USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Milford > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 1883 > Part 5
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In the winter months, especially, school should not be in session after four o'clock. After that hour, the light is insufficient to enable pupils to study without a strain upon their eyes. To close at that hour, would allow only one hour at noon. This would engender bringing of dinner by many pupils and teachers, which is inadvisable for many reasons. Many cases of tardiness and dismissals occur from children who are re- quired by parents to carry dinner to them at their work. A longer mooning would stop this-a serious and growing evil in our schools. Moreover, the last hour in school is the hardest both for teachers and pupils. The latter become uneasy and restless, and the former are apt to have less patience when it is most necessary. In consideration of these and other valid reasons that might be urged, your Superintendent would advise that the sessions of the Primary grades be shortened one hour each day, and the Grammar grades half an hour, convinced as he is that with shortened sessions the same amount and better work will be done, that the tone of the schools will be improved, and public inter- ests be best subserved.
GRADATION, SCHOOL CLASSIFICATION, ETC.
The scheme of study provides for four years in the Primary grades, and four in the Grammar. There are two to four classes in each low- est Primary, and one in all the other rooms. Pupils in the lowest Pri- mary are advanced at such times as the progress and capabilities of the scholars warrant. In all other grades, promotions are made once each. year, in June. The scheme of study has been adapted to the schools with care. Such changes will be made from time to time, however, as experience suggests. But a perfect scheme alone will not insure suc- cess. The ability and faithfulness of the teachers must be superadded. Teachers not only are expected to instruct thoroughly in all the parts as- signed to their grades, but by frequent reviews and tests they should see that what has been learned by pupils in the lower grades, is not lost. Whether pupils should remain in the classes to which they are promoted or returned to the classes from which they came, must be left to the Superintendent. It is not just that any teacher should be com- pelled to give a large portion of his time in teaching the principles that have been neglected in any grade below.
The school classification has undergone a slight change during the
63
past year. It now comprises one High, six Grammar, with fifteen dif- ferent rooms, fifteen Primaries and six District schools. These are taught by 41 teachers. Owing to the withdrawal of so many pupils to attend the Parochial school, two rooms have been dispensed with within a year-one in the Claflin building and one in the Plains Grammar. Under the present arrangement in the Claflin school, No. 4 Grammar and the highest Primary are taught in one room, and grades three and four at the Plains are under one teacher. The increased attendance at the Hopedale school, rendered it necessary to place an assistant in that building. That this school should have equal advantages with the other schools, it will be necessary to continue the arrangement. It may be found expedient to close another school the coming year, if the witli- drawal of children from the public schools continues. Should such oc- casion occur, your board will be so advised.
Extensive repairs were made upon some buildings the past year. Innumerable minor repairs are always necessary. The legitimate wear and tear upon twenty buildings, with their different rooms, is no trif- ling matter. Many of the buildings are getting old, and the coming vear demands a large outlay to put them in proper shape. It is false economy to allow buildings to lapse into ruin before attending to needed repairs. The health and comfort of teachers and pupils, is a matter of primary importance. School buildings should be well ventilated, well heated and lighted, comfortable, neat and tasty, and the grounds and all the appartenances clean, well-kept and attractive. that the taste of the children may be cultivated as well as their health preserved. To bring about these results, would require large sums of money and a judicions expenditure ; but the outlay would be repaid with ten-fold interest.
MISCELLANEOUS.
In treating of different subjects in this report, the good work that is being done in the greater number of the schools has been remarked upon. The instruction in them is sound, and of good methods, and the effects upon the bearing, characters and intellectual development of the pupils marked. The reason that it is not so of all, has also been touched upon. It is needless to again assert that no school of study, no methods, no supervision can avail unless the issne is made squarely and the agents who fail to perform with fidelity and ability all that their positions demand, be superceded by such as can.
Let me again call attention to the necessity of equipping cach school with illustrative apparatns. Maps, globes, books of reference in the Grammar grades, and a well-chosen supply of supplementary reading matter for all grades, are the things most needed.
Music and drawing yet remain to be introduced into our scheme of study. The merits of these as a part of the curriculum in the schools calls for no praise from me. That they possess a legitimate sphere in the public school system, has long ceased to be a matter of theory and speculation. Long and well tested experience has demonstrated that they can be taught successfully without the employment of special in- · structors. I would respectfully advise that drawing, at least, be intro- duced into our schools at once. It can be done with little or no expense to the town, and withont entailing much expense upon individuals.
Music is more an ornamental branch, and can longer be deferred. But if it possesses influences to soften and subdne even the savage nature, what powers of imagination and beauty, what good and noble qualities can be engendered in the minds of our youth by its daily use.
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That we may follow the lead of our neighboring cities in this matter. is to be desired.
Visits by parents are made frequently to many of the schools. Some schools, however, rarely see a visitor except the Superintendent. It is earnestly hoped that all friends of the schools may be often seen in them. All good teachers will take pleasure in such visits, and parents becoming thus more intimately acquainted with the schools will be better enabled to comprehend their needs, and enter more into sympa- thy with those who are faithfully striving to implant into the minds of their children the seeds of a golden harvest in the future.
CONCLUSION.
The prosperity of our schools depends on the united influences of all who lend to their support. What the schools shall be, will depend up- on what the public demand and what it is willing to do to bring them to a high standard of excellence. The schools are a good index of the value placed upon education by the people, and a fair representation of their intelligence and enterprise. Mindful of this, may our schools be placed upon the highest plane, and receive that cordial and generous support that they so richly deserve.
Respectfully submitted, WM. E. HATCH, Superintendent of Schools.
IN MEMORIAM.
Once has death entered our midst, and removed one of our most faithful and successful teachers. Miss Kate A. Wallace died of consumption in the carly fall. Her whole term of service was in the Bear Hill school. She remained at her post of duty until the close of the Summer term, failing rapidly from that time. Miss Wallace possessed many attributes that made her beloved by all to whom she was known.
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CALENDAR, 1883. HIGH SCHOOL.
Winter term of 12 weeks begins January 2; ends March 23.
Summer 66
April 2; ends June 22.
Fall 16 66 66 September 3; ends December 21. VACATIONS.
One week, ending March 30, 1883.
Ten weeks, August 31, 1883.
One week,
December 28, 1883.
OTHER GRADES.
Winter term of 10 weeks begins January 8; ends March 16.
Summer 66 66 66 April 2; ends June 8.
Fall 16 66 66 September 3; ends December 21. VACATIONS.
Two weeks ending March 30, 1883.
Twelve “ 66 August 31, 1883.
Two 66 January 4, 1883.
HOLIDAYS, ALL GRADES.
Every Saturday, Thursday and Friday of Thanksgiving week, and such other days as are legal holidays.
OFFICE HOURS OF SUPERINTENDENT.
From 8 to 9 A. M. each school day, and 7 to 8 P. M. Tuesdays and Thursday's.
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TABULAR SUMMARY .- FALL, 1882.
SCHOOLS.
TEACHERS.
Boys
Girls
Enrolled.
Total
Enrollment.
Ave'ge Daily Attendance.
Per cent. of
Attendance.
Tardiness.
No. Cases of
Dismissals.
No. Corporal
Punishment.
No. Cases of
Truancy.
HIGH.
.
H. W. Lull, Principal .......
98
98
196
193
99
18
14
0
0
F. B. Sherburne, Sub-Master
Mary A. Parkhurst, Asst ...
Alice T. Hall, Assistant ..
GRAMMAR.
Park, No. 1.
Helen T. Eames, Principal. .
31
55
53
95 98
1 4
8
0
66
3 ..
Hannah M. Broderick.
27
22
49
44
95
54 35
65
12
6
66
4.
Mallie F. Gleason ....
28
23
51
45
98
96
61
108
66
3.
Ada A. Adair.
15
21
36
32
93
68
37
5
25
0
0
Ellen A. Morarity.
20
S
28
26
97
11
30
0
0
3
Mary F. Devine.
21
S
29
25
94
47
77
9
66
4. Mary F. Devine ..
17
8
25
23
93
32
3S
17
0
1
15
14
29
23
91
68
37
0)
0
Hopedale.
Mary E. Johnson, Principal
34
18
52
45
92
168
139
-1
4
Hopedale ..
Lillian Smith, Assistant. ... Jennie E. Dale .
23
21
44
34
92
97
32
1
1
PRIMARY.
Clafin, No. 1.
Kate Chapin.
46 31
25 20
71 51
52 43
90 93
103 101
48
0
0
66
3. Emilie T. Hart
19
6
25
21
92
40
18
?
7
West St. No.1 ..
Maggie F. Madden
27
27
54
48
92
106
175
0
66
2 Susan E. Inman.
21
15
36
31
93
68
503
0
Town House, No. 1 Julia M. Barry
37
28
65
55
93
115
37
39
0
Chapin St., No. 1 ... 66
Ellen A. Devine.
35 26
48
43
96
83
92
7
0
Plains, 66
1. .. Mary E. Cochran
34
35
69
60
95
25
14
B
66 2 ... Sarah F. Burns. .
24
10
34
27
96
24
21 10
S
B
Hoboken. Delia E. Gleason.
Fountain Street .. ..
Jennie L. Goodrich
12
18
15
94
10
13
0
North Purchase .....
Augusta A. Cay.
26
21
47
33
88
14
10 125
0 4
0
DISTRICT ..
Silver Hill.
Amanda C. Scammell.
9
1 11
16 23
12 18
81 92 88
10 18 48
25
0 0
Bear Hill. ..
Annie F. Gleason
10
14
24
21
93
18
8
Youth Milford.
Minnie L. Mann.
19
17
36
27
90 99
-17 14
11
6
Deerbrook
Kate McNamara
9
11
10.5
51
9.1
109
17
0
=
66
2
Faustina M. Knight.
18 37
40 72
56
93
31
103
11
0
28
6
34
30
91
North, No. 1.
Kate E. Martin, Principal
19
5
24
23
90
53 41 204 178
1 1
0
66
2.
Carra V. Sadler.
30
17
47
43.5
96
66
4
Mary F. Aylward.
6
0
Claflin, No. 3.
4
Alice B. Chapin, Principal .. Emilie T. Hart ...
19
17
36
32
94
44
()
South, No. 1 ..
Edward Day, Principal.
24
26
50
24 25
66
Mary J. Kelly.
24
49
47
Braggville
Susan R. Broderick.
12
7
City ..
Clara M. Inman.
12
10
23 6
12
35
32
93
0
Hopedale.
Mary J. Kelly, 2d.
36
27
63
37
96
35
0
66 2 Anna L. Bell ..
B 4
0
4
2
1
North Purchase ...
2. .. S. Eldora Sheldon
2
16
44
No. Cases of
Enrolled.
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