USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1909-1912 > Part 33
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We have also planned a course in domestic science for the girls of the two lower classes in the high school.
The course will include instruction in table service, preparing of meals, value of foods, etc.
Unfortunately we have no room connected with the high school where this work can be carried on but the Ladies auxiliary of the G. A. R .. have kindly al- lowed us the use of their kitchen situated in the base- ment of the town hall.
This contains a suitable gas stove. sink. hot water
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heater and tables so that we are at no added expense except for dishes. The work will be in charge of Miss Olive Bushel, a graduate of the Boston School of I)o- mestic Science now employed as an assistant at Marcy street, so that there will be no added expense for the instruction in this course.
Industrial Course
In 1908 the manufacturers of Fitchburg, Mass., regretting the decadence of the old form of apprentice- ship, that required a three years training before a boy could become a journeyman, proposed to the school board of Fitchburg that a course of study should be arranged at the high school whereby boys could be al- lowed to attend school and work in the shop on alter- nate weeks and at the time of their graduation should have not only completed a prescribed school course but also should be able to step out into the world as a man with a trade well learned.
Such a plan was originally worked out by Prof. Herman Schneider of the University of Cincinnati, Ohio.
There a system of co-operation has been inaugu- rated between the shops of the city and the university whereby the shop takes charge of the practical training of the students and the university teaches the theory. By this method the university is. relieved of the neces- sity of equiping its laboratories with expensive machin- ery and the students are getting a practical training such as no school can possibly furnish.
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As our town has increased in population and wealth the type of high school boy has also changed. As a rule they are boys that have met few emergencies. have done little manual work and generally have little sense of personal responsibility. They come to school because there is nothing else for them to do, without appreciation of its advantages, definiteness of purpose or zeal for personal profit.
As I have heard it expressed, "They do not know enough to know whether they are coming or going." A few years ago the academic work of the school sup- plemented the manual and vocational training of the hour and this met the needs of the community. The vocational and manual work demanded of the schools today must supplement the exclusively bookish educa- tion of the pupils if they are to be equally well served.
The high school has devoted most of its resources to the cultural side looking to the training of doctors. lawyers and preachers. If it is to become more demo- cratitic it must give equal opportunity to the training of the farmer. artisan and merchant.
Now some of the manufacturers of this town namely : the American Optical Co., and Dupaul. Young Optical Co., are willing to give the boys of the high school the same opportunity that has been granted the boys of Fitchburg high school namely. to learn a trade while they still attend school. The trades to learn which opportunity will be given provided a reasonable number of boys offer themselves for the work are as follows :- machinist, die making, printing, draughting. steam fitting, carpentry and cabinet making. electri-
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cian. As to the working plan of this course I quote from the Fitchburg report where this system has been fully worked out.
"The course outlined is of four years' duration, the same as the regular high school course. The first vear is spent wholly in school and the next three al- ternate weekly between shop and school. The manu- facturers take the boys in pairs so that by alternating they have one of the pair always at work, and, likewise the school is provided with one of the pair. Each Saturday morning the boy who has been at school that week goes to the shop in order to get hold of the job his mate is working on and be ready to take it up Monday morning when the shop boy goes into school for a week.
Boys receive pay for the weeks they are at work at these rates: For the first year 10 cents an hour, the second year 11 cents an hour, and the third year 1212 cents an hour, making $5.50 a week or $165 for the first year, $6.05 a week or $181.50 for the second year, and $6.87 a week or $206.25 for the third year. This is a total of $552.75 for the three years. These rates are higher than the former apprentices have been re- ceiving, the manufacturers having of their own accord raised the prices.
Here is a strong inducement for the boy to con- tinue in school-he can earn some money-in fact, he gets more than he could get by going out and taking the ordinary jobs in stores or offices. Again, many parents cannot afford to keep their children in school under the usual conditions. This furnishes them an
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opportunity for contributing to their support and a chance to continue their education.
Work is provided in the shops when there is a vacation week in the school so that the boy doesn't have to loaf around the streets with his hands in his pockets looking for mischief. These periods add to the amount of money I have just indicated as his year- ly wage.
Every candidate is given a trial period of two months beginning immediately at the close of school in June, and if he likes the work and shows aptitude for the trade, he takes the course, otherwise he drops out and if he chooses, takes up some other course in the high school. Thus we give the boy an opportunity to find himself, something that has hitherto been lacking in our schools.
Many boys go to the high schools just to kill time (to use a shop term). They don't work and their par- ents, being indulgent and wishing to give them the best educational advantages possible. let them continue in school when the best thing in the world for them would be to put them to work.
This course takes a boy at this critical period and shows him how work and education are correlated rather than things apart.
While this course was intended for those who wanted to become mechanics upon the completion of the course, they have nevertheless, and excellent foun- dation for a technical school candidate. By putting in another year at the high in the study of a foreign lan- guage and a few other college required subjects, he is
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not only well prepared but exceptionally so. He knows what he is going for and can pass off his shop work and a great deal of drawing. Instead of losing he is a gainer.
Course of Study
Periods Per Week.
FIRST YEAR-All School Work:
English and current events, 5
Arithmetic, tables and simple shop problems, 5 Algebra, · 55
Freehand and mechanical drawing and bench work,
8
SECOND YEAR-School and Shop Work:
English, 5
Shop mathematics, algebra and geometry, ·
Physics, .
1 Civics, 2
Mechanism of machines, 5 .
Freehand and mechanical drawing. ·
6
THIRD YEAR-School and Shop Work:
English, 5 .
Shop mathematics. 5
Chemistry, 4 Physics, 4
Mechanism of machines,
.
5
First aid to injured, 1 .
Freehand, and mechanical drawing. 6 .
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FOURTH YEAR-School and Shop Work:
English, . 5
Commercial geography and business methods, 2
Shop mathematics, 4
Mechanism of machines, 4
Physics, electricity and heat. 4
Chemistry,
6
Freehand and mechanical drawing, 5
Whether such a system is to be carried out here depends partly on the number of pupils desiring to take such a course.
It entails the expense of a special teacher who has had training along mechanical lines; also every room now available in the high school is in use and it means the putting of a very desirable course in cramped and inconvenient quarters. It will also be necessary for parents to furnish a bond for $100.00 to ensure the completion of the course by the pupil.
In behalf of the Committee I desire to publicly acknowledge the larger gifts made to the Marcy street school during the past year.
From the George H. Shepard estate, a picture, "The First Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Lincoln before his Cabinet." From the Wednesday club a picture, "The Falls of Niagara." From Charles L. Newhall, "The Century Dictionary. From Miss Gertrude Wells, a graduate of the class of 1911, a plaster £ cast, "The Landing of the Pil- grims," the same to placed in the ninth grade.
Attention is called to the reports of the special teachers.
Respectfully submitted.
F. E. CORBIN.
Evening Schools Report
MR. F. E. CORBIN, Supt. of Schools.
DEAR SIR:
The following is a brief review of our labors in the public evening schools for the late-summer and fall term of 1911.
The sessions opened September 11th at Morris street for the center and eastern end of the town, and at River street for the western section. 'The enroll- ment of boys at Morris street was over 90 and at River street about 40. For some unknown reasons the en- rollment of girls was not half this number. The great- er number of pupils were Albanians and French Cana- dians, but there were also Polanders, Greeks, Italians and a very few Irish.
The attendance throughout was fully up to the average; the discipline all that could reasonably be ex- pected, and the progress made in the various studies taken up was, in many cases, quite marked, and credit- able to teacher and pupil alike.
The majority of the pupils attended because the law compels them to do so, but there was also quite a goodly number who came entirely of their own free will and accord, and because they were imbued with a praiseworthy desire to learn and to improve themselves.
The progress of the latter was, of course, more
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noticeable because their hearts were in their work. The "advance," however, was not, by any means, confined to this class, but appeared to be generally manifested throughout the various classes.
The studies were necessarily of an elementary character and consisted principally of reading, writing. arithmetic and language, with particular attention to the latter. American history was also taken up, and toward the latter part of the term, letter-writing was studied and practised with quite beneficial and pleasing results.
During the term there were about a dozen pupils who demonstrated that they were "passable" and there- fore obtained certificates making their further atten- dance at school "optional. " Many, however, who could readily prove themselves "passable" continued to attend regularly throughout the term.
Electric lights were installed at River street so that both schools were well lighted and comfortably heated.
With the exception of Columbus day and the Thanksgiving holidays the school sessions were held regularly until the week before Christmas. when they closed for the season.
Advanced classes were held at both schools and were attended by about a dozen pupils, who had already passed beyond the lower grade work and were anxious to go higher.
It is somewhat deplorable and surprising that the privileges offered by these advanced classes are not taken more advantage of by our young people. as every-
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thing is furnished absolutely free, good teachers en- ployed and an excellent opportunity given to whoever wishes to make an effort to better their education.
It always appears to the writer that these advan- tages. so freely and generously offered by the educa- tional department of our town, are not fully under- stood, or they would surely be used more than they have been in recent years.
On the whole. the evening school term of 1911 was an entirely successful one, and the results of the painstaking and patient efforts of the teachers were shown by the respectful attention given and the pro- gress made by the pupils entrusted to their charge.
Very respectfully,
E. I. KNOWLES, Principal.
Music
MR. F. E. CORBIN. Supt. of Schools.
SIR :
The purpose of teaching vocal music in the public schools is three fold : First. to enable the largest pos- sible number of children to participate correctly and tunefully in the singing: secondly. by this mean to de- velop in them a love and taste for good music: thirdly. to teach as many of the principles and as much of the practice of sight-singing as may be possible under the existing circumstances.
The work of the first three years in school is more important than that of any of the succeeding years, even though it does not introduce many of the prin- ciples of sight-singing. £ If the work of these three years be well and thoroughly done. a firm and solid foundation for future work has been made. even though it must be borne in mind that in all probability no more than half of the pupils could ever. under any cir- cumstances become independent singers.
During the first years in school. we teach the songs by rote. The object of all instruction in music given to very young children should be to awaken and develop in them tone-perception and to train the voice and ear by tasteful rote-singing. Children should at first be taught to sing as they learn language, simply
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by imitation. The importance of the training during this time cannot be over estimated. Correct habits in using the voice, good phrasing, distinct articulation, and accurate pronounciation should all be taught by an imitation of the example given by the teacher. Harsh and noisy sounds should not be allowed, as thereby a careless and injurious use of the voice is encouraged. A good position of the body, the lungs well supplied with breath, and a soft and distinct utterance of what- ever is sung should be required. . All gain in this direction will not only improve the singing through all the grades, but will be equally beneficial in reading and recitations. The general health of the pupil is also improved by insisting upon proper breathing and good position while singing.
All voices are tested at the beginning of the year, and children are assigned to their various parts with re- ference to quality and compass of the voice.
Scales are sung in all grades, and regular voice culture exercises given together with breathing exer- cises. Some of these exercises have only been introduce since last September. and it is gratifying to note the improvement in tone-quality and compass since the children have been using them-singing very high with great ease.
As singing has been described as "only talking in a tune" we have been very particular regarding the placing of voice, insisting that the words be sung on the lips. Ear training also has its important place.
Oral and written tests are given from time to time. and individual instruction is given whenever advisable.
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I wish to express my thanks to the teachers for their co-operation and good will, for without their help and assistance in their daily music period along the lines suggested by the supervisor of music, the results would not be so noticeable.
Respectfully submitted,
KATHARINE CAREY SMITH.
Drawing
MR. F. E. CORBIN, Supt. of Schools.
SIR :
The aim of drawing and manual training is to teach the child to see and to think. Drawing teaches him to represent what he sees-and manual training shows him the importance of thought. He can make a draw- ing and often-times may be able to get fairly credit- able results, if he first draw wrong and thoughless lines and then sets to work to correct them. But this is not true of manual work. Here he must think first else
his work is spoiled. I know of nothing so well cal- culated to teach a child the importance of thoughtful
work as sloyd. Careless or thoughtless work shows so glaringly in the wood that the boy is ashamed of his work. Therefore he sees he must think and the result of his thoughtfulness is a model to be proud of. The value of the wood work is not a preparation for trades, but it aims to give him a broader educational training. If by means of his manual work a gain has been made in general physical development, as well as in the power of accurate, clear thinking, in strength of char- acter, in increase of will power, and the love of good
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work for its own sake, then one has a right to feel that the most important aim of manual training has so far been accomplished.
Our work is growing, the cause being improved upon, and the boys doing more difficult work every year. In order to get the best results, we need more time spent upon it, and more benches and tools. From the simple models made in the fifth grade, the boys have gradually developed in skill until they can make a foot-stool, a bookcase. or a cabinet. As our work speaks for itself, we invite all friends interested to come to Marcy street school and see the work for themselves. Examples of work completed by the boys is always on hand ready to show the visitors. But some will ask to see the work done by the girls. Sew- ing is carried on by the regular grade teachers, in the school rooms during the time the boys are busy in the sloyd room, and the girls are showing an increase in skill of hand by their needle work and basketry, as well as the boys in their use of tools.
Thus far we have not allowed the drawing to suffer and fall below the usual standard, in spite of the fact that the sloyd and sewing take much of the time that was formerly given to drawing. Our flowers and leaves, object drawing and designing still continue to interest the classes, and that the work is of good char- acter is shown by the prizes we won, simply for draw- ing, at the Sturbridge fair. Much of the success of the work is due to the teachers for their mutual help- fulness and co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
ANNA F. EAGER.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Manual Training
GRADE I.
Paper folding.
GRADE II.
Paper folding. cutting, making dolls' furniture. GRADE III. Paper folding, cutting. making dolls' furniture. Elementary raffia work.
GRADE IV.
Sewing for the girls. Making melon baskets for the boys.
GRADE V.
Sewing for the girls. Elementary sloyd for the boys.
GRADE VI.
Cutting and sewing for the girls. Brass work for the boys.
GRADE VII.
Basketry and darning for the girls. Sloyd for the boys.
GRADE VIII.
Sewing for the girls. Sloyd for the boys.
GRADE IX.
Sewing and cutting, and machine stitching for the girls.
Sloyd for the boys.
HIGH SCHOOL.
Cooking for the girls. Sloyd for the boys.
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School Garden
MR. F. E. CORBIN, Supt. of Schools.
SIR :
In conformity with the usual custom, I herewith submit the annual report of the Mechanic School Gar- den for 1911.
The children this year were smaller than the mem- bers of the previous years. However, they took a great interest in the work.
Lessons in planting, weeding and watering the gardens were given. A sign "Mechanic Street School Garden," was placed at the rear of the garden where it could be well seen by the public.
Simple bookkeeping was introduced into the work. Each child kept an account of the produce taken from their individual garden at market prices. Prizes were awarded for the two neatest gardens bring- ing the largest returns. These prizes were sets of gar- den tools.
A public spirited woman donated an abundance of seeds and plants for our community flower bed. from which were taken many bouquets for the visiting nurse and others whom the children reported as being ill.
At the Worcester South Agricultural Fair held in Sturbridge, the Mechanic School Garden was award- ed first prize for school gardens.
Respectfully submitted.
MAY O. SIMPSON.
-
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Appendix
School Laws in Brief
1. All children between 7 and 14, unless sick. feeble-minded, at an approved private school, or other- wise instructed in branches required by law, to the satisfaction of the School Committee, must attend the public school during the entire time of each school vear. Penalty to parent or guardian for failure in attendance for five days' sessions within any period of six months, $20 .- Revised Lares Chap. 44, Sect. 1.
2. No child under 14 shall be employed "in any factory, workshop, or mercantile establishment." "No such child shall be employed in any work performed for wages or other compensation" during the hours when the public school is in session, nor before six o'clock in the morning, nor after seven in the evening. -Chap. 106, Sect. 28.
3. No child under 16 shall be employed in any factory, workshop or mercantile establishment without a certificate from the Superintendent of Schools. He must present an employment ticket from the person who wishes to employ him, on applying for a certificate. The father, if living, and a resident, must sign the certificate of age; if not, the mother; if neither, the guardian .- Chap. 106, Sects. 29, 30, 31, 32.
4. Children between fourteen and sixteen must either attend school or be regularly employed .- Chap. 46, Sect. 4.
5. Whenever a child is absent from school for the whole or a part of a session a written excuse stating
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cause of absence, and signed by a parent or guardian, must be presented by the pupil on his return to school. -Chap. 44, Sect. 1.
6. Children must be vaccinated before attending school, but a certificate from a regular physician say- ing a child is an unfit subject for vaccination, allows . attendance.
No child can attend school from a household in which there is a case of smallpox, diphtheria, scarlet fever or measles, or from a household exposed to a contagion from a household as aforesaid. Two weeks after the death, removal or recovery of the patient in a case of the first three mentioned, or three days after in a case of measles, the child may return, on presenta- tion of a certificate from the attending physician or from the Board of Health .- Chap. 44, Sect. 6.
7. The last regular session prior to Memorial Day, or a portion thereof, shall be devoted to exercises of a patriotic nature .- Chap. 42, Sect. 20.
8. A United States flag, not less than four feet in length, shall be displayed on the schoolhouse grounds or building every school day, when the weather will permit, and on the inside of the school- · house on other school days .- Chap. 42 Sect. 50.
Every child between seven and fourteen years of age, and every child under sixteen years of age who cannot read at sight and write legibly simple sentences in the English language, shall attend some public day school in the city or town in which he resides during the entire time the public day schools are in session, subject to such exceptions as to children, places of at- tendance and schools as are provided for in section three of chapter forty-two and section three, five and six of this chapter. Every person having under his control a child as described in this section shall cause him to attend school as herein required; and if he fails for five days' sessions or ten half-day sessions
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within any period of six months while under such con- trol to cause such child, whose physical or mental con- dition is not such as to render his attendance at school harmful or impracticable, so to attend school, he shall, upon complaint of a truant officer and conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not more than twenty dollars. Whoever induces or attempts to induce a child to absent himself unlawfully from school, or em- ploys or harbors a child who, while school is in session. is absent unlawfully from school, shall be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars.
The school committee shall cause notice of the disease or defects, if any, from which any child is found to be suffering to be sent to his parent or guar- dian. Whenever a child shows symptoms of smallpox. scarlet fever. measles, chickenpox, tuberculosis, diph- theria, or influenza, tonsilitis, whooping cough, mumps. scabies or trachoma he shall be sent home immediate- ly, or as soon as safe and proper conveyance can be found, and the Board of Health shall at once be noti- fied. - Chap. 502, Sect. 4.
Calendar For 1912
Winter term, thirteen weeks. begins Tuesday. January 2: ends Friday, March 29.
Spring term, eleven weeks, begins Monday. April 8: ends Friday. June 21.
Fall term, sixteen weeks, begins Tuesday. Septem- ber 3; ends Friday. December 20.
HOLIDAYS.
Every Saturday ; Washington's birthday : Patriot's Day; Memorial Day; Labor Day; Columbus Day : Thanksgiving and the day following.
Patriotic exercises will be held in all the rooms the afternoon preceding Memorial Day.
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Class of 1911 Southbridge High School Thursday Evening, June 22 "VERITÉ SANS PEUR"
PROGRAM
MARCH. "Peace on earth" Faerber
BLANCHARD'S ORCHESTRA
PRAYER
REV. GEORGE P. ROWELL
CHORUS. Estudiantina THE SCHOOL
SALUTATORY RAYMOND HOWARD BOUTELLE
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