USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1900-1903 > Part 32
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In the business world an equally insistent demand was making itself heard. As the volume of business doubled and quadrupled and business-men came more and more to count the minutes as well as the hours, the need of something more legible. simple and practical than the elaborate forms of the slant style of writ- ing had been pressing with inereasing weight upon those persons whose business necessitated the reading of mueh mannscript. This need had been only partly relieved by the invention of the typewriter. for there will always be a large amount of writing which must necessarily be done by hand. Whatever may be the beauties of slant writing when well executed, the average writing of the average business-man was undeniably poor. Too many valable hours were wasted in attempts to decipher illegible manuscripts. At the same time that Mr. Newlands was evolving his new style of writing books, business-men here and there were independently working out a vertical hand of their own.
The rapidity with which vertical writing made its way, when ouce its advantages began to appear, was nothing less than amaz- ing. It marks one of the most phenomenal educational changes of the last decade. Instead of suffering the setbacks and denun- ciations which usually fall to the lot of any innovation so radical and far-reaching, it has been singularly free from adverse criti- vism, and its acceptance and adoption into our schools has been well-nigh universal, while the teachers of the country are practi- cally a unit in its favor, and already business-houses are beginning to require their emploves to use the vertical style.
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The tendency of slant writing to break down and become un- readable is a matter of common experience with us all, while vertical writing, however poorly done, is always absolutely legible. This virtue of legibility appeals strongly to the busy person to whom time means money. Its legibility and its hygienic and economic advantages are now so much a matter of general knowl- edge, so almost obvious, that one seldom hears a word of disap- proval. The occasional objector's argument usually consists of the formula. "I don't like it, it is not pretty." Sneh persons should be reminded that the chief use of writing is to furnish a record to be read. not to be looked at as an object of art. Also that the function of the public schools is to teach the useful rather than the ornamental. If after leaving school individual preference leads some persons to desire to slant the letters in either direction, the simple legible style already learned will lend itself readily to modification, and such persons will not easily fall into the illegible, unworkmanlike writing so common among the hurried writers of to-day. In other words, a simple, natural vertical seems to furnish the best possible foundation for a neat. legible, and rapid handwriting.
The Norwood schools have recently adopted the Natural Sys- tem worked out by Mr. Newlands. This system is the simplest and apparently most natural one, so far as any handwriting can be said to be natural. It has been approved by such eminent educators as President G. Stanley Hall, Dr. Scripture of Yale College. Dr. O'Shea of the University of Wisconsin. Dr. Shaw of New York, Professor John Dewey of Chicago University, and many other leading schoolmen of the country. With their corps of well-trained. skilful teachers Norwood schools will. we hope, be able to show that children can be taught to turn out writing that is not only neat and legible, but produced with reasonable ease and rapidity. No effort will be made to teach any so-called ornamental writing. The only beauty aimed at will be the beauty of simplicity. harmony and practical utility, a beauty far more to be desired than that of, meaningless curves and Hourishes. which bear about the same relation to good writing that a chromo does to a Corot, or a cheap half-tone print to a good engraving.
All possible effort will be made to train every pupil to write a neat and absolutely legible hand, in an easy natural way.
Respectfully submitted, EVA LOUISE MILLER. Supervisor of Penmanship.
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC.
I take pleasure in referring to the mnsie in the Norwood Pub- lie Schools. While our work in this department is not up to the standard we hope to achieve. still an advance has been made, and our work has been better systematized during the past year. At present we are securing the best results from the primary grades. It is quite evident that music is a popular study with the pupils. I believe if pupils were marked in music, the same as in other studies. that it would be of material benefit to this department of school work.
According to the present division of time. fifteen minutes a day is devoted to music, except in the two lower grades. where twenty minutes is allowed. This is ample time. and I believe that pupils should feel that the school committee expect them to render a good account of the time devoted to this subject. And I suggest in addition to the daily effort that two tests in musical theory be given during the year to the six upper grades. The mark from such tests to count one half and their daily effort the other half, and the result to be shown on their report cards.
When teachers are unable to teach music satisfactorily. I have suggested an exchange of work with some other teacher. I he- lieve the best interests of the pupils are thereby seenred.
I appreciate sincerely the cordial support of the Superintend- ent and thank the School Board for its generous treatment of our musical interests. The teachers have one and all been ear- nest in their efforts.
Yours respectfully.
B. HAROLD HAMBLIN,
Supervisor of Music.
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REPORT OF PRINCIPAL OF HIGH SCHOOL.
I take pleasure in presenting iny second annual report for the' High School.
The number of regular pupils attending the High School dur- ing the year beginning September 5, 1900, has been 67. classified as follows : Seniors 15, Juniors 15. Sophomores 6, Freshmen 31. There is very little difference in enrollment between this year and last. Last year the number of regular pupils at the opening of school was 65. This muumber was reduced to 56 by the end of the year. Of these 13 were graduated out of a class that numbered 46 on entering the school. It will be noticed that the present entering class is not so large. Of the thirty-six gradu- ates from the ninth grade last June. twenty-eight entered the High School.
The present tendency of high schools to introduce business. courses, together with the success with which they are carried on. make it seem advisable that the step be taken here as soon as the membership of the school increases sufficiently to warrant it. The present prospects indicate that such an increase is likely to take place. As a step toward the introduction of such a course it would be beneficial to have typewriters put in and instruction given in their use. This instruction would be of value in itself aside from its acknowledged worth as an aid in the teaching of spelling and language.
Appended will be found the course of study. Considerable. latitude has been allowed to scholars who wish to change from one course to another, or who wish to take studies out of the special course they are in. The number of recitation periods per- week in the different courses varies between fifteen and sixteen .. While this is sufficient to require all the energies of the majority of pupils. there are some who can easily take more, and the courses are so arranged that additional work may be taken. In the case of those fitting for college or scientific schools this is often necessary to comply with the conditions of admission.
The fact that our member of school years has been one less than in most towns of Massachusetts. with the additional fact that the school year has not been the full forty weeks long. has.
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made it hard in the past to satisfy the conditions of the college entrance requirements .. The change in these respects ought to make it easier to fulfil these conditions without crowding more work on the pupils than they are easily able to do. as has been the case in some instances during the past two years.
I wish to thank the Committee for their generous support of the school during the past year.
Respectfully. N. A. CUTLER. Principal. .
L
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COURSE OF STUDY IN HIGH SCHOOL.
CLASSICAL.
SCIENTIFIC.
GENERAL.
FRESHMAN.
Latin
1 Latin
4
Physical Geography 4
French
1 French
1
French
4
Mathematics
1 Mathematics
1 Mathematics 4
English
1 English
4
English
4
SOPHOMORE.
Greek
4 History
History 3
Latin
1 Latin
4
Geology and Botany 4
French
3 French
French
3
English
3 English
English
3
Mathematics
" >
Mathematics
Mathematics
JUNIOR.
Greek
4 Physies
5
Physics
5
Latin
1 Latin
4
History
3
English
English
3
English
Mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics
History
French
French or
Book-keeping
3
SENIOR.
Greek
1 Chemistry
Chemistry
5
Latin
4
Latin
4
*
4
English
English
3
English
3
History
History
3
History
3
Mathematics
1
French
French
3
French
1
The numbers at the right refer to the number of recitation periods per week.
Drawing is required during the first two years and may be elected either one or both of the last two.
*some study suited to the special needs of the class.
·
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SCHOOL STATISTICS.
TEACHERS.
SCHOOL. GERADE.
Number
Registered.
Average
Attendance.
Salary
Per Year.
N. A. Cutler, Principal
High
68
62
$1,300
41. Florence Ditmars.
6.
68
612
800
Elzura A. Chandler
..
68
62
700
Lila B. Lewis
68
62
550
A. P. Wagg. Principal
Everett
1.400
Cora A. Polk ..
600
Anna K. Perkins.
46
450
Bertha F. Howard
7 & 8
4.)
40
425
Willma E. Bowden.
44
40
475
S. Lonise Rhodes
45
500
Charles II. Taylor, Principal
Guild
6
14
3
750
Grace B. Whitford
500
Julia R. O'Brien
450
Nan J. Grindle
-47
4.5
425
Lizzie M. Fisher
4-4
41
500
Grace Stoddard
1
53
450
Florence M. Ferry
59
50
500
Grace M. Train.
..
1
51
46
500
Grace K. Blackman
47
40
425
Florence Hill.
North
2 & :
51
500
Mande A. Woods
1
52
39
450
lennie Naylor
East
39
35
475
Martha B. Parker
66
1 × 2
38
34
500
Henriette Wenzel
West
2 & 3
50
46
425
Annie G. White. .
..
1
35
30
500
Carolyn M. Young
Balch
3 × 4
38
425
Marion D. Shepherd
1 × 2
45
38
475
B. Harold Hamblin, Supervisor of Music.
400
Annie AA. Robinson, Supervisor of Drawing.
400
Eva L. Miller. Supervisor of Pen- manship.
400
Alice L. MeIntire, Assistant and Teacher of Physical Culture.
450
Mary A. MeClearn, Teacher of Sew- ing.
150
Totals
1233 1100
$18.625
. .
38
450
Marion F. Maddocks
..
5 -1-12
56
52
43
..
..
.)
45
425
Florence M. White
:,
500
Julia M. Donovan.
..
..
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REPORT OF TRUANT OFFICER.
I leg to submit the following report of my work as truant officer :-
Number of cases investigated. 54
Number found to be truants.
13
Number arrested, convicted, and placed on probation.
1
Number detained at home unnecessarily.
.. .: .. on account of sickness. 28
..
.. · insufficient clothing, 6
The above covers the current school year. I report each day at the office of the Superintendent. and all instances of absence which are reported to him are promptly investigated, and the reason for the absence returned on the blanks provided for that purpose.
Respectfully submitted.
M. D. CREED.
Truant Officer_
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" Spectemur .Igendo."
GRADUATION EXERCISES OF THE CLASS OF 1900 NORWOOD HIGH SCHOOL. VILLAGE HALL. JUNE 19, 1900.
PROGRAMME.
March.
Karl Linders. Chorus. "Water Lilies."
Prayer.
Salutatory and Essay. .. Old Shrines and Ivy." SARAII WILLES RUSSELL.
Song. - 'Tis Morn." A. Giebel.
SELECTED CHORUS.
Essay. - Saint Cecilia."
GERTRUDE EVELYNN FARNSWORTH.
Solo. " The Little Puritan Maiden." J. C. Macy.
EMMAA FRANCES NILES.
Address.
PROF. JOHN M. TYLER OF AMHERST COLLEGE.
Chorus. " High School Bells." A. F. Loud.
Valedictory Address. .. Spectemur Agendo."
HATTIE MADGE CLARK.
Awarding of Lane Medals.
Presentation of Diplomas.
GEORGE W. CUSHING.
Class Song. Song. " America."
Audience will please rise and join in the singing.
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CLASS SONG.
We are starting on a journey To the unknown lands of Time : May our motto. going with us, Help to brighten ev'ry clime.
Year by year we've worked together In these halls we love so well. Side by side, with duty guiding. We have striven to excel.
On the threshold we assemble, Though we longer would remain.
Waiting but for one brief parting Ere we seek the goal to gain.
As we start ont on life's conquest Reaping fruits of what we've sown.
In our joys and in our sorrows " Let us by our deeds be known." SARAH W. RUSSELL.
GERTRUDE E. FARNSWORTH. PIANIST.
GRADUATES.
Classical Course :
HATTIE MADGE CLARK, EMMAA FRANCES NILES, SARAH WILLIS RUSSELL ..
2.9
Scientific Course :
GEORGE ALTON ALDEN. GERTRUDE EVELYNN FARNSWORTH, GEORGE FRANCIS METCALF, CARL ABBOTT PERKINS. CHARLES JAMES RICH, CHESTER HOLLIS WILLIAMSON.
English Course :
ALICE LILLIAN GIFFORD, JOSEPHINE ELIZABETH KELLEY. ELEANOR VIVIAN KING, MARY ELLEN LEK.
W
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TWO
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PURG
SYMBOLS Vitrified Pipe Sewers Cast Iron Pipe Sewers Manholes in Sewers Size of Sewers ....
Surface Water Inlets Catch Basıns
Proposed Catch Basis -
MAP of the TOWN OF NORWOOD
SHOWING
PROPOSED SEWERAGE SYSTEM 1901
Scale
FREEMAN C COFFIN CIVIL AND HYDRAULIC ENGINEER 53 STATE ST BOSTON, MASO
WALPOLE
5
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WASHINGTON
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11
FILTRATION
ISTRICT
N
REPORT
OF THE
Committee on Sewerage
FOR THE
TOWN OF NORWOOD, 1
MASSACHUSETTS,
1901.
NORWOOD, MASS. : ADVERTISER AND REVIEW PRESS. 1901.
١٠
REPORT OF COMMITTEE.
To the Voters of Norwood :
At the town meeting held Dec. 11, 1900, the following article appeared in the warrant, viz .: -
" To see what action the town will take in regard to a system of main drains and common sewers and such other works as may be required for a system of sewerage disposal for the town, and to raise and appropriate or borrow such sums of money as may be required for a thorough examination, and report on the subject matter of this article."
The Committee appointed under that article have thoroughly investigated the sewerage problem and now respectfully submit the following report and recommendations : -
The first duty was to secure a competent and practical engineer, and after deliberate consideration the services of Mr. Freeman C. Coffin of Boston were obtained. His complete report you will find herewith, also a plan of the town showing location of sewers, filter beds, etc., and the estimated cost of the entire system, also the report of the State Board of Health, approving the plan in general, and the Act of the Legislature. This act, if accepted by the town, gives the necessary authority to issue bonds and construct a system of sewers, etc. About thirty miles has been surveyed, and it will be observed that the engineer has presented a very complete plan, covering all parts of the town, and of sufficient capacity to take care of the sewage for the next forty years. While the plan is comprehensive, the committee does not advocate, nor is it necessary, to construct the entire system for the whole town at the present time; but rather to relieve the
4
thickly settled parts that actually need attention. This can be accomplished for a reasonable sum by building each year certain sections, and not be a burden to taxpayers. The sewage from the Central District reaches the filter beds by gravity, and consequently the cost will be much less than if it had to be pumped.
This Central or Gravity District embraces the thickly inhabited part of the town, and here sewers should be constructed ; but in the opinion of your committee the two areas designated as the Pleasant Street Pumping District and Purgatory Brook District will not be required to be sewered for many years; this will, therefore, reduce the cost a considerable sum.
The land for the proposed filter beds, while not a great distance from the centre of the town, is back from the street and away from dwelling-houses, where the sewage will not be in any way offensive to the sight or smell, and the character of the soil is well adapted for the purpose. The natural lay of the land and gravelly soil will be an advantage in constructing the filter beds at a minimum cost.
The committee think they have made good use of the town's money, and the town has for an asset a map, profiles of streets and fields surveyed, with detailed estimates of costs for each street, etc.
The health of the town demands sewers. From a business standpoint the growth of the town will be promoted, as it will invite people to locate and build who want clean and healthy surroundings. The committee are unanimous in the belief that Norwood needs a system of sewers, and do, therefore recommend that the town accept by vote the Legislative Act of 1901 :- "Chapter 311. An act to authorize the town of Norwood to construct a system of sewerage." Having accepted this act, we also recommend the town to vote to appropriate $100,000 to be expended in the purchase of about thirty-five acres of land and to construct five acres of filter beds and eight to ten miles of sewers in such streets and places as the sewer commissioners and engineer designate, and in accordance with the plan or system
5
herewith presented, and that the work commence at once as soon as practicable.
We hope the result of our efforts will be most satisfactory to you and that Norwood will soon have the beginning of a sewer system, economically constructed, adequate to present needs, and one which can be extended yearly as necessities demand.
FRANK A. FALES, Chairman, EBEN C. NORTON, W. F. TILTON, J. F. CALLAHAN, WALDO H. BIGELOW, Secretary.
May 16th, 1901.
ENGINEER'S REPORT.
BOSTON, April 15, 1901.
HON. F. A. FALES, Chairman,
DR. E. C. NORTON,
Committee on Sewerage,
MR. W. F. TILTON, MR. J. F. CALLAHAN,
Norwood, Mass.
MR. WALDO H. BIGELOW, Secretary,
Gentlemen :
The following is a report, made in accordance with your instruc- tions, upon a system of sewerage and sewage disposal for the town of Norwood, and also upon the surface drainage system of the town.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
After an investigation of the conditions and a study of the subject, I recommend the following :
First. That the " Separate Sewerage System " be adopted, and that the surface water be discharged through separate channels into the natural water courses at the nearest available points, substantially as at present.
Second. That the sewage be treated by intermittent sand fil- tration upon an area lying south of the Neponset River and east of Pleasant Street, as shown upon the general plan of the town accompanying this report.
Third. That the sewage be collected by the lateral, main and intercepting sewers, and, with the exception of two low lying sections of the town, be discharged by gravity upon the filter beds. That the two low lying sections be provided with collect- ing reservoirs and pumping machinery, by means of which the
7
sewage will be delivered intoethe main sewer from the gravity section, and flow with the sewage from that section to the beds.
SYSTEM OF SEWERS.
The sewers are designed to receive the sewage from all build- ings, but no roof, yard, cellar or other surface or ground water. It is economically important when sewage is treated artificially that all surface water (and ground water in as far as it is possi- ble to do so) be excluded. The use of the separate system of "'sewers in all but the largest cities is now so universal and the desirability of its adoption so well established that it seems unnecessary to discuss it further.
GRAVITY SECTION.
The town is divided in a general way into two sections. One 'may be called the Gravity Section and comprises all of the area of the town from which the sewage can flow to the filtration area by gravity. There are three separate areas which may be described as follows :
First, all of that portion of the town lying west and south of a line drawn through Morse, Washington, Dean, Willow, Pleas- ant, Washington, Howard and Prospect Streets
Second, the area upon the ridge along which Neponset Street runs, and
Third, a small area about Pleasant and Summer Streets next the Walpole line. These areas are shown upon the map which accompanies this report.
The first, or larger of these sections, may be again divided into 'two principal districts, the sewage from which flows to the filtra- tion area throughi separate main sewers. These two districts are divided by a line running from the corner of Dean and Washing- ton Streets across the railroad near the foot of Cedar Street, crossing Walpole Street south of Chapel Street, thence north- westerly across Winter Street, about S00 feet west of Prospect Street, to the town line near Naliatan Street, and have approxi- mately equal areas.
The district on the north side of the above line (which may be
1
8
referred to as the Central District) contains about all of the territory in which sewerage is required at the present time.
The sewage of this district will be collected by an intercepting sewer laid from the corner of Clark and Williams Streets through the valley lying between Monroe and Lenox Streets to Dean Street, just east of the Walpole Branch Railroad, and from this point will flow through a main sewer to be constructed parallel with the railroad across the Neponset River to the filter beds.
The district on the south of the above line, which may be called the Hawes Brook District, has little or no need of sewer- age at present, except to provide for the wastes of Winslow's tannery upon Endicott Street. The sewage from that part of this district which is west of Walpole Street will be collected at the junction of Walpole and Endicott Streets and flow through a main sewer, through the latter street, past the tannery, across the railroad, through the field, crossing Washington Street 350 feet south of Hawes Brook, to Morse Street, thence following Morse Street to a point east of the Walpole Branch Railroad, thence running to the main sewer from the Central District and joining the same at a point near Pleasant Street.
PUMPING SECTIONS.
The remainder of the area of the town is situated at an eleva- tion so low that the sewage from it cannot be delivered by gravity to the filtration area, but must be pumped.
The area from which the sewage must be pumped is also divided into two districts. One of these, which may be desig- nated as the Pleasant Street Pumping District, comprises sub- stantially the area north of Hawes Brook, east of the Midland Railroad, the intercepting sewer of the gravity section, and south of Cross Street.
It is proposed to collect the sewage from this district in an underground reservoir on Pleasant Street near the Neponset River. From this reservoir it will be pumped into the nearest manhole in the main sewer of the gravity system. The pumping station, reservoir and pumping main will be located about as shown on the map. If this section of the sewerage system were
9
to be installed at the present time, the following pumping plant would be recommended : Two vertical submerged centrifugal pumps, with a capacity of 200 gallons per minute, each driven by a 5 H. P. gasoline or oil engine.
The estimate of cost of this station is based upon the above described plant.
It is not certain, however, that if the construction of this sec- tion is postponed for several years, as it seems likely to be, the plant described above will be the most available or economical at that time. The town may then have a municipal lighting plant, in which case electrically driven pumping machinery may prove to be the best.
At the present time and under the present conditions this plant is recommended as combining the lowest first cost with the least annual expenditure for fuel and attendance.
The pumping for many years to come will probably require but a short time each day, and, as the station is near the filter beds, the man in charge of the latter can operate the pumps. An oil or gas engine does not require a skilled engineer. It can be started in a few minutes, and may be left to run without attendance, and stopped automatically. As soon as stopped the consumption of fuel ceases. It is, therefore, a desirable type of power where the amount of work to be done is small and intermittent.
The other low lying district is in the valley of Purgatory Brook and may be called the Purgatory Brook District.
There is little or no need of sewerage in this section at pres- ent, and the following plan may be modified by existing condi- tions when the sewers are constructed. It is proposed to collect the sewage in an underground reservoir on or near Neponset Street at the low point between Pleasant and Cross Streets.
From this reservoir it is proposed to pump it through a cast iron force main to a manhole in the intercepting sewer of the Gravity Section. The pumping plant may be driven by a gas, gasoline or oil engine, by an electric motor, or that form of power which is most available and economical at the time the works for this section are installed.
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