USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1894 > Part 9
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NEEDED REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS.
The too small appropriation in the incidental and repair depart- ment prevented making as extensive improvements as the schools re- quired. In addition to the furnishing the vacant room in the Car- penter street school house to make it ready for the new school which you have voted to open at the beginning of the spring term the lot should be properly fenced and graded, and concrete walks should be. made. Concrete walks are greatly needed at the Pine street lot and the lot should be fenced before the electric cars begin to run again,
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ANNUAL REPORT.
The Dodgeville house should be thoroughly renovated inside. At present its interior is the most unsightly of any in town. It should be almost entirely newly plastered, should be painted within and curtains should take the place of the inconvenient blinds. Both rooms should also be supplied with new furniture. The enlarged chemical laboratory in the High School should be furnished with tables of modern style and one or two hoods should be constructed and connected with the ventilating shaft. A suitable water tank should also be constructed in the physical laboratory. As I cannot think the town will refuse to erect a new school house which you recommend in the the Turnpike district no suggestions are needed for repairing the old house there. After devoting much thought to the location of this new house, and after making many inquiries of the people there, I am of the opinion that it should be built on the site of the old one.
THE COST.
I have no doubt that many who are willing to deal liberally with our schools feel that they are costing too much, and that the annual appropriations are increasing in amount too rapidly. Such state- ments are made in town meeting often with a view of influencing voters to recommend smaller appropriation. While all rejoice to see the evidence of the growth of the town as shown by the growth of the schools, few realize fully the extent of the growth. Only eight years ago last fall the Pine street house, which accommodates one hundred scholars, was opened. Five years ago the large Grammar school on Sanford St., accommodating two hundred and fifty scholars, was opened. Last fail one room of the new Carpenter street house was opened. Every seat in this room is already occupied and the second school in the building must be opened next term. Mean- while the number of High school scholars has doubled, and they occupy the entire building with the exception of the office and small store room used by the superintendent of schools. The opening of two schools in the new house will relieve the crowded schools on Sanford street but little, as the number of new scholars who entered last fall was larger than anticipated. Another two-room Primary school house will soon be needed to accommodate the children on the west side of the railroad. This should be for the lowest primary grades, and in my opinion should be located somewhere between County street and Mechanics. If the increase of scholars is as great this year as in either of the last two years the building of this house should not be delayed later than 1896.
To show that all these suggestions can be carried out and not be
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ANNUAL REPORT.
too great a burden for the tax payers I wish to call attention to the cost in the state. The number of children between 5 and 15 years of age in town last May was 1465. All the money expended by the school department last year omitting ordinary repairs and the new houses was $22,482.70, which was $15 35 per scholar. The average in the state was $19.48.
Had the town paid for the Carpenter street house and the High school extension in full the total amount expended for schools would have been $33,167.88. This would make the cost per scholar $22.64. The average in the state on the same basis was $24 90.
Please notice the relative cost for the coming year if the town appropriates the full amount asked for by the School Board. Omitting the ordinary repairs and the cost of the Turnpike house the sum is $24,540. On the basis of the number of scholars last year the cost per scholar would be $16.75, which is $2.73 less than the average throughout the state. The amount asked for including the cost of repairs, and the Turnpike school house is $32,540, which is $22 21 per scholar, or $2.26 below the average in the state -- reckoned on the same basis. If our school system is con- ducted with the spirit of economy shown in the recommendations for appropriations for the present year, the town can build, equip and pay for a two room school house every year without the cost per scholar exceeding the average in the state.
CONDITION OF THE SCHOOLS.
I think it can be truly said, as it should be true each succeeding year, that our schools were never in better condition than at pres ent. The improvement in attendance has contributed somewhat towards this. There have been fewer changes of teachers than usual. At the beginning of the the fall term Mrs. Mclntyre succeed- ed Miss Povey, who was granted leave of absence on account of ill health; Miss McNerney succeeded Miss Smith as assistant in Miss Fisher's school ; Miss Carlin succeeded Miss Thayer as teacher of the Perry school ; and at the High school Miss S. M. Kelly succeeded Miss Lathrop, who was granted leave of absence for a year to con- tinue her course of studies at Cornell University, and, later, Mr. Victor V. Thompson succeeded Mr. Beverage, who resigned the principalship of the school to accept a higher salary at Brattleboro, Vt. Miss Dora A. Sweet has taken charge of the South Main street school, and Miss Bertha V. Cobb of the new Carpenter street school.
The improved condition is mainly due to the faithfulness and efficiency of our teachers, both old and new, from which list we would not exclude a single name. The introduction of drawing is
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ANNUAL REPORT.
also having a most important influence towards the improved condi- tion. When it shall have been taught in the schools as music has been till all the scholars who graduate from our High school shall, have had the benefits of its training from the Primary school up it will. come to be one of the most important factors in our educational' system. All of our teachers, regular and special, are deserving of high praise. Below are the reports of the special teachers of drawing. and music.
Mr. J. O. Tiffany, Superintendent of Schools,
Dear Sir :- The work in drawing done in the schools of Attle- boro during the past year shows a great improvement over that of the year before. The pupils are better prepared and consequently appear to take a greater interest in their work. Those in the grades below the sixth are doing successfully the drawing adapted to their respective grades. In the sixth grade and those above, the freehand drawing is not yet as well done as it probably will be in a year o two. The mechanical drawing, however, has been very well begun and the work in design which occupies the spring term will doubtless show a great improvement over that of last year.
In the High School the drawing is somewhat hindered by the lack of previous training on the part of the pupils and the want of prop- er accommodations. The former difficulty will grow less every year, but the best results in High School drawing can be accomplished only in a room adapted for the purpose, and in which there is no other work going on during the drawing lesson. I wish to express my gratitude to the teachers for the care and patience with which they have carried out my suggestions. I have found them always helpful and ready to do whatever I asked of them.
I have also to thank the Superintendent and School Committee for their liberality in providing the necessary supplies and for the interest they have shown in my work.
Sincerely yours, LOUISE M. GOODRICH.
Mr. J. O. Tiffany, Superintendent of Schools,
Dear Sir :- It is with pleasure that we render to you our annual report.
At the beginning of the year, we made an effort to so equalize our work that, throughout the town, each school should have its just proportion of persona! supervision and we believe our effort has been quite successful.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
It is not mere formality when we say that the teachers without exception, have endeavored to follow the outline of work assigned and in many cases excellent work has been shown. ,
In the High and Grammar Schools we have tried to raise the standard of music, and although there was a slight interruptton in the regular work incident to the Bi-Centennial Celebration, yet the singing of those grand choruses by the best composers, gave a stimulus to our school music that perhaps nothing else could have done.
In connection with this subject we would call attention to the fact that a very large proportion of the singers in the Bi-Centennial Chorus have at some time been connected with the schools since the introduction of music.
In fact, the plan of the Committee in forming the grand chorus was based upon the idea of sending invitations to the graduates and pupils of the High School during the last ten years, thus forming the nucleus of the chorus.
The willingness with which they responded, at once assured the Music Committee of the success of the enterprise.
The standard thus set by a chorus largely composed of those who have been drilled in the schools of the town, proves more clearly than words can do, the practical results of the study of music and its worth and importance as one of the regular branches of our school course.
During the last few weeks new music readers have been pro- vided in three of the Sanford Street rooms, thus replacing those badly worn through long use in the various grades.
Together with teachers and pupils, we feel grateful for the same- and anticipate good results from their use.
In closing, we desire to thank the Superintendent, School Com mittee and teachers for their kindness and co-operation.
Respectfully submitted,
H. J. W HITTEMORE, MARY E. WHITTEMORE,
Instructors in Music.
While our limited means in the Text Book and Supply Depart- ment will not allow much money to be expended to establish school libraries or buy needed aparatus for the teaching of Elementary Seience in the Grammar School, it is a source of much gratificatie
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ANNUAL REPORT.
that by the help of funds appropriated by the trustees of the Richard- son School Fund the High School is acquiring a valuable library of reference books and choice literature, and the Grammar School is being furnished with a fair share of reference books and books of standard literature. It seems to me that the time has fully come when the Grammar School should be furnished with apparatus to enable the Principal to take the forward step he has been waiting to take whenever he could have the teaching force under his direction sufficient to enable him to devote the necessary time to the subject. I am very glad to append his report which sets forth in very clear terms the needs of the school.
Mr. J. O. Tiffany, Superintendent of Schools :
In accordance with your request, the following brief report of the work of the Grammar School for the year 1894, together with a few recommendations, is presented.
The 7th grade during the school year 1893-4 was very large, numbering nearly seventy when the time for promotion came last June. The difference in attainment of the pupils in this class while, perhaps, proportionately no greater than in any class, on account of the size of the class was very apparent, and the question of promotion was perplexing. Feeling unwilling, except for exceptional reasons, to have any considerable number of pupils repeat the work of an en- tire year, and, on the other hand, not wishing to have the work so planned that the most advanced pupils could not do all that they were capable of doing, with your consent the promotions were made to the 8th grade, sections I and II, the pupils being grouped in these sections according to their ability to work together. In September, section I began the regular work of the 8th grade and section II began the year by repeating as much of the 7th grade work as was necessary. The plan has worked well, and we now hope to graduate a large proportion of the entire 8th grade.
Believing most thoroughly in the study of classic literature in the elementary schools, I asked of the Trustees of the Richardson School Fund an appropriation for the purchase of some suitab e literature for study in the Grammar School. The request was readily granted, and I have bought sets of the following : Hawthorne's Wonder Stories, Tanglewood Tales, and Biographical Stories ; Dick- ens' Christmas Carol and the Cricket ou the Hearth; and Long fellow's Hiawatha. In his essay The Educational Law of Reading and Writing, in a recent number of The Atlantic, Mr. torace E. Scudder writes as follows : "There can be no manner of question that between the ages of six and sixteen a large part of the best literature of the world may be read, if taken up systematically in
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ANNUAL REPORT.
school, and the man or woman who has failed to become acquainted with great literature in some form during that time is little likely to have a taste formed later." I am happy to state that both classes are for the present well supplied with some of the best reading matter.
In addition to literature for study, I have wished for some time to have a small working library in the school room to supplement the work of the various departments. Although the Public Library con_ tains many books which are useful in our work, as there is usually but a single copy of a work and the Library is open only two after- noons per week, it is not possible to use the books that bear most directly upon our work. From the sum placed at my disposal by the Richardson Trustees I have already purchased twenty-five volumes to use in the study of history, geography, literature, and science. The balance of the appropriation will also be expended for this purpose.
In elementary science little has been accomplished except the work in physiology and hygiene. The 8th grade has received a thorough course in physiology and hygiene with reference to the effects of stimulants and narcotics, as the law directs. The 7th grade will receive a more elementary course in the same subject in the latter part of the school year. This department has also been sup- plied with books for reference from the appropriation made by the Trustees of the Richardson Fund, and is now well equipped. It is not because of any lack of sympathy with the work in elementary science that more has not been accomplished, but because it has seemed impossible to do any more with three teachers, With the recent addition of a teacher for half time, more will be done in this line. For this work, some simple apparatus will be necessary, the expense of which will not be very great.
In the four highest grades of our schools, the same text-book in geography has been used. While this book is one of the best in the market, it would increase the interest in this subject if a new book were introduced into one of the classes in the Grammar School, and I therefore recommend a change at an early date. Geography could be taught much more effectively if a suitable collection of lantern slides, such as those in the list prepared by Prof. Davis of Harvard Univer- sity for the Cambridge Schools, and means of showing the same were provided. The teaching of history could also be assisted in the same way.
During the last autumn there was held in Boston an exhibition of works of art suggested for schoolroom decoration by a joint com- mittee representing The Boston Art Students' Association, The Con-
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ANNUAL REPORT.
ference of Educational Workers, and The Public School Art League. I visited this exhibition twice and obtained some information respect. ing suitable subjects and the prices. This matter is already receiving attention in some places and I will gladly furnish any information that I possess when the time comes to begin the work in our schools. The educational value of a collection of pictures consisting of port- aits of the world's greatest reproductions of the masterpieces of painting, and photographs of the triumphs in sculpture and architec- ture can hardly be over-estimated.
The only form in which manual training is given in the Gram- mar School at present is drawing. Would it not be possible in the immediate future to fit up one of the rooms in the basement so that instruction in wood-working could be given the boys of the 8th grade ? While the boys were receiving instruction in wood-working, the girls could be taught sewing in the schoolroom or cooking, by fitting up a school kitchen in the basement. I cannot do better in this connection than to quote from the report recently made to the Boston School Board by its committee on manual training. "Finally, the committee firmly believes that each child should have systematic bookwork and handwork, ard that these two kinds of training should be given side by side through all the school life. As the best educa- tion comes from constant use of all the faculties, manual training must be well adapted for the purposes of such an education. It should never be looked upon as a separate system, and the time allotted to it should not be considered 'an encroachment upon regular school studies.' When the work is carefully and coherently carried out in all the grades, manual training will be doing a large part to- wards developing ' the capacity for enjoyment and the capacity for serviceableness,' which President Eliot so earnestly declares to be the best ' fitting for life.'"
In closing, I wish to thank you most cordially for the help you have rendered me in my work.
Respectfully submitted,
HERBERT E. WALKER.
Mr. J. O. Tiffany, Supt. of Schools :
Dear Sir :-- With your kind permission I wish to make a general report of the Attleboro High School, in order that the public may know what its condition is and at the same time suggesting what, in my opinion, its chief needs are.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
The number of scholars attending the school at present is 108 of whom 15 are Seniors, 29 Juniors, 32 Sophomores and 32 Freshmen It is probable that this number will not materially change during the latter half of the school year.
It is reasonable to suppose that at the opening of the fall term, with a small class graduating in June and a prospective large class to enter in the fall, the capacity of the main room will not be adequate to accommodate all who seek admission ; in fact the crowded condition of our room at present is only too apparent, and some plan should be made to remedy this evil existing in our own and many High schools in the State.
In many respects our High School possesses many facilities and educational advantages, which, it is safe to say, most other High schools do not enjoy.
Through the kindness and liberal disposition of the Trustees of ' the Richardson School Fund, towards our High School, the basement of the building has been fitted up into a good chemical laboratory, furnished with a comparatively good supply of chemical apparatus, by means of which individual experimental work is done.
There is, however, an imperative need of suitable tables being placed in the laboratory in the place of the cumbersome bench which can now be used by only a few scholars, and is wholly unsuited for its purpose.
The poisonous gases that are generated in chemical reaction are exceedingly vicious to the health of those experimenting, and hoods should be made to carry off this poison instead of compelling the scholars to inhale it.
By the same means the physical laboratory is exceptionally well equipped and apparatus for performing the ordinary experiments in physics has been supplied.
A tank for the supply of water is the most needed addition to the physical laboratory.
A most important acquisition to the school is the library which has been largely the gift of the Richardson Fund.
The library is a nucleus of the researches of the scholar, and without it, the educational advantages of the school would be greatly and necessarily impaired.
The knowledge of books, the acquaintance with authors and the ability to glean from them readily what one desires for his purpose is an education in itself which will always be of the greatest value, to the student who has enjoyed it, in the practical pursuits of life.
Our library has been recently enriched by the addition of several volumes which has greatly added to its usefulness : it is still
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ANNUAL REPORT.
however, not a large collection, and we trust its growth will continue in the future as in the past.
The school is greatly in need of a good system of maps, which should be sufficiently large for class work.
In the study of history and ancient languages, the geography of the countries studied, form a most interesting and essential part, and charts should be used to show the changes and divisions of boundaries all through the advance of civilization.
The school at present has scarcely any equipment in this line.
As the teachers in the departments of Music and Drawing are to make their respective reports, I will not discuss them only to say that, to my mind, they each constitute as important a part in the education of today as the other branches taught in the public schools, and are receiving equal attention in the best schools of our State.
Tue great problem of every school, as the problem of life, is how to do well what is to be done.
The educational standard of today requires teachers competent to teach the many and almost endless variety of subjects within the range of intellectual thought.
That school is successful only where both teachers and scholars are willing to labor, the one to instruct, the other to receive instruc- tion; and where either of these fail in the per istency of their efforts they must remain in the rear ranks with the multitude that never advances.
In our own individual case the history of the school shows that the teachers of past years have been faithful and efficient in their work, if the record of its graduates is to be the criterion by which we are to judge it
Among the many who have graduated from the school in years past and entered various higher institutions of learning, all have easily maintained a high standing, which has reflected great credit upon the school which has so well prepared them.
Is is to be hoped that we may still advance in our attainments and that our standard may be still higher raised as our means and facilities accrue.
This implies even greater effort on the part of the teachers and more appli ation on the part of the scholars; it is also necessary that the parents should do their part in the encouragement of their child- ren in their work, and co-operate with the teacher in the promotion of their welfare; to this end it is most desirable that parents should show their interest by frequent visits to the school, for such visits are invariably incentives to the scholar for most thorough and careful
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ANNUAL REPORT.
preparation for his recitations; and besides it is the right of the peo- ple to know what is being done, and their duty to manifest an inter- est in the public schools.
VICTOR V. THOMPSON, Principal High School.
Attleboro, Mass., Feb. 15, 1895.
The plan adopted for last year of having an address by an able speaker take the place of the reading of essays by the members of the graduating class of the High School, at the time of their graduation, seems to have worked to the satisfaction of all interested. It relieves the pupils to such an extent from the extra work of preparation and performance of their parts, allows them to pursue their studies to the end of the term, and so greatly simplifies the whole affair that I would recommend its continuance. In closing I would thank the teachers for their co operation, and the members of the Committee for their cordial support.
Respectfully submitted, J. O. TIFFANY,
Superintendent of Schools.
APPENDIX.
GRADUATING EXERCISES
-OF THE-
Attleboro - High - School
In Bates Opera House, Attleboro, Mass.,
8 P. m., THURSDAY, JUNE 28, 1894.
" CONNAIS-TOI TOIMEME."
PROGRAMME.
PRAYER, REV. E. L. HOUSE.
Choral. Address,
PRES. E. BENJ. ANDREWS'
Singing : ( (a) " The Twilight Star." (b) " Music." LADIES' VOICES.
Presentation of Diplomas, Chairman of School Committee MR. C. H. WHEELER.
§ (a) " A Day of Glory."
Singing : ? (b) Selected.
ANNUAL REPORT.
197
GRADUATES.
Fannie Louise Butterworth, Pearle Chase Burdick,
Chester Merton Bliss, Mary Ida Crawfoad,
Anna Melvine Burbank, Irene Lawton Battey, Arthur Lloyd Bottomley, Mable Irene Crosby,
Albert Jefferson Carpenter, Rhoda Elizabeth Danforth,
George Mackie Gustin, Walter Benjamin Marble,
Grace Bourne Hodges,
Edith Minerva Perry,
Egbert Ellis Rhodes, Caroline Edna Smith,
Florence Augusta Sweet,
Fred Sibley, Amy Earle White.
Graduating Exercises
OF THE
anford
træet
rammar
chợơi,
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