Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1930, Part 14

Author: Attleboro (Mass.)
Publication date: 1930
Publisher: The City
Number of Pages: 290


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


183


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.


184


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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