USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lincoln > Town Report on Lincoln 1902-1906 > Part 27
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of Supt. Eaton, regarding the average standing in the school of our Lincoln pupils. In summing up the cost of maintain- ing a High School, it might be a fair computation to con- sider the tuition alone, since the amount now paid for rail- road fares would presumably be offset by extra barge transportation, as the overcrowded condition of the South Barge with the Grammar School pupils alone, calls for a stronger and more commodious vehicle. The purchase of a new one was under consideration the past summer but was finally abandoned until another year. It would hardly be good management to defer the matter beyond the coming year.
The question of transportation is still a problem and will present further difficulties in the future as complications are continually arising from unexpected sources. Thus far it has been thought expedient to adhere as closely as possible to the regular routes, as when once an attempt has been made to accommodate the side lines, there seems no middle ground of fairness and equity to rest upon. It would be a source of much satisfaction to be able to accommodate many fam- ilies living at a distance from the schools and even an un- comfortable distance from the barge routes, were it possible with our present service. It is perfectly evident that to cover the ground in a general way our present equipment would be insufficient. The future may develop a solution of the problem without the addition of more carriages, more horses and consequently more men; an aggregation that would mean a larger appropriation for school purposes. We refer to the matter in this way as our present appropri- ation has been scantily sufficient for the last few years to cover the running expenses and a retrenchment in that direc- tion would detract from the efficiency of our schools.
The expenditures for repairs have been confined to a few items and those such as were considered necessary to the health and comfort of the pupils. The needs of the coming year will undoubtedly call for a larger sum to be used in an incidental way. Reference has already been made to a new
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barge and something might be said about paint without and within, more especially if the further postponement of a new school building should be considered advisable.
The good citizen of the future is the schoolboy of to-day. The foundation of his life equipment is being laid in our public schools. As the years roll on the struggle for a place in the world will grow more and more difficult ; competition will call into force all the acquirements of his mental train- ing. Education means power. It is that subtle force which creates a strong and aggressive personality and pro- claims the master. It means a legacy that bolts and bars are not needed to protect. It is a fortune that cannot be dissi- pated by injudicious investment or reckless expenditure, a something that when acquired is the sole property of the possessor with a deed of right that cannot be disputed. On the contrary, an inherited fortune may be a stumbling block to success through its enervating influence. Motive power is the result of a need for action : the brain and the body are governed by the same general law and subject to the same rule of disintegration when allowed to wither and waste from inactivity. With no purpose in view, a life of ease is a temptation that few can resist, although its demor- alizing influence stands pre-eminently as a warning of dan- ger. Dame Fortune is also fickle and susceptible to the winning advances of the financial brigand. By comparison, which is the safer legacy ?
JULIUS E. EVELETH. EDWARD R. FARRAR. EDWARD E. BRADLEY.
Committee.
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Report of the Superintendent of Schools.
To the School Committee:
GENTLEMEN :- Herewith is submitted my fifth an- nual report as superintendent of schools.
From the statistics of the past year we glean a few facts that are of interest and worthy of passing notice. The census returns for last year show an increase of five in the number of children in town between the ages of five and fifteen years, and the total member- ship of our schools shows a gain of nine. For some years past there has been a gradual decline in the number of pupils enrolled in our schools until of late some apprehension has been felt lest the small number of pupils should necessitate the closing of one of our school rooms, which we should regard as a misfortune because it would seriously disturb our present arrange- ment of grades, which seems to be a good one and which has certainly been productive of good results.
As far as numbers go, we could accommodate all our pupils now in four school rooms ; but we believe that the better work that we can do under the five-room arrangement is worth far more than the cost of an addi- tional teacher. If, however, the decline in numbers had continued we should have soon reached the point where the classes would have been so small that it would have been difficult to sustain the interest of the pupils and we should have felt obliged to combine two of the schools, and so increase the number of classes
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in two of them that it is not probable that very satis- factory work could have been secured. It is with some relief, then, that we noticed last year that the decline in numbers had apparently ceased, and this year shows a current setting in the opposite direction. I would not like to see the schools as large as they are in many places ; but with our arrangement of grades, it seems to me that about thirty pupils to a room is pretty nearly right-enough to keep alive class inter- est and not too many to be successfully taught by one teacher.
I hope the increase, shown, this year, may continue until we have an average enrollment of thirty to a room.
Another fact which arrests our attention is the change in the number of our high school pupils. Last year at this time we had thirty-one pupils who were pur- suing high school courses, while at present we have only twenty-four-a considerable decrease in one year. If this decrease were due to the fact that our pupils are not availing themselves of the high school advantages offered them to the same extent that they have hith- erto done, it might occasion us some anxiety. Such, however, does not seem to be the case. For some years past practically all of our pupils who have com- pleted the grammar school course, have entered the high school and there has been no change in that re- spect. The last grammar school class was a small one and did not make good the number lost by graduation and withdrawal from the high school. It is not prob- able that the number of our high school pupils, taking one year with another, will be greatly in excess of twenty-five. That is about all that our school mem- bership will warrant even if all the graduates of our
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grammar school enter the high school. Of more im- portance, however, than the number of pupils that we send, is the fact that they are, in general, good stu- dents; and are conscientiously improving the advan- tages which are offered them. The instructors in the Concord High School speak well of the Lincoln pupils, and I am glad to believe that in conduct and scholar- ship they are deserving of this commendation.
In the matter of attendance we have done about as well as we did last year, but the amount of tardiness has increased considerably.
Last winter was a very severe one, and I know that it was often difficult for children living at a distance to get to school. It was, perhaps, to be expected that our attendance would fall off a little. Possibly the same cause explains the increased amount of tardiness, though I dislike to offer any excuse for it. There are instances when it is proper, even commendable, to be tardy; but they are rare. For the most part it is a shiftless habit and should not be tolerated. I hope that we may make a better showing in this respect during the current year.
In general, the work of the schools has been satis- factory. By that I do not mean that it has been above criticism, or that we might not have done better in many respects ; but it has been a good, average year of faithful work and reasonable progress.
But one change in our teaching force has occurred during the year. Miss Alcott, after several years' service, resigned, and Miss Sawin was chosen as her successor. It has always been our aim, when changes were to be made, to secure the best teachers obtainable for our schools, and when we have secured one who is not only a good teacher but a helpful member of the
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community as well, we feel some satisfaction in the belief that we have rendered the town a service.
It is always with regret that we lose the services of a faithful teacher and we cannot fail to feel some anx- iety until assured that the vacancy is satisfactorily filled.
The work in music and drawing has been carried on under the same teachers who have served us accepta- bly in past years and has been kept up to its usual standard. It needs no special comment, here except to say that, believing in the desirability of this work as a part of our public school education we are glad to feel that it is under the direction of competent teach- ers, and that it is being done well.
· Owing to the serious illness of Miss Barnes no spe- cial report of the work in music is given. We trust, however, that she will soon be able to resume her duties in the schools.
The only innovation of the current year has been in the matter of physical culture. A regular course of instruction has been arranged for the pupils of the center schools without expense to the town except for the purchase of a little inexpensive apparatus. Miss Sawin, an accomplished teacher in this line of work, kindly gives her services as instructor, and it seemed an opportunity not to be lost to secure for our pupils without cost the instruction for which many cities and towns are paying large sums to give their children. Probably some one will raise the argument that coun- try children do not need physical training; that their outdoor life and abundant exercise are sufficient physi- cal culture ; but it does not seem to me that the argu- ment is a good one. Indeed, in some respects, it seems to me that it is the country child who needs this train-
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ing most. To be sure, his outdoor life gives him abun- dant physical vigor, but it does not impart to him grace, erect bearing, poise, precision of movement and nice control of his muscles. If you look for slumpy, slouchy, boys and awkward, ungainly, girls, you will find more of them in the country schools than in the city schools, and if physical culture will improve their looks and bearing (as I believe it will) it is in the country that we need it.
We would be glad to offer this instruction to the pupils of the south school also ; but as yet we have not been able to arrange it.
In recent reports, I have discussed at some length the subjects of reading and arithmetic; in the present report I wish to call your attention, briefly, to a sub- ject which, though it has not yet become a part of our school system, has found its way into most of the cities and many of the larger towns of the State, and has be- come an important element in their school systems - manual training, or speaking more broadly, industrial education.
Hitherto we have been concerned almost exclusively with the intellectual and moral education of children, resting in the belief that whatever instruction and training they needed in the manual arts would be fur- nished them in the home. Of late there is increasing evidence that in this belief we have been mistaken. The old-time home training of children in the perform- ance of useful and helpful labor has long since disap- peared from the cities and larger towns and is fast becoming a thing of the past « ven in country commun- ities. As a result of this, the children of to-day have lost the manual efficiency, the skill and resourcefulness in solving the little problems incident to their daily
164
existence, possessed by the children of a generation ago. So that, in spite of the undoubted improvement in the schools -the better teaching, better equipment and longer school year, it is doubtful if the grammar school pupils of to-day are as well equipped for useful living as were the same grade of pupils of fifty years ago. They know more about books, but less about the
practical matters of every-day life. They have a much wider knowledge, but less practical efficiency. The present tendency in educational matters is toward the practical, and the belief is quite general that manual, or industrial, training should form a considerable part of every child's education, and that if the home can not be depended upon to provide it, then the public school must do so.
Many of the cities and larger town of the State have already made provision for it, and I believe it is only a question of time when the smaller towns will do so, too. The expense will doubtless deter some for a time, but if it is really an essential part of education, if it is really worth having, we are sure to have it sooner or later.
It may not be too early to consider what a town like Lincoln could do without unreasonable expense to meet the demand for this kind of education. It would seem possible to provide for instruction in sewing and cooking for the girls and in some kind of wood work for the boys, rafia, basket weaving and reed work for both sexes and perhaps other occupations, not all at once, of course, but one at a time as the plan developed.
While the expense would be considerable yet it could not be regarded as an extravagance on the part of this community, provided the citizens really wished industrial training to become a part of our school sys-
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tem. The first cost, for equipment, would be trifling except for wood-working and cooking. These subjects require both room and apparatus; and benches and tools are somewhat expensive. The annual expense of providing instruction in the subjects which I have mentioned would probably be a little less than the cost of one additional teacher.
I believe that an essential feature of every model school building of the future will be the manual train- ing room, - a large, well-lighted, well-furnished room where all the children spend a part of each school day in constructive work with their hands; work that is useful, that develops skill, understanding and judg- ment; and gives them some preparation for useful living, whatever their station in life may be.
I have mentioned this subject of manual training at this time, not because I expect any immediate action on your part, but because I believe it is destined soon to become an important part of our school system and that we shall soon have to consider seriously its intro- duction. It is not too early to think about it and talk about it now.
The usual special reports and statistics are appended.
Respectfully submitted,
W. N. CRAGIN, Supt. of Schools.
Lincoln, Mass., Feb. 1, 1905.
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Report of the Supervisor of Drawing.
To the Superintendent of Schools :
In reviewing the work in drawing for the past year, we find the same general arrangement of the subject as formerly but each year brings new conditions, new children, new problems and new thoughts, and as a result the work always assumes new phases.
The work at the present time seems more hopeful than ever before. The standard of good work is more appreciated by the children and their varying successes give encouragement and enjoyment to the study and make it more vital.
The importance of drawing as a means of expression in other subjects is more and more recognized and when the child uses his pencil as readily as his pen, then, indeed, will there be great improvement in the work. To make the study far reaching and practical it is intended to relate it not only to other subjects of school work but also to the larger interests of the child.
The interest and co-operation that has been received has been greatly appreciated.
Respectfully submitted,
EMILY H. HAINES.
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Report of Principal of Concord High School.
Concord, Mass., Jan. 26, 1905. W. N. CRAGIN, EsQ.,
Supt. of Schools, Lincoln, Mass.
DEAR SIR: There is little to add to previous reports regarding the Concord High School and the Lincoln pupils in attendance. The equipment of the school is steadily improving, especially in the Chemical and Physical Laboratories. These laboratories have materi- ally benefitted for many years from the income of fund left the school a quarter of a century ago or more by a Concord citizen. This income - now not less than $250 per year - is largely spent upon the laboratories. The Chemical Laboratory is now well equipped for two good years of chemistry for such as have an aptitude for the study.
The Physical Laboratory provides fairly well for a preliminary and a more advanced elementary course in physics or natural philosophy.
Last September the school was partially reorganized. Advantage was taken of the employment of an addi- tional teacher and of two new teachers to fill places caused by resignations.
Wm. L. Eaton, Latin, Mathematics.
Harriet P. Rood, French.
Annie B. C. Fisher, German, English.
Alice C. Howe, Greek, Latin.
Elizabeth M. Brown, Mathematics.
Minnie L. Coolidge, History.
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Helen E. Nagle, Mathematics, Bookkeeping.
Augustus Klock. Chemistry, Botany, Physiology. Blanche E. Foye, French, History.
Fanny W. Ambler, English.
F. A. Carpenter, Physics, Mathematics.
May Ellery, Drawing.
F. W. Archibald, Vocal Music.
G. Harold Colburn, Sloyd.
Seven of the regular teachers and two of the special teachers have been connected with the school six or more years. All the others are teachers of experience and approved merit. In order to secure and retain the services of teachers equal to the demands made upon them in a growing school a material increase in the compensation paid them has been made during the past five years.
There are now in attendance twenty-three pupils from Lincoln. As a whole they are regular in attend- ance and faithful in the performance of all school duties. Some of them have made excellent records in the school. Miss Edith Briggs, of Lincoln, who was graduated last June, maintained for four years in every subject of study pursued a record of high scholarship unequalled by any graduate of the school since 1896.
The pupils entering from Lincoln grammar schools are as well prepared for high school work as others of their class. The Lincoln pupils now members of the school are distributed as follows in the several classes :
Seniors, 4
Juniors, 7
Sophomores, 7
Freshmen, 5
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Parents and other citizens interested are cordially welcome to visit classes or inspect the school at all times.
Respectfully submitted, WM. L. EATON, Principal.
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Roll of Honor.
The following pupils have been neither absent nor tardy for the time designated :
FOR EIGHT YEARS AND TWO TERMS. Sumner Smith.
FOR THREE YEARS.
Louise B. Chapin. FOR ONE YEAR. Charles L. Rocks.
FOR TWO TERMS.
E. Russell Davis. Francis B. Sargent.
Isabel T. Pierce.
Olive L. Stone.
Thomas Martin.
Margaret Riley.
Ellen Connors.
Josephine Hennessey. Grace L. Bamforth.
Charles N. Bamforth.
FOR ONE TERM.
Ida Tyler.
Frederick A. Rocks.
Ruth A. Wheeler.
Robert J. Clapp.
Arthur F. Chapin.
John H. Coan.
Josephine Dempsey.
Harold G. Walley.
Margaret Dempsey.
James Ryan.
Kitty Voorneveld
Ruth E. - Sherman.
Francena Voorneveld. Katie Connors. Jessie F. Baker.
Mary E. Corrigan.
Louis W. Walcroft.
William P. Corrigan.
Ethel F. Bent.
Arthur E. Rice.
Edward S. Boyce. John F. Giles. Rose Martin.
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School Calendar for 1905.
Winter term began January 3, ends March 24; twelve weeks.
Spring term begins April 3, ends June 16; eleven weeks.
Fall term begins September 5, ends December 15; fifteen weeks.
Winter term begins January 1, 1906.
Recess from the Wednesday before Thanksgiving to the Monday following.
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Statistics.
Number of children between the ages of five and fifteen years (census of 1904), boys 74; girls 63 . 137
Number between the ages of seven and fourteen, boys 52, girls 40 ·
92
*Total enrollment for the year ending in June, 1904 ·
149
Number enrolled between seven and fourteen years of age, boys 41, girls 36 77
Number attending Concord High School 23 ·
Number attending Lexington High School 1
Number of regular teachers employed .
5 Number of special teachers employed ·
2
* Includes high school pupils.
TABLE OF ATTENDANCE.
SCHOOL.
Total
Membership
Average
Membership
Average Attendance
Percentage
of Attendance
Tardiness
Visitors
Number of Weeks
Center Grammar
26
23.13
21.02
.9088
46
43
38
Center Sub Grammar
25
22.54
19.78
.8776
24
*
38
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Center Primary
23
17.88
16.74
.9349
15
46
38
South Sub Grammar
.
23
22.64
20.91
.9233
17
50
38
South Primary .
21
19.
17.43
.9174
16
116
38
Totals
118
105.19
95.88
.9115
118
255
·
.
* No record kept.
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WARRANT.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. MIDDLESEX, SS.
To James T. Laird, or any other Constable 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 in Bemis Hall, on Monday, March sixth, at 1 o'clock P. M., to act on the following 1 articles, viz :
ARTICLE 1. To choose a moderator.
ART. 2. To hear and act upon the reports of Town Officers, Committees, Commissioners, and Trustees.
ART. 3. To choose all necessary Town Officers, Committees, Commissioners and Trustèes for the ensu- ing year.
ART. 4. To act upon the jury list presented by the Selectmen.
ART. 5. To appropriate money for necessary and expedient purposes of the Town, and enact anything in relation to the same.
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ART. 6. To give in their votes by ballot in answer to the question : "Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town ?" The check list shall be used as provided by Section 5, Chapter 100 of the Public Statutes.
ART. 7. To determine the manner of collecting taxes for the ensuing year.
ART. 8. To determine the compensation of the Collector of Taxes for the ensuing year.
ART. 9. To see if the Town will authorize the Treasurer, under the direction of the Selectmen, to borrow during the municipal year, beginning February first, 1905, in anticipation of the collection of taxes of said year, such sums of money as may be necessary for the current expenses of the Town, but not exceed- ing the total tax levy for said year, giving the notes of the Town in payment thereof, payable in one year from the dates thereof. All debts incurred under authority of this vote shall be paid from taxes of the present municipal year.
ART. 10. To see if the Town will choose a Com- mittee on Claims under the provisions of Section 3 of Article 6 of the By-Laws.
ART. 11. To determine the manner of repairing the highways and bridges for the ensuing year.
ART. 12. To see if the Town will appoint a com- mittee to prosecute persons for selling intoxicating liquors in the Town, and appropriate money for the same.
ART. 13. To see if the Town will amend the By- Laws so that the Town Treasurer may pay money on
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account of the water works upon orders drawn by the water commissioners on the water works treasury, or amend the By-Laws in any manner.
ART. 14. To see what action the Town will take, if any, in regard to lighting the streets.
ART. 15. To see what action the Town will take in regard to securing land to be used for school purposes ; also to see if the Town will take any action in regard to a new schoolhouse or suitable grounds for the same, or take any action in regard to providing additional school accommodations.
ART. 16. To see if the Town will approve award offered by the Selectmen for the apprehension and conviction of burglars.
ART. 17. To see if the Town will appropriate $2,000.00 from the money in the treasury, belonging to the water works, to the general treasury of the Town in order to re-imburse the general funds with money heretofore advanced for account of the water works.
ART. 18. To see if the Town will increase the number of Trustees of the Bemis Lectureship by the addition of two ladies.
ART. 19. To see what action, if any, the Town will take towards having a typewritten copy of its records from the 13th day of May, 1793, to April 29th, 1844, inclusive, and to appropriate money therefor.
ART. 20. To see if the Town will appoint a com- mittee to investigate the propriety and cost of printing the records and vital statistics of the Town during the first century of its existence, and report thereon.
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ART. 21. To see if the Town will choose a Comp- troller or Accountant for the Water Department, and define his duties.
ART. 22. To see if the Town will amend the By- Laws so as to provide for a Comptroller or Accountant for the Water Department, or take any other action in relation to the matter.
ART. 23. To see if the Town will construct a side- walk from the Town Hall to Farnsworths Corner, and appropriate money for the same.
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