USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1887 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7
127
ANNUAL REPORT.
to learn of any suspected cases, and will send a competent person to examine the case and report to the proper officials if such case merits it.
During September, 1886, a letter was published in the ATTLEBORO ADVOCATE over the signature of J. R. B., calling the attention of the citizens to the danger of pollu- tion that our water supply was exposed, and thereby exposing the water-takers to the danger of diphtheria, scarlet fever, typhoid fever, etc., and further inquiring where the Board of Health were. If such danger existed the proper way to correct the same would have been to have sent a written complaint addressed to the board and they would have given it immediate attention.
In a community where the water-supply is so univers- ally appreciated, an article like the above could not avoid unnecessarily alarming a great many of its residents. Soon after the above article was published, the board received a complaint in writing asking the board to visit the locality and remedy the evil, if such existed. After a careful examination by the entire board, with the excep- tion of Mr. E. S. Horton, and learning all the facts in the case, we decided as at present conducted, there was no danger of contamination of our water supply from this source, as the vault was water-tight, and further, the engi- neer of A. Bushee & Co. informed us that every other night all objectionable material was completely covered with ashes taken from beneath the boilers.
As there has been no unusual amount of sickness caused by the above diseases within the water-supply district. at least, we feel that the article was entirely un- called for, and it would certainly have been better if the subject had received some investigation by the writer and not been so hastily published in our local paper, from hear- say evidence alone.
I28
ANNUAL REPORT.
We wish to again call the attention of the residents to the necessity of sending a written notice to the board of any nuisance existing in their vicinity, one responsible name signed to it, so the board may know it to be worthy of attention, as well as to comply with the requirements of the Statutes.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE MACKIE, Chairman, JAMES R. FOSTER, Secretary, ELISHA G. MAY, JOSEPH G. BARDEN, EVERETT S. HORTON.
REPORT
-OF THE-
SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
-OF THE-
TOWN OF ATTLEBOROUGH,
-FOR THE-
YEAR ENDING FEBRUARY 28, 1887.
130
ANNUAL REPORT.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
MARK O. WHEATON, Chairman,
Term expires March, 1887.
. GEO. E. OSGOOD, Secretary, J. O. TIFFANY,
Terms expire March, 1889.
BYRON R. HILL, HENRY S. KILBY, M. D.,
MARY A. MATHIAS,
Terms expire March, 1888.
HARVEY CLAP, LIDORA E. BRIGGS, *LEDA J. THOMPSON,
- Terms expire March, 1887.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
HENRY M. MAXSON.
Office hours on Thursdays, at North High school, from 8.15 to 9.30 A. M .; at East High school, from 3.15 to 4.45 P. M.
The first two weeks of each term, office hours will be observed on Monday also.
TRUANT OFFICERS.
E. CARLISLE BROWN, ELIJAH CAPRON,
GEORGE F. IDE.
* Appointed by Selectmen and School Committee, to fill vacancy until March, 1887.
131
ANNUAL REPORT.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT.
To the Citizens of Attleborough :
The past school year has been one of quiet yet steady, progressive work in the schools of the town. There has been no such disturbance as in past years has brought the work- ing of the schools in question. Nothing has occurred to excite public comment and criticism. The thirty-eight weeks comprising the school year have been a growing time, however, and the growth having been natural, we trust the development is permanent and of that nature which shall bring our schools to a standard which shall be a credit to the town and of lasting benefit to those who enjoy their advantages. It may be said that this year the
SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENCY
system has had the best opportunity yet afforded of show- ing its many advantages. The system has now settled down to unhampered action and regular working order. Mr. H. M. Maxson has held the position since October, 1885, and thus having had time to become throughly acquainted with the needs of the schools, he has been enabled to follow out his plans for systematizing and im- provement. So systematized has this work now become that more time can be given by him to personal work in the schools and direct attention to their steady improve- ment. To know how all schools now work together, how well graded they have become, how well their work is laid
I32
ANNUAL REPORT.
out for them, how quietly that work is done, how much added interest there is among the scholars, is to show the advantages of having an efficient, pains-taking Superin- tendent to give his whole time to their care. And your committee feel that could the citizens of the town know by personal experience the improvement in the schools thus far, a School Superintendent would be deemed by all a necessity of the future, and no other proof would be needed to demonstrate the admirable fitness of Mr. Max- son for that position. No one appreciates these things more than
THE TEACHERS
of the town, in whom the Superintendent has found a corps of very willing co-workers. That so satisfactory a body of teachers is now in our schools is in great measure due to Mr. Maxson's rare discernment and strict pains- taking in selecting from among the candidates such as seem fitted for their work and the town's needs. It has been a matter of great regret to the committee that other towns and cities have been able to call away from us some of our ablest teachers, and that we are constantly in dan- ger of this, because we cannot compete with those towns in the matter of salary. It is to be hoped that at no dis- tant day the town may be able to increase the compensa- tion given the teachers, and may see the great advantage of so doing. Repeated change of teachers is a great detriment to the schools, and some plan is needed to ensure in greater measure than now the continuance with us of those who prove their ability.
So rapidly has the town increased in population that there is again need of
I33
ANNUAL REPORT.
INCREASED SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS,
both at Attleboro and North Attleboro, and the Com- mittee would refer the citizens to a careful consideration of that part of the Superintendent's report that treats of the matter. A year or two, at the most, will render new school buildings an absolute necessity that cannot be gain- said by anyone at all conversant with present accommoda- tions, and the experiences of the past would seem to prove beyond question the need of practical, honorable men, both for plans and for building. An architect who can plan a handsome, convenient residence may know absolutely nothing of what is needed for a school building ; and the builder who has personal interest in his work, and who must see the completed work daily, will work with more pains-taking care than a contractor who may do it for less price and may never see it again. Adaptability and not looks, durability and not cheapness-is a needful precept to be remembered.
APPROPRIATIONS.
In recommending the various appropriations the Com- mittee have sought to suggest those that are as small as they can well be made, if the work of the schools is to be unhampered. We would ask the citizens of the town to bear in mind, as these suggested appropriations are so much larger than in years past, they have been, I-That the municipal system of schools has taken the place of the district ; 2-That text books and supplies are furnished by the town, and 3-That there are 1,057 more scholars to care for than there were but seven years ago.
The recommendations for the coming year are as follows :
I34
ANNUAL REPORT.
I. For the support of the schools, which sum covers teachers' salaries, janitors' services and fuel, $35,000.00.
2. For text books and supplies (under which is in- cluded everything needed in the scholars' work, paper, pencils, ink, etc.), $2,500.00, and the unexpended balance of the year.
3. For incidental expenses, $2,000.00 (the $1,500.00 of last year being found insufficient for the many calls upon this department).
4. For salary of Superintendent, $1,600.00, and un- expended balance of this year.
5. For repairs on school buildings, $1,500.00.
6. For transportation of pupils, $600.00.
Respectfully submitted,
MARK O. WHEATON,
BYRON R. HILL,
HARVEY CLAP,
GEORGE E. OSGOOD,
MARY A. MATHIAS,
LIDORA E. BRIGGS,
LEDA J. THOMPSON,
J. O. TIFFANY, HENRY S. KILBY, M. D.,
School Committee.
-
REPORT
-OF THE-
SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT,
-OF THE-
TOWN OF ATTLEBOROUGH,
-FOR THE-
YEAR ENDING FEBRUARY 27, 1887.
I37
ANNUAL REPORT.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
To the School Committee of Attleborough :
The annual report of the Superintendent of the Attle- borough public schools for the year of 1886-7, the fourth in the series, is hereby respectfully submitted.
STATISTICS.
I .- POPULATION.
Population of Attleborough, State Census, May, 1885, 13,175
Number of children between 5 and 15 years of age, May 1, 1886, 2,191
II .- SCHOOLS.
Number of High schools,
2
Grammar schools, grades, VII, VIII, IX, 7
Intermediate " IV, V, VI, II
66 Primary
I, II, III, 19
Semi-graded 6
Ungraded 8
53
Number of schools during the year 1885-6,
50
Increase in number of schools over the year 1885-6, - 3
Number of school buildings, 24
138
ANNUAL REPORT.
1
III .- TEACHERS.
Male, 3 ; female, 57. Total, Number of teachers in High school,
60
66 Grammar school, 9
66 Intermediate grades,
II
66
Primary grades,
19
Semi-graded schools,
6
66
Ungraded schools,
8
Number of Music teachers,
Increase upon number employed during year 1885-6, 2
IV .- PUPILS.
Enrollment :
High, boys, 27 ; girls, 57 ; total, 84
Grammar, boys, 138; girls, 175 ; total, 313
Intermediate, boys, 255 ; girls, 237 ; total, 492
Primary, boys, 611 ; girls, 534; total, 1,145
Semi-graded, boys, 172; girls, 151 ; total, 323
Ungraded, boys, 137; girls, 122; total, 259
Whole number enrolled, boys, 1,340; girls, 1,276 ; total, 2,616
Increase upon year 1885-6, 12
Total enrollment, Attleboro, 815 ; North Attleboro, 924; Falls, 225 ; Hebronville, 103 ; Dodgeville, 125 ; City, 95.
Average membership :
High school, 94
Grammar school, 336
Intermediate school, 452.6
Primary school, 833.4
2
5
I39
ANNUAL REPORT.
Semi-graded school,
210
Ungraded school,
202.7
Total,
2,128.7
Increase upon 1885-86,
87.9
Average attendance :
High schools,
86. 1
Grammar schools,
309.5
Intermediate schools,
410.5
Primary schools,
719.3
Semi-graded schools,
191.4
Ungraded schools,
177.6
Total,
1,894.8
Increase upon 1885-86,
82.4
Percentage of attendance based on average membership 1886-7, .90
Pro rata of tardiness based on average mem-
bership 1886-7.
I.7
V .- COST OF THE SCHOOLS.
For tuition alone :
Based upon enrollment,
$9 41
average membership, II 24
average attendance, 12 99
For text books and supplies :
Based upon enrollment,
$0 99
ATTENDANCE.
From the foregoing statistics it will be seen that the enrollment of our schools has received an increase of twelve, but the average membership and attendance has
140
ANNUAL REPORT.
increased more than eighty, showing that while our schools have increased a little in numbers, they have grown more in attractiveness and efficiency.
Irregular attendance and long absence from school are evils that have great effect on the scholarship and dis- cipline of the school. The pupil who is absent for only a day must lose something in a school that is under good management. When this absence is not merely one day, but one or two each week, or a week or two at a time, the child must necessarily get behind in his work and lose interest in his studies. He thus becomes a drag on the rest of his class. His absence from the restraint of the school room allows a feeling of disregard for authority to spring up in him, and his lack of interest in his work gives many occasions for it to show itself, so that the pupils who are most irregular in attendance are usually the most troublesome. To lessen this evil, every teacher is expected to look very closely after absentees, and not only to require an excuse for every absence, but, if a pupil is absent more than one-half day, to find out the occasion for such absence without waiting till his return.
The parents will be of great assistance in this work if they will promptly and courteously respond to all such inquiries, and refuse an excuse for absence or tardiness that is not really necessary ; one of the greatest obstacles that teachers meet is parents who allow absence for the most trivial causes, and give excuses for tardiness caused by the child's own carelessness or indolence.
In the matter of tardiness, there has been a very great improvement. Although the attendance has been nearly a hundred greater than last year, the number of cases of tardiness has been reduced 26 per cent. For this, much credit is due the teachers, who have worked hard to check this fault.
141
ANNUAL REPORT.
Much of the tardiness is, without doubt, due to the neglect of the parents. That a resolute teacher can do much toward reducing it, is shown by the fact that there has been such a decrease this year. As an encourage- ment to renewed effort there is included in the appendix a list of the pupils who have been perfect in attendance during the year, also a list of the schools that have had no case of tardiness for four consecutive weeks. There are many other schools that have done excellently in the matter of punctuality, but the record has been broken by one or two particularly careless pupils. While these schools do not appear in the Honor Roll, they have largely attained the result desired, general punctuality.
The table of enrollment shows the interesting fact that while the total is only slightly larger than last year, there has been considerable change in the different locali- ties, Falls Village, Hebronville, Dodgeville, City and the Mixed schools showing a decrease, while North Attleboro shows an increase of 23, and Attleboro an increase of 103.
NEW ACCOMMODATIONS.
At Sanford street, the six rooms in the large building will in the Fall have schools numbering about as follows : 50, 44, 40, 70, 80, 75. The room that will have eighty pupils assigned to it was at.one time made to accommodate seventy-four by putting desks in the corners of the room and on the teacher's platform, but our experience this year has been enough to show that it is a great mistake to mass so many children of that age in one room, and it should not be tried again. The school that is to number seventy is composed of older pupils, and will be still more crowded. The school that will have seventy-five is the primary, and
142
ANNUAL REPORT.
should be divided, if possible. It therefore seems probable that in the Fall two or three new schools will have to be formed from pupils in this building.
The Pine street building had every seat occupied with- in a few weeks after it was opened last Fall, while the first grade at Sanford street, which it was supposed would be relieved by the opening of Pine street, regis- tered over eighty pupils. This grade regularly has an increase in the Spring term, and should have room to expand.
The South Main Street School will probably have fifty or sixty pupils in the Fall, in two grades, and there is not an empty room and hardly a spare foot of space in any school building in the village, so that there is no chance whatever for expansion.
Forty pupils are all that one teacher should ever be called upon to teach, and in the primary grade even this is too large a number, one of the reasons that so many pupils require more than a year to complete the first grade being, in my opinion, due to the fact that the teachers in this grade have more than they can teach to the best advan- tage. It is therefore recommended that a two-story build- ing, with two or three study rooms on each floor, be at once erected, to be fitted for the reception of grammar and intermediate grades.
A four-room building would probably meet all needs the coming Fall, but there are now in the grammar school in the East High School building 85 pupils, with the proba- bility of an increase to 95 or 100 next Fall. As the room was originally intended for 72 pupils, it is probable that some additional provision will have to be made when the schools reopen the coming Fall, or the work will have to be done under great difficulties. It is merely a question
143
ANNUAL REPORT.
of time when that school must be put elsewhere, and the whole building given up to the use of the high school, and it would be more economical to erect a six-room building now, in anticipation of that need.
While the need at North Attleboro is not as urgent as at Attleboro, still there are two schools that numbered over 60 this year, and there is not a vacant school room in the whole village. Judging from the time that, in the past, has elapsed between the passing of an appropriation for a new building and its occupancy, there is every prospect that if a building should be at once decided upon, it would be much needed before it was com- pleted.
The high school began the year with 59 pupils. It will probably number 70 or 80 next Fall. As the next lower school will number about 50, it is probable that when that class shall also enter the high school, a year from next Fall, the high school will number 80 or 90. The room was built to accommodate 72 pupils, so there is scarcely a doubt that the high school will require the whole of the building in about a year.
At Bank street, the eighth grade will probably have next Fall about 65 pupils. This is not only very many more than one teacher can successfully teach, but it greatly overcrowds the room. This grade ought to have had an assistant this year, but there is not room for one to work. The first grade in this school enrolled over 60 pupils dur- ing the Fall term. It will probably increase to 80 in the Spring, and should be divided, but, as in the case of the eighth grade, there is no spare school room to re- ceive the extra school. It therefore seems necessary to recommend the erection of a four-room building at North Attleboro.
I44
ANNUAL REPORT.
DISCIPLINE.
In discipline our schools have made commendable progress, both in the results and the methods of attaining them.
The number of cases of corporal punishment reported is only one-third of that reported last year, yet the general order of the schoools seems fully as good, indicating that. other equally effective ways have been discovered. That these ways are of a much higher and more satisfactory order seems to be proven by the very small number of complaints which I have received from parents during the year. The experience of the year and my observation of the schools only confirm the opinion stated in last year's report, "The better the teacher, the less the rod is used."
The end of discipline is not only that the school may be in a good working condition, but also that the pupil may gain in self-control and strength of character. The methods used should be chosen with a view to that end, also, looking to the far future as well as the present, and must be varied to suit different pupils. To secure prompt obedience to school law, penalties must be inflicted for its violation, and the skill of the teacher is shown in his choice of penalties, adapted to the nature of the child for whom they are used. The more closely each troublesome pupil is studied, the more fully the impulses that move him are understood and the influences that surround him out of school are known, the more skillfully can the teacher adapt his discipline to the nature with which he has to deal. One of the greatest aids in this work is the close co-operation of the parents with the teacher in securing regular attend- ance, earnest application to work and prompt obedience to authority. The teachers are urged to consult the parents more frequently concerning the deportment or scholarship
145
ANNUAL REPORT.
of their children. I would also urge the parents to wel- come all such efforts, and to give the teachers every aid and support in working for that which both teacher and parent are equally anxious to produce-the growth of the child to a manhood or womanhood that shall be full of profit to himself and the community in which he may live.
PROMOTION.
As in previous years, promotions have been made almost entirely on the record of examinations and recita- tions combined. A few were promoted on trial at the recommendation of the teacher, and in the majority of cases the trial was successful. The change which was made this year in the method of admitting to the high school makes it now possible for a child who performs his duty faithfully from day to day to pass on from grammar to high school with no more worry or uncertainty than from class to class of the high school. The work of, the class admitted under that plan gives no occasion to fear a lowering of the standard as a result of the change.
REPORT CARDS.
While it is not desirable that a child should study merely to win promotion, there are many children who seem to need some external impulse to induce them to put forth the proper efforts. It is for such cases especially that the Report Cards are sent home every two months, that the parents may know something of the work their children are doing and apply a stimulus when it is needed. The cards will be sent out during the ensuing year on the first Monday of alternate months, and should be inquired for if not shown, and should be carefully examined. The
146
ANNUAL REPORT.
dates on which they should be sent out this year will be March 7, May 2, June 20, November 7, January 2, 1888, March 6, May I, and June 19.
TRUANCY.
Special efforts have been made during the year to lessen the evil of truancy. Considerable success has been attained, but the work is much hindered by the fact that the distribution of our schools makes it necessary to employ an officer for each section. Truancy being merely an incidental item in the business of these officers, it is not always possible to have cases followed up as closely as they should be, and the effect is therefore less, since such cases require quick and persistent investigation.
An evil that is almost as bad as truancy is the fre- quency with which some parents allow their children to absent themselves from school without a sufficient cause, so that even if the child gets the twenty weeks' schooling required by law, the attendance is so broken as to be of small profit.
FREE TEXT BOOKS.
The third year's experience under the free text book law has only made its advantages more apparent. It necessarily entails much additional work on the Superin- tendent and teachers, but it is work that is willingly done, in view of the additional effectiveness of the schools gained by reason of their needs being always fully and quickly supplied. The new plan is specially valuable in the train- ing it gives the pupils in neatness and carefulness in the use of their books, there being more sense of responsibility in using books that are loaned them than there was when
147
ANNUAL REPORT.
they used their own books, and the teachers being required to exercise more close supervision of their use. Above all, the schools are now absolutely free, and there is no obstacle of pride or necessity to stand in the way of the attendance of the poorest child, because of the need for books. The general economy of the free system can be readily seen by any parent who formerly bought books and school supplies for his children if he will compare the annual cost then with 99c., the cost per pupil this year. He should also bear in mind that this includes, besides books, chemicals and drawing instruments for the high schools, brooms, pails, dusters, crayons and everything else in the nature of supplies needed to conduct the schools. While some teachers are less careful than others, the books are, as a whole, carefully used and cared for.
HEALTH OF THE PUPILS.
One of the most important of the teacher's duties is his care for the health of his pupils. In our schools this has received much attention. All teachers are expected to see that children are not allowed to sit through the session with wet feet. They are also expected to see that each child has a seat that is adapted to his size, one that is not too high for his feet to rest squarely on the floor, nor so low as to throw his knees up, and that the desk is high enough to admit the child's legs without crowding. His position should also be watched, that it may be a healthy one, and work should not be so arranged as to cause him to face the light. The matter of ventilation and heat should receive frequent and prompt attention. As an additional aid in this direction, I have included in the Appendix extracts from the recommendation of Dr. Moran, medical supervisor of Boston schools.
148
ANNUAL REPORT.
There are now none of our rooms in which the pupils' seats face a window, and the heating, once so prolific a source of trouble, is exceedingly improved, the only case the past winter of a school closing from lack of heat being due to the bursting of a pipe.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.