USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Milford > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 1910 > Part 7
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2 90
Mrs. Carl Norman
1 50
D. Toner
75
G. A. Sherborne
33 42
Sherborne Coughlin Express
43 95
Cheney Bros. .
5 57
Otis Clapp & Son
7 20
IO
Mrs. Caleb Sherman .
$ 1 50
Winchester Tar Disinfectant Co.
32 40
S. A. Eastman
.
3 75
Edwards & Co.
.
3 60
Mrs. O. Lundgren
.
3 00
Milford Journal
7 25
Mrs. Martin
1 50
J. F. Barrett
86 75
Carter, Rice & Co.
5 49
W. E. Cheney
25 13
Dr. J. M. French
100 00
Dr. J. V. Gallagher
100 00
W. H. Leonard
5 00
E. F. Lilley
2 75
Cooney & Higgiston
56 35
G. E. Stacy
7 90
Pratt Bros.
26 28
James L. Lilley
3 00
J. Allen Rice & Co.
24 15
H. S. Chadbourne
7 44
Fred N. Cass .
9 96
A. & E. Burton Co.
9 00
Secretary's salary
50 00
Postage
11 70
Travelling expenses
8 90
Adams Express
.
2 15
American Express
1 25
$1,926 26
SPRUCE STREET SCHOOL.
Pratt Brothers (contract)
$1,594 14
R. A. Cook
79 00
$1,673 14
TABLE SHOWING RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES.
The following table shows the estimated amounts under the several headings for school expenses in 1909, the amount expended under the different headings, also the balance or deficit of each :-
II
APPROPRIA TION.
EXPENDED.
UNEX - PENDED.
Ex- CEEDED.
Teaching,
$29,000 00
$28,517 49
$482 51
Supervision,
1,800 00
1,800 00
Carriage hire for teachers,
450 00
476 50
$ 26 50
Transportation of pupils,
650 00
834 30
184 30
Janitors,
2,900 00
2.977 02
77 02
Fuel,
3,000 00
2,531 81
468 19
Repairs,
1.800 00
2,374 57
574 57
Supplies,
2.000 00
2,383 06|
383 06
Incidentals,
1,900 00
1,926 26
26 26
Spruce street school,
1.500 00
1,673 14
173 14
Received for tuition,
445 50
445 50|
Received from sales, etc.,
49 47
49 47
Balance,
$45,494 97
$45,494 15 $1,445 67 $1.444 85 82
82
$45 494 97
$45.494 97 $1,445 67 $1 445 67
At a meeting of the school board held Friday, January 28, the reports of the secretary and superintendent were read and accepted, and will constitute a part of the report of the board to the citizens of Milford.
C. W. HALEY, Secretary .. 1
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF MILFORD:
Gentlemen :-
The thirty-third annual report in the series of superin- tendents' reports is hereby presented to you, and through you to the citizens of Milford. It is the fourteenth report of the present incumbent.
STATISTICS.
Number of children in town September 1, 1909, between 5 and 15 years of age, as reported by the census enumera- tor :-
1100
Number of girls
.
.
1157
Total number between 5 and 15 years .
2257
Total number in September, 1908 £
.
.
2176
Increase
81
.
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE.
Number enrolled under 5
14
between 5 and 8 .
·
66
8 and 14
.
.
1104
66 66 14 and 15
.
.
149
66
66
15 and 16 .
83
66
66 over 16
.
.
Total enrolment ·
2093
between 5 and 15
1893
Average membership in all the schools
1895.4
Average attendance .
1824
Per cent of attendance
96.2
Number of cases of tardiness in all the schools
1411
66 66 corporal punishment
.
19
66
66 truancy .
32
Visits by superintendent
66 committee .
.
23
66 others .
1772
.
.
.
66 dismissal 66
66
1063
.
614
.
The census report as taken last September shows an in-
103
640
Number of boys
I3
crease of 81 children in town between the ages of 5 and 15 years.
The attendance of three consecutive years is given below for comparison :---
1907.
1908.
1909.
Total enrolment
·
1,901
1,971
2,093
Average membership
·
. 1,701.9
1,790.1
1,895.4
Average attendance
. 1,621.6
1,716.7
1,824
Per cent of attendance
·
95.2
95.9
96.2
Number of half days' absence
. 31,397
27,326
26,283
Number of cases of tardiness
1,416
1,509
1,411
Number of cases of dismissal
904
683
1,063
·
ACCOMMODATIONS.
At the opening of schools in September the rooms in the Plains district were crowded to their full capacity. The fourth grade room had 70 pupils in it, and the fifth grade 58. In order to relieve this condition a combined fourth and fifth grade class was formed and put into the Annex building, but this necessitated removing one of the third grades, and re- placing the desks with new and larger ones. Fortunately the number of first grade pupils was considerably smaller this year than usual owing to an increase in the age of admission, and we were able to accommodate them in two rooms instead of requiring three rooms as last year. This made it possible to move the third grade from the Annex to Italian Hall, which had been occupied by a first grade. But with the first grade back in its normal condition with respect to numbers, as we expect it will be next September, we are at a loss to know where they can be accommodated. In addition to this the School Department is confronted with another problem in the upper grades of this district. For several years the seventh and eighth grades have been combined in one room, while the ninth grade has been transferred to the Park and South schools, but if the ninth grade pupils continue to in- crease they cannot be accommodated at the two latter schools,
This will necessitate re-opening a ninth grade at the Plains or combining the eighth and ninth, but whatever is done with the ninth grade I am reasonably certain that it will be impossible for the seventh and eighth grades to occupy the
14
same room another year owing to increased numbers in these grades.
In view of these facts it looks as if two more rooms would be needed next September, in addition to Italian Hall, which has been hired for the last three years. To provide for the increase in this district I suggest that the town be asked to enlarge the present primary building by building onto the easterly end of it another of the same size, thus giving four ad- ditional school rooms. It would then be possible and entirely practical to have one heating plant for all of the schools in this group.
By vote of the school board at the regular meeting in December an article will be in the town warrant to see if the town will vote to purchase the Quirk land adjoining the pre- sent primary school lot at the Plains.
The following table shows the number of pupils in each grade in town, the number in each building, and the number in all of the buildings on the first of October, 1909 :-
SCHOOL.
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX
SOPHOMORE
JUNIOR.
SENIOR.
TOTAL.
NO
-
- -
-
-
High,
68 61 39 24
192
Park,
4
47
33
40 48
167
South,
4
47
44
41|47
179
Plains Grammar,
4
47
43
34
31
19
174
Plains Primary,
4
97
92
189
Plains Annex,
85
Italian Hall,
49
49
Claflin,
6
38
40
47
40
49
24
17
255
Spruce Street,
4
26
40
25
24
50
165
Oliver Street,
4
32
38
27
19
50
166
Chapin Street,
2
32
22
23
77
West Street,
2
21
25
24
89
Hoboken,
1
17
12
29
Fountain Street,
1
15
5
3
12
35
Purchase Grammar,
11
8
10
7
36
Purchase Primary,
1
10
6
8
5
29
Bear Hill,
1
1
1
2
1
3
3
11
Braggville,
1
4
4
4
3
15
Totals,
259
291|261 220
220
160
137 107 95
68 61
39 24 1942
49
22
14
1
19
FRESHMAN.
OF ROOMS
IN BUILDING.
15
REPAIRS.
During the past year more than usual has been done in the line of changes and repairs to improve the school property and keep it in good condition. The entire inside finish of the Claflin and Plains primary buildings was cleaned and var- nished. All of the pupils' desks and chairs in the Claflin, South, Chapin street, Oliver street and Braggville buildings, and a part of those in the Spruce street building were cleaned and varnished.
The hoods on the ventilating stacks at the High school were replaced and the stacks pointed with cement at an ex- pense of $413.09. These hoods are made of heavy copper and carefully constructed on a framework of iron so that now they are expected to last for many years.
During the summer the high school boilers were thor- oughly repaired, and shortly after starting the heating plant in September, leaks were discovered in the return pipes under the concrete. Upon investigation these pipes were found to be badly eaten by rust, and the conclusion was that new pipe would share the same fate in a few years if placed under ground, therefore all of the return piping that was below the concrete was removed and replaced with new pipe above the concrete where it will not rust, where it can be seen, and where it can be easily gotten at if necessary.
Other repairs of less importance have been made as needed.
SPRUCE STREET BUILDING.
At this building the old crematory closets were taken out and replaced with modern closets connected with the sewer. A teachers' toilet was placed on the second floor, and two san- itary drinking fountains were installed in the basements, so that this building may now be regarded as quite up to date. This work was done by contract at a cost of $1673.14, includ- ing the architect's commission.
SALARIES.
For several years a feeling that our grade teachers were underpaid was shared by members of the committee and
16
many citizens of the town, but the committee was powerless. to grant any substantial increase because of an insufficient appropriation.
At the last annual town meeting in March the matter was presented to the citizens, and as a result $3000 was added. to the appropriation of the previous year for the purpose of increasing the salaries.
At a subsequent meeting of the committee the following revised schedule was presented and adopted :-
First year of service $400 00 ·
Second year of service 425 00 .
Third year of service
.
450 00
Fourth year of service .
475 00 .
Fifth and subsequent years 500 00
Principals of four-room primary buildings 550 00
Principal of Claflin school
600 00
Drawing supervisor . .
650 00 .
Substitutes, per day .
.
2 50
At a meeting of the committee on November 5 the salary of principals of Grammar buildings was made $640.
It is understood that the salaries as arranged at present are for the year, whether the service be 38 or 40 weeks.
Teachers are to be paid in twenty instalments of two weeks each, beginning after the first two weeks of school in September.
AGE OF ADMISSION.
After having the matter under consideration for some time the committee finally voted, at a meeting held April 2, to make the age of admission to the first grade six years in- stead of five. Two things were taken into consideration be- fore reaching the final decision: first, the changing from a nine to an eight-year course before the high school, made it seem advisable that the children be more mature when enter- ing school, in order that they might do more work in each succeeding grade, and second, our first grade classes were over-crowded and contained many immature children who.
17.
were unable to do the work, and consequently they had to re- main two years in the grade.
At the opening of schools in September it was found, af- ter the first week or two, that the seating capacity for the first grade would admit of a few more being taken in, conse- quently they were admitted if they were to become six years of age before the first day of December, and a week later the time was extended to January 31, but even then we were be- sieged on every hand to allow children who would not become six until May, 1910, to enter school.
Of course some children are more mature at five years of age than others are at six, and it is perfectly natural for pa- rents to want to push them ahead. Doubtless these more ma- ture children could do the work, but school authorities can- not be governed by maturity in admitting children to school. In fairness to all it can be done only by an age limit.
The average pupil who enters school at the age of five, is not qualified and should not be expected to do the same kind' and amount of work as the pupil who enters at six. The or- · dinary five-year-old child is not sufficiently developed, either physically or mentally, to do this.
In a large majority of the states the age of admission to the first grade in the public schools is six years, and in some states six and a half or seven years. In Massachusetts, how- ever, the age of admission in most cities and towns where there is no kindergarten has been five years, but the tendency, now is to make it six years.
Throughout the United States at least 75 per cent of the cities and towns of 4000 or more population have but eight years before the high school. In Massachusetts the reverse of this has been true, but now many are changing from nine grades to eight, and from five years to six for admission to the; first grade.
NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS.
It seems to me that the most pressing need along the line of repairs and improvements, aside from various minor things that must be done any way, and frequently need immediate attention, is the connecting of the Plains Grammar, the Park,
18
South and Claflin buildings with the sewer. To do this means quite extensive changes, and the outlay of a considerable sum of money, nevertheless, it is a thing that should be done with- out unnecessary delay, as the present sanitary condition of these buildings is more or less a menace to health, and the tendency is for it to grow worse rather than better.
In my judgment the most urgent need of an immediate change exists at the Claflin building. This is the largest school in town and the conditions are anything but desirable.
The present out-building is inadequate; it is too near the school, and the vaults are so situated that they receive the drainage from the hill beyond. In wet times they are full of water and it is impossible to keep them in a decent condition. To connect this school building properly with the sewer, one of two things must be done, either raise the building for the purpose of giving light and ventilation, blast out the ledge in the west end of the cellar and cement the whole surface, or build a separate building in the rear and provide some means of keeping it from freezing. After going over the matter somewhat carefully with one of our prominent builders I am of the opinion that the latter plan is the cheaper and quite as satisfactory.
As to which of the other buildings should be connected with the sewer first, it is a matter of choice between the Plains Grammar building and the South school.
Something should be done each year along this line of sanitation, and I renew my recommendation of last year; namely, that at least one of these buildings be connected with the sewer each year.
NATIVE AND FOREIGN PARENTAGE.
The following table, showing the nationality of the pa- rents of the pupils in our schools, will be very interesting to those who watch the ever increasing cosmopolitan character of the population of Milford. The table shows the number of pupils belonging to each nationality, the school which they attend and the total of each.
19
'Parentage.
High.
Park.
South.
Plains Gram.
Plains Prim.
Plains Annex.
Italian Hall.
Claflin.
Spruce St.
Oliver St.
Chapin St.
West St.
Hoboken.
Fountain St.
Purchase Gr.
Purchase Pr.
Bear Hill.
Braggville.
Total.
American,
175 157
117
9
6
2. 1
155 131 154 40
49
1|
11
10 10
2
5 11035
Italian,
12
7
6 158 181 81 48
82
9
6
7
28
3
1
3
1
10
643
Jew,
5
4
1
1
6
4
2
30
Scotch,
1
3
3
3
1
2
2
4
19
Irish.
22
4
1
11|18
1
3
3
63
English,
12
1
2
3
3
3
24
Swede,
1
1
1
12
4
11,19
55
Norwegian,
1
2
1
1
2
2
8
French,
5
5
3
18
Canadian,
6
6
12
Russian,
1
1
2
4
Arabian,
1
1
Austrian,
1
1
Finn,
2
2
1|
4
1
10
Armenian,
1
2
1
4
Bohemian,
1
1
N. Scotian,
9
2
2
13
Totals.
192 167 179 174 189 85 49 255 165 166
77 89 29 35 36 29 11 15 1942
GIFTS TO THE HIGH SCHOOL.
During the past year the High school has received sever- al useful and artistic presents.
Mr. Thomas E. Barns and his sister gave to the school a large portion of the valuable geological specimens that be- longed to their father, the late Dr. Barns of this town. Many of these are excellent specimens and they will form the nu- cleus for a much larger collection. Indeed, we already have the promise of more.
Nelson's Loose-leaf Encyclopædia has recently been placed in the school, and $40 of the purchase money was given by the class of 1907.
Sectional bookcases and books to the amount of $40 were bought a year ago with money given by the class of 1908, and the class of 1909 presented a $40 picture to the school at their graduation in June.
ASSISTANT TEACHERS.
In my last previous report I recommended that two
6
1
German,
20
teachers be employed to assist backward pupils in over- crowded classes in various parts of the town. In this period of transition from nine grades to eight, I feel that such assist- ance would be of very great value in helping pupils along, and thereby lessening the number of repeaters. It costs money to have pupils repeat in the grades, although it is. not so apparent as in many other instances. It also costs the time of the pupil and this should be avoided if possible.
I therefore renew my recommendation of last year, and ask that the matter be considered. Even one such teacher would be a great help. Experienced teachers of the right kind are preferable; but the maximum salary need not be paid for such work.
EYE AND EAR TESTS.
The results of sight and hearing tests made by the teach- ers during the fall term are as follows :-
SCHOOL.
NUMBER EXAMINED
DEFECTIVE DEFECTIVE VISION.
HEARING.
PARENTS NOTIFIED.
High,
188
33
5
17
Park,
168
32
9
2
South,
182
22
6
12
Plains Grammar,
174
27
5
31
Plains Primary,
186
9
1
10
Plains Annex,
84
9
8
Italian Hall,
47
6
6
Purchase Grammar,
35
8
2
4
Claflin,
255
33
6
26
Spruce Street,
167
9
1
5
Oliver Street,
164
13
14
17
Chapin Street,
72
5
2
West Street,
89
14
2
16
Hoboken,
28
4
4
Fountain Street,
34
3
1
3.
Purchase Primary,
29
2
Bear Hill,
9
Braggville,
16
2
1
1
1927
231
53
164
21
TUBERCULOSIS.
The Legislature of 1908 added "tuberculosis and its pre- vention" to the legal requirements for school instruction, (chapter 181), so that the law now reads :
In each of the subjects of physiology and hygiene, special instruction as to the effects of alcoholic drinks and of stimu- lants and narcotics on the human system, and as to tuberculo- sis and its prevention, shall be taught as a regular branch of study to all pupils in all schools which are supported wholly or in part by public money, except schools which are main- tained solely for instruction in particular branches. *
In order that teachers might have some definite guide in carrying out the provisions of this law, our State Board of Education has had prepared by eminent specialists in pulmo- nary diseases, a simple pamphlet of suggestions to teachers, and copies of the same have been furnished to them through- out the state.
SIMPLE RULES OF HEALTH.
The following rules of health were prepared by the Edu- cational Department of New Jersey, and furnished to all the schools. They have been approved by our own State Board of Health and the State Board of Education.
HOW TO KEEP WELL AND PREVENT CONSUMPTION.
Air.
Fresh air and sunshine are necessary to good health.
Cold or damp fresh air does no harm if the skin is kept warm.
Night air is as good as day air.
Breathe only through your nose.
Avoid hot, crowded, dusty, dark or damp rooms.
Breathe deeply and throw back the shoulders frequently.
Food.
Live on plain food and eat regularly.
Eat slowly, chew thoroughly, and avoid fried food. Drink water freely (not iced).
Have your own cup if drinking fountains are not provided at school.
22
Exercise and Rest.
Regular exercise is essential to good health.
Go to bed early, and sleep with the windows open. Never sleep in a damp bed.
Clothing.
Wear only loose clothes.
Wear no more clothing than you need for warmth.
Never sit with wet feet or in damp clothing.
Cleanliness.
Consumption and other diseases are spread by careless spitting.
Spittle on the floors of rooms, halls, stores and cars will certainly be breathed in the form of dust.
Keep clean. Wipe and dry the body quickly every day.
Keep your finger nails clean, and wash your hands and face before you eat.
Clean your teeth after each meal and before going to bed.
Never hold money, pencils, pins or other things in your mouth.
Never lick your fingers while turning the pages of a book or counting money.
All children should observe the preceding rules, both for their own sake and for the sake of others. They are neces- sary safeguards against other dangerous diseases beides con- sumption. Nearly all children's diseases are infectious.
THE COURSE OF STUDIES.
Changing from a nine-year to an eight-year course before the high school makes it necessary to revise the entire course of studies for the grades. Some changes have already been made; some are being made as required, and others must be made during the next year and a half.
The change is taking place gradually, rather than all at. once. The plan is to have it completed by the end of the next school year, so that after September 1, 1911, we shall have but. eight grades instead of nine. By increasing the age for admis- sion the children in each succeeding grade will be about a year older and more mature than they are in the corresponding
23
grade at the present time. Therefore they will be able to do more work and to cover nearly the same ground in eight years that they do now in nine years.
It seems to me now that our high school course should be revised, and with some thought of the more practical side of education. Probably no more beneficial work could be done for the pupils than to provide for the girls a course of instruc- tion in household arts, and for the boys a course in practical elementary science, or industrial work. This would necessi- tate the employment of another teacher who could devote the necessary time to the high school and the balance to the grades. A graduate from the Household Arts department of Framingham Normal school could teach cooking to the eighth and ninth grades girls, and elementary science and household arts in the high school.
If the pupils in our high school continue to increase, and I see no reason why they should not, another teacher will be needed before long, as it probably will be necessary to sepa- rate the departments of English and History.
We have in our high school building two splendid labora- tories now but little used. The physical laboratory is used on an average only eight periods of 45 minutes each per week, and the chemical laboratory only three periods per week. It is to be regretted that these rooms are unoccu pied so much of the time when they might be put to such good use. For a sum not exceeding $75 the physical laboratory could be equipped for teaching cooking, and household science. This certainly would be a practical use of the room, and I can see no reason why it should not be used in this way. I feel sure that the introduction of such work into our schools would meet with favor, and that it would soon become one of the most valued and practical courses. I trust that the possibility of providing training along this line for our pupils may receive thoughtful consideration.
It is now possible to arrange with the Normal school at Framingham for one of the senior girls to teach sewing in the- grades, one or more days per week as may be required. The only expense attached to this is the car fare of the teacher
24
and the slight cost of material. Many towns, accessible from Framingham, are availing themselves of this opportunity, and certainly Milford should do as much for its girls as other towns are doing for theirs.
I suggest that sewing be added to the course for our fifth and sixth grades, and that arrangements be made for a teacher from the Normal school, beginning next September.
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL.
January 21, 1910.
MR. CHARLES W. HALEY,
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS,
Dear Sir :-
In point of numbers the enrollment of the High school this year exceeds that of any previous year. At the begin- ning of the year every desk, save one, in the building, in rooms with teachers in charge, had its occupant, and this num- ber has been well maintained. While a few pupils have with- drawn from school, their places, in nearly all instances have been filled by new pupils. This large membership is found in spite of the fact that the present Senior class is considerably below the average in numbers. The Junior class is nearly twice as large, and with an ordinarily large Freshman class next year there is every indication that we shall have between 215 and 225 pupils. This will make the opening of another room, and consequently the employment of another teacher well-nigh a necessity. An added teacher would serve to strengthen our curriculum in many ways, one of the most important being an increase in the time given to the study of English.
With your approval a rule has been put into operation this year, requiring a pupil to obtain an average of 80 per cent during his Junior and Senior years in each study in which he is given a college entrance certificate. This proce- dure is in line with that of other high schools of our class and is absolutely essential, in order to maintain a proper standard and to retain our certificate privilege unimpaired.
25
That this rule might not militate unduly against the present Senior class a requirement of 80 per cent. in each study for the certificate privilege was made of them for this year only.
The athletic sports of the school should, I believe, have some support from the public fund. Athletics have now a recognized utility in the development of boys and girls, and to such an extent that many high schools employ an athletic director, who gives nearly his entire time to that work. While we may not yet be ready for that innovation, it seems entirely proper that at least a small sum of money be appro- priated to help maintain athletic sports. If $100 could be voted for this purpose, to be expended under the direction of the Superintendent and the Principal, it would be a great boon and a real help to the school.
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