USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1930 > Part 14
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I would recommend the following for the coming year of 1931 for your consideration, eight additional fire alarm boxes to be located as follows: Fifth and Jefferson Streets, Bushee and Globe Streets, County and Read Streets, Payson Street, Commonwealth Avenue and North Main Street, Oak Hill Avenue and Locust Street, Oak Hill Avenue and Thurber Avenue and West and Clifton Streets. These boxes were also recommended by the Council but the money has never been appropriated for same.
Salary of Superintendent of Fire Alarm $2,190.00
Salary of Assistant Electrician
1,916.25
Maintenance of Fire Alarm 1,400.00
Maintenance of Auto
400.00
New Fire Alarm Boxes
2,048.50
Other Expenses.
285.00
Underground Cable
550.00
$8,789.75
I wish at this time to thank the Board of Fire Eingineers and the members of the Department for their valuable assistance to this branch of the service during the past year of 1930.
Respectfully yours, JOSEPH H. NEWCOMB, Superintendent of Fire Alarm.
167
ANNUAL REPORT
City Collector
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Attleboro, Mass., December 31, 1930
To His Honor, the Mayor, and the Municipal Council:
I herewith submit my report as City Collector for the year 1930 as follows:
TAXES-1929
Outstanding January 1, 1930 $125,218.96
Refunds, 1930.
33.45 $125,252.41
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930.
$120,343.81
Abated, 1930.
1,802.67
Transferred to Tax Titles .
774.17
Outstanding December 31, 1930
2,331.76
$125,252.41
TAXES-1930
Committed, 1930
$817,779.27
Refunds, 1930
60.56
$817,839.83
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930
$649,200.65
Abated, 1930.
3,507.11
Transferred to Tax Titles.
1,392.91
Outstanding December 31, 1930.
163,739.16
$817,839.83
MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE-1929
Outstanding January 1, 1930.
$ 6,782.01
Committed, 1930.
25.58
Refunds, 1930.
16.27 $ 6,823.86
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930 $ 5,613.06
Abated, 1930.
99.84
Outstanding December 31, 1930.
1,110.96 $ 6,823.86
MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE-1930
Committed, 1930
$ 48,381.72
Refunds, 1930.
429.78
$ 48,811.50
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930
$ 39,889.17
. Abated, 1930.
2,807.02
Outstanding December 31, 1930.
6,115.31
$ 48,811.50
168
ANNUAL REPORT
MOTH ASSESSMENT-1929
Outstanding January 1, 1930.
$ 57.05
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930. Abated, 1930.
.25
Transferred to Tax Titles.
1.50
$ 57.05
MOTH ASSESSMENT-1930
Committed, 1930.
$ 89.90
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930. S 69.95
Abated, 1930.
.25
Transferred to Tax Titles
1.20
Outstanding December 31, 1930.
18.50
$ 89.90
Apportioned A. B. C. Street Railway Assessment-1929
Outstanding January 1, 1930.
$ 27.24
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930.
27.24
CURBING ASSESSMENT-1929
Outstanding January 1, 1930.
$ 607.72
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930.
$ 295.28
Apportioned, 1930 to 1939
312.44 $ 607.72
CURBING ASSESSMENT-1930
Committed, 1930
$ 6,059.93
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930. $ 847.49
Apportioned, 1930 to 1940.
2,322.88
Adjustment. .
180.19
Outstanding December 31, 1930.
2,709.37 $ 6,059.93
Apportioned Curbing Assessment-1929
Outstanding January 1, 1930. $ 95.84
95.84
Apportioned Curbing Assessment-1930
Committed, 1930
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930. $ 275.48
Outstanding December 31 1930
142.84 $ 418.32
Apportioned Curbing and Gutter Assessment-1930
Committed, 1930. $ 23.53
23.53
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930
Granolithic Walk Assessment-1929
Outstanding January 1, 1930. $ 473.91
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930. 473.91
$ 55.30
418.32
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930.
169
ANNUAL REPORT
Granolithic Walk Assessment-1930
Committed, 1930.
$ 3,924.46
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930. $ 1,926.64
Apportioned, 1931 to 1938.
85.09
Outstanding December 31, 1930.
1,912.73 $ 3,924.46
Apportioned Granolithic Walk Assessment-1929
Outstanding January 1, 1930. $ 21.83
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930.
21.83
Apportioned Granolithic Walk Assessment-1930
Committed. 1930
$ 210.18
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930.
$ 175.00
Outstanding December 31, 1930
35.18 $ 210.18
Sewer Assessment-1929
Outstanding January 1, 1930.
$ 1,024.37
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930.
$ 633.95
Apportioned, 1930 to 1939
354.34
Transferred to Tax Titles.
36.08 $ 1,024.37
Sewer Assessment-1930
Committed, 1930.
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930. $ 52.26
Apportioned, 1930 to 1939.
51.90
Outstanding December 31, 1930.
124.18 $ 228.34
Apportioned Sewer Assessment-1929
Outstanding January 1, 1930. $ 70.61
70.61
Apportioned Sewer Assessment-1930
Committed, 1930.
$ 340.18
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930 $ 164.07
Outstanding December 31, 1930.
176.11 $ 340.18
Apportioned Shaw Street Sewer Assessment-1930
Committed, 1930.
$ 4.68
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930. 4.68
Committed Interest on Betterments
Outstanding January 1, 1930
Apportioned A. B. C. St. Ry., 1929 $ 1.64 Apportioned Curbing 1929 36.79
Apportioned Granolithic Walk 1929. 8.68
Apportioned Sewer 1929 30.04 $ 77.15
$ 228.34
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930.
170
ANNUAL REPORT
Committed, 1930
Unapportioned Curbing 1930 7.21
Apportioned Curbing 1930. 127.99
Apportioned Curbing and Gutter 1930. 1.41
Apportioned Granolithic Walk 1930. 73.36
Apportioned Sewer 1930. 146.23
Apportioned Shaw St. Sewer 1930 .28
$ 356.48 $ 433.63
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930 Apportioned A. B. C. St. Ry., 1929 $ 1.64
Unapportioned Curbing 1930 5.36
Apportioned Curbing 1929 36.79
Apportioned Curbing 1930 66.13
Apportioned Curbing and Gutter 1930. 1.41
Apportioned Granolithic Walk 1929 8.68
Apportioned Granolithic Walk 1930 57.17
Apportioned Sewer 1929 30.04
Apportioned Sewer 1930. 58.31
Apportioned Shaw St. Sewer 1930 .28 $ 265.81
Outstanding December 31, 1930
Unapportioned Curbing 1930 $ 1.85
Apportioned Curbing 1930 61.86
Apportioned Granolithic Walk 1930 16.19
Apportioned Sewer 1930 87.92 $ 167.82 $ 433.63
Apportioned Betterments Paid in Advance-1930
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930 (Granolithic
Walk)
$ 43.10
Interest, Costs and Fees
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930. $ 7,059.58
DEPARTMENTAL ACCOUNTS Department of Public Welfare
Outstanding January 1, 1930.
$
7,870.36
$ 23,366.50 Committed, 1930. 15,496.14
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930 $ 11,778.07
Paid direct to Treasurer. . 40.00
Outstanding December 31, 1930. 11,548.43
$ 23,366.50
Fishing Permits-Orr's Pond
Committed, 1930. $ 48.00 48.00
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930.
Health Department
Outstanding January 1, 1930
$
2,160.22
Committed, 1930.
2,044.22
$
4,204.44
.
171
ANNUAL REPORT
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930. $ 2,489.92 Abated, 1930 137.84 1,576.68 $ 4,204.44
Outstanding December 31, 1930.
Highway Department
Committed, 1930.
$ 34.24
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930.
34.24
Motor Vehicle License
Committed, 1930.
$ 140.00
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930.
140.00
Motor Vehicle Operators License
Committed, 1930.
$ 18.00
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930.
18.00
Public Property
Committed, 1930.
$ 1,388.00
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930.
$ 1,356.00
Abated, 1930.
32.00 $ 1,388,00
School Department
Committed, 1930.
$ 1,233.47
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930. $ 1,076.87
72.60
Outstanding December 31, 1930.
84.00
$ 1,233.47
Water Rates-1926
Outstanding January 1, 1930 Abated, 1930 .
4.69
Water Rates-1927
Outstanding January 1, 1930
$ 8.23
Abated, 1930
8.23
Water Rates-1928
Outstanding January 1, 1930.
7.17
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930.
7.17
Water Rates-1929
Outstanding January 1, 1930.
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930. $ 787.34
120.58
Outstanding December 31, 1930.
37.60 $ 945.52
Water Rates-1930
$106,406.50
Committed, 1930. Refunds, 1930.
34.39
$106,440.89
Abated, 1930.
$ 4.69
S 945.52
Abated, 1930.
172
ANNUAL REPORT
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930.
$103,375.96
Abated, 1930.
120.36
Outstanding December 31, 1930.
2,944.57
$106,440.89
Pipe and Labor-1927
Outstanding January 1, 1930.
$ 23.07
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930.
$ 7.27
Abated, 1930.
.50
Outstanding December 31, 1930.
15.30
$ 23.07
Pipe and Labor-1929
Outstanding January 1, 1930.
$ 1,686.47
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930.
$ 1,536.94
Abated, 1930.
67.37
Outstanding December 31, 1930.
82.16
$ 1,686.47
Pipe and Labor-1930
Committed, 1930.
$ 6,041.79
Collected and paid Treasurer, 1930.
$ 5,198.79
Abated, 1930
7.98
Outstanding December 31, 1930
835.02 $ 6,041.79
The total amount paid over to the Treasurer in 1930 as shown in the above accounts is $955,482.81.
The total amount committed to the collector for collection in 1930 exceeded the million dollar mark for the first time, being $1,010,692.93.
Respectfully submitted,
F. F. BLACKINTON, City Collector
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
CITY OF ATTLEBORO
FOR THE YEAR 1930
174
ANNUAL REPORT
SCHOOL COMMITTEE, 1930
Dr. Reginald P. Dakin, 32 John Street.
Term Expires January 1931
Mrs. Lida M. Holbrook, 28 Peck Street. Telephone 1227-J
1931
Leonard I. Lamb, 191 South Main Street Telephone 971-W
1931
Mrs. Alice Stobbs, 63 Bank Street. 1931
Telephone 931-J
Mrs. Rena Rounseville, 141 South Main Street 1931
Telephone 956-J
Edwin F. Thayer, 17 Mechanic Street. 1933
Telephone 468-M
Mrs. Margaret Conro, 26 Dean Street 1933
Telephone 1047-J
Joseph Finberg, 24 John Street. 1933
Telephone 981-R
George E. Nerney, 204 North Main Street Telephone 1101-W 1933
Organization
Edwin F. Thayer. Chairman
Dr. Reginald P. Dakin. Secretary
Edwin F. Thayer. Representative before Municipal Council
STANDING COMMITTEES
Mr. Thayer
Teachers and Course of Study Mrs. Holbrook Mrs. Conro
Text Books and Supplies
Dr. Dakin
Mrs. Holbrook Mrs. Stobbs
Buildings
Mr. Finberg
Mr. Nerney Mrs. Rounseville
Finance
Mr. Thayer
Mr. Lamb Dr. Dakin
Regular meetings, first and third Mondays of each month at 7:30 o'clock P. M.
Bills are paid on the fifteenth of each month.
All bills to be acted on must be submitted in duplicate, and be in the hands of the clerk of the committee, Superintendent's office, on the 26th of each month.
175
ANNUAL REPORT
Superintendent of Schools LEWIS A. FALES
Office Sanford Street School. Telephone 12
Residence 22 Mechanic Street. Telephone 22
The Superintendent's office is open on school days from 8:30 to 5:00; Satur- day, 8:30 to 11:30. The Superintendent's office hours on school days are from 8:30 to 9:00; 4:00 to 5:00 Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 7:00 to 8:00 Monday evening.
Superintendent's Secretary
Alice I. Wetherell, Telephone 1235-J.
32 Sanford Street
Clerks
Hilda R. LaPalme 61 Hebron Avenue 84 Knight Avenue
Edna I. Gagner
School Physician
Dr. Jesse W. Battershall, Telephone 284
18 North Main Street
School Nurse
Mrs. Dorothy B. Wendell, R. N., Telephone 940-W . .90 Locust Street
Office hours: Sanford Street School, 4 to 4:30 on school days. Lincoln School, 1:30 to 3:00 on Wednesday.
Attendance Officer
Charles T. Crossman. 32 Benefit Street Telephones: Home 670-M; Office 670-R
Office hours on school days: 8:45 to 9:30 A. M. daily at the office of the Superintendent.
School Calendar
Fall Term-Thursday, September 4 to Friday, December 19, 1930
Winter Term-Monday, December 29 to Friday, February 20, 1931 Spring Term-Monday, March 2 to Friday, April 17, 1931
Summer Term-Monday, April 27 to Wednesday, June 24, 1931
School Sessions
High School-One session, from 8:15 to 1:40, with a recess of fifteen minutes. Bank Street-One session, from 8:15 to 1:15.
Briggs Corner-8:45 A. M. to 2:20 P. M. with a noon intermission from 11:30 to 12:05.
Lincoln and South Attleboro-8:45 to 11:45 and 1:00 to 3:00.
Grammar and Primary Schools-Morning session from 9:00 to 11:45. Afternoon sessions from 1:30 to 3:45, from March 1 to November 1; 1:15 to 3:30 from November 1 to March 1. Grade 1 closes fifteen minutes earlier than the other grades.
176
ANNUAL REPORT
No School Signals Adopted March 5, 1928
Four double strokes on the Fire Alarm 2-2-2-2
7:15 A. M .- Postponement of the opening of the High and Bank Street schools till 9 o'clock.
8:00 A. M .- No session for the High and Bank Street Schools for the day and no morning session for any other school.
8:15 A. M .- No morning session for grades one, two and three. Afternoon session for all grades unless the signal is repeated at 12:15 or 12:30.
11:15 A. M .- One session. Grades one, two and three will close for the day at 12 M. All higher grades then in session, except the High and Bank Street Schools, will close for the day at 1:00 P. M.
12:15 P. M .- No afternoon session for all grades below the High School.
12:30 P. M .- No afternoon session for grades one, two and three.
6:50 P. M .- No session for evening schools.
The signal will be given at 8:00 A. M. and 12:15 P. M. only in very severe weather.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT General Statement
Gross Cost of Schools
$357,524.05
Received from State:
Reimbursement Teacher's Salaries $ 29,792.80
Reimbursement Americanization
410.40
Reimbursement Tuition and Transportation of State Wards. 158.73
Reimbursement Continuation School.
4,647.27
Received Tuition Continuation School 89.76
Received Tuition. 314.00
Received Smith-Hughes Fund and Interest 945.31
Received for use of School Buildings.
160.00
Received Cash, Books, Supplies, etc .. 422.58
5.80
Net Cost of Schools to City
$320,577.40
RECEIPTS
Appropriation.
Transfer from Special Appropriation Expenses to
N. E. A. Convention . . .
35.03
Transfer from Special Appropriation High School Repairs.
310.21
Smith-Hughes Fund. 945.31
$357,840.55
Received Cash, Continuation School Supplies
$ 36,946.65
$356,550.00
177
ANNUAL REPORT
1930 EXPENDITURES .
General Account
High School
Elementary School
Total
General Control
Clerks . . . .
$
3,664.59
$ 3,664.59
Telephones
125.54
61.00
499.86
686.40
Census Enumerator
250.00
250.00
Office Expenses
175.62
175.62
Superintendence
Superintendent
4,200.00
4,200.00
Attendance Officer and Custod. of Bldgs. .
1,500.00
1,500.00
Office Expenses.
445.91
445.91
Expenses out of town. .
84.40
84.40
Automobiles
700.00
700.00
Instruction
Teachers
63,636.17
180,035.85
243,672.02
Supervisors
2,881.00
5,029.00
7,910.00
Books.
2,124.84
2,853.05
4,977.89
Supplies
1,576.09
4,440.63
6,016.72
Cooking
276.64
166.74
443.38
Manual Training
357.37
491.52
848.89
Sewing
20.57
20.57
Operating School Plant
Janitors
3,570.75
17,877.62
21,448.37
Fuel
816.79
9,389.85
10,206.64
Water
93.65
639.10
732.75
Janitors' Supplies
205.42
709.21
914.63
Lights-Gas.
70.52
70.52
Lights-Electricity
609.18
814.12
1,423.38
Power
300.00
148.12
448.12
Towels.
49.25
292.38
341.63
Maintaining School Plant
Maintenance.
2,027.26
12,008.43
14,035.69
Auxiliary Agencies
Health.
75.00
2,982.10
3,057.10
Transportation
1,553.23
10,286.91
11,840.14
Miscellaneous
Tuition .
150.00
538.57
688.57
Graduations.
218.45
150.65
369.10
Sundries
23.06
382.57
405.63
Express
5.40
92.76
98.16
Insurance
563.20
2,476.44
3,03.64
ยท $. 11,146.06
$ 81,173.75
$252,396.65
$344,716.46
178
ANNUAL REPORT
Evening School
Teachers' Salaries $ 1,781.50
Books and Supplies
13.88
Janitors
165.00
Lights
94.79
Sundries
60.35
$ 2,115.52
Vacation School
Teachers.
501.00
Supplies.
201.28
Equipment
28.96
731.24
Continuation School
Salaries.
8,892.83
Maintenance.
1,068.00
9,960. 83
Total Expenditures
$357,524.05
Balance
316.50
SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES
General Control
School Committee
$ 4,776.61
Superintendence
6,930.31
Instruction
263,889.47
Operating School Plant.
35,586.04
Maintaining School Plant
14,035.69
Auxiliary Agencies
14,897.24
Miscellaneous .
4,601.10
Evening School
2,115.52
Vacation School
731.24
Continuation School.
9,960.83
$357,524.05
Balance
316.50
SPECIAL APPROPRIATIONS
Expenses to N. E. A. Convention
Appropriation $ 100.00
Expenditure
Lewis A. Fales.
S 64.97
Balance transferred to "Other Expenses"
35.03
High School Repairs
Balance of appropriation from 1929.
. . $
1,005.00
179
ANNUAL REPORT
Expenditures
Pope and Read.
82.79
Western Waterproofing Company
612.00
694.79
Balance transferred to "Other Expenses" $ 310.21
Survey of School Buildings
Appropriation $ 600.00
Expenditure
Kilham, Hopkins & Greeley
600.00
New School Building at Hebronville
Balance of appropriation from 1929
$149,980.20
Expenditures
E. M. Corbett, architect, $ 7,467.43
Brady Electric Company
4,647.00
W. R. Park & Son ..
26,488.00
I. P. Rocheford.
92,658.10
Clarence Adams.
.87
George Allen.
5.00
American Seating Company.
74.00
Andrews Paper Company ..
14.40
Atherton Furniture Company
4,623.40
Attleboro Coal Company . .
141.11
Attleboro Gas Light Company
174.30
Attleboro Steam and Electric Company.
10.78
Attleboro Water Department.
411.84
Edward E. Babb & Company
96.30
A. L. Bemis
593.00
Milton Bradley Company
12.50
Brownell Hardware Company .
245.98
Capitol Theatre Supply Company
7.50
H. E. Carpenter.
105.00
Chamberlin Weather Strip Company .
575.00
E. C. Church Company
80.00
Church Film Company
242.43
Electric Shop.
19.45
George W. Ellis
48.00
Lewis A. Fales
19.24
Filing Equipment Bureau.
35.50
First National Bank of Boston
274.00
William F. Flynn & Son
47.77
Peter Gagner .
46.75
J. L. Hammett Company .
45.80
A. W. Hastings & Company.
70.95
S. M. Holman
105.00
180
ANNUAL REPORT
A. S. Ingraham Company
2.00
L. B. Johnson.
3.60
Massachusetts Department of Correction.
27.50
Massachusetts Reformatory
1,014.66
Narragansett Machine Company
112.00
New York Studios.
278.60
Page Belting Company
52.80
James S. Palmer
70.00
Pope & Read.
24.65
H. K. & O. P. Richardson
175.00
G. I. Spatcher
7.50
E. A. Taylor
31.07
W. J. Watson
140.00
F. W. Woolworth Company.
6.40
$141,332.18
Balance
8,648.02
Report of the Superintendent of Schools
To the School Committee of Attleboro:
I submit herewith my twenty-sixth annual report, it being the forty-sixth in the series of Superintendent's Reports. The attendance statistics are for the school year from September, 1929, to June, 1930. The financial report is for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1930.
STATISTICS
I-Population
Census, 1930. 21,777
II-School Census, October, 1930
Number of children between the ages of 5 and 7 795
Number of children between the ages of 7 and 14. 2,842
Number of children between the ages of 14 and 16 829
4,466
III-Attendance, September 1929 to June 1930
Total number of different pupils enrolled. 4,148
Average daily membership 3,908
Average daily attendance 3,726
Per cent of attendance 95.3
181
ANNUAL REPORT
Table showing the average membership and the per cent of attendance for the last ten years:
Average Membership
Gain Over Per Cent Previous Year ance
1920-1921
.3,499
265
94
1921-1922
.3,623
124
94
1922-1923
3,544
Loss
-79
95
1923-1924.
3,692
148
94
1924-1925 .3,782
90
95
1925-1926
. 3,791
9
94
1926-1927
3,860
69
95
1927-1928
3,877
17
95
1928-1929
.3,873
Loss
-4
93
1929-1930
3,908
35
95
Gain in ten years 674
Attendance for Fall Term-1930
Average Membership
September
4,069
October.
4,080
November
4,081
December.
4,074
School Buildings
Number of School Buildings.
27
Number of Class Rooms (High 25; Grades 104) .
129
Number of Rooms in Use.
127
Teachers
Number of Teachers and Supervisors, December, 1930. 162
Number of Teachers in High School .
34
Number of Teachers in Grades I -VIII
113
Number of Teachers in Kindergartens.
4
Number of Special Teachers.
7
Number of Teachers in Continuation School.
4
COST OF INSTRUCTION
Valuation of Attleboro, 1930.
$25,525,465.00
Expended for Support of Schools, excluding Evening, Vacation
and Continuation Schools . 344,716.46
Average membership of Day Schools, September 1929 to June 1930. .
3,906
Expended per pupil based on average membership
88.25
Cost of books and supplies per pupil.
2.81
HIGH SCHOOL
Total expended for High School, including High School share of general expense .
83,068.58
Average membership of High School, 1929-1930. Cost per pupil .
665
124.90
Cost of books and supplies per pupil.
5.57
of Attend-
182
ANNUAL REPORT
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Grades I-VIII
Expended for Elementary Schools 261,647.88
Average membership 1929-1930 Cost per pupil . 80.74 3,241
Cost of books and supplies per pupil
2.25
A BUILDING PROGRAM
The new school building for Hebronville recommended in my report two years ago has now been completed and the building was occupied November 24, 1930. The building has been named the Joseph Finberg School for Mr. Joseph Finberg who gave the lot on which the school stands and who has always been deeply interested in the welfare of all the children of Attleboro. The new building replaces the old five-room building erected in 1884 and the two portables bought in 1920 and 1923. Although there are no extra rooms in the building- all rooms being occupied-it is expected that the new building will meet the needs of the community for a long time to come. The fine assembly hall seating 400 people, the large play room with its opportunity for basketball and indoor games, and the excellent equipment, make this school one of the best in Attleboro and gives to the pupils in Hebronville educational advantages which they have lacked for many years. The school is an educational institution but its most important obligation is to build character and to set before the pupils high and worthy ideals of right living. This can hardly be done under the conditions existing in some school buildings where everything surrounding the pupils is contrary to the ideals we wish to set before them. I am sure that in a very few years the up-lifting influence of this new building will be apparent in the higher standards of living in the community.
At the same time that a new building was recommended for Hebronville, attention was called to the pressing needs of the Washington School in South Attleboro. This school has had a steady growth and although pupils have been transferred to the Lincoln School a number of times, the school rapidly fills up again each time it is relieved. There are two portables connected with this school, and the present enrollment averages 37 per room with two rooms having an enrollment of 40 and 45 respectively.
The needs of South Attleboro, the development in the neighborhood of the Farmers School, and the petition presented to the Committee by residents in the center of the city asking for a new building to replace the Sanford Street buildings combined to induce the Committee to have made a survey of the schools by one familiar with such work so that the whole city might be considered and a future building policy determined. To carry out this idea an appropriation of $600 was secured and Mr. W. R. Greeley of Kilham, Hopkins and Greeley, archi- tects, Boston, was secured to make the survey. Mr. Greeley began his work early in July and presented his report to the Committee September 15, 1930.
Accompanying Mr. Greeley's report were plans to scale of every school building and lot in Attleboro and a large map of the city showing the present school buildings and the proposed new sites recommended by him. His report will be printed as soon as funds are available for that purpose.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS
For the school year 1929-1930 two subjects were emphasized in all the elementary grades-reading and penmanship. This was mentioned in my report last year. In reading, tests were given in October and corresponding
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ANNUAL REPORT
tests given in May. The scores were compared and the gain in reading ability measured. The results were very satisfactory and showed that great progress had been made in all grades during the year. This was seen especially in the number of pupils at or above grade in October compared with the number at or above grade in June. A few figures show the surprising gains made.
Reading-Grade VIII
1929
1930
October
May
62% 90%
Gain in reading ability in four months equivalent to one year and eight months.
Reading-Grade VII
1929
1930
October
May
63%
89%
Gain in reading ability in four months equivalent to one year and nine months.
Reading-Grade VI
1929
1930
October
May
Pupils at or above grade.
66% 78%
Gain in reading ability in four months equivalent to nine months.
Reading-Grade V
1929
1930
October
May
50%
89%
Gain in reading ability in four months equivalent to one year and nine months.
Reading-Grade IV
1929
1930
October
May
Pupils at or above grade
.67%
88%
Gain in reading ability in four months equivalent to one year and two months.
Reading-Grade III
Pupils at or above grade .
.63% 90%
Gain in reading ability in four months equivalent to four months.
Tests were also given in-
Language Usage-grades V, VI, VII, VIII
Arithmetic Computation-grades V, VI, VII, VIII
Arithmetic Reasoning-grades VII, VIII Grammar-grades VIII
These tests serve the purpose of setting a definite standard for each school, and enable the teacher to compare her work with all others of the same grade in the city.
1929 1930
October
May
Pupils at or above grade
Pupils at or above grade .
Pupils at or above grade.
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ANNUAL REPORT
In penmanship, also, the results secured were wonderful. We set up as the standard of achievement in each grade the attaining of the Palmer Penmanship award by 50% of the pupils in the grade. Each time any awards were made all schools were notified, with a summary of all awards to date. Teachers who hesitated to send in papers found that other teachers in their grade were getting awards, so they were encouraged to have their pupils try for them. As a result, better work in penmanship was done last year than ever before. Twenty-five pupils in Grade VIII secured the High School certificate, and many pupils secured the award for the next higher grade. In the grades below the High School there were 3,279 pupils and 4,245 awards-996 more awards than pupils.
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