USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1922-1923 > Part 14
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So that the Town may take action if it so desires, the Com- mittee has introduced into the warrant the necessary articles.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK EASTWOOD, HARRY B. DAVIS,
E. W. BREWSTER, A. E. BLACKMER, JOHN J. O'BRIEN, CHAS. OTTEN, JR.
1
2
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S
15' Mean Low Water
0.5
CHANNEL
0.7
PIER
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FISH WHARF
PUBLIC LANDING
II
WHARF
12
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--
Rip- rap
HOW
Earth Fill
Town of Plymouth
7.1
ir
12
101
Puritan Canning Co.
Goodall
Amer Woolen Co.
50
10
WATER
OP
10
FLYMOUTH,
MASS
SCALE I : 2000
JAN 17, 1922
1
MORSE & CHASE
HAVERHILL, MASS.
...
...
15 Mean Low Water
PROPOSED
1
COAL
T
wally
Retaining
BULKHEAD
BREWSTER
-
11.
PROPOSED
LAND
ST.
Old Colony R.R.
Edas 7
IN
SKETCH SHOWING A PROPOSED BULKHEAD . CHANNEL
R. R. Station
ERR
18 Mean Low Water
STATE
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
Town of Plymouth
For the Year Ending December 31
1922
Plymouth Nineteen
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SCHOOL DIRECTORY
Term Expires
Edward W. Bradford, Chairman,
1925
Helen F. Pierce, M. D., Secretary, 1924
Ellis W. Brewster,
1923
The regular meetings of the School Board are held on the first and third Mondays of each month.
Superintendent of Schools, Horace F. Turner.
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.
Office hours of the Superintendent of Schools, 3.30 to 4.30 p. m., Mondays and Fridays. At other times by appoint- ment.
Attendance Officer, John Armstrong.
School Physician, J. Holbrook Shaw, M. D.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Plymouth, Mass., Feb. 1, 1923.
We herewith present our annual report, together with financial statement for 1922 and budget for 1923.
In the latter part of May the Committee sustained a loss, when the Chairman, Mr. Frederick D. Bartlett, forwarded his resignation.
Conditions at the Jabez Corner school were very unsatis- factory and the question arose as to the advisability of closing the school. At a conference with the interested parties in that district a strong sentiment developed in' favor of installing modern improvements and retaining the school. During the summer vacation, modern sanitaries and heating plant were installed, and we now have a first class school housed in a modern building.
We find the usual overcrowded condition in the north part of the Town, and the Committee feel that a building must be erected in that section during the present year.
At the completion of a survey of the school population now being made by the Superintendent, the Committee ex- pect to appear before the Town with plans and specifica- tions of a suitable building, which will relieve this conges- tion that has existed for several years.
Your attention is called to the report of the Superinten- dent of Schools for which we ask your careful considera- tion.
EDWARD W. BRADFORD, HELEN F. PIERCE, E. W. BREWSTER.
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FINANCIAL REPORT.
RECEIPTS
Appropriation March 25, for 1921 bills
$3,351 14
Appropriation March 25
202,635 00
Income from Trust Funds
18 47
$206,004 61
PAYMENTS.
General Expenses
$6,468 93
Teachers' Salaries
. 138,524 30
Text Books and Supplies
7,992 96
Transportation
9,260 86
Janitors' Services
11,532 21
Fuel
11,392 25
Repairs
12,011 73
Equipment
1,140 40
Medical Inspection
5,424 33
Tuition
870 35
Miscellaneous
1,382 37
Unexpended Balance
$206,000 69 $3 92
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SCHOOL DEPARTMENT, BUDGET FOR 1923
General Expenses
Superintendent
$3,300 00
Clerk
1,300 00
Attendance Officer
300 00
Printing, Postage etc.
450 00
Telephone
60 00
Traveling Expense
300 00
Automobile Expense
500 00
Freight and Express
300 00
School Census
125 00
All Other
300 00
$6,935 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
1,000 00
Typewriters
500 00
$9,000 00
Transportation
Carfares
$3,500 00
Automobiles
6,000 00
$9,500 00
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Support of Truants
50 00
Janitors' Services
1
Day
$10,275 00
Evening
225 00
$10,500 00
Fuel and Light
Coal and Wood
$17,300 00
Gas and Electricity
700 00
$18,000 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
Tuition and Transportation (other towns)
1,000 00
Diplomas and Graduation
200 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
Total
$214,285 00
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the School Committee of Plymouth :
Following is my first annual report as Superintendent of the Plymouth School System.
During the few months that I have been associated with the School Committee in the work of educating the children of Plymouth, I have been impressed with the fact that the people of the Town seem to realize the importance, not merely of accumulating things, but of living. They care about education ; they care about enriching life now and for the years that are coming.
The general problem for us is to bring about the educa- tion of children to prepare them for living among condi- tions as much different from those of today as conditions of today are different from those of a quarter of a century ago. The great changes that have come about in food, clothing, transportation and communication in the past twenty-five years have produced very different conditions of living. It is reasonable to expect that in the same length of time in the future there will be as many changes, if not more. The development of the industrial life of Plymouth has enlarged the scope of education. The schools have accepted the responsibility of teaching many things that were taught in the home before the coming of mills and the factory system.
The largest factor in the successful maintenance of schools is not the annual appropriation of money for their support. An intelligent understanding of the process of converting appropriated money into the intellectual, physi- cal and moral growth of children in this particular school
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system is needed on the part of each citizen, if he would bear his share of responsibility for the education of Plym- outh's children and earn the right to criticize. The life of the banks and other commercial enterprises in the Town depends upon the confidence and good will of the people. The same factors are necessary for the successful main- tenance of our greatest public enterprise,-the schools. This confidence and good will is of greater importance than appropriation of money.
In return, those of us who do any thinking about the matter are rightfully demanding that the development of certain enduring qualities in our children shall be the first aim of those entrusted with their education. We are not satisfied that the "Three R's" shall be the only commodities sold over our educational counters. We expect that not only the formal subjects shall be taught but in and through these self-control, respect for law, straight thinking, straight living, good health, right morals, resources for wholesome recreation and substance for the higher life. "Democracy is founded upon the expectation of certain virtues in the people," to quote from James Bryce. If our children are going to live later the kind of lives which membership in this community or anywhere in the Ameri- can democracy requires, provision must be made for them to live such lives in school years. Their conduct must be based upon qualities more substantial than con- ventional morality. Education finds its highest mean- ing in the realization that the worth of life consists in the endeavor to live out in conduct the noblest of which one is capable. These statements may sound trite and idealis- tic, but such worth is recognized in the commercial field and has its money value; it is the basis for the greatest achievement in business or professional life or any other life.
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To the accomplishment of this end it is possible for Plym- outh to have a school system excelled by none,-not in the beauty and grandeur of its buildings, but by working with the homes and all other forces for education in the com- munity in the teaching of boys and girls to live.
It is our purpose to develop and maintain excellent schools and let the work speak for itself through satisfied parents, loyal teachers, and capable children who will take their places in the town as able citizens.
When the Superintendent began the duties of his office about the first of August there were several problems which called for immediate attention.
The largest and most far-reaching in its effects upon the pupils was that of securing principals and teachers before the opening of school a month later. There were twenty vacancies. A principal and nine teachers were needed at the High School, five teachers at the Junior High School, and a principal and four teachers in the elementary schools.
The combined salaries for these positions for one year require an expenditure of over thirty thousand dollars. The number of pupils directly influenced is nearly a thous- and. Teaching is the most important factor in the school system. For this purpose the whole organization and ex- penditure of money exists. Hence it was imperative that the greatest care should be exercised in the selection of teachers. Schools were closed and it was impossible to see candidates at work.
On the opening day in September there was a trained teacher in each school-room where a vacancy had existed a month before, and we have reason to believe that the quality of teaching has not been lowered.
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A problem of less importance presented itself in the pur- chase of supplies. It was necessary to determine the needs of the various schools, order the supplies, and arrange for their distribution. The emergency was met with the aid of principals and teachers.
SCHOOL GROUNDS.
There is one condition existing at several of our school buildings that limits the work of physical education. With increased enrolment the playground facilities have become inadequate.
If all of the pupils at the Cornish and Burton Schools were to stand at equal distances covering the whole area of the playground, any one of them could reach out in any one of four directions and touch his neighbor. A piece of ground six feet square is not large enough to provide play space for, an active boy or girl. That is the condition at the present time.
Various interests in the community are working to close the street between the two buildings. This would eliminate an existing danger from automobiles and add approximate- ly seven thousand square feet to the area of the grounds. The undertaking is worthy of the active interest of all citi- zens of the Town.
The portable building in the rear of the Knapp School has taken an appreciable area from the playground in that district. The increased number of children in itself reduced the amount of space for each child. The two factors to- gether have greatly reduced the facilities for outdoor ac- tivities.
A new building recommended in past years and elsewhere in this report would make possible the removal of the porta-
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ble building. This would increase the available area of the grounds.
Ample and attractive surroundings are an important part of any school plant.
BUILDING PROGRAM.
The proposition of a new school building is not a new one. The need has been emphasized each year for the past six years in the annual report of the Superintendent and the School Committee. The problem of maintaining suitable housing conditions in a growing school system is persistent.
It has now become increasingly insistent. Attempts have been made to take care of the immediate need by erecting portable buildings. These have served the purpose well for a short time as an emergency method. There are two portables and two obsolete buildings in use now which will provide pupils for seven rooms in a new building. Con- struction has been deferred from time to time because of high cost. Authorities on construction costs lead us to believe that nothing further is to be gained in this respect by waiting longer. The time has arrived for definite, clear- cut action.
SCHOOLS AND THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
A commendable plan to encourage reading of the right kind of books is being carried on jointly by the Public Library and the schools. A pupil who gives evidence to the Librarian of having read five books from a prescribed list for his grade in the course of the year receives a certifi- cate from the State Board of Education and the Library.
The possibilities of this activity for formation of habits and influence of character are far-reaching. Wider publi- city will be given to the plan during the coming months.
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SCHOOL GRADE.
1 £ 2
3
4
5
6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13
Ttl.
6 | 88
5
93
7 |163
66
1
230
8 | 58 143
59
2
262
9 |
11
65 114
48
3
241
10 |
3
28
71 120
28
1
1
252
11 |
10
30
81
84
37 10
252
12 |
1
4
19
45
65
87
49
3
2
275
13
1
3
10
16
47
51
66
28
22 2
246
14 |
4
8
26
44
38
52
9
40 13
234
15
1
2
5
18
22
30
25 22
32 37 9
1
204
16 |
3
2
5
1
12
5
25 22 27
5
107
17 |
1
1
1
2
.1
9 14 31 23
83
18 |
2 9 7 16
34
19 |
5
5
20 |
1
1
1
3
21 |
1
1
Total
325 329 306 329 273 248 196 122 37 133 97 75 52 2522
This chart shows the number of pupils in each grade in December arranged according to age as of April 1, 1922.
The number in full-faced type indicate the largest num- ber of pupils of the same age in any given grade.
Some of the over-age pupils on the chart are in the spe- cial room at the Knapp School and others are in the South Street Individual School.
CHRONOLOGICAL AGE.
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Number of Rooms 20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
10
9
8
7
6
In 5
4
3
2
1
Number of pupils per
10 to
15
20 to
25 to
30 to 34
35 to 39
40
to
to
room
14
19
24
29
44
This graph shows the number of pupils per room or per teacher in the elementary schools.
It will be noticed that nineteen of the fifty-five rooms rep- resented have forty or more pupils each and thirty-eight have thirty or more each.
The small enrollments are in the rural or special schools.
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HIGH SCHOOL REPORT
Mr. Horace Turner,
Superintendent of Schools, Plymouth, Massachusetts :
Mr dear Mr. Turner-The report of the Principal of Plymouth High School is herewith submitted :
At the reopening of school in September a larger number of pupils were enrolled than in any former year. The total registration approached closely to four hundred. The in- crease in the number of high school pupils is not merely a local condition. Nor is it a temporary state. The influx of young people to secondary institutions is widespread. Investigation of the last three decades shows the growth to be continuous. It is due to the increased recognition of the economic value of education, the broader opportunities offered by the school system, and the demands of democracy for intelligent participation. The service rendered by the high school to the community needs to be augmented even more. There is no reason to believe that Plymouth is be- yond the pale of the general progressive educational trend. Let me reiterate the statement of former principals. Plym- outh High School NEEDS MORE CLASS ROOMS.
The duration of the present administration has been four months. Many changes in the corps of teachers were made in the summer vacation. The selection of new teachers was exceedingly fortunate. The co-operating spirit of the experienced and skilled teachers who remained has been worthy of constant approbation. The success of the school has been entirely due to the efficient work, unflagging spirit, and constructive counsel of the instructing force. Changes in administration have been introduced gradually and
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quietly. But alterations have been made only to aid the student body to acquire fruitful knowledge, to develop right attitudes, and to express these in action.
HEALTH AND RECREATION.
One of the cardinal principles of secondary education is proper instruction concerning the care and the exercise of the body. The work of the teachers in the science depart- ment has been so planned and co-ordinated that hygiene, proper foods, and the various phases of health instruction are presented without separate courses. There is duplica- tion only where emphasis is needed.
We are complying with the state law concerning physical exercise. Calisthenics are held daily. These exercises are held for only a few minutes. The pupils are not dressed for the purpose. The space and equipment is insufficient. But the training is UNIVERSAL. Every pupil receives the benefit. The healthy and robust pupils are not singled out and given intensive instruction. Correct sitting and standing postures are being developed by these gymnastics. Proper breathing habits are being formed. Unused muscles are being called into action. In general, the health of all is better.
Organized athletics with interscholastic competition have not been abolished. But a school athletic team tends to develop only a few individuals and the few selected are usually already well developed. Sports in school are prim- arily valuable to mold character, to develop a spirit of fair play, and to teach the subordination of individual glory to the welfare of the group. Football and baseball have been retained as sports. Basketball has been abandoned because it is too fatiguing for growing youths unless a
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proper place is provided for regular practice. Interest in track events has been fostered.
The dramatic work has been continued not only because it provides funds for extra-curricula activities, but it is adapted to develop qualities in some students which would not be revealed otherwise.
The publication of a school paper has been revived. Many pupils learn to do by doing. Expression in action often is the best teacher. The school periodical furnishes an oppor- tunity to the pupils to test their powers. It is one of the best incentives for better work in English.
STANDARDS AND SUBJECTS.
Although the devices used formerly for the improvement of scholastic work have been retained, other expedients have been instituted to promote a higher standard of scholarship. The more prominent of these are the honor roll announcements and the system of checking up appoint- ments for incomplete work.
The experience of the entire faculty has been used in planning a reorganization of the course of study in order that the students may derive a maximum of benefit. Many conferences have been held by different groups and the de- cision is unanimous that the teaching of subjects intensively for one year is much more beneficial than instruction of the same number of hours extended over a longer period of time. Accordingly, the following specific recommendations are made :
1. That algebra be offered five periods per week during the first year and five periods per week during one-half of the third year instead of two and one-half years as at present.
2. That bookkeeping be offered five periods per week
Plymouth Twenty
.
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during the second and third years instead of during the first three years.
3. That typewriting be reserved for the later years of the high school work.
4. That all history and civics classes be maintained five periods weekly of which one period shall be assigned for library work.
5. That commercial arithmetic be made compulsory for the freshman year for commercial pupils.
6. That salesmanship be added to the list of commercial subjects presented.
7. That domestic science be compulsory for all girls dur- ing one year.
8. That lockers be installed in the coat rooms.
PROMISCUOUS ELECTIVES.
By the test of trial and error the fact has become recog- nized that the program of studies in a public high school best meets the needs of pupils when there are a few curri- cula in which certain subjects are constant and other sub- jects are elective.
One of the prime functions of a junior high school is to explore the interests, aptitudes and inclinations of pupils. A senior high school needs to cultivate and develop princi- pally after the exploration. But the free elective system that is maintained in the Plymouth High School prolongs the exploration period unduly. Although educational guidance is provided for the pupils, there are many who complete the four years' work without any definite sequence of subject matter. What is the result? Some graduates desire to go to college, but find they have elected too many commercial subjects. There are others who desire to enter commercial offices, but have selected too many of the classi-
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cal studies. An indiscriminate mixture of subjects does not form a course. It is difficult to progress without follow- ing a course. I recommend that a program of studies be adopted in which there will be a small number of curricula with constant and elective subjects.
WHO GOES TO HIGH SCHOOL? WHY ?
A private school frequently confines its student body to one course such as college preparation or accounting or electricity or mechanics. A public high school is main- tained for the development of pupils whatever may be their natural bent. A public high school must cater to the public need. It must care for pupils of different mentalities, of different home environment and training, of different aims and prospects.
The high school needs to be prepared to fit young men and women for colleges and schools of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, law, education, secretarial science, business ad- ministration, agriculture, engineering and mechanics. The high school needs to train young people so that they may easily adapt themselves to home making,, nursing, agricul- ture, salesmanship, office work and manifold other occupa- tions. In order that pupils shall not be compelled to con- form to the school a broad diversification of opportunity is necessary. The more extensive the departments of the high school the more satisfactory will the increasing needs of the community be served. There must be no retrench- ment if thereby opportunities are withheld from children during the plastic period of their lives.
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AGRICULTURE.
I take pleasure in incorporating parts of the report of the agricultural department as presented to me by the instructor, Mr. Young.
"The activities of our agricultural boys are much the same as have been described in the past. With special ref- erence to out of door farm practice we have done orchard renovating, spraying, building construction work, tractor work, work connected with the handling of poultry such as killing and caponizing, gardening and many other varie- ties of farm work. We wish to thank our many friends who have made it possible for us to get this varied experi- ence.
BERGMAN AND HIS BIRDS.
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TRACTOR INSTRUCTION.
Enrollment-In September fourteen pupils were accepted and enrolled in the Department, although in June preceed- ing, thirty-four signified their intention of taking this course. The reduction in number was largely due to the fact that many do not understand the pre-requisites of a Vocational Agricultural Course. Had there only been a course in the high school on the general study of this sub- ject, this desire could have been satisfied. However, many of last year's problems are eliminated because of the pres- ent number of pupils.
Equipment-Changes which have taken place since the end of the last school year have gone so far towards re- ducing the cost of the Agricultural Department that when considering the State Aid for this work, it is now one of the least expensive departments in the school to the Town. It should be noted that the School Committee no longer furnishes us with a Ford automobile and its maintenance. Also, some of the equipment hitherto bought for the De-
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partment is now used in part or in whole by other pupils or parts of the school system.
Project Results-Accounts of the boys during the past year have shown that their garden, poultry, and other projects, have produced a clear profit of $1,025.35, while they earned from farm labor and substitute work $2,204.44, making a total earned of $3,229.79, or in other words, about $230.69 per average pupil for those who turned in their figures.
Some of our boys have won prizes at the various shows and fairs amounting to $31.20 in all, covering a period of one year. Of these Hillery Bergman and Everett Pyle deserve special mention. Bergman won $13.75 in prize money and for the most part, on poultry. At the Brockton Fair Pyle's pig took second place in the Junior Contest and fourth place in the Senior Contest. Of the boys in the freshman class, Robert McMahon has the best showing so far for the new year for prize winning."
WHAT THE SCHOOL NEEDS.
1. Varied opportunity.
2. More class rooms.
3. Gymnasium.
4. Re-organized program of studies.
The assistance rendered by you and the School Commit- tee is appreciated. I also wish to thank the teachers and parents for their kind co-operation.
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