USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1929 > Part 11
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Since September an intensive campaign has been under way to secure a 100 per cent correction of remediable physical defects. Rela- tive to the prevalence of physical defects among school children recent investigations of Wood and Rowell show: "In present school groups not more than 5 to 10 per cent of all children whether in country or city, are entirely free from physical defects, actually or potentially detrimental to health - 1 to 2 per cent, being heart trouble; 5 to 10 per cent have had or now have some form of tuberculosis; 20 to 30 per cent or more are malnourished; 10 to 13 per cent have defective vision ; more than 30 per cent have some defects of nose and throat ; 30 to 40 per cent have defects of posture ; and 50 to 98 per cent defective teeth."
A study of the number and distribution of physical defects in the elementary schools in September, as shown below, show that in many respects Reading children are better than average as far as physical conditions are concerned. The lack of complete date on all the schools is due to the fact that physical examinations were not made in these schools except in the first grades. The gradual decrease in the number of defects noted in the Highland School would continue through the Junior and Senior High Schools as it is a known fact that there is an appreciable decrease in the number of defects, possibly witk the exception of those in the postural group, for each year in school.
135
A STUDY OF NUMBER AND DISTRIBUTION OF PHYSICAL DEFECTS IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, SEPTEMBER, 1929
% with Def. Teeth
% with Def. Thr'ts
% with Def. Noses
% with Def. Gl'nds
% with Def. Hearts
% with Def. Lungs
*07 with Def. P's'tre
% with Def. Vision
% with Def. Hear.
% 10% Under- weight
% 20% Over -. weight
Center
Gr. IV ..
26.1
28.6 20.
....
...
. . 5.
14. 10.
....
Grade. .
31.7
15.7 11.
. .. 2.4
. . .
9.7
...
7.
2.4
Gr. II ..
14. 33.3
33.3
... .
Average Chestnut Hill
28.6
21.5
.8
...
2.8
.4
8.
1.4
Grs. III. IV ...
17.6 30.7
29.4 30.7
11.1
3.8
33.3
...
5.8 11.5
...
Average Lowell
25.5
30.2
... .
...
.. .
....
4.6
9.
2.3
Gr. IV. .
40.4
33.3
....
. .
. .
5. 12.5 4.3 9.3
4.5
4.6
Grade I.
30.2
23.2
6.9
4.5
2.3
Average
31.9
25.9
Prospect
Gr. IV.
22.2
8.8
. .
...
Gr. II .
27.7
19.9
5.5
2.7
Gr. I
32.5
27.9
4.6
16.2
18.7
4.4 5. 16.6 2.3
2.3
6.9
4.6
Average
28.6
20.1
1.2
6.7
4.2
6.6
3.6
Oppor-
tunity
Upper .. .
38.4
53.8 46.1
4.
15.3
Average
38.4
50.
Union
Gr. II .. .
64.4
24.4
8.
2.2
Gr. IB. .
56.2
50.
3.1
Gr. IM ..
53.3
36.3
10.
34.3 36.6 14.2
9.3 36.6 23.8
4.7
Average
60.9
35.1
14.8
1.5
4.
.7
Gr. VIQ
12.2
12.2
8.1
. ..
22.9
4.1
Gr. VIB
15.2
13.8
8.3
....
13.8
2.7
Gr. VIG.
13.3
26.6
6.7
....
16.6
Gr. VIF
14.8
8.5
4.2
...
24.4
6.6
Gr. VP ..
23.8
19.
...
...
ยท
9.5
21.4
11.9
2.3
Gr. VW.
15.9
18.1 9.
...
...
. .
. ..
6.7
11.3
20.4
4.5
Gr. III.,
IV ....
14.2
8.1
4.
2.
12.
2.
Gr. I.,II.
7.8
31.5
7.8
13.6
. .
27.2
2.6
8.
Average
15.6
15.8
7
. .
...
...
5.4
4.9
14.6
3.7
. .
...
4.2
11.1 2.5
6.6
2.2
Gr. III.
32.5
25.
7.5
5.
Gr. III ..
25.
27.5
12.5
Grs. II., I.
30.2
18.6
25. 32.5
11.7
5.5
Grs.I.,II.
17.5
....
. .
2.2
6.9
Grade.
2.2
..
...
3.8
7.6
7.6
3.1
3.
. .
Gr. IC ..
71.4
33.3
21.2
8.5
Gr. VB ..
11.1
17.7
.. .
2.2
2.2
13.6
13.6
4.5
Gr. VG .
22.7
...
...
. . .
23. 46.
7.6
4.
Lower .. .
38.4
11.
3.
25.
5.
....
..
. .
*Defective feet included.
2.3
Grade. ..
Highland
136
Clinic Services
The schools are fortunate in having the fine clinical services that are available in Reading. Six clinics are now being held regularly, three of which are made possible through the efforts of local organi- zations, two by the State Department of Health and one conducted independently by the school. With the exception of the Pre-school clinic, all are available to school children. All of the clinics reported below are under the direct supervision of this department. While the work incident to these clinics is tremendous, the results obtained seem to justify the necessary expenditure of time and effort. The represen- tation of the school committee and this department on the local com- mittees that maintain some of the clinics is another factor that makes for the closest kind of co-operation between the official and unofficial agencies of the town.
Dental Clinic
Completing its eighth year of service last October, the Dental Clinic continues to be a valuable adjunct to the school-health program and is probably responsible in a large part for the significant reduction of dental defects throughout our schools within the last few years. During the school year ending June 1929, the following amount of work was accomplished at the clinic :
248 examinations, 193 cleanings; 1192 fillings; 281 extractions ; 162 treatments.
Two hundred and forty children attended the clinic, eighty-four of whom were new cases.
Previous to this year, it has been customary for the clinic to operate only during the school term. This year, however, the Reading Good Health Committee co-operated with the school department in its efforts to have children enter school physically fit and maintained the clinic throughout the months of July and August. During these months the worker at the clinic made a special effort to have as many as possible of the children, entering school in the fall and needing dental care, attend the clinic.
The demand upon the clinic far exceeds its capacity. In order to systematically care for the present enrolment as well as to provide for new cases that are constantly making application an increase in the number of days that the clinic operates is desirable.
Schick Clinic
The Diphtheria Prevention program which has been carried on as an annual school function since 1923 began its activities on March 25 and carried through until May 5, with a total of 7 clinic days and an average attendance of 126 children. A report of the work done is as follows: 157 children were given the Schick test: of these 109 had negative reactions : 43 had positive reactions and 5 were never read. One hundred and sixty-seven children were immunized without being
137
Schicked and 40 of those having positive reactions were immunized, making a total of 207 immunized. Since the beginning of the diphtheria prevention work in 1923, 1905 children have been given the Schick test and 1404 children have received the immunizing toxin-antitoxin.
A gratifying feature of this year's work was the number of pre- school children that attended the clinics. For the first time, approxi- mately twenty-five per cent of the incoming children entered school in September protected from diphtheria. If the mortality rate from diph- theria is to be reduced and the disease itself stamped out, it is essential that the preschool group be reached. Investigations in New York State show that in 1928 twice as many children under 5 years of age died from diphtheria as between 5 and 9 and almost ten times as many . as between 10 and 14.
Diphtheria prevention is properly a Board of Health function and should, I feel, be taken over by that department.
State Clinics
The Habit Clinic is one of the clinics that is made possible through the State Department of Health. As this clinic comes under the supervision of the Department of Standards and Guidance only mention of it is made here. This department co-operates by referring cases to the clinic and by attendance at the staff conference held each clinic day.
In accordance with the plan of the Ten Year Program offered by the State, Examination Clinics were held February 25, 26 and 27. At this time several cases of underweight children that have been under the supervision of the clinics since 1926, were re-examined. In addition, special cases and cases where there has been a known exposure to tuberculosis were examined. This type of service together with the consultation facilities at North Reading Sanitorium makes it possible to keep a close check on cases requiring special supervision.
Posture Clinic
The campaign for better posture which was started last year has developed and is gradually evolving in an organized program that is uniform throughout the school system. Under the direction of the Physical Education Department, classes in corrective gymnastics to which children with defects of posture are assigned are held in all of the schools. These classes work in close co-operation with the home for it is only through daily posture work that results can be obtained. Cases of a more serious nature are referred to the Posture Clinic. This clinic is held once a month at the Grouard House and is financed by the Reading Good Health Committee. A report of the clinic's activities for the school year ending June, 1929 show that ten clinics were held with an average attendance of twenty-one children and a total of seventy-one children enrolled during the year. The follow-up work in connection with the clinic is shared equally by the physical
138
education and health department. Cases requiring posture exercises are referred to the physical education instructor in their respective schools at the High, Junior High and Highland School or to Miss Nichols in the elementary grades. Other recommendations such as X-Ray, ap- pliances and the like are followed up by the health department. All of the preparatory work incident to the clinic is assumed by the health department.
Health Education
One of the reasons for the addition of another nurse was to pro- vide time for the supervision of the Health Education work. Only a beginning has been made along this line. The new conception in edu- cation, namely, that of adapting the school work to fit the child's needs, has permeated the health education work. To this end, a Health Habit Questionnaire was given in November to grades 3 to 6 inclusive, the results were tabulated and specific recommendations were made to each teacher as to which health habits needed particular stressing in her room. Also, through the co-operation of the Department of Standards and Guidance the Gates-Strang Health tests were given to grades 5 and 6. Results of these tests show that not only do Reading children stand above the average for grade in health knowledge, but that they have exceeded their own record of two years ago by two points.
The scheme of health instruction in the Junior High School is fairly satisfactory. The arrangement in the ninth grade whereby one physical education period a week is set aside for definite health in- struction is possibly better than that in practice in the seventh and eighth grades. The High School is the only school in town where there is practically no provision for health education and it is hoped that this condition may be remedied in the near future.
The correlation of the health department with Miss Burr's de- partment is a source of satisfaction. The possibilities of the Home Economics Department as an instrument for the health teaching are unlimited. The department considers Miss Burr's work of a high order and feels that it is making a valuable contribution to the health program.
Safety education, which is properly included in any health edu- cation program and which has received more or less attention in our schools for the past few years, was put on a more organized basis by the introduction of the State Courses of Study in Safety Education. Relative to the need of safety education in our schools, recent statis- tics show that one out of every five deaths of children between the ages of five and fifteen years is due to accident, the total of accidental deaths in those ages exceeding in number the combined deaths from diphtheria, measles, scarlet fever, typhoid and appendicitis, each of which has been regarded as a major cause of mortality among school children.
139
Registration and Round-Up
Dr. Thomas D. Woods has said : "The child ready to enter school should be fit for the best that education can bring to him. He should be free to grow and develop; free to discover the best of himself in physical, mental and social personality." In order to approximate this ideal an effort has been made for the last three years, through the median of the Summer Round-Up, to have children enter school physi- cally fit. This year in order to provide more time for the correction of such defects as might be found, a registration of incoming children was held March 6 at which time the purpose and aims of the Round-Up was explained to the parents. Through the co-operation of the parents, the local physician and the Preschool Clinic, approximately sixty-three per- cent of the children entered school having had physical examinations ; ninety-seven percent showed satisfactory vaccination scars; twenty- five percent had been protected from diphtheria; and an appreciable number had had their physical defects corrected.
Other Activities
The health department has worked in close co-operation with the various local organizations such as the Reading Good Health Commit- tee, the Red Cross and the Tuberculosis Committee. These committees have provided the clinic services already in operation; have made it possible to send children to the Health Camp at Sharon each year ; have assisted in the diphtheria prevention and examination clinics; and in many and various ways have given financial and moral support to the work. The health department, in turn, has been able to render some assistance to these committees in such activities as the sale of Christmas seals; the sale of children's tickets for the Benefit Movie which was run for the purpose of raising money for the Posture Clinic; and the Christmas party held at Rotary Hall December 20. The con- tinued support and interest of these various local organizations in school health work is a source of satisfaction. The tremendous growth of the health work would not have been possible without the backing that they have continually accorded it.
In conclusion, allow me to acknowledge with thanks the fine co- operation extended our department by the teachers and parents and to express my appreciation for the many courtesies extended me by you. Your advice has been no small factor in the successful accom- plishments of my duties as director of the department.
Respectfully submitted,
MABEL M. BROWN,
Director of Health.
140
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Mr. A. L. Safford,
Superintendent of Schools, Reading, Mass.
Dear Mr. Safford :
This is the first annual report of the Department of Physical Edu- cation which it is my privilege to submit to you for your consideration.
I wish to discuss the departmental aims and objectives: the con- tent of the program; the method by which the curriculum is presented. and, finally, to show how this results in a unified, progressive program of Physical Education throughout the Reading Public Schools.
The fundamental principle involved in the formation of a unified program is that. "the child learns far more of permanent value through what he does (and this always means neuro-muscular action of some sort) than through what he sees or hears or perceives in any way direc- tly with the five senses." This necessitates a program of learning by doing. This program looks to the process of human evolution for gen- eral guidance. Primitive men became strong and healthy, developed moral powers through play and by doing real things in hunting and fishing, in war, in agriculture, in commerce; but always in immediate unconsciousness of self, without understanding what went on in muscle and nerve. Children must do things today, not necessarily coincident. with the primitive manner of living but in the same general spirit if the results are to be satisfactory.
In order to provide a standard by which this new plan could be successfully presented, a Physical Department Policy was adopted at a recent meeting of the Physical Department staff. This policy serves as a guide for the individual organization of subject matter by each in- structor ; it becomes a standard by which the work is judged; it is edu- cational, giving a comprehensive understanding of what our work em- bodies.
Physical Education Department Policy
1. Aim of Physical Education :
The aim of physical education and general education is the same ; to give the child full complete life each day. This emphasizes the growth of the child and his gradual development. The precise meaning is an education through the physical which will afford an opportunity for the child to act in situations that are physically wholesome, mentally stimulating and satisfying, and socially sound.
2. Objectives of Physical Education :
1. To help pupils in every possible way to attain the physiologi- cal and hygienic benefits which are essential by-products of a satisfac-
141
tory program of physical education. Prominent among these benefits are :
(a) Health and vitality.
(b) Good posture and bearing.
(c) Preservation and improvement of all functions of the body.
(d) Development of agility, quickness, strength, endurance, and motor skills.
2. To help pupils achieve in the fullest possible measure :
(a) Such mental benefits as attention, concentration of effort, will power, coordination of action, persistence, initiative, resourcefulness.
(b) Such social benefits as fellowship, followership, leadership, fair play, group loyalty.
(c) Such moral benefits as courage, honor, sportsmanship, self- sacrifice.
3. Content of the program :
The program in physical education consists of the following eight units, covering the range of the child's school life, and based on the child's actual needs and interests in each stage of his growth.
1. Natural activities of daily life-walking, running, jumping, self- protection, life-saving.
2. Free play and games.
Free play activities for the child through the first two grades.
3. Athletics and sports (clubs).
4. Dramatic Expression. Dancing, festivals, pageants.
5. Social Service and pre-vocational activities. (Training for citizenship).
6. Self-testing activities.
7. Individual corrective exercises.
8. Natural gymnastics.
The content of the program is based on the following principles :
1. That subject matter (curriculum) be subordinated to the in- terest and needs of the child.
2. That the criterion of the subject matter is consistent with the objectives and aims in each stage of the child's growth.
3. That a maximum of activity be given in a minimum of space.
4. That "athletics for all" is a sound doctrine educationally.
4. Method of presentation of subject matter.
The method of presentation of subject matter is based on mod- ern educational theory and practice to bring out the values inherent in our program and which contribute to the successful realization of the
142
aims of general education. In the method of presenting subject matter lies the greatest significance of the program. The method is based on the idea that there is thought content in big muscle-brain activities, and that Dewey's elements in reflective thinking can be used as a method of study in this field.
Dewey's Thought Process
1. A felt difficulty.
2. Its location and definition.
3. Suggestions of possible solution.
4. Development by reasoning of the bearing of the suggestion.
5. Further observation and experiment leading to acceptance or rejection.
Application in Physical Education
1. Pupils engage in purposeful activity ; certain felt difficulties arise.
2. Discussion takes place, ideas are offered; more time may be needed for gathering data.
3. These ideas are put together or organized.
4. The useless ones are so judged and discarded.
5. The solution is put to use.
There should also be a statement of the character building values in the presentation of subject matter. Pupils should know what they are trying to do and why they are doing it.
5. Subject Matter :
The curriculum grows out of the needs and interests of the child. It is made by the teacher and child together. The following steps in curriculum making, summarize the under-lying theory of our program :
1. The curriculum grows out of the child's needs.
2. Aims and objectives are determined and then translated into activities.
3. From all these activities (which represent aims) are selected those which will best fit the child.
4. The teacher sets up the items which her curriculum study tells her the child should have and then provides situations or projects in which these will become parts of the child's experience.
The program resulting from a correlation of activities to each stage of the child's growth should be of special interest to Reading par- ents :
Primary Grades (1 and 2).
The individualistic and independent nature of the new children in school forms the basis on which the program of activities in the
143
primary grades is selected. Animating activities in the world of make- believe characterizes this work. Story plays, rhythmic plays and game skills play an important part, for here they learn to throw, toss, catch a ball, to run, to jump, to hop, to skip, to march.
Elementary Grades (3 and 4)
When the children proceed to the elementary grades, a new idea motivates their games. Since they have become more group conscious, they find organized play more intriguing and challenging. Games are played which demand greater physical and mental effort. Here, the games have definite rules.
Intermediate Grades (5 and 6)
The "gang" instinct is here given the proper direction by the or- ganization of the group into squads. A Leaders' Club has been formed which begins the development of pupil leadership. The skills used in volley ball, squash ball, victory hall, newcomb, baseball, and soccer serve as a basis for games. When pupil accomplishment makes actual playing of these games a possibility, a spirit of competition is fostered by organizing classes into teams. Soccer, kick ball, squash ball and modified baseball have been played in tournament form after school. Natural gymnastics and dancing form another important phase of this program.
Junior High School (7, 8 and 9)
In the Junior High School, emphasis is placed on squad work, game skills, and athletics. However, more importance it attached to pupil leadership, as the second step in the leadership program. Pupils with ability and an inclination to direct the work of their classmates are organized into a Leaders' Club and from this group, pupils are taken to act as traffic officers and squad leaders to direct the work which includes apparatus, stunts, game skills, tournaments, etc. A natural out- growth of the instruction in game skills leads to the formation of tourna- ments for boys and girls affording intra-mural competition. The boys have inter-school contests in basketball only. Folk dances, miscellane- ous group games, track and field athletics are also included in the pro- gram. As an added incentive, ability tests or achievement tests are given at intervals during the year.
Senior High School (10, 11 and 12)
The senior high school program is a continued elaboration of the junior high school with stress still being put on pupil squad leadership activities. Activity assignments are here made on a project basis with a given length of time for the completion of the project. Interclass competition is afforded the girls in seasonal sports with inter-school competition playing a minor part. The boys' athletics are mostly inter- school.
144
Problems, Projects and Recommendations
Much attention is being given the subject of grading in physical education with a project under way to secure a definite marking system. The tendency is toward finding a suitable method of grading individual achievement.
A beginning is being made in the matter of recognizing the edu- cational value of scouting and in linking up the Boy Scout work with the regular program in the schools.
In rounding out the fifth section of the program content, namely, social service and pre-vocational activities, plans are under way for school principals to foster recreational groups, such as hiking, horse- back riding, bowling, nature study, swimming, etc., under the direction of a faculty advisor.
I wish to stress the need of additional outdoor recreational facili- ties at the junior high school. Sufficient level ground is needed to ade- quately conduct seasonal sports in the spring and fall. There is also sufficient land conveniently situated nearby to enable a project of con- siderable proportions.
It is very gratifying to observe the splendid effectiveness with which the physical directors are cooperating with the new policy. I wish to thank them and the various persons and organizations that have cooperated in giving direction toward a sane program of physical activities for the boys and girls of Reading.
Respectfully submitted,
PHILIP W. ALTHOFF,
Supervisor of Physical Education.
145
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC. 1929
-
Mr. Adelbert L. Safford,
Superintendent of Schools, Reading, Mass.
Dear Sir :
I now submit for your consideration a report of my second year as supervisor of music in the first seven grades :
In this present age of speed and unrest, there is perhaps nothing that brings a sense of relaxation and peace as readily as music. Much has been said lately about the use of the spare time of the American youth. Music can properly have its appeal and use in this respect. Therefore, it has been my endeavor, since becoming supervisor, to instill in the children a love of good music, and a sense of pleasure in taking an active part in creating it, hoping that such activity will be continued outside of school.
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