USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Hamilton > Town of Hamilton Annual Report 1940 > Part 10
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10
SCHOOL REPORT
School Lunches
The teachers and pupils of the Lamson School have greatly appreciated the tables and benches provided for the lunch room.
As a committee you have already given some consideration to providing hot lunches for the elementary pupils, but as yet this has not been done.
If my meager knowledge of dental difficulties of children serves me right I believe a large part of the nearly one thou- sand dental operations needed by our one hundred ninety-six pupils is attributable to diet.
I find it is possible to set up a lunch room program under the town W. P. A. project, as is done in many elementary schools of the Commonwealth, whereby a balanced diet can be provided at a maximum charge to the town of five cents per pupil daily.
Parents whose children are obliged to be away from home during the noon lunch period would, I believe, appreciate hav- ing their children provided a well balanced and warm meal at noon. Parents whose children now go home to dinner would doubtless wish their children to remain at school for the pre- pared meal in many instances.
As a most important health measure I commend to the com- mittee serious consideration of a plan for noon lunches for the elementary pupils.
Dental Work
My efforts to secure a dentist for work in the schools have produced no tangible results, the reason being that dentists refuse to work without suitable equipment. However, Dr. John H. King has now examined the teeth of all children in
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SCHOOL REPORT
the Walsh and Lamson Schools and has rendered dental ser- vice to those most needing the care.
It is anticipated that steps will be taken to provide the much needed dental care to the children with a minimum charge for each operation.
Conservation
It is always a pleasure to pioneer. The towns of Hamilton, Wenham and Topsfield did pioneer on a plan for teaching Con- servation. Results have been most successful during the two years the work has been carried out under the sponsorship of friends of the school and the Massachusetts Audubon Society.
Beginning in October, five other towns and cities in this county initiated our plan for teaching Conservation and I am informed several others are considering doing likewise.
The success of any undertaking depends upon the program and personnel, both of which, I believe, we have to make it successful.
Child Guidance Clinic
In the short time this clinic has been operated at the Lam- son School, for parents who wish to avail themselves of the service for their children, we have had mediocre results which may be attributed in a large degree to a misunderstanding of the scope of work and those to be benefitted.
The aim, service, and procedure at the clinic is briefly set forth in a circular of information from which I quote :- "Aim
The program of the Child Guidance Clinic is one of Pre- vention, prevention of difficulties arising from some of the simple traits of early childhood. Behavior difficulties of child-
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SCHOOL REPORT
hood may be and often are early signs of delinquency, depend- ency and mental disorder. The most promising means for pre- vention of social and economic failure are those which aim to correct difficulties in their beginning.
Service
Child Guidance clinic service consists of study and treat- ment of children by a specially trained group of experts, including a psychiatrist, psychologist and psychiatric social worker.
Who May Use the Child Guidance Clinics?
Any agency or individual in any part of the State of Massa- chusetts may bring or refer a child for study and treatment, provided the child is not over 14 years of age, and that his home is near enough to make a study of his environment pos- sible.
Procedure at Clinic
1. Social Study by psychiatric social worker of the child's background and environment in all its phases-home, school, and play. This is then followed by whatever assistance seems indicated in the way of aiding the child in a better home and school adjustment, contacting him with recreational, religious, and educational opportunities and securing the assistance of other social agencies who have special services to offer.
2. Psychological Examination in which the psychologist measures the child's intelligence, as well as tests him for spe- cial aptitudes and disabilities. This may also include tests for school achievement and educational possibilities.
3. Psychiatric Study. The psychiatrist studies the child's personality and his inner mental life, and other factors having a bearing on the child's problem. On the basis of the informa-
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SCHOOL REPORT
tion which he has obtained, together with the aid of reports of the other members of the staff, he then proceeds to point out to the parents and others interested the probable causes of the difficulty, and treatment is started in accordance with the individual needs of the case.
The entire Clinic Staff cooperates to study the whole child physically, emotionally and socially, as well as to create among adults a general understanding of what the child needs for a health, mental and physical development."
In case the teachers feel that a child would be benefited by attending the clinic, parents are so informed and requested to bring the child to the clinic. Children whose parents have not been contacted, whether the child is in school or not, may have free service of the clinic by securing an appointment through the school nurse or the principal of the Lamson School for either the second or fourth Tuesday of the month except for the month of August when no clinic is held.
Reading System
Our major change in basal systems was in the adoption of the Elson Gray Basal Reading System for the first three grades to replace the Child Story System which has been used several years and become somewhat antiquated in methods of presenta- tion and content.
Four reading demonstrations of different basal systems were attended by the teachers and texts were examined that they might recommend the system to be adopted.
The splendid results achieved by the Misses Brown and Barron with the pupils of the first grade convinced me that the system adopted is all that can be desired. With the methods of this system carried on through the elementary grades we should realize excellent results in this important subject.
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SCHOOL REPORT
Junior-Senior High School
For detailed work of the school and its several activities, may I refer you to the report of Principal Roland Payne, which is a part of this report.
The average enrollment in the junior-senior high school for the past eight years has been one hundred ninety-three pupils. The largest enrollment was two hundred thirteen and the small- est was one hundred seventy-six. With an enrollment in 1940 of one hundred eighty-eight, it will be noted the school does not vary much in numbers enrolled.
With the enrollment remaining practically the same. it is possible to maintain the school on much the same budget except for repairs to the building and the purchase of equipment not provided when the building was built.
The Industrial Arts and Physical Training Departments. being the most in need of equipment. have been quite generously cared for during the past three years. It would now seem ad- visable to turn our efforts to building up a reference library suitable in size for a school of this type. The English and science classes need this reference work to supplement their regular texts and for the very important skill gained in using reference material which is so extensively used in colleges.
The number of pupils of senior high school age from Hamil- ton pursuing a trade school course in State Aided Vocational Schools is exceedingly small. The few pupils from Hamilton who have availed themselves of trade school opportunities in. other school systems have enjoyed the school and upon gradua- tion secured positions in which they have had satisfactory ad- rancements.
Unless senior high school students have decided upon their life's work, they would do well to confer with the principal of the school relative to trade school offerings in this county.
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SCHOOL REPORT
County Independent Industrial School
During last December a "County Trade School Question- naire" was submitted to the fifty-two high school pupils en- rolled in the junior-senior classes.
The results of the questionnaire showed that five of the junior boys and three of the senior boys desired training in trade school following completion of a high school course. Preferences were given for training in pattern making, aero- nautics, auto mechanics, machine shop practice and mechanical engineering as first choice. For second choice the following were chosen - cabinet making, welding, printing and sheet metal.
None of the girls in either junior or senior classes expressed themselves as desirous of entering the trades.
It is financially impossible for the town to provide the edu- calional opportunities in these various trades. The solution of the problem cannot be found in trade schools already estab- lished in several cities of the county. However, the trade school needs of Hamilton pupils can most adequately be cared for by the establishment of a County Independent Industrial School, if centrally located.
The citizens of the town are urgently requested to give serious thought to a bill being submitted to the State Legisla- ture, making it possible for the voters of the County to express themselves on this most important branch of public education.
Trade schools already established are maintained princi- pally for the youth of the community in which established, but will admit a few from other communities if the quota for classes is not complete. As a result of the limited number of trade schools and the method of admission, many desiring pu- pils from Hamilton and other communities are unable to re- ceive a trade school education which they desire. They, there-
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SCHOOL REPORT
fore, pursue an academic training in our high school which is an expense to the town and does not suit the needs of those so educated.
A County Independent Industrial School would be an addi- tional school expense and if figured on the basis of taxes now paid for county expenditures would be .80% of the total cost for building and equipment. The "George Deen Act" makes it possible for sufficient funds to be received from the federal government to defray all the salaries of teachers in said school during its first two years of operation, 75% the third year, 50% the fourth year and 25% the fifth year.
Such a school, if established, should be expected to fulfill the training requirements for Industrial Education as has the Essex County Agricultural and Home Making School filled the need for Agricultural and Home Making Education.
Conclusion
Through this report, those of the principal and of the school nurse, an effort has been made to emphasize the high spots in our educational endeavors. It is quite probable that some items have been omitted.
The school committee and patrons of the school are requested not to draw their conclusion as to the success or failure of our system from the mere reading of the reports. You are all re- quested to go to the schools at any time on any day of the year to check on the physical surroundings under which teachers and pupils work, to observe the organization of the school, to observe methods of teachers and pupil responses, to confer with the teaching staff regarding the school and progress of the pupils. When this has been done, bring to our attention what seems satisfactory or unsatisfactory that the worst may be made at least good and the best may be made better.
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SCHOOL REPORT
In conclusion I express appreciation for the splendid service rendered the system by all employees of the department and the cooperation of the committee in promoting our educational program for the benefit of our democratic form of government.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN D. WHITTIER
January 30, 1941.
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SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
MR. JOHN D. WHITTIER, Superintendent Dear Sir :
At the threshold of this new year and the fifth decade of the twentieth century, it appears to me that our schools are being confronted with complex and difficult problems. They are also being confronted with great opportunities. At the present time one of my problems is to determine how my school program can be made to serve more adequately both individual and social needs during these times of uncertainty and change. It seems evident that we should equip every individual for some useful work, and attempt to inculcate in all the true worth and dignity of work.
It is advisable that certain subjects be advanced one year in the commercial curriculum. Commercial Arithmetic, which has been a ninth grade subject, will in the future be taught in grade 10. Bookkeeping I and II are each to be advanced one year, Bookkeeping I will be taught in the 11th instead of in the 10th grade, and Bookkeeping II will be taught in the 12th instead of in the 11th grade. These changes will allow the above-named subjects to be studied by a group of pupils who will be not only a year older, but also a year nearer to the time when they can use them in life's work following graduation.
Consumer Economics is a new subject which has been added to the social studies curriculum this year. It was offered dur- ing the first half of the senior year and it will be followed by Safety Education during the second half-year. The Junior year continues to offer the two half-year subjects of Political and Social Democracies.
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SCHOOL REPORT
The citizens of Hamilton have been fortunate in retaining the services of their teachers for long periods of time. I be- lieve that this tends to promote a more sound system of educa- tion, and also proves very beneficial to its scholars. During the Christmas holidays, Miss Dorothy Ward, who had served so efficiently as one of the commercial teachers as well as senior class advisor, left our faculty to be married. The school will miss her but we all send our good wishes for her future happiness. Mrs. Laura Boyd assumed the responsibility of senior class advisor and both she and the seniors are apparently happy in this arrangement.
Miss Betty Herndon of Beverly, who has taught for the past two years in Biddeford, Maine, was elected to succeed Miss Ward as a commercial teacher. She will also be the sopho- more class advisor.
Mr. Robert Steele is successful as music supervisor for the junior and senior high school groups this year. He has given a great deal of time and effort to his work. He has organized a Glee Club which voluntarily meets each week, and he is at the present time organizing an instrumental group. The pupils like him and feel that he can offer them a great deal in music appreciation. His accomplishments are deserving of all the backing which can be given him.
School spirit is noticeably improved this year. A contest for writing a school song was sponsored by Mr. Steele during the early part of the year. Two songs were chosen from those written by the pupils, and then Mr. Steele wrote the words and composed the music for a third song. These songs have been heard at basketball games this year. Other factors con- tributing to better school spirit this year have been increased interest and pupil participation in rallies, assemblies, the min- strel show and class meetings.
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SCHOOL REPORT
In place of the usual class voting, the members of the Stu- dent Council and Senate were elected in a new way this year. A political campaign took place, a student being allowed to take out papers for any office for which he wished to run. On election day, all students went to the polls and voted on printed ballots. The president of each group was elected by this bal- lot system, as well as all the members of the two above-men- tioned groups.
The athletics continue to receive their full share of atten- tion in our well-rounded school program. The boys have been favored this year with new suits. The game of basketball has apparently been given an open throttle on a clear track this winter, the high school gymnasium being in use for this pur- pose practically every day of the week, either by the school or local organizations which have organized such teams. It is well that the building can be used. It seems quite patriotic to be able to keep the lights of a school building burning, as it represents activity of the right sort by the youth of our com- munity.
A general or sectional assembly is conducted on Wednes- days of each school week of the year. At the general assem- blies, the entire school is in attendance. These are usually held before a holiday or a vacation. Sectional assemblies are conducted by groups of either senior or junior high school pupils on alternating Wednesdays. We have a few visitors, but should like to have it known that the public is welcome to any of these. We have had the Salem W. P. A. band of 35 pieces at our assemblies, and arrangements have been made for them, and the orchestra, to appear later this year. This music helps to make our school program more fitting for special occasions.
In observance of National Education Week, a Parent- Teacher Night was held at the high school on Wednesday,
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SCHOOL REPORT
November 13. From seven to eight o'clock, the faculty held open house for the parents. providing an opportunity to dis- cuss school work and individual pupil problems. This plan for an annual "get-together" of parents and teachers has pro- vided an opportunity for both to become better acquainted with each other. and a better understanding of school problems has resulted. At eight-thirty o'clock, parents, teachers. and friends went to the Maxwell Norman Auditorium to hear Mr. Carl B. Wetherell, executive secretary of the Young Men's Christian Union of Boston. In his address, he stressed the importance of relationship between the school. church. pupil and the home. He wore many humorous and witty remarks into his address. making it entertaining as well as profitable. A social hour with refreshments was enjoyed after the address.
The "Mile-a-Minute Minstrel Show" was presented in the High School Auditorium on November 22. It was coached this year by Mr. Hal Stack. The show was full of pep and vigor, laughter and jokes. The whole performance was staged after but two weeks of rehearsals.
For their Class Gift. the graduating class of 1940 made pro- vision for a bulletin board. and a combination paper and maga- zine rack. together with subscriptions to two magazines. The bulletin board has fulfilled a long-felt need and has been very beneficial to all of us.
Early in the school year I had the opportunity of bringing to the attention of the several clubs in the community. the pos- sibility of their assisting in the educational process by contri- buting subscriptions to current magazines. I received excel- lent response to this request and we now have several magazines for our young people to read. These are greatly appreciated by the students and help to keep them well-informed on current topics of the day. I take this opportunity to publicly thank
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SCHOOL REPORT
the following organizations which gave these subscriptions : American Legion, Grange, Mothers Club, Victory Club, and the Class of 1940.
Due to the fact that increased emphasis is being placed these days on values derived from visual education, I am glad to report that the pupils in my building have made it possible for us to have a talking moving picture projector. The money used to purchase this projector came from many different sources. The "Hamiltonian" donated $100.00 from its reserve fund; the senior class voted to give $50.00 as its annual gift to the school; the entire profits of the junior high magazine drive was used, as well as all profits from the minstrel show. This machine will be of greater value when our auditorium can be darkened so that pictures may be shown in it.
I have been very pleased with the cooperation which I have received from my teachers during the year. All of them have performed their duties in a very efficient manner. Loyalty, and a sympathetic understanding by them of daily school problems, has greatly aided the smooth operation of my school. I appreciate the help which the custodian of the building offers in his daily routine of keeping the building tidy and pleasant to work in.
I thank you as well as each member of the school committee for the sympathetic and understanding help which you have given me toward making the instruction in my building so efficient.
Respectfully yours,
ROLAND W. PAYNE
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SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
To the Superintendent of Schools,
Hamilton, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir :
I herewith submit my sixteenth annual report as School Nurse in the Town of Hamilton :
Total enrollment 390
Result of physical examination by Dr. John G. Corcoran, M. D., School Physician :
Defects
Tonsils 19
Heart 3
Mod. enlarged glands. . 41
Mod. enlarged tonsils. . 35
Corrections
Tonsils 15
Posture 51 Improved posture 20
Under treatment 3
Report of eve and ear examinations :
Defective vision 22 Corrected with glasses . . 17
The audiometer was used again for testing the ears. Those found with defective hearing were rechecked. Results were as follows :
Defective hearing 10
Notices were sent to parents regarding defects. In most cases, the hearing loss was caused by hardened wax. Two cases were from mastoids and two from severe colds, which was only tem- porary.
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SCHOOL REPORT
Dental Work
Dr. John King of Hamilton examined the teeth of all pupils from grade one through grade six at the Lamson School and Walsh School. Results of dental examinations :
Number examined 203
Number not needing dental care 29
Number needing dental care 174
Total number of defective teeth including extractions and cavities 882
I am very pleased that we are having a dental clinic this year in charge of Dr. John King. Dental work was greatly needed among our school children as shown by the above re- port. No dental clinic had been available for the past two years,
Number of dental certificates to date through clinic ..... 22 Number of dental certificates through private work (high school) 16
Number of dental certificates through private work (grade school) 7
A complete report will be given when the dental work is com- pleted.
Number home calls 365
Number classroom inspections 62
Number immunized against diphtheria 24 Number first aid dressings 207
Number consultations with parents, teachers, pupils, doc-
tors, clinic and other health agents .1899
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SCHOOL REPORT
Number contagious or communicable diseases of school
population reported to date:
Scarlet Fever 10 Chicken Pox 2
Measles 30 Whooping Cough 1
Miscellaneous illnesses :
Pneumonia
2 Impetigo 6
Ivy ..
5
Pediculosis 2
Appendectomy 2
Although we had some contagious diseases to report this vear we were able to prevent any serious epidemics. I feel that this is due to the fact we insist on excluding all pupils or teach- ers showing signs of illness, even though it might seem to be a common cold. If all parents will cooperate by keeping their children at home when they appear to be ill it would lessen the possibility of contagion in our schools.
In closing I wish to thank all members of the school faculty, parents, pupils, school physician and all other health authori- ties for their kind and considerate help and cooperation.
Only by the continuation of such cooperative help can we hope to maintain a high standard of health.
Respectfully submitted,
FLORENCE L. STOBBART, R. N.
School Nurse.
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SCHOOL REPORT
HOME READING WITH SCHOOL CREDIT Public Library and Public Schools Co-operating
The following pupils received reading certificates for having read ten or more books from the approved list :
Adelaide Dodge Walsh School Grade 4 Ruth Thompson
Grade 5
Barbara Thompson
Geraldine Sargeant
Grade 6
Richard Tremblay
Theodore Holland
Jonathan Lamson School
Grade 3
Alan DeWitt ***
Frank Edmondson*
Wallace Flynn
William Freeman
Norman Glover **
Paul Marks
Edwin Morrow*
Robert Poole ** *
Roger Taylor, Jr.
Robert Trussell
William Rauscher*
Therese Adams **
Barbara Butler ***
Mary Counihan*
Ann Cullity Joan Glover
Ann Edmondson ***
Barbara Haley* ***
Dorothy Hatt*
Alice Lightbody
Theresa Maione
Jean Thimmer
Marlene Wilson
Jane Todd*
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SCHOOL REPORT
Grade 4
Mary Butler ******
Helen Ross *****
Virginia Murphy *** Helen Jean Lander
Alvin P. Whipple ********** Marie Carlson ** Marilyn Berry* ***** Barbara Whipple* *********
Nancy Chittick* ****** ***
Richard Deshon*
Robert Brooks
***
********
Victor Emeney*
Theodore Maione ** ********
****
Leigh Keyser* George Ricker David Tyack ** ****** *****
Frederick L. Rauscher, Jr .** *****
Rosina Dagresta **
***** Zelda Hughes ********* Esther Ricker ****
Ethel Tillson*
Grade 5
George Adams*
Peter Chisholm*
Richard Foster*
********
Walter Tillson **
B. Jasper Roye*
Mary Harrigan*
Marion Fuller* ** Elizabeth Ann Pope* *** Lois Peterson* ***
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