USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1920-1921 > Part 28
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Abatements,
1,068 46
Uncollected Rates,
8,847 04
Uncollected Labor and Material,
125 96
$48,978 41
Water is supplied to 2,985 families, 2,240 water closets, 1,089 bath tubs, 521 hose, 45 stables, 80 horses, 48 cows, 84 stores, offices or shops, 1 bakery, 5 halls, 7 hotels and board- ing houses, 4 restaurants, 6 churches, 4 laundries, 3 markets, 5 mills, 5 clubs, 3 cemeteries, 2 hot houses, 1 barber, 2 hen- neries, 1 piggery, 2 fountains, 8 urinals, 2 garages, County Buildings, Federal Building, N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Co., theatre, reading room and steam-boat wharf.
Respectfully submitted, N. REEVES JACKSON,
Collector of Water Rates.
PLYMOUTH EIGHTEEN
-274-
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the Board of Water Commissioners :-
Gentlemen :- In accordance with the custom of this de- partment, I submit herewith the annual report of the Su- perintendent of the Plymouth Water Works for the year ending December 31, 1921.
TABLE SHOWING LENGTH, SIZE AND COST OF PIPE LAID IN 1921.
LOCATION
Length in feet
Size in inches
COST
Summer Street
592
6
$692.00
Cliff Street
1.995
6
2,173.00
TOTALS
$2,865.00
RAINFALL.
The usual rainfall table is shown on the following page and covers a period of thirty-five years.
The average annual rainfall for that period has been 46.50 inches and the rainfall for 1921 was 49.72 inches, or 3.22 inches above the average.
The last column in the table shows the variation in inches
-275-
from the average for each year since the records have been kept.
An inspection of the table will show that the last three years have been years of high rainfall and this fact explains why Great and Little South Ponds have remained high for the past two years.
TABLE SHOWING SUB-DIVISION OF USE OF METERED WATER.
For What Use.
Quantity in Gallons.
Domestic, 63,960,410
Manufacturing, 46,587,200
N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Co. and Electric Light,
13,268,000
Hotels and Restaurants,
5,201,500
Laundries,
3,000,000
State, County and Federal Buildings,
3,318,400
Stables and Garages,
1,659,640
Miscellaneous, 16,206,900
153,202,050
We have now in service 726 meters of various sizes and the above table shows the sub-division of the use of metered water by various classes of consumers.
Table showing total rainfall since 1887, and monthly rainfall since 1891. Also annual variation from the average in inches.
YEAR
JAN.
FEB.
MAR.
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUG.
SEPT.
Ост.
Nov.
DEC.
TOTAL
Variation from av. in inches
1887
43.14
- 3.36
1888
50.28
3.78
1889
49.14
2.64
1890
51.80
5.30
1891
8.36
5.32
5.04
4.02
1.99
2.28
2.55
1.43
2.23
5.92
1.79
3.77
44.65
1.85
1892
3.79
2.72
4.56
1.26
3.91
2.12
1.81
4.16
2.14
2.29
7.12
1.75
37.90
8.60
1893
2.88
6.66
6.17
4.45
4 39
2.50
2.71
5.80
1.73
2.16
3.29
5.59
48.33
1.83
1894
3.50
4.85
1.56
3.97
4.35
1.54
1.08
0.73
2.37
7.97
4.98
5.78
42.68
3.82
1895
3.54
0.87
2.71
4.79
2.73
2.04
3.58
2.05
3.27
6.89
3.95
3.85
40.27
6.23
1896
2.75
4.73
5.82
0.88
2.93
3.59
2.27
1.71
5.65
3.60
3.41
1.75
39.09
7.41
1897
4.24
2.08
2.31
4.28
3.65
2.99
2.88
2.91
1.42
0.87
6.42
3.27
37.32
9.18
1898
3.75
4.04
2.27
5.82
5.65
1.93
6.58
7.33
1.35
8.96
8.48
2.21
58.40
11.90
1899
6.52
5.23
6.77
1.18
1.40
3.62
3.79
1.17
6.92
3.03
2.28
1.60
43.51
2.99
1900
4.86
5.35
3.62
1.95
5.11
2.29
1.37
3.28
3.10
5.40
5.36
3.15
44.84
1.66
1901
2.51
1.70
6.86
7.78
8.54
1.46
4.38
2.25
2.77
2.07
2.59
10.20
53.11
6.61
1902
2.22
5.53
7.82
2.98
1.52
3.68
1.89
1.43
3.65
5.32
1.72
6 77
44.53
-
1.97
1903
4.43
5.36
7.94
7.45
0.67
4.74
2.44
5.44
1.45
6.32
3.22
3.98
53.46
6.96
1904
5.44
3.61
2.47
9.11
2.23
2.58
4.02
3.52
3.18
1.85
3.53
4.10
45.64
.86
1905
4.50
2.16
2.87
2.32
1.11
8.01
1.78
2.99
6.93
1.72
2.04
4.21
40.64
5.86
1906
4.05
5.33
8.69
2.31
5 28
2.36
6.42
2.02
2.98
4.50
3.45
3.13
50.55
4.05
1907
3.92
3.41
2.31
4.08
3.68
2.70
1.10
1.82
11 16
2.91
6.82
6.90
50.81
4.31
1908
3.78
4.37
3.95
2.48
2.98
2.30
3.87
4.41
1.61
10.19
1.53
4.28
45.75
.75
1909
5.44
6.18
3 74
6.41
3.51
3.03
1.83
2.44
4 95
2.23
8.15
3.34
51.25
4.75
1910
5.98
5.82
1.05
2.51
2.27
3.82
2.71
2.32
1.81
1.94
5.69
2.96
38.88
7.62
1911
3.17
3 45
3.38
3.68
0.77
3.05
6.84
4.66
3.41
3.60
6.59
3 58
46.21
29
1912
4 88
4.00
7 51
3.87
4 71
0.39
2.32
3 50
1 49
1.26
3.83
6.16
43.92
2.58
1913
4.09
3.50
3.40
6.66
2 30
1.57
1.77
3.03
3.49
11.08
2.79
4.61
18 29
1.79
1914
3.62
4.82
5.42
5 45
2.90
1.00
4.62
3.40
1.67
2.20
3.47
6.73
45.30
1.20
1915
10.33
3.98
0.09
3 47
2 20
4.58
2.72
6.19
1 55
4 22
2.37
4.99
46.71
.21
1916
1.46
5.51
4.80
5.62
3.51
5.53
9.07
2.19
2.46
2.88
3.30
3 88
50.28
3.78
1917
3 36
2.59
6.27
4.88
7.02
6.53
2.20
3 40
3.32
5.02
0.60
2 32
47.51
1.01
1918
4.59
2.95
2.52
6.22
0.53
2.95
2.64
1.61
3 63
0.71
2.25
4.32
34.92
11.58
1919
4.86
377
5 06
3.78
5.47
2.07
4.73
7.65
4.95
2.67
5 58
2.61
53.20
6.70
1920
4.24
9 02
5.60
4.92
4.48
7.39
3.04
3.13
2.73
1.84
5.11
4.19
55 69
8.66
1921
2.90
3.47
3.79
5.96
5.23
2.41
9.84
2.55
1.09
1.56
9.10
2.80
49.72
3,22
--
---
Av.
4.32
4 28
4.40
4.34
3.45
3.13
3.48
3.24
3.24
3.97
4.36
4.15
46.50
-
-276-
-
-
-
-
-277-
POND ELEVATIONS AND STORAGE DEPLETION.
Plate 1 is similar to the plates that have been published in previous years showing the monthly variation in the height of Great and Little South Ponds and the resulting change in storage volume.
In the report of last year it was noted that in July, 1920, Great South Pond attained a height of 106.85 which was a greater height than it had reached at any time during the period covered by these observations.
At the beginning of the year 1921 Great South Pond was at elevation 106.2, but in July of that year it reached eleva- tion 107.0, establishing a new high record for the period covered by these observations, sixteen and one-half years.
A glance at the rainfall table published on another page shows that the average rainfall for the past thirty-five years is 46.50 inches. The total rainfall for the past three years has been 18.58 inches, higher than the average rainfall for a three year period and this explains the unusually high pond heights for the past two years.
-288-
SCHEDULE.
Showing the number of feet of each size of pipe and num- ber and size of gates, blow-offs and hydrants.
Size in inches
LENGTH OF PIPE IN FEET
No of Gates
No. of Check Valves
No. of Air Cocke
No. 10 in. B. O.
No. 8 in. B. O.
No. 6 in. B. O.
No. 4 in. B. O.
No. 2 in. B. O.
No. Hydrants
30
80
1
20
190
1
1
1
3
14
10,352
11
1
9
3
12
11,230
28
6
2
1
15
10
36,034
58
1
3
32
8
30,816
76
6
1
2
40
6
65,591
180
12
4
3
80
4
71,675
1×2
6
7
58
3
6,629
11
2
2
21/2
458
2
42.074
98
3
5
1
11/2
382
2
1
1,472
9
-
--
Tot'ls
300,831
672
1
- 73
- 3
1
6
12
19
234
CONSUMPTION FOR 1921.
Plate II shows graphically the consumption of water dur- ing the year 1921.
The average daily, consumption for each week is shown for the low service or gravity system, the high service or pumping system and the total of the two.
The average daily low consumption for the year was 578,000 gallons, the high service was 875,000 gallons and the total was 1,453,000 gallons.
The high service was 60 per cent. and the low service 40 per cent. of the total consumption.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR E. BLACKMER.
16
16,424
12
13
18
7,424
4
-
-
· PUMPING RECORDS, 1921
The pumping station records shown on this page give in detail the amount of water pumped, fuel used, etc., at the pumping station during the year 1920
MONTHS
Total lbs. Hours run fuel used
Gravity
Pumping
Average Gravity
Daily pumping
Rain in inches
Max.
Min.
Daily aver- age fuel pounds
January
343
57,575
16,060.000
28,430,000
517,000
917.100
2.90
41.74
25
1855
February
2821/2
50,100
15,089,000
23,498,000
539,000
889,000
3.47
41.57
26.5
1790
March
28734
51,720
15.680,000
24,024,000
507,000
775,000
3.79
57,6
40
1670
April
2741/2
50,300
16,925,000
23.126,000
€ 64,000
771,000
5 96
60
44.36
1675
May
2871/4
52.245
17,959,000
24,673,000
579,000
796,000
5.23
66.67
48.74
1685
June .
3511/4
64,565
19,809,000
31,397,000
660,000
1,047,000
2.41
60.63
2160
July .
3301/4
60,420
18,929,000
29,965,000
610,000
967,000
8 84
84.5
69.6
1945
August
348
63,493
20,218.000
31,459,000
655,000
1,015,000
2.55
81
63.7
2050
September
33234
60,645
18,835,000
30.049.000
627,000
1,001,000
1.11
83
62.36
2020
October
2833%
53,505
18.477.000
25.416,000
597,000
819,000
1.56
68
59
1725
November
25634
45,245
16,328,000
22,433,000
544,000
747,000
9.10
52
39.5
1510
December .
2841/2
49,610
16,600,000
24,826,000
535,000
801,000
2.80
41
28.5
1600
3,6621/4
659,425
210,969,000
319,296,000
49.72
Hours run
Total lbs. Fuel used
No. gals. pumped
Av. No. gals. to 1 1b. coal
Average duty for year
New pump Old pump
.
3,63884 231/2
655,075 4,350
317.472,400 1,823,600
483 419
29,900,000 25,000,000
.
.
.
-279-
Average t'mperaturel
WATER ANALYSIS, 1921.
APPEARANCE
RESIDUE ON EVAPORATION
AMMONIA
NITRO- GEN AS
NAME
DATE OF
COLLECTION
TURBID- ITY
SEDI- MENT
COLOR
TOTAL
LOSS ON
IGNITION
FIXED
FREE
TOTAL
IN SO-
In Sus-
pension
CHLORINE
Nitrates
Nitrites
OXYGEN
HARDNESS
IRON
1921
None
V. Slight
.02
3.35 1.35 2.00 .0016 .0158 .0142 .0016
.62
0.5.005
Boot
156294 Jan. 18
None
V. Slight
.00
2.80 1.15 1.65 .0006 . 076 .0022 .0004
.59
0.2 .015
Great South
156295
Jan. 18
None
V. Slight
.00
3.20 1.25 1.95 .0008 .0100 .0084 .0016
.62
..
0.1 .012 Little South
157083 Mar. 22
None
V. Slight
00
3.55 1.50 2.05
1.0020 .0128
0114 .0014
.65
0.2 .010
Boot
157084 Mar. 22
None
V. Slight
.00
3.15 1.25 1.9 1.0008 .0108 .0086
0022
.61
0.1 .010
Great South
157085 Mar. 22
V. Slight
Slight
.00
3.15 1.15 2 00 .0006
.0126 .0100 .0026
.60
0.2
010
Little South
158018 May 24
V. Slight
V. Slight
.00
3.00 1.00 2.00 .0026 .0136
.
.
..
0.3 .005
Boot
158019 May 24
V. Slight
V. Slight
.00
3.50 1.65 1.85 .0006 .0130 .0100
.0030
.59
0.3 .015
Great South
158020 May 24
V. Slight
V. Slight
.00
2.95 1.05|1.90 .0004
.0112 .0054 .0064
.56
...
0.1 .005 Little South
159245 Aug. 3
V. Slight V. Slight
05
2.40 1.00 1.10 .0076 .0130 .0116 .0014
.60
0.3 .010; Boot
159246 Aug. 3
None
V. Slight
02
2.90 1.40 1.50 .0036
.0130 .0098 .0032
.60
0.1 .005
Great South
159247 Aug. 3
None
V. Slight
.03
3.20|1.05 2.15 .0028 .0122
,0100 .0022
.60
0.3 .005
Little South
160329 Sept. 28
None
V. Slight
.62
3.40|1.30|2.10 .0014
.0120 .0118 .0002
.631
.
...
0.1 .005
Boot
160530 Sept. 28
None
V Slight
.02
2.60 1.00 1.60 .0046 .0110 .0096
.0014
.60 .
0.2 .008
Great South
160331 Sept. 28
None
Jv. Slight
.02
3.60 1.35 2.25 .0042 .0122 .0118).0004
.62
0.1 .010 Little South
-280-
...
.
.61
...
..
..
...
...
CONSUMED
OF
No.
ALBUMINOID
POND
LUTION
156293 Jan. 18
..
qollons.
million
mcon low woter.
elevation>
Pond
01.0
103.0
1040
105.0
106.0
1905
4.75
1.04
4 Zł
4 05
1906
0
⑈ 445
2 98
3 9%
$ 41
1907
May
June
O 1.10
@ 110
- . 87
14.15
Det
1 30
...
Jen
April
5.41
May
1209
STORAGE
OF GREAT AND LITTLE; SOUTH POND
BETWEEN
GRADE
98.0 AND
106.0
855
MILLION
GALLONS
.9.0
$8.44
$ 63
O.
0.71
New
Ap++ 1
3.75
MAL
* + +7 |
U
5.60
+ 1₺
1 4.40
₩ 7.50
$ 1.0.
baer
7.75
Now
5.11
4. 12
1.47
Mar
Ayrıl
D R.41
05
Out
2.00
10%.9
103.0
106.0
200
PLATE I
.00
فـ
2.50
0 1.57
73 )77:
Sept
1.49
.. ..
April
৳ 2.90
11 1.00
0
1 40
Sept
1.47
100.00
.2 .5
April
+120
~ 4.56
Sert
4. 5.5.
0 552
٩,٥٦
2.46
Ost
2.00
Ney
$ 10
.917
N.v
0.60
1 54
1.96
342
F.+
Mer
3.67
.9 .2
July
6.49
N.
...
£ 96
Man
April
+ 0 77
- 466
3.44
Oct.
...
196
وادي
@ 2 71
01 11
A.s.
Sept.
1.61
2 27
M.4
+ 53
4 10
April
...
+ 4 56
0, 4 +1
3.78
4 57
M.r
...
149
...
4 0)
Mer.
3 40
SAT
4.75
03
0.09
5.51
$ 69
1.40
0746
4.76
414
900
April
#
COMBINED
Now
2.11
$.+F
5 01
6.04
PLATE I
1-200-000
-900-000
1-800-000
1-800-000
1-700-000
1-700-000
1-600-000
1-600-000
total consumption
-500-000
1- 500-000
Average daily foto consumption 1. 452000 gallais-
1-400-000
1-400.000
1-300-000
1-300.000
CONSUMPTION IN GALLONS.
1.000.000
1-000-000
High Fort
daily aray service consumption
800-000
000-000
700-000
700.000
kom Jetride
600-000
600-000
Preroge daile tom JEFicd consum
578,000 92/25
500.000 --
500-000
400-000
400-000
300-000
300.000
200-000
200-000
Jan. 2
# 16
₩ 30
# 15
৳ 20
. 27
Mar. 6
" 13
" 27
Apr. ,
" 17
Moy I
..
.. 15
₩ 29
" 12
. 16
" 10
. 17
$
%
Aug. ?
@ 14
৳ 28
Sept 4
-
. 18
26
Oct. &
.. 9 .. 16
23
Lo
Nov. 6
. 13
1. 20
. 27
Dec. , 4
# 18
$ 25
Jan. 1
1-700.000
1-200-000
1-100.000
1-100-200
900-000
900-000
Average
-
Feb. 6
S
July 3
8
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
CHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
Town of Plymouth
For the Year Ending December 31
1921
-283-
SCHOOL DIRECTORY
Term Expires
Edward W. Bradford, Chairman,
1922
Helen F. Pierce, M. D., Secretary, 1924
Frederick D. Bartlett, 1923
The regular meetings of the School Board are held on the first and third Mondays of each month.
Superintendent of Schools, Charles A. Harris.
Office open from 8.30 to 12 a. m., and 1.30 to 4 p. m., every school day. Saturdays, 10 to 12 a. m. 7 to 7.30 p. m. every Wednesday
C 'fice hours of the Superintendent of Schools, 3 to 4 p. m., Mondays and Fridays. At other times by appointment.
Attendance Officer, John Armstrong.
-284-
FINANCIAL REPORT.
RECEIPTS.
Appropriated, January, 1921.
$665 20
Appropriated March, 1921,
199,485 00
Appropriated October, 1921,
6,000 00
Appropriated December, 1921,
5,000 00
Murdock Fund, 18 47
$211,168 67
PAYMENTS.
General Expenses,
$2,373 98
Teachers' Salaries,
138,709 01
Text Books and Supplies,
9,676 13
Transportation,
8,816 90
Janitors' Services,
10,973 32
Fuel,
17,727 55
Repairs,
6,677 44
Equipment,
2,834 53
Portable School House,
4,050 00
Medical and Dental Inspection,
4,983 43
Miscellaneous,
4,346 20
$211,168 49
Unexpended balance, $.18
-285-
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Plymouth, Mass., February 21, 1922.
We herewith present our annual report, together with financial statement, for 1921 and budget for 1922.
In response to a petition, the Alden Street school was thoroughly repaired and renovated during the summer, and was opened in September with a large attendance.' This action was pleasing to the residents of that section, who have felt that it was detrimental to the health of the smaller children, to compel them to attend the Cornish or Burton schools.
Shortly after the opening of the Fall term, the teacher at Long Pond forwarded her resignation. The committee after making a careful survey of conditions in this district, deemed it expedient to transport the pupils to the Cedar- ville school and abandon the school at Long Pond. Ar- rangements were made with the Sagamore Garage to ex- tend their Cedarville trip to Long Pond, and the result has proven satisfactory to all concerned.
The usual crowded condition in the North End developed at the opening of school in September, when fifty-seven appeared in excess of our accommodations in that section. The committee purchased a Hodgson Portable, a duplicate of the one in operation at the Knapp school, which was erected near the Hedge school, and opened in October.
As previously mentioned in several of our reports, the most satisfactory policy of permanent relief for this con- dition, seems undoubtedly to be the erection of a six or eight room building in that locality.
In accordance with the statute, one hundred and fifty-
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seven retarded pupils were examined by the officials of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Diseases. The final report of the result of these examinations and the recom- mendations of the Department have not been received at this writing.
Your attention is called to the reports of the Superin- tendent of Schools and the School Physician, for both >f which, we ask your careful consideration.
EDWARD W. BRADFORD, HELEN F. PIERCE, FREDERICK D. BARTLETT.
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FINANCIAL REPORT.
RECEIPTS.
Appropriation Jan 29, for 1920 Bills, $665 20
Appropriation March 26, 199,485 00
Appropriation Oct. 8,
6,000 00
Appropriation Dec. 24,
5,000 00
Income from Trust Funds,
18 47
$211,168.67
PAYMENTS.
General Expenses, $7,501 51
Teachers' Salaries,
134,722 98
Text Books and Supplies,
9,848 00
Transportation,
9,263 62
Janitors' Services,
10,434 47
Fuel, 17,853 23
Repairs,
7,680 19
Equipment,
2,414 51
Portable Building,
4,050 00
Medical Inspection,
5,008 06
Miscellaneous,
2,392 03
211,168 49
Unexpended Balance,
$ 18
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SCHOOL DEPARTMENT, BUDGET FOR 1922.
General Expenses :
Superintendent,
$3,600 00
Clerk,
1,200 00
Attendance Officer,
300 00
Printing, Postage, etc.,
450 00
Telephone,
60 00
Traveling Expense,
300 00
Automobile Expense,
600 00
Freight and Express,
300 00
School Census,
125 00
All Other,
300 00
$7,235 00
Teachers' Salaries :
Day,
$136,000 00
Substitutes,
2,000 00
Evening,
1,500 00
Summer,
450 00
Americanization,
3,500 00
Practical Arts,
700 00
144,150 00
Text Books and Supplies :
Text and Reference Books,
$4,000 00
Paper, Blank Books, etc.,
3,000 00
Industrial Training Supplies,
500 00
Domestic Science Supplies,
1,200 00
Typewriters,
750 00
9,450 00
Transportation :
Carfares,
$3,500 00
Automobiles,
.
6,200 00
9,700 00
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Support of Truants : Janitors' Services :
Day,
$10,275 00
Evening,
225 00
10,500 00
Fuel and Light :
Coal and Wood,
$15,000 00
Gas and Electricity,
700 00
15,700 00
Maintenance :
Painting,
$1,000 00
General Repairs,
2,000 00
Flags and Flagstaffs,
100 00
Janitors' Supplies,
1,500 00
Telephones,
200 00
Ashes Removed, etc.,
500 00
All Other,
3,000 00
8,300 00
Furniture and Furnishings :
1,000 00
Diplomas and Graduation :
200 00
Tuition and Transportation (other towns) :
1,500 00
Medical Inspection :
School Physician,
$700 00
School Nurse,
1,400 00
Supplies and Expenses,
350 00
Dental Clinic, Maintenance,
500 00
Dental Nurse,
1,300 00
Dentist,
800 00
Auto Expense (School Nurse),
600 00
5,650 00
Miscellaneous :
Auto Expense (Agricultural Instructor), 1,200 00
$214,635 00
PLYMOUTH NINETEEN
50 00
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2 .
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the School Committee of Plymouth :
I herewith submit for your consideration my ninth an- nual report.
Changes in the teaching corps have taken place since the last report, nineteen teachers having left the service of the school department. Miss Catherine W. Sampson, who has taught so efficiently for a long period, tendered her resig- nation which took effect on October first. The department lost a faithful and efficient teacher in the death of Miss Grace N. Bramhall, who had taught in Plymouth for a number of years. The schools of Plymouth need such types of teachers. Their places are most difficult to fill.
We have been unable for the most part to secure expe- rienced, trained and efficient teachers to fill vacancies created during the past few years. This inability will con- tinue unless the salaries, in some instances, are increased to a point that will make a Plymouth position compare favorably, both as to salary and advantages, with many other positions elsewhere.
There is teaching going on in Plymouth that is far below par. Vacancies must be filled, but the difference of the teachers who should and those who do fill them are as the salaries which should be paid and those that are paid.
Our summer schools are not conducted on an efficiency basis. We pay. $15 per week. This forces the superinten- dent of schools to accept teachers in lieu of selecting teach- ers. We have, in the main, been fairly fortunate in find- ing teachers who live here, or who choose, for a variety of reasons, to sojourn here, to carry on the work. The basis
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is wrong. Summer schools should be very effective or abandoned.
This warning is sounded in the hope that the matter will be carefully investigated, and the best possible talent secured for our educational system. Many individuals can, however, be secured who are delighted to be placed on the official payroll and act as members of the teaching corps.
A great number of the people of Plymouth are in favor of superior advantages for the school children. The great- est factor toward this goal is the appointment of well- trained and competent teachers.
Almost every school system has teachers who are ambi- tious, teachers who are indifferent, teachers who are time servers. They seem to receive approximately equal pay. Some teachers who are receiving the maximum salary have never attended any educational institution for professional improvement, so far as is known, since graduation from high school, or normal school, years ago. Others have, season after season, attended summer schools and have con- sequently expended their all for professional advancement, but have not been financially benefited by the town which is reaping the advantage of their rich experience. This ought not to be so. Especially equipped teachers are rare enough to be handsomely paid for their invaluable and expert services. This refers to those teachers who have not suffered arrested development in their professional attitude. Those whose professional worth has suffered as above should be satisfied with arrested pay.
PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS TO DETERMINE THE FIT- NESS OF SCHOOL ENTRANTS.
In our last report we outlined in brief a plan for more adequate educational returns for the amount of money
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expended upon the school system of Plymouth This plan involved the classification of the school population based upon extensively recognized intelligence tests. Until this is done appropriations granted by the voters will not be effectively used to an extent commensurate with the amount expended.
Our present regulation for entrance to the first grade reads as follows :- "Any child who shall have attained the age of six years before January 1st of that school year may be admitted to the first grade." This regulation presumes. that those children who have experienced approximately six summers and winters have the capacity to do the work of the first year in school. This presumption is not true in fact. We ought to withdraw from this false position.
Let us imagine for a moment a school system made up of a single eight-room school building twenty-five feet wide and two hundred feet long with eight post and lintel door- ways, each lintel from front to rear of building diminish- ing in height, and let us suppose that those whose height prevents them from going beyond the second lintel to be in the eight grade. In turn those whose height prevents their entrance beyond the third lintel to be in the seventh grade, and lastly those whose small stature permits them to pass under the lowest lintel to be in the first grade. We should then have a school system based on what might be called an altitudinal classification of the school population. It is needless to say that such a classification is too silly to discuss, yet our present system of putting children into · school because of chronological age is not a bit less silly.
Let us take a second imaginary trip, this time to see an octaginal school building with one main entrance over the threshold of which no children can pass without being automatically weighed. Imagine these children going to their respective rooms for grades one to eight for the mere reason of weight. We should then have a school system
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based upon what - might call an avoirdupois classifica- tion. This classification is too nonsensical to dwell upon. It is however, as reasonable as our present regulation to enter children upon their physical age.
It is strongly recommended that this absurdity be elimin- ated by the appointment of a trained psychologist for the better classification of all our boys and girls. Such a system must have the staunch backing of all citizens to be effective, and the sooner we begin to discuss this matter, and others of an educational nature, the sooner our educa- tional system will be blessed with additional marked im- provement.
A practical demonstration of the absurdity; of our regu- lation is shown by the following :- Just before the opening of school in September an application was made by a par- ent, who has been in business in Plymouth for a quarter of a century, for admission for his daughter, whose birth- day was on January 2nd, to the first grade. Naturally the child was not permitted to enter for the adopted regula- tion required the birthday to be before January 1st. The child was lacking two days. Exclusion was made on the ground, that, by the regulation, had the child been two days older, she would have had the intelligence requisite to cope with first grade problems.
We later had this child in question undergo a psychologi- cal test with the result that she has an intelligence quo- tient far above that necessary to be classed as a normal child. This child could have done most excellent work in the first grade had she been permitted to enter school because of her intelligence.
While we are keeping out of school, pupils of this type, we are admitting pupils who have the required chronologi- cal age but who are far too low in mental age to take up the first grade work.
At the Cornish School there are three sixth grades. These
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pupils, during the last school year were classified according to ratings obtained on intelligence tests. From this experi- ment, now regarded as highly successful-children were sent from the sixth to the eighth grade and most of these will undoubtedly be sent to the High School at the close of this school year. Thus a year for all these children will be saved. The impetus given by this extra promotion has caused the teachers to be alert for superior talent and several other pupils have been added to this rapid advance- ment class.
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