USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Middleton > Town annual report of Middleton, MA. 1909 > Part 3
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Respectfully submitted, Middleton School Committee,
DARIUS W. CASE, Chairman.
ANSEL P. TYLER, Sec'y and Purchasing Agent.
PRINCE T. WOODS, M. D., School Physician.
Report of the Superintendent of Schools.
To the School Committee:
GENTLEMEN:
It gives me pleasure to submit my fourth annual report as Superintendent of Schools of the Town.
In reviewing the progress of the schools for the year past, no marked or radical changes in work or organization are to be noted. We have maintained our previous course of study which is very similar to those of other towns and cities of the Common- wealth, throughout which there is a decided uniformity. There is, of course, a great difference in the method of presentation, but the amount of ground required to be covered does not greatly differ. In the schools of Middleton there has been an excellent degree of attainment and an earnest effort on the part of the teachers to inspire in the pupils higher purposes and a firmer determination to win success.
Each year we labor to discover at what points we may strengthen general scholarship and make all school work of more practical value to each pupil in his life's work. A special effort has been made to gain fluency and accuracy in both spoken and written English. It is a most arduous task to break up the home habits in expressions of incorrect English. This can be accom- plished only by having the pupils repeat the correct forms both in and out of the school until they become familiar with good usage.
A smaller amount of time is spent on the less practical pro- cesses in Arithmetic with the purpose of gaining greater exact- ness in the fundamentals as fractions, measurements, percentage
(56)
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SCHOOL REPORT
and interest. Could we utilize the time often spent in imprac- tical problems in brisk, energetic thinking, far more would be attained in the same period of time. Intensive, energetic oral work has improved during the present year. The introduction of Smith's Arithmetic would assist us in making the work more useful and practical. These books need not be purchased all at once, but as the old books wear out, new Smith's may be bought to replace them.
GRADUATION.
Last June 11 pupils graduated from our Grammar School and nine entered Danvers High School. Some of these pupils had done the work of the last three grades in two years, never- theless they have maintained unusually good standing in the High School. As there aie only two pupils in the present 9th grade, and two Middleton pupils are to graduate in June from Danvers there will be no increase of High School pupils next year. The Town, under the present arrangement, is paying the transportation of all pupils attending high school. With such liberal terms as these, parents should see to it that their children receive the benefits of high school training, which today is the minimum standard for successful pursuit of trade or profession or even intelligent citizenship.
Last June there was a change in the method of admission of our pupils to the High School. They are now admitted upon the recommendation of the teacher and superintendent of schools. It is generally conceded by most thoughtful educators that the system of staking the promotion or non-promotion of a child upon the result of one written examination is a very poor means of ascertaining into which grade or school he shall go. If a pupil knows that his marks are determined by his recitations day by day and by frequent tests, his efforts will be constantly sustained. If all is dependant on one final test there will be a great deal of worry on the part of the conscientious and often a
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SCHOOL REPORT
lagging of the lazy until test time. The result is that the over- conscientious sometimes fail and the indolent sometimes get a better mark than their regular work warrants.
SCHOOL ENTERTAINMENT.
A school entertainment and candy sale was held in the Town Hall last spring at which about $30 was realized. The school rooms have been greatly beautified by works of art pur- chased with this money.
TRANSPORTATION.
Under a system of transportation, complaints are likely to arise. Some persons are prone to consider themselves aggrieved if the transportation barge does not come nearer their homes. It is utterly impracticable for the Town to send a means of con- veyance to the door of every child who lives off the route. If this is done for one it will be necessary to do it for all, which would entail a great expense. Middleton is offering a more generous system of transportation than the majority of Mass- achusetts towns. The School Committee have had complaints under consideration and have dealt justice so far as possible.
GAMES.
Since we have occupied the fine grounds which were added to our school yard last year with so wise foresight on the part of our townspeople the pupils have taken great interest in their games. Baseball, football, basketball and ring games have been enjoyed and are benefitting many of the pupils. These athletic sports and games are developing mentally and physically to the pupils and arouse a better esprit de corps which in the Middleton schools has been good at all times. The enlarged grounds have certainly increased the pupils' pride and pleasure in their school.
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SCHOOL REPORT
The Y. M. C. A. of Essex County is taking up the work of organ- ized play and we hope a new impetus will be given to healthful, well-organized games and sports throughout the county.
TOPICS OF THE TIMES.
On Friday afternoons, the eighth and ninth grades are united in the study of current topics. A small weekly paper which summarizes the news of the world is taken by the pupils. With this as a basis the pupils are encouraged to read the papers and magazines. They are enjoying this work and are gaining a great deal of practical information in subjects pertaining to events of world-wide interest which should inspire them with an ambition to be well informed.
REPAIRS.
During the year several unplanned for repairs have become imperative. The odor from the sanitaries in the basement rose into the halls and became a menace to health. A system of ven- tilation was put into the basement which removes all odors. The storm porches were not put on but a register was put into the north hall which has made a great improvement in the warmth of the building. At some time when it becomes practi- cal, the elevation in the rear of each school-room should be re- moved and the entire floor be made level.
CHANGE OF TEACHERS.
Last June Miss Nellie Quennell of the Lower Grammar re- signed to take a place in Salem, and Miss Helen O. Locke, a Salem Normal graduate, was secured to fill the position. In October, Mr. George F. Smith, our supervisor of music, was taken suddenly ill with pneumonia and died. Mr. Smith's best eulogy is his success as a teacher and the admiration and happy memory for him by the pupils and teachers with whom he worked.
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The warm cordiality and unceasing courtesy of the Middle- ton teachers makes it a pleasure for all who have to work with them.
I wish to thank the Committee for their keen interest in the schools and unfailing kindness to myself.
Respectfully submitted, ANDREW S. THOMSON, Supt. of Schools.
Report of Music Teacher.
MR. A. S. THOMSON Supt. of Schools.
Dear Sir:
On assuming charge of the music in the schools of Middle- ton, I was impressed with the promise shown by the pupils and the willingness they evinced to enter with me into the spirit of the music. This impression has been strengthened, if anything, by my service of two months.
Many of the voices possess unusual beauty, and it will be my aim to develop all voices with respect to tone production and interpretation. In regard to the latter, much is still to be desired, but I have no hesitation in presaging true musical re- sults in a short time.
Especial thanks is due the teachers for their efforts, their animating spirit has been communicated to their pupils and has contributed in no little degree toward making my task a pleas- urable one.
To the superintendent, I am grateful for the kindness shown me and the free rein given me.
Respectfully submitted,
HENRY L. STONE.
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SCHOOL REPORT
Report of Drawing Teacher.
MR. A. S. THOMSON, Supt. of Schools,
Middleton, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I am glad to say that I think the Drawing in the Middleton School has been progressing very well during the past year. As in every other study there is always a higher goal to be reached, and we must ever strive for something better than what we yet have done.
The subject now at hand in all of the grades above the Primary is object drawing and that gives me an opportunity to suggest that it would be of great value to the school, if we might have a few simple and inexpensive pieces of pottery. Having these beautiful shapes to draw from would be an incen- tive toward better drawing and appreciation of color. The chil- dren would learn to see beauty in the simple contours of the objects, and in the harmony of their gray coloring and would learn to select the beautiful from the crude in objects of orna- mentation and use for their homes.
Drawing in the elementary schools is but a means toward an end, that end being the ability to use drawing freely in con- nection with other studies, to be able to represent simple objects truthfully.
I wish to thank the teachers for their interest and for the assistance they have given me.
Respectfully submitted,
GOLDIE LONDON.
School Calendar. 1909-1910.
March 26. Schools close for Spring vacation.
April 5. Schools open for Spring term.
June 18. Schools close for Summer vacation.
.
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SCHOOL REPORT
September 7. Schools open for Fall term.
November 24. Schools close for Thanksgiving.
November 29. Schools open for Winter term
December 23. Schools close for Christmas.
Jan. 3, 1910. Schools open.
March 27. Schools close for Spring vacation.
Ear and Eye Test.
Whole number examined
140
Number defective eye sight
18
66 66 hearing
8
66
notices sent to parents
15
School Census.
Whole number of boys betweeen 5 and 15 66 66 girls 66 5 " 15
Total
183
66
boys between 7 and 14
76
66
girls 66
7
66
14
60
Total 136
MIDDLETON GRAMMAR SCHOOL.
Graduation Exercises, June 24, 1908.
March GERTRUDE AND DOROTHY GORDON "Estudiantina"
CHORUS
Prayer REV. ELLIOTT MOSES
"Stars of the Summer Night" BOYS' CHORUS
Salutatory and Essay, "Alexander Hamilton" ELMER W. BERRY
.
·
99
84
.
·
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SCHOOL REPORT
"On the Shores of Tennessee" BERTHA E. SMITH
"Santa Lucia"
CHORUS
"The Man Without a Country" WILLIAM H. YOUNG
"How the Old Horse Won the Bet" ERNEST R. CURRIER
Essay and Recitation, "The English in India"
RUTH C. WILKINS
"Day on the Water". CHORUS
RALPH A. RICHARDSON
"Yawcob Strauss" "Essay, "Our Star Spangled Banner" BENJ. K. RICHARDSON Illustrations of Flags CHAS. H. METCALF
"To Thee, O Country" CHORUS
"The Unknown Speaker" J. ELLSWORTH BARNABY
"The Class of 1908" GLADYS M. CRONAN
Presentation of Diplomas, MR. DARIUS W. CASE, Chairman of the School Committee. "Up and Away"
CHORUS
Pianist-GERTRUDE M. GORDON
VIOLINIST-MRS. HAZEN K. RICHARDSON
Graduates.
JOHN ELLSWORTH BARNABY
ELMER WOODWORTH BERRY
GLADYS MARGARET CRONAN
ERNEST RICHARDSON CURRIER GERTRUDE MARIE GORDON
CHARLES HENRY METCALF BENJAMIN KEAN RICHARDSON
RALPH ALMON RICHARDSON
BERTHA ELLEN SMITH
RUTH CURTIS WILKINS
WILLIAM HARRISON YOUNG
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE.
SCHOOL STATISTICS 1907-1908.
Months and
Days
Enrolled Number
Number of
Boys
Number of
Girls
Average
Membership
Average
Attendance
Attendance Per cent of
5 and 15 years Number between
Number between
7 and 14 years
Number over
15 years
Number under
5 years
Grammar School
9-5
30
20
10
27
25
93
26
21
4
0
Lower Grammar
9-5
42
23
19
38
35
91
42
41
0
0
Upper Primary
9-
46
22
24
41
37
89
46
46
0
0
Primary
9-7
41
25
16
37 .
36
88
41
14
0
0
Total
159
90
69
143
133
90
155
122
4
0
TEACHERS, SCHOOLS, SALARIES, ETC., SEPTEMBER, 1908.
.
NAMES OF TEACHERS
SCHOOL
GRADES
SALARY
WHERE EDUCATED
Nellie C. Howe
Primary
I-II
$13.00 per week
Salem Normal
C. Alice Manning
Grammar
VII-IX
13.00
Somerville High
Hazel E. Weston
Upper Primary
III-IV
10.50
Salem Normal
Helen O. Locke
Lower Grammar
V-VI
12.00
Salem Normal
For Reference
Not to be taken from this room
FLINT
MIDDLETON
PUBLIC
LIBRER
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