USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lincoln > Town Report on Lincoln 1906-1910 > Part 25
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1535.22
1332.18
1532.9
Hyrst, H. W. G. Adventures among wild beasts. Phila., 1907 . 1532.10
Ingersoll, Ernest. Wild neighbors: outdoor studies in the United States. N. Y., 1906 1533.14
Lounsbury, Thomas R. The privileged classes. N. Y., 1908 1534.21 Standard of usage in English. N. Y., 1908 1534.22
Lucas, E. V. Character and comedy. N. Y., 1907 1332.13
The gentlest art. N. Y., 1907 1332.14
Marden, Orison Swett. The optimistic life; or in the cheer- L ing-up business. N. Y., 1907 1332.17
Mazzini, Joseph. Duties of man and other essays 1534.23
Metchnikoff, Elie. Prolongation of life: optimistic studies. N. Y., 1908 1322.22
Perry, Bliss. A study of prose fiction. Boston, 1902 . 1533.17
Richmond, Mary E. The good neighbor in the modern city. Phila., 1908 1535.24
Robbins, Sarah Stuart. Old Andover days: Memories of a Puritan childhood. Boston, 1908 1333.22
131
Royce, Josiah. Philosophy of loyalty. N. Y., 1908 . 1533.12 Schofield, Alfred T. The unconscious mind. N. Y., 1907 . 1332.16
Sedgewick, Henry Dwight. New American type, and other essays. Boston, 1908 1533.11
Straus, Juliet Virginia ("Country Contrbiutor"). Ideas of a plain country woman. N. Y., 1908 . 1533.15
Tebb, William. Premature burial and how to prevent it; with special reference to trance, catalepsy, and other forms of suspended animation *1337.4
Woodberry, George E. Appreciation of literature. N. Y., 1907 1332.12
Worcester, Elwood and others. Religion and medicine; the moral control of nervous disorders. N. Y., 1908 1333.10
POETRY. DRAMA.
Genung, John Franklin. The Idyls and the ages: Elucidated in part by comparisons between Tennyson and Browning. N. Y., 1907 1426.16
Raymond, George Lansing. The Aztec God; and other dramas. N. Y., 1908 *1423.6
Ballads and other poems. N. Y., 1908 *1423.7
Life in song. N. Y., 1908 *1423.8
Kennedy, Charles Rann. Servant in the house. N. Y., 1908 1436.2
BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS.
Barbour, Ralph Henry. Four afoot. N. Y., 1907 844.18
Blindloss, Harold. The young traders. N. Y., 1907 843.14
Brand, Captain Jack. The Free Lances: Stories of the sea fighters of all nations in their long cruising and desperate battling for honor and treasure. N. Y., 1907 . .
843.13
Carruth, Willlam H. Letters to American boys. Boston,
1907. 1232.22
Crockett, S. R. Redcap Adevntures (2d series). N. Y.,
1908 1231.2
Drake. F. S. Indian history for young folks. N. Y., 1884 1231.7
Dudley, Albertus T. A full-back afloat. Boston, 1908 844.19
The great year. Boston, 1907
1237.16
In the line. Boston, 1905. The Yale cup. Boston, 1908 1237.17
1237.15
Edgeworth, Maria. Tales that never die. New York, 1908 1237.22
Finnemore, John. The Holy Land. London, 1908 822.26
Fouque, F. De La Motte. Undine. London, 1897 843.12
Guerber, H. A. Story of the chosen people. N. Y., 1896
845.17
Howard, Q. O. Famous Indian chiefs I have known. N. Y., 1908
1231.6
Kellogg, Vernon L. Insect stories. N. Y., 1908 844.20
132
Kidd, Dudley. South Africa. London, 1908 . 822.25
Long, William J. Beasts of the fields. Boston, 1903 845.18 Fowls of the air. Boston, 1903 845.11
L. G. T. Three years behind the guns . 1237.18
Mabie, Hamilton Wright, Editor. Essays every child should know. N. Y., 1908 1223.24
Mackaye, Percy. Canterbury tales of Geoffrey Chaucer. N. Y., 1905 1221.21
Major, Charles. Uncle Tom Andy Bill: A story of bears and Indian treasure. N. Y., 1908 ·
1237.21
Malory, Sir Thomas. Le Mort D'Arthur: book of King Arthur and of his noble Knights of the Round Table. 2 vols. London, 1903. .
1232.22
Otis, James. Minute boys of Long Island. Boston, 1908 .
1237.19
Page, Thomas Nelson. Tommy Trot's visit to Santa Claus. N. Y., 1908 1231.5
Two little confederates. N. Y., 1908
843.11
Peabody, J. P. Book of the little past. Boston, 1908
1231.1
Plummer, Mary Wright. Roy and Ray in Canada. N. Y., 1908 1232.3
Roy and Ray in Mexico. N. Y., 1907
1232.4
Potter, Beatrix. Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck. N. Y.,
1908 833.25
Ray, Anna Chapin. Sidney at college. Boston, 1908 1
1235.23
Richards, Laura E. The silver crown. Another book of fables. Boston, 1907 1237.23
Roberts, Charles G. D. House in the water: a book of ani- mal stories. Boston, 1908 844.21
Smith, Gertrude. Beautiful story of Doris and Julie. N. Y., 1906 .
821.28
Taggart, Marion Ames.
Six girls growing older. Boston,
1908 1235.22
Tappan, Eva M. American hero stories. Boston, 1908 1231.8
Townsend, Edward W. Beaver Creek Farm. N. Y., 1907,
1237.13
Trowbridge, John. Story of a wireless telegraph boy. Boston, 1908 1237.20
Williams, Archibald. How it is made: describing in simple language how various machines and many arti- cles in common use are manufactured from the the raw materials 844.23
How it works: dealing in simple language with steam, electricity, light, heat, sound, hydraulics, optics, etc., and with their application to appara- tus in common use 844.22
Young, Filson. The Wagner stories. N. Y., 1907
1237.14
133
PERIODICALS. PAMPHLETS.
Atlantic Monthly. 1907. 2 vols. (99,100.) Century, illustrated monthly magazine. 1906-1907. 3 vols. 72, 73, 74.
Harper's Magazine. 1906, 1907. 2 vols. 114, 115 St. Nicholas. 1906, 1907. 2 vols. 341, 342.
Adams, Charles Francis. The "Solid South" and the Afro- American race problem. Speech of C. F. Adams at the Academy of Music, Richmond,Virginia, Oct. 24th, 1908 *Pamphlet B. 6. 5 Porter, Edward G. An address given at the one hundred and sixtieth anniversary of the Second Church in Plymouth (Manomet precinct), Nov. 9, 1898, with a sketch of the life of its third pastor, the Rev. Ivory Hovey. . *Pamphlet B. 6. 4. *Indicates the book was a gift.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF LINCOLN
FOR THE
SCHOOL YEAR 1908
COL
1708-AS.A.P
136
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
EDWARD E. BRADLEY, Chairman. Term expires 1909 EDWARD R. FARRAR, Secretary. 66 1910
HENRY E. WARNER. 66 1911
Superintendent of Schools. C. S. LYMAN.
Supervisor of Drawing and Manual Training. WALTER F. BRACKETT.
Supervisor of Cooking and Sewing. MARTHA TOWER.
Supervisor of Music. GRACE E. ROBINSON.
TEACHERS. Center Grammar-Grades VII and VIII. CARRIE B. CHAPIN. Center Grammar-Grades V and VI. LENA CUSHING. Center Primary-Grades III and IV . ANNIE C. BUCK. Center Primary-Grades I and II. HATTIE B. HEATH. South Primary-Grades I, II, and III .. IDA E. COBB.
JANITORS. Center. Edward Bannon.
South. Edmund R. Davis.
137
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Lincoln :-
The most important single event of the past year has been the occupation of the new schoolhouse. The dif- ference between the old building and the new marks the progress of half a century in schoolhouse construction and equipment. From being as we were before near the end of the procession in this respect among the towns of the State, we now stand in the front rank.
The "Lincoln School" with its simplicity and dignity of architecture is a distinct addition to the public buildings of the Town, and will be a standing witness to the judg- ment and the unsparing labors of those to whom its con- struction was entrusted.
The School Committee for their part wish to express their appreciation of the large expenditure of time and thought that the Building Committee, themselves busy men, have given to this work and of the successful results of their efforts. Such a thoroughly modern and attractive schoolhouse may reasonably be expected to tend to in- crease the number of pupils attending the schools of the Town.
Through the efforts of a Committee of ladies consisting of Mrs. E. I. Smith, Mrs. S. H. Blodgett, Mrs. A. S. Eldredge, Mrs. G. L. Chapin, Mrs. A. S. Floyd and Mrs. G. S. Baldwin, with the co-operation of Mrs. James J. Storrow, a fund of over a hundred dollars has been raised and expended for pictures and plaster casts for the New Schoolhouse. These have been accepted by the School Committee on behalf of the Town, and the Committee
138
hereby extends the thanks of the Town for them to these ladies.
In the interest, both of the health of growing children and of the efficiency of the schools, the following vote has been passed by the Committee: "Voted that no child shall be admitted to school who is not six years old on or before October 31st following the opening of the school year."
Special attention is called to the report of Dr. H A. Wood. In this connection it is only due to him to say that it was by the generous offer of his services, beyond the requirements of the duties of his office as school physician, that the operations referred to were performed.
With the new grading of pupils made possible by bring- ing the South sub-grammar School to the center, and with the high efficiency of our present corps of teachers, we feel that the Schools of the Town are in better condi- tion than they have been during any of the time that the present members of the School Committee have been con- nected with them.
The report of the Special Committee on the new School- house, made at the adjourned Annual Town Meeting last year, contained severe criticisms of the expense of the Lincoln Schools, and of the policy of the School Com- mittee as to subjects of instruction. While we assume that these criticisms were not made in any spirit of hos- tility to the schools or to the School Committee we be- lieve that they were the result of insufficient information, and that they are not justified by the facts.
The Revised Laws of the State (Chapter 42) provide that every city and town shall maintain schools which "shall give instruction in orthography, reading, writing, the English language and grammar, geography, arith- metic, drawing, the history of the United States, physi- ology and hygiene, and good behavior." (Section 1.)
"A town which refuses or neglects to raise money for the support of the Schools as required by this Chapter
-
139
shall forfeit an amount equal to twice the highest sum ever before voted for the support of the Schools therein." (Section 23.)
The appointment of a School Physician and Medical Inspection of schools and scholars is also required by law. (Acts of 1906, Chapter 402. Acts of 1908, Chapter 412.)
This is not the place to discuss the wisdom of such laws. It is enough to say that such is the law, and we must carry it out, and give the instruction specified.
For many years it has been the custom in this Town, as in other towns, to give instruction in vocal music in addi- tion to the subjects required as above, and this Committee has continued the practice of its predecessors in this re- spect. There has been no indication that the Town de- sires a change in this respect, but if it does, the School Committee is prepared to hear and consider its wishes.
Manual Training (Sloyd for the boys, cooking and sew- ing for the girls) has been added this year. The introduc- tion of manual training into our schools has been under consideration for some time, and has been brought to the attention of the Town repeatedly, and as the Town, after very careful consideration, has provided a new building, designed and equipped especially with regard to instruction in manual training, it seems fair to assume that the de- sirability of this instruction is recognized by the citizens and that we are expected to give it a fair test.
This with nature study in the spring and fall covers the instruction given in the schools of the Town.
Town expenses are always fair subject of discussion, and no town can long be well managed if its expenditures are not carefully watched. An intelligent and judicious "watch dog of the treasury" is a most valuable asset in any town and his warnings should be fairly considered.
It is true that the cost of our schools forms a very large item in our Town expenses. It is also true that our schools cost more than they did in 1880, or in 1890, or in 1900. But what is there that does not cost more? The
140
cost of living has enormously increased, and the cost of the schools is not the only item of Town expense which has materially increased in the last ten or twenty years. On the other hand the prosperity of the Town has also increased. In 1899 the total appraised valuation was $1,971,310.00. In 1908 it was $2,869,832.00, an increase of $898,532.00, or nearly 47%.
In considering the increase of our expense it is certainly fair also to consider the increase in our ability to bear those expenses. The State Board of Education has pub- lished a table showing the standing of all the cities and towns in the State on the basis of the amount raised by taxation for schools in proportion to the taxable valuation. In that table Lincoln stands No. 342 in the total list of 354 cities and towns. In other words there are only 12 cities or towns in the whole State which appropriate less money for schools in proportion to their taxable valuation. The percentage of the total State valuation raised by local taxation throughout the State for the Support of Schools is $4.00 per $1,000. If the amount raised for buildings is included the percentage is $5.80 per $1,000. In Lincoln according to the figures in the Town Book for 1908 it was less than $2.75 per $1,000. It is perhaps unfortunate that these facts escaped the notice of the Special Committee.
The subject cannot be disposed of by working out the cost per scholar. Many of the larger items of school ex- pense do not vary with the number of scholars. Within certain limits an increase or decrease in the number of scholars will hardly affect the total expense. A teacher's salary is the same whether she has a large or a small class, the heating and care of the school buildings do not vary, and so, too, of many other items. Anincrease or decrease of 20 scholars might scarcely affect the total, but it would make a great difference as to the cost per pupil whether the total is to be divided by 80 or by 120.
141
It would seem a fairer way to test the matter to see what proportion of our annual tax appropriation is used for schools and see how that compares with our neighbor- ing towns. Figures given in the 71st report of the State Board of Education show that Wayland spent on Schools 39.08 per cent. of its tax levy. Weston spent 32.83 per cent., and Concord spent 33.03 per cent., while Lincoln spent only 31.32 per cent. Bedford received State aid to the amount of $1,971, while Lincoln received only $358.84. If the State aid is included Bedford's percentage would be 33.20 and Lincoln's 33.03.
These figures show conclusively that Lincoln is doing no more for her schools than are the neighboring towns and in proportion to her ability she is doing far less.
In order to determine in what respects the expense of our schools has been increasing we give herewith sum- maries of the expenses taken from the Auditor's reports for several years, beginning with the report for 1900, which shows the first full year after the local high school was given up.
(See table page 142.)
These summaries show a great increase in the cost of the High School instruction, which is due to the increased number of High School pupils. That item has nothing to do with the cost of maintaining the schools in the Town. There is also a considerable variation in the items of re- pairs, both on buildings and barges, and in the items of fuel. In fact, the items of fuel seem to have been practi- cally omitted until the last three years.
In order to get a more accurate comparison of the cost of instruction in the schools in the Town in different years, we give herewith a second set of summaries for the same years, omitting the tuition and transportation of High School pupils, and the cost of repairing and heating the buildings.
(See table page 143.)
(The years refer to the reports from which the figures are taken.)
1900.
1901.
1902.
1903.
1904.
1905.
1906.
1907.
1908.
1909.
Superintendent and teachers ...
#2,875 11
$3,081 56
$3,159 29
3,581 84
$3,696 02
$3,534 17
$3,427 36
$3,445 00
$3,398 50
$3,941 62
High School tuition.
416 00
825 00
1,071 00
1,310 00
1,488 00
1,305 00
1,296 00
1,136 00
1,088 00
874 67
High School transportation
90 60
249 40
289 75
402 45
453 80
417 55
491 15
469 40
430 80
334 80
Barges and transportation ..
944 80
873 95
1,217 00
834 73
971 10
947 55
1,840 35
1,157 75
1,299 65
1,585 05
Janitors, etc.
255 80
304 00
173 65
251 45
499 10
313 28
142 65
160 00
203 25
167 55
Water rates ..
40 00
60 00
60 00
60 00
60 00
60 00
60 00
60 00
60 00
28 50
School supplies
236 38
244 14
304 24
178 47
165 64
269 26
180 01
127 74
283 41
724 80
Repairs on Schoolhouses, etc.
1,184 40
165 27
445 98
576 44
121 51
196 43
477 68
78 78
206 94
149 18
Fuel, wood
10 56
11 25
6 25
16 75
12 00
4 00
2 50
14 50
19 00
Fuel, coal.
47 94
38 53
28 86
314 96
538 72
214 88
Miscellaneous.
20 50
14 05
24 83
16 50
52 45
33 26
30 44
25 95
24 88
31 75
. Medical Inspection
144 50
100 00
Total
$6,074 15
$5,828 62
$6,799 93
$7,267 18
$7,548 48 $7,080 50
$7,945 64
$6,978 08
$7,693 15
$8,171 80
142
1900.
1901.
1902.
1903.
1904.
1905.
1906.
1907.
1908.
1909.
Omitting heating and repairs of
buildings and tuition and trans-
portation of High School pupils. $4,372 59
$4,577 70
$4,939 01
$4,923 01
$5,444 31
$5,157 52
$5,680 81
$4,976 44
$5,269 69
$6,479 27
[Average $5,182.03]
Omitting barge transportation also 3,427 79
3,703 85
3,722 01
4,088 26
4,473 21
4,209 97
3,840 46
3,818 69
3,970 04
4,894 25
[Average $4,014.85]
Total Valuation.
Tax Rate.
Report of 1900
$2,452,833 00
" 1901
2,237,295 00
$ 8 00
" 1902
2,495,689 00
8 00
" 1903
2,350,070 00
10 00
" 1904. 2,390,300 00
9 00
" 1905
2,285,145 00
9 00
" 1906
2,506,719 00
7 25
66
" 1907 2.809,915 00
8 00
" 1908
2,869,832 00
10 00
" 1909.
143
144
We have also given the taxable valuations and the tax rates, and it will be seen that the fluctuations in the tax rate do not correspond with the fluctuations in the school expenses. In fact the tax rate in 1907 was the lowest of any year, while the school expenditure of that year was the largest of any year except 1909. The figures for 1909 include salaries for the manual training teachers and unusual expenses for supplies incident to the equipment of the new schoolhouse. If these were to be deducted the increase over the last few years (exclusive of transpor- tation) would be slight, if any.
These summaries show that in 1908 the salaries were less than in any year since 1902, the janitors, etc., less than in any years except 1902, 1906, and 1907, the sup- plies less than in 1902 and but slightly in excess of 1900, 1901 and 1905, and that the miscellaneous items were less than in any year since 1903.
The truth is that the principal increase has come from the increased expense for tuition and transportation of High School scholars, which bears a direct proportion to the number of scholars, and from the increased cost of the barge transportation.
This matter of transportation is one to which we have repeatedly asked the attention of the Town. It is very ex- pensive and at the same time inadequate, but the diffi- culties are such that as yet no better arrangement has been suggested that would not involve additional expense. We see no way of reducing this expense except by a radical departure from what has been the practice of the Town for years. We respectfully ask the attention of the Town to our report on this subject in the last Town Report.
We trust that these facts will be considered in connec- tion with the remarks of the Special Committee. We are obliged by law to maintain schools and to teach certain subjects. We believe that certain additional subjects should be taught and that the citizens of Lincoln wish to have them taught. To do this properly costs, money,
145
a great deal of money. Whether it is costing too much is for the citizens of Lincoln to say, but if anyone thinks it is costing too much it is for him to point out how the saving is to be made.
The reports of the Superintendent, the School physi- cian and the several special teachers, with various school Statistics, are herewith presented.
EDWARD E. BRADLEY, EDWARD R. FARRAR, HENRY E. WARNER.
146
Report of Superintendent of Schools.
To the School Committee of Lincoln :-
‘The past year has been the most important in the history of the Lincoln Public Schools. The new school- house at the Center has been built and occupied. This has given us excellent facilities for manual training, cook- ing and sewing, which subjects have been added to our curriculum, two special teachers devoting two days each week to these important branches, and all the boys and girls above the third grade are enjoying the benefits of these practical studies. All the pupils in Town are now housed in this new building at the Center, excepting three small primary grades in the South school. Much improve- ment has been made in the regular work, especially in reading, history and geography. The boys and girls have shown greater interest and energy in school work, and are forming habits of study and concentration of mind that will be of greater value to them in the future. The entrance age has been raised from five to six years. Of our force of eight teachers, including regular and spe- cial teachers, five were new to the Town schools this year. These are great changes for a small town to make all in one year, but the good effects are already manifest and we believe the coming year will mark great and lasting improvement in our schools.
THE NEW SCHOOLHOUSE.
Lincoln has cause to be proud of its new schoolhouse, for it is in all respects an excellent and an adequate build- ing, and will be sufficient for our needs for years to come.
147
The heating, ventilating and sanitary arrangements, and the furniture are all admirable and will conserve the children's health. The restful colors of the walls and the beautiful pictures are pleasing to the eye. Such attract- ive and beautiful environments inspire both pupils and teachers with the desire to do good work .. I have never seen better rooms for manual training and cooking. They are light, pleasant, convenient and completely furnished.
The large yard will furnish abundant playground and space for school gardens which we hope to utilize next spring.
NEW SUBJECTS IN THE CURRICULUM.
In September, manual and industrial subjects were added to our curriculum. During the fall term Mr. Brackett devoted his two days to instruction in drawing. a large part of this being mechanical drawing in prepara- tion for woodwork which was to follow. As soon as we moved into the new building all the boys from the fourth grade up began the manual training work, and already have constructed a number of small models, which show careful and earnest work. The boys are so happy, in- terested, and serious in this work that it is a pleasure to watch them. This auspicious beginning indicates how profitable this new study will be.
During the fall term Miss Tower gave the girls in the five upper grades two lessons a week in sewing, but as soon as we could use the cooking room, she organized classes in cooking and household duties. The girls are learning to be neat, methodical and active in housework, and to plan menus and cook wholesome food. They are all earnest and happy in this work. It seems to me that the adding of these practical branches to our curriculum marks a new and important epoch in the history of our schools.
148
READING.
In my last report I spoke of our endeavor to improve the reading, especially in the primary grades, so that the children, by early gaining the power to read easily and understandingly, can make more rapid progress in all other studies. This work has been continued with excel- lent results, and we have been remarkably successful in using the new system. I very seldom name any text-book or system of teaching in my annual report,'but the Adline system of reading is such a marked improvement over any other method of teaching reading which I have known in my twenty-six years' experience in school work, that I feel others should know of its value.
By a judicious use of rhyme, sentence, word and phonic methods and dramatizing of the stories, the children quickly and easily gain a good reading vocabulary, and very early learn to read fluently, naturally and express- ively. But what is of greater value, the children begin the very first term to be independent in learning the words used in the primer. They learn certain rhymes, and then read sentences containing words used in the rhyme. If they forget words, they are trained to look through the rhyme until they find them. It is both amusing and gratifying to see how earnestly and efficiently the little children will study their reading lessons all by themselves and find the words which they have forgotten.
GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY.
We have continued our practical work in geography, as mentioned in my last report, with marked success. The study is taken up in such a way, that from the beginning it is within the children's grasp and arouses their interest in and desire to know more about the earth and its re- lation to man and the progress of civilization. Through- out the year some classes followed the movements of the United States fleet around the world, studying about the
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