USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Milford > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 1913-1914 > Part 8
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MORE SCHOOL ROOM.
The beginning of the school-year found us with four ex- tra grades, and no place to put them. Two fairly light and comfortable rooms were provided in the basement of the .Plains Primary building, and two portable school houses were purchased from the E. F. Hodgson Co. of Boston. The Plains Primary rooms have hard wood floors, are steam heated, and The equipped with new slate composition blackboards. portables are 20x48 feet on the ground and each contains .a school room with one-side lighting, 20x34; a furnace room 8x8 and a coat room 8x12. Each is equipped with a modern heating and ventilating system that gives 70 degrees in zero weather. The half-tones and plan, shown in these pages, give a good idea of the style and arrangement of these build- ings.
All the extra rooms are equipped with adjustable seats and desks of approved pattern, made by the American Seat- ing Co.
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Transom Windows on this side - 4 lts. 10" x 14"
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CLASS ROOM
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20 × 34' ( No ceiling.)
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8' × 8'
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Hot air
Windows on this side
4 1:5 12" x30"
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NEW GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
At the March meeting a year ago an appropriation of $75,000 was voted for a new Grammar School building. It seemed fairly agreed at that time, that a twelve room build- ing, with assembly hall and first class heating plant, -the latter capable of expansion so as to carry one or more of the older buildings,-to be centrally located, was what we needed. As will be recalled, there was some question of a suitable lot in the best location; later came the strike which dragged its weary length along month after month, and seemed to raise the question whether there would be a considerable increase in our school population for some time, and so the two port- ables and the basement rooms at the Plains Primary, spoken of elsewhere, are all the provision thus far made for increases in the school population, present and to come. As remarked elsewhere, the records show 122 more pupils in the schools at the present time than one year ago. There were over 400 children born in Milford in 1903. There is a prospect of 140 more children than we have room for in September. The older buildings that it was proposed to replice, are not im- proving at all as time goes by, hence the need of the new building would seem to be even more emphatic than a year ago. In passing it may be remarked, anent the old "Brick" school, that the outbuildings are in such condition that a con- siderable sum must be expended there in the near future; the heaters are sadly out of repair and can only be run at all at an excessive cost, while for two or three years we have been unable to heat all the rooms in the coldest weather.
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TEACHERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEM.
(Chap. 832, Acts of 1913 -An act to Establish a Retire- ment System for Public School Teachers.)
"What we owe to the teachers in our public schools" has long been a favorite theme of stump-speakers and commence- ment orators, but not until the year just closed has the Com. mouwealth recognized this debt.
MEMBERSHIP.
By the terms of the new law teachers now in service, may become members July 1, 1914, and all those who enter the service after that date must become members.
ASSESSMENTS.
The members are assessed five per cent. of the annual salary, from $35.00, the minimum, to $100.00, the maximum, d alueted once a month from the salary payment.
RETIRING AGE.
Members may retire at 60 and must retire at 70, and they must have served in Massachusetts 15 years, at least five of wluch shall have been immediately before retirement.
RETIRING ALLOWANCE.
On retirement teachers receive (a) an annuity 9 35 per- cent. of their accumulated assessements at age 60. (see table); (b) a pension as large as the annuity; (c) an additional pension by the Commonwealth large enough to make (b) and (c) equal the pension the teacher would have been entitled if he had paid 30 assessments of 5 per cent. of his average wage for the 15 years immediately preceding retirement. If (a) and (b) and (c) do not equal $300.00, the Commonwealth will make up the difference.
REFUNDS.
If a teacher dies the amount of his accumulated assess- ments plus compound interest at three per cent. is pud to his estate, or, if a teacher leaves Massachusetts, the same amount is paid to him.
ACCUMULATED ASSESSMENTS.
Table A .- Showing the Amount, at the End of Successive School Years, of Assessments paid during Each Year, increased by 3 Per Cent. Compound Interest. This Table is constructed on the Assumption that Each Year's Assessment is paid in Ten Equal Instalments.
YEAR.
ANNUAL ASSESSMENT, $35.
ANNUAL ASSESSMENT, $50.
ANNUAL ASSESSMENT, $75.
ANNUAL ASSESSMENT, $100.
1
$ 35 39
$ 50 56
$
75 84
$ 101 13
2
71 85
102 64
153 96
205 28
3.
109 40
156 28
234 42
312 57
4
148 07
211 54
317 31
423 07
5
187 91
268 44
402 66
536 89
6
228 94
327 06
490 59
654 12
-
271 20
387 43
581 14
774 87
8
314 73
449 62
674 43
899 24
9
359 57
513 67
770 50
1,027 34
10
405 75
579 64
869 46
1,159 29
11
453 32
647 59
971 39
1,295 19
12
502 31
717 58
1,076 37
1,435 16
13
552 77
789 67
1,184 50
1,579 35
11
604 75
863 93
1,295 89
1,727 85
15
658 29
940 41
1,410 61
1,880 82
16
713 43
1,019 18
1,528 77
2,038 36
17
770 22
1,100 32
1,650 48
2,200 64
18
828 72
1,183 89
1,775 83
2,367 79
19
888 98
1,269 97
1,904 95
2,539 94
20
951 04
1,358 63
2,037 94
2,717 27
21
1,014 97
1,449 96
2,174 94
2,899 91
22
1,080 81
1,544 02
2,316 03
3,088 03
23
1,148 63
1,640 90
2,461 35
3,281 80
24
1,218 48
1,740 69
2,611 03
3,481 38
25
1,290 43
1,843 47
2,765 20
3,686 94
26
1,364 54
1,949 34
2,924 01
3,898 68
27
1,440 87
2,058 38
3,087 57
4,116 76
28
1,519 49
2,170 69
3,256 03
4.341 39
29
1,600 46
2,286 38
3,429 57
4,572 76
30
1,683 87
2,405 53
3,608 29
4,811 06
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Table B .- Showing Amount of Annuity purchased by Certain Sums at Different Ages of Retirement.
[Based upon Americiu 312 per cent. Table of Mortality. Annuity to be payable in quarterly instalments ]
AGE AT RETIREMENT, 60.
AGE AT RETIREMENT, 65.
AGE AT RETIREMENT, 70.
$%
100 00
$ 9 38
$ 11 31
$ 14 07
500 00
46 92
56 54
70 35
1,000 00
93 83
113 07
140 70
One way for a teacher to determine approximately what his own annuity will be is to multiply his accumulated assess- ments by certain percentages for different ages of retirement.
At age 60 the annuity will be approximately 9.38 per cent. of accumulated assessments.
At age 65 the annuity will be approximately 11.31 per cent. of accumulated assessments.
At age 70 the annuity will be approximately 14.07 per cent. of accumulated assessments.
MANAGEMENT.
The management is vested in a board of seven, com- posed of the State Ins trance Commissioner, the Bink Com- missioner and the Commissioner of Education; three members of the Retirement Association, and one person to be elected by the other six.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE.
A leave of absence approved by a school committee and granted before July 1, 1914, not to extend beyond July 1, 1915, shall not be construed as removing the absentee from the public service, nor breaking the continuity of five years of service immediately before retirement, but such absence shall not count as part the said five years of service. (From a vote of the Retirement Board.)
A pension system implies tenure, and a bill is before the present session of the legislature, to give superintendents and
27
teachers tenure, permissively after one year and compulsorily after three years.
THE LABOR LAWS OF 1913.
The legislature of 1913 strengthened the Common wealth's school attendance laws, and passed what has been called "the most drastic child labor law ever enacted in America." To administer the new law a new board was created, called the Board of Labor and Industries. From the Board's advance circular letters, it was gathered that all former procedure was abolished and all former certificites outlawed. The law was to have taken effect September 1, but the new board was ap- pointed so late, that. with everything to be done, the required forms could not be furnished until well towards the first of October. The writer called the attention of all parties in interest to the new law, and advertised the Board's state- ment that no prosecutions would be undertaken until all em- ployees should have had a fair opportunity to qualify. The employers of labor were most courteous and showed a com- mendible zeal to comply with the provisions of the new law. The enforced wait during the first half of September, how- ever, has most naturally, the unfortunate effect of giving minor employees the idea that there was no hurry and that one time was quite as good as another. Over 700 certificates have been issued by the writer single handed, and this work, coming at the busiest time of the year, has been a serious handicap.
Under the new law minors must attend school until 14, (as before); minors 14-16 may be given employment certificates to work in "shops, factories or mercantile establishments," 48 hours a week, at non- prohibited trades, provided they furnish (a) a satisfactory proof of age (b) an employer's promise to employ («) physician's certificate of health, and (d) a certifi- cate from the teacher that the applicant has completed the 4th year's work and attended school 130 days since the 13th birthday, or (2) a home permit, requiring the same qualifica- tions, to be given at the discretion of the Superintendent of
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Schools. Minors 14-16, not so certificated and employed, must attend a day school while it is in session.
Minors 16 to 21, may be given educational certificates, literate, requiring the educational qualifications and proof of age already enumerated; or illiterate, requiring merely a proof of age. Holders of the latter must attend evening school while it is in session, Every minor must secure a new certifi- cate when changing employers.
A minor desiring employment must remain in school un- til he has the promise of a job, on an oak tag card with the employer's promise to employ, mentioning the nature of the employment, on the obverse, and a school physician's certifi- cate of health on the reverse; next, he must secure from his teacher the record card (light manila) certifying the grade he has completed and the number of days he has attended since 13, at least 130; he now applies to the town clerk in the place of his birth for a certificate of his birth, or failing in this, tries to secure, in order, (a) baptismal record (attested transcript); (b) passport, attested immigration record (at- tested transcript,) or other official or religious record; (c) register of school first attended in state; or (d) an authorized physician's certificate.
He is now ready to call at the office of the Superintend- ent of Schools and get his certificate. Here his papers are ex- amined and he is tested in oral reading and written spelling and if he is found to satisfy every requirement, the certificate is granted.
There have been issued by this department, under the new law :-
109 Employment Certificates, 14-16 1 Home Permit, 14-16
490 Educational Certificates, literate, 16-21
105 Educational Certificates, illiterate, 16.21
705 Total
VISIT THE SCHOOLS.
Although the records show more than fifteen hundred visits by supporters of our schools during the year, by far the
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larger portion of these were visits to special exercises. I can‹ not urge too strongly the desirability of much wider visiting. by parents and supporters of our schools on regular school days, for in this way, and in no other, can the people gain an accurate, first-hand knowledge of the daily work of the schools. Visitors will always find in evidence specimens of the pupils' work in Drawing, Penmanship and the written work in the regular grade studies, and will always be able to judge for themselves of the oral work in Reading, Language, Music and like.
INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITS IN RURAL SCHOOLS.
Many manufacturers of the great staples of commerces like flour, silks, cotton goods, petroleum and its products, asbestos goods, and many more, have prepared exhibits of their goods, which they are glad to send to schools to be used in the teaching of these products. A good beginning has been made by some of our rural schools in the collection and use of such products.
The following have been received to date and have been of much interest and profit in the teaching of Geography in the schools.
PURCHASE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
Corn Exhibit from Corn Products Refining Co., Chocolate from the Lowney Company, Chocolate from the Walter Baker Company, Petroleum from the Standard Oil Company, Silk from Cheney Bros., Carborundum from the Niagra Carborun- dum Co.
PURCHASE PRIMARY SCHOOL.
Corn Products, 34 specimens-Corn Products Refining Co .; Wheat, 24 specimens and 2 charts-Washburn, Crosby Co .; Carborundum, 1 Crude and 1 Finished Pocket stone Asbestos, 8 specimens; Cocoa, 8 specimens-the Walter Baker Co .; Cocoa, 6 specimens -the Walter Lowney Co., Silk, 8 charts-Cheney Bros .; Oil, 7 specimens-Standard Oil Co .; Salt, 8 specimens-Diamond Crystal Salt; Needles, 22 speci- mens-Milward's Helix Needles; Spool Cotton and Spools, 20
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specimens-J. & P. Coats Thread Co. The exhibits are ac- .companied by printed literature giving much information and many pictures were sent with each exhibit.
The HI. W. Johns, Manville Co., has furnished asbestos ,exhibits for several schools.
HOUSEHOLD ARTS.
The work in Sewing and Cooking remains under the able direction of Miss Louisa A. Nicholass of the Household Arts Department of the State Normal School at Framingham. This work has been keenly enjoyed and much good work .done. During the year five girls from the High School and 75 girls from the grades have taken the work in Cooking, un- .der five student-teachers from the Framingham Normal School; while 13 student teachers from the Normal School have taught Sewing in all the fifth, sixth and seventh grades. The sewing and cooking schedules are given farther on in this report.
STAMP SAVINGS.
This important work has been ably carried on for anoth- er year by the Quinshipaug Woman's Club, who for the last thirteen years have looked after the teaching of thrift in our schools,-a work that has un loubtedly laid the foundations of competence and the habit of success in hundreds of lives. The reader's attention is directed to the stamps savings re- port farther on.
GIFTS DURING THE YEAR.
The Quinshipaug Woman's Club, who have shown such a lively interest in school affairs in so many ways, gave this de- partment $100.00 nearly a year ago, conditionally, to be de- voted to Manual Training for the boys. They have also given $25.00 more for the teaching of Sewing in the schools ; a beautiful silk flag and six books to the Purchase Primary school.
The Daughters of the American Revolution have fur- nished 1000 flag leaflets that are, by vote of the School Com- mittee, placed in all the school histories.
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The following art gifts to the High School have been re. ceived during the year :- Framed pictures of the Roman Forum, and of Cicero Impeaching Catiline, by the Class of 1886; bust of Lincoln (with pedestal), bust of Emerson, and framed copy of a letter from Whittier to the pupils of the Milford High School, by the Class of 1888; framed pictures of Othello and Desdemona, Portia and her suitors, and of the Carlyle statue on the Thames Enbankment, by Mrs. A. J. George, Class of 1883.
Gifts from within the school comprise a $350.00 library fund by the classes of 1912, 1913, 1914, and a Victor Vietrola, with record stand, from the High School Glee Club. This in- strument has already been, and gives promise of being in the future, a real help in the teaching of musical appreciation and interpretation, and has been of real service in the teaching of oratory.
ACCOMPLISHED DURING THE YEAR.
HIGH SCHOOL.
Music made elective and credit given music and cooking towards graduation. A new text book, Miller's Progressive Problems in Physics, adopted. A victrola added to the equipment, with a number of grand opera, and other choice musical selections.
GRADES.
Four more school rooms provided and furnished. Two teachers added. Former adoptions of six new text-books com- pleted. Trees cared for at the Plains. Twelve hundred feet of new slate composition black-board installed. New heating system installed at the Purchase Primary School.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
1. For two years I have urged a definite construction program, to include: A twelve room , Grammar building, more room at the High School, and the remodeling and en- larging of the plant at the Plains.
The town voted $75,000.00 for the carrying out of the first step in such a program å year ago. It should be under-
32
taken the present spring. The need of more room at the High School, if not immediately pressing, is likely to become so at the beginning of the next school year, with 156 pupils preparing in the VIII th grades. The time has come, in my opinion, when we should consider ways and means of meeting the third step in the above program, the remodeling of the older buildings at the Plains.
2. The year's experience has tended to demonstrate even more forcibly than in the past, if such * demonstration were required, the need of a dental clinic for the children in our schools.
3. A year ago I urged a real six-year age limit and I have to thank the committee for establishing it last Septem - ber.
4. In the body of this report I have referred at some length to the condition of our heating plants, I would repeat the recommendation there made, namely that a definite pro- gram of replacement be undertaken in the next summer va- cation.
In conclusion, 1 cordially thank your committee, as well as the principals and teachers, for the considerate and helpful attitude of all during the past year.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
ALMORIN O. CASWELL, Superintendent of Schools.
Milford, Massachusetts, January 30, 1914.
Christmas Art Work-Grammar Grades.
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL.
Milford High School, Milford, Mass., Jan. 29, 191 4.
MR. ALMORIN ORTON CASWELL,
Superintendent of Schools, Milford, Mass.
DEAR SIR :-
Since the appearance of our last report, the Milford High School has had to deplore the loss of several of the most effi. cient members of its teaching force. Other schools, larger and more fortunate, hold out irresistible inducements to trained and experienced teachers in every department; and against the chronic state of instability thence resulting, the present financial condition of our town seems powerless to contend. In Jan., 1913, Miss Edith A. Nichols, teacher of English and History, accepted a similar position in the Mal- den High School; in April, the Commercial Department sur- rendered its able director, Miss Helen J. Gilmore, to the schools of Central Falls, R. I .; and at the close of the school year, Miss Adele M. Waldmeyer, who had developed our modern lan- guage work to high efficiency, was elected to the Technical High School, Newton, Mass. Miss Inez L. Gay, of the Latin Department, has been granted a leave of absence for the cur- rent year. Our personnel, thus depleted, was renewed by the election of Miss Mary M. Fitzpatrick, Wellesley '12, to teach Latin and History; of Miss Mae E. Birmingham, M. H. S. '09, Bay Path Institute '10, to conduct the commercial courses; and of Miss Hannah E. Callanan, M. II. S. '05, Boston Univer- . sity '09, for English and History. Miss Margaret A Pianca, M. H. S. '08, after four years' study in Germany and France,
34
is serving this year as substitute in the Modern Language Department.
At the close of the term in June, 1913, the number of pupils in the school was 207, 90 boys and 117 girls; the pres- ent enrolment of 216, 79 boys and 137 girls. These figures represent a loss of 11 boys and a gain of 20 girls. The growth in the number of girls has been steady and normal, whereas the enrolment of boys was perceptibly arrested by the shifting industrial conditions through which our town has lately passed. The class entering the school from the grammar grades in September brought but 22 boys, two less than last year; and during the summer, the call of local industries for local boys attracted several pupils to begin their apprentice- ship in trades before completing their High School course.
The course of study remains practically unchanged, and the improvements noted in last year's report are yielding gratifying results. To Music, an additional hour per week has been allotted; and to this branch and to Domestic Science, diploma credits are now accorded, as in other unprepared classes such as typewriting, drawing and laboratory work, on the basis of & credit per weekly hour continued throughout the year. In History, the increasing exactions of College re- quirements now demand five hours a week instead of the present three; it is strongly recommended that at least Junior and Senior History be transferred to the elective list. The course in Commercial Correspondence, so long projected, is now an accomplished fact. For the supervision of typewriting, our force is still inadequate; and the amazing growth of com- mercial studies renders it imperative that the next addition to our staff be assigned to this department.
At our Commencement in June, instead of the scattered essays common on such occasions, all the addresses were grouped round the discussion of one central theme : "When Knighthood was in Flower." The complete program will be found appended to this report. The class of 1913 was gradu- ated with 41 members, a number equaling the largest in the history of the school. Of these, 15 have engaged in commer- cial pursuits ; three are employe lat ho ne ; and the remaining
35
-23 are continuing their studies in the following institutions for higher education :-
Boston University,
Boston Univ. Law School,
2 Univ. of Vermont, 1
1 Framingham Normal, 4
Mass. Agri'l College, 1 Dean Academy, 1
Mass. Coll. of Pharmacy, 1 St. Paul's School, L. I., 1
Simmons College, 1 Boston School of Tel'g'phy, 2 Trinity Coll., Wash., D. C., 1 Burdett Business College, 3 Bryant & Stratton Bus. Col., 2
Tufts College, 1
Univ. of Maine Law School, 1
For our collective Alumni of recent years, the following table presents a complete list of all those now pursuing post- graduate work in divers fields :-
Boston University, 3
Boston Univ. Law School, 3
Boston Normal Art School, 1 Emerson Coll. of Oratory, 1
Framingham Normal, 12
Harvard College, 2
Harvard Dental School, 2
Harvard Medical School, 1
Iloly Cross, 3
Mass. Agri'l College
4
Boston School of Tel'g'phy, 2
Mass. Coll. of Pharmacy, 1 Burdett Business College, 4 Mass Inst. of Technology, 4 Bryant & Stratton Bus. Col. 3 Dean Academy, 1
Norwich University, 2
Simmons College, 3
Trinity Coll., Wash., D. C., 1
Notre Dame University, 2 Tufts College, 1
Tufts Dental College, 4
University of Illinois, 1
Univ. of Louvain, Belgium, 1 Univ. of Maine Law School, 1 Univ. of Vermont, 1
Wellesley, 1
Worcester Polytechnic In- stitute, 1
Wentworth Institute, 3
St. Paul's School, L. I., 1
Niel's Kind'n Train. School, 1 Post-graduate, M. H. S., 1
After a series of successful meetings throughout the year, the High School Congress convened for its second annual pub- lic session in Assembly Hall, May 9, 1913, to contest for a gold medal, the gift of a friend of the school. The bill for discussion provided for "The Immediate Grant of Independ- ence to the Filipinos," and the gold medal for logic and argu- mentation was awarded to Alfred Coppinger '13. On March
36
28, 1913, the Glee Club scored an artistic triumph in its an- nual concert in the K. of C. Hall. The proceeds were de- voted as a gift to the school.
The faculty of the High School, in conjunction with all the other teachers of the town, have taken a notably progres- sive step in the recent establishment of the Milford Teachers' Association ; its object is to promote mutual acquaintance among the members, to provide timely social diversions, t) create opportunities for intellectual improvement, and to en- kindle in our school system generally a healthy esprit de corps. In pursuance of this ideal of self- realization, the asso- ciation proposes to hold a series of literary and professional conferences by distinguished educators throughout the year. On Dec. 19, 1913, in Assembly Hall, this cultural campaign, so rich in promise to teachers, pupils and the community at large, was inaugurated by Mr. J. E. Burke, Assistant Superin- tendent of the Boston Public Schools, in a brilliant address before the Association and its friends on the "Correlation of Home and School."
To the School Library Fund of $100, established by the Class of 1912, the Class of 1913 added the substantial sum of $200 more. The present Senior Class have already devoted $50 to the same cause, with promise of more to come. For other donations, in which the school has been most fortunate during the past year, we gratefully record our obligations to. the following benefactors :-
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