Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1925-1927, Part 14

Author: Scituate (Mass.)
Publication date: 1925-1927
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 588


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At the Plymouth County Stenography and Typewriting Contest, which was held in Brockton during the spring, pupils of our commercial department took first prize in the com- petition of First Year Typing and third place in Second Year Stenography. Sixty-three per cent of the commercial seniors secured office positions, mostly in Boston, by com- petitive examination.


Two pupils of the art department received gold medals for posters in the Massachusetts "Be Kind to Animals" Poster Contest and honorable mention in the National Contest.


The work of the pupils in the music department has shown steady improvement. No phase of school life gives a greater opportunity to learn the fundamental lesson of cooperation. One or two individual stars cannot make a


15


Report of High School Principal


glee club or an orchestra and one or two who insist on per- sonal liberties of pitch of tone or interpretation of tempo, etc., can mar the beauty of the product of the whole group of workers. The foundations of good musical clubs must of necessity be laid slowly. Five years ago in the schools of this Town there were not more than five or six pupils who played orchestral or band instruments. Today there are more than fifty, besides at least ten who have graduated in the last three years. These results are due in a large measure to the personal initiative and unstinted service of the music supervisor. We hope to be in a position to take some part in the next New England Conclave of School Bands and Orchestras which is held in Boston during May. We are pleased here to express our deep appreciation for the gift of a French horn from the Scituate Football Association.


Various social affairs and exhibits have given an oppor- tunity for the people of the Town to observe the type of work which is being done in the household arts department. We feel that pupils and instructors deserve much credit.


Manual training in the line of woodwork which was begun for the boys last year has developed very keen interest. The George F. Welch Company very generously offered space in the show windows of their store at Scituate Harbor where an exhibit of the work of this department was made late in January 1927. Considering the fact that the pupils in this line of work have had only eighty minutes of actual shop practice daily for one whole school year and four months of the present school year we feel that the results are very commendable. Computing the actual time of shop practice reveals the fact that these boys at the maximum have had not more than forty days of eight hours each. Much of that time last year was spent in fitting up the work shop in the basement, practically every stroke of the work being done by the students themselves.


The Class of 1926 was the largest ever graduated from the Scituate High School and had lost the smallest per- centage of members during the four years. Seventy-three per cent of the class has gone directly into office employment or is pursuing educational work in higher institutions. Two


16


Report of High School Principal


members passed college entrance examinations and entered college in September.


The following pupils were neither absent nor tardy during the year which ended June 1926: Alice Bragdon, Mary Neal, Gladys Wheeler, Thomas Davy, Roger Kenney, Lester Smith, Gertrude Wherity, Olga Bongarzone, Gertrude Jones, Ellen Mitchell. Fourteen other pupils were absent only one day. The percentage of attendance for the whole school during the year was ninety-five per cent. It is a suggestive fact that of the five hundred twenty-six total days of absence, two hundred fifty-six days are due to the careless attendance of only nine pupils, each one of whom has been retarded at least one year in promotions of the school work and all of whom would be classed as pupils who are making very little if any effort to do their work. It is significant that the average days absent for these nine pupils is practically twenty-nine days - nearly six school weeks - and for all the other pupils of the school less than three days absence per pupil for the whole year. In other words more than half of the absences from school were by these nine pupils.


As a group of teachers and pupils we are especially appreciative of your assurance that some immediate steps are to be taken to improve the high school heating plant. On especially cold mornings and after cold rains the temper- ature in most of the rooms is often as low as fifty degrees. This in spite of ten to fifteen pounds of steam pressure in the boilers. It seems reasonable to think that some thorough investigation would really be a good investment both in economy of health and fuel. For the present this is the one important physical improvement needed.


For the generous support of the school authorities, citizens in general, parents in particular and various organi- zations of the Town, pupils and teachers alike are very grateful.


Respectfully submitted,


L. A. MARTIN, Principal.


17


Report of Supervisor of Music


REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC


Mr. H. C. Wingate,


Superintendent of Schools.


Dear Sir: Public school instruction in music is growing by leaps and bounds because the general educator is becom- ing convinced of the ethical, cultural, social and recrea- tional value which music may contribute to the process of making youth into desirable citizens.


Where formerly it consisted mainly of singing, the field of public school music has branched with such rapidity into so many new phases that today while vocal music still properly holds first place, instrumental instruction, ensemble practice, orchestras, appreciation, etc., are regarded as essentials.


Scituate has kept pace with these new developments, adapting the work of larger schools to meet local conditions; and any child may now receive a general education in music in the schools of Scituate if he desires it.


We are now asking for a general higher level in all music classes, vocal and instrumental; in appreciation; expression through impression; in choruses, glee clubs and orchestras.


A plan is being prepared by the Art and Music Depart- ments to encourage creative work, thus providing the children with an additional association for the expression of musical ideas.


In response to a need voiced by normal schools all over the country we shall offer a special course to high school students preparing for normal, which will include voice training, rote-song teaching, sight reading, ear training, theory and elementary keyboard harmony. Many high schools are about to undertake this work, and Scituate is proud to be among the first.


18


Report of Supervisor of Music


In building our departmental program we keep always in mind the test being applied now to all school subjects: "Does it function in the life of the child now, and is it of value to his future?"


Notwithstanding the amazing growth of the various phases of music in our Scituate schools, in my opinion its highest value as a school subject lies in this fact: that our children are unquestionably learning to appreciate their social and community responsibilities and obligations, and so, a true sense of the place of music as a community, social and home activity.


Respectfully submitted,


JEANNE BRADFORD, Supervisor of Music.


19


Report of Supervisor of Art


REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF ART


Mr. H. C. Wingate,


Superintendent of Schools.


My dear Sir: In submitting my report for the year 1926 may I refer to my report of last year? In that diagram the subject matter and the various outlets for art work were set forth and the program outlined is again being carried out.


This year we are working for a greater understanding of the value of art work in general education, for an increased appreciation of nature, for an understanding of the place of art in history and in modern life.


The ability to choose, a power which can perhaps be more generally developed than the ability to create, is being brought out in all classes through a study of nature and of the work of professional artists, designers and skilled craftsmen.


In the grades two lessons a week are given, one being taught by the room teacher.


In high school two periods a week are given. Fifty-two are now registered in the different art classes. Outside and notebook work is required. Any student who intends to go to normal school is strongly urged to make drawing an elective, as drawing is required each year at normal school.


A course of the history of art, its place in industry, business and civics is advised for high school.


The following methods, as outlined in the State Syllabus on Art Education, are used in all classes.


1. Imitation. A method whereby the teacher demon- strates a method of expression and the class imitates.


2. Directed Observation. A method whereby the teacher directs the attention of the children to specific phases of the problem at hand, and by question, statement or illustration stimulates them to find out how to get the answers by themselves. The answers in turn followed by further questions help the children to criticize their own work intelligently.


20


Report of Supervisor of Art


3. Directed Imagination. The teacher offers sugges- tions to help the children make use of their individual experiences to visualize the subject.


4. Creative Expression. A method offering oppor- tunity for and encouragement of spontaneous representation of symbolic and abstract or emotional ideas.


Until this year creative or individual expression has not been used to any great extent in our schools. At the Plymouth County Teachers' Convention this method was the topic given by Miss Amy Rachel Whittier, Head of the Teacher Training Department of the Massachusetts School of Art.


The Scituate Art Department was fortunate in having Miss Whittier visit the high school studio after the conven- tion. It may please you to learn of her interest in and her approval of our work here.


It was at Miss Whittier's suggestion that I experimented with the new method. Interesting visits were made to her classes at the School of Art.


Creative expression was the topic of the day at the recent State Art Supervisors' Conference held at the Massa- chusetts School of Art. The art instructor at Friend's Seminary, New York, gave a most interesting address illustrated by the work of her pupils in England and in New York.


It was my privilege at that conference to have a small part on the program and to show some of the work done in our schools. I have on record a letter from Mr. Royal B. Farnum, State Director of Art Education, congratulating the Art Department on its purpose and its remarkable results. The pupils are justly proud of their efforts.


Much credit is due the teachers for their splendid support of a new method.


This new method is of course added to the others and does not entirely replace them. The Art Department wel- comes interest in its work and is always glad to interpret its methods.


DORIS D. WARD,


Supervisor of Art.


21


Report of Household Arts Department


REPORT OF HOUSEHOLD ARTS DEPARTMENT


OLIVE M. BARROWS, Principal ELLEN M. HOWE, Assistant


Mr. H. C. Wingate,


Superintendent of Schools.


My dear Sir:


This year there are three groups in the Household Arts Department, senior, sophomore and freshmen. This is the first time that there has been a senior group. Courses in dietetics and marketing as well as other advanced courses have been added for this group.


Each year the girls in the department have done some- thing towards changing the Household Arts building from a regulation schoolhouse into a place which has more nearly the atmosphere of a home. The girls themselves plan the improvements and do all the work and so receive the greatest benefit possible. According to this plan the dining room and bedroom have been decorated and furnished in previous years. This year the equipment is being collected for the infant care course. A life-size two months old doll has been purchased and a layette is in process of construction by the sophomore girls. The manual training department is con- structing a crib for which the girls will make blankets and sheets.


The preparation of the cafeteria lunch is not a part of the regular work of the course but is done (under the direc- tion of Miss Howe) by girls who are having or have had training in the department. The girls are paid for doing this work in their free periods. The cafeteria does not try to make money, - only to meet the expense of food and labor. Any reduction in the running expenses is passed on to the patrons through reduced prices or larger servings. The


22


Report of Household Arts Department


twenty-cent lunch, for which the pupils may sign up in advance, has been found to work out very well. This includes one hearty hot dish, a sandwich, and one other dish such as dessert or salad. For those who do not wish this combination there are a variety of other dishes from which selections may be made.


Respectfully submitted,


OLIVE M. BARROWS.


23


Report of the Manual Training Department


REPORT OF THE MANUAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT


Mr. H. C. Wingate,


Superintendent of Schools.


Dear Sir: The second year of Manual Training for boys at the Scituate High School finds an increase in the number of students attending and a much greater interest in the work being accomplished, due to a more intimate knowledge of the work and the benefits both practical and personal which result from it.


Two years ago the present Manual Training shop was a coal bin. The untiring efforts of Mr. Kruszyna and his classes transformed that coal bin into an attractive and usable shop. The latest equipment in tools, benches and other working materials are used.


Through the courtesy of the Welch Lumber Company we obtained the use of one of the large show windows for a special display of the work the students are doing in Manual Training. This review took place during the latter part of January. Projects of all sizes, art sketches, draw- ings and the like will demonstrate the need of Practical Arts in relation to academic education and the value to home and community.


What does Manual Training mean to a boy who intends to go to college and who is not going to make it a life work? That is one of the questions which we so often hear. In answering this let me quote twelve different reasons why Practical Arts aids and develops the physical and mental abilities of the boy both in and out of school. They are as follows:


24


Report of the Manual Training Department


Fruits of Manual Training in Education


1. It keeps boys longer at school.


2. It awakens a lively interest in school, and invests dull subjects with new life.


3. It keeps boys out of mischief both in and out of school.


4. It gives boys with strong mechanical aptitudes, but who are slow of speech, an equal chance with boys with glib tongues and good memories.


5. Manual Training stimulates a love for truth, sim- plicity and intellectual honesty.


6. Correct notions of things, relations and forces, derived from actual personal experience, go far towards a comprehension of the language employed by others to express their thoughts and experiences.


7. Science and mathematics profit from a better understanding of forms, materials and processes, and from the readiness with which their principles may be illustrated.


8. It aids one who must choose his occupation.


9. It raises the standards of attainment in mechanical occupations and invests them with new dignity.


10. It increases the home making power of the average boy.


11. It adds to the efficiency of school work by making the school attractive.


12. It leads to intelligent citizenship.


Respectfully submitted,


R. F. RILEY, Instructor of Manual Training.


25


Report of School Physician


REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN


To the School Committee, Scituate, Massachusetts:


The examination of the pupils of the Scituate schools has been along the lines previously adopted.


Special attention has been paid to the first eight grades. The examination of each pupil has included general appear- ance, height, weight, posture, and heart and lungs.


The results of the visits with the school nurse are as follows:


Number of pupils examined . 340


Defectives . 100


Underweight. 76


Contagious diseases :


Impetigo


10


Chicken pox . 16


Pediculosis 2


Scarlet fever 2


The number of defectives remain about the same from year to year; the reason for this is that the standard is higher and cases reported now would have been passed over a few years ago. Parents respond fairly well to suggestions, more so as they learn what we are trying to accomplish.


The general health has been good and with very little disease of a contagious nature.


The sanitary conditions of the various buildings maintain a very high average.


Respectfully submitted,


T. B. ALEXANDER, M.D., School Physician.


26


Report of the School Dentist


REPORT OF THE SCHOOL DENTIST


Superintendent of Schools, Scituate, Massachusetts.


Dear Sir: It gives me pleasure to submit to you the following report as a summary of work completed by me in the Hatherly and Jenkins Schools from January 1, 1926, to December 31, 1926.


Operations completed as follows:


208 silver nitrate treatments


12 root canal fillings


326 silver fillings


180 teeth extracted


108 enamel fillings


141 treatments


17 cement fillings


146 cleansings


JENKINS SCHOOL


Grade


Number of Pupils in Grade


Number Worked Number Worked for by School Dentist


for by Family Dentist


Completed at School Clinic


Incomplete


1


25


20


5


6


14


2


21


18


3


15


3


3


27


24


3


12


12


4


26


22


4


19


3


5


34


28


6


13


15


6


29


26


3


24


2


7


17


13


4


11


Q


8


23


21


2


17


4


-


202


179


30


117


55


27


Report of the School Dentist


HATHERLY SCHOOL


Grade


Number of Pupils in Grade


Number Worked Number Worked for by Family Dentist for by School Dentist


Completed at School Clinic


Incomplete


1


25


22


3


21


1


2


29


26


3


22


4


3


12


9


3


9


0


4


21


18


3


17


1


5


24


20


4


11


9


6


16


14


2


11


3


7


26


23


3


20


3


8


18


14


4


10


4


171


146


25


121


25


Eighty-five per cent (85%) of the children have their work done at the School Dental Clinic.


The work in the schools has been expedited because of the generosity of the Nursing Service in purchasing new equipment for the Hatherly School. At the present time there is a complete equipment in both the Hatherly and Jenkins Schools.


Respectfully submitted,


FRANK A. DERBY, D.M.D.


ยท


28


Report of School Nurse


REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE


Number of visits to schools . 352


(Included visits made with school physician)


Number of children inspected . 340


Number of inspections (sanitary) 50 Number of inspections (skin, scalp, hair, teeth, throat) 299


Number of children excluded during year 30


Impetigo . 10


Chicken pox 16


Pediculosis. 2


Scarlet fever . 2


Number of visits made to dental clinic 56


Number of children carried to physician 2


Number of children carried home ill . 25


Number of visits made to homes . 168


Number of children ten per cent underweight. 76


Number of underweight children gaining 50


Number still ten per cent underweight. 26


Number of children having defects to be corrected. . 106


Number of corrections made. 10


Again we wish to thank everyone connected with the schools, the children and the parents for their cooperation.


Respectfully submitted,


DOROTHY RAYMOND, R.N. . ALICE M. GAFFNEY, R.N.


29


Appendix - School Statistics


ENROLLMENT, MEMBERSHIP, ATTENDANCE


FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1926


Total Enrollment


Average Membership


Per Cent of Attendance


Hatherly


Grade I.


25


20


86


Grades II, III .


28


26


90


Grades IV, V


38


34


93


Grade VI.


37


36


94


Grades VII, VIII


43


40


95


Totals .


171


156


91*


Jenkins :


Grade I


33


27


87


Grade II .


24


20


95


Grade III .


28


28


93


Grade IV


25


24


95


Grade V


30


27


95


Grade VI.


39


35


93


Grades VII, VIII


44


42


93


Totals


223


203


93*


Elementary School Totals.


394


359


92*


High School


123


118


9,5*


Grand Totals


517


477


93*


* Average.


30


Appendix - School Statistics


MEMBERSHIP BY GRADES DECEMBER 1, 1926


Grades


I


II


III


IV


V


VI


VII VIII


IX


XIXI XII Totals


Hatherly


27


17


9 18 20 18 30


20


159


Jenkins.


55 24 19 30 24 25 35


19


231


High School


34 33 26 26 119


Totals


82 41 28 48 44 43 65


39 34 33 26 26 509


Increase


31


7


3


4


21


1151


74


Decrease .


12


30


3


45


Net Increase


29


31


Appendix - School Statistics


ROLL OF PERFECT ATTENDANCE FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1926


Name


School


Grade


MARY CRONIN


Jenkins II


JOSEPH CURRAN


Jenkins


VI


JULIA FITTS .


Jenkins III


WALTER JONES


Hatherly


VI


MARJORIE LITCHFIELD


. Hatherly


VIII


ARTHUR LOPES


Hatherly I


HARRIET POLAND


Hatherly


IV


MORRIS POLAND


Hatherly


VI


ARTHUR SPEAR


Jenkins


VII


HELEN SPEAR .


Jenkins


V


DOROTHY STUDLEY


Jenkins


V


BURCHILL SWEENEY


Jenkins


VI


MARY SWEENEY


Jenkins


V


LLOYD TURNER


Hatherly


V


ANN VINAL.


Jenkins


I


FRANK VINAL


Jenkins


VII


GEORGE VINAL.


Jenkins


IV


CARROLL VOLLMER


Jenkins


IV


GEORGE WARD


Jenkins


IV


OLGA BONGARZONE


High School


ALICE BRAGDON


High School


THOMAS DAVY.


High School.


GERTRUDE JONES


High School


ROGER KENNEY .


High School


ELLEN MITCHELL High School


MARY NEAL. High School


LESTER SMITH . . High School


GLADYS WHEELER


High School


GERTRUDE WHERITY


High School


32


Appendix - Financial Statement


FINANCIAL STATEMENT


1926


RECEIPTS


Appropriation $65,500 00


Dog tax . . 686 93


From Smith-Hughes Fund . 202 72


From Selectmen (Emergency Fund)


505 00


Total Receipts


$66,894 65


EXPENDITURES


School Committee:


Salaries (11/2 years)


$450 00


Expenses .


220 03


Superintendent:


Salary .


$1,419 44


Expenses


435 94


1,855 38


Truant Officer :


Salary .


$100 00


Expenses (taking census) .


125 00


225 00


Supervisors:


Salaries .


$2,962 50


2,962 50


High School:


Principal.


$2,600 00


Teachers


12,120 00


14,720 00


Elementary Schools:


Principals .


2)$3,590 00 (1785.


Teachers


15,149 43


18,739 43


$670 03


33


Appendix - Financial Statement


Textbooks:


High .


$464 31


Elementary .


481 39


$945 70


Supplies :


High .


$967 81


Elementary


580 81


1,548 62


Janitors :


High .


$1,503 84


Elementary


2,000 96


3,504 80


Fuel:


High .


$1,126 29


Elementary


1,623 38


2,749 67


Miscellaneous Operating Expenses :


High .


$293 21


Elementary


556 42


849 63


Repairs :


High .


$1,240 03


Elementary .


1,765 89


3,005 92


Health .


1,627 19


Vocational


224 73


New Equipment .


771 83


Insurance.


1,380 48


Transportation .


11,108 00


Total Expenditures


$66,888 91


Unexpended Balance 5 74


$66,894 65


34


Appendix - Graduation Exercises


GRADUATION EXERCISES OF THE CLASS OF 1926 SCITUATE HIGH SCHOOL SATUIT THEATER MONDAY EVENING, JUNE TWENTY-FIRST Eight O'Clock


PROGRAM


TRIUMPH MARCH FROM "AIDA" Verdi


High School Orchestra


INVOCATION Rev. R. C. Raines


ESSAY "The Voice of the Liberty Bell" Anna Conant


MUSIC (a) "Song of the Timber Trail" Avery (b) "Pals of Mine" Greaton-Cole


Boys' Glee Club


ESSAY "Woodrow Wilson's Place in History"


Edward Driscoll


MUSIC (a) "Narcissus" Nevin


(b) "Mon-dah-min" Paul Bliss


Girls' Glee Club


ESSAY "Primaries or Conventions" Richard Wherity


ESSAY "Farewell Address" Hazel Eaton


MUSIC "Forest Dance" Targett


Boys' and Girls' Glee Clubs


PRESENTATION OF SCITUATE WOMAN'S CLUB SCHOLARSHIP Mrs. Peter S. Somers, President


PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS Supt. H. C. Wingate


Note - Graduation parts assigned by vote of the class.


35


Appendix - Graduating Class


GRADUATES


COLLEGE COURSE


Harriet M. Alexander


Edgar L. Hyland


Anna A. Conant


Sallie E. Murphy


James E. Driscoll


Helen M. Healy


John O. Prouty Helen L. Wilson


Richard J. Wherity


GENERAL COURSE


Claire C. McDermott Marguerite I. O'Hern


Louis Panetta


Lydia M. Stearns


Margaret Torrey


Wallace B. Torrey


COMMERCIAL COURSE


Hazel G. Eaton


Dorothy E. Hammond


Rose M. Hernan


Mary B. Mitchell


Bessie M. Monahan Catherine E. Murphy Mary L. Neal


Vivian S. Newcomb


Gladys L. Wheeler


Alice E. Bragdon Eleanor M. Cole Harold L. Dwyer Jean Lawson Ray F. Litchfield


Peirce Memil. Library


ANNUAL REPORT of the OFFICERS of the Town of Scituate MASSACHUSETTS


For the Year Ending December 31 1927


SATUIT


RP


ANNUAL REPORT


OF THE


Officers of the Town of Scituate


FOR THE


YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1927


V


SATUIT


R


PRINTED BY THE BOUNDBROOK PRESS, NORTH SCITUATE, MASS.


INDEX


PAGE


TOWN OFFICERS


5


SELECTMEN'S REPORT


9


ASSESSOR'S REPORT


11


PUBLIC WELFARE REPORT


15


AUDITOR'S REPORT


16


ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT


35


TREASURER'S REPORT


106


TRUST FUNDS REPORT


108


TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT


109


TOWN CLERK'S REPORT


111


JUROR LIST


141


POLICE DEPARTMENT


143


FIRE DEPARTMENT


146


FOREST WARDEN .


149


BOARD OF HEALTH


150


Plumbing


151


Milk .


152


Slaughtering


153


NURSING SERVICE


154


SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES


157


PARK COMMISSION


159


TREE WARDEN


160


MOTH DEPARTMENT


161


TOWN FORESTRY COMMITTEE


162


HIGHWAY SURVEYOR . 163


SPECIAL ROAD COMMITTEE


164


LIBRARY


165


LIGHT COMMITTEE 166


PLYMOUTH COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE


168


CLEAN-UP COMMITTEE


171


SCHOOL COMMITTEE


Appendix


TOWN OF SCITUATE Incorporated 1636


Population 1925, 2,713 Sixteenth Congressional District First Councilor District


Norfolk and Plymouth Senatorial District Second Plymouth Representative District Income Tax Division, Norfolk-Plymouth District


Annual Town Meeting First Monday in March


Election of Officers Second Monday in March


1


ERNEST REVERE SEAVERNS


Born in Scituate.


Died in Scituate October 1, 1927.


Age at death fifty-six years, twenty-two days.




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