USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts for the year ending 1941 > Part 29
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43
--
-17-
schools recognize as continuous regardless of the circum- stances in which we find ourselves at the moment. While we must of necessity help our youth to meet the war needs of the present hour with energy and enthusiasm, it is quite as necessary that we help them keep faith with these obligations that we hope will soon rest upon them, namely, the obligations of citizenship in a country that will take a leading part in the promotion of peaceful cooperation for happy and useful living among all peoples. We who have the responsibility of educating youth in these times need most of all to "see life steadily and see it whole".
In closing may I say that it has been a great personal satisfaction to work with the members of the School Committee, the teachers, and the pupils of Plymouth toward the achievement both of the immediate and of the long-time aims of the public schools.
Respectfully yours, BURR F. JONES,
Superintendent of Schools.
C
-18-
REPORT OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Out of a graduating class of one hundred seventy-four last June, twenty-seven are in the armed services; forty- four are in colleges, nurses-training schools, business schools, or mechanic arts schools; ninety-four are em- ployed.
Out of that section of the alumni body (male) falling within the age limits for military service and estimated to number less than fifteen hundred we have five hundred three names at present on our Roll of Honor.
Out of a school enrollment of four hundred fifty-eight, seventy-nine have taken courses in first aid, sixty-five have civilian defense responsibilities of one kind or an- other, one hundred ninety own war bonds.
The High School Victory Corps organized at the be- hest of the services but under the auspices of the Man- 'Power Commission has a membership of three hundred fifty three.
The present senior class with an enrollment of one hundred thirty-four has sixty-three if its members en- gaged in gainful part-time occupations outside of school hours. Many members of the school in the lower classes also are employed.
One member of the senior class has left school because of induction into the army; one because of impending in- duction; six boys are planning to leave High School at mid-year and enter college in order to take advantage of
fficer-training programs still open to them, programs which will be closed if they wait to enter college after graduation in June. Thirty-three boys in the senior class will have reached their eighteenth birthdays before graduation.
The high school division of the Junior Red Cross has produced: one hundred pairs of mittens, forty snow suits, fifty pairs of wristlets and anklets, fifty-five skirts, twenty
-19-
four dresses, eighty-eight Red Cross kit bags, twenty-five cotton blouses, sixteen pairs curtains, fifteen toddler packs consisting of one snow suit, two rompers, two undershirts, two sleepers, ten diapers, one sweater, one beanie, one pair mittens, each. Two days a week sixty-one girl mem- bers of the Junior Red Cross meet at headquarters and produce on an average of one thousand bandages per day.
At the urging of the Department of Education a course in aeronautics drawn up by the Civil Air Authority and the Army and Navy Air Forces was established last Sep- tember. Thirty-three students (mostly seniors) were en- rolled in the course.
Other pre-induction courses based upon army field ser- vice and technical manuals are being planned. These courses are strongly recommended for inclusion in high school curricula by both army and navy. They are; Fundamentals of Radio, Fundamentals of Machines, Fundamentals of Electricity, Fundamentals of Auto Me- chanics, Fundamentals of Shopwork, and Fundamentals of Navigation.
The military services are emphasizing to such a degree the necessity for physical conditioning that arrangements have already been made so that every pupil in the school is having the number of his or her gym periods doubled. When the new courses go into action these gym periods will be further increased so that in so far as possible every boy in school will be receiving physical condition- ing exercises four times a week. Senior boys will have this work five times a week unless schedules prevent it. When the weather grows milder it is planned to set up a "Commando Run" on the playground next to the school. The Army has supplied specifications for such an obstacle course, and it seems likely that the whole thing can be set up under the direction of the Custodian of Buildings.
In order that the pupils may have as many opportunities as possible to find that place in the war effort best fitted to them every effort has been made to keep the curricular
-20-
offering as extensive as possible, adding to it wherever it seemed wise or necessary. The lack of veteran teachers has emphasized the problems implied in such a policy, but the teachers who have taken the places of those men now in the service are making every effort to meet the situation. The tensions and conflicts of a war tempo complicate all their problems. To do as well as they are doing, to maintain so well the efficiency of the school, speaks volumes for their general competence. And it confirms in a striking way the soundness of the work done by those other teachers who have for so long been on our faculty.
It is a matter of great satisfaction to the faculty of the school to see scholarships increasing in number and size. Last June the Lester E. Avery Scholarships, newly estab- lished and carrying minimum stipends of $400 each, were awarded for the first time. These two schorlarships, the two Woman's Club scholarships, the Two Teachers' Club scholarships, the Plymouth Civic League Auxiliary scholarship, the Rotary Club scholarship, constitute both a worthy inducement and an attractive goal to our stu- dents. It is hoped that other organizations or individuals may become interested in establishing scholarships.
The morale of the school remains good. Teachers and pupils alike have responded to the strains and stresses of war with energy and confidence. It can fairly be said that it is the intention of the entire school to do more than is required of it, to do it better than it has ever been done before, to meet all its responsibilities fully, to live up to the example of service given by those of the faculty and alumni who now wear the uniform of our country.
Respectfully submitted,
EDGAR J. MONGAN, Principal.
--
i
=21-
REPORT OF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Thirty girls are enrolled in the state-aided vocational arts class, grade nine. New members of the advisory committee are Mrs. Daniel Ellis and Mrs. Edward R. Bel- cher.
A major accomplishment during the past year was the purchase of a 16 mm. R. C. A. sound projector and the development of a satisfactory program of visual education in general assemblies and in the ninth-grade science class- es.
The school has cooperated in many community projects including: student messenger service during rationing; the making of night sticks for air-raid wardens; costum- ers, table, and embarkation bags for the Red Cross; toy animals for the British Relief Society; as well as the usual donations to the Jordan Hospital and Junior Red Cross, and the purchase of Christmas seals.
In February a Shakesperian dramatization was present- ed to the Plymouth Woman's Club; and, in December, a Christmas assembly was held.
The home-room period has been developed as a group- guidance period, good citizenship being the general ob- jective for all grades.
In the seventh grade the first half of the year is used for orientation, to better adjust the incoming students for their new school life. Later, officers are elected and carrying on meetings in parlimentary form is practiced. In the eighth grade character and educational guidance are stressed leading to a wiser choice of courses for the ninth grade. The ninth grade makes a study of vocations and of the relation of courses given in high school to these vocations.
-22-
Changes in the faculty, and adjustments in the program have been numerous because of the war. Each problem has been met as it occurred, however, with a minimum of loss.
Respectfully submitted, MARY M. DOLAN, Principal.
-23-
REPORT OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
The elementary schools, during this period of war, are not only providing instruction in the ways of democracy and the ways of preserving it, but also rendering services which are essential for a total-war effort and for which there is no other adequate agency.
Especially is this true for the registration services con- ducted by the schools, which included the rationing of sugar, gasoline, and fuel oil, as well as a second draft registration.
Elementary school children contributed to the war effort through their purchases of United States War Stamps and Bonds, and contributions to the Junior Red Cross, United Service Organization Fund, Jordan Hos- pital, and Thanksgiving dinner fund for the soldiers. There were also the activities involved in the collection of waste and scrap materials.
The war has brought a new and greater emphasis to certain phases of the school program. Science, geography, and health are studies which have a new and broader meaning to the elementary school pupil of today.
Time and war will continue to bring changes to the schools. They stand ready to meet the challenge of the times. Through working together during the war emerg- ency, there may be established, between the schools and the community, a permanent spirit of understanding and cooperation which is needed for the best development of every child in the schools. The activities of both teachers and children are continually developing and expanding that they may be of greater service to the country during this war period.
Respectfully submitted, ELOUISE E. ELLIS, HELEN S. MANCHESTER, FRANKLYN O. WHITE, WILLIAM I. WHITNEY,
Principals.
--- 24-
REPORTS OF SPECIAL DEPARTMENTS
Music
"Music Education in Wartime" is the motto of the National Music Educators' Conference, and that same un- derlying idea may well be taken as the foundation and guiding principal on which the music department has formulated its program for the past year.
More than ever now, music must serve two purposes: (1) it must be a constructive outlet for those emotions which are so tied up at present with the strife and dis- cord of the world situation, (2) it must serve a practical, concrete need through its contribution to various pro- grams in school and community life.
By fulfilling the many requests made of us, the music department has tried to accomplish these two purposes. Perhaps the most concise way of reporting the work ac- complished during the year 1942 would be to list it below bý months:
Jan. 19 High School Girls' Sextet, trumpet trio- Bap- tist Church Guild.
Feb. 4 Junior High School music groups-Plymouth Woman's Club.
Feb. 10 Sextet program-Harwichport Women's Club. Feb. 11 - 12-High School Gay Nineties Variety Show.
Feb. 14 Sextet broadcast-Station W. E. E. I.
Mar. 5 Repeat performance of High School Varieties Show for the benefit of the local American Red Cross Chapter.
Mar. 18 - 21-Sixteen High School Students participated in the New England Concert Festival at Keene, N. H. Sextet sang three programs at this festi- val, one a broadcast.
Mar. 24 Sextet at Ladies' Guild of the Jewish Syna- gogue.
-25-
Mar. 26 Sextet at Marshfield Kiwanis Club.
Apr. 1 Sextet at Women's Club annual play.
Apr. 15 Sextet at Camp Edwards musical.
May 8 Senior High School spring concert: band, glee club, sextet, soloists.
June 3 Sextet at Plympton Grange's Educational meet- ing.
June 4 Junior High School spring musicale: band, or- chestra, glee club, soloists.
June 11 Elementary Schools spring concert: glee club, instrumental groups, soloists.
June 14 Firemen's Memorial Service-bands and glee club.
Nov. 26 Annual Thanksgiving Program-Community chorus.
Nov. 30 High School Girls' Octet-Methodist Church Guild.
Dec. 11 Octet-Pilgrimage Guild.
Dec. 16 a. Junior High School Christmas assembly. b. Repeated for Plymouth Woman's Club.
Dec. 22 Kiwanis Kiddies' Christmas Party-Community carol singing.
Dec. 23 Octet-Senior High School Christmas program.
Dec. 24 Christmas program at Town Infirmary.
A word of appreciation must be expressed to Mr. Vin- cent DeBenedictis, director of instrumental activities until he was called into service in November. During his short term of service in the music department, he did a great deal to increase the number of instrumental pupils in the grades, thus building toward enlarged band and or- chestral work on the upper levels.
Mr. DeBenedictis has been replaced by Mrs. Amelia Vincent, who comes to the music department with a rec- ord of successful instrumental experience.
Miss Susan Bowditch carries on the piano class work in the grades.
-26-
Drawing
Among the special projects included in the Senior High School art classes during the past year were the scenery for the high school dramatics, entries in two poster con- tests, decorations for graduation in Memorial Hall, posters for the Hospital Club, and for Plymouth Red Cross. Im- portant subjects of study were outdoor sketching, cos- tume design, illustrating slogans for the war effort, and the study of fine arts from material provided by the Mu- seum Extension Service. Of the various types of craft work done, decorative painting on wood has been most emphasized.
A new project introduced into the home decorating classes of the ninth grade was the making of miniature rooms designed to give each pupil ideas of making one's home attractive and individual. In the seventh and eighth grades special emphasis was given to the art life of the united nations through bulletin board displays and pic- tures from the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.
The major objectives in the elementary art education program for the past year have been: (1) to help the children understand that art is concerned with all life- is a way of living, (2) that beauty may be found all about us and not in museums alone, (3) that we have it in our power to make life beautiful. Toward this end the child- ren have been taught the principles of unity, balance, rhythm, and harmony, then given ample opportunity to apply this knowledge to many and varied problems such as craft work, costume design, flower arrangement, dec- orating of schoolroom and corridors, arrangement of bul- letin boards and making of posters to meet various de- mands. Their art knowledge has been used to enrich their studies of music, history, geography, science, and health.
Physical Education
A. Junior - Senior High School Girls
The past year the physical education program for girls
-27-
has been one of transition from the peace program to one of responsibility for increased physical fitness. The needs are different now: girls must be ready earlier for more responsibility. The senior high school program of two periods a week has placed emphasis on military marching, apparatus work, rope climbing, and exercise routines. Many girls will doubtless be engaged in work demanding staying powers with relatively little physical exertion. To meet this need the program stresses mod- erate activity over long periods. Because many of the older girls with athletic interests are now working, sports have not included as many Senior High School girls as formerly. Hockey, basketball, badminton and softball are continued and the Junior High School girls take a greater part of the time and opportunities in these features of the program than formerly.
B. Junior - Senior High School Boys
Soon after the year began modifications were made in the program of physical education for both schools. Little by little the competitive sports and the general play ac- tivities, which up to this time had been recommended for secondary schools, were superseded by a more rigid program of calisthenics the object of which was to bring about in each pupil a high degree of physical efficiency. The emphasis was placed upon drill, group calisthenics, and other activities which would tend to develop muscular strength and control. The more rugged competitive sports were strongly emphasized for older boys and a greater degree of participation demanded from them. While the intramural program of sports has been maintained, a great many of the boys because of employment oppor- tunities now existing are unable to take part to the ex- tent prevalent in former years. The program, however, will continue despite this, since now an opportunity for boys less skilled in sports is created by the absence of some of the older and more rugged pupils.
The difficulties imposed by transportation restrictions on interscholastic competitions made it necessary for us
-28-
to revise the baseball schedule in the spring of 1942 and the football schedule in the fall. However, adequate schedules were maintained so that the boys had oppor- tunities to engage in such sports to about the same ex- tent as in previous years. As time goes on and more restrictions are placed on travel and the use of gymnasia or other possible playing halls, it may be that curtail- ment in these activities will result. Every effort is being made to maintain as wide and as interesting a program of sports as we have had in the past.
Summer School
During the summer session of six weeks seventy-six `pupils in grades four to eight were given instruction in the tool subjects of the curriculum, namely, reading, language, spelling, and arithmetic. Thirty-one of those in attendance were required to do summer-school work as necessary preparation for the work of the next higher grade. Twenty-eight were advised to attend in order to strengthen their qualifications in these foundational sub- jects. A number of pupils who were neither required nor advised to attend, asked that they might do so and were granted the privilege.
Pottery Vocational School
The Plymouth Pottery Vocational School kept up in number of students to their usual standards until gas rationing made it impossible for out-of-town pupils to attend regularly. The group had the distinction of being photographed for Mr. Allen Eaton's book on New Eng- land Handcraft, to be published by the Russell Sage Foundation. They accepted an urgent invitation to ex- hibit and participate in the Boston Garden Handcraft Show for one week in September.
Americanization Classes
At the present time there are seven hundred aliens in Plymouth. This figure is based on the results of the alien registration. The role of adult education is still crucial in building among these non-citizens an understanding of democratic ideals and their values.
-29-
During the past year, nine classes were conducted at the usual centers. The total enrollment was one hundred ninety-two and distributed racially as follows:
Canadian French 4 Greek 2
English Speaking
10 Irish
1
Finnish 2 Italian
62
French
1 Portuguese 105
German
3 Spanish 2
These according to age and sex are:
Number between 18 and 21 inclusive-2 men, 1 woman.
Number between 22 and 25 inclusive-2 men, 2 women. Number between 26 and 35 inclusive-3 men, 26 women. Number over 35-44 men, 112 women.
After the closing of regular classes last spring a num- ber of home classes were formed. These were carried on at no expense to the town, being financed by the fed- eral government.
The order removing Italian aliens from alien enemy classification last October has made it possible for many to go ahead with their naturalization. This they have gladly done.
-30-
REPORT OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT
In the past year we have been exceptionally eager to detect any bodily defects which might lower the physical resistance of the school population. This can be satis- factorily done only through cooperation of the school · nurse and physician, parents, teachers, and family phy- sician. With the rising tide of war production calling for employment of both men and women, the school has an increased responsibility to see that the children from such homes get a hot lunch at moderate cost and super- vision during the noon hour.
The annual examinations were conducted and it was gratifying to find definite evidences among the school children of an improved economic condition.
Diphtheria toxoid was given and it is a satisfaction to be able to state that approximately 80% of the school children have now been innoculated. This gives Ply- mouth a very high standing among the towns of similar size in the state. Let us hope we may make it 100% for all children need that protection.
We are preparing to give the Dick test to elementary school children so as to discover which are susceptible to scarlet fever. We are happy to report increased co- operation shown by the parents in this undertaking.
During the first months of the year we had a mild epidemic of mumps and some whooping cough. The whooping cough developed into a mild epidemic after school opened in September. It is encouraging to note, however, that scarlet fever was confined to a few scat- tered cases this fall.
-31-
STATISTICS FOR 1942
Pupils inspected in schools 719
Pupils examined in schools 2186
Pupils readmitted by school physicians 295
Pupils readmitted by family physicians
243
Pupils excluded by school physicians 268
Pupils inspected in homes
113
Pupils given first-aid treatment in school
162
Pupils weighed and measured
4634
Pupils taken to hospitals for removal of tonsils 13
Pupils taken to hospitals and clinics out of town 63
Number of home visits by school nurse 331
Number of contagion found in schools 81
Number of contagion found in homes
94
C
-32-
REPORT OF ORAL HYGIENE DEPARTMENT AND DENTAL CLINIC
Jane B. Bradford, Dental Hygienist
Our dental health program has a vital part in keeping the youth of America physically fit. Never before has the importance of sound teeth been brought to the at- tention of parents as it has today. Briefly, the program consists of educational work, examinations, prophylaxis, and dental corrections including extractions and fillings. We feel that at this time the good results influenced in the past by favorable economic conditions are gradually coming back. One cannot measure results in dental hy- giene entirely by figures. However, the following show a gain:
1. Noticeable decrease of large cavities in permanent teeth.
2. The decreased number of extractions of six-year molars (permanent teeth).
In 1922 when the clinic was in its infancy there were 127 extractions of six-year molars. In 1932 this number had been reduced to fifteen, and in 1942 we had but five.
3. An improvement is shown among the senior high school pupils over a three-year period. See table fol- lowing:
Dental Examinations at Senior High School (fall term)
1940
1941
1942
Examinations
501
501 428
All needed dental corrections made prior to examination ....
86
109
131
Holding certificate
from family
dentist ........
7
9
11
..... ........
%
--
-
--
-33-
Percentage of elementary pupils with needed dental corrections made as of June, 1942:
Hedge School Cornish School
Mount Pleasant
Grade 1
50%
Grade 1
64%
School
Grade 2
57%
Grade 5
56%
Grade 1
50%
Grade 2
67%
Grade 6
50%
Grade 6
50%
Grade 3
53%
Grade 4
53%
Pre-school examinations (May, 1942)
Children examined
88
Those found to have all dental corrections made
26
SUMMARY TABLE FOR 1942
Pupils examined in elementary and Junior High schools
(fall) 1623
Pupils 100% at examination 293
Pupils holding certificate from family
dentist
42
Pupils receiving all needed treatment at
time of examination
7
Pupils examined in Senior High School
428 .
Pupils 100% at examination
131
Pupils 100% before examination
11
Pre-school examinations 88
Oral hygiene talks given to pupils
345
Pupils having teeth cleaned at clinic 863
Permanent teeth filled (six-year molars) at clinic. 182
Permanent teeth extracted
(six-year molars) at clinic 5
Baby teeth extracted at clinic 141
Treatments 37
Pupils having had all corrections made at clinic 68
Pupils having had part of corrections made at clinic 16
Amount received for cleaning of teeth $83.60
Amount received for filling and extractions 22.60
Amount received from sale of toothbrushes 10.00
Total amount received at clinic
$116.20
School Dentists: Dr. E. Harold Donovan
Dr. William O. Dyer
C
-34-
REPORT of SUPERVISOR of ATTENDANCE Ralph F. Matinzi, Supervisor
Absences Referred to Supervisor
Sickness
Truancy
Others
Total
Elementary Schools 3
17
21
41
Junior High School
7
11
39
57
Senior High School
13
11
12
36
Employment certificates inspected for validity 106
Employment certificates found to be invalid 75
Cases of habitual absence investigated for Supt's Office
61
News boys licenses investigated and reported upon 22
Truants found on the street and taken to school
6
Appearances at court cases
3
Total cases investigated
334
Total visits to homes
192
Total visits to schools
147
EMPLOYMENT OF MINORS
1940 1941 1942
Certificates to minors 14 to16 years
30 42
55
Certificates to minors 16 to 21 years
229
427
564
SCHOOL CENSUS 1942
Males
Females
Totals
Persons 5 to 7 years
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.