USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Oakham > Town annual reports of the officials of the town of Oakham, Massachusetts 1913 > Part 2
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A LONGER SCHOOL YEAR.
The length of the school year has recently been increased one week. This is not enough. The latest report of the State Board of Education gives but two other towns in the state with school year so short as that of Oakham. I believe that it will be possible financially to so estimate our funds for another year that the length of the school year be increased. I recommend an attempt for a thirty-six weeks' school year.
INDUSTRIAL STUDIES.
You listened with interest to the address of State Agent Warren at your last graduation. It is time to think seriously
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of this matter, not alone as a subject of educational interest as showing what has been done in other towns of the state, but what can be done in Oakham. I have recently started work of this nature, that is an industrial type, in the small town of Paxton with every prospect of success.
Woodworking and home gardening are being carried on for the boys; sewing and cooking are being taught the girls. We have been in the work only during the Winter term, but it has been long enough to indicate that it is worth while. One- fourth day per week is taken for this work; it is probably the most important quarter day in the week. I do not think that anything is lost from the regulation school work, as the pupils bring a greater interest to their studies. I consider the 'three "R's," the reading, writing and arithmetic. as the essentials of education. I not only say that these must be taught as well as in the olden days, but I say that they must be taught bet- ter than in the old times. Yes, I will say that right here in your own schools they are taught better than in old-time schools.
I believe that no superintendent, and no teacher, has a right to consider these new, the industrial studies, until such time as the essentials are well done. But when these ini- portant book subjects are well taught, as is true in your schools, I believe that we are not doing our full duty to the child if we do not open to him these subjects which the entire United States is to-day declaring important.
If this to us new phase of education is so important for Paxton that it has already received words of commendation from teachers employed by the state, is there any known rea- son why it should not be advantageous to Oakham ? Your superintendent will be pleased to discuss this matter privately or publicly with any parents of the schools or citizens of the town interested.
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I call your attention to the report of the Music Supervisor, the School Physician, the Table of Statistics and the Roll of Honor.
Respectfully submitted,
CHAS. L. RANDALL, Superintendent.
School Physician's Report.
Mr. Charles L. Randall, Superintendent of Schools, Holden :
DEAR SIR :- In the performance of my duties as School Physician of the Town of Oakham, I visited the schools of that town on June 4, 1912, and again on September 12, 1912. The summary of the September report follows :
Number of pupils enrolled, 88
Number of pupils present, 84
Number of pupils absent, 4
Vaccinated, 74
Unvaccinated, 10
Enlarged tonsils, 9
The number of unvaccinated pupils, while less than last year, is still larger than it ought to be. It gives too favorable an opportunity for the spread of small-pox, if that disease should appear. In other respects the favorable impression noted in last year's report has been confirmed by the observa- tions of the present year.
Yours very respectfully,
C. W. STICKNEY,
School Physician.
Holden, Feb. 10. 1913.
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Report of the Supervisor of Music.
Mr. C. L. Randall, Superintendent of Schools :
DEAR SIR :- Few changes have been made in the con- ditions under which music is taught since the work has been under my direction. The time devoted to the work remains unchanged.
In all the grades I find an eager interest in music, mani- fested by the children in enthusiastic singing and this spirit is largely inspired by the teachers, who realize that not only is the child developing mentally, but physically and spiritually as well.
All children love to sing and they sing naturally of love, happiness, joy, patriotism and good will; the evil impulses of the soul do not thrive in a musical atmosphere.
So we count music one of the many things in modern education which appeals to the child and serves to create higher ideals.
In all grades note songs are being taught continually and all the individual help posssible is given to the monotones. Aside from the important principles involved in time and tune, individual attention has been given to tone placing and tone production and a marked improvement in tone is noticed.
Children perceive rhythm before they do melody and in the song-plays, which are taught in the primary grades, make the rhythm of music fit the idea expressed in motions.
The upper grades are doing creditable work and the teachers are privileged at any time to introduce such work as will relate the music to the general subjects. The supervisor stands ready to assist in this work when asked.
The spirit of both teachers and pupils has been most sympathetic, and I wish again to express gratitude for the beautiful flowers which so sweetly expressed their sympathy.
Respectfully submitted,
RUTH B. DWELLEY,
Supervisor of Music.
TABLE OF STATISTICS.
SCHOOL
TEACHER
EDUCATED AT
Length of Service
Salary
Total Enrolment
Present Enrolment
Average Membership
Average Attendance
Percent of Attendance
Number of Visitors
Number of Pupils 7 to 14
No. of Pupils in 9th Grade
No. of Pupils in 8th Grade
No. of Bank Depositors '
Amount of Deposits
Grammar
Florence E. Bothwell
No. Brookfield High.
33
$12
26
23
23.7
21.8
92.2
60
22
2
4
$49.59
Primary
Ethel Braman
Northfield Seminary
33
$10
18
13
13.9
13.1
93.3
13
0)
-
$4.21
Coldbrook
Ruthı E. Butterfield
Worcester Normal
33
$11
22
22.3
21.6
65
15
4
O
15
$50.13
South
Effie T. Swindell
Barre High
$10
13
10
11.2
10.5
94.6
9
1
5
$13.61
West
May E. O'Donnell
Barre High
$10
12
10
10.9
10.1
92.3
1.4
9
1
NOTE-Figures based on records since September. Total number of pupils, 96. Amount of deposits since May, $117.54.
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OAKHAM ROLL OF HONOR.
EIGHT YEARS .- George Dean.
Two YEARS .- Dorothy Newton, Walter Tucker.
ONE YEAR .- Lavander Clifford, Gladys Stone.
Two TERMS .- Hazel Grimes, Alexina Labonte, Eddie O'Don- nell, Edith Plumb, Ruth Morse, Doris Bruce, Ivah Cody, Vernon Flynn, Ruby Bullard, Iola Wilson, Rosa Wilson, Susie Winslow, Franklin Cheever, Holbrook Prescott, Harold Bullard, Beatrice Howe, Doris Prevost.
ONE TERM .- Ella Ferrin. Walter Howe, Alfred Morse, Orton Butler, William Morse, Leslie Ensor, Laura Sney, Albert Prendergast, Viola Hapgood, Herman Dean, Henry Blake, Ralph Cody, Albert Eggleston, Walter Pierce, Ralph Prescott, Lena Knight, Joseph Bruce, Jennie Bul- lard, Gladys Cheever. Edgar Hall, Eric Harvey, Earle Parker, Myrtle Wilder, Edward Gaffney, Marian Ferrin, Kenneth Pierce, Esther Briggs, Euola Clifford, George Grimes, Roy Howe, Herbert Howe.
Honorary Mention. Absent only on account of sickness.
Orton Butler. Leslie Ensor, Hazel Grimes, George Grimes, Walter Howe, Alexina Labonte, Alfred Morse, William Morse, Eddie O'Donnell, Edith Plumb, Joseph Bruce, Frances Hicks, Holbrook Prescott, Ralph Prescott, Henry Blake, Ivah Cody, Ralph Cody, Albert Eggleston, Vernon Flynn, Earle Parker, Walter Pierce, Susie Winslow, Edward McTeague, Harlan Boyd, Harry Boyd, Helen Gaffney, William Gaffney, Thomas Moran, Ethel Ruther- ford. Viola Hapgood, Helen Parkman, Hazel Briggs, Euola Clifford, Roy Howe, Herbert Howe, Doris Prevost, Albert Briggs, Esther Briggs.
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TOWN CLERK'S REPORT OF BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS For the Year 1912.
BIRTHS.
January 1, daughter (Barbara) to C. Frank and Ida F. Cald- well.
January 3, daughter (Dorothy Arline) to Bert S. and Alice Reed.
April 24, daughter (Edna Miriam) to Robert and Fannie Dwelley.
June 18, son (Wm. Walter) to Oliver and Etta Wilkins. June 23, son (Willard Colin) to Clifford and Lillian Rutherford. July 23, daughter (Hazel Beatrice) to Fabius W. and Rhoda C. Beckwith.
August 7, daughter (Nellie Tatricia) to E. J. and Laura Crawford.
October 19, daughter (Marjorie Ruberta) to Sylvester and Ethel Dean.
November 24, daughter (Mary Catherine) to Thomas and Ellen McTeague.
MARRIAGES.
June 29, Irving L. Gardner to Katheryn O'Donnell. September 4, Edward S. Lawlor to Katheryn L. Gilboy. September 16, E. Leroy Barr to Charlotte Keep.
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DEATHS.
DATE. NAME.
YRS.
MOS.
DAYS
February 12, Mrs. Emma P. Alix,
44
11
8
March 18, James C. Bigelow,
72
3
19
April 22, Mrs. Lavinia E. Caldwell,
65
9
22
May 27, Henry D. Cummings,
28
'10
16
September 10, Mrs. Katheryn Lawlor,
31
11
21
October 22, Mrs. Mary A. Briggs,
57
1
3
BURIED IN TOWN.
May 26, Henry L. Babbitt,
54
8 20
July 30, Child of M. F. Lincoln.
October 2, Mrs. Mary E. Hubbard,
80
3
28
Population, 552.
Number of voters : Male, 142; female, 10.
Number of dogs licensed, 72; male, 62 ; female, 10.
Number of hunter's licenses issued, 59.
JESSE ALLEN,
Town Clerk.
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 thirty-first day of March. current, at nine o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to aet 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 one Selectman, one Assessor, one Overseer of the Poor, one School Committee, one Library Trustee, one Cemetery Committee for three years, Collector 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.
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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.
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 the approval of the selectmen, to borrow during the current municipal year beginning April 1, 1913. in anticipation of the taxes of said year, such sums of money as may be neces- sary for the current expenses of the town. giving the note or notes of the town thereof, payable within one year from the date 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 for the ensuing year.
Article 14th. To determine the manner of supporting paupers the year ensuing.
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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 what sum of money the town will vote to raise and appropriate for the building of a fence on the line of the new road leading to the depot, or pass any vote relative thereto.
Article 19th. To see if the town will vote to discontinue the old road from near the house of Jason Allen by the way of the Kelley hill, to Coldbrook depot.
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 eleventh day of March, in the year one thousand nine hundred and thirteen.
GARDNER M. DEAN, Selectmen JOHN P. DAY, of
G. T. BUTTERFIELD, Oakham.
A true copy. Attest. WILLIAM C. AYRES, Constable.
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