USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Douglas > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Douglas, for the year ending 1895 > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Il. Jerink 25 h 3 75
$132 88
G. II. Dudley 45 h 7 87
4 horses on scraper 30h 18 00
2 horses and cart 55 h 12 38 John Mahoit on seraper 30h 3 25 Shovelling 5h 75
Geo. Bent 30 h 4 50
47
J. B. Thompson 30 h 1 50
Guy Balcome, 30 h 4 50
A. T. Dudley 45 h 6 75 G. Hathaway driving 35h 6 12 Ira Arnold 86 1-2 12 97
M. Putnam 30 h 4 50
G. M. Wallis 31 h
4 65
Oscar Wade 20 h 3 00
Frank Mills 4 1
Geo. Mills 4 h 60
$$3 85
L. A. Buffum 100 h
17 50
Oxen and cart 32 h 10 40
2 horses and cart 9 h 2 02
1 horse and cart 10 h 1 25
Napoleon Roberts 30 h
4 50
Gilbert Roberts 40 h 6 00
Chas. Dudley 45 h 6 75
Edward Roberts 5 h 75
W'm. Balcome 10 h 1 50
580 32
W. H. Wellman 154 h 26 95
2 horses and cart 208 h 46 91
1 horse and cart 113 h 14 12
Man (3 h 0 45
1520 ft. bridge plank. 24 45
Henry Jefferson 8 h
1 20
M. Davis 4 h 60
Geo. Clark 5 h
Driver 29 h 4 35
Wm. Kelly 5 h
75
Thos. Taylor 5 h
75
Hayward & Co. 2 horses and cart 7 h
1 56
Man 7 h 1 05
Driver 60 h 9 00
W. R. Wallis 4 horses on
scraper 20 h 12 00
Driver 20 h 3 50
2 horses and cart 10 h 2 25
Man 10 h 1 50
1 horse and cart 18 h 2 25
Man 20 h 3 00
John Paine 274 1-2 h 41 12
II. W. Smith 98 h 14 70
Harold Church 106 h
15 90
Frank Wellman 112 lı 16 80
Amos Goodness 167 h
25 05
2 horses and cart 59 h 13 28
W. Sanborn driving 25 h
4 37
Guy Balcome 30 h 4 50
W. H. Herendeen $0 h
12 00
Jos. Vallier 9 h
1 35
W. P. Wight 9 h
1 35
W. Sanborn, 5 h 75
T. Hall 2 horses 1 h 25
H. A. Walker 105 h
18 36
Oxen 40 h
Will. Southwick 173 h
25 95
M. Lizzot 60 h 9 00
P. Richardson 75 h 11 25
A. F. Jones 307 Ids. gravel 15 35
Luke Southwick 65 h
9 75
Arthur F. Jones 4 horses on scraper 35 h 21 00
$113 40
Loren Stockwell 75 h 13 15
2 horses and cart 52 h 11 70
2 horses on scraper 20 h 6 00
Andrew Roberts 65 h 9 70
2 horses and cart 15 h
2 horses on scraper 20 h
6 00
O. H. Wade driving 20 h Shoveling 49 h 7 35
55 loads of gravel 2 75
Arthur F. Jones horses
6 00
on scraper 10 h Driver. 10 h
1 75
Willard Whipple 25 h
3 75
Horse and cart II li 1 37
15 loads gravel, 75
Timothy Wixtead 45 h 6 75
AAlbert Cook 45 h 6 75
Geo. Nichols 25 hi 3 75
J. B. Sweet, 2 horses and cart 29 h 6 52
S. P. Rawson 2 horses and cart 50 h 11 25
A. E. Thayer 2 horses and cart 65 h 14 62
M. M. Buffum 4 h
60
Ralph Aldrich 4 h
60
2 horses and cart 4 h
90
Andrew Johnson 4 h
$74 15
W. L. Church 137 h 23 97
2 horses and cart 75 h
16 86
M. B. Southwick 2 1-2 h 50
Oscar Wade, 25 h 3 75
$95 06
W. N. Jones 73 1-2 h 11 02
Horse and cart 10 h 1 25
H. Stine 29 h 4 25
3 50
48
Richard Dermody. 10 h 1 50
A. J. Thaver 146 lds. gravel 7 30
Warren Barns 96 h 14 40
Pliny Richardson 15 h 2 25
Frank Paine 9 h 1 :5
E. Paine 9 h
1 :5
Lafayette Taft 12 h
1 80
J. Dufo 20 h 3 00
(. H. Bacheler & Co. string- ers for bridge. 15 08
T. Hall 2 horses on scraper 25 h 7 50
S. P. Rawson 2 horse on
scraper 25 h 7 50
$416 46
V. T. Esten 300 exploders
3 00
G. W. Tibbets steel plate
and bolts. 8 00
Express on same,
75
W. H. Brown sharpening
. drills. bars and picks, 3 39
W. E. Jones 6 shove's 6 (0)
Dynamite and fuse. 17 44
Mrs. Hill housing road ma-
chine. 3 50
$42 08
Amount paid W. H. Well-
man for labor performed
before April 1. 1894, 26 35
Bills amounting to $208.08
were accidently lost, for
which reason I am unable
W. Putnam 7 h
1 05
Leon Keith 7 h
1 05
A. F. Dudley 6 h
90
Frank Amidon 1 h
15
L. A. Buffum 23 h Oxen & h
1 60
Geo. Nichols 7 h
1 05
J. P. Otis 4 h
60
C. S. Caswell 15 1-2 h
2 71
Chas. Johnson 40 h 6 00
C. S. Caswell 2 horses 7 h 1 58
A. Hagberg 26 h 3 90
T. Wixtead 16 h 2 40
J. B. Sweet & h 1 20
A. Lafloe 6 h 00
A. Cook 4 h 60
A. Goodness 5 h 75
1 horse 8 h
A. Fitts 7 1-2 h 1 13
John Royston 6 1-2 h 97
G. Blunt 5 1-2 h
Stillman Russell 3 h 45
Henry Walker 13 h 1 95
J. C. Morrill 2 h :0
M. Latloc 30 h 4 50
Tim Wixtead 115 h 17 25
John Legroph 20 h 3 00
Waldo Smith 4 h
2 70
W. S. Tillson 14 h
2 10
2 horses 14 h B 14
J. Thompson 14 h 2 10
Allen Keith 14 h 2 10
2 10
Everett Brown 14 h
2 10
Geo. Brown 14 h
2 10
W'm. Reynolds 10 h
1 50
Man 10 h
1 50
Bov 10 h
WVm. Walling & h
1 20
2 horses 17 h
: 81
Chas. Hilton 12 h
1 80
Joe Taylor 17 h
2 55
A. E. Chapman 10 h
1 50
J. M. Parker 10 h 1 50
11. T. Barton 5 h 75
E. Thompson 2 h 30
J. C. F. Bates 4 h (50)
C. Griffin 5 h 75
Jessie Thompson 5 h 75
J. Taylor 5 h 75
L. Bent 10 h 1 75
G. H. Dudley 12 h
2 10
(). H. Wade 6 h
90
A. H. Dudley 4 horses 5 h 2 25
to itemize them, 203 0%
Total expenditures. $2,587 31
Town appropriation for
repairs of roads and bridges, $2,000 00
Snow Roads.
Account of cost to March 1. 1895.
Henry Chase 16 h .$2 40
Alphonso Chase 16 h 2 40
2 horses, 1 80
Orrin Chase 14 h 2 10
Myron Chase 15 h 2 25
Erastus Chase 23 h 3 45
Frank Kenyon 15 h 2 25
Everett Mowry 4 h 60
W. Southwick 18 h
Weaton Brown 14 h
1. Bent 17 h
2 96
3 45
49
E. Lambert 4 1-2 h
67
Mark Pease :3 1-2 h
53
W. L. Church 12 h
2 09
Harold Church 10 h
1 30
F. Wellman 11 h
1 65
W. I. Church team 5 h 1 00
2 25
F. C. Parker 11 h
1 65
Horses 9 h
1 80
John Rilev 3 h
45
E. Buxton 10 h
1 50
Frank Wells 4 h
40
Walter Buxton 10 h
1 50
Everett Sweet 10 h
1 50
Wm. Peck & h
1 20
C. Johnson & h
1 20
M. Benson & son 12 1-2 h
15
Edward Balcome 5 h
75
W. H. Wellman 19 1-2 h
3 40
2 horses 3 1-2 h
80
1 horse 3 1-2 h
44
John Paine 3 1-2 h
50
M. McCormick 3 2-3 h
55
M. Lafloe 7 1-2 h
1 13
W. H. Herendeen 2 h
30
T. Wixtead 2 h
30
S. P. Rawson 20 h
4 00
2 horses 16 h
3 60
1 horse 4 h 20
V. T. Esten 13 h
1 95
Chas. Walls 4 h
40
E. St. Andrew 5 1-2 h
83
Henry Walker 3 h 45
Oxen 3 h 60
Peter Jarvis 20 h
3 00
C. S. Caswell 7 h
1 05
2 horses 1 h
30
A. Andrews 4 h
60
1 draft chain. 2 00
1 stone sledge,
1 00
2 horses 10 h
2 25
2 steel bars, 3 00
H. Peters 10 h
1 50
G. Cuccaw 13 h
1 95
P. Venered 5 h
75
3 forks,
2 00
J. Vincer 5 h
75
S stone picks.
3 00
L. Knole 5 h
75
2 iron rakes,
50
F. Casey 5 h
75
23 drills,
10 00
R. Joggerson 5 h
75
4 old spades,
1 00
J. McGrath 5 h
75
6 new spades,
4 00
W. Nichols 2 h
30
1 bush scythes,
1 00
$174 80
Cost of Snow Roads for Mar. 1894 which came under the supervis- ion of W. H. Wellman.
S. P. Rawson 9 h $1 57
Frank Kenyon 5 h 75
Peter Jarvis 20 h 3 00
C. S. Caswell 7 h 1 05
2 horses 2 h 45
.1. Anderson 2 h
30
Alfred Anderson 4 h
60
G. H. Dudley 16 1-2 h 2 47
W. H. Wellman 44 h 1 horse 6 h 75
John Lagroph 25 h 3 75
W. Nichols 19 h
2 83
John Paine 10 h 1 50
M. McCormick 4 h 55
T. Lafloe 7 1-2 h 1 13
W. Herendeen, 2 h
30
$29 80
Account of Machines and Road Tools on hand Mar. 1, 1895.
2 road machines points
and cutters.
$250 00
3 bush scrapers. 6 00
2 side scrapers, 1 00
James Peters 15 h
2 62
U. Petrts 20 h
3 00
5 snow shovels, 2 00
13 picks,
3 00
1 post spade.
50
$290 90
Allen Keith 5 h
8 80
Ambros Nowell 15 h Bov 5 h 50
.
50
Prices paid for labor and teams, as follows :
Superintendent, per hour,
Assistants, per hour,
Man, per hour,
20 cts. 171% 15
Boys, per hour,
71/2 to 121/2
Horse and cart, per hour,
121/2
Two horses and cart, per hour,
22%
Two horses on scraper, per hour,
30
Driver on scraper, per hour,
17 1/2
Oxen on scraper, per hour,
20
Superintendent's horse, per hour.
05
Respectfully,
S. P. RAWSON, Superintendent.
Annual Reports
OF THE
Free Public Library.
Report of Treasurer.
1894.
DR.
Mar. 1. To cash in town treasury,
$218 02
June 4. To rec'd fines and catalogues, 1 04
Sep. 1.
fines and catalogues,
94
Dec.
library benefit,
76 80
66
fines and catalogues,
: 25
1895.
Jan. 7.
dog fund, 273 41
$574 67
1894.
CR.
June 4. By paid Mrs. A. L. Buffington,
$12 50
Sept. 1. Mrs. A. L. Buffington, 12 50 six months rent, 50 00
1895.
Mrs. A. L. Buffington, 12 50
for getting in wood,
25
three months rent,
25 00
Mar. 1. rebinding 94 books, (@) 20c.
18 80
52 @ 25c.
13 00
Mrs. A. L. Buffington, 12 50
.
Jan.
fines and catalogues,
2 21
52
Mar. 1. By paid three months rent,
$25 00
182 05
Cash in town treasury,
392 62
$574 67
The by-laws require the closing of the library the three weeks previous to town meeting. The trustees feel that the withdraw- ing of books from the readers at this time of the year is wrong. and have unanimously agreed to change the time of the annual closing to the first three weeks in August, a time when there is less demand for books. The trustees point with satisfaction to the continued increase in the circulation of books. It has been the custom of the trustees to make an addition of new books each spring ; a list is now being made and some two hundred volumes are to be added at once.
C. J. BATCHELLER, Treasurer.
Report of Librarian,
Whole number of books in library.
2,567
Number issued during the year,
8,729
Average number issued per week.
185+
Amount of fines for the year.
$8 26
Balance of fines March 1, 1894.
17 26- $25 52
Amount collected for fines.
5 51
Received from sale of catalogues. 90
Paid to treasurer,
$6 44
Amount collected for fines.
5 54
Balance due March 1, 1895.
$19 98
MRS. A. L. BUFFINGTON, Librarian.
Town Clerk's Report.
Births.
Whole number,
46
males
23
females.
23
46
foreign parentage,
30
mixed parentage,
2
American parentage,
14-
46
Marriages.
Whole number,
18
Foreign birth,
15
American birth.
21
36
Resident in Douglas.
21
Resident elsewhere.
15
36
First marriage,
29
Second marriage.
7-
36
Deaths.
Whole number,
43
males,
24
females,
19
43
foreign birth,
11
American birth,
32-
43
·
.
.
54
Number under 1 year,
13
between 1 and 5, 10,
3
5
2
10
20,
3
20
30,
2
30
40
1
40
50,
3
50
60,
2
60
70,
70
80,
80
90,
3
-43
Dogs Registered,
Whole number,
154
Males,
144 @ $2.00
$288 00
Females,
10 @ 5 00
50 00 $338 00
W. H. MEEK, Town Clerk.
.
A
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
OF THE
TOWN OF DOUGLAS,
FOR YEAR ENDING
MARCH 1, 1895.
PRESS OF CHARLES J. BATCHELLER, EAST DOUGLAS, MASS. 1895.
School Committee.
E. STERLING,
Term expires March 1, 1895
W. W. BROWN, 1895
C. J. BATCHELLER, 1895
FRANCISCO BOWEN,
W. H. EMERSON. 1896
1896
A. F. BROWN, 1896
STILLMAN RUSSELL. 1897
H. O. LAMSON, 1897
W. E. CARPENTER,
1897
The above Committee met March 1894, and organized as follows :
President,-S. RUSSELL. Clerk,-FRANCISCO BOWEN.
W. W. BROWN,
Superintending Committee, S. RUSSELL, FRANCISCO BOWEN.
Purchasing Agent,-S. RUSSELL. Truant Officer,-JAMES DERMODY.
Teachers for 1894-5.
F. J. LIBBY,
ADA E. McMAHON,
LILLIAN G. LINCOLN,
LOUISE CHURCH,
BESSIE M. BATCHELER,
EUNA L. BUFFINGTON,
MAUD BARRY,
ALICE PENNELL,
ETTA H. JOHNSON. K. LENA WIXTEAD, EDITH M. ABBOTT, EUNICE E. HADLEY, LAURA E. BROWN, VIOLA BRIDGES,
LENA M. ALDRICH, MARY G. LAWLOR.
Statistics.
Whole number of children in town May 1, 1894, between the ages of 5 and 15 years, 40.1
Whole number attending school during the year, of all ages, 398
Average daily attendance in all the schools,
283
Whole number attending school under 5 yrs. of age,
1
over 15 yrs. between the ages of 8 and 14 years, 364
33
Aggregate of months all the schools have been kept during the year, 11534
Average number of months the schools have been kept during the year,
810
Number of female teachers, male teachers, 1
15
Average wages paid female teachers per month, $33.89
male teachers, 90.00
·
Appropriations.
Appropriations for public schools by the town, March 1, 1894, $4,400 00
Repairs of school houses, 400 00
School books and supplies, 500 00
Superintending committee, 100 00
State school fund, 245 09
'Town school fund, (interest),
56 48
Received for school books,
2 35
New books on hand, 237 30
Balance unexpended last year,
1,464 27- $7.405 19
Expense of Public Schools.
Teachers' wages for the year, $4,450 50
Rent of High School Room, 58 33
Permanent repairs,
220 31
Truant Officer, 10 00
Care of rooms,
172 60
Purchasing agent,
25 00
School books and supplies,
516 54
Fuel, 305 00
Transporting pupils, 60 20
Paid Superintending Committee, 100 00
Taking school census, 7 00
Rent of Central Hall for graduating exercises, 10 00 Printing, 9 55
Seats and slate blackboards in New High School Room, 175 00
Building new shed for High School, 139 38
Furniture for High School Building, 72 63
Balance unexpended, 1,073 45- $7,405 19
5
HIGH SCHOOL.
Teacher,-F. J. LIBBY.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
13
13
11
Wages per week,
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50
Whole number of scholars,
15
34
33
Average attendence,
14
31
29
GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
Teacher, -LILLIAN G. LINCOLN.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
12
11
13
Wages per week,
$12
$12
$12
Whole number of scholars,
37
35
35
Average attendance,
31
32
31
SCHOOL NO. 1.
Teacher,-ADA E. MCMAHON.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
12
13
11
Wages per week,
$9
$9
$9
Whole number of scholars,
18
18
17
Average attendance,
15
14
14
SCHOOL NO. 2.
Teachers,
LOUISE CHURCH, Spring. VIOLA BRIDGES, Fall and Winter.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
12
12
12
W'ages per week,
$7
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars,
12
15
13
Average attendance,
10
12
10
.
6
SCHOOL NO. 3.
Teacher,-LAURA E. BROWN.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
12
13
11
Wages per week,
$8
$8
$8
Whole number of scholars,
25
30
27
Average attendance,
16
22
22
SCHOOL NO. 4.
Teachers, S LENA M. ALDRICH, Spring, MAUD A. BARRY, Fall and Winter.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
12
13
11
Wages per week,
$8
$8
$8
Whole number of scholars,
12
11
11
Average attendance,
10
9
9
SCHOOL NO. 5.
Teachers, S MAUD A. BARRY, Spring, MARY G. LAWLOR, Fall and Winter.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
11
13
6
Wages per week,
$7
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars,
7
18
4
Average attendance,
5
=
4
SCHOOL NO. 7.
Teachers, BESSIE M. BATCHELLER, Spring. ALICE PENNELL, Fall and Winter.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
12
13
11
Wages per week,
$7
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars,
18
18
17
Average attendance,
12
10
10
7
SCHOOL NO. 8 .- Closed.
SCHOOL NO. 9.
PRIMARY.
Teacher,-EDITH M. ABBOTT.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
12
13
11
Wages per week,
$8
$8
$8
Whole number of scholars,
43
41
39
Average attendance,
36
34
28
INTERMEDIATE.
Teacher,-EUNICE HADLEY.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
12
13
11
Wages per week.
$10
$10
$10
Whole number of scholars.
42
46
45
Average attendance,
35
40
35
SCHOOL NO. 10.
PRIMARY.
Teacher,-ETTA JOHNSON.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
12
13
11
W'ages per week,
$8
$8
$8
Whole number of scholars,
43
24
25
Average attendance.
35
20
1G
INTERMEDIATE. Teacher,-EUNA L. BUFFINGTON.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
12
13
11
Wages per week,
$9
$9
$9
Whole number of scholars,
27
34
31
Average attendance,
18
27
24
8
SCHOOL NO. 11, (Engine Hall.)
Teacher,-K. LENA WIXTEAD.
SPRING.
FALL.
WINTER.
Length of school in weeks,
12
13
11
Wages per week,
$8
$9
$9
Whole number of scholars,
55
60
39
Average attendance,
39
44
24
.
4
1
REPORT
OF THE
Superintending Committee,
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1895.
TO THE CITIZENS OF THE TOWN OF DOUGLAS:
In compliance with the provisions of the Statutes relating to the report of the condition and prosperity of our school, we respectfully submit the following :
The expenses incurred during the year have been necessarily larger than they were the previous year, which is due to the fit- ting up of two new rooms for the High School. The condition of the walls of the school-room at Wallum Pond was such, that it was necessary to remove the old plastering and apply a new coat. An exchange of the old Franklin Readers, for the New Franklin, was made at the beginning of the fall term. These readers are specially adapted to our outlined method of teach- ing this subject, which fully justifies the small outlay, when we consider the advantages gained.
CONDITION OF OUR SCHOOLS.
Our schools during the past year have improved very materi- ally in some of the branches. Several experienced teachers have resigned during the past three years, and their places have been filled largely by inexperienced teachers. They were
10
bright young ladies from our High School, who have done, with very few exceptions indeed, all they could to make themselves efficient, to master the details of their school work. But, of course, they have lacked in experience; consequently their work has not been managed so efficiently in some respects as it was under their predecessors. These young teachers are earn- est, enegetic workers and will no doubt justify the confidence that has been reposed in them. We would earnestly recom- mend them to improve the available opportunity of attending a Summer School or some Training School during the summer vacation to become better equipped for school work.
The cares of business engross us so much as the years pass by, that we are apt to overlook the changes that take place each year. But, in looking back twenty years. we can see that our schools have changed very much and for the better. Under the old district system, when the educational interests of the town were divided, we had no graded course of study, no uni- form system of teaching to produce the same results.
Each teacher was expected to teach in the three different grades. Arithmetic was taught mechanically by memorized rules. English Grammer was confined to a very little analysis and parsing, and very many definitions beyond the comprehen- sion of the child. Geography consisted in committing uninter- esting facts in the language of the text book. Reading was mechanical from dreary old school readers, giving but little attention to the subject matter. Writing once each day in the "Copy Book," with little instruction as to the form of the letters, or of the principles upon which they were based. Spelling was confined to long lists of words from the speller, many of them beyond the comprehension of the pupil. This comprised about the whole of the curriculum. The child had but few rights. Very little being done to make his school life pleasant or inter- esting. The ability to maintain order was the prime requisite in a teacher. The power to arouse enthusiasm, and skill to make school work interesting was a secondary consideration.
No criticism whatever is intended for the teachers, or school officers of those days. They were earnest and faithful, but it was impossible under the old system, or rather a lack of system and necessary appliance, to maintain a uniformly high standard of scholarship. The old methods of teaching that are confined to the language of the text books are no longer considered suffi- cient. The special aim of the teacher should be to bring into
11
action every faculty of the child's mind. The power to think, to reason, is of far greater value than a mere knowledge of facts.
It has been asked by those accustomed to the old time meth- ods. "Are our schools any better now than they were twenty years ago?" "Are the children any better for the new branch- es that have been gradually added to the course of study?" "Is it possible for the children to assimilate so much?" "Can we crowd the course so full without danger?" These are pert- inent questions that should be carefully considered by thinking men and women, for upon their answer depends the stability of our public schools. They have been carefully considered by the most able educators, through educational journals, at teacher's institutes, and teachers' meetings, and the conclusion is that our children are doing better work; they are capable of doing still more and better work than they are now doing; that the new branches and new methods have stimulated the reasoning faculties, developed mental strength and the power of observation, without any corresponding injury to their physical well being. Of course, it necessitates the employment of teachers of refined culture and broad training, in thorough sympathy with the child nature. We should not be satisfied with work that is not excellent if we wish to subserve the inter- est of our schools and through them those of our country.
COURSE OF STUDY AND METHODS.
-
The course. of study has been followed as far as practical with some changes in methods, which has given very satisfac- tory results.
ARITHMETIC.
In the primary grades the work is mostly oral, in connection with objects. This enables the child to see at once how figures apply to things, and he learns to apply them in a practical business manner. depending largely upon his own originality. The fractional parts being taught at the same time in the same manner. In the higher grades the problems should be practi- cal, presented in a regular business form, requiring the pupil to rely upon his own reasoning to obtain results. The special aim being to develop the child's faculties of reason, originality and self reliance.
1
12
READING.
Children are taught to read by the word method, objectively. Phonics have been systematically taught to assist the child in pronouncing new words, and to cultivate a clear enunciation. Silent reading, which forms the basis for subsequent school work, has received special attention. Unless a pupil can grasp the thought and picture the idea in his mind, his progress in History, Geography, and other studies will not be satisfactory. The power to conceive, compare and imagine, and the power to retain and recall can be easily developed by giving special at- tention in this direction. To cultivate the faculty of expressing ideas clearly, a thorough drill in oral reading, with distinct enunciation, right emphasis, and correct expression, is essential.
GEOGRAPHY.
The advantage of treating this subject topically, when com- pared with the old "Patch-work Method." deserves the highest commendation. By following a uniform arrangement of topics. is found a very great economy of time and effort. and an elim- ination of hesitaney on the part of the pupil which arises from not knowing "what comes next." The advancement made in this study deserves special mention, although we believe that still better results could be obtained if all the schools were required to follow a uniform course of topical outlines system- atically arranged. The lessons preliminary to the proscriptive portions are illustrated objectively; the mathematical lessons by the globe and geometrical forms.
For the physical lessons nature affords the best means and an occasional field day should be considered indispensible. For indoor lessons the moulding-table and blackboard are used to advantage. The political lessons furnish available means for ethical instruction. They suggest the dignity of being usefully employed: the desirability of forming right habits in early life; the effects of order on home. school and country: what effects the different faiths have had on their followers. In presenting the subject to pupils of the higher grades a broader scope of the topies is employed to direct their atten- tion to the special sciences to which each topic belongs. Relief and production maps we believe furnish the best means of fixing this subject in the mirror of the mind.
13
HISTORY AND PHYSIOLOGY.
The efficiency in teaching these studies, like geography, depends very much upon the manner in which the subjects are presented. With the aid of a systematical order of topical outlines, we could certainly expect better work.
PHYSICAL CULTURE.
The Swedish System of Gymnastics that has been added to our school exercises has done very much in the physical devel- opment of our children. It is an admirable means of straight- ening and strengthening our boys and girls. The improvement in the movement of the children, and in the general disipline of the schools has been marked.
SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS.
The most important event of the year was the completion of two very pleasant and commodious rooms in the Town Hall Building, for the High School. With the exception of a labor- atory furnished with the necessary apparatus and appliance, which is a prime requisite in the efficiency of work in this school, the school is well equipped. We cannot afford to neg- lect this important matter and will therefore recommend an appropriation for that purpose.
We wish to call attention to the condition of school room No. 3. The room is too small and narrow with no available means of securing sufficient light and proper ventilation. The desks are too small and uncomfortable, and the sanitary condit- ions are objectionable. These conditions are all objectionable to the physical well being of the children; therefore we would recommend the town to provide a suitable room for this school.
CONCLUSION.
We wish to testify to the fidelity of our corps of teachers and acknowledge their hearty co-operation with us in our earnest efforts to bring our schools up to a higher degree of efficiency. We also extend our sympathy and thanks to our Truant Officer, Mr. James Dermody for his prompt action in assisting us in suppressing truancy.
W. W. BROWN, Superintending FRANCISCO.BOWEN, School Committee.
STILLMAN RUSSELL,
١
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.