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 1930-1934 > Part 41
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In three centuries of time this spirit of work has
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fashioned a mighty nation, which leads the world in many forms of industry.
Business, commerce, and industry, have all made great strides. In fifty years science has made swifter progress than in all the previous history of man. But invention has surpassed them all in the multiplicity, variety and effec- tiveness of labor-reducing machinery produced in the last quarter of a century.
One hundred years ago the Director of the United States Patent Office made the statement: "Everything has been invented that possibly can be, and I am going to get out of this office before it is closed for lack of patronage, and while I am still young!" Today thousands of patents are applied for each year, most of which have to do with labor-saving devices, and enough are granted and put into effect to throw out of balance still more the ratio of work- ing hours per day and per week.
The problem created by reduced working hours, is the problem of a profitable and wholesome use of the greatly increased time for leisure that a machine age has developed for us. Social workers tell us that the so-called crime waves that appear to recur periodically are set in motion by youth- ful law-breakers who after leaving school had no regular occupation to work at and no regular interests for their idle time.
It would seem imperative then, for future educational effort to include the development of a training for leisure as well as a training for service, since the leisure part of life in the future is going to present more difficult problems to solve than the working hours. But training for leisure does not mean training for idleness. Well spent leisure means pleasurable occupation, and constant mental growth, and protection from the dangers of sheer idleness.
Education must now supplement its chief objective of training for efficiency by the incorporation into its pro-
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gram of a definite plan of study of the best ways that can be developed to occupy the spare time wisely and profitably. It must supply a basis of choice of activities by examination and analysis of pupils' interests and hobbies, and point out the many fields of activity that can be explored with profit and enthusiasm. There are myriads of problems in nature study, arts and crafts, and invention that remain to be at- tacked, and many of these will be solved by amateurs, as they have been in the past. The best kind of education comes from an inward stimulus expressing itself in enthusi- astic creative activity.
The late President Eliot of Harvard, with his usual forcefulness put the matter thus: "Finally, education for efficiency should supply every pupil with the motive power ·of some enthusiasm or devotion. Enthusiasm can make ordinary talent extraordinarily effective, while a life with- out a prevailing enthusiasm can never attain its highest possible level." Idle hours are danger hours. Education's task is to train pupils in aptitudes and skills for service, and to help them develop creative interests and occupations outside their working hours, that will be of life long value and service to them.
The annual reports of the various supervisors are pre- sented in the following pages, and merit careful reading, as they set forth the conditions, problems, and aims of each department very clearly.
In conclusion I wish to again express my appreciation to the School Board for its unfailing support and helpful guidance in every phase of my work in the administration of our schools.
Respectfully submitted,
ERNEST W. ROBINSON, Superintendent of Schools.
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REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. Ernest W. Robinson,
Superintendent of Schools,
West Bridgewater, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I have the honor to submit my annual report as Prin- cipal of Howard High School.
Anyone who attempts a survey of the small Massachu- setts high schools at the present time cannot fail to be im- pressed by the need of a change in the subject offerings of those schools. College preparation as the major objective of the small high school has been long recognized as being impracticable. In a tentative report on curriculum revision recently released by our State Department of Education, the fact is revealed that less than 15% of the graduates of our small high schools enter college. In our own insti- tution during the last ten years this percentage is actually 16%. Yet, as in other small secondary schools, more than 55% of our classes are being taught with college prepara- tory materials with the full realization that less than 16% of the students will benefit by entering some college. The remaining 84% pass directly into our intricate social and business world which is being rapidly and radically changed by new methods of conducting industry, the shortened hours of labor, new standards of living and of moral con- duct, and new national and international problems of vital importance. There is no denying the fact that this latter group would be better prepared to face life if a practicable way could be found to substitute pertinent material for the strictly college preparatory work. Even now in our own school it is difficult to justify the teaching of four years of mathematics, four years of Latin, three years of French, one full year of Ancient History, and strictly college pre-
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paratory readings in English. Unless I am much mistaken, the time for such changes is not very far in the future.
The solution of this problem of meeting the individual needs of a larger number of our boys and girls seems to suggest, among other things, the segregation of pupils into special groups to be taught by experienced teachers equipped by re-vitalized materials of instruction, the elimi- nation of some of the traditional subjects, and the possible addition of such courses as household science, shop work, agriculture, economics, world history, American social problems, and general mathematics. In recognition of the costs which would accompany this suggested revision, I make no definite recommendation at this time of financial stress.
In this connection I wish to direct attention to the policy of the school in exercising the strictest economy con- sistent with good teaching in the use of textbooks, supplies, and other teaching aids. The effectiveness of this policy is manifested in the comparison of the cost of $1,244.58 for textbooks and supplies in 1930 with the cost of $643.04 for the same items in 1934.
As a result of the generous offer of Miss Theodora Hardenbrook, a graduate of this school and of Bouve'-Bos- ton School of Physical Education, the girls of the school are enjoying the benefits of a real course in physical education. The three classes, each of which meet one period a week, receive instruction in health habits, and are given active participation in Danish gymnastics, folk dancing, and games. The addition of this course in health supplies a long felt need, and it is hoped a way will be found to con- tinue the work indefinitely.
The 16 mm. motion picture projector presented to the school last June by the classes of 1933 and 1934 has opened a new, effective, and interesting field of instruction to sup- plement many phases of our present work. In this field of
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visual education there are many films which may be ob- tained at little or no cost. A list of these has been care- fully compiled so as to make them readily available for class instruction. In as much as most students learn more quickly by seeing than by hearing, and new life is given the subject matter, we expect this type of visual instruction to make a noticeable contribution to our work.
Our school magazine, "The Climber," has always been a source of much pride to the school. Due to a 33% in- crease in the cost of printing and an every increasing diffi- culty of securing advertisements, we were faced with the problem either of discontinuing its publication, or radically altering its policies in the matters of size, covers, paper quality, and of local printing. As a result of a meeting of The Climber Staff and its advisors, a new "Climber" ap- peared in December. This edition has proved. so popular, not only in material but in arrangement and cost, that we have planned issues for March and June.
I wish to thank you, The School Committee, The Trustees of the Howard Funds, the teachers, and other friends of the school for the loyal and untiring support given me.
NILS G. LINDELL, Principal.
REPORT OF MUSIC SUPERVISOR
Mr. Ernest W. Robinson,
Superintendent of Schools,
West Bridgewater, Mass.
Dear Sir:
.
I herewith submit my annual report as music super- visor in the town of West Bridgewater. Throughout the year class routine work has been carried on regularly.
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At the Sunset Avenue School, the double session plan works out better than the crowded conditions of the past two or three years, but the classes still are not up to grade and progress is slow. According to the present schedule arrangement each group is supervised but once in four weeks while other classes in town are visited once in two weeks and in some cases once every week.
In one or two of the schools there has been an un- avoidable slowing up of the work due to changes in the teaching staff and the making of necessary adjustments.
The sixth grade at the Center School made some very attractive booklets as a music project. In many of the schools a music bulletin board has been encouraged and pupils bring in pictures and clippings from papers and mag- azines. A wealth of such material for supplementary work can be found in the periodicals and in the daily radio broad- casts. Children are thus unconsciously acquiring informa- tion outside the class room instruction.
The seventh and eighth grades have followed the Fri- day morning classes in music appreciation conducted by Walter Damrosch. This is an exceptional opportunity for the present younger generation not only to gain in musical knowledge but to receive this knowledge from one who is so generally recognized as an authority.
All the classes have enjoyed and responded to the listen- ing lessons presented by the supervisor. These half hours have been occupied by listening to music stories, and to brief biographical sketches of celebrated composers, and to comments on the selections played. The older children have contributed by relating some outside observations on radio concerts or newspaper articles.
The Matfield Parent-Teacher Association has been most generous to their school. The piano, victrola, and rhythm band instruments were gifts from this association and now a radio has been presented.
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The work in music appreciation has been especially stressed in the high school. A music memory contest was begun in September and will close with the school year. A blackboard would be a very great asset in the presentation of these lessons. It would be of help to the class to see the names of the selections and the composers; to have certain musical problems illustrated, to test the eye for the recog- nition of well known pieces from staff notation.
Music is vital to the spirit. The study of music must be arranged to attract, hold and educate boys and girls re- gardless of whether or not they can sing, and should furnish opportunity, material and instruction that will en- able them to become, not professional musicians, but music lovers and appreciative listeners knowing the world's music just as they know its history, prose, poetry and art. Music is for life's sake.
I thank you and the teachers for the helpful co-opera- tion given me this past year.
Yours respectfully,
LOIS J. SNOW, Music Supervisor.
REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
To the Superintendent of Schools :
A physical check up at the high school revealed there were twelve pupils who were advised not to take part in athletic games because of heart conditions. Three had en- larged thyroid glands, and five were given notices of de- fective tonsils and adenoids.
Jerusalem School pupils had an epidemic of continued colds which resulted in seven positive cases of scarlet fever. Numerous visits were made in an effort to check new cases from coming to school.
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An epidemic of measles occurred at the Center School.
Matfield School pupils had an epidemic of infected eyes. Microscopic examinations of the discharge proved that this infection was caused by a pneumococci bacteria. There was a total of twenty-five cases.
Cochesett School had seven cases of whooping cough early in the spring.
Eye and ear tests showed there was one child with de- fective hearing and two with defective vision not corrected.
Owing to the fact that there has been no Dental Clinic work done for two years because Dr. Slade was unable to devote any time to this work, the Dental Committee, in- cluding Dr. Slade with the School Committee's approval joined the Travelling Clinic suggested by the State Depart- ment, Division of Dental Hygiene. Dr. John W. Whitehead was assigned to West Bridgewater. Each pupil was ex- amined and parents notified of defects found. A charge of 60c per operation was made and cash brought at the time of treatment.
A total of fourteen days was spent at the Center School. Fifty-one had work completed, sixteen unfinished, 243 operations, ten had their own dentist do the work, 122 had no dental care. Matfield School pupils were examined and a total of thirty-one operations were done, twelve were treated. We expect Dr. Whitehead to begin work at Sun- set Avenue School when time permits as he has twenty-six towns under his care. Dental work should be started early in childhood and parents would find there would not be so much to do after the age of twelve years.
The Chadwick Clinic was followed up, eight children had X-rays and physical examinations. Reports show that all have improved. Five children had examinations and X-rays at Plymouth County Hospital and four showed typical cases of hilum tuberculosis.
In my effort to gain knowledge which may be applied
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to local conditions I attended a course of lectures at the Beth Israel Hospital. Subjects included Mal-nutrition in children, Heart Diseases, Surgical Tuberculosis, Diabetics and Diseases of the Eye.
In closing I wish to express my appreciation to all those who aided me in my work.
Respectfully submitted,
LILLIAN M. HEWITT, School Nurse.
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COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES HOWARD HIGH SCHOOL Class of 1934
Howard Hall, June twentieth at eight o'clock.
Motto-Set Sail! Push Forward! Explore !
PROGRAM
1. March-"Pomp and Chivalry" Charles J. Roberts Howard High School Orchestra
2. Prayer Rev. Maurice Jacques
3. Music-"Columbus" Howard High School Chorus
E. S. Hosmer
4. Address-"Making Life a Masterpiece" Rev. John Nicol Mark
5. Presentation of Class Gift Bertram Porter President of Class of 1934
6. Acceptance for School Henry Woodward President of Class of 1935
7. Scholarship and Honor Awards Parent-Teacher Scholarship Washington and Franklin Medal Principal Nils G. Lindell
8. Music-"Beauty Spot"-Reverie Charles Arthur Howard High School Orchestra
9. Presentation of Diplomas Ernest W. Robinson Superintendent of Schools
10. Benediction Rev. Maurice Jacques
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CLASS ODE
Tonight we sing our farewell song As we all leave this happy throng ; Four years we've worked so hard and true With teachers' aid the whole way through. We'll ne'er forget the days gone by And mem'ries fond of Howard High. Our friends who gather here this eve Watch us as we with sorrow leave.
Goodbye, dear Howard High, goodbye- We go from thee with inward sigh. We must push forward and explore- To learn, to live, to love life more. Our class shall never hope to see So kind and good a friend as thee. To Howard High we say adieu- To classmates, friends and teachers, too.
Chorus
O Howard High, dear Howard High We soon must say our last goodbye ; To you, our school, our praises ring ; To you our farewell song we sing.
Ina M. Mosher.
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GRADUATES
Henry Edward Andrews, Jr. Eleanor Gertrude Lupien
Dorothy Lorraine Arvidson Gladys Gertrude Madan
Stanley Oscar Carlson
Blanche Elizabeth Michalowski
Mary Elizabeth Drake
Louise Rose Morse
Phyllis Marie Earle Charlotte May Fantom
Ina May Mosher
Elna Elizabeth Olson
Alton Wallace Fish
Joseph Peppe
Beatrice Alice Hayward
Mary Peura
George Verner Hollertz
Bertram Elmer Porter
Helen Janet Lothrop
Edith Gwendolyn Thayer
CLASS OFFICERS
President
Vice-President
Bertram Porter Louise Morse Ina Mosher
Secretary Treasurer
Edith Thayer
Class Colors-Orchid and White.
Class Flower-White Rose.
SCHOOL MEMBERSHIP BY GRADES, JANUARY 1, 1935
SCHOOLS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12 P.G. Totals
Howard High
10
36
29
25
2
132
Center VIII
41
41
Center VII
47
47
Center V-VI
8 27
35
Center IV-V
27
9
36
Center III
20
20
Center I-II
20
12
32
Sunset Ave. VII-VIII
20
13
33
Sunset Ave. V-VI
15
21
36
Sunset Ave. IV
18
18
Sunset Ave. III
28
28
Sunset Ave. II
31
31
Sunset Ave. I
23
23
Matfield IV-V-VI
11
9
9
29
Matfield I-II-III
10
13
10
33
Cochesett IV-V-VI
11
11
10
32
Cochesett I-II-III
10
10
5
25
3
4
6
4
6
23
66
70
69
71
58
67
67
54
40
36
29
25
2
654
Jerusalem I-V
195
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TEACHING FORCE-1934-1935
Howard High School
Nils G. Lindell
Arthur L. Frellick
Margaret Hayes
Naomi White
Edna L. Currier
Miriam G. May
Clarice J. Weeden
Principal Science Commercial Commercial Languages English History
Center School
Rose L. MacDonald, Principal
Grade 8
Ellen Kett
Grade 7 Grades 5 and 6
Elizabeth Eastman
Grades 4 and 5
Miriam T. Hall
Grade 3
Gertrude A. Pillsbury
Grades 1 and 2
Sunset Avenue School
Theresa Miller, Principal
Grace Dashoff
Grades 7 and 8 Grades 5 and 6 Grade 4
Mildred MacDonald
Ruth Sanford, Assistant
Grade 3
Myrtle Davison, Assistant
Grade 2
Elizabeth Worthing
Grade 1
Matfield School
Gertrude Ward, Principal Grades 1, 2, 3 Grades 4, 5, 6
Yvonne Kelsey
Cochesett School
Priscilla Smith, Principal Grades 4, 5, 6
Marian Turski, Assistant Grades 1, 2, 3
Jerusalem School
Winifred Darling Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Supervisor
Lois J. Snow Music
Elinore Spencer
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SCHOOL CALENDAR 1934-1935
First term-16 weeks, opens September 5, closes December 21, 1934.
Second term-8 weeks, opens January 2, closes Febru- ary 21, 1935.
Third term-8 weeks, opens March 4, closes April 26, 1935.
Fourth term-7 weeks, opens May 6, closes June 21, 1935.
1935-1936
First term-16 weeks, opens September 4, closes December 20, 1935.
Second term-8 weeks, opens December 30, closes February 21, 1936.
Third term-8 weeks, opens March 2, closes April 24,1936.
Fourth term-7 weeks, opens May 4, closes June 19, 1936.
HOLIDAYS
Columbus Day, October 12, 1935.
Armistice Day, November 11, 1935.
New Year's Day, January 1, 1936.
Washington's Birthday, February 22, 1936.
Patriot's Day, April 19, 1936.
Memorial Day, May 30, 1936.
VACATIONS
Thanksgiving recess begins November 27 at noon, closes December 2, 1935.
Christmas recess begins December 20, at noon, closes December 30, 1935.
February recess begins February 21, closes March 2. 1936.
Spring recess begins April 24, closes May 4, 1936.
Finance Committee Report
During the past year, the Committee has followed out its original plan mentioned in our last report, of holding monthly meetings throughout the year. One or more de- partment heads usually meet with the Committee, discuss- ing their department's work, and at each meeting a monthly report of expenditures and receipts of the town is furnished by the Accountant's department. This procedure enables the Committee members to become familiar with the finan- cial standing of the town throughout the year.
We believe that a tax rate of $30.00 per thousand is as high as our citizens can afford to pay under the present con- ditions, and it has been our purpose in recommending the budget of the year 1935, to keep the recommended appro- priations within a total figure that would assure a rate of not over $30.00.
With the aid of the Assessors we have attempted to estimate as accurately as possible the anticipated income of the Town and the probable levies by State and County on the Town. According to the information obtained at this time, we believe the net result of these figures will be slightly more favorable to the Town than a year ago. Last year, however, the Town was able to appropriate from Sur- plus Revenue a sum which was of considerable help in re- ducing the assessment. But owing to the change in date of assessment this year to January 1st, and the establishment
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of the tax rate several months earlier than in previous years, it is doubtful if the town can benefit from such an appropriation this year. This means that the gain in the estimated income and expense mentioned above may be off- set by the loss of the Surplus Revenue appropriation usually made. Therefore it appears that the total appropriations of 1935 as compared with those of 1934 will vary the tax rate proportionately.
The total appropriations for 1934 were $121,852.34. Of this amount, $2,733.50 was appropriated at a special meeting held December 3rd, and will be applied on the 1935 tax levy. Of the balance of $119,118.84, the sum of $6,300 was voted from Surplus Revenue, leaving $112,818.84 as the assessment which established the tax rate.
Our recommendations for departmental expenses in 1935 are $108,432.66, and for articles in the warrant $6,850.00, a total of $115,282.66. Adding to this the appro- priations of the Dec. 3, 1934, meeting gives a total figure of $118,016.16. We estimate a possible gain over last year of approximately $4,700.00 in the anticipated income and State and County levies. This amount deducted from the previous total, leaves $113,316.16 as a possible assessment. This is approximately the same amount as assessed last year. Any appropriation made in addition to those recom- mended by the Committee will increase the tax rate accordingly.
The C. W. A. and E. R. A. projects have been of con- siderable assistance to the Town in meeting the unemploy- ment problem and reducing the expense of our Public Wel- fare Department. Many of the projects, however, have de- manded an expenditure by the Town for materials, a con- siderable amount of which during the past year has been charged to our regular town departments.
Whereas in some surrounding towns the cost of ad- ministration of E. R. A. has been taken directly
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from funds provided by E. R. A., in our Town all administrative costs until very recently have been taken from regular departmental funds. The administration of the E. R. A. projects has involved a considerable amount of extra office work and resultant clerk hire. At present one clerk is paid by the E. R. A., other administrative ex- penses are charged to Town Departmental appropriations.
We urge, however, that E. R. A. and like expenditures be kept separate this year and have recommended in the budget figures a definite sum of E. R. A. materials and administration. We believe the citizens should know how much these Government projects demand from the Town.
Due to changes in some of the Officers during the past year, we have felt it advisable to approve the expenditure of additional amounts for clerk hire to bring the work of the departments up to date. For the new year, however, we believe that where an Officer is paid a yearly salary, the salary should cover any clerk hire of that department.
A casual inspection of the appropriations for some of our departments might lead to the belief that some of our Town Officers are getting more pay than they actually receive. These amounts in many instances cover all ex- penses of the department ; salary is only one item involved. We suggest that in the preparation of the 1935 Town Re- port consideration be given to setting up Town Officers' Salaries as a separate schedule and that other expenses of the several departments be set up separately.
For the year 1935 the following salaries are included in the department recommendations :
Town Accountant $650.00
Treasurer 500.00
Collector of Taxes and Water Rates
1,200.00
Town Clerk
540.00
With the exception of the Treasurer's and Collector's salaries, we approved of the recommendations of the
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Special Committee appointed at the last Annual Meeting to bring in a schedule of pay adjustments. In these two cases we felt that the responsibility added to the actual time demanded by these offices justified our recommendations.
In recommending the sum of $10,000.00 for Highways, Sidewalks, Street Signs and Bridges, we feel that this amount should take care of all expenses under these head- ings, with the exception of the West Street construction, for which we recommend the appropriation of $3,000.00 by the Town, provided the State and County will appropriate the $9,000.00 for this purpose as specified in Article 6 of the Town Warrant. We understand all hand labor on West Street will be done by our own townspeople, and this job alone will afford a large amount of labor during the coming year. In addition to the Town appropriations, a consider- able amount of graveling is being done under E. R. A.
In our recommendation for the Police Department, we have allowed for the purchase of a new Ford sedan. In the Moth Suppression department recommendation, the purchase of a new truck is provided for.
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