USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1920-1921 > Part 29
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This work will be extended as rapidly as principals and parents in the various school districts assure us of their approval of the plan.
Every possible effort should be made to discover the in- tellectually gifted children. Work commensurate with their ability should be given them and they should be grad- uated at the earliest possible moment. A long, drawn-out school course is costly to the town. The children should not linger on work which they are capable of satisfactorily completing. A trained psychologist in charge of testing will save the town many times the salary paid.
By means of these tests we determine the degree of intelligence with respect to which men differ from one another. We have in the school system of Plymouth today pupils of the imbecile class, that is, whose intelligence does not exceed that of a normal child of five and probably never will. To counterbalance these, however, we have brilliant pupils for whom we are doing no more than for the average individual. Between these extremes we have the majority of the pupils.
We have found by recent testing which was carried on by a trained psychologist under supervision of the Stat? that we have in the school population :
2 Imbeciles.
46 Other feebleminded.
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109 Others below normal in intelligence.
This condition has undoubtedly existed for some time. Many of the pupils mentioned above upon reaching their majority cross the threshold of the town meeting and are on an equal footing with the best intellects in the commun- ity. This is democracy. It suggests the question as to whether the right of suffrage should depend upon chrono- logical or upon mental age. At any rate the problem to make these pupils the best possible citizens is before us for solution, and the emphatic recommendation of the Super- indendent of Schools is that speed should be displayed for the welfare, not of any individual merely, but for the welfare of the community. It will be some time before we should be arrested for exceeding the educational speed limit.
On the other hand, we have as many children who are above normal and who are to be the leaders. These should have serious attention on the part of the department of: education. The reason is the same as before-for the; benefit of the community.
SCHOOL GRADE
1
2
3
4
5
6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 Ttl.
6 180
7
187
7 135 107
5
247
54 122
96
2
274
10
4
18
74
83
85 6
1
271
8
29
58
78
56
11
240
1
1
12
37
44
76
69 7
247
1
6
10
30
64 33
37
47 17
42 7
204
1
5
8
14
14
34
8
50 38 11
183
1
1
4
1
7
4
1 21.38 20 11
1 110
9 10 13 26
58
1
5 14
1
21
19
1
1
7
1 10
20
1
2
3
Total 387 308 342 287 265 250 198 156 33 144 94 51 60
3 2578
8 9 11 12 13 14 15 18 CHRONOLOGICAL AGE. 16 17
13
44 116
81 7
261
59
64
7 21
262
2
10
9
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BUILDING PROGRAM.
A half-decade ago it was suggested that a school build- ing of at least six rooms be erected somewhere between the Knapp and Cornish schools. ยท
Since then it has been necessary to purchase two two- room portables, repair the Alden Street, Spooner Street and the Cold Spring Schools at considerable expense, and continue the use of the South Street Engine House for school purposes.
These portable buildings, one at the Knapp and another at the Hedge, are used to alleviate the crowded conditions in these districts. No one would think of the further pur- chase of such buildings except where lack of money or lack of foresight make such a step necessary. They do very well as first-aid, but are not to be compared with a perma- nent structure.
What Plymouth needs when it builds is a substantial, presentable structure to which all citizens can point with pride. The expenditure of money on such is money saved in the long run over that expended on cheap and partially adapted structures.
Should a building for this part of the town be consid- ered it should be in conjunction with a Junior High School, thus eliminating transportation expense.
SIX-THREE-THREE.
The time has come when the Plymouth school system should be further modernized. The Senior High, consist- ing of a four-year course is over crowded. The modern school system places in the Senior High School a three-year course relegating to the Junior High School, the class that now corresponds to the first year in the Senior High School.
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This would necessitate an addition upon the Nathaniel Morton building, but such an addition would automatical- ly relieve the Senior High School making the schools of Plymouth among the first in respect to organization.
Better still would be the erection in the north part of the town a building devoted to elementary. and Junior High School work.
SCHOOL CENSUS, 1921.
Males
Females
Total
Persons 5 to 7 years,
239
203
4.12
Persons 7 to 14 years,
885
784
1,669
Persons 14 to 16 years,
194
187
381
Illiterate Minors, 16 to 21 years,
71
15
86
SIGHT AND HEARING TESTS.
The tests of sight and hearing have been made by the teachers, as required by law.
Number of pupils examined,
2,541
Number found defective in eyesight,
244
Number found defective in hearing,
25
Number of parents or guardians notified,
215
.
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HOME PERMITS, EMPLOYMENTS AND EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATES ISSUED IN THE YEAR. Number of Minors to whom Each Type of Certificate Issued in the Year.
Types of Employment Certificates.
Educational Certificates
Form G.
Regular Form C
Old Special Form E
New Special Form C-2
Regular Form I
Special ForIn J
I.
I.
S.
I
S.
I.
S.
I.
S.
I. S.
Boys,
2
0
9
3
16
33
1
0
110
18
5
1
Girls,
12
0
39
5
8
2
2
0
108
43
5
0
Totals, B. & G., 14
0
48
8
24
35
3
0
218
61
10
1
Totals, plus I. S.,
14
56
59
3
279
11
Number of Different Minors Certificated for Initial and Subsequent Employment in this Town in the Year. (By Age Groups).
Age Groups.
By Home Employment Permit
By Certificates
18-21
14-16 I.
S.
14-16 I.
S.
16-18 I.
S.
I.
S.
Boys,
2
0
55
9
79
10
34
9
Girls,
12
0
48
6
69
22
46
21
Totals, B and G.,
14
0
103
15
148
32
80
30
Totals, plus I. S.,
14
118
180
110
SUMMER SCHOOL.
The total membership during the six weeks of summer schools was 133 distributed as follows :
Grade IV,
21
Grade V, 27
Grade VI, 41
Grade VII and VIII,
44
133
Home Employment Pe mit
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TEACHER-PARTICIPATION.
The present course of study which was compiled by the Superintendent of Schools in 1914 is undergoing revision. The course will be compiled by the teachers and submittedl to the school officials for approval. This is in line with the idea of teacher participation in school management.
In furtherance of this idea of more democratic control in contradistinction to frequently asserted oligarchical domination, we offer the following recommendations:
1. That all principals (and superintendent of schools) retain their respective positions by virtue of the approval of the teachers under his or her supervision.
2. That the teachers as a body formulate rules for the management of the public schools.
3. That the School Board be increased to six members, two of whom shall be members of the teaching corps. (Change in statute required).
4. That School Board meetings be open to any represen- tative of the Plymouth teachers.
5. That teachers in their respective buildings be en- couraged to organize for the purpose of submitting to their principals and the superintendent of schools suggestions for the welfare of the children of their building.
The following topics are suggested for consideration, to be adopted at times when the citizens feel their importance :
1. Gymnasium for Senior and Junior High Schools.
2. Employment of physical supervisor.
3. Employment of playground supervisor.
4. Extension of playground facilities.
5. Establishment of an evening High School.
6. Establishment of Kindergartens.
7. Erection of school building midway between Russell and Centennial Streets.
8. Provision for vocational guidance.
9. Systematic physical training in the High and Element- ary Schools.
10. Installation of program clock at Junior High School.
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11. Agricultural department strengthened (or abolished).
12. Appointment of several unassigned teachers.
13. Additional school nurse (on whole or part time).
14. More of dentists' time at Dental Clinic.
15. Prevocational manual work at Senior High School.
16. Manual work for pupils of special over-age schools.
17. Increased salaries for a few markedly superior teach- ers.
18. Adoption of the six-three-three plan for our school system.
19. Employment of a Penmanship supervisor.
20. Employment of a Supervisor for the Elementary Schools.
21. Adoption of course in Printing in the Junior High School.
22. Sewing extended to the fourth and fifth grades.
23. Employment of a trained psychologist.
24. Establishment of an open-air school.
25. All transportation expenses for High School pupils to be assumed by the Town.
26. Equal pay for men and women teachers.
27. Educational Survey by group of experts.
28. Closing of Wellingsley School.
29. Adequate fire alarm system for all schools.
30. Superintendent's term to equal that of a school mem- ber.
31. School Board meetings open to the public.
32. Consolidation of the Cliff Street, Chiltonville Primary and the Russell Mills Schools.
33. Provision for the instruction of subnormal children.
34. The employment of a Visiting Teacher.
35. A longer school day.
36. A longer School Year.
Attention is directed to the following reports of prin- cipals and special teachers.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES A. HARRIS,
Superintendent of Schools.
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SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL REPORT.
Mr. Charles A. Harris,
Superintendent of Schools, Plymouth, Mass.
My dear Mr. Harris :- I have the honor to submit to you my third annual report as Principal of the Plymouth High School.
From the records of the High School which are avail- able the present school year presents the largest enroll- ment in the history of the school. There were enrolled last year in the High School 314 pupils while the large increase in the number of students attending this year has brought the total enrollment up to 358. This sum includes neither the itinerants who came for a few days only and were then transferred to schools outside of the district nor the number of children who attended but a short time before deciding to go to work.
This large increase in attendance brings to the surface a serious condition-the inadequacy of the present build- ing for accommodating the work of the school. All suit- able space is being utilized for recitations and session rooms to the great inconvenience of both pupils and teach- ers. In very cold weather, on account of insufficient heat- ing equipment, many of the rooms are not usable with the result that the efficiency of the school is seriously handi- capped. There are two methods by which the present con- gestion may; be relieved. The first, in my opinion, would meet with strong opposition from the people of the Town. The auditorium, which is used not only for school gather- ings but for many public meetings, could, with a small expenditure, be made into four rooms. This plan would
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still furnish a makeshift hall that would seat about 250 pupils. The second plan, which would cost the town more but would provide a more adequate remedy for the school and the people, would be to build two additions of two stories each to the wings of the present building upon the land already belonging to the town. This would add four large rooms to the present building, would bring relief to the overcrowded commercial department and would ob- viate the necessity of using the chemical laboratory with its obnoxious gases and the bookkeeping room for home rooms.
Two facts stand out prominently as causes for the large increase in attendance. The first is the lack of employment and consequent decrease in wages in the industries with the result that many more students are attracted to the school than formerly. This is a condition which exists in a majority of the schools of the country. If it were not for the fact that there are about as many boys as girls en- rolled, it might be considered as conclusive evidence that this is the only reason. With the knowledge that there are about as many boys as girls in the school-a most un- usual condition- necessity compels us to look further for a reason. This is found in the added interest of the boys in their athletics and the better school spirit which has thereby been aroused. Two years ago the athletic interest was negligible owing to the extremely poor showing made by the teams representing the school. Since the advent of an athletic coach who not only knows the games but who has the ability to impart that knowledge to others, Plymouth has had more boys on the field trying for posi- sitions on the teams than ever before in the history of the school. The excellent spirit shown by the pupils in their school and their athletic teams was demonstrated this past fall when the football team went through the en- tire season without a defeat, an event which has never hap-
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pened before in the athletics of the institution and a feat that has rarely been achieved by any school.
Last season the school was represented by both boys' and girls' basketball teams for the first time. The play of the boys' team was confined mostly to class games although a few interscholastic games were attempted. The girls' team, after completing its class games, finished the year without a defeat in its contests with girls' teams of other high schools. It is expected that the school will be repre- sented this year by teams of both boys and girls. Through lack of a gymnasium the school was obliged to secure the use of Emond Hall which can in no way take the place of a good gymnasium and its appurtenances. If a gymnasium were built between the Senior and Junior High Schools, more pupils would be able to take advantage of the athletic training as well as have compulsory physical education while school is in session. A portable gymnasium, which would encumber the Town with no very great expense, would answer for all purposes until the Town could see its way clear to build a permanent structure.
Beginning with the opening of school this year the work of many of the classes was made more intensive by the addition of extra periods each week to many of the courses. English A, B, C, and D, American History, European His- tory A, and B, and Bookkeeping A, B, and C have been increased one period each. Cooking and Sewing have been extended from four to six and from two to four periods, re- spectively. A review course in Algebra and Plane Geometry for pupils preparing to enter college has been introduced in the last year five periods a week, and a course in Economics during the second semester for five periods a week will follow Commercial Law. Perhaps it' is too early to speak of results but the fact remains that the students are doing more intensive work and are giving much more serious thought to the subjects that come daily than to those that occur less often.
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It is the policy of the school to interview each student at least once a year in an attempt to learn his ambitions. and interests and arrange his program so that he will work toward the goal or purpose for which he is striving and consequently eliminate as much waste energy as possible. The plan so far has been most successful in directing and guiding the pupil toward his life's ambition. It often means the readjustment of courses and, if done early in the year, is of a distinct advantage to a pupil and oftentimes saves a whole year of maladjustment. Although no teacher is employed exclusively for this work of guidance, much is being done to benefit the pupil. The ideal way would be to employ a vocational guidance director whose only duty would be to help a pupil to discover himself and find his: proper niche in life. The services of one teacher would be sufficient for both the Junior and Senior High Schools.
The belief has become general among teachers and busi- ness men that the secondary school should minister more definitely to the wants of the community in which it is located. If Agriculture should be taught in the schools of an agricultural people and Commerce should be taught in the schools of a commercial people, than Manual Training and Prevocational subjects should be taught in the schools of a manufacturing people. Plymouth, once a residential and a seaport town, is rapidly becoming an industrial center. It is unfortunate that the conservatism of tradi- tion or the lack of financial ability is keeping Manual and Prevocational Training from the High School. Boys of High School age exhibit a restlessness and desire for ac- tivity which can be given direction and turned to good account in shop work. Here in Plymouth, insufficient op- portunity is given the boy to determine his aptitudes and powers. Many good mechanics are being spoiled through lack of opportunity in school to discover latent ability in manual work.
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According to Parker and other writers of authority on the psychology of high school subjects there are five types of learning involved of which the first enumerated is motor skill. This type of learning, which is emphasized in the household arts and secretarial courses of the girls, receives but slight consideration with the boys. All courses in the school have a tendency to become too theoretical with the result that the boys become nauseated with theory and rebel. This antagonism is not always open but usually manifests itself in the neglected preparation of lessons, inattention in class, and other equally disturbing forms of uneasiness. All subjects are crammed with facts and theo- ries. The boy is supposed to work out the application of these facts and theories after he leaves school. Facts and principles must necessarily be the basis of any subject that is taught, but ample provision must be made for using the facts and principles in the actual doing of things. Motor skill can be acquired only by the introduction of those subjects from which the pupil learns through doing-for example, the use of tools and materials which will give him readiness of adaptability in any field of activity where such skill is required. One serious obstacle in the way of giving trade instruction in the Plymouth High School is the great diversity of occupations. It would be impossible for the school to prepare tradesmen for every trade. The most practicable policy for the school to follow would be to give instruction in the fundamental processes of all trades, namely, in wood and iron.
The mental tests given by you to all of the pupils of the High School last year are already producing excellent re- sults and have been of distinct advantage to the teachers. It is now possible for a teacher to find out definitely wheth- er the pupil or the class as a whole is doing the amount and the quality of work commensurate with the mental ability of the individual or the class. It is possible also for any teacher to check up the results of her own particular
PLYMOUTH TWENTY
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rating of a class or individual and compare the results with the work done by other teachers. It would be abso- lutely impossible for a superintendent with his multifarious tasks and duties to attempt to do work of this nature but, nevertheless, it should be done yearly for the benefit of the individual pupil and the school as a whole.
The program-clock, which has been installed in the office of the High School, is of inestimable value to the efficient administration of the school. It removes the necessity of appointing monitors to ring bells for the passing of the classes for recitation and eliminates the irregularity of the human agency. Before the system is completed it will be necessary to install secondary clocks in the class rooms and finish the telephone system for which the building was wired when it was enlarged. Horns now take the place of the bells formerly in use for the fire alarms; thus the danger of a misunderstanding between the recitation and the fire signals is reduced to a minimum.
Recommendations of the State Department of Educa- tion relative to the awarding of honors to the pupils of the graduating class were favorably discussed and adopted at the last State Conference of Principals at Harvard Uni- versity. It is my opinion that this plan, which is quoted below, would work a more equitable distribution of honors than the method which now prevails. Therefore, your favorable consideration for the adoption of this plan be- ginning with the class that graduates in 1923 is strongly urged. The recommendations follow :
"It has been the custom in many schools to appoint vale- dictory and salutatory parts on high school graduation programs to the students having the highest and next to the highest average throughout the high school course. This practice has been discontinued in many schools and should be discontinued in all schools for the following reasons:
"1. The desirability of discontinuing marks based upon a percentage or other numerical basis.
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"2. The awarding of honors on the basis of a series of marks on a percentage basis is unfair also because the standards of marking vary with different teachers and in different subjects. The average is extremely unreliable. The knowledge that an average will be made is a tempta- tion for students competing for those honors to take those subjects in which they are likely to get the higher marks regardless of the value of the subjects themselves.
"3. Competition for these honors is likely to develop an undesirable attitude toward work and toward one's fel- low students. Emulation and friendly cooperation should be substituted for antagonistic competition throughout school life as well as in the activities outside of school.
"4. Honor Group. As a substitute for the valedictory and salutatory honors, a school may establish an honor group to contain every student who obtains A or B in at least 12 units (60 credits or points) of work. This plan will lead to the substitution of a spirit of emulation and friendly; and helpful cooperation instead of antagonistic competition."
Another recommendation, which was made at the same con- ference and which has your approval, follows :
"In order to carry out the purpose of secondary educa- tion it is necessary that the school day should not be too short. The school day inclusive of lunch and recess periods should be not less than six hours in length. The net length of the school day exclusive of lunch and recess periods should be not less than five hours."
Finally, allow me to express my gratitude to you and to the Committee and also to the teachers of the High School for the assistance and support given to me during the year just passed.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM F. ALLEN, Principal.
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VOCATIONAL AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.
Plymouth, Mass., February 13, 1922.
Superintendent Charles A. Harris,
Vocational Agricultural Director, Plymouth, Mass.
My dear Mr. Harris :- I herewith submit my report for the Vocational Agricultural Department of the Plymouth High School.
DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES.
We have co-operated with, and have tried to show a sym- pathetic attitude toward, all agricultural interests. As last year, we have identified ourselves with the work of: Community Service, Disabled Soldier Rehabilitation, Boys' and Girls' Gardens, and the regular work with the boys of the High School Agricultural Department. All of these we have been urged to do by the State Department for Vocational Agricultural Education, as parts of our "job." Excepting the last mentioned work, we might well term it all,-"Our Agricultural Extension Work."
OUR AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION WORK.
Community Service. We have gladly responded to the call of many of our townspeople for the sake of giving our boys practical experience, and have done much orchard work-such as planting and renovating, farm carpentering, nursery work, crop harvesting, and other general farm work. The instructor has again been of service to the Cord-
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age Company in judging places, gardens and poultry yards. To some people he has been of practical assistance while to others he has merely made suggestions or given advice of an agricultural nature.
Disabled Soldier Rehabilitation Work. One out-of-town disabled soldier is enrolled in our department. He has done good work and were it not for his disability would be a very successful poultryman.
Boys' and Girls' Gardens. Because of the outstanding events in our past summer's Tercentenary program, our boys and girls were so occupied that gardening received less attention than in the preceeding season. The follow- ing ten honor pupils are the best of those who received money prizes for their garden work: Sarah Henrique, Axel Anderson, Roger Holden, Orlando Vecchi, Allen Per- kins, Evelyn Pyle, Beltrando Brini, Elmer Resnick, and Al- bert and Charles Cappella.
Our annual agricultural exhibit was held October 13th and 14th in the South Street Engine House. The vegeta- . bles grown by the boys and girls were on exhibition along with the educational exhibits of the boys from the High School Agricultural Department. Prizes for excellence were awarded. For this and the gardens, the School Board gave its usual $50.00.
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