USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1883 > Part 3
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Total amount of taxes assessed,
$77,936 73
BURRILL PORTER, JR., Assessors
SAMUEL P. LATHROP, of
JOB B. SAVERY, Attleborough.
Attleborough, March Ist, 1883.
8
REPORT
- OF THE -
SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
-- OF THE -
TOWN OF ATTLEBOROUGH,
- FOR THE -
YEAR ENDING FEBRUARY 28, 1883.
61
ANNUAL REPORT.
SCHOOL REPORT,
The School Committee have the honor to submit to the town the following report for the year ending Feb. 28, 1883 :
It is known to all that the Committee, as at present com- posed, is not as elected at the last town meeting. Then Geo. A. Adams, Esq., for several years previous a faithful member of the Committee, and Rev. Geo. O. Jenness, were chosen to places upon it. The latter of these gentlemen declined to qualify, and the former, soon after his election, resigned. This leit two vacancies, which, at a joint meet- ing of the remaining member and of the Board of Select- men, were filled by the appointment of Rev. J. S. Cant- well, D.D., and Rev. T. W. Illman. Mr. S. P. Lathrop has acted as Chairman, and Mr. T. W. Illman as Secretary during the year. As thus composed and organized, the Committee have undertaken the important duties assigned to them, and have discharged them conscientiously and to the best of their ability.
If we may give an estimate of the work of
THE SCHOOLS IN GENERAL,
we would say that it has been good. Of course, no ideal state of affairs has been realized, and there is evident room for improvement ; but, everything considered, the word good does not overstate the quality of what has been done. The teachers in the large majority of instances, have been
62
ANNUAL REPORT.
efficient and faithful ; and the scholars have made evident and commendable progress, not simply through their books but in practical attainments. Every year brings its list of unavoidable hindrances. Change and sickness of teach- ers have had their effect upon the schools in which they have occurred ; and sickness among the children has less- ened the average attendance. Still, the year will more than hold its own in comparison with its predecessors ; and it is safe to say that the schools were never in better condition then now to do the work for which they are in- tended.
THE GRADING OF THE SCHOOLS
in the larger districts, is a work whose good fruits are in many ways apparent. It has enabled the teacher to con- centrate her powers upon two, or at the most three classes and upon a limited number of studies, and thus give those in her charge, more thorough drill than was possible where an indefinite number of classes, from a-b-c to high-school- preparatory, demanded her attention. We have the effect of the rifle rather than that of the blunderbuss. Still, it would be unwise to claim, that the present grading is com- ยท plete or perfect, it would be unreasonable to expect it to be so. What is needed is fewer grades, more distinctly defined. This is a work remaining to be accomplished. In the meantime, however, no one need fear that children will be unreasonably long in going through the schools as at present graded, for the faithful and capable scholar has ample opportunity to advance by special promotion. The advantages of grading or at least of strict classification, ought to be, and, in the near future doubtless will be, ex- tended to most of the schools in town. Some must always remain typical specimens of the district school, but classi- fication must be improved as far as possible. This task is one for future committees, or, as we trust, a superintendent, to take in hand and execute.
63
ANNUAL REPORT.
It is evident upon the slightest reflection that, while the efficiency of our schools depends not a little upon the sys- tem of management to which they are subject, quite as much depends upon the quality of their
TEACHERS.
One of the principal objections to the district system, now happily deceased, was, that the appointment of teach- ers was subject to so many illegitimate influences. They were not always hired with an eye single to the welfare of the schools. Given a good teacher, not a mere recitation- hearer, but one with knowledge sufficient and with enthusi- asm for the the work of instruction, and there will be suc- cess of no mean order under almost any system. Your Committee fully realize the value of good teachers, and wc are compelled to realize, also,-their scarcity But not to be discouraged by that fact, we have laid upon our hearts the necessity of securing for every school in town a good teacher. In no other direction can money be more profit- ably spent. With this view of the case, we have, for the school year about to begin, equalized the wages for the graded schools, and made them such as to attract to our town such teachers as are needed. In all grades below the sub-grammar, as requiring about the same attainments, ten dollars per week; sub-grammar, eleven ; grammar, thirteen. For ungraded schools, equally fair wages, but equally free from the charge of extravagance, are to be paid, the separate instances being left to the judgment of the visiting committee. Residents of our own town have the preference, but the motto is: "Good teachers, no matter where from." The majority of those at present employed are capable and faithful; but another year will doubtless witness an improvement in the instruction corps.
During the year past some teachers' meetings have been held. They were started with the idea of awakening en- thusiasm among the teachers themselves by personal con-
64
ANNUAL REPORT.
tact and the interchange of ideas, and also, to give the Committee an opportunity for such general directions in the conduct of schools as might be suggested by the dis- cussion of various pertinent topics. Three meetings were held and some practical measures born of them are now in operation. In particular, considerable attention was given to the subject of
REGULAR WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS.
These are now held in all schools and classes of schools above the primary, once a month on the work of the month, and, at the end of the term, on the work of the term. These examinations, we think, will yield a far better crite- rion of the fitness of a scholar to advance with his class than any results that the Committee would be likely to ar- rive at by a single half day's promiscuous oral examination. We have found the averages to run very close to the merits of the scholar in daily recitation, and so are led to place considerable confidence in them. At the same time, we are not manacled in judgment by them, particularly in the case of the smaller scholars. Our object was not merely to get a standard of scholarship, but also as knowledge is for the pen as well as for the tongue, and as knowledge that we shape in writing is more likely to remain in the mind to fasten all that is learned. The examinations are con- ducted with this intent, and, in our judgment, cannot be begun too soon after the valuable art of writing is acquired. In addition to this, teachers are urged to make their in- struction as practical as possible, that what is learned may not be mere book knowledge, but may take its place with the knowledge which is acquired by every-day experience.
During the year past the
IIIGHI SCHOOLS
have occupied a prominent position in the public attenion. The question, so long a vexed one, whether there should be one high school or two, has at last been set at rest by
65
ANNUAL REPORT.
the erection of two noble edifices, one at North Attleboro and the other at Attleboro, at a cost of $15,000 each. These were completed in the summer, and were dedicated to the purposes of higher education, August 31st and September Ist ; appropriate and timely addresses on the occasions, being delivered by Rev. W. A. Spaulding and F. L. Burden, M. D., respectively. They meet a long-felt want, and are fully appreciated by their occupants. The town is to be congratulated on its wisdom and generosity in providing these commodious buildings. That at North Attleboro is already fully occupied, the lower floor being used by a grammar school. The one at Attleboro has a spare room for future emergencies.
Both schools have been doing excellent work during the year, the interest and enthusiasm manifested by both teach- ers and scholars being especially noticable. The taste of good things in the shape of philosophical apparatus pur- chased by the appropriation of five hundred dollars last year, has been duly appreciated, but has served chiefly to whet the appetite for more. And more is needed, if for no other reason than to bear testimony to a public under- standing of the advanced and advancing position which scientific studies occupy in all higher education.
The two schools number together 64 scholars, of which 30 are attendants at the High street school and 34 at the Bank street school. This number is small but there is prospect that, in two years, it will be almost, if not quite, doubled. Indeed from the size and character of the classes that are now advancing, the hope is not delusive which looks forward to high schools with numbers sufficient to remove all ground for complaint that they are too expensive.
In June, they sent forth of their sons and daughters, nine, whose names will be found included in the statistics.
Early in July the regular yearly examination of candi- dates for admission was held during two days at North
9
66
ANNUAL REPORT.
Attleboro. Examination of conditioned candidates followed shortly after. As the result of both, twenty-two were de- clared entitled to admission and are now enrolled among the members of the two schools. At the time of those examinations, it became apparent to your Committee that the step from the district to the high schools was beset with special difficulty. The principle of requiring an ex- amination as a pre-requisite to admission is a true one, guarding at once the standard of the high school and pre- venting the applicants from taking up studies for which he is not prepared. But that examination should be dis- tributed over a sufficient length of time, to make it as free as possible from all occasion for nervousness and haste. That of last July was an improvement on its predecessors as far as time is concerned, and, as the average for admission was made very low, 55 per cent., we do not think one was barred out who deserved to get in.
The work done in our high schools is thorough and satis- factory, when judged from what they undertake to accom- complish. They are not primarily intended to be fitting- schools, from whose ordinary course a person may step at once into college. They are designed simply to furnish an ordinary higher education to those whose view stops short of university halls. They are in one sense, a finality-the capstone of the common school system, rather than the foundation stone of the college system. While this is truc, it would be very injudicious to frown upon those who do look forward to college, or fail to yield them tangible aid and encouragement. Accordingly provision is made in our high schools for preparing whosoever will for college. Our masters are themselves college graduates and are fully com- petent to give the necessary instruction. The desire of the Committee is that more may avail themselves of both the ordinary and the college preparatory courses.
During the year, some few changes have been made in
67
ANNUAL REPORT.
TEXT-BOOKS,
by the adoption of Greenleaf's Inductive Series of Arith- metics, Patterson's Elements of English Grammar and the introduction, as a supplementary reader, of Goodrich's Child's History of the United States. These are all giv- ing satisfaction.
Your Committee have discussed among themselves the idea of furnishing text-books to all scholars free of ex- pense. The matter is not new either as an idea or as a fact. Many cities have adopted it, and a committee of the Legis- lature have reported favorably upon it. To us, free text- books seem necessary to complete the freedom of our " free- school" system. It would certainly be a saving of money to the town as a whole, for, fewer books would be required, and they could be purchased at prices much less than those at present paid. The only objection to the plan, is that some would have to help pay for books who have no chil- dren to use them, whereas now, they pay who use; but the same objection lies against free schools in general, and is amply answered by a reference to the advantages which result to the community as a whole. The policy of free text-books is one that ought to be gradually adopted as being at once true patriotism and financial wisdom. So firmly do the Committee believe in the advisability of free books that we have made the matter a subject of special recommendation.
Just at present there are
SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS
sufficient for immediate needs in most of the districts. The demand for additional room in some, however, is great and pressing, and calls for speedy action on the part of the town. For instance, the school building at Hebronville is much too small for the number of scholars. The school at South Attleboro is the same. In this connection it de- serves to be remarked that with the increase of population,
-
68
ANNUAL REPORT.
some of our present accommodations will soon be strained. Already is there evidence of this in what was formerly District 4. And if the separate existence of some schools should be done away with, as now seems advisable in the case of Districts 13, 14, 17, 19, and possibly one or two others, the accommodation of their scholars might require some changes or additions in the schools absorbing them. The town should expect calls upon it for this purpose. The matter of providing our school houses with at least two sets of outlets for use in case of fire is one that cannot be too soon attended to. The school on Sanford street espe- cially needs to have its accommodations in this respect sup- plemented. But the entire subject of accommodations, fire escapes, &c., will be presented in a special report, to which reference for particulars and recommendations is made.
The change from the district to the
MUNICIPAL SYSTEM
requires but a word. We welcome the change as for the best interests of the schools. It has largely increased our cares and responsibilities and so we can hardly be accused of selfishness in the matter. At the beginning of the pres- ent calendar year, the control of the schools passed into the hands of the Committee. Our policy has been conser- vative. We renewed contracts with the teachers hired by the former Prudential Committees, and in nearly all in- stances, at the same rates ; we hired janitors ; and let the schools keep on as though nothing had happened. Some of the school buildings were sadly out of repair and needed instant attention ; others, having been neglected for years, are almost valueless. Very little can be done, however, until a clear and comprehensive policy in regard to the lo- cation of schools shall have been decided upon. We have ordered that substantially the former district lines shall be observed in determining the schools which children are to
69
ANNUAL REPORT.
attend. We have prepared to open each school as former- ly, and deemed no change advisable till after the summer vacation. The equalization of teachers' wages of which the average is the merest trifle above what prevailed under the district system, and is referred to under the head of " Teachers."
In bringing this portion of our report to a close we would make the following special
RECOMMENDATIONS :
I. That the town appropriate for the running expenses of the high schools the sum of $4,000.00.
2. That the town appropriate for the running expenses of all the other schools of the town the sum of $20,000.00. - This sum is meant to cover a period of thirty-seven weeks. We estimate the cost of running the schools at $560 per week. The total cost will then be about $20,720. The odd hundreds will be covered by state aid and the dog fund, thus leaving in round numbers $20,000 to be raised by taxation.
3. That the town appropriate for the purchase of appa- ratus for the high schools the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars.
The practice of appropriating a certain sum each year ought to be continued that the high schools may be gradu- ally supplied with apparatus.
4. That the School Committee be authorized to purchase, as they may be needed, text-books to be owned by the town and loaned to the scholars of the public schools.
5. That an appropriation be made to pay the salary of a Superintendent of schools. An officer of this description is indispensable to the highest welfare of our schools. Now that the Legislature has compelled the town to take the step into the municipal system, the time has come for
70
ANNUAL REPORT.
us to reap the benefits of legislative wisdom, by taking the next step ourselves, and appoint some one, with a fixed salary, whose business it shall be to look after the schools and devote his whole time and energies to their welfare. A School Committee, unless they have nothing else to do, and are willing to devote their whole attention to their wards, cannot take the place of a Superintendent. The employment of one will, of course, be some additional ex- pense, but not so much that the consideration of it should stand in the way of the highest prosperity and efficiency of the schools. This step once taken, your Committee are firmly convinced that it will never be regreted. Consider- ing the exceptionally fine character of our population, fur- nishing the very best material for good scholars, there is no reason why the schools of Attleboro should not take rank with the first in the state. A wise and generous policy on the part of the town will, in the course of a few years, enable them to reach this desired consummation.
7I
ANNUAL REPORT.
SCHOOL STATISTICS IN DETAIL.
DISTRICT No. I.
GRAMMAR.
Teacher-Mrs. Angie M. Porter.
Salary per month,
Spring. $56
Fall. $56
Winter. $56
Weeks of school,
I5
12
8
Whole number of pupils,
26
32
27
Average number of pupils,
24
28.6
25.2
Average attendance,
22.8
27.8
24.8
Number of pupils over 15 years,
6
4
2
Number of pupils between 8 and 14 years,
20
28
25
Per cent. of attendance for the year, 96 8.
Neither absent nor tardy for the year : Mabel White, Winnie Barden, Hattie Witherell. For two terms : Annie Peck, Frances Curtis, Mary McDougald, Louie Franklin, Arthur Randall.
SUB-GRAMMAR. Teacher-Mary G. Heald.
Salary per month,
Spring. $40
Fall. $40
Winter. $40
Weeks of school,
15
12
8
Whole number of pupils,
46
54
52
Average number of pupils,
42.7
50.75
45.25
Average attendance,
39
45.9
41.25
72
ANNUAL REPORT.
Per cent. of attendance for the year, 91. Neither absent nor tardy for two terms : Willie O'Brien, Byron Shaw, Florence Witherell, Bradford Curtis.
FIRST INTERMEDIATE.
Teacher-Hattie B. Paine.
Spring.
Salary per month,
$38
Fall. $38
Winter. $38
Weeks of school,
I5
I2
8
Whole number of pupils,
49
51
48
Average number of pupils,
47.6
47.7
44.7
Average attendance,
43. I
44.5
39.2
Number of pupils between 8 and 14 years,
45
47
45
Per cent. of attendance for the year, 90.8.
Neither absent nor tardy for the year: Bertie Barden. For two terms : Mary McGee, Charles O'Brien.
SECOND INTERMEDIATE.
Teacher-Lizzie M. Thomson.
Salary per month,
Spring. $38
Fall. $40
Winter. $40
Weeks of school,
15
I2
8
Whole number of pupils,
61
49
48
Average number of pupils,
58
47
46
Average attendance,
53.2
44. I
38.8
Number of pupils between 8 and 14 years,
60
49
48
Per cent. of attendance for the year, 90. I.
Neither absent nor tardy for two terms : Bertie Ballou, Robert Gordon.
73
ANNUAL REPORT.
FIRST PRIMARY-ROOM I.
Teacher --- Grace E. Smith. Assistant-Spring term, Annie F. Mcader.
Spring.
Fall.
Winter.
Salary per month,
$38
$38
$38
Salary of Assistant,
$24
Weeks of school,
15
12
8
Whole number of pupils,
93
50
43
Average number of pupils,
74.5
45
36
Average attendance,
63
43
29
Number of pupils under 5 years,
I
Number of pupils between 8 and 14 years,
5
4 4
Per cent. of attendance for the year, 86.8.
Neither absent nor tardy for the year : Freddie Fisher, Alice Fisher.
FIRST PRIMARY-ROOM 2.
Teachers-Fall term, Annie F. Meader; Winter term, Annie F. Meader and Jessie A. Cantwell.
Fall.
Winter.
Salary per month,
$38
$38
Weeks of school,
12
8
Whole number of pupils,
44
32
Average number of pupils,
40
31.5
Average attendance,
34.5
28
Number pupils under 5 years,
2
2
Number pupils between 8 and 14 years,
4
4
Per cent. attendance for the year, 87.4. Neither absent nor tardy two terms : George Bartlett.
IO
74
ANNUAL REPORT.
SECOND PRIMARY.
Teacher-Spring term, Fannie L. Brewster ; Fall and Winter terms, Fannie L. Whittemorc.
Salary per month,
Spring. $38
Fall. $38
Winter. $38
Weeks of School,
15
12
8
Whole number of pupils,
50
52
45
Average number of pupils,
47
48
44
Average attendance,
43.2
41
39.5
Number of pupils between 8 and 14 years,
II
II
9
Per cent. of attendance for the year, 89.
Neither absent nor tardy two terms : Mattie Dean, Alice Fisher.
THIRD PRIMARY. Tcacher-Cora F. Barden.
Spring.
Salary per month,
$38
Fall. $38
Winter. $38
Weeks of school,
15
12
8
Whole number of pupils,
47
52
48
Average number of pupils,
44.8
45.5
45.7
Average attendance,
42.5
42.8
42.5
Number of pupils between 8 and 14 years,
31
37
43
Per cent. of attendance for the year, 94.
Neither absent nor tardy for two terms : Mary Corby, Bessie Freeman, Mabel King, Freddie Sears, Willie Casey, Charles Conant, Winnie Corbett, Georgie Witherell.
1
75
ANNUAL REPORT.
DISTRICT No. 2-MIXED.
Teacher-Ellie E. Whiting.
Salary per month,
Spring. $36
Fall. $36
Winter. $36
Weeks of school,
15
II I-2
IO
Whole number of pupils,
28
25
25
Average number of pupils,
20
24
23
Average attendance,
18
22
2I
Number of pupils over 15 years,
I
Number of pupils, between 8 and 14 years,
2I
22
I 7
Per cent. of attendance for the year 91.
DISTRICT No. 3-MIXED. Teacher-Jennie E. Ellis.
Salary per month,
Spring. $36
Fall. $36
$36
Weeks of school,
13
I2
7
Whole number of pupils,
30
27
23
Average number of pupils,
28
24
23
Average attendance,
25
21.3
20
Number of pupils between 8 and 14 years,
20
20
16
Per cent. of attendance for the year, 88.4.
DISTRICT No. 4.
GRAMMAR. Teacher-J. Lewis Wightman.
Spring.
Fall.
Winter.
Salary per month,
$64
$64
$64
Weeks of school,
1 5
I2
8
Whole number or pupils,
38
48
42
Average number of pupils,
35
44
39.5
Average attendance,
33.8
42
36.5
Number of pupils over 15 years,
9
4
5
Number of pupils between 8 and 14 years,
29
28
26
Winter.
76
ANNUAL REPORT.
Per cent. of attendance for the year, 94.7. Neither absent nor tardy for two terms : Annie M. Bride, Edith M. Gould, Annie C. Mendell.
SUB-GRAMMAR. Teacher-Lizzie A. Riley.
Spring.
Fall.
Winter.
Salary per month,
$44
$44
$44
Weeks of school,
15
12
8
Whole number of pupils,
48
5 1
45
Average number of pupils,
45
46.5
43.3
Average attendance,
41.6
43
42.4
Number of pupils over 15 years,
2
Number of pupils between 8 and 14 years,
4.6
5I 45
Per cent. of attendance for the year, 94.2.
Neither absent nor tardy for two terms : Abbie Wood, Maud Fisher, Florence E. Wood.
INTERMEDIATE.
Teacher-Spring term, Mary W. Phelps ; Fall term, Mary J. Boardman ; Winter term, Mary J. Boardman and Lillian Albee.
.
Salary per month,
Spring. $40
Fall.
Winter. $40
Weeks of school,
1 5
12
8
Whole number of pupils,
53
47
43
Average number of pupils,
49
40. I
39.6
Average attendance,
44
37.1
35.7
Number of pupils between 8 and 14 years,
48
47
44
Per cent. of attendance for the year, 90.7.
FIRST PRIMARY.
Teacher-Spring term, Mary W. Peirce; Fall and Winter terms, Lottie E. Smith.
$40
77
ANNUAL REPORT.
Spring.
Fall.
Winter.
Salary per month,
$38
$38
$40
Weeks of school,
15
I2
S
Whole number of pupils,
72
73
68
Average number of pupils,
67
66.2
56.5
Average attendance,
58
61.2
50
Number of pupils under 5 years,
3
2
Number of pupils between 8 and 14 years,
14
15
I7
Per cent. of attendance for the year, 83.9.
Neither absent nor tardy for two terms: Theresa Fop- pianni.
SECOND PRIMARY.
Teacher-Cleora M. Perry.
Salary per month,
Spring. $38
Fall. $38
Winter. $38
Weeks of school,
15
12
8
Whole number of pupils,
34
40
40
Average number of pupils,
33
38
38.5
Average attendance,
31.2
33.7
35.5
Number of pupils between 8 and 14 years,
26
28
32
Per cent. of attendance for the year, 91.6.
Neither absent nor tardy for two terms : Mary A. Gil- foy, Annie Murphy, Frank Leary.
DISTRICT No. 5.
GRAMMAR.
Teacher -- Flora D. Forbush.
Spring.
Fall. $50
Winter.
Salary per month,
$50
$50
Weeks of school,
15
12
8
Whole number of pupils,
46
35
32
.
78
ANNUAL REPORT.
Average number of pupils,
45
34.3
32
Average attendance,
39
29.7
25
Number of pupils over 15 years,
I
I
Number of pupils between 8 and 14 years,
45
30
28
Per cent. of attendance for the year, 84.2.
SUB-GRAMMAR.
Teacher-Amelia R. Amos.
Salary per month,
Spring. $40
$44
$44
Weeks of school,
15
12
8
Whole number of pupils,
49
41
36
Number of pupils between 8 and
14 years,
46
38
36
Average number of pupils,
42
36.3
33.5
Average attendance,
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