USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1934-1936 > Part 28
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Spring Term-8 weeks.
Begins Monday, April 27-ends Friday, June 19. Note : May 30 on Saturday.
Fall Term-16 weeks.
Begins Wednesday, September 9-ends Wednesday, December 23.
Holidays :
Monday, October 12-Columbus Day.
Friday, October 30-Teachers' Convention.
Wednesday, November 11-Armistice Day.
Wednesday-Friday, Nov. 25-27-Thanksgiving.
NO SCHOOL SIGNALS 2-2 on Fire Alarm Code.
7.05-No school for Junior and Senior High Schools. Does not apply to freshmen.
8.15-No morning session for the grades I to VI inclu- sive.
11.15-One session for the grades I to VI inclusive, schools closing at 12.30.
11.45-No school for the freshmen.
12.45-No afternoon session for grades I to VI. This must not be confused by the freshmen with their no school signal.
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FINANCIAL REPORT
RECEIPTS
Appropriation March, 1935, $222,000.00
Income from Trust Fund,
12.88
-$222,012.88
PAYMENTS
General Expenses,
$7,509.10
Teachers' Salaries,
149,975.95
Americanization Salaries,
2,974.00
Text Books and Supplies,
9,247.73
Tuition,
899.19
76.96
State Vocational Education, Transportation,
15,915.78
Janitors' Services,
11,427.99
Fuel, Light and Gas,
9,989.14
Repairs and Maintenance,
6,380.89
Furniture and Furnishings,
735.11
Diplomas and Graduation,
208.72
Rent of Memorial Hall,
360.00
Medical Inspection,
6,306.21
222,006.77
Unexpended Balance,
$6.11
REIMBURSEMENTS
From the State for:
Teachers' Salaries,
$18,917.00
Americanization,
1,405.00
State and City Wards,
833.40
Miscellaneous Receipts,
384.46
-
-
$21,539.86
Note: The actual cost to the town for current expenses of the schools was $200,466.91.
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SCHOOL DEPARTMENT BUDGET FOR 1936
General Expenses-
Superintendent's Salary,
$4,230.00
Clerk,
1,375.00
Supervisor of Attendance,
600.00
Stationery, Postage, Printing,
300.00
Telephone,
125.00
Travel Expense in State,
75.00
Automobile Expense,
400.00
School Census,
125.00
All Other,
200.00
$7,430.00
Teachers' Salaries-
Day,
$148,300.00
Summer School,
350.00
Americanization and Evening,
2,900.00
151,550.00
Text Books and Supplies-
Text and Reference Books,
$4,000.00
Paper, Blank Books,
3,400.00
Manual Training Supplies,
700.00
Domestic Science Supplies,
650.00
Athletic Supplies,
325.00
Typewriters and Supplies,
500.00
All Other Supplies,
100.00
9,675.00
Tuition ---
Out of Town,
1,300.00
State Vocational Education,
200.00
Transportation-
Pupils and Teachers, 15,800.00
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Janitors' Services-
Day,
$11,300.00 100.00
Watchmen, July 4th,
50.00
11,450.00
Fuel and Light-
Coal and Wood,
$7,500.00
Gas and Electricity,
1,700.00
9,200.00
Maintenance-
Building Supervisor's Salary,
$2,340.00
General Repairs,
3,000.00
Flags and Flagstaffs,
100.00
Janitors' Supplies,
600.00
Telephones,
350.00
Ashes Removed,
200.00
All Other,
100.00
6,690.00
Furniture and Furnishings-
Desks and Chairs,
$100.00
Window Shades,
200.00
All Other Equipment,
100.00
400.00
Rent Memorial Hall,
350.00
Diplomas and Graduation,
250.00
Medical Inspection-
Physician,
$1,620.00
Nurse and Assistant,
2,370.00
Dental Nurse,
1,440.00
Dental Clinic,
750.00
All Other-Medical Supplies, etc.,
400.00
6,580.00
Total,
$220,875.00
======
Evening,
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RECOMMENDATION Adopted Oct. 8, 1935
"To the Parents and Citizens :
The federal government has offered to make an out- right gift to the town of $138,150, if the town will also contribute $189,850 to erect on Lincoln Street a new building to provide a new Senior High School and addi- tional accommodations for the Junior High School. To receive this gift the town must act at once. It is, there- fore, necessary to call a special town meeting on Monday, October 21, 1935 at 7:45 P. M. to vote upon the accept- ance.
The School Committee feel that all parents and citizens should know (1) the existing unfavorable conditions which need remedying, (2) the favorable factors for building now, (3) factors offsetting the construction cost.
1. THE UNFAVORABLE CONDITIONS IN THE SCHOOLS.
The unfavorable conditions described below are due to two factors: first, the growth of the Senior High School from 421 in 1926 to 728 in October 1935, and second, the lack of modern educational facilities.
In spite of a decrease in the elementary grades during the past five years there is no indication of any material decrease in the Senior High enrollment. In fact the Sen- ior High School would need to decrease 350 pupils to remove congestion and be placed on regular hours-a highly improbable decrease.
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There are 728 pupils in the Senior High School on part time. In the morning session 506, who are crowded into a building with facilities for only 350, are losing 10% of a minimum school day. The freshmen, number- ing 222, can spend only 334 hours a day in school, losing 25% of their schooling. Moreover these latter attend classes from 1:00 to 4:45 P. M., a time of day, at which their mental and physical conditions are not at their best.
At the Senior High School while a few (possibly 15% ) are able to receive the special help needed to prepare for college, the many (85% ) cannot be given special individ- ual help because of the crowded conditions, large classes and the shortened periods. The seriousness of this situ- ation is apparent to all who know at first hand the condi- tions.
The health conditions at the Senior High School, poor even with lesser numbers, are seriously aggravated by the larger number. Because of an inadequate and antiquated ventilating system, basement odors, smoke from the fur- naces, odors from the lunch room and the chemistry labor- atory are frequently wafted through the building. The toilets are located in basement rooms with only two small glazed windows in each to bring in sunlight. There is an extremely severe eye strain due to the following: (1) Household Arts classes are held in the basement, poorly lighted or lighted for many hours with electric lights; (2) classrooms and the study hall have to use electric lights many hours during the day, especially afternoons and cloudy days.
There are eight furnaces to heat the Senior High and five to heat the Junior High-an uneconomical situation.
At the Senior High School over 100 pupils must stand at all assemblies even when local or out-of-town speakers on vital subjects address the school. Practically no edu- cational moving pictures can be used-a factor of vital importance in any system.
-------
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At the Junior High School 460 pupils have to stand at all assemblies. On some occasions pupils have fainted even when the assembly was short. When educational movies or stereopticon pictures are shown to the entire school, pupils sit on newspapers on the floor ; when shown to a single grade, pupils may stand.
At the Junior High School the physical education program has to be carried on out-of-doors or in the cor- ridors with a resulting disturbance to the other classes. At neither school can an adequate program for the cor- rection of physical defects be carried on. A state law makes physical education compulsory.
At the Junior High School several hundred pupils have to stand up to eat their lunch, oftentimes going out doors as the basement is too crowded for all. Many boys eat right by the doors of their toilet.
Many pupils in the freshmen class have to walk home over lonely roads in the dark during the winter months. This is especially bad for girls at Manomet, Cedarville, Long Pond and the more remote parts of South, Summer and Samoset streets.
II. THE FAVORABLE FACTORS FOR BUILDING NOW
1. The Federal grant of $138,150 is a gift and not a loan. If Plymouth does not accept it, some other town or city will. Plymouth pays its share of the cost of Fed- eral appropriations in any case through indirect taxes. It should receive something in return.
2. Plymouth can issue bonds or notes for its share of $189,850 at a very low rate of interest, probably less than 3%.
3. In making this gift the object of the Federal Gov- ernment is to give work to local unemployed, both skilled and unskilled. Whoever the contractor may be, he must hire local labor, qualified and available, as recommended
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by the local U. S. Employment Service. Thousands of dollars will thus come to persons living in Plymouth.
III. FACTORS OFFSETTING THE CONSTRUCTION COST.
(1) The cost of transportation would be lowered. Due to the double sessions there are duplicate trips from Long Pond, Cedarville, Manomet, Russell Mills and Darby. By eliminating one trip daily from each place, a reduction of $1500 to $2000 should be possible.
(2) Other savings should result from consolidating the two sessions.
(3) The employment of many men on welfare roll will reduce welfare costs in 1936.
These three factors, however, would reduce to a con- siderable extent, the actual cost to the tax payer of the building construction.
Recommendation :
The School Committee earnestly request all parents and interested citizens to be present at the special town meet- ing and vote to accept this unusual offer of the Federal Government which means modern educational facilities for Plymouth pupils at a minimum cost to all concerned.
E. HAROLD DONOVAN, Chairman
FANNIE T. ROWELL
Secretary EDWARD W. BRADFORD HARRY W. BURNS EDWARD A. BUTTNER. J. FRANKLAND MILLER
School Committee
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The New Building Facilities
Upon the request of the Federal Government for worthwhile projects in Plymouth upon which Federal funds could be used to put unemployed at work, the building of new high school facilities was recommended by the Board of Selectmen and by the School Committee. After careful consideration of the plans submitted, the Federal Government made an offer to give $138,150 toward the proposed cost of $325,000. This was an al- lowance of 45% of $307,000, the estimated cost of the building exclusive of $18,000 for the architect's fee. This latter amount was not considered as it represented highly skilled labor and did not meet the government's re- quirements for man-hours of labor. As soon as the offer was received the School Committee took action to prepare for a special town meeting.
At a special town meeting held October 21, 1935, the town voted to authorize the Board of Selectmen to accept the grant and to raise by issuing bonds an additional sum of $189,850, making a total appropriation of $328,000. The Frank Irving Cooper Corporation, the architects, at once completed the plans and specifications and submit- ted them to the P.W.A. (Public Works Administration) for their approval, which was obtained. The bids for the general contract were opened December 9, 1935. Of the eight contractors, the D'Amore Construction Company of Boston was the lowest at a basic cost of $302,000. By accepting certain alternates which did not substantially affect the building, the contract was reduced to $290,085.
Work on the building project began Monday, December
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23, 1935. The excavation contract was given by the D'Amore Construction Company to Malaguti & Sons, the plumbing contract to Mengoli & Son, and the electric contract to Millman Electric Company, all of Plymouth.
During the first month of construction the following local men were employed as approved by the Federal Employment Office: Twenty-three laborers on relief, two carpenters on relief, twelve carpenters non-relief, one time-keeper, and one night watchman on relief. Many more local persons will be employed as work on the build- ing progresses.
The bonds are fifteen-year serial bonds, bearing only 2% interest. These brought a premium of $1,765.61, a part of which was used to defray the cost of issuing) the bonds and the balance will be used to defray a part of the principal due in January 1937. A small interest payment of approximately $1,900 is the only cost for the year 1936.
The contract calls for the completion of the building by September 1, 1936, providing there are no untoward cir- cumstances. At the present time there is every indica- tion that the building will be finished and thoroughly equipped, ready for use on the above date.
The School Budget
For the past four years the School Department has made every effort to reduce its expenses and yet not lower the efficiency of the school system. The extent to which this has been done in comparison with the state as a whole is indicated by the following data. The state average cost per pupil decreased from 1931 to 1935, $10.53, the local cost decreased $15.22, or $4.69 more in Plymouth than in the state. With approximately 2,600 pupils in the local system this has meant saving $12,000 in the budget.
In preparing the budget for 1935 the committee had to plan for unavoidable increases in the cost of all types of supplies and of coal. Because of the large classes at the
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Junior High School, it was also necessary to restore one teacher previously eliminated. These necessitated an in- crease of approximately $7,000, making the budget for 1935 $226,000.
The Finance Committee felt it necessary to reduce the budgets of all town departments and recommended $222,000 for the School Department. This reduction was accepted in the spirit in which it was proposed. It was, however, impossible to reduce the budget $4,000 without making radical changes in policy. The grades at the Hedge School were reorganized requiring the com- bining of two grades in September. This eliminated one teacher from a school where the children need all the in- dividual help possible. The Cedarville School was closed as explained in the report of the Superintendent, sav- ing one teacher and much of the transportation cost from Long Pond. The nutrition class at the Cornish School which provided warm lunches for undernourished pupils was discontinued, eliminating one part-time teacher. There were fourteen changes in the teaching staff, re- placements in most cases being made at lower salaries. Many repairs were postponed to another year. A small reduction was made in supplies. These major savings are briefly summarized as follows:
1. Elimination of teacher at Hedge School in September, 1/3 of $1,350 $450.00
2. Elimination of teacher at Cedarville in September, 1/3 of $1,350 450.00
3. Elimination of transportation at Cedar- ville School, $8.00 for 75 days
600.00
4. Elimination of teacher in nutrition group, 1/3 of $800 267.00
5. 14 changes in teachers, 1/3 of $1,980 660.00
6. Reduction in maintenance 860.00
7. Reduction in supplies 250.00
$3,537.00
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As a result of the above changes, some of which are effective for a full year, a slightly decreased budget is possible for the year 1936. A further reduction will probably result as soon as the new school facilities are available.
Major Repairs
The major repairs were as follows (1) heater and plumbing repairs $914.04, (2) electric wiring $170, (3) fences $555.79. For some time the heaters in the Burton School have been in poor condition. Extensive repairs were made during the summer, but this is only a temporary remedy. As soon as possible a revised heat- ing system should be installed at both the Cornish and Burton Schools. A central heating unit would not only be more efficient but more economical.
Two old wooden fences, one at the Junior High School, the other at the Knapp, became too delapidated to be re- paired. New fences were erected to take their place. A new fence was also put upon the top of the retaining wall at the Mt. Pleasant playground.
Upon the recommendation of the Fire Department, the electric wiring in several rooms was changed to reduce the fire hazards.
New floors at the Cornish School must be given con- sideration in the near future.
E. HAROLD DONOVAN, Chairman FANNIE T. ROWELL, Secretary EDWARD W. BRADFORD HARRY W. BURNS EDWARD A. BUTTNER J. FRANKLAND MILLER
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EXPRESSION OF APPRECIATION Adopted June, 1935
1890
ELIZABETH H. SAMPSON 1935
Today marks the close of forty-five years of continuous service by Miss Elizabeth H. Sampson to the Town of Plymouth through its schools. Beginning in 1890 as a substitute teacher, exhibiting her natural teaching acumen, she quickly became the appointee at the Long Pond School, then in the first grade at the Cold Spring, later at the Knapp, and finally at the Hedge School. Here in 1912, having demonstrated superior executive ability and qualities of leadership, and having supplemented her experience by broad professional study, she was made Principal of the school. To the duties incidental to this position were added those of a Primary Supervisor for the Town for three years, of Assistant Director of Practi- cal Arts for five years, and, more recently, those of the supervision of the Mount Pleasant, Wellingsley, Mano- met, and Cedarville schools.
Not only has Miss Sampson served with rare efficiency in these several administrative positions but she has made signal contributions to the field of education. The present outline of health activities was developed by her in co- operation with Dr. J. Holbrook Shaw, the School Physi- cian for many years. Her citizenship clubs have been outstanding in developing a hardy sense of civic respons- ibility in her pupils. Her activity programs for her school have won special recognition from the Bridgewater State Teachers College, the State Department of Education and the State Department of Health. Her school is widely known for its sane progressiveness, due to her keen analysis of the best in modern educational procedure.
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Therefore, the School Committee wish to express not only their own sincere appreciation but that of her fellow teachers, parents and citizens for her many years of pro- gressive educational leadership, her splendid loyalty to the best interests of the Plymouth schools, her sympa- thetic understanding and interpretation of childhood problems, her undeviating devotion of body, mind, and spirit to her professional duties, and her Christian ideal- ism which has been a potent influence in the past and now remains an enduring monument to her of rich affection and integrity of character in the lives of those she touched.
The School Committee herewith extend to Miss Eliz- abeth H. Sampson the wish that her remaining years be filled with the blessed memories of a life dedicated to her Master's service.
E. HAROLD DONOVAN, Chairman FANNIE T. ROWELL, Secretary HARRY W. BURNS J. FRANKLAND MILLER EDWARD W. BRADFORD EDWARD A. BUTTNER
Plymouth TWENTY
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RESOLUTION Adopted February 19, 1935
With deep sorrow the Plymouth School Committee records the death of Albert L. Mellor, a member of its committee, and extends heartfelt sympathy to his mother, wife and children. During nearly nine years of service, he established a truly remarkable record of attending all but one regular meeting up to the time of his illness, an evidence of his keen interest in the educational problems of the town. The members have appreciated his sterling character, his high idealism, his sense of humor, his breadth of view of problems made especially serious by the country's depression, and his sympathetic under- standing of and loyalty to the vital school interests of all Plymouth boys and girls. He has ever been a public minded citizen, interested in the welfare of the whole town. His home life and his interest in wholesome physi- cal activities are worthy of emulation. Plymouth has lost an honored citizen and the schools a staunch supporter.
E. HAROLD DONOVAN, Chairman FANNIE T. ROWELL, Secretary HARRY W. BURNS EDWARD W. BRADFORD EDWARD A. BUTTNER
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REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee :
In submitting my tenth annual report as Superinten- dent of the Plymouth Schools, I would extend to the cit- izens of Plymouth not only my sincere appreciation but that of the teachers and the hundreds of pupils in the Junior and Senior High Schools, for their vote to erect a new high school and additional facilities for the Junior High School. Soon the lack of modern facilities, the crowded rooms, and the shortened hours will belong to the past history of the Plymouth schools. We look forward with pleasure to the new facilities which will provide a well rounded academic training for all those who desire it and can profit from it.
The arrangement of the special rooms, the assembly hall, the gymnasium and the cafeteria require a very close correlation of the two three-year units. The hours of both schools should be increased to insure longer periods so that more individual help may be given and less home study required. These factors involve many details which will need to be carefully planned during the ensuing year and which cannot be reported at present. With the hearty cooperation of all interested, one of the best secondary schools in the state schould be developed at a minimum cost to the taxpayer.
State Aided Vocational School
After the opening of the new school the old high school will not be needed for academic work. In the near future the town should consider the advisability of estab-
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lishing a State Aided Vocational School in this building. In such a case the town must assume the initial cost of equipping the school; but once equipped the state and federal governments would bear one half the cost of maintenance of the vocational school. Undoubtedly tu- ition pupils would be attracted from neighboring towns, whose tuition would reduce the actual cost of the school. In like situations in other towns the vocational school has made new equipment or has done repair school work because of its practical training, thus reducing school costs. Moreover a substantial number of the non-aca- demic pupils would be withdrawn from the regular school work in the Junior and Senior High School thus tending to reduce the costs of these schools. Such a type of training in the practical arts for both boys and girls would be a valuable asset to the town and should not in- crease the actual yearly cost to the taxpayer.
Plymouth Part Time Trade Extension School
Upon the recommendation of the Vocational Training Department of the State of Massachusetts, the Plymouth Part Time Trade Extension School to give vocational training in pottery, was established in October at the Sparrow House on Summer Street, under the direction of Miss Katharine Alden, who is well qualified to give the required instruction. She states :
"It is planned that the course will include: (1) pre- paration of native clay, (2) three methods of construc- tion : by coil, by wheel, by slab, (3) various methods of decoration : incised, applied in the Round, under glaze brushwork, glaze brush work, sgraffito, (4) mixing glazes : glazing, (5) firing.
"The designing of pieces later to be offered for sale will be criticised by Miss Alden and by Mr. Frank Allen, of the Massachusetts School of Art and State Director of Art in Industry. Every effort will be made to develope an industry which will meet the demands of our tourist
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trade and at the same time be symbolic of and a credit to Plymouth. To bring the products into a practical price range, it is essential that we build a local kiln, and foun- dations for it have been laid on the school grounds. Funds, however, are lacking and until two to three hun- dred dollars have been raised, nothing of moment can be done. Classes meet on Monday and Thursday and are at present open to High School graduates. When the number of twenty has been reached, it will be necessary to pick of the number present, the best material for further training.
"There is also a field for unskilled labor in preparing the clay and mixing glazes."
The cost has been almost entirely borne by the state.
Rest and Nutrition Classes
For several years at the Cornish School there has been established a group of children known as the Rest and Nutrition Class. These children were either more than ten per cent under-weight or otherwise needing special consideration, because of their health conditions. At about ten o'clock they were given a bottle of milk and a rest period spent stretched out upon their cots. At noon the children had a warm nutritious dinner fol- lowed by another rest until one o'clock. The cost of the food was paid by the parents or from contributions re- ceived from various sources. Miss Helen R. Burgess who supervised the rest and lunch, was an experienced die- tition and planned her work very carefully. The cost of the preparation of the food and the supervision of the rest periods, amounting to about $800.00, was borne by the town. Approximately twelve to fifteen children were benefited. It will readily be seen that the pupil cost was heavy.
At the Hedge, Knapp and Manomet Schools other types of rest classes were developed without the provision for
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the noon lunch. Their rest periods were in the morning and afternoon, at which time children were given milk. The average gain per child for these latter groups was as great as that for the Cornish School, indicating that the most important factor for improvement of the under privileged children was rest. With the data at hand over a period of many months, supplemented by medical opin- ion from other sources, the additional expenditure at the Cornish School for a few pupils did not seem justified, at a time when rigid economy in school expenses is neces- sary. The work was therefore discontinued.
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