USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Milford > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 1914 > Part 8
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Mr. Francis C. Berry of Worcester, Holy Cross, 1913, with a year of work in education at Clark University, was elected submaster, in place of Mr. FitzGerald.
Miss Alice G. Whittemore, teacher of English and His- tory, resigned in June, 1914, to accept a more desirable posi- tion in the New Britain, Connecticut, High school. Miss Whittemore's position was filled by the election of Miss Mary E. Larkin of Haydenville, Mass , Smith, 1913, with a year of teaching experience and special training in the commercial branches.
At the beginning of the present school year, Miss Inez L.
1.9
"Gay, who had enjoyed a year's leave of absence, returned to the Iligh school on half time.
Late in the summer, Miss Susan F. Sullivan, for a num- ber of years a grade teacher at the South school, resigned her position, as did Miss Mary DePasquale of the Plains Primary - school. The changes in the grade positions were met by the election of Miss Kathrine HI Lyman of Milford, Framingham Normal school, 1911, with several years of teaching experi- ence; and the transfer of Miss Anna Clancy, Hoboken, grade .I. to South school, grade VII; Miss Helen G. Laughlin, Port- able No. 1, grade V., to Plains Primary, grade I., and Miss M. H. MeConnachie, High school, grade VIL., to Portable No. 1, grade V.
BACKWARD AND DEFICIENT PUPILS.
As was stated in last year's report, the plan of special teachers for backward and deficient pupils, tried during school year 1912-13, was most successful, and that plan has been re- cently resumed and is certain to be a source of great help to those behind grade. Miss Margaret H Foley devotes her forenoons to the backward children in the lower grades and Miss Margaret H. Sullivan gives her mornings to those in the middle and grammar grades.
TEXT BOOKS.
The following text books have been adopted and intro- duced into the schools :- General Science by Caldwell and Eikenberry, Ginn & Co. : First Year Algebra, Wells and Hart D. C. Heath & Co. ; Reading. Literature readers, Row, Peter- son & Co .; Edson. Laing Readers, Benjamin H. Sanborn & . Co. ; City and Town, Benjamin H. Sanborn & Co.
DRAWING.
The work in drawing is well illustrated by the several in- ·serts in this report. The reader's attention is directed to Miss Toohey's report in subsequent pages.
MUSIC.
For certain reasons, mainly the difficulty of making up the High school program, in the crowded condition of that
20
school, it was decided to return to prescribed work in music- for all. The Glee Club was discontinued. In the work of the grades a real step in advance is the introduction of the Bowen Sight Singing Slips, whereby it is possible for the pupils in the lower grades to be taught sight reading in a more thorough and interesting way.
REGULAR REPAIRS. HIGH SCHOOL.
Roof repaired and painted. Boys' stairs repaired. Seats- and desks repaired. South doors refinished.
PARK SCHOOL.
New rear entrance door. Heating system temporarily re- paired. Ceilings repaired in two school rooms.
SOUTH SCHOOL.
A dozen new half windows installed. Out- building thoroughly repaired and painted. Inside of school building: painted.
PLAINS GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
New out building. Plastering in halls repaired. Halls, and stairways painted.
PLAINS PRIMARY SCHOOL.
Roof repaired.
CHAPIN SCHOOL.
Electric fire gongs have been installed. One new window sash. Shed shingled and other nee led repairs made.
PURCHASE PRIMARY SCHOOL.
Interior painted and decorated. New shades installed.
SPRUCE STREET SCHOOL.
Stamped steel ceilings put up in schoolrooms on first. floor. About 70 running feet of new fence built on the back. line of the school lot.
OLIVER STREET SCHOOL.
Windows tightened. Outside painted one coat. Ceilings. of the four schoolrooms decorated. School desks re- finished.
2 I
CHAPIN STREET SCHOOL. Out-buildings rebuilt and painted within and without. WEST STREET SCHOOL. Side walls of schoolrooms painted. Ceilings repaired. Minor repairs.
HOBOKEN SCHOOL.
Out-building rebuilt and painted. Front platform and · steps repaired.
FOUNTAIN STREET SCHOOL.
Roof repaired. Schoolroom painted inside. BRAGGVILLE SCHOOL.
New ceiling. Wood work in the school room, wood work and walls in the halls painted. Front platform and steps re- paired.
SPECIAL REPAIRS.
HIGH SCHOOL.
The old primary coil at the High school, which had been ·causing considerable trouble during recent years, has been re- placed by some 1400 feet of cast radiation, placed at proper level, that promises to take care of the indirect radiation problem for a long time to come. The work was done by Staples & Gould, for $137.00, they being the lowest bidders.
OLIVER STREET SCHOOL.
The old furnaces at the Oliver street school have been re- placed by an entirely new steam plant, comprising a thirty - six inch horiz mal cast sectional U. S boiler and about 1600 feet of direct and indirect radiation, that should properly heat the building under all conditions. The plant was designed by the Richard D. Kimball Co. of Boston and installed by Staples .& Gould, at the contr ict price of $1581.00, they being the low- est bidders.
TEACHERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEM.
The teachers' retirement system, discussed at length a year ago, is now firmly established and twenty of our teachers have joined the association.
.
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EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATES.
"Under the new law minors must attend school until 14 (as before) ; minors 14-16 may be given employment certifi . cates to work (in shops, factories or mercantile establishments,) . 48 hours a week, at non- prohibited trades, provided they fur- nish (+) a satisfactory proof of age, (b) an employer's promise to employ, (c) physician's certificate of health, and (d) a certi- ficate from the teacher that the applicant has completed the fourth year's work and attended school 130 days since the 13th birthday, or (2) a home permit, requiring the same qual- ifications, to be given at the discretion of the Superintendent of Schools. Minors 14 to 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 certificate when changing employers."
"A minor 14 to 16 desiring employment must remain in school until he has the promise of a job, on an oak tag card with the employer's promise to employ, mentioning the na- ture of the proposed employment, on the obverse, and a school physician's certificate of health on the reverse; next he must secure from his teacher the record card (light manila) certifying the grade that he has completed and the num- ber of days he has attended since 13, at least 130 ; he now ap. plies 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 (attested transcript), or other of- ficial or religious record ; (c) register of the school first at- tended in the state; or (d) an authorized physician's certifi- cate."
"He is now ready to call at the office of the Superintend- ent of Schools and get his certificate. Here his papers are examined and he is tested in oral reading and written spell-
23
ing and if he is found to satisfy every requirement, the certifi- cate is granted."-[From the 1912-'13 report.
There have been issued by this department, under the new law :-
1913-14
1914-15
Total
Employment certificates
109
51
160
Home permits
1
3
Educatioral certificates, literate
490
163
653
Educational certificates, illiterate
105
33
138
Total
705
250
955
TEACHING THRIFT IN THE SCHOOLS.
As in former years this admirable work has been done by the Quinshipaug Woman's Club, whose report will be found farther on.
GIFTS DURING THE YEAR.
The Class of '89, Milford High school, to mark their 25th anniversary, has given the High school a handsome stack of book cases for the library.
The Class of 1914, Milford High school, has given the proceeds of two dances to the High School Library fond. Mrs. Aaron H. Mayhew, four years' numbers of the National Geographic Magazine.
The children in the first grade of the Oliver street school, have presented their room three handsome framed pictures.
The children in the fourth grade at the Claflin school have presented a cast bracket and a shelf to their room.
THE NEW GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
Options have been secured on land adjacent to the High school lot, building plans bave been considered, and it is hoped to break ground for the new school in the spring or early summer.
MILFORD TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.
The Milford Teachers' Association renewed its activities this fall and has entertained the public on several occasions.
.
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Since the appearance of last year's school report the follo ving publie meetings have been held : -
Feb. 20, 1914. Dramatic Reading, "The Music Master." Arthur Katchel.
Mar. 27, 1914. Illustrated Lecture, "Panama and the Exposition." Dr. Loyal Lincoln Wirt.
Nov. 20, 1914. Dramatic Reading, "Cousin Kate." Mrs.
Elizabeth Pooler Rice.
Dec. 4, 1914. Illustrated Travelogue, "From Paris to the Pyrenees." Dr. George H. Derry.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
(1) That graduates of Grammar schools be awarded di- plomas or certificates, whereby they may have an added incen- tive to complete the eighth grade at leist, and, having done so, may have increased satisfaction and sense of accomplish- ment.
(2) That we do away with commencement parts at fu- ture High school graduations, and have a worthy address by a suitable speaker each year, as is the custom in many cities and towns, thereby effecting a considerable saving of time and nervous energy during the closing weeks of the school year.
(3) That in the partial appropriation for repairs provi- sion be made for :-
PAINTING :-
High school trim ; Park school and portable roofs ;
West Street outside ; Purchase Grammar school outside and in ; Bear Hill school outside and in.
CARPENTER WORK :-
Equip the remaining lockers in the High school with doors and locks ; Install new front doors at the Park sch. ol;
Put up a new steel ceiling in one room at the Plains Primary school ; Re shingle the Pirk school.
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(4) That in the partial appropriation for supplies provi- « sion be made for completing the introduction of the new writ- ing books ; supplementary reading for Grades I., II. and III. ; : self-verifying busy. work for Grade I. ; rebinding geographies ; new arithmetics.
(5) That in the partial appropriation for medical inspec- tion provision be made for one or more dental inspectors.
(6) That special appropriations be asked for new heat- ing plants at the Park, Chapin street, West street, and Pur- chase Grammar schools, and for installing radiation in the halls and basement of the Spruce street school.
(7) That in the partial appropriation for salaries provi- sion be made for two more teachers in the High school, and for a reasonable salary increase for the grade teachers.
(8) That your committee consider ways and means of improving, if not enlarging, the older buildings in the Plains district, with a view to undertaking such improve- · ments not later than the summer of 1916.
I have to thank your committee for undertaking the „gradual renovation of the heating plants, and I trust that you may, be able to continue this work during the coming year, as outlined above.
In conclusion, I heartily thank your committee for the prompt, ready and sympathetic hearing that you have given my suggestions ; and I thank the principals and teachers for · their support and co- operation in the daily routine.
All of which is respectfully submitted,
ALMORIN O. CASWELL,
Superintendent of Schools.
Milford, Mass., January 15, 1915.
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL.
Milford High School, Milford, Mass., Jan. 12, 1915.
MR. ALMORIN O. CASWELL,
Superintendent of Schools.
DEAR SIR :-
I have the pleasure of submitting the following as my re- port as principal of the High school.
Since the close of school in June our faculty has under- gone several changes. Dr. Derry, who in his three years of service here brought the school to its present high level of merit, resigned in September to accept a position at the Bos- ton English High school. His going was, indeed, a great loss . to Milford, and to the faculty and students especially, to whom his intellect and personality were constant inspirations. Mr. Francis C. Berry, Holy Cross '13 and Clark '14, filled the vacancy caused by my promotion to the principalship. Miss Inez L. Gay, a teacher of Latin, who was on leave of absence last year, returned in September, and is teaching half-time. Miss Alice G. Whittemore, teacher of English and History for the past two years, resigned in June to accept a position in New Britain, Connecticut. This vacancy has been filled by Miss Mary E Larkin, Smith '13.
At the opening of school in September, the enrolment took a very marked jump. At the close of school in June, the number of pupils was 206, 77 boys and 129 girls ; the enrol- ment today is 276, 119 boys and 157 girls. The increase is more conspicuous in the case of the boys than of the girls. Last year's entering class brought 22 boys, whereas this year's freshman class numbered, in September, 58 boys.
The course of study remains practically unchanged.
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Music, which as noted in last year's report, was made an elective study counting one point toward graduation, has- necessarily been restored to its former status. The school has been divided into two classes, each class taking music on alter- nate weeks. Commercial correspondence, though given a place on the curriculum last year, had to be omitted as a separate course this year, owing to the large increase in the enrolment, and the work has been partly incorporated into the English course. I must repeat the statement, made in last year's report, that typewriting is inadequately super- vised ; and I repeat also that the next addition to our faculty should be assigned to the growing commercial department. One new text-book has been adopted, "General Science" by Caldwell and Eikenberry ; and Wells' "Essentials of Algebra" has been replaced by "First Year Algebra" by Wells and Hart.
At the Commencement in June, following the custom of the two preceding years, the speakers discussed various phases. of one general subject : "Pan-America and Panama.". The complete program, and a list of the graduates, will be found elsewhere in this report. The class of 1914 was graduated with 47 members, the largest in the history of the school. Of these, 11 have engaged in commercial pursuits, 10 are eni- ployed at home, 4 have returned for post graduate work, and 22 have entered institutions for higher education.
The important work of the High School Congress was carried on last year as in previous years, and on May 29, 1914, the third annual debate was held in the Assembly Hall. The bill before the house provided for the enforcement of the Hay- Pauncefote Treaty and the repeal of the Simms law exempting American coastwise vessels from the payment of tolls on the Panama Canal. The gold medal for logic and argument, a - gift of a friend of the school, was won by George F. Caldicott, '14. The third award in the Patrick Peace Prize Contest was. won by Miss Eva Symmes of this school.
The class of 1914, following the example of '12 and '13, contributed the proceeds of their two dancing parties to the School Library Fund ; and as the class of 1915 are planning
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the same disposal of their profits, our library, which even now is an exceptionally fine one, may be expected to rival in a few years the libraries of the largest high schools in the state. The class of '89, on the celebration of its 25th anniversary, contributed a stack of sectional book-cases to the library, for which the school is most grateful.
The High school faculty desires to express its grateful sense of obligation to the loyal alumni, and to the school board and superintendent for their co-operation, and I desire to thank my colleagues for the spirit and interest which they have shown in their work.
Respectfully yours,
C. A. FITZGERALD.
REPORT OF EVENING SCHOOL.
MR. ALMORIN O. CASWELL, Superintendent of Schools. Dear Mr. Caswell :- I am submitting herewith the Evening School statistics.
ATTENDANCE.
Evening school opened October 5, 1914.
Evening school closed December 23, 1914. -
Length of term 12 weeks.
Total enrolment .
182
Average membership
106.41
Average attendance
90.59
Per cent of attendance
.
85.1
STATISTICS.
Number under 20 years of age . 112
Number between 20 and 30 years of age .
67
Number over 30 years of age
3
Number of females enrolled
49
Number of males enrolled .
133
Number of illiterates
62
PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT.
Archer Rubber Co. 15
Milford Shoe Co. 11
Draper Co.
37
Quarries
4
Greene Bros.
14
Regal Shoe Co.
·2
Huckins & Temple
7
Miscellaneous
85
Lapworth and Sons
7
NATIONALITY OF PUPILS.
Americans
Polanders 9
Albanian
1
Portugese
7
Armenians
13
Russians 1
French
1 Italians 139
Hebrews
3 Lithuanians 1
Irish
2
Swedes 1
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES E. LUBY,
Principal.
.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING.
MR. ALMORIN O. CASWELL,
Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir :-
The work in drawing has progressed during the past year along the same general lines as in previous years-name- ly, nature and object drawing, constructive work and design. The teachers are conscientious in following their outlines, and I take this opportunity to thank them for their valuable aid in carrying out the work as planned.
Pupils take great interest in the constructive work, as this is applied especially to the making of various gifts to be given at Christmas, and often one or more of the articles are made at home in addition to that constructed. in the school room. The fact that these objects are to be presented to friends or relatives is a great incentive to careful and ac. curate work. Cardboard, cloth, wood, leather and brass are some of the materials used in constructing these articles. The work in gesso (a preparation applied to wood) which was in- troduced last year was continued, and very good work ob- tained.
At the Iligh school, free hand and mechanical drawing and design are the subjects studied. Considerable practice in free hand printing and decoration has been obtained in the making of posters to advertise school entertainments, also in the competition for the designing of the cover for this report. The design for the frontispiece was also drawn by a High school pupil. Two hundred and fifty copies were printed from the design, and tinted with water colors by pupils
Drawings from regular daily work of High school and upper grammar grades have also been inserted in this report.
In conclusion, I wish to thank you, and all who have as- sisted me in my work during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
GENEVIEVE M TOOHEY, Supervisor of Drawing.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC.
MR. ALMORIN O. CASWELL,
Superintendent of Schools :
Dear Sir :-
The work in music has been carried on in much the same way as in former years, or since the New Eucational system has been established in our schools.
In this system all forms of music are represented, from the simple folk song to the works of the masters, which are represented by excerpts from opera, symphony and oratorio. Thus a line of good music is inspired, which, if followed up, results in the subtle development of character which comes from familiarity with good music.
The quality of tone throughout the schools is very fine, and it is especially remarkable in schools where boys are the predominant factor. The songs are arranged with great care as to the voices, and there is no trouble experienced with range.
Sight seeing, which is the bine of all amateur musicians, is being carried on along different lines this year. Sight sing - ing slips have been introduced, which I feel will prove a valuable asset and supply a long felt want Each child has a slip with an exercise which he is given a few minutes to study. Then he stands, tells his little story, and sings alone. He is marked according to the effort first, and then the result. The results so far have been very encouraging, but I expect better results as soon as the boys and girls get over the fright of hearing their own voices.
In the High school, general singing has been resorted to . again. For the past three years music has been elective, but it is to be regretted that not enough ti ne could be taken from
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the schedule to devote to music, on account of the crowded program.
The Glee elub, which for three years did splendid work,. has, I am sorry to say, this year been abolished on account of a lack of enthusiasm. Most of the faithful members passed on with the graduating classes, and there was no one to fill .. their places. Let us hope that the Glee club is not dead, but . sleeping, and that it may be revived at some future date.
I wish to thank you for your kindness to me, and the. teachers for their kindness and encouraging help.
Respectfully submitted,
ELIZABETH MCNAMARA, Supervisor of Music .-
Christmas Work-Grades Six, Seven and Eight
REPORT OF SCHOOL PHYSICIANS.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE :-
The following tables show in concise form the results of medical inspection of the schools : --
TABLE I. CLASSIFICATION AS TO GRADE OF DE- FECTS.
PRIMARY GRADES.
French. Gallagher. Total. Percent.
Whole number of pupils inspected, 508
575
1083
Number having no defects, ¿
49
19
68
6
Number having only slight defects,
319
248
567
52
Number having serious defects,
140
335
475
44
GRAMMAR GRADES.
Whole number of pupils inspected, 382
415
797
Number having no defects,
38
46
84
11
Number having only slight defects,
220
125
345
43
Number having serious defects,
124
244
368
46
HIGH SCHOOL.
Whole number of pupils inspected,
183
100
283
Number having no defects,
52
29
81
29
Number having only slight defects,
85
38
123
43
Number having serious defects,
46
33
79
28
WHOLE SCHOOL.
Whole number of pupils inspected, 1073
1090
2163
Number having no defects,
139
94
233
11
Number having only slight defects,
624
411
1035
48
Number having serions defects,
310
612
922
43
# This table does not include defects of sight and hearing, which, according to the law of the state of Massachusetts, are t-stel and reported by the teachers themselves instead of the school physicians.
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TABLE II. CLASSIFICATION AS TO THE NATURE OF THE DEFECTS.
PRIMARY GRADES.
French. Gallagher. Total. Percent.
Whole number of pupils inspected, 508
575
1083
Number having mouth and teeth defects,
390
296
686
63
Number having nose and throat defects,
333
538
871
80
Number having miscellaneous de- fects,
58
72
130
12
GRAMMAR GRADES.
Whole number of pupils inspected,
382
415
797
Number having mouth and teeth defects,
271
240
511
64
Number having nose and throat defects,
237
300
537
67
Number having miscellaneous de- fects,
55
74
129
16
HIGH SCHOOL.
Whole number of pupils inspected,
183
100
283
Number having mouth and teeth defects,
95
49
144
51
Number 'having nose and throat de- fects,
55
29
84
30
Number having miscellaneous de- fects,
34
17
51
18
W HOLE SCHOOL.
Whole number of pupils inspected, 1073 Number having mouth and teeth defects, 756
1090
2163
Number having nose and throat defects,
626
867
1493
62
Number having miscellaneous de- fects,
144
163
307
14
585
1341
62
A comparison of these figures with those of last year
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-shows a slight decrease in the percentage of defective pupils and an increase in the percentage of normal ones. This is en- .couraging even though the improvement be slow. It may be taken as an indication that parents are coming to realize that it is to the advantage of the children to take heed of the warning notices sent home with the pupils, and that some of them are following the suggestions of the medical inspectors. Abnormal tonsils, adenoids and enlarged glands may easily · escape notice at home, and carious teeth seldom attract atten- tion until they commence to ache. Only those defects which are classified as serious are brought to the attention of the parents, and in these cases it is well thas steps be taken to se- cure relief.
Many parents make it a rule to have the children's teeth looked over by a dentist at least once a year, and it is a wise .custom. But why not have the family physician examine them also once a year for just such affections as are noted in the school physicians' report ? Neglect of the conditions -often accounts for the difference between a bright, active, healthy boy or girl and the slow-learning, inattentive weakly child who loses interest in school and study and perhaps fails to complete the public school courses. Statistics show that the child who fails of promotion and is compelled to repeat a grade costs the town about twenty five dollars for that extra year of tuition ; but how much does that year cost the parents .of the child ? And how much has the child lost that can never be regained ? These questions furnish food for thought and much speculation. We are pleased to find that medical in- spection is appreciated by so many parents and that improve- ment is beginning to appear in the rising average of health and efficiency.
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