USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1913 > Part 7
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J. N. Shaw, material and labor at Fall Brook and Thompsonville schools 222 57
F. A. Johnson, material and labor at School Street, Soule, Purchade and Fall Brook
456 89
D. T. Weston, repairs at Thomastown School 6 10 G. F. Sears, labor Rock School 1 00
E. W. Harlow, labor at High School building
249 40
C. F. Gay, material and labor at Forest Street and West Side 215 37
Rhode Island Roofing Co., repairs at the High School building 600 00
T. G. Matthews, labor at Fall Brook
2 76
C. H. Shaw, labor at Plymouth Street and Forest Street
6 71
$3,181 99
COMPARATIVE EXPENSE TABLE
1906-1913
1906.
1907.
1908.
1909.
1910.
1911.
1912.
1913.
Instruction, Superintendence, Care of Buildings,
and Fuel
$24,393 18
$26,679 59
$27,646 07
$28,100 74
$30,036 61
$32,194 06
$33,461 45
$33,099 37
Books and Supplies
1,667 42
1,665 61
1,506 53
1,822 54
1,730 06
1,966 81
1,852 74
2,135 62
Printing
208 40
173 77
212 32
157 27
175 77
184 34
192 25
174 21
Sundries
589 64
470 45
631 71
601 26
836 54
710 12
678 59
672 40
Transportation to High School
765 12
511 59
542 60
595 30
617 10
580 45
473 65
558 55
Transportation to Elementary Schools
1,375 18
1,398 53
1,369 85
1,496 25
975 21
1,188 25
1,207 55
1,774 25
Repairs
1,558 44
1,025 80
1,007 82
1,526 09
1,050 27
1,052 06
1,755 51
3,181 99
Insurance
648 00
648 00
Rent
300 00
300 00
364 00
396 00
630 00
150 00
150 00
150 OC
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES H. BATES, Secretary.
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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
TWENTY-NINTH IN THE SERIES.
Middleboro, Mass. January 1, 1914.
To the School Board:
In accordance with your regulations I present the follow- ing report on the present condition and needs of the Schools.
SUBURBAN SCHOOLS.
At the present time the suburban schools are in better condition and have fewer elements of weakness than in any previous year of my superintendency.
The attendance is exceptionally good, the discipline is growing better, the results in school studies are more satis- factory and there is a stronger cooperation between the homes and the schools. We are fortunate in having a well-balanced corps of teachers many of whom have come to these schools after a successful experience in other places. The ability to secure such teachers, owing largely to the liberal policy of the town in paying an adequate salary, has had much to do with raising the standard. In these schools the number of pupils does not affect the work as much as the number of grades. With fewer grades more time could be given to class and individual instruction. If there were ample school accommodations at the Centre the taking out of the ninth grade and sending the pupils to the School Street School so that all the pupils of that grade could be enrolled in two rooms, receiving practically the same instruction with longer recitation periods and a more uniform preparation for the High School, would be to a great advantage to the pupils and the schools. If it was possible for grades of these schools near the Central district to be transferred to the Central Schools so that these schools should have no more than six grades to each school, it would increase their efficiency. There are now 16 Suburban school buildings in town, three of which have been closed.
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It is only a matter of a few years, if the school population increases to any extent in these districts, that the question of the centralization of these schools in two or three buildings conveniently located may be considered. If this plan is ever carried out the rural districts of the town will then have an excellent graded system.
CENTRAL SCHOOLS.
In these schools there is in many ways a growing improve- ment. We are fortunate in having been able to retain so many of the teachers in these schools for a period of years and this fact has had much to do with their present satis- factory condition. In the West Side, Forest Street and Union Street buildings there have been no changes in the regular teaching force for three years.
Many of these schools are too large, giving to the teachers but little time for individual attention. The work would be more efficient if the membership could be restricted to a cer- tain number of pupils. The increasing membership in these schools presents the problem of future school accommodations. With the pupils of the two lower grades at the West Side and the Forest Street schools and the pupils of the first year at the Union Street school on half-time plan, and with a portable building for the overflow at the School Street building the problem has been met the present year. Next September there will be in many grades even a larger membership and the School Board will be confronted with the same problem of what to do to relieve the congestion. This whole matter is of such a vital importance to the efficiency of the schools that it should be carefully considered in all its details before any steps are taken for a permanent relief. Whether it is the best policy to erect two more portable buildings next year at an expense of $3,500. or to have that amount go towards the erection of a more substantial school edifice is a question - for consideration.
There are several positions in these schools which have had no salary increase for several years. To equalize the salary question there should be an increase given to those teachers holding such positions that their compensation may compare favorably with the wage paid to teachers of the grades in other towns of the county.
They certainly deserve and should receive at least as much as the majority of the teachers of the suburban schools who
145
are now paid a larger wage than a majority of the teachers in the Central schools.
In connection with these schools attention is called to the present arrangement for the grades on the half-time plan.
At the Union Street School conditions in the two lower grades are favorable. The sub-primary, a combination kindergarten and first grade school, comprises 33 pupils, a part of whom attend a 234 hour session in the morning and the other division a session of the same length in the afternoon.
The more intensive efforts on the part of the pupil in a short school day gives very satisfactory results. It is an excellent plan for children entering school between five and six years of age, provided the divisions are not too large. In the second year in this building the pupils attend two sessions -two hours in the morning and two in the afternoon.
The time between 11 and 12 in the morning is given by the teacher of this grade in coaching pupils in any grade in the building who need special instruction. This plan has re- sulted in the promotion of many pupils at the end of the year who without such coaching would have been repeaters.
Last year the two lower grades at the West Side School were placed on a full day session of four hours, leaving the time between 11 and 12 for coaching deficient pupils. This year on account of increased enrollment they were again placed on the half-time plan. This is unfortunate as many of the pupils need the time for instruction in English. The coaching plan too cannot be followed. Many of the pupils in the second year are older than those in the corresponding grade at Union Street. In fact there are many between the ages of 8 to 10 and several from 10 to 13 years of age. Such pupils should have the benefit of a full-day session. If condi- tions were such that these schools could be placed on the former plan of a full day session for each of the first two grades with the introduction again of the coaching system from 11 to 12 each day it would give an opportunity for increased efficiency.
At the Forest Street School the past term 52 pupils have been enrolled in the sub-primary grade. This makes a very large school to be on the half-time plan as a short school session for that number of pupils divided into a number of classes does not give much time for recitations and individual work. If conditions in this building could be so shaped that the sub-primary grade could be divided into two sections on the half-time plan and the second year pupils be placed on a full day session as at Union Street with a coaching period
146
between 11 and 12 each day, the work of the schools could be carried on under better conditions.
To carry out such a plan at the West Side and the Forest Street Schools would require a portable building at each school if no other accommodations could be provided.
It must be recognized in this connection that these two sections are furnishing more pupils to the entering grade than the Union Street section. The enrollment of the sub-primary this year at the West Side is 34 and at the Forest Street 52, while at the Union Street school it is only 33. It is probable that the West Side and the Forest Street sections will furnish still larger numbers in a few years as these are growing sec- tions of the town and these schools will have an important part in the consideration of future school accommodations. I would recommend that if the same plan as at present is continued next year that the sessions of each division of the first two grades at West Side and Forest Street be three hours 9 to 12 in the morning and 1 to 4 in the afternoon and that an assistant be employed at the West Side school.
HIGH SCHOOL.
The question of increasing membership also affects the High School as well as the elementary grades.
With the largest entering class in its history next September this school promises to exceed its registration of 218 the past term to quite an extent. The requirement of the recent child labor law whereby every minor under 16 years of age must either be regularly employed 6 to 8 hours a day or attend school will have an effect of increasing the High School mem- bership. It is a question whether in the near future the ac- commodations at the present High School building can meet the requirements of other additional courses of study. Its work as a preparatory school for fitting students for higher institutions of learning as well as giving to others a good general education is still of a high order, and if the state policy for the high schools of the future was to include only the same subjects as in the past this question might not have the same significance.
But the time is not far distant when the high schools of the state will be compelled to widen the scope of their work by the introduction of other courses to meet more adequately the needs of the large number whose school life ends with the High School. With a larger school membership, with more room required by a larger commercial department and if other courses are demanded with rooms required for carrying
147
on the work in such courses as domestic science, advance drawing and manual arts, either it will be necessary to enlarge the present building or provide quarters in a more modern structure.
Before any policy in the way of future accommodations is decided upon the future development of instruction in the high schools of the state should be carefully considered and plans made to fit any such changes likely to occur.
If the upper grade of the elementary schools could form a part of the High School the preparatory work would be more uniform.
An excellent plan for grading would be to have an elemen- tary system of 8 grades and a High School of five grades, the first year of the High School to be known as the Preparatory Grade. This would give a High School of over 300 pupils. Several towns of the state have successfully carried out such a system.
THE STAMP SAVING SYSTEM.
The Stamp Saving System carried on so successfully under the direction of the Cabot Club since its beginning in 1904 will after the present school year cease to be one of the Club's most practical activities and some way should be provided by the Board for the training of pupils in the matter of thrift.
That a change is necessary is very much to be regretted as the Cabot Club has handled the matter in a very satisfactory way.
I have asked Mrs. Leonard O. Tillson who has successfully directed the work for the past few years to give a brief outline of what has been accomplished and her report should be read with great interest as it shows how remarkable a growth has been attained and that the interest in it at the present time is greater than ever before.
The Stamp Saving System was started in the schools of Middleboro by the Cabot Club in May 1904, with $25. In less than a year they saw the need of more money and added to this until there was $150. in use in the schools.
Since May 1904 the stamps have been in all the schools except the High School. At first the ladies could only ask the teachers to do the work and so had to send some ladies to have charge of it until the school laws required that thrift be taught and then the teachers took it up. Since the teachers have done it they have saved more money and had more interest.
The first year there was about $550. saved, the next two
148
years only about $375. each since then about $600. a year. In round figures from May 1904 to Jan. 1914 there has been saved by this sytem about $5,000. by the children of Middle- boro.
From Sept. 1, 1913 to Jan. 1, 1914 there has been $296.18 worth of stamps bought.
On an average since Sept. 1, 1913 Union St. has saved $4.50 a week, Forest St. $5.50. and West Side $4.25. School St. is doing better than ever before.
In the month of Dec. 1913 I have paid on books $67.57 the smallest amount being 10 cents and the largest $6.25. I know that quite a lot of this went into the bank not for Christmas.
It is the foreign children that save the most and also put the most into the bank.
Since this school year there has been much more interest shown in this work than ever before on the part of children parents and teachers. More books have been given out and larger stamps called for. Where five years ago it was the 1c, 2c, 3c, and 5c stamps wanted rarely a 25c one, now they want the 5c, 10c, 25c and even 50c ones.
If I should be asked "Has it paid?" at once I would answer "Yes". Bank books have been started and added to that might never have been started, children have learned the value of saving the pennies, parents have been helped to clothe their children and save a little, teachers have seen that they could help the children to make good saving men and women.
I want to say that where it has taken many hours of my time yet I have enjoyed every minute of the work and have done this work not for the Cabot Club alone but for the schools of the town. It has been a pleasure to give to a child the money on his book and see his eyes when he tells me "this is going into the bank", or "I am going to have new suit with this", or "I am going to give this money to mamma".
If the Club thinks best to stop the work I hope the School Committee will take it up or something similar because I believe it is worth while and is doing good in many ways.
Mrs. Leonard O. Til!son.
It is pleasing to note that the following suggestions which were a part of the Report of 1912 have been carried into effect.
1. The fitting up of a portion of the boys' basement in the School Street building with tables for carrying on the constructive work in manual training.
149
2. The adoption of a system of progressive record cards for the elementary schools by which each pupil's record in attendance, deportment and scholarship during his elemen- tary course may be kept as a permanent record.
3. The erection of a portable school building in the rear of the School Street building to accommodate the overflow at that school.
This building has been filled to its capacity and has proved to be all that was claimed for it in way of heating, lighting and ventilating.
4. The reducing the number of grades at the Rock school by transporting of the two upper grades to the School Street school.
5. The formation of a teachers' association through whose activities a greater interest in school work will be created and a better acquaintance among the teachers themselves be made possible.
6. The securing a larger appropriation for placing the school property in a better condition.
More has been done in this direction the past summer than for many years. Nearly all of the Suburban buildings as well as the Central buildings have been placed in excellent condition. At the High School building the roof has been thoroughly repaired and needed changes made in the interior of the build- ing.
In addition to the above suggestions which were carried into effect the following changes may be noted:
1. The introduction of the Palmer System of Penmanship at the West Side School.
2. The rearrangement of the terms of the elementary schools whereby all these schools now have a school year of 38 weeks divided into five terms.
3. The employment of a sub-master at the School Street School.
4. The trying out of a tentative course of study for the central elementary schools based on the results of a series of teachers' conferences.
5. The closing of the France school and transporting the pupils in that district to the South Middleboro school.
6. The arrangement of sessions at the West Side school owing to an increased enrollment whereby the first two grades are again placed on the half-time plan and the last grade retained in the building.
150
7. The arranging of a series of meetings for the teachers of the Central elementary schools for practice work in pen- manship under the direction of the supervisor.
The following recommendations are respectfully submitted for your consideration :
1. The readjustment of the salaries of the janitors of the Suburban schools that they may be better equalized.
2. The readjustment of the salaries of the teachers of the elementary schools that they may receive a wage com- mensurate with their work and the present cost of living.
3. The extension of the granolithic walks at the School Street building to the pupils' entrance on each side.
4. The renovation of the remaining suburban school buildings not included in the work of last year.
5. The adoption of the Paliner System of Penmanship for all the elementary schools if results are considered satisfac- tory at the West Side.
6. The adoption of a new course of study for the element- ary schools that will give more time for a better preparation in English literature, grammar and composition.
7. The enlargement of the typewriting room in the High School building so as to give necessary accomodations for the increased number of pupils who are to take up the work next September.
8. The purchasing of a sufficient number of bookkeeping desks to completely equip the present recitation room in the High School building, so that the opportunity shall be given to all pupils desiring to take up such work.
9. The adoption of some method for teaching thrift now carried on by the stamp saving system, which is to be turned over to the School Board by the Cabot Club this year.
10. The reseating of one room in the High School build- ing with adjustable seats and desks.
11. The reseating of the Wappanucket school with single seats and desks.
12. The replacing in the rooms of the sub-primary grades of the stationary seats and desks with movable seats and - desks so that more floor space may be available for school exercises.
13. The equipment of the rooms of the Union Street, Forest Street and West Side buildings with electric lights so that each teacher may have an electric desk light.
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14. The advisability of holding a short winter session of an Evening School in the High School building conducted on the same lines as those in previous years.
15. The replacing of the plaster ceiling in the second room on the first floor of the West Side building with a metal ceiling, thus finishing the plan of repair for this building begun two years ago.
16. The relieving of the congestion at the Green and the . Rock schools by the adoption of some plan whereby the num- ber of grades can be reduced.
17. The securing a special appropriation for continuing the repairs at the High School building.
18. The securing a special appropriation for the equip- ment of the manual training room in the School Street build- ing with the necessary benches and tools.
19. The securing of the services of an assistant to the Supervisor of Manual Arts to assist in the grades in the work in sewing, if the work in manual training is to be ex- tended so as to include work in wood, thus taking more of the time of the Supervisor.
20. The appointment of a substitute teacher to give her whole time to some phase of school work. Such a person could assist in clerical work in the Superintendent's office, direct the work of stamp saving system, act as a coach for backward pupils and serve as a substitute teacher in any of the grades when needed.
21. The appointment by the town at the next annual town meeting of a committee to consider the needs of more school accommodations.
The principles recently set forth as forming a safe platform upon which to conduct a school system and by which we have always endeavored to direct the educational policy of the town, may form a fitting conclusion to this report:
"The school for the child-not for the teacher. Equal rights and privileges to every child without regard to social influence or position. Liberal expenditures with absolute economy in all details.
The appointment of the ablest teachers available at merited salaries.
A course of study that should give each subject a reasonable and proper share of the pupil's time.
No exploitation of a pet subject at the expense of others. Even progress in all lines.
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Teachers to assist in making courses of study.
A large degree of initiative and independence for every teacher.
Originality to be encouraged.
Teachers to be urged to give the frankest criticism of methods and courses.
Individual instruction as far as possible.
Teachers to aim first for character building; second, health; third, "learning". Heart training to be regarded as important as mind training and hand training. Sympathy and interest to be felt and manifested by teachers as the controlling force.
Always listen patiently and judicially to complaints from any source.
Thoughtful consideration should precede action in new lines.
Being "up-to-date" in not necessarily being progressive. A great aim of the system to be the development of common sense by common sense methods."
Respectfully submitted, CHARLES H. BATES.
Superintendent of Schools. -
SPECIAL REPORTS
PRINCIPAL OF HIGH SCHOOL SUPERVISOR OF MANUAL ARTS SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC SUPERVISOR OF PENMANSHIP SCHOOL PHYSICIAN SCHOOL ATTENDANCE OFFICERS
154
REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL.
Mr. C. H. Bates, Superintendent of Schools:
Dear Sir :- I take pleasure in submitting the following report of the High School. The school year has been a suc- cessful one. The teaching force was the same as that of the preceding year. The total enrollment during the fall term was 218, the largest the school has even had. The percent- tage of increase in High school attendance since 1890 has been much greater than that of the increase in the popu- lation of the town. Our increase in population from 1890 to 1910 was 35 per cent, while the increase in High school attendance from 1890 to the present time has been 152 per cent. Our senior class numbers 43 pupils. Only a small number of pupils have left the school since the opening of the fall term. It is quite probable that there will be an entering class of over 100 next fall. This would indicate that our en- rollment next tall will be considerably larger than that of the present time. If there should be an attendance of 235 or 240, our class rooms would be taxed to their capacity and the as- sembly room would have to be provided with additional seats. Another teacher would be required; but there is no class-room for her. The increase of pupils in the commercial department will require more bookkeeping desks and more room. Our typewriting room is very small and is filled every period. This will have to be enlarged to satisfy the demands of this depart- ment. These conditions, carefully considered, can lead to but one conclusion. Larger accommodations for our High school will be an imperative necessity in the near future. The question is, "How shall we meet this condition?" It seems to me that a new High school building, supplied with modern equipment and built with an eye to the future, will be the proper and, in the end, the cheaper solution of the problem.
I wish to call the attention of parents to the great impor- tance of regular attendance upon school duties on the part of the pupil. Punctuality is a cardinal virtue. If a pupil is making a business of going to school, he should attend strictly to that line of business. Habits formed during school life
-
155
are either a positive benefit on a positive injury to the individ- ual. Most cases of tardiness, dismissal, or absence should be discouraged by the parent. A school record unbroken by any one of these three agencies, from many viewpoints, is as desirable as a high standard of scholarship.
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