USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Athol > Town annual report, town of Athol, Massachusetts 1935 > Part 6
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Twenty-one retarded pupils were tested in the Fall by examiners sent here by the state. The chief psychiatrist came to Athol following the tests and talked over with the teachers, school nurse, and superintendent the chil- dren who were examined, and made recommendations concerning them.
We are very much handicapped by lack of enough space to have all the special class pupils taught for a full day in the special class. I hope that eventually better accommodations can be provided for the special class.
Health
Much attention has been given during the year to in- culcating correct habits of health in the pupils. Morning health inspections by the teachers, frequent visits to the schools by the school nurse, physical examinations of the pupils by the school doctor and nurse, and special school clinics against tuberculosis conducted by the state, and county health authorities, the pre-school clinic for begin- ners which this year examined 69 children, and our school
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dental clinics, have each done their share toward building up and maintaining the health of the pupils. Also we have been fortunate in not having any epidemics in the schools this year. While some towns and cities in the eastern sec- tion of Massachusetts had to postpone the opening of their schools for several weeks in the Fall, on account of infan- tile paralysis, Athol escaped this disease entirely.
That the pupils of our schools are giving attention to the care of their teeth, was shown in a report received here in October from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The report showed that in 1933 18 per cent of the enrollment in grades 1-6 received dental certi- ficates; 24 per cent in 1934, and 75 per cent in 1935. A dental certificate means that a child has had a dental ex- amination by a dentist and that if any dental care was needed, it has been completed. In the Health Depart- ment report, Athol stands seventh from the top of the list of towns in the state having a school population of be- between 1000 and 5000 pupils, who received dental certifi- cates this year.
Schools Co-Operate with Bicentennial
The schools co-operated in the carrying on of Athol's Bicentennial Program, September 20, 21, and 22nd. Pu- pils from the Riverbend Street School took part in a pa- geant depicting the history of the Town of Athol, held at the Fairgrounds. Two historical lectures, illustrated with early pictures of the town and its inhabitants, were deliv- ered to the pupils of our schools at two different school assemblies held in Memorial Hall auditorium, by Mr. Wil- liam G. Lord.
High School Band Work was begun in the Fall toward developing a band
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in the High School, with the idea of adding to the enjoy- ment of many of the extra-curricula activities of the school, and of furnishing to the pupils training in a worth-while leisure time activity. The School Committee wisely decided that the High School would have to earn the money for the instruments for its band, believing that that which is earned through hard work and co-operation is much more highly valued than that which is given without work. Under the leadership of Mr. Henry Wheel- er, supervisor of music, a successful minstrel show was presented by High School students, on October 25th in the Memorial Building. From the Minstrel Show a net sum of $256.44 was realized. The Dartmouth College Glee Club was obtained for a concert on December 6th, and from this concert the band fund netted $270.31. The apprecia- tion of the High School is extended to all who patronized these entertainments for the band fund. On Nov. 18th a display of band instruments was held, and pupils wishing to buy instruments of their own were given the opportun- ity to do so. Group instruction on band instruments, open to any pupil in the Athol Junior, and Senior High Schools, was also organized, and 63 students are receiving instruction, after school. This instruction is provided free to the pupils, by Mr. Wheeler, and his assistants. The plan being followed is to use the money from the band fund to first rent the larger and more expensive band instru- ments for a three months' period, with the privilege of applying the rental fees to the purchase of the instru- ments, if enough musical talent is discovered in the High School to make this desirable.
Teachers' Association
The Athol Teachers' Association has been active dur- ing the year, under the excellent leadership last year of Mr. Donald Dike as president, and Mr. Claude B. Germany
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as president this year. An enjoyable dinner party was held in November at the Unitarian Church parlors, with the members of the School Committee as guests. At the monthly meetings of the Association there have been out- side speakers give talks of educational or inspirational nature, and also members of our own group have spoken. The members of the Association receive monthly "The Massachusetts Teacher," a professional journal published by the Massachusetts Teachers' Federation.
Education Week
During American Education Week, November 11 to 17, 970 parents and others visited our schools, as com- pared with 855 visitors during Education Week in 1934. A committee of teachers, one from each school, had charge of planning for the local observance of this week. This committee consisted of Mrs. Cora L. Hersey, chairman; Mrs. Stella Fitzgerald, secretary, and Miss Greta Richards, publicity. The committee met twice with the superintend- ent. The visiting days were planned on the afternoons of Education Week, so those parents having children in more than one school could visit in more than one place. An open house program was held at the High School, one evening. A new feature of Education Week which was carried out this year in several schools was a book dis- play, consisting of very old school books, and alongside these a display of modern school books. The display showed the great improvement which has been made in school books, during the last 30 to 40 years. Parents and others interested in our schools are welcome to visit at any time.
Vocational Education Survey
The School Committee at its October meeting voted
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to have a survey conducted in Athol by the State Depart- ment of Education, of the needs for vocational education to be taught here. Mr. R. O. Small, Director of the Divi- sion of Vocational Education, met with the Committee, and later in the Fall sent five representatives from his of- fice to carry on the work of the survey. Mr. Edwin K. Ford and Mr. Edward Shea investigated the needs for in- dustrial education; Mr. Rufus W. Stimson and Mr. Walter E. Curtis surveyed the needs for agricultural education; and Miss Caroline H. Wilson, the needs for increased Home Economics instruction.
As was pointed out by the superintendent in his re- port for 1934, there is in the schools of Athol a consider- able group of boys under sixteen years of age who by the . compulsory attendance law are required to remain in school, but for whom the regular academic curriculum is unsuited. It was at that time recommended that some- one be engaged to teach things of a mechanical nature, in order to meet the needs of these boys. It was with a view toward discovering ways to meet the needs of this group, and also to offer some pre-vocational training, that the vocational education survey was undertaken.
The report of the survey committee recommended the following vocational curricula be added to our High School: General Shop, Agriculture, and that the Home Economics offerings be increased. These courses, if in- troduced, would certainly take care very nicely of our problem of the non-academic minded pupils, as well as provide valuable vocational training for them. It would also, of course, involve considerable expense for special equipment, salaries of new instructors needed, and eith- er the rental or building of adequate floor space in which to hold the classes including the shop work. It is a ques- tion whether now is a suitable time to embark upon such
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a program of expansion of our educational offerings. Perhaps a small start could be made in this direction. this year. One-half of the amount paid in salaries to vo- cational instructors would be reimbursed to the town, by the state. In agricultural education, there is no reimburse- ment upon maintenance expenses nor on original equip- ment. In industrial, and in home-making education, the state does not reimburse anything spent on original equipment, but does reimburse one-half of the mainten- ance costs which includes books, paper, foods, and re- placements of original equipment.
Crowded Conditions
Due to lack of space in three of our largest schools, -Ellen Bigelow, Riverbend, and High School, basement space has to be used for some of the regular classes. El- len Bigelow School has one basement classroom occupied by one section of grade six. Riverbend St. School has two basement classrooms occupied by two sections of grade eight. The High School has two basement classrooms, not including the Domestic Science rooms which are also in the basement. All of these basement classrooms are more or less poorly adapted for teaching and learning purposes on account of poor natural light, and poor ven- tilation.
In the High School the room on the top floor which is used for a chemistry laboratory is inadequate, poorly ar- ranged, and poorly supplied with natural light. The same room that serves for a laboratory serves also for a chem- istry and algebra classroom. There is no laboratory for biology, though biology is taught. The High School needs at least a new chemistry laboratory, a recitation room for chemistry classes, and a combination laboratory-and-rec- itation room for biology.
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While on the subject of additional space needed at the High School, it should be remembered that if courses are to be offered in General Shop, Agriculture, and expanded Home Economics work, there will have to be additional rooms built to house these new subjects and their equip- ment. A new school building, built upon the Riverbend Street School lot, would probably be the best solution to our crowded conditions. Certainly something will need to be done to provide some space for vocational subjects if these are to be offered. Also, the problem of insuffi- cient classroom space in the Ellen Bigelow, Riverbend Street and High Schools, and for the Special Class, should, if possible, be given attention.
Employment Certificates
The School Department has had an unusually busy year this year in its work of issuing employment certifi- cates, and educational certificates. State law requires that a certificate be issued to minors before they can be employed. Employment cer- tificates are issued to young people from 14 to 16 years of age, and educational certificates to young people between the ages of 16 and 21 years. The following table gives the number of each kind of certificates we have issued during 1934, and 1935:
1934
1935
Employment certificates
9
17
Educational certificates
336
406
The opportunities for minors obtaining employment in Athol were much greater in 1935 than they were in 1934.
Athletics for the Junior High School
Since the re-organization of the Athol Schools on the 6-3-3 basis, the need has been felt more keenly than
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ever for some sports and athletics in the Junior High School grades. The need of athletics there, both for the good they would do for the pupils participating in them at the time, and for the help which some training in foot- ball and baseball would give to the boys when they later take part in the Senior High School, has been recognized for some time. The writer hopes that in 1936 a man teacher-coach may be employed for the Jr. High School. I would also recommend that at some time in the future when economic conditions are favorable, a Supervisor of Physical Education be obtained to expand our present limited program of physical education in all schools.
Books
The difficult situation which our schools have been in for several years now concerning sufficient books for the pupils is being gradually improved. New sets of up- to-date books have been supplied in those schools and grades where the need for them is greatest. The lack of good books in reading, both basal and supplementary, has now been fairly well taken care of. I have also supplied a considerable number of reading books for classroom libraries. Our greatest need is for more sets of spellers, language books, and geographies; also dictionaries suited to the use of grades from four to nine.
New Requirements
Certain changes will be necessary in the mathema- tics curriculums of the High School and the Junior High School, to meet the requirements of the College Entrance Board. From what we have found out so far, more ad- vanced mathematics will be required in all grades of both the Junior and Senior High Schools, beginning with al- gebra in the seventh grade, and ending with trigonometry,
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solid geometry, college algebra, elementary calculus and analytic geometry in the senior year. As the new re- quirements are to be applied to those qualifying for ad- mission to college in September, 1938, some changes will likely be advisable in our own mathematics curriculums, next fall. ,
Conclusions
In closing this report, I would like to express my thanks and appreciation, and that of the entire personnel of our schools, for the guidance and leadership given by the School Committee in the maintenance and better- ment of education in Athol. I am also keenly apprecia- tive of the loyalty, goodwill, and kindness of the teach- ers, principals and supervisors. Their support has been a source of much inspiration to me to strive for an even better department.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE S. GOODELL, Superintendent of Schools
December 31, 1935.
Report of Principal of High School
Mr. George S. Goodell Superintendent of Schools Athol, Massachusetts.
Dear Mr. Goodell:
The enrollment of the Senior High School for the
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year 1934-1935 is as follows:
Grade
IX X XI XII
XIII
P.G.
Total
Oct. 1, 1934
153
118
119
53
19
462
Oct. 1, 1935 43
160
127
129
25
24
508
Dec. 20, 1935 43
158
122
125
25
20
493
The increase is due to the division of the ninth grade that has been brought over to the Senior High School.
The ratio of pupils to teachers on the enrollment is 31.75. This is 1.75 more than is allowed by The State Board in classifying a school as a Class A High School. The large classes that result from this large number has worked greatly to the disadvantage of the school. The building is so overcrowded that while another teacher could be used it would not be to the best advantage.
The lunch counter balance at the first of September was $397.64. It now stands at $334.39 with a few unpaid bills. We try to keep this balance as near $400 as possi- ble so that the food can be sold to the pupils at cost. There is very little overhead expense.
On account of the crowded condition of the building, the coat rooms are very inadequate and it is impossible to prevent petty thieving and loss by carelessness. We have had several instances where articles of clothing have been taken by pupils or by outsiders. We hope that as soon as money is available lockers will be installed so that each pupil may have protection for his own property and for the school property with which he is entrusted.
Restricting the number of teachers has been particu- larly hard on those taking commercial work. It is de .- sirable that as soon as possible an opportunity be given for pupils taking secretarial work to have a full year of
122
bookkeeping, and that courses in art be introduced. Me- chanical drawing should be restored. This is important in a town that is so much given to machine work as Athol is.
Respectfully submitted,
N. A. CUTLER, Principal.
December 31, 1935.
Report of Junior High Principal
Mr. George S. Goodell Superintendent of Schools Athol, Massachusetts.
Dear Mr. Goodell:
There has been only one change in the personnel of the teaching staff of the Junior High School during the past year. About the middle of the Fall term Mrs. Doris Fields resigned her position as teacher in the seventh grade, after completing a little more than three years of successful service in the Ellen Bigelow School. The va- cancy has been filled, to date, by Mrs. Marie M. Mason who will continue to serve as a substitute teacher until one of the many candidates for the position is elected by the School Committee.
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At the beginning of the school year in September the program of studies was arranged to meet the require- ments of a one-session day. After only a few days' trial the School Committee, for financial reasons, decided to return to the two-session day. Let us hope that the School Committee may find the means with which to re- establish the school day of one session in the near future, since this plan is favored by such a large majority of both pupils and parents.
During the present term Mrs. Mabel Sault of High street presented the school with a generous number of valuable books. The collection includes, a complete set of The Winston Encyclopedia, The Book of Knowledge, Ridpath's History of the World, The Writings of John Burrows, The Little Leather Library, and other books of poetry, fiction, and history. We hope that by adding a few new books to this number each year that it will, in time, grow into a much-needed Junior High School li- brary.
About forty-two pupils who chose the college course, when entering grade nine, were transferred to the Senior High School in September. This change was made nec- essary by the large number of pupils in grade eight, who now occupy six rooms in the Riverbend Street Building. I hope this arrangement may continue until such time as it will no longer be necessary to use the basement rooms of the Riverbend and Ellen Bigelow Buildings for class room purposes.
I wish once more to express my appreciation of the continued co-operation of the teachers and the loyal sup-
124
port of the School Committee and the Superintendent of Schools.
Respectfully submitted,
ALFRED D. TAYLOR, Principal.
December 31, 1935.
Report of Music Supervisor
Mr. George S. Goodell Superintendent of Schools Athol, Massachusetts.
Dear Mr. Goodell:
Music Education
The great American enterprise of music education is about to round out its first hundred years of official rec- ognition in the Schools. It was fortunate that the "ex- periment" as it was then called, had for its first exponent the most widely known and respected musician and music teacher in America, Lowell Mason. The Boston school board was the first to vote that all children should be taught music at public expense.
The singing school method gave way after the Civil War to public school methodology, in 1870 the National Music Course, followed by a long succession of varying
125
opinions as to how music should be taught. Sight read- ing gave way to the song method. About 1900 was the beginning of modern High School music, and instrumen- tal classes were introduced about 1910. Then came the entrance of the phonograph into the school, and since the World War, the astounding development of instru- mental and vocal music with which we are all familiar.
School Exhibit
On May 3rd there was a school exhibition in Memor- ial Building. Both Memorial Hall and Liberty Hall were crowded afternoon and evening. In the afternoon there were 28 rooms with about 1000 pupils, from the elemen- tary and Junior High Schools, that went on the stage in Memorial Hall to sing. In the evening there were 17 rooms with about 650 pupils who sang, besides the Junior Glee Club, and the combined orchestras from the Junior and Senior High Schools. Liberty Hall was given over to an exhibit of the hand work of children from all the departments of the school system. It should be consid- ered that such a program calls for much patience and in- tensive drilling on the part of the grade teachers who de- serve much credit for playing the silent parts which must be played in order that an exhibition succeed.
School Band
The School Committee expressed its desire, at its July meeting, that I organize a High School band. The first thing this means is money to buy the bass instru- ments to get the proper balance. For this reason a Min- strel Show was staged October 25th. The Dartmouth Col- lege Glee Club gave a concert December 6th. From these two entertainments $526.75 has been raised which is about one half of what is needed. Instrumental classes
126
have been organized and free lessons are given at the Riverbend School each afternoon at the close of the reg- ular session. There are 65 in these classes.
As usual the teachers are very co-operative. And I wish to express my appreciation of the support I have received from you and the School Committee.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY R. WHEELER, Supervisor of Music
December 31, 1935.
Report of Penmanship Supervisor
Mr. George S. Goodell Superintendent of Schools Athol, Massachusetts.
Dear Mr. Goodell:
In recent years there have been marked changes in education. One of the most noticeable is from isolated subjects to integrated learning. The project method, un- its of work, and the activity program illustrate the trend away from isolated subjects.
It is impossible to get results simply through using handwriting in activities demanding writing, but it is possible to eliminate much of the formal practice.
127
It is still thought best to set up goals or standards for each grade and to check accomplishments. This has been done twice a year with most satisfactory results.
Writing has been taught in as simple a way as pos- sible, and has been integrated with other subjects.
The aim in handwriting instruction has been to eq- uip students so that their needs in written work can be met satisfactorily. The amount of writing necessary for school purposes is considerably greater than the amount demanded in ordinary occupations out of school. If, therefore, the goal for good writing is reached in school, students will be adequately equipped for practically all occupations.
Another objective has been to make the writing more purposeful by bringing about situations where pupils feel the need for the work they undertake. This has increas- ed interest and accelerated learning.
In a recent dictation lesson given to the eighth grade of the Junior High School, two hundred pupils out of a total of two hundred and fifteen, or 93 percent of the class, received a rating of "A" or "B."
"Clearness, ease and force remain the cardinal vir- tues of all writing, and of these clearness stands first in importance. Handwriting will never be a lost art no matter how greatly mechanical means of communication develop. The typewriter will never come into use so general that penmanship can be neglected in the schools."
I wish to congratulate the Town of Athol on its staff of teachers. It would be hard to find a more conscien- tious or efficient group.
128
I wish to thank you for the interest you have shown in the penmanship work, and for the many helpful sug- gestions you have already made.
Respectfully submitted,
EDITH N. FOYE, Supervisor of Penmanship.
December 31, 1935.
Report of Attendance Supervisor
Mr. George S. Goodell
Superintendent of Schools
Athol, Massachusetts.
Dear Mr. Goodell:
I respectfully submit the following statistics as cov- ering the work of the Supervisor of Attendance during the year 1935.
Cases
Cases investigated 1378
Visits connected with these cases 1094
Reasons for Absence
Truancy 197
Lack of shoes and clothing 109
129
Parents' neglect
264
Working in home
187
Illness of Parents
180
Contagious illness
962
Severe illness with medical attention
67
Severe illness without medical attention
10
Slight illness
1402
School and Labor Laws
Employment certificates
10
Taken from street to school
30
Taken from street to home
27
Taken from home to school
19
Court cases
2
Co-operation with Teachers and Others
Misbehavior and tardiness cases
1867
Matters between teachers and parents
426
Individual talks with pupils
2302
Parents' complaints
256
Talks to schools
79
Complaints from other sources
1026
Police department
227
Other school departments
4
Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children
10
Transportation
12
First District Court
17
:
Boston & Maine Railroad
7
Athol Fire Department
1
1
During the Thanksgiving and Christmas season sev- eral schools supplied dinners to needy families which were sorely needed and greatly appreciated. I consider this a fine thing for the children to do and wish to thank
130
them and their teachers who gave so unsparingly of their time and effort.
Last year I suggested the need of more manual train- ing and domestic science for pupils who are obliged to remain in school until they are sixteen years of age. I understand the State has made a survey in Athol and hope something will be done about it in the near future as con- ditions have not improved in the least.
I am sorry to have to report that there are many thefts in and outside the department and in many cases I consider the parents to blame for them as they do not investigate to see where their children get the different articles they bring home or have in their possession.
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