USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Middleton > Town annual report of Middleton, MA. 1934 > Part 4
USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Middleton > Town annual report of Middleton, MA. 1934 > Part 4
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76
SCHOOL REPORT
created in the continuity of the child's progress in one or more of his subjects, with the result that until the gap is closed by some means, the pupil is working at a disadvantage.
Another unappreciated difficulty is that represented by those cases where the parents confessedly cannot control their children at home, but criticise the teacher if she complains of lack of co-operation by those same children in school, and sometimes threaten when moderately drastic methods are used. The schools are expected to implant a love of truth in their charges, but this is not helped by any parents who sign excuses giving false reasons for absence from school. In this connection should also be mentioned the fact that reports of things as brought from school by young children are not always exactly as re- ported. Children, like grown ups, have a faculty for making the most of a story, especially that in which they are the actors. Trivial circumstances assume great proportions between school and home. For this reason it would be of great benefit to all concerned if parents could refrain from retailing their children's stories as gospel until they have investigated. For example, I have had complaints made to me that a teacher choked a pupil when in reality she put her hand under his chin to hold his head up and make him look at her while she was talking to him.
It is also a very serious error for parents to criticise teachers in the presence of their children. If they have reason for such criticism, based on facts, they should report them to the Superintendent of Schools in writing. It is not fair to spread reports by word of mouth which would not be as readily reported in "black and white" over the reporter's signature. In fact the School Committee should make a ruling that no complaint would be entertained if not made in writing and signed by the complainant. This should apply even to cases where the complainant appears before the committee.
Report cards are another source of parental dissatisfaction. Here again misunderstanding creeps in to produce harsh criticisms. The most important marks on the card-those dealing with characteristics of good citizenship -- are disregarded or not even noticed. The grades in conduct, effort, thrift, punctuality, health habits, etc. are even greater importance than those in arithmetic or history.
After all good character traits are absolutely essential parts of later a successful education. The most dangerous member of society is the highly educated criminal-a type fortunately rare.
It should also be considered well that report cards are but a literal or numerical picture of the child's reaction to the school. It is in no sense a reflection of what he seems like at home, nor a reflection of work done for him by the family circle. The writer often advises teachers to give credit for nothing which she has not seen or heard
77
SCHOOL REPORT
produced by the pupil. This may seem extreme, but it is really the only fair way to evaluate a child's accomplishment.
The severe epidemic of scarlet fever which interfered so seriously with the year's work was not all necessary. The school and health authorities did their share very well but their was evident carelessness in some homes. Of course lack of money may have prevented some from taking as good care as they would in better times, but careless- ness has its part in the alarming spread of this disease. Physicians tell us that it is not at all necessary or advisable for children to have these so called "children diseases". It is no longer thought advisable to "get them over with" while the child is young. Some day we will reach the point where these diseases will be rare. Present day medi- cal procedure has rendered the dread diphtheria comparatively rare. Others will become equally so in time.
One of the most unsatisfactory duties of any school official is to have control of the no school signal. It would seem better to have no such sig- nal than to bear the criticism involved. The opinions of parents are at such widevarianceas to what constitutes weather unfit for school attend- ance that omnipotence could not gain universal approval. It is highly interesting to see the activities of school children on days when there is no school because of a storm. They will be seen playing in icy water or the deepest drifts, happy as larks and heedless of weather. It is considered dangerous for them to sit in slightly damp clothing in a warm schoolroom, but perfectly safe to stay out in a cold wind while wringing wet. It is my belief that it would be better to have no such signal and require parents to exercise their own judgment as to whether their children should remain at home on stormy days. Every day lost because of such closing is a definite money waste. Teachers, janitors and bus drivers are paid and fuel is burned. The occasion for justifi- able closing of schools because of inclement weather are rare.
From the present enrollment figures it is evident that, if present trends continue, the time is near at hand when more school accomoda- tions will be necessary. Addition to the present building, while possi- ble, does not seem advisable. A two story wooden building of years of seasoning is not the safest plan for the housing of children in large numbers. Add to this fact that the seating space has reached its limit and immediate action seems advisable. Many towns are preparing projects and filing them in the hope of securing a 50% grant from the proposed P. W. A. funds now under consideration by the congress of the United States. Such projects are usually taken up in the order of their date of application. A $100,000 schoolhouse at a cost of $50,000 would be a good business proposition.
The question of state reimbursements or aids for education have been coming up during the year. For the benefit of the citizens I have tabulated below the sums received or due the town treasury in the
78
SCHOOL REPORT
fiscal year on account of education. I find that sometimes even the members of town finance committees and boards of Selectmen are not aware of all of these assets.
I. From the amount refunded from the state income tax there is allotted on account of teachers' sala- ries (payable in November) $1,180 00
II. From the Massachusetts School Fund based on teachers' salaries and other expenses (payable in March) 128 24
III. For salary and expense of Superintendent of Schools 206 67
IV. For tuition of High School pupils 2,064 63
V. For transportation of High School pupils 864 00
000 00
VI. For tuition of State Minor Wards (if any) City of Boston Wards 000 00
$4,443 54
From these figures it will be seen that there flowed back into the town treasury during 1934 the sum of $4,443.54 which helped to reduce the cost of local education materially. Instead of the $25,340.13 appro- priated the actual cost was $20,896.59 which amounts to $76.34 per pupil. Compare this with the cost of insurance or on an automobile. Remember, this includes the very high charges for tuition and trans- portation of high school pupils, $8,398.04. When you consider that it costs about $1,200.00 a year to send a youngster to a college where expenses are not high-a cheap college, so to speak, and this town se- cures for him 12 years of education at a cost of $916.08 it should be evident to all that your schools are giving a remarkable value for the money expended.
It would be interesting to compare the cost of automobile trans- portation in this town for a year against the cost of education. It would be equally enlightening to set the amount spent for ice cream, candy, tobacco and chewing gum opposite the figures for education. In good English, not in slang, you would be surprised. We spend money willingly for insurance against accident, fire, theft and disease, but we are less interested in educating people so that most of the above calamities are due to carelessness and ignorance.
One of the latest popular demands on the schools is for character education. This is not necessarily a new thing. We have hoped for years that we were securing this as a byproduct of our endeavors. Now the demand is for a definite label and a direct drive on this as a separate part of our school curriculum. The demand is based on the alarming growth in juvenile delinquency and the equally alarming num- ber of young criminals who have had more or less contact with our public and private schools.
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SCHOOL REPORT
It seems somewhat unfair to place all of the blame on the schools. They have certainly not educated children towards or in crime or de- linquency. Something must have been learned also in those other nineteen hours of the day when they were not in school. It is not popular for the schoolman to suggest that the home has failed to do its part. Parents resent this implication. It is a fact however that the leaders in thought on this subject, who are not schoolmen, claim that the schools must take on this burden because the other agencies have failed.
It should be remembered that an added subject in the curriculum, already over crowded, calls for more time, more materials, more trained teachers, in short more money. Still the cry is for reduction in school budgets. Another department in which there is a decided need of better facilities in the field of Physical Education. The teach- ing of this is required by state law and presupposes the employment of a person skilled in this branch of education. This is not a popular sub- ject with many taxpayers. They feel that it is foolish to hire some woman to make children play and do strange contortions They main- tain that children play naturally and get plenty of exercise running around. Of course they are mistaken and do not understand. If they were to watch school children in large groups for an extended period where no teaching is given, they would soon learn that while much energy is expended in both sound and motion, little if any good is at- tained. Skilful direction can change all this and bring a wonderful return in straighter, stronger, more healthy bodies, and cleaner minds. A program of Physical Education including direction of summer play- ground activities would pay great dividends in better health and great- er happiness for local children.
CONCLUSION
Appended are the reports of the various supervisors and health officers. These are all worthy of careful perusal.
To all my associates on the teaching staff I extend thanks for unfailing co-operation.
The school committee have my hearty appreciation of their part on making the year harmonious and successful. Their duties are greatly multiplied by brevity of time which the superintendent is allowed to give them.
Respectfully submitted,
STEPHEN G. BEAN,
Superintendent.
February 6, 1935.
80
ENROLLMENT STATISTICS Age and Grade Distribution-Registration October 1, 1934
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
T
I
7
16
8
32
II
4
14
8
2
28
III
7
16
4
4
1
32
IV
3
13
3
1
4
24
V
6
6
5
1C
2
1
25
VI
8
5
5
3
2.
23
VII
7
11
5
3
1
1
28
VIII
1
5
8
4
3
1
22
Total
7
20
29
27
25
21
20
31
18
9
5
2
214
Heavily leaded diagonals indicate age limits for the grades
SCHOOL REPORT
81
SCHOOL REPORT
Teacher Grade Distribution October 1, 1934
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
Tot.
C. A. Manning
15
22
37
M. M. Berry
23
13
36
J. C. Hinkley
15
25
40
C. I. Gould
32
9
41
M. E. Lawrence
28
28
D. A. Colbert
32
32
Total
32
28
32
24
25
23
28
22
214
82
SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
General weighing and measuring of student body January, June and September 1934 number 214.
Weight and height total for age and list sent to each teacher in- cluding normal weight with number of pounds under weight. Listed name of students for posture correction and gave each home-room teacher a list of her students.
Dr. Archibald visited the school four times checking scarlet fever and mad dog contacts.
Number of children receiving Rabie serum 2.
Check made June 1934 of all children bitten by dogs, list sent to Dr. Archibald, Essex County Health Agent from the State Depart- ment of Health for follow-up work on the reaction of the dog bite.
Number of students having eyes tested 214.
Number of notices sent to parents for further examination 7.
Walter Martin, Shirley Johnson, William Colton, Lorraine Demer-
itt, Robert Sillars, correction made; Irene Byka, Josephine Rosi.
New students examined for vaccination.
Number of students excluded not vaccinated 1.
September 17, 1934.
Miss Knight, R. N. Chadwick Clinic follow-up worker called to check up children for examination arrangements, made X-Ray on following children at Danvers High School September 25.
Charles Paneif, Alice Paneif, Rita Paneif, John Paneif, John Mc- Kinnon, Olga Sedlock.
Dr. Andrew Nichols' yearly examination entire body of students examined stripped to waistline.
Rash on body-children excluded
4
Large tonsils
14
Diseased tonsils
5
Wax in right ear cavity
2
Murmur at apex of heart
3
Poor posture
80
Five medical examination for scarlet fever symptoms.
Number of children excluded with scarlet fever
66
absent
66
14
excluded with chicken pox
2
66
absent
whooping cough
5
66
excluded with impetigo
8
scabies
6
66
66 pediculosis 8
3
66
6
83
SCHOOL REPORT
Number of home visits made
159
66
66 consultations with teachers
89
66 outside societies 15
DENTAL REPORT
Number of children examined by Dr. McNally
210
notices sent to parents
210
66
cleanings
98
Porcelain fillings (white enamel)
36
Amalgam (silver)
197
66
cement
10
66 extractions permanent
6
66
66
abscess
19
66
first teeth
18
. ..
43
Total
427
Number of hours 86.6 at $3.00
$258 50
Money received from parents
106 75
66
Board of Health
160 00
Balance
$8 25
SCHICK TEST REPORT
Number of students receiving schick test
53
66
with positive reaction 29
66
receiving Toxine Anti-toxine 29
negative
24
School-Total number of children immuned from diphtheria infection by the Schick Test and Toxine Anti-toxine treatment 122
Respectfully submitted, MARY E. ROUNDY, R. N.
1
66
consent slips received
98
84
SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF ART SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent and School Board of Middleton:
Art has been defined in general by many and in many ways, but in the case of the grades from the first thru the eighth the aims can be somewhat more definite.
Art is a graphic expression of the child's feeling about experience. We can conceive then of every child as an artist with different degrees of familiarity with surroundings. The same experience effects indi- viduals differently and the way the individual expresses his feeling about the experience varies according to his familiarity and skill with materials.
In the first grade in the Fall the child makes pencil scribbles and marks with a crayon, without any attempt to draw anything. This is all in getting acquainted with the materials. From this stage he ad- vances to the symbolic stage when his drawing may be apparently a scribble but in reality to the child has meaning. He draws for the sat- isfaction of reliving his experiences and sees in an unintelligible jumble of lines remarkable imaginative or reminiscent pictures. He takes pleasure in explaining this jumble of lines and masses to any sympa- thetic listener.
Following this period of drawing for his own personal satisfaction the child gradually becomes more desirous that others be able to un- derstand his picture without explanation. Then, he was pleased to be asked what his picture was about, now, he is offended if one cannot readily recognize what is portrayed. He slips his drawing under cover at the approach of the observer. This timidity is the result of a rising standard of understanding without a corresponding increase of skill in the knowledge of drawing. The supervisor's problem then, is to sup- . ply help in drawing as fast as the child is ready for it.
The Seasons and Holidays provide ample material to test the growth of the child.
The aim is not to make a pretty picture but to supply him with knowledge of drawing so that he may best express himself.
May I express my thanks to you, Mr. Bean, and the School Board for my opportunity to work with such a fine group of teachers and enthusiastic boys and girls.
Respectfully submitted,
VITTORIA ROSATTO,
Supervisor of Drawing.
January 12, 1935.
85
SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE 1934
For several years the major concern of your committee has been the increasing number of pupils entering the school. With an enroll- ment of 240, the congestion has now reached an acute stage. There appears to be two solutions of this problem both of which are only makeshifts and which will cause some inconvenience to the parents concerned. One solution is to raise the entrance age by at least six months, thus relieving the first grade temporarily. A more drastic action would be to place the lower grades on a platoon system which involves additional transportation and is not a permanent solution of the problem. If the number of pupils continues to increase the town will be obliged to provide more adequate school facilities.
Another problem which continually faces your committee is the increasing amount of repairs necessary each year to keep the building in proper condition. We cannot foretell how soon a new building will be necessary and because of this, excessive outlays on the present building and equipment seems inadvisable. This past year a new metal ventilator was purchased to replace the old wooden cupola and the flat roof was resurfaced and repaired. As long as the present building is used for school purposes it must be kept in proper repair.
Minor items such as painting the building, improving the lighting and filling in the center of the play-yard have been considered by the committee. The old wooden fence will need repairs each year as the posts, railings and boards are rotting away.
The interior of the building has been thoroughly cleaned and paint- ed during the past year and now presents a splendid appearance.
It is the desire of the committee to present these facts for the in- formation of the citizens with a view that to be forewarned is to be forearmed.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE E. GIFFORD, Chairman. WAYNE GILES MRS. ETHEL STEWART
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