USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Berkley > Town annual report of Berkley 1910-1919 > Part 3
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The year just closed has been one of progress for us, the schools were never before in such good condition to serve the public, and it is a matter for congratulation that this has been brought about by a spirit of loyalty to the schools on the part of the voters and citizens of the town.
Enrollment.
The total membership in all the schools for the year ending in June 1908, was 200; June 1909, 226; and in June 1910, 189. These figures show a decrease in numbers, the greatest difference being in the Common school where the number is less than one-half what it was in the previous report.
Attendance and Tardiness.
The percentage of attendance for the year ending June 1908, was 92.7; June 1909, 92.4; and June 1910, 91.4. The average number of tardinesses for the same three years was as follows: 1908, 3.7; 1909, 4.5; and 1910, 4.2. The record for tardiness is a slight improve-
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Annual Report
ment over last year, but the percentage of attendance has fallen back one per cent. While the percentage is not a bad one for a rural community, a more regular attendance should be insisted upon.
Age and Schooling Certificates.
During the year three age and schooling certificates have been granted to children between fourteen and sixteen years of age, who had secured employment. The legislature of 1910 amended the law relating to certificates so that it is now necessary to show by physician's certificate or otherwise that the child is in sufficiently sound health and physically able to perform the work he or she intends to do. Certificates can be granted only under the following conditions:
1. The child must have reached his fourteenth birthday and be able to read and write sufficiently well to take up the work of the fourth grade.
2. An employment ticket must be presented properly filled out by the person or firm intending to employ the child. Blanks will be furnished by the superintendent of schools.
3. A certificate from some physician must be pre- sented of the nature above stated. Blanks will be fur- nished by the superintendent of schools.
4. A certificate showing the child to be fourteen must be secured from the records of the city or town in which he was born or from the record of the church in which he was baptised.
5. The child and the parent or guardian both must appear before the one granting the certificate, the child to be examined and measured and the parent or guardian to take oath to the facts stated in the cer- tificate.
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Annual Report
Health of School Children.
The regularly appointed school physician, Dr. L. E. Butler, has made an examination of school children in accordance with the statute and instructions issued by the State Board of Education. The following is a copy of his report:
Disease
No. of cases
Head Lice.
27
Enlarged Tonsils.
15
Bronchitis.
3
Adenoids.
5
The usual notices have been sent parents in regard to the correction of these troubles.
Tests of Sight and Hearing.
The regular tests of sight and hearing have been conducted as usual in accordance with instructions issued by the State Board of Health. The following table shows the results:
No. 1 No. 2 No. 3
No. 5 No. 6
No. 7
Total
To. l.y
Number tested 25
34
23
13
15
46
156
165
Defective eyesight 1
4
5
2
1
0
13
27
Defective hearing 1
0
2
0
1
0
4
14
Parents notified
1
4
6
2
2
0
15
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High School.
The number of pupils from your town this year in different high schools is twelve. The full list of names will be found on another page in this report. The total high school expense for the year has been as follows:
Tuition
Car Fare
$819.40 308 35
Total
$1127.75
The town will be reimbursed by the state for the full amount of the tuition, leaving but $308.35 to come
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Annual Report
from local taxation. This is indeed a small price to pay for the privilege of extending to every one within the limits of the town the opportunity of attending high school with both tuition and car fare paid.
Teachers.
Since my last report there have been many changes in the teaching force, as is shown on another page of this report. Some of these changes were unavoidable, and some were due to small salaries. Since September our teaching force has been permanent and we hope it will continue so.
On account of a more liberal appropriation by the town we have been able to keep some teachers that we would otherwise have lost and to secure better trained teachers when engaging new ones. The higher salary has a direct effect upon the training and experience of the teachers we have been able to secure.
In the general average we get about what we pay for in teaching service as in everything else, and the increased appropriation for teachers' salaries was a move in the right direction, and I hope will be continued.
We have been able to continue the same arrange- ment with the Bridgewater Normal School, so that we have the advantage of an extra teacher at Myricks, the town paying her car fare only. I believe that our teachers are working hard and faithfully and that they and their schools deserve the heartiest co-operation of the parents and the public.
Size of Schools.
In the last report of the State Board of Education, we find the following in regard to the size of schools:
Annual Report
"One improvement of school conditions, which all interested in the welfare of the schools are trying to effect, is the lessening of the number of pupils to a teacher. This, in spite of the difficulties in the way, is being slowly accomplished. Schools of over 50 pupils, once so common in city schools, are now rare to find outside of the large cities; and even in the larger cities there has been a great change for the better.
In statistics recently published of the number of pupils per teacher in 23 cities, it is shown that in 14 cities the average mem- bership was less than 35, and that the highest everage reported was but 40.8.
The returns for the State at large show that, while the increase in the average membership of the schools in the past twenty-five years is 70 per cent., the increase in the number of teachers is 83 per cent., and this in spite of the fact that many of the rural schools have been consolidated.
It is hoped that ere many years it will be forbidden by law for any teacher to have more than 30 pupils."
Repairs and Improvements.
Since my last report besides ordinary repairs, the No. 1, 3, 5 and 6 schoolhouses have been painted, and slate blackboards have been put up in the Common, Burt's Corner, Bridge, and Algerine schools. These boards were much needed and, although the first expense is considerable, it will be more economical in the end. They will need no yearly repairing and the schools will always have the best of boards.
Myricks School.
Since my last report an addition has been built at Myricks making a two room building. We now have a modern building in every respect, equipped with slate blackboards, and a steam heating apparatus. Instead of the lower grades being taken into a small hallway without ventilation and heat, they now have a modern, well lighted, and ventilated room. There is no reason
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Annual Report
why this school cannot do the best kind of work and it is a matter for congratulation that this much needed improvement has been made.
Assonet Neck School.
The school at Assonet Neck having fallen to a total membership of but five was closed and the pupils carried to the Bridge School. These children are being carried by a responsible person in a covered wagon, well pro- tected from the weather. It seems to be working successfully and is certainly better for the pupils educa- tionally, and less expensive to the town.
· The Correct School Age.
Much has been said and written in regard to the proper age to first send a child to school, the number of hours per day the pupil should be in school, and the proper number of years in the elementary school course. Many towns and cities have raised the entrance age to six years and it is generally accepted as a wise regula- tion.
Prof. John Tyler has given the following answer to the question :- At what age shall I first send my child to school?
"It depends. The natural school is the home. Growth is the first business of the child, and in the home' he ought to grow best. He ought to live in an atmosphere of hopefulness, cheer, courage, kindlinėss, courtesy and refinement. He must absorb these until they become a part of him. And only the mother herself can furnish these.
The school is a human, artificial device to make good the de- ficiencies of home and surroundings. When every child was brought up in a large family on an old-fashioned farm the sole responsibility of the school was text-book learning. The home furnished nature study; physical and manual training, morals and religion. Open air and the spur of necessity did the rest.
:
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Annual Report
If people lived under such conditions to-day the child, until he were ten or eleven years old, would be better off at home. If the child lives in a city flat or in a house with a yard as big as a pocket handkerchief, with an irritable father, a tired, nervous mother, and an army of nurses and governesses to vex and worry him, the sooner he is sent to kindergarten the better. He cannot possibly "grow and wax strong" and develop a steady, strong nervous system under such home surroundings.
If the system of training in the lower grades of our schools were so planned that they would furnish plenty of time for play in the open air, and thus promoted a healthy growth and development, the average child would be better off at school than at home after he is seven years of age. But, unfortunately, the lower grades in most of our schools hinder growth rather than promote it.
Between a home whose educational efficiency has been hampered or crippled by modern civilization and culture and the school which will make of the child a disembodied spirit and altogether neglect his physical well being throughout the 'lower grades, the children of the rising generation are badly situated.
Much depends on the individual child as well as the school and home. The 'only' child will be better off at school than at home, even in early childhood. He must learn in childhood to live com- fortably with his mates and to form friendships, for this art will soon become impossible for him.
The nervous child will be better off at home until nine or ten years old if the home conditions favor growth and development of steady nerves. Otherwise, he had probably better go to school. The best place for him would be a New England hill farm, with wise and cheery grandparents.
The conclusion of the whole matter seems to be that the chief business of the child is to grow. The center of education is in his muscle and not in his brain. Pulmonary and digestive capacity is far more important than mental capacity.
Whether a child should be sent to school or remain at home de- pends then, upon whether his home or the school can best promote these inestimable virtues."
Your Committee has passed the following regulation in regard to new pupils:
"No pupil under seven years of age, who has not previously attended school and is prepared to enter some class already formed, shall be allowed to enter any
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Annual Report
school except during the first two weeks of the fall term."
By this regulation new beginners are allowed to enter school only during the first two weeks in the fall term. This saves the school from being constantly interrupted during the year by the formation of new classes and will prove a benefit both to those who are in school and to those whom it keeps out until they have a better opportunity to develop physically.
Recommendations.
For your consideration I will make the following recommendations:
1. Further increase of teachers' salaries.
2. A gradual revision of the course of study along more practical lines.
3. Equipping about one school house each year with modern adjustable seats and desks.
4. Closing No. 6 School and carrying the pupils to Myricks.
And I believe that, by rigid economy, these recom- mendations can be put into effect with a school appro- priation the same as that of last year.
Teachers' Meetings.
Local teachers' meetings have been held as usual and a Teachers' Institute was held in Dighton under the direction of the State Board of Education. This meeting was a great help to all our teachers. A copy of the pro- gram will be found in this report.
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Annual Report
A request for a meeting this year has already been made of the State authorities but as yet we do not know what action is to be taken.
Conclusion.
In closing I wish to express my appreciation for the spirit of harmony which has prevailed in all parts of the school department and for the co-operation on the part of parents and citizens which has made possible many improvements.
Respectfully submitted, JOHN C. DAVIS.
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Annual Report
Truant Officer's Report.
To the School Committee:
The only complaints for truancy, during the year 1910, were from No. 2, 4 and 6 schools.
Upon investigation, I found the causes of absence in No. 2 and 6 schools to be sickness and other reasons beyond control of parents or children.
The complaint from No. 4 school, proved to be truancy unknown to parents; as they all agreed to attend school more regularly, I deemed a court case unnecessary.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES COREY,
Truant Officer.
Berkley, Jan. 12, 1911.
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Annual Report
High School Pupils.
1910-1911.
TAUNTON HIGH SCHOOL
Grace Haskins
Class of 1911
Earl A. Hopkins
Class of 1911
Josephine E. Francis
Class of 1912
Ruth E. Howland
Class of 1912
Frances M. Chase
Class of 1912
Luther B. Hoard
Class of 1912
Madeline French
Class of 1913
Maud E. Hopkins
Class of 1914
B. M. C. DURFEE HIGH SCHOOL
Louise H. Chester
Class of 1911
Blanche G. Carey
Class of 1912
Edward Clark Kusterer
Class of 1912
Sadie A. Carey
Class of 1913
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TABLE A ATTENDANCE STATISTICS 1909-1910
Enrolment
SCHOOL
Boys
Girls
Total
Enrolment
Enrolment
5 to 15 years
Enrolment
over 15 years
Enrolment
7 to 14 years
Membership
Average
Membership
Average
Attendance
Per cent. of
Attendance
Absences
Number of
Tardinesses
Average No. of
Tardinesses
Number of
Dismissals
Number of
Number of
Supt's Visits
Number
One
10
29
0
29
0
19
30
25
22.3 91.5
370
116
4.6
17
43
21
Two
21
36
0
36
0
29
40
34.2 30.8 89.5
608
83
2.4
29
40
11
Three
10
17
17
14
19
15.7 14.6 94
172
80
5.1
8
27
20
Four
4
6
cr
1
co
6
5.1 4.8 93.7
54
42
8.2
4
13
5
Five
7
15
15
0
15
16
15
13.2 88.1
301
163
10.9
25
50
12
Six
11
10
21
21
0
16
22
12.6|11.8 93.5
142
65
5.2
11
67
12
Seven
25
25
50
1
48
1
39
56
40.4 37 3 92.3
546
67
1.7
11
19
13
Total
87
87
174
1 171
2
135
189
148
134.8 91.4
2193
616
4.2
105
225
94
Annual Report
Visitors
CON JOICO
00
0
0
under 5 years
Total
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Annual Report
TABLE B Rank of School in Attendance and Punctuality 1909-1910
ATTENDANCE
PUNCTUALITY
Rank
School
Per Cent
Rank
School
Av. Tardiness
1
Number Three
94
1
Number Seven
1.7
2
66
Four
93.7
2
Two
2.4
3
66
Six
93.5
3
One
4.6
4
Seven
92.3
4
Three
5.1
5
One
91.5
5
Six
5.2
6
Two
89.5
6
Four
8.2
7
Five
88.1
7
66
Five
10.9
TABLE C Changes of Teachers 1910
Resignation
School
Appointment
F. Edith Pond
Number One
A. Mabel Sawyer
Ruth E. Delano Jessie M. Howland
Three
Four
Edith V. Blood School closed
66
66
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TABLE D TEACHERS 1909-10
School
Teachers
Where Educated
Elected
Weeks Taught
Ruth Farr
Lucy Wheelock School
1909
5
Number One
Ruth V. Cornwell
Boston Normal
1909
9
F. Edith Pond
Framingham Normal
1910
(22
Isabelle L. Pratt
Bridgewater Normal
1909
36
Frances White
Business College
1009
S
2
66
Three
Ruth Delano
Boston University
1909
2 34
Four
Jessie M. Howland
Taunton High School
1908
36
Five
Marion G. Adrian
Boston University
1909
36
Six
Ada S. Cooper
Brown University
1909
36
Seven
Maria Legrow
Bridgewater Normal
1909
36
Annual Report
(
Two
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Annual Report
Selected Statistics.
Population 1910
Valuation 1909
Tax Rate per 1000, 1910
999 $402,000 00 13 00
Total amount raised by taxation and expended for school purposes
2039 94
Total cost to town per pupil
8 98
Total expenditure per pupil
22 21
Average cost per pupil in State, 1909-10
33 42
Average wages of female teachers in State, 1909-1910
61 82
Average wages of female teachers in Bristol County, 1909-1910
58 35
Average wages of female teachers in Berkley, 1909-1910 Number of Schools
36 85
6
Number of boys
in town between 5 and 15,
91
Total
children 66 66
5 " 15,
166
Number " boys
86
7 14,
71
66 " girls 66 66
7 " 14,
64
Total children
7 66
14, 135
Number of illiterate minors over 14
0
Length of school year in weeks
36
Per cent. of attendance
91.4
،،
for State, 1909-10
93
66 " Bristol County, 1909-10
93
Number of pupils attending the high school
12
' girls
5 " 15,
75
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Annual Report
MEETING OF THE
Teachers of Berkley, Dighton and Rehoboth
Exhibition of Work Done in the Public Schools
Memorial Hall, Dighton, Mass., February 25th, 1910
PROGRAM.
9.50 a. m. Opening Exercises.
10.00 a. m. to 10.35 a. m. The Recitation. Mr. Prince.
10.40 a. m. to 11.25 a. m. The New Basis of Method. Mr. Snedden.
11.35 a. m. to 12.25 p. m. Language, Grades 1-4. Miss Katharine H. Shute, Boston Normal School. Geography, Grades 5-9. Charles P. Sinnott, Bridgewater Normal School.
Intermission. Luncheon at 25 cents a plate will be provided.
1.25 p. m. to 2.15 p. m. Geography and Nature Study, Grades 1-4.
Mr. Sinnott.
Language and Grammar, Grades 5-9. Miss Shute.
2.25 p. m. Physiology and Hygiene.
Miss Annie S. Crowell, Hyannis State Normal School.
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF BERKLEY
TOGETHER WITH A
Valuation and Tax List
FOR THE
Year Ending Dec. 31, 1911
TAUNTON, MASS. THE DAVOL PRENy, COR. MAIN AND SCHOOL STREETS, 1912.
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF BERKLEY
TOGETHER WITH A
Valuation and Tax List
FOR THE
Year Ending Dec. 31, 1911
TAUNTON, MASS .: THE DAVOL PRESS, COR. MAIN AND SCHOOL STREETS, 1912.
جبين
Town Officers, 1911.
Town Clerk Samuel H. Cook, 3 years
Selectmen and Overseers of Poor Charles H. Macomber Charles F. Paull James McCall
Moderator Edwin H. Allen
Assessor-3 Years John T. Haskins
School Committee-3 Years Noah H. Strange
Collector of Taxes Herbert A. Perry
Treasurer Samuel H. Cook
Auditor Thomas P. Paull
Highway Surveyors
Willard H. Hathaway
James H. Macomber
Edward E. Whittaker
Jacob F. Kusterer
Howard Haines Adelbert A. Briggs
Silas E. Braley
Constables
Jonathan M. Alexander
Adelbert A. Briggs
Edwin H. Allen
George F. Chapman Enoch V. Boyce Chester E. Phillips
Noah H. Strange
Fish Wardens Gideon H. Babbitt Adelbert A. Briggs Linneus C. Whittaker
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Annual Report
Gideon H. Babbitt
Oyster Wardens Arthur J. Bennett Jabez M. Francis
Tree Warden Linneus C. Whittaker
Trustees of Public Library Joseph Howland for 3 years Maria E. Haines for 2 years
Burial Ground Commissioner-3 Years George H. Swift
List of Officers Appointed by the Selectmen, 1911
Tax Collector Herbert A. Perry. Sworn in by Town Clerk Fence Viewers and Field Drivers
Willard H. Hathaway James H. Macomber
E. E. Whittaker Howard Haines
Jacob F. Kusterer Adelbert A. Briggs Silas E. Braley
Measurers of Wood and Lumber
Asa W. Read
Levi P. Churchill
John T. Haskins
Gideon H. Babbitt
Sumner N. Staples Willard H. Hathaway
Meat Inspector Charles M. Wade
Animal Inspector James H. Macomber
Sealer of Weights and Measures Adelbert A. Briggs
Burial Commissioner George H. Swift
Treasurer Edwin H. Allen
Clerk Ervine A. Chace
Annual Report
Town Warrant
Article 1. To see if the Town will accept the List of Jurors as revised by the Selectmen.
Art. 2. To see if the town will appropriate any part of the dog fund to the Public Library.
Art. 3. To act on report of town officers.
Art. 4. To fix compensation for collector and treasurer for ensuing year.
Art. 5. To see if the town will authorize the town treas- urer to hire money under the approval of a majority of the selectmen to pay the current expenses of the town.
Art. 6. To choose all necessary town officers (one school committee for three years, one assessor for three years and town clerk for three years, and vote on the question, "Shall licenses be granted to sell intoxicating liquors ?" " Yes " or "4 No."
Art. 7. To raise and appropriate a sum of money for repairs of ways and bridges.
Art. 8. To raise and appropriate a sum of money for schools, including supplies, high school tuition, salary of super- intendent, repairs on school buildings, and car fares for high school scholars.
Art. 9. To raise and appropriate a sum of money for sup- port of the poor, salaries of town officers, state aid, and inci- dental expenses.
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Annual Report
Art. 10. To see what action the town will take in regard to payment of taxes, and what rate of interest is to be charged after a certain date for uncollected taxes.
Art. 11. To choose a memorial committe and appropriate a sum of money for same.
Art. 12. To see if the town will raise and appropriate a sum of money to be used for the purpose of exterminating the gypsy and brown tail moths and care of public shade trees.
Art. 13. To see if the town will raise and appropriate a sum of money to be used for fire protection.
Art. 14. To transact any other business that may legally come before the meeting.
Caucus, Tuesday night, Feb. 27, at 8 o'clock.
Town Meeting to be held on March 4, at 10 o'clock a. m.
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Annual Report
Report of Selectmen
To the Inhabitants of Berkley :
Owing to the increased expense of the town we have hired all the money we could this year under the vote passed at our annual meeting limiting that amount to $6000. We hired this money as needed, one or two thousand at a time, making the notes payable at such times as in our judgment they could be met ; they have all been paid but one of $1000, issued in December and due in March. At the close of the year we did not have money enough to pay all bills there being about $500 unpaid. With the expenses this year and the way the money has been hired, $6000 was not enough. If we had known we were not going to have enough we could have arranged to carry over a $2000 note instead of $1000. We bring this to your attention so that full knowledge may be had as to the general conditions in order that this matter may be acted upon intelligently when fixing the amount another year.
There has been a great many forest fires during the year costing the town a lot of money and doing much damage to taxable property. These fires became so frequent during the early summer the selectmen took the responsibility upon them- selves to offer $100 reward for an arrest and conviction of any person found guilty of setting same. It is a serious matter which calls for the rigid enforcement of the law.
We need several more extinguishers and perhaps some other things for fighting fire. There is a law now whereby certain towns are reimbursed one-half the amount they expend for fire apparatus providing the amount is not over 8500. We hope the town will make a liberal appropriation that we
Annual Report
may have extinguishers enough so there will be some of them kept in each school district.
A claim has been made to the N. Y. N. H. & H. R. R. Co. for $86 for labor fighting fire caused by said Company May 8 and 14.
Agreeable to the provisions in the will of the late Giles L. Leach, his heirs have paid into the treasury the sum of $650, his bequest to the town. It was his request that $150 be used to plant trees on the common, Maple and Linden, and if this amount was not all expended for trees, the balance was to go towards filling in the low place on the common north of the town hall. How the balance of $500 shall be used is a matter for the town to decide. In so doing may we remember the public spirit which prompted this gift, that Mr. Leach was long a citizen of the town and for many years served its best. interests in about every capacity, his last public office being that of town clerk.
The selectmen have appointed Edwin H. Allen, treasurer, and Ervine A. Chace, town clerk, to fill vacancies caused by the resignation of Samuel H. Cook.
The cost of maintaining our poor is steadily increasing, it amounts to over $1000 this year.
We refer you to the auditor's report for our financial con- dition.
CHARLES H. MACOMBER,
CHARLES F. PAULL, Selectmen. JAMES MCCALL,
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Annual Report
1
List of Jurors
PREPARED BY THE SELECTMEN.
Thomas P. Paull,
Padelford St.
Teacher
Edward E. Whittaker,
Point St.
Farmer
Albert B. Cummings,
Point St.
Farmer
Clifford E. Macomber,
Berkley St.
Teamer
Charles B. Wordell,
Mill St.
Sawyer
Herbert A. Perry,
Berkley St.
Farmer
Chester E. Phillips,
Berkley St.
Moulder
Samuel H. Cook,
Algerine St.
Farmer
Allen A. Haskell,
Berkley St.
Clerk
Marcellus S. Boynton,
Bay View Av.
Farmer
Jacob F. Kusterer,
Plain St.
Farmer
Charles E. Clark,
Jerome St.
Painter
John F. Randall,
Padelford St.
Salesman
Elmer V. Poole,
Berkley St.
Silversmith
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Annual Report
Assessors' Report for 1911
Valuation of Real Estate
$335,066 00
Personal Property
72,348 00
Rate per thousand
12 80
Acres of land assessed
10,050
Number of dwelling houses
266
horses assessed
234
cows assessed
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