USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Rutland > Town annual report of Rutland 1914-23 > Part 3
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The policy of the present State Board to have the course of study in state aided high schools adapted to the pupils who attend them has prompted the changes we have made. In looking back over the list of graduates of this high school it will be seen that very few have gone to college. Several have gone to technical and normal school, and a few have gone to business college, but the majority have not gone be- yond this school. This fact furnishes the key to the present change.
The present year we have really five classes in the high school as both the eighth and ninth grades were admitted last fall. Next year, however, there will be only four classes, which means that the ninth grade will have been eliminated. The advantages of thus shortening the period of school at- tendance from thirteen to twelve years are apparent. The tendency to drop out of school will be overcome somewhat by the prospect of earlier graduation and many who would reach the age of fourteen before entering high school will get a start there under this arrangement and will be more likely to continue. Finally the classes will be a year younger when they graduate.
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For those going to college the objection is made that some subjects, notably Latin, are not included in our course. This should not be an unnecessary hardship for several rea- sons. First; there are, as I have said, very few who go to college from this school. Second; it is usually possible to offer some other subject for college entrance. Third; the pupil will be a year younger at graduation and if further prep- aration is needed an additional year will make him no older than under the former plan. Finally, and most important, the committee of the N. E. A. assures us that it will be only a short time before the college requirements are modified so that they may be readily met by such courses as ours.
I would not advocate a high school which could not pre- pare for college and meet all demands made of it. If our graduates are not to be prepared for college under this course it should be extended. If a sufficient number of pupils wish to take a study not offered, provision should be made for them. On the other hand, if a course planned for the majority will also fit for college it should not be discarded. The present course seems to meet the demands.
The new course of study has been adapted so far as possible to the needs of the majority. Courses are combined and alternated as in the past and this year a course in sewing has been added. It is to be hoped that as the new course is completed it will contain stenography, typewriting, cooking and manual training. The addition of a third teacher has proved to be a decided advantage. No teacher can teach all subjects equally well, and three teachers permits of greater specialization.
During the year the progress of the school has been good. The lowest class has of course been affected by the change more than the others. The three upper classes have continued the progress already begun. The ninth grade of last year has for the most part done good work with their freshman studies, and the eighth grade has had an opportunity to skip a year where their ability and effort made it possible.
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Possibly a word of explanation in regard to our system of credits will be acceptable. All courses are unit or half unit courses. A unit is a course reciting four or five times a week during a year. Sixteen units are required for gradua- tion. Thus each pupil is expected to take four units each year. In some cases pupils are allowed to take five units. The completion of three units brings promotion to the sopho- more, seven to the junior, and eleven to the senior class, thus allowing promotion though one unit is not completed. In such cases five units would probably be taken the next year. Four units of English are required and all other units are practically elective.
As in my earlier reports I wish to call attention to the home study, attendance, and lack of visitors.
The home study has not been as conscientious as it should be, especially among those who entered this year. I explained last year the need of such study and the failure of some in the lower class to do the prescribed work will no doubt pre- vent their promotion or at least will cause them to lose units.
For poor attendance and the resulting fall in per cent of attendance is due in large measure to the unusual weather of the winter term. Possibly the lack of visitors is due to the same cause. The mother of whom I spoke in my report last year still remains the only parent, aside from school officers, who has visited the high school in session since I have been connected with it.
The present year being a period of transition finds the scholarship of the lower class lower than it should be. Part of this class will be promoted but some will be ranked as freshmen another year because of failure to make their stand- ing. This failure has been due in part to the fact that some of those who entered last fall were not prepared for high school work.
In order that the scholarship both of the grades and of the high school shall be improved I believe that examina- tions for admission to the high school should be required of
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the eighth grade. These examinations would serve a double purpose. The members of the grade would have an incen- tive for better work and the class entering high school would be better prepared. It would not be necessary for us to hold back or demote part of the class each year. It might even be well to have examinations to determine the fitness for pro- motion of some of the grades below the eighth. Graduation trom grammar school and the granting of a grammar school diploma would, I am sure, improve the scholarship of the grades by furnishing a definite standard and aim.
In advocating examinations for admission to the high school I do not mean that the grades should become simply a preparatory school with these examinations as their aim. A well defined course throughout the eight grades would prepare any pupil. If pupils and teachers knew that the results attained were to be tested before admission to the high school was granted, the work would in many cases be done much more conscientiously and thoroughly. Questions selected by the superintendent and principal would show whether the prescribed work had been done properly and whether the pupil was deserving of promotion to the high school.
There would, I think, be two advantages in granting a grammar school diploma and in having a grammar school graduation. Those who for personal reasons are unable to go beyond the grades would have an object in view and would receive something to show for their work. Those who were to enter high school would receive better preparation in earn- ing the grammar school diploma. To the ordinary grade pupil the graduation from high school and its diploma are so far in the future they are very vague. The prospect of an earlier graduation and diploma would become much more real and vital.
To provide for such graduation and examinations I sug- gest it would be necessary to have a course of study for the upper grades as clearly defined as we have in the high school.
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This would furnish the basis for preparation and also would remove any loss due to change of teachers during these years.
It is to be hoped that in the near future it will be pos- sible to have a part time teacher to teach the commercial branches. This could be accomplished very easily and with small expense by combining with some other town in engag- ing a teacher. The advantage of a thorough business course would be great and with the beginning in domestic science which we have made would bring the school to a much higher efficiency.
In closing I wish to express my appreciation of the co- operation and assistance I have received from the school offi- cials, and of the conscientious and painstaking efforts of my assistants.
Respectfully submitted,
EDW. H. LEONARD,
Principal.
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REPORT OF THE
SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
OAKHAM, MASS., March 6, 1914. MR. ROBERT I. BRAMHALL,
Superintendent of Schools.
DEAR SIR :
The course in music has been conducted along the same lines as formerly. We have kept the same aim in view and are constantly striving to make our best better.
If music is to be a potent factor in the life of our great nation, and if we are to become a music loving people, its advancement is con- ditional largely upon the work in music in the public schools, which must steadily advance in the educational march of progress.
The importance of the first year's work in music cannot be over- estimated. Only by careful, individual instruction in the lower grades can we secure satisfactory results in the grammar school. Experience has proved that a first grade pupil can be taught to sing in good tune before he leaves the primary grade.
The teachers have been earnest in their support and the pupils, with a few exceptions, are interested in their school music. As a rule I am pleased with the enthusiasm that prevails and the progress shown.
Music supplies are much needed, especially in some instances where the pupils are without books.
In all grades note songs are being taught continnally and all the individual help possible is given to the monotones. Aside from the important principles involved in time and tune, individual attention has been given to tone placing, and tone production, with the result that a marked improvement in tone has been noticed.
At this time I want to thank all for the kindly spirit and enthus- iasm accorded my subject.
Respectfully submitted,
RUTH B. DWELLEY,
Supervisor of Music
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ROLL OF HONOR 1912-1913
THREE TERMS
Leonard Cullen, Dorice Moulton, John Deangelis.
TWO TERMS
Ruth Forbush, Frederick Holbrook, Luke Burke, Margaret Cullen, Gladys Hill, Lena Celle, Albina Celle, Harry Ryan, Emily Bliss, Bertha Eccleston, Edith Peabody, Esther Peabody, Herbert Peabody, Edith Handy, Herbert Bigelow, Reginald Dame, Eva Hatstat.
ONE TERM
John Clark, Inez Taylor, Frank Maynard, Hazel Taylor, Ruth Swanson, Mark Burke, Marian Welsh, Ruth Adamson, Nellie Nash, Helen Welsh. Martha Tucker, Lloyd Viner, Douglas Viner, Mary Martin, George Campbell, Bernard Jenkins, Hazel Sargent, Eleanor Upham, Joseph Deangelis, George Knight, Chester Oliver, John Trumble, James Curtis, Earl Glidden, Marjorie Viner, Freeland Ding- ley, Cecilia Curtis, Stannis Moraskie, Helen Murphy, Willis Allen, Harry Knight. Genevieve Davis, Mildred Locke, Ruth Davis, Alice Hatstat, Walter Dame, Clorida Nault, Ernest Bigelow, Arthur Verrier, Pearl Booth, Anastatia Karp, Irving Buck, Raymond Richards, Man- fred Coombs, Ralph Latowne.
FALL TERM, 1913
John Campbell, Margaret Cullen, Ethel Gray, Bernice Putnam, Joseph Scott, Ruth Adamson, Albina Celle, Lena Celle, Nellie Nash, Bertha Eccleston, Catherine Scott, Phyllis Wheeler, Howard Allen, George Campbell, John Deangelis, John Dennehy, George Kehoe, Chester Oliver, Joseph Power, Lloyd Viner, Siro Celle, Cecilia Curtis, Freeland Dingley, Earl Glidden, Ralph Henderson, Thomas Myers, Matenah Prescott, Walter Scott, Myrtle Viner, Fred Willard, Bertha Davis, Ruth Davis, Clarence Bigelow, Herbert Bigelow, Genevieve Davis, Harold Davis.
SCHOOL STATISTICS, 1912-1913
SCHOOL
TEACHER
PREPARATION
Total
Enrollment
Average
Membership
Average,
Attendance
Per cent. of
Attendance
No. Days of
Attendance
No. Cases of
Tardiness
-
HIGH
Edward H. Leonard Gertrude H. Theobald
Dartmouth Smith
38
35.55
34.15
96.08
282
355
GRAMMAR
Ruth Bartlett Agnes R. Morrison
Boston University Worcester
27
24.98
22.91
91.52
306
244
SUB GRAMMAR
Gladys F. Dean
Framingham
26
24.1
22.2
91.1
320
181
INTERMEDIATE
Helen G. Moran
Worcester
47
43.15
39.95
91.9
505
89
PRIMARY
Gertrude Lovett
Westfield
43
33.8
30.1
90.
447
53
WEST
Margaret A. Power
Worcester
28
18.3
15.89
86.71
362
6
NORTH
Margaret F. Kennedy
Worcester
41
37.45
33.91
90.16
519
126
MUSIC
Ruth B. Dwelley
Northampton
250
217.31
199.11
91.07 | 2741
1054
.
·
SCHOOL STATISTICS, 1913 - FEB. 13, 1914
SCHOOL
TEACHER
PREPARATION
Salary
Total
Membership
Average
Membership
Average
Attendance
Per Cent. of
Attendance
Enrollment
HIGH
Edward H. Leonard Henrietta H. Brigham Esther L. Lovejoy
Dartmouth
$1100
49
46.8
44.5
95.2
46
Lawrence Tufts
440
440
GRAMMAR
Gladys F. Dean
Framingham
391
41
35.6
33.5
92.4
38
INTERMEDIATE
Margaret Power
Worcester
374
45
42.9
40.
93.5
44
PRIMARY
Gertrude Lovett
Westfield
374
45
41.4
37.1
89.2
41
WEST
Mary Monaghan
Framingham
340
21
18.3
17.1
93.6
19
NORTH
Margaret Kennedy
Worcester
374
40
39.
35.2
91.
37
MUSIC
Ruth B. Dwelley
Northampton
100
Total
$3933
241
224.
207.4
92.5
225
Present
63
WARRANT
FOR
Town Meeting, March 30, 1914
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
To EITHER of the Constables of the Town of Rutland n the county of Worcester.
Worcester, ss.
Greeting :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachu- setts, you are directed to notify the inhabitants of the own of Rutland, qualified to vote in elections and in own affairs, to meet in the town hall in said Rutland, on the thirtieth day of March inst., at nine o'clock n 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 to act thereon.
ART. 3 To bring in and deposit their ballots or one Selectman for three years, for one Selectman or one year to fill a vacancy, for one Assessor for three years, for one Overseer of Poor for three years, or one Overseer of Poor for two years, to fill a vacancy, for a Treasurer for one year, for a Collector of Taxes for one year, for one Water Commissioner
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for three years, for one School Committee for three years, for one member of Board of health for three years, for one Library Trustee for three years, for Highway Surveyor for one year, for Auditor for one year, for a tree warden for one year, for five Constab- les for one year, and to vote "Yes" or "No" on the questions : "Shall license be granted for the sale of in- toxicating liquors in this town ?" "Shall the town ac- cept the provisions of Section 42, Chapter 514, of the Acts of the year 1909, as effected by Chapter 494 of the Acts of the year 1911, which provides that eight hours shall constitute a day's work for city or town employees ? "
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 close 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 revenue, 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
65
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, for the enforcement of the iquor laws, for Soldier's relief, and for unpaid bills pre- sented last year.
ART. 8 To see if the town will vote to make an appropriation to the water department on account of hydrant service, and for replacing of water mains.
ART. 9 To see if the town will vote to raise and ppropriate money for maintanance of street lights.
ART. 10 To see if the town will vote to appro- riate money to pay the corporate surety on the bonds f its bonded officials, as provided by Acts of 1897, or ct anything thereon.
ART. 11 To see if the town will vote to raise and ppropriate money for repairs on the public buildings.
ART. 12 To determine the compensation of the Collector of Taxes and Treasurer.
ART. 13 To see if the town will vote to appro- riate money to pay for expenses at fires and forest res.
ART. 14 To see if the town will vote to appro- riate any unexpended balances of appropriations there may be, the coming year, also any unappropriated money received by the treasurer.
66
ART. 15 To see if the town will vote to appro- priate money to pay for work done in exterminating the gypsy and brown tail moths.
ART. 16 To see if the town will vote to bear the whole expense of destroying the gypsy and brown tail moths on private property.
ART. 17 To see if the town will vote to take any action in regard to tree planting upon its streets, as asked by the Mass. Forestry Association.
ART. 18 To see if the town will vote to accept of Edson Avenue, as a highway, as petitioned for by Eldula Edson and others, and as laid out by the Select- men.
ART. 19 To see if the town will vote to have the sidewalks on Main Street properly laid out.
ART. 20 To see if the town will vote to change the date of holding its annual town meeting. -
ART. 21 To see if the town will vote not to re- ceive the series of Public Documents under the pro- visions of Chapter 422 of the Acts of 1908.
ART. 22 To see if the town will vote to appro- priate money for the purchase of a new stove in the kitchen of the public building.
ART. 23 To see if the town will petition the Director of the Bureau of Statistics for an audit of its accounts, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 598, Acts of 1910, and amendments thereof.
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ART. 24 To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $150 to complete the sidewalk on Maple Avenue at its north end, and to grade and improve the road at the same place.
ART. 25 To see if the town will vote to purchase any new road machinery and raise and appropriate money for the same.
ART. 26 To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money, to be used with money which may be allotted by the Highway Commission, to mprove the highway at the westerly end of the present mproved highway on Main street.
ART. 27 To see if the town will authorize the Selectmen to contract with the Highway Commission for he improvement of the highway on Main street.
ART. 28 To see if the town will vote to raise and ppropriate a sum of money to be used for putting in rood condition the gutters and driveways on Main street.
ART. 29 To see if the town will vote to rescind the ote passed November 5, 1901, whereby it voted to ac- ept the provisions of Chapter 374 of the Acts of the ear 1895, entitled an act to authorize towns to place the dministration of the highways in the hands of a single ighway surveyor.
ART. 30 To see if the town will vote to construct nd maintain a plant for the distribution of electricity for rnishing light, for municipal use, or for light, heat or
68
power, except for the operation of cars, for the use of its inhabitants.
ART. 31 To see if the town will vote to authorize the Treasurer, under the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow a sum of money not to exceed seven thousand dollars, to be used for building and equipping a plant for the distribution of electricity.
ART. 32 To see if the town will authorize and em- power the Selectmen to construct and equip by contract, or otherwise, a plant for the distribution of electricity for furnishing light for municipal use, or for light, heat or power, except for the operation of cars, for the use of its inhabitants, and to make a contract for a period not ex- ceeding ten years for the purchase of electricity for such distribution.
ART. 33 To see if the town will authorize and em- power the Water Commissioners to install an electrical equipment for pumping water at the pumping station, or act anything thereon.
ART. 34 To see if the town will authorize the Treasurer, under the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow a sum of money not exceeding three thousand dollars, to pay for installing an electrical equipment at the pumping station.
ART. 35 To see if the town will authorize and em- power the Water Commissioners to contract with any person or corporation to furnish electricity to be used in
69
pumping water at the pumping station, or act anything thereon. ·
ART. 36 To see if the town will vote to appropriate out of the income of the water department one thousand dollars to be used towards paying for the electrical equip- ment at the pumping station.
ART. 37 To see if the town will authorize and em- power the Water Commissioners to extend the six inch water main on Edson avenue, and appropriate out of the income of the water department the sum of four hundred dollars to pay for the same, or act anything thereon.
ART. 38 To see if the town will vote to appro- priate out of the income of the water department the sum of twelve hundred dollars for the purpose of install- ing a new boiler at the pumping station, and build an addition to the pumping station for the same, or act anything thereon.
ART. 39 To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum not exceeding five hundred dollars to be used in paying the expense of celebrating the two hundredth anniversary of the founding of the town.
ART. 40 To see if the town will authorize the Selectmen to defend the town in any suits that may be brought against it.
ART. 41 To see if the town will vote to authorize the Treas- urer, under the direction of the Selectmen, to borrow a sum of money not exceeding fifteen hundred dollars to be used in repairing the pub- lic buildings.
-
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ART. 42 To see if the town will vote to appropriate a sum of money to be used to defray the expenses of the town officials and others in defending the interests of the town in legislative matters.
ART. 43 To see if the town will construct and maintain within its limits a system for the distribution of electricity for furnishing light, heat and power for municipal use and for the use of its inhab- itants.
ART. 44 To see if the town will borrow a sum of money not to exceed sixty-four hundred dollars to pay for the building and equipment of a system for the distribution of electricity and issue therefor a series of sixteen notes, each note to be for the amount of four hundred dollars, signed by its Treasurer, and countersigned and approved by a majority of the Selectmen, in the presence of the Town Clerk, with interest payable semi-annually. The first of said series of notes to become payable on the first day of January, 1916, and are to be due and payable on the first day of January of each year there- after until all shall have been paid; that the town appropriate the money thus borrowed for the purpose indicated ; and that the assess- ors provide in their annual tax levy for the payment of one of the notes and interest on ali outstanding notes each year.
ART. 45 To see if the electric lighting committee as now com- posed of the selectmen and others, be authorized and empowered to construct and equip by contract or otherwise, within the limits of the town, a system for the distribution of electricity for furnishing light, heat and power for municipal use and for the use of its inhabitants.
ART. 46 To see if the electric lighting committee be authorized and empowered to make and sign a contract for the purchase of elec- tricity, for a term not exceeding ten years, for supplying a system tor the distribution in the town.
ART. 47 To see what action the town will take in regard to the old bills due the water department.
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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 fourteen.
WILLIAM C. TEMPLE, J. WARREN MOULTON,
Selectmen of Rutland
REPORTS
OF THE
OFFICERS
OF THE TOWN OF
RUTLAND
FOR THE
Year Ending December 31, 1914
NDED FEB. 23. 17/3.
FO
E
TS
À
HOME OF
RUFUS PUTNAM . 1781-1788
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF RUTLAND
FOR THE
Year Ending December 31, 1914
UNDED FEB. 23, 17/3
F
F
3
TTS+
NAQ
HOME OF RUFUS PUTNAM . 1781-1788
WORCESTER:
PRINTED BY EDWARD H. TRIPP 377 MAIN STREET 1915
2
TOWN OFFICERS
For the Year Ending Feb. 1, 1915 TOWN CLERK
LOUIS M. HANFF
Term expires 1916
SELECTMEN
Term expires 1916
Term expires 1917
Term expires 1915
JOSEPH E. WARE GEORGE H. MILES
Term expires 1915
ARTHUR F. BROWN
Term expires 1917
OVERSEERS OF POOR
Term expires 1915
JOSEPH E. WARE LOUIS M. HANFF M. J. CULLEN
Term expires 1917 Term expires 1916
TREASURER, H. EDWARD WHEELER COLLECTOR, CHARLES J. CAMPBELL
WATER COMMISSIONERS
WILLIAM WHITE GEORGE H. MILES E. DEXTER MARSH
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
GEORGE N. LAPHAM
Term expires 1917
LOUIS M. HANFF
Term expires 1916
WILLIAM C. TEMPLE
Term expires 1915
BOARD OF HEALTH
WILLIAM E. CHAMBERLAIN BAYARD T. CRANE WALTER A. WHEELER
Term expires 1916
Term expires 1917
Term expires 1915
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