USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1928 > Part 5
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No. There seems to be no demand for such.
Is provision made for those desiring to take vocational courses ? Yes, tuition is paid for those pursuing vocational courses.
SCHOOL COSTS
Who determines the amount of money to be spent on schools ? The people of the town determine this through the annual appropriation.
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
What was the school appropriation for 1928 ?
It was $47,050.89 including the dog tax in 1928.
What percent of the total appropriation for the town is for the schools ? 34%
Note: Questions and answers following are based upon re- turns as given in Annual Report of State Department of Edu- cation Part II, for fiscal year ending June 30, 1928.
What percent of the school expenditures was for teachers' salaries ?
In Hamilton 59%. In the state 59%.
What was the per pupil cost for teaching ?
In Hamilton $69.44. In the state $67.53.
What was the per pupil cost for text-books and supplies ? In Hamilton $6.53. In the state $4.61.
What did General Control cost per pupil ? In Hamilton $4.65. In the state $3.62.
What did operation of the plant cost per pupil ? In Hamilton $9.24. In the state $10.47.
What was the per pupil cost for repairs, replacement, and up-keep ?
In Hamilton $4.87. In the state $5.01.
What was the total per pupil cost for high school education ? In Hamilton $188.65. In the state $133.82. It invariably costs more per pupil in a small high school than in a large one.
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SCHOOL REPORT
What was the total per pupil cost for elementary education ? In Hamilton $88.61. In the State $83.64.
What was the total cost per pupil, both high and elementary ? In Hamilton $116.55. In the state $114.05.
STATE REIMBURSEMENTS
Does the State reimburse the town for any part of its expen- ditures for maintenance of schools ?
Yes. From the State General School Fund a part of the income tax is returned annually. This reimbursement is de- termined by the training, experience and salary of each teacher.
What was the amount due the town of Hamilton from the above fund in 1928 ? $3,500.00
What measures in a degree how much a town can afford to appropriate for maintenance of its public schools ? The valuation of the town per pupil.
What is the valuation per pupil in average membership ? In Hamilton $14,670. In the state $10,245.
What is the rank in valuation per pupil, of Hamilton ? It ranks 37th among the 355 cities and towns in the common- wealth.
How does Hamilton rank in expenditure per pupil from local taxation ?
It ranks 40th among the 355 cities and towns in the common- wealth.
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
Doubtless those having read this report will feel that "the schools are a great expense." I agree that the schools are an expense, but when one considers what is given in return for the expenditure I cannot agree that the expense is too great.
What do we give every pupil in return for the expenditure made annually to educate him ?
Schooling for about 185 days. Transportation to and from school, as necessary in a suitable conveyance and under the best of supervision. Housing in a building well heated, venti- lated, lighted and having reasonably satisfactory sanitary con- ditions. A playground suitable for outdoor exercises though not large enough for regular athletic games. Free text-books and necessary supplies to carry out an up-to-date program of studies. Special supervisors for Music and Art, medical in- spection and supervision of health of all children. Special clinics for those mentally handicapped and physically weak. An opportunity to pursue a high school course fitting for ad- mission to Colleges and Normal schools. Our high school has certificate privileges to all colleges allowing applicants to enter on that basis, and the school is rated "Class A" by the State Department of Education. Instruction, supervision and guid- ance by an able corps of teachers under whose care parents should feel it a privilege to have their children during the most impressionable years of their life.
The above tends to keep practically all of our children in school until they have completed the junior high school course, with a result that the greater majority of them continue through the senior high school.
To a large number the Colleges, Normal schools and trade schools offer the opportunity to pursue courses fitting them for their life's occupation. Notwithstanding opinions to the
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SCHOOL REPORT
contrary, I believe these pupils are fitted, as no other genera- tion has been, to assume the responsibilities of citizenship.
It is not enough that our children be trained merely to assume the responsibilities of childhood. They must be pre- pared to assume the responsibilities of a very complex life.
A quotation from one of our leaders in national affairs- President-elect Hoover-has the following to say regarding the importance of the school. "But after all, our schools do more than merely transmit knowledge and training; they are Amer- ica itself in miniature, where in purer air and under wise guidance, a whole life of citizenship is lived experimentally, with its social contacts, its recreations, its ethical problems, its political practices, its duties and its rewards. Ideals are developed that shape the whole adult life. Experience is gained that is valuable for all the years of maturity. I would be one of the last people in the world to belittle the importance of the exact knowledge that teachers impart to their pupils- as an engineer I set a high value upon precise information- but knowledge, however exact, is secondary to a trained mind and serves no useful purpose unless it is the servant of an ambitious mind, a sound character, and an idealistic spirit. Social values outrank economic values. Economic gains, even scientific gains, are worse than useless if they accrue to a people unfitted by trained character to use and not abuse them."
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
A small percentage of failures of promotion throughout the system. Adoption of :
Sheridan Language Series
grades 1-6
1-3
Thought Test Readers
Directed History Study Outlines 66 6-8
New Texts in Hygiene and Physiology 66 1-7
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
Manuals for Physical Education 1-6
Manuals for Safety Education 1-6
Drill Exercises in English ..
8-9 Literature Text ..
7
Additional books to supplement those already in use through- out the schools.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Adoption of more up-to-date basal systems in reading and writing.
A sufficient appropriation to complete the relaying of slate on the South School.
Purchase of a piano for use at the South School to replace an old organ.
The exchange of least two typewriters.
CONCLUSION
The fine influence the schools are having on the youth of the town is due to the interest and co-operation of parents, school committee and teachers. all of which is greatly appreciated by your superintendent.
Respectfully submitted.
J. D. WHITTIER.
Superintendent of Schools.
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SCHOOL REPORT
PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
To the Superintendent of Schools,
Dear Sir: For your consideration and information, I sub- mit the following, my third annual report as Principal of the Hamilton Junior-Senior High School.
The total enrollment of the Junior-Senior High School for the school year 1928-1929 is 165, divided as follows: Junior 1, 40; Junior 2, 36; Junior 3, 36; Senior 1, 19, Senior 2, 19; Senior 3, 15. Excepting for transfers there has been but one withdrawal since the opening of school in September. This enrollment is commendable and is about the same as we have had during the past three years.
The State Department of Education has recognized the stan- dard of excellence we have tried to maintain, and has again placed us in "Class A" rank (the highest), with full certifi- cate privilege to normal schools. If a student wishes to pre- pare for college, he may be sure that he has only himself to blame if he cannot pass his examinations at the end of four years. In spite of the fact that it is becoming increasingly difficult to get into college, and more difficult to stay there, reports from colleges where our graduates are enrolled show that all of our pupils are maintaining a high scholarship. Getting into college is a co-operative effort between teacher and pupil. Even the brightest pupils find themselves far better prepared after an additional year of study. Too often pupils will not do their share. Good text-books and expert teaching will not in themselves give adequate education. To them, must be added the enthusiastic and earnest endeavor of the pupil. Every individual must work out his own destiny, as Euclid declared to the tyrant of Syracuse, "There is no royal road to
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
learning." It can be reached by many pathways, but the pupil himself must put forth the efforts needed in climbing.
Educators have agreed for some time that reports of school work sent to parents should be more informative than those generally used. With this in mind, we have devised a new type of report card which we hope is proving its worth in acquainting parents with the reason for school marks at various levels. Our new report cards inform the parent not only of the pupil's relative standing in his class, but also of his success in recitations, his conduct, and his attitude toward his work, his teachers and fellow students. This additional information now given the parent will, we hope, establish a more complete understanding and spirit of co-operation between the home and the school.
In order to improve instruction we have given, during the past year, a series of mental and standard tests. They have already made a lasting contribution by exposing the absurdi- ties of mass instruction. This does not mean that we should return to the tutorial plan, but rather that it points out the necessity of shifting the emphasis to, and focusing the atten- tion upon, the individual child. It means a substitution of the personal for education en masse.
During the past year our science laboratory has been greatly improved. A floor has been laid in the laboratory and the science desks have been so placed as to give more working space for both physics and chemistry and still maintain a classroom with average seating capacity. Many new pieces of physics apparatus have been added to our equipment, which has materially increased the efficiency of this department By carefully purchasing and caring for new apparatus, we can soon build up a well-equipped science laboratory with a small yearly outlay.
Recent reports from the State Department of Education
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SCHOOL REPORT
show a continued increase in extra curricula activities, both in Senior and Junior High Schools throughout the state. This increase is justifiable, according to Professor Thomas H. Biggs, for two reasons. First, it offers the school its best opportunity to teach pupils to do better the desirable things that they are going to do anyway. Second, it offers a ready channel through which the school may utilize the spontaneous interest and activities of the adolescent, and through these leads to higher types of activities and makes them both desired and possible of attainment. In order to provide for proper supervision of these activities, we have continued our period for activities
instituted last year. This is a thirty-minute period each day which provides for club activities in the Junior High School. This also gives an opportunity for assemblies in both Junior and Senior High Schools, as well as a glee club period for the High School and physical training periods for both groups. In the Junior High School, we have club meetings weekly, which take up basketry, dramatics, science, story-telling, and so forth. As in the past years, we find our physical training program cramped, due to the lack of a gymnasium. Our in- ability to secure the town hall for basket-ball makes it impos- sible to carry on any athletic program during the winter months. In the spring and fall, however, we have organized a very successful program of physical exercise, including ath- letic games in which every member of the school participates. Baseball still continues to be our major athletic sport.
One of the important problems of most schools is the upkeep of its buildings. Every summer the most important of these are attended to, but it is never possible, for want of sufficient funds, to accomplish much more than the most pressing work. Among the most important improvements which are needed in our building is the finishing of the side walls in the laboratory and the construction of a floor in the manual training room.
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
Something should be done also about the toilets. Located as they are in the darkest part of the basement, pupils have little pride in keeping them as immaculate as they should be.
The State Department of Education has encouraged the offering of as many branches of manual work as possible. This is especially true in the Junior High School, where tryout courses for the purpose of guidance are most important. In Hamilton, as in many other communities of similar size, owing to the large expense entailed it has been impossible to offer more than woodworking and elementary printing for the boys, and cooking and sewing for the girls. We might well be look- ing forward, however, to the establishment of short unit tryout courses in other fields of manual arts. The purpose of these courses is not to make expert tradesmen, but to acquaint the pupil with the qualifications and training, the chances for ad- vancement, the kind of thing expected of them, as well as with the advantages and disadvantages of these various types of employment.
In conclusion, I wish to express my appreciation for the generous co-operation of parents and teachers and for your own valuable aid.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM E. COTTLE.
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SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF DRAWING SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools,
Dear Sir: I herewith submit my annual report as Super- visor of Drawing.
The drawing course has been continued along the general lines as last year, with an effort to make it of more educa- tional value.
Much of the value of art education in schools lies in the forming of habits of exactness and neatness. The importance to industry of pride in good workmanship, cannot be overlooked. In all our grades we have problems in construction, paper- cutting, folding, and use of ruler-measurements which empha- size this side of art instruction. In the seventh and eighth grades construction work included the making of folders to hold their papers and the making of photograph albums.
An endeavor has been made the past year to keep our room decorations, such as borders and sand-table work, as educa- tional as possible, at the same time adding a great deal of appreciation and stimulation to the project. History and Geography are also closely correlated through the making of booklets, illustrative work and cut-out posters. In the sixth grade a great deal of our drawing has been covered through making and illustrating a Greek and Ancient History note- book.
Several pupils' posters were sent to the annual state-wide contest conducted by the Massachusetts Anti-Tuberculosis League held at Beverly. In addition to this contest, a few pupils entered the poster competition sponsored by the Massa- chusetts S. P. C. A., and we were pleased to receive the follow- ing awards :
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
Small Medal (2nd)-Mildred Baldwin, Barkley Tree. Honorable Mention-Annabelle Foss, Donald Greeley.
In closing, I wish to express my appreciation to the superin- tendent, principal and teachers for their interest and co-opera- tion.
Respectfully submitted,
ABBIE U. CRAGG, Supervisor of Drawing.
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SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF MUSIC SUPERVISOR
To the Superintendent of Schools,
Dear Sir: I herewith submit my annual report as Super- visor of Music.
The regular method of Voice Culture, Sight Reading, and Interpretation has been followed as in previous years.
We are also continuing to emphasize Music Appreciation through all the grades and striving to develop a permanent course. The third case of records has been purchased that we may further the study in this particular subject.
While the child's mind is plastic it should hear the best in music, both vocal and instrumental, and be taught to listen to it intelligently, correlating it with art, physical education, literature and geography, and therefore making it a vital part of his life.
A list of twenty-five selections were carefully chosen for study in the seventh and eighth grades during the year which ended in the Musical Memory Contest. Each child made a scrap-book containing notes on every selection and composer, inserting pictures suitable for each composition. Great inter- est is shown in this part of the work, which correlates with Art and English.
The Music Memory Contest was held in June, and the results were most gratifying.
The Hamilton Mothers' Club again furnished money for prizes that were awarded to Howard Boyd Mary Donlon
Elizabeth Crowell Nancy Knowlton
Tasea Pappas Muriel Gould
Harold MacDonald Esther Lee
Thelma Davis
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
Sterling Silver Perfect Score Pins were awarded to:
Donald Greely Everett Holland
Donald Campbell
Gertrude Alexander
Gladys Back
Esther Lee
Howard Boyd Muriel Gould
A Christmas Musical Play was presented at the East School and proved to be a success.
New music books have been supplied the fourth grade, giv- ing us the Progressive Music Series through the first six grades.
More reference books were purchased for the Junior High and are greatly appreciated by the pupils and teachers.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank the superintendent, school committee and teachers for their support and co-opera- tion.
Respectfully submitted,
MAUDE L. THOMAS,
Supervisor of Music.
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SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF SCHOOL NURSE
To the Superintendent of Schools,
Dear Sir: I herewith submit my fourth annual report as School Nurse for the town of Hamilton.
PRE-SCHOOL EXAMINATION
Letters were sent to all parents having children entering school in September. The letter informed parents of a Pre- school Clinic to be held at the South School, Hamilton in June. This clinic consisted of a physical examination of all children entering school in September, the doctor in charge being the School Physician, Dr. John G. Corcoran. The par- ents were urged to have their children attend, that any found with defects might have same corrected during summer months. All parents were instructed to have children vaccinated.
No. of children attending clinic 12
No. of children entering schools 30
Defects found of the 12 examined :
Tonsils
2
Teeth
1
Glands
7
Not vaccinated
2
Underweights
1
Defects taken care of during summer months : Tonsils-private clinic
Vaccination. All children entering school in September being vaccinated, with one or two exceptions where a doctor's certificate was presented.
7
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
A physical examination was given through the grades by Dr. J. G. Corcoran, School Physician, in September.
Notices No. examined Defects sent
Tonsils
319
21
21
Corrections 18 by clinic
6 privately
3 X-rayed
Glands
319
5
5
2 operation
3 treatments
Heart
319
2
2
Poor Posture
319
28
DENTAL WORK
Miss Bernadine Conway, Dental Hygienist, examined and cleaned all the teeth of those desiring the same.
No. examined
398
No. needing cleaning
315
No. cleaned 305
No. needing fillings
198
No. needing extractions 61
Notices were sent to parents having children needing dental care. We find it very hard to make a complete check-up on dental work, as we have no funds for clinic work, therefore all dental work is cared for privately, except the examining and cleaning.
This year we hope to secure enough Dental Certificates from the State Department of Public Health to give each school child one to present to the family dentist. When the dentist has completed the work necessary he will fill in the dental certificates that the pupil may take it to his or her teacher.
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SCHOOL REPORT
The eyes and ears were tested during the school year. A check-up being made on those found with poor vision and poor hearing. Notices were sent to parents having children with poor vision or defective hearing, suggesting that they consult a physician or oculist as soon as possible. We find defective vision or hearing a serious drawback to any child. Retarded progress in school work is often attributable to defective sight or hearing.
No. examined, grades 1-S 271
Defective vision 21
Defective hearing 4
HEALTH PROGRAM
The Health Program consists of general inspection through the grades for cleanliness, talks on safety, posture, value of warm lunches, etc., clerical work, weighing and measuring underweights once a month, home visits for defective causes, such as tonsils, eyes and ears, hospital trips for tonsil cases and X-rays, and simple dressings taken care of at school when injuries happen at school. Follow up work in the homes and in the schools is carried on when there is suspicion of a con- tagious disease.
POSTURE
Pins were awarded to pupils having the best posture. Those having poor posture are encouraged to correct their careless habits of standing and sitting. Pupils receiving Posture Pins were as follows.
Catherine Mann Thomas Millerick Edwin Sanders William Stone
Bernard Bookstein
Bernard Greeley
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
William Belisle
Amy Dolliver
Clayton Kirby
Virginia Gould
June King
Louise Moulton
Joseph Bookstein
Helen McCarthy
Joseph Darcy
Earle Mann
Dora Marks
Janice Gould
DIPTHERIA IMMUNIZATION
This year the School Committee conducted a campaign for the prevention of Diphtheria. Children were immunized only by parents' consent. The immunization was given free of charge by the School Physician, Dr. Corcoran, assisted by the school nurse.
No. of consents received from parents 211
No. refused 129 No. of children immunized 214
Three families had already had their children immunized.
The above campaign will be continued this year for those that refused last year and would like to take advantage of the immunization. and for the children entering school for the first time.
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES January 1928-January 1929
Chicken Pox 20
Measles 7
Mumps 7 Whooping Cough 19
Impetigo 5 Itch 1
Pemphigus 1
Scarlet Fever S
MISCELLANEOUS
Infantile Paralysis 1 Appendectomy 1
Pneumonia 1
Pediculosis 1
Cervical glands 3 Tonsils 24
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SCHOOL REPORT
STATE CLINIC
A general survey was made by the State Department of Public Health, Division of Tuberculosis. This clinic was held in our town last June. All children whose parents consented had a thorough physical examination by Dr. Sacs and Dr. Martin from the State Department. They also gave the chil- dren the Tuberculosis Test. All reacting to Von Pirquet Test had their chests X-rayed.
No. examined 202
No. given test
202
No. of contact cases
10
No. reacting to test
71
No. X-rayed 69
Classified as suspects
11
Case found with Hilum Tuberculosis
1
Found negative 57
Result of physical examination by State Doctors : Defects :
Tonsils enlarged and diseased 29
Teeth needing dental care 65
Heart condition 3
Cases of malnutrition 22
Parents were notified of the findings in the above examina- tion and given necessary information on how to care for and correct defects. All children X-rayed and the underweights are being weighed every month. A report of the same is to be sent the State Department in June.
UNDERWEIGHTS
Number of children found 10% or more underweight, 51. These children are encouraged to have more rest, more nourish- ing food, and in many cases a suggestion is made to have them
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HAMILTON TOWN REPORT
see their family physician for an annual examination. Many are also taking cod liver oil as a body builder.
No. of Home Visits 243
No. of Clerical Work Hours 40
No. of Simple Dressings 163
I am hoping this year to make more home visits, with the pleasure of knowing all the parents having children attending our schools. I feel that in so doing I can be of greater per- sonal service to the children enrolled in the schools and there- fore of more service to the community.
In closing, I wish to thank the superintendent, teachers and members of the school committee for their support and co-oper- ation in maintaining the health work.
Respectfully submitted,
FLORENCE L. STOBBART, R. N., School Nurse.
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SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF THE INSTRUCTOR OF DOMESTIC ARTS
To the Superintendent of Schools,
My dear Sir: I hereby submit the second annual report of my department.
The plans and aims of the work are much the same as they were last year.
The girls are doing better work and seem more interested. The attitude and work in the advanced cooking and sewing classes is particularly gratifying. On the whole they are the best high school classes I have had since I have been teaching.
During the year we have added a cretonne covering for the bed and a screen. We are making draperies for the room.
There are several articles we really need to make our work more effective. Another oil stove is a real necessity. Table linen and silver would help a great deal in making the serving of meals more attractive. Our duty is not only to make our work coincide with home conditions, but to a certain extent to set an example that may help to raise the standards of living.
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