USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Dighton > Town annual report of the offices of the town of Dighton 1905 > Part 5
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The plan is not to make sweeping changes, but as the old books wear out to replace them by new and more re- cent publications that our text-books may be in accord with modern and progressive methods. To carry out this plan, will require for next fall a sufficient number of books to replace the old, worn-out books and to provide such as are needed to carry out the plan of introduction. We were not able to supply a sufficient number of books in physiology to replace the worn out copies so that some classes this year are without text-books in that subject. These must be supplied. We desire also to purchase spelling books for the III, VII, VIII, and IX grades in the North, and for grades III-IX in the South, schools.
8
ANNUAL REPORT.
Reference books, dictionaries, maps, civics text-books and supplementary reading are still needed to carry out present and future plans of work. I urge a liberal appropriation until the schools are well equipped with books and other necessary appliances. The actual expenditure for each pupil during the past year has been about eight-tenths of a cent per day. Not a large amount. One cent per day for each pupil would be ample.
TEACHER, SCHOOL, AND PARENT.
A cordial and co-operative relation between the teacher and the parent is of the utmost importance to the school and to the individual child. No teacher can exert her personal influence in the highest degree unless she knows the home life of her pupils and understands the conditions of their environment. No parent can intelli- gently co-operate with the teacher, unless he knows the aim and operation of the school. The parent should visit the school. The teacher should visit the home. Both should meet socially with the children. Special days when parents are invited to inspect the regular work of the school are profitable. I believe that our teachers are doing something to secure parental co-operation. Some visit the home. Some invite the parents. Of especial in- terest is the "Parent's Evening," a new departure this year. Many of the fathers cannot visit the school during the day. A plan has been devised and carried out success- fully in the North and South schools whereby a school session was held in the evening as nearly as possible like a day session. The fathers and mothers were invited. Many came- some who had never visited their children in school before. They "didn't know it was so interesting." After an hour of school work the time was spent in a so- cial way. Light refreshments were served, school work in drawing and language was examined and teachers and
9
ANNUAL REPORT.
parents conferred concerning the work of the school and progress of the children. I should like to urge the parents to respond heartily to all efforts of the teachers to become better acquainted and to all their efforts for the welfare of the children as individuals and the school as a whole.
PARAGRAPHS.
Teachers' meetings are held as often as can be con- veniently arranged.
Most of the teachers attended the meeting of the Bristol County Teachers' Association. The program was of unusual excellence.
Some interesting facts appear from the statistics. These may be compared with the tables printed last year.
The superintendent would be glad to have parents and others call at his office for information or conference about school matters. He is usually at home on Fridays.
The attendance for the last school year gained in average per cent from 88.8 to 92.6. An unusually good showing. The monthly attendance bulletin has been a large factor in improving the attendance and punctuality.
The subject of reading has had especial attention. A general plan or outline of the work, the result of continued observation and discussion, has been prepared and placed in the hands of the teachers. The aim has been to reach in a practical way the weak points of our teaching and strengthen them all along the line from the lowest grade to the highest. Language and grammar are now the sub- jects of especial study and observation.
The exhibition of drawing and the musical entertain- ment at the close of school in June were very creditable
10
ANNUAL REPORT.
to the teachers and pupils. The work in music showed especial improvement. The supervisor has been untiring in her efforts and her work has been effective.
The joint meeting of the teachers of the district was held in Berkley, Febuary 17, 1905. The meeting was of unusual interest. The speakers were: Walter Sargent, Agent of the State Board of Education for the Promotion of Industrial Drawing; Clarence F. Boyden, Superin- tendent of Schools in Taunton, and F. A. Bliss, Chairman of the School Committee of Rehoboth. Among the special features were the exhibit of pupils' written work by the teachers, the special exhibit of drawing by Miss Jennie P. Holmes, Supervisor of the Drawing and Music in Swan- sea, Somerset, Freetown and Dighton, the singing by pupils of the Assonet Grammar School of Freetown, and the hospitality of the Congregational Society of Berkley.
THE HIGH SCHOOL PROBLEM.
This question has become of a serious and important nature. There are now thirty pupils attending the high schools in Taunton and Fall River. The recent census enumeration disclosed the fact that the town has five hun- dred and twenty-eight families. This fact entirely changes the conditions relating to the high school education of our boys and girls. These are, briefly, as follows :
The town will no longer be reimbursed by the state for one-half of all amounts expended for high school tuition under the provisions of section three of chapter forty-two as amended by chapter four hundred thirty-three, Acts of of 1902. The section reads, in part: "A town whose valuation exceeds seven hundred and fifty thousand dol- lars, but whose number of families is less than five hun- dred, shall be entitled to receive from the treasury of the commonwealth half of all necessary amounts which have
A
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ANNUAL REPORT.
been actually expended for high school tuition under the provisions of this section." Dighton is no longer in this class.
Section two of chapter forty-two reads as follows : "Every city and every town containing, according to the latest census, state or national, five hundred families or householders, shall, and any other town may, maintain a high school, adequately equipped, which shall be kept by a principal and such assistants as may be needed, of competent ability and good morals, who shall give instruction in such subjects designated in the preced- Ing section as the school committee consider expedient to be taught in the high school, and in such addi- tional subjects as may be required for the general purpose of training and culture, as well as for the purpose of pre- paring pupils for admission to state normal schools, techni- cal schools and colleges. One or more courses of study, at least four years in length, shall be maintained in each such high school and it shall be kept open for the benefit of all the inhabitants of the city or town for at least forty weeks, exclusive of vacations, in each year. A town may cause instruction to be given in a portion only of the foregoing requirements if it makes adequate provision for instruction in the others in the high school of another city or town."
This makes the maintenance of a high school in a town of five hundred families, or over, imperative.
Section six of chapter forty-one reads as follows: "No such apportionment and distribution [of the Massa- chusetts School Fund] shall be made to a town which has not maintained a school as required by section one of chap- ter forty-two; or which, if containing the nunaber of fami- lies or householders required by section two of said chapter, has not maintained, for at least thirty-six weeks
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ANNUAL REPORT.
during the year, exclusive of vacations, a high school such as is mentioned therein."
Under chapter one hundred seven, Acts of 1904, the law says : " No town shall receive any part of the income of the Massachusetts School Fund unless it shall have complied, to the satisfaction of the Board of Education, with all laws relating to the public schools."
Secretary George H. Martin of the Board of Educa- tion says : " The failure to maintain a high school by a town having more than five hundred families would render the town liable to forfeiture of its share in the income of the school fund." This throws an unwel_ come burden upon the town. Assuming that there will be thirty pupils in the high school for the school year 1906-7, the cost may be approximately reckoned as follows :
Tuition $1,520
Transportation (if paid by the town) 620
Loss of share in income of school fund (est.) 1,000
Total
$3,140
In other words, it would cost $2,140 for the high school expenses and require an increased appropriation for the local schools to cover the loss of the state aid of about $1,000.
In regard to the transportation of school children, chapter twenty-five, section fifteen, Revised Laws, provides that a town may at legal meetings appropriate money ". For conveying pupils to and from the public schools, or, if it maintains no high schools or public schools of cor- responding grade but affords high school instruction by sending pupils to other towns, for the necessary transporta- tion expenses of such pupils, the same to be expended by the school committee in its discretion."
18
ANNUAL REPORT.
I find from a comparative study of towns of about 2,000 inhabitants that maintain their own high schools that the number of pupils in attendance ranges from thirty to seventy-five ; the number of teachers from one to four ; the school year from thirty-six to forty weeks ; the salary of the principal from eight hundred to fifteen hundred dollars ; and the salary of assistants from four hundred to six hundred dollars.
The relative advantages of outside and local high school instruction may be briefly stated as follows: The outside high school furnishes,-a wider range of choice, better- facilities for instruction in most subjects, older, more experienced, and, generally, better teachers, better opportunities for college preparation, the stimulus of large classes, and instruction by specialists. The arguments for the local high school center mainly around these points,- little or no expense of transportation, the loss of time and vitality where pupils have to travel long distances, the influences of the car do not al- ways make for health, refinement and modesty, more pupils will attend the home school (about two-thirds as many more is the average in the state), there is more opportunity for individual attention and instruction, and the local school is of value to the community. For a more extended discussion of the subject, the reader is referred to the Sixty-eighth Report of the Board of Education, Appendix C, the report of J. W. McDonald, agent of the Board. The limits of this report do not admit full con- sideration.
In case the town should decide to establish a high school, the question of housing it would be the chief problem for solution. Probably some make-shift arrange- ments could be made for a few years but there would ultimately be a demand for a high school building. It would hardly be advisable to withdraw those pupils now
14
ANNUAL REPORT.
attending outside high schools so that immediate require- ments for accommodation would not be large. It is not certain that there will be any pupils to enter the first year of high school work in September.
As a matter of future policy, the question is of par- amount importance. Whatever is done should be for the best interests of the town with a broad view of the whole situation. In this connection, therefore I wish to consider, briefly, the interests of the rural schools.
CONSOLIDATION OF SCHOOLS.
One of my chief regrets in connection with the work in this town is the fact that we cannot give all the children equal opportunities for education. Try as we may, we cannot make the rural schools of equal value with our graded schools. We can give them the same books and school equipment, and we can furnish them with equally good courses of study, but we cannot give them trained teachers, nor can we awaken the interest and obtain the quality of work that is possible with larger classes and longer periods for recitation. The rural school has its ad- vantages and while we have them we must make the best possible use of them. There are pupils now, however, in the rural schools who are capable of making use of far larger opportunities than are now afforded them. I believe that our schools should furnish means for the development of the best that is in our children. I, therefore, recom- mend that parents who have children in the rural schools above the fifth grade reflect upon the matter carefully, and, if they desire better facilities for the education of their children, that they consider what may be done to give them the advantages of our grammar schools or their equivalent.
15
ANNUAL REPORT.
The actual cost per pupil in the rural schools ranges from twenty-five to forty dollars approximately, while the cost in the graded schools is from eighteen to twenty-eight dollars per pupil. The average cost for each pupil in the town exclusive of high school pupils is twenty-three dol- lars and forty cents. The rural school pupil is getting much more than the average money expenditure, but he is not receiving the benefit that the graded school pupil receives at a much reduced average cost. It would seem to be, therefore, both economy and utility to consolidate the rural schools. There is little question of the value of centralization. The economy is doubtful. The decreased cost of fewer schools is balanced by the expense of tran- sportation in most communities. The question of transporta- tion is one of difficulty. It can be done properly in no make-shift manner. Proper vehicles, safe horses and com- petent drivers are absolutely necessary. Satisfactory con- ditions obtaining, the advantages of rural school consolida- tion may be briefly stated as follows :
1. Decreases cost, or gives better schools for same cost.
2. Requires fewer teachers.
3. Requires fewer grades to a teacher.
4. Permits better equipment.
5. Allows longer periods for recitations.
6. Conduces to better health.
7. Conduces to better morals.
8. Awakens healthy rivalry because of larger classes.
9. Improves attendance and punctuality.
10. Tends to keep children in school longer.
11. Insures better care and oversight of pupils on the way to and from school.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
Consolidation is progressing all over the country. The greatest hindrance is in the unwillingness of the people to give up the local school,-their school. But the movement is in line with present day progress. The rural community has, or will have, the telephone and the post- office at every door. Farmers transport their produce long distances for a better market. Why not keep the schools in the line of progress ? If consolidation is the thing, let us think about it, plan for it, and do it. If the rural school unit is the best for the rural community, let us make it better than it now is, that the opportunities of education may be within the reach of every young American citizen.
But when all is said and done, the question reverts to the people themselves. Certainly, consolidation is never wise, unless the people desire it, and it should never be forced upon any community. This seemed to be an op- portune time to present the subject as a matter for con- sideration in the future. It would seem that in case a high school were established a very good plan would be to build a high school building at Segreganset which would accom- modate the high school, the public library, and the grades below the high school for that vicinity and such as might be brought in from other parts of the town. It might be some time before such a plan could be realized, but I ven- ture the prophecy that, if Dighton remains a growing town, some such solution of the school question will be imperative.
In concluding this report, I wish to recognize the usual courtesies according to custom, and to express the wish that the present spirit of harmony and progress may continually prevail.
Respectfully submitted, S. C. HUTCHINSON.
17
ANNUAL REPORT.
Drawing and Music.
REPORT OF THE SUPERVISOR.
To the Superintendent of Schools and members of the School Committee :
DRAWING.
The value of Industrial Drawing as a factor in the education of a child has long been felt and recognized. It opens the door to a realm of expression hitherto unused and gives the child another language. He is taught to read, and to express his ideas in writing with some degree of proficiency. Why should he not be equally well in- structed to convey his impressions of objects, either real or imaginary, to others, by means of his pencil, pen or brush. This would necessitate simply a clearer understanding of the object in regard to form, shape and size, and the train_ ing of the eye to make a thorough survey, that the im- pressions on the brain may be accurate.
Our aim should be to gradually lead the child to see correctly. The primary child takes pleasure in showing you a picture of his new toy. It may be very crude but it has a meaning for him.
Here is our first opportunity to teach him to image more clearly those ideas which he would convey to others . Where this is accomplished by means of illustrations, obser" vation and sketches, his second attempt is much more truthful.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
So step by step we should endeavor to train the child to a certain degree of attention and accuracy, which is most needed throughout his life work.
Our schools are doing much in the way of industrial drawing to train these two faculties. The equipment is good and the co-operation of teachers and pupils is very commendable. Much credit is due the faithful regular teacher for her untiring efforts in this direction.
MUSIC.
The music during the past term has shown consider- able progress. The tones are fuller and rounder, and have some degree of sweetness. The interest in excellent work is growing and I earnestly hope that before many years have elapsed the district school will make as much progress as the city schools.
Music is really a fourth means of expression, but it reaches deep, far below the surface and finds the soul. It is talking in rhythm and harmony. It should refine all those under its power and its influence should be felt not alone in the school, but in the whole community at large.
We do not pretend to train artists in this line, but we do wish to reach every child, that there may be no stone left unturned in aiding him to become a good citizen-a good, well developed, broad-minded being that has music in his soul.
I wish to thank all those in any way connected with me in this work, teachers, pupils, superintendent, commit- mittee, parents, friends, for their efficient work and hearty co-operation.
Respectfully submitted, JENNIE P. HOLMES,
Supervisor of Drawing and Music.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
REGULATIONS.
Time allowed : 180 minutes each two weeks, including the supervisor's time.
Drawing : Two periods per week. Exception, North and South Primary Schools, three periods per week.
Music : Five periods per week in all schools.
Teachers are to have their schools ready to take up the work promptly when the supervisor arrives.
The supervisor is to begin and close promptly on time.
There must be no deviation from the regular schedule except by permission of the superintendent.
SCHEDULE OF SUPERVISOR'S WORK.
On alternate weeks.
Music.
Drawing.
School.
Time.
Minutes.
Time. Minutes.
WEDNESDAY.
Broad Cove
9.00-9.30
30
9.30-10.15
45
South Primary
10.35-11.00
25
1.00- 1.35
35
South Intermediate
11.00-11.30
30
1.35- 2.25
50
South Grammar
11.30-12.00
30
2.35- 3.30
55
THURSDAY.
Segreganset
9.00- 9.30
30
9.30-10.15
45
North Primary
10.35-11.00
25
1.00- 1.35
35
North Intermediate
11.00-11.30
30
1.35- 2.25
50
North Grammar
11.30-12.00
30
2.25- 3.30
55
FRIDAY.
Brick
9.00- 9.30
30
9.30-10.15
45
Williams
10.45-11.15
30
11.15-12.00
45
Fish
1.00- 1.25
25
1.25- 2.05
40
Flat Rock
2.25-2.50
30
2.50- 3.30
40
20
ANNUAL REPORT.
Report of the Truant Officer.
To the School Committee of the Town of Dighton :-
I respectfully submit my annual report as truant officer for the town of Dighton. The object of my report is to present to you the number of cases investigated by me in the different schools, for the year ending Dec. 30, 1905. I have in- vestigated forty-four cases in all. South Primary two cases, South Intermediate thirteen cases, South Grammar seven cases, North Primary fifteen cases, North Intermediate three cases, North Grammar two cases, Broad Cove school three cases. Of the twenty-two cases reported from the South schools I found five were absent from sickness, while the remaining number were absent, some from lack of clothing, some helping with work at home, two cases where they were caring for a sick mother, also caring for younger children, etc.
In the North schools of the twenty cases investigated I found five remained at home from sickness, while the other fifteen were kept at home to assist with the house-work, care for smaller children, to run errands, and on account of cold weather. The two cases from the Broad Cove school were kept at home to care for the baby. I found but one case of truancy among the number. Last year the number of cases reported was but twenty-three. While the year ending Dec. 30, 1905, there were forty-four. I think the increase in the number was due partially to the extreme cold weather of the winter.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
The father of one boy was taken before the court for fail- ing to provide suitable clothing for the boy, to enable him to attend school. I find the causes for absence the same as last. year, the parents are more at fault than the children.
Respectfully, EDMUND HATHAWAY,
Truant Officer.
Dighton, Mass., Dec. 30, 1905.
22
ANNUAL REPORT.
HIGH SCHOOL PUPILS.
1905-1906.
TAUNTON HIGH SCHOOL.
YEAR.
Harris Thurston Childs
Fourth
Margaret Frances Hennessey
66
Grace Richmond Paull
Mildred Leslie Simmons
Frank George Dutra
Third
Helen Holmes Lane
Wilford Forrest Whitmarsh
Fred Otis Walker
Esther Amelia Horton
66 Second
John Carver Standish
Floyd Alexander Swift
Grace Elizabeth Tweedy
66
Charles Herbert Walker
6
David Morris Bennett
First
Dorothy Walker Briggs
Cleon Leslie Burt
Wesley Chase
66
Esther Emma Goff
66
Mabel Wood Lane
Edward Ellsworth Lincoln
Mary Morton Lincoln 66
23
ANNUAL REPORT.
Joseph Winslow Place
First
Antone Rose
Ernest Clifton Simmons
66
Marion Alberta Simmons
Delight Reed Standish
Hope Perry Waldron
16
Melancy Covell White
B. M. C. DURFEE HIGH SCHOOL.
Howard Parkhurst Chace
Third
Jennie Adams Myron Reuben Chace.
First
First
24
ANNUAL REPORT.
Rank of Schools in Attendance and Punctuality
1904-1905.
ATTENDANCE.
PUNCTUALITY.
RANK. SCHOOL. PER CENT.
RANK. SCHOOL. TARDINESS.
1 Brick
95.8
1 South Primary .65
2 So. Intermediate 95
South Grammar .82
Segreganset 94
3 So. Intermediate
1.2
1 South Grammar 93.4
4 North Primary
2.4
5
Fish 92.6
5 Brick 3.12
7
No. Intermediate 91
7
6 No. Intermediate Fish
5.4
S Williams 90.9
S Williams
5.6
9
North Grammar 90.7
9 Segreganset
6.44
10
South Primary 89.1
10 North Grammar
11 Flat Rock 87.9
11
Flat Rock
9
12
Broad Cove 86.5
12 Broad Cove
.11.16
Changes of Teachers
1905.
RESIGNATION.
SCHOOL.
APPOINTMENT.
Frances M. Hamilton Edith N. Daniels
Helen E. Heywood
Martha B. Bliss
Maude L. Toothaker North Grammar Abbie A. Pease South Grammar
Lucinda M. Bent
Carrie A. Gray
Rebecca M. Baxter
Norma A. Paling
South Primary Flat Rock
Anna I. Bruce
Edith V. Pierce
Segreganset
Mabel W. Emery
A. Bertha Glines
South Intermediate
Mabel G. Holland
North Grammar
Maude L. Toothaker
South Grammar South Primary Broad Cove
Abbie A. Pease Carrie A. Gray Sarah L. Pike Bertha E. Pringle
4.15
6 North Primary 92.1
AVERAGE
Teachers --- 1904-1905.
SCHOOL.
TEACHER.
EDUCATION.
When Elected
Wks.
Wages per wk.
North Grammar
Maude L. Toothaker
Farmington (Me.) Normal
1905
0
12
North Intermediate
M. Jennie Grady
Bridgewater Normal
1903
36
10
North Primary
Lucy M. Paull
Wellesley College*
1900
36
10
( Edith N. Daniels
Mass. Normal Art*
1903
14
11
South Grammar
Abbie A. Pease
Plymouth (N. H.) Normal
1905
22
12
South Intermediate
A. Bertha Glines
Salem Normal
1903
31
10
Colby Academy
1901
23 .
10
South Primary
Carrie A. Gray
High School
1905
11
10
ยท Brick
Cora Childs
Taunton High School
1902
36
10
Broad Cove
2 Sarah L. Pike
English High School, Cam.
1905
8-11
9-10
Fish
Lizzie M. Hathaway
Taunton High School
1901
36
S
Flat Rock
Norma A. Paling
1904
36
Segreganset
Edith V. Pierce
1903
36
8
Williams
Lucy S. Hathaway
Middleboro Training Sch .*
1904
32
8
SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS.
South Intermediate South Primary
Alma A. Davis Ina G. McCann
B. M. C. Durfee High Sch. Brockton High School Truro (N. S.) Normal
5
10
2
10
Broad Cove
( Mary E. Norris
1
10
Williams
Myra E. Babbitt
B. M. C. Durfee High Sch.
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