USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of the officers of the town of Plymouth, Massachusetts for the year ending 1947 > Part 17
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"Work in plastics is being developed as an activity to follow metal work, since it involves a knowledge and use of woodwork and metal tools and processes.
"Through the purchase from school-earned funds of a strip-film machine and a complete set of films on wood- work, mechanical drawing, and first aid, we are able to present our subject more efficiently than through the lecture and demonstration method."
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An opaque projector, obtained from War Surplus sup- plies has been added to the visual education equipment.
Last year the allowance for text books, which have advanced in price, was cut to such an extent that much of our order was cancelled. The library order was en- tirely eliminated, but books have been obtained from school earnings and as a gift from the 1947 graduating class.
Children with problems, those who need more ade- quate home supervision, and those who need special help are continuously being brought to our attention. The work of the school nurse, the juvenile probation officer, and the social service worker is of inestimable value. A child guidance clinic in Plymouth would serve chil- dren of this town and district to advantage.
In closing this report, the following recommendations are made:
1. The appointment of an additional teacher for 1948-1949 because of the necessity of adding an- other seventh-grade division.
2. The appointment of a teacher for the class work in music in 1948-1949.
3. An adequate appropriation for text books.
MARY M. DOLAN
Principal
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REPORT OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
One of the accomplishments of the elementary school staff during the past year has been to formulate a new card for reporting pupil progress to parents. This card has been in use, in tentative form, since the beginning of the fall term. It is an improvement over the former card in that it gives a more inclusive evaluation of pupil traits and characteristics as well as of the pupil's progress in developing essential knowledge and skills. It is hoped that this report card will not only rate the child but will also help in guiding him.
The social studies curriculum continues to be in the process of development. The strengthening of the ge- ography program in grade six has been made possible by the addition of new texts in the subject.
The school lunch project has been growing steadily for the past four years. The average number of children for whom hot lunch is provided each day is now 320. This figure is more than double the number that were served when the present program started in 1943. This growth is the result of opening a lunch room at the Hedge School in September 1946, and at the Manomet School in Sep- tember 1947.
Service activities engaged in by the elementary school pupils during the past year are as follows:
1. Contribution of $81.06 to Junior Red Cross.
2. Eighty-eight bags, or 1,760 pounds, of clothing col- lected for needy children in other parts of the world.
3. Collection of $64.06 from the sale of Christmas Seals.
4. Donation of $25 to the Bailey Health Camp.
For the elementary schools to function with a maxi- mum of service to the pupils, several major needs require attention in the near future. These needs are as follows:
1. A new building or buildings to replace the obsolete and inadequate Cornish-Burton, and Cold Spring Schools.
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2. Additions to other buildings to allow for less crowd- ed classrooms, and thus increase teacher efficiency.
3. Assembly halls for the Mt. Pleasant and Manomet Schools.
4. Further grading of play areas at the Hedge School.
5. Sound motion picture projectors for the Mt. Pleas- ant and Manomet Schools and a strip-film projector for use in all the schools.
6. A portable dental chair for use at the Manomet, Mt. Pleasant, Cold Spring, and Oak Street Schools.
7. Scientific equipment and materials to make the teaching of science more effective.
Respectfully submitted,
ELOUISE E. CASHIN HELEN S. MANCHESTER FRANKLYN O. WHITE
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REPORTS OF SPECIAL DEPARTMENTS
Vocal Music-Mrs. Frances H. Picard, Teacher
Music is a powerful influence in enriching the lives of children. In our school system we endeavor to teach the girls and boys how to appreciate and gain satisfaction from competent achievement.
Throughout the schools music is taught according to a carefully graded course of study. Considering the fact that the time allotment is limited, the results are grat- ifying.
The culmination of elementary school music manifests itself in the musical groups of the Junior High School and Senior High School. Each group contributes to the musical activities of school as well as to the various civic groups throughout the town. Each appearance has proved their ability and has been a source of satisfaction to all concerned.
The music supervisor's time is scheduled as follows: Junior High School, fifty per cent; Elementary Schools, fifty per cent. There is no time during the school day allotted to Senior High School. The Girls' Glee Club and Octette are entirely extra-curricular activities. It is clear that further opportunities in music should be open to those senior high pupils whose musical abilities and appreciations would guarantee a personal interest in further courses. I therefore strongly recommend that q departmental teacher of music be provided for Junior High School thereby allowing the supervisor additional time for elementary schools and Senior High School. There is abundant musical talent in our schools. To de- velop it to a higher degree, this recommendation is made for the consideration of the school authorities.
Instrumental Music-John Pacheco, Teacher
The past year has seen the instrumental program make real progress, especially so in the elementary grades, where the groundwork is laid for a successful program.
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Hedge School, having an auditorium, has the correct setup. There a good instrumental group was formed. This group later appeared in the St. Mary's Youth Show and in the Kiwanis music night entertainment as well as in numerous programs that the school presented. The Hedge School group was the nucleus of the elementary orchestra that performed for the all-school Music Night in June. In the orchestra were representatives from the four elementary schools. This year the instrumental music program in Junior High School has received twen- ty new members from the elementary schools.
In Junior High School, the band had forty-five mem- bers and rehearsed three times a week, two rehearsals during school time and one after school. The band par- ticipated in the Memorial Day exercises and the Fire- men's Memorial program. At the latten exercises we were the only musical organization participating. The band also played at many school programs and gave its annual May concert in Memorial Hall. For the first time since the war, the band went to he Eastern Massachu- setts State Musical Festival, held in Medford, where playing a competitive piece of music before a judge it received the rating of "excellent". It is hoped that our Junior High Band will maintain this high rating.
The Junior High orchestra was organized with a total of twenty-five members, rehearsing once a week after school. They also rehearse once a week with the Senior group. The orchestra performed at all social functions of the school, and combined with the senior group, at the Woman's Club program, the St. Mary's Catholic Guild, and the Barachias program, and at the all school Music Night in June.
Also under instrumental music in Junior High comes our select group, the Drum Major Corps. The competi- tion for membership is very keen and scholastic standing has to be high. This group rehearses once a week after school, and has thirty-six members. The group accom- panies the band when on parade and has become as much of an attraction as the band. The corps paraded
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with the band at the Eastern Mass. Music Festival in Medford and with the band were the only Junior High School groups mentioned by the Boston papers, so far as we could determine.
In Senior High School, the band is improving in size and quality as it receives larger numbers from the Jun- ior High Band. This past year the band had twenty members, played at all the football rallies, school assem- blies, and at some of the football games. It rehearses once a week after school. This group musically was an excellent one and, combined with some members of the junior group, were kept busy playing for numerous school programs and civic programs.
It would be our wish that instrumental music be in- corporated in the school schedule and receive as much consideration as the Three R's.
Art
A. Junior and Senior High-Mrs. Margaret E. Brown, Teacher.
The art classes in Junior High continued their lessons in design, color, life drawing, and interior decorating during the spring term. Place cards for the veteran's hopital, illustrations for the school paper, and posters for the Spring Band Concert were among the contributions to school activities. Lettering and modern design were stressed in the fall term and folders were designed for art and music classes.
The High School work during the first part of 1947 consisted of large life drawings in charcoal and colored pencil. Illustrations in the annual school publication, graduation decorations, and original designs for wall papers and fabrics were made. High School work in the fall term began with outdoor sketching. Some fine pencil sketches and pen-and-ink sketches were made on the Green and in Brewster Parfl. These were on exhibition in the different home rooms of the High School during Art and Education weeks. Later these sketches will be developed into block prints.
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An imporant change in the art program this year has been the addition of another period for High School. One project undertaken was the renovation of the entire in- terior stage set. The increased number of High School art students brings an urgent need for more equipment. This has not been possible up to the present time, but it is hoped that something may soon be done to improve this condition. Art education increases the pupils enjoy- ment of living. Also several of our graduates go on to art school each year. This June the Avery Prize scholar- ship for special talent was awarded to a very talented and outstanding boy in our art classes.
B. Elementary and Junior High-Hazel Bates, Teacher
In working with younger children in the field of art, our objectives go beyond mere facility in drawing and include the development of certain fundamental atti- tudes, abilities, and habits including the following:
(a) Clear, concise thinking. 0
(b) The ability to apply a fundamental principle to the solution of a specific problem.
(c) The habit of approaching a new problem from the point of view of:
1. What have I learned that will help me solve this problem?
2. Where can I find further information to help me solve this problem?
(d) Willingness to make one's own decisions.
(e) The ability to work harmoniously in a group either as a leader or a follower.
(f) An appreciation of the fine and beautiful in life. It is believed that a greater percent of our boys and girls have made progress in these directions in recent years. The day when the child was exepcted to be en- tirely dependent on the teacher as the source of all knowledge is passed. Rather is the teacher the coach on the side lines, who has given. his team the rules of the game, and stands by to help the members of the team achieve the goal, if their own resources should fail them.
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As to our needs-one of the major needs is time, more time definitly assigned to art so that proper habits may be formed. A second major need is that of a highly in- tegrated program so that the habits, attitudes, and knowledge learned in the art periods may have an op- portunity for practical application and that the needs of other subject matter may be a motivating force in the accomplishments of the art periods.
Physical Education
A. Junior-Senior High School Boys-John H. Walker, Teacher
CLASS ACTIVITIES
All boys are examined by the school physician to de- termine whether they should be allowed to participate without restriction in the Physical Education program. The daily class work consists of tumbling, apparatus work, calesthenics, teaching of game and sports funda- mentals and participation in class games. Through our class work we try to improve posture and all body me chanics, teach the values of good appearance, and in- crease the physical efficiency of each pupil as much as is possible in the short time alloted for this work.
INTRAMURAL SPORTS
Intramural sports are becoming increasingly important in the over-all picture of school activities. Intramurals give many students the opportunity to put to use the fundamental skills and games that are taught and devel- oped in the class work. Participation in intramurals is restricted to boys who are not members of varsity ath- letic squads.
Home-room leagues in Junior High School function in tag football, basketball, and baseball, with appropriate trophies awarded at school assemblies to the winners. El- igibility rules are enforced and, as a result, the intra- mural program has proved to be a valuable incentive to the pupils to do well their academic work and has greatly lessened the disciplinary problems.
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Senior High School leagues in volleyball, basketball, and badminton are participated in with much enthusi- asm by at least fifty percent of the total enrollment of the boys. The combination of class work and intramurals is the foundation on which the varsity teams are built.
Our primary aims in varsity sports are the develop- ment of good sportsmanship, leadership qualities, self- discipline, and the feeling of loyalty to the group. The will to win is inherent in every individual, and in vars- ity sports we are careful not to lose sight of the other values that can be secured from a desirable program. The intensive practice required naturally increases the participant's physical well-being, emphasizes the need for good health habits and clean living, and helps pre- pare the student for later life.
Competition among schools is carried on in football, basketball, track, and baseball. All participants must have parental consent and carry insurance issued under the auspices of the Headmasters' Association.
B. Junior-Senior High School Girls-Jeanne Fabian, Teacher
The seventh-grade girls receive one period of gym- nastics per week. Girls in the eighth and ninth grades have two training periods per week. The general pro- gram includes: marching and posture excercises; ap- paratus work; social, folk, and square dances; individual skills; and group activities including games and sports. The ninth-grade pupils have interclass competition in field hockey, basketball, and softball.
Each Senior High group is given one training period per week. Class groups are organized in field hockey, basketball, and softball for girls in the sophomore, jun- ior and senior groups. The seniors also engage in com- petitive contests with high schools in nearby towns in those games recognized as being adapted to girls, name- ly, field hockey, basketball, and softball.
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C. Elementary Program-Carolyn Parren, Teacher
The elementary physical education program for 1947 has found the pupils of the first six grades participating wholeheartedly in indoor and outdoor activities.
During the winter months classes are held indoors for the most part. Activities are prepared for the classroom, playroom, and recess periods which can be used by the classroom teachers whenever pupils need a change of pace or a greater variety.
Square dancing, ballroom dancing, grand marching, postural and formal gymnastics, as well as organized games were on the schedule for the four upper grades.
Newcomb, volleyball, softball, and Emperor ball gave a chance for class competition in the fifth and sixth grades during the spring and fall months.
The first and second graders had activities in the class- room, playroom, and on the playground. The willingness of these younger pupils made it easy to introduce circle games, stunts, singing games, ball games, relay races, and posture activities in the form of story plays and imitative exercises.
In April thirty-two children of the Hedge School were guests of the Plymouth Civic Association Auxilary. The pupils demonstrated American square dances, Swedish and Danish folk dances, a ballroom routine, and an in- door game.
It is recommended that larger play areas at the Hedge School be graded and surfaced. This playground is now a crowded area and the pupils are unable to enjoy ball games during recess periods. Areas devoted to ball games of any sort should be developed on those parts of the playground removed from the lake.
Adult Civic Education-Mrs. Helen P. Muthig, Director
The Adult Civic Education Classes were held for forty sessions during 1946-47. The classes met twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday as follows: Harris Hall, Plym- outh Cordage at 3:45 p.m., Cornish School 7:15 p.m.
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A Home Study course was used for those unable to at- tend class. English and citizenship were offered. Mem- bers were helped to overcome difficulties in language, social customs, and in clarifying problems in Immigra- tion and Naturalization.
Through a better understanding and appreciation of our common citizenship and of our common inheritance of democracy among those enrolled in our classes throughout the country there should develop a greater unity and stronger feeling of mutual goodwill among the peoples of the United States.
Pottery Vocational School-Katherine Alden, Instructor
The Plymouth Pottery classes at the old Sparrow House have maintained the usual total of forty enroll- ments in the three groups, attendance in the evening groups being a little more constant than in the daytime class.
The instructor spent January in California visiting all sorts of potteries and potters.
At the Plymouth Pottery we have steadily maintained standards. This has made the pottery produced by the Guild membership increasingly attractive to our sum- mer buying public. Also membership in the Guild brings increased incentive and honor to those pupils who will be eligible for the invitation to join. Three new mem- bers have been added this year.
We look forward to an active 1948-and the ever in- creasing waiting list is some indication of the popularity of our work.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL HEALTH DEPARTMENT
The year 1947 was outstanding in that there were few- er cases of contagious diseases than there have been for some years past. Scarlet fever cases in particular were much less numerous than before. Considering the num- ber of children who have had their tonsils removed in the past two years, one wonders whether this fact may not account, in part at least, for the decrease in the num- ber of cases of scarlet fever. This procedure may have lessened the number of potential carriers of the infecting organism.
Another outstanding fact this year is the increased co- operation of parents in the correction of defects.
The annual physical examinations of all children were completed as usual. In general the health of the school population as a whole seems improved over previous years with the possibility of one exception, namely pos- ture. The number of students, particularly in the Junior and Senior High Schools, who have poor posture with potential curvatures was found to be larger in the fall examinations. A greater number of pupils who had never been considered abnormal in posture showed defin- ite defects in a relatively short span of time. We are not yet able to account for this.
We are taking children to various clinics whenever and wherever the needed services can be secured and are still hoping for a child guidance clinic here in Plym- outh. On the whole, we feel that the health program in our schools is on a high level and we intend to work to keep it so.
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STATISTICS - 1947
Physical examinations .............
...... 2356
Inspected by school physicians 291
Pupils re-admitted by school physician 191
Pupils re-admitted by family physician .. 193
Pupils re-admitted to school after having
a contagious desease 145
Inspections by school nurse in school ...
834
Home visits by nurse 256
Pupils excluded by nurse
235
Pupils taken to hospitals and clinics out of town 126
Pupils weighed and measured 2345
Pupils given first-aid treatment in schools
256
43
Pupils excluded by school physicians ...
FRANK J. ABATE, JR., M.D. MEDORA V. EASTWOOD, M.D., School Physicians
HILDA SWETT, School Nurse
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REPORT OF ORAL HYGIENE DEPARTMENT AND DENTAL CLINIC
It is our earnest desire to develop in boys and girls during their growing years those attitudes and habits necessary to sound dental health.
THE DENTAL HYGIENIST IS AVAILABLE FOR -
1. Classroom instruction in dental health practices, such as: regular visits to the dentist, daily home care, and proper nutrition.
Oral hygiene lessons given to pupils in 1947 ... 357 2. Periodic cleaning of the teeth in elementary grades. Pupils having teeth cleaned by Hygienist in 1947 933
3. Pre-school Examinations, May 1947.
Number of inspections 110
Children found free from defects 52
Children receiving attention of family dentist 48
4. Well-Child Conferences.
Attended in 1947 2
Mothers interviewed and babies seen
.....
20
THE SCHOOL DENTISTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR -
1. Annual examinations of the teeth of the pupils in the Elementary, Junior, and Senior High Schools. Parents are notified of the results of the examina- tion. Needed corrections are brought to the atten- tion of parents through follow-up by the dental hygienist and teachers.
Pupils examined in Elementary Schools and Jun- ior High September 1947 1716
Pupils found to have all needed correc- tion made 607
Pupils found to have certificate from fam- ily dentist 62
Pupils examined in Senior High School ........... 435
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Pupils found to have all needed correc- tions made 140
2. Reparative work at the dental clinic-which is lim- ited largely to the first and second grade pupils whose parents are not so circumstanced as to have the needed work done by family dentist.
DENTAL CORRECTIONS MADE Results June 1947
HONOR CLASSES (At least 50% of pupils with corrections made)
Mt. Pleasant School
Hedge School
Cornish School
*Grade 1
100%
Grade 1
53%
Grade 1
69%
Grade 2 61%
Grade 1 50%
Grade 1
50%
Grade 3 85%
Grade 2
64% Grade 2 & 3 71%
Grade 4
63%
Grade 3
73%
Grade 3
70%
Grade 5
55%
Grade 3
73%
Grade 4 61%
Grade 4
58%
Grade 5 61%
Grade 4
68%
Grade 6 ,
57%
Grade 5
77%
Grade 6
50%
Grade 5
58%
Grade 6
60%
Oak Street
Cold Spring School
Manomet
School
School
Grades 1 & 2 50% Grades 1
63%
Grades 1 & 2 58%
Grades 3 & 4 83%
Grades 2 & 3 59%
*Much credit is due the teacher, parents, and pupils for attaining our goal of 100 percent in dental corrections.
Grade 6
60%
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DENTAL WORK AT CLINICS
Sodium Fluoride
This year an experimental study has been started to help control decay in children's teeth through the ap- plication of sodium flouride four times a year. The child is required to brush his teeth faithfully, visit the dentist three times a year, and eat foods rich in vitamins and minerals. We hope to see some interesting results from this study.
Summary
Permanent teeth filled (six-year molars) ......... 228
Permanent teeth extracted (six-year molars) in grades 3, 4, 5 16
Baby teeth extracted ....
160
Treatments (including x-ray) 134
Pupils having sodium flouride treatment ... 16
Pupils having all corrections made 106
Pupils having had part of corrections made
.16
Amount received for cleaning of teeth ...
$86.70
Amount received for filling and extractions 27.20 ......
Amount received for tooth brushes sold 27.92
Total amount received at clinic ... $141.82
Respectfully submitted,
JANE B. BRADFORD
Dental Hygienist
DR. W. O. DYER
DR. JAMES McDADE
School Dentists
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REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF ATTENDANCE
Absences Referred to Supervisor
Sickness Truancy Others Total
Elementary Schools 5 36
27
68
Junior High School 9
11
23
43
Senior High School 1
6
0
7
Employment certificates inspected for validity 290 Employment certificates found to be invalid 251
Minors found working without employment certif- icates 23
Truants found on the street and taken back to school 16
Cases investigated for Superintendent's office 27
Appearances at court cases
11
Total cases investigated
485
Visits at homes
177
Visits at Schools
152
RALPH F. MATINZI,
Supervisor
EMPLOYMENT OF MINORS
1944 1945 1946 1947
Certificates to minors 14 to 16 years .216
76
65
47
Certificaes to minors 16 to 21 years
414
289
404
298
630
365
469
345
SCHOOL CENSUS, 1947
Males Females Totals
Persons 5 to 7 years.
282
253
535
Persons 7 to 16 years
863
779
1642
Totals ..
1145
1032
2177
SCHOOL ENROLLMENT - DECEMBER, 1947
SCHOOL
ELEMENTARY GRADES
JUNIOR HIGH
SENIOR HIGH
1
2
3
4
5
6
P.A.
J.P.A.
7
8
9
10
11
12
P.G.
Total
Senior High
185
149
125
2
461
Junior High
39
190.
190
171
590
Hedge
35 34
31 30
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