USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lincoln > Town Report on Lincoln 1891-1898 > Part 22
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NORTH SCHOOL.
The North School has been kept open through the year, with the exception of about three weeks closure, on account of sickness of the teacher and pupils. A change of teachers occurred about the middle of the autumn term, Miss Farrar taking the place of Miss Snow.
SOUTH SCHOOLS.
The South Schools have continued with but brief inter- ruption, in the Grammar department, on account of sickness of the teacher. Miss Grose, who taught the primary depart-
82
ment through the winter and spring terms, was re-elected at the close of the spring term, but sent in her resignation, and Miss Ellison was chosen to fill the vacancy.
Since the opening of the autumn term, Mr. Archibald, of Waltham, has been engaged one day in each week as teacher of vocal music, thus giving a new impulse to the latent talent for music, in the rising generation, which we hope to see largely developed.
The text books in Geography, Arithmetic and United States History have been exchanged for more modern works upon the same subjects.
The furnace at the Center School-house has required con- siderable repairs, the dome having been burned out and causing it to leak gas into the building.
For further advice we would refer you to the report of the Superintendent of Schools, and the report of the Committee on School-house.
Respectfully submitted,
MOSES W. KIDDER, , Committee.
EDWARD R. FARRAR.
MINORITY REPORT.
LINCOLN, Feb. 7, 1896. To the Voters of Lincoln :
Once more I find myself unable to subscribe to all the suggestions offered in the annual report of the School Com- mittee, and desire herein to give my reasons.
It has been proposed to discontinue our High School in Lincoln, and furnish the pupils attending the same with a High School education elsewhere. To any such proposition I object.
One argument brought forward in favor of the proposed plan is that the pupils could get better educational advantages in some adjoining town or city than we offer, or ever can offer, at home. It seems proper just here to ask what we mean by education. The best authorities tell us that it is the development of the entire being of the child, and fitting him for the duties and the privileges of good citizenship. There is a moral side to his nature, and a patriotic, as well as an intellectual ; and all should be cultivated. Now if this is so, it is extremely difficult to see how we should be caring for the moral side with all diligence, if we subjected these pupils to the demoralizing influences attendant on their transportation to another town or city. Nor would it be teaching them loyalty and patriotism by good example, to close the doors of our own High School after years of pros- perity, and send its pupils to seek an education elsewhere.
Again, according to the best thinkers, we should seek as far as possible to give our pupils individual instruction ; for by such instruction only can symmetrical results be obtained. Now it stands to reason that we can give pupils more indi- vidual instruction in a small school than in a large one. It
84
is clear then, that if we wish to give our pupils the advantages of much individual instruction, it will be defeating our pur- pose to send them out of town.
And again, the way to education is by work-work on the part of the pupil. This being so, have we not another advantage in the quiet of a town like Lincoln? For quiet is necessary to good study. To send our pupils away would mean to give them distraction, of all sorts, in place of con- ditions favorable to work. It would mean, also, a serious loss to the pupils in time and energy on account of transpor- tation.
Another argument for the plan proposed is that it would cost less to give the pupils a High School education in this manner than we pay at home. Now at the present time the High School is very small, and so the cost of supporting it, reckoned per capita, is larger than usual. But in my opinion this can be remedied very easily by taking the high- est grade of the Grammar Schools up into the High ; thus the High School would be increased in size and the cost of sup- porting it, reckoned per capita, would be decreased. By this means, also, the Grammar Schools at the Center and the South would be relieved, and some of the pupils given the advantages of High School methods. This, it seems to me, ought to be done.
There are many other considerations to be taken into account ; for instance, it should be remembered that the town would be responsible for any accident that might occur during transportation. Therefore, it seems very clear that we can give our High School pupils a good education at home more cheaply than anywhere else.
Thirdly, it is urged that the effect on the other schools in town would be to stimulate them. Now if our schools need a stimulus, would it not be vastly better for us to find a rem- edy for this needy condition ourselves, than to go to a sister town for it, and sacrifice our High School besides ? It would be a humiliating confession on our part to do such a thing ; and it is impossible for me to believe that we ever shall do it.
85
Therefore, as I said above, I object to any plan for dis- continuing our High School and sending the pupils elsewhere to be educated. It was my duty last year to dissent from a plan to enlarge the High School building, and now it would seem that there are not enough pupils to fill the building. We fail to comprehend such a change in one short year. Let us look at the matter reasonably, and continue as we have done; as the world progresses, and as the demands on our schools grow larger, let Lincoln be ready to meet these de- mands as well as she has done in the past. We have had good schools-schools of which we might well be proud ; let us keep them. I believe we shall.
I have the honor to remain,
Yours respectfully,
GEORGE FLINT, Chairman.
Report of Superintendent of Schools.
To the School Committee of Lincoln :-
GENTLEMEN :- I herewith present to you my fifth annual report of Lincoln schools.
It is to be regretted that the inadequate school accommodations still continue, notwithstanding the earnest protests of the School Board. That the town, however, to some extent at least, appreciates the situ- ation is shown by the appointment, at its last annual meeting, of a committee to investigate the conditions and consider suggested changes.
That Committee has given the matter thoughtful attention, and will, I have reason to believe, report favorably upon the suggestions of the School Board, and recommend such action by the town as will pro- vide the school accommodations required. But mean- time the schools have continued another year under the same disadvantages that have been pointed out in previous reports. It is to be hoped that the town, consonant with the recommendations of its Committee on the subject, will now take speedy action in suitably providing for its schools.
The matter has waited three or four years, and, while the delay continues, children are passing through the schools, missing advantages justly due them - advantages the town cannot afford to withhold from them as its future citizens ; for from the children now in school will come, in a few years, the leaders of society and the directors of affairs, and upon their education and training depends the future welfare of
87
the community. But aside from the loss to the chil- dren, and the future injury to the best interests of the town resulting thereby, the postponement of this important matter causes the town to suffer also in another way. Lincoln, like other progressive towns, recognizes the importance of attracting desirable residents. There are three chief inducements that influence people of means in deciding in what town to make a home, viz: a low tax rate, good roads, and good schools. In respect to the first, Lincoln ranks among the foremost towns in the Commonwealth. In the second she compares not unfavorably with sister suburban towns, and is improving every year. But in the last, under the present school conditions, Lincoln appears in an unfavorable light compared with towns of less means and otherwise far less attractive. A good school building, erected at the Center, suitable for the proper accommodation of the pupils who ought to attend there, besides being in better keeping with its other public improvements, would, I believe, prove a profitable financial investment for the town.
In the pressing demand for more room not other- wise immediately available, the proposition has been made to discontinue the operation of a high school in Lincoln, and convey pupils who wish to pursue high school studies to the Concord High School and pay for their instruction there. This plan proposes nine years below the high school instead of eight, as at present, in order necessarily to conform to the Concord school system ; and four years in the high school instead of three. This would give pupils two additional years' schooling with obviously better facilities in the Concord High school than can be furnished in a small school like ours.
88
Our High School costs not far from $1000 per year, aside from transportation. The average attendance is about twenty pupils, making the annual cost per pupil about fifty dollars. Tuition in the Concord High School is forty-two dollars per year, to which must be added three to five dollars for use of books, thus mak- ing the cost per pupil in attending at Concord, without anything for conveyance, not far from what it is here ; possibly with a difference slightly in favor of the proposed change.
Probably the cost of an additional year in the High School that would result from this plan, ought not to be taken into account, as it is annual rather than total cost we are considering; and, if an additional year of high school study were furnished the children, the cost would be amply compensated by their further educational advancement ; while the additional year in the lower grades would furnish a better education to the larger number who would not enter the High School, and perhaps keep many in school a year longer than they could otherwise be retained. This plan would undoubtedly furnish better instruction, and, probably at no greater cost.
Let it be understood, however, that surrendering the high school room to the lower grades, will by no means solve the problem of insufficient school accom- modations. The number of pupils enrolled in the lower school at the Center the past year is sixty-three. If the pupils in the North School were included, as they ought to be, there would be eighty-four. There are in the South Grammar School now more pupils than the seating capacity of the room will accommodate. As that school has no pupils in the eighth grade this year,
89
it will send out none to the High School, while a class of fourteen must enter it from the lower room next fall. This room must, therefore, be relieved, probably by sending to the Center pupils enough to bring the number there up to 100-a number entirely too large to be accommodated in two rooms. Thus while delay has continued, the need has increased, until pressing necessity now demands three rooms instead of two for the accommodation of pupils, including children from the South as well as those at the Center and North.
Therefore while the plan to send the high school pupils to school out of town may present advantages that commend it, and might offer partial, temporary, relief to the present crowded condition of our schools, such a course would not obviate ultimate building changes. For, as has been already pointed out, three school rooms are needed at the Center for the proper accommodation of the pupils who ought to attend there in the lower grades. And such a provision, while necessary to the needs of the number of children, would permit also a good system of grading. Then all pupils in the South part of the town above the sixth grade could be conveyed to the Center, leaving three grades in each room at the South, with as many pupils as can be accommodated in those rooms. And if the plan of nine grades be adopted, this would allow three grades also in each of the three rooms at the Center. Or, if the present system be continued, there would be three grades in each school in town except one and that would have two grades.
I trust the town will take measures at once that will result in providing such accommodations before the opening of the fall term next September, or as soon
90
thereafter as expedition of work promptly begun will permit.
MUSIC.
The musical instruction in the schools under the able direction of Mr. Archibald is proving very satis- factory. Great results, of course, are not to be expected in so short a time, but all that could be hoped for has been accomplished.
At first some of the older pupils in the grammar grades, wholly ignorant of music and unaccustomed to make any attempt at singing, were so easily abashed and so afraid of their own voice, that they were unwilling to try to sing. But this has been almost wholly overcome. Pupils have learned that to take part in the singing lesson is as much to be expected and insisted on as to recite in any other lesson, and they do so cheerfully.
If the instruction is continued for a few years, com- pensating results will be apparent.
It should be a matter of much gratification to all parents that their children have the advantage of musical instruction, successfully conducted by an able teacher.
DRAWING.
The teachers in the fall term began the use of an excellent outline in drawing, prepared by Mr. Henry T. Bailey, state agent of drawing, and already an improvement in this line of work appears over that done under the Prang system which has been in use.
VERTICAL WRITING.
After giving this matter some attention I am pretty well convinced that vertical writing can be more
91
readily learned by children, is more easily written, and is generally more legible than slant writing. I there- fore believe it would be well to introduce instruction in that hand into the three lower grades at the begin- ning of the next school year. Teachers who are to teach it should first be required to learn it themselves so that they can write it easily and well. Otherwise the pupils, while writing from a vertical copy, would see all their board work placed before them by the teacher in slant writing, and thus using, as it were, one system in theory, the other in practice, they would learn neither well, and make a bad botch of both.
SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS.
By the resignation of Miss Kate W. Grose from the South Primary School during the summer vacation, the town sustained a serious loss. Miss Grose combined a pleasant disposition with good sense, faithfulness, and ability, and had, for three years, proved a popular and efficient teacher in that school. She goes to a better position in her own town with, I believe, the best wishes of all who knew her in Lincoln.
The South Grammar School was closed seven days last term on account of the illness of the teacher. I was not apprised of the fact until the school had been closed several days, and then was informed by the sub- committee in charge that the teacher would probably resume her duties in a few days. There was, there- fore, no opportunity to secure a substitute had it been desirable to do so.
The North School has suffered seriously from change of teachers and other interruptions. The pupils there have in reality had but eleven weeks' schooling during
92
the last term of sixteen weeks. The school was closed for one week by the sudden and unexpected departure of the teacher, and a week also at two different times on account of diphtheria; and for two additional weeks, although the school was open, there was practically no attendance for the same cause. At this time occurred the sad death of bright little Lillie McLeod, who, after a few days of suffering, yielded to the malignity of the dread disease.
Aside from the hindrances above mentioned the work of the year has been well conducted, and the teachers have, under existing conditions, secured good results.
The introduction of Fry's series of geographies has been completed. The plan of these books leads pupils to get the thought rather than the words of the text, and are thus conducive to a more thoughtful compre- hension of geography than any books we have before used on the subject and the study has become at once more interesting and more profitable.
The introduction of new arithmetics has also been completed by putting into the schools Southworth's Essentials of Arithmetic, Book II. Both books in this series furnish a large amount of drill work, present clear solutions and explanations of principles, and give the best and most practical methods of work in all subjects of arithmetic to be found in any books with which I am acquainted.
With better text books in geography and arithmetic the work in these subjects is improving. Montgomery's United States histories have also been introduced, and with this excellent book, better results are secured in history under the plan of teaching that subject outlined in my last report.
93
In conclusion I wish to say that, mindful of the readiness shown by the Committee and town to carry into operation recommendations that have appeared in my past reports, I trust I may not now appear too aggressive in the suggestions here urged, and I hope they may receive the consideration asked for them.
I am deeply grateful to the people of Lincoln and to the children for their many manifestations of good- will and respect.
I thank the teachers for their earnest work, and assure them I am not unappreciative of the fact that whatever successful results have been secured are due largely to their loyalty and co-operation.
Respectfully submitted, LEWIS T. McKENNEY, Superintendent of Schools.
94
SCHOOL STATISTICS.
Number of children enumerated in town between the ages of five and fifteen years, May 1, 1895. 159 Number of children enrolled in the public schools, 196 Number of children enrolled under five years of
age, 0
Number of children enrolled over fifteen years of age, 22
Number of children enrolled between eight and fourteen years of age, 106
Number of children enumerated in town between eight and fourteen years of age, May 1, 1895, 76
Number of school-houses occupied, 3
Number of school-rooms occupied, 5 .
Number of teachers employed, . .
6
95
ROLL OF HONOR.
PUPILS NEITHER ABSENT NOR TARDY. DURING THE YEAR. *Lassie E. Laird.
DURING TWO TERMS.
Ida M. Browning,
Bertha W. Bent,
Mary E. Ehlert,
George P. Cook, Mary A. Dee, Charles M. Welch,
Horace L. Ham.
DURING ONE TERM.
HIGH SCHOOL.
Ida M. Browning,
Lalia E. Bent,
Mary A. Dee,
Annie G. Dempsey, Mary E. Dougherty, Moses F. Underwood,
Alice H. Welch.
CENTER SCHOOL.
Joseph Craven,
Martin Craven,
T. Austin Ham,
Abbie F. Hartwell, Lassie E. Laird, Horace L. Ham.
SOUTH GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
Bertha W. Bent,
Mary E. Ehlert,
Mary M. Boyce,
Susie B. Haynes,
George P. Cook,
Walter H. Thompson,
*Charles W. Welch,
Fred Wilzine.
SOUTH PRIMARY SCHOOL.
Willie Delory, Lilly Boyce, Emmons Cook,
John Ryan, *Charles M. Welch, Ruth Welch.
NORTH SCHOOL.
Julia H. McLeod, Lillie M. McLeod, Murdock McLeod. * Tardy once.
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE, ETC.
SCHOOLS.
Terms.
Teachers.
Enrollment.
Average
membership.
Average daily
Per cent. of
daily attend-
ance.
Visits of Su-
perintendent.
Visits of Com-
Visits of citi-
Tardiness.
Dismissals.
Time in days
lost by tard's
Teacher's sal-
ary per mo.
Length of
term in
weeks.
High,
.
Winter, Spring, (Fall,
Ansel S. Richards.
26
24.53
21.48
87 12
5
7
8
9
39
6.59
$84.20
12
Ansel S. Richards.
23
20.27
18.97
93.58
5
4
7
14
28
5.19
84.20
10
Ansel S. Richards.
20
19.65
18.30
93.13
8
7
1
32
28
7.52
94.72
16
Winter,
Carrie B. Chapin.
50
47.89
44.09
92.06
4
4
7
23
32
1.52
44.00
11
Center,
Spring,
Carrie B. Chapin.
19
45.87
39.69
86.54
6
2
10
16
27
4.32
44.00
11
[Fall,
Carrie B. Chapin.
Harriett F. Sawin.
57
50.40
46.08
91 43
10
5
4
54
37
8.05
44.00
16
Lizzie A. Brown.
35
27.13
25.91
95.50
2
2
11
25
27
12.46
48 00
12
Lizzie A. Brown.
31
26.49
23.78
90.71
4
4
6
9
43
13.33
48.00
10
S. Grammar,
Spring, Fall,
Lizzie A. Brown.
40
36.21
33.56
92.88
7
5
20
63
68
20.60
48.00
15
Winter,
Katherine W. Grose.
33
30.40
28.30
93.09
2
2
3
15
14
2.59
48.00
12
S. Primary,
Spring, Fall,
Elizabeth A. Snow.
20
19.32
17.93
92.81
3
1
4
4
6
1.00
40.00
12
Winter,
Ehzabeth A. Snow.
20
18.50
16 68
90.02
5
1
20
6
12
1.50
40.00
11
North,
Spring, (Fall,
Elizabeth A. Snow. R. Dora Farrar.
21
15.37
14.34
93.29
5
3
4
26
9
2.65
40.00
13
SUMMARY FOR THE YEAR.
High,
·
Center, .
·
Ansel S. Richards. Carrie B. Chapin. Harriet F. Sawin. Lizzie A. Brown.
63
48 05
43 29
90 01
20
11
21
93
96
13.89
874.00
38
38
30.28
27.75
93.03
13
11
37
97
138
46 39
444.00
37
S. Grammar,
·
Changed during year.
48
33.35
29.94
89.90
13
11
13
36
91
8.82
456.00
38
North, .
.
Changed during year.
21
17 73
16.22
92 04
13
5
28
36
27
5.15
360 00
36
196
151
137
91.22
77
56
115
317
447
93.55
$2976.00
-
Total,
.
·
.
·
26
21.52
19.58
91.24
18
18
16
55
95
19.30
$842.00
38
39
35 27
32.02
90 78
4
2
4
5
17
3.38
48.00
10
Katherine W. Grose. Amanda C. Ellison.
38
34.37
29.50
85.83
7
7
6
26
60
2.95
48 00
16
S Primary,
.
·
Harriett F. Sawin.
48 00
Winter,
Harriett F. Sawin.
48.00
48.00
mittee.
zens.
and dismis'1.
attendance.
REPORT OF THE OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF LINCOLN
From Feb. 1, 1896, to Feb. 1, 1897.
ALSO, THE
Report of the School and Other Committees
FOR THE YEAR 1896-97.
BOSTON : "WASHINGTON PRESS : " GEO. E. CROSBY & CO., PRINTERS 383 WASHINGTON STREET 1897
REPORT OF THE OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF LINCOLN
From Feb. 1, 1896, to Feb. 1, 1897.
ALSO, THE
Report of the School and Other Committees
FOR THE YEAR 1896-97.
BOSTON : " WASHINGTON PRESS: " GEO. E. CROSBY & CO., PRINTERS 383 WASHINGTON STREET
1897
-
TOWN OFFICERS, 1896-97.
Moderator of Town Meetings. CHARLES S. WHEELER.
Town Clerk. JAMES L. CHAPIN.
Selectmen.
SAMUEL HARTWELL, JOHN F. FARRAR, CHARLES S. WHEELER.
Overseers of the Poor.
JOHN F. FARRAR,
SAMUEL HARTWELL,
CHARLES S. WHEELER.
Board of Health.
JOSEPH S HART,
Term expires 1897
SAMUEL H. PIERCE,
.
.6 1898
MOSES W. KIDDER, M. D., . .
66 1899
Assessors.
CHARLES S. SMITH, *GEORGE ROPES, GEORGE M. BAKER.
Treasurer and Collector of Taxes. CHARLES S. WHEELER.
Highway Surveyor. DANIEL H. SHERMAN.
Auditor. WILLIAM L. G. PEIRCE.
Constables.
LORENZO E. BROOKS, EDWARD BANNON, FRANK M. DEMPSEY,
JOHN F. FARRAR, MASON P. HUNTER, DENNIS W. DOHERTY.
*Deceased.
-
4
School Committee.
GEORGE FLINT,
EDWARD R. FARRAR,
.
Term expires 1897 66
66 1898
JULIUS E. EVELETH,
1899
Water Commissioners.
JOHN F. FARRAR,
Term expires 1897
LEONARD W. WESTON,
66
1898
GEORGE L. CHAPIN,
1899
SAMUEL HARTWELL, Chairman of Selectmen, ex-officio.
CHARLES S. WHEELER, Town Treasurer, ex-officio.
School Superintendent.
L. T. MCKENNEY.
Field Drivers.
SAMUEL FARRAR. EDWIN DUTCHER.
SAMUEL FARRAR,
GEORGE L. CHAPIN.
Surveyors of Lumber.
N. F. COUSINS, GEORGE F. HARRINGTON,
EDWARD R. FARRAR. Measurers of Wood and Bark.
EDWARD R. FARRAR, T. W. SMITH,
WALTER F. BAKER, THOS. L. GILES.
Cemetery Committee.
*H. C. CHAPIN, M. D., . .
Term expires 1897
HERBERT E. BARNES,
1898
JAMES L. CHAPIN, .
.
66 1899
CHARLES S. SMITH, .
66 1900
JOHN TASKER,
..
1901
Commissioners of Trust Funds.
SAMUEL H. PIERCE,
Term expires 1897 ,
*GEORGE ROPES,
1898
JULIUS E. EVELETH,
66 1899
SAMUEL HARTWELL, CHARLES S. WHEELER,
Registrars.
JOHN F. FARRAR, JAMES L. CHAPIN.
*Deceased.
Fence Viewers.
·
5
Trustees of Lincoln Public Library. GEORGE G. TARBELL, M. D., President. SAMUEL H. PIERCE, JOHN F. FARRAR, · SAMUEL HARTWELL, Chairman of Selectmen, ex-officio.
GEORGE FLINT, Chairman of School Committee, ex-officio.
Trustees of Bemis Fund for Free Public Lectures.
GEORGE FLINT,
Term expires 1897
*GEORGE ROPES, . JULIUS E. EVELETH,
66 1898
66 1899
Trustees of Grammar School :Fund.
CHARLES S. WHEELER, HERBERT E. BARNES, ALBERT A. COOK. Public Improvement Committee.
CHARLES F. ADAMS, SAMUEL H. PIERCE, LEONARD W. WESTON.
Committee to Purchase Coal.
SAMUEL HARTWELL, JOHN F. FARRAR, CHARLES S. WHEELER.
Committee on Claims,
CHARLES F. ADAMS, WILLIAM S. BRIGGS,
CHARLES S. WHEELER.
Sexton. HERBERT E. BARNES.
APPOINTED BY THE SELECTMEN.
Sealer of Weights and Measures. JAMES L. CHAPIN. Janitor of Town House. GEORGE L. CHAPIN.
Forest Fire Wardens.
CLARENCE A. BROOKS, CHARLES S. SMITH, JOHN F. FARRAR.
Inspector of Provisions and Animals. CHARLES S. SMITH.
Deceased.
WARRANT.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
MIDDLESEX SS.
To Lorenzo E. Brooks, or either of the Constables of the Town of Lincoln, in said County :
GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are hereby required to notify and warn the inhab- itants of the Town of Lincoln, duly qualified to vote in Town affairs, to assemble at the Town Hall, on Monday, March first, next, at one o'clock P. M., to act on the fol- lowing articles, viz. :
ARTICLE 1. To choose a Moderator.
ART. 2. To hear, consider and act upon Reports of Town Officers, Committees, Commissioners and Trus- tees, as the town shall think proper.
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