker Trustee under the will of Chandler Ford of Marshfield.
Instructor: Miss Harriett Gibson of Brockton.
Class meets on Monday and Thursday of each school week in the office of the School Nurse.
The pupils in this class have shown a definite improve- ment in their school work due to their ability to under- stand directions of the teachers thru the medium of lip reading.
Notes: One of the pupils is now attending the Ran- dolph School for the Deaf upon recommendation of the Massachusetts General Hospital.
36
This clinic costs the town nothing and saves the town a cost of a pupil repeating a grade or about $60 per pupil.
CHADWICK CLINIC
School Group
35
Recommended for re-examination
33
Re-examined
31
Improved
2
Unimproved
33
X-Rayed
12
Tested
11
Number of reactors
1
Number of non-reactors
Number of children discharged from this clinic
6
Treatment Recommended
Dental examination 1
Defects Corrected
Dental examination and treatment 1
Left School and Working Group
Number of students who have left school and are referred to the local tuberculosis dispensary for further follow-up 6
JUNIOR RED CROSS CLASS IN HOME HYGIENE
Sponsored by the local Senior Red Cross Chapter. Classes held in the Bates School Room 10
Note: Due to the overcrowded condition of the 3rd grades at the School Street School, the Red Cross Room at Union Street School is now used for an extra 3rd grade necessitating the transfer to the Bates School.
Members of Class: twenty pupils from Bates School grade 8.
Classes meet on Tuesday, Club Day, 2.30 to 3.30 First class held Nov. 1st.
Length of Course: thirty lessons of one hour each.
37
Examinations: held at Bates School. Fifteen pupils passed and received certificates presented by Chairman, Mrs. J. Stearns Cushing at a meeting held at Bates School. Note: Visitors are welcome and parents are urged to come and observe the work in the class.
ADULT TUBERCULAR CASES
Type of Cases
Active
Arrested
Pulmonary
21
33
Hilum
0
14
Bone
1
2
Cervical Adenitis
0
1
O. Fms.
4
Pulmonary Nephritis
1
Tubercular Peritonitis
1
-
Total
28
50
Of this number
Number of Deaths
1
Moved out of town
3
Examined and X-Rayed
2,
37
New Cases
2
Note: Number of children from these families who received the Von Pirquet Test, X-Ray and Physical Examination at the County State Follow-Up Clinic 23
COUNTY STATE FOLLOW-UP CLINIC -
Physician : Dr. John J. Decker, Assistant Superintendent of the Lakeville Sanatorium.
Statistician : Helen Torres, Lakeville Sanatorium.
Von Pirquet Test
Date: October 24, 1935
Memorial High School students 152
Bates School students 114
38
Special at Town Hall, Contacts
26
Special tested at Sanatorium
2
Total
294
Von Pirquet Test Read Date: October 28th, 1935
Negative
Positive
Memorial High School students 91
63
Bates School students
78
34
Specials at Town Hall, Contacts
12
14
Specials, Sanatorium tested
2
0
Total 183
111
X-Ray
X-Ray Technician, Mr. Steele, State Department of Health, State House
Number of students X-Rayed 170
Physical Examination
Physician: Dr. John J. Decker, Assistant Superin- tendent of Lakeville Sanatorium.
Number of students examined Dates of examination December 12, 1935
44
Examined 22
December 13, 1935
Examined 22
OPPORTUNITY CLASS CLINIC
Required by law-examination of all pupils three or more years retarded.
Number of visits made to homes for personal histories of the children 39 Examination under the direction of Dr. Olga Steineche of the Taunton State Hospital Clinic Staff
39
Number of days of examination 4 39
Total number of pupils examined
Results of clinic
Physical Defects needing correction, Dental Care 10
Tonsils & Adenoids 7
Vision 1
Physical Defects corrected during the year,
Dental Care 10
Tonsil & Adenoids
1
Vision 1
Note: Defect corrections were made possible thru donations of the following:
Dental Care, Dental Clinic
Vision, Tonsil & Adenoids, Junior Red Cross
DIPHTHERIA PREVENTION CLINIC
Tabulation of Diphtheria Immunization by years
Persons having received the required dosage of an ap- proved agent.
Age Present age at time Years in which treated of those protected 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 Total protected
Under 1
3
0
16
17
17
7
7 Under 1
1
5
0
5
0
3
20
37
1
2
12
0
20
3
8
9
29
2
3
6
3
25
6
14
16
40 26
4
5
17
2
15
6
14
61
5
6
50
17
39
6
21 33
29
83
6
7
47
3
50
1
15
27
101
7
8
29
2.
46
3
12
9
51
8
9
20
0
36
1
2
10
76
9
10+ 34
0
159
1
2
3
522
10+
Not stated 7
0
0
0
0
0
7
not stated
Total 242
27
431
47
145
148 1040
Total
3
4
12
0
20
3
18
4
40
PRESENT AGE OF THOSE IMMUNIZED
Ages
Number Immunized
0-4
139
5-9
372
10 over
522
N.S.
7
Total
1040
PRE-SCHOOL CLINIC
Date: June, 1935
Time: 10 A. M.
1
Examining Physician: Dr. A. Vincent Smith, School Physician.
Examining Dentist: Dr. R. H. Wood, School Clinic Dentist.
Number examined 25
Clinic Program
Children weighed and measured
Examination by Physician
Examination by Dentist
Vaccination certificate issued
Birth certificates issued by Town Clerk
Pre-School Health leaflets issued
Physical Health cards filled out and recorded
Defects found
Tonsils & Adenoids Cases
5
Dental Care
20
Dental certificates issued
5
Children not vaccinated 11
Children not immunized against Diphtheria 4
41
Follow-Up
Defects corrected
Tonsils & Adenoids Cases 5
Dental Care 20
Vaccinated 11
Immunized against Diphtheria 4
SUMMER CAMP AT PLYMOUTH COUNTY HOSPITAL
Camp located in South Hanson
Number of pupils sent dependent upon amount of money received from sale of Christmas Seals.
Amount of money received from the Christmas Seal Sale 1934 $378.04
Of the amount received $378.04, one half is sent to head- quarters and the postage for local letters is deducted leaving a balance of $149.32 to be used for the Summer Camp.
Amount used for postage $39.70
Number of children sent in summer of 1935 2
Length of vacation period at camp, June 26th to August 20th, eight weeks.
Cost per pupil 1935 $64.00
DISTRIBUTION OF MILK
Due to the success of the Tag Day conducted by the Middleboro Lodge of Elks, it was possible to have milk distributed to needy undernourished children in the schools from January to May. Milk was also de- livered to two suburban schools for hot cocoa during the lunch period. Nothing but Pasteurized Milk is used in .our schools.
Number of bottles of milk sold 2691
Number of bottles of milk given to needy pupils 6685
Total number of bottles served 9376
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Financial Statement
$333.79
Balance January 1, 1935
Elks Milk Fund Tag Day 242.63
Nemasket Community Club, $5.00 included Fall Brook Mother's Club
2.00
Sale of Milk 95.18
Total Receipts $673.60
Expended for Milk and Straws 328.17
Balance December 31, 1935, Middleboro Trust Co. $345.43
VISITATIONS
Visits to Homes 407
Viists to Central Schools 493
Visits to Suburban Schools 142
Visits to Doctor's Office with pupils 68
OFFICE TREATMENTS
Pupils attended in office 514
GENERAL HEALTH EDUCATION
Professional Meetings 15
Trips with school children and adults to Lakeville and South Hanson Sanatoria 8
Health Literature and Leaflets distributed to pupils and parents.
DONATIONS RECEIVED FOR HEALTH WORK
Fall Brook Mothers Club (Dental Clinic) $10.00
Junior Red Cross (Eye Glasses and Tonsils and Adenoids) 15.00
South Middleboro Mother's Club (Dental Clinic) 1.00
Lions Club, four pair of eye glasses
43
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN
Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Total
Mumps
1
1
Scarlet Fever
1
1 4 1 7
Measles
8
1
1
10
Chickenpox
2
3 2 24 45 21 97
German Measles
2 34 15
51
Lobar Pneumonia
1
2
1
4
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN B. PASZTOR, R. N. School & Public Health Nurse.
44
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Mr. J. Stearns Cushing Superintendent of Schools
Dear Sir:
The general health and welfare of all of our students for the past year has been extremely gratifying. Every student has had a personal inspection and examination. All students engaged in any athletic exercise have also re- ceived a special physical examination to determine their fitness for the activity.
The advice and help extended by Miss Helen Pasztor, our School Nurse, and Mr. John Connor, our Board of Health Agent, were very much appreciated.
I wish to thank all persons connected with or interested in our school work for their thoughtful suggestions and kind assistance.
In the annual inspection 1854 children were examined. During the year I have received 61 children in my office, these having been accompanied by the School Nurse.
In the month of April I was in attendance at the Diph- theria Immunization Clinic and a total of 148 children were immunized against this disease. There are now over one thousand children in Middleboro who have received im- munization in the past five years.
In June a Pre-School Clinic was held for those children planning to enter school in the Fall. Twenty five children were brought to the Clinic by their parents. These children were examined physically by me and Dr. Raymond H. Wood examined all for tooth defects. By the use of this Clinic children are properly prepared to enter school in September in the best of physical condition having had defects corrected, the proper certificates issued, and records carefully made. I wish to urge all parents who have children entering next Fall to bring their children in June of this year.
Respectfully submitted
DR. A. VINCENT SMITH, School Physician.
45
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF ATTENDANCE
Middleboro, Mass. December 31, 1935.
Mr. J. Stearns Cushing,
Superintendent of Schools,
Middleboro, Mass.
Dear Sir :-
I herewith present my report as Attendance Officer for the year ending December 31, 1935 :-
School
Sickness
Truancy
Other Reasons
Children taken home from school on account of illness
High School
16
8
5
Bates School
26
2
10
2
Union St.
25
2
School St.
29
4
Flora M. Clark
21
2
West Side
16
1
Purchade
3
Plymouth St.
5
Pleasant St.
2
Green School
3
Thompson School
Waterville School
2
3
Thomastown Sch.
2
Rock School
1
3
Soule School
3
1
1
So. Midd. School
5
158
Visits to Home 202
Absentees Investigated
74
Visits to Schools 38
I wish to thank Supt. Cushing, Miss Pasztor, Dr. Smith, the Teachers and Parents for the help they have given in my work.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN T. CONNOR,
Attendance Officer.
46
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Financial Report, December 31, 1935
Receipts
Tuition State and City Wards
$1,297.91
Other Tuition
14,977.00
General School Fund
18,320.00
All Other
372.97
$34,967.88
Disbursements
Administrative Salaries, Superin- tendent
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