USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts for the year ending 1915 > Part 15
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Architectural Drawing,
Free-hand Drawing Practical Machine Design.
Courses in Engines and Boilers.
Practical Steam Engineering,
Fuels
Gas and Oil Engines,
Steam Boilers
Gasoline Automobiles,
Steam Engines Steam Turbines.
Heat,
Courses in Heating, Ventilating and Power Plants.
Heating and Ventilating,
Power Plant Economics,
Locomotive Maintenance Refrigeration
Testing of Power Plants,
Heating and Lighting for Janitors.
Courses in Electricity.
Practical Electricity,
Electric Traction
Dynamo-electric Machinery,
Electric Transmission
Theory of Alternating Currents, Electric Wiring.
Courses in Structural, Highway, and Hydraulic Engineering.
Materials of Construction,
Lumber and its Uses,
Plumbing Steel Building Design
Concrete and its Uses, Bridge Design
Strength of Materials,
Reinforced Concrete Construction
Elements of Structures, Hydraulics Highway Engineering, Water Supply and Irrigation
Courses in Homemaking.
Home Furnishing and Decoration, Study of Fabrics Dietetics.
Civil Service.
A special course, including arithmetic, English, geography, and government, has been arranged for those who are preparing
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to take Civil Service examinations for Federal, State, and muni- cipal departments.
Agriculture.
Courses in agriculture are not given by this department. Cor- respondence courses in agriculture and related subjects are of- fered by the Extension Service of the Massachusetts Agricultural College, Amherst, Mass.
EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATES.
The following number of certificates were issued between Dec. 31, 1914 and Dec. 31, 1915 :-
Employment certificates for minors between 14 and 16, 81
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, 293
Educational certificates for illiterate minors over 16, 58
Home Permits, for minors between 14 and 16, 17
The following number of persons were granted certificates between Dec. 31, 1914 and Dec. 31, 1915 :-
Employment certificates for minors between 14 and 16, 76
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, 243
Educational certificates for illiterate minors over 16, 53
Home permits, for minors between 14 and 16, 17
Every employed person between the ages of 14 and 21 must have a certificate. Such person must prove his age by a birth certificate, baptismal certificate, passport, or some other satis- factory evidence.
If he is under 16 years of age he must attend day school until
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he is able to fulfill the requirements of the completion of the fourth grade. If he is over 16 years of age and cannot meet the above requirements he must attend the evening school.
Minors between the ages of 14 and 16 must either be employed or attend day school. In order to work he must present a phy- sician's certificate of health, the employer's promise to employ, and a school record.
A new certificate must be obtained every time he changes his place of employment.
Employer's must return to the superintendent of schools the certificate of minors leaving their employ, within 48 hours after employment has ceased.
SCHOOL CENSUS, 1915.
Males
Females
Totals
5 years,
162
111
273
6 years,
133
143
276
(5 to 7) Totals,
295
254
549
7 years,
109
160
269
8 years,
133
114
247
9 years,
123
115
238
10 years,
114
110
224
11 years,
90
127
217
12 years,
120
109
229
13 years,
99
110
209
(7 to 14) Totals, 788
845
1633
14 years,
94
94
188
15 years,
93
62
155
(14 to 16) Totals, 187
156
343
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(5 to 7) Totals, 295
254
549
(77 to 14) Totals, 788
845
1633
(14 to 16) Totals, 187
156
343
Grand Totals,
1260
1255
2525
Illiterate Minors, males, 54; Females, 45; Total, 99.
The following tables show the growth of the town, and the increase in cost of various school items :-
Appropriation for Schools
Value of Town
Population
1900,
$35,000.00
$7,800,815.00
9,592
1905,
46,000.00
9,604,902.00
11,119
1910,
55,000.00
11,347,717.00 12,141
1915,
79,513.20
14,299,615.00
12,926
Salaries of Teachers
Janitors and Care of Schoolhouses
Books and Supplies
Fuel and Light
1900,
$24,613.95
$1,745.13
$3,021.81
$2,915.08
1905,
31,306.02
3,004.22
2,961.12
4,215.54
1910,
39,075.94
3,708.63
3,468.66
4,243.73
1915,
51,775.08
5,981.85
4,472.41
6,225.35
Number of teachers regularly employed :-
1900, 44
1908,
59
1901,
47
1909,
58
1902, 48
1910,
60
1903,
51
1911,
61
1904,
51,
1912,
61
1905, 54
1913,
1906,
57
1914,
75
1907, 58
1915,
79
A summary of the teachers' pay roll follows :--- No. of teachers.
Receiving annually.
Total.
1
$2,100.00
$2,100.00
1
1,200.00
1,200.00
1
1,050.00
1,050.00
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2
1,000.00
2,000.00
1
900.00
900.00
2
850.00
1,700.00
4
800.00
3,200.00
2
750.00
1,500.00
6
700.00
4,200.00
3
650.00
1,950.00
27
625.00
16,875.00
6
600.00
3,600.00
5
575.00
2,875.00
5
550.00
2,750.00
3
525.00
1,575.00
4
475.00
1,900.00
2
450.00
900.00
2
400.00
800.00
1
360.00
360.00
1 .
320.00
320.00
79
$51,755.00
SIGHT AND HEARING TESTS.
The tests of sight and hearing have been made by the teachers, as required by law.
1913-14
1914-15
1915-16
Number of pupils examined,
2,287
2,323
2,335
Number found defective in eyesight,
248
224
240
Number found defective in hearing,
28
32
52
Number of parents or guardians
notified,
220
180
204
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AVERAGE MEMBERSHIP OF ALL SCHOOLS.
1895
1900
1905
1910
1915
1,330
1,460
1,776
2,065
2,308
The number of buildings and rooms are as follows :---
Number of buildings in use.
Number of Rooms
Containing 9 rooms,
1
9
Containing 8 rooms
2
16
Containing 6 rooms,
1
6
Containing 4 rooms,
2
8
Containing 2 rooms,
4
8
Containing 1 room,
11
11
High School,
1
Domestic Science Bldg.,
1
3
-
-
23
61
ADDITIONAL STATISTICS FOR 1914-1915.
Total enrollment of pupils,
2,395
Average daily attendance,
2197.56
Average membership,
2308.81
Per cent. of attendance,
95.18
Number of days absence of pupils,
20,080
EDUCATIONAL SIDELINES.
During the school year 1914-1915 one hundred questions, ten each month, were distributed to the teachers, in order to en- courage investigation in educational matters and methods not directly connected with, nor applicable to, the ordinary school routine.
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WHAT TEACHERS SHOULD KNOW.
In the last report were printed fifty of these questions, which together with the others, incorporated in the report of this year, are reprinted primarily for the use of the teachers.
1. What are the essential features of the Teachers' Retirement System? What are the defects?
2. Give the names of the seven secretaries of the Massachu- setts 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 Education ? Name other members.
6. When was the first Normal school in Massachusetts estab- lished ?
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 Massachusetts 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 Massa- chusetts ?
15. Who is the State Commissioner of Education ?
16. When was the School District System established, and when abolished ?
17. How many teachers and pupils in the Plymouth Public schools ?
18. What was the consensus of opinion about the Massachu- setts High School in 1824? Compare it with the pres- ent public attitude.
19. Have you a clear idea of the Junior High School?
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20. When were women authorized to vote for School Com- mittee? When were they permitted to become mem- bers 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. What is meant by a Junior College ?
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 ?
31. Do you judiciously employ the following methods of calling on pupils ? a. Consecutive. b. Promiscuous. c. Simultaneous.
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 committees ?
36. What town in Massachusetts has no Superintendent of Schools? Why ?
37. What is the difference between "inductive" and "deduc- tive" methods ?
38. Do you know about the Teachers' Annuity Guild ?
39. When were vacation schools authorized in this State?
Plymouth twenty-one
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40. How many reports did the first Secretary of the Massa- chusetts State Board of Education issue, and how ex- tensively 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 Training ?
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 estab- lished ?
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 ?
51. Can you illustrate a principle in pedagogy? a method in pedagogy ? a device in pedagogy?
52. To what Training school are Plymouth boys sent?
53. In what year did the General Court first require towns to maintain schools ?
54. How many years since the last State Normal school was erected ?
55. Are the Five Formal Steps inductive or deductive ?
56. When was the American Institute of Instruction organ- ized ?
57. Can you pronounce all of the following? Gallows, squalor, bellows, orthoëpy, lamentable, cochineal, apron, vase, depot, eczema, canine sacrilegious acclimate.
58. Can you make several statements about the Hornbook and The New England Primer ?
59. Can you mention at least ten colleges in Massachusetts ?
60. What are some of the features of the present labor law?
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61. Do you emphasize the merits or the demerits of your pupils ?
62. What is the maximum number of pupils per teacher as per statute ?
63. Do you use exclusively the "topic" method ? the "question" method ?
64. What were "dame" schools ?
65. Do you ever appeal to a pupil's sense of shame before his schoolmates ?
66. Who is the U. S. Commissioner of Education ?
67. Are you indiscreet enough to assign a school duty as a penalty for misconduct ?
68. When was the establishment of free public libraries authorized in Massachusetts ?
69. Do you favor the Grube method ?
70. What have the following to do with teaching? Concept, percept, apperception.
71. Where and when was the first instance of professional supervision of schools in Massachusetts ?
. 72. Does the teacher injure the pupil or his own reputation by using sarcasm ?
73. Do you fully appreciate the difference between passive and active attention ?
74. How many teachers have become members of the Massa- chusetts Teachers' Retirement Association ?
75. The best teachers strive to cultivate the heart-power of Pestalozzi-do you?
76. For how many years after the Pilgrim Fathers set foot on Plymouth Rock was the Colony without a public school ?
77. Has the "Socratic" method merit?
78. When was the first Commissioner of Education in Massa- chusetts appointed ?
79. Are you a subscriber to an educational paper ?
80. What is the "Fitchburg Plan ?"
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81. How many persons compose the State Board of Education ? 82. What is the statute regarding the observance of Memorial Day in the public schools? .
83. What is the procedure in dismissing a public school teacher ?
84. To what positions in the public school service are school committees ineligible ?
85. What is the statute regarding the display of the United States flag on school houses ?
86. Why are educators so divided as to the advisability of forming Parent-Teacher Associations?
87. Are you able to compute the amount of your retirement allowance ?
88. What is the statute in regard to injury to school houses or property ?
89. What were the causes of the rise and decadence of the New England academies ?
90. In what year was the first compulsory school attendance law in the United States enacted ?
91. How long did it take Horace Mann to realize that compulsory attendance in the public schools was necessary ?
92. In what year was the Massachusetts Fund established ?
93. Should school committees be appointed or elected ?
94. Can you tell anything of the history of the District School Libraries ?
95. What place has the honor of opening the first evening school in New England ?
96. To what use can the Todd Normal School fund be put?
97. Is Moral Instruction required by State law ?
98. May a member of a school board receive compensation for his services ?
99. Why should graduations in grammar schools be abolished ? 100. Is the employment of a school nurse compulsory ?
-
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CONCLUSION.
The attitude of the citizens of Plymouth toward its schools is magnanimous. It may be fitting to enumerate some of the earmarks of the educational system which the voters support.
1. An approved High School.
2. A Junior High School.
3. Good elementary schools.
4. Genuine medical inspection.
5. School Nurse.
6. Dental Inspection and treatment.
7. Manual Training.
8. Cooking and Sewing at High School.
9. Cooking and Sewing in the elementary schools.
10. School Savings Bank System.
11. An over-age school.
12. Vacation schools.
13. Evening schools.
14. Special attention to non-English speaking children in day schools.
15. Folk dancing and organized play.
16. No standing committees on school board.
I wish to extend my appreciation to all connected with the schools, directly or indirectly, for their part in making the educa- tional system of Plymouth what it is.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES A. HARRIS,
Superintendent of Schools.
January 15, 1916.
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LIST OF TEACHERS.
High School.
Wm. C. Whiting, Principal, 3 Lothrop street
Walton E. Briggs, 5 Lothrop 'street. Elizabeth Mackenzie, 2 Sever street. Helen L. Barnes, 6 Carver street.
Helen W. Smith, 18 Allerton street.
Mary R. Miller, 7 Brewster street.
Lucia M. Richardson, 9 Sever street.
Mildred B. Skerry, 9 Sever street.
Mary-L. Lowden, 24 Allerton street.
Gertrude Darling, 3 Lothrop street.
Laura M. Palmer, 19 Franklin street.
Almira B. Coffin, 2 Sever street.
Edna M. Sturtevant, 7 Brewster street.
Hedge School.
Grade 1. Elizabeth H. Sampson, Principal, Clifford Road.
1. Dora L. Dexter, Stafford street.
1. Helene E. Field, 12 Sever street.
66 2. Grace N. Bramhall, 12 Sever street.
66 2. Ruth M. Gammons, 36 Mayflower street.
66
2. Bertha E. McNaught, 6 Samoset street.
66
3. Lucy L. Hildreth, 133 Court street.
3. Ella F. Robinson, 12 Sever street.
4.
Mary J. Pimentel, 15 Savery avenue.
Knapp School.
Grade 8. William I. Whitney, Principal, 6 North street.
66
7. Maude H. Lermond, 6 North street.
6. Lydia E. Holmes, 261 Court street.
6.
Eva M. Garvin, 27 Mt. Pleasant street.
5. Katherine G. Zhan, 320 Court street.
66
5. M. Alice Morong, 133 Court street.
4. Frances M. Phipps, 102 Allerton street.
3.
Annie S. Burgess, 37 Union street.
1.
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Cold Spring.
Grade 2. Gertrude C. Bennett, 12 Stafford street.
3. Mabel F. Douglas, 200 Court street. Alden Street.
Grade 5. Susan C. Thomas, 200 Court street.
Allerton Street.
Grade 1. Lillian M. DeYoung, 10 Winslow street.
Oak Street.
Grade 1-2. Agnes V. Eaton, 19 High street.
3-4. Bertha H. Smith, 22 Pleasant street.
Burton School.
Grade 3-4. Grace Blackmer, 5 Warren avenue.
4. Teresa A. Rogan, Newfields street.
Abbie E. Ashton, 28 Vernon street.
7. Florence I. Murray, 11 Lothrop street.
Cornish School.
Grade 8. Addie L. Bartlett, Principal, 22 Pleasant street.
8. Frances I. Bagnell, Kingston, Mass.
66
6. Jean Murray, 11 Brewster street.
66
6. Mary M. Dolan, 11 Lothrop street.
5. M. Etta Cooney, 10 Winslow street.
5. Charlotte E. Lovering, 12 Sever street.
3. Susie G. Thompson, 21 Stafford street.
2. Arline Avery, 28 Allerton street.
1. Margaret L. Christie, 401 Court street, No. Plymouth.
Mt. Pleasant School.
Grade 7. Augusta M. Morton, Principal, 162 Sandwich street.
66
6. Vera E. Libby, 38 Union street.
66
5. Grace L. Knight, 133 Court street.
66
4. Marguerite C. Rogers, 23 South street.
3. Helen H. Linnell, 72 Warren avenue.
66
1. Lizzie E. Mitchell, 5 Mt. Pleasant street.
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Wellingsley. Grades 1, 2, 3, 4. Cora W. Gray, 133 Court street.
Chiltonville Grammar.
Grades 6, 7, 8. Margaret L. McNamara, Warren avenue, near Cliff street.
Cliff Street.
Grade 1-5. Helen D. Stranger, 126 Sandwich street.
Chiltonville Primary. +
Grade 1-5. Catherine W. Sampson, Clifford Road.
Russell Mills.
Grade 1-5. Mary A. Morton, Chiltonville.
Manomet.
Grade 1-4. Grace F. Farrington, 1 Mt. Pleasant street.
5-8. L. A. M. Black, 131 Sandwich street.
Vallerville.
Ungraded. Mary E. Robbins, 7 Water street.
Cedarville.
Ungraded. Rhoda M. Haskell, Bournedale.
Long Pond.
Ungraded. Alice G. Cooper, 54 Standish avenue.
Spooner Street.
Grade 3-4. Susan M. Quinn, 147 Main street, Kingston.
Household Arts.
Hazel A. Ross, 38 Union street. nota.
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Music Supervisor.
Laura E. Brown, 5 Holmes terrace.
Manual Training and Drawing.
Jennie F. Stratton, 2 Sever street.
Dorothy Nichols, Cohasset.
Morton School.
Katherine A. O'Brien, Principal, 23 Nelson street.
F. L. Shea, 18 Allerton street.
Edith F. Folsom, 18 Allerton street.
Eunice B. Paulding, 12 Sandwich street.
Lincoln Street.
Grade 1. Grace R. Moor, 110 Sandwich street.
" 2. Helen G. Annis, 102 Allerton street.
South Street.
Grade 2-3. Bertha E. Hood, 38 Union street.
Special School.
Mary L. Jackson, 7 North Green street.
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HIGH SCHOOL REPORT
Superintendent Charles A. Harris :-
I respectfully submit my fifth annual report for the Plymouth High School.
The past year has witnessed a marked growth in numbers. The total enrollment for the present year is 312 pupils. This is a gain of 33 over the enrollment for the corresponding period last year. The growth of the school during the past four years has surpassed the expectation of every one connected with the school department, yet it has been a healthy growth and the school is steadily increasing in efficiency. The pupils whom we have sent to higher institutions are doing well, while those who have entered the business world are proving that those who are taking our commercial course are as well, if not better trained than in almost any High School in the State.
Teachers.
There have been several changes in the teaching force during the past year. Miss Elsie A. Salthouse, the efficient head of our Modern Language Department, resigned to accept a position in her home city, and Miss Mildred B. Skerry, a graduate of Boston University in 1910, was elected. Miss Anne E. Ottley, the head of the English Department, resigned to accept a more lucrative position in Chelsea. Miss Ethel Schoonmaker, a graduate of Radcliffe College, who was elected to this position, was obliged on account of ill health, to ask for a month's leave of absence at the beginning of the year, and then to resign at the end of two months' work. Miss Hannah W. Kelsey substituted very ac- ceptably during the first period, and then Miss Grace Darling,
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who received her training at the Framingham Normal School, the University of Chicago, and Oxford University, England, was engaged. Miss Elizabeth Hunter, the head of the History De- partment, resigned on account of the ill health of her mother, and Miss Mary L. Lowden, a graduate of Boston University in 1914, was elected. Miss Laura M. Palmer, a graduate of Boston Uni- versity in 1914, and Miss Almira B. Coffin, a graduate of Brown University in 1915, were elected as assistants in the Commercial and Science Departments.
While all these teachers have taken up their work with an en- thusiasm which augurs well for their success, it is unfortunate for any school to have such a large per cent. of changes in one year. I would therefore call attention with especial emphasis to what was said in the report last year: "Any Town or City which cannot retain the services of its successful 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 the services of our efficient teachers. I believe this would yield a return of more than 100 per cent. on the money so expended."
Athletics and Social Activities.
The School has had, comparatively, a successful year in ath- letics. Both the baseball and football teams have been stronger than usual and have won a majority of the games played. A sig- nificant faet in regard to the management of our athletics is the increased number of boys who are coming out for these sports. A system which would make it obligatory for every boy to take some form of physical exercise would be ideal. I hope this may be possible in Plymouth in the near future.
The socials which we have held in High School Hall have been well attended and enjoyed by all. The plan of having each class take charge of one social has created a spirit of friendly rivalry and has greatly increased their popularity. The parents are cordially invited to attend these socials and that more do not
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take advantage of this invitation is a cause of regret to those who have them in charge.
Length of Session.
Each year I am becoming more and more convinced of the necessity of having more time in school for study. The reason for nine out of every ten failures, in my opinion, lies in the fact that the pupil does not have regular habits of study and does not know how to concentrate his mind upon the subject at hand. In many cases the home work is done where other things are going on, and in the evening when the pupil is physically tired. In most cases, good work is impossible under these conditions.
Some schools have already adopted the plan of lengthening the school session in order that the length of the recitation period may be increased. This gives ample time for the regular reci- tation work and in addition a portion of the period is devoted to the supervised study of the lesson for the following day. Where this has been tried, a great improvement in the work has been noticed. Such a plan would be very beneficial to the pupils in the freshman and sophomore classes. If the number of recita- tion periods per day in our school be reduced to five and the length of the school day be increased one half hour, the class period could be increased to one hour. This would give ample time for the above plan.
I do not believe this would bring any unnecessary hardship to either parents, pupils, or teachers. I would therefore recommend that this matter be taken under serious consideration.
The Lunch Counter.
The lunch counter is, I believe, an absolute necessity in the modern High School. That brain workers need good nourishing food, and that the quality of work which they produce depends to some extent upon their diet, is a well known fact. Many of our pupils come to school in the morning without sufficient nour- ishment (because they have no appetite at that time of the day)
.
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for the strenuous session before them. When recess comes they are ravenously hungry, and that they should be obliged to depend upon the sweets of a bakery for their lunches is not only inju- rious to their digestion but also to their welfare in school.
We have a domestic science department whose efficiency is be- coming more marked each day. A Lunch Counter under the management of this department, in my opinion, could not only be made self supporting, but also furnish wholesome and nourish- ing food for the pupils at a much less cost than they are now paying. We would also have the added convenience of keeping the scholars on the school grounds during the entire school ses- sion. If the plan of lengthening the school session were adopted, the lunch counter would be an absolute necessity. I would therefore most earnestly recommend that before another year the school be equipped with conveniences for serving lunches.
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