USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Franklin > Town of Franklin annual report 1930 > Part 7
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2. Re-surfacing the grounds at the elementary school buildings.
3. Improving the sanitary conditions at the Four Corners and Brick School Buildings.
4. A cement sidewalk in front of the Theron Metcalf Building.
The past year has been a busy one in the schools. Suc- cessful accomplishment has come through the kindly and active co-operation of townspeople and the School Com- mittee. Your Superintendent wishes to express his gratitude to the teaching staff, parents, and members of the School Committee, who have contributed so gener- ously to the welfare of the schools.
Respectfully submitted, ARTHUR W. HALE,
Superintendent of Schools.
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REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Dear Sir :
I wish to submit the following report concerning the high school for the year 1930:
Enrollment
The school is growing as evidenced by our present en- rollment of 450 pupils. Of this number 61 come from the town of Bellingham and one from the town of Norfolk. According to grade enrollment the high school will in- crease in numbers for at least the next three years. In the past six years the high school population has in- creased in the high school by 150 pupils.
Seating Conditions
Our school building was built to accommodate 420 pupils, so with 30 pupils in excess, we are in need of more classrooms. Some pupils have no home rooms and on days when all are present there are not enough seats. All rooms are used each period of the day and in ad- dition our assembly hall is used for both study and reci- tation. These conditions will be made more difficult by having a graduating class in June 1931 of 68 pupils and an incoming class of approximately 160 pupils in Sep- tember 1931.
College Preparation
We maintain an accredited standing with the State Department of Public Instruction, the New England Col- lege Entrance Certificate Board, the North Central Asso- ciation, and many colleges not affiliated with the above named agencies.
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We have had no failures in colleges by students cer- tified from our school to do college work during the past six years. This unusual record is due for the greater part to: first, a careful decision as to what boys and girls have done good enough work to merit the stamp of the high school's approval ; second, to the small change in the teaching personnel of the college course teachers.
Manual Arts, Business and General Courses
Our general course has the largest number of pupils and this is followed very closely by the business course. Manual training and household arts are popular subjects with many pupils and each year the quality of work done reaches a new and higher mark.
Many graduates from the business department are filling positions in Franklin offices and some out of town. We are making an unusual effort in our business and general courses to prepare pupils for the business trans- actions that will necessarily be a part of their life after leaving school.
The Graduating Class of 1930
Eighty boys and girls were granted their diplomas last June. Following is a tabulation showing what work each has entered :
Attending :
Harvard College
1
Tufts College
1
Boston Universtiy
3
University of Vermont
2
Middlebury College
1
Hyannis Normal
1
Fitchburg Normal
1
Washington College
1
Regis College
1
Radcliffe College
1
University of Southern California 1
Wentworth Institute 1
Bentley School of Accounting 2
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Woonsocket Commercial School 4
Burdett College 3
Preparatory Schools 8
Schools of Nursing 8
Post Graduates in High School
4
Clerical positions
10
Miscellaneous positions At home
14
10
Married 2
Thirty of this, the largest class to graduate from the Franklin High School, have pursued their education be- yond the high school course. Each year finds a larger group entering college.
Activities Outside the Classroom
This past year has witnessed a particularly successful season for both basketball and football in that many boys have engaged in these sports and we have had very strong teams.
Our band has eighty members and is progressing as a self-supporting organization. Their public concert given by the boys December 4, 1930, was well received and demonstrated their playing ability.
The Orchestra is doing good work and not only plays for school affairs but has assisted several organizations outside the school.
The class in vocal music consists of one hundred stu- dents and they are preparing for a public appearance this spring.
The students and teachers are working on plans for a student council that will bring the extra curricular ac- tivities more into the pupils' responsibility and we hope the interest of the entire student body.
Respectfully submitted, ALBERT T. PATTY
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REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Dear Sir :
Our Junior High School building this year is exceed- ingly crowded. There are only two changes in the teach- ing force, those being in the Manual Training and Phy- sical Training Departments.
Our work this year has progressed along the same lines as last year. We have our same system of school government. Clubs, also, are about the same, the Poultry Club being unusually large this year.
Assemblies and Class meetings are continued as before.
At the present time we are just in the midst of a character campaign, in the form of a character flight in the good ship, "The Spirit of Franklin Junior High," and our landing is the Star of Honor, which some division will achieve by February 6th. The flight is based on in- dividual achievement, home room achievement, and school community achievement which takes into consid- eration attendance, tardiness, and character ratings, such as courtesy, self-control, reliability, and co-operation.
The Opportunity Class, which is in our building, is also very crowded, with an enrollment of 18 pupils. This is too many for a class of this type, and as the number seems to increase from year to year, I think arrange- ments should be made to provide another class for them. I suggest as one way of solving the question, the dividing of the class into two divisions, according to age and mental ability, and having each division attend school for a half-session.
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I should recommend having a wooden floor put in the Domestic Science room. At the present time we have a cement floor which has not proven satisfactory, as it is cold and also rather dusty to be used as a cooking room. Our oil stoves have given out, and I should suggest that instead of getting new oil stoves, we have either gas or electric plates.
Respectfully submitted, J. ETTA MCCABE.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF ART TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Dear Sir :
I hereby submit my third annual report as Supervisor of Art in the Franklin Public Schools.
The very general term, Art, or Drawing, includes at least nine different subjects which we teach with varying emphasis in the different grades. They are, Object, Na- ture, and Pose Drawing, Illustration, Construction, Let- tering, Poster Making, Color and Design.
Much emphasis is placed upon the work in Color in all the grades, for a knowledge of how to use color success- fully is surely of great value to all of us, no matter what our position in life may be. We are obliged to make a choice in color in practically every purchase we make and the colors which we wear and with which we deco- rate our homes should be chosen intelligently. For the same reason Design is emphasized particularly in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades.
The work in Object Drawing is graded carefully. In the first three grades all work is in two dimensions with
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emphasis on general proportion. In the fourth grade the drawing of cylindrical objects in three dimensions is taught, in the fifth, rectangular objects in three dimen- sions, in the sixth, a review and representation in light and shade.
In lettering, only the upper case letters are used until the fifth grade. The mediums used are cut paper, crayon, pencil, and lettering pen, and most of the work is done in connection with posters, greeting cards, and holiday work.
We make posters for all occasions and are invited to enter many contests. We sent several posters to the 1930 S. P. C. A. Poster Contest, several children in both the Horace Mann and Ray Schools winning prizes. The Ray School entered the Health Poster Contest, winning prizes there, also. These contests take a great deal of time but seem worth while for many reasons.
The 1930 Eastern Arts Conference was held in Boston and was a very successful and inspiring assembly. Some of the finest speakers were Mr. Ernest W. Butterfield, Commissioner of Education, New Hampshire, whose topic was, "The Latitude and Longitude of Ability." Mr. Charles Edward Newell, Director of Art Education of Massachusetts, whose topic was "Free Brush Pattern in Color and Design" with a demonstration by pupils from an East Boston school, and Dr. Margaret McAdory. Hunter College, New York City, who showed "Method of Testing Art Judgment."
Preparation for the school exhibition in May took much time as usual. Fifteen hundred drawings cannot be collected, well arranged, and mounted without much labor. During such preparation the teachers should not expect the regular teaching visits of the supervisor. The work is always carefully planned and each teacher has a typewritten outline which she can easily follow by her- self. The supervisor will, of course, visit each building according to her schedule if possible so she may be con- sulted about the work if necessary.
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Our course of study is carefully planned and consist- ently followed from year to year and we are beginning to see some very satisfactory results. We look forward with enthusiasm to the coming year, confident that with the same hearty co-operation of teachers and school committee, even greater advancement may be possible.
Respectfully submitted, IRENE KIBBE WIGHT.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Dear Sir :
All grades are equipped now with the books of the Music Education Series and supplemented with the Con- cord Series in the lower grades. This makes possible a. uniform program. The system of outlines given to each teacher early in the year is being continued. This en- ables the teachers to formulate their weekly plans ahead of time, and also insures the presentation of the same songs and drills in all parts of the town. Each teacher may add to the outlines as she sees fit, but a certain minimum remains uniform.
The singing work in the exhibition last spring followed very closely the customs of former years and was great- ly enjoyed by all.
The operetta "Patience" by Gilbert and Sullivan was presented by the pupils of the High School Music class. Though we will all admit it's shortcomings, it was a wholesome and helpful musical experience for the mem- bers of the cast. Though costumes made this staging expensive, a small net profit was realized on the per-
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formance which was turned over to the school fund. The officials of the Wrentham schools invited us to give the same operetta at Wrentham for their benefit, which we were happy to do. There is no question that the pupils enjoy this type of singing - they sing with enthusiasm. You will recall that the report of last year indicated an increase in the High School Music class from 100 in the previous year to about 160. In the fall of 1930, 203 pupils registered for Music. This was a class altogether too large for good results. Consequently, the class was sep- arated into three divisions, two of which were obliged to meet after school hours. The chorus sang two num- bers at the Thanksgiving Assembly which were much appreciated and are now preparing for the spring oper- ·etta.
The Junior High School work is carried on as in pre- vious years with regular four-part chorus work in both the seventh and eighth grades. In the seventh grade an outline has been made which not only stresses the songs for particular occasions, but also correlates them with the geography work. This work is in the form of a trip around the world, and we are able to study folk songs of each country through which we travel.
The Junior High School Orchestra this year has 24 members : piano, violins, banjo, trumpets, saxophones, clarinet, and drums.
Early in November 1930, a singing contest was held in the High School for the pupils of the first five grades. Each room sent not over 12 voices and sang a selected song and an assigned song. The judges were Music Teachers from Foxboro and Boston. They were asked to judge upon the quality of the singing rather than the technique. The first prize for the first grade went to the Arlington Street school; second grade, Thayer school; third grade, Thayer school; fourth grade, Theron Met- calf school; and the fifth grade to Miss Jordan's room. Though this contest came very early in the year, it was received with a great deal of interest. The improvement in the singing from grade to grade was very noticeable to all.
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May I point out again the need of Music Appreciation in the schools of Franklin and of some work on the theory of Music along with the singing. Music is fast becoming a required subject for college entrance - and this puts more weight on theory and appreciation than on singing.
If the Supervisor were here five days a week, much more of this work could be done and much more work with special programs and small group instruction. Ad- ditional pianos - at least one in each building - would help, and radios would open another fruitful field. The boys and girls of Franklin are capable and willing to learn and appreciate good Music, but in order to better appreciate and understand good music, the majority of the pupils need more specialized and more abundant in -- struction.
Respectfully submitted, DELPHINE CARPENTER.
REPORT OF THE PHYSICAL DIRECTOR FOR GIRLS TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Dear Sir :
In Physical Training, physical development of the in -. dividual is the aim, whereas in physical education, the aim is the education of the individual through physical activities. Education is the end, physical activities are the means. We are training for health, sportsmanship,. and personality. There can be little doubt that posture,. skill, and grace are fostered by experience in sponta- neous play, in rhythmic games, and physical activities.
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Every girl is not skilled in athletics, but she can im- prove her proficiency by learning the correct forms. A varied program is planned so that each one will benefit. Getting away from the formal gymnastics and having more games to play gives each one a larger opportunity to get more physical exercise. The activity side of our physical education program for the High School and Junior High groups is made up largely of five major types of work; the practice of formal exercises, com- monly known as calisthenics; the practice of dancing ; the practice of acrobatic feats on the mats, horizontal bar, parallel bars, etc .; the practice of highly organized sports such as baseball, track, hockey, and basketball; the practice of sports requiring a low degree of organiz- ation, such as group games and relay races, known as recreational activities. The latter find more universal usage than any other type of activity. It constitutes a major phase of physical training work in the schools. These activities offer many benefits and have many ad- vantages for gymnasium and playground use. Owing to the fact that not much organization is required, large numbers can be readily handled.
Previous years there has been one particular group taking advantage of hockey and basketball. This year each girl in the High School is required to take one of the outside activities. They have their choice of hockey, basketball, and hiking. They are required to take one hour a week and this is averaged with their physical mark. About one-fourth have taken hockey, about one- half have signed for basketball and one-fourth for hiking in the spring.
The following is the outline of the work as it is car- ried on in the High School, Junior and Elementary grades :
Fall Term:
HIGH SCHOOL - Track, Outdoor games.
JUNIOR HIGH - Track, Hockey.
ELEMENTARY GRADES - Outdoor Games.
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Winter Term:
HIGH SCHOOL - Calisthenics, Apparatus, Danc- ing. Games, Hand Apparatus.
JUNIOR HIGH - Volley Ball, Captain Ball, Hit Pin Ball, Apparatus, Tumbling.
ELEMENTARY GRADES:
1st - 4th - Marching-Skipping, Action Stories, Song Dances, Mimetic Exercises, Exercises, Games. 5th & 6th - Marching. Exercises, Games.
Spring Term:
HIGH SCHOOL - Games, Hiking. JUNIOR HIGH - Baseball, Basketball. ELEMENTARY GRADES : 1st - 4th - Group games. 5th & 6th - Organized games.
Respectfully submitted,
DORIS M. KUBECK.
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REPORT OF PHYSICAL DIRECTOR FOR BOYS IN THE JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Dear Sir :
Physical vigor and soundness contribute to happiness, to accomplishment, to service to society, state and country. The legislatures of the different States of the Union recognizing this, enacted laws that put upon the schools the responsibility of providing adequate phy- sical education to the end that the children of our land may become physically fit now and that they may enter manhood and womanhood with strong, healthy bodies.
The trend of physical education today is toward intra- mural sports and with this view in mind I have planned my program in the Franklin Junior and Senior High Schools.
In the Junior High School, touch football, track, soccer, baseball, and other games are played out of doors and if the weather is bad, captain ball, volley ball, calisthenics, and marching drills are performed inside. In all drills posture and poise are emphasized with the idea pre- dominant that if you acquire proper carriage in these years of adolescence you will always have it.
Hygiene is required of all children in the Junior High School with particular stress on important health habits.
In the physical work in the Senior High School I have tried to cater to the interests and desires of the pupils. Invigorating play games, touch football, soccer, track, and baseball are indulged in during the fall and spring, while in the winter basketball and apparatus work occu- pies most of the time. Good sportsmanship and fair play are emphasized in all drills with stress being placed not on winning, but "how you played the game."
Respectfully submitted,
BART J. MCDONOUGH.
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICIAN TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Dear Sir :
I herewith submit my report as school physician for the current year. this being my twenty-third year of service. As I look back over these years I feel that much has been accomplished during this period in promoting the health of the school children of our town and in building a foundation for continued good health during life.
Total number examined during 1930
1,613
Notices sent to Parents
261
Defective eyes
5
Defective ears
1
Defective teeth
138
Tonsils and adenoids
75
Non-vaccination
11
Impetigo
2
Anemia
3
Pediculosis
26
Excluded from school for Impetigo
2
Excluded from school for Mumps
1
Excluded from school for Pediculosis
5
Many children have minor defects that handicap them in school work and they can be easily corrected. With that end in view, a school clinic was held in the closing weeks of school, available to all who were to enter at the beginning of the next school year. At that clinic 68 were examined and the parents informed of any defects which were found. I was assisted in this work by Dr. Green. To the school nurse must be given the credit of getting so many to avail themselves of this opportunity. This clinic was so successful that it is planned to make this
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work a part of the work of medical inspection. Several clinics will be held the coming season and a more thor- ough examination made than was possible at the clinic of this year. These examinations are free to all who desire to avail themselves of the opportunity. Safe- guarding the health in the early years of life is of the utmost importance. The infectious diseases of childhood are too often neglected and much damage is done to the vital organs, more particularly the heart, and the found- ation is laid for serious illness later in life. For this reason I have in the past advised against too violent phy- sical exercises. No one should engage in competitive sports without first having a thorough physical examin- ation and found to be 100% perfect. It has been the aim of your school physician to encourage the pupils in main- taining good posture and to breathe properly. To assist them, Miss Mitchell secured a "Posture Film" from the State Department of Public Health which was exhibited in the Junior and Senior High Schools. The State De- partment of Public Health has also held several clinics in several places in the state for the purpose of control- ling Tuberculosis. Several children have been taken to these clinics for examination. The Health Department of the State and Nation are doing a great deal for the promotion of health and the future holds forth great promises to future generations.
Respectfully submitted,
SOLON ABBOTT, M. D.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Dear Sir :
The following is my yearly report, year 1930:
Number of examinations made in schools 5,730
Number of examinations made in homes 133
Number of homes visited 271
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Number of schools visited
10
Number of school visits
368
Number of pupils excluded
Pediculosis 19; Scabies 7; Whooping Cough 1;
Odor Nasel 1; Mumps 7; Impetigo 3; Chicken Pox 2; Measles 12; Rash 11;
63
Dressings 5
Pupils taken or sent to Doctor
16
Pupils taken or sent to Dentist
17
Pupils taken or sent to Oculist
2
Pupils taken or sent to Hospital
5 Examination; 1 X-Ray; 22 T & A; 12 Eyes;
2 Ears
42
Weighed 131
Assisted Doctor to examine
1,601
Assisted Dentist to examine
584
Inspections 370
171
Meetings attended (Health)
4
Other visits
85
Taken home
26
Pupils to Camp
1
Contagious cases found in schools
3 Impetigo ; 2 Chicken Pox ; 4 Scabies ;
1 Whooping Cough ; 12 Measles 22
Contagious cases found in homes
2 Measles ; 1 Scabies ; 1 Mumps ; 1 Impetigo
5
Toxin-Anti-Toxin given
91 Pre-school children; 211 school children 302
Pre-School Clinic in June
Pupils examined by Dr. Abbott and Dr. Green 68
Posture Film shown at Junior High and High Schools in September - talk on same by Dr. Abbott.
Examination with Audimeter 1,405
During the year, the usual health talks, examinations, and recommendations were made - children with de- fects being taken or sent to Doctors, Dentists, hospitals, and clinics.
The milk at the morning recess was continued, also the hot drinks for bus pupils. In the spring the local
Health Talks
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dentists very kindly gave their time and knowledge by examining the teeth of all pupils in the first, sixth, sev- enth, and eighth grades. This always proves an incentive for a large majority to have dental work done. In May, Dr. Dudley of the State Department, with the co- operation of the local Board of Health, administered to 302 children Toxin Anti-toxin as a Diphtheria Preventa- tive. In June, a pre-school clinic was arranged at the Theron Metcalf School when 68 five year old children were examined by doctors and recommendations made.
We wish to thank Miss Carpenter, our Music In- structor, for the fine entertainment which she put on to raise money for milk, also the artists who took part.
We wish to express our appreciation to the Kings Daughters, the Nursing Association, and Rotary Club for the financial aid given us to carry on our clinics and nutrition work.
Considerable has been accomplished this year in our School Health Work, through the co-operation of teach- ers and parents.
Respectfully submitted, NELLIE I. MITCHELL, R. N.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF HOME MAKING IN THE HIGH SCHOOL TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Dear Sir :
Home Economics furnishes girls with an opportunity to "do" things, stimulates their interest and guides their practices in the many things which are so necessary to
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home-building and happy home life.
Individual instruction, together with class instruction, is necessary to make this training valuable. This fact may be recognized in this course perhaps more than in any other.
Home-making is personal, vital, touching their very existence and everyday mode of living; the results of this training influencing the physical, social, economic, and even the moral aspects of their lives. Moreover, the home training and home conditions vary to such an ex- tent that the need of individual instruction is increased.
Clothing
The question of clothing is of interest to most women, but of still greater interest to girls in school. In adding to a girl's wardrobe it is necessary first to know the size of it in order to make a sensible choice. This is the method now used in the classroom. They decide what new garments are needed and what old ones can be renovated, remodelled, or discarded. Next it is nec- essary to decide what garments to buy and what to make. The girls are helped in selecting and wearing their clothes to advantage as well as to make them.
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