USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Plainville > Plainville, Massachusetts annual reports 1913-1921 > Part 17
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ART 7. To see how much money the Town will vote to appropriate and raise for the suppression of the sale of in- · toxicating liquors and for the apprehension and prosecution of offenders against the law relating to the illegal keeping and sale of such liquors and instruct the Selectmen to em- ploy efficient agents and counsel to prosecute such offenders.
ART. 8. To see if the Town will authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money after January 1, 1916, in anticipation of the revenue of 1916.
ART. 9. To see what action the Town will take in regard to the collection of taxes the current year, fix the compensa- tion of the Collector and determine the rate of interest to be charged on taxes remaining unpaid after November 1, 1915.
ART. 10. To see if 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 appropri- ate a sufficient sum of money to pay for the same.
87
ANNUAL REPORT.
ART. 11. To see if the Town will authorize the Collector of Taxes to use all the means of collecting taxes which a T'own Treasurer may use when appointed Collector.
ART. 12. To choose any committee, hear the report of any committee, and act thereon.
ART. 13. To see if the Town will vote to release Bonds- men on Bond for the South Street Water extension to a ten dollar ($10) rate. (Petition.)
ART. 14. To see if the Town will instruct the Water Commissioners to make a five year contract for pumping water with the Plainville Factory Trust company, provided . that said contract can be made satisfactory to the Com- missioners.
ART. 15. To see what action the Town will take, if any, with regard to the planting of shade trees, and to ap- propriate at least $150.00 for the purpose, in order that the Town might enter the Shade Tree Planting Contest, con- ducted by the Massachusetts Forestry Association. (Peti- tion. )
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon to the Town Clerk in conformity to public statutes at or before the time of said meeting.
Given under our hands and seal of the Town of Plainville this eleventh day of February, in the year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and fifteen.
EUGENE S. WHITING, FRED W. NORTHUP, SYLVESTER SMITH, Selectmen of Plainville,
A true copy. Attest :
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Town of Plainville
MASSACHUSETTS
PLAINVI
0
MASS
COLONY
NMOL
WREN
THAM
Angle Travel -1664
1673-
-1905.
PLAIN
VILLE
19
05.
NOW 291 700
4.1905.
CORPORATED
APRIL
L
16
128
. MASS.
For Year Ending January 31, 1915
3
ANNUAL REPORT.
School Officials
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
RUFUS KING, Chairman, Term expires 1917
GARDNER WARREN, Term expires 1915
CHARLES C. ROOT, Secretary, Term expires 1916
Union Superintendent for Foxboro, Norton and Plainville
IRA A. JENKINS, A. M. Tel., Foxboro, 41-3.
Authorized to issue Work Certificates JENNIE S. DICKSON
School Physician HERBERT LOWELL RICH, M. D. 4
Attendance Officer HERMON S. „. LOUD
SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 1915.
Winter term of all schools began January 4, 1915. Winter term of all schools closes March 6, 1915. Spring term of all schools begins April 5, 1915. Spring term of common schools closes June 11, 1915. Spring term of High School closes June 25, 1915. High School graduation, June 23, 1915. Fall term of all schools begins September 7, 1915. Fall term of all schools closes December 24, 1915.
4
ANNUAL REPORT.
HOLIDAYS.
February 22, April 19, October 12, Thanksgiving Day and day following.
PAY DAYS.
January 29, February 26, March 26, April 30, May 28, June 11, June 25, October 1, October 29, November 24, December 24.
STORM SIGNALS.
Three double blasts, 2-2-2, of the whistle at Schofield, Melcher & Schofield's factory at 7:15 a. m. signify no ses- sion for the day.
Two double blasts, 2-2, of the whistle at 7:15 simply no session, with the exception of the High School.
5
ANNUAL REPORT.
Report of School Committee
No individual, or collection of individuals, can remain at a standstill.
There must be either progression or retrogression, and this rule applies most emphatically to all school work, and in order to attain the highest and best results, parent, teach- er, and pupil must co-operate and work together as one unit.
Your Committee is pleased to report marked improvement on the part of the willingness of the pupils to settle down to hard work the past year, and the efforts have shown in the results obtained.
From the very beginning of his school work, particularly in the High School, a pupil must have self-reliance, 'or ability to know what he wants and rely on himself mostly to attain that want.
Complaints have reached the Committee from time to time, that our High School does not fully prepare, or is not up to a standard capable of fully preparing a student for entering college.
These reports have been investigated and it has been found that where the teacher has known the desire of the pupil in regard to the course desired, and the pupil has shown a willingness to work hard for the end in view, the difficulty has been overcome. It is mostly owing to the pupil's willingness to work hard whether the desired: end is attained, or not.
6
ANNUAL REPORT.
The work in the lower grades has shown very good re- sults, and the Committee has been fortunate in securing Miss Lucy Ashley as teacher of the first and second grades. With a room filled to more than its seating capacity, neces- sitating several new desks, she began her work under most trying conditions, but has shown splendid capabilities in the handling of the small children, and has accomplished exceptional results.
Miss Eva Hobart, who was placed in the position left vacant by the resignation of Miss Vivian Taft, has proved a very valuable and efficient teacher and the Committee is well pleased with her work.
In allowing Miss Dickson time for all her classes during school hours, much better results have been obtained, as naturally more time could be devoted to the pupils.
Wishing to remedy the matter of caring for the small children during the noon recess, and not deeming it best to ask any teacher to give up her time for that purpose. the Committee saw fit to employ Mr. Loud to attend to that duty, and parents can now rest assured their children will be well taken care of during all the school hours.
It might be well to call the attention of the townspeople to the condition of the school buildings, both as regards cleanliness and sanitation. On a recent visit of the State Inspector of Public Buildings. his report was that never in the history of the school buildings had he found them in such excellent condition, and Mr. Loud deserves great credit for his interest shown, and the work done by him.
The Committee feels that the time will soon come when the room now used as the Public Library will have to be used for school purposes, as, without doubt, in another year the first and second grades will have to be divided and an- other teacher employed to handle that growing proportion.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
There will be several new items of expenditure to be met the ensuing year, the putting of the physics laboratory in : the High School in workable shape, and the erection of a partition and cupboard in the basement in particular.
We recommend the following appropriations :
Teachers' wages, care and fuel $6,500 00
Books and supplies 600 00
Laboratory equipment 200 00
Incidentals 600 00
School Superintendent
360 00
School Physician 50 00
Respectfully submitted,
RUFUS KING, CHARLES T. ROOT, GARDNER WARREN, School Committee.
Money Available for School Purposes.
Teachers' wages, care and fuel $5,400 00
Incidentais . 700 00
Books and supplies 600 00
Superintendent
330 00
State School Fund
417 07
Dog Tax .
Interest on Town School Fund 23 02
State for High School
500 00
State for teachers' wages 91 67
School Physician
50 00
$8,111 76
Teachers' Wages, Care and Fuel.
Appropriated . . $5,400 00
Teachers' wages from State
91 67
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ANNUAL REPORT.
High School support from State 500 00
Tuition from State 34 50
Tuition, incidental
49 75
From town for coal
24 00
Reimbursement
25
Transferred from State Fund
332 55
$6,432 72
Expended.
Teachers' wages
$5,181 12
Transportation
1,054 00
Care
585 00
Fuel
918 48
$7,738 60
Incidental Account.
Appropriated
700 00
Expended
550 71
Unexpended balance
$149 29
Books and Supplies.
Appropriated . $600 00
Transferred from state fund 84 52
$684 52
Expended
$684 52
Superintendent's Salary.
Appropriated $330 00
Expended 330 00
School Physician.
Appropriated
$50 00
Expended
25 00
Unexpended balance $25 00
9
ANNUAL REPORT.
State Fund.
On hand . $417 07
Transferred to School accounts 417 07
Incidentals.
H. E. Thompson, janitor supplies . . $36 02
Richard Chace, census 15 00
Columbia Supply Co., vises
34 20
E. Babb & Co., janitor supplies
8 25
Anthoney, Cowell Co., table
15 00
Henry Guild, floor and carpenter work 134 37
E. C. Barney, expense and freight .. 11 60
F. W. Kling, graduation printing. . 25 00
Earl Thompson, team work 14 35
Ira Jenkins, expenses
7 26
C. Peasley, car expenses
3 00
Corey Co., oil and spray
23 50
Reporter Press, printing
70
C. N. Moore, teaming, piano moving Mr. Lafayette, mason work
37 30
Town of North Attleboro, tuition. .
49 00
Plainville Pharmacy
3 05
C. Cobb, batteries
1 50
Hall & Farris, janitor supplies
33 38
N. J. Magnan .
10 12
E. W. Sargent, truant officer
12 50
T. Shepardson
80
Carpenter, Howard Co.
5 19
H. Olney, repairs
20 62
J. Ballou, clock repairs
2 50
R. King, car fare 70
George Seegar .
6 45
Wiliam McGovern, barge repairs. . 16 55
Ruth Holden, printing
2 00
19 40
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ANNUAL REPORT.
Providence Telephone . 40
Worthington & Raymond, vise 80
$550 71
Books and Supplies.
Oliver Ditson Co. 2 84
Houghton, Mifflin Co. 5 00
D. C. Heath Co. 17 61
E. E. Babb Co.
197 04
B. Sanborn Co. 11 60
N. J. Magnan . 10 64
Carpenter, Howard Co. 4 34
Belcher, Loomis Co. 9 14
H. E. Thompson .
20 69
Allyn, Bacon Co. 20 90
M. Bradley Co. . 698
Atkinson, Metzer Co.
5 33
Kenny Bros. & Wolkins
38 90
Ginn & Co.
134 44
American Book Co.
42 85
S. Burdett Co. .
16 78
Educational Pub. Co.
2 56
J. Hammett Co.
62 73
Knott App. Co.
39 98
Chronicle Co. .
6 00
White, Smith Co. . 1 83
Reporter Press Co.
16 25
Geo. Cotton .
2 52
Wright, Potter Co. 4 62
A. R. Block .
2 95
$684 52
11
ANNUAL REPORT.
Report of the Superintendent
To the School Committee of Plainville, Mass. :
Gentlemen: I hereby present my third annual report of the schools of Plainville, it being the tenth in the series of superintendents' reports. The object of the report is to in- form the citizens of the work done the past year and the plans for the future.
The industrial department has been strengthened by new equipment, such as benches, vises, tools and additional facilities for cooking. The exhibit of the work last May demonstrated the value derived from such training. A much larger proportion of the time of the special teacher is now given to cooking, sewing, and carpentry. More com- plete courses are open to the high school pupils. A de- tailed account of the industrial work will be found in Miss Dickson's report.
The training of the pupils to do the things they will do later in life cannot be emphasized too much. The training of a child in the three R's only is fast being displaced by the training that will add to his effectiveness for right living. I. P. Claxton, United States Commissioner of Education, says, "Education to be worth while, must be broadly voca- tion. It must deal with citizenship. All a man does or thinks should lead to citizenship. Life and the interpreta- tion of life must go hand in hand." A state superintendent says, "Vocational education must be so conducted as to contribute to the making of a citizen as well as to the work- er. Vocational education is not in conflict with liberal edu- cation, but is a supplement for, and may be expected to re-
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ANNUAL REPORT.
enforce it. The social studies, histories, economics, and civics are the best links of cultural and vocational educa- tional. It must deal with citizenship. All a man does or no matter what their occupation may be, and the supplying of definite training in citizenship focuses the attention of students upon the common life in the state which they must lead. If, added to the so-called cultural education of the few, we educate through vocational education the many. we have given to the world an educated and efficient citizenship and we have produced harmony because each will have been guided to his place or work in the great plan of life."
Special mention should be made of the work in drawing and jewelry making. Some of the work in drawing in the grades and in the high school shows marked ability in the instructor and in the pupil. Many of the students, whose latent energies are thus early developed, will be materially aided in their future work. The work of the jewelry class will compare well with the product of the skilled workman.
The general plan for the year has been to strengthen and enlarge this work in all branches in all the grades. The number work of the first grade has been developed in a way that has been a pleasure to the pupil. He has scarcely real- ized that he has been doing number work. The result will be that more advanced work will be possible throughout the grades. Hamilton's arithmetics have been adopted and are in use in all the schools below the High School.
Special attention has been given and will continue to be given to the work in English. The child is taught to read intelligently, and to talk correctly. Frequent letter writing and simple composition have taken the place of the parsing and analyses exercises.
The age of admission to the first grade for the coming year has been raised to five and one-half years. Many chil- dren are unable at the age of five years to do the work of the first grade and have to repeat the year's work.
13
ANNUAL REPORT.
A new course of study for the grades has been adopted. A more careful grading and a closer attention to essentials in the various subjects will result in a decided improvement in the work of the coming year.
The co-operation of the parents is solicited to improve . the attendance and scholarship. The attendance table in this report shows an average in attendance of 92.3 per cent., 3,555 days absence, 404 tardy marks, and 242 dismissals. It is impossible to do the best work when nearly one-tenth of the pupils are absent. The school officers and teachers are not responsible for such a condition. Every means pos- sible have been employed by the teachers with unsatisfactory results. The parents must bear a large share of the blame. No pupil should be allawed to remain away from any ses- sion of school, except for illness, or for some unavoidable cause.
A higher standard of scholarship for high school pupils should be adopted by pupils and parents. Much more home work in the preparation of the lessons should be required. The work of the high school should be made the prime work of the year and outside allurements should not be allowed to interfere.
Parents should see to it that their children have a definite aim in the beginning of the high school course. The pupils should elect the courses which will best prepare them to enter the school of their choice, and should maintain the highest rank possible in all subjects throughout the four years. It often happens that pupils, late in their course, perhaps not until their senior year, decide that they desire to go to college, to normal school, or to some other institution of higher education. Because they try and fail, or are not able to gain admission, they blame the high school.
The ear and eye tests have been made with the following results ;
14
ANNUAL REPORT.
Number of pupils examined 240
Number of pupils defective in eyesight 14
Number of pupils defective in hearing 3 Number of parents notified . 17 \
The attendance officer has investigated fourteen cases and caused the pupils to be returned to school.
I would recommend that $200.00 be devoted to purchasing apparatus for the high school laboratory. It has been sev- eral years since any apparatus has been purchased for dem- onstration in Physics. Good work cannot be done in Phys- ics unless a reasonable amount of apparatus is available.
The corps of teachers is practically the same as last year. Miss Taft resigned in June. Miss Eva A. F. Hobart, a graduate of Bridgewater Normal School, and a teacher of two years' experience was secured for the vacancy. Miss Jewett, who had taught the first grade for several years, was elected in August to a position in Manchester. Miss L. E. Ashley of Harwich was secured for the position. Miss Ash- ley is a graduate of Hyannis Normal School and has had two years' experience, teaching in Savoy and Orleans.
Reports of the various heads of departments, the tables of statistics and the school legislation of 1914 will be found in this report and should receive a careful reading by all the citizens of Plainville.
Respectfully submitted, IRA A. JENKINS.
January 1, 1915.
15
ANNUAL REPORT.
Report of Principal of High School
Mr. Ira A. Jenkins, Superintendent of Schools :
Dear Sir : I herewith submit my second report as princi- pal of this high school. We began this school year with an enrollment of twenty-four boys and twenty-two girls, just one less pupil than the total number enrolled last year. Of of sickness, one who has moved to another town, and one on account of transportation.
The percentage of attendance has been good, although a little below that of last year for the corresponding time "The attendance could be made better, I believe, if all the parents would see that their children do not stay out of school except for some absolute necessity.
I wish to call attention again to the fact that close co-oper- ation between the parent, pupil and teacher is necessary for the welfare of the pupil. Especially do I think trat the pupil should have some definite aim in view upon entering or soon after entering the high school. Results have shown that a pupil cannot take a haphazard course and, in the final year, deciding to go to a higher institution, successfully do so. The choice of program and of each subject is a serious matter. It should not be left entirely to the teacher or to the pupil, but should have the attention of parents as well.
There seems to be a decided lack of school spirit here. Since it is only by means of a strong school spirit that the spirit of unity can be had in any school, this is an im- portant thing. This spirit generally expresses itself in athletic and literary contests with other schools. I have
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ANNUAL REPORT.
found it practically impossible to start any form of athletics in this school and to get it where we could meet other schools. The idea of the pupils seems to be that if we can- not win that we should not have a team. The real value of interscholastic contests is to be found in the school spirit engendered. I wish the pupils and the townspeople as well would do all they can to create such a school spirit as ve need. This could be helped, I feel, if the parents should. become enthusiastically interested in the school and its progress. I speak of this, for in the year and a half that I have been principal of this school, not a single parent has visited the school when it is in session. I wish to take this opportunity to urge the parents and all others interest: d to visit our school that they may get a better idea of the work we are doing and of the work we are trying to do.
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES H. PEASLEY, Principal.
January 6, 1915.
17
ANNUAL REPORT.
Graduation Exercises Plainville High School
Order of Exercises.
March
Mr. Arnold Block, Pianist.
Song-Venetian Song Tosti
Prayer
Rev. Eugene H. Thrasher.
Salutatory-Class History 5
Essay -- "Success in High School" Estella Lane Foster.
Essay-"Ocean Greyhounds" Charles Richmond Chace.
Song-Glad Festal Day Bizet
Class Will
Lillian Estelle Hancock.
Essay --- "Debating in High School"
Malcolm Harris Greene.
Essay-"Sir Roger de Coverley" Alice Elizabeth Herring.
Girls' Trio-Lift Thine Eyes Mendelsshon-Bartholdy
Essay-"Conservation of Natural Resources" Raymond Newton Smith,
18
ANNUAL REPORT.
Essay-"Education in the Twentieth Century" Ruth Carolyn King.
Essay-"The Panama Canal" George Fred Gardner.
Song-The Lost Chord Sullivan
Essay-"Fields Open to Girls" Rachel Mabel Kenerson.
Class Prophecy Elliott Seabury Grinnell.
Valedictory-"Our Trip to Washington" Ida Lucretia Corbin.
Presentation of Diplomas Superintendent Ira A. Jenkins.
Song-Over the Hills at Break of Day Geibel
Benediction
Rev. Eugene H. Thrasher.
GRADUATION EXERCISES
of the
---
PLAINVILLE GRAMMAR SCHOOL
June 5, 1914.
PROGRAM.
1. Operetta-"The Jolly Farmers."
2. Presentation of Diplomas. .-
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ANNUAL REPORT.
GRADUATES.
Lorne E. Ayer
Charles M. Nash, 3
Raymond L. Baxter
William P. Owen
Frank P. Bigelow
Emil J. Poirier
Estelle M. Dorset
Reginald K. Prew
Francis E. Dorset
Sumner T. Proal
Llewellyn H. Esau Genevieve F. Heatherington
Gertrude V. Rose
Beatrice A. Marble
Marion L. Smith Guy H. Stevens
Blanche F. McGregor
Fred Stierli
Alice M. McNeill
Frank H. Stolworthy
Emma V. Morrison
Lillian E. Terrien
Bernard H. Zilch
ROLL OF HONOR.
The following pupils have not been absent nor tardy during the year for the number of terms opposite their names. Where no number occurs the record is for one term.
HIGH SCHOOL.
Marion L. Barney, 2
Eurilla G. Franklin, 3
Florence P. Brown, 2
George F. Gardner, 2
Marion S. Brown, 3
Malcome H. Greene
Owen B. Brunner
Lillian E. Hancock
Ivy D. Burton
Mildred M. Marble
Ruby E. Burton
John E. McNeill Clarice Nash
Andrew J. Butler
Richmond Chace
Merritt S. Northup
Marguerite E. Engelbert, 3 Chester A. Sanford, 3
George W. H. Fisler Raymond N. Smith
Evangeline E. Wolfe
20
ANNUAL REPORT.
SPECIAL HONORS.
Marion S. Brown has not been absent nor tardy for three years.
Eurilla G. Franklin has not been absent nor tardy for two years.
GRADES 7 and 8.
Frank P. Bigelow
Herman S. Fielding
Francis A. Dorset
Alice M. McNeill
Grace H. Engelbert, 3
Charles M. Nash - 3
Howard I. Ware, 2
GRADES 5 and 6.
Mabel C. Ayer
Vera R. Blanchard
Helen E. Burton
Anna Sargent, 2
Viola E. Esau
Gertrude Wolfe
GRADES 3 and 4.
Elton A. Breiel
Gertrude H. Jackson
John E. Butler
Doris E. Martin
Edmond Godall, 2
Norman L. McDowell
Ralph Hart
Marion D. Olney, 2
Wallace S. Dorset
John Rubyck
William Dorset, 3
Kimball H. Sargent, 3
Justine M. Fisher Eunice E. Sharp
Elsie M. Greenhalgh, 2
Herbert M. Thompson
William R. Hancock, 2
Russell W. White
SPECIAL HONOR.
Kimball H. Sargent has not been absent nor tardy for two years.
Lillian M. Fielding, 3
John French
21
ANNUAL REPORT.
GRADES 2 and 3.
George A. Benker
Charles E. Holske, Jr.
George L. Cullinan
Ruth R. King, 2
Elizabeth L. Esau
William D. Morgan
Jesse W. Franklin, Jr.
Carrie F. Sargent
Harold E. French
Mary E. White
GRADE 1.
Charles F. King Esther A. Packard الحملمن منا
Miriam G. Wain
-
ANNUAL REPORT.
22
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC.
Mr. Ira A. Jenkins, Superintendent of Schools :
Dear Sir: Practical results are what are expected in ev- ery line of work today and practical results are what is expected from the teaching of music in our public schools.
Music should be a vital force in the school room, should be a rest and delight rather than an added duty.
Throughout the grades tone quality is considered of prime importance. Proper singing helps to improve the quality of the speaking voice. The coarsest voice of a child may be trained so that the quality will be soft-some- thing very desirable for all to acquire.
Ear training receives its due amount of attention and so likewise enunciation. At the same time we aim to make as good sight readers of the pupils as we possibly can from the time allotted to the music in our schools. I think it is not too much to expect that by the time children reach the ninth year of school they should be able to read the ordinary page of music as easily as they read the printed page.
However, the reading of music is but a means to an end and that end the proper interpretation. We aim to impress upon the boys and girls that each group of notes has a musical meaning and that to get at that meaning the group or phrase must be sung as a whole, not as individual notes. We say it is a little tune by itself and the whole song is made up of little tunes all put together.
Gladstone said: "There are very few people wholly with- cut musical faculty or feeling. If they are without it, it is because it has never been cultivated in them. I firmly believe that the so-called unmusical people are simply the result of early neglect." What this great man said is true, and we are striving to give these boys and girls that early training which will enable them to appreciate and enjoy music.
28
ANNUAL REPORT.
Constant attention is given the monotones which enter the school and it is interesting to note, there are few in the upper grades-the result of this attention from the time they enter school.
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