USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1911-1915 > Part 25
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Nicholson, M .- The poet.
N627p
Norris. K .- Saturday's child. N856s
Peck. T .- White dawn.
P367w
Crockett, S. R .- Sandy,
98
Porter. E .- Miss Billy married,
P844mj
Prichard, H. V .- November Joe,
P9475m
Rhodes, E. M .- Bransford in Arcadia,
R4765b
Rinehart, M. R .- The afterhouse,
R579a
Rinehart, M. R .- The street of the seven stars,
R579s
Stanley, C. A .- The keeper of the vineyard,
S787k
Wallis, W. F .- Idonia,
W214i
Wells, H. G .- The world set free,
W454w
White, E. C .- The first step,
W583f
Wiliamson, C. N .- It happened in Egypt,
W729i
Wodehouse, P. G .- The little nugget,
W8381
Wright. H. B .- The eyes of the world,
W9496
JUVENILE
Altsheler. J. A .- The guns of Bull Run, J-A469gul
Altsheler, J. A .- The guns of Shiloh, J-A469g
Bailey, C. G .- The children's book of games and parties, J-B155c
Barbour, W. H .- Benton's venture.
J-B239b
Barbour. W. H .- Partners three.
J-B239p
Bates, K. L .- In sunny Spain with Pilisica and Rafael, J-B329i
Browne, G. W .- The young gunbearer. .J-B8824v
Browne. G. W .- With Rogers rangers. J-B8824wi
Browne, G. W .- The wood rangers,
J-B8824w
Burgess. T. W .- Adventures of Uncle Billy Possum, J-B955a
Burgess, T. W .- Adventures of Peter Cottontail. J-B955ad Burgess, T. W .- Mother westwind's neighbors. J-B955m Camp, W. C .- Danny Fists. J-C186d
Cave, E .- Boy scouts hike book. J-C378h
Comstock, H. J .- Camp brave pine.
J-C739(
Dowd, E. C .- Polly at Lady Gay cottage,
.J-D745po
Eldred. W. L .- The Townsend twins camp directors, J-E37t
Forrester, I. L .- Polly Page motor club, J-F731p
Gilchrist, B. B .- Helen and the uninvited guests. J-G467h
Gould, E. L .- Polly Prentiss goes a visiting. J-G696p
Hill, G. B .- The young farmer,
J-11646y
99
Hornibrook. I .- A scout of today, J-HI816s
Lang, Mrs. A .- Strange story book, J-L269s
Mason, A. P .- Tom Strong, boy captain, .J-M398tp
Pearson, E. L .- Voyage of the Hoppergrass. J-P361v
Pratt, L .- Ezekiel expands, J-P915e
Pyle, K .- Tales of two bunnies,
J-P9965t
Schultz, J. W .- On the warpath,
J-S562p
Shute, H. A .- The misadventures of three good boys. J-S5625m
Tarkington, B .- Penrod, J-T176p
Tomlinson. P. G .- To the land of the Cariboo, J-T6595t
Wheeler, S. R .- The boy with the U. S. Census, J-W562bx
MAGAZINES
Atlantic, July-December. 1913.
Atlantic, January-June, 1914.
Century, May-October, 1913.
Century, November. 1913-April. 1914.
Century, May-October, 1914.
Cosmopolitan. June-November, 1913.
Cosmopolitan. December, 1913-May, 1914.
Everybody's. July-December, 1913.
Everybody's, January-June, 1914. Harper's, June-November, 1913.
Harper's. December, 1913-May, 1914.
Hearst's. July-December, 1913.
Hearst's. January-June, 1914. Munsey's. April-September, 1913.
Munsey's. October, 1913-January, 1914.
Munsey's. February, 1914-May, 1914. Munsey's. June-September. 1914. National. April-September, 1913.
National. October, 1913-March. 1914. National, April-September, 1914. Popular Mechanics, July-December, 1913. Popular Mechanics. January-June, 1914. Review of Reviews. July-December. 1913.
100
Review of Reviews, January-June, 1914. St. Nicholas, May-October, 1913. St. Nicholas, November, 1913-April, 1914. Scribner's, July-December, 1913.
Scribner's, January-June, 1914. Scientific American, July-December, 1913. Scientific American, January-June, 1914.
World's Work, May-October, 1913. World's Work, November, 1913-April. 1914.
Youth's Companion, July-December, 1913.
Youth's Companion, January-June, 1914.
REFERENCE
Acts and Resolves of Massachusetts. 1914.
Carnegie International Peace Endowment Year Book. 1913.
Encampment of the G. A. R., Massachusetts, 1914
Journal of the House of Representatives, Massachusetts, 1914
Journal of the Senate of Massachusetts, 1914. Manual for the General Court of Massachusetts, 1914.
Proceedings of U. S. National Museum, 1914. Report on Municipal Finances of Massachusetts, 1911. Report of the Interstate Commerce Commission, 1912. Report Board of Education, U. S., 1913, 2 vols.
Seventy-seventh Report Board of Education, Massachu- setts. 1912-1913.
Twenty-seventh Report Board of Education, Massachu- setts, 1913.
Vital Records of Abington, Mass., 2 vols.
Vital Records of Brockton, Mass.
Vital Records of Dunstable. Mass.
Vital Records of Kingston, Mass. Vital Records of Reading. Mass.
Vital Records of Tewksbury. Mass.
Vital Records of Wakefield, Mass.
Vital Records of West Bridgewater, Mass.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
School Committee and Superintendent of Schools
OF THE
TOWN OF ACTON
MASSACHUSETTS
FOR THE TEN MONTHS ENDING DECEMBER 31
1914
RATED
PONI
1735.
ACTON.
THE NEWS-ENTERPRISE
1915
3
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT
SCHOOL CALENDAR
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
1915
March 12. Winter term closes 13 weeks
Vacation, One Week
March 22. Spring term opens
June
18. Spring term closes
13 weeks
Summer Vacation
Sept. 7. Fall term opens
.12 weeks Nov. 24. Fall term closes Thanksgiving Recess
1915-1916 Nov. 29. Winter term opens
Vacation from December 17 to January 3, Two Weeks
1916
March 10. Winter term closes 13 weeks
Vacation. One Week
March 20. Spring term opens
June
16. Spring term closes
13 weeks
Total 38 weeks
4
SPECIAL EXERCISE DAYS AND HOLIDAYS
1915
Feb. 12. Lincoln exercises, one hour.
Feb. 19. Washington exercises, one hour.
April 16. Patriots' Day exercises. one hour.
April 23. Arbor Day exercises. one hour.
May 28. Memorial Day exercises, one hour.
Oct. 11. Columbus Day exercises, one hour.
Nov. 24. Thanksgiving Day exercises, one hour.
1916 Feb. 11. Lincoln exercises, one hour.
Feb. 21. Washington exercises, one hour.
April 18. Patriots' Day exercises, one hour.
May 29. Memorial Day exercises, one hour.
LEGAL HOLIDAYS
The words "legal holiday" shall include the twenty- second day of February, the nineteenth day of April, the thirtieth day of May, the fourth day of July, the first Monday of September, the twelfth day of October, Thanks- giving day and Christmas day, or the day following when any of the four days first mentioned, the twelfth day of October, or Christmas day occurs on Sunday.
Arbor Day occurs on the last Saturday in April. and is not a legal holiday.
Flag Day occurs on June 14, and is not a legal holiday. It should be observed by any school then in session.
5
SCHOOL OFFICERS AND TEACHERS
School Committee
Samuel A. Christie Term expires 1915
Bertram E. Hall, Secretary Term expires 1916
Edwin A. Phalen, Chairman Term expires 1917
Superintendent
Frank H. Hill, Residence, Littleton, Mass. Telephone No. 36-3 Littleton
Attendance Officers
Thomas Scanlon, Address, West Acton Asaph Parlin. Address, Acton Center
Janitors
Fred S. Glines. Address, South Acton Thomas Scanlon, Address, West Acton Asaph Parlin. Address, Acton Center
Teachers in Service January 1, 1915
Name
Martha Smith
Ella Miller
Center Intermediate
Center Grammar
South Lower Primary
South Upper Primary
South Intermediate
1906 1907 Fitchburg Normal Fitchburg Normal
Gorham, Me. Normal Calais, Me.
South Grammar West Primary
West Intermediate
1914
1909
Supervisor of Music 1910
Supervisor of Drawing
1912
Appointed Educated
1902 Lowell Normal
1899 Framingham Normal
1905 Woburn Training
Elizabeth Hinckley
Julia McCarthy Jennie Stowell Emma M. Halliday Harriet H. Gardner
Esther M. Vance
Eula S. Taylor Alice M. Genthner Marion C. Taylor
Position
Center Primary
Minnie Gamble
1909 Hyannis Normal
1914 1889
Ayer. Mass. Fitheburg Normal Mt. Holyoke College N. E. Com of Music Mass. Normal Art
Home Address Acton. Mass. North Acton, Mass. Woburn, Mass. Hyannis, Mass. South Acton, Mass. South Acton, Mass.
West Acton, Masa. Norwood, Mass. South Acton, Mass Foxcroft, Me. Acton. Mass.
West Grammar
6
STANDING RULES
*Rule 1. Children under five years shall not be admitted to the public schools.
Rule 2. Pupils shall be promoted from grade to grade and school to school, according to merit. Thorough and sat- isfactory 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 be- ginning of the fall term
Rule 4. Pupils shall be held responsible for books loaned to them until returned to the teacher.
Rule 5. No repairs shall be made upon the public pro- perty in the care of the school committee, except by their authorized agents.
Rule 6. There shall be no signal for "no school" on stormy or other inclement days, but parents shall determine in their individual cases whether it is expedient to send their children to school or not.
*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.
7
GENERAL REPORT
On April 3d, 1914 the committee met and organized. Mr. E. A. Phalen was chosen chairman and Mr. B. E. Hall, sec- rectary.
The committee has followed the plan of the previous year in holding monthly meetings.
The joint committee from this school district met at Littleton on April 19, 1914. The matter of choosing a super- intendent of schools came up at this meeting. Mr. Hill's' work in our schools was highly commended by the entire committee and he was again chosen to serve for three years.
During the summer vacation the Center school house was given a much needed coat of paint and the desks and seats in all the schools were thoroughly cleaned and varnished.
The town of Concord has again increased the price of tuition from $70 to $80, which accounts for the increase in this item in our report.
Owing to the increased number of pupils in the South Acton school it has been necessary to hire an assistant in the first grade.
Following is the detailed report of receipts and disburse- ments from March 1 to December 31. 1914 (10 months) and an estimate of the expenses for the ensuing year.
8
ESTIMATES FOR THE SUPPORT OF SCHOOLS FOR
THE FISCAL YEAR 1915
For general expenses :
Salaries and other expenses of the committee $125.00
Salaries and other expenses of the superintendent and truant officers 250.00
For expenses of instruction :
Tuition of pupils attending out of town schools 7,200.00
Salaries of elementary school For textbooks :
teachers 5.850.00
For elementary schools it is antici- pated that the amount to be received from dog tax will cover this item.
For stationery and supplies :
Elementary schools 250.00
For expenses of operating school plants :
Wages of janitors, fuel and mis- cellaneous expenses 1,950.00
Maintenance and repairs 250.00
For auxiliary agencies :
Health 75.00
For transportation :
High school scholars 2.000.00
Elementary scholars 1.826.00
Total $19,776.00
9
RECEIPTS ON ACCOUNT OF SCHOOLS MARCH 1. 1914
TO DECEMBER 31, 1914
Appropriations
For general expenses :
Salaries and other expenses of the committee $125.00
Salaries and other expenses of the superintendent and truant officers 250.00
For expenses of instruction :
Tuition of pupils attending Con- cord 6,000.00
Salaries of elementary school teachers 5,500.00
For textbooks :
For elementary schools it is antici- pated that the amount to be received from dog tax will cover this.
For stationery and supplies :
Common schools 350.00
For expenses of operating school plants : Wages of janitors, fuel and mis- cellaneous expenses 1,950.00
Maintenance and repairs
250.00
For auxiliary agencies :
Health 50.00
For transportation :
High school scholars 2,000.00
Elementary scholars 1,775.00
Outside sources :
Income Mass. School fund unex-
pended balance Mar. 1, 1914 1,428.80
10
·
From State for supervision 343.75
From State for industrial school . 147.50
From State for tuition 170.10
Total $20,340.15
DISBURSEMENTS
General Expenses
School Committee
Salaries :
Paid B. E. Hall, secretary, bal. 1913 salary. and salary for 1914
$100.00
Miscellaneous :
Paid Wright & Potter Printing Co. .. $4.63
B. E. Hall, telephone, postage, etc. 6.03
E. A. Phalen, miscellaneous ex- penses 2.48
Samuel Ward Co., stationery .
2.20
Brookside Printing Co., printing. 1.65
G. W. Worster
1.50
$18.49
Superintendent of Schools and Enforcement of Law
Salaries :
Paid Frank H. Hill. superintendent .. 472.08
Thomas Scanlon, truant officer . . 10.00
Edw. C. Page, truant officer 9.25
$491.33
11
Miscellaneous : Paid Marion C. Taylor, school census, $18.00
Frank H. Hill, stationery, postage. telephone, etc. 16.10
$34.10
Expense of Instruction
Paid Town of Concord, high school .. $6,217.50
Town of Concord, agricultural .
567.00
City of Lowell, industrial 265.00
Town of Stow. high 50.00
$7,099.50
Elementary Schools :
1
Paid Harriet H. Gardner $435.00
E. Sophia Taylor
391.50
Agnes C. Greenhalgh
182.00
Bertha B. McLean
196.00
Jennie E. Stowell
391.50
Julia L. McCarthy
391.50
Elizabeth A. Hinckley
391.50
Martha F. Smith
391.50
Ella L. Miller
391.50
Minnie Gamble
391.50
Esther Vance 180.00
Emma M. Halliday
202.50
Emily Nagle
70.00
Eva E. M. Gray
28.00
Alice M. Genthner
152.69
Marion C. Taylor
158.98
$4,345.67
12
Text Books
Paid American Book Co.
$14.90
Houghton, Mifflin Co.
22.33
Ginn & Co. 37.90
Edward E. Babb & Co.
142.24
Silver, Burdett & Co.
2.16
E. P. Dutton & Co. 30.33
J. L. Hammett Co. 3.02
F. S. Glines .25
Boston School Supply ('o.
5.42
J. Fischer & Bro. 2.38
Oliver Ditson Co.
2.16
$263.09
Stationery and Supplies
Paid Edward E. Babb & Co. $62.91
Huntley S. Turner
15.20
Fred S. Glines 6.78
Thomas Scanlon .38
J. L. Hammett Co. 100.85
Ginn & Co.
18.06
G. E. Greenough
1.00
$205.18
Expenses of Operating School Plants
Wages of Janitors
Paid Fred S. Glines $300.00
Thomas Scanlon 312.00
Asaph Parlin 182.00
$794.00
13
Fuel :
Paid So. Acton Coal & Lumber Co. .. $743.03
Geo. H. Reed 68.36
T. C. Downie 10.50
G. E. Greenough 25.00
Hall Brothers Co.
3.75
L. W. Richardson
2.25
$852.89
Miscellaneous :
Paid American Woolen Co.
$8.58
Tuttle & Newton 9.86
Fred S. Glines
1.75
Thomas Scanlon
15.00
Asaph Parlin
8.50
Hopkinson & Holden
15.82
Daniel Hennessey
3.00
W. & S. Water Supply District of Acton 12.00
Napoleon S. Hoagland 21.65
Geo. H. Gutteridge
5.50
E. T. Rice
14.15
Alma Stowell
.50
$116.31
Maintenance
Repairs
Paid Davis King Co.
$28.50
G. E. Greenough
18.00
Charles H. Persons
2.00
Arthur B. Day
2.00
John S. Hoar
.85
E. T. Rice
10.60
Solon A. Robbins
91.10
14
Fred F. Chandler 125.00
Thomas Scanlon 47.75
Asaph Parlin 15.50
Fred S. Glines
33.00
S. A. Coal & Lumber Co.
6.10
L. E. Reed
3.75
E. A. Phalen 2.20
E. Z. Stanley
6.05
$392.40
Auxiliary Agencies
Health
Paid Thomas Scanlon
$4.50
Geo. B. Robbins Disinfectant Co. 75.00
Fred S. Glines .92
$80.42
Transportation
High School :
Paid Boston and Maine R. R. Co. $1,285.80
N. Y. N. H. & H. R. R. Co. 241.80
E. H. Carey 24.20
$1,551.80
Lowell Industrial School : Paid N. Y. N. H. & H. R. R. Co. $62.15
B. & M. R. R. 12.00
$74.15
1
15
Elementary :
Paid A. Christofferson
$576.00
Walter M. French
430.00
Jens Mekkelsen 518.00
Chas. Edwards
529.00
Total
$2,053.00 $18.472.33
Total receipts
$20,340.15
Total disbursements
18,472.33
Balance. Dec. 31, 1914
$1,867.82
Due from State :
Income Mass. School funds $1,103.83
·
Income from dog tax 292.01
$1,395.84
$3,263.66
Respectfully submitted,
EDWIN A. PHALEN. SAMUEL A. CHRISTIE. BERTRAM E. HALL,
Committee.
Acton. Feb. 24, 1915.
16
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
Members of the Committee :
Following is my fifth report, the twenty-third in the series of such annual reports.
At the end of the school year 1913-1914 two of our teachers left us to engage in other work, Miss Bertha B. McLean after four years of faithful labor as principal of the South Acton schools and Miss Agnes C. Greenhalge after two years of equally faithful work in the intermediate . school at West Acton. It was my good fortune to be able to secure as Miss McLean's successor Miss Emma M. Hal- liday of Calais, Maine, a graduate of Gorham, Maine, Nor- mal School, and Miss Esther M. Vance of Norwood, a gradu- ate of Fitchburg Normal School, to take Miss Greenhalge's place. Miss Halliday had already demonstrated her ability under my supervision in Carlisle, and Miss Vance is ex- hibiting qualities that make her a welcome addition to the Acton corps of teachers. Of the work of the other teachers in town I have repeatedly expressed my appreciation in former reports, and still believe them worthy of our support.
The school year ending in June, 1914, was in many ways a very satisfactory one. Something was attempted and something done towards establishing a standard of work possible to be done in the ordinary subjects taught in the grades. I refer to the course of study worked out in the schools and prepared for distribution late in the school year. It was made to be definite, in the sense that terms and materials familiar to teachers and commonly provided in school rooms were not avoided, nor were limits as meas- ured by pages omitted. But it was not made to be final. for
17
it would be possible, by better teaching and better pupil- co-operation to widen the limits assigned, or by poorer teach- ing and less pupil-co-operation to narrow those limits. Yet I shall be better pleased to continue the limits as assigned, and, with better teaching and better pupil-co-operation, do more thoroughly and more completely the work that we at- tempt to do. In the place of more of a given subject, I urge my teachers to get better reading, better writing, better arithmetic, etc. "More", as a slogan in education should be dropped, and "Better" substituted. Then only will the slow and average pupil come into his own.
In order that I may assist in making good teachers bet- ter teachers I am introducing for their thoughtful considera- tion a copy of a sheet recently issued from the office of an agent of the State Board of Education. After due oppor- tunity for absorbing the meaning of these suggestive quali- fications as applied to themselves, I shall take up with each teacher, under the several headings, her own work. man- ner, interest, etc., as it appears to me. It goes without say- ing that this work will be done sympathetically but with firm impartiality.
I shall follow this outline, for the present at least, in giving my estimate of the teacher to any inquiring superin- tendents or agencies, and shall keep on file a copy for the inspection of the teacher herself.
I shall ask the special teachers to report their own ob- servations, along the lines of this sheet, and believe that in this process we may all discover something to our own ad- vantage with respect to our own shortcomings, and possibly find some excellencies which it may do us good to know definitely.
18
TEACHING ABILITY
Logical.
Illogical.
Systematic. Unsystematic.
Concentrated. Diffuse.
Original. Imitative.
Holds active attention of chil- dren.
Power of correlation-Excel- lent. Good. Fair. Poor.
GOVERNING ABILITY.
Firm. Variable. Weak.
Secures respect of pupils.
Secures co-operation of pupils.
Commands obedience.
Successful. Unsuccessful. .
PHYSIQUE.
Tall. Medium.
Short.
Robust.
Vigorous. Weak.
TEMPERAMENT.
Calm.
Impulsive.
Self-controlled. Nervous.
Energetic. Slothful.
Tactful. Lacks tact.
Purposeful.
Lacks
definite
purpose.
VOICE.
Soft.
Well-modulated.
Agreeable.
Strong. Harsh.
Disagreeable.
REMARKS.
SCHOOL ROOM MANNER
Orderly. Pleasant. Kindly. Easy. Forceful. Dictatorial. Antagonistic. Self-control- Excellent. Good. Fair. Poor ..
SCHOOL ROOM APPEARANCE.
Neat.
Untidy. Slack.
Tasteful in dress. Lacks taste
in dress.
Excellent. Good.
Fair.
Poor.
PROFESSIONAL INTEREST.
Strong.
Progressive.
Slight.
Deficient.
COOPERATIVE RELATION- SHIPS.
With superintendent.
Recep-
tive.
Profits by sugges-
tions. Apathetic. Opposes.
With parents.
Secures co-
operation. Does not secure
co-operation. Antagonizes.
With
fellow-teachers. Agree-
able.
Popular.
Helpful.
Neglectful. Unpopular.
Antagonizes.
HABITUAL USE OF ENGLISH.
Correct. Precise. Well-chosen.
Incorrect. Careless. Slovenly.
Enunciation-Good. Fair.
Poor.
19
THE CARD SYSTEM OF CENSUS TAKING
By the new method of census taking each child's name appears on an individual card which is cumulative, in its nature and designed to trace the child's school record throughout his course in the schools. As a child is required to attend school 130 days after his 13th birthday before he can leave school for employment or otherwise, (until he reaches the age of 16), the teachers, acting under my in- struction have taken these cards and in the case of children becoming 13 during the school year, have drawn a diagonal line through the space showing the school attendance for that year, above which line they have entered the number of days attended before 13, and beneath the line the number of days attended since becoming 13 years of age. By fol- lowing this plan it will not be necessary to go back to the registers to get necessary information concerning attendance since the 13th birthday. In this way a certain kind of cler- ical work that heretofore has required more or less time in research will be much simplified.
I wish to call the attention of all attendance (or tru- ant officers to section 13, chapter 779. of the acts of 1913. This section, with its references, will give a pretty clear idea of the scope of such officers' duties and his responsibili- ties. It will be seen that these officers shall inquire into all cases arising under certain sections of this chapter; shall make complaints and serve legal processes issued under the provisions of this chapter; shall have oversight of children placed on probation under the provisions of section seven ; shall have oversight of children suffering want as provided in chapter 356, of the acts of 1914, of minors licensed by the school committee under the provisions of chapter 419 of the acts of 1910, and its amendments, and of children ad- mitted to or attending shows or entertainments contrary to the provisions of chapter 532 of the acts of 1910. Also, that an attendance officer may apprehend and take to school without a warrant any truant or absentee found wandering about in the streets or public places.
20
Teachers should promptly notify the attendance officers of any unexplained absence from school, but the burden of getting the absentees back into the school clearly appears to be upon the attendance officers.
There is a little tendency to blame the schools for as- serting what is not only a right but an obligation imposco by law. With this explanation I look to see all parents gladly co-operating with the school authorities in this mat- ter of attendance.
I have noted with satisfaction the enthusiasm which has resulted in the purchase of victrolas in the Center and West schools. I do not think this is a fad, but a permanent necessity. It can be a fad only if the many opportunities offered by the victrolas be neglected. In many ways, in- doors, at all seasons, we expect to find the victrolas con- tributing to the educational advantages of these schools. We shall seek, not to amuse, but to inspire and uplift our pupils-to add grace and beauty to the physical child through physical exercises to the accompaniment of appro- priate and stirring music, and give to the mental and spirit- ual possessions higher standards for emulation. If judici- ously used, as we hope and expect, a feature has been added to the school work that will be rich in good results.
The school savings system is now in operation in all the schools of the town. I urge parents to unite with us in encouraging their children to begin to save systematically. It is not the large savings we ask for, with few depositors : it is not dollars that count in this system, but numbers. I hope every boy and girl will begin to bring his pennies and start a real bank account. The law approves this movement and provides for having it carried along.
For a statement of the actual present condition of school savings in Acton I call your attention to a report entered elsewhere under an appropriate heading.
In conclusion I wish to thank you, for myself and teachers, for the interest you have taken in the schools and in us. We have been sustained by friendly co-operation
21
and have endeavored to merit it. and shall endeavor to merit it in the future.
Respectfully submitted, FRANK H. HILL, Superintendent of Schools. Acton, January 18. 1915.
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING
Superintendent F. H. Hill :
Dear Sir :- I herewith submit my third report as super- visor of drawing for the town of Acton, Mass.
The subject of drawing in the public schools should have a sound and practical educational value when taught properly. Drawing should stimulate pupils to higher ideals, so that they will have a desire for all that is beautiful and good in design and color.
Pupils should be able to choose good costumes, home furnishings, wall papers, well designed furniture and pic- tures. They must be choice in color and material but not necessarily costly.
The child must be taught to be resourceful and after understanding the principles of the work, be able to go ahead alone, and involve these principles in other things.
The course in drawing this year is to teach pupils these things, and at the present time has been successful in all schools.
The work in the primary grades is very simple, drawing straight lines, to gain control of the hand and arm. The lines are applied to all sorts of objects about the home and school so that a good variety of drawings is made.
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