USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1906 > Part 10
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12
223
ANNUAL REPORT.
of the town might eventually be greatly augmented if more of the boys and girls could be kept longer in school.
Teachers.
During the year 1906, twenty-one teachers resigned, thirteen of the resignations occurring during the sum- mer vacation. The rule of the Committee requiring new teachers to agree to stay in town at least one year, has evidently prevented several resignations, as only four teachers resigned during term time to accept better posi- ·tions, and they had taught in town more than one year.
A teacher's work will be most efficient when she is happy in her work and contented with her surroundings, when the conditions of her home life are pleasant and agreeable, and when she can afford occasionally to in- dulge in some little luxury, and is not continually plan- ning and scheming to make both ends meet. Progres- sive teachers need educational books and magazines, rec- reation and travel, to keep themselves fresh and vigor- ous educationally and physically, and they should re- ceive a salary sufficient to make these things possible.
Evening Schools.
The evening schools opened this year as usual on the first Monday in October, and continued three nights a week for twelve weeks. The school at Turner street was opened with the rest, but the attendance was so small at the end of the first month that it was not deemed wise to continue the school, and it was closed. The other schools have had a most successful term, and a number of scholars have expressed regret that the schools were to close, and signified their desire to con- tinue their studies. At the Bank street school the class in freehand drawing was dropped at the end of the second week on account of the small size of the class. The
224
ANNUAL REPORT.
classes in bookkeeping, and stenography and typewrit- ing, although affected somewhat, like all evening school classes, by a gradual falling off in numbers toward the close of the term, did excellent work, and it is to be hoped that they may be continued next year. The work in the primary, intermediate and grammar classes was certainly better than it has been for two years. The spirit in the schools this year has been excellent, and I doubt if one could find evening schools more orderly or better conducted.
The following figures show an average attendance of 12 more than last year, with one school less than last . year for the last eight weeks.
Evening Schools
Turner St.
Bank St. Hebron.
Dodge. one month
Total
Enrollment
208
73
74
22
377
Average attendance per
night
.118
3I
39
192
Per cent. of attendance to enrollment
53
42
53
50
50
No. illiterates
61
37
16
0
II4
Vacation Schools.
Vacation schools were conducted in Hebronville and Dodgeville for seven weeks from July 9 to August 24, 1906. The attendance record was as follows :
Dodge. Hebron.
Total
Enrollment
42
48
90
Average attendance
25
30
55
Per cent. of attendance.
59
62.5
61
The average attendance at the kindergarten at Dodge- ville during the summer was 25.
225
ANNUAL REPORT.
The cost of the vacation schools, exclusive of the kin- dergarten, was as follows:
Salaries
$210.00
Material for sewing 28.24
Swings and croquet sets 16.00
Sundries 1.00
Total
$255.24
The following article by Mrs. McIntyre, who had charge of the school at Hebronville, appeared in the issue of the Journal of Education for September 27, 1906, and very accurately describes the aim and work of the school :
A UNIQUE SUMMER SCHOOL.
Hebronville is one of the mill villages in Attleborough. Many of the fathers and mothers in this settlement are French-Cana- dians, earning their sustenance by working in the cotton mills. Their children run at large during the summer, spending a greater part of the time on the streeet. Realizing this, the School Board of Attleborough decided to experiment with a vaca- tion school, where these children might at least be free from evil influences, if taught nothing.
The enrollment for July and August was forty-eight, and these little girls, the youngest four and the oldest thirteen, were ready by eight o'clock to begin the day's work.
Attendance has not been compulsory, but the average for the summer has been thirty. The teachers have been at liberty to do what would most interest the children.
Twenty dollars were allowed for material, and each child was told she could have for her own any garment she might make. Dresses, skirts, kimonas, aprons, bags, patchwork and underclothing have been made. Some had a fondness for more fancy articles, and they were taught to make silk bags, needle books, outlining, embroidery and hemstitching. So interested were the children in sewing that it was quite impossible to drive them out of the room for their games. Croquet and swing chairs were generously provided for the children.
Every Wednesday the session was varied by a luncheon, consisting of sandwiches, cookies and lemonade, prepared in the
226
ANNUAL REPORT.
daintiest manner by the teachers. The pupils were taught how to set the table, the proper manner of eating, use of napkins, and finally to pack the dishes properly for washing and then to wash them.
Stories of Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, Three Bears, etc., were told them, and they greatly enjoyed playing, or rather acting them, according to their interpretation.
Our visiting day was enjoyed by parents and guests, and the children displayed their work, many of them arraying them- selves in the garments made.
Has it paid? We find the answer in the words of one of the youngest pupils, who, when told that school was over, said: "Can't we come just one more week, anyhow?"
Gifts.
During the past year the schools have received sev- eral gifts, for which, in behalf of the schools, I wish to express thanks to the generous donors.
High School-German dictionary, 2 volumes, Richard- son School Fund; History Reference Books, 14 volumes, Richardson School Fund.
Sanford Street School-Piano, Richardson School Fund ; Mineral cabinet, Mrs. Anna N. Bliss.
Richardson School-Picture, "Colombo Breakwater at Ceylon," photo taken by Capt. Bayley, Major E. S. Horton.
Hebronville School-International Dictionary, Rich- ardson School Fund; nine silk flags, Wm. A. Streeter Relief Corps.
School Decorations.
On Feb. 13, 1906, the eighth grade of the Sanford street school gave a Young Old Folks' Concert in Wat- son Hall for the benefit of the school. The concert was successfully repeated in March for the benefit of the Public Library and about seventy-five dollars was turned over to the trustees. As a result of the concert,
227
ANNUAL REPORT.
over one hundred dollars was expended in decorations for the school, the following pictures and statuary being pur- chased.
Pictures.
The Wave James
Taking a Pilot Seeley
The Lookout ; "All's Well" Homer
Divine Shepherd
Murillo
Beethoven's Sonata.
Constitution.
Waiting for the Train.
The Lute.
Statuary.
Bust of Lincoln.
Bust of Longfellow.
The Richardson school held a bazaar in April, and raised about one hundred thirty dollars which was expended in pictures and sculpture for the school, as fol- low's :
Hope Burne-Jones
The Children's Hour . Taylor
The Castle of Chillon
Aurora
Guido Reni
Madonna
Michel Angelo
Angels Donatello
Frieze, Boys Playing on Trumpets ;
Girls Playing on Lyres. Luca della Robbia Frieze, Triumphal Entry of Alexander Into Babylon Thorwaldsen The Vintage
Storm Signals.
For the school year from September, 1905, to June, 1906, the signal for no school was sounded and the schools were closed as follows :
228
ANNUAL REPORT.
Date
Signal sounded at
Grades closed
Nov. 29. 1905
8.15
I IV, all day
Dec. 21, 1905
7.45 and 11.15
I VIII, all day.
Jan. 16, 1906
11.15
One session
Feb. 9, 1906
7.45 and 11.15
I VIII, all day.
May 29, 1906
7.45
I-VIII, forenoon.
Reports.
Attention is called to the reports of the High School Principal, the Supervisors of Music and Drawing, and the Truant Officer, which accompany the report.
For the earnest efforts and hearty co-operation of the teachers, and for the continued confidence, encourage- ment and support of the Committee, which have ren- dered possible whatever of educational progress has been made during the year, I desire to express my sin- cere appreciation and thanks.
Respectfully submitted,
LEWIS A. FALES.
229
ANNUAL REPORT.
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools :
In this, my eighth annual report, I desire to call atten- tion to four things: the increasing membership of the school ; important changes which went into effect in Sep- tember last; the method of entering college by certifi- cate ; and the need of a new high school building in the near future.
The total enrollment for the fall term just ended was 245. This is a gain of but seven over the corresponding period of last year, but it must be explained that while ninety freshmen were admitted in 1905, only seventy- seven were received in 1906. The gain is thus to be accounted for by a lessened falling off in the higher classes. Indeed last September was notable in that respect : few pupils who were enrolled in June failed to appear at the opening of the fall term, the senior class losing only one during the vacation. Considering the unusual business prosperity of the past year, when it has been so easy for young men and women to secure employment, this fact argues well for the earnestness of purpose on the part of the pupils.
The large graduating class of a year ago, twenty- seven, was quite surpassed in numbers by the class last June, numbering thirty-three. This, in turn, will be outnumbered next June by a class of about fifty. The loss of such a large number will probably be offset by an unusually large entering class.
Several changes have been made in the course of study, the most important being in the English department. The time devoted to this work has been increased nearly fifty per cent., as, instead of three periods a week for each class, the freshmen now have English five times, and each of the other classes, four times a week. We hope by this means not only to meet more fully the de-
1
230
ANNUAL REPORT.
mands of the colleges, but also to give all our pupils a better command of our own language.
One year has been added to the course in German, making three in all, and putting it on a level with our French course. This was necessary because a full prep- aration for the colleges and technical schools in either French or German now requires three years.
The time given to reviews of algebra and geometry in the senior year has been increased one period a week, as has also been done in the case or mediaeval history.
The full course of study, as it stands to-day, is pre- sented below, together with suggestive courses for col- lege and technical preparation, business training, and general culture. ,
-
As many people seem to have a rather vague idea about entrance to college, an explanation of the certifi- cate privilege may not be out of place at this time.
Harvard, Yale, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Worcester Polytechnic Institute admit students only on examination, with some exceptions in the case of the last mentioned.
All the other colleges and universities in New Eng- land admit either by examination or by certificate. To secure a certain degree of uniformity in the matter of entrance by certificate, twelve of these institutions have formed the New England College Entrance Certificate Board. These are :
Amherst College,
Smith College,
Boston University,
Tufts College,
Bowdoin College, University of Maine,
Brown University, Wellesley College,
Dartmouth College, Wesleyan University,
Mount Holyoke College, Williams College.
This Board, consisting of one representative from each of the above named colleges, approves such high schools and other fitting schools as can satisfy its requirements.
231
ANNUAL REPORT.
A long and detailed description of courses of study, equipment, etc., is sent to the Board by a school desiring the certificate right; if satisfactory, the school is placed upon the approved list for a period of three years. Its continuance upon the approved list during that period, or, upon application, for another period of three years, depends upon the success of the students sent to the colleges by that school.
Because the Attleboro High School has been placed upon that approved list, there seems to be a general im- pression that a pupil who obtains the high school diploma has a passport to college. Such is not the case.
Doubtless in every factory in this town may be found employees who, either through lack of ambition of or lack of ability, are doing a minimum amount work; men and women who are doing enough to be kept on the pay roll, but who would not be called by their employers highly efficient workmen. Just so in our own and every other high school are pupils who are doing the minimum amount of work to secure graduation, but not such work as entitles them to a certificate for college.
If the sole aim of our high school were to fit for col- lege, the necessary standard for graduation might possi- bly be such that every one who could graduate would be entitled to a college certificate, but that is out of the question.
Then, too, the decision to go to college sometimes comes so late that time is lacking to secure sufficient preparation. As a result the candidate is either refused by the college or accepted with so many conditions that his stay is extremely doubtful.
To obtain careful preparation for the colleges requires the whole four years of the high school course. This is one argument for having as little variation as possible in the first year's work in all the different courses which a high school may offer. That first year, usually the fifteenth year of age, is often the period in which the
232
ANNUAL REPORT.
natural inclination of the child begins to take definite shape; and if a wrong start is made, rather than put another year into the work, the pupil will perhaps change his plans or try to work them out sadly handicapped.
The college entrance certificate is a document fur- nished by the college to be filled out and signed by the principal, sometimes by the heads of the departments as well. A uniform certificate has not yet been adopted. Some colleges require a very careful description of the work done by the pupil; others rest all the responsibility upon the school and accept a brief account. All, how- ever, agree upon a statement similar to the following :
"I, the undersigned, Principal of the .. . School, in hereby certify that in all the subjects named in the list below, Mr .. .... , a candidate for the degree of has fully completed the amount required for ad- mission to the Freshman class of ..... and is qualified to begin the work of that class." And further: "Is this student, in your opinion, of sufficient maturity and scholarship to pursue a college course to advantage?"
Therefore, however ambitious a principal may be for his pupils, he dare not make statements which the school records will not substantiate; he cannot afford to give certificates to such as have not maintained a high stand- ing. for the failure of one student in any of the colleges affects the standing of the school, and endangers its cer- tificate right in all the colleges represented by the Board. If the passing mark of a school is sixty-five per cent., its mark to entitle a graduate to a college certificate should be as high as eighty per cent. Graduates to whom the school denies certificates may, of course, take the col- lege examinations, thus placing all responsibility for their possible acceptance upon the college authorities.
It may be stated here that the entrance requirements to some colleges not mentioned above, and to some de- partments in those already named, are relatively simple and the examination demanded is correspondingly easy.
233
ANNUAL REPORT.
In my report last year, I mentioned the lack of room in our present building. With the passing of the year, the need has become much more apparent. The continued growth of the school and the increase in the course of study called this year for one more teacher, making nine in all. As there are but six class and reci- tation rooms, besides the laboratories and commercial rooms, the need of more recitation rooms is entirely clear.
The library and office are unsatisfactory, both as to location and size. The basement arrangement is the best that could be devised when the building was en- larged, but it is inconvenient and quite unsuitable for a school with a one session program. If lunches could be served in the building, it would be a most desirable plan.
The greatest need at the present time is a school hall. The chorus has already been divided into two music classes, and it is impossible to assemble the entire school for any purpose. Here is a loss which nothing else can compensate. It would mean so much if the whole school could be brought together frequently, for morning devo- tions, for short talks on some phase of school or social life, for music, for debate, for declamations. A more wholesome school spirit would be created; class rival- ries and friction would tend to diminish; the pride in his school and the responsibility resting upon each pupil would increase; the standard for personal conduct both in and out of school would be raised.
And after all, it is not wholly book-learning which the school should offer; it should teach all the virtues which make for good citizenship and right living; its highest aim should be to send out into the community earnest and noble men and women.
Respectfully,
WILBUR D. GILPATRIC.
234
ANNUAL REPORT.
Course of Study in the Attleborough High School. FRESHMAN CLASS.
(First Year).
Diploma Credits.
Prepared Unprepared Exercises. Exercises.
5 English
5
5 Latin
5
5 Algebra 5
3 Greek and Roman History
3
3 Physical Geography (half year) ..
3
3 Botany (half year)
3
4 Commercial Arithmetic
4
1-2 Drawing
2
1-2 Music
I
SOPHOMORE CLASS.
(Second Year).
4 English
4
5 Latin
5
5 Greek
5
5 French
5
5 German
5
4 Geometry
4
4 Mediaeval and Modern History ..
4
4 Physics
3
4 Commercial Geog. (half year) ..
4
1 Commercial Law (half year)
4
1-2 Drawing
2
1-2 Music
1
JUNIOR CLASS.
(Third Year).
4 English
4
5 Latin
5
5 Greek 5
5 French 5
5 German
5
3 Solid Geometry
3
3 English History 3
2 Greek and Roman History
(review) 2
2 Bookkeeping and Penmanship ..
-
6
235
ANNUAL REPORT
Diploma Credits.
Prepared Unprepared Exercises.
Exercises.
2
Typewriting
5
5 stenography
5
2 Correspondence
2
1-2 Drawing
2
1-2 Music
1
SENIOR CLASS.
(Fourth Year).
4 English
4
-
5
Latin
5
5 Greek
5
5 French
5
5 German
5
3 Algebra and Geometry (review)
3
4 American History and Civics ..
4
2 Political Economy
3 Geology (half year)
3
3 Astronomy (half year)
3
5 Stenography
5
2 Typewriting
5
1-2 Drawing
2
1-2 Music
1
Diplomas will be given to those pupils who have successfully completed courses amounting to sixty (60) credits in the column marked "Diploma Credits."
Portions of a year will not be counted in a study which con- tinues for one year or longer.
English, including Composition and Declamations, is re- quired in every year. No pupil will be entitled to a diploma who has not the full number of credits in English.
Special permission must be obtained to take courses amount- ing to less than twelve (12) credits in one year.
Pupils preparing for college, scientific or normal schools, must consult the principal before choosing electives.
Pupils will not be allowed to begin two foreign languages in the same year.
No class with less than five members will be formed in any subject. If a class in a study continuing more than one year is formed with the requisite number, it will not be discontinued by the operation of this rule.
236
ANNUAL REPORT.
The Following Courses Are Suggestive Only.
FIRST YEAR.
CLASSICAL
TECHNICAL
GENERAL
COMMERCIAL
English
English
English
English
Latin
Latin
Algebra
Algebra
Algebra
Algebra
Latin
Com. Arith.
History
Drawing
History or
Phys. Geog. an
History
Phys. Geog.
Botany
and Botany
SECOND YEAR.
English
English
English
English
Latin
French
Latin
Geometry
Greek or
Geometry
Geometry
Com. Geog. and
French
Physics
Physics or
Com. Law
Geometry
Drawing
History
Physics or
French
THIRD YEAR.
English
English
English
English
Latin
French
Latin or
Bookkeeping
Greek or
German
French or
& Penmanship
French
Chemistry
German
Stenography
German
Solid Geom.
Eng. History
Typewriting
Review Hist.
Drawing
Chemistry
Correspondence
FOURTH YEAR.
English
English
English
English
Latin
French
Latin or
Stenography
Greek or
German
French or
Typewriting
French
Review Math.
German
History and
German
Am. History
Am. History
Civics
Review Math.
Drawing
Pol. Economy
or Astronomy and Geology
Pupils who desire may take two years of French and three of German instead of the indicated course in French and German.
Pupils wishing to take the Commercial Course in three or two years may do so by omitting the work of the second, or second and first years, of the four years' course. Freshmen wishing to take the course in two years must pass a special examination in English. No scholar deficient in English will be allowed to take the last two years in the course until such de- ficiency has been removed.
237
ANNUAL REPORT.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools :
The music work in our schools is begun in the first grade by the teaching of songs that are best adapted to the needs of those who apparently are tone deaf. By the use of these songs, the ear and the voice are trained and the music progress of the pupil is established. We begin in the second grade and continue through the grammar grades to develop the knowledge of musical elements, intervals, relative length of tones, different kinds of rhythm, the application of the knowledge gained to the reading of unfamiliar songs, and the mas. tery of new things in music, as far as the pupils have time and power.
The effort to make music a substantial study and not a mere recreation exercise led to the introduction of in- dividual recitations in music. This is progressing in a very satisfactory manner in the grades where it has been introduced and is creating not only independent music readers but a very noticeable improvement in our class singing. We began the practice of individual singing last year in the first, second and third grades and have introduced it this year into the fourth grade. It is my in- tention to carry this individual work into the fifth grade next year and to continue it along from grade to građe until music recitation by the individual becomes a part of the regular music work in all the grammar schools.
Much attention is given to the development of good tone quality. The day of the harsh, disagreeable sing- ing has passed away, and in its stead we are training our pupils to sing with a pure tone, voice free and flexible, vowels well formed, and consonants distinctly uttered.
We aim to carry along together the technical and the aesthetic side of music,to give to our pupils the ability
238
ANNUAL REPORT.
not only to read the songs that they sing, but to give them such artistic rendering as their limited experience will permit.
Special mention should be made at this time of the ex- cellent concert given by the pupils of the eighth grade of the Sanford street school. It was considered, by those competent to judge, a splendid example of grammar school singing.
The music in our High School has been more satis- factory this year than ever before. This is due to the fact that only those especially interested in singing are in the music class, and also that the crowded condition of last year has been remedied by dividing the large class into two divisions; one division meeting on Mon- day, and the other on Wednesday morning. At the graduation last year the chorus rendered the cantata "The Wreck of the Hesperus," by Anderton. It was a noteworthy fact that the solo numbers were sung by in- dividual members of the chorus.
It is clear that the time has come to demand a higher intellectual treatment of music simply because music affects our social life widely and profoundly. The pres- ent agitation to make the science of music a part of the regular course in high schools is a move of great im- portance. It means that, by the introduction of harmony and composition as an elective subject, an opportunity is to be given the pupil for a more serious study of music. It means also that part of the time now given to singing will be given to intelligent listening and that the masterpieces of music are to become as familiar to the pupil as the masterpieces of literature. The effect of this will be to cultivate more highly the musical intelli- gence of the future men and women of our town, and to promote a broader interest in the subject and a more uni- versal comprehension of it.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN LAING GIBB.
239
ANNUAL REPORT.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools :
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.