USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1915-1916 > Part 28
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Janitors' Salaries have come a little short of our expectations.
Fuel and Light shows an expenditure of $659.00 over esti- mate, and should really show more, as we have started 1917 with a smaller supply than usual. The price of coal accounts for this.
Maintenance expense was about $2,000.00 less than we an- ticipated, owing to the fact that some of the proposed repairs did not get done during the year, and that the definite items included in the budget composed a larger percentage of re- pairs than we expected. Also our buildings are now in first class repair, and the expense of keeping them so is less than getting them into that condition.
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We will now turn to an explanation of differences between expenses of 1916 and the amount called for in budget for 1917.
The amount of $1,737.00 returned to excess account, was caused by the 39 weeks of school already alluded to, and will have to be used in 1917 in addition to amount that would other- wise be called for, as we will still have 40 weeks in the school year, necessitating 41 weeks in this calendar year.
General Expense. The budget is $317.00 less than 1916 expense, accounted for by the automobile.
Teachers' Salaries. These are now practically adjusted on the basis of which last year's estimate took account. In asking for $1,500.00 increase last year, we stated that this sum was for the fall term only, and would necessitate a proportionate in- crease for 1917.
If one term on the new basis of pay called for $1,500.00, three terms would mean $4,500.00, or an additional increase of $3,000.00 this year. This checks almost exactly with our pay roll of the present time.
Our present weekly pay roll to teachers is about $1,439.00. This for 41 weeks will be $59,000.00.
For the new basis we asked for 1916 the amount of $54,700 00 Additional anticipated expense, 3,000.00
Extra week in 1917, 1,439.00
Giving a total of $59,139 00
This amount takes care of the basis of pay roll established last fall, which was merely to bring Plymouth nearer to what other towns of the same size were paying, and was not at all in consideration or anticipation of the great advance in the cost of living.
Since this pay was decided on for the teachers, pay in every line of work has been materially advanced. Our factories have made one, two or three advances in pay, and everyone has felt the sharp need of additional income to meet expenses.
The committee cannot feel that the town wishes to be less
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liberal with its teachers, always an underpaid body, than other employers have been. The cost of board has been sharply ad- vanced, we still expect them to be well dressed in the school room, and to keep up their pedagogical education.
With all the splendid plant with which the town has gener- ously supplied the schools, our results will be impaired and our efficiency much lowered if we are unable to maintain a first class teaching force. Many towns have already advanced their teachers during this school year, and many others will undoubt- edly do so after their town meetings.
ยท We are, therefore, asking for $4,000.00 additional pay for teachers, which means that they may be granted an increase of about 10 per cent. beginning with the spring term.
Text Books and Supplies. We are asking for a very small in- crease over 1916.
Transportation and Janitors' Salaries. We are asking for the same amount we asked for in 1916, which is a little more than we spent.
Fuel and Light. We are asking for about $2,000.00 more than was spent in 1916, owing to the fact already stated that we started this year with a smaller supply than usual, and that no one can tell how much coal will cost this year.
Maintenance. We are asking $600.00 less than we asked for 1916, but $1,370.00 more than we spent last year. This is due to the constant possibility of an unexpected demand for repairs of some size, and we believe the committee should al- ways have available funds to keep the school property in first class physical condition.
This covers the main items of expense, and is gone into thus thoroughly in the hope that there are many citizens who wish to thoroughly analyze public expenditures, as we believe that it is not only their right, but their duty to do so.
While we all regret the loss of the Allerton Street School house, it is not proving as serious a handicap as might be
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expected. For the balance of the year the primary school in the Cornish building will have only one session, the unhoused tots from Allerton Street using their room for the other half of the day.
Next year the removal of grades to the Junior High School will give us room so that both first grades may have full sessions, the only hardship being on a few of the chil- dren who will live farther from the school than we like to have first-graders.
This condition, however, is not so serious but that it may wait until such time as the continued growth at the north end of the town forces a new building. Then a building may be built near where the Alden Street School now is, and the present building and the Cold Spring School house can be abandoned.
The committee feel that as they can get along another year, and possibly two without this expense and addition to the town debt, they should do so.
When this building is eventually built, the schools of Plym- outh will be adequately housed for 10 or 15 years.
EDWARD W. BRADFORD, W. M. DOUGLASS, HELEN F. PIERCE.
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the School Committee of Plymouth :
I herewith submit for your consideration my fourth annual report.
The school year 1916-1917 opened with nine new members on the teaching staff. A few changes have taken place since the opening of the school year, caused either by resignation or temporary absence.
The ever-increasing advantages and the concomitantly in- creasing expense of the school system are the outcome of two factors :
1. State control through laws.
2. Determination of citizens to have a school system more efficient than the law demands.
The State, through its legislators, requires us to make the following provisions, which list is not at all exhaustive :
1. High Schools.
2. Elementary Schools.
3. Evening Schools.
4. Free text books and supplies.
5. Medical inspection.
6. Attendance officer.
7. Superintendent of schools.
8. Payment of tuition to special schools.
9. School houses constructed according to Building Inspec- tion Laws.
10. Numerous smaller items, such as flags and parapher- nalia, paper toweling, etc.
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In addition to the foregoing State requirements, the citizens have seen fit to approve, through appropriations sufficient for their maintenance, the following:
1. Woodworking Course.
2. Household Arts for Senior High School pupils.
3. Household Arts for Junior High School pupils.
4. Vacation Schools.
5. Dental Clinic.
6. Over-Age Schools.
7. Instruction in Music.
8. School year longer than law requirement.
9. Commercial Courses in both Senior and Junior High Schools.
10. Extension of Medical Inspection through employment of School Nurse.
In addition to the foregoing enumerations the following topics are suggested for consideration, to be adopted at times when the citizens feel their importance :
1. Work of evening school extended.
2. Work of vacation school extended.
3. Lunch equipment installed for Senior and Junior High Schools.
4. Gymnasium for Senior and Junior High Schools.
5. Employment of physical supervisor.
6. Adequate fire gongs and fire extinguishers for all schools.
7. Completion of policy to discard non-adjustable school furniture.
8. Adoption of more practical courses.
9. Adoption of course in Printing in the Junior High School.
10. Employment of home-garden supervisor.
11. Employment of playground supervisor.
12. Extension of playground facilities.
13. 6 Substantial increase in salaries of employees of school department.
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14. Maintenance of a continuation school.
15. Employment of more male teachers in Senior and Jun- ior High Schools.
16. Adoption of agricultural department in our Senior High School.
17. Promotion of teachers on merit system alone.
18. Tenure of office of Superintendent equal to term of members of school board.
19. Establishment of an evening High School.
20. Establishment of Practical Arts Courses for women.
21. Establishment of schools for children between 5 and 6 years of age.
22. Erection of school building midway between Russell and Centennial Streets.
23. Provision for vocational guidance.
24. Systematic physical training in the High and Elementary schools.
25. Establishment of evening trade extension courses for men.
KINDERGARTEN.
In the two preceding reports attention was directed to the importance of maintaining public kindergartens. To empha- size the fact that this step would be in the right direction we print the following circular letter recently received from Dr. Philander P. Claxton, United States Commissioner of Edu- cation.
Plymouth seventeen
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
Bureau of Education.
Washington.
To the Superintendent of Schools,
Dear Sir :
The school officials of Chicago have been given unlimited authority by their board of education to provide all their ele- mentary schools with kindergartens wherever the attendance justifies taking such a step. This will mean an addition of many new classes, while double sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, will be conducted in kindergartens that now have long waiting lists of children anxious to be ad- mitted.
Buffalo is attempting to do the same thing, and has recently opened 9 new kindergartens. This takes care of all of its schools except 3, and these it is planned, are to have kindergarten classes added next year.
Debate over the matter before the Buffalo board of education brought to light the fact that 1,500 out of 2,000 first-grade pupils under 6 years of age had been obliged to take their work over again, some on account of illness, but the majority, it was asserted, because they had entered the grades at too early an age. The economic waste involved in having 1,500 children repeat their first year's work-the waste of energy on the part of the teachers, and the loss of enthusiasm and interest on the part of the children, inevitably leading to bad school habits -- constituted such an unanswerable argument in favor of har- ing every child's education started under favorable conditions, beginning with the kindergarten, that the board decided im- mediately to arrange for this in a systematic way.
The step which the Buffalo and Chicago school authorities have taken is important as it sets in motion the necessary ma- chinery for the activities of a sufficient number of kindergartens to meet the needs of all children of kindergarten age in these
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cities. It is to be hoped that their example will be followed by other cities, until in all cities of the country all children of kindergarten age may attend kindergartens well equipped and under competent teachers.
The Bureau of Education is planning to keep a record of the cities that maintain kindergartens in all their elementary schools. Any report to this effect, or accounts of efforts toward this end, will be received with much interest and appreciation.
Very truly yours,
P. P. CLAXTON,
Commissioner.
Kindergartens will eventually be maintained with as much approbation and support as are the elementary schools of the present day. We are very likely looking upon the establishment of the kindergarten as did the school committee of Boston upon the establishment of primary schools just one hundred years ago, when it refused the petition of 160 inhabitants who asked that such schools be established at public expense. The re- fusal on the part of Boston was primarily on the ground of expense. The advantages were finally proven, however, and there is no longer any question of the wisdom of maintaining such schools.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL.
The matter of providing additional room for school purposes was put before the appropriation committee and the citizens with the result that the sum of $46,000.00 was appropriated for an addition to the present Nathaniel Morton building, com- pleted in 1913.
This will make possible a complete reorganization of our
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school system whereby the seventh, eighth and ninth grades, will he housed under one roof.
Through this generosity of the voters of the town, an addi- tion of ten rooms to the Nathaniel Morton building is near- ing completion. This fourteen-room building will be known as the Junior High School. Here may be found practically all pupils of grades seven, eight and nine, about four hundred in number. The work is departmental, the pupils pass from room to room for recitation purposes, and college graduates as well as normal graduates are required as teachers.
The courses offered are :
Woodworking Course.
Household Arts Course.
Commercial Course.
Preparatory Course.
Many of the school systems are based on the 6-3-3 plan, that is, the elementary school consists of the first six grades -- the Junior High School of the next three grades-and the Senior High School of three grades.
Our plan will deviate from the preceding one, at least tem- porarily, by having our systems formulated on the Six-Two or Three-Four Plan. This will place the first six grades in the elementary school-the last four years in our Senior High School as formerly, and either two or three years, depending upon the ability and capacity of the pupils, in the Junior High School. The advantage of this plan over the 6-3-3 plan is : 1. The utilization of our present High School Building un- til it is outgrown.
2. The continuance of a ninth grade for pupils of immaturity and slowness.
3. The tendency to cause pupils to remain in school for a longer period as a natural consequent of the preceding state- ment.
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THE NEXT STEP FORWARD.
The addition to our high school building, which took place in 1914, undoubtedly making that institution adequate for high school needs for a decade, and the addition of ten rooms to the Nathaniel Morton building, have been items of consider- able expense to the town, but have added materially to the chances of educational efficiency. There is one more proj- ect which, if carried into effect, would unquestionably be of great advantage to Plymouth and would meet the approval of any who care to make a survey of our school system.
A building of at least six rooms located somewhere between the Knapp and Cornish schools would be the solution to several problems. To forestall any misinterpretation, let it be dis- tinctly understood that this suggestion is not made with the desire to levy upon the town purse any additional strain, but that the plan may be considered and acted upon only when the town can afford and has the inclination to undertake the task.
Such a move would eliminate the necessity of using the Alden Street School, the Cold Spring School and the South Street Engine House. The destruction of the Allerton Street School demands ac mmodations for about 40 pupils. At the present time these pupils are on half time at the Cornish School, sup- planting about the same number who have the advantage of the morning session only. The Alden Street schoolhouse is a cellar- less ill-lighted, stove-heated building which sorely needs mod- ern sanitaries at considerable cost. The Cold Spring School is another of the old-type schools improperly lighted and which needs sanitaries at much expense.
The advantages of a new building would be :
1. Employment of a janitor who would be required to be on the premises when school is in session, this more surely assuring us of protection in case of fire.
2. The means of transfer of any temporary excess school population no matter where existing.
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3. Postponement of the erection of a new schoolhouse in the north part as has been intimated must occur soon.
4. The satisfaction of a properly lighted, well ventilated, fireproof structure for the citizens of tomorrow.
5. The local pride in having by 1920 one of the best educa- tional systems in the State.
INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION.
At the last annual Town Meeting the sum of $2,500.00 was asked for practical education, such as evening practical arts classes for women, evening trade extension classes for men, and a department for agricultural education in our high school. The town was to be reimbursed to a great extent by the State if it made the appropriation. This plan was presented to the Town Committee on Finance, and to the citizens at its regular town meeting. It was again presented to the Finance Commit- tee, locally known as the "Committee of Fifteen" and to the citizens at a special Town Meeting which followed. The ap- propriation necessary for carrying out this plan was not rec- ommended by the Committee of Fifteen, and was not approved by the citizens at either meeting.
We cannot but feel that education along practical lines should be attempted, and we are willing to assist in any way in our power whenever the citizens feel that such an innovation is ad- visable.
The universal criticism of the public schools today is founded upon their failure to provide a practical education. They have not kept pace with the demands of modern life. Hence the attitude towards a more practical education ought to be favor- able to its initiation.
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HOUSEHOLD ARTS.
In the first half year there have been 106 girls below the High School in the cooking classes, compared with 119 the year be- fore. During this last half year there are 160 girls in the classes, compared with 172 last year. In other words, 198 girls will have had the advantage of receiving instructions in cooking by the close of this year, compared with 212 the preceding year.
Of these 38 are in Grade IX., 68 in Grade VIII., and 92 in Grade VII.
The plan for cooking and sewing is as follows :
Grade 6. Sewing, once a week, throughout the year.
Grade 7. Sewing and cooking, half a year each.
Grade 8. Cooking, throughout the year.
Grade 9. Cooking and sewing, half a year each.
Nine pupils who elected the Household Arts course are pur- suing the subject four hours per week throughout the year.
The total number of girls in the cooking classes, arranged by schools, follows :
First Half Year.
1914-1915 1915-1916
1916-1917
Morton Building, Grade IX., 34
40
38
Morton Building, Grade VIII., 37
36
35
Knapp Building, Grade VIII., 13
18
17
Cornish Building, Grade VIII., 21
20
16
Individual School,
5
105 119
106
Second Half Year.
1914-1915 1915-1916 1916-1917
Morton Building, Grade IX.,
4
Morton Building, Grade VIII., 37
36
35
Knapp Building, Grade VIII., 13
18
15
Cornish Building, Grade VIII., 21
20
14
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Cornish and Burton Buildings,
Grade VII.,
43
42
38
Mt. Pleasant, Grade VII.,
25
19
15
Knapp Building, Grade VII.,
39
22
39
Chiltonville, Grades VII. and VIII.,
8
10
Individual School,
5
176
172
160
In the first half year there have been 217 girls below the High School in the sewing classes, compared with 216 the year before. During this last half year there are 147 girls in the classes, compared with 161 the last year. In other words, 249 girls will have had the advantage of receiving instruction in sewing by the close of this year, compared with 256 the preced- ing year.
Of these, 32 are in Grade IX., 98 in Grade VII., and 119 in Grade VI.
The total number of girls in the sewing classes, arranged by schools, follows :
First Half Year.
1914-1915
1915-1916
1916-1917
Cornish and Burton, Grade VII., 42
42
43
Mt. Pleasant, Grade VII.,
25
19
15
Knapp, Grade VII.,
29
22
40
Cornish, Grade VI.,
38
44
61
Mt. Pleasant, Grade VI.,
21
17
22
Knapp, Grade VI.,
40
51
36
Chiltonville, Grades VI., VII., VIII.,
14
16
Individual School,
5
209
216
217
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL-Organized Sept., 1914-Enlarged 1916.
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Second Half Year.
Morton, Grade IX.,
32
40
32
Cornish, Grade VI.,
38
44
60
Knapp, Grade VI.,
39
49
34
Mt. Pleasant, Grade VI.,
21
17
21
Chiltonville, Grade VI.,
8
6
Individual School,
5
145
161
147
THE DEPARTMENT OF COOKING AND SEWING AT THE HIGH SCHOOL.
The girls at the high school are 183 in number. Of these 65 are pursuing the course in cookery, distributed as follows :
1914-1915
1915-1916
1916-1917
Seniors,
16
13
Juniors,
11
12
Sophomores,
22
24
21
Freshmen,
36
30
30
Total,
85
79
65
Forty-five girls elected the course in sewing as follows :
Seniors,
1
6
2
Juniors,
8
8
3
Sophomores,
18
10
12
Freshmen,
18
2
28
Total,
45
26
45
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EVENING SCHOOLS.
Two elementary evening schools, one at the Knapp and the other at the Cornish building, are maintained three evenings a week for a period of twenty weeks, to provide instruction for illiterate minors.
The following, enacted by the General Court, explains the necessity of an appropriation for this department :
"Every city or town in which there are issued during the year from September first to August thirty-first, certificates au- thorizing the employment of twenty or more persons who do not possess such ability to read, write and spell in the English language as is required for the completion of the fourth grade of the public schools of the city or town in which they reside, shall maintain during the following school year an evening, school or schools for the instruction of persons over fourteen years of age in orthography, reading, writing, the English language and grammar, geography, arithmetic, industrial draw- ing, both free-hand and mechanical, the history of the United States, physiology and hygiene, and good behavior."
A summary of the record of the evening schools for the full session from October 18, 1915, to March 30, 1916, follows :
Knapp School.
Number of males enrolled,
53
Number of females enrolled, 25
Average number belonging, 56.34
Average evening attendance, 46.79
Per cent. of attendance, 83.05
Cornish School.
Number of males enrolled, 10
Number of females enrolled, 4
Average number belonging, 9.99
Average evening attendance, 7.88
Per cent. of attendance,
78.88
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The record of the evening schools from October 16, 1916, to January 11, 1917, follows :
Knapp School.
1st Month 2nd Month 3rd Month 39
Number of males enrolled, 49 41
Number of females enrolled, 29
25
30
Average number belonging,
68.0
63.5
59.7
Average evening attendance,
59.75
55.8
52.0
Per cent. of attendance,
87.87
87.87
87.12
Cornish School.
1st Month
2nd Month
3rd Month
Number of males enrolled, 4
6
6
Number of females enrolled,
4
5
5
Average number belonging,
4.33
8.5
9.3
Average evening attendance,
3.83
6.7
6.5
Per cent. of attendance,
88.45
78.82
69.89
Our Evening Schools are open to the following classes :
1. Those who cannot read any language.
2. Those who can read their native tongue only.
3. Those who speak English but cannot read the language.
4. Those who cannot speak nor read English.
5. Those who have a meagre knowledge of English.
6. Those who desire more advanced work.
7. Those who wish to prepare for naturalization.
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EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATES.
Statistics for the Year Beginning January 1, 1916, and ending December, 31, 1916.
Number of minors
receiving certificates
Number of certifi- cates issued to minors.
Employment certificates for minors be- tween 14 and 16 years of age,
144 188
Educational certificates for minors over 16 who can read, write and spell in the English language in accordance with the requirements of the comple- tion of the fourth grade, 343 427
Educational certificates for illiterate
minors over 16 years of age, .
64
74
Home permits, for minors between 14 and 16, 36 36
Every employed person between the ages of 14 and 21 must have a certificate. Such person must prove his age by a birth certificate, baptismal certificate, passport, or some other satis- factory evidence.
If he is under 16 years of age he must attend day school until he is able to fulfill the requirements of the completion of the fourth grade. If he is over 16 years of age and cannot meet the above requirements he must attend the evening school.
Minors between the ages of 14 and 16 must either be employed or attend day school. In order to work he must present a physi- cian's certificate of health, the employer's promise to employ, and a school record.
A new certificate must be obtained every time he changes his place of employment.
Employers must return to the superintendent of schools the
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certificate of minors leaving their employ, within 48 hours after employment has ceased.
Practically all who are granted Home permits are required to attend one session daily, a school at which individual work is the predominating feature.
SUMMER SCHOOL.
There was an entering group of 149 pupils, 37 attending with- out conditions. Five teachers were employed.
The cost of the schools for the summer of 1916 was $378.00.
ATTENDANCE AT SUMMER SCHOOLS.
GRADES
4
5
6
7
Number entering,
29
37
35
26
22
Number enrolled at end of two weeks, 27
52
35
31
21
Number enrolled at end of four weeks, 25
52
34
29
19
Number enrolled at end of six weeks, 23
52
33
29
17
Number unconditioned,
7
10
Number promoted conditionally,
21
42
24
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