USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1906-1908 > Part 19
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where in fact there are none, still over precaution in this matter is far better than carelessness and neglect.
Acting under the Medical Inspection Act, requiring school committees to appoint school physicians, a medical inspector was appointed last April. Since that time the inspector has visited each of the larger schools every week, and made a care- ful diagnosis of all cases seeming to need his attention. This work has been done very faithfully and carried on intelligently so far as a layman may judge. There can be no doubt that this service is highly beneficial to the health of the schools and to that of the community.
A detailed report of the work of the medical inspector is found herewith.
TEACHERS.
During the year covered by this report seventeen teachers have left the school service in this town. One school has been closed, sixteen vacant positions filled and one additional teacher appointed for a part of each school day at the high school.
At present, besides eight teachers in the evening schools, there are sixty-one teachers and principals in service here, which number includes three teachers of special subjects, who give to the service three days each per week. This is the same num- ber of teachers that was in service last year.
The necessity for frequent changes of teachers continues to be a disturbing factor in the schools. During the year over a quar- ter of the whole corps left us, and in a few schools there have been two or three changes of teachers. It has been difficult to find suitable persons to fill the vacant places. It is nearly the uni- versal testimony of school officials that it has never been so diffi- cult to secure satisfactory teachers as at the present time. All sorts of profitable occupations, besides that of teaching, are open
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to women, occupations which require much less time in prepar- ation, and which offer a quicker and much larger financial re- turn than teaching could give, with much less responsibility and nervous strain. Such occupations are attracting more and more women of large ability, perhaps those of the largest ability, who formerly entered the service of the schools. These conditions make it difficult to secure good teachers at the high- est salaries which the most generous or the richest communi- ties pay ; it is still more difficult to secure them when the salary offered falls far below the salary paid in the eastern part of Massachusetts.
By the salary schedule which went into effect here two or three years ago, the maximum salary paid in the elementary schools is $550 a year; this amount each teacher is to receive if she teaches here five years or more. Eleven teachers now receive that amount; several more will be in that class next year, which will require a larger amount available for sala- ries the coming year. This maximum salary is given here as in most communities, by reason of length of service. Ordinar- ily the poorest teacher is paid as much as the best, if both re- main long enough to secure the maximum.
This method of compensation is not a fair nor a logical one nor one that prevails in other lines of service; it fails to do justice to either the poorest or the best teacher. Ability and skill should be more definitely recognized in the salary paid, and no maximum should stand in the way of offering any reas- onable sum to retain a teacher of superior ability. I suggest, therefore, that, while the present arrangement of paying the larger salary until the maximum is reached, because of length of service, be continued, that a further sum of seventy-five dol- lars be available, over and above the established maximum, to offer as an added inducement and incentive to the really supe- rior teacher whose service it is most desirable to retain. If we are to retain our best teachers, and attract others, we must be ready to pay more than the present established maximum sal- ary.
Plymouth
10
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With the expression of my appreciation of the measure of confidence given me by the committee; for the support of the teachers, and for the help of all others who have contributed in any way to make the work of the schools a success, this report is respectfully submitted.
FRANCIS J. HEAVENS, Superintendent of Schools.
February 12, 1908.
REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN.
For Seven Months of the Year Ending December 31, 1907.
An appropriation having been made for the purpose of med- ical inspection in the public schools, a school physician was regularly appointed by the school committee, according to a recent statute, and began his duties on April 1, 1907.
The work being entirely new here it was felt that any ar- rangement of details must be tentative. However, some sort of system had to be devised in order that good work might be done. It seemed best that the larger school centers should be visited regularly at a certain specified time in order that the principal and teachers might have such pupils as should need attention, ready for the physician on his arrival. Accordingly the school physician visits the Cornish school at nine o'clock on Mondays, and the Knapp and Mt. Pleasant schools at the same hour Tuesdays and Thursdays respectively. Regular visits are not made to the other schools but they are inspected as often as the requirements of the work demand or upon re- quest of a teacher, an attempt being made to visit each school at least once during the term.
Printed slips are used to notify parents or guardians in the case of pupils having some physical defect or disease, each slip bearing a certificate which is to be torn off in the case of a simple notice, but if the pupil is suffering from some disease which makes his or her exclusion from school desirable it is to be retained and signed by the school physician or the physi- cian of the Board of Health before the pupil is allowed to re- turn to school .*
*Recent legislation makes the certificate valid when signed by any registered physician.
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SCHOOL DEPARTMENT Plymouth, Massachusetts. Date 190
To the Parent or Guardian
The School Examination shows that
needs medical attention. I suggest that you see your physician about h ... . at once.
School Physician.
Before taking up h. work in school again it will be necessary for to have this certificate signed by the School Physician or by the physician of the Board of Health.
Date
190.
(The reverse states when and where the School Physician may be found.)
As there are many more notices sent out than there are chil- dren excluded from school, it is useless to have the certificate form attached to all the slips, and, as they very rarely remem- ber to bring the paper when applying for readmission, it would be better not to issue the blank certificates to the pupils at all. This would make three distinct forms advisable. First, the notice calling attention to the fact that the pupil needs medical attention and, what the present form does not do, giving an opportunity for stating the defect or disease which is the reason for sending the notice. The second form would not only be a notice but would require pupils to remain away from school until they should have received a properly signed certificate of health. A third form certifying to the health of the pupil would best be held by the physician to be issued upon
Ca P
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application for readmission should the physical condition war- rant it. This arrangement would be much simpler and give less chance for the misunderstanding which has arisen through the wording of the present certificate to do double duty, first by informing the parent that the pupil should remain at home until well and second, as a properly signed certificate of health, teachers frequently refusing to accept it even when properly signed.
During the seven months since medical inspection was inau- gurated, the school physician has made 111 visits and examined 967 pupils besides making such general inspection of schools and school buildings, sanitation, etc., as time and occasion suggested.
Notices of conditions in 241 pupils requiring medical atten- tion have been sent to parents and 94 pupils have been found with diseases which required their exclusion from school for a time, generally for the protection of the other pupils, but in a few instances for the welfare of the excluded pupil alone. Certificates of health have been issued to 148 pupils returning to school after contagious disease or unknown illness.
The name of every pupil examined by the school physician is noted, together with the grade of the pupil, the school, any physical defect or disease from which the pupil may be suffer- ing and the action taken by the physician in the case. These data are copied into a regularly indexed record book which quickly gives the complete medical history of any pupil when required. The convenient card index system is to be adopted for keeping the records, as the book index is becoming un- wieldly as it increases in size.
The weakness of the present system of medical supervision in the schools lies in the fact that while the school department can, through its inspector, call attention to unsatisfactory physical conditions, it cannot apply a remedy or require others to do so. In the case of head-lice, which were found to be
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prevalent in the schools, the infrequency with which the no- tice calling attention to the condition caused any improvement in it, made it imperative that some means should be devised by which results might be obtained in these cases. Some- times keeping the afflicted pupil out of school would have a good effect but that is undesirable and often led to no im- provement whatever. As it seemed probable that the neglect in most instances arose from ignorance of the proper measures to be taken to remove the parasites and inability or reluctance to consult a physician for advice, the following card was pre- pared informing the parent or guardian exactly what to do to remedy the condition, and so worded as to give no reasonable cause for offence.
TOWN OF PLYMOUTH-SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
It is not uncommon for school children to contract head lice either from wearing each others' hats and caps or hanging them on each others' pegs so that no one is to blame for having them, only for keeping them, and parents are earnestly requested to assist in making the accident as rare as possible by constant vigilance and, when the need arises, by vigorous treat- ment.
The condition is best treated by securing eight ounces of crude petroleum at any drug store at an expense of about fifteen cents, soaking the hair thor- oughly with it, allowing it to remain between two and three hours and then washing it out with soap and water. If necessary the process may be repeated the following day. This kills the living parasites but the eggs or nits still remain firmly attached to the hairs. With boys a close hair cut is all that is necessary to
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get rid of them. With girls a fine toothed comb wet with alcohol or vinegar, which dissolves the attach- ment of the eggs to the hair, must be diligently used until all nits are removed. Combs and brushes must of course be carefully cleansed.
By chapter 383, Acts of 1906, parents who neglect or refuse to care for their children in this respect may be prosecuted under the compulsory attendance law.
The use of this card has been productive of much good and except in one instance it has been accepted by parents in the* spirit of mutual good-will and helpfulness in which it is sent.
'The proper seating of pupils during school hours is a mat- ter which ought to receive careful attention. We are assum- ing a serious responsibility when we deprive children of the freedom of action, sunlight and fresh air which are their birth- right, and restrain them indoors for the purpose of training their minds, for, without in the least disparaging the inestim- able advantages of education, it is safe to say that the schools can teach nothing worth the sacrifice of physical soundness. In the strenuous (and commendable) effort which is being made at present to raise the educational standard, the welfare of the child as a growing animal is sometimes lost sight of. Too frequently very young children are found perching on the edges of chairs so large that they have absolutely no support for the back and are unable to place more than their toes upon the floor, the large desk corresponding with the chair, reaching not far below the chin, thus bringing the book or paper too near the eyes. With her scholars in such seats no teacher can get good discipline, for the aching muscles simply refuse to be quiet, and to demand order is to add to the torture already be- ing inflicted. Four or five hours of this for forty weeks out of the year and the pupil who is subjected to these conditions is fortunate if he escapes spinal curvature, myopia or some
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disease induced by the crowding and cramping of the lungs and abdominal viscera.
When we stop to think that every moment of a child's life it is growing and that the conditions under which it grows must have a deciding influence upon the form and development of the body, the importance of this matter becomes apparent.
For the same reasons the present tendency to limit and modify the recess is a deplorable one. Nothing can take the place of the free outdoor recess with its complete relaxation of the tired nerve centers. The vigorous exercise in which the children indulge during their romps, causes the heart to send the much needed blood, freshened in its course through the lungs by contact with pure air, purer by far than can be fur- nished by any system of ventilation. into every part of the body, charging it with new life and energy.
The worst errors of seating have already been corrected, but only a beginning has been made so far and the work will be continued as rapidly as possible.
Improvements in the sanitary arrangements have been made in two schools at the suggestion of the school physician and all are now in good condition in that respect with one excep- tion.
There are in the schools a number of children who from various causes have been unable to keep pace with their com- panions. Some have been handicapped by defective hearing, others by irremediable defects of sight, and still others by men- tal defects ranging from mere sluggishness of mind to positive imbecility. These pupils stay in the lower grades with the smaller children year after year, their presence a drag upon the whole school, exercising in too many instances a positively demoralizing influence upon their susceptible companions. It is unfair to the children with whom they must associate to keep them in school and yet if they are turned out and released from all restraint they are likely to go from bad to worse. Many of these pupils show unusual talent in some particular
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direction and all could be helped by careful individual in- struction which the teacher in a large school of normal pupils is unable to give them.
The remedy which is being successfully applied in many places for this unwholesome condition is an "ungraded" school where the requirements of each backward pupil are carefully studied and such training given him as seems best adapted to his individual needs, thus giving him a chance to become a useful citizen and not a hopeless derelict menacing the safety of others and drifting to his own destruction.
The past months have served to suggest something of what can be accomplished for the good of the schools and the ulti- mate welfare of the community by means of medical inspection. The office of school physician is one of responsibility but the responsibility does not rest there alone for without the co-oper- ation of the teachers and parents the school physician will be able to accomplish very little.
The event has proved that the teachers appreciate the help which medical inspection can be to them in their work and are for the most part enthusiastic supporters of it. Parents are not in a position so readily to appreciate the advantages of the innovation but are nevertheless giving it a recognition and sup- port which could scarcely be hoped for at first.
The following diseases have been found among the pupils of the public schools :
Pediculosis, 65 Scabies, 17 Impetigo contagiosa, 55
Other skin diseases, 34 Measles, 1
Varicella, 16 Adenoids. 22 Enlarged tonsils, 88
Decayed teeth, 51
Other diseases of the oral and respiratory tract, 9 Conjunctivitis. 10 Other diseases of the eye, 11
Purulent otitis, 1 Wounds, abrasions, etc., 11 Paronychia, 3
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Twenty-two children have been referred to the school phy- sician for verification or correction of results by teachers making the test for eyesight required by the statute, and 30 children for the same purpose by teachers making a similar test for hearing.
Respectfully submitted, J. HOLBROOK SHAW, M. D., School Physician.
LIST OF TEACHERS
IN THE SCHOOLS OF PLYMOUTH, MASS. 1907-1908.
High School.
James D. Howlett, Principal, Latin.
William Hoyt, Mathematics.
Elizabeth Mackenzie, Commercial Studies.
Sarah E. Ridlon, History and English.
Dora L. Armes, Science.
Marion Chandler, French and German.
Ruth Baker, German.
Augusta M. Morton, ninth grade.
Elvena Young, ninth grade.
Spooner Street School.
GRADE.
1. Ada Kennedy.
Hedge School.
GRADE.
1. Lula C. Vaille. 2. Lucy H. Hildreth.
Allerton Street School.
GRADE.
1. Bertha M. Briggs.
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Frederick N. Knapp School.
GRADE.
7-8. Thomas E. Freeman, principal.
6. Lydia E. Holmes.
5. Zelma B. Lucas.
4. Maude H. Lermond.
4. Kate G. Zahn.
3. Bessie Barker.
3. Amy N. Briggs.
2. Annie W. Burgess.
1. Elizabeth H. Sampson.
Cold Spring School.
GRADE.
2. Gertrude C. Bennett.
3. Mabel F. Douglas.
5. Susan C. Thomas.
Oak Street School.
GRADE.
1. Marion T. Wholley. 2-3. Clara W. Mayhew.
Burton School.
GRADE.
7. Katherine A. O'Brien.
Mabel C. Ray.
4. Theresa A. Rogan.
4. Nettie E. Knight.
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Cornish School.
GRADE.
Addie L. Bartlett, principal.
8. Frances E. Bagnell.
6. Annie D. Dunham.
6. Laura M. Whitney.
5. Clara E. Campbell.
5. Harriet J. Johnson.
3. Margaret Longfellow.
2. Julia M. Allen.
1. Alice B. Smith.
Mount Pleasant School.
GRADE.
7-8. Samuel A. Cragin, principal. 6. Nancy S. Allen.
5. Grace L. Knight.
4. Leella F. Barnes. 3. Annie M. Frost.
1-2. Lizzie E. Mitchell.
Mount Pleasant Primary.
GRADE.
1. Grace N. Bramhall. 2. Grace R. Moore. 1-5. Ethel Neal.
Chiltonville.
GRADE.
6-9. Willa H. Ferguson. 1-5. Eunice Paulding. 1-5. Kate W. Sampson.
1-5. Mary A. Morton.
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Manomet.
GRADE.
6-9. Grace M. McKowen. 1-5. Annie L. Bradford.
Tallerville.
UNGRADED.
Hazel E. McLean.
.
Cedarville.
UNGRADED.
Lena E. Sewall.
Long Pond.
UNGRADED.
Rebecca Robbins.
MUSIC. Lottie T. Baker.
DRAWING. Marion F. Holmes.
SLOYD. Emily M. Drew.
SCHOOL RECORD FOR YEAR, 1906-1907.
SCHOOLS
Boys
Girls
Average Number
Belonging
Average Daily
Attendance
Per Cent. of
Attendance
Total Days Absence
Number Cases
Number Cases
of Dismissal
Number Cases
of Truancy
was Absent
Times Teacher
No. Visits to Schools
No. Visits by mem-
bers School Com.
Visits by Parents and Others
High Ninth Grade
65
85
138.91
135.38
97.45
678
122
120
0
3
3
28
8
48
32
16
68.86
86.42
96.45
470
87
21
0
0
0
24
2
4
Knapp
217
199
376.09
354.17
94.17
4241
445
119
6
4
3
80
25
117
North Primary
67
56
110.27
102.21
92.69
1701
166
20
6
10
67
9
106
Cold Spring Primary
47
50
102 37
96.52
94.29
1305
276
64
1
1
41
13
19
Burton
95
93
170.23
165.11
96.51
1515
237
47
5
3
1
93
3
174
Cornish
169
159
304.07
286.72
94.30
3707
481
205
4
48
17
104
16
218
Cornish District Primary
57
55
101.56
91.56
90.15
1895
240
144
19
47
9
05
Mt. Pleasant
102
134
235.02
216.56
92.12
3616
519
112
3
3
2
84
16
74
Mt. Pleasant Dist. Primary
44
49
87.82
76.29
86 88
1402
145
148
13
0
29
9
45
Chiltonville
49
42
85.56
79.86
93.22
1445
219
38
602
70
7
0
6
25
4
90
Vallerville
8
8
11.95
10.33
86.
313
40
13
0
0
7
0
17
Cedarville
7
11.51
11.13
96.73
75
14
2
0
11
0
7
1
61
Long Pond
5
8.48
6.7
78.93
328
157
1
0
0
0
6
0
9
Totals
999
1019 1878.21
1756.27
93.54
24270
3750
1124
45
122
90
680
123
1140
1
$2
5
28
8
63
Manomet
33
31
65.51
57.31
87.50
1579
--
--
-- 69I --
Total enroll- ment for Month
Days Teacher
was Tardy
made by Supt.
of Tardiness
TOWN MEETING.
To either of the Constables in the Town of Plymouth in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts :
GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of Plymouth, qualified to vote in elections and Town affairs, to meet in the armory, in said Plymouth, on Saturday, the seventh day of March, 1908, at 6 o'clock in the forenoon, and in said armory, in said Plym- outh, on Saturday, the 28th day of March, 1908, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, to act on the following articles, to wit :
Article 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
Article 2. To choose all necessary Town officers. The fol- lowing officers to be voted for all on one ballot, viz: Five Select- men, Town Clerk, Town Treasurer, Collector of Taxes, Auditor, one member of a Board of Health for three years, one Assessor for three years, seven Constables, one Overseer of the Poor for three years, two Water Commissioners for three years, two members of the School Committee for three years, one Park Commissioner for three years, and three members of a Com- mittee on Agawam and Halfway Pond Fishery ; and to vote by ballot, "Yes" or "No," in answer to the question, "Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this Town ?"
The polls for the election of officers and the vote on the license question will be open at the armory at 6 o'clock in the forenoon, on said Saturday, the 7th day of March, 1908, and may be closed at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Both of said days will constitute the Annual Meeting, and this call is issued
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in accordance with the vote of the Town, passed June 5th, 1897, as amended March 2d, 1903, and April 2d, 1904.
Article 3. To hear the reports of the several boards of offi- cers and committees of the Town, and act thereon.
Article 4. To see if the Town will transfer the balance now standing to credit for cemeteries to a new account for Oak Grove and Vine Hill cemeteries.
Article 5. To see if the Town will authorize the Town Treas- urer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow during the municipal year beginning Jan. 1, 1909, in anticipation of the collection of taxes of said year, such sums of money as may be necessary for the current expenses of the Town, but not ex- ceeding the total tax levy for said year, giving the notes of the Town therefor, payable within one year from the dates thereof. All debts incurred under authority of this vote shall be paid from the taxes of said municipal year.
Article 6. To make the necessary appropriations to defray the expenses of the Town, and for other purposes, and to raise such sums of money as the Town shall deem expedient.
Article 7. To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $150.00 to pay the expenses of Memorial Day.
Article 8. To take such action as the Town may see fit in aid of the public library.
Article 9. To see if the Town will authorize the Selectmen to renew any note or notes heretofore authorized, which are now due or may become due the present year, for such time, and on such terms as they may deem expedient for the interests of the Town.
Article 10. To see what appropriation the Town will make for the care and improvement of the various public parks and of Training Green.
Article 11. To see if the Town will appropriate $1.000.00 for the extension of water pipes.
Plymouth 1
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Article 12. To see if the Town will appropriate $1,000.00 for the purpose of laying new water pipes on Middle street.
Article 13. To see if the Town will authorize the convey- ance of a strip of land through the Alanson Thomas meadow, so-called, or the release of any of the rights of the Town therein.
Article 14. To see if the Town will amend the By-laws of the Town in regard to signs. (By request.)
Article 15. To see what action the Town will take in regard to the devise under the will of Charlotte R. Bearce and to ap- point agents or attorneys of the Town to act in regard to the same, including selling any property, both real and personal. (By request.)
Article 16. To see if the Town will discontinue that part of Water street lying north-easterly of the present easterly fence line or stone wall, or of any part therof. (By request.)
Article 17. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Water Commissioners to lay a water pipe from South street to the public dump on Obery street and to make an appropriation therefor. (By request.)
Article 18. To see if the Town will adopt Section 1 of Chap- ter 104 of the Revised Laws and adopt by-laws in regard to the inspection, materials, construction, alteration and use of build- ings and other structures within the limits of the Town of Plymouth or any part thereof.
Article 19. To see if the Town will adopt Section 4 and the eight following sections of Chapter 104 of the Revised Laws in regard to the inspection of buildings.
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