USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lincoln > Town Report on Lincoln 1898-1902 > Part 14
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Some changes will undoubtedly be made in the text-books of our schools before the beginning of the Fall term.
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The profitable results arising from the management of any school depends in a marked degree upon its proper equip- ment. In this connection, we beg to draw some attention to the advantages offered our pupils in the High School of Con- cord. With everything that modern methods of instruction may require at their disposal, a corps of teachers adequate to the needs of all branches of study, and no lack of personal attention, is it small wonder that a sense, of satisfaction is felt and expressed by pupils and parents alike.
The reports of Superintendent Eaton regarding the progress and standing of the Lincoln pupils are of a satis- factory character, and tend to confirm the opinions held by the Committee at the inception of this important change.
Should there be a desire on the part of the citizens to re- establish the High School in Lincoln, it is undoubtedly well understood that such a move would not be feasible without providing accommodations other than we now have. Every available space suitable for a school-room is already utilized.
The pupils now attending at Concord would be hardly sufficient to form an interesting school, if withdrawn, as they are but twelve in number. It is hoped, however, that our Grammar School will furnish at least eight more for the coming Fall term. It is obvious that with a reasonable ratio of increase each year, the time is not far distant when the registry will be sufficiently large to warrant the return of the school to the home town.
Reference might be reasonably made to a contingency that may cause serious inconvenience in the future. At present the pupils attending the Concord High School have easy access to the railway station, as they reside at a reason- able distance. As the number increases, however, and the different sections of the Town are represented, it would be necessary for some at least to find other means of transpor- tation to Concord as the station would hardly be considered a central point. The payment of tuition is expressly pro- vided for by Public Statute. The expense of transportation may be borne by the Town but is not a legal obligation.
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The re-admission of the primary grades, now domiciled in the Town Hall, to the Centre school building would hardly be advisable, as the former overcrowding and confusion would again appear as a menace to the efforts of both teachers and pupils, and materially interfere with the effi- ciency of the schools as now conducted. It has been stated in a former report that the present division of grades is as near an approximation to the ideal as the size of our com- munity will admit of and it would seem like a retrograde step to return to the former excess of grades under the supervision of a single teacher.
With the present outlook, two propositions may be offered for our consideration, viz. : to continue the sending of our High School to Concord as at present, involving a cost of tuition and railroad fares, and the maintenance of the Centre Primary School in the Town Hall, or the con- struction of a new school building suitable for the accom- modation of all the Centre schools. The latter proposition cannot but appeal to us as a consummation of the near future. Practicability and sentiment vie with each other in pressing their claims; the two most powerful allies that can be arrayed against doubt and indecision.
The urgency of the case must, however, decide the time for action. A query here presents itself, perhaps worthy of some slight attention. Can anything be gained by waiting ? Are we not as well able to bear the additional expense now as we shall be in the future ?
If answered in the affirmative, what other reasons have we for postponement? Granting that there is not an imme- diate and pressing need for further accommodations, that the schools may be considered efficient as they are now situ- ated, that there exists but few really serious drawbacks under the present conditions, notably the lack of proper sanitary arrangements, and the absence of suitable school grounds sufficiently removed from other buildings, that no incentive may be offered for acts of vandalism or criminal
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carelessness ; are there not valid reasons still for thoughtful consideration ?
Nature's lavishness calls special attention to this suburban town. Its desirability as a residential section is unques- tionably recognized, and no impediment should mar its pro- gressiveness. An honest pride in its structural adornment and its advanced ideas of matters pertaining to the education of its sons and daughters would certainly be pardonable .. A feeling of sentiment regarding the generous thoughtfulness of a former townsman would indicate no weakness. To guard and cherish the noble gift is the only means by which the debt can be repaid.
With a settled conviction that the South schoolhouse in any event will be permanently occupied for the convenience of the lower grades of pupils residing in the immediate section, your Committee thought it advisable to remove the unsightly outbuildings, and with the aid of the running water to introduce a thorough and healthful system of sanitation.
The playground was also put in such form as to insure the comfort and safety of the children while taking their exercise. The slope of the ground in the rear of the house and its rough and stony condition formerly rendered it posi- tively unsafe as well as unsuitable for the purpose intended. A further expenditure should be made in grading the fore- ground to make the improvements complete. A few trees and shrubs should also be added by way of ornamentation.
The location of the lot and its natural exposure is almost ideal, and, with the judicious use of a little more money can be made attractive to the passerby and a credit to the good taste of the Town. No more attractive feature could be added by way of village improvement.
A vacancy having occurred in the Board by the resigna- tion of Francis R. Jones, as provided for by the law of the Commonwealth, George F. Newton was elected to fill the position for the unexpired term, by vote of the Selectmen and School Committee in joint convention.
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The Committee would recommend an appropriation equiv- alent to that of last year, although the full amount may not be required for the current expenses of the schools. Some repairs on the barges will be necessary, and as previously referred to, a moderate sum should be expended in the further grading of the South School lot.
Should the Town decide to postpone the construction of a new school building some repairs should also be made on the Center Schoolhouse.
As the number of pupils attending the High School at Concord will be increased, the cost of tuition and transpor- tation will be added to proportionately.
In conclusion, it may be appropriate to refer to the matter of yearly promotion. It is undoubtedly well under- stood that in order to secure such advancement the average pupil should be regular in attendance. A day absent in- creases the task of the day following, and if continued in to any considerable extent, renders it almost impossible for the pupil to regain what he has lost. To emphasize the im- portance attached to the regularity of every-day study, we beg to call attention to a few extracts from recent school legislation :
" All children between the ages of seven and fourteen must attend public day schools during the entire time they are in session, unless they attend private day schools, ap- proved by the School Committee, or are men- tally or physically incapacitated from attending school."
" Any person having under his control a child required by law to attend school, who fails, for five day sessions, or ten half day sessions, within any period of six months to cause such child to attend school, as required by law, is liable upon complaint of
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a truant officer and conviction, to pay a fine of not more than twenty dollars."
" No child under fourteen years of age can be employed lawfully in any work performed for wages or other compensation, during the hours when public schools are in session.
Whoever employs such child, and whoever having under his control a child under such age, permits such child to be employed, shall for such offence be fined not more than fifty dollars."
School legislation is solely intended for the benefit of a class who are practically unable to act for themselves. The carelessness and indifference of parent, or guardian, regard- ing the importance of regular school attendance, are fully appreciated and understood by all interested in the child, whose lack of personal volition and unformed, judgment renders him helpless. Hence the imperative and stringent laws on our statute books, framed by wise and disinterested legislators, with a view to the welfare of the youth, who are destined to become our future citizens, and to assume the great responsibilities of self government.
JULIUS E. EVELETH, EDWARD R. FARRAR, GEORGE F. NEWTON,
Committee.
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Report of Supervisor of Drawing,
To the School Committee of Lincoln:
In compliance with your request for a report upon draw- ing in the public schools I submit the following:
In my report last year I attempted to show what were our aims. At this time it will probably be best to state in how far the year's work has accomplished the desired results.
Drawing has now been under special supervision one year and a half. Owing to the faithful and painstaking work of the regular teachers much more has been accom- plished in that length of time than I had expected. I do not mean to say that any elaborate drawings have been made, but it is decidedly evident that the children as a whole are forming good habits in study and work, and that they find pleasure as well as work in drawing, which is a good sign. If they continue to progress during the eight or nine years that are usually spent in the primary and gram- mar schools, most of the children should have attained the power of executing truthful and artistic drawings, and every child should have developed a certain amount of good taste and good judgment. If a pupil goes farther in this study than the grammar school, he will have a good founda- tion upon which to begin more advanced work. If his school days end with the grammar grades, his attention has at least for a time been given to things that otherwise might have been wholly wanting in his life.
Near the close of the term last June some of the results of our work were placed on exhibition in Bemis Hall, and, considering the time that had been spent and the fact that it was regular every day work, and not papers prepared especially for exhibition that were shown, it was very evi- dent that both children and teachers had done their best.
128
A part of this exhibition was hung on a separate screen and placed in the Billerica Town Hall with a similar exhibition of that town. The work of the Lincoln schools received much notice and was most favorably commented upon by many of the citizens. In September some of the work of Lincoln schools was sent to the State Exhibition at Copley Hall, Boston, and was well hung there.
-A general plan of our course in drawing was outlined in last year's report, and at that time we had given our atten- tion almost wholly to appearance drawing and design. Since then the study of color has been introduced, but as vet we have not bad time to enter very deeply upon it. It will be steadily carried on, for it is one of our most useful departments. In the history of art we have taken up its be- ginming in the art of the Egyptians. The study of artists and their work we hope to begin in February or March.
With our present school curriculum, the teacher of draw- ing can give but about one-half hour per week to each class. In that time she can accomplish but little, and without the most faithful assistance on the part of the regular teacher sinall progress could be made. I feel, therefore, that I speak but justly when I again give eredit to these teachers for whatever has been accomplished. AAll have worked care- fully and well, and have been the means through which we have been able in so short a time to accomplish visible re- sults in a study to which a lifetime may be devoted without coming near the end.
Very respectfully,
MARGARET E. HILL.
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Report of Supervisor of Music.
To the School Committee of Lincoln:
I am glad to report progress in music in the schools of Lincoln during the past year.
The plan of work has been much the same as reported in previous years, being better, in that it is better graded. To- day your schools are equal in this respect to the music in any of the surrounding towns, where music has been taught for a much longer time than it has been taught in Lincoln.
I feel that a good foundation has been laid for future work, and the pleasure the pupils feel in the study of good music is a great gain to the homes, as well as to the schools. In the schools we start the children in the right way, and if the work is supplemented in the homes by the study of piano or voice or other instruments still greater pleasure may come.
The new Cecelian readers placed in the grammar grades are much enjoyed by all, as they furnish a good collection of exercises and songs in the four-part singing.
A written report of music is at best very inadequate, and I should feel pleased at any time to have parents visit my weekly lessons, when I could show some of the methods and work as it is actually carrid out under my supervision.
I am very much assisted in my plans by the ready co- operation of committee and teachers, whom I wish at this time to thank.
FRED W. ARCHIBALD, Supervisor Music.
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Roll of Honor.
PUPILS NEITHER ABSENT OR TARDY. FOR FOUR YEARS AND TWO TERMS. Lossie E. Laird.
FOR THREE YEARS. Sumner Smith.
FOR ONE YEAR AND ONE TERM.
Warren K. Blodgett, Edith Stone.
Edwin S. Blodgett,
FOR TWO TERMS.
Murray Farnsworth,
Emmons S. Cook,
Genevieve Jurada,
Mary Dougherty,
Manley B. Boyce, Anna Wheeler, * Hermon T. Wheeler.
FOR ONE TERM.
Robert Baker, Lillie Boyce,
Catherine Jones, Lena Witson,
Henry M. Bean, Alice C. Flynn, Mary Dempsey, Kate Dempsey,
Luis J. Gilbert, Bridget Lennon,
Helena Dempsey, Emma Dutcher,
Arthur F. Chapin,
Elizabeth Jurada, Joseph Jurada,
Francis Dempsey,
Denis Dougherty, Matthew Dougherty,
* Edwin B. Stone, Ida Tyler, Ruth A. Wheeler.
* Tardy once.
131
School Calendar for 1900.
Winter term opened January 2, closes March 23; 12 weeks.
Spring term opens April 2, closes June 15; 11 weeks.
Fall term opens September 4, closes December 21; 16 weeks.
Recess from Wednesday before Thanksgiving to following Monday ..
Winter term opens Dec. 31.
SCHOOL STATISTICS.
Number of children in town between five and fifteen years
of age according to enumeration Sept., 1899, . 166
Number between eight and fourteen according to enumeration, . 116
Number of pupils enrolled in the schools, not includ-
ing High School pupils, 161
Number enrolled under five, 0
Number enrolled over fifteen, . .
20
Number enrolled between 8 and 14, 98
Number of buildings occupied, 3
Number of school rooms occupied, . 5
Number of regular teachers employed, 5
Number of special teachers, 2
ATTENDANCE AND STATISTICS.
SCHOOLS.
Terms.
Teachers.
Enrollment.
Average
Average
Attendance
Per cent. of
Attendance.
Times Tardy.
Dismissals.
Visitors.
Teachers'
Length of
School in
Weeks.
Centre Gram., .
( Winter, Spring, ( Fall,
Carrie B. Chapin.
30
27 66
24 96
9
4
6
$52.63
12
30
27.67
24 31
6
9
12
52.63
11
30
33.05
31.53
93.40
18
21
13
52.63
16
Winter,
M. H. Alcott.
27
25.76
20.84
80.69
9
1
14
44.00
12
M. H. Alcott.
28
24.90
20.13
80.57
11
4
8
44.00
11
29
27.33
24.35
89.47
11
13
10
50.00
16
Nellie M. Newton.
23
21.93
15.68
71.50
7
9
14.00
12
Nellie M. Newton.
30
28.25
24 59
87.06
23
5
12
50 00
16
30
28.69
24.24
84.49
21
42
24
44.00
12
31
25.91
23.35
90.12
9
55
15
48 00
11
Caroline B. Pendleton.
27
24.42
17.43
71.38
8
26
15
52.50
16
28
26.40
21 58
81.75
5
5
16
44.00
12
32
30.93
27.98
00.48
24
8
16
44.00
11
Hattie B. Heath.
27
26 00
23.49
90.40
18
3
19
50.00
16
AVERAGES FOR THE YEAR.
Centre Grammar
29.46
26.93
88.11
33
34 18
31
52.63
39
Centre Sub. Grammar
·
26.02
21.77
83.58
31
32
46.00
39
Centre Primary
26 80
22.62
83.28
43
9
21
46.00
39
South Grammar
26.34
21.67
82.00
38
123
54
48.16
39
South Primary
·
.
27.77
24.35
87.54
47
16
51
46.00
39
Total
.
.
136
117
84.90
192
200
189
238.79
5
132
Centre Prim., .
Winter, Spring, ( Fall,
Nellie M. Newton.
31
30 22
27.58
91.27
13
South Gram.,
( Winter, Spring, ( Fall,
Dillie McDonald.
Caroline B. Pendleton.
Hattie B. Heath.
Hattie B. Heath.
South Prim.,
( Winter, Spring, ( Fall,
Carrie B Chapin. Mary Dewey.
Centre Sub .- Gr.,
Spring, (Fall,
M. H. Alcott.
44 00
11
Salaries.
Membership.
83.02 87.91
132
By- Laws of the Town of Lincoln.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
MIDDLESEX, SS
At the Superior Court, within and for the County of Middlesex, Anno Domini, 1897,
The following By-Laws of the Town of Lincoln, in said County, are presented to this Court for approval, to wit :-
"ARTICLE I.
TOWN MEETINGS.
Section 1. The annual town meeting shall be held on the first Monday of March in each year.
Sect. 2. Notice of every town meeting shall be given by posting copies of the warrant calling the same, attested by the officer making service thereof. in each of the post-offices within the town, and in one of the churches. or one other public place, within the town, not less than seven days be- fore the day appointed for such meeting. But when, in the judgment of the selectmen. the interests of the town require a meeting to be held without giving so long a notice, a meeting may be called by posting attested copies of the warrant in the places above mentioned, and by leaving a printed copy thereof at each dwelling-house within the town, at least three days before the time appointed for the meeting; provided that in such cases the selectmen shall certify that, in their opinion. the interests of the town re- quire that a town meeting be called upon a notice of less than seven days, which certificate shall be made upon, or at- tached to. the original warrant. and shall be served as a part thereof.
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ARTICLE II.
FINANCES.
Section 1. The financial year shall commence with the first day of February and end with the thirty-first day of January annually.
Sect. 2. The town treasurer shall have the custody of all funds belonging to the town except sinking funds, trust funds and funds for which other provision is made by law; and he shall pay no money from the treasury except upon a draft signed by a majority of the selectmen, stating the ac- count to which the same is chargeable. Such draft shall be sufficient authority to the treasurer to pay the same, and the payment thereof shall discharge him from all liability on account of the money so paid.
Sect. 3. The water commissioners and all other boards, committees and officers shall, on the first day of each month, pay to the town treasurer all sums collected by them the month previous to the custody of which the treasurer is entitled.
Sect. 4. A majority of the water commissioners, school committee, or of any board, or committee, and any officer having charge of the expenditure of an appropriation, shall approve in writing all accounts, claims, bills and pay-rolls properly chargeable to such appropriation, and shall trans- mit the same with his or their approval to the selectmen. All other accounts, claims, bills and pay-rolls shall be ex- amined by the selectmen and, if proper, shall be approved by them. The selectmen shall label all accounts, claims, bills and pay-rolls which have been approved either by themselves or by the other officers before mentioned, and shall keep a record thereof in a book kept for the purpose. stating the persons to whom payable, the amounts and dates thereof, and the funds, or appropriations, from which the same are payable.
Sect. 5. Drafts signed by a majority of the selectmen, stating the accounts to which the same are chargeable,
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shall be drawn upon the treasurer for the payment of all sums by law payable from the treasury to the common- wealth or county, final judgments of courts, bonds, notes. and scrip of the town and interest thereon and money pay- able to the commissioners of the sinking fund and to the trustees of the public library; and also for the payment of all accounts, claims, bills and pay-rolls which have been approved in the manner provided in the previous section. Such drafts shall not be negotiated, but shall be trans- mitted by the selectmen directly to the treasurer accom- panied by the approved bills or other documents for the settlement of which the drafts are drawn.
Sect. 6. The treasurer shall file and safely keep all ap- proved and receipted accounts, claims, bills, and pay-rolls, and all vouchers, cancelled bonds, notes scrip, and other evidences of indebtedness of the town which have been paid from the treasury.
Sect. 7. No draft shall be drawn by the selectmen un- less there is sufficient appropriation to pay the same, except for sums by law payable to the commonwealth or county, final judgments of courts, bonds, notes and scrip of the town and interest thereon, and money payable to the com- missioners of the sinking fund.
Sect. 8. The selectmen and treasurer respectively shall make a record, in a book kept for the purpose, of each ap- propriation, with a list of the drafts drawn against such appropriation, and shall make a record of all bonds, notes, scrip or other evidence of indebtedness of the town, signed or countersigned by them.
Sect. 9. When the bills contracted or approved by any board, committee, or officer have exhausted the entire ap- propriation for such board, committee or officer, they shall incur no further expenditure, except in cases where such expenditure may be required by law; and it shall be the duty of each board, committee or officer before the close of the financial year to approve all accounts, claims, bills and pay-rolls chargeable to their appropriation. During the in-
136
T
terval between the thirty-first day of January in each year and the time of making the next annual appropriations, the selectmen, school committee and water commissioners, in order to meet the liabilities of their several dpartments, incurred in the carrying on of the work entrusted to them, shall have authority to make expenditures and payments from the treasury from any available funds therein, and the same shall be charged against the next annual appropria- tion. Such expenditure and liability incurred for any pur- pose shall not exceed one-fourth the entire amount appro- priated for that purpose in the previous year.
Sect. 10. Unless the town shall expressly otherwise vote, no extension of water pipes shall be made unless be- fore the work of construction is begun one or more of the persons whom it is proposed to supply with water by means of such extension, shall file with the town clerk a bond with sureties satisfactory to the water commissioners, condi- tioned to pay to the town for five years next following the completion of such extension and the letting of water into the same, a sum sufficient, together with the net annual in- come from such extension, to amount annually to five per centum of the total cost thereof.
ARTICLE III.
TOWN SEAL.
Section 1. The design of the town seal shall be: a circle. in the border the words "Lincoln. Incorporated in 1746 as a precinct: in 1754 as a Town;" in the center, a shield, in the chief or upper part of which on a cross, gules, a fleur -- de-lis, gold, from the old seal of Lincoln, England, and in the base of the shield a view of the present town hall; crest, the old chestnut tree standing upon the common in Lincoln; in saltire two shepherd's crooks; the device thereof being as follows:
137
Sect. 2. All deeds and other legal documents made. given or entered into by the town requiring a seal shall be sealed with the town seal, and signed in behalf of the town by a majority of the selectmen.
Sect. 3. The town clerk shall have the custody of the town seal.
ARTICLE IV.
RECORDS.
Section 1. The town clerk shall record in full in a book kept for the purpose all written contracts, deeds and other instruments to which the town is a party except such in- struments as may by law be recorded in the Registry of Deeds; and it shall be the duty of any board or officer exe- cuting or receiving such written contract, or other instru- ment, to deliver the same forthwith to the town clerk for the purpose of record. It shall be the duty of the town clerk to see that all conveyances of real estate to the town · are properly recorded in the Registry of Deeds.
Sect. 2. The town clerk shall keep a file of all town re- ports, reports of all committees chosen by the town, and all original documents relating to the affairs of the town which may come into his possession.
ARTICLE V.
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