USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Middleton > Town annual report of Middleton, MA. 1921 > Part 2
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Harry Phillips, account forest fire
2 75
Town of Danvers, refund water, cemetery
6 00
Town of Danvers, account of poor dept.
163 00
Various licenses 15 85
J. A. Atwood, refund endowed lots 1 60
Elmer O. Campbell, refund Memorial Day 5 74
Miscellaneous 15 06
$79,183 17
33
TREASURER'S REPORT
EXPENDITURES
Town orders State aid orders Balance on hand January 1, 1922
$74,104 77 384 00
4,694 40
$79,183 17
Electric Light Depreciation Fund
Balance in hands of Town Treasurer, December
31, 1921 $462 69
H. H. BRADSTREET, Treasurer.
Report of Auditor
To the Board of Selectmen :
This is to certify that I have examined the books 'and vouchers of the receipts and expenditures of the several depart- ments of the Town of Middleton and find them correct.
FRANK B. TYLER, Auditor.
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
VARIOUS COMMITTEES
OF THE
TOWN OF MIDDLETON
FOR YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1921
PART II
37
CEMETERY ENDOWMENT ACCOUNT
Cemetery Endowment Account
NAME
No. of Lot
Fund
Balance 1920
Received Withdrawn
Balance
Atwood, L. Frank
360
$100 00
$151 44
$6 87 $20 00
$138 31
Averill, Edward P.
52
100 00
100 55
4 55
4 00
101 10
Averill, Joseph
346
100 00
101 66
4 59
4 00
102 25
Barnaby, Caroline V.
646
100 00
100 00
6 89
4 00
102 89
Batchelder, Harold T.
528
75 00
56
75 56
Berry, Allen
112
122 90
138 01
6 28
8 00
136 29
Bryer, Allen D.
526
100 00
110 33
5 00
8 00
107 33
Curry, Mary A.
342
100 00
100 00
3 00
3 00
100 00
Day, Mrs. Geo. E.
588
50 00
50 28
2 28
2 00
50 56
Dennett, Ruth H.
24
75 00
76 78
3 47
5 00
75 25
Estey, Annie E.
572
100 00
109 66
4 97
4 00
110 63
Esty, Allena A.
258
100 00
101 69
4 59
5 00
101 28
Esty and Hutchinson
48
100 00
102 69
4 67
4 00
103 33
Eaton, Irvin L.
168
75 00
76 30
3 47
4 00
75 77
Fowler, Alonzo
12
100 00
118 16
5 36
10 00
113 52
Frame, L. M. .
516
125 00
139 01
6 33
10 00
135 34
Fuller, Jeremiah
70
75 00
79 57
3 60
4 00
79 17
Fuller, Sophronia .
236
200 00
270 74
12 29
20 00
263 03
Fuller, Timothy & Lydia
268
100 00
102 89
4 66
5 00
102 55
Flint, G. B.
152
65 30
66 05
3 00
4 00
65 05
Goswiler, Carl B.
716
150 00
150 00
4 53
4 00
150 53
Gifford, William
180
100 00
106 28
4 82
6 00
105 10
Gould, Porter I.
414
100 00
102 67
4 64
5 00
102 31
Goodwin, Ira E., Heirs of
380
100 00
108 30
4 91
3 00
110 21
Graves, D. A.
234
100 00
109 60
4 97
6 00
108 57
Haskell Ella C.
390
200 00
200 00
Hall, E. P.
106
100 00
100 00
5 32
4 00
101 32
Harlow, Levi
684
100 00
100 72
4 55
5 00
100 27
Higgins, Lewis S.
264
100 00
75
100 75
Hobbs, Kathryn
1/2
588
50 00
52 01
2 36
2 00
52 37
Hutchinson, Caroline A.
253
100 00
102 39
4 64
6 00
101 03
Hutchinson, Elisha P.
740
100 00
103 45
4 68
5 00
103 13
Hutchinson and Russell
518
100 00
101 03
4 59
4 00
101 62
Jones, John E.
372
100 00
101 10
4 59
5 00
100 69
100 00
Curtis, Phoebe
50 00
52 14
2 36
3 00
51.50
Conlon, Mary A.
100 00
Interest
Amount
38
CEMETERY ENDOWMENT ACCOUNT
Cemetery Endowment Account-continued
NAME
No. of Lot
Fnnd
Balance 1920
Interest
Amount Received Withdrawn
Balance
Jones, Samuel
290
100 00
100 40
4 55
4 00
100 95
McIntire, Abram S. .
132
75 00
76 54
3 47
4 00
76 01
McIntire, Annie M.
398
100 00
127 98
5 79
5 00
128 77
Peabody & Hutchinson 182-84
150 00
175 17
7 97
8 00
175 14
Peabody, Dean
344
100 00
100 00
3 40
3 40
100 00
Peabody, Laura E.
534
100 00
100 00
5 32
4 00
101 32
Peabody, A. W.
90
200 00
207 95
9 43
5 00
212 38
Peabody, S. Maria
584
100 00
105 45
4 77
6 00
104 22
Peabody, Samuel M.
204
100 00
113 33
5 13
6 00
112 46
Peabody, William M.
100 00
102 99
4 66
5 00
102 65
Pike, Sarah J.
412
125 00
142 93
6 49
8 00
141 42
Phelps, William M.
148
100 00
110 97
5 02
6 00
109 99
Richardson, Benj. F.
164
100 00
101 10
4 59
5 00
100 69
Richardson, Rev. D. W.
410
100 00
1 13
101 13
Richardson, Daniel
100 00
1 13
101 13
Richardson, Lucy G.
80
100 00
117 19
5 31
6 00
116 50
Russell, P. B.
430
200 00
240 36
10 91
15 00
236 27
Smith, E. D. & M. J.
436
100 00
101 53
4 59
4 00
102 12
Smith, Sarah F.
102
100 00
106 96
4 84
4 00
107 80
Soper, Polly A.
298
100 00
105 82
4 79
8 00
102 61
Styles, David.
150 00
170 89
7 75
10 00
168 64
Stiles, Farnham
10
100 00
109 28
4 95
5 00
109 23
Taylor, Benjamin H.
333
100 00
101 08
4 59
5 00
100 67
Thomas, H. Amelia
64
75 00
75 42
3 42
3 42
75 00
Wellman, John R.
40
200 00
222 99
10 11
25 00
208 10
Weston, Samuel W.
36
200 00
265 41
12 06
25 00
252 47
White, Henry F.
208
75 00
75 40
3 42
3 00
75 82
Wilkins, Henry A.
254
100 00
109 24
4 95
8 00
106 19
Wilkins, Edward W.
172
75 00
75 80
3 42
3 00
76 22
Wilkins, Susan A.
596
100 00
102 44
4 64
5 00
102 08
Wilkins, Samuel H. .
230
100 00
100 00
Young, John
278
100 00
100 00
4 15
4 00
100 15
$7,736 74
39
SEALER'S ACCOUNT
Endowed Lots Account
Interest from Salem Five Cents Savings Bank $82 40
Interest from Salem Savings Bank 5 00
Interest from Danvers Savings Bank 302 00
J. A. Atwood refund 1 60
$391 00
EXPENDITURES
Care of Lots
$391 00
H. H. BRADSTREET, Treasurer.
Report of Sealer of Weights and Measures for Year Ending November 30, 1921
Adjusted
Sealed
Condemned
Platform Scales over 5,000 lbs. 1
1
Platform Scales under 5,000 lbs.
3
12
Computing Scales
1
2
Personal Weighing Scales
1
Bean Scales
1
Counter Scales
3
14
Spring Scales
2
10
2
Weights
56
126
1
Liquid Measures
1
44
1
Linear Measures
2
Auto. Liquid Measuring Devices
3
7
70
219
5
Sealing Fees Collected $15.95
40
CUMMINGS' FUND ACCOUNT
INSPECTIONS
Stores 7 ; Pedler's Scales 2; Pedler's Licenses 2; Ice Scales 1 ; Grain 1; Gasoline Pumps 5; Dry Commodities 2; Bread 8; Butter 6.
Respectfully submitted, ELMER O. CAMPBELL, Sealer of Weights and Measures.
Report of David Cummings' Fund December 31, 1921
Balance Salem Five Cents Savings Bank,
January 1, 1921 $3,311 12
Balance Salem Savings Bank, Jan. 1, 1921 3,494 78
United Shoe Machinery Co. dividends 48 00
Interest on deposit 307 83
$7,161 73
Paid Trustees' orders
$ 282 11
Balance Salem Five Cents Savings Bank,
January 1, 1922 3,317 10
Balance Salem Savings Bank, Jan. 1, 1922
3,562 52
$7,161 73
24 shares United Shoe Machinery Co.'s common stock, value January 1, 1922-$37 50.
Aid rendered worthy poor $282 11
Orders drawn on Town Treasurer $282 11
Wood on hand January 1, 1922, 8 cords
Respectfully submitted, MAURICE E. TYLER J. ALLEN ATWOOD
Trustees.
41
EMERSON FUND ACCOUNT
Trustees Report of the B. F. Emerson Fund
To the Board of Selectmen
Middleton, Massachusetts
Dear Sirs :
The Trustees of the B. F. Emerson fund wish to submit the following report showing the standing of the fund as of December 31, 1921, together with the detail of income for the year 1921, and the disposition that has been made of it.
INVESTMENTS BOOK VALUE INCOME
33 shares Atchinson R. R. preferred (par value $100 00) $3,482 81 at 5% $165 00
$2,000 Atchinson R. R. general mortgage bonds at 4%
80 00
$1,000 N. Y. Central & H. R. R. debenture bonds 1,031 25 at 4%
40 00
$1,000 Western Tel. & Tel. collateral trust bonds 1,002 50 at 5% 50 00
CASH IN SAVINGS BANKS
Andover Savings Bank
$1,201 67 at 5% $60 04
Danvers Savings Bank 988 25 at 4.5% 4 46
Salem Savings Bank 1,039 19 at 4.5% 46 76
Broadway Savings Bank, Lawrence 1,332 22 at 5% 66 60 $10,077 89 $552 86
DISPOSITION OF 1921 INCOME
Paid Maurice E. Tyler, account library $546 86
Paid Naumkeag Trust Co., box rent 6 00
$552 86
Respectfully submitted, MAURICE E. TYLER H. HERBERT WILKINS
ALBERT F. HENDERSON
HARLEY M. TYLER ARTHUR E. CURTIS
Trustees B. F. Emerson Fund.
42
LIST OF JURORS
List of Jurors
The following list of jurors prepared by the Selectmen in accordance with Chapter 348, Acts of 1907 :
Anderson, Lewis, South Main Street, Machinist.
Bouchard, Louis N., East Street, Farmer.
Currier, Herbert J., Forest Street, Farmer.
Godbout, Onisine, Park Avenue, Farmer.
Graham, Benjamin J., Off Maple Street, Machinist.
Hutchinson, Charles, North Main Street, Shoe Cutter.
McCredie, James G., Pleasant Street, Nurse.
Milbery, J. Wesley, Park Avenue, Farmer. Mason, Charles A., North Main Street, Farmer. Meade, Edwin B., East Street, Farmer. Mohan, Daniel A., Forest Street, Farmer.
Osgood, Clarence, South Main Street, Farmer.
Rice, Walter B., Maple Street, Hardware Dealer.
Sheldon, Oscar H., Off Maple Street, Contractor. Steele, C. Fred, King Street, Carpenter. Turnbull, William G., Boston Street, Machinist.
Vaughn, Edward E., Pleasant Street, Clerk.
Wilkins, Albert A., Maple Street, Electrician.
Wilkins, G. Payson, East Street, Farmer.
Young, William H., Pleasant Street, Carpenter.
FLINT PUBLIC LIBRARY
Trustees' Report
M. E. Tyler, Treasurer, in account with Flint Public Library. Charles L. Flint fund $5,000 00
Unexpended interest 4 92
$5,004 92
43
PUBLIC LIBRARY
Deposited in the banks as follows :
Andover Savings Bank $ 243 25
Danvers Savings Bank 986 51
Broadway Savings Bank, Lawrence
1,866 96
Essex Savings Bank, Lawrence 1,000 00
Salem Five Cents Savings Bank 908 20
$5,004 92
January 1, 1922, cash in hands of Treasurer as last report $ 50 01
Received from A. F. Henderson,
B. F. Emerson fund 546 86
Received from Town treasurer, Town appropriation 200 00
Received from Salem Five Cents Savings Bank 50 00
Received from Essex Savings Bank, Lawrence 50 00
Received from Broadway Sav. Bank, Lawrence 93 30
Received from Andover Savings Bank
100 00
Received from Edith L. Fletcher, clerk for overtime on books 18 60
Received from M. E. Tyler for grass 2 50
$1,111 27
Amount of bills paid for books :
Charles E. Lauriat Company
$109 74
Gaylord Brothers
2 75
DeWolfe Fisk Company
7 20
$119 69
Miscellaneous bills paid Edith L. Fletcher, services as librarian
$400 00
Middleton Electric Light Department 28 80
George O. McIntire, labor 3 00
F. J. Barnard & Co., rebinding books 114 70
Charles E. Wilkins, wood 6 00
Frank Taylor, insurance 78 20
44
PUBLIC LIBRARY
Joseph A. Lewis, trimming hedge 4 00
Danvers Water Board, water 12 50
A. A. Pembroke, flowers for Emerson lot 2 50
George E. Smith, mason work 6 50
M. E. Tyler, labor and cash paid out 9 77
William M. Young, electric light work 3 00
C. W. Hutchinson, care of lawn and repair- ing stove 31 10
J. A. Atwood, care of Emerson lot 4 00
C. R. Tapley, insurance
21 72
Laura E. Peabody, repairing chairs 5 00
C. S. Hutchinson, fertilizer 5 50
O. H. Sheldon, wood 10 50
John E. Bent, sawing wood 1 50
E. G. Richardson, repairing mower 1 50
Caskin & O'Connell, repairing furnace 6 25
Edward B. Woodbury, coal 114 74
Edith L. Fletcher, cash, labor, expenses, etc. 39 88
.
$910 66
Bills paid for books
119 69
$1,030 35
Cash on hand
80 92
$1,111 27
Respectfully submitted,
GALEN B. HOWE
HENRY A. YOUNG
MAURICE E. TYLER
CHARLES W. HUTCHINSON
WILLIAM R. GODFREY
GEORGE E. BARNABY
Trustees.
45
PUBLIC LIBRARY
Librarian's Report-Annual Statistics
Volumes in library January 1, 1921
8,483
Volumes added by purchase 77
Volumes added by gift, Library Commision 32
Volumes added by gift, Commonwealth 10
Volumes added by gift, Rev. H. A. Abbe 3
Volumes added by gift, Henry F. White 1
Volumes added by gift, Miss Grace C. Alden 1
Volumes added by gift, Order of Red Men 1
Volumes added by gift, Charles E. Walker 1
Volumes added by gift, other sources 5
Total number of volumes added 131
Total number of volumes discarded
11
Net gain
120
Volumes in Library, January 1, 1922 8,603
Circulation of books for the year ending January 1, 1922 8,835
Average monthly circulation 736
Largest circulation, March, 1921
1,001
Smallest circulation, September, 1921
575
New borrowers registered
93
Number of times Library has been opened
113
Number of visitors registered
64
Number of worn volumes replaced
17
Number of volumes rebound 74
During the past year the Library has had an exhibit of pictures on "Our Natonal Parks", remaining for one month; also a very fine exhibit of pictures of Venice. With the views of Venice was a collection of over thirty books pertaining to Venice. We are grateful to the Woman's Educational Associa- tion of Boston for these loan exhibits. The Division of Public Libraries of the State Board of Education has presented the Library with over thirty volumes of worth while reading, mostly juvenile.
46
TAX COLLECTOR'S ACCOUNT
In the autumn Mr. Frank A. Carlton of Maple Street, presented the Library with a fine pair of andirons for the reading room fireplace. The cheeriness, as well as the warmth of the open fire on the hearth adds to this room. We are very grateful to Mr. Carlton for this gift.
The following magazines have been upon the reading table during the past year : American Magazine, American Boy, Atlantic, Century, Country Life, Harper's Monthly, McClure's, Munsey's, National Sportsman, Reviews of Reviews, St. Nich- olas, Scribner's, Woman's Home Companion, Our Dumb Ani- mals, Open Road, Independent Woman, Scientific American, Life, Outlook, Youth's Companion, Dearborn Independent, and National Republican.
Through the courtesy of the Library Commission, the librarian attended a three week's course in "Library Science" at Simmons College, Boston, during July.
It is pleasing to note that the circulation of books has been greater by 1,291 than that of last year.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank the Trustees for their support and co-operation in the management of the Library during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
EDITH L. FLETCHER, Librarian.
Tax Collector's Report
1919 TAXES
Balance January 1, 1921
$3,280 66
Personal and real estate collected $3,080 12
Abatements 200 54
$3,280 66
Interest collected to January 1, 1922 338 16
47
TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT
1920 TAXES
Balance due January 1, 1921
$11,251 36
Personal and real estate collected to January 1, 1922
6,673 89
Abatements, January 1, 1922
149 93
Uncollected personal and real estate to January 1, 1922 4,427 54
$11,251 36
Interest collected to January 1, 1922
255 99
1921 TAXES
Taxes assessed for the year 1921
$31,432 95
Personal and real estate collected January 1, 1922
$17,722 38
Polls, and personal estate collected January 1, 1922
1,314 00
Uncollected personal and real estate and moth
12,367 38
Uncollected polls, January 1, 1922
15 00
Abatements
14 19
Interest collected to January 1, 1922
$31,432 95 12 60
HENRY A. YOUNG, Collector of Taxes for Town of Middleton.
Town Hall and Piano Report for Year Ending December 29, 1921
Entertainment and dance
$150 05
Improved Order of Red Men
98 65
Middleton Grange No. 327
64 80
Piano
28 25
$341 75
Report of Vital Statistics for Year Ending December 31, 1921 Marriages 8; Births 15; Deaths 36. Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM A. CANNAVAN, Town Clerk.
.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
TOGETHER WITH THE REPORTS OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS PRINCIPAL OF GRAMMAR SCHOOL AND OF THE
SCHOOL NURSE
OF THE
TOWN OF MIDDLETON
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1921
School Department
Arthur E. Curtis, Chairman,
Term expires 1922
Mrs. Ruth M. Hastings, Secretary (Resigned)
Term expires 1924
George E. Gifford,
Term expires 1923
Ralph R. Barr, Superintendent of Schools Dr. C. L. Buck, School Physician Mrs. M. E. Roundy, R. N., School Nurse
TEACHING STAFF Miss C. Alice Manning, Principal Grades 7-8 Miss Caroline M. Knight, Teacher Grades 5-6 Miss Fannie C. Hinkley, Teacher Grades 3-4 Miss Aletha F. Page, Teacher Grades 1-2 Miss B. Gertrude Haywood, Teacher of Sewing Miss Genie F. Kimball, Teacher of Music Miss Blanche A. Millard, Teacher of Drawing
Graduates
Harry Daniel Berry, Frank Stewart Bryer, Ernest Ray- mond Gould, Lawrence Wendell Kinney, Gertrude Veronica Leary, Grace Winnona Lee, William Cook Meade, Olin Sewall Pettingill, Jr., Eleanor Mary Rice, Harold Knowlton Smith, James Lawrence Tedford, Marion Emma Waitt, Lena Aurelia Wright.
(51)
52
SCHOOL REPORT
Report of the School Committee
To the citizens of the Town of Middleton :
In accordance with Section 6, Chapter 43 of the revised laws, relating to public instruction, your School Committee submit to you this report, together with reports of the Super- intendent of Schools, the Principal and of the School Nurse.
In reviewing the work of the past year we are pleased to state that no changes in the teaching staff have been made. A supervisor of drawing, Miss Blanche A. Millard has been en- gaged. Mr. Roscoe G. Frame resigned August 1 and Mr. Ralph R. Barr of North Attleboro was elected by the joint committee to fill the office of Superintendent of Schools for the union district, comprising the towns of Wilmington, Mid- dleton and Boxford.
It seems advisable to mention two large items of expense which have doubled during the last five years and over which the committee has little control. There are now twenty-five pupils attending high school, a list of whom is given with this report. The cost of tuition for these pupils amounts to about $2,500 during the year. The cost of transporting these pupils to adjacent towns amounts to another $1,000. We cannot accurately predict, at this time, how many additional pupils will attend high school next September, but we shall not be surprised if the number reaches thirty. Although the appro- priation for the School Department may at first seem large, no less than $3,500 will be expended for high school tuition and transportation.
The recent State law regarding reimbursements to towns and cities must also be considered. During the last few years the School Department has received over $1,000 annually from the State, This year money received from the State must be placed in the Reserve Fund.
53
SCHOOL REPORT
The educational policy of the School Department has been one of aggressive progress. In carrying out this policy, the Superintendent, Principal and teachers have worked faithfully and well. The hearty co-operation of the Board of Selectmen and the citizens of the town have made it possible for the School Department to maintain the unusually high standard which our schools enjoy.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR E. CURTIS, MRS. RUTH M. HASTINGS, GEORGE E. GIFFORD.
January 23, 1922.
Report of the Superintendent
North Wilmington, Mass, January 10, 1922. To the School Committee of Middleton :
Madam and Gentlemen :
I have the honor to submit the following report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1921.
Upon assuming my duties as your superintendent, I found my work, outside the regular class room supervision, neces- sarily limited to plans already drawn and which called for the expenditure of money that would obviously exceed the appro- priation voted. While the situation was much more embarras- sing to you as committee members [than to me; it was alto- gether unnecessary and should not be allowed to occur again. The development of a state wide policy in public education has witnessed a vast amount of legislation envolving minimum salaries for teachers, university extension, vocational educa- tion, continuation schools, public health, school attendance and
54
SCHOOL REPORT
state aid and reimbursement, the latter tending to equalize educational opportunities throughout the state. These recent statutes have forced many changes in school finance. The state now requires that towns appropriate for schools a definite sum of money, a "flat appropriation". The reimbursements can- not be given to the school committee but must be paid directly to the town. Moreover, the matter of reimbursement depend- ing as it does upon the State averages cannot be determined accurately in advance.
The inevitable consequence is an enlargement of the school budget. Naturally the inclusion of so many new activ- ities in our schools increases the expense as compared with that of even a few years ago but, in the main, we may con- gratulate ourselves that this budget increase is more apparent than real. The State reimbursement, on account of vocational education, salaries, and transportation is particularly generous to towns of the Middleton type.
In view of the above and so long as present conditions hold, it should seem well to continue our liberal attitude to- ward transportation and salaries.
Middleton is so situated that it has lent itself naturally to consolidation. Having only one school, there are no clashing sections, no district jealousies. With the best efforts of the community thus directed to a single purpose, the result has been the development of our present efficient and well con- ducted school. Middleton has no serious school problems, but there is ample room for improvement and progress. In the field of education, the past decade has witnessed the develop- ment of many ideas and scientific devices which already have begun to change educational practice and organization. It is necessary and desirable that we accept some of these helpful ideas. We should use more freely the Standard Scales by which the effectiveness of any kind of instruction can be meas- ured and difficulties diagnosed, not only for schools and classes
,
55
SCHOOL REPORT
but for individual pupil as well. We should adopt one of the systems by which intelligence can be measured and thus clear away, in great part, the difficulties involved in the selection of studies, guidance to vocations, in promotions, and in the grad- ing of pupils both gifted and otherwise. We should adapt to our needs the project method and some of the plans involving pupil activity which aim to help the pupil to help himself and to know himself.
Of these more recent achievements in education that have enabled the teacher to work so much more certainly and scien- tifically, one at least, the Junior High School, has gone beyond the stage of experiment.
The purposes of the Junior High School are well summer- ized by Inglis :
To correct the defects in our school system through the following provisions :
(1) "Provision for a better co-ordination and articulation between elementary and secondary education and provision for gradual transition from earlier to later grades. This de- mands : (a) the close relationing of each successive grade with the preceding grade as far as teaching material and teaching method are concerned ; (b) gradual change from the one- teacher plan of the elementary school to the many-teacher plan of the secondary school ; (c) gradual change from largely supervised work in the earlier grades to more independent work involving initiative, self-reliance, and responsibility in the later grades ; (d) the gradual introduction of new subject matter and its relationing to old subject matter.
(2) Provision earlier in the school system to adapt the work of the school to individual difference among pupils in capacities, aptitudes, interest, and future activities, as well as to the differentiated needs of society. This demands : (a) the earlier introduction of some differentiated studies for different groups of pupils ; (b) promotion of pupils by subjects rather
56
SCHOOL REPORT
than by grades ; (c) increased flexibility in the administration of education in the intermediate grades ; (d) provision for the introduction of some forms of instruction which may give pupils an opportunity to explore and test out their capacities, aptitudes, and interests ; (e) provision for some forms of edu- cational diagnosis and direction; (f) recognition of the needs of those leaving school early; (g) provision for economy of time in the case of brighter pupils.
(3) Recognition of the importance of the factors of retardation and elmination. This involves: (a) reorganiza- tion of the subject matter of the present seventh and eighth grades so as to provide a more contentful and effective form of education for those who must leave school early ; (b) the introduction of some prevocational education for those pupils ; (c) provision for the reduction of retardation and elimination by improved methods of controlling progress through the grades; (d) the encouragement of large numbers of pupils to continue their education into the Senior High School.
(4) Reorganization of teaching materials and teaching methods."
The possibility of a Junior High School in Middleton school should be considered because it provides so many obvi- ous advantages :
First, a study of the summary of the purposes of the Junior High School already quoted reveals the educational opportunities which would come to our pupils especially to those who must leave school early.
Second, a Junior High would provide a common interest to the whole town ; it would serve as a stimulus to the develop- ment of a spirit of town unity.
Third, the additional year in Middleton would give in- creased maturity and experience of inestimable value to our high school students. The dangers and difficulties that now
57
SCHOOL REPORT
beset our pupils entering for the first time the strange and complex environment of the modern high school would no longer exist for pupils trained in a Junior High School.
Fourth, so many of our neighboring towns and cities have adopted the Junior High School that already our eighth grade graduates are seriously handicapped.
Fifth, since our valuation per pupil in average member- ship is too high to enable us to receive reimbursement from the state a considerable saving would be effected in tuition alone.
Two additional facts must be considered in any discussion of a Junior High School in Middleton.
In a four room school system, considerable difficulty is found in the regulation of the work of special teachers A half day each week is usually sufficient for their work but un- fortunately it is seldom possible to secure a competent super- visor for a fraction of a day. The result is that in order to make profitable use of the supervisor's time this work has been extended somewhat beyond the usual limit. Such a condition is unavoidable but it should be noticed that with the establish- ment of a Junior High School, Middleton would require but one additonal teacher ; the special teachers already employed could easily do the work required for a Junior High School without increasing the expenditures for salaries.
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