USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lincoln > Town Report on Lincoln 1902-1906 > Part 35
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In the interest of their improved appearance and usefulness the tops of the desks in the various school rooms were during the summer vacation taken to the mill and planed down to a smooth surface. This gave to the schools virtually a new set of desks in place of the old ones, many of which had been badly defaced by ink marks and knife cuts. In connection with this improvement the committee' sought to impress upon the pupils that the desks, as well as the other school property, belong to the town and not to them, and are to be treated accordingly.
The committee desire to express their indebtedness to Mrs. William R. Warren for continuing the free use of her field as a play-ground for the Center schools. While it is not all that the schools need, it is practically all that they have, and is much appreciated. We are indebted, also, to the Board of Health for prompt and efficient action in several matters that have come up during the year affecting the health and the general welfare of the schools.
A change in two windows in the South school house has for a long time been needed, and we recommend the passing of the following vote: " Voted, that the school committee is hereby authorized to make such changes in the windows of the South school house as the needs of the school require."
The subject of a new school house at the Center has been repeatedly referred to in previous reports. We are satisfied that the time has come for the town to take some definite action in that direction. We accordingly recommend the passing of the following vote: " Voted, that the school com-
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mittee is requested to prepare and submit to a future town meeting a proposition for the erection of a new school house in the Center of the town, and to suggest a location therefore." 1 EDWARD E. BRADLEY. EDWARD R. FARRAR. HENRY E. WARNER.
Committee.
137
Summary of School Expenses.
Salaries of Superintendent and teachers,
$3,365 36
Physical culture,
62 00
Tuition fees in High Schools,
1,296 00
Transportation (in Barges)
$1,205 70
(Railroad, etc.), 491 15
1,696 85
Janitors, washing, etc.,
142 65
Water rates,
60 00
School supplies,
180 01
Miscellaneous,
30 44
$6,833 31
Repairs on buildings,
477 68
New barge,
400 00
Repairs on old barges,
$199 15
Robes and blankets,
35 50
234 65
$7,945 64
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Report of the Superintendent of Schools.
To the School Committee :-
Herewith is submitted my sixth annual report as Super- intendent of Schools.
. The changes that take place from year to year in our school system are so few and so slight that each annual report is in a measure a repetition of previous reports. In any given year we do about the same things that we did the previous year, and in about the same way; and the record of any one year must of necessity be very like the record of other years. It must not be inferred from this that changes do not take place in our educational practice. We intro- duce new subjects of instruction from time to time and modify or change our methods; but these changes come, for the most part, not as sudden innovations but as the gradual outgrowths of our previous practice and experience.
There is little novelty in changes that come about in this way; but they are more likely to be beneficial and lasting than changes which are introduced to prove a theory or to exploit a hobby.
Believing that the school system of this Town is reasonably well adapted to the needs of the community, we have en- deavored to promote its efficiency rather than to enlarge its scope. We do not mean by this that we are now teaching in our schools everything that the public schools can profitably teach, nor that we are teaching all of our subjects as well as they can possibly be taught, but we are keeping in line with
139
the best educational practice of other towns around us, and are doing our work as well as we can.
There is doubtless some difference of opinion as to the sub- jects that should be included in the course of study of a small school system. The state has not left us much liberty of choice in the matter, as most of the subjects which we teach are prescribed by statute; and we have devoted a good part of our teaching to the so called fundamental subjects of read- ing, writing, arithmetic and language, not to the exclusion of other subjects, but rather with the idea of making these our intensive subjects.
It does not seem to me that it would be wise to add much to the number of formal subjects that we now have in school; indeed there is only one subject that I think is needed in order to make our system reasonably complete. I believe that we should have some form of manual instruction for our pupils. It seems sufficiently evident that manual training is to form a part of our public school education. It has become estab- lished in most of the larger communities of the state and it is finding its way into the smaller towns as fast as means can be provided for its introduction. It has encountered less opposition, I think, than any other of the new subjects that have found their way into the public school course, within recent years. It has seemed to commend itself to people generally as something that is useful, something that is worth while. It does not require a trained educator to see that the planning and imaging of a definite piece of work, the se- lection, assembling, shaping and combining the separate parts into a material whole whose excellence can be measured by definite standards; where perfection of plan and of execu- tion means perfection of result and where every fault of plan or execution is surely translated into material ugliness which can not be hidden nor excused, is a kind of education that must promote efficiency and self-reliance,-qualities which our merely intellectual education have signally failed to de- velop.
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Whether manual instruction can be given in the schools without displacing some subject that we are now teaching is a question to be considered; but of the fact that we shall soon be called upon to provide for its introduction I have little doubt.' If it should take the form of wood-working for the boys and sewing for the girls, we should need a commodi- ous room at the Center and another at the South, and this would bring up the question of school accommodations again; for we have no such room at our disposal now. In future school construction, I believe that no school building, whether it be a large, city building or a country district schoolhouse, will be considered complete without its manual training room.
In some of our schools we have made a little beginnng in another line of work that promises well, and which we hope to extend-humane education. Several of the states of the Union have already enacted laws requiring this subject to be taught in their public schools. While we have no such law in this state, yet it seems worth while in connection with our other moral instruction, to teach our chidren to be con- siderate and kind in their treatment of all animals.
Such considerate kindness will not fail to exert a civilizing and refining influence upon them as they grow to maturity; and in a rural community like ours, it is particularly desirable that sympathetic relations should exist between the animals who speak and those who do not.
The number of our pupils who attend the Concord High School is now thirty-two or about 21 per cent. of our entire school membership. Over one-fifth of all our pupils are pur- suing high school studies, a fact which speaks well for the pupils and for the school which they attend. If every pupil who enters the first grade should remain in school until he had completed the high school course, we should have one- third of our pupils in the high school. Two-fifteenths, then, (or a little less than that) represents the number of our pupils who fail to complete the full course of our schools. This is a
141
good showing, and indicates that the pupils are not dropping out of school except for good reasons.
The ability of our classes varies from year to year, still I believe that they have always been reasonably well prepared to do high school work before we have promoted them. In view of the fact that we have only eight years in our common school course I believe it would be of advantage to the pupils if none of them entered school under the age of six years. A certain maturity is desirable on the part of the pupil before undertaking the work of the high school, and though excep- tionally quick pupils sometimes enter at the age of eleven or twelve years and are able to do acceptable work, yet even these pupils would do much better work and do it with more satisfaction to themselves, if they had entered upon their high school course a year or two later.
The work in drawing has been under the direction of Miss Haines, as in previous years, and the interest has been well sustained and the general average of the work has been good.
In music, the past year has been an unfortunate one. In the death of our former director, Miss Annie M. Barnes, we suffered a real loss. Miss Barnes was not only an accomplished teacher, but a woman of inspiring personality as well. Her visits were a real help to teachers and pupils. Her influence was positive and for good, and we have keenly felt her loss. For a time we did without the services of a musical director, then a substitute was secured for the remainder of the year. At the opening of the fall term Miss Harmon was elected di- rector of music and the work is now going on well.
Miss Sawin has continued her instruction in physical cul- ture and the pupils seem to find it an agreeable exercise. I think I see some of its effects in the pupils themselves, mani- fested in better habits of walking, standing and sitting. It is to be regretted that we can not give the pupils of the South school the advantages of this course but up to this time we have not been able to arrange it.
142
There has been but one change in our corps of regular teachers during the past year. At the close of the spring term Miss Sawin resigned, much to our regret, and Miss Rob- inson was elected as her successor. We have been more for- tunate than most towns in being able to retain our teachers but when we lose one whom we value it is none the less a loss. Perhaps we feel it even more because it occurs infrequently. At any rate we would be glad to keep our good teachers per- manently for it is the good teacher more than all else that makes the good school.
The usual tables and special reports are appended.
Respectfully submitted, W. N. CRAGIN, Supt. of Schools.
Lincoln, Mass., Feb. 1, 1906.
143
Report of the Director of Drawing.
To the Superintendent of Schools:
The study of drawing in the public schools of Lincoln during the past year has been a continuation of the work done in pre- vious years. Each year new possibilities develop and the standard of the work is higher.
The subject of representation has perhaps been emphasized throughout all the grades.
In the lower grades it has been considered not only by representing toys and familiar objects but also by illustrating stories and every day occurences.
In the upper grades more drill has been given this phase of the subject as this is the basis of all high school drawing.
The constructive work in the upper grades has been ap- proached with less difficulty and more advanced work has been accomplished.
The interest and co-operation of the teachers which has made the work harmonious and enjoyable is gratefully acknowledged.
Very respectfully,
EMILY L. HAINES.
144
Report of the Director of Music.
15 Curtis Avenue, W. Somerville, Mass.
To the School Committee of the Town of Lincoln:
In regard to music the schools of Lincoln seem to me to be in a good condition. I think they are not up to some other schools in certain respects, and then again in other ways they are extremely good. A new teacher and new ways oftentimes make a vast difference, but with very little adjusting this year the work has moved on smoothly. We have tried to go on along the same lines as have been followed formerly, making a few little changes which seemed necessary. We try to keep the corresponding grades of the two schools doing similar work.
I found the schools using very old editions of the Normal Music course. The books themselves are in very good condi- tion, showing careful usage, but there is a much later and better edition which it seems to me would tend to give much better results in the same amount of time.
Respectfully submitted,
BETSY B. HARMON, Supervisor of Music.
February 10, 1906.
145
Report of Principal of Concord High School.
Concord, Mass., February 2, 1906. MR. W. N. CRAGIN,
Supt. of Schools, Lincoln, Mass.
DEAR SIR: The number of Lincoln pupils in attendance this year is slightly larger than last year. They are classified as follows:
Seniors, Sophomores,
11 7 Juniors, 5
Freshmen, 9
With few exceptions these pupils have made good records for scholarship and conduct in the schools. The critical year for many high school pupils is the Freshman year. The transi- tion from the methods and studies of the grammar school to the methods and studies of the high school is difficult to make. For the first time in their school life they must do systematic work by a schedule that often leaves to them the choice of the time when a given lesson shall be prepared. Home work is required to considerable amount. Parental responsibility for time and favorable conditions for home study must be exercised if there is any tendency on the part of the pupil to neglect his duty.
The majority of pupils soon becomes accustomed to the new conditions. A few need constant oversight to prevent their falling behind their class. The preparation of the Lincoln pupils for high school continues to be good and it seldom happens that any of them fail to gain promotion at the end of the Freshman year.
Respectfully.
WM. L. EATON.
.
146
Roll of Honor.
The following pupils have been neither absent nor tardy for the time designated:
FOR NINE YEARS AND TWO TERMS. Sumner Smith.
FOR ONE YEAR.
Elizabeth Carpenter Arthur Chapin Katie Connors.
Ellen Connors, Frederick Rocks, Thomas Martin,
FOR TWO TERMS.
Ludwig Laird, Ethel Rocks, Grace Bamforth, Ralph Banforth.
FOR ONE TERM.
Ethel Bent, E. Russell Davis, Louise Chapin, Charles Rocks, Isabel Pierce, Helen Dempsey, Harold Walley, Edward Hunt, Louis Walcroft, William Corrigan,
Ruth Sherman, Elizabeth Hunter,
Margaret Riley, Francis Sargent, William Pierce, Emma Flemming,
Charles Bamforth, Arthur Rice, " Edward Boyce, Warren Rice,
Anna George. .
147
School Calendar for 1906.
Winter term began January 1, ends March 23; twelve weeks Spring term begins April 2, ends June 15; eleven weeks. Fall term begins September 4, ends December 14; fifteen weeks.
Winter term begins December 31.
Recess from the Wednesday before Thanksgiving to the Monday following.
148
Statistics.
Number of children in town between the ages of 5 and 15
years, census of 1905, boys 69, girls 64, total 133 Number of children between 7 and 14, boys 47, girls 46, total 93
*Total enrollment for the year ending June, 1905 146
Number enrolled between 7 and 14 years of age 83 Number of pupils attending Concord High School 32
Percentage of pupils attending high school .219
Number of pupils under 5 years of age 1
Number of pupils over 15 years of age 6
Number of pupils between 5 and 15 years of age . 116
Number of regular teachers employed 5
Number of special teachers employed .
3
* Includes pupils in high school.
ATTENDANCE TABLE FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE, 1905.
SCHOOL.
Total
Membership
Average
Membership
Average
Attendance
Percentage
of Attendance
Tardiness
Visitors
Length of School in Weeks
Center Grammar .
31
28.66
26.94
.9401
81
39
38
Center Sub Grammar . .
23
21.06
19.51
.9264
83
46
38
Center Primary
·
·
24
17.17
16 15
.9349
11
40
38
149
South Sub Grammar
19
16.11
14.97
.9291
23
44
38
South Primary ·
25
23.37
20 43
.8741
63
65
38
Totals .
.
·
122
106.37
98.00
.9212
261
234
·
-
150
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 in- habitants of the Town of Lincoln, duly qualified to vote in Town affairs, to assemble in Bemis Hall, on Monday, March fifth, at 1 o'clock P.M., to act on the following 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 Trustees 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.
151
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 Febru- ary first, 1906, in anticipation of the collection of taxes of said year, such sums of money as may be neces- sary for the current expenses of the Town, but not exceeding the total tax levy for the 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 what action the Town will take, if any, in regard to lighting the streets.
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ART. 14.SETo see what action the Town will take in regard to securing land to be used for school pur- poses ; Falso 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. 15. To see if the Town will choose a Comp- troller or Accountant for the Water Department, and define his duties.
ART. 16. 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. 17. To see if the Town will construct a side- walk from the Town Hall to Farnsworths Corner, and appropriate money for the same.
ART. 18. To see if the Town will authorize and instruct its Tree Warden to canvass the entire Town to discover the gypsy and browntail moths in any stage of development and to see if the Town will assume all the expense connected with this work fo · the past year as well as for the ensuing year.
ART. 19 To see if the Town will have its By-Laws amended and choose a Committee to take charge of the matter.
ART. 20. To see if the Town will take any action to place on record any facts in relation to the 150th Anniversary.
ART. 21. To see if the Town will extend the town water from opposite Charles S. Wheeler's to the State
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Road opposite James A. Butcher's. The cost of said extension to be paid by the Town either by an issue of bonds or otherwise, or take any action on the matter,
ART. 22. To see if the Town will instruct the Town officials who may have charge of the Town teams not to engage in the business of general team- ing or other work not pertaining to the Town high- ways or other Town work, or take any action in relation to the matter.
ART. 23. To see if the Town will direct the Selectmen to take such action as may be necessary to introduce electric lights into the Town and appro- priate money for the same.
ART. 24. To see what action, if any, the Town will take in regard to water meters.
ART. 25. To see if the Town will instruct the Tree Warden or the Highway Department to cut all trees, limbs and brush necessary to put our highways in a passable condition.
ART. 26. To see if the Town will accept the pro- visions of Section 339 of the Revised Laws, with reference to the election at its annual meeting of its Selectmen, Assessors or Overseers of the Poor, and in place of the present manner of electing the above officers, elect one selectman for the term of three years, one for the term of two years, and one for the term of one year, or take any action in relation to the same.
ART. 27. To see if the Town will fix the com- pensation of its various Officers, Committees, Com-
154
missioners and Trustees, or take any action in the matter.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by post- ing an attested copy thereof in each of the postoffices and one of the churches, or some other public place, seven days at least before the day appointed for such meeting, and to make seasonable return thereof with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk.
HEREOF FAIL NOT.
Dated at Lincoln, this twenty-first day of February, in the year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and six.
CHARLES S. SMITH, EDWARD F. FLINT, ANTHONY J. DOHERTY,
Selectmen of Lincoln.
155
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.
156
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,
1
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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.
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