USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > Town annual report of Chelmsford 1912 > Part 6
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Of those entering Sen- ior Class, including two of present class . . ..
1
4
2
3
1
Of those entering the Junior but not the Senior Class. ...
1
1
2
1.
Of those entering the Sophomore but not the Junior Class
2
2
3
Of those entering the Freshman but not the
Sophomore ' lass .
3
2
12
1
3
3
1
Of those entering Grade 1X but not the Freshman Class.
4
5
19
4
2
Of those entering Grade VIII but not Grade IX
2
2
1
47
2
5
4
Total results of 145 pupils who have com- pleted or nearly completed their work with our school
1
5
3
9
16
3
81
1
11
10
5
148
4
CENTRE SCHOOL
Number " entering Grade VIII
Number from Grade VIII who entered Grade IX
Number from Grade IX who entered Freshman Year Class
Number from Freshman Class who entered Sophomore Class
Number from Sophomore Class who entered Junior Class
Number from Junior Class who entered Senior Class
Register of 1902 - 1903
20
16
10
7
6
3
Register of 1903 - 1904
19
15
12
10
8
6
Register of 1904 - 1905
27
19
12
9
8
8
Register of 1905 - 1906
36
29
18
14
10
7
Register of 1906 - 1907
24
17
12
10
9
7
Register of 1907 - 1908
28
19
16
11
00 8
Register of 1908 - 1909
18
15
12
9
Register of 1909 - 1910
14
13
10
Register of 1910 - 1911
17
14
Totals.
203
157
102
70
49
31
149
Total number of pupils entering Grade VIII from 1902 to 1910. Total number of pupils of this period who left school :
203
(1) During or upon completing Grade VIII 35
(2) During or upon completing Grade IX #
39
(3) During or upon completing Freshman Year 32
(4) During or upon completing Sophomore Year .
22
(5) During or upon completing Junior Year . .
18
Total not entering Senior Class of the 203. 146
Enter ed College
Entered Normal or Normal Art School
Entered a Finish. ing School
Entered other Prapara- tory Schools
Entered Commer- cial College or became book- keepers, etc.
Entered Drafting School or became Drafts- men
Entered Mills, Shops, Stores, or other laboring positions
Entered Indus- trial School
Re. mained at Home
Moved away
Of those entering Sen- ior Class including seven of present class .
6
14
1
1
3
1
3
1
1
Of those entering Jun- ior but not the Senior Class. .
5
1
2
4
1
2
1
2
Of those entering Sopho- more but not the Junior Class ...
3
2
5
10
1
1
Of those entering the Freshman but not the Sohpomore Class
1
2
9
3
12
6
Of those entering Grade IX but not the Freshman Class .....
3
5
8
2
14
2
4
3
Of those entering Grade VIII but not Grade IX ..
1
7
4
3
16
2
2
Totals of 180 pupils who have completed or nearly completed their work with our school.
6
19
10
19
33
10
57
10
8
8
23
150
23 unaccounted for
1
151
I call attention to certain points shown by these tables.
Assuming that those who remained at home became laborers, meaning manual laborers, fully 60 per cent of the 145 from the North School, who were traced, became laborers, while at the Centre, of the 194 traced, more than 33 per cent became laborers. From each school 11 per cent entered com- mercial college or commercial work. From the North school only one has entered college, of those entering the eighth grade during the five years 1902-1906; those entering eighth grade since then have not yet completed the school course. For the same period, six from the Centre have entered college. During this period but seven graduates of the North school have continued their education in any institution except com- mercial college ; at the Centre school there have been 26.
Of the whole number who have entered the eighth grade, 1902-1911, excepting those who have entered commercial branches, 22 from the North school and 74 from the Centre have pursued their education after leaving. Of those who entered the eighth grade 1902-1906, and should have become seniors during the past five years, there have been but 11 out of the 95 at the North school, and but 31 out of 126 at the Centre school. The North school has graduated an average of about two per year, and the Centre school an average of about five.
These facts prove to me that there is practically no demand for a college preparatory course at the North School and much need of industrial training. At the Centre School there is a greater demand for college preparatory work though the demand there is not great. There is need of commercial work in both schools.
THE COURSE OF STUDY
Progress has been made in the change toward a six grade unit for the Course of Study. With the close of this school year the intermediate work will be completed by the end of
152
the sixth grade. This does not imply, as some have mis- apprehended, that we shall finish the present work of nine grades in three years less. It does mean, however, that we can give a more complete education by the time that the pupils begin to leave school. It means, also, that the work that has been taking seven years will be done in six years just as satisfactorily, and without putting more work upon the pupil
than he ought to do. Greater efficiency in the lower grades in reading and number, by the application of pedagogical prin- ciples, and the elimination of useless details in all subjects in the middle grades, will give the necessary time for the work. Very few pupils leave school before the end of the sixth grade but at that time the exodus becomes noteworthy. Those who must leave will be equipped with a better elementary education than ever before.
By this readjustment opportunity will be given for a course of study for the three upper grades that will be adapted to the varying needs of those who remain, that they may have definite preparation for the particular kind of work that is to follow. Time will be obtained for the teaching of home arts to the girls and for manual work for the boys. We have failed to change our elementary school course to meet changed conditions. Our schools were well suited to supplement the home of a half century or a century ago when the boys could learn many of the manual arts at home and the girls were taught the simple home arts, such as sewing, setting a table, care of a room, and usually some cooking. All this has changed. The old-fashioned American home has almost disappeared and we have the modern, industrial worker's home in which the children learn the minimum of home making and home arts. There is a crying need of something to supply this lack. Duty compels us to meet this need so far as lies in our power.
The course in woodworking, which has been offered this year to boys in the North High school, has proven a decided success. The desire that has been manifested by members of the ninth grade for this work shows clearly that it ought to be extended to the upper grades of the elementary school.
.
153
Another year, with the revised course more settled, it will be very desirable, and I believe, entirely possible, to arrange for a more elastic system of promotion, based upon individual attainment, rather than so strictly upon class progress. This can be made possible by a system of more frequent promo- tions.
TEXT BOOK CHANGES
At the beginning of the present school year the "Pro- gressive Road to Reading" was introduced into the first grade, supplanting the Ward and Aldine. Its working had been observed in other places and your superintendent felt that its introduction was not an experiment. Results here seem to have confirmed this opinion. Excellent progress has been made and indications point to still greater. The series is pedagogically correct in two essentials, at least, it is based upon interest and is well supplemented by a system of phonics.
In the three lower grades Gray's "Number by Develop- ment" has been introduced, though only supplementally in in the second and third grades for this year. Next year it will be used as basal in the second grade also. This number method has produced good results elsewhere and I feel that it will save time and energy of the little people while they are getting the fundamentals of number.
.. The old geographies, which had become almost entirely worn out, have been replaced by the latest editions of the Frye geographies. It was deemed best not to adopt an entirely new text at the time of making the change.
Our language books and grammars are practically worth- less and it will be absolutely necessary to supply new books throughout the town next fall. A change of text is highly desirable in this subject.
154
ATTENDANCE
Our attendance is not what it should be. Much of the retardation of pupils in our schools is due primarily to irregu- lar attendance, and many of the absences are avoidable Many parents thoughtlessly allow their children to be absent from school unnecessarily, while a few seem to be wilfully negligent or intentionally disobedient in the matter, and need corrective measures applied.
In any case it is much to the detriment of the child.
In order to bring the matter directly to the attention of parents I have had an excuse card printed as follows :
PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF CHELMSFORD, MASSACHUSETTS
.. .191
M
. was absent tardy on
Kindly state reason for such absence tardiness in the space below, sign your name and return the card.
Teacher.
Name
Read the other side.
On the other side I have condensed the school law bearing upon attendance as follows :
FACTS FROM THE SCHOOL LAWS CONCERNING ATTENDANCE
Every child between seven and fourteen years of age shall attend some public day school during the ENTIRE TIME the public day schools are in session, unless he has been excluded from school, or unless he has attended for a like period of time a private day school, approved by the school committee, or unless he has been otherwise suitably instructed for a like
155
period of time, or unless his physical or mental condition is such as to render such attendance inexpedient or impracticable. The superintendent of schools, or teachers acting under his authority, may excuse cases of necessary absence. Every person having under his control such a child shall cause him to attend as required above ; and if he fails for five day sessions or ten half day sessions within any period of six months to cause such child so to attend school, if the physical or mental condition of the child is not such as to render his attendance at school harmful or impracticable, he shall, upon complaint by a truant officer and conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not more than twenty dollars. Whoever induces or attempts to induce a child to absent himself unlawfully from school, or employs or harbors a child who, while school is in session, is absent unlawfully from school, shall be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars.
N. B .- The only lawful cause for absence is physical or mental unfitness.
This will keep the matter plainly before the parents, and in case of flagrant violation of the law there will be ample jus- tification for prosecution.
THRIFT
The following data, furnished by the Central Savings Bank, of Lowell show to what extent the spirit of thrift has been inculcated through this system of saving.
With the exception of the accounts at the Centre and North, some of which were started in November 1910, all the accounts have been opened since last September. Some of the schools have very small totals, necessarily, but I have found the bank officials very ready to do their part and we have tried to do ours.
Books are issued when the account amounts to one dollar. Previous to that time credit is given on a card.
School
Number of Depositors
Number of Bank Books
Total Amount Received
Interest
Amount With drawn
Balance Dec. 31, 1911
Largest Deposit
Smallest Deposit
Centre
151
102
$390 01
$3 88
$ 19 31
$370 70
$16 96
$ 01
North
171
148
625 08
5 36
*137 21
493 23
17 47
07
Highland
79
53
156 45
1 08
157 53
16 32
10
West
53
34
121 77
121 77
11 00
10
East
35
20
42 91
42 91
3 00
06
South
22
18
36 82
36 82
4 37
30
Golden Cove.
22
8
13 78
13 78
2 25
05
North Row
4
0
1 47
1 47
65
16
South Row
9
7
13 03
13 03
2 68
55
Totals.
546
390
$1,401 32
$10 32
$*156 52
$1,251 24
Actual amount withdrawn to Dec. 31st, $73.47.
*Includes fifteen deposits, amounting to $83.05, transferred to the Highland School.
156
157
VACCINATION
Owing to the prevalence of small-pox in New England, in several places in epidemic form, and because of the proximity of some infected districts, it has seemed best to enforce the vac- cination law. Moreover other towns about us had been en- forcing it and there seem no good reason for our neglect of enforcement.
Nearly all pupils attending school have conformed to the law and the few delinquents are receiving attention at the time of writing this report. It is intended that all shall be treated alike. Of the 250 or more pupils vaccinated by our school physicians there has not been one case of serious illness from its effects, either directly or indirectly.
TEACHERS
Since my last report many changes have taken place in the teaching force.
At the Centre the vacancies caused by the resignation of Miss Graham, Miss Campbell, and Miss Crawford, were filled by the election of Miss Florence Stites, Miss Helena B. Lyon, and the transfer from the North Row of Miss Eliza Spaulding. Recently Mr. Harris' resignation made another vacancy which Mr. Charles A. Holbrook is filling for the remainder of the school year.
At the North village the resignation of teachers, the open- ing of the Highland school, and the consequent rearrangement of the grades, have caused many changes. Miss Camille Fitz-Gerald has taken the place of Miss Crawford in the High Sshool; Miss Laura B. Desmarais was transferred from the East School to take the seventh grade in place of Miss King resigned. One teacher more than previously was needed and Miss Genevieve E. Jantzen was elected teacher of the fourth grade. Miss Quinn was made principal of the Highland School, and the teachers who went with her were Miss Prince, Miss Gookin and Miss McCue. Miss Prince resigned a short time
158
ago and Miss Mary Underwood has taken her place. There have been no other changes there, though some changes in grades.
At the West School Miss Kathryn Howarth has succeeded Miss Crowell in the primary room.
In the East School Miss Rose C. Geary has filled the va- cancy caused by the transfer of Miss Desmarais.
At the South School Miss Ruth D. Crawford and Miss Mabel Haggerty have taken the places made vacant by the resignation of Miss Mary Martin and Miss Mildred Ellis, who was successor to Miss Quincy.
At Golden Cove, Miss Kew, transferred from South Row, has taken the place of Miss McQuade who resigned.
Miss Kew's place at South Row has been filled by Miss Regina B. Frappier.
Miss Ruth Adams, of this town, was chosen for the North Row School in place of Miss Spaulding, transferred to Centre.
While we have lost some excellent teachers, whose depar- ture we regretted greatly, we have secured some very good ones for their places. I am pleased to say that I feel that we have a strong force of teachers at this time. I am as well pleased with their work at present as with the work at any time since I assumed the superintendency.
I sincerely hope that we shall be able to retain them. A somewhat more rapid advance toward the maximum salary may help some.
Our salaries compare favorably with those of similar towns, but they are not large enough to hold most of our best teachers long.
159
CONCLUSION
I wish to call attention to the special reports that follow. There is much of interest in them, especially for the parents of children in our schools.
I am very hopeful for the future of our schools. We have a corp of very willing and capable teachers, whose efforts are bound to result in progress. New problems are arising, and will arise, but we shall try to meet them in the way that seems wisest and best. The Town seems willing to make the proper sacrifice for the good of its youth, thus completing the essentials success.
I desire to commend the teachers for their progressiveness and to thank them for their interest and co-operation.
My relations with the Committee have been exceedingly pleasant, and I wish to express to you my appreciation of your kindly interest, your helpful suggestions, and your unfailing support.
Respectfully submitted,
BENJ. E. MARTIN.
160
SPECIAL REPORTS
Reports of the School Physicians
MR. BENJAMIN E. MARTIN,
Chelmsford, Mass.
Dear Sir :
The following is a report of the findings of the examina- tion of the children of Precincts One and Four.
Adenoids 12
Enlarged tonsils. 20
Ring worm
1
Pediculosis. 3
Impetigo
1
A great many diseased teeth were observed, a good proportion of which have received skilled attention.
Vaccination met with no opposition of moment and has been very generally done.
Sanitary conditions are generally good.
Very respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR G. SCOBORIA.
161
MR. BENJ. E. MARTIN,
Dear Sir:
I am making the following report of the annual inspection of schools of Precincts Two and Three.
Diseased teeth 110
Pediculosis .. 86
Adenoids . 33
Enlarged tonsils 69
Anemia
3 General debility 4
Impetigo
2
Mental deficiency 6
Adenitis.
3
Infantile paralysis. 1
Nasal obstruction
2
Diseased eye lid.
2
Discharge from ear.
1
Scabies. 1
Nasal catarrh
1
218 children were found vaccinated and 201 not vac- cinated.
Since making the inspection in early part of the school year, the most of those who were not vaccinated have since been vaccinated.
The sanitary condition of the schools is good. There have been scattering cases of diphtheria and scarlet fever but no epidemic.
The average attendance of pupils to date must be higher than usual as there has been little sickness among them.
Respectfully submitted,
F. E. VARNEY, M. D.
162
Report of the Supervisor of Music
MR. B. E. MARTIN,
Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir :
I herewith submit my music report for the Chelmsford schools.
As a whole the work accomplished is quite satis- factory. Each year our aim has little variation but the methods of achieving the result must of necessity vary. The supervisor must always be working first to improve the method, then to assist the grade teacher in carrying it out.
We are trying a new method in some of the schools which is proving very satisfactory.
I am glad to say I have able assistance from our grade teachers who are always ready to act upon any suggestion that may be made.
The supervisor can do little without a competent grade teacher. She need not be a musician, but she must be capable of taking directions and following them.
Herbert Spencer says, "Music must take rank as the high- est of fine arts, as the one which more than another ministers to human welfare." Hence we cannot be too careful in the way the subject is presented to the children.
Music is the only subject taught in the public schools in which thorough training may not be had free of expense in this country. The question of founding a school to supply this need has been agitated, so doubtless these advantages may be looked for in the future. At the present time, the only musical training many children receive is what they get from the public schools, so it is my aim to make it as thorough and
163
of as high a standard as possible that it may be a benefit in after life.
I thank the Superintendent for his interest and the grade teachers for their co-operation in the work.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY BLANCHARD RAYNES,
Supervisor of Music
Report of the Supervisor of Drawing
MR. BENJAMIN E. MARTIN,
Superintendent of Schools,
Chelmsford, Mass.
Dear Sir :
I respectfully submit the following report concerning the drawing in the schools of Chelmsford for the year ending March 1912.
In planning the course of drawing in the schools the pur- pose has not been primarily to make artists or professionals of our children but to train them ultimately to a better apprecia- tion of the beautiful and to create through them a more uni- versal demand for beauty in their environment.
The drawing for the primary grades consists mainly in exercises which enable the child to develop control of the hands. Through the grammar grades the course is divided in- to four parts :free hand drawing from objects and nature, color theory and design, constructive drawing and applied design, and picture study.
Special work has been given to those High School pupils
-
164
who are intending to go on with the work in more advanced schools.
I suggest that in the coming year, in the High schools, a course in mechanical drawing be given and that the free hand course be divided, there being one class for freshmen and one for the other classes-the freshmen work to be compulsory and the other elective.
Of necessity much of the real hard work of the course is performed by the regular teacher, in every case this has been faithfully and conscientiously done.
I wish to thank the teachers for their assistance and un- tiring efforts in carrying out the course.
Respectfully yours,
BERTHA GREENLEAF BARTLETT,
Supervisor of Drawing.
Centre School
MR. BENJAMIN E. MARTIN,
Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir:
I herewith respectfully submit my report of the Chelms- ford Centre School for the year ending February, 1912.
Last September we started with three new grade teachers. In a few weeks the crowded conditions in some of the rooms necessitated the engaging of a fourth. These newcomers have each and every one shown the same willingness to co- operate for school betterment that has ever characterized our teaching force.
In the High School there was no change in the faculty. The same policy, therefore, could be consistently followed.
165
This was the standardizing of our work in accordance with the requirements of the State Board of Education. It is pleasant to record that as a result of an investigation by Mr. Mac- donald, agent of the State Board, our high school has been placed on the list of approved high schools.
This means that our graduates may be admitted to any State Normal School without examination, provided they have attained an average of eighty per cent throughout the course. We intend to maintain this standard. Our next step is to secure the certificate privilege to colleges.
Outside of the regular school work there has been consi- derable school activity. A successful speaking contest was held in the spring, the prize winners being Ethel L. Wright . and Dorothy E. Hayes. Last January the school gave an en- joyable entertainment in the town hall. A fine bust of Lincoln is the result. The class of 1914 is soon to give a play. Our annual spring speaking contest is in view. The regular weekly rhetoricals have given constant preparation for this.
The active interests of the teachers in the work and play of the school has done much to create a helpful school spirit.
Trusting that it may be of interest to some of the towns- people I include the program of graduation of the class of 1911.
Selection . Adams' Orchestra ยท
Prayer Rev. E. A. Roadman .
Song-Sextet
Chorus Donizetti
Salutatory Essay-"Marie Rosa Bonheur" Lenore G. Shinkwin
Song-"Ching-A-Ring-A-Ring" . Molloy Chorus
Class History
Henrik A. Paasche
166
Selection .
Orchestra
Essay-"The Nibelungen Lied"
Ella M. Burns
Song-"The Beautiful Blue Danube"
Chorus
Strauss
Class Prophecy Rose E. Paignon
.
Selection .
,
Orchestra
Valedictory Essay-"Alaska and its
Natural Resources"
Howard W. Bullock
Presentation of Diplomas
Benjamin E. Martin, Superintendent
Benediction
Rev. Wilson Waters
Selection .
.
Orchestra
The members of the class :
Howard Walter Bullock, Rose Eugenie Paignon,
Ella Melissa Burns, Ruth Agnes Park,
Henrik Alexander Paasche, Thomas Edward Sheehan, Lenore Genevieve Shinkwin.
. In closing I wish to thank most heartily the teachers, the superintendent, and the committee for their loyalty and activity in promoting the welfare of the school.
Very respecfully,
ELMER EASTMAN HARRIS.
167
North Chelmsford School
MR. BENJAMIN E. MARTIN,
Superintendent of Schools,
Chelmsford, Mass.
Dear Sir :
I respectfully submit the following report of the North Chelmsford High and Grammar School for the year ending Feb. 29, 1912.
Our school has been fortunate this year in having com- paratively few changes in the teaching force. Miss Irena M. Crawford resigned her position as assistant in the ninth grade and high school in March 1911, and her place has been filled very acceptably by Miss Camille Fitz-Gerald ; Miss Laura B. Desmarais is teaching our seventh grade in the place of Miss Julia E. King; and Miss Genevieve E. Jantzen has charge of the fourth grade, owing to the transfer of teachers which took place with the opening of the new school building.
The distribution of the various departments represented in the high school program practically follows out the plan outlined in my report of last year. In addition to the subjects taught heretofore a course consisting chiefly of elementary woodworking has been started, and considerable emphasis has been placed upon public recitation work. During the spring term a prize speaking contest was held in which Miss Rita Bickford, of West Chelmsford, was the successful contestant. We hope to hold another similar contest this year.
What I said last year regarding the spirit of the school, scholarship, and attendance is also true now, although this does not mean that we have stood still in these respects. While the work in certain departments has been broken up somewhat by the illness of the teacher in charge I believe the quality and quantity of our school work is steadily improving; something has been achieved but much remains to be done.
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