USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medfield > Town annual reports of Medfield 1910-1919 > Part 14
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The town might purchase another pump similar to the one we now have, or it might be economy to purchase a power sprayer, not one of the large solid stream sprayers, but one with sufficient power to use two lines of hose for mist spray- ing. It would not take as many men as two hand sprayers would, and the pressure would be steadier and the work more
65
effective. I should judge that there was a very large number of beetles that came to maturity last summer, and that they would be very plenty the coming season.
Sec. 46 of Town By-Laws reads :-
"No person shall post or paste or paint any advertisement upon any shade tree."
Sec. 1040 of Chap. 208 as amended by Acts of 1905 of the revised laws reads :---
"Whoever affixes to a tree in a public place a play bill, pic- ture, announcement, notice, advertisement or other thing, whether in writing or otherwise, or cuts, paints or marks such tree, except for the purpose of protecting it, and under a written permit from the officer having charge of such trees in a city, or from the tree warden in a town, shall be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars for each offence."
I recommend that the town appropriate $400.00 for the use of tree warden in spraying and caring for the trees.
MOTH ACCOUNT.
Paid Barrett Mfg. Co., creosote and
tar
$4.25
Frost Insectside Co., supplies . 3.35
Louis B. Fairbank, supplies
11.59
Joseph Breck & Sons, tanglefoot
97.28
Joseph Breck & Sons, supplies .
1.72
Grasselli Chemical Co., arsenate of lead .
65.27
Fellows & Co., ladder
4.32
Joseph Boudreau, straps
.55
Frank Cutter, repairs for state
sprayer
1.25
Stuart Howland Co., belts and
straps
5.40
Jenney Co., burning oil
3.04
Boston Rag Co., burlap
2.91
E. M. Bent, cement
.90
Carried forward . $201.83
66
Brought forward .
$201.83
Collins Hardware Co. .
3.12
J. E. Lonergan, team and labor Freight .
15.75
1.55
Envelopes and postage
1.07
Telephone
.15
Richard Conrick, cans
.10
Blood Bros., axes
1.80
C. E. Bailey, pruning poles
5.30
Medfield News Co., account book
.90
Samuel Calbot, creosote
7.83
W. A. Fitts, supplies
4.10
Boston Branch, supplies
4.95
Express
4.00
Geo. L. L. Allen, Superintend- ent .
194.28
Geo. L. L. Allen, team .
126.64
For labor
Miller Collins
8.78
Charles F. Allen
34.00
Willard Robbins
19.67
Arthur Luther :
34.67
Michael Gorman
13.50
Pomeroy Cutler
47.74
William Clancy
9.08
Joseph Leeds
73.56
Carl Johnson
45.60
Claude White
18.00
Leon Kennett
4.00
Richard McGrath
1.44
Lewis Clark
37.78
Ralph Hall .
43.34
Charles Burns
17.78
Melvin Blood
3.56
€
.
$1,055.33
67
Assessed upon property owners 1911 $222.43
Received for work done and supplies
45.92
Appropriation
900.00
$1,168.35
Balance unexpended
$113.02
Examined and found correct.
T. E. SCHOOLS, Auditor.
TREE WARDEN ACCOUNT.
Paid W. A. Gates, tree . $5.00
Smith & Thayer Co., supplies . 7.35
S. J. Spear, printing notices
1.50
Medfield Water Co., water
1.16
Merrimac Chemical Co., arsen- ate of lead
51.21
Grasselle Chemical Co., arsen- ate of lead 23.70
Cash paid for telephone
.45
For freight .
1.65
W. N. Pierce, engineer
1.50
A. H. Clark, spraying .
7.00
Geo. L. L. Allen, Warden
71.29
Geo. L. L. Allen, team .
47.68
For labor
Richard Johnson
6.11
Joseph Leeds
33.89
Willard Robbins
29.44
Leon Kennett
19.77
Pomeroy Cutler
47.10
Arthur Luther
1.00
James Moore
1.00
Charles Allen
21.55
Ralph Hall .
5.00
Turner Bailey
.89
Carried forward
$385.24
68
Brought forward .
$385.24
Lewis Clark
2.11
J. E. Lonergan, team
5.60
Charles Spaulding, filing saws
.40
Carl Johnson, filing saws .
1.05
$394.40
Appropriation
$400.00
Received arsenate of lead sold
27.00
Trimming
1.00
Spraying
4.00
432.00
Balance unexpended
$37.60
The tree warden money was spent as follows :-
Spraying of elm trees
$235.75
Trimming and removing trees
126.65
Receipts .
32.00
$394.40
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE L. L. ALLEN, Superintendent of Moth Work and Tree Warden.
Examined and found correct.
T. E. SCHOOLS, Auditor.
REPORT OF TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Paid Lucretia M. Johnson, Librarian $133.33
DeWolfe & Fiske Co., for books 182.18
Library Bureau, supplies 11.00
Macey Morris Co., supplies 24.00
Geo. H. Ellis Co., printing supplements 25.96
S. J. Spear, printing slips, labels, etc. .
12.00
Geo. G. Babcock, repairs
2.00
F. M. Smith, painting sign
10.00
J. H. Baker, supplies . .
1.75
Medfield News Co., periodicals .
52.15
C. F. Read, express
5.80
F. J. Barnard & Co., binding .
27.43
$487.60
Received interest on invested funds $52.98
Interest on Billings funds 200.00
County Treasurer for dog licenses .
222.63
Donation for library
9.64
Sale of books .
7.50
Balance due from town for 1911
221.85
714.60
Bal. to credit of Library
$227.00
Respectfully submitted,
STILLMAN J. SPEAR, WILLIAM H. BAILEY, HERBERT L. MITCHELL, LAPRELETTE W. WHEELER, LEWIS K. CONANT, J. HERBERT BAKER,
Trustees.
70
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON VALUATION.
Your committee met with the Board of Assessors, and have since decided that the entire question of valuation was in such a deplorable condition that only a complete readjustment would remedy it.
We therefore recommend that a citizens committee of 12 men be appointed by the Moderator before April 1st, to study the valuation of all real and personal property, and report to the town any suggestions or findings, with the idea of ulti- mately arriving at an equitable valuation for everybody in town.
Respectfully submitted,
ROBERT W. WILLIAMS, EDWARD M. BENT, GRANVILLE C. MITCHELL.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND THE
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
-
TOWN OF MEDFIELD
-
For the Year ending January 31, 1912
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
-
Members.
WALDO A. FITTS
Term expires 1912 66 1913
RICHARD C. LINCOLN
ALLAN A. KINGSBURY
66 1914
Organization.
WALDO A. FITTS .
Chairman
RICHARD C. LINCOLN
Secretary
M. J. WEST
Superintendent
Truant Officers.
GEORGE B. SIMS. JAMES E. PETTIS.
Calendar.
Winter term, 12 weeks, closes March 22, 1912.
Spring term, 12 weeks, opens April 1, closes June 21. Fall term, 16 weeks, opens September 3, closes December 20. Winter term opens December 30, 1912.
FINANCIAL REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE, 1911-1912.
EXPENDITURES FOR TEACHING.
Paid Norval B. Spinney .
$1,125.00
Lucy F. Crocker
525.00
Betina R. Paine
587.50
Florence E. Gibbs
475.00
Carried forward
$2,712.50
74
Brought forward
$2,712.50
Calla Rowell
462.50
Edith Bartlett
425.00
Mrs. Clark
215.00
Helen E. Bayley
72.00
Helen D. Daggett
207.50
Helen M. Allen .
225.00
Grace Simms
22.50
Geraldine E. White
412.50
Grace Carleton
235.00
Dorothy Holden
207.50
Agnes Graves
4.00
Julia McCarthy
6.00
Miss Randolph
12.00
Mary E. Mulkern
120.00
Auvena Myrick .
110.00
Mildred M. . Wilson
23.75
$5,472.75
TRANSPORTATION.
Paid H. W. Wood
$225.00
W. W. Preston
16.35
$241.35
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
Paid M. J. West
$450.00
$450.00
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Paid Waldo A. Fitts .
$35.00
Richard C. Lincoln .
35.00
Allan A. Kingsbury ·
35.00
$105.00
75
JANITORS AND CARE OF SCHOOLS.
Paid James Pettis
$542.00
George E. Pettis
10.00
Mrs. H. P. Mann
88.00
Flora Robinson
3.18
$643.18
FUEL.
Paid Joseph E. Lonergan
$406.46
Willard Harwood
20.00
M. A. Ritchie
19.51
Edward.M. Bent
26.90
$472.87
REPAIRS.
Paid Fred M. Smith .
$42.75
Ira F. Penniman
11.43
Edward P. Tucker
4.02
Allan A. Kingsbury
38.40
Henry H. Clark
1.50
W. F. Harding & Company
5.50
Hiram Kimball .
16.70
W. J. Haywood .
2.16
$122.46
BOOKS AND SUPPLIES.
Paid Masury, Young & Co.
$24.80
Waldo A. Fitts .
50.57
Heath & Company
16.64
Carried forward $92.01
76
Brought forward
$92.01
F. W. Martin & Co. .
3.60
G. W. Wollvett .
5.50
J. L. Hammett & Co.
69.25
Houghton, Mifflin & Co.
3.99
Funk & Wagnalls Co.
2.86
Little, Brown & Co. .
7.68
Ginn & Company
63.67
E. J. Keyou .
2.65
E. C. Crocker
7.86
The Cable Company
1.88
F. I. Barnard & Co.
29.81
American Book Company
31.12
C. C. Birchard & Co.
9.63
L. E. Knott & Co.
16.95
Jordan Marsh Company
2.42
Library Bureau .
9.00
Transcript Press
10.00
Yawman & Frbe Mfg. Co.
1.30
Remington Typewriter Co. .
70.00
Oliver Ditson & Company
1.75
E. E. Babb & Co.
252.90
$695.83
MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES.
Paid Medfield Water Company ·
$44.63
Town of Norfolk
31.50
C. G. Bridges
3.00
W. B. Spinney
3.60
W. F. Weiker
13.75
M. J. West
11.95
Richard C. Lincoln .
.60
Waldo A. Fitts
.68
C. F. Read
1.65
$111.36
77
BOSTON TRADE SCHOOL.
Paid Vocational education for Ruth Mitchell
$36.00
$36.00
SUMMARY.
Paid for teaching
$5,472.75
Transportation
241.35
Superintendent
450.00
School Committee
105.00
Janitors and care of School houses
643.18
Fuel
472.87
Repairs
122.46
Books and Supplies
695.83
Miscellaneous Expenses
111.36
Tuition Ruth Mitchell
36.00
$8,350.80
RECEIPTS.
Received Town appropriation . $6,600.00 ·
Income State School Fund
907.10
State Treasurer for High School 500.00
State Treasurer for Super-
intendent
312.50
State Treasurer for Tui- tion 39.00
City of Boston, Tuition . 37.50
Town of Dover, Tuition .
57.50
Carried forward
$8,453.60
78
Brought forward .
$8,453.60
Income of Town School Fund
141.60
M. J. West
50.19
$8,645.39
Unexpended .
$294.59
Received from State School Fund
907.10
Paid for teaching
907.10
Respectfully submitted,
RICHARD C. LINCOLN,
Examined and found correct.
Secretary.
T. E. SCHOOLS, Auditor.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
The annual report of the School Committee for the year ending January 31, 1912, is respectfully submitted.
At the annual election Mr. Allan A. Kingsbury was elected a member of the Committee for three years.
The Committee organized with Waldo A. Fitts, Chairman, Richard C. Lincoln, Secretary.
In my report this year I wish to make a general review of the progress in our Public Schools, as they have come under my observation for the past few years.
The establishment of a four years' course in our High School has without doubt passed out of the experimental stage.
The very fact that we have such a course, and our sons and our daughters thereby can remain at home a few years longer, and those who for any reason are unable to go out of town to school, can now complete their studies, and receive a diploma, convinces one that there has been some progress in the Public Schools of Medfield.
As for our standard, among other High Schools. Each year shows improvement, but a higher standard can only be gained by the working together of parents, pupils and teach- ers.
The teachers alone, cannot raise the standard, no matter how efficient they may be. There must be co-operation of both parents and teachers, not only in the work done in school, but also in the amount of studying done at home.
The establishing in 1908, of the custom, of giving cer- tificates to the graduating class, from the Grammar School, has been much appreciated by the class members, and has been an inspiration to many to try for a High School diploma.
The introduction of sewing into the grades, has met with
80
much approval, and many mothers have expressed their ap- preciation of the helpful work that has been accomplished.
This year, Basketry and the art of weaving, have been added, and will eventually develop into sloyd and manual training. Thus an opportunity is given the boys to become skilled with their hands, and will, we believe, lay the founda- tion for trained mechanics.
Today we have a well lighted chemical laboratory, also a commercial class room. Both rooms are well equipped with up-to-date apparatus.
More than one-half of the heating plant has also been renewed.
Careful calculation has been required to meet all the ex- penses of teaching, supplies, repairs, improvements and new apparatus for establishing and carrying on the work in its various branches, so that the cost of maintenance should not be materially increased.
Few changes have been made in our teaching force in the past year, and we feel that words of appreciation are due to our Superintendent, Principal and teachers, for their untir- ing efforts and efficient work.
The school reference library is growing. Several dona- tions of value have been received this past year, and we hope for continued interest in this department.
The union meeting of the towns of Norfolk, Millis, West- wood and Medfield, was held in Millis, and the usual business pertaining to the welfare of the schools was transacted.
The subject of transportation of small childr. . from vari- ous sections of the town, especially from the Asylum district has been brought before the committee. Should such trans- portation be granted, and in some cases it seems advisable, it will be necessary to increase the school appropriation.
The grounds in front of the Ralph Wheelock school are very uneven and the expenditure of a few hundred dollars for grading would vastly improve the appearance, as well as in- crease the value of the property.
81
LOWELL MASON SCHOOL.
This building is in good condition both inside and out. The attendance is small, but the work is being acceptably done. The water in the well, has become contaminated by the roots of the trees. This well has been cleaned out many times but the water still continues to be unfit for use. A new well will have to be located or some arrangement made for water supply.
Through the kindness of Mrs. Bruce and Mr. Mason water has been supplied from their wells this year.
Our recommendation for school appropriation for the en- suing year is $6600.00.
Respectfully submitted,
WALDO A. FITTS, For the Committee.
,
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF MEDFIELD :
I hereby submit my fourth annual report, which is the thirteenth in the series of annual reports of the Superintend- ents of the Public Schools of Medfield.
The year since my last annual report has been one of prog- ress. We have been able to retain nearly all of our best teachers, and we have been very successful in finding good ones to fill the vacancies.
One important change should be noted, because it is un- usual for a small town to have the services of a teacher for the length of time that Mrs. Susan M. (Chase) Clark served this town.
For twenty-six years the impress of her individuality has been made upon the present and future citizens. For many years hence, she will be remembered, because she was ever ready with a helping hand to lead the seeker for knowledge over the rough places. In wishing her happiness in her new relations, and the hope that she will find the opportunity to exercise her desire for usefulness, I feel that I am voicing a wish of the many with whom she has been associated.
The crowded condition which has occurred for a number of years in the room which has contained the sixth and seventh grades, has been somewhat improved by placing the unusual- ly large seventh grade of this year in a room by itself. To do this we were obliged to put grades one and two together. Of course this complicates the work of the primary teacher, but it became absolutely necessary to furnish a better op- portunity for those who are nearing the high school age, even if done at the expense of the primary pupils. The town did not appropriate sufficient money for another teacher, at the last annual town meeting, therefore this plan is being tried
83
with the hope that it will be of some benefit to the children. Fortunately we have, in Miss Carleton, a teacher who is doing excellent work, under the circumstances, with these primary grades, and they are learning self-reliance, and acquiring ability to study even at their young age.
The adoption of the rule that children must be five years of age, previous to the first day of September, before they are admitted to the first grade, has resulted, even so soon, in an increased maturity that will strenghten the work. Children are not recorded in the state school census unless they are five years old by the first day of September, and it is within the province of the school committee to fix the age for admission even as high as seven years.
The desire of parents, either through immoderate ambition or some other motive, I fear, is not founded on a study of the best interest of the child, and thereby numbers of children are subjected to the restraints and duties of school before they have physical and mental maturity which is necessary, if they are not to suffer by the great change from home to school. For the interest of the children, this rule must be rigidly enforced.
The civic pride which prompts a town to maintain a local high school is very commendable, and one wonders how it could be otherwise in a town having the excellent educational traditions that are connected with Medfield. To fail in this respect would lower the educational standards of the town. We should not be satisfied, however, with the mere fact that we have a high school, for the interest of all cannot be proper- ly served unless its efficiency is of such a character as to make its influence felt. How to conduct the high school in order to make it best serve the community, is the question.
Because there is no great variety of important industries, nor no one great industry to offer employment for numbers of the young citizens, it becomes necessary for many of them to seek for their life opportunities away from home. In the competition for such positions, the young man or woman who has a good foundation in cultural training, will find it a valuable asset, therefore our school should strive to furnish its pupils with this side of education. Our course of study provides for instruction in cultural studies in a liberal degree,
84
and any pupil who wishes to extend his education along spe- cial lines would do well to prepare for such special study by first completing a course in our high school. Having pro- vided for the cultural side, our program of study should next include something of the industrial, but closely connected to the cultural, to meet the needs of some who wish training of this sort. In this we have equipment for a good commercial course, including the usual studies of that course and stenog- raphy and typewriting. We have in use four new Reming- ton typewriters of the latest design.
If pupils are not well prepared to take up the work of the high school, and have but slight conception of its importance, they can do but a small part in elevating its efficiency, there- fore it is important that a high standard of admission be re- quired. This can be secured only by a high standard in the grades below, and by a somewhat rigid care in promotion of pupils.
We are making progress toward a better preparation by changing some of the work, more especially in grades eight and nine.
This year we are completing geography in grade eight and have taken "Geographic Influences" and "Industrial Studies" in grade nine in the time formerly given to geography. Next year we plan to complete United States History also, in grade eight, instead of in grade nine. This will allow time in grade nine for studies that are more especially helpful in prepara- tion for high school, such as civics, English History, Algebra, and a more intensive study of English.
I fell that we are doing better work in arithmetic in all the grades, more especially oral arithmetic. Penmanship is also receiving more attention. The Aldine Method of teaching beginners to read is now well introduced, and the result is satisfactory.
With a program of studies adapted to the community, and a class of pupils capable of carrying forward this program, our next care must be to secure the best teachers possible. Even with all these in our favor, there is always a high per- centage of failure if the co-operation of the parents is lack- ing. In what should this co-opération consist ? In the first
85
place, parents should realize the importance of education and the benefits to be obtained from having their children make the most of their opportunities. Their sympathies should always be with the teachers, having ever in mind the great responsibility upon the teacher and her need of encourage- ment in her efforts to do her duty. I can but pity the chil- dren whose parents always seem to be holding the teachers before them as enemies to be opposed.
In the high school, much more than in the grades, the time of the pupils is taken up with recitations, thus not leaving time for thoughtful preparation of lessons. This makes it absolutely necessary for the pupils to put a generous time to study outside of school, in order to obtain the benefits of the school. Especially is this true where a school is conducted on the one session plan. Co-operation, just here, means that parents should provide for this study and see to it that it is done. If parents cannot do that much with their children, I fail to see how they can expect the teachers to enforce re- quirements of study. When teachers offer repeatedly to as- sist pupils if they will return in the afternoon, but are met with the statement, "I work afternoons," or "I spend the time in school and I shall not do more," it becomes very discourag- ing to the teachers, especially when they know that the parents of such pupils are perhaps the loudest in condemnation of the schools, and in criticism of the teachers. When complaints come from parents, that their children are not marked high enough on report cards, investigation will universally show that their children do not apply themselves in school, are negligent about preparation of lessons, and often are allowed to engage in social affairs which produce physical and mental inability to do efficient school work. If a man neglects busi- ness he soon becomes bankrupt. Going to school is a busi- ness, and parents must not expect anything else but mental bankrupts, if their children are not regular in attendance and attend to business.
The general and reference library at the Ralph Wheelock School is becoming of great advantage, especially to the high school. In addition to money earned by entertainments, for the purchase of books, and the class present each year, kind
86
friends of the schools have helped. One friend has given over $50 this year, and in all nearly $200 has been expended since my last report, without cost to the town. A good selec- tion of books has been made, especially for reference in his- tory classes and choice literature. I fail to know of any High School in our vicinity better equipped for reference in his- tory. It is also a great help to have the valuable use of the public library.
The additional time for which Miss Allan is employed this year is given to the boys in doing reed work, and with the girls in sewing.
This is just a beginning for the boys and I trust before long to see it extended to other forms of hand training, such as wood working with tools. Certain of our children need just work of this kind in connection with their regular school studies, and I believe the town could make no better invest- ment than to provide the equipment.
During the spring term, a course of six lectures, designed chiefly for the girls of the upper grades and the high school, was given by Miss Diana M. Constable, on pure foods, sanita- tion, domestic and personal hygiene. Here again friends of the young people and the schools showed their interest by pro- viding for the expense of the course without calling upon the tax payers.
A good interest was shown in the corn and potato clubs under the direction of the Mass. State Agricultural College, and the aid of the local Grange, and good exhibits were made at the Grange Fair.
Such deviations from the old style school curriculum lead to the time when we can offer a course in household economics and domestic science.
The limited space of our school grounds, causing an ever present irritation to the young men, because of restraints upon games and healthful sports, is a matter of moral signif- icance which cannot be safely ignored by the town. It is cer- tainly unfortunate that our young people congregate in the streets, or else make an attempt to play where there is always the expense of broken glass and other damage to be con- sidered. Under such conditions there is great danger of
87
developing a spirit of disregard for property rights, and a temptation to evade the responsibility for damage done.
Under the circumstances one's sympathies are naturally with the young people, but at the same time, the public, both old and young, must remember that a school yard is not a public park nor a public playground, and that there is a severe penalty for disturbance of schools, and for damage to school property. Land is not likely to be cheaper and now is the time to provide for the children of this generation.
Miss Allan and Miss Daggett have made reports to which I call your attention.
Without in the least making reflections upon teachers of the past, the loyal, earnest, co-operative spirit of the present corps of teachers is so marked throughout, that I feel it a duty to publicly express appreciation, and I know that service such as they are giving will make the schools stand higher next June than they did in September.
It is a pleasure to work with a committee which leaves out all thought of personal ends, and places the good of the schools first, and I thank you for the cheerful spirit in which you have given your aid.
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