USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Dighton > Town annual report of the offices of the town of Dighton 1937 > Part 4
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Besides the task of teaching the Junior High School classes and the Girls' Choral Club, I have planned, taught and directed the musical programs for the Mother and Daughter Banquet in February, Music Week in May, graduations in June and the Horace Mann observance in November. I prepared the Girls' Choral Club for their share of music in the presentation of "The Pirates of Penzance", and coached some of the soloists. I have as- sisted in three Assembly programs.
Our goals for the past year were peculiar to the im- mediate needs of the situation. This year we can begin to think in terms of the larger musical needs of the child.
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ANNUAL REPORT
William C. Bagley, the educator of note, tells us that the child must possess a certain capital of habits and a certain capital in knowledge-a basis in facts and prin- ciples. This is true in the subject of music as elsewhere -- so, our program for this year resolves itself into a three-fold plan, i. e.,-
1. Giving a certain capital of musical habits.
2. Giving a certain capital of musical information.
3. Giving a certain capital of musical ideas.
We shall seek to establish good music habits, give infor- mation that will challenge and interest, and develop ideals of accurate, precise, restrained singing,-all in all, we shall seek to give certain standards and criteria which are sufficiently colored with emotion to make them directive over the child's conduct.
I would like to voice my appreciation to all of the teach- ers for their use of the pitch pipe in an endeavor to co- operate in what we are attempting.
II. THE GRADE SCHOOLS
The work of supervising in these schools is a most pleasurable experience. The attitude of the teachers to- ward the supervisor and her work among them leaves nothing to be desired. Music in the grades is progress- ing finely. It is not regarded as "just singing" and "the preparation of songs for programs". Real technical work is expected by the supervisor and is being carried on by the teacher and understood as necessary by the pupil. Tone quality is improving and note reading is be- coming a game in which to excel. There is a better sense of rhythm in all groups and coordination is absolutely perfect in some classes. I am particularly gratified over the improvement in the North Schools and more especial- ly at the North Elementary School which has become really excellent.
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ANNUAL REPORT
A simple set of aims and goals was prepared and dis- tributed through the first three grades. Tests have been given and accomplishments checked. New books have been provided all through the grades where necessary, except in two, so that we are in good working order. The value of the pitch pipe in developing accurate sing- ing is being recognized.
The teachers appear to be enjoying the work as it is outlined to them and are giving splendid cooperation. An attempt has been made to give the teacher, every op- portunity for the display of individuality and initiative. The assignments, suggestions and criticisms have been given in such a manner as to develop the idea of free- dom in method providing the results I was seeking were made evident.
Here again the same purpose and plan exists,-to give good habits and set up fine ideals, as well as give informa- tion in music. The definite habits we hope to establish are :
1. An ear for a clear-soft-sweet-ACCURATE tone pitch.
2. An ear-sense for ACCURATE rhythm.
3. An ear for catching a melody ACCURATELY. thus developing ideals which desire good singing and seek to produce it.
Beginning in January, we are planning to use the Dam- rosch Hour on the Radio as an introduction to further plans for "music appreciation" in the South Schools.
I am hoping that rhythm and toy orchestras may be developed in a finer way.
I would express to all the teachers my sincere appre- ciation for their fine spirit of cooperation and friendli- ness.
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ANNUAL REPORT
I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. Bailey and Mr. Austin for the strong sense of support, cooperation and guidance which I derive from them.
Respectfully submitted, ALICE L. STURTEVANT
Music Supervisor
.
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION (Girls)
To the Superintendent of Schools :
Dear Sir :
The Physical Education course for girls has been some- what changed this year. The aims are definitely in an- other direction.
The yearly program is based on the Physical Fitness Index cards which are the result of tests and measure- ments given by Supervisor, Raymond Grayson of the State Department of Education and Dr. Frederick Rand Rogers. Although the end in view is correctives, to the girls the program has had to be altered' a great deal due to the fact that physical examinations have not been given to the girls.
The program itself contains exercises to eliminate gen- eral bad posture conditions, such as: Hollow back and round shoulders. The purpose of corrective exercises should be twofold: Habit-freeing and habit-forming. If the purpose is to overcome habits of poor posture, in or- der that habits of good posture may be established, the initial procedure is to free the body from old habits. Then exercises for forming more desirable habits can be giv- en with benefits.
Exercises may be classifid into three main groups, rela- tive to their general purpose, as follows :
(a) Body-freeing
(b) Body-building
(c) Body-poising
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ANNUAL REPORT
For illustration the following is a typical corrective program :
INTRODUCTORY
(a) Spine relaxation and posture training
These exercises help get the pupil into the right spirit and impart the feeling that she has discarded faulty ad- justments and is building a new structure.
(b) Exercises to induce deep breathing
To keep the chest flexible and free from tension so that expansion may take place without forced muscular action.
BODY-FREEING
General flexibility
Local flexibility
To stretch tight ligaments and to free the body as far as possible from habits of excessive muscular ten- sion that they may respond to new stimuli.
BODY-BUILDING
Self correction at the mirror
Upper back exercises
Abdominal exercises
Lateral trunk exercise
Strong general exercise
To strengthen big muscle group that the body may be able to hold the new stimuli correctly.
BODY-POISING
Exercise for pelvic control Balance exercises Posture training
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ANNUAL REPORT
One to two hours a week are considered for those who need special help to obtain a high goal in health and physical fitness.
Monotony must be kept away from a physical educa- tion period but this is hard to do. However, I feel that we have almost succeeded in doing this through the use of some home-made equipment.
We are trying to make the girls feel that they really have a place in athletics by organizing clubs and working toward our goal for girls' organized field hockey.
We have the field for this and the only equipment we need is hockey sticks. The Girls' Athletic Association is going to try to make it possible for us to get these sticks.
The goal set before us is a high one. We hope to reach it.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN L. ABRAMS, Director, Physical Education for Girls
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION (Boys)
To the Superintendent of Schools :
Dear Sir:
The Physical Education Course of the current year is being carried on, as it was last year, in correlation with the Physical Fitness Index Tests which are suggested and supervised by the State Department of Physical Edu- cation.
In addition to these P. F. I. tests, which are usually given in the spring, each boy receives a physical examina- tion upon entering school in September by the school physician, Dr. Souza. Boys who have serious physical defects are excused from active work in the physical edu- cation program. It is the aim of this department to de- velop each boy entering into this type of work. Each one, of course, presents a different problem, but must be handled as an integral part of the group. For this reason a great many activities must be carried on, and outside physical recreation suggested to the individual boys.
The Physical Education period is carried on in the fol- lowing manner: Four minutes are allowed for the boys to get into their gym suits and out in the gym; eight minutes are then spent in group exercises and correctives, as suggested by the needs of the class; the remainder of the period is spent in group games with eight minutes being allowed for the boys to shower, dress, and get ready for the next class.
The group games are carried on in connection with the
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ANNUAL REPORT
season of the year. During the fall, touch football and soccer were offered. The present winter season offers basketball, volley ball, boxing, wrestling, indoor track, and tumbling. The spring season will be devoted to out- door track, field events and base ball.
Occasional lectures are also offered to these classes. These lectures consist of health talks and the history and fundamentals of the different games in which they par- ticipate.
Through the medium of these competitive games, much interest is stimulated on the part of the student, bodily exercise is made pleasant to all, and the instructor is en- abled to develop all important characteristics of good sportsmanship, fair play, team work, and cleanliness.
May I take this opportunity to thank my superintend- ent, Mr. Bailey, for his aid and valuable suggestions in connection with this type of work.
Respectfully submitted,
MARSHALL W. NAY Director
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ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIANS AND NURSE
To the School Committee of the Town of Dighton :
It is our pleasure to submit the following report, a general summary of the health program of the year 1937.
Each school has been visited weekly by the School Nurse. Inspections have been made of class rooms, sani- taries and water supplies. Very often, as the occasion arises, daily visits are made to the various schools to make individual inspections of pupils where contagious diseases and infections are suspected. It is much wiser to exclude a child from school at the "slightest suspicion" of some contagious disease, than to allow the pupil to sit in the school room in close contact with others all day. The latter procedure might be the means of starting an epidemic.
The annual physical examinations have been made by Dr. Miller and Dr. Souza in the primary, elementary schools, and the boys in the high school. At the South School 29 defects were found. These were mostly throat conditions, and two heart cases, the heart cases being tak- en care of immediately. At the North Dighton Primary and Elementary Schools there were 30 defects found. These were all, with one exception, nose and throat con- ditions.
In the physical examination of the high school boys, the lack of dental care was the predominating factor. No new cases of any serious nature were found this year.
New notices were used this year to notify parents of defects found by the physical examinations. Parents have been most cooperative in their replies of these no- tices sent home.
.
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ANNUAL REPORT
The Chadwick Clinic, under the direction of Dr. Hill through the supervision of the Bristol County Tubercu- losis Hospital and the local Board of Health, conducted their annual clinic in September and October. The test- ing this year was done in the sixth, seventh, ninth and eleventh grades. The total number of children examined this year being one hundred and fifty-nine. From this number, forty-one were found to have a positive reaction to the tuberculin test. These pupils were x-rayed. In addition to this number, there were seventeen that were follow-up cases from previous years. A total of seven- teen pupils had physical examinations by Dr. Hill. A number of parents were present for consultation and ad- vice.
Four children attended the Health Camp at Attleboro during the summer. These children were recommended by the Chadwick Clinic from their list of suspicious cases.
The school dentist, Dr. Lucey, under the direction of the Board of Health, started his services in January and continued until the end of the school year. Work was be- gun again in November of the fall season.
Number of cleanings 179
Number of fillings 93
Number of extractions 59
We want to thank the teachers for their usual fine co- operation.
Parents are asked to take particular notice of the quarantine requirements under the report of the Board of Health.
Respectfully submitted,
HOWARD S. MILLER, M. D. CHARLES M. SOUZA, M. D. LEILA P. HOARD, R. N.
Health Staff
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ANNUAL REPORT
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES
Office
Norman D. Bailey
Supt. of Schools
North Dighton
Jessie A. Perry
Secretary
Dighton
Junior-Senior High
George R. Austin Prin., Soc. Studies English Pleasant St., Dighton
Glenn A. Burgmann
Ass't Prin., Manual
Arts, Mech. Dr'w'g. Segreganset
Doris B. Hutchinson
Dean of Girls, English
B'k'p'g. Jr. Bus. Tr'g. 117 Garden St., F. River
Eleanor S. Smith
Mathematics
236 School St .. North Dighton
*Terese F. David Isabel Chisholm
English
Commercial Subjects
31 Ingell St., Taunton Riverside Ave., North Dighton
Lucienne Galipeau Francis McLean
Henry Levinson
Helen Abrams
French, Soc. St., Dr'w'g513 Bay St., Taunton Eng., Latin, Soc. St., Chace St., N. Dighton Sciences Phy. Ed., Soc. St ..
** Marshall W. Nay
Phy. Ed., Physics, Solid Geometry Lincoln Ave., N. Dighton
** John D. Roderick Charles Holmes ** Flora Miller
Commercial Subjects
Lincoln Ave .. N. Dighton
Math., Soc. St., Biology Berkley, Mass.
Household Arts
Segreganset
South School
Helen H. Lane
Principal, Grade VI
Hope W. Hamilton
Grade V
Margaret Porter Grade IV
Olive E. Howard
Grade III, Music
Rose E. Borges
Grade II
Eunice E. Hambly
Grade I
Segreganset. Mass. Pleasant St., Dighton 616 King Philip St., Fall River Segreganset Pleasant St., Dighton 947 High St .. Fall River
Andrews St., N. Dighton
Riverside Ave., North Dighton
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ANNUAL REPORT
North Elementary
Henry Pease, Jr. Ethel Padelford Sara G. Hamilton
Principal, Grade VI Grade V
Grades IV-V
** Mildred Ashley
Grade IV North Primary
Harrie S. Camp
Principal, Grade I
Irene R. Caswell
Helen Wheeler
Grade II Grade III
15 Forest St., Taunton No. Main St., Raynham Somerset Ave., Segre- ganset Berkley, Mass.
Taunton, Mass. 581 County St., F. River Wheeler St., N. Dighton
Segreganset
Katherine V. McAloon Special Class
Alice L. Sturtevant Music Supervisor
34 Myrtle St., Taunton. 886 Rogers St., Lowell
Teachers resigning during 1937
Dighton High School Agnes Hornby Francis E. Carr
Dighton Primary
Alice Dobbyn
Carroll B. Foster
** New teachers employed during 1937.
* Terese F. David deceased September 12, 1937; Anna G. Bailey sub- stitute from September 13, 1937-January 14, 1938. Margaret J. McBride assumes position January 17, 1938.
Janitors
Charles M. Gilbert North Schools
Spring St., N. Dighton
Main St., Dighton
J. Willis Barlow Dighton High Main St., Dighton
Walter Hamilton, Ass't.Dighton High
Pleasant St., Dighton
Vocational Education
Agnes Murray Winifred Greer
Dressmaking
Knitting
Pleasant St., Dighton Main St., Dighton
Transportation Contractor
Carl P. Gorden Dighton
Manuel S. Gracia, Jr. South School
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ANNUAL REPORT
SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 1938
High School
School opens Jan. 3, 1938
Closes Feb. 18, 1938
School opens Feb. 23, 1938
Closes April 15, 1938
School opens April 25, 1938
Closes June 16, 1938
School opens Sept. 12, 1938
Elementary Schools
School opens Jan. 3, 1938
Closes Feb. 18, 1938
School opens Feb. 28, 1938
Closes April 15, 1938
School opens April 25, 1938
Closes June 16, 1938
School opens Sept. 12, 1938
Schools will close on the following holidays: May 30, October 12, November 11, 24, and 25.
TABLE SHOWING MEMBERSHIP BY SCHOOLS-JANUARY 1, 1938
School
1
2
3
4
5
6 7 8
9
10
11
12 P.G. Spec. Total
N. Primary
40
40
34
114
N. Elementary
46
44
44
134
Dighton High
59
47
74
49
43
39
3
18
332
South
24
22
30
28
24
29
157
64
62
64
74
68
73
59
47
74
49
43
39
3
18
737
TOTAL ENROLMENT 737
Tuition Pupils-Dighton High School:
Vocational Pupils (Berkley) 5
Vocational Pupils (Gosnold)
2
Regular Course (Berkley) 51 Special Class (Berkley) 5
Taunton 1
Freetown
10
Total
74
74
NET ENROLMENT
663
ANNUAL REPORT
37
1
1
1
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