USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1906-1910 > Part 28
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In conclusion I wish to express my appreciation of the teachers' co-operation, and of the assistance and helpful direction of the members of the school committee to whom this report is respectfully submitted.
ARTHUR B. WEBBER.
February 8, 1910.
Mr. A. B. Webber, Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir: I herewith submit the report of the Super- visor of Drawing for the Town of Acton, Mass.
I entered upon the work in September, 1909, after serv- ing under Mr. W. L. Adams, from February to June, 1909, as his assistant. Number of visits to each school, to date of
22
the present school year, 10. Number of teachers' meetings, held for special instruction, 1.
In the primary grades little has been undertaken in the way of design or pictorial drawing. Here the work has been chiefly that of training the motor muscles.
1. To train the hand to work with the mind; by mas- tering the most simple problems.
2. To train the eye to observe, and then to record its observations through the hand.
3. To stimulate the mind and the imagination, and to be resourceful ; the ideas developed to be worked out through the fingers with pencil ; and paper construction, with twigs, bits of cloth, clay, etc.
The work in the intermediate and grammar grades has been as follows. Three weeks were given to the study of color harmony :
1. That the pupils may appreciate, and know how to put together, good and pleasing combinations of color. In the hope that such knowledge would in some degree improve their tastes and influence their choice in the use of colors about them, in their home, in their school, and in their dress.
Two weeks were given to nature drawing:
1. In an analytical study of the main parts of the plant. for their application and value in design.
2. In pictorial representation,-involving the principles of good spacing in the disposition of form within an en- closed space. This requires forethought and study on the part of the pupil, and so should increase the habit of plan- ning a piece of work as well as the appreciation of the beautiful in design.
.
Four weeks were given to mechanical drawing:
1. For a finer degree of accuracy in workmanship.
2. To construct and understand working drawings of simple objects.
3. For the ability to put upon paper, the accurate plans or working drawings of their own original models to be constructed later.
23
The last weeks before the Christmas vacation were given over to the construction of the above forms in metal, and cardboard, involving some skill of hand as well as the previous careful planning.
I feel that the work as a whole has moved forward as well as could be wished, with one exception. The greatest difficulty in the way of obtaining the best work and con- sequently the greatest problem to be overcome, is that of carelessness on the part of the pupil. The pupil will not do his best, if that best requires special effort on his part. This is especially noticeable in mechanical drawing where exact work is possible. It is also found in the other branches where it is more difficult to contend with. The problem of how to do away with this defect and still cover the required amount of subject matter in the time alloted to the drawing is one that is still before us, and to my mind it is a great one. In the grades where carelessness is most apparent, steps are being taken by which we hope to overcome it in some degree.
In the primary grades, where the tendency towards care- lessness is less noticeable, the work has advanced smoothly. At West Acton and Acton Center the work is characterized by its usual degree of excellence; while at South it shows a very marked advance over last year and continues to im- prove.
In the grammar grades the teachers have worked hard throughout the schools; some with more success than others, but all have shown an interest and effort for which they deserve much credit. To them the success of the work is in a great part due.
Respectfully submitted, F. WARD BRACKETT.
24
ROLL OF HONOR, 1908-1909.
Center School.
For Three Terms-Ray Harris, Florence Morse, Florence Prentiss, George Smith.
For Two Terms-Abbie Coughlin, Margery Davis, How- ard Gallagher, Ernest Greenough, Raymond Farrar, Raymond Hayes, Edith Lawrey, Walter Morse, Morris Shuyski, Wanda Shuyski, Edith Tuttle, Jennie Tuttle, Marion Tuttle, Leonard Worden.
For One Term-Florence Cheney, Robert Cheney, Agnes Coughlin, Virginia Coughlin, Merritt Farrar, Ella Fredrikson, Rebecca Fredricksen, Frank Greenough, Elizabeth Harris, Florence Mannion, Helen Robbins, Sylvia Robbins, Nellie Shuyski, Nellie Stiles, Arthur Thoreson, Richard White, Florence Worden.
South School.
For Three Terms-Dora Fletcher, Hazel Hoit, Grace Ineson.
For Two Terms-Annie Foley. Theron Lowden, Walter Morse.
For One Term-Jeremiah Anderson, Margaret Byron, John Cahill, John Carney, Mary Davidson, Alice Evans, An- thony Foley, Esther Heath, Natalie Leach, Philip Lowden, George Moult. Edward Pendergast, Osgood Tuttle, Fred Willard.
West School.
For Three Terms-Martina Benere, Stuart MacGregor, Lauretta Moore, Naomi Schnair, Richard Schnair, Willie Schnair.
For Two Terms-Mary Benere, Irma Brown, Roger Brown, Marion Davis, Ruby Greer, Henry Hall, Thelma MacGregor, Harriet Schnair.
For One Term-Annie Benere, James Benere, Helen Bezanson, Elsie Blaisdell, Leland Campbell, Fannie Davis, Ruth Davis, Lillian Gilmore, Isabelle Greer, Margaret Hall,
25
Francis Hopps, Burton Littlefield, Dominic Moore, Gladys Sargent, Florence Schnair, Percy Willis, Mabel Willis, Ade- laide Womboldt.
TRUANT OFFICERS' REPORT.
To the School Committee of Acton, Mass .:
The Truant Officers submit their eighth annual report to . the School Committee for the year ending February 1, 1910.
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 16
Cause of absence
C. S. S. S. W. S.
Sickness
2 0
2
Kept at home by parents
5 0
3
Returned to school
4 1 8
Reported truants
0
1 3
Left town 1 0
0
Yours respectfully,
ALBERT S. BRADLEY, THOMAS SCANLON, EDWARD S. FORBES,
Truant Officers.
26
MUSIC REPORT.
Superintendent and School Committee :
Gentlemen-The work in music has made decided gains in the past year. At the Centre the work moves steadily forward. With the same teachers year after year, who under- stand the methods of the Supervisor, it is possible to do good systematic work.
The work of the whole building is progressive. In Miss Gamble's room, the three part work is really exceptionally good for such a small class.
Miss Miller and her classes have been doing that steady work which counts so much. In one branch they have led all the schools this year. The children of the first, second and third grades under Miss Smith are doing some really wonderful work in ear training, many of them being able to give you the names of any two notes of the scale when played on the organ. Some can do good work along this line with a three note chord. At South Acton the work of the gram- mar and intermediate grades has suffered through change of teachers, but is now growing under Miss Paine. Miss McCarthy's work continues to grow; in fact the record of the past two years in her room has been one of continual growth. The primary work has taken on new life with the guiding hand of Miss Hinkley.
At West Acton the spirit of the musical work in Miss Taylor's room has been good. The work in Miss Evans' room has been one of steady building on the foundation of last year.
The primary room, under the watchful eye of Mrs. Gardner, has made gratifying progress. All parts of the work, technical, slips and books have been well taken care of with especial attention to rote song and musical appreciation work.
In the High School the work has received a new impetus through the introduction of new books.
The name, "Songs everyone should know," describes the
27
book perfectly. It is a fine collection of the best songs ---- classic, school and popular. Miss McIntyre brings to the work of the High School music all the strength of her own musical training.
As a result of the course taken by the Supervisor at the Tonic Sol-fa College, London, England, last summer, some new lines have been developed this year, noticeably, work in rhythm, illustrated by the tapping of songs and different kinds of time movements, and work in musical appreciation. All the grades have had lessons with the piano, at least once in a month or six weeks, which not only made the work more attractive, but also brought it up to a higher plane than here- tofore. I am sure the outlook for the musical work in the schools was never brighted. My earnest thanks is due to the Superintendent, teachers and committee for their kindly sup- port.
Respectfully submitted, EDWIN N. C. BARNES.
28
STATISTICS FOR THE FALL AND WINTER, 1909-1910.
School
Grades
Enrollment
Average
Membership
Average
Attendance
Percent
Attendance
between 5 and 15
Number
Number
between 7 and 14
Number over 15
Center Primary
I .- III.
29
23.05
21.90
94.9
29
18
Center Intermediate
IV .- VI.
32
28.60
27.00
94.5
32
31
Center Grammar
VII .- VIII.
15
13.20
12.50
95.5
15
13
South Lower Primary
I .- II.
39
37.46
32.23
86.5
39
9
South Upper Primary
III .- IV.
28
26.70
24.10
91.0
28
28
South Intermediate
V .- VI.
29
26.20
24.60
93.6
29
29
South Grammar
VII .- IX.
38
34.50
33.10
91.0
38
26
West Primary
I .- III.
30
28.00
24.80
88.4
30
18
West Intermediate
IV .- V.
29
28.60
27.10
93.2
29
29
West Grammar
VI .- VIII.
34
32.20
30.00
93.3
32
30
2
High
X.
22
22.01
19.80
90.
19
3
325
300.52
277.13
92.02
320
231
7
SCHOOL CENSUS, SEPTEMBER, 1909.
Number of boys between 5 and 15
149
Number of girls between 5 and 15 171
Total
320
Number of boys between 7 and 14
109
Number of girls between 7 and 14 122
Total 231
Number of illiterate minors 0
2
29
STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE, 1909.
School
Grades
Enrollment
Average
Membership
Average
Attendance
Percent
Attendance
between 5 and 15
Number
Number
between 7 and 14
Number over 15
Center Primary
I .- III.
33
26.6
24.9
93.0
33
15
Center Intermediate
IV .- VI.
30
24.6
23.2
90.2
30
30
Center Grammar
VII. - VIII.
21
18.5
17.5
94.5
21
19
0
South Lower Primary
I .- II.
25
23.4
20.6
83.1
23
5
2
South Upper Primary
III .- IV.
31
27.0
24.9
92.1
31
30
South Intermediate
V .- VI.
35
31,5
29.5
93.6
37
37
South Grammar
VII .- IX.
42
38.1
35.8
93.9
41
37
1
West Primary
I .- III.
38
35.6
31.7
88.9
38
22
West Intermediate
IV .- V.
33
31.9
29.4
92.3
33
33
West Grammar
VI .- VIII.
29
26.9
25.5
93.2
25
20
2
High
Y.
29
25.5
23.80
93.2
19
5 10
346
309.6
286.8
92.3
331
253 15.
Number graduated from the Grammar School :
Boys
23
Girls
14
37
Number admitted to the High School :
Boys
13
Girls
14
27
4
TEACHERS IN SERVICE FEBRUARY 1st, 1910.
Name
Position
Appointed Educated
Martha Smith
Center Primary
1902 Lowell Manual
Ella Miller
Center Intermediate
1899 Framingham Normal
Minnie Gamble
Center Grammar
1905 Woburn Training
Elizabeth Hinckley
South Lower Primary
1909 Hyannis Normal
Julia McCarthy
South Upper Primary
1906 Fitchburg Normal
Jennie Stowell Elizabeth K. Paine
South Grammar
1910
Smith College
Portland, Me.
Harriet H. Gardner
West Primary
1889 Ayer
West Acton
Ethel J. Evans
West Intermediate
1908
Lowell Normal
Lowell
Sophia Taylor
West Grammar
1909
Mt. Holvoke College
South Acton
Alice N. MeIntyre
High
1906
Boston University
Home Address
Acton North Acton W. burn
Hyannis 30
South Acton
Soutn Intermediate
1907
Fitchburg Normal
South Acton
Lawrence
BIRTHS REGISTERED IN 1905.
No. Date
Name of Child
Names of Parents
1
July 21
Anderson, Anfin Peder
2 Jan. 16 Barker, George Brabrook
3 May 11 Beach, Stuart Archibald
4 Sept. 7 Beach, John Ernest
5 June 12 Boyce, Warren Henry
6 Sept. 6 Clements, Gertrude Frances
7 Jan. 31
Courtemanche, Mary Cealey
8 Oct. 31
Coughlin, Paul
9 April 14
Donnelly, Arthur
10 Dec. 10 Granberg, Hazel Wilhelmena
11 Nov. 9 Gray, Alice Fay
12 July 11
Hanning, Verna Maud
13 Oct. 8 Hopps, Willis Evans
14 Mar. 22 Kinsley, Katherine Mary
15 April 29 Lanoue, Ralph Oakes
16 Sept. 25 Littlefield, Donald Preston
17 Sept. 27 Littlefield, Frederick Morton
18 Dec. 13 Lovett, Elsie Miriam
19 April 5
Miner, Sumner Harland
20 Nov. 10 Nims, Lyla Gertrude
21 May 28 Noyes. Thelma Luella
22 May 2 Parker, Jr., Allen Brooks
23 July 17 Priest, Dorothy Elizabeth
Edward and Thilda ( Pedersen )
George A. and Leah ( Allen)
Albert R. and Flora A. (Frazier)
Archie J. and Lizzie A. (Savage)
Charles E. and Annie J. (Holland)
Raymond and Mary ( Babine) Anthony E. and Mary I. (Laflamme)
John F. and Mary T. (Waldron)
Frank H. and Alice A. (Fitzgerald) Ole and Matilda (Anderson) Frederick W. and Florence A. (Richardson)
Elisha H. and Bertha J. (Good) John E. and Elizabeth O. (Clair) David T. and Katherine F. (Burns)
Arthur S. and Grace C. (Grambusch)
Guy P. and Melzina M. (Downie) Sheldon E. and Marion (Wood) David W. and Alvanora R. ( Brown) Ernest B. and Martha F. (Davis) Harry P. and Hattie ( Buchanan) George L. and Jennie E. (Miles) Allen Brooks and Nora E. (Spayd)
Walter and Elizabeth Blanche (Downie)
24 Sept. 19 Rayner, Margaret Louisa
25 July 9 Richardson, Clement Linwood
26 June 10 Stearns, Marjory Etta
27 April 1 Swift, Elinor
28
May
7
Teele, William Henry
William Arthur and Lenora A. (Gowing) James L. and Minnie G. (Dubuque) Clifton S. and Effie (Benjamin)
Edwin T. and Miriam Bird (Ward)
Ernest R. and Martha R. (Shattuck)
INDEX.
Town Officers
3
Town Meetings
5
State Election
14
Town Clerk's Report
17
Births
18
Marriages
19 20
Non-Resident Burials
Dog Licenses
Selectmen's Report
Treasurer's Report
Assessors' Report
Auditor's Report
Collector's Report
Road Commissioners
Board of Health
Beef Inspector's Report
58 59
Overseers of the Poor
Report of Cemetery Commissioners
64
Trustees Goodnow Fund 39
Acton Memorial Library
70
SECOND SECTION.
School Report
1
School Calendar
3
Committee
4
Standing Rules
5
Financial Statement
13
Superintendent's Report
14
Supervisor of Drawing
21
Roll of Honor 24
Truant Officers 25
Supervisor of Music 26
Statistical Tables 28
53 54 56 57
Deaths
22 23 25 47 52
El
1
REFERENCE BOOK ACTON MEMORIAL LIBRARY, ACTON MASSACHUSETTS 01720
WELLS BINDERY, INC.
OCT
1976
WALTHAM, MASS. 02154
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