USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1906-1910 > Part 23
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The high school membership is steadily increasing. The attendance at present, is as follows: Concord, 38; West Acton, 28. It appears probable that next year the second, third and fourth year classes of this school will number nearly sixty pupils.
The amount received from the Massachusetts School Fund is $868.81. compared with $1.079.98 last year and from dog licenses, $313.85, compared with $402.32 last year; a reduc- tion of income from outside sources of $299.64.
The usual sum of $375 has been received from the State on account of salary of the superintendent of schools.
The overdraft in the school supply account is due to the unusually large number of text books found to be worn out and defective and requiring immediate replacement.
The report of the truant officers is appended.
The School Committee of Acton, by
CHARLES J. WILLIAMS, Chairman.
101
Receipts and Expenditures on Account of Schools for the Fiscal Year 1908-1909. RECEIPTS.
Appropriation for common schools $4,750.00
Appropriation for high school 4.200.00
Appropriation for school supplies. 625.00
Appropriation for transportation of
pupils
1.360.00
Appropriation for salary of superin- tendent 480.00
Appropriation for medical inspection of pupils 100.00
Received from Mass. school fund
868.81
Received from dog licenses 313.85
Received for tuition
40.00
$12,737.66
Expenditures.
For common schools
$6.070.66
High school
3,237.92
School supplies
815.52
Transportation of pupils
1,397.40
Salary of superintendent
480.00
Medical inspection of pupils
75.00
$12.076.50
Balance unexpended $661.16
Estimates for the Support of Schools for the Fiscal Year 1909-1910.
For common schools $4,750.00
High school 4,200.00
School supplies 625.00
Transportation of pupils 1,360.00
Salary of superintendent 480.00
Medical inspection of pupils
100.00
$11,515.00
102
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
Members of the School Committee of Acton:
Gentlemen-I have the honor to present for your con- sideration my third annual report of the Acton public schools, it being the seventeenth in the series of Superin- tendent's reports.
The teaching force remains much as it was last year. Miss Stowell's transfer from the West Acton Intermediate to the same grade at South Acton has proved advantageous, and we were fortunate in securing Miss Ethel J. Evans, who has taken up the work at the West School with an energy and tact that promise well.
Miss Ginn's resignation late in the summer handicapped us to a degree. Miss Sadie R. Whitney formerly of Harvard, was at last secured to take her place.
The old system of education was largely a pouring-in process. This is gradually being superceded by a new con- ception that life is an unfolding from within in response to influences from without. Under the former system, and in much of the work still carried on, the trend was along lines of imitation. This has led to a narrowing of the individual. Imitation leads to conformity; it kills the creative instinct and it is the exceptional man or woman who at maturity is not hopelessly bound by the shackles of convention. Creative work on the other hand transforms the individual. Through it, alone, one grows till he has gained a personality that makes him different from others.
Anything which involves the hand immediately arouses the creative instincts. For this reason we seek in nearly all subjects of the curriculum to make some application of the constructive idea. It is with this in mind that we have
103
attempted to make the work in geography more vital by the study of an industry in each grade from the practical side, following the raw product through the various stages to the finished product, tracing its transportation and map- ping the routes.
In some classes correspondence with distant localities has been a valuable feature of the work. Facts at first hand seem more real, and the spirit of mutual helpfulness finds a natural outlet in the exchange of material suggested by this line of work.
The growing tendency to allow children to grow up with no regular home tasks, thus giving little or no oppor- tunity to gain a knowledge of domestic duties, and little training in handicraft is a misfortune no thoughtful person can doubt. The loss of training of the motor activities is serious, both from a psychological and a practical stand- point, and still more serious is the attitude which results from lack of appreciation of the dignity of labor, with its honest pride in well executed work of the hands, and that ambition that increases with every successful effort. The seriousness of the present condition has called for the most thoughtful study by all educational workers. Addresses from the leading men and women in the professional, busi- ness and social world show the strong convictions of the day in regard to this matter.
In response to this movement, and in view of the need of our pupils an effort has been made through the introduc- tion of work in raffia and wood to train the hand as well as the mind. Some criticism has been made in regard to the apparent loss of time from other studies. It has been said that the schools of the past, knowing nothing of these things were able to focus all their attention upon the history, geography and arithmetic and thus accomplish better results. The true value of history and geography as school subjects does not lie in the number of facts that may be gathered, for these soon fade from memory without constant drill. Their real value lies in the mental discipline in the gain in
104
judgment, power of comparison, firmness of mental grasp- otherwise they have little value. But mental discipline is just as surely gained through manual work when properly directed, and accuracy, judgment, power of comparison and mental acuteness are developed to a more marked degree by this line of work than by the purely cultural studies. Wherein, then. is this loss that some lament ?
Much has been done in this line in Littleton by the generous cooperation of the Woman's Club in conducting the work in sewing. Is it not possible that some of the ladies can be induced to take up the work in their respective centers ?
In consideration of the fact that the pupils of our eighth grades who gave evidence of more than average ability are eligible for admission to the freshman class of the Concord High School it seemed only fair to offer admission to the freshman class which is maintained at West Acton under the same conditions. This resulted in the increase of that class to twenty-nine pupils and the dropping of the ninth grade at both the West and the Center. At the former the condi- tion of the intermediate grades was such, owing to the epi- demics of last winter that it was found advisable to place the sixth grade in the grammar room and regrade the fourth and fifth grades.
The work in Music and Drawing has continued under the direction of the same supervisors, and a marked gain is manifest in the work. Your attention is called to the re- ports of the supervisors herein appended.
Teachers' meetings have been held for instruction in manual work. and for the discussion of methods and the problems of the day as occasion demanded. Superintendent Carr addressed the meeting in February. Those teachers interested in development along broader professional lines are meeting twice a month for the study of Arnold's School Management.
Respectfully submitted,
ARTHUR B. WEBBER.
105
Mr. A. B. Webber, Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir: At your request I submit the following re- port upon Drawing :
At the present time the work in the schools of Acton may be termed wholesome. The results from last September to January have equalled and in some instances excelled the highest point attained during the last year. Your assistance in conjunction with the school board in striving for the in- troduction of as much handicraft as possible has been very beneficial. The experience gained has more than repaid the amount expended. I would suggest that for next year the sum of twenty dollars be set aside for this branch of the work which includes work in reed, raffia. cane. wood, card- board and clay.
In most of the Primary grades the work has been ex- ceptionally strong and this will materially help and strength- en the Grammar grades which at the present time are the weakest, owing, no doubt, in a certain extent to pupils not having had the previous training in the Primary grades and the introduction of work that was new to many of the teachers.
The results in the High School have been excellent and I desire to commend to you the pupils and teachers for what, I term. their class spirit and for the unity and neatness of their work.
In closing. I wish to express to you and the teachers, pupils and committee my appreciation of the interest and cooperation that all have rendered during the year.
Respectfully submitted.
W. LORING ADAMS. Supervisor.
Saxonville, February 2. 1909.
106
To the Superintendent and School Committee.
Gentlemen: The musical work of the school moves steadily forward. Regular graded work, upon the founda- tions laid last year is being successfully carried on in all intermediate and grammar grades.
The written tests of last year, the first ever given in music in our schools, were productive of many really splen- did papers.
The Weaver slips are used in connection with the techr . cal work on day and part work from the books the following day.
The work of the primary grades shows a steady ad- vance, rote song work being an especial feature. At West Acton, under the direction of the Supervisor, the cantata, "The Carnival of the Flowers," was successfully given, thereby giving the children an opportunity for public chorus work and netting a good amount for pictures for the build- ing. In both the Center and South Schools there has been public chorus work, and this has proved most helpful in inspiring confidence and encouraging united work.
May I say in closing how thoroughly I am sensible of the earnest efforts of the teachers and how grateful I am for their words of appreciation as well as the kindly expres- sions of approval from officers and parents.
With faith in the ability and purpose of the children, which cannot but be productive of rich fruitage in later life, I am.
Yours sincerely, EDWIN N. C. BARNES,
Supervisor of Music.
107
STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR 1907-1908 ENDING JUNE, 1908.
.
School
Grade
Enrollment
Average Membership
Average Attendance
Percent Attendance
Number Between 5 and 15
Number Between 7 and 14
Number over 15
Center Primary
I .- II .- III.
30
25.2
23.3|92.8
30
12
0
Center Intermediate
IV .- VI.
35
31.9
30.8 96.5
33
33
0
Center Grammar VII .- IX.
24
20.9
19.995.2
21
15
0
South Lower Primary
I .- II.
33
28.7
26.1 86.1
33
11
0
South Upper Primary III .- IV.
42
35.6
32.9 91.9
42
42
0
South Intermediate
V .- VI.
33
30.9
28.6 92.6
29
29
0
South Grammar
VII .- IX.
36
31.5
29.5 93.7
31
27
4
West Primary
I .- II .- III.
44
39.4
34.2 86.4
42
23
0
West Intermediate
IV .- VI.
38
34.3
30.1 86.9
38
37
0
West Grammar
VII .- IX.
31
26.1
25.2 89.0
31
26
1
High
X.
14
12.7
11.9 93.7
6
8|
0
360 317.2 292.5 92.5
336
263
5
Graduates from the Grammar School.
Number of boys
13
Number of girls
8
Admitted to the High School
29
Number of boys
14
Number of girls
15
108
STATISTICS FROM SEPTEMBER, 1908 to FEBRUARY, 1909.
School
Grade
Enrollment
Average Membership
Average Attendance
Percent Attendance
Number Between 5 and 15
Number Between 7 and 14 Number over 15
Center Primary I .- III.|
32
27.0
25.2 93.4
32
16
0
Center Intermediate IV .- VI.I
30|
24.9
23.1 92.6
30
30 0
Center Grammar VII :- VIII.
21
16.7|
15.7|93.6
20
20 1
South Lower Primary
I .- II.
25
24.5
21.3 85.5
20
5
0
South Upper Primary III .- IV.
32
27.8
25.9|93.4
32
32
0
South Intermediate V .- VI.
35
33.1
30.8|93.1
35
15
South Grammar VII .- IX.|
42
38.3
36.1|94.2
41
37
West Primary
I .- II .- III.
40
36.5
33.7|92.3
40
22
0
West Intermediate
IV .- V.|
35
32.9
30.4|92.3
35
35
0
West Grammar
VII .- VIII.|
31
27.1
25.7 94.9
31
31| 0
High
X.
29
26.2
24.7|94.0
19
5|10
352|315.0|292.6|92.8|
335
248 12 1
1
School Census, September, 1908.
Number of boys between 5 and 15
150
Number of girls between 5 and 15 189
Total 339
Number of boys between 7 and 14
113
Number of girls between 7 and 14
136
Total 249
Number of illiterate minors 0
-
0 1
1
LIST OF TEACHERS, 1908-1909
School
Teacher
Appointed
Educated
Home Address
C'enter Primary
1
Martha Smith
1902
Lowell Normal
Center Intermediate
Ella Miller
1899
Framingham Normal Woburn Training
Woburn
South Lower Primary
Pauline Berthold
1907
Gorham Normal
Needham
South Upper Primary
Julia McCarthy
1906
Fitchburg Normal
South Acton
South Intermediate
Jennie Stowell 1907
Fitchburg Normal
1 South Acton
South Grammar
Sadie R. Whitney
1908
Winchendon
West Primary
1
Harriet H. Gardner
1889
Aver
West Acton
West Intermediate
Ethel Evans
1908
Lowell Normal
Lowell
West Grammar
Mary O. Freeman
1907
Gorham Normal
| Portland, Me.
High
Alice N. McIntyre
1906
Boston University
Lawrence
109
Acton North Acton
C'enter Grammar
Minnie Gamble
1905
110
ROLL OF HONOR, 1907-1908. For Three Terms.
Abbie Coughlin Earle Farrar Raymond Farrar
Ernest Greenough
Loren M. Mekkelsen Florence M. Morse
Walter R. Morse
For Two Terms.
Alfred Anderson
Ray L. Harris
William Byron
Hazel Hoit
Ava E. Chapman
Elwin Hollowell
Florence R. Cheney
Theron Louden
Robert B. Cheney
Elma Leavitt
Fannie Davis
Annie McCarthy
Merritt L. Farrar
Fred Nagle
Patrick Foley
Florence A. Prentiss
Frank E. Greenough
Florence M. Worden
Maud V. Harris
For One Term.
Martinia Benere
Marie Davis
Etta L. Brooks
Marjorie Davis
Esther Brown
Jennie Durkee
Roger Brown
Albert Evans
Leland Campbell
Alice Evans
Eleanor Chapman
David Foley
Natalie Chapman
Mary Foley
Robert Christie
Ebba Fredriksen
Edwin Christofferson
Ella Fredriksen
Esther Fredriksen
Annie Coughlin
Lillian Gilmore
James Coughlin William Coughlin
Edith Greer
Annie Cousens
Ruth Hall Wesley Hall
Bernstein Cowan
Elizabeth Harris
Carl Davidson
Raymond Hayes
Clifton Davidson
William Hayes
Gertrude Davis
Francis Hopps
Harold Coolidge Jessie Copp
Gunur Fredriksen
111
Edith Lawrey
Louis Leveronia
Philip Lowden
Morris Shuyski Helen Robbins Florence Schnair
Florence Mannion
Richard Schnair
Nora McCarthy
Nellie Shuyski
John McCrossin
Wanda Shuyski
Gladys McGregor
Mary Smiley
Eva McNeil
Lena Stanley
Dorothy Mead
Olga Thoresen
Pauline Mead
Edith Tuttle
Alice O'Connell
Varnum Tuttle
Aurin Payson
Richard White
Edward Pendergast
Forrest Wilder
Wilbur Peterson
Mabel Willis
Harold Richardson
Leonard Worden
Willie Schnair
TRUANT OFFICERS' REPORT.
To the School Committee of Acton, Mass .:
The Truant Officers submit their seventh annual report to the School Committee for the year ending March 1, 1909. The Truant Officers submit the following list of pupils looked up for the year, the cause of their absence, and if truants, the number that have been returned to school :
Whole number of pupils looked up
25
Cause of absence
C. S.
S. S
W. S.
Sickness
3
0
1
Kept at home by parents
7
8
0
Returned to school
8
8
1
Reported truants
0
3
0
Left town
2
2
1
Yours respectfully, C. G. TURNER, THOMAS SCANLON, MOSES A. REED. Truant Officers.
INDEX.
Town Officers 3
Town Warrant 5
Town Meetings
10 16
State Election
20 21
Births
Marriages
Deaths
Non-Resident Burials
Dog Licenses
Selectmen's Report
Treasurer's Report
Auditor's Report
Assessors' Report
Collector's Report
Road Commissioners
Board of Health
Overseers of the Poor
Report of Cemetery Commissioners
Acton Memorial Library
School Report
School Calendar
Organization
Committee
100
Financial Statement
101
Superintendent's Report 102
Supervisor of Drawing
105
Supervisor of Music
106
Statistical Tables 107
Roll of Honor 110.
Truant Officers 111
23 25 27 28 30 56 62 63 64 66 68 70 78 84 87 89 90
Town Clerk's Report
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE TOWN OFFICERS OF THE TOWN OF ACTON, MASSACHUSETTS: FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1910
TOGETHER WITH THE SCHOOL REPORT
RAT
2
NI
~1735.
ACTON.
HUDSON, MASS. PRINTED BY THE NEWS .1910
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE TOWN OFFICERS OF THE TOWN OF ACTON, MASSACHUSETTS: FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 1, 1910
TOGETHER WITH THE SCHOOL REPORT
RATED
OONI
-1735.
1
ACTON ..
HUDSON, MASS. PRINTED BY THE NEWS
1910
3
TOWN OFFICERS, 1909.
Selectmen.
James B. Tuttle Asaph Merriam William F. Stevens
Town Clerk.
Horace F. Tuttle.
Town Treasurer. Jona K. W. Wetherbee.
Assessors.
William F. Stevens
Term expires 1911
James B. Tuttle Term expires 1912
William F. Kelley Term expires 1910
Overseers of the Poor.
Octavus A. Knowlton, J. Sterling Moore, William F. Kelley
Auditor.
Waldo E. Whitcomb.
Collector of Taxes.
William F. Stevens.
Tree Warden.
David C. Harris.
4
Constables.
Albert S. Bradley. James Kinsley, William H. Kingsley. William F. Stevens.
Fence Viewers.
Asaph Merriam,
William F. Stevens,
James B. Tuttle.
ยท Field Drivers.
Albert S. Bradley, James Kinsley, # William H. Kingsley, William F. Stevens.
ROAD COMMISSIONERS.
William H. Kingsley Term expires 1911.
Albert H. Perkins Term expires 1912.
Anson C. Piper . Term expires 1910.
Cemetery Commissioners.
Julian Tuttle Term expires 1912.
Herbert T. Clark Term expires 1911.
Horace F. Tuttle Term expires 1910.
School Committee.
Charles J. Williams Terms expires 1911.
Samuel A. Christie Term expires 1912.
Arthur F. Blanchard Term expires 1910.
Board of Health.
Frank E. Tasker, M. D. Term expires 1912.
James B. Tuttle Term expires 1911.
Asaph Merriam Term expires 1910.
Trustees of Memorial Library. (Chosen by the Town.)
Charles J. Williams . Term expires 1911.
Lucius A. Hesselton Term expires 1912.
Horace F. Tuttle
Term expires 1910. * Did not qualify.
5
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING, MARCH 29, 1909.
Article 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
Allen Brooks Parker was chosen moderator.
Article 2. To bring in their votes on one ballot for Town Officers :
The following Town Officers were chosen :
Town Clerk-Horace F. Tuttle.
Selectmen-James B. Tuttle, Asaph Merriam. William F. Stevens.
Assessor for three years-James B. Tuttle.
Overseers of the Poor-Octavus A. Knowlton. J. Ster- ling Moore, William F. Kelley.
Treasurer-Jonathan K. W. Wetherbee.
Auditor-Waldo E. Whitcomb.
Collector of Taxes-William F. Stevens.
Constables-Albert S. Bradley. James Kinsley, W. H. Kingsley, William F. Stevens.
6
Field Drivers-Albert S. Bradley. James Kinsley, W. H. Kingsley, William F. Stevens.
Fence Viewers-Asaph Merriam, James B. Tuttle, William F. Stevens.
Road Commissioner for three years-Albert H. Perkins. School Committee for three years-Samuel A. Christie.
Cemetery Commissioner for three years-Julian Tuttle.
Board of Health-Frank E. Tasker for three years, James B. Tuttle for two years. Asaph Merriam for one year.
Trustee of Memorial Library-Lucius A. Hesselton.
Tree Warden-David C. Harris.
On the question, "Shall licenses be granted for. the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town?" the vote was:
Whole number of ballots cast 422
Yes 170
No 238
Blanks 14
Article 3. To vote by separate ballot Yes or No in answer to the following question: Shall an act passed by the General Court in the year 1908 entitled "An act to pro- vide for the protection of forest or sprout lands from fire." be accepted by this town?
Voted by a separate ballot to accept the act. Yes 28, No 17.
Article 4. To choose all necessary Town Officers not named in article 2 and fix salaries.
Article 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
Article 2. To bring in their votes on one ballot for the following Town Officers: Town Clerk, three Selectmen, three Overseers of the Poor, Town Treasurer, Collector of Taxes, Auditor, Tree Warden, four Constables, four Field Drivers, three Fence Viewers, all for one year; one Assessor, one Road Commissioner, one Trustee of Memorial Library, one Member of School Committee, one Cemetery Com- missioner, one Member of Board of Health, all for three years, also, one Member of School Committee for one year to fill a vacancy. Also on the same ballot with the above named Town Officers, to vote upon the following question : "Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in the Town?"
The polls will be opened at 9.30 A. M. and may be closed at 4 o'clock P. M.
.
Article 3. To choose all necessary Town Officers not named in Article 2, and fix salaries. 2. 2
Article 4. To see if the Town will accept the reports of the Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor, School Committee, Library Trustees and other Town Officers.
Article 5. To hear and act upon the reports of any Committees chosen to report at this meeting.
Article 6. To see what amount of money the Town will raise for due observance of Memorial Day. 50,00
Article 7. To see what amount of money the Town will raise for the repairing and building of roads and bridges, or act anything thereon. 5000.
Article 8. To see if the Town will authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of its Selectmen, to borrow money for the Town, if necessary, in anticipation of taxes the current year.
2
Article 9. To see what amount of money the Town will raise for support of Memorial Library the present year. .
Article 10. To see what amount of money the Town will raise for support of Schools the present year.
Article 11. To see what amount of money the Town will raise for School Supplies.
Article 12. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum of money for the enforcement of the Liquor Laws, or act anything thereon.
Article 13. To see what amount of money the Town will appropriate for the care of Cemeteries, or act anything thereon.
Article 14. To see what amount of money the Town will raise for maintenance of Fire Department, or act thereon.
Article 15. To see what action the Town will take in regard to the extermination of the brown tail and gypsy moth.
Article 16. To see what amount of money the Town will raise for Town charges.
Article 17. To see what action the Town will take in regard to the collection of taxes.
Article 18. To see what action the Town will take in regard to street lamps the present year.
Article 19. To see what action the Town will take in regard to the extermination of the elm leaf beetle.
Article 20. To see if the Town will provide a suitable Vault and Safes for the preservation of the Town Records, or act anything thereon.
Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to build a High School the present year, or act anything thereon.
Article 22. To see if the Town will sell the Town Farm, or take any action thereon.
have over
Article 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
Article 2. To bring in their votes on one ballot for the following Town Officers: Town Clerk, three Selectmen, three Overseers of the Poor, Town Treasurer, Collector of Taxes, Auditor, Tree Warden, four Constables, four Field Drivers, three Fence Viewers, all for one year ; one Assessor, one Road Commissioner, one Trustee of Memorial Library,. one Member of School Committee, one Cemetery Com- missioner, one Member of Board of Health, all for three years, also, one Member of School Committee for one year to fill a vacancy. Also on the same ballot with the above named Town Officers, to vote upon the following question : "Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in the Town?"
The polls will be opened at 9.30 A. M. and may be closed at 4 o'clock. P. M.
Article 3. To choose all necessary Town Officers not. named in Article 2, and fix salaries.
Article 4. To see if the Town will accept the reports of the Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor, School Committee, Library Trustees and other Town Officers.
Article 5. To hear and act upon the reports of any Committees chosen to report at this meeting.
Article 6. To see what amount of money the Town' will raise for due observance of Memorial Day.
Article 7. To see what amount of money the Town will raise for the repairing and building of roads and bridges, or act anything thereon.
Article 8. To see if the Town will authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of its Selectmen, to borrow money for the Town, if necessary, in anticipation of taxes. the current year.
Article 9. To see what amount of money the Town will raise for support of Memorial Library the present year.
Article 10. To see what amount of money the Town will raise for support of Schools the present year.
Article 11. To see what amount of money the Town will raise for School Supplies.
Article 12. To see if the Town will appropriate a sum of money for the enforcement of the Liquor Laws, or act anything thereon.
Article 13. To see what amount of money the Town will appropriate for the care of Cemeteries, or act anything thereon.
Article 14. To see what amount of money the Town will raise for maintenance of Fire Department, or act thereon.
Article 15. To see what action the Town will take in regard to the extermination of the brown tail and gypsy moth.
Article 16. To see what amount of money the Town will raise for Town charges.
Article 17. To see what action the Town will take in regard to the collection of taxes.
Article 18. To see what action the Town will take in regard to street lamps the present year.
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