USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts for the year ending 1933 > Part 13
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Music
The splendid results secured in music were fully demonstrated on several public occasions. In the spring the Senior High School Glee Clubs staged Gil- bert and Sullivan's light opera, "Pirates of Pen- zance," under the very capable direction of Mrs. Francis Buck. In June an instrumental concert in which over two hundred children took part was given in Memorial Hall, demonstrating the excellent results secured by Mr. Pioppi in his orchestras in the grades and high schools, by Miss Bowditch with her piano group, and by Miss Roberts with her rhythmic or- chestras in primary grades. The Junior High School Glee Club gave an excellent program before the Wo- man's Club while the orchestras have appeared at other civic occasions.
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Mrs. Frances H. Buck, supervisor of music, reports as follows :
"The theory and harmony class has become elec- tive and affords a splendid opportunity for prepara- tory study, especially for students interested in music as a vocation.
A combined radio recording machine has been in- stalled in the High School and plans for a music ap- preciation course are nearing completion. The Junior High School has nearly completed its funds for an excellent radio system. Every elementary school is equipped with a radio. The Walter Damrosch pro- grams are heard by pupils in grades four, five and six. The children listen attentively and intelligently to these excellent educational broadcasts. . Many classes have prepared very interesting notebooks in connection with this series.
Three glee clubs have been organized at the Junior High School-one for girls and boys of grade eight, one for girls and boys of grade seven, and one for eighth grade girls.
Piano instruction, directed by Miss Bowditch, has been extended to accommodate not only pupils in the elementary schools but also high school pupils who wish to avail themselves of such an opportunity. Splendid results in this field are being accomplished by the instructor.
The South Street School has followed an interest- ing course of study which included folk songs, pa- triotic and war songs, and the instruments of the symphony orchestra. The younger children have de- veloped a rhythmic orchestra, and this has provided valuable training. At the State Convention an ex- hibit of notebook work done by these pupils in con- nection with the music project created much favor- able comment.
The year brought one change in the faculty of the
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music department. Miss Roberts, the assistant su- pervisor, resigned, and Miss Ruth Manter was elected at the beginning of the school year to succeed her. Miss Manter has had several years' experience as a supervisor of public school music. The department is fortunate in securing her services."
Summer School
Mrs. Miriam Raymond, Principal of the summer school, reports as follows :
"During the summer of 1933, one hundred and two pupils were enrolled for group and individual in- struction in arithmetic, oral and silent reading, oral and written language, and spelling.
The attendance, the attitude of the pupils toward their work, and individual accomplishment were of a satisfactory order.
The method, which the Junior High School used, of advising the parents as to the necessity of or wis- dom of a pupil's attendance at summer session, proved most beneficial. I accordingly recommend the continuance of these two features.
AN APPRECIATION
The schools are deeply grateful for the unusual as- sistance given by social and philanthropic organiza- tions and individual citizens. School children needing shoes, rubbers and warm clothing have been ade- quately provided for. During the year milk furnished through funds raised by the local order of Red Men and by local milk producers has kept many children in better physical condition.
The principals, supervisors and teachers have given unstintingly of their time and strength in order that the children might not suffer. Larger classes have meant more individual cases to understand, more
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pupils to help after school and more papers to correct In spite of these handicaps the results in the stand- ard tests given in May showed that all grades were up to their usual high standard.
Hoping that the new year may witness a return, at least partial, toward more normal and natural condi- tions, I am
Yours respectfully, ANSON B. HANDY, Superintendent of Schools.
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REPORT OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
The enrollment of the Senior High School in De- cember for each year since 1929 is in indicated in the following table :
1929
1930
1931
1932
1933
Grade 9,
186
206
189
217
196
Grade 10,
163
171
191
177
199
Grade 11,
78
123
139
165
148
Grade 12,
83
77
110
127
132
Post Graduates,
21
10
510
577
629
707
685
For the first time in several years a decrease in school population appears. Further analysis will show, however, that the enrollment of the upper classes was 490 in 1932 and 489 in 1933. In other words, the decrease is almost entirely in the Fresh- man class. The situation in the upper school remains practically unchanged as there is no relief whatever in providing for the morning pupils. The large classes, short periods, crowded conditions, and other handicaps to high grade work are still with us. I am often surprised that the school is doing as good work as it is under the circumstances. The explanation is, I am sure, the fact that we have a loyal and cap- able faculty, and a cooperative student body. The freshman are still obliged to attend school in the af- ternoon, with attendant difficulties caused by short periods, the necessity of working by artificial light
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much of the time, and by being compelled to do men- tal work at a time of day when neither teachers nor pupils are at their best.
There are 115 classes, only three of which have fewer than ten pupils. One of these is a class of freshman girls taking Household Arts twice a week. The other two are in advanced subjects taken by a limited number of seniors preparing for college.
The complete tabulation is as follows :
No. of classes less than 20 22
No. of classes less than 21-25 23
No. of classes less than 26-30 33
No. of classes less than 31-35 28
No. of classes less than 36-40 5
No. of classes over 40 4
Most of the classes containing less than 20 pupils are overflow classes, and are using two small rooms, one of which accommodates 13 pupils, the other 20.
There are fewer post graduates this year, due per- haps to the announcement I made to the graduating class of 1933 to the effect that only those who had a very definite reason for doing so would be permitted to return, and that they must maintain a satisfactory grade of scholastic work and conform to all school regulations.
More and more do I realize that many of our class- es are too large for effective teaching. The lecture method can not be used in high school because most pupils are too. immature to learn much about a sub- ject by being told about it. Drills, reviews, outlines, question periods, discussions, tests, "quizzes," exam- inations, and personal supervision are essential. The burden of correcting papers in many of the history and English classes is very heavy. One teacher meets 191 different pupils daily, six meet 149 or more, and
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seven meet more than 125 pupils - a total of 14 teachers meeting more than the number which until recently, was considered the normal pupil load. I realize the impossibility of any reduction in the size of the classes, but I feel sure that the difficulty might partly be met by the employment of a corrector.
Sixty-two boys and sixty-four girls were graduated from the High School last June. Many have contin- ued their education. Eight boys and five girls entered college; four boys and one girl are attending prepar- atory school; four girls and one boy have entered professional training schools other than business; three girls have gone to business schools, and one to art school. Two boys and one girl are beneficiaries of scholarships based on their high school records; two girls won scholarships by success in competitive examinations. According to reports our graduates are doing decidedly better than average work in the various institutions which they are attending.
Remedial work in reading has been made an in- tegral part of Freshman English courses. Two text books are used, one more advanced than the other, but both intended to develop thoughtful reading com- prehension. Results, on the whole, are very satisfac- tory.
Each senior has been provided with an "Efficiency Book" which contains a series of thirty tests of fifty questions each bearing on fundamental processes, facts of science and history, and the use of English which every well-informed person should know. Tests are taken weekly. A comprehensive review test will be given shortly before the end of the school year which all seniors are required to pass before receiving a diploma.
Through the courtesy and assistance of the Massa- chusetts Tuberculosis League, the subject of health has been more closely correlated with courses in Civics and Biology. The League has supplied out-
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lines of teaching units which have been very helpful in presenting and stressing the all-important subject of personal and community health.
The school has purchased a reproducing radio, by means of which we hope to develop an appreciation for good music. We plan to build up a library of rec- ords which are especially designed for this purpose.
I should like to recommend that Business Organi- zation, now a full course for juniors, be made a half course, and that a half course in commercial geogra- phy be introduced, emphasizing the interdependence of nations and the necessity for goodwill and cooper- ation.
Our problems seem to be those common to most high schools. Aside from the limitations imposed upon us by a manifestly inadequate school plant, we have a large number of pupils who are unable to profit by the type of work traditionally offered in high school. We have made several curriculum ad- justments and conditions urge us to make many more, but we cannot carry through any broad re- organization of our school procedure until given the means and equipment with which to do it. If we do nothing else, we must prepare pupils for good citi- zenship and for successful, happy living in a difficult age, and in a complex society. Schoolmen, alert to the situation, are studying it and eventually will work out a type of education which will, we hope, more successfully meet the needs of our pupils.
WAYNE M. SHIPMAN,
Principal.
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REPORT OF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
I herewith submit my second annual report as principal of the Plymouth Junior High School.
This year the enrollment increased sufficiently to form another class and employ an extra teacher. In- stead of doing so, however, classes were increased in size and another teaching position eliminated. The budget was decreased by this arrangement, but with the heavier teacher-load less individual attention has naturally resulted. Much help is given after school, but children do not receive as much benefit from in- struction then as they would earlier in the day in a smaller-sized class.
In former years a teacher received additional sal- ary for doing part of the clerical work while the principal and teachers did the rest. This year the employment of a clerk has satisfied an urgent need and has proved an economy in that the arrangement has allowed the principal to supervise and teach.
Lunch counter patronage has increased this year and more hot lunches are sold, but, due to the in- creased cost of materials, the financial condition of this department has not improved. A cook whose wages are paid out of the sales returns is employed to prepare the lunches. The project is not a profit- making one and food is sold as nearly at cost as possible. A hearty dish may be purchased for six cents. Each day there is a varied menu consisting of soup, the hot dish, salad, a variety of sandwiches, wholesome desserts including ice-cream, and milk drinks.
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Last year a radio fund was started, the money being earned in various ways by teachers and pupils. A radio system is about to be installed-an R.C.A. centralized radio with a loud speaker in each class- room. These are necessary because there is no as- sembly hall in the building. As the fund increases a phonograph unit and a microphone outfit will be added. This address system will overcome the un- pleasant necessity of pupils standing in the corridor to listen to announcements and speakers. It does not in any way lessen the need of an assembly hall for pupil activities.
The abundance of musical talent this year has made possible the formation of three glee clubs. The orchestra is comprised of a variety of instruments and several good soloists.
The most outstanding work being done in the art classes is the making of entire marionette and puppet shows by the pupils of 8A1.
Each Monday morning a short, pupil-conducted assembly is held in the lower corridor. The programs deal with citizenship, principally, and are arranged to have as many different pupils participate during the year as possible.
Many parents visited the school during Education Week. They are urged to visit the regular day class- es and confer with teachers at any time. Such visits are always beneficial to the child.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY M. DOLAN,
Principal.
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REPORT OF HEDGE AND MOUNT PLEASANT SCHOOLS
In my report ta you last year the general policies of the Hedge School were briefly outlined. Our poli- cies are basically the same, but we have endeavored to improve our method of procedure and made every effort to meet intelligently the ever-changing condi- tions. To quote Dr. Winship, the famous educator, "Every generation requires a different training from the last."
At the present time we are definitely concerned with four major problems. We must:
1. Create a desire for clean, healthy bodies and minds.
2. Make our character training more effective.
3. Educate for good use of leisure time.
4. Have the boys and girls acquire the knowledge
considered necessary for their age and grade.
The first is under the leadership of the teachers of our Health Committee and includes besides regular health instruction lessons in mental hygiene, health inspection, health year books which bring together the best available ideas of all the grades, a Health Newspaper published monthly and other helpful activities. The general health of the children is good owing to the careful attention of the school physician and nurse with whom the teachers heartily cooper- ate. The underweight pupils are gaining by having two rest periods a day and mid-afternoon lunches. For a drawing project the sixth grade pupils have made a series of Mother Goose pictures to decorate
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the walls of the Rest Room. This added attractive- ness to the room will have a beneficial effect upon the mental attitude of the members of the class.
The second is directly under the management of the Citizenship Clubs. We aim to help our boys and girls find real values in life and to help them acquire the ability to systematically and persistently do work that is necessary to be done though it may be dis- tasteful. We try to develop good leaders and good followers. Taking advantage of circumstances as they occur in the daily school life the children are led to understand behavior problems, and participa- tion in school government is building up self-reliant, loyal, tolerant and more efficient citizens of tomorrow.
The third is our special feature for the year. To further the great educational move to educate for the good use of leisure time, our teacher committees- Health, Citizenship and Activities-have joined forces in order to concentrate on this important matter. They have selected the following activities, interesting to our boys and girls, for a year's work: Reading, Puppetry, Folk dancing, Dramatization, Vocal and Instrumental Music, Crafts, Nature Study, Home-Nursing, Gardening, and Outdoor Sports. Each class has chosen one of these subjects for intensive work but may do as much as desired with any of the others.
The fourth, without question, occupies the greater part of the school day and is being achieved by sys- tematic and well-organized teaching. Results in all subjects are checked and made use of in ability group- ing and improving instruction. Daily outlines are scientifically planned, concentrating on essentials.
In solving these four problems we are endeavoring to make the work purposeful, relating school activ- ities to the pupils' interests and experiences. The assembly is one of our most instructional agents. Every program is considered from the standpoint of its educative value. Illustrated lectures, musical pro-
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grams, stereopticon slides, moving pictures, original plays, demonstrations of class work and exhibits can here be presented to the school as a whole. A num- ber of people have given interesting and instructive talks. This has been very helpful in broadening the children's viewpoints and in connecting the school with the outside world. We are very grateful to them for their kindness. Units of work, physical sports, nature walks, research work, group work, books and pictures, plenty of material for construction and op- portunity for creative work are provided for the discovery and development of interests and talents. Under teacher leadership we hope to inculcate in our boys and girls the desire to progress, to become better citizens and to employ the greater part of their leisure time sensibly and to some wholesome purpose.
Having supervised at the Mount Pleasant School for so short a time I am not able to give a year's report.
The school building is adequate in size for the number of pupils, well-lighted and heated, suitably equipped for good work and the class-rooms attrac- tive. It lacks a room large enough for the whole school to assemble at one time. In modern teaching the assembly so increases the efficiency that such a room has become almost a necessity.
Every effort is being made to accelerate the progress of the school. We are having weekly faculty meetings to study for professional improvement and to discuss our own specific problems. The funda- mental subjects are being taught effectively and we intend to introduce some creative activities before the end of the year. One teacher has already organ- ized a Citizenship Club in her room.
Both schools have active Glee Clubs and Instru- mental Classes. The instruction is given for the most part before and after school hours and the interest taken is proved by the regular attendance.
In both the donations at Thanksgiving were very
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generous, and the response to the call for Red Cross Membership and to the sale of Christmas Seals was remarkable.
We appreciate the hearty cooperation of all the parents in all of our undertakings throughout the year. It is only through close relationship between home and school that the best resullts can be ac- complished.
Respectfully submitted,
ELIZABETH H. SAMPSON, Principal,
REPORT OF KNAPP SCHOOL
The work of the school for the past year has shown steady progress due to the efficient, conscientious service of the teachers and the excellent spirit and cooperation of the pupils.
Fundamentals in education have been stressed and though taught according to modern methods, no- where neglected. This is surely proven by the results of the Standard Achievement Tests, which this past year have shown us to be above the averages set for Standard.
Schools plan now that children shall work not only to learn facts but also to know what to do with those facts, not only by and by as formerly, but now. When boys and girls can help the procedure, under wise guidance, and set the stage for the different under- takings-the results in achievement in school sub- jects will naturally be more satisfactory, since they understand that much of this work has been needed to carry out their own plans and has not been ar- bitrarily imposed upon them.
Such plans not only relieve the classroom of the old type of rigid discipline, once considered so necessary. but helps the boys and girls to come to understand
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and accept responsibility for the new standards of control that help to make school life a strong in- fluence in the right kind of character education.
I believe that the pupils' attitude of our different classrooms is excellent, the spirit of cooperation and responsibility stronger than ever before, and that the pupils are developing the right practices of thinking, feeling and working.
The spirit of cooperation between the home and the school has been excellent. During Education Week an evening was arranged for the parents to meet the teachers in their classrooms and discuss the work of individual pupils. This plan is very satis- factory and does lead to a better understanding be- tween the school and home. A large number of parents came.
Our attendance for the past year has been excel- lent, due without doubt to the continued good work of the Health and Physical Departments. Our Rest Room has been continued and is I believe getting very good results.
Assemblies have been frequently held, in which the pupils plan and carry out the program. Just before the Christmas Holidays an Operetta-"The Miser's Dream" by Price was given as a part of the music work.
The School Orchestra has continued under the ef- ficient leadership of Mr. Pioppi, with much increased numbers. Interest of its members is keen and very. good progress is being made.
The repairs now being made on the buildings and grounds are excellent, and will, I believe, increase the efficiency of the school. All the teachers and pupils. especially appreciate the decision of the School Board to repair the Portable. This building is especially valuable for all Physical Education work.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM WHITNEY.
Principal.
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REPORT CORNISH-BURTON DISTRICT
Due to the large number of children entering the first grade at the Cornish School this past September, it became necessary to have an additional first grade in that building. This, however, has made it possible for the primary teachers to have smaller classes which is important for efficient teaching of little children. Many new families have moved into our district this past year, and this has increased the membership so that all grades in the Cornish and Burton Schools above the second have forty or more pupils enrolled.
Through a social study program given in Memorial Hall last spring, an attempt was made to show the variety of methods used in our teaching to impress geographical facts upon the minds of the children. The work showed the results accomplished through teaching the ear, eye and motor minded child.
At Thanksgiving time by means of very helpful and authentic material for which we are greatly in- debted to Mrs. George R. Briggs, we were able to give an assembly program depicting phases of life in early Plymouth. This required a careful study of the his- torical facts of the period, and much effort in order to reproduce the life of these people correctly. All of the children in grades four through six, visited the Harlow House and were given a very helpful explan- ation of the household furnishings.
By following this method of teaching social studies we feel certain we are making geography and his- history more real, of much greater interest to the chil-
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dren and the factual material acquired is more last- ing.
In our arithmetic teaching with the aid of care- fully organized diagnostic material published by educational authority we are able to find the child's difficulty in arithemetical process whether it be one of his grade or not. Our practice is to find the errors and correct them before he is allowed to do more advanced work. We are concentrating upon mastery of what has been taught rather then high attainment in quantity. This type of teaching means individual or very small teaching groups, but we are satisfied that it is a thorough and efficient method of finding and correcting children's arith- metical difficulties. Where progress is slow or re- tarded due to absence, the pupils are given extra help each day by a remedial class teacher.
There is some discussion of present day teaching of English. The changes are merely a better ap- plication of our principles of psychology. It does not mean that we do not teach much of the same subject matter which has been taught for years, but we do show the child a real need for knowing what he should say and how he should write. We make real effort to adapt the material to the ability and type of child with whom we are dealing, and try to teach that which is most needed on the basis of use- fulness.
All upper grade classes in the district have or- ganized and elected officers. Class meetings are held each Monday morning, and school matters ,are discussed. Through these meetings we are trying to develop higher standards of character, good citi- zenship and civic duty.
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