USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Rutland > Town annual report of Rutland 1900-13 > Part 22
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PAXTON.
Attendance .- The figures in the summary show that the town is still losing the benefit of about eleven per cent. of its school expenditure on account of non-attendance. Loss on this ac- count has been reduced during the year, but it would seem that with satisfactory transportation of the children at a distance the loss might be reduced much more. The school registers show what families are delinquent.
Teachers .- The intermediate and grammar rooms retain the same teachers, but the primary room has had six different teachers in two years. Miss Minnie Hodgkins took this room in September, but in December was obliged to take a leave of absence on account of illness. Miss Emma L. Brennan is act- ing as substitute till Miss Hodgkins' return.
Miscellaneous .- The recommendation of previous reports for new blackboards in all the rooms, is renewed. A cheaper ma- terial than natural slate might be used if desired.
The schools have been in session thirty-seven weeks since the last report. This lengthening of the school year is one of the ends in view in the generous aid now given by the State to the small towns.
It is hoped that several pupils from the present ninth grade may enter a Worcester high school in September next.
THE FUNCTIONS OF THE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT.
Every town and city in Massachusetts is required by law to employ a superintendent of schools. Towns having a val- uation of less than two and one-half million dollars are re- quired to form unions for such employment. The one detail of the duties of the superintendent prescribed by law is the approval of "age and schooling certificates," a duty which has to do with children who are leaving the schools, rather than with those who are in them. The superintendent's other
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functions are summed up by the law in the phrase, "the care and supervision of the public schools." and these functions are to be exercised "under the direction and control of the committee."
It is not strange that the three hundred fifty-three school committees of the Commonwealth should develop divergent views regarding the powers and duties of the superintendent. In some cases he is mainly the clerk and errand-boy of the committee; in others the committee practically delegate to him all their prerogatives. Most superintendents find them- selves, regarding their powers, somewhere between these two extremes.
In the absence of legal definition, a common conception of the superintendent's proper function is growing up among us. This common conception should be found, if anywhere. at the office of the Board of Education at the State House. The Secretary of the Board, Mr. George H. Martin, in the last report, thus writes regarding the superintendent :
The State (in making supervision compulsory) has simply recognized the fact that under the changed conditions of civil life, education has become a more complex process than it used to be, and that a system of public schools, to be effective, must have the same kind of expert service that has been found necessary in all other public and private affairs of any magni- tude. * *
* * A school superintendent is a person whose profession is to create school ideals, to set up school standards, and to hold teachers up to them. * * The fact remains that any substantial progress may be hoped for only by a general uplift of the teachers already in service. * *
* * For this the superintendents are primarily responsible. This is what they are for.
The superintendent must instruct in principles and train in practice. His influence must be to enlighten, to stimulate, to encourage, and to re- strain. The means will be private advice and suggestions, public meetings, directions as to books to be read, and quiet insistence upon study.
Your superintendent recognizes his chief function as hav- ing to do with the educational side of school work, as pointed out by Mr. Martin. His committees have imposed upon him no duties which interfere with this function, and have given him all the powers which he has cared to use.
.
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SUPERVISORY METHODS.
In dealing with teachers, the superintendent must adapt his methods to general conditions and to individual cases. Occasionally he finds fossilization so far advanced that at- tempts to produce marked change are practically useless. But most teachers realize the possibility and necessity of perpet- mal growth in teaching power, and welcome whatever may contribute to that end. Three means only of influencing the growth of a teacher are here mentioned.
School Visitation .- Nearly all the time of the superintendent when schools are in session is spent in the school rooms. Here the work is observed, classes are tested, illustrative les- sons given, and suggestions in teaching and management given the teacher. Criticism is intended to be constructive and includes praise for excellencies, as well as the pointing out of errors. Often suggestions are written in a book kept for the purpose in every teacher's desk. A few extracts from these books will give an idea of the spirit and possible matter of the superintendent's suggestions :
Did you know that you are in danger of falling into the common habit of "echoing" pupils' answers? A pupil says "five"' and you say "five." Use every means of cutting down your speech. "Any device is good which shuts the mouth of the teacher and opens the mouth of the pupil." Save your words for the well-planned oral lesson. Then they will count.
The appearance of your school to-day and your own style and manner impress me again with the marked gain in efficiency you have made this year. Of course such a gain is the result of thoughtful, purposeful effort. You are making good progress "along the infinite line of unrealized possi- bilities. "'
The neatness evident in your school is very pleasing to me. The well arranged pictures, the window decorations, the tidy desk, the nicely cov- ered writing books, all show that you appreciate the value of training chil- dren in neatness.
This matter of getting children to speak distinctly and with sufficient volume to be heard easily by anyone not accustomed to their voices, is a difficult problem, but you can solve it. Drill on a short memorized selec- tion, with a view of building up an ideal of good speaking, will be useful Let me hear some such "memory gems" the next time I come. I think you are making progress in the matter. Stick to it.
Each paragraph above is taken from a different book.
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The Teacher's Reading .- Suppose you were to ask a young man who has just put out a sign reading, "John Smith, M.D.": "Sir, did you ever read a medical book?" You would excuse his anger at the absurd question. Yet I have repeatedly asked a young teacher, "Have you ever read a pedagogical book?" The answer would be "No." with no sense of ab- surdity in either question or answer. I have discovered teach- ers of many years' experience who could hardly distinguish a pedagogical book from any other. But the twentieth cen- tury teacher is a reader of the large and growing literature of her business. Some of the superintendent's most fruitful work is in calling attention to some of this particularly ap- propriate literature. It is true that a few teachers do not read it unless they know that an examination on it is pending, but many cases have been met where the surer grasp of prin- ciples which such reading has given. has resulted in marked improvement in the daily school room work.
Teachers' Meetings .- Five general meetings a year are held in each town, with group meetings as occasion requires. To make the meetings more valuable, a previous study of topics is usually expected, with review and further study subse- quently. Teachers are expected to have ideas on such topics as the following, and to hold these ideas so clearly as to be able to state and apply them:
The Aims of the Language Course, Training the Power of Effective Speech, A Plan for Teaching Penmanship, The True Function of the Text- book, The Art of Book Study-How it is Learned, The Meaning of Apper- ception, Applied Apperception.
Though much remains to be desired, I may safely say that for "professional spirit" and consequent effort for improve- ment, the group of teachers in your service compares very favorably with any similar group elsewhere.
THE COURSE OF STUDY.
In last year's report a rather full outline of our general plan of study was printed. This plan includes all the sub- jects required by law and several others that are firmly es- tablished by intelligent public opinion. A few comments on some of these subjects are here inserted.
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Arithmetic., During the year a complete course based upon the text-books in use has been prepared by the superintendent and placed in the hands of teachers. It is considered as good as we are at present prepared to put into practice.
Geography .- Special attention has been given to the begin- nings of the course in this subject. These beginnings should consist largely in direct observation of the geographical fea- tures to be found in the pupil's immediate environment. Such observation is the best possible preparation for vital study of the material of the subject which is beyond direct observation.
Physiology and Hygiene .- This subject, required by law, is provided for by a series of at least thirty oral lessons during the winter. Outlines for the series are furnished by the su- perintendent. The oral lessons are supplemented by the use of such text-books as are now owned by the towns. These books are very old and deficient in number. Fresh, up-to-date books in the subject should be provided for the upper grades, at least, next year.
Nature-Study .- The growing prominence of this subject is indicated by the recent establishment of "The Nature-Study Review," a periodical conducted by some prominent school men and specialists, the latter including our own Dr. C. F. Hodge of Clark University.
One of the phases of nature-study which we have found most productive of interest and profit, is the study of living plants in the school room, and in the school and home garden. Garden work has been somewhat extended during the year, and it is hoped that it may become more general during the coming year. One teacher, in her "Report of Work" book, thus writes :
Our special interest and pride has been our garden. Each child was given a plot three feet square. This year we tried to have some system in planting the seeds. The extra time and pains taken were quite noticeable in the appearance of the garden.
Out of thirty-eight children in my room, I find thirty have either flower or vegetable gardens at home. All the children have thoroughly enjoyed the work, and it certainly has been a real pleasure to me.
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Another teacher writes:
For the extra thought and care involved in having a school garden, one is more than repaid when she sees the real delight expressed in many child- ish ways. * * * Our garden was not only a never-failing source of pleasure, but a most excellent help from an ethical point of view. * * * * Sixty-one per cent. of the pupils in the Jefferson school had home gardens on June 1st.
Other lines of nature-study have been carried on. the re- sults varying. as in all subjects, with the varying degree of in- telligence and enterprise in the several teachers.
Tocal Music .- I was able to record last year a definite advance in the systematic teaching of this subject. This year the work has been extended till about seven-eighths of the children of the union are enjoying the benefit of lessons in singing. We have no special supervisor of the subject, as is common even in rural towns, but at present most teachers are competent without one to do work decidedly worth while. A supervisor for a combination of towns should be a development of the future.
One definite aim in supervision of instruction is to keep the course well balanced, by strengthening the weaker spots and restraining tendency to excess in any line. One of the chief difficulties in administering a course of study is the need of a fuller mastery of subjects on the part of teachers. The problem of "enriching the course" still has underlying it the problem of enriching the teacher.
THE COMPENSATION OF TEACHERS.
Deplore it as we may, the "feminization" of the schools is practically complete. In seeking a teacher, we may assume that she must be a woman. One familiar with school room needs seeks a woman of robust physical health, of good per- sonal appearance, of refined manners, of good taste in dress, and with a general air of culture. She must have a vigorous intel- lect, trained to service. Her business is to train other minds. Broad scholarship is needed, for her business is to lead others in many fields of knowledge. But teaching and managing a school is a difficult and complex art, demanding severe pre-
17
liminary training, and a graduate of a normal school is de- sired. £ Perhaps the confidence acquired through successful ex- perience elsewhere is also demanded.
What can you pay for the services of this paragon, if you find her? Can you assure her a yearly income sufficient to enable her to live as her work and station in society requires, and to save something for old age and disability, like other skilled workers? Hardly. In the Central Worcester Union to-day she may receive from $288 to $432 per year. Few teachers receive more than $360.
This matter of teachers' salaries is too large for more than mere mention here. Again let us hear from the State House. Secretary Martin writes on this subject:
Higher wages would tend to secure all the elements of efficiency. Abler persons might be drawn from other employments; teachers could afford to spend longer time in preparation and so gain in scholarship and training; they could be held longer in service and so gain experience; and they could afford to avail themselves of forms of self-culture now beyond their means, and thus grow in efficiency. Fortunately the country at large is awakening, though slowly, to the fact that the teachers make the schools, and that in the last analysis the success of the public school system is a matter of wages.
In the prevalent discussion of the salary question, appeals to justice and philanthropy very properly appear. But to rural school authorities a plain business proposition ob- trudes itself. Certain very important work must be done, and a certain order of ability is required. Persons with the requisite ability are limited in number. The price of such ability is rising. We must pay the price, or be content with less valuable service than we desire.
All citizens who see further than the surface of things, agree with President Eliot when he says: "The function of the public schools remains by far the most important muni- cipal function in our country." Such citizens are therefore interested in matters affecting the schools, and I trust may
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read this report. The closest inspection of the schools them- selves in actual session is earnestly invited.
The loyal co-operation of my associates and the continued support of the several committees, are again gratefully ac- knowledged.
Respectfully submitted,
HERBERT J. JONES.
Holden, Mass., March 11, 1905.
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF RUTLAND
FOR THE
Year ending March 1, 1906
FEB
. FOUND
23. 17/3.
S
AUTOS PUTNAM
U
1781-1788
G
WORCESTER: PRINTED BY EDWARD H TRIPP 377 MAIN STREET
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF RUTLAND
FOR THE
Year ending March 1, 1906
UNDED
FEB. 23, 17/3
F
E
OWI
3+S.
QU
HOME OF RUFUS PUTNAM . 1781-1788
16
WORCESTER: PRINTED BY EDWARD H. TRIPP 377 MAIN STREET
2
TOWN OFFICERS
MODERATOR C. R. BARTLETT
TOWN CLERK L. M. HANFF
C. R. BARTLETT,
SELECTMEN H. E. WHEELER,
ASSESSORS
D. A. SMITH
O. E. BROWN
D. F. SMITH
J. E. WARE M. HOLDEN
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
L. M. HANFF W. C. TEMPLE
WATER COMMISSIONERS W. T. BROWN M. HOLDEN
C. R. BARTLETT
W. E. CHAMBERLAIN
BOARD OF HEALTH D. P. BUTLER
W. A. WHEELER
HIGHWAY SURVEYOR F. D. FORBUSH LIBRARY TRUSTEES
W. C. TEMPLE MRS. G. B. MUNROE MRS. L. Q. SPAULDING
CONSTABLES
L. M. HANFF J. W. MOULTON D. A. SMITH P. O'CONNOR
TREASURER AND COLLECTOR
L. M. HANFF, appointed Treasurer pro-tem
A. B. PRATT, elected Treasurer and Collector
C. W. DODGE, appoinied Treasurer and Collector to fill unexpired term of
A. B. Pratt
AUDITOR
TREE WARDEN
G. H. MILES
F. H. THAYER
OFFICES APPOINTED BY SELECTMEN UNDER VOTE OF TOWN
CATTLE INSPECTOR MEAT AND PROVISION INSPECTOR
G S. PUTNAM G. S. PUTNAM
MEASURERS OF WOOD AND BARK AND SURVEYORS OF LUMBER J. E. WARE J. R. PUTNAM G. A. HATSTAT A. E. CODDING
FIELD DRIVERS
G. H. MILES C. J. DAVIS J. E. O'LEARY
POUND KEEPER C. R. BARTLETT
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES L. M. HANFF
FENCE VIEWERS
L. M. HANFF A. B. FISHER N. I. SARGENT
SEXTON
SOLDIERS' BURIAL AGENT D. F. SMITH
R. C. PRESCOTT
SPECIAL POLICE
W. F. MOORE B. J. SPRAGUE G. S. PUTNAM J. SCOTT
W. C. TEMPLE
G. S. PUTNAM
OVERSEERS OF POOR
D. A. SMITH
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WARRANT
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
To J. WARREN MOULTON, Constable of the Town of Rutland, in the County of Worcester.
Greeting :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachu- setts, you are directed to notify the inhabitants of Rut- land, qualified to vote in elections and in town affairs, to meet at the town hall, in said Rutland, on Monday, the twenty-sixth day of March next, at nine o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to act on the following articles :
ARITCLE 1 To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
ART. 2 To hear the reports of the town officers, and act thereon.
ART. 3 To bring in and deposit their ballots for three Selectmen for one year, for three Assessors for one year, for three Overseers of Poor for one year, for a Town Treasurer for one year, for a Collector of Taxes for one year, for five Constables for one year, for an Auditor for one year, for one member of the School Committee for three years, for one member of the Water Commissioners for three years, for one member of the Water Commissioners for one year, for one Trustee of Public Library for three years, for one member of the Board of Health for three years, for
4
a Surveyor of Highways for one year, for a Tree Warden for one year, and to vote " Yes " or " No" on the question "Shall license be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in town ? "
All the above to be voted for on one ballot, each to specify the person to be voted for by placing a cross (Y) after his name.
The polls will be open at ten o'clock A. M., and may be closed at two o'clock P. M.
ART. 4 To choose all necessary town officers and committees.
ART. 5 To see what interest shall be paid on taxes not paid in a specified time.
ART. 6 To see if the town will authorize the Treasurer to borrow money for the use of the town, in anticipation of taxes, under the approval of the Selectmen.
ART. 7 To see if the Treasurer of the town shall be Collector of Taxes, and determine the compen- sation of the same.
ART. 8 To see what sums of money the town will raise and appropriate for the support of the public schools, for repairs on highways and bridges, for sup- port of poor, for state and military aid, for salaries of town officers, for use on memorial day, for contingent expenses and paying debts.
ART. 9 To see if the town will accept the list of jurors as presented by the Selectmen.
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ART. 10 To see if the town will enforce the Sunday Law against Hunting and Fishing.
ART. 11 To see if the town will vote to make an appropriation to the Water Department on account of HIvdrant Service.
ART. 12 To see if the town will vote to appro- priate money for maintainance of Street Lights, or act thereon.
ART. 13 To see if the town will vote to pur- chase a new Road Machine, or act thereon.
ART. 14 To see if the town will vote to establish any districts or territory within the town, where it shall not be lawful to establish or maintain any Public or Private Sanitoria Hospitals or Boarding Houses, for 'the reception and care of tubercular patients, or act anything thereon.
ART. 15 To see what action shall be taken in regard to the uncollected taxes remaining in the hands of former town Treasurers and Collector.
ART. 16 To see if the town will vote to have the Collector of Taxes, also serve as collector of Water Rents, or act thereon.
ART. 17 To see if the town will vote to employ an expert accountant to examine our town books.
ART. 1.8 To see if the town will vote to appro- priate money to pay for Co-operative Surety on the bonds of its bonded officials, as provided by Acts of 1897, or act anything thereon.
6
ART. 19 To see if the town w ll take any action with regard to marking Historical spots.
ART. 20 To see if the town will vote any in- structions to any of its town officers.
And you are directed to serve this warrant, by posting attested copies thereof agreeable to vote of said town. One at each post office and one at the Congregational Church in said town, seven days at least before the time of holding said meeting.
Hereof, fail not to make due return of this war- rant, with your doings thereon to the Town Clerk at the time and place of meeting aforesaid.
Given under our hands this thirteenth day of March, one thousand, nine hundred and six.
CHARLES R. BARTLETT, Selectmen H. EDWARD WHEELER, of
WILLIAM C. TEMPLE, Rutland
7 REPORT OF OVERSEERS OF THE POOR For the Year Ending March 1, 1906
Dr.
Paid City of Worcester, for board of Rosa Rone at Home Farm, $122 40
OUTSIDE POOR.
Paid Town of Berlin, for Samuel Stratton, 52 00
Worcester City Hospital, for Margaret Valley, 44 00
Net expense of supporting poor the past year, $218 40
Lugene Burke was thrown on the town as a pauper, but his estate paid all expenses.
ESTATE OF EUGENE BURKE,
Cr.
Received from Estate of Lugene Burke, cash, $14 07
of town for work he done, 13 01
from Mrs. Ward, for wood and dishes. 7 00
for furniture, 4 00
$38 08
Dr.
Paid Dr. Chamberlain, medical aid, $12 00
Roland C. Prescott, for burial,
12 00
for rent,
4 00
Mrs. Ward, for care of Mr. Burke,
5 00
$33 00
$5 08
Balance in favor of the town, which has been paid to the Treasurer of the town.
D. F. SMITH, J. E. WARE, MILES HOLDEN, of Poor.
Overseers
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REPORT OF THE HIGHWAY SURVEYOR
The sum of twelve hundred dollars ($1,200.00) was appropriated by the town for the repairs of roads and bridges.
I submit bills in detail of the expenditures.
In the month of April $ 86 50
May
381 75
June
332 94
July
65 43
August
194 06
September
90 70
November
40 30
$1,191 68
Lumber for bridge
21 97
$1,213 65
I have in my possession the following list of tools belonging to the town :
1 road machine
1 hand scraper 6 round pointed shovels 1 square pointed shovel 4 picks
1 stone hammer
2 iron bars
2 stone forks 4 hoes
2 stone hooks
2 brush scythes 1 cleaver
F. D. FORBUSII,
Highway Surveyor
9
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT
The following Births, Marriages and Deaths were recorded for the year 1905:
BIRTHS
NAMES
PARENTS
DATE
Female,
Jan. 17
Bernardine Colburn,
Thomas H. & Nancy (Gilman) Connor,
Jan.
Harold Wilson,
Herman D. & Laura E. (Henderson) Bray,
Jan. 22
Enola Harriet,
Wm. J. & Ella I. (Ware) Aiken,
Feb. 14
Herbert Kennetlı,
Lewis R. & Elsie H. (Peabody) Bigelow,
Mar. 28
Phyllis Dayton,
(In Boston) Henry & Caroline (Hood) Levy,
April 4
Genevieve Myrtle,
George M. & Julia L. (Blanchard) Davis,
May 12
Walter Howard,
Peter & Eva G. (Parker) Dame,
May 15
Gertrude Josephine,
Joseph & Lizzie M. (Porter) Scott
June 26
Evelyn Kennen,
Joseph E. & Jennie B. (Kennen) Ware,
July
3
Florence.
Louis & Blanche (Lovely) Guertin,
July 17
Joseph McDonald, Female,
(In Worcester) stillborn,
Aug. 5
Ralph Wilford,
Alexander & Adalaide L. (Lawless) Henderson, Aug. 24 John & Mary L. (Foss) Dickson,
Aug. 24
Harold Thomas,
Henry M. & Mary F. (Scott) McEvoy,
Sept 1
Walter,
Charles E. & Mary A. (Demond) Viner,
Sept. Oct. 4
Willard Henry,
George Jr. & Mary E. (Cassavant) Desroches, William H. & Delina O. (Cassavant) Scott Frank & Mary A. (Surprise) Berry,
Oct.
10
Edward Edmond,
Frithiof AAbel, (Worcester) Arthur A. & Clara W. (Carlson) Smith,
Dee. 01
Female, Joseph Siro,
Wm. S. & Anna (Vinal) Dunn,
Dec, 2
Angelo B. & Roseline (Coster) Celle,
Dec.
0
MARRIAGES
DATE
NAMES
PLACE OF MARRIAGE
RESIDENCE
June 10, Arthur Goodwin,
Rutland,
Rutland
Florence L. Locke,
Rutland
June 30,
Louis P'loeff,
Rutland,
Rutland
Selma Benard,
Rutland
August 24,
Walter J. Marclay,
Princeton, Minn.,
Rutland
Jessie McMillan,
Minneapolis, Minn
September 21,
Daniel M. Valley,
Rutland,
Rutland
Bessie Kinnear,
Rutland
September 25,
Patrick J. Meyers,
Holden,
Rutland
Beatrice Saulnier,
Rutland
October 19,
William F. Doran,
Wakefield,
Rutland
Josephene L. Keefe,
Wakefield
October 25, Chester W. Dodge, Ella M. Skinner,
Rutland,
Rutland
Rutland
November 12,
William H. Scott, Delina Cassavant, 1
Rutland,
Rutland
Spencer
Geo. H. & Mary Etta (McDonald) Miles,
July 19
Priscilla Munroe,
Sylvia Louise,
Oct. 12
10
DEATHS
DATE
NAME
AGE
RESIDENCE
Oct. 12, 1904,
William H. Murphy,
25
-
-
Worcester
Jan. 6, 1905,
Annie S. Hiller,
26
9
9
Mattapoisett Haverill
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