USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Randolph > Randolph town reports 1920-1925 > Part 5
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The employment of a school nurse would be most help- ful in the general health and cleanliness of our pupils.
3. Teacher for a Special Class.
In every school system there is a group of school children scattered through the various grades that need special help. They may have entered school late because of illness; they may be below their grade because of irregular attendance due to moving from another town; they may be slower in
128
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS. .
learning. Such pupils can be found in practically every grade where they are not getting the attention they need because the teacher is already engaged with the remaining. forty or more pupils. Such pupils are not only not having their own needs met, but they tend to handicap the others who are better graded.
I cannot too strongly recommend that a teacher be employed to give special instruction to these pupils with varying needs. The class should not exceed twenty.
4. Electric Lights.
There are certain parts of the year when two of the rooms in the Belcher school and all of the rooms in the Prescott school are not properly lighted. Electric lights should be installed in these rooms.
5. New Desks.
Many of our rooms have desks in such a poor condition that it is not possible for pupils to use them when writing.
I suggest that two rooms be refurnished with desks each year for a period of years until the rooms are properly equipped with modern adjustable desks.
Summary
1. Curriculum is being made more definite and the correlation of subject matter in the various grades is more marked, making for more effective results.
2. Course in Citizenship is being developed.
3. Daily programs of teachers are being scientifically planned.
4. Poetry is being given its proper place in our litera- ture courses.
5. Town is growing but slowly. Per cent of increase in last twenty years, is less than that of State and Nation.
129
.
EIGHTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
6. Town has less valuation per pupil than most of the cities and towns in the state.
7. Town likewise spends much less per pupil than most cities and towns of the state.
8. However as a result of new school laws, the town treasury is receiving roughly $8,000 a year from the state, which helps to reduce the amount which has to be raised by taxation.
9. An appropriation of $60 per pupil is not too much to look forward to.
10. A modern school builling is much needed in the Belcher district.
11. A real need for an appropriation sufficient to pay a school physician enough to thoroughly examine all school children, preferably in presence of parents, and sufficient to employ a school nurse.
12. A teacher should be employed to give instruction to children who need special attention.
13. Electric lights are needed in the Prescott school.
14. A beginning should be made to replace our old desks by new adjustable desks.
15. The maximum high school salary should be raised to $1,500 if the town is to retain its good teachers or if it should be obliged next summer to obtain new teachers of the training and experience needed.
In conclusion, my thanks go to the teachers for their very important aid in improving the internal work of the schools. The two Principals of the elementary schools have been indefatigable in their work. In the resignation of Miss Minnie Feely, the town loses a woman of excellent person- ailty, admirable professional spirit, a strong executive and an effective teacher.
130
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
Mr. Dodge, the new Principal has begun his work with great promise.
My thanks also go to the committee for their support and aid.
Respectfully, JAMES J. QUINN.
Statistical Data
1900
1910
1920
Population
3993
4301
4756
School Census (Persons between 5 and 16 years of age)
919
1917-18
1918-19
1919-20
El. School H. School
Total
El. School
H. School
Total
El. School
II. School
Total
Enrollment
779 142 921
714 148 862
726 148 874
Average Memb. 713 132 845
645 133 787
689 127 816
Average Daily Attend.
638 125 763
595 132 727
625 117 742
Per cent of Attend.
89
94
90
90
99
92
90
92 90
Average number of days schools
were actually
in session
174 178 176
165 170 168
176 181 179
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EIGHTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
Honor Roll
Contains the names of those who have been neither absent nor tardy during the school year,
Prescott School Grade VIII Lillian Forrest
Grade VII
Robert Minot
James McLaughlin
1
132
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL
STETSON HIGH SCHOOL
Trustees of Stetson High School and the Superintendent of Schools :-
Your request for this report comes three weeks before the usual time, and it is hardly possible to give it the neces- sary attention. It had been the intention to incorporate in the report some statistics gathered in other small high schools, but your early call finds these statistics somewhat incomplete.
Salaries paid to principals and assistant teachers in Massachusetts have been increased during the past year. In our school these salary increases appear to have kept pace with those of many other towns of our size. It remains to be seen whether our present salary-list will prove attractive enough to enable us to retain our teachers. The opinion of the writer is that at least one hundred dollars ought to be added to the amount at present paid each assistant teacher. For a number of years Randolph has been giving a period of training for young teachers who stay just long enough to get the experience necessary to obtain a position in some larger school. It ought to be our purpose to retain good teachers regardless of expense. That is, if a valuable assistant is tempted to leave for a higher salary, then that salary ought to be given her here. This much may be said-nothing can be done for our high school which will yield more beneficial results than to secure and retain good teachers. We owe it to our young people to give them the best. The loyalty of
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EIGHTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
pupils of high school age is very largely loyalty to teachers- that is, the school to them is the teacher who interests and leads them. Conversely, weak inefficient teachers create dis- loyalty to the school and to the town, and this leads, among other evils, to a rapid withdrawal of pupils from school.
Only one who knows the inner life of a school can realize- the menace in this constant change of assistant teachers. We have had for several years so many changes in the per- sonnel of our teaching force that it is not too much to say that our pupils come back to a new school each September. All the ideals established by the teachers of the preceding year are gone, to be gradually replaced by those of their successors. Is it any wonder that pupils leave school? Is it to be wondered at that fault can be found with the effective- ness of our teaching?
This year the number of failures made by pupils coming to us from the grammar schools was unusually large. We sent back all those who at the end of eight weeks had failed in all four of the subjects taken by them as regular work. We still have a number of first-year pupils who have failed in three subjects. We are trying to keep these pupils, but, of course, promotion cannot be given at the end of the year. If a pupil comes to the high school from the grammar school we allow him to remain with us if he can get a passing rank in at least one subject. This is a very low standard of attainment.
The class of 1920 presented to the school in June, a Roll of Honor containing names of all former pupils of the school who had taken part in the Great War. The Honor Roll contains 132 names-a most creditable contribution to the war. It is very handsomely and expensively framed and has attracted much favorable comment from visitors to the school. The work on the tablet is all done by hand and is the contribution of Reginald Hogan, 1919.
134
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
The class of 1912 have placed in the assembly room a bronze tablet inscribed :-
In Memoriam
Lieut. Thomas Whitty Desmond
our classmate
who made the supreme sacrifice
1914 In the World War 1918
May 27 1918 at Cantigny, France. Class of 1912
Stetson Field has been so much improved that it now ranks as one of the best base ball parks in this part of the state. If the present ratio of improvement is maintained this commendation will certainly Le merited. Mr. James A. Brennan deserves all the praise and gratitude which can be given to him for his efforts to give the town and the school a good base ball field. The Stetson Oracle has made the suggestion that the field be named "Brennan Field." The teachers and pupils of Stetson high school most heartily concur in the proposal to name the field after its most liberal benefactor.
Can a small high school fit for college? This question may be answered by saying that such preparation is being given by many small high schools in New England. A very considerable number of our pupils have prepared for, and successfully passed, their college entrance examinations with- out any other preparation than that afforded here.
.
What has been done, can be duplicated, and yet no school could guarantee that any individual pupil will pass an entrance examination. One of our pupils obtained 100% in Geometry, taking the College Entrance Examination Board papers. This same pupil passed the algebra examina- tion with a rank of 94 without having taken any review for
135
EIGHTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
the test. Only one failure to enter college has occurred in the past 20 years from this school. This statement of course applies only to those who told us they were getting ready to enter college and who gave us time to do our part of the work. In the case of the one who failed there were certain extraneous circumstances which took the blame of failure somewhat away from the school. Even the best fitting schools show a certain percentage of failure, and certainly no small public high school ought to be held to a higher level of attainment than that reached by schools which make it their one aim to prepare pupils for college. If parents will send us pupils of good average ability and let us know in time that the pupil is intending to go to college, we think that we can give a preparation adequate to pass entrance exam- inations. Certain private schools make it a part of their propaganda to tell parents that the public high school is not able to fit for college. Such a school certainly cannot pre- pare pupils for college unless the parents send to the school the boys and girls who are wishing to carry their education farther than the secondary school. Stetson high school is today well alle to give preparation for college.
Our preparation for office work includes two years in Stenography and three in Typewriting. It is the opinion of the writer that three years might well be given to Sten- ography. Some pupils who acquire slowly will get the necessary speed and accuracy from a longer course whereas they fall short if the extra time is not given. West Bridge- water, for instance, has changed this year from a two year course in Stenography to one of three years. Newton, while offering a two year course, has a post graduate year for com- mercial pupils who are given intensive work. Suppose a pupil could not, for some reason, finish his course, but could stay three years; in that case he would have had two years Stenography by the end of his third year, and would then
136
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
have at least some chance of making good in office work.
Our present Senior class number sixteen-six boys and ten girls. In the Junior class there are' twenty-nine-ten boys and nineteen girls. Granting that the senior class is smallest in years, there are some extenuating circumstances which may be considered. It is well to keep in mind that "fewer than one-third of the pupils who enter the four-year high school finish the course." Bulletin No. 35, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Education. This would give Ran- dolph. normally, somewhat less than twenty graduates of the high school per year. The class of 1921 entered Stetson High School September 1917. At this time the demand for workers to win the war was at its height. The war appeal drew many of the former members of the class away from school, and for a year thereafter there were numerous withdrawals due to the opportunity to earn good wages. Our teachers used their influence against the "blind alley" job, but without stemming the constant loss of pupils. During their Junior year the class of 1921 numbered twenty. Two of this number removed from Randolph, one to Kansas City, and one to Brockton. Two girls of the class left school, in one case much against her wish, to go to work. This reduces the number to sixteen which is really about the normal number for Randolph.
The Department of the Interior, in its pamphlet "Card- inal Principles of Secondary Education" sets forth six main objectives. (1). Health. (2.) Command of Fundamental Processes. (3.) Worthy Home Membership. (4.) Voca- tion. (5. Citizenship. (6.) Ethical Character. What is being done in Stetson High School to recognize these aims in education? How far could we go in achieving these de- sirable ends without spending much more money? Take the first objective, Health. Do we, to mention two important items, care for the teeth of our pupils? Do we give them a
137
EIGHTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
hot lunch such as growing boys and girls ought to have? Do we even make any attempt to do these things? A good school certainly ought to have a teacher who looks after the physical well being of its pupils. No other investment the state can make will yield better results than this one. It is beyond dispute that boys and girls are ill-prepared for life unless they have good health, and it is equally true that much may be done by the public school to care for and develop good health.
Without the right kind of school spirit, any high school fails to interest and hold pupils. It is not easy to define school spirit or to tell how it may be secured. Games and entertainments may help to create the right attitude, but no school can hope to have very loyal enthusiastic pupils unless the regular work of the school is well done. Given, as a basis, good class-room work, good discipline. and we may go on to add some of the things which may be said to foster desirable school spirit. The pupil who expects everything to be given to him will never be a very loyal member of the school community. He must give his own best contributions toward good scholarship and discipline before he is a positive value to his class.
FREDERICK E. CHAPIN.
1
138
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
REPORT OF DRAWING SUPERVISOR
Mr. James J. Quinn, Superintendent of Schools :-
I hereby submit my report as Supervisor of Drawing, covering my work in the schools of Randolph.
The aim of the work this year has been to enable the student to adequately express his conception of the objects of his environment, to develop an appreciation of color and design and to stimulate an interest in construction work.
The work of the grades in color and design has been very satisfactory and has been correlated with other school work wherever possible:
The construction work has, of necessity, been quite limited, but it is my desire that this particular branch be enlarged upon. This is one phase of the work in drawing in which both pupils and teacher are deeply interested.
Other work has been accomplished in measuring, print- ing, object and perspective drawing, representation of the human figure and design.
. The classes in High School are well attended but it is to be regretted that more boys do not realize the value of the course in Mechanical Drawing.
In Freehand Drawing considerable work has been done in the practical application of color and design worked out in stencil form and applied to materials such as table runners, bureau scarfs, etc.
If an addition to the High School were ever considered,
139
EIGHTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
it would be well to allow for a Drawing room as at present we use a class room which is very inconvenient and unsatis- factory from all standpoints.
I wish to thank all those teachers who have given their hearty· co-operation in the work and hope the above state- ments will give an adequate idea of the work being accom- plished.
Respectfully submitted,
ELINOR M. KIELY.
>
110
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
Mr. James J. Quinn, Superintendent :-
It is my pleasure to state that the music throughout the- Schools is progressing very favorably.
The percentage of children who do not take an active part in the work is very small, yet altogether too large con- sidering the great amount of proficient and earnest efforts rendered by the teachers in their behalf.
Many and vigorous attempts have been made to spur the diffident children on by means of individual work, etc., but considering the limited amount of time given to music and the various conditions and circumstances connected with the individual, efforts in that direction seem rather futile, however, I think that the general average is excellent.
As the seating capacity of the Assembly Hall in the Stetson High School does not meet the requirement necessary for successful chorus work, I have been obliged to form two singing classes; such a plan entails more time and labor, but in order that each and every child should receive a fair amount of supervision, the plan stated was the only means available for solving the problem.
Very little, if any, money has been expended on music material this last year. It has always been my aim to econo- mize as much as possible in this direction, but at the present time there is an urgent need of material, especially in the High School, and I may add a suitable closet for storing the
141
EIGHTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
same. Satisfactory results cannot be obtained without the necessary requirements.
I wish to thank the members of the School Committee, the teachers, and you, Mr. Quinn, for your kindly help and advice, and the teachers for their faithful and efficient efforts.
Respectfully submitted,
ROSE G. HAND,
Supervisor of Music.
ـتـ مـ
142
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Trustees of the Turner Free Library
1920
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
TURNER FREE LIBRARY
Trustees, 1920
JOHN V. BEAL President
WINTHROP B. ATHERTON Vice-President
N. IRVING TOLMAN Treasurer
WILLIAM H. LEAVITT Secretary
JOHN H. RUDDERHAM
RICHARD H. FORREST JOHN B. MAHONEY (Selectmen of Randolph, Ex-Officiis)
ASA P. FRENCH MRS. ELLEN J. T. ROUNTREE
SETH TURNER CRAWFORD
FRANK C. GRANGER
MRS. ALICE M. T. BEACH
FRANK W. BELCHER
HERBERT F. FRENCII
CHARLES C. FARNHAM
Librarian ALICE M. BELCHER
Librarian Emeritus CHARLES C. FARNHAM 1 Assistant Librarian SARAH C. BELCHER
The Library met with a great loss the latter part of the year in the death of Mrs. Ellen J. T. Rountree, a devoted member of the Board of Trustees.
145
EIGHTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
PUBLIC LIBRARY
To the Citizens of Randolph :-
Pursuant to the provisions of Article 3 'of the by-laws of the Turner Free Library, this the forty-fifth annual report is submitted, showing the condition of the trust, consisting of the building, library and funds. together with the reports of the Librarian and Treasurer, and so much of the reports submitted to the Trustees by the various committees as seem of general interest.
The Library Committee, consisting of John V. Beal, Mrs. Alice M. T. Beach, Herbert F. French and Charles C. Farn- ham, with the assistance of the Librarian, have found the books. charts and furnishings in good condition. All books belonging to the library were accounted for by the Librarian.
The committee on building consisting of Winthrop. B. Atherton, N. Irving Tolman, John B. Mahoney, Frank W. Belcher and Richard F. Forrest report as follows :-
Randolph, Mass., January 1, 1921.
To the Trustees of the Turner Free Library :-
The interior and exterior of the building needs some attention and an appropriation of one hundred and fifty dollars is requested.
WINTHROP B. ATHERTON, N. IRVING TOLMAN, FRANK W. BELCHER.
146
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
The committee on finance consisting of Asa P. French, William H. Leavitt, John H. Rudderham, Seth Turner Crawford and Frank C. Granger, reports as follows :-
Randolph, Mass., January 1, 1921.
To the Trustees of Turner Free Library :-
Your committee on finance submits the following re- port :-
The committee has audited the account of the Treasurer for the year 1920 and found them correct. All moneys re- ceived have been duly accounted for, and no money has been paid out except upon vouchers properly approved. The committee has examined also the securities representing the investment of the funds of the library, and has found them to be intact. No change has been made in these securities since our report for the year 1919 was submitted except that one Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Bond for $1,000 has since matured and the proceeds thereof are presented by a $1,000 Third Liberty bond and a $50 Liberty bond, as listed in the Treasurer's report.
ASA P. FRENCH,
Chairman
The report of the librarian showing in detail the doings management and results of the various departments of the Library, and the reports of the Treasurer are hereunto sub- joined.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN V. BEAL, President of Board of Trustees.
Randolph, Mass., January 1, 1921.
147
EIGHTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN
Randolph, Mass., January 1, 1921.
To the Trustees of the Turner Free Library :-
I have the honor to submit the annual report of the Librarian for the year ending December 31, 1920.
There have been 257 books added to the Library the past year, 203 by purchase, 8 bound magazines and 46 as gifts, from various sources, making 28,083 accessioned volumes.
The American Library Association gave some of the books used in the Library War Service to the Libraries, at the close of the war and through the kindness of Mr. Whit- more, Librarian of the Brockton Library, we received a number of almost new books on business and technical subjects.
The Library has been opened 303 days and 31,864 books have been borrowed and 527 magazines.
In April a renumbering of borrowers' cards was found necessary and up to December 31, 1920, we issued 948 cards. The last registration was in April, 1901.
We have done our usual work with the schools, lending books to the teachers and helping the pupils in reference work, Several sets of pictures from the Geographic Society have been added to our picture collection which the teachers find useful.
The reading room has had its usual number of readers but owing to the absence of a custodian no statistical report can be submitted this year.
148
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
The sum of $95.74 received for fines and collections has been turned over to the Treasurer.
The Librarian wishes to take this opportunity to acknowledge the helpful interest of the Trustees and the loyal co-operation of Miss Belcher, her assistant.
Respectfully submitted,
ALICE M. BELCHER,
Librarian
Annual Statistical Report of the Library by Months
Total
Days
Average
January
2803
28
108
February
2833
21
135
March
2966
27
110
April
2638
25
105
May
2567
25
103
June
2742
26
105
July
2318
26
90
August
2333
26
90
September
2312
25
92
October
2657
25
106
November
2731
25
109
December
2934
26
113
31,864
303
105
-
149
EIGHTY-FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE TREASURER
1
Randolph, Mass., January 1, 1921.
To the Trustees of the Turner Free Library :-
In compliance with the requirements of the by-laws, I herewith submit my annual report as Treasurer of the Turner Free Library :-
Receipts
Income Turner fund $ 519.94
Income R. W. Turner fund
855.04
Rent Randolph Savings Bank 360.00
Rent C. Fred Lyons 275.00
Interest Boston Elevated bonds 225.00
Randolph Savings Bank, fuel, 1919
182.33
Fines and collections 95.74
Town appropriation
150.00
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy bond matured . 1,000.00
Balance January 1, 1920 419.00
$ 4,082.05
Disbursements
Paid for books $ 298.45
Paid for periodicals
157.34
Paid for rebinding books
94.64
Salary of Librarian
600.00
Salary of Assistant Librarian .
300.00
Salary of Janitor
251.96
150
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASS.
Salary of Custodian
75.00
Extra help in vacation
13.43
Electric light and lamps
103.50
Supplies
55.17
Library Art Club
6.00
Fuel
420.59
Printing
45,25
Rent safe deposit box
10.00
Repairs
176.93
Express
3.41
Sundries
8.50
Re-investment in liberty bonds
976.55
Deposit in Randolph Savings Bank 25.00
Balance December 31, 1920
160.33
$ 4,082.05
The Turner Fund is inve :ted in :-
1 Third Liberty Loan Bond $ 1,000.00
1 Third Liberty Loan Bond 50.00
1 Old Colony R. R. Bond 1,000.00
1 Western Tel. & Tel. Bond 1,000.00
1 N. Y. Central & Hudson River Bond 1,000.00
3 Union Pacific Bonds . each
500.00
3 Pere Marquette R. R. Bonds each
1,000.00
3 Pere Marquette R. R. Bonds each
100.00
33 Shares Union Pacific preferred each 100.00
The Royal W. Turner Fund is invested in :-
10 Old Colony R. R. Bonds each $ 1,000.00
5 American Tel. & Tel. Bonds each 1,000.00
5 New York Tel. Bonds each 1,000.00
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