USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts for the year ending 1924 > Part 13
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During the summer of 1924, one hundred fourteen pupils were enrolled. Of this number eighty-one were promoted. The reason for this is not alone with the work of the teach- ers and the course of study. In most cases the boys and girls who were enrolled in the summer school were regular in attendance and sincere in their attempt to make up the work that they had lost through absence, carelessness, or lack of individual attention.
But I recommend that normal-age pupils whose work is seriously defective should not be sent to summer school. Such pupils cannot be permanently helped by a six week's course, and they interfere with the progress of the rest of the group. Pupils of this type would make greater gains by a wise use of their vacation period away from the school- room and repetition of the year's work.
The aim of this session, its results, the attitude of the boys and girls who attend it,-these things make me believe that the summer school is of definite value in the educa- tional system of Plymouth.
Respectfully submitted,
(signed) MIRIAM A. JOHNSON,
Principal.
SCHOOL CENSUS, 1924
Males
Females
Total
Person 5 to 7 years
231
210
441
Persons 7 to 14 years
820
817
1637
25
Persons 14 to 21 years 238
211
449
Illiterate Minors 16 to 21 years
28
14
42
SIGHT AND HEARING TESTS
Number of pupils examined
2588
Number found defective in eyesight
279
Number found defective in hearing
37
Number of parents or guardians notified
251
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High School Report
Mr. Horace Turner, Superintendent of Schools, Plymouth, Mass.
My dear Mr. Turner :
During the scholastic year that closed in June the per- sonnel of the faculty remained intact. At the expiration of the year one resignation was received. Since the reopen- ing of school in September the regular teaching force has not changed. This retention of teachers has been parti- cularly advantageous. The increased utility of an instruct- or in the same school for a period of successive years with a similar program is immeasurable.
In September an excellently trained instructor of physical education for boys was added to the corps of teachers. The development of the physically backward boy is the main problem of the department. A thorough physical examination has been given to every boy in school in order that thru corrective exercises and activities this problem may be solved.
regular colleges : Bates, Boston University, Brown, Harvard, M. A. C., New Hampshire State, Simmons, Wellesley and Wheaton. The records of the college entrants during their first semester in college have been filed at the office. These reports are indicative of the standing of the school in col- legiate circles. Twenty-one different studies were elected. Fifty-four different marks were obtaind. Five marks were of the first rank. Twelve were of the second rank. Twen- ty-seven marks were of the third rank. Eight marks were of the fourth rank. Two marks represented temporary conditions. The conditioned marks were not obtained in
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subjects which had been certified by the school. Last Sep- tember a larger number of graduates matriculated at other institutions, tho the number to enter classical colleges was smaller. The records of these students will soon be avail- able as additional data for judging the adequacy of the college preparatory departments. In the present Junior and Senior classes there is a large number of students who plan to continue their education beyond high school.
The replacement of one teacher caused by the one resig- nation in June brought to the faculty a lady instructor enthusiastic and especially interested in physical training, recreation, outdoor sports, and athletics. The change has stimulated the participation of the girls in healthful, whole- some activities, has awakened a pride in energy and vigor, and has fostered a morale and spirit which are evinced in all activities of the school.
Two years ago the graduating class numbered fifty-one. The class, which graduated last June, numbered seventy- one. The class to graduate this year will exceed in number the record of Nineteen Twenty-Four. The variation be- tween the size of the entering classes and the size of the classes completing the four years is constantly diminishing. The increasing retention of pupils in school would indicate that the objectives and methods of the course of study are parallel with and closely allied to the needs of the community.
Two years ago eighteen graduates continued their educa- tion in higher institutions. Nine attended the following
The innovations of the graduation programs during the past two years which were tried as experiments, have proved successful. The reasons for the changes are mani- fold. The designation of pupils as first, second, or third in rank in class altho the markes differ only by a small fraction of one per cent-the difference due sometimes to the pursuit of different studies-frequently engenders class dissension. The new type, altho more difficult to prepare, can be made more interesting both to the participants and
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to the audience. It is the intention to increase yearly the number of active participants in the program until the entire class is engaged. However, the primary purpose of the graduation ought to be to show what and how the pupils are thinking, give an insight into their activities, and to demonstrate changes, purposes, and methods of edu- vation as demanded by progress and by altered conditions outside of school.
The policy of developing a definitely coordinated program in various departments has been continued. Sectional meetings, of the faculty and conferences with the principal have been held to assemble and test the principal tenets of a unified and workable course of study. These written outlines serve as bases for the courses. A course does not change because teachers change. The primary objectives remain. The teachers are permited freedom in the choice of detailed subject matter and methods in achieving the main aims of their work.
Agriculture as a state aided and state supervised course in vocational training has been abolished. A unit course has been installed. The membership of the course has been fifteen. The change has enabled the instructor to take care of the increased elections of general science. Laboratory experimentation and demonstration have a foremost place in the science classes.
The plans have been formulated for semi-annual periods of examination of the students' accomplishments. The opinion of the faculty gleaned from experience and ob- servation is that pupils benefit from examinations. It is an incentive or dynamic to know that a test of powers, habits, and knowledge must be encountered. The pupils learn from the experience. The development of the pupils during the examinations is of much more importance than is the opportunity for gauging the growth of the group. However, examinations furnish one more method of verify- ing results.
For the second year there has been no formal school play or dramatics. The assembly exercises held daily pro-
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vide opportunity for dramatic art in collaboration with the regular departments of the school. The school is deeply in- debted to the many citizens who present at chapel exer- cises valuable informational talks, and inspiring musical programs. The mature point of view thus gained, supple- mented by contributions of members of the school in art, literature, science, history, and timely American problems broaden the mental horizon of a group subjectel daily to these influences.
As the year closes the program planned two years ago to increase gradually the equipment has come to realiza- tion. One set of English books for the entire student body has been installed. The literature books have tended to change toward the modern and the American. The supply of reference material has been greatly augmented. The investigation and research, stimulated by cross word puz- zles, has been provided for by an adequate supply of modern dictionaries.
An extraordinary number of books in several depart- ments has been ordered this year. The requisitions were necessary to furnish equipment that the teaching force might function properly. The purchase of science equip- ment has made possible very valuable laboratory work.
The efforts which have been made to obtain building conditions contributive to effective school work are appreci- ated. The fire precautions and alterations, the renovation of the heating system, and the installation of weather strips will yield a scholastic return tho unheralded and perhaps not recognized. The foresight which prompted the perma- nent platform in the auditorium, the steel flagpole, the automatic shower baths will conduce toward the welfare of the pupils.
In view of the many boys in school who are interested in mechanical work, but whose work in science ought not to be the same as demanded for college preparation; in view of the growing magnitude of the motor car as means of transportation and recreation ; in view of the many contacts
30
with the motor industry the present high school students will have in the future; it seems appropriate to install a complete course in motor car mechanics. In the winter months, during the dull season of the garages,-the same season that many activities are withdrawn from the boys on account of inelement weather,-the afternoons might well be spent in a garage under competent leadership. A well planned course carried thru the winter would be eager- ly sought by boys who desire practical information.
There are numerous improvements and additions that are needed now and more that will come to the foreground later in the year. The greater number of these will be listed with the regular requisitions. The outstanding need which must be filled as soon as the financial condition of the town warrants is a
GYMNASIUM.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE C. MARSDEN,
Principal.
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Junior High School Report
Mr. Horace F. Turner, Superintendent of Schools, Plymouth, Mass.
Dear Sir :
This year's enrollment, four hundred sixteen pupils, is the record enrollment. Some difficulty was experienced in assigning classes of forty-two to forty-nine pupils to class rooms where the average number of seats is thirty- six. By the addition of portable seats and the aid of a part-time teacher who works with groups from the larger classes, the situation is much improved.
The registration shows that pupils come from every sec- tion of the town, north to the Kingston line and south to Bourne. The per cent of attendance for the past year was 94.7. When a case of absence is noted, an absentee card is sent to the attendance officer, as it is perplexing to teach- er and principal alike to know whether the absence is legal or illegal. From the cards returned during the year show- ing the disposition of each case an average of six different pupils is listed as truants. The difficulty here is that a boy sixteen years or more may be listed as a truant when he is out "looking for a job." Before the year closes he may come under the above heading more than once, as it is necessary to continue sending cards until we are sure that the boy has left school. Because of the fact that there is a comparatively small number of pupils in the school whose absence is illegal, I would suggest that the number of truants and the number of cases of truancy be placed under separate headings.
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If the school is to be kept to a high standard it is obvious that home work of some kind be given every day. In the seventh grade the time allotment is from three-quarters of an hour to one hour. In the eighth, it is increased. Two factors make this necessary, the short school day, broken by two recess periods, and habit formation before entering High School. It is required that pupils make up work lost by absence or any other cause, hence school con- tinues for these every Monday and Wednesday afternoon in academic work from 1:05 to 1:45 and for other types of work on the remaining days.
So that pupils get a business-like attitude towards school, lessons based on the day's work are placed on all class room boards before the opening of school each day. This is the so-called "Before eight work." Each pupil is supposed to participate. We know from the science of education that there is a difference in the power of acquisition on the part of children. Mental tests prove this,-but aside from this theory, my background of experience proves that the best work comes from those who keep themselves physically fit by having sufficient sleep, wholesome outdoor exercise, and freedom from excitement. Too many outside interests retard the work of the school.
Most of our academic work has been correlated with that of the High School. This has been accomplished by means of faculty meetings in a very satisfactory way. This year the course of study in French was revised.
With the aid of the Public Library and Loring Library, we are able to extend our reading in English. Both of these libraries have important places in the life of the school. By their constant cooperation book lists have been compiled and placed in both libraries and in the school. Our thanks are due to the librarians for their interest and uniform courtesy.
The type of work in athletics, under the leadership of Mr. Brown, is having its effect upon the boys whose coop- eration and leadership are manifested in all their games. With the constant and earnest effort of Miss Curran work-
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ing with the girls, this department is an important one in our daily school work. The one difficulty experienced is lack of room. In winter, and on stormy days throughout the year, it is impossible to conduct the athletics in any satis- factory way. One remedy is evident,-a gymnasium.
By the addition of a lathe in the woodworking depart- ment, a new type of work is carried on. Boys in the sev- enth grade are doing group or class work. Their projects increase in difficulty, until, when they reach the eighth grade, they are able to do individual projects. This method develops the best individual characteristics, so that by the time a boy leaves the Junior High School, it is evident whether or not he has mechanical ability.
High Spots in the domestic science department: Cafe- teria system at lunch hour which economizes time and labor. Work in sewing so planned that the course will lead to the making of graduation dresses.
During the year the fire-preventative system was investi- gated with the result that three sirens, and two fire extin- guishers, were installed in different parts of the building. An asbestos blanket was also placed in the cooking room.
Requirements :
1. A program clock.
2. A gymnasium.
3. An assembly hall.
Before closing I wish to express my thanks to the School Committee, to you, and to the loyal corps of teachers for their splendid cooperation. I also wish to thank the jani- tor for his constant care of the school and grounds.
Respectfully submitted,
KATHARINE A. O'BRIEN,
Principal.
Report of School Physician
Mr. Horace F. Turner,
Superintendent of Schools, Plymouth, Mass.
Dear Sir :
Someone has said that the greatest boon of the century was the recognition of the individual differences of children. These differences are mental and physical and may rob the child more or less of his right to be well educated,-almost surely so if undetected.
Gradually we have been making the physical examination of the children in our schools more thorough. At the begin- ning of the fall term we began examining the first grade children stripped to the waist, the parents being asked to be present. Although only about ten children can be so examined in an hour it is the ideal method, both because a much more accurate idea of the child's physical condition can be obtained with the clothing removed and because it is of mutual advantage for the school physician to be able to talk over with the parent the problems disclosed by the examination. If no defects are found, it is yet a satisfac- tion to the parent to know it and to learn at the beginning of the child's school life that there is someone interested in his or her physical welfare. An understanding between the school doctor and the parent at this time may insure future cooperation for the benefit of the child. One hour a week is devoted to these examinations. The parents have responded well up to the close of school for the Christmas recess. One hundred first grade children have been ex- amined.
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THE STATE CARD FOR PHYSICAL RECORDS
We are now using the new physical record cards provided by the State Department of Education. It did not seem best to introduce them immediately in all the grades. They are now being placed in the first four grades only but as the pupils in these grades progress all the pupils in the public schools will eventually be supplied.
These record cards are excellent as they provide for re- cording posture and weight besides showing at a glance the defects which the pupil has and whether corrected or not. They have the disadvantage of not including the record of the pupil's school progress which must be kept on a separate card.
DEPARTMENT OF ORAL HYGIENE
A serious problem developed in this department. Owing to legislation which gives authority to Boards of Health alone to maintain Dental Clinics it became impossible for the School Department to legally continue its corrective program which included the employment of dentists.
While the corrective work is less valuable than the educa- tional part of the program the two work out well together and it seemed a pity to lose any part of it. However. plans were made to confine the work to a strictly education- al program and the dentists, Dr. Donovan and Dr. Dyer, were notified at the close of school in June that the School Department would be unable to retain their services there- after. Rather than have the work suffer, both men gener- lously offered to give their services until some satisfactory adjustment could be made.
At a conference between the School Committee repre- sented by the superintendent of schools and the Board of 'Health, the latter agreed to pay the dentists and the cost of supplies used in the clinic thus enabling this valuable work, which has been gradually built up to its present level of efficiency, to go on unhampered.
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It is the policy of the school dental department, as here- tofore, to do intensive work in the early grades especially the first, for it is in the first years of school life that the future character of the dental equipment of the child is de- termined.
If in these years we can secure the interest of the parent, establish habits conducive to oral hygiene in the child and correct such defects in the dentition as we may, we shall achieve a greater measure of success than if our efforts are distributed over a greater number of grades where much of it would be wasted in an ineffectual attempt to stem the tide of dental decay which had gotten beyond control. Like the traditional hole in the dike, the control of dental caries becomes more difficult the longer it is deferred and we realize that we have not begun our program in time even now, for it should go back to the nutrition of the prospective mother.
The report of the Dental Hygienist follows.
SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DENTAL HYGIENIST
J. Holbrook Shaw, M. D.,
School Physician,
Plymouth, Mass.
Dear Sir :
The past year is my sixth as Dental Hygienist in the schools of Plymouth.
The work is carried on in a systematic and thorough way with two bases of operation, one in the Gov. Bradford building and the other at the Hedge school thus reaching the pupils in both parts of the town.
All the children in the first four grades are required to have their teeth thoroughly cleaned by an expert. This does not mean the ordinary cleaning with a tooth brush but a thorough inspection of each tooth and the careful
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removal of all tartar and stain thus bringing out the natural color and polish of the tooth, lessening the chances of decay and making it easy to keep the teeth clean with a tooth brush. Those who desire to do so may have the work done by their own dentist otherwise it is done by the dental hygienist.
Examining is done by the school dentists and a report made to parents of the condition of the children's teeth. For those who are unable to provide treatment such as filling, extractions, etc., the clinics operated twice a week with the assistance of the Board of Health provide relief for many, although the dentists could not care for all who need treatment if they operated every morning in the week. I hope that the time may soon be extended.
Each year those discharged from the clinic the previous year are sent for, re-examined and, if any further work . needs to be done, they are treated. As yet we have not been able to continue beyond the fourth grade.
In teaching I am emphasizing nutrition pointing out to the children that the material for building the teeth is provided by the food we eat and that they will have better teeth if they eat the right kinds of food. Printed copies of lists of the proper foods to eat are given them to take home. I wish to urge the parents to bear this important truth in mind particularly the mothers who may do much to assure sound well developed teeth in their children by attention to their own nutrition.
I hereby submit my report of the work done during the entire year 1924.
1. Number of examinations 500
2. Number of extractions of temporary teeth 154
3. Number of extractions of permanent teeth 143
4. Number of fillings 291
a. Amalgam 124
b. Amalgam with cement base 18
c. cement
d. gutta percha 4
145
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5. Number of prophylactic treatments or "cleanings" 1335
6. Number of total operations 2214
7. Number of total patients 2180
8. Number of new patients 1846
9. Number of dismissals 59
10. Number of total operating hours
527
NOTE: All totals include examinations.
EXPENSES OF ORAL HYGIENE DEPARTMENT, 1924
Telephone.
$20 34
Electric lights
13 31
Laundry 37 29
Janitor service
44 00
Supplies
151 26
Tooth brushes
95 69
$361 89'
Received for filling, cleaning and tooth brushes $171 11 Dr. E. H. Donovan and Dr. W. O. Dyer operating dentists.
Respectfully submitted,
GLADYS WHITE,
Dental Hygienist.
SCHOOL CLINIC AND TUBERCULOSIS PREVENTION
Careful scientific research in recent years has shown that there is an insidious latent form of tuberculosis which at- tacks children from five to twelve years of age which is now known as juvenile tuberculosis. It is at first confined to the glands which are placed for the most part between the lungs for their protection and is usually found in those who are undernourished. If nothing is done to improve the nutrition of these children the disease may extend into the lung itself in which case the ordinary adult type of tuberculosis supervenes. When this occurs experience has shown that there is little chance of recovery for the child.
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On the other hand if these cases are recognized before the disease has involved the lung tissue, it is possible through proper hygienic measures, which include wholesome food, fresh air and rest to so fortify the child against the disease that no harm will result then or later.
Often children with the juvenile type of tuberculosis get through school only to break down later when exposed to the stress of life, industrial or otherwise.
The State, recognizing the economic loss to the commun- ity which results from this condition, has planned a vig- orous campaign for the discovery of those children who are in danger of or suffering from the disease. The pro- posed program will cover a period of ten years. The first year five full time physicians who are experts, eight nurses and four nutrition workers will be needed to carry out this program. To quote from Dr. Kelly of the State De- partment of Health, "It is proposed to expand the staff to a maximum of twelve by the third year in order to pro- vide adequate machinery for examination of all the chil- dren in the age period considered (i. e. five to twelve) and after that to reduce the number of personnel. As only chil- dren of the first grade plus those who are to be re-examined will need to be covered." It is moreover announced that X-ray apparatus will be a part of the equipment. Although this State program had not been definitely launched many preliminary clinics were held in the Spring of 1924.
Plymouth applied for and secured a two day clinic which was held at the Cornish school on May 20th. and at the Hedge school on May 21st.
In preparation for the clinic Miss Macdonald the school nurse weighed and measured 1868 pupils and found 118 or 8.3% to be 10% or more underweight. One hundred and three of these children were examined during the clinic.
The examiners were Dr. Pickney for the State, who was in charge, Dr. C. W. Milliken District Health Officer and Dr. Littlehale from the County Hospital. There were five nurses present at the Cornish School Clinic and a nutrition
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