Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 1890-1895, Part 24

Author: Milford (Mass.)
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: The Town
Number of Pages: 788


USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Milford > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 1890-1895 > Part 24


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20


No. of graduates, 536.


Average age, 15 years, 4.5 month.


Over 16, 123.


Under 14, 107.


Oldest graduate,


18 years, 6 months. Youngest 11 6 10


Completing Grammar School course in 4 years, 54.


in 5 66 146.


in 6 " 239.


in 7 66 92.


Requiring more than 7 66 5.


Sixty-two places report separately the number of pupils who never attended elsewhere, and the number that have had a par- tial course only in the city or town from which the report was received. The partial course pupils average older than the whole course pupils in 42 places, and slightly younger in the others. Eighty per cent of the whole number of partial course pupils were reported from the 42 places mentioned.


The items relating to age are worthy of study. It may be well to call attention to individual places. Some people are sur- prised to learn that there are so many pupils in the grammar schools 16, 17, and 18 years of age. The age of pupils is not the only thing to be considered. The work that is assigned them is of more consequence. There is food for thought in the memora- ble words of Milton, "I care not how late I come into life, only that I come fit."


If the pupils 16 years of age are kept at work term after term upon those subjects that are prescribed for the average pu- pil 10 years of age there is cause for complaint. We are dealing at this time, however, with figures more than with inferences. The facts relating to the age of pupils in the grammar schools, however, may have an important bearing in the consideration of the subject of a course of study for grammar schools.


The average age of those entering is reported from one city, 6 yrs. 2 mos.


The oldest pupil is reported from Lawrence, 20 yrs. 1 mo., the next oldest at Rutland, Vt., 20 years, the youngest 10 years at Plymouth, Mass. The oldest pupil in 24 of the 103 places re- porting is 18.


The average age in one city is 15 yrs. 4 mos. The superin- tendent in explanation says : "The average age is raised by a few considerably older than the average; these are boys who have had few advantages and have pluck enough to go to a gram- mar school."


Returns were received from six places from each grammar school separately. The degree of uniformity in the average age of pupils at the various grammar schools in some cities is notice- able while in other places there is a wide variation. The greatest range of ages found in any city is 7 yrs. 2 mos. The range in sev-


21


eral other places is 6 years, while 5 years is very common-Milton on the other hand reported the oldest graduate 15 yrs. 4 mos., . the youngest 13 yrs. 4 mos.


The returns from the schools of Quincy-on account of the degree of uniformity in the item of average age-are presented herewith separately :-


Average age. 14 years, 0 months.


School No. 1 66


2


14 66


66 3 14


66


9 9 5 5


66


4 5


66 66 .


14 14


66


66


6


Somerville reports 380 graduates, 112 of whom are over 16 and 33 under 14-the oldest 18 yrs. + mos., the youngest 12 yrs. 11 mos.


Springfield reports 181 graduates, 67 over 16 and 9 under 14 -the oldest 18 yrs. 4 mos., the youngest 12 yrs. 3 mos.


Local causes may account for the diversity in the "average age" at different schools and for this reason it might be well to ask for a report from the individual schools. The policy adopted by different principals may account in part, at least, for the dif- ference in the ages at the separate schools. It is claimed that in some schools the pupils 16, 17, 18 years of age are crowded out of the grammar schools in some way before they can reach the ninth year, while in other schools an earnest effort is made to retain these older pupils in school as long as possible. Your com nit- tee can call attention simply to these subjects. Others must in- vestigate. Interesting themes for study present themselves. It might be well for us to gather statistics concerning the number of older pupils in the lower classes of the grammar schools, to as- certain whether there are many in the sixth and seventh grades that are old enough to be in the high school, whether these pupils becoming discouraged at the thought that they can never com- plete the grammar school course drop out of school quietly.


If one is disturbed on account of the high average age of the grammar school graduates he might be still more disturbed to know that in some of the lower classes the average age is relative- ly higher. That would not of necessity disturb others for the question of age would not be considered so much by them as the kind of work these people are doing.


It was asserted at the last meeting that the number of years prescribed for the course does not determine the time the pupil remains in school, that he will be a certain length of time in school whether the course is 7-8-9 or 10 years. The figures pre- sented seem to justify this assertion.


Your committee present the statistics at this time. Each su- perintendent must draw his inferences.


This report is imperfect, the returns are necessarily incom-


66


14 " 8


22


plete but a beginning has been made. Other statistics may be collected,that will aid us all in our labors.


Respectfully submitted,


JOSEPH G. EDGERLY, GEORGE H. MARTIN,


Committee.


November 12, 1892.


I give herewith a list of questions lately received from this committee, with the replies which I returned regarding Milford :-


Statistics.


Highest Class of Grammar School.


Lowest Class of High School. 43.


1. Number of pupils, 55


2. Average age (yrs. and mos.) 14 yrs. 7 mos.


15y. 2m.


3. Age of oldest pupil, 19 44 £ 2


17y. 5m.


4. Age of youngest pupil,


12 "


12y. 10m.


5. Number under 12,


none


6. Number 12,


4


none. 1


7. Number 13,


10


5


8. Number 14,


23


11


9. Number 15,


16


16


10. Number 16, 1


6


11. Number 17,


none


4


12. Number 18,


none


none.


13. Number over 18,


1


none.


14. Number graduates from Grammar School in 1892, 53.


15. Number reported in item 14 entering the High School in September, 1892, 43.


16. Average age of pupils entering the Primary school in September, 1892, 5 years, 6} months.


I consider this report to have reference to the question of introducing the study of higher branches in the Grammar grades, since it shows that our children are fifteen years old when they enter the High School, nineteen at entering college, and allowing four years for college and three for the study of a profession, they will be twenty-six when they begin the practice of the work they have chosen.


It is stated by one who has investigated the subject, that the professional men of France and Germany are fitted at least two years earlier than in this country, and the question arises, is it possible for our boys and girls to save these two years ?


Evidently it can be accomplished, in part, by allowing them to enter upon their special college preparatory work at an earlier age than is now permitted. It is with this end in view that the experiment is now being made in Winchester, Waltham, and some other towns and cities of the state.


23


REPORT OF MUSIC TEACHER.


GENTLEMEN OF THE COMMITTEE :-


It is now about a year since Singing was first taught in the Milford schools. As the special teacher I visit the High School every week, and each of the other schools once in two weeks, ·giving the lesson, and thus preparing and planning the work for the regular teacher until my next visit. Charts and music read- ers edited by Messrs. Holt and Tufts are used in all the schools.


With few exceptions, the children are delighted with the study, and one has only to hear the singing of the children in the ·Grammar schools, after a year's study, to understand how much may be accomplished in this branch between the first year of the Primary and the last year of the High School.


We think the year's trial has proved satisfactory to all.


S. E. WHITNEY.


REPORT OF DRAWING TEACHER.


GENTLEMEN OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE :- A


In accordance with request, I present a report of the Draw- ing in the Milford schools. A year ago the Prang system of Drawing was introduced into our schools, and the good resulting from the change increases every day. The same principles as in White's system are retained, namely, Construction, Representa- tion and Object Drawing, but in a more elaborate manner, our graded schools being well supplied with models for teaching the latter branch of the work.


After the change in systems I planned the work for each teacher in the graded schools, that she might know what to do when I was not present. The teachers of the ungraded schools I meet once in three weeks and give them an outline to follow.


This year the plans of the work do not differ materially from those of last year, although I make alterations when I see fit. After the first two months the children in the first grade com- mence pencil-holding in connection with their other work, and I find this a great aid later, even if the first attempts are rather crude, for it is here that the foundation is laid for the child's fu- ture, and if he is started in the right way the results will be what we desire.


Much credit is due the teachers for their untiring efforts with the children, especially in the way of pencil-holding and


24


movement, but they may feel amply paid in the free, easy move- ment and the soft gray line which characterize our work, and for which we have been striving for some time.


I wish to speak of the cleanliness of the work in most of the grades, and also of the interest that many of the children mani- fest in the subject by keeping sketch-books, in which are draw- ings of various objects outside of school, a practice which I ad- mire and encourage.


The number of pupils in the advanced class in the High School is unusually large, and much interest is shown by the members in the representation of models and casts in light and shade, using charcoal point as a medium.


It is hardly necessary to dwell upon the work in the differ- ent grades, as the public had an opportunity Jast June, of which I am happy to say so many took advantage, of seeing what is being done in Drawing in our schools.


I take this opportunity of thanking the teachers whose co- operation I have enjoyed the past year.


Yours respectfully,


N. I. CURTIS.


PHYSICAL CULTURE.


For several years we have used some form of physical exer- cises in our schools, the exercises being usually given at the mid- dle of the afternoon session, in place of the afternoon recess, which was abandoned about ten years ago. There was lack of uniformity in these exercises, since each teacher was permitted to use any which might suit her fancy. Further than this, I be- came convinced that in many cases the exercises were productive of very little benefit, if they were not injurious to the pupils.


At the suggestion of the Superintendent, and with the ap- proval of your Committee, the teachers engaged an instructor, and in October entered upon a course of twelve lessons in the Ling System of Physical Culture, otherwise known as Swedish Gymnastics. We have in this way secured uniformity in our ex- ercises, and are able to give the children the benefit of one of the best, if not the best system in use.


The system of Swedish Gymnastics has two aims, hygienic- and educational. It tends to give the children pure blood, be- cause it is oxygenated, and healthy tissues, because they are nour- ished by pure blood.


25


Keeping the hygenic aim in view, the breathing power is in- creased, the heart power is gradually made greater, and the di- gestive organs more active, while the muscles are made stronger and larger. By this voluntary muscular work the involuntary muscular organisms are influenced, so that the vital capacity is increased.


Keeping the educational aim in view, we gain control of the body so that the muscles are trained to respond quickly and cor- rectly to the commands of the will.


The result in daily life is that, given a piece of work to per- form, we can do it with greater efficiency and less waste, because we have trained servants to do our bidding.


It is not mere exercise, it is training, and stands on an equal footing with other branches of training ; it aims at the perfection of involuntary as well as voluntary movement. Practically it means that if we have Swedish Gymnastics well taught in our schools, we shall be building up a body of citizens who have pure- blood, healthy organs, trained wills, and habits of prompt obedi- ence, all of which must tend toward higher standards, mentally and morally.


EVENING SCHOOL.


The Committee voted to open an evening school November 14. The school opened with 70 pupils, and three teachers were employed. From the opening of the school until January 1, the average attendance was 55. During January the average attend- ance was 33, and since January 19 but two teachers have been employed. The interest in the school has been unusually good, and the opportunity to attend has been highly appreciated by the majority of the pupils.


The teachers were S. F. Blodgett, principal, A. E. Blodgett,. assistant until January 19, and Miss K. G. McDermott, assistant since the opening of the school. Salaries, principal $4 per night ;. assistants each $1 per night.


SILVER HILL SCHOOL.


When schools opened in September there were but nine chil- dren of school age in the Silver Hill district, and it was decided to close the school and try the experiment of transferring the pupils to the schools in Town. Satisfactory arrangement was made to have the parents transport their children and receive


26


payment for their trouble. Seven children were brought to the schools in Town, and two, living in the northern part of the dis- trict, were, at the request of their parents, sent to the Purchase Primary.


The parents and children are pleased with the change, and the saving in expense is considerable, as we are now paying $22 per month for transportation, while the expense of the school would be $48 per month, exclusive of fuel. So far I have every reason to think well of the change, and would recommend that the plan be extended to other schools if it can be made satisfac- tory to the parents residing in the districts. The City and Deer Brook schools are favorably situated for this purpose, since pupils from the City could be easily accommodated at West street and South Grammar, while those from Deer Brook could be trans- ferred to the Plains. This method of bringing in the outlying schools has been tried in several towns, and has, so far as I can learn, always given satisfaction.


REPAIRS.


During the long vacation the following repairs were made : The roofs of the City, Silver Hill, and Purchase Primary build- ings were reshingled, and the roof at Deer Brook was repaired, the roof at Fountain street was reshingled earlier in the year. The buildings at Chapin street, West street, Hoboken, Bear Hill, Braggville, Deer Brook, Purchase Grammar, Purchase Primary,. Silver Hill, and City were painted both outside and inside, and the walls and ceilings kalsomined. The walls and ceilings at the Plains school were also kalsomined.


In the last two years all our buildings, with the exception of the Fountain street and South Grammar, have received a much needed coating of paint, and are now in good condition. In some instances two coats would have been better, and I think it would be advisable to adopt the policy of painting two or three build- ings each year, that the expense may be more evenly distributed through the succeeding years.


While speaking of repairs I will mention the subject of new seats and desks for our school-rooms. The High School is the only building supplied with single desks for the pupils; in all the other buildings we continue to use the double desk, and chairs which, even when well adapted to the size of the occupant, (which is not true of a large per cent of the number) are not so comfort.


27


able, nor so conducive to good health, as those of more modern make. It is unnecessary to urge the advantage of the single desk, since every one acquainted with school work recognizes its worth in discipline and comfort, not to mention its advantage in ·cases of contagious disease.


The expense of supplying new seats will be large, being :about two dollars ($2) per pupil in the Primary grades, and two dollars twenty-five cents ($2.25) in the Grammar grades. For ex- ample, it would cost five hundred dollars ($500) to provide the South Grammar building with comfortable seats and convenient desks of modern make. If the Town could make the change in one or two buildings each year, the expense of making the im- provement could be easily borne.


NEW SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS.


The necessity of providing additional room for our schools was mentioned in the last report, and at the March meeting a Com- mittee of citizens was appointed to act with the School Commit- tee in considering this question, and report at the coming meeting. The need of more room has become more pressing than last year. The schools which were moved from the Old Town House to the Claflin building have suffered in attendance, on account of the dis- tance which some of the children must travel to reach school. In Miss Kirby's room, grades 3 and 4, the attendance has fallen from 94 per cent to 91 per cent. In Miss Whitney's room, grades 1 and 2, it has fallen from 92 per cent to 82 per cent, this being 3 per cent lower than any other school in the town.


As there has been no unusual amount of sickness among the pupils of this school, I think the poor attendance may be justly attributed to the distance of the building from the homes of the children.


At the Chapin street building we have an enrolment of 153 in the three rooms. In Miss Sheldon's room, grades 3 and 4, there were 63 children when school opened in September. I divided the third grade by sending 13 pupils from Miss Sheldon's room to Miss Devine's, making 50 in each room. It will be remembered that the south room in this building was divided last year, making two small rooms. In one of these small rooms we now have 55 pupils, and in the other 50. In rooms of ordinary size this num- ber could be easily accommodated, but it is not right to keep 55


28


children in a small room without adequate means of ventilation.


The Park and South Grammar schools are crowded. At the Park there were 63 pupils in the principal's room at the commence- ment of the term. I was obliged to divide a class as I had done at the Chapin street, by sending 14 of theeighth grade to be seat- ed in Miss Broderick's room, grade 7. They go to the principal's room for their Drawing lesson, but pursue their other studies, under the direction of the teacher of grade 7. The parents of these children objected strongly to this change, but it was the' only thing that could be done under the circumstances. This arrangement will not be practicable next year as a large number will come from the sixth grade to the seventh.


In the South Grammar, the principal's room has been crowded since the opening of the term. There are now 52 pupils in the room, and at one time there were 56. ,


If we had available room, I should advise that pupils of the ninth grade be brought together and placed under.one teacher. The facts I have stated seem to indicate clearly that there is pressing need of better accommodations.


TEXT BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.


The supply account this year is $1,936.59, of which amount, $325 was for music charts and singing books, leaving $1,611.59 for regular supplies.


Expense per pupil, based on number registered $1 05


Expense per pupil based on attendance 1 42


Average expense per pupil for music supplies 22


Since each pupil registered must be supplied with books, it seems fair to base the expenditure on rumber enrolled. Many of the books in the High School and of the U. S. Histories, Geogra- phies, and Language books in the Grammar grades are much worn and must be replaced. I think the appropriation for the coming year should be $1,700.


NEXT YEAR'S EXPENSES.


Under the revised salary list $16,600 will be needed to pay the teachers in the day schools; for the evening school three months, $350; for janitors, $1,100 ; for supervision, $1,600 ; fuel, $1,200; repairs, $1,500; supplies, $1,700; incidentals, $1,500; total, $25,550.


29


CHANGE OF TEACHERS.


RESIGNATIONS. Mr. G. B. Chandler, resigned in July. Miss E. E. Wilson, resigned in April. APPOINTED.


Mr. Eben Williams, July 17.


Miss Inez Gay, Substitute, April 15.


Miss K. G. McDermott, Assistant, September.


S. F. Blodgett, Evening School, November 7.


A. E. Blodgett, Evening School,


·


November 7.


TRANSFERS.


Miss B. F. Powers from City to Purchase Grammar. Miss S. M. Gorman from Silver Hill to City.


GRADUATION EXERCISES.


The graduation exercises of the Class of 1892, Milford High School, were held at Music Hall, June 23. Rev. Luther Free- man delivered the address, and diplomas were presented by the Chairman of the Committee, Dr. George L. Cooke.


LIST OF GRADUATES. English, Latin and French.


Grace Augusta Fairbanks,


Mary Frances Gallagher,


Katherine B. Hanley,


Gertrude May Taft,


Jesse Battey Barns, Patrick Aloysius Manion.


English and French.


Ida Sherman Britton, Henry David Carbary,


Charles Francis Cahill, Francis H. Swift,


Patrick Joseph Gilmore, John Joseph Rogers,


Fred Patrick Larkin, Harry Henry O'Connor,


Charles Joseph O'Brien, Irving Carlos Hill, Robert Allen Cook, Stephen Henry Reynolds.


Classical.


Mary H. McDermott, William Gilbert Pond,


Daniel M. Tully.


Respectfully submitted,


S. F. BLODGETT, Superintendent.


ITEMIZED REPORT OF THE SCHOOLS FROM JAN. 1, 1892, TO JAN. 1, 1893.


SCHOOLS.


GRADE.


TEACHERS.


Whole Num- ber Enrolled.


Belonging.


Average Daily


Attendance.


Per cent. of At-


tendance to Num-


ber Belonging.


Tardiness pro rata


Daily Attendance.


Truants.


Boys Girls


Eben Williams.


E. F. Abbe.


68


76


106


102


96.2


A. G. Simmons.


A. R. Hayward.


K. E. Edwards.


28


32


49


47


95.9


24


.51


2


22


32


45


43


95.5


53


1.23


6


S. R. Broderick.


33


24


41


39


95.1


77


1.97


2


5


L. Madden.


30


27


50


46


92


68


1.47


3


8 and 9


M. J. Kelly.


33


35


51


47


92.1


172


3.65


7


E. O. Taylor.


29


21


38


35


92.1


116


3.31


2


SOUTH GRAMMAR.


6


A. M. Ames.


36


22


43


41


95.3


172


4.43


3


5


L. Gilfoyle.


30


22


51


47


92.1


97


2.06.3


-


PURCHASE GRAMMAR.


5-9


B. F. Powers.


17


20


26


25


96.1


93


3.72


7, 8 and 9


M. F. Devine.


35


7


30


27


90


92


3.4


1


PLAINS GRAMMAR.


5 and 6


M. E. Cochran.


43


9


42


38


90.4


80


2.1


3 and 4


J. L. Devine.


25


13


30


28


93.3


51


1.82


PLAINS PRIMARY.


1 and 2


J. F. McGann.


38


32


54


49


90.7


113


2.3


1


-


HIGH.


8 and 9 7 and 8


H. M. Broderick.


PARK GRAMMAR.


1


30


1


Average Number


Tardiness.


31


20


16


32


30


93.7


114


3.8


1


4


A. B. Chapin.


3


L. Smith.


22


20


34


31


91.1


68


2.19


1


19


25


37


35


94.6


49


1.11


CLAFLIN PRIMARY.


1


K. Chapin.


30


19


39


35


89.7


31


.80


1


3 and 4


M. T. Kirby.


25


13


35


32


91.4


92


2.87


3


32


16


39


32


82


103


3.21


1 and 2


M. E. Whitney.


3 and 4


S. E. Sheldon.


24


24


48


45


93.7


122


2.71


CHAPIN STREET PRIMARY.


2 and 3


E. A. Devine.


24


26


43


40


93


71


1.77


29


26


48


45


93 .7


68


1.51


18


15


32


30


93.4


34


1.13


4


WEST STREET PRIMARY.


1 and 2


N. F. Gorman.


26


22


42


37


88


49


1.32


13


S


20


17


85


39


2.29


HOBOKEN PRIMARY.


1 and 2


A. A. Conroy.


27


19


37


34


91.8


72


2.11


14


13


20


17


85


126


7.41


17


9


20


18


90


32


1.77


BEAR HILL.


1-9


B. J. McLoughlin.


11


9


18


17


94.4


45


2.64


BRAGGVILLE.


1-0)


K. F Tully.


9


14


15


13


86.6


90


6.92


DEER BROOK.


1-9


IM. E To hov.


9


121


11


101


90.9


14


1.4


FOUNTAIN STREET PRIMARY. PURCHASE PRIMARY. CITY.


1-4


S. E. Inman.


1-4


L. M.Namara.


1-9


S. M. Gorman.


1


E. M. Waters.


3 and 4


N. M. Conely.


2


K. McNamara.


LIST OF TEACHERS, SCHOOL IN WHICH THEY ARE TEACH- ING, RESIDENCE, THE DATE OF APPOINTMENT, AND SALARY.


NAME.


SCHOOL.


Date of Ap


pointment.


RESIDENCE.


SALARY.


Eben Williams,


High,


1892 Pleasant St.


$1400


E. F. Abbe,


High,


1890 11 Jefferson St.


600


A. G. Simmons,


High,


1891 |18 Jefferson St.


550


A. R. Hayward,


High,


1890 South Milford.


550


K. E. Edwards,


Park,


1873 41 Sumner St,


600


H. M. Broderick,


Park,


1879 37 Pine St.


396


S. R. Broderick,


Park,


1878 37 Pine St.


396


L. Madden,


Park,


1884 101 West St.


396


M. J. Kelly,


South Grammar,


1877 87 High St.


600


E. O. Taylor,


South Grammar,


1883|9 Otis St.


396


A. M. Ames,


South Grammar,


1889 14 Fruit St.


$96


L. Gilfoyle,


South Grammar,


1889 46 High St.


396


M. F. Devine,


Plains,


1875 55 Beach St.


600


M. E. Cochran,


Plains,


1876 201 East Main St.


396


J. L. Devine,


Plains,


1884 55 Beach St. 396


378


B. F. Powers,


Purchase Gram.,.


1890 Cedar St.


342


A. B. Chapin,


Claflin,


1863 250 Main St.


500


L. Smith,


Claflin,


1882 4 Pearl St.


396


K. McNamara,


Claflin,


1879|250 Central St.


396


K. Chapin,


Claflin,


1869 250 Main St.


396


M. T. Kirby,


Claflin,


1883 33 Pond St.


396


M. E. Whitney,


Claflin,


1889 16 Grant St.


360


S. E. Sheldon,


Chapin Street,


1871 31 Franklin St.


396


E. A. Devine,


Chapin Street,


1881 55 Beach St.


396


E. M. Waters,


Chapin Street,


1887 8 Carroll St.


378


N. M. Conely,


West Street,


1888 25 Taylor St.


360


N. F. Gorman,


West Street,


1885 10 Huntoon St.


396


A. A. Conroy,


Hoboken,


1884 40 East St.


396


S. E. Inman,


Fountain Street,


1868|7 Taylor St.


396


L. McNamara,


Purchase Primary, 1892 40 Sumner St.


342


S. M. Gorman,


City,


1891 10 Huntoon St.




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