USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Milford > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 1895-1898 > Part 4
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE 1895-96.
HEBER D. BOWKER,
JOHN T. McLOUGHLIN,
JOHN J. DUGGAN,
CHARLES MACKIN,
66 1897.
GEORGE L. COOKE,
66 1898.
GEORGE E. STACY,
66
1898.
ORGANIZATION.
GEORGE L. COOKE, Chairman.
S. F. BLODGETT, Secretary.
SUB-COMMITTEES. Rules and Regulations.
J. T. McLOUGHLIN, H. D. BOWKER, THE SUPERINTENDENT. Repairs.
GEORGE E. STACY,
GEORGE L. COOKE,
THE SUPERINTENDENT.
Teachers and Examinations.
H. D. BOWKER, J. J. DUGGAN, THE SUPERINTENDENT. Books and Supplies.
CHARLES MACKIN, J. T. McLOUGHLIN, THE SUPERINTENDENT. Fuel.
J. J. DUGGAN, GEORGE E. STACY.
SUPERINTENDENT. S. F. BLODGETT.
Office at Memorial Hall. Office hours, 4 to 5 p. M. daily when schools are in session; 8 to 9 A. M. on Fridays.
Regular meetings of the Committee are held on the second Monday of each month at 8 p. M.
Term expires 1896. 1896.
1897.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
A full and detailed report of the schools you will find in the report of the Secretary and Superintendent, which the Committee have approved and adopted.
The Committee have endeavored to keep within the limits of the special and general appropriations for building and fur- nishing the new schoolhouse and running of the schools. There is a credit balance of $18.29. In completing the building on Spruce street we have a fine four-room building properly lighted, well ventilated, and good sanitary arrangements, adapted for the younger and youngest scholars, supplying a long felt need. When the surroundings and conditions of life are such as to destroy delicacy and purity in the young, public morality is poisoned at the spring.
The system of public schools had its origin in the New England states, and has a strong and increasing hold in the hearts of its citizens ;- it is not perfect, but gradually improv- ing. The old methods of running the schools entirely by committees has almost ceased; 93 per cent of the schools are under superintendents, who are held responsible, and just- ly, for the standing of the schools. Good work is being done in all the schools.
The Legislature has made liberal and generous provision in providing for four new normal schools for the teaching of the teachers, which is a great feature in the great scheme of edu- cation-the preparation of teachers for their work. A plan for the state examination and certification of teachers as passed by an act of the last Legislature, has been approved by the Board of Education and adopted by the School Committee, so that hereafter only trained teachers shall be employed in its public schools.
An advance toward more equal conditions of life has been so great that amongst the more progressive nations such terms as "lower orders," "common people" and "working classes" are losing much of their old meaning, and the masses of the peo-
4
ple are being slowly raised and the barriers of birth and class privilege are being broken through.
The revolution in methods of travel and means of com- munication, and our system of universal education are the products of the century in which we are still living. All the members of the community in the rivalry of life should be on a footing of equal opportunity in educational privileges; the laws should be equal for the poor and the rich. Education, power and wealth are open to all, and our laws should not stop with providing the bare rudiments of education for the people.
In this country, with all our educational facilities, crime is certainly not waning; it is rather increasing. There are other factors to be taken into consideration besides education. It is undoubtedly true that a purely intellectual education is no effective safeguard against criminal tendencies, and that the latter will not be checked until we engraft moral teaching and conscience training on our system of instruction.
There has been a gain of 92 scholars in town the last year; there are now 1592 scholars; 1256 are between 5 and 15 years.
The population of the town is 8958. The number of scholars in the state public schools in 1885 was 339,714; pub- lic schools in 1895 was 412,953; a gain of 73,239; a gain of 13,000 last year; a gain in attendance of 15,000. The aver- age cost per pupil in state in 1885 was $16.38; the average cost per pupil in the state in 1895 was $19.98; the average cost per pupil in town in 1895 was $16.33. In academies, private schools and parochial schools the number is 64,688; 87 per cent of scholars are in public schools.
APPROPRIATIONS.
The following amounts will be required for the coming year. The opening of the fourth room in the new building has added one teacher to the force, and will increase the amount required for salaries by $396.
Teachers' salaries $17,650 00 ·
Janitors' salaries .
.
·
.
1,300 00
Superintendent's salary ·
.
.
· 1,600 00
.
5
Transportation of pupils
$ 150 00
Supplies ·
1,800 00
Repairs
.
700 00
Fuel .
.
1,200 00
Incidentals .
1,600 00
Repairs at South Grammar school
1,000 00
$27,000 00
All of which is respectfully submitted.
GEORGE L. COOKE,
GEORGE E. STACY,
JOHN J. DUGGAN, CHARLES MACKIN,
HEBER D. BOWKER,
JOHN T. McLOUGHLIN,
School Committee.
·
SECRETARY'S REPORT.
RECEIPTS.
Appropriation
$27,000 00
Tuition .
15 00
Damages at high school
5 00
Sales
12 28
$27,032 28
EXPENDITURES.
Teaching, unpaid last year
$464 36
Supplies, unpaid last year 31 67
$ 496 03
Teaching
17,280 34
Superintendent
1,600 00
Carriage hire for teachers
249 00
Transportation of pupils
198 00
Janitors
1,229 25
Fuel
.
.
1,184 18
Supplies
·
·
2,070 23
Repairs
736 76
Incidentals
1,451 57
Am't paid for Spruce street building . 518 63
27,013 99
Balance
$18 29
SPRUCE STREET BUILDING.
Apropriation $16,000 00
Paid Dillon Brothers last year $ 2,000 00 ·
Dillon Brothers present year 11,772 00
Fuller Warren Heating Co. 1,450 00
Chandler Adjustable Desk Co.
655 00
R. A. Cook, architect
123 00
$16,000 00
.
7
Am't paid from regular appropriation :-
R. A. Cook
$290 00
R. Blume .
45 80
Avery & Woodbury
70 83
L. A. McMahon
100 00
C. W. Wilcox
12 00
$518 63
Cost of Spruce street building $16,518 63 Following are itemized accounts of the amounts expend- ed for fuel, repairs, supplies, and incidentals :-
FUEL.
T. Pond
$ 1 00
H. A. Barney
302 57
Williams Brothers .
245 75
Macuen Brothers ·
332 25
L. A. Cook
14 38
T. Quirk
288 23
$1,184 18
REPAIRS.
C. A. IIill
·
$71 27
D. A. Conant
.
6 45
F. W. Stewart .
·
.
.
3 00
Hill Williams
3 20
John Taft
67 03
Henry Willard .
84 34
J. L. Buxton
15 85
F. H. Dean
73 32
Adin Ball
80 00
Otis Whitney & Son
87 14
Hilton Bros. & Crofoot
7 10
T. E. Morse
40 00
Clark Ellis & Sons
72 99
Z. C. Field .
20 45
Eldredge & Beatty
.
66 32
J. Cochran
6 11
·
.
·
.
·
·
8
Dillon Brothers I. C. Soule
13 00
Hussey Brothers
.
.
50
Joseph Hancock
55
$736 76
SUPPLIES.
Edward E. Babb & Co.
$316 15
J. L. Hammett
147 71
Allyn & Bacon
10 00
King & Merrill
15 85
Carter Dinsmore & Co.
26 25
American Book Co.
146 08
Eberhard Faber
134 85
Ginn & Company
278 27
Silver, Burdett & Co.
265 98
George S. Perry
54 84
Leach, Shewell & Sanborn
202 37
D. C. Heath & Co.
82 65
Milton Bradley Co.
·
97 88
Boston School Supply Co.
72 00
John E. Potter & Co.
7 50
A. C. Boyden .
9 50
Oliver Ditson Co.
7 50
Houghton, Mifflin & Co.
17 00
Eagle Pencil Co.
16 75
T. H. Castor & Co. .
65 07
Thompson, Brown & Co.
21 30
J. F. Hickey
1 70
William Ware & Co.
4 80
Rand, McNally & Co. .
99 90
$2,101 90
INCIDENTALS.
J. A. Rice
$ 64 50
G. A. Sherborne
.
.
.
Brian Brennan .
·
·
·
Cook & Sons .
73 25
O. Sweet .
.
.
29 70
.
.
.
.
.
.
·
.
.
.
38 24
33 15
.
·
$18 14
9
G. M. Billings .
$ 48 00
H. J. Dearing .
46 85
Milford Water Co.
171 67
William Hynes
33 00
Milford Gaslight Co.
19 53
Joseph Hancock
7 50
William Nugent
3 90
Thorp & Martin. Co.
2 70
H. C. Kendall
3 80
F. G. Williams .
126 00
Music Hall Co.
36 25
E. L. Kellogg
2 70
F. Tompkins, jr.
1 50
George H. Richter & Co.
12 95
Graduation programs, 1894
.
12 00
66 1895
12 00
Mrs. Fitzmaurice
6 00
M. McKeague .
106 00
Central School Supply Co.
72 00
D. A. Conant
41 60
Celia Parkhurst
6 00
John Cochran .
25 00
Martin Donohoe
·
21 90
C. W. Wilcox .
1 50
George L. Cooke
3 25
B. Glennon
6 00
Austin Davoren
2 00
W. E. Lackey
1 50
A. A. Conroy
5 00
A. Shields
3 00
John Costello
3 00
N. Jewell
5 00
Mrs. J. Madden
5 00
D. B. Hitchcock
5 00
E. E. Vaughan .
46 55
Milford Daily News
50
A. Stevens
2 76
F. A. Bishop
.
.
1 04
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
10
E. F. Lilley
$ 2 50
W. B. Whiting
2 30
Balch Brothers
12 50
Superintendent's horse hire
100 00
Secretary's salary, 1894
25 00
1895
·
25 00
Express and freight
·
·
34 25
Stamps and cards
22 50
Superintendent's incidental expenses
69 73
Avery & Woodbury
6 00
E. C. Claflin
3 00
$1,451 57
At a meeting of the Committee held Monday evening, Feb. 10, the Secretary's report was accepted, and it was voted to adopt the Superintendent's report as a part of the report of the School Committee.
S. F. BLODGETT,
Secretary.
.
.
.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF MILFORD.
GENTLEMEN : I herewith present for your approval the nineteenth annual report of the superintendent of schools.
STATISTICS.
Population of Milford in 1895 . 8,958
Number of children between 5 and 15 years of age, by
census taken in May, 1895 .
1,256
Increase over last year ·
54
Number between 5 and 8 . ·
·
·
·
362
Number between 8 and 15 ·
. 894
Number over 15
27
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE.
Number enrolled under 5 .
6
66 between 5 and 8
424
66
8 and 14 793
14 and 15
.
127
15 and 16
110
over 16
132
Total enrolment 1,592
.
Average membership
.
. 1,297
Average attendance
. 1,227
Per cent of attendance
. 94.6
Number of days' absence in all schools .
. 12,603
Number cases of tardiness in all schools .
. 2,066
Number cases of dismissal ·
. 2,399
Number cases corporal punishment ·
36
Cases of suspected truancy .
·
.
58
·
.
.
·
·
12
Cases of actual truancy
30
Visits by superintendent .
. 634
Visits by others
1,067
TEACHERS.
High school (1 male, 3 females)
4
Grammar schools .
12
Primary schools
17
Ungraded schools .
4
Special teachers (drawing and music)
2
Whole number employed .
39
COMPARISON OF STATISTICS.
A comparison with last year's statistics shows an increase of 54 in the number of children between the ages of 5 and 15, 92 in the number enrolled, 36 in the average membership, and 37 in the daily attendance, the per cent of attendance having increased by three tenths of one per cent. In the appendix will be found the roll of honor and a table showing the num- ber of books in use in the schools.
TRUANT OFFICER'S REPORT.
January, Reported by teachers,
1
Found to be truants, 1
February,
66
7
66
3
March,
66
4
66
4
April,
66
11
66
66
4
May,
66
11
66
66
6
September,
66
66
6
3
October,
66
7
66
4
November,
66
9
3
December,
66
66
2
66
66
2
Total reported by teachers, 58
Found to be truants, 30
EXPENDITURES.
Teachers .
$17,280 34
Superintendent
·
1,600 00
Janitors
.
·
.
1,229 25
·
.
13
Fuel
$1,184 18
Transportation of pupils .
198 00
Allowance to teachers for carriage hire
249 00
Current expenses, including above
items .
·
$21,740 77
Incidentals
$1,451 57
Repairs
736 76
Supplies
.
.
2,070 23
4,258 56
Total expense for the year
$25,999 33
Bills reported unpaid last year
$496 03
Amount paid for Spruce street building
518 63
1,014 66
Total expenditure .
$27,013 99
AVERAGE EXPENSE PER PUPIL.
Total cost of schools for the year . $25,999 33
Expense per pupil, based on enrolment (1592) $16 33
Expense per pupil, based on membership (1297) . $20 05
TEXT-BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
Total outlay for the year .
$2,070 23
Sales
$12 28
Net expense
$2,057 95
Expense per pupil, based on enrolment (1592) $1 29
Expense per pupil, based on membership (1297) .
$1 58
·
.
A REVIEW OF THE YEAR.
In reviewing the work of the year, I am compelled to use an expression which may seem somewhat hackneyed, when I say that the condition of our schools is, on the whole, satisfac- tory. However, when I say this, I do not wish to convey the impression that I am entirely satisfied with the work; indeed it is hardly the duty of the superintendent to be satisfied; he
14
should always be on the alert to discover some means of improving the schools under his charge, and, in every field of labor, he who earnestly seeks improvement will attain it.
It is right to expect that the superintendent should devote much of his time to a personal inspection of the teacher's work; the work of the pupils is always a sure evidence of the teacher's ability, and the only fair way to judge her worth is to visit the schoolroom and see her at her work.
The teachers' meeting is undoubtedly one of the most effi- cient means by which the superintendent can work for im- provement; I have obtained excellent results from a series of grade meetings where teachers of the same grade have met to talk about their work, and to consider means of securing bet- ter results. Our teachers are earnest, conscientious workers, and have always been willing to aid me in carrying out any changes which I have made with a view to the best interests of the schools.
READING.
I am more nearly satisfied with the improvement in read- ing than with that in other branches of study. Four years ago we adopted the plan of supplying to the pupils in the grammar schools, reading matter consisting of complete selec- tions from some of the best authors, in place of the regular fourth and fifth readers, which contain only fragments from many writers. Pupils in grades above the fourth now read complete selections from Andersen, Hawthorne, Whittier, Longfellow, Burroughs, Tennyson, and others. This plan has not only awakened an increased interest during the reading hour, but it has created in many pupils a desire to read other works of the same authors,-an evidence that they are ac- quiring a taste for the best literature.
A taste for that which is best in literature is an important factor in the formation of character, and we should begin the education of such a taste as early in life as it is possible to do so. A large number of the children in the grammar grades are constant patrons of the public library, and the amount which they read at home is many times greater than that which it is
15
possible to give them in the schoolroom. The result is that the influence which the school course of reading exerts on the cultivation of a taste for that which is best, is not so strong as it would be if the school authorities had power to control their selection of books.
With the pupils of the lower grades the school influence is more potent, because the children are able to do comparatively little reading without the assistance of the teacher. It there- fore seems desirable to extend our course in literature to the fourth grade, and as far as possible to the lower grades. It is somewhat difficult to obtain good literature which is adapted to the ability of the younger children, but some of the publish- ers are making earnest efforts to meet the demand for this class of reading. There is so much pernicious literature which the children obtain with little expense, that it becomes our du- ty to give them every possible protection against its influence, and we can afford them no better safeguard against this grow- ing evil than by giving them an early opportunity to acquire a taste for that which is pure and beautiful.
ARITHMETIC.
This study has so long held the place of honor among the branches pursued in our schools, that it is not an easy matter to induce teachers to relegate it to its proper position, which should be to consider it merely as one of many important sub- jects. There can be no sound reason for thinking that a pupil who is unable to readily solve mathematical problems shows a greater mental deficiency than one who is unable to express his ideas in intelligent English, or to make a logical deduction from cause to effect in the preparation of a lesson in geography or history; so strong, however, is the force of habit, that in the first case the pupil is invariably called dull, while in the second case we simply say that he is slow. In the transaction of ordinary business affairs, the ability to express thought cor- rectly and fluently is surely of as much practical advantage as the ability to calculate rapidly in fractions and percentage.
A few years ago all the number work in the four lower grades was prepared by the teacher and given to the pupils by
16
means of the black-board or dictation. Constant use of the black-board has been proved to be so injurious to the eye-sight that I advised placing text-books in the hands of the pupils. This has been done in the third and fourth grades, and this year I hope to use books during the last half of the second year.
LANGUAGE.
Our work in this important study is improving, but much yet remains to be accomplished before we can say that it is satisfactory. Language, in whatever form it is used, is the ex- pression of thought; no child can ever become skilful in the use of language until he has thoughts of his own to express; it follows that the logical ord er for the instructor to pursue in the language lesson is, first to induce thought, and then to train in its expression.
The fact that it is not practicable to place text-books on language in the hands of children in the first and second grades, and a desire to furnish them with an abundance of suitable material for thought, has induced me to introduce a systematic course of nature study in the primary grades. Dur- ing the spring term these grades began the study of plant life. Boxes and jars of earth were placed in the schoolroom and seeds planted in them; branches of the horse-chestnut, lilac, apple, pear, elm and other well-known trees and shrubs were procured and placed in jars filled with water. This work, as far as possible, was done by the children, and they watched with lively interest the growth of the plant and the unfolding of the leaf and flower buds. In the fall term the study of leaves was taken up by all the grades and continued through- out the term.
This work was undertaken, not so much for the purpose of giving the pupils a correct knowledge of botany, as to fur- nish them with interesting material for thought, and by the expression of their thoughts to supply the teachers with better means of language drill.
To the majority of our teachers this was entirely new · work. and demanded much additional labor and study, but I
17
was pleased to observe that, without exception, they cheerfully undertook it and carried it out in a spirit which has secured very satisfactory results.
GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY.
Constant progress is being made in the methods of instruc- tion in these branches, and although some of the teachers are inclined to confine themselves too closely to the subject-matter contained in the text-books, the growing demand on our pub- lic library for books relating to geography and history is evi- dence that our best teachers are leading their pupils to obtain information on these subjects from every available source. In order to assist and encourge them in this line of work, I desire to be able to start a reference library on these subjects in each of our grammar schools. With a small outlay each year for this purpose, each room would soon be provided with material which would be of great benefit to the children and assistance to the teachers.
SPELLING AND WRITING.
The work in these branches, has been, and is now, less sat- isfactory than that in any other line of work. Nothing can be gained by concealing the fact that many of our children spell poorly and are unable to write well; the teachers are aware of the necessity of giving special attention to spelling, and with additional exertion on their part in this direction, I feel sure that I shall be able to report improvement during the coming year.
After a careful consideration of the advantages and disad- vantages of vertical writing, I decided to recommend its adop- tion, and by vote of the committee, it was introduced in the four primary grades at the commencement of the present term. The arguments in its favor are its greater simplicity and legibility, and that by its use we are able to secure a more natural position of the pupil at the desk, a position which is more conducive to health. At this time it is too early to speak of the result of the change, but I am much pleased with the change in position, and the ease with which the children are making the transition from the slant to the vertical writing.
18
PREPARATION OF TEACHERS.
In the report of last year, I made the suggestion that it would be well for us to demand that candidates for positions on our corps of teachers should be required to furnish evidence of special preparation for their work or proof of successful ex- perience, and at the regular meeting in July the Committee adopted the following regulation :---
"On and after July 9, 1895, each candidate for a position as teacher in the grammar and primary grades of the Milford public schools shall be required to present either a diploma from a state normal school, or a diploma granted by the State Board of Examiners, or to furnish satisfactory evidence of at least one year of successful experience as a teacher."
This regulation is in full accord with the best educational spirit of the times, and can not fail to improve the quality of our teaching force. I feel sure that, by the adoption of this regula- tion, the Committee have taken an important step towards the improvement of the schools. In this connection I will quote the following extract from the Governor's message delivered at the commencement of his present term of office :---
"The board of education has directed that in 1896 and thereafter candidates for admission to the normal schools must be graduates of high schools, or must have received an equiva- lent education, and that their examinations shall be in high school as well as in grammar school subjects.
"Inasmuch as free high school tuition has been made the legal right of every properly qualified child in the state, and is attainable at home by the great majority of pupils, the new standards of admission seem to be within general reach, and are likely to improve the qualifications of teachers.
"The policy of the state in providing means for the pro- fessional training of its teachers has received not only the sanction that comes from half a century of successful trial, but also the implied approval of that general normal-school move- ment of the country that had its beginning in Massachusetts.
"The state's generous provision for such training points to the wisdom of making a beginning, at least, in some policy of demanding that hereafter only trained teachers shall be em- ployed in its public schools."
THE HIGH SCHOOL.
By the resignation of Miss A. R. Hayward in August, this school lost a valuable teacher, whose earnest, conscientious la-
1
19
bors have been highly appreciated by all who have had an in- terest in its welfare. At about the same time the Committee received the resignation of Miss Mary Burgess, who accepted a position in the Fitchburg high school. The vacancies thus formed were filled by the election of Miss G. I. Deans of Medway and Miss Claribel Moulton of Newburyport. Both of these ladies are teachers of experience, and the progress of the classes in their charge is proof of their ability. Miss Richard- son remained in charge of the classical department, where her thorough work in the preparation of those who intend to enter college is worthy of special commendation.
It has been a pleasure to note the steady improvement of the school since Mr. Williams has been in charge as its princi- pal. In discipline and in the quality of work performed by the pupils it is in excellent condition.
Our citizens have reason to be proud of the school, al- though they will hardly be able to maintain that feeling when they consider the condition of the building in which its ses- sions are held. During the latter part of last year it was ne- cessary to employ the services of a fourth assistant, and Miss C. M. Field was engaged to take charge of three recitations daily. Owing to the scarcity of class-room we were compelled. to hold some recitations in the laboratory. This room is ar- ranged for laboratory work by classes in chemistry, and any one who is acquainted with its arrangement will realize how poorly it is fitted for a general class-room. The necessity for a new high school is as great as it was when the town unani- mously voted an appropriation for that purpose, and I hope the citizens will soon consider the erection of more commodi- ous quarters.
For some years it had been the custom of the Committee to grant partial diplomas to members of the senior class who had not taken a full course of study, or who had failed to reach the required standard in some of the studies pursued. This course was found to be detrimental to the best interests of the school, and it was decided to grant no more partial diplomas. At a meeting on Nov. 12 the following regulation was adopted by an unanimous vote of the Committee :-
"A pupil in the high school shall be entitled to a diploma
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