USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1942 > Part 13
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In cooperation with the federal and state school author- ities, the School Committee has given approval to the establishment of five new courses in the Senior High School as follows: aeronautics, elementary electricity, machines, navigation, and radio. These new courses to- ether with a considerable strengthening of the Senior High School course in physical education will do much to condition the older boys who are soon to enter the armed forces.
E. HAROLD DONOVAN, Chairman, FANNIE T. ROWELL, Secretary, DAVID A. CAPPANNARI, WILLIAM E. CURTIN, M. D., FRANCIS LeBARON, M. D., J. FRANKLAND MILLER,
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REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee:
It is indeed a satisfaction to present herewith my second annual report. In the interests of economy this will be confined largely to a concise statement of changes and de- velopments in our schools that have been brought about by the war situation.
CHANGES IN PERSONNEL
The task of maintaining the quality of our teaching staff in the face of a continuous loss of experienced teachers has been time-consuming and a cause of no little anxiety. So far as I have been informed no junior-senior high school in Massachusetts of comparable size has lost so large a proportion of its men teachers at this point in the war period as we have in Plymouth. Nine of six- teen men on the Junior-Senior High School staff in 1941 and 1942 have entered some branch of the armed forces. Eight of these were granted a leave of absence for the duration under the provisions of the General Laws, Chap- ter 708. Several of these men are now occupying positions of responsibility in the armed forces and others will do so. They will make a worthy contribution to the national effort. They deserve and have our good will without stint.
We also honor those teachers who remain in the service of the Plymouth schools. The Federal Man-Power Com- mission has now recognized that education is one of the critical occupations and that an adequate staff of teachers must be retained to guarantee that the schools will be able to perform the double duty of conditioning our youth not only for war but for peace that must follow. Those teachers who remain with us as well as those who have gone into the armed forces are in a very real sense serving our community and our country in a way most vital both to its present and future needs.
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In addition to the men teachers who have entered the armed forces, many women have left the employ of our schools: one to join the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, nine to be married, three to take positions elsewhere, and three to retire from teaching. The last mentioned and their terms of service in the Plymouth schools are as follows: Miss Mabel F. Douglas-forty years, Mrs. Estella Butland-twenty-four years, and Miss Mary A. Burke- twenty-three years. Other teachers who have resigned after teaching here for ten years or more are Mrs. Edith Johnson Arens, Mrs. Helen Johnson Keast, Mrs. Mabel Woodward Mitchell, and Richard Smiley. Many children in our community are much indebted to these faithful and capable teachers.
The personnel of the health department and of the clerical staff is also changing. In addition to her usual duties Dr. Medora Eastwood is carrying much of the work of Dr. Frank Abate now on leave of absence for one year. Dr. I. H. Waterman is conducting the physical examina- tion of boys in the Junior and Senior High School. Miss Hazel Bruce, who has been assistant to the school nurse for the past sixteen years, has recently been granted leave for the remainder of the school year, and Mrs. Mary Curtin Duane has resigned as clerk at the Junior High School.
For six of the nine teaching positions vacated by men we have succeeded in securing men of experience. These new teachers have families and are, therefore eligible for draft deferment, at least for the time being. Seven of the positions vacated by women have been filled on a temporary basis by the employment of local married women with previous teaching experience. Of the re- maining positions five have been filled by trained teachers f experience from other school systems, and three by well-trained young women of promise who were gradu- ated from college or teachers college in 1942. It is with a good deal of satisfaction that I am able to report most
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favorably as to the earnestness and ability both of the teachers who have returned to the service in the emer- gency and of the new teachers. These replacements rep- resent nearly thirty per cent of our entire staff. Perhaps it is not too much to say that our brief experience with this recent and substantial accession to our staff indicates that it can be counted upon to do its full part in main- taining the quality of our school work.
The list of those who have left our system between January, 1942 and the present writing, March 1, 1943 appears below.
SCHOOLS AND THE NATIONAL EFFORT
1. National Registrations
Not since the first world war, if ever, have there been so many unusual opportunities for the schools to serve the public good as have been presented during the past year. Authorities in Washington have placed upon the schools full responsibility for registering practically the entire population for the most important phases of the rationing program. I am happy to quote from a letter to Governor Leverett Saltonstall from Mr. Leon Hender- son, former National Director of the Office of Price Ad- ministration. With reference to the fine work done by teachers of Massachusetts in the first national registra- tion for rationing, namely, that for War Ration Book One, Mr. Henderson wrote as follows: "I, personally, cannot express my gratitude too deeply for the splendid job that was done. The primary credit of course should go to the school teachers, because they accepted the heavi- est burden. No other group in the country could have handled the job so efficiently and speedily."
High compliment has been paid to the Plymouth teach- ers by officials of our state and local war price and ration boards for the efficiency and the courtesy shown in con- ducting this phase of the war effort.
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The various registrations in which our school staff has participated were :-
Sugar rationing-War Ration Book One-April 28, 29, May 4, 5, 6, 7, 1942.
Total ration books issued in Plymouth-12,373.
Emergency gasoline rationing-May 12, 13, 14, 1942.
Books issued: A-894; B-1-275; B-2-211; B-3-988; X-328. Total-2, 696.
Gasoline rationing-July 9, 10, 11, 1942.
Books issued: A-2,651; D-4. Total 2,655.
Fuel oil rationing-October 28, 29, 30, Nov. 4, 5, 6, 1942. Coupon sheets computed, tailored, and issued-6,061. Processed foods rationing-War Ration Book Two- Feb. 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 1943.
Books issued-12,318.
Teachers also assisted in the second and third selective service registrations, February 15 and 16, and April 26 and 27, 1942.
Many pupils assisted the teachers in the various regis- trations by disseminating the preliminary information among the adults of the community and by acting as ushers and general helpers at the school sites. It is with a great deal of satisfaction that I report also a fine spirit of cooperation on the part of the general public which greatly aided the schools in carrying out their assign- ments.
2. Changes in the Curriculum
High School-
Because of the imminence of the draft, the boys in the Senior High School are being given certain pre-in- duction courses which will better condition them for the important new responsibilities that are impending. For a more detailed description of these courses attention is called to the report of Principal Edgar J. Mongan.
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Elementary Schools-Physical Training and Elementary Science Needed-
While there are sound reasons for recommending that much attention be given to physical education in all grades and at all times, the present national emergency has greatly emphasized its importance. Clearly more time and attention can well be given to the development of sound bodies in the elementary school period. For the purpose of stimulating this work, directing it wisely, and sustaining the interests of pupils in it, I recommend for your consideration the employment of a physical ed- ucation teacher whose major responsibility would be the proper physical training of the elementary school children. A person professionally trained for physical education could not direct the work in the elemen- tary grades but could also supplement the staff in the Junior-Senior High School, where under the stress of new conditions more time is being given to this work. Plymouth now has but two full-time teachers of physical education. When compared with other Massachusetts communities in our population group we find ourselves relatively understaffed at this point.
Under proper guidance and stimulation by teachers young children become fascinated in the study of their natural surroundings. Elementary science instruction based on an excellent new series of texts is now being in- troduced in the various elementary grades. Beginning science training thus early in the children's school career will help them to observe more carefully and to think more critically at the same time that they are gaining an understanding of the world in which they live. It will also give the needed foundation for the more advanced science instruction now receiving a new emphasis in the secondary school.
School and Home Defense Instruction-
The teachers took a six-hour lecture course on school and home defense given under the auspices of the Massa-
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chusetts Committee on Public Safety. The lectures were presented by Captain Annette Milliken and assistants. Certificates of fitness to instruct pupils in this subject were awarded to the teachers on the basis of the final examination. A beginning has been made in transmitting to pupils of the various age levels the most essential and most appropriate information on methods of defending persons and property when under attack.
First-Aid Training-
More than 95% of the teachers have taken the regular twenty-hour course in first aid and hold the Red Cross certificate of qualifications for administering first aid.
3. War Savings - Bonds and Stamps
Another phase of the war effort that has been well supported in Plymouth both by pupils and teachers is the making of regular investments in war bonds and stamps. From Pearl Harbor to January 1, 1943 pupils have reported purchases totaling $32,703. Much of the money devoted to this purpose has come from the regular school savings accounts. The teachers and other mem- bers of the department staff in their turn have made a fine showing by adopting the payroll plan. Seventy-four per cent of the staff are buying bonds regularly. Through this method it is anticipated that purchases for a full school year will amount to approximately $8,000. Accord- ing to reports from the Boston office in charge of war bond sales, teachers in very few Massachusetts communi- ties surpass those of Plymouth in the proportion who are using the regular payroll deduction plan of purchase.
4. Contributions of Money and Materials
Not only in the purchase of war bonds and stamps have the pupils and teachers shared generously but also in numerous contributions of money, materials, and time to various other phases.
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The Junior Red Cross has proved to be a very active agency for furthering the war effort. It has received a contribution of $50 from the Plymouth Salvage Commit- tee and a like amount was realized from a dance held by the Senior High School. These funds have been in- vested in materials. A total of 1,126 articles of clothing have been made by the girls and the boys have construct- ed 1,126 splints and tourniquet sticks. Sixteen pairs of curtains were made and contributed to the recreation room of the soldiers' barracks on South Street and the couch redecorated. A large group of the high school girls under the direction of Mrs. Harrison Chamberlain have been working faithfully making surgical dressings and report a total of 26,000 completed. The Junior Red Cross contributed $241.57 to the war fund drive and had in its service fund on January 1, 1943, $304.20.
The high school raised $135 from the annual play which was contributed to the Local Chapter of the Red Cross. Other contributions of the schools include a penny col- lection totaling $41.30 toward the entertainment of the soldiers at the community Thanksgiving dinner. Schools have also contributed much clothing in the drive for Russian Relief.
5. School Property Made Available
A right of entry to the old high school building and the Knapp School was given to the armed forces soon after Pearl Harbor. From one hundred fifty to two hundred soldiers were quartered in these buildings un- til the So. Street barracks were completed, a period total- ing about six months. Costs of such occupancy by the armed forces including incidental repairs are borne by the federal government.
The high school gymnasium is being made available three nights a week during the winter months to the soldiers at the South Street camp and the naval air force trainees at the airport. Three other school buildings
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also have been used frequently during the past year for meetings of various local defense organizations.
In November all school departments of the country received an urgent request from Mr. Leon Henderson, supported by supplementary requests from the United States and state commissioners of education, that the schools sell to the government 20% of their typewriters in view of the fact that such equipment was urgently needed by the armed forces. The government offered from five to ten dollars more per machine than the cus- tomary commercial allowance. Owing to a recent decline in the number of our students taking typewriting it was possible to get along for the time being at least with 80% of the machines available. This request was, therefore, granted and the town treasurer has received a check for $335 covering the payment. In Massachusetts the ri practice is to have such sales authorized by the town, hence the insertion of an article in the town warrant of the current year.
THE UNCHANGING OBLIGATION OF THE SCHOOLS
Though the war situation has of necessity brought about many changes and new emphases in our school procedures, teachers and school officers are ever mindful of the continuing and unchanging obligations of the schools to the boys and girls placed under our care and have continued during the past year faithfully to dis- charge these obligations. To enable pupils to read with understanding; to think clearly and to express thought with clarity whether in oral or written form; to enjoy good music, art, and literature; to know something of the world- its various peoples and cultures; to appreciate our American heritage-her present natural resources, the story of her development, her championship of the democratic way of life, and to be eager and able to assume the responsibilities of citizenship; in short, to help each pupil realize upon his natural endowments for the pur- pose of worthy living ;- these are obligations that the
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schools recognize as continuous regardless of the circum- stances in which we find ourselves at the moment. While we must of necessity help our youth to meet the war needs of the present hour with energy and enthusiasm, it is quite as necessary that we help them keep faith with these obligations that we hope will soon rest upon them, namely, the obligations of citizenship in a country that will take a leading part in the promotion of peaceful cooperation for happy and useful living among all peoples. We who have the responsibility of educating youth in these times need most of all to "see life steadily and see it whole".
In closing may I say that it has been a great personal satisfaction to work with the members of the School Committee, the teachers, and the pupils of Plymouth toward the achievement both of the immediate and of the long-time aims of the public schools.
Respectfully yours,
BURR F. JONES,
Superintendent of Schools.
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REPORT OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Out of a graduating class of one hundred seventy-four last June, twenty-seven are in the armed services; forty- four are in colleges, nurses-training schools, business schools, or mechanic arts schools; ninety-four are em- ployed.
Out of that section of the alumni body (male) falling within the age limits for military service and estimated to number less than fifteen hundred we have five hundred three names at present on our Roll of Honor.
Out of a school enrollment of four hundred fifty-eight, seventy-nine have taken courses in first aid, sixty-five have civilian defense responsibilities of one kind or an- other, one hundred ninety own war bonds.
The High School Victory Corps organized at the be- hest of the services but under the auspices of the Man- Power Commission has a membership of three hundred fifty three.
The present senior class with an enrollment of one hundred thirty-four has sixty-three if its members en- gaged in gainful part-time occupations outside of school hours. Many members of the school in the lower classes also are employed. €
One member of the senior class has left school because of induction into the army; one because of impending in- duction; six boys are planning to leave High School at mid-year and enter college in order to take advantage of fficer-training programs still open to them, programs which will be closed if they wait to enter college after graduation in June. Thirty-three boys in the senior class will have reached their eighteenth birthdays before graduation.
The high school division of the Junior Red Cross has produced: one hundred pairs of mittens, forty snow suits, fifty pairs of wristlets and anklets, fifty-five skirts, twenty
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four dresses, eighty-eight Red Cross kit bags, twenty-five cotton blouses, sixteen pairs curtains, fifteen toddler packs consisting of one snow suit, two rompers, two undershirts, two sleepers, ten diapers, one sweater, one beanie, one pair mittens, each. Two days a week sixty-one girl mem- bers of the Junior Red Cross meet at headquarters and produce on an average of one thousand bandages per day.
At the urging of the Department of Education a course in aeronautics drawn up by the Civil Air Authority and the Army and Navy Air Forces was established last Sep- tember. Thirty-three students (mostly seniors) were en- rolled in the course.
- Other pre-induction courses based upon army field ser- vice and technical manuals are being planned. These courses are strongly recommended for inclusion in high school curricula by both army and navy. They are: Fundamentals of Radio, Fundamentals of Machines, Fundamentals of Electricity, Fundamentals of Auto Me- chanics, Fundamentals of Shopwork, and Fundamentals of Navigation.
The military services are emphasizing to such a degree the necessity for physical conditioning that arrangements have already been made so that every pupil in the school is having the number of his or her gym periods doubled. When the new courses go into action these gym periods will be further increased so that in so far as possible every boy in school will be receiving physical condition- ing exercises four times a week. Senior boys will have this work five times a week unless schedules prevent it. When the weather grows milder it is planned to set up a "Commando Run" on the playground next to the school. The Army has supplied specifications for such an obstacle course, and it seems likely that the whole thing can be set up under the direction of the Custodian of Buildings.
In order that the pupils may have as many opportunities as possible to find that place in the war effort best fitted to them every effort has been made to keep the curricular
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offering as extensive as possible, adding to it wherever it seemed wise or necessary. The lack of veteran teachers has emphasized the problems implied in such a policy, but the teachers who have taken the places of those men now in the service are making every effort to meet the situation. The tensions and conflicts of a war tempo complicate all their problems. To do as well as they are doing, to maintain so well the efficiency of the school, speaks volumes for their general competence. And it confirms in a striking way the soundness of the work done by those other teachers who have for so long been on our faculty.
It is a matter of great satisfaction to the faculty of the school to see scholarships increasing in number and size. Last June the Lester E. Avery Scholarships, newly estab- lished and carrying minimum stipends of $400 each, were awarded for the first time. These two schorlarships, the two Woman's Club scholarships, the Two Teachers' Club scholarships, the Plymouth Civic League Auxiliary scholarship, the Rotary Club scholarship, constitute both a worthy inducement and an attractive goal to our stu- dents. It is hoped that other organizations or individuals may become interested in establishing scholarships.
The morale of the school remains good. Teachers and pupils alike have responded to the strains and stresses of war with energy and confidence. It can fairly be said that it is the intention of the entire school to do more than is required of it, to do it better than it has ever been done before, to meet all its responsibilities fully, to live up to the example of service given by those of the faculty and alumni who now wear the uniform of our country.
Respectfully submitted,
EDGAR J. MONGAN, Principal.
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REPORT OF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Thirty girls are enrolled in the state-aided vocational arts class, grade nine. New members of the advisory committee are Mrs. Daniel Ellis and Mrs. Edward R. Bel- cher.
A major accomplishment during the past year was the purchase of a 16 mm. R. C. A. sound projector and the development of a satisfactory program of visual education in general assemblies and in the ninth-grade science class- es.
The school has cooperated in many community projects including: student messenger service during rationing; the making of night sticks for air-raid wardens; costum- ers, table, and embarkation bags for the Red Cross; toy animals for the British Relief Society; as well as the usual donations to the Jordan Hospital and Junior Red Cross, and the purchase of Christmas seals.
In February a Shakesperian dramatization was present- ed to the Plymouth Woman's Club; and, in December, a Christmas assembly was held.
The home-room period has been developed as a group- guidance period, good citizenship being the general ob- jective for all grades.
In the seventh grade the first half of the year is used for orientation, to better adjust the incoming students for their new school life. Later, officers are elected and carrying on meetings in parlimentary form is practiced. In the eighth grade character and educational guidance are stressed leading to a wiser choice of courses for the ninth grade. The ninth grade makes a study of vocations and of the relation of courses given in high school to these vocations.
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Changes in the faculty, and adjustments in the program have been numerous because of the war. Each problem has been met as it occurred, however, with a minimum of loss.
Respectfully submitted, MARY M. DOLAN, Principal.
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REPORT OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
The elementary schools, during this period of war, are not only providing instruction in the ways of democracy and the ways of preserving it, but also rendering services which are essential for a total-war effort and for which there is no other adequate agency.
Especially is this true for the registration services con- ducted by the schools, which included the rationing of sugar, gasoline, and fuel oil, as well as a second draft registration.
Elementary school children contributed to the war effort through their purchases of United States War Stamps and Bonds, and contributions to the Junior Red Cross, United Service Organization Fund, Jordan Hos- pital, and Thanksgiving dinner fund for the soldiers. There were also the activities involved in the collection of waste and scrap materials.
The war has brought a new and greater emphasis to certain phases of the school program. Science, geography, and health are studies which have a new and broader meaning to the elementary school pupil of today.
Time and war will continue to bring changes to the schools. They stand ready to meet the challenge of the times. Through working together during the war emerg- ency, there may be established, between the schools and the community, a permanent spirit of understanding and cooperation which is needed for the best development of every child in the schools. The activities of both teachers and children are continually developing and expanding that they may be of greater service to the country during this war period.
Respectfully submitted, ELOUISE E. ELLIS, HELEN S. MANCHESTER, FRANKLYN O. WHITE, WILLIAM I. WHITNEY,
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