USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Dighton > Town annual report of the offices of the town of Dighton 1921 > Part 5
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Miss MacIntosh gives her full time to the entire district, dividing her time as that of the superintendent-two-fifths to Dighton, two-fifths to Rehoboth and one-fifth to Berkley. Studying her report will show you that in this district she has made 197 school visits, 99 visits alone to homes, 3 visits to homes with physicians and 5 visits to homes with attend- ance officers. What cases have been found are also outlined in this report.
When I tell you that besides the cases mentioned, Miss MacIntosh has detected, or traced, two cases of scarlet fever and one of diphtheria, I think you will agree that this health work is not only worth while, but something that
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ANNUAL REPORT
should be encouraged to the best of our ability. We shall not ask for a large amount to be spent during the coming year-only enough to properly carry out the provisions of the law and the regulations of the State Board of Health.
I would like to call the attention of the parents to the fact that Miss MacIntosh stands ready at any time to con- sult with you and to give her opinion regarding proper feed- ing, care of pupils, exercises to better their health, etc., and while she cannot, by law, diagnose any case, she can be of great assistance to you. Let the teacher know if you wish to see her and she will visit you as her time allows.
I would endorse what Miss MacIntosh says about a clinic center and hope in the near future that something may be done. Several pupils have, with consent of the parents, been taken to Taunton but this is not always practical. What is needed is a clinic center in Dighton if possible.
At this time I wish to thank the Mothers' Club for their kindly assistance and for the attitude in letting us purchase the scales that the club had bought for the purpose of weigh- ing pupils. This has eliminated any possible friction that might arise by having too many agencies going into the schools and breaking into the work.
THE SCHOOL LUNCH.
One meeting was held at the Dighton Grammar School in regard to making it possible to furnish school lunches, especially something hot to drink during the cold months of the school year. Unfortunately, a substitute speaker had to be present instead of the state representative who was to talk to the parents and teachers; but I think that the teachers gained some knowledge of what is possible along that line. The school lunch question is not a new one in the state and where it has been tried it has been found to be very beneficial. Later, probably, the matter will be again taken up more in detail and if anything is done, I ask the hearty cooperation of the parents in this matter.
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ANNUAL REPORT
NEW LEGISLATION POSSIBLE.
There is before the Legislature, a bill to change the age when pupils may leave school. At the present time, a pupil, completing the work of grade 6, may leave school at the age of 14, to work on a commercial position or be profitably em- ployed at home. The new, proposed law does the following-
a. It raises the compulsory school attendance age for all children to 16 years. .
b. It raises the age for continuation school attendance from the present limits of 14-16, to 16 to 18 years.
c. It prohibits the employment of any children under sixteen years of age, during the time that schools are in session.
I wrote a letter of protest against this bill as it seems to me that a heavy burden will be placed upon the smaller towns, by causing an extreme building cost. It means that Dighton will be obliged to build a high school to accomodate about 250 pupils, if we are to accommodate pupils from Berkley, or one of 200 pupils if we keep the membership strictly to the pupils of Dighton. A reply to my letter, from the Child Labor Committee, states that only 15% of the towns of the state oppose the bill, 44% are in favor of it, and 41% favor it with modifications.
At a recent conference at the State House, it was brought out that this bill will undoubtedly pass with modifications- possibly that the age will be placed at 15 and later raised to 16, and a higher grading than that of the 6th, required. To defeat this bill, it will be necessary to get concerted action from the majority of towns of the state.
With this possibility in mind, it is not easy to make re- commendations as to building accommodations for the com- ing year.
THE HOUSING PROBLEM.
We are now greatly overcrowded in the new school at North Dighton, and I would recommend that one room be
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ANNUAL REPORT
added to that building this year and one the following year. Formerly, the accommodations were sufficient, but with the new buildings erected and new families moving in, we now have more pupils than we can properly care for. The following table shows the membership for this year, and the anticipated enrolment for next two years, with no provision for incoming families-
Old Building
Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3
1921-2
34
29
34
1922-3 (estimated)
30
34
29
1923-4
32
30
34
New Building.
1921-2
Grade4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8
19
15
25
14
24
1922-3 (estimated)
34
19
15
25
14
1923-4
29
34
19
15
25
In the old building, grades 1, 2 and 3 are in separate rooms and will have to remain so for next year. Grade 4, in the new building, is now in the teachers' room and we can scarcely accommodate the present grade of 19. There is no ventilation in this room and placing the pupils there for this year has been only temporary. Grades 5 and 6 are in a room and grades 7 and 8 are in the other room. Even with only one room added to the new building, the numbers will 34, 34, and 39, if all the pupils were promoted. Every year there are a few pupils who cannot pass the grade and so we may be overcrowded in at least one room because of that fact. However, I do urge the completion of one more room anyway, to be ready for use in September.
I would also urge the reseating of the room in the old building that accommodates grade 3. The seats were
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ANNUAL REPORT
originially put in for pupils of the 6th grade and are much too large for small children. As they are not adjustable, there is no relief for these pupils except by putting in ad- justable seats to fit their grading.
REPAIRS AND PAINTING.
An inspection of the buildings shows that much should be done in the way of painting this year. Repair work has been properly done and little is needed, beyond minor things, in any building. Seldom does one find, in the small- er towns, such good care taken of the buildings and this is a sound, wise, healthful policy. The Broad Cove and Brick Schools should be painted inside and out, and ceiling re- newed at Segreganset. The old school at North Dighton has fully the same need of painting inside and out and I re- commend that this work be done before September.
The Flat Rock School is in need of clapboarding at the front and if this is done, a coat of paint should be given the outside of the building. The inside of this building is in good condition except that blackboards need renewing.
THE TEACHERS
An appended list shows the changes in the teaching force during the year. I know that some of them would have remained if the salary had been sufficient and I am not satisfied with the calibre of some of the candidates that have taught in the town during the year. What we need is a higher salary list and an incentive for teachers to come here, make good and stay with us. If we have satisfactory teach- ers, we should make every effort to keep them as many changes prove detrimental to the work and the pupils are the ones to suffer.
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ANNUAL REPORT
CONCLUSION
In closing this report, let me urge the School Committee of Dighton to send a representative to the Legislative hear- ings, with full data as to why we oppose the proposed law regarding the school age; then if it is passed, we can feel that we have served the best interests of the town in the matter.
Thanking the School Committee for the generous sup- port of this past term, and urging the parents to visit the schools and learn for themselves the working conditions, Iam
Respectfully, WALTER K. PUTNEY,
Superintendent of Schools.
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
Mr. Walter K. Putney, Supt. of Schools, Dighton, Mass.
Dear Sir :- I have the honor to submit the following report as school nurse from September 1st to December 16th, 1921.
Total number of school visits made 197
Total number of home visits made 99
Total number of home visits with doctor 3
Total number of home visits with atten. officer 5
Cases found in school-tuberculosis (diagnosed at T. B. Clinic) 2 ;chicken pox 1; whooping cough 10;
Children have been excluded from school for conjuncti- vitis (pink eye,) ringworm, scabies, pediculosis (head lice), impetigo, acute colds, sceptic sore throats, and suspicious eruptions.
I feel that much progress has been made in the sanitary conditions of our schools. Installing individual drinking cups and paper towels in the schools is surely safeguarding the health of the children.
I also feel that more effective work could be done in the "follow-up" work in the homes, especially in such cases as aenemia, pre-tubucular cases, enlarged glands, defective hearing, defective vision and other defects easily recog- nized. These are powerless to remedy without a school physician and clinic centers and I hope that we may soon have these agencies with which to work. Few realize the value of a clinic center until the work is actually seen there.
I wish to extend my appreciation to the members of the school committee, superintendent, principals, and teachers for their kindly cooperation.
ALICE B. MACINTOSH, R. N.
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING
Mr. W. K. Putney, Supt. of Schools, Dighton, Mass.
Dear Sir :- In regard to my work in drawing in the Dighton Schools, I submit the following report.
It has been my intention, in the upper grades, to give the pupils work of practical use ,such as simple designing, book covers, posters, (using the Ross color system), and lettering. Later in the year, some perspective and other construction will be taken up. This teaches them accuracy of observation as well as skill in hand work.
The primary grades are doing construction work on a small scale, as well as color work, elementary design and nature studies.
The interest shown by the children and teachers is ex- ceptionally good and they have shown great improvement. Occasionally drawings will be exhibited at the Library at Dighton and at the new school at North Dighton. If the parents and friends of the pupils will make it a point to attend such exhibitions, I believe the interest of the children in their work will be doubled.
Drawing is invaluable in that it teaches the children to think for themselves, to appreciate beauty in things about them, and to express their own thoughts through the skill- fulness of their hands.
In closing I wish to thank all for their interest and help- ful cooperation.
Respectfully,
MERCIE V. NICHOLS.
Supervisor of Drawing.
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
Mr. W .K. Putney, Dighton, Mass. January 2, 1922.
Dear Sir :- It gives me pleasure to submit my report of the progress of the work in music for the past four months. The splendid cooperation of the teachers make it possible for me to say that things are very satisfactory. The child voice is a very delicate instrument and can be permanently harmed by loud and strained tones. My aim is to have quality rather than quantity in music. We have some un- unual voices among both boys and girls, and I predict a brilliant future in music for many of them.
The suburban schools, owing to the limited amount of time allotted per week for the study of music and the vary- ing ages of the pupils, are a difficult problem. The teachers are deeply interested, however, and the results have been more satisfactory than I had anticipated.
At the Christmas concert held in Memorial Hall, Dighton the first four and the last four grades worked together and Christmas Carols were used with good effect.
I am now planning the music for graduation and hope to also start a boys' and a girls' glee club at the North Dighton School.
A piano for the Dighton Grammar School would be great- ly appreciated and also a Community Song Book. Few realize the value of the old songs as heartily sung by the children. These songs give to the children a spirit of patri- otism that results in good in every phase of school work.
With my sincere thanks for all the hearty cooperation accorded me, I am,
Yours respectfully,
MEARL A. TRIBOU,
Supervisor of Music.
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF ATTENDANCE OFFICER
Dighton, Mass., Jan. 1, 1922.
To the School Committee, Dighton, Mass .:
Gentlemen :- I herewith submit my report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1921. To ascertain the causes of non- attendance of children at school have made 236 visits to parents and guardians. The parent or person having charge in most cases have been the cause of the childs not attending school. One case was prosecuted and a convict- ion secured. The laws of the State regarding the welfare of children have materially added to the duties of the office I thank all connected with the schools for their hearty co- operation.
Respectfully, HOWARD C: BRIGGS,
Attendance Officer.
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ANNUAL REPORT
HIGH SCHOOL PUPILS
Fall River.
Class I .- Homer Carr, John Earle, Hope Lassen.
Class II .- Milton Brightman, Wendell Carey, Annie L. Carr, Paul Lassen.
Class III. - Isabel Blinn, Candace J. Carr, Ralph Earle, Dorothy Hoffman, Edward Rock.
Class IV .- Rose Borges, Dorothy Blinn, Amelia Dutra, Mary Mattos, Eunice Rose, Linda Garden.
Taunton.
Class I .- Norman Cameron, William Marsden, Leslie Meacock, Elton Staples.
Class II .- Esther Atkins, Avis Hathaway, Elliot Hath- away, Robert Phillips, Anna Vera, Leonard Walsh.
Class III .- Fred Borden, Henry Burt, Mary Camara, Osman Crotty, Mary Dupont, Everett Frazer Florence Gilbert, Roy Hathaway, Ethel Horton, Gladys Phillips, Walter Pilling, Elsie Rose, Charles Schmidt, Hattie Smith, Gwen- dolyn Sprague, George Watts.
Class IV .- Helen Atkins, Persis Barlow, Lucy Bowen, Allan Chisholm, Robert Garrison, Alice Glynn, Charles Goff, Elizabeth Goodell, Alice Grinnell, Harry Knott, Harold Meacock, Thomas Sherman, Mary Ellen Silvia, Lloyd Whitehead.
I-Seniors; II-Juniors; III-Sophomores; IV-Freshmen.
TABLE A ATTENDANCE STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR 1920-1921.
Schools
Teachers
No. of Boys
No. of Girls
Total
Enrollment
5 to 7 Years
Enrollment
7 to 14 Years
Enrollment
14 to 16 Years
Total Membership
Average Membership
Average Attendance
Per Cent. of Attendance
Lestina M. Goddard
15
18
33
0
28
5
36
31.1
28.8
92.5
North Grammar
Marie L. Cash
27
11
38
0
34
4
38
33.6
30.5
90.5
No. Intermediate A
Florence T. Young
18
16
34
0
34
0
35
30.9
28.9
93.5
No. Intermediate B North Primary A
Melancy C. White Dorothy K. Robinson
19
18
37
3
33
1
37
35.4
32.8
93.4
Ruth Crowley
North Primary B
Harrie S. Camp
24
13
37
26
11
0
38
32.5
30.8
91.2
South Grammar
Belle D. Rogers
20
23
43
0
30
12
43
38.7
35.6
91.9
So. Intermediate A
Helen H. Lane
26
18
44
0
35
9
44
40.3
37.6
93.4
So. Intermediate B
Amy M. Crowell
20
24
44
0
44
0
44
40.2
37.3
92.1
Agnes M. White
Edith V. Goff
6
16
22
2
20
0
24
21.9
19.9
91.2
South Primary A
Mabel W. Emery
13
11
24
13
11
0
27
21.9
20.1
91.3
South Primary B
A. Estelle Jones
23
19
42
7
35
0
42
33.3
29.7
87.5
Broad Cove
Cora H. Robinson
Flat Rock
Eleanor Babbitt
22
14
36
8
22
4
36
34.7
28.3
81.5
Fish
Florence M. Reed
23
23
46
11
35
4
50
39.4
32.1
81.4
Williams
Emma F. Chase
18
10
28
3
21
3
28
26.6
23.6
88.9
Brick
Anna C. Lawlor
18
19
37
8
25
4
35
33.2
30.4
91.3
Segreganset
-
Cora Dinsmore
15
12
27
6
20
27
21.6
19.8
91.4
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ANNUAL REPORT
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ANNUAL REPORT
TABLE B
TABLE OF PUPILS BY GRADES. FALL TERM, 1921.
GRADES.
Schools
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
North Grammar
14
24
38
No. Intermediate A
15
25
40
No. Intermediate B
19
19
No. Intermediate C
34
34
No. Primary A
29
29
North Primary B
34
South Grammar A
21
21
South Grammar ₿
18
18
So. Intermediate A
21
19
40
So. Intermediate B
16
22
38
South Primary A
15
12
27
South Primary B
22
22
Brick
9
7
4
4
2
4
2
32
Broad Cove
13
6
5
7
2
33
Fish
7
9
4
10
4
3
4
2
43
Flat Rock
7
8
5
5
2
4
3
34
Segreganset
4
6
1
1
1
4
4
2
22
Williams
2
3
6
2
1
7
2
3
26
Totals
98
83
87
70
49
64
44
55
550
TABLE C TABLE OF AGES AND GRADES, FALL TERM, 1921.
AGES.
Grades
Under 6
Between 6,and 7
Between 7 and 8
Between 8 and 9
Between 9 and 10
Between 10 and 11
Between 11 and 12
Between 12 and 13
Between 13 and 14
Between 14 and 15
Between 15 and 16
Between 16 and 17
Totals
1
8
50
31
6
3
98
II
11
45
17
6
2
2
83
III
11
33
24
11
2
4
1
1
87
IV
1
6
24
17
24
3
1
1
70
<
1
9
19
10
00
2
49
VI
1
10
21
or
11
4
2
64
VII
1
11
5
12
3
44
VIII
1
13
27
11
2
1
55
Totals
8
61
88
66
67
60
61
60
54
20
4
1
550
ANNUAL REPORT
:
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ANNUAL REPORT
FINANCIAL REPORT
OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
FOR THE YEAR ENDING JAN. 1, 1922.
RECEIPTS.
Appropriation at March Meeting
$27,500 00
Appropriation at August Meeting 5,000 00
Appropriation for overdraft of 1920
1,168 42
Dog Licenses
419 13
Income Tax
2,998 60
Property damage collected
48 98
City of Taunton, tuition rebate
50 00
Tuition of State. Wards
120 00
E. Mass. St. R. R. rebate on tickets
20 32
Supt's Fund from State
745 22
$38,070 67
EXPENDITURES
Superintendent and enforcement of the Law
1,629 19
Teachers Salaries
16,157 05
Books and supplies
4,121 01
Janitor
1,950 00
Fuel
1,752 81
Repairs
1,701 16
Health
358 21
Transportation
2,074 48
Tuition
5,800 00
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ANNUAL REPORT
New Desk Outlay
47 50
Incidental
314 63
$35,906 14
Overdraft 1920
$1,168 42
Unpaid bills, estimated
811 07
Balance, Jan. 1922
185 04 2,164 53
$38,070 67
Respectfully,
HOWARD C. BRIGGS,
Ass't Secretary.
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