USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Brimfield > Officers' Report of the Town of Brimfield for the Year Ending December 31, 1915--The Journal Print, Palmer, Ma. 1916. > Part 4
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490
S. Arthur Carrol,
20.00
83
640 S. Arthur Carrol.
10.00
641 W. E. Wetherell,
36.50
652 C. A. Roper,
15.20
728 Willard Wetherell,
24.00
$237.10
HIGH SCHOOL FUEL.
209
R. W. Sawin,
$ .48
269 L. Wilcox, 1.50
274 F. J. Hamilton,
18.81
276 R. W. Sawin,
.36
340 : R. W. Sawin,
.22
344 F. J. Hamilton,
18.81
468
F. J. Hamilton,
246.60
614 G. E. Hitchcock,
4.00
733 B. F. Perry,
.50
$291.28
HIGH SCHOOL MISCELLANEOUS, OPERATING EXPENSES.
16 Webster & Southbridge Electric
Light & Gas Co., $1.41
76 Webster & Southbridge Electric Light & Gas Co., 1.64
217 Milton Bradley Co.,
9.00
251
Webster & Southbridge Electric Light & Gas Co., 1.64
275
Webster & Southbridge Electric Light & Gas Co., 1.06
353 H. A. Wales Co., 2.70
405
Webster & Southbridge Electric Light & Gas Co., .78
476
Webster & Southbridge Electric Light & Gas Co., .68
505 Webster & Southbridge Electric Light & Gas Co., 1.57
84
648 Webster & Southbridge Electric Light & Gas Co., .75
704 Webster & Southbridge Electric Light & Gas Co., 1.17
772 Gage Bros. 6.00
795 Webster & Southbridge Electric Light & Gas Co.,
.75
822 Electric Express, .15
$29.30
HIGH SCHOOL MAINTENANCE.
60
Electric Express,
$ .66
81 Central Mass. Electric Co., 2.50
82 H. C. Maddocks, 4.75
138 H. C. Maddocks,
15.11
273 John H. Noyes,
1.50
570 E. E. Babb & Co.,
4.12
572 Canning Electric Co.,
2.16
731 Central Mass. Electric Co.,
2.75
732 A. T. Thompson & Co.,
2.50
$36.05
HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY.
63 New England Library Binding Co., $11.70
494 New England Library Binding Co., 23.15
703 M. Anna Tarbell, 10.00
. $44.85
HIGH SCHOOL SUNDRIES
ยท
12 R. W. Sawin,
$ .44
15 Adolph Lindstedt, 5.00
342 Oval & Koster,
5.60
345 George F. Kenney,
24.18
346 Valley Press,
13.75
348 W. L. Larson, 2.50
85
349 L. H. Church, 2.00
352 Ruth T. Abbot, 2.00
576 Palmer Journal,
4.00
651 E. Lindstedt,
2.50
$61.97
VOCATIONAL SCHOOL, GENERAL EXPENSES.
466 R. V. Sawin.
$1.80
778 F. A. Wheeler,
3.48
$5.28
VOCATIONAL SCHOOL INSTRUCTOR'S SALARY.
112 Irving G. Davis,
$125.00
143 Irving G. Davis,
125.00
211 Irving G. Davis,
125.00
321 Irving G. Davis,
125.00
395 Irving G. Davis,
125.00
428
Irving G. Davis,
125.00
461 Leslie E. Abbott,
113.25
535 Leslie E. Abbott,
108.00
608 Leslie E. Abbott,
109.00
692 Leslie E. Abbott,
108.00
750 Leslie E. Abbott,
108.00
$1,296.25
VOCATIONAL SCHOOL TEXT BOOKS.
213 E. E. Babb & Co.,
$3.93
394 E. E. Babb & Co.,
6.13
464 Leslie E. Abbott,
12.55
467 W. A. Henry,
1.50
472 Orange Judd Co.,
.90
473 Mendota Book Co.,
1.02
543 E. E. Babb & Co.,
1.50
609 Orange Judd Co.,
5.60
86
610 Macmillan Co.,
10.53
695 American Book Co.,
1.67
696 Macmillan Co.,
4.93
$50.26
VOCATIONAL SCHOOL SUPPLIES.
146 R. V. Sawin,
$1.25
148 Irving G. Davis,
1.13
322 P. A. Upham, 1.00
395 Irving G. Davis,
.45
461 Leslie E. Abbott,
.60
464 Leslie E. Abbott,
1.83
469 Hill Smith & Co.,
3.10
536
Supt. of School, Concord,
2.20
537
Weaver Hardware Co.,
3.76
538
H. E. Wright & Sons,
.55
539 Oliver Ditson,
1.66
540
Moher & Grosch,
1.60
545
A. H. Bartlett,
7.00
608
Leslie E. Abbott,
2.40
693
J. W. Adams Nursery Co.,
2.50
694 Forbes & Wallace,
1.20
750
Leslie E. Abbott,
2.55
$34.78:
VOCATIONAL SCHOOL, NEW EQUIPMENT.
1.44 IV. E. Bedell,
$42.59
145 Marcy Lumber Co.,
22.42
147 J. Walter Brown,
3.00
212 Allen Chair Company,
27.00
214 Electric Express,
2.67
435 Spramotor Co.,
25.57
541
Ames Implement Co.,
6.50
$129.75
87
VOCATIONAL SCHOOL SUNDRIES.
113 Valley Press,
$1.75
470 R. S. Fay,
3.00
474 J. G. Wilson, 25.45
535 L. E. Abbott,
10.63
542 R. L. Whitney,
5.48
611 W. A. Davis,
5.91
$52.22
The auditors have examined the bills of the School Committee and find them correct.
LEON S. OLIVER, PENUEL A. PARKER,
Auditors.
88
SCHOOL APPROPRIATIONS NEEDED FOR 1916.
In accordance with the recommendations of the State Board of Education, the school committee has prepared the folowing "Budget" to submit to the voters. The classifica- tion of items is that required for use in making the annual report to the State Board. The estimates have been arrived at by a consideration of the expenditures of the last two or three years and the present needs of the schools.
General Expenses :
School Committee,
Salary,
$70.00
Expenses, 20.00
School Superintendence,
Salary, . 540.00
Expenses, 50.00
Expenses of Instruction,
Supervisors' salaries,
250.00
Teachers' salaries,
3200.00
Textbooks,
150.00
Stationery and supplies,
150.00
Operation of School Plant.
Janitors' service,
350.00
Fuel, 400.00
Miscellaneous expenses of operation,
50.00
Maintenance of School Plant,
Repairs, replacements and upkeep,
250.00
Auxiliary Agencies,
Promotion of Health,
25.00
Transportation,
1,200.00
Miscellaneous (Insurance, tuition, etc.),
100.00
Total, $6,805.00
89
It is estimated that there will be received during the present year the following sums available for support of schools :
Income State school fund, $1,200.00
On account superintendent's salary,
375.00
Tuition state wards,
375.00
Transportation state wards,
175.00
$2,125.00
It has been customary for the school committee to use for school purposes the amounts received from these various sources without action by the town. The question has been raised as to whether the committee can legally do this. That these moneys cannot be legally used for other purposes is apparent from statutes governing their disposal.
With reference to the income received by the town from the state school fund, Section 3, Chapter 41 of the Revised Laws provides that "it shall be held by the town treasurer and shall be expended only for expenses in maintenance of th public schools authorized by the school committee."
Section 45, Chapter 42 of the Revised Laws provides for the disposition of the $375 received by the town on account of the employment of a superintendent of schools as follows: Three fifths of it "shall be paid for the salary" of a superintendent, and two-fifths "shall be paid for the salaries of teachers employed in the public schools."
With reference to the money received for the tuition and transportation state wards, Section 4, Chapter 44 of the Revised Laws states that "The money received by cities and towns under the provisions of this section shall be applied to the support of schools."
The committee does not object to the passing of a vote appropriating the above amounts to the uses prescribed by statute, but sees no necessity for such action.
Assuming that the above total of $2,125.00 is available for school purposes, there remains a balance of $4,430.00 which the town is asked to appropriate in a lump sum.
90
The above detailed budget is intended to show the ap- proximate amounts that will be spent under each heading. But as some of the amounts received from the state are available for application to any of the above, it seems best to ask that the full amount be appropriated in a lump sum.
HITCHCOCK FREE ACADEMY.
Hitchcock Free Academy is maintained as a town high school with money coming from three sources :
The income from the instruction fund in the hands of the trustees,
The annual grant of $500 from the state,
Tuitions received from other town and reimbursed to them by the state.
The agreement between the Trustees of Hitchcock Free Academy and the town of Brimfield provides that the money turned over to the town from the income of the instruction fund shall be used for high school maintenance.
Section 1, Chapter 200, Acts of 1906 as amended by Chapter 427, Acts of 1908 provides that if a town of the population of Brimfield maintains an approved high school, "it shall be entitled to receive annually-toward the support of such high school the sum of five hundred dollars."
Your committee fails to find any definite provision in the statute law of the state that the money received for tuition of high school pupils shall be used for high school maintenance. As it is the general understanding that this shall be done, in order to avoid any possible misunderstand- ing in the future, we recommend that a vote be passed at the town meeting that all money received for tuition of pupils in Hitchcock Free Academy be appropriated for High School support.
91
VOCATIONAL AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT
Your committee recomends an appropriation of $1,600 for the maintenance of the vocational agricultural depart- ment of the Academy for the current year. This appro- priation will represent the gross, not the net, expense of the department to the town. Basing our estimate on the returns made to the State Board for the nine months ending August 31, we find the net expense will be approximately $700.00.
Respectfully submitted, ROBERT V. SAWIN, Chairman. MARTHA E. STREETER, Secretary. JOHN H. NOYES.
Report of the Superintendent of Schools
To the School Comittee of Brimfield :
Herewith is submitted for your consideration my four- teenth annual report. 1
CHANGE IN THE STATUS OF THE VOCATIONAL SCHOOL.
The year has witnessed one change of considerable im- portance in the organization of the school system. As a re- sult of action taken at the last annual town meeting, the independent vocational argricultural school established in August, 1914, became a department of the town high school.
So far as the aid received from the state is concerned, the change has had but little effect. Under the former ar- rangement the state contributed one-half of the total cost of maintenance. Now the state contributes two-thirds of the salary of the instructor. In general it may be said that the plan of the state is that the local community and the state shall share and share alike in the maintenance of vocational schools.
Under the new arrangement the school becomes a de- partment of the high school. The relations existing be- tween the vocational school and the Academy must be inti- mate. The vocational school pupils take studies under other teachers than the agricultural instructor ; they meet in the same building with the other pupils of the Academy, attend the same opening exercises, and are subject to the same discipline. During that part of the year when the agri- cultural instructor is away, they take all their work from the other teachers.
With these several matters in common, making neces- sary constant intermingling and adjustment, it becomes evi-
93
dent that there is much advantage in having one principal in authority over both departments.
COST OF THE VOCATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
As stated in the report of the school committee, the net cost of the argicultural department to the town for the year ending December 31, 1915, was $639.83. This is not ex- cessive nor out of proportion to the cost of the other courses given at the Academy. Indeed, the cost per pupil for those in the commercial course is even greater than for those tak- ing agriculture.
In considering the cost of the agricultural department, it must be remembered that the classroom instruction is only a part of work of the agricultural instructor. To this should be added the extension work of various kinds; the farm survey work, the dairy testing work, the various farm demonstration meetings. There can be no doubt that the presence of the school and its instructor in the town of Brimfield has had a stimulating effect on the agricultural in- dustry of the town.
THE COURSE OF STUDY IN THE AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.
The course of study in the agricultural department is designed to cover four years, and ranks in dignity and cul- tural opportunities with the other courses given at the Acad- emy. While it is distinctly vocational, the work in agricul- ture is planned to occupy but one-half of each school day, the other half being available for the so-called cultural stud- ies. Credit towards admission to the extent of three units may be secured at the Massachusetts Agricultural College for the courses in agriculture. Two units a year of other work is expected of an agricultural student, and a capable student can take three, so that at the end of his four years' course, he should be graduated with all the units of work re- quired for entrance to the State Agricultural College. The report of the instuctor in agricultural follows :
94
REPORT OF THE INSTRUCTOR IN AGRICULTURE.
The second annual report dealt with the Vocational Agricultural work of the first complete year and showed good progress made.
We now present a report of what has been accom- plished during the past year and of the work in progress.
We present the following statistics relative to the- school membership:
For the year August 31, 1914 .- August 31, 1915.
Average membership, 13.3
Graduated by Diploma,
1
Graduated by Certificate, 3
For the Fall term ending Dec. 1, 1915.
Total enrollment, 18
Average membership, 10.56
Total enrollment, 11
During July a change was made in instructors. Mr. Leslie E. Abbott was appointed as successor to Mr. Irving G. Davis, who so ably started the school. The project work of the year, however, continued uninterrupted.
A few words are in order in regard to the relation of these projects with the economic and industrial life of the community. In selecting a project with the boys, it is planned that the project shall not only form an integral part of the farm organization at the student's home, but it is planned to help meet the agricultural needs of the com- munity. The needs of the student are, in fact, the needs of the community to a great extent. Agriculture is the only occupation that the community affords our rising genera- tion. If we are to vitalize our social and economic welfare, it behooves us to educate our growing boys and girls in Agriculture rather than along lines that tend toward the industrial life of the city.
The list of projects for the year included eight (8) in poultry, four (4) in fruit, three (3) in potatoes, two (2) in gardening, two (2) dairying, one (1) in corn, one (1) in swine and one (1) in stock raising. Home projects have
95
been a fundamental element in the school course. Cost ac- counting is practised on all projects. From the above named projects, we are able to give the following figures :
From all projects,
Net Profits, $1,067.12
Paid Selves for Labor on Projects, 456.79
Total Income of Pupils on Projects, $1,523.91
Income of Parents on Projects
of Pupils for rent, seed, etc., $319.04
Total Family Income from Projects, $1,842.95
The boys also won prizes at the fall fairs amounting to over $65.00.
The system of accounting during the year has been the simple daily time sheet of last year, adequate to the needs of the younger students. Day books and journals have been purchased for the older students to start a system of accounts in the spring better adapted to larger farm busi- ness.
However true it may be that the student has been a successful farmer and scholar and has been trained in the science and technique of Agriculture, the broader commun- ity needs have been kept present before the student.
Project study in gardening, fruit raising, and poultry was started in October. With the opening of spring, the projects will be able to be continued more actively. In ad- dition to the project study, laboratory work, field trips, and recitations in the fundamentals of fruit, poultry, and gar- dening have been a part of the school work. Much stress was laid on the insect and plant disease study, problems of increasing local importance. Field trips for purposes of observation and of collecting specimens, demonstrations, and practicums have greatly enhanced the work.
During the fall, part of the term was given up to apple, corn, and stock judging. Due to the uncertainty with re- gard to the cattle quarantine and the need of time for other purposes, the stock judging was limited almost entirely to
96
the review for previously trained students, entering the stock judging contests at the fairs. At the Brimfield Grange, Palmer and Sturbridge fairs, the boys won in judg- ing and prizes on vegetables, stock, and poultry as part of their projects over sixty-five dollars ($65.00). They also won in teaming and other exhibiting.
The instructor has co-operated with Miss Price of the Hampden County Improvement League in Home Econ- emics. A large number of prizes were won in canning at the Brimfield Grange, Sturbridge, and Palmer fairs. Win- ners in the exhibit held at the Agricultural School room were elegible to compete in the State contest, where several prizes were woll.
The agricultural instructor has had local supervision of the Agricultural club work. Twenty-minute talks each week from the middle of April till the close of school for the pupils above the fourth grade and including the Acad- emy were held and the home gardens received close super- vision during the summer. An exhibit at the end of the season was held in connection with the Grange fair and prizes were awarded. Prizes were also won by club mem- bers in the State contest this winter.
Last spring a night school on potato growing was con- ducted and as a result seven farmers started fields under improved methods. Weather conditions hampered the re- sults. However, a good showing was made. In August, Prof. Waid was secured and an all day trip to the fields was made and nearly every one reported the trip highly successful.
Poultry fattening demonstrations have been carried on during the summer and fall and marked improvements in results have been secured. A movement has been started to have broilers hatched early. Several are preparing for earlier hatches.
Orchard inspections have been conducted and new dis- eases and insects identified. In several instances, troubles have been reported and methods of control are in progress. A new spray pump has been purchased and the school is
97
to take part in the state-wide demonstration conducted by the agricultural instructors and County agents. A night school is planned for the latter part of January and February along these lines.
New asparagus beds are being started under the ad- vice of the school.
Hay top dressing demonstrations were conducted dur- ing the summer and positive results have been obtained in all cases.
A resurvey of the farms of the Brimfield area is being conducted. Factor sheets with a record of the business of the year 1914 and circulars explaining better methods of farm organization are being returned. A meeting for the discussion of farm management problems was held the lat- ter part of December.
The dairy work conducted by the school for the year has been to distribute milk sheets and record books, to test for butter fat, figure rations, and hold meetings for the de- velopment of dairy work.
Close working relationships have been kept up with the Massachusetts Agricultural College and the Hampden County Improvement League. The League and the Agri- cultural school have worked together in arranging public meetings and securing the services of the Agricultural Col- lege.
On account of the ever increasing demands upon its time, the County agent service of the State is finding it nec- essary to work with groups of farmers rather than to give individual attention and it is towards this closer relationship with the farmer the Agricultural school is trying to attain.
LESLIE E. ABBOTT, Agricultural Instructor.
98
BENEFITS COMING FROM THE NEW STATUS OF THE ACADEMY.
The agreement entered into between the town of Brim- field and the Trustees of Hitchcock Free Academy was dis- cussed in the last annual school report.
Much needed improvements have been made during the year in the Academy building by the Trustees which would have been impossible under the old arrangement because of lack of money. While these improvements have been due to the activity of the Academy Trustees rather than the school committee, and have been paid for out of the income of the building fund, they are a source of gratification to every one interested in the school affairs of the town.
By the erection of a partition an additional class-room has been provided at the Academy. The interior of the building has been refinished in most excellent taste, the sys- tem of electric lighting has been extended throughout the building, a new steam boiler has been installed, and a stere- opticon and a radiopticon have been secured. All these rep- resent an expenditure of over a thousand dollars, and have greatly improved the appearance of the building and the fa- cilities for doing work.
In the agricultural department a cabinet and six tables have been added to the equipment ; and in the manual train- ing department the boys under Mr. Kenney's direction are now constructing some work benches for the use of the de- partment.
COMMERCIAL COURSE.
During the year two new type-writers has been pur- chased, and stenography and community civics have been added to the curriculum. With these additions the school is now prepared to give a satisfactory commercial course.
SUPPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL.
As the tuition rate of thirty dollars per annum charged last year when combined with the amount received from
99
the Trustees and the state grant of $500.00 did not pro- duce sufficient income to meet the expenses of the school, the school committee with the approval of the State Board this year advanced the tuition rate to sixty dollars a year. It is believed that with this new rate the school can be main- tained at its present standard without any appropriation whatever from the town.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC.
Mr. F. A. Wheeler, Sup't. of Schools :
I am glad to report continued gain in the progress of music in the Brimfield schools. The first two years were given over almost entirely to the reading of notes, that of course being one of the chief aims. To help this, a splendid set of books containing sight singing exercises has been placed in the schools.
The second point in which there has been a lack is in pitch. This takes some time to remedy, but a number of cases have been corrected in the last two years, and we are . hoping for the rest. I admire the spirit of willingness the scholars have shown in helping to correct this fault.
The third point which we have especially tried for this year is better tone. I think we have succeeded in securing this. It is rather difficult to keep the pupils toned down and yet not dampen their spirits. Those who understand music know it must be spontaneous. Children are easily discouraged. So we have rubbed the corners very gently, with good results.
There has been a noticeable improvement in both rooms at East Brimfield this year. I wish you might hear Miss Wallace's pupils sing some two-part exercises. The teach- ers are all standing by splendidly. I am glad to look for- ward to the year's work with them.
MYRTLE ASH, Supervisor of Music.
100
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING.
Mr. F. A. Wheeler, Supt. of Schools :
The ability to draw freely and spontaneously, as well as the appreciation of the best things in practical and aes- thetic lines, is of great value to every one. The teacher of drawing does not aim to make artists of the pupils, but tries to develop the power of appreciation, realizing that practical experience in drawing and painting is the only way children can acquire observant and discriminating eyes. As drawing is a favorite subject with most children, much can be done to give them knowledge of what is good in shape, space-filling, and color.
Pupils work with greater interest and effectiveness if they see tangible results, and where the use of the object is apparent. For this reason construction work is of value. also design in the decoration of constructed objects, and object drawing in booklets.
In the lower grades emphasis has been laid on original illustration of stories, and incidents of every day life. This is the natural graphic expression of the interests of children. The children have taken to clay modelling with much zest. Here they get the understanding of form in three dimen- sions. Another excellent way to get knowledge of form is the practice of free-hand cutting of objects. At the holiday season, extra time was devoted to making tree decorations, and gifts of reed and raffia projects, calendars, booklets, greetings, and so on.
At Hitchcock Academy, as in the graded schools, at- tention was given to nature drawing and color during the fall months, which are so rich in material. Use was made of these nature sketches in conventionalization and appli- cation to holiday gifts. The advanced class has achieved success in the line of raffia and reed basketry.
The general lines of work may be summed up under the following heads ;- a progression from one to another with appreciation and good taste as the ideals; nature drawing and color; constructive drawing and design; pic-
101
torial drawing and composition ; plant drawing and decora- tion.
The supervisor wishes to express her appreciation of the support given her by the superintendent and school committee, and of the kind co-operation of the teachers.
RUTH L. CONNER, Supervisor of Drawing.
REPAIRS ON SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
The school buildings in use are on the whole in good repair. Permit me to repeat my recommendation of last year that new seats and desks be purchased for the West Brimfield school. The ones now in use there are very old and badly dilapidated.
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