USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1938 > Part 8
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Balance, December 31, 1938
784.36
$3,052.04
Special Fund Receipts
Balance, January 1, 1938
$147.77
Book Sales
126.69
Rentals
118.66
Interest, Central N.J. R.R.
50.00
Interest, Baltimore & Ohio R.R.
25.00
Interest, Harriet O. Peirce Fund
12.50
Interest, Harriet C. Beals Fund
25.00
Interest, N.Y. Central R.R.
50.00
Interest, Midd. Trust Co. Savings Acct.
17.58
$573.20
Special Fund Payments
Books, Periodicals, Newspapers
$171.59
Book Binding
200.59
Library of Congress
50.00
Midd. Trust Co.
4.40
Mass. Library Association
10.00
Balance, December 31, 1938
136.62
$573.20
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS H. KELLY,
Treasurer.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF
Middleboro, Mass.
LEE
ORO
OU
PLYMOU
NTY, MAS
M
GH *
INCORPORATED
CAD.1669
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31
1938
96
SCHOOL COMMITTEE Organization 1938 Members
Term Expires
Fred B. Alger, 5 Court End Avenue, Chairman
1939
Lorenzo Wood, Jr., Plymouth Street
1939
Priscilla S. Alger, 10 Southwick Street
1940
A. Russell Mack, 23 Rice Street
1940
L. Francis Callan, 10 Clifford Street
1941
Forest E. Thomas, 59 Everett Street
1941
Superintendent of Schools
J. Stearns Cushing, 91 Bourne Street Office, Room 7, Town Hall, Tel. 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.
School Physician Dr. A. Vincent Smith, 35 Pearl Street Telephone 50
School Nurse Miss Helen B. Pasztor, 132 North Main Street Office Telephone 81
Supervisor of Attendance Thomas E. Hirst, Pleasant Street
Census Enumerator
Mrs. Carrie L. Jones, West Street
School Calendar
First Term, January 3-February 17.
Second Term, February 27-April 14.
Third Term, April 24-June 9, Elementary Schools. April 24-June 16, High School. Fourth Term, September 6-December 22.
No School Days May 30, October 12, November 30, December 1
97
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Members of the School Committee:
I herewith present the annual report of the schools of the Town of Middleboro and my twelfth as Superintendent of these schools.
At the end of the last school year our Supervisor of Music, Mr. Wirt B. Phillips, reached the age of compulsory retirement. For nineteen years he has served the schools of Middleboro faithfully and earnestly. During that period of time the music program of the schools has been outstanding in achievement and above all the children of the town developed a real love of song and instrument. Mr. Phillips was always ready and willing to assist in all community musical projects and gave unstintingly of his time and effort for the town. The town has been very fortunate to have had these years of service, which deserve sincere tribute by our citizens.
The filling of the vacancy left by Mr. Phillips was an important task. Many candidates were interviewed and their experience and work carefully reviewed. We were however very fortunate in being able to secure the services of Luther Churchill for the position. A man with many years of supervisory experience, he came to us with the highest recommendations from musical leaders. His work to date has shown the wisdom of the com- mittee's choice and we can continue to be justly proud of the music work done in the schools and the community.
The new Reading series introduced last year has been extended into the second grades of all schools and beginning with the next school year it will be further extended to the third grades. The teachers are finding better results from this system and Reading is showing much improvement.
At the beginning of the school year the Thompsonville school was tem- porarily closed due to the lack of sufficient number of children. This is the oldest building in town and was built about 1854. It may be of interest to note that the annual report of 1855 says "This is one of our largest and best schools and with the deep interest taken in the school by the parents we trust it will continue." That interest did evidently continue for in the report of 1866 we find "the pupils show that they appreciate the value of a common school education by remaining in school at a more advanced age than in any other school in town." From the largest school in 1855 it became the small- est in 1938 and could not be economically continued in use.
Although a committee was appointed by the town to make the required changes in the Bates school nothing has been done as yet toward making that school conform to the safety regulations of the state. The heating and venti- lating systems do not have the approval of the State Building Inspectors and many changes have been ordered by them. The boiler room at the foot of the stairways must either be fireproofed or moved to a different location; the boiler itself, over thirty years old, is too antiquated to give proper dis- tribution of heat to the building classrooms; some rooms have no ventila- tion except direct window draft; and brick fire walls must be built under stairs to provide further safety. The building is still being used without official approval of the Inspectors, who may at any time order its closing.
A well has been dug at the Waterville School to provide sufficient water supply at that school. Your committee have directed that a well be dug at the Thomastown school and the Town Manager will take charge of that work. Lights will also be installed at the Thomastown school in the near future.
98
THE NEW UNION STREET SCHOOL Chronology
February 10, 1936-A Committee of sixteen appointed to study school building needs.
November 9, 1936-Committee reported recommending a new eight-room building to replace the old Union Street School.
A Committee of five appointed to receive detailed plans and speci- fications for report at next Town Meeting.
January 11, 1937-Committee report presented.
March 1, 1937-Voted: that if a building be built it be a one-story structure. March 8, 1937 -- Voted: to appropriate $105,573 for the purpose of financing the construction of, equipping, and furnishing an elementary School building on the Union Street Lot in accordance with the plans and specifications of the Frank Irving Cooper Corporation and for acquiring any additional land.
The Selectmen were authorized to accept Federal assistance and to acquire by right of eminent domain two parcels of land on the westerly side of Union Street.
The Moderator was authorized to appoint a building committee of five members. The following were later appointed: George A. Donner, L. Francis Callan, James J. Wilmot, Bertram L. Thomas, Wendell E. Holloway.
September 30, 1937-Special Town Meeting amended wording of vote of meeting of March 8 to conform to Public Works Administration Extension Act of 1937.
October 26, 1937-Bids for removal of houses opened.
November 9, 1937-Razing of houses begun.
November 12, 1937-Bids for construction of building opened.
November 15, 1937-Contract awarded to D'Amore Construction Company for sum of $81,725.
November 30, 1937-Construction of building started.
August 28, 1938-Building opened for public inspection.
September 7, 1938-First classes attended sessions of school.
The preceding chronology of the Union Street School tells in brief the history of the new building. Opened for use in September, Middleboro now has one of the finest, most modern school buildings in New England. Your Superintendent was invited to sit in on all meetings of the building com- mittee and the co-operation of the builder, architect, building committee, and school department made possible a building that Middleboro citizens may show with pride and most important of all one in which the children are safely housed. This building has allowed the West Side School to be relieved of its two upper grades, now housed in School Street school, and has relieved the overcrowded classes of the latter. It was not necessary to demolish the portable building at the West Side school since that work was almost completely done by the hurricane in September.
There is every reason to believe that we stand at the beginning of a period in which educational policies will be reformulated in the light of the critical social problems confronting the country today. The content of the curriculum, methods of teaching, the control and administration of schools, every aspect of education will be involved.
Because of lack of financial resources, many of the ablest youth in the land, at both school and college levels, are denied the opportunity to con- tinue their schooling. An awareness of this problem is growing upon the
99
profession and upon the public. A condition under which youth are denied their rightful educational opportunities because of low family incomes is a menace to the general welfare and we shall hear much discussion of this problem in 1939.
To meet an urgent necd however some form of practical course in the manual arts should be provided in our High School. These able pupils who must forego further schooling, thiosc pupils who desire to do things with the hands and crcate or build, those pupils who do not or can not profit from textbooks, all of thesc should be given an opportunity to express themselves and develop in that educational field. Boys and girls alike should be offered somc courses in manual subjects. I have in previous reports urged the adoption of some coursc and once again I am asking the committee to scriously study this situation that somc course may be offered at the be- ginning of the next school ycar. In some high schools a course in agri- culture has been very helpful and successful. As many of our children come from farms it may be that a course in agriculture with emphasis on small fruits, poultry raising, cranberry culture, and other farm subjects, would be one answer to the problem. The possibilities of and the demand for such a course should be studied and its cost to the town figured to see if it is feas- ible for installation.
A project now being written will, it is hoped, make many desirable and needed changes in our suburban and central schools. Plans are being drawn for better lighting facilitics in the suburban buildings, ncw toilets at all of these buildings with enclosed walks direct from thic rear of the classrooms, painting of bothi exterior and interior surfaccs, regrading of all school yards to improve present muddy conditions and uneven play areas, and many other general improvements. This work, done with federal aid and many materials now on hand. will be at small cxpense to the town and make these buildings more favorable to proper cducation. This project will not allow repairs in the form of regular maintenance but would allow the town to receive many improvements in the physical equipment.
Let me urge all to read the appended reports of the different department heads. These will give a summary of the work in each department and many details not included in this report.
There are nincty-six persons employed in our school system and it is only by the unqualificd co-operation of all that education can advance. Each has his or her part to do and the faithful fulfillment of that duty, however minor in importance, is necessary for complete success. I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to each and every one who has contributed to the continued advance in cducation in Middleboro.
Respectfully presented, J. STEARNS CUSHING, Superintendent of Schools.
REPORT OF PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL
December 31, 1938
Mr. J. Stearns Cushing, Superintendent of Schools,
Middleboro, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
In making my eighth report as principal of the Memorial High School, I shall try to tell the present conditions of the school in respect to instruc-
100
tion and equipment, the usual information included for record, and a brief outline of future plans. The latter refer to suggested new types of educa- tion that may be introduced as provision can be made for them.
Instruction
At present sixty alumni are successfully enrolled in twenty-four schools of collegiate grade. In addition there are eighty-eight more who in the same period have entered other types of schools. Thus 148 of the 815 who have attended and of the 415 who have graduated in the past four years are continuing their education in some school. While it is true that the sixty in college have influenced the curriculum rather strongly in their favor, it is also true that the recommended practice today is for pupils to follow a college preparatory course in preparation for special training in such fields as business and nursing.
As rapidly as the school has been able to do so, new and useful subjects have been offered. This policy should be continued to include the additional subjects of consumer education, with a bookkeeping course open to all, and safety education, suitable material for the latter having become available. The physical education program is growing gradually although the teachers in this department are handicapped by the teaching of subjects not re- lated to physical education. The present need is for instruction for all instead of a few pupils in healthful living, and corrective work for the many who have very poor posture or other remedial defects that ultimately produce serious results.
The Physical Fitness Index program of Dr. Rogers of Boston University is an example of the type of service that should be made available to our pupils. It classifies pupils into groups for whom health and activity pro- grams most helpful to each may be planned.
The figures given above are evidence of the fact that the school should, as soon as possible, offer some instruction in home economics and manual arts for the pupils who are talented in such work and plan to follow it.
Faculty
The faculty has become increasingly effective each year in the solution of school problems, working in groups on committees. A new report card has been designed and a traffic squad created. The latter project was prompted by one of the major objectives of the school, namely to help pupils to become experienced in the handling of social problems they will meet as voting citizens. Mr. Hyman has been the teacher sponsor of the traffic squad.
A committee composed of teachers and pupils under the leadership of Miss Clutton has furnished a social program that has contributed much to the large number of pupils who have attended the school parties. This phase of school is important since those who can mingle with their fel- lows socially and be at ease find themselves more confident with the poise so attained. If the social program is to make its maximum contribution to the school, attendance should be limited to the members of the school. Such a policy is recommended for the next school year.
Mr. Farley has accomplished a great deal with freshman class meetings, the purpose of which has been to help the members of the entering class to become adjusted to high-school work. This is a part of the guidance work of the school for which some teacher should assume the entire responsibility. For this work special training is needed since counselling is very difficult work, pupils frequently needing guidance for which an academically trained teacher has not the required preparation.
10
At present a pupil's program of studies is planned in keeping with his vocational expectations. Some one in addition to the principal and who has more time than he to devote to interviews with pupils should get to know pupils as individuals and have training to make him or her competent to help pupils formulate their plans for the future. An excellent start is made when the pupils make their first elections in the Bates school, but as they grow older many should change their plans in light of new conditions.
The spring concert will be remembered by all who saw it as a fitting climax to the work of the Music Supervisor, Mr. Phillips, who concluded many years of successful service last June. Interest in both vocal and in- strumental music had grown steadily under his supervision. Mr. Luther Churchill, building on a good foundation, has continued to increase the music program in the school. A new schedule has made it possible for the orchestra and glee clubs to rehearse in school time with improved results. A boys' glee club of seventy voices has been added to the classes offered. Mr. Churchill's presence at school assemblies has enabled us to have more music at these school functions. Miss Chase has been the chairman of a committee of pupils and teachers which has furnished unusually fine assem- bly programs this year.
Mr. Thomas L. Maynard, another new member of the faculty, has car- ried out the duties of his position as teacher of English with excellent suc- cess. His ability, keen interest in his work, and very pleasing personality have made him an asset to the faculty.
Mr. Battis has given an unusual amount of time and thought to the very difficult problem of financing our physical education program. His skill and care in the economical purchase and checking of equipment has re- sulted in our having a much better equipment for athletic teams and a more favorable financial standing. The problem will never be solved until support for athletics can be secured either from the town or by a fenced field. Mr. Hicks as faculty manager of athletics has shared with Mr. Battis in the success of these plans.
More adequate supervision of class instruction is being accomplished by which teachers and principal can keep in close touch with each other in conferences following class visits. Also each teacher makes a comprehensive report of his or her plans for all classes once each marking period.
The Building
A detailed report of repairs and improvements needed is not included in this report since such a report has so recently been submitted to the Town Manager.
Conclusion
There are many signs to indicate that we may be on the eve of a great change in the nature of the instruction that the public high school will offer. Training for economic and social living may take a more prominent place in the curriculum forcing purely cultural subjects, desirable as they may be, into the colleges and junior colleges.
A look ahead suggests that some means should be found to help teachers on the high-school staff to secure the training that will enable them to offer instruction in the new and practical subjects that will prepare more directly for the solution of economic and social problems that each pupil is certain to be called upon to face. A trained guidance counsellor is needed. Other teachers are needed who have special training in administering testing pro- grams, visual education, library science, and in directing student activities in a way that will contribute most to the pupils. A stimulus to improvement in service will accomplish much, but technical training is needed and a re- vision of the subjects offered with a view to making some teachers free to render special services.
102
I wish to express my appreciation to the teachers who have cheerfully taken extra duties on the many occasions when teachers have been absent and substitute teachers have not been available.
Respectfully submitted,
LINDSAY J. MARCH
STATISTICAL TABLES Memorial High School, 1937-1938 Table A Total Enrollment
Lakeville
Carver
Middleboro
Boys
Girls
Total
Post Graduates
2
1
1
2
Seniors
14
7
87
51
57
108
Juniors
23
10
88
49
72
121
Sophomores
19
20
114
81
72
153
Freshmen
15
26
148
87
102
189
Totals
71
63
439
269
304
573
Table B Graduates of Class of 1938
College:
Boys
Girls
Total
Colby College
2
College of New Rochelle
1
Dartmouth College
2
Harvard University
1
Houghton College
1
Massachusetts State College
2
1
Northeastern University
1
University of Vermont
1
12
Commercial Schools:
Bryant College
1
Burdett Business College
2
Katherine Gibbs School
2
Williams Business College
1
1
7
Other Schools:
Fanny Farmer Cooking School
1
Lowell Textile School
1
Massachusetts School of Art
1
1
Nursing Schools
2
Wentworth Institute
1
Worcester Academy
1
Post Graduates at M. H. S.
1
1
10
-
29
103
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL AND PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE
Middleboro, Mass.
December 31, 1938.
Mr. J. Stearns Cushing,
Superintendent of Schools,
Dear Sir:
I herewith present my annual report for the year ending December 31, 1938, showing by statistics the work accomplished during the year. The report is prepared in the order of the year's Clinical program.
Annual Physical Examination in Schools
Assisted the School Physician, Dr. A. V. Smith, in the annual exam- ination of 1771 children. Three hundred and fifty-three defect notices, exclusive of hearing, vision, and dental defects were sent to the homes.
Tonsil and Adenoid defects, found
353
Vision defects found 79
Hearing defects found
16
Defect Corrections during 1938:
Tonsils and Adenoids 67
Vision 35
Hearing 10
Measured all pupils in suburban and central schools once for height ; weighed all pupils three times during the year.
Dental Clinic
School Dental Clinics are held each Wednesday morning 9 to 12 o'clock from October to June.
Examination :
School membership of first two grades 293
Number of children examined 292
Number found with dental defects 223
Number found without dental defects 69
Correction of Defects:
Children with defects corrected at the Clinic 196
Clinic Operation :
Cleanings 16
Fillings, Temporary teeth 93
Permanent teeth 68
Extractions, Temporary teeth 105
Permanent teeth
28
Number of different children treated 1938
196
Number of pupil treatments 304
Dental Certificates issued
78
Emergency Cases 18
Summer Camp children treated 3
Retarded Class children treated 7
104
Children treated for Welfare Department 36 Amount collected in fees $24.10
Note: The completion of the new building and a thoroughly modern Health Unit, fully equipped for dental work, should enable us to give a greater service to the children of our schools.
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 school week in the Union Street School.
This Clinic costs the town nothing and saves the town the cost of pu- pils repeating their grades, or about $60 per year each.
County Follow-Up Clinic
Physician: Dr. Poland, Plymouth County Hospital, South Hanson. X-Ray :
Date: November 14, 1938.
Technician: Mr. John Fuscillo, Plymouth County Hospital.
Number of pupils X-Rayed 41
Absent for X-Ray 1
Negative Plates 25
Referred for examination 16
Physical Examination :
Date: December 12, 1938.
Physician: Dr. Poland, Plymouth County Hospital.
Nurse Assistant: Miss Hilda Lundberg.
Number of pupils examined 17
Discharged from Clinic Follow-Up
6
Transferred from Carver
1
Not examined because of illness 1
Continued on Clinic Follow-Up 10
New Cases added to Follow-Up
2
Total number of children for Follow-Up 14
Junior Red Cross Class in Home Hygiene
Sponsored by the local Red Cross Chapter. Classes held each Tuesday afternoon in the Bates School. Members of the class; twenty pupils of the Bates School, Grade 8. First class held October 4, 1938. Length of course: thirty lessons. Examination held at Bates School. Eighteen pupils passed the course and received certificates from Washington headquarters.
*Note: Visitors are welcome and parents are urged to come and ob- serve the work of these classes.
Adult Tubercular Cases
Type of Cases:
Pulmonary 47
Hilum
7
Bone 3
Cervical Adenitis 1
105
Kerato-Uvitis 1
Pulmonary Nephritis
1
Total
60
Of this number:
Number of deaths 0
Moved out of town 1
Examined and X-Rayed 8
New cases
4
Patients at sanatorium 3
Opportunity Class Clinic
The examination of all children three or more years retarded in school is required by the general statutes:
Examination held under the direction of Dr. Olga Steinecke of the Taunton State Hospital Clinic Staff.
Dates: April 11 and 15th, two days.
Number of visits made to homes for personal histories of the children 13
Number of days of examination
2
Total number of pupils examined 18
Results of Clinic:
Physical defects needing correction :
Dental
care
7
Tonsils and Adenoids
1
Referred for improved nutrition 1
Physical defects corrected during the year:
Dental care
7
Tonsils and Adenoids
1
*Note: Defect corrections were made possible through the donations of the following:
Dental Care: Dental Clinic Tonsils and Adenoids: Junior Red Cross, Middleboro
Teachers' Association.
Diphtheria Prevention Clinic
Date: March 25, April 1st and 8th.
Place: Town Hall, Selectmen's Room. Physician: Dr. A. V. Smith, School Physician. Toxoid used in this Clinic.
Certificates were issued stating that the child had received the three treatments of Diphtheria Toxoid.
106
Age at time Protected
First Treatment
Second Treatment
Third Treatment
Under
1
12
12
11
1
24
25
25
2
15
15
15
3
12
12
12
4
5
3
3
5
9
9
9
6
34
31
31
7
25
26
25
8
8
8
7
9
3
3
3
10
1
1
1
11
1
1
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