USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Dighton > Town annual report of the offices of the town of Dighton 1924 > Part 6
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6
ANNUAL REPORT
sixth grades, had a reading ability for thought getting not above the normal of children in second and third grades or two or three years younger. These children were not ac- tually two or three years mentally retarded, but, so far as ability to do the work of their grade was concerned, they might as well have been. The original test did not show the actual intelligence of the children, but it did show their actual ability to do school work. While they had more intelligence than the test showed it was not available for school purposes because of poor ability in silent reading.
The work I have done in the schools up to the present has centered around this situation. Particular emphasis has been given to building up proficiency in reading parti- cularly the silent or thought getting phase. The original test was given recently to a group of fourth grade pupils that in September gave evidence of greatly sub-normal intelligence. The scores upon the second giving of the test would indicate extreme mental growth in these four months, a result of course actually impossible. The real significance is that a few months of specific attention to silent reading . has increased actual school ability by over a year.
I think that the facts here given show that the most radical defect in the school work of the Town has been lo- cated and is on the road to elimination. More must be done along this line and it will be the leading element in our program for the immediate future.
As I have said above, the classification test showed a most unusual range of ability within the same grade. The explanation of this is to be found in part, in the reading ability just discussed. Some children have learned to read at home while others have not and this alone would cause a considerable variation in scores. The largest reason, how- ever, for the condition, was found in the necessity of passing along each year substantially the entire class because there would be no room for oncoming classes unless older pupils were put ahead. Pupils in the first grade vary greatly in ability. In this grade the poorer scholars are always kept
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ANNUAL REPORT
back, but among those going ahead there is still a wide range of ability. Each year increases the range between the poor- er and the better members of the group. The pupils between extreme ranges each year tend to form themselves into a more and more perfect sequence of abilities between the extremes. The invariable result of automatic promotion because of crowding is exactly what I mentioned earlier in this report, a seventh grade with all degrees of ability re- presented from primary school to high school.
To meet this situation the vacant room in the South School has been opened. Pupils from the fourth, fifth and sixth grades, who for one reason or another need greater indivi- dual care, have been placed in this room. Some pupils who were obviously out of grade have been advanced or sent back as the occasion warranted. The result is that the various grades in the South School are now made up of groups of children of more nearly similar ability and attain- ments. School work can be adjusted to the actual needs of groups of this type and progress should now be actual and substantial, rather than merley nominal as it was under former conditions.
What has been done in the South School should be done in North Dighton next year. The solution here is more group than individual, but any classification of the pupils corresponding at all to reality, will call for the division of grades into groups or similar ability and attainments. To instruct these groups efficiently another teacher and the room at present unoccupied will be required.
I have mentioned the results of overcrowding in two schools of the Town. I wish to point out that this condition is the result of a general growth in school population. At the Williams School and at Broad Cove, the attendance has not changed particularly for the present grades in nine years. These two sections of the Town are apparently not undergoing a rapid development. The other portions of the Town have however, grown greatly in school popula- tion in the last nine years.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Segregansett has grown from sixteen to thirty pupils in grades one to five during this time, an increase of eighty- seven per cent. Adjustment has been made here by re- moving the upper grade pupils and sending them to other schools. This is also the feasible procedure for the future. This school should in time become a local primary school with upper grade pupils in either the North Dighton or South Dighton Schools.
The Fish District has also had a marked increase in the last nine years. Enrollment in eight grades has risen from twenty-seven to forty-seven, an increase of seventy-four percent. No real adjustment has as yet been made here. The school is on a double shift which is clearly inadequate and unjust to all concerned. The procedure here to my mind, is an enlargement of the building to two rooms. My reasons for this suggestion are that there are practically enough pupils in the District now for a two room building. Many children living in the vicinity of South and Cedar Streets are attending either the Fish School or the Flat Rock School as they prefer and can all attend the Fish School thus relieving the Flat Rock School of extra pupils. Trans- portation would be more difficult here than anywhere else in Town and since this section has shown greater growth in nine years than any other portion of Dighton, except Segregansett, it would seem to me that this is a logical place for a two room building.
The Flat Rock District has shown an increase in nine years in eight grades of from twenty-five to thirty-three pupils, an increase of thirty-two percent. No adjustment has so far been made here, but enlargement of facilities in the Fish District, will, as I have pointed out, take care of the situation so that no particular change here is needed.
The Brick District has shown in nine years an increase of from twenty-nine pupils in eight grades to forty, an in- crease of thirty-eight percent. No adjustment has as yet been made here and the situation absolutely calls for relief. As matters will stand in case the enlargement is made at
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ANNUAL REPORT
the Fish School, this will be the only District left in Dighton not taken care of properly. No teacher can possibly do justice to all eight grades with an enrollment of forty pupils. The solution is clearly to remove the upper grades from this building and send them either North or South as is now being done at Segregansett. My recommendation is that a means be found to do this.
To complete the subject of growth in the Town, North Dighton has increased in nine years from one hundred and thirty-two pupils in eight grades to two hundred and eleven at the present time an increase of fifty-eight per cent and the South School District in the same period has increased from one hundred forty-three pupils in eight grades to one hundred and seventy-four at present, or an increase of twen- ty-one percent. Adjustment in South Dighton has already been effected and the procedure for North Dighton has been indicated.
The table of enrollment herewith given will make plain to the people of the Town the general situation that I have just discussed.
DISTRIBUTION OF PUPILS BY SCHOOL AND
GRADE
HIGH SCHOOL
1st Year
2nd Year
3rd Last Post Year Year Graduate Total
Fall River
3
5
1
9
Somerset
1
1
Taunton
15
8
8
S
1
40
-
18
8
8
14
2
50
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ANNUAL REPORT
ELEMENTARY
Schools
Grades ยท
1
2
3
4
1
5
6
7
8 total
North Grammar
32
30
22
17
17
118
North Primary
31
33
29
93
South
32
26
18
26
21
24
19
8
174
Segreganset
9
3
6
6
6
30
Brick
5
7
7
7
5
6
1
2
40
Williams
5
2
2
4
6
1
20
Fish
8
7
12
5
4
5
6
47
Flat Rock
6
5
2
5
12
1
2
33
Broad Cove
6
9
6
3
6
30
Total
102
92
82
88
84
64
45
28
585
Total High and Elementary 635
Before closing this report I wish to bring to the atten- tion of parents the rule that all children entering school next year must bring both a birth certificate and a certifi- cate regarding vaccination. The State law regarding vaccination is explicit and the School Department has no option in this matter other than the strict enforcement of this regulation. We hope that the notice given here will result in all parents becoming informed regarding the re- quirement so that they may be able to meet it during the much more advantageous time before school opens and make unnecessary the exclusion next fall of any child pending attention to this matter.
In closing I wish to say that I have found my work with you exceedingly congenial. I have thoroughly enjoyed my relationship with the Town so far and would like at this time to express my appreciation of the kindness and co- operation that has been extended to me since my service with you began.
Respectfully submitted, EDWARD L. HILL,
Superintendent of Schools.
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. ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Dighton :-
Having completed the year 1924 your Committee hereby submits its report.
In looking over our financial statement for the year you will notice that the balance is quite large. This is due mainly to State Re-imbursements being credited to this Department.
During the year the Primary Building at North Dighton has been shingled and numerous repairs made. Both hall- ways in the Grammar Building at Dighton have been re- decorated. The Flat Rock School House has been painted inside and outside. At the Brick School House the chimney has been rebuilt and a new division fence erected. This makes all of our school buildings in first class condition ex- cept the Primary Building at North Dighton and the Gram- mar Building at Dighton, which should be painted as soon as possible.
Just a word about the increase in our estimated budget for 1925. The increase is due mainly to open another room at Dighton and in all probability it will be necessary to open the fourth room in the Grammar Building at North Dighton. This will make an increase of two teachers with a possibility of a third one in September. This summer we shall be obliged to enlarge the heating plant of the North Dighton Grammar Building, as it is not adequate. The furnace in the Primary Building must be replaced as the old ones are worn out.
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ANNUAL REPORT
ESTIMATED BUDGET FOR THE YEAR 1925
Supt. & Law Enforcement
$2,200 00
Teachers
21,000 00
Supplies and books
2,800 00
Janitors
2,500 00
Fuel
3,000 00
Repairs
3,250 00
Health
1,250 00
Replacement
400 00
Transportation
2,085 00
Tuition
5,750 00
Contingent
700 00
Continuation School
100 00
New Equipment
200 00
$45,235 00
Respectfully submitted,
ROY F. WALKER, Chairman,
T. F. GOODELL, Fin. Secretary.
LENA C. HAMILTON, Rec. Secretary
LELAND F. BULLARD,
HENRY W. HORTON,
CLARA L. M. WYETH,
School Committee of Dighton.
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
Mr. Hill, Supt. of Schools, Dighton, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my second annual report of the music in the Dighton Public Schools.
This year the plan of visiting the schools allows one visit every other week to each of the outlying schools, and one visit each week to the schools in the town.
An orchestra was started the first of January, open to all pupils of the Dighton Public Schools, who could qualify. This orchestra meets for rehearsal once a week for a period of one hour.
Although small as to number the work is progressing and we hope to increase the membership in the near future.
I wish to thank Mr. Hill, members of the school board and the teachers for their helpful and hearty cooperation.
Respectfully submitted,
MARION H. MARTIN,
Music Supervisor.
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF ATTENDANCE OFFICER
Dighton, Mass., Jan. 5, 1925.
Mr. Edward L. Hill, Supt. of Schools, Dighton, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1924. In investigating the causes of non-attendance I have made 204 visits. As usual the principal cause of absence was that children were kept at home by parents or guardian to work, wilful absence of child was very rare. Thanking all connected with the schools for their hearty co-operation, I am,
Respectfully, HOWARD L. BRIGGS,
Attendance Officer.
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ANNUAL REPORT
PHYSICIANS REPORT
To the School Committee of Dighton :
Certain steps forward, hoped and planned for in the report of last year have been made, principal among which has been the opening of a dental clinic at Mt. Hope Hospital. This has been realized as a result of the co-operation and support of the Mt. Hope Finishing Co., and the Parent-Teachers Association. Dr. C. A. Teeden, 8 Main St., Taunton, has been placed in charge and conducts a clinic every Wed- nesday morning, A fee of 10c. is charged to cover cost of materials. To date approximately 75 children have receiv- ed treatment.
The tonsil clinic has had 18 operations, however, addition- al cases have been operated upon in other clinics or by the family physician so that many cases have improved. Dur- ing the past 3 months no operating has been planned, in view of scattered cases of contagion, principally scarlet fever. A survey was made at the South school and all cases of colds, sore throats, etc., examined, however, from the 5 rooms, but 2 children presented evidence warranting ex- clusion from school.
As a result of the clinics much additional time and travel have been required of the school nurse Miss Alice B. Mac- Intosh, who is very much responsible for their success, being present at each clinic, both dental and tonsil, and in many cases transporting the children to and from the clinic. Aside from the clinic work the school nurse has made 278 home calls, 2 of which have been with the school physician.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Clinics were held in June at North and South Dighton for children preparatory to entering school in September. At North Dighton 20 children were examined (18 of pre-school age), 3 were found to have had enlarged tonsils and ade- noids and were operated upon before the opening of school, 2 advised re-examination, 1 recommended for X-Ray, and 1 found to have ear disease now being cared for by a special- ist. One has been sent to Bristol County Tuberculosis Hospital with advanced pulmonary tuberculosis. At South Dighton clinic 10 children were examined, 5 were found to have defects, 2 of which were corrected before the opening of school.
The percentage of corrected defects is gradually increas- ing, the general hygiene is advancing to a higher level, and school attendance, whether as a direct or an indirect out- come of these factors, has improved.
Respectfully submitted,
H. S. MILLER, M. D.
2 Pearl St., No. Dighton, Mass. 119 Weir St., Taunton, Mass.
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ANNUAL REPORT
FINANCIAL REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1924.
RECEIPTS.
Balance
$5,198.00
Appropriation
36,000 00
Mrs. James Smith
18 50
B. F. Simmons
5 82
Miss MacIntosh
60 00
Dog Tax
563 13
Amy Crowell
2 06
Vocational Aid Fund
156 02
State Wards
264 00
Harry Knott
10 00
Reimbursement Income Tax
2,363 20
$44,640 73
EXPENDITURES.
Supt. and Law
$2,118 13
Fuel
2,570 29
Books
948 70
Supplies
2,026 78
Health
1,053 29
Teachers Salaries
17,907 73
Janitors
2,335 00
Repairs
2,278 79
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ANNUAL REPORT
Tuition
4,872 44
Transportation
2,993 89
New Equipment
252 58
Miscellaneous
252 48
Total
$39,610 10
Unpaid Bills
1,064 47
Balance, January 1st, 1925
3,966 16
$44,640 73
Respectfully,
T. F. GOODELL,
Financial Secretary.
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