USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Mendon > Town annual reports of the officers of Mendon, Massachusetts 1917-1927 > Part 19
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1 78
Balance on hand
5 76
$787 75 $787 75
GEORGE H. PICKARD,
Finance Committee.
32
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.
TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE TAFT PUBLIC LIBRARY :-
The circulation for the year (101 days) was 8,752 volumes. The largest number given out in one day was 165, the smallest 31, the average 87. The circulation by classes was as follows : fiction, 6,953 ; magazines, 1,270; bound magazines, 39 ; biogra- phy, 39; travel, 11; history, 175; literature, 74; useful and fine arts, 108; science, 31; all others, 52.
There are 6,776 volumes in the library. 148 volumes have been added the past year and 13 volumes have been taken out as they were worn out. 100 were bought by the town and 48 were given, as follows:
H. J. George, 7; Mrs. Bennett, 5; Harold Carlstrom, 2; Secretary of the Commonwealth, 4; Massachusetts Library Com- mission, 18 ; Anonymous, 12.
The library subscribes for the American, Asia, Boy's Life, Century, Country Gentleman, Field and Stream, Harper's Month- ly, Ladies' Home Journal, Life, Literay Digest, National Geo- graphic, Radio News, Saturday Evening Post, Scribner's, St. Nicholas and Woman's Home Companion. The Library Commis- sion sends the American Boy, Good Housekeeping, Popular Me- chanics and the World's Work. The Atlantic Monthly, Farmer's Wife, Dumb Animals, Farm and Garden are given.
$37.75 was received in fines during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
VERENA R. DALEY,
Librarian.
Mendon, January 1, 1925.
33
BOOKS ADDED IN 1924.
Fiction :---
Amazing Inheritance. Frances R. Sterrett. Anthony Dare. Archibald Marshall. Are Parents People? Alice D. Miller. Bobbie-General Man. Olive H. Prouty. Butterfly. Kathleen Norris. Call of the Canyon. Zane Grey.
Captain Scraggo. Peter B. Kyne.
Clinton Twins. Archibald Marshall.
Covered Wagon. Emerson Hough.
Croatan. Mary Johnston. David Copperfield. Charles Dickens.
Dawn of a Tomorrow. F. H. Burnett.
Deep in the Hearts of Men. M. E. Waller. Eagle's Wing. B. M. Bower. Enchanted April. M. A. B. Arnim.
End of the House of Alard. Sheila Kaye-Smith. Exterior to the Evidence. J. S. Fletcher. False Dawn. Edith Wharton. Fanny Herself. Edna Ferber. Feathers Left Around. Carolyn Wells. Fifth Wheel. Olive H. Prouty. Flash of Gold. Frances R. Bellamy.
Fortunes Fool. Rafael Sabatini. Four Bells. Ralph D. Paine. Four Stragglers. Frank L. Packard. Happy Isles. Basil King. Heirs Apparent. Phillip Gibbs. Hidden Road. Elsie Singmaster. His Children's Children. Arthur Train. Honourable Jim. Baroness Orczy. House of Mohun. George Gibbs. J. Poindexter, Colored. Irvin S. Cobb. Judith of Godless Valley. Honore Willsie.
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Keeban. Edwin Balmer. Lady From the Air. C. N. and A. M. Williamson. Laramie Holds the Range. F. H. Spearman. Law-breakers. Ridgwell Cullum. Light of Western Stars. Zane Grey. Lost Lady. Willa Cather. Luck of the Kid. Ridgwell Cullum.
Madam Claire. Susan Ertz.
Midlander. Booth Tarkington. Minglestreams Jane Abbott. Mr. Wu. Louisa J. Miln. Money, Love and Kate. E. H. Porter.
More Lives Than One. Carolyn Wells.
Mystery of Lynne Court. J. S. Fletcher.
Mystery of the Sycamore. Carolyn Wells. New Year's Day. Edith Wharton. Nigger of the the Narcissus. Joseph Conrad. Old Blood. Frederick Palmer.
Old Maid. Edith Wharton.
Paradise Mystery. J. S. Fletcher.
Parowan Bonanza. B. M. Bower.
Patuffa. Beatrice Harraden
Pawned. Frank L. Packard.
"Poilu" a Dog of Roulaix. Eleanor Atkinson. Potash and Perlmutter. Montague Glass. Rainbow Trail. Zane Grey.
Red Pepper's Patients. Grace S. Richmond.
Round the Corner to Gay Street. G. S. Richmond. Rover. Joseph Conrad. Rufus. Grace S. Richmond.
Safety Pin. J. S. Fletcher
She Blows! and Sparm at That! W. J. Hopkins. Sight Unseen and the Confession. M. R. Rinehart.
Silver Moon. E. H. Abbottt. Sir John Dering. Jeffery Farnol. Spark. Edith Wharton.
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Storm-center. Burton E. Stevenson. Three Hostages.' John Buchan. Three Score and Ten. Amelia E. Barr. Tumbleweeds. Hal G. Evarts. Tutt and Mr. Tutt. Arthur Train. Twins of Suffering Creek. R. Cullum. Wild Horses. Henry H. Knibbs.
Wind Between the Worlds. Alice Brown. Woman Who Toils. Marie & Mrs. J. Van Vorst. Youth Triumphant. George Gibbs.
Juveniles :-
About animals. St. Nicholas.
Book of elves and fairies. F. J. Olcott. Boy Scouts at Sea. Arthur A. Carey. Careless Jane. Katharine Pyle. Chico. Lucy M. Blanchard. Dark Frigate. Charles B. Hawes. Davy and the Goblin. Charles E. Carryl. Doctor Dolittle's Post Office. Hugh Lofting. Fairies and Chimneys. Rose Fyleman. Five Little Peppers Grown Up. Margaret Sidney. Great Adventures of Mrs. Santa Claus. Sarah Addington. Jack Among the Indians. G. B. Grinnell. Jack Gregory. Warren L. Goss. Jimmie. Ernest H. Baynes. Lad: A Dog. Albert P. Terhune. Little Maid of Virginia. Alice T. Curtis. Magic for Amateurs. W. H. Radcliffe. Magic Forest. Stewart E. White. Mouse Story. K. H. With. Patriotism and the Flag. Pelham and His Friend Tim. Allen French. Pied Piper of Hamelin. Robert Browning. Polly Oliver's Problem. Kate D. Wiggin. Pool of Stars. Cornelia Meigo.
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Quest of the Western World. Francis Rolt-Wheeler. Rainbow Cat. Rose Fyleman.
Rhymes of Childhood. James W. Riley. Sailng Alone Around the World. Captain J. Slocum. Secret Play. Ralph H. Barbour.
Shoe-Maker's Apron. Parker Fillmore. Silver Bear. Edna A. Brown. Silver Shoal Light. Edith B. Price. Spirit of '61. A. S. and H. W. Dickinson. Treasury of Plays for Children. M. J. Moses. When Polly was Eighteen. Emma C. Dowd. Wind in the Willows. Kenneth Grahame. Young Lion Hunter. Zane Grey. Zone Policeman 88. Harry A. Franck.
Non-Fiction :-
Book of Boston. Robert Shackleton. Children of Loneliness. Anzia Yezierska. Destiny of Man. John Fiske. From Immigrant to Inventor. Michael Pupin. Gloucester ; Vital Records. 2 volumes. History of the Studebaker Corporation. Albert R. Erskine. History of the Town of Douglas. W. A. Emerson. Idea of God. John Fiske. Illustrated History of the Holy Bible. John Kitto. Jew and civilization. Ada Sterling. Job of Being a Dad. Frank H. Cheley. Life After Death. Emanuel Swedenborg. Life of Christ. Giovanni Papini. Lithuania. A. M. Benedictsen. Massachusetts Beautiful. Wallace Nutting. Mind in the Making. J. H. Robinson. My Garden of Memory. Kate D. Wiggin. National Geographic. Volumes 43 and 44. People's Corporation. K. C. Gillette.
37
Personal Relation in Industry. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. President Coolidge. Edward E. Whiting.
Report of American Committee for Relief in Ireland. St. Nicholas. Volume 50. Salem. Vital Records. Volumes III and IV. Three Generations. Maud H. Elliott. Through Nature to God. John Fiske. Tragedy of Hungary. Louis K. Birinyi. Wild Life on the Rockies. Enos A. Mills.
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AUDITOR'S REPORT.
This is to certify that as Auditor for the Town of Mendon for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1924, I have examined the books of all of the Town Officers and find them correct. Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD E. CHAPMAN,
Mendon, Mass., Feb. 8, 1925.
Auditor.
REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF MENDON
FOR THE
SCHOOL YEAR 1924
ORGANIZATION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE, 1924.
GEORGE H. PICKARD, Chairman ROY A. BARROWS, Secretary, MRS. ANNA COFFIN,
Term expires 1925. Term expires 1926. Term expires 1927.
SUPERINTENDENT. CARROLL H. DROWN.
TRUANT OFFICER. JACOB R. BROWN.
SCHOOL NURSE. MARY L. WILSON.
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN. DR. K. A. CAMPBELL.
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
FINANCIAL REPORT.
RESOURCES.
Appropriation for Current
School
Expenses
$14,000 00
Appropriation for School Physician 50 00
Appropriation for School Nurse
200 00
From County Treasurer, Dog Tax
351 39
Total $14,601 39
Total amount expended (including $9.47 paid for Insurance)
14,580 34
* Balance
$21 05
REIMBURSEMENTS.
From General School Fund, Part 1 .. $1,090 00
From General School Fund, Part 2. 2,567 11
For Superintendent's Salary 500 00
For Superintendent's Travelling Expense 80 00
For High School Grant
512 50
For Tuition from State
730 67
For Tuition from City of Boston
117 08
Total
$5,597 36
*Account of Tuition for Vocational School is given at the close of this Financial Report.
42
RECONCILIATION.
Resources
$14,601 39
Reimbursements
$5,597 36
Balance
21 05
5,618 41
Net Cost of the Schools to the Town ..
$8,982 98
EXPENDITURES.
Teachers
$9,050 67
Superintendent
1,039 15
Wm. H. Jordan (Clerk)
25 50
Transportation
1,186 00
Fuel
980 79
Care of Buildings
801 92
Text Books
257 48
Supplies
414 28
Miscellaneous
41 53
Insurance
9 47
Repairs
436 86
Committee Expense
20 00
Health
250 00
Tuition (Millville)
50 00
New Equipment
16 69
Total Expenditures
Teachers' Salaries
$14,580 34 9,050 67
Oscar L. Garland
$1,947 50
Madeline Brown
1,218 75
Albert W. Sampson
1,323 75
Mary A. Monahan
735 00
Marguerite Pearson
437 55
Alice Ritz
1,167 00
Lillian Martin
1,008 00
Jessie Hitchcock
945 00
Beulah Thompson
268 12
43
Text Books $257 48
World Book Co. $19 35
Benj. Sanborn 1 01
D. C. Heath
31 65
Lyons & Carnahan
9 86
American Book Co.
5 30
McMillan Co.
30 24
Silver Burdett 29 47
Laidlow Co. 5 20
Rand, McNally & Co.
22 53
Little, Brown & Co. 17 74
Standard Book Co.
8 52
J. B. Lippencott 7 61
J. L. Hammett 1 31
Iroquois Publishing Co. 7 76
Scott, Foresman Co.
2 08
E. E. Babb & Co. 1 93
Allyn & Bacon
19 56
C. C. Birchard
31 74
C. H. Drown, express on books
3 00
Hinds, Haydn & Eldredge 1 62
Supplies
$414 28
Dowling School Supply $19 50
J. L. Hammett 144 03
Oliver Ditson Co.
5 65
World Book Co.
2 36
L. E. Knott Apparatus Co.
81 26
E. E. Babb & Co.
7 16
Mass. State Prison ( Boston)
10 33
Arthur P. Schmidt
2 58
Ginn & Co.
2 84
C. H. Drown 16 28
Oval & Koster 15 25
Harris & Gilpatrick
4 40
Avery & Woodbury 48 10
Ryan & Buker 7 44
44
Charlescraft Press. 3 75
Town of Hopedale, School Dept. 7 43
Silver Burdett & Co. 6 74
Reformatory for Women 8 48
Hinds, Haydn & Eldredge 2 80
H. C. Forbes 3 50
H. S Chadbourne 3 30
Oscar Stonequist 2 00
Kenney Bros. & Wolkins
9 10
Care of Buildings
$801 92
Jacob Brown $616 00
Sumner Allen
90 00
Minnie Thayer
90 00
Mrs. Benj. Peterson 5 92
Fuel
$980 79
Frank Wood $8 00
L. F. Thayer & Son 21 00
E. E. Chapman 31 50
C. A. Fletcher
18 00
Alfred Autty
4 50
H. M. Curtiss Coal Co. 897 79
Miscellaneous $41 53
Geo. E. Thayer $3 00
Town of Hopedale
3 78
Worcester Sub. Electric Co.
9 25
J. C. Purcell 15 00
L. F. Perry
1 50
H. C. Forbes 7 00
Jos. Dudley
2 00
H. J. George ( Insurance)
$9 47 $436 86
H. S. Chadbourne $5 15
E. G. Bowers 2 35
Sumner Allen
1 25
F. C. Townsend
312 61
W. G. Fiske
92 50
Jacob Brown 23 00
Repairs
45
Health $250 00
District Nursing Association
200 00
Dr. K. A. Campbell 50 00
Transportation
$1,186 00
M. & U. St. Ry. Co.
$250 00
Carl Taft
432 00
J. Frank Leonard
504 00
Tuition, Millville
$50 00
New Equipment, Charles E. Clark
16 69
Total Expenditures
$14,580 34
ACCOUNT OF TUITION FOR VOCATIONAL SCHOOL.
Appropriation
$200 00
Paid Worcester Trade School
178 56
Balance on hand
$21 44
Respectfully Submitted,
GEORGE H. PICKARD, Chairman ROY A. BARROWS, Secretary, ANNA COFFIN,
School Committee.
SCHOOL DIRECTORY.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
George H. Pickard, Chairman
Term expires 1925
Roy A. Barrows, Secretary
Term expires 1926
Mrs. Anna Coffin
Term expires 1927
TEACHERS.
CENTER BUILDING.
Grade
Name Local Address
Preparation Years Service in Town 46
High-Science
Math., U. S. Hist.
Madeleine Brown
Mendon
Holyoke
Second
Eng., Language History VI, VII, VIII
Albert Sampson
Mendon
Leviat Institute Third
III, IV, V
Marguerite Pearson
Milford
Worcester Normal First
I, II
Alice Ritz
Mendon
Framingham Normal Fourth
ALBEEVILLE BUILDING.
Jessie Hitchcock Mendon
Worcester Normal Second
I-VIII
Oscar Garland, Prin. Mendon
N. H. State College Third
I-VIII Lillian Martin
EAST MENDON BUILDING. Hopedale Framingham Normal Third
MUSIC SUPERVISOR. Beulah C. Thompson Milford, 19 Church N. E. Conservatory Fourth
Street
SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS.
Mrs. Raymond Daley Mendon
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN.
Dr. K. A. Campbell Hopedale Tel Milford 102
SCHOOL NURSE.
Mary L. Wilson Milford
Tel. Milford 862
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
Carroll H. Drown Hopedale Tel,. Office Milford 904 Residence Milford 802-J
47
JANITORS.
Center Building Albeeville
Jacob Brown
Mendon Mendon
Tel., Milford 374-5
Sumner Allen
East Mendon
Mrs. Minnie Thayer
So. Milford
BARGE DRIVERS.
North Route
Carl M. Taft
Mendon
East Route
J. Frank Leonard
Milford, R. F. D.
EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATES GRANTED AT 48
Office of Supt. of Schools, Hopedale, on School Days-8.00 A. M. to 5.00 P. M. Regular meetings of the School Committee are held in the School Building on the first Monday of each month at 7.15 P. M.
49
SCHOOL CALENDAR. 1925.
ELEMENTARY GRADES.
WINTER TERM. Opens January 5, Closes March 20. (11 weeks.) Vacation Two Weeks.
SPRING TERM.
Opens April 6, Closes June 12. (10 weeks.) Summer Vacation.
FALL TERM.
Opens September 8, Closes December 18. (15 weeks.)
1926.
WINTER TERM.
Opens January 4, Closes March 19. (11 weeks.)
HIGH SCHOOL. 1925.
WINTER TERM.
Opens December 29, 1924, Closes March 27, 1925. (13 weeks.) Vacation One Week.
SPRING TERM. Opens April 6, Closes June 19. (11 weeks.)
50
FALL TERM.
Opens September 8, Closes December 18. (15 weeks.) Vacation One Week.
1926.
WINTER TERM.
Opens December 28, 1925, Closes March 26, 1926. (13 weeks.)
LEGAL HOLIDAYS.
Labor Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving Day, January 1, February 22, April 19 and May 30. There wil be no session of schools on the Friday following Thanksgiving Day. When a holiday comes on Sunday the following Monday becomes a holi- day.
The town cannot have any "No School Signal." Schools will not be closed on account of weather unless it is practically impossible or unreasonable for children to attend. When parents feel that it is unwise for their children to go to school, they are advised to keep them at home. On all other days children must attend school as required by law.
IMPORTANT REGULATIONS.
A regulation of the School Department is that no child can enter school for the first time unless such child shall become six years of age on or before January 1, of the year following the fall term when he wishes to enter school. (For entrance to
51
school this coming fall term a child must be six years of age on or before January 1, 1926.)
ATTENDANCE LAWS.
Every child from seven to fourteen years of age unless he is physically or mentally unfit, and until he is sixteen years of age unless he has completed the sixth grade, shall attend school all the time it is in session. Every child from fourteen to sixteen years of age shall attend school unless such child has received an employment certificate and is regularly employed according to law for at least six hours per day.
If a child fails to attend school according to law for seven day sessions or fourteen half day sessions the child shall be con- sidered an habitual truant and may be sent to a truant school.
If a parent or guardian fails to cause the child under his charge to attend school according to law he shall be fined not over twenty dollars for each offence.
52
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND CITIZENS OF MENDON :-
I herewith submit my sixth Annual School Report, it being the thirty-first Annual Report of the Superintedent of Mendon Schools.
With the thought of a school report comes the one import- ant question : What have the schools done during the year?
News items and reports usually mention the unusual and spectacular events. Readers today do not care for the common- place, however good it may be.
The erection of new buildings, the adoption of new school policies, introduction of new departments and various changes in schools and the plans of their operation furnish items for mention and discussion in a school report. However, words fail to show a true report and the true significance of the influence of the daily routine of the school room. The daily contact of pupils and teachers is most important. Characters are formed and destinies made.
It has been well said by the Worcester First Grade Teachers' Club in their "Statement of Purpose," that the duty of the teach- er is not only to teach the child but to learn him, which means that the teacher should know the child.
Education is the means of encouraging and making true growth. The process of education may be carried on by various methods under varied conditions.
Education must be fitted to the needs of the individual and the times. All pupils should acquire the tools necessary for life's training, among which are Reading, Writing, Simple Figuring, etc. These tools are needed for the use they serve in life ; but, far more important is the trainng for right habits, habits of health,
53
habits of work and the moral and spiritual habits of true living. The young today need a thorough training in the practical things of life, and in co-operation and team work as citizens. They must learn to overcome to an extent the tendency to selfishness, and to live for the welfare of their fellow beings and to pull to- gether for the common good.
We have nothing very new or spectacular to report of our schools this past year. In the more unnoticeable work of master- ing the essential tools and in the forming of right habits, much has been accomplished.
A thorough training in the essentials, inspiration for the best in everything and to inculcate a desire to work for the common welfare have been our aims and ideals. I am pleased to report to you, the School Committee, and to the people of this town, that good results have been obtained in striving for this goal. A discussion for proof of this is not necessary. An inspection of the schools will prove the fact.
Some of the Standardized Tests, and other special tests have been given the schools by the Superintendent. The tabulated results of the tests in Arithmetic, Use of Language, History, Literature, Reading, and Geographical and Human Science given the pupils of the Upper Elementary Grades and of Spelling given in all schools were rather gratifying.
As is usually the case, some natural and common weaknesses were noticeable. Spelling, as ever before, is one of the very troublesome tools in the methods of the art of civilization. In the instruction of this subject more attention is being given to the common words of the used vocabulary, and in more careful pro- nunciation and a larger consideration to phonics and syllabliza- tion.
Inaccuracy and carelessness in thinking and doing are still among the most common sins, and hard to overcome. These defects seem to be marked characteristics of present day life. This condition is a great problem for the schools, and they must constantly train and work for better habits.
The demands upon children for training in the complexity of civilization are large. It means a constant speeding up in the
54
school work as well as in all of life in general. It is sometimes a wonder that the child-mind can stand up under the burden, but this spirit has become an epidemic the whole country over. This condition encourages and rather forces inaccuracy and careless- ness.
It seems that this process of "speeding-up" must be kept go- ing in schools, for something about many things must be learned, and some things should be quite well mastered.
Those who are guiding the policies and work of schools must constantly struggle with the problem of what the schools must attempt to teach and what can be better omitted
Theoristic promoters of all sorts of fanciful and interesting schemes, and reformers of all kinds are constantly sending forth something that may be done, and they feel that school children are just the right victims who should try out the operation of their fruitful ideas. It is imperative that a halt be called in what the schools attempt to do in order that some lesser number of things may be done better.
This condition exists in even a larger degree outside of school. How numerous are the attractions and activities for children today, many of these are not beneficial or worth while. If parents could see to it that children give less time and attention to the many distractions from the useful in life, better work could be done in school and a stronger education be received.
Some topics of learning receiving attention elsewhere are not taken up in the schools of our town, yet most of the common important branches are found in the curriculum of the Mendon schools.
The following are some things which need more considera- tion in our schools :
1. Instruction in practical hand work, commonly called Manual Training.
2. Special instruction in the science of Home Keeping.
3. Special training in the Art of Handwriting.
4. Appreciation of Music, and the best Literature and Art.
5. Carefulness in spoken language.
55
6. Appreciation of and faith in our Government, and a stronger desire for obedience to law.
7. Thrift in saving of money, saving of time, and right use of property, especially public property as supplies for schools, etc.
Conditions and lack of equipment and instructors prevent instruction being given in the first two named above. We are endeavoring to give more attention to the others.
As has been reported before, the children of the Mendon schools do not have the advantage of special instruction in Draw- ing-free hand and mechanical,-Manual Training, Domestic Science or other Domestic Arts which children of the larger number of towns and cities of the State have. On account of the cost of equipment and maintenance, it is not possible for some small towns to provide these advantages. Provision might be made for some of these.
Drawing, especially free-hand drawing, is most valuable training. It trains observation, accuracy, and power of repre- sentation, and is one of the best means of cultivating that very useful human faculty-imagination. Art appreciation encour- ages appreciation of the beautiful. Art has been fostered and cultivated since civilization began, and even the savages sought Art so far as they knew it.
Drawing is being taught by our teachers to some extent, but much more could be done under the guidance of a Drawing Supervisor. We urge that an appropriation be made at the next town meeting for a Drawing Instructor. This might well be tried, and to the great advantage of the schools. It has been several years since the schools had a drawing supervisor.
The school calendar shows that there has been but one change in our teaching staff during the past calendar year. Per- manancy in the personnel of the workers of an organization makes for better results.
No human being reaches the highest ideal of everyone. Teachers are a part of the human family. If a teacher should be perfect in the opinion of one, she must surely fail to be the ideal
56
of another whose opinion is different. Even the Greatest Teacher and Master of all times of Christian ages did not satisfy every- one.
Successful teaching of groups of children requires much wisdom and tact; and dealing with human beings, especially those who are out of reach of the teacher's voice and influence, requires much more skill and ability.
The person who is qualified to give unfavorable criticism of an act is one who possesses definite knowledge of the action, and is fully capable of demonstrating how it may be better performed. Many are prone to criticise schools where their knowledge of the circumstances and conditions are not sufficient to make a true judgment.
Judging from the work of many other schools and teachers it is our estimate that the Town of Mendon is fortunate in hav- ing as leaders of its school children teachers who are worthy in character and conduct, qualified in ability and training, deeply interested in their work, and loyally devoted to the welfare of their pupils. Mistakes are made, and some would be made if their places were filled by others.
Our schools are not "show" schools. Likely the towns- people do not wish them to be such, but in the work of teaching the common branches, we are confident that the Mendon schools measure very favorably.
The Albeeville school is especially fortunate in having a teacher so capable, so loyally interested in the good of the school, and so truly and contentedly identified with the welfare of the community as Miss Hitchcock, and especially because she was willing to give her best service the second year.
This is especially mentioned not with any intent of failing to recognize credit due other teachers, but because it is usually so difficult in these times to secure such a teacher to go back into what many call the lonely country, and be so happy and work so faithfully for the children.
It is very gratifying that the School Committee and the sup- porters of our schools in town have shown their appreciation of
57
their teachers' earnest efforts by making salaries commensurate for holding capable teachers and thus prevent the constant break- ing and interruption of good school work by frequent changes in teachers.
It will be noted from the statemnt of "Expenses" that there has been but very little cost for books in the High School this past year. More will be needed next year as many of the books are badly worn. The cost for books for all schools was not large. New books will be constantly needed, as the life of books is short because of the hard usage they receive. Thrift, economy and careful use of public property is something that American children and youth have not fully learned yet. We are constantly trying to teach this lesson in the schools.
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