USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Palmer, Massachusetts 1917 > Part 6
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EFFECT OF WAR ON EDUCATION.
No single phase of world endeavor can be found today which has not felt sharply the effect of the world war.
Education has felt it in several ways. In some ways, it has felt its bitterness. The chief effect, nevertheless, has been the. strong realization of the necessity of right education. We find in Germany an example of mis-education, a people tra- duced by a false philosophy deliberately taught them; in Rus- sia, a people deliberately deprived of an education. We know now what both mean. In contrast, we have the fine, temperate, altruistic, charitable-firm and determined, nevertheless-tem- per of the United States. Each condition is due to the educa- tional plan of each country.
· All countries now realize the value of good schools. In fact, nearly every branch of service is now being taught by present-day school methods. All are declaring that nothing must interfere with the education of the young people of school age.
What the night schools have done with illiterates and in citizenship-making is now seen. The only regret is that they did not have the means to do more.
22
The ultimate result will be that, as never before, the public schools of all countries will be supported. While the people as a whole may forget the lesson learned, those in charge of the destinies of the various nations will never allow their country to fall behind because of lack of education among the masses.
Much as we abhor the philosophy of Germany, we give her credit as being a nation whose economic development was marvelous. "This condition was brought about," in accordance with the expressed views of President Vanderlip of the Na- tional City Bank of New York," in spite of paucity of natural resources and of being not signally gifted with inventive genius or artistic temperament, by her schools." "The schoolmaster," he says, "is the great cornerstone of her remarkable industrial success." All who have watched events appreciate this. No nation means to be a laggard in this development when peace is once more restored. The schools will come into their just recognition.
A new era is dawning. The world will soon be governed by the people themselves in some form of democracy or con- stitutional monarchy. World demorcacy can not depend upon military and industrial preparedness alone for its perpetuation. It can not exist long unless the political and social organiza- tions are sane and safe, and are controlled by a real social con- sciousness and altruism. Wealth and territory do not make a nation great. A truly great nation is one whose spirit, tradi- tions, and emotions-the main springs of life-are right. To develop such broad ideals of true citizenship is the task of the school.
Huxley defined education's mission as "the development of the mind into a clear, cold logic machine;" Milton, as "the fitting of the individual to perform skillfully, justly, and mag- nanimously all the arts of peace and war." The real educa- tion must comprise both, as the reasoning mind, uncontrolled by justice and magnanimity, is prone to do evil. Emphasis in America's educational scheme has always been laid upon skill,
23
justice, and magnanimity, and will be still more strongly laid in the future. Other nations, especially the Central Powers, must do likewise.
The social and moral questions arising after this war are large questions ; they, in reality, will exceed in importance the winning of the war. Progressive German thinkers are already admitting that the Allies will win a moral, if not actual, vic- tory. For the solution of these questions, boys and girls of physical fitness, of strength of brain, of soundness of mind. of skill of hand, of abundant patriotism, of braveness of heart, of fairness of judgment, of broadness of vision, of breadth of ideals, all of which are dedicated to the cause of human justice, freedom, and brotherhood, must be turned out of our schools and the schools of the world. This is the big job of the schools.
Even now throughout this country the schools have re- dedicated themselves to this task as an immediate war effect. While this great conflict rages, American children are not being filled with hate and rancor. They are being taught to be firm and determined, yet charitable and generous. They are being taught the feeling that prompts the surgeon to remove the cancer-though he may hurt the patient, he does it, not through dislike of patient, but through desire to save a human life.
Two great benefits will come to education, locally, nation- ally, and internationally :- First, education will be properly evaluated, and will therefore be universally and liberally sup- ported, morally and financially ; second, education, everywhere, will be an attempt to educate, not merely hand and head, as formerly practised in many places, but hand, and head, and soul. Then the skillful hand and reasoning head will be di- rected by a soul that will keep it straight.
Education never leads astray ; mis-education always leads astray.
The local effort to educate for manhood and citizenship is strong. The main motive underlying all of our work is to provide our boys and girls such an education. While success, immediate or ultimate, is not always achieved, the results in
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the large majority of cases are not unsuccessful. This is not unseemly praise, for such a statement can be made of every educational system in the United States.
The American school has been the shaper of our past, is the moulder of our present, and will be the designer of our future destiny.
Humble were her beginnings; modest are her claims; in- estimable are her accomplishments.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
Two recommendations are offered :
(1). That the need of additional school accommodations be still more persistently called to the voters' attention.
(2). That no curtailment of educational opportunities be made because of increased financial burdens entailed by war.
CONCLUSION.
The necessary summary of important school events of the past year has been given in this report. The main drive has been centered on the effects of this war on education. This has been deemed wise, even though we all may feel that we would like to read one composition that failed to mention war. Yet, what has been said is so true of, and essential to, education's cause that, were it omitted, certain distinct losses would be encountered. Education's value in a world made for man cannot be over-stated or over-emphasized.
Let us realize her worth and pay her a just recognition. This we can do in one worthy way only-by financially and morally giving her liberal support.
For a continuance of helpful guidance and rigid support, the School Committee deserve the highest commendation ; of friendliness and patience, the public merit the due recognition herein given. Again, as so often given in these reports, attesta- tion to the loyalty, whole-heartedness, and effectiveness of the
25
teaching force is made, for the teachers are the real corner- stone of Palmer's educational structure. They are the real warriors of peace who fight to make the United States and the world "safe for democracy."
Respectfully submitted, CLIFTON H. HOBSON, Superintendent of Schools.
Palmer, Massachusetts, December 11, 1917.
Appendix
A. GENERAL STATISTICS.
I. Population.
Census of 1910,
8,610
School Population, September 1, 1916, 5 to 15 years of age,
1,767
School Population, September 1, 1917, 5 to 16 years of age, 2,006
II. Pupils.
Number of children in town, September 1, as taken from the school census and registers :
1915-16
1916-17
Between ages 7 and 14,
1,269
1,334
Aggregate enrollment, Sept. to June,
1,921
1,934
Average daily attendance,
1,644.14
1,658.40
Average number belonging,
1,709.09
1,728.14
Per Cent of attendance,
96.2
95.96
Average number of pupils to each teacher :
In the High School,
20
19.33
In the other schools,
37.04
42
B. ATTENDANCE STATISTICS.
I. Attendance by Schools, 1916-1917.
Schools
Average
Membership
Attendance
Percent of
Attendance
Tardiness
Enrollment
High,
146.37
137.94
95.64
28
174
Palmer Grammar,
521.69
496.13
94.96
65
586
Thorndike Grammar,
284.57
277.61
97.1
43
320
Bondsville Grammar,
278.5
268.81
96.21
9
302
Three Rivers Grammar,
407.52
391.89
96.17
29
444
Wire Mill,
54.56
51.69
94,90
22
69
Palmer Center,
22.24
21.94
97.59
9
26
Shorley,
12.69
12.39
97.63
3
13
Totals,
1,728.14
1,658.40
95.96
208
1,934
Average
27
II. Per Cent. of Attendance by Buildings. 1916-1917.
Per Cent.
Shorley,
97.63
Palmer Center,
97.59
Thorndike Grammar,
97.1
Bondsville Grammar,
96.21
Three Rivers Grammar,
96.17
High,
95.64
Palmer Grammar,
94.96
Wire Mill,
94.90
III. Distribution of Pupils by Classes in Schools, November 1, 1917.
Palmer
Three Rivers
Thorndike
Bondsville
Wire Mill
Center
Shorley
High
Totals
Grade I,
88
102
52
70
28
6
2
348
Grade II,
59
82
54
49
16
1
3
264
Grade III,
65
61
39
50
12
7
1
235
Grade IV,
68
55
43
41
12
5
2
226
Grade V,
84
45
34
28
2
193
Grade VI,
67
33
25
27
1
153
Grade VII,
59
34
31
26
2
152
Grade VIII,
49
31
24
15
119
Grade IX,
31
24
12
9
76
Freshman,
84
84
Sophomore,
26
26
Junior,
34
34
Senior,
40
40
Post Graduates,
2
2
Totals,
570
467
314
315
68
19
13
186
1,952
School.
28
IV. Age and Grade Distribution Table in Elementary Schools, November 1, 1917.
GRADE.
Age
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII VIII IX Totals
5
147
147
6
135
92
7
234
7
51
95
74
8
228
8
9
47
75
59
3
193
9
3
21
48
66
54
4
196
10
5
19
53
67
36
2
176
11
4
7
18
34
55
41
3
162
12
3
13
20
31
50
40
3
160
13
1
1
4
14
25
50
52
34
181
14
2
1
3
1
8
7
19
26
67
15
2
2
3
9
16
16
2
4
6
Totals,
348
264
235
226
193
153
152
119
76
1,766
Above
Normal
Age,
15
30
31
40
35
33
9
5
4
202
Per Cent
Above
Normal
Age,
4.31
11.36
13.19
17.69
18.13
21.56
5.92 4.20 5.26
11.43
The figures printed above the black line indicate the number of pupils within and below the normal grade age.
29
V. Record of Permanent Withdrawals and Reasons of Pupils from September, 1916 to July, 1917.
High
Palmer
Thorndike
Three Rivers
Bondsville
Districts
Total
Removal from Town,
4
49
11
16
12
92
Going to Work,
22
10
6
18
14
11
81
Illness,
3
2
3
4
3
15
Failure to do Work,
10
10
Deatlı,
2
2
2
2
2
8
Immaturity,
3
3
Expelled,
1
1
Enlistment,
1
1
Totals,
40
63
22
44
31
11
211
VI. Average Number of Pupils Per Teacher in the Palmer Public Schools, November 1, 1916 and 1917.
Enrollment
No. of Teachers
Av. No. Pupils per Teacher.
School.
1917
1916
1917
1916
1917
1916
Palmer High,
186
171
9
9
20.69
19
Palmer Grammar,
570
537
12
12
47.5
44.75
Three Rivers Grammar,
467
427
12
10
38.91
42.7
Bondsville Grammar,
315
283
8
8
39.38
35.37
Thorndike Grammar,
314
293
8
8
39.25
36.63
Wire Mill,
68
55
2
2
34
27.5
Palmer Center,
19
25
1
1
19
25
Shorley,
13
13
1
1
13
13
All Schools,
1,952
1,804
53
51
36.83
35.37
High,
186
171
9
9
20.67
19
Grades,
1,666
1,540
38
36
43.84
40.52
Districts,
100
93
4
4
25
23.25
30
C. PROMOTION STATISTICS. Year ending June, 1917.
I. Promotions in the Grades.
No. of Pupils in
Grade in June.
Promoted Un-
conditionally.
Promoted Con-
ditionally.
Not Promoted.
Per Cent Not Promoted.
7 6 avo GRADE.
88
88
0
0
0
76
58
17
1
1.31
121
93
22
6
4.95
155
128
21
6
3.87
5
163
123
25
15
9.20
4
207
166
23
18
8.69
3
236
190
17
29
12.28
2
243
180
26
37
15.22
1
292
205
16
71
24.31
1,581
1,231
167
183
11.57
II. Reasons Ascribed by Teacher for Failure of Promotion.
Number of Pupils
Per Cent.
Inability,
69
36
12-183
Lack of Concentration,
38
20
140-183
Immaturity,
18
9
153-183
Absence,
13
7
19-183
Late Entrance,
9
4
168-183
Mentally Deficient,
7
3
151-183
Lack of Application,
5
2
134-183
Inattentiveness,
5
2
134-183
Illness,
5
2
134-183
Inability to Speak English,
4
2
34-183
Inability and Lack of Concentration,
3
1
117-183
Physical Condition,
2
1
17-183
Absence and Inability,
2
1
17-183
Peculiar Nature and Lack of Concentration,
1
.5
85-183
Defective Hearing,
1
.5
85-183
Inability and Lack of Application,
1
.5
85-183
31
III. Repeaters in the Grades. November 1, 1917.
Grade.
Number Belonging.
Number Repeating.
Percentage Repeating.
1
3.48
70
20.11
2
264
35
13.25
3
235
29
12.34
4
226
12
5.30
5
193
18
9.32
6
153
10
6.53
7
152
5
3.28
8
119
0
0
9
76
0
0
1,766
179
10.13
D. EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATES.
Employment (Ages 14-16),
201
Literate (Ages 16-21),
319
Illiterate (Ages 16-21),
27
Home Permit (Ages 14-16),
5
Education Permit,
2
Vacation Certificates,
3
Total,
557
E. TABLES OF COMPARISON. I. Comparison of Attendance for Ten Years.
Ycar
Average Membership
Average Attendance
Per Cent of Attendance
1907-8
1,151.19
1,094.03
94.49
1908-9
1,193.56
1,130.3
95.
1909-10
1,243.38
1,157.35
94.7
1910-11
1.298.9
1,244.56
95
1911-12
1,411.33
1,333.62
95.23
1912-13
1,433.71
1,372.99
94.49
1913-14
1,526.97
1,471.52
95.76
1914-15
1,640.54
1,582.20
96.37
1915-16
1,709.09
1,644.14
96.41
1916-17
1,728.14
1,658.40
95.96
32
HI. Table of Cost
1908-9
1909-10 $30,744.50
Average Membership
1,151.19
1,193.56
Average Attendance
1,094.03
1,130.30
Cost per pupil based
on average membership
$28.02
$25.76
Cost per pupil based
on average attendance
$29.48
$27.20
General Expenses
$2,452.79
$2,982.08
Teachers' Salaries
18,869.14
25,293.18
Text Books Supplies
2,212.99
1,971.55
Transportation
2,294.00
2,635.40
Janitors' Services
2,067.25
2,517.50
Fuel and Light
3,205.61
3,680.17
Maintenance of Buildings and Grounds
913.48
1,323.95
Repairs of School Buildings
1,195.53
505.20
Music, Manual Training and Drawing
1,849.53
1,895.48
Other Expenses
894.69
1,098.52
Furniture and Furnishings
843.18
937.44
Rent
104.50
22.50
Commercial
2,603.46
2,840.49
Total
$39,506.20
$47.694.46
Evening Schools
885.73
Vacation School
$48,580.19
Average Attendance
1,534.44
1,617.31
excluding evening school and vacation school
$24.94
$28.54
Cost per pupil based on average membership including evening school and vacation school
$29.06
Cost per pupil based on average attendance
excluding evening school and vacation
school
$25.74
$29.49
Cost per pupil based on average attendance including evening school and vacation school
$30.03
* Short fiscal year-ten months only.
** We have earned from tuition and interest on funds about $1,497.89 ; this would reduce the actual costs per pupil to $30.26, $30.70, $31.58, and $32.03, respectively.
Total
$32,257.23
Average Membership
1,584.16
1,671.26
Cost per pupil based on average membership
** 1914
1915
33
Ten Years Compared.
1910-1911
1911-1912
1912-1913
1913-1914 $43,236.15
$35,950.30
$38,177.54
$40,060.21
1,243.38
1,298.90
1,411.33
1,433.71
1,157.35
1,244.56
1,333.62
1,372.99
$28.91
$29.39
$28.38
$30.15
$31.06
$30.68
$30.03
$31.49
1916
1917
$3.140.73
$3,395.49
26,996.07
29,193.71
2,338.14
2,441.52
2,723.68
3.156.00
2,579.01
2,615.50
4,113.00
4,784.96
922.05
1,646.04
1,627.78
982.53
1,971.94
2,230.05
910.16
1,198.37
596.73
654.14
175.00
3,577.48
3,418.02
$53,671.77
$55,716.33
1,349.45
788.93
94.07
$53,115.29
$56.505.26
1,719.17
1,791.77
1,650.00
1,717.09
$30.06
$31.10 **
$30.90
$31.54 **
$31.31
$32.45 **
$32.19
$32.91*
Owing to a change in the classification of accounts made four years ago, it has been possible to compare in detail the expenses of the last four years only. The amount expended annually is given for the previous six years.
til. Cost per School.
High
Palmer
Thorndike
Three Rivers
Bondsville
Districts
Office
Total
General Expenses.
$10.00
$43.00
$22.00
$28.00
$38.00
$10.00 $3.244.49
$3.395.49
Teachers' Salaries,
5.930.75
6.447.64
4.471.54
5,905.61
4,330.87
2.107.30
29.193.71
Text Books, Supplies.
585.20
533.16
319.59
490.59
325.22
166.86
20.90
2,441.52
Transportation,
1,102.75
1,002.70
115.40
91.20
32.95
809.00
3,156.00
Janitors' Service,
550.00
550.00
441.00
528.00
440.00
106.50
2,615.50
Fuel and Light,
1,075.17
1,444.72
836.12
521 80
716.84
190.31
4,784.56
Maintenance of Buildings and Grounds, 272.65
363.71
627.86
121.04
141.89
118.89
1,646.04
Repairs of School Buildings,
138.14
12.69
690.67
52.94
21.02
67.07
932.53
Music, Manual Training and Drawing, 278.93
529.12
402.27
470.40
436.65
112.68
2.230.05
Other Expenses,
295.52
239.15
172.62
184.90
201.43
72.50
32.25
1.198.37
Furniture and Furnishings,
24.00
141.90
447.94
12.00
28.30
654.14
Rent.
3,418.02
3,418.02
Day,
$13.681.13 $11,287.79
$8.099.07 $8.842.42 $6.684.87 $3,773.11 $3,325.94 $55,716.33
Evening. Total.
300.43
51.50
164.50
168.00
104.50
788.93
$13,891.56 $11.339.29
$8.263.57 $9.010.42 $6,789.37 $3,773.11 $3.325.94 $56,505.26
Average Membership.
158.97
532.60
293.74
426.15
288.87
91.44 1,791.77
1,791.77
Cost per pupil, based on average Membership,
$86.05
$21.19
$27.57
$20.75
$23.14
$41.26
$1.86
$31.10
--
-
34
·
Commercial,
IV. Cost per Pupil per Account Based on Average Membership.
High
Palmer
Thorndike
Three Rivers
Bondsville
Districts
Office
Total
General Expenses,
$ .06
$ .08
$ .08
$ .07
$ .13
$ .11
$ 1.82
$ 1.90
Teachers' Salaries.
37.31
12.11
15.22
13.86
14.99
23.05
16.28
Text Books and Supplies,
3.68
1.00
1.09
.15
1.14
1.82
01
1.35
Transportation,
6.94
1.87
.39
.22
.11
8.85
1.76
Janitors' Services,
3.46
1.03
1.50
1.24
1.52
1.16
1.46
Fuel and Light,
6.76
2.71
2.85
1.22
2.48
2.08
2.67
Maintenance of Buildings and Grounds,
1.72
.68
2.14
.28
49
1.30
92
Repairs of School Buildings,
87
.02
2.35
.12
.07
.73
.55
Music, Manual Training and Drawing,
1.75
.98
1.37
1.10
1.51
1.23
1.2.4
Other Expenses,
1.86
.45
.58
.44
.70
.79
.02
.65
Furniture and Furnishings,
.15
.26
1.05
.13
.01
35
Rent.
Commercial,
21.50
1.95
Totals,
$86.06
$21.19
$27.58
$20.75
$23.14
$41.25
$ 1.86
$31 10
. .
. .
. .
. .
·
. .
.
..
35
F. LANGUAGE SPOKEN IN HOME OF PUPILS.
PALMER.
Grade.
I
11
111
IV
V 82
VI
VII
VIII
IX
Total
Total Number of Pupils,
85
55
64
66
65
57
48
31
553
From English Speaking Homes,
56
31
48
5.2
59
39
41
41
26
393
From Non-English Speaking Homes,
29
24
16
14
23
26
16
7
5
160
Per Cent. from Non-English Speaking Homes,
34.11
43.63
25
21.21
28.04 40
28.07
14.58
16.12 28.93
THREE RIVERS.
Total Number of Pupils,
101
82
60
25
45
33
33
31
23
460
From English Speaking Homes,
10
11
14
10
15
8
8
15
13
104
From Non-English Speaking Homes,
91
71
46
42
30
25
25
16
10
356
Per Cent. from Non-English Speaking Homes,
90.09
86.59
76.67
80.4
66.67 75.75
76
51.6
43.4
77.39
THORNDIKE.
Total Number of Pupils,
52
55
37
42
36
29
25
24
11
311
From English Speaking Homes,
6
11
7
10
11
6
12
6
3
72
From Non-English Speaking Homes,
46
14
30
32
25
23
13
18
8
239
Per Cent from Non-English Speaking Homes,
83.46 80
81.03
76.19
69.44 79.31
52
75
72.9
76.85
36
BONDSVILLE.
Total Number of Pupils,
69
50
49
43
29
23
23
15
9
310
From English Speaking Homes,
14
5
9
12
15
10
7
8
8
88
From Non-English Speaking Homes,
55
45
40
31
14
13
16
7
1
222
Per Cent. from Non-English Speaking Homes,
79.71
90
81.63
72.09
48.27
56.51
69.56
46.67
11.11 71.61
DISTRICTS.
Grade.
I
=
IV
V
VI
VII
Total
Total Number of Pupils,
35
20
22
19
2
1
2
101
From English Speaking Homes,
10
4
9
8
0
0
0
31
From Non-English Speaking Homes,
25
16
13
11
2
1
2
70
Per Cent. from Non-English Speaking Homes,
71.43
80.00
59.09
57.9
100
100
100
69.3
HIGH SCHOOL.
Fresh.
Soph.
Jun.
Sen.
Spec.
Total
Total Number of Pupils, From English Speaking Homes, From Non-English Speaking Homes,
81
45
35
19
3
183
71
4.3
34
17
3
168
10
2
1
2
0
15
Per Cent. from Non-English Speaking Homes,
12.34
4.44
2.85
12
0
8.2
37
38
LANGUAGE SPOKEN IN HOME OF PUPILS.
High
Palmer
Three Rivers
Bondsville
Thorndike
Districts
Total
English,
168
393
104
88
72
31
856
Polish,
8
51
320
186
232
11
803
French,
3
45
20
32
7
19
126
Italian,
1
37
5
11
54
Swedish,
2
17
14
33
Danish,
4
1
5
German,
4
4
8
Hebrew,
1
1
7
9
Hungarian,
1
6
7
Lithuanian,
4
4
Portuguese,
4
4
Scotch,
2
2
Greek,
2
2
Total,
183
553
460
310
311
101
1,918
The accounts of the School Department were closed on Wednesday, December 26, 1917.
At the close of 1917, the bills payable and receiveable were as follows :
BILLS PAYABLE
Yawman & Erbe, office supplies,
$ 2.60
D. E. F. Radasch, floor oil, 11.00
A. W. Holbrook, use of hall, 60.00
Total,
$73.60
BII LS RECEIVABLE
Town of Monson, Tuition,
$674.27
Town of Ware, Tuition, 50.00
Town of Greenwich, Tuition, 37.50
Total, $761.77
50
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