USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1920-1925 > Part 36
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84
REPORT OF THE STREET DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Duxbury.
Gentlemen :
During the past year more work has been accomplished on the sand roads in addition to the usual repair work, and by having the increase of appropriation we have used oil on some of these roads for the first time and if applied each year and properly treated, will make a good hard surface which will not rut. For instance Alden Street, Crescent Street and Winter Street have had an application for thrce successive years and show for themselves what can be done in this way. Many of the woods roads have been widened by cutting and burning brush. School Street, Union Street and the approach to Powder Point Bridge were completed.
Some repairs were made on sidewalks throughout the town, but on account of it coming cold so early in the fall we had to shut down the machinery and not do all we intended to do so that a balance of the appropriation is left.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD S. O'NEIL, Superintendent of Streets.
85
REPORT OF THE TREASURER OF THE DUXBURY FREE LIBRARY, INC., YEAR 1925
Jan. 1, 1925, balance on hand
$184.08
Receipts
Town of Duxbury
$1,000.00
Income :
Wright Fund
2,422.50
Winsor Fund
225.00
Hathaway Fund
112.74
Duxbury Hall Fund
127.50
Harding Fund
22.50
$3,910.24
Total
$4,094.32
Payments
Salaries, care of library and grounds,
$1,718.65
Sundries
95.58
Telephone
31.65
Electric Lights
160.29
Books and Magazines
571.52
Wood and coal
261.12
Water
30.00
Repairing building
251.48
Book cases
66.78
Memorial Tablet
125.00
Insurance
109.38
$3,421.45
Dec. 31, 1925 balance
$672.87
B. C. LEAVITT,
Treasurer
86
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF DUXBURY FREE LIBRARY
To the Selectmen :
The Duxbury Free Library has continued another year of successful activity. The users of the library increase from time to time. Last year 145 new names were added to the register, making the total number of users 5355 since 1909.
The past year's circulation numbers 18,031 books. Of this number 3,719 were non-fiction. A total of 2,301 books were sent by basket delivery to outlying districts.
The Library has been fortunate in receiving 125 suit- able books by gift. Books purchased makes the number of new books for the year 254.
Visitors to the library will have noticed new bookcases in the Reading Room. These cases are the fore-runners of others which will be provided in the near future.
RICHARD T. LORING, Clerk.
/87
REPORT OF CEMETERY TRUSTEES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and Citizens of Duxbury :
Much work has been accomplished in this department during the past year. As soon as possible after the annual appropriation was made we began work on the trees. They were given a thorough trimming and several of the large ones that had died during the winter had to be removed. This work has to be carefully done as one of these large trees could damage hundreds of dollars worth of monuments in a short time. There are several more large ones which will have to be removed this coming season and we feel that more should be set out to replace them, for without these beautiful trees, the cemetery would look barren indeed. The usual work of raking the leaves and rubbish accumulated during the winter was done. The flower-beds were renewed and the cemetery lots mowed and otherwise put in fine shape for Memorial Day. Quite a number of trees have been planted in the south side of Mayflower Cemetery to shade the grass topped lots from the hot summer sun. Trees and shrubs were also planted in the Ashdod Cemetery. The avenues and walks have been kept in shape with clay and coal ashes. Birch avenue was given a covering of stone dust which proved to be a very successful way of keeping it in shape and keeping out the grass and weeds. It is our intention to use more of this material this coming year. A strip of fence from the Soldiers' Monument to the first entrance on Mayflower Street has been removed and placed on the Tremont Street front of the new section of the cemetery. An added expense this year will be the rebuild- ing of that portion of Mayflower Street now inside the ceme- tery grounds making it the main avenue. We believe that something should be done regarding the building of a new
88
Receiving Tomb, for, considering the size of the funeral vaults used at the present time, should we have a closed win- ter, the one now in use would be altogether inadequate. Twenty-three new lots were built the past year and twelve added to the Perpetual Care list.
Standish, Ashdod and Dingley Cemeteries have been mowed, raked, the trees trimmed and otherwise kept in proper shape. We appreciate greatly the comment of our towns people and also strangers who visit the cemetery, regarding its appearance. Several who travel through the state have said that Mayflower was the finest looking country cemetery that they had seen. To keep it looking so it is necessary for a large amount of work to be done and we feel that the Super- intendent and his men should be commended for the results accomplished. That the good work started may go on and the new work carried on toward completion it is necessary to ask for an increase in the appropriation and we would re- spectfully request that $4,500.00 be appropriated this year.
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT M. GOULDING Chairman
JOHN SIMMONS Secretary WILLIAM J. ALDEN, MARTIN HANIGAN THEODORE W. GLOVER
Trustees.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
Town of Duxbury
For the Year Ending December 31st
1925
91
ORGANIZATION OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
John Simmons, Chairman
Elizabeth A. Phillips, Secretary
Alpheus H. Walker
term expires in 1927 Term expires in 1928 term expires in 1926
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Frederick E. Bragdon, Egypt, Mass. Telephone Scituate 289-2
School Physician N. K. Noyes, M. D. School Nurse, Annie L. Williams, R. N.
Attendance Officers, Annie L. Williams, Edward S. O'Neil
SCHOOL CALENDAR
1926
Schools open January 4.
Schools close February 19-Seven weeks.
Schools open March 1.
Schools close April 16-Seven weeks.
Schools open April 26.
Schools close June 18 or 25-Eight or nine weeks.
Schools open September 7.
Schools close December 22-Sixteen weeks.
The statutes require high schools to have one hundred eighty sessions per year.
HOLIDAYS
May 31, October 12, Thanksgiving Day and the day fol- lowing.
Regular meetings of School Board are held at Town Office Building the first day of each month, 1.30 p. m.
92
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Duxbury :
The School Committee of Duxbury, with other members of the school organization, respectfully submit their report for the year 1925.
In presenting this report, your Committee wishes to inform the citizens of the town of Duxbury, of the action taken relative to the vote of the town, to withdraw from the Union.
All members of the School Board attended the meeting of the Joint Committee, held at Marshfield high school build- ing on April 27th, 1925, at 8 o'clock P. M.
The question of the withdrawal of the Town of Duxbury from the Union was discussed, and the several Committees then retired for a short time, and privately discussed and voted on the question.
The Committee then assembled, and the reports of the Marshfield and Scituate Committee were read and the re- sult of the ballot is as follows : 4 against-2 in favor.
It requiring two-thirds vote of the committee of the re- maining towns to allow a withdrawal of a town from the Union, the motion was not carried.
The past year has been the same uncertain proposition as for many years previous, relative to repairs on our school buildings, and as there was no promising relief in sight, it was thought advisable to do more extensive repairing than years past; therefore our appropriation was none too large to meet expenses.
It may be of interest to our voters to know of our most important repairs.
The lighting of the Point school was quite unsatisfactory in a dark day, so the windows in the east side of the building
93
were closed, and new windows were cut through the south and west sides, which now give the required amount of lighting space per square foot of floor area. The seats were replaced, leaving a floor space sufficient for indoor exercises during stormy weather. All yearly repairs were made, including some painting which was necessary to preserve the new work. This building should have an exterior coat of paint this com- ing summer vacation.
Ashdod school buildings were cleaned and painted, also minor repairs attended to. A piano was presented to Miss Marianne Coughlin, teacher of the school, and she is now using it in her school work for the benefit of the children.
The committee does not wish to lose this opportunity of expressing their appreciation of the efforts and good work of our teachers.
The front of the Tarkiln Grammar, Intermediate, and Primary school buildings were painted, as it did not seem advisable to leave that portion of the buildings for a longer time, as they were quite badly weatherworn in places.
The South Duxbury school building had its share of expense, and another year your Committee recommends plowing the playground, and sowing grass seed as it is now very uneven and unsightly, as well as the Millbrook play- ground.
The Millbrook school building was shingled on one side of the roof, the blinds replaced, and outside of the buildings painted; the interior of all buildings were painted where necessary.
The interior of the Academy was cleaned and painted, a new ceiling was put on the small room, off the main room, more electric lights were installed in the basement, and in other parts of the building where necessary. The old drink- ing fountain was removed, and a large, double one with a suitable drip pan replaces it. The water supply was insuffi- cient at times, so the water pipes from the street were re- placed with larger ones, and it is much more satisfactory, and the supply of water much greater. A new piano (which was
94
very much needed) was purchased for the school. It is the desire of the committee to paint the Academy buildings dur- ing the summer vacation few are probably aware of the cost of thoroughly cleaning the interior of these buildings which must be done every summer vacation, at least.
In 1914 the cost per hour for cleaning the interior of school buildings was 12 1-2c to 20c; every year since then there has been a gradual increase, till at the present time it now costs from 40c to 90c per hour.
The increase of traffic on the roads has caused a greater responsibility on the town for transportation of school chil- dren ; therefore the increased cost of transportation is largely due to insurance.
Many pages might be written of the improvements and repairs made and needed on our buildings, but it does not seem necessary, as everyone must know that minor repairs cannot be made without incurring quite an expense, at this day.
Your committee recognizes the fact, that it is the citizens' right to know of the expenditures, and we have tried to give all necessary explanations. We have also tried to expend the appropriation entrusted to us, with care.
We wish to thank the voters for their generous appropri- ation, and think the following amount will be needed for the ensuing year. $39,700.00 and the dog tax.
JOHN SIMMONS ELIZABETH A. PHILLIPS
ALPHEUS H. WALKER
95
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
To the School Committee :
I am transmitting with this the reports required by law and such other formal reports as I have received from the several heads of departments for the year 1925.
There is little or nothing to add to previous reports on the status and achievements of the schools during the year. The statistics show no decided changes in enrollment and the daily attendance has been good. There have been very few cases of non-promotion which fact may be taken to indicate interest on the part of the teacher in each individual pupil.
Comparison of costs for the last two years as shown by the net tax-rate for schools, shows that Duxbury decreased her school tax-rate from $7.10 per $1,000 valuation to $6.38, and at the same time expended this last year for support of schools, $1,685.40 in excess of the preceding year. This is possible because of the increase in valuation. The comparison also shows that, whereas Duxbury ranks 20th of the 355 towns and cities in the Commonwealth in valuation per pupil en- rolled, she ranks 311th in the amount she taxes herself for the support of schools. It may be worth while to take this fact into consideration in connection with the problems of trans- portation and new buildings.
The school buildings are in good condition with the ex- ception of the toilets at several schools. Much of the abuse of these occurs out of school hours. One remedy for this con- dition may be in connecting the outbuildings with the school rooms by a lattice or closed walk, and closing all outside en- trances. Such action will be in conformity with the most approved practice whenever dry toilets are necessary.
Respectfully submitted,
F. E. BRAGDON, Superintendent.
January 15, 1926.
96
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF HIGH SCHOOL
To the Superintendent of Schools :
Never have I come to the time of making my annual re- port with a greater feeling of optimism. I believe there has been progress in every department. The certificate privilege has been returned to us by the New England College Entrance Certificate Board and pupils graduating from this school may now enter any of the colleges of this board without taking the regular entrance examinations. Harvard and Dartmouth both accept our graduates on certificate. We have representa- tives who entered each of these institutions last fall and are unquestionably making good.
It is not alone in the preparation for college that we have striven for improvement, for we realize that the public school must, in so far as possible, adjust itself to the differences in human nature and consider the great number of boys and girls who are never going to schools of higher learning. In this direction we have reorganized our commercial courses, re-aligning the subjects into a more rigidly fixed grouping, leading to very definite vocational ends. The domestic sci- ence courses started last year have been more carefully planned and new equipment has been obtained. These courses, however, cannot be made adequate to the needs and demands of our high school girls until we have both room and teaching force enlarged. All the plans for manual training have had to be abandoned because of lack of proper space.
In the class room the pupils seem to be awakening to the seriousness of this opportunity to prepare for their life work. They work well and show toward their teachers a happy spirit of co-operation, without which our accomplishments would be small. Here I wish to express to you my delight in the fine spirit I have found among the boys and girls of Duxbury, and
97
extend to the parents of this town my heartiest congratula- tions for the straightforward, upright attitude of their chil- dren. At nearly every town in which our boys have played. either basketball or baseball, the spirit of good sportsmanship of the Duxbury team has been so noticeable that people from the other towns have remarked upon it. Surely this is some- thing in which every loyal citizen can take pride, and we of the older generation should not allow it to die because of our lack of interest in the activities of the school.
The school has received many gifts for which we are deeply grateful. The chief of these is the beautiful silk American flag presented on Armistice Day by the Grange. The Senior Class of 1925 gave us at graduation time, a very valuable set of reference books covering the World War. Not to be outdone, the present Senior Class has bought for the school, the newest edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica. Be- sides these, the Campfire Girls, always present with a helping hand, have equipped the domestic science department with a fine set of silver.
When school opened in the fall, we came into a build- ing spick and span. Everything had been thoroughly scrubbed; the desks were scraped and varnished; the floors nicely oiled; and the blackboards repainted. Everything had been done to make the old building as pleasant and habitable as possible. These improvements helped both teachers and pupils to forget the congestion and poor arrangements of the building, and spurred us on with a firm resolve to make the best of the situation until the town can provide proper quarters for carrying on a high standard of school work.
No report would be complete without mention of the work of the teachers. With conditions such as exist on the top floor, all but the most earnest workers would be discour- aged. yet these teachers have neither complained nor lost enthusiasm. They are, one and all, deserving of the highest
98
praise not only from me but from every loyal citizen of Dux- bury.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE E. GREEN, Principal.
99
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
To the Superintendent of Schools:
There seems to be a growing sentiment in town for in- strumental music of some kind, in the High School. This is a good time for me to lay the situation as I sce it, before the public.
At a conservative estimate, the pieces for band or or- chestra would average about $25.00. There are few families represented in our High School who would wish to put the money into an instrument, not knowing whether or not the pupil would prove adapted to it or would persevere in learn- ing to play it. Certainly some of the most promising human material we have for such an experiment would be barred by the expense. Vocal music may have its drawbacks, especially at the adolescent stage, but our voices such as they are, were a free gift of nature, and therefore the most universal mu- sical instrument, regardless of price.
In the matter of instruction upon the band or orchestral pieces, the best authorities are agreed that a pupil should be "started right," that is, under a competent teacher. If in- struments of much variety are chosen, i. e., string, wood, wind and brass, at least three such teachers would be necessary. Of course they can be hired, but again we are running into money.
We have a third problem in our High School, that of "bus" transportation. In most schools the rehearsals are after school hours, a perfectly satisfactory arrangement if the pupils are within walking distance or are served by trolly line, but here many pupils who are dependent upon the bus would be barred from after-school practice.
After some inquiry I have found that in one town the P. T. A. provided funds for starting an orchestra. In an-
100
other the Kiwanis Club became interested and raised $7,000 for a High School band. In another the pupils pay something each week for the use of instruments, and if they decide to keep on the money paid goes toward the purchase price. Teachers are hired at 50 cents per lesson per pupil, to instruct the children in handling the instruments.
I do not believe it possible to launch such a project here unless money to buy or rent the instruments and pay instruct- ors be forthcoming from some source, so that all who wish may have a chance to try without committing themselves to any expense. No doubt those who show talent and perse- verance would be enabled to buy their instruments eventually. As for lesson hours and rehearsals, they should be arranged during school hours, so that those living on the outskirts of the town might attend at no more inconvenience than the rest.
We have plenty of pupils who could be instructed in starting such an experiment, and some, no doubt, who would stick to it, if the town wishes to finance it at the start, as we have no private organization capable of or interested in do- ing so.
Leaving the subject of bands I wish to thank the town and committee in the name of the High School, for our new piano. It was a satisfaction to have it to use at graduation last June, and is a pleasure now at our weekly rehearsals.
With thanks to all who have co-operated with me so pleasantly this past year.
REBECCA F. PHILLIPS.
Supervisor of Music.
101
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL NURSE
To the Superintendent of Schools and the School Board of Duxbury :
During this past year I have assisted the school physician in examining the school children. I have weighed and meas- ured them twice. Once during the physical examination and once at the opening of the schools. There was an increase in weight and height in all schools; but it was more noticeable in the High School.
My other activities were as follows :
Visits to school sessions 342
Visits to homes of school children 640
Visits to school children in hospitals 6
School children placed in Trade schools 2
School children placed in temporary homes
5
The visits to homes of school children were instructive visits. Of the children placed in temporary homes, three were cared for while the mother was in the hospital and the father was an improper guardian, one was cared for while the mother was in the hospital and the whereabouts of the father unknown. The other boy was cared for until papers were prepared for his entrance to a Trade school.
In all cases the children have been cared for and placed in the Trade School on the request of the parents.
Respectfully submitted,
ANNIE L. WILLIAMS,
School Nurse.
102
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Receipts
Appropriation
$38,000.00
Dog tax
383.37
$38,383.37
Expenditures
School Committee
$249.48
Superintendent
1,286.31
Supervisors
1,181.25
High School :
Principal
$2,762.07
Teachers
6,190.00
$8,952.07
Elementary teachers
10,347.00
Textbooks
613.04
Supplies
1,231.31
Janitors
1,956.57
Fuel
1,660.67
Miscellaneous
339.21
Repairs
2,688.67
Health
880.92
New equipment
485.09
Sundries
251.66
Non-expense
3.50
Transportation
6,754.50
$38.381.25
Unexpended balance $2.12
103
STATISTICS FROM LATEST AVAILABLE COMPILATIONS
1921-22
1922-23
1923-24
Population (Census
1920)
1153
1553
1533
School enrolment
309
339
348
Valuation
$4,465,765.00 $4,637,631.00 $5,036,332.00
Valuation per pupil
14,359.00
15,356.00
15,788.00
State rank in valua- tion per pupil
21
18
20
Expenditure from lo- cal taxation for schools
30,165.81
32,935.73
34,621.13
Expenditure per $1,000 of valuation (School tax rate)
6.75
7.10
6.87
State rank
306
295
311
Per capita cost from local taxation
97.00
109.06
108.53
State rank
24
13
18
Number of school
houses in use
9
9
9
State reimbursements
on teachers' salaries
(This is applied to reducing the tax rate
2,126.66
2,376.66
2,136.66
For other interesting figures consult the Report of the Department of Education Part II for November, 1925.
ATTENDANCE RECORD
For the Term Ending, December 23, 1925
High School
Village Grammar 7, 8
36
32
31 39
93 95
17 38
12
15 17
39
39
Tarkiln Grammar, 7, 8
26
26
24
95
8
6
19
26
28
Tarkiln Intermediate, 4, 5, 6
40
39
35
96
14
8
24
35
39
Tarkiln Primary, 1, 2, 3
36
34
31
92
1
1
23
34 25 11
24
South Duxbury, 1, 2, 3, 4
28
27
26
96
15
13
21
27
Ashdod, 1, 2, 3, 4
17
18
17
93
21
8
11 0 15
20
1
36
Village Intermediate, 5, 6
44
39
29
28
95
44
11
11
36
Point, 1, 2, 3, 4
22
18
18
94
8
5
0
37
Millbrook, 1, 2, 3, 4
31
9
104
NUMBER OF PUPILS REPEATING THIS YEAR IN EACH GRADE
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Ttl 1
High
Village Grammar
1
1
Village Intermediate
1
1
Tarkiln Grammar
0 0
0
Tarkiln Intermediate
1
3
0
4
Tarkiln Primary
2
?
2
6
Millbrook
0
0
1
0
1
Point
0
0
0
0
0
South Duxbury
4
1
0
1
6
Totals
6
3
2
4 1
1 0
0
ENROLLMENT BY GRADES, DECEMBER 23, 1925
Grades
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Ttl 1
High
Village Grammar, 7, 8
14 18
32
Village Intermediate, 5, 6
21 18
39
Tarkiln Grammar, 7, 8
14 12
26
Tarkiln Intermediate, 4, 5, 6
8 21 10
39
Tarkiln Primary, 1, 2, 3
11 16
34
Millbrook, 1, 2, 3, 4
6
9
11
4
30
Point, 1, 2, 3, 4
4
3
5
6
18
South Duxbury, 1, 2, 3, 4
7
6
10
4
27
Ashdod 1, 2, 3, 4
4
1
0
1
6
Totals
35 35 33 23 42 28 28 30
7
Ashdod
Grade
105
LIST OF TEACHERS
HIGH SCHOOL
Name, Address, Training, year of Service Salary
George E. Green. Duxbury, Bates, 2nd $2,700.00
(Mrs.) Florence G. Bardsley, Duxbury, University of Rochester, N. Y., 2nd 1,800.00
Sophie Aronoff, South Duxbury, Radcliffe, 2nd 1,500.00
Josephine E. Berry, South Duxbury. University of New Hampshire, 2nd 1,300.00
Eva E. Bergh, South Duxbury, Boston University 1st 1,500.00
GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Ellen W. Downey, Kingston, 29th 1,250.00
Elizabeth A. Hastings, South Duxbury, 17th 1,200.00
Annie E. Birks, Kingston, 1st 1,200.00
M. Abbie Baker, East Pembroke, Hyannis Sum- mer, 15th 1,250.00
LOWER GRADES
Sara E. Paulding. Duxbury, Hyannis Summer, 21st 1,200.00
(Mrs.) Marion S. Baker, Brant Rock, 7th 1,100.00
(Mrs.) Eliza M. Freeman, South Duxbury, Hyannis Summer, 8th, Resigned Oct. 23
Puella Thacher, South Duxbury, Wheelock Kin- dergarten, 1st 1,000.00
(Mrs.) H. Winnifred Nickerson, Kingston, Hyannis Summer. 3rd 1,100.00
106
Marianne Coughlin, Duxbury, Hyannis Summer
2nd
950.00
MUSIC
Rebecca Phillips, Kingston R. F. D., Holyoke,
6th 600.00
DRAWING
Samuel Warner, South Pembroke, N. E. Con- servatory, Art Department, 12th 550.00
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