USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1926-1927 > Part 34
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the corridors are again used during stormy days. It. naturally follows that the noise from the exuberance of youth disturbs the home-room teacher. A proper place such as a gymnasium, for carrying out this health pro -- gram, would mean better physical development of youth and activities planned according to the demands of present-day conditions.
In contrast to our crowded conditions are the well- lighted, well-ventilated gymnasiums in the other Junior High Schools that I have visited in our state.
Parents who visited the school on Parents' Night com- mented on the crowded conditions during the lunch per- iod. On pleasant days pupils go outdoors to eat as the place allotted is too crowded, but on stormy days this is. impossible. The result is that only a small number can use the shelves for their trays. As this lunch is for many pupils the regular noonday meal, there is pressing need for a lunch room where every boy and girl can find a seat and wholesome place to eat.
"Public education should not be an everlasting formal round of study and recitation of abstract studies, but. should include some method of organized equipment whereby pupils can be working on definite jobs."
The woodworking room is inadequate for the program defined here. Two classes go to the South Street School. It is the best we can do at present. With this arrange- ment we still have some classes on short-time periods on account of crowded conditions. One class that really needs this line of work is deprived of its two regular periods. One class in household arts uses the upper cor- ridor for a classroom.
Many children who can do skillful work with their hands are unable to do given work that requires mental application. It is the policy of the Junior High School to prepare these boys and girls for a vocation that is useful. We have one class of forty pupils in the school this year who come under this type. That the school has helped
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them is evident from the projects these children made during their woodwork and household arts periods in four months. These boys and girls nearly all of whom are of legal age, would probably be out on the streets or loafing at home. They are not only getting their introduction to vocational training but also initiative, inspiration, and habits of industry. With more room and adequate equip- ment a more extended program could be arranged for this group.
A very serious problem is the music program. We have curtailed the periods so that classes receive instruction only bi-monthly. The classroom is unsuited for the larger boys and girls, and often we are obliged to have two pupils use the same seat. There is only one suitable place to carry out a program for Junior High School music, and that is an assembly hall.
In the beginning of my report I stated that one of the purposes of the school is to inculcate by practice the prin- ciples of good citizenship. To do so, we need the assem- bly hall where all the children of the school can meet as one democratic society. In the past we improvised a hall by placing seats in the upper corridor and carried on a program for days of special observance. The State build- ing inspector has forbidden this arrangement. The pupils are keenly disappointed about losing the assembly period. This is one place where school spirit is capi- talized, where boys and girls can express their talents in music, pageantry, or literature. It is a marvelous place to implant citizenship that will include the citizenship of the community, the state, and the nation. Yet on a day as sacred to us all as Armistice Day, the exercises for that day were held in individual classrooms.
To give the advantages of a real Junior High School program to every boy and girl we need more room and more equipment, but it will mean genuine profit because each pupil will be given some line of work for which he is fitted. Progress along these lines cannot be delayed, or
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if it is the aims for which a Junior High School was organized cannot be reached.
In conclusion, I wish to express to you, Mr. Handy, to the members of the School Committee, to the teachers of the school, and the parents, my sincere appreciation of the unfailing support I have received in carrying out the policies of the school.
Respectfully submitted,
KATHARINE A. O'BRIEN,
Principal.
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REPORT OF PRINCIPAL OF HEDGE SCHOOL
I hereby submit my report of the work done in the Hedge School for the year beginning in September, 1926, and ending in June, 1927.
The total membership was four hundred fifty-six. The attendance was good, the average percent for the year being 95.3.
There have been several changes in the teaching force. It is always unfortunate to have good teachers leave,- their worth, if they remain in the same school for a period of successive years, cannot be estimated. How- ever, we have today a conscientious and efficient corps of teachers who are giving the best that is in them.
Professional improvement is being made through faculty meetings held every Tuesday morning and by reading educational books and magazines. Several of the teachers have taken summer courses. Such experts as Mrs. Gareisson who demonstrated how to teach read- ing and Mr. Houston who presented his writing methods are valuable sources of instruction for the teachers. The interest of the teachers in the school building has been shown by their efforts to make it more attractive. This year they have bought rugs and curtains for the teachers' rest rooms and are planning to complete the furnishings in the near future.
The Standardized Intelligence and Achievement Tests which have been given during the year have shown a wide range of individual differences among the pupils. The knowledge gained from these tests plus the teachers' estimates of the pupils' abilities have resulted in a better classification and should lessen retardation.
For the past three years the school has been benefitted
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educationally and socially by the weekly assemblies. The safety law which permits three hundred pupils, only, to be seated at one time in our auditorium has made it im- possible for the whole school to assemble. It has been necessary to alternate the lower and upper grades, the first three grades hold an assembly one week and grades four, five and six the next. This is unfortunate as it re- moves one of our most important means of teaching com- munity spirit and citizenship, and is, of course, a great disappointment to the boys and girls.
Parents are cordially invited to visit the school as often as possible and in this way keep in touch with the children's work. For various reasons there are many who cannot do so during the day time. At your sugges- tion an evening session was held, thus giving an oppor- tunity for all who wished to see the regular school work. The large number of parents and friends who came proved the value of the procedure.
Realizing the importance of a sound mind in a sound body we have stressed the teaching of health. The sixth grade has continued the publication of "The Standish," a health newspaper, and every class has worked out at least one health project. Twice a month five health in- spectors have visited all of the rooms and at the end of each month have presented a banner to the class which rated highest in personal hygiene and general cleanliness. The boys and girls have been much interested in the Modern Health Crusade and by daily trying to perform the required duties are laying a foundation for correct health habits. The parade of the Crusaders and the presentation of medals to the children who were 100% in health was impressive and inspiring. The children were filled with enthusiasm and were eager to join the health army.
There are always many improvements needed to keep up the efficiency of a school. Briefly our most essential
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needs at the present time may be summarized as follows :
1. A place to put auditorium chairs when not in use.
2. Playground bordering on pond improved.
3. Lights over teachers' desks.
4. New teachers' desks and chairs in the four rooms in the new building.
Respectfully submitted,
ELIZABETH H. SAMPSON.
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REPORT OF PRINCIPAL OF KNAPP SCHOOL
The work of the Knapp School has shown steady prog- ress during the past year, due to the efficient and con- scientious service rendered by the teachers. They are ever ready to co-operate with each other, the principal and superintendent for the advancement of education.
Due to a fewer number of pupils and the fact that the Hedge School since its enlargement has accommodated. a part of the district that previously came here we have had one room less than ever before. The attendance for the school as a whole, has been excellent. There have been fewer absences than usual, and practically no cases of truancy. I believe that the excellent work of our School Physician accomplishes much for our attendance.
The health of the pupils receives constant attention. Pupils are showing more desire and enthusiasm to be one hundred per cent physically than ever before. During this present year nearly one-half the pupils are taking milk every day.
The Haggerty Intelligence Tests were given last fall and the results compared with those of the National In- telligence Test of last year. These tests and results are a help to any teacher and a great aid to careful study of the group with which she has to work.
The recent introduction of the Language Errors Prac- tise Exercises of Matravers will do much I believe for the habit of avoidance of many common errors. The Courtis Tests are likewise accomplishing much for the accuracy of the fundamental processes in arithmetic.
Pupils are encouraged to plan and execute both as groups and individuals. The fact that we have one va- cant room has enabled us to do more along this line. A good sized model store is kept here, and any teacher may.
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take her class and make use of the same. A lantern and screen are here all ready for use. We have the first three hundred slides of the Keystone View Set but are unfor- tunate in not having those on Europe. The latter would be made much use of in the study of Europe in the Sixth Grades. I would strongly urge that the slides of Europe be added. The lantern, the first three hundred slides, the six hundred stereograph set, and the additional primary two hundred set were purchased at no cost to the Town.
A Library Club is carried on by the pupils of the sixth grade rooms. They now have about three hundred books in their own library and are much interested in the read- ing of good books. The library reading and the obtain- ing of State Certificates is also carried on from the third
grade. Last June forty-five State Certificates were awarded to those who had read and reviewed twenty books from the State Reading Course. Five of these books were required to be non-fiction.
The manual training work is thoroughly motivated. A problem is decided upon, the pupils choose the material they wish, and write letters ordering the same. Each figures the cost of the material he uses and pays for the same. In this way work in this subject closely correlates with that of others.
We appreciate the interest shown by the parents in the school. We would like them to follow more closely the work not only by examination of the report cards but by visiting and becoming better acquainted with the school work and teachers. This helps much the success of any school. The evening session held last fall was a step in this direction. Over two hundred parents visited and saw pupils doing regular school work. One man who was present remarked that he wished we had such a session every month instead of once a year.
One of our greatest needs is an assembly room where we can gather for exercises on special occasions. This would make it possible to extend invitations to parents
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and friends to be present. The Portable Building could at small expense be furnished with benches and serve this purpose very well a large part of the year. At present it is used for physical exercise classes only - except the few times when we have borrowed chairs very kindly loaned us by the neighbors.
Pupils and teachers have been much benefitted by the better lighting system installed last summer. The need of the same on dark days has been much felt heretofore. The fire escapes now provided for each of the upstairs rooms make is possible to have pupils out of the building in a very short time. With those and seven exits on the first floor, it would seem that there is little danger in case of fire.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM I. WHITNEY.
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REPORT OF PRINCIPAL OF CORNISH- BURTON DISTRICT
The total enrollment to date of this district which in- cludes Cornish, Burton, Alden Street, Oak Street and Cold Spring Schools, is five hundred and forty-three pupils. In September Alden Street enrolled but eighteen beginners so nine children were transferred from the second grade at Cold Spring, making Alden Street now a combination of first and second grades. This school year we have but two fifth grades, leaving an empty class room. This room is now used as a workship for projects, for hand work and by the special teacher for group work.
Two fire escapes were put on the Cornish School and one on the Burton School - thus giving each class room its own fire exit. Fire doors have been put on stairways where needed. These improvements add to the safety of the buildings which are old and wooden. The Cornish School playground has been fenced in. The basement room in the Cornish School, which is used for physical training and assemblies, has had chairs and settees ar- ranged to conform with the fire laws. The installation of lights in the Alden Street and Cold Spring Schools makes these schools more efficient. Lights are urgently need at Oak Street. Five new sections of slate board have been put in at Alden Street.
On Monday night, November seventh, a school session was held from 6.30 to 7.45 in the Cornish, Burton, Alden Street, and Cold Spring Schools. That night over six hundred parents visited these schools. This is interpreted as a symbol of the deep interest of the mothers and fathers in the schooling of their children. This session gives the parents a chance to meet the teachers and to see the boys and girls doing regular school work under
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everyday conditions. It gives the parents and teachers a chance to talk together and thus brings about a better understanding of their mutual problems. Parents have been extremely kind in expressing their appreciation for work well done.
Since September the Haggerty Mental Examinations have been given in all grades above the first. The Wilson Arithmetic Test of 1926 was given this year to accustom the children to taking the test and to discover individual and class weaknesses so that they may be corrected. Some teachers have given such tests as the Language Er- ror and the Diagnostic Reading. Always the tests help the teacher to know her group better that she may better teach. That the best mental growth of each child may be assured classes are regrouped and the class work re- organized to fit the needs of the child. Thus we test and classify and group children only that they may be better served. Growth is our watchword - the individual growth of each child in our care. Keeping ever the vision of the kind of men and women the world needs, we are giving our best thought and effort to making our schools the best places for boys and girls to attain a high de- velopment in character, health and scholarship.
We have a special teacher whose duty it is to work with small groups who are meeting special difficulties in their lessons; or with children who because of long absence need help with work missed. As a child comes up to grade he returns to regular class work. Most of this work is done with the lower grades where fundamental processes are taught and where a good start insures the future progress of the child in school. Records of prog- ress are kept so that we can tell just what each child needs and what has already been accomplished. Mrs. Taylor gives much time and study to the special prob- lems involved in her work.
Because we believe that the elementary school should attempt to develop the whole child - working toward the
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goal of an integrated personality, the following extra- curricular activities have been instituted :
I. Citizenship Duties
Believing that the best way for children to learn good citizenship is by giving them the opportunity to practice the virtues, the children have certain citizenship duties about the building. These include distributing milk, traf- fic duty, basement duty, stairs and bells. A committee from each sixth grade has charge of these duties for a week at a time.
II. Auditorium
The room in the basement of the Cornish building is used for weekly assemblies to which parents are invited. Last summer the room was somewhat remodeled and now has a stage and a safe seating arrangement. The sixth grade assemblies are handled entirely by the boys and girls. Each committee of six, chosen from the three sixth grades, are responsible for the programs for a month. The assembly period helps to unify the school, promotes school spirit and gives an opportunity for ex- pression of certain talents such as playing musical in- struments, dancing, singing and acting. Programs given include, "The Life of Columbus"; A Pantomine; a De- bate - Resolved. It is better to travel in Europe than in America; and movies given through the courtesy of the Plymouth Cordage Company.
III. Harmonica Band
A group of about twenty-five boys and girls with a pupil leader have organized and meet twice a week to prepare to play at assemblies, to learn new songs and to learn to play better. This group often contribute half the assembly program and there seems to be increasing interest in this activity.
IV. School Paper
The school paper, the Pioneer, was started in 1927 as a project in English. A committee of nine boys and girls with high standing in English are chosen for each issue
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from the sixth grades. Material is sent to the committee and each class in the district is represented in each is- sue. The paper prints the news of the district and sam- ples of the best prose and poetry written by the children. Three or four issues are printed each year, each issue having a central theme such as health, thrift, Christmas, etc.
The district has a group of teachers unusual in their high professional bearing, their cooperation and earnest endeavor to serve well the children in their care. Every teacher in this district is either taking professional study this winter or has attended summer school within the last two years. It is a joy to be part of such a splendid group.
Let me at this time thank you for all your help, your kindness and cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
JESSIE L. BOYD.
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REPORT OF PRINCIPAL OF MT. PLEASANT SCHOOL
The Mt. Pleasant School has an enrollment of 223 chil- dren. The rooms are not crowded with the exception of the sixth grade, which has a membership of 43. Attend- ance has been regular with a daily average of 96.27% present. In September the Lincoln Street School was added to this district and the Individual School made a separate unit.
Haggerty's Intelligence Test has been given to every pupil from grades two to six inclusive. From the results of this test, the teachers have become better acquainted. with the ability of each child, and have planned their. work to fit the needs of the pupils.
Last year the per cent of retarded pupils was 9.6, while this year it has been reduced to 4.5. This, I be- lieve, is largely due to the opening of the special class- room in the Junior High School.
Special emphasis is being made upon accuracy in the four fundamental processes in arithmetic, the correction of common language errors, improvement in writing, good health and citizenship, and the reading of good books. Through the cooperation of the Public Library, books are used in all grades above the second. These are read by the children and a simple report made. We hope, by the end of the present school year, that many pupils will receive honor certificates in reading from the state.
The results of the splendid work done by the school nurse, doctor and dental hygienist are clearly seen. Most children are showing keen interest not only in their physical condition, but also in ways to improve defects which keep them from being one hundred per cent physi- cally.
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The closing of the Chiltonville Primary School brought us in September eleven children, making seventeen in all, who are obliged to remain at school all day. In order that they may have a hot lunch, a basement room has been furnished with the necessary equipment and heat installed. Cocoa is served at a minimum cost. The cook- ing, serving, caring of the supplies, and cleaning are done by the older girls under a teacher's supervision. On stormy days, other children living some distance away, remain at noon.
Milk and crackers are served at ten o'clock to 78 chil- dren. The number of underweights taking milk is slowly increasing. At the present time ten out of the sixteen children who are 10% or more underweight drink milk each morning.
On Nov. 7, Parents' Night was held so that parents, especially the fathers, could see their children at work. The afternoon session for all grades was held from 6.30 to 7.45 p. m. The parents gave hearty support and showed much interest in the school work. Two hundred visitors were present, representing 75% of the homes. Ten pupil absences were recorded throughout the build- ing, while two rooms had perfect attendance.
The school feels honored in having received a framed copy of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. It was given by Mr. H. M. Pratt, National Patriotic Instructor of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, State of Iowa. Presentation exercises will be held Feb. 10.
We regret that Mr. William Raymond, janitor of this school since it was erected in 1905, has been obliged to have a leave of absence on account of ill health.
I wish to express my appreciation to the Superintend- ent, School Committee, teachers and parents for their cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN H. LINNELL.
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REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL
The Individual School enrolls thirty-two pupils. The girls and younger boys are assigned to one class. The older boys form a group by themselves. This has been found to be a satisfactory arrangement since it affords opportunity for closer study of the individual case.
The Special Class teacher seeks to catalogue the child's knowledge, on his entering the class, to discover any special ability or defect and to adjust the subject matter to his individual requirements. Endeavor is then made to place the child under such methods of instruction that will cause the most rapid advance in his way of learning. The work is divided into a three fold organization of academic, physical and manual activities. The daily pro- gram consists of academic subjects taught concretely with eye-hand co-ordination; shop work for the boys; sewing and the rudiments of domestic science for the girls.
The development of the physical nature of the child is encouraged by means of games and plays while a cor- rection of physical defects is made whenever possible.
The Special Class children enjoy all advantages given to children of elementary grades, receiving regular visits from the supervisors of music, drawing and physical training.
They have participated in the Health Camping Exer- cises and have attended concerts at the theatre and at Memorial Hall.
Inasmuch as a number of the children come from North Plymouth and are unable to return home at noon, a hot dish is prepared and served to them to eat with their lunch.
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During the past four months, the boys have had shop work under the efficient guidance of a trained manual training instructor, with gratifying results.
The aim of the Individual School is to give exceptional boys and girls such training and instruction as may be necessary to fit them to become law abiding, self-support- ing citizens.
The fact that the school is now ending its thirteenth year has enabled us to do "follow up" work with the pupils who have left school.
We have found that a large number of the boys and girls secure employment and keep steadily at work with. good wages and with few changes of employment.
This would indicate that the industrial efficiency of these children may be made available if the right condi- tions are maintained and that by understanding their limitations, it is possible to train them to meet the prob- lems of life with a fair amount of success.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY L. JACKSON.
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REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
The need of a properly equipped gymnasium grows more pressing each year. The physical and medical ex- aminations show a number of individual defects that can be corrected with the proper equipment and room. The gymnasium would not only be a play room but also labor- atory for the correction of crooked spines, flat feet, round shoulders, and flat chests.
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