USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Oakham > Town annual reports of the officials of the town of Oakham, Massachusetts 1912 > Part 2
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HAND-WORK.
During the past year, the pupils of the grammar school have scraped, sandpapered and varnished all the desks in the room. The desks were in poor condition, badly whittled and cut by school boys of more than a generation ago, reminding one of Whittier's desks :
"Deep scarred by raps official, The warping floor, the battered seats, The jackknife's carved initial."
These desks are now, with one exception, in as good con- dition as when they were purchased years ago. The children are justly proud of them, while the lesson learned by the boys and girls who refinished their own desks is such that no piece of furniture will ever be mutilated by them.
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The pupils of the Coldbrook and South schools are now at work on their desks, though the desks of these two schools were not mutilated as at the Center.
Such work as this should be encouraged. I wish some kind of "hand-work" or manual training could be given all our boys and girls.
LUNCHES.
A small innovation was started during the winter term, under the direction of Miss Bothwell, which I would be glad to see develop into a regular custom.
A small oil stove was purchased, and kept at the school, the pupils bought cocoa and brought milk each day. Every day, about 11.30 a. m., one of the girls not in recitation would light the stove, start the cocoa, and then with her book sit near, where she could study and also watch the stove, with the result that at the beginning of the lunch hour there was hot cocoa for all who stayed to dinner.
This took no appreciable time from school, added to the health of the pupils by providing them with a hot drink daily, and taught simple lessons in household art to the girls who prepared the drink and afterward cared for the dishes. I commend this simple beginning to others.
STATISTICS.
I am pleased to notice that the per cent of attendance in the Oakham schools is high, in spite of the fact of an epidemic in the winter term. Parents are especially urged to visit the schools frequently and confer with the teachers.
In closing, I wish to express appreciation to the teachers for their constant, loyal co-operation, and to the school board for their unvarying support.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES L. RANDALL.
TABLE OF STATISTICS.
Name of
Name of
Educated at
Number of weeks service
Total Enrolment
Present Enrolment
Average Membership
Average Attendance
Per Cent. of Attendance
.Number of Boys
Number of Girls
Number of Pupils 7 to 14
Grammar
Florence .E. Bothwell
No. Brookfield High*
23
29
20
24.3
22.4
92
19
10
24
Alma Russell
Bridgewater Normal
10
Primary
Ethel M. Braman
Northfield Seminary*
33
20
14
14.4
13.4
92.7
11
9
12
South
Effie T. Swindell
Barre High
33
15
12
11.8
10.9
92.4
10
5
11
West
Annie M. Dodd
Framingham Normal*
11
10
7
9.4
8.9
94
5
5
7
1 Lottie C. Thresher
Barre High*
22
Coldbrook
Ruth E. Butterfield
Worcester Normal
33
21
18
19
18.4
96.8
12
9
12
School
Teacher
NOTE -* Indicates graduate.
Figures based on records since September.
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School Physician's Report.
Mr. C. L. Randall, Superintendent of Schools, Holden, Mass.
DEAR SIR :- In the performance of my duties as school physician of the town of Oakham, I visited the schools of that town October 20, 1911, and inspected the pupils present in school that day.
Number of pupils enrolled, 82
Present,
77
Absent, 5
Vaccinated, 57
Unvaccinated, 20
Enlarged tonsils, 13
In the very short time that can be given to each inspection, special note is made of any symptoms pointing toward commu- nicable diseases, or indications of any condition that might affect injuriously the general health or efficiency of the pupil. To do more than this in the allotted time would be impossible. As will be seen from the foregoing summary, the proportion of unvaccinated pupils is too large. Quite a number told me that they had been vaccinated, but "it did not take." This means, of course, simply "unvaccinated," and the cases are so recorded.
Many cases of defective teeth were noted, and such children were advised to consult a dentist. The pupils with enlarged tonsils were advised. through notice to their parents, to seek belief in a surgical operation. In some of these cases adenoids will be found also and can be taken care of at the same time.
It may not be considered as especially a subject for the notice of the medical inspector, but with few exceptions the children of the town are deserving of compliment for their generally neat and tidy appearance.
Very respectfully yours, C. W. STICKNEY,
School Physician of Oakham.
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Report of the Supervisor of Music.
Mr. C. L. Randall, Superintendent of Schools :
DEAR SIR : -- Music occupies a distinctive place in educa- tion, and is recognized as an important part of the course of study.
No matter what system is used, the one great aim for the average child is to be able to sing with enough feeling and comprehension to enable him to derive enjoyment from this branch.
Each year children enter our schools who are unable to sing more than two or three notes, and occasionally there is a pupil without power to locate the tones of the scale or to comprehend their relationship. Experience has proved that these little ones can be taught to sing the scale in good tune, besides learning many songs before they leave the primary grade. The enjoyment does not come from the mere naming of notes, but from the ability to hear and reproduce the tones represented by the notes.
As in every other study in the school course, individual attention must be given to the preparation of the lesson, and the recitation is made by the individual; so the same should be true in music and the child be encouraged to work indi- vidually in this as in every other branch.
In the primary school two-part work has been introduced, and the singing is considered unusually good for primary school pupils.
Much time has been given to tone production, and in technical work you will find the pupils in some instances doing the work of a higher grade. New slip series are being used in all grades with good results.
The pupils in all the schools seem interested and are responsive, and I feel that we are progressing and improving
43
which is due in no small measure to the efficient help of the teachers, upon whom the largest share of the teaching falls.
It is a pleasure to acknowledge here my appreciation of your cordial sympathy in my department.
Respectfully submitted, RUTH B. DWELLEY, Supervisor of Music. .
ROLL OF HONOR.
FOUR YEARS.
George Dean.
THREE YEARS.
Orvis Banks, Blanche Yeo.
ONE YEAR.
Dorothy Newton, Walter Tucker, Doris Bruce, Albert Eggleston, Ralph Cody.
TWO TERMS.
Hazel Grimes, Walter Howe, Gerald MacDonald, Henry Newton, Joseph Bruce, Gladys Cheever, Edgar Hall, Eric Harvey, Holbrook Prescott, Susie Winslow, Henry Blake, Herman Dean, Chester Dimick, Viola Hapgood, Helen Gaffney, Esther Briggs, Orten Butler, Alfred Morse, Gladys Stone, Beatrice Howe, Roy Howe, Alexina Labonte, Herbert Howe, Agnes Woodis.
ONE TERM.
Ella Ferrin, William Morse, John O'Donnell, Gladys Rus- sell, Alvin Swindell, Frank Stone, Enota Clifford, John Con- nelly, Morris Connelly, Walter Hennick, Arthur Thomas, Walter Thomas, Alfred Valerio, Albert Briggs, Jennie Bul- lard, Ruby Bullard, Earle Parker, Douglas Rutherford, Marion Rutherford, Arthur Sargent, Lewis Dimick, Edward Gaffney.
NOTE .- Another year I intend to publish a supplementary list of names of pupils who have been absent only on account of sickness.
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT OF
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS
For the Year 1911.
BIRTHS.
January 7, daughter (Ruth Rebecca) to Walter H. and Mabel C. Bullard.
January 21, daughter (Doris Emily) to William and Martha A. Miller.
March 12, daughter (Katherine W.) to Michael and Katherine E. Mullen.
May 20, son (Fabius Albert) to Fabius W. and Rhoda C. Beckwith.
July 25, son (John) to Richard J. and Mary A. Britton.
September 25, daughter (Helen Adeline) to Evander H. and Mary C. Green.
MARRIAGES.
June 14, Sylvester R. Dean to Ethel L. Babcock.
November 15, Charles A. Skelton to Alma G. Russell.
45
DEATHS.
DATE.
NAME.
YRS.
MOS. DAYS
January 31, J. A. Butterfield,
64
1 2
April 30, George C. Clark,
64
5
27
May 1, Mrs. Ellen Bothwell,
66
2
3
June 22, Fred H. Perkins,
57
10
18
July 12, Mrs. Julia A. Ball,
63
9
3
July 16, William Otis Keep,
80
2
5
August 2, Mrs. Ruth Robinson,
82
5
6
August 16, William Henry Sheen,
59
October 11, Charles A. Gleason,
85
4
12
October 26, Maud S. Caldwell,
28
0
14
November 20, Fred L. Sturtevant,
57
7
0
December 27, Francis E. Carpenter,
63
4
0
BURIED IN TOWN.
February 4, Charles W. Herbert,
43
April 25, Mrs. Sarah Woodis,
80
9
24
July 6, Almira Woodis,
80
9
25
Population, 552.
Number of voters : Male, 134; female, 10.
Number of dogs licensed, 71; male 63 ; female, 8. Number of hunter's licenses issued, 55.
JESSE ALLEN,
Town Clerk. .
1
TOWN WARRANT.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. WORCESTER, SS.
To either of the constables of the town of Oakham, in the County of Worcester, GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are required to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Oakham, qualified to vote in elections and in town affairs. to meet at the town hall, known as "Memorial Hall," on Monday, the twenty-fifth day of March, current, at nine o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to act on the following articles :
Article 1st. To choose a Moderator, to preside at all town meetings, except for election of State officers, during the coming year.
Article 2d. To hear the annual report of the several town officers and act thereon.
Article 3d. To choose a Town Clerk, one Selectman, one Assessor, one Overseer of the Poor, one School Committee, one Library Trustee, one Cemetery Committee for three years. Col- lector of Taxes. Treasurer, Auditor. Tree Warden. Highway Surveyor, three Fence Viewers and six Constables, for one year. Also to vote "Yes" or "No" in answer to the question, "Shall . license for the sale of intoxicating liquors be granted in this town?" all on one ballot. The polls to be opened at ten o'clock in the forenoon and may be closed at two o'clock in the afternoon.
Article 4th. To choose all necessary town officers and committees for the ensuing year not required to be elected by ballot.
'Article 5th. To see what compensation the town will allow their Treasurer and Collector.
47
Article 6th. To see what compensation the town will allow for men and teams in repairing highways and opening roads for the ensuing year.
Article 7th. To see if the town will raise and appropriate money for bonding their treasurer and collector.
Article 8th. To raise such sums of money as may be nec- essary to defray town charges for the ensuing year, and make appropriations for the same.
Article 9th. To see if the town will authorize the treas- urer, with approval of the selectmen, to borrow during the current municipal year beginning April 1, 1912. in anticipation of the taxes of said year, such sums of money as may be neces- sary for the current expenses of the town, but not exceeding the total tax levy for said year, giving the note or notes of the town therefor, payable within one year from the dates thereof, these notes to be paid from the taxes of said municipal year.
Article 10th. To see what sum of money the town will raise and appropriate for the relief of poor and needy soldiers, as required under Chapter 79, Section 18, of the Revised Laws.
Article 11th. To see if the town will raise and appropriate a sum of money for the proper observance of Memorial Day.
Article 12th. To see if the town will appoint some person as agent to prosecute and defend all suits that may be brought for or against the town for the ensuing year.
Article 13th. To determine the manner of collecting taxes the ensuing year.
Article 14th. To determine the manner of supporting paupers the year ensuing.
Article 15th. To see if the town will provide for lighting the street lamps the ensuing year, or pass any vote relative thereto.
Article 16th. To see if the town will employ some person or persons to care for the Town Hall, Town Clock and Library Building for the ensuing year, or pass any vote relative thereto.
Article 17th. To see if the town will raise and appropri- ate a sum of money for the suppression of the gypsy and brown tail moth.
Article 18th. To see if the town will vote to celebrate their 150th anniversary June 7, 1912, and make appropriation for the same.
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Article 19th. To see if the town will vote to have markers set up at the graves of all soldiers of the civil war buried in town.
Article 20th. To see if the town will vote to choose a committee to enquire into the feasibility of establishing electric lights in the town, or pass any vote relative thereto.
Article 21st. To see if the town will vote to rescind the vote whereby they voted to build a piece of road on the Kelly hill, so called, near the highway leading to Coldbrook.
Article 22d. To see if the town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to continue the work on the Cold- brook road, and authorize the selectmen to have a survey made for the re-location of said road from a point near the house of Jason Allen to the Coldbrook depot, or pass any vote relative thereto.
And you are directed to serve this warrant by posting three attested copies thereof, one at each of the Post Offices. and one at the Congregational meeting house, in said town, seven days, at least, before the time of holding said meeting.
Hereof fail not, and make due return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of meeting aforesaid.
Given under our hands this seventh day of March, in the year one thousand nine hundred and twelve.
GARDNER M. DEAN, ) Selectmen JOHN P. DAY, of G. T BUTTERFIELD, ) Oakham.
A true copy. Attest. WILLIAM C. AYRES, Constable.
KH
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MAS
ITS
1775 CHU
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