USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts for the year ending 1913 > Part 23
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Teachers are beginning to understand how essential is the interrelation of physical, mental, and moral training. The play- ground at the Cornish building, used by the first three grades, was put in excellent condition at considerable expense.
EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATES
By the recently-enacted labor law these employment and edu- cational certificates are valid only for the employment specified
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thereon. Change of work necessitates procuring a new certifi- cate. Formerly a child of fourteen procured one certificate which sufficed, whereas under the new law the child must pro- cure a new certificate upon attaining the age of sixteen, and if he changes employment either before or after attaining that age he must call for a new certificate each time.
On this account, the office of the superintendent of schools is busier than ever before. The law has also placed additional work upon the attendance officer, whose report is appended.
The following number of certificates were issued between Sept. 1, 1913, and Jan. 1, 1915 :-
Employment certificates for minors between 14 and 16, 144
Educational certificates for minors over 16 who can read, write, and spell in the English language in accordance with the requirements of the completion of the fourth grade, 664
Educational certificates for illiterate minors over 16, 154
Home permits, 15
Total, 975
Of these 642 are now at work and living in Plymouth.
INDUSTRIAL EDUCATION ON THE CO-OPERATIVE
PLAN
The problem of industrial education for boys should be ser- iously considered by the citizens of Plymouth. The only imag- inable barriers to its immediate adoption are the lack of co-opera- tion of the town industries, the dearth of real trades, the remote possibility of disapproval on the part of organized labor, and the need of a reasonable sum appropriated by the town for the ser- vices of an experienced director with a technical education. The employers of skilled labor must signify their willingness to co- operate in the undertaking, in order to make it a success. The use
PUPILS' WORK-MANUAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT.
-
MANUAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT-GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
-
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of their shops and machinery is imperative to make such a course practicable. With the director's salary, and the co-operation of the local manufacturing plants, the success of the plan is assured.
The next step would be to interview the prospective appren- tices and their parents, setting forth the different avenues offered by the local manufacturers. The pupils would work in pairs, as they do according to the "Fitchburg" plan, working alter- nately in shop and school throughout the year. The course would be one of four years; the first year the student's entire time is devoted to school work, and the last three years the work would alternate weekly between shop and school.
Should such a plan seem to the voters and to the employers a feasible one, it would not only provide an opportunity to the boys of Plymouth to learn a trade, but would enable them to ob- tain a general education at the same time.
An industrial school with State aid is possible, but the plan presented above seems more feasible for a town no larger than Plymouth.
EVENING HIGH SCHOOL
Every year pupils drop out of the High school for various rea- sons. Once out there is no returning, for the youth will not humiliate himself to the extent of returning to a lower grade, seeing his former class-mates in advance of him. Many of these pupils after withdrawal realize that the opportunities of school life have forever vanished. Others are compelled by economic pressure to seek employment.
An evening High school would enlarge the influence of the educational system, and would be greatly appreciated by this group now at work, who are yearning for a little more school- ing.
If the citizens feel that it is time to open such a school, the
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Town Meeting is the place to discuss the advisability of in- creasing the school appropriation for this purpose.
KINDERGARTEN
According to a recent report of the U. S. Commissioner of Education, there are 4,000,000 children in the United States between the ages of 4 and 6, which is ordinarily considered the kindergarten age. About 300,000 of these are enrolled in public or private kindergartens. The others, whom such schools would greatly help, cannot be reached until the kindergarten becomes a part of the public school system.
The child should not enter the first grade until approximately six years of age. This does not mean that school life should not begin earlier. Indeed, many moral and social habits can be formed before the public school age better than at any other time.
The introduction of the kindergarten would bestow an extra two years of schooling upon many whose educational life is des- tined to be brief at the best. We already offer to those who can afford to go beyond the elementary school-a four-year course. The question naturally arises why we are not much more under the moral obligation to give two years extra training to children whose parents cannot afford to send their sons and daughters beyond the elementary schools, having these two years precede the public school age instead of follow.
PER THOUSAND DOLLARS OF VALUATION
The 353 towns and cities of the State, are numerically ar- ranged according to the amount appropriated to the support of public schools for each thousand dollars of valuation. Nine-
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teen near-by towns are compared with Plymouth as reported in the last annual report of the State Board of Education, the number on the left denoting the rank of the cities and towns- of the State.
3
Abington,
$9 68
8 Bridgewater, 8 93
29 Middleboro, 7 75
34
Avon,
7 63
45 W. Bridgewater,
7 37
50 Whitman,
7 24
52
Holbrook,
7 20
60
E. Bridgewater,
7 03
17
Rockland,
6 83
82
Norwell,
6 75
102 Braintree,
6 44
113
Kingston,
6 29
126
Sandwich,
6 09
140 Provincetown,
5 91
155 No. Attleborough,
5 78
159
Weymouth,
5 75
164 Truro,
5 66
182 Pembroke,
5 46
185
Hanson,
5 43
200 Plymouth,
5 21
The foregoing table means that Plymouth stands number 200 among the towns and cities of the Commonwealth in the amount appropriated for its schools for each thousand dollars of valua- tion. Although 199 places surpass us in this respect, 153 are below us on that basis. This is not a poor showing, but it is. desirable to maintain our present standing, and excel when the- citizens deem it expedient.
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AMOUNT APPROPRIATED FOR EACH CHILD IN
1913-1914.
As in the foregoing table, twenty near-by places are selected to show the amount appropriated for each child in the average membership. This again is not a poor showing for Plymouth, although we are thirteen numbers below our standing in the previous year.
14 Falmouth,
56.51
38 Barnstable, 44.64
43
Duxbury,
43.56
49
Orleans,
41.83
51
Marshfield,
41.65
62
Scituate,
39.20
65
Carver,
38.69
101
Abington,
111
Attleborough,
34.43
133
Braintree,
33.27
139 Bridgewater,
32.99
144
Norwell,
32.71
150
Brockton,
32.41
152
Wareham,
32.36
176 Sandwich,
31.08
179 Chatham,
30.84
185
Whitman,
30.62
186
Plymouth,
30.49
93
Halifax,
35.98
34.97
THE TEACHING CORPS
There are 70 teachers and principals employed at the present time, exclusive of the special teachers, five in number. Of these 59 are in the elementary schools, and 11 in the High school.
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In age they range from 20 to 60 years. The detailed facts con- cerning the ages are shown in the following table :-
Age
Number
Age
Number
20
3
39
2
21
7
40
1
22
6
42
1
23
1
45
1
24
2
48
1
25
3
49
1
26
4
50
1
27
5
52
1
29
2
53
3
30
1
54
1
31
1
55
2
32
1
56
2
33
4
60
1
34
1
Five teacher's record cards were returned without specifying the age, one given as 'under 40 and two as over thirty.
The length of service in Plymouth schools is from a few weeks to 41 years.
Number of teachers who have taught less than 1 year, 6.
Number of teachers who have taught more than 1 year, but less than 2,
8
Number of teachers who have taught more than 2 years, but less than 5,
26
Number of teachers who have taught more than 5 years, but less than 10,
8.
Number of teachers who have taught more than 10 years, but less than 20,
9
Number of teachers who have taught more than 20 years, but less than 30,
6
Number of teachers who have taught more than 30 years, but less than 40,
3.
Number of teachers who have taught more than 40 years
*1
*One of the most efficient teachers in the service.
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The percentage of mere secondary graduates throughout the State is altogether too high for professional work, although many are very successful. Plymouth should sacrifice much in order to secure the highest type of professional teacher. Native ability to teach is a great asset, but training added to native ability is none too much to demand. Native ability without an educational background is nearly always discernible by the expert. The High school represents a splendid educational background. We should henceforth demand a corresponding background in the elementary grades. This means nothing short of an increased pay-roll.
Plymouth has a conscientious, hard-working, loyal corps of teachers and these qualities will demand recognition somewhere.
THE HIGH SCHOOL
The Plymouth High school never was in better condition. An able corps of teachers carry out the provisions of a revised course of study with enthusiasm. The theory that the High school exists merely for the college-inclined student is happily ex- ploded. Our High school offers excellent courses in book- keeping, typewriting, stenography, mechanical drawing, cooking and sewing.
The enlargement of the building has made it possible to as- sign a commodious and well-lighted room on the second floor for the sewing, which includes machine as well as hand work. Another room on the same floor is devoted to mechanical draw- ing. Special drawing tables and outfits were purchased, making this department one of decided value. In the basement may be found the well-equipped room for the cooking classes. The type- writing department has been rendered more effective by the pur- chase of six additional typewriting machines, making fifteen in all.
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With practically a new building, with efficient teachers, with up-to-date text-books, with a revised course of study, with new tables for the physics laboratory, with new desks and seats throughout, with a large assembly hall, (which no school build- ing should be without), furnished with comfortable and suitable chairs-with these-in addition to the new departments of cook- ing and sewing. and the newly equipped mechanical drawing room. the local High school becomes an institution of which every citizen may be proud.
An efficient High school is highly desirable, not only for its own existence, but for the influence for good which it exerts on the grades below. This was recognized years ago in Plymouth, as a quotation with that idea for its basis was incorporated in the report of the school department in 1899.
An excellent High school should be the ambition of every voter. That this is so in Plymouth it is futile to gainsay.
STUDIES PURSUED AT PLYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL
Subjects.
Boys.
Girls.
Total.
Latin,
19
45
64
Algebra.
29
24
53
History,
24
80
154
English,
131
150
281
Civil Govt.,
31
32
63
French,
56
75
131
German,
24
30
54
Physics,
36
5
41
Chemistry,
19
9
28
Arithmetic,
21
31
52
Geometry,
30
22
52
Trigonometry,
4
0
4
Stenography,
19
44
63
Bookkeeping,
62
105
167
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Typewriting,
40
74
114
Business practice,
8
14
22
Com. Geography,
11
11
22
Cooking,
85
85
Sewing,
45
45
Mech. drawing,
66
11
77
Free-hand drawing, 17
25
42
Elemen'y Science, 20
10
30
The following table gives the growth of the High school since 1900 :-
1
1900
123
1908
187
1901
129
1909
200
1902
138
1910
214
1903
136
1911
218
1904
128
1912
224
1905
140
1913
235
1906
140
1914
278
1907
145
t
Plymouth Seventeen
The revised course of study follows :
GENERAL COURSE
First Year
Second Year
Third Year
English I.
4 English II.
4 English III.
4
English IV.
4
U. S. Ilist. and Civics 4
Electives
Electives
Electives
Electives
Latin I.
5 Latin II.
5 Latin III.
5
Latin IV. 5
French I.
5
French I. or II.
5
French II. or III.
5 French II. or III. 5
El. Science
4
El. Physics
5
Chemistry
5
Algebra
4
Geometry
5
Greek and Rom. Hist.
4
English Hist.
3
Mod. European Hist. 3
Community Civics
4
Com. Geog. 3
Industrial Hist.
3
Bookkeeping I.
2
Bookkeeping II.
3
Bookkeeping III. 3 Business Practice 4
Typewriting I.
2
Typewriting II.
4
Typewriting III.
4
Com. Arith. 3
2
Cooking II.
2
Sewing I.
2
Sewing II.
2
1
F. H. Drawing
1
F. H. Drawing
1
F. H. Drawing M. Drawing I.
1 or 2
M. Drawing II. Music
M. Drawing III. Music
1 or 2
1 F. H. Drawing M. Drawing IV. Music
1 or 2
Music
German I.
5 German I. or II. 5
German II. or III. 5
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Stenography I. 5 Stenography II. 4
1
Cooking I.
1 or 2
Fourth Year
COLLEGE PREPARATORY COURSE
First Year
Second Year
Third Year
Fourth Year
English I. Greek and Roman Hist. 4
4
English II.
4
English III.
4
English IV.
4
Algebra
4 Geometry
5 *Rev. Algebra Rev. Geometry 3
4
*Rev. Algebra
4
Electives Latin I.
Electives
Electives
Electives
5 Latin III.
5
Latin IV. 5
5 Latin II.
French I.
5
French I. or II.
5
French II. or III. 5
5 German II. or III.
5
German I.
5 German I. or II.
5 Chemistry
5 Col. Physics
5
Elementary Science
4 El. Physics Eng. Hist.
3 Mod. European Hist. *Col. Hist.
3
2 *Col. Hist. Solid Geom. Trigonometry
2
3
2
1 F. H. Drawing
1
1 F. H. Drawing
1 or 2
1 F. H. Drawing M. Drawing 1 or 2
M. Drawing Music
1 or 2
F. H. Drawing M. Drawing Music
1 or 2
M. Drawing Music
*To be taken either third or fourth year.
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U. S. History and Civics 4
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Compare the foregoing excellent course with the
HIGH SCHOOL COURSE OF STUDY, 1878-1879.
Required
Elective
History , French
Literature
German
Physics
Latin
Geometry
These branches claimed the entire attention of the pupils as long as they remained in school. The course was one of four years.
THE NEW DEPARTMENT OF COOKING AND SEWING AT THE HIGH SCHOOL
The girls at the High school are 152 in number. Of these eighty-five are pursuing the course in Cookery, distributed as follows :-
Seniors,
16
Juniors,
11
Sophomores, 22
Freshmen, 36 (taught in two classes)
Total, 85
Forty-five girls elected the course in Sewing as follows :-
Seniors, 1
Juniors, 8
Sophomores, 18
Freshmen, 18
-
Total, 45
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The following outline has been submitted by Miss Sturtevant, the teacher in charge.
OUTLINE FOR COURSE OF STUDY IN SEWING First Year
1. Review of simple stitches.
2. Fundamental principles of construction. (Application to Underwear).
Seams. Facings.
Bindings. Hems.
3. Drafting and cutting of underwear.
4. Use of commercial patterns.
5. Thorough understanding of sewing machine.
6. Fancy stitches.
7. Study of textiles, including prices. Second Year
Simple dress-making.
OUTLINE OF COURSE OF STUDY IN COOKING
First Year
1. Study of Carbohydrates-
A. Fruits.
B. Vegetables.
1. Vegetables in season.
2. Prices.
of
3. Composition, food value and methods preparing and cooking various vegetables. C. Cereals- 1. Composition, food value and method of cooking various cereals.
D. Sugars : Experiments, simple candy-making.
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2. Study of the Proteins-
A. Milk : Composition, food value, care of, milk products.
B. Eggs : Composition, food value, preservation, methods of cooking.
C. Cheese : Methods of cooking.
D. Meats : Methods of cooking.
E. Fish: Methods of cooking.
3. Beverages-
A. Tea, coffee, cocoa : Method of preparing, food value.
4. Batters and doughs-
Study of leavening agents.
B. Making of quick breads and yeast breads.
5. Combination of eggs and milk in cooking. Example, custards, etc.
6. Study of the Fats-
A. Use of different fats : butter, lard, crisco, etc.
B. Sauteeing and frying.
7. Pastry Making-
A. Plain cake.
B. Cookies.
C. Pies.
8. Special emphasis throughout course on following points in Household Management.
A. Care of dishes.
B. Care of windows.
C. Care of floor.
D. Care of sink.
E. Care of nickel and other metals.
F. Building and care of fire.
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TENTATIVE OUTLINE OF COURSE OF STUDY IN
COOKING
Second Year
1. Canning, preserving and jelly-making-
Study of principles underlying preservation of foods. 2. Meats-
A. Study of Boston cuts.
B. Making of soup stock.
3. Planning of menus and serving meals planned by the students.
4. Lessons in marketing.
5. Study of functions of food in the body.
6. Pastry, croquettes, cake-making.
2 Gelatine desserts.
8. Invalid cookery.
9. Planning of a home kitchen.
Public Schools. Number, Enrollment, Teachers, Attendance. School Year, (1913-1914).
Number of Schools, 58
Number of Persons in Town
Between five and fifteen years of age, total,
2240
(a) Boys, 1081
(b) Girls, 1159
Between seven and fourteen years of age, total, 1537
(a) Boys, 744
(b) Girls, 793
Enrollment in all the Public Day Schools
Total enrollment, 2387
Number under five years of age, 11
Number over fifteen years of age, 210
Number between seven and fourteen years of age, 1608
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Membership and Attendance
Average membership in the Public day schools, 2,228.20
Average attendance in the Public day schools, 2,096.75
Per cent. of attendance, 94.10
85
(a) Boys,
(b) Girls, 51
Teachers
Number employed in January, total,
70
(a) Men, 3
(b) Women, 67
Number graduated from college, total,
9
In High Schools, total,
9
(1) Men, 2
(2) Women, 2
Number graduated from Normal schools, total, 33
Length of Schooling 533
Aggregate number of months,
Average number of months,
9 mos. 4 days
High School
Length of High School year, 9 months, 2 days
10
(a) Number of special or other teachers on part time, 2
250
(a) Boys,
109
(b) Girls,
141
(c) Average membership,
236.74
Number entering first year of High School, total,
80
(a) Boys,
(b) Girls, 38
42
Number of graduates from High School, total,
32
(a) Boys,
12
(b) Girls, 20
Number completing grammar school course, total,
34
Number of regular teachers on full time,
Number of pupils in High School, total,
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SIGHT AND HEARING TESTS
The tests of sight and hearing have been made by the teachers, as required by law.
Number of pupils examined,
2323
Number found defective in eyesight,
224
Number found defective in hearing,
32
Number of parents or guardians notified,
180
REPORT FROM THE SCHOOL CENSUS
Sept., 1914.
Boys
Girls
Total
Between five and seven years,
246
273
519
Between seven and fourteen years,
804
763
1567
Between fourteen and sixteen years,
175
203
378
Totals,
1225
1239
2464
Illiterate Minors
Male,
60
Female,
58
Total,
118
FACTS FROM THE SCHOOL CENSUS
According to the school census, there are 2,464 children be- tween the ages of 5 and 16 years. Besides taking the names and ages of children between 5 and 16, as required by law, others, almost five years of age, were included, making a total of 2,506 recorded.
1
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COOKING DEPARTMENT-HIGH SCHOOL.
COOKING DEPARTMENT-GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
-
-
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From this we make the following deductions :--
Number of children.
643 families have one child each, 643
322 families have two children each, 644
179 families have three children each, 537
100 families have four children each, 400
38 families have five children each, 190
13 families have six children each, 78 2 families have seven children each, 14
1,297 Total families. Total children, 2,506
Number of children born in Plymouth, 1,737
Number of children born elsewhere in Mass., 366
Number of children born elsewhere in U. S., 95
Number of children born in foreign countries, 308
Total number, 2,506
EDUCATIONAL EXTENSION
Wide-awake teachers are ever ready to learn about an educa- tional system whether local, state or national if guidance is assured. Taking this for granted, ten questions, each of which might start a profitable discussion or extended reading, are given monthly. These questions are not intended to be of immediate help in the classroom, nor is it presumed that all teachers will be equally interested to make an exhaustive study of the topics suggested. A few, however, will undoubtedly become profes- sionally concerned, continuing their study of the educational past without which the present cannot be wisely interpreted.
The following questions have thus far been given :-
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WHAT TEACHERS SHOULD KNOW.
1. What are the essential features of the Teachers' Retirement Sys- tem ? What are the defects ?
2. Give the names of the seven secretaries of the Massachusetts State. Board of Education. Are any now living?
3. Is vaccination required by State law or local regulation ?
4. When was your County Teachers' Association organized ?
5. Who is the Chairman of the Massachusetts State Board of Edu- cation ? Name other members.
6. When was the first Normal school in Massachusetts established ?
7. Between what ages must a child attend school ?
8. What is the recent "Tenure of office" law for teachers ?
9. Is the repeating of the Lord's Prayer at school required by law?
10. When was sewing first authorized in Massachusetts ?
11. What was the direct reason for the organization of the Massa- chusetts Teachers' Association ?
12. How many Normal Schools are there in Massachusetts?
13. What do you know about the Massachusetts School Fund ?
14. About how many public school teachers are there in Massachusetts ?
15. Who is the State Commissioner of Education ?
16. When was the School District System established, and when abol -. ished ?
17. How many teachers and pupils in the Plymouth Public schools ?
18. What was the consensus of opinion about the Massachusetts High. school in 1824? Compare it with the present public atti- tude.
19. Have you a clear idea of the Junior High School ?
20. When were women authorized to vote for School Committee? When were they permitted to become members of School Boards ?
21. When was Harvard College founded ? When was Mt. Holyoke founded ?
22. What is the statute governing the number on school boards ?
23. When was instruction in drawing required ?
24. Give several reasons why the State should not certificate teachers ?
25. Is there in Massachusetts any law prohibiting married women from teaching?
26. Do you believe in State control of Schools or local control? Give- reasons.
27. When was the free text-book law passed?
28. What is an illiterate? How many in Plymouth ? In Massa- chusetts ?
29. About how many Superintendents in Massachusetts ?
30. Can you explain to a visitor the heating and ventilating system of your room ?
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31. Do you judiciously employ the following methods of calling on. pupils ? a. Consecutive. b. Promiscuous. c. Simul- taneous.
32. How much do the following names mean to you? Horace Mann, Mary Lyon, James G. Carter. Philemon Pormort, Joseph Lancaster, Cyrus Pierce.
33. Do you employ the "Five Formal Steps ?"
34. When was the Normal School in this County opened ?
35. When were towns for the first time required to elect school com- mittees ?
36. What town in Massachusetts has no Superintendent of Schools ? Why ?
37. What is the difference between "inductive" and "deductive" meth- ods ?
38. Do you know about the Teachers' Annuity Guild ?
39. When were vacation schools authorized in this State?
40. How many reports did the first Secretary of the Massachusetts State Board of Education issue, and how extensively were they read ?
41. Do you employ "artificial" or "natural" incentives ?
42. Why should light come from the left?
43. Can you illustrate "analytic" and "synthetic" methods ?
44. Is Plymouth required by law to give instruction in Manual Train- ing ?
:45. How many High Schools are there in Massachusetts ?
46. What was meant by a "prudential committee ?"
47. When was the original State Board of Education established ?
48. What position was Horace Mann holding at the time of his death ?
49. What do the following names mean to you?
Pestalozzi. Herbart. Froebel. Comenius. Rousseau.
50. How many weeks per year is Plymouth required to have schools in session ?
CONCLUSION
Although our school system, in some respects, is in arrears of the standards accepted by experts, yet Plymouth is offering to its children at the present time, an education which, if not im- proved for some years, will be no discredit to the community. Continued self-satisfaction, however, is ominous of deterioration,. and we should occasionally compare our system with the ideal as well as with the inferior for inspiration.
.
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While features demanding expenditures have been suggested, let us remember as was said in the last report that
Other departments need consideration and support at the hands of the tax-payers, other than the school department. The fire department, the police department, the highway department, the health department, and so. forth, all demand attention. It would be absurd to have in a given community, a school system the best in the country, and have a fire department so inferior, that property and life could not be reasonably protected ; or a police department so inefficient, that lawlessness was rampant ; or highways so poor that travel upon them would be hazardous; or a health department, so ineffectual, that disease was universal.
A good citizen must view the town as a whole, in order to get the proper perspective.
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