USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Melrose > City of Melrose annual report 1898 > Part 15
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This popularity of which I speak comes from the fact that vertical writing is entirely practical. Individual hand- writing grows from it as much as from the slant penman- ship. More than one teacher has said to me she can tell the writing of every child in her class without seeing his name upon the paper. More than this the ease of acquisi-
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tion and legibility of the vertical are conceded by all who have had experience with it.
I am convinced, also, that this style of writing can be made rapid and thoroughly practical as a business chirogra- phy.
In the mind and argument of many the chief objection to it has been that it is slow. I have proved this otherwise. When taught only for legibility the slant writing is slow and under that condition the vertical is no faster. In one of the towns where I teach I have worked to see what speed I could develop. In the eighth grade I took speci- mens written at the rate of 110 letters per minute, and in the ninth grade others written as high as 150 letters per minute. These were well done and not scribbled. I feel confident this work would appeal favorably to any business man, and certainly prove to him vertical writing can be as rapidly executed as any other script.
Much has been said about the "backhand," oftentimes noticeable where the vertical is taught. As to this matter, I have one point to raise and one question to ask.
In the slant system there is one accepted standard slant. Does everyone write exactly that slant or is the degree of slant simply approximated ? In this system we have a standard, but if every one does not write exactly vertical is it chargeable against the system or the person who writes it ? In either case we are not excused from teaching and attain- ing the standard if possible, and I know in this particular many are successful.
One thing I have introduced into our low grades of school this fall is single line paper. We commenced the school year with the spaced paper and formed the hand- writing upon it. My fear is, if we continue its use the pu- pils will depend too much upon a line for the height of
337
SCHOOL REPORT.
every letter. When these lines are taken from them they will be unable to write a uniform hand. The single line paper is the practical ruling of the business world. To my mind it is proper for the children to get accustomed to use it early in their school life. I have been very well pleased so far with the results attained in its use and feel that the wisdom of adopting it is fully demonstrated.
I wish, also, to say the use of ink in our second grades has proved successful. The teachers tell me the children are careful in using it, and do not get blots upon their paper, or soil their hands or clothing. My observations confirm these statements.
One thing in our instruction which I wish to emphasize is that we must build into the mind of the pupil the most perfect form of the letter we are able to construct. This education should enable him to describe that form intelli- gently, definitely and correctly. In this respect writing and drawing are parallel studies. First, the child must see, then make; but he never can make until he does see. I go further, and say he must see and describe this letter from the ideal in his mind and not from any representation of it in his copy book. The skillful teacher by her questions will draw from the pupil a word picture of his concept ; she will minimize the incorrect and magnify the correct part of the description of each scholar, thus shaping more and more perfectly the form being taught until she leaves the class beholding the finished ideal,-not only in their minds, but also one correctly written upon the board. To be able to do this for the children, the quality of mind education in vertical writing which the teachers must pos- sess can well be understood.
Another thing for which we are to work is a better quality of penmanship in the written exercises of the school. It is
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SCHOOL. REPORT.
very easy for the pupils to think that good writing is only meant for the writing lesson and the page of the copy book. This is wholly wrong. It is for us to show them that the les- son in penmanship is for the purpose of their learning what they are to apply in their written school work. We must insist that this quality of writing be given us and accept no other. I have learned by experience that, as a rule, we get about the quality of work in the schoolroom which we demand and are willing to accept. It is for the teacher to set the standard and the scholar to meet it.
In my opinion, the study of penmanship should not go beyond the eighth grade. This will help furnish time for the study of Latin, higher mathematics and science work, which is now being introduced into the ninth grade. The present status of writing in Melrose will not allow this to be done; but with some careful planning and teaching, together with adopting one or two things in our course of writing which we do not now have, we shall certainly be able to drop this study in the grade above mentioned.
Allow me to say I appreciate the extra time just given me for my work, as it will enable me to give help when needed and to generally keep in touch with the work.
Respectfully submitted,
A. W. CLARK,
Teacher of Penmanship.
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SCHOOL REPORT.
"l'irtus est Victoria."
MELROSE HIGH SCHOOL.
GRADUATION EXERCISES
OF THE
CLASS OF 1898,
TOWN HALL, THURSDAY EVENING, JUNE 30, AT 8 O'CLOCK.
PROGRAMME.
CHORUS, "To Thee, O Country," SCHOOL. Eichberg
ADDRESS, "A Call to Service,"
B. L. WHITMAN, D. D., LL. D., Washington, D. C.
SOLO AND CHORUS, "From Thy Love as a Father," . (Redemption) Gounod
MISS COREA AND SCHOOL.
AWARD OF PRIZES OFFERED BY THE FRANKLIN FRATERNITY.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLASS HONORS.
CHORUS, "The Miller's Wooing," SCHOOL. Faning
PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS.
CHAIRMAN OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
GALLIA,
MISS COREA AND SCHOOL .. Gounod
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SCHOOL REPORT.
GRADUATING CLASS.
COLLEGE PREPARATORY COURSE.
FOUR YEARS.
Maude Muller Brickett, Helen Sewall Leavitt,
C. Fletcher Donnocker, Mary Evelyn Smith, Marion Snow.
TECHNOLOGY COURSE.
FOUR YEARS.
Carl Brown, Charles F. Knights,
Robert L. Stuart,
William J. Whittier,
M. Bertrand Osgood,
Herbert J. Wiswell.
GENERAL COURSE.
FOUR YEARS.
S. Lillian Amory,
Annie Mabel Thomas,
Marion Sewall Rich, Laura Worth.
ENGLISH COURSE. THREE YEARS.
Clara Luella Cartland, Frank Mckay Little,
Ethel Louise Clark,
George Atkins Orton,
Eva Cabot Copeland,
Clara Lillian Perham,
Daniel Frederick Dow,
Edith R. Fletcher Rockwell,
Harry Elmer Gerry,
Gertrude Ellen Smallwood,
Mabel Gertrude Gilbridge,
Anna Kittridge Sylveira,
Carrie Belle Woodward.
PARTIAL COURSE.
Demitri B. Bary,
Arthur Percy Janes,
Caroline Brewster Dill,
Allen Leroy Leach,
Alfred H. French,
Mary Lyon Oakes,
Grace Leora Hardy,
Elizabeth Gertrude Pulsifer,
Emma Josephine Hopkins,
Alice Webster Robinson,
Ethel Oakman Howes,
Emma Storer Welden,
Ethel Maude White.
SCHOOL REPORT. 34I
HONORS.
MAUDE MULLER BRICKETT.
MARION SNOW.
Ethel L. Clark,
Helen Sewall Leavitt, Mary Evelyn Smith, Laura Worth.
FRANKLIN FRATERNITY PRIZES, JUNE, 1898.
MATHEMATICS.
Demitri Bary, '98 Minnie Louise Snow, '00. ENGLISH.
Ethel Louise Clark, '98, Grace Adams Colby, '00, Wallace Noble MacBriar, 'OI.
25
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SCHOOL REPORT.
"Strive to Succeed."
NINTH GRADE GRADUATION.
TOWN HALL, MELROSE,
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29TH, 1898.
PROGRAMME.
I. SONG, "To Thee, O Country," Eichberg THE CLASS.
2. ESSAY, "Spanish Colonial Possessions in America," FLORENCE BELLE WADLEIGH.
3. PIANO SOLO, "Valse Brilliante," Leybach
CHRISTINE MACDONALD.
4. READING, "Talking Flags," Henry Carr . MABELLE ALICE SMITH.
5. READING, "High Tide on the Coast of Lincon- shire," Ingelow
ALICE GALE WORTHEN.
6. SONG, "Over Hill, Over Dale," Mendelssohn THE CLASS.
7. ORATION, "The Future of Our Nation,"
WILLIAM HENRY HATHAWAY PIERCE.
8. PIANO SOLO, "Colombine," Delahaye
EVER MABLE LEACH.
9. ESSAY, "The History of Newspapers," FLORA ELIZABETH THOM'S.
IO. READING, "The Swan Song," . Katherine R. Brooks
IRENE MAY LYALL.
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SCHOOL REPORT.
II. SONG, "Marathon Race," . · Bizet
THE CLASS.
12. READING, "The Whistling Regiment," . Harvey
WALTER GARDNER KENNEDY.
13. ESSAY, "June," AIMEE ELIZABETH SPURR.
14. DECLAMATION, "The American Flag," Drake HAROLD ALLEN WHITMAN.
15. ESSAY, "The Growth of the Militia," * LAURA FELICE BRYANT.
16. PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS.
17. SONG, "Class Ode," Mendelssohn
THE CLASS.
CLASS ODE.
On devious pathways bound, We pause where part the ways, New need of cheer to borrow And bid a fair good-morrow Crown all our yesterdays.
Perchance the trailing garment Of Fame may follow thee, And Fortune smiling meet thee With lavish hand to greet thee. Oh, barren her blessing's store If life bring thee not yet more And love the chiefest be.
Or if thy days be toil-filled, Lowly thy action's round, Ah, then in compensation, May richer consummation Of love by thy heart be found ! Love by thy heart be found.
* Excused from speaking.
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SCHOOL REPORT.
GRADUATES.
Wesley Worthen Albee,
*Clarence Gould Baker,
* Edna Marie Belliveau,
*Irene May Beshong,
*Frank Roy Bigelow,
*Helen Gould Brown,
* Laura Felice Bryant,
*Hugh Lawrence Canney,
*Nella Chandler,
*Lottie Gertrude Church,
*Julius Vennard Clark,
* Lee Kemp Coffin, Charles Eben Colby,
*Jessie Gertrude Dill,
*Alice May Ellison,
*Edith Farnum Ellison,
*Harry Vincent Fuller,
*Edith Lillian Furlong, Flossie Gertrude Hindon,
*William Alonzo Hindon,
*Ruth Edith Houdlette,
*James Mitchell Howard, *Edith Selma Jolinson,
*Sophronia Johnson,
*Walter Gardner Kennedy,
*Joy Margaret King,
*Lillian Elise Kitching,
*Ever Mable Leach,
*Forest Wells Lord, *Irene May Lyall,
*Christine Macdonald,
*Gertrude Wilbur Magee,
*Ethel Hortense Makechnie,
Lizzie Belle Manser,
*Edith Gertrude Maynard, James McLean,
*Ruby Frances McNeal, Marion Belle Means,
*Robert Arlington Morehead, .
*Alice Monroe,
*William Henry Hathaway Pierce,
*Alcot Johnson Pennell,
*Edwin Everett Prior,
*Ralph Omer Reed, Ellen Riley,
*Nellie Winifred Riley,
*William Carleton Robinson.
*Alise Gertrude Russell,
*Harry Bray Sawyer
*George August Smith,
*Mabelle Alice Smith,
*Aimee Elizabeth Spurr,
*Fred Yerxa Spurr, Alrick Swensson, Lester Raymond Talbut,
*Flora Elizabeth Thomas,
*Marion Bartlett Thompson,
*Bessie Arline Towle,
*Louis Sidney Tucker,
*Florence Belle Wadleigh,
*Arthur Frank Whalen,
*Edna Eliza White,
*Harold Allen Whitman,
*Ernest Ames Woodward,
*Alice Gale Worthen, Harold Winifred Waite.
* Students whose names are starred entered the high school in September.
345
SCHOOL REPORT.
EXTRACTS FROM THE STATUTES OF MASSACHUSETTS.
(a) VACCINATION AND CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.
CHAPTER 496. SECTION II. No child who has not been duly vaccinated shall be admitted to a public school except upon presentation of a certificate signed by a regular prac- ticing physician that such child is an unfit subject for vac- cination. No child who is a member of a household in which a person is sick with smallpox, diphtheria, scarlet fever or measles, or of a household exposed to contagion from a household as aforesaid, shall attend any public school during such sickness or until the teacher of the school has been furnished with a certificate from the board of health of the town or city, or from the attending physi- cian of such sick person, stating in a case of smallpox, diphtheria or scarlet fever, that a period of at least two weeks, and in a case of measles a period of at least three days, has elapsed since the recovery, removal or death of such person, and that danger of the conveying of such dis- ease by such child has passed.
(b) EMPLOYMENT OF LABOR.
CHAPTER 494. SECTION I. No child under fourteen years of age shall be employed in any factory, workshop or mercantile establishment. No such child shall be em- ployed in any work performed for wages or other compen- sation, to whomsoever payable, during the hours when the public schools of the town or city in which he resides are in session, nor be employed at any work before the hour of six
346
SCHOOL REPORT.
o'clock in the morning or after the hour of seven o'clock in the evening.
SECTION 2. No child under sixteen years of age shall be employed in any factory, workshop or mercantile es- tablishment unless the person or corporation employing him procures and keeps on file and accessible to the truant officers of the town or city, and to the district police and inspectors of factories, an age and schooling certificate as hereinafter prescribed, and keeps two complete lists of all such children employed therein, one on file and one con- spicuously posted near the principal entrance of the build- ing in which such children are employed, and also keeps on file a complete list, and sends to the superintendent of schools, or, where there is no superintendent, to the school committee, the names of all minors employed therein who cannot read at sight and write legibly simple sentences in the English language.
SECTION 6, reads in part as follows : Whoever employes a child under sixteen years of age, and whoever having un- der his control a child under such age permits such child to be employed, in violation of sections one and two of this act, shall for such offence be fined not more than $50 ; and whoever continues to employ any child in violation of either of said sections of this act after being notified there- of, shall for every day thereafter that such employment con- tinues be fined not less than five nor more than twenty dol- lars.
(c) SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AND TRUANCY.
CHAPTER 496. SECTION 12. Every child between seven and fourteen years of age shall attend some public day school in the town or city in which he resides during the entire
-
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SCHOOL REPORT.
time the public schools are in session, subject to such exceptions as to children, places of attendance and schools as are provided for in sections three, seven, ten and eleven of this act : provided, that the superintendent of schools or, where there is no superintendent of schools, the school committee, or teachers acting under authority of said super- intendent of schools or school committee, may excuse cases of necessary absence ; and provided, further, that the attend- ance of a child upon a public day school shall not be re- quired if such child has attended for a like period of time a private day school approved by the school committee of such town or city in accordance with section two of chapter four hundred and ninety-eight, of the acts of the year 1894, or if such child has been otherwise instructed for a like period of time in the branches of learning required by law to be taught in the public schools, or has already acquired the branches of learning required by law to be taught in the public schools, or if his physical or mental condition is such as to render such attendance inexpedient or impracti- cable. Every person having under his control a child as described in this section shall cause such child to attend school as required by this section.
SECTION 31. Any person having under his control a child between seven and fourteen years of age who fails for five day sessions or ten half day sessions within any period of six months, while under such control, to cause such child to attend school as required by section twelve of this act, the physical or mental condition of such child not being such as to render his attendance at school harmful or impracti- cable, upon complaint by a truant officer, and conviction thereof, shall forfeit and pay a fine of not more than twenty dollars. Any person who induces or attempts to induce any child to absent himself unlawfully from school, or em-
348
SCHOOL REPORT.
ploys or harbors while school is in session any child absent unlawfully from school, shall forfeit and pay a fine of not more than fifty dollars.
CHAPTER 496. SECTION 24. Every habitual truant, that is, every child between seven and fourteen years of age who wilfully and habitually absents himself from school contrary to the provisions of section twelve of this act, upon complaint of a truant officer, and conviction thereof, may be committed, if a boy, to a county truant school for a period not exceeding two years, and if a girl, to the state industrial school for girls, unless such child is placed on probation as is provided in section twenty-eight of this act.
SECTION 25. Every habitual absentee, that is, every child between seven and sixteen years of age who may be found wandering about in the streets or public places of any town or city of the commonwealth, having no lawful occupation, habitually not attending school, and growing up in idle- ness and ignorance, upon complaint by a truant officer or any other person, and conviction thereof, may be com- mitted, if a boy, at the discretion of the court, to the Lyman school for boys, and if a girl, to the state industrial school for girls, unless such child is placed on probation as pro- vided in section twenty-eight of this act.
SECTION 34, reads in part as follows : A truant officer of any town or city may apprehend and take to school, without warrant, any truant or absentee found wandering about in the streets or public places thereof.
349
SCHOOL REPORT.
CORPS OF TEACHERS DEC. 31, 1898.
HIGH SCHOOL.
NAME. GRADE.
WHERE
EDUCATED.
WHEN ELECTED
Frank H. Beede, A. B., .... Principal . . Yale, . 1897
Alonzo G. Whitman, A. B .. . Prin. Emeritus, Bowdoin College. . . . 1874 Everett H. Scott, A. M ..... Sub. Master .... Wesleyan University. 1898 Hubert G. Shaw, Ph. D., .. Science Dept. . . Harvard 1897
Hugh G. Greene, . Com. Dept. Albany Business Col. 1898
Adelma A. Ballou, Assistant, . Dean Academy. . . .... 1887
Harriet C. Fairbanks, Assistant. High school, Natick. 1880
Mary J. George, . Assistant Wakefield, Mass, High School .
1880
Annie C. Merritt, Assistant. Hanover (Germany) .. Normal School, Cours Sevigne,
Paris,
1896
Hattie G. Ricker, ...... . Assistant ...... Lapham Inst., R. I. .. 1884
FRANKLIN SCHOOL.
Frank L. Titcomb. A. M. .. Prin. IX Brown University .... 1897
Lydia Mendum, . VIII. . Salem Normal School 1874
Alma J. Guptill,. VII. Girl's High School, . . ..
Boston, Mass. . ... 1884
Louise G. White, VI. Salem Normal School
1895
J. Helen Bartholomew, . . V. Boston University 2 years, Salem Nor- mal 1 year .. 1896
Minnie F. C. Snow, ..
High School, Orono, Me., 1892
Isabelle L. Atwood, . . III Robinson Sem. Exe- ter, Teachers' Train ing Sch'l, Haverhill, 1892
Gertrude Stewart, .. II High School, Melrose, 1894
350
SCHOOL REPORT.
WASHINGTON SCHOOL.
NAME.
GRADE.
WHERE EDUCATED.
WHEN ELECTED
Herbert L. Rand, Prin IX Bridgewater Normal 1898
Mary S. Fellows, IX. . Thayer Academy .... 1897
Martha A. Dodge, VI. Salem Normal School 1898
Lois M. Holmes, V. Melrose High School 1896
Mary Bayfield, . IV Quincy Training School 1896
Barbara S. Fellows, III Leominster High Sch. 1897
Hattie D. Field, . II. . Boston Normal . 1891
Mary A. Bailey, I.
High School, Miss Wheelock's Kinder- garten Class. 1896
Grace Rhodes, . .. . I
Melrose High School, 1896
D. W. GOOCH.
Augustus O. Burke, Prin., . . VII, VIII.
Bridgewater Normal, 1898 Mary A. Maddocks, VII . Gorham, Me., Normal 1898
Alice H. Long, VI. Boston Normal School 1877
Etta J. Call, V. High School 1890
Harriet H. Dowe, IV Mt. Holyoke College 1894
Lucy E. Dermot, III. Westfield Normal . . .. 1880
Amelia F. Trowbridge, II. · Melrose High School 1889
Annie P. Long, .
I
Melrose High School
1894
HORACE MANN.
Alice M. Swett, Prin ., . . VIII · Plymouth N. H.
Normal School .... 1882
Mary S. Wentwortlı, VII. Wakefield, N. H.,
Academy 1896
Maud Nickerson, . VI. Boston University ... 1897
A. Louise McCormick, . V. High School and Lec- tures of Wheaton
Seminary . 1891
Anna W. Atkins, . IV Provincetown High
School . 1897
Nellie C. Dempsey, III
Salem Normal. 1891
Alzaleen M. Sampson, II .
Farmington Me.
1895
Grace J. Aldrich, . I.
Normal Providence High Sch. Miss Anthony's
Kindergarten . . . ..... 1897
35I
SCHOOL REPORT.
MARY A. LIVERMORE.
NAME. GRADE.
WHERE EDUCATED.
WHEN ELECTED
G. Alvin Grover, Prin., .. VIII
Bridgewater Normal 1898
Mary S. Bryant. VII. Blair Presbyterial
Academy, N. J .... 1896
Inez A. Hunt, VI. Farmington Me., State Normal. . 1898
Lucy E. Shute, . . V Pinkerton Academy, Derry, N. H., . 1895
JOSEPH WARREN.
Alice J. Coffin, Prin., IV Gorham, Me., Normal 1895
Mary E. Tupper, . III Framingham Normal 1892
Ruth M. Knowles, II Mt. Holyoke. . . 1895
Margaret E. Grady, I. Salem Normal. 1896
LINCOLN SCHOOL.
Martha A. Briggs, Prin., .... VI. Edw. Little High Sch. Auburn, Me. 1898
Harriet A. Saunders, V. Malden High School .. 1898
. Caroline L. Hollis, III, II Bridgewater Normal 1895
Arline Merrill, . I. Melrose High School 1894
Grace A. Lynde. · Kindergarten . . Miss Symonds' Kin- dergarten Class .. .1897
Edith M. Cushing, Assistant, Miss Symonds' Kin- dergarten Class ...... 1898
SEWALL SCHOOL ..
Mary R. Clarke, Prin., III, IV Franklin Academy. .. 1894 Mabelle S. Merrill, II. · Melrose High School 1897 Cecelia Coyle, . I. . Boston Normal . ....
1892
Elizabeth J. Freeborn. Kindergarten .. Normal Kindergarten 1897
Marion Leslie, Assistant Miss Symonds' Kin- dergarten 1897
352
SCHOOL REPORT.
WINTHROP SCHOOL.
NAME.
GRADE. WHERE EDUCATED.
WHEN ELECTED
Edith S. Dermot, Prin., IV State Normal, Fram- ingham . .... 1896
Mary Loring, III Salem Normal School 1897
Grace C. Albee, . II. · Wellesley College .... 1898
Mary C. Flagg, I. Framingham Normal 1895
WHITTIER SCHOOL.
Jeanette A. Doane, Prin., .. I. High School, Temple- ton, Mass . . . . 1895
Frances B. Jones, . II, III Normal Training Class Holyoke 1897
Mary G. Ellis, · Kindergarten . . Miss Symonds' Kin-
dergarten Class ....
1897
Maude E. Brown, 66 Assistant. Miss Garland's Kin- dergarten Class. . .. 1897
CONVERSE SCHOOL.
Mary E. Nye, Prin., III, IV . Salem Normal School, 1885
Anastatia G. Riley, . II, I. Salem Normal. . 1898
RIPLEY SCHOOL.
Louise Frost, Prin., III, IV . Roxbury High School 1892
Mary Chisholm, I, II . Salem Normal School 1896
WESTSIDE KINDERGARTEN.
Mabel Price, . Kindergarten . . Miss Symonds'Kinder- garten Class. 1897
Jesse Baker, " Assistant. Miss Symonds' Kinder- garten Class. 1898
SPECIAL TEACHERS.
Grant Drake, Music. 1891
Willis S. Carter, Drawing 1891
A. W. Clark, Writing 1896
REPORT OF THE
Committee on the Erection of School Buildings.
To the Town of Melrose :
At a town meeting held February 24th, 1896, it was voted that the town build a high schoolhouse at a cost not exceed- ing $100,000, exclusive of the land. Also voted that the sum of $100,000 be appropriated to build an eight-room schoolhouse at the Highlands, an eight or twelve-room schoolhouse in the southeastern part of the town, and an eight or twelve-room schoolhouse in the southwestern part of the town, the buildings to be of brick. At the same meeting it was voted that the moderator appoint a com- mittee of five to bring in a list of names of fifteen citizens to be balloted for under the Australian ballot system, and that from this list nine citizens shall be elected who shall, with the chairman of the school committee, ex-officio, and the superintendent of schools, ex-officio, constitute a building committee for the purpose of purchasing land and erecting the schoolhouses as authorized at this meeting. At an ad- journed town meeting held on Monday, March 9th, 1896, the election took place, and the following named gentlemen were declared elected :
354
SCHOOL REPORT.
Royal P. Barry,
John Larrabee,
Decius Beebe,
John C. Maker,
Levi S. Gould,
Moses S. Page,
Francis W. Hunt,
Frank L. Washburn,
Clinton White.
With the above were associated B. F. Robinson, superin- tendent of schools ; Oliver A. Roberts, chairman of school committee.
At the town meeting held under date of February 24th, it was also voted that the committee be instructed to locate the high school building on the lot known as the old burial ground on Main street, and that the said committee be authorized to purchase the land adjoining said burial ground as recommended in the report of the special com- mittee appointed to consider the matter of taking said land, and that the town treasurer be authorized to borrow a sum not exceeding $10,000 for the purpose of paying for the same. The committee organized promptly by the election of Royal P. Barry as chairman and John Larrabee as secre- tary. They proceeded to inform themselves first as to the needs of the town, secondly as to suitable locations, and thirdly, as to what sort of buildings would be suited to the town's wants. Following out these investigations your committee visited several school buildings in process of erection in Malden, Medford, Arlington, Winchester and Newton, and consulted with the school committees of other towns as to their own action under similar conditions. At the start the committee deemed the appropriation a liberal one, but, on further study of the subject they found that they were likely to be handicapped by the fact that they were obliged to purchase land on which to erect the three grammar school buildings. It was evident at once that they could not contemplate building any twelve room
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