USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1904 > Part 12
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236
ANNUAL REPORT.
Evening Schools.
These schools were conducted in four different parts of the town for 36 nights from October 4, 1904, to December 23, 1904. A course of study was issued, and followed as closely as circumstances would permit, and final examinations were given by the Superintendent, with very gratifying results. Additional books were bought for the exclusive use of these schools, and more comfortable furniture was added. The Turner Street School was opened later than the rest and its term was continued through January, 1905.
The usual decline in interest and attendance appeared among the voluntary students as the novelty of evening study wore away, and the road to learning was found to be the same old road which they had forsaken in childhood. Yet many even of these students have been greatly benefited. In several cases, futures have been changed in consequence of talents here discovered and developed. Though these cases are relatively few, they are numerous enough to justify the expense of these schools on economic grounds. By far the greatest amount of effort has been bestowed upon the illiterates, most of whom are required by law to attend, but, on the other hand, the most apparent and encouraging results have been secured from this class.
Evening Schools.
Bank Street.
Hebron- Dodge- ville. ville.
Turner Street.
Total.
Number of different pupils enrolled,
177
99
88
45
409
Average attendance evening,
per
77
52
52
25
206
Per cent. of attendance to enrollment,
43%
52%
59% 56% 50%
Whole number of teachers employed.
6
4
4
· 2
16
Number of illiterates en-
rolled,
29
45
22
4
100
237
ANNUAL REPORT.
Growth.
The schools in the Centre alone, not counting the High School nor any of the outlying districts, have gained 149 pupils during the last four years, or since the Richardson School was opened. Last September, 177 children of grammar and primary schools living east of the railroad had to be sent across the track to Sanford street, although the building of the Richardson School was supposed to stop this necessity. Furthermore, the building operations on Peck's Plat and in other parts of the town west of the railroad are causing a large in- crease in the number belonging at Sanford street, so that it will soon have little room to spare for the over- flow from other schools.
The Richardson School now averages 43 pupils to a room, although half of the seventh and all of the eighth grades are sent to Sanford street. At Sanford street four rooms now require assistant teachers, and more will be needed before the next report appears. Thus we are rapidly approaching a repetition of the crowded condi- tions which led to the erection of the Richardson School.
An eight-room building in the southern part of the Centre, besides furnishing school accommodations for many east side children nearer their homes, would be more convenient for residents of Lona Cut, would obviate the necessity of transporting Dodgeville children in the higher grades, and would allow the South Main street building to be used as a disciplinary school.
Disciplinary School.
Nearly every school room has one or more pupils who are almost, if not entirely, incorrigible. The removal of the contaminating influence of these children from her school is the greatest boon the teacher could ask. To avoid sending them from their homes to State or county institutions to be reformed, many large towns and cities have special schools for them, in the charge of the best teachers procurable. Relatively few in number and con-
238
ANNUAL REPORT.
trolled by a masterful mind, most of these pupils are greatly benefited in their studies, and are redeemed to decency in their behavior. Providence, for example, maintains eight of these schools. Not only will the school benefit those who are committed to it, but will act very favorably on the conduct of those who do not wish to be committed to it.
The one-room building on South Main street offers an ideal location for such a school, and the pressing need for it furnishes an added reason for the speedy erection of a new eight-room building on the east side very soon.
Gifts.
Since many erroneous ideas prevail in regard to the Richardson School Fund, it may be proper to state that this fund is administered by a board of trustees who are entirely independent of the town government. The trustees meet annually on February 22, and usually appropriate from the income $1,000.00, which is divided as follows: $500.00 towards the salary of the drawing teacher, $100.00 for reference books now placed in the Public Library, and $400.00 for miscellaneous uses. From the last named amount the schools have received during the past year portable organs, historical maps, reference books, and a stereopticon.
The Richards Fund is a similar, though smaller fund, held in trust for the benefit of the schools at South Attleborough, which have received from it during the year two organs and a set of reference books.
These funds are in the nature of an endowment. Though originally small, they have increased to hand- some proportions through prudent management. An enumeration of the benefits derived would be a con- vincing proof of the wisdom of the founders. If other lovers of popular education would make similar be- quests, it would help to equalize its benefits and burdens in the future. The public school is as deserving of en- dowment funds as the private school, since its resources
239
ANNUAL REPORT.
have a natural limit, which its needs, both absolutely and relatively, may exceed.
I take pleasure in publicly thanking also the follow- ing individuals and organizations for their gifts, which, whether large or small, have showed their appreciation of and love for the schools: Mr. Louis J. Lamb, map of Bristol County. Pupils of two rooms, two pieces of sculpture, "Night" and "Morning," by Thorwaldsen. (Richardson School.) Major Everett S. Horton, Report of the Commission on Andersonville Monument. Class of 1904, sculpture, "The Aurora." Miss Susan E. Knight, collection of minerals. Mrs. J. O. Tiffany, herbarium and engravings. Mr. T. W. Williams, Manuals of the General Court. (High School.) Class of 1904, sculpture, "Morning" and "Night," by Thor- waldsen. (Sanford Street School.) Mr. Homer M. Daggett, Jr., piano. (Farmers School.) Miss Lucy C. Sweet, Humane Society Calendars. Woman's Relief Corps, silk flags.
Memorial Day.
While the schools are increasing, the survivors of the war are decreasing, and each year it becomes harder to have the old soldiers participate in the programmes in all the schools. An open air celebration was planned last year for the first time, and over 2,000 children were on their way to the Common, when a cloudburst un- fortunately wrecked all our plans.
The Cost of the Schools.
1894. 1904.
Total valuation of assessed
$4,468,751.00 $10,095,220.00 estate,
Total appropriation for sup- port of schools, 23,840.00 56,100.00 Amount appropriated to the support of public schools for each $1,000 of valuation, 5.33 5.55
240
ANNUAL REPORT.
In other words, the man who is assessed $3,000.00 011 his home-that is, the taxpayer of moderate means- now pays 66 cents more in school taxes than he did 10 years ago. And yet we now have evening schools, and kindergartens ; ventilated school rooms, which use twice the fuel, and more costly fuel, too, than the old type now forbidden by law; janitors, teachers, and administrative officers, who of necessity must be better paid than for- merly; more children requiring transportation; and other necessary items of expense not demanded 10 years ago. The town is fortunate, indeed, to be able to meet these increased expenses, without increasing the burden of taxation any more than 22 cents on a thousand, and every effort should be made to keep the expenses of the schools within the present limit of the taxpayers' ability to support them.
Care of Books.
In June, 1,300 school books were discarded as worth- less. Of this number 916, or 70%, had been in use over five years. This shows that there is certainly no ex- travagance in the use of books.
Principals and Special Teachers.
The reports of the Principals and special teachers which follow, show that we have active, earnest teachers in these positions, whose constructive labors for our schools merit our hearty appreciation.
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL.
Mr. William P. Kelly, Superintendent of Schools :
There were enrolled in the school during the fall term 219 pupils, the average membership for that time being 212. The Superintendent in his report for 1899 showed that, during the six years preceding 1899, the average membership of the High School was practically at a standstill, alternately gaining and losing, and ranging
241
ANNUAL REPORT.
between 112 and 118. It is gratifying to note that since 1899 there has been a steady increase each year. To show this, the fall term statistics for the last six years are given in the following table. Fall term instead of year statistics are shown in order to make a fair com- parison between the present incompleted year and those which precede.
Fall Term.
Average Membership.
Gain over year before.
Gain over 1899.
1899
II9
1900
*127
7%
7%
I90I
I41
11%
18%
1902
169
20%
42%
1903
192
13%
61%
1904
212
10%
78%
* Excluding the ninth grade.
Owing to the growing size of the school, 52 desks were placed last summer in one of the new rooms for the use of the Junior class, the room which was last year used by the classes in drawing. The former Junior room is now occupied by one division of the Freshman class, and the drawing classes are conducted in a recitation room of the old part of the building.
During the early part of the year, morning exercises were held in the separate class rooms. This fall, how- ever, in order to establish a more distinctively school spirit, to give less occasion for the feeling of clannish - ness which such separation of the classes may engender, and in order to enable the Principal to come into closer touch with all the pupils, the three higher classes were assembled for the opening exercises three mornings each week, in one of the largest class rooms. The Principal also meets the entire Freshman class on the other two mornings of each week in the other large class room.
The various departments of instruction appear to be in good condition and to be getting good results. That no more tangible results have been thus far produced
242
ANNUAL REPORT.
in the commercial department is to be regretted, but it must be remembered that it was entered into in an experimental way. For the first two years all the sub- jects in the course were offered for one year only. A year ago last September, pupils began a full two years' course in these branches and that class, which now num- bers nine, should, on its graduation in June, prove whether or not the experiment has been a successful one.
This department is the one which most directly fits boys and girls for an immediate money making career, and too many parents disparage the other branches of High School work as of no practical value. It is true that it is hard to prove that algebra, Latin, history, and science, will ever bring in dollars to the students who do not go to college, possibly not to some of those, but it is also true that dollars are not the only things worth striving for; they do not always bring the highest en- joyment of life.
It is a significant fact that parents who have them- selves had a college or High School education almost invariably send their children to the High School at least, and these need no convincing. But many others fail to see that the real mission of the High School is to furnish a pleasant and by far the most profitable en- vironment for the child during the four most impres- sionable years of his life. It puts him in close touch for four years with the best thought of the world, and in many cases inspires a love for good reading which never dies. If this were all to be gained, it would be time well spent. The man who loves books has always within easy reach the inspiring thoughts of the world's master minds.
The opportunities in science open up to the young mind the simpler laws and phenomena of the natural world. With some knowledge of these things, the chemical and physical changes in the everyday world. the trees and flowers, the rocks in the field, and the stars
243
ANNUAL REPORT.
in the heaven will have an interest and meaning that to others is entirely unknown.
Even the dreaded mathematics and Latin may be blessings in disguise, for great educators insist that they furnish most valuable mental training, a training which must enable the mind to grasp and master more readily the problems which may later present themselves.
In addition to the business training and general cul- ture which may be obtained in the High School, one most important function is the preparation for college work. That our High School is doing this is shown by the table given below:
Of the 99 graduates in the last five years, 41 have ·entered college or Normal School.
Colleges.
1900. 1901. 1902. 1903. 1904. Total.
Amherst,
2
I
I
I 5
Boston University,
I
I
Brown University,
2
2
4
2
IO
Columbia,
I
I
Mass. Agriculture,
I
I
2
Mass. Inst. Tech.
2
2
Mt. Holyoke,
I
I
2
Radcliffe,
I
1 I
R. I. Normal,
3
5
8
Smith,
I
I
2
Tufts,
I
3
4
University of Vermont,
2
2
Wellesley,
3
3
Worcester Pol. Inst.,
I
I
Totals,
5
6
15
II
7 44
Less names counted twice, I
2
3
Total entering college, . 4
6
I3
II
7
4I
Total number graduates, 18
9
24
25
23
99
244
ANNUAL REPORT.
In May, 1904, the New England College Entrance Certificate Board placed the Attleborough High School upon the list of approved schools for the period of three years. This means that students may be ad- mitted on certificate to Amherst College, Boston University, Bowdoin College, Brown University, Dart- mouth College, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, Tufts College, University of Maine, Wellesley College, and Wesleyan University. Furthermore, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Tech- nology and Radcliffe College have within two years accepted our students upon examination.
The class of 1904, just before its graduation, presented to the school, as a decoration for the Senior room, a beautiful cast in relief of the painting "Aurora," by Guido Reni. This, it is hoped, has established a custonı which will be followed by many succeeding classes.
Respectfully, WILBUR D. GILPATRIC.
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE SANFORD STREET SCHOOL.
Mr. William P. Kelly, Superintendent of Schools :
Our watchword for this year is "Thoroughness." While we are trying to be thorough in all subjects, we are giving special attention to arithmetic and spelling. We are endeavoring in these two subjects to confound those critics who say that the scholars of today can do neither satisfactorily. By cutting out non-essential problems, and by laying more emphasis on fundamental processes, we hope to secure greater accuracy and facility in the use of numbers: while by taking fewer words daily and by spending more time in drilling on them, we shall attain greater perfection in spelling. The results already obtained have been very gratifying.
On account of the large number of scholars this year in the sixth and seventh grades, we were obliged to have an assistant in the seventh grade. We now have
245
ANNUAL REPORT.
assistant teachers in the four rooms of the Grammar School building, and from 64 to 70 scholars in each room. On the moral effect of having so many scholars in a room, I have already expressed myself in a previous report. I should now like to present the matter from an educational and economical standpoint. If our build- ing was 'large enough to allow each teacher to have a room of her own, we could handle the scholars in the three rooms mentioned with four teachers instead of six at present. If each of the six teachers had a room we could handle 100 more scholars.
Last year the ninth grade as such was dropped, the scholars who failed of promotion to the High School being required to repeat as much of the eighth grade work as was necessary. That this was a wise step is evidenced by the favorable reports from the High School in regard to such scholars, and by the work of the present class. They are doing the work better and enjoying it more than either of the two classes that preceded them.
As an evidence of the desire of the teachers to keep abreast of the pedagogical thought of the times, I may mention the fact that last year nine of our teachers formed a reading class, and read and discussed together James's "Talks to Teachers on Psychology." These evening meetings were thoroughly enjoyable. The teachers had the pleasure of coming in closer contact, and becoming better acquainted with each other, while the discussions were exceedingly profitable.
In our school work we are still placing the building of character before the mere acquiring of information. Character is the backbone of civilization. The character of a nation depends on the character of its individuals. The civilization of a nation advances or recedes as the character of its individuals rises or falls. There has never been a time in the history of our country when men of strong, upright character were so much needed as at present, and in home and school and church the
.
246
ANNUAL REPORT.
efforts should be redoubled to produce this class of men and women. Whatever the result of our efforts, I be- lieve every teacher in the Sanford Street School is doing her very best along this line.
Respectfully, LEWIS A. FALES.
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE RICHARDSON SCHOOL.
Mr. William P. Kelly, Superintendent of Schools :
The fact that so large a proportion of our pupils do inferior work, or fail of promotion, has given me grave concern and has caused much discussion from time to time among our teachers. The main reasons for this seem to be, first, because pupils enter our first grade at the immature age of five years; second, because of the numerous changes in the membership of our schools and a much greater change among the teaching force; and third, owing to the small amount of individual work that can be done in school hours.
It is my conviction that the children who come to us at the age of five are not ready for the regular grade work. They belong rather in a kindergarten. Strive as we may to make learning attractive, the pupil's mind is small, and to force into it at this age the necessary mass of material necessitates a grind on facts and principles neither healthful nor wise.
During each of the last two years, one-fourth of the pupils enrolled in September have moved out of the district or left school before the end of the year, while as many new comers have taken their places. To main- tain a high standard of excellence in a school where there are so many changes in membership is difficult in- deed. The pupils in a given room have frequently come from a large number of different schools and communi- ties, while, in the higher grades but remarkably few
247
ANNUAL REPORT.
have been started in our own school. If we are to leave a lasting impression on a child or exact from him results that attest his best efforts, we must have the opportunity to study that child not only month after month, but year after year.
If it is difficult to obtain the best results under these conditions, what shall I say regarding a much greater change in the teaching force? During the past year three-fifths of those who share with me the responsi- bility of the work retired from the service of the school. In almost every case a more lucrative position induced the change. The teacher is the life of the school and teaching a serious profession, not merely an occupation. It. is most unfortunate, then, to lose our efficient teachers, and the results of most carefully directed effort must be at a discount so long as this obstacle confronts us.
It is my opinion that nothing would improve our work so much as the introduction of more individual instruc- tion, for, after all, it is the work with the individual child that counts, and I hope that serious consideration will be given to the means for providing it, when plan- ning for the next year.
Respectfully, MARY H. MCARDLE.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC.
Mr. William P. Kelly, Superintendent of Schools :
It gives me great pleasure to report that the work of the Music Department is one of progress.
When the pupil enters school he is taught a wide variety of simple, interesting songs. This song singing becomes the basis of the child's musical knowledge. It develops the power of imitation and cultivates the memory and the imagination. The pupil is then shown the symbol representation of familiar songs, and the training of the eye to follow the notation of songs,
248
ANNUAL REPORT.
already familiar, lays the foundation for our whole course of music study.
During the past two years I have endeavored to establish a tone quality in the singing, which would be at all times pleasant and tuneful. In the majority of our classes this is now accomplished, and I have turned my attention to another phase of the work, namely, in- dividual recitation in music. The results so far have been most gratifying, and it is my hope that, at the end of the grammar school course, our pupils may attain to that standard of excellency, set by Mr. Frank Damrosch for his schools in New York, namely, that every pupil should be so equipped musically that he can appreciate and enjoy good music, can sing a number of good songs, sing at sight any simple melody or a second or third part in a chorus, write a melody from hearing, detect impurities of intonation, and sing with a clear, true, musical voice and correct enunciation.
One period of 40 minutes is devoted each week to music in our High School. This is not altogether a development of the work in the lower grades, but is confined entirely to chorus singing. For the Freshman class music is a required study. For the Senior, Junior, and Sophomore classes it is elective. For attendance during the music period, one-half point is credited toward the pupil's diploma.
In my last report I spoke of the advisability of in- troducing into our High School the serious study of music. A class of this kind would be of special benefit to the pupils who are to go through Normal School, and to the pupil who, naturally musical, would embrace any opportunity that would help to develop and cultivate his musical talent. Anticipating this class at some future time, I have arranged a two-years' elective course of music study in advanced theory, harmony and com- position. This course provides one period each week with required, examinable work, for which credit is given with proportion to the time spent. With one
249
ANNUAL REPORT.
period each week for the practice of chorus singing, in which all the pupils in school participate, and one period each week for the serious study of music (elective), our work in the High School will take on a more definite character, and become a vital force in the life of the school.
Respectfully, JOHN LAING GIBB.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING.
Mr. William P. Kelly, Superintendent of Schools :
The work of the past year has proceeded with but few departures from established lines. It is impossible to describe the programme or the results in detail; such things must be seen to be understood. Therefore my best report is in the form of the Annual Drawing Exhibit which occurs in June, to which the public is always cordially invited and as cordially responds. Suffice to say now, that we make good use of bright flowers and autumn leaves while they last, to furnish examples for nature's beautiful shapes and colors.
During the months of November and December much attention was given to constructive work, especially in the lower grades, where the children made simple ob- jects, as lanterns, sleds, canoes, booklets, match strikes, boxes, broom cases, blotters, windmills, picture frames. trays, mats, etc.
This work is educative, since it requires attention, accuracy and neatness on the part of the child, and what is more, gives him great pleasure in making something himself. More and more attention is being given to this phase of art work throughout the country. Formerly only the pictorial representation was emphasized, as if every pupil was to become a portrait or landscape painter, thus neglecting a branch of art, the crafts, that not only contributes to the pleasure and profit of the individual, but is a most vital force contributing to the welfare of society.
250
ANNUAL REPORT.
The correlation of drawing with other studies has been carried out as far as possible, the pupils illus- trating lessons in geography, language, history, and physiology. Drawing is a much better and more natural method than writing or speaking for telling many things, and if the children cannot use it, a very essential part of art instruction has been neglected.
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