USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1911 > Part 8
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152
mittee in expressing their appreciation of the self-sacrifice which this labor represents.
Notwithstanding the opening of the new school building and the advance in maximum salaries voted the elementary teachers, the budget for the following year is not greatly in excess of the amount voted at the last meeting to place at the disposal of the school board for the year just closed. By a unani- mous vote the following appropriations are recommended for the ensuing year :
APPROPRIATIONS, 1912.
Salaries of Teachers and Superintendent. (Dog
Tax and School Fund not included) $34,000 00
Janitors' Salaries 4,268 98
Text Books and Supplies 3,500 00
Incidentals
1,000 00
Repairs and Incidentals
1,500 00
Fuel
2,500 00
Conveyance of Pupils.
1,700 00
Hire, and Care of Outside Rooms 168 00
Seats in High School. 500 00
$49,136 98
Respectfully submitted,
MRS. CARRIE F. LORING, ALBION C. DRINKWATER, . I. WENDELL GAMMONS, MRS. A. M. BROOKS,
THOMAS A. WATSON,
HERBERT F. KNEELAND, Chairman.
153
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF THE TOWN OF BRAINTREE :-
The report of the Superintendent for the year ending December 31, 1911, is herewith submitted. This report is the twenty-seventh in the reports of the Superintendents.
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS-CIVIC TRAINING.
Repairs and improvements have been made as follows : New flush system of sanitals at the Jonas Perkins school; the hallways of the Penniman school hall completed as required by the State police regulations; the High school hall painted and decorated; the stage at the Noah Torrey school hall constructed ; sanitary drinking fountains installed in all of the schools ; paper towels have replaced the unsanitary roller, and hand towels; the grounds at the Noah Torrey and the Abraham Lincoln schools graded. In all of the schools there is a manifest interest to improve school property by setting out trees and shrubbery. The co-operation of the Improvement Association has been of much help in this work. Much, however, remains to be done in improving and beautifying school grounds. The lessons of Arbor Day should be more widely employed in a practical way by decorating home and school surroundings with ornamental trees and shrubs. Through the courtesy of Gilchrist & Co. of Boston some 1600 trees of catalpa species were distributed to the school children of Braintree last Arbor Day. The trees were planted both upon the home and school grounds, and should become in a few years a source of pleasure and pride to their owners.
Under the stimulating influences `of the Jonas Perkins School Association, and the Philergians, the interest and enthusi- asm of the children in the home gardens remain unabated. Humane Day is observed with appropriate exercises. Lessons tending to inculcate patriotism and good citizenship are espe- cially emphasized in all of the schools upon or near to the date of our holidays, and national events.
154
TEACHERS.
The few changes in the teaching force, and the careful' selection of new teachers have helpd to give a consistency to the- school work, lacking, where changes are frequent. Ideas given to be worked out have been carefully considered, and discussed in grade, and general meetings. The course of study has constant attention and is being kept to date in accordance with the best thought in modern teaching.
NEW PRINCIPALS ..
This fall we welcomed two new principals of buildings: Chester A. Maddocks and Franklin B. Taylor, both fitted by training and temperament for the positions which they occupy ..
HIGH SCHOOL.
In the High School the course of study has been changed in such a manner that elasticity has been given in the choice of subjects. The system of credits introduced will give to each pupil what is earned, and promotion is assured upon the number. of credits received. The discipline, interest and spirit of work in the school has improved. There is opportunity for a yet greater improvement in the work of the pupils; it is earnestly hoped that the parents will co-operate with the school to bring this about. A school paper, the work of the pupils in publish- ing, subject matter, and printing, has been established. Several lectures and readings of interest to the pupils have been given through the year.
1
.
PHYSICAL WELFARE OF CHILDREN.
The physical welfare and comfort of the children is looked after diligently by exercises upon the playgrounds, calisthenics in the schools, thorough ventilation of the rooms at stated periods, and regulation of temperature conditions. Parents should act at once upon the reports of physical defects sent home by the teachers, especially those upon the eyes and ears. Usually trouble is indicated that should receive expert treatment ..
155
Sixteen hundred and ninety-two pupils were examined for defects of eye and ear; 127 were defective in vision; 27 in , hearing. Through the kindness of Dr. Dearing a cabinet of photographs showing the treatment, and prevention of tubercu- losis was placed at the disposal of the schools in the fall of this year.
EVENING SCHOOL.
The Evening School with an enrolment of 57 seems to be an assured success. The interest and desire of the pupils to learn is a pleasing feature of the school. The majority of the school seems to favor business and commercial branches.
RETARDATION OF PUPILS-PER CENT. OF PUPILS RETARDED.
The schools are making progress and in my belief are doing better work than in the past year. However, retardation of pupils is a problem that needs consideration. Twenty per cent. of all pupils in the elementary and grammar grades for the year ending June, 1911, were kept from promotion in June, or had repeated somewhere in the grades. As a step in the right direc- tion and a partial remedy for this condition, I recommend to your Committee that the age of entrance to the first grade be raised to six years, and that the age of entrance to the kinder- garten be raised to five years. Children who become six years old at any time in the fall term to be admitted to the first grade in September. Children to be admitted to the kindergarten at any time of the year, providing they become five years old in the fall term.
THE GENERAL PRACTICE IN UNITED STATES.
The age of entrance to the first grade is fixed at six years in 80 per cent of the cities and towns of the United States where the population is 4000 or above and where the system of eight grades is used, and since the cities and towns of Massachusetts are making a change to this system, the plan is becoming popular here. Children are more mature at the age of six, could do bet- ter work, and thus a comparison of our schools with other schools could be made upon a better basis.
156
NO LOSS OF TIME TO THE CHILD.
The average age of entering the High school is not raised in any way, as there is less retardation. This statement is borne out by a study of these conditions in Massachusetts, several years ago, made by Mr. Prince of the State Board of Education.
We do not attempt to promote our children by rigid, fixed methods. The ability to do the next thing is the standard for promotion.
ELASTICITY IN THE GRADES.
At the first of the year the grades tend to divide into three classes : those who are not quite able to do the work, those who can do the required work easily, those who are capable of doing more than the required work. These last are given extra work. If a high degree of work is maintained promotions may be made at the end of the fall term or in February. This gives an elas- ticity to the grades that will enable the child capable of doing more work to complete the grades in less than the prescribed time. I think that the change in the age of admission would result in better grading, better work in the grades, better health in the work, and better preparation for the work of the High school, where 34 per cent. of the last year's entering class failed to do the work of the year.
FURTHER USE OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
The further use of school property as social and civic centers has already engaged your attention and the use of build- ings granted to parents' associations and organizations that have educational ends in view is a most worthy serving of the public interests.
THRIFT.
That the teaching of thrift as required by law may have a practical application, some form of savings for scholars should be adopted and put into operation at once. The habit of saving, started early, will do much to reduce the ranks of the wasters and spenders and give to every man the surplus that should be his as his part of the work for society.
157
EDUCATIONAL QUESTIONS OF THE DAY.
Questions of sex hygiene, moral, industrial and vocational education are prominently before the best thought of the world today. These questions are all of the first importance in the training of youth, and should receive the serious attention of this Committee and the townpeople.
CONCLUSION.
I appreciate the help, advice and sympathetic direction of school affairs given by this Committee, and the co-operation of the teachers, parents and the public in the duties of the past school year.
Respectfully submitted,
R. L. WIGGIN.
STATISTICS.
Number of children in town between 5 and 15, Sept., 1910 .. 1,486
Number of children in town between 5 and 15, Sept., 1911. 1,602
Number of children in town between 7 and 14, Sept., 1910.
1,070
Number of children in town between 7 and 14, Sept., 1911
1,137
Average membership for year ending June, 1911. . Average attendance for the year ending June, 1911 Percent of attendance for the year ending June, 1911
1,508
1,397
92.6
Percent of attendance for the year ending June, 1910
90.8
Enrolment from Sept. 6 to Dec. 22, 1911.
1,757
Average membership from Sept. 6 to Dec. 22, 1911 1,656 Number of regular teachers employed fall term, 1911 49
Number of special teachers employed fall term, 1911 3
Number of assistant teachers employed fall term, 1911 3
158
9
Number of school buildings in use
School rooms occupied . 40
Number of pupils graduating from grammar schools, June, 1911 107
Number of the above who entered the High School Total expenditures for the support of the schools. .
87
$48,334.57
Expenditure per pupil based on average member- ship for year ending June, 1911. 32.05
Expenditure per pupil based on average member- ship for the fall term, 1911. 29.12
Average expenditure per pupil in State of Massa- chusetts 32.06
MANUAL OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF BRAINTREE, MASS., FOR SCHOOL YEAR BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 6, 1911.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Herbert F. Kneeland, Chairman, 92 Hollis avenue, Braintree.
I. Wendell Gammons, 130 Franklin street, South Braintree. Mrs. A. M. Brooks, 124 Franklin street, South Braintree. Albion C. Drinkwater, 391 Elm street, Braintree.
Mrs. Carrie F. Loring, 110 Front street, East Braintree. Thomas A. Watson, 115 Quincy avenue, East Braintree.
SUPERINTENDENT AND SECRETARY.
R. L. Wiggin, 740 Washington street, South Braintree. Tel. 273-4.
OFFICE HOURS :
On school days except Thursday from 8 to 9 A. M., in the Monatiquot Building. Tel. 76-W.
MEETINGS OF COMMITTEE.
Second Thursday afternoons of each month at two o'clock at the Monatiquot Building, Washington street, Braintree.
159
SCHOOLS IN SESSION.
High School, Sept. 6, to Dec. 22, 1911; Grammar, Sept. 11 to Dec. 22, 1911; Jan. 2, 1912 to March 22, 1912; April 1 to June 21, 1912.
HOLIDAYS.
Nov. 30-31, 1911 ; Feb. 22, April 19, May 30, 1912. DAILY SCHOOL SESSIONS.
High, 8.20 A. M. to 1.05 P. M.
Monatiquot, 9 to 12 A. M., 1.30 to 3.30 P. M.
Jonas Perkins, 9 to 12 A. M., 1.30 to 3.30 P. M.
Noah Torrey, 9 to 12 A. M., 1.30 to 3.30 P. M.
Penniman, 9 to 12 A. M., 1.30 to 3.30 P. M. Pond and Union, 8.45 to 11.30 A. M., 1.15 to 3.30 P. M.
Southwest, 9 to 11.45 A. M., 1.15 to 3.30 P. M.
South School, 9 to 11.45 A. M., 1.15 to 3.30 P. M.
Abraham Lincoln, 9 to 12 A. M., 1.30 to 3.30 P. M.
STORM SIGNAL, HIGH, GRAMMAR AND PRIMARY.
On very stormy days there will be no session of the Public Schools. If there is to be no morning session the signal 3-3-3 will be sounded on the fire alarm at 7.30 A. M. If the weather clears there will be an afternoon session. In case of continued storm or very bad walking there will be no afternoon session. This will be announced by 3-3-3 at 11.30 A. M.
TUITION OF NON-RESIDENT STUDENTS.
High School, $1 a week; grades 5 to 8, 75 cents a week; grades A and 1 to 4, 50 cents a week.
Non-resident students will not be admitted to any school without the written permission of the Superintendent.
JANITORS.
Monatiquot, John H. Macandrew, West street.
Jonas Perkins, William Orr, 357 Commercial street.
Noah Torrey, F. F. Tupper, Central avenue. Penniman, Omer Hollis, Union street.
Pond, A. R. French, Franklin street.
Union, E. O. Pierson, Washington street.
160
Southwest, Richard Foster.
South, Fred Hayden.
The Abraham Lincoln, William Jordan, Front street. TRUANT OFFICERS.
Jeremiah F. Gallivan, 37 River street, Braintree. A. R. French, 144 Franklin street, South Braintree.
Amos J. Loring, 29 Quincy avenue, East Braintree.
GRADUATION EXERCISES. of the BRAINTREE HIGH SCHOOL, Town Hall, Wednesday, June 21, 1911, at eight o'clock, P. M. "The Path of Duty is the Path of Safety." PROGRAMME.
1. Invocation, Rev. George H. Parkinson.
2. Chorus, "Blow, Soft Winds". . Charles Vincent, Arr.
3. Salutatory, with Essay, "Women who are Famous in the World's Literature." Mildred Sprague Nickerson.
4. Essay, "The Development of Stenography." Martin Henry McGurn, Jr.
5. Chorus, "Bright Star of Eve, Arise !" .. Arr. from Wrighton by L. B. Marshall
6. Address, Hon. Frank H. Pope, Leominster.
Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. 7. Chorus, "Day of Glory". . Bellini's Opera of "Norma"
8. Essay, with Valedictory, "What it Meant to be an Elizabethan."
Marguerite Violet Murphy.
9. Presentation of Diplomas and Medals, Mr. Herbert F. Kneeland, Chairman of School Committee.
161
GRADUATES.
William Curtis Arnold Grace Eldora Beckwith Lillian Gertrude Bisson Martin Peter Bjorkman Jessie Louise Campbell Elizabeth Carrie Catlin Harry Winslow Davenport Blanche Hollis Dyer John Greenquist
John Francis Griffin
Ruth Marion Holbrook
Irma Margaret Killian
Elizabeth Kneeland
Allan Lawson
Dorothy Loring
Lawrence James MacNab
Robert James McClellan Martin Henry McGurn Alvah Edmund Mckean Agnes Isabell McManus Marguerite Violet Murphy Frank Willard Ness Mildred Sprague Nickerson Sumner Everett Perry Fayolin Currier Robinson Jessie Elinor Robinson 1 . Anna Elizabeth Magdalen Rourke. Martha Leah Smiley Hazel Stevenson
George Radcliffe Thayer
Lillian Henrietta Wentworth
162
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :- The Board of Engineers of the Fire Depart- ment herewith submits the annual report for the year ending December 31, 1911.
The Engineers organized for the year with J. S. Hill, Chief; F. O. Whitmarsh, Clerk; C. V. Cottrell, Assistant Engineer.
The fire stations are in fairly good condition, but we would recommend a concrete platform at the north part of the town, and that $100.00 be appropriated for the same.
APPARATUS.
As we were obliged to make some repairs on the hose wagon in the north part of the town the past year we would recom- mend that $85.00 be appropriated to paint the same.
HOSE.
We have purchased the past year 850 feet of the "C.C. C." fire hose for $600.00.
We have about 1800 feet of good hose in each part of the Town.
We would recommend that $600.00 be appropriated for hose this year.
PAY OF MEN.
We would recommend that $2,065.00 be appropriated for the pay of men, stewarts and engineers, and that they be given their poll tax.
We would recommend that the sum of $400.00 be appro- priated for extra pay of men.
We would recommend that the sum of $1,200.00 be appro- priated for general expenses.
We would recommend an automobile engine.
163
ALARMS.
There were fifty-six alarms the past year: 29 of them were for building fires, 13 for woods fires, 4 for grass fires, 7 false alarms, 1 hay stack fire, 1 lost child, 1 automobile fire, 3 general alarms, 2 second alarms.
Value of buildings .$78,550 00
Loss on buildings 45,714 00
Value of contents 26,625 00
Loss on contents. 6,947 10
J. S. HILL, Chief, F. O. WHITMARSH, C. V. COTTRELL.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
BOARD OF HEALTH
OF THE
TOWN OF BRAINTREE
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1911
PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE TOWN
MED
EE
TS.
1640. O
S
BEE PRINT PRATT & PRATT, PUBLISHERS BRAINTREE, MASS.
1912
166
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.
ORGANIZATION FOR THE YEAR 1911
C. A. Sullivan, M. D., Chairman.
F. Herbert Gile, M. D., Bacteriologist.
W. B. Skinner, Secretary.
W. H. Martin, Agent.
The Board of Health has the honor to submit the following report for the year ending Dec. 31, 1911:
COMPLAINTS.
Dead animals 5
Dumps
11
Drains
5
Other nuisances 106
Total 127
The most of these nuisances were abated. Others it will be impossible to correct until a system of sewerage is installed.
The Board of Health wishes to thank owners and occupants of dwellings where nuisances existed for co-operation in abolish- ing the same.
The thanks of the Board is also due to the officers and executive committee of the Braintree Improvement Association for assistance and timely suggestions.
DUMPS.
Owing to an increased appropriation for the past year the Board of Health has been enabled to have the dumps leveled and covered with gravel twice in the past year. There is a tendency to dump as near the sidewalk as possible. If persons using this means of disposing of rubbish would drive well onto the dump and dump over the edge the expense of cleaning would be lessened and the dump would be much more sightly.
167
During the year many complaints have been received of dumping on the highways and vacant lots. In cases where offenders have been known they have been required to remove whatever has been dumped and have been warned that a repe- tition would result in prosecution.
The creation of such a nuisance is entirely unnecessary and it is the intention of this Board to prosecute all offenders, when possible, during the coming year.
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.
+ Jan.
+ Feb.
cy Mar.
20 or April 2
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
1 Oct.
Or Nov.
-¿ Dec.
31
Typhoid Fever. . .
Diphtheria
1
2
Measles
1
9
1
3
14
German Measles. .
1
3
1
5
Tuberculosis ..... 2
.2
1
1
1
Whooping Cough. 1
3
2
2
8
Chicken Pox .....
4
1
1
5
2
13
Infantile Paralysis
1
1
2
Totals
8 12
3 11 16
1
4 0 2 6 10 15
88
VITAL STATISTICS.
Male.
Female.
Total.
Deaths
56
61
117
Death rate, 14.50 per thousand.
SCHOOL INSPECTION.
Owing to increased duties along other lines of health work it has been impossible to visit the schools as often as in past years. The principal object of our inspection has been the pre- vention of contagious diseases, in which the work has been fairly successful. In regard to non-contagious cases, adenoids, deaf- ness, etc., results desired could not be obtained as the school physician can do no more than notify the parents of affected children.
The sanitary arrangements of the schools are good with the exception of the Pond School. Here a change must be made the
Totals
Scarlet Fever. ..
4
5
2
1
2
5 3
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present year or the health of the children will demand that the school be closed.
The following bacteriological examinations were made during 1911 :
For Diphtheria 21
Typhoid
6
Tuberculosis
32
Staphylococcus infection
32
Streptococcus infection
3
Combined infection
Miscellaneous examination
12
Total
83
MILK INSPECTION.
The dairies of this town show an improved condition with the result that two were placed on the "Honor Roll" of the State Board of Health, while there was only one conviction for violation of the milk laws. There were 34 licenses issued for the sale of milk and 1 license for the sale of oleomargarine. No epidemic or isolated cases were traceable during 1911 to the milk supply. Seventy-two samples of milk were tested. Some of these were sent voluntarily by producers and some by dissatisfied consumers. Hereafter, no samples furnished by consumers will be examined, but instead specimens will be taken by the inspector directly from the producer or his agent.
F. H. GILE, M. D.,
Milk Inspector.
17
Braintree, January 1st, 1912.
Braintree Board of Health.
Fourth annual report of the Inspector of Meats. To C. A. Sullivan, Clerk of said Board.
Dear Sir and Gentleman :- I hereby submit the following report :
169
I have dressed and stamped at my place from Jan. 1st, 1911 to Nov. 1st (when I was removed), twenty-one (21) neat cattle, seven (7) of these were condemned, one (1) deer, twenty-one (21) calves, fifty-nine (59) hogs.
Have also stamped away from my place for different per- sons five hundred and eleven (511) calves, one hundred and seventeen (117) hogs.
Respectfully submitted, JOSEPHUS SAMPSON, Inspector of Meats.
November 21st to December 31st, 1911.
Inspected two hundred and three (203) pigs, three (3) cows, forty (40) veals, condemned two (2) pigs, two (2) cows. On Nov. 31st the State Board of Health refused to approve the appointee of the Braintree Board of Health as Meat Inspec- tor. Since that time the inspection of slaughtering has been carried on by a member of the health board. A law of June, 1911, requires a salaried inspector. As can be seen from the above reports that a fair amount of slaughtering is being done in Braintree it will be necessary to appropriate a sum of money to pay an inspector.
Respectfully submitted,
C. A. SULLIVAN, M. D. F. H. GILE, M. D. W. B. SKINNER.
170
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ANIMAL INSPECTOR.
For The Year 1911.
Braintree, Jan. 15, 1912.
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
The inspection of animals was made by order of the Cattle- Bureau in February and March. There was no fall inspection. this year.
In visiting 58 places where animals are kept I found 369 cows giving milk, 62 dry, 25 young. The young cattle were all 5 months old, or more. Under 5 months were not counted. Four bulls; no oxen; 1 sheep ; a few goats, not counted ; quite a large. . number of horses.
The most of these cows are kept in herds of from 10 to- 35. Others are kept in numbers from 1 to 5. The milk used in the family or sold to neighbors. One herd of 9 Jersey cows kept for cream, which is sold for a very remunerative price. - A large number of the stables where cows are kept the owners. take great pains to whitewash and keep them clean. There are- some, however, that are not quite up to this standard of clean- liness and are in rather close quarters.
On January 4, 1912, I spent the day in company with Frank C. Marion (agent for the Cattle Bureau). In looking over the cows and the places where they are kept we found the most of these places all right and a large number of cows in excellent condition. Of one I will speak-this cow is grade Holstein of large proportion, and the owner told us this cow had given 25 quarts of milk a day for a year, and is now giving the same. Nearly all the milk rooms are clean and in sanitary condition. I will mention one in charge of the woman of the house, which is a pattern of cleanliness. There are some selling a part of their milk for 10 cents per quart, because of its excellent quality. There has been 4 horses taken from different places in town by order of the Cattle Bureau, affected with the glanders, that have. been killed and buried by me, and there are others that have- been destroyed for the same reason.
171
This is a contagious disease and great care should be taken to check it. One of the most fruitful places for the spreading of this disease is our present system of watering troughs. A water- ing trough with a pump connected and no way of draining off water, where any and all horses can drink and dogs can and do go for a bath, should not. be allowed, much less used in the public squares of the town.
We should fully realize the danger of such a system to man and beast and I earnestly recommend that some other system be adopted at once.
We have an excellent water system as good if not better than the average of the surrounding towns. One watering place in the west part of the town near Clark's store is a good place for horses to drink. It has a continual running stream of town water. Others can be placed in the public squares of the town of similar character, but so arranged that mankind can drink, and also dogs of which there are many.
This can be done at no very great expense. We need not go into a very elaborate system, but something that will be helpful, useful and sanitary for the health of man and beast.
Respectfully,
J. SAMPSON, Inspector.
172
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THAYER . PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Miss Julia L. Crocker of Machias, Maine, was appointed Acting Librarian for one year from Nov. 1, 1911. Since the first of January, 1912, she and Miss Holbrook have taken charge of the East Braintree Branch on Monday and Thursday evenings.
ALBERT E. AVERY,
BENJAMIN F. DYER, WILLIAM GALLAGHER, WILLIAM C. HARDING, 1
GEORGE O. WALES.
THAYER PUBLIC LIBRARY.
William C. Harding, Treasurer.
Treasurer's Report for Year Ending December 31, 1911. RECEIPTS.
Cash on deposit January 1, 1911, in State Street
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