REPORT OF THE
SUPERVISOR OF MANUAL TRAINING
Beverly, Massachusetts, December 17, 1931.
Mr. S. H. Chace,
Superintendent of Schools, Beverly, Massachusetts.
My dear Mr. Chace:
It is my pleasure as supervisor of Manual Training to submit my annual report
for the year 1930-1931.
The work of the manual training department in grade seven and grade eight
has been conducted along similar lines of work as in previous years. We are
endeavoring to teach the boys the use of the fundamental woodwork tools and
to discover individual abilities in this particular handwork.
A progressive step in education was taken this year when grade nine Practical
Arts was transferred to the Briscoe School. Through very careful planning,
it was possible to establish a Try-out Shop program. This program allows the
boys to obtain an insight into four branches of vocational work, namely, Sheet
Metal, Cabinet Making, Printing, and Shop Drawing. After a ten-week period
of try-out in each one of these subjects, the boys should be better equipped
to make a more intelligent choice of a vocational course than heretofore.
Mr. Waite has taught the Printing and Drawing, and Mr. Dutelle has taught
the sheet metal and cabinetwork. In order to teach the printing work, Mr.
Waite took a special course in Printing at the Fitchburg Normal School last
summer.
The shop work in the try-out course have been carried is in co-operation with
the shop work of the Beverly Vocational School as most of the boys in this
course will be candidates for the vocational courses in the sophomore year.
Another important change has taken place in the eighth grade practical arts
work. In past years, about one-half time had been devoted to shop work and
the boys and girls who followed this program had a minimum of academic work,
and future success in academic work was almost impossible. Therefore, the
principal arranged a program giving each division three full periods (three
hours) of shop work and a complete academic program.
The nature of the shop work has changed from the general repair work to a
course in Home Mechanics. Mr. Dutelle has taught the home repair work involving
wood- work, and Mr. Waite has taught the elementary electric wiring and miscellaneous
home mechanics projects.
At the end of twenty weeks, the classes are inter- changed, thus giving each
boy an insight into all types of Home Mechanic projects. This arrangement
has proven most satisfactory.
One extra-curricular activity which has functioned well is the Stage-Craft
Club. This club has charge of all the stage work for assemblies and dramatic
performances. Mr. Waite has taken charge of this activity.
I want to thank the School Committee and Mr. Chace for their co-operation,
and to note here the splendid assistance given by Mr. Waite.
Respectfully submitted,
JESSE A. DUTELLE.