USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1916 > Part 19
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In order that those interested may become acquainted with the character of the work being done by the students I have asked Mr. C. W. Kemp, the head of the department, for a detailed report which is given below :
"In connection with the agricultural course, aside from the class room work, each boy is required to carry on at his home some practical work. This work varies with the different students.
"Each student however will have a sizable garden to plant and care for during the summer with the object of making as much as possible from his plot. Records of ex- . pense and receipts are kept so that he knows his financial standing.
"All the boys are at present working with some animals -either hens or cows.
"Two boys have each purchased a cow since coming into the course. One is retailing his milk at 10 cents a quart and could sell more if he had it. He intends to buy another cow soon. The second boy's father is going to add to his barn so that his son can keep more cows this summer.
""One boy has about fifty-five Barred Rock hens and pul- lets, also about fifteen cockerels which he is fattening. He has his pullets and hens so they are now laying about 50%
377
(January 18th). He intends to more than double his num- bers this coming year. Aside from this poultry he is also raising a calf which he owns.
"The other students have poultry ranging from ten to about forty in each flock. Each boy is making his plans for expansion this coming spring.
"A series of experiments are being carried on in the class room with various types of soils to note the effect of organic matter and lime on the soil, also the effect of soil type on the movement of soil water.
"Samples of milk have been brought in and tested for butter fat-more of this work will be done from time to time.
"Samples of milk have also been tested for sediment to show the freedom from dirt and filth.
"Pruning is being studied at present and in connection with this study the students will have a chance to prune trees of various ages.
"It will soon be time to make their garden plans. This will be done in the class room, making a garden map show- ing where various crops will be located. The seed will be tested for germination and vitality before planting.
"Each crop to be planted will be studied carefully by the pupil from the condition of soil requirements to harvesting the crop."
School and Home Gardens.
Early in the year it was voted to employ Miss Sarah E. Brassil as supervisor of the garden work among the school children. Miss Brassil has entered upon her work with a great deal of enthusiasm and has secured the hearty co- operation of both teachers and pupils. Although the year has been very unfavorable for gardens, the showing made by the pupils at the Fair was creditable to all concerned.
As the garden work is one of the new departures for the year I am including Miss Brassil's report under this heading.
378
"Mr. Parker T. Pearson, Superintendent of Schools,
"Weymouth.
"My dear Mr. Pearson :-
"I submit herein my report of the year's work in garden- ing.
"One hundred and sixty-seven (167) pupils applied by card for supervised gardens. All but three kept up their work to the end of the season. We were helped and en- couraged by the attitude of the parents toward the work and by the indorsement given at the start by the various. interested societies in town. A demonstration plot, was car- ried on in each school district. From these plots, and from the home gardens we made an exhibit at the agricultural fair in the fall. The running expense of the gardens, includ- ing tools, has been $67.98; to offset this we took in prizes at the fair $94. With the exception of the seed bill, the money spent was spent in town; the awards come into the town from state funds. In addition, both home gardens and plots have been profitable. We are prepared to pay, from our own earnings, all ordinary running expenses, next year. This much we have accomplished in a season unusually un- favorable to gardening.
"The special teacher can plan and guide the work, but results come from co-operation. To the excellent school spirit in Weymouth, and to the loyal support of the teachers is due the credit for our success, and I hereby acknowledge it with many thanks.
"Respectfully submitted, SARAH E. BRASSIL,
"Special teacher of gardening. "Jan. 19, 1917."
Carnival Week.
One of the most interesting events of the year was the pageant given by the school children of East Weymouth at the Merchants' Carnival in June. Nine hundred children
379
took part in the parade nearly all being in costume.
The High School represented "The Spirit of '76"; the eighth grades, the different countries from which the people of the town have come; the seventh grades represented the United States, the children being dressed in the national colors; the sixth grades, the development of the flag; the fifth grades, the Colonial Period; the third and fourth grades, the Landing of the Pilgrims.
At the close of the parade the children formed in groups on the grounds of the Clapp Memorial and prizes were pre- sented to the schools making the best appearance. The third and fourth grades of the Washington received the first prize ; the seventh grades of the James Humphrey, the second and the High School received the third.
In connection with the Carnival a full exhibit of the work in Manual Training and Sewing was made. This re- ceived favorable comment from all sources.
School Savings.
A spirit of saving is a good thing to encourage in school or out. The amount of saving by the children depends almost entirely upon the attitude taken by the principals and teachers. If the need for saving is emphasized and care is taken to notify the pupils in advance of the visit of the bank collector the collections are satisfactory. Although the statement of the school deposits given below shows an increase over last year, the record is not entirely satisfactory as the amount deposited is not commensurate with the num- ber of pupils enrolled in the schools.
School Deposits for 1916.
Withdrawals
Balance
With-
for
Balance
drawals & Deposit
Jan. 1,
School
Jan. 1, 1916
Deposits
Transfers
Books
1917
Adams
$12 83
$ 31 79
$ 3 93 · $ 31 00
$ 9 69
Athens
175 52
361 74
33 66
318 48
185 12
Bates
56 06
130 71
3 58
106 00
77:19
Franklin
20 69
82 04
18 55
53 00
31 18
380
Hollis
6 54
62
1 07
6 09
Howe
55 10
196 44
9 04
182 00
60 50
New Hunt
126 15
328 54
42 36
209 00
203 33
J. Humphrey
92 28
240 03
26 21
159 00
147 10
Jefferson
70 39
349 14
15 31
313 00
91 22
Lincoln
68 08
136 21
14 54
160 00
29 75
Pond
4 56
4 32
90
2 00
5 98
Pratt
33 79
69 42
, 87
52 00
48 34
Shaw
92 66
237 95
32 14
248 75
49 72
Tufts & Old Hunt
78 62
436 24
48 52
262 00
204 34
Washington
104 35
491 63
35 73
293 00
267 25
$997 62
$3096 82
$288 41
$2389 23
$1416 80
Changes in the Teaching Force.
An unusual number of changes occurred in the teaching force during the year. Three teachers resigned from the High School and eleven from the grades. Five resigned to be married, seven to accept positions elsewhere, and two to do special work, one in Columbia University and the other in Technology.
Conclusion.
I desire to call the attention of those interested to the re- ports of the supervisors which are appended to this report.
I wish also to express my thanks to the members of the School Committee and to the teachers for their hearty co- operation and support in carrying forward the work of the year.
Respectfully submitted,
1 PARKER T. PEARSON, Superintendent of Schools.
Mr. Parker T. Pearson,
Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir :
In submitting my report for the past year I will men-
381
tion but briefly the work in sewing in the eighth and ninth grades and the High School, since this work, with a few variations, has progressed in much the same way as out- lined in previous reports. At a successful exhibition, held in East Weymouth during Carnival Week in June, it was possible to show the general public a small part of the sew- ing which the girls accomplished during a school year.
Commendable work in domestic science has been done by girls of the junior and senior classes in the High School, and has included the preparation and serving of a dinner to the School Committee, also the packing of a box luncheon for the same. In the fall there was extensive work in canning and pickling. Products of this work will be on sale at a date to be announced later. At a meeting of the Teachers' Association in December a group of girls rendered able assistance in serving refreshments to about seventy-five people. Thus in various ways the domestic science classes are afforded many opportunities for practical problems and experience.
The evening school classes in cookery and dressmaking, first opened last January to women and girls over sixteen not attending day schools, were resumed in October. The State Board of Education, which now has supervision over these classes in vocational subjects, requires that classes shall meet for a two hour lesson, twice weekly, for twenty weeks during the year, and that the number of pupils in each class shall not exceed fifteen. The work is arranged in Unit Courses with a definite number of lessons for each different subject in a course. Mrs. J. W. Ahern of Wey- mouth is the assistant teacher in charge of the dressmaking classes.
The statistics for registration and attendance from Octo- ber 17, 1916, to January 9, 1917, are as follows :
Total Registration
Number Enrolled Unit I
Subject
Elementary Dressmaking ..
12
12
Unit II 6
Advance Dressmaking
19
8
Elementary Cookery
13
10
12
Advance Cookery
15
14
1
1
382
As the advanced work does not end until March 15th it is impossible to give the enrollment for all units at the present time.
The first unit in Elementary Cookery included the prep- aration and serving of seven breakfasts to six individuals. An exact record, showing quantities and cost of all food materials used, total cost of each breakfast, and cost per individual serving, was kept during the course. At the close of this unit the average cost for an individual breakfast was found to be $0.0941. These figures did not include cost of fuel.
Below are given some of the menus prepared, showing the cost of each article and size of servings :
I
Baked Apple, one $0 0080
Rolled Oats 0 0086
French Toast, 2 slices 0 0220
Coffee, 1 cup
0 0040
Total
$0 0426
II
· Wheatena $0 0090
Creamed Codfish
0 0260
Hot Biscuits (3 with butter)
0 0260
Stewed Prunes, five 0 0170
Cocoa, 1 cup.
0 0130
Total
$0 0910
III
Sliced Oranges, 1/2 orange $0 0190
Rolled Oats 0 0086
Bacon, 2 slices 0 0175
Griddle Cakes, four
0 0376
Butter and Sugar 0 0213
Coffee, 1 cup
0 0040
Total
$0 1080
383
The cost of sugar and top milk, used for cereal and coffee, is included in the above figures.
As there have been some requests for a course in millinery it might be well to add this subject for evening school classes another year.
Respectfully submitted,
H. MILDRED COWAN, Supervisor Domestic Science and Sewing.
Mr. Parker T. Pearson,
Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir :
I herewith submit the following report of the work done in manual training in the Weymouth public schools.
The eighth and ninth grade boys in the Athens, Bates, Humphrey, Hunt and Shaw schools have manual training once a week for only one and a quarter hours. In that short time it is hard to accomplish as much as we wish, but the boys are enthusiastic and glad to come noons and after school nights, and an occasional Saturday, and so get some very good results.
In the eighth grade the boys are taught to make and read simple working drawings, to know several kinds of woods and some characteristics of each. They get the funda- mental principles of wood working and learn to handle the different tools correctly. They are held rather closely to a regular course, which is planned to bring in a variety of exercises and which includes hat racks, sleeve boards, broom holders, foot stools and boxes. The fast workers have an opportunity to make many extra articles.
In the ninth grade we have taken up some of the simple joints and also picture framing. One or two regular models are required in this grade and then, if a boy has shown any skill and wishes to make some particular piece of furniture,
-
3.84
he is allowed to do so. We have under way several tables, telephone stands, book-cases, medicine cabinets, chests, blacking stands, magazine racks, music cabinets, tea wagons, sewing screens, writing desks, clock cases, tabour- ets, and costumers.
The boys at the James Humphrey School decided to earn money for twenty new Jack planes, and so they solicited orders before Christmas. The townspeople were very kind and nearly two hundred orders were brought in, most of which were filled before the holidays. Now the planes have come and the boys are enjoying the result of their strenu- ous and persistent efforts.
At the Pratt School the boys have woodworking in the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth grades and so, of course, finish many more articles than the boys in the other parts of the town can. At this school one boy in the ninth grade made a writing desk, arm chair, clock case, two tabourets, sewing screen, costumer, and several small articles during the past year.
In all of the schools except the Pratt, each boy has to pay for his article if he wishes to take it away. We seldom have anything left, but if we do, it is sold to the teachers or children.
When a boy finishes a model, he fills out a record telling the standard measurements and measurements obtained, the names of tools he has used, the time spent and the amount of stock he has had.
Beside our regular work, we have made twenty-five stands for the drawing department, and window boxes for several of the teachers and have done some repairing.
We have recently added to our equipment five Langdon Acme mitre boxes and saws,-some of which were bought with money earned by the boys,-and also two mitre clamps for our picture framing.
We are still handicapped at the Bates School by lack of tools, poor light and no heat, but are looking forward to the new building.
Respectfully submitted,
ALICE L. TUCKER,
Teacher of Manual Training.
385
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING.
Mr. Parker T. Pearson,
Superintendent of Schools, Weymouth, Mass.
Dear Sir :
As Supervisor of Drawing in the Weymouth schools, I herewith submit to you the following report pertaining to the courses of instruction in Drawing and Constructive Design for the year 1916-17.
During the past year three (5 hour) days per week have been given to the Elementary Schools and two days per week to the High School. The work of sixty-four teachers in the Elementary Schools has been supervised. Visits have been made and lessons taught in each of the sixty-four grades once in three weeks, except at the time of a two weeks' illness and two days granted by the Superintendent for preparation of illustrative material for teachers' meet- ings and the sounding of the no-school signal.
Number of pupils taught in Elementary Schools once in three weeks 2000
Number of High School pupils taught each week .. . . 120
Number of Teachers' Meetings held at close of school 15
Number of hours outside preparation for these. 360
Number of courses distributed each month. 64
Number of hours outside preparation for these. 600
Number of addresses given at High School.
2
One address to Greek History class on Greek Art, il- lustrated by stereopticon slides.
One address to Girls' Literary Club on Italian, French and American Painting, illustrated with slides.
Elementary Schools.
The fundamental purpose of the course in drawing and design has been as follows :-
1. To develop ability to use drawing as a common means
386
of expression.
2. To give a knowledge of processes involved in the con- struction of simple articles from paper, cardboard and cloth.
3. To train observation, to give a knowledge of beauti- ful forms, shapes and proportion, and to teach the applica- tion of these in design, constructive and applied.
4. To cultivate an appreciation of what is in good taste in the fine and industrial arts.
These aims are being realized to a great extent with the enthusiastic help and co-operation of the grade teachers.
The following topics are included in the course in Draw- ing :---
1 .- Illustrative Drawing : Illustrations, diagrams, maps, patterns in all grades.
2 .- Object Drawing: Grades I, II, III, toys, home and school objects. Grades IV, V, proportion of toys, home, school and trade objects. Grade VI, foreshortened circle, cylindrical objects. Grades VII, VIII, IX, perspective, rec- tangular solids.
3 .- Nature Drawing: In all grades, study of plant life and growth from which elements of design are taken.
4 .- Color : In all grades, study of standard colors and intermediate scales of value, and hues. Color harmonies applied to designs, costumes, room interiors, objects.
5 .- Paper Construction : Grades I, II, III, simple objects, furniture, toys, gifts.
6 .- Cardboard Construction : Grades IV and V, pattern making of boxes, booklets, houses.
7 .- Design: Primary Grades, simple borders. Inter- mediate Grades, spot designs applied to objects and cover designs. Grammar Grades, border designs applied to covers, glove cases, bags; all-over designs; cover designs.
8 .- Picture Study.
An earnest effort is being made to correlate the drawing
387
with regular school work and with other special work.
Regular Work Correlation .- Illustrations for history stories, maps for geography, illustrations for English com- position, cover designs for spelling and writing papers.
Special Work Correlation .- In Manual Training : Designs for book-rack ends and towel roller backs have been made and worked out in the Sloyd room. Portfolio covers have been made for the working drawings made. In Sewing: Designs for collars, guest towels, night dress yokes ; sewing booklets for mounting and preserving sample stitches. Home Gardens: Harmony in color arrangement of flowers; artistic shapes for flower beds; the laying out of home and school grounds.
Suggestions .- A lack is felt in Manual Training in Grades VI and VII. The constructive work suggested is that of bookbinding, weaving or basketry to make the connection between cardboard construction and Sloyd.
Illustrative material is needed :- Papers, magazines, pic- tures, books.
Artistic vases and models are needed in each school.
High School.
The High School course in Drawing strives to develop individual tastes and gifts so far as possible. A certain number of problems are required each year from both · mechanical and freehand students. When these are com- pleted individual work is encouraged.
Number of pupils electing Freehand Drawing 59
Number of pupils electing Mechanical Drawing 61
The course in Freehand Drawing is outlined as follows :-
First Year .- Color : Neutral scale, color wheel, harmonies studied and applied in design. Printing : Roman alphabet. Geometry : Simple problems, bag and box patterns. Per- spective : Boxes, books, furniture. Representation : Objects, flower forms. Design: Border design applied to table run- ners, cover designs, bags.
Second Year .- Color: Review of harmonies and applica-
388
tion. Representation and Perspective : Common objects and furniture; room interiors. Design: Spots derived from flowers, covers, stencilled curtains, leather tooling.
Third Year .- Design : Decorative, panels; spot designs for wall papers; spot designs for objects. Representation and Perspective: Charcoal and pastel drawing of objects and casts; room interiors. Color : Harmonies applied in all work.
Fourth Year .- Review of Third Year subjects. More ad- vanced models.
The course in Mechanical Drawing is as follows :-
First Year (8 sheets required) .- Use of instruments ; geometric problems ; working drawings.
Second Year (6 sheets required) .- Working drawings, more advanced; perspective sketching.
Third Year (5 sheets required) .- Working drawings of machine details ; projective; sections.
Fourth Year (4 or 5 sheets required) .- Machine details ; machine drawing; projection; intersection.
A successful exhibition of the work of pupils has been held annually on the day of graduation. Much commenda- tion of the excellence of the work has been expressed to both teachers and pupils. The exhibitions have included samples of the work described in the courses.
One 40 minute period per week is the time allotted to drawing in the High School. This time is inadequate to ac- complish desired results. The classes are composed of both freehand and mechanical pupils of all years. This, of neces- sity, wastes the time of both pupils and teacher. It is recommended that two periods be required instead of one, and that the years be kept separate. This would make pos- sible a course in costume design correlated with the sewing and dressmaking. A course in interior decoration could also be planned in correlation with the domestic science course, including regular pupils and drawing pupils. This to be given possibly as a lecture course with exercises. Now that the new gas fixtures have been installed in the labor-
389
atory, a course in craft work in metals might be arranged. If more time were given posters might be made more often · to advertise school functions. Our illustrative material in the High School is small. We long for magazine subscrip- tions, pictures and casts.
It is our great desire to make the Drawing and Design a vital force in the town and school life. We would welcome suggestions from citizens, parents and manufacturers in home industries as to how this might be done. Could school drawing help the industries and town activities ? We thank parents and teachers for their co-operation and help during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
January 18, 1917.
SUSAN AVERY, Supervisor of Drawing.
APPENDIX.
Changes in the Teaching Corps. 1916. Resignations.
High School .- Mary L. Sheehy, English and German; Mil- dred Thomas, French; Irma B. Ingraham, French.
Athens School .- Alberto M. Eldredge, Principal; Esther W. Bicknell, grade eight; Mildred S. Alden, grade six; Ethel G. Higgins, grades two and three; Emma F. Har- ris, grade one.
James Humphrey School .- Joseph E. Crowell, Principal ; Lora E. Hall, grade eight.
Washington School .- Teresa B. Conroy, grade two. Jefferson School .- Persis G. Tuttle, Principal, grade four. Shaw School .- Caroline F. Pettingell, grades three to five; Ruth G. Allen, grades one and two.
Appointments.
High School .- Mary C. Humphrey, English and German; Florence H. Perry, French; Charles W. Kemp, Agricul- ture.
1 390
Athens School .- Ada L. Sherburne, grade eight; Hazel Mc- Gown, grade six; Ethelind S. Bodwell, grades one and two; Harriet B. King, grade one.
James Humphrey School .- Rena M. Greenwood, grade eight; Mary W. Reid, grade seven.
Washington School .- Fanny B. Hollis, grade two.
Hunt School .- Isabel Harrington, grade eight.
Shaw School .- Susie G. Fisher, Principal, grades eight and nine; Martha A. Loud, grades three to five; Catherine M. Hanley, grades one and two.
Bates School .- Margaret C. Reidy, grade eight.
Special Teachers .- Sarah E. Brassil, School Gardens.
Transfers.
Athens School .- George F. Hopkins from Shaw to Athens; Rita C. Page from Athens, grade one, to Athens, grades three and four.
High School .- Mary H. Card from Bates, grade eight, to High School, French.
Humphrey School .- Adeline M. Canterbury from grade eight to Principal; Elizabeth Egan from Hunt, grade seven, to James Humphrey, grade eight.
Jefferson School .- Ida M. Cronin from Humphrey, grade seven, to Jefferson, Principal.
STATISTICS FROM STATE RETURNS.
Year Closing June 30, 1916.
Population
Weymouth. 13,969
State.
3,693,610
Valuation
$12,887,929 00
$4,769,860,495 00
Principals (devoting more
than half time to super- vising) 1
Supervisors 5
Teachers 75
391
Pupils enrolled
2,684 1
604,023
Aggregate days' atten-
dance
421,123
Average daily attendance
2,352
Average number of days in session
179
173
Average membership
2,520
Amount expended for sup- port of schools from
local taxation
$81,321 78
Per pupil in average mem- bership
32 27
$40 31
Rank in State (353 towns and cities)
188
Amount expended for sup-
port from all sources ..
$81,620 78
Per pupil in average mem- bership
32 39
$41 68
Rank in State (353 towns and cities)
297
Valuation per pupil in av- erage membership
$5,114 00
$8,686 00
Rank in State
206
Expenditure per $1,000 of valuation
$6 31
$4 64
Rank in State
118
Cost per pupil in H. S.,
based on av. mem.
$51 99
1
392
HIGH SCHOOL STATISTICS.
SCHOOL.
Graduated from Grammar School June, 1916.
Entered High School September, 1916.
Boys.
Girls.
Total
Boys.
Girls.
Total.
Athens
11
22
33
10
22
32
James Humphrey
29
12
41
20
8
28
Hunt
14
16
30
8
15
23
Pratt
6
6
12
4
6
10
Shaw
4
4
8
3
4
7
Bates
13
15
28
8
11
19
Other Sources ...
. .
. .
. .
16
13
29
Total
77
75
152
69
79
148
393
. ROLL OF HONOR.
Names of students not absent during year 1915-1916.
* Not absent nor tardy.
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