USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1888 > Part 5
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The School Committee or the Superintendent called attention to the crowded state of the Dodgeville primary several years ago, and stated the need of increased ac- commodations, but nothing has been done. In pleading the interests of these children, please consider the large number who here learn to speak English and become able to read and write it, as a requisite to citizenship. Con- sider that this class of children will, if not educated, when they grow up help make the most dangerous class in our country ; consider the very little schooling they will re- ceive under the most favorable circumstances, and then ask yourselves if Attleboro has not a greater opportunity for good in these than in many of our more highly favored schools.
Feeling that we are not doing our duty by these children, I would recommend that an assistant teacher be hired for each school. At Hebronville one of the ward- robe rooms would do very well for a recitation room. At Dodgeville I would recommend the building of a one-story addition to this house large enough for a small school room or a large recitation room. The additional cost would be small when compared with the greater amount of good that would be accomplished. As in those places where training schools are maintained, persons who wish
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ANNUAL REPORT.
to fit for teachers could be hired for small pay, as the discipline and instruction they would receive under the direction of the efficient teachers in charge of these schools would, of itself, be nearly compensation enough.
The needs of the Sanford street primary, in charge of Misses Wheaton and Fisher, have been brought to your notice so often that it would not be necessary to re- fer to them here, were they not by far more pressing now than at any former time. During the year a new adjust- ment has had to be made several times, by transferring scholars from this to the Pine street primary, to keep the number of scholars down so they could be accommodated in the room. At the present time this school numbers 87 scholars, and, as the principal says, if as many new scholars present themselves for admission to the school next spring as in former years, the school will have to be divided and a room hired somewhere for the accommodation of a part of them till the completion of the new school house. When the new school house is ready for occupancy this school can be divided as it ought to be.
Aside from this primary and the grammar schools, each of which is large enough to occupy two good sized rooms, the schools in the village are not inconveniently large for the rooms they occupy, although some of these schools are so large that they cannot well accommodate new scholars, who from time to time present themselves for admission.
LENGTH OF SCHOOL YEAR.
Whatever the motives that induced the voters to shorten the school year to 36 weeks for all grades below the Grammar, I cannot regard the reduction in any other light than as a mistake. A school year of 38 weeks will allow a long vacation of ten weeks in the summer, and two
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ANNUAL REPORT.
other vacations, one at the holidays and the other in the spring, of two weeks each. That is certainly a liberal al- lowance of time for vacations when we consider the amount to be done in the schools if they rank with other good schools.
I would strongly recommend 40 weeks for the Gram- mar and 38 weeks for all lower grades. Compare our school year with that of other towns in the State as shown by the State report for 1886 and 1887. Although our schools were in session 38 weeks that year, I find that in 79 of the cities and towns the school year exceeded ours. The average length of time the schools of all grades were in session in 31 of these cities and towns was ten months or more. How would Attleboro compare this year with nearly all our schools keeping only 36 weeks ?
The State census of 1885 reported 23 cities and 325 towns in the State ; of these 325 towns, only 24 were larger in respect to population than Attleboro after division. I do not make this comparison to reproach the voters of the town with a lack of liberality. Neither do I expect that as an argument it will have much weight with many, but it serves to show that in the judgment of those who direct educational matters in most of our enterprising towns, a school year of 38 or 40 weeks is none too long.
MUSIC AND DRAWING.
As the report of the instructors in these departments are included, but little need be said by me. I consider special instruction in each of these so important as to be almost indispensable. Instruction in music by Professor and Miss Whittemore has been attended by a degree of success not surpassed by that of any former year.
In drawing special instruction was considered neces- sary to the successful introduction of the newly revised
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ANNUAL REPORT.
system. The wisdom in furnishing this instruction is
growing more and more apparent every week. Miss Lathrop, who devotes one half of each day to giving in- structions in drawing in the schools of the town, has suc- ceeded in arousing an enthusiasm in many of the schools which gives promise of satisfactory results. It this in- struction can be continued, so that in drawing as in other departments of school work, the scholars of the different grades can be led on through a well graded system, a degree of proficiency will be attained by those who com- plete the course that would be highly gratifying.
MUSIC.
MR. J. O. TIFFANY, Superintendent of Schools,
DEAR SIR :- We are pleased to report that excellent progress in music is being made in all the schools of the town.
The teachers, with scarcely an exception, manifest in- creasing interest in this branch, and owing to their hearty and intelligent co-operation, we have been enabled to so systematize the work that at present music is as well taught as are the other studies of the school course.
We feel confident that the results, as shown in several classes, compare favorably with those of any town where the Normal system is taught.
We desire to say that we are not teaching rote-work, but that the children, from the lowest primary to the high- est grade, are learning to sing at sight, entirely without the aid of instruments-an achievement seldom noted among choir and chorus singers.
In years past it has been considered necessary to en- tertain the public with musical exhibitions, consisting prin- cipally of rote singing, in order that music retain its hum-
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ANNUAL REPORT.
ble place in the school course. Now, thanks to the march of progress, music no longer begs its way to public favor, but is taking its true place in the front rank of educational factors.
We sincerely hope that parents will seek to acquaint themselves with what their children are doing in this branch, and especially would we invite musicians to visit our schools, not simply to be entertained, but to see what may be accomplished when music is taught in accordance with true educational principles.
Respectfully submitted,
H. J. WHITTEMORE, MARY E. WHITTEMORE, Teachers of Music.
DRAWING.
MR. J. O. TIFFANY, Superintendent of Schools,
DEAR SIR :- When, last fall, White's new and im- proved drawing books were introduced into our schools, there was need for some one to devote special attention to getting the system into running order. This is what I have tried to do during the part of the year past, or, more truly, this is the work I have tried to begin, for time must bring the accomplishment of such a task.
The new books emphasize, as the old did not, the teaching first of the idea of form, and then of its expression. During the primary year, the little ones are made perfectly familiar with the elementary forms, such as the sphere, cube and cylinder, and are led to express, naturally and easily in language, with crayon and with clay, just what they know. To the hearty co-operation of the teachers,
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ANNUAL REPORT.
especially, in the work, new to most, of clay-modeling, are largely due the good results already seen arising from this feature of the system.
In the second year, through constant exercise of the judgment in placing points, the idea of the inch, its parts and its multiples, becomes well defined in the pupil's mind.
The next step is to connect the points, accurately placed, by light, straight lines, not to copy some figure in the book, but to show the outlines of some simple object held by the teacher. Still the idea is first, gained by the eye a little more trained, and then the expression of the idea is given by the hand a little more skilled than it was in the Primary school.
In the higher grades, enlarging, memory and dictation drawing, more difficult object drawing, accompanied by some manual training in cutting out and making the objects drawn, ideas of symmetry in ornamentation, of perspective and of conventionalization, accompanied by original de- signing, lead the pupil on step by step, so that he should leave the High school well knowing how to express ac- curately what he sees, or thinks, and capable of turning this power to good account.
He should thus leave the High school, but he does not and can not, till, as he rises from grade to grade, he can advance steadily and systematically in Drawing as in other branches, his interest and enthusiasm increasing with every step.
To ensure this harmonious working of all the schools, and thus secure the best results in this most important study, the great and pressing need is for an earnest pro- fessional Supervisor of Drawing.
Most respectfully submitted,
M. A. LATHROP,
Teacher of Drawing.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
Attleboro seems to be quite a favorite hunting ground with Superintendents and School Committees of many of our cities and towns that lead in educational matters, when searching for good teachers. During the year many of our teachers have left in response to calls to other places and higher pay. While we can cordially congratu- late the towns that carry off the prizes and the teachers themselves who have been thus called, if we view it with reference to the effect on our schools, we must admit that our congratulations are somewhat tempered. Several of our teachers have had repeated offers of higher pay in other places who have decided to remain because their homes or near relatives are here. Are not these laborers worthy of their hire? While we have lost, and regretted to lose, many faithful teachers, we have been signally fortunate in the choice of their successors. As I consider the success that has attended the work of these faithful laborers in the school rooms, and the bright prom ise for the future, I cannot refrain from con- gratulating you, the citizens of the town, and the teachers themselves, with whom the consciousness of their faith- fulness and its results must afford by far more gratification than any words of praise I can utter. In closing, I wish to thank the members of the School Committee for their cordial support, and the teachers for their patience and co- operation.
Respectfully submitted,
J. O. TIFFANY,
Superintendent of Schools.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
ROLL OF HONOR.
PUPILS NEITHER ABSENT NOR TARDY SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.
HIGH SCHOOL.
Mabel Briggs, Louise Bronson, for 2 years, Charles Dexter, Lottie Hirons,
Effie Luther,
Alice McNerney,
Frank Olney, Willie Savery, Annie Wheeler.
GRAMMAR SCHOOL. Winnifred Crosby, for 2 years, Willie Richards, Mary Beech, for 2 years, Albert Carpenter, Chester Bliss, Fred Briggs, Amy White,
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ANNUAL REPORT.
GRAMMAR SCHOOL - Con.
Arthur Bottomly, Walter Claflin, Walter Marble, Fred Sibley, Mabel Crosby, for 3 years, Florence Sweet, for 3 years.
SANFORD STREET. Grade VII. Earle Rhodes, Howard White, Allie Trafton, for 3 years, Gertie Horton.
Grade VI. Lizzie Carr, for 2 years, Mary Evans, Arthur Rhodes.
Grades V & VI. Florence Everett, for 2 years, James Dolan.
Grade V. Richard Crawford, for 2 years, Leo Dolan, Leon Walker, for 2 years, Jennie Godfrey, Tillie Eden.
Grade III. Bernice Richards,
NORTH MAIN STREET. Grades III & IV. Arthur Lamb.
SOUTH MAIN STREET. Grade II. George Rooney.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
HEBRONVILLE. Intermediate. Charles Quinn, for 2 years.
CITY. Intermediate. John Russell, for 2 years.
PERRY SCHOOL.
Arthur Pond.
BRIGGS CORNER SCHOOL.
A. Louise Briggs, for 2 years,
Zelma Briggs,
Mary Johnson,
Jennie Johnson, Charles Brigham.
TURNPIKE SCHOOL.
Mary Powers, for three years, Maggie Powers, for three years, John Mclaughlin, for 2 years.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
ATTLEBORO HIGH SCHOOL.
GRADUATING EXERCISES OF THE CLASS OF '88. BATES OPERA HOUSE. FRIDAY EVENING, JUNE 29.
Programme.
Overture, Lucrezia Borgia, . Donnizetti BENNETT'S ORCHESTRA.
Invocation.
REV. WALTER BARTON.
Music, Mighty Jehovah, from " Martyrs," . Donnizetti
Salutatory and Essay, ÆEsthetic Culture. ADA R. BLACKINTON.
Essay, The Duty of Literary Men to Society. ELLA G. WEAVER.
Declamation, Battle of Fontenoy, Davis JOHN V. BENNETT.
Music, Pretty Village Maiden, from " Faust," Gounod Essay, Hero Worship. ALICE B. FISHER.
Essay, Treatment of the Uncivilized by the Civilized.
CASSIE S. THAYER.
Violin Solo, Old Folks at Home. JOHN V. BENNETT.
Essay, The Spirit of Modern Education. HATTIE E. SHEPARD. Declamation, Toussaint L'Ouverture, Phillips ARTHUR C. ROUNDS.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
Music, Almighty God, Mozart Essay, The Importance of Definite Ideals. GERTRUDE L. CARPENTER. CALISTHENICS.
Declamation, Injustice the Cause of National Ruin. WILLIAM J. LYNCH.
Essay, Modern Manias.
M. IRENE TOBITT.
Music, Bridal Chorus, Cowen
Oration, Protection or Free Trade ?
VIRGIL BLACKINTON.
Valedictory.
ALICE B. FISHER.
Music, Angel of Peace,
. Keller
PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS.
Benediction.
REV. WALTER ELA.
Motto : Perge Modo.
THE CLASS OF '88.
GENERAL COURSE.
Ada R. Blackinton, Virgil Blackinton,
Gertrude L. Carpenter, Nellie D. Cushman, Alice B. Fisher,
Hattie E. Shepard, Cassie S. Thayer,
M. Irene Tobitt, Ella G. Weaver.
ENGLISH COURSE-THREE YEARS.
John V. Bennett, Grace F. Dunbar, Jennie I. Lee, William J. Lynch, Clotilde A. Normand, Arthur C. Rounds, H. Emma Whitney.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
GRADUATING EXERCISES, OF THE PUPILS OF THE
GRAMMAR SCHOOL, AT MURRAY CHURCH, FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 1888.
I. Piano Duet, Marche des Pompiers, . Michael Watson Alice B. Macdonald and Ada B. Crosby.
2. Singing.
3. Opening Address, Archie Fell Mary A. Bennett.
4. Composition, Treatment of the Indians by the White Men,
William B. Savery.
5. Singing.
6. Recitation, A Sermon Without a Text, Louisa M. Alcott
Grace B. Sturdy.
7. Recitation, A Swan Song, Meta E. B. Thorne Ida M. Livsey.
8. Singing.
9. Composition, What the Man in the Moon Saw as he Passed Over our Town. Florence A. Macdonald.
IO. Recitation, Little Things. Annie A. Wheeler.
II. Piano Solo, Jeunesse, Ravina Mary E. Bushee.
. 12. Recitation, The Chieftain's Daughter, . E. M. Bell Florence M. Howarth.
13. Singing.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
14. Composition, Street Cries. Arthur B. Cummings.
15. Recitation, Oration on James A. Garfield, . Blaine Lottie R. Cummings.
16. Singing.
17. Concert Recitation, Departure from Grand Pre. By the Class.
18. Awarding of Diplomas.
GRADUATING CLASS.
I. Jennie E. Aull,
2. Mary A. Bennett,
3. Mary E. Bushee, 23. Alberta F. Remington,
4. Gertrude W. Briggs, 24. Gertrude E. Shaw,
5. Mabel F. Briggs,
25. Grace E. Stone,
6. Mary Bartosch,
7. Lottie R. Cummings,
8. Ada B. Crosby,
9. Viola M. Dolan,
29. Annie A. Wheeler,
30. James L. Briggs,
31. Arthur B. Cummings,
32. Charles E. Dexter,
33. George A. Monroe,
34. Freeman B. Mayo,
35. William R. O'Neil,
36. Frank E. Olney,
37. William B. Savery,
38. William M. Sturdy,
39. Fred C. White.
20. Florence A. Macdonald,
21. Florence R. Parker,
22. Ella M. Rogers,
26. Addie A. Sweet,
27. Grace B. Sturdy,
28. Mary E. Titus,
IO. Augusta P. Gray,
II. Alice G. Hunter,
12. Florence M. Howarth,
13. Mabel C. Hare,
14. Alice C. Jackson,
15. Bertha A. Keenan,
16. Alice L. Leach,
17. Ida M. Livsey,
18. Alice M. McNerney,
19. Alice B. Macdonald,
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ANNUAL REPORT.
SCHOOL STATISTICS,
Number of High schools, I
Grammar schools, grades, VII, VIII, IX, 2
Intermediate "
IV, V, VI, 5
66 Primary
I, II, III, 8
Semi-graded "
6
Ungraded 66
3
Whole number of schools, 25
TEACHERS.
Male, 2; female, 32. Total,
Number of teachers in High school,
3
66
Intermediate grades, 6
Primary grades,
9
Semi-graded schools, 6
66
Ungraded schools,
3
2
Music teachers,
*Drawing teachers,
I
*Miss Lathrop serves as assistant teacher in High School and instructor of drawing in other grades.
34
Grammar grades,
5
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ANNUAL REPORT.
Whole number of teachers, Increase over last year,
34
I
PUPILS.
Enrollment :
High, boys, 13 ; girls, 39, Total, 52
Grammar, boys, 60 ; girls, 82. Total, 142
Intermediate, boys, 116; girls, 114. Total, 230
Primary, boys, 272 ; girls, 229. Total, 501
Semi-graded, boys, 211 ; girls, 160. Total, 371
Ungraded, boys, 47 ; girls, 53. Total, 100
Whole number, boys, 719 ; girls, 677. Total, 1,396
Average membership :
High,
54.0
Grammar,
134.3
Intermediate,
231.4
Primary,
341.4
Semi-graded,
231.I
Ungraded,
75.7
Total,
1,067.9
Average attendance :
High,
52.0
Grammar,
127.9
Intermediate,
211.8
Primary,
292.7
Semi-graded,
207.8
Ungraded,
68.8
Total,
961.0
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ANNUAL REPORT.
Per cent. of attendance based on average mem- bership, 89.9
Pro rata of tardiness based on average membership.
TABLE SHOWING NAMES, GRADES, TEACHERS, MEMBERSHIP, AND ATTENDANCE.
NAME OF SCHOOL.
GRADE.
TEACHER.
DIFFERENT SCHOL-
ARS REGISTERED.
BOYS.
GIRLS.
AVERAGE
SHIP.
AVERAGE
ANCE.
TARDINESS.
PER CENT. OF AT- TENDANCE.
Wm. C. Hobbs,
52
I3
39
54.
52.
43
96.3
2
M. Alinda Lathrop.
3
VIII, IX,
89
32
57
84.9 81.6
12
96.1
5
Rhoda C. Slate.
7
Sanford Street,
VII,
Hannah M. Pratt,
53
28
25
49.4
46.3
4
93.7
8
Assistant,
May E. Brown. O. Cora Chatterton,
44
22
22
45.8
43.
7|
94.3
IO
V, VI,
Hattie R. Jewett,
43
23
20
40.3
36.9
II
91.
II
V,
Lucy Chandler,
47
23
24
48.
44.4
II
12
IV,
Cora L. Maynard,
5I
27
24
47.8
45.I
16
94.3
13
III,
Carrie L. Perry,
53
25
28
42.
39.
7 92.8
14
II,
Susan E. McRae,
54
34
20
40.
36.
19| 90.
991
ANNUAL REPORT.
I
High,
Helen W. Metcalf.
4
Grammar,
Leonora P. Beers, Mary E. Lamb.
6
VI,
9
92.5
MEMBER-
ATTEND-
1 5 16 1 7 18 19 20
North Main St.,
Emily S. Pond,
45
21
24
49.5
42.4 43
85.6
Mary F. Parmenter.
Lucy C. Sweet,
60
25
35
49.5 42.9
40.7 37.6 34 87.6
89.3
21 22
Dodgeville,
Semi-graded,
58
38
20 48
34. 56.25 28.6
I34 20
85.3
23 24 25
Hebronville,
Mary E. Pond,
3I
16
15
52.8
58
88.6
26
City,
Fida H. Smith,
37
24
13
28.4
69 26
93.5
28 Turnpike,
Mixed,
Jennie S. Horton,
46
21
25
3I. 3I.
17
91.3
29
Briggs Corner,
Julia L. Brigham,
3I
I 5
16
28.8
13.7
30
86. I
3I
Farmers,
I, II, III,
M. B. Hawes,
39
25
14
24.3
13
90.
32 33
Pleasant Street,
I, II, III,
Helen M. Austin,
22
12
IO
27. 16.
12.3
5
77.
Music Teacher,
H. J. Whittemore.
34
Mary E. Whittemore.
Drawing Teacher,
I, Assistant, III, IV, Assistant, II, I, I,
Annie G. Smith, Abbie M. Fisher, Eliza B. Howes,
52
27
25
75
38
37
39.2
5 I 16
91.2
Anna D. Newman,
113
65
Minnie A. Walker,
88
47
41
27
Lizzie E. Read,
44
21
23
35. 31. 48. 25.8 46.8 26.4 29. 28.3 26.8
24
93.
30
Perry,
Maria E. Cutting,
23
II
12
15.9
* Miss Lathrop is employed as assistant in the High School and Drawing teacher for all schools.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
Annie M. Wheaton, Alice B. Fisher.
146
86 60 84.8 67.8| 41| 80.
South Main St., Pine Street,
38 82.2
90.2
93.
66
*M. Alinda Lathrop.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
REPORT OF TRUANT OFFICER.
To the School Committee of Attleboro,
Gentlemen :- In making this report of my doings as Truant Officer for the year past, I can only say that I have attended to the duties assigned me as well and as effi- ciently as lay in my power, considering the obstacles which seem inseparable from the nature of such duties. I have at various times visited the shops, factories and mercantile establishments where minor children were, or were likely to be- employed, and have found that in the majority of instances the proprietors of the establishment were dis- posed to second my efforts to comply with the Statute laws and requirements. In fact, all, without exception, have thus far professed a willingness to comply, though, in the cases of cotton manufactories, I have reason to be- lieve, and do believe, that evasions of the law have been made, and that there are, and by searching investigation might be discovered, violations which might be brought to notice. In the pursuit of these cases of employ- ment of minor children, I have noticed a most wonderful coincidence in the fact that children employed in the mills are remarkably small for their years, and those who have arrived at the ages of 14 to 16 years, so closely resemble in stature and general
(
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ANNUAL REPORT.
appearance those attending our schools, who are several years younger, that I have sometimes been puzzled to account for the matter, the fact that the children of alien parentage, many of whom are unable to speak or write the English language, and their indifference to the require- ments of the educational laws, coupled with the fact that in Rhode Island (from which place many come to our vil- lages) the laws regarding the employment of minors are so much more lenient than our own, makes it exceedingly difficult to detect in many cases an intention to evade the requirements of the laws.
Instances in which large families of children, some of tender age, dependent for support on a widowed, or perhaps worse than a widowed mother, require her labor to be incessant at the mill or elsewhere, also makes it equally imperative that some one of the children should remain at home to care for the smaller ones in the absence of the parent, hence, depriving that one of school privileges. Also, cases occur in which the parents fail to second the efforts of the teachers and others to secure a prompt and punctual attendance. These are some of the obstacles which tend to prevent the execution of the Truant Laws, but which, perhaps, may yet be in a measure overcome by careful legislation. The duties of the Truant Officers have been much mitigated by the efforts of the Superintendent of Schools, who has per- sonally given much time to investigate cases which have required examination, and it is hoped and believed that while the laws which apply to the matter in question have not been perhaps fully complied with, yet, perhaps, the ex- perience of the future may develop more success. All which is respectfully submitted.
E. R. READ, Truant Officer.
170
ANNUAL REPORT.
THE LAW OF 1888 IN RELATION TO THE EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled and by the authority of the same, as follows :
SECTION I. No child under thirteen years of age shall be employed at any time in any factory, workshop or mercantile establishment. No such child shall be em- ployed in any indoor work, performed for wages or other compensation, to whomsoever payable, during the hours when the public schools of the city or town in which he resides are in session, or shall be employed in any man- ner during such hours unless during the year next preced- ing such employment he has attended school for at least twenty weeks as required by law.
SECT. 2. No child under fourteen years of age shall be employed in any manner before the hour of six o'clock in the morning or after the hour of seven o'clock in the even- ing. No such child shall be employed in any factory, work- shop or mercantile establishment, except during the vaca- tion of the public schools in the city or town where he resides, unless the person or corporation employing him procures and keeps on file a certificate and employment ticket for such child as prescribed by section four of this act, and no such child shall be employed in any indoor work, performed for wages or other compensation, to whom- soever payable, during the hours when the public schools of such city or town are in session, unless as aforesaid, or
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ANNUAL REPORT.
shall be employed in any manner during such hours unless during the year next preceding such employment he has attended school for at least twenty weeks as required by law ; and such employment shall not continue in any case beyond the time when such certificate expires. The chief of the district police, with the approval of the governor, shall have authority to designate any kind or kinds of em- ployment in factories, workshops or mercantile establish- ments as injurious to the health of children under fourteen years of age employed therein, and after one week's written notice from the said chief to the employer or his superin- tendent, overseer or other agent of such designation no such child shall be employed in any such kind or kinds of employment in any factory, workshop or mercantile estab- lishment.
SECT. 3. No child under sixteen years of age shall be employed in any factory, workshop or mercantile estab- lishment unless the person or corporation employing him procures and keeps on file the certificate required in the case of such child by the following section, and also keeps on file a full and complete list of such children employed therein.
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