USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Plainville > Plainville, Massachusetts annual reports 1913-1921 > Part 11
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114
ANNUAL REPORT.
sale of such liquors and instruct the Selectmen to employ efficient agents and counsel to prosecute such offenders.
ARTICLE 8.
To see of the Town will authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money in anticipa- tion of the revenue of the current financial year.
.ARTICLE 9.
To see what action the Town will take in regard to the collection of taxes the current year. fix the compensation of the Collector, and determine the rate of interest to be charged on taxes remaining unpaid after Nov. 1, 1914.
ARTICLE 10.
To see of the Town will vote to have the surety of the Collector of Taxes, or other Town Officers' bonds, placed with a Fidelity or Guarantee company, and appropriate a sufficient sum of money to pay for the same.
ARTICLE 11.
To see if the Town will authorize the Collector of Taxes to use all the means of collecting taxes which a Town Treasurer may use when appointed Collector.
ARTICLE 12.
To see if the Town will petition the Director of the Bureau of Statistics for an audit of its accounts, in accord- ance with the provisions of Chapter 598 of the Acts of 1910. and amendments thereto.
115
ANNUAL REPORT.
ARTICLE 13.
To choose any committee, hear the report of any com- mittee, and act thereon.
ARTICLE 14.
To see if the Town will accept Lincoln Avenue (so- called ) as laid out by the Selectmen and make an appro- priation therefor.
ARTICLE 15.
To see if the Town will authorize the Water Commis- sioners to extend the water mains in Lincoln Avenue (so- called ) and make an appropriation therefor.
ARTICLE 16.
To see of the Town will authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money after Jan- uary 1, 1915, in anticipation of the revenue of 1915.
ARTICLE 1%.
To see if the Town will appropriate the sum of seven hundred and twenty-seven dollars and thirty cents ($727.30) to pay the Town School Fund note in accordance with Chapter 634, Acts of 1913.
ARTICLE 18.
To determine how the School Fund shall be invested.
ARTICLE 19.
'To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of
116
ANNUAL REPORT.
Chapter 191, Acts of 1907, to allow the Board of Selectmen to act as a Board of Survey. (Recommended by the Select- men. )
ARTICLE 20.
To see if the Town will authorize the Water Commis- sioners to contract with the Town of North Attleboro to supply water to the Town, or do or act in any manner relative thereto.
ARTICLE 21.
To see if the Town will authorize the Selectmen to fur- nish a bond to indemnify the Town of North Attleboro for any suit for damages that may arise on account of supply- ing the Town of Plainville with water.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk in conform- ity to public statutes, at or before the time of said meeting.
Given under our hands and seal of the Town of Plain- ville, this. Sixteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and fourteen.
NATHANIEL C. GRANT, FRED W. NORTHUP, EUGENE S. WHITING, Selectmen of Plainville.
1
9
Annual Report of the School Committee, Town of Plainville
MASSACHUSETTS
PLAIN
ILLE
TOWN of
MASS 16% 28 COLONY
MASS.
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WREN- 1673- -1664
THAM.
E -1905.
...
PLAIN
VILLE
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Nov 29J 7
4.1905.
RATED
APRIL
INCORP
For the Year Ending January the 31st, 1914
School Officials
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
RUFUS KING, Chairman, Term expires 1914
GARDNER WARREN, Secretary, Term expires 1915 CHARLES C. ROOT, Term expires 1916
Union Superintendent for Foxboro, Norton and Plainville IRA A. JENKINS, A. M.
Authorized to issue Work Certificates JENNIE S. DICKSON
School Physician H. L. RICH, M. D.
Attendance Officer E. WRIGHT SARGENT
Report of School Committee
To the Citizens of Plainville :
A careful revision of the school work for the past year shows a slight increase in efficiency over that of previous years, due, in part at least, to the fact that the State Board required that a teacher should be allowed to teach only a certain number of periods in a single day, a requirement which at first was rather hard to cope with, but has been worked out with the best results.
In the acquisition of Mr. Charles Peasley, who succeeded Mr. LeRoy M. Handy as Principal of the High School, the Town has secured a clean, conscientious and honest man and a teacher of more than ordinary ability who has done much to put the standard of scholarship on a high plane in the short time he has been with us.
Otherwise the entire teaching force has remained intact, a fact which adds much to the results obtained.
The Town is exceedingly fortunate in having in its em- ploy so capable and efficient an instructor as Miss Jennic S. Dickson.
Always giving the best of her time and service in teaching. and in whatever else adds to the best interests of the scholars, she has made an enviable reputation for herself.
A slight epidemic of Diphtheria most forcibly again called
8
ANNUAL REPORT.
the attention of the Town's people to the deplorable condi- tion of the sanitaries in the basement.
Fortunately prompt measures by the School Physician and the Chairman of the Board of Health prevented a serious if not fatal outbreak, but the danger has not been averted, nor can be until the Town sees fit to put the sanitaries in a proper healthful condition.
Dr. H. L. Rich has given the Town more than ordinary service, although somewhat handicapped by the fact that he does not reside in town.
We wish to repeat forcibly that the parents do not take the interest in the welfare of their children, while in school, that they should, and urge a much more hearty co-operation between parents and teachers.
During the coming year, several repairs on school build- ings, etc., must be attended to, at no slight cost.
We recommend the following appropriations :
Teachers' wages, care and fuel $5,800 00
Books and supplies 600 00
Incidentals 700 00
School Superintendent 350 00
School Physician
50 00
Respectfully submitted,
RUFUS RING, GARDNER WARREN, CHARLES C. ROOT, School Committee.
9
ANNUAL REPORT.
MONEY AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOL PURPOSES.
'l'eachers' wages, care and fuel
$5,800 00
Incidentals
850 00
Books and supplies
500 00
Superintendent
350 00
State School Fund
1,887 65
Dog tax
370 65
Interest on Town School fund
29 09
State for High School
500 00
State for teachers' wages
100 00
School Physician
50 00
$10,437 30
TEACHERS' WAGES, CARE AND FUEL.
Appropriated
$5,800 00
Teachers' wages from State
100 00
Dog tax
370 66
High School support from State
500 00
Tuition from State
38 00
Tuition, individual
7 50
From Town for coal
24 00
Interest on Town School fund
29 09
Transferred from State fund
1,357 52
$8,226 67
EXPENDED.
Teachers' wages
$5,613 55
Transportation
1,178 00
Care
643 62
Fuel
791 50
$8,226 67
10
ANNUAL REPORT.
INCIDENTAL ACCOUNT.
Appropriated
$850 00
Received from junk
1 12
Expended
$851 12 858 65
Overdrawn
$7 53
BOOKS AND SUPPLIES
Appropriated
$500 00
Transferred from State fund
113 06
$613 06
Expended
613 06
SUPERINTENDENT'S SALARY.
Appropriated
$350 00
Expended
345 00
Unexpended balance
$5 00
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN.
Appropriated
$50 00
Expended
25 00
Unexpended balance
$25 00
STATE FUND.
On hand
$865 14
Received from State
1,022 51
$1,887 65
Transferred to school accounts
1,470 58
Balance in State Fund $417 07
11
ANNUAL REPORT.
INCIDENTAL ACCOUNT. ,
H. Parker $2 50
E. C. Barney, express 2 79
N. J. Magnan Co., basement, lum- ber, etc. 263 33
A. M. Hall, supplies 5 26
Ira Jenkins, stamps, traveling expenses 22 03 Kenny Walkins Co., chairs and supplies 72 90
Carpenter, Howard Co., industrial work 27 78
Alice Burton, pianist
2 00
G. Segar 3 00
T. Shepardson, repairs 9. 25
F. A. Kline, graduation printing 25 00
John Franklin, carpenter work 12 20
Hall and Farris, furnace repairs, pipe, etc. 107 54
Chase & Son, floor dressing, brushes 15 00
Wm. Fontaine, work on barge 1 95
Belcher-Loomis Co., ind. supplies 2 75
J. P. Ballou, clock work 3 50
C. N. Moore 4 00
C. H. Peasley, census and expenses 16 25
J. S. Hammett Co., ind. supplies 3 38
Stone, Underhill Co., sanitary work 197 00
Herman Loud, sawdust 6 00
North Attleboro Gas Co., gas stove 20 00
Carpenter, Howard Co., ind. supplies 9 62
Silas Loud, cleaning buildings 23 62
$858 65
12
ANNUAL REPORT.
BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
Reporter Press, school printing $6 95
Remington Type Co., school printing 1 50
Plainville Press, school printing 4 00
Oliver Ditson, music 2 42
Phonographic Inst., books and supplies 3 98
Birchard Co., books and supplies, 6 12
Hammett & Co., books and supplies 56 20
Babb & Co., books and supplies 298 26
Carl Johnson, books and supplies 22 66
Dodd, Mead Co., books and supplies, 5 00
Allyn Bacon & Co., books and supplies 42 10 Belcher Loomis Co., school supplies 24 78
Houghton, Mifflin Co., books and supplies 10 25
Kenney, Walkins Co., books and supplies 5 90
American Book Co., books 39 83
L. E. Knott Co., laboratory supplies 8 00
C. S. Bush Co., laboratory supplies Educational Pub. Co., books and
11 28
D. C. Heath Co., books and supplies 10 62
Ginn & Co., books and supplies 49 61
A. R. Block, school supplies 60
$613 06
LIST OF TEACHERS JANUARY, 1914
School Grade
Name
Where Educated
Date of Appt.
High
Prin. Charles H. Peasley
Bates and Harvard
1913
Asst. Eudora E. Ripley
Radcliffe
1910
Asst. Nathalie B. Upton
St. Lawrence
1913
Grammar
7-8
Anna H. Ware
Plainville High
1886
5-6
Vivian N. Taft
Framingham Normal
1912
Primary
Prin. Jennie S. Dickson Industrial Work
Salem Normal
1910
Cambridge Training
Hyannis Normal
3-4
Florence R. Brasser
Miss Symonds
1912
Training School
2-3
Dora E. Cole
Goddard Seminary
1912
1
Marion H. Jewett
Miss Symonds
1910
Training School
Music Drawing
Mrs. Martha C. Tisdale Mabel Brigham
New England Conservatory
1903
Normal Art Boston
1902
1
ATTENDANCE TABLE FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR ENDING JUNE 1913
Schools
Total
Enrolment
No. of Males
No. of Females
Pupils between
5 and 15
Pupils between
7 and 14
Pupils over 14
Average
Membership
Average
Attendance
Per cent. of
Attendance
Days absent
Cases of
Tardiness
Cases of
Dismissal
High
48
24
24
20
8
40
43.2
42.
97.2
226
58
34
Grades 7-8
37
18
19
37
32
7
34.3
31.7
92.4
440
47
18
Grades 5-6
41
18
23
41
39
2
36.6
33.8
92.3
82'7
55
28
Grades 3-4
50
26
24
50
50
0
44.2
41.4
93.7
562
36
28
Grades 2-3
49
26
23
49
39
0
38.1
35.7
93.7
468
57
18
Grade 1
42
23
19
42
10
0
33.9
30.
88.5
707
52
24
Totals
267
135
132
239
178
49
230.3 214.6
93.2 3230 305
150
Report of the Superintendent
To the School Committee of Plainville :
GENTLEMEN .- I submit for your consideration and ap- proval the ninth annual report of the schools of Plainville, and my second report.
The work during the year has been along the same general lines as the previous year. Several changes have been made in the program of studies of the high school with a view of meeting the individual needs of the pupils and improving the efficiency of the teachers. Several good text books have been introduced into the grades and number work into the first garde. More work of a practical nature has been done than formerly, work that appeals to the child. The object in view has been to make true-hearted, noble-minded citizens.
TEACHERS.
Mr. Handy, who was principal of the high school, the past year resigned in August. Mr. Charles H. Peasley, a graduate of Bates College and a student of Harvard Uni- versity, was secured for the vacancy. Miss Whitcomb, the commercial teacher for the past two years, resigned during the summer and Miss Nathalie B. Upton, who is a graduate of St. Lawrence University, and who received her business education at Simmons College, was chosen for the position.
No other changes have occurred in the teaching force, a
16
ANNUAL REPORT.
record that has been equalled but once in the history of the town. Such permanency in the corps of teachers must raise the standard of scholarship in our schools.
The teacher's influence in a community should be as great as that of a parent. The State says a teacher "shall impress on the minds of the children the principles of piety, justice and a sacred regard to truth, love to their country, humanity and universal benevolence, sobriety, industry, frugality, charity, moderation and temperance and those other virtues which are the foundation of human society, and a basis upon which a Republican Constitution is founded."
Grave duties these, requiring tact, skill and courage. To accomplish the best results there must be hearty co-opera- tion between teachers and parents.
INDUSTRIAL WORK.
A large room in the basement of the town hall was fitted up last summer for a kitchen and a carpenter shop. We now have a well-equipped kitchen with a gas range and an ample carpenter shop. Excellent work is now being done in those departments. Your attention is invited to the report of Miss Dickson for a detailed account of the work.
1
Report of Special Teacher and Supervisor of Industrial Education
Superintendent Ira A. Jenkins :
DEAR SIR :- The following is a brief report of what has been accomplished the past school year.
The recent change in the High School program and the increased number of pupils in several grades has necessi- tated a different divison of time for my work. Hence more special help has been given the primary than the grammar grades.
After almost four years in my present position, I feel competent to judge the results of special work with our defective pupils. Several who have been incapable of working in the regular classes are now able to take part in class work under the room teacher. Children learn through observing what others are doing as well as by their own activity and all who believe in objective concrete teaching will understand very readily that a defective child ' will gain much by associating with and observing normal children. Therefore I have not allowed any defective pupil to be isolated during school hours or to spend all his time in a small backward class. On the contrary, such pupils are considered regular members of their own grade; they receive class instruction and recite as much as they are able. There is no apparant distinction made between an abnormal and a normal child. In every case the room teacher has been carefully informed of the child's limita-
01
18
ANNUAL REPORT.
tions and also his best qualities. The co-operation and sym- pathy of the teachers in this plan is remarkable and praise- worthy. In our entire school there are no happier children than these. They enjoy school and are making marked progress.
Besides the former class there are those who are back- ward in one subject and have had a struggle to keep up to grade, but now, after several years constant help over hard places they no longer need individual instruction. Some of these little plodders have at last conquered what might have been an everlasting handicap to them and can now show a constant ranking of good or excellent on their re- ports.
Much care has been taken in the proper grading of all pupils. When a child has shown that he is able to advance more rapidly than the rest of the class and that his mind and physical health are equal to heavier mental activity he is promoted to the next grade higher. As all our rooms include two grades, such promotions usually occur without changing to another room. Thus the pupil does not skip any work. At first he is allowed to do partial work in each grade. Then he is given a complete promotion.
If a child has a fair trial in a grade and shows that most of the work is too hard for him even with extra attention he is demoted to the next lower grade. Repetition of one of the first three grades is often quite necessary for some children and I most emphatically advise it as a thorough and sure foundation for the more complicated work which follows.
The Industrial classes include more children than pre- viously. All the girls of the third and fourth grades are being taught the elementary steps in sewing and weaving,
19
ANNUAL REPORT.
while the boys are engaged in card-board construction. The fifth and sixth grade girls are doing excellent sewing under the supervision of their own teacher. Cutting and making garments from commercial patterns and the use of the sewing machine are taught the seventh and eighth grade girls every Friday afternoon.
The addition of the new manual training room and kitchen in the basement of the Town Hall building has been a great benefit to the school. Much time has been saved by having a room where equipment and work may be left and not interfered with. Also the location in the base- ment under the Town Hall relieves the several rooms from the noise of the wood working tools.
As there has been no provision made on the High School program for either domestic science or wood-working, the latter has had to be discontinued and the girls' classes are small. Many of the girls wish to take cooking but cannot return after school for this course. However, a number of the freshman class have returned every Monday for cooking and have had splendid success. The girls of the advanced class, which is a third year one, are proving their self-confidence and reliability as cooks.
Those who have elected sewing and dressmaking give one or two study periods every Wednesdty, and skirts have been made. Part of the time is spent in making samples for a reference book to be used in the sewing course. It has been decided to sell all the work which children do not care to pay for and thus help defray the expense of materials. Any article which has not cost the school any money may be kept by the pupil who made it. The continued interest and enthusiasm of even the youngest pupils and the results from all are evidences that the industrial subjects are profit- able and hold a permanent place in the school curriculum.
20
ANNUAL REPORT.
For your co-operation and advice, the confidence and trust of the school committee, and the interest of the towns- people, I wish to express my appreciation.
Very truly yours,
JENNIE ST. CLAIR DICKSON,
Plainville, Jan. 20, 1914.
AGRICULTURE.
Last spring the State Agricultural College furnished the pupils with potatoes, beans, corn, and tomato seeds. These were planted and cared for by the children. In the fall, an exhibit was held in the Town Hall, one afternoon and evening. Much interest and enthusiasm were shown both by pupils and parents. There were exhibits of potatoes, corn, beans, squashes, kale, beets, white turnips, carrots and peanuts. Twenty-one pupils exhibited potatoes. There were also exhibits of candy, cake and various kinds of fruits.
Ribbons were given those pupils who had the best vegetables.
HIGH SCHOOL.
Last September the following tentative course of study was approved by the school committee for the high school.
21
ANNUAL REPORT.
Required. English 5
Elective.
Latin or German
Natural Science 4
English History 5
Algebra
Elect 3
English 4
Latin
5
German
5
Natural Science
4
English History 10
Geometry 5
Bookkeeping
Elect 3
English 4
Latin
5
German
1
Chemistry
5
American History and Civics 5
Stenography
5
Bookkeeping
5
Typewriting 5
Review Math.
4
Elect 3
English +
Latin
German
4
Chemistry
5
American History 5
Stenography
5
Typewriting
01
Review Math.
4 Elect 3
In 1914-15 Commercial Arithmetic and Business Corres- pondence, Physics, Solid Geometry, Elementary Biology and Commercial Geography and Commercial Law will be offered in place of English History, Chemistry, American History, Review Mathematics and Natural Science.
By recent acts of the General Court, the State Board of Education shall determine the qualifications of the teachers
22
ANNUAL REPORT.
and shall approve the course of study for the State aided high schools. As Plainville receives $500 annually from the State towards the support of its high school, it must conform to the requirements of the law.
The new course of study is the result of several con- ferences of the superintendent with Mr. Charles D. Kings- ley, agent of the State Board. The purpose in the revision of the course is to offer such subjects as will best meet the needs of the pupils and by a skillful alternation of studies, make it possible for the teachers to do better work. The day shall be divided into no more than seven periods, six are recommended, and no teacher shall conduct more than six recitations, five are recommended. By conforming to these requirements, we hope materially to raise the standard of scholarship.
For a further discussion of the problems of the high school the principal's report follows.
Report of the Principal of the High School. Mr. Ira A. Jenkins, Superintendent of Schools.
DEAR SIR :- I herewith submit my first report as principal of this high school. This fall we adopted the course of study for small high schools arranged to meet the require- ments of the State Board. While this was quite a sudden change from the former method, the present course, with careful selection of subjects, offers a great opportunity to the pupils. It also lessens the number of classes taught by each teacher and thereby allows much better work to be done in the subjects offered.
Although this present arrangement offers these advan- tages, it must be kept in mind that the pupil must make careful selection of subjects at the beginning of his course.
23
ANNUAL REPORT.
The co-operation of pupil, parent and teacher is necessary to make the best selection.
The work of this school is not different from what one would find in most high schools of its size today. Never- theless, there is an attitude of satisfaction with poor or fair work, on the part of many of the pupils, which we have been trying hard to discourage. There has been much im- provement, in this respect, since the beginning of the year, yet there is much more to be looked for if we make the most of our opportunities. The parents can do much to aid the teachers in overcoming this attitude, if they take a watchful interest in their child's school work. Home work is necessary on the part of each pupil, however bright he may be and careful oversight by the parents will aid the teachers to a great extent. Especially do I call their atten- tion to the application marks on the report cards.
It seems that the custom of visiting schools which is prev- alent in the grades, is discontinued when it comes to the high school. I wish that this were not the case, for nowhere in the pupil's school course is there such demand for co- operation of parent and teachers for the arrangement of his work.
This fall we reached the high water mark to date in the size of the school, for we had an enrollment of forty-seven, two more than that of last year. We have lost five of these ; four to go to work and one who has moved to another state. One new pupil has enrolled this term, making our present enrollment forty-three. Of this number twelve are seniors, making the largest senior class in the history of the school. The percentage of attendance has been 96.8, which is very good considering the absences caused by diphtheria in our schools.
In conclusion, I wish to express my appreciation of the
24
ANNUAL REPORT.
untiring efforts and hearty support of my assistants, to whom much credit is due for their faithful work.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES H. PEASLEY. Plainville, Mass., Jan. 21, 1914.
MUSIC AND DRAWING.
No subject in the curriculum of our schools give more genuine pleasure and more ethical culture than music and drawing. Excellent results have been obtained in these two departments the past year. The reports of the super- visors follow :
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC.
Mr. Ira A. Jenkins, Superintendent.
DEAR SIR :- I herewith submit a report of the work in music in our public schools for the year.
The most vital thing about the teaching of music is what music does for the disposition and the character. It is something that is beneficial through life, at work, and at play, in the home and in society. It gets genuine pleasure out of others, and gives pleasure in return.
Good music provides recreation. It is devotional, patri- otic, intellectual and inspirational. It is to be remarked how children love the patriotic songs. Many times when a choice of song is made by a pupil it is "My Country "Tis of Thee." We as a nation do not make enough of our
25
ANNUAL REPORT.
National Hymn. Patriotism idealizes, almost deifles one's country and singing patriotic songs inspires true patriotism.
Not long ago I read the following article taken from the Journal of Education, and it made a deep impression on me, and last summer the truth of the article was brought home very forcibly, while I was at Summerside, P. E. I. The boat, on which I was making a trip down the St. Lawrence River, stopped at Summerside early on Sunday morning, for a number of hours, and I, like most of the voyagers, went ashore. At the end of the Main street was a small French Catholic church which I entered. Mass was being celebrated and at the conclusion of the service the English National Hymn was sung in French by the entire congrega- tion. This is the article from the Journal of Education :
"The only thing that will keep Canada from joining the United States is the fact that every child has sung "God Save the Queen (or King)" every day of his life. It has closed every school day ever known by a Canadian. This will make "America" impossible to them, even though the tune be the same.
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