USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1914 > Part 8
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Respectfully yours,
LEWIS A. FALES,
Superintendent of Schools.
186
ANNUAL REPORT
The replies received were extremely gratifying to the Committee, who wish to introduce this course, and show the attitude of parents toward such practical subjects. At the high school, 31 juniors, 31 sophomores, and 69 freshmen, and in the eighth grade 94 girls, a total of 225, expressed a desire to take this course next year if the op- portunity were offered. Arrangements would probably be made to allow the girls in next year's eighth grade to go to the high school for similar instruction, and this arrangement could be continued until such time as they could be given an equipment for their own use in the old laboratory at the Bank Street School. The equipment for the establish- ment of this course, with the labor for installing the same, would probably cost between $750 and $1,000; and it is hoped that this amount will be available so that the classes may be started in September, 1915.
THE EIGHTH GRADE
Ranking second in educational importance to the open -- ing of the new high school building, with all its possi- bilities for the future development of the school, was the assembling in September of all the eighth grades of the center schools in the old high school building. This step was necessary to relieve the crowded condition of some grades in these schools and to prevent a large number of pupils from attending schools outside the districts in which they lived. The teachers of the eighth grades in the Sanford Street, Richardson and Bliss schools with one additional teacher were transferred to the new school, and the pupils were assigned so far as possible to the teacher they would have had in their old schools. Mr. M. P. Dutton, principal of the Bliss School, was appointed prin- cipal also of the Bank Street Grammar School, as the new school is now called.
187
ANNUAL REPORT
The school numbers about 160 pupils in four rooms. The teachers do departmental work to some extent, one teacher having charge of certain subjects in two rooms, but having all the general work of her own room. This plan of semi-departmental work is in preparation for the complete departmental work that the pupils will find in the high school. By being together in one building, the teachers are able to plan their work together, and the same examinations are given to all pupils, thus ensuring a more uniform preparation for the work of the high school. A friendly and helpful rivalry exists between rooms in matters of attendance, class rank, penmanship, etc., which adds to the interest and improves the scholarship of the school. For music all the pupils assemble in the large study room once a week. The manual training equip- ment has been moved from the school on South Main Street to this school so that the boys do not have to leave the building for their work, thus saving much time and tending to improve the quality of the work. Through the Trustees of the Richardson School Fund, two sewing machines have been provided, and the girls are now taught to use machines. No attempt has been made as yet to differentiate the work in any way to suit the needs of various groups of pupils, but something will be attempted in this direction as soon as possible. In what has already been accomplished and in the possibilities which the situa- tion presents, the placing of the eighth grades together is nearly as full of significance for the educational interests of the town as the opening of the new high school building.
The usual plan of school organization is to have an elementary course of eight or nine years, followed by a high school course of four years. The nine year elemen- tary course in New England is gradually giving place to an eight year course, the change usually being accompanied by an increase in the entering age.
188
ANNUAL REPORT
Now it is proposed to modify this eight course as fol- lows:
Make the elementary course end with the sixth grade.
Place the seventh and eighth grades, or these grades and the first year of high school together in a separate building.
Call these grades the Intermediate School.
Keep the principal subjects the same as at present but allow a choice of one or two subjects in this school.
Plan the work so that it will lead to the long estab- lished high school courses, to commercial courses and to industrial courses.
Introduce some departmental work.
Let this school bridge the gap now existing between the grammar grades and the high school by introducing some high school subjects and methods.
This plan or some modification of it has already been tried in a number of places. Other places are planning to organize their schools on this basis as soon as possible. The Course of Study for the Elementary Schools of the State of New York, issued by the Commissioner of Edu- cation in 1910, is prepared on this basis. Boston is to give the plan a trial in certain districts. The Commis- sioner of Education of Massachusetts favors it. It is being earnestly discussed in educational meetings. It seems rather fortunate that by force of , circumstances, Attleboro was obliged to put into partial operation a plan of school organization that is being widely adopted and which produces such favorable results so far as it has been tried.
189
ANNUAL REPORT
TRANSPORTATION Pupils receiving transportation January 4, 1915 Electric Cars
School
Interstate
Norton & Taunton
Taunton & Paw'kt
Total
Bank St.
26
4
11
41
Sanford St.
17
23
8
48
Bliss
7
19
26
Richardson
1
1
Farmers
5
. .
. .
.
.
33
Dodgeville
2
. .
. .
2
So. Attleboro
28
. .
. .
28
Total Jan. 1, 1914
78
54
72
204
46
56
53
155
Increase
32
-2
19
49
Barges
School
Lindsey Street
Bishop Street
Wilmarth Street
Read & Ide Total Section
Bank St.
1
1
Bliss
10
24
34
Pleasant St.
4
. .
. .
. .
27
So. Attleboro
. .
. .
. .
-
Total
15
24
27
13
79
Jan. 1, 1914
19
17
25
20
81
Increase
-4
7
2
-7
-2
Number receiving transportation:
Jan. 1, 1912
1913
1914
1915
Electrics
204
145
155
204
Barges
111
75
81
79
. .
.
. .
5
Pleasant St.
20
20
Briggs Corner
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
4
Briggs Corner
. .
27
. .
13
13
-
33
190
ANNUAL REPORT
Amount expended for Transportation
Year
Barges
Electric Cars
Total
1905
$1,632.00.
$625.00.
$2,257.00
1906
1,740.00
653.75.
2,343.00
1907
1,740.00.
680.00
2,420.00
1908.
2,085.00.
800.00
2,885.00
1909
1,797.00
1,075.00.
2,872.00
1910
1,911.00
1,132.41.
3,043.41
1911
1,911.00.
1,325.45
3,236.45
1912
1,862.00
988.00
2,850.00
1913.
1,552.00
1,339.99
2,891.99
1914
1,680.00.
1,421.02.
3,101.02
Estimate for 1915, Barges.
$1,638.00
Electric Cars
1,989.00
Total .
$3,627.00
As may be seen from the above figures, the amount ex- pended for the transportation of pupils is rapidly increas- ing. According to our present rules, transportation is furnished when possible to pupils in the first, second, third and fourth grades living more than three-fourths of a mile, and to pupils in the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grades living more than a mile and a quarter from school. The opening of the Tiffany school in January 1913, prevented a large increase in transportation that year, but this year our expense increased over $200, and next year it seems likely to increase over $500. Of course, the town is grow- ing in the outskirts and the demand for car tickets is steadily increasing.
Educational Certificates
The law of 1913 regarding the employment and school attendance of minors added greatly to the work of this office. The following statement shows the number of certificates issued since the new law took effect, and the number issued during the year 1914:
191
ANNUAL REPORT
September 23, 1913 to January 1, 1914:
Number of educational certificates for literate minors. 1240
Number of educational certificates for illiterate minors. 139
Number of employment certificates for minors under 16 287
Total
1666
January 1, 1914 to January 1, 1915:
Number of educational certificates for literate minors 537
Number of educational certificates for illiterate minors. . 48
Number of employment certificates for minors under 16. 187
Number of special home permits issued to minors under 16. 16
Number of educational permits issued. 13
Total number of certificates issued 801
since the new law took effect. 2467
To see that the requirements of the law are carried out requires a good deal of time and care. Some of these re- quirements are as follows:
Every person between the ages of 14 and 21 who is employed must have a certificate.
He must prove his age by a birth certificate, baptismal certificate, passport, or some other sufficient evidence.
He must be able to read, write and spell well enough to pass the fourth grade of school.
If he is under 16, and cannot pass this test he must at- tend day school; if over 16, he must attend evening school.
Minors between the ages of 14 and 16 must either be employed or attend day school.
A minor must have a new certificate every time he gets a new job.
192
ANNUAL REPORT
A new certificate cannot be issued unless it is certain that the original certificate is lost.
Employers must return to the superintendent of schools, the certificates of minors leaving their employ, within two days after employment has ceased.
Minors under 16 must have a certificate of health from the school physician.
All certificates and records must be properly indexed and filed to be found instantly when needed.
To see that the requirements of this law are complied with, that every minor has a certificate, that he attends day or evening school regularly if he is obliged to, to as- certain what has become of the old certificates before is- suing new ones, to get employers to return certificates promptly, requires much time and attention and adds. considerably to the work of the superintendent's office.
An Ungraded Room
For carrying out one provision of the school attendance law we have no adequate provision. The law requires that minors under 16 shall either work or attend school. Many of these minors have been at work perhaps from six months to a year, when suddenly they lose their jobs and are obliged by law to attend school until they are again employed. The only thing we can do for these minors now is to place them back again in the same grade and school that they were in when they went to work. But they are older than the rest of the class, they have been out of school so long they feel rather out of place in school, they have lost the habit of study, and the school fails to interest them. What such pupils need is a room where they can all be put together, where they will feel. at home, and where the work can be suited to the individual needs of each pupil. This would be practically an ungraded school, the number of pupils would be small, but each
193
ANNUAL REPORT
would feel that he was accomplishing something because the instruction would suit his needs.
To this ungraded room I would also assign those pupils in our schools -- there are a few in every building -- between twelve and fourteen years old, who are considerably older than the rest of the pupils in their class, who have lost a grade or two on account of non-promotion or sickness, and who, on account of discouragement, are not putting forth their best effort. An ungraded room would be a place for such pupils to find themselves, where the accomplishment of tasks suited to their ability and the encouragement of a sympathetic teacher, might win back confidence, arouse ambition and stimulate these pupils to a successful com- pletion of their school work, rather than have them leave school at fourteen as so many do at present. The place for such a room is in the Bank Street building, where the pupils in the ungraded room would associate with pupils nearer their own age. It may be that such a plan is not feasible at present, but some such arrangement will need to be made in the near future if the needs of the minors between the ages of fourteen and sixteen are to be properly cared for.
SCHOOL SAVINGS BANK
The seventh year of the School Savings Bank shows that the opportunity afforded pupils to save their earnings is eagerly improved. The same general plan of conducting the bank that was established in 1908 has been followed ever since. Every Monday morning, from October 1st to May 31st, pupils may deposit with the teacher any sum they have, a deposit of one cent being accepted. When the pupil has deposited five dollars, an account is opened for him at the First National Bank. On the first Monday of the month pupils having two dollars deposited in the school bank, may have that amount transferred to their account in the National Bank. Pupils receive no interest
-
194
ANNUAL REPORT
while their money is deposited in the school bank, but their deposits draw interest from the date of deposit in the National Bank.
For the calendar year 1914, the deposits have been less than for any year since the establishment of the bank, as is shown by the following figures:
Year
Deposits
1908 (3 mos.)
$2,429.00
1909
4,497.85
1910
4,198.25
1911
4,142.16
1912
3,826.22
1913
4,406.50
1914
3,658.13
Total $27,158.11
The condition of the bank January 1, 1915 is shown by the following statement:
SCHOOL SAVINGS BANK
Statement January 1, 1915
Dr
Balance on deposit January 1,
1914, including interest ($126.01).
$2,269.64
Deposited from January 1,
1914 to January 1, 1915. 3,658.13
Interest from November 1913
to May 1914. 32.54
Interest from May 1914 to
November 1914 25.13
Total
$5,985.44
195
ANNUAL REPORT
Cr
Transferred to pupils' indivi-
dual accounts, January 1, 1914 to January 1, 1915. $3,806.00
Withdrawn, 1914. 123.44
Withdrawn for expense of
printing.
50.96
Balance on deposit January 1,
1915, including interest
($132.72). 2,005.04
Total $5,985.44
Total amount deposited since October 1908. $27,158.11
Number of individual accounts
opened at the bank from
October 1908 to January 1914. 1,171
January 1914 to January 1915. . 164
Total number of individual ac-
counts to January 1, 1915.
1,335
Number of pupils depositing in the school bank Janu- ary 1, 1915. 1,493
EVENING SCHOOLS Attendance Statistics
October 7, 1913 to February 5, 1914
Attle-
Dodge- ville
Hebron-
Total
boro
ville
Enrollment, Males ... . 265
40
68
373
Enrollment, Females .. 69
24
24
117
Total 334 64 92' 490
196
ANNUAL REPORT
Average Attendance. . 133
34
37
204
Per cent. of Attend-
ance to Enrollment 40
53.1
40.2
41.6
Number of Male Illi- terates 125
9
22
156
Number of Female
Illiterates 30
9
10
49
Total 155
18
32
205
Number of Male Illi-
terate minors. ..... 65
9
16
90
Number of Female Il-
literate minors. .... 18
9
10
37
Total 83
18
26
127
-
The evening schools are now in session during the year sixteen weeks, three nights a week. The schools open in October and continue till February, with a vacation of two weeks at Christmas time. Last year, 1913, when the ses- sions were held in the old high school building, the classes were very large, some of them numbering as high as 40. Classes of this size are altogether too large for evening schools where the instruction has to be largely individual but all the rooms available were in use, so that there was no way of relieving the situation. This year, however, the evening school has been held in the new high school building, where there has been ample room. The attend- ance has also been considerably smaller than last year, due probably to the fact that there are fewer young people in town. The classes have ranged in size from 10 to 15 pupils which to my mind is a satisfactory number for evening school work. The results have therefore been better than usual.
The statistics for the term from October 5 to December 17, 1914 are as follows:
197
ANNUAL REPORT
Attle- boro
Dodge- ville
Hebron-
ville
Total 254
Enrollment, Males .... 202
29
23
Enrollment, Females .. 50
12
10
72
Total . 252
41
33
326
Average attendance. . . 116
18
23
157
Percent of attendance
to enrollment ...... 46
44
70
48
Number of Male Illi- terates
87
4
17
108
Number of Female Illi-
terates
20
2
9
31
Total 107
6
26
139
Number of Male Illi-
terate minors . 31
4
9
44
Number of Female Illi-
terate minors 11
2
9
22
Total
42
6
18
66
INDEPENDENT EVENING INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL
In my report last year I suggested that the time had come for Attleboro to take some step toward the intro- duction of vocational instruction in the evening school, the plan being so to organize the work and conduct the classes that the approval of the State might be obtained and aid from the State equal to one half the cost of main- tenance be secured. This plan was approved by your committee, was heartily endorsed by the finance commit- tee, and the sum of $500 was unanimously voted by the town. The conduct of the school is in the hands of the School Committee but, in accordance with the law, an ad- visory committee, representing the local trades and indus- tries, was appointed to counsel with and advise the School
198
ANNUAL REPORT
Committee regarding the management of the school. The advisory committee consists of S. M. Einstein, E. L. Gowen, H. D. Lincoln, W. L. King, and J. H. Harmstone.
This advisory committee met with the school commit- tee early in the summer and after considerable discussion it was voted to start two classes, tool-making and jewelry design. This work was quite different from what was in- tended when the appropriation was asked for, and it was quickly realized that the amount available was too small to procure the necessary equipment. Finally it was pro- posed to appeal to the manufacturers for the gift or loan of proper machinery to equip the tool-making room. This suggestion was carried out and the response from the manufacturers was prompt and gratifying. The E. A. Eddy Machinery Company of Providence loaned a shaper for the term. The R. F. Simmons Company furnished a lathe; D. F. Briggs Co., an upright drill; C. O. Sweet & Son Co., a saw; Frank Mossberg Co., a forge; Sadler Bro- thers, a stamp; C. H. Eden Co., an upright milling machine; Attleboro Chain Co., grinder; W. E. Hayward Co., anvil and hammer; and W. E. Richards Co., melting furnace. One member of the committee, Mr. W. L. King, con- tributed $25. A screw-press was obtained from Provi- dence on memorandum, with the understanding that a member of the committee will take the press at cost if the town does not care to keep it. The spirit of cooperation shown by the manufacturers was, as I have said, highly gratifying, as the work as planned could not have been undertaken without their assistance.
The rooms in the basement of the high school building devoted to manual training were selected as the rooms to be used, as the lathe room already had a motor and there was plenty of space for more machinery, and the wood- working room adjoining could be used for designing. The expense of fitting up the tool-making room was considera- bly more than was anticipated, as a jeweler's bench had to be built, a smoke pipe carried to the roof for the forge,
199
ANNUAL REPORT
and the shafting and pulleys arranged to get the required speed for the new machinery. Additional lights were in- stalled over the bench and near certain machines.
The regular evening school opened October 5, and the industrial school October 13. Each class numbered practically the limit fixed by the State, 15, that being the number which it is felt one teacher can handle efficiently. The class in design is in charge of Mr. Jean G. Theobald, designer with Theodore W. Foster & Brother Co., Provi- dence, one of the best men in his line in this section. The tool-making class is in charge of Mr. Ralph Gibbs, tool- maker with O. M. Draper Co., of North Attleboro, a first-class tool-maker of long experience. The average attendance of each of these classes for the ten weeks end- ing December 17, was 10, which is a very good average. The number has fallen off somewhat, at present, but this is due more to conditions in the town than to lack of in- terest in the work. The results of the work were very satisfactory to the advisory committee and they are heartily in favor of continuing the work another year.
VACATION SCHOOLS
The session of the vacation schools last summer was one of the most successful that the schools have had. The work taken up was much the same as in previous years, sewing, chair-caning, weaving, basketry, etc. The spec- ial feature of the work this year was the basketry, which was done under the instruction of Mr. C. C. Bradford at both schools. Mr. Bradford has had long experience as a teacher of basketry, and the schools were fortunate in being able to secure his services. The results accomplished in all lines merited the high praise that they received.
200
ANNUAL REPORT
Statistics July 13-August 21, 1914
Dodge ville
Hebron- ville
Total
Enrollment, boys.
55
31
86
Enrollment, girls.
47
49
96
Total .
102
80
182
Average Membership . . .
82.9
78.3
161.2
Average Attendance. . .
64
74
138
Per Cent of Attendance .
77
94.6
86
Cost
Teachers' Salaries :
$165.00
$144.00
$309.00
Supplies.
81.82
75.93
157.75
Total.
$246.82
$219.93
$466.75
Cost per pupil based on
average attendance. . .
$3.86
$2.97
$3.38
HIGH SCHOOL LUNCH ROOM
One of the most pleasing features connected with the use of the new high school building is the lunch room. In the old building, the lunch that the pupils obtained at recess time was on the whole not very satisfactory. Sand- wiches and cake, served by the ladies from one of the churches, accommodated part of the pupils. Frankfurters and sandwiches and ice-cream, in their season, were dis- pensed by "David" at the sidewalk. The bakeshops and lunch carts down town furnished the lunch for the rest of the school desiring it. Most of the pupils ate their lunch on the sidewalk and in the street, leaving paper bags and plates and little tin spoons to show that they had eaten.
In the new building all this is changed. A large and well equipped lunch room, light and well ventilated, furnishes, at low cost, a satisfactory lunch for all the pupils,
201
ANNUAL REPORT
and one need only see the pupils at recess time to feel that they heartily appreciate the lunch room. Probably half the pupils in the school patronize the lunch room daily. A number of the pupils assist in selling the tickets, which are destroyed after being once used, and in serving the food. For this service they receive their lunch for the day. An idea as to what the daily menu is like may be gained from the following list, not all of the items given being served every day:
Price
Price
Chicken Sandwich. $.05
Frankfurters $.05
Ham Sandwich. . 05
Cocoa and cake. . 05
Olive and Cheese
Milk and cake. .05
Sandwich . 05
Cake. .03
Lettuce Sandwich. .03
Jam Sandwich .03
Soup. 03
Ice cream .05
Milk, Cocoa. .03
Sweet Chocolate .05
The lunch room from the start has been self-supporting. It is not run for profit or as a money-making scheme. The purpose of the lunch room is to furnish as much food, well cooked and well prepared, at as low a price as possible. The woman in charge, Mrs. Hogan, buys all supplies and approves all bills. The superintendent of schools is treas- urer of the lunch room and all bills are paid by check from his office. Whenever it is found that the profits more than pay expenses, the price of the food will be lowered or the quantity served increased. The lunch room is for the benefit of the pupils, and is run solely with that idea in mind.
Gifts
Through the Trustees of the Richardson School Fund, the sewing classes of the eighth grade have been furnished with two sewing machines; the manual training depart- ment of the High School has received a saw, and three work benches, and the biology class a microscope. Upon
202
ANNUAL REPORT
the erection of a flag pole the High School was presented with a fine, large flag by Mr. Frank Guild. Other gifts to the school are mentioned by the principal of the High School in his report. Gifts to the schools show the interest of the donors, and are always received with appreciation and thanks by pupils and teachers.
Sight and Hearing Tests
In accordance with the requirements of the law the pupils have been examined this year for defects in sight and hearing with the following result. Number of pupils enrolled. 2,695
Number found defective in eyesight . 193
Number found defective in hearing 30
Number of parents or guardians notified. 203
No School Signals
For the school year from September 1913 to June 1914, schools were closed on account of stormy weather as fol- lows:
Date Grades closed I-III all day
October 20, 1913
IV-VIII one session
I-VIII afternoon March 6, 1914
Educational progress the past year has been marked by the opening of the new high school building, the con- solidation of the central eighth grades, and the establish- ment of vocational evening classes. Each of these events is potent with possibilities for the future and assures that the past high standards of the schools will be maintained.
Respectfully submitted,
LEWIS A. FALES
February 1, 1915.
203
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
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