USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Milford > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Milford, Massachusetts 1920 > Part 6
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1,666 28
Incidentals :-
Shea Bros. ·
$54 69
Milford Water Co.
72 12
Milford Daily News
15 90
142 71
Repairs :-
Waters & Hynes
$25 35
E. F. Lilley
2 00
.
27 35
Transportation :- M. &. U. St. Ry. Co.
76 00
$5,051 22 The reports . of the secretary and superintendent have been read and accepted, and will constitute a part of the re- port of the committee to the citizens of Milford.
ALMORIN O. CASWELL,
Secretary.
14
ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURES, 1920.
07% CARRIAGE HIRE
3.5% REPAIRS
2.7% INCIDENTALS
2.2% TRANSPORTATION 1. 27 MEDICAL INSPECTION
8.5/FUEL
65.8
5.9% SUPPLIES 6. 3% CARE
2. 7% SUPERVISION 165335 1H218 4.5.
STH
CHERS SALAF
Calkin 22
Expenditures for general school purposes, 1920. $116,643 32 Unpaid bills, 1920 5,051 22
Total costs for general school purposes, 1920, upon which the above graph is based . $121,694 54 The graph shows the percentage that each item is of the total cost, $121,694.54.
Summary of Statistics.
Public schools 61
School buildings 20
Teachers Employed 76
High School 13
Elementary 63
(Including two special teachers.)
Number of children in Town April 2, 1920.
Boys
1478
Girls
1475
Total
2953
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE, 1919-1920.
Number enrolled, 7 to 14
1782
Total enrollment 2472
Average membership
2348.4
Average attendance
2201.7
Percent of attendance 93.7
Cases of tardiness
2525
Cases of dismissal 884
Cases of Corporal punishment
6
Cases of truancy
31
Number of visits of Superintendent 510
Number of visits by the committee 59
Number of visits by others 1136
1
Report of the Superintendent of Schools.
To the Honorable School Committee of the Town of Milford, Gentlemen :-
I have the honor to present my tenth report as the superintendent of your schools, the forty-third of such reports in Milford.
SCHOOL YEAR 1919-1920. EDUCATIONAL
The unsettled conditions and loss of time in certain schools referred to in last year's report have been correct- ed so that there has been practically no loss of time during. the current year.
The Milford schools, so long exempt from the educa- tional disturbances and loss of momentum incident to frequent changes in teachers, are now, in common with. other school systems, increasingly subject to these dis- turbances, as evidenced by the list of changes in teachers. in last year's report and again in this document. Two illustrations :- last winter a teacher was secured for the High School, was taken ill and upon her recovery, some two months later, secured her release and went to another position at a salary increase of several hundred dollars ; more recently a grade teacher sent by an agency taught three weeks and accepted a "better position" elsewhere. The matter of teachers' salaries is especially referred to farther on in this report.
ECONOMIC
The calendar year 1920, saw the peak of high prices and the crest of profiteering. The costs of this department exceeded our appropriation about four percent. The larg-
I7
est overruns were in the items of fuel and school supplies. For the former a sufficient explanation is found in (1) the extreme rigor of the winter weather during the first half of the year, causing the use of excessive quantities of coal ; (2) the extreme rigor of coal prices (53% to 55% increase) and the constant deterioration in the quality of the coal furnished during the second half of the year, so that nearly as much coal was required in a given plant during the comparatively mild weather of the present winter as was formerly required during the severest winter weather. The increased expenditure for school supplies is explain- ed :- (1) by increases in the prices of school text-books
from 25% to 100% ; (2) by further increases in the prices of all classes of school papers; (3) by a 25% increase in the cost of rebinding text-books; (4) by the emergency call for about 2700 new school books to replace old and out-worn texts; (5) by the fact that we had about fifty more students to educate than the previous year, all in the High school, where the per capita costs are twice those for educating the pupils in the grades.
The following comparisons are suggestive :-
1914
1919
%in.
1920
%in.
Arithmetic Paper
6 × 9
14c
30℃ -
114
60c
100
White Composition
Paper
20c
60c
200
$1.02
66
Primary Paper
(white)
15c
35c
133
62
77
1920
1920
%
Coal
Spring
Fall
Hard
$ 9.00
$14.00
55
Soft
11.75
18.00
53
A LARGER BUDGET
As indicated in the report and tabulated budget of the school committee this department is asking for a con- siderable larger appropriation than a year ago. This is
18
made imperative, (1) by the department's obligation of unpaid bills ; (2) by the probable increase in school attend- ance to the number of 50 to 100 pupils-likely, as this year, to be in the High and Stacy Schools where per capita costs are much 'greater than in the Junior grades; (3) by the necessity of putting our teachers' salary schedules on such a basis that we can secure teachers for our schools*, and (4) by the state law making mandatory the operations of continuation schools from September 1, 1921.
*At date two schools are being taught by temporary substitutes.
INCREASED COSTS OF EDUCATION
One fact is patent, i. e ; a municipality is subject to the same economic laws as an individual, for an increased scale of prices, whether it arises in economic law or reckless . profiteering, affects both the individual and the municipality alike. There is no more reason for the municipality to expect to satisfy its needs at pre-war prices than for the individual to entertain such ridiculous hopes ; furthermore : the municipality is simply a stock company, a collection of individual stockholders, and it follows inevitably that the individual must meet present day prices when he pays . his share of the expenses of his company: the municipalty, i. e. : when he pays his taxes.
A BUDGET FOR TEACHERS
A budget for teachers, devise by Miss Florence Barnard, a Brookline, Mass., teacher, published by the Massachusetts Teachers' Federation in a report and re- printed in a recent school report of the City of Newton is as follows :-
19
Saving Giving
Spending Board
An Existence Wage
Clothing
A Thrift Wage
Laundry
Transportation
Health
Incidentals
Necessities
Comforts
Luxuries
Reading
Recreation Spiritual Uplift
Improvement
(Self or Professional)
- B D LEWIS
An existence wage pays for those least fit to under- take the responsibility of teaching. Their minds are un- nourished, and they are distraught with worry about the future.
A thrift wage brings relief from worry, but leaves the mind and soul hungering for those things which a teacher best knows she must have in order to do her duty.
A culture wage includes the other two, and equips the teacher for greatest usefulness in the school and in the community.
A Culture Wage
-
20
"As the teacher, so the child."
The above is but justice for the teacher, and is an ideal that every town should seek to realize, Milford no less than others.
But, as school administrators there is before us not only the call to do justice to a class that has had all too little consideration in the past, the teachers in our schools, but we are facing a serious situation, fraught with peril to our public schools.
From the report of the Recess Commission on Salaries I quote :- "The Secretary of the Interior has reported that 143,000 out of approximately 650,000 teachers in the United States resigned last year on account of inadequate wages ; and the United States Commissioner of Education recently announced that 20,000 schools involving 500,000 pupils are closed for lack of teachers, and 40,000 schools are supplied with' teachers below the minimum standard of efficiency."
A few words about salaries, from the same source :- "The cost of living increased about 100 per cent from 1910 to 1920, whereas the average salary of elementary school teachers increased 85.1 per cent. and that of night school teachers 50.7 per cent during the same period. Th eaverage salary of elementary teachers in 1920 is $1237.83 and that of high school teachers, $1695.48. Taking into account the increased cost of living, the former is equivalent in value to a salary of $618.92 in 1910, or $49:80 less than the aver- age salary at that time, and the latter is equivalent in value to a salary of $847.74 in 1910, or $277.26 less than the average at that time ..... "
How is Milford meeting the situation?
The average salary of elementary teachers in Milford in 1920 is $925.94, or $311.89 less than the state average.
The maximum salary for elementary teachers in Mil- ford in 1920 is $1000, or $237.83 less than the state average.
21
The average salary of high school teachers in Milford in 1920 is $1033.33, or $662.15 less than the state average.
The maximum salary of high school teachers in Mil- ford in 1920 is $595.48 less than the state average.
Out of 66 towns with the same or less valuation per pupil in the public schools :-
There were 30 towns with a higher percentage of in- crease in the salaries of teachers in the last ten years than Milford ;
There were only four towns with a lower school tax per thousand valuation than Milford; and
There were only five towns appropriating a smaller proportion of the school, tax for teachers' salaries than Milford.
Out of 128 Massachusetts towns recently compared only sixteen pay a smaller maximum salary to grade teachers than Milford.
STEPS. IN ADVANCE
There is cause for congratulation in Milford's progress as the home of new schools, that, while distinct from the . public school system, are, nevertheless, decided contri- butions to the educational welfare of the community.
NEW ENGLAND JEWELERS INSTITUTE
Notice was recently given in the public prints that the Canton property on Congress Street, purchased some time ago by the New England Jewelers' Association, is to be remodeled for a school of watchmaking to accomodate about 50 students. Mr. E. F. Lilley of Milford, former president of the Massachusetts Retail Jewelers' Associa- tion, is to be the first head of the school.
The institution will be known as the New England Jewelers' Institute, and will embrace exhaustive instruction in watchmaking, jewelry repairing, engraving and opto- metry. The course is to occupy two years.
22
ST. MARY'S INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.
During the past year an industrial school was opened by St. Mary's Circle of the Catholic Welfare Council in the Father McGrath Home.
Competent teachers are in charge of classes in Dress- making, Cooking, and Embroidery for women and High School Girls. Instruction is also given in Physical Culture and out-door games for girls.
The school is admirably located in the Taft mansion on Claflin Hill and has been splendidly equipped for the work in hand.
UNIVERSITY EXTENSION.
The single University Extension class of a year ago has grown to three. Mr. Chilson's class in Mechanical Drawing is continued, there is a class in Elementary Ac- counting and one in Spanish.
Mechanical Drawing
From Mr. Chilson's report I quote :-
"The Mechanical Drawing class was organized on November 15, 1920 in the Milford High School with a membership of 15 pupils. The number has been increased until at present it is 27. The meetings have been well attended with an average attendance of 17. It is pleasing to the State authorities and to the instructor in charge to note the interest manifested and the good work accom- plished in this course. It goes to show that mechanics are realizing the importance of the knowledge of drawing in connection with their work and the opportunity of obtaining that knowledge through the State and the Town of Milford."
Elementary Accounting
This course covers sixteen assignments in all, three of which have already been covered. It offers a splendid op- portunity for those who have very little knowledge of bookkeeping to get, at very small expense, a fine found-
17
-
SET SCREWS-2- MACH. STEEL. 1/2"SQ. HEADS- ROUND POINTS.
1
3.7. -**
IR .*
18
-
DR.
8 CARRIAGE BOLT &NUT-I-MACH. STEEL.
OOK
GUIDE-I- TOOL STEEL HARDENED.
Ny
18.R .-
1. 2 "
SF
.
ASSEMBLY.
FRAME-1-CAST IRON.
DEPT OF UNIVERSITY EXTENSION MASS BOARD OF EDUCATION. MECHANICAL DRAWING PART I. FOLLOWREST FOR 12" LATHE. DRAWN BY F.H. RYAN DEC 111920. SCALE FULL SIZE.
PLATE 17.
24
ation for advanced accounting. The course starts with the assumption that one,has no knowledge of bookkeeping and proceeds through dificult financial statements. It covers practically the same subjects that would be covered by the average professional school of accounting during the first two years. The Class is in charge of J. Roy Kerr, Esq.
Spanish
A Spanish class of more than 30 members was or- gnized early in the fall and met Tuesday nights until Christmas. Up to this time the class was in charge of Mrs. Stauton, Dean Academy who retired at New Year's and was succeeded by Professor P. P. Fernandez of New York. There has been a healthy attendance and a lively interest that promises well for the future of this line of study in our Extension department.
CONTINUATION SCHOOLS.
A fourth addition to the town's educational facilities will be the Continuation Schools.
The number of minors 14 to 16 years of age employed within the limits of Milford has passed beyond the mini- mum 200, so that we are face to face with the necessity. of providing continuation schools from September 1, 1921. By the terms of the statute authorizing these schools (July, 1919) all minors 14 to 16 years of age must, while employ- ed, attend the continuation schools at least four hours a week. While unemployed they must attend at least 20 hours a week.
Work must be given in the regular subjects of day school and also work in manual and vocational subjects. There should be a man teacher for the boys and a woman teacher for the girls in each line of work. The Common- wealth bears one-half the expense.
These schools are being extended throughout the Commonwealth. The writer recently spent a day in the continuation schools of the city of Worcester, and found
-
25
much to admire in their excellently organized and ad- ministered schools, as regards the quality and quantity of work done and the number of pupils helped.
The estimated cost to Milford for the first four months, September 1921 to January, 1922 (Milford's half) is twelve hundred dollars ($1200).
TEACHER'S REST ROOM AT THE STACY SCHOOL
Through the efforts of the Stacy School children in their successful entertainment, described elsewhere in this - report, a long felt want has been supplied at the Stacy School. The sum of $200.00 of the proceeds of "Kiddies" has been used in the purchase of furniture, and the teachers' room on the second floor has been furnished as a first-aid room. The furnishings comprise-a cretonne-covered day couch, a leather-seated oak chair, two rockers, an oak library table, a mirror, cretonne curtains, and a 9 x 12 velvet rug.
STATISTICS.
Pupils enrolled September, 1919 2411
Pupils enrolled September, 1920 2455 1
›Gain
44
Total enrollment, 1918-1919 2467
Total enrollment, 1919-1920 2472
Gain
5
Grammar graduates, June, 1920 124
Entered the High School (of the above) 106
Survival, 85.5 per cent. (compared with 90
per cent. one year ago, 94.8 per cent. two years ago, 100 per cent. three years ago, 90 per cent. four years ago, 80 per cent. five years ago, 94 per cent. six years ago.)
Present enrollment of the Freshman Class (not count- ing out-of-town pupils), 103; persistence, 97 per cent.
Compared with 94 per cent. one year ago, 96.6 per cent.
26
two years ago, 84.6 per cent. three years ago, 90 per cent. four years ago, 80 per cent. five years ago, 90 per cent. six years ago.
Entire Freshman Class entering the High School in September, 119; still in the High School, 116; persistence, 97 per cent. (compared with 94 per cent. one year ago, 96 per cent. two years ago, 85.4 per cent. three years ago, 95 per cent. four years ago, 96 per cent. five years ago.
ENROLLMENT OF THE ENTIRE HIGH SCHOOL
September 1920
January 1921
Seniors
42
43
Juniors
52
54
Sophomores
84
81
Freshmen
119
116
Totals
297 294
Persistent
99 per cent.
The percentage of boys in the High School, while not as high as last year's is still noteworthy. The record for the last seven years is as follows :-
Percentage of boys in the High School, 1913-1914, 43 per cent. 1914-1915, 45 per cent .; 1915-1916, 41 per cent .; 1916-1917, 40 per cent .; 1917-1918, 43.5 per cent. ; 1918-1919, 49 per cent .; 1919-1920, 45 per cent.
ATTENDANCE FORECASTS. HIGH SCHOOL
Present enrollment, 294, less 43 Seniors, equals 251 in the three upper classes, resident in the High School Building. Two hundred fifty-one less 38 (15 per cent. allowance for shrinkage) equals 213. (Last year's fore- cast 177 ; number in three upper classes in Sept. 1920, 178. At date 178).
GEORGE E. STACY SCHOOL
One hundred fifty-five 9th graders, plus 299 8th grad- ers, plus 267 7th graders, equals 651. Six hundred fifty- one less 65 (10 per cent. allowance for shrinkage) equals
27
585, requiring 15 rooms. This means a crowded High School building as last year.
PLAINS DISTRICT. GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Grade 6-82-2 rooms.
Grade 5-98-212 rooms.
ANNEX
Grade 4-110-3 rooms.
PRIMARY SCHOOL
Grade 3-110-3 rooms.
Grade 2-135-4 rooms.
Grade 1-150-(estimate) 4 rooms.
Total rooms needed 181/2
Available 17
Rooms needed 11/2
CHANGES IN TEACHERS
Left the Service-High School.
Principal C. A. Fitzgerald, who had been connected with our High School since 1912, first as sub-master and since 1914 as Principal, severed his connection with the Milford schools at the close of school in June to accept a teaching position in the Worcester North High School. Principal Fitzgerald made a wide circle of friends and won a warm place in the hearts of his pupils. A pleasant feature of the High School graduation exercises was the presenta- tion to Principal Fitzgerald of a substantial purse of gold by the pupils of the school.
In April, 1920 Miss Catherine A. Power, for several years a successful and popular teacher in the High School resigned to become Mrs. Robert A. Mannix of Springfield, Mass.
Left the Service-Grades.
Miss Kathryn Harrington, teacher of the 4th grade in the Plains Annex, connected with Milford schools since 1911, gave up her position at the close of the school year
28
to become Mrs. Jordan of Framingham. Miss Harrington leaves her work with the best wishes of a wide circle of friends and a secure place in the hearts of her pupils.
Miss Margaret L. McNamara, a successful teacher of the 7th grade in the Stacy School, severed her connection with Milford schools at the end of the school year 1920, to accept a larger opportunity elsewhere.
Miss Helen R. Hogan, a popular teacher of grade 3, Oliver Street School, left the service during the fall term to become Mrs. Ralph R. Maxfield of Framingham.
Miss Katherine H. Lyman, an efficient teacher of the 7th grade in the Stacy School, member of our teaching force since 1914, left the service at the end of the fall term 1920, to accept a position in the schools of Worcester.
Miss Frances E. McCann of Castleton, Vermont, teacher of grades 5-6, in the Park School, severed her con- nection with the Milford schools at Christmas, 1920.
Mrs. Mabel K. Tyler, teacher of the Purchase Gram- mar School, has been given a leave of absence in the hope that a much needed rest would totally restore her to health. Entered the Service-High School
Miss Ruby F. Sutherland of Somerville, Mass. A. B. Boston University, with training in Emerson College of Oratory succeeded Miss Sadie A. O'Connell as teacher of English and Expression.
Miss Elizabeth Morrison of Washington, D. C., A. B., Trinity College, 1916, came to the High School upon the resignation of Miss Power. Miss Morrison has English and Latin and is High School librarian.
Miss Mae Comba of Milford, A. B., Trinity College, Washington, D. C., came to the High School at beginning of present year, as teacher of History, Latin, and Algebra. Entered the Service-Grades
Mr. Wilfred A. Beaudry, A. B., St. Francis Xavier University, Nova Scotia, with five years of successful ex- perience, was elected Principal of the Geo. E. Stacy School,
29
succeeding Principal, Thomas J. Quirk. Mr. Beaudry brings to the position unusual training and a rich ex- perience and has made an excellent beginning in his new field. Reference to the Junior High School and the school theatricals, in connection with which Mr. Beaudry has done considerable work since coming to us is made in this re- port.
The committee is fortunate in securing the services of Mrs. Helen W. Bird, for a number of years a teacher in our grades, to take charge of the extra seventh grade in the Stacy School.
Miss Anna A. Calabrese, Milford High School, 1918, Framingham Normal School, 1920, Assigned to Plains Portable, Grades 4 and 5. She took up her duties at be- ginning of Fall term.
Miss Maude E. Frost, Milford High School, 1918, Framingham Normal School 1920, began her work at be- ginning of Fall term, 1920. Assigned to Grade 1, Plains Primary School.
Miss Grace M. Carron, Milford High School, 1918, Framingham Normal School, 1920, took charge of Bear Hill School at beginning of Fall term, 1920.
It was the good fortune of the Committee to secure the services of Mrs. H. T. Cronin, a former teacher, for Grade 5, Park School. Mrs. Cronin assumed her duties at the beginning of the Fall term, 1920.
Miss Frances E. McCann of Castleton, Vermont, a graduate of the Castleton Normal School with several years of successful experience took charge of the divided Grade 5 and 6. Park School, at the beginning of Septem- ber 1920.
Upon Miss Catherine McNamara's transfer from Grade 4, Claflin School to Grade 7, Stacy School, her former class at the Claflin School was taken by Miss Helen F. Tully of Milford, Mass., Miss Tully is a graduate of St. Mary's Academy, with teaching experience in American- ization work.
30
Transfers-
Miss Beatrice Battles, Bear Hill to Grade 1, Hoboken.
Miss Eva M. Kennedy, Grade 1, Claflin to Grade 1, Spruce St.
Mrs. A. A. McManus, Grade VI Claflin to Grade VI Park, with class. This change was forced by the necessity of providing room for another 2nd Grade in Claflin School.
Miss Catherine M. McNamara, Grade 4 Claflin to · Grade 7 Stacy.
Mr. Thos. J. Quirk from the Principalship of the Stacy School to the Principalship of the High School.
MILFORD TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
Season of 1920 -- 1921 1920
January Lecture on Education, Hon. Robert O. Small,
Deputy Commissioner of Education of Massachusetts. February Banquet, The Association and Guests.
May Business Meeting-Election
President, Helen M. Quirk.
Vice-President, Evelyn C. Curran.
Secretary, Patrice A. Dillon.
Treasurer, Sue E. Ranahan
Chairman of the Social Committee, Helen Hogan, Succeded by Ada M. Melvin.
Chairman of the Executive Committee, Eileen A. Ahearn.
October 1921
Halowe'en Social.
January Annual Banquet of the Association.
THE MILFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THE HOOVER EUROPEAN CHILDREN'S FUND.
The students of the Milford schools raised $206.12 1 for the "Hoover Fund". I take this opportunity to extend the thanks of this department to the teachers and pupils responsible for this fine effort.
31
STACY SCHOOL DRAMATICS.
At the Milford Opera House, January 31, 1921, "Kid- dies", a musical conglomeration in a Prologue and two acts, was presented by the Geo. E. Stacy school children. The play was written and produced under the direction of Prin. W. A. Beaudry and the teachers of the school.
The play itself is a tribute to the imagination and literary art of Mr. Beaudry and its preparation and pre- sentation were evidences of executive ability and capacity for hard work on his part.
The children's costumes were of surprising variety and beauty and reflected great credit upon their designers and makers, the teachers of the Stacy school.
The speaking, singing, and dancing numbers by the children were most creditably done and reflected the long and patient training by their teachers.
There were capacity audiences at both the afternoon and evening performances, and four hundred and fifty dollars ($450) was realized for school purposes. Of this sum two hundred dollars ($200) has been devoted to furnishing a first aid room, two hundred dollars ($200) to equipping a school play ground, and the balance will be used as the nucleus of a future fund.
EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATES ISSUED.
During 1920 To Jan. 1, 1921
Total
Employment certificates
130
924
1054
Home permits
7
11
18
Educational certificates, literate
220
1981
2201
Educational certificates, illiterate
36
255
291
Summer vacation certificates
8
44
52
Total
401
3215
3616
HIGH SCHOOL
From Principal Quirk's report I quote as follows :- "The total enrollment of the High School on Septem-
3 2
ber 13th was 294. At the present time there are 288 pupils enrolled-130 boys and 158 girls. It is pleasing to note that only six have left school in five months.
"There have been some slight changes in the cur- riculum during the past year. Rhetoricals are taken up extensively in the Senior and Junior clases and weekly divisions from each class are heard. It seems advisable. at the present time to recommend that the Senior sten- ographers who are in the offices take up typewriting ten periods per week and receive five credits for it so that they will be afforded a greater opportunity for doing bet- ter work in this line.
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