USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Douglas > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Douglas, for the year ending 1898 > Part 3
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55 00
500 00
Harriet C. Caswell,
10 00
200 00
Mary M. Gough,
22 33
100 00
E. M. Southwick,
G. M. Bridge,
47 50
500 00
Emma J. Brown,
4 12
150 00
Albert Whipple,
3 10
200 00
Eva Maxim,
1 40
100 00
Peter Jarvis,
13 10
150 00
Mary A. Reynolds,
13 75
250 00
James Wixtead,
7 75
100 00
Fred R. Caswell,
11 00
200 00
Frank E. Wellman,
10 17
200 00
Willard Whipple,
14 40
450 00
Mary A. Reynolds,
2 30
100 00
Preserved Alger,
2 06
100 00
Oscar C. Rawson,
Louisa M. Dorr,
1
200 00
E. T. Thayer,
22 67
400 00
B. F. Aldrich,
26 66
500 00
L. S. Whipple,
10 17
500 00
Frank Duval,
8 34
125 00
Maria C. Wood,
4 75
100 00
Alexander Ritchie,
4 33
200 00
David and Amos Lunn,
10 17
500 00
Emma Hannant,
3 63
200 00
Frank La Francis,
1 50
150 00
James P. Millard,
24 00
400 00
$1,228 28 $17,030 00
Recapitulation. Notes due the town March 1, 1898, $17,030 00
48
Accrued interest,
Cash in hands of Agent,
$1,228 28 5,296 78
$23,555 06
Value of devise March 1, 1897,
23,119 30
Net gain for the year, $435 76
The net earnings of the devise has been, $756 09
The loss on Aaron Aldrich mortgage was, 320 33
$435 76
All of which is respectfully submitted,
AARON F. JONES, Agent.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF
The Free Public Library.
Report of Treasurer.
1897.
Mar. 1. To cash in town treasury,
DR $251 04
June 2.
rec'd fines and catalogues, 2 31
96
Dec. 3.
fines and catalogues,
85
1898.
Feb. 28.
fines and catalogues,
3 53
dog fund,
301 26
library entertainment,
70 41
$630 36
1897.
CR.
June 2. By paid Alice Luther, librarian,
$20 00
Aug. 3.
three month's rent,
25 00
two books,
1 68
Sept. 2.
Alice Luther,
20 00
Nov. 11.
for books,
148 76
freight and express,
1 33
for books,
35 29
freight,
76
for books,
2 11
three month's rent,
25 00
Dec. 3.
Alice Luther, 20 00
66 numb'g and cataloging, 2 30
wood and matches, 35
Sept. 7.
fines and catalogues,
50
Feb. 28. By paid six month's rent, $50 00 300 reprints of Addendas Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 24 50
300 Addendas No. 14, 6 00
covers and binding full catalogues, 1 00
$384 08
Cash in town treasury,
246 28
$630 36
C. J. BATCHELLER, Treasurer.
Report of Librarian.
Whole number of books in library,
3,394
Number added during the year,
372
Number issued during the year,
9.511
Average number issued on Wednesday,
109
Average number issued on Saturday evening,
88
Amount of fines for the year. $ 6 26
Balance of fines March 1, 1897.
22 51- $28 77
Amount collected for fines,
5 75
Catalogues sold,
1 90
Paid to treasurer,
$7 65
Amount collected for fines,
5 75
Balance due March 1, 1898.
$23 02
ALICE E. LUTHER, Librarian.
Town Clerk's Report.
Births.
Whole number,
48
males,
24
females,
24-
48
foreign parentage,
27
mixed parentage,
9
American parentage,
12
48
Marriage.
Whole number,
37
Foreign birth,
31
American birth,
43
74
Residents in Douglas,
35
Residents elsewhere,
39
74
First marriage,
59
Second marriage,
14
Fifth marriage,
1-
74
Deaths.
Whole number,
59
males,
30
females,
29-
59
foreign birth,
10
American birth,
49
59
52
Number under 1 year,
17
between 1 and
5,
7
5
10,
0
10
20,
1
20
30,
4
30
40,
6
40
50,
4
50
60
1
60
70,
9
70
80,
5
80
90,
5-
59
Dogs Registered.
Whole number,
169
Males,
161 @ $2.00
$322 00
Females,
6 @ 5.00
30 00
Females, spayed, 2 @ 2.00
4 00- $356 00
C. H. BACHELER, Town Clerk.
BY = LAWS
OF THE
Town of Douglas.
ARTICLE I.
TOWN MEETINGS.
SECTION I. Every warrant for a Town Meeting shall be served by posting attested copies of the same at least ten days before the time of the meeting to be held under it in three public places, as follows : At the Post-Offices at East Douglas and Douglas Centre, and one on the schoolhouse in South Douglas.
SECTION 2. In town meetings, all persons present shall, on request of the moderator, as far as practicable, be seated.
SECTION 3. No motion shall be entertained at an ad- journed meeting, for the reconsideration of any vote passed
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at the original meeting, or at any adjournment of the same, unless notice of such motion shall have been given at such original meeting, or at any adjournment of the same; but this by-law may be suspended in any particular case by a vote of three-fourths of those present and voting.
SECTION 4. When any one addresses the Chair, he shall rise and stand uncovered.
SECTION 5. The duties of the presiding officer not specially provided for by law, shall be determined by rules of parliamentary law contained in Cushing's " Manual," so far as they are adapted to town meetings.
ARTICLE II.
SECTION I. The annual Town Meeting shall be held on the third Monday of March in each year.
SECTION 2. The fiscal year, so far as the accounts of the several town officers are concerned, shall close on the first day of March; and all accounts shall be made up to that time.
SECTION 3. SELECTMEN The Selectmen shall have the general care and custody, direction and management of all the property of the Town, in all matters not otherwise provided for. They shall count the cash belonging to the Town, in the Town Treasurer's possession, and examine and fully verify his bank deposit standing in the name of the Town, on the first day of March each year, and certify to the Town, in their annual report, that they have done so ; and if everything connected therewith is found correct, they shall declare that the amounts agree with
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the Treasurer's report regarding the same, or otherwise, as they shall find it.
They shall, in ample time before policies expire, see to the renewal of all fire insurance on the Town's prop- erties, and shall keep such property properly insured.
They shall print the by-laws of the town in full in each annual report of the Town Officers.
SECTION 4. TREASURER. The Town Treasurer shall not use any money or funds belonging to the Town, in the pay- ment of any of his own or any other person's private bills or obligations, nor for any other purpose, except for pay- ing Town notes, interest on Town notes, and the State and County taxes, except on orders signed by at least a majority of the Board of Selectmen.
He shall give no Town notes, except the same are ap- proved and countersigned by at least a majority of the Board of Selectmen. He shall prepare and deliver to the Board of Selectmen, on or before the fifth day of March of each year, a full statement, in detail, of all receipts and payments of money by him as Town Treasurer, showing the balance of his account on the first day of March, with a statement of the property of the Town in his possession, and all notes or other obligations given by him or by his predecessors, and outstanding against the Town on the first day of March of each year, stating to whom each note is payable, when due, and the rate of interest said note or other obligation is drawing. He shall keep all Town notes that have been paid and cancelled, and all cancelled bank checks, and all orders drawn by the Selectmen, and other valuable documents or papers belonging to the Town, or relating to the affairs of the Town in his depart- ment, which shall be always subject to the inspection and
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examination of the Selectmen ; he shall give his bond within five days after his election, to the Town Clerk for his custody and safe-keeping, which shall first be subject to the approval of the Selectmen endorsed thereon in writing.
SECTION 5. Money belonging to the Town, if deposited by the Treasurer or the agent, on the devise of Moses Wallis, shall be deposited in some bank or Trust Com- pany, allowing interest on daily balances, and the interest on said deposits credited to the town.
ARTICLE III.
CONCERNING TRUANT CHILDREN AND ABSENTEES FROM SCHOOL.
SECTION I. It shall be the duty of the School Com- mittee of the Town to appoint two suitable persons to be designated as "Truant Officers," who shall, under the direction of said Committee, inquire into all cases coming under this article, and shall alone be authorized, in case of violation thereof, to make complaint and carry into exe- cution the judgment thereof.
Truant officers so appointed shall at all times be subject to removal by the School Committee, and their compen- sation shall be fixed by the School Committee, and shall be paid from the Treasury of the Town.
SECTION 2. The Worcester County Truant School at West Boylston, Mass., is hereby assigned as the place of confinement, discipline and instruction of persons con- victed under the provisions of this article.
4
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57
SECTION 3. Any child between the ages of seven and fifteen years, who is an habitual truant, or is found wan- dering about the streets or public places of the town, hav- ing no lawful occupation or business, not attending school, or growing up in ignorance, shall, upon conviction thereof, be committed to the Worcester County Truant School at West Boylston, Mass., for such term as the Justice or Court having jurisdiction may determine.
SECTION 4. Truant officers appointed as herein pro- vided, are authorized and empowered to take into custody any such child, and place him in the school to which he shall have been assigned by the School Committee of the town.
ARTICLE IV.
PENAL LAW.
SECTION I. No person shall play at any game of ball or football, or throw ball, or stones, or snow-balls in the streets within the limits of the East Douglas fire district.
Nor shall any person deposit within any street or public places any ashes, cinders, fish or any waste-matter what- ever, except by the consent of the Selectmen ; nor set or plant any trees within the limits of the streets or high- ways of said town, without the consent of the person having the care of said streets and highways.
SECTION 2. No person shall course, coast or slide upon the streets or sidewalks of the town upon any hand-sled, board, jumper, or otherwise, except at such places and under such restrictions and regulations as the Selectmen shall designate and require.
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SECTION 3. No person shall wheel, drive, or draw any coach, cart, hand-barrow, sled, bicycle, or other carriage of burden or pleasure (except children's hand-carriages, drawn by hand), or drive, or permit any horse, neat cattle, or sheep under his care to go or stand upon any sidewalk, or stand upon any street-crossing, so as to obstruct public travel.
SECTION 4. No person shall behave himself in a rude and disorderly manner, or use any indecent, profane or insulting language in any street, highway, or other public place in the town, or near any dwelling-house or other building not his own, therein, or be or remain upon any sidewalk or fence contiguous to a highway or street, or upon any doorstep, portico, or other projection from any such house or other building, nor in any church, meeting- house, railroad depot or platform, public hall or entrance thereto, to the annoyance or disturbance of any person ; nor shall any person, at, near, or upon any such dwelling- house, building, sidewalk, doorstep, portico, fence or pro- jection, or any such meeting-house, public hall, railroad depot or platform, or entrance thereto, commit any nui- sance, or by any noise, gesture, or other means, wantonly or designedly drive or frighten any horse in any street, highway or public place in the town.
SECTION 5. PENALTIES. Any person violating any of the provisions of the preceding by-laws, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding ten dollars ($10) for each offence, to be forfeited and paid to the Town, unless when differ- ent provision is made by the laws of the Commonwealth.
SECTION 6. These By-Laws may be altered, amended or annulled at any meeting called for the purpose, by a vote of two-thirds of those present and voting thereon.
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SECTION 7. If these by-laws be adopted by the town and approved by the Court, all by-laws heretofore adopted by the Town and now in force, inconsistent with these by- laws, shall become null and void.
These by-laws shall be in force when approved by the Court.
A. F. BROWN, - Committee.
WILLIAM ABBOTT,
JOHN M. RAWSON,
DOUGLAS, MASS.
Adopted April 26, 1897. C. H. BACHELER, Town Clerk of Douglas.
By a vote at the same time and place Mr. William Abbott was authorized to present these by-laws to the Court for approval.
C. H. BACHELER, Town Clerk.
7
Annual Reports
OF THE
School Committee,
OF THE
Town of Douglas,
FOR YEAR ENDING
March 1, 1898.
PRESS OF CHARLES J. BATCHELLER, EAST DOUGLAS, MASS. 1898.
School Committee.
W. W. Brown,
Term expires March 1, 1898 1898
C. J. Batcheller,
M. M. Luther, 1898
S. F. Root, 1899
V. T. Esten,
1899
W. H. Emerson,
1899
H. O. Lamson,
1900
E. E. Young,
1900
Stillman Russell, (deceased)
1900
The above Committee met March 1897, and organized as follows :
President, -S. Russell.
Clerk, W. H. Emerson.
S. Russell,
Superintending Committee, M. M. Luther, W. W. Brown,
Purchasing Agent,-S. Russell,
Truant Officer,-F. F. Young.
Teachers, 1897=8.
Ada E. McMahon, Lillian G. Lincoln,
Bessie M. Batcheller.
Euna L. Buffington,
Maud Barry,
Geo. H. Stoddard,
Martha I .. Root,
Bertha C. Stockwell, Etta H. Johnson, K. Lena Wixtead, Edith M. Abbott, Alice Pennell,
Mary G. Lawlor, Laura E. Brown,
Harry L. Stockwell.
Statistics.
Whole number of children in town May 1, 1897,
between the ages of 5 and 15 years, 425
Whole number attending school during the year, of all ages, 451
Average membership,
328
Per centage of attendance to membership.
87
Average daily attendance in all the schools,
285
Whole number attending school under 5 yrs. of age,
5
over 15 yrs. 31
between the ages of 8 and 14 years, 259
Aggregate of months all the schools have been kept during the year,
121
Average number of months the schools have been kept during the year,
8.9
14
13
Number of female teachers, male teachers,
2
Average wages paid female teachers,
$59 00
male teachers, 33 67
Appropriations.
Appropriations for public schools by the town, March 1, 1897, $5,000 00
Repairs of school houses, 200 00
School books and supplies, 300 00
Transporting pupils, 75 00
State school fund, 341 71
Town school fund, (interest),
56 48
Received for school books, 4 28
New books on hand, 168 87
Received for tuition from out of town pupils, 15 00
Balance unexpended last year, 237 06-$6,388 40
Expense of Public Schools.
Teachers' wages for the year,
$4,558 00
Permanent repairs,
39 05
Truant officer, 15 00
Care of rooms,
162 60
Purchasing agent,
25 00
School books and supplies,
408 80
Fuel,
284 43
Transporting pupils,
61 25
Paid superintending committee,
100 00*
Taking school census,
7 00
Rent of central hall, graduating exercises,
10 00
Paid C. J. Batcheller, printing for gradu- ating exercises, 11 75
Balance unexpended,
705 52- 6,388 40
:
5
HIGH SCHOOL.
Teacher,-Geo. H. Stoddard.
Spring.
Fall. 11
Winter. 14
Length of school in weeks,
13
Wages per week,
$22.50
$22.50
$22.50
Whole number of scholars,
24
32
31
Average attendance,
22
30
29
GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
Teacher,-Lillian G. Lincoln.
Spring.
Fall.
Winter.
Length of school in weeks,
12
11
12
Wages per week,
$12
$12
$12
Whole number of scholars,
31
35
32
Average attendance,
29
33
29
SCHOOL NO. 1.
Teachers, Martha L. Root, Spring, Maud Barry, Fall and Winter.
Spring.
Fall.
Winter.
Length of school in weeks.
12
11
12
Wages per week,
$9
$9
$9
Whole number of scholars.
14
16
16
Average attendance.
12
15
15
SCHOOL NO. 2.
Teacher,-Jennie Lawlor.
Spring.
Fall.
Winter.
Length of school in weeks,
12
11
12
Wages per week,
$7
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars,
11
14
17
Average attendance,
10
13
14
6
SCHOOL NO. 3.
Teacher,-Laura E. Brown.
Spring.
Fall.
Winter.
Length of school in weeks,
12
11
12
Wages per week,
$8
$8
$8
Whole number of scholars,
29
28
26
Average attendance,
27
23
21
SCHOOL NO. 4.
Teacher,-Bessie M. Batcheller.
Spring.
Fall.
Winter.
Length of school in weeks,
12
11
12
Wages per week,
$8
$8
$8
Whole number of scholars,
7
14
11
Average attendance,
6
13
9
SCHOOL NO. 5.
Teacher,-Harry L. Stockwell.
Spring.
Fall.
Winter.
Length of school in weeks,
12
9
3
Wages per week,
$7
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars,
10
7
6
Average attendance,
8
6
5
SCHOOL NO. 7.
Teacher,-Bertha C. Stockwell.
Spring.
Fall.
Winter.
Length of school in weeks,
12
11
12
Wages per week,
$7
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars,
19
24
21
Average attendance,
17
22
18
7
SCHOOL NO. 8.
Teacher,-Alice Pennell.
Spring.
Fall.
Winter.
Length of school in weeks,
12
11
12
Wages per week,
$7
$7
$7
Whole number of scholars,
13
13
12
Average attendance,
11
10
10
SCHOOL NO. 9.
PRIMARY. Teacher,-Edith M. Abbott.
Spring.
Fall.
Winter.
Length of school in weeks,
12
11
12
Wages per week,
$8
$8
$8
Whole number of scholars,
25
27
26
Average attendance,
23
24
23
INTERMEDIATE.
Teacher,-Ada E. McMahon.
Spring.
Fall.
Winter.
Length of school in weeks,
12
11
12
Wages per week,
$9
$9
$9
Whole number of scholars,
45
36
35
Average attendance,
42
32
31
SCHOOL NO. 10.
PRIMARY.
Teacher,-Etta Johnson.
Spring
Fall.
Winter.
Length of school in weeks,
12
11
12
Wages per week,
$8
$8
$8
Whole number of scholars,
28
30
27
Average attendance,
21
23
22
8
INTERMEDIATE.
Teacher,-Euna L. Buffington.
Spring.
Fall.
Winter.
Length of school in weeks,
12
11
12
Wages per week,
$9
$9
$9
Whole number of scholars,
30
28
30
Average attendance,
28
27
28
SCHOOL NO. 11, (Engine Hall.)
Teacher,-K. Lena Wixtead.
Spring.
Fall.
Winter.
Length of school in weeks,
12
11
12
Wages per week,
$9
$9
$9
Whole number of scholars,
38
34
29
Average attendance,
34
25
22
TO THE SUPERINTENDING SCHOOL COMMITTEE :
In accordance with the custom of many towns of this state and at your request, the report of the Douglas High School for the year 1897-8 is respectfully submitted.
At the beginning of the year, there were twenty-four pupils registered. A class of three was graduated in June. In the fall twelve were admitted from the grammar school and two whose parents had moved here from other towns. The whole number enrolled during the year was, therefore, thirty-seven, of which seventeen were boys and twenty girls, Three of the boys and one girl attended school only a part of the year By a com- parison with preceeding town reports, it will be seen that both the number enrolled and the average attendance are increasing.
The objects of school training are to make good citizens, to develope all of the mental, moral, and physical powers, and to store up in the mind facts that may be of use in after life. The only study of the course that bears directly on the first is Civil Government. Further instruction with this important aim in view must be given incidentally in connection with other studies. One of the best means to this end is found in the method of discipline. The aim is to secure self-government. Several
9
methods or rather modifications of the same method have been tried with satisfactory results as far as two-thirds of the school are concerned. The remaining third are sadly deficient in the power of self control or self respect or both, but, even in their case, some gain has been made.
The last two objects of education are promoted by each study just in proportion to the regularity and thoroughness with which the pupil performs his daily tasks. It is very difficult to make pupils realize what is for their own best interest. Too many want to study only what is easy, pleasant, or the limited number of studies that they think they will use in after life and neglect all others in the course, forgetting that the greater the difficulties overcome the greater the gain in mental power and ability to overcome new difficulties in whatever form they may appear.
During the past year an attempt has been made to overcome a tendency to idleness and carelessness- While there has not been as much accomplished as was hoped, each of the classes has done more work and a considerable part of the school have done it more thoroughly than last year. All are now ready to make still greater improvement in the year to come. A careful record of the work done by each pupil has been kept. Those who do not attain the low average rank of sixty five per cent. in each study will be required to take the work over again next year. Next Fall, this record will begin to have a beneficial effect on the thoroughness of the work.
I would recommend, that certain text books that have been in use for many years be exchanged for more modern ones ; that the course of study be revised in accordance with the recom- mendations of the State Board of Education ; that a small sum be expended each year for chemicals and apparatus for Physics and Chemistry. The value derived from the study of these two sciences is very greatly increased by a comparatively slight outlay.
GEO. H. STODDARD, Principal.
.
Report of the Superintending Committee.
TO THE CITIZENS OF THE TOWN OF DOUGLAS :
The Superintending Committee hereby submit their annual report upon the condition of the public schools for the year ending March 1, 1898.
The schools have as a whole made good progress and the results have been quite satisfactory. Each year marks some important improvement in methods of instruction and our aim has been to make the instruction imparted more and more practical each year.
ACCOMMODATION.
At the commencement of the spring term the over-crowded condition in the intermediate grade made it necessary to hire the room formerly occupied by the high school to accommodate the large number of pupils in attendance. The pupils of the second year were taken from primary school No. 9 and placed in Nos. 3 and 10. The fourth year class was taken from inter- mediate school No. 9 and making an intermediate and a sub-intermediate of two years work each. This change relieved the congestion in the intermediate grade and better progress has resulted. The over-crowded condition of the grammar school with a three year's course can be relieved by regrading when the new school building now in process of construction is completed.
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VERTICAL WRITING.
The most noticeable change of the year has been the intro- duction of vertical copies in penmanship in all our schools. This change from slant forms made, early in the spring term, met the approval of all our teachers. It is not slant writing made perpendicular but has a character of roundness and legibility. The improvement in the style of writing in each grade deserves special mention. Vertical writing can be taught in less time than the slant, therefore it is more available for use in common schools than the former system and its utility is probably as great for ordinary purposes as the more difficult slant forms.
READING.
In the matter of reading there has been a great advance, due to the use of supplementary readers, in place of the text-books read until it was memorized. Supplementary readers have been supplied as needed in some of our schools without additional expense. This policy should be continued until every class in the lower and middle grades are supplied. It has resulted in more facility in reading aloud and the reading excercises have become enjoyable and profitable. Not only is the animation and interest of the class maintained during the exercises but a desire for the reading of good literature is awakened. In thus reading for culture and pleasure every child in our public schools, through his regular reading exercises, becomes well informed.
ARITHMETIC.
A radical change should be made in the course. More oral arithmetic should be given in connection with slate work. The amount of mental arithmetic should be increased and properly connected with the mechanical work. Several non- essential topics should be omitted and the most careful atten- tion should be given to the fundamental rules as they apply to every day practical business methods.
ATTENDANCE.
The attendance of pupils was much interrupted during the fall and winter terms by the prevalence of diphtheria.
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Of the absence for other reasons than sickness, by far the larger part is due to a very few pupils who can least afford to lose the benefits of common school education. The most trivial excuses are offered for a great majority of the cases of absence. Upon the parent rests a large part of the responsi- bility of regular attendance.
The evil effects of irregular attendance are not confined to the pupils who attend irregularly but extends throngh every depart- ment of school work and seriously impairs the efficiency of the schools. The following brief extracts of educational law relating to attendance should be rigidly enforced.
All children between & and 14, unless sick, feeble-minded, or at an approved private school, or otherwise instructed in branches required by law must attend the public schools 30 weeks each school year. They must begin with the first month of the spring term. Two weeks absence is allowed. Penalty for each five days excess, except for sickness. $20.
Any under 15 being an habitual truant or wandering about in the streets and public places, having no lawful employment or business, not attending school and growing up in ignorance, shall be committed to some institution provided for the purpose for a term not exceeding two years. No child under 13 can be employed at any time in any factory, workshop or mercantile establishment.
No child between 13 and 14 can be employed until he has attended school 30 weeks of the school year'
No child nnder 16 can be employed without a certificate from the School Committee.
TRUANCY.
The services of the truant officer have been very useful and very much in demand. Several cases of absence through desti- tution have been discovered during the year, but the majority of truants are such because of their environment outside the school-room and because of their habits of aimlessness which cannot be easily reached by all the good influences of the school. Being morally weak they yield readily to temptation and the restraints of school become irksome to them. The truant is almost certain to become a criminal if he is not check- ed in his truancy. Every effort should be used to check this evil, even though we are compelled to send the offenders to the truant school.
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GRADING AND PROMOTIONS.
Grading produces both economy and efficiency in instruction. In our course of study, the work below the high school is divi- ded into three grades, primary, intermediate, and grammar each including three years work. At the close of the spring term promotions are decided and the pupils take their places in the higher grades, at the commencement of the fall term in Septem- ber. Promotions have been made with special care and very few cases of regrading have arisen. The pupils who were reduired to repeat last year's work have been greatly profited by it. Theoretically all pupils of a grade are able to do the same work and advance at the same speed, but practically a great difference of power is found to exist-difference in men- tal ability, in industry, ambition, health, regular attendance, home advantages and other elements that affect progress. Though all pupils of a class may have reached the same page of the book yet great differences have existed in thoroughness with which the preceding work has been done. Experience
has proved that the majority of our pupils are fairly treated by the system of annual promotions, but there are two classes of pupils to whom this system is unjust. The first are those who have more than average ability, who could easily accomplish more than the required amount of work in the school year, but have no opportunity to advance more rapidly than their class- mates except by making np the work of an entire year, which would be a difficult task. The second class comprises those who, although not qualified for promotion, are yet so well ad- vanced that it would be unjust to require them to repeat the work of the entire year. Practically those below the average set the pace to which all others must conform, straining the weaker and suppressing the stronget. Again we frequently find that some pupils do well in all subjects but one, usually, language or arithmetic. To require such a pupil to review all the sub- jects in which he does well for the sake of the one in which he does poorly, is not permitting him to use his time to the greatest profit. Under our present system of gradation these difficulties cannot be practically remedied, but in event of better accommodations, by regrading and adopting semi-annual promotions an economical remedy can be adopted
DISCIPLINE.
To properly discipline a school is a faculty which every
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teacher must possess, and without which no school can be a success. It is one of the surest tests of a teachers efficiency. The teacher who keeps the pupils busy uses one of the best safeguards against bad conduct. With improved methods and spirit in teaching many of our schols are becoming well disci- plined which is noticeably characterized by the orderly activity of pupils, and not by quiet inactivity.
By the death of Stillman Russell, many years an active mem- ber of the School Committee, the cause of education in the town has suffered a severe loss. We desire to express our appreci- ation of his conscientious devotion to the duties of the com- mittee and the valuable assistance he has rendered in the past. We also wish to express our sympathy with his family in their unspeakable loss.
CONCLUSION.
It would by impossible in this brief report to discuss all that is interesting in our schools To the teachers we wish to express our hearty thanks for their co-operation and earnest efforts which so fully characterize their work. To the parents and citizens we beg to express our feelings of obligation for the pleasant relations in our frequent conferences during the past year. We hope that such conferences both with the committee and the teachers may become more frequent in the future. In this way misunderstandings will be prevented and each party may come to feel that there is a desire on the part of each to meet the wishes of the other. The follow appropriations are recommended for the support of schools :---
Schools, $5,000.00; books and supplies, $300.00; repairs, $100.00 ; transporting pupils, $75.00.
W. W. BROWN, ¿ Superintending M. M. LUTHER, S Committee.
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APR 12 1899
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