USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts for the year ending 1924 > Part 44
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While the average cost per pupil is higher than that of some towns, I am confident that the extra cost has been well spent as shown by the high standard of results ob- tained in all the well-graded schools and by the splendid morale of the teaching force.
That Plymouth has always been willing to spend lib- erally for its schools is shown by the following extract from the report in 1843-44.
"Our town has, for several years, held an honorable standing as it regards appropriations for their support. We are gratified to be able to state that but twenty-three towns in the Commonwealth pay more for the education of each child between the age of four and sixteen, than is paid by this town."
TO THE PARENTS
A full and hearty cooperation of all parents will ma- terially aid the schools. Many complaints that come to the office are due to misunderstandings or false impres- sions gained by too much dependence on the pupils' ver- sion or on hearsay. I would respectfully request every parent to visit the teacher and principal who is working for the best interests of his child at least once a year, even though there be no cause for complaint. The better each understands the other the better for all concerned. Constructive criticism and suggestions are always wel- come.
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CONCLUSION
The Plymouth schools have a splendid reputation in the state. The results secured in the tests warrant it. The unusually fine spirit in the teaching force and the desire of the School Committee to give the pupils the best educa- tional opportunities that the town can afford, assure the citizens that the future results should be of equally high order.
In closing I bespeak the hearty cooperation of all who are interested in the educational welfare of Plymouth.
Respectfully submitted, ANSON B. HANDY, Superintendent of Schools.
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REPORT OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
February 7, 1927
My dear Mr. Handy :
I am pleased to submit to you my fifth annual report as Principal of The Plymouth High School.
There have been few changes in the administration of the school during the past twelve months. Several modi- fications in the program of subjects of teachers have been effected with the cooperation of the teachers involved. There was only one replacement in the personnel of the regular faculty.
The courses of study established in nineteen twenty- four have been maintained intact. This program of studies remains in accord with modern educational prac- tice in schools of similar equipment.
The aim of the school during the past year has been a continuation of the aim of previous years, namely ef- ficiency. The school aims toward the maximum develop- ment of each child commensurate with his previous training and his physical and mental maturity. The de- gree of success toward the goal is dependent not only upon the quality of our teachers, the time and equipment at their disposal, but also is dependent upon the attitude of the pupils and parents, and the careful individual prac- tice at home of lessons taught at school.
"THE PILGRIM," a school publication that was revived four years ago, has been the recipient of enviable honors during the year. The magazine was awarded a prize as the best school publication in Southeastern Massachu- setts. For the second successive year the school also won the prize for the best poem published. The school paper has stimulated a keen interest in original literary work. The interest was so manifest last June that the Seniors published a book of verse of their own production.
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The Senior Class developed two projects for gradua- tion. The projects were in the form of plays. The ideas for the plays were evolved by the class. The plays were written, the scenes designed, and the projects pro- duced by the students with solicited counsel.
The girls of the school have organized a High School Girls' Club. The organization embodies the features of the Plymouth Woman's Club. It embraces all of the extra-curricula activities of the girls. It is a very well constituted and managed organization. Every girl has the opportunity to participate actively in wholesome, civic, cultural, and educational recreation.
An educational and vocational guidance program has been offered. Each pupil in school has an annual inter- view with the guidance committee. Many pupils seek an unlimited number of interviews each year. The pur- pose of the guidance program is to stimulate, encourage, and advise students in their high school studies, to assist and direct pupils in preparation for continued education, to reveal to pupils the varied vocational opportunities, and to analyze and evaluate the personal qualifications required for each vocation.
The school has engaged in interscholastic athletic con- tests in baseball, football, basketball, and field hockey. The availability of the auditorium of the Plymouth Me- morial Building for physical work has enabled the school to secure physical recreation for at least one-third of the school. The keen interest this year warrants more exten- sive development next year. I recommend regularly or- ganized classes on Saturday mornings and Saturday afternoons. Equipment of horizontal and parallel bars, horses, mats, et cetera, could be provided at low expense.
The enlargement and improvement of the school li- brary is somewhat dependent upon the library quarters. The library equipment is accessible to all students, but in other respects it is not ideal. The present limited
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accommodations of the building would not justify a li- brary room separate from the large study hall. In ac- cordance with a recommendation of the Massachusetts State Department of Education, I approve an annual substantial allowance in the school budget for the pur- chase of books for the school library. Provision must be made in the future for a separate, spacious, well-equipped library accessible to all departments.
The high school building was erected nearly forty years ago. Modifications and additions were made later. The edifice has been kept in good condition for a public build- ing that has received so much usage over such a long period of years. The student body of the high school has slowly, but very constantly, increased in size during the past two decades. The school building is housing a disproportionate number of pupils in comparison with other schools. The maximum point of accommodation has been reached. More students cannot be accommo- dated unless a two platoon system is adopted. The two platoon system is merely an unsatisfactory and tempor- ary arrangement to bridge the gap of inadequate facili- ties. I recommend an immediate survey of the present accommodations. I believe this survey should include a study of the growth of the school in the past decade, the probable growth in the future, the utilization of present facilities, and an investigation of adequate equipment in the buildings of modern, comprehensive high schools.
For several years the gross school day has been five hours. An unsuccessful attempt was made several years ago to prolong the daily session in Plymouth. The school day is too short. The exigencies of the present day de- mand more hours at school. The larger high schools are requiring longer sessions. Only a few schools adhere to the traditional five hour day. I believe an extension of one hour in the school day should be adopted for the ensuing school year.
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Your attention is invited to the first semester record of Plymouth High School graduates who were college freshmen last year. Sixty-one marks were received as follows :
Grade A 11 Grade C 24
Grade B 24 Grade D 2
One of the D grades was a passing mark. The other was a conditional grade that was changed within one month.
Twelve pupils who graduated in 1926 and four pupils who had graduated in former years entered colleges in September. Eleven graduates entered normal schools. Many others have gone either to private or special schools, or have returned to high school for post-graduate work.
Twenty-four examinations of the College Entrance Examination Board were taken by Plymouth High School pupils last June. Seventy-two percent. were marked sixty or above. During the past five years sixty-two per- cent. of all C. E. E. B. examinations taken by high school and private school pupils were marked sixty or above. The record was remarkable and worthy of intel- ligent commendation. The ages of these students were from one to four years less than the median age of the entire group who took the examinations. The record of one girl was outstanding. Of three thousand eight hun- dred thirty girls who took the final examinations last June, only two were fifteen years of age. One was an applicant from Plymouth. She was accepted at college and the school received very favorable comment on the quality of her examinations. This case was exceptional. In general the maturity of Plymouth students must ap- proach the median maturity of competitors in order to cope successfully with college examinations. In 1926 the median age of boys was nineteen years, the median age of girls was eighteen years. Of the Plymouth candidates two were fifteen years of age, three were sixteen years of age, one was seventeen years of age. In the future college
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preparatory pupils below a normal age should not be rushed into high school. Meanwhile preparation for col- lege entrance examinations should not be permitted to dominate high school instruction.
The supervisor of music recently began instruction at the high school. The chorus is receiving direction and leadership from both the supervisor and a regular mem- ber of the faculty. Rehearsals have been started on the light opera Pinafore, which will probably be ready for production in May. The new musical project has evoked much enthusiasm among members of the school chorus.
I wish to express my gratitude to you, the school com- mittee, the teachers, the parents, and all who are cooper- ating in an attempt to provide our young people with good educational opportunities.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE C. MARSDEN.
Plymouth Twenty-One
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REPORT OF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Dear Mr. Handy :
The attendance during the current school year has been regular. With a few exceptions, the different class- es have maintained a high percentage, which no doubt is due to the uniform interest the parents have taken in the education of their children. This fact illustrates the ex- cellent spirit of cooperation existing between the school and the homes. There are now seven seventh grades and four eighth grades in classrooms filled to their maximum capacity.
One feature of the Junior High School is the right kind of guidance, both educational and vocational. This policy we have endeavored to carry out, whenever it is possible, by changing the course for which a pupil is unfitted to one in which he can work to his greatest capacity. This reasonable attention to the pupil's needs causes fewer failures in school work.
Since September the following tests have been given: The National Intelligence Test, The Wilson State-Wide Test in Arithmetic, The Monroe Reading Test, and the Spelling Test. These show the varying degrees of ability existing among the pupils and prove helpful in guiding them in the selection of their courses.
Leading the Junior High School pupil towards a more worthy use of his leisure time is one of the objectives of the school. For this reason the extra curricular activities have been introduced. One of these has been a Junior Safety Council whose purpose is to save life. We were fortunate in having Miss Greenwood from the State House organize this new activity. Every pupil has some form of activity in which he participates. Once a year the pupils publish their Junior Journal under the direc- tion of the English teachers. There is a wholesome spirit
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of rivalry among the various classes to see which class contributes the best articles. The value of this paper is inestimable. It unifies the whole school. Its influence is far-reaching as it enters the homes and interests the parents in the life of the school. It is also read by chil- dren to those parents who cannot understand English. These things alone would make its publication worth- while.
An interesting experiment was tried on the evening of November when parents were invited to an evening ses- sion of the school which consisted of the regular daily school program. The assembly was held from 8.30 to 9.00 o'clock. Two physical training groups gave their demonstration of the daily Setting-up-Drill. The boys' drill was conducted by two of the boys. A very large number of parents, exceeding four hundred, were present and much interest was manifested by them in the school work and physical training groups.
There were two changes in the teaching corps. One teacher accepted a position in the Woburn High School, the other was married. One additional teacher was add- ed to the corps. We have found this a satisfactory ar- rangement.
Recommendations :
A Program Clock.
A Gymnasium would be an asset to a school of this size. During the winter season the physical training is carried on in the corridors which is neither satisfactory to the physical instructors nor to the classroom teachers.
In closing my report, Mr. Handy, I wish to express my appreciation to you, the School Committee, and the teach- ers for the cooperation given me in carrying on the work of the school.
Respectfully submitted,
KATHARINE A. O'BRIEN,
Principal.
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REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Dear Mr. Handy :
The fall activities at the High School and Junior High have been greatly aided by the improved conditions of the Lincoln Street athletic field. The raising of the level of the north half of the field has improved the drainage considerably. This has permitted the use of the field soon after a severe rain storm, and has not confined the program to a corridor at the Junior High School.
The 400 boys in both schools have been taught the fun- damentals of Soccer Football. A seventh grade and an eighth grade league was organized and played their games after school. Next fall it will be possible to arrange Soc- cer games with outside schools and pioneer a game in this vicinity which has been enthusiastically adopted by the schools of Greater Boston.
Plymouth won six football games and lost four. There were no serious injuries, and the few minor injuries re- covered quickly. Eighteen boys earned their letters, having participated in at least the ten quarters necessary to receive the emblem. The daily average attendance at practice was fifteen.
The indoor class work at the High School includes : First Aid to the Injured, elementary anatomy, bandaging, boxing, tumbling, pyramid building, wrestling, football, basketball, track, and baseball theory, talks on personal hygiene.
Mass Drill for every boy and girl is carried on daily at the Junior High and, weather permitting, at the High School.
Athletics for the girls of the High School, outside of the daily ten minute calisthenic period, have been divided into two activities ; Field Hockey and Basketball.
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All girls interested and physically eligible are allowed to play at practice games. Only those girls scholastical- ly eligible (passing 12 periods or the equivalent of 12 credits) are allowed to play in scheduled games.
Field Hockey practice was held daily at Stevens Field from 3 to 4 in the afternoon. Six inter-scholastic contests were held and Plymouth won 4, tied one, and lost one. The daily average attendance was 25 girls.
The girls basketball was confined to intra-mural games, and held their practice at Memorial Hall, Mondays 2.30 to 4 in the afternoon.
The class work for the girls at the Junior High is divid- ed into instruction on correct posture, marching, folk dances, and games. This year a project was given to all eighth grade girls whereby each one made her own gym- nasium bloomers in the Sewing Department. All eighth grade girls are now required to appear in gymnasium cos- tume the day on which they have Physical Education.
The use of Memorial Hall Auditorium for daily basket- ball practice and games has been a decided help. A bask- etball elimination tournament with 70 boys enrolled on 12 different teams has given these boys the opportunity to use Memorial Hall also. The inter-class championship games were hotly contested, and the ample playing space and seating capacity made the games more enjoyable. Regular inter-scholastic basketball games have also been played every week by the first, second, third, and Junior High School teams.
A gymnastic team composed of representative boys from the elementary schools, Junior High School and High School have given several exhibitions at Memorial Hall between the halves at the basketball games. The preparatory practice was held in the corridor at the Jun- ior High School.
At the close of the basketball season, the activities for the girls are divided into three parts: Tennis (with a
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tournament), Track (with a Track Meet for High School girls only), and Baseball.
The Physical and medical examinations of every boy in the High School revealed that out of 182 examined only 24 are 100 percent. perfect. Fifty-one have defective teeth, 38 are undernourished, 64 have defective tonsils, 21 en- larged glands, 31 flat and pronated feet, 115 defective posture, 5 curvature of the spine, 18 defective eyes, 4 defective ears, 3 rupture, 6 obstructed nose, 2 lung defects, 5 heart defects. Many of the defects as shown by the examination are being corrected by individual instruction in oral hygiene, diet, posture, proper exercises for flat feet, and curvature of the spine. The parents have been notified in all cases where the defect is serious.
Respectfully submitted,
J. H. SMITH.
Supervisor Physical Education.
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REPORT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
My Dear Mr. Handy :
The importance of Physical Education in the elemen- tary schools systems of the country is growing as con- sistently as its value to the child is being proven. The plasticity of the mind of youth, makes these years ideal for character training-teaching of fair play, good sports- manship, loyalty and honorable conduct. Certainly it gives to those children whose school days stop beyond the sixth grade the training in outdoor sports and healthful recreational activities which they would otherwise never have, and to those who go into High School a background that should help to make their future education of higher value.
With the idea of bringing supervision to the largest number of children, the classes of the Mt. Pleasant, Bur- ton, Cornish, Knapp and Hedge schools have twenty min- utes with the Director every week, other schools a half hour or more every two weeks, and the Cedarville group a monthly class. Outside of this time the teacher takes her class outdoors or to the room used for exercises at least one other period a week, and uses the other three days for activities in the school-room. Further time is given through the organized or supervised play at the regular recess periods. New games, dances and exercises are taught by the Supervisor and then with the aid of printed directions carried on to completion by the teacher.
A special effort to make improved posture the definite aim of this year's program has been made. Charts which keep a picture constantly before the child, explana- tions which help to create an understanding of what must be done to achieve the best standing position, constant admonition which suggests "head up, chin in, back flat" during dances, games and daily activities are used to produce a definite impression. Both by making it a
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desirable attainment and a game, the child is interested in gaining "good posture" as one of his assets.
Two methods of making the every day work as it has to be carried on by the teacher of more value, are being used. One is actual supervision of the teacher's work with her own class, followed by constructive criticism, and the other is model classes taught by the supervisor before a group of teachers; at which they may ask ques- tions and make suggestions as to new work.
The second of a series of May Days, one at Stevens Field and one at the Cordage, helped to give to the mothers and fathers an idea of the results of Physical Education in the schools. Marching, games, dances, and sports made up a two hour program, and despite several postponements due to unfavorable weather conditions large audiences were present at both exhibitions.
Every school is now supplied with at least one soccer ball - the large schools having a number in proportion to their upper grades - and they are in use whenever the children are on the playground and before and after school hours. Volley Ball nets are also in use, and are to be taken outdoors as soon as the weather permits. It is planned to start an Inter-School Bat Dodge Ball tourna- ment followed by Volley and Baseball contests. The older children with captains practise after school on their playgrounds, and it is hoped by supervising com- petitive games to encourage this practise - which is giving the children some of the best lessons derived from team sports.
The popularity of the Physical Education program with the children leaves small doubt that there is the "spirit of joy" in it, so that our problem is only to be sure through careful thought that we are improving each year in all the vast possibilities of this important phase of school life.
BEATRICE EMERSON,
Supervisor of Elementary Physical Education.
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REPORT OF MUSIC SUPERVISOR
My dear Mr. Handy :
Permit me in my first annual report to present some of my general aims of public school music.
To many, one of the greatest things we do is to equip the child with a flexible singing voice, capable of sus- tained tone, which means helping children who have poor pitch or no pitch at all to acquire light, well-placed voices. Children must learn to develop a love and appre- ciation for the beautiful not only in the songs they sing, but in the music to which they listen. Music appreciation is something deeper than the recognition of certain class- ics, deeper than mere intellectual understanding. We must also develop the ability to read the printed page of music. This does not mean making such reading an end in itself, but recognizing it as an indispensible tool in gaining first-hand knowledge. Today, leaders in music education stress the fact that if America is to take its rightful place in music among the nations of the world, there must be created the individual desire to participate in its actual performance. The development of these three essentials, voice, appreciation, reading, in their proper proportions will, I believe, bring about an active individual interest in music.
We are making progress toward this goal. Several new books have been added thus far, recent publications which seem to be of greatest value and assistance to the teacher in furthering the development of these aims in their classes. Much commendation is due the teach- ers for their cooperation in helping to forward this - work.
The allotment of time in most cities and towns is that recommended by the State - ninety minutes per week - and at present some of the buildings are devoting this
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minimum of time to music. I wish that this might be the case in all buildings, especially in the junior high school where, as is occassionally true, the question of time allotment is acute. Too often junior high school music is thought of as senior high school music moved down, and all that is expected is chorus, club and assembly sing- ing. Such an arrangement makes possible excellent pub- lic performances, but does not take into consideration the great need for intensive work in small groups due to changing voice, nor yet the distinguishing feature of the junior high school, the opportunity for specialization where all possible avenues are thrown open to the student. For two years the junior high school has been offering the opportunity for band practice. Unfortunately a de- ficit remains from the year 1925-'26, and it was felt to be too great a burden to continue the band at present. I have known of instances where public-spirited citizens of means have partially assumed the financing of such a project, or the town has taken upon itself the responsi- bility.
In January, complying with your request, I began regular work in the senior high school, which made neces- sary a change of time schedule in the grades and junior high school. I greatly appreciate the cooperation I am receiving from Mr. Marsden, the principal, and from Mr. Mongan, who has obtained that much-to-be-desired qual- ity, the spirit of pleasure in the singing of good music for good music's sake. We have now begun rehearsals for the production of Gilbert and Sullivan's "Pinafore." It is felt that this will not only afford an opportunity for the participants to gain a knowledge and real appreciation of a worth-while work, but will offer the community an occasion to show its interest and support.
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