USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1936 > Part 2
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14
Respectfully submitted,
J. STEARNS CUSHING,
Superintendent of Schools.
25
REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
January 1, 1937.
Mr. J. Stearns Cushing, Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir:
In this my sixth report as principal of the Memorial High School, I shall try to answer such questions as: "What has been accomplished by the school during the past year?" "What is being planned for next year?" "How does our school compare with others?" Answers to such questions and the interpretation of statistical tables will constitute the report.
Rigid economy has been practiced in the use of sup- plies and in expenditure for substitute teaching. In the 180 days covered by this report there have been ninety teacher-day absences. For fifty-one of these absences no substitute teachers have been secured. This is the equivalent of ten of the thirty-six weeks with one teacher missing. Teachers who are absent leave assign- ments for classes to follow but there is naturally loss in efficiency when a teacher does not meet a class. Five of the twenty teachers have been present every day in 1936.
THE GRADUATING CLASS
A copy of the commencement exercises appears else- where in this report. Two additional awards were made for the first time: A scholarship given by The Middleboro Lodge of Elks, and an essay prize given by the John Cabot Club. These prizes were gratefully re- ceived, as desirable pupils frequently need aid in order to attend higher schools.
26
The class of 1936 excelled in English, social studies, and spelling. The evidence of proficiency in English was very conclusive, being based upon four standard- ized tests in English and a test in silent reading. One test, the Columbia Research Bureau English Test, was designed "for use by high-school inspectors in main- taining standards of achievement." In this test the average of the class was three points above the average of 26,500 seniors in public high schools. One senior was excused from taking a required course in English com- position because of excellence in an examination given her class. Three seniors earned scholarships granted by colleges on the basis of competitive examinations and several others received scholarship aid on the strength of their previous records of good character and scholas- tic ability.
THE FACULTY
There have been three changes on the faculty during the year. Miss Mary F. Clutton, an experienced teacher from Pennsylvania, is handling second year English very successfully. She did very creditable work in coaching the senior play. The other new teachers, Miss Evelyn F. Whitty, director of girls' physical education, and Mr. George Q. Hill, teacher of civics, are in their first positions as teachers. Both are hard and willing workers. Miss Whitty has quickly won the confidence of the girls and has enlarged the work of her depart- ment even in her first year.
The resignation of Mr. Edwin A. Cox was a distinct loss to the school. Though quiet and unassuming in manner, he took care of a large amount of administra- tive work in addition to his actual teaching.
27
ENROLLMENT
Each year approximately two hundred pupils, one third of the student body, leave the school. Half of this number graduate and the other half just drop out. In table D, at the end of this report, figures are complete for the nine years beginning in 1925, with the class that graduated in 1929. Of the 1592 pupils who entered the high school during those nine years 861 or 54 percent * graduated or will graduate.
The vast majority of those who left school, failed in their work, became discouraged, lost interest, and left school hoping to find work. Acquaintance with these pupils and a study of their records would indicate that many of them would have been interested in and would have succeeded in home economics or manual arts classes.
Eleven years ago in the town report for 1925, the high-school principal made the following statement: "Since most girls become home-makers and therefore need practical knowledge of such matters as home deco- ration, color harmony and design, sewing, dressmaking, millinery, cooking, purchasing, and budgeting; since many boys take up mechanical or hand work in one form or another; since a number of students drop out of school because of lack of interest or adaptability to academic subjects; and because it is the duty of tax supported schools to offer to the children of taxpayers as far as possible the kind of education which they need for their future lives-it is recommended that thought be given to the advisability of establishing courses in Household Arts for girls and Manual Arts for boys whenever housing conditions will permit. I do not feel that I should be doing my duty in the light of present- day educational practice nor in behalf of a number of
28
the school children of the town if I were not to recog- nize the need, value, and importance of this kind of work and to go on record as recommending its adop- tion."
With the increased use of machines in industry, the large number of unemployed adults, and the attitude of organized labor toward employment of youths, it is certain that there will continue to be in school a large group of pupils who are not adapted to book learning. They will become mechanics, chauffeurs, masons, elec- tricians, plumbers, cooks, factory workers, farmers, common laborers, clerks, and home-makers.
Many pupils rated as dull in school are not really dull, but rather have their talents in manual skills. It is very unfortunate for these pupils, and they are many in number, to lose confidence in their abilities and to become unhappy because of failure in school. Others possessed of fair ability pass and even graduate, but because of lack of interest in books may acquire habits of idleness through half-hearted effort. Under these conditions such pupils have not received the training for a vocation and for good citizenship that the school should have given them. Still a third group virtually rebels against the system that is forcing them to work in a field for which they are so ill fitted by nature. This group furnishes the serious problems in discipline. The need for practical arts training for young people whose talents are in manual skills has now become very acute. It is the most pressing need the school has. In fairness to the children, all of whom are required to attend school, both types of training should be furnished.
For the reasons given I recommend that steps be taken lo begin next year one course in the field of practical arts for girls or boys, whichever may be the more feasible in light of the teaching skill and equipment available.
29
A STUDY OF STANDARDS IN COMMERCIAL WORK
At a meeting of the teachers in the commercial de- partment last fall it was voted that a questionnaire be sent to representative schools for the purpose of com- paring our standards and requirements in commercial work to those in other schools. Twenty-three out of twenty-five schools answered our letter promptly. We found that the standards maintained in Memorial High School were equal to or higher than those in all but one of the schools. These schools also were following policies similar to ours in the selection of pupils for the commercial department and in the method used in teaching.
PARENTS' NIGHT
The Annual Parents' Night program, held on Novem- ber 13, was in the form of a round table discussion, the superintendent of schools presiding. Questions answered by teachers, and pupils who represented school activities, served to acquaint parents with many features of the work of the school.
PHYSICAL PLANT
The building has been kept in very good condition, the janitors having cared for minor repairs promptly. Five rooms are still equipped with old desks which are in very poor condition. Mr. Luippold spends many hours each week in an effort to make them hold to- gether. Those in room 32 should be replaced as soon as possible. The tablet armchairs used in room 21, a study hall, are in poor condition from natural deteriora- tion due to the age of the wood. The chairs in the type- writing room are rapidly falling to pieces. Some are constantly causing pupils to tear their clothes on broken or mended parts.
The most serious condition in the building is that of the gymnasium floor which is breaking up where the
30
foundation flooring has decayed. The condition of the floor is not only a handicap to the players, but also an actual menace because of the danger of players sprain- ing their ankles.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Foremost among all recommendations, I would place that of providing practical arts training for the reasons already stated. A room in the basement orig- inally intended for a general shop is available for boys, and the lunchroom and art room are available for the use of classes in home economics.
2. I would call attention again to the recommenda- tion in last year's report to remedy the crowded condi- tion in classes in English and to care for the supervision of the library. The person selected for this work could act as a helping teacher for pupils failing in English, a required subject for all.
3. The tablet armchairs in room 21 should be re- placed, preferably by desks or desk chairs.
CONCLUSION
Our gratitude is here expressed to the parents and general public for their generous support of the many school activities. The sincere co-operation of the teachers has helped to make the smoothly running school that we now have. The teachers of the various eighth grades contributing to the high school have given freely of their time in helping to enroll the incoming pupils. We are grateful for their co-operation.
Please accept my personal appreciation of your gen- erous support on the various occasions when it has been solicited.
Respectfully submitted,
LINDSAY J. MARCH,
Principal.
31
STATISTICAL TABLES
Memorial High School, 1935-1936
Table A Total Enrollment
Membership
Lake- ville
Plymp- ton
Carver
Boys
Girls
Total
Post Graduates
1
1
1
4
10
14
Seniors
5
3
8
48
57
105
Juniors
11
4
16
59
79
138
Sophomores
17
2
11
71
78
149
Freshmen
28
9
13
91
101
192
Totals
62
19
49
273
325
598
Table B Graduating Classes 1932-1936
Class
Boys
Girls
Total
1932
51
63
114
1933
49
59
108
1934
43
52
95
1935
43
64
107
1936
48
55
103
Table C Graduates of Past Five Years
Number in
Class of
class
Number going to college
Number going to other schools
Total continuing study
1932
114
27
25
52
46%
1933
108
13
27
40
37%
1934
95
12
23
35
36%
1935
107
11
30
41
38%
1936
103
1-1
22
36
35%
32
Table D Enrollment of Classes by Years
Class
Numbers enrolled by years Freshman Sophomore Junior
Senior
Number left
% left
1937
207
169
139
105
102
49%
1936
219
176
137
106
113
52%
1935
195
173
133
110
85
44%
1934
161
131
104
95
66
41%
1933
177
140
119
109
68
38%
1932
191
160
120
111
80
41%
1931
180
152
113
91
89
49%
1930
144
115
94
76
68
47%
1929
118
102
79
70
48
40%
Totals
1592
861
54%
Graduates of Class of 1936
Higher Schools
Boys
Girls
Total
Colleges :
Boston University
1
Bridgewater State Teachers' College
1
Dartmouth College
1
Gordon College 1
Jackson (Tufts) College
1
Lasell Junior College
1
Massachusetts Institute of Tech- nology 1
Massachusetts State College 1
Northeastern University 2
Stoneleigh Junior College
1
Wheaton College
2
Radcliffe College 1
14
33
Commercial Schools :
Bentley School of Accounting 1 Burdett College 1
Post Graduates 4 10 16
Other Schools :
Boston Normal School of Handi- crafts and Art 1
Boston Trade School 1
2
Nursing Schools
2
6
Wilfred Beauty Academy
13
23
36
Graduates of 1935 entering higher schools in 1936 :
Simmons College 1
Bridgewater State Teachers' Col- lege
2
34
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
January 1, 1937.
Mr. J. Stearns Cushing, Supt. of Schools, Middleboro, Mass.
Dear Sir :
In presenting my report for the music during the sea- son of 1936, I would like to enumerate a few of the important spots in the activity of the department. The instrumental exhibition in the spring brought out the abilities of the grades from first to eighth in sequential steps, the rhythmic classes by rote in the first and sec- ond, and score reading in the third grade, followed by fife playing in the fourth grades, drumming in the fourth, fifth and sixth grades, the Junior High School orchestra of twenty-eight members followed by the High School Mandolin, Guitar and Banjo Club, succeeded by the High School Orchestra of forty-five instruments. The evening was brought to a close by the High School Band of fifty-two members demonstrating the step by step process employed in the building of a structure of considerable importance to the community.
Much credit must be given to Mrs. Belmont and Mr. Weeman for their untiring efforts in the classes which is the foundation of all our instrumental work.
The sixth grade journeyed to Brockton and won many words of praise for their splendid singing at the May- flower Festival Association in May.
The Bates School pageant, and the High School chorus in a Stephen Foster evening, gave their annual events as usual with splendid results.
35
The several musical units of the schools have assisted at many affairs in the town during the year and added to the success of those events.
All of the schools in the town had Christmas exercises in which music appropriate to the occasion was sung and played.
The School Street teachers invited the parents to listen to the caroling of the children at a special evening ses- sion and a most enjoyable hour was spent.
Of all the arts music is the most potent. Its subject matter-sound-is capable of more gradations than the material of any other art. It can appeal to more people and move their emotions more strongly than any known human means of expression. It is able to bring about subtle shades of feeling which the most carefully selected words are powerless to convey. It is hard to say when music first came into being. All nature is full of it. The singing of the birds, the droning of insects, the purring of the cat, arc but instances of the pleasure shown by these creatures in pouring forth the happiness they enjoy.
Music is something universal in its extent. The ancient civilizations of China and India had their type of music, different as it was from what we understand by the term today. Theirs was mainly of a melodic nature, whereas ours is harmonic.
At first the music of the people was little more than snatches of melody sung without definite purpose. The shepherd would troll his merry chant on his homeward journey when his day's work was done; the harvester would sing a strain of gladness in praise of the bounty of nature, and around the fireside in the winter evenings, childish laughter would lead to a song in which all the family would take part.
36
Music is the youngest of the arts. With so much already done and so little time given to accomplish it, the future of music may indeed look most hopeful. When it is as old as the sister arts of poetry and archi- tecture, who knows to what heights it may have climbed.
Perhaps one of the most useful applications of music in the future will be as a medicinal agent. The modern tendency of medicine is to attach great importance to the mental condition of the patient. And with the power of music to produce a joyful and peaceful state of mind its value as a healing asset is apparent.
In the days that are to come music will serve us not merely as an amusement nor as a species of intellectual enlightenment but will lead to higher thoughts.
Respectfully submitted, . W. B. PHILLIPS,
Supervisor of Music.
37
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF ART
"A country speaks to us through her poets and her painters, her builders long dead and her craftsmen unremembered." A. A. Milne.
December 23, 1936.
J. Stearns Cushing,
Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my report as Supervisor of Art for the schools of the town.
The outlines are based on the seven fundamental principles of education : Health, command of the funda- mental processes, worthy home membership, vocation, civic education, worthy use of leisure time, ethical char- acter. I shall now indicate how Art is one of the most important contributors to each of these principles.
HEALTH
Art contributes to health by furnishing a mental and spiritual uplift which is in a great majority of ills, the only remedy needed. New clothes of beautiful fabric, of pleasing color and well designed, act as a tonic upon many an individual.
Then in a mechanical way Art is often used in poster fashion as an announcer of dangers to be avoided, or cures to be used, and as a speedy announcer of whatever is useful. Physicians, dietitians, and pure food workers use graphs and posters in their health crusades. Graphs are used in hospitals to get the picture of the fluctuations of temperature and heart beats. Verbal or written de-
-
38
scriptions do not carry the ideas over to the doctor as effectually as the picture in the graph. Through the art of weaving people are supplied with clothing by which their bodies are warmed and made sanitary. Hats, gloves, and shoes which protect the human body, are products of the industrial arts. Through architec- ture and the constructive arts people are housed from excessive cold, heat, and dampness. Through design, mechanical drawing, and construction we install water supply, sewage, heating, lighting, and ventilating sys- tems, which contribute to sanitation and health. After reflecting upon it for a few moments, it becomes clear that Art contributes as much to our health and general welfare as science.
COMMAND OF THE FUNDAMENTAL PROCESSES
I believe that when the educators have outgrown the habit of thinking only of the three R's, as the funda- mentals, they will be ready to admit that the arts of drawing and construction must be included in the fun- damentals. We would have no homes, no utensils, no clothing, no vehicles, no good roads, no bridges, no ships, nor any other similar commodities of civiliza- tion, were it not for the arts of drawing and construc- tion. Had men never learned to construct homes, to make utensils, and implements, the three R's alone would not have carried far.
As a fundamental process Art goes back farther into antiquity than any written language. In fact it is the parent from which the three R's originated. While it has generally been left to function as it would in the past, up-to-date educators are coming to see that Art is fundamental.
WORTHY HOME MEMBERSHIP
While the house does not exactly make the home, it is difficult to conceive of a home without a house, but
39
that is exactly the kind of a home that man would have today if it were not for the constructive arts. This would mean then the going back to cave man times and membership in such homes is certainly not wanted today. For housing our homes then, we need Art; for housing them beautifully, we need more Art; for hous- ing them in a sanitary way with all of the modern con- veniences and some of the luxuries we need still more Art; and I believe the membership in such homes repre- sents a civilization so far above the cave man that it is needless to argue further how much Art contributes to worthy home membership.
VOCATION
I believe it is generally understood that Art is essen- tial to vocational training. Every article manufactured must have its design, many utilize color, and all must be constructed. If, however, it is some food product which has been grown, design and construction have furnished boxes or sacks for packing it and fine art has often labeled such products for market. Free- hand drawing is always an asset for skilled workmen. Mechanics, draftsmen, engineers, designers, architects, window trimmers, sign painters, advertisers, electri- cians, map workers, textile workers, metal workers, fur- niture makers, bookbinders, illustrators, cartoonists, chemists, physicists, biological workers, civil and mechanical engineers, housewives, and dozens of other workers need a knowledge of drawing, design, color, and construction.
CIVIC EDUCATION
Art furnishes the means for making the town and country beautiful and healthful. We cannot think of civic welfare that does not have its contact with Art. Public Health is maintained and improved by the main-
: 40
tenance and improvement of homes, hospitals, public buildings, water and sewage systems, transportation and all such commodities which could not exist were it not for design, and mechanical skill in drawing and con- struction. Streets, bridges, schools, libraries, churches, theatres, public buildings, parks, highways, etc., are products of mechanical art and fine art. Political gath- crings must be housed the same as school, church, or theatrical groups. The whole scheme of civilization has its constant contact with drawing, design, color, and construction.
WORTHY USE OF LEISURE TIME
No more worthy use of leisure time could be made than in the study of Art, since it has been one of the fundamental processes in bringing man to his present state of civilization. When we advocate the study of Art by everybody we do not mean or expect creative results directly from each individual, any more than we expect each student of his native tongue to be a creative producer in his language. But we do expect the student of Art to be able to interpret to a great ex- tent what the creative artists have done, the same as a reader may interpret the works of a writer.
ETHICAL CHARACTER
I believe everybody agrees that Art furnishes inspira- tion for building ethical character. The fine arts of pic- torial drawing, painting, and sculpture, have been pro- duced by art creators who possess more than skill and technique in the use of line, form, and color. They have made artistic interpretations of inspirations which came to them and if we are readers and interpretors of Art as we should be, we feel that inspiration exactly to the extent to which our powers of appreciation have been trained. To instill fine instincts, beautiful surroundings always furnish inspiration and people rearcd in an
41
atmosphere of beauty and surrounded by works of art absorb something which elevates their spirituality and this gradually lifts civilization step by step to a higher level.
In planning lessons from the above outline I realize these worthy objectives and adopt them to the age of the child from grade to grade. The same outlines are carried along in more advanced stages in the Bates and Senior High School classes.
In the annual poster contest, sponsored by the Massa- chusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Ani- mals held in Boston last April many students were awarded prizes for those submitted by them. A total of sixty posters were sent to the exhibition with twenty- nine receiving awards, which was most satisfactory and highly complimentary.
In April I attended the Eastern Arts Convention in New York City. The program was carefully worked out from the standpoint of professional and educational features which gave me an excellent opportunity to bring back to the teachers and pupils the progressive steps in Art Education from the foremost Art educators of the country. The convention marked a definite mile- stone in the history of art education.
The Art Department of the schools have given much help to the community affairs. Posters for entertain- ments, assembly programs, costumes, place cards, deco- rating for socials and other functions were made by the Bates and High School students.
I express appreciation to the School Committee, Superintendent, Principals and Teachers who have helped in making Art in Middleboro progressive.
Respectfully submitted,
SYLVIA G. MATHESON,
Supervisor of Art.
42
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL AND PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE
Middleboro, Mass. December 31, 1936.
Mr. J. Stearns Cushing,
Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir:
I herewith present my annual report for the year end- ing December 31, 1936, showing by statistics the work accomplished 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 1809 children. 420 defect notices, exclusive of Hearing, Vision and Dental de- fects were sent to homes.
Tonsil and Adenoid defects found 420
Vision defects found 115
Hearing defects found
15
Defect Corrections 1936 :
Tonsil and Adenoids 65
Vision 16
Hearing 14
Measured all pupils in Suburban and Central Schools twice for height; weighed all pupils four times.
Dental Clinic
School Dental Clinics are held cach Wednesday morning, 9 to 12 o'clock, from October 1 to June 1.
43
Examination :
School membership of first two grades 290
Number of children examined 266
Number found with dental defects 238
Correction of Defects :
Children with defects corrected at clinic 290
Clinic Operation :
Cleanings
5
Filling, Temporary teeth
144
Permanent teeth 61
Extractions, Temporary teeth 75
Permanent teeth 21
Number of different children treated 1936 238
Number of pupil treatments 290
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.