USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Mendon > Town annual reports of the officers of Mendon, Massachusetts 1889-1909 > Part 19
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SCHOOL BOOK AGENT, ERWIN A. SNOW.
TRUANT OFFICERS, JOHN L. DAVENPORT, LYMAN COOK, ELMER E. SHERMAN.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
TO THE CITIZENS OF THE TOWN OF MENDON :
The following report of the School Committee is respectfully submitted :
Your Committee are pleased to report that they have been enabled to extend the school year to thirty-four weeks this year and still keep within the appropriation. This is two weeks more than we have ever had before.
Through some changes made in the schools not anticipated last spring, a financial saving has been made which has enabled us to do this.
Mendon is the only town in this vicinity having less than thirty-five weeks schooling a year. While our condition is such that it is impossible to give our children the advantages of children in the neighboring towns where a teacher has only one or two grades, there seems to be no good reason why they should be put to a still greater disadvantage by having a less number of weeks.
With thirty-two weeks schooling there is a vacation of six or seven weeks in the months of February and March. At this season of the year the children can do nothing else, and it seems to us they better be in school a part of the time.
There is still another reason for a longer school year. We can get a better teacher at ten dollars per week with thirty-six weeks a year than we can with only thirty-two, as they look at the amount to be earned in a year rather than the number of weeks they are to keep. We shall, therefore, ask the citizens for an appropriation sufficient to make the school year thirty-six weeks.
We are also pleased to report an improvement in the care and use of school books.
Our school houses are now in fairly good condition inside, with the exception of the blackboards in the North School house ; these we intend to replace with slate the coming year.
We would respectfully refer you to the annexed report of the Superintendent on the condition and needs of the schools, which the committee at its last meeting voted to accept and have printed.
We would respectfully recommend the following appropria- tions for the ensuing year :
Support of schools and transportation of scholars. $2,000 00
200 00
Text books and supplies
Incidentals 300 00
Superintendent. 250 00
Apparatus 50 00
4
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
RECEIPTS.
Appropriations :-
Support of schools and transportation of
scholars $1750 00
Text books and supplies.
200 00
Incidentals 300 00
Apparatus. 50 00
Superintendent 250 00
Other resources :-
Balance on hand March 1, 1896 109 90
Income from state school fund
362 58
dog tax 182 32
Received from the State on account of Superintendent 416 67
Books and supplies sold
2 16
Received for damage to school property. I 37
$3,625 00
EXPENDITURES FOR THE YEAR.
Teachers' wages :-
Alice C. Munsey, High. $83 34
Emily Hall, High 66 00
Dora Knight, High 26 40
Elzura A. Chandler, High
250 00
Katherine G. Gilmore, Grammar
110 00
Harriet Hanscom, Grammar.
200 00
Mary E. Dudley, Primary
290 00
Permelia S. Meserve, North
290 00
Ruth B. Cornwell, West
139 00
Florence E. Snow, Albeeville
232 00
S. Emma Dean, East
154 00
Pauline L. Cweig, East
33 60
Mrs. Capwell, East 8 40
F. H. Lowell, music teacher
58 00
$1,940 74
Fuel :-
C. A. Hopkins. $19 50
H. W. Gaskill.
13 00
Williams Bros
51 25
Lyman Cook
II 35
E. A. Snow
5 12
$100 22
5
Care of rooms :---
Permelia S. Meserve, North $11 00
Ruth B. Cornwell, West ... 2 50
Florence E. Snow, Albeeville 5 00
S. Emma Dean, East 2 50
Pauline L. Cweig, East. 2 50
E. A. Snow, Center 22 00
Mrs. Alger, cleaning Center rooms 5 90
Mrs. Alger, supplies for Center rooms 39
Mrs. Head, cleaning, North
5 00
H. W. Gaskill, cleaning, Albeeville 2 50
Lyman Cook, cleaning, East 50
Text-books and supplies :- Amount purchased as per report of School Book Agent $207 96
$207 96
Apparatus :-
Franklin Educational Co $9 06
George S. Perry & Co 2 50
Edward E. Babb I 56
H. W. Arnold
3 50
J. L. Hammett Co
8 44
D. C. Heath & Co
8 77
American Book Co
I 60
$35 43
Superintendent :-
Elmer E. Sherman $500 00
$500 00
Transportation of scholars :
Alfred I. Barrows. $145 00
Geo. M. Taft. 30 00
Incidentals :-
E. L. Southwick, use of well, 1895
$ 1 00
Geo. S. Perry & Co., slate blackboards. 66 brushes, dusters and
38 66
thermometers. 8 88
Geo. S. Perry & Co., chairs for High school 24 00
E. E. Sherman, traveling expenses ..
IO 67
expenses as truant officer 1 00
66 express paid 47
C. H. Allen, labor and material putting in
slate blackboards
23 33
$59 79
$175 00
6
G. F. King & Merrill, blank book for secretary. $ 50
William H. Bennett, labor and material 17 52
Cook & Sons, printing diplomas 6 00
G. M. Billings, printing business cards and letter heads for superintendent .... I 71
G. M. Billings, 1-3 binding of district re- ports 67
G. M. Billings, printing term reports .. I 00
J. L. Davenport, labor and material 7 00
Dutcher Temple Co., cash paid for station- ery and stamped envelopes for Supt ..... A. E. Munyon, labor
3 63
Z. C. Field, lumber 4 54
C. B. Williams, bringing chairs from Milford
I 25
John Barry, repairing High school desks ..
3 35
Ellis & Sons, flag rope, nails, stove grate, locks and keys
4 32
H. W. Brown, cleaning clock
50
W. W. Nelson, use of well
3 00
water pail 35
J. W. McDonald, agent State Board Edu- cation, contribution in interest of state tax for schools I 00
Mrs. Bicknell, use of well 2 00
Henry W. Gaskill, services as school com- mittee, 2 days
5 00
Henry W. Gaskill, taking school census ..
2 00
Lyman Cook, services as school committee, I day
2 50
Lyman Cook, taking school census.
I 00
.6 labor
3 10
66
school room supplies
2 99
glass and setting
75
E. A. Snow, cash paid for express
4 15
postage
3 34
66 carting black- boards.
I 25
E. A. Snow, cash paid for carting supplies
I 00
freight on “
I 05
66
66
labor.
2 00
66
towels
I 00
66
6 6 sundries 2 38
services as school committee,
chairs
96
3 days. 7 50
5 55
7
E. A. Snow, services as secretary of school committee $10 00
E. A. Snow, services as school book agent
9 00
66 taking school census 2 00
glass and setting 50
66 labor of man and team 8 50
66 traveling expenses 7 25
$251 12
$3,270 26
Cash on hand to pay what will be due teachers, janitors and for transportation of scholars at the end of the year, Feb. 26 338 87
Total cost of schools for the year.
....
$3,609 13
.... Cash on hand unexpended 15 87
$3,625 00
Total cost of schools $3609 13
Add amount of text books and supplies on hand less than there was last year 3 86
$3,612 99
Less state aid received for superintendent
$416 67
Supplies, etc., sold. 3 53
$420 20
Net cost of schools for the year. $3,192 79
RECAPITULATION.
Resources
Expenditures :-
Teachers' wages, including amount unpaid,$2204 41 Fuel 100 22
Care of school rooms, including amount unpaid. 84 99
207 96
Text books and supplies Apparatus
35 43
Superintendent
500 00
Transportation of scholars, including
225 00
Incidentals
251 12
Cash on hand unexpended. 15 87
$3,625 00
HENRY W. GASKILL, ERWIN A. SNOW, LYMAN COOK, School Committee.
Mendon, Feb. 14, 1896.
$3,625 00
amount unpaid
8
SCHOOL BOOK AGENT'S REPORT.
DR.
To books and supplies purchased :-
Werner School Book Co $15 48
Geo. F. King & Merrill 26 81
E. A. Snow I I7
J. L. Hammett Co
3 69
Geo. S. Perry & Co.
35 55
Holden Pat. Book Cover Co
16 51
University Pub. Co
5 00
Boston School Supply Co
12 00
Ginn & Co 41 12
D. C. Heath & Co I 67
Houghton, Mifflin & Co
3 40
Leach, Shewell & Sanborn 4 50
E. E. Holt
13 87
American Book Co
12 66
T. H. Custor & Co
5 28
Edw. E. Babb
9 25
1 $207 96
Books and supplies on hand, March 1, 1896 ..
100 30
$308 26
CR.
By books and supplies furnished schools .. $209 66
66
sold 2 16
66 66 on hand, Mar. I, '97 .. 96 44
$308 26
Mendon, Feb. 15, 1897.
ERWIN A. SNOW, School Book Agent.
9
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF MENDON :-
The third annual report of your present Superintendent of Schools and the sixth in the series of Superintendent's reports is hereby presented for your consideration.
The committee organized and assigned the general care of school property as follows: West and Albeeville, Henry W. Gaskill; Center and North, Erwin A. Snow; South and East, Lyman Cook. Erwin A. Snow was re-appointed purchasing agent. At a meeting of the District committee in April, Elmer E. Sherman was re-elected Superintendent of Schools.
The South School has been closed throughout the year, and the five pupils transported to the Center. This has proved to be a very satisfactory arrangement for all concerned. The East School was re-opened in April with a membership of thirteen pupils, six of whom were admitted to the High School in September.
The West School became reduced to five members. Two of these residing in Uxbridge, left only three pupils actually belong- ing in that district. An arrangement was effected whereby the teacher was to receive payment from the town equal to the cost of transporting the pupils to the Center, and whatever more those desiring the school kept in that district were willing to pay. This plan not working satisfactorily, the school was closed in November, and the pupils transported to the Center.
Slate blackboards have been placed in the Grammar room, greatly adding to the convenience of pupils and teacher.
The schools will be kept two weeks longer this year than usual; thirty-four weeks in all. The unexpected closing of the West School, together with a slight reduction in the estimated expenses in some other directions, have rendered the appropria- tion sufficient to cover the two additional weeks.
STATISTICS.
The table of statistics ending January 1, 1897, records the following facts :
Average membership of the schools, 139.32
Average attendance, 130.27
Per cent. of attendance, 93.50
IO
A glance at the statistics of last year will show 333 cases of tardiness, while the present table records 193 cases, a decrease of 140. That there has been less tardiness is due to the efforts of the teachers and the co-operation of the parents. To quote from my last report, "Habits of punctuality and regular attendance are well worth the effort necessary to form them. Parents and teachers may feel that they are laying a foundation for future success, when they insist upon a strict observance of these re- quirements."
DISMISSALS.
In this connection I wish to call attention to a custom det- rimental to the work of the pupil and to the class of which he is a member. I refer to the habit which some parents have of writing excuses for dismissal from school, often for trivial reasons. School is the child's business. If he were paid in money for his work, a portion of which recompense he would lose by tardiness, dismissal or non-attendance, would not these evils be reduced to the minimum which sickness, bad weather, or other unavoidable causes render necessary? He is a wise parent who regards the value of his child's education above that of dollars and cents.
The schools as a whole have done good work the past year. This is especially true of the High School. The spring term was broken by the resignation and illness of teachers. Opening in September with an enrolment of thirty-two members divided into three grades, the attendance has been good and the interest and order of the school commendable. We cannot successfully compete in attainment with those high schools working under the favorable conditions of convenient rooms, proper equipment, a requisite number of teachers, and a statute high school year of forty weeks, yet much good work has been accomplished, and the results will compare very favorably with those of former years.
Though it is not feasible for the town to attempt to support a high school that shall fit for Harvard or Yale, yet we should like to send out pupils acceptable to the technical, normal and business schools.
To enter a Massachusetts normal school a young person must have successfully passed a four years' course in a high school approved by the State Board of Education, or have re- ceived an equivalent education. The Providence Normal School will soon raise its standard to that of the Massachusetts schools.
By far the larger number of our students do not intend to continue their education beyond the High School. To these the school should offer a course aiming to prepare for the everyday
II
duties and business of life. The present course of study to which attention is invited is planned to chiefly benefit this latter class.
If one teacher attempts to hear all the recitations of three grades of advanced pupils, the time devoted to each must be short. When a pupil has to prepare his lessons to recite to two or more teachers, he must put forth more effort, because each teach- er has more time to hear and test him upon that which he has pre- pared. In fully equipped high schools, most of the time in school is spent in recitation and teaching, and the studying is done by the pupil outside of school hours; consequently the pupils in standard high schools work harder and accomplish more in four years than do our pupils.
REPORTS.
Parents desire to be informed from time to time in regard to the standing of their children in the school work. To this end the teachers send home report cards at the close of each quarter, stating the attendance, scholarship and deportment of the pupils. In addition to this, there is a special form of report, a fac-simile of which is here given, which is sent to the parent at any time that the pupil's work is unsatisfactory in any study, or whenever his attendance or behavior is at fault.
MENDON PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
SPECIAL REPORT.
The daily record of. 189
is unsatisfactory in. Remarks
Please sign and return, Teacher.
The object of this report, in addition to the information con- veyed to the parents, is to enlist their co-operation with the teacher in improving the condition of the pupil in the direction indicated by the report. Parents are expected to sign and return the reports, together with any comments or inquiries they may wish to make.
HOME STUDY.
A word of explanation may be desired in regard to the study which children above the primary grades are requested to do at home. One object of such study is to train the child to work independently, and the teachers should assign home lessons, the principles of which have been taught in school.
I2
The child brings what he has tried to do at home to the teacher for her to examine. If it is incorrectly done, the teacher then knows that the subject must be explained to the child more carefully. If, however, the child is helped at home to do the work, or worse still, if the work is done for him, this object of home study is defeated ; the child loses the strength which is de- veloped in overcoming difficulties by his own effort, and the teacher cannot tell where he needs assistance.
If a child is asked to gather information about some subject upon which the parent is informed, the case is different, but in lessons especially assigned by the teacher for home work, it is expected that he will not be told at home just how to accomplish his task, or have the work done for him.
DISCIPLINE.
The discipline of our schools is an important attribute of our system of education. A person is educated who among other things has acquired the power of self control, and while we train the judgment and enlarge the sympathy, we must not neglect to develop, in so far as possible, habits of self reliance and right action. We must strive to lead the child into that higher realm where he will realize the authority of right, and govern himself accordingly. So, only, can education contribute to the develop- ment of this nation along those lines on which our fathers wrought and perpetuate that for which they sacrificed even life itself.
In the hands of the teachers rests a grave responsibility. They should so govern that the action of the child is not re- pressed, but controlled and directed until grade by grade the child relies less and less upon the teacher, and more and more upon himself. In our high schools the necessity of arbitrary control by the teacher should be reduced to a minimum, and the appeal to the youth's judgment that the teacher's ruling is founded upon right, be alone sufficient to the good order of the school. That this ideal is in some measure attainable. a tour of our high schools will furnish ample proof.
Let me urge upon parents, friends and critics of the schools a more frequent inspection of our work by each and all. A closer acquaintance with the schools would increase the interest in their welfare, their needs would become more apparent, and a healthy public sentiment in favor of liberal appropriations would become widespread.
I3
TEACHERS' MEETINGS.
The teachers' meetings have been held as usual. On May 28, a joint meeting of the teachers in the district was held in Bellingham, and on September 25, the teachers attended an institute in Franklin. The teachers' meetings, held the first Monday afternoon of each month, at 3.30, in the Grammar room, are open to anyone, and visitors are welcome.
The Superintendent can usually be seen at the same place every Monday afternoon, when the schools are in session, from four to five.
The following educational books have been placed at the teachers' disposal. They are read by them and reported upon at the teachers' meetings :
Arnold-Waymarks for Teachers.
Barnes-Historical Method.
Comenius-School of Infancy.
Compayre-History of Pedagogy. 66 Psychology. Lectures on Teaching.
DeGarmo-Essentials of Method.
Frye-Brooks and Brook Basins. Herford-Student's Froebel.
Lukens-Thought and Memory.
Page-Theory and Practice of Teaching.
Peabody-Lectures to Kindergartners. Pestalozzi-Leonard and Gertrude.
Prince-Methods of Teaching.
Radestock-Habit.
Rouseau-Emile.
Tracy-Psychology of Childhood.
White-Pedagogy.
School Management.
CARE OF SCHOOL PROPERTY.
The schools are fairly well provided with text books, most of them in good condition. The new books are covered with strong paper, especially prepared for the purpose; they are labeled, numbered and charged to the pupils to whom loaned. They are frequently inspected, and any malicious or careless use of a book is promptly detected and the injury paid for by the pupil. A spirit of pride in their school and its equipment, culti- vated in the children by the teacher, does much to foster habits of care and neatness.
I4
It will thus be seen that by a suitable care of school property much expense is saved the town, not to mention the excellent effects of such training upon the children.
A NEW SCHOOL BUILDING.
The need of a suitable school building in the center of the town is apparent to everyone. To him who looks at the matter from the standpoint of the schools, or to him who regards the question from the point of view presented by public convenience the conclusion is the same-a new and separate building for the schools is a pressing necessity. When a town undertakes such an enterprise several difficulties present themselves, and first, perhaps, arises the question of location. In placing a school building, convenience of access, healthfulness of site, and room for a play-ground should be considered. While there are several lo- cations about town where a schoolhouse might be placed, the one which seems to best combine these various requisites is a piece of land owned by Mr. W. H. Comstock, and situated opposite the residence of Mr. E. O. Clark on North avenue.
In erecting a school building it would seem wise for the town to consider utility first and the merely decorative second. Let the building be substantial in construction, convenient for use, with proper attention given to light, heat and ventilation, and if there should be any funds remaining after these things are at- tended to, they could be expended in ornamentation.
There are many reasons which may be adduced in favor of a new building, and only one against it. The town of Mendon is valued at half a million dollars. Would an individual worth that sum be considered extravagant if he were to erect for his use a four-room wooden building of such moderate cost as a school- house ?
But the great benefit to the children of a suitable school building separate from the town hall, and, on the other hand, the convenience to the town and the various organizations of a hall unencumbered by the schools and available at all times, would be highly appreciated.
I would respectfully invite attention to the following :
RECOMMENDATIONS.
First: That slate blackboards and improved sanitary ar- rangements be provided at the North school building.
Second: That the town purchase a suitable lot of land in the "Center," and erect thereon a four-room school building.
I5
Third : That all the schools of the town be kept open for thirty-six weeks in each year. Each of the surrounding towns gives its schools more weeks in a year than does Mendon. This places the Mendon children at a disadvantage. I earnestly hope the town will see that the appropriation is sufficient to enable the committee to keep the schools thirty-six weeks the coming year. An appropriation of $2,550 has been sufficient for thirty-two weeks. For four additional weeks, making thirty-six weeks, it will be necessary to increase this amount $250, making a total of $2800. I therefore recommend
Fourth: That the town appropriation for school purposes be twenty-eight hundred dollars ($2800).
In closing this report I wish to thank the committee, the teachers, and the public for the kindly and harmonious spirit which has so greatly aided in our mutual efforts towards con- tinuing and improving the work of the public schools.
Your attention is called to the School Laws, Statistics and Roll of Honor appended to this report.
Respectfully submitted,
ELMER E. SHERMAN, Superintendent of Schools.
16
EDUCATIONAL LAWS IN BRIEF.
All children between 8 and 14, unless sick, feeble-minded, at an ap- proved private school, or otherwise instructed in branches required by law, must attend the public school 30 weeks each school year. They must begin with the first month of the fall term. Two weeks absence is allowed. Penalty for each five days excess, except for sickness, $20.
No child under 13 can be employed "at any time in any factory, workshop or mercantile establishment."
No child between 13 and 14 can be employed until he has attended school 30 weeks of the school year.
No child under 16 can be employed without a certificate from the Superintendent of Schools.
A child under 14 must present an employment ticket on applying for a certificate.
The father, if living and a resident, must accompany the child to sign the certificate of age; if not, the mother; if neither father nor mother, the guardian.
Proof of correct age must be furnished, if the age certificate does not agree with the school census.
Children must be vaccinated before attending school, but a certifi- cate from a regular physician, saying a child is an unfit subject for vac- cination, allows attendance.
No child can attend school from a household in which there is a case of small-pox, diphtheria or scarlet fever. Two weeks after the death, recovery or removal of the patient the child may return on presentation of a certificate from the attending physician or board of health.
"The last regular session prior to Memorial Day, or a portion thereof, shall be devoted to exercises of a patriotic nature."
A United States flag not less than four feet in length shall be dis- played on the schoolhouse grounds or building every school day, when the weather will permit, and on the inside of the schoolhouse on other school days.
TEACHERS AND SALARIES.
TEACHER.
WHERE FITTED.
SCHOOL.
SALARY PER WEEK.
Elzura A. Chandler.
Bridgewater Normal
High
$13 89
Mary E. Dudley
Mendon High School
Primary.
10 00
Permelia S. Meserve
Gorham Normal
North ...
10 00
Harriet Hanscom
Sanborn Seminary, N. H.
Grammar ....
10 00
Florence E. Snow
Mendon High School
Albeeville ..
8 00
S. Emma Dean
Wellesley College.
East
7 00
Ruth B. Cornwell
Friends' School, Providence ..
West.
7 00
The Fall term of all the schools will begin Tuesday, Septem- ber 7, 1897.
STATISTICS. From February 15, 1896, to January 1, 1897 .*
SCHOOLS.
Average Member- ship.
Average Attend. ance.
Per Cent. of Attend- ance.
Half Days of Absence.
Cases of Tardi- ness.
Cases of Dismissal.
Cases of Truancy.
Cases of Corporal Punish'm't.
Visits by Superinten- dent.
Visits by Others,
High
21.35
20.05
93.91
391
34
54
I
O
26
12
Grammar
24.84
23.74
95.57
286
17
123
1
21
18
Primary
31.61
29.68
93.89
502
18
73
O
3
13
46
North
23.
22.II
96.08
230
18
34
O
O
22
33
East
9.92
9.42
94.93
183
33
19
5
O
19
35
17
West
6.95
6.18
88.92
170
5
15
O
3
12
6
Albeeville
21.65
19.09
88.17
665
38
57
O
0
20
38
Totals ..
139.32
130.27
93.50
2427
193
375
7
7
133
218
Total enrolment of all the schools
178
Number under 5 years of age
1
Number between 8 and 14 ..
98
Number over 15
18
Number of inhabitants in town May 1, 1896
887
Number of children in town between 5 and 15, May 1, 1896
134
*The table of statistics covers only twenty-six weeks. Next year the table will cover the time from January 1, 1897, to January 1, 1898.
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