USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Dighton > Town annual report of the offices of the town of Dighton 1908 > Part 4
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2
100
2525
40 85
Frank C. Mello
2
2 00
Joseph P. Mell
2
2270
38 64
Manuel Mello
2
2 00
Manuel P. Frank
2
125
1 85
Frank Mendoza, Jr.
2
2 00
John A. Negus
·)
2 00
Abbey J. Negus
575
851
Simeon D. Nichols
2
1180
1450
40 98
William Morris
2 00
Lorenzo O. Mixon
2
305
1950
27 98
Earnest O. Mixon
2
2 00
Joe G. Oliver
2
2 00
Heirs of David Perry
180
2 67
Clothier Pierce
2
195
860
17 63
George H. Phillips
2
300
1425
27 53
Edward D. Perry
2
400
1125
24 57
Lewis E. Perry
·2
2 00
Edward D. Perry and
Annie J. Waldron
1665
24 65
1
22
ANNUAL REPORT.
Amanda Perry
850
12 58
Amanda Perry aud
Annie J. Waldron
: -
2150
31 82
Hiram O. Palmer
2
180
2300
38 71
Estate of Emily Palmer
625
9 25
Joseph S. Pitts
150
3250
52 32
Josiah S. Place
930
5660
99 54
Antone DePerry
2
85
1380
23 70
Lemuel C. Perry
2
60
650
12 51
Elisha K. Paull
1425
21 09
Manuel Pachesque
2
2 00
Antone Pereiro
2
2 00
Jesse V. Perry
2
2 00
George A. Richmond
2
2 00
Franklin Richmond
2 00
Estate of James Richmond
900
13 32
Joseph W. Rose
1605
3888
83 31
Joseph D. Roya
210
3150
51 73
Joseph T. Roya
2
2 00
Frank Rogers
2
60
200
5 95
Antone Rogers
2
2 00
Joseph Rogers
'2
2 00
Julius D. Romero
2
1175
2550
57 11
Rev. A. J. Rich
2
2 00
Joe Rose
2
2 00
Joe Sylvia Rappell
2
2 00
Manuel Rodriques
2
.
130
950
17 99
John F. Rose
2
2 00
Manuel Ruher
·2
2 00
George Rulalow
2
2 00
Marian Rodriques
·2
60
350
8 07
Estate of O. P. Simmons
5250
77 70
Frank Perry Shute
2
130
1950
30 79
Estate of John Scott
1200
17 76
Manuel F. Sylvia
2
295
1050
21 90
23
-ANNUAL REPORT.
Albert A. Simmons
2
40
2025
32 57
Joseph E. Sears
2
160
3475
55 80
Sarah R. Sears
15
23
Andrew B. Simmons
2
100
3 48
David S. Smith
725
10 73
Marion Souza
2
2 00
Heirs of Charles N. Simmons
302
I1440
173 79
Charles G. Simmons
2
2 00
Albertus F. Simmons 2
2 00
Joseph B. Sayles
2
585
2525
48 04
Dianna Sherman
325
4 81
Frederick J. Swan
2
2 00
James N. Smith
700
3550
64 90
Charles H. Smith
2
3800
4230
120 85
Joe Enos Souza
2
30
200
5 41
Mary B. Souza
925
13 69
Manuel Enos Souza
2
30
900
15 77
Nathan E. Simmons
2
700
10 36
Jozeph Swasey
2
500
9 40
Arthur F. Sprague
2
50
1150
19 76
Antone Sylvia
2
90
3 34
Chester Shove
2
2 00
John Sears
2
20
600
11 18
Joe Souza
2
2 00
Joe Perry Suite
·2
50
1700
27 90
Antone Sears
)
2 00
Elmer Shove
2
2 00
Antone Sylvia
2
2 00
Manuel De Wit Sylvia
2
220
200
8.22
Albertus F. Simmons, Trustee of Baptist Society
75
1 11
Frank Simmons
200
2 96
Estate of Cyrus Talbot
John W. Kendall, Exec.
405
6 00
Frederick W. Talbot 2
350
425
13 47
24
ANNUAL REPORT.
James A. Talbot
$2
110
1520
26 13
J. Chester Talbot
2
150
1175
21 61
Charles H. Talbot
·2
210
3450
56 17
Estate of Charles W. Turner
4960
73 41
Andrew W. Turner
2
1150
1470
40 78
James G. Tompkins
2
445
2775
49 66
Heirs of Hannah C. Talbot
325
4 91
Joe Cabral Tores and Manuel Simmons
1100
16 28
Joe Cabral Tores
2
2 00
Manuel Simmons
2 00
Manuel Cabral Tores
2 00
Rev. John Thompson
1775
26 27
Otto Cram
500
7 40
Annia A. Tinkham
350
5 18
Estate of Edward R. Talbot
2910
43 07
Fred Tertemmale
2
2 00
Robert R. Vance
·)
4950
75 26
Whitefield Vincent
2
2 00
William Z. Whitmarsh
100
1700
28 64
Heirs of William B. Whitmarsh
1002
14 80
Marshall Waters
2
875
14 95
Forest A. Whitmarsh
813
5295
92 42
Estate of Nancy Whitmarsh
3250
48 10
Susannah V. Whitmarsh
1840
29 24
Robert W. Whitmarsh
2
3500
53 80
Ferdinand Waldron
2 00
Annie J. Waldron
25
37
Pedo Baptist Cong. Society
3740
55 36
George A. White
2 00
Howard S. Wood
160
2375
37 52
Herbert A. Walker
100
3 48
Lizzie A. Walker
1750
25 90
Nathan H. Walker
2
350
7 18
Frederick I. Walker
2
2 00
Joe White
2 00
25
ANNUAL REPORT.
William Z. Whitmarsh, treas.
Cemetery Company
110
1 63
Heirs of Mary Ware
75
1 11
Capt. Joseph H. Whelden 2
150
1325
23 83
Obed P. Watson
2
2 00
Edward A. Watson 2
2 00
Estate of William Walker
50
2250
34 07
Estate of Thomas B. Witherell
3065
45 35
William Wood
2
2 00
John Wood
2
475
9 03
Joseph Wood
2
830
14 29
Manuel White
2
2 00
NON-RESIDENTS.
...
Names.
Residence.
Real.
Tax.
Eagle Stove Foundry
Fall River
$1800
$26 64
Joseph Carpenter
60
500
7 40
J. L. Potter
66
1450
21 46
Horridge D. and
John D. Bray
100
1 48
F. A. Lavella
66
1600
23 68
George W. Hart
Taunton
150
2 22
John T. Wade
66
775
11 47
John T. Wade and
Elmer Wade
325
4 81
J. Mordicah Lincoln
66
700
10 36
Estate of William J. Walker
150
2 22
John E. Blake
66
20
30
Estate of William Reed 2d
66
20
30
William E. Walker
66
60
89
26
ANNUAL REPORT.
Horatio Godfrey
Taunton
195
2 90
Mrs. H. B. Lothrop
66
125
1 85
Hope Pierce
66
25
37
Edgar E. Westcoat
66
200
2 96
Heirs of Lyman Briggs
66
1100
16 28
Phillip E. Crane
66
110
1 63
Estate of Jacob H. Horton
66
225
3 33
John H. Wheeler
66
105
1 56
Hannah C. Haskins
66
40
60
Mechanics Co-operative Bank
600
8 88
Estate of George D. Elms
‹.
400
6 22
George E. Wilbar
66
1630
24 13
Stiles and Hart Co.
Taunton
1050
15 54
William L. Walker
66
515
7 73
Heirs of Abraham Briggs
1325
19 61
Heirs of Josiah T. Lincoln
66
60
89
Heirs of Gilbert W. Strange
66
50
74
J. M. and C. H. Evans
200
2 96
Heirs of Hiram Baker
66
60
89
George W. Hart Jr.
66
100
1 48
Heirs of Alexander H. Williams
66
695
10 29
Lucretia. Ashley
66
250
3 70
Otis A. Thayer
140
2 08
Thomas Brown
200
2 96
Mrs. Herbert T. Washburn
50
74
Charles E. and Cora Mason
66
1750
25 90
Eliza Crowell
66
150
2 22
Herculo Millo
66
200
2 96
William D. Marvel
66
75
1 11
George A. Crane
66
200
2 96
Taunton Yacht Club
2850
42 18
Patrick Hennessy
275
4 07
Patrick Barry
Attleboro
900
13 32
Homer E. Whitmarsh
Amherst
Roza D. Whitmarsh
66
1420
21 02
27
ANNUAL REPORT.
Nathaniel H. Rose Clifford N. Goff
Taunton
60
89
66
575
8 07
Rev. James Smith, Rector of R. C. Church
יו
550
8 14
. Francis J. Wheeler
Rehoboth
1335
19 91
Edward F., Henry G. and Elkanah Wheeler
150
2 22
Edward F. Wheeler
620
9 18
Heirs of George E. Goff
150
2 22
George F. Parker
60
89
Estate of George H. Goff
1545
22 87
William B. H. Horton
90
1 34
Susannah S. Pierce
30
45
Estate of Frederick E. Francis
380
5 63
David W. Francis
66
1710
25 31
David W. Francis and
Oliver H. Earle
100
1 48
Arthur C. Horton
66
25
37
David W. Francis and
F. J. Wheeler
66
430
6 37
Estate of Nathaniel H. Horton
50
74
Arthur F. Rose
100
1 48
Horace R. West
66
735
10 88
Edward F. Wheeler and
Frederick E. Francis
150
2 22
E. Emma Emerson
Pawtucket, R. I.
860
12 73
Old Colony St. Railway Co. Boston
60
89
Heirs of Morris Quirk
Somerset
75
1 11
Heirs of John A. Burgess
350
5 18
Leonard P. Chace
500
7 40
Thomas Dean
30
45
Estate of Jonathan S.Buffington "
50
74
George Babbitt
700
10 36
Daniel C. Babbitt
Somerset
250
3 70
Heirs of Obediah Buffington
66
145
2 15
.
-
28
ANNUAL REPORT.
Benjamin H. Carr
1100
16 29
Lewis B. Codding
Brockton
1875
27 75
Heirs of Sarah B. Simmons
350
5 18
Leroy J. Chace
Swansea
705
10 44
John E. Chace
66
100
1 48
Andrew J. Chace
420
6 22
Heirs of Abby E. Williams
100
1 48
Elijah P. Chace
1200
17 76
A. A. Case
66
25
37
Mrs. Daniel Wilbar
66
1850
27 38
Heirs of Eben Eddy
66
700
10 36
Andrew T. Peirce
66
125
1 85
Antone Perry
66
35
52
George R. Fearing
Newport, R, I.
200
2 96
William F. Wheaton
East Providence, R. I.
30
45
Henry J. Spooner
Providence, R. I.
4250
62 90
Otis H. Kelton
66
125
1 85
Thomas A. Briggs
150
2 22
Sophia Brown
3575
52 91
Heirs of Anthony Chace
Swansea
200
2 96
Heirs of Barzilla Crane
Berkley
1400
20 72
Heirs of Walter D. Nichols
20
30
Bowker Fertilizer Co.
Boston .
325
4 81
Ethel Nickols
New York City
3000
44 40
Emily C. Frazure
66
2550
39 74
Clothier Edminister
Freetown
100
1 48
William Clark Jr.
Providence
950
14 06
Old Colony Railroad Co.
Boston
3250
48 10
Heirs of John Gilmore
Raynham
75
1 11
Mrs. Alfred W. Reed
New Boston, N. H.
250
3 70
Estate of Sarah L. Godfrey Fort Payne, Ill.
150
2 22
Heirs of Milton S. Reed
Seekonk
100
1 48
Mary A. Talbot
Lynn
225
3 33
Fanny B. Pratt
Boston
2300
34 04
Mrs. George R. Barney
New Bedford
1200
17 76
29
ANNUAL REPORT.
Charles Pierce
Dartmouth
275
407
Estate of Frederick Brown
Providence, R. I. 250
370
Frank B. Simmons
New York
300
4 44
Albert Hardy
Taunton
100
1 48
Sylvanus J. Chace
Swansea
625
9 25
William M. Chace
66
500
7 40
William Hodgdon
66
125
1 85
Estate of Stephen Eddy
66
50
74
Alden B. Gooding
Lewis Centre, Ohio
90
1 33
George R. Bullock, Attleboro
and Abbie E. Slater, Rehoboth
650
9 62
Edmund H. Baker
Springfield
495
7 34
Edward F. Olney
Rehoboth
100
1 48
Heirs of Lyman Slade
Somerset
150
2 22
George D. Chace
Orono, Me.
3065
45 36
Poole Wood Lot, owner unkown
50
74
Fred Joy
Boston
150
2 22
Addie W. Moohers
New Bedford
100
1 48
James E. Macker
Barnstable
250
3 70
Electric Railway Tax.
FOR 1908.
The Old Colony Street Electric Railway Company excise tax for the road on the public highway for the year ending Sept. 30, 1908, at 24 per cent on gross receipts. $1291 13
30
ANNUAL REPORT.
Table of Aggregates.
May 1, 1908.
Valve of Personal Estate,
$206,226
Real Estate,
Buildings,
$551,942
Land,
285,500
837,442
Total Valuation,
$1,043,668
State Tax
$1,595 00
State Highway Tax
105 25
County Tax
1,405 07
Town Tax
13,814 19
Overlaying
405 23
$17,324 74
Deduct Corporation and Bank Tax
806 46
Tax
$16,518 28
Rate per cent on $1000
$14 80
Number of Polls
536
Number of Dwelling Houses
484
Horses
319
Cows
349
Neat Cattle other than Cows
78
Swine
19
Sheep
20
Fowls
2640
Residents on Property
499
Non-residents
112
Poll Taxes only
279
Acres of land
12,935
Amount of tax exempted to Soldiers and Sailors and Soldiers' widows of the war of the Rebellion under Act of the Legislature of 1906, Chap. 315, $389 24
GEORGE E. GOODING, Chairman of. Assessors of Dighton.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF
DIGHTON, MASS.,
For the Year 1908.
TAUNTON, MASS :. GORHAM, PRINTER, - WEIR STREET. 1909.
2
ANNUAL REPORT.
School Committee.
TERM EXPIRES
Ernest J. Bartlett,
Dighton,
1911
Josiah S. Place,
Dighton,
1911
Samuel N. Codding,
No. Dighton,
1910
George H. Walker,
Dighton,
1910
E. Ellsworth Lincoln,
No. Dighton, 1909
Andrew W. Turner,
Dighton, 1909
ORGANIZATION.
E. Ellsworth Lincoln, Chairman. Andrew W. Turner, Secretary.
COMMITTEES.
Books and Supplies-Bartlett, Walker.
District Supervision-Turner, Codding, Lincoln. Drawing and Music-Lincoln, Turner, Walker. Fuel-Lincoln, Place.
Repairs-Codding, Place, Walker.
Teachers-Lincoln, Turner.
Text Books-Lincoln, Turner.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
John C. Davis, Dighton, Mass.
TRUANT OFFICERS. Josiah S. Place, So. Dighton. William T. Place, No. Dighton.
3
ANNUAL REPORT.
School Calendar.
Winter term, 10 weeks, Mon. Jan. 4, '09 to Fri. Mar. 12, '09 Spring 11
Mar. 22, " " " June 4, “ Fall 15 66 Tues. Sept. 7, " " Dec. 17, " Winter 10 66 · Mon. Jan. 3, '10 " " Mar. 11, '10 Spring 11 66 " Mar. 21, " " " June 3, "
HOLIDAYS.
Washington's Birthday, Patriots' Day, Decoration Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day following.
MEETINGS OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
The Regular monthly meeting of the school committee is held on the Friday preceding the first Saturday in each month.
1
ANNUAL REPORT.
Report of School Committee.
To the citizens of Dighton :--
It is with pleasure that the school committee present to you the annual report.
The past year we have had a change of superintendents, and a number of new teachers, but we feel assured that under their direction the standard of school work has been well maintained.
For what is being done, and what is hoped for in the future we refer you to the full report of our superintendent.
The committee respectfully requests the appropriation of $8,000.00 for 1909 to be expended about as follows :-
Teachers
$3,200 00
Books and Supplies
500 00
Repairs and Incidentals
400 00
Fuel and Janitors
800 00
High School Tuition
2,000 00
High School Transportation
300 00
Supervision
250 00
Music and Drawing
500 00
Medical Inspection
50 00
Total,
$8,000 00
It is also recommended that $200.00 be appropriated for shingling school houses and repairing the foundation to the Broad Cove school house.
Respectfully submitted for the committee,
E. E. LINCOLN, Chairman. A. W. TURNER, Secretary.
5
ANNUAL REPORT.
Financial Statement.
RECEIPTS.
Total balances unexpended Dec. 31, 1907 $1,367 43 Total appropriations for school purposes 7,300 00 Share in income Mass. School Fund 1,229 99
From the state for teachers' salaries 175 00
From the state for district supervision 262 50
From the state for tuition of state wards 54 50
Bristol County Dog Fund 185 37
Total receipts, $10,574 79
EXPENDITURES.
Teachers
$4,868 80
Janitors and fuel
931 80
Repairs and incidentals
660 99
Painting of school houses
155 30
Books and supplies
541 83
High school transportation
465 00
High school tuition
1,556 00
Music and drawing
448 49
Supervision
525 00
Medical inspection
39 75
Total expenditures $10,192 96
Total balances unexpended Dec. 31, 1908, $381 83
6
ANNUAL REPORT.
Superintendent's Report.
To the School Committee of Dighton :
In accordance with the custom of my predecessors, I am presenting at this time the annual report of the superintendent of schools. As my work covers a period of but four months my report naturally cannot deal with conditions for a full year, except in the matter of statistics. I have endeavored in this time by a careful inspection of your schools to become as familiar as possible with local conditions and needs and will endeavor in this report to call your attention to a few of what I consider the most important matters in connection with the administration of the school system.
The schools of Dighton, as a whole, compare favorably in my opinion with the schools of other towns of the same size, the money furnished by the taxpayers is being enconomically and carefully expended, the teachers are earnest and faithful and excellent opportunities are being offered the children of the town to secure both an elementary and high school edu- cation. But we must not overlook the fact that an important advancement in educational work is being made throughout the whole state and that it is our duty to see that our schools keep pace with all true progress, as far as the means at our command will allow.
7
ANNUAL REPORT.
ENROLLMENT.
The average membership in all the schools for the year ending in June 1906 was 309; June 1907, 314 ; and June 1908, 325. These figures show an increase of but sixteen in two years and one would naturally draw the conclusion that our present school facilities are ample ; but the number of pupils in the outside schools is decreasing while the number in the North and South schools is rapidly increasing, noticeably in the North Primary and in all the rooms in the South school. If this tendency continues it will soon necessitate a readjust- ment of school forces, with possibly an addition to the South school.
ATTENDANCE AND TARDINESS.
The percentage of attendance for the year ending in June 1906 was 93.4; June 1907, 92.3; and in June 1908, 91.2. The average number of tardinesses for the same three years has been as follows: 1906, 2.7; 1907, 3.7; 1908, 3.8. Although these are not particularly low percentages, I think the local conditions are such that the decrease in percentage of attend- ance and increase in tardiness are not necessary. The attend- ance laws are adequate and we should secure better results. It will be my constant aim by a close oversight in this matter to secure more favorable results in the future.
AGE AND SCHOOLING CERTIFICATES.
During the calendar year eight certificates have been given to children between the ages of fourteen and sixteen who have completed not less than the work of the third grade. As some parents do not seem to know what is required to secure a certificate, perhaps it would be well to here state that the law does not allow certificates to be granted except under the following conditions :
8
ANNUAL REPORT.
(1) The child must have reached his fourteenth birthday and be able to read and write sufficiently to take up the work of the fourth grade.
(2) An employment ticket must be presented properly filled out by the person or firm intending to employ the child. Blanks will be furnished by the superintendent of schools.
(3) A certificate showing the child to be fourteen must be secured from the records of the city or town in which he was born, or from the records of the church in which he was baptized.
(4) The child and the parent or guardian both must ap- pear before the one granting the certificate, the child to be examined and measured and the parent or guardian to take oath to the facts stated in the certificate.
REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS.
Besides the ordinary repairs that are made of necessity on all school buildings each year, during the past year the Brick, Broad Cove, Fish, Flat Rock, Segreganset and Williams school houses have been overhauled, painted and repaired ; the improved appearance of these buildings is a source of gratification to us all. As we all know, when work of this kind is undertaken, there are many repairs that must be done which could not possibly have been foreseen. The repair account has consequently been slightly overdrawn but it was the part of true economy to make these repairs this year rather than wait until some time in the future when the ex- pense would be materially greater. New blackboards have been put into the Broad Cove, Flat Rock and Williams schools. They were much needed and will give an opportunity for better school work.
9
ANNUAL REPORT.
In my opinion the greatest need in all the buildings at the present time is that of new seats for the school children. When we compel the attendance of children at school for five and one-half hours each day, it is our duty to make the con- ditions under which they do their school work as favorable as possible. Many of the cases of round shoulders, crooked spines and defective eyesight are undoubtedly due to unsuit- able seats and desks. It is unfortunate that Dighton has not one modern desk in any of its schoolhouses or one capable of any adjustment whatever. We are behind the other towns in this respect and I do not see how this matter can longer be delayed. Every schoolhouse in town should be reseated. If it cannot be done at one time, at least a part can be done each year; but I doubt if there is a parent in town who would con- sent to have the school where his own child attends the last one on the list to be reseated. Investigations have clearly shown that there is a close relation between certain physical deformities and wrong habits of sitting occasioned by seats of an improper nature. The attention of your Committee and the citizens of the town is respectfully called to this im- portant matter.
HEALTH OF SCHOOL CHILDREN.
Since the last report the law limiting the amount paid for medical inspection to the amount specially appointed for this purpose in town meeting has been repealed. The law still requires medical inspection but allows the committee to fix the amount to be paid for the same from the regular school funds.
The agreement entered into between the committee and Dr. Joseph B. Sayles, medical inspector, provides for a yearly inspection in accordance with the statute, a brief inspection of the school children and buildings once each term, and an
10
ANNUAL REPORT.
inspection of any cases specially referred to him. By this arrangement we have been enabled to have many special cases investigated without extra expense to the town and I think the arrangement is well worth continuing.
The following cases have been reported by the medical inspector.
*Ring Worm, 3. *Uncleanliness, 5.
*Head Lice, 28. *Feeble Minded, 1. Weak Heart, 4. Adenoids, 36.
Anaemia, 7. Chronic Enlarged Tonsils, 8. Scrofula and Enlarged Glands, 3.
Scrofula, 3. Spinal Curvature, 1. Paralysis Vocal Cords, 1. Weak Lungs, 1. Suppurating Ear, 1. Skin Disease, 1.
In all cases a notice has been sent to the parent or guardian recommending medical attention and those marked with a star have been excluded from school in accordance with law until the condition was remedied.
The medical inspector recommends that the school houses be thoroughly cleaned and fumigated once during the winter months when contagious diseases are most prevalent.
We have been annoyed by a large number of cases of Pediculosis or Head Lice. These have been promptly exclu- ded until the heads were clean. I am glad to say that most parents seem very glad to co-operate with the teachers in this matter, and we have met with determined resistance in but
11
ANNUAL REPORT.
one case. It is not just to compel pupils to attend school where head lice are common and expose them to contagion of this sort. I would recommend a strict enforcement of the law in regard to this matrer.
I wish to especially recommend individual drinking cups and a closed tank instead of the open water pail. The day of the common dipper should be past. It is a menace to health. We have a very few covered pails already and children are permitted to bring their own cups. I think we should go farther than this by furnishing individual cups and closed tanks with faucets, and require the tanks to be frequently cleaned with boiling water.
The medical examination of the children is a matter of great importance to parents. It calls their attention to weak- nesses and diseases in their early stages while there is a chance for recovery. The greatest good cannot result, however, without the most hearty co-operation between parents and schools in this matter; for it is in the home that disease and weakness must be conquered.
The following statement as to the "Character and Degree of Medical Inspection" is printed at the suggestion of the State Board of Education.
"From what has been said it will be clear that the fundamental principle of section 13 of the new act is the medical examination and supervision not only of children known, or suspected, to be weakly or ailing, but of all children in the elementary schools, with a view to adapting and modifying the system of education to the needs and capacities of the child, securing the early detection of unsuspected defects, checking incipient maladies at their onset, and furnishing the facts which will guide education authorities in relation to physical and mental development during school life. It is evident that-although this work involves (a) medical inspection of school children at regular intervals, (b) the oversight of the sanitation of the school buildings, and (c) the prevention,
12
ANNUAL REPORT.
as far as may be, of the spread of infectious and contagious diseases, including skin diseases -- action in these three directions will be incomplete unless (d) the personal and home life of the child are also brought under systematic supervision. The home is the point at which health must be controlled ultimately.
The character and degree of medical inspection will depend on the standpoint from which the subject is viewed, the difficulty being of course to attain a due sense of proportion and uniformity, particularly as to fundamental points. Valuable to science though the findings of a more thorough and elaborate medical examination might be, it is the broad, simple necessities of a healthy life which must be kept in view. It cannot be doubted that a large proportion of the common diseases and physical unfitness in this country can be substantially diminished by effective public health administration, combined with the teaching of hygiene, and a realization by teachers, parents and children of its vital importance. The spread of communicable disease must be checked ; children's heads and bodies must be kept clean ; the commoner and more obvious physical defects, at least, must be relieved, remedied or prevented ; schoolrooms must be maintained in cleanly condition, and they must be properly lighted, well ventilated, and not overcrowded; the training of the mental faculties must not be divorced from physical culture and personal hygiene. It is these primary requirements which must first receive attention."
The following is the record of the sight and hearing tests conducted by the teachers in accordance with the statute. The notices sent to parents have resulted in several children being taken to specialists for treatment while without the tests the cases might not have been discovered for some time. It also enables the teacher to seat her children and plan the blackboard work with due regard to these defects, thereby increasing the opportunity of the child, though handicapped, to keep up with those of his grade.
13
ANNUAL REPORT.
TESTS OF SIGHT AND HEARING.
North Grammar
North Intermediate
North Primary
South Grammar
South Intermediate
South Primary
Brick
Broad Cove
Flat Rock
Fish
Segreganset
Williams
Total
Total last Year
Number tested Defective eyesight Defective hearing Parents notified
22
22
40
38,39
41
14
31
16
14
17
21 4
315 81
301
4
4
10
7
S
9
10
14
2
3 4
0
11
26
38
3
1
8
0 5
1 6
2
1
7
0 00
2
3
6
44
45
DRAWING AND MUSIC.
The work in these departments has been satisfactorily carried on under the able direction of Miss Taylor and Miss Cook. Those who visit the schools cannot help noticing the interest and enthusiasm shown by the pupils in this work. Besides the direct knowledge gained it inspires better work in all lines. For a detailed account I would refer you to the special reports by the supervisors of these subjects.
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