USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lincoln > Town Report on Lincoln 1906-1910 > Part 18
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THE RECITATION.
Many people have little or no idea of the value of the recita- tion period. They seem to think it is designed merely to find whether or not the pupils have learned and can recite their lessons. This is only one of its values. The recitation should enable the teacher to find what the pupils have gained from the study of the lesson and what mistakes they have made, in order that future study periods may be rendered more pro- fitable. In short, the mistakes if properly handled might be made as instructive as the perfect recitations. Here comes in the ability to teach and explain, to clear up the pupils' difficulties and set them on the right track. With proper guidance the children would gain the power to read the lesson carefully, perceive the principal points and then to tell to the class in clear, concise English the gist of the subject. This training should give each child confidence to stand before others and talk freely. If mistakes are not corrected too harshly and the pupils are properly encouraged, even the timid and bashful children will do their part of the reciting. Too many teachers fail in the conduct of a recitation; and it soon degenerates into a period when only the teacher and a few bright scholars do all the talking.
During some recitation periods discussions and free ex- change of opinions about the subject in hand should be en- couraged. Pupils can then be led to see clearly their mistakes and their incorrect opinions in such a light that they will not
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repeat the same errors in the future. But care should be taken that the discussion does not wander too far from the appointed subject and become a means of enabling bright but lazy pupils to shirk their study period and to depend upon desultory talk to deceive the teacher. During the whole recitation period the teacher and all pupils should be interested, full of energy, and eager to learn or to give information to the others.
We need also to give much more attention to the develop- ment of the executive and initiative powers. Teachers, especially in graded schools, too often do too much for pupils, so that they acquire the habit of sitting back and allowing others to lead them on. The teachers should work with the children, constantly arousing their ambition to do for them- selves, and to take pride in accomplishing difficult tasks by their own efforts, tasks which develop both moral and mental powers.
We need, too, in this day of "high finance" to inculcate noble ideals, to arouse a moral courage which will enable the future citizens to take a stand for right principles in spite of great temptations and personal ambitions. There is no better way to develop these sterling qualities than to place among the children teachers who present these ideals in their daily lives.
In closing I would call your attention to the appended statistics, and the reports of the special teachers. I wish to thank the committee for their confidence and support, and the teachers and pupils for their cordial welcome.
Respectfully submitted, C. S. LYMAN,
Superintendent of Schools.
R
161
Report of the Supervisor of Music.
To the School Committee of the Town of Lincoln :-
There have been few changes this year in the music taught in the schools of this Town.
The Normal Music Course was introduced into the schools some years ago. The course required several charts, which are to be used in grades below the seventh. Since the in- troduction of the course into these schools, the system has been revised and improved, consequently causing a change in the charts, and also in the books. Therefore, this year there were two new charts, one for each primary room, in- troduced, and also one other for the intermediate room at the Center. Two of these charts were sold to the Town at half their original cost. There have been no books bought except single copies for the primary teachers.
Taking everything into consideration, I would say that on the whole the children are doing very good work. They are interested, and apparently enjoy the music lesson.
It is my opinion that there must be a certain amount of enjoyment gained from every undertaking in order to make it a success. Mere enjoyment, however, is not the end and aim of music teaching in the schools. We aim to make it a useful study, one requiring close attention, concentration, and much thought.
In the primary grades every opportunity is used to cor- relate music with nature study, the reading lesson, and the language lesson, by means of the character of the songs, and the pictures on the chart.
In the intermediate and grammar grades there is much of ear training. The children are trained to recognize the
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different tones when sung, to reproduce a short exercise in a given kind of time, and also to reproduce short melodies.
Much attention is given in all the grades, but especially in the intermediate and grammar grades, to expression, and to the interpretation of the sentiment of the songs expressed by the composer.
One thing our schools lack and that is a musical instrument. Almost all the schools of to-day are furnished with a musical instrument of some sort. Some have parlor organs, some baby organs, and many have pianos. The baby organ is considered the best adapted for school purposes. It is the least expensive, does not easily get out of tune, and is portable. It is especially good for the work in the primary grades.
GRACE E. ROBINSON, Supervisor of Music.
163
Report of School Physician.
While much has been accomplished by the systematic medical inspection of the Lincoln schools, there remains much to be done before the best results are obtained.
The School Physician has been concerned with all that affected the health of the children whether coming from their surroundings or their physical condition.
As to their surroundings, it is a pleasure to note the near prospect of a new school building so badly needed. This will do away with most of the sanitary and hygienic evils under which the schools have labored during the year. In South Lincoln, if the building is to continue in use an effort should be made to make it serve its purpose more fully. The build- ing needs repairs and can be put in good shape at small ex- pense. The water should be kept from the cellar in rain storms by repairing the concrete about the outside walls, a new walk should be laid, and the inside receive thorough treat- ment with paint, varnish, etc. The teachers manage to keep their rooms presentable, but the corridors, cellar (here used by the children) and the outside, have the appearance of neglect and untidiness. Repairs and good janitor service are much needed. In all the schools the accumulation of waste paper in the cellars was objected to and remedied. The temporary closing of the school in the Town Hall came from the sewage contamination of the air through the plugging by roots of the sewer pipe and consequent overflow into the cellar. The thorough fumigation and cleaning which followed probably made this the cleanest school room of all for the time being.
As a rule the school children enjoy good health, yet they show the same number and character of troubles as in other places. The tabulated list shows :-
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Number of pupils,
109
Pediculosis,
26
Decayed teeth,
36
Tonsils and adnoids,
34
Eye defect (teacher's tests),
26
Not vaccinated (by report),
23
Whooping cough,
13
Ring worm,
2
Chicken pox,
2
The pediculosis has been followed up persistently and ef- fectively, even furnishing material when necessary.
Those showing decayed teeth and enlarged tonsils and adnoids are those only possessing a marked degree of defect and such as make it desirable that something be done in the way of correction or at least in urging the parents to consult their family physician for final judgment. A circular has been prepared on teeth, tonsils and adnoids and distributed to each scholar hoping in this way to present suggestions which may help the parent and benefit the child.
The outbreak of whooping cough was confined entirely to the South School, did not assume large proportions and under exclusion soon subsided.
In a small way some attempt has been made to get and keep a physical record of each child. While this first effort is im- perfect it has already given good results and will be increasing- ly valuable with each year.
The pupil or the parents through them are taking advantage : more and more of the presence of the school physician to seek advice for minor ailments affecting the welfare of the children. This should be so and is an important factor in making the work of the school physician more helpful. The hearty sup- port and co-operation given by the School Committee and teachers is greatly appreciated.
Respectfully,
HENRY A. WOOD, M. D.
165
ROLL OF HONOR.
The following pupils have been neither absent nor tardy for the time designated :-
Charles L. Rocks.
FOR TWO YEARS. William Peirce.
Ethel Rocks.
FOR ONE YEAR. Marion Rocks. Emily Robus. FOR TWO TERMS.
Ludwig A. Laird.
Rosa Martin.
Marion B. Chapin.
Edward H. Ryan. Harriet Peirce.
Lizzie Connors.
FOR ONE TERM.
Mary E. Corrigan.
Evelyn Cousins.
Louise Chapin.
Frank Ryan.
Redman Hartwell.
Ruth E. Sherman.
Harriet Peirce.
Emma Flemming.
Ralph Bamforth.
Ellen Connors.
Francis Bennett. Mabel Wild.
Waldo Foley.
Warren Rice.
Sarah Clark.
Bertha Bowles.
Mary Diamond.
Edward Boyce.
Elsie B. Davis.
Ethel Cousins.
James Ryan.
Esther Cousins.
James Diamond.
William P. Corrigan.
Charles Bamforth.
Kate Connors.
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SCHOOL CALENDAR.
Winter term began January 6, 1908, ends March 27; twelve weeks.
Spring term begins April 6, ends June 19; eleven weeks. Fall term begins September 8, ends December 18; fifteen weeks.
Winter term begins January 4, 1909, ends March 26; twelve weeks.
Spring term begins April 5, ends June 18; eleven weeks.
Recess from the Wednesday before Thanksgiving to the Monday following.
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STATISTICS FOR SCHOOL YEAR, 1906-1907.
Number of children in Town September, 1907, between
5 and 15 years: boys, 71; girls, 66; total 137
Number of children in Town September, 1906 137
Number of children in Town September, 1907, between
7 and 14 years: boys, 54; girls, 39; total 93
Enrollment for the year ending June, 1907
117
Number between 5 and 15 years of age
115
Number over 15 years of age
2
Number under 5 years of age .
0
Number between 7 and 14 years of age .
90
Number attending Concord High School
22
Number of regular teachers employed .
5
Number of special teachers employed 2
Number of teachers who have graduated from normal schools 2
From training school
1
Length of school year 38 weeks.
Illiterate minors in Town over 14 years of age 0
ATTENDANCE TABLE FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE, 1907.
SCHOOLS
TEACHERS
Enrollment for
State Report
Enrollment
Enrollment
Girls
Average
Membership
Average
Attendance
Attendance Percent. of
Pupils between
5 and 15 y's. of age
Pupils between
7 and 14y's. of age
15 years of age
Tardiness
Visitors
Center Grammar
Carrie B. Chapin
·
·
18
10
00
17.9
16.7
93.0
17
13
1
55
41
Center Sub-Grammar
E O. Davis
25
10
15
22.4
21.2
94.6
25
25
0
118
47
Center Primary
Hattie B. Heath .
22
9
16
16.6
17.3
93.0
22
10
0
42
66
South Sub-Grammar
S. Ellen Brown
24
14
10
18 4
16.9
91.8
23
21
1
11
49
South Primary
I. Beatrice Farnsworth
28
17
=
26.1
23.8
91.2
28
21
0
42
58
.
.
.
.
117
57
60
103.4
95.9
92.7
115
90
2
268
261
Total
·
·
.
·
.
.
·
.
·
.
·
168
Pupils over
Boys
169
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 inhabitants of the Town of Lincoln, duly qualified to vote in Town affairs, to assemble in Bemis Hall, on Monday, March second, at one 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 ensuing year.
ART. 4. To see if the Town will choose a Committee on Claims under the provisions of Section 3 of Article 6 of the By-Laws.
ART. 5. To act upon the jury list presented by the Select- men.
ART. 6. To appropriate money for necessary and expedient purposes of the Town, and enact anything in relation to the same.
170
ART. 7. 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 pro- vided by Section 5, Chapter 100 of the Public Statutes.
ART. 8. To determine the manner of collecting taxes for the ensuing year.
ART. 9. To determine the compensation of the Collector of Taxes for the ensuing year.
ART. 10. To see if the Town will authorize the Treasurer, under the direction of the Selectmen, to borrow during the municipal year, beginning February first, 1908, in anticipa- tion 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 exceeding the total tax levx for the said year, giving the notes of the Town in payment thereof, payable within one year from the dates thereof. All debts incurred under au- thority of this vote shall be paid from taxes of the present municipal year.
ART. 11. To determine the manner of repairing the high- ways and bridges for the ensuing year.
ART. 12. To see what action the Town will take, if any, in regard to lighting the streets.
ART. 13. To see if the Town will accept and allow a way as laid out by the Selectmen and filed with the Town Clerk on Feb. 17th, 1908.
ART. 14. To see if the Town will give any instructions to the Schoolhouse Committee, or take any action on the erection of the new schoolhouse, or with regard to the grounds adjacent to the same.
171
ART. 15. To see if the Town will select, designate, or ac- quire any lot of land for the site and grounds of a schoolhouse near the center of the Town.
ART. 16. To see if the Town will establish rates for water sold by meter.
ART. 17. To see what action, if any, the Town will take in regard to collecting water rates.
ART. 18. To see what action the Town will take in regard to the sale of water, and the regulation of rates.
ART. 19. To see what action the Town will take in regard to the future method of conducting the business at annual Town meetings.
ART. 20. To see if the Town will widen the road and con- struct a sidewalk from the center of the Town to the house of Mr. James T. Laird.
ART. 21. To see if the town will appoint a committee to prosecute persons for selling intoxicating liquors in the Town, and appropriate money for the same
ART. 22. To see if the town will accept the provisions 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 select- man for the term of 3 years, one for the term of 2 years and one for the term of 1 year, or take away action in relation to the same.
172
And you are directed to serve this Warrant by posting an attested copy thereof in each of the Post-Offices and one of the churches or some other public place, seven days at least before the day appointed for such meeting, and to make season- able return thereof with your doings thercon, to the Town Clerk. Hereof fail not.
Dated at Lincoln, this twentieth day of February, in the year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and eight.
CHARLES S. SMITH, Selectmen C. LEE TODD,
R. D. DONALDSON, ١ of Lincoln.
173
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.
174
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 th 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. 1 0' 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 shal' 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 r 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 sha" incur no further expenditure, except in cases where. .... . 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-
176
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:
177
.
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 bool 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 ( lerk 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 ___ town re- ports, reports of all committees chosen by the tow " and all original documents relating to the affairs of the tow. which may come into his possession.
ARTICLE V.
BOOKS.
Section 1. Books, records and laws received by the town from the commonwealth shall be deposited in the public library building.
Sect. 2. It shall be the duty of the town officer by whom any book mentioned in the preceding section is received, to cause the same to be at once deposited in the public library building.
Sect. 3. Such books may be used by the inhabitants of the town within such building, and may be taken therefrom upon written receipt to the librarian for a period not ex- ceeding one day at any one time for use in any town meet- ing, or by or before any committee or official of the town.
178
ARTICLE . I.
SUITS AND CONTROVERSIES.
. Section 1. The selectmen may compromise claims and suits to which the town is a party, provided that they shall act upon the advice of counsel when the amount claimed by or against the town exceeds $200.00.
Sect. 2. The selectmen shall have. unless it is otherwise voted by the town, full authority as agents of the town to institute and prosecute suits or other proceedings in the name of the town before any tribunal, to appear and repre- . sent or defend the town before any tribunal in all suits and other proceedings against the town or in which the town has an interest, to employ counsel for the purpose aforesaid and for other purposes when it may be expedient to do so, and to take all necessary and proper measures for the pro- tection of the interests and rights of the town.
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