USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1890-1895 > Part 49
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29 65
Hersey Meter Co., 1 2-inch meter and connections,
64 25
Freiglit on meters,
1 55
Walker & Goodwin, lumber and labor Press Co.,
5 58
Walker & Goodwin, lumber for use at pump,
7 68
Chapman Valve Mfg. Co., 1 6-inch valve and box, spec.,
17 87
Wm. Foreman, lead connections and labor,
26 80
Geo. E. Metcalf, horse and men on service pipe trench,
5 50
F. H. Hartshorne, labor on service trench,
2 09
Labor, repairing trench, charged to Langford.
8 00
Pratt & Marston, express on pipe, etc.,
5 35
511 54
$10,547 24
REBATES.
By P. Druminey,
on service, No. 511,
$1 50
D. Brennan,
66
66
208,
50
Mrs. D. M. Ballou,
66
66
5,
2 00
Mrs. Ellen Kiley,
66
66
348,
3 00
H. B. Baker, Agent,
66
111,
2 50
H. B. Baker, Agent,
66
66
48,
50
H. B. Baker, Agent,
66
261,
3 00
James A. Brennan,
245.
3 00
N. A. Enwright,
324,
2 50
Kate Reidel,
61
66
232,
6 00
Tyler Thayer, Agent,
132,
3 00
H. B. Baker, Agent,
66
261,
1 00
H. B. Baker, Agent,
3 00
Chas. E. Pond,
66
275,
1 00
Chas. E. Pond,
66
66
483,
2 50
Sarah F. Gay,
66
=
71.
2 00
J. H. King,
66
407.
2 50
Mrs. J. E. O'Brien,
456,
1 25
Wm. Shyne,
66
66
410,
50
I). Brennan,
66
66
208,
50
C. Duncan, Jr.,
393,
1 50
J. J. Bayer,
66
206,
2 00
H. B. Baker, Agent,
٤٠
103.
1 00
301,
$46.25
Amount carried forward, $10,593 49
106
Amount brought forward, $10,593 49
By E. Rooney,
on service, No. 492,
$1 50
Estate E. F. Talbot,
60
153, 4 months,
2 00
66
66
228,
7 50
. .
151,
2 00
229,
1 50
257,
5 00
..
..
66
146,
2 00
154,
1 00
153, 6 months,
3 00
..
266,
1 00
64
6 00
6.
257,
3 50
66
146,
2 50
N. A. Enwright,
.6
324,
2 50
Mrs. M. Callahan,
352,
2 00
Less Seals,
2 75
40 25
Total orders drawn,
$10,633 74
Cash Balance on hand January 1, 1895,
2,956 44
$13,590 18
We have examined the books and accounts of the Water Commissioners, and find the same correct, and correctly stated in the above report.
ELMER H. BAKER, EBEN F. GAY,
Auditors.
..
66
66
228,
66
66
$43 00
107
COST OF PLANT.
January 1, 1894,
$132,375 30
EXTENSIONS, 1894.
Concord Avenue, from Cor. Washington Street
to house of W. F. Morse, $358 82
Guild Street, from end, near house A. F. Morono to Cor. Hillside Avenue, 240 86
Freight on specials for extensions, 13 23 612 91
New valve at Guild and Cross Streets,
J. T. Langford, for valve, box, and sleeve, 22 75
J. T. Langford, for labor,
8 00
30 75
Closet for pumping station,
10 00
Chairs for office,
14 25
J. C. Lane, for legal service, regarding new issue bonds, hearings before legislature, etc., 111 83 136 08
CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT.
Service pipe, labor, fittings, etc., $899 82
Less sales meters and materials, $437 47
Less labor repairing
trenches, charged to contractor, 8 00 445 47 454 35
Cost of plant January 1, 1895,
$133,609 39
TWENTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
OF
NORWOOD, MASSACHUSETTS,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING JANUARY 31, 1895.
PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE BOARD.
BOARD OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR 1894-95.
Horace T. Atwood and Martha G. Winslow, term expires March, 1895.
Clarke S. Gould and John C. Lane, term expires March, 1896.
Mary J. Alden and Patrick J. Mahoney, term expires March, 1897.
John C. Lane, resigned July, 1894. Milton H. Howard, elected August, 1894.
Horace T. Atwood, resigned July, 1894. Winslow Faunce, elected August, 1894.
Martha G. Winslow (July-January), Chairman. Mary J. Alden, Secretary. Clarke S. Gould, Chairman Finance Committee.
SUB-COMMITTEES, JANUARY, 1895.
Finance, Accounts, and Claims : Clarke S. Gould, Mary J. Alden, Winslow Faunce.
School Houses and Supplies : Patrick J. Mahoney, Milton H. Howard, Clarke S. Gould.
Text Books and Course of Study: Martha G. Winslow, Milton H. Howard, Winslow Faunce.
Music and Drawing: Winslow Faunce, Martha G. Winslow.
Truancy and Evening Schools : Milton H. Howard, Patrick J. Mahoney.
Physical and Mannal Training : Clarke S. Gould, Winslow Faunce.
Sewing : Mary J. Alden, Martha G. Winslow.
112
SCHOOLS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE LOCAL COMMIT- TEES, JANUARY, 1895.
High School : The Whole Board.
Everett School: Martha G. Winslow, Clarke S. Gould, Patrick J. Mahoney, Winslow Faunce.
North School : Mary J. Alden, Winslow Faunce.
East School : Patrick J. Mahoney, Clarke S. Gould.
Balch School : Milton H. Howard, Patrick J. Mahoney.
West School : Martha G. Winslow, Milton H. Howard.
Guild School : Mary J. Alden, Clarke S. Gould.
SUPERVISION AND INSTRUCTION, JANUARY, 1895.
Superintendent of Schools (High School excepted) : H. Allen Halstead.
Teacher of Music : M. W. Misener.
Teacher of Drawing: Anna A. Robinson.
Teachers, High School : Albin C. Russell, Anne M. Adams, Florence A. Wing, Lillian B. Quinby.
Teachers, Everett School: H. Allen Halstead, Arzelia W. Macdonald, Adelia F. Richardson, Anna P. Moore, Mary Mahoney, Ruth E. Gould.
Teachers, Guild School : Lizzie C. Tucker, Orra E. Guild, Julia M. Jones.
Teachers, East School: Martha B. Parker, Marie A. Humphreys.
Teachers, North School: Florence Hill, Julia Donavan. Teachers, West School : Grace M. Train, Alice A. Miles.
Teachers, Balch School : Ada Stetson, Amy I. Gay.
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
To the Citizens of Norwood : -
Your Committee offer the following report for the School Year 1894-5.
At the first meeting of the Committee, in March, Clarke S. Gould was made temporary Chairman. He served until May 11, when John C. Lane became permanent Chairman. He held the office until his resignation from the School Board in July.
Martha G. Winslow was then elected, and has served as Chairman for the remainder of the year.
Maurice J. O'Brien was appointed Superintendent of Schools (other than the High School), to serve until the time of the annual election of teachers in June. He was then elected Principal of the Everett School for another year, but failed to receive re-appointment as Superintendent. His res- ignation as Principal was received and accepted.
On account of the action of the Committee in refusing to re-elect Maurice J. O'Brien to the office of Superintendent of Schools, John C. Lane refused to act as Chairman, and imme- diately resigned from the Board.
Horace T. Atwood resigned in July on account of his absence from Norwood and consequent inability to attend the meetings of the Committee.
A joint convention of Selectmen and School Committee was held, as required by Public Statutes, Chapter 417, Section 290, to fill above vacancies, and resulted in the choice of Milton H. Howard in place of John C. Lane, and Winslow Faunce in place of Horace T. Atwood.
114
The Committee, not being fully satisfied with the. work accomplished in the High School under the Principalship of F. E. Emrich, Jr., considered a change desirable, and therefore Albin C. Russell was elected for that position.
The resignation of Dora Fay Knight, as first assistant, was accepted with regret. She had rare qualifications as a teaclier, and was universally liked by scholars and parents.
The accession of a very large class from the Grammar School made the appointment of a third assistant absolutely necessary to properly attend to all the classes. There is now an efficient corps of teachers at the High School.
A course of study prepared by John C. Lane, with great care, thought, and labor, with a few changes by the Principal, Albin C. Russell, was adopted, and has been in use since the beginning of the school year.
The High School building is at present crowded, and will soon prove entirely inadequate to the growing needs of the school.
The Board has appointed a special committee to take into consideration the subject of enlarged accommodations, and their report, with the recommendations of the committee, will be presented at the Annual Town Meeting.
The accompanying report of Albin C. Russell, Principal of the High School, will be read with interest.
After a careful review of the many applications for the position of Principal of the Everett School, the Committee elected H. Allen Halstead to serve as Principal, and empowered him to act as Superintendent of Schools (other than the High School).
The Committee thought that by uniting the classes occa- sionally in one room they could be well governed and taught by one assistant, and thereby enable the Principal to give suffi- cient time for the supervision of the other schools. They therefore decided to employ only one assistant, who should co- operate with the Principal in this plan.
115
Elzura A. Chandler resigned as teacher of the West School to pursue her studies at the Normal School, that she might be qualified to teach a higher grade. Other teachers have resigned in order that they might accept positions else- where with increased salaries.
The Board, on the recommendation of the Superintend- ent, decided to put the subject of drawing under a competent teacher. Anna A. Robinson was elected for the position. It is justly to be expected that this branch, under the new regime, will soon gain the same general recognition of its practical im- portance that it has gained in other schools where it has been properly taught.
The vertical system of writing was attempted as an ex- periment in a few schools, at the beginning of the year, at the suggestion of John C. Lane. It gave so great satisfaction that in October the Committee instructed the Superintendent to in- troduce the system into all the schools and to furnish the pupils with writing books.
The Committee is of the opinion that the schools have not suffered in any way by the changes on the Board of School Committee, but realize that better work might be accomplished in the schools were it not for the crowded condition of the schoolrooms. No teacher can do the best work with more than forty or forty-five pupils in a room.
"The Superintendent. has submitted a plan by which the extra pupils now in the Grammar grades can be cared for by opening up a new school in the Guild Building.
The Committee regret the unavoidable delay in providing extra sittings at the opening of the fall term, occasioned by the fact that, although ordered early, it was impossible to ob- tain the improved adjustable desks and chairs, which are re- garded as superior to any in use.
The Sub-Committee on Evening Schools reported, after careful inquiry, that it was not expedient to maintain an Even- ing School, on account of the small number desiring to attend.
116
It was deemed advisable to make a change in the office and requirements of the Janitor of the High, Everett, and Guild School Buildings; therefore, a contract was made with Adna W. Alden, in which he was given full charge of the warming, sweeping, cleaning, and incidental repairs of these buildings. This arrangement has proved very satisfactory.
The Committee in submitting their estimates for the ex- penses of the Public Schools for the year did not take into account the employing of a third assistant in the High School or a teacher of drawing.
The Board has held twelve regular meetings and twenty special meetings during the year.
The Report of the Chairman of the Finance Committee and the Superintendent's Report will be submitted herewith for consideration.
Respectfully submitted,
MARTHA G. WINSLOW, Chairman. MARY J. ALDEN, Secretary. PATRICK J. MAHONEY, CLARKE S. GOULD, WINSLOW FAUNCE, MILTON H. HOWARD.
REPORT OF THE FINANCE COM- MITTEE.
The Finance Committee think that if they are to be held responsible for the careful expenditure of the school appropria- tion, they should have the sole control of it. We there- fore naturally object to the fact that the Selectmen ordered about $240.00 of the school appropriation to be paid without our approval.
The total school appropriation was,
$17,900 00
The total expenditure was, 17,020 67
Leaving an unexpended balance of,
$879 33
Below are given the appropriations and expenditures for the different accounts under which our books were kept.
APPRO- PRIATED
ACCOUNT.
EXPENDED.
UNEX- PENDED.
OVER- DRAWN.
$12,200 00
Teachers.
$11,337 17
$862 83
1,250 00
Janitors & Sweepers.
1,396 49
$146 49
1,500 00 Heat & Light.
1,253 41
246 59
1,000 00
Text Books.
1,212 06
212 06
1,750 00
Incidentals & Repairs.
1,741 54
8 46
200 00
Transportation.
80 00
120 00
The following appropriations, which are the result of the very careful and unanimous judgment of the whole School Committee, will be required for the ensuing year.
118
For schooling proper (which includes the salaries of teachers,
janitors, sweepers, and heat and light), $15,550 00
For text books, 1,450 00
For incidentals and repairs,
1,950 00
Total, $18,950 00
Respectfully submitted,
CLARKE S. GOULD, Chairman. MARY J. ALDEN, WINSLOW FAUNCE.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
NORWOOD, MASS., Feb. 1, 1895. To the School Committee :-
As becomes brief service, my report will be brief.
The sentiment in favor of a practical and thorough system of public education is everywhere apparent, and our public schools, through the intelligent and ceaseless efforts of the School Committee, supported by a generous public, and aided by earnest teachers, present their present efficiency and use- fulness.
In the advancement of the people, public education is one of the primal factors. Therefore, let nothing interfere with bringing our public schools, in principles, methods, teachers, and equipments, to the highest possible standard of efficiency.
Population of Town (census 1890), 3,733
Number of children in Town, May 1, 1894,
between 5 and 15 years of age, 803
Number between 8 and 14, 496
Number between 8 and 15, 530
BUILDINGS,
Number of buildings occupied, January, 1895,
7
Number of rooms, 18
SCHOOLS.
Number of grammar schools, 7
Number of primary schools, 9
120
TEACHERS.
MALE.
FEMALE.
Grammar,
1
7
Primary,
0
9
Music,
1
0
Drawing,
0
1
Total,
2
17
PUPILS.
Whole number of pupils enrolled in all the schools,
including the High,
880
Enrollment for 1893,
821
Average membership,
736
Average daily attendance,
685
Percentage of attendance,
93
Number of pupils who entered the High School from the Everett School,
43
Average cost per pupil based on enrollment,
$19 09
Average cost in 1893,
19 79
BUILDINGS.
The school buildings are in good condition, and the excel- lent system of ventilation throughout has made it possible in some instances to place sixty children or more in a single room, and under one teacher. This overcrowding is found mostly in the Everett building, in the 5th, 6th, and 7th grades. Now, however efficient a teacher may be, however forceful or magnetic, with a class of more than forty-five, she is unable to do justice to her pupils or to herself. There is need of more room. I would suggest that for the coming year the unoccu- pied room in the Guild building be utilized to relieve the Everett. Drawing enough pupils from the grammar grades just mentioned to make an average sized class would afford the needed relief, not only for the immediate future, but probably for several years to come.
121
FLAG DAYS.
As the school flags very soon wear out when raised every day, the following are suggested as flag-days : ---
Perry's victory, Lake Erie,
Sept. 10, 1813.
Battle of Antietam,
Sept. 17, 1862.
Columbus landed at San Salvador,
Oct. 12, 1492.
Battle of Saratoga,
Oct. 17, 1777.
Battle of Cedar Creek,
National and State Elections,
Thanksgiving Day,
New York evacuated by British,
Boston Tea Party,
Dec. 16, 1773. Dec. 26, 1776.
Emancipation Proclamation,
Battle of Princeton,
Battle of New Orleans,
Lincoln's Birthday,
Feb. 12, 1809.
Washington's Birthday,
Feb. 22, 1732.
First, United States Congress,
March 4, 1789.
Monitor defeated Merrimac,
Washington elected President,
Surrender of Lee,
March 9, 1862. April 6, 1789. April 9, 1865. April, 14, 1865.
The Union Flag replaced at Sumpter,
Battle of Lexington,
Washington took Office,
Ticonderoga taken,
Memorial Day,
Flag of Stars and Stripes adopted by Congress,
Battle of Bunker Hill,
Battle of Gettysburg,
Independence Day,
April 19, 1775. April 30, 1789. May 10, 1775. May 30. June 14, 1777. June 17, 1775. July 1-3, 1863. July 4, 1776.
It is out of patriotic regard for the children that we place before them the flag of our great Republic, and I think we are right in believing that the symbol of all that is noblest and
Oct. 19, 1864. Nov. Nov. Nov. 25, 1783.
Battle of Trenton,
Jan. 1, 1863. Jan. 3, 1777. Jan. 8, 1815.
4
122
best in human institutions and government will inspire them, though perhaps unconsciously, witli generous sentiment, loyalty, and patriotism.
I would also suggest that the flags be made an object lesson in history by always calling the attention of the children to the events the flag-days commemorate.
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.
I deem it proper here to say a word in relation to con- tagious diseases.
The diseases prescribed against by statute are scarlet fever, diphtheria, and small-pox. An arrangement is made whereby the Board of Health sends to the office of the Superintendent of Schools a list of all the cases reported by the physicians. These are at once sent to the teachers, giving name, residence, and disease. This works very well, with the exception that the notice sometimes reaches the school too late to be of any use. The Board of Health does not always receive the record promptly from the physician. If the schools can be informed without delay, protection from infectious diseases will be largely insured.
STORMY DAY SIGNALS FOR CLOSING THE SCHOOLS.
Through the courtesy of the New York and New England Railroad Company, the use of the car shop whistle has been accorded the schools for a signal of no school or one session on stormy days. The signals will be given at eight and at eleven A. M. However, as the one having this in charge is as liable as any one to make mistakes in his forecast of New England weather, it is suggested that the parents use their own discre- tion in keeping their children at home in bad weather as they would in case of sickness.
123
VERTICAL WRITING.
The system of vertical writing has been introduced into all our schools.
Towards the close of last year it was taught in some of the grades for the purpose of testing for ourselves the advan- tage claimed for it. The results were so satisfactory that at the beginning of the present year the Committee resolved that this system of writing be taught in all the grades.
I have seldom been more pleased with the immediate results of a new method, or have seen so few difficulties to combat in establishing it.
1
The following are some of the advantages of vertical writing : -
It is the natural handwriting, inasmuch as the first attempts of children, if undirected by others, are always of this character, and many among older people, who were taught the slanting hand, have returned to the vertical.
It is the most legible hand. Because it is so, important documents, such as Legislative Acts and Court Records, are often required to be written or "engrossed " in this hand ; Banks, Insurance offices, and other Companies and Firms, give it the preference ; Reporters, Telegraph Operators, and others, in whose manuscripts clearness is of the first importance, use it habitually. Not only is it more easily read, but space and time are also saved by it.
Eminent authorities who have closely investigated the subject state that it has many hygienic advantages. It obviates the position at the desk which tends to curvature of the spine ; compels an upright posture, the reverse of which may induce diseases of the lungs; and, by bringing the eye into proper relation with the copy, avoids the hurtful strain upon that organ which slanting writing entails.
It is endorsed by business men and by the best educators.
124
NATURE STUDIES.
" Nature Studies should do for the pupil three things. First, they should give to him a knowledge in regard to the world in which he lives. Second, they should train his powers of observation. Third, they should develop in him a love for nature. This last is of the greatest importance, and is the test of the work done."
In this work we are mindful that it is elementary science we are teaching, that technicalities and details are not to be emphasized, and that the various phenomena are to be pre- sented in their striking and most attractive manifestations, thus leading to a happy and, therefore, helpful development of the perceptive faculties and the scientific habit of thinking and working.
It is frequently urged that we have not the time to devote to these studies in our already over-crowded courses, but we have found that they more than compensate for the time taken by quickening the perceptive faculties, and by leading the pupils to see and think and decide for themselves. In short, these nature studies have infused a tone, a spirit, and an en- thusiasm into every department of our school work. Besides the quickening and broadening influences they exert, they are especially economical in their application, being in an unusual degree susceptible of being imparted through the ordinary and recognized channels of school work, and correlated with read- ing, language work, and drawing.
The outcome of the work should be : of the knowledge of facts, a foundation for later scientific work; of the training, power on the pupil, and of the love for nature, a cultivated mind.
READING.
Reading is getting and giving ideas from the printed or written page. The thought must precede the expression. Have the pupil get the thought, and the expression will naturally follow. To read well is an art, and to teach well is
125
a fine art. Of the rontine work of the school reading must always be inseparable, yet it must never be stifled or lifeless, but always fresh, always vigorous. It is a work to do aside and far above the mere filling the half-hour assigned to it on the progranime.
Reading has a moral power, a refining power, and an elevating influence that can be found nowhere else.
If the teachers and scholars succeed in placing this subject where it belongs, and where it can exert its full educational influence, they will have taken a long step in the right direc- tion. I trust the time is at hand when reading as an art, as a culturing and informing exercise, will take the commanding place in the instruction of the schools that of right belongs to it.
We must keep constantly in mind that the habit of tone and expression is formed in the first two years of the school life, and, therefore, see to it that we have teachers in the pri- mary grade, at least, that are trained for the work, so that in reading, as in other studies, the child may receive the proper start at the outset of his educational career.
MUSIC.
Under the excellent supervision and instruction of the special teacher much progress has been noted in music. The proficiency of the primary classes is marked and unusual, and as primary classes advance and time goes on, we are encour- aged to believe that excellence in musical attainments will be still more prominent throughout all the grades. The teachers are impressing it upon the pupils that as music is one of the presented studies of the course, careful attention and study must be given to it. They cheerfully co-operate with the special teacher, who has shown himself most faithful and efficient in advancing this department of our conrse.
126
DRAWING.
A special teacher has been employed to supervise and direct the subject of drawing in our schools. A definite and progressive course is being outlined for the several grades, and the subject will be systematically pursued throughout the whole course.
The past few years have shown improvement in methods of teaching almost every study in our schools, but in no single branch has the change been greater than in the teaching of drawing. And the demand that drawing shall be taught systematically in our schools is imperative, if we want our schools to be in line with the best and to give our children the advantages of the times.
The study of drawing trains and develops the highest faculties of the mind. It trains judgment, promotes accuracy, cultivates a quick perception, and gives skill to the hand. From the industrial side it trains the hand and mind to work together, one to supplement the other.
It reaches out and touches in a helpful way every part of the educational plan. In the primary grades we are training the child to a knowledge and appreciation of form, and to express form in various ways. In the upper grades the work receives broader expansion in the three divisions of drawing, - construction, representation, and decoration.
Miss Robinson, our special teacher, has had successful experience in teaching drawing, and large opportunity in fitting herself for her work.
IN GENERAL.
The course of study recently outlined is being followed as far as the somewhat changed condition in our schools will per- mit. Especial prominence we are trying to give to what may be termed the practical branches, arithmetic, writing, and grant- mar, and our teachers are using the topical method in teaching
1
127
as far as practicable. The text book may be used as a guide, but the pupil is encouraged to find out for himself from every available source all he can of the subject under consideration. Thus he is in a measure thrown upon his own resources, and we see "self-reliance going hand in hand with book-knowledge." In addition to the broad and accurate knowledge the pupil may acquire by this method of considering a subject, he also learns the worth of books and how to use them.
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