USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1908 > Part 7
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$500 00
DEPRECIATION ACCOUNT.
1908
1908
Jan. 1 Balance $150 62
Apr. 29 Appropriation . 5,000 00
Dec. 31 Overdrawn 221 89
Dec. 31 Orders drawn
$5,372 51
$5,372 51
$5,372 51
DRAINAGE.
1908 Jan. 1 Balance
1908
$300 00
Dec. 31 Balance
$300 00
127
MAINTENANCE ACCOUNT. 1908
1908
Jan. 1 Bal. in Town Treas. $429 76 Dec. 31 Orders drawn $16,562 89
Cash in office
87 37 Bal. in Town Treas. 283 31
Dec. 31 Income from
Gas and Elec. 19,370 04
Cash in office 358 97
Transferred to Interest
Sale of old material
101 56
account 2,783 56
$19,988 73
$19,988 73
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE A. PHILBROOK.
General Manager.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF MIDDLEBOROUGH, MASS.
FOR 1908.
LE
O
RO
OUTH ALE
COUNTY,
AS
M
A
INCORPORATED
D.1669
FALL RIVER, MASS. ATHEARN PUBLISHING CO., PRINTERS, 43 FOURTH ST. 1909.
2
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
ORGANIZATION, 1908-1909.
WILLIAM A. ANDREWS, Chairman.
CHARLES H. BATES, Secretary.
MEMBERS.
WILLIAM?A. ANDREWS,57 So. Main St., Term expires 1909 NATHAN WASHBURN, 70 So. Main St., Term expires 1909 E. T. P. JENKS, 26 North Main St., Term expires 1910 CHARLES S. TINKHAM, 11 Courtland St., Term expires1910 WARREN H. SOUTHWORTH, 7 West St., Term expires1911 SUSAN L. CUSHMAN, 77 So. Main St., Term expires 1911
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
CHARLES H. BATES, 103 So. Main Street.
Telephone, 81-5. Office, Room 7, Town Hall. Telephone, 81-6
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.
Regular Committee Meetings, Jan. 7, Feb. 4, March 4, April 1, May 6, June 3, July 1, Sept. 2, Oct. 7, Nov. 4, Dec. 2.
3
SUB-COMMITTEES.
High, Union Street and West Side Schools,
W. H. SOUTHWORTH School Street, Fall Brook, Wappanucket and Marion Road Schools NATHAN WASHBURN Waterville, Green and Thomastown Schools,
WILLIAM A. ANDREWS
Pleasant Street, Plymouth Street and Purchade Schools,
CHARLES S. TINKHAM
Nemasket, Thompsonville, Soule and Main Street Schools, E. T. P. JENKS Forest Street, Rock, South Middleboro and Highland Schools. MISS SUSAN L. CUSHMAN
4
TOWN OF MIDDLEBORO. In School Committee.
January 7, 1909.
Voted: That the reports of the Secretary of the Board, Superintendent of Schools, Principal of the High School, Supervisors of Music and Drawing, be adopted and presented to the Town by the School Board.
CHARLES H. BATES, Secretary.
5
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Middleboro, Mass., Jan. 7, 1909.
To the Citizens of Middleboro :-
The following financial report of the School Committee is hereby respectfully submitted :-
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
CURRENT EXPENDITURES.
DR.
Balance from last year
$9 92
Appropriation
28,514 00
State Board of Lunacy and Charity, tuition
498 50
City of Boston, tuition
215 00
Town of Lakeville, tuition
621 50
Town of Plympton, tuition
55.00
Town of Rochester, tuition
77 00
Rent of Assembly Hall
40 00
Else L. Cole, tuition High School
55 00
Florence G. Washburn, tuition High School
55 00
Merrill Sampson, tuition Grammar School
10 00
Incidentals
10 25
$30,161 17
CR.
Salaries
$23,143 60
Care of buildings
2,127 55
Fuel
2,374 92
Books and Supplies
1,506 53
Printing
212 32
Sundries
631 71
Rent
364 00
$30,360 63
Overdrawn
$199 46
6
SCHOOL COMMITTEE SALARIES.
DR.
Appropriation
$150 00
CR.
W. H. Southworth
$25 00
Nathan Washburn
25 00
W. A. Andrews
25 00
C. S. Tinkham
25 00
E. T. P. Jenks
25 00
Miss Susan L. Cushman
25 00
$150 00
TRANSPORTATION.
DR.
Appropriation Balance from last year
163 58
$ 1,913 58
CR.
Expended
$1,912 45
Unexpended
$1 13
REPAIRS.
DR.
$1,000 00
Appropriation Balance from last year
7 82
$1,007 82
CR.
Expended $1,007 82
SUMMARY.
Whole amount available for school purposes Total Expenditures
$33,232 57
33,430 90
Overdrawn $198 33
·
$1,750 00
7
DETAILED STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURES. INSTRUCTION.
High School
$5,450 00
School Street
4,009 50
Union Street
1,269 00
Main Street
891 50
Forest Street
889 00
West Side
1,871 00
$14,380 00
Suburban Schools :
Pleasant Street
$380 00
Plymouth Street
380 00
Purchade
368 00
Nemasket
355 60
Thompsonville
342 00
Soule
380 00
Waterville
368 00
Green
380 00
Fall Brook
380 00
Thomastown
365 00
South Middleboro
380 00
Highland
345 00
Rock
380 00
Wappanucket
380 00
Marion Road
380 00
$5,563 60
Special Teachers.
Music
$600 00
Drawing
$600 00
JANITORS.
Central Schools :
Main Street Building
$502 50
Union Street and Main Street Primary Buildings
400 00
School Street Building
495 00
Forest Street Building
150 00
West Side Building
220 00
$1,767 50
8
Suburban Schools :
Pleasant Street
$38 00
Plymouth Street
38 00
Purchade
14 15
Nemasket
30 75
Thompsonville
13 95
Soule
38 00
Waterville
38 00
Green
14 90
Fall Brook
13 65
Thomastown
19 00
Rock
38 00
South Middleboro
16 25
Highland
15 65
Wappanucket
17 75
Marion Road
14 00
$360 05
FUEL.
Central Schools :
James L. Jenney
$1,356 45
Bryant & Soule
312 78
B. C. Shaw
30 25
Walter Bryant
3 00
Job N. Cole
7 00
$1,709 48
Suburban Schools :
T. C. Savery
$90 76
C. N. Atwood
18 50
Josiah H. Thomas ·
16 50
J. L. Benson & Co.
45 00
B. C. Shaw
94 50
A. T. Clark, Jr.
26 50
C. S. Tinkham
8 75
H. C. Thomas
1 50
A. H. Soule
21 63
Clark Cole Co.
32 00
Bryant & Soule
67 47
Bradford K. Cushman
30 00
James L. Jenney
27 68
9
Isaac E. Perkins
$112 00
Orien E. Deane
17 00
Henry T. Clark
55 65
$665 44
BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
American Book Co., books
$98 64
D. C. Heath & Co., books
45 47
William R. Jenkins Co., books
3 86
Thorp, Martin Co., supplies
2 95
E. E. Babb & Co., books and supplies
865 70
J. L. Hammett Co., books and supplies
88 73
Atkinson, Mentzer & Grover, books
3 40
Harlas L. Cushman, supplies
20 00
Levi L. Crane, supplies
3 60
Milton, Bradley Co., supplies
26 28
Carter, Rice & Co., supplies
1 80
H. L. Thatcher & Co., supplies
9 00
Smith & Hathaway, supplies
16 33
Ginn & Co., books
124 20
David Farquhar, rebinding books
22 78
Thompson, Brown & Co., books
7 69
Benj. H. Sanborn & Co., books
8 34
Oliver Ditson, books
6 75
Silver, Burdette & Co., books
35 12
Allyn & Bacon, books
14 59
Thomas J. McEvoy, books
1 50
Charles Scribner's Sons, books
97 32
Hinds, Noble and Eldredge, books
2 48
$1,506 53
PRINTING.
Middleboro News
42 25
Middleboro Gazette
95 20
H. L. Thatcher & Co.
74 87
$212 32
SUNDRIES.
Geo. W. Hammond, salary as truant officer
$5 00
N. Y. & B. Despatch Ex. Co., express
19 75
A. G. Hayes, care of sewer
5 00
10
S. S. Lovell, salary as truant officer and sundries 33 38
Mid. Gas & Electric Plant, gas and electric lights 55 24
Thomas W. Pierce, sundries 37 43
So. Mass. Telephone Co., telephone rental
41 97
Middleboro Fire District, water at West Side
18 00
Fred N. Whitman, sundries
2 80
Dustbane Mfg. Co., sundries
10 00
S. E. Matthews, removing ashes
17 85
Mrs. John Curley, cleaning school house
3 75
C. H. Packard, repairing clock
75
George Powers, sundries
1 25
Geo. L. Finney, sundries
7 92
T. G. Sisson, cartage and freight
46
Leo A. Quindley, sundries
1 50
The Formacone Co., disinfectants
12 00
F. W. Martin, engrossing diplomas
9 50
Chas. S. Tinkham, sundries
8 25
Albert E. Drake, sundries
6 00
Leonard O. Tillson, sundries
4 97
Louis Ritter, sundries
1 60
Marion W. Sisson, engrossing certificates
3 00
John Syverson, sundries
4 50
R. F. Thompson, sundries
4 28
Charles Anderson, sundries
1 75
Lela C. I. Smith, sundries
45
Walter Sampson, sundries
6 67
Thos. T. Westgate, water for Rock School
5 00
J. & G. E. Doane, sundries
25 61
J. K. & B. Sears & Co., sundries
1 79
Mrs. Leo P. Courtney, cleaning school houses
15 00
A. R. Dunham, sundries
2 00
Jones Bros. Co., sundries
79 14
F. J. Sumner & Son, repairing clock
50
Geo. H. Place, horse hire
13 50
Zenas E. Phinney, sundries
20 15
W. H. Goodwin, sundries
3 50
Carrie L. Jones, taking school census
55 00
Otis Briggs, horse hire
2 00
H. C. Keith, sharpening lawn mowers
3 50
H. A. Coffin, sundries
2 50
F. E. Pierce, sundries
2 75
James A. Burgess, cleaning school houses
62 75
$631 71
11
HIGH SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION.
George L. Barney
$5 65
Ruth M. Davis
5 75
Willis C. Holcomb
4 90
Ethel Macomber
5 60
Clarence H. Wilbur
9 80
Mary C. Azevedo
17 20
Winsor A. Carver
1
9 50
Ella G. Glendall
1 75
Orton C. Newhall
9 50
Arthur C. Ripley
28 20
Celesta O. Shaw
28 00
Alfred E. Standish
9 45
Ernest E. Thomas
9 50
Leslie M. Thomas
9 40
Lyman H. Thomas
18 00
Susan A. Bishop
9 50
Alice C. Dunham
9 05
Elsie H. Dunham
9 20
Marian F. Dunham
9 45
Florence A. Hunt
17 50
Emil B. Perry
9 50
Carrie L. Murch
13 20
Lillian A. Ward
28 20
Allerton E. Wilbur
9 50
Harold A. Williams
8 65
Elmer G. Allan
9 40
Helen M. Braley
19 00
Merton L. Braley
19 00
Harold W. Gibbs
9 25
Mildred L. Gibbs
9 20
Sadie McCrillis
2 65
Marion H. Thomas
9 45
Waldo S. Thomas
9 30
Sarah A. Vaughan
17 80
Minnie E. Westgate
9 25
Annie H. Wilbur
18 90
Ellis M. Wilbur
18 80
Verne L. Poland
1 55
Ida L. Bearse
7 30
Florence M. Carver
3 65
Myrtie S. Davis
45
Earle W. Drake
3 65
12
Nahum Harden
$2 70
Martha W. Keith
3 65
Percy N. Lane
3 65
Ethel F. Morrison
10 80
Rena B. Poland
7 55
Albert F. Soule
10 95
Florence W. Swett
3 65
Margaret E. Thomas
7 30
Ralph W. Tripp
7 30
Roy W. Tripp
7 20
Lawrence W. Wilbur
7 30
J. Clark Wilmot
6 30
$542 60
TRANSPORTATION TO ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
SCHOOL TEAMS.
Pleasant Street, R. W. Thorson
$352 00
Thomastown, Dana H. Shaw
356 00
South Middleboro, C. E. Blackwell
409 50
Thompsonville, David N. Wetherbee
155 25
$1,272 75
INDIVIDUAL TRANSPORTATION. SCHOOL STREET GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
Ralph Tripp
11 20
Roy Tripp
11 10
Lawrence W. Wilber
11 50
Flossie M. Carver
6 00
Margaret Thomas
11 30
Ethel F. Morrison
17 25
Ida Bearse
12 05
Florence Sweet.
5 35
$85 75
SOUTH MIDDLEBORO SCHOOL.
T. J. LeBaron
$9 35
WEST SIDE SCHOOL.
Michael Oliver
2 00
13
REPAIRS.
M. W. Baxter, labor at Purchade, Pleasant St. and and Forest St. schools
$10 50
C. W. Maxim, material 32
J. & G. E. Doane, labor and material 227 52
Thomas W. Pierce, labor and material
35 28
Thomas & Benn, labor and material 81 26
E. H. Blake, labor 16 25
Tremaine Electric Co., labor and material School Street School 32 95
Chas. S. Tinkham paid cash for labor
9 15
F. E. Pierce, labor High School
9 55
Jones Bros. Co., labor Forest St. School
2 70
James A. Burgess, suburban schools
24 80
M. O. Rounseville, labor at Highland School
16 70
Fred C. Sparrow, labor and material Green School
35 25
Lloyd Perkins, labor High School
14 38
American Seating Co., furniture, Main St. School
15 50
T. F. Boucher, labor and material High School
7 10
Eben Jones, labor and material
211 34
C. H. Crowell, labor and material West Side and Purchade Schools 72 23
H. L. Clapp, labor High School
15 00
Chas. W. Swett, labor Rock School
3 00
John R. Reid, labor and material Forest St. School
20 00
Geo. W. Starbuck, labor and material Nemasket School 13 36
Geo. D. Deane, labor Nemasket School
25 23
Fred L. Hanson, labor Thompsonville School
1 10
James B. Tripp, labor and material South Middle- boro School 12 65
Fred A. Johnson, labor and material Thompson- ville and Nemasket Schools 44 39
N. E. Brick Co., material Nemasket School 6 95
Josiah T.Carver,labor and material Plymouth St.School 43 36
$1,007 82
14
COMPARATIVE EXPENSE TABLE. 1905-1908.
1905.
1906.
1907.
1908.
Instruction,superin-
tendence, care of
buildings, and fuel $23,944 77 $24,393 18 $26,679 59
$27,646 07
Books and supplies
1,368 80
1,667 42
1,665 61
1,506 53
Printing
160 80
208 40
173 77
212 32
Sundries
600 78
589 64
470 45
631 71
Transportation to High School
683 80
765 12
511 59
542 60
Transportation to
Elementary Schools
2,052 20
1,375 18
1,398 53
1,369 85
Repairs
1,000 00
1,558 44
1,025 80
1,007 82
Insurance
648 00
Rent
300 00
300 00
364 00
CHARLES H. BATES, Secretary.
15
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
TWENTY-FOURTH IN THE SERIES.
Middleboro, Mass., Jan. 7, 1909.
To the School Committee of Middleboro:
The annual report of the Superintendent of Schools is respectfully submitted.
ENROLLMENT AND ATTENDANCE.
The total enrollment for the year was 1,492, a loss of 9; the average membership 1,275, an increase of 14; the average daily attendance 1,178, an increase of 6; the percentage of daily attendance to average membership 92.4, a loss of .5. It is gratifying to note that the decrease in the number of tardy marks was 935.
The teachers are to be commended for their efforts to secure good attendance.
SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS.
Attention is again called to the congestion at the South Middleboro School. The past term the school had an enroll- ment of 52 pupils with eight grades. This is relieved slightly the present term by transferring the ninth grade of four pupils to the School Street school. Next year the school will probably be still larger. Either the upper grades should be transferred to the Central Schools or the present building should be enlarged to a two room building.
The membership at the West Side school is rapidly increas- ing and soon the building can only be used for primary and intermediate grades. A new building at the centre will soon be needed. When that is provided it will make possible the transferring of pupils in the suburban schools near the Centre to the central graded schools and also do away with the Chapel as a school building, for the rental of which the town is paying nearly $400 00 a year.
16
REVIEW OF THE YEAR.
While the work of the schools has been continued along nearly the same lines as during the previous year, yet some very important changes have been made which have been productive of most gratifying results.
INTRODUCTION OF BUSINESS COURSE.
The most inspiring thing in connection with the High School the past year was the introduction of a business course, made possible by the acceptance of the offer of the trustees of the Pierce Fund to meet all the necessary expenses of such a course for a period of two years. This offer included the purchasing of seats and business desks for the commercial room, all the typewriters, text books and necessary supplies.
The action of the trustees has greatly widened the scope of usefulness of the school. The course is open to students the last two years of their course, and is especially recommended for post graduate work. Students who have finished the prescribed work in one of the other courses can return for a year's work in the strictly business studies. The work has started under most favorable conditions and the outlook for a successful department is very promising.
CHANGES IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
In connection with the work in the elementary schools. the following changes are noted :
1. The dropping of bookkeeping from the ninth grade and giving the time to review arithmetic. This change will give opportunity for much needed drill work in oral and written arithmetic.
2. The eliminating of all abstract number work in the first grade. This change has proved highly beneficial, giving more time for other necessary work.
3. The adoption of a new system of reading in the primary grades. This has met with gratifying results.
4. The adoption of a new United States History for the upper ¿ Grammar grades. The teachers are much pleased with the change.
5. The adoption of a speller for the ninth grade. Up to this year no text book in spelling has been used by the ninth grade. The change has emphasized the work and was benefi- cial.
17
6. The dropping of Physical Geography in the ninth grade and extending the study of common school geography through the year. This was a practical change and highly commended by the teachers.
7. The introduction of a revised edition of the arithmetic in many of the schools. This gives a text book emphasizing more modern features.
8. The introduction of a new method of teaching penman- ship in the Union Street schools. The results are so satis- factory that an extension of the work is desirable.
9. The substitution of simple exercises in the Assembly hall in the afternoon for the graduation of ninth grade pupils for the more elaborate exercises in the town hall in the evening. The change was much appreciated and a step in the right direction towards curtailing unnecessary expenditure of time and money.
10. Library Extension Plan. With the cooperation of the library trustees the plan of extending the facilities of the public library by having two suburban schools for branch libraries to be carried on in the same way as the Central library, 25 volumes or more being sent from time to time to each of these schools; the teachers acting as librarians, was successfully put in operation the past term. It is hoped that the plan may be extended to other suburban schools.
SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS.
There are now 35 schools-one High and 34 elementary- having 44 teachers-42 regular and 2 special. During the year there have been 12 withdrawals, 12 appointments and 5 transfers.
As a whole the schools are doing good work and the town is to be congratulated on having such a faithful, progressive, and enthusiastic corps of teachers.
TEACHERS' MEETINGS.
There have been 90 teachers meetings held the past year. These included general meetings, grade meetings, conference meetings, principals' meetings, suburban meetings and suburban institutes. The Teachers' Association held a number of very interesting meetings. Many of these meetings were conducted along new lines and were productive of beneficial results.
18
TEACHERS' TRAINING CLASS.
By vote of the board a training class was formed last Septem- ber. The class has numbered eight members. The work is along the same lines as formerly with a few exceptions. Of the present corps of teachers 14 are graduates of the training class in past years.
INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.
In June an exhibition of industrial maps and charts made by the pupils of the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grades of the Central schools was held in the town hall. The exhibit received much favorable commendation.
GIFTS AND SCHOOL DECORATION.
Many gifts of pictures, school organs and articles of school equipment have been received during the year.
A few schools have raised money for school room decoration by holding school fairs and by selling different articles. School Street School last May held a very successful fair in the town hall and netted $200.00 which sum was expended for pictures for the building. Rock school last November netted over $42.00 from a fair and purchased an organ. The proceeds of the Turner Exhibit secured many fine pictures and pieces of statuary for the High School.
NO SCHOOL SIGNAL.
The no school signal which had been discontinued for two years was restored at the February meeting of the board 1908. Since that date it has been sounded once.
STAMP SAVING SYSTEM.
This is now on its fifth year and under the direction of the Cabot Club has had marked success. Beginning with a work- ing capital of $25.00 it is now necessary to have $125.00 for carrying on the work.
EAR AND EYE TESTS.
The only part of the State law pertaining to medical inspec- tion carried out in the schools is that relating to the testing
19
by the teachers of the vision and hearing of pupils. Last October these tests resulted as follows: Number examined 1,328; number deficient in vision 186; in hearing 39.
SUGGESTIONS.
A few suggestions in the line of school work are here pre- sented for consideration.
1. Employment of a Supervisor of Penmanship.
Placing the work in writing under a trained Supervisor who could instruct the teachers in regard to the work and occasionally visit the schools to direct and inspect the same would do much to improve a practical branch of study. 2. Manual Training.
Some form of manual training for boys and girls should form a part of the school curriculum. Until it can be placed on a practical, permanent basis it should not be introduced. If a manual training school could be added to the school equipment it would be a practical part of an industrial training everywhere considered so essential a part of an education today.
3. School for backward children.
The placing of pupils not able to keep step with those of their age in a school by themselves where they could receive special instruction until able to enter the grades where they ought to be is a practical plan and could be carried out at the Centre at a small expenditure.
4. Stereopticon outfit for Assembly Hall.
So much valuable instruction could be given in teaching history, geography and other subjects by the aid of a stereop- ticon that it would be a most desirable addition to the school equipment. Such an investment could reach nearly all the schools.
5. Teachers' Salaries.
The increased cost in living and the difficulty in securing good teachers have caused many places to increase the compensation of teachers. An increase in the appropriations of $1,000.00 would allow an increase of one dollar a week to 28 female teachers in the elementary schools. The salaries paid in many of the smaller towns near Middleboro are 20 per cent higher than those received here.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES H. BATES,
Superintendent of Schools.
SPECIAL REPORTS.
HIGH SCHOOL. SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC. SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING.
22
THE REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL.
Mr. C. H. Bates, Superintendent of Schools :
Dear Sir :-
The following is a brief report of the High school for the year 1908. The year has been a successful one. The. teachers as ever have been united in their efforts to secure the best results, all the departments have done very satis- factory work, and the school spirit was never better. Our enlarged accommodations are appreciated more and more, and their effect upon the school is very salutary.
The Art Exhibit held early in the year for the purpose of raising funds for purchasing statuary and pictures for school decoration was successful in every way. There were purchased with the proceeds busts of Washington, Grant, Agassiz and Sumner, and the following pictures: "Pilgrims Going to Church", "Blind Milton Dictating Paradise Lost," "The Arch of Constantine," "The Acropolis at Athens" and a portrait of Edison.
The most important change in the school during the past year has been the introduction of a business course into the curriculum. It has been deemed advisable for those wishing to avail themselves of such a course to postpone it as late in their school work as possible. No pupil is allowed to elect any of the branches until the third year. Pupils are encouragd not to begin the work until the Senior year, and finish the course as post-graduate work. If they can afford the time we think it still better to complete one of the regular courses and take the business course as post-graduates. All business schools prefer High school graduates. The reason for this is obvious. A mind well trained in the culture studies is better able to adapt itself to the special features of a business course. Graduates from our High school in the regular courses are privileged to take advantage of an excellent business training right at home, free from cost to themselves and equivalent to what they would receive at any of the established business schools. Fourteen graduates of last year
23
are availing themselves of this opportunity. The course is financed by the Peirce Trustees and the department is under the instruction of Mr. A. P. Dorman.
The annual graduation of the High School was held in the Town Hall, Friday evening, June 19. The class numbered 38, the largest in the history of the school.
Respectfully submitted, WALTER SAMPSON,
Principal of the High School.
24
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC.
Mr. Charles H. Bates, Supt. of Schools :
Dear Sir :---
It gives me great pleasure to submit to you my annual report as supervisor of music the past year. Please allow me in the beginning to quote from Robert G. Ingersoll's reply to the toast "Music, Noblest of Arts":
"Music expresses feeling and thought, without language. It was below and before speech, and it is above and beyond all words. Beneath the waves is the sea-above the clouds is the sky.
Before man found a name for any thought, or thing, he had hopes and fears and passions, and these were rudely expressed in tones.
Of one thing, however, I am certain, and that is, that music was born of love. Had there never been any human affection there never could have been uttered a strain of music. Possi- bly some mother, looking in the eyes of her babe, gave the first melody to the enraptured air.
Language is not subtle enough, tender enough, to express all that we feel; and when language fails, the highest and deepest longings are translated into music. Music is the sunshine-the climate-of the soul, and it floods the heart with a perfect June.
I am also satisfied that the greatest music is the most marvelous mingling of love and death. Love is the greatest of all passions, and death is its shadow. Death gets all its terror from love, and love gets its intensity, its radiance, its glory, and its rapture, from the darkness of death. Love is a flower that grows on the edge of the grave."
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