USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1938 > Part 14
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An elementary program planned to appeal to all types of pupils, to fit all degrees of physical capacities and to give all-round physical education must be varied. Despite the handicap of but one period a week in the Senior High School, the department aims through careful records of physical fitness, skill tests, and questionnaires to extend as many activities as possible that will prove to be of immediate interest and valuable in the avoidance of rec- reational illiterates in the future. In the elementary grades physical education teaches through activity. This is where we must begin to teach democracy and the best place to find out about the personality of the child is in his play.
Talks in the High School and by the teachers in the grades resulted in a very large swimming and life-saving group. Twenty Junior and Senior High School pupils completed Red Cross life-saving requirements at Little Pond and one hundred and twenty-five grade school chil- dren enrolled in beginners and swimmers classes at Stephens Field.
The physical education program for the Junior High School girls continues with grades seven and eight having two periods per week and grade nine having one period per week. The program includes work in posture, folk and social dancing, individual skills, group activities, games and sports. Grades seven, eight and nine held interclass competition in Newcomb, soccer, beatball, base- ball, volleyball and in activities of individual skills. Grades eight and nine played intramural basketball. In June and December the Physical Fitness Index Tests were given to all girls in the Junior High School.
Americanization
Our aim is to stimulate the mastery of English, de- velop understanding of American government and laws, institutions and ideals, and promote naturalization and
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the assimilation of American doctrines. The alien who does not know the English language will never under- stand America as well.
Conclusion
It is very frequently stated that the schools are "the first line of defense" or "the bulwark of the nation." In a very real sense the safety of democracy lies in the in- culcation of right ideals in the youth, which is the work of the schools. Some foreign countries maintain their government through rigid force and through indoctrina- tion of their tenets throughout the schools. Their pupils are brought up to see but one side and to expect everyone to blindly follow the imposed leadership. There is no freedom of expression of ideas, no encouragement of initiative, no real freedom even of religious worship. From its earliest days, America has stood for freedom of thought, for development of initiative, for freedom of worship. Its ideals and its form of democratic govern- ment must be perpetuated. Throughout the schools the underlying principles of our democratic form of govern- ment must be maintained. This can be accomplished only by building up understanding of other forms of govern- ment, the evils attendant to them and the advantages of our own form. The teachers of today must be the best trained professionally, thoroughly imbued with the ideals of American democracy. They are facing the firing line of many enemies, both seen and unseen. They need the whole-hearted support of parents and citizens in their efforts to build for tomorrow strong schools.
"If tomorrow's America is to be strong, the apostles of gloom must not preach their gospel of defeatism to our youth. America's greatness does not lie in the past, but in the future. The world has seen darker days than those through which we are now passing, and has always emerged triumphant because of those who have kept the lamps of learning lighted. Because the schools of today are better than the schools of yesterday, America's to- morrows are great with promise."
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American schools are the bulwark of American democ- racy.
Let us keep in mind the words of George Washington: "Promote then as an object of primary importance, in- stitutions for the general diffusion of knowledge."
With the thought uppermost in my mind that the schools of today must prepare the youth to live useful lives in our democratic country, I extend to you, to many parents and to citizens my sincere appreciation for ad- vice and sympathetic understanding of the many serious educational problems. Every effort will be made to main- tain high standards of achievements in as broad a pro- gram of activities as is practical.
Yours respectfully, ANSON B. HANDY, Superintendent of Schools
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PLYMOUTH SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Wayne M. Shipman, Principal
A class of 58 boys and 67 girls was graduated in June 1938. Of this number one boy and one girl entered pre- paratory school, nine boys and six girls went directly to college, and one boy and one girl are attending business school. Eighteen are continuing their studies at the High School as postgraduates. Some of these plan to enter college next September.
About a year ago standardized reading tests were given to the pupils of grades nine, ten and eleven. The general results were above standards by 10 to 20 per cent. Many of the slower pupils were weak in reading ability. Ob- viously, a good vocabulary and ability to comprehend sentence meaning are absolutely essential to success in any line of study or work. The entire teaching staff is now engaged in an effort to help the slow readers and I hope the time and opportunity will be available another year for remedial work in this field. We plan to do some further testing this spring.
A new half-course in retail selling is to be given to seniors in the second semester. Again, the pupils who are specializing in advanced mathematics, especially those who plan to enter technical schools, will be given work in analytic mathematics, i. e., in addition to solid geometry and trigonometry, they will have introductory work pre- paring them for analytic geometry and calculus, thereby making their college work somewhat easier.
The current interest in speaking choirs and the bene- fits derived therefrom have prompted us to organize a class in choral speaking for a group of about thirty senior girls, meeting one period a week. We hope to extend this work and also hope that some time we shall be able to do much more with public speaking, debating and dramatics.
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One important responsibility of modern education is to improve and develop family life. To that end a series of conferences is to be held for all pupils of grade ten, on home, family and community relations. Correlating these group meetings, talks on timely topics are being given to the school as a whole by members of the faculty. These have to do with vocational information, developing proper personality traits, getting the most out of high school, the right use of money, consumer information, and other subjects of direct interest to every member of the com- munity.
We are always ready to modify our methods of pro- cedure in the light of changing conditions and would even break with tradition if it were advantageous to do so. As Dr. Wetzel of Trenton says, "Whatever is educa- tionally desirable must be made administratively pos- sible." To do this is not always easy and sometimes apparently impossible.
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JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Mary M. Dolan, Principal
The school band has organized as an independent unit with an enrollment of fifty. Separation from the senior high school musicians is advantageous because the large number of beginners in the younger group naturally retard the progress of the more experienced musicians. Psychologically the separation gives the juniors the in- centive of later becoming members of a more mature band. The school instruments and uniforms have been earned by the school, not provided by the town. This year three trombones and a bass clarinet have been pur- chased. More instruments will be added, as funds are raised, to give strength, variety, and balance to both band and orchestra. The drum major corps has been re- vived. The unit does much to create school spirit and the members gain in posture and co-ordination.
The school library is being rapidly and satisfactorily developed and now includes 254 volumes of fiction; 11 volumes of non-fiction; 25 biographies; 225 reference books; 15 magazines. One set of reference books, "The Book of Knowledge" was the gift of the class of 1938; a set of Stoddard's Lectures the gift of Miss Hazel Bates ; and two fine pieces of statuary the gift of Miss Grace Dodge. Many books were purchased by school earnings.
An operetta, based on the story of Robin Hood, is being prepared for presentation in January. The scenery, properties, and costumes are being made in the school. This project gives many a chance to discover talents and abilities, develop poise, and to strenghten character by carrying whatever each has begun to a satisfactory con- clusion. All have a chance to cooperate.
A safety patrol and bicycle club have been organized. As the name of the former implies, both groups have safety as their objective.
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Many interesting assemblies were held during the last year. The most outstanding was the visit of Mr. Morris S. Frank with the original "Seeing Eye" dog, Buddy. At the closing assembly in June, Plymouth Post No. 40, American Legion, presented the school with a very fine bronze placque on which was inscribed the names of the two pupils who did the most for the school during the year-Dorothy Morton and Joseph Lamborghini. Mr. David A. Cappannari made the presentation.
A growing institution is interested in improving its various departments. This school is concentrating on the development of the musical organizations, the library, and the guidance department.
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REPORT OF HEALTH DEPARTMENT L. B. Hayden, M. D., School Physician Hilda R. Swett, R. N., School Nurse
The program for the detection of early tuberculosis among school children has been entirely turned over to the staff of the Plymouth County Hospital at South Han- son. This work was previously carried on by the Chad- wick Clinic of the state. Forty pupils in the Junior- Senior High School were x-rayed and examined during 1938. In 1939 all high school pupils may receive this treatment.
The toxoid treatment for the prevention of diphtheria was given to the first grade and sub-primary children. 85 per cent of this group have been immunized against this disease. Through the efforts of the Board of Health and local physicians we find that a larger number of children are receiving this treatment and also vaccination before they are a year old.
The W. P. A. nutrition project has continued to serve hot noon lunches to undernourished children. These children gain weight and a marked improvement in their general physical condition and in their classroom work is noticed.
The Nook Farm Dairy and the A. R. Parker Company have been very generous in contributing milk for the undernourished children.
Fifteen needy children were sent to the Bailey Health Camp at South Hanson for a period of eight weeks in the summer. $350 which was received from the sale of Christmas seals was used for this purpose and the re- maining $550 necessary was contributed by benevolent citizens and organizations.
The telebinocular, now being used in many schools for
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the detection of visual difficulties enables us to give a more satisfactory examination of the eyes. We have ex- amined those pupils whom the teachers thought showed symptoms of eye strain, those who for no apparent rea- son do poor school work and those who have difficulty with reading. Dr. Noyes, Dr. Nerbonne, and Mr. Bailey assisted us by furnishing glasses at cost for needy chil- dren.
The inability of some parents to secure medical care for their children and to have their physical defects cor- rected is one of our greatest problems.
We wish to thank all the doctors and health agencies who have heartily cooperated in any health work con- cerning the school children.
STATISTICS FOR 1938
Number of inspections 695
Number of examinations 2167
Number of notices sent to parents 253
Number of pupils admitted by school physician 357
Number of pupils admitted by other physicians 261
Number of pupils referred to nurse 95
Number of pupils referred to physicians 184
Number of pupils excluded by school physician 85
Number of pupils excluded by school nurse 141
Number of pupils inspected in school 729
Number of pupils inspected in homes 344
Number of pupils treated in school 233
Number of home visits 587
Number of school visits 572
Number operated for tonsils and adenoids 15
Number weighed and measured 5858
Number taken to hospitals or clinics 92
Number of contagious diseases found in school .
73
Number of contagious diseases found in homes .. 40
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REPORT OF ORAL HYGIENE DEPARTMENT AND DENTAL CLINIC
Jane B. Bradford, Dental Hygienist
Our program consists of two parts. We are particular- ly interested in the educational side of dental hygiene, al- though the dental clinic for corrective work is just as necessary. The school dentists and dental hygienist work together in this program trying to get the best possible results.
Number of oral hygiene talks in the schools .. 388
Number of pupils having a dental prophylaxis
(cleaning of teeth) 894
Number of home visits 3
Number of pre-school examinations
51
Money received for dental prophylaxis
$84.30
Money received for sale of tooth brushes $44.39
Number of 100% mouths: 1937, 714; 1938, 762. Increase 48.
Examinations in the fall (sub-primary-grade 9) 1851
Number of pupils having dental certificates
26
from family dentist before examination .... Number of pupils 100% at time school den- tists make their examinations in the fall .. 268
Total 100% mouths at examination (Slight de-
fects prevented several from being 100%.
Cavities discovered in time mean an eco- nomic saving to parents.
Permanent teeth filled (six-year molars 280
Temporary teeth (baby teeth) extracted 214
Permanent teeth extracted 10
Treatments (Including 11 trench mouth) 58
Number of completed cases 125
Money received for filling and extractions $28.65
Total amount of money received at the clinic . $157.34
School Dentists : Dr. E. Harold Donovan, Dr. William O. Dyer.
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REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF ATTENDANCE Ralph F. Matinzi, Supervisor
Absentees Sickness Truancy Others
Total
Elementary Grades . 4
2
3
8
17
Junior High School . 15
36
27
19
97
Senior High School . 4
6
17
15
42
Employment certificates investigated 2
Children found on streets and taken to school
11
Investigated for Superintendent's Office 48
217 cases were investigated involving 190 visits to homes and 122 to schools.
EMPLOYMENT OF MINORS
1937
1938
Certificates to minors 14 to 16 years
42
30
Certificates to minors 16 to 21 years
184
191
There were 36 minors between 14 and 16 years of age who, within the calendar year 1938, were employed while schools were in session.
SCHOOL CENSUS 1938
Males
Females
Total
Persons 5 to 7 years
158
171
329
Persons 7 to 14 years
713
672
1385
Persons 14 to 16 years
209
224
433
Total
1080
1067
2147
SCHOOL ENROLLMENT - DECEMBER 1938
SCHOOL
ELEMENTARY GRADES
1 JUNIOR HIGH
1
SENIOR HIGH
-
Ung.
Sub. Prim.
1
-
2 -
3
4
5 1
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
| P.G. | Ttl.
High
Junior High
55
30
35
30
31
32
31
32
4
6
7
293
Knapp
30
28
26
32
31
27
174
Cornish
37
35
34
39
33
33
41
252
Burton
12
35
36
13
11
14
121
Mt. Pleasant
29
34
33
33
37
34
200
Cold Spring
13
12
15
15
55
Oak Street
15
12
17
13
57
Manomet
19
8
13
7
9
8
64
Wel ingsley
10
6
8
South Street (Ungraded)
28
28
Total
28
55
248
182
190
182
196
187
222
192
208
198
153
145
18
2404
1
-
1
-
198
153
145
18
514
222
192
208
622
Hedge
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24
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SCHOOL DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES 1938-1939
Office
Anson B. Handy, Supt.
High School
Louise B. Humphrey Jeannette C. Jacques
Helen C. Johnson
Lydia E. Judd
Elizabeth C. Kelly Katherine J. Lang Nellie R. Locklin
Ruth F. Trask, Clerk
Edgar J. Mongan
John W. Packard Amy M. Rafter
Miriam A. Raymond
Richard Smiley
Margie E. Wilber
Junior High School
Barbara E. Dunham Deane E. Eldridge
Amy L. Hammond *Ruth L. Hanna Alice Heywood Helen M. Johnson Julia A. Salmon
Eleanor C. McCormick Bertha E. McNaught Anna M. Monagle
Hector E. Patenaude
Arthur G. Pyle
Mario J. Romano Catherine D. Welsh
Coburn W. Tripp Florence B. Corey Mary E. Deans Edith C. M. Johnson
Hedge School
Dorice A. Knowles Leella F. Leonard Kathryn H. McCarthy
Evelyn L. Peck Barbara R. Perrier Elizabeth H. Quartz Susan M. Quinn
William I. Whitney Margaret L. Christie Alice Lema
Cornish and Burton Schools
Charlotte E. Lovering Ruth H. Tolman Clementine L. Ortolani Louise E. Tosi Helen F. Perrier Gertrude W. Zahn
Kathryn R. Simmons Marjorie J. Cassidy
Eleanor L. Testoni
Cold Spring School
Mora E. Norton
Oak Street School
Esther M. Ward
Mt. Pleasant School
Dolores Guidoboni Bernice D. Ludden
Helen S. Manchester Bertha M. Mitchell M. Louise Peterson
Maxine Swett *Shirley M. Dutton
Manomet School Estella Butland Mabel R. Woodward
Wellingsley School *Helen G. McCarthy
Wayne M. Shipman, Charles I. Bagnall *Viola M. Boucher Charlotte C. Brown E. Doris Carey Gilbert C. Garland
Mary M. Dolan Iris E. Albertini Elizabeth R. Barlow
M. Agnes Burke Esther M. Chandler
Ellen M. Downey Lemira C. Smith
Knapp School
Maude H. Lermond Mary A. Ryan Eleanor E. Schreiber
Flora C. Stevens
Helen M. Riese Helen F. Holmes Dorothy A. Judkins Flora A. Keene
Mabel F. Douglas
Mildred R. Randall
Elouise E. Ellis
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Individual School
J. Leo Ash
Carolyn 1 .. Avanzini
Hazel Bates
Grace Blackmer
Special Teachers * Austin Cramer Virginia Dowling Beatrice E. Garvin
Beatrice A. Hunt Henry T. Knowlton
Health Department
Louis B. Hayden, M.D. Hilda R. Swett
Hazel E. Bruce
Jane B. Bradford
Clerks
Barbara M. Coombs
Marion F. Bennett
State-Aided Vocational Education Katharine L. Alden Supervisor of School Buildings Thomas A. Bodell
Janitors
David Briggs Leo Callahan Benjamin P. W. Lovell Arthur Poirier
Peter A. Dries
James Martin Sebastian Riedel
Fred J. Smith
Charles Temple Fred Voght
*New Teachers Employed in 1938
Wilson Farnell *John J. O'Connell, Jr.
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INDEX TO TOWN REPORT
Officers, Town, 1938 3
Accountant 131
Schedule A (Cash Receipts and Payments) 133
Schedule B (Appropriations, W. P. A. Projects) 160
Schedule C (Comparison, Assessors' and Actual Receipts) 205
Schedule D (Revenue Account) 207
Schedule E (Unexpended Balances) 208
Schedule F (Balance Sheet) 210
Schedule G and H (Bonded Indebtedness) 215
216
Schedule J (Calculation of Credit)
234
Aid to Agriculture, County
118
Annual Town Meeting, Mar. 26, 1938
6
Appropriations on Warrant, (March 25, 1939)
235
Assessors, Board of
91
Buildings, Inspector
109
Cemetery Commissioners 106
Deaths 71
Engineer, Town 116
Fire Commissioner
104
Fisheries, Inland 115
Forest Warden
113
Forest, Town Committee
114
Gypsy and Brown Tail Moth
112
Harbor Master 111
Health, Board of 100
Jurors, List of 123
97
Library
54
Marriages
Measurer
111
Schedule I (Trust Funds)
Births 64
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Old Age Assistance 96
Park Commissioners 99
Police Department 90
Planning Board 119
Public Welfare 94
Recommendations Advisory and Finance Committee
36
Report Advisory and Finance Committee 20
Retirement, Board of 120
Sealer 110
Selectmen, Board of 48
Special Town Meeting, July 18, 1938
16
State Audit
39
Streets and Sewers, Superintendent of
51
Tree Warden 112
Water Commissioners 80
86
Water Superintendent
INDEX TO SCHOOL REPORT
Appreciation
8
Attendance, Supervisor of 42
Budget, 1938
5
Calendar
3
Committee
3
Employees
44
Enrollment
.43
Financial 4
Hygiene and Dental Clinic 41
Junior High School, Principal's Report 37
Physicians and Nurse's Report
39
Senior High School, Principal's Report
35
Survey, National, of Plymouth High School
9
Superintendent's Report 14
Vocational, State Aided 7
N' N-CIRCULATING
F. R.,
1
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