USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1898 > Part 3
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In making a selection the book committee and librarian have endeavored to distinguish between those books for which there is merely a transient demand and those of sterling merit and permanent value.
In the department of fiction it has frequently been found necessary to purchase duplicates of a popular work, and while in some cases these have become merely lumber on the shelves, there seems to be no way of avoiding duplicates if the library is seeking to perpetuate its influence by meeting the legitimate demands of the public. There are now in the library 13,568 volumes.
75
CIRCULATION.
The benefit derived from the use of a library cannot be expressed in tables or described by the pen. It is neverthe- less interesting to note to what extent the public make use of the books of the different classes.
The library has been open every day during the year, and the number of volumes loaned for home use was 43,883, divided as follows :
MONTHLY CIRCULATION OF BOOKS FOR 1898.
General Works.
Philosophy.
Religion.
Sociology.
Philology.
Natural Science.
Useful Arts.
Fine Arts.
Literature.
History.
Biography.
Fiction.
Monthly
Circulation.
January,
262
14
27
41
3
39
51
52
120
262
67
3010
3948
February,
323
12
25
51
3
39
53
68
119
291
103
3012
4099
March,
346
21
47
50
1
37
64
56
121
242
79
2996
4063
April,
216
16
40
43
37
42
47
105
194
72
2782
3594
May,
324
13
29
36
1
24
45
35
94
177
65
2620
3463
June,
303
12
34
27
2
42
39
30
91
151
51
2563
3345
July,
309
8
40
26
3
50
33
39
82
140
51
2777
3558
August,
306
00
32
23
5
32
32
47
80
146
61
2680
3452
September,
299
10
44
24
5
30
35
51
78
164
75
2390
3205
October,
385
12
42
39
-
41
55
59
110
145
60
2627
3576
November,
377
12
39
45
3
39
54
46
97
193
63
2690
3658
December,
381
9
32
41
2
25
60
52
115
207
72
2926
3922
3831
147
431
446
32
435
563
582
1212
2312
819
33,073
43,883
Circulation, 1898, 43,883
76
77
The largest number of books given out in any one day was 240-on March 5; and the smallest daily charge was 12-on Sunday, Nov. 27-the time of the great storm. The average has been 120 for each day.
The circulation for the last three months of the year 1898 was nearly 1,000 more than for the three closing months of 1897.
REBINDING.
The record of rebinding for 1898 shows that 361 volumes were rebound, at a cost of $163.08. The average cost was 45 cents per volume.
REGISTRATION.
The total registration to Jan. 1, 1899, was 3,288; 228 cards were given out last year.
PERIODICALS.
" Blackwood's Magazine," "Birds and All Nature," "Current History," "Leslie's Monthly Magazine," "The Puritan," and " The Spectator " have been added to our list of periodicals this year.
" The Arena," "Godey's Magazine," "French Dress- maker," " Judge," " La Mode de Paris," and " Peterson's Magazine " have been discontinued. Several of these have been merged in other publications. There are 92 periodicals on our list at the present time.
FINES.
We have received in fines on overdue and on damaged books $156.35.
ADVERTISING BOOKS.
We have continued during the year to publish lists of books in the Fairhaven Star and also to issue bulletins from
78
time to time. This is a convenient method of keeping the public informed of our accessions, and has undoubtedly aided in maintaining a large circulation.
ART PHOTOGRAPHS.
At a meeting of the trustees, May 7, 1898, it was voted "to expend the sum of $200 in the purchase of photographs on art," the money to be expended under the direction of the Book Committee. As the result of the appropriation we now have over three hundred photographs of celebrated paintings in the Italian, French, English, Spanish, Flemish, German and Dutch schools, together with a hundred or more photographs of noted pieces of sculpture.
This method of promoting art culture is coming more and more into vogue among libraries.
NEW BOOK STACKS.
The new book stacks were ready for use on Jan. 13, 1898, and the work of removing the books from the reading room, where they were temporarily placed, was begun on the morning of that day. The stack room was reopened to the public on Jan. 15.
In concluding this report I desire to extend sincere thanks for the confidence and co-operation of the trustees.
Respectfully submitted,
D. C. STEVENS, Librarian.
Fairhaven, Jan. 10, 1899.
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF FAIRHAVEN,
1898.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
EDMUND ANTHONY, JR., GEORGE H. TRIPP, JOB C. TRIPP, GEORGE H. PALMER,
THOMAS A. TRIPP,
GEORGE W. STEVENS,
JOHN T. HANNA, JR.,
Term expires 1901. Term expires 1901. Term expires 1900. Term expires 1900. Term expires 1899. Term expires 1899. Resigned.
Secretary and Superintendent : EDWARD B. GRAY.
Office hours at Town Hall, Fridays, from 4 to 5.30 P. M.
-
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
To the Citizens of Fairhaven :
The Town of Fairhaven has sixteen schools, all of which with one exception, are well housed. Eleven of these schools enjoy the comforts and conveniences found in schoolhouses of the best class and which compare favorably with the best in the state.
These schools have been attended by 714 pupils mostly of New England parentage and are taught by seventeen teachers of whom it may be said that they are mentally well equipped and carry a personality which commands the respect and love of the children.
These schools cost, during the last year, $10,792.97 or an average of $15 for each pupil.
Under the above conditions, with the added advantage of our well equipped Millicent Library, our citizens have the right to expect good results.
Your committee can look to former years when the educa- tional advantages were inferior to those of the present day, with the satisfaction of knowing that in the learned profes- sions of divinity, law, medicine, teaching, engineering and science as well as in the mercantile and manufacturing voca- tions, the graduates of our Fairhaven schools have occupied no mean position, and indeed some of them have stepped right up to the front rank, in the different vocations which they have been called upon to fill. Your committee con- fidently look for a continuance of achievement on the part of our graduates with even greater results in the future.
Your committee is fully aware that the primal object of
4
an education is not solely the acquisition of those branches of knowledge which simply equip the child for bread- winning purposes. We believe our system of education would be defective and disappointing if its best results were not shown in the good citizenship of the pupils later on. It is the aim of your committee to accomplish this desired end. To implant in the mind and heart of the child such a feeling of gratitude to and love for his mother town that its reflex influence shall make this community a fairer and better one for his having lived in it.
Of course our school system in this town does not em- brace manual training, a gymnasium or the kindergarten for the reason that we have not the room, the teaching force or the money. It would be helpful to our schools if the bare walls of our schoolrooms could be relieved and beautified by the presence of fine photos, engravings and other works of art, which would thus continually appeal to the finer nature of the child. This has been done in some towns through the generosity of their cultured citizens acting in co-opera- tion with the pupils and teachers. On this matter the Sec- retary of the State Board says :
" I believe in the beautifying of schoolrooms and in the educational influence of works of art that may be placed therein. The casual glance at a beautiful object is not enough. It is the constant presence that is needed; that presence that grows imperceptibly but surely into the soul of the observer. We are ready as never before for the re- fining influence of æsthetic elements among our children."
Edward D. Mead, editor of the New England Magazine, says :
"The public school is the place to which we should turn chief attention in our efforts to promote a more beautiful public life in America. The schoolhouse and the school grounds should be beautiful and the child should be sur-
5
rounded by beauty in the schoolroom from first to last. Trained in the habit of seeing beauty and knowing it he will come instinctively to hate ugliness in the home and in the street as he goes out into life."
Your Committee desires to call the attention of parents and taxpayers to the able and full report of our Superin- tendent of Schools, where they will find interesting details in relation to our school attendance, the rules governing pupils and teachers, and a full accounting of the money spent from last year's appropriation. Your Committee feel it would be but simple justice to our Superintendent of Schools, Edward B. Gray, to acknowledge his active service for the welfare of the schools and his faithfulness in the per- formance of his duties.
In view of the fact that the education of the children is of vastly more consequence than any other service the town can perform, and even more important than all the town's in- dustries, the citizens have not been niggardly in their ap- propriations for school purposes, especially when they feel assured that the money has been well expended. We be- lieve no mistake has been made in the expenditure of the school money during the past year; that every dollar has been placed where it would do the most good.
Your Committee desire to put necessary repairs on the High school building, repairs which have been too long de- layed ; also alterations necessary to accommodate the large classes in the lower rooms. Then the crowded condition of the Rogers school (where the scholars belonging to grade number eight will be literally without shelter during the next term, ) presents a problem difficult of solution. It may sound strange, but it is a fact that the increase of pupils in our town for the last five years is forty per cent.
Your Committee ask for the ordinary support of the schools for the ensuing year an appropriation of $10,000,
6
and to meet the necessary repairs on all school buildings a special appropriation of $900, and also the usual appropria- tion for the salary of Superintendent, $450.
Respectfully submitted,
EDMUND ANTHONY, JR., GEORGE H. TRIPP, GEORGE H. PALMER, JOB C. TRIPP, THOMAS A. TRIPP, GEORGE W. STEVENS, JOHN T. HANNA, JR.
REPORT
OF THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
To the School Committee of Fairhaven :
GENTLEMEN :- In compliance with your rules and regula- tions, I herewith submit the following as my report of the schools under your charge for the year 1898.
The statistics of attendance are for the registration year, Jan. 1, 1898, to Jan. 1, 1899, and the financial report from Feb. 15, 1898, to Feb. 15, 1899.
8
CALENDAR. 1899-1900.
Friday, March 24-Schools close for Spring vacation. Monday. April 3-Schools at High School building re-open. Monday, April 10-All other schools re-open. Wednesday, April 19-Patriots' Day ; no school. Tuesday, May 30 -- Memorial Day ; no school. Thursday, June 22-Graduation exercises of High school. Friday, June 23-Graduation exercises of Grammar school. All schools close.
Tuesday, Sept. 5-All schools open.
Wednesday, November 29-Schools close for Thanksgiving. Monday, Dec. 4-Schools re-open.
Friday, December 15-Schools close, except at High School building. Friday, December 22-Schools at High School building close. Monday, January 1-Schools re-open. Thursday, February 22-Washington's Birthday ; no school. Friday, March 23-Schools close.
9
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Dr. PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Cr
Expenditures for Teachers' pay roll as per schedule . an- nexed,
$7,108,80
Balance on hand, Balance of Oxford ap- propriation, Appropriation,
$12 32
Janitors' pay roll as per schedule B annexed, School books and sup- plies as per schedule C annexed,
1,273 25
1,000 00
Repairs as per schedule D annexed,
563 11
749 75
Fuel as per schedule E annexed,
782 73
State fund, County fund, Town of Acushnet for tuition.
468 51
Incidentals as per sched- ule F annexed,
645 22
35.00
Unpaid bills for 1897 as per schedule G an- nexed,
1,217 72
Superintendent's salary,
900 00
$12,900 69
Balance on hand,
71|67
$12,972|36
$12,972 36
12 35 10,000,00
450 00
409 86
Appropriation for un- paid bills in 1897, Appropriation for Su- perintendent's salary, State Treasurer for ac- count of Superin- tendent's salary,
244 43
10
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Dr.
PEASE FUND. Cr.
Expenditures as per fol-
Balance on hand, Dividends from trustee,
$231 94 271 09
lowing bills :
Silver, Burdett & Co ..
$40 34
American Book Co.,
30 40
Ginn & Co ..
55.44
R. W. Taber,
36 50
D. C. Heath,
24 38
Houghton, Mifflin & Co.,
17 43
J. L. Hammett & Co.
23 61
Bauch & Bomb Optical Co ..
4 91
Leavenworth & Myer.
20 00
L. M. Snow.
8 27
James E. Blake.
13 41
Wadsworth & Howland,
34 75
Peabody, Union,
95
E. G. Watson.
4 25
Total,
$314 64
Balance unexpended.
188|39
$503 03
$503 03
11
SCHEDULE A TEACHERS' SALARIES.
Eloise A. Hafford, at High,
$568.00
William Harthorne,
32.00
M. H. Goodwin,
208.00
Ruby L. Rich,
550.25
Madeline L. Kyle,
447.75
Anna B. Trowbridge,
and music,
407.25
Fay H. Breed, Rogers,
206.75
Sara B. Clarke,
302.50
Elizabeth Fuller,
312.00
Addie G. Bunker,
66
70.00
Eva J. Smith,
170.00
Mattie L. Norris,
6:
390.00
Mary Kyle, 66
147.60
Idella M. Libby,
66
389.00
Elizabeth Jones,
175.20
Ruby Kenty,
153.00
Estelle Jackson,
342.50
Hannah J. Ardill,
373.00
Mary A. Donovan, Oxford,
153.00
Kate Drew,
417.50
Grace M. Nickerson,
338.00
Bertha M. Hamblin,
198.00
Nina M. Kimball, New Boston,
54.00
Margaret M. Healey,
308.00
Nellie A Kinsman, Naskatucket,
339.10
Bertha M. Maxfield, substitute,
54.90
Fanny Delano,
1.50
$7,108.80
12
SCHEDULE B JANITORS' SALARIES.
W. P. Macomber, $171.00
J. H. Hanna, 540.00
A. J. Jenney, 480.00
Jeremiah Bumpus,
29.00
M. M. Healey,
18.00
C. A. Johnson,
35.25
$1,273.25
SCHEDULE C BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
Silver, Burdett & Co.,
$44.30
J. L. Hammett & Co., 167.20
American Book Co.,
16.00
George S. Perry,
2.00
E. E. Babb & Co.,
2.70
William Ware & Co.,
1.62
Leach, Shewell & Co.,
8.32
Ginn & Co.,
108.23
Morse & Co.,
35.25
Allyn & Bacon,
17.24
D. C. Heath,
7.00
$409.86
13
SCHEDULE D REPAIRS.
Walter H. Day,
$15.87
De Wolf & Vincent,
3.55
B. F. Nickerson,
3.75
H. H. Hathaway,
32.53
E. F. Penney,
4.01
H. D. Burke & Co.,
1.86
E. G. Watson,
.25
J. C. Omey,
11.55
G. L. Hammond,
36.00
John Farquhar's Sons,
148.64
Kern & Wright,
2.00
B. Taber,
.75
Zenas W. Dodge,
19.46
C. F. Delano,
84.51
A. J. Barney,
3.00
A. J. Jenney,
20.85
M. P. Whitfield,
140.07
H. T. Akin,
1.20
Unitarian Church,
8.10
Forrest & Long,
4.93
Perry P. Jenney & Son,
1.50
M. L. Bisbee,
2.00
W. H. Dwelley,
11.23
C. F. Wing,
5.50
$563.11
SCHEDULE E FUEL.
F. T. Akin & Co.,
$193.54
George T. Lloyd,
8.99
T. S. Corson & Co.,
569.50
Jeremiah Bumpus,
5.00
Charles F. Howard,
5.70
$782.73
14
SCHEDULE F INCIDENTALS.
Manuel Brown,
$182.00
Forrest & Long,
10.14
F. S. Blanchard,
1.50
Mercury Publishing Co.,
5.50
G. A. Mathewson,
1.30
C. R. Sherman & Son,
.75
Hatch & Co.,
13.95
Western Union Telegraph Co.,
2.08
H. B. Howland & Co.,
13.75
John I. Bryant,
11.11
Nathaniel Pope,
17.00
H. F. Wilde,
4.48
E. Anthony & Sons,
1.80
E. Manchester, Jr.,
13.06
J. M. Clarke, 16.00
L. O. Pardee,
1.00
G. W. Valentine,
17.53
N. B. Business University,
4.60
G. B. Luther,
.50
H. D. Burke & Co.,
11.32
Bliss & Nye,
4.74
E. B. Gray,
3.25
S. S. Bumpus,
.56
De Wolf & Vincent,
1.02
Fairhaven Water Co.,
224.31
Ray Greene Huling,
2.70
F. L. Sowle,
2.18
B. F. Cottelle,
2.50
Moynan & Co.,
2.00
Eloise A. Hafford,
1.55
A. J. Jenney,
.97
C. D. Waldron,
10.50
George R. Valentine,
2.25
15
James E. Blake,
3.46
H. S. Hutchinson,
2.25
James Hammond,
2.60
Mortimer Searles,
3.10
Haskell & Tripp,
1.10
Sidney E. H. Peck,
2.50
S. S. Wilbur,
2.00
N. P. Hayes,
11.00
Church & Hammond,
5.50
J. L. Hammett & Co.,
6.02
Holden Patent Book Cover Co.,
12.60
Alfred Nye,
2.59
George W. King,
.75
Packard Hardware Co.,
1.00
Louis Nickerson,
.85
$645.22
SCHEDULE G. UNPAID BILLS, 1897.
Teachers' salaries,
$352.50
Janitors' salaries,
56.50
Superintendent's salary,
187.50
E. Anthony & Sons, 36.00
H. D. Burke & Co.,
.50
H. F. Wilde,
1.35
F. A. Thrasher,
.20
Joseph C. Jenney,
22.22
N. B. Foundry & Machine Co.,
39.45
M. P. Whitfield,
39.99
Geo. W. Stevens,
2.38
Charles S. Paisler,
57.50
H. H. Hathaway, 24.76
L. O. Pardee,
71.60
16
Walter H. Day,
10.11
Forrest & Long,
29.56
Manuel Brown,
29.00
Fairhaven Water Co.,
43.75
L. M. Snow,
4.84
John I. Bryant,
2.24
Bobrick School Furniture Co.,
173.20
F. T. Akin & Co.,
10.00
City Coal Co.,
9.37
A. D. Mitchel,
1.50
William Curren.
7.20
J. M. Clarke,
4.50
$1,217.72
17
WINTER TERM, 1898. JANUARY 3 TO MARCH 25.
TEACHERS.
Wages per
month.
Enrolled. Whole No.
Average
Membership.
Average
Daily
Attendance.
Per Cent.
Attendance.
Cases of
Tardiness.
Cases of
Dismissal.
High School Building :
Eloise A. Hafford, High
Ruby L. Rich,
52
Madeline L. Kyle,
Grade 9
42
19
18.16
16.84
92.62
24
12
Anna A. Trowbridge,
8
33
32
30.81
28.97
94.03
18
9
Rogers :
Grade
Sadie L. Blaisdell,
7
52
44
43.82
42.18
96.26
12
25
Elizabeth Fuller,
6
40
30
29.33
26.06
88.85
3
6
Eva J. Smith,
5
40
47
43.25
38.96
90.08
17 39
Mattie L. Norris,
4
40
42
40.93
37.16
90.78
12
14
Hannah J. Ardill,
3
36
49
44.45
40.11
90.24
26
14
Idella M. Libby,
2
40
41
40.90
32.76
80.10
35
S
Ruby Kenty,
2
36
38
37.35
32.86
87.98
23
7
Estelle Jackson,
1
34
44
40.44
31.53
77.97
49
9
Oxford :
Grades
Mary A. Donovan, 5, 6 & 7
36
38
36.66
35.01
95.50
34
7
Grace M. Nickerson, 3 and 4
34
25
23.27
20.11
86.42
10
3
Kate Drew,
1 and 2
40
48
46.22
38.72
83.77
42
12
New Boston :
Nina M. Kimball,
36
23
22.22
20.88
93.97
7
2
Margaret M. Healey,
Naskatucket :
Nellie A. Kinsman,
34
23
19.12
17.79
93.04
40
2
Totals, 1898
$705
590
563.93
504.03
88.31
397 193
Totals. 1897
676
534
488.26
425.49
87.14 531
1896
637
490
446.40
387.40
86.80
66
1894
591
421
390.00
354.70
90.90
66
1893
555
432
397.00
332.00
83.63
$80
47
47.00
44.09
93.81
45
24
1895
571
465
409.53
358.35
87.50
18
SPRING TERM, 1898.
APRIL 4 TO JUNE 24.
TEACHERS.
Wages per
month.
Whole No.
Enrolled.
Average
Membership.
Average
Daily
Attendance.
Per cent.
Cases of
Tardiness.
Cases of
Dismissal.
High School Building :
Eloise A. Hafford, High
$80
45
41.26
39.11
94.78
57
22
Ruby L. Rich,
52
Madeline L. Kyle,
Grade 9
42
18
16.70
15.18
90.89
12
1
Anna B. Trowbridge,
8
33
33
31.34
29.25
93.33
26
15
Rogers :
· Grade
Fay H. Breed,
7
52
42
41.90
40.49
96.63
8
9
Elizabeth Fuller,
6
40
32
29.46
26.79
90.93
2
Eva J. Smith.
5
40
42
40.29
35.33
87.69
6
14
Mattie L. Morris.
4
40
42
39.79
36.06
90.63
8
7
Hannah J. Ardill.
3
36
47
44.44
38.23
86.03
5
24
Idella M. Libby,
2
40
42
39.35
32.50
82.59
22
8
Ruby Kenty,
36
38
37.92
33.17
87.44
20
10
Estelle Jackson,
1
34
47
41.97
34.35-
81.84
36
3
Oxford :
Grades
36
32
30.83
28.17
91.37
11
8
Grace M. Nickerson, 3 and 4
34
47
43.18
41.10
95.18
13
0
Kate Drew,
1 and 2
40
35
33.33
31.07
93.22
4
0
Vew Boston :
Margaret M. Healey,
36
30
27.36
25.14
91.89
51
9
Naskatucket :
3
24
20.63
18.43
89.33
19
I
Totals, 1898
$705
596
559.75
504.37
90.12 300 133
Totals, 1897
672
562
511.82
459.92
89.86 326
1896
632
518
452.70
411.40
90.90
1895
581
500
455.95
413.37
90.80
..
1894
591
459
409.50
373 10
91.10
1893
อ้ออ
460
403.00
365.00
90.57
Attendance.
Nellie A. Kinsman,
Mary A. Donovan. 5, 6 & 7
19
FALL TERM, 1898.
SEPTEMBER 6 TO DECEMBER 23.
TEACHERS.
Wages per
month.
Whole No.
Enrolled.
Average
Membership.
A verage
Attendance.
Per Cent.
Attendance.
Cases of
Tardiness.
Cases of
Dismissal.
High School Building :
Eloise A. Hafford, High
$80
42
41.31
38.80
93.92
46
26
Ruby L. Rich,
55
Madeline L. Kyle,
Grade 9
45
34
33.24
32.03
96.36
42
17
Anna B. Trowbridge,
66
8
45
30
28.67
27.85
97.14
17
14
Rogers :
Grades
7 and 8
55
47
43.17
41.19
95.41
5
11
Elizabeth Fuller,
6
40
38
36.13
33.75
93.41
7
4
Mattie L. Norris,
5
40
47
44.54
40.75
91.49
6
18
Mary Kyle,
1
36
42
39.76
35.69
89.76
37
44
Idella M. Libby,
·2
40
46
42.25
38.97
92.23
15
19
Elizabeth Jones,
3
32
36
31.88
30.32
95.11
20
8
Estelle Jackson,
36
44
41.83
37.34
89.24
20
16
Hannah J. Ardill,
1
40
57
47.90
40.26
84.05
24
4
Oxford :
Grades
Kate Drew,
5, 6 & 7
45
27
26.87
24.85
92.48
38
3
Grace M. Nickerson, 3 and 4
36
39
34.30
31.37
91.45
14
6
Bertha M. Hamblin, 1 and 2
36
40
38.71
32 86
S4.88
31
0
New Boston :
Margaret M. Healey,
38
27
26.81
24.44
90.41
80
10
Vaskatucket :
Nellie A. Kinsman,
36
24
19.80
17.14
86.59
18
3
Totals, 1898
$735
620
577.17
527.61
91.41.
420 203
Totals, 1897
705
624
572.52
513.10
89.62
366
66
1896
672
549
500.00
453.70
1895
605
500
469.70
426.90
90.80
. .
1894
567
502
430.40
397.30
92.30
1893
573
480
422.00
376.00
91.49
90.70
2
Sara B. Clarke,
Daily
20
SUMMARY FOR THE YEAR. JANUARY 3 TO DECEMBER 23.
SCHOOLS.
Whole No.
Enrolled.
Average
Membership.
Average
Daily
Attendance.
Per cent.
Attendance.
Tardiness.
Cases of
Dismissal.
No. of Weeks
High,
49
43.01
40.49
94.14
148
72
40
Grade 9,
20
23.71
22.37
94.35
78
30
40
Grade 8,
36
30.12
28.61
94.98
61
38
40
Rogers, Room 8.
46
43.01
41.19
95.77
25
45
38
35
31.97
29.22
91.39
12
12
38
..
6.
49
42.87
38.56
89.94
29
71
38
..
5.
47
40.09
36.28
90.49
57
65
38
..
..
4.
51
43.61
39.13
89.72
46
57
38
6.
٠٠
3,
47
39.01
31.75
85.78
77
24
38
..
..
2.
43
39.22
34.65
88.34
63
33
38
٠٠
1.
88
44.42
35.76
80.50
109
16
38
Oxford,
66
4.
38
31.15
28.94
92.91
83
18
38
35
33.36
31.62
94.78
37
9
38
..
1.
68
39.55
34.22
86.52
77
12
38
31
26.25
23.50
89.52
138
21
38
31
19.83
17.73
89.41
77
6
38
Totals, 1898,
714
569.18
514.02
90.31
1,117
519
Totals, 1897,
684
553.12
492.33
89.01
1,223
626
473.60
419.60
88.70
..
1895,
591
465.50
419.20
90.00
1894.
513
415.00
379.66
91.40
..
1893,
507
406.00
358.00
88.00
1896.
2.
New Boston, Vaskatucket,
7.
Cases of
21
That an opportunity may be given for comparing the record of the past year with that of previous years the totals for the past five years have been appended to the tables of statistics concerning school attendance.
It will be seen that the per cent. of attendance is slightly better than that of last year and that there has been fewer cases of tardiness. There is however room for great im- provement in both these items. The attendance is consider- ably below the average for the State, however ; only about one-third of the absence was due to sickness. Most of the tardiness was due to carelessness on the part of a compara- tively small number of pupils. The greatest amount of tar- diness was at the High School, and four girls were responsi- ble for more than one-third of this.
Although most of the citizens are aware that the number of pupils in our schools has been increasing, I think very few of them realize that this increase in the average mem- . bership and attendance has amounted to more than 40 per cent. in five years, and that almost two-thirds of it has oc- curred in the last two years. This is partly due to increase in population, and partly to the fact that the schools are se- curing a better hold on the pupils in the higher grades, so that a much larger proportion than formerly continue to at- tend until they graduate from the Grammar school. This is shown by the fact that while the attendance in the schools as a whole has been increasing 40 per cent. the increase in the three higher Grammar grades has been more than 100 per cent.
If the present attendance in these grades continues the Committee will again be called upon to furnish extra accom- modations for the opening of schools in September. One year ago last September, when it was no longer possible to accommodate Grades 8 and 9 at the Rogers School they were provided for at the High School building. Last Sep- tember the number had so far increased that there was no
22
longer room for all of them there and a small section of Grade 8 had to be put into a room with another grade at the Rogers School. At present the prospects are that after June it will be impossible to accommodate more than the High School and Grade 9 at the High School building, and that a room must be provided elsewhere for Grade 8.
There is a vacant room at the Oxford but on account of the distance it is very doubtful if that could be made avail- able for pupils in the Rogers district.
Grade 1 at the Rogers School has also been over-crowded during the past year and it became necessary to put a few extra seats into the room. Some of the pupils have attend- ed so irregularly that about fifteen of them cannot be pro- moted and will be obliged to repeat the year, so that the number in this grade will certainly be as large next year as it has been the past. A teacher cannot do justice to a class of fifty or more pupils in any grade, especially the first Primary.
REPAIRS.
It has not been necessary to make any very extensive re- pairs during the year, but there have been quite a number of small items.
About $150 were spent in repairing the roof of the Rogers school. The New Boston school was painted and the roof reshingled. At the High School, the coal-shed was moved ; the fence on the south side taken away and a lattice screen . built on the west side. These changes made a great im- provement in the surroundings, but the building itself presents a rather dilapidated appearance. It stands in a very conspicuous place and if it is to be used much longer something should be done to improve its appearance, although at best the building is old; difficult to heat ; poorly arranged to accommodate the present number of pupils and since the change in the bridge is in a very un-
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