USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Milford > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 1881-1890 > Part 13
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J. B. BANCROFI.
J. H. SCOTT, Clerk and Treasurer.
TRUSTEES OF VERNON GROVE CEMETERY RE- PORT, FOR THE PAST YEAR,
DR.
Feb. 7, 1885, Cash on hand.
$62 43
Apr. 13,
Rec'd of Wm. H. Simonds for Lot No. 532. 5 00
Apr. 18, 66
66 Geo. E. Anderson 483
8 00
May 5, 66
:6 Mrs. Jennie A. Tucker 66 527
5 00
May 9, 66 66
Albert F. Fairbanks 495
8 00
June 4,
66
66
E. C. Claflin, town treasurer. ... 66
100 00
Feb.
8, 1886, 66
Wm. J. Woods for Lot No. 512.
7 00
66
66
66
66
J. M. Woods, Cummings' deed, Wood sold
5 00
66
66 66
10 20
66 66
66
One grave sold to Geo. Tucker, 3 00
$313 63
CR.
Henry Hancock, for labor in Cemetery
$159 40
M. Spellman,
66
20 65
Theodore Prentice, 66
66
7 50
John M. Wood, labor and cash paid.
3 40
W. H. Ring, labor in Cemetery .
. 5 00
C. A. Ambler & Co., bill ..
5 00
Walter L. Bennett, painting tomb 2 00
H. C. Skinner, services.
10 00
Cash on hand, Feb. 3th, 1886.
100 18
$313 63
HENRY C. SKINNER, Treasurer.
By request of Aaron H. Small, his deed has been transferred · to Mrs. Mary E. Reynolds. Arrangements were made with Mr. William L. Billings to construct an avenue in the back part of the ground, but when he got ready to build it he found that his scraper needed repairing, and before he got it ready for use, the cold weather came, and it was not done. That is the reason so much money remains unexpended. We thought it better to pay the mon- ey into the Highway Department of the town, than to private indi- viduals. There have been 49 interments in Vernon Grove Ceme- tery during the past year. The trustees recommend that the sum of two hundred dollars be raised and appropriated for the use of Vernon Grove Cemetery the ensuing year.
The terms of the Committee expire as follows :
H. C. Skinner and John M. Wood, 1886; George L. May- nard and Henry J. Bailey, 1887 ; Leonard Fairbanks and Isaac N. Crosby, 1888. HENRY C. SKINNER, Sec'y.
100 00
Aug. 7,
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
OF THE
TOWN OF MILFORD,
FOR THE
SCHOOL YEAR 1885-86.
MILFORD, MASS .:
MILFORD JOURNAL STEAM JOB PRINT.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE, 1885-'86.
CHAS. E. WHITNEY,
Term Expires 1886.
JOSEPH F. HICKEY,
66
66
1886.
CHAS. MACKIN,
66
60
1887.
LOWELL E. FALES,
66
66
1887.
GEORGE G. PARKER,
66
66
1888.
GEORGE E. STACY,
66
1888.
ORGANIZATION.
GEORGE G. PARKER, Chairman.
LOWELL E. FALES, Secretary.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, WILLARD T. LEONARD. SUB-COMMITTEES :
RULES AND REGULATIONS,
LOWELL E. FALES, CHARLES MACKIN,
THE SUPERINTENDENT.
TEACHERS AND EXAMINATIONS,
JOSEPH F. HICKEY, GEORGE E. STACY,
1
THE SUPERINTENDENT.
REPAIRS,
CHARLES MACKIN, CHARLES E. WHITNEY, THE SUPERINTENDENT.
TEXT BOOKS AND SUPPLIES,
LOWELL E. FALES, GEORGE G. PARKER,
THE SUPERINTENDENT.
FUEL,
CHARLES E. WHITNEY, JOSEPH F. HICKEY.
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1886.
The School Committee respectfully submit their annual report ;
The Public Schools of the Town have enjoyed a year of unin- terrupted prosperity and success. Few changes have been made in the roll of teachers, and all have labored with their usual fidelity. Mr. Wm. E. Hatch, declining further services as Superintendent, Mr. W. T. Leonard, of Fall River, was elected to that office, and began his duties at the opening of the schools, at the close of the summer vacation. It was apparent that his experience as principal of a large High School in the city of Fall River, together with his mature and practical knowledge of the management of schools and with such business transactions as are requisite, eminently fitted him for the position.
In all these respects he has met our highest expectations, and under his supervision we feel that our schools are in safe and pru- dent hands.
For the most part our school accommodations are ample, com- fortable and convenient.
Almost the only exception is in regard to the Old Town House Building. It is time the schools were removed from this locality. At present there are no school rooms where the pupils attending
4
these schools can be accommodated, without compelling them to go to an unreasonable distance.
They number about one hundred and twenty, residing in the vicinity of the schools they now attend.
The Committee are forced to the conclusion that a new Pri- mary School Building is now required in the vicinity of Memorial Hall. How soon the Town will make the needed appropriations, must be left to the citizens themselves to decide.
The system of Free Text Books and Supplies has given com- plete satisfaction. Books have been carefully used, well preserved, and are furnished at a cost less than they could be if purchased for the pupils individually. It is true, it adds to the labor of the Su- perintendent and teachers, but they have cheerfully performed this new duty. The cost on this account the past year has been about $1,450
Under the arrangement made by the Town, the Committee and Superintendent have occupied the room assigned in Memorial Hall. However the case may have been formerly, it has now become a necessity that the Superintendent should have some suitable place for his headquarters, where, in addition to the ordinary meetings of teachers and committee, he can store and distribute to pupils and teachers the books and other school supplies required under the present law. These are purchased in quantities to ensure the low- est price and meet the constant requirements of the schools. The expense of the rooms heretofore, including fuel, has been about $150 annually.
Such accommodations are afforded in Memorial Hall Building, at a saving of considerable importance to the Town.
More complete and detailed information as to the condition and expenses of the schools, will be found in the reports of the Superin- tendent and Secretary of the Board, which are hereto appended and approved.
And we would especially commend to the attention of the peo- ple the remarks of the Superintendent in regard to the introduction of music in our public schools. If the plan is adopted, an additional appropriation will be required,
5
The Committee recommend the following appropriations :
Superintendent and Teachers $18,500
Fuel.
1,300
Repairs
1,500
Incidentals . 1,100
Text Books and Supplies
1,400
Care of Houses
1,100
Evening School. 500
GEORGE G. PARKER,
JOSEPH F. HICKEY,
CHARLES E. WHITNEY,
CHARLES MACKIN,
LOWELL E. FALES,
GEORGE E. STACY,
COMMITTEE.
6
REPORT OF SECRETARY.
The account herewith submitted, includes all bills contracted during the year, from Feb. 1, 1885, to Feb. 1, 1886, or left over from previous years, so far as known. Under the head of evening school, I have included only the expense of teaching, as text-books were supplied and charged to it last year sufficient to supply its needs the present season, and the incidentals supplied were of small amount, except that of fuel, which was taken from the gen- eral supply on hand at the Claflin building. For a more accurate statement of the running expenses of the schools, see Superintend- ent's report. Owing to the small number of scholars in attendance during the present Winter, we have been able to dispense with one of the teachers, thus greatly diminishing the running expenses of the school. It is a matter of great regret that those who could de- rive so many and great advantages from the school, have mani- fested so little interest as to make this reduction in teachers neces- sary.
The text-book and fuel accounts have greatly exceeded the appropriations. These are two appropriations absolutely necessary for the existence of the schools ; and as the town does not expect or desire that they shall be closed when these appropriations are exhausted, the wisdom of making them less than are known will be required may be questioned.
During the year the Park, North Purchase, Grammar, High, West Street, Chapin Street, Fountain Street, North Grammar and City school houses have been thoroughly painted on the outside ; most of these buildings also received a coat of paint the year be- fore, and are now in condition to last several years without being repainted. New floors have been laid at Silver Hill and Fountain Street houses, and the repairs on the North Purchase Primary
7
building, contemplated when the appropriation was made, have been completed.
Our appropriations have received a slight increase the past year from tuitions received from scholars residing out of town at- tending the High school. As the teachers assert that the attend- ance of a limited number of such pupils does not increase their own labors, lower the standard of the school or lessen the advan- tages our own scholars derive therefrom, it would seem proper that the money so received should be set apart to be expended for the special benefit of the High school in the purchase of apparatus, books of reference, etc., of which it is sadly in need.
APPROPRIATIONS.
Teachers and Supt. $17500 00
Care of school houses 1300 00
Fuel.
1100 00
Evening school
500 00
Incidentals
1000 00
Repairs .
2000 00
Text books and supplies
700 00
Dog tax, one-half 299 432
State school fund.
97 42
Received from books sold at office
83 24
Tuitions from out of town scholsra.
154 40
Evening school forfeit money .
4 00
$24,738 493
EXPENSES.
Salaries of teachers $16468 24
Salaries of superintendents 1673 44
$18,141 68
Appropriation $17,500 00
Exceeded appropriation .
641 68
$18,141 68
8
Care of school houses $1074 45
Unexpended. 225 55
Appropriation .
$1300.
FUEL.
Barney & Son, wood and kindlings $40 51
L. A. Cook, coal
138 66
Field Bros., «
1192 98
$1372 15
Appropriation .
$1100 00
Exceeded appropriation 272 15
-$1372 15
TEXT BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
Text books and supplies .
$1451 52
Appropriation .
$700 00
Exceeded appropriation
751 52
$1451 52
EVENING SCHOOLS.
Evening school
218 00
Unexpended
282 00
$500 00
Appropriation
$500 00
REPAIRS.
A. H. Andrews & Co., desks for High school
$339 75
James Bergin, putting down desk and gen- eral repairs 120 17
Chas. Bryant, repairing slate on roof
20 61
E. C. Claflin, paint.
32 25
Dexter Bros., paint.
23 03
Henry McElwin, repairing blackboards
78 25
$1300 00
9
Field Bros., lumber $3 34 Jerome Marble, paint . 212 00
James M. Newhall, painting 205 80
Fred Swasey, supt., painting and cash paid for express .. 23 90
Weed Bros. & Lent, repairs on various schoolhouses, in- cluding special repairs on North Purchase primary and new floors at Fountain Street and Silver Hill houses. 316 61
C. A. Ambler, piping for water, basins, etc 36 11 Bartlett & Ellis, putting in water at Park. 58 73
Daniel Connors, grading yard at No. Purchase primary .. 12 00
Craige & Severance, repairing steam apparatus
30 00
Eldredge & Beattey, painting and glazing. 6 51
Milford Water Co., water connections at Chapin Street, Park and Claflin schools 104 50
T. E. Morse, painting and glazing 40 40
A. S. Pickering, repairing chimneys. 2 50
S. J. Smith, repairing lightning rods 23 00
Frances F. Taft, labor at Hopedale. 20 63
Ralph Varnum, labor and materials 6 27
C. A. Hoyt, plumbing . 22 95
$1739 31
Unexpended
260 69
$2000 00
Appropriation
$2000.
INCIDENTALS.
C. A. Ambler & Co., brooms, brushes, etc $10 44
G. M. Billings, cards, envelopes and printing 72 75
Bartlett & Ellis, hardware, etc 8 22
Z. E. Ball, removing ashes at high school . 1 25
John E. Burke, cleaning school houses 25 25
Milford Music Hall, graduation 29 15
Michael Casey, use of well at Plains 5 00
Cook & Sons, printing, paper, etc. 106 35
Michael Costello, use of well, Bear Hill 3 00
IO
T. F. Davoren, truant officer $50 00
R. C. Eldridge, cleaning clocks 1 50
G. T. Fales & Co., ribbon, graduation 3 18
L. E. Fales, postage, etc. 8 68
W. E. Hatch, cleaning schoolhouses 160 12
W. E. Hatch, sundry expenses 47 38
G. O. Hatch, use of well at Hopedale 5 00
J. W. Harris, brooms, brushes, repairiring stoves, etc. ...
72 42
J. W. Harris, use of chairs at graduation. 2 00 .
Hopedale Machine Co., washers 35
G. C. Hudson, freight. ..
60
J. F. Hickey, shades, etc 8 08
Wm. Kelley, labor on school yard 3 50
H. C. Kendall, filling diplomas 10 00
W. T. Leonard, sundry expenses. 52 57
H. W. Lull, programs, graduation. 12 00
H. W. Lull, cleaning school room. 2 85
John Madden, use of well, West street 5 00
John McEnany, labor at Park school yard 1 00
Milford Water Co., water rent. 51 59
Milford Savings Bank, rent of Superintendent's office ... 114 60
Milford Gas Light Co., gas. 49 75
N. E. Publishing Co., advertisement. 2 80
O. B. Parkhurst, use of well, Old Town House 5 00
G. A. Sherborne, teaming, etc.
$10 75
G. H. Whittemore, repairing clocks.
1 25
Mrs. C. E. Whitney, music, graduation ...
3 00
John Taft, mason work. 9 20
C. W. Wilcox, repairing clocks 2 25
. C. F. Wight, tuning piano, etc 5 00
Unexpended
34 17
$1000 00
Appropriation
$1000 00
Times Publishing Co., printing. 3 00
$965 83
II
RECEIPTS.
Received from Town Treasurer $24810 69
Received from tuitions 154 40
Received from text books sold 83 24
Received from evening school forfeit. 4 00
$25,052 33
Whole amount expended
$24,962 94
Cash on deposit in Home Bank to credit of
school department 89 39
$25,052 33
Total appropriations
. $24,738 49₺
Exceeded total appropriations $224 442 L. E. FALES, Secretary.
MILFORD, Feb. 15, 1886.
At a meeting of the school committee, held this evening, it was voted to adopt the report of the superintendent as a part of the re- port of the school committee.
L. E. FALES, Secretary.
I2
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS REPORT.
To the school committee of Milford :
GENTLEMEN : In conformity with the requirement of your regu- lations, I respectfully submit the following as my first annual re- port. It is the ninth of the superintendent of public schools, and covers the time from Jan. 1, to Dec. 31, 1885.
I cannot speak in too high terms of the cordiality with which I have been received by the teachers in the exercise of the duties of my office. Frequent visits and careful inspection have convinced me of their earnest endeavors to do the best work, and of their hearty co-operation in whatever will tend to improve the schools.
Recognizing the important truth that in education progress must be slow, we have sometimes refrained from making changes, rather than run the risk of attempting a reform that time might show to have been premature and imperfect. The changes that have been made are neither many in number nor revolutionary in character ; others will be suggested as occasion may require and ex- perience demonstrate their usefulness.
The general statistics are given at this point ; the detailed ta- bles are placed in the appendix.
13 SUMMARY OF STATISTICS.
I. POPULATION.
Population of Milford, census of 1880 9310
Population of Milford, State census of 1885 9343
Number of children between the ages of 5 and 15, residing in Milford, May, 1885 . 1711
Increase from report of 1884 1
II. SCHOOL HOUSES.
Number of buildings occupied 19
Number of buildings not occupied 1
Number of rooms occupied .
44
Number of rooms not occupied .
5
Number of Sittings :- High School. 171
Grammar schools, Grades I-IV. 713
Primary schools, Grades V-VIII. 1094 Ungraded schools 214
Total 2192
III. SCHOOLS.
High School 1
Grammar Schools 13
Primary Schools 17
Ungraded Schools 6
Evening School
1
Total
- 38
IV. TEACHERS.
High School, male teachers 2
High School, female teachers 3
5
Grammar School, male.
1
Grammar School, female teachers 12
13
Primary School, female teachers 17
Ungraded School, female teacher
6
14
Drawing teacher, two days each week 1
Evening Schoool : male 1, female 1
- 44
Total number of different teachers employed. ... Number of teachers employed who are graduates of the Milford High School .
33
Number of teachers employed who are graduates of a normal school or college .. 17
Number of teachers employed who have attended college, normal, or training school . 32
98
Number of cases of tardiness on part of teachers* . Number of half day's absence of teachers 77
V. PUPILS.
Number of children, between 5 and 15, May, 1885.
1711
Increase .
1
Whole number of pupils registered in day schools ..
1727
Decreaset
111
Number of pupils registered between 5 and 8 years of age 502
8 and 14 66 935
14 and 15 66
132
15 and 16
71
over 16 66
88
Total -- 1728
Average number of pupils belonging to day schools. 1325
Average daily attendance at day schools . 1235
Average per cent. of attendance to number belonging .. 93.2
Number of half day's absence 40573
Number of cases of tardiness 2757
Number of cases of dismissal
1501
Number of cases of truancy
96
Total enrollment evening schools
34
Average number belonging.
20
*Teachers are marked tardy unless they are present twenty minutes before nine o'clock.
+The most of this decrease is due to the custom in former years of connting the entering class in the High School as enrolled both in the Grammar and the High Schools.
Substitute and assistant teachers, under half-pay. 2 2
I 5
Average nightly attendance 17
Per cent. of attendance 85
VI. FINANCIAL.
Ordinary expenses of the school . $21,704 28
Repairs of schoolhouses and general improvements. .. 1,804 54
Expenditures for books, supplies, etc 1,454 12
Total expenditures for the year. . $24,962 94
Value of new books, etc., on hand, Feb. 1, 1885 835 62 Value of new books, etc., on hand, Feb. 1. 1886. 600 42
Received for books, etc., sold at office 83 24
Net cost of books and supplies to the town 1,606 08
Net cost of the schools to the town. 24,514 48
Average cost per pupil, based on whole enrollment, and
including ordinary expense, text books, supplies and repairs . 14 19
Average cost per pupil, based on average number be- longing, and including the same items of expense. 18 50
Average cost per pupil, based on average daily attend- ance . 19 85
Cost of Evening school 331 55
Average per pupil, based on average number belonging. 16 58
EXPENDITURES.
By reference to the General Statistics, it will be seen that the total expenditures for the year were $24,962.94 ; deducting the value of books and supplies on hand and cost of books sold, and adding the difference between the value of books on hand Feb. 1, 1885, and Feb. 1, 1886, leaves $24,514.48-the net cost of the schools to the town. The expense per pupil, based on the whole enrollment, is $14.19 ; based on the average number belonging, $18.50. In 1884, these items were 15.62, and $19.54 respectively.
By reference to the itemized report of the cost of each school, found in the Appendix, it will be seen that the ungraded suburban schools are the most expensive per scholar, and at the same time the advantages to the pupils are less than in the large graded schools.
16
Reason and policy, therefore, both urge us to consolidate these schools, so far as it is practicable. At the present time two of these schools may thus be dispensed with, to the benefit of the pupils and a saving to the town. These figures also show the economy with which our schools are carried on. The cost is much less than that of other towns of its size in the State ; still, as this is effected by keeping the pay of the teachers at a point which constantly sub- jects the town to the loss of its best teachers, it is more than doubt- ful if such is a wise course.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS.
"The world advances and in time outgrows the ways That in our fathers' time was best."
This is clearly seen to be true in educational matters, if we com- pare the methods of the present with those of only a few years ago. Unless some one desiring a cheap notoriety endeavors to create a sensation by a general overturn of existing affairs, but little change is noticed from year to year. But when we look back over the course, we see the advance that has been made. Formerly, it was an epoch in a child's life when he first took pen in hand to write, but now the third year in school finds him busy with pen and ink. His writing will compare quite favorably with that of the average person, for he has had already two years' practice with slate and paper, while.most of his reading has been that of script from the board. He has been taught to hold his slate pencil, as well as his lead pen- cil, exactly as he would a pen ; he is familiar with the slant and form of the letters ; he has been taught position, so that now he has his attention directed only to the ink in doing what he has done many times before with pencil.
In number, the advance is very marked, especially in the lower grades. The essential features of the Grube method are in successful operation in our primary rooms. By this method the four fundamental rules, together with fractions, are taught simul- taneously. The pupil learns all possible combinations with each number before proceeding to the next. The numbers from one to ten, with combinations and many practical examples, furnish ample
I 7
work for the first year. Thus with no book, by easy stages, the skilful primary teacher inducts her class into the mysteries of number, and lays a sure foundation for the future successful pursuit of the science. The same general method is continued during the next year, and the primary school finds the pupil well started in written arithmetic. The higher books of the series are free from puzzles and catches, and have an air of practicability quite unknown in the books of only a few years ago. Yet even now many subjects may profitably be omitted, and others treated only in a general way.
Technical grammar, as such, is fast passing from our sight. The time formerly devoted to "parsing" is now much more profita- bly devoted to language and composition-the correct use of the English tongue, whether in writing or speaking. To this end, the child, from his entrance into the school, is constantly exercised in oral composition. He is encouraged to talk. His imagination is quickened by objects and pictures, by illustration and story, and his power of expression carefully cultivated. As soon as practica- ble, the oral exercise is transferred to slate and paper, and he rapidly advances to the continued narrative or composition.
In nothing is the progressive tendency of the age more clearly seen, than in the method of teaching reading. It has been logically demonstrated that the principle underlying the process of teaching the alphabet, is a false one. It has been proved that the process involves a waste of time and effort, as well as a loss of mental power. Repeated experiments have shown that the word method is much richer in results. This method makes the thought the important thing. Language is the medium through which we com- municate our thoughts. A thought expressed in words forms a sentence. Words are used only as furnishing the ideas which enter into the thought, and consequently as forming parts of a sentence.
The work of the teacher of the lowest grade is developing thought in the mind of the pupil, and calling out the correct expres- sion of that thought in a complete sentence. No word is taught until the thought it represents is fully understood ; and when that is done, repetition makes the word as familiar as the object. At this stage, books are not needed ; the blackboard is the great talis-
18
man, while pictures serve an important purpose. In every case, let the object or its representation be seen. That teacher possesses a wonderful power who can quickly and accurately represent in a drawing the particular thing desired. As the object assumes a recognizable form beneath her skilful hands, imagination is kindled and the thought finds expression from the group of eager pupils The scholars soon learn to copy the words used upon their ruled slates, and combine them into short stories. Thus the development of the idea and its oral and written expression go hand in hand. In this way, the pupil has in a few months a vocabulary of several hundred words which he thoroughly understands, and can combine at will into sentences. Thus, by a natural and rational method, the child has learned to read, and when the books are taken he finds no difficulty in applying the oral expression to the printed symbols of ideas already known. In easy stages the child is carried through two or more primers during the first year, the teacher in every instance developing the thought suggested by a new word. The same method is pursued through all the primary grades. The classes come to the recitation without having seen the lesson, eager to read a new story. What by the old way was an irksome task has become a delight, while the practical results have been largely increased. In the higher grades the same general principle is pur- sued, but in these the dictionary and the library supply the defini- tion of the teacher. Nor is the labor of the teacher lessened. The skilled instructor knows the need of the most careful preparation here, in order to avoid vagueness and superficiality.
While they are thus striving to create an appetite for books, they should not be less careful to direct it to health-giving food. The pupils of our schools can have but a small amount of time for general reading, if they do their full duty by the studies re- quired. That this time may be improved as it ought to be, they must be directed by their teachers to the best books, for, at first, they will not have sufficient judgment to select for themselves. The in- discriminate reading of many books is not only undesirable but highly pernicious, while the reading of really good books may easily be carried to excess. Few books, well digested, are far better than many not assimilated.
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