Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1940-1942, Part 28

Author: Scituate (Mass.)
Publication date: 1940-1942
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 668

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SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT

Also the literature that has stood the test of time has an inspirational value. Here and there in great books is to be found expression of the attitude toward life of great men of all times. Familiarity with their ideas helps one to develop a philosophy of life that might be a source of strength in meeting the future. If so, this by-product of reading, although somewhat intangible, might be the most practical of all values.

These are days of change, and doubtless we shall be changing the content of our courses, placing the emphasis on the practical objectives. Most educators agree, however, that the change should not be a sweeping one, but should be rather an adaptation of the existing course to present day requirements.

THE SCIENCE OF HOME ECONOMICS Mary S. Kingsbury Teacher of Household Arts

The science of Home Economics is working toward an orientation of the individual into the life of which he is a part; a reconstruction of values as new conditions call for them; the growth of individuality through the stimulation and development of special interests and talents; the understanding and sharing of common purposes of related groups; and the working out of an integrated philo- sophy of personal, home and family life. It draws its subject matter from science, art, psychology, ethics, and sociology.

With these aims in mind the household arts girls are learning how to buy food and prepare it attractively and withuot loss of food value; to plan meals at a minimum price, for large and small families, for children, and for the sick; to make attractive clothing from materials that will give service; to remake dresses, coats and hats; to care for their clothing so that it will give them the longest wear possible; to care for children; to understand and enjoy them; and to set up standards of happy family life.

In these days of increased worry and activity we need our greatest strength. The home economics teacher must feel that directly or indirectly she is doing her part in feeding the world to make stronger and steadier people.

Vitamins are no longer a fad and diets are no longer for weight reduction only. We must learn to eat to have maximum health and steady nerves to face whatever the future holds for use.

This year we have carried on an interesting experiment with rats and have proved that minerals and vitamins contained in milk and raw fruit and vegetables are essential to the health and growth of these experimental animals. When the rats did not receive all the minerals and vitamins necessary to an adequate diet they did not gain in weight and became sick.

The following chart shows the results of the entire experiment :

Rat A-Correct Diet.

Rat B-Correct diet for 6 weeks-then received no milk.

Rat C-Fed on starches and sugar for 6 weeks-then changed to cor- rect diet.

Rat D-Fed on milk-Vitamin C and D deficient. No iron.

Weight at beginning of experiment

Weight in 3 weeks

Weight in 6 weeks

Weight in 9 weeks

Wcight in 12 weeks

Rat

41 grams

70 grams

100 grams

142 grams

173 grams

Rat

41 grams

71 grams

98 grams

120 grams

143 grams

Rat

41 grams

49 grams

59 grams

100 grams

160 grams

Rat

D 41 grams

50 grams

53 grams-died

SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT

GEOGRAPHY TODAY Dorothy L. Maxim Teacher of Geography. Junior High School

For the past several years. teachers of geography have been confronted with a new and controversial problem. How should geography be taught when bound- aries change by the month, when countless countries are invaded, new territories annexed by conquering nations?

It first must be remembered that boundaries and capitals do not constitute a very large part of real geography. The solution for the present, it would seem, lies in the continuation of our studies of foreign countries as it has been taught in recent years. The knowledge of things as they have been is absolutely essen- tial to an understanding of what is taking place at the present and of what might occur in the future. How else can Norway, France and other conquered nations he taught unless the material is presented as it was in 1938 and the years immediately preceding? By so doing, we can give our pupils a knowledge of the potentialities of those regions, the character of the native inhabitants, how they developed their resources when left free to do so and the part which each nation normally played in the world's work and affairs.

Obviously though, our textbooks must he supplemented by and kept up to date with information gathered from the radio, newspapers and magazines. A new service has recently been inaugurated wherehy each week we receive a large. colorful map of the world containing a picturization of up to the minute changes together with reliable data concerning them. Much interest has been shown and only as punils gain an understanding of such situations are they really trained to think for themselves and in later years to interpret a world quite different from the one of which they learned in school.

Today's children not only study geography-they live it!

MUSIC IN THE HIGH SCHOOL John T. Samuelson Teacher of Music. High School

Most educators now agree that the fundamental aim of music in the public schools is the development of an appreciation of the standard forms of music through participation in vocal and instrumental organizations. It is not the aim of duty of the music department to produce a group of professional musicians at the end of cach vear. The modern public school program is not designed to produce "subject-matter specialists" in any particular field.

Misie as a curricula subject is now recognized by most school systems as a necessary part of the program of studies because of the number and variety of skills, concepts, and attitudes which it develops.

For example, the educational values of music to a pupil who is active in instrumental work may be smnmarized as follows: correct posture and breathing which are essential to general health are directly cultivated through singing and playing: the performance of music obviously involves a high degree of mental and physical control and coordination and thus develops a command of the funda- Mental processes: group musical performance demands the merging of individual effort and cooperation with that of other pupils; the study of music provides a worthy use of leisure time both in performance and in intelligent listening; it develops poise, standards of conduct, and ideals of citizenship through participation in patriotic, civic, social, and school functions in which music always plays an mopourtant part : an integrated program of music provides an approach to other fields of study through coordination with English, social studies, modern lan- quages, inathenstics, science, art and physical education; music has a few voca. Jimwal advantages as a profession, business, ør indn-try.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT

The program of the past year has resulted in the production of a forty- three piece orchestra, a thirty-piece concert and parade band, a hundred-voice senior high school chorus, and a sixty-voice junior high glee club. The members of these groups represent over one-half of the entire school enrollment.

The music classes in the senior high school are on an elective basis and pupils are required to elect two periods per week in order to receive credit. The seventh and eighth grades have one required period a week. Orchestra and band periods range from two to five a week, with only one period in school time. Instrumental classes are held Saturday mornings for beginning and advanced pupils in grades V to XII.

REPORT FROM THE HATHERLY SCHOOL Robert L. Stevenson Principal

Registration day enrollments at the Hatherly School again showed an increase over the previous year's record. As defense work necessitated the relocation of families considerable fluctuation in school enrollment continued until late Dec- ember.

The serving of hot chocolate milk for luncheon was resumed in November and has continued to gain increasing favor among children of all grades.

Due to the prevalence of mumps, particularly in the lower grades, previously planned Christmas programs had to be limited this year.

Frequent use of the new motion picture machine equipment as a vital teach- ing aid has been received with great interest by pupils and teachers alike. The radio has also been used on several selected occasions in the upper grades and has met with very favorable response.

As a result of the Kiwanis Club's generous action in presenting each pupil with a defense stamp and book for Christmas keen interest has been aroused throughout the entire building in the part that each pupil might play in our national effort.

The response to the call for membership in the Junior Red Cross Chapter and in the Christmas Seal drive has again met with worthy success.

REPORT FROM THE JENKINS SCHOOL LeRoy E. Fuller Principal

School opened in September with an increase in enrollment due partly to the defense program-parents being employed in nearby Government Projects -- and to the fact that several families who have made Scituate their summer residence have now taken up their year-round residence in town. Distribution of the enrollment by grades may be found elsewhere.

It has been possible, through funds provided by the Department as well as from our small school fund, to add many books to our classroom libraries. Although we do not have a central school library, we do have a list of all library books in the classrooms on file in the office. This makes it possible for each teacher to know what books are available for children's reference and for addi- tional reading.

The moving picture machine which was presented by the Scituate Parent- Teacher Association to the School Department for use in the elementary schools has already found favor with the pupils of Jenkins School. A definite program of teaching films, as well as films for entertainment, has been prepared. The

SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT

stereoptican, the moving pieture machine, and the radio have been accepted by school authorities throughout the country as very desirable and worthwhile aids to teaching. Through the eyc or the ear, the world can be brought into the classroom, thus affording both teacher and pupil a much wider phase of activity in the ficlds of history, geography, health, music, and drama.

Probably there are some people who are not aware of the preparation that has been made for the care of the boys and girls in case of an air raid during school hours. If sufficient warning is given, pupils will be dismissed at once to go to their homes. On the other hand, if there is not time for this, the boys and girls will be taken care of in the bascments of the building. Sections of the basements have been assigned to each class; windows have been sandbagged; boxes or pails of sand have been placed on each floor; shovels, ax, and hose are available for immediate use. To date (Jan. 1) two air raid drills have been held.

Pupils have contributed generously to the Red Cross and to the Plymouth County Hospital; scrapbooks have been made for distribution to ehildren in hos- pitals; papers and magazines are being collected by one class to be turned over to the Red Cross.

The boys and girls are doing their bit in still another way. Each pupil was presented with a Savings Stamp Book and one stamp at Christmas time by the local Kiwanis Club. A survey of the school shows that many children have added stamps to their books and many are now owners of United States Savings Bonds.

REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN

To the School Committee of Scituate:

The passing of Dr. T. B. Alexander who served you faithfully for so many ycars is deeply regretted by all those who knew him as a competent, kindly, and conscientious physician. In no small measure he was responsible for the good health of the pupils of the Scituate Schools, which as found by physical examina- tion this past fall was generally quite satisfactory. It was noted that in many instanees the children of parents who had recently moved into Scituate were less sturdy than those who had lived here longer.

There has been an extensive epidemie of mumps in the lower grades the past several weeks. While mumps in a child is not a serious disease, and is rarely accompanied by complications, it is well to remind parents that whenever a child appears ill he should be kept home and preferably in bed, not only to shorten his illness but to lessen the likelihood of an epidemic starting or spreading. In the long run this would save thousands of school hours.

Although there are certain minor health hazards at the elementary schools, which are difficult to eorreet until a new building is erected, the way the School plant is kept up should be commended highly.

I appreciate very much the cooperation of the School Nurse, the Athletic Directors, and the School Staff.

Respectfully submitted,

M. D. MILES, M. D., Acting School Physician.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT

REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE

Mr. Harold C. Wingate Superintendent of Schools Scituate, Massachusetts

Dear Sir:

This report, the fourteenth annual summary of my work in the school health service, differs in several respects from accounts of previous years.

Of primary interest is the fact that in March of this year Alice M. Dowd was appointed to take over part of the work. Thus the strain placed on one nurse in a generalized community health program was conceivably lessened.

The need for the second nurse had been all too apparent for some time. There were times when it was very difficult to keep the entire program in balance. Fortunately the program was so flexible that whenever necessary adjustments were easily made. With the help of volunteers and the non-nurse assistant, the greater part of the planned program was achieved.

Alice Dowd was no stranger in the community, having substituted during the regular nurse's vacation and on many other occasions for about twelve years. The newly appointed nurse became responsible for general public health measures including work for the Department of Public Welfare. I remained in charge of school and Board of Health Services. Clinic services in a few instances were carried on jointly by the nurses.

This new work arrangement afforded me freedom for devoting more time to care for school and pupil needs. Especially pleasing was the opportunity to expand the program in directions, which in the past had received only limited attention.

As a guide throughout the school health services the outline suggested by the National Organization for Public Health Nursing was carefully followed.

Some members of the community are already familiar with the functions of the school nurse, however I have listed a few here to give a better under- standing of her duties:

To participate in formulating and developing a health education program based on the needs of the pupils.

To assist physician in the examination of pupils and the interpretation of findings to teachers, parents, and children.

To teach the value of adequate health supervision and facilities for medical and nursing care, and assist in securing corrections of defects.

To inspect pupils and instruct teachers, parents, and pupils to observe and recognize deviations from normal health.

To assist in the control of communicable diseases through teaching the recognition of early symptoms, the importance of isolation, and the value of im- munization.

"To promote the maintenance of a healthful school environment - physical, emotional, and social:

SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT

To arrange for the carc of emergency and minor injuries and illnesscs in accordance with medieal standing orders.

To participate in a program for the prevention of handicaps and the carc and cducation of handicapped children.

To develop relationships to co-ordinate school nursing activities with all other health forees of school, home. and community to promote community health resources.

During the year some of the outstanding activities for the promotion of health and prevention of disease consisted of:

Well child conferences held onee a month.

Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1940-1942, Part 28

Author: Scituate (Mass.) Publication date: 1940-1942 Publisher: The Town Number of Pages: 668

Author: Scituate (Mass.)
Publication date: 1940-1942
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 668