USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1926 > Part 19
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The following statistics may be of interest as a summary for the school year beginning September 8, 1925 and closing June 24, 1926 :
Aggregate Attendance 3087
Average Daily Attendance 15.76
Total Membership 17.81
Average Membership 17.43
Per Cent. of Attendance. 90.04
These figures should not be confused with the present school year . of 1926-1927.
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With the enrollment of new students there is emphasized the home project method of teaching agriculture, and as a result each new student (representing at the present time ten freshmen) has a poultry project at his home that carries out the program of his fresh- man year. Without practical work agricultural education would lose its practicability. Along with the agricultural theory and work, there is prescribed the regular academic course of study to strengthen and broaden the vision of our future agriculturists.
According to classes, the home and supervised farm projects are as follows :
Seniors-1 supervised orchard project 1 supervised dairy project Juniors-2 supervised dairy projects 1 supervised general farm project 1 supervised poultry project 1 home garden project
Sophomores-1 home project, combining garden, poultry and calf Freshmen-10 home poultry projects
Connected with this department is the Weymouth Agricultural Club, of which each student is a member. It has a regular governing body consisting of student officers, and regular meetings are held every Thursday afternoon. During this time there are debates, illus- trated lectures, demonstrations, competitions, speakers of note, and various other activities. Each member of this Club becomes an active 4-H Club booster. The presence of the Supervisor of School Gardens has been noted at these meetings, and we are glad that such cordial co-operation exists.
Numerous study and survey trips to various outstanding agricul- tural enterprises have been carried out. The poultry classes have visited local poultry plants in conjunction with their study.
On March 9, 1926, "Achievement Night" was held at the High. School, where an audience listened to a very interesting program, including demonstrations by the 4-H Poultry Clubs of the grammar schools, and a culling demonstration by two members of the sopho- more class of the agricultural department. There was also the award- ing of prizes of achievement for meritorious 4-H Club work during the preceding year, 1925.
The students have done very well in several judging contests during the past year, at least five of which are worthy of special mention.
1 .- 1926 High School Day at the Massachusetts Agricultural Coll- ege at Amherst, April 30 and May 1. In livestock judging Weymouth stood second, with fourteen other competing teams, and as a result was awarded a beautiful silver bronze shield. One of the members of the team was awarded a bronze medal for the highest scoring senior. and a silver medal for the second highest of seventy-eight contestants in the State Interscholastic Championship. We' had two teams en- tered, comprised of six students (three on the senior team and three on the junior team).
2 .- Worcester Fair, September 30. A junior stood third in the Livestock Judging Contest in a field of one hundred and thirty stu- dents from all parts of the state. Four students, judging separately, were sent to this Fair.
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3 .- Brockton Fair, October 5. A team comprising three juniors won the very high honor, State Championship Livestock Judging Team. To each member of this team was awarded a beautifully en- graved silver cup and a ribbon, and to the department a similar cup. At this time, I should like to give special honor and allow their names to be printed in this report. The team consisted of Warren Fabyan, Clifford R. Foskett and Lynnwood P. Teague.
4 .- Norfolk County Poultry Show, December 4. Three of the students scored high in the poultry judging contest, which made them eligible members of the Norfolk County Teams. One junior had the best cockerel of all breeds and was awarded the Tioga Medal. This same student also won first on his white Plymouth Rock pullet. Sev- eral other winnings were received by the freshmen, and it is inter- esting to note that they have never exhibited birds.
5 .- Boston Poultry Show, December 30. The agricultural depart- ment won first on its exhibit, with five other competing clubs. On eleven birds exhibited by six students, the following prizes were se- cured : 1 first, 2 seconds, 2 thirds and 2 fifths. Four of the six show- ing birds were freshmen. The Norfolk County senior team was placed third out of sixteen competing teams, and the junior team second out of eight competing teams.
The above five contests have been brought to your attention to emphasize that practical work is being done, and what has been studied has not been lost.
Visits have been made to the project of each student many times during the year by the instructor to check up the progress of the student as correlated with his study. The project year continues from October 15 to October 15, or one full year.
It might not be amiss at this time to mention the general course of study for the combined class during the school year of 1926-1927.
Freshmen and Sophomores-Poultry Management, Agricultural Survey, Mathematics, and the prescribed allied academic studies, plus practical shop work, supervised farm work, and the particular project development.
Juniors and Seniors-Orcharding, Horticultural Survey, Agricul- tural Chemistry, and prescribed allied academic studies, plus the pro- ject development at home, supervised farm projects, supervised farm work, class demonstrations and experiments.
This department stands ready to give freely of its service, both in equipment and personnel, to the people of Weymouth, if they will let their wants be known.
DENTAL CLINIC (Report of Alice A. Conroy, Dental Hygienist)
The year 1926 found the Dental Clinic operating under the direc- tion of the School Department, it having been conducted previously by the Weymouth Visiting Nurse Association. This change was inevitable, as any movement intimately involving schools and school children should be under one head, the School Department. How- ever, we may always point to the Association as the organizer of the Dental Clinic.
The work has been continued in the usual way, each elementary child having been given an opportunity to receive prophylactic treat- ment at the clinic once during the school year. One thousand five
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hundred and twenty-seven children took advantage of this privilege. Satisfaction is resulting, but slowly. More marked progress could be attained by visiting each building more than once a year. How- ever, this cannot be done with the increasing enrollment.
One solution would be to limit the work to the first four or five grades, thereby giving the opportunity to visit each pupil twice dur- ing the year. Prophylactic clinic work in schools means prevention and guidance along proper channels. It means retention and clean- liness of the first teeth that the second teeth may erupt in their proper places. One visit annually is of benefit to the child, but semi- annual visits to the clinic would be more ideal, especially for the child between the ages of six and twelve years.
DRAWING (Report of Evelyn Silvester, Supervisor of Drawing)
During the year of 1926 the drawing course in the elementary grades has been revised somewhat, a little more color having been added to the work.
As usual, at holiday time we worked out some problems in applied design in the upper grades. Grade VII, after a study of color spot work, adapted and applied their designs to ends for a desk blotter pad and penwiper top. These sets were made of colored papers with the designs painted. Colored blotters were used to carry out some harmonious color scheme. Grade VIII, having practiced pen letter- ing, culminated this study in a simple illuminated motto, suitable for a gift. The other grades all had special problems carefully planned to suit their abilities and to be a festive bit toward Christmas room decorations or for gifts.
We purchased ninety-seven slides of the National Geographic Society last June. This made a beginning of the collection we hope to have which will help to correlate the subjects of Geography, His- tory, Nature and Art. The selection was of physical geographical subjects, and the slides represent various land and water formations, as mountains, plains, valleys, rivers, waterfalls, glaciers, geysers, caves, clouds and some telescopic views of the moon and sun circum- ferences. As all of these subjects have been at some time published in the National Geographic Magazine, the quality of the slides may be easily judged. We hope to add to this collection each year and to establish a slide library which may be drawn upon by all the schools.
The new Bicknell School has been equipped with most of the reference material needed. A few things are still to be supplied.
As the town is growing constantly, and more school-rooms are being added each year, it is increasingly difficult to make the rounds of all the rooms on the necessary two-week schedule. At present two rooms have to be on a monthly schedule because of lack of time.
ELEMENTARY SUPERVISOR
(Report of Myra G. Keep, Supervisor of Elementary Grades)
The report of the Elementary Supervisor is necessarily brief, for it considers only the time since the beginning of school this fall. Two subjects, Spelling and Arithmetic, have been stressed this year, and one, Geography, was brought to the attention of the teachers through an organized evening class.
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The general criterion for young people in business and other positions at the present time is "Good Spelling." As it is the duty of the schools to train the children to meet their needs in life, more effective methods of teaching spelling were advised. A new text book, "Tidyman's Supervised Study Speller," was placed in the hands of the teachers, and the children were given spelling blanks in which to keep their individual spelling lists and sentences. In order to ascertain the spelling standard of the children in Weymouth, during the second week of school in September Ayer's Standard Spelling Tests were given to all grades from two to six, inclusive. The Pond School led with an average of 85%, while seven schools fell below the mean. This proved that intensive work in spelling was neces- sary. A second examination was given during the last week in November, taken from Tidyman's Sentence Tests. The result showed what excellent work the teachers had done and the co-operative affort of the children. The Pond School led again, with an average of 95%, while only one school fell slightly below the standard. A schedule of further competitive tests has been arranged for the com- ing year.
Most educators believe that a habit is more easily fixed and remains longer in the mind of a young child. Working on this basis, formal number was systematically introduced in the first grades by the use of Stone's "Child's Book of Number," and stories, games, charts and flash cards to aid in stimulating the drill. In the upper grades Stone's Arithmetics were provided for basal text books and McMurry & Bensons Social Arithmetic as a supplementary book to assist in problem solving and project work. The Courtis Tests con- tinued to provide weekly rapid drills. "Practice makes perfect" is still a true slogan, and this slogan has been adopted in the arithmetic work.
The new State Manual of Geography as prepared by Louise G. Ramsdell, of the Framingham State Normal School, has been studied carefully, and many teachers realized that they would like assistance in the methods of instruction in some of the newer topics inserted in the outline. Therefore, a class was arranged for that purpose. Miss Ramsdell spoke to the class on the "Why, What and When of Geography," emphasizing that "Geography is the study of the peo- ples and their adjustment to the earth." Miss Ona Nolan, of South Weymouth, Geography Instructor at the Boston State Normal School, devoted an evening to "Projects," giving the teachers valuable sug- gestions. The result of a project embodying some of the Swiss pro- ducts terminated in a social hour. The course will be continued next year, featuring other speakers and a geographical exhibit of useful materials collected by members of the class.
Other things in supervision have been undertaken during these four months with the view of making the elementary schools more efficient and helping to raise the quality of instruction given, but attention is called only to these few, as they were the really big things which affected all sections of the town.
MANUAL TRAINING
(Report of Alice L. Tucker, Supervisor of Manual Training)
The principal aims in educational manual training are to teach the child accuracy, carefulness, thoughtfulness; to develop patience and persistence, as well as to correlate hand, eye and brain. All materials are valuable, but wood excels in giving more varied oppor-
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tunities for training all senses, developing mind and muscle and, skill.
The work is arranged so that there is a progressive sequence with regard to exercises and tools, and the articles made have a prac- tical and useful place in the average home. While there must of necessity be much similarity in the course from year to year, still it is annually changed somewhat, and only those models which seem to meet the general need are retained.
The boys had manual training one and one-quarter hours weekly in the seventh grades, and one and one-half hours in the eighth. Before making an article, each child learned to draw and read the plan from which he afterward worked. In the seventh grade he was taught the correct use of the ordinary tools, and each one made a bill holder, a bread board and a broom holder. Then he was allowed to make any kind of a box which he desired. There were many varieties, such as knife and fork, nail, tool, window, handkerchief, radio and scouring boxes, as well as bird houses. The fast workers also completed a number of other articles, involving the same exer- cises as those in the regular course.
Greater accuracy and more speed were required in the eighth grade and simple joinery was introduced. The course consisted of a kitchen rack, picture frame and either a tabouret or costumer. Then the boy was permitted to make any piece of furniture which he wished. Many useful and attractive articles were finished, such as radio tables, telephone stands, medicine cabinets, book ends, maga- zine racks, and stools with upholstered tops. The pupils in this grade . were also taught the use of the oil stone and kept the tools in good condition.
The fine spirit and keen interest of the boys was a help and inspiration.
MUSIC
(Report of James W. Calderwood, Supervisor of Music)
The past year has been marked by the usual interest in musical matters at the High. School. The so-called "High School Enter- tainers" have been very active. This organization is made up of a dozen or more boys and girls who sing four-part songs and solos, play instruments, or give readings. They have made repeated ap- pearances throughout the town, notably at the dinner tendered the local Rotary Club at the High School in December.
The orchestra, numbering more than twenty pieces, has held a weekly rehearsal all through the school year. There is constantly much enthusiasm in this organization on the part of the boys and girls forming it. In February it, together with the "Entertainers," made its annual appearance before the Monday Club.
Toward the latter part of May, forty or more boys and girls gave a very creditable performance of the operetta, "The Bells of Beaujolais," in the High School Hall. At present, "The Belle of Barcelona" is in preparation for performance during the ensuing year.
In December the Puellae Trio (instrumental) consisting of three talented Weymouth High School girls gave a recital at each of the two regular singing periods in the Hall.
A notable event, occurring also in December, was the concert given by the Rotary Club Boys' Band of Framingham, whereby added stimulus was given to the Boys' Band that is in process of formation in our own High School.
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Somewhat of an aside, but worthy of mention, was the Teachers' Chorus that sang at the annual Teachers' Convention held in the Tremont Theatre, Boston, in October. Several men and women of the Weymouth teaching forces were members of this chorus, which was conducted by Weymouth's Supervisor of Music.
In the grades the interest in music has been steadily maintained on the part of the pupils and teachers, and corresponding progress made. The boys and girls are constantly reminded that music in the schools of Weymouth must be of the best.
SCHOOL GARDENS AND CLUBS (Report of Sarah E. Brassill, Supervisor of School Gardens and Clubs)
The gardening has been, as heretofore, the most important sub- ject, and the one on which classroom work was based. Some neces- sary nature study has been combined with the lessons on what and how to plant. The children have been taught to recognize spring and fall wild flowers, common trees, the parts of a plant, the con- tents of a seed, and the changes that take place in the cycle of plant life from seed to seed. The eighth grade children have had some instruction in trimming trees, pruning grape vines, planning a gar- den, making cuttings and planting bulbs.
There has been an increased number of gardens this year. Other and newer forms of outdoor work, which were crowding the garden- ing, are holding their own, but the gardening is coming back into first place. The greatest number of gardens were in East Weymouth and Weymouth Landing; the best flower garden at North Wey- mouth; the best strawberry bed at the Heights; and the best vege- table garden at South Weymouth.
Many boys below the seventh grade are counted in by request of their parents. One such boy in the fifth grade had a garden that would have been a credit to a much older boy.
Poultry work appeals to many. During the year there were clubs in each grammar building. In the early spring the groups united in putting on a program at the High School to which parents and friends were invited. Each group did something to show what club work teaches. There were demonstrations on best methods of feeding, on building a poultry house, on how to join a club, on treat- ing disease in poultry, on setting a hen, and on making a report as secretary of a club. An audience of about one hundred seemed to enjoy the evening.
In addition, the boys have exhibited successfully at Weymouth, Marshfield, Brockton, Springfield, Walpole and Boston.
Three canning clubs meeting at the High School, the Nevin School and the Lovell's Corner Community House, did good work through the summer. A small handicraft group met each week at the High School. One Weymouth girl was among the winners in the Room Beautiful Contest.
Several enthusiastic groups of girls worked with cooking and clothing during the fall and winter. These girls joined in an exhibit and entertainment for three friends at the High School in May. An audience of about two hundred saw their work and enjoyed the pro- gram prepared by the clubs. These union meetings in which clubs from all parts of the town took part were an experiment. They were successful enough to encourage us to repeat the effort.
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Altogether there has been little of novelty or change, but much of quiet, steady effort. There has been loyal support on the part of the pupils and welcome co-operation on the part of teachers and friends who have acted as club leaders, helped in emergencies, con- tributed material for canning and cooking, loaned the use of the community house and kitchen, furnished transportation, and in many ways made us their debtors.
SCHOOL NURSE (Report of Anna A. MacDavitt, R. N., School Nurse)
School nursing calls for many home visits, as personal contact with the parents gives a more intimate understanding of the individ- ual child, and how best to treat his particular case. During 1926 it was necessary to make considerably in excess of two hundred such visits, about thirty of which were made during the summer vacation in an effort to complete work which had been started in June. Each building has been visited on an average once a week, but in special emergencies, as many times as were necessary.
Treatment for slight infections, such as boils and impetigo, has usually been cared for more successfully in the school buildings. This is particularly true of impetigo, which has been more prevalent than in previous years. Home treatment is often slow in producing results. If the child is allowed to remain in school, treatment there produces results more quickly, and he is enabled to continue with his studies.
One of the important additions to the work has been the Eye Clinic, in charge of Dr. A. R. Goodman, of Rockland. Tests have been given from the third grade up through the eighth, and arrange- ments have been made to give a thorough examination and to fur- nish frames and lenses to those who wish to take advantage of the opportunity. That this work is important is evidenced by the fact that eye tests for school children are compulsory in almost every state in the union. An early examination calls the attention of parents to defects which, if taken care of in time, will in all proba- bility prevent more serious trouble later in life.
Posters and health material furnished by the New England Food and Dairy Council, of Boston, have been an incentive to the pupils to eat proper food and to practice habits of personal cleanliness.
SEWING
(Report of Marjorie E. Skinner, Supervisor of Sewing)
Sewing in the grades has been carried on since September in much the same way as in previous years.
The seventh grade pupils have been studying the use and care of equipment and the fundamental stitches for sewing. The stitches have been applied to a linen sewing bag with a cross stitch design for decoration. At the present time they are learning to use the sewing machine, after which they will make underwear, using both hand and machine stitching.
The eighth grade pupils have been reviewing hand sewing and studying the use and care of the sewing machine. They have ap- plied this work to a slip. Later they will make a simple cotton dress.
For Christmas work they have made covers for dresses with cross stitch designs.
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SCHOOL CENSUS OCTOBER 1, 1926
Boys
5 to 7 yrs. 7 to 14 yrs.
14 to 16 yrs. Total
Ward I
67
276
76
419
Ward II
93
394
89
576
Ward III
54
205
55
314
Ward IV
39
162
45
246
Ward V
43
171
40
254
Total
296
1208
305
1809
Girls
Ward I
86
307
73
466
Ward II
97
384
75
556
Ward III
56
202
49
307
Ward IV
56
173
45
274
Ward V
42
147
49
238
Total
337
1213
291
1841
Grand Total
633
2421
596
3650
DISTRIBUTION OF ABOVE MINORS October 1, 1926
5 to 7 yrs. 7 to 14 yrs. 14 to 16 yrs.
Total
Public Day Schools
468
2217
539
3224
Continuation School
0
0
23
23
Private Schools
51
193
28
272
Special Schools
0
1
3
4
Not enrolled in any school
114
10
3
127
Grand Total
633
2421
596
3650
Thirteen children noted above as not in school, although more than seven years of age, are either crippled or under a doctor's care.
SCHOOL SAVINGS
School
Balance Deposits
Plus
Transfers Minus
With- drawals
Bank Books
Balance
Adams
$40.01
$209.62
$3.12
$5.80
$185.75
$54.96
Athens
560.49
935.99
$8.90
124.73
54.64
892.61
433.40
Bicknell
299.32
123.32
5.59
... 209.00
. 208 05
Franklin
163.86
611.67
40.69
85.37
23.14
-.: 523.00
184.71
James Humphrey
461.99
1,745.59
91.59
26.03
120.65
1,633.25
519.24
Jefferson
190.94
636.25
7.03
52.53
24.86
494.00
262.83
Washington
307.95
668.25
33.93
47.67
24.06
579.13
359.27
Hunt
566.32
1,684.00
12.85
12.25
124.42
1,486.09
640.41
Pratt
146.87
176.42
4.69
4.81
5.10
131.00
187.07
Shaw
104.20
201.88
1.64
18.31
183.00
103.13
Nevin
315.64
924.67
4.80
8.70
20.94
751.00
464.47
Pond
1.37
1.37
High
120.49
501.14
29.26
30.30
472.60
147.99
Totals
$2,980.13
$8,594.80
$357.06
$366.85
$457.81
$7,540.43 $3,566.90
;
The Weymouth Savings Bank reports a gain of $1,462.88 over 1925.
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CONCLUSION
In a school report many things must be omitted that are of interest. Its main object is to call attention to those things that mark progress and show general educational growth. Special reports are included, treating in detail of many of the activities of the School Department, and to these I wish to call the attention of those in- terested.
I wish to thank the parents, the teachers and the pupils for their hearty co-operation during the year, and the School Commit- tee for its support, especially in those things which have been at- tempted with a view toward making our schools more progressive.
Respectfully submitted, PARKER T. PEARSON, Superintendent of Schools.
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APPENDIX (Changes in Teaching Force, 1926)
High School
Athens School Franklin School
Pratt School
Edward B. Nevin School
Sewing Supervisor
APPOINTMENTS
Ethel P. Carnochan, Physical Training. Olive E. Hackett, Commercial. Sidney A. Maxwell, Physical Training. James F. Steele, English, History, Eco- nomics, Citizenship. F. Louis Whitford, Carpentry.
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