USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Acton > Town annual reports of Acton, Massachusetts 1916-1920 > Part 25
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Mather, F .- Modern fish culture in fresh and salt water Maynard, S. T .- Landscape gardening as applied to home decoration 71M4711 973M558t 914M645m 918M939u
Mereness, N. D .- Travels in the colonies
Millard, B .- The Mediterranean cruise
Mozans, H. J .- Up the Orinoco and down the Magdalena Orth, S. P .- Five American politicians ; a study in the evo- lution of American politics Packard, W .- Old Plymouth trails
921077f 917.3P1190 27P147a
Paine, T .- Age of reason
McConnell, J. R .-- Flying for France with the American Escadrille at Verdun 940M129f 78M138w 940M145g 940M476g 63M427m
Lossing, B .- Our country
57
Parquin, C .- Napoleon's victories, 1803-1814 944P274n
Payne, G. H .- History of journalism in the United States 973P346h Perry, L. D .- Seat weaving 68P463s
Peters, C .- The Eldorado of the ancients 916.7P481e 14P611s
Picton, J. A .- Spinoza, a handbook to the ethics
Presland, J .- Lynton and Lynmouth
Richardson, R. C .- West Point
914.2P9341 35R524w 914.8R4810
Roberts, G. S .- Historic towns of the Connecticut river valley 973.2R644h 918R697i
Rodway, J .- In the Guiana forest
Roosevelt, K .- War in the garden of Eden
940R781w
Scott, E. J .- Scott's official history of the American negro in the World war
940S425s
Service, C. M .- Parks and memorials of the State of Illinois 977.3S591p 922S534s
Shaw, A. H .- The story of the pioneer
Shelley, H. C .- The British museum; its history and treasures 914.2S545b 955S562s
Shuster, W. M .- The strangling of Persia
Sirois, E. D. and McGinnis, W .- Smashing through the
World war with fighting battery C, 102 F. A. Y. D. 940S619≤
Smith, J. H .- Our struggle for the fourteenth colony, Can- ada and the American Revolution. Two volumes 973.3S6510
Smith, R. H .- Justice and the poor
Steele, Z .- The Indian captive
Stobart, S. and C .- The flaming sword in Serbia and else- where 940S863f
Stone, G .- Wales, her origins, struggles and later history, institutions and manners 942.9S877w
Townsend, M .- An index to the United States of America 973T754a Townsend, W. G. P .- Embroidery, or the craft of the needle 74T752e
Tunney, T. J .- Throttled, the detection of the German and Anarchist bomb plotters in the United States 940T926t 940V235w 61W 446m 36W556s
Vanderlip, F. A .- What happened to Europe Welham, S .- A manual for nurses
Wheat, G. S .- The story of the American Legion
Wharton, A. H .- English ancestral homes of noted Americans 914.2W553e 973.2W724r 917.3W724a
Williams, J .- The redeeemed captive returning to Zion Williams, J. D .- America illustrated
Wood, E. F .- The note-book of an intelligence officer Wood, E. F .- The note-book of an attaché
940W875n 940W875no
Woodbury, C. H .- Painting and the personal equation 75W 884p Young, S. H .- Adventures in Alaska 917.3Y76a 55Z66p
Ziegler, V .- Popular oil geology
34S657j 973.2S814i
Riis, J. A .- The old town
58
FICTION
Ashmun, M .- Isabel Carleton in the West
Bacheller, I .- A man for the ages
Bassett, S. W .- The harbor road
B612w
Bower, B. M .- Her prairie knight
B786h
Bower, B. M .- The flying U's last stand
B786fl
Bower, B. M .- The heritage of the Sioux
B786he
Bower, B. M .- The lookout man
B7861q
Bower, B. M .- The quirt
B786q
Bower, B. M .- The uphill climb
B786u
Brown, A .- The black drop
B8773bl
Chambers, R. W .- The crimson tide
C444cr
Chambers, R. W .- The slayer of souls
C444sl
Cooper, J. A .- Cap'n Abe, storekeeper
C777ca
Cooper, J. A .- Tobias o' the light
C777t
Cullum, R .- The heart of Unaga
C967h
Curwood, J. O .- The river's end
C982r
Day, H .- The rider of the king log
D273r
Dell, E .- The lamp in the desert
D3571
Dix, B. M .- Hands off !
D619h
Dorrance, E. and J .- Flames of the Blue Ridge
D716f
DuBois, M. C .- Comrade Rosalie
D816e
Durkin, D .- The heart of Cherry McBain
D919h
Fletcher, J. S .- The middle temple murder
F613m
Galsworthy, J .- The dark flower
G178d G349c
George, W. L .- Caliban
G548bu
Glasgow, E .- Life and Gabriella
G5481
Gregory, J .- The bells of San Juan
G822b
Grey, Z .- The man of the forest
G842m
Hitchens, R .- Mrs. Marden
H626nı
Johnston, Sir H .- The Gay-Dombeys
J735g
King, B .- The city of comrades
K521c
Leverage, H .- Whispering wires
L659W
Lewis, S .- Free air
L676ť
Lincoln, J. C .- The Portygee
L7372po
Lutz, G. L .- Exit Betty
L975ex
MacGrath, H .- The man with three names
M147m
MacGrath, H .- The yellow typhoon
M1477
MacKowan-Janet of the Kootenay
M159j
Merrick, L .- Conrad in search of his youth
M569c
Merrick, L .- Cynthia
M569cy
Merrick, L .- The actor manager
M569a
Montgomery, L. M .- Further chronicles of Avonlea
M787f
Mundy, T .- The ivory trail
M965i
Norris, K .- Harriet and the piper
N856ha
Ollivant, A .- Boy Woodburn
0425
Oppenheim, E. P .- A millionaire of yesterday
062mi
Bindloss, H .- The wilderness mine
A827i B121m B319h
Glasgow, E .- The builders
59
Oppenheim, E. P .- The Cinema murder
062ci
Oppenheim, E. P .- The great impersonation
062g
Oppenheim, E. P .- The wicked marquis
062wi
Ostrander, I .- Ashes to ashes
085a
Ostrander, I .- The twenty-six clues
085ť
Packard, F. L .- The night operator
P119n®
Paine, R. D .- Ships across the sea
P146sh
Parrish, R .- The mystery of the silver dagger
P261my
Porter, E. H .- Mary Marie
P844ma
Richardson, N .- The world shut out
R524w
Richmond, G .- Red and black
R532re
Rinehart, M. R .- The amazing interlude
R579am
Robins, C .- Camilla
R657ca
Rockwell, F. F .- The key to the land
R684k
Rowland, H. C .- The pedler
R883p
Shed, G. C .- The iron furrow
S541i
Sidgwick, A .- Salt of the earth
S568s
Steele, C. K .- The diamond cross mystery
S814d
Swinnerton, F .- Nocturne
S978n
Swinnerton, F .- September
S978$
Tarkington, B .- Ramsey Milholland
T176r
Tracy, L .- The Bartlet mystery
T761b
Tracy, L .- Number seventeen
T761n
Wallace, E .- Green rust
W188g
Wallace, E .- Kate plus 10
W188k
Wallace, E .- The secret house
W 188s
Walpole, H .- The dark flower
W218d
Walpole, H .- The golden scarecrow
W218g
Walpole, H .- The green mirror
W218gr
Walpole, H .- The secret city
W218s
Ward, F .- The singing heart
W259s W 453g
Wells, C .- The gold bag
Wells, C .- The man who fell through the earth
W453mb
Wells, C .- The mark of Cain
W 453mc
Wells, C .- Patty and Azalea
W453pp
Wells, C .- The white alley
· W453w
Weston, G .- Mary minds her business
W535m
White, W. P .- Lynch lawyers
W58921
Williams, B. A .- The sea bride
W721s:
Willsie, H .- The forbidden trail
W741f
Wodehouse, P. G .- A damsel in distress JUVENILE
W838d
Altsheler, J. A .- The lords of the wild
JA46910
Bishop, A .- Bob Thorpe, sky fighter in Italy
JB622b
Bishop, A .- Bob Thorpe, sky fighter in the Lafayette fly- ing corps Blanchard, A. E .- A little maid of Picardy
JB622bo
JB639li
JB639lu'
Blanchard, A. E .- Lucky Penny of Thistle troop Cadby, C .- Puppies and kittens and other stories
JC121p
.
60
Canfield, F. C .- The refugee family
D'Aulnoy, C .- The children's fairyland JD239c JD996b
Dyer, W. A .- Ben, the battle horse
Eaton, W. P .- On the edge of the wilderness
JE140 JF879u
Hagedon, H .- The boy's life of Theodore Roosevelt
J9R7811
Haines, D. H .- The dragon-flies Ingersoll, E .- The Raisin Creek Exploring club
JH152d JI47r JK291c
Kescel, D. T .- The adventures of Dal Hamilton
JK42a
Lange, D .- The Shawnee's warning
JL274s JL3221
Large, L. A .- Little people who became great
JM115d
MacArthur, R. B .- Daisy Parker, T. D .- The air raider
JP243a
Roosevelt, T .- Theodore Roosevelt's letters to his children
JR781i
Scoville, S .- Boy Scouts in the wilderness
JS432b
Sheridan, S. N .- Billy Vanilla
JS552b
Theiss, L. E .- The hidden aerial
JT376hi
Theiss, L. E .- The young wireless operator afloat
JT376y
Walsh, G. E .- The boy vigilantes of Belgium
JW224b
Weeks, A. D .- Squaw Point
JW395s
BOUND MAGAZINES
Atlantic-January-June, 1919.
Atlantic-July-December, 1919.
Century-May-October, 1919.
Harper's-December, 1918-May, 1919.
Harper's-June-November, 1919.
Popular Mechanics-January-June, 1919.
Popular Mechanics-July-December, 1919.
Review of Reviews-January-June, 1919.
St. Nicholas-May-October, 1919.
Scientific American-January-June, 1919.
Scientific American-July-December, 1919.
Seribner's-January-June, 1919.
World's .Work-May-October, 1919.
REFERENCE
Acton Town Reports-1910-1915.
American and English Geneaologies in the Library of Congress.
Annual Report Smithsonian Institution-1917-1918.
Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians. Book of the United States. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
Chamber's Encyclopedia, edition 1894 -- 10 volumes.
Cyclopedia of Useful and Entertaining Knowledge. General Acts of Massachusetts-1919. Heroes All.
Journal, House of Representatives of Massachusetts-1919.
JC2221r
Frentz, E. W .- Uncle Zeb and his friends
Kelland, C. B .- Catty Atkins
61
Journal of the Senate of Massachusetts-1919.
List of the Washington Manuscripts in the Library of Congress. Manual for the General Court-1920.
Mr. Adams' Sermon on the Death of Col. John Edwards.
Municipal Finances of Massachusetts-1917.
Peloubet's Select Notes-1921.
Proceedings U. S. National Museum-2 volumes.
Proceedings G. A. R. Department Massachusetts-1919.
Report Bank Commissioners of Massachusetts Department Savings Banks.
Report Librarian of Congress.
Special Acts of Massachusetts-1919.
Thirty-third Report Interstate Commerce Commission.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
OF THE
TOWN OF ACTON
MASSACHUSETTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31
1920
FE
ONI
1735.
2.c
FACTON ..
THE NEWS-ENTERPRISE HUDSON, MASS. 1921
SCHOOL CALENDAR
1921
March 18. Winter term closes.
March 28. Spring term opens.
June 17. Spring term closes.
1921-'22
Sept.
5. Fall term opens.
Thanksgiving recess : Thanksgiving and the day following.
Nov. 28. Winter term begins. Vacation : Christmas week and week following, school be- ginning January 2, 1922.
LEGAL HOLIDAYS
January 1, February 22, April 19, May 30, July 4, First Monday of September, October 12, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. (The day following when any of the first four days mentioned, the 12th of October or Christmas occurs on Sunday.)
Arbor Day falls on the last Saturday in April and is not a legal holiday.
Flag Day falls on June 14, and is not a legal holiday. It should le observed by proper exercises by any school in session on that day.
3
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 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, unless qualified in the opinion of the teacher and superin- tendent of schools to do the work.
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 property 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 fifteenth day of the month it is reckoned as falling upon the first day of that month.
ORGANIZATION
School Committee
Harry N. Brown, chairman Term expires 1921
Mrs. Alice M. Carlisle Term expires 1921
Bertram E. Hall, Secretary . Term expires 1922
Mrs. Elsie F. Parsons
Term expires 1922
Allen C. Flagg Term expires 1923
Mrs. Lily C. Case Term expires 1923
Superintendent
Herman C. Knight, Townsend, Mass.
Telephone : Townsend, 61-3; Littleton, 7-21 (Monday-Friday).
Attendance Officers
Thomas Scanlon West Acton Walter M. French South Acton
Teachers in Service, December 31, 1920
School
Teacher
Appointed
Where Educated
Home Address
Center
Martha F. Smith .... 1902 Lowell Normal
Acton
Florence M. Williams 1919 Hyannis Normal .
Norwell
Ella L. Miller . .. 1899 Framingham Normal
Acton
West
Doris M. Look . 1919 Fitchburg Normal
Leominster
Florence Geary ..... 1920 Lowell Normal
Lowell
Helmi Myllykangas .1920 Fitchburg Normal
Fitchburg
South
Florence Moore .... 1920 Fitchburg Normal
Fitchburg
Julia L. McCarthy . . 1906 Fitchburg Normal
South Acton
Jennie Stowell ..... 1907 Fitchburg Normal
South Acton
Mrs. Helen Cummings '19
Warner, N. H.
4
.
.
5
GENERAL REPORT
Following is our report of receipts and disbursements for 1920, and an estimate of our needs for 1921.
The superintendent in his report, to be found elsewhere, has taken up most of the ground usually covered by your committee's report and at a regular meeting of the committee, on February 3, 1921, it was voted to accept his report as a report of this committee.
There is one item he has not touched, however; that is, the added cost of transportation. Last September all railroad fares were in creased, and in November your committee was petitioned by a very large number of residents of Acton Center and North Acton for better transportation for the high school children from those districts. It was represented that great hardship was entailed by these scholars, owing to the infrequency of train service to and from Concord and they asked for transportation over the road by auto barge. Your committee felt the justice of their complaints and after some inquiry, arrangements were made with Mr. George Noyes to transport these scholars by auto barge, at a cost of $35 per week.
ESTIMATES FOR THE SUPPORT OF SCHOOLS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1921
For general expenses :
Salaries and other expenses of the com- mittee $175.00
Salaries and other expenses of the super- intendent and truant officers 900.00
For expenses of instruction :
Tuition of pupils attending out of town schools 11,250.00
Salaries of elementary school teachers 13,000.00
For text books :
For elementary schools it is anticipated that the amount to be received from dog tax will cover this item
1,000.00
For stationery and supplies : Elementary schools 500.00
For expenses of operating school plants : Wages of janitors, fuel and miscellaneous expenses 3,000.00
Maintenance and repairs
1,500.00
For auxiliary agencies : Health 250.00
For transportation :
High school scholars 3,100.00
Elementary scholars 2,800.00
Total
$37,475.00
6
Less estimated income, dog tax
300.00
$37,175.00
RECEIPTS ON ACCOUNT OF SCHOOLS FOR YEAR 1920 Massachusetts school fund $302.65
Industrial school fund
406.56
Dog tax
301.32
Superintendent of school fund
343.00
Superintendent of school fund
129.77
Tuition
70.10
Miscellaneous
92.00
Appropriation
$1,645.40 27,000.00
$28,645.40
DISBURSEMENTS
General Expenses School Committee
Salaries :
B. E. Hall, salary 1920 $100.00
Other expenses :
Samuel Ward Co.
$5.75
B. E. Hall, postage and telephone tolls
5.67
Huntley S. Turner
12.85
Wright & Potter Printing Co.
6.62
Eliz. W. Cutler
35.00
Harry N. Brown, telephone tolls
1.55
A. W. Davis
5.00
$72.44
Superintendent of Schools and Enforcement of Law Salaries : Herman C. Knight $727.60
Walter M. French
10.60
Miscellaneous
Herman C. Knight
$144.79
Ruth D. Willard
13.75
$738.20
$158.54
7
Expenses of Instruction
Town of Concord high City of Lowell
$8,356.13
583.75
City of Boston
1.00
$8,940.88
Elementary Schools :
Mrs. Helen H. Cummings
$911.62
Tennie E. Stowell
889.80
Julia L. McCarthy
865.44
Florence Moore
375.00
E. Sophia Taylor
514.80
Helmi Myllykangas
453.90
Doris M. Look
832.60
Muriel Fairchild
73.68
Gladys Farnsworth
471.90
Myrtha I. Dimlich
682.14
Ella L. Miller
986.45
Martha F. Smith
889.80
Florence M. Williams
841.48
Irma M. Durkee
143.00
Mrs. Mabel Howd
133.73
Blanche Millard
84.00
DeMerritt A. Hiscar
110.00
Grace Tucker
225.16
Irene Holt
25.00
Rachel Kimball
5.00
.
$9,514.50
Fuel
South Acton Coal & Lumber Co.
$684.41
George H. Reed
269.02
James Grimes
45.00
Hall Brothers Co.
7.50
Warren Hayward
·
8.75
$1,014.68
Miscellaneous
M. E. Taylor & Co. .
$8.25
Edw. E. Babb & Co.
4.27
W. & S. Water Supply District of Acton
37.03
Finney & Hoit
3.17
J. S. Moore
.85
Theron F. Newton
11.40
Henry C. Doughty
5.54
$70.51
8
Maintenance
Repairs
Finney & Hoit
$9.75
L. T. Fullonton
557.62
William Johnson
47.46
B. A. King
44.10
W. B. Holt
50.78
F. Z. Taylor
7.69
Theron F. Newton
1.65
Henry E. Keough
66.02
S. A. Coal & Lumber Co.
84.13
Carl Pickens .
2.50
Stone & Underhill
33.84
H. N. Brown
.40
W. H. Johns-Manville Co.
7.37
Arthur Wayne
77.80
E. A. Phalen
7.20
E. Z. Stanley
21.11
Aver Hardware Co.
27.00
$1.046.42
Text Books
Edward E. Babb & Co.
$18.73
American Book Co.
295.30
John C. Winston Co.
16.11
Silver Burdett & Co.
58.96
D. C. Heath & Co.
1.56
Lyons & Cornahan
13.73
Ginn & Co.
80.51
Hiram Parkin
7.00
Milton Bradley Co.
5.17
The Macmillan Co.
7.55
Theron F. Newton, express
1.15
$505.77
Stationery and Supplies
Edward E. Babb & Co.
$73.10
Squanicook Printing Co.
.55
J. L. Hammett & Co.
143.55
Milton Bradley Co.
56.25
Library Bureau
4.59
Ryan & Baker
40.26
C. C. Birchard Co.
4.14
Theron F. Newton. freight and express
6.21
$328.65
9
Expenses of Operating School Plants
Wages of Janitor
Theron F. Newton
$506.00
Thomas Scanlon
474.00
Carl Pickens
348.93
George Little
48.00
Lowell Jones
10.00
Auxiliary Agencies Health
George B. Robbins Dis. Co.
$100.00
F. W. Green
8.00
Theron F. Newton
1.17
.
$109.17
Transportation
High School :
Boston & Maine R. R.
$1,581.24
N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R.
26.40
George E. Murphy
9.24
Ruth H. Davis
1.62
$1,618.50
Lowell Industrial :
Boston & Maine R. R. Co.
$131.34
N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Co.
104.34
$235.68
Elementary :
Walter M. French
$370.00
A. Christofferson
615.00
Charles Edwards
860.00
!. D. Smith
860.00
$2,705.00
Total for transportation
$4,559.18
Miscellaneous Expenses
Henry C. Doughty
$42.00
('arswell Hawthorne 12.00
$54.00
New Equipment
Nelson H. Brown
$45.53
·
Total disbursements
$28,645.40
$1,386.93
10
Unpaid Bills
Town of Concord : Balance, December, 1920, tuition bill $1,479.46
Respectfully submitted, HARRY N. BROWN, Chairman,
B. E. HALL, Secretary,
ALLEN C. FLAGG,
LILLY C. CASE,
ELSIE F. PARSONS,
ALICE M. CARLISLE.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Members of the Acton School Committee :
I submit my first annual report, and the twenty-ninth report of superintendents, who have served since the town became a part of a superintendency union.
My work during the past year has marked the finishing of one school year and the beginning of another. Necessarily it has been a period of observation and study.
During the past year the schools have experienced several changes in the teaching force. Your superintendent was informed by the school committee of the resignation of Miss Muriel Fairchild, teacher of the intermediate room at the West Acton school, even be- fore he finished his duties in his former district. Late in the fall term Miss Myrtha Dimlich, who was hired to succeed Miss Fairchild, re- signed to accept a position in Lexington. One other change in the teaching force of this building occurred last summer, when Miss Eula S. Taylor accepted a position in Marblehead. Miss Helma Mylly- kangas, a teacher of experience, was hired to take her place.
At the South Acton school, Mrs. Grace Tucker of Maynard, who had substituted in the grammar room since early in the previous fall, was relieved by Mrs. Helen H. Cummings, who returned to her room in April. The opening of school in September found Miss Florence Moore teaching the primary room in the place of Miss Vera Farns- worth, who had accepted a position in Leominster.
At the Center the teaching force has remained the same all through the year, with the exception of the part time teachers of the special subjects of drawing and music ; both of whom were new to the town in September.
There are two main reasons for the frequent changes in our teaching force; the accessibility of the Acton schools to outside sup- erintendents, and the low average salaries paid to our teachers. It is true that salaries were advanced in January, and again in June, but even so, other towns are paying more to the teaching of the same grade or grades; in many instances, than we are.
The following data taken from, the report of the Special Com- mission on Teachers' Salaries appointed by Ex-Governor Coolidge, and published since August, 1920, is of interest because of the oppor.
11
tunity of studying the salary problem of several towns of nearly the same size, but located in different parts of the state.
Comparative Study of Salaries in Five Massachusetts Towns
Comparison
of
Salaries paid in
average
salaries
of teachers for 1910-11, 1915-16
certain positions, Jan. 1,
1920.
and Jan. 1, 1920
Element'y schools
Town
Population State Census
Valuation
1919
Valuation
pil 1918-19
salaries 1919, per
$1,000 valuation, '19
No. t'chers in El. Sch.
1910-'11
1915-'16
Jan. 1, 1920
P. C. increase, Jan. 1, 1920, over 1910-'11
Lowest
Medium
Highest
Acushnet
2,387|
$1,762,771|
$3,227 |$5.09|12 |$380 $527
$850 124 |$850
$850|
$850
Hull
2,290|
11,005,678
31,593
1.30 11
617
721
1,220|
98
900
1,200
1,400
Shirley
2,251|
1,635,727
7,643
2.67
6
535
485
842
57
750
850
1,000
Rehoboth
2,228|
1,178,373
3,158
5.78|12
325
347
593
82
550
600
720
Acton
(2,151|
2,151,072
6,458
3.23|10
500
509
903
81
790
889|
1,040
You will notice that the salaries of the teachers in Acton made practically no advance from 1910-11, to 1915-16, and that the increase of over 80 percent came in the next five years. You will further note that while salaries of Acton are not the lowest of the group, neither are they the highest.
Last spring the school committee appointed Dr. Annis as school physician for the South Acton school, and Dr. Mayel for the Center and West Acton schools, with very satisfactory results. The health of the child is of prime importance and whatever affects it, affects the work of the child.
During the summer vacation the grammar room, corridors and basement of the South Acton school were wired for electric lights. Later in the year the West Acton school was similarly wired.
In September a new basal reader, the Progressive Road to Read- ing, was introduced in all the lower grades of the town; new arith- metics, Essentials of Arithmetic, by Hamilton, have been placed in the six upper grades. Both readers and arithmetics were much needed, and are proving to be very satisfactory. New geographies and spell- ers should be introduced as soon as possible.
The cost of repairs and upkeep of buildings has been so great that many towns have hesitated to make repairs that were really necessary. The Acton committee has recognized that to delay paint- ing is to increase the amount of stock needed and to increase the cost of labor; with this in mind the building at South Acton was painted, on the outside. The building at the Center should receive a coat of paint during the coming summer, and the sanitary accommodations of all three schools should be painted.
A feature closely connected with the work of the schools is the club work of the Acton boys and girls. Last spring the town appro- priated money at its annual town meeting for the work of the Mid- dlesex County Farm Bureau, with the condition attached that a cer- tain sum should be spent for club work under local supervision. As a result, garden, canning, pig, poultry and home economics clubs have
1915
as of April,
(1918) per pu-
Exp. for teachers'
12
been organized through the cooperation of the schools. These clubs have been very successful, and splendid work has been done under the leadership of Mrs. Howe of South Acton.
Our boys and girls exhibited their canned products, and vege- tables from their gardens, at Acton and Waltham fairs and won many prizes. Two day trips to Amherst were awarded by the Farm Bureau to Marion Forbes and Charles Howe for excellent work done in the pig and garden clubs.
This work justifies our support because of its educational re- quirements. Club members must keep account of money expended and received. Stories of experience have to be written. The work must be finished when once begun. Beside all this, thrift and initia. tive are inculcated.
Recommendations
I recommend that the Center Acton school be painted, and that the walls and ceilings of this school be tinted.
I also recommend that the toilets of the Center and West schools be newly painted. The moral as well as sanitary effect of fresh paint in school toilets is obvious.
In concluding this report I wish to acknowledge the courteous and helpful spirit shown by the school committee, the teachers, and townspeople.
Very respectfully, HERMAN C. KNIGHT, Superintendent.
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC
Mr. Herman C. Knight, Superintendent Acton Schools :
Dear Sir-In submitting my report as supervisor of music in the Acton schools I have discussed the work by grades, grouping them together as grades one and two, three and four, etc.
GRADES ONE AND TWO
The first thing required of the child is the ability to match tones. One-third or one-half of the class and sometimes more, will at first be unable to match tones, but a large proportion of the class will suc- ceed in matching tones during the first lesson by "playing engine." Seeming monotones have been given special attention, as many times they are the result of mental dullness or bad use of voice, which can be overcome. Much time has been spent to arouse mental preception and to establish good voice use by requiring the head tones. Out of twenty found unable to match tones in September, twelve have been corrected and eight improved.
Half of the period each week is devoted to rote songs; individual and class work.
GRADES THREE AND FOUR
Scale drills on syllables, "lu, la, la, le and lo," introduced, also Italian syllables, sequential scales drill, individually and collectively, oral tonal dictation, rote songs and introduction of sounds to prepare
13
for two-part singing. Reading from books and a monthly written test has been given.
A record of the work of each pupil is kept in order to note the progress made.
GRADES FIVE AND SIX
Scale drills on syllables, "lu, la, la, le, and lo," also Italian sylla- bles to improve tone; sequential scale drill, individually and collec- tively ; oral tonal dictation, Round's two-part singing, as well as uni. son work; reading from books and monthly written tests have been given. A record of the work, both written and oral, is kept in order to note progress of each pupil.
GRADES SEVEN AND EIGHT
Scale drills continued on vowels and also Italian syllables to im- prove tone; sequential scales, oral tonal dictation, Round's two and three-part singing ; as well as unison songs; reading from books and monthly written tests have been given. A record of the work of each pupil is kept in order to note progress.
MABEL B. HOWD, Supervisor of Music.
Acton, January 4, 1921.
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF MUSIC From September 9, 1920, to January 1st, 1921
Program :
SOUTH ACTON
10.00-10.30-Miss McCarthy. Grades 3 and 4.
10.30-11.00-Miss Moore. Grades 1 and 2.
11.00-11.30-Miss Stowell. Grades 5 and 6.
11.30-12.00-Mrs. Cummings. Grades 7 and 8. WEST ACTON
1.15-1.45-Miss Look. Grades 1, 2 and 3. Also 9.30-10.00.
1.45-2.15-Miss Geary. Grades 4 and 5. Also 10.00-10.30.
2.15-2.45-Miss Myllykangas. Grades 6, 7 and 8. Also 10.45-11.15.
ACTON CENTER
1.00-1.30-Miss Smith. Grades 1, 2 and 3.
1.30-2.00-Miss Williams. Grades 4, 5 and 6.
2.00-2.30-Miss Miller. Grades 7 and 8.
REPORT OF SUPERVISOR OF DRAWING
Mr. Herman C. Knight, Superintendent of Schools, Acton, Mass. :
Dear Sir-I have the honor of presenting to you the report of the supervisor of drawing for the town of Acton to consider, for the year ending December 31, 1920. This is my first report for the town of Acton.
I have taught a great deal of paper cutting, especially in the lower grades. Paper cutting is one of the best types of handwork, for the small child, or for any size child. Paper cutting helps a child
14
to develop the power of using his hands on delicate work. It also helps a child to make objects on a large scale, whereas, in drawing objects, the tendency is to make things on a small scale.
Don't be mislead! Of course the children have had drawing, with pencils and crayons, also. They have drawn animals from geometric resemblances, drawn from memory, drawn from a model, have had some figure drawing, and have drawn objects, and even people, by the use of squares.
The time allowed for drawing is one hour a week in the grades below the seventh and eighth, and in grades seven and eight, when- ever possible, an hour and thirty minutes is allowed.
In conclusion I wish to express to the teachers, my appreciation of the support I have received from them.
Respectfully submitted,
BLANCHE A. MILLARD,
Supervisor of Drawing.
REPORT OF MEDICAL INSPECTOR OF WEST AND CENTER ACTON SCHOOLS
Mr. H. C. Knight, Superintendent of Acton Schools :
Dear Sir-I submit the following report as medical inspector of West and Center Acton schools :
Number of visits from May 22nd, 1920, to January 1, 1921 : West Acton 14
C'enter 14
Number of pupils examined prior to closing for summer vacation : West Acton
74
Center 83
Number of pupils with impaired vision :
West Acton
Center 5
Number of pupils' vision corrected by glasses :
West Acton
1
Center
3
Number of pupils with imperfect hearing :
1
C'enter 2
Number of pupils' teeth needing attention :
22
Center 16
Number of pupils with both tonsils enlarged :
8
Center 13
Cases of pediculosis found in the schools :
West Acton
1
Center
4
2
West Acton
West Acton
West Acton
15
Two cases of mumps have been reported : West Acton
1
1 Center
At the present time, physical examinations are being made on all pupils, a record made of each pupil, their childhood diseases, etc. E. A. MAYELL, M. D.
ACTON PUPILS IN CONCORD HIGH SCHOOL
Course
Class 1921
Class 1922
Class 1923
Class 1924 10
Total
College .
6
11
2
29
Commercial
2
4
7
9
22
Domestic Arts
4
0
3
2
9
General
0
2
1
0
3
Scientific
1
1
1
4
7
Mechanic Arts
0
3
1
7
11
Total
13
21
15
32
81
REGISTRATION OF MINORS April 1, 1920
Males Females Total
Persons 5 to 7 years of age
43
31
74
Persons 7 to 14 years of age
135
109
244
Persons 14 to 16 years of age
36
32
68
214
172
386
MEMBERSHIP IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS As of April 1, 1920
Grade 1
43 Grade 6
30
Grade 2
37 Grade 7
43
Grade 3
33 Grade 8
30
Grade 4
46
Grade 5
33
295
16
TABLE I .- September, 1919-June, 1920
School
Teacher
Total Ave. P. C. of Grd. Mem. Mem. Dly Att. Attend.
Center .
. . |Martha F. Smith .
1-2-3
38
22.59
24.41
92.1
Florence M. Williams
4-5-6
38
30.64
27.27
89
Ella L. Miller
7-8
29
26.9
24
89.2
West
Doris M. Look
1-2-3
36
31.04
26.55
85.5
Hazel M. Stone
4-5
22
19.85
17.52
88.2
Myrtha Dimlick
Muriel Fairchild
Eula S. Taylor
6-7-8
33
30.99
26.46
85.3
South . .
Gladys Farnsworth
1-2
38
35.4
28.3
79.9
Julia L. McCarthy
3-4
37
34.3
28.9
84.2
Jennie E. Stowell
5-6
28
25.7
23.9
92.9
Helen H. Cummings .
7-8
30
28
24.78
88.5
Grace E. Tucker (Sub)
Ave.
INDEX
Assessor's Report
46
Board of Health
48
Cemetery Commissioners
Collector's Report
Cattle Inspector
Jury List Librarian's Report List of Books Added
Meat Inspector
Memorial Library Trustees
Overseers of the Poor
Selectmen's Report
Superintendent of Streets
Town Accountant's Report
Town Clerk's Report
Births
Deaths
Dog Licenses
Marriages
Non-Resident Burials
Town Meetings
2
Town Warrant
5 26
Cemetery Funds
28
Town Farm Fund
29 28
Wilde Library Fund
Tree Warden
41
Trustees Goodnow Fund
49
SECOND SECTION-
School Report :
Financial Statement
5
General Report
5
Legal Holidays
2 3
Organization
School Calendar
2
Standing Rules
3
Statistics
14
Superintendent's Report
10
Supervisor of Drawing
13
Supervisors of Music
12-13
Teachers
49 47 48 10 54 55 48 53 46 9 45 11 37 38 41 43 39 42 30
Town Officers
Treasurer's Report
WELLS BINDERY, INC.
REFERENCE BOOK ACTON MEMORIAL LIBRARY ACTON, MASSACHUSETTS 01720
OCT
1976
WALTHAM, MASS. 02154
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