USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1924 > Part 10
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13
10502
8 " 66 6
19336-10
6 " 66
60
174160
4 "
60 66
34299
2 " wrought iron pipe
13040
11/2" 60 66
3663
11/4"
66 66
5277
1 "
66
66
17257
3/4" 66
66 6
1409
298360'
56 miles 2680 ft.
NUMBER, LOCATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF VALVES SET DURING YEAR 1924
Valve No.
590 Adams St. Bridge
591 Adams St. Bridge
592 Hollingsworth Ave.
1
593 Plain St. Bridge
1
594. . Plain St. Bridge
1
595 Plain-Grove
1
596 Plain
1
597 Brookside Rd.
1
598 Comm. St. (Penn's Hill)
1
599 Brow Ave.
1
600 Edgemont Rd.
1
601 Academy
1
602 Bickford Rd.
1
603
Grove
604 Edgehill
1
PUMPING RECORD FOR 1924
Gallons Pumped
Coal Burned
Time Run
Gals Pumped with 100 lbs.
January
29,315,577
80,415
461.35
36,455
February
27,807,272
75,510
449.50
36,826
March
28.082,651
77,600
457.45
36,188
April
26,660,067
68,370
335.35
38,990
May
26,385,137
76,315
438.
30,570
8 Inches 6 inches 4 Inches 1 1
2 Inches
1
214
June
28,688,667
76,500
461.10
37,489
July
31,455,500
86,460
521.10
36,624
August
30,703,244
76,385
534.25
40,141
September
28,245,606
77,810
460.10
36,307
October
30,707,134
96,945
585.50
31,811
November
26,330,802
71,535
424.20
36,961
December
29,101,611
73,215
465.
41,114
Totals
343,483,268
937,060
5594.50
Daily Average
938,479
2,560
15.11
36,623
Largest day's pumping, Wednesday, July 30, 1,338,645.
Smallest day's pumping, Sunday, September 21, 619,332.
(Signed) FRANCIS J. O'ROURKE Chief Engineer.
METER RECORD FOR 1924
Kind
- Size
5 / 8 "
3/4"
1"
11%"
2"
3"
4"
6"
Total
Empire
2398
50
4
10
3
3
2
1
2471
Crown
21
21
Gem
3
3
Worthington
1
1
Hersey
4
4
Lambert
1
1
2403
71
4
10
7
3
2
1 2501
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN W. MULCAHY, Superintendent.
1
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
School Department
OF THE
TOWN OF BRAINTREE
FROM
Dec. 31, 1923 to Dec. 31, 1924
Printed by Order of the Town
TOWA
REE
MA
.1640.
TTS.
SS.
BRAINTREE OBSERVER PRATT & PRATT, PRINTERS BRAINTREE
1925
216
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Mr. Henry D. Higgins, 490 Washington Street, Braintree. Mr. Ralph B. Woodsum, 45 Hollis Avenue, Braintree. Mrs. Alida N. Stevens, 75 Tremont Street, South Braintree. Dr. Franklin H. Merriam, 1000 Washington Street, South Braintree.
Mrs. Carrie F. Loring, 110 Front Street, East Braintree. Mr. C. Frederick Tarbox, 27 Willard Street, East Braintree.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
C. Edward Fisher, 26 Frederick Road, South Braintree. Office Telephone 0782
OFFICE HOURS
On school days, from four to five p. m., except on Tuesday.
CLERK
Emily Erickson, 766 Washington Street, South Braintree.
OFFICE HOURS
Eight to twelve, one to five, on days when schools are in session. Saturdays, nine to twelve.
MEETINGS OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Second Monday evening of each month at eight o'clock in the Town House, Washington Street, South Braintree.
217
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
January 2, 1925.
To the Citizens of the Town of Braintree :
The Committee found it necessary last fall on account of the larger number of children in the first and second grades at the Pond School either to provide immediately additional school room, as it was no longer possible to con- tinue the practice of having the teacher deal with the two grades in a, room, or else return to the conditions existing three years ago of having half time. After careful consid- eration of many different plans, it was decided to lease the store in Hobart's Block, and the place was cleaned and painted, toilet facilities installed, and a heater provided so that with the blackboard and school room furniture, a satis- factory temporary solution has been provided.
This arrangement makes it possible to have straight grade rooms at the Pond School, whereas previously they were mixed rooms. Even now classes are too large for the best work: two rooms of first grade children each with 46, and two rooms of second grade children, the one in the Pond School having 42, and the store having 38 is too many.
The greatest need of the School Department is more . rooms in order that classes may be organized with smaller numbers so that special teachers may be secured for work with classes of retarded children in a room by themselves. If this class of children could be dealt with in groups by themselves, more effective grouping or grading of children would be possible, resulting not only in more work being accomplished, but at the same time better work could be done by all.
It is the opinion of this Committee that a new High School Building should be favorably voted upon with the necessary two thirds vote to make the bond issue possible without further delay. If this is done now it would not
218
probably be available for use before September 1927. It would also seem necessary to provide another building for grade use in South Braintree immediately, as we are at present obliged to use five extemporized rooms in addition to maintaining much larger classes than is for the best in- terests of the children.
If any effort at all is to be made to anticipate future growth, it is worthy of notice that the first grade at the Penniman School now (December 19) numbers 26, which with 23 in the second grade, gives one teacher 49 children distributed in two grades to deal with in one room at the same time. The other rooms in this building with the ex- ception of the seventh and eighth grade rooms have too many for the best work to be done, and the time is not far distant when this building should be made at least a ten room unit. The same is true also of the Abraham Lincoln School which now has 28 in the first grade and 29 in the kindergarten, which means undoubtedly a much larger first grade next September in this building than can comfortably be accommodated.
We would again call your attention to what was said in our report a year ago (first paragraph, page 135). We still feel that action should be taken to provide adequate school grounds for school buildings to be erected in the future, and if we did not feel that the Town's Special Com- mittee on School Housing would have some definite recom- mendations on these points, we would go into this phase of the situation more specifically.
The repairs to our schools still continues to gain on the situation, and we are continually improving conditions so that our schools are good, but we feel that modern plants possess many things which we should have and can have with comparatively small outlay. Many of our buildings were erected so long ago that it was not a common practice to provide for many of the things which are today incorpor- ated in a school house when first erected. For example elec-
219
tric lights should be installed in the High School, Jonas Perkins School, and Noah Torrey School. The providing of running hot water for washing would make it possible for children to have clean hands in school even if they did not come to school in that condition. This as can well be seen would go a long way toward the probable lengthening of the term of service of our text books.
The splendid spirit and enthusiasm manifested by the Superintendent has been of valuable assistance to your Com- mittee. He, with his corps of teachers, has been largely re- sponsible for the improved conditions of our schools.
In concluding this report, we wish it understood that this Committee welcomes and urges at all times suggestions and constructive criticism. We have regular meeting dates the second Monday evening of each month.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY D. HIGGINS, ALIDA N. STEVENS, FRANKLIN H. MERRIAM, C. FREDERICK TARBOX, CARRIE F. LORING, RALPH B. WOODSUM,
School Committee.
Superintendent's Report
January 2, 1925.
To the School Committee :
I herewith present the Superintendent of Schools report for the year 1924 with the usual other reports in this de- partment.
During the school year of 1923-24 the average attend- ance in our schools was 91.7% which is very creditable. The indications at present are that this record will be sur- passed this year. Regularity of attendance on the part of
220
our pupils must necessarily mean a much better grade of work. One of the citizens last Christmas gave a prize in one of our school rooms for the best record of attendance, and it would be a great assistance if more attention could be given by parents to the end of securing better attend- ance.
Another thing which parents could do to assist in im- proving the work in our schools would be to visit our schools, and especially our High School, while the schools are in session. Visits are made, but I am sorry to say that the great majority of the visits are made because of some difficulty having arisen. Now if our citizens would only visit the schools when everything is satisfactory and make the acquaintance of our teachers, and observe for them- selves the work which is being done, the facilities at the teachers' disposal, and the school room conditions, many misunderstandings would be avoided, and an appreciation of our needs would be more generally understood.
On the evening of November 21 in the Town Hall was presented a musical program by our school orchestras and glee clubs, which was most satisfactory to the school authori- ties because of the evidence of public interest in our schools as shown by the large attendance. At this time exhibits of school work were placed about the hall and in the corridors for observation, and evidently received a considerable amount of attention. It is hoped that another year a more satisfactory arrangement can be made to provide facilities for a closer and more leisurely and critical examination of school work by the citizens. The greatest difficulty this de- partment meets with is that of informing the public of the actual conditions and work of our schools as a whole. If a citizen has a child in some particular building the condi- tions in that particular building are more or less familiar, but there is frequently practically no knowledge of the con- ditions in the other school units in the town. I wish that the School Department might find a way of publishing a
221
monthly which would give the school news for all our school units, which monthly paper or magazine could be taken into the homes by our pupils and thus inform the public about school activities and conditions in the town as a whole. This would be a comparatively simple matter if printing were taught in our schools, as it is in many, for it could then be the project or business of this trade training work, but with present conditions the expense of publishing a monthly paper is almost if not quite impossible.
Our exhibition of November 21 brought us in receipts from the sale of tickets of $160.75, and gifts from various interested citizens of the town amounting to $13.00, giving us $173.75, which sum of money called the Musical Instru- ment Fund is to be used in purchasing musical instruments for children who will pay for the instruments on the install- ment plan, thus making possible the owning of musical instruments by many children who might not otherwise be able to have them.
In our High School an effort is being made to meet the criticism made by the agent of the State Department of Education relative to our lack of library facilities with the necessary reference materials for the best school work. Two sets of reference books one is history and one is science have been purchased and as the funds permit, other up to date reference books will be placed in the High School, although it is impossible in our present quarters to have a room which can be utilized as a library because of the fact that every possible place is being utilized for class room work.
Gradually there is being developed in each grade room a little library of good books for the use of children, and it is to be hoped that the day is not far distant when every class room may have its own library, and also every build -. ings its school library for no small part of an effective edu- cation is found in training children in the effective use of books of reference and wise guidance in cultivating a taste for the selection of our best reading material. The infor-
222
mation incidentally acquired in the extensive reading of our best books is most valuable and establishes habits of a wise use of leisure time.
There was a noticeable decrease in the number of resig- nations from our teaching force last June, there being but four from the High School, whereas the year before there were eight, and nine from the grades. I feel that the town has an exceptionally strong corps of teachers, and I hope that the number of vacancies at the end of this year may be even less than last year, but with our proximity to Boston, and the ease with which our schools may be visited by sup- erintendents looking for teachers it is expecting too much to feel that we can retain our teachers in large numbers giv- ing them the salaries that we do, and the large numbers in their classes that we are obliged to give them with no relief by the organization of special classes. Of the things which might be done the organization of special classes is the one thing which would bring about the greatest improvement in our school work for it would make possible more effective grading of children. I hope we may have the necessary funds for a few special teachers for this work another year, but not until we have more class rooms so that a special room or rooms may be had in each and every building can the full benefit of this work be derived.
The health work in our schools is commendable and also the work of the dental clinic as managed by the Friendly Aid Society. The health work might be materially im- proved, I believe, by the appointment of a physical director who would organize and supervise effective calisthenic exer- cises, group games, and athletic exercises, and contests, tend- ing to the symmetrical development of our pupils, the cor- rection of physical defects, improvement of posture and health, and not least in importance give guidance and vent to the pent up energy of youth in direction such that the coming generations would reap the benefits. As a result of such a program no small benefits would come to the scho- lastic work too.
223
I would most heartily recommend too a new High School and in considering the plan of such a building, I urge the careful consideration of incorporating in the build- ing many features for the benefit of the adult population which might be considered luxuries for high school pupils, but with the providing of first class gymnasium facilities and all that goes with it, for example, gymnasium classes might be organized for all citizens of our town, and thus extend the usefulness of the plant very materially. An increase of 20% in the first cost could easily so be made that the time of usefulness could be more than tripled and the facilities provided be made use of by all the residents of the town instead of just those boys and girls securing a High
School education. All of our school plants should be so planned that extensive use by the adult population could be made of them, and not be restricted to children's use five hours a day for 180 days in the year. Today more than ever before people are coming to realize that "It is never too late to learn," and more and more our public school systems are opening their doors for the purpose of entertainment and instruction of its adult population. Popular courses of en- tertainment and instruction are now conducted by Public School Systems in school buildings where those buildings have been designed for such purpose. In a word to sum up the foregoing "A public School System is for the benefit of all the people of a community and not simply for the chil- dren of a community and its school plants should be planned accordingly."
According to the statistical report of the State Depart- ment of Education, Braintree ranks 278 in its expenditure per pupil of $70.78 whereas last year our rank was 252 with an expenditure of $71.70. There are only 77 school sys- tems in the state spending less per pupil than Braintree. The average expenditure per pupil for the 74 towns in our group is $78.40. One of two things must be true, either Braintree is getting more for its money than others or else
224
it is not giving the children as much as others. Perhaps both are true.
In concluding this report I would call your attention to the customary reports and tables following and express my appreciation for your hearty support. The teachers of Braintree merit the most that the citizens of the town can do for them, and I hope that as time goes on their stay with us may be made more and more enjoyable as well as profit- able.
Respectfully submitted, C. EDWARD FISHER.
Report of High School Principal
January 2, 1925.
- Mr. C. Edward Fisher,
Superintendent of Schools,
Braintree, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir :- Herewith is submitted my report for the year 1924. Attention is first called to the registration. Up to the close of school on December 19 the total reached was four hundred eight, divided as follows :
Post Graduates 2
Special Students. 3
Seniors 69
Juniors
92
Sophomores
98
Freshmen
144
This is an increase of about forty-eight per cent in the past five years. Our graduating class of fifty-one last June was the same as that of the previous year. The number of graduates in 1925 should be considerably larger. Because of the uncertainty of the size of the entering class next September, it would be difficult to predict with any degree of certainty the size of the school at that time.
225
At the present time, each room of the main building and portables, with the exception of 8-A, which is not fit for a classroom, is in use every period each day. In addition to this, the library is utilized as a home-room and for the reci- tations of three different classes. In connection with the last named it might be said that our library facilities are very inadequate. For schools of our size, the State Depart- ment of Education recommends a minimum of five books, exclusive of text-books, for each pupil enrolled. We have considerably less than one per pupil and no one to take charge of them. Many of the books on hand are so old as to be worthless. After his inspection of the High School last year, Mr. Frank W. Morse, Supervisor of Secondary Edu- cation of the State Department of Education, picked out our poorly equipped library as the one point which he wished to criticize. To correct this situation I would rec- ommend the expenditure of a moderate amount each year for suitable books, and that as soon as possible a trained teacher be hired, a part of whose time should be given to the care and supervision of the library. Definite instruc- tion should be given in its use.
The present High School teaching force compares very favorably with that of any previous year. Only four resig- nations occurred last June; whereas, usually we have had twice that number. It is hoped that the decrease in the number of changes many continue so that we may have a greater degree of stability in our faculty.
The material equipment of the school has been greatly added to by the purchase of new seats for the Assembly Hall. For the first time in several years, it is possible to seat the entire student body at one time. This fact has been greatly appreciated at assemblies. The main building, on the whole, is in good condition and is comfortable for a proper number of students, except for the inadequate lighting facil- ities. The need for artificial lights is imperative and imme- diate. It is criminal to ask any group of students to work
226
in rooms so dark as those of the High School on stormy days. Various complaints have come from parents in regard to this situation. A visit to the school at such times would convert any voter to the need of proper lighting for the main building. Practically no rooms, except those of the portables, are properly lighted.
No changes have been made in 'our courses of study during the past year. The work of the Domestic Science Department has shown how justified was the introduction of cooking and sewing. The introduction of manual training for boys would be equally desirable and justified. There are many boys who enter high school unable to do well their work of academic nature. In many cases, these boys could be held in school for at least a year longer if we had some- thing in the nature of handiwork to offer them, and every year spent in school would pay for itself many times over in efficiency and good citizenship.
Since the last report was published, a debating club has been formed with membership open to all classes. Sev- eral interesting debates have been held among members of the Club at which the entire student body has been pres- ent. It is expected that we will enter into competition with other high schools before the end of the year. The plans for one such contest are already being made.
One of the school activities which has become a prob- lem is that of school socials. Modern tendencies in dancing have caused great concern to all school officials. So far, it has not seemed advisable to discontinue the socials alto- gether, because it seems better for the pupils to dance under proper supervision at the school affairs, than dance under no supervision at public dance halls. It is safe to say that improper dancing by our pupils is a result of ignorance as to what is good form rather than of any intention of being indecent. In an effort to demonstrate to them the differ- ence between real dancing and "athletic contortions" which sometime pass for dancing, the services of an authority
227
were engaged for a series of talks and demonstrations, to which the parents as well as the pupils were invited. The services of Mr. George F. Walters, Secretary of the National Association of Dancing Masters, were secured. Demonstra- tions as to what is good form were given by Mr. and Mrs. Walters before each class and attempts were made while the pupils were actually dancing, to correct any mistakes in form, position, etc. Of course, habits formed at an earlier date could not be wholly corrected in the short space of two hours, but it is felt by the school authorities that a good beginning has been made and that the series of talks will have a good and lasting effect.
The Free Employment Bureau, under the direction of the Head of the Commercial Department, has done very good work during the past ten months. In spite of the large amount of unemployment many pupils were placed in posi- tions. In each case, an attempt has been made to pick out for any position only one, who, in our estimation, would make good.
Our athletic interests have been well taken care of dur- ing the year. In general, our teams have had successful seasons, but the idea of the mere winning of games has been kept properly in the background. The position of ath- letics among the school activities is represented as only one of many extra-curricula activities-all of which are second- ary to academic work. Strict scholarship requirements, more strict in fact than those of the Massachusetts High School Athletic Association of which Braintree is a member, have been maintained. The fact has been emphasized that a team's success is not measured, as is too often the case, by the games won or the gate receipts. The question to be answered is not "did they win" but "did they exhibit good sportsmanship." The athletic policies of many schools are dictated by well-meaning but mistaken alumni or busi- ness men who over-emphasize victories and insist on win- ning teams. Fortunately Braintree High School has not been hindered and handicapped by such short-sighted policy.
228
Our alumni and friends have rejoiced when the school teams have won, and sympathized when they have lost, but they have never attempted to dictate policies. The various games have been self-supporting, except in the case of basket-ball. The student body has, on the whole, given good support.
In an attempt to do away with the criticism that the two months' interim between rank cards is too long a time and that pupils might become hopelessly behind meanwhile, a deficiency card system was adopted the latter part of last year, whereby notices are sent out, between the regular reports, to the parents of pupils whose work is not satis- factory. The failures which necessitate these deficiency cards are due to the fact, it might be said in general, that pupils are not availing themselves of the opportunity to get help from their teachers after school hours. A large amount of time is spent by the teachers with backward pupils and pupils who have missed work through absence, etc., but there are many of those who most need the work who never avail themselves of the opportunity to get help outside of school hours, and report for afternoon work only under protest and compulsion.
In my opinion, the order of importance attached to high school activities at the present time should be as follows: The first and most important aim is the develop- ment of good citizens as evidenced by their obedience, respectful attitude, good habits, etc. Character building is the most important phase of work with young people today. If we can turn out boys and girls who have a sane outlook on life and are reasonably well-taught in their academic work, we have been a success. Aim two is the development of proper scholastic ideals and attainments, secondary to character building, because no amount of learning suffices in later life unless based on good judgment and behavior. The third aim is the development of extra curricula inter- ests, less important than character building and scholarship, but very valuable by-products of our educational system in
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.