USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1932-1933 > Part 15
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Much interest is being shown in the piano, violin and other instrumental classes and in the school chorus which the music supervisor has recently organized. The importance of the special subjects including music, drawing, physical education, manual training and sew- ing, cannot be too highly emphasized. Serious thinkers are wondering how people are going to use their leisure time as working days and hours become less. It is a challenge to the schools to create a lasting interest in worthwhile activities. That is its share in solving the problem. After all, it is the child who is to be the citizen of the future who demands our most important consid- eration.
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The evening sessions for parents to meet the teachers to discuss matters of mutual interest were well attended, and we were glad to see those who came. We appreciate their constant co-operation and we wish they and all others interested in education would visit the school when it is in session to become acquainted with its poli- cies.
Respectfully submitted,
ELIZABETH H. SAMPSON, Principal.
REPORT OF THE KNAPP SCHOOL
The attendance for the past year has been excellent and due, without doubt, to the continued good health of the pupils. As one looks back a number of years they more and more realize how beneficial are the health and physi- cal education departments.
Much lack of promotion in the past came from ab- sences due to sickness, now very little from this cause, which, of course, means a saving in expense as every re- peater was an added cost. The health of the pupils re- ceives constant attention, and there is more of a desire and enthusiasm to be one hundred per cent physically than ever before.
A glance in any of the classrooms will show careful attention as to cleanliness, personal appearance and good health habits. These are more pronounced than ever before, and best of all are coming through the pupil's own desire as a result of training and environment.
The physical education department is extremely valu- able. Team-work, co-operation and democracy are here splendidly taught and developed. Corrective exercises,
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games for physical development, skill, and mental alert- ness are given. Surely children of these days, with these environments for health, study, and exercise have much to be thankful for.
The pupils are taught to plan and execute both individ- ually and in groups. Much group work and project work has been carried on during the past year. This type of presentation is a far more vital experience to the pupil than the old type of a number of years ago. The pupil is taught how to study, where and how to find in- formation wanted, and to do things for himself. The fact that there were practically no cases of truancy dur- ing the past year would indicate that the pupils are in- terested in their school work. Much attention has been given to measuring by standard tests and to remedial work based upon the deficiencies thus found.
The Chadwick Clinic showed the need of arranging for special care to be given several of our pupils. One unused room was made ready, twelve cots and blankets provided. Here an opportunity is given for a rest per- iod each day and milk provided. Ten out of twelve of these pupils have already shown a gain in weight, even though this rest period has been given less than two months.
Free milk is being provided for a number of pupils who need it and cannot afford to purchase the same. We appreciate the fund given us by the Red Men to help out in this. Since that time one whist party has been given by the teachers, and a small admission was charged at an evening performance of a Christmas Operetta given by the pupils of the school. Proceeds are being used to supply milk where needed, and to relieve other needy conditions arising.
During the past year a radio has been purchased as a result of three whist parties. This is a valuable asset. Pupils not only listen in to the Damrosch programs every other week, but discuss and keep notebooks on same.
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The school orchestra has continued this year under the direction of Mr. Joseph Pioppi. Interest in pupils be- longing has been splendid, Mr. Pioppi's instruction very careful, thorough, and resulting in steady progress. Lack of instruments have prevented many from joining who would otherwise have done so.
Assemblies are held frequently and upon all special days. Here we endeavor to have the pupil plan and carry out the program.
The individual work given pupils needing it in the dif- ferent rooms by one teacher brings excellent results. By this means many pupils are enabled to be promoted with the class who would otherwise be retarded due to mental slowness, absences, or other conditions. I believe the work of this teacher results in considerable saving to the town by the elimination of many failures in pro- motion. .
One conference has already been held during an eve- ning for parents and teachers. We believe this type of conference to be far better than the older idea of a school session for all pupils in the evening. The response from the parents was excellent, and the co-operation gained is exceedingly desirable.
The teachers have given, and are still giving freely, to aid needy pupils. Few people have, I believe, any idea of the help supplied or the amount furnished by them.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM I. WHITNEY, Principal.
REPORT OF CORNISH AND BURTON SCHOOLS
In addition to the major subjects which receive due emphasis according to our rating in standardized tests, these children are being taught the absolute need of strong healthy bodies by means of instruction in health
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and physical education. They also developed in them the fundamental principles of music, art and manual train- ing which are the basis for profitable use of leisure, one of the greatest needs of education today.
In my opinion the elimination of special supervisors, or even greatly cutting down on the amount of time given by them, would result in the lowering of standards in these subjects. It is expecting a great deal of the regular teacher to be a specialist in all phases of school instruction. There are many efficient classroom teachers who are not capable of teaching these subjects well with- out the aid of one trained especially for that work. It is not our purpose in teaching these subjects to produce perfection on the part of the children, but in many cases it does develop a talent which may result in life work.
We have within our district five children of school age with such physical handicaps that they are unable to at- tend school. All of these children are receiving home in- struction daily from a trained teacher. This work is carefully planned, and is of such nature that the children could work with certain classes if the physical handicap were removed.
In order to meet the need of individuals, who due to illness or inability to grasp material cannot do work of a group, our remedial or helping teacher has proven very valuable. This work consists of analyzing difficulties and giving specific help in these cases. At present about seventy children are profiting by this individual teach- ing which could not be given by regular teachers when there are from thirty-five to forty pupils in most classes.
Due to the reorganization in schools this past year there are about seventy children bringing lunches and remaining at Cornish School during the noon hour. With this increase in number, it has been necessary to have a regular teacher take charge of this group. The children remain in the building until 12.30 p. m. At this time, weather permitting, they have supervised play out of doors until 1 p. m. In order to be certain of the safety of these children, they are not allowed to leave the
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school grounds without the written permission of their parents. The teacher doing the home instruction work also has charge of this noon period.
The Rest and Nutrition Class of the Cornish School continues to prove its value. In the past year thirty chil- dren have been enrolled. Nearly every child has made a decided gain in weight. All children have shown im- provement in general physical condition. This class is financed for the most part by gifts from local societies, teachers and individuals interested in the work. There are a few children who pay the regular fee of seventy- five cents per week. The only expense to the town for this class is the salary of the dietician and the cost of fuel.
I would like to express my appreciation to the Nook Farm Dairy and to the organizations and individuals who have contributed so generously to this class. I am sure all would feel repaid if it were possible to estimate the improvement in general physical condition and scholarship of those enrolled.
HELEN M. RIESE, Principal.
REPORT OF MOUNT PLEASANT SCHOOL
We have had as never before, an opportunity to teach economy and thrift. This of itself has proved of value, and, at least, to this extent we may find some good in the depression. Many odds and ends often thrown away in "good times" now find way into use as substitute ma- terial.
A goodly sized sum of money, willingly contributed by the teachers, has been used to buy food and clothing for the most needy pupils, thus enabling them to attend school, regularly, well nourished and dressed in suitable clothing.
Methods used in teaching have been very similar in procedure to those of last year.
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We have continued the practice of assigning assembly periods to each room for presenting programs, and we feel that the opportunity thus given to the pupils for as- suming responsibility and for participation in these programs before other boys and girls aside from their own classmates are most valuable.
Our school magazine, "The Sampler," is a language project of much worth. Throughout all the language work the children try to have their stories show such im- provement that they will be printed in the magazine. This promotes facility of expression which we feel no one can deny will be of great use to them when they are faced with the difficulties of life upon leaving school. Without question a well spoken man or woman has a decided advantage over one unable to express himself clearly and correctly.
The results of the last achievement tests were very satisfactory. Every subject carried a high median. The results of these tests have been a great aid to the teach- ers in re-grouping their class and organizing the work to fit the needs of the children.
The work done by one teacher, with the small groups from all grades who are meeting special difficulties in their lessons, and with those who need help in work missed because of long absence, produces excellent results. This type of work is a decided necessity in the younger grades where fundamental processes are taught and where a good start insures the future progress of the child. Too, it is of equal importance in the sixth grade where they are preparing for junior high. A teacher devotes one whole session a day to this type of work.
Reviewing the activities of the school year, we feel confident that we have done our utmost as teachers to prepare the children to become good citizens which is the primary object of all education. In striving for this end we have had splendid co-operation by the pupils, their parents and many other townspeople for which we are deeply grateful.
Respectfully submitted,
SIGNE L. JOHNSON, Principal.
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REPORT OF INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL
The main purpose of the Individual School is to teach the mentally handicapped those things they can learn and make use of now and later on in life.
A great educator has defined education as the building up of a body of knowledge, a body of habits, and a body of attitudes.
The special class teacher is limited in her scope in the building of a body of knowledge. She concentrates chiefly in developing desirable habits and attitudes, and in establishing the values of personal cleanliness, neat- ness and orderliness in habitation.
Although the procedure of instruction in the Individ- ual School differs from that followed in the grades, the content of the curriculum and citizen development pro- ceeds along the same lines. This makes it possible for us to meet the needs of some child who proved to be a misfit in the grades, and through a period of individual instruction, long enough to bring about a favorable re- action in the child, to return him to the elementary schools, to be given another opportunity in the regular grades. In other words, the Individual School, when the occasion requires, does adjustment work.
In September, 1932, we were happy to give a child an- other chance to rehabilitate in the grades. At the pres- ent time, this child seems to be doing well in a third grade.
Real education, which is personality development, re- quires the full co-operation of home and school. The school must understand the home factors influencing the child's personality, and the home must appreciate the plans and possibilities of the school in assisting the cor- rect personality of the child.
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The evening session, held during education week, gave parents an opportunity to meet informally the teacher in her own classroom, where it was possible to demonstrate, with the child's completed work as a material aid, his rate of progress in school work, and his aptitudes and · attitudes in general. The parent was thus given a chance to account for some retardation of progress, for some mental or physical peculiarity of the child in ques- tion, so that this interview between parent and teacher led to the discovery of many handicaps which might be corrected before the end of the school year.
Since mentally slow children must always be subser- vient to superior minds, obedience in all things to the smallest detail must be stressed in their training.
All new subjects must be taught by slow, easy stages, and each new step must be mastered before another is taken. Every project undertaken must be carried through to that child's highest standard of success, and no job must be left unfinished, because by so doing, we are allowing him to establish wrong work habits. Chil- dren of this type must ever have before them that they must work for their living, and this training in the suc- cessful accomplishment of mechanical tasks gives them a feeling of civic independence and responsibility.
Frequently, a mentally slow child has some specialized capacity, such as drawing, dancing, motor dexterity, mechanical skill, specialized memory, and other abilities. Whenever an aptitude for any type of performance is recognized, it is given every opportunity for expression and development.
Through the kindness and courtesy of the A. R. Parker Company, twenty-seven children in our school received milk daily during the past year, making possible a record of bringing all but one of underweight children to normal standard weight. We take this opportunity to extend to this firm our sincere thanks and appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY L. JACKSON, Principal.
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REPORT OF AMERICANIZATION AND EVENING SCHOOL
I herewith submit the annual report of the American- ization and Evening School Classes.
The unemployment situation emphasizes the absolute need of a strengthened public school program for adults. A study in any community where an adult program is carried on will show these programs to be rendering a service out of all proportion to the costs.
At the present time there are seven classes in session three days a week for a period of sixty nights. Two classes are held at the Plymouth Cordage Company's Plant, one of which was only recently opened. Three classes are held at the Knapp School building, and two at the Cornish School building.
These classes at present have a membership of one hundred twelve. They are made up of groups of men and women who are anxious to know the English lan- guage, to be able to read and write the same, who wish to get a knowledge of our History and Government so that they may become better fitted to take their places and more efficiently perform their duties when they be- come a part of our democracy through naturalization.
The cost of these classes this year will be as follows : Teachers and Director's salaries for all
Americanization Classes $1,667.00
Teacher's salary for illiterate minors 150.00
Janitor Service 180.00
$1,997.00
This does not include the cost of heating and lighting, which would be comparatively small for the five rooms used during the evening. No new books have been pur- chased this year, and the supplies such as notebooks and paper have amounted to little.
Of the expense listed the state reimburses the town
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one-half of all paid in salaries for these adult classes. There should be a return this year from the state of $833.50.
The class which costs the greatest amount at the pres- ent time is that of illiterate minors. Here the town re- ceives no reimbursement from the state. There are few who are required to attend, and I would recommend that this class be discontinued as a matter of economy. If this were done there would be a saving of seventy-five dollars for the rest of the year, or one hundred fifty dol- lars for the entire year.
Our classes, I believe, have met and are meeting the needs of the adults who are attending them. The at- tendance this season has been excellent, and this has helped very much to promote progress.
Although the cost of naturalization is higher than ever, yet we find as many in classes obtaining it as before. Citizenship - a goal to be prized and sought after - is much desired and valued.
The state requires that all teachers engaged in Adult Alien Education be certified. This comes as a result of special training in methods and procedure for this par- ticular type of instruction, and is very necessary for suc- cessful work. We have a group of well trained, consci- entious teachers, who are fully in sympathy with the problems of their groups, and who meet with a hearty response from the men and women they instruct.
In closing may I quote from a letter of L. R. Alder- man, from the Office of Education, United State Depart- ment of the Interior :
"The need for the evening schools is most urgent, if not commanding. Unless we take every precaution to make the unemployed feel that they are a part of the community, we are apt to suffer irreparable loss. This is the time when the public evening schools are needed more than any other time in our history, and I trust that you will bring the matter to the attention of those who can aid you in this hour of low morale."
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM I. WHITNEY, Director.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL HEALTH DEPARTMENT
There has been no special outstanding event during 1932, except the continuation of the business depression, which has had its effect in various ways upon the school health department. A number of pupils have been un- derweight and undernourished, which our rest and nu- trition classes have helped; one being established in the Hedge School, one at the Knapp and also the one at the Cornish School, which has been in operation for several years. A number have been supplied with much needed shoes and clothes, through the activities of the school nurse and other agencies and friends.
On the whole it has been a very healthy year with no serious epidemic.
The Schick Test was given to those pupils, who re- ceived the toxin antitoxin last year. There were less than 5% who gave positive reactions, showing that most of those received the injections are immune to diph- theria, and will probably always be immune. This is the fourth year since we commenced to administer the toxin antitoxin, and had we been able to obtain permission from all the parents, would have now nearly an entire school population immune to this dread disease. As it is, the prospect of an epidemic is very much lessened and grows more so every year.
In October the Chadwick Clinic physicians re-examined and x-rayed sixty-four pupils, sixty-two of whom were found to be improved. All these children have been followed up each month and a check-up made of the height and weight, absences on account of sickness, health habits, etc. Children of eligible age are chosen from this group to be sent to summer camp. The satis- factory progress made in the condition of these children
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is largely due to the rest morning and afternoon during school hours in the Rest and Nutrition Classes. The children learn how to rest and relax in these classes. They are taught why they need to rest and have co- operated splendidly. The parents, also, have helped considerably by having the children carry out their hab- its at home; proper food and rest periods on days when the pupils are not attending school.
We are fortunate this year in having two rest classes besides the one at the Cornish School. Early in the year cots for twenty children were provided in the Hedge School, and more recently, a rest class in the Knapp School was begun. A rest class at the Junior High School would be especially helpful for the rather large number of Chadwick Clinic pupils and underweight pupils found there.
Money contributed by various organizations and in- dividuals, in addition to funds received from the sale of Christmas seals, made it possible to send nine children to Bailey Health Camp at South Hanson. This was two more than we have previously been able to send. The children spend eight weeks in camp. Recreation of var- ious kinds is provided. Everything possible is done to keep the children well and happy. The benefit these del- icate, underwegiht children receive from the summer spent in the fresh air and sunshine, the plentiful, whole- some food, and most important of all, the rest cannot be estimated.
Fifty-four were operated upon for tonsils and ade- noids, being fifteen more than last year. Others have been taken for x-ray, eye and ear treatments, etc. Dr. Shaw has continued giving his services for eye and ear cases. Other physicians have, also, kindly given their services in treating children who otherwise would be uncared for.
For the various clinics held during the year, the pro- gram is systematized so that the pupils lose as little time as possible from the classroom.
216 medals were presented to those pupils who were found physically fit. 625 received teeth tags, 1,267 pos- ture tags, and 1,757 weight tags.
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One hundred and fifty pre-school children were ex- amined. One hundred and eight were found to have some defect. Thirty had been vaccinated and nine had received the toxin antitoxin. Fifty-four of these de- fects were found corrected on the examination of the first grade.
The school physician examines all of the pupils in the grades and Junior High School at least once during the year, and some several times, the Senior and Sophomore classes in the High School, all of those taking part in school sports and excludes those whose health is likely to be impaired by these games. He, also, examines those returning to school after absences due to sickness and endeavors to exclude any who should be, on their own account or for the benefit of others. He attends to emer- gencies and refers those needing treatment to their family physician.
The school nurse assists the physician in his exami- nations, weighs and measures all the pupils four times a year, looks up those out sick, arranges for operations at the hospital, takes pupils to and from the hospital, does numerous minor dressings, sees that the treatment for pediculosis, scabies and impetigo is carried out, teaches health, cleanliness and hygiene through talks, pamphlets and charts and many other things too numerous to men- tion.
Pupils are taught that by taking proper care of the body and hygienic living, disease may be prevented, and that people with the healthy bodies and minds bring more happiness and efficiency into the home and the com- munity.
The principals, teachers, physical instructors, dentists, and dental hygienist have all given us their fine co-opera- tion and support.
Respectfully submitted,
SUSIE MACDONALD, R. N., School Nurse.
L. B. HAYDEN, M. D.,
School Physician.
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STATISTICS OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Number of inspections 798
Number of examinations 2494
Notices sent to parents 539
Number of admittances signed by School Physi- cian
557
Number of admittances signed by other physicians
184
Number of pupils referred to School Nurse
41
Number of exclusions
30
The following pupils have been reported to the physical education instructors for special exercises :
Defective Posture
Defective Feet
Junior High School
157
21
Hedge School
104
9
Knapp School
26
0
Cornish-Burton Schools
109
8
Cold Spring School
10
0
Oak Street School
13
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