USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1898-1901 > Part 22
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The position of Miss Blanche Wheeler, teacher of reading, who also resigned, was filled · by Miss Ada J. Murdock, a graduate of Lake Erie University. Both of these teachers have filled their positions acceptably.
The last graduating class numbered 23, being one of the largest classes ever graduated from the school. The class following the usual custom, presented the school with a statue of Venus of Milo. This is now the second year since the high school has changed back
143
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
to two sessions and I have failed to hear any complaints, or of any desire to return to the old system. The one session was a fad that seems to be dying out.
During the summer vacation the walls of the main room and three of the recitation rooms were tinted, thus removing the glare of the white walls and affording a pleasing rest to the eye.
The main room with its tinted walls and numer- ous pictures and statues is, I believe, one of the pleas- antest school rooms in the state. As the present quar- ters will doubtless serve the high school for many years to come, I would suggest that Miss William's room and the corridor leading thereto be tinted in a corresponding manner.
In accordance with the suggestions of my last re- port, additional radiators were placed in two of the recitation rooms, and no trouble has been experienced in heating the same this winter.
The members of our athletic team were successful in winning the trophy at the interscholastic meet at Sturbridge last spring, and having now won it for five successive years the trophy becomes their personal property and has been added as an ornament to the school room.
The school has also had a basket ball team this year. As the participants in these sports are general- ly members of the Y. M. C. A. gymnasium it is preb- able that some of the boys are devoting too much time to athletics.
The point is that with too many of our pupils school seems to be of secondary importance and this applies
144
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
no less to the girls than to the boys. No entertainment, church or otherwise, can be held without bringing in more or less of our pupils whose lessons suffer corres- pondingly. If this happened but once a year it would not be a matter of much consequence but it would seem as if not a month passes without some extran- eous influence to interrupt school work.
Some writer has stated that the education of the child should begin with the grandparents but I find that many parants are prone to relax very much from the discipline under which they were trained.
One of the common excuses for being late in the morning is "failed to get up in time." When such an excuse is offered by a healthy boy or girl 15 to 20 years of age it would seem that a little of the Spartan training of grandfather's day would be an excellent tonic. I do not remember that such an excuse was ever offered in my boyhood days and it would not be surprising if the future historian should date the deca- dence of the American people from the time that ex- cuse was first offered in the public school.
The majority of pupils who fall below grade in their studies consists of those who fail to do any home study. If the parents could realize that most of the school period is devoted to recitations and that study out of school is essential very few reports would be sent out marked "very low."
Respectfully submitted,
F. E. CORBIN.
145
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
DRAWING.
In looking over the work of the past year we find a steady gain in the children's power to draw, and especially in their ability to draw from objects.
Leaves and flowers seem always to possess a fas- cination for the children, and when asked what they prefer to draw they almost invariably answer flowers and twigs.
We spent the early fall months in drawing from the twigs, leaves and flowers, and later the fruits, nuts and vegetables. Then we applied these decoratively on vase forms, screens, book covers, and designs forsur- face patterns. Many expressed regret when the leaves and twigs had yielded to the frost and we were obliged to seek models indoors. But we made many interest- ing groups by using first the school models and then bringing objects from home. In order to give variety and interest to the work we use many mediums. The first leaves are drawn in pencil, then in ink wash, then in water color. The groups of fruit we thought looked more natural finished in brown pencil with a little shading. The upper grades and the high school were successful in painting flowers and leaves in color, the wild asters being particularly pretty. Our chestnut burs in the ninth grade were especially effective. In this class we have pupils that seem to have natural ability in drawing, so that the work in this grade has been very encouraging. Among our groups have been boxes, books, baskets of fruit, teapots, cups and saucers, plants, spools and needle work, Japanese lanterns, tennis racquet and balls, and a golf bag with golf
146
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
sticks. After our still life studies we have taken up work from living models, and this is more difficult as well as more interesting. The children willingly pose for their own class or for other classes, ard if a model is asked for there are always plenty ready to stand or sit in any desired attitude. Pose drawing is begun in the fifth grade with the simple back view in standing position. In the upper grades we draw the figure in action or represeting some story. We called one pose " The Trials of Tim" by tying a handkerchief about a boy's head as though he had the tooth ache. Another we called "College Yarns," drawing a boy reading with his hat on. Then we had an effect of a snow- storm by drawing a small girl in her school dress, just as she came in one stormy day. The background was painted black and the snow flakes left white. One lady going through the woods to church in old-fash- ioned Pilgrim dress was especially good.
In the High School we have had some pen work. We studied objects first in charcoal shading, then, taking other objects we shaded them by means of the pen. Different effects were introduced as hooked lines, cross-hatching and stippling. A few figures applied were also drawn introducing these effects with a pen.
After this work we have our working-drawing, making working drawings for many objects and mak- ing designs for the shapes of vases, bowls and lamps and iron-work designs for lamp-posts, etc. In the High School we study details of building-construction and plans of houses, copied and original. Historic ornament is studied in all grades, with simple forms in the lower grades to more elaborate ones in the upper.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
With the appearance of spring the flowers are again drawn and applied decoratively in panels, bor- ders and surface patterns.
I wish to thank the superintendent and teachers for their helpfulness, as they have done much in aid- ing me in my work.
Respectfully submitted, ANNA F. EAGER.
SCHOOL SIGNALS.
The school signal has been given five times during the year, once for no school in the primary grades, twice for no school in any grade, and twice for one session. The signals are as follows :-
SIGNALS.
Alarm at 8 a. m., one blow, no school for Primary grade.
Same signal repeated immediately, no school in any grade.
Alarm at 11.30 a. m., one blow, one session.
Alarmı at 12.30, one blow, afternoon session for all schools.
In closing, I wish to record my appreciation of the faithful work of the teachers, their loyalty and earnest efforts for the advancement of the Schools in every phase of their best interests, to the School Committee for uniformrly courteous consideration and to parents
148
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
and citizens for kindly expressions of encouragement and support.
Respectfully submitted, J. T. CLARKE, March 7, 1901. Superintendent of Schools.
CLASS OF 1900.
SOUTHBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL
Thursday Evening, June 28. " LIVE UP TO THE TRUTH." PROGAMME.
MARCH-"United Nations." ORCHESTRA PRAYER.
REV. G. W. PENNIMAN CHORUS-"In the Harbor We've been Sheltered." Veazie. SCHOOL SALUTATORY AND ORATION-No One without Influence.
EDITH LILLA NEWTON
ESSAY-The Value of Time. EDNA BERTHA KEELER
ESSAY-Practical Talent. FLORENCE GERTRUDE BUTTERWORTII ORATION-Education. HENRY JOHN TETRAULT
ESSAY-Influence of Music. FLORENCE MABELLE HOLMES ESSAY-Classification of the Fine Arts. ROSIA CHIAPDELAINE SELECTION FOR EIGHT VOICES-"Good-night, Good-night, Beloved," Pinsuti ESSAY-The Night brings out the stars. CARRIE EMMA PETTIBONE ORATION-Duty. ALBERT JARED BUTTERWORTHI ESSAY-Courage. HARRIET ELLA ROBINSON
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
ESSAY-Possession of Wealth.
ESSAY -- Work and Win.
ORCHESTRA-"Royal Overture"
ORATION-The South African War.
ESSAY-Worth of an Idea.
ALICE EMILY GUEST ANNA LAURA PETTIBONE
CLARENCE FITTS MORSE MARION LUCIE COZZENS
ESSAY-Spectacles. GRACE MILDRED BLANCHARD ESSAY-Choosing One's Friends. ANNA ROSS SEAGRAVE ORATION-Grit WARDWELL MARCY EDWARDS
SOLO- S (a) "Come to me, Sweetheart." Bartlett Hawley
1 (6) "Dreams."
HARRIET ETHEL DOUGHERTY.
ESSAY - Heroism. MABEL ALICE CHAMBERLAIN ESSAY-Reputation and the Influence of Character.
ALICE ELIZABETH HYDE
ESSAY-Luck HARRIET GRACE COMBERBACH ORATION-The Power of the Pen. . NELSON DANIEL DANDRIDGE
ESSAY-Lost Opportunities. MARGARET WINIFRED KEENAN * ESSAY- "Yesterday, To-day and To- morrow. )
CLASS PROPHECY. ]
HANNAH MARION CHACE
*ESSAY-The Neccessity of Education .: ( VALEDICTORY.
HARRIET ETHEL DOUGHERTY Barnby. SCHOOL
CHORUS-"Now the Day is Over." CLASS SONG.
PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS,
BY CHIARMAN OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE BENEDICTION.
ORCHESTRA-"Dawn of the Century." Excused.
CLASS SOJYG.
I.
To-day our parting hour has come, How swift the moments pass ! And we must break, mid falling tears, The ties that bind us fast. As we recall the happy days by youth's sweet charms caressed, We feel, with tender, thrilling hearts, These days have been our best.
II
And shall we, in the time to come Forget these days of yore ? As dimly future joys appear, Recall the past no more ? Ah, no ! Wherever we may roam,
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Through life's uncertain maze, Let us in mem'y pictures, view The scences of by-gone days.
III.
Farewell! Alas, is this the word Our trembling lips must say,
As we, when school life soon has ceased, Sail in life's ship to-day ? O Heavenly Father, lead us, O'er life's tempestuous way,
And through its billows pilot us Safe in the tideless bay.
WORDS BY MISS SEAGRAVE. MUSIC BY MISS HYDE.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
CALENDAR FOR 1901-1902.
40 WEEKS.
Spring term, 15 weeks, begins on Wednesday, March 6; ends on Wednesday, June 26. Recess of one week, ending April 6.
High school graduation; Thursday, June 27.
Fall term, 16 weeks, begins on Tuesday, September 3; ends Friday, December 20.
Winter term, 9 weeks, begins on Monday, Decem- ber 30, 1901, ends on Friday, February 28, 1902.
Spring term, 15 weeks, begins on Monday, March 3; ends on Friday, June 20. Recess of one week, end- ing, April 12.
HOLIDAYS.
Every Saturday; Washington's Birthday; Patriots' Day; Memorial Day; Labor Day; Thanksgiving and th day following.
APPENDIX.
SUMMARY OF EDUCATIONAL LAWS.
No child can be employed in a factory, workshop, or mercantile establishment under fourteen years of age.
Such child cannot be employed at any kind of ser- vice while school is in session, or before six in the
154
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
morning and after seven in the evening.
No child under sixteen can be employed in a fac- tory, workshop or mercantile establishment unless the employer (1) secures an age and schooling certificate for each child, (2) posts prominently at the entrance of his building a list of all such children employed, and (3) sends to the school superintendent a list of all minore in his employ (not simply those under sixteen) who cannot read at sight and write simple sentences in the English language.
The required certificate of age and schooling can be approved only by the superintendent of schools, or, in towns where there is no superintendent, by the school committee. It is also enacted that a child's certificate "shall not be approved unless satisfactory evidence is furnished by the last school census, the certificates of birth or baptism of such child, the regis- ter of birth, with a town or city clerk, or in some other manner, that such child is of age stated in the certifi- cate."
Before a child under sixteen can be granted an age and schooling certificate, he must present to the person authorized to issue the same, an employment ticket, duly filled out and signed, The certificate is to be surrendered to the child when he leaves the em- ployer's service; but if not claimed within thirty days from the ending of his service, it is to be returned by the employer to the superintendent of schools.
"No minor who cannot read at sight and write simple sentences in the English language shall be em- ployed while a public evening school is maintained in
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
the town or city in which he resides, unless he attends a day school or unless his teacher certifies each week that he is in regular attendance at such evening school."
Any person who employs anilliterate minor in vio- lation of this law "shall forfeit for each offence not more than $100 for the use of the evening schools; the minor's parents or guardian shall forfeit not more than $20."
Truant officers, as well as inspectors of factories, are entitled to visit the factories, workshops, and mer- cantile establishments in their several towns, and as- certain whether any minor or any children under six- teen are there unlawfully employed.
"A failure to produce to a truant officer or an in- spector of factories any age and schooling certificate or list required by this act shall be prima facie evi- dence of the illega employment of any person whose age and schooling certificate is not produced, or whose name is not so listed."
A fine of not more than $50 for each offense is en- tailed upon both the child's employer and his parents when a child under sixteen is employed unlawfully. Any employer who continues a child's illegal employ- ment after notification is to be fined from $5 to $20 for each day's offense.
Every town of 10,000 or more inhabitants must have an evenin ; school, in which they teach industrial drawing both freehand and mechanical.
From seven to fourteen children must attend school the entire school year.
The September school census must furnish the
.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
names of all persons between five and fifteen, and of all from fourteen to twenty who cannot read at sight and write legible sentences in English.
A truant school is required in each county, "either separately or conjointly with some other counties."
Children who are unmanageable in school or hab- itually absent, or who never attend school at all, but grow up neglected in idleness and ignorance, may be committed for a period of not exceeding two years.
Any person having under his control a child be- tween seven and fourteen years of age who fails for five day sessions or ten half day sessions within any period of six months while under such control, to cause such child to attend school as required by section twelve of this act, the physical or mental condition of such child not being such as to render his attendance at school harmful or impracticable, upon complaint by a truant officer, and conviction thereof, shall forfeit, and pay a fine of not more than twenty dollars. Any person who induces or attempts to induce any child to absent himself unlawfully from school, or employs or harbors while school is in session any child absent un- lawfully from school, shall forfeit and pay a fine of not more than fifty dollars.
No child who has not been duly vaccinated shall be admitted to a public school except upon presenta- tion of a certificate signed by a regular practising phy- sician that such child is an unfit subject for vaccination. No child, who is a member of a household in which a person is sick with smallpox, diphtheria, scarlet fever or measles, or of a household exposed to contagion from a household as aforesaid, shall attend any public school
157
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
during such sickness or until the teacher of the school has been furnished with a certificate from the board of health of the town, or from the attending physician of such sick person, stating in a case of smallpox, diphth- eria or scarlet fever, that a period of at least two weeks, and in a case of measles a period of at least three days, has elapsed since the recovery, remov- al or death of such person, and that danger of the con- veying of such disease by such child has passed.
ANNUAL REPORT
.... OF THE ....
SELECTMEN.
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
In reviewing the work that the Selectmen have had under their charge during the past year, we can only give a report in brief but we trust that our duties have been faithfully fulfilled and our efforts apprecia- ted by every voter in the town. The board have been very unfortunate in losing one of their members by death. In the death of Mr. Olney the town has lost one who was always enthusiastic in town affairs and always working to bring Southbridge up to the stan- dard set by other New England towns. We greatly regret the death of Joseph M. Olney.
Some of the accounts have been overdrawn but in all other cases the expenditures have been limited to the appropriations and we are glad to report a balance to some accounts which for years have been overdrawn.
Our bridges and railings are in a good condition
162
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
with the exception of the Chestnut St. bridge.
The appropropriation of $250.00 for the Charlton St. bridge was far too small for the work intended as the lumber alone cost over $500.00.
The following bridges have been replanked: Main St., Mill St., Sandersdale and Central St. Some of the abutments of several bridges which were damaged by the heavy freshets of last winter have been repaired.
We are again obliged to report the contingent account largely overdrawn and again repeat that contingencies constantly arise that draw heavily upon this account which cannot possibly be estimated at the beginning of the year. Some items that have caused the accounts to be overdrawn are the vaccination of school children, the salaries of cattle inspector and the sealer of weights, etc.
We have furnished a new room at the police station for the policemen and also made necessary re- pairs to roof of the station house.
On another page of this report will be noticed what our uniformed police department have done in the past year. Our sidewalks were never in better repair than they are today and still there is a credit to that account of nearly $250.00.
To our highway department we are pleased to re- port a balance to the credit of the account with no outstanding bills on March Ist. The heavy rains of Feb. 1900 left nearly all our outside roads and many of our streets badly gullied and washed out, necessi- . tating comparatively a large expenditure for this pur- pose as outlined in our report of last year. The cul- verts and drains were also all filled with the wash
163
REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
detritus and required quite an outlay when compared with previous years' expenses for this kind of work, in addition to the regular grading, graveling, etc.
A new and heavier layer of broken stone was laid on Hamilton street between Main and Crane streets.
The thin coat or relay surfacing of this street which was done three years ago had become settled by the large amount of traffic confined to such a nar- row way, yet it had answered its purpose and stood the travel better than was expected when first done, so much so that we felt justified in doing the work again out of the regular appropriation in the same manner by using a thicker layer of stone this time. We would call your attention again to our recommendations of last year with regard to the use of broken stone on our highways rather than gravel.
A small appropriation for this purpose each year would soon have our streets and highways in a first- class condition, and the cost of repairs would be reduced to a minimum.
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT FROM MAY 1, 1900, TO MARCH I, 1901.
Lights found out. . 28
Lights found burning. 34
Doors found open and secured 23
Horses found loose in barns.
Stray teams. 3
Dangerous places in high ways 22
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REPORT OF SELECTMEN.
Keys found in doors. 1
Wires down 1
Water found running in buildings 1
Bicycles found on street
9)
Stray horses on street. 22
Articles found in doorways
8
Stray cows . 13
Horses cast. 4
Runaway horses 4
Water pipes burst. 3
1
Lost child.
1
Lap robe found
Hydrant burst. 1
Arrests.
Common drunkards. 2
Desturbing the peace. 6
Drunk-taking team 1
Drunk-assault on officers
1
Throwing stones. 3
1
Drunk and vagrancy 1
1
Contempt of court 1
Larceny. 2
Drunk and profanity 1
Assault and battery. 1
Drunks
80
J. OUIMETTE, JR., H. S. CHENEY,
Selectmen.
Vagrancy
Drunk and disturbing the peace
ANNUAL REPORT
. ... OF THE.
Board of Health.
BOARD OF HEALTH REPORT.
The Board of Health respectfully submit their re- port for the year ending Dec. 31, 1900.
During the year a recommendation was made to local Boards of Health by the State Board urging the importance of vaccination for the people because of the beginning of an epidemic of small-pox in Fall River, New Bedford and other mill towns. Your board be- lieving it to be a wise measure provided the people with vaccination accordingly at considerable expense to the town, over 1200 people availed themselves of the op- portunity thus offered.
The town's sanitary condition is very good but few cases of contagious diseases occurred and these were of a very mild type, no fatal cases having occurred.
We most heartily recommend a continuation of
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REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.
the sewer system on Pine street also Morton court and that part of Hamilton street between Hook and Main streets.
The vital statistics of the town for the past year are as follows :-
Total number of deaths exclusive of still-
births, 219
DEATHS BY SEXES.
Number of deaths of males,
98
Number of deaths of females,
121
DEATHS BY MONTHS.
January,
22
July,
11
February,
25
August,
21
March,
21
September,
19
April,
28
October,
12
May,
13
November,
17
June,
12
December,
18
DEATHS BY AGES.
Deaths of persons under one year,
53
1 to 2 years,
14
2 to 3 years,
8
3 to 4 years,
4
4 to 5 years,
4
5 to 10 years, 10
10 to 15 years,
2
15 to 20 years, 7
169
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH.
20 to 30 years,
16
30 to 40 years,
9
40 to 50 years,
14
50 to 60 years,
16
60 to 70 years,
18
70 to 80 years, 23
over 80 years,
15
CAUSES OF DEATHS.
Consumption,
12
Diphtheria and croup,
4
Whooping cough,
2
Cholera Infantum,
21
Pneumonia,
34
Bronchitis,
8
Heart Disease,
10
Disease of brain and spinal cord,
14
Disease of kidney,
20
Cancer,
3
Accidental,
3
Burns,
1
Gastritis,
5
Apoplexy,
6
Eutentis,
6
Measles,
5
Unknown and ill-defined, 46
All other causes, 19
H. C. MOYNIHAN, Chairman, CARY C. BRADFORD, M. D., J. A. GENEREUX, M. D. Sec'y, Board of Health.
ANNUAL REPORT
. . . OF THE ..
Sinking Fund Commissioners
REPORT OF THE SINKING FUND COMMISSIONERS.
The Sinking Fund Commissioners respectfully submit herewith their first annual report.
During the past year the balance of the four per cent. bonds of this town issued to the amount of Fifty Thousand Dollars for the construction of sewers, have been sold. The entire bond issue was bought by Messrs Jose, Parker & Co., brokers, of Boston, at various times, as same was offered, and the premiums paid amounted to $7,895.04. The Sinking Fund Commis- sioners have voted to invest this amount, and other amounts as received, in the various Savings Banks of this Commonwealth, since the security is the best and any amounts received can speedily be placed at inter- est. The interest rates of the Savings Banks are tend-
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REPORT OF SINKING PUND COMMISSIONERS.
ing downward and it seems probable that the rate will soon be 3} per cent. for the majority of the Banks. While this rate is small, we are not able to buy ap- proved securities for investment that will net more, as is shown by the price of our own bonds, which are occasionally offered at 1173, which only nets the pur- chaser about 3 1-10 per cent. on his money. The large premium for which our bonds were sold is due in large measure to the skill and ability displayed by the Town Treasurer, John A. Hall, Esq., in disposing of them and saves the Town from making any appropriation for the Sinking Fund this year. The detailed statement fol- lows :-
RECEIPTS.
Premium received from sale of Bonds, $7,895 04
Interest earned since investment, 264 54
Total, $8,159 58
INVESTMENTS.
Southbridge Savings Bank, Book 15528, $1,046 69
Ware Savings Bank, Book, 24587, 1,040 40
Webster Five Cents Savings Bank, Book 11618, 1,050 50
Amherst Savings Bank, Book 9135, - 1,040 40
Springfield Five Cents Saving Bank, Book, 57220, 1017 50
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