USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1901-1905 > Part 25
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150.00
2.40
152.40
9|Dec.
20, 1904| J. Warren Hayward
50.00|
.40
50.40
NORTH CEMETERY.
1| Jan.
12, 1903|Samuel Temple
50.00|
50.04
1.75
1.75
50.04
2 Jan.
12, 1903 Francis Hutchinson
50.00
50.29
1.75
1.50
50.54
3 Jan.
12, 1903 Henrietta Anderson
50.00
50.29
1.05
1.75
50.29
4 Aug.
11, 1904 Mary Hapgood
50.00
1.02
51.02
$5175.00 $4507.70 $177.11 $167.82 $5266.99
81
* Unexpended income.
¿ Paid to F. C. Hayward.
.
F. R.R.
2 March 23, 1900 Phineas Wetherbee
82
Librarian's 15th Annual Report
Accessions : Number of volumes in the library March 12, 1904, 8,530; number of volumes in the library March 11, 1905, 8,837 ; increase by purchase, 254; of which 44 were obtained by binding magazines; increase by gift, 53; total increase, 307.
Circulation : Number of days the library was open, 104; num- ber of volumes circulated, 6,026; daily average circulation, 58; largest daily circulation, 124, on Feb. 25; smallest daily circula- tion, 6 on Jan. 25, 1905.
Amount received from fines and catalogues, $20 95
Expended for postage, etc. , 70
$20 25
Gifts of books have been received from the following sources : U. S. Government 20, State of Massachusetts 27, City of Boston 1, James M. Barnard 1, J. H. Bridges 1, Hawaiian Society ], Walter Williams 1, M. G. Parker 1.
Periodicals in the reading room, 22, viz: Book Lovers Maga- zine, Century, Cosmopolitan, Country Life in America, Current Literature, Everybody's, Harper's Magazine, Harper's Weekly, Independent, Leslie's, McClure's, Munsey's, National, New England, Review of Reviews, Scientific American, Scribner's, St. Nicholas, Success, World's Work, World of Today, Youth's Companion.
A. F. DAVIS,
Librarian.
68TH ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
OF THE
TOWN OF ACTON
Massachusetts
FOR THE YEAR 1904 -- 1905
RAT
INC
1735.
.
ACTON.
NEWS PUBLISHING COMPANY, PRINTERS
HUDSON, MASS
1905
85
School Calendar
SPRING TERM, 1905.
High School.
Term begins March 27th. Closes June 23d.
Common Schools.
Term begins March 27th. Closes June 16th.
YEAR 1905-1906.
High School, 40 weeks.
Fall term begins Sept. 5th. Closes Nov. 29th.
* Winter term begins Dec. 4th. Closes March 16th.
Spring term begins March 26th. Closes June 22d. Common Schools, 38 weeks.
Fall term begins Sept. 5th. Closes Nov. 24th.
Winter term begins Dec. 4th. Closes March 16th.
Spring term begins March 26th. Closes June 15th. * Recess of one week-December 24th to 30th.
86
School Committee, 1904 -- 1905
Chas. J. Williams, Chairman
Term expires 1905.
Horace F. Tuttle, Secretary,
Frank R. Knowlton,
Term expires 1906. Term expires 1907.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
Residence, Littleton, Mass. Herbert E. Richardson,
TRUANT OFFICERS.
James Kinsley, Moses A. Reed, George C. Turner.
STANDING RULES.
*Rule 1. Children under five years of age shall not be admitted to the public schools.
Rule 2. Puplis shall be promoted from grade to grade and school to school, according to merit. Thorough and satisfactory work will be required of pupils in a lower grade or school before entering a higher grade or school.
Rule 3. Children who have not previously attended any school shall be admitted to the public schools only at the beginning of the fall term.
Rule 4. Pupils will be held responsible for books loaned to them until such books shall have been returned to the teacher.
Rule 5. No repairs shall be made upon the public property in the care of the school committee except by their authorized agents.
*When the birthday of a child falls on or before the 15th day of the month it is reckoned as falling upon the first day of that month.
87
Extracts from the Statutes .- Revised Laws.
Chapter 43.
Section 11. The several school teachers shall faithfully keep the registers of attendance daily, and make due return thereof to the school committee, or to such person as the committee may designate. No teacher of a public school shall receive payment for services for the two weeks preceding the close of any term, until the register, properly filled up and completed, is so returned. All registers shall be kept at the schools, and at all times during school hours shall be open to the inspection of the school committee, the superintendent of schools, the truant officers and the secretary and agent of the board of education. In reckoning the average mem- bership and the percentage of attendance in the schools, no pupil's name shall be omitted in counting the number of persons belonging to the school and the number of absences of such persons until it is known that such pupil has withdrawn from the school without inten- tion of returning or, in the absence of such knowledge, until ten consecutive days of absence have been recorded; but the foregoing provision for computing the average membership and the percent- age of attendance shall not affect proceedings against habitual truants, absentees or school offenders, or other persons, under the provisions of section one of chapter forty-four and sections three, four and five of chapter forty-six. A pupil who is not present dur- ing at least half of a session shall be marked and counted as ab- sent for that session.
Chapter 44.
Section 1. Every child between seven and fourteen years of age shall attend some public day school in the city or town in which he resides during the entire time the public day schools are in session, subject to such exception as to children, places of
88
attendance and schools as are provided for in section three of chapter forty-two and sections three, five and six of this chapter. The superintendent of schools or, if there is no superintendent of schools, the school committee, or teachers acting under authority of said superintendent or committee, may excuse cases of neces- sary absence. The attendance of a child upon a public day school shall not be required if he has attended for a like period of time a private day school approved by the school committee of such city or town in accordance with the provisions of the following section, or if he has been otherwise instructed for a like period of time in the branches of learning required by law to be taught in the public schools, or if he has already acquired such branches of learning, or if his physical or mental condition is such as to render such attendance inexpedient or impracticable. Every per- son having under his control a child as described in this section shall cause him to attend school as herein required; and if he fails for five day sessions or ten half day sessions within any period of six months while under such control to cause such child, whose physical or mental condition is not such as to render his atten- dance at school harmful or impracticable, so to attend school, he shall, upon complaint of a truant officer and conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not more than twenty dollars. Whoever in- duces or attempts to induce a child to absent himself unlawfully from school, or employs or harbors a child who, while school is in session, is absent unlawfully from school shall be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars.
Section 6. A child who has not been vaccinated shall not be admitted to a public school except upon presentation of a certificate signed by a regular practising physician that he is not a fit sub- ject for vaccination. A child who is a member of a household in which a person is ill with smallpox, diphtheria, scarlet fever or measles, or of a household exposed to such contagion from another household as aforesaid, shall not attend any public school during such iliness or until the teacher of the school has been furnished with a certificate from the board of health of the city or town, or from the attending physician of such person, stating that, in a case of smallpox, diphtheria or scarlet fever at least two weeks,
89
and in a case of measles, at least three days, have elapsed since the recovery, removal or death of such person, and that danger of conveying such disease by such child has passed.
Chapter 46.
Section 3. Any child between seven and fourteen years of age who wilfully and habilually absents himself from school contrary to the provisions of section one of chapter forty-four shall be deemed to be an habitual truant, and, upon complaint of a truant officer and conviction thereof, may, if a boy, be committed to a county truant school for not more than two years and, if a girl, to the state industrial school for girls, unless such child is placed on probation as provided in section seven of this chapter.
Section 4. A child between seven and sixteen years of age who may be found wandering about in the streets or public places of any city or town, having no lawful occupation, habitually not attending school, and growing up in idleness and ignorance, shall be deemed an habitual absentee, and, upon complaint by a truant officer or any other person and conviction thereof may, if a boy, be commit- ted to a county truant school for not more than two years or to the Lyman school for boys, and, if a girl, to the state industrial school for girls, unless such child is placed on probation as provid- ed in section seven.
Section 5. A child under fourteen years of age who persist- ently violates the reasonable regulations of the school which he attends, or otherwise persistently misbehaves therein, so as to render himself a fit subject for expulsion therefrom, shall be deemed to be an habitual school offender, and, upon complaint by a truant officer and conviction thereof, may, if a boy, be committed to a county truant school for not more than two years or to the Lyman school for boys, and, if a girl, to the state industrial school for girls, unless such child is placed on probation as provided in section seven.
Section 13. Truant officers shall inquire into all cases arising under the provisions of sections one and six of chapter forty-four
90
and sections three, four and five of this chapter, and may make complaints and serve legal processes issued under the provisions of this chapter. They shall have the oversight of children placed on probation under the provisions of section seven. A truant officer may apprehend and take to school, without a warrant, any truant or absentee found wandering about in the streets or public places thereof.
Chapter 106.
Section 28. No child under the age of fourteen years shall be employed in any factory, workshop or mercantile establishment. No such child shall be employed at work performed for wages or other compensation, to whomsoever payable, during the hours when the public schools of the city or town in which he resides are in session, nor be employed at work before six o'clock in the morning or after seven o'clock in the evening.
91
Births Registered in 1900.
| No.
DATE
NAME OF CHILD
NAMES OF PARENTS
1 Jan.
5 Daniel Christopher Coggin
Edward and Ellen Mahoney)
2 Jan.
21 John William Brodeur 8 Louise Mary Tobin
3 Feb.
4 Feb. 17 Annie Elizabeth McCarthy
5 March
1 Laura May Stone
6 April
16 Joseph Wilbur Brown
7 April
18 Marie Althea Davis
8 April
23 Elizabeth Ilene Hurley
9 June
7 Lillie Regenia Brazier
10 June
9 Edith Rose Lawrey
George Francis and Ellen A. Sullivan)
11 July
14 Annie Mary Foley 20 Laura Heath
Patrick J. and Johanna (Conway) Charles B. and Mary . Cahill
13 July
22 Harry Johannes Phillipson
14 July
31 Wallace Edward Carey 6 Elsie Margaret Gough
16 August
7 Willard James Ingham 12 Miriam Allen Barker 20 Roland Fletcher Willis 22 Harold Ralph Searles 25 Ellis Edgar Hayward
Sanford S. and Annie H. Hayward) William B. and Margaret Leary)
20 August
21 Sept 13 Edwin Henry Christafferson
22 Sept.
14 Dorothy Elizabeth Tuttle
23 Sept.
22 Grace Altha Gilmore
24 Sept.
24 Myrtle Ida Abbott
25 Oct.
5 Douglas Burns Wilson
7 Charles Alfred Morse
26 Oct. 27 Oct. 16 Francis William Hopps
28 Oct.
18 Ernest Fuller Brewster
29 Oct.
27 Richard Archibald Schnair 6 Edna May Tuttle
30 Nov. 31 Nov. 32 Dec.
11 Abbie Elizabeth Coughlin
33 Dec.
9 Henry Ross
34 Dec.
21 Gladys Alberta Wood
Albert L. and Agnes J. (Butler)
35 Dec.
21 Alice Winifred Byron
36 Dec.
31 Richard Morse Davis
James F. and Bridget E. (Delaney) Rich M. and Lena Maud (Morse)
Charles E. and Annie L. Woodward) Michael and Mary (Quinlan) John and Ellen L. Tuohey) Peter G. and Rose Mary McGuire) Joseph R. and Lottie I. Lehy)
Francis S. and Lucy Emily Noyes) James and Bridget Neyland Andrew B and Mary N. Lucier;
12 July
15 August
Anton and Caroline S. (Peterson ) Edward H. and Ina S. Bryant John E. and Margaret |Dillon) Jeremiah R. and Mary Ella (Sibley) George A. and Leah R. Allen) Herbert E. and Evelyn B. Fletcher)
17 August
18 August
19 August
Anders and Annie (Anderson) Roswell L. and Annie B. (Simpson) Almon H. and Mabel G. (Dufresne) Edward A. and Ellen J. (Weaver) James A. and Mary E. (McLoughlin) Alfred J. and Georgena J. Beach) John L. and Elizabeth LaClaire) Cecil E. and Alice A. Fuller) Charles H. and Leah (Squires) Frank H. and Bessie May (Harris William C. and Annie J. Brannan) Frank B. and Dora Jane (Welch) Samuel and Annie Zeruka)
7 Francis Earle Farrar
92
68th Annual Report of the School Committee
To the Citizens of Acton.
We are again able to report your schools to be in a very ex- cellent condition. The unfortunate location of the South Grammar school is, however, a very serious handicap upon that school. The draft upon the physical and mental resources of both teacher and pupils in the effort to attain the required degrees of proficiency is far beyond that necessitated in the other schools in the town of equal grade. We hope, even against hope, that the town will presently adopt measures that will relieve the situation at South Acton.
Since the entry of the town, in 1892, into the system of district superintendency of schools, your schools have shown a measurable and steady progress from year to year in methods, in efficiency of the teaching corps, in discipline and in all things that go towards the making of good schools as that term is understood in Massa- chusetts in 1905. The following statement, taken from the report of the State Board of Education for the year 1902-1903, is of in- terest :
The average taxation cost of the public schools for support for each child between the ages of five and fifteen years for the year 1902-1903 was : In the state, $23.36 ; in Acton, $24.90.
The average taxation cost of the public schools for support for each child in the average membership of the public schools for the year 1902.1903 was: In the state, $27.30; in Acton, $27.02.
The average cost per pupil for text books and supplies based upon
93
the average membership of the schools for the year 1902-1903 was: In the state, $1.58; in Acton, $1.66.
The figures for the state for children between the ages of five and fifteen years cover all those children who are members of parochial and private schools.
Practically all the children in Acton between the ages of five and fifteen years are members of the public schools.
Many of the schools are greatly in need of a piano. The high school has a piano, the gift of the pupils of that school; the Center grammar school has one, the gift of Dr. Arthur Cowdrey of Stone- ham, and the South grammar school has the use of one, through the courtesy of the Royal Arcanum, who have joint use of the hall in which this school is quartered. We regret to say that none of the West schools have a piano, and we suggest to any one of our fellow citizens who fears the disgrace of dying rich, that, especially, by the gift of a piano to some one of the West schools and, generally, by similar gifts to other schools, if he shall be so inclined, he may, to the extent of his generosity, escape that un- happy fate.
The report of the superintendent of schools, included herein, is especially commended to your attention. The sum of $375.00 has been received from the state on account of salary of superintendent of schools for the year ending Sept. 1st, 1904.
The report of the purchasing agent and of the truant officer are appended.
94
Receipts and Expenditures on Accounts of Schools for the Fiscal Year 1904-1905.
RECEIPTS.
Appropriation for :
Common schools,
$3,800 00
High school,
1,800 00
School supplies,
525 00
Transportation of pupils,
1,360 00
Salary of supt. of schools,
480 00
Received from :
Mass. School fund,
986 48
Dog licenses,
277 02
Tuition fees,
32 00
$9,260 50
EXPENDITURES.
For common schools,
$4,812 90
High school,
1,869 73
School supplies,
563 21
Transportation of pupils,
1,339 50
Salary of Supt. of Schools,
480 00
$9,065 34
Unexpended balance,
$195 16
Estimate for the Support of Schools for the Year 1905-1906.
For common schools,
$3,800 00
High school,
1,800 00
School supplies,
525 00
Transportation of pupils,
1,360 00
Salary of superintendent of schools,
480 00
$7,965 00
The School Committee of Acton, By
CHAS. J. WILLIAMS,
Chairman.
95
Report of the Superintendent of Schools.
March 11, 1905.
Gentlemen of the School Committee:
This my fifth annual report is hereby submitted to you and through you to the citizens of Acton for the year ending March 1, 1905.
Below are given the school census of September, 1904, and a summary of statistics from September, 1904, to March 1, 1905. At the end of this report will be found tabulated statisitcs from Septem- ber, 1903, to March, 1905.
Number of persons in town between 7 and 14 years: Boys, 114; girls, 120;
Total 234
Number of persons in town between 5 and 15 years: Boys, 155; girls, 178; Total 333
Number of illiterate minors over 14 years: Boys, 0; girls, 1; Total 1
Number enrolled in all the schools:
339
Number of pupils between 7 and 14 years:
228
Number of pupils between 5 and 15 years:
296
Number of pupils over 15 years
43
Average membership
301
Average attendance
271
Per cent of attendance
90
Number of schools
10
Number of teachers
11
Number of male teachers
1
Numer of female teachers
10
Number of college graduates
2
Number who have attended college
3
Number of normal graduates
7
96
At this time it may not be inappropriate to review briefly the work of the past five years. While many of the best results of school work can never be measured there are some that can be definitely noted and recorded.
ORGANIZATION.
The present organization of the schools is. we believe, the best in their history. Since the formation of a ninth grade, teachers testify that pupils are entering the High School better equipped to carry on their work successfully. The studies of the ninth grade tend to bridge the gulf that exists between the grammar and high school and give the pupils a year's additional preparation with greater maturity and development.
During the year John T. Prince and J. W. MacDonald, Agents of the State Board of Education, have inspected the schools and made a favorable report of the work being done.
A third teacher is needed in the High school. With three teachers each one would have fewer subjects and each pupil would have more recitation periods, which would be a decided advantage over the present plan. With present school accommodations this is not feasible and brings us to the vital question of a new school building. This subject, however, has been so frequently empha- sized in reports of committees and superintendent in past years that it does not seem necessary to dwell upon it here.
HIGH SCHOOL.
We are fortunate in retaining the present corps of teachers and at no time has the efficiency of the High School been greater than now. The work of the school has been characterized by harmony, faithfulness and efficiency. Teachers are capable and hardwork- ing and pupils are interested and making steady progress under their guidance.
At the last annual meeting of the National Educational Associa- tion in St. Louis, which it was my privilege to attend last summer, from the many pertinent remarks relative to high schools I would quote the following: "The problem which confronts every high school is how to discover and develop the interests and capacities of
97
each individual boy and girl; and how to direct their development so that they will become useful members of society." A high school which aims to meet the demands of modern life and to be "the people's college" by giving the elements of a liberal education and by training its pupils into good citizenship is of inestimable value to any community.
TEACHERS.
We believe that there is a fundamental truth in the declaration that it makes very little difference what you study but that it is in the highest degree important with whom you study. "There flows from the living teacher a power which no text book can com- pass or contain. Text books supply information and discipline; teachers impart the breath of life giving inspiration and impulse." The value of the well trained teacher, alive to the best interests of her schools, faithful and efficient in the performance of her duties, cannot be over estimated. Our Acton teachers are conscientious, faithful and efficient.
It is a pleasure to record but few changes in the corps since last year. Miss Nancy Bucknam resigned from the Center Gram- mar school and Miss Angie F. J. Main of Waltham was appointed to the place. Miss Jennie V. Sargent resigned from the West Gram- mar and was succeeded by Miss Elizabeth A. Sheehan, a graduate of Fitchburg Normal school. Miss Agnes Devlin of the West In- termediate was followed by Miss Emma Foster also a graduate of Fitchburg Normal School.
The ascending scale in teachers' salaries is a most excellent plan. If the minimum pay is $10 per week with an increase each year until the maximum $12 is received, there is some inducement for teachers to remain more than one year and our schools are the gainers thereby. Frequent change of teachers is to be deprecated and we shall count ourselves fortunate if the present corps can be retained another year.
DISCIPLINE.
The discipline in all the schools is good and in many it is ex-
98
cellent. Much of the former military discipline has given way to a freedom and naturalness such as we like to see in a well ordered home. The idea of good discipline is to give each pupil as much freedom as possible without interference with others. In this way the principle of self government, so essential throughout life, is inculcated and fostered. The aim is to make the schools training places for citizenship.
COURSE OF STUDY.
Five years ago next September a new course of study was in- troduced into the elementary schools and after five years' trial teachers testify that pupils are entering the High School, better prepared to grasp the subjects taken there and to carry on their work successfully.
The course as outlined is in harmony with the best educational thought of the day and is the outcome of expert opinion on the various subjects that form the present curriculum.
From time to time committees composed of ten, or fifteen, of the leading educators in the country as President Eliot of Harvard, U. S. Commissioner Harris, and prominent professors, superintendents and teachers are appointed by the national or other important educational associations to confer and report upon matters relative to school work; as for instance, the best time to begin arithmetic and history in the grades; the subjects to be emphasized and those to be omitted from elementary arithmetic and geography courses; and the value of nature study, stories from mythology, and other classics in the grades.
The suggestions of these eminent councils are universally ac- cepted and adopted and in this way a uniformity is secured in the work of our public schools throughout the country. This was ap- parent at the great educational exhibit at the St. Louis Fair, where exhibits from cities and towns in Arkansas and Massachusetts showed the same leading characteristics. It is evident that we have a national educational system as well as a state system of which our town systems are a part.
Everywhere elementary courses of study have been enriched
99
by the introduction of certain subjects, adapted to the capacity of the children, which were thought formerly to belong alone to the high school, the reason for this being that the vast majority of boys and girls, 95 per cent in the schools throughout the land, never go beyond the grades, while the per cent in the Acton schools is considerably better than the average. The 75 or 80 percent of the Acton boys and girls who do not have the benefit of a high school education are entitled to the best elementary course that can be given them.
ARITHMETIC.
The arithmetic course as revised places such emphasis upon correctness, rapidity and mental work. There is no formal pre- sentation of arithmetic until children enter the second grade, but number is incidentally taught at every point and children have a good knowledge of it when they begin the formal use of figures and signs in the second grade.
Operations in arithmetic which have become obsolete, or have never existed elsewhere in the world, should become obsolete in the school room and therefore have been omitted irom the course.
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