USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1925 > Part 5
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SCHOOL REPORT
value of this instruction will be most difficult to measure, however, the great annual loss of life and property within our Common- wealth impels me to feel that our children should not be allowed to go through our schools without the necessary instruction.
COURSE OF STUDY ENGLISH
Teachers in the grades have been provided with a course of study in Language and Composition in which both oral, written and technical work is emphasized. Definite instruction for teach- ing is included with the outline for each grade. In the fifth grade but little technical grammar is included but the require- ments are increased in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades. At the end of the eighth grade we expct pupils to have a very defi- nite understanding of oral and written English as well as a com- plete mastery of technical grammar.
GEOGRAPHY
During the past year your superintendent has devoted con- siderable time, with other educators, reviewing materials for a state course of study in geography for grades three to six, in- clusive. This course has already been typed for distribution in grades three and four and will be for grades five and six as soon as the same comes from the Committee.
In order to put this course into operation that pupils may be benefited by the same it will be necessary to build up a library of reference books on geography. Much of the work outlined will not be found in a single textbook and therefore the need of a reference library. This library will correct a long-standing de- ficiency at the school.
STANDARD TESTS
During the year classroom teaching results have been checked
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
up by giving of several standard tests. The Boston University State-wide English Test and the Wilson Language Test in three parts were given throughout the schools. Several tests prepared by your superintendent and teachers were also given in Arithmetic and Spelling.
In the State-wide English Test eighty-seven towns in this Commonwealth participated. The rank for this Superintendency Union was forty-sixth in the list of eighty-seven with a median of 19.28. The highest median score was 24.16. The lowest was 13.02. The median of town medians was 19.32 which shows that our schools were .04 below the state median. This test brought out several weaknesses in our type of instruction which were emphasized from day to day in preparation for the later Wilson Language Error Test. Almost invariably the results of each test have showed marked improvement over previous tests.
In December grades five, six and seven participated in a State- wide Arithmetic Test based upon addition. subtraction, multipli- cation. division, fractions and business problems. The State re- sults are not yet available, however, the results in the Hamilton schools were found to compare very favorably with results com- piled for this Superintendency Union.
PROMOTIONS
If all pupils were sure of receiving a promotion at the close of schools in June they would be most happy throughout the entire school year. Such is not the case with many pupils. Their rank cards received five times yearly are a reminder to parents and pupils that the grade of work is either below the passing grade or just on the border line. In some cases parents interview the teachers and cooperate in every way possible to have the child do satisfactory work. At other times the danger signal is not heeded, in which cases the pupils fail of promotion in June. This
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SCHOOL REPORT
failure is justifiable if the teacher, parent and pupil have cooper- ated to the fullest degree possible and the pupil is not able to do the work. If they have not and the pupil fails of promotion there is the feeling on the part of parent and child that the teacher is "no good" and that the child has been unjustly treated by an unsatisfactory and unsympathetic teacher. The work of these same pupils with other teachers proves that the cases of unjust treatment are very rare. Promotions are made solely on the basis of what is best for the child from an educational standpoint. In the first three grades the greater emphasis is put upon reading and language while in the following grades it is placed upon Arithmetic and English. If a pupil cannot do the work of these subjects satisfactorily it is for his advantage to repeat the year's work. He thereby masters his subject matter and has a good foundation for doing the next year's work.
In certain cases it is advisable that pupils be promoted on "condition," which means that he is given an examination at the opening of schools in September or given a month's trial in the next grade. The "conditioned" pupils are the ones the teachers and superintendent feel can do the work if they make the proper application. After being conditioned too few put forth the nec- essary effort to remove the condition and therefore find it neces- sary to repeat the full year's work.
At the close of schools in June it was found that thirteen per cent of our pupils in grades one to six had failed of promotion. This per cent is entirely too large. It can be greatly dimin- ished with more close cooperation on the part of parents, teachers and pupils.
APPRECIATION
The assistance, received from all individuals and organiza- tions, which has been given for the benefit for the pupils and sev-
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
eral schools is hereby acknowledged. All such have a tendency to broaden the field of service of the contributor and without ex- ception have much influence in shaping the lives of the recipients.
RECOMMENDATIONS
That in general the same corps of teachers be retained for the ensuing year. That bonuses be given teachers who pursue pro- fessional courses approved by the superintendent.
That the financial assistance of interested citizens be solicited in establishing scholarships or other prizes for excellency in gen- eral scholarship or special subjects.
That a special appropriation be given for grading the grounds at the South School and improving the grounds at the South and East Schools by planting the necessary shrubbery.
That dental clinic work in some form be continued.
That our budget be sufficient to allow increases necessary to- retain the services of all the teachers proven satisfactory.
CONCLUSION
My appreciation is hereby expressed to the several teachers and supervisors for their professional attitude toward the work and to the members of the school committee for the thoroughly · business-like and genuinely sympathetic manner in which they grasp the needs of the school system in relation to the money appropriated by the taxpayers.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN D. WHITTIER,
Superintendent of Schools.
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SCHOOL REPORT
SCHOOL SAVINGS SALEM SAVINGS BANK
Balance, Jan. 1, 1925
$298 47
Deposits during 1925
336 66
Total
$635 13
Withdrawals and Transfers, 1925
281 67
Balance, Jan. 1, 1926 $353 46
Number of Depositors, Jan. 1, 1926
214
AGE OF ADMISSION
No child will be admitted to the first grade at the opening of school in September who will not be five years of age by the first day of October.
Pupils are admitted to this grade only during the first two weeks of school in September, unless they have attended school in some other town.
VACCINATION
Children who have not been vaccinated will not be admitted to school in September unless they present certificates from a regular practicing physician stating that they are not fit subjects for vaccination. Parents are requested to attend to this matter during the summer vacation, as certificates of exemption must be presented at the opening of school to entitle children to admission.
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
SCHOOL CENSUS As of April, 1925
Boys
Girls
Number between five and seven years of age
34
27
Number between seven and fourteen years of age
119
131
Number between fourteen and sixteen years of age
23
48
Totals
176
206
Total Census
382
.
PERFECT ATTENDANCE
The following pupils were neither absent nor tardy for the entire school year of 1924-1925:
EAST SCHOOL
Edna Sprague
SOUTH SCHOOL
Donald Stevens
Jack Spear
Carmela De Luca
Charles Whipple
Catherine Farrell
Sarah Ayers
Gladys Farrell Isabel Caverly
Pupil from Hamilton attending Essex Agricultural School : George Morrow.
Pupil from Hamilton attending Beverly Industrial School : Roland Berry.
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SCHOOL REPORT
HOME READING WITH SCHOOL CREDIT
Public Library and Public Schools Cooperating
The following pupils received Reading Certificates for having read ten or more books from the approved list :
Grade III Dorothy Greeley Grade V Elizabeth Crowell Donald Greeley Grade VIII *Gladys Walton *Received a gold star for having read five additional books.
SPELLING
The following pupils represented their grade in the Town Spelling Contest held in May, 1925 :
SOUTH SCHOOL
Grade ITI Chester Baker, Helen Tuck
Grade IV Tasea Pappas. Mary Walsh
Grade Gladys Farrell, Catherine Darcy
Grade VI ** John Sewell, Christina Pappas
Grade VII Marjorie Baker, Helen Tuttle
Grade VIII *Ellen Horgan, Edwina Tremblay
EAST SCHOOL
Grade TTI Dorothy Whipple, Harold Knowlton
Grade IV Eleanor Barker, Stashia Zigalo
Grade V Gordon Como, Harold McDonald
Grade VI Norma Durkee, William Faulkner
*Winner to represent Town in Union Contest.
** Winner of Town Cup and Union Cup.
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
HONOR ROLL
The following pupils were on the Honor Roll September to December, inclusive :
Beatrice Edmondson
Marjorie Underhill
Jack Spear
Violet Mason
Kathleen Morphew
Margaret Rutherford
Sarah Ayers
Edward Honeysett
Thelma Bailey
Kathryn Lamson
Helen Foster
Lawrence Anderson
Bessie Dunn
Harriette Fuller
Anna Barron
Mary Corcoran
Wayne Hobbs
Evelyn Grant
Elizabeth Pfaff
Robert Robertson
Helen Haraden
Dorothy Bancroft
The following pupils were on the Honor Roll for September and October only :
Lillian Hatt
Irene Pope
Mary Darcy
Ruth Cullity
Evelyn Grant
Julia Burns
The following pupils were on the Honor Roll for November and December only :
Barbara Porter
William Ruggles
Lois Campbell
Caroline Southwick
Isabelle Caverly
Robert Haskell
Orrin Lee
Walter Buzzell
Robert Fuller
Barbara Knowlton
Helen Tuttle
Ethelene Gould
Mary MacDonald
Jennie Maione
Polly Feener
Norman Peatfield
Marjorie Baker
Mary Peterson
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL
To the Superintendent of Schools:
DEAR SIR: I herewith submit my third annual report as Principal of the Hamilton Junior and Senior High Schools.
There have been 171 pupils enrolled in grades 2-12 for the school year 1925-26, distributed as follows :
Boys
Girls
Total
Junior I
22
19
41
Junior II
12
18
30
Junior III
9
20
29
Senior I
S
14
22
Senior Il
6
22
28
Senior III
11
10
21
68
103
1:1
A comparison of figures for other towns of the same class as Hamilton shows that our school retains a high percentage of those who enter. In a measure, this indicates the attitude of the community toward secondary education as practiced in the school. The per cent of the total school population that is in the four upper grades of the high school was, last year, 25 per cent. The same index for towns of the same class as Hamilton was 18 per cent. Out of those that enter the ninth grade about 65 per cent have been brought through up to graduation for the past three years. Corresponding figures for the entire country show that about 40 per cent are usually brought to graduation.
Hamilton can, this year, be proud of its corps of high school teachers. I have never had a group more industrious. more co-
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
operative or with better professional attitude. It is worth men- tioning that the average experience of the force is eight years. This is unusual in a high school of our size.
It was recognized last year that the work in English and History needed further reorganizing and in the senior high school, intensifying. The teacher chosen for the work has attacked the situation with vigor, and many students are finding a new interest in their work. Everywhere we find the demand for a partial re- turn of English grammar. To supply this deficiency and to carry on and improve the regular work. has been the chief consideration.
The instruction in physical education, although obviously an improvement over conditions of several years ago, is still super- ficial and in the case of the girls. ineffective. The grades now have a regular program of physical work, but the high school is still neglected. We cannot afford to ignore the development of the all-around activities of youth today, particularly of health, if we would refute the challenge that is being hurled at our educa- tional and governmental institutions. Nor will a physical super- visor and an organized program of physical work be of much avail unless there is a proper place and necessary equipment to satisfy the natural enthusiasm of adolescence in the junior high and to overcome the unnatural diffidence of the senior high pupils who are forced to believe that physical education means poking their arms somewhere in the direction of the ceiling in a crowded room during the long winter months.
There has been some criticism in years past of the ability of the school to prepare pupils for college. This fear is dispelled when we face the facts. Six graduates have in the past two years entered colleges or universities and none were required to take entrance examinations. All have been successful in their work. It should be plainly understood, however, that the high school will grant college certificates only to those who maintain a rank of B. This is universal practice in high schools of good standing today.
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SCHOOL REPORT
In short, if pupils find themselves unable to enter college it is obviously either because of poor scholarship or too late a decision to enter college.
We have in the past year taken advantage of the benefits to be derived from competition in scholastic endeavors and results were satisfactory in varying degrees.
Contests were held in prize speaking, spelling, history, musi- cal appreciation, commercial subjects, and debating. I regret that space does not permit me to give the names of the winners.
After one visits other schools it is a source of satisfaction to note the general wholesomeness of our student body-both as to personal appearance and general conduct. I wish to commend the various groups that have represented the school out of town for the gratifying comments that have come to me.
Beginning with this year's class a new method of determin- ing honor students has been adopted in accord with the recom- mendation in the high school manual which states "that the award- ing of honors on the basis of averages of percentile marks is unfair because standards of marking vary with different teachers and in different subjects and because competition for these honors is likely to develop an undesirable attitude toward work and one's fellow students." As a substitute we have established an honor group to contain every pupil who obtains A or B in at least three- fourths of his work. Winning a place in the honor group has no relation to assignment of parts on the graduation program.
The impossibility of holding assembly exercises in the school building has made it necessary to use the Community House for this purpose. The junior high holds some assemblies in one of the class rooms, but crowded conditions and the same old black- boards and portable desks do not give the assemblies the air of dignity or the spirit of inspiration that a suitable hall would. The community house does this, but we are limited in its use to afternoons, as to use it for single morning periods would waste
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
valuable time going back and forth. The exercises held there have been extremely enjoyable, however, and have been an influence in molding our student body into a unit.
Laboratory accommodations are insufficient. The chemistry class numbers twenty pupils, and there are desks for eight. This necessitates half-time laboratory work-and yet the college entrance board requirements have to be met. They are, but only because of splendid spirit shown by the pupils in spending extra hours on laboratory work.
The school library, started last year, has increased in number of books about 100 per cent, and in actual use about 500 per cent. The library is in the principal's office, and needs room for expan- sion. The regular annual budget for library purposes should en- able us to reach the standard set by the New England Association in two or three years. The selection of books has been made very carefully. The books are in constant use.
In closing, I wish to thank the Superintendent and the School Committee for their continued support.
Respectfully submitted,
HOWARD W. WATSON, Principal.
REPORT OF DRAWING SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools:
DEAR SIR: I herewith present my report of the work in draw- ing since I assumed my duties in September.
My aim is not only to teach the child how to draw, but to teach him to use drawing as a means of expression, to appreciate color and shapes, to plan, construct and decorate things and feel that the subject of drawing is worth while. Through correlation with other subjects much of this can be done.
It gives me pleasure to review the progress made in the lower grades. At the beginning of the year the children learned to recognize the different colors and shapes. to fold and to cut prop- erly. To help remember the different colors, simple little color scales and booklets were made. We have correlated the work with elementary history, geography and story-telling by making Indian borders, Eskimo booklets and by illustrating stories. The first grade is now working on the story of "The Three Bears." It is astonishing to see what these little people can do with a pair of scissors and a piece of paper. At Thanksgiving time the children cut baskets of fruit and vegetables and drew pictures of turkeys. At Christmas they made decorations for the room and cut stock- ings of toys. We are now working on Eskimo pictures.
In the fifth grade we have correlated drawing with Geography. The children made covers for a notebook and are illustrating the different industries, such as manufacturing and lumbering. In the sixth grade the work was correlated with History in the making of a history book. They planned and constructed covers to hold
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
their drawings and stories of our ancestors. To make the written work more attractive illuminated letters were made for each paper, thus studying lettering and simple design. At Christmas the children did other construction work in the making of calendar stands.
In the upper grades the year's work was started with nature drawings and color study. A careful study of the shapes, sizes and colors found in our specimens was made before any attempt of painting with water color. Color wheels of the six standard colors were made and color harmonies discussed. Construction work in these grades was taken up by making books to hold the drawings. Mechanical drawing and drawing to a scale was touched upon in making a plan for the books. In making these books a little is learned about bookbinding and appreciation of book- binding. Lettering, designing and representation will have its place in this project in making a title page for the book and by drawing pictures of the finished book in various positions.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank you. the principal and teachers for their cooperation and help.
Respectfully submitted, ABBIE U. CRAGG. Supervisor of Drawing.
REPORT OF MUSIC SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools:
DEAR SIR: I herewith submit my third annual report.
Although the beneficent influence of music study reaches out in numberless directions, it is generally agreed that the primary aim of music instruction in the public schools should be the de- velopment of a lasting love for the best in music and an intelligent appreciation of it. To achieve these desirable results, four closely related lines of study must be considered, namely, Music Appre- ciation, Voice Culture, Sight Reading and Interpretation.
Rote singing and elimination of monotones are the two im- portant factors in the first grade. The Toy Orchestra is used in our first grade and is a means of developing rhythm and melody. Folk dancing and singing games are used in the grades, starting with the first year.
Rote singing is carried on in the second grade along with the first steps in Music Reading, finding of "do" in the sharp and flat keys. Rote singing decreases in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth grades giving way to more difficult and advanced note read- ing and sight singing.
The poem of each song is analyzed and compared with the melody, thereby helping the child to form a picture, also bringing out as to whether or not the melody or tune reflects the mood or color of the poem. This is but one method of developing Music Appreciation in the grades. Through this method we are correlating our music with literature and art, oftentimes history and geography, this, of course, depending on the text of the poem.
A new victrola has been ordered for the use of the grades
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
and our appreciation work will be broadened through the use of records.
One period a week is devoted to singing in seventh and eighth grades and one period for Music Appreciation. In June a Music Memory Contest was held between the seventh and eighth grade pupils. Prizes were awarded to those having the highest scores. Sterling Silver Perfect Score Pins were given to the pupils with perfect papers. Prizes were given for the best music note books which contained notes on each selection, interesting facts regard- ing the composer's life and works, and also pictures to illustrate each composition.
The Hamilton Mothers' Club very kindly donated money for the prizes, which were awarded as follows :
Perfect Score Pins : Dorothy Hooper, Wilhelmina Ready, Elo- ise McRae, Muriel Pentz. Gladys Walton, Bessie Dunn.
Prizes for highest scores :
First. Dorothy Hooper-Lure of Music.
Second, Muriel Pentz-Face to Face with Great Musicians.
Third, Gladys Walton-How to Listen to Music.
Fourth, Sarah Avers-Opera story "Flying Dutchman."
Fifth, Eloise McRae-Opera story, "Aïda."
Sixth, Bessie Dunn-What We Hear in Music.
Seventh, Wilhelmina Ready-Opera story "Carmen."
Prizes for best Music Memory Notebooks :
Muriel Pentz -- Music.
Ellen Horgan-Opera Stories Every Child Should Know.
Gladys Walton-Opera Stories Every Child Should Know.
Polly Feener-From Song to Symphony.
Edwin Sanford-The Book of Great Musicians.
The ten pupils obtaining the highest scores went to Man- chester and competed with the ten highest from the seventh and eighth grades there. Manchester won by a few points.
In view of the fact that I am devoting but one day weekly
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SCHOOL REPORT
to the music work in Hamilton it is impossible to do the type of work which should be done with the several classes. It is hoped that more time may be allowed the supervisor for classroom in- struction as well as for special work which is highly important in creating interest in music.
"Music : O how faint, how weak, language fades before thy spell ! Why should feeling ever speak, when thou canst breathe her soul -Moore. so well?"
I wish to take this opportunity to thank the teachers, Super- intendent and School Committee for their hearty support.
Respectfully submitted, MAUDE L. THOMAS.
Supervisor of Music.
REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
To the Superintendent of Schools:
DEAR SIR: I herewith submit the annual report of the School Nurse for the Town of Hamilton.
The following is the report of the School Nurse, Miss Helen E. Purdy, from January 1, 1925 to June 26, 1925 for the Town of Hamilton :
"Defective vision. treatment obtained 3
66 hearing,
1
66 teeth. 6.
66
66 tonsils.
13
66 nutrition. 66 23
Urging nursing attention.
..
75
No. children taken to doctor, dentist. hospital, oculist, etc. 118"
My work from October 5, 1925 to January 1, 1926 in further- ing the program of improving the health of the children in this community with the cooperation of the school physician, superin- tendent. school committee. teachers. parents and the children themselves has been very successful although more complete co- operation from the parents is needed.
VACCINATION
The importance of timely vaccination of children of school age cannot be too strongly brought to the attention of parents. It is the only safeguard to protect the community from smallpox. Children who have not been vaccinated are more susceptible to this disease. Pupils should be vaccinated in early summer, before entering the first grade in September, in order that they may enter on first of year without a sore arm which might be injured in play.
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SCHOOL REPORT
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DENTAL CLINIC
The Hamilton and Wenham branch of the Red Cross has again assisted by financing the Dental Clinic through the fifth grade. It is doubtful if this help will be given after June 30, 1926, owing to lack of funds. If this work is continued as it should be the money must be secured from some other source.
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