USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Rutland > Town annual report of Rutland 1900-13 > Part 32
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If a similar method of reforming the faults of school sys- tems could be successfully applied, it would be a great blessing. But no close approximation to this effective plan is yet in operation. Human souls, not physical forces, are the elements of the school problem. Vitalizing a soul is a greater task than electrifying a wire. The personality of the man at the con- troller is a small factor in running a car. But in the school, qualities of mind and heart constitute the vital factors. The pupil must think and feel with the teacher, or her plans are of little effect. The teacher must think and feel with the super- intendent in his plans and purposes, not under orders, but from inner impulse. The response of the teacher to super- visory effort is the determining element in securing results from such effort.
I wish to illustrate the sort of response which makes for progress and which secures precious returns from the invest- ment in the school enterprise.
Economy in School Work .- The superintendent has tried to get teachers to apply the idea everywhere in practice in suc- cessful business and manufacture, namely, the idea of scrutiniz- ing processes and methods with a view to eliminating waste, increasing product, and decreasing cost. In reply to questions on the matter, teachers write as follows: .
Miss A. I have tried to use every moment of school time to the very best advantage: (1) by carefully planning each day's work, and carrying out that plan fully; (2) by making the study hour a time for study, and study only; (3) by trying to develop alertness of mind; (4) by trying to have pupils understand that it is for their good, and thus to arouse their interest so that they do not wish to be lazy or inattentive. A gain has been made in the amount of neat and accurate work performed in a
15
given time, in habits of study, thought, and expression, and in the right use of materials.
Miss B. I have endeavored this year to have pupils realize the im- portance of doing their own work well. I have tried to make them enjoy the satisfaction always found in thorough work. I have led them to see, in part at least, that I expect their best, as I give them my best.
Miss C. More emphasis has been laid on the preparation of definitely assigned lessons by each member of the class, thus saving time. Time has been used more economically by having the pupils do more talking and the teacher less.
Miss D. In the preparation of the lessons, I have tried to get pupils to know before the recitation what they are going to say, and then to say it in a clear and decided way.
Individual Teaching .- Our aim is to teach every child, by causing him to do certain work. The class exercise alone will not reach every child. For some there will always be need of individual teaching, as "the supplement and corrective of class teaching." Regarding this, teachers write :
Miss E. The individual period is of great benefit both to myself and the children. It brings me much closer to them, and it teaches me the mental capacity of each one much better than class work could. One girl in my room is extremely bashful or self-conscious. I have been helping her at the individual period, and she is much improved and does not appear so ill at ease when reciting.
Miss F. Especially in my large sixth grade, I can see results of my individual work in better recitations, a desire on the part of pupils to work out hard problems, and more accuracy in work.
Miss G. With children absent, backward, or mentally deficient, I have used the individual plan, and am convinced it is of great value, and intend to apply it more thoroughly in future.
Miss H. The most encouraging result of individual work is with a lazy boy, whose father and mother have both noticed his improvement with pleasure equalling mine. They say, "We are pleased with R.'s work; he studies at home now, he understands his work and is interested. We were beginning to feel discouraged about him."
Interest .- Conditions favorable to interest in school work and how to secure them, has been a leading topic for study this year. Asked about their personal study of the subject and its results, teachers say :
2
16
Miss I. I am forcibly convinced that a fresh knowledge and a thorough preparation of the next day's lesson on the part of the teacher are an actual necessity in arousing a lasting interest in the class.
Miss J. I have seen over and over again that interest begets interest. I have tried to make my pupils see that what they were studying was valuable, and that I liked it, and wanted them to like it.
Miss K. The study of "The Greatest Word in Education" has been an inspiration to me. It has taught me to observe my children more closely, and to make their interests my interests.
Definite Gains in School Subjects .- I have urged upon teachers the necessity of making their efforts for improvement definite and clear, by selecting one subject at a time for special attention. Here are some of the gains reported :
Miss L. I think the reading has improved since we began to read to someone, and the children delight in being asked to take charge of their class.
Miss M. I have tried to improve the spelling in my room this year. In order to secure better results, I was careful about the preparation of the lesson, and had it written correctly, and studied with my help. My efforts have been successful in many cases.
Miss N. The most improvement is shown in our history classes this year. Children are able to study and recite in a far more intelligible way than last year.
Miss O. We have had five-minute drills in arithmetic, each child work- ing on the same problems, and trying to perform the work neatly and accurately, and finish before the others. Fingers and brains have come to work more quickly and accurately.
Miss P. Results in geography are better than in previous years, due in part to the "study-recitation" with the lowest grades, and to a readi- ness of those older to seek information for themselves beyond the text- book.
I might go on through the alphabet, making extracts from the papers before me. Besides the topics already mentioned, these papers deal with the teachers' efforts in moral training, and specially with the means used for the development of patriotic feeling. Space forbids further quotation. I have illustrated how the results of the school enterprise are actually produced. It is by means of the intelligent, vigorous effort of the individual teacher in her own particular field. The super- intendent's suggestions, the instruction of the normal school
17
and teachers' institute, the good things in professional periodi- cals and books, all must be translated into concrete practice by · the teacher's personal effort, in order to become fruitful. The total of the gains made through the study and earnest effort of Miss A., Miss B., Mr. X., and Mr. Y., and all the rest of the teaching force, measures the progress of the year.
We have among our teachers all degrees of experience, from the teacher who, with no previous training, began a month ago in a district school, to the veteran of forty years in the school- room. Uniformity in results cannot be expected. But it is expected of every teacher worthy of the name that he or she shall "move steadily and unfalteringly along the infinite line of unrealized possibilities."
TOWN NOTES.
Holden .- A loss in the number of pupils enrolled was reported last year, and a further loss has occurred this year. The closing of the mills at Jefferson makes another decrease probable.
The Springdale district received a new family with several children, and the school there was reopened in the spring term. Miss M. Alice Morong, of Gloucester, was engaged as teacher, and has remained through the year.
Nine other new teachers have been engaged since my last report, one school suffering two changes. The statistical table shows the names of those who have gone and of those who have come.
At Jefferson, the failure of a part of the heating plant made it necessary to close two of the schools three weeks before the end of the winter term. This time will be made up by opening those schools March 9, or three weeks before the regular time of opening the spring term.
The appearance of a few mild cases of scarlet fever caused the closing of the South and the Chaffin schools one week before the regular close of the winter term. Unless advised otherwise by the board of health, these schools will open one week before the regular opening of the spring term, or on March 23.
The ninth grade pupils, now numbering seventeen, are still gathered at the High School for instruction. The cost of car-
18
fare for each day's attendance is allowed to pupils of this grade who live outside the Center district.
Including the ninth grade, the number of pupils now belong- ing at the High School is fifty-nine. Six were graduated in June last : Marjorie Ayers, Mae Fitman, Charlotte Mary Hol- den, Ida Frances Lobdell, John Thomas Daley and John Ed- ward King. Misses Ayers and Fitman and Mr. Daley are at their homes, Miss Lobdell is attending a business school, Mr. King is at a dental school, and Miss Holden is preparing for service as a trained nurse. Eight pupils are candidates for the diploma of the school in June next.
The teachers at the High School are the same as for several years, and are serving with growing efficiency.
The school physicians report as follows regarding their work:
The teachers of the six schools in my district have referred to me nine- teen cases. In one school two cases of scabies were isolated, and the books and papers used by the children fumigated or destroyed. All other cases in the school at all suspicious were examined by me.
In connection with the recent appearance of scarlet fever in town, I examined six cases more or less suspicious, and gave them all a clean bill of health. The remaining cases examined were for colds, tonsilitis, ade- noids, and one or two other mild diseases.
F. F. CARR, M.D.
I have made four visits to the North Woods school and two to the Jefferson schools. Itch and head-lice were the principal afflictions for which I have been called. Willing co-operation by the parents has brought about prompt relief except in one room, where re-contamination of pupils' scalps has repeatedly occurred, due, it seems, to lack of such co- operation by one family.
FRANK H. WASHBURN, M.D.
Rutland .- The number of pupils enrolled since Sept. 1 and the average attendance for the year show a small decrease as compared with last year. The closing of the mills at West Rutland accounts for the loss.
The teacher of the Center grammar school and of the North Rutland school resigned in June. Miss Beulah Higgins was transferred from the primary to the grammar room at the Center, and Miss Marion Kelliher was transferred to the Cen- ter primary from West Rutland. Miss Nellie K. Bishop was engaged for the North Rutland school, and Miss Joanna Kil-
19
main for the West Rutland school, both being graduates of the Framingham Normal School. Miss Kilmain accepted another position at Christmas time, and Miss Alice E. Buck was secured for the place.
Mr. W. S. Dunn accepted a re-election as principal of the High School for his third year, at an increased salary, but resigned early in the year to accept a much better salary else- where. Mr. George S. Boyden, of Worcester, a graduate of Harvard College, with two years' experience, was secured for the position, and served very acceptably for three months, when a flattering offer from Westport, Conn., took him away. Mr. John V. Jewett, of Worcester, a graduate of Dartmouth College, was engaged, and at the time of writing is still with us and doing good work.
The number of pupils in the High School is twenty-nine, the same as last year. Six were graduated in June last: James Edward O'Connor, Henry Robert Smith, Charlotte Helena Drury, Helen Augusta Hadley, Elsie Fuller, and Winnie Ger- trude Rich.
Mr. Smith is at the school this year completing his prepara- tion for the Worcester Institute of Technology. At least two others of the class expect to enter a higher insitution later.
Two young ladies are candidates for graduation in June next.
The school physician's report is not at hand. He has been called on for service several times during the year.
Paxton .- The membership of the schools increased over last year, but the per cent. of attendance is much lower. I shall report to the committee later what I can ascertain as to the responsibility for the irregular attendance.
Miss Sarah T. Britton, teacher of the primary room, resigned to accept a better position soon after the opening of the fall term. Miss Ethel G. Tolman, her successor, served for less than three months. After a month, during which the school was closed two weeks, and a substitute served two weeks, Miss Anna Finnerty of Clinton, a graduate of Fitchburg Normal School, was secured and is now in charge. Miss Jennie R. Burnham, the principal for five years, was given leave of ab-
20
sence for the winter, and Miss Agnes W. Welche was secured as a substitute. Miss Burnham will return March 30.
The members of the ninth grade of last year entered a Wor- cester High School in the fall with creditable standing. The present ninth grade numbers seven.
All the schools were closed one week before the regular Christmas vacation on account of the appearance of a case of diphtheria. Fortunately, the disease spread no further. The town has no school physician.
Oakham .- As usual, Oakham surpasses all the other towns in regularity of attendance. This seems to be mainly due to the greater interest in the matter by both pupils and parents. The Coldbrook school is again first in the Union in per cent of attendance.
Mrs. Effie T. Swindell succeeded Mrs. Minnie G. Woodis at the South school in the spring term, and continues the good work previously done there by Mrs. Woodis. No other changes in teachers occurred.
Mr. Stephen Rich was employed during the fall term as supervisor of music. The work is now being continued by the teachers without special supervision.
The town has a school physician, but his office is five miles away. Fortunately, there has been no demand for his ser- vices.
The citizen who is liberal in support of the school enterprise, the capable and efficient school official, and the army of earnest teachers who have the immediate care of our children, are doing a service to the country as patriotic as any ever per- formed on warship or battlefield. Nothing is more vital to the welfare of the nation than the education of its citizens. The foregoing pages have told you some of the aims and accom- plishments in our little part of the mighty task.
My thanks are due to my colleagues in the schools for their loyal co-operation, and to the members of the School Commit- tees for their continued support.
Respectfully submitted,
HERBERT J. JONES.
Holden, Mass., March 7, 1908.
1909 RUTLAND EPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1909
DED
FEB. 23, 17/3
SE
HOME OF RUFUS PUTNAM . 1781-1788
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, 1909
. FOUNDED
FEB. 23, 17/3
3+SIJ
HOME OF RUFUS PUTNAM 1781-1788
WORCESTER: PRINTED BY EDWARD H. TRIPP 377 MAIN STREET
2
TOWN OFFICERS For the Year ending March 1, 1909 TOWN CLERK
LOUIS M. HANFF
Term expires 1910
SELECTMEN
Term expires 1911
Term expires 1910
Term expires 1909
ASSESSORS
DENNIS A. SMITH JOSEPH E. WARE CHARLES J. CAMPBELL
Term expires 1910
Term expires 1909
OVERSEERS OF POOR
Term expires 1911
DAVID F. SMITH JOHN W. MUNROE JOSEPH E. WARE
Term expires 1910 Term expires 1909
TREASURER, EDWIN H. CROSBY COLLECTOR, JOHN W. MUNROE
WATER COMMISSIONERS
J. WARREN MOULTON
Term expires 1909
GEORGE H. MILES
Term expires 1910
CHARLES J. CAMPBELL
Term expires 1911
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
DENNIS A. SMITH LOUIS M. HANFF WILLIAM C. TEMPLE
Term expires 1911
Term expires 1910
Term expires 1909
BOARD OF HEALTH
WILLIAM E. CHAMBERLAIN
Term expires 1910
DAVID P. BUTLER
Term expires 1911
WALTER A. WHEELER
Term expires 1909
LIBRARY TRUSTEES
WILLIAM C. TEMPLE
Term expires 1910
MRS. MARY E. CONVERSE
Term expires 1911 Term expires 1909
MRS. SARA B. DRURY
HIGHWAY SURVEYOR, FRANK D. FORBUSH AUDITOR JAMES R. PUTNAM, Resigned JOHN V. JEWETT, Appointed TREE WARDEN, FRANK D. FORBUSH CONSTABLES
LOUIS M. HANFF J. WARREN MOULTON DENNIS A. SMITH *PETER S. O'CONNOR GEORGE E. SHARP *Did not qualify
WILLIAM C. TEMPLE J. WARREN MOULTON THOMAS P. O'HERRON
Term expires 1911
3
OFFICERS APPOINTED BY THE SELECTMEN
MEASURERS OF WOOD AND BARK AND SURVEYORS OF LUMBER JOSEPH E. WARE
MILES E. GRIFFIN
ARTHUR E. CODDING
FIELD DRIVERS GEORGE. M. TAYLOR
LEWIS R. BIGELOW
PATRICK FITZPATRICK
POUND KEEPER PETER S. O'CONNOR
CATTLE INSPECTOR GEORGE. S. PUTNAM
MEAT AND PROVISION INSPECTOR GEORGE S. PUTNAM
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES LOUIS M. HANFF
FENCE VIEWERS EMORY LAWRENCE
WESTON R. UPHAM
MATTHEW DELEHANTY
·
SOLDIERS BURIAL AGENT ROLAND C. PRESCOTT
DOG OFFICER DENNIS A. SMITH
SPECIAL POLICE
GEORGE H. MILES
GEORGE S. PUTNAM
C. ELMER CARROLL
FOREST FIRE WARDEN HENRY CONVERSE
-
4
WARRANT
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
To EITHER of the Constables of the Town of Rutland, in the County of Worcester.
Greeting : Worcester, ss.
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachu- setts, you are directed to notify the inhabitants of the town of Rutland, qualified to vote in elections and in town affairs, to meet at the town hall, in said Rutland, on the twenty-ninth day of March inst. at nine o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to act on the following articles :
ARTICLE 1 To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
ART. 2 To hear the annual reports of the town officers, and act thereon.
ART. 3 To bring in and deposit their ballots for one Selectman for three years, for one Assessor for three years, for one overseer of Poor for three years, for a Treasurer for one year, for a Collector of Taxes for one year, for one Water Commissioner for three years, for one School Committee for three years, for one member of Board of Health for three years, for one
5
Library Trustee for three years, for a Highway Sur- veyor for one year, for an Auditor for one year, for a Tree Warden for one year, for five Constables for one year, and to vote "Yes" or "No" on the question "Shall license be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town ?"
All the above to be voted for on one ballot, each to specify the person to be voted for by placing a cross (X) after his name.
The polls will be open at ten o'clock A. M., and may
1 close at two o'clock P. M. 1
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 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 salaries of town officers, for use on Memorial Day, for contingent expenses for paying debts and interest, for employment of school physician, for use of public library.
ART. 8 To see if the town will vote to make an appropriation to the water department on account of hydrant service.
6
ART. 9 To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate money for maintainance of street lights, or act thereon.
ART. 10 To see if the town will vote to appro- priate money to pay the corporate surety on the bonds of its bonded officials, as provided by Acts of 1897, or act anything thereon.
ART. 11 To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate money for repairs on the public building.
ART. 12 To determine the compensation of the Collector of Taxes and Treasurer.
ART. 13 To see if the town will vote to appro- priate money to pay for use of teams for fires and forest fires.
ART. 14 To see if the town will vote to appro- priate money for beautifying the common.
ART. 15 To see if the town will vote to reim- burse the fire company for hose purchased.
ART. 16 To see if the town will vote to authorize the Treasurer to borrow, under the direction of the Selectmen, a sum not exceeding ten thousand dollars, for the purpose of refunding a portion of the temporary loan.
ART. 17 To see if the town will vote to sell any pine trees on West Rutland school-house lot.
ART. 18 To see what disposition the town will make of the old water bills.
ART. 19 To see if the town will vote to provide additional school-room for the use of the public schools.
ART. 20 To see if the town will vote to accept an act passed by the General Court in the year nineteen hundred and eight, entitled " An Act to provide for the protection of forest or sprout lands from fire."
And you are directed to serve this warrant, by posting up attested copies thereof agreeable to vote of the town. One at each post-office, one at store at North Rutland and one at the public building in said town, seven days at least before the time of holding said meeting.
Hereof, fail not and 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 ninth day of March, in the year of our Lord, one thousand, nine hundred and nine.
WILLIAM C. TEMPLE, Selectmen J. WARREN MOULTON, of
THOMAS P. O'HERRON, Rutland
8
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT
The following Births, Marriages and Deaths are recorded for the year 1908:
BIRTHS
NAMES
PARENTS
DATE
Ruth Evelyn
John J. and May L. (Valley) Sullivan
Reginald Charles
Peter and May G. (Parker) Dame
Nov. 2, 1905 Dec. 7, 1906 1908
Gladys Muriel
Merrill and Edith E. (Dudley) Eccleston
Jan. 7
Stillborn Female
Jan. 20
Mildred Althea
Warren P. and Margaret M. Garven
Feb. 14
Myrtle Alice
Charles E. and Mary A. (Demond) Viner
March 18
Florence Augusta
Arthur K. and Florence L. (Locke) Goodwin March 26
Helen Henry and Florence M. (Parker) Hindon
April 7
Bertha Louise
Clarence T. and Sarah F. (Bemis) Oliver
April 14
Dora Marguerite
Edward W. and Ellen (Bailey) Aldrich
May 7
Bernard Chamberlain
Daniel M. and Bessie H. (Kinear) Valley Elmer and Ella (Haire) Willard
June 15
*Andrew Joseph
Andrew and Carrie (Leopold) Shultz
June 29
John
Daniel and Bridie ( Riley) McNamara July
16
Walter Aloysius
Patrick A. and Margaret (Murphy) Scott
Aug 22
Rosa
William and Nellie (Pragoda) Moreski
Aug. 17
Charles Milford
John C. and Harriet (Weed) Fisk
Oct. 5
Gertrude May
John V. and Frances I. (Johnston) Jewett
Oct. 5
Elsie May Fred A. and Mary E. (Riley) Laton
Nov. 27
Phillip Wesley Matthew F. and Bridget N. (Maloney) Delehanty Dec. 17 Mercie Helen A. Clifford and Mercie E. (Upham) Wheeler Dec. 24
Robert Gordon John and Mary L. (Foss) Dickson Dec. 31
June 11
John Frances
*Born at Bridgeport, Conn.
1
9
MARRIAGES
DATE 190S
NAME PLACE OF MARRIAGE
RESIDENCE
February 3
Victor R. Norstrom Ruth E. Nordquist
Paxton
Rutland
Rutland
May 20
John J. Tyler
Holden
Rutland
Nora A. O'Neil
Rutland
June 2
Joseph Kunin Annie Alkin
Rutland
Worcester
Ansonia, Conn.
June 3
William W. Wilson
Clinton
Rutland
Lillian J. Goldthwaite
Lancaster
June 6
Edward C. Damon Ida McDonald
Rutland
Westminster
Rutland
June 23
William F. Moore Carrie F. Rice
Boylston
Rutland
Worcester
August 11
Michael McGann Mary E. Carlson
Holden
Rutland
Rutland
August 20
Ciro Fiusco Mary A. Dorney
Holden
Rutland
Rutland
September 1
Chester E. Williams Susie E. Johnson
Worcester
Rutland
Worcester
October 1
Abram J. Steele, J.r. Annie M. Henderson
Pawtucket, R. I.
Worcester Rutland
October 24
William R. Edson Mary D. Winnie
Jersey City, N. J. Rutland
Brooklyn, N. Y.
November 4
David P. Butler Margaret H. McLeod
Bridgewater
Rutland Bridgewater
November 18
Germara Martuscilli Eldora E. (Draper) Somes
Manchester, N. H. Rutland
Rutland
November 25
John M. Shea Anna Sullivan
Boston
Rutland Boston
November 25
Harry A. Houck Bessie K. Chisholm
Holden
Worcester Rutland
10
DEATHS
DATE NAME
DISEASE
AGE
RESIDENCE
190S
y. .35
9 -
m. d. New Bedford
January 10 John McGann LaGripp and Bronchitis
73
7
26
Rutland
January 11 Lylian Thain Pulmonary Tuberculosis
37
9
13
Everett
January 20
Stillborn Male
Rutland
January 21 Harry Arvadon Pulmonary Tuberculosis
26
Boston
January 26 Bertha I. Lawless Cancer
34
1
11
Rutland
tJanuary 27 John M. McDonald Pulmonary Tuberculosis
22
S 29
Rutland
January 29 Elna Gray Acute Croupus Laryngitis
3
3
14
Holyoke
February 4
Edna L. Armstrong Pul. and Intestinal Tub.
28
9
16
Waltham
February 16 Dominic D. Alexander Pulmonary Tuberculosis
23
1 - Marlboro
February 19 Catharine Harrahy Heart Disease
44
Rutland
February 20 Marie A. Desilets Pulmonary Tuberculosis
31
8
9
Northampton
February 25 Arthur F. Good Pulmonary Tuberculosis
23 11
3 Boston
March 11 Hattie M. Martin Pulmonary Tuberculosis
39, 7
28
Somerville
March 13 Emily F. Hood Pulmonary Tuberculosis
40
11
28
Somerville
March 21 Joseph D. Mahoney Pulmonary Tuberculosis
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