USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1932-1933 > Part 14
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"Through the child's natural interest in physical edu- cation activities, his desire to achieve success personally and for his team, the need of excellent posture and strong bodies is stressed. Captain leadership, team organiz- ation, accurate interpretation of directions have all pro- gressed this year. The lesson plans used by the teachers cover every successful activity for grade school work, stressing skills which will be used in athletic games and leisure time in the future years.
"The number of girls participating in High School sports has increased, especially in the morning freshmen group. Other than the school team (which played through an undefeated basketball and hockey season) em- phasis has been placed on keeping a large number inter- ested through numerous inter-class and second team games.
"Corrective postural training is stressed in the fol- lowing ways: First, in a special class for the worst cases of round shoulders and hollow backs; second, by making the pupils posture conscious; third, a posture shield is awarded to the room having the best posture.
"Good posture has the following values: an erect, well- balanced, active body allows the vital organs to carry on their work properly and to maintain the rhythm of health. Good posture is a good investment, because it conveys the idea of physical and mental ability to do the work, whatever it may be.
"Trained leaders to assist and carry on the daily calis- thenic drill has proved a step in advance. A sense of responsibility is developed in the leaders. The success. or failure of their room is placed directly on the shoulders of the leaders. The technique of giving commands, proper use of the voice, mental poise, posture, and personality are developed in this daily period under pupil leadership.
"Games of varying degrees of skill have a definite place in physical education. Health habits, training in team play, give and take without losing one's temper, and ability to think under pressure are brought out in foot- ball, soccer, basketball, track, and baseball. The aim to develop good citizens, is furthered by the various situ-
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ations that arise during games calling for definite re- sponses on the part of the participants.
"A decided increase in the intramural program has manifest itself this year. Larger groups have been inter- ested in the activities.
"The community basketball, football, and baseball teams showed a lively growth this past year. Lincoln Street and Stephens Field were in use about every night after work. The tennis court hardly had a spare moment when not in use. Not every player on these teams re- ceived his or her training at the high school, but the main impetus and most skillful players can be traced to high school training in athletics. This carry-over value is an asset and provides a worthy use of leisure.
"The cost of the above program is about $1.00 per pupil per year in the elementary grades and in the Junior and Senior High School is less than $4. The total cost for the whole system is less than two cents a day per pupil."
(6) Summer School.
"To the pupil who has lost school time through illness, to the one who has not yet learned to work, and to the one who does poor work in certain subjects, the summer sessions affords very real help. It does this by providing six weeks of class and individual instruction in funda- mental subjects, arithmetic, reading, grammar and com- position, for grades 4, 5, 6, 7.
"During the last five years there has been an average enrollment of eighty pupils. The cost of their instruc- tion is as follows : Salaries $336, supplies $24, total $360. There is no cost for books, building, or transportation.
"The pupil cost in summer school is $4.50 and the sav- ing to the town through operation of such a session lies in the fact that retardation is unnecessary in 95% of the cases. It has long been known that retardation costs much: for the pupil it may mean a loss of self-confidence and the creation of negative characteristics ; for the town, it means paying twice for a pupil's instruction in a given grade.
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"Attendance at summer school does provide firmer groundwork, drill, and a continued emphasis on right habits of work and good school citizenship."
4. Further Reduction of Teachers' Salaries
The profession has never had a salary commensurate with the training required, the qualifications usually de- manded and the responsibilities assumed. The profession has always prided itself upon its unselfish spirit of devo- tion to the needs of children. It has never organized as has other forms of labor. It is entirely dependent upon the action of the community. For years it had what seems now to be ridiculously low salaries, many of them being from $320 to $625 even as late as 1914. During the war period boys "fired" from school because of conduct went to work at salaries higher than their teacher re- ceived. About 1918-1920 it was impossible to always get normal school graduates and many entered the profession direct from high school. School systems had frequently to take the best of a few poorly trained unqualified teach- ers. Gradually conditions changed until for the past two years there has been a slight surplus of average teachers but no surplus of first class experienced teachers such as parents would wish for their children. Further reduc- tions in salaries will tend to take away the present sur- plus and discourage the type desired in the near future.
To quote former President Calvin Coolidge:
"The main factor of every school is the teacher. Teach- ing is one of the noblest of professions. It requires an adequate preparation and training, patience, devotion, and a deep sense of responsibility. Those who mold the human mind have wrought not for time, but for eternity. The obligation which we all owe to those devoted men and women who have given of their lives to the education of the youth of our country that they might have freedom through coming into a knowledge of the truth, is one which can never be discharged. They are entitled not only to adequate rewards for their service, but to the veneration and honor of a grateful people."
The present maximum salary of the elementary teach-
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er is only $1,350 or about $26 a week, based upon 52 weeks in the year, the length of time for which she must provide. Her initial salary is less than $20 a week. It is only after six or eight years of successful experience that she reaches the above maximum. Such a salary is no real inducement to attract the best type to spend four years at our normal schools and colleges. It no more than gives a comfortable living without any real opportunity to save for later life or provide for professional improve- ment.
While the Junior and Senior High School salaries are a little higher, they are not sufficient to keep and retain the type of teacher desired. Moreover, that of the super- visors, principals and superintendent are considerably below the present state average and are not commen- surate with positions of equal importance in the business world.
The teacher has given her share to help the taxpayer by accepting her reduction cheerfully during the past year. Moreover, she is constantly doing more than her share by supplying her children with food and clothing to a greater extent than the average citizen realizes. The slight saving to the taxpayer by a further reduction will entail a severe hardship upon the teacher.
CONCLUSION IN REGARD TO FURTHER REDUC- TION IN COSTS
The average citizen is facing a serious social situation involving a readjustment in his budget of expenditures. Each item must be compared with the others in terms of values. A small decrease in the amount spent on the frills of life-the automobile, the movie, the cosmetics, candy and cigarettes-would soon more than make up the saving contemplated by reducing educational offerings to the children, the future citizens of tomorrow, or reducing the attractions to the profession by cutting salaries to a bare existence wage.
The average cost per pupil in the larger elementary schools per day for the next year will be approximately thirty-five cents, the price of an evening movie. In the
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movie your mind and spirit may be elevated or it may be- come sordid. You may learn a little through the news reel, you may get a little recreation through the comics. You do not hesitate to support an industry whose influ- ence upon the youth is at times exceedingly harmful. On the other hand the child is sent for five hours into a clean, healthy atmosphere, where he learns to fit himself for his life work, under the influence of a finely trained teacher, whose aim is to help him develop to the fullest his latent powers. Where has our sense of relative values gone' when we patronize one freely and thereby encourage ex- horbitant salaries to the movie stars and deny fair com- pensation to those who are working unselfishly and with- out ostentation, for the good of humanity, or when we deny the children the fullest preparation for their fu- ture life activities, each according to his ability and in- terest?
CHANGES IN TEACHERS
There were four changes in teachers, other than that of Miss Katharine A. O'Brien previously referred to. Miss Ruth E. Cummings and Miss Anne P. Wilson resigned for personal reasons, Miss Mary T. Marr, being the newest in the system, was not re-elected owing to the reduction in the number of teachers, and Miss Teresa A. Rogan resigned after completing forty years of service in the Plymouth schools. Miss Rogan will long be re- membered for her outstanding work as a teacher both in terms of accomplishment in subject matter and in her influence over her boys and girls. Miss Elizabeth Hendry, a teacher with excellent training and experience, took charge of the household arts work at the Senior High School. The other positions were filled by transfers.
NEED OF NEW BUILDING FACILITIES
The conditions with respect to building facilities de- scribed in previous annual reports is as serious as ever in the Junior High School and more serious at the Senior High School, due to the increased enrollment. Modern
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facilities would not only aid in developing the broader educational program so much needed, but would reduce the number of small classes to an appreciable extent. Cramped quarters do not permit economical arrangement of classes. Owing to local conditions it is not advisable to build this year.
WASHINGTON BICENTENNIAL
The two hundredth anniversary of the birth of George Washington was observed in all the schools. Besides the usual exercises much extra work was done throughout the year to appropriately observe this anniversary. Orig- inal plays and dramatization of events were given in all the grades. Many very fine drawings were made to illus- trate historical scenes. The Junior High School gradua- tion, the only local public celebration of this event, was in the form of an original pageant depicting not only the most important events in the life of Washington, but also the spirit of the times. The general consensus of opin- ion was that the graduation was the finest in a series of pageants, and reflected unusual credit upon those who were responsible for it.
TO THE PARENTS
There has been so much one-sided comment in the news- papers in regard to the high cost of schools to the taxpay- er that a very distorted idea of local conditions may be prevalent. At no time has Plymouth gone to the extremes in its costs for schools. The average cost of salaries for all its employees has been under that of the state.
Special subjects, such as music, drawing, manual arts, household arts, and physical education have never been carried to an extreme, but have been limited in scope.
The average cost per pupil has been only that or less than that of the state, and has not increased during the past ten years as rapidly as in the state. The school de- partment has considered every item of expense carefully and thereby has reduced the per pupil cost $20 over that of 1931, far more than the average in the state. A few other changes will be made gradually, reducing the costs
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a little more. Any further reduction will seriously lessen the educational offering to your children and will lower the ultimate standard of your teaching force. You who are parents must be on the alert to see that your chil- dren are not deprived of their just heritage - an oppor- tunity for a complete preparation for their future life.
AN APPRECIATION
I wish to commend in the highest terms the splendid spirit and the whole-hearted co-operation of all the teach- ers and other members of the School Department. Each and everyone has given fully of his time and strength of mind and body. Feeling keenly the loss of their salaries, they have gone on with their work determined that no. child should suffer because of their personal feeling. Many teachers have continued to give of their earnings to supply food and clothing to the needy boys and girls. So far as was possible they have let none suffer.
To the many organizations who have assisted in caring for the needs of the undernourished and poorly clothed, I wish to extend my thanks.
The year ahead is a very critical one for education. Restriction of educational opportunities may bring in- curable harm to many. The whole-hearted, sympathetic co-operation of all interested in the welfare of the Plym- outh boys and girls, the citizens of tomorrow, is earn- estly requested. Constructive advice is welcome at all times.
Respectfully submitted, ANSON B. HANDY,
Superintendent of Schools.
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REPORT OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
The enrollment of the Senior High School in Decem- ber for each year since 1928 is indicated in the fol- lowing table:
1928
1929
1930
1931
1932
Grade 9,
187
186
206
189
217
Grade 10,
113
163
171
191
177
Grade 11,
86
78
123
139
165
Grade 12,
81
83
77
.
110
127
Post Grad.,
21
Total,
467
510
577
629
707
This shows an increase of 78 over the figure of a year ago, and 240 over that of four years ago. I thought we had reached the peak last year. From now on I hes- itate to make any definite predictions regarding attend- ance. This increase naturally adds to the difficulty and expense in maintaining the High School. The availa- bility of one room in the Lincoln Street School provides the necessary outlet for the extra classes. The Junior High School, also, makes some use of the same room for music.
There are 113 classes in academic work, varying in size from 9 to 39. In comparison with the state averages for high schools of 500 or over, our High School shows a much smaller per cent of small classes, as shown in the following table :
CLASS SIZE AT SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Per Cent Plymouth
Per Cent State
No. classes less than 20 14
12.4
22.6
No. classes 21-25
26
23.
20.1
No. classes 26-30
38 33.6
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No. classes 31-35 21 18.6
20.6
No. classes over 35 14 12.4 11.8
Eight of the fourteen classes with less than twenty pupils are in college preparatory work such as Latin, French, and Mathematics; the other six are chiefly due to limited room facilities which require small overflow classes.
Many classes are too large for effective work. It is virtually impossible for the teacher to supervise indiv- idual progress or render special help to those who exper- ience difficulty in comprehending the subject when first presented. Both classes in chemistry are much too large for the room and supply of apparatus available for ex- periments. The difficulty has been rather well overcome by laboratory periods two days per week at the close of school.
I feel that definite progress is being made each year. The scholastic average for the entire school for the school year of 1931-1932 was very close to 77%. Those who took College Entrance Board examinations were success- ful in passing them, and are now in Wellesley and Massa- chusetts Institute of Technology. Thirteen others en- tered college by certificate or by certificate and examina- tion, and apparently are doing well. The school has rea- son to be proud of the work of its graduates in higher institutions of learning.
Preparation for college entrance examinations will fol- low the same plan as that of last year. Afternoon review sessions for intensive drill are being held. The school has demonstrated its ability to prepare candidates to pass their tests, but it must be remembered, that only as pupils and parents co-operate with the school can stu- dents present themselves for college entrance examina- tions with reasonable assurance of success.
A new half-course called "An Introduction to the Problems of American Culture" has replaced that con-
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cerned primarily with economics. This new half-course is elective for seniors, and about 75 of them will have taken it before June, 1933. It is a discussion course dealing in a very practical way with every day problems connected with government, industry, law, crime, educa- tion, public opinion, and many other kindred topics. I believe it to be very informing and interesting, there- fore valuable, as it gives the pupils the proper points of view regarding many of our present day problems, with- out, of course, attempting to settle them.
Tests designed to measure reading ability, both com- prehension and speed, were given throughout the school on December 20. I feel sure that the results will reveal much interesting and valuable information regarding many pupils, especially those who are not succeeding as well as they should. We hope to do remedial work where the need for it is apparent.
Other needs not now being met could be given consid- eration in our program provided we had an adequate school plant. We have practically no opportunity for projects which furnish wholesome outlets for pupils' creative ability and which serve to develop their sense of co-operation and responsiblity, as well as afford occasion to bring out qualities of leadership so much needed at the present time. I refer to public speaking, debating, dramatics, and clubs of an educational nature.
Another real need is an adequate scholarship fund. The Teachers' Club Scholarship and Woman's Club Loan Fund, as helpful as they are, have not been sufficient to assist all the worthy boys and girls who are ambitious to go ahead with their education. It is exceedingly dif- ficult for freshmen to secure aid in college. I believe that the use of such a scholarship fund should not be re- stricted so that it is not available for those who wish to study art or music, or attend schools not strictly classi- fied as "colleges." Any talented pupil who is at the same time deserving, ought to be a potential beneficiary of scholarship aid.
Respectfully submitted,
WAYNE M. SHIPMAN, Principal.
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REPORT OF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
I herewith submit my first report as principal of the Plymouth Junior High School. Much the same policy has been followed as in previous years, the organization having been so well established by our first principal, Miss Katharine A. O'Brien.
This year we are employing one less teacher than we have for the last few years. Classes are larger, the load of the teachers of major subjects heavier, and individual work in the classroom necessarily less. These teachers, however, are cheerfully carrying on and working later into the afternoon than ever before. All are continuing relief work.
The work this year was programmed according to the outline of Professor Jesse B. Davis, curtailing practical arts courses, when elective, one period per week which made it possible to accommodate all the wood-working classes in the main building, thus eliminating the pur- chase of new equipment for the South Street shop, and saving the time consumed in travelling back and forth to classes there - a bad arrangement in inclement weath- er.
Much is said in various reports about special subjects and electives - but very little about English, mathe- matics, and social studies. As a matter of fact, these are the heavy classes, the ones which require the greatest skill in teaching, and in which pupils must be kept up to a standard. It is the teachers of these subjects who carry the heaviest responsibilities, and who must give the greatest amount of individual help. If the subject happens to be an elective, the pupil who finds he is not fitted for the work, discontinues it the next year, and the teacher's responsibility ends. The special subjects which are required do not affect promotion.
But the teachers of the majors, English, mathematics
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and social studies, must conduct full-size classes and must do it successfully. They are the ones who put in far more time than the program shows, and conduct classes after one o'clock. These teachers, too, are the ones who have the added responsibility of home work and home rooms, with the citizenship work and clerical duties entailed. While electives and experimental courses are vital features of any junior high school, the requirements made upon their instructors are minor in comparison with the demands made upon major-subject and home-room teachers.
The fine spirit of the teaching corps, with its equally high standards of work and education, and the helpful co-operation of parents, cannot help but react favorably upon the character and development of both pupils and school.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY M. DOLAN, Principal.
REPORT OF HEDGE SCHOOL
A year's work in an elementary school of six grades covers so much ground that a complete report is impos- sible. However, the following summary gives in part what we have tried to accomplish in the Hedge School and our general procedure.
We have followed the Course of Study which provides a definite assignment for the fundamentals to be taught in each grade. Fully realizing that the more we help the individual the more we help the mass, we have or- ganized our teaching procedure with that idea as a basis.
Standardized tests were given early in the year and the results judicially used. These tests revealed the in- dividual excellencies and weaknesses of the pupils and necessitated that the classes be re-organized according to the various abilities and remedial work be arranged to meet the needs of all. The improvement determined by
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the tests which were given later in the year was very satisfactory.
With the rapid changes which are constantly taking place, teaching becomes more and more complex, and must be adapted to meet the situation. Subject matter must be thoroughly acquired, but knowledge alone is not sufficient. Having this fact in mind we have endeavored to enrich our program in order that we may instill a greater desire for learning and teach the child how to use the facts he has learned to the best advantage for himself and the world in which he lives. At the same time we try to help him establish satisfactory work habits and proper attitudes.
Every available resource has been made use of to broaden the views of the pupils. We are greatly in- debted to the friends of the school who have contributed magazines and pictures for that purpose, and to the people who have added much to the educational value of our assemblies by speaking to the children on topics of current interest. We also owe a great deal to three young boys of Chitina, Alaska, who have sent us the Weekly Herald throughout the year. The Herald is edited and published by these boys, and is the farthest north of any paper so published. It contains valuable information, and has made the geography of that sec- tion of our country seem more real.
Abraham Lincoln said, "Let reverence to the law be taught in the schools." If it was necessary in his time how much more so now. Character training holds an important place on our program, and our Citizenship Clubs are a strong force in promoting the traits of a good citizen. By experience the boys and girls learn that certain rules or laws must be made and obeyed. The of- ficers of the club, with the assistance of the councillors, make the necessary laws and are responsible for conduct on the playground, for care of school property, for the safety of the children when they are crossing the street, and for any matters pertaining to the general behavior problems within their comprehension. The monthly meeting of the council, with the whole school attending,
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is inspiring and beneficial and has, I believe, established a decided personal interest, thus improving the morale of the school. This year being the 200th anniversary of the birth of George Washington, the clubs made a special study of his life and gave a suitable program in his honor on February 22. The sixth grade classes painted large panel pictures depicting scenes from his life.
The amount of work accomplished by the combined ef- forts of the Health Department and the teachers cannot be measured. The children are more enthusiastic than ever before in trying to build up strong, healthy bodies. Through the persistent and untiring endeavors of our faithful school nurse many children have had physical defects corrected, and her home visiting has gained the co-operation of the parents in encouraging their children to acquire good health habits. There has been an in- crease in the number of pupils who have had their teeth cared for. Our Health Newspaper, which is issued monthly, carries its message into many homes. Our rest room has been a decided success. The boys and girls have gained in weight, and the teachers report that their scholarship is better. At present malnutrition is our major problem. We are very grateful for the contribu- tion from the organization of Red Men which has made it possible for the members of the class to have a much needed mid-afternoon lunch.
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