USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Town annual report of Middleborough, Massachusetts 1916 > Part 2
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Some of the suburban districts have fallen off greatly in membership, while a few have increased.
A few years ago there were 86 pupils in the Highland School, Middleboro and France districts. There are this term but 40 pupils-13 at the Highland School and 27 from the France and South Middleboro districts at the South Middleboro School. It is a question whether it is best to maintain so many small schools or whether it would not be
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more economical and better educationally to consolidate these schools in central buildings. For instance, if a four or five room building were erected near the Rock it would accommodate in four of its rooms the pupils attending now at Fall Brook, South Middleboro, Rock, Wappanucket, Thomastown and Highland. The annual teaching cost under present scale of salaries would be $2,200. We are now paying an annual expenditure in these six schools for maximum teacher's salaries of $3,400, an increase of $1,200 over the consolidated plan. We are also paying $28 a month for janitor service, and $135 a month for transportation by school teams to three of these six schools.
A new building with graded schools, large playground, school garden for agricultural work, manual training rooms, and pupils having the services of the different supervisors transported by motor vehicles or on electric cars, would give a system of schools in this section of the town that would compare favorably with any in the state and make this sec- tion a better place from an educational standpoint to pre- pare children for life's duties. Such a plan as outlined is, I believe, worthy of consideration and could be carried out after the erection of the building at not much greater expense than under the present plan.
The same plan is practical in the Green, Thompsonville, Soule and Waterville districts, where a three or four room building, centrally located, could accommodate the present enrollment in three graded schools at an annual expense for teaching of $1,650, where now the maximum cost for teaching is $2,250. The present janitor's service in these four schools is $20 a month and $25 a month is paid for trans- · portation of pupils.
In both these sections under the suggested plan, there would be a saving of $1,800 a year in teachers' salaries, the janitor's expense would be not much more than at present and the increased cost in transportation by motor vehicles would fully compensate the returns in better instruction, more adequate school accommodations, up-to-date methods, and better results.
Owing to the size of the school at Fall Brook the two- section plan in operation at the Rock and Green Schools for several years was started in this school in October and has been productive of good results.
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A situation existing in the Pleasant Street School dis- trict has already been called to your attention. Of the 32 pupils attending this school only six live within two miles of the building. It is costing at the present time $85 a month during the winter months for the transportation of the other 26.
It would seem that if a building could be erected in some central location to accommodate a large number of these pupils the cost of transportation could be greatly reduced.
I am pleased to state that at the present time I believe we have a very capable corps of teachers in these schools and the work is being done as well as could be expected under existing conditions. I hope that some arrangements may soon be made whereby the supervisors of manual arts and of penmanship may be able to visit the more accessible of these schools for the purpose of personally demonstrating their lines of work to the pupils as well as to find out by actual teaching just the conditions under which the teachers in these schools are working
I feel that a return to the plan of segregating all the pupils of the ninth grades in town, which was discontinued this year in one school, would be of inestimable advantage to the ninth grade pupils in these schools.
EIGHT GRADE SYSTEM.
When the new High School building is ready for occu- pancy I would suggest the adoption of the eight grade system plan-using the present High School building for a Junior High School of the seventh, eighth and ninth grades, the ninth grade to be known as the preparatory department of the High School.
This building would then with its six class rooms give adequate provisions for two seventh, two eighth and two ninth grades-retaining the present assembly hall for the same purposes for which it is now used.
I would recommend at that time that the Suburban schools, if no other plan for their betterment is adopted, be also of eight grades and that all pupils in those districts intending to enter the High School shall take the ninth grade work in the preparatory department.
At the School Street building provisions would be given for two sixth, two fifth, two fourth and two third grades.
At the enlarged Union Street building there would be accommodations for two first and two second grades. This
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would give a system of schools for these three buildings which would be capable of efficient work.
I believe that the first year's work, if it commences at five years of age, should be largely of a kindergarten nature and conducted on the half-time plan.
FUTURE GRADING.
The future grading of the schools at the centre must look to a smaller number of pupils to the teacher. As it is now many of these schools have too large a membership, several enrolling between 48 and 55 pupils. No school should have an average enrollment of more than 42 and a still smaller number would be more desirable.
In a large school the individual work must suffer and an injustice is done the pupils in expecting the same degree of efficiency under such conditions. With the occupancy of the new High School building, the old building, the enlarged Union Street building and the School Street building would give opportunity for schools of not more than 35 pupils each- a condition which would give to the town in the immediate centre a grading unequaled by many towns in the State.
REVISION OF SALARIES.
A general revision of salaries in the Central Elementary and Suburban Schools was made last June and went into effect in September. Under this plan all elementary female teachers, exclusive of principals who are on the tenure list, which includes those who have served for three successive years since their annual election, shall in the future receive a $600 salary in the Central Schools and a $550 salary in the Suburban Schools.
Teachers not on the tenure list shall receive $550 in the Central Elementary Schools and $500 in the Suburban Schools. This is a maximum annual increase of $104 in the Central Schools and $56 in the Suburban Schools. This increase in salaries has effected 34 positions at a total annual increase of $3,000.
All teachers are now on a yearly salary instead of being elected at so much per week.
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THE-ANN WHITE WASHBURN SCHOLARSHIP FUND.
Mr. Albert H. Washburn, a resident of Middleboro, has during the past year established a memorial to his mother, known as "The Ann White Washburn Scholarship Fund."
This fund consists of securities, having a par value of $8,000 and guaranteed to yield an annual income of $400.
This fund is under the control of five trustees, three resi- dents of Middleboro, one of Kingston and one of Rochester, who have absolute control, management and disposition of it.
The intent of the donor in the establishment of this fund, so far as it relates to the disposition of it by the trustees, is given in the following section of the agreement that con- tain the articles of trust :
"The Trustees shall award or bestow upon such terms and in such manner as they see fit the income derived from the securities and property constituting the aforesaid Ann White Washburn Scholarship Fund upon any deserving student or students of either sex not exceeding the age of twenty-five years, having a bona-fide residence through his or her or their parents or guardians in the said towns of Middleboro, Kingston, or Rochester for the purpose of aiding such student or students to obtain a liberal or pro- fessional education in any university or college of recognized standing as approved by them, the said Trustees, provided, however, that in making all scholarship awards the intent of the subscriber to create a fund as an aid and incentive to students of promise with limited means is always to be kept in mind."
The trustees for this town are George W. Stetson, Esq., E. T. Pierce Jenks and Lorenzo Wood.
It is certainly a grand thing to have such a fund to aid worthy and ambitious students and the people of these towns are indeed indebted to the donor for this act of generosity in establishing this worthy memorial to his honored mother.
NEW ATTENDANCE LAW.
The law of 1916 relative to school attendance has made it necessary to rearrange the plan of enforcement. To attend to the attendance part, the Board has appointed Mr. Samuel S. Lovell as attendance officer, and to carrying out other phases of the law as relates to the school census, has appointed
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Mrs. Carrie L. Jones attendance officer, with special duties.
Under the new law the school census is to be taken in April instead of in September, so that in the school report of this year there is no census report. Arrangements also have been made for placing the issuing of labor certificates in charge of the town clerk which will be more convenient to both employer and employee. There are at the present time 120 minors between the ages of 14 and 16 at work who under the law if not at work would be obliged to attend school.
DENTAL CLINIC.
I would call attention to the report of the School Physi- cian in which he recommends closer attention to the care of the children's teeth on the part of the parents.
In his annual examination he found 395 cases of defective teeth which included over 25 per cent. of the pupils examined.
So essential is the necessity of having good teeth, so far as it concerns the present health of the child and its effects on future efficiency, that it would seem to be' a part of his education that he should be carefully guarded in this respect, and any movement like the establishing of a school dental clinic would be a great value to our school children.
.Here is an opportunity for any of our organizations in town which have the physical betterment of children at heart to assist in a praiseworthy undertaking.
GIFTS.
The following gifts received during the year are hereby · acknowledged and our appreciation extended to the donors.
1. Organ to the West Side School by the Rev. T. D. Curtin of the Sacred Heart Church.
2. Piano to the Forest Street School by Mr. E. T. P. Jenks of the School Board.
3. Piano to Thompsonville School by Mr. Fred L. Han- son resident of the district.
4. Picture to Union Street School by Mr. and Mrs. George L. Thomas, in memory of their daughter, Charlotte who died while a pupil in that building.
5. Ten new typewriters with tables and chairs, for the commercial department of the High School at an expense of $585 by the Pierce trustees.
6. Flags to the High School and Union Street buildings for use in the interior by patriotic societies .
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STAMP SAVING SYSTEM.
The Stamp Saving System is meeting with excellent success under the energetic management of Mrs. Lizzie E. B. Tillson, the supervisor and treasurer. The small cost to the town in thus encouraging habits of thrift in our schools is amply justified by the results.
The teachers are to be commended for their interest in encouraging their pupils in this activity and we are glad to say that never in the several years it has been a part of school work have the results been so gratifying.
MOTHERS' CLUBS.
Last year saw the formation of three Mothers' Clubs in connection with our school work.
Probably no one thing has done so much for a better understanding between the homes and the schools, a closer co-operation of teachers and parents, a deeper interest in school work and a clearer appreciation of the worth of our teachers as these clubs have accomplished.
These clubs hold monthly meetings in the several school buildings. Interesting programs with subjects bearing on home and school problems, together with the social features, make these meetings of much worth. Their great helpful- ness to parents, teachers and pupils will be more and more apparent.
TUITION.
The School Board voted in June to increase the price of tuition at the High School from $55 to $75 a year. The Board felt that owing to the increased expenses in the main- tenance of this school that it was justified in taking such action. This will greatly increase the income from this source. The present year will give a. revenue of nearly $3,700 from this source alone.
The State also has increased the amount allowed towns and cities for tuition of State wards from 50 to 75 cents a week. In the past the State has only paid $19 a year for such tuition while the town charge for tuition in the elemen- tary ,schools is $24 a year. The State now pays $28.50 a year. This applies to all wards of the State, city of Boston, and Lyman School for Boys.
The amount to be deducted from the regular appropria- tion, this year from this tuition income will be $4,500 at least.
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REPAIRS.
During the summer vacation the eight rooms in the School Street building were thoroughly renovated and are now in excellent condition. Next summer the corridors and basements should be renovated. This is the first gen- eral renovation the rooms of the building have received since its occupancy in 1907.
A new coal furnace has replaced the wood furnace at the Soule School and has been very satisfactory.
By order of the state inspector corridor "smoke doors" have been placed on the second floor of the High School building as a precaution against any sudden filling of the corridor with smoke in case of fire. The fire-room in the basement has been sheathed with metal overhead and the approaches to the building place in good condition. The ventilating system in this building needs a complete reno- vation and the toilets in the basement should be thoroughly overhauled.
At the West Side metal ceilings have been placed in the two upper rooms and electric lights placed in each room, the corridors and basement.
In the Suburban Schools only minor repairs have been done but this year the interior of the South Middleboro, Wappanucket and Highland buildings should be renovated.
CONCLUSION.
In conclusion I wish to express my appreciation of the co-operation of the supervisors, the leaders, and the parents in our united efforts for the best results in the education of the children under our charge.
To the citizens of the town for their generous support and to the members of the School Board for their interest and co-operation I extend my sincere thanks.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES H. BATES,
Superintendent of Schools.
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REPORT OF THE ATTENDANCE OFFICER.
[Middleboro, Mass., Jan. 3, 1916.
Mr. C. H. Bates, Superintendent of Schools:
Dear Sir :- I herewith present my report for the year 1916:
Number of cases investigated 71
Number of cases of truancy
4
Number of cases prosecuted 0
Number of convictions 0
Number on probation 0
Thirteen of the cases investigated were in the Suburban Schools.
Yours respectfully,
S. S. LOVELL,
School Attendance Officer.
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REPORT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL.
Mr. Charles H. Bates, Superintendent of Schools:
Dear Sir :- In accordance with custom I submit the following brief report of the High School: The fall session did not open until September 25 on account of the infantile paralysis epidemic. During the calendar year changes have taken place in our teaching force. Miss Helen R. Towers, teacher of English and German, resigned last spring and Miss Gertrude M. Butler was elected to fill the vacancy. Miss Louise H. Scott, who had been substituting in the commercial department of the school for nearly two years, concluded her labors at the end of the school year. The department had grown so large that it was necessary to have an additional teacher. Mr. Raymond S. Dower was elected as head of the department and Miss Winifred A. Thomas as assistant. Miss Grace Allen, who has been an efficient teacher in the school for the past twenty-one years, was given leave of absence for the fall term until after the Thanks- giving recess, and Mrs. Charles F. Philbrook served as sub- stitute.
There has been a material increase in the number of students. The total enrollment during the fall term was 274, 123 boys and 151 girls. The tuition for out-of-town pupils has been increased from $55 to $75 per year. The number of tuition pupils at the beginning of the fall term was 51. The number of town pupils that drew transpor- tation money for the fall term was 67.
The work of the school is handicapped by conditions that can not be overcome until our new High School build- ing is erected. We have a shortage of teachers. In order to meet the requirements of the State Board of Education there should be an addition of two teachers to our present force. I quote the following from the requirements of the State Board of Education relative to granting a High School the privilege of sending students to State Normal Schools by the certificate of the principal: "No teacher who instructs six classes shall have a sum of more than 100 pupils in these classes." Six of our teachers have the following numbers in all their classes combined: 175, 155, 138, 132, 129, 101.
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We have no courses in Household Arts or Manual Training, courses which are offered in many High Schools of our size. No provision can be made for a lunch counter, which may be found in all well-appointed High Schools. As the subject of Chemistry is taught every other year in our school, the chemical laboratory was dismantled during the summer vacation and fitted up as a typewriting room, on the supposi- tion that the new High School building would be ready for occupancy next fall. In order to fit pupils for a higher edu- cation it is necessary to have this subject in our curriculum. The Assembly room is being used for recitation purposes, and the hall on the third floor has been furnished with chairs and electric lights and used as a recitation room since the opening of the fall term. It is a source of great anxiety to the principal now we are going to maintain the efficiency of the school under conditions that are growing more and more problematical.
The graduating class last June numbered 31, 19 girls and 12 boys. Of these 13 are continuing their studies in educational institutions.
Respectfully submitted, WALTER SAMPSON,
Principal of the High School.
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REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MANUAL ARTS.
Mr. Charles H. Bates, Superintendent :
Dear Sir :- The following is a report of the work in draw- ing and manual training during the past year.
The course in the High School is about the same as in previous years and is going on as well as can be expected under present conditions. This year the drawing classes have to meet in a class room which makes the study of light and shade practically impossible as the lighting cannot be arranged for such work. More advanced subjects are taken up by a few pupils in the mechanical class than for several years. Architectural drawing, inking and blue printing are studied by the advanced pupils while the other division is working on geometric problems, projection and working drawings.
The free hand division has done some good work in print- ing, design, appearance drawing and decorative arrange- ment in flat tones of gray and color. This winter the human figure in costume will be studied, first from the cast and later from life.
The work in the grades follows the same general plan and is done under the same conditions as described in the report of two years ago.
More time has been given to the study of color com- bination that the pupils may have a finer color sense and develop an appreciation of taste for beautiful and harmonious color. This is very important as so much of our comfort and pleasure in every day life depends upon color in our surroundings.
The usual study has been given to nature and appearance drawing, perspective principles, illustrative draw- ing and working drawing. Stick printing has been used in design and very successful results were obtained by the use of cranberries cut in halves across the core to serve as a stamp for printing borders on calendar mounts, book covers, etc.
Manual work is given through Grade VI but should be continued through Grade VII as the elementary work in both book binding and sewing is not completed in Grade VI. The girls in this grade are hardly advanced enough and have not time to carry out the simple cutting and making problems such as undergarments, kimonos, aprons, etc., which should be completed before the sewing course is
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dropped. In Grade VII this could be done, and at the same time the boys could finish the book binding problems and learn to use the knife skilfully, making the wooden toys, so popular now, out of their wood, brads and glue. These problems are not only very interesting to make but the results have a commercial value.
Manual work in these middle grades I consider of greater importance than in other grades, not as a means of teaching the child any form of manual work which he might use later in gaining a livelihood but simply for the training it gives him resulting in ability to use his hands skillfully, to plan and carry the construction of any piece of work, to follow directions exactly, and to work with accuracy, precision and rapidity. Upon this foundation he is far better fitted to take up some form of vocational works later than he is without it.
The boys in Grade VI made crayon boxes to supply nearly all the primary grades. Those at Union Street were burned last spring so they are making another set for that building. The crayons come in flimsy paper boxes and are soon broken and lost unless stiff card boxes are provided. After the boys have each made one or two complete boxes and learned all the processes from beginning to end they work in groups, each group does one kind of work and passes it on to the next, as in a factory. A box goes through the hands of seven boys before it is completed. In this way a large order can be done much more quickly and the work will be more accurate. Each boy knows that his work is to be examined by the next boy and any mistake or inaccur- acy reported. The effect of team work in this subject is the same as in any other kind of team work. The boy forgets himself and his personal preferences and does uninteresting parts of the work carefully and cheerfully that the best possi- ble results may be sent out.
Last year the boys in Grades V-VI made albums to hold their arianola records.
It has been the aim, as far as possible, to make the manual problems practical and of value to the schools.
Many of the teachers are to be commended for their enthus- iasm and thorough work, and especially those in the middle grades who trade the manual work themselves.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY L. COOK.
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REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC.
Middleboro, Mass., Jan. 1, 1917.
Mr. Charles H. Bates, Supt. of Schools:
Dear Sir :- It gives me pleasure to submit to you the following report of the work in the Music Department of the Middleboro Schools:
The primary aim of music instruction in the public schools should be the development of a lasting love for the best in music and an intelligent appreciation of it. To achieve these desirable results, the course in music has been divided or organized under four separate though closely related lines of 'study, namely, Music Appreciation, Voice Culture, Sight- Reading and Interpretation.
The material used in the daily lessons will naturally influence most strongly the pupil's attitude toward music.
The material of the Progressive Series which is being introduced into our schools, is rich in beautiful and inspired songs; folk songs of many lands, art songs of the masters of a by-gone day expressive of modern thought and feeling, contributed by many of the foremost composers of our time.
The course in addition to the folk songs and art songs, presents a number of themes from the larger forms, notably from symphonies and operas. The study of these themes develops the desire to hear, and helps the children to follow with interest, the complete works from which they have been taken.
The first two years in music are filled with songs, or as we call them, musical experiences. From Grade Three upward through the eighth grade the fundamental tonal and rhythmic concepts gained in the first two school years are classified and organized as definite musical problems for drill. These former musical experiences are related and associated through drill, and the musical vocabulary thus acquired is organized, extended and thoroughly memorized until its use becomes automatic.
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