USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Williamsburg > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Williamsburg 1895-1915 > Part 44
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150 00
Maple Street :
Ethel Curry,
317 50
Purrington School :
348 50
Elizabeth Purrington,
$6,111 70
MUSIC AND TEACHER.
Grace M. Larkin,
$360 20
Oliver Ditson,
5 81
Ginn & Co.,
29 00
The Cable Co.,
4 22
$399 23
REPAIRS.
Chas. W. Storrs,
$7 90
Harry T. Drake,
35
J. A. Sullivan,
1 60
Thayer Mfg. Co.,
1 20
F. A. Brooks,
19 52
B. Loomis,
8 00
Henry Danscereau,
17 80
J. J. Ball,
17 80
A. Bailey,
6 25
G. M. Bradford,
115 37
F. W. Warner,
12 60
P. J. Murphy,
141 78
Jesse Wells,
184 01
B. L. Dobbs,
$38 80
M. C. Howard,
362 20
F. W. Warner,
10 61
Chas. Warner,
2 00
Geo. H. Warner,
50
E. J. Shores,
22 85
Kimnear & Gager,
334 00
1
M. H. Smart,
2 00
J. A. Swift,
138 37
H. E. Bradford,
6 47
R. F. Burke,
17 95
Bradford Lumber Co.,
42 29
Ida Danscereau,
12 00
Haydenville Co.,
30
Merrick Lumber Co.,
23 51
$1,548 03
TRANSPORTATION.
N. H. Street Railway,
$275 00
S. A. Clark,
175 00
E. P. Hemenway,
162 00
Henry Goodwin,
105 00
$723 00
FUEL.
T. I. Breckenridge,
$371 78
J. R. Mansfield,
456 82
R. F. Burke,
3 30
Byron Loomis,
14 00
G. M. Bradford,
7 00
M. N. Adams,
18 75
Bradford Lumber Co.,
17 00
J. S. Graves,
12 00
D. E. Clary,
35 60
W. J. Sheehan,
1 10
Maud E. Warner,
1 00
G. R. Dolan,
50
$938 85
8
BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
Benjamin A. Sanborn,
$2 08
Esterbrook Pen Co.,
6 87
Edward E. Babb,
459 98
Forbes & Wallace,
3 50
Ginn & Co.,
4 49
E. W. Goodhue,
23 56
D. C. Heath,
2 06
Ovil Koster,
8 85
Educational Press Co.,
7 00
L. E. Knott App. Co.,
119 61
Wright & Potter,
1 85
Coburn & Graves,
25 50
Haughton Mifflin Co.,
4 35
H. H. Smith,
2 05
Am. Book Co.,
26 03
H. P. Goddard, Ex.,
8 42
Gazette Printing Co.,
27 00
Milton Bradley,
5 16
$738 36
JANITORS.
A. Bailey,
$274 50
H. Danscereau,
257 00
Jennie Nichols,
10 00
Lucy Kenney,
3 00
Maud Warner,
5 00
May Larkin,
9 00
Raymond Miller,
1 50
Elsie Smart,
8 00
Herbert Lawton,
6 00
Louise Fernald,
5 50
$579 50
SUPERINTENDENT.
E. W. Goodhue, $675 00
9
SUNDRIES.
A. Bailey,
$ 35
F. L. Taylor (Rent),
54 00
H. Danscereau,
4 50
N. E. Tel. & Tel. Co.,
10 76
G. L. Damon,
2 00
F. M. Crittenden,
5 00
Rev. W. I. Maurer,
5 00
B. Loomis,
75
Town of Williamsburg, water,
84 00
Lucius Jenkins,
7 50
J. G. Hayes,
2 90
E. W. Goodhue,
20 72
F. E. Edwards,
6 25
G. H. Warner,
1 50
Mill River Light Co.,
2 40
F. L. Smith,
7 50
C. B. Dolge,
13 00
H. E. Bradford,
1 83
$229 96
JANITORS' SUPPLIES.
A. Bailey,
$11 75
R. F. Burke,
13 37
W. J. Sheehan,
2 10
C. B. Dolge,
5 00
Williams Mfg. Co.,
3 66
Mosher & Sheehan,
9 05
U. S. Envelope Co.,
5 25
James Spear,
4 00
F. A. Brooks,
60
Sears, Roebuck & Co.,
9 30
N. F. Tetro,
4 40
Larkin Bros.,
64
$69 12
10
CLEANING.
A. Bailey,
$8. 98
Henry Danscereau,
35 65
G. R. Dolan,
3 00
C. A. Nichols,
4 00
M. H. Smart,
4 00
$55 63
ELECTRIC CURRENT.
Mill River Electric Light, $12 00
TEACHER'S RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION. .
116 Ford Building, Boston, Mass. Dr.
To Mildred Pierpont,
$16 00
Mabel A. Graves,
16 00
Lizzie Purrington,
16 00
$48 00
Special Committee on School Site
The town having received so enthusiastically Mrs. James's offer of the gift of a new school building under certain conditions, and having provided so fine a site for it, at a cost of four thousand dollars, your committee felt that in carrying out the conditions of the gift they should deal with the matter in the same generous spirit that had animated Mrs. James in making the gift, and the citizens of the town in providing the site. One of the conditions was that the site of the building should be drained and a sewer put in. The cost of the tile for this work was little over two hundred dollars. The land in the rear of the school being wet it was necessary to drain it by using 160 feet of land tile as well as considerable Akron tile. For the purposes of grading and in the constructions of the walks, curb and retaining wall, with the bridge and dam, some thirty-six hundred loads of sand and gravel were used. There are some 572 yards of cement walks, over three hundred feet of curbing, and the retaining wall is about 190 feet long. In order to construct the walk on South Street the bridge had to be partially rebuilt, and even then there would be no security against flooding the street in a time of high water, and so it was decided, with the advice of the taxpayers consulted, to make a new bridge that would take care of any amount of water, and this was done at a cost of about two hundred dollars. The little dam, built to afford pleasure to the children in the first place, proved a wise investment, since the water
12
filled the hole left by taking out the 250 loads of muck and loam which were necessary to cover the sand used in grading, and which could not have been obtained else- where. The cost of the dam was between one hundred fifty and one hundred seventy-five dollars. Advantage was taken of the offer of the Agricultural College to fur- nish a sketch map of the grounds, showing the location of the trees, and shrubs, and suggesting places for the playground apparatus. The cost of this work to us being only eleven dollars. In accordance with this plan trees and shrubs were obtained at a cost of some sixty dol- lars, and more work of this kind will be needed in the spring to complete the preparation of the ground, and comply with the conditions of the gift. It is suggested that the town reappropriate for the use of the School committee the balance of the money borrowed for this purpose amounting to $171.73.
SCHOOL SITE ACCOUNT TO FEB. 1, 1914.
Paid Wm. Ames, Labor, $12 00
Alec Bartofsky, 12 00
R. G. Bradford, labor with team, 192 50
J. A. Breckenridge, labor with team,
157 85
F. A. Brooks, Auctioneer, Services,
advertising, expressage, tools, 23 90
Ellis Clark, labor, 8 00
S. A. Clark, labor,
21 62
Wm. Chadwick, labor,
1 85
G. H. Cole, labor,
12 00
F. Cowing, labor,
34 60
P. Coyer, labor,
52 56
C. R. Damon, labor with team, 77 75
J. Burke, labor,
60 33
R. F. Burke, Land, tile and sundries, 1,138 50
.
13
Paid J. Graham, labor with team, $73 25
Graves Bros., sharpening tools, 3 45
H. A. Hathaway, labor with derrick, 33 00
L. A. Hathaway, labor,
16 50
Haydenville Co., hose bibb,
90
Mrs. Arthur Hinds, gravel,
168 90
C. L. Hyde, gravel,
105 28
J. Kelley, labor,
28 56
E. J. Knox, labor,
30 00
P. Larkin, labor,
1 67
E. Lefoe, labor,
45 10
F. Loomer, labor,
7 78
E. Meult, labor,
10 00
A. McPhee, labor,
14 88
J. McCluski, labor,
24 56
Harriet Nash, lease of playground, 30 00
J. W. Nash, labor, 10 00
C. O'Brien, labor, 48 56
F. O'Brien, labor, 58 56
J. O'Brien, labor,
50 56
J. H. O'Brien, labor, 8 56
Wm. O'Brien, labor,
40 56
J. Ozzolek, labor,
14 00
M. D. Patteson, surveying,
23 75
L. Patterson, labor, 8 00
J. Pierpont, labor, telephone, water wrench, 11 10
J. E. Pierpont, labor, 26 30
J. Molloy, labor, 47 11
E. Quinn, labor, 14 00
W. H. Riley & Co., oakum pipe, etc., 11 02
Geo. Rood, labor with team, 31 00
F. E. Sanderson, labor with team, 63 37
R. Sanderson, labor, 14 88
J. Stone, labor with team, 104 75
14
Paid F. W. Thayer, mattock, $1 00
Geo. Thresher, labor with team, 119 00
G. H. Warner, spraying, super- intendence, 107 65
L. Watling, labor,
12 00
J. Welch, labor,
46 56
Wm. Welch, labor,
24 34
Mrs. Sarah A. Williams, South Street property, 3,000 00
Certification of Town Notes, 30 00
$6,325 92
AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOL SITE.
Loan Haydenville Savings Bank, $7,000 00
Sale of Orcutt House, 220 00
Received for sale of Grass,
19 00
for sale of Stone,
2 00
for Removing tree,
25 00
$7,266 00
Less expenses,
6,325 92
Balance,
$940 08
RECEIPTS.
Beginning Feb. 1, 1914.
Balance cash an hand last report, $940 08
Received for grass, 5 00
Received from appropriations,
2,100 00
$3,045 08
EXPENDITURES.
Paid John Riley, labor, $61 88
Dennis McSweeney, labor,
65 75
Geo. H. Warner, labor with team and services,
284 78
James Welch, labor,
77 75
Henry Welch, labor,
65 25
1
15
Paid Peter Coyer, labor,
$24 00
Thomas Culver, labor,
74 25
John O'Brien, labor,
26 00
Leroy Watling, labor,
22 00
Jesse Wells, labor and men,
319 76
Ernest LeFoe, labor,
44 63
Frank Montgomery, labor,
43 25
Foster-Farrar Co., goods,
11 00
M. G. Hill, man and team,
7 30
Briceland Nash, labor,
5 05
M. D. Patteson, surveying,
15 90
Mrs. Arthur Hinds, sand,
101 20
H. F. Bradford, entering water main, 11 00
H. H. Nichols, labor,
17 50
Thomas Vaughn, labor,
12 75
R. D. Dunphy, labor,
10 75
James D. Murphy, labor,
46 00
John Molloy, labor,
63 47
R. G. Bradford, man and team, 49 50
J. A. Breckenridge, man and team, 208 98 Peter Paul, labor, 43 25
Chas. O'Brien, labor,
36 00
Wm. Welch, labor, 32 00
Geo. Thresher, labor with team, 9 00
C. S. Damon, services,
21 00
Northampton Electric Light Co. power,
10 71
C. A. Maynard, shovels,
10 83
Mrs. Helen James, part cost conduit, 71 25
John Kelso, hose and sundries,
13 50
Geo. Bisbee, labor,
12 00
Geo. Elliott, labor,
16 75
Geo. Dolan, labor,
62 50
M. Mansfield, labor,
10 00
Phil. McGowan, labor,
20 75
16
Paid Wm. O'Brien, labor, $65 00
R. F. Burke, cement, tile and sundries, 423 54
A. Allaire, labor, 23 37
Bradford Lumber Co., lumber,
39 12
E. J. Knox, labor, 15 38
Byron Loomis, man and team, 47 80
James Stone, man and team,
43 30
Albert Schawber, professional ser- vices, 20 00
Norwood Engineering Co., grates, 11 00
Wm. Chadwick, repairs, 8 57
Graves Bros., repairs, 5 73
P. H. Ellwood, planting plan for school grounds, 11 06
F. W. Thayer, sundries, 6 39
J. A. Sullivan, fertilizer and shears, 11 50
J. Pierpont, freight and services, 13 70
Walter Smith, labor, 10 00
Winfield Smith, labor, 10 00
A. Breckenridge, labor,
12 00
J. W. Adams Nursery Co., trees and shrubs, 56 65
$2,873 35
Balance on hand, $171 73
J. PIERPONT, L. MOLLOY, G. H. WARNER, E. W. GOODHUE.
Report of Superintendent of Schools
To the School Committee, Williamsburg, Mass :
GENTLEMEN :- In accordance with custom I am submit- ting for your consideration and approval the annual re- port. The usual number of schools have been in session during the past year and the work accomplished in them quite satisfactory. It is unfortunate that they have been disturbed by so many changes in the teaching force as every change means some retardation, but they seemed necessary and, owing to the wise policy adopted by the committee in increasing wages, we have been able to se- cure good teachers and reduce the ill effects to a mini- mum.
No marked changes in the primary schools have been made and the present course of study seems well fitted to our needs and is efficient.
The pupils and teachers understand our customs and methods so that we derive constant benefit from the uni- form course and settled plan which is impossible where changes are frequent and experimentation too common. While the necessity of introducing those subjects which are added to the regular course from time to time or of avoiding ultra conservatism in methods is fully conceded, yet it is well to permit other schools better able to test them to try them first that we may profit by experience. There appears to be something of a tendency toward the introduction of so many subjects into our schools as to
18
produce superficial results in all. The "Three R's" still have a very real value and must not be neglected. The instruction in music under the supervision of Miss Lar- kin has been of the usual excellent character, and the evi- dences of improvement and appreciation in several schools are really remarkable.
Prof. C. D. Robertson of the University of Pennsyl- vania, in a recent meeting of prominent educators held in Pittsburg created considerable surprise when he re- marked that he expected the time soon to come when every pupil in Pittsburg would be able to read and sing easy music at sight. Now we do not wish to detract from the credit of Pittsburg schools but it is a fact that our pupils, with the exception of very lowest grades, can not only read and sing easy music at sight but even quite difficult.
The agricultural training has been more valuable than last year because of its more systematic arrangement and better coordination with other subjects, it needs only in- creased interest and support from the parents to make it extremely valuable. Because we are receiving this skilled instruction with practically no expense it is having less attention paid it than it deserves. We are fortunate that we can have scientific supervision of this in our schools without cost for which others are willing to ap- propriate considerable sums. Your attention is especial- ly called to the reports of the music and agricultural supervisors following this.
In the Haydenville schools, drawing has been continued with Miss Evans in charge. While we may not have pro- duced any very noted artists, yet it is true that we have developed skill and appreciation in a large number of pupils which must function later in life.
Great improvement in penmanship is noticeable in sev- eral schools since the introduction of the Palmer System, but like any other, this depends for success upon the faithfulness of teachers in drilling and their knowledge
19
of and interest in it. Individual manuals have not yet been supplied but we seem to have reached the stage of progress where future work will be handicapped without them.
As above noted several changes of teachers were made necessary and we lost the services, at the close of last year, of several of our experienced and valuable instruc- tors. We greatly regretted the departure of Misses Nichols, Blodgett, Cahill and McFarland who had been with us for a considerable time and whose services as instructors were of the highest character and whose in- fluence on the pupils for morality and righteousness can- not be estimated in dollars and cents. Miss Weaver, Miss Larkin and Mr. McDonnell though with us as teachers only a short time abundantly proved their ability and worth and, if they could have been retained, it would have pleased all who knew them because of their success in the schools and personal character. Owing to the scarci- ty of candidates the filling of the vacant positions was rather more difficult than usual, but as above stated, we seemed generally fortunate in the selections.
The completion and occupation of the Helen E. James school building was a noteworthy event in the educational history of our town. It has given an opportunity to em- ploy aids in school work long needed but not before pos- sible, has insured the proper guarding of the health and comfort of the pupils and made it easier to secure the best teaching ability.
So far, the building has amply demonstrated the pos- sibility of securing fresh air, abundant heat and light and many other essentials of profitable and necessary conditions. Its effect upon the pupils morally and estheti- cally has been good since it increases respect for public property and the desire to act in accord with the beauti- ful surroundings.
Of course, as in all communities, there are a few who fail to be impressed by these things and who will not re-
20
strict or restrain disorderly and destructive instincts but, in general, any defacement or damage may be attributed to childish thoughtlessness or lack of judgment.
If we were to expect the same degree of orderliness and carefulness of a crowd of children as of a congregation in church we should prove that we have little appreciation of childhood and looked upon these pupils as merely men and women of smaller size, not as active, thoughtless, romping children. The playground, though not yet en- tirely ready for use, has already helped to decrease the tendency to quarrel and increased healthful exercise. It is hoped, that when completed, it may be possible to more fully direct and supervise the games and other recreative activities of the children as this is absolutely necessary in order that the full benefit of them may be realized.
It was unfortunate that the arrangement of the rooms necessitated the abandonment of the efficient and wise system of grade separation planned by the school authori- ties and the crowding of two rooms, but this has been remedied in considerable degree by the employment of an assistant in the lower grades. In the employment of a janitor, the committee wisely gave him the same authori- ty of control over the pupils as the teachers have, and our present janitor has not only proved most efficient in the discharge of the regular duty, but of great assistance in the proper restraint and direction of the pupils while they are in the basement, corridors or on the play- ground.
The High School had a very prosperous year, in spite of several interruptions and changes and it is evident -that the removal of the eighth grade has greatly improved it. Although the regular work was badly broken up by the necessity of making several changes to meet the re- quirements of the State Board of Education, including a change of teachers at a very critical time, yet the year's work was completed much better than we anticipated. No school can make three changes of teachers in one de-
21
partment during the year and exactly maintain its stand- ard of achievement. Although Miss Dunphy was perfect- ly satisfactory to all concerned and doing fine work in her department she was obliged to give up the position. A substitute was employed for a time until Miss Weaver was secured who proved an excellent instructor and won the respect and friendship of her pupils in a short time.
A class of five young ladies was graduated, four from the college preparatory and one from the general course. The graduating exercises were held in the assembly room of the new building as a special favor to the class which thus became the first to use it. The essays and ad- dresses of the members of the class gave evidence of good, faithful work done in the school and were excellent, the music furnished by the school and the Glee Club under the direction of Miss Larkin was thoroughly appreciated by the audience and the address of the evening by Rev. W. I. Maurer was inspiring and practical.
We have greater cause than ever for pride in our High School, it is doing thorough work and helping to make a reputation for the town which must add to its attrac- tiveness and prosperity. The committee fully realizing the importance of retaining the services of Mr. Larkin and in appreciation of his services increased his salary to an amount more in accord with the importance of the position held by him and the character of the town. We have been greatly aided by the new school building in ar- ranging and adapting our courses of study, and we now offer two distinct ones, a four year's college preparatory as required by law, and a two year's which permits the pupils to graduate at the end of that time and has special reference to their admission to technical, commercial or industrial schools or into general pursuits.
It is rather difficult to understand why the school was not approved for certification to normal schools as it - seems certain that it is doing fully as good work as some which are, but it may be because the pretty severe knocks
3
22
given it during the year by some of the townsmen in- fluenced the State Board. While we hope it may soon re- ceive approval, yet there is a limit even to our willingness to beg for rightful recognition and we await action. The records of those pupils who have gone from this school to others of more advanced educational facilities are of a nature to give us just reason for pride and confidence in our schools. A fine laboratory has been provided and fully equipped for present needs which has received the complimentary notice of several educational experts.
The custom introduced some years ago of giving regu- lar periods to the discussion of current events has been of more value than anticipated. It is a great satisfaction to find our boys and girls taking lively interest in the daily happenings in all parts of the world and able to speak of and discuss them intelligently.
The exhibition given by the School Industrial Club in the Town Hall under the supervision of Director Edwards was very satisfactory and encouraging. There was evi- dence of greatly increased care and more thorough knowledge in the raising and preparation of the articles shown. The attendance both during the day and even- ing was large and the address of Professor Morton of the State Agricultural College, who gave the children much praise, was thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated by a good-sized audience. It was unfortunate that the exer- cises at the school Christmas Tree in Haydenville were greatly interfered with by a storm, but a good-sized crowd was in attendance, while the beautiful songs of the chil- dren given under the brilliantly lighted tree aroused the real Christmas spirit in all attending.
The fine playground in Williamsburg village serves to emphasize the fact that one is needed at Haydenville very much indeed. One of the most serious problems which confronts the teachers in the central building is the care of the pupils during the recesses. The cramped space in front affords no opportunity for organized play now con-
23
sidered so essential, and the rough and tumble sport in- dulged in serves to increase disorder and render the task of proper disciplining the schools when in session much more difficult. The children are often trespassing on pri- vate grounds or flowing out into the street where they are in constant danger from passing vehicles and the street cars. The furnishing of a commodious and suitable play- ground should be one of the immediate concerns of the town. The necessity of opening an evening school for il- literate foreigners has caused us much unexpected ex- pense, but there is no question of its desirability or value, only as the results are more largely to the advantage of the state as a whole than to the town, the former should bear the expense and, in time, will probably do so. The attendance on the school is large, over seventy being registered, and the diligence and application shown is remarkable.
The expense of supporting our schools is constantly in- creasing and this is not surprising when we consider the tremendous increase in the cost of living and the re- quirements of the state. The cost of teaching, like that of all other service, has advanced greatly and yet, al- though a teacher is employed but thirty-six weeks of the year and must support himself for the remainder from his wages, he often receives no more per week than the ordinary shop hand. While we are paying more than formerly for our schools and the number of pupils has but slightly increased, yet if we compare this increase with that made in the conduct of other business and by many towns of like circumstances to ours we shall find that the logical limit has not yet been reached. Unless a more equitable distribution of the income of the state educa- tional fund can be adopted many of the smaller towns must suffer actual hardship.
This town is especially affected by the circumstance that in our attempts to improve its living and commercial conditions by building good roads and making other im-
24
provements we make such large appropriations as to minimize that for schools in comparison though it is gen- erous.
Your superintendent wishes to express his continued appreciation of the harmonious and helpful manner in which the members of the school committee have worked with him at all times, of the aid and encouragement given by many citizens and of the faithful services and hearty cooperation of the teachers.
Respectfully submitted, E. W. GOODHUE, Superintendent of Schools.
REPORT OF DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION.
To Chairman of the School Committee of Williamsburg:
The work of the schools in agriculture this past year has touched upon a variety of topics. This fall, a desk book was introduced for the aid of the teachers, which has helped a good deal. Previous to this fall, hectographed lesson sheets were furnished the teachers.
Among the topics taken up are the following; the study of the potato, including selection and treatment of seed, planting, fertilizing, harvesting and grading; the study of the apple including the fruit, the twig, habit of growth, and preventative measures against insect and disease injury; the study of soils, in reference to moist- ure, need of lime, texture, warmth, etc .; the study of fer- tilizers and working of examples relative to commercial mixtures containing, nitrogen, potash, and phosphoric acid; and in some of the schools, we are starting classes in judging domestic animals. The teachers have taken hold of this work very well indeed considering the fact
25
that it was entirely new to most of them. Several of the teachers in the district are planning to take a course at the Summer School at the Massachusetts Agricultural College next summer.
Another line of work, closely related to that of the class room, is the garden and home club work. All in these clubs are members of the School Industrial Clubs originally formed by Superintendent E. W. Goodhue about ten years ago. Practically 90 per cent. of the pu- pils between the fourth and ninth grades are members of these clubs. The older and more capable pupils are urged to join also the state wide clubs with headquarters at the Massachusetts Agricultural College and of which clubs Prof. O. A. Morton is leader.
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