USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1928-1929 > Part 15
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34
4. Rest and Nutrition Class. (See picture page 58.)
Through the interest and cooperation of the principal of the Cornish school district, Miss Jessie L. Boyd, it has been possible to organize a class for underweight children of the Cornish-Burton group which has some unusual features. Miss Niland, Master of the U. S. Grant School at East Boston, who has a "Rest and Nutrition Class" which has proved to be very successful in dealing with the undernourished child problem, was good enough to come to Plymouth and tell our teachers about her class.
Our class which is similar to the one at East Boston began on October eighth with twelve pupils selected after examination by the school physician. These pupils carry on their school work in their own rooms as usual but when the other pupils go out at recess they go to the Fresh- Air-Room in the Cornish building where they have a half hours rest lying quietly on cots with windows open. Blankets are provided. After resting and drinking a half pint of milk they go back to their own rooms and take up their work again. At noon instead of going home they remain at the school and have another rest of an hour lying down followed by a hot noon lunch. They then go back to their rooms to work until school is dis- missed when they again go to the Fresh-Air-Room where they receive wholesome food of some sort to be eaten as they go home, a slice of bread and butter, a ripe banana or whatever can be most conveniently offered them on that day. This method has the advantage of allowing the pupils to carry on their work with their own teachers uninterruptedly and at the same time assures them a nourishing meal with plenty of time in which to eat it and a maximum amount of rest under hygienic conditions.
The class began on October eighth and at the end of the
-55 ----
month the thirteen children then in the class had made an aggregate total of forty-four and a half pounds in indi- vidual gains running from 11/4 lbs. up to 63/4 lbs. Only when you know that the expected gain of children of this age group is about a half lb. a month does the spectacular nature of these gains become apparent.
For the month of November the aggregate gain was twenty-six pounds in individual gains all the way from 1/4 lb. up to 51/4 lbs.
December made the poorest showing. One girl who gained 514 lbs. in November lost 344 lb. and two others neither gained nor lost. However the aggregate for the fifteen members of the class for three weeks of December was seventeen and three-quarters pounds. Taking into consideration the short school month the aggregate gain of 171/4 lbs. was not bad.
The expected gain for the group for this period would not be over 6 lbs. From October eighth to December 21st this group of from 12 to 15 pupils has made a total gain in weight of 87344 lbs.
The school principal, Miss Boyd, says : "During Thanks- giving week the parents in the district sent in a very gen- erous supply of food which has helped keep down the cost of feeding this group."
The improvement in the children is noticeable to par- ents, teachers and (perhaps best of all) to the children themselves. They are much more alert to do their school work. Their eyes are brighter, their color is better, the posture is improved and they are less nervous. The hour and a half rest each day relieves the strain and fatigue of the school day. In every case there is decided improve- ment. Each child has gained more than the normal ex- pected gain.
Each child is weighed on Friday and a report of the gain sent home to the parents. Parents report that chil- dren show, more willingness to eat all kinds of food, less nervousness and a desire to go to bed earlier than usual. As soon as a child reaches normal weight he is
-56-
graduated thus making room for another child. Several parents have asked to have their children remain in the class after they have reached normal weight.
One of the most gratifying phases is the enthusiasm of the children. The importance of rest has been so stressed that the children relax better than at first. They are a very happy group at meal time and learn to eat whatever is served. Their appetites are improved in the social atmosphere. The children are continually telling how long they sleep, how many helpings they had and com- paring weight gains. They watch their weight charts and express joy at gains or probe for reasons for unex- pected losses.
Many devices are used to keep the children interested in following the habits which will help them gain in weight. Much praise is due the director, Miss Caro!vn Carpenter for her work with this group."
Each pupil in the class is assessed seventy-five cents a week for the purchase of food but it would have been difficult if not impossible to provide nourishing food on this amount had not the local chapter of the American Red Cross generously contributed sufficient funds to pay for the milk taken by the class for some time. A card party arranged by the Cornish and Burton teachers yielded sufficient money to purchase necessary supplies for the start.
5. Oral Hygiene and Dental Clinic
In the fall of 1927 the school dentists examined 1,563 children and 1,508 were found to need dental attention. June 15, 1928, 418 of these children had had their teeth all repaired and received certificates from their family dentist and 775 children had had some of their work done.
As a part of the National Health Day exercises in June 479 "tags" were awarded to children who held dental certificates from their family dentist showing that all necessary dental work had been done.
On Friday, September 7th, 1928, a conference on dental work was held at the clinic rooms in the Governor Brad-
-57-
A Boy and Girl Awarded the 100% Bronze Medal in Health and Hygiene in 1928
1006
4174TH
HYGIEN
1328
A Group in Oral Hygiene
-58-
Rest and Nutrition Class at Cornish School
Somente
-59-
Laura Lamborghini, the Author, and Scenes from a Health Crusade Play Successfully Given at the Hedge School
-60-
CHART OF MEMBER OF REST AND NUTRITION CLASS
SEPT
OCT
NOY
DEC
JAN
FEB.
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
SEPT.
OCT
NOV.
DEC
JAN
55
54
53
52
51
GAINS
ACTUAL GAINS
50
AFTER
49
SHOWING EXPECTED
ENTERING
48
CLASS
47
LINE
46
ACTUAL GAINS BEFORE
45
44
ENTERING CLASS
VACATION
43
42
The above chart is an enlargement of the one shown in the picture of the "Rest and Nutrition Class" on page 58 and shows at the left a graph of the gain in weight of a girl for 10 months before joining the class. At the right is a graph showing the gain in weight of the same girl after joining the "Rest and Nutrition Class." The straight line with the stars in it, slanting up from left to right across the chart, represents the expected gain of a normal girl of her age and height over the whole period indicated by both graphs.
-61-
ford building. Those present were Dr. Curtin and Mr. Maxwell of the Board of Health ; Mr. Handy, superintend- ent of schools; Dr. Shaw, school physician; the clinic dentists, Drs. Donovan and Dyer; Mrs. Wood (former dental hygienist), and Miss Jane Bradford, the newly appointed dental hygienist.
At this meeting it was agreed in view of the above satisfactory results following the examination of the first six grades to include the Junior High school and the fol- lowing program was endorsed.
1. Dentists to examine pupils of the first six grades and the Junior High school and report findings to parents.
2. Concentrate repair work on early grades begin- ning with the first except that pupils of any grade referred by the Poor Department are to be treated gratis.
3. Repair work and extractions to be restricted to those unable to go to family dentist.
4. Do no "root canal treatments."
5. Extract all teeth not amenable to simple filling.
6. Charge for all work at the clinic to remain ten cents for each visit.
7. Encourage children in schools to work for dental certificates.
8. Teaching program in the schools by the dental hygienist.
9. Offer dental prophylaxis to all pupils who do not go to family dentist for it for "contact" and edu- cational value.
A comparison of the results of the 1927 examination with that of 1928 in the grades is interesting showing as it does a very striking improvement in the occurrence of carious teeth and more pupils with sound teeth. The 1928 examination shows seventeen percent. less of defective permanent teeth and fifteen percent. less of defective temporary teeth while there are 119 pupils with sound teeth against 55 in 1927.
ORAL HYGIENE AND DENTAL CLINIC-(Continued)
Number Examined
Defective Permanent Teeth
Defective Temporary Teeth
Number Free From Cavities
1927
1928
1927
1928
1927
1928
1927
1928
Hedge
446
443
2,002
1,701
2,300
1,722
3
20
Cornish and Burton
348
349
1,068
867
1,184
1,176
25
32
Knapp .
243
246
991
830
1,057
990
11
11
Mt. Pleasant
219
240
617
535
909
718
13
33
Cold Spring
49
46
162
85
255
164
0
7
Manomet
48
56
122
144
204
208
0
5
Eight small schools
210
213
624
462
1,078
964
3
11
Totals
1,563
1,593
5,586
4,624
6,987
5,942
55
119
-62-
-63-
Four hundred and sixty-five pupils were examined for the first time at the Junior High school, forty-one of whom were found to be free from dental caries. The number of defective permanent teeth among these pupils was found to be 2,287, and the number of defective tem- porary teeth 162.
The Plymouth schools have been pioneers in teach- ing oral hygiene as the records will show and much of our success in this innovation has been due to the enthusi- asm and originality of Miss White (now Mrs. Colburn Wood. (See picture on page 57.) In May Mrs. Wood took a class of twelve pupils from the Burton school to a meeting of the Mass. Dental Hygienist Association at the Hotel Statler, Boston, where she demonstrated her method of teaching oral hygiene with the school condi- tions reproduced on the stage.
6. Statistical Report of Teacher of Oral Hygiene
No. of children having teeth cleaned 1,008
No. of Oral Hygiene lessons taught in schools . . 292
Amount of money taken in for cleanings $78.55
DENTAL CLINIC
Number of examinations 2,344
Number of fillings 217
Number of first teeth extracted 187
Number of second teeth extracted 31
Number of tooth-ache treatments 20
Number of patients treated at clinic 150
Number of children finished at clinic 64
Amount of money taken in for filling $16.00
Amount of money taken in for sale of tooth- brushes $27.91
7. State School Hygiene Survey
In February Dr. Fredrika Moore made a School Hy- giene Survey of our schools for the Division of Hygiene of the State Department of Health. The report is vol- uminous, taking up each school in detail but a few quo- tations might be permissible here.
"For a town with a school population of only 2,564, eighteen is a disproportionately large number of school
-64-
buildings. In a consolidated school far better drinking, washing and toilet facilities can be maintained at less or no greater cost than in several scattered small buildings."
"The greatest problem at the moment from a sanitary standpoint is presented by the High, Junior High and Cornish and Burton schools."
"The Junior High lacks certain facilities desirable from the standpoint of health such as an adequate lunch room and gymnasium. The washing and toilet facilities are not sufficient. There is no health service room. The building is over crowded and there is some cross lighting."
"The High school is overcrowded and is a fire hazard. The lunch room is poorly ventilated and inadequate. The coat rooms are crowded, the boys' is dark and near the coal bin. There is no health service room. The lighting in the assembly hall, which is also used as a study room, is poor. The ventilating system is antiquated. In some of the rooms there is cross lighting. Toilet facilities are unsatisfactory and washing facilities inadequate."
"Burton school - the playground, which is shared with the Cornish school, is too limited for active games. The building is old; the stairs are dangerous, being steep and worn. The toilets are poorly lighted and ventilated. There is cross lighting in the school rooms."
"Cornish school - one of the worst buildings from a sanitary point of view. The stairways are hazardous, indeed the building itself is a fire hazard. The toilets are dark and not well ventilated. The booths are old and wooden. There is cross lighting in the school rooms; windows high above floor in some rooms."
"The Cornish and Burton schools are decidedly undesir- able from a health standpoint and from that standpoint should be the next buildings to claim attention. It is difficult to see how anything but a new building is going to adequately solve the problem here."
Dr. Moore spoke to the teachers Monday afternoon, March 26th, at the High school auditorium on Health Education, the platform being filled with material illus- trating her talk.
-65-
As a result of her recommendations three books con- taining material and suggestions for health teaching were placed in the schools.
Dr. Moore gives us credit in her report for an organ- ized health education program with correlation of health education with other subjects and characterizes the work we are doing as excellent. A notable project is the pub- lication of a monthly health bulletin by the pupils.
8. The Health Crusade. (See picture page 59.)
The nurse is doing excellent work with the Health Crusade which when properly conducted is a valuable health education procedure.
In the third grade the children keep a very simple but attractive score card which the nurse has devised. This serves as a sort of apprentice-ship to the regular Crusade to be taken up in the fourth grade.
When the pupils are ready to enroll in the Crusade a letter is sent home to the parents notifying them of the beginning of the Crusade, so that they may under- stand about it and help the children in their effort to keep good scores which will bring promotion. It is our ex- perience that the Health Crusade cannot be successfully used without this sort of preparation.
In January eight hundred pupils of the fourth, fifth and sixth grades enrolled in the Crusade of whom about seven hundred received honors.
9. Statistical Report of School Nurse
It would not be possible to enumerate here all the varied duties which devolve upon the nurse during the year but the following figures tell a part of the story.
Number of inspections of children in school 6,086
Number of inspections of children at home 200
Number of treatments given at schools 966
Number of schools visited 668
Number of homes visited 503
Chicken-pox 2
Conjunctivitis 3
Scabies 4
Ring-worm 2
-66-
Impetigo
55
Scarlet-fever
1
Measles
24
Mumps
2
Contagious diseases found in schools
93
Measles
46
Whooping-cough
4
Chicken-pox
3
Impetigo
2
Scarlet-fever
2
Contagious diseases found in homes 57
Number of exclusions of children 239
Number of children taken to hospital and clinic 51
Number of children operated for T. & A. 37
Number of children referred to physicians 41
Number of children weighed and measured 6,532 10. Pre-School Physical Examinations
In May parents were notified through the children in school and the local press that the school physician would be ready at certain specified times and places to examine children who would enter school in September, for physi- cal defects which might handicap them if not corrected.
The result of these examinations were as follows :
Number of children examined :
Cornish and Burton 24
Knapp
39
Hedge
39
Mt. Pleasant
7
Manomet
7
Russell Mills
4
Cedarville
2
Cliff Street
8
Total number examined 130
Summary of defects found :
Nutrition 12
Posture 21
-67-
Scalp
1
Skin
3
Teeth
99
Nose and Throat
55
Glands
6
Nervous System
2
Feet and spine
5
Eyes
7
Ears
19
11. Motion Pictures
A program of motion pictures for health has been put. on at the larger school centers and at Manomet monthly throughout the school year as follows:
January - "The Priceless Gift of Health,"
February - "The Knowing Gnome" - shows how to win health by obeying the "Rules of the Game."
March - "Tommy Tucker's Tooth."
April - "Prevention of Disease" - Science of Life series.
May - "Hints on Healthful Living" - Science of Life series.
June - "Big Gains for Little Bodies" - a story of the Health Camps for undernourished children.
September - "Posture Clinics" - shows how to cor- rect faulty posture.
October - "Clara Cleans Her Teeth" and "Red Head." About the care of teeth and hair.
November - "The Kid Comes Through" - Very pop- ular, shows how good habits make for strength.
December - "Tommy's Trouble" - Teaches that it pays to take care of the teeth.
12. Conferences of School Physician
At the monthly conferences held during the school year the school physician has met the teachers to discuss health matters of interest. Dr. Moore spoke at the March con- ference.
1 :
1
1
-68-
The subjects follow :
January - "Signs of Physical Health in Childhood."
February - "Sings of Mental Health in Childhood."
March - "Health Teaching" by Dr. Fredrika Moore of the State Health Department.
April - "The Early Diagnosis Campaign Against Tu- berculosis."
May - "Worry and Aids to Mental Poise."
September - "Things to Remember at the Beginning of the Year."
October - "The Relation of School Furniture to Spinal Curvature and Near Sight."
November - "The Common Cold - Symptons and Cause."
December - "The Common Cold - Complications."
13. Examinations by School Physician
Number of inspections of children 1,238
Number of examinations of children 2,233
Number of notices of defects sent to parents 882
Eye 32 Skin 5
Ear
56 Tonsils & Adenoids . 444
Lung
9
Nervous System 29
Heart
2
Unclassified 14
Spine & Feet 291
Number of children referred to nurse 82
Number of permits admitting children 1,444
Number of exclusions of children
88
A WORD TO THE PARENTS
The schools appreciate your hearty support as evi- denced by the hundreds that attended the graduation ex- ercises of the junior and senior high schools and the even- ing sessions of the grade schools. More parents than usual visited the Junior High School during the day time this year. Miss O'Brien, the Principal, states "We have been encouraged by the faithfulness on the part of the pupils in doing home lessons and we attribute this to the supervision and interest of the parents. Such a spirit
-- 69-
encourages us to aim for higher and better results."
Parents are welcome at all times at all the schools. It is natural that some mistakes are made and sometimes of a serious nature. Teachers are but human beings. The mistakes are largely errors in judgment. I know of no case where the teacher is not doing her best to give a fair decision and is willing to rectify any injustice. Teachers, principals and the superintendent welcome any sugges- tions given in the right spirit and the opportunity to cor- rect any misunderstandings.
CONCLUSION
The report as given in the preceding pages clearly indi- cates that the schools are putting a strong emphasis upon the individual child, correcting his defects, leading him to develop according to his interest and capacity, and at the same time securing a mastery of the fundamentals of arithmetic, reading and language. This program calls for a well trained conscientious teacher who gives of her- self unstintingly. Too much praise cannot be given to the Plymouth principals, supervisors and teachers for their splendid spirit and for the excellent results obtained by their efforts.
Credit must also be given to the taxpayers who are giving generously to the support of the schools. To the members of the School Committee who have given more hours to the study of school problems than many citizens realize, a word of appreciation is due. It is by their sym- pathetic understanding and hearty support that the schools succeed.
The School Department appreciates the splendid co- operation of the Health Department in carrying out the dental hygiene program. I also wish to thank the other town departments for the assistance so readily given to this department.
Respectfully submitted
ANSON B. HANDY,
Superintendent of Schools.
1
1
-70-
SCHOOL ENROLLMENT
The Number of Pupils in Each School and Grade as of Dec. 31, 1928 Grade
School
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 |10 |11|12
Total
High
187|113|86|81
467
Junior High
259|214|
473
Hedge
38
42
37
38
41
38
443
37
41
30
28
40
33
Knapp
34
33
37
41
33
24
256
22
8
24
Cornish
38
34
42
35
222
42
31
Burton
7
37
33
121
18
26
Mt. Pleasant
44
32
38
42
43
40
239
Cold Spring
20
25
45
Oak St.
15
19
16
14
64
Lincoln St.
20
17
3.7
Manomet
8
11
4
7|14 5
49
Wellingsley
7
10
3
20
Cliff St.
2
3
3
2| 4|
14
Russell Mills
4
3
9|
4
20
Cedarville
4
4 |
3
4
4|
19
Alden St.
25
25
Fresh-Air
3
1|2| 1
7
Total
301| 284|261|241 |264|230 259 214 |187|113|86 |81
2,521
South Street-Ungraded
28
Grand Total
2,549
-71-
EMPLOYMENT OF MINORS
1926
1927
1928
Certificates to Minors 14 to 16,
157
142
125
Certificates to Minors 16 to 21,
353
514
265
There were 142 minors between fourteen and sixteen years of age who within the calendar year 1928, were em- ployed while schools were in session.
SCHOOL CENSUS
Males
Females
Total
Persons 5 to 7 years,
227
223
450
Persons
7 to 14 years,
752
801
1,553
Persons 14 to 16 years,
233
208
441
Total,
1,212
1,232
2,444
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF ATTENDANCE
Dear Sir :-
I respectfully submit the following report of school absentees from January 1, 1928, to January 1, 1929.
Absentees Sickness Truancy Total
Cornish School,
4
1
2
7
Hedge School,
24
7
4
35
High School,
4
0
0
4
Knapp School,
4
1
0
5
Mt. Pleasant School,
3
0
2
5
Nathaniel Morton School, 88
113
18
219
Russell Mills School,
2
0
0
2
South Street School,
11
11
1
23
Wellingsley School,
2
0
0
2
142
133
27
302
Investigated for Superintendent's Office,
7
Employment Certificates investigated,
33
Investigated for night school,
7
Number of homes visited,
349
Visits to schools,
15
Children found on street and taken to school,
2
Total number of investigations,
366
-
-72-
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES
(*) New teachers employed in 1928
Office
Anson B. Handy 'Alice Murphy
Supt. of Schools Secretary
High School
Principal
156a Sandwich Street
Wayne M. Shipman Edgar J. Mongan Assistant Principal
*Charles R. Consodine
Ruth E. Cummings
Domestic Science
11 Sever Street
13 Whiting Street
11 Mt. Pleasant Street
Paulyle W. Flavell (Leave of absence) French Dorothy A. Goodenough History, Civics
*Barbara Howes
Spanish, English
13 Whiting Street
13 Whiting Street
13 Whiting Street
*Betsey H. Morton
Sten., Type., O. Pr.
15 Clyfton Street
* Amy Rafter Miriam J. Raymond
English
Civics, Com. Law
Biology, Science
Dean of Girls, English
*Doris Traver Margie E. Wilber Edwin B. Young
French
7 Stephens Street Brookside Avenue
4 Maple Place
Junior High School Principal
23 Nelson Street
Katharine A. O'Brien Mary M. Dolan,
Assistant Principal Sadie H. Barrett
English
35 Mayflower Street
M. Agnes Burke
English
11 Lothrop Street
13 Whiting Street
17 Alvin Road
T. Beatrice Curran
Math., Hygiene
78 Sandwich Street
19 Oak Street
Woodwork, Sheet Metal
5 Bay View Avenue 167 Court Street
220 Sandwich Street
Math., Adv.
Hist., Civics, Econ.
17 Pleasant Street
Mary E. Driscoll
B. Tr., Bookpg., Type.
Physics, Chem., Alg.
8 Park Avenue
17 Pleasant Street
Louise B. Humphrey Helen C. Johnson
English
Type., Bookkpg.
Civics, Com. Law
13 Whiting Street 7 Whiting Street
*Dora Ries Richard Smiley Helen F. Swift
41 So. Spooner Street 236 Sandwich Street 14 Clyfton Street
Latin
Gen. Science, Agri.
Mathematics, Pen.
11 Lothrop Street
Esther M. Chandler
English, Math.
Gladys M. Cobb
Gen. Lang., Eng.
Ellen M. Downey Deane E. Eldridge
Social Stud., Music
4 Park Avenue
Frank E. Fash
-73-
Margaret K. Elliott Amy Hammond (L.) Una Kelleher
Bertha E. McNaught
*Gladys E. Morehouse Edith S. Newton
Frances Smith
Domestic Science
*Kenneth Walton
Manual Training
4 Cushman Street 15 Allerton Street
35 Mayflower Street 33 Russell Street
23 Vernon Street
13 Whiting Street
13 Whiting Street 4 Park Avenue
Hedge School
Elizabeth H. Sampson
Principal
Hazel Bates
Grade I
Estella Butland
Grade II
Florence B. Corey
Grade VI
Jessie M. Davies
Grade V
Lulu M. Hoyt
Grade III
13 Whiting Street
Cora M. Irwin
Grade I
11 Sever Street
Edith C. M. Johnson
Grade II
13 Whiting Street
Evelyn L. Peck
Grade IV
280 Court Street
Barbara R. Perrier
Grade V
12 Washington Street
Helen F. Perrier
Grade IV
12 Washington Street
Susan M. Quinn
Grade VI
146 Main St., Kingston
Ethel D. Tolman
Grade III
93 Court Street
Knapp School
William I. Whitney
Principal
70 Sandwich Street 37 Union Street
Annie S. Burgess
Grade III
Margaret L. Christie
Grade II
401 Court Street
Lydia E. Holmes
Grade V
261 Court Street
Maude H. Lormond
Grade VI
79 Court Street
Lucy E. Rae
Grade I
280 Court Street
*Della Tuttle Flora C. Stevens
Grade I
29 Samoset Street
Cornish School
Jessie L. Boyd
Principal
101 Court Street
Carolyn L. Carpenter
Fresh-Air Room
6 Mt. Pleasant St.
Helen F. Holmes
Grade V
28 Chilton Street
Flora A. Keene
Grade II
4 Sever Street
Charlotte E. Lovering
Grade VI
21 Vernon Street
Mary E. Robbins
Grade VI
102 Allerton Street
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.