USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1924 > Part 14
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Place
Subject
Teacher
Enrolled No.
South Weymouth
Dressmaking
Elizabeth Ahern
19
Millinery
Pearl Muller
16
Millinery
Mary E. Corbett
16
Fannie L. Williams 16
Weymouth
Dressmaking
Elizabeth Ahern
41
Millinery
Margaret Ford
18
East Weymouth
Millinery
Mary B. Kirk
15
WORK OFFERED AT HIGH SCHOOL SINCE NOVEMBER
Subject
Teacher
Cookery
Mary E. Hackett
17
Dressmaking
Elizabeth Ahern
13
Alice E. Morton
14
Millinery
Fannie L. Williams
15
Americanization
Mary B. Thomas
17
General Education
Susan G. Sheehan
14
The apparently small number of pupils taking work in either General Education or Americanization may occasion comment, but account should be taken of the fact that although this is one of the largest towns in the State, probably having a population of over eighteen thousand today, we have no illiterate minors and a very small number of children under the age of sixteen who are not in school. Nevertheless, both Americanization and General Education should be offered to those desiring it. Of the class in Americanization nine men have first citizenship papers, four will apply for them, three require renewals and one has been nat- uralized. I realize that there are many in town who could profit by the work in Americanization, and I shall be glad to co-operate with others in reaching any individual who may need or desire this type of work.
HIGH SCHOOL
(Report of F. W. Hilton, Principal)
Since the completion of the new addition at the High School, we have been able to extend the scope of work considerably, and have made a really good start along industrial work in woodwork- ing and domestic arts and sciences. The enrollment in the va- rious departments is as follows:
Fresh.
Soph.
Junior
Senior
Classical
75
39
26
19
Technical
38
20
18
6
Business
140
60
59
45
General
34
24
9
15
Agricultural
11
3
4
2
Girls' Practical Arts
18
8
1
0
Boys' Trade Course
.
18
11
0
0
Special Class
27
361
165
117
87
157
Grand Total 730.
The uniting of the eighth and ninth grades into one group of Freshmen presents rather a difficult situation for the first year of High School, but we have endeavored to present the work in a way that would not presuppose more preparation than the eighth grade students were able to acquire. While the failures have been somewhat heavier than usual, we feel that the students for the most part have met a difficult situation in a very satisfactory manner. We trust that this situation will correct itself within one or two years at the most. A special group has been formed to ac- ·commodate those students who are not quite prepared to do reg- ular High School work. This group is allowed to take two Fresh- man studies in addition to the English, Arithmetic, and Citizen- ship, usually offered in the ninth grade.
The entering class came from the various grade schools as follows :
Freshman Class Ninth Grade Eighth Grade
Special Class
Boys
Girls
Boys
Girls Boys
Girls
Athen:
18
20
16
16
1
3
Humphrey
22
24
15
20
4
2
Hunt
16
14
18
16
4
3
Nevin
10
15
16
29
7
3
Pratt
6
4
0
0
0
0
Shaw
8
2
0
0
0
0
Other Schools
16
10
0
0
0
0
80
79
65
81
16
11
Grand total: Boys, 177; Girls, 184.
Both students and teachers appreciate the improved condi- tions existing at the school. The entire morale of the school can- not help but be improved by the existing conditions. We feel that we might mention some of the new features more particu- larly in order that the townspeople may better know what is be- ing done. These are principally the physical training, the trade courses, and the girls' practical arts.
PHYSICAL TRAINING
In addition to our usual athletic teams we are now giving regular instruction in physical training to all students who are physically able to take the work. Examination by school physi- cians have been given in order to prevent any tendency to injury from over-exertion. The work offered consists of easy, competi- tive games, setting-up exercises, with a shower and rub-down twice a week. We feel that such a regime cannot help but be ben- eficial to the health of our students, and are glad to say that for the most part the students have entered into this work with excel- lent spirit. While we hope to give some exhibitions from time to time we would be very glad to have parents visit regular classes at any time.
TRADE COURSES
The Trade Course in Woodworking gives three and one-half hours each day to actual shop practice. This enables students to produce quite a large volume of work and we feel that some of the results are very creditable for boys of high school age. Among these I might mention particularly the sewing tables built to equip
158
the girls' sewing room, a large drawing board cabinet for the art room, and benches for the manual training room and shop, all of which add very materially to our school equipment.
GIRLS' PRACTICAL ARTS
Probably the mothers would be most deeply interested in this branch of work and would be delighted with the equipment in this department. Sewing, Millinery, and Cooking departments are es- pecially attractive and are producing quite a large amount of ex- cellent material. The girls in the trade course not only are obliged to do work in the school under the direction of the teacher but must do the same work as a home-project in order to put into practical use that which they acquire at school. Many outside of the regular domestic science group avail themselves of the op- portunity to take these subjects fewer periods a week in addition to their regular courses.
While we have been emphasizing the material output of the school, we do not want to give the impression that this is our par- ticular aim. The real aim is to give adequate equipment to the student for preparation for future life. We are glad to say that our graduates have been very largely commended for the class of work that they have done at college, at normal school, and in business positions, and we count this as of much greater import- ance than any material output that we could make.
Of the last graduating class, numbering sixty-seven, five are attending college, one at Mt. Holyoke, one at Tufts, one at Har- vard University, one at Boston University, six are attending State normal schools, and thirteen are attending other schools. Most of the remainder have found satisfactory positions and are start- ing on their life work.
While the size of our school would indicate that we might soon overrun the capacity of our new building, we expect that the maximum number will probably be reached next year, when we will graduate eighty-five and have a probability of receiving two-hundred fifty into the Freshmen class. This would give us and estimate eight hundred fifty students for the school year 1925-26. After next year we expect that the size of the entering and outgoing classes will me more nearly equal for the next two or three years, with a possibility of some slight drop in the size of the school. We believe that the present building will be likely to accommodate the natural growth of the school until such a time as the different local centers will have grown to a size that would make it feasible to introduce the 6-3-3 plan and establish Junior High Schools throughout the town.
AGRICULTURE
(Report of Mr. Earl M. Ricker, Director of Agriculture)
The total enrollment for the past year was thirty-five, an increase of two over the previous year. Two members were grad- uated and one received a certificate in October. During the year twelve dropped the course; five to enter other high school courses, two to earn money to enter Massachusetts Agricultural College for a two year course in the fall, two to enter building trades as apprentices, and three to take up miscellaneous work. Eleven students entered the course in September, which is the largest en- tering class since the department was established in 1916. The average entering age was fourteen and a half years as compared to fifteen years for last year.
159
Eighteen projects were completed and represented a market value of products of $2,867.71.
10 Poultry Projects, 650 Birds $2,362.91
6 Garden Projects, 1 Acre
306.55
1 Fruit Project 139.75
1 Substitution Project 58.50
$2,867.71
The practice of visiting agricultural enterprises, demonstra- tions, lectures, meetings, and getting practical experience where- ever possible, has been continued during the year. This feature provided our best opportunity for contact with commercial and practical agriculture in the field. The school program was made more flexible to allow frequent trips from the classroom without interrupting the regular high school work.
The Boston, Springfield, Brockton and Rockland Fairs pro- vided and opportunity for the exhibition of agricultural displays and products. This part of the work is most encouraging since more individuals entered the various competitions than in previous years. Prizes amounting to $45.00 were won the past year.
The manual training shop has made possible the construction and repair of agricultural equipment which has done much to promote interest as well as improve the quality of the project work.
DENTAL CLINIC (Report of Alice A. Conroy, Dental Hygienist)
The Dental Clinic has been maintained in much the same manner as last year. All elementary schools have been visited during the year, and while the Clinic was established in the build- ing, each child was urged to receive prophylactic treatment and instruction on the care of the teeth.
The response from the pupils has been satisfactory. That they have grasped the significance of clean, healthy mouths, is proven by the manner in which they have carried out instructions for brushing the teeth, as well as the filling or extraction of ca- rious teeth.
Chart cards have been kept from year to year, showing the date and number of visits made to the Clinic, condition of the mouth, number of carious teeth, and permanent teeth filled or ex- tracted since the previous year.
The portable equipment is the same, with the addition of another dental engine. No time is lost, if one machine breaks down, as a second one, in good working order, is on hand.
DRAWING
(Report of Evelyn Silvester, Supervisor of Drawing)
The past year has been a very busy one in the Drawing De- partment of the graded schools. In addition to the regular work as outlined in the course of study, we participated in the State Poster Campaign for Accident Prevention. The children of all grades were represented in some way by posters or mottoes. I feel that this contest was one of real and definite value, both be- cause of the need of teaching safety, and because of the unlimited illustrative possibilities it allowed. The plans were well laid, and the time given was sufficient to make it a part of our regular work without great strain on either teachers or pupils. Though
160
none of the State awards came to Weymouth, we are proud to know that the work was entirely the child's own effort, and as such, each one deserves credit.
Then for the public opening of the High School Extension we arranged an exhibition of our regular work. It was hung by grades and every problem done from September to June was; represented in consecutive order. The work used was taken from portfolios kept by the teachers, which may be found at any time in any room, and shows the work covered in that grade. Miss Helen E. Cleaves very kindly consented to come out and criti- cize the exhibit for me. She is one well able to give helpful criticism, as she is head of the art department of the Boston Teachers' College, and well known in all educational art work.
I hope that this coming year we may be able to show added strength in color and illustrative power, as those were the spe- cial points Miss Cleaves named as weak. Our pencil work in the upper grades was especially complimented, as was our picture study work. In making over the course of study this year to ad- just it to eight instead of nine grades, I shall incorporate in it some new features and methods which I hope will make our work stronger in every respect.
MANUAL TRAINING
(Report of Alice L. Tucker, Supervisor of Manual Training)
The seventh grade boys, numbering about one hundred and fifty, were taught to use the ordinary tools, such as rule, knife, try square, plane, working guage, compass, bit stock, auger and drill bits, screw driver, countersink, various saws, hammer, nail set, awls and spoke shave. They made toys, bread boards, pen- cil stands, broom holders, plant stands, dish drainers, hat racks, and a few bird houses and boxes.
In the eighth grade over one hundred and thirty were taught the use of hand drill, chisel, file, clamps, framing square, etc., as well as acquiring more proficiency in those tools already men- tioned. Greater accuracy and speed were required. In this grade the boys constructed spool holders, handkerchief boxes, letter racks, kitchen and tool racks, while some of the more skillful made articles of furniture.
The ninth grade, about eighty, were instructed in making various kinds of joints, such as butt, half lap, mitre, dowel, groove, and a few in the mortise and tenon joint. Boxes, tabourets, stools, picture frames, telephone stands, costumers, medicine and music cabinets and umbrella racks were made.
In June, at the formal opening of the High School Extension, samples of the finished work were on exhibition.
MUSIC
(Report of James W. Calderwood, Supervisor of Music)
At the High School, the work on the new addition, that con- tinued from January 1st to the end of the school year, seriously interfered with this phase of music in the schools. That work, having been completed during the summer, and the new assembly hall being ready for occupancy in September, the various music activities were resumed, so that now regular weekly singing pe- riods are held. The orchestra, which was much depleted by the graduation in June of several instrumentalists of promising abil- ity, has again been assembled, and at the present time an operetta,
161
for boys and girls, is in preparation. Harmony also £ being taught. In the grades, work in music is progressing along the usual lines, and with gratifying results.
SCHOOL GARDENS (Report of Sarah E. Brassill, Supervisor of School Gardens)
As in past years, two lines of work have been carried on; the required course in gardening in grades VII and VIII, and the voluntary club work. For the success of the work in gardening much preliminary nature study is required. The lessons given in the lower grades are contributory to this. Those pupils who are most interested group themselves into clubs for additional teach- ing out of school hours. We have had clubs in gardening, can- ning, home economics and poultry in all parts of the town, seven- teen groups in all. Their work has been praiseworthy. It is tested at various fairs and exhibits in Weymouth and elsewhere. In every test Weymouth pupils have ranked high. Five young peo- ple who have been club members are now acting as assistant leaders. Their interest in the work is encouraging and their help is much appreciated.
SCHOOL NURSE
(Report of Anna A. MacDavitt, R. N., School Nurse.) The first Schick Test Clinic was held in the High School building on January 19, 1924, under the direction of Dr. George T. O'Donnell, State District Health Officer, of Boston, assisted by the local physicians. Fourteen hundred and eighteen children, including those under school age, were schicked. Clinics followed in the Athens, Hunt, Humphrey and Nevin Schools for further treatment. There were seven hundred and fifty-five children who received the first treatment, five hundred and sixty-two the sec- ond, and five hundred and thirty-nine the third. Many of the children schicked were found to be negative and many of those found to be positive were given the treatments by their own physi- cians.
There are forty-four children in the grades who are retarded, and preparations are being made for special class work for them. Some are in the group because of loss of work caused by poor attendance. In a few instances on account of home conditions the English speaking vocabulary of the child is so restricted that he probably does not study intelligently. Physical defects have retarded the progress of others, while the mental age of the re- mainder falls below the chronological age.
Sixty-six children were examined by the school physicians for physical defects, notices were sent to fifty-eight parents, arrangements were made to send two of these children to the Children's Hospital and two children were taken to Boston for glasses. Through the sale of Christmas seals in South Weymouth two of our underweight boys enjoyed the advantages of camp life for six weeks during the summer. It was found necessary to ex- clude children from four families, numbering twelve, for scabies. Nearly all cases of impetigo have been treated in the schools.
SEWING
(Report of Edith M. Picken, Supervisor of Sewing)
Because of the elimination of the ninth grade, the girls in the grades have instruction in sewing two instead of three years. This means that the course of study had to be changed and the work intensified somewhat.
162
In the seventh grade the girls first learned the use and care of sewing equipment and the fundamental sewing stitches. They applied these to a linen sewing bag with colored applique as a trimming. Their next problem was a gingham apron, given prin- cipally for practice in hemming and to teach the putting on of a band and strings. The majority of the pupils are just finishing this problem, which has a cross stitch border as a decoration.
In the eighth grade the first problem was a dimity sewing apron, given as a final review of all the hand sewing stitches, put- ting on a band and sewing on lace. The girls were then taught the use and care of the sewing machine. Their first machine problem was a night gown, which gives a very good test of straight stitch- ing and teaches the French seam and application of hamburg. The majority of the pupils of the ninth grade are working on this problem now.
It is my plan to have the girls cover the same ground in two as in three years, which I hope to accomplish by avoiding repetition, by most careful supervision, and by steady work on the part of the pupils.
SCHOOL SAVINGS
Transfers
School
Balance 1924
Deposits
Plus
Minus
With- drawals
Bank Books
Balance 1925
Adams
$35.83
$80.33
$.44
$5.36
$.33
$63.00
$47.91
Athens
468.29
716.64
4.40
9.95
50.34
562.26
566.78
Franklin
137.14
584.22
56.61
60.94
26.57
531.00
159.46
High
62.32
343.59
26.73
11.20
278.02
143.42
James
Humphrey
266.71
1191.18
75.77
15.10
79.70
992.89
445.97
Jefferson
226.23
1072.40
25.91
50.62
55.10
988.75
230.07
Washington
268.00
471.11
2.89
27.10
46.75
338.00
330.15
Hunt
538.47
1349.39
1.67
6.30
91.64
1145.95
645.64
Edward B.
Nevin
205.97
280.16
4.01
5.35
49.28
185.90
249.61
Pond
1.37
Pratt
77.46
95.96
2.50
.45
10.00
59.00
106.47
Shaw
117.61
194.88
.35
14.94
186.00
111.20
Hollis
1.48
Totals
$2406.88 $6379.86 $200.93 $181.52 $435.85 $5330.77 $3039.53
163
164
In considering the above table, it must be borne in mind that of the three buildings havin gthe highest deposits for the year, namely, the Hunt, Humphrey and Jefferson, the Hunt is a com- bination of two buildings comprising eleven rooms, that the Humphrey is a grammar grade building of eight rooms, and that the Jefferson is a four-room primary building consisting of the first four grades. With this in mind, the Jefferson has made a remarkable record, with a per capita deposit of $7.73, based on average membership.
Due credit should be given to the Weymouth Savings Bank for the able and efficient manner in which the School Savings Sys- tem is conducted. A collector goes to each building every two weeks and receives the money from the children with very little inconvenience or loss of time to either pupils or teachers.
Banners have been presented to the different buildings by the bank to be displayed in the rooms according as the pupils make the best showing, either in number of deposits or the amount deposited.
In conclusion, I wish to express my grateful appreciation to you, the members of the School Committee, for the support which has been cordially extended to me at all times. No one realizes more acutely than a Superintendent of Schools, occupying, as he does, a position maintained only by delicate balances, how neces- sary it is that harmony should exist in the body from which he derives his power, and to which he should give his loyal support.
Also, to the teachers and parents, my thanks are due for the kindly attitude of mind and the spirit of co-operation which has made possible not only progress for the present, but also the prospect of progress in the future.
Respectfully submitted,
PARKER T. PEARSON, Superintendent of Schools.
165
APPENDIX Changes in the Teaching Force, 1924 RESIGNATIONS
High School Athens School
Jefferson School Washington School
Hunt School Edward B. Nevin School
Pratt School
High School
Athens School
James Humphrey School Jefferson School Washington School Edward B. Nevin School
Shaw School
Carl A. Benander, Mathematics. Rachel E. Kimball, Grade II.
Isabelle H. De Witt, Grade II.
Irene W. Barton, Grade III. * Martha J. Hawes, Principal, Grade V. Marion W. Collins, Grade IV.
(*Retired under Teachers' Retire- ment Act after 48 years of service in the Town of Weymouth.)
Dorothy Mudgett, Grades VII-VIII.
Alta J. Whorff, Grade IX. Edith Poore, Grade VIII.
Beatrice C. Warren, Grades VI-VII.
Anna E. Gannon, Grades IV-V.
APPOINTMENTS
David L. Greene, English, Civics, His- tory.
Inez E. Hoag, Physical Training, Hy- giene, Commercial Geography.
Harold S. Jackson, Woodworking.
Albert Leonard, Physical Training, Commercial Arithmetic.
Jalmar N. Nelson, Woodworking,
Mathematics, Science. George O. Stewart, Mathematics.
A. Adeline Moulton, Grade VI.
Eileen Burns, Grade V.
Marcia Smith, Grade II.
Ina M. Ambach, Grade VII-B.
Mona E. Lynch, Grade III.
Mary B. Arnold, Grade V.
Florence E. Carter, Grades VII-VIII.
Grace E. Bearce, Grade VI.
Dorothy U. Murphy, Grades IV-V. Ruth Ripley, Grades V-VI.
TRANSFERS
Susan G. Sheehan, Hunt, Assistant Principal, Grade IX to High School, Special Class.
Dorothy C. Hilton, Franklin, Grade II to James Humphrey, Grades IV-V.
Rosamond E. Cunniff, James Humphrey, Grade VII-A to Washing- ton, Principal, Grade V.
E. Leo Madden, Shaw, Grades V-VI to Hunt, Assistant, Grade VIII.
Mary H. Benson, Edward B. Nevin, Grade VI to Edward B. Nevin, Assistant, Grade VIII.
166
TEMPORARY TEACHERS
High School
Athens School
James Humphrey School
Pratt School
Mrs. Helen C. Barnard, Latin. Mrs. Dora S. White, History, English. Miss Fannie L. Williams, Sewing, Mil- linery. Mrs. Mary B. Thomas, Grade VIII. Mrs. Margaret E. O'Brien, Grade VII .. Mrs. Margaret E. Stevens, Grade VI. Miss Martha J. Ojampera, Grade I. Mrs. Mary D. Luce, Grade VII-B. Mrs. Margaret R. Whittle, Grades. VI-VII. Mrs. Mabel B. Maynard, Grade II. Miss Dorothy E. Sheehan, Grades IV-V.
ROLL OF HONOR
Names of Students Not Absent During the School Year 1923-1924. *Neither Absent nor Tardy.
HIGH SCHOOL
Ida Adams
*Rubena M. Arbuckle Alice J. Ashton
Mary E. Ashton
* Wendell C. Blanchard
*Robert W. Holt
* Catherine H. Burke
** Fred J. Corbo
Celia R. Joy
*Mary E. Keene
* Dorothy J. Klingeman
*Frederick H. Langhorst
*Francis N. Drown
*Mary A. Fitzsimmons Anna L. Foster
** Warren E. Garey Roland R. Goulet
*
Carl E. Hanhisalo
*Charles F. Thibodeau
*Peter R. Valicenti Elijah K. Whiton.
ATHENS SCHOOL
Gilbert Arnold Andrew Ash Warren Bastey
* Paula Kantala
Helen Lang
* Mary Black
Evelyn Marr
* Mary Cody
* Sarah Marr Mary Melanson
* William Cody
*Rose Melanson :.. . .. *Lena Riley
* Helen Roulston
* George Colarusso ** John Crane Helen Dwyer
*Harold Thomas
*Isabel Tutty i ,
William Watson
*Elizabeth Grogan
*Edward Williams
* Mary Gunville
*Ernest Williams
* Thomas Hesse
*Margaret Young
*Lillian Holma
*Edward T. Hawkesworth
* Virginia E. Hawkesworth
*Mary E. Hebert
*Victor L. Hebert
*Eleanor M. Jones
*Helen Cowing Allan F. Crawford Nunzie Daniele
*Marion B. Lovell Donald W. McIsaac
* Alberta B. Nutting Eleanor M. Smith
* Margaret Swan
* Agnes Colarusso
* Emily Sherman
*Kenneth Fitzpatrick May Fraser
Emely Marr
*Ellen Cody
*Thelma V. Hannaford
167
FRANKLIN SCHOOL
*Constance Avenell
*Thomas Quinn
*Josephine Caruso Kenneth Shores
*Frank D'Allesandro
*Josephine Spallino
*Josephine Sturtevant
JAMES HUMPHREY SCHOOL
Louis Abruzzese
* Louis Lilla .
Linda Alexander
Agnes Lonergan
*Paul Bates
Anthony Luciano
*Lillian Bicknell
David J. Mariano
*Harry Blanchard Margaret Brown
John E. McDonald
*Frances H. Mitchell
* Mario Cignarello Donald F. Clark
* Violet Mitchell Edwin Nelson
*Robert Clark
*Ethelbert Nickerson
*Catherine P. Coffey
*Emmanuele Corbo Edward F. Curtin
Tony Eacobacci Veto Eacobacci
*Charles Reidy
*Ruth A. Reidy
*Mary Rinaldi
*Elena L. Ritz
*Stanley Roberts
*Yolanda Ruscetta Joseph Russo
*Esther M. Rydgren 4
* Alfred Santacrose Marjorie Skinner
*Jessie Squeglia
*Ruth B. Sylvester Wilber Whiting
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