USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1919 > Part 4
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Repairs.
It will be noted that the amount expended for repairs has been unusually large. They include several of an ex- tensive nature. The toilets at the Rogers school always dark, had become also foul smelling. These conditions have been remedied by covering the walls with white waterproof cement and by the installation of modern por- celain urinals. The heating system of the same building has been thoroly overhauled. In addition to repair work, the walls of the Job C. Tripp school have been tinted and the roof guttered. Neither of these items were included in the contract for the building. The regular repairs for the year have been, of course, more expensive than usual.
Changing Teachers.
Twenty-six teachers were new to Fairhaven schools in September. Sixty-three per cent of the entire corps have resigned since the last report. 'The average annual loss for the past three years has been fifty-five per cent.
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The teacher problem in Fairhaven is time worn. Every school report for ten years has presented it. Efforts have been made to solve it, but they have been ineffective because not strong enough. The need of present relief is urgent in the extreme. Half-way methods, as in the past, will prove futile. Unless good teachers can be retained in larger numbers for longer service the schools will continue to deteriorate. Retention depends upon salaries. In fix- ing these, comparison of Fairhaven's schedule with that of other towns similar in size is relatively useless. Some of these communities have low educational ideals and are con- tent to continue them. To adopt their standard, as you have done in the past when raising salaries, means no im- provement or probable deterioration. When the salary of your teachers was five hundred dollars per year, thirty per cent. of them changed annually. The salary was increased to five hundred-fifty, then to six hundred, and to six hundred-fifty and seven hundred, and last year to seven hundred-sixty. Each increase was designed to bring your salary to the average of towns in your class. Instead of losing less teachers, you lost more each year. Nor is this all,-it has become increasingly difficult to secure the same standard of teachers as in the past. The issue is not, there- fore, whether Fairhaven wishes as good schools as some community with low educational ideals but,-Does Fair- haven wish good schools? If it does the town must bid for teachers with the cities and towns that realize the impor- tance of education. There has always been a shortage of good teachers. Not enough are ever born or trained to meet the needs. Today the supply is so inadequate that communities which do not immediately awaken to the seri- ousness of the problem will find their schools rapidly los- ing present efficiency.
What towns and cities take teachers from Fairhaven? Naturally we lose more to New Bedford than to any other one place. The present minimum salary in the elementary schools of that city is $1,000; the maximum $1,350. Can Fairhaven compete for teachers with New Bedford?
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It can if it so wishes; the tax rate in Fairhaven is lower. Perhaps it would be unwise to try to do so at present. But New Bedford takes relatively few of your teachers-only three out of twenty-six this year. Attleboro, Brockton, Norwood, Winthrop, Beverly, Everett, Medford,-these and other similar towns and cities take in the aggregate, many more than New Bedford. From figures true in Octo- ber these places paid from one thousand to twelve hundred dollars. They probably pay more now. Salary increases have been almost universal since then. It is certain that any effort to maintain the present standard of teaching force in Fairhaven will require a maximum salary of $1,200, and to stabilize the corps to any great extent will necessitate more. Up to November first the maximum grade salary of Fairhaven was $850; most of the teachers received $800. When the money from the new General School Fund was received a raise of $100 was made. This will enable retention of most of the teachers until the end of this school year. What then?
Recommendations.
I recommend that an advance of $100 be made effective next September for teachers whose personality, training, professional ability and zeal, guaged by that salary, war- rant retention in your corps.
I recommend also that a schedule be adopted which will provide for a salary of $1,200 to be reached after two years of service in your schools.
If these recommendations are adopted there will be need of little increase in the tax rate next year from this source. A law passed by the last legislature established a General School Fund from the redistribution of the income tax. Provision is made thereby for the subsidizing of edu- cation by the State to the end that educational opportuni- ties may be more nearly equalized. Every town and city receives annually from this fund $100 for each teacher, with specified training and experience, employed at a salary of $650; $150 for each teacher employed at a salary of
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$750; and $200 for each teacher employed for $850. On November 15th of this year Fairhaven received $6,076 from this fund. Because of increases in salaries made effective November first, the town will receive, next year, $8,720. Not all of this should be used for grade schools. A part of it accrues to the town because of the employment of high school teachers for which the town pays nothing. That sum should be appropriated for high school use (the prob- lem there is discussed elsewhere). Over $6,000 can be made available, however, for grade schools without any increase in tax rate. With the balance on hand, this sum will care for the increases already made for the remainder of the school year and enable the carrying out of the above schedule for next year.
The income from this school fund is paid into the gen- eral treasury and must be appropriated for the school de- partment if so used. Since it is designed primarily to aid in the equalization of school opportunities, I respectfully recommend that it be asked for permanently for that purpose.
Besides the aid given as stated above to every town and city in the State, the new law grants supplementary aid to towns with a valuation of $4,500 per pupil or less. As the valuation becomes less per pupil the aid becomes more. Fairhaven's valuation per pupil is too high to en- able receipt of supplementary aid. It is obvious that the effect of the law will be a very much higher standard of salaries in even the poorer towns. It is only by this means that young women may be won back to the work of teach- ing. The present supply of good teachers is very inade- quate. Your superintendent has today five vacancies in one of the towns of his district which he apparently can- not fill at a salary of $850. The shortage in teachers is not theoretical. The crisis in the schools is real.
Elementary Schools.
In the report of the superintendent submitted in 1916 the junior high school was discussed at some length. This
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was not printed owing to its lack of pertinence under exist- ing conditions. Quoting from that report,-"In the junior high school there is a differentiated course of study to meet the needs of pupils of different tastes, capacities and aims, and there is departmental teaching like that of the regular high school. Pupils are given more liberty of action and choice and, not having the constant direction of one teach- er, a greater degree of self-reliance is cultivated It closes the gap between the elementary and high which admittedly exists at present."
Organization of a junior high in Fairhaven awaits availability of a building. The Job C. Tripp school, com- pleted, will easily accommodate three hundred upper grade pupils. The location of the building, central and near the high school in which the grades have manual training and domestic science, and the plan, which includes an assembly hall, are admirable for a junior high. Until, however, a new building is erected in the north part of the town this school will necessarily be used to relieve the congestion there. I approve heartily the plan adopted last year which segregates for the present the seventh and eighth grades in the Rogers school and introduces departmental teach- ing. The type of instruction and management in these grades is now such that the transition to full junior high work can easily be made when building and equipment are furnished.
School Work.
The grade curriculum in Fairhaven is not narrow. Effort is made to do well the work along established lines, viz.,-in the common school branches, but useless arith- metic, technical grammar, seldom used words in spelling,- these and other antiques have been largely eliminated. In all the subjects the course of study places due emphasis. upon the practical. The teachers, however, not the course of study determine finally the worth of the product. Con- tinuity of purpose and method cannot be secured with a constantly changing, relatively inexperienced corps. This,
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is the weakness in your system. Until it has been reme- died, satisfactory results are unattainable.
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A strong course in elementary science has been added this year. It was prepared and its instruction is being supervised in three buildings by Miss Verder, principal of the Rogers school. Some communities employ a special supervisor for this branch. Miss Verder's voluntary efforts are securing excellent results and are much appreciated by the school department. Much of the work is along the line of nature study. The aim of the course in Nature Study as stated by her is "to encourage in the child such a familiarity with out-door life that he may be at home in his entire environment. With this aim in mind, the child is taught concerning the stars and the clouds as well as concerning the forms of plant and animal life. In the first grade, the children visit a farm, thus gaining a common experience upon which some of the work is based. Throughout all the grades, lessons are given out of doors as well as in the classroom. Although in subject matter the work in the seventh and eighth grades, in which the science in the home and the community is dealt with, ap- proaches that of elementary science in the High School, yet the methods used in teaching the same avoid the scientific approach. The result obtained from Nature study is an abiding interest in nature, rather than a scientific knowl- edge of natural phenomena."
Along the line of vocational guidance the study of occupations started three years ago in the eighth grades is continued. This work is correlated with English and drawing. In the former a vocational reader is used; in the latter maps are made of the community with reference to the occupations of the people. As a means of stimulat- ing interest in occupations, visits are conducted to indus- trial plants, and persons of various trades and professions are secured to speak to the school. The aim is to arouse the thought of pupils relative to their part in the world's work and aid in the discovery of a liking for or ability in any special line of work.
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Fairhaven schools receive much help from Millicent library. A splendid spirit of co-operation exists. An ex- cellent list of up-to-date books for teachers is available ; a school library is placed in any school wishing it. Lists of book's for special use are promptly furnished and an excel- lent course in the proper use of the library is given upper grades by Miss Perry and Mr. Hill. There are few libraries that do so much for the public schools as this one.
The course in thrift given for two years has been re- placed by a standard course arranged by Federal authori- ties. Manual training, dropped for one year because no instructor could be secured, was resumed in May. The course in physical training introduced last spring is being continued. The cooking and sewing for upper grades are. proceeding as usual.
It is stated that the new method of the school is a co -- operative method "under which pupils take an active part in the recitation and in the various exercises of the school." Under the old method it was the business of the pupil to. keep quiet, learn his lessons and speak when spoken to. The so-called new ideal-it is not new -. is the development of self activity on the part of the pupil. Real teachers are necessary for the realization of this. A most encouraging characteristic of the grade work this year is the evidence in many school rooms of intelligent effort toward this end.
Evening School for Illiterates.
The law requires that "Every city or town in which there are issued, during the year, from September first to August thirty-first, certificates authorizing the employ- ment of twenty or more persons who do not possess edu- cational qualifications enumerated in section one of chapter forty-four of the Revised Laws, shall maintain during the following year an evening school." Twenty-five such cer- tificates have been issued. Fairhaven is under legal obliga- tion to maintain an evening school next year. The mini- mum length of time this must be in session is forty nights. The estimated expense, including teaching, janitor service,
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books and supplies will be about $500. Provision must be made for this in the appropriation.
High School.
The present high school enrollment is 250, a gain of 25 over that of last year. Of this number 180 are from Fairhaven, 46 from Mattapoisett, 15 from Acushnet and 9 from Rochester.
After serving as principal, for nearly fourteen years, Mr. A. B. Kimball resigned in June. In the work of organ- izing the school and establishing its work in the new build- ing, M :. Kimball rendered a difficult and valuable service to the town. During his principalship, the number of students increased greatly, excellent scholastic standing was main- tained, and an unusually large proportion of graduates was sent to higher institutions. The successor to Mr. Kimball is Mr. George C. Dickey, who was selected after a very careful examination of the qualifications of thirty-five can- didates. There is every indication thus far that a wise choice has been made and that the high school has entered upon a new period of growth in usefulness to the youth of Fairhaven and vicinity.
The high school faculty numbers at present thirteen full-time teachers and two half-time teachers, besides the instructors in drawing and vocal music. In September six full-time and two part-time teachers were new to the school. This was almost a repetition of the situation ob- taining the previous year. Until within three years the problem of a changing teaching force in the high school has been inconsiderable. From now on unless relief is obtained in some way it will be as acute as in the grades. The donor could not foresee present conditions. The endowment would be sufficient in normal times for maintaining the high standard of earlier years, but it is insufficient in these abnormal times. The care and upkeep of the building has always been of necessity relatively high and the latter item naturally costs more as the building ages. Every item in the budget has mounted skyward with a result obvious to
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anyone, viz .: the standard of attainment must be lowered if we are to live within our present income. The Commit- tee cannot control the need of repairs, books and supplies, fuel, or of other items in the budget, nor can it by shrewd- ness of bargaining lessen materially the cost of these. It can, however, and must in the present condition of its finances, let teachers go to better paying positions after one year of service here. Any high school in which half the teachers are new every year becomes shortly a second- class school. Fairhaven high is faced with this possibility. What can be done to prevent this? Fortunately the town can provide the means without recourse to taxation. It can appropriate to high school use the money returned from the General School Fund because of the employment of high school teachers. In 'common fairness this should be done. The thirteen regular teachers, paid entirely from the endowment fund, will bring to the town next year $2,600. This sum applied to teachers' salaries. will solve the problem in the high school. In view of the fact that there is not a woman teacher in the corps who receives as much as a grade teacher in New Bedford, and that there are several who receive less than the maximum in the grades of Fairhaven, can anyone doubt the justice of this measure ?
The following table shows income and expenditures of the year :
RECEIPTS.
EXPENDITURES.
Balance,
$106.51
General Control, $35.21
Tuition from Acushnet,
975.00
Text Books, 254.49
Tuition from Roches-
Supplies,
2,204.78
ter,
225.00
Teachers, 17,425.50
Tuition from Matta-
Janitors', salaries, 4,319.96
poisett,
2,000.00
Fuel, 640.06
Farmers' Loan and
Miscellaneous,
1,355.44
Trust Co.,
24,411.25
Repairs,
1,034.45
A. B. Kimball,
99.35
Health,
120.00
J. G. McDonald,
20.00
Sundries (operation), 612.01
H. S. Lunch Dept.,
450.00
School Department,
5.40
$28,001.90
Balance, Jan. 1, 1920,
290.61
$28,292.51
$28,292.51
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The question of operating a broader type of secondary school has been raised. Under present conditions this is not practicable. It could not be done without changes in . the building, additional equipment, and increased operating expenses. Some modifications in the course of study are under consideration, but beyond these the present direction of progress in the school lies clearly along the line of per- fecting the present organization. Fortunately breadth of view characterized the plans of those who established the school. A high school that does excellent work in the academic subjects, gives a strong commercial course that fits graduates directly for good positions, provides a thor- ough domestic science course for every girl, utilizes an especially good equipment in manual training, instructs very efficiently in mechanical drawing, has an excellent course in printing, requires every pupil to take a course in physical training,-such a high school cannot be justly accused of being narrow. It may as well be accepted as a fact that a public high school cannot do everything ; it can- not be a successful high school and a trade school. Every- one believes in emphasizing the utilitarian value of educa- tion ; there is a tendency to leave too little opportunity for the type of training that develops thinkers.
The schools of the past were not failures. Notably use- ful men were included in their products. If they empha- sized too much mere book education, we should be careful not to over emphasize so-called "practical" education. The country needs broadly informed, thoughtful men and women today more than ever before. There is room for improvement in the academic work of the school and the immediate emphasis should be placed in this direction. With the New Bedford Vocational school freely open to every boy and girl in Fairhaven through the co-operation of town and state, it would be unwise to attempt in Fair- haven high school very much along distinctly vocational lines.
The continuation school problem dealing with ch l- dren between fourteen and sixteen who have left school is
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not ripe for solution here. If it was, facilities other than those in the high school would need to be provided. When the time is opportune for organization of a complete junior high provision can be made if necessary for this type of school work.
The efficiency of the American soldier has been attrib- uted to the high quality of the schools of this country. Un- doubtedly this is true. Despite imperfections the aim of our educational system is broad ; it strives for the complete development of the individual. It is certain that the breadth of training in such schools as Fairhaven high as- sisted those who received it in their transformation from civilians to soldiers. Ninety-seven men, undergraduates and alumni, entered the service. There is not a blot on the record of any of them. One paid the supreme sacrifice. They deserve to be remembered. A tablet bearing their names will be placed on the walls of the high school.
Health Supervision and Physical Training.
The war brought into relief the problem of health. More than one-third of the registrants under the selective service act were rejected because of physical unfitness. It is impossible to state exactly how many of these defects could have been eliminated by attention earlier in life, but undoubtedly the proportion is large. There is a strong tendency to insist that the schools give more attention to health, supervision and physical training. Fairhaven schools are fairly up to date along these lines, but there is need of progress in the direction of medical inspection. The state law has required for years that "The school committee of every city or town shall cause every child in the public schools to be separately and carefully tested at least once in every school year to ascertain whether he is suffering from any disability or defect tending to prevent his receiv- ing the full benefit of his school work." In common, with many other smaller towns, Fairhaven has never expended sufficient money for medical inspection in the schools to enable this work to be done thoroughly. In only one year
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during the last seven has there been an examination which was careful enough to be worth while. During the last three years the community nurse has given a part of her time to the schools and has referred to the school physi- cian many cases. This has been very valuable work, but is not enough. It cannot replace the physical examination called for by the law.
It was with regret that the school department learned of the resignation of Miss Anna Perry as community nurse. During her term of service the health conditions in the schools have been much improved. Minor contagious dis- eases have greatly lessened in number ; many pupils have had eyes and teeth cared for and adenoids and tonsils re- moved thru her "follow up" visits. These children will be mentally and physically more useful citizens as well as happier ones because of her efforts. The new commun- ity nurse, Miss Creed, will continue the work of Miss Perry. She comes with excellent credentials and has entered upon her duties with a splendid spirit. There can be no question of the value of the nurse either to the community or to the schools. There is now an excellent spirit of co-opera- tion with the nurse in many homes.
Report of Nurse for 1919.
Cases of adenoids and tonsils,
144
Cases of defective teeth,
25
Cases of defective hearing,
6
Cases of impetigo,
9
Cases of pediculosis,
119
Miscellaneous diseases,
49
School visits,
104
Follow-up visits in homes,
412
Number of children under care,
299
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Fairhaven schools have had systematic physical train- ing for fourteen years with the exception of portions of 1918 and 1919, when it was impossible to secure an instruc- tor. Previous to last year one instructor gave all the work at the high school, and visited the grades monthly, super -. ,
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vising a system of gymnastics there. The high school girls now receive their training from a woman teacher who gives part time to this work, while the high school boys are instructed by a man who gives part time to the grades. This arrangement is producing excellent results.
Americanization.
Another problem which the war has brought to the surface is that of transforming aliens into American citi- zens. Registration for the selective draft revealed that there were 730,000 young men out of ten million who could not write their names and as many more who could not speak English. The presence of illiteracy in the army directed attention to it elsewhere. According to the census of 1910 there were 5,500,000 persons in the United States who could not read or write English. Can there be any doubt that a fertile field for dangerous doctrines is found in this large number of illiterates in our country? The war proved this to be true and events since have driven the lesson home. Sentiment everywhere is strongly in favor of measures which will eliminate illiteracy and give aliens: some conception of the duties and privileges of citizenship in the United States. Massachusetts has its full propor- tion of illiterate aliens. Fairhaven has some. It is hoped that the Federal government will pass the bill now pend- ing, assisting the states in the organization of schools for Americanization. In the mean time it is the duty of every community to do something toward that end. The evening school established in Fairhaven next year will help train for citizenship those "illiterates" between the ages of 16 and 21. It would be a fine expression of real patriotism on the part of the town or on the part of some organization in the town to finance an effort to reach adult alien citizens. Many communities have established evening schools' for this class. English, written and oral, is taught in these, and simple talks on United States history and the duties. of citizenship are given.
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