USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1936 > Part 9
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The earnest and skilful efforts of Miss Pillsbury to interest the younger children in reading good literature are much ap- preciated. They are really a valuable supplement to the schools: in the teaching of its most important subject.
A W.P.A. project was initiated in November whereby about (30) underweight children from families unable at present to provide properly receive nutritious noon-day luncheons. The School Department furnishes the equipment, the Benevolent As- sociation undertakes a part of the transportation of food to the various buildings, while W.P.A. funds pay for the food and cost of its preparation.
There are more undernourished children in the schools than there are means to help. The annual milk tag sale conducted jointly by the schools and the Mothers' Club yielded $138. as the
22
schools' share; the Teachers' Association contributes $100., but the total available is less than $250. Any individual or organ- ization with a desire to minister to the health, happiness and welfare of children will find in the School Milk Account a good outlet for spare funds.
Community Encouragement and the Civic Motive in Children
Recovery from the depression seems well underway There is, however, no one sufficiently wise to prophesy accurately how durable the evidences of it are. There are still great economic and political problems awaiting solution if our type of govern- ment is to be successful. Continued education is necessary if democracy is to be made efficient. What kind of education ? Scholarship and research will be important factors in it, but some- thing else is necessary. We know this to be true because, al- though public and private schools have continually improved in ability to stimulate pupils in the acquisition of knowledge, in the meantime, crime has not decreased nor has corruption and in- efficiency in government lessened perceptibly.
President Angell of Yale said recently in an address outlining the future of democracy in America :--
"It would appear to me that the gravest danger with which we are confronted in the possible lack of suf- ficient moral insight to recognize that if we wish to salvage the high and indubitable advantages of a free democracy, we must breed a sufficiently vivid form of intelligent social altruism voluntarily to forgo some of the individual prerogatives which in a simpler day we could claim."
A "vivid form of intelligent social altruism," translated into non-scholastic terms, means the possession of so strong a desire to serve the general welfare that political questions will be con- sidered on that basis. "Intelligent social altruism" requires the voter to be trained to analyze social problems, and his public spirit-favorable attitude toward the general welfare - to be developed to a degree that will cause him to be willing to sur- render some of his selfish or personal deisres in order that society may benefit. In other words, he should be so trained that he will feel and act in accordance with the motto of the Fairhaven- Mattapoisett schools,-"The Noblest Motive is the Public Good."
Can public schools successfully give such training? They can- not alone. Expert in doing so as they may become, they are,
23
after all, but puny affairs compared with all the selfish influences at work in the world. To succeed, the home and church are in- dispensable allies. Young people need, also, for their growth the encouragement of intelligent, unselfish, patriotic adults, both as individuals and in organized groups.
How can the public school do its part? Dr. Kilpatrick of Columbia says,-"In season and out, the social motive must be sought; individual and group endeavor at things significant in daily life must be encouraged whenever possible. We must work that such shall increasingly come from the children's own de- mands. In the degree that we can succeed at such things, in like degree will the best aims of modern education be served."
For fifteen years Fairhaven schools have been experimenting in an effort to "serve the best aims of education by 'seeking in season and out' to implant the social motive. Details of the plan have been given in previous reports. In 1931 an article, "Featuring Fairhaven," written by a well known educator, ap- peared in an educational magazine. Of the Town the writer said,-"You walk over a handsome long bridge spanning water once alive with a hundred whaling ships, a handsome spire thrusts upward out of a layer of glorious old trees. The charm is not spoiled by factories. It is a town of pretty homes, of churches, and of such a comfortable sense of content that I should imagine the unique feature of its school system would get very little attention from the respectable people, who seem to me as calmly satisfied as most New England communities, rest- ing on their storied past." The implication of complacency, ex- cept as it applies to all communities in relation to active interest in what actually goes on in their schools, is, of course, not just- ified. The pertinent point, which needs emphasis, is that any effort within the school to train for better citizenship needs for its highest success encouragement from without .. . Whenever a child or group of children, like the F. J. I. Association, receives the urge to make school life one of service, a patriotic adventure, a little attention and praise from adults can made it much more meaningful and multiply the value of such training.
In every schoolroom in Fairhaven, all the time, by pupil-made colored borders and posters in various forms, the theme is pre- sented,-"Help others;" "You owe something to your home;" "Do you help at home?" "You owe something to your town;" "A good citizen does something for his Town;" "What have you done this week for Fairhaven?" What these children act- ually do for others, for individuals, the home, the school, the community, may seem inconsequential to adults, but by their en-
24
couragement and recognition of the effort to do, it is believed that civic spirit can be developed more rapidly. When careless children tramp over lawns, destroy shrubbery, steal fruit, deface property, and are caught in these and other misdemeanors, there is justifiable complaint, punishment, reprimand, and sometimes, they are moralized to by adults. Of course, such offenses can- not pass unnoticed. Temporarily good results may come by means of the methods mentioned. But, in a long experience as a teacher, I found it comparatively futile in the development of permanently better conduct to "preach" to a boy or girl when in the position of suffering the penalty for wrong conduct. The receptive mood isn't present then. I found that to praise a per- son when he is doing a worthy thing is a more effectual way to secure repetition of it. It is a scientific law that when a physical body is in motion the slightest touch acceledates it. Civic mo- mentum in children is increased in the same way by the touch of praise.
Schools will continue to do their part to implant the social inotive but, to repeat,-they cannot succeed sufficiently alone. To succeed in the highest degree, they must have the direct en- couragement and aid of intelligent, unselfish, patriotic adults, both as individuals and in organized groups.
Permit me to express keen appreciation of the interest, sound judgment and practical help of the School Committee in ad- ministering the schools of Fairhaven during the past year. I have a deep feeling of gratitude, also, toward the general public for its friendly attitude in all matters relating to the education of its children. In the devotion and skill of Principals and teach- ers will be found the chief reasons for a successful year.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES F. PRIOR,
Superintendent of Schools.
Principal of the High School
To the Superintendent of Schools of Fairhaven:
I submit, at this time, my annual report of Fairhaven High School.
ENROLMENT
The following table shows the enrolment, by classes, on Octo- ber 1, 1935 and October 1, 1936:
1935
1936
Boys
Girls
Boys
Girls
Post-Graduates
6
8
6
11
Seniors
40
42
45
49
Juniors
54
64
62
74
Sophomores
96
102
97
94
Freshmen
126
93
119
91
8th Grade
101
100
107
100
423
408
436
419
Total 832
Total 855
CURRICULUM
Several years ago it was felt advisable, in order to economize, to discontinue the teaching of German. As a result of this, only two foreign languages remain in the curriculum - Latin and French. Both these subjects are accepted for college entrance, but only a few colleges are now requiring Latin. For this reason, pupils who are preparing for college are given no choice in the selection of a modern foreign language. They must take French. In addition to this, French is the only modern foreign language that is offered to non-college preparatory pupils. Many pupils who are not preparing for college wish to study a foreign lan- guage for two years, but do not need to study it as intensively as college preparatory pupils. Nevertheless, because we have only one teacher of French, it is not possible to separate college preparatory and non-college preparatory pupils in this subject until the third year. This has become a serious problem. Many non-college preparatory pupils who elect first year French have very little language ability. If they continue the subject, as many of them do, through the first year, they become a distinct "drag" on the class and the college preparatory pupils cannot cover the amount of ground required during the first year. These college pupile reach their second year with more work to be accomplished than should be required of them during this year. In order to
26
insure better preparation in French for college it ought to be possible to have separate college preparatory sections in all years of French. This can only be done by the addition of another teacher who can teach French.
Last year I recommended that, if possible, sewing be restored to the curriculum. There is still a strong demand for this sub- ject, and again I hope that it will not be long before at least one year of sewing can be offered to the girls in the High School.
IMPROVEMENT OF TEACHERS IN SERVICE
Teachers may improve themselves while in service by reading professional books and magazines, by attending professional meetings within and without the local system, by visiting schools in other outstanding systems, and by taking university or uni- versity extension courses in education. Our teachers have an opportunity, without much expense to themselves, to avail them- selves of all these means of improvement, with the exception of university and university extension courses in education. In order to avail themselves of this latter method of improvement they must undergo a considerable expense, especially if they take university courses. It has been interesting to discover that since 1932 High School teachers have taken 65 courses for professional improvement.
During this period Miss Margaret Siebert was awarded a Master of Education degree from Harvard Univesity, School of Educa- tion; Miss Mabel G. Hoyle, was awarded a Master of Arts degree from Boston University; Miss Elva Cheney was awarded a Master of Arts degree from Columbia University; Mr. Robert C. Lawton was awarded a Master of Education from Boston University; Miss Evelyn Murdock was awarded a Master of Education degree from Boston University.
There is no question but that one would have to look about considerably to find a faculty that has done as much as Fairhaven High School teachers have, to improve themselves professionally, during the last four years.
ATHLETICS
The success of the 1936 Football Team, under the coaching of Mr. Samuel Sezak, has been very gratifying. The results of the games were as follows:
27
Fairhaven
7
Dartmouth
0
Fairhaven
7
Taunton
7
Fairhaven
7
Durfee
0
Fairhaven
7
Whitman
6
Fairhaven
19
Coyle
7
Fairhaven
6
Attleboro
7
Fairhaven
8
New Bedford
7
Fairhaven
6
Bridgewater
0
Although we all realize that a defeat may sometimes mean moral victory, and that too much winning may cause more dam- age than good, nevertheless it afforded us great joy to win from our long standing rival from across the river.
For the first time in many years we ended the football season with a substantial balance in the Athletic Association treasury. Truly, it seems that the depression, both mental and financial, is fast disappearing.
GRADUATION
High School graduation was held on June 26 in the addition hall. For the first time in the history of the school, no speaker was engaged for the exercises. In place of the speaker, a panel discussion on "The Problem of Crime in the United States" was presented by eight members of the senior class, under the direc- tion of Miss Mildred Robinson of the faculty. Hume MacDougall acted as Chairman of the panel, and the following pupils discussed various phases of crime :
Thomas Murray-"Statistics Concerning Crime" George Steele-"The Home, the School, and Crime" Arthur Milhench-"The Community and Crime" Emily Bettencourt-"The Law, the Courts, and Crime" Douglas Cowling-"Prisons, the Penal System, and Crime" Marjorie Stitt-"Science and Crime"
Marion Browne-"The Federal Government and Crime"
The presentation of this panel discussion was a radical depar- ture from the traditional form of graduation exercises and it was somewhat of a question as to whether or not the public reaction would be favorable to such a program. Apparently there was very much enthusiasm on the part of the audience for this new type of exercises. The newspapers reported favorably and the New Bedford Standard-Times commended editorially as follows:
28
"Fairhaven High School, daring to depart from the trodden paths, this week presented something new in graduation exercises.
In place of the salutatory address, or essays, or whatever they should be called by honor students, and the valedictory delivered by the pupil standing at the head of the class, there was a panel discussion of "The Problem of Crime in the United States". Mem- bers of the graduating class presented various aspects of this question, such as, the prevention of crime, it's cost, the need of a corrective rather than a punitive penal system, the relationship between crime and conditions in the homes and in the community, the value of wholesome recreational opportunities for youth, and methods of criminal investigation.
There is much to be said in favor of this innovation. School commencement papers of the traditional kind are likely to be dull. Here was a subject not only of general interest, but touch- ing one of the gravest problems confronting the nation today-a subject of direct concern to every citizen and to the young people approaching the age when they will take on the responsibilities of citizenship. Judging from the newspaper reports, it was a subject that had captured the speakers' interest and to which they had given careful thought. It takes courage for a school to break away from stereotyped graduation programs, and Fairhaven High is to be commended for thus experimenting with something new."
A letter was received by the same newspaper from Homer S. Cummings, Attorney-General of the United States, expressing his highest approval of the subject selected. In fact, we were so much encouraged by the results that we are planning to have a similar type of program next June.
I wish to take this opportunity of expressing the appreciation. of my teachers and myself for the splendid assistance you have given us this year in solving our many difficult problems.
Respectfully submitted,
G. C. DICKEY,
Principal.
.
Report of School Nurse
The Elementary Schools are visited on regular days each week. The High School is visited Thursdays or on request.
We find the general health of the school child very good at the present time.
The only real illness this year, was in the spring, when we had a great many colds and high temperatures. Also a few cases of mumps and measles.
We have had two Tuberculosis Clinics this year, January and October.
The Tuberculosis Clinic requires two days each week for three weeks. These cases are also followed up through the year for heights, weights, and instructions.
The Mentality Clinic takes about one month to prepare the work. The Clinic lasting about six days.
We also have the Diphtheria immunization clinic. This Clinic covers a period of four weeks, one day each week.
The Thanksgiving baskets were given out as usual this year.
Elementary Schools gave 59 Baskets
High School Total
46 Baskets
105 Baskets
The Benevolent Association gave $30.00 to help with the Elementary School Baskets.
The Mothers Club gave $4.00 for tooth brushes so each child not able to purchase a brush this year, was given one free.
Milk has been given to underweight children, and also sold to any child at 31/2 cents per jar.
The Lions Club of New Bedford gave us glasses for a High School girl, who had extremely poor eye sight. These glasses were expensive and were well appreciated.
Summary
Number of rooms visited 1435
Number of follow up cases
132
Number of Office calls 198
30
Number of cases referred to Physician
9
Number of cases, referred to S. P. C. C. 2
Number of pupils for Mentality Clinic 38
Number of pupils for Tuberculosis Clinic Number of pupils X-rayed (Ist Clinic)
550
49
Number of pupils for Tuberculosis Clinic
482
Number of pupils X-rayed (2nd Clinic)
16
Number of pupils given Toxid (Diphtheria) 74
Number of High School visits
32
Number of follow up cases
52
Number of Office Calls
11
Dental Clinic Report
Dentist Dr. Gilmartin, assistant Virginia Morgan. The Dental Clinic hours are from 9:30 to 11:30 Tuesday and Thursday morn- . ings.
The time is given out to each school when to send the children. Six or seven children are taken care of each clinic morning.
Summary
Extractions
198
Filling
55
Cleaning's
37
. .
Treatments
9
Total
485
Respectfully submitted,
LENA P. HOWLAND, R. N.,
School Nurse.
Present Corps of Teachers
1936 - 1937
George C. Dickey
Walter D. Wood
Robert C. Lawton
Northeastern University Boston University, M. E.
Katherine W. Talley
Susan Gifford
University of Grenoble
Margaret Siebert
Tufts College Harvard, M. E.
Dorothy J. Williams
Mabel G. Hoyle
Lena J. Russell
Florence R. Griswold
Plymouth Commercial School Perry's Business School
Marie R. Wentzell
Mildred E. Robinson
Raymond L. Robinson
Evelyn L. Murdock
Cecile Giguere Elva F. Cheney
Eunice E. Strong
James Parkinson Edith Rogers Mildred F. Bryant (Sec. to Principal)
Bates College Boston University, M. A.
Tufts College Boston University, M. A.
New Britain Normal Bay Path Institute
Salem State Normal
Tufts College
Dartmouth College Keene, (N. H.) Normal
Mt. Holyoke College Boston University, M. E.
Bridgewater Teachers College Wheaton College, Columbia University, M. A.
Oread Institute Teachers College, Columbia University
Boston Sloyd Normal Art School University of Vermont Fairhaven High School
HIGH SCHOOL
Worcester Polytechnic Institute Harvard University, M. E.
Clark University
Centre College (Ky.)
32
ADDITION
Bridgewater Teachers College Smith College, Boston University Tufts College Brown University Bridgewater Teachers College
Clarence E. MaGuire Caroline T. Feindel
Florence Washburn Marion Ryder Rose Caton Marie C. Rousseau
T. Mary Salo Dorothy N. Whitely
ROGERS
Boston University, M. E. Bridgewater Teachers College Bridgewater Teachers College Bridgewater Teachers College Hyannis Normal
Bridgewater Teachers College
University of Paris Bridgewater Teachers College Plymouth Teachers College
WASHINGTON STREET SCHOOL
Mary A. S. Sale
Mildred R. Hall
Mary S. Fletcher
Hazel M. Lovering
Framingham Normal
Thelma V. Kalloch
Aroostook State Normal
Evelyn M. Smith
Framingham Normal Bridgewater Teachers College New Bedford Training School
Arthur P. Bixby Ruth K. Simons Miriam Davidow Agnes Athan Bernice Ludden
EAST FAIRHAVEN SCHOOL
Fitchburg State Teachers College Salem State Teachers College Hyannis Normal Bridegwater Teachers College Bridegwater Teachers College
JOB C. TRIPP SCHOOL
Mildred E. Webb Mary A. Corey Elsa D. Johnson Mildred Borden Julia Milutis Virginia Perry Frances S. Holmes
Bridegwater Teachers College Bridegwater Teachers College Bridegwater Teachers College Hyannis Normal Bridegwater Teachers College Hyannis Normal Keene Normal
George L. Kane Elizabeth Hastings Marion B. Milhench Edith Kenny John E. Nolan
Helen L. Newton Louise C. Johnson
Framingham Normal Lyndon Center Normal Salem Normal
33
EDMUND ANTHONY JR. SCHOOL
Elizabeth Graham
Hilda I. Barton
Rachel R. Stanley
Caroline R. Gilmore
Mary Toledo
Edith A. McNamara
Christine M. Martin Helena L. Stanley aKtherine Johnson
Framingham Normal Boston University, B. S. Hyannis Normal Wheelock School
Bridgewater Teachers College Framingham Teachers College Framingham Teachers College
Bridgewater Teachers College
Bridgewater Teachers College Bridgewater Teachers College
OXFORD SCHOOL
Margaret McGuire
Mary Katkin Anna P. Malone Isabelle Walsh Marie Souza
Ellen E. Meal Loretta Des Ruisseau
Eliza C. Moura
Regina Morrissey
Dorothy C. Gleason Ann O'D. Brow
Framingham Normal Boston University, B. S. Portsmouth Training School
Fitchburg Normal Bridgewater Teachers College
North Adams Normal Hyannis Teachers College Bridgewater Teachers College Hyannis Teachers College Bridegwater Teachers College Hyannis Normal Bridgewater Teachers College Bridgewater Teachers College
SPECIAL TEACHERS
Ella L. Hopkins Lillian E. Elliott
Virginia Arnold Samuel Sezak Charles H. Johnson, Jr. Clarence W. Arey High School Orchestra
Music Art
Physical Education
Physical Education Manual Training Instrumental Music F. William Kempf
AGE AND GRADE TABLE AS OF OCTOBER 1, 1936
Age
GRADES
Totals
II III IV |V | VI VII VIII IX |X | XI XII XIII Class I
5
120
120
6
67
74
1
142
7
18
65
82
1
166
8
3
21
76
82
1
183
9
6
26
60
71
1
164
10
8
24
61
81
1
175
11
219
12
2
4
15
26
68
75
1|
3
194
13
3
17
34
74
63
1
1
2
194
14
1 3
8
12
37
82
56
3
3
205
15
2
6
15
43
81
48
1
6
202
16
3
16
33
45
48
7
152
17
4
16
26
31
9
86
18
1| 1
2|
10
10
1
1
19
1| 2 3
6
20
1|
1
2
21
1
1
1
3
E
1
14
34
72
91
2
4
24
1
Totals 208 166 197 186 188 206 212 207 210 191 136 94 17 19 2237
11
1
Spec.
35
TABULATED GRADES, TEACHERS, ATTENDANCE, ETC.
School Year September 1935 to June 1936
SCHOOL
Grades
TEACHERS
Total
Enrollment
Average
Membership
Average
Attendance
Percent of
Attendance
Tardiness
High
9-12
George C. Dickey
646
589
539
91
714
Addition
8
George C. Dickey
207
199
184
93
249
Rogers
7
Lucie E. Reynolds
47
42
38
92
20
Rogers
7
Florence Washburn
44
42
40
93
30
Rogers
7
Dorothy R. Meriam
45
42
38
91
10
Rogers
6
Rose Caton
37
34
32
93
26
Rogers
6
Marie C. Rousseau
36
33
30
92
10
Rogers
5
Dorothy N. Whiteley
35
32
30
93
19
Rogers
5
Helen E. Murley
33
31
29
92
14
Oxford
6
Ellen Meal
40
39
37
94
26
Oxford
4-5
Loretta Des Ruisseau
28
26
25
95
23
Oxford
5
Dorothy C. Gleason
40
39
36
94
24
Oxford
4
Anna P. Malone
39
38
35
92
6
Oxford
2-3
Regina Morrissey
40
30
27
91
31
Oxford
2
Elizabeth Davis
41
38
35
91
26
Oxford
3
Marie Souza
37
36
33
91
16
Oxford
1
Katherine T. Goggin
31
27
23
86
16
Oxford
1
Mary Katkin
27
26
23
92
15
Oxford
Spec.
Ann O'D. Brow
21
18
16
92
6
Edmund Anthony, Jr.
7
Helena L. Stanley
35
34
32
95
3
Edmund
Anthony, Jr.
6-7
Christine M. Martin
20
20
19
94
18
Edmund Anthony, Jr.
6
Gunvor Henrickson
39
35
33
94
11
Edmund Anthony, Jr.
5
Edith McNamara
31
30
28
93
2
Edmund Anthony, Jr.
3
Caroline R. Gilmore
34
30
27
92
21
Edmund Anthony, Jr.
2
Francesca Cleverly
30
22
19
88
8
Job C. Tripp
7
Frances S. Holmes
43
38
36
95
10
Job C. Tripp
6
Virginia Perry
40
37
35
94
20
Job C. Tripp
5
Marion Ryder
45
41
39
94
30
Job C. Tripp
3
Mary A. Corey
32
31
29
94
2
Job C. Tripp
1
Helen L. Newton
35
32
30
95
18
Washington St.
4
Evelyn M. Smith
32
29
27
92
11
Washington St.
3
Mary S. Fletcher
35
33
29
89
10
Washington St.
2
Hazel M. Lovering
35
33
29
90
27
Washington St.
1
Mildred Hall
37
29
25
89
27
Washington St.
1
Mary A. S. Sale
32
30
27
90
19
East Fairhaven
6
Arthur P. Bixby
27
26
23
91
3
East Fairhaven
4-5
Ruth K. Simons
37
31
28
91
22
East Fairhaven
3-4
Miriam Davidow
39
35
32
91
53
East Fairhaven
2
Mary E. Foley
22
18
16
91
7
East Fairhaven
1
Priscilla Browne
22
17
15
83
33
Totals
2399
2190
2008
91.7 | 1759
4
Mary Toledo
31
28
26
92
13
Edmund Anthony, Jr
Rachel R. Stanley
26
20
18
90
4
Edmund Anthony, Jr.
Julia Milutis
32
29
27
93
18
Job C. Tripp
4
Mildred Borden
32
30
27
92
36
Job C. Tripp
2
Mildred F. Webb
37
33
29
90
15
Washington St.
4
Louise C. Johnson
32
28
26
94
5
Washington St.
3
Thelma V. Kałlock
33
30
27
91
32
Washington St.
2
·2
Elementary School Expenditures (Itemized)
SUPERINTENDENT
Charles F. Prior
$3,750.00
CLERK
Beatrice DeCoffe
$793.00
Mildred Bryant (Substitute)
30.00
$823.00
TRUANT OFFICERS
Walter G. Spencer
$ 6.00
Joseph B. Silva
2.50
Charles H. Lawton
175.00
$183.50
SCHOOL CENSUS
Thomas Martin
$ 83.33
Walter G. Spencer
41.67
$125.00
OFFICE EXPENSE
N. E. Tel. & Tel. Co.
$ 13.40
F. S. Brightman Co.
3.00
Keystone Office & Appliance Co.
19.13
J. L. Hammett Co.
2.63
Megansett Shores Corp.
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