Norwood annual report 1904-1907, Part 9

Author: Norwood (Mass.)
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 1374


USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1904-1907 > Part 9


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556,824


Total pumpage for the year, in gallons,


143,853,454


Number of gallons pumped per pound of coal,


231


Cost of operating, figured on maintenance and repairs,


$5,214 41


Interest at 4 per cent., figured on cost of works, January 1, 1904 ($177,023.65), 7,080 94


Cost of million gallons raised to reservoir, figured on total maintenance, repairs and interest, 85.47


Profit of operation, 1903, figured on maintenance, repairs and 4 per cent. interest on total cost of works,


6,373 97


Profit of operation, 1903, figured on actual payments for interest, maintenance and repairs,


$10,294 92


SUMMARY OF RECORD OF BUCKMASTER'S POND, GAUGE, 1903.


Date


Below Crest (Inches).


Above Crest (Inches ).


Date.


Below Crest (Inches).


Above Crest (Inches).


Jan.


1


60


66


15


26


Feb.


1


37


6


15


39


Mar.


1


20


33


Oct.


1


65


April


1


$6


15


6


2}


Nov.


1


72


May


1


66


15


5}


Dec.


1


90


June


1


15


66


15


20


66


31


92


1


19


66


15


52


Aug.


1


33


15


30


Sept.


1


43


15


55


15


4


15


69


.


The low water mark for the year was from December 15 to Decem- ber 31, ninety-two inches below the crest at the outlet.


The highest level recorded for the year was on April 15, at which time there was six inches of water running over the crest. Samples of water have been sent regularly to the State Board of Health for examination.


MARCUS M. ALDEN, JOHN F. CALLAHAN, WILLIAM F. BAKER, Water Commissioners.


Norwood, February 1, 1904.


15


86


15


91


July


12


FINANCIAL STATEMENT FROM JANUARY I TO DECEMBER 31, 1903.


RECEIPTS.


To balance in treasury January 1, 1903,


$1,228 90


Amount received from water rates,


January 1 to July 1, $9,286 17


Amount received from water rates, July 1 to December 3, 8,119 94


-$17,406 11 1


Amount received for water from street watering, 293 94


Amount received for water for spec- ial purposes, 27 70


Amount received from sales of met- ers and materials, 576 75


Amount received for stand pipes for street watering, 292 35


Amount received from Fire Depart- ment for Washington street hyd- rant, 72 48


$1,263 22


-$19,898 23


EXPENDITURES.


By sinking fund requirements, $4,200 00


Interest on $45,000, 4 per cent. bonds, one year, 1,800 00


Interest on $34,000, 4 per cent. bonds, one year, 1,360 00


George H. Morrill, note, 736 41


George H. Morrill, interest on note, 17 54


$8,113 95


MAINTENANCE.


By George A. P. Bucknam, salary one year, $1,099 92


George A. P. Bucknam, use of horse one year, 300 00


H. F. Bucknam, assistant engineer, wages, 767 08


George H. Morrill & Co., 91.43 tons coal @ $5.09, 465 37


Amount carried forward, $2,632 37 $8,113 95


13


Amount brought forward, $2,632 37 $8,113 95


By John Nugent, carting coal,


68 62


George H. Morrill & Co., 9.37 tons coal @ $5.34,


50 04


Curran & Burton, 199.90 tons coal @ $4.40, 879 71


Freight on above, 189 94


John Nugent, carting 209.50 tons coal,


117 13


Morgan Curran, labor on coal,


30 00


Michael Curran, labor on coal,


20 00


T. O. Metcalf & Co., 1,000 letter heads,


5 50


E. B. Thorndike, notices,


17 00


E. B. Thorndike, water bills,


13 00


Hobbs, Warren & Co., cash book,


2 00


Thorp & Martin, index,


3 50


T. O. Metcalf & Co., order book and register,


14 00


C. M. Callahan, legal services,


10 00


Ambrose Bros., notices,


25 00


John McKinnon, repair room,


90 00


Finish for repair room,


3 50


H. Chamberlain, dressing,


25 00


G. E. Sanborn, sink and supplies for repair rcom,


7 69


G. E. Sanborn, supplies, 7 88


Walworth Mfg. Co., fittings and supplies,


17 30


S. J. Corey, soda ash,


4 50


J. Breck Corp., grass seed,


4 15


William Foreman, lead connections,


49 87


Norwood Gas Light Co., gas for office,


5 78


Clark's Grocery, supplies, 2 94


5 34


Freight on supplies,


47


F. A. Fales & Co., fertilizer, 10 00


E. L. Hubbard, repairing and sharpening tools, 24 46


L. G. Marston, express charges for 1903, .3 65


M. D. Creed, use of team, 1 00


Valvoline Oil Co., oil for pumping engine, 76 68


Morgan Curran, labor, pumping station,


18 00


Morgan Curran, labor, inspecting hydrants,


14 00


Morgan Curran, labor, on hydrants,


25 00


Morgan Curran, labor, on service boxes and gates,


26 00


Michael Curran, labor, pumping station,


28 00


Amount carried forward, $4,529 02 $8,113 95


Fittings for pump,


14


Amount brought forward, $4,529 02 $113 95


By Michael Curran, labor, on hydrants, 24 00


Michael Curran, labor, on service boxes and gates, 12 00


Michael Curran, labor, cleaning boiler, 2 00


Morgan Curran, labor, mowing reservoir, 4 00


Morgan Curran, labor, cleaning boiler,


00


T. Dolliher, labor at pumping station,


8 00


T. Dolliher, labor, service boxes,


8 00


E. F. Roby, services as collector, $18,669.33 @@ 1 per cent., 186 69


E. F. Roby, postage stamps and envelopes, 52 50


M. E. Callahan, clerical work, 18 00


$4,846 21


REPAIRS.


By A. H. Cushing, grate bars and freight, $55 09


Fairbanks Co., packing for pump, 18 01


Fairbanks Co., steam trap,


6 65


M. T. Davidson & Co., piston for pump and freight,


96 55


M. T. Davidson & Co., valves and express,


17 00


G. E. Sanborn, supplies and fittings,


12 76


Oil, lock and charcoal for pumping station,


5 90


Repairing meter tester,


2 60


Flue cleaner,


75


Repairs for pump,


3 79


Repairs for meters,


60


John Nugent filling trenches,


4 00


Gravel for Washington and Water Streets, 2 50


Morgan Curran, labor, Washington and Water Street bridge, 6 00


Michael Curran, labor, Washington and Water Street bridge, 6 00


Michael Curran, labor, Washington Street leak, 2 00


Morgan Curran, labor, Washington Street leak, 2 00


Morgan Curran, labor on repairs,


49 00


Amount carried forward, $291 20 12,960 16


15


Amount brought forward, $291 20 $12,960 16


By Michael Curran, labor on repairs, 42 00


Labor caused by change of grade, Railroad Avenue, 33 00


Labor caused by change of grade, Monroe Street, 2 00


$368 20


PLANT ACCOUNT. .


MYLOD STREET EXTENSION.


By J. T. Langford


Furnishing and laying 396 feet 6-inch pipe @ .77},


$306 90


Excavating 2 yards rock @ $3.50, 7 00


Chapman Valve Co.


One 5-inch hydrant,


26 34


Builders' Iron Foundry


3 55


One 6-inch valve,


14 50


One 6-inch cross,


4 73.


Three 6-inch plugs,


1 35


One 6 x 6 x 6 tee,


4 05


Freight on specials,


1 32


$369 74


SCHOOL STREET EXTENSION.


By J. T. Langford


Furnishing and laying 218 feet 6-inch pipe @ .77}, Excavating 19.9 yards rock @ $3,50,


69 65


Builders' Iron Foundry


One 6-inch valve,


14 50


One 6-inch gate box,


3 55


One 6-inch plug,


45


One 6 x 6 x 6 tee,


4 05


Freight on specials,


1 07


$262 48


Amount carried forward,


$13,960 58


$169 21


One 6-inch gate box,


16


MELVILLE AVENUE EXTENSION.


Amouut brought forward, $13,960 58


By J. T. Langford


Furnishing and laying 359 feet 6-inch pipe @ .77}, $278 23 Excavating 4 yards rock @ $3.50, 14 00


Builders' Iron Foundry


One 6-inch valve,


14 50


One 6-inch gate box,


3 55


Two 6-inch plugs,


1 48


Freight on specials,


1 07


$312 83


HYDRANT, WASHINGTON STREET -FIRE DEPARTMENT.


By Chapman Valve Co. One 5-inch hydrant,


$26 34


Builders' Iron Foundry


One 6-inch sleeve,


1 58


One 8-inch sleeve,


2 70


One 8 x 8 x 6 tee,


4 95


Freight on hydrant and specials,


1 40


Morgan Curran, labor, setting hydrant,


8 00


Michael Curran, labor, setting hydrant,


8 00


$52 97


STAND PIPES FOR STREET WATERING.


By Walworth Mfg. Co., five stand pipes and fit- tings, $153 38


C. A. Claflin & Co., five gate valves, 27 01


Chapman Valve Co., five valves, 26 37


Sumner & Goodwin, fittings, 22 32


17 61


William Foreman, lead connections,


7 00


Freight and express,


2 66


Morgan Curran, labor, setting stand pipes,


18 00


Michael Curran, labor, setting stand pipes,


18 00


$292 35


Amount carried forward, $14,618 73


Chadwick Boston Lead Co., lead pipe,


17


CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT.


Amount brought forward, $14,618 73


By J. T. Langford, account driven wells, $ 60 53


Chadwick Boston Lead Co., lead pipe, 372 94


H. W. Johns, Manville Co., covering Washing- ton and Water Street bridge, 147 00


Builders' Iron Foundry, two 6-inch offsetts, 8 19


Fred L. Fisher, twelve pieces 6-inch pipe,


6 00


Hersey Mfg. Co., ten §-inch water meters,


117 80


Union Water Meter Co., twenty g-inch water meters,


209 50


Union Water Meter Co., one §-inch disk water meter, 8 00


H. R. Worthington Co., one §-inch disk water meter, 8 40


National Meter Co., one f-inch water meter,


11 40


Neptune Meter Co., one f-inch water meter, 9 00


1 44


Freight on meters,


50


Morgan Curran, labor on new services, 80 00


Morgan Curran, labor on renewals, 48 00


78 00


Michael Curran, labor on renewals,


47 00


Martin Lyden, labor on new services,


2 50


Martin Curran, labor on new services,


2 00


$1,218 20


REBATE ACCOUNT.


By J. W. Conger,


on service No. 369,


$6 00


Mrs. Margaret Higgins,


66 66


66 852,


2 00


Stephen Conley,


66


66


66


863, 1 50


Patrick Drummy,


66


66


34,


5 50


J. Brennan,


66


66


245,


2 50


Martin Devine,


66


66 746,


1 50


J. B. Hamlin,


66


" Wilson St.,


4 50


F. Readel,


66


219,


1 00


J. P. Brennan,


66


245,


3 00


$29 00


Total orders drawn,


$15,865 93


Balance in treasury,


$4,032 30


Freight on lead pipe,


Michael Curran, labor on new services,


511, 1 50


C. E. Webb,


IS


RECAPITULATION.


For sinking fund requirements,


.


$4,200 00


Interest,


3,160 00


Note, George H. Morrill,


736 41


Interest on note,


17 54


Maintenance,


4,846 21


Repairs,


368 20


Plant account, extensions,


1,290 37


Construction account,


1,218 20


Rebate account,


29 00


$15,865 93


.


This is to certify that we have examined the accounts of the Water Commissioners, and find the same properly kept and vouched.


FRANCIS J. SQUIRES, JAMES E. PENDERGAST,


Auditors.


-


19


COST OF PLANT.


January 1, 1903,


$175,091 83


EXTENSIONS.


Mylod Street, from end of pipe, $369 74


School Street, from corner of Nahatan Street, 262 48


Melville Avenue, from corner of Savin Avenue, 312 83


Hydrant, Washington Street, Fire Department, 52 97


Stand pipes, street watering, 292 35


$1,290 37


CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT.


Service pipes, labor and materials,


$1,218 20


Less sales of meters, etc., 576 75


$641 45


$177,023 65


THIRTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT OF THE


PUBLIC SCHOOLS


OF


NORWOOD, MASSACHUSETTS,


FOR THE


YEAR ENDING JANUARY 31, 1904.


٦


SCHOOL CALENDAR 1904.


TERMS.


Winter term : December 28, 1903, to March 25, 1904.


Spring term : April 4 to June 17, 1904.


Fall term : September 12 to December 23, 1904.


Winter term begins January 2, 1905.


SCHOOL SESSIONS.


In Grammar and Primary Schools : 9 A. M. to 11.45 A. M. ; 1.30 P. M. to 3.30 P. M.


In High School : 8 A. M. to I P. M.


NO SESSION.


The signal for no session is given on the fire alarm at 7.30 A. M. for a suspension of the morning session of all schools. An alarm at S A. M. (when none has been given at 7.30) indi- cates no sessions in all grades below the High School. An alarm at 12.45 indicates a suspension of the afternoon session.


HOLIDAYS.


Thanksgiving Day and the day following; February 22; April 19; May 30; June 17.


MEETINGS.


The regular monthly meetings of the School Committee are held at the office of the Superintendent at 8 P. M., on the first Thursday of each month.


SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE.


Office at Everett School. Office hours, when schools are in session, 8.30 to 9 A. M. ; 3.30 to 4 P. M. daily.


3


ORGANIZATION 1903-1904.


SCHOOL COMMITTEE.


George H. Smith, 193 Walpole St., term expires in Mar. 1904


Marcia M. Winslow, 245 Winslow ave., “


Edward W. Jewett, 244 Nahatan St., 66


66 66 1905


Harold E. Fales, 149 Vernon St., 66


1905


Clifford B. Sanborn, 444 Wash. St., 66


66 66 66 1906


Mary J. Alden, 402 Wash. St.,


66


1906


Clifford B. Sanborn, Chairman.


Mary J. Alden, Secretary.


-


SUB-COMMITTEES.


Finance, Accounts and Claims : Mr. Sanborn, Mr. Smith, ·Mr. Fales.


Text-books and Supplies : Mr. Sanborn, Mr. Smith, Mrs. Winslow.


Teachers and Instruction : Mr. Sanborn, Mr. Jewett, Mrs. Alden.


Janitors, Schoolhouses and Grounds : Mr. Smith, Mr. Jewett.


Fuel and Heating Apparatus : Mr. Sanborn, Mr. Fales.


Music, Drawing, Penmanship and School Attendance : Mr. Jewett, Mrs. Winslow.


Sewing, Physical Culture and Manual Training : Mrs. Winslow, Mrs. Alden.


LOCAL COMMITTEES.


High School : Mr. Sanborn, Mr. Smith, Mrs. Alden. Everett School : Mr. Jewett, Mr. Fales, Mrs. Winslow.


4


1904


5


Guild School : Mr. Smith, Mr. Jewett, Mr. Fales. Shattuck School : Mr. Jewett, Mr. Fales. East School : Mr. Sanborn, Mrs. Alden. Balch School : Mr. Jewett, Mrs. Winslow. West School : Mr. Smith, Mrs. Winslow. Superintendent of Schools : Robert J. Fuller, 21 Maple Street.


REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.


To the Citizens of Norwood :


The members of the School Committee respectfully sub- mit their report for the financial year ending January 31, 1904. Accompanying this report will be found the report of the Superintendent of Schools,/ to which you are referred for in- formation concerning the work of the schools.


FINANCIAL.


The receipts and expenditures of the department were as follows :


RECEIPTS.


Appropriation,


Received for tuition,


$33,500 00 98 50


$33,598 50


EXPENDITURES.


Teachers' salaries,


$22,712 28


Janitors and sweepers,


2,178 04


Heating and lighting,


2,488 32


Books and supplies,


3,823 72


Incidentals and repairs,


1,765 26


Insurance and water rates,


590 25


$33,557 87


Unexpended balance, $40.63.


Special appropriation for furnishing new school, $2,000 00


Expenditures, 1,996 18


Unexpended balance,


$3 82


6


7


TEACHERS.


Mr. A. P. Wagg, who had served as superintendent for three years, announced during the spring term that he would not be a candidate for re-election. From a long list of candi- dates for the position with whom the committee had personal interviews, Mr. Robert J. Fuller was chosen, and assumed charge of the schools as superintendent during the summer.


During the past year, as in several years immediately pre- ceding, the department has suffered to some extent by the loss of several of its strongest teachers, occasioned by more remunera- tive positions being offered them elsewhere. Their resignations have been received by the committee with positive regret, but we feel that as long as the salaries paid teachers in the larger and wealthier communities are so much in excess of those ordinarily paid in a community such as this, these changes can- not be prevented. Resignations cause the greatest interruption of school work when occuring during the school year, and particularly in the midst of a term, as is too frequently the case. Such changes, we believe, can be avoided by binding the teachers by contract to remain throughout the school year, and we intend the coming year to resort to that expedient.


At the opening of the present school year, five additional teachers were added to the regular corps : one in the High School, and four in the new school.


BUILDINGS.


On the opening of the fall term, the new building, named by the building committee the Edmund J. Shattuck School, was not ready for occupancy, and the old North School was opened for the temporary use of the two first grade classes. On October 7th, the new building was sufficiently near comple- tion to be occupied, and the school was opened under the


8


principalship of Miss Ruphelle Luce, six of the eight school rooms being filled. The building is in every respect, a splendid addition to the school accommodations of the town, and is one of which the citizens of the town may well feel proud. By its opening the crowded condition of the schools throughout the town has been fortunately relieved. The two remaining unused rooms of the Shattuck School, it will undoubtedly be necessary to open at the beginning of another school year, as the normal yearly increase of pupils is about seventy-five (75), or two full classes.


The Shattuck School district was laid out by the committee last summer, and is that quarter or section of the town bounded by Washington, Cottage and Prospect Streets and the West- wood line.


When the Shattuck School was opened, the old North School was closed and has remained closed since that time. Just what disposition, if any, is to be made of the building remains, perhaps, for others to say. We believe that for sanitary, as well as other important reasons, the building should no longer be considered available for school purposes, and we would recommend that it be disposed of by the town. We desire to call the attention of the citizens to the fact that every available school room in town, with the exception of the old North School will be filled the coming fall, and additional accommodations must be provided for the following year. The work of the schools should not be seriously hampered every few years, as the inevitable result of a generally over-crowded condition of the school rooms, and we earnestly recommend that action be taken by the town in this matter in sufficient time to provide the necessary accommodations.


There have been no unusual or extensive alterations or re- pairs made the past year, but all buildings have been kept, and are, for the most part, in a satisfactory condition of repair. During the coming year it will be necessary to paint the West


-


9


and Everett schoolhouses and also to paint or tint several of the rooms of the latter building.


APPROPRIATIONS.


We recommend the following appropriations for next year : Teachers,


$24,900 00


Heat and light,


2,800 00


Books and supplies,


3,100 00


Incidentals and repairs,


2,200 00


Janitors, sweepers and truant officer,


2,700 00


$35,700 00


It will be noticed that this is nearly $2,500 in excess of that of last year.


In general this is made necessary by the maintenance of the Shattuck School. Fuel and janitor service for that school have, of course, added substantially to the total expense of those two departments, while the larger portion of the increased estimate is for teachers' salaries. As already stated, five additional regu- lar teachers have been added to the force the past year, and two more will be needed in the Shattuck School the coming year.


A change has also been made in the estimate for water rates and insurance which have hitherto been included as a separate item in the general appropriation for schools. The estimate for water rates is included in that for incidentals, and that for insurance is left for a separate appropriation. This change has seemed desirable for the reason that the selectmen have charge, as we understand it, under instructions from the town, of the in- surance of the school buildings, so that we have nothing to do either with the making up of the estimate or the expenditure of the money appropriated for that purpose. There would seem, there-


IO


fore, no good reason why that item should appear in our ac- counts, any more than that for transportation of school children, and with the approval of the selectmen, we have omitted it from our estimate, and left it for a separate appropriation in charge of the selectmen.


Respectfully submitted, CLIFFORD B. SANBORN, MARY J. ALDEN, EDWARD W. JEWETT, MARCIA M. WINSLOW, GEORGE H. SMITH, HAROLD E. FALES, School Committee.


-


SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.


To the School Committee :


In accordance with your regulations I herewith present my first annual report. It is the thirty-second in the series of annual reports of the schools of this town.


This report, other than the part which has to do with the school statistics, covers only the work of the present school year.


Since September I have become acquainted with the teachers and pupils and have attended to all ordinary details of school routine, such as appointing teachers and substitutes, and issuing cards and labor certificates. In addition to this I have become conversant with the methods by which the work of in- struction and discipline has been maintained. I have been pleascd to note the prosperity of the schools and the gen- eral atmosphere of industry and progress which pervades them. The present condition of your schools and their status among the schools of the county is due to the efforts of the com- mittee, former superintendents and teachers, as well as to the generosity of the tax payer.


Starting then with the schools in a prosperous condition and with a good corps of teachers, it has been my purpose to do everything in my power to maintain this high standing and, if possible, to increase the efficiency of the whole school system. In any town or city this requires the faithful endeavor and honest purpose of the Superintendent, the earnest effort and harmonious support of the School Board, the conscientious and loyal devotion of every teacher and the hearty co-operation of every parent. Without the union of thesc forces any school system will not reach the fullest measure of its possibilities.


II


12


STATISTICS.


Slight changes have been made in the table of statistics for the year. Instead of reporting the exact number of pupils for each term I have reported the number of pupils and attendance for the school year ending June, 1903. 'By comparing these statistics with those of last year you will find that the number en- rolled in the fall of 1902 is essentially the same as the number for the entire year ending last June. From this table you will notice that the enrolment for the past five years shows an annual in- crease of about seventy-five pupils. The addition of two school rooms, with all necessary furnishings and supplies as well as the employment of two more teachers each year is the inevitable result of such a constant increase.


ACCOMMODATIONS.


It is a fact conceded by most educators and thinking men that the individual pupil under the old system of ungraded schools usually received more attention than it is possible to give in a system of graded schools. It is true that while our modern systems are genuine improvements over the old in most respects, in this particular the ungraded school had many advantages. Then the number of pupils in each class was smaller, hence a closer contact, teacher with pupil, a greater opportunity for each pupil to recite and be helped in the recitation. We all agree that this individual work is necessary, We can pro- vide for this training in our centralized schools in two ways, the one, that of putting an assistant teacher in every room con- taining more than forty-five pupils, the other reducing the number of pupils in each room to thirty-five. We have already done something toward carrying out the second idea as there are not over thirty-five pupils in our first grades and not over forty in several other rooms. But in order to continue this and provide for the yearly increase referred to above, it will be necessary, in the near future, to provide more


I3


rooms for our schools. At present there are two unoccupied rooms in the Shattuck School. These, I think, will take care of the increase next fall unless the pupils are unequally distribut- ed as to grades. As increased number of rooms means more teachers, more text-books, and supplies it is easy to understand the increase in expenditure necessary for the coming year.


ATTENDANCE.


Thus far this year our attendance has been broken and irregular mostly because of the prevalence of contagious diseases. Every reasonable means has been resorted to in our attempts to prevent a further epidemic. In spite of all such efforts of the school authorities and Board of Health there remain a few lingering cases.


Believing that these diseases are quite frequently given by children who intermingle on the street, in churches and other public assemblages, I would respectfully urge all parents to exercise due precaution in this regard and consult a physician whenever their children show slight symptoms of diseases of this sort. In this way it will be possible to detect those cases which are so very slight as to require no medical skill although sufficiently contagious to spread the disease quite as much as a really violent case.


From the report of the truant officer you will notice that we still have a few boys and girls who are persistent in remain- ing from school on the slightest pretext. Under the statutes, the superintendent and teachers may excuse cases of necessary absence, although we are not obliged to do so, nor are we forced to accept such flimsy excuses as, "John had to go on an errand," or "the clock was slow" or any excuse which could have been prevented by a little forethought on the part of both parents and pupils. The supreme business of every boy and girl in our schools is to get the greatest possible benefits, from school work in the few years which he or she can devote to study.


14


Nor is the knowledge derived from text-books of as great value in the long run as the self control and manliness or womanliness with which the true teacher imbues her pupils. If then, these boys and girls are allowed to get into slovenly habits by irregular attendance and failure to reach school in time, they will soon lose all interest in their work and the very essence of the whole scheme of education will be lost. If this be true the money which the father or mother pays as taxes is practically wasted. As a business proposition then, I appeal through you to every parent in this town to see that his boy or girl attends school promptly and regularly without forcing us to send truant officers to coerce them into doing their duty.


Cards have been provided for the convenience of parents in writing excuses for necessary absence and tardiness. These cards are kept on file for future reference. By this means the school records are much simplified and the work of the truant officer lessened.




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