USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1934-1936 > Part 29
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In connection with the group at the Cornish a very few parents from the outlying districts secured a warm lunch for their children. Plans to organize this work for this group at cost, at the opening of school were made but were held up as the Federal Government was plan- ning to provide warm dinners for all undernourished school children as a W. P. A. (Works Progress Admin- istration) project and could take care of children from outlying districts.
Nutrition Project Under W. P. A.
In December final approval of the nutrition project mentioned above was secured. The Federal Government provides the cost of the supervisor, Miss Helen R. Bur- gess, and her six assistants, who furnish hot nutritious dinners for 52 undernourished children at three school centers, 23 being at the Cornish, 14 at the Mt. Pleasant, and 15 at the Hedge School combined with the Knapp pupils. The food is prepared at the home of Miss Bur- gess, distributed to the school centers and served by her assistants. Through the splendid cooperation of the Board of Selectmen, the cost of the materials is borne by the town as in other W. P. A. or E. R. A. projects. The average gain in weight per child for the first month was substantial.
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Recreational Program Under E. R. A.
The recreational program for adults, begun in Oct- ober 1934, was continued until June 29, 1935. Nearly 150 men were enrolled in groups at Harris Hall, the State Armory and the Boys' Club. The average daily atten- dance some months was 100. Three men, Columbo Scag- liarini, Charles Potter and Frank Gardner were employed under the regulations established under the F. E. R. A. (Federal Emergency Relief Administration). Mr. Ralph F. Matinzi gave much valuable assistance in helping to supervise the work. The change in the Federal Admin- istration from an F. E. R. A. to a W. P. A. project has prevented the re-establishment of this type of work this past fall.
Other E. R. A. and W. P. A. Projects
The improvement of the grounds at the Mt. Pleasant School as an E. R. A. project begun last year was nearly completed in December. High retaining walls were built for the bank nearest the school and for the north bank. On the top of the walls were placed chain link fences as a protection against children falling off. The top banks sloping to the tops of the walls have been graded and either seeded or covered with sod. Two flights of low steps and ramps lead to the lower grounds, which have been leveled and covered with gravel, forming an excel- lent playground for smaller children. Should the so called Paty property be purchased at a later date and graded, a valuable playground for all types of sports could be read- ily developed.
On the east side of the Manomet School the brush was cleared off and the grounds regraded, making a splended playground for small children. There is now a driveway to the front of the school building bordered by rocks. The seeding of the grounds began in September and will be finished this next spring. The project has improved the appearance of the grounds and building to a remark- able extent.
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Changes in Teachers
The year has been marked by the greatest number of changes in the teaching force for several years, there being seventeen resignations. Many transfers, resulting from the resignations and the elimination of two posi- tions beginning with the fall term, one because the Cedar- ville School was closed and the other because one less teacher was needed at the Hedge School. In January Miss Maxine Swett was transferred from the Cornish to the Mt. Pleasant School, Miss Eleanor Testoni from the Knapp to the Cornish School, while Miss Eleanor Sch- reiber was promoted from her position as a cadet teacher to that of a half time teacher and half time cadet at the Knapp School. In September Mrs. Estella Butland was transferred from the Hedge School, where she had given very satisfactory service for several years, and Miss Mabel Woodward from the Cedarville School to the Man- omet School, Miss Bertha Mitchell from the Manomet to the Mt. Pleasant School, Miss Clementine Ortolani from the Oak Street to the Burton School, Miss Dorice Knowles from the Hedge to the Oak Street School, Miss Dolores Guidoboni a cadet teacher at the Hedge to the Mt. Pleas- ant, while Miss Louise Tosi another cadet was assigned to the sub-primary at the Hedge School.
Early in the year Mrs. Frances H. Buck, who had given excellent service as music supervisor for several years and her assistant, Miss Ruth Manter, resigned because of their marriage. Mr. Edward Albertin sub- stituted for Mrs. Buck until June. The position was later filled for the new school year by the appointment of Dr. Howard C. Davis, who is splendidly prepared for the position by experience and training. He has been music supervisor in Chelsea, Mass. and Yonkers, N. Y. where he developed instrumental classes to a high degree as well as other phases of school music. For seven years he was Head of the Music Department at Fredonia Nor- mal School and was chairman of the committee on ex-
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aminations in the New York State Department of Edu- cation. In 1931 Chicago Conservatory gave him an hon- orary degree of Doctor in Music because of his outstand- ing work in music. Four years ago he was appointed to organize a Conservatory of Music at the Villa Maria College in Erie, Pennsylvania, but owing to the effects of the depression this work has been discontinued so that he was willing to come to Plymouth at a greatly re- duced salary. Dr. Davis conducts the school orchestras, bands, the chorus work at the Senior High School, the classes at the Junior High School and supervises the work in the grades. He also supervises instrumental classes which are organized under competent leaders for the dif- ferent instruments.
Miss Eileen Dennehy who was appointed to succeed Miss Manter, received the degree of Bachelor of Music from Boston University and is especially well prepared for music in the grades.
In May the High School was shocked by the sudden death of Frank E. Fash, the Head of the Science Depart- ment at the Senior High School for the past thirteen years. Mr. Fash had made a fine record especially in pre- paring the boys in science for technical colleges. He was succeeded by John W. Packard, who holds two degrees from Harvard, a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Chemistry and a Master of Education. He has had suc- cessful experience not only as a teacher, but as a radio engineer and as an air plane pilot.
The resignation of Miss Elizabeth H. Sampson, became effective in September. Miss Sampson had rendered out- standing service for forty-five years, as an elementary teacher, an elementary supervisor, or as Principal of the Hedge and the Mt. Pleasant Schools. The testimonial printed elsewhere is a splended tribute to her. She was succeeded by Mr. Coburn W. Tripp, formerly Principal of the Rogers School in Fairhaven. He is a graduate of the Farmington Normal School in Maine and has taken
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courses at Boston University in elementary education, dealing with the psychology of individual differences, elementary procedure, teaching of reading, geography, and character education. He completed his work for his degree of Bachelor of Science in Education in August. He has had eleven years of experience, nine of which have been as administrator and supervisor of both elementary and junior high school work. His work at Fairhaven has been outstanding. He developed character training, good citizenship, and activity projects to a marked degree and is well fitted to carry on the fine work so thoroughly established at the Hedge School by Miss Sampson.
Others who resigned at the end of the school year were Mrs. Helen F. Swift, Miss Mary E. Hayes, and Mr. Edwin B. Young at the Senior High School, Mr. David P. Matthews at the Junior High School, Mrs. Gladys L. Simmons, Mrs. Esther Maloni, and Miss Alice Eldridge at the Mt. Pleasant School, Miss Grace K. Reed at the Burton School, Miss Ruth Irvine at the Cornish and Miss Stella Willard at the Manomet School. Miss Grace R. Moor resigned in December on account of iil health after serving thirty-eight years, twenty-eight of which were in Plymouth, where she established a fine reputation as a primary teacher.
Mr. John H. Smith, Physical Instructor at the Junior and Senior High Schools, was given a year's leave of absence. Mrs. Ruth S. Manchester who substituted very capably for much of the year did not return because of regulations against the regular employment of married women teachers.
Mr. Mario Romano, a graduate of Boston College, with the degrees of Bachelor of Philosophy and Master of Education, is teaching at the Senior High School. He made a very satisfactory record in History and Econom- ics, supplemented by courses in educational psychology, classroom methods and administration of high school. Mr.
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Allan C. Ingraham graduated from Tufts College with a fine record, majoring in English. He also received his degree, Master of Education, taking many courses in education and psychology to fit him for his work at the Senior High School. His practice teaching was in the Malden High School.
Miss Bernice M. Landry graduated from the four year course at the Framingham State Teachers College, receiv- ing the degree of Bachelor of Science in Education. Her record placed her in the upper fourth of her class. She is teaching at the Junior High School.
Mrs. Helen S. Manchester was appointed to the sixth grade at the Mt. Pleasant School. Mrs. Manchester grad- uated with high honors from Bridgewater Normal School several years ago. She did an outstanding piece of work at Brockton where she received double the usual incre- ments. Later she taught at Arlington and was offered a position in the Newton schools, but was married in- stead. Mrs. Manchester took summer work so that she would be better acquainted with modern methods. Her former superintendents have rated her as one of their outstanding teachers. As Mr. Tripp, the Principal, will have supervision of both the Mt. Pleasant and Hedge Schools it will be necessary for Mrs. Manchester to as- sume some of the responsibility for the management of the school during his absence.
Owing to the many changes in the primary grades it seemed best to secure experienced teachers for the first grades at the Mt. Pleasant and Cornish Schools. Miss Dorothy C. Harmon was assigned to the Mt. Pleasant School. She is a graduate of Gorham Normal School and has taken a special course in primary reading at Chicago University under Dr. Gray, one of the outstanding auth- orities in reading. Miss Harmon had four years of ex- cellent experience in first grade work. Miss Dora Ander- son was assigned to the Cornish School. She is a gradu- ate of the Aroostook Normal School and has nearly com-
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pleted her work for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Education at Boston University. She has had six years of experience.
Henry T. Knowlton was appointed to have charge of the physical training at the Junior and Senior High School while Mr. John Smith was on his leave of absence. Mr. Knowlton graduated from Springfield College in 1932 with an excellent record in studies as well as in sports. He had two years of very successful experience at the Hampton School in New Hampshire.
Miss Julia M. Andrews, who succeeded Miss Mary Hayes at the Senior High School, graduated from the Kansas State Teachers College and has taken additional work at Chicago University and at Harvard. She had given excellent satisfaction for several years at Ham- mond, Indiana.
Three new cadet teachers are: Esther M. Ward, Joan Collingwood and Alice Lema. Miss Ward is a graduate of Brown University and has had some experience in high school work. During the past year she took a special course at Bridgewater State Teachers College to prepare her for elementary work. Miss Collingwood is a graduate of Wellesley College with the degree of Bachelor of Arts and has had professional study at Harvard. For a year she was at Thayer Academy assisting teachers in grades four and five and in the Junior High School. Miss Lema received the degree of Bachelor of Science in Education from Bridgewater State Teachers College, where she maintained a high standard in her studies and in her practice teaching which placed her in the upper fourth of her class.
The Closing of the Cedarville School
The Cedarville School was not reopened in September, due chiefly to the high per pupil cost. For the calendar year 1933 this cost was $162.58 as compared with $90.77 at the Manomet School and $66.66, the average for the
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larger elementary schools. In 1934, the cost increased to $235.77 at Cedarville while the other schools remained approximately the same. The increase resulted in part from a decrease from 22 to 16 pupils and in part from a proportionately larger cost of transportation from Long Pond-a cost formerly shared by the Cedarville pupils who were carried to the upper grades at the Sagamore and Bourne schools, but who are now brought into the Junior and Senior High School in Plymouth at a saving in tuition and transportation.
As the prospective enrollment showed only six pupils from Cedarville and only nine from Long Pond it seemed best to transport the six to the Manomet School and the nine to the Cornish. There will be a saving of approx- imately $1200 in transportation, $1350 for a teacher's salary, and $500 for other expenses, making a total sav- ing of about $3000 a year. The children will be brought to the larger schools in heated buses. The training in the better graded schools will give a more thorough prepara- tion for the upper grades.
Tuition Costs Increased
Tuition costs have suddenly increased. This is due to the fact that there are now six children on the Head of the Bay Road attending the Bourne schools and a new family of three took up residence near the Carver line and at- tend the Carver schools. These bring unexpected costs of tuition which must be met.
Transportation Problem
With the closing of the Cedarville School in September a net saving of approximately eight dollars a day was made. This would have decreased the total cost of trans- portation had not other unexpected conditions arisen to offset this saving. Additional trips from Billington Sea to the Junior High School, from White Island to Long Pond, from Indian Brook to Manomet, from near the Bourne Line to meet the bus to Manomet, and for a Long
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Pond pupil more than the legal distance from the bus line, increased the costs five dollars a day or nearly one thou- sand dollars annually. Because of its size and its many isolated areas, Plymouth has many costly and frequently unexpected transportation problems.
New Legislation
The 1935 State Legislature enacted two laws, the es- sence of which is given as follows:
1. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
"A flag shall be displayed in each assembly hall or other room in each such school-house where the opening exer- cises on each school day are held. Each teacher shall cause the pupils under his charge to salute the flag and recite in unison with him at said opening exercises at least once each week the "Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag." Failure for a period of five consecutive days by the principal or teacher in charge of a school equipped as aforesaid to display the flag as above required, or failure for a period of two consecutive weeks by a teacher to salute the flag and recite said pledge as aforesaid, or to cause the pupils under his charge so to do, shall be pun- ished for every such period by a fine of not more than five dollars. Failure of the committee to equip a school as herein provided shall subject the members thereof to a like penalty."
2. Oath to be taken by all Teachers.
"Every citizen of the United States entering service, on or after October first, nineteen hundred and thirty- five, as professor, instructor or teacher at any college, university, teachers' college, or public or private school, in the commonwealth shall, before entering upon the dis- charge of his duties, take and subscribe to, before an of- ficer authorized by law to administer oaths, or, in case of a public school teacher, before the superintendent of schools or a member of the school committee of the city or town in whose schools he is appointed to serve, each of
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whom is hereby authorized to administer oaths and af- firmations under this section, the following oath or af- firmation :
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the position of (insert name of position) according to the best of my ability."
"Every citizen of the United States who, upon the ef- fective date of this act, is in service as a professor, in- structor or teacher at any college, university, teachers' college, or public or private school, in the commonwealth, shall within sixty days after said date comply with the pertinent provisions of section thirty A of chapter seven- ty-one of the General Laws, inserted therein by section one of this act.
"Nothing contained shall be construed to interfere in any way with the basic principle of the constitution which assures every citizen freedom of thought and speech and the right to advocate changes and improvements in both the state and federal constitutions."
Conclusion
It has been a pleasure to work for the past nine and one half years with a school committee at all times whole- heartedly interested in the welfare of the Plymouth boys and girls and a corps of teachers professionally trained, loyal to the highest ideals of their profession, giving free- ly and cheerfully of their physical strength and mental vigor, carrying on the work of the department in such a way that high standards have been maintained in spite of the effects of the depression. The cooperation of the other town edpartments and of many civic, philanthropic and social organizations has been splendid.
By visiting schools the parents have become better ac- quainted with the work going on and with the personnel
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instructing their children. Much constructive criticism has frequently been given, which is always welcome. Such a fine spirit reacts to the ultimate good of all concerned.
With this same spirit of cooperation and loyal support of all concerned and with the added advantages of modern education facilities voted by the citizens, the Plymouth Schools should approach their many problems with re- newed confidence. The department will make every effort to develop as fine an educational system as any in the state.
Respectfully submitted,
ANSON B. HANDY.
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In Memoriam
FRANK E. FASH
Head of Science Department Plymouth High School
September 1922 to May 1935
A Leader in His Field
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REPORT OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
The enrollment of the Senior High School in December was as follows:
Grade 9 219
Grade 10 174
Grade 11 155
Grade 12
147
Postgraduates
20
Total
715
This is an increase of 42 over the total membership a year ago, a large proportion of which i. e. 30, is found in Grade IX.
There are 114 classes. The two smallest have an en- rollment of 7 each. Both are Senior, college preparatory groups, always limited because the subjects, Latin IV and Solid Geometry and Trigonometry, are highly specialized and appeal to a small group.
No. of classes 20 or less 23
No. of classes 21-25 16
No. of classes 26-30 19
No. of classes 31-35
43
No. of classes 36-40 11
No. of classes over 40
2
Total 114
The changes in the curriculum which I advocated a year ago have proved to be satisfactory. I still think that some provision should be made for teaching (a)
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personal money management, (b) safety, with special reference to driving automobiles, and (c) current history.
Sixty-two boys and fifty-nine girls received the school diploma last June and two girls were awarded certificates of progress. Of this number eighteen returned as post- graduates, two entered Brigdewater State Teachers' Col- lege, one each entered Middlebury, Simmons, Colgate, Cambridge Business, Burdett, Florida Mechanical and Agricultural College, New England Conservatory of Music, Wellesley, and Annapolis. One girl is training to be a nurse, another is taking secretarial studies in the Katherine Gibbs School, and one boy has entered the General Electric School. I have recently sent an inquiry blank to each member of the class of 1935 asking them how they are employed. At this writing the returns are only partly in, but promise to be the basis of an inter- esting study when complete.
Five members of the Class of 1934 who took post- graduate courses last year have gone on to college as follows: one each to Massachusetts State, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northwestern, Boston Univers- ity, and Framingham State Teachers College.
Instead of having as many long assembly periods as heretofore, necessitating seven period days, we have had very few and have substituted a short daily assembly. This plan seems to be working admirably. Just at present home rooms are rotating in taking charge of the pro- grams, the purpose being to train pupils in planning and participation in a worth-while undertaking which is neither too difficult nor too easy. We shall have a limited number of outstanding programs before the year is over.
About a year ago we experimented with a club pro- gram, the purpose of which was to afford opportunity to our boys and girls to develop some valuable interest or talent. While several of the clubs accomplished enough to justify their existence, nevertheless the diffiicult con-
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ditions under which the meetings were held did not war- rant their continuance. We hope to revive the plan next year on a somewhat different set-up.
Several changes have taken place in the personnel of the teaching staff and some changes in assignments have been made. Every year brings some advances and im- provements in our procedure. Outstanding this year is the valuable personal work done by Miss Brown as Dean of girls, the assumption of the duties of faculty manager of athletics by Mr. Bagnall, the splendid work in coaching football and basketball teams by Messrs. Knowlton, Ingraham, and Romano, and the progress made in the development of a comprehensive music program under the leadership of Mr. Davis. I can truthfully reiterate without fear of contradiction that we have a strong faculty.
I am constrained to pause and reflect on the great per- sonal and professional loss which we suffered in the untimely and sudden death of Mr. Frank E. Fash on May 13, 1935. I can add nothing to the many tributes ex- pressed at that time except to say that his fine influence is felt and will continue to be felt by all of us who had the privilege of being associated with him. We were fortunate in securing a worthy successor in Mr. John W. Packard.
The prospect of a new building is very heartening. Many splendid possibilities are opening before us. We can do away with two sessions, thereby giving all of our pupils a school day of proper length. Periods will be longer, double periods can probably be avoided thereby permitting a wider range of electives and adjustments in pupils' programs. There will be opportunity for giving help in the afternoon to pupils who need extra assistance. We expect that more time will be available for super- vised study in connection with the regular class room work, in the hope that students will be able to do more
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studying and learning under favorable conditions. Again, we shall have a usable reference library and adequate laboratories. An auditorium will make possible not only assemblies of educational and inspirational value, but also afford us opportunity to expand our music program and develop the art of self-expression through debating, pub- lic speaking, and dramatics. Visual education will be possible for the entire school when pictures of general interest can be shown, while in like manner pictures of interest to special groups can be projected in two small rooms adapted for the purpose.
For several years students who have talent for drawing have been unable to take courses in art because of lack of room. The new building provides a room for this purpose and we anticipate a marked advance in this phase of education - a field just as important as any other and one which should by no means be neglected. Physical education likewise deserves a place in the cur- riculum because of its very direct value. The gymnasium will make possible a well-rounded program. An adequate cafeteria will also be a very much appreciated addition to our facilities. New and attractive equipment for the teaching of Household Arts should make this important subject of still greater value to the students who are being taught the fine art of home making.
When at last the new building becomes an actuality and the adequate work shop which we have been seeking for so long becomes available, we shall endeavor to ex- press our gratitude to the townspeople by maintaining an educational institution noted for its thoroughness, its progressive spirit, and its paramount desire to develop a high type of citizen, whose preparation for the exigencies of life is superior and animated by high ideals.
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