USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1875 > Part 2
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But a guess at the condition of some of our most important schools for the last few weeks of the year does not satisfy us. Neither do we believe it is what the town wants. The time has come, we think, when such a change should be made in the divi- sion of the school year into terms and vacations as will enable us to close all the schools in season to get full returns from them to present in the annual report. This course is rendered all the more necessary from the fact that, as matters are now, the select- men are not a little embarrassed on account of the bills for teach- ing and other school expenses, not being all in before March 1.
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Besides, the tendency is towards an increase in the number of weeks in the year, during which the schools are in session. We would encourage this tendency until every school shall have forty weeks. That they all may close in good season, even should they reach this limit, we have fixed upon the following as the final and permanent arrangement of terms and vacations, for all the schools in town, high schools included.
TERMS AND VACATIONS.
The Spring term shall begin on the second Monday in March, and continue till the Friday before the 4th of July, with a recess of one week at the end of the eighth week of the term. After the close of the Spring term there shall be a vacation of eight weeks, and the Fall term shall begin on the Monday immediately succeed- ing the eighth week of vacation, and continue till the Friday be- fore the annual Thanksgiving. The Winter term shall begin on the first Monday after the annual Thanksgiving and close on the Friday before the last Monday in February. Special arrangements will be made as occasion shall require, for schools which, on ac- count of lack of funds, are unable to have sessions amounting in the aggregate to forty weeks during the year. But in no case shall the Winter term of any school be extended beyond the Friday im- mediately preceding the last Monday in February ; neither shall any school be kept during any part of the time allotted to the Summer vacation. The new arrangement shall not go into effect, however, till the close of the Spring term of 1875, which begins on the first Monday in April, and continues without interruption till the Friday before the 4th of July.
IMPROVEMENTS.
We congratulate the town on having better school accommoda- tions than ever before. A year ago District No. 1 had but two rooms into which to pack its two hundred and fifty scholars. Now it has four rooms, large, airy, cheerful, and supplied with furni- ture which is modern and convenient. Not a penny has been laid out for mere show, and yet that bare and staring appearance which close economy, sometimes wears has been happily avoided. The impression which the scholars from this District will carry with
26
them will be, that they pursued their studies in a place of plain, but substantial comfort. The play-room in the basement, where the scholars can romp when the weather is inclement, shows the thoughtfulness of the committee who planned the building. The whole cost of enlarging, improving and furnishing this school house was about $7,400. In consequence of this change in the building the schools in this District are now well graded, and likely to do better than ever before.
In No. 11 (Dodgeville) the room in the basement of the new school house has been " finished off," so that a separate school has been formed of the smaller scholars, thus relieving the other room of its burden, and giving opportunity for better classification.
In the Briggsville District, also, the school house has undergone repairs, so that now it looks much more tidy, both inside and out- side. With a few finishing touches on the inside it might also be made to look quite cosy, and home-like.
But the great event of the year has been the completion of the large, new, elegant and convenient school house in No. 18, at a cost of about $30,000. It marks an era in the architecture of the town. For situation, and beauty, and adaptedness, both as a whole, and in its details, to the purposes for which it was erected, it seems well-nigh perfect. The town is to be congratulated on having secured in this building a suitable place for the East High School.
The improvements above named are to be valued not merely as improvements, but also as indications of interest in the public schools.
NORTH HIGH SCHOOL ROOM.
Is it not high time now that some more convenient place were provided for the North High School than the discarded district school building to which it has been so long confined? The chief excellence of the accommodations for this school has hitherto been, that they were rather better than the worst. Since the re- moval of the East High School they have lost even that merit. Such a place for a High School is a positive disgrace to a town worth $4,000,000. If it were not wrong to appeal to sectional feeling, we should be tempted to ask the men of the northern part of the town if they will submit to such an inequality as now exists
27
between the accommodations for their High School and those pro- vided for the other. But this is a matter which concerns the whole town. If a movement to provide some better place for the North High School were set on foot it would be cordially supported by others besides the men of that section.
TEACHERS AND PARENTS.
The public schools in this town, as a whole, we believe, were never better taught than they have been the past year. Not all have been served alike. It would be invidious, however, to make comparisons. The chief part of the work done has been very sat- isfactory to us. The wonder is that teachers do so well, left, as they are, to work on almost alone, and receiving few expressions of sympathy from the people whose children are their constant care. Teaching is a very different kind of work from mechanical labor. It is not the work of the head and the hands merely. The teacher's soul must be in it or it will not be well done. The ex- pression of hearty sympathy for her in her vexations and trials, and of appreciation of her efforts will do much to keep alive her best feelings, and to make her efficient in the work of education. The scholars, as well as the teacher, would be encouraged, if the parents would visit the school and cheer them by showing an in- terest in what they are doing. A child craves approbation. He will be interested in his work in proportion as he sees those whom he esteems and loves interested in it. The school should be visited in the course of the term, and not simply on examination day, when all are on dress parade. One visit in a term from each parent who has a child in school would be no great tax on the people, and yet it would encourage and stimulate teacher and scholars exceedingly. Try it. It will pay.
ATTENDANCE.
There have been connected with the public schools the past year 38 who were under five years of age, and 145 who were over fifteen. How much schooling the 1,549 between the ages of five and fifteen have received will be seen from the following table to which we would call special attention :
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District . No.
Number be- tween 5 and 15 tween 5 and 15 Number be- years, March 1, 1875.
attending school.
Number in school three terms.
Number in school two terms.
Number in school one term.
1
252
249
169
35
45
2
16
14
5
6
3
3
9
7
3
3
1
4
216
200
120
39
41
5
147
143
110
16
17
6
35
31
23
7
1
7
40
53
19
18
16
8
45
49
27
10
12
9
35
30
15
9
6
10
16
15
4
9
2
11
148
112
35
32
45
12
21
23
12
5
.6
13
21
21
15
4
2
14
23
27
12
8
7
15
.77
69
42
15
12
16
42
31
24
6
1
17
21
15
13
2
18
284
278
64
48
66
19
19
15
8
5
2
20
82
80
22
19
39
Totals
1,549
1,462
829
307
326
It will be obvious to those who look at these figures that, in the two large villages of North Attleboro and East Attleboro, there cannot be many children between five and fifteen years of age who have not been in school some portion of the year. Not quite two- thirds have attended the entire year. The remainder, in numbers approximately equal, have taken one and two terms of schooling, respectively. In some of the rural districts and at Attleboro Falls there is even a better exhibit of attendance. But in Hebron- ville and Dodgeville the numbers who have been in school the en- tire year is lamentably small. The cotton factory is a powerful tempter, for it offers cash in hand every month for the children's toil. On the other hand the principal benefits derived from steady attendance at school relate more to the future than the present. And even to some people who can see them plainly in the distance
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these benefits seem less substantial than money. We ask the friends of education in the districts where attendance on the schools is so small to help us in our endeavors to secure for all the children the full benefit of our public school system. Especially do we entreat the managers of the mills to give their efficient aid. They occupy positions of much power and can greatly hinder or help forward the cause of public education. Their responsibility is equal to the greatness of their opportunities.
DETAILED STATEMENT OF THE SCHOOLS.
No. 1 .- GRAMMAR.
Teacher-Miss E. A. Gerould, assisted in spring term by Miss M. A. Gerould.
Wages per month . .$48.00
Weeks of school.
Spring 13, Fall 9 Winter 12
Number of scholars 66 62,
33
34
Average attendance
563,
31},
3027
Per cent. of attendance for the year,
92+
No. 1 .- INTERMEDIATE.
Teachers .- Spring, Miss Hattie A. George, assisted by Miss Hattie M. Goodwin.
Fall and Winter
Miss M. A. Gerould.
Wages per month, Miss George, $40; Miss Goodwin, $28; Miss Gerould
.$40.
Weeks of school. Spring 13, Fall 9, Winter 12.
Number of scholars
83,
38,
66
39
Average attendance.
7232,
293, 66 3.150
Per cent. of attendance for the year.
81+
No. 1 .- UPPER. PRIMARY.
Teacher .
Miss Hattie A. George.
Wages per month
.. .$40.
Weeks of School.
Fall 9, Winter 12
Number of scholars
62,
58
Average attendance.
66 56847
4832
Per cent. of attendance for the year.
87+
No. 1 .- LOWER PRIMARY.
Teachers. Spring, Miss Mary A. Kent. Fall and Winter ... Miss Hattie P. Cowell ..
.
30
Wages per month.
Weeks of school . Spring 13, Fall 9,
Winter 12
Number of scholars ..
70,
68,
51
Average attendance 66
5547,
53,
38
Per cent. of attendance for the year
.77+.
No. 2.
Teacher . Miss Alice M. Metcalf.
Wages per month., . Spring and Fall $32, Winter $40
Weeks of school. - Spring 12, Fall 12,
Winter 11.
Number of scholars 11, 12, 66
13.
Average attendance
9,
1124,
1147 1 55
Per cent. of attendance for the year
89.
No. 3.
Teacher . . Miss Jennie E. Ellis.
Wages per month
.$32
Weeks of school .
Spring 12, Fall 11.
Number of scholars
7, 7.
Average attendance
610, 6.
Per cent. of attendance for the year
.91.
No. 4 .- GRAMMAR.
Teachers .Spring, Miss Jennie E. Hastings.
Fall and Winter . Miss Angie M. Quincy.
Wages per month . . $52.
Weeks of school.
. Spring 13, Fall 11, Winter 14.
Number of scholars.
44,
41, 41.
Average attendance .
38, 38+, " 35 +
89.
No. 4 .- INTERMEDIATE.
Teacher Miss Abbie A. Somes.
Wages per month.
. .. $44.
Weeks of school. Spring 13, Fall 11, Winter 14.
Number of scholars
50,
50,
47.
Average attendance.
444, 465, 66 3849
Per cent. of attendance for the year
88++.
No. 4 .- PRIMARY.
Teacher.
Miss Flora L. Hancock. Wages per month .. $40.
Per cent. of attendance for the year.
.$36.
31
Weeks of school. . Spring 123, Fall 11,
Winter 14.
Number of scholars. 66 74,
.. 68,
66 55.
Average attendance
66 5643
583,
422.
Per cent. of attendance for the year.
.80+
No. 5 .- GRAMMAR.
Teachers-Spring and Fall. Miss Josephine Wadleigh.
Winter
Miss Jennie E. Ellis.
Wages per month.
.. $48.
Weeks of school . Spring 12,
Fall 11, Winter 12.
Number of scholars
66 40, 66 37, . 36.
Average attendance. 66 339
282.
Per cent. of attendance for the year.
82+.
No. 5-PRIMARY.
Teachers Miss F. I. Phelps, Principal. Miss I. M. Cortiss part of winter term. Miss Lizzie Riley.
Wages per month. . Principal $40; Assistant $24.
Weeks of school . Spring 12, Fall 11, Winter 12.
Number of scholars. 66 85 73. 66 72.
Average attendance. 66 6610, 633 66 552.
Per cent. of attendance for the year.
81 ..
No. 6.
Teacher Miss Mary A. Mathias.
Wages per month .$36.
Weeks of school . Spring 12, Fall 11, Winter 13.
Number of scholars 31, 32,
66 29.
Average attendance
257
2731, 231.
Per cent. of attendance for the year.
83.
No. 7.
Teachers-Spring. . Miss Stella M. Barrows. Fall and Winter Miss Delia M. Stanley.
Wages per month.
.. $40.
Weeks of school.
Spring 12, Fall 10, Winter 12.
Number of soholars
37,
66 49,
. 32.
Average attendance .
28,
373, 2310.
Per cent. of attendance for the year.
.76.
. Assistant.
32
No. 8.
Teacher. Miss R. C. Parker.
Wages per month.
.. $40.
Weeks of school .. Spring 12, Fall 11, Winter 14.
Number of scholars. 48, 43,
44.
Average attendance.
3233,
34.37 4 108,
351.
Per cent. of attendance for the year.
No. 9.
Teachers-Spring. Miss Mary H. Wolfenden.
Fall and Winter. . Miss Fannie E. Wolfenden.
Wages per month . $32.
Weeks of school Spring 13, Fall 11, Winter 15.
Number of scholars
24, 66 24, 21.
Average attendance 66 1917 20號6 66 14.99 4 120.
Per cent. of attendance for the year
79.
No. 10.
Teacher. Miss Olive C. Joslin.
Wages per month . .$32.
Weeks of school.
Spring 13, Fall 11.
Number of scholars
15, 14
Average attendance
1 509
1217
Per cent. of artendance for the year.
.81++.
No. 11 .- GRAMMAR.
Teacher . Miss Lizzie C. Blanding.
Wages per month Spring and Fall $52; Winter $48.
Assistant.
.Spring $16 ; Fall $20.
Weeks of school.
Spring 13,
Fall 11, Winter 14.
Number of scholars
85, 72, 29
Average attendance
6 149
1 64, 549, 26.5.
79+.
Per cent. of attendance for the year .
No. 11 .- PRIMARY.
Teacher . Miss Lucy C. Sweet.
Wages per month $24.
Weeks of school 14.
Number of scholars 32.
Average attendance
.262.
Per cent. of attendance 83+.
. 74.
33
No. 12.
Teachers-Spring. Miss Alice H. Round.
Fall and Winter. Miss Julia L. Briggs.
Wages per month.
.$32.
Weeks of school. Spring 8, Fall 10, Winter 13.
Number of scholars.
15, 66 17,
20.
Average attendance. 66 11,
12, 66 16,67 100
Per cent. of attendance for the year.
76.
No. 13.
Teacher Miss F. R. Blanding.
Wages per month. . Spring $32 ; Fall and Winter. $34.
Weeks of school. Spring 13, Fall 11, Winter 13.
Number of scholars. 66 19,
17, 22.
Average attendance.
132,
1353,
1534.
Per cent. of attendance for the year.
No. 14.
Teacher.
.Miss H. L. Harvey.
Wages per month.
$34.
Weeks of school. . Spring 13, Fall, 11, Winter 9.
Number of scholars. 23, .66 20,
15.
Average attendance.
15.19
32,
142,
11.
Per cent. of attendance for the year.
71.
No. 15.
Teacher. . Miss Mary A. Brady ..
Wages per month .$48.
Weeks of school. . Spring 9, Fall 11, Winter 14.
Number of scholars 55, 57 55.
Average attendance. 40g, 41, 423.
74.
No. 16.
Teacher. . Miss D. Jacobs.
Wages per month . Spring $40 ; Fall and Winter $44.
Weeks of school. Spring 12, Fall 12, Winter 14.
Number of scholars. 29, 27, 27.
Average attendance.
2521, 21, 22.
Per cent. of attendance for the year.
.82++
No. 17.
Teachers-Spring. Mis Sara A. Walton. Fall and Winter .. Miss Hannah S. Horton. Wages per month. Spring $32 ; Fall and Winter $40.
Weeks or school.
8
16.
Number of scholars
3
17,
66
18 ..
.74.
Per cent. of attendance for the year.
.34
Average attendance. ... . . . . . . Spring 113, 1%, Fall and Winter 1630. Per cent. of attendance for the year. .78+.
No. 18 .- GRAMMAR.
Teacher. Miss Bessie M. Young. .$44.
Wages per month
Weeks of school. Spring 13, Fall 14, Winter 12.
Number of scholars
46, 49, 66 46.
Average attendance
38,
40, 66 37.
Per cent. of attendance for the year.
82.
No. 18 .- INTERMEDIATE.
Teacher-Miss Juliette D. Stanley, assisted by Miss Lillian C. Sturdy.
Wages per month .$40.
Weeks of school. Spring 13, Fall 14, Winter 12.
Number of scholars. 66 55, 62, 65.
Average attendance 6 6 42}, 66 53,53 543.
Per cent. of attendance for the year
82+.
No. 18 .- NORTH PRIMARY.
Teachers-Miss Lizzie C. Becket, Principal, Miss Lillian · C. Sturdy, Assistant.
Wages per month, Miss Becket, Spring $36 ; Fall and Winter $40. 66 Miss Sturdy . .$24.
Weeks of school. Spring 12, Fall 14, Winter 12.
Number of scholars
76,
66 85,
66 64.
Average attendance.
533. 6230 49.
Per cent, of attendance for the year.
.74.
No. 18 .- SOUTH PRIMARY.
Teacher. Miss Lizzie A. Shepard.
Wages per month
. .$40.
Weeks of school. Spring 13, Fall 13, Winter 12.
Number of scholars. 67, 42, 34.
Average attendance. 66 55,6
13" 865, 66 283+ 25,
Per cent. of attendance for the year.
.86+.
No. 19.
Teacher- Miss Mary F. Albee, Mr. Gardner Dunham, part of winter term.
Wages per month. Spring and Winter $34; Fall $32.
.
35
Weeks of school. . Spring 9, Fall 8, Winter 14.
Number of scholars . . 6 14, 66 9,
66 17.
Average attendance. 66
125, 66 7,
313
Per cent. of attendance for the year.
.82.
No. 20.
Teacher . Miss Addie R .. Lawrence.
Wages per month.
... $48.
Weeks of school . Spring 13, Fall 12, Winter 14.
Number of scholars.
59,
51,
50.
Average attendance . 66 41,
38,30,
37.
Per cent. of attendance for the year
.72+.
NORTH HIGH SCHOOL.
Teachers-Mr. B. Porter, Jr., Principal, Miss M. F. Atwood, Assistant.
Wages per month . Principal $120 ; Assistant $50.
Weeks of school . . Spring 12, Fall 16, Winter 12.
Number of scholars 66 57, 66 78,
75.
Average attendance. 66 52₺, 753, 66 68.
Per cent. of attendance for the year
.93++.
EAST HIGH SCHOOL.
Teachers -- Mr. J. O. Tiffany, Principal ; Miss Abbie S. Hawes, Assistant.
Wages per month. . . Principal $120 ; Assistant $50.
Weeks of school . Spring 12, Fall 16, Winter 12.
Number of scholars 66 45. 66 51, 50.
Average attendance.
40% 48,28, 46.
Per cent. of attendance for the year
.92+.
The average length of the schools for the year has been 34 weeks and 2 days, and the average per cent. of attendance, .82.
ROLL OF HONOR.
NEITHER ABSENT NOR TARDY FOR ONE YEAR.
District No. 1 .- Lizzie Thompson, Annie Bicknell, Lloyd Razee, Leda Thompson, Edgar Barden.
District No. 4 .- Fred. F. Schmadl.
District No. 7 .- Arthur I. Newell.
District No. 11 .- Annie H. Fuller, Eva B. Fuller, Mary Short.
District No. 14 .- Ada B. Cummings.
.
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District No. 15 .- Cleland McClatchy.
District No. 20 .- Frank Atwell.
East High School .- Carrie E. Mathewson, Amelia Beach, Katie Lincoln, Frank Blackinton.
North High School .- Arthur Warren, Mary Matthias.
NEITHER ABSENT NOR TARDY FOR TWO TERMS.
District No. 1 .- Edna Smith, Eddie Barden, Nellie Blanchard, Charles Frost, Ellen Brady, Eddie Lull, Minnie Thompson, Joseph Galliher, Martin Brennan, Jennie Hamill, Arthur Lord, James Lally, Carrie Schlevoight, Willie Swift.
District No. 2 .- Willie Ralph, Willie Jordan.
District No. 4 .- Laura E. Amos, Oswald Schmadl, Everett E. King, Louis T. Jones, Charles E. Sandland, Henry Hall.
District No. 5 .- Clarence Wood, Eva Read.
District No. 7 .- Charles A. Carpenter, Henry B. Carpenter, Ida J. Chace, S. Delmedia Clark, Grace M. Newell.
District No. 11 .- Griselda White, Mary Boucher, Mary Dono- hoe, Lizzie Taylor, Edwin Burtonwood, Hiram J. Jones, Gilbert Savage, David Short.
District No. 13 .- Hattie B. Torrey.
District No. 15 .- Annie Bartosch.
District No. 18 .- Ada A. Hammond, Fannie Pierce, Maggie Crawford, Percie Crandall, Albert H. Angell, John F. Angell.
District No. 20 .- Sarah Potter, Elmer Atwell.
East High School .- Edward Wales, John Brady.
North High School .- Rufus King, Nellie Thompson, Lydia Fisher, Inez Freeman, Charles Tappan, Agnes Peirce, Frank White.
NEITHER ABSENT NOR TARDY FOR ONE TERM.
District No. 1 .- Winnie Barden, Sabina Brennan, James Day, Willie Day, Abraham Glidden, Annie Galliher, Sarah Hamill, Maude King, Mary McGinn, Dinah Velders, Henry Velders, Susie Carroll, Charles Hamill, Mamie Lull, Minnie Niles, George Price, Maggie Tills, Josie Curtis, David Glidden, Mamie Galliher, Annie Hamill, Clarence King; James Long, Willie Long, Arthur Mc- Carthy, Annie McCarthy, Sophy Rister, John Velders.
District No. 2 .- Lorenzo Jordan.
37
District No. 3 .- Grace E. Henshaw, Ella F. Henshaw, George A. Allen.
District No. 4 .- Hattie Dean, Charles Metcalf, Charles Bride, Arthur Bruce, Belle Ryan, Louis Kurtz, Hervey R. Franklin, Oscar Kurtz, Harry W. Tufts, Lillie C. Albee, Mary W. Peirce, Louise Miller, William H. Shaw, George'E. Beers, George Brown, Walter Darling, Lawrence Ryan, Wells P. Eagleton, Henry Enbom, Chas. Kurtz, Lillie Bruce, Lena Davis, Eva C. Smith, Jennie Sandland, Annie Sorries, Ada Schmadl, Lizzie Sadler, Willie Ames, Mattie Aston, Bridget McGowan, Lena Regnall, Frank Draper.
District No. 5 .- Susie Peirce, Ella F. Tappan, Sarah E. Fisher, Willie Miller, Bertie Hall, Sanford Wood, George Givens, Herbert Goff, John Dehm, Emma Mackinson, Mary Hearn, Clara Read, John Keefe.
District No. 6 .- Fannie M. Eldridge, Annie E. Eldridge, Clara E. Kent, Willie Todd, James Todd.
District No. 7 .- Freddie Coons, Jerome H. Tucker, Lillie P. Clark, Maude M. Tucker.
District No. 8 .- Jennie Orr, Jennie Horton, Hattie A. Cobb, James W. Orr, Damon A. White, George W. Orr, Eddie Galla- gher.
District No. 9 .- Jennie Allen, Lavina Allen, Annie Coupe. District No. 10 .- Edith Thornton, Abel Thornton.
District No. 11 .- Annie Burtonwood, Nellie Parker, Samuel Hopkins, Alexander Smith, Freddie Babbitt, James Curven, Charlie Peck, George Edgar, Lillie M. Congdon, Christina Hood, Willie Hill, Willie Covill, John L. Congdon, Jennie A. Smith.
District No. 12 .- Mary A. Briggs.
District No. 13 .- Annie M. Torrey, George B. Stoddard, Damon A. Torrey.
District No. 14 .- Nellie M. Thayer.
District No. 15 .- Lottie Bartosch, Ralph Barney, Howard Car- penter.
District No. 16 .- Emma C. Martin, Hattie E. Lee, Evie H. Lee, Chloe A. Briggs, Lavina S. Cooper, Willie E. Field, Arthur W. Parmenter, Frank B. Parmenter, Freddie P. Cooper.
District No. 17 .- Annie F. Thurber, Mary F. Parmenter, Mary E. Thurber, Hattie A. Drake.
District No. 18 .- John Coughlin, James Coughlin, Florence
38
Huse, Katie Goff, Viola Crumby, Celia Jordan, Fred. Chapman, Lizzie Chapman, Harry Carlisle, Eddie K. Hall, Willie Dennis, Herbert S. Nye, George Handy, Ella J. Gay, Lizzie Stearns, An- nie M. Wheaton, Marion Briggs, Annie Hayward, Clara Walton, Emiel F. Miller, Carrie L. Beach, Nellie A. Ryder, Mary W. San- ford, Charles E. Crumby, Frank C. Gray, Ernest Hemper, Eddie I. Kingsley, Hervey H. Kingsley, Minnie Bicknell, Annie Craw- ford, Charles Briggs, Elmer Whitman.
District No. 20 .- Annie F. Sweet, Nellie Driscoll, Willard Corey, John Callahan.
East High School .- Susie Alger, Lydia Babcock, Julia Briggs, Philip Brady, Alvin Cooper, Henry Snell, Nellie Coughlin, Mary Harlow, William Adams, Thomas Inman, Fred Nye.
North High School .- Cora F. Barden, Hattie Paine, Henry Wil- son, Nellie Phelps, Ervin L. Blake, Frank Mason, Henry Curtis, Willie Rathbun, Susie A. Porter, Freddie Amos, Fred Barden, Thomas Kennedy.
HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES, 1874.
North High School .- Cora F. Barden, Annie, H. Jillson, Hattie B. Paine, Abbie E. Perry, Gertie A. Robinson, Minnie A. Sadler, Lizzie M. Thomson, Fred S. Gilbert.
East High School .- Lydia B. Babcock, Hattie S. Beers, Julia L. Briggs, Lena H. Capron, Lucy C. Sweet, Lillian C. Sturdy, Emma R. Walcott, Fannie E. Wolfenden, Walter E. Hayward.
CHANGE IN ARITHMETICS.
Appleton's Practical and Elementary Arithmetics have been in use in the schools of this town a number of years. A change would be beneficial, as some of our best teachers think. We con- cur with them in this opinion. Accordingly we have decided to re- place Appleton's by Eaton's Arithmetics of corresponding grade. These we consider the best books of their class for the use of our schools. The change, we believe, will much increase the interest in this important study on the part both of teachers and scholars. We get them at a low rate from the publishers and will supply the schools with them at the beginning of the Spring term, in accord- ance with the provisions of the Statutes relating to change of text- books.
39
STATE APPROPRIATION.
Attleboro's share of the State School Fund amounts this year to $458.55. Of this we have reserved $114.64 (25 per cent.) for the purchase of apparatus, books of reference, &c., if needed. Of the remaining $343.91 there has already been expended $36.72 for District No. 3, and $33.23 for District No. 10, to lengthen those schools beyond the limit allowed by the town appropriation. The $273.96, still left, will be used during the year for the support of schools where it seems to be needed most.
EVENING SCHOOLS.
A year ago it was intimated to us that an evening school seemed to be needed in this town. We asked an appropriation of $300 00 to open such a school in the winter, if the need of it were found to be as pressing as was represented. Early in the winter, by public notice, we requested such persons over fifteen years of age, as desired to attend an evening school to make the same known to us. There were but few responses. In order, however, to give a last chance to any who might be holding back, we announced that evening schools would be opened at such a time in the two princi- pal villages, having previously determined that we would continue neither of them with a less number of pupils than twenty-five. The first evening there were twice that number at each place, with more to come. The schools were ably managed and taught ; that in the north village by Mr. B. Porter, Jr., assisted by Miss Angie M. Quincy ; and that in the east village by Mr. J. O. Tiffany, as- sisted by Mr. Edward Williams. The branches in which instruc- tion was given, were spelling, reading, writing, grammar, arithme- tic and book-keeping. The schools were in session eleven weeks each, four evenings in the week. The whole number in attendance' at the north was 78; and the average attendance was 354. The whole number at the east was 87 ; and the average attendaace, 314. There was some falling off towards the close. In future we would guard against this by shortening the term if the number were not kept up to a fixed point. We give below a statement of the expen- ditures for these schools :
40
North.
Tuition
$110 00
Fuel. .
-9 00
Lamps, oil, care of room and incidentals. 39 40
$158 40
East.
Tuition .$110 00
Fuel. 9 50
Lamps, oil, care of house and incidentals 23 49
Total ·$301 39 $142 99
The scholars at the east school contributed $11.00 towards the lighting of the house, which accounts for the difference in the cost of the two schools. That we need these evening schools seems to us now a plain matter of fact. Our experiment with them the past season has convinced us that the town would be justified in provid- ing for them still with the same enlightened liberality as at the last annual meeting. We would therefore recommend that $300.00 be set apart for their support for the next Winter. We would also recommend that the same appropriations as last year be made for common and high schools.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN WHITEHILL,
J. D. PEIRCE,
School
E. D. HALL, Committee.
58 2024
DEMCO LIBRARY SUPPLIES Madison New Haven Conn.
Wis.
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