USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fairhaven > Town annual report of the offices of Fairhaven, Massachusetts 1923 > Part 4
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At North Fairhaven where the park area east of the Oxford School is ideally situated for playground purposes, accessible yet apart from street dangers and house conges- tion, the Mothers' Club has extended its beneficence by fur- nishing various apparatus for the younger children. That this has been used and appreciated, as has the ball diamond laid out in 1922, is the general testimony.
Some setting of trees and shrubs is desirable, but has not seemed feasible until more consistent protection can be assured. The skating ground project is practicable but only at a greater cost than appropriations have permitted.
The question of developing the tract north of Bridge Park has been taken under advisement, as the board realizes the necessity of an improvement there in the near future, but is not ready to make recommendations at present.
Respectfully submitted, HAROLD B. DUTTON, Chairman. MABEL L. POTTER, Secretary. LEWIS F. POOR.
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REPORT OF THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT. From January 1, 1923, to January 1, 1924.
Fairhaven, Mass., Jan. 1, 1924.
Permits for houses
154
Permits for additions
68
Permits for summer cottages
32
Permits for stores
6
Permits for garages
111
Permits for public garages
11
Permits for theatres and halls
0
Permits for clubhouses
0
Permits for barns, etc.
58
440 permits granted.
Estimated cost, $800,000.
CHARLES I. DREW,
Inspector of Buildings,
Fairhaven, Mass.
The office of the Building Inspector is open from 9 A. M. to 4.30 P. M. to answer all questions and give all in- formation regarding the Building Code, at the Assessors' Office, Town Hall.
Title and Scope.
SECTION 1. These by-laws shall be known and cited as the Building Laws. No building, structure or part there- of shall hereafter be constructed, and no building or struct- ure now or hereafter erected, shall be razed, altered, moved or built upon except in conformity with the provisions of these Building Laws. Nor shall plumbing, gas piping, water piping, drainage, heating, wiring or ventilation be installed or altered in any building or structure except in conformity herewith.
86
REPORT OF FIRE ENGINEERS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
The Board of Fire Engineers herewith submit their annual report for the year ending December 31, 1923.
During the past year this department has answered seventy- two (72) alarms, or thirty-one (31) bell alarms, and forty-four (44) still alarms. One out of town call, from the town of Mattapoisett, was answered by Engine 1.
The American La France Pumping Engine, which has been in service since the 4th of July, has given entire satisfaction in every way and has answered thirty (30) alarms.
Four new fire alarm boxes have been added to our system. and the Board earnestly recommends the addition of four more this year, and also the installation of a tapper at the Water Works Pumping Station.
The Board also recommends the consideration of the pur- chase of a new City Service Ladder Truck, as our present ladder truck has been in service for over twenty years.
A. PRICE, Jr., Chief. G. E. JENNEY, 1st Assistant. A. MONK, 2nd Assistant.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
Fairhaven. January 7, 1924.
The Honorable Board of Selectmen :
Gentlemen :- The Board of Health hereby submit their an- nual report for the year ending December 31. 1923.
There has been no epidemic of contagious diseases this year. We have had 188 cases of measles. 41 of chicken pox. 35 of whooping cough. 6 of diphtheria, 13 of tuberculosis ( all forms ) . 7 of lobar pneumonia, and 3 each of scarlet fever and eye infection reported.
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The above diseases are reportable under Chapter 111, Sec- tion 109, 110, 111, of the General Laws, 1922. Physicians or householders who fail to report all diseases declared dangerous to the public health may be punished by a fine of not over $100.00.
The Board voted not to grant any slaughter house license, as there seemed to be no suitable location, but under the law we have to employ an inspector of slaughtering, who has made 660 inspections, of which 214 were of cattle, 432 calves, 14 swine.
Our largest expense has been for hospitals, which has amounted to $1,889.44.
Respectfully submitted, CLARENCE A. TERRY, IV. FRED DELANO, L. W. HORNE, M.D.
REPORT OF INSPECTOR OF ANIMALS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen :
The Inspector of Animals hereby submits his annual report for the year ending December 31, 1923.
Eighty-five premises were visited during the general inspec- tion, and 993 animals inspected. of which 726 were dairy cows. 172 young cattle, 20 bulls, 72 swine, and 3 goats. Nine of the stables examined were found to be poorly lighted, 8 improp- erly ventilated, 7 had poor drainage, 3 had insufficient space, and 4 were unclean.
Ten interstate cattle were identified and inspected during the year, and one cow was quarantined for tuberculosis, and subsequent visits made to the herd exposed, the regular pre- cautions being taken to protect them from the contagion.
Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM H. SCHROEDER,
Inspector of Animals, Fairhaven, Mass.
88
AUDITOR'S REPORT.
Fairhaven, Mass., January 1, 1924.
We hereby certify that we have examined the accounts of the Tax Collector, Treasurer, Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor and the School Committee of the Town of Fairhaven, for the year ending December 31, 1923, and find them correct.
CHARLES E. SHURTLEFF, RALPH E. LUMBARD,
Auditors.
.
SCHOOL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OF FAIRHAVEN
MASSACHUSETTS
FAIRHA
F
EN
A
ASS.
INCORPO
TOWN HALL
22 -1812.
R
ATED
FEB
FOR THE
YEAR 1923
PRINTED IN FAIRHAVEN AT THE STAR OFFICE
2
In the School Committee.
January 11, 1924.
Voted :- That the Report of the Superintendent of Schools be accepted and printed as the Report of the School Committee.
Voted :- That the Committee ask an appropriation of $101,500 for elementary and high schools for the ensuing year.
ALTON B. PAULL, DR. CHARLES E. P. THOMPSON, WILLIAM B. GARDNER, EDWARD L. BESSE, MISS SARA B. CLARKE, MRS. MARY A. BAKER.
3
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
WILLIAM B. GARDNER,
EDWARD L. BESSE,
ALTON B. PAULL,
Term expires 1925
DR. CHARLES E. P. THOMPSON,
Term expires 1925
MISS SARA B. CLARKE,
Term expires 1924
MRS. MARY A. BAKER,
Term expires 1924
Chairman, ALTON B. PAULL.
Secretary and Superintendent, CHARLES F. PRIOR.
Superintendent's Office Hours :
Town Hall :-
8:15-9:00 A. M .- Monday, Wednesday, Friday. 4:00-5:00 P. M .- Every school day unless absent on special business. 7:00-8:00 P. M .- Wednesdays.
The Superintendent's Office is open with a clerk in charge daily from 9-12 and 1:30-5, except Saturdays, when it is open only in the forenoon.
Telephone call at Town Hall, Fairhaven, 3891.
Telephone call at residence, 30 Green Street, 6714-W.
Term expires 1926
Term expires 1926
4
SCHOOL CALENDAR.
1924.
Wednesday, Jan. 2
Thursday, Feb. 21
Monday, March 3
Schools re-open
Friday, April 25
Schools close
Monday, May 5
Schools re-open
Friday, May 30, (Holiday)
Memorial Day
Friday, June 27
Schools close
Summer Vacation.
Wednesday, Sept. 3
Schools -re-open
Monday, Oct. 12 (Holiday)
Columbus Day
Wednesday, Nov. 26
Thanksgiving recess
Monday, Dec. 1
Schools re-open
Friday, Dec. 19
Schools close
Schools re-open
Monday, Dec. 29
Schools re-open
Schools close
5
NO SCHOOL SIGNAL, 22.
For the benefit of those who have difficulty in remem- bering the significance of the no-school signals, the follow- , ing is submitted for reference :-
The signal at 8:00 A. M. indicates no forenoon session for the three lowest grades.
The signal at 8:15 A. M. indicates no forenoon session for any of the eight grades of the elementary schools ..
The signal at 12:30 noon, indicates no afternoon ses- sion for the first three grades.
The signal at 12:45 noon, indicates no afternoon ses- sion for any of the eight grades of the elementary schools.
The no-school signals do not apply to the High School.
Schools are often in session when weather conditions make it unsuitable for some of the children to attend, in which case parents must make their own decisions.
6
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
To the School Committee of Fairhaven :-
The eleventh annual report of the present Superintend- ent of Schools is herewith submitted:
Finances.
The following amounts heretofore £ automatically credited to schools have, in accordance with the new law, reverted to the General Treasury and been used to reduce the tax levy for 1923. Their effect has been the same as if credited to schools, but for the first time they do not appear in the financial statement, hence this explanation.
Paid into General Treasury on account of schools:
Balance on hand December 31, 1922. $ 3,230.29
State General School Fund. 10,456.03
High School Tuition. 5,676.95
Total $19,363.27
Total appropriation for High and Elementary schools, 1923 94,000.00 Received by General Treasury on account of schools, 1923 19,363.27 Raised for schools by taxation in 1923. 74,636.73
Raised for schools by taxation in 1922. 75,000.00
The financial statements of the elementary and high schools follow :
(Elementary Schools) RECEIPTS.
Town appropriation, 1923 $76,000.00
County Dog Fund 1,284.97
Pease Fund ..
340.12
Edmund Anthony, Jr., Trust Fund. 150.00
Henry H. Rogers Trust Fund.
4,653.58
Total
$82,728.67
EXPENDITURES.
General Control.
$ 4,177.21
Superintendent $ 2,932.08
Clerk
617.50
Attendance officer
207.50
School census
100.00
Miscellaneous
170.13
School Committee
150.00
7
Instruction $60,768.11
Teachers' Salaries .$57,524.50
Text Books 1,192.97
Supplies
2,050.64
Operation and Maintenance $11,787.16
Janitors' Salaries $ 4,592.00
Fuel
3,163.32
Building Supplies
1,975.39
Repairs
841.43
New Equipment
855.02
Other Agencies $ 5,016.50
Transportation
$ 4,716.50
Health
200.00
Tuition
100.00
Miscellaneous 244.52
Insurance 650.70
Total expenditures for grade schools, 1923 $82,044.20
Balance
84.47
$82,728.67
(High School) RECEIPTS.
Henry H. Rogers Trust Fund.
$24,411.00
Town Appropriation
18,000.00
Other sources (Lunch Room) :
647.00
$43,058.00
EXPENDITURES.
Instruction
$30,757.91
Teachers' Salaries
$27,650.08
Text books
1,225.59
Supplies
1,882.24
Operation and Maintenance. $11,511.15
Janitors' Salaries
$ 5,222.08
Fuel
1,562.97
Building Supplies
2,547.80
Repairs
978.90
New Equipment
1,199.40
Other Agencies
156.00
Health $ 156.00
313.34
Insurance
177.50
Total expenditures for high school, 1923 $42,915.90
Balance
142.10
Miscellaneous
$43,058.00
8
İs Fairhaven Appropriating Enough for Schools?
A variety of answers to this question may be made. Some taxpayers will without hesitation or investigation reply emphatically in the affirmative. There are several angles from which one may look at the matter, if open-minded, and thereby reach a sound conclusion.
1. What was the per capita cost of education, high and elementary, in Fairhaven during 1923 ?
High $135.79
Elementary $57.43
Compare these figures with the average per capita cost in the State for the school year ending June, 1923:
High $117.94
Elementary $69.24
As explained in previous reports, the High School per capita is larger than average because the building is more expensive in upkeep. By this is meant that more janitor service, building supplies, and expensive repairs are required than in the ordinary high school. In salaries, books, sup- plies, and other educational expenditures the amounts are average.
The expenditure per elementary school pupil in the State is $11.81 more than in Fairhaven.
2. What was the per pupil cost for education, high and elementary, in towns of 5,000 population or over for the school year ending in June, 1923 ?
High $111.65
Elementary $64.39
In per capita for elementary school pupils Fairhaven is $6.96 less than the cost in towns of its own size.
3. What was the per pupil cost from taxation in Fair- haven during 1923?, (high and elementary), $43.75. Com- pare this per pupil taxation cost with that of the State for the year, $71.09. Compare also with the average in towns of 5,000 population or over, $66.51.
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The above comparisons are evidence to an open- minded taxpayer that the School Department is not expend- ing an undue proportion of the public funds. If he will re- member that the school population has more than doubled in the last few years, and that the same economic laws apply to schools as to food, shelter and clothing, it will be obvious that the relative amount spent on education in Fairhaven has not increased materially.
Is Fairhaven expending enough? Comparisons do not wholly answer the question. Every community has its peculiar conditions. The larger appropriation for schools from taxation in some communities does not give as high a per pupil expenditure as in Fairhaven. Several towns might be used as examples of this. The explanation is simple. Fairhaven receives annually from endowment funds nearly $30,000 for schools.
There are other ways in which comparisons do injus- tice. The cost for school support does not include outlay for new buildings. Many towns and cities with a higher per capita for support are far behind in their building programs. As a result many pupils are receiving, and have received for several years, only part-time schooling. Fairhaven has been generous in this direction. The completion of two new buildings and the expensive renovation of a third within five years prove this. That no pupils have had their schooling materially curtailed during these times when short- age of school rooms. was the rule rather than the exception indicates the spirit of the town toward education.
But is Fairhaven expending enough for schools? In- cluding the use of all funds, the Town falls below the per pupil average for the State. Including only the money raised by taxation, Fairhaven is decidedly lower. This is especially true in regard to the amount expended in the ele- mentary schools. It was must admitted that a per pupil cost from taxation of $27.34 less than the State average gives an opportunity to enable better schools if the Town so wishes.
10
The weakness of our schools lies in the instability of our teaching corps. A minimum salary of $1,000 and a maximum of $1,250 for the first six grades makes our sys- tem a training school by which other communities profit. We get the best inexperienced teachers we can but it requires time to ripen training into skill. The difference in cost he- tween a teacher of no experience and of one or two years of experience would be the most valuable part of the Town's investment in schools. The number of pupils per teacher in town is very high, averaging more than forty per room. This is too many for any teacher and a very unfavorable condition for beginners in the work.
Attendance.
The total membership of the schools for the year end- ing in June, 1923, was 1,908. The average membership 1,697; average attendance 1,561 ; and percent of attendance 91.09.
The total enrollment of the schools since September has been 1918. The actual membership on December 15 of the current year was 1,859, a gain of 117 pupils over that at the same time last year.
School Accommodations.
The Committee faces again the problem of providing more school rooms. At present the congestion is in the buildings located at the Center. In North Fairhaven there is one vacant room at the Anthony School. This will pro- vide for next year's increase in that section. In the Center every room is occupied and several are overcrowded. At the Rogers School relief has been obtained for the eighth grades by using the Assembly Hall, very poorly lighted and located in the third story. At the Tripp School the first grade of sixty pupils has been reduced in size by opening a school in the Assembly Hali there. The Washington Street School has six overcrowded rooms. All available space for seats in these rooms is being used and fifteen pupils are gathered around tables. If there is a normal increase in
11
school population next fall and no additional rooms are pro- vided nearly one hundred pupils will necessarily receive half- time schooling.
Recommendation.
East Fairhaven is growing. There are 142 children from this section now being transported to grade schools in the Center. A building located there would relieve the Center and, although the school population is so distributed that many would still require transportation, something could be saved in this direction. The present center of school population in that section is a short distance west of New Boston Road. A building in that vicinity might ulti- mately house also the pupils from Sconticut Neck, giving the children of both sections the same advantages of an eight room school which they now have at the Center.
An eight room school building in East Fairhaven would insure school accommodations for the children of that sec- tion and of the Center for several years. If that number of rooms is provided, all of them need not be finished at once. A very conservative estimate, based on the present rate of growth, places our need of new rooms for next year as four or five.
Formation of New Superintendency Union.
The Superintendency Union comprising the towns of Acushnet, Fairhaven, Mattapoisett and Marion was dissolved in April. The maximum number of schools or classes in a district, as fixed by the law regulating the formation of a Union, is fifty; the minimum, twenty-five. The Fairhaven union had long since passed the maximum. The number of teachers, regular and special, had grown from twenty-seven in the union as organized in 1897, to 114 in 1923. The very rapid growth of Acushnet and Fairhaven in recent years had created in each of these towns the need of more of the Su- perintendent's time. As finally adjusted, Acushnet em-
12
ployed a full-time Superintendent, Marion, a supervising principal as Superintendent, and Fairhaven united with Mat- tapoisett in a new union. In the new union are fifty schools or classes, the High School being counted as one, and seven- ty-seven teachers. Fairhaven employs the Superintendent for six-sevenths of his time, Mattapoisett for one-seventh. The arrangement will cost Fairhaven $1,067 more annually, and it will receive two-sevenths 'more of time and service. The amount expended for supervision under the former ar- rangement was the lowest in the State for a town of its size. The average salary of the Superintendent of Schools for the current year in twenty-six towns approximating Fairhaven in size is $3,505. Fairhaven plans to pay $3,428.
Teachers.
Sixteen resignations occurred during the current year. Twelve teachers accepted higher salaries elsewhere, one was married, and three were not asked to return. In addition to these changes, two new teachers, one each for the High School and grades, have been engaged.
Nine of the sixteen vacancies from resignations were filled by appointment of normal or college graduates of 1923. Every person in intimate touch with the work of the schools knows the desirability of retaining teachers for longer terms of service.
Minimum salary of a teacher in grades 1 to 6 in Fairhaven . . . $1,000 Average minimum in 27 towns approximating Fairhaven in
size 1,049 Maximum salary of a teacher in grades 1 to 6 in Fairhaven. .. 1,250 Average maximum in 27 towns approximating Fairhaven in
size 1,390
High School.
Fifty-nine pupils graduated from the High School in June and ninety-four entered in September. The present membership is practically the same as at this time last year.
The building provides adequate accommodations for a maximum of 300 pupils. Its capacity has been reached if good teaching conditions are to be maintained. Increase in
13
size of the classes, particularly of the Freshman classes, nc- cessitates more divisions, consequently more classrooms. There are relatively few of these. At present the library, physics-laboratory and lecture room are serving as such. No more rooms are available unless the janitor's apartment is taken for school use. Three recitation rooms might thus be provided which would probably suffice for several years. In the more distant future means of relief may be had by the organization of a Junior High school.
COURSES OF STUDY.
Three new courses have been added to the program of studies. Two of them are in music and are made possible by the retention in Fairhaven of more of the supervisor's time. One of these is on the Appreciation and History of Music, the other on Theory and Harmony.
A new course in Banking and Bookkeeping has been added to meet the increasing demand for Advanced Book- keeping. This course is given in the senior year.
THE SCHOOL LIBRARY.
Last year through the interested and efficient coopera- tion of Millicent Library a high school library was organized. The Principal makes the following report in regard to this: "We were able to begin the school year with a complete li- brary system. This was due to the extensive re-organiza- tion that was carried on last year under the supervision . of the English Department.
The Hartford Reading List was adopted and about 1,000 books classified under such heads as Fiction, Biography, Drama, Poetry, Travel, Histories, References and Essays. The old card catalog was replaced by a much larger and newer one and a new system of charging and discharging books adopted which has proved very satisfactory. All fines collected from the books go toward the purchasing of new books. Among the new books already purchased are
r
14
the four volumes of the Outline of Science by J. A. Thomp- son. It is interesting to note while speaking of books that more books were issued to students last year than in any previous twelve.
"Through the Library Art Club it has been possible to get, with practically no expense, several excellent exhibits of pictures which are displayed on the walls for a period of two or three weeks."
"It is possible that arrangements will be made in the near future for a "Library Afternoon" once a month with a stimulating speaker."
With a building, equipment, and athletic field that any city might envy, community pride will continue to insist that the standards of Fairhaven High School, academic and oth- erwise, shall be of higher grade than is general in towns of our size. In the beginning this was easily accomplished be- cause, with no appropriation from the town, funds were suf- ficient to keep up the plant and pay higher than average salaries to teachers. As the school has increased in size and the purchasing power of the endowment has decreased, it has been necessary to ask the town for appropriations. Even with this aid, it becomes more difficult each year to maintain the standard desired. It has been maintained thus far. In curriculum, scholarship, athletics, and in character- building spirit the school is on a par with the best. Such a record can be continued if the Town remains generous in its attitude toward the school's needs.
Physical Education.
Physical education is compulsory in Massachusetts. It has been a part of the Fairhaven School system for sixteen years. Organized play, gymnastics, folk dancing and ath- letics in the grades and high school were formerly under the direction of one teacher. Under the present arrangement the high school girls receive training under one instructor while the work of the high school boys and of all the chil- dren in the grades is under the direction of another.
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Physical education has evolved from physical culture. The chief aim of the latter was to give culture and grace to the body. Physical education has a broader meaning. It aims to educate the body to resist disease, to become efficient in work, and to be graceful in carriage. It consists of far more than athletics or group calisthenics. In carrying out its purpose pupils are classified according to physical de- fects susceptible to correction and each group receives the particular kind of physical education which will assist in the correction of these. Such exercises do not supplant gen- eral work with groups, but supplement it.
Physical education in the public schools must concern itself primarily with the physical development and health education of children. It is a part of the curriculum because such development and education is fundamental to mental and moral development. It is, therefore, not alone for those children who are naturally robust, nor should it exalt this class unduly; it is for the weak and defective even more than for the strong and perfect.
Physical education for girls, as given in our high school, exemplifies the principle and methods stated above. At the beginning of the school year a health inventory of each girl is taken, is recorded, and is accessible to its owner through- out her years at the high school. Her health is checked up on her card four times a year. At the time of the inven- tory the standards of what a girl ought to be for her age, the effect of high heels, the results of bad hygiene, etc., are explained. Individual advice is given. The physical ex- aminations bring to light cases of bad posture, of pronated or weak feet, of crooked backs, of lungs which need special development, and of other defects which yield readily to corrective exercises when the individual is young. Each girl having a physical defect is, therefore, given a group of exercises designed to correct her weaknesses. These are
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