USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1912 > Part 7
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 | Part 13
STATISTICS
I.
Population of Attleboro. census 1910 ... 16,215
II .- School Census . ..
Number of boys between five and fifteen 1.449
Number of girls between five and fifteen 1.345
Total 2.794
Number of boys between seven and fourteen 1.167
Number of girls between seven and fourteen. I.III
Total 2.278
III .- Attendance
Attendance statistics for the school year from Sep-
tember 5. 1911. to June 21, 1912 :
Number of different pupils enrolled. boys .. 1.296
Number of different pupils enrolled. girls. . 1,250
Total enrollment 2,546
Average membership 2.302
Average attendance . 2.179
Per cent. of attendance. 95
157
ANNUAL REPORT
Table showing average membership and per cent. of attendance since 1901-1902 :
Average membership
Gain over previous year
Per cent. of attendance
1901-1902
1948
79
93
1902-1903
2000
52
91
1903-1904
2045
45
92
1904-1905
2070
25
93
1905-1906
2086
16
92
1906-1907
2109
23
93
1907-1908
2207
98
93
1908-1909
235I
I44
94
1909-1910
2213
-138
93
1910-19II
2317
I04
93
19TI-1912
2302
-15
95
Fall Term, 1912
September
2427
97
October
2465
96
November
2467
95
December
2448
95
Average for fall term. . 2452
95.7
The loss in average membership for 191I-1912 was due to the fact that the age at which pupils could enter grade one was advanced from five years to five years and eight months, and consequently the entering class was considerably smaller than usual. This year the number entering grade one was about what would be expected considering the growth of the town.
New pupils entering grade one :
1909
1910 I9II
1912
243
265
I56
282
There also entered our school in September in the grades above the first, not including the High School, 130 pupils who were not in our schools in June, and who for
158
ANNUAL REPORT
the most part had moved into town during the summer. The average membership for the fall term, 1912, was 2,452, an increase of 125 over the average for the fall term, 19II.
IV .- School Buildings
Number of school buildings, including new Joseph
O. Tiffany School, opened January 13, 1913. . .. I9 Number of school rooms (High School 10, grades 64) 74 Number of school rooms in use, January 13, 1913 . . . . 72
V .- Teachers
Total number of teachers and supervisors at present employed 83
Number of teachers in High School. II
Number of teachers in Grades I-VIII 63
Number of teachers in kindergarten. 2
Number of teachers for individual instruction 3
Number of special teachers and supervisors 4
VI-Cost of Tuition
Valuation of Town of Attleborough, May 1, 1912. $19.538,265.00
Total raised by taxation . 362,286.77
Total raised by taxation for the support of schools 81,300.00
Total net expenditure for support of all schools, excluding vacation and even- ing schools 82,721.20
Total amount expended per pupil, based on average membership 35.93
Expended for books and supplies per pupil, based on average membership. 1.66
159
ANNUAL REPORT
High School
Total amount expended for High School,
including High School share of gen. eral expenses $14,187.43
Total average cost per pupil, based on average membership 51.22
Expended for books and supplies per pupil 4.80
Elementary Schools
Total average cost per pupil, based on
average membership $33.84
Average cost of books and supplies per pupil 1.23
Few changes have been made in the work of the schools this year. The drills in mental arithmetic that were begun last year, have been continued, with some attempt to furnish a large number of mental problems for each grade. The Palmer Method of Writing has been placed in grades III to VI, inclusive, with good re- sults. Scott-Southworth's Lessons in English have been placed in grade VI, to the improvement of the work of that grade.
The manual training school on South Main street has been equipped with four wood-turning lathes and a three horse-power motor, thanks to the Trustees of the Richardson School Fund. This equipment allows the pupils to take the kind of work, which naturally follows bench work and is another step toward a complete manual training course.
At the High School. so large a number of pupils have elected drawing that the work has been carried on with difficulty in our present quarters. As will be seen in the report of the drawing supervisor, the added de- mands of the High School have necessitated some changes in time allotted to the grades. I endorse the
160
ANNUAL REPORT
recommendation of the Principal of the High School that, when the new building is occupied, the classes in mechanical drawing be placed in charge of the manual training teacher, if possible. This may involve some added expense, but will afford the relief needed in the drawing department, and will probably improve the work in manual training, as the two subjects are so closely con- nected.
Ideas in education and standards of education are constantly changing. Educational ideals of long stand- ing are being overthrown, and new ones are being set up. Experiments along different lines of education are everywhere being tried. Each new line has its own par- ticular supporters who insist that the carrying out of their ideas is the one thing needed to rescue the public schools from complete failure. In the midst of all this educational turmoil and turbulence, one must needs be constantly on guard to keep from being carried away by some new theory that seems sure to effect great results, but which has not been sufficiently tried to insure the re- sults desired. Every change proposed in the curriculum or administration of the public schools should be measured by its effect upon the pupils in improving health, strength- ening character, or giving a better preparation for the duties and activities of life. "Be not the first by whom the new is tried. not yet the last to cast the old aside." is a good principle for guidance in school administration as well as in the use of language, and it is with this idea in mind that the various changes recommended from time to time, have been made.
A great deal is being said at present about the wider use of the school plant. In many cities school buildings are used as social centers, for public lectures and enter- tainments, etc. The Bliss School has an excellent hall. with a seating capacity of four hundred, which could be used admirably for this purpose, if desired. In March 1912, the legislature passed a law, giving the school com-
161
ANNUAL REPORT
mittee in towns or cities which accepted this act, author- ity to grant the use of rooms or halls in school buildings upon such terms and conditions, and for such public or educational purposes, as they may deem wise. As the committee has sometimes been in doubt regarding its authority in this matter, I suggest that an article cover- ing this law be placed in the warrant for the annual town meeting.
Teachers
There have been fewer changes in teachers than usual during the year. Of the twelve teachers who left at the close of the school year in June, three resigned to be married, five for better positions, two to be at home. and two for other reasons. This small number of changes is probably due to the fact that at the annual meeting in March the town voted the amount asked for by the Com- mittee to increase the maximum salaries of the grade teachers.
Teachers are engaged for the school year from Sep- tember to June, their salary for the year being fixed at the time of their election. Since 1907 the maximum sal- ary for grade teachers has been $600. New teachers are elected at salaries ranging from $450-$550, according to their ability and experience, and, if their work proves satisfactory, they receive an increase in salary each year until the maximum salary is reached. The usual increase has been fifty dollars a year, although there has been no fixed rule and the increase has often varied from this amount.
At the annual election of teachers in May, after care- ful consideration, it was decided to fix the maximum salary for teachers in the seventh and eighth grades at $700, and for teachers in grades one to six inclusive at $650. Teachers in the two upper grades receiving the old maximum of $600 were given an increase of $50, with the understanding that two years more would be required to reach the new maximum. Teachers in grades
162
ANNUAL REPORT
one to six receiving the old maximum of $600 received an increase of $25 and will receive an increase of like amount this year. The maximum salary of the High School teachers was fixed in 1907 at $800 and has not since been raised. The matter of increasing the maximum salary for the High School teachers should be taken under consideration and some action taken if possible. There is a constant demand for good teachers. To secure and re- tain the services of such teachers as we desire. that they may be happy in their home life and contented with their school positions. the salary paid must be sufficiently large to compete with other towns and remove teachers as far as possible from constant worry over the ever increasing demands of the high cost of living. Today. much is ex- pected of teachers and they should be paid accordingly.
Tiffany School
The Tiffany School will open January 13. 1913. with a total enrollment of 160 pupils. Only four rooms will be used at present, with seven grades in the building. It will be necessary to open a fifth room in September. perhaps before that time.
The opening of this school will allow the closing of one room at the Capron School for the balance of the year, and will relieve some rooms at the Sanford Street School. Only one additional teacher will be needed. the others being transferred from the Sanford Street and Capron Schools.
Of the 160 pupils enrolled. 121 are being furnished transportation to the schools they are now attending. 36 by barge and 85 by car. For a year the transportation of these pupils would cost over $1250. and the amount saved in this way will about pay for the additional teacher. the janitor and the fuel in the new building.
The number of pupils in the vicinity of this school has grown very rapidly in the last two or three years, and
163
ANNUAL REPORT
now that the school will soon be opened, I expect to see the number increase still more rapidly. Plans should be made to open at least one more room in September, as well as to re-open the room closed at the Capron School.
TRANSPORTATION
Pupils Receiving Transportation, January 13, 1913.
Electric Cars
Interstate County St. Farmers
Dodgeville and Hebronville
Sanford Street
5
8
20
7 40
Farmers
6
6
Richardson
I2
2
2
I6
Bliss
IO
19
29
Pleasant Street
16
16
Briggs Corner
3I
3I
South Attleboro
5
5
Dodgeville
I
I
Hebronville
I
I
Total
IO
I4
I4
48
59
I45
Jan. I last year 81
15
IO
49
49
204
-
-
-
-
Decrease
71
I
+4
I
+10
59
Barges
County Street
Lindsey Street
Bishop Street
Wilmarth Read & Ide Street Section
Total
Sanford St.
(24)
Capron
(13)
Pleasant St.
I
I
Briggs Corner
24
24
South Attleboro
2I
21
Bliss
I2
17
29
-
-
-
-
-
Total
I3
17
24
21
75
N. & T.
T. & P.
Total
-
-
164
ANNUAL REPORT
Jan. I. last year 37 I2
21
20
21
III
Decrease 37
36
Total carried by cars
Total carried by barges
III
:
Total
315
220
Net decrease this year 7
95
-
-
-
-
-
The opening of the Tiffany School will save the transportation of 121 pupils. Our net decrease. com- pared with number being conveyed to school last year. however. is only 95. That is, there were 26 more pupils receiving transportation January first this year than there were at the same time last year. This is one sure indi- cation that the town is growing on the outskirts. and so long as this growth continues the expense for trans- portation will increase from year to year. until the num- ber of pupils in any one section demands the erection of a new building.
Evening Schools
The evening schools have been continued this year as usual. In accordance with the recommendation made in my last report the term has been lengthened from twelve to sixteen weeks. the schools being in session ten weeks before the Christmas vacation and six weeks after. An attempt has been made this year to provide books for reading more suitable for the mature pupils who attend evening school. and better adapted to their needs. Sets of "The New American Citizen." Mintz: "English for Foreigners." O"Brien : and "The Earth and Its People." Winslow, have been placed in the different schools. The Palmer Method of Writing has also been introduced.
Few people know or realize what excellent work is being done each year in our evening schools. We have
165
ANNUAL REPORT
an efficient corps of teachers, some of whom have taught several years in their present positions. All but one of the teachers this year taught in the same positions last year. They are interested in their work and in sympathy with their pupils, some of them making personal sacri- fices this year to continue their work. The order in the schools is excellent, the pupils are attentive and indus- trious, and there is a good spirit in all the rooms. The success of the schools is due to the faithful efforts of the teachers and to them the credit should be given.
Attendance for the ten weeks from October 10 to December 12 is as follows :
Bank St.
Dodgeville Hebronville
Total
Enrollment
230
63
50
343
Average attendance
104
38
35
177
Per cent. of attendance to enrollment
45
60
70
52
Number of illiterates ...
54
17
19
90
Vacation Schools
Vacation schools were held for the seventh season at Dodgeville and Hebronville from July 8 to August 16. 1912. The average attendance was considerably larger than it was last year, and the work done was fully up to the standard of the past.
Statistics
Dodgeville Hebronville
Total
Enrollment, boys
82
58
140
Enrollment, girls
54
60
II4
Total
I36
118
254
Average attendance
86
87
I73
Cost
Teachers' salaries
$276.00
Supplies
94.93
Total
$370.93
166
ANNUAL REPORT
The vacation schools at Dodgeville and Hebronville are admirably adapted to the needs of those communities. I suggested two years ago that a summer session in some central school to teach the regula .: school subjects would probably be well attended. I believe a good many pupils could be saved from non-promotion by such a school, and I recommend that the plan be given a trial next summer.
School Savings Bank
Dr.
Balance on deposit January 1, 1912. including interest ($44.12) .$1,648.06
Deposited from January I. 1912 to January I, 1913 3,826.22
Interest from November. 1911. to May, 1912 ... 26.25 Interest from May. 1912. to November, 1912 ... 16.60
Total
$5.517.13
Cr.
Transferred to pupils' individual accounts. Jan- uary I. 1912, to January 1, 1913. $3,594.00 Withdrawn, 1912 115.95
Balance on deposit January 1, 1913. including interest ($86.97) 1.807.18
Total $5,517.13 Total amount deposited since October. 1908. . . $19.093.48 Number of individual accounts opened at the bank from October. 1908 to January. 1912 877
January. 1912. to January, 1913. 123 Total number of individual accounts. 1000 Number of pupils depositing in the school bank January 1, 1913 1184
-
167
ANNUAL REPORT
Age and Schooling Certificates
We have issued this year 75 more certificates to minors under sixteen than were issued last year. According to law, while the evening schools are maintained, every minor must have a certificate that he can read and write legibly simple sentences in the English language, or must attend day school or evening school. Illiterate minors must furnish their employers each week a record of their school attendance. No age or schooling certifi- cate can be approved unless satisfactory evidence is fur- nished by a certificate of birth or baptism that the minor is of the age stated in the certificate. The manufacturers on the whole are ready to comply with the various labor laws and have co-operated with this office in requiring age and schooling certificates and attendance at evening school.
Certificates issued since 1908 to minors under sixteen :
1908
1909
19II 1912
152 224
255
267
342
For the past two years Mr. Thomas E. McCaffrey has presented each pupil in the public schools who cared for it, a small tree to set out at home. From 1500 to 1800 of these trees have been set out each year, the first year catalpas, and last year elms, being furnished. This year maples will be provided. The thanks of the com- mittee and of the community are due Mr. McCaffrey for his interest in the welfare of the town, and his generous spirit in providing means for its beautification.
Sight and Hearing Tests
Examinations of the pupils to test their sight and hearing have been made by the teachers as prescribed by law. They report as follows : Number of pupils examined. 2469
168
ANNUAL REPORT
Number found defective in eyesight. 239
Number found defective in hearing. 50
Number of parents or guardians notified. 225
No School Signals
For the school year from September, 1911, to June, 1912, schools were closed on account of stormy weather as follows :
,
Date Grades closed
November 24, 19II Grades I-VIII, afternoon
January 15, 1912 . Grades I-VIII, all day
March 15, 1912. Grades I-VIII, afternoon
The reports of the Principal of the High School, the supervisors and special teachers, the School Physician and the Truant Officer accompany this report and should receive your careful consideration.
The cordial relations that have existed in the past be- tween the members of the committee, the superintendent, principal, teachers, and others connected with the school department, still continue. There has been at all times a feeling of confidence and co-operation which has counted much in making the work of the year successful. Such a spirit is essential in maintaining present standards and for future advancement.
Respectfully submitted,
LEWIS A. FALES
169
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools :
I have the honor to submit my second annual report as Principal of the High School. Only one change has been made in the teaching force since my last report, Miss Howe taking the place of Miss Yeaw as teacher of Mathematics. Our registration would have undoubt- edly shown a greater increase than usual, had it not been that the limitations of our building compelled us to re- fuse to accept pupils from other towns in the entering class. Notwithstanding this fact, we have had a total enrollment of 300 pupils during the fall term.
During the past year, our school has improved in many ways, most noticeably perhaps, in the development of a clean, healthy school spirit. This, I believe, is funda- mental and without it little progress can be made. Its favorable reaction on the discipline and scholarship of the school is apparent in many ways, yet much remains to be done before we reach our ideal of the best possible school. One important step in this direction was taken during the year. I refer to the new graduation require- ment. From the first it has seemed to me that the graduation requirement of 64 credits was much too small -either for the few who wish to enter college or the many who enter vocational and commercial life. Comparison of courses of study of many schools, talks with leading high school men, my own experience, and finally our local conditions of scholarship and efficiency convinced me that at least 72 credits should be required for graduation to make our school one of the standard schools of the state. By vote of the committee this change has been brought about and the present Senior class will be the last to graduate under the old requirement. Next year 68 cred- its will be required, the following year 70 credits, while
170
ANNUAL REPORT
the present Freshman class and succeeding classes must obtain 72 credits for graduation. This I believe to be the most important step taken in behalf of the school during the year, not even excepting the erection of the new building.
Closely related to this has been the problem of securing better work from the pupils and this has been attacked from several standpoints during the year. Comparative statistics compiled and presented you, prove to me that many pupils, capable of excelling, have been content with lower marks than their ability would permit them to at- tain. The simple expedient of an Honor List and class percentages has aroused an interest on the part of many of these pupils to do better work and has improved both class and individual standings. But we are attempting to go farther than this and make permanent scholarship. gains with pupils who probably may never see their names on the Honor List. Much depends on the attitude of these pupils toward work, but much more depends on the attitude of the teacher toward the pupil. Sym- pathy, wise counsel, the personal touch, in short, on the part of the teacher can do more to improve our work than any system of prizes or honors can possibly accom- plish. We are fortunate in the size of our school in that every teacher can know intimately the disposition and needs of each of her pupils, and can give the timely word and help that each pupil at some time requires. I have always felt that a teacher's ability is shown not so much by the work done with the brightest pupils but by the results obtained with those who have difficulty in keep- ing up a passing average. Every pupil whose work can be changed from a "D" to a "C" or better, is a personal victory for the teacher and demands the greatest effort on the teacher's part. Much has been done in this re- spect, but much remains to be accomplished and will be accomplished, as I am sure that all of our teachers realize that the mark on the bi-monthly rank card is, in
171
ANNUAL REPORT
effect, as much a criterion to test the efficiency of their teaching of the subject as it is an estimate of the pupil's ability.
The teachers, however, cannot do it all and in my last report I touched upon the attempt that was being made to obtain the co-operation of the home and school .. The attention awarded at that time to my letter to parents seemed to warrant further efforts and accordingly a let- ter of similar tenor was sent to the parents of each Fresh- man during the first two weeks of the fall term. The result has been unquestionably good. Many parents. have sought personal interviews with the Principal and have learned just what is expected of their children and have assisted him to a closer personal knowledge of each child. In this way, I believe this present Freshman class has obtained a better start and has adapted itself to changed conditions of school life more quickly and easily than the average entering class.
The great number of pupils electing drawing has made it necessary to have the services of the drawing teacher fifteen periods a week, this being all the time that it was possible for her to give us in connection with her heavy grade program. In order to arrange a program it has been necessary to have pupils from different classes take their drawing the same periods making it very dif- ficult for teacher and pupils alike. This year about 160 elected drawing. Next year I anticipate that at least 200 will do so. This, to my mind, means one of two things. Either the giving of one teacher's entire time to High School drawing or the combining of the mechanical draw- ing and manual training, leaving only the freehand work for the regular teacher. The number of pupils electing the commercial work, particularly in the Freshman and Sophomore years, has compelled us to make three sections in Commercial Arithmetic and two sections each in Com- mercial Geography and Correspondence. This means eight more teaching periods than last year for the com-
172
ANNUAL REPORT
mercial department. Some relief must be sought from this condition very soon.
In behalf of the school I wish to extend cordial thanks to all who contributed in any way to the gift of "The Reapers". The following description of the beautiful painting and the account of its purchase and presenta- tion has been written by Mr. John Laing Gibb, one of the purchasing committee :
"The canvas of 'The Reapers' was painted by C. Ar- nold Slade during the summer of 1910, in the small sea- coast town of Etaples, Pas De Calaise, Normandy, France.
"The figures, mother and daughter, two sturdy peas- ant women, are toiling in the bright sun which shines upon the golden sheaves they clasp and lies warm upon the stubble behind them. Mr. Slade here glorifies work. While he shows the strain of it, he omits all that is sordid. ยท The whole is handled with a vigor and free technique characteristic of the artist's work.
"In December, 1911, Mr. Slade's exhibition of paintings attracted such wide attention that a movement to pur- chase one was soon under way. A committee consisting of Miss Helen Cook, Dr. R. P. Dakin, Mr. Frank Guild and John Laing Gibb was appointed to secure money for the purchase. Business houses and social circles were solicited. Subscription lists were posted in all the fac- tories and a general appeal was made to the public. The sum of three hundred and sixty-five dollars was secured. While not equal to the catalogue price set by the artist. this sum was accepted by Mr. Slade and on April 15. 1912, the committee presented the painting to the Attle- boro High School."
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.