USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1903 > Part 5
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58
Dysentery
12
Mary B. Folger
58
3 I2
Disease of kidney
12
Ellen Harrington
SI
Apoplexy
13
Veronica McIsaac
6
15
Marasmus
14
Gertrude M. Bryant
12
8
6
Otterhoes cerebral meningitis
15
Martha M. Sampson
88
3
I Broncho-pneumonia, senility
17
Cornelius G. Ashley
8I
Peritonitis, lobar pneumonia
20
Frank Aruda
Convulsions
25
John W. Gammons
60
8
Marasmus
26
Myrtis B. Holmes
38
6
Consumption
29
Dorothy P. Tinkham
73
9
2
Cancer of breast, gastritis
29
Carrie E. Caswell
2 II
Meningitis
Nov. I
Madeline D. Lanquin
Heart disease
10
William T. Gibbs
76
0,14
Pneumonia
13
Nathaniel Shurtleff
92
I|29
Paralysis
16
Harriet Terry Tripp
63
3
6
Diabetes
19
John Stonehouse
83
6-
Apoplexy
30
77
6
Paralysis
Dec.
3
Emma B. Richmond
32
II
6
Pulmonary tuberculosis
3
Arnold Sprague Le Gard
- I ]
I
Rachitis
10
Louise R. Benoit
7
6 18
Scarlatina
I2
Sarah F. Slocum
49
S 23
Shock following hysterectomy
13
24
5
Drowning
13
Frank A. Allen
22
OI
Drowning
22
Eva May Benoit
10
4 24
Scarlet fever, nephritis
18
Roger Reynolds Boehme
5
Inanition
27
Mary E. Andrews
78
6 29
Angina pectoris
27
John H. Paun
72
4
12
Acute peritonitis
28
Amarantha Churchill
79|
9
8
Spinal necrosis
13
Valliere
-
-
I
Old age
26
Lois B. Churbuck
84
1
-
Fractured hip; exhaustion
-
6
28
55
-
Daniel Warren
Harrison M. Haskins
26
Intestinal obstruction
Y.M. D.
Valvular disease of heart
·
103
SUMMARY
From the records of marriages, births and deaths, recorded during the year 1903.
Number of marriages recorded .
89
Number of marriage licenses granted .
77
Oldest groom . ·
70
Youngest groom
19
Oldest bride
·
·
.
.
.
.
63
Youngest bride
16
First marriage of
.
.
.
154
Second marriage of
20
Third marriage of
4
BIRTHS.
Number recorded
136
DEATHS.
Number recorded
136
Number occurring in town
111
Males
63
Females
73
Under one year
12
Between 1 and 10 years ·
.
.
.
.
8
Between 10 and 20 years .
. .
.
6
.
.
.
·
·
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
104
Between 20 and 30 years .
·
Between 30 and 40 years
8
Between 40 and 50 years
·
·
9
Between 60 and 70 years .
33
Between 70 and 80 years
.
.
·
.
23
Between 80 and 90 years
·
.
18
Between 90 and 100 years
.
.
.
.
4
DOGS.
Number licensed in 1903
604
Males .
544 Females 60
8
.
7
Between 50 and 60 years
.
105
REPORT OF PLYMOUTH STREET SCHOOL- HOUSE BUILDING COMMITTEE.
The committee appointed to build a new schoolhouse on Plymouth street, North Middleborough, beg leave to submit the following partial report :
They have attended to their duties and have constructed a modern one-room schoolhouse, with a capacity for seating thirty scholars.
The financial statement is as follows :
Appropriated by the town
.
$2,500 00
Received from sale of old building
25 00
$2,525 00
Orders drawn on Town Treasurer as follows :
Wood & Tinkham, printing $2 25
J. K. & B. Sears & Co., lumber 2 86
M. O. Rounseville, putting in foundations, 82 00 M. O. Rounseville, building dry wells, 8 00
M. O. Rounseville, labor on well 37 25
Eugene L. Clark, architect, for plans, 75 00 ,
Frank E. Pierce, building schoolhouse, 1,525 00 Frank E. Pierce, building outbuilding, 125 00
Frank E. Pierce, building fence ·
78 44
106
Frank E. Pierce, putting in desks and sheathing heater room $20 35
Frank E. Pierce, platform and trough for well .
7 50
Henry C. Hopkins, manager, drilling well . ·
159 52
Chandler Adjustable Chair & Desk Works, 30 scholars' desks and one teacher's desk
104 00
Walter S. Barden, freight and carting desks
4 04
W. H. Southworth, expense in buy- ing desks 2 50
Jones Brothers, curtains, etc. . 23 17
J. & G. E. Doane, heating and ven- tilating 156 00
Arad R. Dunham, grading ·
41 63
David G. Pratt, sundries 8 80
$2,463 31
Balance remaining for completion of work, $61 69
Middleborough, Mass., February 13, 1904.
107
ESTIMATE FOR A TAX, 1904.
For support of schools, current expenses and Superintendent's salary . $25,800 00
Ordinary repairs, alterations and permanent im- provement of school property 1,000 00 .
Support of poor
7,500 00
Soldiers' relief
4,000 00
Military aid . .
700 00
Town Officers
3,000 00
Incidentals
.
.
2,500 00 .
G. A. R., Memorial Day
200 00
Water supply
1,500 00 ·
Town debt, note due November 1, 1904 .
5,000 00
Town debt, note extended from 1902
6,000 00
Gas and Electric Lighting Plant
7,600 00
Commissioners' salaries
150 00
Suburban lighting
450 00
Bonds due .
2,000 00
Interest .
.
3,148 00
Construction .
952 00
Maintenance .
.
900 00
Interest
3,000 00
Board of Health .
.
.
1,000 00
·
·
.
.
·
.
.
·
108
Highway Department, including general repairs, clearing away snow and salary of superin- tendent
. $10,000 00
Police .
. .
· 300 00
Night watch . ·
·
.
· 725 00
Sprinkling streets .
.
.
. 600 00
Grade crossing tax .
2,471 87
$82,896 87
Less corporation and bank tax, estimated . 5,900 00
To raise by tax
. $76,996 87
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF MIDDLEBOROUGH, MASS.,
FOR 1903.
LEE
OR
OUTH
COUNTY
CM
W
H *
INCORPORATED
D.1669
MIDDLEBORO, MASS .: MIDDLEBORO GAZETTE OFFICE. 1904.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Organization, 1903-1904.
REV. W. C. LITCHFIELD, Chairman.
CHARLES H. BATES, Secretary.
Members.
B. J. ALLAN, Pleasant Street . Term expires 1904 JOANNA T. LEONARD, 5 North Street . Term expires 1904 REV. W. C. LITCHFIELD, 1 Southwick Street, Term expires 1905 WARREN H. SOUTHWORTH, 7 West Street, Term expires 1905 WILLIAM A. ANDREWS, 57 So. Main Street, Term expires 1906 NATHAN WASHBURN, 70 So. Main Street, Term expires 1906
Superintendent of Schools.
CHARLES H. BATES, 103 So. Main Street. Office, Room 7, Town Hall. Office Hours, school days : Mondays and Fridays, 4 to 5 P.M .; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 to 9 A.M. ; Wednesdays, 6.30 to 7.30 P.M.
Regular meetings of the Committee are held in Room 7, Town Hall, on the first Thursday of each month, at 7.30 P.M.
All bills against the School Department should be sent to the Secretary's office not later than the Wednesday preceding the first Thursday of each month.
3
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
To the Citizens of Middleboro :
The close of the year demands from the School Committee a report of the work done in the schools and the recommen- dations that in our judgment are wise and necessary for the support and further advancement of the same.
We ask careful consideration of the reports of the Superin- tendent, Principal of the High School, Supervisor of Music and Supervisor of Drawing as containing the details, progress and desired improvements connected with their several de- partments. Through these reports and the publication of weekly "School Notes " by the Superintendent, the citizens ought to be well informed concerning school affairs.
The present condition of our schools is better than in any previous year. The town is to be congratulated upon hav- ing the earnest and faithful services of Superintendent Bates, Principal Sampson and Supervisor Howard continued with- out interruption during the year, which, if retained, cannot fail to add still more to the success of the future.
Your Committee desire to again express their appreciation of the services rendered by all the teachers, not as a mere compliment, but as a word of encouragement to a body of persons whose conscientious efforts are too often passed by without notice.
4
The Supervisor of Music has been encouraged by the in- terest shown on the part of the inhabitants in several sections of the town who have assisted in placing musical instru- ments in the schoolrooms ; by the personal interest of Hon. David G. Pratt, who presented organs to the the Plymouth street and Pleasant street schools ; also to another individ- ual, whose name we are not at liberty to mention, whereby all the suburban schools are provided with organs.
The Union street building should be altered into a six- room building to relieve the congestion of the High School building. The High School building has received no repairs on the interior since its erection in 1886. There is not a single room where the pupils can be seated together. This matter still waits for action by the town, whereby convenient and comfortable accommodations may be provided.
After careful consideration of the many interests connected with our schools, the following estimates for the current year are as limited as can be made to maintain the present stand- ing of education in this town :
For current expenses
· . $25,800 00
Repairs .
· · . 1,000 00
5
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
RECEIPTS.
Balance from last year
$291 71
Appropriation for current expenditures
23,500 00
Appropriation for salaries of School Committee . 150 00
Library fund
1,016 07
Fees
6 00
Town of Lakeville, tuition ·
·
.
624 00
Town of Freetown, tuition
40 00
Town of Raynham, tuition
40 00
Town of Plympton, tuition
144 00
City of Boston, tuition .
36 00
State Board of Lunacy and Charity, tuition
396 00
Tuition not paid by towns
64 50
Sale of books and supplies
25 19
$26,333 47
EXPENDITURES.
Instruction, superintendence, care of buildings
and fuel
. $22,101 68
Books and supplies
1,065 74
Sundries
439 72
Conveyance to High School
693 47
Conveyance to elementary schools
1,827 80
Salaries of School Committee .
150 00
.
.
.
·
.
.
·
.
.
.
.
.
.
$26,278 41
6
Balance
$55 06
REPAIRS.
Appropriation
. $1,000 00
Cash received
.
$1,006 60
Expended
$1,006 60
HIGHLAND SCHOOL.
Special appropriation
$600 00
Expended
$600 00
FOREST STREET.
Special appropriation, 1901
$200 00
Expended, 1901 ·
.
$151 70
Expended, 1903 .
9 00
160 70
Balance .
$39 30
DETAILED STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURES.
INSTRUCTION.
Central schools :
High . $3,510 00
Main Street
. 2,222 00
Union Street .
. 1,489 40
School Street .
. 1,596 00
Forest Street 883 80 .
West Side
1,692 00 ·
- $11,393 20
.
6 60
·
.
7
Suburban schools :
Pleasant Street
$342 00
Plymouth Street
319 00
Purchade
342 00
Nemasket
334 00
Thompsonville
304 00
Soule
319 00
Waterville
294 80
Green .
334 00
Fall Brook
.
370 00
Thomastown .
347 80
South Middleboro
380 00
Highland
334 00
Rock
.
354 00
Wappanucket
·
.
$4,693 60
Music
$500 00
Drawing
80 00
JANITORS.
Central schools :
Main Street building
$429 00
Union and School Street buildings
385 00
Forest Street building
165 00
West Side building
220 00
$1,199 00
Suburban schools :
Pleasant Street
$39 20
Plymouth Street
25 10
.
.
.
.
319 00
·
.
.
8
Purchade
$14 45
Nemasket
30 75
Thompsonville
14 60
Soule
31 70
Waterville
15 50
Green
.
14 60
Fall Brook
15 50
South Middleboro
15 80
Highland
·
.
15 45
Wappanucket
.
14 15
Thomastown .
·
14 60
Rock
41 00
$302 40
[NOTE .- Owing to a deficit, the December salaries of the janitors of the Central schools were not paid until January 1, 1904. The total amount for the year was $1,309.50, Cen- tral schools ; $302.40, Suburban schools. ]
FUEL.
Central schools :
Bryant & Soule
. . $1,965 43
J. L. Jenney
28 12
J. B. LeBaron
31 75
B. C. Shaw .
54 41
Suburban schools :
C. N. Atwood
$6 65
B. J. Allan
.
.
55 38
J. H. Ryder . .
.
17 00
·
.
.
.
. .
.
$2,079 71
·
.
9
J. L. Jenney
·
.
$9 25
A. H. Soule .
52 25
Clark & Cole
4 00
E. H. Shaw .
18 50
Bryant & Soule
46 75
J. H. Vaughan
38 05
O. E. Deane .
17 13
E. G. Shaw .
4 00
Josiah H. Thomas
20 50
Ezra Morse .
$305 46
SUNDRIES.
Thomas W. Pierce, sundries
$27 11
Joseph E. Beals, settees
20 00
William E. Bump, brooms
4 50
George L. Finney, sundries
4 10
Charles H. Bates, traveling expenses and sundries
113 75
Jones Bros. Co., sundries
5 00
N. Y. & B. Despatch Express Co., expressage ·
20 25
Middleboro Gas & Electric Plant, gas, 17 51
George Thompson, Jr., labor . 1 00 · B. J. Allan, taking census and cash paid for labor 33 50
C. M. Thatcher, sundries .
40
Le Baron Foundry, sundries . 1 00 ·
John McNally, cartage and freight 14 48
F. N. Whitman, sundries .
4 23
.
.
.
.
·
16 00
.
.
.
10
Henry W. Stone, filling in diplomas, $3 60
William H. Goodwin, sundries 2 00
C. W. M. Blanchard, filling in certificates, 3 00
J. & G. E. Doane, sundries 12 88
E. H. Shaw, labor . 3 50
I. Briggs, repairing lawn mower 90
Emeline Thomas, cleaning school room, 2 25
W. C. Litchfield, cash paid for labor, 10 00
W. H. Southworth, cash paid for labor, 16 12
Dora T. Leonard, taking census and cash paid . 35 00
L. C. Decker, sundries .
.
3 00
H. A. Witbeck, sundries
.
2 25
Clark & Cole, sundries .
95
Carrie Lord, cleaning schoolroom 3 00
Joanna Thomas, cleaning schoolroom, 6 00
W. H. Carl, cleaning schoolroom 3 05
S. S. Lovell, services as truant officer and sundries 37 33
E. T. Lincoln, services as truant officer, 9 00
A. G. Hayes, care of sewer, High School building . .
5 00
F. E. Pierce, labor .
4 00
Walter Sampson, sundries · .
3 81
West Disinfecting Co., disinfectants, 6 25
BOOKS.
Houghton, Mifflin & Co. $11 07
Hinds & Noble 9 60 .
$439 72
11
Ginn & Co.
$213 18
D. C. Heath & Co.
74. 46
E. E. Babb & Co. .
30 67
Rand, McNally & Co.
5 00
Silver, Burdett & Co.
58 41
Allyn & Bacon
35 84
American Book Co.
15 12
Ellis Publishing Co.
34 32
G. & C. Merriam Co.
3 40
The Morse Co.
5 10
F. J. Barnard & Co.
41 56
Henry Holt Co.
8 23
J. Q. Adams & Co.
·
10 80
A. T. French & Co.
·
12 50
Oliver Ditson Co. .
20 13
$589 39
SUPPLIES.
Smith & Hathaway
$70 86
Atkinson & Mentzer
9 80
Eagle Pencil Co.
9 26
Isabel Sewall .
1 00
Wordsworth, Howland & Co. .
88
J. L. Hammett Co.
12 31
F. E. Babb & Co. .
.
.
172 78
Milton Bradley Co.
·
·
15 84
Wood & Tinkham .
·
85
H. L. Thatcher & Co. .
14 52
·
.
·
.
·
.
· .
·
$308 10
12
PRINTING.
H. L. Thatcher & Co.
$89 00
Wood & Tinkham .
79 25
$168 25
Of the amount expended for books, $426.23 was for High School books, and $163.16 for elementary school books.
CONVEYANCE TO HIGH SCHOOL.
Theodore S. Davis
$5 10
Hattie R. Dunham
5 75
Mattie K. Dunham
5 75
Henry E. Libby
20 00
James C. Murray · .
5 30
Lottie A. Thomas .
5 55
David H. Cunningham
7 30
Annie M. Dorr
9 10
Percy Jackson
31 03
Mary Libby .
24 39
Minerva M. Sisson
9 15
James P. Thomas
.
.
. 7 40
Grace Tinkham
9 15
Frank W. Davis
.
.
9 15
Phineas P. Dorr
.
.
9 15
Annie W. Frost
1 15
Mattie S. Murdock
·
.
.
8 80
C. Amory Newhall
.
.
.
8 95
Cordelia Richmond
.
·
8 60
I. Bradford Thomas
·
35 60
· .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
·
·
.
13
Joseph Westgate
$8 50
Earle Thompson
3 90
Hope T. Gibbs
6 30
Lottie M. Blakeslee
8 00
Vira N. Campbell .
9 15
Aymar B. Freeman
16 80
Eleanor Frost
1 45
Jay G. Galligan
8 55
Lewis W. Garney .
15 90
Winnifred D. Lakey
5 75
Elsie B. Mackeen
·
.
7 60
Alta M. Maxim
18 20
Margaret Parnell
25 65
Dorothy Shaw
.
.
35 40
Frank H. Shaw
.
.
·
33 00
Walter L. Shaw
36 00
Mary Shaw
36 00
Elmer A. Sisson
9 05
Helen C. Smith
1 30
Alice M. Ward
26 85
Louise S. Wilber
9 20
Willis V. Snow
8 55
Myrtie A. Shaw
8 80
Catherine M. Lewis
8 85
Frank H. Standish
8 25
Clara G. Thomas
8 15
Harrison C. Shaw .
.
.
21 63
Sarah E. Murtage .
.
.
6 05
Bernard Bryant
.
6 90
·
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
·
.
.
.
.
.
.
14
Leslie W. Bryant
·
.
$6 90
Shirlie C. Clark
3 40
Clara D. Eaton
3 45
Frederick G. Fies .
6 93
LeRoy M. LeBaron
.
6 80
Charles E. Reed
6 70
Minnie F. Russell .
.
6 80
Mildred A. Thomas
3 40
Arlena F. Tinkham
3 35
Winifred W. Weatherby
7 39
Grace F. D. White
3 40
Herbert L. Wilber
3 40
Lizzie F. Thompson
1 65
Mattie Westgate
3 80
$693 47
CONVEYANCE TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
Pleasant Street, Robert W. Thorson, $283 50
Nemasket, C. E. Libby . 354 00
Thompsonville, Joseph A. Carver 241 65
Thomastown, C. T. Morse 263 75
South Middleboro, Anna M. Shaw 313 25
South Middleboro, T. J. LeBaron 13 65
Wappanucket, Calvin Bradford
358 00
$1,827 80
REPAIRS.
Nathan Washburn, cash paid for labor,
$ 90
A. S. Buckman, labor, Highland School,
1 50
.
.
.
·
15
G. T. M. Gammons, labor at Rock . $2 80
Gardiner Thomas, grading at West Side, 21 70
C. W. Maxim, sky-light frame with cover, High School 2 50
J. T. Washburn, labor on Forest Street schoolhouse 2 28
H. A. Witbeck, repairing bells and wires, High School 1 50
Zenas Phinney, labor 12 72
W. C. Litchfield, cash paid for repairs, 4 79
J. B. Knowland, labor and material, 3 07
H. J. Roberts, mason work at Nemasket, 5 15
Fred C. Sparrow, building and paint-
ing door steps, Waterville . 9 14
C. H. Shaw, grading at Nemasket 10 38
W. A. Andrews, cash paid for mason work . 6 75
Chandler Desk Co., desk for Purchade, 12 50
George H. Thompson, labor and ma- terial 2 10
C. F. Gay, labor at Forest Street schoolhouse 2 20
E. A. Masefield, labor on roof High School building . 12 05
Henry C. Hopkins, labor at Pleasant Street 25 45
W. A. Andrews, cash paid for labor, 5 00 George H. Thompson, labor at Water- ville and Green . 7 10
16
J. K. & B. Sears & Co., lumber for High School $13 89
J. K. & B. Sears & Co., lumber for Nemasket . 51 67
J. K. & B. Sears & Co., lumber for Soule
23 80
Thomas W. Pierce, labor and material,
51 08
66 labor and material,
4 66
labor and material,
44 29
66 66 labor and material, 77 31
Lloyd Perkins, 2d, labor on boiler, High School ·
3 45
Lloyd Perkins, labor at High School building .
8 27
Lloyd Perkins, labor at High and Union Street 14 10
Lloyd Perkins, labor at High School, 3 35
F. E. Pierce, repairs at South Middle- boro . 96 38 ·
F. E. Pierce, repairs at Rock . .
13 25
E. H. Blake, labor and material .
.
75
E. H. Blake, repairs 1 40
J. & G. E. Doane, labor and material, 38 49
J. & G. E. Doane, labor and material, 10 19
T. F. Boucher, painting and kasomin- ing at Wappanucket and School Street houses 113 06
W. H. Southworth, labor at High,
West Side and Nemasket 37 59
17
Eben Jones, painting Rock and South Middleboro houses, material and
labor at West Side and High $89 88
Painting and material for Thomastown,
Thompsonville, Green and Nemasket, 108 74
Painting at Waterville 28 54
Jones Bros. Co., material and labor, School Street 6 59
Material and labor at Forest Street, School Street, Highland and Soule, 14 29
$1,006 00
HIGHLAND.
E. C. Holloway, labor and material, $504 55
W. S. Barden, freight and cartage . 4 50
Chandler Chair & Desk Works, fur- niture 90 95
$600 00
FOREST STREET.
L. B. Pratt, gravel
$9 00
Respectfully submitted,
W. C. LITCHFIELD, W. H. SOUTHWORTH, NATHAN WASHBURN, W. A. ANDREWS, B. J. ALLAN, JOANNA T. LEONARD.
18
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
NINETEENTH IN THE SERIES.
MIDDLEBORO, Mass., January 30, 1904.
To the School Committee of Middleboro:
I respectfully submit to you and to the citizens of Middle- boro my third annual report of the schools of the town.
It gives me pleasure to say that I believe the past year has been marked by substantial progress along many lines of school work. The attendance has greatly improved, es- pecially in regard to the number of cases of tardiness and dismissal, being less by over 700 than in 1902. The num- ber of cases of truancy is smaller than for ten years. The largest number in any one year in that time was in 1896 when 38 were reported. The past year the number reported was 9. The discipline has been stronger, the spirit of the schoolrooms brighter and the relation of school and home closer and freer from misunderstandings.
The hearty and earnest co-operation of all school interests has been very gratifying to the superintendent.
The following report gives a brief summary of some of the principal changes in school work together with such recom- mendations as are considered essential to the welfare of the schools.
19
High School.
1. Introduction of German in the course of study. This has been done to meet the requirements for admission to the schools of technology.
2. Extension of the science work.
The courses in physics and chemistry have been extended so that now a full year's work of 200 periods is given instead of two terms as formerly.
With the fully equipped laboratories an excellent oppor- tunity is offered to students in this department and the change in methods in this work is giving more intelligent results.
3. Introduction of drawing under a trained supervisor.
For a number of years drawing has not been taught in the High School, although required by the laws of the State and a requisite study for admission to the normal schools. In September it was introduced as an elective study for mem- bers of the two upper classes. Thirty pupils have taken up the work under the direction of the supervisor. The exer- cise is taken each Friday morning from 8.25 to 9.05.
4. Emphasizing of English work.
More attention is given to English work, especially to exercises in practical composition and rhetoric. The work is conducted by two teachers and the results show a decided improvement over the work of the previous year. The English department should be the strongest course in the school curriculum. The number of English periods should be increased.
20
5. Changes in text books.
The only changes were in French grammar and English composition. These were considered beneficial and much better results have been secured. A German grammar and readers have also been introduced.
6. Music.
On account of the large membership it has been neces- sary to divide the school into two divisions which take their lessons at different periods. While the chorus work is good it would be better if the whole school could meet together for such work. The present conditions make this impossible. The quality of the music work is growing better each year and reflects great credit upon the patient and energetic efforts of the supervisor.
I wish to express my appreciation of the kindness of the trustees of the Peirce fund in continuing the services of an additional teacher in this school. It has had much to do with the progress and efficiency of the work as now outlined in the curriculum. Under the energetic and scholarly leader- ship of its popular principal, assisted by the corps of faithful and tireless teachers, our High School has reached a standard of excellence which should be a cause for pride to the citi- zens of Middleboro.
Central Schools.
1. Extension of school year in the upper Central grammar grades from 36 to 40 weeks, and in the other elementary grades from 36 to 38 weeks.
The teachers of the upper grammar grades were elected last June at a yearly salary instead of a stated sum per week,
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as formerly, and the length of their service made the same as the teachers in the High School. This has resulted in a longer time for the final years of preparation for the High School work without any particular additional expense. The actual teaching time for the elementary schools, even with a year of 38 weeks, falls below 36 weeks, counting out the holidays and days when no session is kept on account of storms.
2. Regrading at West Side and placing these schools under the charge of a male principal.
The congested condition at the Main Street building last year made it necessary to retain a part of the ninth grade in the West Side building instead of having it finish the last year, as formerly, in the Main Street building. This neces- sitated a regrading of the schools in the West Side building. The result has been satisfactory, and hereafter pupils can pass directly into the High School from this building. The placing of pupils in the upper grammar grades under the more virile influence of a male principal is for the best inter- ests of the pupils.
3. Engagement of a trained supervisor in drawing.
The placing of the study of drawing under the charge of a trained supervisor is one of the most beneficial changes of the year. The pupils have taken hold of the study with much enthusiasm, and the beginning speaks well for excel- lent results in the future. The drawing teacher visits each Central school once in two weeks.
4. Repairs.
But little work was done upon the Central buildings the
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past year. The four rooms in the School Street building were painted and kalsomined, much improving their appear- ance.
5. Change in teachers.
There have been nine changes. These positions were filled by transferring six teachers from other schools in town and appointing three. The Central positions are nearly all filled by resident teachers. Of the eighteen positions, twelve are occupied by residents of Middleboro.
The large membership of nearly all the Central schools calls for teachers who are good disciplinarians as well as good instructors. The discipline in these schools the pres- ent year is stronger and their general condition better than during the previous year. The problem of future accommo- dations is soon to call for consideration.
Suburban Schools.
1. Plymouth Street building.
The new building for which an appropriation was made at the annual meeting last March was finished and ready for occupancy at the opening of the school year in September. It is similar in design to the one at Pleasant street, except- ing it has no basement and the furnace room is in the front part of the building. It is well lighted, heated and ven- tilated, equipped with modern furniture and in every way an attractive model suburban school building. At the dedica- tion exercises in November, a pleasing feature was the pres- entation to the school of an organ by Hon. David G. Pratt, a member of the building committee. A well has been driven, which gives a good supply of pure water.
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2. Highland school building.
At the annual meeting in March an appropriation of $600 was made for enlarging the school building in the Highland district. This has been done, and the old building enlarged and thoroughly made over, equipped with adjustable seats and desks, presents a very attractive appearance. The marked transformation is a decided improvement over the former building.
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