USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Middleton > Town annual report of Middleton, MA. 1914 > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
63
SCHOOL REPORT
In conclusion, the Committee would thank the Superin- tendent, the Teachers, the Parents of the pupils and the com- munity for their support in its efforts to keep the school up to standard and hope that this support may continue.
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK S. PERKINS, GEORGE W. EWING, ANSEL P. TYLER,
School Committee.
Report of the Superintendent of Schools
1 To the School Committee
Gentlemen:
I have the honor to submit my fourth annual report of the school department.
In preparing the school report it is sometimes a question whether or not any real purpose is served. If we could secure through the report a more active interest on the part of the communty or in any way increase the efficiency of the schools, then, indeed, would the time spent be of some value. But, as school reports are generally more or less of a series of congratu- lations upon the good features of the schools and seldom point out any defects, even if they exist, it seems to be but a waste of time to continue the same plan year after year.
If, therefore, these pages depart somewhat from the usual customs, it will not mean that the same good features of the past years do not obtain at the present time, but that it seems useless to repeat many of the things said in previous years; and the departure is made in the hope that some ideas may be ex- pressed which will serve to give a clearer meaning of the work the school is expected to do for the children and the community.
In the first place, the idea has too long obtained that the school is a place almost wholly apart from the interests and activities of the home and the community, that its chief busi- ness is to deal with what is found in text books an that very little if any time should be devoted to those interests and ac- tivities which serve to make life more useful in the home and more enjoyable in the community.
(64)
65
SCHOOL REPORT
The school is not wholly a preparation for the life of some far off future. It is the time and place for enlarging upon the experiences of the children gained in the home, on the playground and elsewhere, for adjusting a reasonable body of knowledge to the needs of the growing minds and expanding powers of the children. It is the time for children to give as well as to get, to express their own thoughts, to develop initiative and power, to learn to bear cheerfully the responsibility for doing things, especially the harder tasks that are so necessary to their use- fulness in the work of the world.
The work of the school so enlarged, so vitalized and so ad- justed as to meet the needs of the activities of the home and the community, should send the children out each day better boys and girls. The school that does not make its refining and uplifting influence felt beyond its own doors, is not doing its duty by the children, nor is it fulfilling its responsibilities to the community of which it is a part. "School is life" and it should mean a better life for all the children of all the people.
But if the school is to do this larger and better work, manifestly, then, there should be the heartiest co-operation with the school on the part of every parent and citizen. Parents should visit the school more frequently and learn from the teacher better than any formal reports can give the work their children are doing and their general attitude toward the school and its life. They should give the teacher such infor- mation about the home life of the children as will enable her to deal with them in the most effective way. If any person in the world has the right to know the children as the parents know them it is the teacher of the school they attend. A few minutes talk with the teacher might be the means of changing the whole life of some child whom that teacher has failed to reach in the most helpful way. So, that our schools may serve their highest purpose, it is important that they have the heartiest cooperation, not only of the parents of the children, but of every citizens of the town, and it is due to the people of
W FONTAN
66
SCHOOL REPORT
Middleton that we make record of the fact that they are inter- ested in, and are cooperating with, the schools, as their support from year to year plainly shows.
The schools have enlarged their usefulness by giving work in the practical arts,-woodwork, basketry, sewing, etc., and by interesting themselves in the activities of the home. Under the direction of the school, the home and school exhibits at the Topsfield Fair netted the school and children about twenty- five dollars. Ten dollars came to the school for first prize in basketry, second prize in penmanship, and third prize in drawing, and the rest came to the children in prizes for gar- den products, sewing, cooking, flowers, etc.
Instruction in sewing is now given the girls of the four upper grades once in two weeks by Miss Randall, the drawing teacher. This gives the regular teachers more time for wood- work with the boys. All this work is along the same lines as reported last year, except that it is more advanced.
Last spring an electric bell system was installed in the building, the work being done almost wholly by four of the boys, Alfred Perkins, Earl Jones, Felton Metcalf and Stuart Barnaby.
All these additional interests do not mean that the tradi- tional subjects in the course are not receiving due attention. It means that those subjects are better and more easily taught because the children see for themselves that there is some use for the things they must learn from books in the other work of the school and in the activities of the home and the community.
Another very important work has been done by the teach- ers of the school during the past year. They have organized, supervised and directed the play of the children on the school grounds. This is next in importance to well organized school- rooms, especially in schools of this size. The teachers take turns and one teacher is on the grounds during each recess. This avoids a great deal of trouble and insures good conduct on the grounds at all times.
67
SCHOOL REPORT
For some time it has been the opinion that the schools could easily cover the work of the elementary grades in eight years. Last year conditions in the lower grades made it pos- sible to make the change from nine to eight grades without any change in the course for the children in the fourth to the eighth grades inclusive. These grades were advanced as usual but were simply renamed the new fourth, new fifth, etc., for the present year. The re-adjustment was made in the second and third grades and as these children come along through the grades the work will be strengthened in each grade so that there will be no loss to any one.
The course of study is also being revised to meet the needs of the new plan of grading and to give a course which will more nearly meet the present needs of the school and the com- munity. It is surely due to the children that mention be made in this report of the progress they are making in pen- manship.
It has already been noted that this school won second prize at the Topsfield Fair in competition with the city of Beverly. The Palmer people offer awards for the successful completion of different stages in the plan, a button for 25 drills, a pin for 100 drills, a certificate for general improve- ment and a final diploma. During the year 1912-13 the fol- lowing awards were secured by the children, 24 buttons, 22 pins, 3 improvement certificates, and 7 diplomas. In the appendix to this report will be found the names of the pupils who received these rewards also a list of the prize winners at the Topsfield Fair.
The changes in the school building recommended last year, were made during the summer and they add very much to the convenience and comfort of both teachers and children. The promptness with which such recommendations are acted upon is certainly most gratifying.
We are very sorry to have to report the absence this year of Miss Howe, for her long accustomed place in the primary
1
68
SCHOOL REPORT
school. On account of home responsibilities she was not able. to return in September and later decided to remain out for the year. Although her place is being most acceptably filled by Mrs. Henderson, we sincerely hope to see Miss Howe back in September with the little people whom she always so devot- edly serves.
In closing this report, I wish to express my highest appre- ciation of the continued support of the school committee and the same hearty co-operation of the teachers, children and people, that have made most enjoyable my work with the Mid- dleton schools.
Respectfully, submitted, HARVEY R. WILLIAMS, Superintendent of Schools.
January 31, 1914
School Calendar for 1914-1915
March 27, 1914, Winter term closes.
April 6, 1914, Spring term begins.
June 19, 1914, Schools close for Summer vacation.
September 8, 1914, Fall term opens.
November 25, 1914, Schools close at noon for Thanksgiv- ing recess.
November 30, 1914, Schools open.
December 18, 1914, Schools close for Christmas vacation. 15 WEEKS IN TERM
December 28, 1914, Winter term begins.
March 26, 1915, Schools close for Spring vacation,
13 WEEKS IN TERM
April 5, 1915, Spring term begins.
Holidays in term time, April 19, 1914, observed Monday, April 20, October 12, 1914, and February 22, 1915.
69
SCHOOL REPORT
Penmanship Awards, Year 1912-1913. FIRST GRAMMAR DIPLOMAS
Ruth Tyler Laura Peabody Esther Norton
Esther Nichols Gertrude Peabody Marion MacDonald
Helen Irving
IMPROVEMENT CERTIFICATES
Milton Collins
Felton Metcalf
PROGRESS PINS
Milton Collins
Felton Metcalf
Esther Norton
Helen Irving
Ruth Tyler
Earl Jones
Ethel Eaton
Ruby Richardson James Hood
Archie Jones
BUTTONS
Earl Jones Archie Jones
Alfred Perkins Raymond Currier
Arthur Gould
SECOND GRAMMAR
PROGRESS PINS
Mildred Porter James Flynn Pearl Jones
Mildred Raynor Grace MacDonald Marion Peabody
Serena Russell
Gertrude Peabody Alice Powers Gladys Currier
70
SCHOOL REPORT
BUTTONS
Lucy Richie
James Flynn
Frances Standley
Harold Moriss
Marguerite Kelley
Nellie Hudon
Virginia Gordon
Raymond Eaton
Georgia Frolick
Bernard Bent
INTERMEDIATE
IMPROVEMEMT CERTIFICATES
Vera Soper
PROGRESS PINS
Elva Rogers
Harriet Hood
BUTTONS
Eunice Russell
Edward Bryer
Paul Richardson
Gertrude Rowel
Arthur Powers
Porter Durkee
Noel Hudon
Esther Ogden
Walace Standley
Mildred Irving
Prize Winners at Topsfield Fair
Archie L. Jones, corn, potatoes, watermelons (2), squash,
sweet corn
$3.60
Pearl Jones, wild flowers, apron
2.50
Isabelle Durkee, bread
1.50
Mary Whiting, bread
1.50
Evelyn Brown, bread
1.00
Roy Osborne
Robert Gordon
71
SCHOOL REPORT
Esmond Hilton, cabbage .50
Clarence Richardson, cauliflower, asters, potatoes 1.25
Albert Berry, dahlias 1.00
Stewart Barnaby, marigolds, potatoes
.75
Cecilia Kelley, bantams
.50
Carl Jones, tomatoes
.25
Callie Douglass, beans
.25
CENTER SCHOOL
10.00
Baskets (first) Penmanship (second) Drawing (third)
School Census, September, 1913
Number between the ages of 5 and 15:
Boys 73
Girls 70
Total 143
Number between the ages of 7 and 14:
Boys 57
Girls 60
Total 117
One male illiterate minor over 14
Result of Eye and Ear Tests
Number of pupils enrolled 143
Number found defective in eyesight 12
Number found defective in hearing 2
Number of parents or guardians notified 12
72
SCHOOL REPORT
Registration and Average by Grades, Sept., 1913
Boys
Girls
Total
Av. Age
GRADE I
9
4
13
5 yrs. 11 mo.
GRADE II
9
8
17
7 "
1
GRADE III
16
10
26
8
8 66
GRADE IV
12
7
19
10
8
GRADE V
9
9
18
11
0
GRADE VI
7
9
16
12
0
GRADE VII
8
11
19
14
0
GRADE VIII
8
7
15
14
8
Totals
78
65
143
Roll of Honor
Figures give the number of terms pupils have not been absent and stars indicate that they have not been tardy for the same time.
FIRST GRAMMAR
2* Evelyn Brown 2 Minnie Bryer
3* Gladys Currier
2* Gertrude Gould
2* Helen Irving 3* Camilla Newton
3* Esther Nichols 1 Gertrude Peabody
2 Laura Peabody
3* Ruby Richardson
3 Ruth Tyler 2 Raymond Currier
1 Arthur Gould
1 Felton Metcalf
1 Florence Durkee
2* Paul Young
1* Stewart Barnaby
1* Fred Currier
1* Archie Jones
1* Earl Jones
1* Leon Soper
73
SCHOOL REPORT
SECOND GRAMMAR
1 Guy Evans
1* Percy Lewis
2* Roy Osborne
3* Clarence Richardson
1* Pearl Jones 1* Marie Kenney
2* Grace MacDonald 1 Marion Peabody
1* Mary Whiting 1* Bernard Bent
1* Cecelia Kelley
1 Frank Currier
1* Mildred Porter 1* Aldine Gardner
INTERMEDIATE
3* Clifford Clark 2 Milton Evans
1 Esmond Hilton
2 Fred Maynard
1* Esther Ogden
1 James Case
1* Harriet Hood
2 Roger Peabody
1* Jennie Stevens
PRIMARY
1* Faith Hale
3* Mary Tynan
2* Elliott Rowell
3* Frederick Tynan
1* Antoine Azulay
3* Ruth Soper
3* Howard Hood
1* Carl Jones 3* William Roberts
2* George Soper
1 Marjorie Daniels
1 Frank Bryer
1* George Groce
1* Mildred Irving
2* Annie Sanford
2* John Reilly
2* Vera Soper
2* Gertrude Rowell
2 Robert Gordon
1 Raymond McKenney
74
SCHOOL REPORT
Middleton Grammar School Graduation Exercises June 18, 1913, at Town Hall
Program
Piano Solo, "Gavotte in G Minor"
March
Ruth Tyer
"The Happy Miller"
Chorus
Rev. Dorrall Lee
Prayer Composition :
"Everyday Patriotism" Gertrude M. Peabody
"Daniel Webster"
. Milton E., Collins
"Aunt Mirandy's Visit" Gertrude M. Gould
"The Painter of Seville" Esther L. Nichols
"Lovely Night" Chorus
"Mark Twain's Watch" H. Felton Metcalf "High Tide on the Coast of Lincolnshire" Florence A. Durkee
"The American Indian" Ruby A. Richardson
"I Once Had a Pretty Doll, Dears" Girls' Trio
"The Frenchman and his English Tutor"
Minnie M. Bryer, Laura A. Peabody "The Man of Sorrows"
Camilla M. Newton, Raymond H. Currier, Earl F. Jones
"Class of 1913" Alice K. Richardson, Ruth Tyer
"Gypsy Life" Chorus Presentation of Class Mr. H. R. Williams, Supt. of Schools Presentation of Diplomas
Mr. Frank S. Perkins, Chairman of School Committee " "Tis Morn" Chorus
Music under the direction of Mrs. Genie Fuller Kimball
Violinist, Mrs. H. K. Richardson
Pianist, Ruth Tyler
75
SCHOOL REPORT
Graduates
Minnie May Bryer
Milton Earl Collins
Raymond Henry Currier
Forence Alfretta Durkee
Gertrude Mabel Gould
Earl Frederick Jones
Harold Felton Metcalf
Camilla May Newton
Esther Louisa Nichols
Gertrude May Peabody
Laura Annie Peabody
Alice Kimball Richardson
Ruby Amanda Richardson
Ruth Tyler
ATTENDANCE STATISTICS, 1912-1913
Schools
Length of
Year
Enrolled Number
Boys
Girls
Enrolled
Average
Average
Attendance
Percent of
5 and 15 years
Number between
7 and 14 years
Number over
15 years
Number under
5 years
Half Day
Absences
Tardiness
Dismissals
M.D.
9-8.5
31
12
19
23.9
28.5
95.2
22
15
9
0
541
21
11
Second Grammar
9-9.5
36
17
19
39.5
31.5
93.9
35
31
1
0
813
28
12
Intermediate
9-9.5
36
20
16
33.9
31.6
93.1
36
36
0
0
651
18
21
Primary
9-9.5
44
25
19
42.2
39.1
92.5
43
14
0
1
1262
44
5
Average and Totals
147
74
73
139.5
130.7
93.7
136
96
10
1
3267
111
49
DIRECTORY OF TEACHERS, JANUARY, 1914
NAMES
SCHOOLS
APPOINTED
GRADES
SALARY
EDUCATED
C. Alice Manning Caroline Knight
1st Grammar
1902
VII-VIII
$546
Somerville High
2nd Grammar
1912
V-VI
507
Salem Normal
Ella L. Richardson
Intermediate Primary
1912
III-IV
507
Plymouth, N.H. Normal
Nellie C. Howe*
1889
I-II
507
Salem Normal
Mrs. A. F. Henderson
Primary Subs. Music
1912
150
Beatrice A. Randall
Drawing and Sewing
1913
120
Holyoke Salem Normal
* Granted leave of absence for one year.
I-II
507
Mrs. Genie F. Kimball
Enrolled
Membership
Number between
Attendance
First Grammar
-
FLINT
MIDDLETON
PUBLIC LIBRARY
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.