USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1913-1916 > Part 32
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As the number of girls in the freshman class is so large, and the amount of space so limited, the work has to be carried on in a very small way. Both classes are very much interested in their work and if we were not so cramped for room much more might be accomplished.
Respectfully submitted, GRACE D. HARFORD.
Attendance Officer
MR. F. E. CORBIN, Superintendent of Schools.
Dear Sir:
My term of service began July 1. Besides looking after the attendance of the children at school it has also been a part of my duties to take the school census and issue the educational certificates.
The principals send a list of delinquent children each morning to my office at nine o'clock and I begin at once to look them up.
The following is the record of the work done during the fall term of school.
Number of visits to homes, 319
Number of visits to school, 153
Pupils detained at home by sickness, 121
46
Pupils detained at home by parents,
Pupils kept out of school by lack of proper clothing,
23
Pupils to whom clothing was supplied, 23
Pupils truant, 28
18
Number of educational certificates issued,
395
Pupils found on street and taken to school,
Respectfully submitted, MARGARET G. BUTLER.
273
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Class of 1914 SOUTHBRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL Thursday Evening. June 25 "Facta Probent"
PROGRAM
PRAYER.
Rev. H. L. Brickett .
CHORUS. "Soldiers' Chorus."
School. Gounod
SALUTATORY. Armand Laurier Caron.
ORATION. "The Bureau of Standards."
Roger Maurice Grimwade.
ESSAY. "The Yellowstone National Park." Helen Louise Champlin.
ORATION. "Light." William Wulfing Grant.
ORATION. "Conservation of our Natural Resources. " Leo Wilfred Allard.
ESSAY. "Flooding the Sahara." Ruth Evelyn Marshall.
CHORUS. "Anchored." School. Veazie
ORATION. "The Dead Letter Office." Ralph William Ashworth.
ORATION. "The History of Our National Game." Ernest Laurier Coderre.
ESSAY. "Relics of the North American Indians." Ruth Kathleen Howe.
ORATION. "Observation." John Locke Rowley.
VALEDICTORY. Florence Rowley. CHORUS. "The Shepherd's Good Night." School. Verdi
PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS. By Chairman of the School Committee. BENEDICTION.
274
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Perfect Attendance Record NEITHER ABSENT NOR TARDY. 1913-1914.
School.
Grade.
Agc.
Term of Years.
Ralph Ashworth,
High
XIII
16
1
Helen L. Bean,
Marcy
IX
14
2
Herman J. Thibault,
66
1X
14
1
Mary Trainor,
66
IX
14
2
George Lucier,
66
VIII
13
Marjorie L. Bean,
66
VIIE
11
2
Louis W. Genereux,
..
VIIE
14
1
Ruth McMaster,
66
VE
9
1
Ernest White,
66
VW
12
1
Theresa Proulx,
66
VW
12
1
Ernest Renaud,
66
VW
13
1
Henry Gurl,
Mechanic Street II
6
1
Raymond Mandeville,
School Street
1
5
1
Harold Berry,
Elm Street
1
6
1
Total, 16
Total, 1912-13, 10
Appendix. School Laws In Brief.
DUTIES AND POWERS OF SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS.
Chapter 444, Acts of 1910, provides as follows :---
SECTION 1. The superintendent of schools employed in accord- ance with section forty, section forty-one, and section forty-four, of chapter forty-two of the Revised Laws, shall, under the direction of
VW
10
1
Harry Ide,
1X
14
1
Eva Laprade,
275
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
the school committee, have the care and supervision of the public schools, and shall be the executive officer of the school committee. He shall assist the school committee in keeping its records and ac- counts and in making such reports as are required by law.
SECTION 2. The superintendent of schools shall recommend text-books'and courses of study to the school committee.
1. All children between 7 and 14, unless sick, feeble-minded, at an approved private school, or otherwise instructed in branches re- quired by law, to the satisfaction of the School Committee, must at- tend the public school during the entire time of each school year. Penalty to parents or guardians for failure in attendance, for five days' sessions within any period of six months, $20.
2. No child under 14 shall be employed "in any factory, work- shop, or mercantile establishment." "No such child shall be em- ployed in any work performed for wages or other compensation" during the hours when the public schools are in session, nor before 6.30 o'clock in the morning, nor after six in the evening.
3. No child under 16 shall be employed in any factory, work- shop or mercantile establishment without a certificate from the Su- perintendent of Schools. He must present an employment ticket from the person who wishes to employ him, stating the kind of work.
4. Children between fourteen and sixteen must either attend school or be regularly employed.
5. Whenever a child is absent from school for the whole or part of a session, a written excuse stating 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 saying a child is an unfit subject 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
276
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
measles, the child may return, on presentaion of a certificate from at- tending physician or from the Board of Health .- Chap. 14, 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 has not completed the fourth grade, 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, subject to such exceptions as to children, places of atten- dance and schools as are provided for in section three of chapter forty-two, and section 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 days' sessions, or ten-half day sessions within any period of six months, while under such control, to cause such child whose phy- sical or mental condition 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 at- temps to induce a child to absent himself unlawfully from school, or employs or harbors a child, who, while school is in session, is ab- sent 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 de- fects, if any, from which any child is found to be suffering to be sent to his parent or guardian. 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 immediately, or as soon as safe and proper conveyance can be found, and the Board of Health shall be notified. - Chap. 502, Sect. 4.
Annual Report Of The
PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE.
With the closing of the fourth year of supervised play the committee has many reasons to feel proud of the work and many reasons to feel that the best results are not achieved. To all those who have been to the Fair last fall, or who have noticed the exhibits in Mr. Geo. C. Winter's windows, the reasons for our pride is evident, but to those who have noticed the work on the grounds and have noticed the many drawbacks, the wonder is how such results were obtained with such means. Our work has become too systematic through
lack of space. To do the work the system must be well established and followed to the letter. Good re- sults are obtained but the aim of our work is lost, namely, pleasure to the greater number and the feeling that the grounds belong to the children and not to the teachers. Yet under existing conditions nothing could be accomplished without the closest watch.
We need larger grounds. Neither Central street nor School street grounds are appropriate for a ball field, to say nothing of tennis courts, basket ball courts, foot ball fields, etc. The boy's athletic side is neglect- ed on this account, and the result is that many boys from 10 to 14 loose interest and attend only when
.
278
REPORT OF PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE
nothing else draws them. Some of our costliest ap- paratus is not used because we cannot have enough men instructors to look after the boys, and because it would hamper the others in less active games. The younger children are better looked after than the older ones. Union street is for young people only, and if Elm street can be equipped it will. relieve Central street in a noticeable way.
Attempts were made to build a tennis court this year on the land to be used for the High School, but for some reason or other the Selectmen told us the land could not be used. It is now being used for a wood yard. There are many plots where a court or two could be built at a small expense if the owners would only grant the privilege of using. Perhaps a campaign for this much desired end would result in a benefit for all.
Union street grounds have been fenced in on two sides to stop the vandalism of a certain element in that neighborhood and to protect the gardens of the neigh- boring houses. At the present time hoodlums have pulled up part of the rail fence along Oliver street and have torn to pieces some of the sand boxes. This breaking is becoming a nuisance. At Central street the buildings have been broken into and some partly torn down. Our appropriation is not large enough to keep a watchman there all the time, and our only re- course is to fence in, as our funds permit, the property that belongs to the town.
Mr. G. Clemence has been kind enough to allow the use of the Reservoir for skating. Our expenses
279
REPORT OF PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE
for the maintenance of the ice is much less since he attends to the cleaning and scraping free of charge, using our plane and scraper. During heavy snow storms extra men have to be hired to help. The Com- mittee thanks most heartily Mr. Clemence for this.
There is one branch of development that is entire- ly lacking on our grounds, and that again is for our older boys-Manual Training. Mechanical knowledge of any kind is always accepted with pleasure by a normal boy, and although this branch has been thought of for three years, it has never been feasible. Let us look forward to more land and the rest will come in due course.
The appropriation of $2,000.00 is recommended. Respectfully submitted, PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE. C. A. Tetrault, Acting Secretary.
Report of Supervisor.
To the Members of the Playground Committee: GENTLEMEN :-
In presenting to you this, the fourth annual report of Playground work, the supervisor begs to acknow- ledge gratefully the kind, considerate advice and co- operation of the Committee during the past season. The good will of the public generally, and the splendid courtesy shown by one of our merchants, in exhibiting specimens of the Industrial work, the kindness extend- ed by the A. O. Co. in permitting the boys to use
280
REPORT OF PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE
their base ball field, and the planting of trees on the School street grounds by the Forestry Committee, is greatly appreciated. What success has been attained in supervision is due to the enthusiastic and earnest efforts of the directors and assistants.
The season of seven weeks opened on Monday, July 6th , and despite the inclement weather, sessions were omitted on three afternoons only, and on these afternoons the Industrial Classes were conducted in the school houses. The attendance averaged 679 children daily. The children showing a keener play spirit than heretofore, proving that in play as in other forms of education children require instruction. Hygienically there is nothing better for a child than real, wholesome. purposeful play; the give and take, the democracy of the play area, the changed environment, the joyous atmosphere, the muscular development of out door activity, not only enriches the life of the child but serves to make the child a better, stronger man or woman, hence a better respecter of the law.
The outline of the season's activities and work in- cluded all games and athletics suitable to age of child, and manual training practical for out of doors instruc- tions.
A new feature for the boys was the "Athletic Test for Boys". The Playground Association of America has adopted the following as a standard which every boy of 12 years or over should be able to attain. First Test- Pull Up (chinning), 4 times; Standing Broad Jump, 5 ft., 9 in. ; 60-Yard Dash, 8 3-5 sec.
281
REPORT OF PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE
Second Test-Pull Up (Chinning), 6 times; Standing Broad Jump, 6 ft., 6 in. ; 60-Yard Dash, 8 sec .; 100-Yard Dash, 14 sec.
Third Test-Pull Up (chinning), 9 times; Running High Jump. 4 ft., 4 in. ; 220-Yard Dash, 28 sec.
As these standards have been tested in public schools and playgrounds in several cities, it has been found that boys of 12 years of age should be able to qualify for badges under the first test, grammar school boys of 18 or over for second test, and high school boys for the third test. Several boys became interest- ed and six qualified for the first test, receiving badges. We are hoping to create a greater interest in this test the coming season.
The improvement in the quality of the hand work of the children was noticeable, they have been taught to make many ornamental and useful articles for their homes and their own use, and consequently made happy. A most artistic and creditable display of work was shown at the Mechanic Street School on the after- noon of August 22nd. The Play Festival planned for the closing day was omitted because of a sudden storm.
The Friday morning classes conducted by the Supervisor and Special Directors at Mechanic Street School were well attended. Instructions were given in playground methods, games and industrial work. The number of persons attending these classes were 21.
In the future planning of our playgrounds, it should be borne in mind that the smaller children can- not walk long distances to their playgrounds, and plans
282
REPORT OF PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE
should be made for "children's corners" where child- ren up to 9 years may be entertained. It is suggested such a corner be arranged at Elm Street School yard, the equipment as far as possible made by the pupils in the manual training classes in our schools, under direc- tion of their instructors.
The recreational movement to continue its stand- ard, to do good to a greater number, and widen its scope should include public tennis courts, a field flood- ed in winter for skating, and the much desired swim- ming pool.
Respectfully yours, MARGARET G. BUTLER.
Annual Report of the POLICE DEPARTMENT
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen of Southbridge. Gentlemen :-
In compliance with the town by-laws I herewith submit for your consideration the annual report of the Police Department for the year ending December 31, 1914, The organization of the Police department at the close of the fiscal year was as follows:
CHIEF-Napoleon Giroux.
PATROLMEN.
Pierre A. Cormier,
Patrick Donnelly,
Joseph Paquin,
Daniel Blute,
Honore St. Martin.
James Coughlin,
Olivier Paul, Jr.,
DESK OFFICER. Andrew M. Higgins.
JANITOR AND ASSISTANT LOCKUP KEEPER. Joseph D. Proulx. CONSTABLES.
Andrew M. Higgins, Marcus L. Dilliber, Joseph Paquin,
Alfred Langevin,
Louis Lamothe,
Pierre Caplette.
Patrick Donnelly,
284
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
Business Performed by the Police Depart- ment.
376 arrests were made during the year :- Males, 367; females, 9; non-residents, 171; residents, 205 and minors, 30.
OFFENCES.
Assault, 31; adultery, 1; carrying concealed wea- pon, 2; drunkenness, 188; disturbing the peace, 36; va- grants, 12; common drunkards, 1; returned to state farm, 5; lascivious cohabition, 2; larceny, 35; assault upon officer, 1; non support, 5; illegal sale of liquor, 1; assault and battery, 2; affray, 16; fornication, 3; break and entry, 9; bastardy, 2; receiving stolen goods, 2; reckless driving, 2; hold up, 1; exposure of person, 1; destroying property, 1; malicious intent, 1; keeping an unlicensed dog, 1; disposing of veal without stamp, 4; manslaughter, 1; held for Lyman school, 3; for deliver- ing liquor to prisoner, 1; held for other towns, 7.
OCCUPATIONS.
Actor, 1; butchers, 3; cook, 1; chopper, 1; chauf- feurs, 2; card grinders, 4; cigar maker, 1; farmers, 12; teamsters, 7; painters, 5; peddler, 1; engineers, 5; clerk, 1; gas fitter, 1; machinists, 6; spinners, 3; wea- vers, 16; electricians, 2; blacksmiths, 2; carpenters, 4; householders, 4; harnessmakers, 2; contractors, 2; bakers, 2; moulder, 1; hostler, 1; dressmaker, 1; junk dealers, 2; mason, 1; tailor, 1; slater, 1; laborers, 227; tel. operator, 1; wireman, 1; foremen, 2.
Number of lights reported out, 206; number of doors leading to stores and public buildings found
285
REPORT OF POLICE DEPARTMENT
open, 53; value of property reported lost, $482.00; value of property returned, $365.00; number of accidents re- ported and investigated, 30; lost children. 7; found and returned drowned, 3.
COMPLAINTS DURING THE YEAR.
During the year we made 1,863 calls, received complaints of various kinds, 2,473. We have given prompt attention to the complainants and given justice to reasonable parties.
REMARKS.
During the year the work of the department has progressed smoothly and the officers have performed their duties in a creditable manner and I believe that the efficiency of the department is steadily increasing.
For the better protection of the town, we should have two more police patrol boxes and should scatter those now in use so as to cover more streets which, I believe, would give better satisfaction and better police protection to a larger district.
I hope that with your help and the good will of the voters a suitable site for a new Police Station will be obtained and an up-to-date building erected, which is very badly needed at the present time.
Respectfully,
NAPOLEON GIROUX, Chief of Police.
Annual Report Of The BOARD OF HEALTH
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen.
Gentlemen :
The Board of Health organized with Mr. J. Ana- tole Caron, chairman, and Dr. Joseph E. Donais, sec- retary. It has held monthly meetings and special meetings when called together by its agent for special reasons.
The following contagious diseases have been re- ported to the Board this last year :- Diphtheria, 15; Scarlet fever, 1; Tuberculosis, 17; Measles, 62; An- terior Poliomyelitis, 1; Varicella, 4; Cerebro-spinal Meningitis, 1; Ophthalmia Neonatorum, 1; Whooping Cough, 4; making a total of 110 cases.
From these cases no deaths resulted except in cases of tuberculosis, some of which were of long standing, showing a good report as to the care of contagious dis- eases.
With the re-organization of the Department of Health in the State House, the town may at any time be called upon to build a hospital for the care of peo- ple sick with contagious diseases, this will be an ex- pense but will fill a much needed want, as there are still many in our town sick with tuberculosis that are living
288
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
where the disease can be communicated to others. The Board urges that all doctors and others report to the Board of Health all cases that come under their care or notice. This year seventeen cases have been reported, a larger number than in any previous year, yet we be- lieve some do not come to our attention.
Following is a table of the different deaths and their causes.
Total number of deaths from all causes, exclusive of still births, 144. Number of still births, 15
DEATHS BY SEXES. (Still births excluded. )
Number of deaths of males,
75
Number of deaths of females,
69
DEATHS BY. AGES. (Still births excluded.)
Persons
Total
Males Females
Persons
Total
Males Females
Under 1 day,
4.
2
2
10-14 years,
2
1
1
1-2 days,
4
3
1
15-19 years,
3
3
0
2-3 days,
2
2
0
20-24 years,
1
0
1
3 days-1 wk,
1
1
0
25-29 years,
6
3
3
1-2 weeks,
4
3
1
30-34 years,
4
2
2
2-3 weeks,
3
2
1
35-39 years,
3
0
3
3 wks-1mo.
1
0
1
40-44 years,
3
2
1
1-2 months,
2
0
2
45-49 years,
6
3
3
2-3 months,
5
3
2
50-54 years,
5
3
2
3-6 months,
7
6
1
55-59 years,
7
4
3
6-9 months,
7
6
1
60-64 years,
10
5
5
9-12 months,
1
1
0
65-69 years,
11
4
7
1 year,
8
6
2
70-74 years,
8
2
6
2 years,
1
0
1
75-79 years,
6
5
1
3 years,
1
0
1
80-84 years,
3
0
3
5-9 years,
3
2
1
85-89 years,
8
2
6
90-94 years,
3
0
3
Total, 144
75
69
289
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
DEATHS BY MONTHS. (Still births Excluded)
Deaths in January,
19
Deaths in July, 10
Deaths in February,
12
Deaths in August,
20
Deaths in March,
7
Deaths in September,
9
Deaths in April,
10
Deaths in October,
16
Deaths in May,
10
Deaths in November,
13
Deaths in June,
12
Deaths in December,
6
CAUSES OF DEATH. (Still births Excluded)
Cerebro-Spinal Meningitis,
1
Malaria,
1
Tuberculosis, Pulmonary,
12
Whooping Cough,
1
Erysipelas,
1
Diabetes.
2
Diseases of the Nervous System and of the
Organs of Special Sense,
6
Organic Diseases of the Heart,
14
Pneumonia,
13
Broncho Pneumonia,
3
Bronchitis,
2
Diarrhoea and Enteritis, under 2 years,
3
Cholera Nostras,
6
Acute Nephritis and Bright's Disease,
9
Cancer,
4
Motor Vehicles,
1
Steam Railroads,
1
All other External Causes,
3
From unknown or ill-defined causes,
22
Number of deaths from all other causes not
specified above; not including still births, 37
Total, 144
290
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
The garbage was collected this year by Mr. Ge- deon Pinsonneault, Jr., his work has been good, yet better results could be obtained if the householder and tenants would co-operate more with the collector.
We would urge that all cans be covered and fas- tened, so that the dogs cannot tip them over and that they be large enough to hold at least ten gallons; that they be left in convenient places that are always acces- sible to the driver of the wagon.
This man can not always be at your home at a stated time so the can must be left so he can always get it, or bad oders result and the collector is blamed for some- thing he cannot help.
The Town has leased a tract of land at Ft. Sumter for a public dump. The Board wishes the storemen would use this dump instead of several places on the side of our streets which happen to be nearer their business.
Although papers do not always cause disease they become a nuisance when the wind blows and scatters them on other people's lawns; Hartwell, Charlton and Pleasant streets have been a nuisance this last year for this reason, and after many warnings the trouble con- tinues.
Some legal action will be be necessary this year if the same thing continues.
Very respectfully, J. ANATOLE CARON, JOSEPH E. DONAIS, M. D. WILLIAM S. CONWAY, M. D. Board of Health.
291
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
Agent's Report.
To the Board of Health.
Gentlemen :
I herewith submit the report of your agent for the current year ending December 31, 1914.
Houses placarded for contagious diseases, 13
Houses disinfected after same diseases, 13
Houses disinfected after other diseases, 6
Schools disinfected, 5
Dead animals buried,. 3
Dumps investigated and ordered cleaned, 13
Yards investigated and ordered cleaned, 62
Cesspools investigated and ordered cleaned, 7
Privy vaults investigated and ordered cleaned .7
Hen coops investigated, 12
Drains and brooks investigated, 2
Highways cleaned, 1
Wells investigated, 3
Plumbing investigated, .7
Garbage nuisance investigated, 10
Other inspections, . 24
Respectfully submitted,
ALBERT R. BROWN, Agent of Board of Health.
Plumbing Inspector's Report.
To the Honorable Board of Health.
Gentlemen :--
I herewith submit my annual report as your Plumbing Inspector for the year ending Dec. 31, 1914.
292
REPORT OF BOARD OF HEALTH
During the year I have issued 124 permits to do plumbing work, they being in the following kinds of buildings :-
New
Old
Residences or cottage houses,
10
17
Two-tenement houses,
4
20
Three tenement houses,
16
3
Four tenement houses,
0
3
Five tenement houses.
0
1
Six tenement houses,
4
0
Store and tenements,
1
0
Lunch room,
1
0
Stores,
1
1
Factory or mills,
1
1
- Library,
1
0
Garages,
1
0
School houses,
1
0
-
41
46 87
Additions and alterations
27
Cellar connections, 10
124
These buildings contain the following fixtures :
Water closets 214 Wash bowls, 86
Sinks, 220 Wash trays, 19
Bath tubs, 96
Urinals, 4
I have made the following inspections during the year, as well as many visits to houses for advise for citizens and plumbers :
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