USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Randolph > Randolph town reports 1901-1906 > Part 46
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The committee ask the town to raise and appropriate the following sums of money to meet the expenses of the schools for the year ending Dec. 31, 1907 :
For teaching
$7,800 00
Care of rooms
625 00
Fuel
600 00
Books and supplies
1.100 00
Miscellaneous, incidental and general repairs
1,250 00
Transportation of pupils
325 00
Superintendent of Schools
600 00
School Committee
300 00
Stetson High School
2,500 00
$15,100 00
58
SEVENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT.
Less estimate revenue from dog tax,
State School Fund and Coddington Fund
$1,100 00
State, for Superintendent of Schools 300 00
State, for salary of teachers
200 00
1,600 00
$13,500 00
Respectfully submitted,
ROYAL T. MANN, R. P. BARRETT, EDWARD LONG, School Committee.
EXPENDITURES FOR SCHOOLS, 1906.
Teaching (38 weeks).
Paid Nelson Freeman
$1,000 16
Joseph Belcher
1,000 16
Katherine A. Kiley
488 00
Ellen P. Henry
449 92
Hanna F. Hoye
450 00
Katherine E. Sheridan
437 00
Mary E. Wren
418 00
Kitty R. Molloy
418 00
Clara A. Tolman
418 00
Lucie W. Lewis
253 00
Sara C. Belcher
418 00
59
TOWN OF RANDOLPH.
Fannie A. Campbell
418 00
Ellen E. Mclaughlin
418 00
Katherine J. Riley
418 00
Fanny Devine
418 00
Katherine G. Woodbury
93 60
Clara L. Harlow
62 40
Ina L. Parlin
165 00
Rose G. Hand
25 00
$7,768 24
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
Paid John E. Bradley
$600 00
BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
Paid J. L. Hammett & Co.
$258 39
American Book Co.
45 52
Ginn & Co.
69 36
Silver, Burdett & Co.
65 07
L. E. Knott Appr. Co.
40 07
Houghton, Mifflin Co.
21 02
D. C. Heath
16 08
T. H. Castor
2 06
Thorp, Martin Co.
4 50
Bunkio Matsuki
2 00
Robert Burlen
9 00
Typewriter Exchange
25 00
Remington Typewriter Co.
5 80
Smith Premier Typewriter Co.
3 20
American Seating Co.
128 50
Wadsworth Howland
69 30
60
SEVENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT.
Kenny Bros. & Wolkins
50 44
Murphy, Leavens Co.
15 75
Flagg & Willis
9 18
Edw. E. Babb
5 25
American School Furniture Co.
I 80
Estate Frank Porter
4 85
McAuliffe & Co.
2 20
Pneumatic Stamp Co.
2 00
$856 34
FUEL.
Paid D. B. White
$398 60
M. E. Leahy
64 25
Edwin Mann
31 00
$493 85
CARE OF ROOMS.
Paid John P. Rooney
$362 00
Mrs. Hannah E. Johnson
113 00
Mrs. Eleanor Holbrook
44 00
Wm. Carroll
61 49
S. Melville Clark
25 00
Arthur W. Alden
16 00
$621 49
CONVEYING PUPILS.
Paid O. C. St. Railway
$250 00
Julius Fischer
2 50
$252 50
6I
TOWN OF RANDOLPH.
HEATING AND SANITARY CLOSETS, PRESCOTT SCHOOL.
Paid R. E. O'Brien, steam heating plant, contract $1,450 00 R. E. O'Brien, flush closets, urinal, sinks, etc.,
contract 900 00
Wm. Dear, labor and material 87 50
E. W. Campagna, labor and material
240 84
M. E. Leahy, labor and material
47 20
Jas. Hurley, labor and material
15 00
R. E. O'Brien, labor and material
37 19
Wm. B. Spear, painting
200 00
$2,977 73
GENERAL EXPENSE.
Paid E. W. Campagna
$163 84
Geo. F. Taylor
371 00
Frank H. Libby
31 77
E. A. Perry
47 14
M. K. Hill
131 56
Estate Chas. Doughty
44 68
R. E. O'Brien
72 25
John P. Rooney
43 00
Chas. E. Lyons
42 27
Wm. Allen
40 40
Estate Chas. Nichols
42 19
Taunton Lumber Co.
8 22
Joseph Belcher
6 30
G. A. Dustin
8 00
Nelson Freeman
2 60
62
SEVENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT.
W. F. Barrett
20 00
Nelson Mann
20 00
J. Frank Donohue
20 00
Loring & Howard
9 45
Griffith Jones
56 50
James Hurley
31 40
M. E. Leahy
14 75
F. W. Hayden
6 88
Walter French
3 00
M. F. Hayden
I 08
M. McDonald
I 35
C. Fred Lyons
7 10
Eugene Thayer
8 19
Timothy Lyons
8 3I
Wesley Pool
75
P. H. Mclaughlin
75
Jos. T. Leahy, insurance
15 00
Fred M. French
87 00
Julius Fischer
75
Jas. Fardy
3 15
W. J. Dobbinson
6 00
A. D. Dimmock
6 90
Dexter T. Clark
6 00
Mabel C. Bragg
4 80
H. A. Wheeler
5 44
Wm. Carroll
I 50
Chas. H. Cole
7 00
Stone & Forsyth
11 00
Geo. A. Roel
I 50
$1,420 77
63
TOWN OF RANDOLPH.
SUMMARY.
Amount raised by taxation $13,030 00
Less Stetson High School appropriation 2,500 00
$10,530 00
Received from Mass. School Fund
770 63
Interest Coddington Fund
64 00
State Board Charity, tuition
83 50
City of Boston, tuition
25 00
State on account Superintendent
500 00
Dog tax
472 32
Sale of junk
3 80
Sale of stove
5 00
Appropriation for heating plant,
sanitary closets and painting
Prescott School
3,000 00
$15,454 25
EXPENSES.
Paid for teaching $7,768 24
Superintendent
600 00
Books and supplies
856 34
General expenses
1.420 77
Fuel 493 85
Care of rooms 621 49
Improvements at Prescott bldg. 2.977 73
Conveying pupils 252 50
School Committee for services 300 00
Balance 163 33
$15,454 25
64
SEVENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT.
Stetson School Fund.
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES.
To the Citizens of Randolph :
The change in the investment of this fund since our last annual report is as follows: We sold five shares of the First National Bank for $1,500 and deposited the same amount in the Randolph Savings Bank. The fund now is invested as follows, the valuation being at par :
4 Shares State National Bank $400 00
IO Shares Atlantic National Bank 1,000 00
IO Shares Exchange National Bank 1,000 00
IO Shares Boylston National Bank 1,000 00
IO Shares Old Boston National Bank 1,000 00
8 Shares Webster & Atlas National Bank 800 00
5 Shares New England National Bank
500 00
7 Northern Pacific & Great Northern 4 per cent bonds
7,000 00
2 American Telephone & Telegraph Co. 4 per cent bonds 2,000 00
Deposit in the Randolph Savings Bank 3,286 33
I Piano, in Stetson Hall 300 00
$18,286 33
The Turner Fund is invested in one City of Minne- appolis, Minn., bond $1,000 00
65
TOWN OF RANDOLPH.
The Trustees again recommend that the town at the annual meeting select a lot for the erection of the new high school building, which the town voted to build two years ago. We feel that this is important and should not be delayed any longer on account of personal difference of opinion as to locality. We trust that the interests and welfare of the scholars of our High School will outweigh all objections and that the voters of the town may unite and vote to purchase a suitable lot for this building this year. The Stetson Hall building has been painted externally two coats at a cost of $245, which has added much to the beauty and preservation of this building. The report of the Secretary, Fred M. French, Esq., is hereunto annexed.
Respectfully submitted,
ROYAL T. MANN. R. P. BARRETT, EDWARD LONG, Trustees Stetson School Fund.
6
SEVENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT.
ALMSHOUSE AND TOWN FARM.
Randolph, February 6th, 1907.
The undersigned, Selectmen of Randolph, having this day made an examination of the accounts of the Trustees of the Stetson School Fund for the year 1906, find them correct.
The investments for the fund are as follows :
7 Northern Pacific & Great Northern 4 per cent joint bonds, at $1,000 $7,000 00
2 American Telephone & Telegraph 4 per cent bonds, at $1,000 2,000 00
Deposit in Randolph Savings Bank
3,286 33
IO Shares National Exchange Bank
1,000 00
IO Shares Atlantic National Bank
1,000 00
10 Shares Old Boston National Bank
1,000 00
IO Shares Boylston National Bank 1,000 00
8 Shares Webster & Atlas National Bank
800 00
5 Shares New England National Bank 500 00
4 Shares State National Bank
400 00
Piano in Stetson Hall
300 00
$18,286 33 .
We also find in the hands of the Secretary a $1,000 bond of the City of Minneapolis, Minn., the investment for the Turner Fund.
PATRICK H. MCLAUGHLIN, JOHN E. McDONALD, CHARLES H. THAYER,
Selectmen.
67
TOWN OF RANDOLPH.
DR. THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES IN ACCOUNT WITH
1906.
To balance of old account
$5 12 2,500 00
town appropriation for year
bank dividends, Exchange
$60 00
Atlantic
60 00
Webster & Atlas
48 00
Old Boston
45.00
Boylston
40 00
New England
30 00
State
24 00
First
20 00
-
$327 00
interest on N. P. & G. N. bonds
280 00
interest on Am. Telegraph and Telephone bonds
80 00
interest on deposit in Randolph Savings Bank.
68 44
interest on deposit in First National Bank
I2 67
rent of hall for year
97 5°
$3,370 73
68
SEVENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT.
THE STETSON HIGH SCHOOL FUND
CR.
1906
By paying F. E. Chapin, salary to Dec. 31 $1,547 28
Katherine F. Garrity to Dec. 31
607 85
Katherine O. Fletcher to Feb. 28
173 67
Bertha F. Munster to Dec. 31 434 18
Mary W. Henderson to Dec. 31
215 22
Rose G. Hand, musical instructor
75 00
Arthur W. Alden, janitor
68 00
Estate of Charles Doughty, lighting and sup- plies 42 20
M. K. Hill, printing and supplies 55 10
Fred M. French, insurance
16 80
Derby Desk Co., chair
II 50
Kingsbury Tibbitts, labor and material
15 60
D. T. Clark, cleaning clock
1 00
D. B. White, coal
II 90
M. E. Leahy, coal
22 75
M. E. Leahy, cleaning vault
5.00
E. W. Campagna, labor and material
17 21
R. E. O'Brien, labor and material
33 57
William L. Allen, labor and material
16 00
Balance 90
$3,370 7
RANDOLPH, FEBRUARY 6, 1907.
The undersigned have this day examined the accounts of the Secretary of the Stetson School Fund and find the same correct, with proper vouchers for all orders drawn.
PATRICK H. MCLAUGHLIN, JOHN E. McDONALD, CHARLES H. THAYER, Selectmen of Randolph.
69
REPORT
OF THE
Superintendent of Schools
TOWN OF RANDOLPH.
Report of the Superintendent of Schools.
Randolph, December 31, 1906.
To the School Committee of the Town of Randolph :
Gentlemen :- I have the honor to present to you and through you to the people of Randolph a report of the schools under your charge for the school year ending June 30, 1906; also additional statistics and remarks relating to the work of the current year.
STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1906.
Number of school buildings
6
Number of schools keeping separate registers
I6
Number of regular teachers 18
Whole number of pupils enrolled
726
Whole number of boys
356
Whole number of girls
370
Average membership
647.82
Average attendance
611.44
Per cent of attendance (based upon average
membership)
94.51
72
SEVENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT.
Number of pupils under 5 years of age
8
Number of pupils between 5 and 15 683
Number of pupils between 7 and 14 5II
Number of pupils over 15
43
Number of pupils in-
First Grade
100
Second Grade
80
Third Grade
85
Fourth Grade
86
Fifth Grade
73
Sixth Grade
72
Seventh Grade
84
Eighth Grade
54
Ninth (High School)
45
Tenth (High School)
34
Eleventh (High School
8
Twelfth (High School)
5
Number of cases of truancy
14
Number who have not been absent
64
Number who have not been tardy
472
Number who have neither been absent nor tardy
46
Number of grade promotions 586
Additional statistics and other details may be found in the appendix to this report.
ANNUAL ENROLLMENT.
Year ending June 30, 1902 715
Year ending June 30, 1903 695
Year ending June 30, 1904 712
Year ending June 30, 1905 699
Year ending June 30, 1906
726
73
TOWN OF RANDOLPH.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRESCOTT SCHOOL
BUILDING.
The sanitary conditions at the Prescott School have for some time been a source of complaint, and during the summer vaca- tion water closets of the best and most approved type were placed in the basement. The arrangements have been pro- nounced entirely satisfactory and the sanitation perfect. A steam heating plant was also installed, and ample radiation is believed to have been placed in each room and in the halls. As yet we have had no weather cold enough to really test the heating capacity of the new system. The removal of the stoves gives much additional space in each room. The building has been newly painted.
IMPROVEMENTS AT THE NORTH GRAMMAR
SCHOOL.
At the opening of the schools in September it was found im- possible to seat all the pupils of the fifth and sixth grades in the room occupied by them in the North Grammar School. The seventh and eighth grade room was also crowded. On the other hand, the upper grades at the Tower Hill School were small. After much study and discussion of plans, it was de- cided by the School Committee to finish off a room in the second story of the new addition to the North Grammar School for the sixth grade, leaving the fifth grade in posses- sion of the room previously occupied by the fifth and sixth grades, thus arranging for two rooms with only one grade each. The upper grade room in the Tower Hill School was closed ; its teacher, Miss Devine, and the pupils of the fifth and
74
SEVENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT.
sixth grades were transferred to the North Grammar School. Thus no additional teacher was required. Provision was made for a large stage to convey pupils in bad weather. Miss Henry has been assigned to the care of the sixth grade, Miss Belcher to the care of the fifth grade and Miss Devine has been placed in charge of the third and fourth grades. Miss Henry also assists in the seventh grade work. The new room is large and attractive.
STETSON HIGH SCHOOL.
Stetson Hall has been repainted. I wish I could report progress in the effort to secure a new building. There is no longer anyone who questions its necessity ; the need becomes each year more apparent ; the mental training and the physical condition of its pupils are both seriously sacrificed. In my report last year I quoted the resolution unanimously adopted at the previous annual town meeting to erect a new high school building and purchase land for the same. It was a most honor- able and gratifying expression of the sentiment of the town, and it is a source of deep regret that it should have failed thus far of realization.
The committee appointed by the town to take measures to carry their vote into effect have secured such action by the Legislature, as was necessary, to provide the funds. For this they are entitled to our thanks. The delay is caused by differ- ence of opinion among our citizens with regard to the proper location of the new building. It is natural that local preference should exist. It is not strange that in some cases this prefer- ence should be strong, but it ought to be exerted in such a way as not to defeat the main object in view. That some prefer one site and others prefer another should not make a decision impossible. Why not let the majority rule. and thus select the
75
TOWN OF RANDOLPH.
location which the largest number of citizens desire? If agree- ment cannot be reached in this way, why not give a committee power to select? The Town of Wellesley has just erected a new high school building. In a number of town meetings which were held it was found impossible to agree upon a site. Not willing that so important a matter should fail or be de- layed, the town voted to instruct its committee to select a site, plan the new building and proceed with its erection at a certain specified cost. In this way an admirable building has been secured.
As stated in my last annual report, I have no preference to express, as Superintendent, concerning the location of the new building. Matters of local interest which do not concern the work or the welfare of the schools may well be left to the people to decide. It is not necessary that any one site should be selected. It is necessary that we should have a new high school building-that the vote of the town should be carried into effect and that to this end some method of securing a site should be adopted.
A handsome building on a fine site is not necessary. It may be desirable, an ornament to our beautiful village, a means of reducing the tax rate by attracting new residents. There are many reasons why such a building would be attractive and desirable. It might be a wise policy to erect it, but it is not necessary. A plainer building of suitable size on a site which need not cost a large sum will satisfy the real need. It must be sanitary, well lighted and provide about double the space afforded by the dark rooms in Stetson Hall, now occupied by the High School. No one can realize how much injury these rooms have done to Randolph, how they have retarded its growth and sacrificed the sight and health of its pupils. In the recent tests of sight and hearing made under the direction of the State Board of Education the per cent of defective sight
76
SEVENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT.
among the pupils in the Stetson High School was found to be much larger than in any other school in town or in neighboring high schools. Surely our local pride and our regard for our boys and girls ought to secure for this school a more adequate building.
For two or three years Randolph people riding on the car to South Braintree have enjoyed looking at the new school build- ing which they passed before reaching South Braintree. They will soon have another similar suggestion in the new high school building which Avon has recently voted to erect on the lot of the Gifford School in Avon.
TEACHERS.
In February, 1906, Miss Katharine O. Fletcher, an assistant in the Stetson High School, resigned, and Miss Bertha M. Munster, a graduate of Boston University, was appointed to fill the vacancy. In June Miss Lucie W. Lewis, teacher of the West Corner School, was granted leave of absence for a year, and Miss Ina L. Parlin, a graduate of the Gorham State Nor- mal School, was appointed to fill the position during Miss Lewis' absence. Miss Munster resigned in December, and Miss Ella M. Parker of Waltham, a graduate of Boston University, with four years' experience in high school work, has succeeded her. In June Miss Katharine Woodbury resigned as super- visor of drawing, and Miss Ella L. Harlow of Chelsea, a graduate of the State Normal Art School in Boston, was ap- pointed to fill the position.
There is little danger that the work of the teachers will be unduly emphasized. No other group of workers of equal num- bers holds so important a relation to the general welfare. The real danger is that the public will forget the momentous in- terests which are determined by the character of the schools.
77
TOWN OF RANDOLPH.
Great care should be taken in the selection of teachers ; ample recognition should be afforded them for successful work. The lack of either broad culture, true refinement or professional training should be a bar to appointment. Independence, originality, intellectual vigor come to most people only after long and thorough training. If there is a place anywhere for the mere copyist it is not in the school room .. And even more important than intellectual attainments or a knowledge of the subjects to be taught is a knowledge of children and sympathy with them. Many fail at this point. They know the lessons, but not the learners. They know the arithmetic, the history, the grammar, but not the minds which these things are to quicken.
Teachers need to remember that the end for which the school exists is not so much instruction as training. The child needs to feel as well as know, to grow in character as well as intel- lect. The moulding and transforming power which some teachers possess is due more largely to their ability to make their pupils share their interests than to anything else. The best focusing of interest springs from sympathy. Attention which is enforced must always lack the best element. The child that is to attain a symmetrical development must not be unduly repressed. Activity is the law and the method of his growth. Guidance, not repression, is his need. The abounding energy and high spirit of the child are often a serious embar- rassment to his teacher and even to his parents, but we should not forget that these are nature's most precious gifts. They are the teacher's working capital, placed by the pupil at our disposal, but requiring wise and constant direction to prevent waste and disorder. The problem is not one of repression, but of judicious stimulus and use.
78
SEVENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT.
THE COURSE IN HISTORY-STORY WORK.
The great revival of interest in American history which has taken place during the last few years has stimulated and modi- fied the teaching of the subject in the schools. It has led to its introduction and study in great detail in college and univer- sity courses, and thousands of study clubs all over the country have pursued the subject with enthusiasm. It is well that this interest in history should be extended in the schools on account both of the educational value and the practical value of the subject. The excellent State course of study of the schools of New Hampshire recently issued says :
"History is probably the most important course in the pro- gram of studies, save the mother tongue alone. Upon it are based all the later studies which have to do with understanding of man in his social and political relations ; and especially is it more than any other formal study of the common school the basis of an understanding of the duties of citizenship. Ample time and apparatus should be given to history, even if other subjects suffer."
It is not necessary that other subjects should suffer ; arith- metic, language and other branches should receive their due share of attention. But it is well also to magnify history. Every well informed person must possess some knowledge of historical facts, especially those relating to his own country. He must learn to understand and explain them. The "histori- cal sense" is one of the most valuable products of education. It connects us with the past-the only way of judging of the future-and it gives us the lessons which are to be drawn from the experience of others. History furnishes a back- ground on which the social, industrial and political events of the present day are projected. It is the measure and key of all progress and the basis of a correct understanding of the duties
79
TOWN OF RANDOLPH.
of patriotism and citizenship. The highest inspiration to public spirit and worthy achievement is found in the records of the past. James Russell Lowell has well said : "A people that feels no pride in the deeds of its ancestors will never do anything to call for the gratitude of posterity."
Three ends are to be attained in the teaching of history: (I) the awakening of an interest in historical study, (2) a knowl- edge of historical facts, and (3) the cultivation of an ability to trace the connection of events and to refer events to their causes.
Closely connected with this movement to deepen and enrich the work in history is the effort to brighten school life and relieve its routine by the use of stories. The teacher, especially the primary teacher, should be a good story teller. The value of the story as in means of training the mind and heart of a child can hardly be overestimated. It has only just begun to be appreciated. A great opportunity is here afforded in prim- ary education. The eager response which a child makes to a good story, as shown by his fixed attention and eager face affords ample evidence of its value as a mental and moral stimulus. A marked difference is found, a lack of imagination and responsiveness in those people who have heard no pleasant stories in early life, whose childhood was not brightened by the glow of admiration and fancy.
American history is rich in story, in deeds of bravery and honor. Nothing could be better adapted to interest pupils, to awaken their patriotism and better impulses. It is not neces- sary that they should always be given in their full historical setting. The child's knowledge of all subjects is fragmentary. As his years advance he brings together little by little the scattered details : indeed, he continues to add to the body of his knowledge all his life. The incidents and exploits which
So
SEVENTY-FIRST ANNUAL REPORT.
interest him as a child find a new interest as he learns later of their importance in the related events.
A new course in history and story work has been prepared and was introduced at the opening of the schools in September. In its preparation, valuable suggestions were found in the courses which have been prepared by Professor Boyden of the State Normal School at Bridgewater and Miss Hill of the State Normal School at Lowell; also in new history courses in use in the schools of Everett and Malden. Instead of limit- ing the work in history to the seventh and eighth grades, as has been done, it is taken up in the primary grades in the form of stories and continued in intermediate grades in stories and brief biographies of American heroes and patriots. Why should pupils wait till they are twelve years old before they begin to learn history? Nothing in the whole curriculum is better adapted to their early years than history stories. Many a boy and girl who have found history dull and difficult would have enjoyed it and read it eagerly if they had entered upon the subject more gradually and with suitable beginnings.
While it takes a long time to prove the adaptation of a new course of study, the value of this new work in history is al- ready shown. Of course some teachers have made more of a success of it than others. But all have reported results for the comparatively short period (about four months) during which it has been in use. As an illustration of what enthusiastic and skilful work can do in this line I have selected the following from the special reports on history and story work made in December by all teachers below the high school grades. They are fine exhibits of what may be done in every room. according to the age of the pupils. In one case the children are in the sixth grade-about eleven years of age ; in the other case they are from five to eight years of age.
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