USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1929 > Part 5
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Miss M. Louise Norris
Miss M. Louise Norris, the oldest in point of service, graduated from Fairhaven High School, completed a two- year training course then existing at the Rogers school, and later studied for a term at the Johnson school to pre- pare herself to teach sewing, which was introduced in 1910. She began her actual teaching on Sconticut Neck in 1894 where she remained one year, or until the school was closed and the pupils transferred to the Rogers school. After this
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she taught two terms in the so-called Shoe Factory school at the Center, from which she went to the Rogers school where she has been since 1897 or for nearly thirty-two years. In the retirement of Miss Norris, the town has lost a teacher of marked ability, one who really enjoyed her work, one whose personality has influenced for good the lives of hundreds of boys and girls, and one who will long be held in fond and grateful remembrance.
Miss Myra D. Crowell
Miss Crowell graduated from the high school in Chatham, Mass., took summer courses at Salem and Hyannis Normal Schools, and spent a year in Bridgewater Normal School from which she graduated. Since coming to Fairhaven, she has studied at New York University, and taken several of the University Extension courses. In 1910 she spent the sum- mer in an extended tour abroad.
Miss Crowell has been Principal of the Oxford school for more than 30 years. She has seen the school grow from four teachers to eleven. She has in that time dealt so fairly and tactfully with a large number of parents and children that a host of friends will sincerely regret her relinquish- ment of the principalship. As is the case with every prin- cipal in Fairhaven, she has annually faced the task of assist- ing in the training of inexperienced teachers. In the aggre- gate, during her long period of service, there are very many of these who hold Miss Crowell in most grateful remem- brance for her kindness, patience, and skill in helping them during their first months in the school room. In the process of training them, Miss Crowell built into their lives some of her own zeal, fairness, poise and kindly spirit so that these qualities of her personality have not only been in- fluential in her contacts with the pupils whom she has had a share in actually teaching, but, also, vicariously in the lives of thousands of others.
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It is a trite but true saying that "as is the teacher, so the school"; it is equally true that "as the principal, so the build- ing." In the spirit of its pupils and the skillfulness of the teaching, the Oxford school is one of our best. In the re- tirement of Miss Crowell, the Superintendent will lose a valuable and cooperative co-worker and the town an efficient and loyal servant.
SCHOOL WORK
One change in organization has been made, viz., the unit- ing of the Job C. Tripp and Edmund Anthony, Jr. schools under one principalship. These two schools, exactly alike in respect to grades housed therein and the work required, have been under one administration since September and no loss in the efficiency of either is perceptible. In each build- ing, one of the regular teachers serves as assistant principal. A telephone has been installed in each building and the Principal is available in person or by 'phone at all times. There are in all fifteen teachers in the schools, and this number is not too large for adequate supervision by one prinicpal. A net annual saving of approximately $1,000 will be made under the new arrangement.
The school work of the year has continued along the same lines as previously. In an effort to remedy a weakness in arithmetic, viz., inaccuracy in computation, a supplementary course of study which includes the so-called Wilson 100% Accuracy Plan has been furnished. A special bulletin has also been issued dealing with the program in reading, and also one relating to variation of instruction to meet the needs of slower pupils.
Standard achievement tests were given throughout the system in grades four to eight during October. The results indicated that Fairhaven schools were above the median in reading, language and grammar, and spelling. In arithmetic computation, a slight weakness was discovered which we are trying to correct. Tests will be given again in May.
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SAFETY EDUCATION
Safety is one of the newer subjects in the school curriculum and continues to be given increasing emphasis. If any one questions the wisdom of this, let him consider the following facts.
95,500 accidental fatalities in the United States in one year.
20,000 killed each year in automobile accidents.
Accidents rank second in the cause of death to children under five years; first to children from five to fourteen; second to children from fifteen to nineteen; and second to persons of all ages.
23 out of every 100 persons killed by automobilists in the United States are under 15 years of age.
Accidents in the home are responsible for the loss of about 25,000 lives yearly. Falls, asphyxiation and suffoca- tion, burns and scalds are the leading causes of these.
Does Safety Education diminish fatalities? From records like those of Detroit, St. Louis, Boston and other cities, it has been shown that a nearly 50% reduction of accidents to children is possible in any city.
In Fairhaven, an excellent local and State course of study are used as the basis of instruction. To guard against ac- cidents to children as they are leaving school buildings, pupils act as traffic officers. Because automobilists refused to heed the signal to stop, the Board of Selectmen have duly elected these and they now wear girdles as distinguish- ing marks of their position.
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THRIFT
The records show another gain in the amount school children have deposited through the Savings Bank System. It is interesting to note that the habit of saving formed in the lower grades continues as pupils reach the upper grades and high school. This is evidenced by the increasing amount saved. If the habit can be so firmly established that it carries over in a large degree into the lives of the pupils when they leave school, the cooperative efforts of the school and the Fairhaven Institution for Savings in this direction will have been justified.
1926
1927
1928
1929
East Fairhaven
$ 234.50 $
101.87 $ 246.59 $
182.02
Rogers
691.18
1,055.11
1,429.94
1,440.30
Washington St.
548.82
496.03
644.80
614.78
Job C. Tripp
767.56
1,067.03
940.49
932.37
Ed. Anthony, Jr.
1,082.11
1,304.82
1,022.51
1,183.09
Oxford
346.85
361.73
499.65
411.76
High
325.87
231.47
772.39
1,392.30
$3,996.89 $4,618.06 $5,536.37 $6,156.62
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
The rapid development of Instrumental Music in Fair- haven schools since its introduction less than three years ago, is an excellent illustration of how subjects called at first "fads" or "folderol" become an established part of school work. In the beginning there is the expressed desire of some parents or group of parents that the schools offer the subject ; the schools without expense to the town respond in a limited way; the demand grows and the voters grant a small appropriation for its continuance; finally, if the sub- ject proves worth while, enthusiasm develops until there is, in a degree, adequate financial support,
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For several years, instrumental music cost the town nothing ; then $250 a year. During the current year, the cost of instruction from taxation has been $472, paid from the regular school appropriation. This is a sufficient sum for the present to pay for the limited amount of time that can be given by the supervisor. For the loan fund, and for the purchase of the more expensive instruments, the proceeds of the concerts, and loans by private benefactors, have been used.
It would be difficult, I am sure, to find a school system where so much progress has been made in the same length of time as in Fairhaven. Indications are that the interest aroused is not of a temporary nature, but reflects the matured desire and judgment of the community, and that the public wishes this department fostered. In this respect, Fairhaven is not peculiar. In the same way, instrumental music has crept into many schools all over Massachusetts and the United States. It has not been put in the curriculum ar- bitrarily, but developed step by step in a sane and logical manner until it is recognized as a desirable, if not essential, subject of the curriculum in every progressive school system. Under competent instruction, the music lesson and band practice give three distinct benefits; discipline, culture, and vocational guidance. Furthermore, there is the benefit of an aroused interest on the part of the pupil in his other lessons because of participation in music.
The instrumental music organizations in Fairhaven now include three orchestras and a school band. The latter has grown to about forty pieces. Although it still lacks some instruments and has not yet matured, it is capable of playing acceptably even now. It will soon be able to furnish ex- cellent music for Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and other civic occasions. During the football season, the members purchased for themseleves simple uniforms. They need somewhat better ones if they are to serve in the ways above mentioned. It has been proposed that funds be provided
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which will enable the purchase of coats of good quality, and that the members equip themselves with trousers and caps, the coats to remain the property of the organization and to be passed on as its personnel changes. From the proceeds of the last music festival, about $50 was set aside toward a uniform fund. The band can, in time, earn its own uniforms. But, if it is to be of use to the Town in the near future and is to develop musically as fast as it ought, it is desirable that it be freed from this necessity. If the Town will appropriate for the use of the school band the amount given for several years to the Town band, viz., $500, it will enable the purchase of coats which will remain the property of the Town and can be used by the changing members of the organization for several years. I wish that this might be done, and recommend that the School Com- mittee have inserted in the warrant at the Annual Town Meeting an article asking for this appropriation.
HIGH SCHOOL
The total enrolment for the year ending June 1929 was 379, the average membership 352, and the percent of at- tendance, 94.8. The total enrolment thus far this year is 415. The actual membership on December 20th of this year was 404. A notable fact in regard to the present high school attendance is that it includes more boys than girls.
In previous reports, and elsewhere in this one, details in regard to the handicap of an inadequate supply of recitation rooms in the high school are given. In making a decision as to meeting this difficulty, it will be just for the voters to remember that this splendid school plant cost the town nothing, that the school was entirely financed by its bene- factor for 12 years, that the local taxation cost has since that time been relatively small, and that there exists a certain moral obligation to provide conditions which will enable the school to continue its efficient training of young men and women of high school age.
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TEACHERS
During the first ten years of the present high school, there were practically no changes in the faculty. The endowment enabled salaries to be relatively high. Now the endowment, plus the town appropriation, provides only salaries, for the most part, relatively low. The result is that there is an- nually as large a percentage of changes in the high school as in the grade corps. There is, therefore, a similar dis- advantage to be overcome. In September of this year, five teachers, 35% of the faculty, were new to the school.
No changes have been made during the year in the course of study or in the organization of the school.
ATHLETICS
The various athletic teams representing the school have had successful seasons; track and baseball championships were won, and in our own estimation, a football champion- ship as well, though technically the award went to another school. The good sportsmanship of the players and of their supporters is to be highly commended. May it con- tinue to be true that a championship is not our chief aim and that, "win, lose or draw," the school and the town will feel satisfied and happy as long as the teams play clean, hard, and well.
"WILL TO WIN"
The most important quality of a successful athletic team is the will to win. It is thought worth while to spend much time in building up this spirit. It is equally important that parents and teachers strive to develop its application in other fields than that of sport. Select any number of pupils from the high school and give them a hard, testing task. Not more than ten percent of the number will have the con-
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fidence, persistence, and endurance to conquer it. This small minority believe they are capable of winning out in any situation in which they may be placed. They have the will to win. The will to win is, in part, habit. Teachers and parents who will not encourage or permit a pupil to drop a difficult task because it is difficult, who inspire, lead, and drive them to conquer it, are developing an essential of future success. There are many pupils who find high school and college scholastic standards of today difficult to meet. They are truly much more so than in the past. In the task of meeting them, it is easy to develop the attitude of defeat. Pupils who drop out of a course because it is hard, who get into the habit of giving up when they confront difficulties soon have the attitude of defeat. On the other hand, the reverse is true. Pupils who struggle through to victory, finally believe that they are capable of winning out in almost any situation. This spirit will be worth more to any individual than high marks in easy subjects, or any other awards won without effort. The building up of this spirit is well worth the persistent effort of parents and teachers.
FACTS IN REGARD TO COST OF SCHOOLS IN FAIRHAVEN
In November of each year, the State Board of Education issues a statistical report. The material therein is derived from the annual reports of school committees. These legally required reports are made on the same items with the same interpretation; therefore, comparisons based on their com- piled results are accurate and fair. The State figures that follow are from the last report for the year 1928-29, but Fairhaven figures are for the year just closed.
Explanation of terms :
Cost for "support" of schools means all money expended except for some permanent addition to or modification of
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the school plant. It includes all ordinary repairs and minor replacements.
"State rank" of a town or city means its position in respect to school costs among the 355 towns and cities in the State.
"Group rank" refers to a community's position among others of similar population.
State "average" per pupil includes all expenditures for both high and elementary education.
FAIRHAVEN SCHOOL COSTS COMPARED WITH STATE AVERAGES
(Includes High and Elementary Expenditures from All Sources)
DEPARTMENTS
Fairhaven
1929
1928-29
General Control (Includes Supt.,
Clerk, Attendance Officer, School
Census, Office expense
$2.76
$3.71
Teachers' Salaries (High and Elem.)
57.22
68.68
Text Books (High and Elem.)
1.48
1.68
Supplies
2.80
3.18
Library Service
.31
.12
Janitors Salaries and Fuel
8.53
10.60
Repairs, New Equipment, Insurance
5.51
5.31
Transportation
2.49
2.56
Health
1.08
1.47
Tuition
. .
.90
Miscellaneous
.21
.86
Totals
$82.39
$99.07
Per Pupil Cost
State Average
Per Pupil Cost
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It is often assumed that the total cost of schools in Fair- haven, including the use of the Rogers and other endowment funds, is in excess of or well up to the State average. This has never been true. If the Town appropriation for schools for 1929 had been sufficient to bring expenditures, including proceeds of the various funds, up to the State average per pupil cost of this year, it would have been $32,892.96 larger.
The figures thus far given may be criticized because State averages include expenditures in many large cities which have elaborate plants and pay high salaries to all employees. For this reason, a comparison of Fairhaven costs with the 79 towns of Group II having a population of 5,000 or over is given.
Average per pupil cost in 1928-29 for support of schools in Group II-$89.61.
Per pupil cost in 1929 for support of schools in Fairhaven, including use of all funds-$82.39.
Group rank of Fairhaven in 1929-49.
Average per pupil expenditure in 1928-29 from local tax- ation in Group II-$79.
Average per pupil expenditure in 1929 in Fairhaven from local taxation-$56.88. .
Fairhaven's rank among 79 towns in respect to per pupil expenditure from local taxation-74.
What proportion ought the school appropriation to be of the total appropriation ?
There can be no conclusive answer to this question. It is obvious that a town with a high valuation may have a low tax rate, and also raise a relatively low proportion of the total tax for schools and yet maintain expensive schools. The ten towns in Group II nearest in size to Fairhaven of any in the State in 1927 gave on the average 35% of their total
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appropriation for schools. Fairhaven gave that same year 26%. This year Fairhaven's proportion of the total is nearly 29%.
In the management of a school system, as in the manage- ment of a private corporation, efficiency does not necessarily mean small expenditures. It should mean, rather, making the best use of the funds appropriated. Increased efficiency may mean that larger appropriations should be made. The fact that Fairhaven schools are well organized, fairly well housed, equipped with books and general supplies, and taught by trained teachers should not make us unmindful of our weak- nesses. One of them has been pointed out over and over again, viz., the handicap of a continually shifting corps of teachers. This handicap cannot be overcome without an increased appropriation for teachers' salaries.
HEALTH
REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
The elementary schools are visited on regular days each week. The high school is visited when a request for a nurse is made.
Physical charts are kept for each child with records of tonsils, adenoids, weights, teeth, child's physical condition, and follow-up visits.
The weighing of pupils has been attended to in all the schools. Notices for defective teeth and tonsils have been sent to all parents. Talks have been given on hygiene, etc.
The State Clinic for retarded children is another problem that has been greatly aided by the parents cooperation in answering our many questions required to fill out the charts. Thirty children were examined this year by the Taunton Traveling Mental Clinic.
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SUMMARY
Number of school room visits 1764
Number of follow-up visits 196
Number of office calls 91
Number of cases referred to School Physician 13
Number of pupils weighed 1639
Number of pupils reported to the Truant Officer 12
Number of cases reported to Mr. Francis 9
Number of cases reported to S. P. C. C. 10
Number of cases reported to Family Welfare 2
Number of pupils examined by Taunton Traveling Clinic 30
Number of high school visits
41
Number of high school follow-up visits 21
Number of high school office calls 1
DENTAL CLINIC
Work done from January 1 to December 31, 1929.
Number of fillings 192
Number of extractions 13
Number of cleanings 110
Number of treatments
7
Number of examinations
5
Number of preparations 4
Number of scalings 2
Examination of the teeth of all school children was made in the early fall. The Clinic is open each Tuesday and Thursday from 9 A. M. to 12 M. Dr. A. McKenna is in charge, assistant Mrs. Winslow.
Respectfully submitted,
LENA P. HOWLAND, R. N.,
School Nurse.
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MISCELLANY
The Teachers' Study Club of each building and the Prin- cipals' Study Club with the Superintendent are being con- tinued as usual with definite programs for the year.
The membership at East Fairhaven is slightly less than that of last year. At this school the troop of Campfire girls has been reorganized and affiliated with the Girl Scouts under the leadership of Miss Halloran. The Principal, Mr. Clish, directs a troop of Boy Scouts at this building. A troop of Girl Scouts has also been recently organized at the Oxford school. Any school that fosters these organiza- tions is doing a valuable work in character building.
At East Fairhaven a demonstration of the work in in- strumental music was given in November and, as a result, 16 members of the school have purchased, and are taking lessons on some musical instrument.
The pupils in Grade 3 at the East Fairhaven school, under the leadership of the teacher, Miss Blankinship, worked dur- ing the fall term on a project connected with a study of the Indians and collected or made illustrations of Indian life which are worth visiting the school to see.
During Education Week a reception to parents or an en- tertainment was held in each building, and in general the schools kept open house. There were nearly 800 visitors during the week.
Fall and spring music festivals have been held for the benefit of the instrumental fund. Parents and friends patron- ized these in large numbers and were greatly pleased with the improvement manifested.
A Christmas play, the joint production of the Edmund Anthony, Jr. and Job C. Tripp schools deserves special men- tion. The acting and the costumes were very creditable to the children, their teachers, and to the parents who so gen- erously cooperated.
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The largest issue of the Rogers Beacon ever prepared was circulated in December among pupils and friends of the school. This paper is really an excellent little magazine and one of which the pupils and teachers may be proud.
A period of 50 minutes weekly is devoted to club work at the Rogers school. Children select for themselves the organization which appeals to them. Orchestra, Literary, Glee, Nature, Art, Safety, Sewing, and Health Clubs are maintained. These, with the Junior Improvement associa- tions are an important part of Rogers School life.
A noteworthy event of the year at the high and also the Rogers school was the visit made by Lady Fairhaven. The brief address she gave at each building, as well as the sincere and hearty interest she manifested in the work being done, will long be remembered.
CONCLUSION
"There are some who think that children are going to be made weak-minded because they will not have to think at all. They will see the world moving before them on the screen, and they will hear music and listen to speeches by authorities in all fields, but they will not have to do any intellectual work on their own account. It will probably be necessary to study ways and means of making effective the newer methods of securing knowledge through the eye and ear, so that the pupil can assimilate and utilize what he sees and hears. But it is probably within bounds to say that pupils in the schools of tomorrow will gain ten times as accurate an impression of the world in which they live, through the screen, the vitaphone and the radio, as pupils of yesterday got from their books."
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES F. PRIOR.
Present Corps of Teachers
1929 - 1930
HIGH SCHOOL
George C. Dickey
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Harvard
Walter D. Wood
Clark University
Harvard Business
James M. Parkinson
Boston Sloyd Normal Art School
Robert C. Lawton
Charles H. Johnson, Jr.
Summer Session, Columbia University
Summer Session, Hyannis Normal
Linn S. Wells Helene M. Ernst Margaret Siebert
Springfield College
Radcliffe College
Jackson College
Clark University
Bay Path Institute
Lena J. Russell Eunice E. Strong
Oread Institute Teachers' College Columbia University
Florence Griswold
Plymouth Business School
Marion L. Barker
Wheaton College
Smith College
New Bedford Normal
University of Grenoble
Mary E. Heald
Jackson College Wheaton College
Elva F. Cheney
Marion B. Goodwin
Radcliffe College
Doris M. Plaisted
Keene Teachers' College
Marie R. Wentzell
Salem Normal School
Anna M. Salice Mildred F. Bryant Sec. to Principal
Massachusetts School of Art
Fairhaven High School
Inez Boynton
Sargent School of Physical Education
Ruby R. Dodge
Susan B. Gifford
Northeastern University
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ROGERS SCHOOL
Coburn W. Tripp
Farmington, Maine, Normal School
Boston University
Harvard Summer
Boston University
Fitchburg Normal
Elizabeth Hastings
Smith College
Margaret McGuire
Framingham Normal
A. Janet Danskin
Salem Normal School
Rena E. Safford
Farmington Normal
Mabel G. Hoyle
Tufts College
Lucie E. Reynolds
Fitchburg Normal
Rose Caton
Hyannis Normal
Theresa F. Coulombe
Hyannis Normal
Marie L. Sullivan
Hyannis Normal
Hazel B. Raymond
Salem Normal
WASHINGTON ST. SCHOOL
Mary A. S. Sale
Framingham Normal
Mildred Hall
Lyndon Centre Normal
Mary S. Fletcher
Salem Normal
Hazel M. Lovering
Framingham Normal
Thelma V. Kalloch
Arrostook State Normal
Gertrude E. Janowsky
Kėene State Normal
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