USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Randolph > Randolph town reports 1913-1919 > Part 46
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In my last report I recommended a minimum salary of $600 for elementary school teachers and a maxi- mum salary of $800. I again recommend the adoption of these figures. There is the possibility of a new State minimum of $650.
In recommending these figures last year, I main- tained that the increases from $700 to $750 and from $750 to $800 should be made only after a teacher had completed the work of at least one summer session of a normal school or of a university. At the present time, I doubt if that is a fair recommendation. With the pres- ent State minimum of $550 (in effect Jan. 1, 1919) and the possibility of a new State minimum of $650, I be- lieve the above provision is too severe. May I recom- mend that those teachers who are now on their fifth year of service or longer in the Randolph schools be
125
EIGHTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
paid $800; that those who are in the town's service for the first year be paid $600; that the others be paid $50 additional for each year of service after the first.
Health
I recommend that an adequate salary be paid a school physician so that every child may receive a thorough physical examination at least once a year, and that accumulative records be kept of his physical condition, with recommendations for improvement, from the time of his entrance to school until his dis- missal.
The school can use a school nurse to advantage. It is possible that something can be done to secure one on part time.
In connection with health, it might be said that the teachers are now required to organize, direct and supervise play at recess. This is an important part of school work and should receive encouragement by giv- ing school children the needed apparatus. There is great need of more adequate play space at the Belcher School.
There are over one hundred children who regularly eat their lunches at school during the noon hour. There is a real need here for hot school lunches. Will the committee not give this its serious consideration ?
Training in the Duties of Citizenship
One of the school's most important functions is that of producing good citizens. The school work needs careful planning to bring out the forces which will be most influential in causing young people to see that they not only have privileges in a community, but that they are under obligations to contribute to the common good. To show our children that successful commu- nities depend upon co-operation and to make it so clear that they will begin to co-operate, is one of the most difficult but most important problems in education.
School Gardens
Your Superintendent, with the kind assistance of Mr. Frank McCarthy, Mr. Louis Graton and Mr. Edmund Belcher, personally visited the school gardens twice during the summer. Though he would like to see more
126
TOWN OF RANDOLPH
children actively interested, he was pleased and en- couraged by the excellent gardens visited. The chil- dren had a very creditable exhibit at the Grange Fair and they received over $50 in thrift stamps as prizes. These prizes were contributed by several interested citizens to whom I am very grateful.
The school garden work should receive every possible encouragement because it is healthful and because it gives children an opportunity to be of real service to family. and community.
Your Superintendent will continue to purchase seed at reduced prices and will endeavor to inspect the gar- dens once or twice during the summer. I hope the time is not far distant when Randolph, Holbrook and Avon will combine to support a school garden supervisor who can give more time to the work. I believe the State will pay one-half the salary.
Equipment
Practically throughout the elementary schools, we have old, unadjustable desks. Many of these are so marked, defaced and cut that they cannot be used when children write. I recommend that a policy be adopted whereby each year, one or two rooms may be refurnished with new adjustable desks.
Thrift and War Savings Stamp Data
Enrollment ....
No. of Holders
of Stamps .....
Per
Holders.
Value. . .
....
Belcher District.
298
157
52.6
$1,124.50
Prescott District.
378
122
32.
912.75
All Elementary Pupils. .
676
279
41.2
2,037.25
Cent.
of
.
These figures manifest practical thrift as well as a patriotic spirit. I had hoped, however, that a larger percentage of children would participate in the pur- chase of these stamps.
127
128
of age is the proper entrance age and allowing one year
according to age and grade. Assuming that six years
The above table shows the distribution of children
AGE-GRADE-DISTRIBUTION GRADE
Age
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Total
5
29
1
30
6
35
36
1
72
7
10
33
40
3
86
8
3
7
30
26
2
68
2
8
33
25
7
75
10
1
3
18
32
40
1
95
11
4
13
26
32
6
81
12
1
5
12
33
25
76
13
1
2
18
28
49
14
2
10
12
Total
77
80
82
85
78
89
84
69
644
1
Under Age
29
37
41
29
27
47
33
31
274
2 Normal Age
45
40
38
51
45
38
51
38
346
3
Over Age
3
3
3
5
6
4
24
1 Number above heavy lines 2 Number between heavy lines 3 Number below heavy lines
EIGHTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
C
9
TOWN OF RANDOLPH
for later entrance at seven, all children between these ages would be considered of normal school age in the first grade. Those below six would be considered under age and those above seven, over-age or retarded.
In past years, some children have entered the first grade at five years of age and sometimes under five. They now enter at five and one-half or older. To my mind, this large number of children entering school before six is largely responsible for some of the failures in our work. Though some children can enter school at five and profit as much from the instruction as children entering at six, yet I believe that when children are taken in general, that six years of age is better than five or five and one-half. Immaturity at entrance leaves its ill effects in each succeeding grade and in the High school.
I recommend that six years of age be the prescribed entrance age.
I respectfully submit this report to the committee.
JAMES JOSEPH QUINN.
REPORT OF PRINCIPAL
Stetson High School
Randolph, Mass., February 3, 1919. Superintendent of Randolph Public Schools,
Dear Sir :
Our Fall term opened September 9, one week later than usual. For a few days the percent of attendance was normal, but because of the prevailing epidemic, we were soon carrying an absent list of about one hundred per day. At the end of three weeks, school was closed for three weeks; on the resumption of our daily ses- sions, October 21, we found that our absentees num- bered from twenty to thirty each day, so that both the quantity and the quality of our work have been below the usual standard. Two of our pupils, stricken by the influenza, were for some time on the dangerous list, but, fortunately, recovered.
The names of our graduates who entered the service
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EIGHTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
of the United States during the Great War are as fol- lows :
1892-Joseph W. Mahoney.
1904-Mary Frances Malley (Red Cross Army Nurse in France).
1905-Harold Gray Soule.
1906-Roger Bryant Willard.
1908-John Russell Willard.
1909-Edward Joseph Morgan, John Henry Rudder- ham.
1910-Michael Joseph O'Neil.
1911-Ralph Nicholas Boyd, Charles Gabriel Devine (Died in Camp) ; Joseph Michael Murphy.
1912-Frederick William Bancroft, Jr., William F. Cunningham, Terrence Dargan, Thomas Whitty Des- mond (Killed at French Front) ; Lucien Marion Hogan, Charles Ray Kiley (Wounded).
1913-Edward Francis Fahey, Marshall White Leavitt, Mary Josephine Long, (Yeowoman, Receiving Ship, Boston) ; Martin Edward Young, Harold Edwin Ward.
1914-Peter James Collins.
1915-Leverett Emerson Cass, Joseph John Dench, Jr., Augustus K. Forrest, Edward Raymond Long.
1916-Arthur Joseph Brennan, Walter Lawrence Carney, Charles Joseph Cunningham, Walter Francis Kelliher, Thomas Edward Kenney, Thomas Edward Lyons, Horace Arthur Mann, Edward Leo Roddan.
1917-Emery Everett Delano, Harold Joseph Kane, Edward Harold Keith.
1919-Richard Edward Schaeffer (S. A. T. C., Went- worth Inst) .
Lieutenant Thomas Whitty Desmond, 1912, enlisted in the Harvard unit in May, 1917. He also attended the second Plattsburg training camp going there in Au- gust, 1917. He earned his commission as lieutenant and sailed for France early in January, 1918. He met his death at the front May 27, 1918. Lieutenant Des- mond had rare qualities of leadership, and was popu- lar with both officers and men. He undoubtedly would have distinguished himself in action had the opportu-
130
TOWN OF RANDOLPH
nity come to him.
Two service flags have been procured,, one with forty stars for graduates, the other with one hundred and one stars for all former pupils who wore the uni- form of the United States. A framed memorial of graduates will soon be given to the school.
The school had a 100 per cent. membership in the Junior Red Cross in June, 1918, and procured a beau- tiful Red Cross flag. A French flag was purchased by the class of 1920, an Italian flag by the class of 1921, a Belgian flag by the class of 1919, and an English flag by the subscribers to the Penny Collection Fund; these flags hang in the Assembly room.
A Liberty Bond, value $50, was presented to the school by patriotic pupils in June. This bond is de- posited with the Randolph Trust Company.
During the past year many appeals have been made to the pupils for various war purposes. The Victory boys and girls in the school number 43, most of them pledged to give $5 each to the United War Work Cam- paign.
The Class of 1918 gave to the school at its gradua- tion in June a framed photo of St. Peter's Cathedral, Rome. The photo is 74 inches by 32 inches in size, is appropriately framed in dark oak and bears the in- scription, "Class of 1918."
Industrial conditions prevailing during the Great War have had their effect on Stetson High School, no- ticeably in a decreased attendance. The estimate of Payson Smith that over 100,000 pupils have left Massa- chusetts' High Schools because of the war is probably below the actual figures. The lure of the pay envelope is often stronger than that of the report card ; one of our boys who had completed his second year earned $6.70 per day at Fore River during the summer, working seven days per week. This particular boy re- turned to school in September. So much has been said urging boys and girls to remain in school that it is not necessary to repeat the advice here.
The "blind alley" may appear attractive and profit- able for a time, but in the end the pupil who remains in
131
EIGHTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
school has an advantage. Some educators, we must not forget, attribute not a little patriotism to the pupils who went to work in a laudable desire to help win the war. The Great War has offered to us a rare opportu- nity to teach patriotism and modern world history. Never before have our pupils been so alive to the prin- ciples at stake. So intense has been the interest that at times when the Germans were winning, the school ap- peared to be laboring under a marked depression. Needless to say during the months of October and No- vember there was a decided rise in the emotional barometer. Victory Day, November 12, allowed us to give vent to our long pent-up feelings and since that time we have been able to devote a more uniform at- tention to school work.
Secondary schools are at present attaching the utmost importance to the study of the world conditions which brought about the great war. So essential are the lessons of the mighty conflict, so farreaching the results, that the subects ought for the present to be made compulsory for every boy and for every girl in our High schools. It ought to be true that no pupil would fail to give correct answers to such broad ques- tions as these: What was the real motive which led the war party of Germany to declare war? How had the German system of education, of industry and of military preparation in Germany been so directed for many years as to give the German leaders good ground for thinking that they could conquer the world? What is German "Kultur?" Why did England declare war? Why did the United States join the Allies? What is meant by a "world safe for democracy"? Who are the four great "commoners," who dominate the Peace Con- gress at Versailles ? Who were the five representatives who ruled the Congress at Vienna in 1814-15? Were the common people represented at the Congress of Ber- lin in 1878? The story of the French Revolution ought to be very familiar to High School pupils. Cromwell's part in wresting power from the English nobles should be as well understood as the motives which actuated the leaders in the revolt of the American colonies in
132
TOWN OF RANDOLPH
1776. It is not easy to name the best method of teach- ing history. For the present at least we must discuss and interpret the world movements about us. The men and the women of America's tomorrow must acquire a fund of ideas, historical, social and economical as well as industrial which will safeguard the United States and the world. The "idea" as distinguished from mere technical training must be given great prominence, for we are able to see as never before that "ideas" rule the world and determine the well being of us all. Now there is this encouraging feature about the study of current history that our small High schools are very nearly on a par with the High schools of the cities. No extensive and expensive apparatus is required.
Find a competent and enthusiastic teacher of history and retain his or her services and we may be reason- ably sure that our pupils will acquire correct ideas of world democracy.
It is true that our pupils are poor spellers. Of 111 pupils in Stetson High School who took the spelling test of January 22, only 10 handed in perfect papers. There was absolutely no opportunity to prepare for the test, and the per cent. of correctness of the pupils was 72. The words were these: Manufacture, laboratory, aeroplane, restaurant, judgment, received, independ- ent, accident, separate, apologize, library, lieutenant, athletics, mischievous,, admission, appearance, mathe- matics, disappoint, peaceable, immediately, height, ap- petite, lonely, ninth, machinery. Spelling books ought to be placed in our pupils hands and at least 500 com- mon words assigned per year for study.
The Chandler system of shorthand is taught in Stet- son High School. It is a matter of regret that there are so many different systems of shorthand. A pupil re- moving from Randolph to Boston ought to find it pos- sible to continue his study of stenography in the public school just as he could continue in French or in Latin. Owing to the many different systems in use the proba- bility is that such a pupil would have to throw aside his system for another brand. It would be a positive bene- fit if the State would prescribe one system to be taught
133
EIGHTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
in our public schools. Systems of shorthand are com- mercialized, that is, they each have the backing of some educational publishing house which employs every means to get its goods in the market. It is be- yond question that any one of these systems, well learned, is amply sufficient for the ordinary demands of business. No one has ever been able to disprove the claim of the Chandler system that it gives almost abso- lute accuracy in transcribing its characters into long- hand English, that the notes may be laid away for months and then be transcribed as easily as when made. This legibility gives the Chandler system a great ad- vantage in office work where it is desired to have ac- curate transcripts of dictation. Mr. H. C. Cook of the Remington Typewriter Co., who represents that com- pany in the schools of New England says that while other systems may be more rapid in certain phases of practice in the courts, yet for the ordinary demands of business when the test is accuracy based on legibility, the Chandler system stands at the head. This is testi- mony from an impartial observer who for years has been in touch with the public and private schools of New England.
It is not easy to understand why our schools neglect the physical education of their pupils. The nation pos- sesses no greater asset than the physical "fitness" of its youth. Unless some action is taken by the State we shall continue to forget that our pupils have teeth which often need care not given at home. There ought also to be offered to all our pupils first-class dental service absolutely free of cost. At present, too, teach- ers can only mildly suggest that their pupils need glasses. More than this, the school ought to furnish the best relief for all ailments of the eye free to the pupil. Why the State allows so many thousands of its youth to become stoop-shouldered is a mystery. The war has shown us how readily the young man responds to sensible corrective physical training. Is there any- thing more practical in the world than good health ? naturally physical training involves expense ; however, it is a foolish policy which permits the health of its boys
134
TOWN OF RANDOLPH
and girls to be neglected because of this comparatively trifling cost to the community.
FREDERICK E. CHAPIN, Principal.
Report of Supervisor of Drawing
Mr. James J. Quinn, Superintendent of Schools, Dear Sir :
I submit my report as Supervisor of Drawing in the schools of Randolph.
In the report of last year, I stated the aims of the course in drawing. This year we have the same at- tainments in view, which may be generalized as fol- lows:
Ability to represent obects as they appear, to illus- trate one's ideas and record one's observations.
Skill in the use of the ruler and common tools and materials, ability to plan and work out problems-such knowledge and ability as every householder needs.
An appreciation of what is good taste aesthetically, as regards the things of one's environment, and suf- ficient knowledge of such matters to justify one's taste.
There are several things concerning our work this year, which I feel are worthy of mention. It seems very encouraging to know that there are more freshmen tak- ing drawing this year than there were last year. There were 15 last year, this year we have 25. The girls in the High school are working diligently on designs for filet crochet and book cover stencils. Some of these designs have been applied to the materials. Our one lone senior boy is working under difficulties, on a Stet- son High School Honor Roll, but, nevertheless, we hope it will soon be finished. In the grades we have some in- teresting printing, scenes, illustrations and sand table work.
I wish to express my gratitude to all those who have given their hearty co-operation to this work.
Respectfully submitted,
HAZEL M. MERRIMAN.
135
EIGHTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
The work in drawing is progressing very well under the supervision of Miss Merriman. To the man on the street, the value of the instruction in drawing is not readily discerned. It has, however, distinct value in the education of our youth.
Report of Supervisor of Music
Mr. James J. Quinn, Superintendent :
I submit for your consideration my report as Super- visor of Music in the Randolph schools.
1
Generally speaking the progress has been very grati- fying. Occasionally I find in individual singing a small fraction of the class who are not up to the standard in reading, etc. Upon investigation I find that these chil- dren have lived in various cities and towns and have not resided in any one place long enough to have grasped the necessary fundamental principles. I re- gret very much that more time cannot be given such children as they certainly retard the progress of the class, but as the music period is limited to fifteen min- utes a day, it is utterly impossible for the grade teacher to devote much time to these pupils.
I would suggest that all of the different pupils in each building assemble in one class room at certain in- tervals and receive the necessary instruction for their progress. I think that if properly arranged this could be done without much trouble.
The boys respond enthusiastically when requested to sing individually or in chorus.
I found is necessary to introduce a new music reader in the Principal's room of the Belcher building to re- place the "New Educational Fifth Reader." the mate- rial of which had become exhausted. This book is the "Junior Song Book" and so far it proves to be a success from a melodious as well as from an instructive stand- point.
The work in music comprises vocal drills, interval work, exercises for development of rythm, sight sing- ing individually and in chorus, placing of key signa- tures, major and minor, etc.
136
TOWN OF RANDOLPH
All the High School pupils assemble for singing once a week for a period of forty minutes. In past years pupils, chiefly boys who could not sing were excused from taking part in music ; this number was very small, but I regret to state it increased in number until the music course in our High School really became an elec- tive course as far as our boys were concerned ; but this year with the hearty co-operation of the Principal, I have obviated that difficulty by excusing no one from the singing class.
I desire to thank the School Committee and you, Mr. Quinn, for your kindly help and advice, and the teach- ers for their faithful and efficient efforts.
Respectfully submitted,
ROSE G. HAND, Supervisor of Music.
No doubt some arrangement can be made to provide for the retarded children in singing as Miss Hand sug- gests. However, the same problem exists in nearly all school subjects. The work in music is to be com- mended.
4
STATISTICAL DATA
Elementary
Schools. .. . . .
High School ..
All Schools ...
Enrollment
779
142
921
Average membership.
713
132
845
Average number of days schools were in session
174
178
176
Average daily attendance
638
125
763
Aggregate attendance
.177,466
22,518
139,984
137
EIGHTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
ROLL OF HONOR
Prescott School, Grade VII
Thomas Good 2
Harold Clark 1
Paul Sullivan 2
Marguerite Crowley 1
Charles Boyle 1
James O'Brien 1
Harry Bradley 1
Prescott School, Grade VI
James Kenney 1
Viola Anderson 1
George Hylen 1
Anna Clark 1
Charles Clark 2
Lillian Forrest 2
Ruth Foley 1
Barbara Belcher 1
Prescott School, Grade IV
Winifred Mullen 1
Susie Neary 1
Edward Mullen 1 -
Prescott School, Grade III
Annie Cokinos 1
Seth Swain 1
Nettie Greenberg 1
Prescott School, Grade II
Frances Gaudette 1
Hugh Heney 1
Roy Gavin 1
Prescott School, Grade I
Margaret Brady 1 Dorothy Buckley 1
Eleanor Richards 1 Lawrence Johnson 1
Rose Doyle 1 Harold Roddan 1
Louise Moore 1
Belcher School, Grade VII
Gordon J. Smith 1
Margaret Lightfoot 1
Belcher School, Grade V
Ewd. Drummond 2
Joseph Kenney 2
138
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN CLERK 1918
EIGHTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT
RECORD OF TOWN MEETINGS, 1918
Annual Town Meeting Warrant
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Norfolk, ss.
To Either of the Constables of the Town of Randolph in said County, Greeting :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are hereby required to notify and warn the in- habitants of the Town of Randolph qualified to vote in election and Town affairs to assemble at Stetson Hall in said Town on Monday the Fourth day of March, 1918, at 5.45 o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to act on the following articles :
Article 1. To choose all such Town officers as are required to be chosen by ballot, namely : A Moderator for one year, a Town Clerk for one year, a Town Treasurer for one year, three Selectmen and Overseers of Poor for one year, one Assessor for three years, one Member of the School Committee for three years, one Trustee of Stetson School Fund for three years, a Col- lector of Taxes for one year, one Water Commissioner for three years, three Auditors for one year, one Tree Warden for one year, one Highway Surveyor for one year, three Fence Viewers for one year, three Fish Wardens for one year, and seven Constables for one year, also on the same ballot to vote Yes or No in answer to the question, "Shall License for the Sale of Intoxicating Liquors be granted in this town?"
Article 2. To choose all such Town officers as are not required to be chosen by ballot.
Article 3. To hear and act on the Report of the Town Officers.
Article 4. To raise and appropriate such sums of money as may be necessary for the support of Schools, including Stetson High School and also for the convey- ance of pupils.
140
TOWN OF RANDOLPH
Article 5. To raise and appropriate money to de- fray the general Town expenses for the current year.
Article 6. To see what action the Town will take in relation to repairs on the Turner Free Library Building and raise and appropriate money for same.
Article 7. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to purchase and equip a Portable School for the Belcher District.
Article 8. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate money for the District Nurse Fund.
Article 9. To see what sum of money the Town will raise and appropriate for lighting the streets by elec- tricity.
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to pay the insurance on the Town Treasurer's Bond for the year 1918-1919 and raise and appropriate money therefor.
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