USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1891 > Part 3
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Text book and supply, 1.377 61
Incidental and repair. 2,000 00
Transportation of pupils, 625 00
School superintendence,
1,000 00 22,068 95
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ANNUAL REPORT.
EXPENDITURES.
Educational department,
16,992 96
Text book and supply,
1,377 05
Incidental and repair,
2,070 00
Transportation of pupils,
628 80
School superintendence,
1,000 00 22,068 81
Unexpended balance,
14
The census of children between 5 and 15 years of age, taken in May, shows a gain of 27 over last year. The enrollment of scholars in the schools as shown by the registers exceeds that of last year by 31. The average membership and average attendance are each 13 larger than last year. This is a poor show for the average attendance and is due largely to the prevalence of diph- theria and scarlet fever during the fall term. Too much of it, however, is due to an inexcusable neglect of duty on the part of parents, arising in many cases from a lack of appreciation of the evil results of irregular attendance, both upon the schools and the scholars themselves.
A survey of the financial statement will show how the School Board has expended the money entrusted to its charge. In the Incidental and Repair department some of the improvements calling for the largest outlay were : the fitting of the Physical laboratory, $104 ; furnace for South Main street, $105; insurance, $161; shingling Academy, $90 ; repairs on roof and interior of the central building on Sanford street, $288 ; water rates, $205 ; rais- ing roof and ventilating the Briggs Corner house; $240 ; painting Briggs Corner and Perry houses, $93.
Early in the spring the comm ttee received an order from the State Inspectors to improve the ventilation of the house at Briggs Corner. As the room was too low to ventilate sufficiently without creating currents of air, it
92
ANNUAL REPORT.
was decided to raise the roof two and one-half feet that there might be a proper amount of space per scholar. Good ventilation was secured by the construction of a brick flue and the introduction of a jacketed stove.
The slightly increased expenditure in the educational department is all chargable to the High and the High Grammar schools. On account of the large increase of scholars in the High school, from sixty to nearly one hundred, at the beginning of the fall term, the committee found it necessary to increase the pay of the principal to make it correspond more nearly to that of the average salary of teachers of similar schools and to employ an additional assistant for part time.
The employment of a man to have charge of the Grammar school was another cause of enlarged expendi- ture. As these changes were made at the beginning of the fall term, they affected only a part of the year. The in- creased expense in that department will be more apparent for the present year. On this account a larger appropria- tion will be needed. A careful estimate shows that $22,475, will be necessary. Below are given the sums of money recommended by the committee and a comparison with last year, made.
Educational department,
1891. $17,000
1 892. $17,750
Incidental and repairs,
2,000
1,700
Text book and supply,
1,350
1,200
Transportation of pupils,
625
625
Superintendence of schools,
1,200
1,200
$22,175
$22,475
Last year the Superintendent recommended the open- ing of an additional school for the better accommodation of the lowest primary grades. The crow ded condition of these schools throughout the year shows that their best interests required this, but, as the committee had not the
93
ANNUAL REPORT.
necessary funds at its disposal to adopt the recommenda- tion, the temporary expedient of exchanging the furniture of the upper room in the Academy and one of the lower rooms in the central building on Sanford street, and the employment of an assistant for one of the lowest primary grades was resorted to. We were able at the beginning of the fall term to arrange the grades so that all the scholars could be accommodated without retaining an as- sistant, although the schools in question had by far too many scholars. From present indications the need of this additional school will be still more imperative.
Since the school rooms are all occupied and the need of an additional school so apparent, would it not be wise for the town to build a two room school house on the Pine street lot this year. There is ample room for the house there, and as it is needed for the upper primary grades, it will accommodate the children better if located there than in any other place.
As no land will have to be bought, a suitable building to accommodate two schools can be built and be furnished with steam heating apparatus to heat both buildings for about $6,000. This would be paid for in five annual in- stallments and the rate of taxation not perceptibly in- creased. The tax-payers are to be congratulated that the needs of the schools as far as increased accommodations are concerned can be supplied at a small outlay for a num- ber of years to come.
The erection of a two-room building on the Pine street lot, and, later, when needs require, the substitution of a two-room building for the one-room house on the South Main street lot will meet the requirements admirably.
We have to record the usual number of changes, Miss Abbie E. Carpenter, a graduate of our High and the R. I. Normal schools, took charge of the Turnpike school at the beginning of the fall term. Miss Nellie E. Briggs, a
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ANNUAL REPORT.
graduate of the same schools, succeeded Miss Pond as teacher of the higher grade school at Hebronville. Miss Mary A. Lyon, a graduate of the Bradford Academy suc- ceeds Miss Denning as Principal of the City Grammar school. Miss Mary A. Stephenson, a graduate of the Bridgewater Normal school has taught the upper grade school at Dodgeville. Mrs. S. K. McIntyre, a graduate of the Normal Art school, and for several years a very successful teacher in Boston, succeeded Miss White as teacher of the Fourth Grammar grade school on Sanford street. Miss M. Alinda Lathrop, educated in our High school and Cornell University, has been appointed third assistant at the High school. Mr. Herbert E. Walker, for several years a successful teacher in Braintree has assumed the principalship of our Grammar school These changes have been mostly caused by the voluntary resig- nation of the retiring teachers.
While these have in many instances secured more lucrative or more congenial positions, we have been able to fill the vacancies caused so satisfactorily that we can truly say the schools have never been more ably taught than now. Without making any comparisons we would speak specially but briefly of our High and High Gram- mar schools because of the marked and highly satisfactory progress these have made.
The High school commenced the year with nearly one hundred scholars, and now, after the expiration of nearly two thirds of the year, the number has but slightly dimin- ished. When we consider the zeal and enthusiasm of the Principal and his assistants who heartily co-operate with him in the work, the improved methods of instruction, the quantity and the quality of the work done, the good discipline, the commendable deportment and the student- like bearing of the pupils, we call this the golden year in the school's history. The building of the new school house on Sanford street, enabled us to withdraw the
·
.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Grammar school from the High school building. Here was the beginning of the new era of success for the High school. Prior to that the school was greatly hindered in its work by the presence of another school in the building which necessarily deprived it of room which it greatly needed Since the removal of the Grammar school the committee, out of the regular appropriations, have fitted and furnished with proper furniture a chemical and a physical laboratory, besides making many other improve- ments. The Trustees of the Richardson fund have made appropriations to furnish these laboratories with apparatus to such an extent that those who enter the school may feel assured they can receive most satisfactory instruction in the scientific department. We are pleased to observe the increasing popularity of this school as shown by the large per cent. of the graduates of our Grammar school who enter and the small number who fall out of its classes. It is also highly gratifying to note the number of the High school graduates who enter upon more advanced courses of study. Of the class which graduated last year, two are in Tuft's college, one in Brown, two in the Bridge- water Normal and one in the R. I. Normal school. Another, Miss Louise Bronson had been admitted to Smith college and had made all arrangements to enter upon her course there but was prevented by ill health. We are pleased to note the large number of undergradua- tes who are taking the preparatory course of study to fit for entrance to some higher institution after completing their high school studies here.
We have believed for years that our Grammar school should have a male principal. Many reasons for this are so apparent that discussion is unnecessary. We were able last summer to carry out this plan Its subsequent his- tory has fully proved the wisdom of the new departure.
The fall term opened with 115 scholars in Mr. Walker's school. At the present time it numbers 112 without in-
96
ANNUAL REPORT.
cluding six recently transferred to it from Miss Pratt's school. That so large a per cent. of the older scholars have been inclined to remain and complete the elementary course is highly to their credit, and that of the school On the acceptance of the principalship by Mr. Herbert E. Walker, the town secured the services of one well fitted by his years of study and successful experience in similar positions, to bring the school up to that standard of pro- ficiency that would enable it to rank well with the ad- vanced schools of to-day. We are pleased with the dis- cipline of the school, glad to note the few instances of corporal punishment, and glad to know that it is employed only as a last resort ; and equally glad to feel that if any boy finds his way into the school who is so unruly that there is no specific for his unruliness but corporal punish- ment the remedy may be forthcoming. The boy whose avowed purpose in going to school is "to cut up " had better learn enough of "technical grammar" to under- stand that that verb may be transitive as well as active and that in a certain sense he may become its object. The purpose for which these schools are maintained is too im- portant to be hindered by lack of prompt obedience on the part of any who are entitled to their privileges.
The unanimous opinion of leading educators is that our grammar schools must be improved. They must fit those who are to enter upon an advanced course to do better work there and those who take no advanced course that they may be better prepared for the duties of practical life.
To enable the grammar schools to do this better work demands the introduction into the primary grades instruc- tions in subjects heretofore deferred till the child has en- tered the grammar school. History, Civics, Elementary Science, and Natural History must be introduced and sys- tematically taught from the lowest primary up. In the Grammar school mathematics must be extended by the in-
97
ANNUAL REPORT.
troduction of Algebra and Elementary Geometry. The commencement of the study of Latin or some modern lan- guage is recommended for the same school. Instruction in elementary science must develop into a systematic study of Elementary Physics.
Many, too strongly wedded to old systems are averse to this innovation and assert, that it cannot be success- fully done. It is done, successfully too, in France and Germany.
Rapid progress is being made in this direction in En- giand. Leading educators demand it in the United States. The demand is reasonable and must be obeyed. Being in hearty sympathy with this forward move and believing that it can and should be applied in our schools I have introduced into the course of study for the first Grammar grade Algebra and Elementary Physics. study of Algebra does not imply the use of text-book. It
The should be taught in connection with Arithmetic. Geome- try in an elementary form should be introduced in connec- tion with the study of mensuration of surfaces and solids in arithmetic. To make room for this advanced work the study of Geography should be reduced fully one-third The same should be done with History. The amount of arithmetic taught should not be lessened, but one-third of the time devoted to it should be saved by improved methods of instruction all along the grades. To take up this advanced work successfully implies apparatus and laboratory work to illustrate and prove the principles taught. To furnish this out of our regular appropriation is impossible. The Trustees of the Richardson fund have expressed to the Principal, who heartily advocates this onward move, their willingness to appropriate of the funds at their disposal for the purchase of this much needed apparatus. Our schools are deriving much benefit from apparatus, charts, reference, books, cyclopedias, and appliances supplied by the trustees of the fund. I have
98
ANNUAL REPORT.
spoken at some length of the High and High Grammar schools. They have to-day more than two hundred of our most advanced scholars, more than one-sixth of the average membership of all our schools. Surely they are worthy of liberal treatment. We have not spoken at such length of of these higher schools because we consider them alone worthy of commendation. Far from it.
As we have said before, our schools have never been better taught than then they are today. We believe the year just closed one characterized by service on the part of our teachers more faithful and efficient than that of any preceeding one. We heartily commend the almost uni- versal cheerfulness and readiness with which they have endeavored to conform to the requirements of the new course and work harmoniously together for the best in- terests of our scholars for whose sole advantage the entire educational system should be conducted. My most sincere thanks are tendered to the School Committee for their co-operation and support.
Respectfully submitted, J. O. TIFFANY,
Superintendent of Schools.
99
ANNUAL REPORT.
APPENDIX A. " Spectemur Agendo." GRADUATING EXERCISES OF THE CLASS OF '91 ATTLEBORO HIGH SCHOOL AT BATES OPERA HOUSE, THURSDAY, JUNE 25, '91
ORCHESTRA. PRAYER, REV. J. N. EMERY. MUSIC-We Hail Thee. (FULL CHORUS.)
I. Salutatory,
2. Oration-
KATE LOUISE BRONSON, The Recent Lynching at New Orleans. ALBERT MILTON DUNHAM
3. Essay-Then and Now, FLORENCE PARTRIDGE ADAMS.
1. Class History, BERTHA VINTON COBB.
Music- § ( a ) Herdman's Home, (b ) Hither Fairies Trip.
5. Essay-
(CHORUS FOR FEMALE VOICES. ) Origin of the English-Speaking People, FRANCES BOTTOMLEY. RUFUS CURTIS READ,
6. Essay-The Electric Railway,
7. Essay- The Greater the Darkness the Brighter the Light. EFFIE MAY LUTHER.
CALISTHENICS. (Girls of the Sophomore and Freshmen Classes.)
8. Essay-The Influence of Music. LULU BELLE MAKEPEACE.
S. Essay-The Enthusiast, BERTHA HORATIA DES JARDINES.
10. Class Prophesy, MABEL EMILY PERRY.
.
Music-The Miller's Song. (FOUR PART CHORUS FOR LADIES' VOICES)
11. Essay- The Sweet Girl Graduate,
ELIZABETH LAWRENCE RANDALL ..
12. Oration-Reciprocity, WILLIAM GORDON EMERY.
14. Valedictory, SARAH LENA MARTIN.
Presentation of Diplomas.
Music-The Dawn of Day. (Full Chorus.)
100
ANNUAL REPORT,
GRADUATES.
COLLEGE PREPARATORY COURSE.
KATE LOUISE BRONSON. ALBERT MILTON DUNHAM,
BERTHA VINTON COBB. WILLIAM GORDON EMERY.
RUFUS CURTIS READ.
CLASSICAL COURSE.
FLORENCE PARTRIDGE ADAMS,
FRANCES BOTTOMLEY,
BERTHA HORATIA DES JARDINES.
EFFIE MAY LUTHER, LULU BELLE MAKEPEACE,
SARAH LENA MARTIN,
MABEL EMILY PERRY,
ELIZABETH LAWRENCE RANDALL.
IOI
ANNUAL REPORT.
NAMES OF GRAMMAR SCHOOL GRADUATES.
SANFORD STREET SCHOOL.
Carrie L. Briggs,
Katharina I. Sweeney,
Eleanor N. Lillibridge, Lizzie R. Holbrook,
Lucy H. Swift,
Gertrude E. Horton,
Emma W. Davis,
Albert . J. Hutchinson,
William A. Bradford,
Howard E. White,
Frederick R. Thompson,
Evadel M. Perry,
Florence T. Livingstone,
Elsie L. Lewis,
Grace Clark,
Jesse M. Blaney,
Marion A. Smith,
Lizzie E. Smith,
Sophie A. Anderson,
Florence E. White,
Louisa A. Briggs,
Albert G. Trafton,
Fred E. King,
Austin M. Sweet,
Edward G. Brown,
Edmund Horne,
Edward Bliss,
Berger E. Anderson,
Mary A. Hodge,
Walter A. King,
Eddie D. Williams,
Jennie E. Berglund,
Lena B. Hutchinson,
Susie B. Morse,
Isabella J. Authony,
Leslie W. Monroe,
Lillian E. Fisher,
Bertha L. Mowry,
George D. Parmenter, William H. Lamb,
Joseph N. Collom,
Henry D. Butterworth.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
CITY SCHOOL.
Edith G. Wheeler,
Mary Clarkson,
Maria E. McGinn,
Mabel F. Dennett,
Esther M. Murphy, Clara E. Kelley,
Edith Wilson, Mary A. Wightman,
Archie R. Boyd.
TURNPIKE SCHOOL.
Annie M. McLoughlin, Margaret L. McMann.
BRIGGS CORNER SCHOOL.
Fred A. Wade, Fred A. Whittaker.
PERRY SCHOOL.
Arthur A. Pond.
SCHOOL STATISTICS.
Number of High schools,
I
" Grammar schools, 5
66 Primary, 66
14
66 " Semi-graded schools,
3
66 " Ungraded schools, 3
66 same as last year, 26
103
ANNUAL REPORT.
TEACHERS
Number of Teachers in High school,
3
Grammar schools, 8
66
Primary schools, 16
Semi-graded schools, 3
Ungraded, 3
Music,
2
same as last year,* 35
* An additional teacher was employed three-fitths time during the fall term.
PUPILS.
Enrollment :
High, boys 29 ; girls, 61. Total, 90
Grammar, boys, 153 ; girls, 159. Total, 312
Primary, boys, 493 ; girls, 446. Total, 939
Semi-graded, boys, 69; girls, 49. Total, 118
Mixed, boys, 58 ; girls 57. Total, 115
Whole number, boys, 802 ; girls, 772. Total 1,574
Average Membership :
High school, 88.47
Grammar school,
286.59
Primary school.
624.67
Semi-graded school,
90.41
Mixed school,
75.12
Total,
1, 165.26
Average Attendance :
High school,
84 29
Grammar school,
261.31
Primary school,
545 81
Semi-graded school,
80.10
Mixed school,
61.38
Total, 1,032.89
Per cent. of attendance based on average membership, · 88 64
TABLE SHOWING
NAMES, GRADES, TEACHERS,
MEMBERSHIP AND)
ATTENDANCE.
TEACHER.
NAME OF SCHOOL.
GRADE.
1 IFFERENT SCHOL-
ARS REGISTERED.
BOYS.
GIRLS.
AVERAGE MEMBERSHIP.
AVERAGE ATTEND -
ANCE.
ANCE.
Bank street,
High,
90 29 61
88.47 84.29 95.27
O. L. Beverage, 1 2 3 4
Helen W. Metcalf, Jennie M. Perry,
M. Alinda Lathrop,
5 Herbert E Walker,
Sanford street,
Ist&2d grammar. 115 60 55 105 94 97.85 92.36
6 Rhoda C Slate,
Nellie M. Toothaker,
-
2d & 3d
45 : 21 24 45 97 42.29 92.3
9 O. Cora Chatterton,
3d & 4th
60 20 40
52. 53 48.9 93.
IO May E. Brown,
- Hattie R. Jewett,
45
27 25|
18 22
41.2 35.6
.6.5
13 Carrie L. Perry,
Ist
Primary.
51
28 23: 45.4
41. 40.
90.
14
S. Elizebeth McRac,
48
23 25 46.
181.
TOI
ANNUAL REPORT.
7 8
Hannah M. Pratt,
6.
.
4th
41. 13 36.66 89.1
12 Susan K. McIntyre,
47
..
PER CENT OF ATTEND-
1 5 Adelina S Povey,
2d
5 1
27 24 43.
37. 38.
86. 86.
18 Alice B. Fisher,
4th
120
54
30
14
56
46.
40.
35. 87.5
22 Mary A. Stephenson,
Semi-Graded.
45
29
59 67
66.9 |57
85.2
24
Hattie E. Shepard,
Semi-Graded.
39
27
1 2
23 5
19.8 58.6
84 3 85.7
Primary Grades. 119 66
50
59 68.3
27
R. Grace Field,
28
Mary A, Lyon,
City,
Grammar
34
1 3
21
28 43 25 07 90.3
Primary
66
41
23
18
28.
24.7
88.2
30
Abbie E. Carpenter,
Turnpike,
Mixed.
66
49
21
28
22.95 19 57 85
31
Julia L. Brigham,
Briggs Corner,
48
25
23
39 87 34 21 85.
32
Cassie S. Thayer,
Perry,
18
12
6
12.3
7.6 62.
33
M. B. Hawes,
Farmers,
Primary Grades. 66
49
29
20
36 5
134.
13
34
Helen M. Austin,
Pleasant street,
..
26
14
[ 2
16
I 2.
75
35
H. J. Whittemore,
3d
3d & 4th
¥
47 62
I 5
44.
32 38 24 52.74 46.81 89.
19
Mary L. Felt,
3d & 4th
44
4th
III
55
21
Dora A. Sweet, Lucy C. Sweet,
South Main St., Dodgeville,
2d & 3d
44
21 23
16 38.36 34 63 90.
23
Anna D. Newman,
Primary Grades. 126 6
25
Nellie E. Briggs,
Hebronville,
26
Minnie A. Walker,
29
Clara F. Bourne,
ANNUAL REPORT.
-
105
17
Annie M. Wheaton,
Pine street, 66
41. 66 50.33 38.73 76.93 35. 85 38. 82.6
20
16 Mary F. Parmenter,
Music Teacher.
106
ANNUAL REPORT.
APPENDIX B.
COURSE OF STUDY FOR THE SCHOOLS OF ATTLEBORO.
Fourth Primary (first year.)
READING AND SPELLING.
Reading from blackboard, chart and slates, till the pupil has acquired a vocabulary of at least one-hundred words which he can recognize at sight.
After this, use authorized primers and first readers.
Pupils to be taught to spell at first by sounds of letters, and combinations of letters, afterwards by letters.
LANGUAGE.
Language work in the Primary grades should be largely language training. Correct common errors and train the children to express their thoughts in proper language.
The observation lessons required in elementary science furnish good sub- jects for use in language training in all the primary grades.
ARITHMETIC.
1. Number work ; from 1 to 10. 2. Fractions; 1-2, 1-3 1-4. 3. Com- pound Numbers; apply combinations taught to most familiar weights and measures. 4. Business arithmetic; use of cents, two cent pieces, nickels. and the dime.
ELEMENTARY SCIENCE.
Observation Lessons. I. Domestic animals, birds and common insects; to recognize and name, and state single qualities, doings and other inter- esting facts.
2. Common plants, flowers and fruits; to recognize and name; state qualities, as color, form, etc. and uses.
3. The human body ; care, health, cleanliness, comfort, noticeable parts. Expression, 1. Clay modeling of typical forms, and forms in nature. 2 Stick Laying; forms in outline and forms of symmetry.
3. Drawing from typical forms and natural objects.
107
ANNUAL REPORT.
GEOGRAPHY.
Talks about familiar objects; at school, at home, out of doors: relation of place, direction, distance, etc.
WRITING.
The forms and names of letters taught from the blackboard and chart. Children to spend much time copying letters, words and sentences ; each pupil taught to write his own name and name of teacher.
Third Primary (second year,)
READING AND SPELLING.
Use authorized first and second readers. Words selected from reading lessons to be spelled by sounds and by letters.
LANGUAGE.
Conversations with children in connection with their observation lessons in elementary science, also reading lessons and stories told the children to be reproduced in their own words, furnish excellent means for training in language work.
ARITHMETIC.
I. Number work ; 10 to 20, 20 to 50 ; notation from I to 50.
2. Fractions ; 1-2, 1-4, 1-8, 1-3, 1-6, 1-9, 1-5, 1-10, 1-7.
3. Compound numbers and business arithmetic. Continue and extend the work of first year.
ELEMENTARY SCIENCE
Observation lessons. I. Domestic and other common animals ; birds and insects; their distinguishing characteristics, doings or habits, uses, and other interesting facts.
2. Common plants. trees and shrubs ; to recognize and name ; state uses and values, most noticeable qualities, interesting facts as to place and man - ner of growth, cultivation, etc .; in proper months to observe seeds, buds, leaves, flowers, and fruit.
3. Human body. The whole ; care, health, cleanliness, comfort ; parts, care of, uses, etc. Teachers should ascertain if there is any defect in the children's eyesight or hearing, and act accordingly.
4. Natural phenomena. Sun, light, heat, fire ; darkness, cold; day, night, air, wind; forms of water, as clouds, rain, snow, ice.
GEOGRAPHY.
Talks about the school room, the school house, the school yard, the streets, the neighborhood ; cardinal points of compass and the horizen. For natural phenomena and objects of nature see course on elementary science.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
WRITING.
Children to continue copying letters, words and sentences from black - board, chart, and readers. To begin to use exercise paper and lead pencil. Much attention to be paid to proper position of person, paper, and pencil.
Second Primary (third year.)
READING AND SPELLING.
Monroe's Advanced Second reader for drill and study, other second readers for supplementary reading.
Difficult words in reading lessons to be copied and studied for oral and written spelling.
LANGUAGE.
Observation lessons in science, suitable pictures, and stories told the children, furnish ample material for training in language work. Such stor- ies should be selected as will furnish the ground work for instruction in manners and morals. Written work should follow the lines indicated for oral teachings. It should include the re-production of stories which have been told the class, stories from pictures, dictation exercises to teach spell- ing, puncuation and use of capital letters, also for teaching the forms of notes, letters and other kinds of written composition. A judicious use of the language chart will relieve the teachers of much work in preparing less ons for written exercises.
ARITHMETIC.
1. Number work, from 50 to 1,000; notation, the same ; begin decimal notation. 2. Fractions, I-12, 1-20, etc. ; simple reductions. 3. Decimals. Begin United States Money. 4. Compound Numbers. Previous work extended; simple reductions. 5. Mensuration. Pupils to have much prac- tice in measuring lengths. 6. Business Arithmetic. Buying and selling, making change, etc., by the use of toy money.
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