USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Berkley > Town annual report of Berkley 1901-1909 > Part 6
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Dean Albert E.
2
2 71
31 08
35 79
Dean Thomas F. heirs
62
24 02
24 64
Dean Everett M.
2
2 00
Dean Benjamin F.
2
14 18
16 18
Dean Edmund P.
2
6 67
17 83
26 50
Delano Charles G.
2
1 00
12 40
15 40
Delano Ruben T.
2
3 80
21 86
27 66
Dean H. A.
2
35 42
99 67
137 09
Dean H. A. guardian for G. H. Fletcher
94 16
40 68
134 85
Dean Frank
moved to Taunton.
DeMora Joseph
2
2 00
DePoint John
2
2 00
Dillingham John Q. heirs
47 35
47 35
Dillingham James D.
2
3 72
5 72
Dillingham James D. estate
10 04
10 04
Duffee Harry J.
2
2 79
4 79
DeMoranville, F.
2
62
2 62
DeRibbentrop Achille
2
2 64
4 64
DeCosta Manuel
·2
2 00
Eaton Rollin B. Mrs.
4 80
4 80
Edwards Margaret
1 55
13 95
15 50
Edwards Rhodes K.
2
2 00
39
ANNUAL REPORT.
Ellis Isaac
46
46
Ellis Margaret
6 98
6 98
Farmer Charles W. heirs
1 16
34 88
36 04
Fletcher Louis P.
2
13 95
40 30
56 25
Francis Jabez M.
2
7 36
42 63
51 99
French Isaac E.
2
7 36
9 36
French Cicero R. C.
2
1 94
18 60
22 54
French Lauriston
2
39
18 91
21 30
Faria Manuel P.
2
1 55
3 55
Finnerty Michael
2
2 00
Fleria Alexander
2
2 09
4 09
Gidmark Andrew J.
2
9 30
11 30
Gracia Joseph
2
1 94
10 85
14 79
Greene Capt. Lewis
2
9 15
10 85
22 00
Grinnell John W.
2
78
2 78
Grinnell Sarah D.
13 56
13 56
Graham A. R.
2
4 11
29 99
36 10
Graham Elmer
2
2 00
Gardner Fred W.
2
1 24
22 86
26 10
Goulate Antone
2
39
2 39
Hathaway Henry,
2
7 60
34 10
43 70
Hathaway Arthur L.
2
2 00
Hathaway Willard H.
2
9 07
19 14
50 21
Hathaway Cyrus heirs
13 56
13 56
Hathaway Charles A.
2
8 45
29 61
40 06
Hathaway Frank B.
2
2 00
Hathaway Thomas N.
54
18 99
21 53
Hathaway Enoch P.
2
1 29
12 40
15 69
Haines Augustus R.
2
2 00
Haines Clarence E.
2
2 00
Haines Henry A.
2
44 17
46 17
Haines Howard
2
7 60
18 29
27 89
Harmon George A.
2
7 36
9 36
Hathaway Angeline
3 88
3 88
Haskins Julius C.
2
2 02
25 19
29 21
Haskins John T.
19 30
6 05
27 35
Haskins Malachi
2
2 95
13 95
18 90
Haskins William W.
2
3 25
7 36
12 61
Haskins Elam R.
2
2 00
Haskins Harriet
1 40
13 95
15 35
Haskins Jacob C.
2
47
2 47
Haskins Albert F.
2
2 00
Haskins Clothier P.
2
78
18 37
21 15
Haskins Levi E.
2
2 00
Haskins James D,
2
78
2 78
-
40
ANNUAL REPORT.
Haskins Samuel A.
2
1 25
3 25
Haskins William F.
2
2 00
Horton William C.
2
2 00
Horton Henry H.
2
8 91
10 91
Horton Frederic
2
2 00
Horton Isaac N.
2
2 00
Hazzard Samuel F.
2
3 25
15 89
21 14
Hoard David S.
2
2 00
Hoard David S. and Rhoda W.
25 58
25 58
Hoard Rhoda W.
13 18
13 18
Howard George F.
2
1 40
12 79
16 19
Howland Joseph
2
5 58
52 70
60 28
Hopkins Ernest F.
2
5 89
30 23
38 12
Hoxie David A.
2
3 57
31 39
36 66
Hoxie Ernest D.
2
2 00
Hatch Mrs. Helen
1S 45
18 45
Luther George W.
-2
15 52
32 21
38 81
Luther Simeon W.
2
2 33
14 34
18 67
Leach Giles L.
2
3 72
49 60
55 32
Leighton Clarence M.
2
1 16
3 16
Lord Frank J.
2
2 00
Macomber James H.
2
8 53
10 53
Macomber Charles H.
2
3 10
9 84
14 94
Macomber Frank S.
2
1 16
8 53
11 69
Macomber Helen A.
5 43
5 43
Macomber Roscoe E.
2
2 09
4 09
Macomber Horace N.
2
2 4S
1 24
5 72
Macomber Horace N. 2d
2
2 00
Macomber Frederic
2
2 00
Macomber George W.
2
7 29
51 15
60 44
Macomber Eben
2
16 28
18 28
Macomber Clifford E.
2
2 00
Macomber James L.
2
2 00
Macomber E. Foster
2 00
Macomber Restcome
2
20 54
24 03
46 57
Macomber Rufus B.
2
2 00
Macomber Allison R.
2
2 00
Macomber George R.
2
3 49
28 68
34 17
Martin Frank
2
2 17
11 16
15 33
Macomber Maria
1 55
1 55
Maguire James
2
2 71
15 27
19 98
Meack John W. heirs
5 83
5 83
Myricks M. E. Church
13 95
12 40
26 35
McCall James
2
7 05
12 79
21 84
Murphy Cornelius J.
2
19 38
21 38
41
ANNUAL REPORT.
Myrick Gideon H.
2
2 00
Munroe William A.
2
93
2 93
Munn Arthur G.
2
2 56
4 56
McCarthy Edward
2
2 00
Norcutt George A.
2
1 94
17.83
21 77
Norcutt Samuel C.
2
1 55
12 40
15 95
Norcutt Barnard heirs
11 78
11 78
Northrop William H.
2
3 95
14 73
20 68
Nichols Walter D. heirs
39
27 90
28 29
Nichols Sarah W.
1 08
15 65
16 73
Newhall Betsey
39
39
()'Brien Fenella
39
31
70
Perry Herbert A.
2
8 53
27 12
37 65
Paull Fred A. heirs
34 10
34 10
Paull Charles F.
2
2 48
4 48
Paull James W.
2
6 98
8 9S
Paull Thomas P.
2
2 00
Paull Thomas P. guardian and trustee
86 34
86 34
Paull Bros.
17 13
24 49
41 62
Perry Manuel
·2
46
7 75
10 21
Phillips Everett F.
2
2 00
Phillips Shepard
6 20
6 20
Phillips Walter I.
2
78
7 75
10 53
Phillips Chester E.
2
1 63
3 63
Phillips Franklin P.
2 71
2 71
Phillips Charles F.
2
1 09
7 75
10 84
Phillips Edmund O.
2
30
2 39
Peddy P. Pierce
14 88
14 88
Pierce David R. heirs
4 65
4 65
Pierce Jane
4 26
4 26
Pierce Mary
387 50
19 38
406 88
Pierce Alfred
2
3 49
16 28
21 77
Pierce Elkanah
2
19 84
39 53
61 37
Pierce Walter A.
2
62
10 08
12 70
Pierce Walter F.
2
2 00
Pierce Augustus F.
2
2 25
20 15
24 40
Poole Thomas F.
2
78
2 78
Poole Elmer V.
2
78
13 36
16 34
Premier Pierre J.
2
2 56
8 21
13 47
Randall Luther H.
2
5 05
24 41
31 45
Ramsdell Mary
10 08
10 08
Read John A.
2
78
2 79
Read Otis E.
8 76
8 76
Read Florence E.
1 00
1 00
42
ANNUAL REPORT.
Read Asa W.
2
6 98
8 98
Reed Alton W.
2
2 00
Richmond John F. heirs
4 31
4 31
Rose John D.
2
9 84
18 52
30 36
Rose Manuel
2
1 63
16 04
19 67
Rose Frank
2
1 32
11 63
14 95
Rose Antone
2
3 80
22 48
28 28
Robinson J. C. A.
2
1 09
9 92
13 01
Renches Emma B.
4 65
4 65
Sabins Walter A.
2
4 03
21 70
27 73
Seymour Isaac estate
22 94
22 94
Shaw Charles A.
2
3 80
18 21
24 01
Shaw Charles E.
2
2 00
Shaw Charles A. and Charles E.
27 13
27 13
Shores Lavinia T.
7 36
7 36
Simms William G.
2
4 73
36 81
43 54
Smith William H.
2
1 24
9 30
12 54
Smith Arthur H.
2
7 36
9 36
Smith Edward L.
2
78
2 78
Smith John
2
2 00
Smith Mrs. Johanna
47
17 36
17 83
Simmons John G.
2
62
7 75
10 37
Staples Sumner N.
2
3 25
26 35
31 60
Staples John S. heirs
26 35
26 35
Staples John F.
2
17 36
6 98
26 34
Staples Hulda T.
15 50
15 50
Staples Phoebe
9 53
9 53
Society Cong.
11 63
11 63
Strange Walter A.
2
3 88
26 35
32 23
Strange Charles L.
2
2 33
9 69
14 12
Strange Noah H.
2
11 55
51 63
65 48
Strange N. H. & Geo. Williams heirs
16
16
Stilphen F. G.
2
4 31
13 72
20 03
Sere Henry
2
2 87
13 95
18 82
Sere Henry Jr.
2
2 00
Sousa Manuel B.
2
1 47
8 91
12 38
Sousa Joseph
2
8 14
10 14
Silvia Joseph
2
2 02
14 96
18 98
Silvia Antone G. heirs
4 12
4 12
Sellars Freeman
2
1 55
3 88
7 43
Stone Betsey C.
9 30
9 30
Terry Leander
2
3 33
19 84
25 17
Terry Edward E.
2
2 00
Terry Eliphalet
2
2 00
43
ANNUAL REPORT.
Terry Frank B.
2
2 00
Terry Joseph W.
2
2 00
Terry Zebedee
2
62
2 62
Thresher Martha R. heirs
2 17
2 17
Townsend N. G. heirs
1 55
1 55
Theroux Olivia
2
1 47
7 36
10 83
Turcott George S.
2
54
2 54
Taves Frank
2
27 90
29 90
Tillson Edgar
2
2 00
Tripp Gustavus
2
36 43
38 43
Viall Cassius E.
2
2 56
19 76
24 32
Vigar Thomas
2
62
78
3 40
Victorine Manuel
2
1 09
3 09
Wade Charles M.
2
2 48
20 93
25 40
Wordell Eli W.
2
3 80
5 80
Wordell Mrs. Eli W.
10 23
10 23
Washburn James F.
2
3 57
20 38
25 95
Westgate Marrissa
8 53
8 53
Westgate George H.
2
47
2 47
Westgate George A.
2
2 00
Westgate S. Erford
2
2 00
Westgate Daniel L.
2
2 00
Westgate Will F.
2
1 00
6 59
9 59
Westgate James B. heirs
15 50
15 50
Westgate George E.
2
8 91
26 74
37 65
Whittaker Ella W.
17 83
17 83
Whittaker Fred A.
2
1 16
6 20
9 36
Whittaker Harry E.
2
2 00
Whittaker Linneus B.
2
2 00
Whittaker Albert O.
2
2 00
Whittaker Edward E.
2
5 97
27 90
35 87
Wilbur Amanda
8 52
8 52
White Charles S.
2
1 94
18 06
22 00
White Damon D.
2
2 00
White Antone
2
8 14
10 14
White Arthur
2
39
2 39
Williams Seth E.
2
3 49
35 65
41 14
Williams N. Freeman
2
4 42
6 42
Williams Fred L.
2
2 00
44
ANNUAL REPORT.
NON-RESIDENTS.
TAUNTON.
Blinn Nelson E.
$17 83
$17 83
Burt Alex E.
1 16
1 16
Burt Benj. heirs
3 10
3 10
Briggs Sarah F.
1 55
1 55
Babbitt Mrs. John O.
1 16
1 16
Carey Sarah J. heirs
9 69
9 69
Chase Timothy
19 22
19 22
Dean J. Frank
22 48
22 48
Dean David C.
39
39
Dean James I.
3 10
3 10
Dean David W.
12 01
12 01
Dean Lawrence A.
47
47
Doyle Thomas heirs
3 10
3 10
Dunbar Helen D.
78
78
Hart William E.
1 16
1 16
Hart John C.
1 55
1 55
Hart George
1 24
1 24
Hart Edward O. heirs
2 33
2 33
Hart James E. and Lysander W.
2 02
2 02
Hart Chester S.
39
39
Hathaway Elkanah heirs
15 50
15 50
Hayden Edward W.
7 75
7 75
Johnson Charles F.
7 75
7 75
Macomber Edward P. heirs
1 55
1 55
Macomber Henry B.
2 71
2 71
Macomber Nathan
5 43
5 43
McCall Charles
13 95
13 95
Desserault Lora
4 66
4 66
45
ANNUAL REPORT.
Holloway Benjamin F.
78
78
Goff Albert O.
78
78
Parker Hamilton
1 16
1 16
Padelford Charles W.
78
78
· Padelford Elizabeth heirs
78
78
Padelford David
31
31
Pierce Stephen heirs
23
23
Pierce Oliver A. heirs
23
23
Pitts Albert estate
11 24
11 24
Pickens Philo
6 20
6 20
Phillips Jacob
39
39
Sanford Alpheus heirs
2 33
2 33
Stead Alonzo
3 10
3 10
Sanford John E.
3 10
3 10
Soper Lysander heirs
78
78
Staples Abiel B.
5 81
5 81
Taunton City of
48 59
48 59
Thresher John H.
4 19
4 19
Shove Henry
2 33
2 33
Wade Mrs. Mary A.
2 33
2 33
Williams Philip
47
47
Williams Sinai heirs
2 33
2 33
Williams R. Arthur
10 85
10 85
Williams Emily C.
5 43
5 43
Williams Alex H. heirs
78
78
Williams Charles
78
78
Wetherell James
7 36
7 36
Reed Ida M.
2 71
2 71
Whittemore Emma F.
1 63
18 60
20 23
Boardman Alfred
37 98
37 98
Crane Calvin T.
1 24
1 24
Haskins Urial M.
78
78
Hathaway Benj. heirs
3 10
3 10
Clark Patrick J.
26 35
26 35
Stiles & Hart Brick Co.
6 36
6 36
Baker John
7 75
7 75
Kelsey Bertha L.
15 11
15 11
46
ANNUAL REPORT.
DIGHTON.
Carr Charles E.
12 01
12 01
Caswell William heirs
1 94
1 94
French William W. heirs
78
78
Babbitt John O.
3 10
3 10
Goff Albert N.
7 75
7 75
Goff Elizabeth and Bullard Annie
3 88
3 88
Perry Edward
10 85
10 85.
Simmons Charles N.
17 25
17 25
Simmons Noble S. heirs
7 56
7 56
White Darius M.
1 40
1 40
White Louis M., Guardian James Covill
8 53
8 53
White Lewis M.
4 65
4 65
Talbot Orin M. estate
31 78
31 78
FREETOWN.
Briggs Charles heirs
78
78
Cudworth Daniel H. heirs
47
47
Eddy Charles O.
1 16
1 16
Crane Barzilla heirs
5 43
5 43
Gurney Jonathan
62
62
Hathaway Joseph D.
7 60
7 60
Hathaway Andrew M.
2 33
2 33
Nichols Gilbert N.
6 59
3 59
Sampson Mary
78
78
Pierce J. Henry
78
78
Pierce J. Henry and George W.
1 94
1 94
Winslow James heirs
1 55
1 55
Wilson John D. heirs
31
31
Webster Andrew J.
27 20
27 20
Phillips D. Benj.
11 63
11 63
47
ANNUAL REPORT.
LAKEVILLE.
Allen Clothier heirs
4 26
4 26
Allen John F.
23 25
23 25
Canady William heirs
2 33
2 33
Canady Leonard
10 85
10 85
Strowbridge Susan heirs
3 10
3 10
Murphy Jeremiah
10 08
10 08
Pierce William Chester
22 86
22 86
Pierce William C. and E. A.
62
62
Pierce Ethan E.
5 12
5 12
Pierce Job
23
23
Pierce James P.
48 83
48 83
Pierce Harmon
10 46
10 46
Seekel Curtis N.
7 75
7 75
NEW BEDFORD.
Burt Charles D. heirs
23
23
Thomas Ella R.
2 33
2 33
BROCKTON.
Townsend B. Emory
12 01
12 01
Crane Levi L.
78
78
PROVIDENCE, R. I.
Leach E. G. and Durfee Arthur
78
78
Presbry Eliza
8 37
8 37
Myrick Erastus ().
7 75
7 75
FALL RIVER.
Hathaway Sissonia
15 50
15 50
Clark Stella P.
10 08
10 0S
Haskins Benj. S.
78
78
Bissom Charles
17 05
17 05
48
ANNUAL REPORT.
.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Andros Milton, San Francisco, Cal.
15 50
15 50
Crane John heirs, Cambridge, Mass.
11 63
11 63
Crane Benj. heirs, Paris, France
2 71
2 71
Fish Isaac, Onset, Mass.
7 75
7 75
Gray Alex and Hamlin M., Middleboro, Mass.
22
22
Hathaway Ambrose, Brighton, Mass.
1 94
1 94
Haskins William A., Ottawa, Ill.
3 8S
3 SS
Logan Mary N. heirs, Cincinatti, O.
1 94
1 94
Humphrey Emma, Colorado,
10 85
10 85
Howland Hannah R. heirs. Colorado
10 08
10 08
Millard L. D. heirs, E. Douglas, Mass.
2 33
2 33
N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Co., Boston, Mass.
51 15
51 15
Paull Amelia, Hollis, N. II.
1 55
1 55
Duffee Lucy B., Berkley
26 74
26 74
Harrington Cornelius, Warren, R. I.
20 00
20 00
Strange Annie M., Raynham, Mass.
1 16
1 16
McCoray Charles E. S., Boston, Mass.
10 46
10 49
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF BERKLEY,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 1903.
Committee as Organized.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Edwin H. Allen, Chairman Helen R. Strange, Secretary
Luther H. Randall
Term expires. Berkley, Mass. 1906 Assonet, Mass. 1904 Berkley, Mass. 1905
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS. S. C. Hutchinson, Dighton, Mass.
TRUANT OFFICER. Charles Corey, Berkley, Mass.
3
ANNUAL REPORT.
Receipts for School Purposes.
Town appropriation for schools
$1700 00
Income from Mass. school fund
626 34
dog fund,
41 53
city of Boston
68 00
state (state children)
153 00
66 for superintendent 150 00
66
for teachers 100 00
$2838 87
For expenditures see Treasurer's report.
No appropriation was made for High school tuition as the state reimburses.
Number of scholars enrolled according to the school census for the year 1903,
Between 5 and 15, 161.
Between 7 and 14, 112.
4
ANNUAL REPORT.
Report of School Committee.
Our report necessarily will be brief, as we will speak only in a general way or give a few suggestions, leaving full details to our superintendent, S. C. Hutchinson who has so faithfully spent part of his time in our schools,and consequently is amply able to give an extensive report and also to discuss the merits and demerits of our school system.
We are pleased to state that in some of our schools we see a decided improvement in dicipline and school work, still there are always, "higher rounds," to be reached, and with our system of superintendency nothing but progress need be expected.
Some of our pupils are doing good work in composition. Would that more time might be spent in that line of work, for nothing can be of more practical use to the scholar all through life, unless it be mathematics, than the correct use of language.
The arts of reading, writing and conversing well, are arts well worth time and study ; many a good position in life has been secured and retained by these acquisitions.
We regret to announce that the membership of two of our schools, No. 4 and No. 5, is so small.
Some would naturally expect better results in school work, in the above mentioned schools, as the teacher would have more time for explanation and instruction ; but on the
5
ANNUAL REPORT.
other hand there is not the competition or rivalry for the scholars to work for. Unless these two schools increase in numbers during next year, we think on the whole it would be advisable to unite with another school, which we think the parents would not object to.
It has been mentioned at a joint committee meeting, that a music teacher should be employed for the three towns. Some think the time is coming, if not at hand, when music should be considered a branch of our school work; for many of our pupils, if not taught music at school, would not other- wise receive it.
The committee, after careful examination of the Myricks school house, suggest that there be a double floor and better means of heating, as complaint has been made it was too cold for children to attend.
To lay a new floor, purchase a large coal stove and paint the building would cost nearly three hundred dollars and, if many alterations were made, three hundred more.
The joint committee of the three towns met in Dighton, April 11, and unanimously re-elected S. C. Hutchinson, Supt. of schools for Dighton, Rehoboth and Berkley, at the same salary.
The superintendent held a joint meeting of the committee . and teachers of the three towns, in Dighton, Jan. 30th, 1903, for the purpose of giving better instructions to the teachers and also to harmonize their work.
An excellent programme was arranged, the subjects treat- ed skillfully and a very profitable day was spent.
At our joint meeting of the committe, a similar one was voted to be held annually. This year it was held in Reho- both, and the one following will probably be held in Berkley.
6
ANNUAL REPORT.
In closing this report, we hope the above statements will meet the approval of our citizens. The committee would gladly receive any instruction on school duties by those who are interested.
We are indebted to the superintendent, teachers, parents and all interested in education for the sympathy, hearty and faithful support they have given us in our school work.
EDWIN H. ALLEN, HELEN R. STRANGE, LUTHER H. RANDALL,
School Committee.
7
ANNUAL REPORT.
Report of Superintendent of Schools,
To the School Committee of the Town of Berkley :
I present herewith my second annual report as superin- tendent of schools.
It is my purpose to present as clearly and succinctly as possible the general condition of the schools, to indicate such progress as has been made, and to point out lines along which the schools may be improved.
It seems proper to give special attention to some phase of school economy in each report and as I have made an interest- ing study of the school expenditures of the several towns in this supervision district for the past five years it may be of interest to include some results and observations for general information and for the purpose of preserving them for future reference.
TABLES OF INFORMATION.
A part of this information is in the form of tables in the appendix to which reference will be made throughout this report. They will give interesting facts and suggestions along lines of improvement.
THE SCHOOLS.
A reference to the report of 1902, if kept on file, will add interest to the reading of the following pages.
Special phases of the school work will be considered under various paragraphs. In general it may be said that there has been a decided strengthening in the character and
8
ANNUAL REPORT.
morale of most of the schools, a commendable progress in methods of instruction, and a marked gain in the details of school administration and supervision. A greater degree of uniformity and cooperation prevails among the several schools, and the school system is assuming a definite and tan- gible character,
THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
The public interest in the schools is manifested to a con- siderable degree, but not to the extent that is most desirable.
It should always be borne in mind that intelligent and helpful criticism and support can only be given from an ac- curate knowledge of facts and conditions.
Visits to the schools are too often limited to special days and occasion. The schools are open for inspection at every session, and parents and friends of the schools are urged to manifest their interest by frequent visits. Parents are invited to consult freely with the teachers and the superintendent concerning the work and progress of their children.
TEACHERS.
I am glad to refer again to the work and faithful effort of the teachers. They respond readily to suggestions, take up the added duties incident to school supervision cheerfully and show a very cordial appreciation of all endeavors to strengthen the work of the school. They all subscribe to educational periodicals, use every means for professional ad- våncement, and they are loyal and devoted to the schools.
CHANGES OF TEACHERS.
You will notice [table B] that for the year 1902-1903 there were six changes of teachers. Five schools retained the
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ANNUAL REPORT.
teacher of the preceding year but only three of these re- mained throughout the year. Four schools in all retained the same teacher for the year. For the present year there have been thus far two changes. Five teachers of last year entered upon the fall term and no changes have since been made. This shows a gain, and I would suggest that we endeavor to improve still further along this line by securing the best teachers when changes are unavoidable and retaining them as long as possible.
WAGES OF TEACHERS.
In order to do this it may be advisable to continue still further the admirable policy of the committee in making a slight increase in the wages of teachers whose work is of ex- cellent quality and, in some cases, of almost unlimited quan- tity. Forty scholars in a school of mixed grades is beyond the capabilities of any teacher, when the kind, quality and amount of work to be done are taken into consideration.
The minimum wage should not be less than eight dollars per week for any schools, and not less than ten dollars per week for any school of twenty-five or more pupils.
QUALIFICATIONS OF TEACHERS.
With reference to the qualification of teachers regard should be had to the fact that quite a number of our pupils enter the high school and that it it very desirable that our own teachers should prepare them for that purpose. The minimum requirement for teaching in this town should be a high school diploma, or its equivalent, and it should be our policy to secure teachers with normal training or successful experience so far as may be possible. A reference to table C will show that the proportion of teachers who have been trained in the normal school is very small.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
COURSE OF STUDY.
A course of study is having special attention. An arbi- trary course of study cannot be forced upon the schools with wisdom. It has, rather, to be a growth and development, fitted to the necessities of local conditions. In the spring of 1903 outlines were placed in the hands of the teachers as a guide to the order and progress of the work. These have been closely followed, and they have served as a basis for classifying and grading the pupils.
The attention that was given to reading last year has been fruitful in results. The Rational Method of Teaching Reading is followed with excellent results in several schools.
In other subjects the work is progressing with system and thoroughness. Test questions are sent out from time to time to determine the quality of the work done and to serve as a stimulus to the pupils endeavor.
In the preparation of the outlines the nine-grade plan was followed. The school year is short and nine years gives all too little time for the work to be done. Besides, of the cities and towns of Massachusetts more than six-sevenths have nine- grade courses.
GRADING.
The task of grading the pupils has been very complex and difficult. The first step taken was to determine the grade of each pupil in each study. Few pupils were in the same grade in all subjects. Some to their advantage, but more to their disadvantage. The effort has been to balance the work of these pupils so that their future progress should be logical and
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ANNUAL REPORT.
symmetrical. In accomplishing this, regard must needs be had for the interest of the individual pupil, and for the welfare of the school as a whole. No drastic measures have been adopted in the grading, and as a result some schools are now better graded than others. All are working, however, with a definite end in view and for the best possible results. Especial atten- tion is given to the needs of those pupils whose time for at- tending school is limited, and they are taught those subjects that they need most.
An approximation of the results of grading is shown in table D, together with the number in each grade and the aver- age ages of the various grades. The table also shows the num- ber of grades in each school. There is added for purposes of comparison the average ages of the grades in several other towns.
THE TOWN LIBRARY.
I should like to call the attention of the committee to the advisibility of considering at an early date, some means where- by the books of the public library may be brought into larger use by the schools for reference and general reading. In many towns the school is utilized as an agency for distribution with great profit both to the school and the surrounding com- munity.
SCHOOLROOM DECORATION.
It is with especial satisfaction that I refer to the beginning made in schoolroom decoration by the Number Four and Num- ber Seven Schools.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
Entertainments were given in both schools by the pupils and teachers assisted by some of their friends and the results were goodly sums realized, and very pleasant social hours be- sides.
The following pictures have been placed in the schools.
Number Four School.
The Horse Fair, - Rosa Bonheur
Christ in the Temple,
- Hoffman
Charity, -
- - Abbott H. Thayer
Number Seven School.
The Shepherdess, - Christ in the Temple, - Hoffman
Le Rolle
The Princes in the Tower, - Millais
Pharaoh's Horses, -
- Herring
George Washington,
- Stuart
Abraham Lincoln, -
-
-
LENGTH OF SCHOOL YEAR.
A glance at Table I shows that the length of the school year is somewhat shorter than the average for the county and state. Inasmuch as the amount of work to be done is large and the time limited I would recommend that, if the funds allow, the present school terms be extended for two weeks, and that hereafter thirty-six weeks be the regular length of the school year.
ATTENDANCE.
The subject of attendance needs considerable attention. Table E shows the attendance statistics for 1902-1903, and Ta-
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ANNUAL REPORT.
ble F a comparision for the five years past. Especial attention is called to the per cent. of attendance in Table F, and also in Table I which shows the per cent. of attendance in various towns and cities, the county and state. It will be noticed that Berkley is considerably below the average. More effort is be- ing made this year to secure better attendance, and up to the recent severe weather the average has been much better. There is room, however, for considerable improvement.
The roll of honor is printed, probably for the last time. It is of doubtful value as a device for securing a good attend- ance.
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