USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1912 > Part 11
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The graduating exercises of the class of nineteen hundred and twelve were held at the High School building on Monday evening, June, 1912, with the following programme :
PROGRAM.
Invocation
REV. WARREN A. LUCE
The Light of Youth
Macy
SCHOOL CHORUS
Salutatory
DOROTHY ESTHER BARTLETT
Two Grenadiers
Schumann
SCHOOL CHORUS
Address "The Art of Getting on"
DR. GEORGE L. CADY
Solo
MARCIA BROWN
Valedictory
RUTH FOSTER SAMPSON
Piano Solo
KENNETH ATWOOD HALLETT
Presentation of Diplomas
WILLIAM W. BREWSTER
The Nightingale Gaul
GIRLS' CHORUS
Singing Class Song
CLASS OF 1912
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CLASS SONG OF 1912
The time has come, my classmates dear, To sing our parting song ; We must say farewell to our school Where we have been so long. Many an happy hour we've spent Undivided we-, But now the wide world calls us The Class of 1912.
We go to face the battle On Life's tempestuous sea ; But we will shine with honor Wherever we may be; Our motto will remind us Of duty to the world For which we now are leaving The Class of 1912.
So with this parting song of ours We bid thee all farewell ; Only words of praises Our tongues will always tell ; And so with endless hope and faith God give us strength that we May follow in the paths of right, Our Class of 1912.
-Words by Marion Frances Hayden -Music by Kenneth Atwood Hallett.
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CLASS OF 1912.
"He Conquers, who conquers himself."
Lewis Russell Bagnell Fred Leslie Walker Barnes *Henry Walter Barnes, Jr. *Dorothy Esther Bartlett Richard Harvey Bent * Mabelle Edith Bodell
*Lyman Warren Briggs Marcia Brown Lydia Frances Carleton
*Marjorie Augusta Luce Warren Henry McNaught John Murry Manion Esther Mary Metcalf Howard Miller Morton Linus Joseph Murphy Florence Blanche Peterson
Marion Dimick Carleton
Frank Whitney Carver
Hattie Beatrice Caswell
Adele Chandler Oscar Lewis Clark
*Ralph Vivian Davies
*Etta Edwards Dixon Grace Dunham Edgar Emma Marie Farrell
*Elizabeth Schriver Sanborn Marion Darling Schubert Bessie Lee Sears Caroline May Stevens
Kittie Marie Veano
Helen Sophice Voght
*Paulye Waldron Flavell Thomas Fogarty
Charles Allen Fraser Clyfton Howard Gardner
*Annie Mae Wall Helen Lyman Ward Mary Russell Watson
*William Alexander Gordon Kenneth Atwood Hallett Marion Frances Hayden
*Mary Wadsworth Whiting Gertrude Wade Zahn
Certificates to : Beulah Frances Lanman Martha Edwina Savery
*Honor Pupils
*Howard Joseph Heavens Mildred Bolton Holmes Agnes Elida Johnson George Godfrey Junior
*Mary Edith Robbins * Ruth Foster Sampson
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UNGRADED SCHOOLS
The three schools-one each at Long Pond, Ship Pond and Cedarville-have together an average membership of twenty- seven pupils. Besides these, there are six pupils at South Pond who are carried to the Russell Mills School at Chiltonville. The current expense incurred for these children, including transportation, is $2,195, or $66 for each pupil in the average membership.
There have been no children of school age at Ellisville for three or four years, and the school-house there has not been used for school purposes for a longer time than that. The school building might well be disposed of; for while it is cost- ing the town nothing for repair, it would not meet present requirements of sanitation and ventilation if a schoolhouse should ever be needed there again.
EVENING SCHOOLS
The school census, taken last November, reports thirty-four male and forty-six female illiterate minors over fourteen years of age. An illiterate minor, as defined by law, is one who can- not read and write English well enough to be admitted to the fourth grade of the public school. All such minors under six- teen years of age must attend the day school. All those be- tween sixteen and twenty-one years, if employed, must attend the evening schools.
Two evening schools, one at the Cornish building, and the other at the Knapp, are provided for these illiterate minors, and for all others who care to attend. The work done is mainly that which will help those who attend to read and write Eng- lish. There are enrolled now about one hundred young men and women, representing nine or ten different nations. They are, for the most part, quiet, orderly and industrious workers,
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who deserve a broader educational opportunity than that at present provided for them.
The record of the evenings schools for the past three months is as follows :
Number of boys enrolled, 56
Number of girls enrolled, 62
Average number belonging, 86
Average evening attendance, 73
Percentage of attendance, 84
The current expense of the evening schools for the past year, exclusive of light and heat, was $802.50, an expenditure of $9.33 for each pupil of the average number belonging to the school for 57 school sessions.
VACATION SCHOOL
Last summer a vacation school was maintained in the Mt. Pleasant school building, primarily for pupils of the Sixth, Seventh and Eighth grades who had failed to earn promotion. The school was continued for six weeks, beginning on Tuesday, July 9, and closing Friday, August 16. The session each day was in the morning from eight o'clock until eleven. Seventy- three pupils were enrolled, four of whom attended only a week or two, and sixty-nine remained the entire six weeks. The rec- ord for the full session is as follows :
Number enrolled, 73
Average membership, 71.3
Average attendance, 69.1
Per cent. of attendance, 96.8
The experiment was a very successful one. The purpose of most of the pupils was quite definite, their attendance very reg- ular, and their work was earnest and done to the best of their
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ability. Of the sixty-nine pupils who were present the full time, sixty-one secured their promotion. The cost per pupil here last year, forty weeks, was $30.25. If these sixty-one children had not earned their promotion through the help of the vacation school, most of them, and probably all, would have repeated the work of their grade, at a cost to the town of about $1,825. The actual cost of the Vacation School was less than $200. On the financial side, therefore, there was a large saving to the Town. But that is merely incidental. The great gain was to the pu- pils themselves. While they were made to realize that at school, as elsewhere in life. credit cannot be given for work not done, they were yet saved the discouragement of apparent failure, saved probably a year of time, and entered the classes to which they had at length earned promotion with confidence and cour- age in their ability to do their work. That gain is not measur- able in money.
The success of the experiment has amply justified the con- tinuance of the Vacation School. Its work should be broadened and its opportunities offered to pupils of every grade who need its help.
SCHOOL SAVINGS BANK
In January of this year arrangements were completed to open a School Savings Bank in the larger school buildings. Preparatory thereto, the following circular was sent to parents having children in school :
"Plymouth Public Schools.
To encourage saving among school children, and as one means of teaching them thrift, a School Savings Bank is being
Plymouth Fifteen
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installed in the public schools of Plymouth. This is being done in accordance with law, and with the consent and approval of the School Committee and of the State Bank Commissioner.
A deposit of one cent or more will be accepted once a week from each pupil offering it, and due credit for each deposit will be given on the pupil's deposit card. The pupil, with the writ- ten approval of his parent or guardian, may withdraw a part or all of his account on any regular deposit day. The use of the School Bank is voluntary; it is entirely optional with the pupil whether or not he makes a deposit or opens an account in it.
All money collected by the School Bank will be deposited at once in the Plymouth Five Cents Savings Bank. That bank will allow interest at the regular rate on each pupil's deposit of one dollar or more, if transferred to his account, in sums of . even dollars, on or before the last bank day preceding the sec- ond Tuesday of January, April, July or October.
This enterprise will place more work and responsibility upon the schools and upon the Plymouth Five Cents Savings Bank ; but the additional service is readily undertaken in the hope that it will be a distinct help to the children, for whom it is done.
Plymouth, Mass., January 20, 1913.
School Committee of Plymouth, By Francis J. Heavens, Supt."
It is not possible to say at this early day how successful the School Savings Bank may be, but the possible value of this work is suggested by the responsive attitude of parents and chil- dren toward its introduction. At this date three weekly col- lections have been made in twenty classes, and the amount of money deposited by children in these classes is something over $250.
This is a fair beginning. Considerable interest is manifested
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in the plan, and other classes not yet provided for are asking to be allowed to become depositors.
The success of this means of teaching thrift will depend in great measure upon the attitude that parents take toward it. It is hoped, therefore, that pupils may be encouraged at home to become regular depositors in the bank.
SIGHT AND HEARING TESTS
The annual tests of the sight and hearing of the school chil- dren were made by the teachers during the Fall term. This yearly examination, required by law, is important and valuable, as it reveals many cases of children whose poor work and wan- dering attention is adequately explained by their defective vision or hearing. Parents of children found seriously defec- tive were notified; and many of these cases have received pro- fessional treatment.
The results of this examination were as follows :
Number of children tested, 2209
Number found defective in sight, 246
Percentage found defective in sight, 11.14
Number found defective in hearing, 32
Percentage found defective in hearing, 1.44
Number of parents or guardians notified, 195
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TEACHERS
During the year covered by this report, thirteen teachers have left the service here, some of them for causes beyond our con- trol, and others for salaries larger than we were ready to pay. The places of those thirteen have been filled, and five other teachers have been elected to fill new positions ; so that about a fourth of the present corps of teachers are new to the work here. There are at present sixty-eight teachers in service in the day schools, and seven in the evening schools. The sixty- eight in the day schools include three special teachers, one of music, and two of manual training, including drawing.
It is noted elsewhere in this report that at present the aver- age monthly salary of the fifty-five regular teachers in the Ele- mentary Schools is $48.69, on the basis of twelve monthly pay- ments each year. This number of teachers includes three who act as principals, and whose salary is considerably above the average. Deducting the amount paid these three, it leaves the average monthly salary of the regular Elementary School teachers here only $47.49. The maximum regularly paid is $50 a month. This amount is not meeting the need and high- est duty of the department-to place and keep in every school room an excellent teacher. The time necessary to fit one io meet the requirements of the successful teacher's work is long, and the attendant expense great, and both are increasing. The duties of the teacher's work and life are particularly exacting, and she must have considerable time for rest and recuperation. The cost of her living in Plymouth-such a living as the needs of her work and life demand-is not less than the average ex- pense in places paying to teachers an average salary consid- erably in advance of the salary paid here, and where the kind and quality of the work required of her is no greater than that required here. I believe no community has a corps of teachers who, as a whole, are more earnest, conscientious, loyal, and de- voted to the best interests of the schools, than are the teachers
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of Plymouth. They very well deserve, and for their encourage- ment should receive, generous financial return for their service, and the kindly, fair and loyal consideration of all citizens for their support and success in the difficult, but immensely im- portant, work in which they are engaged.
Respectfully submitted, FRANCIS J. HEAVENS, Superintendent of Schools.
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APPENDIX
SUMMARY OF STATISTICS FOR SCHOOL YEAR END-
ING JUNE 21, 1912.
Whole number of pupils enrolled, 2,274
Number under 7 years of age, 397
Number between 7 and 14 years,
1,560
Number between 14 and 15 years,
117
Number over 15 years of age,
200
Average membership of all the schools,
2,131
Average daily attendance,
1,983
Per cent. of attendance,
93
Number days absence of pupils,
27,105
Number cases of tardiness,
3,156
Number dismissals before close of school,
817
Number cases truancy reported,
70
Number days teachers absent from school,
138
Number school buildings in use,
22
Number teachers regularly employed,
61
High school,
8
Grammar school,
21
Primary school,
29
Ungraded school,
3
Special teachers, one for music and one for drawing and sloyd,
2
Present number of pupils enrolled, Jan. 15, 1913, 2,203
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REPORT FROM THE SCHOOL CENSUS September, 1912.
Between five and fifteen years-Boys, 1,092; girls, 1,102; total, 2,194.
Between seven and fourteen years-Boys, 742; girls, 773; total, 1,549.
REPORT OF ATTENDANCE FOR SCHOOL YEAR ENDING JUNE, 1912.
SCHOOLS
Total Enrollment
Boys
Girls
Average Number
Belonging
Average Daily
Attendance
Per Cent. of Attendance
High School
223
89
134
208.5
200.4
96.1
South Street
113
43
70
102.8
96.3
93.6
Knapp
409
221
188
385.
361.8
94.
Hedge and Spooner
247
118
129
235.4
219.7
93.4
Cornish District Primary
232
113
119
224.
206.6
92.2
Cornish
338
169
169
326.5
305.
93.4
Burton
164
86
78
159.6
151.6
94.9
Mt. Pleasant Primary
65
33
32
56.5
52.
92.
Mt. Pleasant
262
116
146
248.6
228.8
92.
Chiltonville
104
54
50
97.7
87.
91.
Manomet
74
41
33
57.7
50.8
88.
Ungraded
43
28
15
28.8
23.2
84.
Totals
2274
1111
1163
2131.
1983.
93.
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LIST OF TEACHERS
IN THE SCHOOLS OF PLYMOUTH, MASS. 1912-1913.
High School.
William C. Whiting. Principal.
Walton E. Briggs.
Gertrude Smart.
Elizabeth Mackenzie.
Elizabeth Hunter.
Mary G. Thomas.
Helen L. Barnes.
Grace A. Croff.
Mary R. Miller.
Spooner Street School.
Grade.
1. Bertha M. McNaught.
Hedge School.
Grade.
1. Elizabeth H. Sampson, Principal.
1. Grace N. Bramhall.
1. Frances E. Burke.
2. Lucy L. Hildreth.
2. Ruth M.Gammons.
3. Ella F. Robinson
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South Street School.
9. Annie D. Dunham.
9. Emma A. Jordan.
8. Katharine A. O'Brien.
Allerton Street School.
Grade.
1. Grace E. Whitaker.
Frederick N. Knapp School.
Grade.
7. William T. Whitney, Principal.
6. Lydia E. Holmes.
5. M. Alice Morong.
4. Maude H. Lermond.
4. Kate G. Zahn.
3. Eva M. Garvin.
4. Etta G. McDonald.
2. Annie W. Burgess.
1. Flora A. Keene.
Cold Spring School.
Grade.
2. Gertrude C. Bennett.
3. Mabel F. Douglas.
5. Susan C. Thomas.
Oak Street School.
Grade.
1-2. Agnes V. Eaton. 3-4. Bertha H. Smith.
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Burton School.
Grade.
8. Grace M. McKowen.
7. Effie M. Hunter.
4. Teresa A. Rogan.
4. Mary W. Burgess.
Cornish School.
Grade.
Addie L. Bartlett, Principal.
8. Frances I .. Bagnell.
6. Myra H. Dean.
6. Charlotte M. Belknap.
5. Charlotte E. Lovering.
6. Jean Murray.
3. Susie G. Thompson.
2. Marion T. Wholley. 1. Laura E. Stoughton.
Mount Pleasant School.
Grade.
7. Augusta M. Morton, Principal.
6. Alma L. Pommer.
5. Grace L. Knight.
4. Leella F. Barnes.
3. Annie M. Frost.
1-2. Lizzie E. Mitchell.
Mount Pleasant Primary.
Grade.
1. Grace R. Moore. 2. Stella T. Fearing. 1-5. Cora W. Gray.
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Chiltonville.
Grade.
6-9. Maud R. Robinson.
1-5. Helen H. Farnham.
1-5. Kate W. Sampson. 1-5. Mary A. Morton.
Manomet.
Grade.
6-9. Elizabeth A. Black. 1-5. Grace L. Farrington.
Vallerville.
Ungraded.
Grace Blackmer.
Cedarville.
Ungraded.
Rhoda E. Moore.
Long Pond.
Ungraded.
Helen D. Stranger.
Music.
Gertrude M. Heartz.
Manual Training, including Drawing. Jennie F. Stratton. Marjorie Brownell.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1912.
The accompanying table of statistics compiled from the monthly reports submitted to the School Committee by the School Physician shows an increase in the amount of actual work, such as number of visits made, number of pupils examined, number of notices sent to parents etc., over any previous year.
Visits
Personal
examinations
Permits signed by school
Permits signed by other physicians
Notices sent to
parents
Pupils excluded
Diseases and
diseased conditions
Permits given
under employment law
January
21
475
83
1
234
22
299
3
February .
20
416
101
36
169
30
222
5
March
16
432
178
29
10
112
5
April
18
487
198
76
135
18
162
3
May
25
515
102
16
290
23
341
4
June
12
157
32
1
53
6
76
5
August
0
-2
7
0
0
0
0
6
September
12
203
46
2
107
166
16
October
20
306
50
8
184
28
2:4
15
November
19
245
35
3
101
11
170
10
December
14
268
49
8
165
15
205
4
Total 1912
182
3511
891
180
1514
180
1982
76
Total 1911
172
3122
879
53
1195
156
1796
79
Total 1910
166
2275
930
75
604
156
1063
21
Total 1909
137
1459
354
62
632
93
1023
Total 1908
140
1285
469
313
125
616
physician
The figures indicate that 180 or 5.1 per cent. of the total num- ber of pupils examined during the past year were excluded from school for longer or shorter periods, their condition warranting
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it, while the previous year 156 or 4.9 per cent., a slightly less proportion were thus excluded, but the figures do not show what was undoubtedly true, that there was a decided shortening of the periods during which these pupils remained away from school when thus excluded this year.
This result has been accomplished by having all exclusion cards stamped in red: "Always bring this card with you, Re- port the School Physician filling in the date when the pupil is to return, besides telling him verbally. By thus invariably giving excluded pupils definite instructions as to when they are to report, much has been done to insure a prompt return to school after exclusion and the amount of school work thus lost has been reduced. The principals of the larger schools have assisted in this greatly by keeping a list of excluded pu- pils and looking up delinquents whenever it seemed necessary.
In an extremely interesting and pertinent magazine article, Mr. Earl Mayo, who is an authority upon questions of public health, has graphically shown that the greatest asset of any na- tion is its human lives. He calls attention to our agricultural products, railways and manufactures, representing a monetary value of billions of dollars and shows that a very conservative estimate of the monetary value of a human life to the commun- ity based on the conservative estimate of Professor Irving Fish- er of Yale, would give a total valuation for our 90,000,000 lives far in excess of all other values combined.
The human crop then is the most valuable one which we raise and in the public schools we have opportunities for improving this valuable yield of which we have as a people but recently begun to take advantage. With the general adoption of an ade- quate system of medical inspection in the schools of our coun- try we may confidently expect, in succeeding generations, a stur- dier, healthier race, whose physical and mental superiority will constitute an increase of millions of dollars in the national assets, for, in the last analysis it is the quality of human ac- tivity which really determines values.
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What we put into medical inspection then for the improve- ment of the race is not spent but merely invested to be returned later with interest by the increased efficiency of those who have benefited by it. But as every child whose future efficiency we increase adds to the public wealth of the community, so every influence which hinders or prevents the normal physical and mental development of any child makes the community so much the poorer.
Millions of dollars are being spent annually in this country to care for and educate the children, but while we have a splen- did system which we are constantly improving, there are cer- tain conditions which are lessening its efficiency and increasing the expense of operation.
Dr. William H. Maxwell, Superintendent of Schools of the City of New York, in his report for 1904, called attention to the fact that a large number of pupils were shown by his tables to be above the normal age for the grades they were in. Fur- ther inquiry disclosed the fact that this condition was not con- fined to New York City, and it was deemed of sufficient im- portance to warrant an exhaustive study by Dr. Leonard P. Ayers for the Russell Sage Foundation, the results having been finally published under the title of "Laggards in our Schools." Dr. Ayers finds, as we should expect, "that physical defective- ยท ness has a distinct and important bearing on the progress of children" but he also shows that the child, who is normal but slow, has no chance of keeping up under our present system, is "thoroughly trained in failure" and is destined to live a life of failure. "We know them in school" he says, "as the children who are always a little behind physically, a little behind in- tellectually and a little behind in the power to do. Such a child is the one who is always 'It' in the competitive games of child- hood."
Children who are unable to keep their place in the work of the schools without special attention, if at all, may be divided into three groups. (1) Those who are mentally defective, (2)
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those who are normal mentally but have some physical disability like defective sight or hearing and (3) those whose mental processes are merely slow.
Those of the first group are naturally the most objectionable as they are not amenable to school dicipline and often have vicious habits, thus exercising a decidedly unfortunate influence upon other and younger pupils in the lower grades where they often remain until 14 years old or more.
The second group may be still further subdivided into (a) those having remediable defects and (b) those having irremedi- able defects. Many of the former, as far as any prospect of im- provement during their school life is concerned, must unfor- tunately be considered in the latter or irremediable class owing to the indifference of parents or their inability to provide suitable treatment for them. In the larger cities many of these unfor- tunate children get relief at the public dispensaries, but here they must at present depend upon the uncertain hope of private philanthropy, too often represented by the teacher whose sym- pathy leads her to contribute to this end from her hard earned salary.
In the third group are those who with special attention would do well, but who under existing conditions often fall behind, lose interest and become mischievous and troublesome, inter- fering with the discipline of the school and adding to the burdens of the already over-taxed teacher.
A study of 25 pupils, from the larger school centers, who would be unlikely to be able to complete the course of study in our schools up to the High School under ordinary conditions has been made and the results are given as found.
First they were arranged in groups as described above, three being placed in the first, twelve in the second and ten in the third group.
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Group 1-3 pupils.
Age and Grade 1 is first grade, 5 years old 1 is third grade, 12 years old. 1 is fourth grade, 12 years old. Health 1 excellent.
2 fair, one having spinal curvature.
Eyesight 2 probably have fairly good eyesight.
1 normal All normal.
Hearing
Teeth 2 normal
1 defective.
Nose and Throat ? have enlarged tonsils.
1 normal.
Mentality All poor.
The mentality of these pupils was determined by their answers to simple questions which a normal child should be able to answer correctly. For instance, one of these pupils twelve years old did not know the day of the week or how many days there were in a week. This pupil is decidedly troublesome in school, doing no work himself and continually distracting the attention of others from their work. When allowed to work with his hands he is interested. The pupil five years old in the first grade is im- mature and final judgment must be suspended.
Group 2-12 pupils.
Age and Grade 3 are first grade, two 6 years old and one 7. 4 are second grade, one 7 years old, one 8 and two 9. 1 is third grade, 8 years old. 2 are fourth grade, 9 and 13 years old.
1 is seventh grade, 11 years old.
Health
8 are in excellent health.
3 are in good health.
1 is in fair health.
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Eyesight
4 normal. 8 defective.
Hearing 11 normal.
1 defective.
Teeth
All have more or less defective teeth.
Nose and Throat 2 fairly normal.
4 have adenoids.
4 have enlarged tonsils.
2 have nasal catarrh.
Mentality
1 excellent.
4 good.
6 fair.
1 in question as he has very poor vision and is but 6 years old.
The following comments with reference to the different mem- bers of this group show what the teachers have to contend with. "No progress in school work." "Is quite troublesome because he cannot do the work and annoys other children." "With at- tention does well."
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