USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1901-1910 > Part 78
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT OF MASS. SCHOOL FUND FOR THE YEAR 1909.
Unexpended Jan. 1, 1909,
$177 67
Received State Treasurer's dividend Mass. School
Fund, Jan. 26, 1909,
75 00
Total,
$252 67
Expended for support of schools,
102 80
Unexpended,
$149 87
The committee would make the following recommendations for the ensuing year :
Support of Schools,
$7,750 00
Incidentals, repairs and deficit,
1,500 00
Salary of Superintendent,
250 00
NATHANIEL K. NOYES, ALBERT M. GOULDING, WILLIAM J. ALDEN,
School Committee.
1
-81-
SCHOOL CALENDAR, 1910.
Winter Term.
Partridge Academy opens January 3, closes March 25.
East Side Schools open January 3, close March 25.
West Side Schools open January 3, close March 25.
Spring Term.
Partridge Academy opens April 4, closes June 24.
East Side Schools open April 4, close June 17.
West Side Schools open April 4, close June 24.
Fall Term.
Partridge Academy opens September 6, closes December 21. East Side Schools open September 19, close December 21.
West Side Schools open September 26, close December 21.
Holidays.
Washington's Birthday, Patriot's day, Memorial Day, Thanks- giving and the day following. Schools close for the Christmas vacation with the a. m. session Dec. 21. Sessions : All schools begin the a. m. session at 9 o'clock and close at 12. The p. m. session is 2 hours in length. The time of beginning the after- noon session varies with the different schools to suit local condi- tions.
Superintendent's Office Hours.
Second and fourth Tuesday of each month, from 1 to 3.30 p. m.
-82-
Number of Pupils in the Different Grades. Data taken in December, 1909.
NUMBER IN GRADE.
1 SCHOOLS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
School Totals
Academy
20
12
8
8
48
South Duxbury
11
3
=11
4
29
Village, Grades 5 and 6
20
12
32
Village, Grades 7 and 8
4
5
7
6
22
Millbrook
8
5
9
4
26
North Duxbury Ashdod
7
4
4
1
4
20
Tarkiln Grammar
10
12
10-
32
Tarkiln Primary
5
5
7
2
19
Island Creek
4
4
5
5
2
20
Total enrolment by Grades
43
29
15
24
39
24
21
17
20
12
8 |
8 |290
-
-
-
-
-
11
17
28
Point
4
3
2
2
3
14
-
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
To the School Board-
Gentlemen-In accordance with your regulations, I herewith submit my first annual report of the schools.
Statistics.
Population of Duxbury, census of 1905, 2,028
Number of boys between the ages of 5 and 15
years, census of 1908, 132
Number of girls between the ages of 5 and 15 years, census of 1908, 153
Number of boys between the ages of 7 and 14 years, census of 1908, 109
Number of girls between the ages of 7 and 14 years, census of 1908, 101
Total membership for the year ending June 25, 1909,
322
Number attending school during the year under 5 years of age, 2
Number attending school during the year over 15 years of age, 35
Number attending school during the year between the ages of 7 and 14 years,
210
Averag membership,
272.66
Average membership,
272.66
Average attendance,
247.62
Percentage of attendance,
90.81
Number of pupils in Academy during the year,
42
Number of pupils admitted to the Freshman class, Sept. 1909, 20
Number of schools,
9
Number of regular teachers,
13
Number of special teachers,
2
As I have been with you but a single term, this report will have to do with the statistics for the school year ending in
-84-
1909 ; present conditions and such suggestions concerning school work as seem pertinent at this time.
The recent changes, including the transportation of grammar pupils to the Tarkiln school, the placing of the East side gram- mar pupils in the two room building at the village, and the re- moval of the eighth grade from the Academy, have resulted in a very considerable improvement in the conditions for work in the schools. While recent improvement in other ways is evident, there is still much room for improvement left.
The preceding statistics taken from the register, returns for the year ending last June, leave much to be desired. The per- centage of attendance is much below the average for the State. No returns were made for tardiness, but the amount of tardiness during the fall term just passed, is much greater than it should be for the whole school year. The schools cannot do their best work until the attendance is improved. Tardiness can to a considerable extent, be controlled by the teachers, but parents can do much to improve the schools by seeing to it that their children start for school in ample time to arrive before school begins ; to allow no absences unless for sickness or other serious cause, and to see that their children in the higher grades have regular and undisturbed periods of study at home.
It should be remembered that the habits formed during school life are more important than the facts learned from books. A pupil while attending school, by his uniformly regular and punctual attendance, and his daily faithfulness to class work and study periods, should have the habit of faithfulness to the duties of life wrought into his character.
Below is given a list of the schools arranged according to their percentage of attendance for the year ending in June 1909.
South Duxbury Primary,
95.34
North Duxbury Primary,
94.00
Partridge Academy,
93.35
Village Grammar, grades 5 and 6,
92.90
Village Grammar, grades 7 and 8,
91.10
Point Primary,
90.55
Millbrook Primary,
90.46
Island Creek, Primary,
90.10
Ashdod Primary,
90.00
Tarkiln Grammar,
89.20
Tarkiln Primary,
85.02
-85-
It will be seen from the above list that the average absence at the Tarkiln Primary has been about three times as great as at the Primaries at North and South Duxbury. As these schools are working under the same conditions, it is difficult to account for this difference in absence.
With the exception of the Academy, no records of the class work, deportment or attendance of pupils have been permanently kept. The pupil should be led to feel that day by day he is making a record that is to stand to his credit for life. Also business concerns frequently write for the school records of young people who apply for positions some years after leaving school. If no records are kept permanently on file there is no adequate means of giving one credit for his school work. This condition has received attention, and the grammar schools have been furnished with record books suitable for keeping a full and permanent record of all pupils. As these books are filled, they should be placed on file at the town office, and other similar copies furnished to the schools. This forms a system of per- manent records of original entry, and as a system of original entry, is the only system adopted to local conditions, it should be required, at least until some better system is feasible.
The town of Duxbury is fortunate in having an earnest, faith- ful and efficient corps of teachers. The work of the fall term has progressed without interruption, and largely along the same lines as in the past. Some parts and phases of the work have been deemed worthy of special attention. Effort has been made to increase the accuracy of pupils of the intermediate grades in the fundamental operations in arithmetic. 3 Memory gems have been learned by all grades. Story telling by the primary pupils is being emphasized. Muscular movement and penmanship is re- ceiving attention in the higher grades, and while each of the subjects of school work has its allotted time and attention, read- ing in all grades has received the most careful inspection.
Most pupils and far too many teachers, fail to realize the im- portance of the reading lesson. This is particularly true of grammar schools. When it is remembered that the knowledge of the ages is locked up in reading, and that he who can read most intelligently, is best fitted to acquire knowledge, the im- portance of the reading lesson should be apparent. There is much that makes for the best in character building in the appre- ciative reading of English masterpieces. The reading lessons
in the higher grammar grades should be so conducted as to develop a taste for much that is best in literature. It is useless to select a list of good books for one to read if they are beyond his appreciation, as they will not be read.
The Duxbury Free Library contains many interesting volumes of children's classics. These books offer easy reading for gram- mar pupils, and can be made of much benefit to the schools. There are some pupils in all schools who are slow in learning to read. Teachers and parents will do much to help them if they will consult the librarian and designate appropriate books for the home reading of these pupils and require the books to be read.
With time schedules arranged so as to give reading its full share of time the individual pupil in our schools gets but three to four minutes a day in which to read aloud. With this lim- ited time it is necessary that the reading lesson receive the most careful preparation on the part of the pupil, and the most skilful direction on the part of the teacher in order that the average pupil may get what he should from it. The backward reader will be sure to make more or less of a failure of his reading un- less he does much outside reading, which the library affords. If he fails to get the thought from the printed page, in his reading lesson, he is fore doomed to failure in his history, geography and other lessons.
With a course of studies sufficiently broad to engage all the activities of the child, it is not so important what topics are taught as how they are taught. In arithmetic it is not so im- portant whether compound proportion, foreign exchange, or longitude and time are taught, as it is that the pupils acquire accuracy, self-reliance and reasoning power from their study of arithmetic. In reading it is not so important that the pupils write out and bring into class the definitions of, many of the words of the reading lesson as it is that they get the inspiration and the mental uplift that comes from appreciative contact with the great in literature.
It is difficult to find a city, state or government annual school report that does not devote much space to industrial work in the schools. At present all cities of 20,000 or more inhabitants in this state, are required by law to teach manual training. Some of the smaller towns are taking up this work, and the time will probably come when manual training will be required through-
-- 87-
out the state. The following on this subject is quoted from the latest report of United States Commissioner of Education : "What the new school needs is, in addition to the purely in- tellectual field of work, a rich field of manual work: For in this by far the greater number of human beings find their fertile field of development and support. The school needs, further- more, those kinds of work which as much as possible are con- nected with the economic or domestic work activities of the pa- rents, so that the threads which the school spins may not be broken daily when the child returns home."
It is needless at this time to discuss manual training as taken up in the cities, as this town is not in a position to take up such work. However, some of the elements of manual training might be taken up in connection with the drawing and children's home gardening might well be encouraged, and directed by the schools.
Lastly, but of first importance, the discipline of the schools should be such that obedience is secured, not through a spirit of fear of the consequences of disobedience, but through the pupils being lead to feel that the requirements of the school are just, and fair, and right. Years of dealings with the children of country communities have led the writer to the conviction that, with few exceptions, the children of such communities, when wisely directed, can be relied upon to do what is right, except in instances of thoughtlessness where proper correction would be received without bitterness.
In closing, I wish to express my appreciation of the courtesy and kindly co-operation of all with whom my duties have brought me in contact.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM E. CHAFFIN.
December 31st, 1909.
REPORT OF PARTRIDGE ACADEMY AND DUXBURY HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. William E. Chaffin, Superintendent of Schools :
Dear Sir-The following report of Partridge Academy and Duxbury High School is made for the year 1909, rather than for the school year 1908-9. I do this in order that the report may be brought down to a date nearer its publication than the close of the last school year, June, 1909.
In January, 1909, a new course of study, prepared by your predecessor and the writer of this report, was adopted and print- ed in the report of the School Committee for the year 1908. It was not intended that this course should go into effect until the opening of the fall term, when the entering class should follow the new course and the other classes complete their work with reference to the new course as far as possible. This plan is being followed.
In the April vacation six members of the senior class, in charge of two of the teachers, made a trip to the national capi- tal. In various ways the class had earned the money to pay the greater part of their own expenses, and the work done, as well as the trip itself, had a certain educational value. In June a class of seven was graduated with the usual exercises. A pro- gram giving the names of the graduates is given at the end of this report. Of this class, one pupil has entered the Massa- chusetts Institute of Technology; another Phillips Academy, Andover; and a third, the. Plymouth Business school. An- other pupil of this class has been admitted to Simmons college.
The class that entered in September was the first to enter af- ter the reorganization of the schools of the town. It is not yet time to judge of the work of the schools under the present or- ganization, but there can be no doubt that the schools are better organized for work than ever before. In order to raise the standard of our school the entering classes should have a train- ing that will enable them to do in their first year the amount of work usually done in high schools of good standing. For sev- eral years it has been necessary to take nearly or quite one-halt
-89-
of the second year to complete the work that should have been completed by the end of the first year. With a great diversity in the attainments of a class it is impossible to do justice to the better prepared if the work is adopted to the poorer, and vice versa.
In this connection I would urge a more careful promo- tion to the Academy. With the passing of the schools of seven grades the arguments for the promotion of pupils poorly pre- pared no longer have any weight. A pupil with a poor prepa- ration in arithmetic, English, grammar and United States his- tory, will find the work in algebra, Latin, English and general history, hard and discouraging; and the probability of his re- maining in school to complete a high school course is less than it would be if he had a good preparation. I recommend a closer co-operation between the grammar and high school teach- ers with special reference to methods in the study of history, and the subject matter of the English taught in the grammar grades.
The school has been fortunate in having no change in assist- ant teachers for nearly two years; and also fortunate in the as- sistant teachers themselves. Under Miss Eldredge's instruc- tion the work in typewriting and stenography has been intro- duced and carried on successfully ; under Mr. Hartford's direc- tion, after school hours, athletics and military drill have receiv- ed a good deal of attention. I mention but these two in- sances of the many that might be mentioned in connection with their work.
In closing this report I wish to express my appreciation of the courtesy of the Superintendent and the School Committee, and their evident desire to do for the school all in their power.
Respecfully submitted. HERBERT E. WALKER.
Principal of Partridge Academy and Duxbury High School.
REPORT OF MUSIC TEACHER.
Mr. William E. Chaffin, Superintendent of Schools :
It gives us great pleasure to note a new spirit in the singing lessons in the schools of Duxbury.
1
With the introduction of a delightful new course of readers, by the kindness of the school board, a new interest appears, which, we hope, will continue as long as the books last. The old readers always left something to be desired in the applica- tion of principles acquired in exercises, to the practical singing of songs. This obstacle should be easily overcome in the use of the new course, as the lessons are so arranged that a few exer- cises prepare the pupil for a delightful little song, and a few more for another, and so on; making nearly as many songs as exercises. The children have already found these songs inter- esting enough to wish to learn more, and the time allowed for music passes all too quickly.
If the public would only realize that music is an important branch of a liberal education, it would be of immeasurable ad- vantage to those of the future generation who would make music their profession. So many musicians of the present day must spend time and money in acquiring the ability to read at sight, because of lack of training in their youth, that we should all be anxious to train the possible musicians of the future even if they are uninterested.
It is a well known fact that many children show no taste or ability in music before the age of twelve, but when once started advance quickly enough to make it a profitable acquisition. So let us not decide for the child what his musical ability shall be, but do all we can to cultivate some.
There are several children in Duxbury who would seem to be monotones. but are learning all the first principles ; we need not despair of them as they may finally gain the little knack neces- sary to alter their pitch at will.
With the very earnest and efficient work given by all the teachers in this town, there is no reason why music should not take high rank if the children themselves are willing to try.
Respectfully submitted,
LILLIE C. STODDARD, Supervisor.
Dec. 31, 1909.
DRAWING TEACHER'S REPORT.
Mr. William E. Chaffin, Superintendent of Schools :
Dear Sir: The drawing in Duxbury Schools improves as time goes on. Training from the beginning tells, and "practice makes perfect." Some of the work planned for the primary children is too difficult for the beginners, but by the second or third years they begin to pick up and fall into line with the older children nicely. The teachers have a great deal of patience with the little ones, sometimes teaching them in a separate class, which is really as it should be done. With so many grades to attend to, it is difficult to get sufficient time to do this. The grammar school work is better with fewer classes. The work is well classified.
Last winter we began mechanical drawing at the Tarkiln grammar school. This was new work for the pupils. All took hold of it very well, the boys being
especially interested. The work in practical design at the Academy during the Fall term was very successful. The pupils made various articles in sheet brass, first drawing the shape of the article, then the design for the decoration of it, afterward applying and working out the design and making up. The Freshman class will take up mechanical drawing again this winter, doing some practical study in working drawings, and making some simple articles from these drawings later on. Last year the advanced class took up for the first time charcoal draw- ing from the cast. They did some very good work and enjoy- ed it. They also made some studies from still life in colored chalks, which were very effective. This winter the study in charcoal will be taken up again.
In the spring we go back to nature with landscape composi- tion, flowers and design.
The teachers have shown great interest in the work, and kept up the lessons well, sometimes doing extra work such as covers and illustrations for stories. If we can cultivate the taste, train the mind, the eye and the hand through the drawing, we shall certainly have attained some very practical results.
Respectfully submitted.
HARRIET J. FORD, Supervisor of Drawing.
-92-
PARTRIDGE ACADEMY
Graduating Exercises of the Class of 1909 in the First Parish Church, Duxbury. Friday Evening, June 25, 1909, at eight o'clock. "Pas a pas on va bien loin"
March, Organ The Rev. William France
Prayer,
Response, Organ
Singing, "Vacation Song,"
Chorus
Salutatory with History of the Class,
Mary Evelyn Prince
Biographical Study, "Edgar Allan Poe,"
Arthur Francis Winslow
Singing "The Lark," "Song of the Armorer," Chorus An Account of our Washington Trip, Charles Edmond Prince Biographical Sketch of Chopin with Piano Solo,
Olive Harris Arnold
Essay, The Transformation of Water Power into Mechanical Energy, Edwin Miles Noyes
Singing, Group of Songs (Selected)
Essay, The Opportunities for the Higher Education of Women, Grace Marian Thomas
Chorus
Singing, "When the Roses Bloom Again," Chorus Essay with Valedictory, Progress in the Construction of Air Ships, Ellis Wiswell Hartford
Presentation of Diplomas, Dr. N. K. Noyes
Chairman of School Committee and Member of Board of Trustees.
Singing, "Slumber On." Benediction.
Chorus
GRADUATES.
Olive Harris Arnold Ellis Wiswell Hartford
Mary Evelyn Prince Edwin Miles Noyes Charles Edmond Prince
Grace Marian Thomas
Arthur Francis Winslow
.
Part Second
VALUATION OF POLLS AND ESTATES
OF THE TOWN OF DUXBURY
For the Year 1909
LIST OF PERSONS ASSESSED FOR POLL TAX ONLY, 1909
Adams, Charles B. Alden, Charles H. Alden, John W. Alden, George. Allen J. Milner. Anderson, Frank W. Atwood, Eugene F.
Badger, Richard A. Baker, Otis W. Baker, William D. Bartlett, Charles B. Bates, Ernest. Bates, George T. Bates, Robert T. Beadle, William. Bellavance, Arthur G. Bickford, Frank W. Blanchard, Howard. Bradford, Charles C. Bradford, Gershom. Bradley, Russell W. Brett, Franklin. Brown, Charles L. Bryant, Franklin. Burgess, John P. Burgess, William J. Byrne, Fred D. Beyea, George.
Chandler, George T. Chandler, George W. Chandler, John A. Chubbuck, George W. Church, Waldo B. Clapp, William F.
Day, Harvey A. E. Davis, William F. Decatur, Frank O. Deloria, William H. Delano, Adelbert. Delano, Arthur N. Delano, Edwin F. Delano, Walter S. Devereux, Charles A. Doane, George. Dunham, Brooks K. Dunham, Harry W. Dunham, William J. Dupree, Joseph.
Eastman, Sumner P. Eaton, Arthur D. Edwards, Charles S. Edwards, John J. Ellis, John.
Ferguson, Ernest.
Ford, Jonathan S. Farrell, Michael. Foster, Cyrus R. Fowler, Alfred B. Frazar, Walter E. S. Freeman, Harry L. Freeman, William E. Friend, Allen B. Frost, Edward F.
Gerrish, George L. Glass, Frank W. Glover, Eden S. Goodspeed, David S. Green, George A. Grueby, Charles P.
Hahn, Andrew. Hamlin, George W. Hanigan, Harold F. Hanigan, Martin. Hartford, Alton H. Hatch, Jabez. Hill, Adoniram J. Hodgdon, Charles A. Hodgdon, Nahum M. Holmes, Arthur E. Holmes, Charles W. Holmes, George A. Holmes, Oscar M.
Hunt, Charles W. Hyde, James.
Ingalls, Harry P. Irwin, John A.
Jackson, Stephen H. Josselyn, Calvin. Josselyn, George H:
Lamb, Victor E. Lane, George E. Lapham, George E. Lantz, Walter. Leach, Fred H. Lewis, Thaddeus A. Loring, Horace I.
-95-
Martin, John E. Marcotte, Triffle. McAuliff, Edward L. McNaught, Charles C. McNaught, Harry A. Merry, Joseph. Merry, William J. Moore, William S. Moore, Josiah B. Morgan, Walter R. Moulton, Phillip H.
POLL TAX LIST-CONTINUED.
Needham, Hubert J. Nepton, Joseph. Newett, Charles. Nickerson, Avner S. Nickerson, Harvey. Nichols, Harry B. Nilson, Aron.
Osborne, Lester W. O'Brien, Patrick.
Packard, Herbert. Parker, J. Knowles. Peterson, Alton W. Peterson, Arthur L. Peterson, Leroy C. Peterson Lorenzo W. Peterson, Seth. Peterson, William D. Phillips, George H. F. Phillips, Wendell B. Pindar, Edward L. Pierce, Leander B.
Poole, Andrew. Pratt, C. R. M. Presby, Charles E. Prince, Warren C. Prior, Arthur E.
Prior, Sylvanus.
Randall, Arthur.
Randall, Francis J.
Randall Freeman L. Jr.
Randall, Wilbur R.
Ransom, Winslow H.
Reynolds, Laurist E. Rich, Hiram F.
Rogers, Edward.
Ryder, Everett A.
Ryder, Herbert A.
Ryder, Oscar B.
Sampson, Franklin. Sampson, Harold. Sampson, Howard L. Sanderson, Robert L.
Shaw, S. Edward.
Simmons, Fred E. Simmons, Geo. A. Simmons, William E.
Simmons, William W. Smith, Clarence M. Smith, James H.
Soule, George J.
Soule, Joseph A. .
Soule, Oscar B. Soule, Oscar H.
Stearns, Guy A. Steele, Furgus. Steele, Lewis.
Studley, Fred B.
Studley, Ira.
Talgren, Peter. Tammet, Harry A. Taylor, Charles W. Taylor, Clarence M. Taylor, Lewis E. Thomas, Herbert I.
Thomas, S. P. R. Turner, William P. Topham, Henry.
Wadsworth, Alexander.
Wadsworth, Archie M.
Wadsworth, Edwin H. Wadsworth, Daniel B. Wadsworth, Fred W. Wadsworth, William W. Walker, Arthur E.
Walker, Collingwood Q.
Walker, Isaiah.
Walker, Lysander C.
Walter, George W. Weston, James S.
Weston, Parker E. Weston, Walter F. . White, Benjamin L. White, Henry H. Winsor, Everett. Winsor, John M. Williams, George.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.