USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > West Bridgewater > Town annual reports of the selectmen, overseers of the poor, town clerk, and school committee of West Bridgewater for the year ending 1925-1929 > Part 29
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sible for a single teacher to adequately teach more than one grade. Yet in our own system we have teachers strug- gling with from two to six grades.
The function of the school is as truly social and civic as instructive. Pupils must be prepared to meet the con- ditions outside their small sheltered communities if they are to succeed in meeting the increasing competition when they leave school or enter high school. The isolated school groups are at a disadvantage in nearly all respects.
Within the past fifty years the population of Massa- chusetts has migrated extensively from the country dis- tricts to towns and cities with the change from agriculture to manufacturing as the chief industry. This movement has brought about the consolidation of schools everywhere. So with few exceptions we now have a system of town schools instead of district schools. The consolidation of district into village schools has been accelerated recently by the improved condition of the highways and the ease and cheapness of transportation.
Aside from the advantages mentioned it is no exagger- ation to claim that consolidation where practicable at all, has the added advantages of economy and safety.
TEACHING FORCE
We were fortunate to have but four resignations at the close of the last school year, three from the elementary and one from the high school.
Miss Nichols resigned to accept a position at Brookline High School. Miss Pauline Swift of Plymouth was elected to succeed her. However, Miss Swift was forced to resign in December on account of the serious illness of her father. Mrs. Tucker was elected to complete the year as History teacher.
Miss Mary Kett resigned her position at Sunset Ave. school to accept a position in Needham. Miss June Flanders
159
of Holyoke was elected to succeed her. At the Cochesett school Miss Beattie resigned to accept a position in Hull. Miss Hazel Greenwood of Plymouth, N. H., succeeds her. Miss McEvoy, at Jerusalem School, resigned to accept a grade position in Brockton. Miss Winifred Darling of Raynham was elected to succed her.
Miss Chaffin has been granted a four month leave of absence on account of ill health.
A spirit of harmony and good will prevails among the teachers and between teachers and administrators.
Our teachers are well educated, experienced, and com- petent. They richly deserve the confidence and co-operation of the community.
SUPPLIES
The text-book and supplies situation has been very much improved. We have reached a point where the teacher's equipment in materials may be rated as fair. An- other year should find the conditions most satisfactory.
HIGH SCHOOL
The High School situation is encouraging. There has been a marked improvement in organization. Principal, teachers, and pupils are working diligently and harmonious- ly.
The small high school has several problems that do not concern the larger city schools. One of these is the division of the teacher's time. The difficulty of the work is greatly increased because the teacher cannot specialize, but must teach several subjects, all of them difficult, as well as they can be taught where specialization is possible. At the same time, each teacher in the small unit must take an active part in, not one, but several extra curricula activities. Also, this teacher must share the responsibility of the discipline
160
and order of the building. The teacher who succeeds in the small high school is indeed a capable one.
Another serious problem is that of the varied program and the holding power of the school on pupils.
Figures prove that the great proportion of those who leave before finishing a high school course do so through lack of interest. The practically minded demand tangeable results. The studious type needs the practical work.
Such courses as Household Arts, Manual Training, and Art have a two fold value. They are good in themselves as pre-vocational courses and as interest stimuli, they serve to hold a greater number in school for a longer training period.
CONCLUSION.
It is a pleasure to express my gratitude for the hearty support of the Committee and the loyal assistance of every member of the staff.
Respectfully submitted,
RICHARD D. TUCKER.
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC.
To the Superintendent of Schools,
West Bridgewater, Massachusetts :
Dear Sir :
I herewith submit my report on music in the schools.
The High School chorus is as large as last year and the interest and spirit of the class are good. At present we are working on the operetta "Love Pirates of Hawaii" which we hope to present in March. The practicing of this operetta has been thoroughly enjoyed and the chorus en-
161
thusiastic. The supervisor has been giving one-half day extra each week for rehearsals as it is difficult to do all that is necessary during the regular music period on Thurs- day morning.
I regret we have no regular orchestra and glee clubs. Our high school is backward in these musical activities. The boys and girls are not getting all the musical training that they wish and should receive.
In presenting the light opera the supervisor hopes to realize a sufficiently substantial profit for a music fund, and thus be enabled to conduct a lesson in music apprecia- tion once a month. We have a victrola, but would need records to carry on this work. None of our pupils, either in the high school or in the grade school, have instruction in this type of music. It is a very essential course. Pupils need this cultural training. How can they listen intelli- gently if they do not know TO what they should listen and FOR what?
I have in mind two or three promising classes, pupils who do excellent work in music but are receiving nothing more than training in song-singing. These pupils would gain much in music education and in their appreciation of the best compositions if they only had the opportunity of listening to a good phonograph and learn something about the great masters of tone, color and harmony.
The seventh and eighth grades at the Center are get- ting but half time in music this year, a regrettable neces- sity.
The schools are well provided with singing books and the piano at the Matfield is a delightful addition to the music in that school
At the Sunset Avenue an orchestra is organized in the upper grades. This school held a fair early in the winter and the profits were divided among the four rooms. Much to the gratification of the supervisor and pupils Miss Chaf-
162
fin and Miss Worthing gladly turned over their money for the purchasing of a toy symphony orchestra. These instru- ments are for use in the first four grades and the pupils are intensely interested.
A child's early musical training is through the ear. It is also largely rhythmical, taught through action songs, singing games and folk dances.
The toy symphony is essentially rhythmic. It educates in ensemble work in concerted action and lays the founda- tion for future orchestral playing. We hope to have more of these orchestras especially in those schools where there is either a piano or victrola which can be used for accom- paniment.
"Music is as vital to education for domestic and social life as curved lines are in art. Vocational education is the straight line, music the line of beauty .- Tears and smiles have their places, but tears without smiles lead to the asylum. Tears are for the relief of one's feelings in sor- row, but weep overlong and it leads to emotional dyspepsia, just as laughing overlong leads to hysteria. Music is the governor of the emotional engine, the regulator of the emo- tional system."
Respectfully submitted,
LOIS J. SNOW, Supervisor of Music.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIANS
To the School Committee and the Superintendent of Schools :
The annual report of School Physicians for the past year is as follows: The usual annual examinations have been made revealing a gradual improvement in the general condition of the pupils from year to year. Many ailments, minor or otherwise, are discovered, that, with the co-oper- ation of the School Nurse and the parents, steps have been taken to rectify.
How often we have heard it said, "Oh, well, the child will outgrow it." Many of the diseases and troubles of childhood have been ignored or neglected with the belief in this erroneous idea.
A noted physician commenting on this statement says, "One may well doubt whether a child ever outgrows a physical limitation. When the period of young manhood or young womanhood dawns, bringing with it the conquering power of new vigor and virility, a child may seem to throw off limitations of preceding times and to outgrow them. But invariably echoes of the same limitations are heard years later when, with the waning of strength these again present themselves. The individual is no longer able to sustain, without self consciousness, the harmony which has always existed, although for so long a time the system was able to endure the burden and hold itself against it without apparent discord."
We are now in the midst of a grip or mild influenza epidemic which fortunately is of a lighter form in most cases than some of our previous epidemics. Great care should be taken by those afflicted not to use the same drink- ing glass or towel used by others as these are ways of easily
164
communicating the disease to other members of the family. Further details concerning medical inspection will be found in the report of the School Nurse.
WALTER C. WHITING, ELLIS S. LeLACHEUR, School Physicians.
SCHOOL NURSE REPORT
To the Superintendent of Schools,
Mr. Richard D. Tucker,
West Bridgewater, Mass.
Dear Sir :-
All schools were visited regularly.
Physical examinations were made by the School Physi- cians. Disease found were Impetigo, Scabies, Mycosis, enlarged Thyroid Glands, Chicken Pox and Poison from ivy and dogwood. 33 cases of Scarlet Fever were reported, also 34 cases of Measles, 8 cases of Whooping Cough. 156 cer- tificates were issued to pupils for permit to return to school after illness.
The control of communicable disease is a responsibility shared by the home, the community, and the school. In these days schools which have been exposed to a contagious disease are seldom closed. Careful elimination of cases and early suspects render the school safer than any public gath- ering, restaurant or street car. Therefore, it was not ad- visable to close the schools even though we had an epidemic.
Nurse assisted in seven operations for removal of ton- sils and adenoids. Ten others had tonsils removed through private agencies.
It is indeed unfortunate for the individual that earlier operations for removal of diseased tonsils does not occur.
165
This prevents contagion in a measure, or should disease be contracted it is not of a severe form.
One child was sent to South Hanson Camp for the sum- mer and made a good gain in weight while there.
The Dental Clinic which is self supporting and operated by the Community Health Association did a creditable piece of work. 26 full days were spent in the Clinic assist- ing the dentist. 206 children were treated, 414 sittings made, 194 cleanings, and over 400 silver filling was done; also numerous extractions. One day was given to examin- ing teeth of grades 1 and 2. 136 notices were sent home to parents requesting them to give permanent teeth earlier at- tention. Only five of this group consented to have this necessary work done. A free examination and estimated expense of necessary work will be given any clinic day to children upon the request of parents.
In the Sunset Ave. District there is a group of children with perfect teeth that would be hard to duplicate in any community. This is not true of pupils in the Primary Grades of this District. But necessary remedial work would easily bring them up to standard.
The health conditions in our schools compare most fa- vorably with those of the surrounding communities.
Respectfully submitted,
LILLIAN M. HEWITT.
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REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. Richard D. Tucker, Superintendent of Schools, West Bridgewater, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my second report as Principal of Howard High School.
On the opening day of school, September 6th, 129 pu- pils registered,-29 seniors, 22 juniors, 34 sophomores and 44 freshmen, -- the same number as last year's first day figure which was 8 below the average for the past 7 years. A minimum increase in membership of 8 or 10 was ex- pected, but due to an unusually large number leaving school and failing to return, changed this anticipation materially. Such a situation inevitably raises the question of, "why do so many pupils drop out of school before graduation?" This interrogation is made even more emphatic by an in- spection of the following summary taken from our rec- ords of pupils leaving school since 1917:
To Work 56
Failure in School Studies
108
Ill Health
13
Moved Out of Town
42
Other Schools: Business, Agriculture, etc.
21
Unclassified 34
Grand Total 274
It will be observed that the largest single cause is failure to do school work successfully, and when we learn further that no less than 40 of those cases classified un- der the heading "to work" are readily traced to school fail- ure the full significance of the seriousness of this problem manifests itself. Exclusive of a very few cases of low mentality, students have failed to find what they want in
167
high school, and therefore, quite naturally cast aside that which seems so immediately burdensome and disinteresting.
I maintain that at least two fundamental prerequisites are lacking, namely, (1) adequate guidance, both education- al and vocational which should start early in the grades, and (2) sufficient diversity in the school curriculum. The first statement needs no amplification at this time, but the second one however, infers that we should introduce as many new courses as practical into the present curriculum, such as junior business training, manual training, general shop work, and domestic science, and, the revision and per- haps the shelving of some courses already in the school.
During the past year no radical changes in policy or administration have been put into effect, but rather to the contrary ; all transformations have come naturally as the outgrowths of progress already achieved.
In athletics, greater emphasis has been placed on the inter-mural games, thereby elevating participation more nearly to a level upon which every physically fit student becomes an active individual exploring and developing those qualities of leadership, initiative, and responsibility to- gether with the building up of the body in coordination with the mind.
The annual play, "Oh Kay", was presented by the senior class with marked success in April. Both the act- ing and attendance were gratifying.
Our various clubs namely, Dramatic, Ye Merrie Stenos, French, Girls' League and 4-H, have continued to extend class room work, in many cases, into extra hours after school as well as conducting them in a manner that is high- ly commendable in developing many valuable traits of char- acter and occupational exploration.
An endeavor is in progress to revive and instill a greater interest in Glee Club and orchestra work. For some reason or other these important extra curriculum activi-
168
ties have been neglected. But, however, through the pre- paration and the actual staging of the operetta, "Love Pi- rates of Hawaii," this spring, we are confident of carrying the interest and appreciation of music to a plain more com- mensurate with its importance in providing a wholesome use of one's leisure time.
The old bicycle racks in the lunch room were removed this fall and an outside shelter adjacent to the school build- ing was constructed in order to make provisions for the elimination of the unsanitary practice of eating lunches in class rooms. At the present time the lunch room and gymnasium are used, and in spite of the lack of seating accommodations for everyone, the plan has functioned well. However, I believe there is still sufficient opportunity for a more extensive improvement of service and accommodation.
In addition, through the timely installation of high grade chemical and physical laboratory equipment, the la- boratory pupil capacity has been increased from 16 to 25, remedying a congestion of a serious nature. The demon- stration table set up in room 2 permits that room to serve adequately for the various science class recitations and lec- tures.
I wish, at the present time, to thank the School Com- mittee, Superintendent of Schools, Trustees, Teachers, and other friends of the high school for their generous and loyal support.
Respectfully submitted,
NILS G. LINDELL, Principal.
169
COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES HOWARD HIGH SCHOOL Class of 1928
HOWARD HALL
June twenty-first at eight o'clock
"Loyalty and Success"
CLASS OFFICERS
President, Lawrence Soule Vice-President, John MacLean
Secretary, Frances Halgren Treasurer, Ruth Slade
Class Colors-Blue and Silver
Class Flower-American Beauty
PROGRAM
1. March-American Youth ยท Fred Cauer
Orchestra
2. Prayer Rev. G. L. McClish Clockey
3. Music-"Spanish Serenade"
High School Chorus
4. Address Roscoe W. Thatcher, D. Agr., L. L. D.
5. Presentation of Class Gift Lawrence Soule
President of the Class of 1928
6. Acceptance for School Robert Baker
President of the Junior Class
170
7. Scholarship and Honor Awards Mary Janes Scholarship Howard Temple, No. 97, P. S. Scholarship Parent-Teachers Scholarship Washington and Franklin Medal
Principal N. G. Lindell
8. Music-"Dancing Moonbeams" Burt Ward
9. Presentation of Diplomas
Superintendent Richard D. Tucker
10. Class Ode Written by John MacLean Senior Class
11.
Benediction
Rev. G. L. McClish
CLASS ODE
Words by John D. MacLean Tune :- "Old Black Joe"
We wish to thank all our teachers, and our friends, Who've helped to reach the victory and our ends But ere we go, we never shall forget
Those days of dear old Howard High School where we met.
Chorus:
We're parting, we're parting, but we never shall forget Those days of dear old Howard High School where we met.
We've had our work, and we've had our bit of fun And we regret that our High School days are done But ere we go, we never shall forget
Those days of dear old Howard High School where we met.
171
GRADUATES
College Course
Ruth Olive Anderson Rita Colman Hayes Esther Elizabeth Hayes
Technical Course
Marshall Carlton Broman Harold Marcus Horton, Jr.
Lawrence Meredith Soule Geoge Selden Washburn John Douglas MacLean
General Course Karl Whiting Farrar
Commercial Course
Belle Louise Baker Grace Alva Cogan
Frances Alberta Halgren
Helen Josephine Kerr
Vilma Marie Pearson Jennie Margaret Pepe Sanford Eugene Pope
Ruth D. Slade
172
SCHOOL CALENDAR
1928-1929
First term, 15 weeks. Opens Sept. 4, closes Dec. 14, 1928. Second term, 7 weeks. Opens Jan. 2, closes Feb. 15, 1929. Third term, 7 weeks. Opens Feb. 25, closes Apr. 12, 1929. Fourth term, 9 weeks. Opens Apr. 22, closes June 21, 1929.
1929-1930
First term, 15 weeks. Opens Sept. 9, closes Dec. 20, 1929. Second term, 8 weeks. Opens Jan. 2, closes Feb. 21, 1930. Third term, 7 weeks. Opens Mar. 3, closes Apr. 18, 1930. Fourth term, 8 weeks. Opens Apr. 28, closes June 20, 1930.
Holidays and Vacations
Winter recess begins Feb. 15, ends Feb 24, 1929. Spring recess begins April 12, ends April 21, 1929. Decoration Day, Thursday, May 30, 1929. Columbus Day, October 12, 1929.
Thanksgiving recess begins Nov. 28, ends Dec. 9, 1929. Christmas recess begins Dec. 20, ends Jan. 1, 1930.
173
TEACHING FORCE, 1928-29
Howard High School
Teachers
When Ap'd.
Subjects Where Educated
Nils G. Lindell
1927 Mathematics
Tufts
Arthur Frellick
1925 Science and Math. Mass. Ag. College
Pauline Swift
1928 History and Civics Brown University
Mary B. Tucker
1928 History and Civics
Brown Univ., M. A.
Margaret D. Hayes
1926
Commercial Subj.
Salem Normal
Frieda Turschman
1927 Commercial Subj.
Bay Path Institute
Maude Clark
1927 English
Boston University
Gertrude Johnson
1927
French and Latin Tufts
Elementary Schools
Teachers
When Ap'd.
Where Educated
Rose L. MacDonald
1890
Bridgewater Normal
Theresa Miller
1917
Brockton Business University
Gertrude Pillsbury
1919
Warren High School
Margaret E. Buckley
1924
Bridgewater Normal
Elizabeth Worthing
1922
Bridgewater Normal
Florence Chaffin
1921
Westfield Normal
Margarette C. Riley
1919
Bridgewater Normal
Gertrude Ward
1923
Leslie Normal
Elizabeth Eastman
1919
West Paris, (Me.) High
Ruth Simmons
1928
Bridgewater Normal
Ora Howe
1926
Castine Normal
Mary Noel
1926
Bridgewater Normal
Dorothy Griffin
1928
Mass. Normal Art
Lois J. Snow
1921
Am. Inst. of Music
Hyannis Normal
Hazel Greenwood
1928
Plymouth, N. H. Normal School
June Flanders
1928
Winifred Darling
1928
Bridgewater Normal
MEMBERSHIP BY GRADES, OCTOBER 1, 1928
SCHOOL
| 1 |2 | 3 | 4 |5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |10 | 11 |12 | Totals
High
45 |38 |25 |30
138
Centre VIII
34
34
Centre VII
9
15
24
Centre IV-V
26
6
32
Centre II-III
23
34
Centre I-II
11
15
16
16
20
36
Sunset Ave. III-IV
19
20
39
Sunset Ave. I-II
25
20
45
Cochesett IV-VI
11
9
12
32
Cochesett I-III
9
13
9
31
Matfield IV-VI
11
10
6
27
Matfield I-III
13
13
9
35
Jerusalem I-VI
4
7
3
3
3
5
25
Totals
85|75 63 71 53 |58 60 |50 |45 38 |25 |30
653
45
45
Centre V-VI
11
34
45
Sunset Ave. VII-VIII
31
Sunset Ave. V-VII
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Report of the Finance Committee.
TABLE FOR COMPARISON
Annual Appropriations and Expenditures for 1927 and 1928, Together with Amounts Estimated by Department Heads and Recommended by Committee for 1929
Appropriated Expended Appropriated Expended
1927
1927
1928
1928
Estimate 1929
Recom- mended 1929
Moderator
$25.00
$25.00
$25.00
$25.00
Selectmen
900.00
$676.49
900.00
$621.39
900.00
900.00
Town Accountant
700.00
704.43
700.00
694.50
725.00
725.00
Treasurer and Collector
1,500.00
1,530.35
1,500.00
1,531.71
1,550.00
1,550.00
Assessors
1,500.00
1,402.39
1,500.00
1,350.91
1,600.00
1,600.00
Other Finance Officers and Accounts
50.00
22.00
50.00
22.00
50.00
50.00
Town Clerk . .
600.00
504.86
672.00
608.31
668.00
668.00
Election and Registration
350.00
247.30
700.00
768.78
350.00
350.00
Law
75.00
40.27
75.00
16.90
75.00
75.00
Town Hall and Offices
2,000.00
1,711.91
2,000.00
2,305.20
2,500.00
2,500.00
Police
1,500.00
1,507.71
1,500.00
1,469.79
2,000.00
1,800.00
Dog Officer
25.00
27.25
25.00
22.50
25.00
25.00
Fire Department and Equipment .. .
2,300.00
2,223.52
2,300.00
2,205.68
2,300.00
2,300.00
Hydrants
1,250.00
1,250.00
2,500.00
2,500.00
2,500.00
2,500.00
Sealer of Weights and Measures.
125.00
123.98
125.00
101.80
125.00
125.00
Moth Extermination
2,800.00
2,471.14
2,800.00
2,701.83
2,800.00
2,800.00
Tree Warden
500.00
499.66
500.00
199.76
500.00
500.00
Board of Health ..
1,200.00
262.50
1,200.00
873.13
1,500.00
1,500.00
Inspection of Animals.
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
Inspection of Slaughtering. . .
500.00
362.02
Plymouth Co. Hospital Maintenance
864.25
864.25
500.00 959.77 8,350.00
415.74 959.77 *12,247.35
500.00 845.30 10,000.00
500.00 845.30 10,000.00
Highways .
5,850.00
*9,749.35
Snow Removal
2,500.00
2,483.83
1,250.00
1,462.93
2,500.00
2,500.00
Sidewalks
250.00
249.90
250.00
195.70
250.00
250.00
Street Signs and Bridges.
1,000.00
888.02
1,000.00
752.51
700.00
700.00
Street Lights (Old).
2,000.00
2,077.47
2,200.00
2,555.81
3,000.00
2,772.00
Street Lights (New)
394.00
432.00
Public Welfare
5,000.00
3,895.40
5,000.00
4,786.69
5,500.00
5,500.00
State Aid
450.00
337.00
450.00
300.00
450.00
450.00
Soldiers' Relief
500.00
48.00
200.00
56.13
500.00
200.00
Military Aid
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
Library
905.20
876.01
845.66
845.66
856.00
856.00
Care of Monument Grounds.
60.00
45.00
60.00
52.50
60.00
60.00
Flags and Parks ...
50.00
19.13
50.00
35.20
50.00
50.00
Memorial Day Observance.
100.00
93.00
100.00
92.90
100.00
100.00
Printing and Distributing Reports
482.95
482.95
510.10
510.10
Fire Insurance
600.00
535.21
600.00
535.21
600.00
600.00
Liability Insurance
400.00
294.70
400.00
413.69
450.00
450.00
Reserve Fund
2,000.00
2,000.00
682.98
2,000.00
2,000.00
Interest
3,000.00
1,974.27
2,500.00
2,206.23
3,000.00
2,500.00
Care of Cemeteries.
100.00
112.80
100.00
33.00
100.00
100.00
School Appropriations
47,750.00
47,541.06
48,850.00
49,077.01
48,700.00
48,700.00
Plymouth Co. Aid to Agriculture ...
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
Finance Committee
10.00
10.00
10.00
Visiting Nurse Service
300.00
175.00
300.00
300.00
Town
Appropriated Expended Appropriated Expended
1927
1927
1928
1928
Estimate 1929
Recom- mended 1929
Matfield St. (Permanent road)
10,000.00
*13,301.36
Land Damage (Main St.) ..
490.00
1,675.00
Land Damage (E. Center) .
500.00
350.00
Land Damage (Central Sq.)
50.00
Repairs on Town Hall ..
400.00
355.00
1,200.00
909.35
Piano for Town Hall.
400.00
400.00
Traffic Signal (Elm Sq.) .
265.00
265.00
W. Spring St. (Gravelling)
1,000.00
999.91
Surfacing at Elm Sq ..
1,300.00
1,288.59
Parking Space (Town Hall)
1,500.00
1,585.06
Town Hall Lot ...
6,000.00
6,000.00
So. Elm St. (Tarvia top)
1,000.00
961.03
Maolis Ave. (Cinders)
500.00
493.49
Belmont and Matfield Sts., Coat)
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