USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1911-1915 > Part 5
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Thrift.
One of the subjects authorized to be taught in the- public schools (Acts of 1910) is "Thrift."
The child should be taught, by doing it, how difficult it is to earn a dollar; by saving it, how it may be made to grow; or, spending it, the relative merits of the different things it will purchase. The opportunity for earning it, a cent at a time, perhaps, may be furnished by the home or the community; for saving it by the institution of the School Savings Bank, either under the direction of the school committee or some local organization; while instruc- tion in the relative values of the things a child needs and the things he can get along without may be provided in the schools. And I herewith invite your attention to the matter of a School Savings Bank, ask you to investigate its merits, and if convinced of its value, authorize its intro- duction into your schools, either through the necessary expenditure of seven or eight dollars per year of the town's money or through some local organization which will cause the schools to be visited by an authorized agent at stated periods for the purpose of collecting the children's cents, or nickels or dimes, as the case may be. without solicitation further than a reasonable explanation of the purpose of the visit from time to time. The money so collected will be- deposited to the pupil's credit in some savings bank and the child will be given stamps as evidence of the money brought in until enough has been brought to entitle him to a bank book.
19
Music and Drawing.
The purpose of music and drawing is not primarily to make artists or professionals of our childen; and only a small proportion will ever use either for commercial pur- poses. They are to train ultimately to a better appreciation of the beautiful and ennobling in art and music and in a practical way to a more universal demand for the beautiful in home surroundings and in the appearance of public grounds and highways. The schoolhouse should be the most attractive spot in the town. A surrounding lawn of sufficient width to give the schoolhouse a charming setting, with walks bordered by shrubbery or small garden plots is an essential feature in any plan to improve the appearance of the building. If children come to be accustomed to the beautiful and ennobling they seldom fail to find satisfaction in the best when they go out into the world, and for them the unlovely and the low have no attractions. They naturally, or rather habitually gravitate toward the highest expressions of art, music, literature and character in what- ever situations they find themselves and are quick to detect the true and the false, the real and the sham. For a detailed report of these subjects as taught in this town, I refer you to the reports of the supervisors of drawing and music which follow mine.
Text Books in Use.
Reading-Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, Aldine, with supplementary readers. Grades 5, 6, 7, 8, No basal readers, several selected texts.
Arithmetic-Grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, Nichol's Pro- gressive.
Language and Grammar-Gilbert & Harris, Guide to English.
Geography-Tarr & McMurry.
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History-Grade 5, Eggleston's First Book; grade 6, Montgomery's 'Beginner's; grade 7, Channing, (West Acton) ; Fiske. (Acton Center, South Acton) ; grade 8, Fiske, (West, Center and South).
Spelling-Grades 2, 3, 4. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, Bailey-Manly.
Physiology-Grades 6, 7. 8. 9, Gulick Hygiene Series.
I shall recommend for use at the beginning of the next school year a single text book in history for the several sections of the town, that the requirements may be more uniform. It is well, of course, to have several desk copies of different histories for reference and research, but the basal text in each school should be the same.
In one of the school rooms of the town a complete set of the several texts should be kept for the use of the. superintendent, that he may follow closely the work in each subject, and to serve as a basis of such tests and examinations as he may give from time to time.
The High School.
An effort has been made and further efforts will be made to make the transition from our first year high at West Acton to the second year high at Concord as natural and logical as possible. It will come, if at all, by keeping our school up to the Concord standards and this can be effected only by an interchange of written work and by giving practically the same tests, from time to time, as Concord gives in its first year high. We have made a beginning in that direction and I hope to see a still larger degree of cooperation as the year advances.
The question of a high school maintained entirely by Acton will not, I think, be settled by professional or expert knowledge or on its merits, but by expediency alone. So long as the people of the town are satisfied that their children receive more advantages in Concord than the town can offer in a comparatively small high school, and so long- as they are satisfied that the cost of maintaining the pupils at Concord is reasonable, there will, probably, be a con-
21
tinuance of the present policy. Should the present legis- lature give the State Board of Education what it has asked for in the matter of independent agricultural high schools and agricultural departments in other high schools, with the proposed state aid, the time might be opportune for Acton to build and maintain a high school that would be a monument to its spirit of progressiveness.
So long as the present arrangement prevails I shall leave no opportunity untried to make it as successful as. possible.
Conclusion.
In conclusion let me thank the teachers for their kindly spirit of cooperation, and you for the helpful attitude you have taken toward the schools and my work in them.
Respectfully submitted,
Acton, February 6, 1911.
FRANK H. HILL ..
22
DRAWING REPORT.
Mr. F. H. Hill, Superintendent of Schools :
Dear Sir-I herewith submit the report of the super- visor of drawing for the Town of Acton.
In the primary grades the work has been the same as last year; the drawing of simple forms to gain control of the hand, and make it do as the mind dictates. A child writes poorly, not because he does not know a good letter when he sees it, but because he cannot make his hand form a good letter. Therefore, control of the hand is necessary, and much time has been spent in drawing straight lines in various positions, circles, ellipses, and ovals, to gain control of that hand. These various forms were reviewed, and a new interest obtained, by drawing various natural forms which involve them. The straight lines were reviewed in drawings. Other work has been done to stimulate the imagination, and teach the pupil to be resourceful.
In the intermediate and grammar grades, the study of color has been taken up; each grade studying one of the simpler harmonies; and, after working it out, applying it to a color scheme for dress and also for room furnishings. Some very good work was done along these lines.
Nature drawing was taken up, both for the accurate representation of the parts of the plant, and for the artistic disposition of the plant forms within a given space. More time was spent in the study of the common geometric solids. Various forms were developed in the various grades after a study of pattern developement, and then working-draw- ings were made, each pupil using his own model.
23
The work before Christmas was composed of various forms to be made of card-board and cover-paper. These forms were planned by the pupils and worked out by them. Each problem was to be original and of some practical value; this tends to strengthen and develop resourcefulness in the pupil.
Much time and energy has been spent in trying to over- come the natural tendency towards inaccuracy and care- lessness. This is one of the greatest difficulties in the way of getting good results, and I feel that a great deal has been done in the way of improvement along that line.
In speaking of the work as a whole, I can say that there has been great improvement over the work of last year, es- pecially in the High School.
I wish to extend my hearty thanks to the Superin- tendent, the Committee, and the teachers for their hearty and kindly support.
Respectfully submitted,
F. W. BRACKETT.
January 23, 1911.
24
MUSIC REPORT.
Mr. F. H. Hill, Superintendent of Schools, Littleton, Massachusetts.
Dear Sir-In public school music we are striving to de- velop in the children a love for good music and to teach as many in the principles of music as is possible under the con- ditions.
A change in the supervisors often means some difference in method and although the underlying principles remain the same, this sometimes makes it difficult to see results for the first few weeks. However, I feel that the work being accomplished in the Acton schools at present is very gratifying and shows concientious endeavor on the part of both teachers and children.
At South Acton the first and second grades under Miss Hinckley are already able to sing from dictation, also easy exercises from the staff; and their note-songs are well learned.
Miss McCarthy is doing especially good work with the third and fourth, there being a marked improvement in quality of tone. Miss McLean has the music in grammar and intermediate rooms and her work shows good results. Where there are three grades in a room, as here, the seventh, eighth and ninth, the third reader is new to the seventh but review to the eighth and ninth; so I have given them the fourth readers, as part 1 of this reviews the principles of the third reader, and I have found that they manifest much more enthusiasm in the new songs and exercises.
At the Center School the work in music is progressive. In the primary, Miss Smith's third grade is using first
25
Readers while grades one and two are able to read from the staff.
The work in the Intermediate shows careful teaching on the part of Miss Miller.
Miss Gamble has a small class, but their three part work is excellent ; here also we have used the fourth readers since. December.
At West Acton, Mrs. Gardner is using first Readers; for the third grade and creditable work is being done in the first and second grades in sight reading and rote-songs.
The fifth and sixth grades under Miss Evans' careful training are making a steady advance; these two years in- volve many of the chief principles of music.
In the grammar school Miss Taylor's work shows earn -- est endeavor and good results. Here, too, we use the fourth readers.
Miss Paine's class or first year high is doing very good three part chorus work. At present we are reviewing some. of the principles of last year's work.
From the third grade up, we are having individual sing- ing from the Weaver slips, every two weeks at least, and some work in ear-training.
I find the use of breathing exercises before the music period helpful and singing exercises with Koo or Loo after the syllables greatly improves the quality of tone.
In the upper grades we cannot always acquire the results expected on account of boys with changing voices and at this period the voices require careful watching.
At the beginning of the year, I tested all voices from the fourth grade up, made a record of the range. etc., and placed it in the hands of the teachers.
I wish to thank the teachers for their co-operation in my work and to extend my sincere gratitude to the Superin- tendent and committee for their support and all favors.
Respectfully submitted,
ALICE MARION GENTHNER.
26
ROLL OF HONOR.
High School.
For three terms-Florence A. Merriam.
For two terms-Mabel A. Berganson.
For one term-Walter P. Morse, Chester E. Wood, Mil- dred E. Shattuck, Frank E. Greenough, Clifton H. Davidson.
South Acton.
For three terms-Dora Fletcher, Patrick Foley, Hazel Hoit, Theron Lowden.
For two terms-Herbert Merriam, Sherman Warren, Annie Foley, Vida Thomas,
For one term-Mary Hearon, Henry Evans. John Fletcher, Susan Fletcher, Dorothy Lowden. Laura Donnelly, Anthony Foley, Ruth Littlefield, Roy Thomas, Osgood Tuttle, Louise Tobin, Harold Coolidge, Edward Pendergast. Otis Reed.
West Acton.
For two terms-James Bernese, Naomi Schnair, Willie Schnair, Richard Schnair, Florence Schnair, Isabelle Greer, Roger Brown, James Kinsley, Hazel Coolidge. Irma Durkee, Ruby Greer, Mary Benere, Annie Benere.
For one term-Francis Hopps, Burton Littlefield, Alice Millett, Kenneth French, Harry French, Alta Teele, Mar- garet Hall. William McCharles. Ethel Spinney, Irma Brown. Lillian Spinney.
! 27
Acton Center.
For three terms - Rebecca
Fredrikson, Ernest Greenough.
For two terms-Loren H. Mekkelson, Ray L. Harris, F. Earle Farrar, Gunnar F. Fredrikson, Ernest L. Whit- comb. Edith R. Lawrey, Florence M. Morse, Katherine Hayes, Marion Spinney, Jennie Tuttle, Edith Tuttle.
For one term-Raymond F. Farrar, Abbie E. Coughlin, Nellie M. Stiles, Merritt L. Farrar, Florence R. Cheney, Annie J. Coughlin, Florence A. Prentiss, Helen B. Robbins, Marion L. Tuttle. Leonard Worden, Ebba I. Fredrikson, Walter Stiles. Agnes Coughlin, John Mekkelson, Ralph Smith, George Smith, Grace Freeman.
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TRUANT OFFICERS' REPORT.
'1'o the School Committee of Acton, Massachusetts :
The Truant Officers submit their ninth annual report to the School Committee for the year ending February 1, 1911.
Whole number of pupils looked up 23
Causes of absence.
West
South Center
Sickness
0
0
1
Kept at home
2
0
2
Returned
0
0
3
Truants
2
0
0
Left town
0
0
13
Yours respectfully,
ALBERT S. BRADLEY, THOMAS SCANLON, ASAPH PARLIN,
Truant Officers.
STATISTICS FOR THE YEAR 1909-1910.
School
Grades
Number
Enrolled
Largest
Average
Membership
Average
Attendance
Percent of
Attendance
Boys Number
between 5
and 15
Number
between 7
and 14
Number
Girls over 15
Center Primary
. I .- III.
29
27
24.54
22.26
90.96
15
14
10
8
0
Center Intermediate
. IV .- VI.
32
31
27.14
24.74
90.51
10
19
10
19
0
Center Grammar . VII .- VIII.
15
14
13.24
12.13
91.36
8
6
8
4|
0
South Lower Primary
. ... I .- II.
40
39
36.39
30.90
85.00
21
18
5
6
0
0
South Upper Primary ... III .- IV.
32
29
27.20
24.20
89.63
11
15
11
15
0)
0
South Intermediate . .. V .- VI.
29
29
26.02
24.42
93.78
14
15
14
15
0
0
South Grammar
VII .- IX.
42
38
36.40
32.28
88.47
17
14
15
12
C
2
West Primary
.I .- III.
31
31
28.35
25.62
90.27
19
10
10
0
0
West Intermediate
. IV .- V.
32
32
29.42
27.67
92.96
11
18
11
14
0
()
West
Grammar
. VI .- VIII.
37
34
32.42
30.39
92.55
10
20
10
18|
0 2
High
. .. X.
22
22
20.90
19.62
92.92
8
8
3
3| 5 1
341
326
301.92
274.23
90.77
144| 157| 301
107| 118 5 5 225 10
Girls
Boys
Girls
Boys
29
Membership
30
Statistics-Three Upper Grades High School.
Number admitted to the High school, Acton . . |
17
1 24
Number graduated from the Grammar school
9
21
30
Number admitted to the High school, Concord,
3
0 3
Number in Concord, 2d year High
12
13
25
Number in Concord, 3d year High
9
12
21
Number in Concord, 4th year High
4
6
10
Number graduated from Concord, 1910
2
5
7
Number repeating the year's work
0
1 1
1
REPORT OF SIGHT AND HEARING TESTS.
A. C. W. A. S. A. Total
Number enrolled in school 80
124
129
333
Number defective in eyesight
6
4
11
21
Number defective in hearing 3
5
10
18
Number of parents notified 9
8
20
37
~ Boys
Girls
Total
SCHOOL CENSUS, SEPTEMBER, 1910.
Number of boys between the ages of five and fifteen, 167 Number of girls between the ages of five and fifteen, 173
Total 340
Number of boys between the ages of seven and fourteen, 106 Number of girls between the ages of seven and fourteen, 119
Total 225
Number of illiterate minors 0
31
INDEX
Town Officers
3
Town Warrant
5
Town Meetings
10
State Election
18
Town Clerk's Report
22
Births
23
Marriages
24
Deaths
26
Non-Resident Burials
28 29
Selectmen's Report
31
Treasurer's Report
54 60
Assessors' Report
61
Collector's Report
62
Road Commissioners
64 67
Board of Health
68
Beef Inspector's Report
69
Cattle Inspector's Report
69
Overseers of the Poor
70
Report of Cemetery Commissioners
74
Trustees Goodnow Fund 80
Acton Memorial Library
82
SECOND SECTION
School Report
1
School Calendar
3
Committee
4
Standing Rules
6
Financial Statement
9
Superintendent's Report
11
Supervisor of Drawing
22
Roll of Honor
26
Truant Officers
28
Supervisor of Music 24
Statistical Tables 29
Dog Licenses
Auditor's Report
Tree Warden
U. N. Med
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Several Boards of Town Officers
OF THE
TOWN OF ACTON MASSACHUSETTS
For. the Year Ending February 1,
1912
RATED
P
. 1735.
ACTON.
THE NEWS-ENTERPRISE
1912
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
Several Boards of Town Officers
OF THE
TOWN OF ACTON MASSACHUSETTS
For Year Ending February 1,
1912
RATEL
ONI
1735.
ACTON ..
THE NEWS.ENTERPRISE
1912
٠
3
TOWN OFFICERS, 1911.
Selectmen
Edgar H. Hall James P. Brown Willis L. Holden
Town Clerk
Horace F. Tuttle
Town Treasurer
Frank W. Hoit
Assessors
William F. Stevens
Term expires 1914
William F. Kelley Term expires 1913
James B. Tuttle Term expires 1912
Overseers of the Poor
William F Kelley Edgar H. Hall Willis L. Holden
Auditor William T. Merriam
Collector of Taxes William F. Stevens
Tree Warden William H. Kingsley
4
Constables
Albert S. Bradley J. Linwood Richardson
William C. Coughlin William F. Stevens
Fence Viewers
Edgar H. Hall Willis L. Holden Lyman C. Taylor
Field Drivers
Albert S. Bradley William C. Coughlin
J. Linwood Richardson William F. Stevens
Road Commissioners
William H. Kingsley Term expires 1914
Albert H. Perkins Term expires 1912
Alfred W. Davis Term expires 1913
Cemetery Commissioners
Herbert T. Clark Term expires 1914
Horace F. Tuttle Term expires 1913
Julian Tuttle Term expires 1912
School Committee
Allen Brooks Parker Term expires 1913
Edwin A. Phalen Term expires 1914
Samuel A. Christie Term expires 1912
Board of Health
Frank E. Tasker Term expires 1912
James B. Tuttle Term expires 1914
Asaph Merriam Term expires 1913
Trustees of Memorial Library (Chosen by the Town)
J. Sidney White Term expires 1914 Horace F. Tuttle Term expires 1913
Lucius A. Hesselton . Term expires 1912
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TOWN WARRANT
RATED
-1735.
ACTON
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Middlesex, ss.
To either of the Constables of the Town of Acton, in the County of Middlesex. GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Acton, qualified to vote in elections and town affairs, to assemble in the town hall, in said town, on Monday, the twenty-fifth day of March, 1912, at nine o'clock in the forenoon. Then and there to act on the following articles, to wit :
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 for one year, one
6
selectman for one year, one selectman for two years, one selectman for three years, 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 Memorial library, one member of the school committee, one cemetery commissioner, and one member of the board of health, all for three years.
Also on the same ballot with the above named officers to vote upon the following question: "Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this 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 at any previous meeting that have not already reported.
Article 6. To see what amount of money the town will raise for the 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 what amount of money the town will raise for the support of Memorial library the current year.
Article 9. To see what amount of money the town will appropriate for the care of cemeteries, or act anything thereon.
Article 10. To see what amount of money the town will raise for maintenance of fire department, or act any- thing thereon.
Article 11. To see if the town will pay for fighting brush fires, and fix price, or act anything thereon.
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 if the town will vote to contract with the American Woolen Company for additional electric street lights, or take any action in reference to lighting the streets of the town.
Article 14. To see if the town will build a new bridge to replace the wooden one at East Acton, or act anything thereon ..
Article 15. 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 16. To see if the town will vote to bond its collector in an Indemnity Company and raise and appro priate money for payment of premiums on treasurer's and collector's bonds, or act anything thereon.
Article 17. To see if the town will raise and appro- priate a sum of money to build the road across the common in West Acton as laid out by the county commissioners, and for the damages as assessed, or act anything thereon.
Article 18. To see if the town will appoint a town accountant, and fix salary of same, or act anything thereon.
Article 19. To see what action the town will take in regard to the extermination of the elm leaf beetle.
Article 20. To see what action the town will take in reference to the extermination of the gypsy and brown tail moth.
Article 21. To see what amount of money the town will vote to raise and appropriate for the support of schools, the purchase of school books and supplies, the expense of operating the school plants, repairs and improvements upon school grounds and buildings, the transportation of scholars
8
and for any other expense relating to the maintenance of the school department, or do or act anything thereon.
Article 22. To see if the town will vote to contract with the Town of Concord for a certain number of hydrants in East Acton, or act anything thereon.
Article 23. To see what amount of money the town will raise for town charges.
Article 24. To see what action the town will take in regard to the collection of taxes.
Article 25. To see if the town will vote to place a two-cell steel cage in the fire house at West Acton, for a lockup, or act anything thereon.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting copies, attested by you, in the following places: One in each of the post offices and railroad stations, one in each of the stores of C. H. Mead & Co., W. E. Whitcomb, M. E. Taylor & Co., Tuttle & Newton, Finney & Hoit, George H. Reed, and one at the Nagog House, seven days at least before the time appointed for holding said meeting.
Given under our hands in Acton this eleventh day of March, in the year one thousand nine hundred twelve.
EDGAR H. HALL, JAMES P. BROWN, WILLIS L. HOLDEN, Selectmen of Acton
9
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL MEETING,
MARCH 27, 1911
1
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-Edgar HI. Hall, James P. Brown, Willis L. Holden.
Assessor-William F. Stevens.
Overseers of the Poor-Edgar H. Hall, Willis L. Holden. William F. Kelley.
Treasurer-Frank W. Hoit.
Collector of Taxes-William F. Stevens.
Auditor-William T. Merriam.
Constables-Albert S. Bradley, William C. Coughlin, J. Linwood Richardson, William F. Stevens.
10
Road Commissioner-William H. Kingsley.
Field Drivers-Albert S. Bradley, William C. Coughlin, J. Linwood Richardson, William F. Stevens.
Fence Viewers-Edgar H. Hall, Willis L. Holden, Ly- man C. Taylor.
School Committee-Edwin A. Phalen.
Cemetery Commissioner-Herbert T. Clark.
Board of Health-James B. Tuttle.
Trustee of Memorial Library-J. Sidney White.
Tree Warden-William H. Kingsley.
On the Question, "Shall licenses be granted for the sale of intoxicating liquors in this town," the vote was:
Whole number of ballots cast 393
Yes 152
No 221
Blanks 20
Article 3. To see if the town will change the term of its selectmen so that hereafter one shall be chosen annually for the term of three years.
Voted: That the town accept the provisions of Sec. 367 Chap. 560 of the Acts of 1907 so far as it relates to the election of selectmen and at its next annual meeting elect one for the term of one year, one for the term of two years and one for the term of three years, and at each annual meeting thereafter one for the term of three years as the term of office of one expires.
11
Article 4. To choose all necessary town officers not named in Article 2 and fix salaries.
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