USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts for the year ending 1913 > Part 24
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Regarding Home Education, Commissioner Claxton says, "American children are in school less than 4 per cent. of their . time from birth to 21 years of age. The home, the primitive and primary institution for the education of children, is still the most important agency for education for life-physical, mental, moral, industrial, economic, social, civic. The school is still only supplementary."
Thus it will be seen that the schools cannot be wholly re- sponsible for the youth. Let the homes co-operate with the school and vice versa.
I wish to express to the hundreds of parents and patrons, who . have called at the office of the superintendent of schools during the past year, my appreciation of their loyalty toward the greatest industry the town possesses-the public school system.
Furthermore, I wish to express to the school board my grati- tude for the exceptional professional attitude toward the super- intendent of schools.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES A. HARRIS,
Supt. of Schools.
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TEACHERS' DIRECTORY FOR 1914-1915
Name.
School.
Residence.
Annis, Helen G.,
Lincoln
102 Allerton
Avery, Arline M.,
Cornish
28 Allerton
Bagnell, Frances I.,
Cornish 5 Spring, No Plymouth 6 Carver
Barnes, Helen L.,
High
Bartlett, Addie L.,
Cornish
22 Pleasant
Bennett, Gertrude C.
Cold Spring
12 Stafford
Black, L. A. M.,
Manomet
Manomet, Mass.
Bramhall, Grace N.,
Hedge
12 Sever
Briggs, Walton E.,
High 5 Lothrop
Brown, Laura E.,
Music 5 Holmes Terrace
Drawing Kingston
Brownell, Marjorie, Buckley, Annie M.,
Burton
34 Court
Burke, Frances E.,
Cornish
11 Brewster
Burgess, Annie S.,
Knapp
37 Union
Cappannari, Mary L.,
Spooner St.
51 Water
Cooper, Alice G., Dolan, Mary M.,
Cornish
11 Lothrop
Douglas, Mabel F.,
Cold Spring
200 Court
Eaton, Agnes V.,
Oak St.
19 High
Farrington, Grace F.,
Manomet
Mt. Pleasant
Field, Helene E.,
Hedge
12 Sever
Folsom, Edith F.,
Morton
19 Mayflower
Gammons, Ruth M.,
Hedge
18 Brewster
Garvin, Eva M.,
Knapp
67 Pleasant
Gray, Cora W.,
Wellingsley Hedge
133 Court
Hildreth, Lucy L.,
133 Court
Holmes, Lydia E.,
Knapp
261 Court
Hulett, Alice V.,
Allerton St.
7 Brewster
Hunter, Elizabeth,
High
9 Sever
Jackson, Mary L.,
Burton 7 North Green 67 Pleasant
Keene, Flora A.
Knapp
Kendregan, Emily E.,
Morton
22 Allerton
Knight, Grace L.,
Mt. Pleasant
133 Court.
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Lermond, Maude H.,
Knapp
49 Pleasant 12 Sever
Lovering, Charlotte E.,
Cornish
Libby, Vera E.,
Mt. Pleasant
220 Sandwich
Linnell, Helen H.,
Mt. Pleasant
72 Warren av. 22 Allerton
Mackenzie, Elizabeth,
High Burton
2 Sever
McKowen, Grace M.,
53 Allerton
McNamara, Margaret L.,
Hedge
17 Lothrop
McNaught, Bertha E.,
Hedge
6 Samoset
Miller, Mary R.,
High H. S. a. m. 7 Brewster
Mitchell, Lizzie E.,
Mt. Pleasant 5 Mt. Pleasant
Moor, Grace R.,
Lincoln 110 Sandwich
Moore, Rhoda E.,
Cedarville
Bournedale
Morong, M. Alice,
Knapp
133 Court
Morton, Augusta M.,
Mt. Pleasant
162 Sandwich
Morton, Mary A.,
Chiltonville
R. F. D.
Murray, Florence I.,
Cornish
11 Lothrop
Murray, Jean,
Cornish
11 Brewster
O'Brien, Katharine A.,
Morton
23 Nelson
Ottley, Anne E.,
High
3 Lothrop
Paulding, Eunice B.,
Hedge
12 Sandwich
Richardson, Lucia M.,
Knapp
7 Brewster
Phipps, Frances M.,
High
7 Brewster
Robbins, Mary E.,
Vallerville
7 Water
Robinson, Ella F.,
Hedge
12 Sever
Robinson, Maude R.,
Manomet
34 Court Newfields
Rogers, Marguerite C.,
Mt. Pleasant
10 Winslow
Ross, Hazel A.,
Dom. Science
10 Park av.
Sampson Elizabeth H., Hedge R. F. D. Cliff rd.
Sampson, Catherine W.,
Chiltonville R. F. D. Chiltonville High 3 Lothrop
Smith, Bertha H.,
Oak St.
22 Pleasant
Smith, Helen W.,
High 18 Allerton
Stranger, Helen D.,
Cliff St. 186 Sandwich
Rogan, Teresa A.,
Burton
Salthouse, Elsie A.,
Morton
Lydon, Helen T.,
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Stratton, Jennie F .. Sturtevant, Edna M.,
Manual Training
3 Lothrop
Dom. Science
24 Allerton
Thomas, Susan C.,
Cold Spring
200 Court
Thompson, Susie G.,
Cornish
67 Pleasant
Whiting, William C.,
High
3 Lothrop
Whitney, William I.,
Knapp
49 Pleasant
Zahn, Katherine G.,
Knapp
320 Court
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HIGH SCHOOL REPORT
Mr. Charles A. Harris,
Superintendent of Schools, Plymouth, Mass.,
Dear Sir :- I take pleasure in presenting the following report of the High School for the preceding year.
The year 1914 has marked an epoch in the history of the Plymouth High School. Lack of sufficient, well-lighted, and adequately heated and ventilated room has been, for several years, a source of great inconvenience, a constant hampering of school work, and a decided menace to the health and safety of pupils and teachers. These difficulties have been removed through the enlargement of the building which practically gives us eight additional rooms, thereby making the school modern and sani- tary in every respect.
I cannot speak too enthusiastically of the building as it now stands. While it is never possible to make over an old building in such a way as to leave nothing to be desired, yet we have at a cost of about one third of what a new building of the same capacity would require a school whose maximum capacity is more than 400 pupils and which ought to adequately serve the town for at least ten years. The large room which has been used for seating the school makes an admirable and attractive Assembly Hall in which all the social activities of the school can be held under the absolute control and direct supervision of the teachers.
Registration.
The total registration of the school is 284 divided as follows: Post-Graduates, 3; Seniors, 51; Juniors, 67; Sophomores, 78;
(
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Freshmen, 85. This is an increase of 45 over last year's registra- tion.
Educational Work of the School
The new building has made it possible to revise the course of study and add some subjects which will greatly increase the effi- ciency of the school.
. The College Preparatory Course has been so arranged as to give more time to English, Mathematics, French and German, and Mechanical Drawing which will ensure a much better prep- aration for College, Technical, Scientific, and Normal Schools. The General Course has been greatly enriched. The establish- ment of courses in Community Civics, the purpose of which is to interest and acquaint pupils with the civic conditions of their own town and to study various matters such as health protection, taxation and government at close range, in Cooking and Sewing, in Typewriting for second year classes, in Industrial History for third year classes, in Business Practice for fourth year classes, the possibility of having Typewriting and Mechanical Drawing in separate rooms especially equipped for such work, have all tended to greatly increase the interest and enthusiasm of the pupil and will, I feel very sure, result in the increased effi- ciency of our graduates.
Teachers
We have been fortunate in having only one resignation during the year. Miss Frances H. Kerr, the efficient head of the Eng- lish Department, accepted a position in Sandwich, and Miss Anne E. Ottley, a graduate of Brown University, and a teacher in the Hope Street School in Providence, was elected to this position. Miss Edna M. Sturtevant, a graduate of Mount Holyoke and Simmons Colleges, who had been teaching in the Newburyport High School was elected to take charge of the Cooking and Sewing. The work of both shows that no mistake was made in their selection.
Any town or city which cannot retain the services of its suc-
Plymouth Eighteen
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cessful teachers for a period of years is seriously handicapped in its educational work. This is especially true of the High School, and I cannot too strongly urge the adoption of a policy which will enable us to retain our efficient teachers. I believe such a policy would pay the town more than 100 per cent. on the money so expended.
Social Activities
A series of socials successfully managed by the different classes have been held in our Assembly Hall whose attendance has been largely confined to the members of the school. These have been very popular with the pupils and are destined to increase their loyalty without which no school can fully accomplish its mission.
A series of parents' meetings is being attempted, the purpose of which is to give the parents and teachers an opportunity to become better acquainted and in this way bring about a closer relationship between the school and community.
Athletics
The school has been reasonably successful in this respect dur- ing the past year. The fact that Plymouth is situated so far from the schools with which it has athletic relations, that it is only with the greatest difficulty that we can raise sufficient money to carry on these activities, that we are able to participate in but two sports, base ball and foot ball, and that we have no trained coach who can devote the whole or a part of his time to the phy- sical training of our pupils, present difficulties which are hard to overcome.
While I cannot speak too highly of the excellent work done by Mr. Briggs during the past three years in training our teams, yet it is too much to ask of one man to teach almost continuously for five hours and to look after the afternoon work which neces- sarily must be done, in connection with that work, and in addi- tion to this, to spend three or four afternoons on the athletic field.
The time is not far distant when the teacher of physical train-
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ing will be as indispensable to the High School as the teacher of Mathematics or History and of greater value, I believe, in train- ing the child for a life of usefulness. Every well equipped school needs some kind of a gymnasium and a physical instructor who thoroughly understands the need of every pupil. This condition prevails in many of our High Schools today.
While this may not be possible in Plymouth at the present time, yet I am firmly convinced that a physical instructor or supervisor who would divide his time between the grades and the High School would result in lasting benefit to our school system.
With sincere appreciation for the many good things that have come to the school during the past year, and the cordial support given by every one, I am,
Very respectfully yours, WILLIAM C. WHITING, Principal High School.
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PLYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL Annual Graduation Exercises. Class of 1914. High School, Plymouth. Evening of June Twenty-second, Nineteen Hundred Fourteen. at Eight o'clock.
PROGRAMME.
In Spain, Di Chiara
School Chorus
Salutatory and Essay,
Dorothy W. Clark
Essay,
Mary W. Fraser
Lovely Night, Offenbach
School Chorus
Essay,
Mary L. Cappannari
Vocal Solo,
Helen S. Whiting
Essay,
John W. Damon
Essay with Valedictory, Gertrude S. Harlow
Almighty Lord (Intermezzo from "Cavalleria") Mascagni
School Chorus
Presentation of Diplomas, Superintendent Charles A. Harris
Excelsior, Balfe
School Chorus
Singing of Class Song,
Class of 1914
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CLASS SONG OF 1914
We come, my friends and classmates dear, To sing our parting song. For we must leave this schoolroom here, Where we have lived so long. But let no sorrowing tear be shed, For memories ever green We still shall keep of by-gone days, And our class of 1914.
For now the world to duty calls, We answer with a cheer, And following fast where life may lead, Go forward without fear. Our motto, "On the Threshold" shows A path-by us unseen, May our future bring high honor To our class of 1914.
Now comrades comes this parting day, The years that seemed so long Have vanished like a dream away, Let's not forget our song. Go forward, cross the threshold, Win victories and esteem,
Together let us seek the best As the class of 1914.
-Words by Helen Seelye Whiting -Music by Lester Joseph Murdock
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CLASS OF 1914. "In Limine"
Elsie May Blades Marie Frances Blackmer*
Rachel Otis Brown*
Mary Lucy Cappannari* Dorothy Warren Clark* Roy Henry Cohn Elizabeth Rowe Collingwood*
Alice Gaylord Cooper John Warren Damon* Charles Carroll Dickerson
Mary Rachel Fraser* Edward Phinney Griffin Frederick George Gordon
Bertha Mae Gunther
Gertrude Smalley Harlow* Jennie Margaret Holmes
Kenneth Gordon Howland Ruth Dorothy Humphrey Marion Franklin Kendrick Ella Evon Langille
Mary Cynthia Lehman Irene Birthenia Logan Nannie Austin Luther Allen Drummond McLean
Lester Joseph Murdock
Margaret Louise O'Brien Thomas Merrill Perkins, Jr .. Alma Edith Sampson Helen May Sampson* Myron Larnard Smith Helen Seelye Whiting* John James Wright
*Honor Pupils
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REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MANUAL ARTS
Mr. Charles A. Harris, Superintendent of Schools,
Dear Sir :-
The aim of the Manual Arts in the public schools is to de- velop the brain and the thinking power of the children, and to cultivate taste as well as skill. Objects are drawn and con- structed in order that they may be understood.
The little child is more interested in the construction than in the process, but as he grows older, he becomes more inter- ested in the process which leads to the product.
In the first grade a center is chosen, around which the work is developed. These children are more familiar with the home, having spent very little time outside of it. The furnishing of a play house is chosen as their center. The children paint the paper with which to paper the walls, weave the rugs on little looms, and construct the paper furniture, which is accomplished. by simple folding into squares and by cutting and pasting.
The problems are class work, each pupil making most of the objects, and when the house is completely furnished, there may be found within some handiwork of each child.
In the second and third grades the children become more fa- miliar with the outdoor life and the street. The village is de- veloped. The problems are worked out by the class as a whole. Each step and the reason for each step is discussed. Houses are constructed, and the roofs, chimneys, piazzas, windows, etc., are discussed, each pupil making either his own home or some neighboring house or public building in the vicinity. Differ- fent ways of traveling are also developed, and all kinds of ve- hicles, automobiles, and cars are constructed.
F
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The lessons are not dictated, but the pupils are led to dis- cover for themselves the best way to plan the objects. This plan develops the observation and the individuality of the child, and his creative ability.
The work of the older pupils, those of grades 4, 5 and 6, in- volve more planning, and a greater number of steps before the result is accomplished. The finished product is more of an incentive.
Plan is :-
1. A clear idea of the thing to be made.
2. A knowledge of how to go to work to make the object.
3. The most workman-like way of making the object.
4. A definite idea of the appearance and structure of the thing to be made is necessary.
The fourth grade make simple boxes, not from dictation, but from knowledge of its construction. A box is constructed first by the teacher. It is then studied with reference to its parts and their positions. The size is given, and the pupils then con- struct a box like the given one. Then the pupils make original boxes. We are not trying to construct a box, but to construct a boy or girl.
Then from the familiar form of the box, we advance to the making of blotter pads from cardboard and paper. The lessons are developed in the same way. The problem is presented-its use-and its necessities. The materials are then measured and cut, and the blotter pasted.
In each grade the problem becomes harder. In the fifth, the block pad, requiring the use of vellum, paper and cardboard is constructed, and in the sixth grade, larger and more difficult problems, such as portfolios in different forms, including pock- ets.
The pupils are given different sized blocks and paper, and they are to study out the measurements, and make the problem without the aid of the teacher. By this method of presenting the lessons, the pupils are able to make up problems and do original work with greater understanding.
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In the seventh grade the sewed and bound book is made. Maga- zine covers have been made for the magazines of the Plymouth Public Library.
In some classes designs have been made, applying the use of object drawing, color, printing, (as title page, contents, and heads of chapters), making up of a book, sewing over tapes, putting together into covers and decorating.
A few pamphlets and paper covered books were bound in another seventh and eighth grade. These were stripped, mended, resewed over sunken cords on a sewing frame, rounded and backed and put into covers, more as the better commercial work is done.
The ultimate aim of the course is to develop in the pupil the power to do individual work, and to develop an appreciation of form, color, and decoration. It also aims in its development to have the articles used in the commercial world serve as prac- tical illustrations for the forms made in the class.
Freehand working drawings are made by the boys of the seventh, eighth and ninth grades, to show the construction of the objects made in the woodworking. They are then made to a scale to measurements.
The boys are then taught the use of tools by making simple objects. The work is individual, and after a certain amount of skill is acquired, he chooses to make some object in which he is most interested, as a desk, book-case, table, stool, etc., accord- ing to his ability. If each boy chooses what he wishes to make, he is more interested to make it sound in construction, and more beautiful in design.
He first makes his freehand working drawing, estimates the size and proportions. He then makes his finished drawing to measurements, and works from it through the whole process of construction. He selects and shapes his material, studying the best methods of construction. A practice joint is made before attempting the joint on the problem. When the wood has been trued, shaped, and the joints made, it is assembled and glued,
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then cleaned and finished. The boys are then asked to find the cost of the materials used. The boy thus develops ability to estimate, select and shape material.
The aim is not to make mechanics of the boys, but to develop one of the most important lessons in life,-to think for himself, to plan and work with materials independently, to appreciate, to buy, and to use economically. It is a mental, manual and social benefit.
Manual Training develops an appreciation of beauty and ex- cellence in construction, pride in honest doing, and respect for skilled workmen.
Respectfully submitted, JENNIE F. STRATTON.
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REPORT OF ATTENDANCE OFFICER
To Mr. Charles A. Harris, Supt. of Schools :-
I respectfully submit the following report from Jan. 1, 1914,- to Jan. 1, 1915.
Cases of Truancy
Cases of
Other Cases of Absence Sickness Investigated
Alden Street School,
0
1
4
Allerton Street School,
0
2
1
Burton School,
6
8
9
Cedarville School,
0
0
4
Cold Spring School,
2
6
10
Cliff Street School,
0
1
5
Cornish School,
11
36
Hedge School,
8
16
56
Knapp School,
1
6
36
Lincoln Street School,
1
0
0
Mt. Pleasant School,
Manomet Primary School,
0
2
0
Nat. Morton School,
4
9
49
Oak Street School,
2
0
1
Spooner Street School,
0
0
3
Cornish Evening School,
0
1
0
Totals,
45
82
243
Number of homes visited,
470
Number of employment certificates investigated,
10
Total number of investigations,
480
23
29
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Other work of the attendance officer has been as follows :-
Found on street and taken to school, 2
Number of visits to schools, 19
Number of truancy cases brought to court, 3
Number of absentee cases brought to court, 3
Number of habitual school offenders brought to court,
1
Owing to the recent labor law which came into effect Sept. 1, 1913, there were over one hundred cases of boys and girls over fourteen years of age, many of whom were employed in the different factories, but were discharged owing to the new law, others had reached the age of fourteen and were taken out of school by their parents. A number of them had to go back to a special school, (provided for by Mr. Charles A. Harris, Supt. of Schools), others found employment suited to the hours of labor as passed by law, all of these cases had to be investigated sep- arately which entailed considerable extra work this year which would not have been otherwise.
I wish to thank the Superintendent and teachers for the kind assistance which they have given me during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN ARMSTRONG,
Attendance Officer.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1914.
SCHOOL NURSE.
Medical inspection in our public schools has taken a long step ahead as a helpful institution during the past year, as it has had the advantages of a school nurse who has devoted her whole time to the work. Miss Susie Macdonald began her duties with the year 1914, her salary being paid by the mutual agreement of the Plymouth Woman's Club and the Plymouth Cordage Company. The money appropriated by the Woman's Club for the purpose having been exhausted several weeks before the close of the summer term, the Cordage Company generously continued their proportion of the salary to the end of the term, and the School Committee made up the amount so that there was no break in her services. At a meeting held April 7, 1914, the committee having become satisfied that the value of a school nurse to the school department had been sufficiently proved, voted to retain Miss Macdonald for one year.
A written report is made to the school physician at the end of each week showing the work done by the nurse during the week. These reports are made out on blank forms and give: the number and names of the schools visited; the number of pupils inspected at each school; the number of treatments given in each school; the number of inspections for pediculi and un- cleanliness in each school; the number of pupils taken to phy- sicians, specialists, or dentists ; whether any operations for ton- sils or adenoids have been done; the number of cases of con- tagious disease found in each school; the number found in
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homes; the number of homes visited and the number revisited ; and the number of hygiene talks given at each school and in homes. It is not an easy matter to collect the data and make out these reports weekly, but it keeps the school physician very accurately informed about the work.
Of all the evils incident to school life, pediculi are the most troublesome and persistent. Therefore the comparative fre- quency of this condition among the pupils should be taken as some sort of measure of the efficiency of the nurse. Looking over the reports made by the school physician to the Committee, I find that for January, 1914, 59 cases of pediculosis were re- ported. Since the opening of school last September there is but one month that shows over 9 cases. To any one who under- stands the difficulties to be encountered in trying to eradicate this pest, the above showing is very creditable.
The school nurse has done much to convince doubting parents that the medical inspection of school children is intended to help them, not to place new burdens upon them. When chil- dren are found suffering with disease or defects, she goes into the home, explains the nature of the trouble to the mother, and assists in every possible way toward having it removed. Some- times she is able to give such treatment as is necessary herself, and she may also give the mother valuable suggestions for the proper care of the child. Often she takes a child to a physician or dentist if the mother can not go. Her visits to the home often reveal conditions which explain the ill health and absence of her charges, and it is a part of her daily work to encourage im- provement in these unsanitary and unhygienic conditions by kindly, tactful advice and suggestions. Sometimes her visits are most opportune, as for instance, when a child was found suffering with a neglected mastoid abscess and a physician 'called at once, fortunately in time. So she goes about minister- ing to the needy and gaining their confidence and cooperation.
When it becomes necessary to exclude a child from school on account of various contagious skin diseases, she goes into the
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home and applies the remedy herself, or sees that it is done. As about 160 pupils have to be excluded during the school year, this "follow up" system must help the attendance very materially. Moreover many children are allowed to remain in school under treatment by the nurse, who would otherwise be excluded.
It has been very difficult to make any satisfactory arrange- ment whereby children whose parents are unable to pay, might have adenoids and tonsils removed, but by long and persistent effort, Miss Macdonald, as her report will show, has succeeded in having a number of children operated on who were seriously handicapped in this way. It is to be hoped that the difficulties having been at last successfully overcome, the way may be eas- ier for others in the future.
There is an urgent need for some sort of dispensary, pre- ferably an out-patient department to the Jordan Hospital, to which the school nurse might take children who are suffering for the want of medical or surgical treatment. At present she is unable to secure such treatment for them except through private charity. That she has succeeded in helping so large a number with entire absence of any institution of the sort in town, with the exception of the Dental Clinic operated by the School Department, is very creditable to her. The school phy- sician has tried to help the situation somewhat by opening his office on Saturday mornings for the treatment of children with eye and ear troubles, who are brought to him by the school nurse, and many have been cared for in this way during the year.
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