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 1940-1944 > Part 9
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Testing Program
Through the cooperation of Miss Miriam May, former teacher in the Howard High School, we have been ex- ceedingly fortunate in obtaining a complete testing pro- gram for the high school, supplied by the Cooperative Testing Bureau, New York City.
This is a definite step forward in our vocational guid- ance program. A complete summary of these tests will be submitted by the Bureau showing definite adaptabili- ties of each student, guiding him toward his life's work and will indicate to the teachers where improvements may be made in our courses. This entire testing program has been made available to us without any cost to the Town.
School Grounds Beautification
Very little has been done the past year regarding this important subject, due primarily to lack of funds, but the committee intend to turn their attention to this matter after more necessary repairs have been com- pleted and funds are available for it.
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Safety Measure
With the thought in our minds of safeguarding the children while crossing the streets before and after school hours, we are working in conjunction with Chief of Police Eaton, on a Junior Police or Monitor system of directing traffic, using the older and more responsible boys for this duty. It is a system which is being used with much success in other communities.
Our 1940 expenditures and 1941 proposed budget fol- lows. The increase in the 1941 estimated budget is due to the yearly increment in teacher's salaries plus an increase in the general repair fund which is necessary if school buildings are to be kept in proper condition.
1940 1941 Expenditures Estimates
Administration
$3,924.33
$3,930.00
Salaries
31,222.30
31,500.00
Books and Supplies
2,894.30
2,700.00
Janitors
2,449.86
2,460.00
Fuel and Lights
2,629.10
2,600.00
Repairs
1,359.60
1,800.00
Transportation
3,157.00
3,160.00
Tuition
581.63
800.00
Health
1,215.99
1,225.00
Miscellaneous
139.25
140.00
$49,573.36
$50,315.00
Respectfully submitted,
LLOYD P. TYRER, Chairman.
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SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the School Committee:
In conformity with customary practice, the following report of the West Bridgewater schools is herewith pre- sented, embodying the usual numerical data of pupil membership, distribution by the schools and grades, list of current teachers, together with individual reports by supervisors and department heads.
An examination of the accompanying table reveals again the continuance of the peculiar changes in mem- bership of the high and elementary schools, changes pointed out in last year's report.
COMPARATIVE MEMBERSHIP TABLE
1937
1938
1939
1940
1941
Howard High
146
164
186
192
209
Center
250
243
237
224
200
Sunset Avenue
164
153
150
149
138
Cochesett
53
41
41
62
78
Matfield
32
34
28
29
24
Jerusalem
26
24
18
16
14
671
659
660
672
663
It will be noted that in five years the high school has increased its membership by 63, while in the same period the grammar schools as a whole have lost 71 pupils. Cochesett alone has gained in the last two years, and may gain more in the near future as a result of the extensive building development in that section of the
188
town. If such growth becomes marked it may be neces- sary to shift one, possibly two upper grades of Cochesett to the Center School, which has lost 50 pupils in the last five years.
There were few changes in our teaching staff for the year, two in the high school where Miss Anthol and Miss Merrill were succeeded by Miss Rylander Teachers and Mr. Newton in the French and English departments respectively. The
replacement of a woman teacher by a man teacher is in line with progressive modern practice in high school administration, especially where the pro- portion of men and women has been small. In the Sun- set Avenue School, the resignation of Miss Mildred McDonald after ten years of efficient service, made nec- essary some changes by transfer. Miss Cushman who had done good work at Jerusalem for several years, was brought in to the Sunset Avenue position vacated by Miss McDonald, and Miss Mary Nelson, who had done very effective work as assistant at Sunset Avenue was appointed to the Jerusalem School.
The rapid increase of membership in the Howard High School has naturally brought new problems both curricular and administrative. These are Industrial being attacked vigorously and effectively Efficiency by Principal Lindell and an alert and well-equipped teaching staff, for develop- ment of a growing progressive school system, means constant change and re-adjustment to a constantly changing social, industrial and economic world.
The inception and development of the industrial idea in public school training, the establishment of industrial school centres, manual training institutions, etc., have all united to force in upon the minds of even the most conservative adherents of the sufficiency of the three "R's" for a common school education, that letter perfec- tion in these three "R's" and their allied branches is, to-day, but a means to an end, and not an end in itself.
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The one end we must keep in mind for all our boys and girls is, maximum industrial efficiency. To attain this end is the heaviest problem in small school systems, whose heads, while well aware that boys and girls in a small town have just as good a right to start life well and earn and maintain a good living, are confronted with the difficulty of providing proper equipment and adequate teaching staff to teach industrial branches thoroughly in all the grades as well as in the High School.
Academic proficiency, well exemplified by our High School graduates in various colleges, will always be sought in every good school system, but industrial ef- ficiency must, with increasing earnestness of purpose, practicality of teaching methods, and far-sighted gener- osity of taxpayers, be our educational goal in the years to come.
Until recently, we have not been able to offer to upper class girl pupils sufficient option in industrial work to interest them, or to hold them in the school, thereby allowing them to slip out of the school system inade- quately equipped for decent self-maintenance.
In a small town a girl, on leaving High School, either during or at the completion of her course, usually can only look forward to small-paying clerical positions of precarious tenure, which renders it a difficult matter, even though she lives at home to be self-supporting, much less of assistance to her family if the need arises.
The question naturally follows, what else is there for a girl to do, and what can be taught her in a small High School that will be of practical benefit to her? It is not possible that all well-trained graduates of the commer- cial department of the school are going to be able to find suitable positions at the end of their course, and not all girls are temperamentally adapted to exacting clerical work demanded in up-to-date business establishments.
Of the many callings open to women, journalism, teaching, governess' work, nursing, library service,
190
telephony, telegraphy, mission work, secretaryship, photography, designing, painting, canvassing, indepen- dent business callings, floriculture, dairy, general store, hotel, factory or work shop, stenography, typewriting and general office work, dressmaking, garment cutting, home manufactures of food products and domestic science, the small High School can only hope to prepare for two branches, possibly three-civil service, commer- cial and domestic.
The recent decision of the School Committee to ex- pand the scope and effectiveness of the household arts course in the high school, by converting it into a state- aided vocational course, whereby additional courses and credits are secured for many more students, is a decided step forward in helping them meet the con- stantly increasing and exacting demands for capable workers upon their graduation and entry into the various fields of professional, executive, commercial, mercantile and industrial service.
The larger schools and colleges for women now offer extensive courses in the domestic science, working on the theory which has been proved sound
College that a well-trained housekeeper or "ex- Courses ecutive hostess", by recent terminology,
one who is demonstrably proficient in home management, can make herself indispensable to the well-ordered home, can secure and maintain a dig- nified social status in the family, can regulate her hours of work and receive profitable compensation for her services as domestic manager or assistant. In several large cities domestic science courses, offered by Young Women's Unions and Associations to girls of little or no education, have been crowded, and certified graduates of these courses have had no difficulty in securing ad- vantageous positions in excellent households.
Scientific knowledge of household economics, energy, ambition, self-respect without false pride, unalterable determination to make domestic service a profession, not a servile occupation, is increasingly bound to bring
191
success, for a long time to come, to those girls who are able to clearly see the growing opportunity for scientific domestic managers and assistants.
Money spent to maintain domestic science courses for girls and varied manual couses for boys will return to the community which gives it a rich interest, in the de- velopment of capable boys and girls who cannot go to higher educational institutions to learn a profession, yet can adjust themselves quickly and advantageously to the industrial life of the world. Are our boys and girls not worth it?
The reports of the supervisors of the various depart- ments may be found in the following pages and are worth careful reading for their specific informational value. In concluding this report, I wish to express keen appreciation of the valuable cooperation of an excellent corps of teachers, the cordial attitude of the parents and the community to all our efforts, and your own very helpful advice and support in all branches of admini- strative endeavor.
Respectfully submitted, ERNEST W. ROBINSON, Superintendent.
WHAT IS A PUBLIC SCHOOL?
Only a lot of boys and girls ?
Only the tiresome spelling, writing ciphering classes ? Ah more, infinitely more:
Is it this pile of brick and mortar,
These dead floors, windows, boards you call a school? Why this is not the school at all-
The school is living, ever livings souls !
And you America-
Cast you the real reckoning for your present ?
The lights and shadows of your future good or evil? To girlhood, boyhood look-the teacher and the school ! Walt Whitman-adaptation.
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REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Mr. Ernest W. Robinson Superintendent of Schools West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Dear Sir:
I have the honor to submit my annual report as Prin- cipal of the Howard High School.
The foremost topic of thought in the minds of every American today is the problem of defense. Without sounding a note of hysteria, the secondary school must give serious attention to this national problem, not from a military point of view but from a truly educational point of view. It must consider what can be done for the millions of youths coming within the sphere of its powerful influence in educating for the preservation and protection of those ideals of freedom for which our great democracy stands. Its essential concern must be with the intellectual and physical well-being of youth, and not with military training.
In stepping up its production program of war mater- ials, the country's greatest material need today is that of skilled labor in the machine trades. A small com- prehensive high school like our own cannot do much in the way or direct vocational training to meet this vital demand. However, there are several areas of activity in which we operate to make important contributions to the solution of our defense problems. If the future of democracy is to be assured, we must continue to em- phasize with greater vigor and with a well guided pur- pose to (1) train our students to think, (2) equip them with a general background, both historical and social, specific enough to direct their thinking toward intelli- gently constructive ends, (3) develop habits for good
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health, and (4) lay the essential foundation for voca- tional life. Hence, education for defense need not con- flict with the aims of a modern high school.
In connection with the enforcement of the selective military service act, medical examinations reveal large numbers of young men physically unfit for service. These results spotlight deficiencies of health education in the various communities both in and out of school. Exclusive of fragmentary instruction as parts of other subject matter, and the operation of a limited athletic program, little is being done in Howard High School to correct existing physical defects and to develop perman- ent habits for maintaining good health. To administer and effective program of health education, in my opinion, a department of physical education should be organized to coordinate health activities throughout the entire school system.
Despite increased demands placed upon it, the high school cannot neglect its duty to its youth in respect to vocational education, if students are expected to take their proper places in the home, office, factory and com- munity with those skills, ideals and attitudes which are essential to the preservation of our American way of life. Our high school's program of vocational prepar- ation should be extended on every possible front. At practically no increase in cost but with the aid of the State Department of Education, our present part time course of three days a week in home economics could be greatly improved and readily expanded to a full time course of five days a week. Such a curriculum would effectively strengthen the very backbone of our great democracy-the home. It is not at all improbable that a like development of our present shop work will become possible in the immediate future. An extension of our wood working shop to more intensive work in wood and the addition of metal work both organized on a productive basis would be invaluable in establishing many of the elements necessary for adequate vocational adjustment in actual post school employment.
194
In adult life there are many kinds of clubs adminis- tering to a wide range of interests. These organizations are of considerable value in enhancing the social, in- tellectual, professional, religious, financial and physical development of their members or they would not con- tinue to exist. Therefore, since the school should pro- vide opportunities for as near life situations as possible, a club program should be in operation in every progres- sive high school. In order to provide a means for the extension and deepening of individual students' in- terests, to develop worthy social attitudes and ideals, and motivate regular class work, the formation of clubs has been encouraged. Heavy teaching schedules make necessary the operation of this program a voluntary basis. Numbering among the clubs recently formed are the Model Airplane Club, The Junior Red Cross Club, The Press Club, The Boys' Club, and The Operators' Club. Briefly, the first named group studies and con- structs planes; the Junior Red Cross workers sew gar- ments for use in war-torn Europe; the Press Club reports school news to the Brockton "Enterprise"; The Boys' Club occupies itself with boy problems and in- terests; and the members of the last named organization study and operate the school's sound projector, the silent projector, and the public address system.
Perhaps the most important organized unit newly formed is the Student Council. The following section of its constitution sets forth its purpose :
"Its purpose is to help train the student in citizen- ship; to provide an opportunity for students to regulate extra curricula activities; to foster a spirit of service among the students, and to provide an opportunity for students to govern themselves outside the class room."
The Student Council, is destined to become a power- ful influence in the school in providing experience and practice in self-government-a definite prerequisite for our democracy.
For many years it has been necessary to raise funds to subsidize, chiefly, our athletic, library and assembly
195
activities. Annually, the bulk of this money is being earned by the sale of magazines of the Crowell Publish- ing Company. This method involves many creditable features. In addition to eliminating the charitable ef- forts of a tag day, real sales experience in offering value for value is afforded, school unity is strengthened and a substantial profit diverted into the school treasury which otherwise would revert to the pockets of out-of- town house to house canvassers. The combined results of careful management and the outstanding success of this drive in October, and without the curtailment of any activity, the school was able to secure through the Crowell Publishing Company a new DeVry sound mo- tion picture projector. The use of this machine bids fair to occupy an important place in our program of visual education.
In conclusion, I wish to express my grateful apprecia- tion to you, the school committee, the Howard Trustees, the teachers, and other friends of the school for the faithfulness and generosity of the support accorded me.
Respectfully submitted,
NILS G. LINDELL, Principal.
January, 1941
196
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
To the Superintendent of Schools and School Commit- tee :
At the beginning of this term physical examinations were made of 675 pupils. About one-third of the student body were found to have defects which were brought to the attention of the parents. The various abnormalities noted were: infected tonsils, carious or maloccluded teeth, blepharitis (stick together of the eyelids), eye squint, heart murmurs, and cervical glands.
There has been no unusual amount of contagious dis- ease in the community and no sign of any spread through the schools. The general health of the students as a whole has been excellent. Numerous X-rays have been taken of the chests of underweight or underpar children, but no evidence of tuberculosis has been dis- covered.
It is through the ceaseless, untiring efforts of Mrs. Lillian Hewitt, School Nurse, that cases are followed and all possible defects cared for.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSPEH BERKOWITZ, M.D., School Physician.
197
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
To the Superintendent of Schools, Ernest W. Robinson
I herewith submit my annual report.
As in the past physical examinations were completed by Dr. Joseph Berkowitz. A large percentage of notices sent to parents were for defective tonsils. More than half of our children still have their teeth uncared for.
3 had defective hearts
2 epileptic tendencies
3 swollen glands
4 inflamed eyes
6 referred for chest X-ray
A diphtheria clinic was held in May. Thirty children received three doses each of toxin-anti-toxin. One was unfinished because of chicken pox.
Audiometer test was given in grades 5-9-10. A total of 147 were tested, 20 of which were retested; 4 follow up cases have left school; 6 new cases were found, making a total of 10 carrying cases. Notices were sent and follow up proves we have one pupil who attends a lip reading class. Others had adenoids removed and other remedial care. Six had eyes cared for-glasses furn- ished where necessary.
Tuberculosis Clinic was held at Howard High School. Directed by Staff of Plymouth County Hospital; 143 skin tests were done-36 which reacted-5 were X-rayed and nine of these had physical examinations-seven were discharged from follow up cases, with nine continued cases. Mr. Lindell supervised the publicity. A movie was shown also. One child attended Camp eight weeks.
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Wonderland camp accepted a mother and three small children for two weeks. Sixty-three percent of High School enrolment consented 25%-re-acted.
Dentist Dr. Edmund Tobin who conducts clinics in eight or more towns examined our school children. His portable equipment was set up at the Center School and those desiring work were transported to this school. 140 children were treated, 12 cases were unfinished, 476 operations were done. About 25 more wanted work done but there were no funds available, in spite of the fact that the Girl Scouts, K. A. Club, Grange and Wo- men's Alliance each gave $5.00. The Red Cross donated $50.00. Money furnished was most acceptable and filled an urgent need.
One child was referred to the clinic for crippled children has recovered from her operation and appears normal.
Eight retarded children were referred to the psycho- metric clinic and recommended for placement in a special class. We have no adequate means of training handicapped children. Much has been said about crime prevention but little or nothing has been done about early correction of habits that lead to crime. Correc- tions of physical defects is an essential to proper mental adjustment. Accompanied 3 children to Brockton psy- chometric clinic for adjustment.
In addition to other accomplishments 17 had tonsils removed.
Two cases of Vincent's Aregina were reported as having been treated. Mumps have been reported from all parts of the town. At present colds and grippe are prevelent.
In closing, I want to express my appreciation for the co-operation of teachers, parents and school officials.
Respectfully submitted,
LILLIAN M. HEWITT, School Nurse.
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REPORT OF MUSIC SUPERVISOR
Superintendent Ernest W. Robinson West Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Robinson :
I find pleasure in submitting to you my annual re- port as Music Supervisor in the schools of West Bridge- water.
The work in the first two grades at the beginning of the year consisted largely in rote song singing by groups and by individuals. Those children who had difficulty in finding their singing voices were placed in front of sing- ers and were encouraged to imitate another child or the teacher in matching tones and to distinguish similar and dissimilar tones. This trained the EAR. Children who were not too shy responded willingly the first time. The songs taught the first year and a half were simple, appealing, artistic and foundational. The music reper- tory and vocabulary were thus built up for future EYE work in recognizing the relationship between tone figures and note figures when the books were placed in the hands of the children. Action songs and folk dances were added to the enjoyment of the work in these grades.
In grades three and four, the drill age, much time was spent in note reading by phrases, simple time prob- lems, and in tone quality. To pupils of this age attention was called to quality of tone rather than to volume of tone. They were encouraged to sing alone or in small choirs. Those pupils showing outstanding ability were occasionally invited to come before the class and dem- onstrate their leadership. Competition is keen and
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stimulating in these grades and there is a strong desire to be singled out when doing exceptionally good work.
In the fifth and sixth grades new rhythmic figures were presented through compound time, music moods through major and minor keys, and the enrichment of tonal effects through two and three part singing. The adolescent change in the boy voice which begins to show at this time and on through the next two years is a problem. Songs in four parts in the seventh and eighth grades help take care of the situation.
The graduation exercises of the Sunset Avenue School were held in the regular class room. The songs sung in- cluded selections in three and four parts taken from the class text book. The exercises of the Center School were held in the town hall and the theme of the pro- gram was America the Beautiful. The scenes, dances and musical selections were those characteristic of the periods from the time of the Indians and Pilgrims on through the war days to the present.
In the High School the chorus still maintained a large membership and a fine spirit of interest and cooperation prevailed. At one of the assemblies which was in charge of the Vocal Music Department choruses of familiar songs were sung, readings of musical interest presented and selection given by the boys and by the girls respec- tively. At graduation only a part of the chorus sang as was the case of the previous year due to the small platform.
The Supervisor has not aimed for mechanized musical training but for a free, spontaneous expression of the child's response to and appreciation of music. Com- pulsory participation is avoided if possible because the voluntary response goes deeper and is more lasting. The conduct of the class room lesson has been informal and
201
friendly. A certain amount of relaxation is necessary in order to attain satisfactory results. Tense muscles make for sharp and strained tones.
"Music is a stimulating force. It appeals and arouses; it creates, develops and intensifies moods. It is the most potent means for promoting social relationships."
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