USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Plainville > Plainville, Massachusetts annual reports 1906-1912 > Part 7
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To-day finds the school with about twenty-five pupils. Business conditions are largely responsible for this. The desire of the boys and girls to be earning something, and the forgetfulness of parents that the best and most paying positions are dependent upon a good education, must result in a curtailment of the present high school advantages.
The efforts of the committee in behalf of the schools have been most ably furthered by our Superintendent, Mr. Geo. C. Minard, whose tact and judgment in handling school complications, as well as his general ability as a school official, has been fully appreciated by us. For de- tailed information in regard to school work, we refer to his report.
We recommend the following appropriations for the ensuing year :
Teachers' wages, care and fuel, $5,500.00
Superintendent's salary, 450.00
Incidentals, 400.00
Books and supplies, 350.00
Respectfully submitted,
RUFUS KING, BENTLEY W. MORSE, GARDNER WARREN.
School Committee of Plainville.
5
ANNUAL REPORT.
FINANCIAL REPORT.
MONEY AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOL PURPOSES.
Teachers' Wages, care and fuel,
$5700 00
Incidentals,
400 00
Books and supplies,
300 00
Temporary school accommodations,
150 00
Superintendent of Schools,
225 00
Dog tax,
343 89
Interest on School Fund (Wrentham)
23 84
Interest on School Fund (Plainville)
6 67
Total,
$7149 40
EXPENDITURES.
Teachers' wages, care and fuel,
$5157 42
Incidentals,
252 94
Books and supplies,
315 11
Superintendent's salary,
375 00
Temporary school accommodations,
180 00
Total,
$6280 47
Teachers' wages, care and fuel,
$5700 00
Dog tax,
343 89
Interest on Wrentham School Fund,
23 84
Interest on Plainville School Fund,
6 67
Received for coal used by town,
6 75
$6081 15
Expended,
5157 42
Unexpended balance, $923 73
6
ANNUAL REPORT.
INCIDENTAL ACCOUNT.
Appropriated,
Expended,
$400 00 252 94
Unexpended balance,
$147 06
BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
Appropriated,
$300 00
Expended,
315 11
Overdrawn,
$15 11
SUPERINTENDENT'S SALARY.
Appropriated,
$225 00
Expended,
375 00
Overdrawn,
$150 00
TEMPORARY SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS.
Appropriated,
$150 00
Sale of stove,
28 00
$178 00
Expended,
180 00
Overdrawn,
$2 00
7
ANNUAL REPORT.
INCIDENTAL ACCOUNT.
B. W. Morse, $1 49
Fuller-Warren Co.,
1 20
Ginn & Co., 3 48
Transportation, car tickets,
57 50
N. J. Magnan,
5 25
W. M. Hall & Co.,
26 43
No. Attleboro Gas Light Co.,
13 44
G. A. Hancock,
2 97
C. N. Moore,
7 50
E. C. Barney,
16 04
Silas Schofield,
1 00
A. R. Block,
1 20
Norfolk Press,
1 50
F. W. Kling & Co.,
14 67
Plainville Land Co ..
9 10
A. S. Philips,
13 50
A. W. Greene,
2 00
Geo. W. Green,
6 93
R. H. Conant,
2 00
Beal Press,
9 60
G. W. Howland.
11 90
J. P. Ballou,
1 00
Plainville Pharmacy,
22 23
H. E. Thompson,
3 31
John Greven,
4 50
Sanitas Co.,
1 70
E. P. Carpenter,
10 00
A. S. Bishop,
1 00
A. F. Lewis Co.,
50
Total, $252 94
8
ANNUAL REPORT.
BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
Edward E. Babb & Co.,
$47 56
J. L. Hammett & Co., 106 77
D. C. Heath & Co.,
11 34
American Book Co.,
48 00
Benj. Sanborn Co.,
18 58
Ginn & Co.,
67 98
Attleboro Sun Co.,
7 00
Houghton-Miflin Co ..
2 79
Hartiq Nissen,
2 25
Boston Music Co.,
2 84
Total,
$315 11
9
ANNUAL REPORT.
Superintendent's Report.
To the School Committee of the Town of Plainville :
GENTLEMEN-My first annual report on the schools of Plainville is herewith submitted, this being also the first in the series of reports.
During the past year there have been no special changes in the general plan of our work. Our courses of study and general regulations have remained practically the same, and we have had opportunity to observe the beneficial results from several innovations of the two pre- ceding years.
Some comment should be made, however, on our new building, recently erected at the Centre. It is especially appreciated at this time, since the fire of over a year ago has kept three of our schools in temporary quarters from then until January of the present year, with consequent discomfort and inconvenience to both teachers and pupils. Our new building is a model in comfort, convenience and appearance. In heating, lighting, ventillating and sanitary arrangements, it has the best equipment obtainable. The children of the next twenty years will have abundant cause for gratitude toward our public spirited citizens of to-day.
On the evening of January 1st, appropriate dedication exercises were held in the new Town Hall. At the close of the program, the building was presented a beautiful flag by the Ladies of the Relief Corps, Geo. H. Maintien Post, and thus was placed before our coming citizens an ever- present symbol of their future destiny and its obligations.
We find that our regulation which permits first year pupils to enter school only during the first four weeks of
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ANNUAL REPORT.
the Fall term, results in better progress with those already enrolled. And the placing of the First Grade pupils in a room by themselves is giving their teacher the opportunity which she needs, that of giving these little children in- dividual care and protection. A child probably learns more during the first year of his school life than during any other one year of his entire course. This is both by reason of nearly absolute ignorance of what life really is, and also because of the wonderfully curious and impressionable state of his mind. Every object, every sound, every little experience, inward and outward sensations,-all are to him phenomena, requiring patient explanation. How very im- portant it is then, that the conceptions which he forms in early life are accurate and good. And how very important it is, that he be placed in the care of a suitable person, whose whole attention is given to himself and to those of his own age.
Our teachers are, without exception, laboring diligent- ly and conscientiously, and their results in most cases are praiseworthy. We have suffered from numerous changes, but this of course is to be expected in smaller towns. I sincerely believe that the Centre schools are more progres- sive at the present time than ever before.
The establishment of a Ninth Grade has proven fully as beneficial as anticipated. Pupils are entering the High School more thoroughly prepared than was possible at the end of the eighth year. Then, too, the added maturity is helpful to those about to enter upon higher studies.
The High School is materially strengthened by the addition of a third teacher. It is to be greatly deplored that this institution is not more generally patronize by our own people. There are doubtless sufficient young men and women of Plainville, between the ages of fourteen and nineteen, to form a High School of seventy-five pupils. But these young men and women who might be mak- ing a high-grade school for their town and a high-
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ANNUAL REPORT.
grade class of labor for future profit to their indivi- dual selves, are working at occupations which are as limited in their opportunities for advancement, as they are lacking in qualifications necessary for entering. Good paying positions so easily procured, are as easily lost, and " hard times," which recur periodically and inevitably, leave " the man without a trade," stranded. Particularly is this true if he is engaged in an industry as fickle as jewelry making. No industry feels financial stringency much more promptly. In dull times there is small room for unskilled workmen. Then, these young men and women with scanty educations, will have difficulty in find- ing employment with which to "tide over." Therefore, it is far-sighted for parents to give these young men and women the very best education that their means can afford. I believe that every one of our youth, who is mentally and physically capable, should learn some trade or profession. I do not mean that every boy and girl should go to college. For I do not favor turning good blacksmiths into poor preachers, nor good musicians into inferior lawyers. But every boy or girl of average ability has some natural in- clination. There is something that he or she can learn to do well. Given a High School education and a trade, and he always has capital. He has something which cannot be stolen, swindled or slandered away from him. We solicit the moral support AND the patronage of the citizens, in our efforts for the High School. We cannot make the institution a success, without both. We need moral sup- port and students more than we need money.
The district schools remain about the same. From force of circumstances, they are unable to keep pace with the graded schools, with the consequent loss to the pupils attending. There seems to be a growing sentiment throughout the state, in favor of better schooling for the children of the rural sections. Doubtless, in time this feel- ing will pervade our own districts.
12
ANNUAL REPORT.
With your permission, I shall incorporate in this re- port a few of the more ordinary school laws. A little more familiarity with these laws on the part of parents, and more rigid adherence on our part will perhaps yield a more creditable record of attendance in the schools. I rerget to have observed in the State Report for 1904-1905 that only two towns in the county had a lower percentage of attendance than Plainville has for the past year. To stand twenty-seventh in the list of twenty-nine cities and towns in the county, is not a position of which to be proud. Can we not move a little nearer the top ?
For more detailed accounts of the High School, the music and the drawing, I would refer you to the appended reports.
I thank you, gentlemen, for your hearty support and co-operation during the past year.
Yours very respectfully, GEO. C. MINARD,
Superintendent of Schools. Feb. 1st, 1906.
13
ANNUAL REPORT.
PLAINVILLE, MASS., Feb. 13, 1906.
Superintendent G. C. Minard :
DEAR SIR :- In preparing my report about the Piain- ville High School, I have gathered considerable informa- tion that I think is interesting. Perhaps that concerning the present occupations of the forty-three pupils which I have had in my charge, while I have taught in Plain- ville, may form a pleasing opening for this report. Last June three pupils graduated from the school. One of these, while living at home, gives instruction in music : another is taking a college course at Brown ; and the third is employed in a jewelry factory. Fifteen have left the school for the following reasons: The parents of two moved out of town; two went to Dean Academy ; one is at home housekeeping; one is at home sick; and nine have gone to work. The remaining twenty-five form our school at present.
The average attendance of the twelve boys and thir- teen girls, who are now members of the school, is, as shown by our register, about ninety per cent ; but if allow- ance were made for sickness, the average attendance would be about ninety-seven per cent. This shows that there is more sickness among our pupils than is usual among pupils of their age. And in this connection let me say that more than two-thirds of the High School pupils report to me that they have trouble with their eyes. The number of cases of tardiness and dismissal is smaller than it was last year. The pupils, who have made this improvement pos- sible, should be given much credit for their endeavor.
As information about the "Home Duties " of our pupils and the " work performed for money" by them may not be gained as conveniently by you as by myself I
I4
ANNUAL REPORT.
will try to state here what I have ascertained about these subjects, and the results which I think follow this twofold labor. My pupils, with one exception, report that they help in the duties which are common to all households. Certainly this is very pleasing, and is as it should be, I be- lieve. Twelve pupils report that they work for money outside of school hours. In several cases their parents as- sure me that it is not necessary. As a rule I would say that those pupils, who are not engaged in money-gathering, are the most ambitious in their school work, do the best in that work, and show the best spirit of ready obedience to the wishes of their teachers.
As a help to the teachers I wish a short and conve- nient arrangement might be made by which the busy parents of our pupils could tell us about the health, likes and dislikes, favorite games, amusements, and pastimes. and the characters of the playmates and companions, of the children whom they send to the High School. We should also like to know whether our pupils prefer to spend their time at home or elsewhere, how much time their " Home Duties " require, how much time they can spend on school work at home, whether or not they are taking any culture study at home, such as drawing, painting, or music, and we should also like to know what the plans of our pupils are for the future. Perhaps a good way to get all this in- formation would be an exchange of social calls by the teachers and parents.
In closing I would like to suggest that our reference library be increased, as we do not have access to any public library ; that there be a general examination of the eyes of the High School pupil by a competent specialist, and his recommendations made known to the parents of our pupils; and that the parents urge their children, who are in the public schools, to direct their energies principally to school work.
Very sincerely submitted, G. W. HOWLAND, Principal.
-
15
ANNUAL REPORT.
PLAINVILLE, MASS., Feb. 1906.
Superintendent G. C. Minard :
DEAR SIR :- It is hard to tell of the work in drawing, year after year, because the work is planned for the whole nine years' course and each year's work is but one step. The steps are made according to the fitness of the children to take up the work, and now that the fourth grade is doing what was once only attempted three grades higher up, shows the advance made. The color work has been put on a firmer basis and more technical work has been done. This has been made possible in the lower grades, by the use of a new colored crayon, which much more nearly ap- proximates the standard colors than anything it has been possible to get before.
This knowledge of color and harmonies is very im- portant and will be of practical use later, in house furnish- ing and decorating. In the same line with this, we are to study the lives and works of some of the most famous painters and preserve in book form, something written about the artists and their pictures, illustrating these by inexpensive reproductions. This will be found a most use- ful thing in the future, when pictures are to be bought for the home or public building, for after years of picture study which shall include the works of artists of many dif- ferent nations, a fine and discriminating taste should be found.
The new school building with its fine proportion and simplicity of line will always stand as an example of good taste and will exert a great influence on the children. The school rooms also, when they have a few good pictures and casts will be doing the same good work.
16
ANNUAL REPORT.
The High School drawing is progressing, the free hand class are working in color in a very intelligent way and the mechanical class are doing very good work in their line. The next work taken up will be plans for a small house worked to scale. In submitting my report I wish to thank you and the committee for continued sup- port.
Yours very respectfully.
MABEL BRIGHAM,
Supervisor of Drawing.
17
ANNUAL REPORT.
PLAINVILLE, MASS., Jan. 26, 1906.
Superintendent G. C. Minard :-
DEAR SIR :- As the end of the year approaches, and I look back to see what has been accomplished in music, I feel that we have been steadily gaining, each year a little in advance of the preceding, and that the year just passed has in many ways been the best year since my supervision,
Individual work is still our method especially in the lower grades and I feel that much of our success is due to that.
The High School is beginning to do good work. Dur- ing the first of the year the work did not progress as well as we hoped it would, owing largely to the condition of many of the boys' voices, which were in a period of transi- tion.
At present, conditions seem to be improving and the boys, and in fact the entire school, are working with a zeal and pleasure that will surely produce good results. We have been generously supplied with good working material and the school has showed its appreciation of it, by earnest effort.
Sight singing has been one part of our work and a successful part. The song singing has been excellent and more songs learned than during any preceding year.
I wish to express to the teachers my sincere apprecia- tion of their faithfulness and co-operation that has had much to do with our present success.
Thanking you and the school committee for your sup- port and generosity in supplying our needs, I am,
Yours truly, MARTHA C. TISDALE, - Supervisor of Music.
18
ANNUAL REPORT.
STATISTICS.
SCHOOL CENSUS, SEPTEMBER, 1905.
Number of boys between ages of five and fifteen
97
" girls 94
Total
191
Number of boys between ages of seven and fourteen
65
girls 6
75
Total
140
School statistics for school year ending June 30, 1905:
School
Total member- ship.
Average member- ship.
Average Percent. of Attend- Attend- ance. ance.
High
45
34
30
88
Grades VIII and IX 25
21
18
89
VI and VII
36
33
30
90
IV and V
34
29
26
89.6
..
1I and III
40
31
30
97
Grade I
35
21
17
80
Blake's Hill
19
14
12
86
Shepardville
13
C.
8
88.8
Total membership for year. 247.
Average membership for vear, 192.
Average attendance for year, 171.
Per cent of attendance, 88.5.
Ranking order, in per cent of attendance : Grades II and III, 97 per cent. Grades VI and VII, 90 per cent.
-
19
ANNUAL REPORT.
Grades IV and V, 89.6 per cent. Grades VIII and IX, 89 per cent. Shepardville, 88.8 per cent.
High, 88 per cent. Blake' Hill, 86 per cent. Grade I, 80 per cent.
Enrollment, fall term, 1905, and directory :
School
Grade XIII- 3
Teacher.
Geo. W. Howland, Principal Bertha M. Bray, Assistant Marion E. Dimond, Assistant
Grade IX -16
VIII-16
VII -16
Grammar
VI -15
V -14
IV -15
Grade III -22
Mabel M. Sutton.
Primary II -19
.6
I -33 Elizabeth A. Dugdale.
Ungraded
Blake's Hill-17 Sarah E. Payson. Shepardville- 7 Evelyn Johnson.
Total 216
Instructor in music, Martha E. Tisdale.
drawing, Mabel J. Brigham.
High " XII -10 XI - 9 " X - 4
Anna H. Ware.
Mary E. T. Rowe.
Emily L. Ellison.
20
ANNUAL REPORT.
ROLL OF HONOR.
The record of Marshall Root shows perfect attend- ance for the past four years.
The only pupil neither absent nor tardy during the year ending June 30, 1905, was Marshall Root.
Perfect attendance for two terms:
Russell Borden
Lillian Hancock
Frank Holden Alma James
Mary Root
Perfect attendance for one term:
Charlotte Austin
Gladys Austin
Eda Barney
Charles Brunner
George Brunner
Marion Burke
Sadie Butler
Ida Corbin
Anna Golden
Harold Lewis
Hiram Mowry
Gertrude Nash
Harold Nash
Clifford Pond
Raymond Prew
Thomas Virgin
Clifford Whiting
Francis Zilch
Victor Zilch
21
ANNUAL REPORT.
SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 1906.
Winter term of High School begins Jan. 2. .. . common schools " " 8. Winter term of all schools closes March 23. Spring term of all schools begins April 2.
common schools closes June 15. High School . 6 " 22.
Fall term of High School begins Sept. 5.
" common schools " 10.
all schools ends Dec. 21.
Winter term of all schools begins Jan. 1. 1907.
HOLIDAYS.
Feb. 22, April 19, May 30. Thanksgiving Day and day following.
PAY DAYS.
Feb. 2, Mar. 2, Mar. 23, April 27, May 25, June 15, June 22, Oct. 5, Nov. 2. Nov. 28, Dec. 21.
STORM SIGNAL.
Three double blasts of the whistle at Schofield & Melcher's factory at 8 a. m. signifies no morning session. The same signal at 12.05 p. m. signifies no afternoon session.
22
ANNUAL REPORT.
CLASS OF 1905. PLAINVILLE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION EXERCISES.
MOTTO-"HOHER" CLASS COLORS-BLUE AND WHITE.
THURSDAY EVENING, JUNE 29, 1905 AT 8 O'CLOCK METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
PROGRAM.
March by School
Invocation
Rev. Hasse Enwall
Song-"Pretty Village Maiden" Rimbault
School
"The United States Life Saving Service" Helen Amelia King
"Marching Song" F. Abt
"The Haymakers"
F. Abt
Trio (Chorus of Girls)
"Roman Manners and Customs"
Mabel Irene Hinton
Song-"The Lost Chord" Sullivan
School
"The Russian Land Policy"
Leroy Swallow
23
ANNUAL REPORT.
Song-"Drift my Bark" Kucken
Duett (Chorus of Girls)
Presentation of Diplomas Superintendent G. C. Minard
Song-"To Thee O Country" School
Eichberg
Benediction
Rev. Hasse Enwall Class 1905
Helen Amelia King, President
Mabel Irene Hinton, Treasurer Leroy Swallow, Secretary Teachers George W. Howland, Principal Bertha Bray, First Assistant Marion Dimond, Second Assistant Martha Tisdald, Teacher of Music Mabel Brigham, Teacher of Drawing School Board Rufus King, Chairman Bentley Morse Gardner Warren George C. Minard, Superintendent
Piano loaned by Kirby Music Store, No. Attleboro.
24
ANNUAL REPORT.
FROM THE REVISED LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH
OF MASSACHUSETTS RELATING TO PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.
SCHOOL CENSUS.
CHAP. 43, SECTION 3. The school committee of each city and town shall annually ascertain and record the names, ages and such other information as may be required by the board of edu- cation, of all children between five and fifteen years of age, and of all minors over fourteen years of age who cannot read at sight and write legibly simple sentences in the English language, residing in its city or town on the first day of September, and such record shall be completed on or before the fifteenth day of November. Whoever, having under his control a minor over five years of age, withholds information sought by a school committee or its agents under the provisions of this section or makes a false statement relative thereto, shall be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars.
SCHOOL REGISTERS.
CHAP. 44, SECTION 11. The several school teachers shall faithfully keep the registers of attendance daily, and make due return thereof to the school committee or to such person as the committee may designate. No teacher of a public school shall receive payment for services for the two weeks preceding the close of any term until the register, properly filled up and com- pleted, is so returned. All registers shall be kept at the schools, and at all times during school hours shall be open to the inspec- tion of the school committee, the superintendent of schools, the truant officers and the secretary and agents of the board of education. In reckoning the average membership and the per-
25
ANNUAL REPORT.
centage of attendance in the schools, no pupil's name shall be omitted in counting the number of persons belonging to the school and the number of absences of such persons until it is known that such pupils has withdrawn from the school without intention of returning or, in the absence of such knowledge, until ten consecutive days of absence have been recorded; but the foregoing provision for computing the average membership and the percentage of attendance shall not affect proceedings against habitual truants, absentees or school offenders, or other persons, under the provisions of section one of chapter forty-four and sec- tions three, four and five of chapter forty-six. A pupil who is not present during at least half of a session shall be marked and counted as absent for that session.
COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE.
C'HAP. 320, SECTION 1. Section one of chapter forty-four of the Revised Laws is hereby amended by inserting after the word "age". in the second line, the words :- and every child under sixteen years of age who cannot read at sight and write legibly simple sentences in the English language,-so as to read as follows :- Section 1. Every child between seven and fourteen years of age, and every child under sixteen years of age who can- not read at sight and write legibly simple sentences in the English language, shall attend some public day school in the city or town in which he resides during the entire time the public day -chools are in session, subject to such exceptions as to children, places of attendance and schools as are provided for in section three* of chapter forty two and sections three, five and six of this chapter. The superintendent of schools or, if there is no superintendent of schools, the school committee, or teachers acting under authority of said superintendent or committee, may excuse cases of necessary absence. The attendance of a child upon a public day school shall not be required if he has attended for a like period of time a private day school approved by the school committee of such city or town in accordance with the pro- visions of the following section, or if he has been otherwise in- structed for a like period of time in the branches of learning re- quired by law to be taught in the public schools, or if he has al- ready acquired such branches of learning, or if his physical or mental condition is such as to render such attendance inexpedient
26
ANNUAL REPORT.
or impracticable. Every person having under his control a child as described in this section shall cause him to attend school as herein required ; and if he fails for five day sessions or ten half' day sessions within any period of six months while under such control to cause such child, whose physical or mental condition is not such as to render his attendance at school harmful or im- practicable, so to attend school, he shall, upon complaint by a truant officer and conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not more than twenty dollars. Whoever induces or attempts to induce a child to absent himself unlawfully from school, or employs or harbors a child who, while school is in session, is absent unlaw- fully from school shall be punished by a fine of not more than fifty - dollars.
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