USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Mendon > Town annual reports of the officers of Mendon, Massachusetts 1889-1909 > Part 21
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18
Cash paid Sara F. Towne, salary.
$50 00
Cash on hand. 24 00
$166 77
Respectfully submitted, HORACE C. ADAMS,
Treasurer.
Mendon, February 12, 1898.
Examined and found correct and with proper vouchers.
HENRY W. GASKILL, LIBERTY FREEMAN, Auditing Committee.
AUDITOR'S REPORT.
I have examined the accounts of the Selectmen, Treasurer, Overseers of the Poor, Highway Surveyor, Town Clerk, School Committee and Collector of Taxes. Also the accounts of the Treasurer of the Trustees of the Taft Public Library for the Mu- nicipal year ending March 7, 1898, and find them correctly kept and with proper vouchers.
CHARLES H. ALLEN, Auditor.
Mendon, Feb. 21, 1898.
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF MENDON,
FOR THE
SCHOOL YEAR 1897-98.
MILFORD, MASS .: COOK & SONS, PRINTERS, JOURNAL OFFICE. 1898.
ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE, 1897-98.
HENRY W. GASKILL, Chairman,
Term expires 1900 1898
ERWIN A. SNOW, Secretary, LYMAN COOK, 66 IS99
SUPERINTENDENT, ELMER E. SHERMAN.
SCHOOL BOOK AGENT, ERWIN A. SNOW.
TRUANT OFFICERS, JOHN L. DAVENPORT, LYMAN COOK. ELMER E. SHERMAN.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPORT.
TO THE CITIZENS OF THE TOWN OF MENDON :
The following report of the School Committee is respect- fully submitted :
In comparing last year's report with this, it will be seen that the amount given as balance on hand at the end of the year and the amount given in this report, do not agree ; the reason is this :
When the report was made up last year the schools were not finished, but all bills for the year were paid except teachers, janitors, and for transportation of scholars, and we supposed we knew just what these would be ; but owing to sickness in the dis- tricts where the children are carried there were some days when there were none to carry. As no trips were made on these days we did not have them to pay for; consequently, we had a few more dollars on hand than we expected to have.
At the time of making up this report the schools have two weeks more to keep. All bills for the year are paid excepting teachers, janitors and for transportation of scholars for these two weeks. This we have not given in detail but have included the amount that we have reason to expect it will be in this report, thus giving the cost of all the schools, except the High, for the full year of thirty-six weeks.
A change in the division of the terms of the High school while it gives only thirty-six weeks in the school year, brings thirty-eight weeks in the financial year. This we shall have paid for at the end of the year, and is included in this report.
The coming year the North school house should be painted, and some changes made in the outbuildings there, and new blackboards should be put in at the Albeeville school house.
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 an appropriation of twenty-eight hundred dollars for schools, the same as last year.
4
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Balance of last year not given in detail in last year's report : Cash on hand at time of making out re- port .... $354 74
Teachers' wages :-
Elzura A. Chandler
$41 67
Parmelia S. Meserve
50 00
Florence E. Snow
40 00
Harriet Hanscom
30 00
Mary E. Dudley
50 00
S. Emma Dean
42 00
Frank H. Lowell
8 00
$261 67
Care of rooms :-
Parmelia S. Meserve
$6 00
Florence E. Snow
3 60
S. Emma Dean
6 10
E. A. Snow
12 00
$27 70
Transportation of scholars :-
Alfred I. Barrows
$23 00
Geo. M. Taft
20 00
$43 00
$332 37
Balance on hand
22 37
$354 74
RECEIPTS.
Appropriations :-
Support of schools and transportation of scholars
$2,000 00
Text books and supplies
200 00
Incidentals
300 00
Apparatus
50 00
Superintendent
250 00
Other resources :-
Balance on hand March 1, 1897 22 37
Incomé from state school fund 381 28
66 dog tax 190 74
Received from the State on account of Superintendent 416 67
5
Received for tuition
$35 00
66 rent of school room 1 00
66
floor brush for hall
I 50
66
books and supplies sold. 2 97
$3,851 53
EXPENDITURES FOR THE YEAR.
Teachers' Wages :--
Elzura A. Chandler, High
$208 00
Francis A. Rugg, High.
291 70
S. Emma Dean, Grammar 210 00
Helen A. Tucker, Grammar
96 00
Emily Albee, Grammar
14 00
Nancy C. George, Grammar
8 00
Hattie B. Johnson, Grammar
2 00
Harriet Hanscom, Grammar
4 00
Mary E. Dudley, Primary.
340 00
Parmelia S. Meserve, North
340 00
Florence E. Snow, Albeeville
296 00
S. Emma Dean, East.
92 50
Cora L. Edmands, East.
149 50
Frank H. Lowell, music teacher 68 00
$2,120 03
Fuel :-
Williams Bros., coal.
$64 38
wood
5 00
H. W. Gaskill, cash paid, wood and fitting
14 25
E. A. Snow, cash paid, wood fitting and shavings
9 12
Lyman Cook, wood and fitting
II OO
C. H. Ellis, wood and fitting
8 00
$III 75
Care of rooms :-
E. A. Snow, Center
34 00
Parmelia S. Meserve, North 17 00
Florence E. Snow, Albeeville
9 00
S. Emma Dean, East.
3 25
Cora L. Edmands, East
5 75
Mrs. Willard Alger, cleaning Center rooms 7 50
Mrs. Willard Alger, cleaning Albee- ville
4 70
Mrs. Head, cleaning North
5 00
Lyman Cook, cleaning East
1 00
$87 20
6
Text books and supplies :-
Amount purchased as per report of school book agent. $184 51
Apparatus :-
William B. Harrison $9 36
J. L. Hammett Co 4 20
E. E. Sherman
3 65
T. H. Castor
9 60
Ginn & Co
12 46
$39 27
Superintendent :- Elmer E. Sherman $500 00
Transportation of scholars :- Alfred I. Barrows. $167 00
Geo. M. Taft
170 00
$337 00
Incidentals :-
William H. Bennett, dressing black- boards $1 65
William H. Bennett, labor and material furnished.
I 42
Geo. J. Perry & Co., liquid slating
3 00
66 66
brushes
5 75
66 book case
10 00
66 66 floor mats.
7 20
G. M. Billings, printing
2 58
66 programmes of gradua- tion exercises. 4 00
G. M. Billings, 1-3 binding of district report. I 00
J. L. Davenport, labor and material putting in slate blackboards
23 00
J. L. Davenport, labor and material furnished 2 00
J. L. Davenport, cleaning privy vaults ..
I 50
John W. Estey, use of well
3 00
E. E. Sherman, traveling expenses and telephone message
1 78
E. E. Sherman, stationery, printing. 66 express paid.
3 00
stamped envelopes 3 63
15
Elzura A. Chandler, use of Simplex Printer 2 00
Rev. A. E. Winship, address. 7 00
Cleveland Printing Co., diplomas. 2 50
7
Joseph Dudley, services at church graduation day $1 00
F. H. Lowell, music for graduation .. 2 70
O. D. Case Co., slate blackboards 39 47
Clark Ellis & Sons, stove pipe and hooks
4 48
Clark Eilis & Sons, supplies used in re-
pairs and in the school rooms ...
6 81
Avery & Woodbury, chairs 66 curtains and fix-
3 30
tures.
I 20
Florence Driscoll, labor
7 20
J. A. George, putting up stage at church
I 50
Z. C. Field, lumber.
5 44
C. I. Barnes, supplies
I 19
C. J. Bailey & Co., rubber tips for High school chairs. 9 00
Mrs. Stenson, repairing flag
I 00
Jordan, Marsh & Co., bunting for flag ..
I 50
H. J. Dearing, stove grates
I 80
A. W. Gaskill, grading yard, center
IO 50
John Barry, labor.
60
E. A. Snow, express paid
4 20
60
cash paid postage. 66 freight and carting ..
3 15
66 traveling expenses ..
4 86
66
cleaning school yard
I 00
66
66 sundries I 4I
66 labor and man putting in blackboards, moving seats, fixing stove pipe, carting lumber, putting up shutters, etc., as per bills
9 10
E. A. Snow, cleaning privy vaults
I 00
60 taking school census 2 00
services as school commit- tee 3 75
E. A. Snow, services as secretary school committee 10 00
E. A. Snow, school book agent 8 00
Lyman Cook, services as school com- mittee
I 25
Lyman Cook, taking schoolcensus
I 00
66 labor and supplies
5 55
cash paid, fixing clock
75
sundries 88
66 use of well 2 00
2 63
8
Henry W. Gaskill, glass and setting ....... $1 25 66 services as school com- mittee I 25 Henry W. Gaskill, taking school census 2 00 66 labor 7 40
cash paid painting school house, Albeeville 32 51
$291 79
$3,671 55
Cash on hand to pay what will be due teachers, janitors and for transpor- tation of scholars at the end of the year, March 4. 147 98
Amount expended for the year
$3,819 53
Cash on hand unexpended. 32 00
$3,851 53
To the amount expended. $3,819 53
Add the amount of text books and sup- plies on hand less than there were last year. 16 32
$3,835 85
Less books, supplies, etc., sold.
4 47
Cost of schools for the year. $3,830 38
RECAPITULATION.
Resources $3,851 53
Expenditures :-
Teachers' wages, including amount un-
paid
$2,243 81
Fuel
III 75
Care of school rooms, including amount unpaid 91 40
Text books and supplies.
184 51
Apparatus. 39 27
Superintendent.
500 00
Transportation of scholars, including amount unpaid. 357 00
9
Incidentals. $291 79
Cash on hand unexpended
32 00 $3,851 53
Mendon, Feb. 19, 1898.
HENRY W. GASKILL, ERWIN A. SNOW, LYMAN COOK, School Committee.
SCHOOL BOOK AGENT'S REPORT.
DR.
To books and supplies purchased :-
Edw. E. Babb & Co. $17 40
Greenough, Adams & Cushing
8 52
Leach, Shewell & Sanborn
IO 28
Geo. S. Perry & Co
20 09
J. L. Hammett Co.
30 75
D. C. Heath & Co
7 34
University Pub. Co
I 58
Ginn & Co
62 96
E. A. Snow
2 88
H. E. Holt.
7 50
T. H. Castor & Co
7 74
Hinds & Noble
I 20
E. E. Sherman
80
Geo. F. King & Co
I 32
J. B. Lippincott Co
90
William A. Davis Co
3 25
$184 51
Books and supplies on hand March I, 1897
96 44
$280 95
CR
By books and supplies furnished schools .. $197 86
66 66 sold
2 97
66
on hand March I,
1898
80 12
$280 95
ERWIN A. SNOW, Mendon, Feb. 19, 1898. School Book Agent.
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF MENDON,
Gentlemen :- The fourth annual report of the present Superintendent of Schools is hereby presented for your con- sideration.
The Committee organized at its first meeting with Henry W. Gaskill, chairman, and Erwin A. Snow, secretary.
The care of the school property was assigned as follows : West and Albeeville, Henry W. Gaskill; Center and North, Erwin A. Snow; South and East, Lyman Cook.
At a meeting of the District Committee, held in Mendon in April, Elmer E. Sherman was re-elected Superintendent of Schools.
No schools have been kept in the South and West buildings during the year, and the pupils in those sections have been transported to the Center schools. This has proved to be a very satisfactory arrangement.
Slate blackboards have been placed in the North school room, and the Albeeville school has been painted inside and out.
On account of the increased appropriation the school year has been lengthened to thirty-six weeks for all schools. The good results are not apparent as yet, but there is no question of the advantages which will accrue to the children of the town through this arrangement.
TRANSPORTATION OF SCHOOL CHILDREN
The committee have endeavored to provide safe and com- fortable transportation. The following extract from the 59th report of the secretary of the State Board may prove of interest :
"It [the school committee] has exclusive and absolute charge of the settlement of all details about transportation after it has once been authorized by vote of the town. What is a reasonable walking distance the committee must decide for itself. * * * Transportation should not be used to reduce sturdiness, self-reliance and reasonable self-denial in boys and girls. It cannot be made equally convenient for all families. It often has to be partial for some while complete for others."
11
STATISTICS.
The table of statistics for the year ending January 1, 1898, records in round numbers the following facts :
Average membership of the schools 142
Average attendance. 132
Per cent. of attendance 93
Cases of tardiness.
239
66 excuses from school 370
RECOMMENDATIONS.
T. That the same amount be raised and appropriated for the support of schools as last year, viz : twenty-eight hundred dollars ($2,800.)
2. That a committee be appointed authorized to purchase a suitable lot of land near the "center" for the erection of a school house.
3. That the town vote to erect a four-room school build- ing and choose a committee on the same.
That a suitable sum be raised and appropriated to cover 4. the cost of land and building.
SCHOOL WORK.
It gives me pleasure to record the progress of the schools during the year just closed. The plans laid a few years ago are beginning to show results in better work by the children because of better preparation in the grades below. There have been few schools disturbed by changes in teachers, and our teaching corps has shown great enthusiasm and intelligent effort towards the study and training of children. The attendance and interest on the part of the children have resulted in a decided growth to- wards better things. The great majority of the children are stronger in mind and in character than they were a year ago. The teachers have striven, often under adverse circumstances, to attend to the heating and ventilation of their school rooms, and to gymnastics and other measures looking towards the bodily health of their charges.
In the general work much improvement has been made. In the teaching of arithmetic, especially in the lower grades, great- er thoroughness in the fundamental processses, and a continua- tion of mental problem work into the higher grades, has been in- sisted upon.
A return to the old method of oral spelling, dividing into syllables and pronouncing, has been made. The written spel- ling has not been dropped; it only shares the time with the oral work.
12
A new series of vertical writing-books, published by Ginn & Co., has been adopted with good results. The vertical pen- manship is recognized by the business world as a good thing. No writing with pen or pencil is required from the first year child- ren. The forms of the letters are learned at the blackboard. During the second year the little folks begin with pen and ink, using the muscular movement, so called. Much attention is paid to movements in the earlier years.
A syllabus in natural science or nature study, has been pre- pared. The children are interested in the rocks and stones, the plant and animal life, all around them. The work is correlated with the language and drawing. It is just as easy for a child to write a composition upon the appearance, habits and life-history of a butterfly, a cornstalk, or a toad which he has observed for himself, taken notes upon, and read about, as it is to write upon "Vacation," "Spring," "The Beauties of Hope," etc. He sees more beauty in nature after he has studied form and color and sketched those natural objects which he has studied, or matched the colors in a flower or a piece of bark with his bits of colored paper. When he walks abroad he has something to see and think about and mean thoughts are crowded out. He is not like Goldsmith's character to whom
"A primrose by the river's brin, A yellow primrose was to him ; And-it was nothing more."
SOME THINGS THAT INTERFERE WITH GOOD WORK IN SCHOOLS.
Illness is the only excuse for occasional absence from school which the state recognizes as valid. The public schools are supported by the town and the state, and the government claims in return the presence of the children in school. While most parents comply with the law in the main, and would send their children to school if there were no compulsion about it, many there are who thoughtlessly interfere with the regular work of the child in school by keeping him out on trivial excuses for a few hours or a day or two every now and then. The work of each class is carefully planned and moves forward day by day. No child can be absent from a single recitation without losing something which he ought to have, and which he cannot "make up." Again, promptness and regularity in business matters are essential to success. School is the child's business, and he should be trained to habits of regular and punctual attendance as a basis for future activity in larger fields. Let me urge upon parents and teachers a closer attention to this matter, that dis- missals, tardiness and absences from school may occur rarely, and only when an absolute necessity exists therefor.
13
Lack of home study is a cause for failure in the upper grades. A short time should be devoted to study at home each day by children of good health in the grammar and high school grades, and the time should increase with the advance in age and grade. Only in this way can the best results be obtained from the course in school.
Another custom which seriously interferes with good work in school is the participation by children in the amusements of adults, especially in the evening. Nature demands for growing children plenty of sleep, simple food and simple pleasures. Evening entertainments furnish none of these, and nature ex- presses the outrage in disordered nerves and low physical and mental tone. It is easy to perceive when some "sociable" or other event has occurred the preceding evening from the restless- ness, fatigue and consequent inability to perform the tasks of the day evident in those who have so dissipated. Nor is this evil confined to high school pupils, but extends to all ages, primary children included.
The massing of population in New England and especially in Massachusetts, into cities, large towns and villages, has given rise to a class called in common parlance, "hoodlums." Eminent men have been studying this condition and pronounce the ex- istence of such a class in any town a serious menace to the morals and happiness of the community. Investigation has re- vealed that many of the perpetrators of the horrible murders and revolting crimes which have shocked New England during the last few years received their first lessons among the rowdies of some town or village. Nor is this class drawn from the meaner and less intelligent among the community, for if unrestrained, it often recruits its ranks from the children of respectable families. When a boy or a girl comes under this baleful influence, the tasks and pleasures of school and home become irksome and tame, false standards of life and morals are set up, evil habits are begun, and the efforts of teachers and of parents are often unavailing to check the downward course, and he or she be- comes a dangerous person, or at best but a drone instead of an active, useful member of society. Many cities and towns of the middle and western states have a regulation known as the "cur- few law" which reads something as follows: "No person un- der the age of sixteen years shall be upon the streets after eight o'clock in the evening unless accompanied by parent or guardian." This may sound like paternalism to some, but sensi- ble parents intend to know where their children are, and what they are doing.
To the young person who has resources for employment and amusement within himself, the duties of school are met with zest and delight. Ideals rise before him of a noble and
14
useful career, and ambition urges him to make much of the opportunities which are his for self-improvement and prepara- tion.
It is physical, mental and moral health which we desire for our children.
METHOD OF PROMOTIONS.
The question is frequently asked, "On what basis do you promote children from one grade to the next?" The answer in a single statement is, "on the basis of the child's daily work." 'The method is as follows: The teacher keeps a careful record of the child's daily oral and written work in each subject studied. These estimates are entered in blank forms furnished for the purpose, at least once a week throughout the year. These blanks are preserved and the suc- ceeding teacher has a record of the child's work in the preceding grades. Notes are also made upon the child's natural tendencies, disposition and general deportment. The written work con- sists of exercises and answers to review questions given at con- venient places in the subject. Twice a year the superintendent gives a written review. These count for no more than a similar test given by the teacher. They serve to indicate to the teachers some general lines upon which he wishes them to work, and to reveal some of the weak places which otherwise might escape notice. At the close of the year in June, these estimates are averaged, and if seven-tenths of the work has been accom- plished by the child, and the teacher and superintendent think he has sufficient power to do the work of the next grade he is marked "satisfactory" on the year's work. In addition to the above, individual children are changed at any convenient time during the year, either to the grade above or below, when- ever it is evident that the child in question is doing work un- suited to him, either from it's ease or it's difficulty. This oc- curs in cases of undue promotion, or when through previous absence from school, the pupil has reached a maturity which will enable him to do the work of the next grade, or unusual natural ability places the child ahead of others of his age. In the last instance it can be rarely done without forcing and con- sequent injury to the child's physical and mental welfare. In order to be eligible for an extra promotion the child must be able to average "excellent" in the daily work of the grade from which he is to be promoted.
TEACHERS' MEETINGS.
A meeting of all the teachers in the district was held in Hopedale, Oct. 22, 1897. An exhibit of school work was
15
made, and the teachers and friends were addressed by several speakers of note. Teachers' meetings have been held regularly at which directions for the work have been given and educa- tional questions and methods discussed. A few friends have availed themselves of the invitation to be present and take part in the proceedings. They were cordially welcome and we should like to see their number increase. Parents are especially invited.
In closing I wish to thank the committee for their hearty cooperation and support, and to express my appreciation of the faithful work done by the teachers, and to acknowledge the many words of encouragement received from parents and friends of the schools.
Respectfully submitted, E. E. SHERMAN, Superintendent of Schools.
EDUCATIONAL LAWS IN BRIEF.
All children between 8 and 14, unless sick, feeble-minded, at an approv- ed 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 al- lowed. Penalty for each five days excess, except for sickness, $20.
No child under 13 can be employed "at any time in any factory, work- shop or mercantile establishment."
No child between 13 and 14 can be employed until he has attended school 30 weeks of the school year, nor without a certificate to that effect.
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 certificate from a regular physician, saying a child is an unfit subject for vacina- tion, 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 display- ed 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.
-
16
TEACHERS, DECEMBER, 1897.
SCHOOL.
TEACHER.
WHERE FITTED.
SALARY.
North,
Permelia S. Meserve, Frances A. Rugg,
Brown University.
500 00
Grammar, Primary,
S. Emma Dean,
Wellesley College.
360 00
Mary E. Dudley,
Mendon High School
360 00
Albeeville, East,
Florence E. Snow, Cora L. Edmands,
Mendon High School.
324 00
Bridgewater Normal.
252 00
SPRING TERM. 13 WEEKS.
FALL TERM. 14 WEEKS.
WINTER TERM. 10 WEEKS.
OPENS. CLOSES.
OPENS.
CLOSES.
OPENS.
CLOSES.
First Eight \ Grades,
March 21 June 17
Sept. 6
Dec. 16
Jan. 2, '99
Mar. 10, 99
High School,
March 14 June 10
Sept. 6
Dec. 16
Jan. 2, '99
Mar. 10, 99
Gorham Normal.
$360 00
High,
*The Fall Term has a recess of one week at Thanksgiving.
HOLIDAYS DURING THE TERM.
Labor Day, Washington's Birthday, Patriots' Day, Memo- rial Day.
STATISTICS.
From January 1, 1897 to January 1, 1898.
SCHOOLS.
Average Member- ship.
Average Atten- dance.
Per Cent. of Atten- dance.
Half Days of Absence.
Cases of 'Tardi- ness.
Cases of Dismissal
Cases of Truancy.
Cases of Corporal Punish- ment.
Visits by Superin- tendent.
Visits by Others.
High
30.63
28.64
93.50
716
27
104
0
0
30
6
Grammar
28.27
26.48
93.66
627
33
93
0
2
30
21
Primary
29.33
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