USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Dighton > Town annual report of the offices of the town of Dighton 1913 > Part 5
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To the School Committee of Dighton:
I have the honor of presenting to you my third annual report of the schools of Dighton. It contains the usual statistics and comments upon the school work together with suggestions for making the system as effective as possible under existing conditions. It is also a source of information to others who desire to be informed regarding the progress of the school department.
The months of another year have been filled with earn- est effort. The teachers are a body of faithful earnest workers each of whom has striven to do her best. The young people that have been graduated from the gram- mar schools, for the larger part, are attending high schools and doing commendable work. Nineteen of these boys and girls completed the grades last June. All effort made by teachers and others to give them the best we had to offer is not regretted. What some of us failed to receive in our youth should be an incentive to do more for those under our care. In so doing we are not providing so much for the present as guarding the future. The long illness of the faithful teacher at Flat Rock and the loss of time and instruction to the pupils is a source of regret. Most of the school time has been made up and an earnest effort is being put forth to repair the loss as completely as possi- ble. In this connection it may be fitting to say that the
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ANNUAL REPORT
number of children in town between 5 and 15 years of age is 440; an increase of 107 in five years. We have reason to think this increase will continue for several years. Should our inference be correct larger schools will result, and increased facilities made necessary. Last fall it was thought best to raise the age of entrance to six years, be- cause of lack of school room at the south building. Later the vote was rescinded except as it related to Broad Cove and the building mentioned. Although the act is re- gretable yet it appeared to be unavoidable.
After July 1, 1914 all teachers in this state who have taught thirty years, not less than fifteen of which were in this commonwealth, and are over sixty years of age may retire. Those over seventy years old must retire. All teachers in service after Sept. 1st. must contribute five percent of their annual salary to the retirement fund. No teacher can contribute less than $35 nor more than $100 per year. By necessity, a yearly contribution of this amount cannot fail of being felt by those who are al- ready not receiving a large wage. This law is not permis- sive but compulsory. It is not even left with the teacher to send the percentage to the state treasurers, but is in- cumbent upon the town treasurer to perform that duty, after having deducted from the teachers' pay roll the re- quired amount. For years pensions have been granted to men and women who have served in various capacities in civil and military life. Only very recently has any an- nuity been granted to those who have been the servants of all, namely teachers. Whatever personal opinion we may entertain respecting pensions in general, most people will concede that no class is more deserving of such rec- ognition than the faithful teacher. In addition to the thirty years of service required, there must be added the initial expense of preparation that reaches into the thou-
1
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ANNUAL REPORT
sands of dollars in many cases, also the four, six, eight, or more years of time give before the date of service begins. No other class of public servants are required to expend such an amount of initial capital, time and money, before entering upon their duties. The long years of service are not only nerve racking but give less time and opportunity for advancement and are expensive beyond most profes- sions. Viewed from all sides in a candid and straight for- ward manner it would appear that the general wage of most of the teachers must be raised.
Because of the newness of the Child Labor Law and the impression in some quarters that it is unjust, a word in re- gard to its development may not be ill timed. The law is the product of years of thought and work by those inter- ested in child welfare. The case has been studied sub- jectively and objectively by men and women in close touch with every side of the problem. It is an accepted fact that for the good of future citizenship children should be prohibited from working unreasonable hours and under improper conditions. No child should be allowed to work ten hours a day, steadily, under any surroundings. In- vestigation has repeatedly shown cases where the child worked ten hours daily and the father who belonged to a union worked eight hours, or less. The impression that the employment age has been raised to sixteen years is wrong. Only in a few dangerous occupations is the child prohibited from employment under that age. Further- more the welfare of the child is conserved by securing to him four full grades of school advantages and not less than one hundred and thirty days of attendance after reaching thirteen years of age. Again it is impossible for any par- ent to get a certificate by merely making oath to the child's age. An elastic conscience is of no avail in pushing him into the mill. Undoubted proof in writing must be fur- nished the superintendent or no certificate is obtainable;
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ANNUAL REPORT
and there is a prescribed order in which evidence must be accepted. The form of the certificate is less complicated, easier to fill out, easier to keep on file, and less trouble- some to obtain. The law, as a whole, is a decided im- provement on all former enactments of that character.
Attention is called to a paragraph entitled, "Number of Pupils of Different Nationalities Attending School." A study of this list may throw some light on non atten- dance.
It is a pleasure to express appreciation of the cordial relations that have existed between members of the school committee, superintendent, and teachers. This spirit is very essential in maintaining high standards and securing advancement.
Respectfully submitted,
MORTIMER H. BOWMAN, Superintendent of Schools.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Report of School Physician
To the School Committee of the Town of Dighton, Mass.
I have examined all pupils in the schools of Dighton and find conditions satisfactory. Suggestions made to improve the general health of the school have been carried out by teachers and pupils. Therefore much progress has been made toward establishing prevention of diseases. Outhouses in good condition.
The following list of diseases were given attention and parents notified.
Respectfully submitted,
J. L. SANBORN, M. D.
Dighton, Mass.
Enlarged Tonsils,
8
Post Nasal Catarrh, 4
Head Lice,
2
Adenoids, 1
Nits,
13
Deafness, 1
Dandruff, 6
Disease of Eyelids,
3
Gastric Catarrh,
1
Habitual Headaches, 1
Sore Mouth, 1
Sore Throat, 2
Mental Debility,
1
Worms,
1
Anemia,
5
Tongue-tie
1
Scabby Head,
1
Suspicious cases investigated at Flat Rock, (Fumigated).
" South Intermediate.
. :
“ Segregansett.
" North Intermediate.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Report of Supervisor of Drawing
Mr. H. M. Bowman,
DIGHTON, MASS.
Dear Sir ;- The drawing course for the schools this year remains about the same as last year. The teachers and pupils show great interest in the work and are doing all that can be expected in the limited amount of time.
Good work is being done throughout the grammar grades in object drawing, which is really the most im- portant work of the year. Object drawing requires ac- curacy, not only in the representation of the size and shape of the object, but also in the technique of the lines. One can always make a representation of a nature spray, which will make a pretty drawing whether it is absolutely correct or not, but an object drawing is either right or wrong. Therefore this work is important in training the eye to observe and reproduce shapes in their correct proportions and in training the hand to become skillful in rendering neat and accurate work.
The principle work in drawing in the first four grades is illustrative drawing, or the picturing of boys and girls, (and men and women) at work and at play. When chil- dren first begin to make pictures at home, they invariably draw people and animals. The figure drawing is the carrying out of these first ideas. It is the telling of stories in pictures, using subjects which are interesting to them and which are connected with their home and play life. It stimulates the imagination and causes the children to observe things about them.
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ANNUAL REPORT
During the month of December, problems in construc- tion were worked out in all grades. The primary grades made various boxes, cornucopias, etc., from paper and decorated them with simple designs, suitable for Christ- mas. The upper grades made landscape calendars, post- card album linen bags and doilies with stencilled designs which were carried out by the pupils. The manual work, as well as the object drawing is valuable in helping to pro- duce neatness and accuracy, and gives to the pupils some knowledge of construction.
A knowledge of drawing in its various branches, is use- ful to every one, no matter what work, trade or profession, is undertaken. It also helps people to appreciate the beautiful and to desire beautiful surroundings, both in and outside the home.
In closing, I wish to thank the Superintendent and teachers for their co-operation with me during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
Jan. 24, 1914.
MARJORIE BROWNELL.
11
ANNUAL REPORT.
Report of Supervisor of Music.
To M. H. Bowman, Superintendent of Schools,
Music should have an important place in the school curriculum, as it exercises great influence upon the mental and emotional development of the child.
In training the children in musical theory and voice culture, comprising breathing exercises and vocalizes, we have endeavored to give them the fundamentals of music. In addition to the above work, our course of study has included oral and written drill of subject matter, dicta- tion, two-part music in the intermediate, three-part in the grammar, and rote songs in the primary grades. Great stress has also been laid upon soft singing and musical interpretation.
Since the Second Reader has offered inadequate prep- aration in its scope for the three-part songs of the gram- mar grades, we have replaced it with the Third Reader, and then have given the Second Reader to those having Reader I.
In the rural schools, the same kind of work has been done, but we feel that better results might be obtained if, in some cases, we could have a more advanced book, thus arousing the interest of some of the children.
Whatever success we have achieved during the past year has been made possible by the careful work of the teachers, so to them my thanks are especially due.
VIOLET T. PETERSON,
Supervisor of Music.
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ANNUAL REPORT®
Report of Truant Officer
To the School Committee of Dighton, Mass.,
Gentlemen-I herewith submit my report for the period of nine months ending Dec. 31, 1913. I have investiga- ted fifty-five cases and in nearly all, found a willingness to comply with the law. The new law that went into effect last September occasioned some misunderstanding, and in part, explains the unusually large number of cases.
I am pleased to say that parents are becoming more impressed with the importance of their children attending school regularly.
I wish to extend my thanks to all who have co-operated with me in the performance of my duty.
Respectfully submitted,
HOWARD C. BRIGGS,
Attendance Officer.
TABLE A. ATTENDANCE STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR 1913
SCHOOLS
No. of Boys
No. of Girls
Total
Under 5 Years Enrolment
Enrolment
5 to 15 Years
Enrolment
Over 15 Years
Enrolment
7 to 14 Years
Membership
Membership Average
Average
Attendance
Per cent of
Attendance
Number of Days
Absences
Number of
Tardiness
Number of
Dismissals
Number of Visitors
No. Grammar. . . ..
15
18
33
0
33
0
30
33
31.6
29.7
94
286
23
53
51
No. Intermediate. .
19
24
43
0
43
0
43
43
39.4
36.9
93.7
365
00
40
65
No. Primary.
29
16
45
0
45
0
13
45
40
36.1
90.3
632
CO
40
63
So. Grammar .
21
14
35
0
29
6
24
35
31.3
30.4
97.1
106
7
7
105
So. Intermediate . .
ão
12
25
0
25
0
22
25
23
21.4
93
263
148
64
66
So. Primary A.
17
12
29
0
29
0
29
29
25.6
24.5
95.7
116
67
31
73
So. Primary B
31
23
54
0
54
0
31
54
46.1
43.7
94.8
385
61
30
115
Brick.
18
10
OC
0
28
0
23
28
22.3
21
94.2
181
14
oi
120
Broad Cove.
27
23
50
0
50
0
35
50
41.4
38.4
92.8
534
128
6
47
Fish.
10
7
17
0
17
0
14
17
16.8
15.4
91.7
246
112
7
26
Flat Rock.
12
15
27
0
27
0
22
27
22.5
19.3
85.8
441
Ci
or
20
Segregansett
9
00
17
0
17
0
14
17
13.9
13.2
95
100
9
7
30
Williams.
12
10
22
0
22
0
13
22
19.7
17.2
87.3
419
447
0
26
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ANNUAL REPORT.
13
.
Total
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ANNUAL REPORT
TABLE B
SHOWING AGE AND ASSIGNMENT OF PUPILS BY GRADES
Schools.
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIIIIX
No. Grammar
12
13
13
14
No. Intermediate
8.7|
9.910.8
No. Primary
5 '6
So. Grammar
13
13
14
So. Intermediate
11
12.4
So. Primary A
9.310.7
So. Primary B
6.58
Brick
6
6.98.910.3 11.3
12.3
Broad Cove
6.67.58.8
9.911.2 11.3 13.6
Fish
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Flat Rock
7
9
9
11
11
12
13
Segregansett
7
8.58.3 11.510
12
11
Williams
6.56.37.910.810.4
12.8|13.4
14
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ANNUAL REPORT
TABLE C
SHOWING NUMBER AND ASSIGNMENT OF PUPILS BY GRADES
Schools.
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIIIIX
No. Grammar
12
11
8
1 5
No. Intermediate
18
17
6
No. Primary
30
16
So. Grammar
13
9
10
So. Intermediate
9
14
So. Primary A
17
13
So. Primary B
32
22
.
Brick
8
5
5
5
2
3
Broad Cove
17
9
7
10
5
3
1
Fish
1
3
3
4
1
3
1
2
Flat Rock
9
6
2
2
1
2
1
Segregansett
2
2
1
1
4
1
3
Williams
6
3
1
4
4
1
1
1
-
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ANNUAL REPORT
FINANCIAL REPORT
OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE For the year ending Dec. 31, 1913.
RECEIPTS.
Appropriation made at March meet-
ing, 1913,
$9,000 00
Income from Mass. School Fund, 1,220 05
Income from Dog License, 366 15
Allowance from State for Supt. salary, 500 00
Tuition of State Wards, 46 .00
$11,132 20
EXPENSES.
Salary of the Supt. of Schools, $639 96
Expenses of Supt. of Schools,
24 94
Salary of Truant Officer,
16 66
Pay Roll of Teachers,
6,078 60
Text Books,
189 57
Supplies,
303 06
Pay Roll of Janitors,
668 50
Fuel, 547 77
Repairs including Cleaning of Yards,
School-houses, and Use of Wells and Water, 358 75
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ANNUAL REPORT
Dr. Sanborn's Contract for Medical Service, 50 00
Transportation of Pupils, 583 15
Tuition of High School Pupils,
1,410 00
School Census,
25 00
Outlay for New Desks,
40 80
Unexpended Balance,
$10,936 76 $195 44
Cost of 38 Pupils at High School, $52 45 per Pupil
Cost of 425 " at Grade Schools,
21 04 "
Cost of Books and Supplies for 425 Pupils
96 4
66
18
ANNUAL REPORT.
HIGH SCHOOL PUPILS.
Taunton High School.
Oscar E. Beaulieu, Class of 1917.
Russell H. Phillips, Class of 1917.
Velzora Briggs, Class of 1917,
Harold H. Pierce, Class of 1917.
Ruth L. Butler, Class of 1917.
Charles L. Rose, Class of 1917.
Kenneth E. Chase, Class of 1917.
Frederick Rose, Class of 1917.
Dorothy P. Childs, Class of 1917.
Hazel N. Sherman, Class of 1917.
Bertha L. Cole, . Class of 1917.
Russell Wood, Class of 1917.
John F. Driscoll, Jr., Class of 1917.
Manuel Mendoza, Class of 1916.
Carl P. Gorden, Class of 1917.
Edith E. Staples, Class of 1916.
William Hamilton, Class of 1917.
John F. Williams, Class of 1916.
George R. Horton, Class of 1917.
Lyton L. Drinkwater, Class of 1915.
Hazel R. Lee, Class of 1917.
Ralph H. Lincoln, Class of 1915.
Warren Lincoln, Class of 1917.
Ruth P. Walker, Class of 1915.
Ethel L. Moon, Class of 1917.
Lincoln F. Dunlap, Class of 1914.
Madeline E Oliver, Class of 1917.
Palmer S. Marble, Class of 1914.
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ANNUAL REPORT.
Fall River High School.
Ruth Haskins, Class of 1914.
Dalton P. Crossman, Class of 1915.
Joseph R. Sanborn, Class of 1915.
J. Wesley Hampton, Class of 1916. Lester W. Simmons, Class of 1916.
Harry Adams, Class of 1917.
Burton Simmons, Class of 1915.
Elliot F. Walker, Class of 1915.
William T. Brightman, Jr. Class of 1917. Eliz L. Palmer, Class of 1917.
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ANNUAL REPORT
NUMBER OF PUPILS OF DIFFERENT NATIONAL- ITIES ATTENDING SCHOOL.
American,
114
Portuguese,
204
English,
35
French,
10
German,
3
Irish,
17
Swede,
3
Polander,
5
Scotch,
7
CHANGE OF TEACHERS.
Resignation
School
Appointment.
Myrtle Hughes
Flat Rock
Blanche C. Fortin
Bertha DeLaura
Fish
Alice L. Rounds
Anna I. Griffith
Brick
Sarah G. Cummings
Sarah G. Cummings
Segregansett
Katheryn Campbell
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