USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1896-1898 > Part 12
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Financial Statement.
High School.
Balance from last year,
$453 29
Appropriation,
3,100 00
Tuition from other towns,
222 97
$3,776 26
Common Schools.
Balance from last year.
$585 86
Appropriation, Tuition from other towns,
11,375 00
9 00
11,969 86
Contingent Schools.
Balance from last year.
$25 22
Appropriation, Books, supplies, etc., sold,
2,650 00
8 30
2,683 52
Apparatus.
Balance from last year, $6 45
Appropriations. 200 00
206 45
120
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Evening Schools.
Balance from last year,
$4 71
Appropriation, 650 00
$654 71
The committee have expended :
High School.
Salaries of teachers,
$2,581 00
Janitor and fuel,
500 00
3,081 00
Common Schools
Salaries of Superintendent and teachers, $10,344 85
Care of buildings,
756 30
Fuel,
682 42
Tuitions,
135 00
Transportation,
17 00
11,935 57
Contingent Schools.
For books,
$597 30
For supplies,
631 53
For repairs,
746 03
For incidentals,
703 81
2,678 67
Apparatus.
For apparatus and books of reference, 163 54
121
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Evening Schools.
Teachers,
$448 00
Care of rooms,
58 80
Fuel and lights,
28 66
Books and supplies,
31 10
Incidentals,
43 45
Rent,
35 00
$645 01
Total expenditures, Balance in hands of treasurer, 787 01
$18,503 79
Books and supplies on hand, not distributed,
683 50
Appropriations for Next Year.
High School-
Teachers,
$2 400 00
Janitor and fuel,
500 00
2,900 00
Common Schools-
Teachers and Superintendent,
$11,575 00
Janitors,
775 00
Fuel,
700 00
Tuitions,
150 00
13,200 00
Contingent Schools-
Books,
$600 00
Supplies,
650 00
Repairs,
700 00
122
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Incidentals,
$750 00
Apparatus,
$2,700 00 200 00
Evening schools,
650 00
$19,650 00
Respectfully submitted in behalf of the Committee,
SILVANUS HAYWARD, Chairman.
Southbridge, March 10, 1897.
Superintendent's Report.
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF SOUTHBRIDGE :
Gentlemen : The annual report for the year 1896-7 is herewith respectfully presented. This is the twelfth of the series of annual reports from this office and the eleventh of the present Superintendent, and contains the usual statistics and information pertaining to the conduct of the schools. At the last meeting of the New England Association of Superintend- ents, steps were taken to secure uniformity in the statistics throughout the cities and towns, and the recommendations of that association may, in future reports, call for information other than that usually given.
Statistics for the Year 1896-7.
Population of the Town, State census, 1895, 8,250
Valuation of the Town for 1896, $3,562,560
Number of children between 5 and 15 years of age. 1,651
Number enrolled in public schools during the year, 1,242
Number under 5 years of age, 21
Number over 15 years of age,
107
Number between 5 and 15, 1,114
Number between 8 and 14, 610
Average number belonging,
861.36
Average daily attendance,
803.24
Per cent. of attendance,
93.25
124
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Cost Per Pupil.
Current expenses, including teaching, fuel and care of buildings, $15,016.57
Cost per pupil, based on total enrollment, 12.09
Cost per pupil. based on average enrollment, 17.43
Total expenditures, less permanent repairs,
18,175.49
Cost per pupil based on whole number,
14.64
Cost per pupil based on average enrollment,
21.10
Cost per pupil in High school, 30.19
Through the courtesy of the instructors we are able to give the following statistics of the parochial schools :
Number enrolled at the Notre Dame Parochial school,
696
Average number belonging,
590
Average attendance,
546
Per cent. of attendance,
92.54
Total enrollment at St. Mary's Parochial school,
152
Average number belonging,
140
Average attendance,
135
Per cent. of attendance,
96.43
Attendance by Schools.
of
SCHOOLS.
Whole Number
Enrolled.
Average Number
Belonging.
average attend-
Per cent. of at.
tendance.
Per cent. of Tardi-
ness of each Pu-
Number of Weeks and Days
School.
High School.
102
77.28
75.38
97.30
3.56
38-3
Higher Grammar-Main street.
36
27.78
26.29
94.50
3.41
36-4
School street.
28
21.97
21.36
97.26
.71
36-4
Lower Grammar-Main street,
63
45.48
42.44
93.30
4.09
36-4
School street,
42
30.36
26.54
87.41
.66
36-4
Intermediate-Main street. -
66
42.92
38.93
89.68
1.45
36-4
Union street.
49
35.06
33.91
96.72
.81
37-0
Union street.
27
24.71
23.47
94.98
3.70
36-4
River street.
49
26.75
25.67
95.96
.85
36-4
Town Hall, -
35
26.99
25.18
93.30
1.20
36-2
Higher Primary-Elm street.
57
45.39
41.88
92.27
3.33
36-3
School street.
52
40.17
37.98
94.54
2.15
36-4
C'arpenter.
59
34.12
31.47
92.23
2.51
36-4
Lower Primary-Main street,
67
44.63
40.83
91.48
3.32
36-4
Town Hall,
40
35.29
32.50
92.10
1.07
36-1
Elm street,
-
52
33.20
30.92
93.13
1.51
36-4
School street,
83
56.78
53.09
93.5
1.63
37-0
River street, -
63
41.28
39.13
94.81
1.11
37-0
River street,
37
27.28
24.72
90.62
3.43
37-0
Carpenter,
-
84
47.39
44.54
93.99
1.29
37-0
Mixed Primary-Ammidown,
53
36.20
33.00
91.13
4.81
36-4
Sumner.
56
27.47
23.99
87.33
.43
37-0
Ungraded-Bacon,
21
15.01
13.09
87.20
.09
36-3
Hooker,
21
17.85
16.93
94.84
2.19
36-4
1242
S61.36
803.24
93.25
2.23
36-4
-
pil.
ance.
126
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Attendance Roll of Honor.
List of pupils reported as perfect in attendance, neither absent nor tardy during the year. Others have always been in their places except when detained by sickness.
Alice Sanders, Lillian Macnie,
Eva Ferron,
Ernest Herron,
Annie Vincellette,
Louise Buchard,
Lizzie Kelley.
Arthur LaCroix,
. Francis Morrissey,
Clara Thibault,
Maude Phipps,
Robert Cooney,
Willie Flood,
Philip Tetrault,
Florence Vinton,
Joseph Flood,
George Dmas,
Bretna M. Morse,
Herman B. Morse,
Katherine Flood.
Perfect attendance two terms :
Frank Chipman,
Lora Gelena,
Flora Darling,
Harry Rose, Helen Shepard,
Kittie Eccleston,
Herbert Ellamı,
Laura Gatineau,
Lienne Tetrault,
Charles Wood, Eva Loiseau,
Ralf Freeman,
Ethel Seavey, Ernest Simmons,
Peter Perry,
Etta V. Herber,
Elzear Larochelle,
Moses Monette,
Nellie Thompson,
Bertha M. Lavoie,
Arthur O. Boyer,
Frank Smith,
Peter Hetu,
Marion K. Mc Vey.
95 others have been perfect in attendance one term.
The annual enrollment in May of the school children of the town between 5 and 15 years, returned 1651 names, which is 27 less than in May 1895. The May enrollment, as indicated by the following table, shows a less number each year, for the last four years of children of school age in town. The total number enrolled in the schools in the four years previous to this year has varied considerably, the number in the last two years being less than in the two previous years, while during the past year there have been 117 more enrolled than during the year 1895-6. The average number belonging shows nearly the same increase.
127
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
May Enroll- ment.
Total Enroll- ment in the Schools.
Average num- Per cent. of ber belonging. attendance.
1892-3,
1701
1144
738.94
92.84
1893-4,
1783
1187
745.35
93.24
1894-5,
1731
1115
777.48
93.66
1895-6,
1678
1125
752.40
94.21
1896-7,
1651
1242
861.36
93.25
The financial statement shows a small balance to the credit of each account, notwithstanding the unusual drafts upon the contingent account and that of common schools to meet the ex- pense of opening two additional schools.
There has been received for tuitions of pupils from other towns the sum of $231.97, and $135 has been paid for tuition. The total expenses of the year are $843.59 more than for the year preceding.
Evening Schools.
The Evening Schools were opened on the second Monday in September and continued 14 weeks, each of the four schools having 41 or 42 sessions. The order of the schools was excel- lent, and nearly all in attendance showed interest in the work, and a desire to make good use of the opportunities afforded. In the early part of the term, a few lost so much time that they were required to make up time by attending extra nights at one of the other schools. This number was less than in previous years. In very few instances has it been necessary to notify employers of unsatisfactory attendance.
The difference between the total enrollment and the aver- age number belonging is due largely to members leaving town
128
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
before the end of the term, and to the admission of others who were not in town at the opening of the school. Five members attended every evening, eleven every evening but one; nine- teen were absent two nights: eighteen were present all but three nights, and ten all but four nights. One-half of the aver- age number belonging lost not more than five sessions. Only one pupil was sent out for unsatisfactory conduct. At the close of the term, to all whose attendance entitled them to it, a certifi- cate was given reading as follows :
SOUTHBRIDGE EVENING SCHOOLS.
This certifies that. has attended the. ...... Evening School for the season of 1896: and that having attained an attendance of 70 per cent. or more, of the number of sessions, is en- titled to employment, on presentation of this certificate, until the open- ing of the evening schools in 1897.
J. T. CLARKE, Sup't of Schools.
Number of schools.
4
Number of teachers employed,
7
Number of pupils enrolled, boys 121, girls 73, 194
Number who attended 70 per cent. of the sessions, boys 92, girls 61, 153
Average number belonging,
162.17
Average attendance, 146.4
Per cent. of attendance,
90.28
Total cost of schools for the season, $645 01
Cost per pupil, $3.32
Repairs.
A considerable part of the expenditure for repairs last summer was for work not expected and consequently not pro- vided for in the call for appropriations. The raising of the
129
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
sidewalk in front of Elm street school house necessitated fill- ing in and regrading the lot. The cost of this was $62.60. Relaying the falling wall in front of the Main street school house and rebuilding the fence cost $135.95. For putting in order two rooms for the opening of additional schools, an ex- pense of about $85 was incurred, not including some new furni- ture.
For the work contemplated by the Committee on Repairs, $174.47 was expended at the Main street building for kalso- mining, and in repairs of desks. For new furniture for the Elm street Higher Primary $151.90, and for the school room at Union street $52.55.
On account of these heavy drafts upon the contingent account, the re-shingling of the School street building was de- ferred until another year,
During the coming year, besides shingling the School street building, the Hooker school house ought to be repaired and provided with suitable means of heating and ventila- tion and separate outside closets. This school is larger than it has been for many years, and the number of pupils is likely t) increase. A small outlay will greatly improve the conditions at this building.
The Union street building-if it is to be continued in use -should receive extensive repairs. This building was em- phatically condemned by the Committee appointed by the town in 1892, and it is hoped that provision will be made whereby the schools in this building can be transferred to more com- modious and healthful rooms.
The Schools.
At the opening of the schools in September the crowded. condition of several of the rooms called for unusual changes. The two Higher Grammar classes had a less number of pupils
130
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
than usual, while in the Lower Grammar rooms the number exceeded the seating capacity. Relief was given to the School street school by transferring the few pupils of the tenth grade to the corresponding grade at Main street and moving the first class of the Lower Grammar to the Higher Grammar room. At Main street the Lower Grammar room was given an assistant.
The Intermediate schools at Main and Union streets were both altogether too large and an overflow school of about 30 pupils was opened in the west room at Union street, taking all the pupils from the Main street room who could be transferred without too great hardship on account of distance, and also a number from the Union street Intermediate. The Primary school at River street was found to have over 70 children, making it necessary to engage another teacher and open a school of 30 pupils in one of the upper rooms.
The Primary schools at School street, Carpenter and Main street have each had from 50 to 69 pupils and have been pro- vided with assistants. These helpers give considerable relief to the teachers by looking after the children at their desks, direct- ing them in their work and looking over the papers and slates ; but with two at work in one room there is necessarily more or less confusion, and any near approach to the ideal school can not be realized under such conditions.
The school house at the Dennison district remains closed and tuition is paid for the children at the school in Sturbridge.
The only school room in either village now unoccupied by a day school is at River street, the room where the evening schools hold their sessions.
Few changes have taken place during the year in our corps of teachers. At the close of the Summer term Miss Hadley of the Main street Higher Grammar resigned to accept a more desirable position near Boston, and Miss Elizabeth G. Diman was appointed to this school. The health of Miss Aldrich not
131
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
permitting her to resume teaching, Miss Carolyn H. Parker was appointed to take charge of the Elm street Higher Primary.
Early in the year Miss Sherman was transferred to the Main street Lower Grammar school and Miss Clara P. Chase was elected teacher of the Ammidown school. Miss Benham, the supervisor of drawing, accepted a position elsewhere in June, and Miss Anna F. Eager was secured to take charge of that department.
With these exceptions and the employing of teachers for the two overflow schools, the teaching force has remained un- changed.
Notwithstanding the-in some respects-unfavorable con- ditions, the general work of the year has been conducted with a good degree of success, and in most of the schools a highly commendable progress has been made.
THE TEACHERS' INSTITUTE, under the direction of Secre- tary Hill and Agent Edson of the State Board of Education, held in our High School rooms, commencing on the evening of October 19 and continuing through the next day, was admirably conducted and an occasion of special interest to all in attend- ance. The exercises were very helpful and instructive and led to good results in the class rooms of our teachers.
THE EXHIBIT of school work made near the close of the Summer term showed much excellent work. It comprised mechanical and freehand drawing, charcoal and ink sketches, penmanship, illustrations of form study in clay, paper and sticks, mat-weaving, models, nature study, and language work. One afternoon was devoted to the children. An orchestra furnished pleasing music, and the occasion was highly enjoyed by the little folks. The exhibit was creditable to pupils and teachers, and many were the expressions of hearty commenda- tion from the large number of visitors from our own and neighboring towns.
132
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Attention is called to the following reports from the prin- cipal of the High School and the supervisor of drawing :
Report of the High School.
MR. J. T. CLARKE, Superintendent of Schools :
Dear Sir : I have the honor of presenting to you a report of the High School for the year 1896-7.
There have been 102 pupils enrolled during the past year. Of this number 42 are boys and 60 girls; an evident reason why we graduate so many more girls than boys.
The enrollment is a gain of 15 per cent. over last year and a gain of 67 per cent. compared with 1887. As there are but 94 desks in the High School, I believe it will be necessary for the Committee to make some arrangement for extra seating room in September.
Regularity of attendance is about the same as last year; the per cent. of attendance has dropped from 97.40 to 97.30, while " times late " has decreased from 3.64 to 3.56.
Commissioner Harris, in his last report, says that the car- dinal virtues of school work are "punctuality, regularity, silence and industry." In the higher grades of school work the parents are, I think, primarily responsible for the first two points, and it is difficult to instil habits of industry in pupils who habitually fail in punctuality and whose school work is made of secondary importance. The entering class is always poorest in attendance, possibly because their home work has not been adjusted to meet the requirements of a session beginning at 8.30 rather than 9 o'clock.
One of the difficulties that annually presents itself is a spirit of lawlessness, a seeming desire to wantonly destroy property and a total disregard of the rights of others, always
133
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
conspicuous in some members of an entering class, and the lawlessness of one or two members of a class who are never trustworthy unless under the eye of the teacher, brings discredit on the many.
While school discipline consists of training in honor and uprightness as well as in book instruction, yet time devoted to pupils whose only object is to see to what extent lawlessness can be carried seems to be time wholly wasted.
The last graduating class presented the school with a few volumes of standard literature, which gift, I trust, is the corner stone for a continued growth.
Additions, as heretofore, have been made to the mineralogi- cal cabinet, the most valuable being specimens of fossil coal plants given by Mr. C. V. Shumway.
Our graduating class this year numbers five, the smallest for some years. This class is also the smallest of any entering during my principalship, only 14 from the town schools having been connected with it. Of this number four have removed from town, four are at work, one at school out of town, one disabled by accident, and four graduate.
The state report for 1893-4, page 252, states that " as an average for the state, only one-third of those who enter the High School graduate, and the fraction is often only one-fourth or one-fifth." While we now attain the state average, I believe the coming classes will show a higher per cent. of graduates.
Respectfully submitted,
F. E. CORBIN.
Report of the Supervisor of Drawing.
In beginning my work in Southbridge I was much pleased to find that the importance of drawing, as a factor in education, was understood and appreciated. The teachers, as well as the pupils, have shown much interest in the work, and the school
134
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
board has been especially kind in generously furnishing ma- terials. There is much difference in ability among the pupils. some surprising me by their unusual aptness and others show- ing much lack in the power of observation. It has been my aim to teach the pupil to observe and express form, to appreciate the harmony in the exactness of the type solids, and the beauty in all their nature work. Nature is especially near to the children. Life attracts life, whether it is movement, color or light. What is the end of all our school-room work along these lines if it is not a harmonious development of the whole child which shall stimulate appreciation and arouse the higher instincts ? Where, except in nature, may we find ma- terial so well adapted to accomplish this end ?
The work of the school year is divided practically into three parts-the first-third being devoted to model and object drawing, the second to study of the facts of form and to the making of practical working-drawings, and the latter part of the year is to be devoted to nature work and design.
Much interest has been shown in the model and object drawing. During the fall the drawing of fruit and vegetables, and the study of dried grasses and sedges, taken up at the same time with the regular teacher's nature work, formed an inter- esting feature. The study of the type solids in the primary schools awakens the child to the observing of form in nature. and he recognizes the sphere in the apple, berry and ball, the cube in the loaf sugar, and the cylinder in the trunks of trees, pencils, etc. Neatness, care and accuracy, besides taste in color and arrangement is taught by the making of simple designs.
The work in light and shade in the High School, has been taken up with much interest, and the new drawing kits for the mechanical work, have been a valuable aid.
Thanking the Superintendent and teachers for their hearty co-operation,
Sincerely, ANNA F. EAGER.
135
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Truant Officers.
The Truant Officers have attended to their duties. respond- ing to the calls of teachers to look after absentees, visiting the homes of delinquents and returning boys to their places in school. The excuses generally assigned for absence are illness or no shoes.
They report :
Number of visits to schools, 66
Number of calls upon parents. 71
Boys taken to school, 13
Number taken before the court.
1
Number sent to Truant School.
?
MONROE REYNOLDS.
JAMES BROWN,
Truant Officers.
New Building.
It would seem hardly necessary, after what has been already said in regard to the conditions under which our schools are now conducted, to present argument for additional school- room accommodations. For several years the School Commit- tee have shown the need of a new building, so located as to accommodate the higher classes of the two villages. Each year the demand has been growing more urgent and now must be apparent to all who are familiar with the present conditions.
In 1892 the town appointed a Committee of representative citizens to take under consideration the whole subject of the school accommodations of the town. This committee. acting with the School Committee, made a thorough examination of all
136
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
the school buildings in the two villages, visiting all the school- rooms during the sessions of the schools, and inspecting every part of the school premises. Their report was exhaustive, and their recommendations cover the needs of to-day, emphasized by the growth of the four intervening years.
The following extracts from the report of this Committee will serve to refresh our minds with the view taken at that time :-
"The inspection of the committee was thorough and their conclusions unanimous that the full committee ought to report the pressing need of a new school building of at least six rooms, the same to be centrally located, in order that, should it be so desired, all the grammar pupils could be brought under one head. Your committee, in order to make some estimate upon future growth of the requirement for school accommodations, have taken into consideration the attendance of the private schools, as well as the legislation that is likely to be enacted, increasing the school age of children, and while in this report scarcely more than a summary of conclusions can be recorded, there is suffi- cient data obtainable to warrant the committee to report as above.
We believe the growth and prosperity of our town war- rants the committee in recommending a commodious and modern building that shall be a credit to our town, a benefit to our children and the basis for the permanent improvement of our public school buildings.
This whole subject is not a novel one to the minds and thoughts of the friends of the public schools here-it is to them historic. For more than 15 years it has been discussed and pressed upon the attention of the voters, always to be neglected by a temporizing policy, that has thus far been more instru- mental in augmenting the present difficulties, than in bringing about a sagacious provision for the constantly increasing de- mands of the school children of the town for suitable conven
137
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
iences for their instruction. There is no prudence or economy in pursuing such a course longer. Brought face to face with a pressing emergency, it is the part of wisdom to accept the sit- uation at the earliest day possible and begin to build for the present and the future, looking upon any other provision for dealing with our obvious necessities as a wasteful expenditure of money, besides being a serious blow at the best interests of the schools. Such a policy appeals to the pride of all parents, as well as to their thoughtful consideration of the educational interests of their children.
If the question be asked why such a school building should be provided and our reasons for suggesting the wisdom and economy of it, we answer: 1. Because better methods of heat- ing, ventilating and general sanitary conditions can be per- manently secured. 2. Better, pleasanter and more attractive school rooms. 3. Economy in care and heating. 4. Better discipline and management of schools ; better conveniences for instruction ; more uniformity of methods, and of the qualifica- tions of pupils of the several grades and among a larger number; and because it will stop the further pursuit of a policy of erect- ing, here and there, as emergency arises, cheap and undesirable school buildings for the future to condemn."
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