USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1909-1912 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37
27
28 32
24 52
86 47
School Street
III
11
23
34
27
25 54
94 57
Morris Street
II-III
18
16
34
28 33
26 84
94 55
Main Street
II III
12
19
31
26 2
24 9
94 98
Main Street
II
27
23
50
45 03
41 19
91 31
Mechanic Street
II
17
12
29
26 95
25 65
95 27
School Street
II
12
21
33
30 16
28 15
92 59
River Street
II
16
18
34
29 49
28 10
95 3
Sandersdale
I-II-III
14
18
32
23 34
18 94
80 86
Elm Street
I
12
19
31
23 63
21 63
91 39
Main Street
I
15
29
44
29 01
26 95
92 74
Mechanic Street
I
35
30
65
50
46 93
92 08
Morris Street
I
25
27
52
35 40
32 88
94
River Street
I
30
25
55
41 89
30 72
97 21
School Street
I
24
24
48
35 07
32 77
93 43
Dennison
18
5
23
15 9
14 91
92 88
Morse District
6
3
9
6 03
5 7
94 64
602
583
1185
1016 07
933 42
92 86
Vw
15
16
31
+ 37 17
31 45
90 51
istered,
1
158
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
GENERAL REMARKS.
Owing to the growth of our population, which is becoming more mixed every year, I believe it would be beneficial if one man could be appointed truant officer who would devote his entire time, if necessary, to the duties of his office. At present we have three men ap- pointed, all of whom are janitors of school buildings, and it might appear as if they were very near the seat of disturbance. But their duties are practically com- pleted when they have inquired at the home as to the cause of absence. Our position is in some respects peculiar inasmuch as about one half of our school pop- ulation is enrolled in the parochial schools. It has happened that children have told the public school officers that they were attending the parochial schools and vice versa to the parochial school authorities and have thus succeeded in not attending any where.
Our teachers are advised to look carefully into all cases of absence of pupils but they can not very well be the mentor for pupils that they have never met.
A truant officer is given ample powers by the state laws to enforce all needful attendance.
He needs to be a man of firmness and intelligence; of tact and patience. It should be a part of his duties to take the school census and fill out all work and dis- charge cards and thus gain a knowledge of the child- ren. The great majority of parents are anxious to have their pupils in school every day but among the more ignorant the most trivial excuses are given for
159
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
non-attendance and in some cases the parents assume no authority and the child runs wild. Parents are allowed by law to keep their children out of school five days in six months and no more unless they can show a physician's certificate that it would be unwise for the pupil to attend. In one case recently brought before the court the child had been out of school sixty- nine days in six months without any reasonable excuse being presented.
While the cost would be somewhat greater than at present yet the results gained would more than compensate for the added expense provided that a man with the requisite qualifications could be found for such an office.
PLAYGROUNDS.
In accordance with a law passed by the last legis- lature the town at the April meeting will be obliged to vote on the following question : "Shall chapter 513 of the acts of the year nineteen hundred and eight, re- quiring certain cities and towns to provide public play- grounds, be accepted by this town"? This law applies to all places of more than ten thousand population.
In accordance with this act, of the seventeen cities of this state, whose annual meeting is held in the fall sixteen voted to purchase playgrounds. While these playgrounds are for the benefit of the public they would probably be most used by children of school age, hence the interest that we have in the matter.
Every schoolhouse should have grounds about it
160
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
amply large for all children's sports. Foreign coun- tries are much ahead of America in this respect, inas- much as they prescribe a minimum limit of play space for each child.
In the cities of Germany the minimum is twenty- five square feet; in London, thirty square feet; in Japan, thirty-six square feet. Notice that these regulations are for the cities. In Queensland, Australia, a public school usually has from five to ten acres and no space of less than two acres is deemed sufficient.
None of our school buildings have what can prop- erly be called playgrounds attached to them, and in whatever games the children indulge they are practi- cally compelled to do most of their playing in the streets. Our high school pupils have no playground whatever and they are at an age when they most need active outdoor exercise.
I have no doubt that the time is coming, if it is not already here, when playgrounds will be considered as much a part of the educational system as a school- house or library.
The Boston Board of Health recommended last year to the Board of Education that thereafter the school day for the small children should consist of the forenoon only and that the afternoon should be given to directed play under their regular teachers.
In line with this suggestion, the Boston committee have passed the rule that the sub-masters during the spring and fall terms shall have charge of the children at the playgrounds from four to five-thirty P. M.
161
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
EXPENSES.
The contingent account has been overdrawn this year $93.79.
This was caused by the largely increased attend- ance at Marcy street neccessitating the purchase of some $200.00 worth of books and supplies. A con- tingency that could not be forseen and planned for.
During the coming year several of the rooms especially at Main and Morris streets,'need considerable repairs and an increased appropriation for this account is necessary.
Attention is called to the reports of the special teachers.
Respectfully submitted,
F. E. CORBIN.
EVENING SCHOOLS REPORT.
MR. F. E. CORBIN, SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
Sir:
The following is a brief outline of our labors in the Public Evening Schools for the season of 1908.
The term lasted 14 weeks, commencing September 8th and ending December 14th; and were in session six evenings a week at each school, with the solitary exception of Thanksgiving night.
The sessions"at"Globe Village were held as usual, in the upstairs rooms of the River street school-house; and at the Center were conducted in what was form- erly the "National Band Hall" in the Edwards Build- ing, on Main street. The rooms in Memorial Block that have been used for evening school purposes for a number of years were not available for the season of 1908, and some little difficulty was experienced in securing suitable quarters.
It had been anticipated that the Armory Building might be utilized for evening school purposes for this terni, but this was not possible.
The rooms secured, however, filled our require- ments very well indeed, and gave us even more desk room than we had in our former quarters. The heat-
163
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
ing and ventilating facilities were not, by any means, perfect; but the latter was assisted very materially by the installation of an electric fan.
The enrollment at Main street was larger than usual, but the average attendance was not so good as last year. This was due, in a great measure, to the large number of newly arrived foreign adults who became enrolled as pupils, and after attending for a while in a desultory manner dropped out altogether.
On the other hand, however, the average attendance of the minor pupils was kept fully up to the usual standard by promptly notifying their overseers when- ever they "lagged" behind.
The different nationalities represented by the pupils consisted of French-Canadians, Italians, Polanders, Albanians, Greeks, Swedes, Jews, Lithua- nians, Roumanians, Irish and Americans.
The usual curriculum of studies was adhered to, particular attention being given to the so-called "3 R's;" with the addition, in a general way, of American history, sentence-building, simple examples of letter- writing, both of a social and a business nature, making out of ordinary bills-of-sale, etc.
In the Advanced Classes, that were maintained both at the Globe and at the Center, the course of studies included Algebra, Latin, Physical Geography, U. S. History, English Grammar and Advanced Arith- metic; in which faithful work was done by the students
164
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
who attended the whole term, and much progress was made.
In the more elementary classes, to which the larger number of pupils belonged, a praiseworthy desire to learn was manifested, particularly by the recently arrived foreign element, who were anxious to learn the English language.
The progress made in these departments was all that could reasonably be expected; although it was up-hill work and required considerable tact, patient effort and painstaking preserverance to accomplish the objects desired.
At times it was actually ludicrous to watch the look of almost fierce determination depicted upon the faces of some of the boys and young men, as they tried hard to fathom the seeming intricacies of some simple prob- lem; and then note the gradual transition to expres- sions of animated pleasure and satisfaction when the desired results had been obtained.
A larger number of adults were enrolled than ever before, and although many of these dropped out for various reasons, others attended throughout the term with most commendable regularity and zeal.
Some of these men could already speak several languages, and paid particular attention to the study of English ; bringing their foreign dictionaries to school with them to aid in the translation of sentences.
One of these men, an Italian, was discovered by your principal to possess a fair knowledge of the Morse
165
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
code of telegraphy used on the European continent and at our own cable terminals, he having worked as tele- graph operator in the Italian army.
Another young man, also an Italian, could speak and write French and Italian fluently, and had lived the life of a student previous to coming to this country several months ago.
Still another young man, a Roumanian, could speak three languages as well as possessing a fair "smattering" of English.
All of these men are employed here in ordinary laboring capacities ; but their assiduous attention to study and determination to progress will undoubtedly, in course of time, raise them above their present sur- roundings. The decided advance made in their studies was very perceptible and satisfactory to both teachers and pupils.
The general attitude of the pupils toward their teachers was respectful and obedient, their deportmenti good, and discipline was thoroughly maintained throughout the term without any serious difficulty.
Taken as a whole, your principal and teachers feel that they can look back to the evening school term of 1908 with a good deal of satisfaction ; and trust that their conscientious labors have borne, and will continue to bear fruit, and that the town's appropriation for evening school work was wisely and profitably ex- pended.
Respectfully submitted,
E. I. KNOWLES, Principal.
SPECIAL REPORTS.
MUSIC.
MR. F. E. CORBIN, SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
Sir:
In presenting my report of the work done in Music for the past year, I wish to say that there has been great improvement in all the grades; not only in the artistic rendition of songs but in the technical part of the work.
The purpose and plan of teaching music in the public schools is three-fold.
1st. To enable the largest possible number of children to participate correctly and tunefully in the singing.
2d. By this means to develop in them a taste and love for good music.
3rd. To teach as many of the principles and as much of the practice of sight singing as may be possi- ble under the existing circumstances.
At the beginning of the school year, every voice was tested from the first grade up to and including the High school and special attention has been paid to the cure of monotones.
167
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
Each lesson consists of vocal drills, ear" training and dictation exercises, followed by the lesson which has been assigned from the schedule cards used with the Normal course.
Much time is devoted to individual work and the pupils are gaining confidence, and show great interest, especially in two, three and four part werk. By this means, we know exactly how much progress is made.
From time to time written and sight singing tests are given and records kept of each pupil's work. The written work promotes real musical growth, instead of being a mere memory test.
The new books which you furnished for the High school pupils has added a new impetus to their work.
We are most fortunate in having a large number of musical teachers on our force and their enthusiasm and interest for this branch of the school work is no- ticeably manifested in the renditions of the lessons.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY A. CAREY.
DRAWING.
MR. F. E. CORBIN, SUPERINTENDET OF SCHOOLS. Sir:
The course in drawing and manual training aims to cultivate the sense of beauty of form and proportion and shows the importance of accurate work. While
168
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
drawing alone gives skill in representation, manual training shows the children some practical use of draw- ing. Before we introduced any form of manual work into the schools the children used to occasionally ask me of what use it was to them to learn to draw. They did not intend to become either artists, architects or machinists. But now no one asks the use of drawing; they see very clearly that, unless they can draw, they cannot produce a finished article of the simplest kind in brass, leather or woodwork. They are having a mental training which they could not have in any other way. The ideas thus gained are real to the children, having been acquired through their own personal experience, and nothing is so definitely or thoroughly known as that which comes to one through his own personal experience. Afterward, as they grow up, the training that they have been through to produce these models will become apparent to them and they will realize that the making of the different models was only a pleasant way of ingrafting the habits of care, accuracy, self-reliance, neatness, the cultivation of right touch and form in addition to general dexterity of hand and a greater love of work. Although the time allotted to hand work is very short, too short, in my opinion, to give any great amount of skill, yet the minds of the children become so awakened and they are so interested, that many make objects at home similar to those required in school. The love of hànd work is given them in these few lessons.
In the autumn we had the usual drawing of flowers.
169
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
and fruits, then we took up designing. In the eighth grade their designs were applied to cloth. The designs, after being drawn on paper, were transferred to shellaced drawing paper and cut out. Then these were placed on cloth and dyes were used to stencil them. The results show scrim table covers and linen mats stencilled, which compare favorably with those done in advanced schools.
In the sewing time allotted to the class, (ten lessons), the class will hemstitch and finish the articles thus stencilled.
The ninth grade have made portfolios suitable to hold drawings and have worked hard to produce nice finished work. Designs will be placed on these to give & more ornamental finish.
The seventh grade baskets are unusually pretty this year aud the class enjoyed the change from draw- ing to hand work in learning to use raffia and reeds. The children in the sixth grade show good results in their brass work. Light brass is a 'medium easily handled, and very simple models, as toys and match holders have been given them on which to apply their designs.
After the hand work, later in the year, comes the drawing of common objects; bowls, vases, pitchers, jars, etc., and flowers are always interesting in the · spring.
The following in the outline for the manual work :-
GRADE I.
Stick laying, paper cutting.
170
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
GRADE II.
Paper cutting and constructing small articles of paper such as dolls' furniture.
GRADE III.
Constructing objects of paper as toys, boxes, baskets, etc.
GRADE IV.
Sewing for girls, elementary baskets for boys, hammocks for both boys and girls.
GRADE V.
Sewing for girls, elementary whitling for boys.
GRADE VI.
Sewing for girls. Brass work for boys.
GRADE VII.
Baskets in reeds and raffia for both boys and girls. GRADE VIII.
Sloyd for boys, including carving. Sewing for girls.
GRADE IX.
Sloyd for boys, including carving and bench work. Sewing for girls.
HIGH SCHOOL.
Leather work showing the application of original designs.
The success of the work is largely due to the mu- tual helpfulness and co-operation of the regular teach-
171
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
ers and Miss Shepardson has spent much time in car- ing for material and helping in many ways.
Thanking the superintendent and teachers for their interest and their willing helpfulness.
Respectfully submitted,
ANNA F. EAGER, Teacher of Drawing and Manual Training.
MR. F. E. CORBIN, SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, Sir :
In compliance with your request, I submit the following report of work accomplished at the Mechanics Street School Garden during season of 1908. The work followed somewhat the same plan as the previous year.
An Association was formed by the children with very little help from the teachers and a system of self government established. Officers elected were :- President, Rock David; vice president, Homer Lucier; treasurer, Agnes Berthiaume; secretary, Blanche Morrissey; guards, Eveline Proulx, Yvonne Lataille, excused, Leo Peloquin, excused, Zenon Martel. These children filled their respective offices very acceptably.
A new responsibility was developed in making each department responsible to teachers for all trans- actions and care of tools.
The association received a contribution from a public spirited lady of our town, which enabled the
172
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
president to purchase sets of small tools and seeds, making the work much more uniform and effective. From the school fund was received three large hoes, three large rakes, one spade, two trowels and fertilizer. With these large tools the work of preparing the ground for planting was greatly facilitated.
The fertilizing, ploughing and harrowing were done before the children began work, Boys of the third and fourth grades dug paths and leveled beds, the other children measured and staked out plots. Each child planted, weeded and cared for individual beds from May to October.
Seeds were planted twice, in some cases three times because of drought. However, the children showed much courage and patience by carrying water long distances to water their gardens. Vegetables grown were : Radish, lettuce, tomatoes, beets, peas. beans, corn, parsley, onions, parsnips, cucumbers. All the children were able to supply their tables with vegetables and a few had enough for home use and some to sell.
Flowers grown were: Asters, plants given by a friend, batchelor buttons, nasturtiums, geraniums, zin- nias. The flower garden was a source of pleasure to the children as they gave flowers twice each week to those in their neighborhood who were ill or shut in and without flowers.
All pupils reported regularly for lessons during summer vacation uuless out of town, in which case they invariably sent a substitute. We were able to
173
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
keep our garden in excellent order through the summer vacation. A neglected school garden is undesirable educationally.
At the close of the harvest season we decided to exhibit at Sturbridge Fair. As a result we received a gratuity of five dollars ($5). Our exhibit there proved that many people are interested in the children's work and wish to them. One gentlemen of our town has offered to give fertilizer for season of 1909.
There was a demand for garden plots from pupils not attending our school but being limited to a certain space we could not meet the demand. Interest was manifested by the parents, many of them visiting the gardens. One parent kindly gave use of his team and time to carry our exhibit to Sturbridge.
The teachers at Mechanics street are looking for- ward to a prosperous season in garden work having received money from the same lady who assisted us last year, this, with our gratuity and tools forms capital for this year's work.
When we commenced our work in 1907 we had for capital "enthusiasm,"
Respectfully submitted,
MARGARET G. BUTLER.
174
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
APPENDIX. SCHOOL LAWS IN BRIEF.
1. All children between 7 and 14, unless sick feeble-minded, at an approved private school, or other- wise instructed in branches required by law, to the satisfaction of the School Committee, must attend the public school during the entire time of each school year. Penalty to parent or guardian for failure in attendance for five days' sessions within any period of six months, $20 .- Revised Laws, Chap. 44, Sect. 1.
2. No child under 14 shall be employed "in any factory, workshop, or mercantile establishment." "No such child shall be employed in any work performed for wages or other compensation" during the hours when the public school is in session, nor before six o'clock in the morning, nor after seven in the evening. -Chap. 106, Sect. 28.
3. No child under 16 shall be employed in any factory, workshop or mercantile establishment without a certificate from the Superintendent of Schools. He must present an employment ticket from the person who wishes to employ him, on applying for a certificate. The father, if living, and a resident, must sign the certificate of age; if not, the mother; if neither, the guardian .- Chap. 106, Sects. 29, 30, 31, 32.
4. Children between seven and sixteen must either attend school or be regularly employed .- Chap. 46, Sect. 4.
5. Whenever a child is absent from school for the whole or a part of a session a written excuse stating
-
175
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
cause of absence, and signed by a parent or guardian, must be presented by the pupil on his return to school. -Chap. 44, Sect. 1.
6. Children must be vaccinated before attending school, but a certificate from a regular physician say- ing a child is an unfit subjeet for vaccination, allows attendance.
No child can attend school from a household in which there is a case of smallpox, diphtheria, scarlet fever or measles, or from a household exposed to a contagion from a household as aforesaid. Two weeks after the death, removal or recovery of the patient in a case of the first three mentioned, or three days after in a case of measles, the child may return, on presenta- tion of a certificate from the attending physician or from the Board of Health .- Chap. 44, Sect. 6.
7. "The last regular session prior to Memorial Day, or a portion thereof, shall be devoted to exercises of a patriotic nature."-Chap. 42, Sect. 20.
8. A United States flag, not less than four feet in length, shall be displayed on the schoolhouse grounds or building every school day, when the weather will permit, and on the inside of the school- house on other school days .- Chap. 42, Sect. 50.
Every child between seven and fourteen years of age, and every child under sixteen years of age who cannot read at sight and write legibly simple sentences in the English language, shall attend some public day school in the city or town in which he resides during the entire time the public day schools are in session,
176
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
subject to such exceptions as to children, places of at- tendance and schools as are provided for in section three of chapter forty-two and sections three, five and six of this chapter. Every person having under his control a child as described in this section shall cause him to attend school as herein required; and if he fails for five day sessions or ten half day sessions within any period of six months while under such con- trol to cause such child, whose physical or mental con- dition is not such as to render his attendance at school harmful or impracticable, so to attend school, he shall, upon complaint of a truant officer and conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not more than twenty dollars. Whoever induces or attempts to induce a child to absent himself unlawfully from school, or em- ploys or harbors a child who, while school is in session, is absent unlawfully from school shall be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars.
The school committee shall cause notice of the disease or defects, if any, from which any child is found to be suffering to be sent to his parent or guar- dian. Whenever a child shows symptoms of smallpox, scarlet fever, measles, chickenpox, tuberculosis, diph- theria or influenza, tonsilitis, whooping cough, mumps, scabies or trachoma he shall be sent home immediate- ly, or as soon as safe and proper conveyance can be found, and the Board of Health shall at once be noti- fied .- Chap. 502, Sect. 4.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.