USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1915 > Part 10
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1904-5
1905-6
1906-7
1907-8
1908-9
1909-10
State. $29.82
$30.08
$30.53
$31.53
$32.36
$33.42
Attleboro
26.86
27.60
28.93
30.79
31.51 31.36
1910-11
1911-12
1912-13
1913-14
1914-15
Increase in
10 years
State
$34.36
$38.12
$38.91
$39.82
$40.41
$10.59
Attleboro.
34.84
36.41
35.13
34.90
36.78
10.12
.
128
TABLE showing the cost per pupil in Attleboro compared with ten cities and towns of nearly the same size, according to Report of State Board of Education, 1913-14.
City
Popula- tion 1915
Valuation 1915
Average Member- ship
Per cent. of Attend- ance
Cost per pupil in avg. mem. for support
Expended for High School support
Pupils in High School
Cost per pupil in High School
Attleboro
18,480
$22,344,695.00
2,586
95
$34.90
$16,646.54
307
$54.22
Beverly. .
22,959
44,649,132.00
3,835
94
43.95
46,607.76
799
58.33
Melrose. .
16,880
18,941,380.00
2,656
96
38.16
39,142.87
737
53.11
Westfield ..
18,411
12,780,972.00
2,740
93
36.45
28,823.20
337
85.53
Northampton
21,654
18,795,651.00
2,654
94
35.18
19,498.84
296
65.87
Peabody
18,625
15,120,500.00
2,349
92
35.02
22,270.17
433
53.74
Newburyport
15,311
12,526,386.00
1,976
94
34.50
16,497.19
460
35.86
Marlboro.
15,250
11,280,491.00
1,936
94
34.29
19,036.39
460
41.38
Leominster
17,646
13,763,095.00
2,391
94
33.58
21,997.61
394
55.83
Woburn
16,410
12,923,854.00
2,777
93
27.86
16,326.81
421
38.78
Revere.
25,178
23,421,350.00
4,399
93
27.33
23,475.82
413
56.84
State.
93
39.82
67.69
ANNUAL REPORT
HIGH SCHOOL
Machine Shop
Wood Working Room
129
ANNUAL REPORT
It is estimated that for the year 1916 the sum of $113,411.00 will be needed for the support of the public schools. This is an increase of $8,116.22 over the amount expended in 1915.
Table showing net expenditures for the Public Schools for the past three years with estimate for 1916;
Net Expend. 1913
Net Expend. 1914
Net Expend. 1915
Estimate for 1916
General Control
School Committee.
$1,327.27
$1,870.05
$2,108.81
$2,226.00
Superintendent and
Attendance Officer .
3,243.11
3,212.41
3,419.83
3,390.00
Instruction .
60,148.03
64,327.46
71,439.58
77,582.00
Operating School
Plant. .
15,169.75
17,299.45
17,443.48
17,800.00
Maintaining School
Plant.
3,994.89
4,230.32
5,261.68
5,500.00
Auxiliary Agencies
3,258.64
3,501.02
3,575.13
4,388.00
Miscellaneous.
681.16
900.91
555.26
625.00
Evening Schools.
1,579.25
1,411.66
1,187.52
1,450.00
Vacation Schools
423.00
466.75
303.49
450.00
$89,825.10
$97,220.03
$105,294.78
$113,411.00
Increase over previous
year. ..
$5,750.22
$7,394.93
$8,074.75
$8,116.22
Table showing number of pupils and teachers for the past three years:
1912- 1913
1913-
1914- 1915
Fall term 1915
Number of pupils in average membership
2,407
2,586
2,669
2,818
Increase.
105
179
83
149
Number of teachers, total. High School
83
85
91
97
11
11
12
17
Grades
66
68
73
74
Kindergarten.
2
2
2
2
Special.
4
4
4
4
1914
THE HIGH SCHOOL.
In July, Mr. Hal. R. Eaton, who had served very efficiently for four years as principal of the High School, resigned to accept a larger and more lucrative position in Bangor, Maine. After careful consideration of the various .candidates, Mr. W. B. Alexander, principal of the High School of Greenfield, Mass., was selected to fill the vacancy. Although elected only a few days before the opening of school, Mr. Alexander soon had control of the situation, and the school has been running very smoothly.
The course in domestic science advocated in my last report is now an accomplished fact. This was made possible by the Trustees of the Rich- ardson School Fund, who voted the money to equip the room. And cer- tainly it is an equipment to be proud of; not elaborate but such as might be found in many homes. Instead of the usual gas plate and the horseshoe shaped table, six Glenwood ranges were installed in the middle of the room. Near each stove is a table with individual equipment for four girls, so that a class of twenty-four can be accommodated. A large cabinte in the rear of the room serves as a closet for dishes, and larger cooking utensils. The
130
ANNUAL REPORT
cabinet and tables match the finish of the room. The whole provides a room, not so extravagantly furnished as some, but admirably adapted to the needs of the school. Here 130 girls spend four school periods a week learning that art on which, some say, the happiness of mankind depends. That they are succeeding, a trial of the results will testify.
In the development of the High School what should be the next step? The course of study provides the usual studies preparatory for college and for general training. The commercial department trains girls for office work and is in excellent condition. The boys have been provided with a two-year course in manual training, and a four-year course in mechanical drawing. The girls have a two-year course in domestic science. The next step should be the introduction of a course in sewing to follow the work being done in the grades. The girls in the grades already have sewing for four years, and the eighth grade girls are taught the use of machines. This work should now be followed by a course in the High School to teach pat- tern making and dressmaking, so that the girls may be able to make their own dresses as well as to cook their own meals. Such a course would round out the practical side of the High School education so far as the girls are concerned, and complete its development for some time. I believe the expense would be small compared with the benefits derived.
EVENING SCHOOLS.
The regular term for the evening schools is from the first week in October to the close of the first week in February, with a vacation of two weeks at Christmas time. Statistics for 1914-1915 are as follows:
Attle- boro
Dodge- ville
Hebron- ville
Total
Enrollment, males.
191
28
25
244
Enrollment, females.
67
13
10
90
Average attendance.
103
16
21
140
Per cent. of attendance to enrollment
40
39
60
42
Number of illiterates.
119
11
27
157
The attendance at the evening schools for the term beginning October 4, 1915, has been much smaller than usual. The classes for non-English speaking pupils have never been so small. This is probably due in part to the condition of business in the city in the early fall, and in part to the great falling off in immigration during the past year. With continued prosperity in business, there is every reason to believe that attendance at the evening schools next year will be as large as ever.
An attempt was made this year to form a class in citizenship for per- sons who had declared their intention of becoming naturalized. Classes were already established to teach the use of the English language to for- eigners, but it was thought that many who knew sufficient English but who were not naturalized would be glad to obtain some knowledge of the his- tory of our country, the form of government for the city, state and nation, and their rights and duties as citizens. Only a small number appeared to enroll, however, so that the class was not organized. By using the lists furnished by the Bureau of Naturalization next year, and by beginning earlier, it is hoped that a successful class may be formed.
Statistics for the term October 4, 1915, to December 16, 1915, are as follows:
Attle- boro
Dodge- ville 22
Hebron-
ville
Total
Enrollment, males.
109
13
144
Females
54
11
9
74
Total
163
33
22
218
·
131
ANNUAL REPORT
Average attendance.
85
17
16
118
Per cent. of attendance to enrollment.
52
52
73
54
Number of male illiterates.
36
12
13
61
Female "
21
4
9
34
Total
57
16
22
95
Number of male illiterate minors.
17
8
. 7
32
Number of female illiterate minors
15
4
8
27
Total.
32
12
15
59
THE WORK OF THE SCHOOLS.
Reading, writing, arithmetic and spelling still continue to be empha- sized as the most important subjects in the course of study, and constant effort is being made to improve the teaching of each. Special attention this year will be given to silent reading in the intermediate and grammar grades. Up to the present time, teachers have worked for expression in oral reading, and the results have been very satisfactory. The oral reading in the schools is good. But only occasionally after leaving school are people called upon to read orally. Practically all reading is done silently. The study in the preparation of lessons, the reading of newspapers, books and magazines, the many occasions in which the art of reading is used, all depend upon silent reading. A pupil's ability to comprehend what he reads deter- mines largely his standing as a student, and may decide his degree of suc- cess in life. In the lower grades the greater part of the time is given to oral reading, but in the upper grades the time allowed will be gradually decreased, and most of the time spent on silent reading. It is hoped that the result of this will be not only to improve the work of the pupils in reading, but also to raise the standard of all of their school work.
In penmanship commendable progress is being made. In October Mr. A. N. Palmer, whose method of penmanship is used in the schools, addressed the teachers on the subject of penmanship. Never have I seen a more enthusiastic teachers' meeting, and I know that teachers were in- spired by the meeting to attack the subject of writing with renewed zeal and increased confidence to secure better results. Throughout the year pupils in the upper grades are encouraged to submit their penmanship drills to the Palmer Company, and when the 172 drills are accepted a diploma in penmanship is awarded. Last year 39 received diplomas, 152 progress pins, and 637 first buttons. At the High School, in the commercial depart- ment, the securing of a Palmer diploma has been made the standard for satisfactory work in penmanship.
In arithmetic we are still trying to secure accuracy in fundamental operations and reasoning power in connection with problems. All that seems useless to teach has been eliminated. Emphasis is placed on that which the pupil is most likely to need in later life. We are not yet satis- fied with results, and are seeking constantly methods for improvement. We do not expect to reach absolute perfection, but we hope to place our standard so high that we shall always have something to strive for.
INDUSTRIAL EVENING SCHOOL.
The industrial classes in the evening school have been carried on this year along the same lines in which the work was started last year. The class in design and modelling had an enrollment of 12 and the class in tool- making 12. While the attendance has not been as large as was expected yet the results have been very satisfactory. On account of the sessions coming as they do at the busy season of the jewelry trade, it is impossible for some to attend regularly, night work in the shops interfering in many
132
ANNUAL REPORT
cases. The attendance, however, compares favorably with that of indus- trial evening schools in other cities, and it is the recommendation of the advisory committee that this work be continued and if possible enlarged next year. The tool-making room should have some new machinery, the greatest need being a good milling machine. With more suitable equip- ment there is no doubt that this class would soon be larger than could be easily cared for. An attempt should also be made to form a class in bench work. Such a class would probably be very popular.
In all this work the aim is to help the pupil by individual instruction and personal attention so to improve the quality of his daily work that he may be fitted for a better position and more quickly win promotion. We are not attempting to teach beginners a new trade but to help those already started to advance faster. Every manufacturer in Attleboro should be interested in these classes as their proper development means much to the jewelry industry.
THE SCHOOL SAVINGS BANK.
Deposits for the calendar year since the establishment of the bank in 1908:
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
1915
3,680.00
Total
$30,338.11
STATEMENT JANUARY 1, 1916.
Dr.
Balance on deposit January 1, 1915, including interest
$2,005.04
Deposited from Jan. 1, 1915, to Jan. 1, 1916
3,680.00
Interest from November, 1914, to May, 1915
31.20
Interest from May, 1915, to November, 1915.
11.56
Total
$5,727.80
Cr.
Transferred to pupils', individual accounts, Jan. 1, 1915,
to Jan. 1, 1916.
$3,918.60
Withdrawn, 1915. .
72.27
Balance on deposit Janunry 1, 1916, including interest
($175.48)
1,736.93
Total
$5,727.80
($132.72).
133
ANNUAL REPORT
Total amount deposited since October, 1908 $30,838.11
Number of individual accounts opened at the bank from October, 1908, to January, 1915 January, 1915, to January, 1916
1,335
. 255
Total
1,590
Number of pupils depositing in the school bank Jan. 1, 1916.
1,462
VACATION SCHOOLS.
Statistics.
July 12-August 20, 1915.
Dodge- ville
Hebron- ville
Total
Enrollment, boys.
64
15
79
Enrollment, girls
65
52
117
Total .
129
67
196
Average membership
113
61
174
Average attendance.
83
57
140
Per cent. of attendance.
73
94
80
COST.
Teachers' salaries
$120.00
$108.00
$228.00
Supplies.
39.35
36.14
75.49
Total .
$159.35
$144.14
$303.49
Cost per pupil based on average attendance ..
$1.92
$2.53
$2.17
GIFTS.
Thanks are due the Trustees of the Richardson School Fund for the very excellent equipment for the domestic science room at the High School making it possible to start work in domestic science there this year. The Trustees have also furnished two sewing machines for the girls of the eighth grade, and four cases of much needed maps. Music, drawing, sewing, manual training and domestic science have been introduced and established in the schools through the action of these Trustees, and much of the pro- gressive spirit of the schools is due to their efforts. In behalf of the com- mittee, parents and pupils I desire to express my appreciation of all that has been done.
The High School is also indebted to the Alumni Association for a very beautiful Grafonola and a number of excellent records, and to the State W. R. C. for a large silk American flag and standard. Both these gifts are very pleasing to teachers and pupils and are highly appreciated.
134
ANNUAL REPORT
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 in the school. 2810
Number found defective in eyesight. 195
Number found defective in hearing. ¥ 36
Number of parents or guardians notified.
213
NO SCHOOL SIGNALS.
For the school year from September, 1914, to June, 1915, schools were closed on account of stormy weather as follows:
Date
Grades Closed
December 7, 1914.
I-VIII afternoon
January 7, 1915
High and I-VIII morning
January 13, 1915 High and I-VIII all[day
January 25, 1915.
IV-VIII morning
I-III all day
February 1, 1915
I-III all day
February 2, 1915.
I-III all day
Educational results are difficult to measure. New buildings, {new equipment, new subjects of study, new books, are only the externals of edu- cational progress. Development in intellect and growth in character rep- resent the real purpose and aim of education and test the efficiency of an educational system. How successfully our schools are accomplishing these purposes time alone will show. But if earnestness of purpose and conscien- tious devotion to study on the part of teachers, the interested cooperation of the School Committee and parents, and the cordial support of the com- munity, are any guarantees of success, then we may feel confident that the results desired will not be lacking, and that the future citizenship of Attle- boro will rise to higher ideals of life and conduct commensurate with the educational opportunities which the City so liberally offers.
Respectfully submitted,
LEWIS A. FALES.
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
I, herewith, present my first report as principal of the Attleboro High School.
Our total enrollment for the year is as follows :- Post graduates 8
Seniors 68
Juniors. 76
Sophomores 114
Freshmen 171
Total. 437
This is a very considerable increase over the enrollment of last year.
135
ANNUAL REPORT
The new teachers on the faculty, in addition to the principal, are,- Mr. Ross P. Chamberlain, in the Science department; Mr. Frederick A. Calkin, in the Mechanical Drawing and Manual Training department; Miss Annie M. Currie, in the History department; Miss Elizabeth L. Partridge in the English and French departments; Miss Emma Poland, in the Com- mercial department and Miss Lena F. Shaw, who has charge of the new Domestic Science department.
The work of the year has started off fairly well and is progressing as well as could be expected under the many new teachers. Many of our pupils have programs of work which are quite irregular and which are not productive of very good results. It would appear that some of the pupils have chosen such subjects as will allow them to remain in school and yet do the very least amount of work. Some pupils would be better off out in the world at some kind of work,-the school should not be a loafing ground.
The new Domestic Science department has become very popular and is doing a high grade of work. It is hoped that this much needed depart- ment may be enlarged next year. Many of the other departments are over- crowded with pupils and, to do the quality of work necessary to maintain proper standards, we should increase, considerably, the number of teachers for another year.
Our athletics have started off well and our basketball team has thus far been successful. It is however, to be regretted that, with such a spacious gymnasium-out of use most of the time-we have not physical directors for our boys and girls so that each pupil in the school might have regular physical exercises under supervision, each week. Now we have an athletic director for those pupils who need athletic exercises the least. We want our athletic teams and are proud of them,-they perform a great work in the school in developing school spirit and enthusiasm,-but we ought to give some attention to the physical welfare of the great majority of our pupils who are unable to secure a place on one of the regular teams.
The interest in the work in music has been increased by the addition of the new Graphophone recently presented by the alumni. The sum of $85, proceeds of a Graphophone concert given this fall, is being expended to furn- ish our pupils with the best in music. It would seem advisable, another year, to enlarge, if possible, our field of music, put in a course of harmony, increase the work of the glee clubs and orchestra, and to allow credit toward graduation for work in music which was consistently well done.
It will appear evident from the foregoing report that the new principal has but little to say at this time. He is getting in close touch with every department and each phase of school activity. No extreme or radical changes have been put into effect as yet but careful observations are being made and plans are being well laid for the future.
The one point on which emphasis is being placed is the fact that the Attleboro High School is an institution for work; real, genuine, hard work, and plenty of it. If we can secure the proper cooperation of the parents, we can elevate this school to a plane second to none in the State. Parents who send their sons and daughters to this high school may expect that every effort will be put forth by each member of the faculty to see that a generous amount of work is put in by each pupil and, if the parents will see to it that the proper amount of careful home study is done by their children, each day, the influence of this school will have a marked effect in the community. Until the parents and pupils realize, clearly, that the school demands a fair amount of the pupil's time and energy, then, and only then, shall we accom- plish the work we should.
The cordial cooperation of the faculty and its willingness to adjust itself to new conditions have been of great assistance. The generous counsel and kindly assistance of the Superintendent, coupled with the freedom granted the principal to work out his own ideas and methods in the school, have made the entrance of the principal into his new field of work a decidedly pleasant one. To the faculty and to the Superintendent, the principal ex- presses his sincere appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
W. B. ALEXANDER.
136
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
Mr. Lewis A. Fales, Superintendent of Schools:
The work of the Music Department in the public schools of this city during the past year has been of much a varied and interesting character as to merit the attention of all who have the well being of the schools at heart.
The regular work in the grades is being conducted along the lines laid down in past years. The effort of the room teacher to teach the rudiments of music necessary to intelligent reading, and at the same time to further the development of tone quality, is bearing fruit.
The increasing demands for music from the children for the various needs of the city both in and out of school are being successfully met by the boys' and girls' glee clubs which are in operation in the larger schools. The glee club at the Sanford Street School numbers seventy, Richardson School fifty, Bliss School fifty, and the Bank Street School thirty. The value of the glee club is becoming more and more evident not only in supplying the demand for music by the children but in the effect upon the children them- selves. The enjoyment and interest of the members which comes from this additional practise seems to spread throughout the entire school and is re- flected in the love of music which is growing in our entire community. In this work I have been very ably assisted by Miss Johnson at the Sanford Street, Miss Miller at the Richardson, and Miss Tarleton at the Bliss Schools.
It is worthy of note to mention the introduction of the phonograph into the grammar schools. It is greatly to the credit of the individual schools that they earned their own instruments. It is unnecessary here to speak of the great value of such instruments as a means of raising the standard of music and I wish to take this opportunity of thanking the general public for the loyal support given the schools when this matter was brought to their attention; also, to thank those who so kindly gave records to the Sanford Street and the Bliss Schools. It is my wish to acquire a circulating library of records of good music suitable for the various grades to be used in con- nection with the regular school work in music.
The High School chorus now numbers three hundred and fifty and during the singing period occupies the body of the hall. As it was impossible to have the entire chorus sing at graduation in June, a chorus of one hundred was selected and performed their part satisfactorily. The orchestra at the High School meets reguarly once a week. It consists of five violins, one cornet, one clarinet, two saxaphones, and the piano, and comes nearer to being a real orchestra than any I have seen or heard in the High School. At least four other instruments would be added to the orchestra but on account of the students working in the afternoon they are prevented from attending.
The girls' glee club is proving one of the best means for the development of musical talent at our disposal. It numbers thirty-six members who sing together once a week, talk over musical matters, and listen to two solos by individual members.
The music work of the High School has been enhanced and greatly strengthened by the presentation by the Alumni of a two hundred dollar Grafonola and one hundred and twenty-five dollars worth of records. We have now at our disposal the necessary material for a course in Music Ap- preciation and with this end in view only such records have been purchased as will give the coming generation a chance to hear the best music-sacred and secular songs, instrumental solos, oratorio and operatic selections, band and orchestra selections-played and sung by the best artists. This is a valuable present to the boys and girls of the city and the thanks of the High School are hereby extended to the Alumni for their timely gift.
I am still of the opinion that the music work of the High School can be made a most important element in the future development of a more musical
137
ANNUAL REPORT
city. Much has been done; there is still a great deal to do. The thoroughly efficient city school of to-day has a regular music curriculum with credited classes in music appreciation, theory of music, and orchestra development. Our students have shown by their interest that they are anxious for these privileges and our city expects us to turn out work comparable to the schools that give so much time to their music courses. Attleboro gives only one half hour a week to music in the High School. Has not the time come, now that we have the necessary equipment, to broaden our music courses along the lines that progressive schools are following all over the country?
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